APM Terminals to Develop Container Terminal at Plaquemines Port
Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District announced it signed a letter of intent (LOI) with APM Terminals (APMT) to build a container terminal on the West Bank of Plaquemines Parish, La.Plaquemines Port will lease the land to APM under a 30-year agreement with extension options. APMT, one of the largest terminal operators in the world and is a subsidiary of shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk, estimates the initial investment in terminal infrastructure will be approximately $500 million…
U.S. Judge Orders Resumption in Federal Drilling Auctions
A federal judge in Louisiana on Tuesday blocked the Biden administration's pause on oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters, dealing a setback to a key White House effort to address climate change.The order granted a preliminary injunction to Louisiana and 12 other states that sued Democratic President Joe Biden and the Interior Department over the freeze on new drilling auctions. Louisiana is a major hub for offshore oil and gas production.Biden paused the government's leasing auctions in January pending a review that is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
Two Harvey Gulf Board Members Resign
HGIM Corp., the parent company to U.S.-based Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC, announced on Thursday that the holders of over 85% of its common stock, including Gladiator Investments, LLC, an affiliate of Shane J. Guidry, Walker Ridge Capital Management, LLC, an affiliate of The Jordan Company LP, and certain affiliates of Black Diamond Capital Management, L.L.C., have entered into a securityholders agreement. In connection with the agreement, Sherman Edmiston and James Swent have resigned from the board of directors…
Interview: Aaron Smith Zeroes in on the Offshore Sector
As the Executive Director for the Offshore Supply Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority (OSVDPA), Aaron Smith is charged with managing the day-to-day operation of the Authority. Along with the OSVDPA Board of Directors and Technical Advisory Council (TAC), Aaron has helped to craft the Authority’s dynamic positioning operator (DPO) certification program. This includes ensuring that the program is ultimately accepted by the offshore energy industry, and its many international and domestic counterparts.
Aaron Smith Takes the Helm at OMSA
Aaron Smith has been appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Offshore Marine Services Association, Inc. (OMSA), the national trade association representing the U.S.-flag offshore workboat industry. Smith’s appointment follows the resignation of Ben Billings, who has led OMSA since 2013. Smith has held various positions in government and public affairs. He has been instrumental in the development of OSVDPA, a dynamic positioning certification authority for the OSV industry. Prior to that, he served in Washington, D.C.
Talking DP with Aaron C. Smith, Executive Director OSVDPA
When the Offshore Supply Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority (OSVDPA) held its first board meeting in March, it began charting the course toward a new dynamic positioning operator (DPO) certificate especially designed for the offshore service vessel industry. As the Executive Director for the newly created Offshore Supply Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority (OSVDPA), Aaron Smith is charged with managing the day-to-day operation of the Authority. Along with the OSVDPA Board of Directors and Technical Advisory Council (TAC)…
Eastern Launches Second Vessel for Bravante
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. announced the christening and launching of the M/V Bravante VI for Boldini S.A., Bravante Group of Brazil. This is the second vessel in a series of five. The event was held on August 5, 2013 at Eastern’s Nelson Street Facility with hundreds of Eastern’s Employees and Guests. Attending from Bravante were Renato and Regina Nascimento, Nuno Neves and Rubia Amaral, William Grutter, Cristiana Marsillac and Luis Harduim along with several members that traveled from Brazil witnessing the launch of the second of five Platform Supply Vessels under contract with Eastern.
Cummings, Landry Lead Effort to Save American Maritime Jobs
SEAS Act to Repeal Section 100124 of Highway Bill. U.S. Representatives Elijah E. Cummings (D, MD-07) and Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) today introduced the Saving Essential American Sailors (SEAS) Act, H.R. 6170, which would ensure American food aid is transported by American workers. The bill repeals Section 100124 of the highway bill, MAP-21. Additional original co-sponsors include Congress members Nick Rahall (D, WV-03), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Bennie Thompson (D, MS-02), Colleen Hanabusa (D…
Bill Introduced To Protect American Maritime Jobs
Working to create and preserve American jobs, Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings (D, MD-7) and Jeff Landry (R, LA-3) today introduced the American Mariners Job Protection Act (H.R. 3202), a bill with bipartisan support that will increase government transparency surrounding the issuance of waivers allowing non-Jones Act-qualified vessels to carry cargo between U.S. ports. Under current law, when the head of the agency responsible for the administration of the Jones Act believes it necessary to waive the Act’s requirements in the interest of national defense, the agency must request the Maritime Administration to assess whether Jones Act-qualified vessels are available to carry the cargo under consideration.
Strategic Partnership in U.S. Shipbuilding, Repair Industry
The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) announced that Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding Divisions and General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works (General Dynamics NASSCO is currently a member of the SCA) have joined its national trade association. The move will enhance SCA’s ability to communicate the critical role that the shipbuilding and repair sectors play in bolstering economic, national and homeland security. “Today’s announcement is an important development for the effective representation of the shipyard industry in our nation’s capital. The integration of these major defense construction…
Frelinghuysen Directs Corps To Maintain Lower Miss. River
The Big River Coalition praised the efforts of the Chairman of the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee and the entire Louisiana Congressional delegation for their efforts to have the U.S. Corps of Engineers maintain the Lower Mississippi River to its project dimension. As the House of Representatives considers a Continuing Resolution to fund the Federal government through Sept. 30, U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen of N.J., Chairman of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, urged the Corps to direct funding to properly dredge and maintain the Lower Mississippi River. “I want to assure my colleagues that I have provided sufficient flexibility within the $2.361…
NOIA, OMSA on Salazar’s Meeting with Offshore Industry
“Senator Landrieu is a champion for the offshore energy industry, and we applaud her tremendous efforts in brokering today’s meeting. We also thank Governor Bobby Jindal, Lieutenant Governor Scott Angelle, Senator David Vitter and Congressman (elect) Jeff Landry for their support. “Secretary Salazar’s agreement to meet face-to-face with industry to discuss a path forward out of the deepwater drilling and de facto moratoria in the Gulf and to provide certainty and regulatory clarity was a positive gesture, and while we appreciate his promise of forthcoming decisions and announcements it will be his deeds, not his words, that will enable the offshore industry to return to work. Today, the Secretary heard first-hand what inaction in Washington, D.C. does to Americas workers.
