Gva News

The world’s first dedicated innovation centre for floating offshore wind has opened in Scotland.Located in the heart of Aberdeen’s Energy Transition Zone, ORE Catapult’s £9 million National Floating Wind Innovation Centre (FLOWIC), delivered in collaboration with ETZ Limited, is designed to help supercharge the development of floating offshore wind technology in the UK, with funding from both the Scottish Government and Innovate UK.Floating offshore wind represents a huge economic opportunity…

Tidewater Inc., the world's largest fleet operator in the offshore support vessel (OSV) industry, has signed a Global Value Agreement (GVA) with engine manufacturer Caterpillar to ensure comprehensive parts, service, monitoring and maintenance support to help reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and increase uptime and availability.Tidewater’s fleet of more than 200 OSVs, including platform supply vessels (PSV), anchor handler towing supply vessels (AHTS), offshore tugs and crew boats…

More than 60% of the Port of Aberdeen's £400 million South Harbour development is now operational, marking the project's penultimate construction milestone, the port said in a statement on Thursday.The handover from construction to operations for Dunnottar, Crathes, and Castlegate (East) Quays was completed this week. Castlegate (West) is scheduled to open in December 2022, and the remaining Balmoral Quay will be brought into service in Q2 2023, making Aberdeen the largest berthage port in Scotland…

CessCon Decom,  a Scotland-based firm specializing in decommissioning of oil and gas structures, plans to launch a decommissioning hub at the Port of Aberdeen’s £400 million South Harbour expansion in Q3 2022, creating up to 50 new jobs.The new hub will be located within Crathes Quay at South Harbour and deliver dismantling, recycling, and reuse services with a key focus on subsea infrastructure. The jobs boost is expected over the next 12 months, and CessCon said it would be…

A new report commissioned by Maritime UK and the UK’s Center for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has recognized the contribution of the UK maritime sector to the country’s economy. The report notes that the sector facilitates 95 percent of all UK trade and that it is larger than both the automotive and aerospace transportation sectors, contributing a total of £46.1 billion ($56.8 billion) to the UK’s GVA in 2017, an £8.3 billion increase over 2010. The sector’s direct GVA contribution in 2017 was £17 billion ($21 billion), a 25 percent increase on 2010 (£13.6 billion or $16.8 billion).

Britain's position as a top hub for maritime services is being eroded by competition, a loss of shipping finance business and the removal of tycoon-friendly tax breaks, a report said, deepening uncertainty for its financial sector as Brexit nears.The UK has been a pivotal global shipping centre for centuries, especially the City of London, and has dominated marine insurance, ship broking, shipping finance and other maritime services.These contribute $5.6 billion a year to Britain’s economy…

Odfjell Drilling announced that Aker BP has today awarded Odfjell Drilling a 2 year firm drilling contract with 1+1 year optional periods. The day rates for the drilling contract will be based on market terms to be determined prior to commencement of drilling operations. In addition to the market linked day rate, a performance bonus as agreed in the alliance agreement with Aker BP, as announced on 21 November 2017, will apply. The contract has a minimum value of USD 245 million, subject to certain adjustments. The commencement of drilling operations is expected in Q2/Q3 2019. For the purpose of the drilling contract with Aker BP, Odfjell…

UK Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani MP joined the first meeting of maritime sector's new Women in Maritime Taskforce, demonstrating government support for the initiative. At the meeting she said: “This task force will be crucial in opening up the wealth of career opportunities in the maritime industry to women around the country. “The UK has one of the most competitive maritime sectors in the world and with only 3% of the workforce being women, it is vital more take advantage of the exciting opportunities the sector has to offer. Maritime UK – the umbrella body for the UK’s shipping, ports, business services, engineering and leisure marine industries – has established a Taskforce to address fairness, equality and inclusion within the maritime sector.

