Marine Equipment News

Last week, the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) overwhelmingly approved recommendations that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) remove the hinderances that prevented U.S. energy-industry vessels, from assisting Puerto Rico with recovery efforts after Hurricane Maria.The offshore energy industry is serviced by highly specialized vessels. Offshore supply vessels (OSVs) have large open decks to carry cargo to offshore rigs. OSVs typically also have massive internal tanks to carry and pump water, drilling mud, or fuel to offshore facilities.

Austal USA was awarded a $261.8 million contract for the 13th and 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport ships (EPF) by the U.S. Navy, bringing the total value of the 14-ship deal to slightly more than $2 billionThe EPF’s large, open-mission deck and large habitability spaces provide the opportunity to conduct a wide range of missions from engagement and humanitarian assistance to disaster relief, and from maritime security support operations, to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

The engines and steerable thrusters supplied by Wärtsilä are delivering for a pair of two new tug boats operated by the Turkish Directorate General of Coastal Safety. Following sea trials, the first vessel is already in operation, while the second will enter service in April 2019. The vessels were built in Eregli under project management by the Yutek shipyard and site team, and the orders with Wärtsilä were booked in 2017.The bollard pull rating for the tug boats has been certified by the Turkish Lloyd classification society as being 75 TBP.

A partnership between PROSTEP, the product lifecycle management (PLM) consulting and solutions company and NAPA has successfully completed a ship design solution development project for Meyer Turku.NAPA and PROSTEP combined their respective experience to develop an interface for NAPA Designer, a 3D modelling and design software that meshes with Meyer Turku’s CAD.As a result of this project, NAPA and PROSTEP signed a formal cooperation agreement to work more closely together in the development of PLM software and CAE interfaces, as well as in the field of PLM consulting.

China’s first domestically built cruise ship, to be built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (SWS), will feature a power and propulsion package from ABB.From ABB's perspective the deal includes two Azipod steerable propulsion systems for the 323m vessel, due for delivery in 2023. The ship will be built to accommodate 5,000 passengers and is designed to suit the tastes of Chinese cruise travelers whose numbers are expected to rise to 8-10 million annually by 2025, according to industry body Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).In addition to the Azipods…

Concept Development of Large Cryogenic Liquid Transport of High Value GasesHerbert Engineering was selected by Agility Gas Technology of Park Ridge NJ to develop a ship design concept that will capitalize on Agility’s novel, less expensive yet safer technology to build large atmospheric-pressure cryogenic-liquid chemical transport ships. Specific designs are under development for very large volume liquid ethylene, ethane and propylene transport.According to Charles Matar, CEO of Agility…

Exxon Mobil Corp expects high-sulfur fuel oil demand to fall 25 percent by 2025, as a new set of emission regulations from the International Maritime Organization capping sulfur content in shipping fuel at 0.5% kicks in in 2020, a top-level official at the U.S. oil and gas company said on Monday.The International Energy Agency has forecast high-sulfur fuel oil demand to fall 60 percent next year, while marine gas oil demand to more than double.Exxon's forecast comes as its refining business is struggling to find enough heavy crude to make fuel oil and other distillates, in the face of U.S.

MAN Energy Solutions is acquiring 40 percent of the shares of the electrolysis technology company H-TEC SYSTEMS. A contract confirming the partial acquisition was signed in Augsburg by Dr. Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, and Ove Petersen and Heinrich Gärtner, executive managers of the GP JOULE Group. The contract also makes provisions for a majority or complete takeover of H-TEC SYSTEMS at a later date. The company will continue to be independently represented on the market with no change in the level of commitment to its customers.

European ferry operator Stena Line has installed Japanese sleeping pods on its Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Skåne vessels, operating between Rostock in Germany and Trelleborg in Sweden.Stena Line is the first ferry company to offer its customers Japanese sleeping pods which will be a cost-efficient way to sleep and rest during the crossing.The pods are inspired by Japanese capsule hotels offer 2m2space for one person and can be booked from today and will be available for travellers from April 1st.“We see it as an innovative offer for a cost-conscious target group…

Sri Lanka's leading ship repair, ship building, heavy engineering and offshore engineering facility Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC)  inked an agreement with PANASIA, Korea as a partner for Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) and Scrubber installation.This collaboration with PANASIA will allow Colombo Dockyard to offer this service of installation of BWMS and Scrubbers to its clientele, said a press release from the ship building company is based in Colombo.Colombo Dockyard has already installed eight Numbers PANASIA Ballast Water Management Systems on its new construction vessels…

The terminal operating systems provider unveiled its new offering, ‘Navis Smart,’ providing new ways for container terminals and carriers alike to capture and process the abundance of available industry data to optimize planning, visibility and asset utilization.Navis, a part of Cargotec Corporation, and the provider of operational technologies and services that unlock greater performance and efficiency for the world’s leading organizations across the shipping supply chain, said that Navis Smart is a layer of technology that will enable and connect Navis solutions…

Ghana and Denmark signed a Memoranda of Agreement to enhance e-navigation in the maritime sector and support implementation of international maritime regulations.The Minister of Transport, Ghana  Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, along with the newly appointed Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Thomas Kofi Alonsi and the Director General Andreas Nordseth from the Danish Maritime Authority, signed the contract for three-year collaboration.The contract was also signed by the Danish…

The application period for this year’s MN100 edition is officially open and underway! Only those who apply can be considered for inclusion.The MN100, always our August print edition, is our annual look at the best 100 firms in the MarineNews, brown water, workboat space. There will never be a better time for you to tell MarineNews just why your firm is one of the best in the business. All of that – the selected 100 companies – will be featured in the August edition of the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre.

