MarEx Newsletter | BP Loses Laptop Containing Data of 13,000 Oil Spill Claimants, US Military Attacks Three Libyan Ships in Misrata Port

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Volume 9, Edition 26 (March 31, 2011)

California Court Allows Ship Emissions Rules to Extend Beyond State's Jurisdiction   On Tuesday the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the maritime industry’s appeals to California’s offshore air pollution rules that would require vessel’s to use low-sulfur fuel within 24 miles of the coast. The Air Resources board who adopted the rules in July 2009 says the rules will increase port calls for ships by $30,000 per ship, or an estimated $360 million a year. However, the board says the cost is minimal when broken down by cargo, adding just 12.5 cents to the cost of a plasma TV. Experts say the new ruling will reduce sulfur emissions by 90 percent, prevent nearly 100,000 cases of asthma and an estimated 3,500 premature deaths. In 2015 similar regulations from the federal government will be imposed to the 200 mile economic zone around the U.S. The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association successfully appealed California emissions regulations back in... Read More>>> Back to Top UNODC Open Somaliland's First Prison in 50 Years to Further Tackle Piracy   UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov today expressed his Office's commitment towards building prosecutorial capacity in Somaliland to assist in efforts in dealing with piracy in the region. The UN's chief anti-crime official met with the President of Somaliland, Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud and the Minister of Justice, Prof. Ismail Muumin to discuss UNODC's counter-piracy work in East Africa. Through enhancing ongoing efforts to deal with piracy, UNODC is set to assist authorities tackle this crime as well as look into addressing the underlying causes of piracy to achieve longer-term success. Mr. Fedotov also visited the recently refurbished Hargeisa Prison in Somaliland. The prison, officially opened in November 2010, forms part of UNODC's counter-piracy work in Somaliland and marks the first newly renovated facility in the the area in 50 years. The prison is seen as critical in... Read More>>> Back to Top BP Loses Laptop Containing Data of 13,000 Oil Spill Claimants   BP has confirmed that an employee has lost a laptop containing the names, social security numbers, phone numbers, and addresses of 13,000 compensation claimants resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon catastrophe.  The data contains a mass spreadsheet of filed claims before the Gulf Coast Claims Facility took over claim processing in August, however, the personal information is now at risk for the spill victims.  BP has reported that while the computer was password-protected and can be remotely disabled, the information itself was not encrypted. In an effort of recovery from the troubled company, BP is offering to pay for the claimants to have their credit monitored by Equifax credit bureau.  A spokesman for BP, Curtis Thomas, has stated that the company sent letters to the 13,000 affected and notified them of the possible breach of security and payment offer for credit... Read More>>> Back to Top Challenges for America's East Coast Shipping, Ports and Trade   by Ernst G. Frankel Now over 50 years since Malcolm McLean introduced containerization to break bulk shipping and thereby revolutionizing liner shipping, we are entering a new challenge, that of the mega ship.  The widening of the Panama Canal, increase in its lock size, and order of mega ships by major liner operators and LNG shipping companies, present a new and difficult challenge to U.S. shipping and ports; few American ports on the US East coast are able to admit and serve such large ships,and apart from Savannah none seems to plan the major expansions required to take advantage of these new services provided by the large ships expected to serve the US East coast. The new liners have a 14.5m draft, beam of 59m (193 ft.), and deadweight of 165,000 tons, with a total capacity of 18,000 TEU.  The expanded Panama Canal will encourage other liner operators to follow suit and... Read More>>> Back to Top Potential for Propulsive Thermal Energy Storage in a Modern Steam Powered Ship     by Harry Valentine Steam powered ships and marine vessels have sailed the oceans and waterways of the world for well over a century. Many navies still boil water to produce steam in their ships and submarines to drive steam turbines that in turn drive electric generating equipment. The propellers on many navy and commercial ships are electrically driven. New developments in thermal energy storage technology provides opportunity to re-introduce steam power to ships and vessels that sail relatively short distances, in contrast to extended oceanic voyages. Some thermal storage systems involve groups of well-insulated accumulators capable of holding saturated water at high-pressure, even within the super-critical range. Other systems store thermal energy in the latent heat of fusion of mixtures of molten salts. Thermal Energy Storage: The solar thermal power industry... Read More>>> Back to Top US Military Attacks Three Libyan Ships in Misrata Port   U.S. military aircraft and a destroyer responding to the unrest in Libya have fired upon a Libyan coast guard vessel that launched missiles at merchant vessels in the port of Misrata. Following multiple explosions in the port on Monday a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft fired at the VITTORIA.  