Vard gets $100 millon order for Topaz twosome

 

 

Developed for crane operations and light subsea construction with intervention duties, the 98.1m x 20 m vessels will be of Vard 3 08 design by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway.

They will be delivered from Vard’s Brattvaag shipyard in Norway in 3Q 2017 and 4Q 2017 respectively. The hulls will be constructed at the Vard Tulcea shipyard in Romania.

The DP2 class vessels will have a 120-ton active heave compensated offshore crane with the capability to reach working depths of 3,000 m.

Subsea equipment can be lowered down onto the seabed through a 7.2 m x 7.2 m moonpool or over the side of the ship.

Both vessels will be prepared for two Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs), deployed via Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) in the ship’s side.

The vessels will be built according to the latest Special Purpose Ship (SPS) regulations, and can accommodate up to 82 persons in high standard cabins.

“We are honored to receive these contracts from our new customer in Dubai, and are pleased to welcome the company into Vard’s client portfolio,” said Vard CEO and Executive Director Roy Reite. “We look forward to developing these new vessels closely with the Topaz team.”

Shell pulls out of Alaska drilling

Shell found indications of oil and gas in the Burger J well, but they were not sufficient to warrant further exploration in the Burger prospect. The well will be sealed and abandoned in accordance with U.S. regulations.

In addition to the disappointing results from the Burger J, other reasons cited by Shell for deciding to end the Alaska program were its high costs and “the challenging and unpredictable federal regulatory environment in offshore Alaska.”

The company expects to take financial charges as a result of this announcement. The balance sheet carrying value of Shell’s Alaska position is approximately $3.0 billion, with approximately a further $1.1 billion of future contractual commitments. An update will be provided with the third quarter 2015 results.

Here’s the full text of today’s statement from Shell: 

Shell today provides an update on the Burger J exploration well, located in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea. The Burger J well is approximately 150 miles from Barrow, Alaska, in about 150 feet of water. Shell safely drilled the well to a total depth of 6800 feet this summer in a basin that demonstrates many of the key attributes of a major petroleum basin. For an area equivalent to half the size of the Gulf of Mexico, this basin remains substantially under-explored.Shell has found indications of oil and gas in the Burger J well, but these are not sufficient to warrant further exploration in the Burger prospect. The well will be sealed and abandoned in accordance with U.S. regulations.

“The Shell Alaska team has operated safely and exceptionally well in every aspect of this year’s exploration program,” said Marvin Odum, Director, Shell Upstream Americas. “Shell continues to see important exploration potential in the basin, and the area is likely to ultimately be of strategic importance to Alaska and the US. However, this is a clearly disappointing exploration outcome for this part of the basin.”

Shell will now cease further exploration activity in offshore Alaska for the foreseeable future. This decision reflects both the Burger J well result, the high costs associated with the project, and the challenging and unpredictable federal regulatory environment in offshore Alaska.

The company expects to take financial charges as a result of this announcement. The balance sheet carrying value of Shell’s Alaska position is approximately $3.0 billion, with approximately a further $1.1 billion of future contractual commitments. An update will be provided with the third quarter 2015 results.Shell holds a 100% working interest in 275 Outer Continental Shelf blocks in the Chukchi Sea.

Operations will continue to safely de-mobilize people and equipment from the Chukchi Sea.

Port captain uses drone to speed cargo hold inspections

SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 —Jan Andersen, one of Danish shipowner DS Norden’s three U.S.-based port captains, has started using a drone fitted with a small video camera to speed up cargo hold inspections.

Kenya frees car carrier after undeclared UN arms found

SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 — Höegh Autoliners says that Höegh Transporter has finally been released from detention in Mombasa, Kenya, and has continued its voyage to South Africa, West Africa, and Mexico, after

This megayacht breaks ice

SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 — If you’re the kind of megayacht owner whose reaction to the usual destinations is “been there, done that,” then Damen Shipyards may have the answer for you. At

Coast Guard nabs another narco sub

Around 15,000 pounds of cocaine were seized and four suspects aboard the self-propelled semi-submersible vessel were detained.