Damen Shipyards Den Helder (DSDH) and the Netherlands’ Defense Material Organization (DMO) procurement agency have signed a contract for the design, build and delivery of a prototype Expeditionary Survey Boat (ESB).The craft will be optimized for rapid environmental assessments and hydrographic surveys in harbors, river mouths, shallow waters, coastal areas and shipping channels.The craft will be manned by four persons; two to crew the boat and two technicians to operate the hydrographic equipment, and will be able to spend up over 60 hours continuously at sea at her survey speed of 5 knots.

Following news of Raal Harris’s promotion to the position of managing director at KVH Videotel earlier in the year, the company has announced a further strengthening of its management team with the appointment of Jason Barreto as European sales manager.Barreto started his sales career with a series of airline, ship management, and marine travel companies, gaining particular experience in the offshore market.Prior to joining KVH Videotel, he worked at the OSM Maritime Group, where…

The Danish maritime service provider VMS Group establishes new test facilities to cover the need for independent testing of all engine types in Europe.The new test facilities located at the Port of Frederikshavn makes independent testing of all engine types possible.We have not encountered any other European facility that can offer these independent test runs. We offer test drives of engines, generators and other related equipment of all brands, explains CCO of VMS Group, Kim Rasmussen.New business areaThe test hall is crucial for VMS Group to utilize the full potential of a new business area.

Previously announced IKEA, CMA CGM, GoodShipping Program and Port of Rotterdam pilot celebrates milestone moment in industry-first partnership.IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, CMA CGM, the GoodShipping Program and the Port of Rotterdam announced the successful refueling on Saturday, March 23 of the CMA CGM White Shark with sustainable marine bio-fuel oil.The test, which represents a major step for the decarbonization of ocean freight, saw the companies work together in a first-of-its-kind partnership for the shipping industry.

A group of Dutch multinationals including FrieslandCampina, Heineken, Philips, DSM, Shell and Unilever, all members of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition (DSGC), will join forces with A.P. Moller - Maersk on a pilot testing the use of second-generation biofuel.The test is part of an effort by Maersk to reach its net zero CO2 target by 2050 as a tangible step towards the decarbonization of ocean shipping.A pilot, using up to 20% sustainable second-generation biofuels on a large triple-E ocean vessel will sail 25.000 nautical miles from Rotterdam to Shanghai and back on biofuel blends alone…

The provider cargo-handling solutions and services to ports and terminals Kalmar has concluded an agreement to supply a further three Kalmar T2 terminal tractors, including preventive and on-call maintenance service, to leading Dutch online retailer VidaXL.Kalmar, part of Cargotec, said that the order was booked in Cargotec's 2019 Q1 order intake, with delivery of the machines scheduled to take place during Q3 of 2019.VidaXL is a rapidly growing international online retailer serving three million customers every year and employs close to 1,500 people around the world.

International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN body, announced that a major five-year project to help protect marine biodiversity has been kick-started at a global workshop at IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom (18-20 March).The IMO-executed GloFouling Partnerships project will address bioinvasions by organisms which can build up on ships’ hulls and other marine structures. The project is a collaboration between the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and IMO.Representatives from 12 lead partnering countries…

Vessels in Asia Pacific, U.S. Pacific Northwest, and other key shipping areas benefit from the latest satellite technology by using KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband HTS network.KVH Industries announced that it has expanded its mini-VSAT Broadbandsm HTS network to the Pacific Ocean via the Horizons 3e satellite, which is jointly owned by Intelsat and SKY Perfect JSAT. The high-performance Horizons 3e satellite immediately adds to the global coverage and capacity of KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband HTS network, which provides connectivity to vessels worldwide.

How to make the Capital Construction Fund work for all vessel owners and operators.The Red and White Fleet is a passenger vessel operator on San Francisco bay with roots back to 1892. We make no secret of the fact that we want to build new vessels with zero environmental signatures, all in an effort to increase employment for shipyard workers, provide new jobs for US mariners, and provide a training ground to support the growth of the U.S. flag deep sea ships. That mission is, today, unnecessarily difficult. The reasons why are easy to see.Not too long ago, H.

South Korean shipping company Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a win-win fund for scrubber installation in preparation for IMO 2020 and to seek cooperation in the shipping-related industries.The total investment amount will be KRW 153.3 billion (USD 135.8 million) which consists of HMM’s investment of KRW 46 billion and the rest of the amount of KRW 107.3 billion (including Korea Ocean Business Corporation’s…

Marine organisms such as barnacles and zebra mussels have been a long-standing nuisance to ship hulls, causing exterior damage, increased power and fuel consumption and environmental concerns. While anti-fouling coatings help to prevent biofouling,  a new research study suggests that an innovative approach to marine coatings may solve the problem of barnacle and zebra mussel fouling, an approach stems from the MOSI (Marine Organism Sensory Interference) concept. MOSI uses a unique coating tech to interfere with the sensory ability of juvenile barnacles…

A team of industry partners say they have successfully tested a new solution for dynamic positioning (DP) system performance and redundancy audits – an industry first.Developed by Norway's Kongsberg Maritime in collaboration with offshore service provider BOURBON and DP experts at Bureau Veritas (BV), the ‘DP Digital Survey’ application runs on an industrial data management system that ensures unprecedented data consistency for the verification of installed systems, Kongsberg Maritime explained.

