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Transportation Fleet News

11 Feb 2021

NOV Wins Offshore Wind Vessel Deal in China

Credit: NOV

Chinese shipbuilder China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) has awarded NOV a contract to design and supply equipment for GustoMSC NG-14000XL-G wind turbine installation jack-up vessel to be built for OHT, a Norwegian heavy transport and installation contractor."In close collaboration with VIND Offshore Installation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OHT, the design is specifically tailored to create a next-generation offshore wind installation unit with a significantly reduced carbon footprint," the company, which last year changed its name from National Oilwell Varco to NOV, said.

01 Dec 2020

OHT's Shipbuilding Deal for Offshore Wind Installation Vessel Now 'Effective'

Credit: OHT - File Image

OHT, the Norwegian offshore heavy transport firm, and soon to be offshore wind installation contractor has said that its shipbuilding contract for its first offshore wind turbine installation vessel has become effective."The shipbuilding contract for OHT’s first WTIV (Wind Turbine Installation Vessel) “Vind 1” has reached contract effectiveness following i.a. the issuance of a Refund Guarantee by China Merchants Industry Holdings’ bank and OHT’s payment of the first yard installment for the vessel…

30 Jul 2020

OHT Enters Offshore Wind Turbine Installation Business

Image Credit: OHT

Offshore Heavy Transport (OHT), a company specializing in, well, offshore heavy transport, has decided to diversify its offering and dive into the offshore wind turbine generator installation business.OHT said Thursday it had entered into a binding Heads of Agreement with China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) in Jiangsu, China for the construction of two wind turbine generator (WTG) installation vessels.The company will have options to order two more vessels of the same type.

13 Nov 2019

Diamond S Shipping Sells MR Vessels

Diamond S Shipping Inc, the owner and operator of crude oil and product tankers, has sold two 2008-built MR vessels, the Atlantic Aquarius and Atlantic Leo, generating approximately $11.3 million of liquidity before settlement of working capital.A non-cash write-off of $18.3 million was recognized in connection with the vessel sales, it said.Diamond S Shipping owns and operates 66 vessels on the water, including 15 Suezmax vessels, one Aframax and 50 medium-range (MR) product tankers.The company groups its business primarily by commodity transported and segments its fleet into a 16-vessel crude oil transportation fleet (the Crude Fleet) and a 50-vessel refined petroleum product transportation fleet (the Product Fleet).The Crude Fleet consists of 15 Suezmax vessels and one Aframax vessel.

02 May 2019

Kirby Posts 2019 Q1 Results

David Grzebinski, Kirby’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Kirby Corporation announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 of $44.3 million, or $0.74 per share, compared with earnings of $32.5 million, or $0.54 per share, for the 2018 first quarter. Excluding certain one-time charges, 2018 first quarter net earnings attributable to Kirby were $37.9 million, or $0.63 per share. Consolidated revenues for the 2019 first quarter were $744.6 million compared with $741.7 million reported for the 2018 first quarter.David Grzebinski…

15 Mar 2019

Kirby Closes Cenac Fleet Acquisition

File Image (CREDIT: Cenac)

Kirby Corporation announced the completion of the acquisition of the marine transportation fleet of Cenac Marine Services, LLC, an operator of tank barges and towboats participating in the inland tank barge transportation industry in the United States. The total value of the transaction was approximately $244 million and was financed with additional borrowings. Cenac’s fleet consists of 63 30,000-barrel inland tank barges with approximately 1.9 million barrels of capacity, 34 inland towboats, and 2 offshore tugboats.

31 Jan 2019

Kirby Announces 2018 Q4/FY18 Results, Deal to Buy Cenac's Marine Fleet

Kirby Corporation announced a net loss attributable to Kirby for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018 of ($24.4) million, or ($0.41) per share, compared with earnings of $231.3 million, or $3.87 per share, for the 2017 fourth quarter. Excluding certain one-time charges, 2018 fourth quarter net earnings attributable to Kirby were $44.9 million, or $0.75 per share. Consolidated revenues for the 2018 fourth quarter were $721.5 million compared with $708.1 million reported for the 2017 fourth quarter.For the 2018 full year…

04 Dec 2018

Arlen "Benny" Cenac Jr.: Navigating a Different Course Line, Making a Difference

Cenac Marine Services and its dynamic, third generation leader, Arlen “Benny” Cenac Jr., continue to flourish, in good times and bad. Through it all, leadership, philanthropy and investments that extend far beyond the company’s gates have made all the difference.As this year quickly churns to its inevitable close, Cenac Marine Services isn’t the nation’s biggest towboat operation, but its profound impact on the people and environment of the U.S. Gulf Coast and beyond is unquestionable. At a time when most operators are happy to simply strive for an environmentally correct and regulatory compliant business signature, Arlen “Benny” Cenac Jr.

