Zamil Offshore Orders Crew Boats from Grandweld
In yet another sign that the offshore oil and gas business in the Middle East continues to grow at breakneck speed, Grandweld Shipyards won a contract to design, build, and deliver three 33.
Posts Tagged ‘Maritime’
Dubai Maritime City Steams Forward
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011Sea Floor Surveys Support Texas Maritime Trade
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011This winter, NOAA will begin a year-long survey of the sea floor in the Port of Houston and Galveston Bay navigational areas, to aid efforts to bring more trade, more cargo, more jobs, and more economic benefits to the Houston area. The navigation survey team arrived in Galveston this week, to begin pre-survey preparations with mariners and federal partners.
“With bigger ships, crowded sea lanes, and more uses of ocean areas, shipping today is increasingly a task of precision and accuracy,” explained NOAA Corps Cmdr. Todd Haupt, chief of the Office of Coast Survey’s Navigation Response Branch. “Hurricanes can change the shape of the ocean floor and move underwater debris, which can cause problems for mariners. NOAA’s navigation team will conduct hydrographic surveys to search for changes caused by Hurricanes Ike and Rita as well as other strong storms.”
“Pilots need precise and up-to-date depth measurements as they navigate, and our task is to re-measure the ocean depths, search for dangers to navigation, and give mariners the information they need to protect lives and increase shipping efficiencies.” The survey project, part of NOAA’s mapping and charting mission, is managed by NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, which produces and maintains the nation’s navigational charts. Coast Survey first charted the Galveston Entrance in 1853, after being tasked by the federal government with creating charts of the coastal waters so that the young nation’s shipping industry could thrive.
In 2010, over 1.3 billion metric tons of cargo, valued at $1.4 trillion, shipped in and out of U.S. ports in foreign trade. The value of water-borne U.S. exports has more than doubled since 2003, increasing from $206 billion in 2003 to $455 billion in 2010. The Port of Houston plays a key economic role for Texas, and for the United States. A 2007 study showed that 785,000 jobs throughout the U.S. and $118 billion in annual regional economic impact are related to business activities at the Port of Houston.
NOAA has six navigation response teams that survey port areas at the request of port officials or the U.S. Coast Guard. The Texas team is coming from Michigan, where they have been surveying the Great Lakes. The team also worked off the coast of Virginia earlier this year, speeding the resumption of maritime commerce after Hurricane Irene hit the Eastern Seaboard. The navigation response team has a crew of three experienced hydrographers. They use a 28-foot survey boat equipped with both multibeam and sidescan sonar. Most of the acquired data will go to a processing branch in Seattle, Wash., before NOAA applies it to electronic and raster navigational charts updates, but the team will notify the public and appropriate officials if they find any immediate dangers to navigation.
NOAA’s navigational charts give pilots the confidence they need to transit the 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline, even in extreme weather and sea conditions. In addition to maintaining the accuracy of paper charts, which are available from chart agents in traditional form or in an updated “print on demand” format, Coast Survey regularly updates electronic navigational charts and raster charts, which are available for free downloads from www.nauticalcharts.gov.
se@FLEX from Globecomm Maritime
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011Globecomm Maritime launched se@FLEX, a new global maritime VSAT package combining best of breed Ku-band coverage with mission-critical L-band back-up services.se@FLEX is the result of the fusion of services from Globecomm Maritime companies, to offer a complete solution from a single source, providing a global coverage footprint, guaranteed bandwidth throughput and full transparency of costs and service levels. se@FLEX is offered using flat rate monthly pricing, with options including hardware leasing for approved packages and customers, Ku band unlimited usage and L-band airtime starting at US$2,850 per month. This core package includes all components and configuration needed to provide the vessel with global seamless connectivity. The service provides both ship and crew with always-on, unlimited bandwidth for business and personal applications. Combined with our existing se@COMM cost management, remote access and imaging applications, users can implement cost-savings while relying on dedicated quality of service. Globecomm Maritime is able to guarantee that users get the true Committed Information Rate (CIR) they pay for while using its global Ku-band service. Access to Globecomm Maritime’s Ku-band network keeps overall costs down by limiting the time spent on L-band services. se@FLEX customers will benefit from a service that includes seamless and automatic switching between Ku-band beams and L-band service. As a FleetBroadband DP and Iridium OpenPort SP, Globecomm Maritime is in a position to offer premium L band service at competitive rates. se@FLEX will also include options to convert to Ka-band service platforms as they become available in the future.
