Project Cargo and Heavy Lifts in the COVID-19 Environment
The year 2020 has presented a litany of challenges to the safe movement of global project cargo. While heavy lifts and engineered cargo movements always present challenges from a rigging and execution standpoint, we have also faced exceptional challenges on other fronts. These have included cancelled vessel bookings, port facilities as well as prefabrication/modulization yard closures, lack of vessel and facility access as well as travel restrictions.
Ocean Influencer: Graham Hawkes, HAWX Open Ocean
The July/August edition of Marine Technology Reporter, the 15th Annual "MTR100", recognizes Graham Hawkes a subsea innovator, explorer, inventor and pusher of boundaries. A pioneer in the realm of ocean engineering, he’s designed and built more than 60 manned submersibles—everything from atmospheric dive suits to flying subs. As a test pilot, he’s maintained the deepest solo dive record for more than 20 years.
Maersk Expects Pre-COVID Container Demand in 2021
Shipping group Maersk on Wednesday issued full-year earnings guidance above its forecast at the beginning of the year and said it expects demand for moving containers at sea to return to pre-COVID levels in the first half of next year.The company's share price jumped more than 7% in early trade to an eight-month high, and has doubled in value since March, as cost cuts and the prospect of a global economic…
K Line, Airseas Get AiP for Seawing Kite System
Classification society ClassNK has granted an Approval in Principle (AIP) for the Seawing system, an automated wind-powered kite capable of towing commercial ships and improving a vessel's fuel economy by 20%.ClassNK granted the approval to the shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line) and Airseas, the developer of the Seawing system.Seawing is a kite system that assists vessel propulsion by towing commercial ships using wind power…
Wakashio Owner Apologizes, Says it Supports Crew after Arrests over Mauritius Oil Spill
Japan's Nagashiki Shipping, the owner of a bulk carrier that ran aground in Mauritius, causing an oil spill in one of the world's most pristine environments, said Wednesday it awaited judicial decisions after two of the ship's officers were arrested.Nagashiki issued a statement on Wednesday after the arrest overnight in Mauritius of the captain and of the bulk carrier, MV Wakashio, and another of the ship's officers on charges of endangering safe navigation.
Wakashio Bow Towed to Deeper Waters
The bow section of the stricken bulk carrier Wakashio has been towed to deeper waters eight nautical miles off Mauritius after the grounded vessel broke apart atop a coral reef near Pointe d'Esny off the Indian Ocean island's east coast. The Japanese-owned Wakashio struck the reef on July 25 and began spilling oil on August 6, triggering the country's worst ecological disaster and prompting the government to declare a state of environmental emergency.About 1…
Subsea Mining: The Race is On, But Effects are Unclear
Mining the ocean floor for submerged minerals is a little-known, experimental industry. But soon it will take place on the deep seabed, which belongs to everyone, according to international law.Seabed mining for valuable materials like copper, zinc and lithium already takes place within countries’ marine territories. As soon as 2025, larger projects could start in international waters – areas more than 200 nautical miles from shore…
Op/Ed: Government Response Should be Investigated After Wakashio Spill
The stranding of the MV Wakashio is one of the biggest environmental disasters in the history of the western Indian Ocean. While the full scale of the disaster is not yet known, the 1,000 tons of oil and diesel that leaked close to one of the greatest marine treasures of Mauritius threatens to destroy this precious habitat. Recovery will be long and the disaster will occupy Mauritius for years to come.Questions now arise: could the accident and the spill have been prevented?
US Navy Decommissions USS Champion
The U.S. Navy decommissioned the mine countermeasures ship USS Champion (MCM 4) during a ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on Tuesday.Due to public health safety and restrictions of large public events related to the novel coronavirus pandemic, plankowners and former crew members of the Avenger-class ship virtually celebrated its distinguished history.Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, Rear Adm. Scott Robertson was the guest speaker, with Capt.
