Europe to Build Ships of the Future

A new European research project seeks to revolutionize the shipbuilding sector by replacing steel with composite materials for the construction of more efficient large length ships. FIBRESHIP is an ambitious project that will allow for the construction of light commercial vessels, passenger and leisure transport and oceanographic vessels more than 50 meters in length using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials. It is one of the largest innovation projects funded by the EU with a budget of €11 million, of which €9 million is funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 Programme.

Maersk Temporarily Exempt from Service Contract Filings

I voted in favor of Maersk Line A/S’ petition for Temporary Exemption Service Contract Filings as a result of the so-called Petya virus which severely disrupted Maersk’s information systems, including the system that stores service contract data. Due to this cyber attack, Maersk Line had been unable to determine which shippers to contact in order to extend or renegotiate certain service contract rates. Further, even if Maersk was able to identify which contracts needed attention, the company was not be able to electronically file the documents because of the damage caused by the virus.

US Iron Ore Boosts St. Lawrence Seaway Shipping

With strong increases in iron ore and other cargo, total tonnage shipped via the St. Lawrence Seaway is up 20 percent over last year. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation reports that cargo shipments from March 20 to June 30 totaled more than 12 million metric tons – up two million metric tons over the same period in 2016. “St. Lawrence Seaway shipping is a bellwether for the health of the overall U.S. and Canadian economies and reflects strong demand for raw materials to support the automotive…

US Officials Demand 'More Fair' China Trade Links

U.S.-China economic talks appeared off to a contentious start on Wednesday as senior Trump administration officials demanded a "more fair" China trade relationship while both sides canceled news conferences previously planned to discuss outcomes. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in opening remarks to the annual summer dialogue between Washington and Beijing criticized China's $347 billion trade surplus with the United States. "We must create more balance in our trade by increasing exports of made-in-America goods to China," Ross said at the Treasury Department.

TOTE Maritime Invests in Reefer Containers

TOTE Maritime has this year purchased 350 new high-tech smart refrigerated containers to service the Puerto Rico trade route. TOTE Maritime was among the shipping industry’s pioneers in using machine-to-machine or M2M telematics technology to remotely monitor and control conditions of refrigerated perishables during transport. Since 2011, TOTE Maritime has deployed Orbcomm’s StarGuard system to monitor and control its refrigerated containers, or reefers, from point of origin to destination.

Rucker Named President of Tideworks

Tideworks Technology Inc., a full-service provider of terminal management and planning software solutions, announced that Thomas J. “T.J.” Rucker will assume the role of president effective September 1, 2017, succeeding retiring president Michael Schwank, who led the company for 19 years. Rucker will relocate to Seattle in August to ensure a smooth transition into the role. Rucker is currently vice president of operations at Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT), one of the largest container terminals in Latin America…

BOURBON to Support World's First Autonomous OSV Project

BOURBON entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Automated Ships Ltd to support the building of the world’s first autonomous, fully-automated prototype vessel for offshore operations, in collaboration with the project’s primary technology partner, KONGSBERG. BOURBON will provide detailed input to the development and design of the Hrönn project, ensuring flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency to operate safely and effectively in the offshore environment. In the second phase of the project…

Hunting Appoints Granberg as Development Manager

Hunting Energy Services has appointed a new business development manager for Norway as it targets further growth in the Scandinavian oil and gas sector. The company has appointed Ståle Granberg who will oversee the business development and sales strategy for its well intervention product lines including, fully NORSOK qualified pressure control equipment, downhole tools and thru-tubing. Granberg brings more than 20 years of experience to the position, having previously worked for some of the world’s leading energy sector service providers.

Chartco Appoints Gieskes as Chairman

Global supplier of maritime digital data and compliance services, ChartCo, has announced the appointment of Hans Gieskes as Chairman. In addition to chairing a range of companies, including the successful AXIO Data Group, Mr Gieskes has been CEO and President of organizations such as Cision – global market leader of cloud-based software and services for PR professionals, and LexisNexis - global market leader for online information and services for legal and risk-management industries. Almost all of his career has been associated with digital technology businesses.

