The Best Options for Safe Mooring
The use of High Modulus Synthetic Fiber (HMSF) mooring lines, including Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWP) lines continue to make one of the most dangerous evolutions aboard ships safer. A 2017 UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) safety report, however, highlights critical areas where additional engineering review and crew training is required to help ensure overall crew safety.
Bowles Named Director of Donald L. Blount & Associates
Naval architecture and marine engineering firm Gibbs & Cox, Inc. has appointed Jeffrey B. Bowles as Director of its Chesapeake, Va. division, Donald L. Blount & Associates (DLBA).
Sydney’s Newest Ferry Begins Operations
A newbuild 27-meter catamaran passenger ferry has been delivered to the Australian Public Company Sealink, and has commenced operations on Sydney Harbor. Designed by Incat Crowther and built by Aluminium Marine, Nancy Wake is a 280 passenger vessel accommodating 198 passengers inside and 82 outside. Nancy Wake is the fourth vessel of this design, which includes Incat Crowther’s new generation propeller…
US Invests $18.5 Mln in Offshore Wind Research
U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry announced $18.5 million in new Department of Energy (DOE) funding for a consortium that will conduct research aimed at reducing the cost of offshore wind in the U.S. As it seeks to capitalize on momentum in the offshore wind market, the U.S. still faces several challenges, such as deep water requiring floating foundations, the need for models predicting how Atlantic hurricanes will impact offshore turbines…
Seadrill Bondholders Propose Alternative Debt Restructuring
An unofficial committee of Seadrill's unsecured bondholders has submitted a binding alternative proposal for the company's restructuring, two sources familiar with the proposal told Reuters on Tuesday. Norwegian-born billionaire John Fredriksen and a group of hedge funds proposed on Sept. 12 to invest $1.06 billion via new equity and secured debt to restructure indebted Seadrill, once the largest drilling rig operator by market value.
First Mobile MTU Gas Engines for Rederij Doeksen
The first two preproduction units of the new mobile MTU gas engine from Rolls-Royce have completed performance tests and were accepted by the customer at the beginning of December. MTU delivered the first two of a total of four 16-cylinder Series 4000 gas engines, each with an output of 1,492 kW, for two new catamarans. From 2018, the two aluminum vessels will operate ferry services on the Dutch Wadden Sea.
William P. Doyle Appointed as DCA Executive Director & CEO
The Dredging Contactors of America’s (DCA) has selected the Honorable William P. Doyle, Sr. as its new Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). William…
Skangas to Source LNG at Import Terminal on Isle of Grain
Skangas has announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with National Grid Grain LNG. Under the terms of the LoI, Skangas is to source LNG at the Grain…
ABS Partnership Enhances Safety in Ghana’s Offshore Industry
ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, formed a joint venture with Notabene Classification Limited…
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Returns to Washington
Washington-based ships assigned to Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 returned Dec. 10, just in time for the upcoming holidays following a six-month deployment…
Mitsubishi, Wärtsilä Joins for Improved Power and Propulsion Solution
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment Co., LTD (MHI-MME) and the smart technology group Wärtsilä have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)…
All-women Crew Tarini Departs From Lyttelton
The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini left Lyttelton on 12 December 2017 for its onward journey to Port Stanley (Falklands). INSV Tarini had arrived at Lyttelton…
NAT Announces Public Offering of USD 100mln
Nordic American Tankers (NAT) announced an underwritten public offering of $100 million of its common shares pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement.
Combating Illicit Maritime Activity
Prevention of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in west and central Africa is on the agenda at a meeting of the G7 Group of Friends of the Gulf of Guinea in Lagos…
World’s Largest Crane Vessel under Development
Holding OOS International Group B.V. said it is working with China Merchants Industry Holdings (CMIH) to design and build what will be the world’s largest semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV), OOS Zeelandia. OOS unveiled the OOS Zeelandia during the EU-China Blue Industry Cooperation Forum in Shenzhen on December 8, but revealed the basic design has been in progress since a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the China Merchants Group subsidiary CMIH in July.
Proposal for 355-ship US Navy Signed into Law
Included in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed today by President Donald Trump is policy to grow the U.S. Navy fleet from its current 279 ships to a minimum of 355. “With his signature, President Trump has confirmed the United States’ resolve to meet the growing needs of our U.S. Navy,” said Senate Seapower Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss.), who introduced the Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas (SHIPS) Act along with Rep.
Austal, JR Kyushu Jet Ferry Developing New Vessel Concept
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Austal Australia and JR Kyushu Jet Ferry will see the two firms develop a new high speed trimaran passenger ferry concept for JR Kyushu Jet Ferry’s South Korea to Japan service, one of Japan’s busiest international routes. The companies will design and build the 80 meter trimaran based on Austal’s trimaran hull form, with the interior to be developed by leading Japanese designer, Eiji Mitooka of Don Design.
Crowley Scholarships to Four USMMA Cadets
Four U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) cadets were awarded with 2017 Thomas B. Crowley Memorial Scholarships during yesterday’s Containerization and Intermodal Institute’s Connie Awards luncheon in Newark, N.J. Jenny Terpenning, supervisor, marine recruiting at Crowley Maritime Corporation, presented the scholarships to Midshipmen (MIDN) Joshua Cann, Vincent Policastro, Rebecca Snyder and Benjamin Starr while also formally recognizing 2016 recipient Chandler Chiappe…
Trump to Open Oil Drilling off US East Coast
The Trump administration is preparing a plan that would open up oil drilling off the U.S. East Coast, Bloomberg reported. President Trump ordered the Interior Department to create the draft proposal as part of his “America-First Offshore Energy Strategy” executive order in April. The new plan, which could be unveiled as soon as this week, would allow the U.S. to auction oil and gas drilling rights in Atlantic waters previously blocked under the Obama administration.
Vittoria Shipyard Launches New Tug for Algeria
Vittoria Shipyard has signaled its return to the Italian and international harbor and offshore tugs market with the launch of the new vessel C869, designed and constructed for the harbor authority in Skikda, Algeria. Vittoria Shipyard – which specializes in designing and building military, paramilitary and commercial vessels –launched the vessel onto the Canal Bianco at its Adria facility. The newbuild will now undergo final works and sea trials ahead of its scheduled spring 2018 delivery.
