Long range patrol vessel one of nine for Royal Bahamas Defense Force

The first Damen Stan Patrol 3007 has arrived at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem in the Netherlands for outfitting. The vessel is one of nine that the Royal Bahamas Defense Force has ordered from Damen Shipyards. The order features four Stan Patrol 4207 vessels, one RoRo 5612 and a further three Stan Patrol 3007 vessels.

Damen has designed the Stan Patrol 3007 with the client's requirements in mind. Robin van der Zon, Project Manager at Damen Shipyards Group explains: "These patrol vessels will prevent smuggling and people trafficking, so it's vital they can quickly reach places other vessels cannot. For that reason we have developed the Stan Patrol 3007 to reach up to 24 knots with shallow draught." Even at the highest speeds, Damen's Sea Axe hull design will ensure excellent efficiency and sea keeping.

The vessel design also features a recess in the aft ship to accommodate a rigid inflatable boat (RIB), with high-speed capabilities. "The RIB design is also new," Mr Van der Zon says. "It features a water jet, a new engine system and a propulsion arrangement designed for optimal performance and reliability. She will be able to make speeds over 30 knots."

Damen has designed the Stan Patrol 3007 to remain at sea for up to one week at a time. To meet that requirement, they have provided on board accommodation for a crew of 13, as well as a pantry and mess room. "Over a period of approximately 15 weeks, we will install on board all machinery, electrical installations, HVAC, navigational equipment, insulation and carpentry," states Mr Van der Zon.

"After launching, sea trials and extensive testing will follow a commissioning period of approximately 5 weeks and the first Stan Patrol 3007 should be delivered in week 26 of 2015. After delivery, the crew of the vessel will undergo training in the Netherlands, before the vessel is shipped to the Bahamas," says Mr Van der Zon.

Ceona, SURF contractor with heavy subsea construction capabilities, has bolstered its pioneering fleet of next generation vessels with the christening of its flagship asset, the Ceona Amazon, which has been delivered in less than two years of the letter of intent (LOI) for its construction being signed.

The game-changing Ceona Amazon has been internally designed at Ceona and purpose built to perform in multiple pipelay and operational modes. She also features a large storage capacity and heavy subsea construction capability with her versatility setting her apart as a deepwater field development asset.

Ceona Amazon 2 - Ceona Amazon at sea trials in Bremerhaven, Germany, 24th November 2014

Shipbuilding specialist Lloyd Werft successfully delivered the Ceona Amazon on schedule in Bremerhaven where the vessel was officially christened yesterday (Wednesday, December 3) by her Godmother, Mrs Cynthia Huber from Houston, Texas.

Lloyd Werft delivered the Ceona Amazon within time and budget, and the vessel has also successfully undergone sea trials ahead of schedule.

Steve Preston, chief executive officer at Ceona, which has expanded its geographic footprint in West Africa, praised the teams involved in executing the Ceona Amazon development to the highest level: "Lloyd Werft has completed the vessel build and outfitting in just under two years of the LOI and to an extremely high quality. This is a stunning achievement by industry standards and a testament to their expertise and ability."

"I would also like to pay tribute to all our engineers and managers at Ceona who developed the concept for the Ceona Amazon design in-house, and have shown complete dedication to ensuring the building of a ground-breaking field development vessel in record time. This achievement underlines Ceona's vision for bringing new, cost-effective subsea services to oil & gas operators from small to medium-sized independents, national and international oil companies."

Rüdiger Pallentin, chairman of the Board of Lloyd Werft, added: "The Ceona Amazon is a masterpiece of shipbuilding, built by experts for experts with team-playing site teams from both Ceona and Lloyd Werft. We are proud and happy to deliver the flagship of Ceona's fleet."

Following her christening, the Ceona Amazon will transfer to Huisman yard in Schiedam, The Netherlands, where she will ultimately be equipped with a 570 tonne multi-lay pipe tower and two heavy duty 400 tonne offshore cranes – all of which have already been built by Huisman, a global leader in lifting, drilling and subsea solutions, and are ready to be installed.

