Ssp News

The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) advised the country’s flagged vessels to minimize transit time in Iran’s territorial waters, due to the previous attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.The ISPS/MARSEC security level remained at level 2, NMA said, noting that boundaries have been slightly adjusted in the Fujairah-area."Norwegian-flagged vessels arriving Strait of Hormuz within the boundaries of N25.257° - N28° and E054° - E058° as shown below are requested to implement security measures as described in their SSP according to ISPS/MarSec level #2," it said.The latest update follows the seizing of British-flagged tanker Stena Impero by Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month.

BIMCO, the largest of the international shipping associations representing shipowners, has proposed that the Fourth International Maritime Organization (IMO) Greenhouse Gas Study does not include unrealistically high gross domestic product (GDP) growth projections to predict future transport demand - and thereby emissions - of the shipping industry.“It is imperative that the industry – and the world – base discussions and actions to reduce emissions from shipping on credible and realistic projections. If not, we risk making the wrong decisions and spending resources ineffectively,” says Lars Robert Pedersen, BIMCO Deputy Secretary General.BIMCO…

Commercial shipping is waking up to the growing threat that drones pose to the safety & security of vessels. Terrorist use of drones deploying explosives is already well documented and the potential for a drone to deliver an explosive charge through the deck of an oil/gas tanker or on a passenger ship with potentially catastrophic results is a stark reality. Vessels in port, at anchor or on coastal transits are potential ‘sitting ducks’ and currently powerless to know if/when they’re going to be attacked, let alone be in a position to defend against the threat. The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) code Part A para 1.3.3 mandates requirements…

In the first half of this year, JSC “Latvijas kugnieciba” subsidiary “LSC Shipmanagement” Ltd (LSCSM) will add three newly built oil and chemical tankers under technical management. The first of the three ships was delivered on January 11 – the 183 meters long tanker “Elandra Spruce”. The next addition to the fleet is expected in April – the tanker “Elandra Palm”, and in May “Elandra Oak” will be added to the fleet. “We are delighted that the tanker “Elandra Spruce” has been handed over for LSCSM to manage – that attests to the professionalism and skills of our crews and ship management team. We will continue providing highly professional services to our clients in accordance with the highest international safety standards…

MARIN combined CFD with fast-time simulations and intensive testing on its bridge simulator to explore the full potential of the new SSP HUB. To save on costly helicopter crew transport, SSP Offshore took a good look at its SSP Plus design and decided to add a large crew boat docking tunnel, running straight through the center of the big round floater. The tunnel allows fast sailing crew boats to dock inside the HUB, thereby cutting out helicopter transfers. MARIN was put to work…

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) today said its Hazira port had recently handled a record quantity of rock phosphate of 188,684 metric tonnes, highest amongst any commercial port in single calendar month. With this feat, Adani Hazira Port surpassed Kandla Port’s all time best of handling the similar cargo of 182,748 metric tonnes in June 2012. With this, Adani Hazira port has established a unique position in the handling of rock phosphate on the west coast of India. Rock Phosphate is the key raw material for manufacturing of Phosphoric acid, and Single Super Phosphate fertilizer. This milestone has been achieved due to sustained patronage of the SSP manufacturers and persistence support of the suppliers and traders of rock phosphate and the transporter fraternity.

Yara International ASA has entered into an agreement to acquire a 60% stake in Galvani Indústria, Comércio e Serviços S/A ("Galvani"), for an enterprise value of USD 318 million. Galvani is an independent, privately held fertilizer company, controlled by Mr. Rodolfo Galvani Jr., a Brazilian entrepreneur. The company is engaged in phosphate mining, Single Super Phosphate (SSP) production and distribution of fertilizers in the center and northeast of Brazil. Galvani also owns licenses for two new greenfield phosphate mine projects in Brazil. The acquisition is in line with Yara's strategy for growth in Latin America, seeking to develop a production footprint in Brazil to complement its established position, following the recent acquisition of the Bunge fertilizer business in Brazil.

