UK to End Use of Controversial Bibby Stockholm Migrant Barge
![Bibby Stockholm at Portland Port in 2023 (Photo: Ashley Smith / CC BY-SA 4.0)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/bibby-stockholm-at-portland-port-151858.jpg)
Britain's new Labor government will end the use of the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge to house migrants off the south coast of England as part of its overhaul of the asylum system, it said on Tuesday.Use of the vessel, which can house up to 500 men, began under the Conservative government with the aim of cutting the 8 million pounds a day cost of hotel accommodation for asylum seekers while their claims are processed.The Bibby Stockholm, anchored off Dorset, became a high-profile symbol of Britain's tough asylum policy under the Conservatives, with human rights campaigners comparing it to
NASA Prepping Barge for Rocket Transport
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/-151835.jpg)
NASA said its team members are installing pedestals aboard the agency’s Pegasus barge to hold and secure the massive core stage of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, indicating NASA barge crews are nearly ready for its first delivery to support the Artemis II test flight around the Moon. The barge will ferry the core stage on a 900-mile journey from the agency’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to its Kennedy Space Center in Florida – a trip that includes both inland and open-ocean waterways.The Pegasus crew began installing the pedestals July 10.
Curtin Maritime Names Sandra Grujic CFO
![Sandra Grujic (Photo: Curtin Maritime)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/sandra-grujic-photo-curtin-maritime-151801.jpg)
U.S. maritime services company Curtin Maritime announced it has appointed Sandra Grujic as its new chief financial officer and a member of the company's executive leadership team.Grujic brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as a finance and accounting executive at Crowley"We are so excited to welcome Sandra to the Curtin Maritime family," said Martin Curtin, CEO at Curtin Maritime. "Her expertise in financial planning, strategy, budget management, and forecasting will be instrumental as we expand our operations and position ourselves as an industry leader.
Saltchuk Completes OSG Acquisition
![(File photo: OSG)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/file-photo-osg-151569.jpg)
Seattle-headquartered Saltchuk on Wednesday announced it has completed its acquisition of Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), a New York-listed marine transportation company based in Tampa, Fla.Privately-held Saltchuk—previously OSG’s largest shareholder—said it completed a $950 million transaction to purchase all outstanding shares of OSG common stock at $8.50 per share in cash, making OSG a wholly owned subsidiary. OSG common stock is now delisted and deregistered from the from New York Stock Exchange.OSG…
Chart Error Led to ATB Grounding in Alaska
![Track of the Cingluku/Jungjuk as it approached Shakmanof Cove, overlaid on
NOAA ENC US4AK5PM. (Background source: NOAA ENC as viewed on Made Smart
automatic identification system. Courtesy NTSB)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/track-of-the-cinglukujungjuk-as-151535.jpg)
An articulated tug and barge (ATB) hit a known underwater rock near Kodiak, Alaska, last year, leading to a grounding that caused $1.4 million in damages, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday.The Brice Marine-owned and -operated tugboat Cingluku and barge Jungjuk were transiting into Shakmanof Cove from Marmot Bay on May 25, 2023, with six crewmembers onboard. The Cingluku and Jungjuk operated together as an ATB, and were primarily used to transport containerized cargo and vehicles.
Texas Energy Industry Assesses Damage After Hurricane Beryl Batters Gulf Coast
![© hildeanna / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/hildeanna-adobe-stock-151482.jpeg)
The Texas energy industry was evaluating the impact from Hurricane Beryl on Monday after the powerful storm lashed the U.S. Gulf Coast, closing key shipping ports and hitting the oil refining and production sectors.Beryl made landfall near the coastal town of Matagorda, Texas, on Monday morning, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour (129 kilometers an hour) and posing problems for the heart of the country's energy sector.The storm had strengthened to a Category…
Southern Devall Names Verloka Director of Cargo Stewardship & Fleet Allocation
![Andrey Verloka (Photo: Southern Devall)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/andrey-verloka-photo-southern-devall-151140.jpg)
Sulphur, La. based marine transportation company Southern Devall announced it has appointed Andrey Verloka as its new director of cargo stewardship and fleet allocation.“In his new role, Andrey will be instrumental in ensuring that our cargo operations are executed flawlessly according to customer instructions whileminimizing risks to both cargo and equipment,” said Alfred Devall, executive vice president, commercial operations.Verloka will also be responsible for the strategic allocation of assets, based on specific cargo and voyage requirements.
