SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 — Following a naming ceremony in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday, Promar Shipping Services has taken delivery of Mamola Defender. the second of two Damen PSV 3300 platform supply vessels ordered
Hoping to stop that from happening, Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY-03) has announced the Midshipmen Education Certainty Act. It would ensure that midshipmen midshipmen could continue attending classes in the event of a shutdown.
Rep. Israel said, “Our midshipmen, who have committed themselves to serving our country, should not have to be faced with the risk of not graduating on time because of a government shutdown, which is no fault of their own. With only days left until another government shutdown, my common-sense legislation would ensure that USMMA classes continue regardless of an irresponsible shutdown.”
“A government shutdown not only forces us to close our doors and send midshipmen home, it also disrupts our academic calendar and jeopardizes the chances of our seniors graduating on time and beginning their careers,” said Jim Tobin, President of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association & Foundation. “I thank Congressman Israel for introducing this legislation and hope that even if Congress shuts down our government, our students will not be adversely affected.”
During the last government shutdown, which lasted from October 1 to 16, 2013, USMMA was forced to completely close and send students home. This closure had a significant impact on USMMA’s educational calendar and had the government shutdown continued for a prolonged period of time, members of the senior class would have been at risk of not being able to finish their coursework and graduate on time.
In 2013, the other four Service Academies were able to stay open during the government shutdown due to their active duty military presence on staff, who were able to continue working under the Pay Our Military Act. While the civilian instructors were furloughed, the active duty military personnel were able to step in and continue teaching classes. However, there are very few active duty military personnel at the USMMA, making this not a viable option.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 – “Local and regional air pollution benefits of liquefied natural gas are a slam-dunk over traditional marine fuels, and the long run price of LNG looks to be advantageous,”
SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 – Seattle, WA, based engineering consultancy Glosten reports that Marine Systems Inc. (MSI) has delivered a pair of Ballast Treatment System Deck Modules, designed for tank barge and ship
SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — A brief announcement from the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of France, said today that President Francois Hollande and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had
SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — In a sign that the pace of U.S. offshore wind development is starting to pick up, 343,833 acres seven miles offshore New Jersey will be offered for commercial
“This is a major contract, with a global leader in shipping,” says Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen. “Due to confidentiality clauses we can’t say who it is, but we can say that this firm, like many others we have reached frame agreements with, has chosen our system due to our unparalleled expertise in retrofitting and the reliable performance of our proven BWT solution.”
Optimarin says the contract was secured thanks to its retrofit expertise and market proven technology.
The first of the Optimarin units has already been installed, with two further systems following at the beginning of next year, and two more in spring 2016.
Goltens Green Technology, which entered into an agreement with Optimarin last year as a “preferred retrofit partner,” will manage all design and supervision from its Singapore office.
BWTS installation work will be performed at Chinese shipyards with Goltens using its proven retrofit process, employing precision 3D laser scanning and modeling as the basis for detailed design, prefabrication and streamlined system installation.
Goltens and Optimarin have joined forces on nearly 60 worldwide retrofit assignments so far and Mr. Andersen says this shared experience leads to fast-track, problem free installation, with most projects – where prefabrication and preparatory engineering work is completed – concluded within a week.
Optimarin, which fitted the world’s first commercial BWT system in 2000, has now fitted over 270 BWT systems worldwide, from an orderbook that has seen over 350 orders placed. The modular, reliable and easy to install and maintain nature of the system has made it, says Optimarin, the leading retrofit choice for vessels up to 60,000 dwt.
“Our solution combines simplicity with innovation, utilising a combination of automatic back flushing, self cleaning filters and UV irradiation to neutralise all organisms, bacteria and pathogens in ballast water,” Mr. Andersen comments. “We’ve been developing this technology for the past 21 years and that experience is a compelling proposition for owners and yards that, with the ratification of the IMO’s Ballast Water Management (BWM) convention on the horizon, need solutions that they can trust… and need them soon.
“This is particularly true in Asia,” he adds, “where we’re now working with shipowners of the stature of Pacific Radiance, Chellsea and EMAS, while winning newbuild contracts from yards such as ASL Shipyard, Jurong SY, Keppel Singmarine, China Merchant Heavy Industries and Oshima Shipbuilding.”The ten vessels, each requiring 1,000 cu.m/h system capacities, are managed from Hong Kong.
Optimarin recently completed work on extensive in-house testing facilities at its headquarters in Stavanger and its BWTS is currently undergoing a full program of USCG approval testing. It already has IMO approval, USCG AMS acceptance, and certification through DNV GL, BV, RMRS and CCS.
The two tugs just ordered will each be powered by twin Caterpillar 3516C engines delivering 2,447 bhp at 1,600 rpm with Reintjes reduction gears turning two NautiCAN fixed pitched propellers with fixed nozzles. The vessels will also have two C7.1 Caterpillar generators for electrical service.
Deck machinery includes one TESD-34 Markey tow winch, one CEW-60 Markey electric capstan, and one Smith Berger Tow Pin.
Keels will be laid for both vessels this fall with delivery of the first vessel from the shipyard scheduled for May 2017 and the second vessel scheduled for delivery in November 2017.
The tugboats will carry an ABS loadline, and will be compliant with USCG regulationsJensen Maritime Consultants of Seattle WA, will provide the ABS Class and functional design for the tugboats. , as required at delivery.
Today, Flex LNG Ltd. noted that completion of the transaction had been subject to, among other things, satisfactory due diligence and agreement on definitive transaction documents.
“The parties have failed to agree on the definitive transaction documents and the previously announced transaction will not be completed,” said Flex LNG, adding that it and Geveran Trading, will continue with the construction of the two 174 cu.m Panamax LNG carriers it has under construction at shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries for 2018.
Flex LNG said that it will also “examine other strategic alternatives to add value to the company and its shareholders, including considerations of opportunities across the LNG value chain. The current condition of the LNG market could give interesting consolidation and growth opportunities for the company.”
Exmar said: “The parties have failed to agree on the terms. The previously announced transaction will not be completed.”Exmar will continue focusing on LNG infrastructure and pursue its strategy of barge based FLNG and FSRU projects.”
The contract has been secured through the Ghanaian entity Eidesvik Ghana Limited, which is operated by Ghanaian partners in cooperation with Eidesvik, and Technip.
The firm contract period is 50 days plus mobilization period with an option for charterers to extend the scope of work by a further 50 days. Work is expected to start in the middle of the fourth quarter of this year.
Designed by Salt Ship Design, the 145 m x 31 m OCV has a 400 ton crane and was delivered by shipbuilder Kleven Verft’s Eidesvik, Norway, shipyard in February 2015.
Eidesvik Offshore says the ship “stands out as an excellent base for complex subsea operations” and with the joint crew from Technip and Eidesvik has delivered excellent performance.
“The vessel has been operating for Technip since she was delivered from the yard and we are very pleased to continue the good relation and cooperation between the Technip and Eidesvik teams onboard the vessel and onshore”, says Jan Fredrik Meling, CEO of Eidesvik Offshore ASA.
The end-user is Tullow Ghana Limited, the operator and part-owner of the TEN field in Ghana.