MARITIME NEWS Archives - Page 18 of 210

When SMM kicks off in early September, maritime professionals from all over the world are set to rejoice at the return of this long-awaited industry event – not only to get the complete overview of innovations, solutions and technologies – but also to enjoy this unique opportunity to reunite with the people at the heart of the industry.

According to VIKING SVP Benny Carlsen, “VIKING Life-Saving Equipment returns to SMM in Hamburg this year to further reinforce its position as the industry’s full scope partner for safety, whose recent investments have also anticipated changing supply and service needs across the world of maritime.”

In the period since SMM 2018, VIKING has fully integrated lifeboat OEM and service leader Norsafe, become a force to be reckoned with in marine fire services, launched next generation ranges of PPE and established the unique HydroPen™ system as the market’s leading container firefighting technology. But the company has also invested in digital asset management, further strengthened its service organization, grown its ‘VIKING Academy’ training services, and enhanced and digitalized its supply and service agreements.

“It feels like forever since the last SMM, but now we can’t wait to welcome all existing and potential customers, partners and industry peers to our stand, where visitors can experience our full scope maritime safety solution” – says Benny Carlsen. “Covid-19 surely accelerated digitalization, but there have been other major developments in safety equipment supply and servicing since we last gathered at SMM, and we’ve been responding to, and driving, change. Safety comes first, but to stay competitive in challenging markets, successful operators maintain performance while also finding ways to maximize efficiencies and reduce cost.”

Most of the owners of 20000+ vessels having safety compliance managed under a VIKING Shipowner Agreement have included the concept’s subscription-based approach to liferaft supply and servicing; increasingly, customers are adding lifeboat service, marine fire equipment service, PPE exchange, and LSA on Demand to their agreements, Carlsen says.

“More and more, the VIKING Shipowner Agreement is the favored framework for customers for ensuring onboard safety and compliance. It replaces complexity with flexibility and reduces administration and operational risk, streamlining and simplifying their equipment management.”

Smart shipowners subscribe to safety HydroPen™

OEM competence and product innovation remain critical, Carlsen emphasizes, pointing to VIKING’s development of new lifeboats and ranges of PPE for service engineers, seafarers and air crews. Another eye-catching solution is the unique LifeCraft™ – the world’s first flag and type approved advanced evacuation and survival craft system, capable of replacing lifeboats on cruise ships. VIKING also arrives at SMM buoyed by the success of landmark orders to equip the entire fleets of some of the world’s largest container carriers with its HydroPen™ container firefighting system. Most recently, A.P. Moller – Maersk adopted the solution for its entire owned vessel fleet.

“In a way, HydroPen™ is an embodiment of what we’ve been achieving: it improves safety for the crew, the cargo and the ship, and helps the owner avoid fire related risks to crews and assets – along with significant related financial costs.”

However, operators also increasingly looked to VIKING to cover safety needs “as a service”, says Carlsen. SMM therefore offered a key opportunity to showcase its new capabilities in marine fire services (MFS), following its acquisition of the Drew Marine Fire Safety division in 2019.

VIKING has consolidated the business with its own MFS, invested in a firefighting foam laboratory, opened an MFS training center and reached distribution agreements with foam supplier Dr. Sthamer. “The MFS team is now supported by a network of 150+ port locations and served by VIKING’s dedicated workshops and authorized service providers,” Carlsen adds.

In business growth terms, VIKING’s multi-brand lifeboat, rescue boat, launching and release gear maintenance, testing, retrofit and overhaul services was providing another relevant example. “We ensure quality and flexibility by controlling the entire service value chain including booking, administration, spares, execution, documentation, training and support,” he says.
Source: VIKING

The broken bulk carrier OS 35 is leaking heavy fuel oil just off the east coast of Gibraltar.

The oil spill was reported Thursday and some has escaped the boomed perimeter surrounding the vessel.

The salvage team has pinpointed the source of the leak to two tank vents in the ship’s bunker tanks. All vents had previously been sealed but the splitting of the ship resulted in the release.

