The Mexican Navy (Secretaria de Marina - SEMAR) and Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group have signed contracts for three, 42-meter patrol vessels in addition to their existing fleet. All ships will be of the Damen Stan Patrol 4207 design.

This contract is again proof of the good, ongoing relationship between the Mexican Navy and Damen. The three SPa 4207 vessels, known in Mexico as the Ténochtitlan class, will be built by the Mexican Navy Yard ASTIMAR 1 in Tampico. Damen will provide the engineering, material package, technical assistance and crew training.

The vessels will be named after Mexican historical sites and are expected to be launched in 2016. With these three patrol vessels, the total number of vessels in the Ténochtitlan class will come to ten.

Damen Coastal and Offshore Patrol Vessels already operate for years in the coastal waters of the USA, Canada, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Mexico, Honduras, Cape Verde and the Netherlands.

Short videos about Stan Patrols 4207 can be viewed here.

Transas has signed a contract with Lerwick Port Authority to install a new Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to cover Lerwick Harbour, in Shetland. The new Transas system is required to replace Lerwick Harbour’s existing system.

Lerwick is a major commercial port in Britain, strategically situated at the crossroads of the North Sea and North-East Atlantic. Handling more than 5,000 vessel arrivals, totalling over 12,000,000 gross tons, annually, the deep-water port’s users include fishing, oil and gas support, cargo, sailing, ferries and cruises.

The contract signing, with Sandra Laurenson, Chief Executive, Lerwick Port Authority, and James Woodward, Area Sales Manager, Transas.

The new VMS will be based on the high-end Navi-Harbour software solution from Transas. Hardware equipment scope consists of Class A AIS Transponders, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine Vision Master radars, a Jotron VHF Communication System, Gill Meteorological sensors, general IT hardware platform and an APC Power Backup System. This will be installed across four sites covering the port’s area: the main port operations building and three remote stations (Rova Head, Maryfield and Kirkabister, monitoring the northern approaches, inner harbour and southern approaches, respectively).

As part of the project, Port Control, located in Albert Building, will be fully renovated and Transas will closely collaborate with the Authority to design a new layout for the service within this building. Transas has contracted local support from H Williamson & Sons for installation and ongoing maintenance.

As part of its comprehensive customer support program, Transas will provide the client with Operator Training Course and Maintenance Service Plan.

The Port Authority’s Deputy Harbourmaster, Captain Alexander Simpson, said: “The new system will modernize Lerwick Harbour’s monitoring system, improving real-time information available to the Controllers handling shipping movements and the navigational assistance provided by Port Control.

“The investment is another important step in our ongoing development program which is adding to the port’s capacity and competitiveness.”

The project, costing around £450,000, including the Transas contract, telecommunications and civil works, is scheduled to be fully completed and delivered by May 2016.

Caption: The contract signing, with Sandra Laurenson, Chief Executive, Lerwick Port Authority, and James Woodward, Area Sales Manager, Transas.

BMT JFA Consultants (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group, a leading international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy, recently completed the project management and supervision of the 2015 Bandy Creek Boat Harbour Dredging works. This campaign was undertaken as part of the state-wide maintenance dredging program which has been managed by BMT for the Western Australian Department of Transport (DoT).

After the adverse weather conditions that hampered production in the 2013 session, the 2015 campaign successfully dredged a total of 87,000m3 of sediments from the harbour and the entrance channel in 18 weeks against an average of 50,000m³ of sediments dredged in the previous campaigns.

Bandy Creek Boat Harbour is a regional harbour developed in 1983 near the town of Esperance, Western Australia for recreational as well as commercial use. Since the opening, the Harbour has experienced ongoing sedimentation at the entrance area, which requires regular maintenance dredging to be undertaken. With heavy swells propagating from the Southern Ocean, operations such as dredging at the entrance area are challenging and limited by windows of calm sea-state.

To cope with the swells the main contractor, CGC Dredging developed an innovative method to optimize the dredger’s operability by using stern and forward anchor’s to operate in the vicinity of the entrance. The method proved to be successful with the dredge being able to operate effectively in a wider range of conditions in the harbour entrance. As a result of increased operability, the dredge vessel was able to work in areas that were not dredged in previous sessions, such as the harbour fairway, the approach to the jinker ramp and the berths.