The Maritime sector makes a substantive macroeconomic contribution to the UK through turnover, Gross Value Added (GVA), employment and through the compensation of employees., says a report by Maritime UK, which is  commissioned the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR)  to estimate the value of the UK maritime sector. The CEBR findings were formally launched in Parliament on Wednesday 13 September 2017 by Maritime Minister, Rt Hon John Hayes MP, Chair of International Trade select committee, Angus MacNeil MP, former Maritime Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP and Maritime UK Chairman David Dingle. It is estimated that the sector directly supported just over GBP 40 billion in business turnover, GBP14.5 billion in GVA and 185,700 jobs for UK employees in 2015.

Ireland’s marine economy is outperforming Ireland’s general economy according to the latest Ocean Economy Report by the Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU) of NUI Galway, with shipping and maritime transport playing a key role in driving growth. The report was launched by Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the Our Ocean Wealth Summit event as part of SeaFest in NUI Galway in recent days. In 2016, Ireland’s marine economy had a turnover of €5.7 billion, 37% of which is attributable to the shipping and maritime transport sector. The direct economic value of Ireland’s marine economy was €1.8 billion in 2016, or approximately 0.9% of gross domestic product (GDP), which represents an increase of 20% on 2014.

The world’s oceans must be managed well to ensure the potential of an “ocean economy” that was worth US $ 1.5 trillion in 2010. "Calculations based on the OECD’s Ocean Economy Database value the ocean economy’s output (measured in terms of the ocean-based industries’ contribution to economic output and employment) in 2010 at USD 1.5 trillion, or approximately 2.5% of world gross value added (GVA)," says a new Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report. With more sustainable development, it can more than double in size to touch over US $ 3.2 trillion by 2030. "Looking to 2030, many ocean-based industries have the potential to outperform the growth of the global economy as a whole, both in terms of value added and employment.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) is recruiting 12 new pilots this year to respond to increased traffic on the Thames. The PLA is looking for candidates with a Class 1 Unlimited Certificate of Competency. Other suitably qualified candidate who can demonstrate experience relative to marine pilotage will also be considered. The candidates will typically undertake a 28-week training course consisting of training on the PLA’s ship bridge simulator and tug simulator, training in Vessel Traffic Services and on board tugs and ships, with regular reviews, assessments and oral exams.

The vital role that the River Thames plays in the economy, the movement of freight and the transport of passengers – and also in the wellbeing of the capital’s residents – has been made clear in two new reports launched by the Port of London Authority (PLA) this week during London International Shipping Week. PLA chief executive Robin Mortimer revealed some significant data relating to the river, which is home to the UK’s second biggest port. The tidal Thames and the Port of London generate 43,500 full-time equivalent jobs, of which 27,000 are people directly employed in port-related operations, with the remainder in the associated supply chain and support activities, he said.

Prosafe announced it has signed a contract worth approximately $24 million with Shell U.K. Limited for the provision of the Regalia semi-submersible accommodation vessel at the Brent C platform in the U.K. sector of the North Sea. The short duration contract commencing in the second quarter of 2016 will provide dynamically positioned (NMD3) gangway connection for the duration of the project. The contract award follows the Regalia recently completing an assignment for Shell at the Shearwater platform. The Singapore-flagged Regalia was built in 1985 at GVA Sweden to an enhanced GVA 3000 design.

UK's Ports and Shipping Minister Robert Goodwill said that the Port of Tyne is a model of innovation and a major contributor to both the local and national economy. During his first visit to the port yesterday (25 June), the MP for Scarborough and Whitby witnessed firsthand the progress being made on the £25m project to extend the main Riverside Quay. Scheduled for completion next year, the investment will increase capacity to handle a wide range of bulk cargoes by almost 20%, expanding the port’s ability to compete effectively in new and existing markets. "The government is strengthening the UK's maritime sector as part of our long-term economic plan.

The full economic impact of the U.K. marine industry and spend associated with boating participation was estimated to total £6.2 billion in 2012/13, according to a new report released by the British Marine Federation (BMF). Latest industry trends results also announced by the BMF show encouraging signs of an upward trend for this key contributor to the U.K. economy. The two reports are announced in a week when the U.K. leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry came together at the BMF’s annual conference in Liverpool. In addition to highlighting the impressive £6.2 billion contribution, the BMF’s Economic Benefits of the U.K.

