Sylvester News

Hurricane Nicholas on Tuesday took another swipe at U.S. Gulf Coast energy facilities, cutting offshore oil and gas output gradually recovering from the last storm and disrupting power to onshore pipeline, gas and chemical plants.Royal Dutch Shell halted production its Perdido offshore oil platform due to heavy winds, and U.S. liquefied natural gas producer Freeport LNG said processing at its Texas coast facility was halted, likely due to a power outage.Power losses briefly cut Colonial Pipeline's main gasoline and diesel lines out of Houston…

The Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana was bracing on Monday for the arrival of Tropical Storm Nicholas, which was expected to batter the region with life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding and gusty winds.The storm, carrying winds of 60 mph (97 kph), was moving erratically as it headed northward about 140 miles (225 km) south of the southern coast of Texas, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in a Monday morning bulletin. It was forecast to move ashore along the southern or central coast of Texas late on Monday afternoon or evening.The National Weather Service issued storm surge…

Japanese shipping giant MOL's Chemical Tankers unit has agreed to take full control of Triton-owned Nordic Tankers. The deal expected to close in February 2019.Denmark-based Nordic Tankers said in a press release that its current sole shareholder Triton agreed to sell and deliver 100% of shares to MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) and MOLCT buys and takes delivery of 100% of shares of NT from Triton, in each case together with all rights attached to them on and with effect from the closing date.Nordic Tankers will be renamed MOL Nordic Tankers A/S and all existing management and employees will remain in the company.MOLCT currently operates 56 chemical tankers…

Danish shipping company Nordic Tankers, Dania Ship Management and Danfoss IXA have been cooperating on testing new innovative technology for monitoring emissions on an ongoing basis.The chemical tanker company hailed that the result is a front runner solution to ensure global enforcement of the IMO’s requirements for sulphur emissions way before any legislation is pushed through.“The sensor equipment from Danfoss IXA is an innovative piece of technology that enables ship owners to continuously prove compliance with the IMO’s requirements for sulphur emissions. At Nordic Tankers, together with our partners, we aim to be front-runners in supporting the development of our industry worldwide…

Nordic Tankers and Embarcadero Maritime (a joint venture between Borealis Maritime and KKR) have signed and closed an agreement to sell the jointly held company Crystal Nordic to John T. Essberger in Hamburg, a leading owner and operator of chemical tankers in Europe. Crystal Nordic was established following the combination of Nordic Tankers’ inter-European stainless steel chemical tanker business with Crystal Pool in 2015. The parties have agreed not to disclose any financial information. Crystal Nordic is a Danish headquartered chemical tanker operator, owning 14 ships between 4,000 and 12,000 DWT, serving customers primarily in Northern Europe.

What does the future hold for Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval station? Building on the accomplishments of the last 100 years, leading experts will consider the possibilities and navigate toward a secure and sustainable future at the upcoming symposium, Naval Station Norfolk: Charting Our Next 100 Years, Friday October 20th at the Main, hotel and conference center. The Future Fleet Design session will be conducted by VADM Richard P. Breckenridge from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.. The session will discuss the USFF Fleet Design Plan that will drive the implementation of Fleet Design by 2023. The presentation on Fleet Design will define how the fleet…

Tropical Storm Harvey bore down on Louisiana on Wednesday, pouring down more water after setting rainfall records in Texas that caused catastrophic flooding and paralyzed the U.S. energy hub of Houston. The storm that first came ashore on Friday as the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years has killed at least 17 people and forced tens of thousands to leave their deluged homes. Damage has been estimated at tens of billions of dollars, making it one of the costliest U.S. natural disasters. There is some relief in sight for Houston, the fourth most populous U.S. city, with forecasters saying five days of torrential rain may come to an end as the storm picks up speed and leaves the Gulf of Mexico region later in the day.

Nordic Tankers and Borealis Maritime Ltd has announced the intention to form a jointly held company, Crystal Nordic A/S – a strong player in the short-sea, ice class chemical tanker trade in the Baltic and North-Western European market. Crystal Nordic A/S will be owned on a 50/50 basis by Nordic Tankers and Embarcadero Maritime (Borealis Maritime). The new company will take over the respective ice classed stainless chemical tankers businesses from its owners, which currently operate under the Nordic Tankers and Crystal Pool trade names. All other Nordic Tankers and Borealis Maritime operations and ventures are unaffected by the new partnership.

WISTA India proved that they are committed to enhancing skiil of all women in the Maritime Industry . On 17th April they organised a workshop on "Manage your customers" at India's premier Business school SP Jain Institute of Management and Research. “ Managing Difficult Customers “ was such an eye opener on how we, while selling ,  focus only on  pushing down prices , not realizing that in doing so, we are  not adding any value to the client or to our business in the long run. Knowing the customer, going deep into his needs, “LISTENING” , understanding his product + supply chain , and THEN giving a customized solution is what we need to do. And Prof Murty illustrated this so beautifully and effortlessly.