Karim Ghaly, DoT Program Manager from BMT JFA Consultants comments: “We are delighted to deliver such a milestone to the local community in the 2015 campaign as a result of team effort. The mariners can now enjoy full-depth access in and out of the Harbour. We look forward to implementing this innovative method in future dredging campaigns to further benefit the stakeholders.”

More than 100 Crowley Maritime Corporation-owned and -operated vessels were honored with Certificates of Environmental Achievement for years of safe operations during the recent 12th-annual Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) awards ceremony, held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C. Each of Crowley’s honored vessels received the certificates for having worked at least two consecutive years without an environmental incident.

Each year, CSA invites all owners and operators of vessels who work on oceans or inland waterways to nominate their vessels for Environmental Achievement awards. Approximately 1,601 vessels from 42 companies, including Crowley, were recognized this year.

Together, the company’s 101 vessels have logged a combined 984 years of service without incident, a true testament to Crowley’s commitment to keeping harbors and oceans clean. Additionally, 46 of Crowley’s vessels have gone without incident for 10 or more consecutive years. These noteworthy vessels include: Kuparuk River and Kavik River, each with 45 years; and Sag River, 40 years. Crowley has been honored with Environmental Achievement Awards each year since at least 2005.

“Crowley’s No. 1 core value is safety. Not only does that include the safety of our employees, but the safety of the environment,” said Mike Golonka, vice president, government services. "These awards highlight the rigorous work of our crews, who ensure that our vessels continue to operate safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.”

Accepting the awards on behalf of Crowley were Golonka; John Bohn, captain at Crowley’s Marine Transport Lines; Wendy MacDonald, vice president, technical management; Keith Montpas, chief engineer, petroleum services; Jay Debruhl, port captain, petroleum services; Jack Andrews, technical management, and Jarrett Flynn, captain, marine services.

Crowley published a Safety in Towing Handbook two decades before the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, evidence of the company’s long history of environmental protection. This commitment has developed into a strong company culture of environmental stewardship, in which the company focuses on greener technology, more environmentally friendly operations and partnerships that help build a greener planet.

Crowley’s EcoStewardship initiatives have led to special recognition over the years from several government organizations including the U.S. Coast Guard's William Benkert Award for Environmental Excellence, Washington Department of Ecology Exceptional Compliance Program, Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force Legacy Award and the United States Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Award Designation, among others.

As of 1 January 2016 vessels are no longer able to discharge ballast in US waters unless their ballast water treatment (BWT) systems are compliant with stringent demands from the USCG. Experts believe that now, more than ever, it is imperative that shipowners make the right BWT choice.

“There’s so much confusion surrounding the issue of ballast water treatment now,” opines Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen, the head of a firm that brought the first ever commercial BWT system to market back in 2000. “The IMO Ballast Water Management (BWM) convention is close to ratification, but yet to be rubber-stamped, and meanwhile the USCG has taken the bold move to act unilaterally to protect the environment with its own regulations.

“So let’s cut through that uncertainty and state a fact: All shipowners that discharge ballast must get a BWT system, preferably an environmentally friendly one, if they want their ships to operate in the future.

“And, if they want to sail in US waters, then they must act now.”

Two standards, one answer

The fact that there are effectively two sets of regulations regarding BWT standards has muddied the waters for shipowners, making it difficult to find the solution they need.

Classification societies are well aware of this, but aren’t as keen to go on record to explain the situation. An environmental solutions expert at one of the world’s leading classification bureaus agreed to speak, but only on the condition of anonymity.

“Ballast water gets by far the most questions of any issue we deal with,” they note with a smile, “and it’s easy to understand why.

“There’s a major difference between USCG and IMO regulations. Basically this centers on standards.

“USCG judges (BWT) systems on the basis of ‘living/dead’ organisms in ballast water, whereas IMO views them in terms of ‘viable/unviable’. In other words, for USCG approval systems have to kill the organisms, while for IMO they don’t, but must ensure they don’t reproduce.

“USCG tests this using the FDA/CMFDA method, which uses a dye to identify living organisms, while the IMO does not list one specific methodology. The MPN (Most Probable Number) test is the norm here, having been used for almost 40 years, but procedures vary from laboratory to laboratory. This is an issue for USCG – it wants a simple, reliable and reproducible testing method.

“Until this is established, and there are hurdles in doing so, both with validation and law making, FDA/CMFDA will remain the USCG standard.”

