Major 'Firsts' for U.S. Offshore Wind Space
December was a month of major “firsts” in the U.S. offshore wind space. The first federal auction for offshore wind was held for the West Coast, and the first federal leases for commercial floating wind projects were provisionally awarded. These events are key milestones in the journey to achieve the federal vision of 15 GW of floating wind in the USA by 2035. Several major challenges in developing…
Turkey Says to Continue Blocking Oil Tankers Without Proper Insurance
Turkey's maritime authority said on Thursday it would continue to block the passage of oil tankers without appropriate insurance letters, adding that the insurance checks on ships in its waters was a "routine procedure."A Turkish measure in force since the start of the month has caused shipping delays.
Baltic Dry Index Up as Capesizes Hit Six-week High
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index rose for a third straight session on Thursday, helped by stronger demand for capesize vessels.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels carrying dry bulk commodities, rose 12 points, or about 0.9%, to 1,385, its highest in four weeks.The capesize index gained 40 points, or 2.5%, to 1,675, its highest since Oct.
Global Port Services Supports Construction of Scotland's Largest Offshore Wind Farm
Global Port Services, owned by Global Energy Group alongside the Port of Nigg, has said it has secured multiple contracts to support its client Seagreen Wind Energy Limited (SWEL), with site enabling works for the pre-assembly construction of wind turbine components (WTGs) at its Port of Nigg facility. The news comes as the final turbine foundations for Seagreen arrive at Nigg to be prepared for installation at Seagreen offshore wind farm site…
Equinor Books Solstad's Battery-hybrid PSV Duo
Norwegian offshore vessel operator Solstad Offshore's Normand Naley and Sea Frost platform supply vessels have been awarded five-year contracts by Equinor in the UK.Both contracts, of an undisclosed value, will be in effect for five years, starting in January 2023. The contracts include options for further extensions.The Sea Frost, which has been on contract with Equinor since 2017, will be upgraded with a battery-hybrid system and shore power as part of the contract.
Over 8 GW of Floating Wind for California, But Who Will Build It?
As the dust settles from Wednesday's California floating wind auction, and developers begin to discuss their plans, energy industry intelligence firm Intelatus says development of the floating wind manufacturing and installation supply chain must speed up.Developers are beginning to release details of their bids for yesterday’s California floating wind auction. The successful bidders for the two north California Humboldt sites…
ThayerMahan Buys Sea-KIT USV
UK-based uncrewed surface vessel (USV) specialist SEA-KIT on Thursday announced its first USV export sale to ThayerMahan, an autonomousmaritime solutions firm based in Connecticut, USA.Sea-KIT said that the X-Class USV's combination of extended range, high sea state endurance and payload capacity attracted ThayerMahan initially to the UK-based USV firm."The fact that SEA-KIT’s vessels are already commercially proven across the globe also factored heavily in their decision-making process…
BCG, ABS Team Up to Decarbonize Maritime & Offshore Industries
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) a consultancy and advisor on decarbonization to the maritime industry, and maritime classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), have signed a memorandum of understanding to combine their technical and consulting expertise in the maritime and offshore industries, providing joint support to clients’ decarbonization journeys.Peter Jameson, Partner and Global Lead for Climate and Sustainability in BCG’s Infrastructure…
New Zealand Navy Idles Ships as Labor Crisis Hits
Three of New Zealand’s nine naval ships are sitting idle in port as higher civilian salaries lure personnel out of the military, the country’s Defence Force said on Wednesday, even as tensions in the Pacific rise between China and the U.S. and its allies.The HMNZS Wellington, an offshore patrol vessel, headed back to New Zealand early from what was meant to be a three-month deployment in the Pacific and was taken out of operation in November because of shortages…
CMA CGM to Buy New York, New Jersey Terminals from Canada's GCT
CMA CGM, one of the world's largest container shipping lines, said on Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire two container terminals at the port of New York and New Jersey from Global Container Terminals (GCT), which will extend its presence in a crucial hub for trade.The deal comes after French-based CMA CGM last month said it expects a pullback in shipping markets to accelerate in the fourth quarter due to high energy prices and flagging consumer spending…
US Says Iranian Military Boat Came Within 150 Yards of US Warships
The U.S. military said on Tuesday that an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy boat came within 150 yards of American warships in the Strait of Hormuz, but the situation was de-escalated with the help of audible warnings and non-lethal use of lasers.In a statement, the U.S. military said the incident took place on Dec.