The innovative G-lay pipelay system, developed and patented by Ceona, features an inclinable lay spread with a top tension of 570 tonnes and a rigid firing line system. It combines the offshore assembly of rigid pipe joints along a traditional firing line, then plastic bending of the pipe through a route similar to that of a reel-lay vessel, completed by a vertical exit through the moonpool (J-lay).

With capacity to carry 8,500 tonnes of pipe, the Ceona Amazon will be able to lay rigid and flexible pipelines and umbilicals, and install heavy subsea structures or floaters (TLP, semi or FPSO) using its two 400 tonne subsea cranes working in tandem.

Stuart Cameron, chief operating officer at Ceona, said: "The Amazon's completion is a significant milestone for Ceona and for its clients. As our first-owned purpose-built vessel, it is a powerful asset that can execute complex logistical projects in remote, harsh and deepwater environments in one trip.

"The vessel is ideally suited to the deeper waters of West Africa, the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil. The Amazon also brings our clients a new, cost-effective solution for their heavy subsea structure and floater installation services, via EPIC or Transportation and Installation (T&I) contracts."

He added: "After installation of the pipe-laying system and the twin 400 tonne cranes, the Amazon will be the second new vessel – after the Polar Onyx – Ceona will bring to the market on time and in less than a year. The Polar Onyx and the Normand Pacific have got significant experience in the Brazilian deepwaters for Petrobras, and for Independent, IOCs and NOCs in the Gulf of Mexico and in West Africa."

The Ceona Amazon is 199.4 metres long and 32.2 metres wide, drawing 8.0 metres with a gross tonnage of 33,000. She is due to enter service early 2015.

The vessel's outfitting at Bremerhaven followed successful floatation at Crist yard in Poland earlier this year in April before

Technip has unveiled the name for its latest newbuild Diving Support Vessel (DSV), currently being built by Vard. The state-of-the-art vessel will be known as the 'Deep Explorer'.

The high-specification vessel will be equipped with the latest technology in terms of navigation (Dynamic Positioning class 3) and will feature a 24-man saturated dive system. With her large deck area, working moonpool, work-class ROVs and a 400Te offshore crane, she will also be able to deliver diverless construction activities.

Technip's commitment to investing in the new vessel was announced in April 2014.

Following the detailed engineering and design phase, construction of the ship's hull commenced at Vard Tulcea in Romania a few months ago. On completion of the hull, the vessel will be towed to Vard Langsten in Norway for final equipment outfitting and commissioning. She is scheduled to join the Technip fleet in 2016.

Purpose-designed for the demanding requirements of the North Sea and Canadian markets, the Deep Explorer will be capable of working in extreme weather conditions. Her potential area of operations remains global.

Knut Boe, senior vice- president of Technip's North Sea Canada region, said:
"Technip has a long history in the diving industry and we are very pleased to extend our long-term commitment to diving and to the oil and gas industry with the development of this important new vessel. At delivery, the Deep Explorer will be the most advanced DSV in the world."

A cutting-edge communication solution developed by Kongsberg Seatex for the marine seismic sector is set to be a highlight at SEG Denver 2014 (the Society of Exploration Geophysicists Annual Meeting) on 26-31 October (Booth #2414). The KONGSBERG MBR system enables high speed, high capacity and extremely robust data, voice and video transfer between multiple vessels and other assets. The KONGSBERG MBR is set to revolutionise inter-vessel communication in the seismic industry, where the capability to quickly and reliably transfer data is a significant operational advantage.

The MBR system is a maritime radio network distribution system operating in the 5GHz band and has demonstrated stable, high capacity communication in a maritime environment, handling close by vessel operations, platform obstructions and distances in excess of 50km.

Operating as a maritime 'Information Highway', MBR connects crews and their vessels with a high-speed and high capacity digital communication channel with 'Fast Track' priority options. Optimised to securely carry a diverse array of operational information (from real-time video streams to system data), MBR allows remotely situated teams to work together seamlessly, co-ordinating systems and activities for optimal performance, safety and operational success.