For the time being USCG is temporarily accepting the use of Alternate Management System (AMS), whereby vessels with solutions that have already been approved by another flag state can discharge ballast in US waters. However, USCG approved AMS systems will only be accepted for a period of five years after the vessel’s compliance date, and, if they haven’t met the USCG’s own stringent standards by that point, will have to be changed. That burden of potential cost and uncertainty is not one today’s shipowners, operating in a climate of squeezed margins and aggressive competition, may be willing to accept. They need to be sure.

Unfortunately, the systems that many industry observers seem to prefer for their simplicity, ease of operation and environment credentials (utilizing no chemicals) are struggling with USCG approval.

“UV systems are easy to operate, don’t require chemical storage and are a good option for the industry,” opines the classification specialist. “But caution is needed.”

They explain that the majority have been made with the ‘viable’ standard in mind and therefore lack the power – “and you might require a lot more power” – to tackle the tougher FDA/CFMDA test.

“That’s where Optimarin has been smart,” they state. “They’re focusing on USCG current requirements and approval. And the first UV system to get this will have a real market advantage.”

Its technology is the first UV system to meet the USCG marine water requirements, successfully satisfying the FDA/CFMDA criteria. Further tests of remaining water salinities are scheduled for spring 2016, after which point approval is expected later in the year.

“Passing the initial tests puts us in pole position in the market for final approval and is a great endorsement of our system’s effectiveness,” comments Andersen. “Each of our system lamps has a 35kw capacity. This power instantly kills any potentially harmful invasive organisms and that’s exactly what USCG wants to see.

“We’re delighted to be leading the way in our segment - something that we put down to decades of work, sector expertise and investment.”

With 2016 now upon us, both Andersen and the regulation expert offer similar, sage advice to shipowners.

Andersen notes: “Install a system that is reliable, simple to maintain, easy to install (make sure any supplier can show a history of retrofit success) and proven within the marketplace. This is still a relatively young sector, so it pays to go with a name you can trust.”

His classification peer, meanwhile, has regulations front of mind:

“It’s simple,” they say. “The industry has to comply, so choose a system that will be compliant.”

On 23 November 2015, Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ) celebrated its first 5 years of operation. With 40 vessels delivered or under construction, the yard has proven its capability to support Qatar’s national strategy for economic diversification.

“The success of NDSQ is a credit to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, The Father Emir of Qatar, as original founder of the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma shipyard complex,” says Damen Chief Commercial Officer Arnout Damen. “On this occasion we’d like to thank the State of Qatar and our partner Nakilat, and congratulate the NDSQ team for their achievements.”

“We are proud to be delivering Damen vessels for the Hamad Port Project due to open next year, including four ASD Tugs 2913, three Stan Tugs 1606 and four Stan Pilot 1505 boats. We now also have a Letter of Intent in hand from the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces for one diving support vessel and six naval patrol boats.”

For the superyacht industry, NDSQ has one of the biggest facilities in the world for paintwork and refit with two dedicated 180-metre long fully climate-controlled covered halls. The yard is currently building two 71-metre fast diving vessels with full yacht finish, and has already performed a number of yacht refit/repair projects.

“We are proud to announce that we currently have over 9 million hours without a Lost Time Incident since the start of our operation.”

Mr Damen is also keen to highlight how NDSQ’s products contribute to Qatar’s sustainability objectives. “Damen’s designs have not only proven effective for their functions, but they are also engineered with low Total Cost of Ownership in mind. So our clients benefit from Damen’s R&D efforts into fuel efficient sustainable innovations as well as expertise in hybrid and LNG power alternatives.”

Crowley Puerto Rico Services, Inc. announces that it has broken ground on a $48.5-million construction project for a new pier at its Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The project includes the development of a new 900-foot-long, 114-foot-wide concrete pier and all associated dredging needed to accommodate Crowley’s two new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered, Commitment Class ships, which are scheduled for delivery in 2017. Crowley’s terminal expansion also includes the installation of three new ship-to-shore container gantry cranes, which will be supplied under a separate contract.

“This important project represents close collaboration between private business and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) to make a major investment in the infrastructure of Puerto Rico,” explained Jose “Pache” Ayala, Crowley vice president, Puerto Rico. “We are very pleased to be working with a Puerto Rico-based construction company that is utilizing workers on the island and keeping the money in the local economy.”