Stephen Joins Ashtead Technology

Subsea equipment specialist Ashtead Technology has appointed Scott Stephen as its new Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) sales manager. Based at the company’s headquarters in Aberdeen, Stephen will be responsible for business development and general sales and rental of NDT equipment and accessories, including phased array, ultrasonic flaw detection, corrosion mapping, eddy current flaw detection, hardness testing, composite inspection and thickness management. Stephen joins Ashtead from RSL NDT where he held the role of UK manager and was previously with Euro NDT as general manager…

US Trade Deficit Narrows as Exports Hit Two-year High

The U.S. trade deficit fell in May as exports increased to their highest level in just over two years, but trade could still weigh on economic growth in the second quarter. The Commerce Department said on Thursday the trade gap decreased 2.3 percent to $46.5 billion. April's trade deficit was unrevised at $47.6 billion. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the trade gap falling to $46.2 billion in May. When adjusted for inflation, the trade deficit narrowed to $62.8 billion from $63.8 billion in April.

Keppel to Deliver World's First Converted FLNGV

Keppel Offshore & Marine's (Keppel O&M) wholly-owned subsidiary, Keppel Shipyard Ltd (Keppel Shipyard), will soon deliver the world's first converted Floating Liquefaction Vessel (FLNGV) owned by Golar Hilli Corporation (Golar), a subsidiary of Golar LNG Ltd. The vessel was named Hilli Episeyo at a ceremony in Keppel Shipyard today. Upon its completion, the FLNGV will be put in operation offshore Kribi, Cameroon for Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures and Perenco Cameroon SA, and will be the first FLNGV project in Africa.

New Global Industry Alliance Established to Support Low Carbon Shipping

Leading shipowners and operators, classification societies, engine and technology builders and suppliers, big data providers, and oil companies have signed up to a new Global Industry Alliance (GIA) to support transitioning shipping and its related industries towards a low carbon future. Thirteen companies have signed up to launch the GIA, under the auspices of the GloMEEP Project, a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Program (UNDP)-International Maritime…

Lloyd’s Register Helps Seafarers in Need

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has donated £20,000 to Sailors’ Society’s Emergency Welfare Fund which provides financial relief to seafarers and their families in dire need. Every year, maritime charity Sailors’ Society is inundated with requests for support from seafarers with diverse and pressing welfare needs. This is the seventh year running that LR has donated to the fund, bringing its total contribution to more than £140,000. The fund has helped thousands of seafarers and their families over the years…

Merkel Sounds Conciliatory Tone on Trade before G20 Summit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that global trade was not a zero-sum game and that she would seek to establish a rules-based commerce system that benefits all, striking a compromising tone before a G20 summit next week. Merkel, who will host leaders of the G20 leading economies next week at a Hamburg summit where trade is expected to be one of the most divisive issues, added that Germany's large trade surplus was partly the result of factors beyond her influence: the ECB's expansive monetary policy and energy prices.

GE Boosts Power in Santos Port Upgrade

GE Energy Connections (NYSE: GE) has recently delivered the full turnkey project to VLI for engineering, supply and commissioning of the port terminal Luiz Antonio Mesquita Integrator Port Terminal (Tiplam) at the port of Santos, located in the city of Santos, state of São Paulo, Brazil. GE’s integrated electrical solutions provided a one-stop solution for the customer’s electrification, power generation and control needs. Brazil’s economy relies heavily on exports of natural resources-based products.

Ever Sigma Discharges 9 millionth TEU at Los Angeles Port

Evergreen Line’s Ever Sigma container ship discharged the 9 millionth TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) to pass through the Port of Los Angeles in the span of 12 months, setting a new annual record for the most container throughput of any port in the western hemisphere. "Nine million TEUs is a major milestone for Los Angeles, and it’s only fitting that Evergreen Line, a longstanding customer, discharged the box that set this new Western Hemisphere record," said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka.