French Navy Intercepts Brazilian Vessel Carrying €150 Million Worth of Cocaine
A Brazilian vessel carrying more than 4.6 tonnes of cocaine worth over 150 million euros ($157.4 million) was intercepted last week by the French Navy off the coast of Sierra Leone, the Europol international police agency said on Wednesday.Europol said the vessel, which was en route to Europe, was intercepted on November 30, following joint intelligence work by France, Brazil, Britain and the United States."An investigation is underway to identify the criminal groups involved on either side of t
Jones Act Waiver Mess
Potential energy shortages in the U.S. northeast this winter have led to arguments that the U.S. Jones Act should be waived. These arguments rarely, however, grapple with what exactly it takes to waive the Jones Act. This is not blameworthy because the Jones Act waiver standard has been a mess. For decades the standard for granting a waiver was interpreted in way as to make it all but meaningless,…
Alameda Fire Department Chooses Moose Boats to Build New Fire Boat
California boat builder Moose Boats announced it has been awarded a new contract from Alameda City Fire Department for the construction of an M2–38 Catamaran Fireboat.The M2 – 38 aluminum catamaran will be powered by twin Cummins QSB6.7L 480HP turbo diesel engines coupled to twin Hamilton HJX29 water-jets. Darley pumps will provide 5,000GPM of water through two 5” discharges, two 4” discharges, eight…
First US Floating Wind Auction Closes
Five developers selected to build the first floating wind farms in U.S. federal watersTo support the California Energy Commission’s planning goals of 2-5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045 as well as a federal target to deploy 15 GW of floating wind by 2035, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has concluded the auction date for five 33-year leases offshore California. Exhibit 1…
Update: European Firms Capture Most Leases in California Offshore Wind Auction
The U.S. government's first-ever sale of offshore wind development rights off the coast of California drew $757.1 million in high bids, mainly from European companies seeking a foothold in the U.S. wind-power industry's expansion to the Pacific Ocean.The auction began on Tuesday and ended Wednesday, the offshore wind industry's first chance to snag leases in waters off the U.S. West Coast. It was a milestone in the global expansion of floating wind…
Western Officials in Talks with Turkey Over Oil Tanker Delays
Western officials are in talks with Turkish counterparts to resolve oil tanker queues off Turkey, a British Treasury official said, after the G7 and European Union rolled out new restrictions on Dec. 5 aimed at Russian oil exports."The UK, U.S. and EU are working closely with the Turkish government and the shipping and insurance industries to clarify the implementation of the Oil Price Cap and reach a resolution…
Austal USA Commences Submarine Work
Shipbuilder Austal USA on Wednesday announced production has commenced at its Mobile, Ala. shipyard in support of the company’s partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) to support the U.S. Navy’s recapitalization of the nation’s nuclear submarine fleet. As part of the partnership, Austal USA is constructing and outfitting Command and Control Systems Modules (CCSM) and Electronic Deck Modules (EDM) for the Virginia- and Columbia-class programs.
SCHOTTEL After Sales Service Network Expands
German propulsion systems manufacturer SCHOTTEL announced it has added new contractual service partners in Spain and France. The company currently has more than 100 sales and service stations around the globe.Stefan Buch, VP After Sales Service at SCHOTTEL, said, “Today, more than 10,000 vessels of all types and sizes are sailing around the globe thanks to SCHOTTEL propulsion systems. To ensure reliable operation at all times, we offer a wide range of services throughout the vessel’s lifecycle.
Wind Propulsion: Kite System Trialed on Transatlantic Voyage
An innovative kite system is being put through its paces on board a cargo ship crossing the Atlantic as wind propulsion takes off for commercial shipping as a means to reduce fuel burn and harmful environmental emissions.The system, called Seawing, has been developed by France-based Airseas, and is currently being trialed on the 154-meter ro-ro vessel Ville de Bordeaux, which is operated by Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) and chartered by Airbus…