The 40-foot patrol boat was badly damaged and had to be beached. In addition a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt and guided-missile destroyer, USS Barry, fired upon other patrol vessels in the port, destroying one and forcing the crew onboard a second to abandon ship. Officials from the US Sixth Fleet say forces fired upon the vessels after receiving confirmed reports that Libyan ships were harassing merchant vessels in the port. Officials say their goal was to prevent them from firing into the port where innocent civilians could be harmed. On Tuesday, officials were in the process of assessing... Read More>>> Back to Top Largest Container Ship to Call Vietnam Inaugurates Cai Mep International Terminal     Newest deepwater container terminal starts new era in Vietnamese ports Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, Vietnam – The CMA CGM Columba arrived as scheduled at the newly opened Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT). At 131,263 DWT and with a capacity of 11,500 TEU, CMA CGM Columba is the largest container vessel ever to call in Vietnam. Located approximately 50km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, CMIT is the first container terminal in Vietnam to offer shipping lines direct access to the newly dredged and certified -14m Cai Mep Terminal Channel as well as offering 22 row outreach super-post Panamax quay cranes to the world’s new generation of vessels. “CMA CGM is delighted to be CMIT’s first customer” commented Jean-Charles Tassoni, General Director of CMA CGM Vietnam. “We are confident in the ability of... Read More>>> Back to Top Kirby Corporation Signs Agreement to Acquire K-Sea   Kirby Corporation (“Kirby”) (NYSE:KEX) announced last today that it has  entered into an agreement  with K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P. (“K-Sea”) (NYSE:KSP), an operator of tank barges and tugboats participating in the  coastwise  transportation  primarily  of refined petroleum products  in the United States, pursuant to which a subsidiary of Kirby will merge with K-Sea, with KSea surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kirby. The total value of the transaction is approximately  $600 million (before post-closing adjustments and fees) and will consist of cash, Kirby common stock and the refinancing of K-Sea debt. The  transaction will be financed through a  combination of available cash, borrowing under Kirby’s revolving credit facility, a new bank term loan of up to $540 million and the... Read More>>> Back to Top Converteam Signs Acquisition Agreement with General Electric to Create a Unique Global Leader in Power Conversion   Converteam announces today the signing of an agreement with GE pursuant to which the financial Converteam shareholders commit to sell their shares to GE. Pierre Bastid and Florent Battistella will retain a significant shareholding in Converteam after the closing of the transaction. This agreement is based upon the founding principles of an ambitious growth business project and a rapid integration of Converteam into GE Energy as its center of excellence for Power Conversion. An ambitious growth business project This transaction will enable Converteam to: Significantly increase its global reach in a market where critical mass is key to remaining competitive and to seizing new business opportunities, Benefit from additional investment capacity and superior infrastructure to grow successfully in Power Conversion and access first tier client...   Read More>>> Back to Top Fire On The Horizon - A Word of Thanks to the Maritime Community   A message from John Konrad, Author of "Fire on the Horizon" Hi, This is just a note of thanks for those who have read my book, "Fire On The Horizon". I want to say thanks for the support! As a 1st time writer, the overflowing inbox of kind words and emails of thanks from those in the maritime community have been greatly encouraging! I also wanted to thanks Sebastian Junger for his amazing review of the book plus his help and inspiration in the writing process (If you haven't read it already run to your library for a copy of his book "The Perfect Storm"), pulitzer prize winning editor Tom Shroder for turning my words into a page turning novel and David Hirshey at HarperCollins for believing that a mariner could write a nationally best selling book. As a special thanks to those who first purchased the book, we are offering the following FREE... Read More>>> Back to Top Federal Court Halts Selective Implementation of Enhanced Cargo Inspections in Puerto Rico   A U.S. District Court in San Juan issued a temporary restraining order on Friday in favor of Crowley Puerto Rico Services, Inc. The order prevents the Puerto Rico Ports Authority from beginning security inspections of Crowley's customers' cargo coming into the island from the U.S. mainland, while not inspecting the cargo of Crowley's competitors. The Ports Authority eventually plans to inspect all cargo coming onto the island from the U.S. mainland. It is months away, however, from being ready to do so at facilities operated by Crowley's competitors. There are no plans to carry out similar inspections