The incident took place in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico. A CBP Office of Air and Marine P-3 Maritime Patrol Aircraft tracked the 50-foot vessel while on routine patrol in the region. The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, also on patrol in the area, was alerted to the suspicious vessel.

The cutter launched two Over-the-Horizon Long-Range Interceptor boat crews to intercept and board the vessel. Upon approach of the boarding teams, four suspected smugglers exited the hull. Boarding team members retrieved bales and loose bricks of contraband from the semi-submersible that tested positive for cocaine.

 

Bertholf and Narco Sub

 

narcosub 300“Every load of cocaine stopped at sea impacts the operation of transnational criminal organizations that spread violence, instability and death wherever they operate,” said Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Giammanco of the 11th Coast Guard District law enforcement branch. “It takes a dedicated, well-coordinated team to accomplish this dangerous and important mission. We’re proud of our crews and thankful for our strong partnership with Customs and Border Protection.”

The seized contraband is worth an estimated $227 million.

After the suspected smugglers and contraband were removed from the semi-submersible the craft was sunk as a hazard to navigation.

The previous month, on July 18, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton from Alameda, CA, apprehended four suspected smugglers and seized 275 bales of cocaine worth more than $181 million wholesale from a self-propelled semi-submersible. In this incident, the 40 ft craft had been detected by U.S. Navy maritime patrol aircraft detected the 40-foot semi-submersible vessel more than 200-miles south of Mexico.

After removing 12,000 pounds of the narcotics aboard, the crew of Stratton attempted to tow the vessel to shore as evidence; however, the semi-submersible began taking on water and sank. Approximately 2,000 pounds of cocaine that had been left in the narco sub to stabilize it during the towing evolution sank in over 13,000-feet of water and is unrecoverable.

Up until the most recent incident involving the Bertholf, the July 18 semi-submersible seizure was the largest recorded semi-submersible interdiction in Coast Guard history.

There have been more than 25 semi-submersible interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean since November 2006 when the first documented interdiction occurred.

The vessels are extremely difficult to detect and interdict because of their low-profile and ability to scuttle.

Narco sub seizure by Bertholf came not long after interdiction by Stratton shown in this video

Transocean makes statement on Brazil bribery story

 

Today, the company said: 

“A statement by Mr. Eduardo Costa Van Musa relating to the drilling contract for the Petrobras 10000 was made public this week through the Brazilian authorities investigating corrupt practices relating to Petrobras. In his statement, Mr. Musa said he believed he received payments from someone claiming to be a commercial representative of Transocean even though Mr. Musa also asserted that no such payments were necessary as Transocean had been awarded the contract as it was the best technical and economic bidder in a competitive process.

“Transocean has not identified any wrongdoing by any employee or any of its agents in connection with the company’s business.

“Transocean is investigating these recent allegations made by Mr. Musa and will also continue its efforts to ensure no violation of company policy or law has, or will, occur. Finally, if requested, Transocean will cooperate with governmental investigations.
Transocean is committed to doing business lawfully and with the highest ethical standards. The company has in place a comprehensive compliance program that encompasses our Code of Integrity and related policies, including requirements for risk-based due diligence of third parties, regular training, audits and more. In addition, Transocean has been following the ongoing investigations in Brazil and has taken what it and its outside counsel believe are appropriate responsive measures.”

At noon, Transocean’s stock was trading at $12.68.

Master Mariner takes the helm at EMAS Offshore

He succeeds Jon Dunstan, who has resigned to pursue other interests outside of the company but will remain with it to hand over and assist Captain Kumar until February 2016.

Capt. Kumar, 55, has more than 25 years of experience in the marine industry. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he was Group Chief Operating Officer and executive director of EMAS Offshore’s parent, Ezra Holdings Limited. He has stepped down from those positions to concentrate on his new role with EMAS Offshore.

Prior to joining Ezra, he was an Assistant General Manager of Malaysian based offshore support services provider Bumi Armada Navigation Sdn Bhd.