MOL-MES Joint Development Next-generation Vessel Monitoring System

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced an agreement with Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (MES) to jointly develop next-generation vessel monitoring and support systems for practical applications and commercialization. Based on the real time data, for example from navigation and machinery, acquired by data collecting units (products of MES), the joint development will encompass the next-generation vessel monitoring and support system, utilizing MOL's own operation experience and technologies as well as the experience of MES as a shipbuilder with the latest technologies…

Reederei Hamburger Lloyd Chooses Sealink Plus VSAT

Hamburg-based shipping group Reederei Hamburger Lloyd will move its fleet of nine containerships and six bulk carriers to Marlink’s Sealink Plus VSAT package including unlimited L-band backup. Hamburger Lloyd is a long term customer of Telemar Germany and was looking for a communications solution that provides a quality link for downloading ECDIS updates, which is critical to the fleet’s navigational safety. The company also sees that moving from pay-as-you-go L-band communication…

Transas CEO Coles Speaks on the Future for Seafarers

A message from Frank Coles, CEO of Transas on the International Day of the Seafarer. On this day of recognition, I would like to celebrate the women and men who commit their careers and their lives to being at sea for extended periods of time. The future facing the maritime industry today is a very different one from when I first went to sea in 1977. Back then the sextant was King. Today the people working at sea are aided by countless new technologies and digital innovations which have had a huge impact, improving both operations and safety.

New LEDs Light Up Port of Cristóbal

New high efficacy LED flood lights have been installed at the Port of Cristóbal in Colon, Panama. SONARAY, a central Virginia-based manufacturer of industrial, commercial and maritime LED lighting fixtures, has supplied 60 of its 520-watt Delta Flood Lights, installed at “the mole,” a moniker used to describe an area of the port. Jose Diaz, LAT sales manager for SONARAY, said, “The port was most impressed with the rugged design of our flood lights and the fact that the 520-watt model is rated to produce nearly 60,000 lumens of light output.

Port NOLA Chairman Receives Leadership Award

Michael W. Kearney, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, was named recipient of the 2017 Diolkos Award at the 7th Annual Rail Supply Chain Summit in Chicago on June 14, 2017. The Diolkos Award recognizes an individual with outstanding vision and leadership within the supply chain who equally has contributed to his community. The award is named after Ancient Greece’s Diolkos Wagonway, the world’s first supply chain and earliest known form of rail transport, which facilitated the transfer of heavy cargo from sea, over land, to the sea.

US Trade Rep Says No Deadline Set for NAFTA Deal

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Wednesday there was no deadline for completing NAFTA trade talks between the United States, Canada and Mexico even as lawmakers warned that U.S. business would be hurt by prolonged negotiations. "There is no deadline. My hope is that we can get it done by the end of the year, but there are a lot of people who think that is completely unrealistic," Lighthizer told a Senate Finance Committee hearing to discuss the USTR's budget. Under U.S. law, Lighthizer, a veteran trade lawyer, will be the principal U.S. negotiator on NAFTA, although U.S.

Evergreen Rolls Out Sea Freight Services for Alibaba Members

Evergreen Line has teamed up with Alibaba.com to provide Alibaba.com members with the option of booking sea freight services online with guaranteed space and prices. Evergreen Line has also appointed Evergreen Logistics Corporation as a designated provider of customized, comprehensive logistics solutions for Alibaba.com members opting for its sea freight services. The growth of e-commerce has resulted in small, fragmented orders from global buyers. Taking note of the need for user-friendly logistics services of smaller volume shippers…

Qatargas to Supply LNG to Shell

Qatargas and Shell have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will lead to the two companies jointly researching liquefied natural gas (LNG) logistics. Through this joint logistics research collaboration, Qatargas and Shell aim to develop new ways to optimize supply chains to deliver to LNG global markets. The research will be conducted at the Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre at the Qatar Science & Technology Park. The MOU was signed by Faisal Al Suwaidi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Qatargas Operating Company…

European e-Navigation Solutions Tested for Human Factors

The EU funded EfficienSea2 project, which aims to implement innovative and smart solutions to increase efficient, safe and sustainable traffic at sea, has finished a full-scale simulation of a wide variety of e-Navigation solutions. The simulations, which involved 8 navigators and took a total of four days, were conducted at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and focused on the human factors in e-Navigation. Multiple services, ranging from a digitalised form of Navigational Warnings to an interactive VTS-reporting system…