02 Aug 2018

Azerbaijan Caspian Marine Shipping Repairs Gahraman Asadov

The tanker “Gahraman Asadov”, which belongs to the Transportation fleet of the Azerbaijan Caspian Marine Shipping has been repaired.Within the framework of the renovation, carried out at “Zigh” Ship Repair and Construction Yard, the tanker’s draft and its surface, anchor chains and Kingston boxes were cleaned and dyed. Paddle shafts, steering control, head and auxiliary engines and pumps have been repaired.Furthermore, the control system of the floating vehicle was adjusted. Corps-welding works, piping and electric installation works were conducted.After renovation works, the tanker has been put into operation again.The length of the tanker “Gahraman Asadov” is 125.06…

16 Feb 2018

Kirby Closes Acquisition of Higman Marine

Kirby Corporation has announced the completion of the acquisition of Higman Marine, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Higman”), an operator of tank barges and towboats participating in the inland tank barge transportation industry in the United States. The total value of the transaction was approximately $419 million in cash before post-closing adjustments and transaction fees. issuance of senior notes, which closed on February 12, 2018. The new senior notes provided for $500 million in fixed rate debt at 4.2% with a 10-year maturity on March 1, 2028. The unused balance of the senior notes will be used for general corporate purposes.

05 Feb 2018

Kirby To Buy Higman Marine

Kirby Corporation announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Higman Marine, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Higman”), for approximately $419 million in cash, subject to certain closing adjustments. The purchase will be financed through additional borrowings. Higman’s marine transportation fleet consists of 159 inland tank barges with 4.8 million barrels of capacity, and 75 inland towboats. Higman’s fleet moves petrochemicals, refined petroleum products, crude oil, natural gas condensate, and black oil on the Mississippi River System and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway for large midstream and global integrated oil companies. The closing of the acquisition is expected to occur in the first quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions.

26 Jul 2017

Shaver Transportation Selects Rapp Marine Winch Package

Photo: Rapp Marine

Shaver Transportation of Portland, OR, operating vessels within the Columbia River region of the Pacific Northwest for over a hundred years, has selected Rapp Marine as the supplier of the two heavy-duty load handling winches on their latest tugboat. Rapp Marine has almost two decades of experience of designing and delivering rugged winches for workboat market, and has been around as a company for over a hundred years as well. The latest tugboat to the Shaver Transportation fleet is designed by Jensen Maritime of Seattle, WA and is under construction at Diversified Marine of Portland, OR.

09 Jun 2016

VT Halter Delivers ATB Tug for Bouchard

M/V Frederick E. Bouchard, a 6,000hp Twin Screw ATB tug, during sea trials (Photo: VT Halter Marine)

VT Halter Marine, Inc. has delivered the 6,000hp Twin Screw Articulated (ATB) tug, MV Frederick E. Bouchard, to owner Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. at the shipbuilder’s facilities in Pascagoula, Miss. on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. The delivery, which culminates a two-vessel contract awarded by Bouchard Transportation to VT Halter Marine in August 2014, follows the delivery of the contract’s first vessel, MV Morton S. Bouchard Jr., on February 1, 2016. Both vessels were built to join Bouchard Transportation’s fleet for servicing the coastwise trade.

15 May 2016

Iranian Tankers Free to Enter International Ports

Restrictions on Iranian tankers’ insurance have been removed and the country’s crude carriers are now allowed to enter any oil terminal in the world, National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC)'s CEO Ali Akbar Safaee said. “With the resolution of insurance problems, international insurance institutes have  expanded their coverage to Iranian vessels, which can now berth at all ports,”he said. “Accordingly, all tankers that are under Iran’s ownership as well as any [foreign] tanker that enters Iran’s ports will not have any problem with regards to the issue of insurance," he added. He explained that in the wake of the removal of the sanctions foreign ships are also now able to dock at the Iranian ports.

09 Apr 2016

VT Halter Launches Tug for Bouchard

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announces the launch of the M/V Frederick E. Bouchard, at its Moss Point Marine Shipyard Facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi on Thursday, March 31, 2016. M/V Frederick E. Bouchard is the second of two 6,000hp Twin Screw Articulated (ATB) tugs constructed for Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. (Bouchard Transportation) under a two-vessel contract awarded to VT Halter Marine in August 2014. Both M/V Frederick E. Bouchard and the M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. measures, 130 feet by 38 feet by 22 feet, are classed by ABS as A1 Ocean Towing, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter C, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System.