ACBL Announces Reorganization Plan
![(File photo: ACBL)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/file-photo-acbl-151097.jpg)
Jeffersonville, Ind. based marine transportation company American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) announced a reorganization of its business units and leadership team.The company, a leader in U.S. inland barge transportation, said the moves are "designed to enhance and optimize operational efficiency, customer satisfaction and ensure successful execution of ACBL’s fleet strategy".Patrick Sutton, who previously served as chief operating officer (COO), will assume the new role of senior vice president (SVP) of fleet development and strategy…
Ports of Indiana Says It Aims to Develop Container Terminals
![(Photo: Ports of Indiana)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-ports-of-indiana-150948.png)
The Ports of Indiana Commission approved Resolution 24-01 to launch “The Indiana Container Initiative” in support of developing multiple international container terminals within the state of Indiana.As a statewide port authority, Ports of Indiana operates multiple facilities on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan, but the state’s ports do not currently handle container shipments. The new initiative is designed to increase the organization’s efforts to pursue the development of international…
Rhine in South Germany Reopens to Shipping
![© cubrick / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/cubrick-adobe-stock-150749.jpeg)
The river Rhine in south Germany reopened to cargo shipping on Friday after being closed by high water since the weekend, navigation authorities said.Falling water levels after dryer weather this week mean Rhine river shipping has re-started around Maxau in south Germany, the German inland waterways navigation agency said. This means sailings to Switzerland are again possible.The river had been closed to freight shipping at Maxau over the weekend after heavy rain caused extensive flooding in south Germany.Shipping on northern sections of the river had been operating normally this week…
Parts of River Rhine Closed to Shipping Due to High Waters
![© Michal / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/michal-adobe-stock-150586.jpeg)
Parts of the river Rhine in southern Germany were closed to cargo shipping on Monday after heavy rains raised water levels, navigation authorities said.Rhine river shipping stopped around Maxau and Mannheim in south Germany, the German inland waterways navigation agency WSA said.The high levels of water leave vessels insufficient overhead space to sail under bridges, and prevents vessels sailing to Switzerland.Shipping on northern sections of the river is operating normally, including the important points of Duisburg and Cologne.The Rhine is an important shipping route for commodities includin
Shore Offshore Services Acquires Derrick Barge from TOPS
![(File photo: TOPS)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/file-photo-tops-150395.jpg)
On May 21, 2024, Shore Offshore Services completed the acquisition of the derrick barge Swing Thompson from Turnkey Offshore Project Services (TOPS).The barge will be renamed Hulk and will maintain its Vanuatu flag while following ABS guidelines and working toward gaining OVID compliance. The asset will be capable of installation and decommissioning of offshore facilities in the Gulf of Mexico and internationally.Equipped with an eight point mooring system, the 400- by 120-foot derrick barge is capable of working in up to 600 feet of water and can accommodate up to 104 persons.
Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Passes WRDA 2024
![File photo: Lock and Dam 25 (Photo: USACE)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/file-photo-lock-and-dam-150393.jpg)
The U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee marked up and passed its Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, in a move seen as a major win for inland waterways infrastructure.Several outcomes in Section 109 of the Senate WRDA 2024 bill provide the ability to accelerate project completion, setting up a far more efficient future for the navigation construction program, according to Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI), which advocates for a modern, efficient and…
Strong Outdraft Current Caused Ohio River Tow Strike
![Barges IN995423 and IB1938 against the lower dam gates. IB1913 is receiving methanol from IB1938 through a cargo transfer hose. (Background source: U.S. Coast Guard)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/barges-in995423-and-ib1938-against-150369.png)
A barge tow struck a mooring cell on the Ohio River last year after encountering a strong outdraft current above the McAlpine Dam during high-water conditions, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday.The 103-foot-long towing vessel Queen City, Owned and operated by C&B Marine Equipment, was transiting the Ohio River with 11 barges in tow when the tow struck the Vane Dike at the arrival point for the McAlpine Locks and Dam in Louisville, Ky., on March 28, 2023. The tow broke apart…
Kelly Teichman Elected as AWO's First Female Chair
![Kelly Teichman (Photo: AWO)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/kelly-teichman-photo-awo-150366.jpg)
Members of the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry trade group the American Waterways Operators elected a new slate of leaders last week during the association's Spring Convention and Annual Membership Meeting.Kelly Teichman, Executive Chairman, T&T Marine, was elected Chairman, succeeding outgoing Chairman Rick Iuliucci, Vice President, the Vane Brothers Company.In addition, Patrick Sutton, Chief Operating Officer, American Commercial Barge Line, was elected Vice Chair; and Brian Hughes, Vice President Operations & Sales, Hughes Bros., Inc., was re-elected Treasurer.
