Baron Releases New Weather Software
Weather services company Baron Services, Inc. announced the immediate availability of the Velocity Weather API, designed for use by marine industry manufacturers and software developers who want to integrate a weather stream into their final product, including smart phone and tablet apps, websites, MFDs and chart plotters. According to the developer, Velocity Weather API delivers powerful, reliable, location-based and meteorologically accurate weather and atmospheric data via the Internet.
EFC Looks to Recruit 50 Staff in Highlands
EFC Group, a leading designer and manufacturer of instrumentation, monitoring, handling and control systems for the global oil and gas industry, has announced plans to recruit up to 50 people in the Highlands as part of its rapid expansion in the area. The recruitment drive follows an acceleration of EFC’s growth strategy in Forres, with the launch of a second base in Enterprise Park in May this year representing a £100,000 investment by the firm.
DMCA and Civil Defence Discuss Dubai Maritime Strategy
Move aimed at promoting role integration in driving maritime sector development. Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) recently held a joint meeting with officials from the Directorate General of Civil Defence – Dubai to discuss the latest developments in implementing the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS) which is the first step aimed at achieving a radical change across the local maritime industry and ultimately positioning Dubai as a leading international maritime hub.
Vital North Sea/Baltic Sea Link Disruption
The local labour union VERDI has given official notice of a strike at Kiel-Canal Locks (Brunsbuettel) 7, August through to Sunday 11, August, 2013. Maritime traffic will experience heavy delays/restrictions during this period. The Kiel Canal, one of the busiest waterways in the world, is a 98-kilometre (61 mi) long canal linking the North Sea at Brunsbüttel to the Baltic Sea at Kiel-Holtenau. An average…
Britain's 'Fighting Admiral' Laid to Rest
Tributes have been paid to SirJohn 'Sandy' Woodward, who has died aged 81. "He served his country with distinction throughout his career, but he will be best remembered by many as the Navy’s 'Fighting Admiral' after he led the Royal Navy task force, sent by Margaret Thatcher [her government], to re-take the Falkland Islands in 1982" – Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond. "Admiral Sir ‘Sandy’…
Latest Global Shipbuilding Orders
Although somewhat quieter this week with a number of the yards in the Far East approaching their summer vacations, Clarkson Hellas Weekly S+P Bulletin reports continued…
Tankship Freight Rates in Swift Freefall
The biggest slump in tanker rates since January is signaling weaker U.S. oil imports, and is causing a 15-year low in the shares of one major crude-oil tankship operatore, reports Bloomberg. Rates for the biggest crude carriers tumbled 68 percent in the past two weeks, more than reversing their advance since the end of June, says Bloomberg, citing Clarkson Plc, although earnings had risen after oil cargoes to the U.S.…
New Mercy Ship Funding by PIMCO Philanthropists
Mercy Ships, the charitable hospital ship foundation, is delighted to announce the leadership gift of $20 million from Laguna Beach philanthropists, Sue and Bill Gross. The funds are designated toward a new hospital ship, currently in the design phase, to join the current hospital ship, the Africa Mercy , in delivering hope and healing to the underserved poor. In honor of this generous donation, the hospital onboard the new ship will be named the Sue and Bill Gross Healing Hospital.
Wall Street Commuters Give New Ferry a Try
Dozens of Brooklyn straphangers stranded by the 14-month-long R train shutdown to Lower Manhattan try out a new ferry service to Wall Street, but other commuters shunned the transit alternative as even more of an inconvenience, reports the New York Post. A total of more than 100 people hopped aboard five morning-rush-hour runs of the ferry, which began leaving the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park at 6:20 a.m. and reached Pier 11 in Manhattan after the 15-minute trip.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Schedules Q2 2013 Results
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (NASDAQ: GLDD) will release its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 on Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 7:00 a.m. C.D.T. A conference call with the Company will be held the same day at 9:00 a.m. C.D.T. The call in number is 877-377-7553 and Conference ID is 20061209. The conference call will be available by replay until Monday, August 12, 2013, by calling 800-585-8367 and providing Conference ID 20061209.