of cargo coming from foreign locations. Crowley's concern is that conducting the inspections solely at Crowley facilities would not improve security and yet put Crowley at a severe competitive disadvantage. "We very much support the Puerto Rico government's goal in... Read More>>> Back to Top OSX Brazil to Build 2nd FPSO Oil Platform with Single Buoy Moorings Inc. for $775 Million   OSX Leasing, a subsidiary of OSX, an EBX Group company, entered into a Letter of Intent with SBM Offshore (Single Buoy Moorings Inc Offshore), to start project activities for the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of FPSO OSX-2 (Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel), to be chartered and operated by OSX to its client OGX for 20 years in the Campos Basin, in Rio de Janeiro State. The FPSO OSX-2 will have oil production capacity of 100.000 bopd, storage capacity of 1.300.000 bbls and total estimated CAPEX of US$ 775 million, as it shall be provided for in the relevant EPCI definitive agreement currently in negotiation between OSX and SBM. After the EPCI signature, the chartering of FPSO OSX-2 shall be contracted between OGX and OSX, providing for an average daily rate around US$ 290.000,00, with oil production start-up expected for mid of 2013. The banks... Read More>>> Back to Top ExxonMobil Fuel Supply up 140 Percent into Area Devastated by Earthquake     More than 60 percent of service stations in Tohoku region are back in operation     * More than 24 million liters of fuel delivered to Tohoku region since earthquake     * Larger five million-liter product tankers will be sent to Shiogama fuels terminal     * Ensuring environmentally safe operations with rigorous integrity checks for service stations TOKYO- In an ongoing effort to quickly and safely supply much needed fuel to the areas in Japan hardest hit by the earthquake, ExxonMobil Group Japan has increased fuel supply into its Tohoku region dealer service station network by 140 percent above pre-earthquake levels. “ExxonMobil is a member of the Petroleum Association of Japan and continues to work very closely with the government to address the challenge of delivering fuels to help relief and... Read More>>> Back to Top 8th Annual N. American Marine Highways & Logistics Conference   April 5-6, 2011, at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute, Linthicum Heights, Maryland, near Baltimore, Maryland Theme: INTERMODAL’S ROAD AHEAD The supply chain of the future will be intermodal, but the fundamentals remain the same. Companies want the best value for shipping their products: the most efficient transportation for the lowest cost, and the value proposition may not be truck or rail alone. Shippers will face complex decisions to make as carriers contend with congestion, air quality issues, rising fuel costs, driver shortages, and new regulations. We would like to introduce the waterways as the newest piece of the intermodal mix. The marine highway can be a link in an intermodal supply chain that moves goods to their destination by ocean, inland river or Great Lakes in a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly way. Marine transportation can... Read More>>> Back to Top Report on Unused Oil & Gas Leases Released By U.S. DOI   A report requested by President Obama and released today by the Department of the Interior shows that more than two-thirds of offshore leases in the Gulf of Mexico and more than half of onshore leases on federal lands remain idle, neither producing nor under active exploration and development by companies who hold those leases. “We continue to support safe and responsible domestic energy production, and as this report shows millions of acres that have already been leased to industry for oil and gas productions sit idle,” Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said. “These are resources that belong to the American people, and they expect those supplies to be developed in a timely and responsible manner and with a fair return to taxpayers. As we continue to offer new areas onshore and offshore for leasing, as we have done over the last two years, we will also be exploring ways to provide... Read More>>> Back to Top Crowley Names Carl Fox Senior Vice President, Corporate Services   Crowley Maritime Corp. announced today that Carl Fox will assume the role of senior vice president of corporate services on June 1. Fox will continue to work out of the company's Jacksonville office while reporting to Bill Pennella, Crowley's vice chairman and executive vice president. In his new position, Fox joins the company's senior leadership team and will manage several departments, including Information Technology; Corporate Communications; Human Resources; Safety, Security, Quality and Environmental (SSQE); People Development and Learning; Strategic Projects, and Facilities Development and Travel. Within the Crowley organization corporate services are centralized and support needs of the company, its subsidiaries and business units. Fox, who is currently serving as vice president of strategic initiatives and marketing for the company's liner and logistics units, is replacing Susan... Read More>>> Back to Top Eugene Mattioni, Esq. Elected to the Board of Directors of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay   Eugene Mattioni, Esq., Shareholder and Vice President/Secretary of the Philadelphia-based law firm of Mattioni, Ltd. has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay.  