Port Manatee, Chile Aim to Boost Commerce

Port Manatee and Chile are pursuing considerable opportunities to boost two-way trade, according to a Chilean official who visited the Central Florida Gulf Coast port Thursday [June 15]. Garafulic, who spoke at the Manatee County Port Authority’s meeting and toured the port, including the International Trade Hub at Port Manatee, said he believes the hub could serve as a launching pad for enhanced commercial ties. Garafulic, who is based in Miami, pointed out that Chile is engaged in about $5 billion a year of trade with South Florida seaports and airports…

Smiths Detection: Next-Gen Container Scanning Tech

Innovative new ontainer scanning technology is being developed for the CORE (Consistently Optimized REsilient Secure Global Supply-Chains) European Research Project by Smiths Detection, a leader in detecting weapons, biohazards, radioactive material, narcotics and contraband. Smiths Detection is designing both hardware and software for the next generation of container scanners, which will speed-up throughput and improve detection. The aim is to verify as quickly and accurately as possible whether a container holds only its declared legal cargo and is not harboring contraband…

Optimarin, Goltens Ink Spare Parts and Service Deal

Optimarin informs it has signed an agreement with Goltens Green Technologies giving the Norwegian-headquartered ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist a global network of spare parts warehousing and service engineers. The framework agreement, negotiated at this month’s Nor-Shipping, will enable Optimarin to use facilities in Asia, North America and the Middle East to provide its worldwide customer base with local lead times for the commissioning and maintenance of its market proven Optimarin Ballast System (OBS). “We know Goltens very well,” said Optimarin CEO, Tore Andersen.

Sinochem, Seagull Enter Training Collaboration

Sinochem Shipping Co.Ltd. has signed a long-term agreement with Seagull Maritime to deliver earning on board its entire fleet of chemical tankers. Sinochem will start with a selected library of e-learning modules and reflective learning films for their fleet, several of which will be delivered with Chinese translation and subtitles. “It is a known fact that our focus on language translations over the past years will help us tie even stronger bonds in the Asian regions” says Mr Lim Soo Hock, Managing Director Seagull Maritime Information Technology, Singapore.

World’s Biggest Containership Eases into Felixstowe

The Madrid Maersk, the latest in a long line of record-breaking containerships, arrived on June 6, 2017 at the Port of Felixstowe’s newest quay, its first port of call in Northern Europe on its maiden voyage. As the world’s current biggest containership (weighing in at 214,286 metric tons, and a massive 399 meters long, with a beam of 58.6m), the Madrid Maersk is expected to set a record for carrying the maximum number of standard-sized containers (TEU) on its return leg to Asia.

ABS Expands Greek Presence

Classification society ABS unveiled its Global Ship Systems Center and announced the formation of its Hellenic Technical Committee in Athens. “This cutting-edge facility brings together industry-recognized technical leaders to support clients throughout the entire lifecycle of their assets,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. Through a systems-based approach, the Global Ship Systems Center addresses the increasing complexity of mechanical and cyber-enabled systems onboard vessels.

ABS Hosts Industry Leaders in Athens

ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, held its annual Hellenic National Committee meeting in Athens, Greece in June. “As the recognized classification leader in Greece, we bring together the best and brightest industry leaders for transparent, robust and engaging conversation related to key industry issues,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. The committee meeting provides a forum for ABS Members…

V.Group Aims to Simplify Organization Structure

V.Group has announced plans for a new simpler organization structure, which it said aims to make customers the focus of decision making and to set new standards in ship management and marine services performance. As part of the changes, V.Group’s regional technical operations will report directly to the CEO, and regional operations will be supported by a number of specialist functions. According to V.Group, the new structure will eliminate unnecessary reporting layers, clearly define accountability and enable increased investment in group-wide talent development, systems and technologies.