The maritime industry has always followed a path of gradual improvement, albeit with many opting to travel the route of least resistance. In some ways, this is a good thing. A cautious approach to navigating change brings stability, assurance and predictability. This measured attitude toward managing change has been fundamental to ensuring that the commercial shipping industry remains the most financially viable transportation solution for moving most goods around the world. But…

Kongsberg Maritime, Bureau Veritas (BV) and Bourbon verify a new application that enables remote surveying of Dynamic Positioning systems on boardKongsberg, BV and Bourbon announced a first in the maritime industry: the successful testing of a new solution for DP (Dynamic Positioning) system performance and redundancy audits.The ‘DP Digital Survey’ application runs on an industrial data management system to help ensure data consistency for the verification of installed systems.

ABS National Committee has met recently in Germany to explores pathways to 2050, automation and digital with German maritime leaders and offered insight on key challenges.Vessel automation, demystifying digital technologies and pathways to 2050 compliance led the debate at the ABS German National Committee, said a press note from the global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries.“ABS is committed to the German market and we have relocated European management to Hamburg to further enhance our deep relationships with German ship owners.

Kalmar is helping the Dutch company Ter Haak Group to improve the sustainability of its operations with the delivery of three Kalmar Eco Reachstackers, one Kalmar Gloria Reachstacker and three Empty Container Handlers to its Container Stevedoring IJmuiden (CSY) - Haringhaven and Container Service Amsterdam (CSA)  terminals.The provider of cargo handling solutions and services to ports and terminals said in a press release that all machines are covered with a Kalmar Care service contract."The order was booked in Cargotec's Q4 2018 order intake and the delivery took place in February 2019…

Høglund, the marine solutions and system integration company, has been awarded a contract to deliver biogas-ready fuel-gas supply systems (FGSS) for six Hurtigruten passenger ship retrofits.Høglund will work together with HB Hunte Engineering to design and engineer fully customized tank and FGSS solutions for each of the six vessels, optimized to run on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied biogas (LBG), according to a press release.Hurtigruten will use Høglund and HB Hunte’s FGSS solutions in tandem with large battery packs onboard its vessels…

Reygar, a provider of innovative remote monitoring and reporting platforms to the marine industry, has announced that specialist high-speed ferry builder, Wight Shipyard, has installed its BareFLEET monitoring system on the new Catamaran Venus Clipper - the latest fast ferry built for MBNA Thames Clippers.BareFLEET is a cloud-based monitoring platform that will give Wight Shipyard an unprecedented level of insight into the performance of the new vessel as it enters operational service on the Thames.

Deep in the blue waters of Key West, Honest Eco’s founding captain, Billy Litmer, said its dolphin watching tours help their guests “understand and interact with wildlife from a curious yet courteous proximity.”In creating his eco touring company, Litmer invested in everything he needed to guarantee an unforgettable experience for his guests--knowledge, custom boats, and quality gear.His boat is called Squid, and Billy built it from the hulls up. He asked David Walworth, an MIT educated boat designer and builder, to design the perfect boat for the dolphin watching excursions.

BV Technisch Bureau Uittenbogaart (TBU) has been appointed as the exclusive Agent in the Netherlands by C. u. W. Keller GmbH & Co. KG (KELLER), the German manufacturer of marine gearboxes.KELLER choose TBU as the KELLER merchant marine propulsion gearboxes and the complete program of gearboxes for the dredging industry are an interesting addition to the own marine range of products of TBU.

Eastern Pacific Shipping exercised an option connected with an order for 5 × 15,000-TEU containerships placed in November 2017, and requested another six vessels. All 11 engines involved in the order will be powered by MAN B&W-branded two-stroke engines.The first five engines will be conventional MAN B&W 11G90ME-C units equipped with scrubbers that are due for delivery between 2019-2020. The additional six units will be built as MAN B&W 11G90ME-GI dual-fuel configurations operating on LNG with delivery dates scheduled between 2020-2022.

Chairman & CEO, Campbell Transportation Company.Peter H. Stephaich is Chairman and CEO of Blue Danube Incorporated and Campbell Transportation Company. Currently, he is also Chairman of the Board of the Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI). Peter also serves on the Board of Directors of Blue Danube, a position that he has held since 1982. Serving the barge industry for over 30 years in a number of key roles, he also counts among his many qualifications his tenure(s) as Past Chairman and Past Treasurer of the American Waterways Operators (AWO)…

The United States Supreme Court held that, in the maritime tort context, a product manufacturer has a duty to warn when its product requires incorporation of a part that the manufacturer knows or has reason to know that the integrated product is likely to be dangerous for its intended uses and the manufacturer has no reason to believe that the product’s users will realize that danger. In the instant case, the manufacturers produced equipment for three Navy ships. The equipment required asbestos insulation or asbestos parts to function as intended…

Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine has released a major upgrade to its VisionMaster FT bridge software. VMFT11 includes several key updates that support safety of navigation, including enhanced bridge alert management, an improved user interface and secure data exchange onboard ship and between ship and shore.A key driver behind the VMFT11 software update is to decrease the mariner’s workload in alert management, by reducing the number of high priority radar and ECDIS alerts, so that…

Wärtsilä won the contract to design a multipurpose transport vessel that will operate in Antarctic waters. Wärtsilä will also provide the vessel with a comprehensive package of integrated propulsion and hybrid solutions to ensure highly efficient and environmentally sustainable operations. The ship has been ordered by Norway-based Aker BioMarine and will be constructed in China, at CIMC Raffles. The ship design order with Wärtsilä was booked in December 2018, while the order for the integrated solutions package was booked in March 2019.The 168 meters long…

Mercury Marine won an International Forum Design (iF) award in the Discipline Product category, presented to the company for its V-6 outboard lineup. iF International Forum Design organizes the iF Design Awards each year and has thousands of entries from close to 60 countries compete for the prize. Mercury’s 3.4L, V-6 FourStroke outboard lineup was officially launched at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show and has been praised for performance and design. According to its website…

One of the world's most advanced diving support vessels has undergone a comprehensive power plant refurbishment and maintenance program.Engineers undertook the 30,000 running hour major service on the generator engines on board the 140-meter-long Subsea 7 Seven Atlantic, said power specialist Royston who completed the diesel engines overhaul.The work by Royston saw the Wartsila W7L32 diesel generator No.5 disassembled to install new cylinder heads, air start valves, indicator cocks, injectors and cylinder seals.