The Exchange is an association dedicated to promoting commerce on the Delaware River and Bay and supports many associated businesses in the industry. Mr. Mattioni’s maritime practice involves investigation of casualties and the handling of claims for pier damage, collision, pollution and personal injury and death.  He is a licensed Master Mariner of steam and motor vessels and has experience in ship handling, cargo operations and vessel management. The Mattioni firm also maintains an office in Swedesboro, New Jersey.   Read More>>> Back to Top ITIC Exposes Real Cost of Crew Internet Access for Ship Manager   International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has explained how a ship manager was recently asked to pay $436,000 in communication costs as the result of an error which unwittingly allowed the crew of a ship unrestricted access to the internet over a three-month period. In the latest issue of its Claims Review, ITIC notes that it was the policy of a particular shipping company to upgrade the communications packages on all its time-chartered and owned vessels from systems which provided email and satellite telephone communications only, to systems that also included limited onboard internet access at fixed monthly rate payments. These new systems were gradually being fitted throughout the fleet. When the existing communications unit on board one ship (which did not include internet access) failed during the first few months of 2009, it was replaced by a modern broadband unit, but not by the new... Read More>>> Back to Top SCI Adds Gulf of Mexico Chaplain   Beginning April 1, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) welcomes a new chaplain dedicated to serving mariners and other workers in the offshore exploration and production industry. The Rev. Winston Rice, a former offshore worker and maritime lawyer, joins two current chaplains for SCI’s Ministry on the River, the nation’s only full-time pastoral care ministry on the Ohio and Lower Mississippi River systems, extending the Institute’s inland ministry efforts into the Gulf of Mexico.  SCI’s new chaplain understands the challenges faced by offshore mariners and workers. With a father and grandfather who between them have worked in the petroleum exploration and production industry over the past 100 years, he says he was“born into the oil patch.” Before becoming a lawyer, Rice worked in the industry, too, including working as a rotary floor hand, or... Read More>>> Back to Top Wärtsilä and Aker Solutions to Jointly Develop Cutting Edge High Performance Turbine Installation Vessel   Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading solutions provider, and Aker Solutions, the international oil and gas services company, have agreed to combine their fields of expertise to develop a new and environmentally sound concept for offshore wind farm installation vessels. According to the contract, which was signed earlier this year, Wärtsilä will provide the new installation vessels with the ship design, electrical power generation, propulsion machinery and high-end automation, whilst Aker Solutions will supply the jacking system. Wärtsilä, together with Aker Solutions, will also offer a 24/7 global support service for maintenance, repairs, and component supply to the vessels. The two companies have selected the best technologies for this custom designed installation vessel, which enables a highly efficient way of setting up offshore wind power generation. The three... Read More>>> Back to Top Cable Sailors Train MSC Mariners in Ordnance Operations   USS Frank Cable (AS 40) sailors trained Military Sealift Command (MSC) civilian mariners (CIVMARS) on weapons handling and transfer procedures for the first time on board the ship, March 22. The training involved the Sailors attaching a 3,000- pound, inert presettable launchable vehicle (PLV) torpedo to an MSC-operated crane while moving it from its case to a munitions transporter and back. "The evolution went extremely well," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class Lucian King, quality assurance safety observer. "The civilian mariners' dedication to learn and the eagerness of the Sailors to work together with MSC matched up perfectly to help support the mission of the ship." As part of its mission, Frank Cable is to transfer torpedoes, tomahawk missiles, small arms and ammunitions to submarines and surface ships moored alongside at anchorage. The ship's CIVMAR crew must... Read More>>> Back to Top AAPA Elects Virginia Port Authority Executive Director To Serve As 2011-12 Chairman Of The Board   At its annual Spring Conference on March 21, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)-representing the interests of seaports throughout the Western Hemisphere-elected Jerry A. Bridges (pictured), executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA), to serve as the international trade association's 2011-12 chairman of the board. Mr. Bridges is slated to be installed as chairman for a one-year term on the final day of AAPA's 100th annual convention, set for Sept. 11-15 in Seattle.  