|  The Administration’s proposal to slash the Great Lakes dredging budget by 32 percent in FY12 has the Great Lakes shipping industry declaring a State of Emergency. The Administration’s proposed appropriation for Lakes dredging next year will remove the smallest amount of sediment since the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started keeping records more than half a century ago. As a result, only 11 of the 83 U.S ports on the Great Lakes will be dredged. “Never in my 51 years in this industry have I seen such a total abandonment of the Federal government’s responsibility to maintain the Great Lakes Navigation System,” said John D. Baker, President of Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, the largest labor/management coalition ever to promote shipping on America’s Fourth Sea Coast. “Cargo movement on the Fourth Sea Coast can top 200 million tons per... Read More>>> Back to Top |  It’s “MARCH MADNESS” as Administration slights the U.S. Maritime Industry Again
By Tony Munoz, Editorin-Chief of the Maritime Executive Magazine and MarEx Newsletter
Secretary LaHood and Administrator Masuda went before Congress this March with their respective DOT and MARAD budgets for 2012. And, as usual, the U.S maritime was left out of America’s plans for cleaner, safer, and more fuel efficient modes of transportation for domestic commerce. DOT-MARAD essentially shelved the marine highways program and job creation for waterfront and shipyard workers till later in the decade. On March 1st, the administrator for MARAD went before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation to deliver its $357.8 million budget request, which is $5 million less than the 2010 budget. While eighty-six percent of the... Read More>>> Back to Top |  Earthquake will have significant impact across dry bulk commodity markets In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that has hit Japan, fears are growing over the potential for radiation leaks from damaged nuclear plants. Equity markets have been hit while FFA prices have also sustained significant losses. With the situation still unfolding, the longer term impact of the disaster on commodity markets is unclear, although some initial conclusions can be drawn. Read More>>> Back to Top |  Pirates hijacked the MV SINAR KUDUS approximately 320 nautical miles northeast of the island of Socotra Wednesday morning, the EU NAVFOR said. The Indonesian flagged ship was sailing to Suez from Singapore when she was attacked. The 20 Indonesian crewmembers sent out a distress signal and reported that 30 to 50 pirates had boarded and taken control of the ship. According to EU NAVFOR, on Thursday pirates used the SINAR KUDUS as a mother ship to attack the Liberian flagged bulk carrier, MV EMPEROR. Five pirates launched a skiff and attempted to board the vessel. An onboard security team deterred the pirates and the EMPEROR continued on her route. Also on Thursday, Tunisia’s transport ministry announced that the MV Hannibal II had been released, after a $2 million ransom had been paid. The MV Hannibal II was hijacked on November 11, 2010. According to the IMB Piracy Reporting... Read More>>> Back to Top |  The Director-General of the International Labour Office, Juan Somavia, expresses his grave concern at today's declaration of a state of emergency in Bahrain. This constitutes a serious setback to civil liberties, including the rights to legitimate trade union action. In the current volatile situation it is even more urgent to intensify efforts towards the dialogue that has started between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the key actors of society. The Director-General shares fully the concern expressed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and other world leaders about the recent violence and the excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators, which have included many trade unionists. Director-General Somavia emphasizes that "the ILO's long-standing activities with the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation... Read More>>> Back to Top |  The EU NAVFOR reports that Somali pirates have released the Panamanian flagged chemical tanker, MV Hannibal II, after holding the vessel and crew for more than four months. The ship was hijacked on November 11, 2010 approximately 860 nautical miles east of the Horn of Africa. The 30-crew members from Tunisia, Philippines, Croatia, Georgia, Russia and Morocco are currently sailing to Djibouti. The Hannibal II had 31 crewmembers onboard when she was hijacked but in December one crewmember was allowed to be medically evacuated through a joint effort between the Combined Maritime Force and the EU NAVFOR. The crewmember was thought to have appendicitis and the ships captain negotiate with pirates to get him the treatment he needed. The ships owner, Polo Navigation Ltd. reports that the crew is safe and healthy. In a statement released Thursday Tunisia’s transport authority said that... Read More>>> Back to Top |  ONE OF THE TOP RECIPIENTS OF THE 2011 “WORLD’S MOST ETHICAL COMPANIES” AWARD Recognized internationally for its innovative work and ethical business practices, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the 2011 World’s Most Ethical Companies. According to the Ethisphere Institute, the ACP secured a spot on the list from a record number of nominations by “going the extra mile and implementing upright business practices and initiatives that are instrumental to the company’s success, benefit the community, and raise the bar for ethical standards within the industry.” “We are truly honored by this award. At the Canal – we have a set of Guiding