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
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
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.
“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
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.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 — Climate change has brought major changes in the Arctic. A number of commercial shipping voyages are already being made in the region and the significant savings in distance
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 — 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
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 Navy and shipbuilder, Newport News Shipbuilding had scheduled a delivery date of March 31, 2016 for the ship. That will now likely slip to mid- or late-May.
In its statement yesterday, the Navy said “the sea trial schedule will be delayed about six to eight weeks. The exact impact on ship delivery will be determined based on the results of sea trials.The Navy called the delay a “prudent step” providing “the most affordable path to delivery. All the work and any associated schedule delays are being managed within budget and below the $12,887 million cost cap.”
The Navy did not say what particular part of the test program has gotten behind schedule.
It did note that significant progress to date has been made on CVN 78, including:
CVN 78 is 93% complete.