A view of the half-sunk cargo ship OS 35 in Catalan Bay after its collision on Wednesday with an LNG tanker near Gibraltar, September 1, 2022. Gibraltar Government/Handout via REUTERS

The Gibraltar Ports Authority said divers have been able to re-established the seals on the tanks and were working on stopping the leak. The Captain of the Port has confirmed that the leak from the tank vents is fully under control.

Oil spill response assets are downstream working to collect leaked oil and skimmers are inside the boomed area.

Boats control the oil spill from the OS 35 cargo ship after its collision with an LNG tanker in Catalan Bay, off Gibraltar, September 1, 2022. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

An operation is underway to pump out the fuel oil remaining onboard the ship into barges on the port side of the vessel. Meanwhile, the Gibraltar Port Authority has confirmed that an operation to pump out diesel has started.

The Port of Gibraltar remains closed so all assets can focus on the response.

Efforts are also underway to boom areas in Catalan Bay and on the Eastside Reclamation area and Sandy Bay to protect against impacts there. In the photo below you can see just how close the wreck is to shore:

Oil leaks from cargo ship OS 35 which remains half sunken in Catalan Bay after its collision with an LNG tanker off Gibraltar, September 1, 2022. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Background

The Tuvalu-flagged OS 35 was outbound from Gibraltar Port when it collided with the unladen LNG carrier Adam LNG in the Bay of Gibraltar on Monday. The OS 35 was then anchored off Catalan Bay, on the opposite side of Iberian Peninsula, where it partially sank.

The vessel has since suffered a break in its hull. A survey inspection of the vessel before it broke confirmed a gash amidships measuring approximately 10 meters by 4 meters on the starboard side. Its bulbous bow is submerged in the sandy seabed.

OS 35 is loaded with steel bars and carrying over 400 metric tons of low sulphur fuel oil.

OS 35 pictured August 31, 2022. Photo courtesy Gibraltar Port Authority

The Adam LNG, which is registered in the Marshall Islands, sustained only minimal damage.

The Captain of the Port and the Gibraltar Contingency Council have declared a Major Incident (MAJAX) under the Civil Contingencies Act to free up more resources to respond to the incident.

Spain’s Salvamento Maritimo and the Port of Algeciras are also assisting in the response.

Cargo ship OS 35 remains half sunken in Catalan Bay after its collision with an LNG tanker off Gibraltar, September 1, 2022. David Martinez/Handout via REUTERS

Source: https://gcaptain.com/broken-bulk-carrier-os-35-leaks-fuel-oil/

In its post-accident investigation into the deadly Conception dive boat fire, the NTSB issued 11 recommendations for safety improvements aboard passenger vessels. Now, three years after the fire, NTSB says that not enough has been done to address its safety concerns – and it notes that the law requires the U.S. Coast Guard to act on its recommendations.

In the early hours of Sept. 2, 2019, the Conception caught fire while at anchor off Santa Cruz island. No roving fire watch had been posted, and 34 people who were asleep belowdecks were killed. The vessel burned to the waterline and sank.

Following the investigation, the NTSB issued seven recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard and two to small passenger vessel associations. The NTSB also repeated its decade-old recommendation for the Coast Guard to require all passenger vessels to have a safety management system – the same way that tugs and towboats have to have an SMS under Subchapter M. NTSB has looked into three other passenger-vessel accidents since 2005 in which it believes an SMS would have made a difference.

“Three years ago, I made a promise to the victims’ families that I would vigorously work to ensure the safety recommendations we issued would be implemented,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “While I am encouraged by the progress that has been made, more work needs to be done. NTSB will continue to push until these recommendations are fully implemented.”

Of the three industry groups with members operating small passenger vessels with overnight accommodations, only the Passenger Vessel Association has taken sufficient action to satisfy the NTSB recommendations, the agency said. Two others in the charterboat sector have not yet responded.

At the Coast Guard regulatory level, a new SMS requirement for small passenger vessels – which NTSB has recommended since 2005 – is now in motion. New Coast Guard regulations are being developed for six other NTSB recommendations as well, but none have yet reached the implementation stage, according to NTSB’s tracking.