Capt. Kumar is a qualified Master Mariner and holds a Certificate of Competency as Master of a Foreign Going Ship issued by the Malaysian Marine Department. During his seagoing career he held various positions onboard Malaysian International Shipping Corporation vessels.

“With his vast number of years of experience in the offshore industry, Capt. Kumar is a strong business leader we are fortunate to have in today’s challenging oil and gas environment,” said Mr. Lee Kian Soo, EMAS Offshore’s Executive Chairman. “He will be able to bring strategic insights to drive EMAS Offshore’s performance, maintain our leading position in Asia, and penetrate West Africa, which we have identified as a key market for us to grow in.”

Incat Tasmania wins contract for new Sydney ferries

Announcing the result of the competitive tender for the contract, NSW Minister for Transport Andrew Constance called the ferries “a major step forward in the NSW Government’s plans to modernize and expand the ferry network. “

 

Externally, the ferries have a traditional design to look similar to the Sydney First Fleet vessels, however the 35 m, 400 passenger boats have greater capacity than the current fleet.

The interior will be more spacious with comfortable inside seating, outdoor viewing areas, a large walk around deck and additional features for passengers; including Wi-Fi access and real-time journey information, and charging stations for electronic devices.

The Sydney Ferries will service commuter and tourist travel on the inner harbor routes from Watsons Bay in Sydney’s east to Cockatoo Island in the west, stopping at the new Barangaroo wharf.

With the contract secured, the Incat team’s next task is to take the concept design to detailed construction drawings and vessel models, with construction of the first ferry to start early in 2016. The six will be delivered progressively from late 2016 and throughout 2017.

The Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd shipyard at Prince of Wales Bay in Hobart Tasmania has around 250 staff.

“This is a great opportunity for Incat’s highly skilled and experienced workforce to participate in the construction of ferries for the iconic Sydney fleet,” said the yard’s Managing Director, Simon Carter. ” An order such as this, where six identical vessels are to be built, is welcomed by the existing staff and provides an excellent opportunity for training new personnel.”

Incat has recently completed two fast ferries for London, England, operator Thames Clippers. They are currently on their way to London and due to enter service in October. Four fast ferries — two 24 m and two 33 m boats — are also under construction for Sydney company Manly Fast Ferry.

Orange aims for digital transformation of shipping

Called Maritime Connect, the solution was developed by Orange Business Services as part of a European Union initiative dedicated to improving communications on vessels at sea. It allows shipping companies to seamlessly integrate their fleet into the corporate network and provide Internet access for crew and applications. Orange describes it as “a single, integrated solutions platform, which provides the maritime industry with reliable connectivity over diverse communication interfaces and cuts costs at the same time.”

Voice, VoIP, data and internet access are deliveredin one solution that can be used on ships equipped with any type of satellite communications systems, including Fleet Broadband, Iridium or VSAT systems (Ku or C band).

Shipping companies, IT managers, captains and the crew can control access to data and voice services on board vessels or remotely from shore.

Delivering innovative maritime bandwidth management and optimization features, Maritime Connect manages voice, video and data in limited bandwidth and challenging weather conditions.

Typical uses include secure access to enterprise applications via the corporate network; better route planning to improve fuel consumption and cost control; enriched crew welfare by providing communication with the outside world; tracking and monitoring of ships and cargo; and telemedicine for remote care.

Maritime Connect is available in three tiered versions. The basic version provides on-board access to essential communications services like IP Routing, link switching, quality of service (QoS) and server hosting for applications onboard; the next level up adds licenses for increased security, WAN optimization and user accounting; while the premium version provides maximum connectivity for crew and captain with Wi-Fi on board, 3G/4G for near-shore operations.

“Orange Business Services is uniquely positioned in the maritime market because we are able to integrate many different technologies and networks, both onshore and offshore. With the end-to-end integration and satellite connectivity offered by Maritime Connect, vessels on the high seas are now as well connected as terrestrial offices. This enables new ways of working right across the shipping industry,” says Michel Verbist, Head Business Development Satellite Solutions, Orange Business Services.

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