America News

A total of 67 floating production, storage and offloading (FPSOs) vessels are expected to start operations globally by 2025, with Australia leading the Asia-Pacific region.Globally, 67 planned and announced FPSOs are expected to start operations between 2019 and 2025, revealed the report 'Q1 2019 Global FPSO Industry' by GlobalData.Of these, 26 are planned and 41 are announced and of these Australia will account for all FPSOs planned for deployment in Oceania during 2019-2025.In Oceania…

With the global offshore decommissioning industry expected to reach $36bn over the next 3 years, several hundred offshore oil and gas wells could cease production by 2021 in the face of today’s bearish oil market.As a consequence, so-called decommissioning obligations in the global oil and gas industry rose to $11.7 billion last year and are projected to hold steady at an average of about $12 billion per year from 2019 through 2021, according to Rystad Energy.“2018 was an all-time high, and the next years are set to break this record,” said Rystad Energy partner Audun Martinsen.

As Oceanology International celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Marine Technology Reporter explores half a century of subsea technology development and discovery. Oceanology International Americas runs February 25-27, 2019 in San Diego.When Oceanology launched in 1969 in the seaside resort of Brighton the world was a very different place. For a start, Brighton was home to the mods and rockers, who would square off against each other on the town’s elegant seafront. The British currency included shillings and ha’ pennies and man had yet to step foot on the moon.More crucially…

Florida's largest port Port Tampa Bay welcome the announcement by the CMA CGM Group, that it will begin serving Port Tampa Bay in late May 2019 on its Pacific Express 3, or PEX3 service.With a presence in 160 countries and a fleet of 506 vessels, CMA CGM serves over 420 ports across the globe and is a member of the Ocean Alliance. The PEX3 port service rotation will be as follows: Singapore – Vung Tau – Hong Kong – Shekou – Ningbo – Shanghai - Busan – Panama Canal - Houston – Mobile – New Orleans – Tampa – Miami – Singapore."We are delighted with this announcement by CMA CGM…

The provider of lifting solutions Kalmar has agreed a deal to supply seven terminal tractors and six forklift trucks to the Rio Estiba terminal in Nueva Palmira, Uruguay.The Cargotec group company said that the order was booked in Cargotec's 2018 Q4 order intake with delivery scheduled to take place in Q2 of 2019.Rio Estiba provides port logistics services, including loading and unloading of cargo, coordination of intra-port operations, in-terminal transport, and administration and cargo handling in port warehouses.

Network Innovations and its inland waterways connectivity solution eliminates “dead spot” coverage woes. And, not a moment too soon.The bane of inland operators – or at least one of many – has always been the dearth of reliable and economical vessel-to-shore communications. Even in America’s heartland where cellular coverage is routinely billed as seamless, so-called ‘dead spots’ persist. Sometimes, this happens at the worst possible moment for an operator who has myriad far flung assets on dozens of remote inland waterways.

North American transportation and logistics player TFI International has announced the acquisition of Toronto Tank Lines (TTIL).Acquisition strengthens TFI’s logistics and specialized tank capabilities throughout North America, said a press note.Founded in 1993 and based in Hamilton, Ontario, TTL specializes in the transportation and storage of food grade liquids, industrial chemicals, specialty oils and waxes throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico.TTL operates storage facilities and a fleet of approximately 75 tank trailers and 45 power units…

Two Bangladeshi workers were killed Monday in a fire that started in the engine room of an end-of-life tanker being dismantled at a shipbreaking yard in Chittagong, Bangladesh, the NGO Shipbreaking PlatformMd Jamil, 23 years old cutter man, and Bipul lost their lives while scrapping the ship GREEK WARRIOR (IMO 9191412) at Shagorika Ship Breaking Yard. According to local media, Jamil was burned and rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. He died before reaching the hospital.

The ferry business, unlike more industrial parts of the shipping business, touches wide swaths of the world’s population across continents. The membership of Interferry, the leading trade group for the industry, with non-Governmental organization (NGO) status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) includes 200+ members from all parts of the ferry spectrum. These include passenger ferries (including fast ferries), Ro/Pax and cruise ferries operating globally. In selecting “the best” we looked beyond the league tables of “the most” (passengers) and “the biggest” (fleet size).