A seismic vessel needs to communicate with its workboat for safety and operational reasons and MBR will provide a link to HD video cameras and other sources for everyday use. Large wide- and multi-azimuth operations will also benefit from the robust broadband communication channel. Unlike satellite, Wi-Fi, or mobile network platforms, MBR requires no extra infrastructure or equipment beyond the units on participating vessels/assets. This makes it a simple to use and maintain solution for enhancing overall project efficiency in seismic operations.

"All Marine Seismic Operations are in reality multi vessel operations and require reliable communication. MBR represents a quantum leap in reliability for this type of communication and we believe that users will experience a whole new performance level enabling them to benefit from safer and more efficient operations," said Gard Ueland, President of Kongsberg Seatex. "KONGSBERG is continuously developing its core technologies and the highly sophisticated MBR technology is an excellent example of this innovation process."

LQT Industries, LLC, a full-service provider of high quality accommodation facilities, design-build construction services, and support services to the oil and gas industry, has been awarded a contract for the construction of ten (10) modular units that will be utilized onboard a commercial vessel.

The outfitting will consist of both hardcore and softcore wall systems to increase the comfort and aesthetics of the buildings. Several of the modules will be constructed to tie together and open to one another creating larger rooms and interconnecting corridors. These modules will be built to USCG and ABS Class standards. The project is scheduled to be completed and delivered in March of 2015.

LQT had to compete against an international backdrop of suppliers. The customer stated, "It was LQT's engineering expertise and experience coupled with the ability to deliver in a short timeframe that helped secure the order."

Construction will take place at LQT's Construction Facility in Abbeville, LA, which specializes in designing and fabricating various types of modular structures including MCC buildings, accommodation buildings, and subarctic facilities. LQT has recently completed the expansion of their Abbeville facility to include a larger indoor fabrication area to accommodate additional projects.

LM Handling, an Acteon company, has provided handling expertise and equipment to support Acteon sister company, InterMoor, in the successful mooring installation of a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit for the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) operated Enping 24-2 oilfield in the South China Sea.

With LM Handling's lifting and handling expertise and equipment, a 12-pile anchor mooring system, consisting of three clusters of four mooring lines, was installed.

LM Handling provided its StabFrame-S in its extended configuration, pre-loaded with additional ballast to achieve a stable and safe install for the long mooring piles, and 84 and 60 in. internal lift tools. With a customised set of handling equipment, which enabled pile upending on the seabed, InterMoor was able to use a relatively lightweight construction vessel to install the piles quickly, efficiently and safely.

This mooring project represents LM Handling's first project in Chinese waters and second project for the StabFrame-S, which was specifically designed for lightweight South East Asia vessels. It is the fourth successful FPSO mooring project for LM Handling.

Robin van der Bij, managing director at LM Handling, said, "The Enping project has been a positive demonstration of how company collaboration can overcome difficult challenges and secure the smooth delivery of a project. It also means a fourth successful FPSO mooring installation for the StabFrame, which guides the piles into the location and stabilises them to assist with penetration."

InterMoor led the project, bringing together specialist services from Acteon group companies, including MENCK for the piling spread and newly acquired UTEC Survey for the data requirements.

Enping 24-2 oilfield is in the Pearl River Mouth basin of the South China Sea, which has water depths between 86 and 96 m. The main production facilities include a drilling and production platform, an FPSO and 17 producing wells. CNOOC has announced that two wells are producing approximately 8,000 bbls/d of crude oil. The project is expected to reach peak production of 40,000 bbls/d in 2017.

L-3 SAM Electronics announces that it has been awarded a significant contract to provide the complete electrical package, including cable engineering and installation, energy distribution, propulsion, lighting and infotainment systems, as well as internal and external communications systems, for two offshore supply vessels for the Norwegian shipowner, Siem Offshore. Built by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), located in northern Germany, the 155-meter-long and 31-meter-wide ships are due to be delivered in February and July 2016.

The vessels comply with the MODU Code as well as the Ship-Shaped Well Intervention 2 classification and are already planned to be chartered by Helix Energy Solutions, a worldwide leading service company in the offshore market, servicing Brazilian offshore platforms and drilling sites.