The world's largest vessel, Pioneering Spirit, received a robotic hull cleaning during a recent port call in Rotterdam.The Allseas owned multipurpose vessel, which is on a temporary break from Nord Stream 2 pipelaying activities, made a stop in Rotterdam to prepare for upcoming topsides lift works at the giant Johan Sverdrup project offshore Norway. While in port, a robotic Fleet Cleaner vehicle cleaned the 382-meter-long vessel's hull despite stormy weather, cold temperatures and wind force 7 Bft.

An Alfa Laval Smit Combustion system (FU type) is now installed at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Center in Aalborg, Denmark. The system, which adds inert gas production to the center’s already comprehensive range of full-scale vessel applications, will ensure that Alfa Laval remains at the forefront of developing and optimizing inert gas systems.Inaugurated in 2014, the Alfa Laval Test & Training Center is essentially a full-sized machine room on land, with equipment from all of Alfa Laval’s marine product groups installed in process lines as they would be on a commercial vessel.

Kirby Inland Marine selected Furuno as the electronics of choice for its new generation of Subchapter M towboats. The first of three new vessels, MV Bailey, will soon enter service into the Kirby fleet of over 300 towboats and nearly 1,000 inland barges operating in U.S. waters. The bridge features Furuno electronics including Radar, GPS, AIS, depth sensors and more. This 88-ft.towboat was built at the Main Iron Works facility in Houma, LA, and has been designed from the keel…

Hybrid is not only here, it is growing, and with that growth it will soon reach far beyond coastal applications.For those who were around for the arrival of Y2K, you will remember the anticipation, preparation and perspiration as the maritime world waited for the failure of communications, navigation, security and machinery associated with the digital change of the clock. The forecasts, now historical urban legend, left the world without a digital catastrophe.We wait now for 2020 and the advent of the IMO maritime emissions regulations.

Euronav has chartered a tanker to bring a 30,000 tonne cargo of low-sulphur fuel oil from northwest Europe to Malta, where its megatanker, Oceania, has been parked offshore since Jan.

The global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries ABS published its updated Best Practices for Operation of Ballast Water Management (BWM) Systems Report, offering fresh insight on best practices to overcome key challenges with selecting, installing and operating a BWM system.First published in 2017, the updated 2019 Report captures the key discussion items, lessons-learned and valuable insight gathered and shared during its global program of industry workshops…

German-based cargo container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd AG is launching a new liner service offering a direct connection between Turkey and the US East Coast.The Turkey North America East Coast (TNE) service will operate every nine days between the Turkish seaport of Marmara (Izmit, Istanbul and Gemlik) and the US ports of New York, Norfolk and Savannah, said a press release from the world's fifth largest container carrier in terms of vessel capacity.In addition, the service will…

Ship hull biofouling has significant impacts on fleet readiness, ship performance, cost, and the environment. Biofouling results in increased hydrodynamic drag which results in greater fuel use and greater emissions per distance traveled than a hydraulically-smooth hull. A study by Schultz, et al. found the typical fouling rating (FR) of a US Navy DDG-51 class vessel, FR-30, increases fuel consumption by 10.3% over a hydraulically-smooth DDG-51. Results showed that reducing this…

V.Ships Leisure, part of V.Group, a global marine support services provider, has partnered with Mystic Cruises to provide crew management services including deck, engine, and hotel crew for the 9,300 GRT ice-classed vessel World Explorer.The vessel, which is currently under the final stages of construction at WestSea Viana Shipyard in Portugal will be delivered to Mystic Cruises in Q2 2019. With capacity for 200 passengers, World Explorer will be Mystic Cruises’ first newbuild expedition vessel…

Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has secured a five-year contract from India’s largest shipping company, The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) – to undertake Emergency Response Service (ERS) for 33 vessels.The classification society’s ERS is aimed at providing round-the-clock technical support by way of speedy assessment of the intact/damage stability as well as longitudinal strength of any vessel involved in a major incident e.g. grounding, collision or fire. Issues potentially arising from such incidents include excessive trim/heel…

Tuco Marine Group has just launched the SOLAS compliant ProZero Mrk 3 Fast Rescue Boat as part of the carbon fiber-based ProZero line. With its lightweight construction, operational capacity is increased – the rescue craft can respond faster and cover more area over longer periods of time.The new FRC is a third-generation design built around the already well proven ProZero 7,5-meter Fast Rescue Boat. The first two iterations of the 7,5-meter FRC design have been developed and tested thoroughly during the ProZero development project for which Tuco received funding under the Horizon2020 SME Instrument program. This development project ended in 2018, but Tuco Marine has continued to refine the project results and implement them in the ProZero series.

Navico, parent company to the Lowrance, Simrad, B&G and C-MAP brands, announced today the passing of Darrell J. Lowrance, founder of its Lowrance brand.Darrell served as President and CEO of Lowrance Electronics from 1964 to 2006, and was responsible for many breakthroughs in marine electronics. In addition to the first recreational sonar product for anglers – the Fish-Lo-K-Tor (also known as the “Little Green Box”) – he led the development of the first graph recorder, the first integrated sonar/GPS unit, and many others.

