High Speed Solid State S-band Delivered for US Ferry

A Solid State S-band radar with 8-ft antenna and high speed rotation – reportedly the world’s first and smallest – has been installed by JRC for the high speed car/passenger ferry Lake Express. The 192-ft USCG-inspected Subchapter catamaran travels at a service speed of 34-knots between Milwaukee, Wisc. and Muskegon, Mich. JRC said the dual X- and S-band radar installation offers Lake Express the features…
Elcome Scores Service Agreements in the Middle East
Marine technologies and system integrator Elcome International has signed fleet service agreements with two major ship operators in the Middle East, the company announced today.
Ardent and Ardentia Join Forces

Global maritime services firm, Ardent, and Ardentia Marine Group, a Spanish salvage, engineering and commercial diving company, have formally partnered for future operations following the signing of a cooperation agreement in June 2016. Ardentia has been the emergency response and underwater services provider for the Spanish Coast Guard since 2009, and has intervened in nearly 100 operations with marine casualty control, fuel and bunker removal, refloating and wreck removal.
USCG Denies DESMI’s BWTS Test Appeal

The U.S. Coast Guard has denied ballast water treatment systems manufacturer DESMI Ocean Guard’s appeal regarding the USCG’s initial decision to reject the use of the MPN test method in type approval testing of ballast water treatment systems. Even though DESMI is considering all options, a test program for the RayClean system has already been launched in order to demonstrate compliance with the FDA test method accepted by the USCG. On July 13, 2016, the U.S.
This Day In Naval History: July 13

1812 - The frigate, USS Essex, commanded by Capt. David Porter, captures the merchant brig, Lamprey, in the Atlantic. 1854 - The sloop of war, USS Cyane, bombards San Juan del Norte (Greytown), Nicaragua, in retaliation for ill-treatment of U.S. citizens. Marines and Sailors also seize weapons and powder in retribution for an attack on U.S. Consular officials for U.S. refusal to pay reparation. 1939 - Rear Adm. Richard Byrd is appointed to command the 1939-1941 U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition.
GE Technology to Power Massive Crane Vessel

A recent partnership between Sembcorp Marine and GE aims realize one of the most challenging offshore projects in recent times for Heerema’s new Semi-Submersible Crane Vessel (SSCV) Sleipnir, which at 220 meters long and 102 meters wide, will be the world’s largest crane vessel. Equipped with two cranes, each boasting a lifting capacity of 10,000 tons, Sleipnir will be used for offshore construction and heavy lifting.
Burgess Marine, EAPL Enter Ship Repair Joint Venture

Britain’s largest independent ship repairer Burgess Marine said it has partnered with Kent-based European Active Projects Ltd. (EAPL) to manage and operate Ramsgate Slipways in a 50/50 joint venture. Burgess Marine and EAPL have worked together as customer and supplier for very many years, and both companies have workshops in the locality for quick response times and service. The Ramsgate Slipways…
Harmony of the Seas Equipped with PALFINGER Crane

The world’s largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, is equipped with a PALFINGER MARINE foldable knuckle boom crane. A follow-up order for an identical crane and cruise ship is already received. The vessels was built at STX in St. Nazaire, France and has a PK 150002 M marine crane placed in the center of the top deck, one of 18 decks in total. The 362,10 meters long Harmony of the Seas can accommodate 6.780 guests in total.
Hyundai Heavy Affiliate Aims to Sell Stake in Brokerage Unit
South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries said on Wednesday that its affiliate aims to sell its brokerage unit Hi Investment & Securities by the end of this year.
Oil Glut Still a Major Dampener on Prices -IEA
The global glut in oil is refusing to ease and acts as a major dampener on crude prices despite robust demand growth and steep declines in non-OPEC production, the…
Indonesia Hopes Fishermen Can Net Its South China Sea Claims
Indonesia wants to send hundreds of fishermen to the Natuna Islands to assert its sovereignty over nearby areas of the South China Sea to which China says it also has claims.
Baltic Index Rises on Higher Freight Rates
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rose on Wednesday on stronger rates across all vessel sizes.
Port of Barcelona Looks to Panama, Cuba for Growth

Panama and Cuba, both in the midst of growth and international expansion, are examples of two different economic models that are helping to attract foreign companies through government initiatives providing investor security. Seeking to generate business opportunities and strengthen corporate and institutional ties between the Cuban and Panamanian logistics communities, the Port of Barcelona said it has planned a multi-sector trade mission to Panama City and Havana from November 19 to 25.
Damen Tugs Delivered to Dutch Navy

In an official handover ceremony at the Den Helder Naval Base, the Royal Netherlands Navy took formal delivery of three Damen ASD 2810 Hybrid tugs. In addition to providing an increase in ship handling capacity, the new vessels are also installed with hybrid propulsion systems. This will contribute to Dutch Ministry of Defence ambitions regarding sustainable operations of the Navy. The acquisition of the three Damen tugs is part of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s ongoing fleet renewal programme.
Breakthrough in Reconstruction of Warm Climate Phases

Scientists from the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) have overcome a seeming weakness of global climate models. They had previously not been able to simulate the extreme warm period of the Eocene. One aspect of this era that particularly draws interests to climatologists: It was the only phase in recent history when greenhouse gas concentration was as high as researchers predict it to be for the future.
Big Names Unite to Push LNG as a Marine Fuel

Carnival Corporation & plc, DNV GL, ENGIE, ENN, GE, GTT, Lloyd’s Register, Mitsubishi Corporation, NYK Line, Port of Rotterdam, Qatargas, Shell, TOTE Inc. and Wärtsilä are among firms that are part of a new cross-industry initiative called SEA\LNG, to accelerate the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel. Explaining the coalition’s objective, Peter Keller, chairman of SEA\LNG and executive vice president of TOTE Inc.…
MAN's ME-GI Engine for LNG-powered Bulker

Korean shipowner ILSHIN and HMD (Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd.) have signed a shipbuilding contract for a 50,000 dwt bulk carrier. Notably, the vessel will be powered by an MAN B&W 6G50ME-C9.5-GI engine, to be built by HHI-EMD who will also supply the ME-GI and fuel gas supply system. POSCO, the multinational steel-making company headquartered in Pohang, South Korea, has already agreed to charter the newbuilding upon delivery, and will use the vessel to transport limestone for its operations.
Steel Cut for Holland America Line’s ms Nieuw Statendam
Holland America Line celebrated a significant construction milestone today as the first steel was cut for ms Nieuw Statendam, due for delivery in November 2018.
G E Shipping Buys Product Tanker

The Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited (G E Shipping) signed a contract to buy a Medium Range Product Tanker of about 48,539 dwt. The 2005 Japanese built vessel is expected to join the Company’s fleet in Q2 FY17. The Company’s current fleet stands at 33 vessels, comprising 23 tankers (7 crude carriers, 14 product tankers, 2 LPG carrier) and 10 dry bulk carriers (5 Kamsarmax, 5 Supramax) with an average age of 9.97 years aggregating 2.48 mn dwt.
Bear Head LNG GHG Management Plan Approved

Bear Head LNG Corporation Inc. (Bear Head LNG) received Nova Scotia Environment’s (NSE) approval for its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Management Plan for its liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on the Strait of Canso in Richmond County, Nova Scotia. The GHG Management Plan provides Bear Head LNG’s strategy for managing GHG emissions through technology selection, design of the facility, and operations. “Approval of Bear Head LNG’s GHG Management Plan is welcome news…