Ranger Offshore Buys DP2 Vessel
Ranger Offshore, Inc., a portfolio company of SunTx Capital Partners, add the 'DSV Lewek Toucan' to its fleet of vessels. The Lewek Toucan, built in 2006, is a 290’ DP-2 multipurpose offshore support vessel with a 120 ton active heave compensated crane, moon pool, helideck, 1,000 ton cargo deck, and accommodations for 100 personnel. It has arrived in Galveston, Texas, and will be outfitted with Ranger’s Hoss I 1…
Arctic Economics in 21st Century: New CSIS Publication
Center For Strategic & International Studies' (CSIS) has published 'Arctic Economics in the 21st Century: The Benefits and Costs of Cold'. The report, with contributions by David A. Pumphrey, Terence M. Toland, and Mihaela David, explores the key economic dynamics at play in the rapidly changing Arctic region. It evaluates both the economic benefits of an increasingly open Arctic region and the costs of exploring the riches of the American Arctic.
Houston Port Commissioners Approve Bayport Dredge Funding
The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority has approved $296,000 in increased funding for maintenance dredging of the Bayport Cruise Terminal. The special meeting was held to amend the Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the maintenance dredging of the Bayport Cruise and Container Terminal berths. Meeting agendas are available on the Port of Houston Authority website: http://www.portofhouston.com/the-port commission/public-meetings/agendas.
Big Box Segment Carries Most US Loads Say IANA
Domestic container volume continued its steady performance in the second quarter of 2013 with 9 percent year-over-year gains, largely attributable to a strong big box segment, with total intermodal traffic rising by 2.4 percent for the quarter, reports industry trade association IANA. International volume was unable to build on its solid Q1 growth, falling 1.3 percent in Q2 after posting 3 percent gains in Q1.
WSS Opens Myanamar Office
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has opened its first office in Myanmar (formerly Burma) as part of its global expansion programme. Since Burma has opened up to foreign investment following recent political reform, WSS has made plans on how to offer its customers a direct service from inside the country. The company has concluded the time is right to play a role in shaping Myanmar’s ports, shipping and offshore service sectors.
GD Bath Iron Works Awarded Zumwalt-class Modules Contract
The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Bath Iron Works a $212-million contract for design and construction of a steel deckhouse and hangar and construction of aft Peripheral Vertical Launching System (PVLS) modules for integration into 'Lyndon B Johnson' (DDG 1002), the third ship of the U.S. Navy's 'Zumwalt-class' of guided missile destroyers. The Zumwalt-class deckhouse includes the ship's bridge…
Clarkson Port Services Director Celebrates 30 Years Service
Barry Stokes, a director of UK-based Clarkson Port Services (CPS) recently celebrated 30 years' service with the company. Barry was one of the very first CPS staff members, when, in 1983 he opened a Genchem Shipping office in Runcorn to provide vessel agency support to Genchem Chartering (ICI), British Fuels and Arklow Shipping. He built up a profitable and successful operation, integrating it with Vopak and Clarkson Brothers & Casper to further develop the UK agency representation.
OWET Conference Program Announced
Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET) has announced the program for the eighth annual Ocean Renewable Energy Conference presented by the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC).
Enclosed Dry Dock Opened on U.S. West Coast
Bay Ship & Yacht Co., an American service, refit and new construction yards for superyachts and commercial vessels, recently expanded its capacity and capabilities…
Catamaran Capsizes Near Ocean City, Md.
The Coast Guard and two good Samaritans rescued two men and recovered two men Monday after the 28-foot catamaran the four boaters were on capsized near Ocean City, Md. A good Samaritan aboard the Lori M contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders at approximately 9 a.m., reporting a catamaran had capsized approximately 32 miles northeast of Ocean City with four people aboard. The Just Right Five rescued two men, both age 55, who were responsive.