The construction contract is being executed by L.P.C. & D. Inc., of Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, which began driving the first piles for the pier last week. About 75 jobs have been created during the construction phase and about 100 new jobs will be created when the construction is completed in mid-2017 and Crowley begins service with its new ships.

“With the first pile driven, we look forward to watching the coming transformation of our terminal into the most modern and efficient port facility on the island,” said Tom Crowley, company chairman and CEO. “Our new terminal infrastructure will help us reposition Puerto Rico as a shipping and logistics hub for the Caribbean Basin and beyond, and open up many new opportunities for our customers.”

In all, Crowley is investing about $500 million in its Puerto Rico service with the construction of two new state-of-the-art ships, the new pier, three new container cranes, new truck access gates, reefer plugs, new containers and container handling equipment, and more.

“This investment, which is resulting in jobs, economic impact, a cleaner environment and significant service enhancements for Puerto Rico shippers, would not be possible without the Jones Act,” said Crowley.

The Jones Act is a federal statute that provides for the promotion and maintenance of a strong American merchant marine. It requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried on U.S.-flag ships constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.

“While the act ensures that we have a robust shipbuilding capability and skilled merchant mariners in the U.S. essential to our national defense, it has also created a commercial shipping market between the mainland and Puerto Rico that is highly competitive, customized and dedicated,” said Crowley. “It is because of this competition and the longstanding rules of engagement spelled out in the Jones Act that we have the confidence to make this major investment for the benefit of the people of Puerto Rico.”

The pier design, using the latest displacement-based performance criteria, has been carefully developed over the past year with the PRPA and Harbor Consulting Engineers, Inc., of Seattle, Wash. As the lead design firm for the project, Harbor is the engineer of record for the project and the duration of the construction. Crowley and Harbor have worked together on infrastructure projects for nearly 40 years. Crowley recently completed the acquisition of the necessary permits, including those from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other local agencies.

Crowley has served the Puerto Rico market since 1954, longer than any other carrier in the trade, and occupied the now 75-acre Isla Grande Terminal the entire time, making it the longest continual occupant of any Jones Act carrier in the trade. The company, with over 250 Puerto Rico employees, is also the No. 1 ocean carrier between the island commonwealth and the U.S. mainland with more weekly sailings and more cargo carried annually than any other shipping line.

Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 123-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company. The company provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico Liner Services, Caribbean and Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and tanker escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response through its 50 percent ownership in Ardent Global; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture through its Jensen Maritime subsidiary; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found on here.

Established in 2006, HIOSL serves the Nigerian oil and gas industry with a wide range of maritime, security and logistics services. The Lagos headquartered company has ambitious plans to become the leading marine logistics provider in the Nigerian offshore industry.

Currently undergoing sea trials in Singapore, Guardian 2 is expected to be directly employed when she arrives in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in December. HIOSL will then have five patrol vessels in its fleet.

HIOSL Managing Director Louis Ekere, stresses: “We have had very positive experiences with our first Damen FCS 3307 Patrol – Guardian 1. She has been engaged since day one, working on behalf of the International Oil Companies.”

Guardian 1 has largely been carrying out security patrol services for the IOCs, working alongside the Nigerian Navy, as well as transferring crew and supplies. “Guardian 1 is definitely the best vessel in the field in terms of speed and intervention abilities. Furthermore, with her unique Damen Sea Axe hull, she has fantastic seakeeping ability and still provides efficient fuel economy, even in rough terrain.” (Guardian 1 was actually named “Best Offshore Patrol Boat” by Work Boat World in 2014.)

“We chose Damen again for a number of reasons, one of which is the reliability of the vessel. This patrol vessel is an excellent business model. She is robust, fast, with the required speed to intercept in critical situations. Our principals - the IOCs - have also been impressed. Damen’s speed of delivery was also another important factor. In addition, we are very pleased with the level of professionalism and after sales services at Damen.”

After sales support is provided by Damen’s new Service Hub, which was opened in Port Harcourt in early 2015. Martin Verstraaten, Damen Regional Service Manager Africa, says: “The decision to establish the Service Hub ensures local presence, quick response times, Field Service Engineers and a local Site Manager on the ground. This dynamic team has close contact with local repair facilities, cooperation with local suppliers and builds up a strong relationship with our customers.”