Improvements in security have not reduced the number of stowaways or the number of incidents and it is seafarers who have to cope with the extra work, delay, uncertainty and possible violence. This is why The Nautical Institute has today (Wednesday, April 9, 2014) launched Maritime Security handbook: stowaways by sea, aimed at helping people who have to deal with stowaways by giving advice on the preparation and training that is needed both onboard and ashore. The handbook gives practical guidance on making a vessel secure against stowaways, managing any that have succeeded in getting onboard, collecting the necessary evidence and organising the repatriation process.

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, says it has been awarded two contracts valued at approximately $226.7 million by the U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) office for continuing efforts to modernize and repair training and support equipment for the U.S. and United Kingdom ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and SSGN fleets. "These contracts are a testament to our 50-year legacy of delivering high-quality mission-critical solutions to the U.S.

On February 12, 2013, President Obama issued Executive Order 13636 – Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. Citing repeated electronic intrusions into critical infrastructure, the document states that it is the policy of the United States Government to increase the volume, timeliness, and quality of cyber threat information shared with U.S. private sector entities so that these entities may better protect and defend themselves against cyber threats. It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS)…

Videotel has been granted MCA approval on a new training suite designed to meet the forthcoming STCW rules on Ship Security Training. From January 1, 2014, security training will fall into three categories, in that all seafarers must demonstrate an understanding of the security threats to their vessels whatever their role. Prior to this, security related training was a requirement only for the Ship Security Officer. The Videotel Ship Security Officer course, which complies with STCW Reg. VI/5 Sect.

SSP Offshore Inc. introduce their new offshore drilling platform the SSP12000, which they say incorporates the exceptional motion characteristics of the existing SSP proprietary floating platform designs integrated with an industry leading drilling package targeted for the deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling segments. The SSP12000 has been designed to drill in water depths of 12,000 feet and offers variable deck load capacity in excess of 30,000 MT. The joint development effort between SSP and a leading supplier of drilling packages is based around a dual derrick system with harsh environment capability and a fully-enclosed moonpool for safe and efficient operations. The SSP12000 also offers full dynamic positioning capabilities.

SSP, a company in stainless steel and nickel-based alloy fluid system components, assemblies and CNG fueling applications, introduced the Mud Dauber series of fittings, now available with tube fitting ends, in Duolok, Unilok and Griplok designs. The fitting features a durable and replaceable screen element to prevent wasps and other insects from infiltrating and clogging open systems. Mud Dauber fittings are suitable for vents, blow-down tubes and sample points. Mud Dauber fittings are available in 1/4…

SSP introduced the 83 Series family of high pressure ball valves, including the H83 configuration for high pressure/severe service, diving, research and development and offshore control panel applications. The 83 (two-way) and 83X (three-way) ball valves have a maximum allowable working pressure up to 6,000 psi (415 bar), and the H83/H83X ball valves are rated to 10,000 psi (689 bar). All configurations offer a 316ss, Alloy 400 or UNS N10276 body, and a variety of seats to meet application requirements.

The American P&I Club warns again that stowaways continue to hide in the ship's rudder stock recess. The P&I Club advise its members that stowaways wait in port areas until after dark and then swim to the rudder stock, climbing it and hiding inside the recess. Having gained access to an external area of the vessel, they cannot then be easily found by the ship’s crew. It has been observed that most of these vessels come from Africa in ballast and, for that reason, the rudder stock recess stays above water. However, as the vessel rolls and pitches, the stowaways are exposed to the sea. Members are advised to take all necessary measures as part of the Ship Security Plan (SSP) in accordance with the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code compliance requirements.

The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command welcomed its new executive director John Thackrah Jan. 24. Thackrah - a member of the Senior Executive Service - will oversee MSC's business operations and serve as a senior advisor to MSC's commanding admirals. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., MSC is the ocean transportation provider for the Department of Defense - responsible for the operation of more than 110 civilian-crewed, noncombatant ships supporting military and humanitarian missions worldwide. Thackrah comes to MSC from the Navy's Strategic Systems Program, where he served as the principle deputy. SSP provides the nation's sea-based deterrent missile systems. Thackrah began his Navy career in 2005 as the deputy assistant secretary for management and budget.