He will assume the AAPA chairmanship from A.J. "Pete" Reixach Jr., executive port director for Port Freeport, in Freeport, Tex., who began his one-year term as the association's chairman in September 2010. "Jerry Bridges has an impressive and extensive résumé in the maritime industry, including serving as the chief executive at two major American port... Read More>>> Back to Top Major West Coast Employer Group Recognizes Foss Line-Handlers' Safety Record   Pacific Maritime Association gives four awards that underscore company-wide emphasis on accident prevention A major maritime employer group has recognized the outstanding safety record of the Foss Maritime workers who tie up and release ships at Puget Sound ports. The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) - whose members include key Foss customers - honored the company's ongoing commitment to safety and accident prevention with four awards.  Foremost was the recognition of Foss Line Service for reducing its annual injury rate more than any of its Washington state-based competitors.  Foss line-handlers recorded no time lost for injuries in 2010. Gary Faber, President and COO of Foss Maritime, lauded Foss Line Service's achievement:  "Our customers expect this, which is why we appreciate the recognition coming... Read More>>> Back to Top Don't Miss Your Chance to Run the Port     First Ever Seafarers' House Port Everglades 5K Run/Walk  to benefit Seafarers' House April 2, 2011  5:30 pm  start USATF Certified course Runners and walkers welcome BBQ, DJ and one of the most unique backdrops you will find for a 5k event! Online registration closeson April 1 - because it is inside Port Everglades, register early- valid photo ID required-bring ID with you!!!! REGISTER NOW TO SECURE YOUR SPOT - Registration and all details at this link! (If you have already registered --we look forward to seeing you there -- bring your ID!) For run info: 305-360-1385 To volunteer: 954-383-0644 Register, Run, and Raise Funds to benefit the work of... Read More>>> Back to Top

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MarEx Newsletter | Chinese Port Rejects Japanese Vessel with Abnormal Radiation Levels, Search Continues for Missing Disney Crewmember

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Volume 9, Edition 25 (March 29, 2011)

Chinese Port Rejects Japanese Vessel with Abnormal Radiation Levels   Last week in Xiamen, a Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. Vessel sailing from Japan was detected to have abnormal amounts of radiation on the decks and surface of containers upon inspection according to the Xiamen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. The contaminated ship, the MOL Presence,  had passed 67 nautical miles off of Japan’s prefecture of Fukushima, part of nuclear-power station Daiichi that has been crippled by the recent disasters.  Authorities also assured that the crew areas did not harness above-average levels.  The MOL Presence is headed back to Japan after being rejected by Chinese officials, and is expected at the port of Kobe on March 30th.   The berth used at Xiamen before leaving has been contaminated, Xiamen port bureau reported.  The Chinese government has banned imports of dairy, fruit, vegetables, seafood and other “water... Read More>>> Back to Top Oil Tanker Seized By Pirates Off Horn of Africa   According to EU NAVFOR reports, “at approximately 0900Z on 28 March, the Crude Oil Tanker the MV ZIRKU was pirated approximately 250 nautical miles South East of Salalah in the eastern part of the Gulf of Aden. The UAE flagged and Kuwaiti owned vessel was on its way to Singapore from Bashayer (Sudan) when it was attacked.  The vessel was attacked by 2 pirate skiffs firing RPGs and small arms. The MV ZIRKU has a crew of 29 (1 Croatian, 1 Iraqi, 1 Filipino, 1 Indian, 3 Jordanians, 3 Eqyptians, 2 Ukrainians and 17 Pakistanis). There is no further information about the crew at present.” Despite this report, Kuwait’s state oil company denied that pirates have hijacked a Kuwaiti tanker, in a statement by state news agency KUNA.  A spokesman from the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has gone on record to declare the incident report by EU NAVFOR to be "totally... Read More>>> Back to Top Search Continues for Missing Disney Crewmember   On Monday, investigators continued their search for the Disney Cruis Line crewmember who went missing last week. The 24-year-old crewmember, Rebecca Coriam, was last seen onboard the Disney Wonder while it was sailing from California to Mexico. Over the weekend Disney along with authorities conducted several shipboard searches, with no luck. Rebecca Coriam, works in the Wonder’s youth center. The ship was on a seven-night cruise to the Mexican Riviera last week when the Chester, England native didn’t show for duty Tuesday. Because the Wonder is registered in the Bahamas, the Royal Bahamas Police Force is conducting the investigation. Officials there say the investigation is ongoing and that Disney has fully cooperated. Rebecca’s parents flew from England to meet with investigators in hopes of finding their daughter. Officials reportedly told the family that Rebecca... Read More>>> Back to Top BOEMRE Issues Guidance for Offshore Deepwater Drillers to Comply with Safety and Containment Requirements   Memo Provides Additional Clarification to Assist Offshore Operators with Permit Applications WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) today issued additional guidance summarizing and clarifying previously issued offshore deepwater drilling