Further expansion

HIOSL already has plans for a Guardian No. 3 and No. 4, with the further additions likely in the first half of 2016. As well as patrol vessels, HIOSL is considering expanding its fleet with Platform Supply Vessels. “This will take our company to the next level. We strive to ensure we deliver on our promises to the IOCs in terms of safety, reliability and effectiveness. We also want to make sure we are delivering what the IOCs require and this is one reason we want to work with highly experienced companies like Damen. The IOCs know that we are a professional, well-managed organization, offering excellent service. And even though the oil price has dipped, oil companies are still keen to explore and develop.

“We are on track with our own strategic expansion. We try not to overreach ourselves and acquire assets on a speculative basis. As soon as Guardian 2 is registered in Nigeria, she will be out to work!”

As part of the contract, Damen provides five days of training but HIOSL was also keen for additional training options. Mr. Ekere adds: “This extra training would help the crew make sure the vessel performs to its optimal level and realizes its full lifespan.”

In addition to patrol vessels and tugs, HIOSL provides equipment to the IOCs, supplies house boats, barges and cranes and the company operates one of the largest crawler cranes in Nigeria. With offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri, HIOSL has a core staff of around 100 and a total of 400.

ICE, Europe's largest independent naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy, has expanded the design facilities of its subsidiary in Galati, Romania and is recruiting 50 additional engineers to help deliver its order book. That brings the number of employees to 350, most of whom are working on current contracts both in the commercial and offshore sector and puts ICE in a robust position from which to start 2016.

At a time when many companies are laying off employees, ICE’s expansion has added a new annex containing yet another modern office landscape with associated meeting room and other facilities to its 8,000 square meter design center. This latest investment brings the total spend at ICE’s Galati facilities to several times what was required under the privatisation agreement when the former ship research institute was acquired fifteen years ago. Regular investments since then have provided the company with substantial building upgrades, up to the minute IT hardware and software, as well as comprehensive training and development.

Steinar Draegebo, Chairman of the ICE group of companies, commented: “ICE is a well-kept secret. Our success is centred on solid business practices - competitive rates, robust delivery processes and extensive experience that draws on half a century of successfully delivering marine engineering projects.”

He continued: “I’m optimistic for the coming year in which we will continue to deliver engineering and design to our customers, while developing new partnerships in new markets. In a period when everyone must focus on cost savings, potential clients are gradually realising that ICE delivers world-class marine design services at very competitive rates, compared with many of the more well-known international design firms.”

As a result of the continuous expansion, ICE is recruiting and would like to hear from suitable, highly skilled individuals who are interested in joining the team. Potential candidates can email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. attaching a CV and cover letter of experience.

ABS, the leading provider of classification services to the global offshore industry, has announced that the ABS-classed Seajacks Scylla, the world's largest and most advanced wind farm installation and offshore construction vessel, has been delivered by the Samsung Heavy Industries Shipyard in Geoje, Republic of Korea.

ABS, the leading provider of classification services to the global offshore industry, has announced that the ABS-classed Seajacks Scylla, the world's largest and most advanced wind farm installation and offshore construction vessel, has been delivered by the Samsung Heavy Industries Shipyard in Geoje, Republic of Korea.

"Industry growth depends on innovation and new designs," says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. "As a technology leader, ABS is pleased to work with Seajacks as it develops and launches vessels with increasingly greater capabilities."

Seajacks CEO Blair Ainslie credits the strong working relationship among the project participants for the successful delivery of this unit. "The cooperation among Seajacks, ABS and SHI was vital to the success of this newbuild effort," he says. "As we bring new designs to the market, we rely on partners who are willing to take on projects like this one that break new ground in the industry."

Based on the Gusto MSC NG14000X design, the Seajacks Scylla, has more than 8,000 metric tons of available variable deck load. Equipped with a 1,540-metric-ton leg-encircling crane and a usable deck space in excess of 5,000 sq m the unit is outfitted with 105-m legs with the ability to install components in water depths to 65 m. The rig is capable of meeting the installation needs of jumbo-monopiles, jackets, and turbines of future wind farms in deeper waters farther from shore.

The Seajacks Scylla complies with ABS classification requirements for self-propelled jackup units, including the DPS-2 for dynamic positioning capability; ACCU, which applies to automatic centralized control unmanned units; and CRC for crane register certificate.

Since 2009, Seajacks has invested in five self-propelled jackup units, all of which have been classed by ABS. The Seajacks Scylla represents a milestone for the company as it is considered to be the most technically advanced installation vessel in the market.

