Northern Marine News

Sinwa Group announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Francois Marine & Offshore from Northern Marine Group.Francois Marine & Offshore has Asian ship supply operations and infrastructure in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Busan. The acquisition does not include the subsidiary Francois Marine B.V in Rotterdam, nor Francoise Offshore Catering.Thomas Zimmerhaeckel, Sinwa chairman and managing partner at Asean Strategic Partners, said, “The addition of Francois Marine & Offshore…

Swedish tanker shipping company Concordia Maritime has named Martin Nerfeldt as the new CFO and member of Group management. He will replace the current CFO Ola Helgesson, who has decided to leave his position to take on new challenges.Nerfeldt holds an MSc (Economics) from the Gothenburg School of Business, Economics, and Law, and joins the Company from his role as CFO of Sail Racing International AB. He has over 20 years’ experience in finance, economics, and business development…

The British operator of the tanker seized by Tehran, Stena Bulk, made a request on Sunday, July 21st, to visit the 23 crew members of the seized tanker Stena Impero, and is expecting a response from the Iranian government.A statement from the tanker operator quoted President and Chief Executive of Stena Bulk, Erik Hanell, as saying: “I can confirm a formal request for permission to visit the 23 crew members of the Stena Impero has been made to the authorities at the Port of Bandar Abbas.“The request has been acknowledged, but we await a formal response. In the meantime, we will continue to co-operate and liaise with all appropriate authorities.Hanell…

The recent conversion of a slow-speed marine diesel engine to operate on Ethane as a fuel marks a world first.Navigator Gas, in partnership with Charterer Borealis, engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions, cargo system and fuel gas supply system supplier TGE and ABS, has completed the successful conversion of the Navigator Aurora’s main engine from LNG fueling to Ethane fueling, while berthed alongside at Frederikshavn in Denmark.“This is the latest example of how ABS is collaborating…

The digital naming of the MR tanker Stena Immortal took place January 18 at Stena's new office in Hellerup in the north of Copenhagen. The 50,000 dwt Stena Immortal was built at the Guangzhou Shipbuilding International (GSI) shipyard in southeast China and is jointly owned on a 50-50 basis by Stena Bulk and Indonesian Golden Agri Resources (GAR). Following her delivery in September 2016, the 183-meter-long tanker has sailed in one of Stena Bulk's global logistics systems, which currently employ some 60 vessels, with a focus on refined petroleum products, vegetable oils and chemicals. When the Stena Immortal was named, it was not physically present in Copenhagen but in Houston where it is already in service.

Stena Bulk is reorganising its business activities into three business areas: Crude & Fuel, Products & Chemicals and LNG and have appointed two new managing directors. At the same time, its business activities previously conducted under the name of Stena Weco are being coordinated and incorporated into Stena Bulk. Additionally, a new office in Copenhagen will be opened in the next few days. As a result, the company will leave its office in Rungsted, which until now has been used by Stena Weco. “This is a natural transition from the old structure to the new one where we now have total control over our business involving product and chemicals transportation in the MR segment.

ChartCo, a global supplier of maritime digital data and compliance services, has announced its acquisition of the Swedish environmental shipping technology expert business Marine Position. The transaction extends ChartCo's core product strategy of providing a centralized digital platform on board vessels which is linked to key shoreside activities. Marine Position AB is a global specialist provider of maritime environmental regulations and compliance covering international, national and local requirements.

Swedish ferry operator Stena Line has renewed its planned maintenance agreement with MacGregor, part of Cargotec. Stena Line has held MacGregor Onboard Care (MOC) agreements since 2008 and its latest contract takes the number of RoRo vessels covered to 39. "Our preventative and planned service products, such as MOCs, make it easier to schedule services; they guarantee that parts are in place and they are very cost-effective for the customer. They take a lot of the stress out of managing the huge service requirements for large fleets…

Stena Bulk has signed an agreement covering the charter of the LNG carrier Stena Blue Sky for the North West Shelf Project in Australia. The duration of the charter is up to three years with a possible further extension as a goal. The contract was signed at current market freight rates. The tanker will sail between Australia and Japan as well as other countries in the Far East. The North West Shelf Project is Australia’s largest oil and gas development and has delivered more than 4,000 LNG cargoes to customers predominantly in the Asia Pacific region since 1989.

If the Scots vote for independence in September's referendum, it could hit the country's shipping and offshore maritime sector, according to a survey by leading international accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens, cited in Maritime London’s fortnightly news – ‘London Matters’. The survey of leading members of the shipping industry found that 55 per cent of respondents believed a yes vote damage the industry. However, 74 per cent said they had no plan of action if Scotland voted to abandon the Union, indicating a high level of confidence in a no vote on 18 September. According to the Moore Stephens survey, 74 per cent said they had no plan of action if Scotland voted to abandon the Union, indicating a high level of confidence in a no vote on 18 September.

The Centro De Formação Maritima De Angola (CFMA) was officially launched on August 27 by top management from Sonangol, the Angolan public sector energy company and the Stena Group of Sweden. The CFMA is a world class maritime training facility, the first of its kind in Angola and the most modern maritime campus in Africa. The campus will be an internationally recognized center of excellence, linked through Stena to leading maritime institutions in Europe and Asia in order to deliver marine education…

The St. Lawrence Seaway reported that year-to-date total cargo shipments for the period March 22-September 30 were 23 million metric tons. While this number is down 11% over the same period in 2012, U.S. ports continue to beat the odds with increased tonnage in several cargo categories. "At least a dozen ships from Europe unloaded steel products at the ports of Cleveland, Milwaukee, Burns Harbor and Detroit over the past month; a clear sign that the end of the navigation season…

Northern Marine, a builder of long-range expedition yachts, luxury craft and commercial boats, has announced the expansion of its management team. Jan Kallshian, Bryan Kay, Randy Stoneman and Mark Allred bring their talents and experience in business, finance, design and boatbuilding to the Anacortes, Washington-based company. New company CFO Jan Kallshian has been a self-employed business and financial consultant for 20 years. Prior to this, he was controller for Northwest Marine Technology for 10 years and worked in public accounting for seven years. Kallshian also serves as an active volunteer for Habitat For Humanity. In his position as Northern Marine's controller, Bryan Kay manages the company's accounting operations.