Stena Bulk has made a major investment in scrubbers and before January 2020 16 units will be installed. 10 IMOIIMAXes, 5 Suezmaxes and one of standard MR will be equipped with the after-treatment system. The total investment is worth 55 MUSD, including equipment, installation and time out of service. Payback time of investment is between 1,5 and 2,5 years which has already been secured by hedging the fuel spread.By installing scrubbers on board, Stena Bulk will comply with the upcoming IMO Sulphur cap regulation…

Turkey’s leading tug builder Sanmar Shipyards was selected by Caterpillar Marine to build the first tug to incorporate its hydraulic hybrid propulsion system. Construction is currently under way with delivery scheduled for October 2019. Furthermore the two companies, from different continents, are joining together to present their collaborative efforts at the Tugnology 19 Conference and Exhibition, scheduled to be held in Liverpool, England, May 14-15, 2019.Tugs represent some of the more power dense and cost competitive vessels…

The global Shipping Software market is valued at 1160 million in 2018 and is expected to reach 1880 million by the end of 2024, growing at a CAGR of 8.3% between 2019 and 2024.The shipping software market stands tall as one of the most proactive industry verticals, claims a study by Market Study Report LLC. The study forecasts this space to accrue substantial proceeds by the end of the projected period, aided by a plethora of driving forces that will fuel the industry trends over the forecast duration.A gist of these driving factors…

A new Danish maritime research, development and innovation partnership has been established under the name of ShippingLab.Danish shipping company J. Lauritzen together with Maersk Tankers, DFDS, Torm and a range of other shipping companies, industrial maritime suppliers, research and technology institutions and universities have formed the partnership, where industry and academia work together with the purpose of solving practical issues to the benefit of society.The overarching goal of the partnership is to develop Denmark’s first autonomous, environmentally friendly ship.

Kirby Corporation announced the completion of the acquisition of the marine transportation fleet of Cenac Marine Services, LLC, an operator of tank barges and towboats participating in the inland tank barge transportation industry in the United States. The total value of the transaction was approximately $244 million and was financed with additional borrowings. Cenac’s fleet consists of 63 30,000-barrel inland tank barges with approximately 1.9 million barrels of capacity, 34 inland towboats, and 2 offshore tugboats.

The technology group Wärtsilä has successfully tested its remote guidance service, thereby creating an entirely new dimension in vessel repair and maintenance operations. Through real-time communication using voice-controlled Augmented Reality (AR) wearables and remote guidance software, ship crew members, field service engineers and shipyard personnel can communicate with shore-based experts anywhere in the world. The tests were carried out onboard the ‘Huckleberry Finn’, a RoRo ferry operated by TT-Lines…

Carver Pump, a manufacturer of American-made pumps, has obtained DNV GL certification for their line of GH end-suction centrifugal pumps.DNV GL (Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd) is a global quality assurance and risk management company that provides classification, technical assurance, and certification to the maritime, oil & gas, power and renewables industries. This certification verifies that the GH line from Carver Pump can be used reliably in marine vessels, such as offshore drilling units…

Launching this week in partnership with Airbus, Wilhelmsen’s shore-to-ship Singapore pilot project, marks the first deployment of drone technology in real-time port conditions, delivering a variety of small, time-critical items to working vessels at anchorage.Lifting off from Marina South Pier in Singapore with 3D printed consumables from Wilhelmsen’s onshore 3D printing micro-factory, the Airbus Skyways drone navigated autonomously along pre-determined ‘aerial-corridors’ in its 1.5km flight to Eastern Working Anchorage.

SUNY Maritime College has appointed Captain Morgan McManus as the Master of the T/S Empire State VI. An alumnus of SUNY Maritime College, Captain McManus graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation.Captain McManus has over 12 years’ experience sailing as Master including on the SS Cape Jacob, the sister ship to T/S Empire State VI. His sailing career has taken him on various types of commercial ships including steam, motor, breakbulk, container, car carriers, tankers, and cutting-edge dynamic positioned drill ships.

Captain Pat Folan outlines the way forward, especially for the smaller towboat firms. It’s not rocket science, but it does involve common sense. July 20, 2018 came and went, and we are all still here – mostly. The reality of Sub M has begun to sink in and for some it signals the end of a business and career. The AWO RCP members, oil movers and early adopters are going to make it. But for some of the ‘Mom & Pops,’ this is looking like a bridge too far.And some of this group are the ones that needed to be weeded out.

As maritime digests a number of historical changes, Norway’s Fjellstrand shipyard wants to put aside the rule book and look at the whole process in a new way, reducing engineering costs up to 70% and production costs up to 20%.The process of designing and building a ship, even in today’s highly standardized mass manufacturing environment, remains largely a one-off, one-of-a-kind design and build. Ships are most often built to a shipowner’s or operator’s specific requirements, which are often based on fixed parameters such as speed…

Totem Plus signed a license agreement with Naval Dome for use of its cyber security software across a range of its automation and navigation solutions. Under the agreement, Totem Plus is licensed to integrate the Naval Dome software with the hard drives across several hundred systems in the Totem Plus portfolio, providing the highest level of cyber protection at the system build stage, prior to shipment to end-users. The Totem Plus systems leave the factory fully cyber protected…

Fortune Technologies, a Greek provider of integrated maritime software solutions and Microsoft's Dynamics NAV partner, announced a strategic alliance with RINA, the classification, certification, inspection, testing and consulting multinational, to create value added services for the Greek and global shipping market.RINA aims to further enhance its presence in the maritime market, and in particular within the digital technology sector, by further developing the RINACube digital platform with Fortune Technologies, a leader in IT and maritime ERP systems.By leveraging RINA's network and know-how, as well as Fortune Technologies' specialization in maritime ERP…

One of the world’s largest and most advanced subsea construction vessels has been equipped with three energy storage systems (ESS), featuring for the first time ever energy and load sharing capability.Finland based technology group Wärtsilä said the new system on board North Sea Shipping AS owned North Sea Giant combines a diesel-electric configuration with batteries, and is designed to deliver as much as 50 percent fuel savings in optimal operating conditions.The installation was carried out in February 2018.