safety requirements. This guidance document also highlights BOEMRE’s process for reviewing subsea containment plans for deepwater operations. The guidance contains no additional regulatory requirements, but instead provides clarifying information to assist the oil and gas industry in complying with existing regulations and guidance. “Our goal remains the same as it has been from Day 1 – to ensure that offshore operations are conducted as safely as possible,” said BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich. “This guidance document gives deepwater drilling operators additional information... Read More>>> Back to Top Shipping Advised To Comply With NAVAREA Warning Off Japan   The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued a circular letter advising shipmasters to comply with the latest navigational warnings issued by the NAVAREA XI Coordinator (Japan), in the wake of damage to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan. The circular letter notes that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan has confirmed that, at present, all international sea ports not damaged by the 11 March earthquake, and the resulting tsunami, operate normally and, based on the results of measurements of radiation levels by local governments, no health risk has been detected around the ports. NAVAREA warnings are disseminated by the designated NAVAREA coordinators and can also be downloaded by following the relevant links from http://weather.gmdss.org/navareas.html, in particular: Read More>>> Back to Top Fincantieri Wins Contract To Build 2 Ships for Tidewater   Fincantieri has been awarded a contract to build two PSV vessels by Tidewater, the world’s largest provider of marine support services for offshore industries. The ships, the first scheduled for delivery before the end of 2012 and the second within mid 2013, will be built at Sturgeon Bay shipyard (Wisconsin, USA), which is owned by Fincantieri Marine Group, a company in Fincantieri Group. The ships are Platform Supply Vessels, used to provide services to drilling platforms and to support offshore activities. Innovative characteristics of these vessels are their diesel-electric propulsion and their ability to operate in deep seas at Artic temperatures. Designed in accordance with strict regulations regarding fire prevention and reduction of environmental impact, the 92.5 meter long, 19 meter wide vessels - which will be certified by the American Bureau of Shipping – will... Read More>>> Back to Top Process Underway For First Commercial Wind Power Lease   Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Michael R. Bromwich today announced that the Department is initiating the process to offer the first commercial wind lease under the “Smart from the Start” Atlantic Offshore Wind program, off the coast of Delaware. The decision follows a determination that there is no competitive interest for commercial wind energy development in this area of the Outer Continental Shelf, precluding the need for competitive bidding.  “This is a significant milestone for our nation’s energy future,” said Secretary Salazar, “allowing Interior officials to move toward a non-competitive lease agreement with NRG Bluewater Wind Delaware for potential offshore wind development. This is another major step forward in tapping the enormous offshore wind potential of the... Read More>>> Back to Top Earthquake and Tsunami Safe Nuclear Power Plants and Waste Disposal     By Ernst G. Frankel, Professor Emeritus, MIT Many of our existing and planned nuclear power plants are in earthquake prone locations which may in some cases also be exposed to potential tsunamis as shown by the recent Japanese disaster.  While nuclear power is environmentally and in many cases economically attractive, we must develop approaches which permit the exploration or use of this important source of energy generation while greatly reducing exposure to damage or destruction which affect population centers and economic assets.  As many of the most desirable locations are along coasts such as the U.S. West Coast states and Western Europe, it may be desirable and attractive to locate nuclear power plants on large floating platforms or ships which can be positioned with flexible tension anchors places in the ocean bottom by explosive anchor placements. Such platforms... Read More>>> Back to Top Arlington Christened in Honor of Sept. 11   In a time-honored traditional ceremony, Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Shipbuilding sector, with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps participating, christened its latest warship Arlington (LPD 24). Arlington County, Va., Fire Chief James Schwartz, who was Deputy Fire Chief and Incident Commander on 9/11 at the Pentagon coordinating the rescue response efforts on the ground, delivered emotional comments as principal speaker. "In its remembrance, 9/11 taught us that life is precious; so too is the American way of life," said Chief Schwartz. "Today, we christen a Navy vessel whose chief responsibility is to preserve that way of life and to enable us as Americans to pursue our hopes and dreams in freedom. This way of life is only possible because of the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who protect our nation here and around the world. "The nation mourns each... Read More>>> Back to Top Coast Guard Responds