Foss Maritime names John Parrott COO

Mr. Parrott comes to Foss from sister Saltchuk company, TOTE Maritime Alaska, where he has served as President for sixteen years. In his new role as Foss’ COO, Mr. Parrott will be responsible for overseeing key operating divisions, developing and delivering on strategic plans, and optimizing day-to-day operations through implementation of best practices throughout the organization.

“We are thrilled to have John join us in our corporate office after the first of the year,” said Paul Stevens, President and CEO of Foss Maritime. “John is a maritime industry veteran who is well known to us at Foss. We look forward to having his expertise and experience on board.”

After ten years sailing aboard a wide range of vessels in trade routes around the world, Mr. Parrott began at TOTE Maritime in 1992 as the Chief Mate of the SS Northern Lights. In 1994 he came ashore, and later became the General Manager for Sea Star Stevedore, which manages the loading, discharge and terminal operations for TOTE Maritime.

In 2002, he returned to TOTE Maritime as the Alaska General Manager, where he was soon promoted to Vice President/GM, then VP of Commercial before being named President of TOTE Maritime Alaska in 2009.

In 2011 he was named a member of the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council. He also sits on the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce board of directors and serves on the Seaman’s Services board of directors.

Born in Seattle, Mr. Parrott has a BS degree in Marine Transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; Kings Point, New York, and an MBA from Seattle University. He is a licensed master in the U.S. Merchant Marine and holds a commission in the United States Naval Reserve. Mr. Parrott, his wife and three children live in Tacoma.

Mr. Parrott  is being succeeded as President of TOTE Maritime Alaska by Michael Noone.

Alfa Laval to offer open training courses

 

“To ensure safety and optimal use – but also economy in maintenance and operation – it’s important that customers understand the equipment they work with and the many factors that impact its operation,” says Caroline Carlstedt, Training Manager, Alfa Laval Service.

Alfa Laval’s emphasis on training is evidenced, for example, byt the recently built Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre in Aalborg, Denmark, which comprises cutting-edge training facilities in addition to its 250 sq.m testing space.

Customer-focused courses are regularly conducted on Alfa Laval’s premises in Tumba, Sweden and worldwide in locations like the

Philippine capital of Manilla, where around 500 customers are trained each year.

Now Alfa Laval will also offer a range of open coursesl, allowing individual operators and small groups to participate together with industry peers.

Why open training courses?

“Training is in everyone’s interest, but not all shipowners and operators are in a position to fill a dedicated Alfa Laval course,” says Ms. Carlstedt. “Alfa Laval’s open training courses, which will primarily be held at our facilities in Tumba, Sweden, will make our specialist expertise more broadly available to the marine industry.”

“A customer-specific course has the benefit of being 100% focused on that customer’s unique challenges,” she says. “On the other hand, an open course means opportunities to exchange experience with industry peers in similar positions, facilitated by Alfa Laval experts who can provide deeper insights and lead the way to best practices for all present.”

Open training courses will focus on key areas of concern for all shipowners and operators. The first, which will deal with separators, will be a three-day course aimed at equipment operators, technical crew and superintendents. This course will take place February 23-25, 2016.

By relating in-depth knowledge through the courses, and by teaching proper operational, maintenance and service procedures, Alfa Laval experts will help participants to optimize safety and ensure the correct handling that prevents unnecessary wear and stops.

“When customers have attended, they will understand their equipment and be familiar with the issues that affect its operation, which means they will be able use that equipment in the best possible way,” says Ms. Carlstedt. “That will contribute not only to lower maintenance costs, but also to lower operating costs. And when it comes time to refurbish, upgrade or replace the equipment, knowledgeable and competent personnel will be able to provide qualified feedback and support that will lead to a competitive long-term solution.”

ClassNK moves to spur marine industry use of Big Data

Rapid advances in the development of information and communication technologies now make it possible to collect large volumes of data on a diverse range of items related to ship operations. However, the approach to data capture is still very fragmented with similar data being sent to several vendors and analysis still being carried out almost entirely on a ship-by-ship basis.

To make larger gains, an effective platform capable of centralizing and managing such diverse data is essential. However, creating and maintaining this kind of platform is costly, time-consuming and unrealistic for many organizations.

Special care also needs to be given to the handling of data to ensure confidentiality of information; hence it is also necessary to establish a secure yet effective platform from an impartial perspective.

As an independent, non-profit organization with over a century of experience in ship classification, ClassNK has drawn on its extensive technical knowledge and expertise to develop Ship Data Center Co., Ltd.

The Data Center consists of a secured shipping operations database which will serve as an information hub to independently manage the utilization of big data in the maritime industry. Through the center’s integrated data, the industry can maximize the benefits of big data with a minimum cost and burden.Trials of the Data Center will commence on a container vessel in February 2016 in cooperation with a Japanese shipping company. Various information including data from the ship’s voyage data recorder and data logger will be gathered from the vessel.