US Navy Awards Unmanned Vessel Contract to L3 Harris
L3Harris Technologies said it has received a contract from the U.S. Navy for the Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MUSV) program. The $35 million initial award is part of a $281 million program that includes a prototype and options for a total of nine MUSVs. The program is the Navy’s first for a USV to support the Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations strategy.L3Harris will integrate the company’s…
Henshaw Named Connecticut Port Authority Executive Director
The Connecticut Port Authority (CPA) approved the appointment of John Henshaw as its new executive director, effective September 8, 2020.Henshaw comes to the CPA after serving as the executive director of the Maine Port Authority for over 10 years and after serving as commissioner for the Board of Harbor Commissioners for the Port of Portland.He was selected for the position following an extensive search by the CPA board for a candidate with a specific set of skills and experience.
Mauritius Arrests Captain of the Stricken Wakashio
Mauritius has arrested the captain of a Japanese bulk carrier that ran aground off its coast, causing a devastating oil spill in one of the world's most pristine maritime environments, police said on Tuesday.The MV Wakashio struck a coral reef off the Indian Ocean island on July 25 and began spilling oil on August 6, prompting the government to announce a state of environmental emergency.Mauritius' National Crisis Committee said two companies…
OCIMF Offering Remote Inspection Option
The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) said it is now providing a remote inspection option as an additional tool within its Ship Inspection Report (SIRE) program as a temporary measure to help guard against the spread of COVID-19.Rob Drysdale, Managing Director, OCIMF, explained, “In some circumstances, COVID-19 is limiting the ability of an OCIMF inspector to be physically present on board a vessel to carry out a vessel inspection.
SS Cape Florida Arrives in Brownsville for Recycling
It's the end of the line for decommissioned barge carrier SS Cape Florida, which recently arrived at a scrapyard in the Port of Brownsville in Texas for recycling.International Shipbreaking LLC, (ISL) part of EMR, has been awarded a U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) contract to transport, strip and recycle the decommissioned vessel, which has been out of service since 2006.After being awarded the contract on July 6…
Mack Boring to Supply OXE Diesel Outboards for USCG
OXE distributor Mack Boring & Parts Co. will supply four OXE Diesel Outboard units to the U.S. Coast Guard through a DLA Tailored Logistics Support Contract.The engines will be part of a project to refit existing vessels with diesel outboards for various operations. This purchase comes after a long period of rigorous testing and evaluation of the OXE Diesel product performed by the USCG R&D center…
Plaquemines Port to Build Mississippi River Container Terminal
Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District (PPHTD) said it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with several potential partners to development a multi-modal container terminal on the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, La.The signing of the LOI kicks off a six-month due diligence period during which the parties will conduct multiple studies prior to making a final investment decision (FID).The proposed container terminal would encompass up to 1…
ABS Grants AiP for Crew Transfer Vessel for U.S. Offshore Wind Ops
BAR Technologies and Chartwell Marine have received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the design and construction of a BAR 30m crew transfer vessel (CTV) aimed for operations in the growing U.S. offshore wind sector.In a joint statement on Tuesday, BAR and Chartwell said that securing AiP offered the highest level of assurance that these innovative vessel designs will be built in-line with specific US requirements.
Kongsberg Hybrid Power System for Island Offshore PSV Trio
Norwegian offshore support vessel owner Island Offshore has awarded a contract to Kongsberg Maritime to supply turnkey hybrid battery solutions for three platform supply vessels.Two vessels Island Crusader and Island Contender, previously operated with a combination of Bergen LNG engines and Bergen Diesel engines, while the Island Commander deploys four diesel engines. Now, they will be equipped with…
Shipping through the Pandemic: Perfect Storm or Wake up Call?
The global pandemic news has been horrific and certainly an historic moment in domestic and worldwide shipping. For many businesses, the action was simple; hang the “closed” sign, furlough or layoff staff and wait for the approval to re-open. Or not, depending how long the virus will linger and continue to cause hundreds or thousands of deaths and rising numbers of cases. Make no mistake, there will be many businesses associated with our industry that will not return.
ZIM Taps AI to Detect Misdeclarations
Israeli shipping company ZIM said it has developed and implemented an artificial intelligence (AI)-based screening software to detect and identify incidents of misdeclared hazardous cargo before loading to vessel.Misdeclaration of hazardous cargo has been at the root of major marine incidents, causing loss of life and severe damages. Last year, several carriers announced the imposition of additional…