Lloyd’s Maritime Academy has launched its first ever, in-depth online course focusing on the Ballast Water Management Convention.The ‘Certificate of Ballast Water Management’ will run as a 12-week distance learning course and will start on the March 28, 2019. Split into six modules, the course specifically focuses on ballast water management, the Convention and why it’s needed. It will highlight how the environmental concerns are addressed, as well as the role different job functions can…

Lloyd’s Register (LR), which ranks as one of the world’s largest providers of professional services for the engineering and technology sectors, has chalked out a new strategy for future growth in the energy market.The firm, which started out in 1760 as a marine classification society and now has more than 7,000 staff globally, said that the first phase of its new global strategy for its energy business to reposition the professional services portfolio for growth through the energy transition…

Maersk Tankers, owned by A.P. Moller Holding, uses the methodology Bunker Adjustment to distribute payments to pool partners based on the bunker consumption of their vessels compared to the pool average.The methodology has now been reviewed by Lloyd’s Register, confirming its conformity to recognised industry quality standards, said the product tanker company operating 164 vessels, one of the largest fleets in the product tanker industry.The Bunker Consumption methodology calculates…

Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) Port of Ngqura has hosted the testing and launch of the first ever locally manufactured aluminium vessels by PE-based boat builder, Legacy Marine. As the company’s ship yard is based in Perseverance, the low bridges blocked the route to the Port of PE in the past, restricting the building of larger vessels. When the new Port of Ngqura stepped up as an alternative port, it contributed to the expansion of boat building in the Eastern Cape.“Now that the port is available for new vessel launches…

Martek Marine has announced the addition of the Marine Anti Drone System (MADS), the world’s first marinized anti-drone detection system, to its impressive portfolio. MADS provides the latest technology to combat the increasing threat of unmanned aerial systems.Martek Marine is a leader in manufacturing and supplying marine equipment. Their extensive and wide-ranging portfolio includes gas and water ingress detection equipment, emissions monitoring systems and potable water test kits.MADS identifies drones within a range of five kilometers…

Phillystran has been awarded a five year contract to supply mooring lines to the US Navy. The new contract follows the successful completion of a five year contract in which Phillystran supplied over 1 million feet of Aramid mooring lines to US Navy ships.Part of the WireCo WorldGroup, Phillystran has worked with the US Navy and US Coastguard for over 40 years, developing and supplying ropes that set the benchmark for fiber rope performance and innovation. Phillystran ropes are NAVSEA approved for lifelines…

Oslo-based Bulkship Management AS has chosen Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 for compliance in ballast water treatment. The company has signed a comprehensive fleet agreement that includes 30 PureBallast 3 Compact Flex systems, as well as commissioning and training.Bulkship Management AS is a fast-growing ship management company focused on technical management and crewing. The company has now signed a fleet agreement with Alfa Laval in ballast water treatment, comprising the supply of 30 PureBallast 3 Compact Flex systems over the next four years.

The US Coast Guard issued a bulletin stating that it has reconsidered its previous interpretation of ‘next scheduled drydocking’ with respect to ballast water management system (BWMS) compliance dates. Due to drydock slippage, the Coast Guard has determined that existing extensions with a compliance date stipulated as the ‘first scheduled drydock after (date)’ will not be affected by circumstances such as drydocking for emergency purposes or to install an exhaust gas cleaning system (scrubber) that did not involve a statutory out-of-the-water survey. (3/11/19) [http://mariners.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2019/03/11/3-11-2019-ballast-water-compliance-date-extensions-next-scheduled-drydock/].(Source: Bryant's Maritime News)

Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that, in partnership with MOL Coastal Shipping, and MOL Information Systems, it will start a demonstration test of a mooring rope with a built-in sensor, along with a rope status monitoring system.The project focuses on the mooring ropes that connect vessels to piers and other port facilities, said a press release from the  international shipping company based in Tokyo, Japan.In general, the tension on mooring ropes is hardly determined in accurate, except at certain ports equipped with tension monitors.

ABS Advanced Solutions has announced a partnership with SecurityGate to provide enhanced cyber risk analysis to the maritime market.The effort integrates the ABS proprietary FCI Cyber Risk Methodology into the award-winning SecurityGate SaaS platform, further solidifying the ABS maritime cyber security leadership. The resulting dashboard provides an instant shared view, illustrating the degree of cyber risk across assets, operations and critical suppliers. “ABS is the global leader in marine and offshore cyber security.

Terminal automation provider Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has concluded an agreement to supply Servicios Logisticos Portuarios SLP, a leading cargo-handling operator at the Port of Bilbao, Spain with a total of five heavy-duty forklift trucks.The order was booked in Cargotec's 2019 Q1 order intake, with delivery scheduled to be completed early in Q3 of 2019, said a press release from the provider of cargo-handling solutions and services to ports and terminals.The customer already operates a number of older Kalmar forklifts at Bilbao and appreciates their reliable performance.