E’LOO Electronic Toilets for Maritime Industries
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011Offshore rig workers to big shipping and yacht to cruise enthusiasts are always looking for new gadgets to enlighten their daily lives.
How about this for innovation. Our Electronic Toilet washes and dries you within minutes without needing toilet paper ever again. Yes, you heard right, E’LOO electronic toilets popularity among the elite yacht population is growing by leaps and bounds and is crossing over to the offshore industry.
Just recently, E’LOO Global Enterprises, Inc. has introduced this state-of-the-art Electronic Bidet fit for kings. Since today’s yachts have private bathrooms in every bedroom, it is conceivable that offering the latest in comfort is part of the image distinctive to yacht owners. Employees out at sea can also truly benefit! E’LOO Electronic Toilets replace present stand alone bidets and fit onto a regular toilet base, long or round configuration. By simply replacing the present toilet seat with E’LOO’s electronic seat that can be easily installed in 15 minutes, you have converted your ordinary bathroom into the latest luxurious setting. Our distinctive features include: warm seats for comfort, 3-level water pressure, man/lady warm-water cleansing, air dryer, active carbon deodorizer, UV light, germ resistant poly-carbonate seats, night light…to name a few.
E’LOO is a visionary company with tomorrow’s vision meeting today’s needs. For the first time ever, E’LOO is introducing the Electronic Bidet to the Offshore, Shipping and Yacht and Cruise industries. E’LOO bidets compliment the lifestyle of the select group that appreciates comfort and offers the most prestigious and advanced features in electronics. Not only does E’LOO eliminate conventional standalone bidets but also leads the way in maintaining health. E’LOO is perfect for yacht enthusiasts and offshore workers while combining eco-friendly results. Yes, with E’LOO the consumption of toilet paper is eliminated or substantially reduced…making E’LOO eco-friendly and a direct participant in helping to conserve our environment.
Upgraded SAILOR 90 for Revolutionized Maritime TV
Thursday, October 27th, 2011New technologies enable cost-effective satellite TV for vessels sailing globally.
Global maritime satellite TV has become a reality with the launch of the new Thrane & Thrane SAILOR 90 Satellite TV World. An extensive internal development program has resulted in a number of ground-breaking upgrades for Thrane & Thrane’s already popular flagship satellite TV antenna that enables it to provide satellite TV reception for vessels sailing globally, without the need for reconfiguration or manual intervention. The new SAILOR 90 Satellite TV World will be available from 7th November 2011.
“A key challenge for maritime satellite TV has always been the differing signal and polarisation types used around the world. The various signals require different hardware and software, and the costs associated with this mean that generally, vessels sailing globally have not provided satellite TV for crew welfare purposes,” explains Casper Jensen, VP Maritime Business Unit, Thrane & Thrane.
Ku-band satellite TV transmits in either circular polarisation or linear polarisation. Circular polarisation is mainly used in the USA, parts of central & South America and parts of Asia. Linear polarisation is the standard in Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific. As the two polarisation forms are incompatible, an antenna has to be manually configured by substituting the feedhorn or LNB to receive either one or the other. The new automatic depolarisor developed for the SAILOR 90 Satellite TV World allows automatic switching between polarisations in a matter of seconds. There is no loss of bandwidth or signal strength, or requirement to change parts, and the system does not use extra motors or actuators. This patent pending solution is fully automatic and users do not need to know whether the desired satellite is linear or circular, as this information is already in the antenna’s satellite library.
