Operational Services News

Wah Kwong NatPower and Huzhou Wuxing Ruituo Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop zero-carbon inland shipping corridors, focusing on electrification infrastructure across key waterways in China.The partnership will establish a network of electric vessel charging and battery-swapping facilities, integrating energy supply, digital systems and operational services into a unified platform.The initial phase will focus on the Hangzhou–Jiaxing–Huzhou region in Zhejiang province…

MENCK, a brand in marine energy and infrastructure services company Acteon, has secured a contract to supply advanced pile-driving equipment and operational services for the installation of the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm.Acteon will supply its MENCK MHU4400S hydraulic hammer, along with a pile sleeve and anvil designed for monopiles of up to 11 meters in diameter.The MHU4400S submersible is a high-performance submersible hammer engineered to drive both large monopiles and smaller-diameter piles, meeting the demands of today’s large-scale offshore wind installations.Located in the U.K.

The Switch, a provider of power electronics for the marine industry, has signed a multi-million-dollar contract with Vard Electro to deliver equipment for five diesel-electric hybrid walk-to-work vessels.The Switch will supply its DC-Hub technology to multiple vessels on order at Vard Electro, a subsidiary of Vard, a Fincantieri company.With a total of 15 DC-Hubs to be delivered, the project showcases the increasing demand for flexible and future-proof power distribution systems.The five diesel-electric hybrid walk-to-work vessels of the VARD 3 32 design will provide maintenance…

Seaonics has signed a contract covering the delivery of five Electric Controlled Motion Compensated (ECMC) Gangways and five ECMC 3D Cranes for an international customer to a series of walk-to-work offshore newbuilds under construction at global shipbuilder VARD's yard in Vietnam.The advanced equipment will enable the vessels to provide comprehensive maintenance, supply and operational services to offshore oil-and-gas installations.The ECMC systems ensure smooth and precise movements even in challenging sea conditions by compensating for the vessel motion.

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has signed a contract for the design and construction of five Walk-to-work vessels with an international customer, which will be put to service for offshore oil and gas platforms.The vessels are of VARD 3 32 design, a design developed by VARD in close collaboration with the unnamed customer.The five Walk-to-work vessels will provide maintenance, supply, and operational services to offshore platforms in the oil and gas sector.The vessels will be equipped with a diesel/electric and battery-hybrid propulsion system…

Hornblower Group on Thursday announced its subsidiary Hornblower Energy has received an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to design, construct and operate the first asset of its kind to produce green hydrogen through the use of hydroelectric power and dispense to ferry and maritime vessels in the United States. The first in the world of its kind, the three-year project officially began in 2021 in San Francisco with a projected completion date of 2025. Fueling…

TerraSond announced plans to invest in a new base in Massachusetts as part of its commitment to support the Vineyard Wind 1 project and wider US offshore wind developments. The company, which already has facilities in Alaska and Texas, has been confirmed as a preferred supplier for the subsea balance of plant inspection and survey services for the Vineyard Wind 1 wind farm, a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. The wind farm will be situated 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and 35 miles from mainland Massachusetts.

Wärtsilä Voyage won a contract to update the ECDIS on-board 50 tankers. More than 400 ships already has the capability to share routes through their ECDIS. With focus on increasing tanker safety, the STM BALT SAFE project is signing up 50 tankers that frequently sail in the Baltic Sea, with Wärtsilä winning the contract. Cajsa Jersler Fransson, Ship Testbed Manager, says, “Wärtsilä Voyage has the know-how, the installed base and the dedication to a more connected future. With installations happening this year…

Port of Rotterdam is set to welcome Heerema's Sleipnir, the world's largest semi-submersible crane vessel, which is set to arrive at the port on Saturday, March 21, where it will be made ready for a North Sea decommissioning project.Named after the Norse God Odin's eight-legged stallion, the vessel stands at 220 meters long, 102 meters wide, can accommodate 400 employees, and weighs 119,000 tons and is the first such unit powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The semi-submersible vessel has two cranes onboard, each capable of lifting 10,000 metric tons.

Navelink is a newly formed sea traffic management industry consortium initiated by the industrial companies Kongsberg Gruppen, Saab and Wärtsilä, three influential and significant maritime equipment manufacturers and service providers.The aim of the consortium is to reach a new global standard enabling scalable maritime information exchange. The consortium already has the Swedish Maritime Authority (SMA) boarded and has commissioned Combitech to deliver the infrastructure needed."Ship owners and operators, as well as coastal and port authorities and their service providers can benefit from the open infrastructure we are establishing.

Norwegian seismic services provider Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) has offered to sell the Ramform Sterling vessel to the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC).The seismic services that help oil companies to find oil and gas reserves offshore worldwide said in a press release that it had been informed that JOGMEC, an incorporated administrative agency of Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry, is the preferred tenderer and that negotiations would be initiated with the aim of concluding necessary contracts."PGS has now been informed that the Company is the preferred tenderer, and negotiations will be initiated with the aim of concluding necessary contracts. A final award to PGS will only take place if and when all contracts have been concluded.

