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General Motors News

27 Mar 2024

Baltimore Bridge Port Blockade Won't Trigger New Supply Chain Crisis, Experts Say

Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies.

The catastrophic bridge collapse that closed the Port of Baltimore to ship traffic is unlikely to trigger a major new U.S. supply chain crisis or spike goods prices, due to ample and growing spare capacity at competing East Coast ports, economists and logistics experts say.With six people still missing after a container ship collision destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge, it remained unclear how long the span's twisted superstructure would block the harbor's mouth.But port officials


26 Mar 2024

Six Presumed Dead After Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies.

Six workers were missing and presumed dead from a bridge that collapsed in Baltimore Harbor early on Tuesday after a massive cargo ship crippled by a power loss rammed into the structure, forcing the closure of one of the busiest ports on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.With dive teams facing increasingly treacherous conditions in the darkened, wreckage-strewn waters, active search-and-rescue operations were suspended about 18 hours after the accident, U.S. Coast Guard and Maryland


26 Mar 2024

Automakers Reroute Shipments After Baltimore Bridge Collapse

© aerial-drone / Adobe Stock

U.S. automakers General Motors and Ford will reroute affected shipments after a bridge collapse in the U.S. shuttered the Port of Baltimore, but the companies said on Tuesday the impact will be minimal."We expect the situation to have minimal impact to our operations. We are working to re-route any vehicle shipments to other ports," GM said in a statement.The Port of Baltimore is the busiest U.S. port for car shipments, handling at least 750,000 vehicles in 2023, according to data from the Maryland Port Administration.

26 Mar 2024

Cargo Ship Lost Power Before Slamming Bridge in Baltimore

Collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore (Credit: Screenshot/StreamTime Live)

A massive cargo ship smashed into a bridge while sailing out of Baltimore early on Tuesday, sending cars and people into the river below and closing one of the busiest ports on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.Rescuers pulled out two survivors, one of whom was hospitalized, and searched for more in the Patapsco River after huge metal spans of the 1.6-mile (2.57 km) Francis Scott Key Bridge crumpled into the icy water around 1:30 a.m. (0530 GMT).The ship reported a power issue before impact


26 Mar 2024

Baltimore Bridge Collision Sends Vehicles Tumbling Into Water

Collapsed Key Bridge in Baltimore  (Credit: Screenshot/StreamTime Live)

A container ship smashed into a four-lane bridge in the U.S. port of Baltimore in darkness on Tuesday, causing it to collapse and sending cars and people plunging into the river below.Rescuers pulled out two survivors, one in a "very serious condition," and were searching for more in the Patapsco River after huge spans of the 1.6-mile (2.57 km) Francis Scott Key Bridge crumpled into the water.The ship "lost propulsion" as it was leaving port, and crew on board notified Maryland officials they had lost control of the vessel, ABC News reported, citing an unclassified U.S.

23 Oct 2023

Canada's Seaway Strike Impacts 115 Vessels in Great Lakes Route

© Joe / Adobe Stock

A strike in Canada's St. Lawrence Seaway entered its second day on Monday after workers walked off over a wage dispute, shutting down an important maritime trade route linking the Great Lakes to Montreal port and impacting about 115 vessels.Some 361 workers represented by the Unifor union went on strike on Sunday after failing to negotiate a new labor contract with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp (SLSMC), which along with a U.S. body operates the waterway linking the Great


13 Sep 2023

US Coast Guard Calls for Comments on Duck Boat Rule

Source: NTSB / Brian Young

The US Coast Guard has issued an interim final rule on mandated requirements for DUKW amphibious passenger vessels and requested comments.The statutory mandate was enacted after the sinking of the Stretch Duck 7 on July 19, 2018, which resulted in the loss of 17 lives on Table Rock Lake, Missouri.More than seven hours prior to the accident, the National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the area, followed by a severe thunderstorm warning a minute before the vessel departed the passenger boarding facility.

12 Dec 2022

Great Ships of '22: MV George III, LNG Containership

Photo Copyright Toby Manuput/The Pasha Group

Operating on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from day one in service, the MV George III, the first of Pasha Group’s two new ‘Ohana Class’, Jones Act-qualified containerships, features a state-of-the-art engine, an optimized hull form, and an underwater propulsion system with a high-efficiency rudder and propeller. George III is the first LNG-powered vessel to fuel on the West Coast and the first to serve Hawaii. The 774-ft. Jones Act vessel surpasses the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2030 emission standards for ocean vessels.