Another critical challenge that the upgraded SAILOR 90 Satellite TV World overcomes is the use of different broadcast standards in different regions. DVB-S and DVB-S2 are used in most parts of the world, however, there are regions where alternative standards such as ATSC and ISDB are used.
The SAILOR 90 Satellite TV World has a built-in DVB-S2 decoder so all SD and HD programming can be viewed. However, another brand new feature, called ‘Adjacent Lock Function’ enables the viewing of content from satellites using alternative broadcast standards. It enables the antenna to lock on to an adjacent DVB-S or DVB-S2 satellite and then turn ‘X’ degrees to receive a signal from the non DVB-S or DVB-S2 satellite, because it knows how the two satellites are placed relative to each other. This function essentially makes the antenna independent of broadcast standards and is a key factor for a global satellite TV solution.
Since the final destination of a vessel is not always known at the time of ordering or installation of a satellite TV system, the ability to easily change polarisation and work with various standards is highly desirable and is especially important for vessels sailing between Europe and USA. “The SAILOR 90 Satellite TV World is great news for crews working on globally trading vessels,” continues Jensen. “Until now, they have not had the possibility of satellite TV due to the varying signal and polarisation types used by different satellites around the world. Now it is as simple as pushing a button.”
Bill Introduced To Protect American Maritime Jobs
Saturday, October 15th, 2011Working to create and preserve American jobs, Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings (D, MD-7) and Jeff Landry (R, LA-3) today introduced the American Mariners Job Protection Act (H.R. 3202), a bill with bipartisan support that will increase government transparency surrounding the issuance of waivers allowing non-Jones Act-qualified vessels to carry cargo between U.S. ports.
Under current law, when the head of the agency responsible for the administration of the Jones Act believes it necessary to waive the Act’s requirements in the interest of national defense, the agency must request the Maritime Administration to assess whether Jones Act-qualified vessels are available to carry the cargo under consideration.
The American Mariners Job Protection Act would require the Maritime Administration to include in such assessments information on the actions that could be taken to enable Jones Act-qualified vessels to carry the cargo for which the Jones Act waiver is sought. The Maritime Administration would also be required to publish its determinations on its website. Further, the American Mariners Job Protection Act would require notification to be provided to Congress when a waiver is requested or issued.
“Our first priority in this Congress is to create and preserve jobs for Americans,” said Cummings. “This Act will increase transparency to strengthen adherence to the Jones Act and ensure we make full use of American maritime capabilities. I want to make certain that every Jones Act-qualified ship that can carry cargo is full and that every American mariner who is ready to earn a good day’s wage for a good day’s work is able to do so. This bill will do that. I thank Congressman Landry and other members on both sides of the aisle for working with me, and I hope this common sense solution will be quickly considered and enacted.”
Landry, whose district has the most domestic maritime industry jobs in the nation and transports much of the nation’s energy-based resources, is hopeful the bipartisan support of the legislation will mean prompt passage and put Americans back to work: “American mariners are the most qualified and safest workers in the world; we must ensure that they are being fully utilized. I know the American Mariners Job Protection Act will give Americans much desired government transparency and ensure that the American mariner is always the first option. I thank Congressman Cummings for his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him in getting this bill passed.”
Cummings and Landry introduced the American Mariners Job Protection Act following the issuance of Jones Act waivers to allow foreign vessels and foreign workers to transport petroleum products recently released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Even though the legislation was just introduced, it already has strong support. “The Seafarers International Union strongly supports all Congressional efforts to increase transparency, particularly when it comes to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. We are pleased to support the bipartisan legislation introduced today by Congressmen Cummings and Landry and hope that Congress acts promptly to resolve this issue,” said Augustin Tellez, Executive Vice President of the Seafarers International Union.
The American Waterways Operators (AWO) – the national trade association for the tugboat, towboat and barge industry – praises the initiative taken by Congressmen Elijah Cummings and Jeff Landry to uphold the integrity of the Jones Act and ensure compliance with the Jones Act waiver process. AWO President & CEO Thomas Allegretti said, “The 46 waivers to the Jones Act granted this summer – more than any in the history of our nation – shows us that this legislation is necessary to tighten up the national security requirements for waivers and to improve transparency in the waiver process. The industry, and the men and women who depend on it for their jobs, salute Congressmen Cummings and Landry for their leadership on this critical issue.”
