Marcas News

XLCC, the new high-voltage direct current (HVDC), renewable energy focused business in the U.K., said it has completed the concept design for a new cable laying vessel for planned delivery in the first half of 2025.The newbuild is slated to support the Morocco – UK Power Project, XLCC's first client project, through the delivery of four 3,800km subsea HVDC cables from a wind and solar generation site in Morocco to the U.K.Alan Mathers, XLCC director, said, “Our vessel will be, on delivery, the most sophisticated, capable and green cable layer in the world.

Electrochemical technologies firm De Nora has announced a brokerage agreement with MARCAS, a buying group for the maritime industry. The deal means that MARCAS members representing close to 1,700 vessels can access aggregate purchasing deals with De Nora for its BALPURE ballast water treatment system (BWTS) and spare parts at a discount. MARCAS obtains the best value products and services for its members, with a commitment to price, quality, assured supply and delivery, and technical innovation. The agreement with De Nora extends to both newbuild and retrofit markets.

Kelvin Hughes Ltd., part of Smiths Marine Systems, has reached an agreement with MARCAS, The Marine Contracting Association, for the supply of Simplified Voyage Data Recorder (S-VDR) equipment to its membership. The total membership operates in excess of 700 ships. S-VDR equipment is now a mandatory carriage item of equipment for existing cargo vessels of 3,000 Gross Registered Tons and over. Systems must be installed on board ship between July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2010.

Marcas announced that IUM AS of Grimstad, Norway and Eletson Corporation of Piraeus, Greece, will join Marcas as of January 1 bringing the total of committed vessels up to 400 vessels on some of the larger contracts, with total Marcas aggregated purchasing expected to exceed $100 million in 2003. The participation of IUM and Eletson, who will start by utilizing selected procurement contracts, marks the first step for Marcas in the Norwegian and Greek markets respectively. “While growing the membership is key for Marcas, this growth must be achieved by adding further quality, credit-worthy and forward looking companies to our current base of members,” commented Arvid.G.Bergvall, CEO of Marcas. “Both IUM and Eletson reflect these qualities in their respective markets.

The V.Ships Managing Director of USA Shipmanagement operations — Mike Robinson, says that owners are anxious to secure competent crews to serve on their vessels in the coming years, but cost remains an overriding theme in today's market. V.Ships is aware that the global shortage of seafarers is causing concern. "The increasingly strict regulatory environment, including the impact of the International Safety Management Code phase 2 provision for all vessels, together with STCW95, means that experienced and fully trained officers and ratings are more crucial than ever to the process of compliance if problems are to be avoided," says Robinson.

International Coatings Ltd. and the Marine Contracting Association, Ltd, Bermuda (Marcas) have signed a contract for the exclusive supply of drydock coatings for over 60 vessels. Member companies, Teekay Shipping Corporation, Vancouver, World Wide Shipping Managers Pte Ltd., Singapore, and Marenostrum Ltda. Lisbon, have allocated all of their 2003 drydockings to International Coatings Ltd. V-Ships Group have also placed a significant proportion of their 2003 dry dockings business with International. The contract represents vessels typically including VLCC’s, Bulk Carriers, Container Vessels, Oil Tankers and Product Carriers. Included in the contract is a comprehensive service package professionally supported by over 400 highly trained International Coatings technical service staff…

Events of the past two years — headlined by the Asian financial crisis, supported by falling oil demand and punctuated by OPEC's production cutbacks to buoy per barrel pricing — have conspired to throw and keep the tanker market into a historical abyss. In an industry renowned for its ups and downs, this was a “down” for the record books. Consequences of poor rates for the transport of oil products have and will be debated for years, but relying on the cliche “if it doesn't kill you, it will only make you stronger,” it would appear that the companies left standing — those not acquired, merged or simply shut down — should be poised to capitalize on favorable market conditions to come. None, though, is so well suited to prosper as Teekay Shipping.

Events of the past two years -- headlined by the Asian financial crisis, supported by falling oil demand and punctuated by OPEC's production cutbacks to buoy per barrel pricing -- have conspired to throw and keep the tanker market into a historical abyss. In an industry renowned for its ups and downs, this was a "down" for the record books. Consequences of poor rates for the transport of oil products have and will be debated for years, but relying on the cliché, "if it doesn't kill you, it will only make you stronger," it would appear that the companies left standing - those not acquired, merged or simply shut down - should be poised to capitalize on favorable market conditions to come. None, though, is so well suited to prosper as Teekay Shipping.

Ship supply specialist Unitor, has entered into a three-year sole supply contract with MARCAS, the Bermuda-based marine purchasing group. MARCAS’ members, who include the V. Ships Group, Teekay Shipping and World Wide shipping, have agreed to contract with Unitor for the sole supply of chemicals, gases and associated welding products for a minimum period of three years.