Quality Equipment News

Dutch manufacturer Huisman has entered the port and logistics market with the order for series of automated stacking cranes (ACSs) from Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT).The ACSs will serve for the efficient handling and buffering of containers. The cranes feature a fully automated process for handling and buffering containers, providing a solution for enhanced operational efficiency, required for 24/7 operational time.The diversification in port automation underscores Huisman's…

Coden, Ala. shipbuilder Master Boat Builders on Tuesday announced it has executed a contract to build two new tugboats for Moran Towing Corporation based in New Canaan, Conn. Naval architect and marine engineering firm, Crowley Engineering Services created the tugboat design, which will meet U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter-M regulations and will be classed through the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).The new tugboats will have an overall length of 86 feet, beam of 36 feet and produce a bollard pull of over 55 metric tons.

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, will deliver two large, 120 ft. double telescopic service cranes and one 50 ft. telescopic stores crane for a self-propelled hopper dredge. Currently being built for Manson Construction Co., the Frederick Paup will be the largest ever self-propelled trailing suction hopper dredge built in the USA and will operate all over the country.The order was placed by Keppel AmFELS, Inc. and booked into Cargotec’s 2020 fourth quarter order intake. The cranes are planned to be delivered to the yard by the end of 2021…

The combination of the coronavirus pandemic and oil price freefall have affected most maritime markets, including inland waterway shipping. Looking at U.S. river transport in particular, the impacts of these two black swan events vary greatly depending on the type of cargo being carried.David Grzebinski, CEO of the America’s largest tank barge operator, Kirby Corp., said in a March conference call that petrochemical customers have driven the market higher as plants and refineries look to shore up their supply chains amid current market upheavals…

A focused Q&A with M.Sc. Chem. Eng. Anders M. Sørheim, Yara Marine TechnologiesHow important is material quality when selecting a scrubber system?If the intention of a scrubber installation is to operate the scrubber for the lifetime of the vessel, assuming a minimum of 10 years, then the material quality is imperative. A study performed by the American stainless-steel manufacturer ATI titled “Evaluation of Alloys for Marine Exhaust Scrubbers – Effect of Welding and a Crevice” confirmed the importance of correct material choice for scrubbers.

Birdon America Inc. has been awarded a $190 Million dollar contract to perform a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) for the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) fleet of 47 foot Motor Lifeboats (MLB).The contract is a firm-fixed price (FFP), indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) for the design, development, testing, and upgrade/build of USCG MLBs over a period of 5 years with an option for an additional 5 years. The current in-service MLBs were designed by the USCG and built from 1997 to 2003. These boats, designated 47B MLB, are now approaching the end of their original 25-year service life. The goal of the SLEP is to extend the 47…

The New York State Canal System, Advance Marine and MelCal Cranes all enjoy a reputation for versatile applications in challenging conditions. It’s no wonder that their recent deal to replace an aging maintenance crane was also a similarly good fit.When Advance Marine recently delivered a telescopic boom crane to New York State Canals, the decision regarding which type and brand of crane to select wasn’t made in a vacuum, nor was it made lightly. That’s because commercial utilization of America’s original superhighway – the Erie Canal – is on the rise again. The New York State Canal System is a 524-mile long, commercially viable waterway connecting the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, and Lake Champlain.

Norway's designer and shipbuilder of specialized vessels VARD has contracted PG Flow Solutions to supply the engine room pump system to the world’s first autonomous and electric container vessel, Yara Birkeland.According to a press note from PG Flow Solutions, the provider of OSV cargo systems and below-deck well service solutions, Norwegian shipyard Vard Brevik has been tasked with building the NOK 250 million vessel on behalf of Oslo-listed international fertilizer producer YARA.Liquid handling and pump specialist PG Flow Solutions will deliver a complete engine room pump system, consisting of coolers – including cooling pumps for the vessel’s battery pack and tunnel thrusters…

Nexans high-end cable laying vessel (CLV) Aurora is developed for operations in rough weather and has high maneuverability and station keeping capabilities. Ulstein Verft will construct the vessel and prepare for the topside equipment, the vessel is designed by Skipsteknisk in Ålesund. The CLV is 31 m wide, 149.9 m long, with a deadweight of 17,000 metric tons, and can accommodate 90 people.For this advanced cable laying vessel, which has a turntable with a large cable capacity of 10…

Longtime employee Patrick Conlin begins his tenure in 1968 as a dispatcher at Bouchard Transportation Co., eventually moving up to the company’s head of operations until his retirement in 2010. Conlin also had the privilege of working with Morton S. (“Buster”) Bouchard Sr., and Morton S. Bouchard Jr.—both of whom he credits as “always reinvesting profits in quality equipment for the next generation.” The July 2018 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News will feature a special “Bouchard Transportation Co. Celebrates 100 Years” magazine.

American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) named Mark K. Knoy as its president and chief executive officer in August 2011. Prior to joining ACBL, he was vice president of American Electric Power’s (AEP) Fuel, Emissions and Logistics Group and president of AEP River Operations, having joined AEP with its 2001 purchase of MEMCO Barge Line. From 1984 to 1994, he was owner/operator of The Mark Twain Towing Company and Delmar Marine, Inc., Pekin, Illinois. He began his career in 1973 working aboard towboats on the inland waterways as a deck hand and then as a captain.

Norwegian suppliers Framo, Maritime Partner, Norbit Aptomar, and NorLense have come together to create the OSRV (Oil Spill Recovery Vessel) Group to offer a complete oil spill response solution. “Our aim is to be a one-stop-shop where we pool our efforts and act as a total systems supplier of safe, highly functional, and well-tested technology. The emergency response equipment has undergone thorough testing and quality assurance drawing on 40 years of oil spill response experience,” says Jørgen Brandt Theodorsen, Area Manager, Oil & Gas Pumping Systems, at Framo.