In November, 2015 Bordelon Marine takes delivery of the MV Brandon Bordelon. This highly specialized vessel features a helideck, a 60 ton AHC crane with 3000m of wire, POB (60), a mezzanine deck with internal office and control rooms capable of supporting two (2) full work class ROV systems. The vessel also offers 6,200 sq. ft. of clear useable deck space. The Brandon comes equipped with (2) two Ranger2 Pro thru-hull USBL full systems. The vessel delivers a fully integrated ROV control room, ROV support offices, below deck work and storage spaces, extensive communications and ROV data network, plug and play, with patch panel racks installed. … all tied into the vessel systems, bridge, office, and accommodation spaces.

The vessel is designed with removable bulwarks around the entire aft of vessel along with power, water, air, and hydraulic oil connections on the deck. The vessel is also equipped with four additional below deck Tier 3 generators, providing fully redundant power to the crane and ROV systems.

Quote (Wes Bordelon, President/CEO):

We are very excited to introduce the M/V Brandon Bordelon. This vessel is the next generation design of the Stingray series and continues our commitment of the ULIV concept to the subsea market. With the addition of a helideck and other integrated systems the Brandon provides an additional highly capable and low cost vessel option to our clients.

Gobbler Boats is committed to protecting the environment. Its new Gobbler Offshore 290 Oil Spill Recovery Vessel (OSRV) not only excels at remediation, but harnesses the latest in environmentally sound fire suppression technology. The boat comes standard with a Sea-Fire pre-engineered system and 3M's innovative Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid.

"Sea-Fire is a well-known and respected brand in the marine marketplace," said Simon Jauncey, Gobbler Boats' technical manager. "Its products are well-engineered, produced in ISO9001 approved facilities and are technologically on the leading edge."

"We chose Novec 1230 because it's in line with Gobbler Boats' ethos of protecting the environment," continued Jauncey. 3M's next-generation fire suppression fluid is a replacement for Halon. Electrically non-conductive and non-corrosive, expensive machinery and electronics aren't damaged during discharge. With a low toxicity value, it also offers the highest margin of safety for workers within occupied spaces. Environmentally clean, it has a global warming potential of 1—the same as CO2—and will not deplete the ozone.

What makes the 29' Gobbler Offshore 290 unique is that it doesn't store recovered oil, instead it tows 3,434 gal. detachable bladders behind the vessel. This allows the boat to operate almost non-stop and collect up to 6,400 bbls of 98% water-free reusable oil per day. It will operate in less than 1.5' of water, making it ideal for shoreline work, but carries a Lloyds G3 certification for offshore coverage to 60 nm. With an 8.5' beam, it's easily trailerable, or stowed on a ship or platform. The boat was awarded the Seawork 2015 Spirit of Innovation trophy and was a category winner for Vessel Design & Construction.

The company's website is www.gobblerboats.com.

Sea-Fire is dedicated to protecting people and property at sea. The company manufactures a wide range of state-of-the-art marine fire suppression systems for commercial and recreational vessels.

To learn more about Sea-Fire engineered and pre-engineered fire suppression systems, including NOVEC 1230, visit the company at METSTRADE 2015, 17–19 November, stand 2.208 or the International WorkBoat Show, December 1-3, New Orleans, Louisiana, booth 1944.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) selected SeaRobotics Corporation as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for its Marlin® Mk3 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) designed for survey and inspection applications in depths up to 4,000 meters.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Marlin® Mk3 is designed for commercial surveys and inspections

Designed for deepwater applications such as pipeline inspection, deepwater survey, and life of field support services for oil and gas, the Marlin® Mk3's modular, plug and play mission package architecture and dual AUV/Remote Operated Vehicle propulsion modes is a revolution in AUV technology that can perform a wide range of deepwater geophysical survey and structural integrity management inspection operations. The Marlin® can be outfitted with sophisticated sensor packages including multi-beam, side scan, 3D, sub-bottom profiler, and synthetic aperture sonars, as well as high resolution video, still photo, and laser profilers, enabling advanced autonomous data acquisition, processing, analysis and response.

"Lockheed Martin's extensive AUV development expertise, coupled with SeaRobotics' comprehensive commercial design, manufacturing, and offshore support capabilities, forms a team that is fully capable of delivering Marlin's game-changing technology to commercial markets," said Don Darling, president of SeaRobotics.