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has extended discounts concerning dry bulk vessels operating between American and Asian ports after considering “new changes in the global shipping market and the world economy”."SCA pays more attention to its users best interest, and has recently taken steps towards being the safest, most secure, most reliable and most competitive compared to other routes," said a press release.It said that the rebate granted to (Laden/Ballast) Dry Bulk Vessels operating between Americas' ports and Asian ports…

Global seaborne liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) volume is expected to grow by over 6% in 2019 and surpass 100 million tonnes for the first time.Singapore based provider of pressurised LPG vessels, Epic Gas said that it is well positioned to benefit from the improving fundamentals of the LPG shipping market.For the fourth quarter of 2018, freight levels for most sizes in the pressurised sector were similar to the stronger levels seen in the third quarter. Rates for the 3,500cbm, 5…

The Panama Canal Board of Directors announced the appointment of Ricaurte Vasquez as the next Panama Canal Administrator.According to a press note from the artificial 82 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean, Vasquez will take office on September 4, 2019, succeeding current Administrator Jorge L. Quijano, who concludes his seven-year term at the helm of the waterway.The decision was made by the Board of Directors in accordance to an independent…

Designer Tomas Tillberg’s quest for freedom breaks down barriers and expands to China, where his team builds China’s first expedition cruise ships putting Antarctica - and the most remote, mysterious parts of the world - within reach.All for freedom. Freedom for all. Tomas Tillberg could be Harley Davidson’s new poster boy. As he views the open road from behind his handle bars, he’s filled with an amazing feeling of personal freedom.With formal training from Royal Academy of Arts in Stockholm, Tillberg’s artistry expresses his aspiration for independence.

Danish shipping giant A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S has acquired Vandegrift, a US-based customs house broker,  as the ocean container line pushes further into land-based logistics services and operations. This is the first acquisition of the year in the fast-growing logistics sector.“Vandegrift’s expertise and reputation enables us to place a trusted advisor in front of our customers to design and build individualized Customs Brokerage and Compliance programs that identify risk and provide solutions.

With a year to go before the implementation of the 2020 Sulfur Cap, few topics will be higher on the list of priorities for shipowners than complying with Annex VI of the IMO MARPOL Convention (2008). However, the reduction of sulfur content in marine fuel from 3.5% to 0.5% in time for the deadline means more than identifying a strategically suitable fuel choice. The importance of choosing the correct lubricant, coupled with incorporating the relevant supporting is also a vital consideration.As both a global lubricant supplier and as a part of the wider Total Group…

Global floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) market is growing at a CAGR of +93% during forecast period 2019-2026 as the demand for natural gas has been rising as it is a preferred fuel in power generation in various industries.According to a report from Research N Reports, the demand comes from mainly for the regions such as North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India.Natural gas is cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective than other fuels. It has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions…

Ken Bloch Sørensen has stepped down as president and  CEO of Canadian shipowner Algoma Central Corporation after leading the company for four years. Gregg A. Ruhl, the current Chief Operating Officer, has been named President and Chief Executive Officer and will assume that role immediately.Soerensen is said to want to spend more time with his family in Europe. He joined Algoma in April 2015 and was charged with redefining the strategic focus of the Company to include growth markets beyond North America.

European spaceflight services company Telespazio and the shipping company Grimaldi Group have recently signed two contracts to strengthen the satellite communications capabilities of the Neapolitan shipping group on its fleet of cargo and passenger ships.Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo and Thales, said in a press release that the first agreement provides for managing on-board communications for RO/RO, RO/RO multi-purpose and PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) vessels in the Grimaldi Fleet that operate between Northern Europe…

Dutch dredging and heavylift company Royal Boskalis Westminster has been awarded a contract for the transportation of a large number of modules for a North American LNG export facility.The contract value amounts to approximately USD 55 million with additional options for extensions, worth up to USD 30 million, a press release said.The scope of work includes the logistical management and transportation of various large modules from a fabrication yard in China to the facility in North America.

The Port of Savannah will soon be able to unload six 14,000 TEU vessels at the same time. The plan, which is called “Big Berth, Big Ship”, effectively doubles the port’s capacity to handle mega-boxships. Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Griff Lynch unveiled the new program that will allow the Port of Savannah to simultaneously handle six 14,000 TEU vessels by 2024, a press release said.“No other single container terminal in North America has the ability to expand berth capacity at this rate,” said Lynch.

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia has announced the Telluride, its new eight-passenger SUV, will be shipped to the Port of Brunswick for global markets this month.“The launch of the Kia Telluride, our largest and most refined SUV to date, will be a monumental achievement for KMMG,” said Countess. “From the support we receive from GPA with our inbound parts from our global supply chain to supporting our export of finished vehicles to current and future markets, GPA will play an important role.”Through vertical integration – parts in via Savannah…

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched a new logo for its Women in Maritime programme, as part of its mission to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.Programme lead Helen Buni said: "The IMO Women in Maritime programme supports the participation of women in both shore-based and sea-going posts, under the slogan Training-Visibility-Recognition’, through a wide range of gender-specific activities.

Industry veteran T.J. Tracy has been named Director of the Marine Division at Viega LLC.Tracy is charged with further developing the company’s fast-growing marine division. Viega offers a full line of fittings and valves designed specifically for joining pipe systems on board military vessels, commercial vessels, oil platforms, cruise ships and mega yachts.  Tracy has spent his entire career in the maritime industry. Prior to joining Viega, he was vice president of sales and marketing at Survitec Group & Zodiac of North America.The Coast Guard veteran has a criminal justice degree from State University of New York College at Oswego. He and his wife have twin daughters. They live in Cambridge, Md.