The NTSB noted that Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020 requires that the Coast Guard carry out all of the NTSB recommendations issued or reiterated in connection with the Conception investigation.

“We appreciate Congress addressing these safety issues in legislation, and for the cooperation and partnership of the Coast Guard,” said Chair Homendy. “But this shouldn’t have taken an act of Congress to improve safety. Passenger vessel owners and operators should act now to ensure no one else loses a loved one in another tragedy on our waterways.”

With or without regulatory requirements, NTSB recommends that overnight passenger vessel operators:

Install smoke detectors in all accommodation spaces and ensure they are interconnected.
Ensure that the two emergency escape paths out of a berthing area do not lead to the same space, which can be blocked by a single hazard.
Adhere to the terms of their vessel’s COI, including a requirement for a roving watchstander.
Keep escape routes unobstructed.
Implement a safety management system.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/ntsb-more-action-needed-on-lessons-learned-from-conception-fire

LONDON — Royal Australian Navy submariners will join United Kingdom crews to train on the newly commissioned Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine HMS Anson, the U.K. Ministry of Defence said Aug. 31.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace hosted new Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles at Barrow to see the commissioning of the Anson.

The announcement came as Marles and Wallace emphasized the importance of the deep defense ties between the U.K. and Australia, following the development of the trilateral AUKUS partnership working with the United States, which was represented today by the U.S. Defense Attaché, Navy Capt. Leland.

Hosting Marles on his first official visit to the U.K. since the new Australian government came to power, the prime minister and ministers attended the commissioning of the fifth of seven new Astute-class Royal Navy submarines.

With naval capability at the center of the two powers’ future defense relationship, the visit reinforced the priorities of the Integrated Review and significance of the AUKUS partnership, which links the U.K., the United States and Australia in promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.K. and U.S. already have welcomed Royal Australian Navy personnel on its specialized nuclear training courses, and more will follow next year, before Australian submariners go to sea. The training and exchanges mark the beginning of a multigenerational naval partnership between the three AUKUS nations.

Marles, who is also minister for defense, visited Barrow, having also seen the Type 26 frigate shipbuilding facility in Govan, accompanied by the First Sea Lord, Adm. Sir Ben Key.

“Today is a significant milestone in the U.K. and Australia’s preparation to confront growing threats to the liberal democratic order, especially in the Indo Pacific,” said Wallace. “Not only have we progressed our defense planning but Minister Marles participated in the commissioning of our latest attack submarine, on which will Royal Australian Navy submariners will be embarked as we develop our shared capabilities in the years ahead.”

One of the most sophisticated underwater vessels ever built, HMS Anson represents £1.3 billion of U.K. investment. Capable of defending the U.K.’s interests at home and overseas, HMS Anson will be armed with up to 38 Spearfish Heavyweight Torpedoes and Block V Tomahawk land attack missiles, able to tackle targets at a range of up to 1,000 miles.

“HMS Anson is the cutting edge in submarine design and construction, ensuring operational advantage in the underwater battlespace, the last great stealth domain,” said Key. “Given the world we live in, there is no more important tool in the United Kingdom’s arsenal: silent, unseen, and a key instrument of our global, modern, ready Royal Navy.”

At 97 meters long, HMS Anson stands at around the length of two Olympic swimming pools, with 240 kilometers of cabling, enough to stretch from Barrow-In-Furness to its new home in Faslane, Scotland.

HMS Anson will remain in Barrow for the coming weeks while undergoing final checks and rigorous testing to the numerous complex systems that make up a nuclear-powered submarine, before sailing to HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane to prepare for sea trials.

HMS Anson will join four other Astute Class submarines in service with the Royal Navy — HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful and HMS Audacious.

Two further boats — Agamemnon and Agincourt — are in various stages of construction at BAE Systems’ Barrow-In-Furness site as part of £11.2 billion overall investment in the whole Astute-class program.

