Global certification group DNV GL has launched its first LiDAR verification site in Asia to cater for the growing windpower market.The world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body said in a press release that the site, based in the near-shore facility, in Youngkwang, South Korea, provides optimal wind conditions for the verification of wind systems.LiDAR measurement verifications are vital to subsequently conduct measurement campaigns for power…
Survitec has signed a partnership agreement with Netherlands-based manufacturer Evacuator Worldwide for the global distribution rights to the pioneering emergency descent system introduced to the market in April.Evacuator, the first fire-proof and panic proof emergency descent system designed to evacuate people from heights of up to 300m, will be solely marketed and distributed by Survitec across all industry sectors. Survitec will also provide after-sales service, training and installation support to Evacuator customers.Available with a range of steal cable lengths and evacuation capacities…
With the United States and China about to start their respective offshore wind build-ups, grid operators wondering about the efficiency of their turbines or the emissions-areas compliance of their wind-service vessels will be warmed to know there’s someone they can talk to. Yaskawa’s The Switch — a Japanese industrial giant’s European environmental tech business — is offering one-stop wind-energy shopping. As with shipping, you can order permanent magnet generators, drives and converters for your wind turbines. Take heart.
The Spanish wind energy giant Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) has received an order for 1,714 MW from Orsted and Eversource.Encompassing three offshore wind power projects, the signed conditional contract is the largest U.S. offshore wind power (OWP) order to date, it said in a press release.According to SGRE, the order encompasses the supply, delivery, and installation of SG 8.0-167 DD wind turbines including service agreements in federal waters off the northeastern coast of the U.S.
A Belgian consortium has launched a project in high-wave offshore solar technology with the aim of building floating solar parks in the North Sea.Large maritime market players Tractebel, Jan De Nul Group, DEME, Soltech and Ghent University formed a consortium and announced the launch of an innovative project in the field of marine floating solar technology.The consortium strongly believe that solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in offshore waters are one of the essential future green energy sources.
Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO), the largest and oldest shipping company on the Caspian sea, informed that works on laying pipes in the Absheron gas condensate field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea are under way.“Aura” tow-vessel vessel and “Suleyman Vezirov” pipe- laying ship of the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) were involved in the pipe laying operations.The first phase of the operations has already been completed. Thus, the 13299-meter pipeline between “Darwin Bank” and “Absheron Bank” was fully laid.At present…
UK-based investment fund The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG) has acquired stakes in four French onshore windfarms, with a total capacity of 107.8 MW. InfraRed’s listed renewables vehicle did not disclose financial details of acquisitions. Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has advised British investment fund.WFW assisted TRIG on the acquisition, from their operations manager Renewable Energy Systems (RES), and financing of the two ready to build “Rosières” and “Montigny” wind…
Vietnam on Friday accused a Chinese oil survey vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and demanded that China remove the ships from Vietnamese waters.Vietnam and China have for years long been embroiled in a dispute over the potentially energy-rich stretch of waters in the South China Sea.On Wednesday, two U.S.-based think tanks reported that Chinese and Vietnamese vessels had engaged in a standoff lasting several weeks near an oil block in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone.
UK engineering company JGC Engineering and Technical Serviceshas, on behalf of Siemens, completed the construction of high voltage equipment containers for the Moray East offshore substation platforms."The Moray East offshore windfarm project completed its first fabrication milestone as the Thurso SME engineering firm finalised work on the containers which will be fitted in the three offshore substation platforms," said a press release from Siemens.JGC fabricated eight of 12 containers…
UK based contractor Tolent started work to construct a new multi-million offshore construction and operations base for Triton Knoll has officially started at Grimsby’s Royal Dock.Having been awarded the contract last month, Tolent has now begun work to construct control room, office and warehouse facilities that will become the new operations and maintenance base for the 857 megawatt (MW) offshore wind farm.Triton Knoll is a offshore wind farm and the largest in the portfolio of majority project shareholder Innogy that is currently in construction.
Vietnamese and Chinese ships have been embroiled in a weeks-long standoff near an offshore oil block in disputed waters of the South China Sea, which fall within Vietnam's exclusive economic zone, two Washington-based think-tanks said on Wednesday.China's U-shaped "nine-dash line" marks a vast expanse of the South China Sea that it claims, including large swathes of Vietnam's continental shelf where it has awarded oil concessions.The Haiyang Dizhi 8, a ship operated by the China Geological Survey…
Netherlands-based workboat provider Acta Marine said that its new walk-to-work vessel Acta Centaurus with SMST equipment in Deutsche Bucht has carried out first operations.Acta Centaurus has now been working for 1.5 months at the Deutsche Bucht offshore wind farm. SMST designs and builds offshore equipment. The SMST products covers a wide range of systems for access, lifting, drilling, pipe lay and specials.During this first charter with MHI Vestas, the new built DP2 Service Operation Vessel (SOV) supports installation and commissioning of 31 turbines.
