Clarifying In-Port Sulphur Limits

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has moved quickly to dispel the apparent confusion currently surrounding implementation of the EU directive requiring all ships to use low-sulphur fuel while at berth in EU ports.EU Directive 2005/33/EC requires that, with effect from January 1,

Northrop Grumman Q4 2009 Results

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) reported Q4 2009 net earnings of $413 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, and 2009 net earnings of $1.7 billion, or $5.21 per diluted share. In 2008, the company reported a fourth quarter net loss of $2.5 billion, or $7.75 per diluted share, and a net loss for the year of $1.

Sunken Sub in Balabac Strait is USS Flier

Commander, Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny announced that a sunken vessel located in the Balabac Strait area of the Philippines is in fact the World War II submarine USS Flier (SS 250). “I am honored to announce that, with video evidence and information

Hyundai Heavy Buys Stake in Brazilian Yard

According to a Feb. 4 report from JoonAng Daily, Hyundai Heavy Industries has signed a deal to acquire a 10 percent stake in the Brazilian shipbuilder OSX Estaleiros in order to secure more ship orders and insulate itself against the country’s rising buy-Brazilian agenda, Hyundai said.(Source: JoongAng Daily) 

Bill for Study of Arctic Deep Water Port

Representative Young (R-AK) introduced a bill (H.R. 4576) to require a study and report on the feasibility and potential of establishing a deep water sea port in the Arctic to protect and advance strategic United States interests within the evolving and ever more important region. Official text of the bill is not yet available.

Greater Access to INTERTANKO Database

Access to INTERTANKO's Terminal Vetting Database (TVD) is now available to those who are tanker owners/operators, terminal owners/operators, PSC authorities and others with a legitimate interest in improving safety, but who are not Members or Associate Members of the Association. Access to the TVD continues to remain free of charge,

North Korean M/V Rim Hijacked, Gulf of Aden

The General Cargo vessel, M/V Rim is reported to have been hijacked the morning of Feb. 3 in the Gulf of Aden to the north of the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). M/V Rim is not registered with MSC HOA and has had no communications with UKMTO.The Rim was in the North

This Day in Coast Guard History – Feb. 4

1859- U.S. signs "Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation" with Paraguay at Asuncion after the revenue cutter Harriet Lane, as part of a US Navy expedition, forced the opening of the Paraguay and Parana Rivers.1863-  Commissioned officers of the Revenue Cutter Service

Hijacked Dhow Faize Osamani Freed

The M/V Asian Glory put to sea on Friday Jan. 29 and headed south to rendezvous with suspected pirate groups in the Indian Ocean. On Saturday Jan. 30, she headed north and eventually made a rendezvous with the hijacked Dhow Faize Osamani.The Faize Osamani was last reported leaving Karachi,

Ingram Barge Named to EPA SmartWay Program

Ingram Barge Company has been named as one of the first marine transportation companies to be accepted as a partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Program.  The announcement was made by Craig E. Philip, CEO of Ingram Barge Company.The EPA program, launched in 2004,

Gulf of Aden, Canadian Warship Deters Pirates

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) reported that a Canadian warship intercepted a suspected pirate skiff in the Gulf of Aden. The skiff was spotted loitering beside the International Recommended Transit Corridor. The skiff had no equipment on board showing that the Somali occupants were either fishermen or legitimate merchants.

Somalia, Pirates Use Hijacked Ro-Ro

The NATO Shipping Centre reported that on Jan. 30 the vehicle carrier Asian Glory (Blue hull and white superstructure), previously hijacked and still under pirates control, was in position 04:19N - 052:13E CO:005 SPEED 14. It is assessed pirates are using Asian Glory for their pirate activities. 

President Requests $364.8M for MMS

With a budget designed to increase America’s energy security by expanding the nation’s energy portfolio and ensuring a fair return for these public resources, the President has proposed $364.8m in funding for the Minerals Management Service (MMS) in fiscal year 2011. While this represents an increase of $16.