Full operation of the Data Center is scheduled from April 2016.

ClassNK sees opportunities for future application of the Data Center as “infinite.”In addition to optimizing ship operations and improving condition-based monitoring of machinery, the Data Center could also be used to help the industry overcome current and emerging challenges.

For example, the entry into force of the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) regulation by the EU requires shipowners and operators to annually monitor, report and verify fuel consumption for vessels 5,000 gt or over which call at any EU port. Data collection will be required from January 1, 2018. The Data Center plans to offer shipowners and operators a secure and neutral database in which to store and manage these vast amounts of fuel consumption data.

ClassNK says that establishment of Ship Data Center Co., Ltd. reinforces its position as part of indispensable infrastructure of the industry and demonstrates its commitment to creating a safer, greener and more efficient global maritime industry.

Shell cuts steel for LNG bunker vessel

The steel cutting ceremony took place at the shipyard December 4, with representatives from Shell and the shipbuilder in attendance.The new LNG bunker vessel will be based at the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and will load from the new LNG break bulk terminal currently under construction by the Gas Access to Europe terminal. Once ready, it will deliver to LNG-fueled vessels in northwest Europe. The vessel is also seagoing and, therefore, able to bunker customers at other locations.

Shell says the vessel will be “pioneering in design.” It will have a capacity to carry 6,500 cu. m of LNG fuel and will be highly efficient and maneuverable. Featuring an innovative transfer system and sub cooler unit, it will be able to load from large or small terminals and able to bunker a wide variety of customer vessels.

Finland’s Containerships Ltd Oy will be the launch customer for the vessel’s services, after signing an LNG supply agreement with Shell on November 24.

As we reported earlier, Containerships Ltd Oy is to charter the two 1,400 TEU LNG fueled containerships currently being built for Nordic Hamburg Group at China’s Yangzhou Guoyu Shipyard .

The vessels will receive LNG fuel from Shell at the port of Rotterdam, after the LNG bunker vessel becomes operational in mid-2017.”This is a significant landmark in bringing this innovative LNG bunker vessel with cutting-edge technology to reality,” said Dr Grahaeme Henderson, Vice President of Shell Shipping & Maritime.

“I am delighted to be working with STX on this project and Shell is proud to be leading in the development of LNG fuel in shipping.””The supply agreement between Shell and Containerships is another example of the marine LNG fuel supply chain coming together,” says Lauran Wetemans, Shell’s General Manager Downstream LNG. “Working together with customers like Containerships is critical to encourage the use of LNG as a fuel in the marine sector, and we’re committed to helping make the transition to LNG.”

LNG bunker vessel

ShellLNGBunkervessel

 

CMA CGM to acquire NOL in $2.4 billion deal

The deal is subject to approval by antitrust authorities.

CMA CGM will make Singapore its Asian regional headquarters and will continue operations under the historic APL branding/ 

Rodolphe Saadé, Vice-Chairman of CMA CGM, said: “This transaction will represent a significant milestone in the development of CMA CGM. Leveraging the complementary strengths of both companies, CMA CGM will further reinforce its position as a leader in global shipping with combined revenue of $22 billion and 563 vessels. By bringing together the know-how of both teams, the enlarged group will be even better positioned to provide premium services to its customers across all markets. At a time when the shipping industry is facing strong headwinds, scale is more critical than ever to capitalize on synergies and capture growth opportunities wherever they arise. I firmly believe CMA CGM will enable NOL to address the industry’s new challenges. We recognize the strategic importance of Singapore as a key hub for the maritime industry and we are committed to reinforcing its regional leadership.”

Ng Yat Chung, CEO of NOL, said: “The combined market presence delivered by the transaction would achieve the scale needed to enhance competitiveness for NOL’s operations and offer a clear and sustainable long term direction for the combined entity. The transaction would enable NOL to grow as part of a larger entity with the resources of the world’s third largest container shipping line.”

Tan Chong Lee, Head Portfolio Management at Temasek, said: “We are supportive of this transaction as it presents NOL with an opportunity to join a leading player with an extensive global presence and solid operational track record. The combination of NOL and CMA CGM will create a leading shipping company that delivers reliable and efficient service to its customers. Their complementary strengths will yield mutually beneficial results. We also note and welcome the commitment of CMA CGM to enhance Singapore’s position as a key maritime hub and grow Singapore’s container throughput volumes.”

Created in 1978 by Jacques Saadé, CMA CGM is the world’s third largest container shipping firm, with 469 vessels and a global market share of 8.8%. In 2014, the Group handled over 12 million TEUs and generated $16.74 billion in revenues. A founding member of the Ocean Three Alliance with UASC and CSCL, CMA CGM is present across 160 countries, with 22,000 employees in 655 offices, and has a fleet capacity of 1,781 thousand TEUs.