CMA CGM Slashes CO2 Emissions 4% in 2016

CMA CGM Group said it has reduced its CO2 emissions per container transported by 4 percent in 2016. In 2016, the Group has succeeded in reducing its carbon emissions in line with its 2025 targets. The CMA CGM Group intends to reduce its CO2 emissions per transported container by 30 percent by 2025. CMA CGM had already improved its performance per transported container per kilometer by 50 percent between 2005 and 2015. Operational optimization of the fleet thanks to the work of the exports of CMA CGM Fleet Navigation and Support Center.

Descartes Acquires PCSTrac Business

Descartes Systems Group said it has acquired the assets of Philadelphia based PCSTrac, Inc., including certain related assets of Progressive Computer Services Inc. dba PCS Technologies. U.S.-based PCSTrac helps specialty retailers and logistics service providers collaborate to improve carton-level visibility for shipments from distribution centers (DCs) to stores. PCSTrac’s solutions provide visibility and insight into the store replenishment supply chain, helping increase sales, enhance loss prevention, and improve inventory control.

Ecuador to Eliminate Surcharge on Imports in June

Ecuador's new government on Wednesday said it would keep a promise to eliminate surcharges in June that had been applied to a third of all imports, a move likely to increase imports and consumption but hurt the balance sheet. Former president Rafael Correa imposed the surcharges, which come on top of tariffs, in 2015 in an attempt to protect Ecuador's oil-reliant economy, but his government last year established a schedule to unwind them by mid-2017. His successor and fellow leftist Lenin Moreno confirmed the surcharges would be eliminated on June 1…

Evoqua Revamps SeaCURE BWM System

Using the same approved electrochlorination technology, Evoqua Water Technologies has remodeled its SeaCURE ballast water management system to provide optimum high flow rate performance from what is now one of the smallest electrochlorination system on the market. Introduced during the Nor-Shipping 2017 exhibition and conference, in Lillestrøme, Norway, the next generation SeaCURE System is a skid-mounted, plug-in-and-play ballast water treatment system that is 76 percent smaller and 85 percent lighter than earlier generations of the system.

Tsuneishi Says Built 45 Ships Last Year

Japan's Tsuneishi Holdings Corporation said that its  shipbuilding business output was nearly flat with the construction of 45 ships in the fiscal year ending December 2016. However, ship orders declined markedly due to the impact of last-minute orders before environmental regulations went into effect in 2015. "Our shipping business, affected by the dry bulk market downturn, recorded sales of 26.9 billion yen, a YOY decline of 5.7 billion yen (-17%)," says a company statement.

New Real-time Maritime Tracking Service

exactEarth Ltd , provider of Satellite AIS data services announces the launch of exactView RT powered by Harris (exactView RT) – the world’s first global, persistent real-time Satellite AIS service. This capability is expected to enable a wide variety of new service capabilities for the global maritime community and to contribute strongly over the next 20 years to the improvement of maritime safety, commerce, navigation, environmental management and security. exactView RT consists of a system of more than 60 maritime satellite payloads…

JLT Mobile Computers Provide Rugged IT Solutions

JLT Mobile Computers will be showcasing its Navis-ready validated rugged computers. Designed from the ground up to deliver optimum operational capabilities in demanding applications, the JLT computers leverage the latest industrial components to offer leading performance. Thanks to their rugged construction and proven reliability they deliver long operational life, even in tough environmental conditions and from the hottest to the coldest temperatures. Of particular interest to…

Fjellstrand's Rolls Out Environmental Ferry

Norwegian ship yard Fjellstrand AS has signed a contract with Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1 for the building of a new ZeroCatTM 120 car ferry. Fjellstrand was also responsible for building the car ferry MF Ampere which wrote history in 2015 as the world’s first full electrical ferry. The yard had a central position in the introduction of new battery technology in the ferry market. The new ferry is a further development of the MF Ampere and will be equipped for higher speed and longer range.

DNV GL Focus on Digitalization at Nor-Shipping

DNV GL held it’s traditional press conference at the Nor-Shipping trade fair today. This year, the event took place on the Vision of the Fjords, a DNV GL-classed carbon fiber hybrid ferry. The content showcased DNV GL’s innovative vision, with attendees taking part in a virtual reality (VR) presentation, which showed how DNV GL is pushing ahead with a digital transformation to improve the quality and efficiency of its services, as well as the emerging solutions which will take class into the future.