Following the 151st Annual Meeting of Members and of the Board of Directors  ABS informs that industry leaders were elected and appointed to serve on several bodies that contribute to the operation of the classification society as it fulfills its mission of promoting the security of life and property and preserving the natural environment. “ABS is proud to announce such a strong group of marine and offshore industry leaders that will help guide the direction of one of the world’s leading classification societies,” said ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. John A. RADM James A. Saleh A. Greggory B. Mun Keun Ha, Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. Jong-Seung Lee, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. Sung-Geun Lee, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. Shaj U.

Clyde Marine Training, the U.K.’s largest Merchant Navy Training provider current figures show the number of people applying to train at nautical college for a future merchant navy career has risen dramatically in the last 12 months. After collating statistics from the past two years we can report that application numbers are at an all-time high. The period 2011-2012 to 2012-2013 have seen a jump of 44% in the overall application numbers for the three main job types; engineers, deck officers and electro-technical officers. Drilling into this rise in Deck Officer applications, which has traditionally always been the most popular choice, in 2012-2013 they totaled 52% of all applications received.

Sembcorp Marine’s Jurong Shipyard & Prosafe sign for a 2nd accommodation semi-submersible at US$ 295.2-million. Scheduled for delivery no later than end of December 2014, this accommodation semi-submersible (semi) will be built based on the GVA 3000E design, a similar design as the first unit, the Safe Boreas, presently under construction in Jurong Shipyard. This is Prosafe’s second accommodation semi with JSPL, following the first order contracted in December 2011. Along with the latest contract, JSPL has granted two additional options to Prosafe for further newbuilds. Including the option previously granted last year, Prosafe will now have a total of three options for accommodation semi newbuilds at JSPL.

KBR subsidiary Sweden's GVA signs license agreement with DSME for fabrication of semi-submersible rigs. GVA has signed a license agreement with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co Ltd (DSME) in Korea for the fabrication of its GVA 4000NCS, CatD Drilling Unit. The concept for the unit is tailor-made by the industry for Statoil primarily for drilling production and well completion in mature fields. Songa Offshore, the drilling contractor, has ordered four GVA 4000NCS units to be fabricated at DSME to operate in the North Sea Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) for Statoil. The workhorse CatD is designed by GVA's experienced engineering team in Gothenburg…

At the 150th Annual Meeting of the Members of ABS, three industry leaders were elected to the ABS Council. Following the Annual Meeting, the ABS Council met and elected industry leaders to both its Marine and Offshore Technical Committees. Individuals serving on the ABS Council and the Technical Committees help guide the class society in fulfilling its mission of promoting the security of life, property and the natural environment. “Classification represents the concept of self-regulation for the marine and offshore industry,” said ABS President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki.

The abundance of deepwater O&G prospects, combined with the lack of oil transportation infrastructure in Brazil, has increasingly favored FPSOs as a production solution. Petrobras presently has more than 25 FPSOs in operation and this number is expected to double during the next decade. BW Offshore is a leader in FPSOs and FPSO operations. Although it has been quoting for jobs in Brazil for some years, the company finally established a local office in 2008. BW Offshore currently has three FPSOs operating in the Brazilian offshore and has another one slated to be delivered by the end of the year. The Rio de Janeiro office is headed by General Manager Jon Harald Kilde M.S.c., who shared with Maritime Reporter´s correspondent in Brazil, Claudio Paschoa, the company’s strategy and outlook.

The rise and fall of the Brazilian shipbuilding market is well-known, having plummeted from the top of the world list in the early 1980s to the bottom by 1999. Today, Brazil is storming back, an amazing revival of the nearly defunct shipbuilding industry driven by the sudden influx of orders from major offshore oil & gas players, namely Petrobras. Today the shipbuilding market in Brazil has in excess of 100 firm orders for ships in a variety of shapes and sizes, in addition to a large number of drill rigs and production unit orders. In addition, companies from around the globe are flocking to Brazil to set-up shop and engage in the industry’s renaissance.