Cargo Equipment News

Svanehøj Acquires Complete Cryogenic Services to Tap into Growing LNG Tanker Services Market

Denmark-based marine pump specialist Svanehøj has taken over California-based Complete Cryogenic Services, a specialist in service and overhaul of submerged pumps on LNG tankers."The number of LNG tankers globally has grown by around 40% in the last five years, and 2022 was a record year with more than 200 new contracts signed. With this, an attractive service and aftersales market emerges, in which Svanehøj is determined to gain market share," the company said,Therefore, Svanehøj decided to acquire Complete Cryogenic Services (CCS) in Tustin…

Ampelmann Bags First U.S. Offshore Wind Deal

Dutch offshore gangway supplier Ampelmann has secured its first contract in the U.S. offshore wind market.Under the contract, Ampelmann will supply its E1000 motion compensated system to the marine transportation and towing company Otto Candies to facilitate operations during the construction of the South Fork, Revolution, and Sunrise wind farms - three commercial-scale wind farms in the north-east US Atlantic. "This marks an important turning point for the company and will see the introduction of Walk to Work (W2W) to the American renewable energy sector…

ScanReach Joins KVH Watch Solution Partner Program

KVH Industries said Tuesday that ScanReach, an innovator in onboard wireless connectivity solutions designed specifically for the steel vessel environment, has joined the KVH Watch Solution Partner program and will offer KVH Watch Cloud Connect services.According to the press release, ScanReach’s onboard wireless connectivity technology enables data to travel anywhere on the vessel without cabling, and, combined with KVH Watch Cloud Connect, the data will travel to the cloud for…

The Disappearance of the Service Contract in Ocean Shipping and Resurgence of Ocean Tramp Practices

The below e-mail recently received by the author paints the picture we are seeing a thousand fold in the current ocean shipping marketplace in the inbound/outbound Asia trade lanes which underscores the serious disconnect currently between ocean common carriers and shippers in these U.S trade lanes:“Carlos:We are seeing examples where there was a rate agreed upon and the cargo was tendered to the carrier. In many cases the freight gets rolled and sits at the original terminal for an additional 1-2-3 weeks.

Salalah Ports Sets Productivity Record

With an annual capacity of around 5 million TEU, the Port of Salalah set a new productivity record this month, delivering 412.97 Port Moves per Hour (PMPH) on vessel Cap San Tainaro. The Port handled 3,820 moves in a port stay of 9.25 hours.Oman’s major regional gateway port and transshipment hub, located on the Arabian Sea has recorded the highest productivity ever achieved in the region. Last month, an investment of USD 31 million in asset replacement and capacity improvements over the past year at the Port of Salalah paid off.Referencing improvements in standards of work, safety and reliability achieved as part of APM Terminals Hub Excellence Program Mark Hardiman…

Crowley Logistics Adds 400 New Reefer to its Fleet

Florida-based Crowley Logistics has added 400 new refrigerated (reefer) cargo containers to its industry-leading equipment fleet just in time for the peak perishables shipping season beginning in Central America.The additional units, all 40-foot-long, high cubes built to Crowley’s exacting standards, further demonstrates the company’s focus on offering customers the most reliable and efficient equipment in the market. These units have wireless asset monitoring technology, which will provide continuous monitoring of the equipment as it transits from origin to destination, both at sea and over land, to ensure the cold chain is maintained the entire time goods are in transit…

Damen Floats Out Australian Icebreaker

Shipbuilder Damen said it has floated out the Antarctic Supply Research Vessel (ASRV) RSV Nuyina currently under construction at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.The carefully executed procedure was achieved by raising the water level in the yard’s dry dock by six meters; a process taking two days to complete. Once afloat, the vessel was maneuvered 250 meters to a quayside berth where the ongoing construction and outfitting process will take place.Damen is building the 160-meter…

EU Ambassadors Visit Peru’s Largest Multipurpose Terminal

APM Terminals Callao hosted an EU delegation of ambassadors representing 12 EU member states. Led by the EU Ambassador in Peru, Diego Mellado, the visit was of special interest as annual trade between the EU and Peru is more than $10 billion, 60% of which are exports from Peru to the EU. The trade agreement between the EU and Peru celebrated its fifth anniversary this year- and this month, the Lima Chamber of Commerce and Peru Eurocámaras signed an agreement to centralize EU efforts to promote economic development and investment. Peru has seen strong growth in recent years - with the port of Callao experiencing consistent growth of around 10% per annum since 1990, with the exception of 2009 and 2015.

