Eastern Pacific Shipping to Operate Methanol- and Ammonia-powered Vessels
Singapore-headquartered shipping company Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) said on Friday that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with OCI N.V. (OCI) and MAN Energy Solutions (MAN) to develop methanol and ammonia as marine fuels to aide in industry-wide decarbonization and environmental preservation efforts.The partnership involves using select conventional vessels from EPS’ existing tanker fleet that use MAN engines to be retrofitted, allowing them to be powered by methanol and ammonia which will be supplied by OCI. Also, EPS will construct newbuild vessels with MAN engines powered by the same two alternative marine fuels. OCI intends to charter the first retrofitted vessel from EPS.The announcement is in line with EPS’ agnostic approach to its alternative marine fuel program.
Damen Delivers Two New Vessels to RAK Ports
Damen Shipyards Group has delivered two vessels to RAK Ports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The deliveries took place on December 5th at the Ras Al Khaimah Cruise Terminal. The vessels in question were a Damen Multi Cat 1908 and a Stan Tug 1907.The Multi Cat is named Hobby. Hobby's first role is positioning more than fifty pontoons for a firework display at New Year. Two world records will be attempted during this high-profile event at Marjan Island in Ras al Khaimah. Following this…
Iran's Revolutionary Guards to Upgrade Speed Boats with Stealth Tech
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Monday they plan to upgrade their speed boats in the Gulf with radar-evading stealth technology and new missile launchers as tensions rise between Tehran and Washington in the vital oil shipping route.Ending a long absence of U.S. aircraft carriers in the region, the USS John C. Stennis entered the Gulf last week, and was shadowed by the Revolutionary Guards' speed boats.There have been periodic confrontations between the Revolutionary Guards vessels and U.S. military in the Gulf, although the number of incidents has dropped in recent months."We are trying to increase the agility of the Guards' speed boats and equip them with stealth technology to facilitate their operations…
Z-Drive Collaboration on the Inland Waterways Expands
American Commercial Barge Line’s leadership and early adoption of ZF Marine’s z-drive propulsion technology underscores a growing trend on the inland waterways. American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) has been around a long time – since 1915, to be exact – and along the way has developed into one of the dominant players in the inland marine transportation industry. With a passion for safety and a green footprint, ACBL has always embraced technology and innovation. That point was obvious when it made the decision to outfit at least 15 of its towboats with ZF Marine’s Z-drive systems. The Z-Drive installations are but a small part of a $500 million fleet and equipment investment that ACBL has undertaken over the course of the last five years.
Reliance Defence Plans Shipbuilding Facility in Andhra
India's Reliance group announced a tie up with Andhra Pradesh government for building a strategic shipyard on the eastern seaboard of the country, which will be co-located with strategic facilities of the Indian Navy and Department of Atomic Energy. The facility is said to be co-located with the Indian Navy’s base and BARC’s nuclear facility at Rambilli, approximately 70 Km south of Visakhapatnam. The new facility would complement the company’s existing facility at Pipavav in Gujarat, with a clear focus on building strategic assets for the Indian Navy. Ambani also urged on the need for development in critical areas of naval defence capability in the region in order to compete with the world.
Incat Tasmania’s Latest Ship on the way to Japan
The latest delivery from Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania Akane, an 85 metre high speed Wave Piercing Catamaran Ferry, Incat hull 068, will arrive in Japan early April. Built at the Incat shipyard at Prince of Wales Bay, Hobart the vessel was sea trialled late March, and has departed Hobart on her delivery voyage. The vessel will go into service in April with Sado Kisen, a long standing ferry operator in Japan. Akane will operate from the Niigata and Naoetsu ports on the west coast of Japan to the Sado Island ports of Ogi and Ryotsu.
Teekay Announces Senior Management Change
Teekay Corporation announced that Geir Sekkesaeter, Senior Vice President, Conventional Fleet Operations, and Head, Technical, Safety and Quality, has decided to leave Teekay for personal reasons, effective as of March 31, 2013. Mr. Sekkesaeter's responsibilities have been transferred to the respective Business Unit Presidents of the Conventional, Shuttle, and Gas fleets, each of whom is a member of the Teekay Senior Leadership Team.
