Us Inc News

Exxon and Canada-based crude pipeline operator Enbridge were sued in Illinois federal court on Tuesday over claims they barred a competitor from building a terminal to ship oil by barge from the Chicago area to refineries in the Midwest and Gulf of Mexico.The antitrust lawsuit from energy infrastructure developer Ducere seeks more than $11 million in damages for work the Illinois company said it already paid for on the project and for lost future profits.Exxon, Enbridge and their…

U.S.-based offshore vessel operator Bordelon Marine has secured a one-year charter with Subsea 7 i-Tech US Inc. for its Connor Bordelon ultra-light intervention vessel.The Jones Act-compliant vessel is mobilized with two Schilling 150 HD Work Class ROVs with high spec survey capabilities operated by Subsea 7. The vessel is configured to support Inspection, Repair & Maintenance (IRM) operations for clients operating in U.S. waters and regional international locations."We look forward to working with Subsea 7 in support of their U.S. and International IMR and light intervention scopes.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) on Monday awarded $19.6 million in grants aiming to help 31 shipyards modernize, increase productivity, and expand local employment opportunities while competing in the global marketplace.The grants were awarded to shipbuilding and repair yards in 15 states throughout the U.S. as part of MARAD's Small Shipyard Grant Program. Since 2008, the program has awarded $262.5 million to nearly 300 shipyards in 32 states and territories.

Marine electrical systems provider Vard Electro Canada’s said it is setting up new operations in Houston to serve the North American maritime industry. Vard Electro US Inc. will offer the same marine electrical engineering, procurement solutions, and vessel system integration as Vard Electro, a subsidiary in the Vard Group majority-owned by shipbuilding giant Fincantieri.Andrea Qualizza, general manager for Vard Electro, said, “Vard Electro has over decades served shipyards and shipowners all over the world.

Headset communications on board workboats in harsh marine environments are subject to a variety of challenges: background noise from loud engines and high wind turbulence around the microphone and the highly corrosive salt and spray in marine environments. On board rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) and high-speed craft (HSC) that pound through rough waters at 60 knots – including a variety of patrol boats and interceptor/interdiction vessels – critical communication can be rendered all but impossible.

Swiss commodities trader Trafigura has applied to build a deep-water port in Corpus Christi, Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico, which will be able to load supertankers, reports FT.The report said that the plan would see the commodity house build an offshore deepwater port facility  with a view to accommodate very large crude carriers (VLCC) capable of carrying more than 2m barrels of crude. It requires approval from the US Department of Transportation’s maritime division.According to a Reuters report, United States began exporting crude oil in 2016 after the ban on exports was lifted but while its production and therefore exports keep hitting new highs…

Eurotainer US, Inc. has selected APM Terminals Inland Services Argentina as the exclusive agent for the sales and marketing of its tank container leasing services in Argentina.APM Terminals serves the Argentinian market through five strategically located Inland Service Depots located in key markets along the full length of the country. The company offers equipment lifecycle management, transportation services and cargo support.The company's Puerto Deseaso Depot has an established container sales and leasing business and its depot in Ushuaia is one of the main container repair centers in South America. Continuous training ensures that its personnel are familiar with international repair criteria and the latest technologies.

MetalCraft Marine (MCM) has announced an exciting strategic partnership has been signed between MetalCraft Marine and Bill Connor, President of Connor Industries and Stanley Custom Aluminum Boats. Mr. Connor will be President of MetalCraft Marine and MetalCraft Marine US Inc of Cape Vincent NY. Mr. Connor is a major contributor to the boating industry and sits on the Board of the NMMA and Toronto Boat Show. Both companies have great expertise in their respective markets:  large vessels up to 90’ for military, law enforcement, and fire/rescue, and smaller vessels from 14’ and up for specialty commercial work, and for recreational use. MCM and Stanley Boats are used worldwide in the energy business, in conservation, crew transport, and in public safety.