Damen Contracts Taylor Bros for Icebreaker Barges

Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) has selected Taylor Bros of Tasmania to supply two high powered Antarctic landing barges for Australia’s new icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina. Damen is building the vessel at its yard, Damen Shipyards Galati, in Romania for the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). The vessel will be operated by DMS Maritime, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco, and is an integral part of the AAD’s research program in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The signing ceremony was attended by the Tasmanian Minister for State Growth, Mr.

Keel Laid for Australia's New Antarctic Supply/Research Vessel

Construction of Australia's new Antarctic Supply Research Vessel (ASRV) has taken an important step forward with an official keel laying ceremony carried out at Damen Shipyards Galati, Romania. Damen is building the ASRV for Serco Defence on behalf of the Australian Department of the Environment and Energy. Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in the Netherlands is responsible for engineering and project management, and Damen Shipyards Galati will perform vessel construction and outfitting. The ice-breaking ASRV is a multi-mission vessel that has been designed to undertake a variety of roles.

IT Package Ordered for Australian Arctic Research Ship

Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS, Vlissingen) has awarded Radio Holland a contract to supply the IT systems on board the state-of-the-art Antarctic Supply Research Vessel (ASRV) newbuild for the Australian Antarctic Division. The 160m ASRV is a survey vessel which combines icebreaking, survey and supply activities. The vessel will be able to break ice up to 1.65 meters at a speed of 3 knots and will supply Australia’s permanent research stations in Antarctica and Macquarie Island with cargo, equipment and personnel.

Wind Farm Vessel Delivered to Mainprize Offshore

Aluminium Marine Consultants informs it has handed over MO4 to Mainprize Offshore this week for work as a wind farm support vessel carrying both cargo, equipment and personnel out of the port of Hooksiel to the German wind farm sector on an eight-year contract with Deutsche Windtechnik on the Nordergründe wind farm. MO4 took a break from sea trials to attend Seawork where she showed off her expansive deck and cabin area, with the ability to increase to 24pax. She would require a small alteration that has been designed into the construction and layout of the saloon.

First Steel Cut for Australia's New Polar Research Ship

Marking the commencement of construction of the Damen Antarctic Supply Research Vessel (ASRV), a steel cutting ceremony has been held at Damen Shipyards Galati, Romania. Damen is constructing the ASRV for Serco Defence, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco Australia who, in turn, signed a contract with the Australian Government last year for the delivery, operation and maintenance of the vessel. “Cutting the first steel for any vessel is always significant. However, the fact that the ASRV is such a ground-breaker makes this a very exciting moment,” said Damen Project Director Joop Noordijk.

Coast Guard Sets Port Condition Whiskey in NC

The U.S. Coast Guard is urging mariners and members of the maritime community across North Carolina to prepare for Hurricane Matthew as Condition Whiskey is set for North Carolina Waterways. The Captain of the Port (COTP) has set Condition Whiskey for all waterways in the North Carolina COTP Zone in preparation for the anticipated weather impact of Hurricane Matthew. Gale force winds of 39 mph and above are predicted along the coast of North Carolina within 72 hours. During this…

Australia Orders Antarctic Supply Research Vessel

The Australian Government has signed a deal with DMS Maritime, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco, for the delivery, operation and maintenance of an Antarctic Supply Research Vessel (ASRV) with icebreaking capabilities. The vessel, to be built by the Damen Shipyards Group, will form an integral part of the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) program in the coming years. The April 28 signing ceremony in Hobart Tasmania was attended by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julia Bishop and Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt.