Protest Holding Back Cargo from Buenaventura Port

A protest by residents in the Colombian Pacific port city of Buenaventura has prevented the shipment of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of cargo, the government said on Wednesday, adding that officials are negotiating with community leaders. Residents are demanding more funding for the violent and poverty-stricken city, which has about 415,000 residents, many of whom lack basics like running water. The week-long protest has blocked roads, preventing the arrival of coffee and other goods to ports, and sparking looting at supermarkets last weekend.

NorSea, Kongsberg Establish Digital Collaboration

A new company set up by NorSea Group to simplify logistics through digital technology, NSG Digital, has established a collaborative agreement with the Kongsberg Group. The two are now moving the development and deployment of their new product, NSG E2E, to Kongsberg’s application platform Kognifai. With its new product, NSG Digital aims to simplify and enhance visibility and information sharing in supply chains. Through digital collaboration NSG E2E (End-to-End) will make cargo logistics more efficient and transparent.

Denmark Paving Way for Digitalization

The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) has launched pilot project to examine the value of blockchain technology. When they want to register ships today, shipowners are still required to fill in and handle documents manually. With the goal of helping to promote digitalization in Blue Denmark, DMA has launched a pilot project to shed light on the long-term possibilities of digitalizing the entire ship registration process. “The Maritime Strategy Team has recommended full digitalization of, inter alia, the Register of Shipping.

Commodity Traders, Banks Face Hard Realities with Blockchain

Alistair Cross was flying high after showing in a pilot project how blockchain - the technology first developed for the crypto-currency bitcoin - could transform the old-fashioned and secretive world of commodity trading. But since the pilot ran early this year, Cross and his rivals have hit some hard realities as they try to propel their industry into the digital age at last. Word spread fast through the business when Mercuria, the Swiss-based commodities house where Cross is head of operations, successfully tested an oil trade.

MOL Rolls Out Refined PBCF

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has announced that its group company MOL Techno-Trade will start selling an upgraded version of its energy-saving Propeller Boss Cap Fins (PBCF). MOL Techno-Trade has sold more than 3,100 PBCFs to ship owners all over the world. The new type of PBCF was jointly developed by MOL, Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen), and MOL Techno-Trade. The new design enhances propeller thrust and reduces torque thanks to refinements in fin shape and height. Tests of the new…

The Time to Digitize is Now -INTTRA

In a new whitepaper -- Blueprint 2032: How Technology Transforms Ocean Container Shipping - INTTRA, the ocean container shipping industry's largest neutral electronic transaction platform, reports that the pace of technology innovation is accelerating as businesses seek new and more efficient ways to optimize. "Digitization is now a competitive necessity," said John Fay, CEO of INTTRA. "We've reached a tipping point in the global shipping industry when information technology is now the primary means for CEOs and their companies to achieve and increase long-term profitability.

Port Manatee, Guatemala Seek to Grow Trade

Port Manatee and Guatemala are seeking to build upon their relationship in the wake of a visit from a Guatemalan trade commissioner. “Port Manatee is already an important hub for Guatemalan imports and exports, and we see substantial prospects for growth in this relationship,” Dunia Miranda-Mauri, Guatemala’s Miami-based trade commissioner, said Thursday [May 18]. Already ranked among Port Manatee’s top five trade partners, Guatemala exports fresh bananas, pineapples, melons and plantains…

Container Security Devices: The Time Is Now

A look at international trade and cargo security provides a short primer on how to reduce unnecessary costs. The global market is unbelievable in size and scope, and it is expanding with global demand for goods and the growing adoption of offshore-sourcing by major U.S. and EU corporations, creating increasing demand for cargo transport in unprecedented volumes. More than 16 million maritime containers are in transit throughout the world on any given day – at sea, on rail and/or over the road.