26 Feb 2016

The New Standard in Transportation and Propulsion

Cargo vessel Coastal Standard (Photo: Coastal Transportation)

The latest addition to the Coastal Transportation fleet, MV Coastal Standard, was built at Dakota Creek Industries Shipyard in Anacortes, Wash. with a design developed to maximize cargo carrying capacity while minimizing construction and operating costs, according to the shipbuilder. With help from its SCHOTTEL propulsion system, the vessel also scores high marks in safety, maneuverability and operability. The vessel’s owner, Seattle-based Coastal Transportation, owns and operates a fleet of cargo vessels sailing from Seattle to ports throughout Western Alaska and the Aleutian Islands…

08 Feb 2016

Insights: Benny Cenac, Jr., Owner & CEO, Cenac Towing Company

Arlen “Benny” Cenac Jr. is a third-generation owner of Cenac Towing Company. The firm, originally founded in 1927 by his grandfather, now does business as Cenac Marine Services. Benny has led the company since 1981 through several industry downturns by focusing on customer service, efficiency, quality and safety in its marine transportation services. Cenac Towing has clients across the country and maintains a focus on transporting liquid petroleum barges. Cenac is guided by the values and principles established by Benny’s grandfather over 85 years ago: a commitment to employee satisfaction and great company morale. As a leader in the community…

05 Feb 2016

VT Halter Delivers ATB Tug to Bouchard

M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. on sea trials (Photo: VT Halter Marine)

VT Halter Marine, Inc. announced the delivery of the M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr., the first of the two 6,000 horsepower Twin Screw Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) tugs to Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. Measuring 130 feet by 38 feet by 22 feet, the M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. is classed by ABS as +A1 Ocean Towing, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter C and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. The vessel was launched on October 29, 2015 at the Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Miss. Both M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. and M/V Frederick E.

30 Nov 2015

VT Halter Launches Barge for Bouchard

Photo: VT Halter Marine

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems) and Bouchard Transportation Co. announced that Barge B. No. 272 was launched on November 20, 2015. This is the second barge of two Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) units constructed for Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. Measuring 628 feet by 91 feet by 47 feet, the barge B. No. 272 has a 250,000-barrel capacity, and is ABS and USCG certified for Jones Act service. When completed, the barge will be paired with the tug, M/V Donna J.

05 Nov 2015

VT Halter Launches Another ATB Tug for Bouchard

M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr.  6,000hp Twin Screw ATB tug (Photos: VT Halter)

Shipbuilder VT Halter Marine, Inc. and Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. announced the launch of M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr., a 6,000hp Twin Screw Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) tug, on October 29, 2015. The M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. is part of a two-vessel contract awarded to the shipyard in August 2014. M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. and M/V Frederick E. Bouchard, are being constructed at VT Halter Marine’s Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi, with delivery expected in January 2016 and May 2016, respectively.

17 Aug 2015

One More Z-Drive on the Job for EMS

Photo courtesy of Cummins

Enterprise Mariner Services, LLC (EMS) operates with the motto “Safe, Efficient, Reliable”. With the addition of their eighth Z-drive towboat and the fourth from Sneed Shipbuilding, the goal of maintaining that excellence is ever more assured. As with the previous three, the 87 by 34-foot Sebastian D, with an 11.5-foot molded depth, was built by Sneed Shipbuilding of Channelview Texas. This makes them well suited for working the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway where they routinely push two 30,000-barrel petroleum barges.

04 Jun 2015

Inmarsat Type Approval for 9502 BGAN M2M Terminal

Inmarsat said that that it has expanded its Machine-to-Machine (M2M) portfolio by type approving the Hughes 9450-C11 terminal, the first mobile BGAN M2M-enabled terminal. It means that BGAN M2M — Inmarsat’s global, IP-based, real-time M2M data connectivity service — can now be offered as a mobile service, giving customers within industries like transportation and logistics, precision farming, construction and mining a completely new level of remotely managing and monitoring high value assets, such as heavy machinery. “We are excited about Inmarsat’s new mobile BGAN M2M capability and the Hughes 9450-C11 terminal,” said David Wigglesworth, Vice President, Global Internet of Everywhere.

05 Aug 2014

Bouchard Transportation in Expansion Mode

Morton S. Bouchard III, President and CEO of Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., today announced the next step in the company’s ongoing fleet expansion with the construction of two 6,000-hp ATB tugs. These newbuilds, the M/V Bouchard Boys and the M/V Evening Light, will be equipped with Intercon Coupler Systems and constructed by VT Halter Marine, Inc. Measuring 130 feet by 38 feet by 22 feet, these 6,000-hp Twin Screw ATB Tugs will be classed by ABS as A1 Ocean Towing, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter C, both will be built with Tier III engines and Lufkin gears. “I am happy to share the news of Bouchard Transportation’s fleet expansion,” said Mr. Bouchard upon making the announcement.