Crowley Continues Fleet Upgrade

Crowley Maritime Corp. is continuing to receive and place into service $32.7 million worth of new cargo carrying equipment. The latest additions include 325, 20-foot chassis and 440 generator sets (gensets) all of which should be received by the end of April and 600, 53-foot (102-inch wide) dry containers along with 400, 53-foot chassis, which are expected by the end of May. These arrivals follow 500, 45-foot (102-inch wide) dry containers and 400, 40-foot high cube refrigerated (reefer) containers which were received at the end of 2015.

Crowley Adds 400 Reefer Containers

Crowley Maritime Corporation’s liner services group has added 400 new refrigerated (reefer) cargo containers to top off its fleet of equipment for service to its perishables customers in Central America and the Caribbean. All of the units are 40-foot high cubes, built to Crowley’s structural and security standards. “Putting these containers into service is part of our continued commitment to maintain the highest quality equipment for our customers just in time for the peak refrigerated shipping season,” said Steve Collar, senior vice president and general manager, international liner services. “Our expert staff continuously evaluates our fleet for its ability to meet the customer’s needs.

New Chains Replace Steel for Lashing Cargo

Industrial chains for handling heavy loads are being produced for the first time from DSM’s ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber, branded as Dyneema. DSM Dyneema has formed a strategic partnership with Load Solutions AS in Bergen, Norway, for development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of link chains made with Dyneema fiber. The chains, branded as TYCAN, are fabricated from webbings and have numerous economic, environmental and safety advantages over traditional chains that for centuries have been made in iron and steel.

OEG Offshore Acquires OSCA Environmental Services

Cargo-carrying unit, OEG Offshore, announced its gain of OSCA Environmental Services Ltd., saying the acquisition expands its international reach in the Caspian region. OEG has acquired OSCA's 2,500-unit stock has multiple bases including: Baku, Azerbaijan and Aktau, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Additional stocking locations include: Sakhalin, Russia, Gabon, Congo and Angola. This acquirement is OEG’s second major global move in less than two months, following the establishment of a Joint Venture with Unique Maritime Group, providing offshore equipment for rental and sale in the ME.

Videotel Expands LNG Training

With its latest offering, Videotel said now provides a more extensive portfolio of training for the LNG sector. Working with experts across the globe – BP Shipping, Shell, Maersk and SIGTTO, among others – the company said it has created a package of training covering the essentials required when operating in this important market. Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel Marine International, said, “Twice as many LNG carriers are operating today compared with five years ago, leading to a growing demand for quality training in the sector.

GTT Opens U.K. Branch Office

GTT opened a U.K. branch office to continue providing the LNG Industry with additional services and support. GTT said it plans to utilize its expertise and experience in the design of LNG containment systems and the associated cargo equipment and infrastructure to help the industry continue its development. GTT’s U.K. team, led by Ray Gillett, will focus on developing new tools and services that maximize GTT’s expertise in specific areas to help address some of the issues that the LNG industry may encounter as it expands. The team will also assist operators in maximizing the operational effectiveness of the systems in which they are involved. GTT’s U.K.

USCG Safety Alert: Entanglement Accidents

A recent marine casualty involving a severe injury to a crewmember aboard an inspected passenger vessel reminds us that these hazards happen in any segment of the maritime industry. Moving, rotating and reciprocating machinery may include (but are not limited to) rotating or spinning shafts, fan blades, fan or serpentine belts, gearing, hydraulic ram assemblies, couplings, arms, linkages, windlasses, drums, blocks, booms and sheaves, etc. In this instance, a crewmember’s hair became entangled with a rotating propeller shaft as the crewmember was on watch and conducting rounds.

Attention on Deck!

U.S. Coast Guard Safety Alert for Commercial Fishing Vessels. According to U. S. Bureau of Labor statistics, in 2012 commercial fishing was the second most dangerous occupation in the country, with over 117 fatalities per 100,000 workers.i This alert serves to remind commercial fishing vessel owners, operators, and crew members of the dangers associated with working around moving deck machinery, rigging, and equipment. A recent marine casualty resulting in the death of a crew member highlights the need to remain evervigilant to unsafe practices and conditions. In this instance, the crew member was standing in a hazardous location on the vessel’s working deck…