Peter H. Stephaich is Chairman and CEO of Blue Danube Incorporated and Campbell Transportation Company. Peter is also on the Board of Directors of Blue Danube, a position that he has held since 1982. If today he isn’t the most familiar name on the domestic waterfront, then perhaps, he should be. 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), Past Chairman and Trustee of the National Waterways Foundation, Vice Chairman and Executive Committee of Waterways Council (WCI) and as Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the Port of Pittsburgh Commission.

McDonough Marine Service has launched its latest barge design series at the Westport Orange Shipyard in Orange, Texas. The M 2820 (282’L x 54’W x 12’6”H, with 3,000 lbs/sq.ft. deck load rating) was delivered on-schedule, and is expected to bring greater possibilities to Project Cargo transportation on the inland waterways. “As growth continues to develop in the infrastructure, petrochemical and power generation markets, the engineered components and modules are increasing in both size and weight,” stated Pat Stant, President of McDonough Marine Service.

Kalmar received an order from the Port of Vienna's WienCont Container Terminal for three new twin lift capability empty container handlers. Delivery and start-up is set for April 2017. The contract marks the first order of equipment from Kalmar's DCG80-100 empty container handler range, which was launched in Munich on 9 November. The new range offers customers the best lifetime value currently available on the market with better performance, greater reliability, less downtime and lower running costs for the machine. This order continues the terminal's history of choosing Kalmar's dependable products and high service availability. WienCont Container Terminal Ges.m.b.H., a subsidiary of the Port of Vienna, is a trimodal terminal serving rail, road and inland waterways.

Damen Green Solutions has signed a letter of intent with Norwegian company TeamTec to supply and service the AVITALISTM ballast water treatment system. The system combines filtration and a proven, eco-friendly chemical treatment solution optimized for medium-sized to large vessels. The system is highly effective in water of any salinity, turbidity or temperature. The intention is to advance to a full partnership by the end of 2016. Currently AVITALISTM is undergoing ship board testing IMO type approval and USCG land-based testing.

The global shipbuilding industry continued its downturn in 2015 with the number of new orders halved compared to 2013 level. The year 2016 is shaping up to be even worse. The “Big Three” shipbuilding nations China, Korea and Japan are major customers to the world leading maritime equipment and system producers from Germany. The fact that the domestic supply chain has been generating more than half of its sales within Europe will come in as an important stabilizing factor to weather the current storm: according to Clarksons Research…

Automated rigid sail set to bring back wind-assisted propulsion for shipping. Onomichi, Japan – 8th April 2016 – In another important step towards bringing its rigid sail technology onto ships Eco Marine Power (EMP) has commenced work on the production of an EnergySail in Onomichi, Japan. This first ever factory produced EnergySail is being manufactured by EMP's strategic partner - Teramoto Iron Works. The EnergySail (patent pending) is an automated rigid sail device that enables ships to utilize the power of the wind to reduce fuel consumption and lower vessel emissions. It can also be fitted with flexible marine-grade solar panels or other devices and used to charge batteries or the electrical power can be fed into EMP's Aquarius MAS + Solar solution.

Eco Marine Power (EMP) has announced that it has entered into a sales and support agreement with Jastram Technologies Ltd. of Canada. This agreement paves the way for EMP to begin offering a wide range of products and services to the Canadian shipping and offshore sector. Jastram Technologies has been providing high quality equipment and services to the marine industry since 1983. It has coast to coast locations in Canada with strategically located offices in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has completed the delivery of the largest supply of mobile equipment in Africa and one of the biggest reachstackers order globally for Shumani Industrial Equipment, official dealer of the Goscor Group of Companies in South Africa. The order was signed into Cargotec's 2015 second quarter order intake, with all machines delivered by the end of January 2016. A total of 45 units have been distributed across South Africa, including 37 Kalmar reachstackers and 8 Kalmar empty container handlers. The equipment will be utilised for freight depots at inland dry port terminals. Kalmar will supply and maintain the new units on a full maintenance basis across South Africa over the contracted period of five years.

Shell Oil Co. marine vessels Noble Discoverer and the semisubmersible drilling unit Transocean Polar Pioneer were inspected by two Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) personnel in Dutch Harbor, Alaska July 7-12, BSEE announced. BSEE said its inspectors were on board the vessels to review drilling equipment, assess overall readiness and test key safety devices, also verifying BOEM lease stipulations, environmental mitigation measures and air quality equipment, as well as Environmental Protection Agency National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements.

Lifting Gear Hire (LGH) and Industrial Training International (ITI) have partnered to offer training for prospective rigging students. ITI will offer both network training courses – Rigging Gear Inspector Levels I & II and Lift Director & Critical Lift Planning – to students, faculty and seasoned professionals alike. Both courses will be taught inside Lifting Gear Hire’s warehouse in Bridgeview, Ill. where students will have access to LGH’s 100,000 square foot state-of-the-art warehouse which provides ample room for ITI classes of varying sizes.

Crowley Maritime Corporation’s liner services group has added 400 new refrigerated (reefer) cargo containers to top off its fleet of equipment for service to its perishables customers in Central America and the Caribbean. All of the units are 40-foot high cubes, built to Crowley’s structural and security standards. “Putting these containers into service is part of our continued commitment to maintain the highest quality equipment for our customers just in time for the peak refrigerated shipping season,” said Steve Collar, senior vice president and general manager, international liner services. “Our expert staff continuously evaluates our fleet for its ability to meet the customer’s needs.