"We are extremely proud to work with FSG and Siem Offshore on the two new state-of-the-art offshore supply vessels," said Ulrich Weinreuter, president of L-3 Marine Systems International. "Following the successful recent completion of several comparable vessel installation projects, this award affords us yet another opportunity to demonstrate our range of specialized systems and expertise in supporting the global offshore shipping and platform industry."

L-3's propulsion solution offers four asynchronous motors for main propulsion, five tunnel thruster drives and two retractable thruster drives, each driven by an asynchronous motor and speed-controlled, low-voltage PWM converter, providing a combined total of roughly 30 MW of propulsion power. For power generation of the four high-voltage 6,6 kV switchboards, eight diesel alternators and motors will be installed. Power distribution will then be completed by 10 L-3 transformers for onboard low-voltage mains supply.

L-3 SAM Electronics will also deliver a specially designed multifunction IT network that is the basis for the VoIP telephones and base stations used for DECT telephony, IP TV distribution and the IP CCTV camera system. The assembly includes a high-precision clock facility with NTP server functionality.

The communications systems for offshore and nautical requirements will be supported by L-3's two talk-back systems, the sound-powered telephones and the digital UHF communications systems, as well as a comprehensive range of GMDSS equipment. In accordance with class requirements, a public address and general alarm system will be included, as well as a fire and gas detection system for safety. Another scope of L-3 Sam Electronics' supply comprises the complete lighting system.

The contract is the latest in a series of major turnkey projects undertaken by L-3 SAM Electronics on behalf of leading operators in the offshore market. Other recent ventures include outfitting of the heavy-lift jack-up crane vessels, Innovation and Vidar, and Ceona Amazon, a pipelay and construction vessel.

The name of this new BOURBON vessel says it all: scheduled for delivery in early 2016 from the Vard shipyard.

This AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply) was specially designed for operations in polar waters, and more specifically in arctic zones, where we know that there is a huge potential for development.

BOURBON is therefore adjusting its range of services to meet the requirements of clients and the changing offshore market.

With a length of 93.60 m, a bollard pull of 280 t and deck equipment supplied by Rolls-Royce (winches, cranes, etc.), the Bourbon Arctic will be in a position to perform anchor handling and towing operations for oil rigs located even in the remotes oil fields. With its design suited to extreme weather conditions and a reinforced hull classed Ice-1A, this vessel will be set to operate in even the most demanding situations.

http://www.bourbonoffshore.com/en/services-and-fleet/marine-services/offshore-anchor-handling-towing-and-positioning-our-expertise

Upon delivery, it will be ranked as the most powerful vessel in the BOURBON fleet. BOURBON thus adapts its services to market developments and clients' needs. "The development of our fleet has always been closely tied to our anchor handling services" explains Rodolphe Bouchet, Vice President Business Management Marine Services. "As a generalist, we need to have very large capacity vessels in our fleet, for operations of a very complex type. With its technical specifications suited to the deep offshore market, the Bourbon Arctic will allow us to complement our range of services."

The ship manager of this new-generation AHTS will be Bourbon Offshore Norway, which is already responsible for the 2 most powerful AHTS in the group's fleet, the Bourbon Surf and the Bourbon Borgstein.

Technical Specifications:
Length: 93.60 m
Width: 24 m
Cargo deck area: 780 m2
Bollard pull: 280 t
Hybrid propulsion: 2 main engines and 3 gensets
Full speed: 17 knot
Accommodations capacity: 60 passengers

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG), a leading naval architecture and marine engineering firm with offices in Seattle and Ketchikan, recently announced the delivery into service of the CAPE HORN, a Specialty Oilfield Vessel that it designed. EBDG partnered with Gulf of Mexico Operator SeaMar, LLC and Gulf Island Marine Fabricators on the class design and production engineering for the ship.

"We would like to congratulate our valued client, Darrel Plaisance of SeaMar, LLC on the delivery of their EB-220CC and the shipyard on a fine build," stated Gulf Coast General Manager, Keith Keller.

