U.S. Sanctions Vens as Pressure Builds on Maduro
The Trump administration imposed sanctions on 13 senior Venezuelan officials as the country's opposition launched a two-day strike on Wednesday, heaping pressure on unpopular President Nicolas Maduro to scrap plans for a controversial new congress. Venezuela's long-time ideological foe the United States targeted the country's army and police chiefs, the national director of elections, and a vice president of the state oil company for alleged corruption and rights abuses. U.S. President Donald Trump spared Venezuela for now from broader sanctions against its vital oil industry, although such actions were still under consideration. U.S.
FORAN Signs Contract with NODOSA Shipyard
The SENER engineering and technology group has signed a new contract with NODOSA SHIPYARD to install its FORAN CAD/CAM/CAE system to design and produce the shipyard's new projects. This contract covers installing permanent FORAN system licenses in all design disciplines (Hull Forms and Naval Architecture, Hull Structure, Machinery & Outfitting and Electrical). As part of this agreement, SENER will provide engineering services in addition to technical support and training. The system has been installed successfully in the shipyard's Marin factory…
Underwater Hull Protection to Arctic Vessels
When it comes to protecting the hulls of ice-going vessels, the glassflake reinforced surface treated composite (STC) Ecospeed has proven to be remarkably durable, typically outperforming many specialized ice class paints. The fact that the coating is non-toxic is also particularly important for ice trading vessels where toxic AF coatings are rapidly scraped off and deposit their toxic ingredients in what are often particularly sensitive environments. Icebreakers and ships that trade in icy waters have their own very specific problems when it comes to protecting their underwater hull.
Ice Class Firefighter Tug Boat Given Ecospeed Protection
Last August, the 31-meter tug boat Ocean Raymond Lemay was coated with Ecospeed on the Isle-aux-Coudres in Quebec, Canada. The vessel is owned by Ocean Group Inc., who, among many other services, offers efficient and safe harbor towing services in the ports of Quebec, Montreal, Toronto and a number of smaller harbors. M/V Ocean Raymond Lemay is both an Ice Class and a Firefighting Class vessel, which means she can be used in a wide range of operations. Besides various harbor maneuvers such as moving a ship from one place to another by hauling it with its towing lines, the vessel is used during emergencies or to provide prevention services. The ship is also used to open up the frozen passageways in ports during the winter season.
Sunken Tanker in State of Corrosion
The Maltese-registered tanker Erika, which sank off the French coast a year ago releasing a huge oil slick, was in a state of more or less advanced corrosion, the official disaster report said. "The vessel would not have fallen apart if it had been as seaworthy as it was claimed to be by classification societies as late as 20 days before it broke up on December 12, 1999, the report said. There was excessive corrosion, beyond norms that are considered acceptable by classification societies and the sub-standard welding was noted on the ship. Erika broke in half in stormy seas, spewing up to 15,000 tons of oil onto the rocky shoreline of western France. The two sections of the ship lie on the seabed about 70 km (40 miles) offshore.
