Carmen News

Norwegian car shipping firm Wallenius Wilhelmsen estimates a $5 million to $10 million hit to core earnings from last week's U.S. Baltimore bridge collapse and expects the key ship channel to be closed for weeks, it said on Wednesday.The company said its vessel Carmen - which according to shipping data is among the biggest car carriers in its fleet - remained stuck in Baltimore's port, with the ship and its crew ready to sail as soon as the channel was reopened.Recovery teams opened a second channel enabling smaller vessels to navigate the Port of Baltimore on Tuesday…

The biggest operational crane on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard towered over Baltimore's port on Friday, ready to begin clearing the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge days after a cargo ship crashed into it, sending the span crashing into the harbor.Crews were still surveying the damage as of midday Friday. The crane, which can lift up to 1,000 tons, arrived late Thursday night and will probably start hauling debris out of the water on Saturday morning, according to U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Carmen Carver.A second crane is en route and expected to arrive soon to assist the effort…

U.S. construction materials firm Vulcan Materials Co said on Monday that Mexican security forces illegally took possession last week of its port terminal in southern Mexico, as an extended legal battle over its nearby limestone mining activities plays out.The incident took place last Tuesday night at the terminal in the popular tourist hub of Playa del Carmen, and follows a five-year fight with the government over Vulcan's concessions punctuated by sharp criticism from the country's president last year.Vulcan…

A new 168-foot double-ended passenger, truck and automobile ferry has been launched for service on Lake Erie.Designed by TAI Engineers, LLC and built in Houma, La. by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, LLC (TMC), the new ferry Carmen Lee is expected to enter service in early 2022 for a partnership between the Lorain Port Authority (LPA) and Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line in Ohio. It can hold 149 passengers and 36 trucks and automobiles, providing service between Marblehead, Ohio and Kelleys Island…

The art of drawing lines on maps is fraught with contention. Sir Mark Sykes and François Georges-Picot are likely unfamiliar to many, but their names and actions live on. Their role in carving up the Ottoman Empire toward the end of the of World War I created artificial borders in the Middle East—determined arbitrarily with a ruler and with no regard to ethnic or sectarian characteristics—highlights the unintended cartographic consequences that can arise when applying rigid models of expression to inherently dynamic areas.Designated areas of maritime risk…

North America is historically one of the world’s safest regions for maritime transit and operations. Our data shows that of the 2,915 reported global maritime crime incidents that have occurred in the last decade, only nine of them took place in North America. This figure comes from a range of threats against both commercial, and pleasure craft vessels, primarily, attempted, or successful: attacks, suspicious approaches, illegal boardings, hijackings, kidnappings, robberies and exchanges of gunfire. This is what many of us boil down to the eye-catching buzzword “piracy”.

Offshore vessel provider Telford Offshore's offshore accommodation and hook-up unit Telford 28 was attacked earlier this week while anchored in Mexico. One crew member was injured.In an email sent to Offshore Engineer, Telford Offshore said: "We can confirm that the Telford 28 came under attack while anchored at Cuidad Del Carmen, Mexico on the evening of 14th April.""Mexican Navy responded quickly and attended vessel. All personnel are now safe, although one Telford crew member suffered injuries in the attack," Telford Offshore said.According to Telford Offshore, the injured crewmember was quickly transferred to hospital ashore and is recovering well. "Our main concern and always will be is ensuring the continued safety and wellbeing of all personnel onboard our vessels.

A Maersk Supply Service's offshore vessel was a target of an armed robbery in Mexico last weekend.Maersk Supply Service confirmed for Offshore Engineer that the incident occurred on Sunday, April 12 offshore Ciudad Del Carmen, Mexico.Armed robbers boarded Maersk Transporter, stole various items and left the vessel again, the company said in an email to Offshore Engineer.Maersk Supply Services COO Mark Handin said: "All crewmembers at the location are safe and accounted for, and there are no reports of injuries. Our primary concern remains the safety and wellbeing of our crew and all those affected by the situation. "We have set up crisis counseling for our employees. The company’s incident response procedure has been activated.

Pirates attacked an Italy-flagged offshore supply vessel in the southern Gulf of Mexico, injuring two crew members, the Mexican Navy said on Tuesday, in the latest outbreak of robbery and piracy to hit oil platforms and infrastructure in the area.One of the crew members of the vessel, Remas, received a bullet wound, and the other suffered a concussion, and both were transferred to a nearby hospital, the Navy said in a statement.Owned by Italian offshore contractor Micoperi, Remas…

UK shipbuilder Wight Shipyard Co has completed its second export order. The order placed by Ultramar, the largest ferry operator in Mexico, consists of two 37m fast ferries which will be transported to Cancun Mexico at the beginning of July.The critical issues for these newbuilds were timely delivery and the weight saving target that needed to be achieved. Fuel costs are high in Mexico and are of paramount importance to Ultramar. The vessels were designed by Incat Crowther, which…

Harvey Gulf International Marine continues its commitment to expanding operations globally with the opening of offices in Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico City, Trinidad, and Guyana, and with the reflagging of two additional DP2 Offshore Supply Vessels the Harvey Seahawk and Harvey Falcon by this April.These vessels will join the OSV’s Harvey Leader and Harvey Legend along with the FSV Harvey Clipper to operate and service our customers in Mexico.Harvey Gulf has certified these vessels for operations to ensure customers can receive Harvey service levels for their expanding global operations.