24 Feb 2022

HII Promotes Hughes and Jacobs

Edmond Hughes (Photo: HII)

Global engineering and defense technologies provider Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today the promotion of Edmond Hughes to executive vice president and chief human resources officer. Hughes, formerly the vice president of human resources and administration contracts at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division and at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding since 2006, will replace William “Bill” R. Ermatinger, who will retire on April 1 after 35 years of service. HII also appointed Susan Jacobs to replace Hughes as the vice president


24 Sep 2019

Itajaí Hits Record Ro-Ro Operations

Celebrating its first year of Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) operations, APM Terminals Itajaí, Brazil discharged more than 31,000 vehicles this month. The Terminal also recorded a productivity record, unloading 961 vehicles from the American Highway ship at 05.40 on September 7.Traditionally focused on container operations, the opportunity to handle Ro-Ro cargo arose in March 2018. The prospect of diversifying their portfolio was seized by the terminal, after identifying that many of the facilities, skills and experience from its container operations were transferable.After driving the vehicles out of the ship, they are routed to a special area of the terminal for inspection and secure storage before onward transportation.“After four months of negotiation and tests


16 Sep 2019

Air Caster Tech in the Shipyard

The megayacht Cakewalk, built at Derecktor Shipyards’, Bridgeport, Ct., shipyard was launched using air bearings. Photo courtesy AeroGo, Inc.

Like the magic carpet of ancient myth, air caster technology has revolutionized the way in which heavy payloads can be moved in a cost effective and efficient way — floating on air. Developed post-World War II by engineers at General Motors, air casters were later modified and improved for the construction of the iconic Boeing 707 in the early 1960s. Today, used in a host of industries, companies in the maritime industry are employing air casters to handle lifts from mega-yachts to massive hull sections and Z-drives.A PrimerA form of hydraulics that uses air instead of fluid


04 Sep 2019

After 40 Years of Service, Ferry Completes Major Refit

The Comorant sails again after its four-month refit at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding(CREDIT: Gladding Hearn)

With thousands of miles under her keel ferrying passengers from Woods Hole, Mass., to the private island of Naushon, part of the Elizabethan Island chain south of Woods Hole, the Comorant just underwent a four-month refit at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, which built the vessel in 1979. Pret Gladding, a co-founder of the Somerset, Mass.-based shipyard, designed the 56 ft., 49 passenger ferry for the Naushon Island Trust. The Cormorant is the year-round lifeline to this small island community


24 Oct 2017

Fiat Chrysler Sues Shippers over Alleged Price Fixing

(File photo: Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS)

The automaker wants the Federal Maritime Commission to order payments from Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS and its sister company EUKOR Car Carriers Inc, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd, Compania Sud Americana de Vapores, Hoegh Autoliners AS and affiliated companies. Fiat Chrysler filed its complaint on Oct. 17. All but one of the shippers sued by Fiat Chrysler pleaded guilty and admitted to price fixing as part of a Justice Department investigation. The remaining firm, Hoegh, agreed last month to plead guilty and pay a $21 million criminal fine.

25 Oct 2016

USS Detroit Commissioned

Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Detroit (LCS 7) is pierside on Detroit's waterfront. LCS-7 is the sixth U.S. ship named in honor of city of Detroit. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

Nearly 6,500 people gathered in front of the General Motors building at the Port of Detroit for the commissioning ceremony for the U.S. Navy’s new Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), USS Detroit (LCS 7), on October 22, when the ship was officially placed in commission by Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. “When a ship is commissioned she is placed in service of the American people and is given the charge to do one thing: to execute the Navy's mission – to be prepared to conduct prompt, sustained combat incident to operations at sea,” Davidson said.

03 Sep 2015

Husain appointed ABB’s CTO

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has appointed Bazmi Husain as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective January 1, 2016. Husain, an expert in power and automation who has been with ABB for more than 30 years, will report to CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. Husain is currently Managing Director of ABB India Ltd. In his new role, he will be based in Bangalore, India, with an office in Switzerland. His successor will be announced in due course. As Chief Technology Officer, Husain will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of ABB’s global R&D, which serves the entire company, its scientists and engineers, and for the R&D activities within ABB’s divisions.

01 Sep 2015

APM Terminals Pipavav Starts New Ro/Ro Service

With 1,300 new Indian-built Ford automobiles loaded onto the Grand Dahlia on August 27th for delivery to Mexico, a new era for the Indian auto industry and Gujarat Port Pipavav commenced. The 59,217 gross ton roll on/roll off (Ro/Ro) vessel was the first to call Western India’s fastest-growing port, operated as part of the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network. APM Terminals Pipavav announced the inauguration of Ro/Ro operations at the multi-purpose port last June after concluding an agreement with Japanese-based NYK subsidiary NYK Auto Logistics (NAL) India for finished car export services and the construction of a new automobile services terminal.