Tidewater Plans to Order New Liquid Product Barges
![(Photo: Tidewater)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-tidewater-150368.jpg)
Tidewater, a provider of marine transportation and terminal services on the Columbia Snake River System, revealed plans to invest in up to four new refined liquid products barges.The Vancouver, Wash. based company said its board of directors has approved the barge design and is progressing toward the construction phase. The new barges will replace older, less efficient assets, enhancing fleet safety, efficiency and environmental stewardship, Tidewater said."Our investment in these…
Saltchuk to Acquire Overseas Shipholding Group
![(File photo: OSG)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/file-photo-osg-150244.jpg)
Seattle-headquartered Saltchuk on Monday announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), a New York-listed marine transportation company based in Tampa, Fla., in a deal worth $950 million.Privately-held Saltchuk—OSG’s largest shareholder—said the transaction assigns OSG an aggregate equity value of approximately $653 million. Under the deal's terms, Saltchuk will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of OSG it does not already own for $8.50 per share in cash…
Oil Spill Contained After Barge Slams Bridge in Galveston
![(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-us-coast-guard-150176.jpg)
An oil spill from a runaway barge that struck a bridge near Galveston has been contained, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Thursday.At approximately 10 a.m. Wednesday, Martin Marine's barge MMLP 321 broke loose due to a break in the coupling and allided with the Pelican Island Causeway bridge, which connects Galveston Island and Pelican Island in Texas.There were no reports of injuries or any people in the water, officials said.One of the barge's cargo tanks became compromised as a result of the allision, causing an unknown quantity of vacuum gas oil to spill into the water.
ABS to Class Edison Chouest's Offshore Wind Feeder Fleet
![(Image: Maersk Supply Service)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-maersk-supply-service-150129.jpg)
A new feeder fleet of two tugs and two barges dedicated to serving a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) from Maersk Supply Service (MSS) has been ordered by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) to ABS class.The innovative system is designed to deliver components to the construction site, allowing the WTIV to remain on location, promising faster wind farm installations. The WTIV will also be ABS-classed.Designed to serve the U.S. offshore wind market, the novel articulated tug/barge…
Gulf Intercoastal Waterway Closed After Barge Strikes Bridge in Galveston
![(Photo: Galveston County Office of Emergency Management)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-galveston-county-office-of-150128.jpg)
A section of the busy Gulf Intercoastal Waterway has been closed to vessel traffic after a barge allided with a bridge that connects Galveston to Pelican Island, officials said on Wednesday.The U.S. Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston were notified of the allision at 9:50 a.m. and that the cause of the incident is under investigation. The barge, owned by Martin Petroleum, is believed to be a runaway that broke loose from a tow.There were no known injuries…
Oil that Spilled from Barge in Tobago Might Be from Venezuela
![(Photo: Office of the Chief Secretary)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-office-of-the-chief-149874.jpg)
A barge that capsized in February and caused a large oil spill near Tobago that also affected neighboring Caribbean islands might have picked up the fuel from Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago's energy minister Stuart Young said on Monday."The vessels were on the way to Guyana," the minister said of a barge being towed by a tug boat while revealing the results of his government's investigation on the incident.The spill, previously identified by Trinidad's authorities as fuel oil, emerged from a capsized vessel first spotted by the country's Coast Guard on Feb.
Young Brothers Is First in the US to Use Innovative Mooring System
![(Photo: Young Brothers)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-young-brothers-149757.jpeg)
Hawai‘i’s interisland freight company Young Brothers has become the first marine transportation company in the Unites States to install an innovative mooring system designed to improve safety and efficiency.The new $1.5 million ShoreTension mooring system was blessed in a ceremony at the Port of Kaumalapau in Lāna‘i on Monday. The technology, which keeps the barge steady against the dock during inclement weather, is already being utilized in harbors around the globe in countries like New Zealand…
US Inland Waterways: Economic Impact by State
![© Freeman Kelly / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/freeman-kelly-adobe-stock-149642.jpeg)
In 2021, nearly 500 million tons of goods valued at more than $158 billion moved on the U.S. inland waterways system, which includes a vast network of 12,000 miles of connecting waterways and 219 locks. The U.S. Department of Transportation Freight Analysis Framework freight forecasts suggest total water tonnage will increase at an annual growth of 0.7% per year through 2040.Earlier this year, the National Waterways Foundation (NWF) released updated data illustrating the economic impacts of the inland waterway systems within several key states.Data from 2021…