The design of the CAPE HORN was developed from concept to production in EBDG's Gulf Coast office and features an innovative tank farm unique to Specialty Design Oilfield Vessels. EBDG provided full design services including structural, mechanical, piping and outfitting design, and served as the primary point of contact for all regulatory body requests for information.

EBDG credits great teamwork, communication and project management expertise for the successful journey of the CAPE HORN from design to delivery and looks forward to a continued relationship with SeaMar, LLC and delivering its next vessel, the CAPE COD, into service.

Shin Yang Shipyard of Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia has delivered the sister ships MV Anis and MV Alya (photo). Designed by Wartsila Ship Design Singapore, the 83.8-meter (275-foot) maintenance and work boats have massive capacities.

Photos courtesy of Cummins Malaysia

Accommodation is provided for up to 199 people. Tankage is provided for 800 cubic meters of fuel and 900 m3 of water. The vessels each have two 50 m3 per day water-makers. Additionally there is tankage for 80 m3 of urea, 20 m3 of sludge, and 10 m3 of lube oil. There is 700 square meters of open deck cargo space.

For propulsion, each vessel is fitted with a pair of Cummins QSK60M engines each delivering 2200 HP at 1800 RPM. The engines turn four-blade 2000-m/m fix-pitch propellers through Twin Disc MG5600 marine gears with 5.04:1 rations.

Main gensets are three Cat-powered 590eKW, 50 HZ each. The emergency genset is a Cummins NTA855D(M) powered and rated at 245eKW. The ABS-classed vessel is equipped with a ten-ton electric drive bow thruster as well as three 75 cubic meters per hour at a 70-meter head fire pumps. To aid in her offshore work there is a 45-ton deck pedestal mounted deck crane. The Anis and Alya are also fitted with 50-ton four-point mooring systems.

Harvey Gulf International Marine, a major supplier of marine transportation that specializes in providing offshore supply and multi-purpose support vessels for deepwater operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, recently deployed Advanced Logistics' marine management system, SAMM, and preventative maintenance module, Preventer, on its fleet of marine transportation vessels.

Advanced Logistics is a leading provider of offshore marine and logistics management software. The software allows a vessel to generate numerous operational reports onboard and transmit the data to shore in a real time environment. The technology includes electronic logs, safety and crew management, commodity tracking, fuel and lube management, GPS mapping, preventative maintenance and much more coupled with an interactive web based interface for easy access to data.

"We are excited to invest in Advanced Logistics' software. We realize the importance of technology in our business and value the efficiencies it provides to our operations and clients," said Barry Autin, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Harvey Gulf.

"Advanced Logistics is pleased to have Harvey Gulf embrace our technology," said Jeffery Svendson, Advanced Logistics president and CEO. "We are seeing additional clients gravitate toward our marine applications and we expect more industry leaders to do the same. Our real time technology will enable Harvey Gulf to improve the way they manage their billing, crew, safety, equipment maintenance and regulatory compliance."

New Sea Axe design: a 40-metre Fast Crew Supplier

Naviera Integral of Mexico is the launching customer of Damen's new Sea Axe Fast Crew Supply vessel, the FCS 4008. President of Naviera Integral, Juan Pablo Vega is pictured at the official signing ceremony for the two Damen FCS 4008 vessels at the Offshore Energy Exhibition in Amsterdam.

A leading company in offshore transport and supply services with a fleet of 35 vessels, Naviera Integral has already been a customer of Damen since the late nineties, operating more than 20 Damen vessels. The Mexican company was also a pioneer of the Damen flagship Axe Bow vessel, the 5009.

Mr Vega explains: "We choose to invest in Damen vessels because of their quality and this is combined with a very good delivery time, plus Damen provides excellent after sales services and offers creative solutions for financing."

100 passengers
Damen and Naviera Integral have worked very closely on developing the new FCS 4008, which is mainly focused on passenger transport rather than a combination of passengers and cargo. "Naviera Integral is having an increasing focus on passenger transportation and this new 42m vessel has capacity for 100 people."

