Specialist Services News

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has released the latest edition of its Fuel for Thought series, highlighting the role of biofuels in the superyacht sector’s energy transition. Fuel for Thought: Biofuels for Yachts, launched during the Monaco Yacht Show, positions hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a practical, drop-in alternative to conventional marine fuels. With mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particulate matter and sulphur oxides, HVO is emerging as a leading drop-in solution.

James Fisher and Sons, a global provider of specialist services to the energy, marine and defense industries, has launched new legal entity in Japan, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Japan and its footprint in North East Asia.The move furthers James Fisher’s intention to bring its integrated offering and solutions to Japan’s energy transition, maritime security and defense needs.The group already has a partnership covering the offshore wind service industry, including a…

The manager of specialized floating assets EXMAR Ship Management and ship management company Anglo Eastern Univan Group formed  a joint venture (JV) dedicated to the newbuilding supervision and vessel management of LNG carriers for third-party owners.The joint venture, AEX LNG Management, brings together two of the leading names in ship management and LNG ship management, with more than 70 years of combined industry experience.Based in Singapore, AEX LNG Management will draw on EXMAR’s niche expertise in the LNG sector, while leveraging the systems, resources and global reach of Anglo-Eastern to provide specialist services for the growing LNG carrier market.Services will include newbuilding planning and supervision…

Shuttle tanker owner AET, a wholly-owned subsidiary of  Malaysia's MISC Group, has won its first contract with Shell in Brazil to time charter one new-build dynamic positioning shuttle tanker (DPST).AET earlier this year sealed a long-term charter for two newbuild LNG-fuelled Aframax tankers with Shell that is set to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.AET President & CEO Capt. Rajalingam Subramaniam said: “Shell has chosen to use our shipping services for many years and we were happy when the company opted to charter our two newbuild LNG dual-fuelled Aframax vessels on long-term charter earlier this year. But this is the first time we’ve contracted with Shell to build and operate a dynamic positioning shuttle tanker.

UK-based international provider of insurance services Thomas Miller has acquired international marine consultancy business Brookes Bell for an undisclosed sum. Brookes Bell is a marine technical and surveying consultancy with offices in Liverpool, London, Glasgow, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. It has served the marine and energy industries since 1903, providing specialist services in areas including emergency response, casualty investigation, salvage and wreck removal operations, scientific cargo expertise, forensic engineering and expert witness services. The firm also provides research and development of ship design support to enhance maritime safety and technology and employs a renowned group of marine engineers…

Voyager Maritime Alliance Group (VMAG) , one of the leading marine technology providers in South Florida, is expanding its already comprehensive list of services by adding turnkey marine services that now encompass the entire refit and new build process. “In simple terms – we do it all! Says David Leone, President of VMAG, from the initial planning, naval architecture services, networking and data cabling, project management, contractor management, welding and fabrication, carpentry, fiberglass work, security and camera systems, monitoring and control, custom build bridge and fly bridge consoles, networking and data cabling, communications equipment, navigation equipment to OEM Packages.

Jawar Al Khaleej Shipping LLC (JAK), a provider of specialist services to the offshore oil and gas sector in the Arabian Gulf, has taken delivery of a Damen Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 5009 and an ASD 3213 tug for operations at the Al Basra (ABOT) and Khor Al Amaya (KAAOT ) oil terminals. Between them, these facilities handle more than 90 percent of Iraq’s crude oil exports. The FCS 5009 is named the Jawar Abu Dhabi and the ASD 3213 is the Jawar Faw. A second ASD 3213, the Jawar Um Qasr, is due for delivery shortly.

US authorities have abandoned plans to tighten Jones Act coastal shipping rules – and it’s all thanks to the coordinated efforts of international government administrations, US energy firms and shipping bodies, in which the UK Chamber played its part. A statement from UK Chamber of Shipping said that America’s Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) on January 18 announced a plan to revoke past US CBP rulings that allow non-US flagged offshore vessels to carry out specialised services in specific circumstances for US offshore energy projects. Under the Jones Act, vessels carrying cargo between American ports must be US-built, owned by US citizens and crewed by US seafarers.

As Denel gets ready to revive the Naval Dockyard facilities in Simonstown, the company is collaborating with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) for joint support of the South African Navy frigates and submarines. Denel, which is a global supplier of defense products and solutions, and tkMS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on board the SAS Amatola, in Rostock, Germany. The cooperation is based on the recognition of the critical importance of the operational availability of the South African Navy Fleet at all times. Denel’s Maritime division will take responsibility for maintenance and upgrades on three Heroine Class submarines (SAS Manthatisi, SAS Charlotte Maxeke and SAS Queen Modjadji) and four Valour Class Frigates (SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana, SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi).

As Denel gets ready to revive the Naval Dockyard facilities in Simonstown, the company is collaborating with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH (tkMS) for joint support of the SA Navy frigates and submarines. Denel, which is a global supplier of world-class defence products and solutions, and tkMS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on board the SAS AMATOLA, in Rostock, Germany. The cooperation is based on the recognition of the critical importance of the operational availability of the South African Navy Fleet at all times. Denel’s Maritime division will take responsibility for maintenance and upgrades on three Heroine Class submarines (SAS MANTHATISI…

An expanding maritime consultancy headquartered in Seattle has recorded its busiest start to a year so far with rising demand for its services worldwide. The Maritime Group (International) (TMG) is lining up contracts across multiple sectors for 2017 after a surge of interest in its services. Targeted projects cover ferry and cruise operations, port management, marine surveys, feasibility studies and maritime and border security. Les Chapman, who is a TMG director, said: “Although the maritime market is toughening in certain sectors, there are still myriad opportunities available. “Our clients tell us they are seeking services which give them the competitive edge to develop and win new business.

