New General Manager Appointed for Taylor Smith Shipyard
Taylor Smith Shipyard (TSS), the oldest ship repair yard on Mauritius, has appointed Willy van Niekerk as new General Manager.van Niekerk knows the yard well and was Assistant General Manager since 2022. He has broad experience in the maritime and offshore industries, taking to sea at 14 as a school holiday job on a converted fishing vessel and deciding to study marine engineering as a result.Throughout the years, van Niekerk sailed on container ships and bulk carriers trading worldwide, becoming chief engineer in the process, before embarked on a shore based career.
Robotics in the EngineRoom
When talk turns to autonomous ships, a first question always centers on how routine and emergency repair and maintenance will be conducted. Trey Taylor, Director of Digital Innovation, Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), discusses FMDâs research and development on next-gen engine room robotics.The FMD team that Trey Taylor leads is relatively new, kicking off in 2019 with a baseline product that was looking at monitoring equipment, âbeing able to provide that information back to ourâŠ
Gibdock Applies Graphene-based Fouling Release Coating
Gibraltar ship repair and conversion yard Gibdock said it recently hosted the Vulica Shipping Company-owned bulk carrier Donald M James for a 30-day project which brought a first opportunity to work with a new type of coating from GIT Coatings (Graphite Innovation & Technologies Inc).The 229-eterm-long ship entered Gibdockâs No.1 Dock for extensive works, including renewal to cargo holds, piping, thrusters, tail shafts and rudders. The yard also applied shippingâs first antifoulingâŠ
Neste, PTL Marine Supplying Renewable Diesel to Vessels in California
Neste is partnering with PTL Marine to provide Neste MY Renewable Diesel to the marine sector across the State of California.Californiaâs Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) regulation, established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), took effect on January 1, 2023. This regulation requires commercial harbor craft vessels in the state to use renewable diesel (also known locally as R99 or R100) instead of ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD), to limit emissions such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides for vessels operating in the stateâs ports and near the coast.
IFAN Appoints New CEO
The Board of Directors of the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) has appointed Catherine Mulvihill as its new CEO.Mulvihill is undergoing a comprehensive management of change process in collaboration with the current CEO, Peter Stanley, and will officially assume full responsibilities as IFANâs CEO on October 9, 2023.She brings a wealth of experience spanning four decades in the marine industry, including extensive knowledge in container shipping and operations, ports and terminals, and marine insurance within both mutual management and the London and commercial markets.
Future Fuels: Methanol
Any commentator on the maritime business decarbonization voyage will offer something along the lines of "There will be multiple fuelsâŠ" With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings of its Maritime Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) set for early July, it is likely that targets for emissions will be tightened. Whatever mileposts that the IMO actually establishes, there will be no prescriptions handed down on how to get there. By mid-2023, nearly two years after the late 2021 alternative fuels crescendo in the aftermath of the COP26 meetings in GlasgowâŠ
BHGI Hires Naval Architects Althouse and Kennedy
Bristol, R.I. based naval architecture, marine engineering and consulting firm Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) announced the continued expansion of its naval architecture and marine engineering firm with two new hires: Taylor Althouse and Kasey Kennedy.Althouse joined BHGI as a Naval Architect. Althouse graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master of Science in Engineering in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. During his time at the University of Michigan, Althouse interned at Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC.
Celsius Orders Four LNG Carriers
Shipowner Celsius Tankers announced it has ordered four new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers from shipbuilder China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) (CMHI) for scheduled delivery in 2026 and 2027.Celsius has formed a joint venture with an affiliate of ArcLight Capital Partners (ArcLight), a middle-market infrastructure investor, to fund two of the LNG carriers. Commodities trading house Gunvor Group Ltd will have a significant equity interest in the other two newbuildings, the first for any independent LNG trading company, demonstrating the strength of Gunvor's global position in the LNG market. All four vessels will enter longâŠ
Taylor Named Austal USA COO for Transformation
Austal USA promoted Christy Taylor to the newly established position of Chief Operating Officer for Transformation. She will report to Austal USA president Rusty Murdaugh, and oversee Human Resources, Production Control, IT and Supply Chain Management operations in addition to other business integration, leadership, and strategy roles. Her focus will be developing and integrating companywide systems and processes while identifying and enabling synergies across these functionsâŠ
C-Innovation Opens New Facility in Port Fourchon
C-Innovation, an aïŹliate of Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) and its family of companies, announced the opening of its new facility in Port Fourchon, La. The expansion provides an additional dock facility for subsea inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) and riserless light well intervention (RLWI) services.The new facility offers vessel loading, project system integration testing (SIT), mobilization and demobilization services for the subsea market. With 1,500-square feet of linear dock space and 400âŠ
LR and ICS Invest in Crew Insight Software
Lloydâs Register has acquired a 50% interest in ISF Watchkeeper, a work and rest hours compliance software solution from IT Energy Systems and Consulting Limited. The acquisition will result in LR becoming a joint owner of ISF Watchkeeper with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).Originally developed by ICS and IT Energy, ISF Watchkeeper is a suite of digital solutions that helps global ship operators to plan, manage and report their crewâs rest hours compliance in accordance with International Convention on Standards of TrainingâŠ
Headwinds Hamper the Poseidon Principles
The Poseidon Principles provide a platform for financing shippingâs sustainable future, but the technical guidance underpinning the initiative remains under scrutiny.In July 2023, the International Maritime Organizationâs Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) will consider revising the UN agencyâs strategy on greenhouse gas emissions from ships. Moving on from a current target to reduce CO2 emissions from ships by at least 50% by 2050, based on 2008 levels, influential administrations seek to accelerate towards net-zero or even zero by 2050.