NOL is a leading shipping company operating under the American President Lines (APL) brand. In 2014, the company’s revenues reached $7.04 billion. Currently, NOL has more than 7,400 employees in 180 offices across more than 80 countries and operates 94 vessels, representing 618 thousand TEUs in fleet capacity.
The acquisition will see CMA CGM emerge with a capacity of 2,399 thousand TEUs and combined fleet of 563 vessels, a market share of approximately 11.5% (vs 8.8% for CMA CGM and 2.7% for NOL) and a combined turnover of $22 billion.

CMA CGM has a leading position on the Asia-Europe, Asia-Mediterranean, Africa and Latin America routes, whilst APL is strong along the Transpacific, Intra-Asia and Indian subcontinent shipping routes. The enlarged entity will strengthen its position on strategic shipping routes, especially in key markets such as United States, Intra-Asia and Japan, and will boast a balanced trade portfolio. Following the transaction, the combined group would hold market shares from 7% to 19% on the routes on which it operates.

CMA CGM says it is looking forward to welcoming APL into CMA CGM’s world and intends to retain and develop the APL brand. With a historic presence in the U.S., APL will add to CMA CGM’s operations in this region.

Detained in Duluth: Investigation of bulker continues

DECEMBER 4, 2015 — The Coast Guard says it “continues investigating” a 24,516 dwt, 2001-built bulk carrier that has been at anchor in Duluth, MN, since November 5, for alleged violations of

ABS teams with SDARI on next generation feeder vessel

ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Howard Fireman and SDARI President Jintao Hu signed the agreement yesterday in Shanghai, China. Dr. Christina Wang, Vice President of ABS Operational and Environmental Performance (OEP), Dr. Franck Violette, Director of ABS OEP China, and Gangyi Wang, Vice President of SDARI also attended the signing ceremony.

“Changing environmental regulations, unpredictable energy prices and volatile freight rates have made it imperative for ship designers to continuously improve the operational and environmental performance of their next generation designs,” Mr. Fireman said. “ABS is working with industry as designs change and new concepts are introduced.”

The objective of this project is to develop the next-generation feeder design with a focus on operational efficiency and flexibility.

The project will bring together innovative design and technology solutions with a novel concept that incorporates technology-readiness features to enable cost-effective implementation of present and future regulations by applying extensive life-cycle cost analyses. This innovative feeder container carrier design will meet future market and trade needs that are being driven by the increase in ultra-large container carriers and the growth of specific regional markets.

“SDARI has always promoted ship innovation and technology development. At this crucial moment when China is transforming from shipbuilding nation to a shipbuilding power, the collaboration that we have strengthened with ABS in container carriers positions us to generate new concepts based on market demand and to launch cutting-edge products,” says Jintao Hu, “I believe the development of this new generation of feeder container carriers will further strengthen the partnership between SDARI and ABS, promoting the transformation and upgrading of Chinese shipbuilding industry.”

Team aims to speed availability of LNG as marine fuel

The team, led by Siemens Drilling and Marine, Dresser-Rand and Lloyd’s Register, aims to provide an end-to-end solution, encompassing the entire supply chain, that will remove obstacles that can hold back wide-spread adoption of natural gas as the marine fuel of choice.

“Our integrated solution, encompassing the entire supply chain of LNG including gas-fueled marine propulsion systems, will remove the chicken-and-egg hurdle from the LNG-equation,” says David Grucza, Siemens Drilling and Marine. “This is a disruptive concept for the maritime industry, and the technology exists for immediate adoption. This joint solution is not limited geographically, and we stand ready to support the marine industry globally, although our initial focus is on deploying U.S. shale gas.”

The initial end-to-end solution offered to the North American inland and coastal waterways community comprises the following elements

It has been designed and engineered by Waller Marine Inc. (WMI) and the Shearer Group Inc. (TSGI), respectively, and will be constructed by Conrad Industries shipyard in Texas.

“Together, the team brings a holistic answer to the LNG marine fuel question of what comes first – the bunkering station or the engine?” says David Waller, President, Waller Marine, Inc. “The innovative solution to this industry hurdle includes the entire supply chain from liquefaction, LNG bunkering and design, all while meeting EPA and USCG compliance and providing smart, sustainable, lower greenhouse gas alternative fuels to operators.”

“Lloyd’s Register is well placed to support a new fleet of gas-fueled ships – and help them to operate safely and efficiently,” says Mark Darley, Americas Regional Marine Manager and President of Lloyd’s Register North America (LRNA). “Our expertise and leadership in gas technology and operations – from gas carriers to LNG bunkering and gas as a marine fuel – helps lead to the best decisions based on the best, independent, technical insight.”