Naviera Integral's vast experience of operating the Sea Axe 5009 in the Gulf of Mexico has been taken on board with the design of the new FCS 4008, with any suggestions for improvements incorporated in the new FCS type. The vessel combines a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure, which allows the vessel to combine strength with speed.

"Damen Sea Axe vessels have excellent seakeeping characteristics and our client PEMEX sees the benefits of this. The vessels are much more comfortable for the crew and they arrive in better shape to carry out their work. The FCS 4008 is also very fuel efficient, consuming at least 10% less than conventional vessels, which is an important consideration," Mr Vega says.

Naviera Integral's two new vessels are due for delivery in 2016. Mr Vega adds: "We see many opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico given the energy reform, therefore we see these investments as preparing for the future. And we look forward to working with Damen."

Leading classification society ClassNK (Chairman and President: Noboru Ueda) has granted approval to the design of the new 28AHX-DF dual-fuel engine developed by Niigata Power Systems Co., Ltd. The new engine is slated to be used as the main engine on a new LNG-fueled tugboat being built by Keihin Dock Co., Ltd. for NYK Line. The vessel will be Japan's first LNG fueled vessel, excluding LNG carriers.

New regulations for Emission Control Areas (ECA), including new stricter limits on sulfur emissions as well as the IMO's Tier III NOx emission limits, are driving demand for new engine and emission control technologies. The high costs associated with low sulfur fuels, and the increasing availability of LNG is driving both vessel owners and machinery manufacturers to consider the use of LNG as a vessel fuel.

Niigata's 28AHX-DF is a medium-speed duel-fuel engine with a maximum rated power per cylinder of 320kW and was developed for use primarily in offshore support vessels and tugboats. The engine, which operates on both diesel fuel and LNG, will meet the strict 0.1% sulfur emissions regulations in the ECA that are set to go into effect in 2015, as well as comply with the IMO's stringent Tier III NOx emission requirements. Technologies used in the new engine were developed with the support of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation & Tourism (MLIT), as well as ClassNK as part of the society's Joint R&D for Industry Program.

Mr. Yukihisa Shibata, General Manager of ClassNK's Machinery Department said: "The demand for dual-fuel engines is increasing as IMO restrictions tighten and the industry recognizes the importance of environmental accountability. Supporting the development of such low-emission engines is one way we can help ship operators and manufacturers practically address the challenges of these new regulations, and encourage the wide spread use of this new technology

Oman Shipping Company (OSC) has taken delivery of one of the world's most advanced fuel efficient LNG carriers – the Adam LNG.

The 162,000 cubic meters capacity vessel was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in Ulsan South Korea. It will operate worldwide with 25 crew including four Omani cadets.

OSC Acting Chief Executive Officer, Tarik Al Junaidi (left), said the Adam LNG is a powerful demonstration of the Muscat-based company's 'driving commitment to constant innovation' in its fleet which now numbers 43 vessels and is one of the biggest in the Gulf (see factfile). He said the Adam LNG will be offered on the 'open market' to oil and gas companies worldwide.

"This state-of-the-art LNGC offers considerable benefits to customers," he said. "Its innovations mean it is exceptionally fuel efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly. We have listened to industry and we understand this is what customers want. Our core activity is oil and gas transportation.

The delivery of the Adam LNG, together with the ordering of 11 medium range products tankers, reflects our ambition to grow not only in Oman, and the Middle East, but also worldwide. The arrival of the Adam LNG sees us redouble our efforts to promote our fleet, which is now among the best managed, most advanced, fuel efficient, cost effective, diverse and eco-efficient in the world."

Mr Al Junaidi said key innovations on the Adam LNG included its propulsion system and the design of its aft hull form.
"To slash harmful emissions we have deployed the latest Dual Fuel Diesel Electric (DFDE) technology," he said. "This enables the engine to operate on the lean-burn principle which increases engine efficiency and reduces peak temperatures which cuts Nitrogen Oxide emissions. In addition the ship has been coated with a new low friction paint which reduces fuel consumption by improving the sailing efficiency of the vessel. It does this by reducing the friction resistance of the hull. Furthermore, the design of the aft body hull forms a shape to improve wake pattern and increase propeller efficiency."