Headwinds for the Poseidon Principles
The Poseidon Principles provide a platform for financing shippingâs sustainable future, but the technical guidance underpinning the initiative remains under scrutiny.In July 2023, the International Maritime Organizationâs Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) will consider revising the UN agencyâs strategy on greenhouse gas emissions from ships. Moving on from a current target to reduce CO2 emissions from ships by at least 50% by 2050, based on 2008 levels, influentialâŠ
Insurers Count the Cost of Ships Snagged in Ukraine Crisis
Insurers are facing half a billion dollars in claims for up to 60 commercial ships still stuck in Ukraine a year after the start of the war with Russia, industry sources said.When the conflict started, more than 90 merchant ships - many with food cargoes onboard - and some 2,000 crew members were caught in Ukraine and unable to leave due to the fighting.Curtailed shipments from major grain exporter Ukraine played a role in the resulting global food crisis.According to shipping and insurance industry assessmentsâŠ
Grains Export Push to Boost Dry Bulk Shipping Market
Bumper soybean harvests in Brazil and unsold grains stocks in the United States are set to boost dry bulk shipping rates as buyers including China restock after supply shocks last year, leading freight operators said.The dry bulk shipping market has been hit in recent months by slow activity, partly driven by the COVID lockdowns in China, one of the worldâs biggest generators of seaborne commodities trade including grains as well as coal and iron ore.Grains supplies were also affected by the war in Ukraine for part of last year until a United Nations-backed corridor was set upâŠ
Elizabeth Klein Named BOEM Director
The U.S. Interior Department on Tuesday named Elizabeth Klein, a lawyer who worked in the Obama and Clinton administrations, to head the bureau that oversees offshore oil, gas and wind development.Klein will take over for the current head of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Amanda Lefton, who has resigned from the post effective Jan.
SAAM Closes Ian Taylor Acquisition in Peru
SAAM concluded the purchase of Ian Taylorâs towage operations in Peru."This transaction will allow us to continue consolidating our presence in Peru, with the service offering we are known for and extensive geographic coverage. We are committed to continuing to operate with excellence and safety once we add this first-rate fleet," said SAAM Towage Managing Director Hernán Gómez.SAAM Towage has been operating since 2021 in Peru. With this investment, it strengthens its presenceâŠ
Runaway Barge Near Corpus Christi
A barge has gone adrift and ran aground near the Packery Channel in Corpus Christi, Texas on Thursday.The U.S. Coast Guard said it received a call at 7:45 a.m. from a driver on Texas State Highway 361 stating they saw an adrift barge floating in the Packery Channel between the boat ramp and the jetties. The barge was loaded with rocks and drifting outbound.The Coast Guard notified Callan Marine, the company contracted to repair the jetty using the barge, and issued a safety marine information broadcast to alert nearby mariners and beachgoers to the potential hazard.
Lloydâs Register Acquires Voyage Solutions Provider OneOcean
Lloydâs Register (LR) has acquired OneOcean, a supplier of voyage compliance, safety and environmental solutions, from European mid-market private equity firm Equistone Partners Europe.The addition of OneOcean will expand LRâs existing digital solutions portfolio, which already includes fleet management (Hanseaticsoft) and vessel performance and optimization (i4Insight, C-MAP Commercial and Greensteam).OneOcean was created by the merger of ChartCo, in which Equistone first invested in 2016, and Marine Press in 2019.
SAAM to Buy 21 Starnav Tugs for $198M
SAAM's Towage Division has agreed to buy 17 tugs operating in Brazil from the Brazilian company Starnav. The deal also involves the purchase of four additional tugs currently under construction.SAAM CEO Macario Valdés said the deal was one of the largest transactions in SAAMâs history."The transaction was valued at US$150 million for the 17 active tugs, all state-of-the-art, flexible, high-capacity vessels. Another US$48 million will be disbursed for four tugs under constructionâŠ
Donald L Blount: 1935 - 2022
Donald L. Blount, an international esteemed technical expert in the field of high-speed craft hydrodynamics died on July 14, 2022 at the age of 87.Donald was driven all his life to do one job: design high-speed powerboats that could comfortably and efficiently run through rough water. His fascination with hydrodynamics began when he was a Virginia Tech co-op student working at the David Taylor Model Basin, the Navy's premier hydrodynamic research facility.Donaldâs research contributionsâŠ
Wabtec's Power Play
With shipowners pressed to upgrade machinery to meet strict new emission targets, thereâs much confusion with chatter surrounding âdecarbonizationâ and âfuture fuelsâ, solutions that donât exist today â and may not exist in mass for another generation â cluttering the conversation. Enter Wabtec, formerly GE Transportation, which today offers a Tier 4 compliant engine with no need for urea. Is it the cheapest propulsion solution on the market? No. But the Pennsylvania-based engine builder mounts a compelling case for its 250MDC diesel engine based on performanceâŠ
One Million Gallons Collected from US' Longest Running Oil Spill
Response crews have collected more than one million gallons of oil from a Gulf of Mexico spill that has been ongoing for nearly 20 years.The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and partner agencies have been working to contain oil that continues to leak from damaged wells in Mississippi Canyon Block 20 (MC-20), located 11 miles south of the Louisiana shoreline, after storm surge from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 triggered an underwater mudslide that toppled Taylor Energy's MC-20 platform. The active spill is the longest-running in U.S.