At this year’s Seatrade Maritime Middle East Exhibition taking place in Dubai, Jawar Al Khaleej Shipping LLC (JAK) signed a contract with Damen Shipyards Group for the supply of three vessels: one Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 5009 and two ASD Tugs 3213. JAK is a provider of specialist services to the offshore oil and gas sector in the Gulf, delivering logistical support including oil terminal support services, towage and salvage, together with other integrated offshore solutions.

The Korean Register (KR) – an IACS member classification society – has announced that it has significantly expanded its land-based test facilities for Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) by opening a brand new specialist facility. KR has been conducting type approval testing of BWMS since 2004, with a consortium of six different partners. KR and its partners segregate the duties, taking into account each organization’s specialist expertise. This range of expert knowledge and high quality services was recognized when KR was accepted as the first Independent Laboratory in Asia to be accredited by the United States Coast Guard (USCG IL).

Marine and engineering consultancy LOC Group and marine survey experts Studio Navale Canepa (SNC) have entered a collaboration agreement whereby the two organizations will combine expertise and global networks to offer casualty services to the Italian market. SNC specializes in providing hull and machinery related casualty surveying services to the Italian insurance and shipping sectors through its in-house team, supported by a network of trusted associates. Joining forces with the LOC world-wide network extends SNC’s reach allowing it to deliver more cost-effective, global services to the Italian community. Meanwhile, LOC will benefit from working alongside a company that is established in the Italian shipping and insurance markets.

Leading international marine and engineering consultancy LOC Group has announced a collaboration agreement with marine survey experts Studio Navale Canepa (SNC) of Italy. Together the two organisations are combining expertise and their global networks to offer unrivalled casualty services to the Italian market. SNC specialises in providing Hull & Machinery related casualty surveying services to the Italian insurance and shipping sectors through its in-house team, supported by a network of trusted associates. Joining forces with the LOC world-wide network significantly extends SNC’s reach allowing it to deliver more cost-effective, global services to the Italian community.

Growing global energy demand and requirements for additional pipeline capacity are driving the pipeline segment. However, pipeline related innovation is prioritized by only 4% of senior oil & gas professionals, according to research by DNV GL, the technical advisor to the oil & gas industry. Further, the research shows that nearly one in five oil & gas companies (18%) do not have a strategy in place to maintain innovation. Six in ten (61%) respondents agree that operators will increasingly push to standardize their delivery globally, up from 55% in 2015 and 52% in 2014. The most common strategy for maintaining innovation with lower budgets is to increase collaboration with other industry players (45%).

Oman Drydock Company (ODC) has reported one of its busiest half year periods to date for drydockings, conversions and repairs. Based in Duqm Oman’s new ports and logistics city, ODC is one of the world’s largest shipyards at 1.3 million square meters. ODC deputy CEO Dr. Ahmed Al Abri, said the period July to December 2015 saw the shipyard undertake a range of drydockings taking the total number undertaken since it opened to 375. The work was completed clients including Maran, Dynacom…

Towage and salvage specialist Multraship, through its 100-percent-owned subsidiary Novatug BV, has commissioned the construction of two Carrousel Rave Tugs (CRTs) as well as a new ASD 3212 tug from Damen Shipyards Group. Officially ordered today at a signing ceremony at Damen’s stand at the Europoort exhibition in Rotterdam, the new vessels aim to provide operators with more power, more freedom and more durability, as well as eliminating the risk of capsizing under a tow load.

Up to May 2015, ASRY (Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard), was seeing encouraging results from it’s 2015 strategy to combat the widespread challenges facing the maritime repair market, particularly shipowners reduced repair budgets. In terms of revenue, the ship repair side of ASRY’s business has been solid in 2015, with almost identical revenues to the same period in 2014, with the number of ships showing a slight increase for the same period last year. Up until the end of April…

BMT Designers & Planners, a subsidiary of the maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy BMT Group, has announced the promotion of Kai Skvarla to President. Formerly Vice President of Strategic Planning with BMT for the past five years, Kai will now concentrate on developing new commercial markets for the firm to generate sustained growth. Kai will be responsible for leading the business in implementing strategy, direction and policy, ensuring the company continues to provide an extensive range of specialist services to its local and international defense customers…

International testing, inspection, certification and consulting engineering group RINA reports it has grown strongly during 2014, propelled by an upturn in marine, acquisition in the energy sector and international diversification. Turnover for 2014 grew 13 percent to Euro 333 million. EBITDA (adjusted) grew to Euro 37.7 million. Ugo Salerno, Chairman and CEO of RINA S.p.A., said, “2014 was an important year for RINA. We were not only able to seize opportunities for new business around the world such as major development projects in Egypt and Turkmenistan, but we were also able to take advantage of signs of recovery in shipping and opportunities in energy.

After an uneven couple of years punctuated by struggling economic factors worldwide, maturing markets and some highly publicized accidents and illnesses, the cruise industry is hoping to find a little “double happiness” from the rapidly growing Chinese market – enhanced profits and renewed market growth for both operators and builders. For its part, the Chinese government is betting on a triple payout:  it hopes to serve a growing middle class (estimated at a potential 300 million market) and its desire for cruising vacations…

LM Handling, an Acteon company, has provided handling expertise and equipment to support Acteon sister company, InterMoor, in the successful mooring installation of a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit for the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) operated Enping 24-2 oilfield in the South China Sea. With LM Handling’s lifting and handling expertise and equipment, a 12-pile anchor mooring system, consisting of three clusters of four mooring lines, was installed. LM Handling provided its StabFrame-S in its extended configuration, pre-loaded with additional ballast to achieve a stable and safe install for the long mooring piles, and 84 and 60 in. internal lift tools.