Genesis Technology Solutions, Inc. (GenesisSolutions), the asset performance optimization subsidiary of ABS Group, has signed an Alliance agreement with Infor (US), Inc., a enterprise asset management (EAM) software provider and strategic technology partner for more than 90,000 organizations worldwide. With this alliance, GenesisSolutions will help support Infor and its customers in optimizing the power of Infor EAM. Through services and solutions, customers can improve capital asset management in ways that help increase reliability, enhance predictive maintenance, confirm regulatory compliance, reduce energy usage and support sustainability initiatives across industry sectors.

The Coast Guard's Command, Control and Communications Engineering Center (C3CEN) awarded a contract to FLIR Maritime US, Inc., of Nashua, New Hampshire, Wednesday, for the Scalable Integrated Navigation System, Two (SINS-2). The single award Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract is valued at $50 million and consists of a five-year base with a five-year option. The total period of performance is 10 years. The Coast Guard originally procured legacy SINS for a portion of the small boat fleet in 2002, and the original components have significantly exceeded their life expectancy. Efforts to refresh legacy SINS began in August 2013 with revising the system’s required specifications…

Day after day, the U.S. Coast Guard continues to conduct its 11 statutory missions with its limited resources. It is challenged to Invest in long-term operational capacity while continuing to carry out its daily missions. “We’re a small service, but as always, we do punch above our weight class,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft during the 2015 Surface Navy Association symposium in Arlington, Virginia. While the Coast Guard may have drifted off course with its ambitious and holistic Deepwater recapitalization effort…

The group’s business in the United States is organized under the parent company, Rapp Hydema U.S. Inc., a holding company with three wholly-owned subsidiaries that are controlled from the headquarters in Seattle. Rapp Hydema Northwest operates a workshop and local production. Rapp Hydema AK is the service arm of the Alaskan office and runs an engineering yard in Dutch Harbor. Rapp Hydema Subsea (Houston) is responsible for the offshore market. The Rapp Marine Group has developed advanced machinery and equipment for the marine and offshore oil industries worldwide for more than 100 years.

Navios South American Logistics Inc. announced today that it and Navios Logistics Finance (U.S.) Inc., its wholly-owned finance subsidiary, have commenced a cash tender offer for any and all of their outstanding 9 1/4% senior notes due 2019 and a consent solicitation to eliminate or modify most of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default and make other changes to provisions contained in the indenture governing the 2019 notes. The offer is scheduled to expire at midnight, New York City time, on May 5, 2014, unless extended or earlier terminated by the co-issuers.

Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation announced  that the company and Navios Acquisition Finance (U.S.) Inc., its wholly owned finance subsidiary, intend to offer through a private placement, subject to market and other conditions, approximately $600 million of first priority ship mortgage notes due 2021. The notes will be offered and sold in the United States only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in offshore transactions to non-United States persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes will be secured by first priority ship mortgages on 12 vessels aggregating approximately 2.6 million deadweight tons owned by certain subsidiary guarantors.

Company announces offering of $650 million senior secured term loan. Commercial Barge Line Company  announced results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2012. For the year, the Company reported total revenues of $811.6 million and Adjusted EBITDAR of $232.1 million. Compared to 2011 results, revenues declined $41.4 million, or 4.9%, while Adjusted EBITDAR improved by $57.8 million, or 33.2%. For the quarter, total revenues were $207.9 million compared to $244.5 million in 2011 and Adjusted EBITDAR was $62.8 million compared to $60.3 million in 2011. Commenting on the results, Mark Knoy, President and Chief Executive Officer…

MODEC Offshore Production Systems (Singapore) Pte Ltd. awarded Aker Solutions' wholly-owned subsidiary Aker Marine Contractors a mooring installation contract for hook-up of the Bourgogne FPSO offshore Angola. Contract value is approximately $30m. MODEC will supply the PSVM FPSO to BP for the oil company's PSVM (Plutão, Saturno, Vênus and Marte) development in Block 31 offshore Angola. The FPSO will be installed in approximately 2 000 meters water depth and have production capacity of 157,000 barrels per day. "This contract represents another significant step forward in our relationship with MODEC," says Erik Wiik, President - Subsea North America, Aker Solutions.