to Reports of Oil in Gulf of Mexico   Coast Guard responds to reports of oil in Gulf of Mexico NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office are working with Anglo-Suisse Thursday, to oversee the cleanup of oil that has made landfall in the Grand Isle, La. area. Tests were done by LSU and Coast Guard marine safety labs and confirmed that the samples collected from West Delta 117 and samples collected from both Elmers Island and Grand Isle are a match. Anglo-Suisse has been identified as the responsible party for this cleanup. "While a responsible party has been identified, the Coast Guard and state of Louisiana, in consultation with parish, local, and tribal leaders, has direct oversight of the response and we are working to ensure the effective and thorough cleanup of all of the affected areas," said Coast Guard Capt. Jonathan Burton, federal on scene coordinator for the... Read More>>> Back to Top Renowned Piracy Negotiator Calls on Industry to Educate the Public on Piracy Threat   Secretary-General Mitropoulos Applauds WISTA USA Focus on Issue at Annual Luncheon In recognition of the International Maritime Organization’s “Year of Piracy”, WISTA USA hosted world renowned piracy negotiator, Suzanne Williams QPM, as their keynote speaker at its sixth annual WISTA USA luncheon on Monday, kicking off the Connecticut Maritime Association’s Shipping 2011 conference.  The conference was attended by nearly 250 industry professionals and maritime cadets. Ms. Williams described first hand experiences in her dealings with pirate negotiations, and offered suggestions for combating the scourge.  “First and foremost, our governments and the population at large need to better understand what a significant risk is posed by these pirates to our seafarers and supply chains,” stated Ms. Williams.  “Only through awareness can we generate action... Read More>>> Back to Top Alan C. McClure Associates and Iceberg Project Services, Inc. Form Professional Alliance   Alan C. McClure Associates (ACMA), one of the industry’s premier naval architecture and engineering firms, announced today that it has formed a professional alliance with Iceberg Project Services (IPS) (www.icebergps.com). When supplemental support is required, ACMA will provide engineering services to IPS and IPS will provide ACMA project management assistance. ACMA’s Vice President Darrel Harvey sees this new alliance of complementary services as a win/win situation for both companies. “In today’s market, most customers are looking for a complete project service package that has a tendency to favor the larger Engineer, Procure, Install and Construct (EPIC) companies,” commented Harvey. “This alliance of equals puts both AMCA and IPS a step closer to providing those turnkey solutions to our customers on a worldwide basis.” Harvey went on to note that... Read More>>> Back to Top SpecTec Group Opens Newest Office in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   The SpecTec Group has opened their newest office in Rio de Janeiro: officially, AMOS Brasil Sistemas de Gestão de Recursos e Consultoria de Software Ltda., or SpecTec Brazil, will serve as region headquarters. “With our recently opened office in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and now in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, SpecTec Latin America is on a strategic course for continued expansion and growth in both the shipping and oil & gas industries”, says Giampiero Soncini, CEO of the SpecTec Group, “and we’re now better positioned to provide superior service and steadfast support to our customers throughout the region.” SpecTec’s new local team has been formed and includes professional technical consultants to provide project management and customer support, as well as a business development team. The region is managed by David Reyes, Managing Director, Latin... Read More>>> Back to Top Smithsonian Scientists Help Block Ship-Borne Bioinvaders Before They Dock   New Strategy Helps Ships Screen for Unwanted Passengers The global economy depends on marine transportation. But in addition to cargo, the world’s 50,000-plus commercial ships carry tiny stowaways that can cause huge problems for the environment and economy. A new model created by Smithsonian scientists will facilitate accurate screening of vessels for dangerous species before they unload. The team’s findings are published today in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. Ballast water taken up by ships in coastal waters teems with plankton and microbes. When discharged at the next port of call, these hitchhikers can wreak havoc on receiving ecosystems. Under current federal regulations, ships exchange their ballast water in the open ocean to flush out unwanted species. However, some survive the process, and not all ships travel across oceans. Environmental... Read More>>> Back to Top Coast Guard Responds to Barge Allision on the Mississippi River   VICKSBURG, Miss. — The Coast Guard temporarily suspended salvage operations, Saturday, on a soybean barge that partially sank after a towing vessel allided with the Old Vicksburg Bridge on the Mississippi River. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Vicksburg received a report that the towing vessel, Kay A. Eckstein, allided with the Old Vicksburg Bridge, causing the barges being pushed by the towing vessel to come free. One barge allided with the I-20 bridge, partially sank, and is considered a hazard to navigation. The unified command will discuss further salvage plans as equipment arrives on scene and environmental conditions permit. I-20 bridge vehicle traffic will remain unaffected during salvage operations. Based off the current river conditions and the hazard to navigation that the partially sunken barge presents, southbound barge traffic will be... Read More>>> Back to Top RESOLVE Refloats Sunken Drydock in Guam Shipyard   RESOLVE Marine Group has successfully raised and refloated the “Machinist” drydock at Guam Shipyard in Apra Harbor, Guam. The 825 ft drydock sank on January 2, 2011 during a rough weather event.  RESOLVE, a marine salvage and emergency response company with extensive worldwide experience -- including prior experience raising drydocks,-- was the successful bidder for the job.  RESOLVE began the salvage job on January 31 and successfully refloated the drydock on March 3. RESOLVE’s Salvage Master, Salvage Engineer, and salvage divers first conducted a comprehensive casualty assessment to determine the structural and watertight conditions of the drydock and to ascertain the status of drydock systems.  A detailed engineering analysis was undertaken and a Salvage Plan was developed and implemented, involving extensive preparatory work both topside and underwater. Given the deep submergence... Read More>>> Back to Top SCF Group News: Judgement Received From London High Court   High Court Judgment received on Costs and Appeals in Fiona Trust/Intrigue Shipping vs Yuri Nikitin and Others Case Further to the judgment of the London High Court (Commercial Court) announced on 10 December 2010, in the case between Fiona Trust & Holding Corporation & Others and Intrigue Shipping Inc & Others (the “Claimants”) - now part of SCF Group, against Mr Yuri Nikitin (the principal of Standard Maritime Ltd) and others (the “Defendants”), Mr Justice Andrew Smith has today handed down his supplemental Judgments on the Claimants’ relief, interest, litigation costs and appeals. During hearings held at the London High Court between 24 and 28 February 2011 Mr Justice Andrew Smith reviewed, amongst other things: substantive relief for the Claimants; the apportionment of costs between the various parties; applications to appeal aspects... Read More>>> Back to Top Crowley Awards Scholarships to Two Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Students   Students Ali Stevens and Michael Roy are getting the chance to attend the Maritime Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport this spring, thanks in part to Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships, which were presented recently by Crowley Maritime Corporation. Stevens is a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire majoring in political science and minoring in marine biology. Growing up on Long Island, N.Y., Stevens was minutes away from the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and said that water is something she cannot live without. At Williams-Mystic, Stevens is studying the connections between individuals and the sea through an interdisciplinary curriculum that also allows for original research opportunities. Roy, a student at the University of Rhode Island and native of Westerly, R.I., grew up along the beaches, waterways and fishing communities of New England. He said... Read More>>> Back to Top SpecTec's Loyalty Stands Alongside Mercy Ships   SpecTec continues its 15-year partnership with the Mercy Ships Organisation with the recent donation of AMOS Shipdex Interface (ASI). Shipdex is the International Business Rules (The Shipdex Protocol) developed to standardise the production and the exchange of technical and logistic data within the shipping community (for more info, please, visit www.shipdex.com). AMOS Shipdex Interface is the SpecTec module designed to take the best advantage from Shipdex Protocol datasets. This is because, ASI is capable to read and import Shipdex datasets into AMOS Business Suite Database, without retyping the manufacturer technical information.  The depicted architecture is the common scenario of a fleet managed by a ship-owner by means of the land office, which is generally in charge of the technical, operational and procurement tasks. Mercy Ships will be using AMOS Shipdex Interface to automatically... Read More>>> Back to Top MTB Marine Americas 2011 – Launches with Great Success!   A message from Copland Events Buyers from 11 different nations from across the Americas joined us in Ft. Lauderdale for our inaugural MTB “Meet the Buyer” networking forum in the Americas. The general feeling about the launch was extremely positive. Everyone involved confirmed that they have made some valuable contacts, taken firm leads and generated future opportunities from meetings and networking at the forum. Over 50 buyers from ship owners/operators of vessels ranging in size from Tugs to Cruise Liners benefitted from the brilliant range and quality of supplier companies they met with in Ft. Lauderdale. Suppliers of everything in the Marine industry, from Navigation Lights to Electrical Controls, were present from 18 nations to make new business contacts, build relationships and generate new leads from the buyers. Many thanks are... Read More>>> Back to Top

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