Leveraging advanced autonomy technologies developed for Lockheed Martin's undersea defense portfolio, the Marlin Mk3 offers powerful new autonomous inspection capabilities that significantly reduce operator workload and fatigue. High resolutions, 3D models of subsea structures in real time, and prior survey result detections enhance Marlin's capabilities. The Marlin Mk3's 44 kWh battery capacity provides mission endurance up to 24 hours and an operational range greater than 100 kilometers before recharging is required.

"Lockheed Martin's Marlin Mk3 allows offshore service providers to take on a wider range of deepwater survey and inspection operations than other AUVs, and its plug and play design enables rapid adoption of new sensor, navigation, communication, and energy technologies," said Rich Holmberg, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Mission and Unmanned Systems. "Lockheed Martin has over 20 years of experience in deploying innovative AUV solutions and the Marlin Mk3 takes these unmanned solutions to the next level."

Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services and Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), a world leader in communications technology and services, have signed a strategic maritime agreement that is intended to facilitate the sharing of cargo, logistics and vessel operational data to help streamline the maritime supply chain. The two companies will jointly develop services, solutions and applications to drive industry standards for satellite connectivity and application integration in the maritime industry.

As a first step, Ericsson has signed a distribution contract to offer XpressLink, Inmarsat’s combined L-band and Ku-band VSAT network for the maritime market. XpressLink offers an easy upgrade path to Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress service, powered by the new Global Xpress constellation, when it becomes available in the coming months. It is intended that the distribution agreement with Ericsson will be extended to Fleet Xpress at that time.

The new strategic relationship will also pave the way for integration between Ericsson’s Maritime ICT Cloud and global connectivity delivered over Inmarsat’s satellite communications network, including both Ka and L-band.

Ericsson’s Maritime ICT Cloud is an end-to-end managed cloud solution that connects vessels at sea to shore-based operations including maintenance service providers, customer support centers, fleet/transportation partners, port operations and authorities. Enabled by Inmarsat, the Maritime ICT Cloud will ensure that trucks will spend less idle time at ports, cargo will spend less time in transit, and producers will be better able to plan their shipments.

An example of how the strategic cooperation agreement works in practice was highlighted with the recent announcement of a contract between Ericsson and U-Ming Marine, a leading shipping company specializing in the transportation of cement, dry commodities and industrial raw materials. Ericsson will provide U-Ming Marine with end-to-end connected vessel and voyage optimization solutions, including satellite connectivity from Inmarsat.

Ronald Spithout, President Inmarsat Maritime, says: “With Fleet Xpress, the world’s first mobile hybrid Ka/L-band high-speed broadband service, embedded in and enabling world-class solutions from Ericsson, we are re-defining maritime connectivity. This transformational agreement will open up opportunities for vessel operators and managers to capture intelligent data immediately.

“Everyone is talking about ‘big data’, but eventually it is the deployment of applications onboard and the end-to-end management of integrated intelligence, that will ultimately change the way the maritime industry operates; making it more efficient, greener and unlocking greater value. We are happy that the reliability of the Inmarsat constellation of satellites and operational standards are recognized as the best fit in the Ericsson roadmap of integrated services.”

John Taxgaard, Head of Maritime at Ericsson, says: “Ericsson believes that the Internet of Things has the potential to generate tremendous value for the maritime industry. Partnering with the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services is the best means of helping the maritime industry to realize this value. Together with Inmarsat we will jointly develop fully integrated services, solutions and applications, and work toward establishing maritime industry standards for satellite connectivity and application integration.”

Gibdock has secured a breakthrough exhaust gas scrubber retrofit project covering five vessels operated by ship management major Norbulk Shipping and owned by global shipping group Vroon.

The contract represents a sizeable debut in specialized EGS work. With all five ships also undergoing special survey drydocking, the job is the Gibraltar yard’s largest single assignment in 2015. The landmark project is also the first ship-series SOx abatement technology retrofit win for any Southern European yard.

Using EGS, shipowners can continue operating on heavy fuel oil instead of more expensive marine gas oil to meet IMO rules on SOx emissions that came into force in Sulphur Emissions Control Areas on Jan 1, 2015.