Ruling party reforms improved Apapa port; shippers still face delays and corruption. The road leading to the Lagos port, which handles nearly everything that Africa's biggest economy imports, is one of the most congested in a megacity whose traffic jams are legendary. Wide enough to accommodate only two lanes on either side, along it move the goods that Africa's top crude producer uses its huge oil receipts to buy -- everything from designer wear to dried fish, champagne and shampoo. The Apapa port is also one of the biggest bottlenecks in an economy throttled by power cuts and institutional dysfunction. Reforms to this behemoth by President Goodluck Jonathan and previous administrations of his People's Democratic Party (PDP) brought huge improvements over the past decade…

Freight forwarding and logistics company DSV said it understands the importance of operational excellence and 7 people from across the three DSV divisions have just completed an intensive health and safety course accredited by the Institute of Occupational Health & Safety (IOSH). The four day course, Managing Safely, covered all aspects of health and safety and included a final exam. Each participant also had to complete a written assignment back at their workplace. Victoria Beale…

Canada acts to upgrade its safety system for shipping oil & liquefied natural gas safely through Canada’s waterways before any major new energy export facilities become operational. Tanker inspections: The number of inspections will increase to ensure that all foreign tankers are inspected on their first visit to Canada, and annually thereafter, to ensure they comply with rules and regulations, especially with respect to double hulls. Systematic surveillance and monitoring of ships: The government will expand the National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP).

MSC ships underway in support of annual  Operation Deep Freeze Antarctica resupply mission. Military Sealift Command-chartered container ship MV Ocean Giant departed Port Hueneme, Calif., loaded with nearly seven million pounds of supplies such as frozen and dry food stores, building supplies, vehicles and electronic equipment and parts, Jan. 17. MSC-chartered tanker ship MT Maersk Peary departed the European area of operations in December, with over six million gallons of diesel fuel, jet fuel and gasoline.

Military Sealift Command’s San Diego-based office, MSC Pacific, changed leadership today as Capt. Sylvester Moore assumed command from Capt. Jerome F. Hamel. The ceremony was held aboard fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego. MSCPAC is responsible for MSC ships operating in the Eastern Pacific and is dual-hatted as Commander, Task Force 33, directing the underway delivery of fuel, provisions, ordnance and towing services to Navy combatants in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility.

The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) presented the Foss vessels with Jones F. Devlin Awards at the Annual Safety Awards Luncheon held this year in New Orleans, Louisiana. The awards are given to self-propelled merchant vessels that have operated for two full years or more without a crew member losing a full turn at watch because of an occupational injury. Altogether, the Foss ships achieved the equivalent of 144 years without a lost-time injury. Foss Devlin vessels honored (and the number of years the ships have been injury free) were: American River (three years)…

Capt. Clarke Orzalli, Commander, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, was recently selected to receive the Bremerton,(Wash.) Area Chamber of Commerce's highest recognition - the Hyas Tyee award. Orzalli's selection was based on his significant leadership position, outstanding community/civic outreach and being an exemplary role model for others. "I am extremely humbled by this award and to be recognized with community leaders such as Mayor Cary Bozeman, a man of great vision and strong leadership, is a tremendous honor," said Orzalli at the standing-room only awards ceremony. "I am very proud to accept the award that represents the great work members of the PSNS & IMF team do in our community.

Crescent Towing/New Orleans captains received Citations of Merit awards on July 12 at the NOLA Port Safety Consul meeting. USCG Commanding Officer and Captain of the Port of New Orleans, Capt. Frank M. Paskewich, presented the award. The Crescent Towing Captains were recognized by the COTP because of the professional efforts put forth in face of Hurricane Katrina's fury. Award recipients include: Capt Arnona, Capt. Breaux, Capt. Cain, Capt. Cascio, Capt. Domangue, Capt. Doyle, Capt. Ferniz, Capt. Jones, Capt. Murley, Capt. Schmitt, Capt. Schwartz, Capt. Sylvester, Capt. Trosclair, Capt. Wright

McAllister Towing, of New York, recently purchased U.S. flag tugs Sea Racer and Puerto Nuevo from Crowley Marine Services, of Seattle. Sea Racer, originally built by Pacific Coast Engineering in 1966, measures 121 ft., and is powered by a single EMD 16-645E5, generating 2,875 bhp. The vessel will be renamed Buckley McAllister. Puerto Nuevo, a 96 ft., 1,530 bhp twin-screw tug, was built in 1964 by Equitable Equipment. The vessel is powered with twin CAT D398As and was on charter to McAllister at the time of the purchase. · Westview Dredging of British Columbia, Canada, has purchased 200 x 60 x 12 ft. ocean deck barge Barge 216 from Crowley Marine Services. Barge 216 was originally built by Jeffboat in 1970. · Promar, Inc. of Rockport, Texas has sold 65 ft.