Firefighters on Wednesday extinguished a fire at a Mitsui & Co petrochemical storage site outside Houston that has been billowing acrid smoke for days, the company said.The blaze at Mitsui unit Intercontinental Terminals Co in Deer Park, Texas, was put out by 3 a.m., but fire crews continued to spray foam and water on the tanks to help keep them cool and prevent the fires from starting again, the company said in a statement.No serious injuries were reported, it said. Fire officials…

Houston officials and environmental groups raced to expand air monitoring on Tuesday after a raging fire at a Mitsui & Co petrochemical storage site produced billowing acrid smoke that could be seen and smelled miles away.The blaze at Mitsui unit Intercontinental Terminals Co in Deer Park, Texas, burned for a third day after firefighting water pumps broke down for six hours on Monday evening, the company said.The fire began on Sunday when a leaking tank containing volatile naphtha ignited and flames quickly spread to nearby tanks…

Biosecurity New Zealand has directed a vehicle carrier to leave New Zealand waters following the discovery of stink bugs and other regulated pests.Biosecurity officers intercepted 3 live and 39 dead brown marmorated stink bugs and 69 other dead regulated stink bugs after the Carmen arrived in Auckland from Europe on Wednesday morning.The vessel was carrying a range of vehicles from Europe and the United States."The interceptions indicated the cargo was likely to be infested with stink bugs.

Harvey Gulf International Marine has confirmed that it is going global with the reflagging of both Offshore Supply and Fast Supply Vessels to facilitate work in Mexico.Harvey will open additional offices in Mexico through its affiliate, Harvey Gulf International Marine de Mexico S.A.P.I. de C.V. Harvey will also establish itself in Trinidad and Guyana by opening offices and redeploying shore base personnel and vessels to those areas.Harvey will certify vessels for operation under Mexican flags to ensure its customers can receive Harvey service levels for their expanding Mexico operations. In addition to Harvey Gulf de Mexico’s office in Mexico City…

Mexican operator Ultramar has taken delivery of Ultramar II, the second in a series of new high capacity 48m catamaran passenger ferries.Ultramar II was built by Midship Marine in Harvey, La. and is specifically designed for the operator’s busy Playa de Carmen – Cozumel run, offering high capacity, high durability and a world-class passenger experience.According to designer Incat Crowther, the vessel’s fitout is yacht-like in keeping with Ultramar’s ‘Experience Innovation’ motto and includes aquarium-themed feature walls and glass pieces…

A ferry explosion at Mexico's tourist hot spot of Playa del Carmen left at least 14 injured on Wednesday (February 21) afternoon. Videos uploaded to social media showed emergency crews nursing injured people at the dock and people rushing for help. Local media reported the injured were transported to hospitals with no life-threatening wounds. The ferry was covering the route to Cozumel island. Local authorities said in a statement that the causes of the explosion are yet to be explained.

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello reported progress in getting fuel supplies to the island's 3.4 million inhabitants on Monday as they faced a 13th day largely without power after the U.S. territory was devastated by Hurricane Maria. "We've been increasing the number of gas stations that are open," Rossello said at a news briefing, with more than 720 gas stations now up and running. Puerto Rico relies on fuel supplies shipped from the mainland United States and distribution has been disrupted by the bad state of roads.

Wärtsilä said it has invested to expand its offering and global service workshop footprint in turbocharger services. Wärtsilä has more than 20 service workshops globally equipped with full capability to service turbochargers, and with its recent investment the company is able to offer turbocharger services coupled with engine knowhow in flexible cooperation with other Wärtsilä service centers. Customers can reduce operational risk and save time by being able to overhaul the turbocharger and the engine simultaneously.

A high capacity 48m catamaran passenger ferry Ultramar has been delivered to the Mexican operator Ultramar. Designed by Incat Crowther and built by Midship Marine in Louisiana, Ultramar is specifically designed for the operator’s busy Playa de Carmen – Cozumel run, offering high capacity, high durability and a world-class passenger experience. Carrying 844 passengers on a relatively short run, turnaround is paramount. Ultramar is optimized for a fast turnaround with multiple boarding areas over two decks. A pair of boarding ramps is located on the mid and main decks at amidships for passenger loading, while an additional pair aft gives direct access to the cargo room.

Following a two-year period of plan approval and newbuild supervision services provided by Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement’s project focused business, Schulte Marine Concept, BSM's Mexico based Ship Management Centre has commenced management of Reforma Pemex, the first of two offshore ‘flotel’ accommodation vessels owned by Petroleos Mexicanos International (PMI) and chartered to the Mexican National Oil Company Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX). Commencing operations from the beginning of January 2017, Reforma Pemex set sail in late November from the Barrera Shipyard in Vigo, Spain en route to the Gulf of Mexico where she will host up to 700 PEMEX personnel working on offshore platform fields in the Campeche area.

Peel Ports has been recognised for its commitment to environmental stewardship in the delivery of its Manchester Ship Canal project by the prestigious and historic Carmen Awards. The awards, which honour exceptional achievement in industry and individual enterprise, praised the business’ revival of the historic trade route and Victorian engineering masterpiece to build a sustainable platform for modern day growth in the North West. Previous winners include the Highways Agency for the Hindhead Tunnel project and The Mayor of London’s Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme. While the awards reserved particular praise for the Manchester Ship Canal project…

Three workers were killed and at least seven injured when a fire broke out on a Pemex oil processing platform in the Gulf of Mexico, but the latest in a string of incidents is now under control, the Mexican oil giant said via Twitter on Sunday. A spokesman for Pemex said oil continued to be pumped but that the company was still evaluating any impact on production. The platform did not have to be evacuated, according to a tweet. The fire occurred on the offshore Abkatun A Permanente processing platform in Mexico's oil-rich Bay of Campeche where a fire claimed seven lives in April last year, causing crude output from four nearby fields to plunge nearly 70 percent.