China Aircraft Carrier Group Assembling Quietly
Escort ships for China's first aircraft carrier, the 'Liaoning', are quietly assembling at Qingdao Harbor & are expected to sail soon. Citing the Hong Kong-based Chinese-language newspaper 'Wen Wei Po' Focus Taiwan reports that the carrier battle group might comprise the Liaoning, four type 052C or 052D destroyers, two type 052B destroyers, two to four type 054A escort ships, one or two type 093 nuclear submarines and one supply ship.
Japan Needs U.S. LNG, But Quickly ...
Japanese trade minister Toshimitsu Motegi calls for early U.S. approval for exports to his country of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The Japanese minister made his…
Somalia Anti-piracy Projects Approved by UN
The United Nations Trust Fund for the Fight against Piracy approves projects in support of anti-piracy efforts in Somalia & other affected States in the region.
Navy Contracts for BAE, Norfolk & IMIA, Bremerton
The following two contracts have been awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense. BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $48,628,316 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-4308) for the USS Laboon (DDG 58) fiscal 2013 extended drydocking selected restricted availability. An extended drydocking selected restricted availability includes the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance…
Can Indonesia'a Planned Container Terminal Compete?
Indonesia’s ambitious plans for the new port of Tanjung Sauh seem not to regard Singapore's transhipment dominance. Singapore’s relentless cargo growth of 5.7% last year…
Damaged Hull Coating Cause of Cutter Corrosion
The U.S. Coast Guard's Engineering Analysis Board has identified factors associated with corrosion on the Coast Guard’s National Security Cutter 'Stratton'. The Engineering Analysis Board concluded that the unusual pattern of corrosion observed on the Stratton was caused by Damage to the hull coating, caused by below-the-waterline welding, coupled with a cathodic protection system that was operating in an “underprotect” configuration contributed to the corrosion on Stratton’s hull.
Ailing Korean Shipbuilders to Get Huge Cash Injection
Creditors are expected to inject 800-billion Won (US$ 730-million) into STX Group during 2013, according to Yonhap News Agency. Creditors of STX Group will likely…
Northrop Grumman Names CEO U.K. and Europe
Northrop Grumman Corporation will appoint Andrew Tyler chief executive for the United Kingdom and Europe, effective July 1, 2013. In this new position, Tyler will play a leading role in supporting the company's current programmers, developing strategies for growth and identifying new business opportunities for the company's activities in the U.K. and Europe, including NATO countries. He joins Northrop Grumman from Siemens' Marine Current Turbines where he was chief executive officer.
Russia's Gazprom to Step Up Arctic Drilling
Under increasing pressure from competitors & the authorities, the Russian gas major is stepping up exploration & drilling in Arctic waters. A total of four wells were drilled and 3000 square km of 3D seismic mapping was conducted in the years 2011-2012 resulting in an increase in offshore reserves with more than 200 million tons of oil equivalents. The exploration was conducted in the waters surrounding the Yamal Peninsula…
MAN PrimeServ Wins EMC Fleet Contract
MAN Diesel & Turbo has signed a significant engine maintenance concept (EMC) agreement with German shipowner Rörd Braren covering 3 ships. MAN PrimeServ – MAN Diesel & Turbo’s after-sales service brand – recently agreed a closer, mutual cooperation between its Hamburg and Copenhagen hubs covering the EMC. The new arrangement between the two locations immediately bore fruit with Rörd Braren signing…
Cape Fear Federal Pilots Launch New Boat
Cape Fear federal pilot launches its first pilot boat and welcomes its latest customer, US Shipping Corp. After years of using a hired launch vessel for boarding ATB's, tugs and ships at the entrance to the Cape Fear River, the Cape Fear Federal Pilots recently launched its first pilot vessel. River pilot Tony McNeill, who operates the pilotage service for the Port of Wilmington NC for U.S. The boat…
Norway's Vard Wins OSV Contract
Vard contracted by Island Offshore for the construction of an advanced offshore support vessel (OSV) of Rolls-Royce design. The value of the contract amounts to approximately NOK 400 million and delivery is scheduled from Vard Brevik in Norway in Q3-2014. The hull of the vessel will be delivered from Vard Braila's shipyard in Romania. The Island Offshore Group is a leading provider of services to the…
Container Carrier Rate Wars Intensify
Ocean carriers cannot afford to operate services from Asia to Europe at rates which are between 25% and 30% lower than in January, says Drewry. Although the recent collapse of rates was excessive…
AWEA Chicago Conference & Expo Kicks Off
New American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) leadership takes helm with EDPR’s Gabriel Alonso chairing the board. Tom Kiernan to speak as incoming CEO. Generating…
COSCO China Shipyards Diminish Group Q1 2013 Profits
The Group achieved $9.7 million net profit on turnover of $733.0 million in Q1 2013, but shipyard & drybulk operations contributions down. In Q1 2013, turnover…
Today in U.S. Naval History: May 3
1861 - USS Surprise captures Confederate privateer Savannah. 1898 - Marines land at Cavite, Philippines, and raise U.S. flag. 1949 - First Navy firing of a high altitude Viking rocket at White Sands…
OMEGA Introduces Submersible Pressure Transducers
Omega's new products will be featured at the Sensors Expo and Conference, June 5-7 in Rosemont, Ill. Omega introduces its new series of pressure transducers with…
European Vessels Engage in Operation Against Piracy
Since April 2013, the Jeanne d'Arc group, composed of the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Tonnerre, the Antisubmarine Frigate (ASF) Georges Leygues, the Light Surveillance Frigate (LSF) Nivôse, and the Off-Shore Patrol Vessel (OSV) Adroitare, have been engaged in the European operation against piracy christened Atalanta. The French ships and the four Swedish, German, Spanish and Dutch ships are deployed…
Harvey Gulf Invests $540 Million in LNG Vessels
Chief Executive Officer of Harvey Gulf International Marine, Shane Guidry announced the execution of three agreements for vessels totaling $540 million. These purchases will raise the total capital expenditures of Harvey Gulf to $1.7 billion since August of 2008. The first agreement is between Harvey Gulf International Marine and Eastern Shipbuilding Group for the construction of two STXCV 340’ x 73’ x 29.5’ Heavy Lift Construction Vessels.
Logistics in Action: Keeping Cargo Moving
Although much of the country is welcoming spring and the warm weather that comes with it, many of the Great Lakes waterways are still laden with ice. Coast Guard icebreaking tugs continue to work on the lakes to keep critical shipping lanes clear for merchant vessels, remove hazardous obstructions to navigation and free ships stuck in ice. Their mission sustains a bi-national economy and keeps maritime crews safe.