The other original co-sponsors of H.R. 3202 include Rep. Bennie Thompson, Rep. Peter King, Rep. Candice Miller, Rep. Frank LoBiondo, Rep. Corrine Brown, Rep. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Nick Rahall and Rep. Rick Larsen.
World Maritime Day Observance in Tampa on 27 October
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011North American World Maritime Day Observance and US Coast Guard Missions Conference to feature Piracy, Stewardship, Safety and Security. Two day event draws maritime industry, regulators and regional representatives.
Piracy will be the focus of this year’s North American World Maritime Day Observance being held in Tampa, FL on October 27th followed by a US Coast Guard Missions conference on October 28th which will feature panel discussions on the stewardship, safety and security missions of the Coast Guard. Both events will be held at the Marriott Waterside in Tampa and are free and open to the public. North American regional representatives from industry, government and NGO’s will dialog on these critically important regional issues. The events directly follow the USCG Flag Officer’s conference and Innovation Expo.
For the past several years, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has promoted awareness about the maritime community through World Maritime Day. Issues important to the global maritime industry (technical cooperation, seafarers, climate change, etc.) are highlighted at events occurring in London, a selected parallel country, and throughout the maritime nations. It has been observed in the United States since 2006, in Canada since 2008, and in 2009 the United States hosted the Parallel Event. Last year, Transport Canada was host to the World Maritime Day Observance in Vancouver. This year’s focus is on piracy.
The 2011 North American World Maritime Day Observance will include an overview of the current piracy situation, with Kevin Doherty of Nexus Consulting providing updated information and John Kimball of Blank Rome outlining the legal structure. Joe Cox from the Chamber of Shipping of America will present what shipowners need to protect their crew and ships, and Roberto Giorgi of VShips will discuss the seafarer’s experience with piracy. There will also be a special presentation by Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of Intermanager, on the industry association-led anti-piracy “Save our Seafarers” campaign.
Addressing the way forward will be Tom Kelly, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the State Department discussing what governments can offer, followed by the Navy’s advice for the maritime industry from RADM Kevin Donegan. Dr. Martin Murphy, author of Somalia: the New Barbary, Contemporary Piracy and Maritime Terrorism, and more treatises on piracy will offer solutions to the scourge. VADM Brian Salerno is the Chairman of the 2011 World Maritime Day Observance, with Jeffrey Lantz and RADM James Watson moderating the panel sessions.
The October 28th Coast Guard Mission Conference will bring regional and industry attention to the core responsibilities of the United States Coast Guard– Safety, Security and Stewardship– through panel discussions on each of the missions. Speakers include senior industry, regional governmental and Coast Guard leaders covering a wide array of topics including supply chain security, border protection, innovation technology, and the role of non-government organizations. In addition to Coast Guard personnel including RADM Paul Zukunft, RADM Fred Kenney, RADM James Watson and others, Thomas Smith of UNEP and Clay Maitland of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association will examine the role of the NGO, Captain Kevin Kiefer is looking at reception facilities, and Captain Steven Poulin examines enforcing environmental regulations, with Ray Botto of SeaRiver/ExxonMobil addressing prevention and response; the Sean Moon of the Department of Homeland Security will cover global supply chain security with Jay Todras of Customs and Border Protection who will address Tampa’s needs, The Rev. James von Dreele of the North American Maritime Ministry Association will address security impacts on seafarers, and Captain John Felker presenting on preventing cyber attacks. Christina DeSimone of FutureCare and Harry Vordokas of Germanischer Lloyd will speak about crew safety. Rob Lorigan of Overseas Shipholding Group and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ Rich Pruitt will also be participating.
The luncheon keynote speaker will be Donald Roussel of Transport Canada discussing “Regional Response & Cooperation—the “What if” Factor. Registration is limited. For information on attending, contact r.lambert@namepa.net.