OSC chief operating officer David Stockley said another prime benefit OSC can offer customers is in-house management through Oman Ship Management Company (OSMC), a fully-owned subsidiary of OSC. He said the Adam LNG will be managed by OSMC.

"OSMC is a fundamental part of OSC and is growing fast," he said. "In the last year the number of vessels OSMC is managing has increased from 20 to 27 and these include VLCCs, VLOCs, LNG carriers, LPG carriers, product tankers and multi-purpose vessels. OSMC remains absolutely committed to, and passionate about, maintaining the highest international standards of safety, environmental responsibility, quality and cost efficiency. We have still not suffered a lost time accident since we started keeping records in 2009. Moreover, we are rated a 'better operator' by the Tanker Management Self Assessment (TMSA) program. We believe OSMC offers customers a dedicated personal service at great value underpinned by experience and expertise."

Mr Junaidi said a key dimension to OSC's growth plans is the development of the Port of Duqm on the South West coast of the Arabian Sea.

Crowley Maritime Corporation's petroleum services group announces that is has sold two Jones Act tankers, the Pennsylvania and Florida, to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: KMP). Crowley will continue to manage the vessels with no changes in crewing or operations. The tankers have been under long term charter transporting gasoline, jet fuel, diesel and crude oil since being placed into service in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

"This transaction helps Crowley maintain a healthy balance in our capital program," said Tom Crowley, chairman and CEO. "We have invested more than $1.5 billion in new, U.S.-built tank vessels in recent years, giving us a fleet of 17 articulated tug barges (ATBs) and four new 330,000 barrel tankers being delivered in 2015 and 2016. We are committed to continuing to provide safe and reliable petroleum transportation to our customers."

Under the new ship management agreement with Kinder Morgan for the Pennsylvania and Florida, Crowley will continue to utilize sailors from the American Maritime Officers Union and Seafarers International Union, who have safely operated these tankers since their inception. The company's ship management group provides worldwide technical management, operating ships for others as if they belonged to Crowley.

"Kinder Morgan's continued expansion into the Jones Act tanker market demonstrates our commitment to provide customers with a variety of safe and efficient means to store and transport crude, petroleum products and chemicals," said John Schlosser, president of KMP's Terminals segment. "We are delighted to expand our relationship with Crowley, a premier provider of marine transportation services."

Willard Marine, Inc. (WMI), a leading manufacturer of composite and aluminum boats for more than 50 years, has been selected through a competitive solicitation process to supply a demonstration model of a new, advanced combatant craft for the U.S. Navy under an SBIR contract modification awarded to Structural Composites, Inc.

Under the contract, WMI will design, construct and test a fleet-ready version of an advanced combatant craft incorporating foam/fiberglass extrusion technology developed by Structural Composites. The boat will be based on WMI's standard U.S. Navy MK 3 RIB with a lightweight Steyr diesel engine and sterndrive propulsion.

The new, framed construction technique will eliminate the need for a traditional foam-core and fiberglass sandwich hull, resulting in a substantial reduction in overall boat weight with no sacrifice in strength and durability. The deck frames will not be connected directly to the hull beams, providing improved shock mitigation when operating in rough seas. The boat will also feature Structural Composites' new Co-Cure resin and coating technology that has superior cracking resistance for demanding naval applications.

Ulrich Gottschling, president and CEO of WMI, said, "Willard Marine has built the most durable military RIBs for the U.S. Navy for more than 20 years, and we are committed to leading improvements through more innovative products, designs and production techniques. By partnering with Structural Composites on this advanced construction method, Willard Marine will potentially improve payload capacities while improving crew comfort, which are critical factors for our customers."

Scott Lewit, president of Structural Composites, said, "This contract modification from the U.S. Navy allows us to integrate our newest composite advances into the recently selected lightweight engine technology from Steyr. The combined benefits of reduced structural and engine weight offer great synergistic benefits."