Principles – our True North if you will, that inform and inspire our work. At the very core of these principles is our commitment to transparency,... Read More>>> Back to Top |  The introduction of non-native species via the discharge of ship's ballast water is one of the main threats to marine biodiversity, with alien species often capable of out-competing native species – effective ballast water management (BWM) and the dissemination of good practice are thus essential throughout the marine community. The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) is playing a key role. IMarEST is the host of a new BWM Special Interest Group (SIG), the Ballast Water Expert Group (BWEG). SIGs are formed by IMarEST members sharing a common interest. They use certain facilities at IMarEST HQ, share knowledge among SIG members and disseminate that knowledge to a wider audience, including via a dedicated web page on the IMarEST website. |  The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) is pleased to announce the release of a recently completed study on Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS). SOCP conducted the study in light of new EPA regulations that become mandatory to ships operating in Emission Control Areas (ECA) in 2015 requiring low sulfur emission. The objective of the study is to assist ship operators in the dilemma of switching to expensive distillate fuel in ECA or install EGCS and continue to burn hi-sulfur heavy fuels. The Guide will assist ship operators in determining their emissions requirements, calculating potential cost savings, and understanding the integration and operational challenges of various EGCS technologies available today.
The development of this Guide is made possible through the financial support of the U.S.
Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP). Read More>>> Back to Top |  International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has warned that failure to pay ship agents promptly in accordance with contractual agreements can have serious consequences for shipowners, and can potentially involve them in costs which far exceed any unpaid invoices.
In the latest issue of its Claims Review, ITIC cites the case of aSouth American ship agent which was owed $25,000 by the owners of a cruise ship in respect of crew costs and supplies. The costs had been incurred over the course of a number of port calls and, when reminders and chasers to the owners failed to elicit payment, it was decided that more aggressive action was needed.
ITIC ascertained that the ship was chartered to a cruise line, was due to sail from a port in the Canadian Arctic for the High Arctic, and had no apparent plans to revisit South American waters. ITIC instructed Canadian lawyers to arrest the... Read More>>> Back to Top |  Subsea 7, a leading seabed-to-surface engineering and construction services contractor, Havila Shipping and Havyard Design & Engineering held an official naming ceremony for the new-build diving support vessel, Seven Havila, in Stavanger on Thursday 17 March 2011. The vessel, one of the most sophisticated of its kind, is 120 metres long with 1050 m2 of deck space and is capable of travelling at a fast transit speed of 17 knots. Owned through a Joint Venture with Havila Shipping and Subsea 7, she is a DP Class III vessel, equipped with fully computerised diving systems and a 250 tonnes heave-compensated main offshore crane. Designed by Havyard Design and Engineering, Norway and built by Havyard Ship Technology (previously Havyard Leirvik), the ship is capable of high speed transit, is classed for operations in ice and is fully NORSOK compliant. Accommodating a crew of 120, the... Read More>>> Back to Top |  Decision-making needs to go back to the hands of crew and away from shore-based managers, says InterManager President Alastair Evitt. "I regret to say it - but in many cases shipboard management teams have to be retrained to think for themselves, to understand the commercial issues and to have an awareness of product and service delivery," he will tell delegates at the influential CMA conference in the USA today (March 21st). Taking part in the opening round table debate, entitled: The State of the Industry Today, Mr Evitt will outline modern issues affecting the recruitment and retention of quality seafarers. Describing how he believes current maritime legislative and methods are "driving decision making from the bridge and control room of the vessels to the respective shore-based management office", Mr Evitt will... Read More>>> Back to Top |  Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) has delivered its seventh KFELS semisubmersible drilling tender (SSDT), West Jaya, to Seadrill Limited (Seadrill). Completed two weeks ahead of schedule, the vessel was delivered with a perfect safety record and within budget. West Jaya is built to Keppel's proven KFELS SSDT 3600E design which was conferred the ASEAN outstanding engineering achievement award in December 2009 for its eco-friendly features and sustainable operations. Seadrill are in negotiation with BP Trinidad & Tobago LLC for West Jaya to work in the Immortelle field for two years. The vessel was named at Keppel FELS by Lady Sponsor Mrs Marie Chew, spouse of Mr Marcus Chew, Director of Business Development at Seadrill. Mr Alf Ragnar Løvdal, Senior Vice President of Seadrill Asia Pacific, said, "The six previous tender rigs we built here have established... Read More>>> Back to Top |  Cargotec has completed the acquisition of terminal operating system (TOS) provider Navis from Zebra Technologies Corporation. Cargotec announced its decision to acquire Navis on 31 January 2011.