STADT has signed up for designing a new generation of naval ships utilizing the Stealth AC drive technology for electric propulsion to one of the NATO allied countries. Particular details about the projects is not supposed to be revealed at the moment. Unique features of this technology is its reliability and long lifetime, its noise free characteristics, compact footprint and low weight, and many other operational advantages.The STADT Lean Propulsion solution can be used in any size of ships due to its scalability.STADT delivered its Stealth Lean Drive technology to SAAB AB a year ago…

Together with the introduction of new expedition cruise catalogues for the 2020-2021 season. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has also announced that low-pollutant marine gas oil (MGO) will be used exclusively on all routes sailed by its expedition ships in the fleet - the HANSEATIC nature, the HANSEATIC inspiration and the BREMEN from July 2020. Joining the fleet in 2021, the HANSEATIC spirit will also use this fuel.The use of low-sulphur fuels in the Antarctic has been mandatory for several years and already Hapag-Lloyd Cruises uses marine gas oil voluntarily in other sensitive regions, such as the Arctic or Kamchatka. This low-pollutant fuel has a sulphur content of just 0.1 per cent.

Renolit Maritime coated one of a total of eleven new vessels ordered by the Danish State Pilot Service, DanPilot. The other 10 vessels were given a conventional anti-fouling paint coating. A series of tests will be performed in the coming months in which the pilot vessels will be compared to each other, particularly with regard to their fuel efficiency.The eleven identical vessels were built for DanPilot by the Baltic Workboat shipyard. In June 2018, RENOLIT presented its RENOLIT DOLPHIN S film solution to the technical directors of DanPilot.

Marlink entered an agreement with Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) to supply its satellite voice and data connectivity services for use on five adventure cruise ships in the O.A.T. fleet.Marlink will provide the O.A.T. Small Ships with a suite of solutions; equipment, bandwidth and operations to reliably meet and exceed guest voice and data requirements; uninterrupted voice and corporate connectivity to facilitate ship management tasks; and flexible connectivity services to…

A contract signed in London at the end of last month by Inmarsat and SRH Marine SAIT formalizes arrangements for real-time Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) updating to be accomplished ‘ship-to-shore’ using an application over FleetBroadband for the first time.The SRH Delta platform, which includes chart updates, publications and notices of mariners, will be available for L-band transmission to any FleetBroadband user equipped with the new, dedicated bandwidth…

Classification society DNV GL has announced that all DNV GL classed vessels are now able to utilize the possibility of remote surveys for some inspections through the Veracity data platform. This means that for a range of surveys, a DNV GL surveyor will not be required to travel to the vessel. Instead, by using an online connection or video streaming link, a dedicated team of remote surveyors can provide support to vessels anywhere in the world with documentation, images, video (streaming or recordings), and input provided by the customer and crew.

New Research Doubles Service Life Estimate of Marine Workboat Engines, Reveals Big Opportunities for Diesel Emissions Reductions. New Research also Underscores Cost-Effective Opportunity to Upgrade to New Diesel Engines and Reduce Emissions for Vulnerable Communities. Commercial workboat engines, which are essential for maritime commerce, are staying in service more than two times longer than predicted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to new research from the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

A maritime consortium, including ABS and Sandia National Laboratories, recently proved the viability of a hydrogen fuel cell ferry designed for operations in the environmentally sensitive San Francisco Bay area. The IMO’s mandate to cap the sulfur content in marine fuel at the start of next year may be the biggest regulatory change in shipping since the requirement for double hulls, but the challenge will fade in comparison to its future goals to reduce green-house gases (GHG).A year ago (April 2018)…

The provider of offshore mooring and subsea services, Delmar Systems said it completed an eight-line disconnect of the mooring system on Seadrill’s West Phoenix semi-submersible drilling rig on the UK Continental Shelf, using its RAR Plus Technology.The rig disconnection was performed in two and a half hours without needing anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel assistance. The West Phoenix is currently under contract with Equinor for a three well campaign, all of which are…

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has secured orders to provide port, cruise access and equipment for RoRo/Passenger (RoPax) ferries from Europe and China.The total order value is approximately EUR 22 million (USD25Mln), said a press release from the company.The orders were booked into Cargotec's first quarter 2019 order intake, with the delivery of the MacGregor equipment planned to start during the first quarter 2020 and completed during the second quarter 2024."Highly experienced teams working closely with customers in Europe and China…

The technology group Wärtsilä’s dual technology option for Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) will enable Greece based operator Eletson Corporation to have its entire fleet retrofitted from a single provider. A total of 23 product oil, chemical, and LPG carriers of the company’s fleet will be retrofitted with up to 69 Wärtsilä BWMS units, comprising of both their Aquarius UV (ultra-violet) and Aquarius EC (electro-chlorination) systems. The order was booked in February 2019.The…

Marad announces Small Shipyard Grant Application deadlines, conditions and rules.Under the Small Shipyard Grant Program, $19,600,000 is currently available for grants for capital and related improvements to qualified shipyard facilities that will be effective in fostering efficiency, competitive operations, and quality ship construction, repair, and reconfiguration. This notice announces the intention of the Maritime Administration to provide grants to small shipyards. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 20.814.Potential applicants are advised that it is expected…

Carnival Corporation has released the results of an independent, two-year scientific scrubber wash-water study.The study shows the company’s advanced air quality systems (i.e. scrubbers) are in compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 requirements, which include regulations for cleaner air emissions and strict wash-water quality standards.The study also concluded that the wash-water samples from scrubbers were below the limits set by several major national and international water quality and land-based water discharge standards…