Sen. Reed Honored for Maritime Industry Support

The Daniel K. Inouye Institute honored U.S. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island on Wednesday, May 17 for his long-standing support of the American maritime industry. Joined by dozens of maritime and Senate leaders, Sen. Reed received the Daniel K. Inouye Maritime  Guardian Award for his strong leadership and dedication to the U.S. maritime industry. Irene Hirano Inouye, widow of Sen. Inouye, presented the award to Sen. Reed, whose coastal state of Rhode Island ranks 4th per capita among all U.S. states for American maritime jobs. Sen.

NYK Introduces New Navigation Support Tool

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), the Monohakobi Technology Institute and Japan Radio have jointly developed a support tool that enables officers to better manage and share navigational information. The tool will be sold by JRC under the name “J-Marine NeCST”. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has made ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) mandatory by 2018 on international voyages by passenger vessels over 500 gross tonnage (GT) and cargo vessels over 3,000 GT.

Maersk Fluid Technology Sees SEA-Mate Order Influx

Maersk Fluid Technology (MFT) has reported a recent influx of orders for its SEA-Mate Blending-on-Board (BOB) system as confirmation of industry demand for technological solutions that enable ship operators to blend fit-for-purpose cylinder lubricant compositions on board their vessels that match actual engine operating conditions and fuel sulphur levels. The use of this type of technology can reduce cylinder oil consumption and alleviate issues such as cold corrosion and excessive cylinder wear, according to MFT.

New BLOK System Aims to Slash Empty Container Costs

A new system which treats lifting four or six empty containers as a single block using the same principles as the lifting of a six pack of beer cans has been developed to save the industry billions of dollars while also improving safety for terminals and shipping lines. The shipping container has revolutionized international freight transport and continues to account for a greater share of cargo moves every year but the handling of empty containers is a continuing problem. Repositioning…

e-Navigation Concepts Demonstrated in Singapore

The SESAME Straits project utilizes e-Navigation concepts to reduce maritime traffic congestion and hot spots, as well as improve traffic safety and efficiency. Leading up to the recent Singapore Maritime Technology Conference, the project conducted a successful demonstration in close collaboration with Maritime and Port Authority in Singapore. The SESAME Straits project (Secure, Efficient, and Safe maritime traffic Management in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore) is a 3-year joint Singapore and Norway project…

GHU: Fast ROI for Existing Bunker Port Installations

Genoil Inc, (GNOLF), the publicly traded clean technology engineering company for the petroleum industries, has announced compelling economics for the Genoil Hydroconversion Upgrader (GHU), for installations where there is existing infrastructure. The GHU can be built alongside existing refinery infrastructure in major bunkering hubs rather than incurring the costs to develop and build all new infrastructure. The GHU unit costs between $30 million and $80 million to install per one million tons per year of capacity.

Shell to Continue Philippine Mariner Training

Shell Marine has renewed its technical partnership for a further four years with the University of Cebu - Maritime Education and Training Center (UC METC). At the signing of the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were Shell Marine Executive Director Jan Toschka, University of Cebu President Atty. Augusto W. Go. Shell Marine will provide expertise in lubrication technology to the students and lecturers of the UC METC. A technical team from Shell Marine will provide training and knowledge modules through workshops and seminars at the UC METC.

Gulftainer Wins Logistics Industry Honors for TOS

Gulftainer,  privately owned independent terminal operating and logistics company whose global divisions include GT USA in North America, has won an industry award for its Marine and Container Handling (MACH) Terminal Operating System (TOS). Gulftainer received the ‘Technology Implementation of the Year’ honor at the Logistics Middle East Awards 2017 for the company’s  implementation of the terminal operating system, which marks a technology milestone for Gulftainer and the industry at large.

Elbit Bags Order to Supply Equipment to Brazil Marine Corps

Elbit Systems announced that it won a $40 million contract from the Brazilian Marines to supply advanced systems for computerization, electronic warfare, radio, and communications. The contract will be performed over a two-year period. The contract calls for the supply of cutting-edge technologies and operational capabilities, including a variety of Battle Management Systems (BMS) applications, C4I systems for artillery, latest generation of Soldier C4I suit as well as advanced EW capabilities.