Lloyd’s Register has established clear standards describing different levels of readiness to use natural gas as a marine fuel. Lloyd’s Register also provides training on the key practical aspects of modern LNG carriage by sea and risk management services to support safe LNG bunkering.

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is No. 1 in offshore wind turbine construction, a leading supplier of gas and steam turbines for power generation, a major provider of power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions.

Dresser-Rand, a Siemens Business, is among the largest suppliers of rotating equipment solutions to the worldwide oil, gas, petrochemical, and process industries.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) is the leading classification society in the gas carrier market – both for LNG and LPG – and is also taking a leadership role in the international development of gas as a marine fuel.

Waller Marine, Inc. is a global leader in the design of Floating Gas to Liquids (GTL), Floating Power Generation and Floating Liquefaction (LNG) and is is a licensed engineering firm with EPC capabilities.

Conrad Industries Inc. specializes in the construction, conversion and repair of a wide variety of marine vessels for commercial and governmental customers and the fabrication of modular components of offshore drilling rigs and floating, production, storage and offloading vessels.It has been awarded a contract to build a 2,200 cu.m. LNG bunkering barge — the first in the U.S.

The Shearer Group, Inc., founded in 2010, provides naval architecture, marine engineering, marine surveying and professional engineer services to clients in the inland and offshore marine industries.

WinGD DF engines to power MOL LNG newbuild

The vessel will be engaged in a 20-year free-on-board (FOB) off-take of approximately 800,000 tons per year of LNG, sourced from U.S.Gulf liquefaction projects, including the planned terminal near Freeport, Texas.

The official contract for the vessel between MOL and DSME was signed in February 2015 and the decision to adopt WinGD X-DF engines was taken in August. The first engine is due for delivery to the shipyard in June 2017.About WinGD low-pressure DF

The low-pressure gas admission system used by WinGD on its X-DF engines draws on Wärtsilä’s long experience with what has become a well-proven industry standard technology on medium-speed dual-fuel engines. In contrast to high-pressure gas injection engines that operate on the Diesel cycle, WinGD’s low-pressure DF system works on the lean burn Otto cycle – i.e. ignition of a compressed lean air-gas mixture by injection of a small amount of liquid fuel.

Results from the X-DF technology demonstrator engine that WinGD operates jointly with licensee Diesel United at its Aioi, Japan, factory show that the WinGD low-pressure gas admission is characterized by stable combustion, inherently low NOx emissions and high overall system efficiencies. In terms of NOx, WinGD X-DF engines undercut IMO Tier III limits for Emission Control Areas (ECAs) by considerable margins without any additional measures, such as EGR or SCR.

With low-pressure gas admission the gas fueling system on X-DF engines does not require a high-pressure electrically-driven compressor, reducing equipment costs, onboard energy consumption and maintenance.

“With the imminent implementation of the IMO Tier III regulations in Emission Control Areas for new vessels, we are registering an increasing interest in our X-DF series from markets worldwide, especially for the propulsion of LNG carriers,” says Rolf Stiefel, Vice President Sales and Marketing at WinGD.

Innovation agency backs Royston research project

The support for the £1.5 million project, which is being conducted in collaboration with Newcastle University’s School of Marine Science & Technology, is coming from Innovate UK, the U.K.’s government sponsored innovation agency

The project is focused on producing a system for the complete understanding of the complex energy flows around a vessel.

Energy use and consumption on vessels will be measured through a physical monitoring system integrated with dedicated software and the development of new products and services to aid vessel efficiency.

The three-year project will initially focus on developing a system examining total energy flows and vessel energy architecture for smaller vessels, then for progressively larger vessels provided by maritime and shipping companies Svitzer, Topaz and CalMac Ferries, who are collaborative partners on the project.

The ultimate goal is to reduce the environmental impact of shipping and maritime activities, such as the reduction of CO2 emissions and poisonous air pollutants both when the vessel is at sea, and mitigating the effect on near-by communities when the vessel is in port.

The system will also focus on the prevention of catastrophic faults and failures through early warning diagnostics. It is predicted that the proposed whole-vessel system will generate considerable financial reward to end-users from efficiency savings and reduced “port dues” for ships demonstrating compliance towards reduced energy consumption.

Lawrence Brown, Managing Director of Royston Diesel Power, said: “We are delighted that Royston’s reputation as innovators in marine engineering has been recognized by the award of this grant by Innovate UK to help us develop our marine offering.

“The Managing Energy on Marine Vessels program is ambitious and challenging as the performance of one system within a vessel is under the influence of many other interconnected systems, all of which effect the whole-vessel energy usage.

“The project will push boundaries and allow us to develop new methodologies and technologies. The collaboration with Newcastle University is particularly important from a research standpoint and allows the project to benefit the wider marine and academic community as a whole.

“For Royston, we hope that this project will bring an excellent return on investment and added value to the company and our suppliers from significantly increased sales in the UK, Europe and elsewhere.”

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