Iridium is Flying High Again
The fight in the maritime satcom sector is somewhat analogous to the one fought by Apple and Microsoft in the early ‘80s: two tech companies, polar-opposite philosophies and a raging battle for market share. Market watchers likely have noted an increased “competitive spirit” among providers of ship-to-shore communication services. • the need to keep crew content with Email, Internet & entertainment.
Austal Launches USNS Choctaw County
1 of 7 Navy Ships under construction at Austal USA. On October 1, 2012, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of the second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), the recently christened USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2). This 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform. It is part of a 10-ship program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion.
3D Vessel Tracking: A New Course in Port Traffic Control
Marine operators and entities have long struggled with the most efficient, effective means to monitor and manage traffic in increasingly busy ports around the world. The marine industry, unlike the airline industry, is unique in that mixed with high levels of commercial traffic is a broad and ever changing mix of personal watercraft of varying sizes, with equal variables in terms of operator experience.
GD Wins $100m for Virginia-class Submarine Work
General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $100.4 million contract modification by the U.S. Navy to provide lead-yard services for Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.
VT Halter Marine Partners with DCNS for U.S. Coast Guard
VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), has announced its partnership agreement with DCNS to submit a proposal…
Horton Wison Deepwater Announces New President
Thirty plus Year Offshore Industry Veteran Joins Horton Wison Deepwater, Inc. Horton Wison Deepwater, Inc. announced the appointment of Gregory Navarre as President of the company and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Navarre brings with him more than 30 years of relevant industry experience to his new role having previously served as Chief Operating Officer of the company, as well…
UK Cements Chinese Maritime Ties
The UK’s £2bn maritime services sector cemented its ties with China’s shipping industry at the 3rd International Shipping Strategic Development Forum in Shanghai organised by the trade promotional body Maritime London (21 Sept). With high profile support from the Lord Mayor of London David Wooton who opened the forum, the event was attended by 450 and brought together some of the UK’s leading maritime professionals and China’s shipowners and charterers.
Ambrey Risk Warns Against Relaxation of Vigilance
Following the report from the International Maritime Bureau announcing a drop in global piracy during the first half of 2012 there have been calls for shipping operators to avoid any temptation to relax their vigilance against the threat. Despite the reported reduction, attacks are still common with over 210 taking place around the world so far this year. The attacks by Somali pirates have spread to an even wider region with many taking place more than 1…
H2X Wins Contract to Build Second, Larger Survey Vessel
H2X, a member of iXBlue’s marine works division, has been awarded a contract to build a 43-meter monohull survey vessel by a Saudi Arabian university specializing in hydrographic and oceanographic studies. The vessel will be of a standard design with various modifications to meet defined operational needs. Constructed mainly from lightweight composite materials, the vessel will be propelled by two diesel and two classical shaft lines for transits…
FSO Africa Signs New Agreement
Euronav has announce that TI Africa Limited, the owner of FSO Africa, has signed a new agreement with Maersk Oil Qatar AS (MOQ) for the provision of FSO services…
Drydocks World Enters Into Shareholders Agreement
Drydocks World LLC (DDW LLC) & Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL) a fully owned subsidiary of the Kuok (Singapore) Limited Group has announced that they have entered into a Shareholders Agreement in respect of the Drydocks World-Southeast Asia Pte. Limited (DDW SEA) Group. Under this agreement which was signed on September 26th 2012, PCL acquired & subscribed to 67% of the shareholding of DDW SEA. DDW…
UK Urged to Change Capital Gain Calculation Methods
Moore Stephens calls for rethink on capital gains exchange rate distortions on ships. International accountant and shipping consultant Moore Stephens has urged the UK government to remove exchange rate distortions when calculating capital gains on ships. Moore Stephens tax partner Sue Bill explains, “Currently, all capital gains and losses subject to UK corporation tax are calculated by reference to sterling…
SELEX Elsag to supply BNWAS to Boston Putford Offshore Safety
SELEX Elsag Marine, a Finmeccanica company, has received an order from Boston Putford Offshore Safety to equip 24 vessels with Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm Systems (BNWAS). BNWAS meet the requirements for ships to possess a monitoring system that provides a back-up to the role of Officer of the Watch by automatically alerting the Master or other qualified personnel if the Officer of the Watch is rendered incapable of performing regular and consistent watch duties.
Technip Wins Important GofM Subsea Contract
Technip awarded Murphy Exploration & Production Co. contract for development of Dalmatian Field in Gulf of Mexico. The lump-sum contract is for work at a water depth ranging from 530 to 1…
Swedish Port Goes Green Installs ABB AMP Power
ABB shore-to-ship power connection installed in Port of Ystad enables vesels to shut down their diesel generators to reduce pollution and noise. Shore to ship power connection is sometimes known as AMP, Alternative Maritime Power. Located on the southern tip of Sweden on the Baltic coast, Ystad is Sweden’s fifth largest port, handling some 3,500 sailings annually, including daily ferry services to Poland and Denmark, as well as cruise ships in the summer and cargo vessels all year round.
Charterers Take Lead in Contracting Most Fuel-efficient Vessels
Cargill, Huntsman Corp. & UNIPEC UK who combined charter over 350 million tonnes of commodities annually decide to charter only eco-friendly ships. Cargill, one…
Despite Lower Chinese Iron Ore Imports Sino-Global Turns Profit
China mainland shipping agency provider Sino-Global announce increased revenue in fiscal year 2012 results. Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. a leading, non-state…
New Report Reveals World Fish Stocks Crisis
Head of international ocean conservation organization, Oceana, responds to alarming new report on the status of the world's fisheries. Andrew F. Sharpless, CEO of Oceana…
New Panama Canal Dredger Named in Dutch Shipyard
A backhoe dredger built by IHC Merwede was named ALBERTO ALEMÁN ZUBIETA at its associate's NMC shipyard, in Nieuw- Lekkerland, The Netherlands. The backhoe dredger will initially be used for the expansion of the Panama Canal and subsequently for its maintenance. The vessel was built by IHC Merwede for Autoridad del Canal de Panama (ACP) and was named by Mrs Ana Matilde Alemán, who is the wife of ACP's former CEO, Mr Alberto Alemán Zubieta.
Vietnam Offshore Contract for EMAS AMC
EMAS AMC contracted by Petroleum Technical Services Corporation Mechanical and Construction to provide facilities for the Dua sub-sea field. Singapore-based EMAS AMC…