The acquisition combines Navis' flexible and scalable TOS software with Cargotec's leading cargo and load handling equipment and services. Together, Cargotec and Navis will be able to offer integrated solutions putting them in a better position to deliver turnkey operations to customers.
"Joining forces with Cargotec presents many exciting opportunities for us to better serve terminal operators all over the world. Together we can provide seamless integration between the critical elements of terminal operations. Navis will continue to operate independently under its own company name and we will maintain our well-known brand and preserve our valuable customer, technology and equipment... Read More>>> Back to Top |  Reliable and flexible VSAT essential for seismic vessel operator Marlink, the global provider of maritime satellite communications, has recently extended its contract with seismic vessel operator Fugro-Geoteam for a further five years. As part of the latest agreement, Marlink will supply its innovative Sealink(TM) VSAT service to the seismic vessels via Marlink's Eik teleport in Norway, providing 512 Kbps of bandwidth and 10-15 telephone lines for each vessel. "For safe, efficient and reliable operation of our vessels worldwide, it's important to have satellite communications solutions that we can trust.
Marlink has proven to supply us with high quality services and bandwidth, reliable connectivity and great flexibility to tailor solutions to our specific needs," comments Øyvind Haddal, ICT-Manager, Fugro-Geoteam AS. "We are very satisfied with the... Read More>>> Back to Top |  The International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize will evaluate IMSN's Triton Shield APS aboard a Horizon Lines vessel. Panama Maritime Authority certifies the IMSN's system. With seafarers' safety and lives at risk, along with the billions of dollars maritime piracy costs the global economy every year, International Maritime Security Network (IMSN) has developed a solution to combat piracy with its Triton Shield Anti-Piracy System (APS). The multi-layered defense package is designed to detect, deter and defend against piracy on the high seas by incorporating training, education, technological deterrents and security. After five years of research and testing, the final phase of testing for the Triton Shield APS will be completed by the end of March on a voyage from Jacksonville, Fla., to San Juan, Puerto Rico, aboard a Horizon Lines vessel. A representative from the... Read More>>> Back to Top |  Wednesday, March 30 at 6:00 p.m. Community Church of New York 40 East 35th Street Manhattan This special Women at Sea program features a screening of the documentary "Shipping Out – The Story of America’s Seafaring Women" followed by a conversation with seven women mariners who work as mates aboard cargo ships, tug captains, marine engineers, pilots, port officials and more. In honor of Women’s History Month, the Working Harbor Committee, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the history and present-day importance of... Read More>>> Back to Top |  20 Participants representing 13 nations complete program in terminal management to become poised for leadership roles in the company. The Hague, The Netherlands – APM Terminals CEO Kim Fejfer was joined by Tiemen Meester, Vice President of APM Terminals Human Resources and Labor Relations in a ceremony at the Universidad de San Andres in Buenos Aires, Argentina bestowing diplomas upon the graduates of the latest APM Terminals Management (MAGNUM) training class. Chosen from applicants within the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network in a highly competitive selection process, MAGNUM participants proceed through a three-module program featuring practical terminal hands-on training assignments as well as rigorous classroom curricula. This year’s class was accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management and consisted of classes in Leadership, Finance and Operations; ... Read More>>> Back to Top |  APRIL 13, 2011
ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND
One of our nation's worst environmental and human disasters began on April 20, 2010 when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, killing 11 people and injuring 17 others, and spilling millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. What is the state of the law one year later as the human and environmental toll rises? This conference will convene national leaders, elected officials and legal experts to examine the law's response to this calamity to date and consider the future legal legacy. We will consider issues of tort liability, natural resource damages, and changes to law and regulation contemplated by Congress... Read More>>> Back to Top |  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 | | |
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