Fuel Logistics Enable U.S. Haiti Relief Effort

The United States Government Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) provides fueling services to Department of Defense, federal civilian and government agencies. In the wake of the Haiti disaster, both the access to and convenience of obtaining necessary fuels for aviation and maritime support efforts became a matter of clear necessity.

Green Star Reduces Fuel Consumption

Green Star Products, Inc. announced that it has received the final report on a fuel savings test conducted on a Greek shipping vessel. The tests were conducted using Green Star's Diesel Fuel Energizer (DFE) added to fuel tanks. Tests were performed on two Caterpillar Ship Engines Model 3412 (rated at

Crowley Petroleum Distribution Restructures

Crowley Maritime Corporation announced that it has restructured its petroleum distribution and contract services group, consolidating all Alaska operations under Craig Tornga, vice president. Tornga, who will remain in Anchorage and will continue reporting to Rocky Smith, senior vice president and general manager,

USCG Searches for Man Over Board

The Coast Guard is searching for a 26-year-old Myanmarese crewmember reported to have fallen overboard from the 792-ft container ship Cap Gilbert approximately 450 miles south of Adak Island Jan. 25. The Coast Guard 17th District command center in Juneau was notified of the missing man at approximately 8:20 p.

Sabine-Neches Waterway Open, Limited Traffic

The Unified Command, consisting of the Texas General Land Office, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Eagle Otome's owner, opened the Sabine-Neches Waterway on Jan. 27 to limited traffic after moving the tank vessel Eagle Otome to the Sunoco oil terminal in Beaumont on the evening of Jan. 26. "The

Ayala Promoted to Director, Labor Relations

Jose Ayala has been promoted to director of labor relations for Crowley Maritime Corporation. Ayala will remain domiciled in Jacksonville and continue reporting to Steve Demeroutis, Crowley's vice president of labor relations. In his new position, Ayala is responsible for all labor relations activities

Zurich Appoints Gillen Head of Marine Claims

Zurich, a property and casualty insurance provider globally and in North America, announced that Steve Gillen has joined Zurich in a key new role as Global Head of Marine Claims. Effective immediately, Gillen will work closely with regional marine leadership and regional claims organizations to enhance

Wärtsilä Sales Success, RT-flex82 Engines

Wärtsilä reports sales success with its newly introduced Wärtsilä RT-flex82T low-speed engine. Orders for a total of 30 seven-cylinder Wärtsilä RT-flex82T engines have been received in recent months, including:  - Six engines for VLCCs to be built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co.

Unified Command Responds to Port Arthur Spill

At 12:17 a.m. Jan. 24, the Dixie Vengeance and two barges were separated from the Eagle Otome and moored on the east bank of the Sabine Neches Waterway. The Unified Command continues to respond to the spill, ensuring the safety of the public and minimizing environmental impact. Currently 11 skimmers

Large Marine Engine Standards Finalized

By Vincent J. Foley- New York and Patricia L. "Pat" Goughan- San Francisco, of Holland & Knight.On December 22, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it had finalized the new emission and fuel standards for Category 3 marine diesel engines proposed last summer.

Port Arthur Vessel Collision

The Coast Guard and agency partners have formed a Unified Command in response to an oil spill in the Port of Port Arthur, on Jan. 23. Vessel Traffic Service Port Arthur received notification at 9:30 a.m. reporting a collision between the towing vessel Dixie Vengeance and the two barges it was pushing, and the 807-ft tank ship Eagle Otome.

Norden to Buy 3 Tankers for $79M

According to a Jan. 20 report from Reuters, Danish shipper Norden A/S (DNORD.CO) has agreed to buy three product tankers from a Turkish owner for about $79m to take advantage of a recovery in freight rates.(Source: Reuters)

Disney Matcor’s Gulf Coast General Manager

Matcor, Inc., a cathodic protection and corrosion prevention engineering design firm, announced the appointment of Timothy Disney as General Manager of the Houston/Gulf Coast operations. Based out of Katy, Texas, Disney will report directly to Matcor&rsquo;s President and CEO Jeffrey Stello.<br