Spectec Announces Contract with Gungen Maritime
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011SpecTec and Gungen Maritime and Trading A/S recently announced the signing of a contract for the migration of their AMOS BS system to the latest version of AMOS2 Enterprise Management.
After a series of fruitful meetings, last June the two companies renewed their long term mutually beneficial collaboration through the agreement which will lead the Turkish Shipping Company to the acquisition of the latest product of the AMOS Suite for its offices in Ankara and Istanbul as well as onboard the Vessels of the fleet. The provision set into the contract will be then extended to the two newbuildings soon to be delivered.
The contract will see the two parties involved in the activities for implementing the AMOS2 system for the management of maintenance operations, material requisition and control of stocks onboard as well as procurement activity. A further boost in the project development will be the migration of their AMOS BS Personnel Management to the upgraded AMOS2 Staff Management module. This module, in the latest version which will be implemented at Gungen, will include the newly released Time Sheets functionality, which provides the possibility to manage the Watch Keeper schedule onboard, and has been developed to optimize the human resources management and assist the Company to keep track of and act in conformity of all the existing regulations concerning crew management (STCW 95/2010, MLC 2006, OPA 90)
The AMOS2 System will be installed on board all units of the fleet, consisting of high-spec SUEZMAX type (150,000 dwt) crude oil tankers: two Vessels which Gungen already owns and operates, the Ottoman Nobility and Ottoman Equity, and two Vessels soon to be delivered, the Ottoman Integrity and Ottoman Tenacity. SpecTec is particularly proud to announce this renewed commitment with Gungen; a company characterized by a strong ethical dedication and considered an example for the whole Turkish shipping industry. Incorporated under Turkish flag, the company employs only Turkish personnel, this way contributing to the social and economic development of its country.
Gungen is a leader as for the quality of its operations: deep attention is paid to personnel training and education so to be able to provide for the whole management of the fleet, from design to crewing. In light of this vision, SpecTec will put the best of its effort and knowledge to help its partner improving and reinforcing its position as leader in the shipping industry.
Cooperation between Admiral Makarov State Maritime Academy and ABS
Monday, September 19th, 2011ABS has signed an agreement with the Admiral Makarov State Maritime Academy (AMSMA) initiating a new cooperation between the two organisations.
Based in St Petersburg, AMSMA has a total of nine faculties offering a wide array of marine- related courses including postgraduate studies and doctorate programmes. One of the main aims of AMSMA is to prepare the next generation of Russia seafarers to serve on Russia’s expanding commercial fleet. To date AMSMA is the only academic institution offering specific training courses for cadets serving on vessels transiting the North Sea Route.
The ABS AMSA cooperation includes merit-based scholarships, seminars on topics such as LNG and environmental issues together with practical training for selected Academy cadets in shipyards with ABS survey personnel.
The co-operation between the two organisations got off to a fine start with ABS participation at the AMSMA 135th anniversary celebrations in St. Petersburg earlier in the year. This provided an opportunity for the cadets and staff of the Academy to learn more about the ABS organisation and its classification services.
In July 2011 the first group of Academy cadets started their practical training at Lisnave Shipyard, Lisbon, under the supervision of Fernando Tomas, an experienced former ABS Surveyor.
Under his tuition, the three cadets, Aleksandr Kudryashov, Vasiliy Suvorov and Oleg Bashkirev, together with their lecturer, Dmitry Ishakov were given a comprehensive insight into surveying vessels at the shipyard. They also experienced firsthand the role the classification society has with the local equipment and service providers. The cadets were enthusiastic students and benefitted from Fernando’s experience as their coach, mentor and companion for their stay. According to the cadets and their lecturer it was an excellent learning experience, which has added great value to their studies and one which they all thoroughly enjoyed.
Arrangements are now being made for a second group of cadets and a lecturer to do similar, practical shipyard training in the forthcoming months.
ABS extends its thanks to Lisnave and the respective ship-owners whose cooperation has facilitated the success of this cadet training initiative.