U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien recently announced plans to conduct a feasibility study on whether to base U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) in American Samoa to counter “destabilizing and malign actions” by China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX: CVE) (NYSE: CVE) and Husky Energy Inc. (TSX: HSE) have announced a transaction to create a new integrated Canadian oil and natural gas company with an advantaged upstream and downstream portfolio that is expected to provide enhanced free funds flow generation and superior return opportunities for investors. 

On October 22, 2020, the hull of the ‘National Geographic Resolution’, a polar expedition cruise vessel for Lindblad Expeditions, arrived at the Ulstein Verft shipyard in Norway. Comprehensive outfitting work will now commence.

For the time being, expedition cruising is on hold, due to the worldwide Covid-19 situation. The ‘National Geographic Resolution’ is still planned for delivery in 2021. 

The hull will be transferred to the yard’s dock hall, where insulation work, electrical installations and hotel outfitting will commence. All major equipment including engines and thrusters were installed in Poland Quayside at Ulstein Verft is currently also her sister vessel, the ‘National Geographic Endurance’, which was delivered in March this year and will make her inaugural voyage when Lindblad reactivates travel. 

Different in looks and behavior

Cruise enthusiasts around the world are following these two projects eagerly. The looks are very different from other cruise vessels, the X-BOW hull being a very visible design feature, originally developed for offshore vessels operating in the roughest areas of the world. The X-BOW is ploughing through the waves, reducing slamming and the vibrations caused by the sea, and thereby increasing the on-board comfort. The ‘Resolution’ is optimized for low impact on the nature. A smoother ride leads to reduced fuel consumption and thereby a decrease in harmful local emissions.

Another aspect with the X-BOW® is the unobstructed view which enables optimal wildlife observations. The design enables forward and straight down-the sides viewing.

The ‘Resolution’ offers much space for the passengers to give them the expedition of their lives. The vessel measures 124.4 meters and has accommodation for only 126 guests. The 69 spacious guest cabins and suites will include 12 cabins for solo travelers.

The ship will afford gracious comfort and an unparalleled level of service, with the highest comfort class for guests to ensure a quiet and peaceful environment onboard. The spa and fitness area will include treatment rooms, saunas, a fitness room, a relaxation area and yoga room; and there will be two infinity hot pools for the utmost relaxation in pristine environments. Dining offerings include a main restaurant with outstanding views to the surroundings, and an outdoor barbeque and bistro area.

The ‘National Geographic Resolution’. Credit: Oclin/Ulstein

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. is an expedition travel company that works in partnership with National Geographic to inspire people to explore and care about the planet. The organizations work in tandem to produce innovative marine expedition programs and to promote conservation and sustainable tourism around the world. The partnership’s educationally oriented voyages allow guests to interact with and learn from leading scientists, naturalists and researchers while discovering stunning natural environments, above and below the sea, through state-of-the-art exploration tools. In 2019 Lindblad became a carbon neutral company, offsetting the carbon emissions of their fleet, employee travel worldwide, offices in New York and Seattle, all land-based operations, and beyond.

ULSTEIN is headquartered in Ulsteinvik, Norway, delivering products and services within ship design, shipbuilding and equipment packages to the international market. For more than 100 years they have created tomorrow’s solutions for sustainable marine operations together with their partners. Since its introduction in 2005, more than 100 X-BOW® vessel designs have been delivered from Ulstein Group. 

Maersk Drilling has been awarded a three-well contract from Total E&P Angola for the 7^th generation drillship Maersk Voyager which will be employed to drill development wells in Angola’s Block 17.

Leading naval architecture and marine engineering company Foreship Ltd confirms that draught surveys employing drones improve the accuracy of readings as well as the speed and safety of the survey process. Following successful trials, Foreship has added the method to its service offering.

The Business Network for Offshore Wind has published its Transmission White Paper, which outlines transmission planning policy options needed to support the sustained growth of the U.S. offshore wind industry.

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has received a significant order for delivery of the mission-critical system to be installed on the OHT offshore wind foundation installation vessel, Alfa Lift, being built at the China Merchants Heavy Industry shipyard in Jiangsu, China.

Leading international shipping insurer North P&I Club has launched a new marine risk awareness solution, hosted on its market leading interactive MyGlobeView digital platform.

Fugro in the US has been granted the President’s ‘E’ Award for Exports from the US Department of Commerce.

The seismic consortium comprising PGS, TGS and WesternGeco have been awarded a multi-year contract by PETRONAS through competitive bidding to acquire and process up to 105,000 square kilometers of multi-sensor MultiClient 3D data in the Sarawak Basin, offshore Malaysia.

 Executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) Lars Christian Bacher resigns from his position at Equinor ASA with effect from November 1, 2020. Bacher will remain employed with the company until May 31, 2021.

Bollinger Shipyards LLC (“Bollinger”) has delivered the USCGC CHARLES MOULTHROPE to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Florida. This is the 164th vessel Bollinger has delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard over a 35-year period and the 41^st Fast Response Cutter (“FRC”) delivered under the current program.

U.S. based Harvey Gulf Subsea Solutions has appointed two new members to its Subsea Solutions Team, Brad Brister and Mark Scott.  

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has published API Specification 2C and Recommended Practices (RP) 2D and 2D-2, a suite of standards developed to support proper construction, safe operation and maintenance of offshore pedestal-mounted cranes for natural gas and oil platforms, as well as training for offshore crane operators. 

A comprehensive Rystad Energy analysis of oil production costs has revealed that the average breakeven price for all unsanctioned projects has dropped to around $50 per barrel, down around 10% over the last two years, and 35% since 2014.

Reuters Events announces that CEO’s of two of the world’s leading energy service companies, Halliburton and Baker Hughes, will join the speaker faculties for their flagship Energy Transition Summit.