Source: https://seapowermagazine.org/australian-navy-submariners-to-train-on-british-nuclear-submarines/

MANAMA, Bahrain — A U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter interdicted a fishing vessel smuggling illegal drugs worth an estimated U.S. street value of $20 million while patrolling the Gulf of Oman, Aug. 30, NAVCENT Public Affairs said Aug. 31.

USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144) seized 2,980 kilograms of hashish and 320 kilograms of amphetamine tablets during operations in support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150.

Led by the Royal Saudi Navy, CTF 150 is one of four task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the largest multinational naval partnership in the world. CTF 150 conducts maritime security operations in the Gulf of Oman and North Arabian Sea to help ensure the free flow of commerce.

Glen Harris previously interdicted another fishing vessel May 31 while patrolling the Gulf of Oman. The interdiction led to CTF 150 seizing $11 million worth of heroin. This followed an earlier seizure of heroin, methamphetamine and amphetamine pills worth $17 million in the same body of water, May 15.

“The results of Glen Harris’s success is a testament to the crew’s professionalism and determination,” said Lt. Cmdr. Reginald Reynolds, commanding officer of Glen Harris. “I’m proud of our team’s commitment to countering illicit activity on the high seas and promoting security and stability across the region.”

The fast response cutter arrived in the Middle East in January and operates from the U.S. Navy base in Bahrain where Combined Maritime Forces is headquartered with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet.

Combined Maritime Forces includes 34 member-nations that operate across the Middle East to promote rules-based international order at sea.

Source: https://seapowermagazine.org/coast-guard-frc-seizes-illegal-narcotics-in-gulf-of-oman/

DNV, the world’s leading classification society, is pleased to announce that Tony Linden will step into the role of Area Manager for the UK & Ireland effective today, having recently been appointed as Business Development Manager for the same area.

The maritime industry in the UK and Ireland is rapidly transforming, as the impact of digitalization and pressure to decarbonize increases. To support its customers as the industry moves to a greener and more efficient future, DNV has appointed Tony Linden as Area Manager for the UK & Ireland.

“I am delighted to congratulate Tony on his appointment. His enterprising background, technical know-how and clear understanding of the complex challenges facing the shipping industry will make him an invaluable asset to the market,” said Torgeir Sterri, DNV Maritime Regional Manager West Europe.

“Whether it is adapting to the wave of digitalization sweeping the industry or to increasingly strict global and regional emissions-reduction regulations, it is more important than ever for maritime stakeholders to be able to easily reach out to technical and operations specialists,” Linden said. “My motivation is to help the industry effectively manage risk and achieve class and regulatory compliance. Being able to connect our customers in the UK and Ireland with our wealth of knowledge makes working for DNV very rewarding.”

Based in London, Tony will be tasked with fostering customer engagement and further strengthening the company’s presence in the UK and Ireland. “London has an extremely strong maritime cluster with a unique international outlook, not least the IMO and numerous marine insurance and ship finance firms are located there. I very much look forward to working together with world-leading shipping companies and our fantastic local team dedicated to improving our industry,” he said.

Tony brings to his new position broad international market expertise and leadership experience both from his business development activities at DNV and external senior management roles in Asia. He has worked for DNV for the past 11 years in Singapore, most recently as Area Business Development Manager.

A British national, Tony gained a BSc (Hons) in International Transport from Southampton Institute. He spent his early career working for CP Ships UK Ltd for 10 years latterly as Trade Director working in the UK, Hong Kong, and India. Following that he spent three years as Asia-Europe/Mediterranean Product Management Director, for Hapag-Lloyd (Asia) Pte Ltd in Singapore. He was then appointed President of UASC (India) Pvt Ltd, based in Mumbai and responsible for all United Arab Shipping Co activities in India. Linden returned to Singapore in 2011 to take up the role of Director, Container Ship – Operations & Logistics with DNV.