MetalCraft Marine has delivered its first 26-ft US Navy Tow Boat to Cheatham Annex. Metalcraft Marine was recently awarded a contract by the United States Navy for the construction of eight of their 26-ft tow boats. The tow boats will support the US Navy’s spill recovery, support and salvage operations worldwide. Fully loaded the aluminium tow boat can reach speeds of 34 knots with its Single Iveco NEF 450 hp engine rated at 420 hp (309 kW) driving a single UltraJet 305HT High Thrust Waterjet viz a ZF 280 gearbox. UltraJet waterjets were chosen for their high bollard pull for vessel recovery.

Odfjell Terminals has entered into a Letter of Intent to purchase Chem-Marine Corporation of South Carolina. Chem-Marine controls a 25.3 acre/10.2 hectare site through a long term land lease, and is located adjacent to Odfjell's tank terminal in North Charleston, South Carolina. The property is situated on the Cooper River and has a 250 meters deep-water front and a 12.5 meter draft ship berth, with one dedicated stainless steel lines connected to 12,800 cbm of storage in two carbon steel tanks.

On the evening of April 20, 2010, Deepwater Horizon suffered a blowout while drilling in the Macondo Prospect, an area in the Gulf of Mexico 40 miles off the southeast coast of Louisiana. The platform caught fire; two days later, it sank. Numerous attempts were made to seal the well, but oil continued to spew into the Gulf until July 15, when a temporary cap was put in place. Relief wells then pumped concrete into the area underneath the wellhead, and the well was deemed permanently sealed in mid-September.

Separator Spares & Equipment, LLC announced an authorized distributor agreement with GEA Mechanical Equipment US, Inc. (GEA Westfalia Separator Division) for the Gulf Coast region. Effective immediately, Separator Spares & Equipment, LLC will be providing GEA Westfalia high-speed separator equipment, spare parts, and support throughout the Gulf Coast region. This strategic alliance will provide GEA Westfalia Separator’s customers a local representative on the Gulf Coast. “I’m extremely excited about working with GEA Westfalia. This agreement gives us a solid partner in providing solutions for our customer’s purification needs.” said Mervyn LeBlanc, Director of Separator Spares & Equipment, LLC.

Under the Radar and also the higher profile Fast Response (FRC) and National Security Cutter (NSC) acquisitions is the U.S. Coast Guard’s effort to replace and upgrade its fleet of smaller response workboats. The building programs involve big money and substantial innovation. But, for all the progress being made, the failure of the federal government to come to a budget deal for the coming fiscal year could also put the brakes on some of the most innovative programs that the Coast Guard has ever embarked upon. In the meantime, it is full speed ahead with a three-pronged small boat program that could eventually involve as many as 650 vessels. The effort to recapitalize the Coast Guard never ends.

On the occasion of Metal Craft Marine’s 25th anniversary, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News ventured north, to the boat builder’s Kingston, Ontario headquarters, to discover the secret to its success. Metal Craft Marine is well regarded in maritime circles for designing and building high performance craft outfitted for the most demanding work conditions. While the company is diverse in its work scope and capability, its history lies in high-performance jet boats and its current core competency lies in the construction of tough fire boats and military boats for worldwide use.

American Commercial Lines (ACL) is pleased to announce that it will begin transporting crude oil by barge on the U.S. inland waterways for MEG Energy (U.S.) Inc. (MEG Energy), a subsidiary of the Canadian oil company MEG Energy Corp. Crude oil will arrive primarily via pipeline and will be transferred to barges at storage terminals located on the inland waterways for transport by ACL to the Gulf Coast. ACL is dedicating new tank barges built by its manufacturing division Jeffboat into service for MEG Energy, as well as towboats newly repowered and refurbished for maximum efficiency and reliability. "We are committed to providing MEG Energy with the highest quality equipment and the highest level of service by our team of experienced and dedicated maritime professionals…