Luxembourgish multinational ArcelorMittal invested 13.3 million euros in two new customised port cranes and the biggest of the two cranes, which has a maximum height of no less than 85 metres, sailed to North Sea Port.By bringing in the two cranes, the company is preparing for the arrival of the New Lock in Terneuzen. By 2022, the first vessel will sail through the larger lock, making Terneuzen, Ghent and the ArcelorMittal Ghent company port accessible to major Capesize seagoing vessels - vessels that have a loading capacity of no less than 120…

Japanese marine renewable energy technology compan Eco Marine Power (EMP) is conducting an evaluation trial using the MgBOX fuel cell or air battery in co-operation with Furukawa Battery Co., Ltd. (Furukawa Battery) and several ship owners.These trials will help determine how this innovative emergency battery can be best stored and used on ships. Once this work is completed it is planned to make the MgBOX available for use worldwide on a variety of vessels, offshore platforms…

The technology supplier GEA said that the first contracts for orders for new GEA Marine Separator have now been signed.A total of 20 GEA marine Separators will be installed on two cruise ships, it said in a press release."The innovative GEA technology collected the decisive plus points through the integrated direct drive, the simple service concept, the compact and thus space-saving design, the increased output per square meter of floor space and the intelligent connectivity.

Finnish cargo-handling machinery manufacturer Cargotec said it has reorganized the businesses under its Kalmar brand and has appointed Stefan Lampa as President of Kalmar Mobile Solutions, in a move aimed at enhancing Kalmar's growth opportunities.Kalmar, a provider of cargo handling solutions and services to ports, terminals, distribution centers and heavy industry, will be reorganized into three strategic business units: Kalmar Mobile Solutions, Kalmar Automation Solutions and Navis, effective April 1, 2019.

COVE has announced that IBM Canada has joined the ocean business park as a tenant, one of 50 currently in residence.IBM is one of Canada’s top 10 private research and development investors and last year contributed more than $478 million to Canadian research activities. In September 2018, it was revealed that IBM, along with COVE, Dalhousie University, the Ocean Frontier Institute, the Government of Canada, local industry and the Province of Nova Scotia, were collaborating on…

The technology group Wärtsilä has announced that its LJX series of modular waterjets has been upgraded to deliver even greater efficiency with low levels of cavitation and underwater noise. Following this upgrading, the company’s modular waterjets will be redesignated as the Wärtsilä WXJ series.The development is based on a new axial pump design, which boosts performance with an increased thrust of as much as 3 percent, while the improved cavitation margins help reduce the environmental impact by lowering noise levels.

Classification society ABS has published new guidance notes detailing best practices for their use on class surveys and non-class inspections.The Guidance Notes on the Use of Remote Inspection Technologies cover pilot-operated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) and robotic crawlers, collectively known as remote inspection technologies (RIT).“The use of RITs can reduce risk for Surveyors and inspectors by lessening the need to access potentially hazardous locations at height, or other hazardous inspection areas.

Maritime and heavy lift ropes company, Lankhorst Ropes, has appointed Mark Pieter Frölich as commercial director for Lankhorst Ropes USA. Based in Philadelphia, Frölich will head the development of Lankhorst Ropes’ sales in the maritime and offshore markets in the United States and Canada.Lankhorst Ropes is part of Kansas based WireCo WorldGroup, a steel wire and synthetic ropes maker. Previously regional manager for Lankhorst Ropes in the Middle East, Frölich has spent the past seven years successfully founding and growing the WireCo WorldGroup branch office in Dubai.

Satellite communications provider Speedcast International said it will begin to offer Intellian’s v240MT antenna to customers in the cruise and offshore energy sectors.The v240MT is Intellian’s next generation, tri-band and multi-orbit 2.4 meter antenna for use on Ku, Ka and C-band satellites. The antenna has the capability to provide Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) broadband access to virtually any satellite constellation within seconds. Intellian said the v240MT is designed to deliver data rates exceeding 1Gbps…

Danish product tanker operator Torm has joined Glencore subsidiary Inatech on an app to tackle the anticipated complex bunkering landscape in shipping post-2020.Inatech, which specialises in energy trading risk management systems, has built the ‘Smart Trader’ app to enable companies to map their entire fleet of ships and visualise best routes given sea and port conditions to achieve lowest prices for the desired quality of fuel.The toolkit leverages bunker alerts and pricing data from S&P Global Platts…

The cargo-handling solutions provider Kalmar is to supply DP World with a total of 63 Kalmar Hybrid Straddle Carriers for use at four of its European container terminals: 12 units will be delivered to GMP in Le Havre, France; 20 units to Eurofos in Marseille, France; 19 units to Antwerp Gateway in Belgium; and 12 units to DP World Southampton in the UK.The order was booked in Cargotec's 2019 Q1 order intake, and the majority of the machines is expected to be delivered by the end of 2019…

The technology group Wärtsilä has successfully completed the installation and operational staff training for its Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) solution in the ports of Lisbon and Setúbal / Sesimbra in Portugal.The systems will increase the efficiency of these ports by reducing waiting time for vessels and allowing just-in-time pilotage. The state-of-the-art solution has been developed and supplied by Transas, a Wärtsilä company. The project was booked in July 2018 and completed in January 2019.The complex project comprised…

A new Liebherr LHM 420 Mobile Harbor Crane was officially inaugurated in the middle of February in Passau, Bavaria. The new machine in the port of Passau is the first Liebherr Mobile Harbor Crane to comply with the new exhaust gas purification stage V.Around ten years after the opening of the trimodal port location in Passau-Schalding, bayernhafen has once again significantly expanded its infrastructure. In addition to new extension railway an investment was also made in a new mobile harbor crane. bayernhafen Passau is Bavaria's gateway to and from south-eastern Europe.