Source: https://maritime-executive.com/corporate/dnv-appoints-new-area-manager-for-uk-ireland

Bowman Consulting Group Ltd (Bowman) (NASDAQ: BWMN), today announced the purchase of Anchor Consultants LLC (“Anchor”). Headquartered in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, Anchor specializes in the planning, inspection, design, environmental permitting, dredging engineering, and construction management of waterfront infrastructure along coastal and inland waterways throughout North America. Under the leadership of Ahmad Nadeem, PE, the company’s founder, Anchor’s experience ranges from industrial ports and harbors to urban waterfront development. On the industrial side, Anchor services facilities handling bulk materials and containerized freight. On the urban side, Anchor services commercial and mixed-use waterfront developments, ferry terminals, and recreational docks. Anchor has also worked on military port facilities and cruise terminals.

“The acquisition of Anchor furthers our diversification initiative adding to our customer base that builds and maintains critical infrastructure,” said Gary Bowman, CEO of Bowman. “Ports and harbors are a critical component of the nation’s infrastructure and Anchor provides us with a solid platform from which to build our presence and market share in this growing space. Ahmad has built a great team of experienced marine engineers serving an impressive list of clients with a broad array of services. Their expertise in waterfront planning, design and engineering will enable us to provide these services to many of our current clients and gain immediate cross-selling opportunities for our client relationship managers.”

“Bowman’s vision for expanding Anchor’s business was extremely compelling to us,” said Ahmad Nadeem, founder of Anchor. “Being part of a larger organization with more resources and a national footprint will no doubt facilitate accelerated growth for us. Bowman’s culture aligns with what we have worked so hard to build here at Anchor and that was a major factor in our decision to join with them. We are grateful for the trust that Gary and his team have placed in us to build Bowman’s ports and harbors and waterfront engineering practice.”

The Company expects the Anchor acquisition to initially contribute approximately $2.5 million of annualized net service billing and be immediately accretive. The transaction was financed with a combination of cash and notes including an unsecured seller note and a convertible seller note with an $18.00 per share conversion option.

“Anchor is our fifth acquisition of 2022, bringing the total annualized net revenue we have acquired this year to just under $50 million,” said Bruce Labovitz, Bowman’s CFO. “The Anchor acquisition, which was transacted well within our target multiple range, meets all objectives for operating metrics, revenue synergy and cross-selling opportunities. As is our practice, we will provide more detailed information on M&A activities, pipeline, and guidance in connection with our scheduled quarterly communications.”

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/corporate/bowman-consulting-group-expands-into-marine-engineering

Ammonia has been attracting serious attention as a marine fuel with a growing number of pilot studies and development of infrastructure, while hydrogen is on the longer-term developments to decarbonise many industries including shipping.

Speaking at the Nautical Institute Conference in Singapore on Thursday Cameron, Executive Vice President and COO of Ardmore flagged up the challenges, particularly in terms of safety in the use of both ammonia and hydrogen.

“You cannot engineer out the toxicity of ammonia, let’s be clear about that,” he said. “Ammonia is toxic. This is nasty stuff.”

He quoted a study that modelled the bunker spill from the bulker Wakashio off Mauritius in 2020 with ammonia instead of fuel oil and that it would have resulted in the deaths of 1,100 people ashore, and that is not even taking into account the seafarers on the vessel.

“You might want to think about that for a moment when we’re talking about the environmental agenda.”

Another senior executive with a major shipowner Seatrade Maritime News spoke to also expressed deep concern over the dangers that would result from an ammonia spill if was used as a marine fuel and there was an accident. He said you would not use ammonia as a fuel if you cared for the seafarer.

Coming hydrogen Cameron showed a slide featuring a 31-tonne truck and trailer capable of carrying just 700 kilos of compressed hydrogen, and amount of fuel he noted would not get you further than little way around the port. Additionally compressed hydrogen requires high pressurise-tanks of 350 – 700 bar.

He questioned whether it was good idea to have compressed hydrogen at 350 – 700 moving on trucks through a city’s streets to get to a port for a vessel that is going sail around the harbour.

“Don’t be fooled when people start talking to you about hydrogen. It’s a very important part of the energy change equation, but it’s not simple, this is much, much more challenging than LNG.”