Abu Dhabi Ports announced on Sunday the delivery of the first shipments of Automated Rail Mounted Gantry Crane (ARMG) and ship-to-shore quay cranes (STS) to Khalifa Port.Shipped from Shanghai, the ten state-of-the-art ARMG Cranes and four STS Cranes are the initial batches of equipment to be installed at COSCO Shipping Abu Dhabi Terminal, the second container terminal being built at Khalifa Port due for completion at the end of this year.As innovation and automation continues to be part of Abu Dhabi Ports’ long-term strategy, the state-of-the-art ARMG’s and STS cranes will add unprecedented advantages to Khalifa Port by ensuring the timely and efficient stacking of containers in the terminal’s yards.Furthermore…

The 5,000th ship installation of Inmarsat Fleet Xpress, the world’s only high-speed, globally-available Ka-band VSAT service designed for mobility and available from a single operator, is set to be completed by the close of the month.Following its launch in March 2016, Fleet Xpress has emerged as the market-leading pathway to digital transformation as shipping companies seek to deliver improved vessel and fleet efficiency, boost profitability and enhance seafarer wellbeing.The latest data compiled by the respected, specialist market analyst, Euroconsult, indicates that six out of ten VSAT installations undertaken in the  first half of…

Listed bunker company Aegean Marine Petroleum has entered a memorandum of understanding with Mercuria Energy Group for a billion dollar refinancing and strategic partnership, says a company press release. Aegean Chairman and independent director of the Board, Donald Moore, said, “As part of the announced strategic review, the new leadership at Aegean has, in short order, brought forward an opportunity to completely redefine and optimize the Company’s capital structure, enhance near term liquidity and position the Company for a dynamic partnership with one of the world’s largest privately held integrated energy and commodity groups. “We…

Energy trader Mercuria Group has agreed to provide a $1 billion trade finance facility to Greece's Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, the marine fuel logistics and supplies company said on Thursday, sending Aegean's stock up more than 150 percent.New York-listed Aegean Marine underwent a major leadership change this year after losses prompted an activist investor revolt to sever ties with the company founder, shipping and oil tycoon Dimitris Melissanidis.Aegean announced a $200 million write-off in early June after a new chairman, Donald Moore, was appointed in May to lead a strategic review.Shares in Aegean were up 127 percent at $1.43 as of 1359 GMT, having risen as high as $1.53.Swiss-based Mercuria will initially inject at least $30 million in cash, Aegean Marine said.Aegean Marine also

Jensen Maritime Consultants, a Crowley company, said one of its workboat designs will be used by a Pacific Northwest boat builder to fulfill a construction project for the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). In support of the project, Jensen will supply a functional and regulatory design package for the 41-foot vessel, which will provide ship- and sub-assist services, as well as other port operational services at U.S. Navy port locations around the world. Jensen’s Bryan Nichols…

Briggs Marine & Environmental Services has published its new accounts for the year ending March 2016 at Companies House, which show an annual increase in turnover to £66m. The company, which supplies a range of services throughout the marine industry, has increased its turnover by £4 million from the previous year, as a result of increased activity in the repair of  subsea cables in the offshore renewable energy industry. Tighter margins in variable markets saw the Group’s operating profits show a slight decrease from £6m in the previous year to £5.4m for the year ending March 2016, with return on capital employed falling from 25% to 23%.

The Port of Barcelona is pursuing an active policy to increase the competitive edge of its customers, fostering the development of efficient and operational services that respond to their needs for international shipping and logistics services. To do this, it provides port companies, customers and users with various tools such as multi-sectoral business missions, specialised courses and seminars on foreign trade matters. Now it has incorporated the methodology of a company called GettingContacts, which provides networking with a customised agenda, which has proven to be a high-performance format especially designed to provide a rapid response to the needs of transport and logistics companies.

Aker Arctic Technology Inc has acquired full ownership of Canadian based company Akac Inc, which is known in the oil and gas industry for its involvement in the Arctic offshore projects and operations. According to Aker Arctic Technology, the acquisition strengthens its position in the field of Arctic offshore work. Akac provides tailored solutions and consultancy to enhance the operability, efficiency and safety of offshore operations in ice conditions. The ownership change is effective as of June 1, 2015.

FleetPro says it will manage the technical and hotel operational services of Haimark Line's newly acquired MS Saint Laurent” from May 3rd, 2015. Haimark Line, with offices in Denver, Chicago and Berlin will launch the highly popular Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway Cruises with the intimate 210 guest MS Saint Laurent (formerly known as Sea Voyager) which was purposely built for Great Lakes Cruises and expedition-focused exotic Central and South American sailings. The Saint Laurent will be completely updated and refurbished before entering into service. Including the addition of expedition cruise features such as a new fleet of zodiacs and refurbished outdoor areas idea for enjoying vistas.

DFDS currently operates 55 ships, predominantly ro-ro freight ships, ro-pax ships, and passenger ships; with few exceptions these ships will now all be classed by LR. DFDS Seaways operates a network of 30 routes with 50 freight and passenger ships. DFDS Logistics provides freight and logistics services in Europe with trailers, containers and rail. The increase in ships classed by LR deepens and broadens the support provided by the classification market leader in the passenger ship, ro-pax and ro-ro freight ferry sectors.

Teekay Offshore Partners say they have agreed to acquire ALP Maritime Services B.V. (ALP), a Netherlands-based provider of long-haul ocean towage and offshore installation services to the global offshore oil and gas industry. ALP currently provides these services through a fleet of third-party owned vessels. As part of the transaction, Teekay Offshore and ALP have ordered four state-of-the-art towing and anchor handling vessel newbuildings, which will be capable of ultra-long distance towing…

Ocean transportation company Maersk Line, a unit of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, announced today the formation of a regional, containerized shipping company – SeaLand - dedicated to the intra-Americas market. The new affiliate will have a structure similar to Maersk's other regional carriers such as intra-Asia carrier MCC Transport and intra-Europe carrier Seago Line. SeaLand will feature knowledgeable, local sales and support personnel positioned in North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, to meet the unique needs of customers throughout the region.