Gary Quenan, Chairman of SSP Offshore Inc., announced that Paul Illingworth has agreed to join SSP Offshore as Chief Executive Officer. Illingworth has over 30 years experience in the offshore oil and gas business, prior to which he served seven years in the British Navy. He has a degree in Nautical Studies from London City Polytechnic (1980) and a Master Mariner Certificate (Class 1) from Lowestoft Nautical College (1984). Illingworth has served in a variety of senior executive capacities with companies engaged in the offshore oil and gas service industry. Since 2001, Illingworth has served as Senior Vice President in charge of global business development and as divisional President for one of the leading international companies engaged in the FPSO and FPDSO industry.

SSP Offshore Inc. announced that the SSP team and its proprietary platforms, the SSP320 and SSP Plus, reached a major development milestone, completing a full spectrum of global environment performance tests carried out at the LabOceano/Coppe testing basin in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The MARIN Institute operating in collaboration with Oceanica Offshore supervised these tests. SSP Offshore hosted a Showcase Day on November 19, 2009 for selected participants at the LabOceano facilities.

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Pittsfield, Mass., is being awarded an $11,309,500 Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA) modification under previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00030-08-C-0041) for strategic systems programs alternations for the SSP shipboard integration program, specifically the development of the SSI Increment 2 shipboard data system and the SSI Increment 4 US Mod 8 and UK Mod 9 fire control systems. The contractor shall also perform the additional formal qualification testing required for the U.S. 944 fire control Software revision. This UCA is being processed in order to meet the lead boat installation schedule, which requires development of said requirements to begin immediately.

SSP Offshore Inc. of Houston, TX has entered into an agreement with Dubai-based Global Process Systems Inc. (GPS) to form Global SSP, a 50/50 joint venture. The new JV, based in Singapore, will focus on commercializing the proprietary SSP platform, a round floater designed to provide the deck space required for storage, processing, offloading and drilling. Global SSP will have exclusive rights under license to market, build, lease, and sell the SSP platform in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, and the Caspian offshore areas.

Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems-Marine Systems (NGES-MS), Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded a $67,687,769 firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive, cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract to provide for the acquisition of the TRIDENT II (D-5) deployed SSBN and the SSGN Underwater Launcher Systems (ULS), Engineering Refueling Overhaul (ERO) shipyard support, gas generator production, TRIDENT II (D-5) missile tube closure production restart, US and UK launcher trainer support, underwater launcher technology sustainment (ULTS), SSGN Ancillary Hardware, Underwater Launcher System Ancillary Hardware, Launcher Initiation System Ancillary Hardware…

OPE, Inc. has awarded WorleyParsons SEA Engineering the detailed design of the SSP-320 Hull. The Satellite Services Platform (SSP) is a patented spherical-shaped floating vessel with a unique center column that provides measurable advantages over ship-shaped vessels and traditional platforms. The SSP project engineering team is expected to deliver the specified material and fabrication packages in the third quarter of 2008 to obtain accurate construction quotes and shipyard availability. This model has a 1,250,000 barrel oil storage capacity and 80,000 bopd production capacity.

Schottel ended the year 2003 with record sales. With 550 employees worldwide, the company continued the previous year’s trend, achieving sales in the new systems and service sectors totalling 90 million euro (2002: 81 million). Sales for the group were thus increased by 11%, and once again exports accounted for some 80% of the total. The extremely satisfactory volume of incoming orders in the last 12 months, amounting to some 88 million euro, means that 42 million euro of orders are on hand for the year 2004. Of particular significance are the latest worldwide sales successes in the areas of tug propulsion systems, offshore supply vessels, cruise ships, research vessels, ferries and military vessels.