Northern Marine, known for its long-range expedition yachts and luxury craft, has stepped into the commercial market with a recent multi-vessel contract. The Anacortes, Washington-based builder has already begun construction on the first two boats, which are slated for completion in 2013. Details of the agreement are private, but Northern Marine president Andy McDonald said the vessels will be based in the United States. "We've been looking to the commercial market as a growth opportunity, and are pleased that we can now utilize our experience and craftsmanship in a new vein," he said. Northern Marine's recreational yachts are known for their rugged construction.

Bureau Veritas has completed the first certification audit of any shipping company in the world  to the new standard ISO 50001- 2011 - Energy Management Systems. Stena’s ship management division,  Northern Marine Management Ltd including  Northern Marine Management (USA) LLC,  has achieved certification to BS ISO 50001, which ensures systematic monitoring and control of energy usage, helping to optimise efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, reduce the company’s environmental footprint and provide a cost saving for the vessels owners.

General Maritime Corporation (NYSE:GMR) reported its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The company recorded a net loss of $9.1 million or $0.16 basic and $0.16 diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to net income of $18.9 million or $0.35 basic and $0.34 diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The decrease in net income was primarily due to a 21% decrease in our fleet TCE compared to the prior year period, as well as increased direct vessel operating expenses relating to the $1.1 million write-offs of certain insurance claims not deemed to be collectible for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

An innovative public-private partnership in Northwest Washington is training workers in the latest methods of building yachts. The program helps assure the region's custom boat manufacturers remain competitive both locally and internationally. "The training provided by this partnership is addressing a critical skills gap and helping our company become a model for others in the business," said Wes Fridell, human resources manager for Northern Marine. The Anacortes company builds custom yachts priced in the millions for those with a desire for luxury. The partnership was formed after company officials at Northern Marine approached local…

The various yards in A&P are well into the ‘ferry refit’ season, with the latest contract being Irish Continental Lines’ 50,938 grt passenger/car ferry Ulysses, which is currently in A&P Birkenhead. This yard is also currently repairing NorseMerchant Ferries’ 9,368 grt Merchant Bravery. The largest ferry project currently underway in the A&P Group, is the modification of the 24,688 grt, 2002-built RoRo vessel Stena Foreteller at A&P Tyne’s Hebburn shipyard. The vessel, the former Cetam Massilia, is owned by Sweden’s Stena RoRo AB, and managed by the Stena’s Northern Marine Management, Glasgow. The contract involves major modifications to the purifier room entailing relocating this equipment to a newly-created machinery space within the lower car hold.

Washington is training workers in the latest methods of building yachts. competitive both locally and internationally. Fridell, human resources manager for Northern Marine. for luxury. workers coming into the business. manufacturers expect to hire as many as 300 workers in the coming year. skills needed to work in the field. training to meet the needs of Northern Marine and other boat manufacturers. curriculum to teach other instructors how to replicate the training elsewhere. wages to workers while they were in training. Dolores Blueford, of the Northwest Workforce Development Council. include modules in safety, electrical, carpentry and resin infusion lamination. Classes are taught at Northern Marine. have participated. complete. which will be offered in the early part of next year.

Arlington Tankers Ltd. has completed the acquisition of two modern 47,000 deadweight tonne double-hulled Product tankers from the Stena Group for an aggregate purchase price of $92 million. The new vessels, Stena Contest and Stena Concept, were built in 2005. With the delivery of the two new vessels, Arlington's eight-vessel fleet now consists of four Product tankers, two Panamax tankers and two V-MAX tankers. In conjunction with the purchase, Arlington has entered into fixed rate charter hire agreements with Stena Bulk AB for both vessels. The charters provide for an initial period of three years, at a rate commencing at $19,765 per day for the first year, $20,043 per day for the second year, and $20,335 per day for the third year.

Arlington Tankers Ltd. was notified by its vessel manager, Northern Marine Management Ltd. (Northern Marine), that one of its two VLCC tankers, the Stena Vision, built in 2001, will now commence a prolonged period of repair due to an engine maintenance program. The 314,000 metric tonne deadweight vessel was undergoing a scheduled dry-dock period when it was determined that the repair was necessary, and that the vessel will be out of service for several months. The Stena Vision is currently on a long-term time charter to Concordia Maritime AB (Concordia) of Sweden until November 2009. The daily basic charter rate for the Stena Vision for 2006 is $36,075.

Arlington Tankers Ltd. Management Ltd. due to an engine maintenance program. for several months. charter to Concordia Maritime AB (Concordia) of Sweden until November 2009. The daily basic charter rate for the Stena Vision for 2006 is $36,075. contractual vessel management fees. contract for the vessel.

Pacific Fishermen Shipyard and Electric, LLC (PFI Marine Electric) announced that it will now be providing year round marine electrical services in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, as well as the Puget Sound area, maintaining marine electricians on site 24/7. Seattle’s PFI Marine Electric shares facilities with Dutch Harbor’s Lunde Marine Electronics to provide marine electrical services in Alaska along with Lunde Marine’s electronic services. The PFI Marine Electrical service will now be expanded to year-round, 24/7 coverage of not only season openers, but now for off season repair periods as well. Operations will expand at the store and shop facilities shared by the two independent companies at 1558 East Point Road in Dutch Harbor.