Wärtsilä Propulsion for New Fishing Vessel
A new fishing vessel being built by Simek AS in Norway on behalf of the U.K. operator Antares (Whalsay) Fishing Company Ltd, will feature an integrated Wärtsilä propulsion solution including main engine, controllable pitch propeller and gearbox. According to Wärtsilä, its two-speed gearbox, PTO/PTI and floating frequency solution will provide the vessel with high levels of operational efficiency and flexibility in different operating modes, which were important considerations in the award of this contract signed in June.
Tampa Port Leads Florida In Trade With Mexico
Tampa Port Authority Director George Williamson announced Mexico is the Port of Tampa's number one trading partner, leading the 13 other Florida ports in trade with the state's southern NAFTA neighbor. The Port of Tampa transported more than two million tons of goods in 2001, a 47 percent increase in Tampa-Mexico trade since 1999. Mexico & Tampa Bay: Trade and Tourism Ties Conference. Businesses relying on ground transportation are considering other distribution alternatives, as trucking issues at the U.S.-Mexico border intensify. The recent suit filed by labor, environment and trucking industry groups to keep Mexican trucks off U.S. roads has businesses questioning the future of shipping goods by land between the two countries.
Hydralift Skeg Use Gaining Speed
A device that increases the efficiency of barges is gaining in popularity on the West Coast, especially for Seattle to Alaska and Southeast Alaska runs. Many people report that Hydralift skegs substantially increase the efficiency of towed barges. This results in either increased towing speed or reduced fuel consumption because the horsepower required to tow at the same speed decreases. The Lynden Companies, Alaska Railbelt Marine (ARM) and Alaska Marine Lines (AML), have several barges with Hydralift skegs and another currently under construction. They are using the barges on Seattle to Alaska runs and runs within Southeast Alaska. Western Towboat Company, Inc., which does all the towing for ARM and AML, has two gravel barges with Hydralift skegs themselves.