To liquify hydrogen requires it to be at a temperature of minus 253 degrees Celsius, this compares to minus 160 degrees Celsius for LNG.

Source: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/sustainability-green-technology/ammonia-and-hydrogen-fuel-safety-challenges-flagged

Thome Group has won the 2022 Outstanding Contribution to Safety @ Sea Award organised by the Singapore Maritime Ports Authority. The award was presented by Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on the 31st of August in the Peony Grand Ballroom at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.

Thome was recognised for a series of safety programmes and initiatives that it has developed to ensure that the company is disciplined and focused in keeping its commitment to safety.

These included the creation of a safety department which focuses on monitoring the implementation of health, safety and quality policies, ensuring the company follows a risk-based approach which includes conducting risk analyses and implementing regular safety campaigns focussing on specific themes.

Capt. Mayuresh Jayade receiving the award from the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore Chief Executive Quah Ley Hoon

One of these campaigns is called “Partners in Safety” which is designed to set up stronger links between Thome’s seafarers and their onshore colleagues with regards to safety related matters. The aim is to encourage the two sides to work more closely together with information sharing and support in a blame free culture.

Thome has also initiated a safety coach programme where specialist safety coaches sail with Thome’s fully managed vessels to promote and spread their knowledge on safety requirements, systems, and procedures among the ship’s staff.

Accepting the award on behalf of Thome, Capt. Mayuresh Jayade, Marine and Safety Manager of Thome Group, said, “Thome Group places great importance on safety matters and has developed several initiatives and projects to ensure that the company is disciplined and focused in keeping its commitment to safety. We are very honoured that the MPA has recognised that with this prestigious award.”

Olav Nortun, CEO of Thome Group added, “I am pleased to say that by implementing these various safety initiatives we have seen a reduction in injuries and incidents from our fleet, so this award rewards the hard work of our staff both onshore and at sea.”
Source: Thome Group

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles was hosted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace at the commissioning of HMS Anson at BAE Systems, Barrow. As part of our AUKUS partnership, Johnson and Wallace announced the training of Royal Australian Navy submariners aboard the newly commissioned HMS Anson, an Astute-Class submarine.

Having Royal Australian Navy submariners train alongside Royal Navy crews, is an important step, taken with our partners in the United Kingdom to further strengthen our defence ties. Australia is embarking on the next generation of submarines and in doing so, ensuring we have Royal Australian Navy personnel training with our partners under the AUKUS partnership.

“It was an honour to be hosted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace at today’s commissioning ceremony for HMS Anson,” Marles said. “Australia is eager to learn from our counterparts, and who better to learn from than our friends in the United Kingdom. Our countries are working hand in glove on training and building the skills required for our future submarines, is an important part of bolstering our Defence Force. Today‘s announcement of Australian submariners training aboard HMS Anson says everything about our future plans of building the AUKUS partnership. During my visit to Govan shipyard, where the Type 26 is being built, we have Australian workers- engineers, mechanics and the like- who are learning from their UK counterparts to deliver the high-tech skills required to deliver for our Frigate program back home in Osborne, SA. I have been warmly welcomed during my time here in the UK and I would like to thank my counterpart, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for hosting me. The technology, capability and lethality on show is truly impressive and Australia looks forward to progressing our talks through the AUKUS partnership.”

Source: https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/australia-welcomes-submarine-training-opportunity-from-united-kingdom/

VIKING spearheads shift to maritime safety as a service

Broken Bulk Carrier OS 35 Leaks Fuel Oil Off Gibraltar

Background

NTSB: More Action Needed on the Lessons From the Conception Fire

Australian Navy Submariners to Train on British Nuclear Submarines

Coast Guard FRC Seizes Illegal Narcotics in Gulf of Oman

DNV appoints new Area Manager for UK & Ireland

Bowman Consulting Group Expands into Marine Engineering

Ammonia and hydrogen fuel safety challenges flagged-up

Thome Group Wins Outstanding Contribution to Safety at Sea Award

Australia welcomes submarine training opportunity from United Kingdom

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