29 Aug 2015

Volvo Penta Debuts Marine Gas Sterndrive Engines

Volvo Penta today unveiled its new family of next-generation 5.3L V8 gasoline engines for the marine sterndrive market in a press preview at the company’s Test Center in Suffolk, Va. “Volvo Penta has a rich history of innovation in marine propulsion, and with these next-generation V8s, we are establishing a new industry benchmark for acceleration, speed, weight-to-power ratio, fuel economy, emissions reduction and proven reliability,” said Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Penta of the Americas. Volvo Penta’s new marine engines are based on General Motors’ highly acclaimed Gen V platform. “In addition to these innovations, we have incorporated our tried-and-true RPM-based speed control, which automatically maintains speed when the boat is in a tight turn,” added Huibers.

14 Jul 2015

Peugeot Plans Expanded Iran Venture After Nuclear Deal

PSA Peugeot Citroen is in advanced talks over an Iranian carmaking venture with historic partner Iran Khodro and expects rapid progress following the diplomatic breakthrough lifting sanctions against the country, the French company said. The deal struck between Iran and western powers "should clear the way for significant progress in our discussions", Peugeot Africa and Middle East chief Jean-Christophe Quemard told Reuters on Tuesday in an emailed response. Unlike their existing partnership, under which Iran Khodro re-assembles older Peugeot models made in European plants, the new venture would manufacture cars from scratch using the French group's latest vehicle architectures and engines, Quemard said. "This project will deliver a generational leap," he said.

13 Jul 2015

Port of Barcelona: Leader in Vehicle Shipping

Photo: Port of Barcelona

The automotive industry developed during the 20th century in Barcelona, Spain's principal industrial city and the center of one of Europe's four key development driving regions. The Port of Barcelona claims a leading role in the development of this sector throughout its history, and today it is one of its main factors of competitiveness, both for finished vehicles and containerized part traffic. When the industry began to develop in Catalonia, with manufacturers like Hispano Suiza and Elizalde


13 May 2015

PPG Announces Executive Appointments

PG Industries today announced executive appointments effective June 1. Vince Morales, currently vice president, investor relations, will become vice president, investor relations, and treasurer. Morales will report to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Frank Sklarsky. Since joining PPG in 1985, Morales has advanced through various finance leadership roles of increasing responsibility. He was appointed to his current position in 2007. Morales earned a Bachelor of Science from Robert Morris University and an MBA from The Ohio State University. Eric Thiele, currently corporate treasurer, will become vice president and business controller, global architectural coatings and protective and marine coatings.

07 May 2015

Antwerp Port Creating Additional Space

With growth of 5.9% the port of Antwerp has got off to a strong start in 2015. In terms of container handling (in TEU) Antwerp even achieved growth of 9.5% in the first three months of this year. The 2M alliance of MSC and Maersk which last year opted resolutely for Antwerp is of course not unconnected with these growth figures. During the next few months preparations will be finalised for transfering the activities of the MSC shipping company – currently operating in the Delwaide dock on the right bank area of the port – to the Deurganck dock on the left bank of the Scheldt. This dock with its annual capacity of 11 million TEU will enable MSC to further develop its activities.

14 Feb 2015

West Coast Ports Dispute and US Economy

A face-off between economists on the cost of West Coast port slowdown on U.S. economy. Vital shipping ports on the West Coast are closing amid a labor dispute between shipping companies and longshoremen. Will the shutdown lead to major losses for businesses and the U.S. economy as a whole? A section of economists and trade experts say that a shutdown of 29 West Coast ports closures would have very little effect on the broader U.S. economy as the trade of goods through U.S. ports represents only a fraction of the nation's total economic output. The situation promises to create headaches for scores of U.S. companies, including McDonald’s Corp., Macy’s Inc., ConAgra Foods Inc. and Levi Strauss & Co. West Coast ports account for almost half of U.S.

07 Feb 2015

International Auto Processing Handles 5 Millionth Vehicle

A silver Hyundai Genesis rolling down the ramp of the Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessel Isolde became the 5 millionth vehicle handled by International Auto Processing at the Port of Brunswick. “On behalf of the GPA, I would like to congratulate IAP, a long-time partner at the Port of Brunswick,” said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz. International Auto Processing began its Colonel’s Island operation in 1986, with its first shipment of 567 Yugos (all in red). “Over the years, more and more carmakers have seen the value in using Colonel’s Island as a gateway to the Southeastern U.S. market, helping IAP and the Port of Brunswick to achieve phenomenal growth over three decades as a ro/ro facility,” said Robert Miller, president and CEO of International Auto Processing.