“We are the first yard in the region to win a major exhaust scrubber project,” said Richard Beards, Gibdock Managing Director. “Our ideal location means that we are always attractive for owners considering this area. Gibdock’s competitiveness, high quality workmanship and on-schedule redelivery has led to this breakthrough deal, which opens a new chapter in the industry’s EGS installation work options.”

Gibdock’s workload included the 37,500 dwt product tanker Great Eastern, the third of the five Norbulk vessels being fitted with ‘PureSOx’ main engine, auxiliary engine and boiler EGS units from Alfa Laval. The hybrid PureSOx system removes over 98% of SOx emissions from exhaust gases and up to 80% of particulates. EGS installation work onboard Great Eastern included 90 tons of newly fabricated steel, the laying of 12,386m of electrical cabling and 1,134m of GRE pipes involving 800v flanges and elbows.

Special survey work required a hull washing, spot grit-blasting and coating job, overhauling of sea valves , propeller withdrawal, bonding of stern seals, rudder clearances, bow thruster overhauling, windlass winch bearing renewal, overhauling of boiler safety valves, pipeworks, insulation works and various other routine dry-dock works. These tasks took place at the same time as EGS installation, with the ship redelivered on schedule and on budget in 20 days. Mr. Beards said the time taken for redelivery to Norbulk has been shortened as projects have progressed.

To optimize EGS retrofit processes, Gibdock undertakes prefabrication for smaller blocks in its workshops, with transfer to the ‘Pad1’ area, completed in 2014, allowing further structural and assembly work to be completed alongside Drydock 1 in a timely fashion for drydocking. “Pad 1 was pivotal in optimizing workflow,” said John Taylor, Gibdock Operations Director. “No other regional yard has a comparable purpose-built zone for EGS foundation and structural work before vessels arrive.

“This has been an intense collaboration, involving different Gibdock departments, naval architects, the Norbulk project team, Alfa Laval, and our electrical and piping systems subcontractors. Optimized planning, materials purchasing, equipment deployment and job sequencing for EGS work are now part of Gibdock’s competitive advantage.”

Beards added: “This is a significant project for Gibdock in 2015. We have added dedicated EGS facilities and expertise to our natural competitive advantages of location and weather, and our hard-earned reputation for quality work delivered on time and on budget.”

Mumbai-based ship management company MMS Maritime India announces it is to begin a major recruitment drive for Indian seafarers, after its parent company, the Japanese ship owner Meiji Shipping Group, unveiled an expansion of its tanker fleet.

MMSI provides crew to Meiji’s oil and gas tanker division which numbers 19 ships. MMSI CEO Dr. Sanjay Bhavnani (photo) said he expected four new tankers to be delivered to Meiji by the beginning of 2016. The 28,000 DWT medium range (MR) vessels are presently under construction at a Japanese shipyard.

“MMSI currently employs around 300 crew and we are looking to recruit a further 80-90 seafarers from India to help man these four new ships,” he said. “The positions we are seeking to fill will be across the full spectrum of roles from officers and masters to chief engineers. A number of senior positions will be filled from our existing workforce to ensure the ships have the right levels of experience and expertise. MMSI has built its reputation on having some of the best trained and most motivated seafarers in the industry. We are immensely proud to say we have one of the highest retention rates of officers and ratings in the world at more than 90pc. We will therefore be carefully selecting candidates to ensure they are of the highest caliber to maintain our rigorous standards.”

Dr. Bhavnani, an experienced former ships chief engineer, said the new ships would support Meiji’s drive to charter more of its vessels to the oil majors as well as smaller oil companies.

“The expansion of the oil tanker fleet has been very carefully planned by Meiji,” he said. “We are looking years into the future with this new state of the art fleet. This is very much a long term investment designed to position ourselves as the most competitive operator in the world. We are optimistic the global shipping sector is beginning to recover and expect that to continue gradually over the next few years. The critical factor for MMSI is to provide the best possible training, support and working conditions to attract and retain the highest caliber of crew. By having experienced well trained crew on board we know we can offer oil companies absolute confidence in our ability to manage their tankers at a highly competitive cost.”

Dr. Bhavnani said MMSI can offer seafarers career progression and tailored individual support and training.

“It is no accident that we have one of the highest retention rates in the industry,” he said. “Our culture is to offer continuous learning. We aim to understand what the seafarers’ ambitions are and seek to build roles around their strengths. It is further vital that our crew have the latest skills and training to ensure they are right at the cutting edge of technology.”