Safety Measures Protect Ship from Piracy

Jamaica-flagged M/V Miltiades came under attack and successfully deterred suspected pirates Jan. 17, while transiting approximately 130 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen.The pirate skiff fired on the M/V with AK-47 rifles. The Miltiades embarked security team fired red flares

Subsea 7 Completes Girassol Repair

Subsea 7 reports it has completed the Girassol Pipeline Repair Project for Total E&amp;P Angola. The project was an entirely diverless pipeline repair in 1350m water depth and was based on a technical design competition issued by Total which resulted in Subsea 7 being awarded the contract for the design,

Hospital Ship Comfort Deploys to Haiti

Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed Jan. 16 beginning a five to seven day transit to Haiti, where more than 800 military and civilian aid workers aboard the ship will provide relief in response to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Caribbean nation Jan. 12.

2010 Norm Manly YMTA Scholarship

The Youth Maritime Training Association (YMTA) is a non-discriminating nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting students who wish to pursue careers in the maritime industry including the marine sciences.The YMTA offers an annual scholarship which may be used by students

Horizon Lines Reduces Debt in Q4

Horizon Lines, Inc. (NYSE:HRZ) announced that it reduced funded debt by $38.1m during the fourth quarter and completed its fiscal year with $28m less in funded debt than a year ago.The company achieved stronger-than-projected free cash flow during the fourth quarter ended December 20, 2009.

Coast Guard Continues Support in Haiti

The U.S. Coast Guard, the first Department of Homeland Security agency to provide assistance to Haiti following Tuesday's earthquake, continues to provide support Thursday to the U.S. Government's humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts.The Homeland Security Task Force-Southeast has been activated in the U.

Apache Reports Fire on GOM Platform

Apache Corporation (NYSE:APA) reported a fire aboard its East Cameron (EC) 2 processing platform, in La. state waters of the Gulf of Mexico about two miles off the coast of Cameron Parish.The three personnel on the platform, all Island Operating employees, evacuated the platform and were rescued.

Seaway Concludes 50th Anniversary Season

The St. Lawrence Seaway concluded its 50th anniversary season on December 28 with the passage of the JW Shelley. The vessel transited the Iroquois Lock at 7:37 p.m. on route to Lake Ontario. The Seaway navigation season for 2009 spanned 274 days.The Welland Canal, which has been in operation since 1932,

Korea Shipbuilders Win Orders Worth $1B

According to a Jan. 12 report from The Chosum Ilbo, Korean shipbuilders won new orders worth over $1b in the first 10 days of the new year, in a complete reversal of the situation last year. STX Offshore &amp; Shipbuilding and Hanjin Heavy Industries delivered the good news on Jan. 11, and Daewoo Shipbuilding

CG Investigates Tanker Ship in Gravesend Bay

The Coast Guard is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a tanker ship in Gravesend Bay that ruptured a tank around 9 a.m, Jan. 10. The tank was overfilled in the process of on-loading ethanol, which resulted in the rupture, according to Coast Guard marine inspectors. &ldquo;Our

Crowley Restructures Senior Management

Crowley Maritime Corporation announced a restructuring involving three members of its senior leadership team. John Douglass and Rob Grune will move to new positions, with Douglass taking over as senior vice president and general manager of Crowley's Puerto Rico/Caribbean liner services, and Grune taking

Retail Container Traffic Shows Gains

Import cargo volume at the nation&rsquo;s major retail container ports ended a nearly two-and-a-half-year streak of year-over-year declines in December and is on track to show gains through the first half of 2010, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released on Jan 11 by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Indian Shipyards Face Bleak 2010

According to a Jan. 7 report from Reuters, Indian shipbuilders are heading for another bleak year in 2010 amidst weak demand and prospects of order cancellations as the global economy struggles to emerge from a slowdown, analysts said. Bharati Shipyard remains a lone promising bet for investors on expectation

Second Officer Medevaced from the Hoegh

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew safely completed the medevac of a 52-year old Filipino man from the motor vessel Hoegh Transit 250 miles southwest of Sitka about 6 a.m., Jan. 4.Angelito Pelagio, the 2nd officer aboard the vessel, reportedly suffered a stroke after collapsing