The United States and China will become the world's biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters and importers, respectively, in five years, according to projections by the International Energy Agency (IEA).U.S. LNG exports are expected to rocket to over 100 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2024, dislodging current market leaders Australia and Qatar, Jean-Baptiste Dubreuil, senior natural gas analyst at IEA, said on Tuesday.He was speaking at a presentation sponsored by Columbia…
Ten Turkish sailors were taken hostage by armed pirates who attacked a Turkish-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria, the vessel's owner said on Tuesday, adding that another eight sailors were left safely aboard.Turkey's foreign ministry said the sailors were seized on Saturday evening. After the pirates left the ship it was taken to Ghana's Tema port, and Ghanaian and Nigerian authorities are working on returning the captured sailors, the ministry said.Shipping company Kadioglu Denizcilik said its ship…
Offshore personnel transport provider Bourbon Mobility said it is proposing services inspired by the aviation industry for its customers.The company has called on the expertise of the PEUGEOT Design Lab for the design of new cabins developed in a range of three comfort levels: Business Class, Premium and Eco. Designers created a cabin layout that guarantees optimal safety, VIP comfort seats and ergonomic storage. “We want to establish new standards of comfort for offshore personnel transport inspired by the aviation industry,” said François Lesle, CEO of Bourbon Mobility.
Singapore-based Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) has through its wholly-owned subsidiary Keppel Shipyard, secured a contract from repeat customer Yinson for the modification of a floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO).The contract is between Keppel Shipyard and Yinson Nepeta Production Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yinson Production Pte Ltd, for the fast-track modification and upgrading of FPSO Allan. Keppel Shipyard’s scope of work includes refurbishment and life extension works…
The North Sea "wind harvest" of the first half of 2019 exceeds the first half of 2018 by 16 percent.TenneT Holding said in a press release that in the first half of 2019, the wind energy transmitted from the North Sea to land by the transmission grid operator TenneT rose to 9.51 terawatt hours (TWh).This corresponds to an increase of a good 16 percent compared with the first half of 2018 (8.17 TWh), said the transmission system operator in the Netherlands and in a large part of…
Italy launched 'Paolo Thaon di Revel', the first unit in a new class of multipurpose offshore patrol ships (abbreviated to PPA in Italian).The launching ceremony of the PPA took place yesterday (July 15) at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia), in the presence of the Italian Minister of Defence Elisabetta Trenta.Godmother of the ceremony was Mrs. Irene Imperiali, nephew of the Admiral Paolo Thaon di Revel. The ceremony was attended among others by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy…
U.S. oil companies on Monday began restoring some of the more than nearly 74% production shut at U.S. Gulf of Mexico platforms ahead of Hurricane Barry, the U.S. offshore drilling regulator said.There was 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil production off line in the U.S.-regulated areas of the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, about 80,000 barrels less than on Sunday, according to the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).Workers also were returning to the more than 280 production platforms that had been evacuated.
The decarbonization drive is gearing up to be the defining issue faced by the shipping sector in the coming decades and the industry is searching for low carbon and zero emissions technologies that will deliver on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) initial strategy of reducing emissions by at least 50% by 2050. One family of technologies that is seeing an upsurge of interest in the industry is wind-assist and primary wind propulsion solutions. Today the Paris headquartered…
In 1941, geologist Orval Lester Brace stated “it may be tentatively assumed that the Gulf of Mexico is a potential source of salt-dome oil. Whether or not it will be economically feasible to explore these waters for the domes that must exist is a question for the future to answer.” The future hypothesized by Mr. Brace was not nearly as far off as it seemed. Less than six years after his proclamation, Kerr-McGee Oil Industries, along with Phillips Petroleum, Stanolind Oil and Gas Co…
U.S. crude exports are gaining traction in Europe as even Ukraine turns into a significant consumer of American barrels at the expense of Russian supplies amid heightened U.S. political pressure on Moscow and problems over contaminated Russian oil.Ukraine this month received its first ever barrels from the United States, according to Refinitiv Eikon flows data, as the tanker Wisdom Venture unloaded 80,000 tonnes of Bakken crude in Odessa on July 6 for the Kremenchug refinery,…
International energy consultancy Xodus Group is working with Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International (SDI) to showcase the expertise of Scottish supply chain companies in the global offshore wind sector.The aim of the collaboration is to create a directory and gap analysis which helps Scotland-based suppliers capture a greater share of the burgeoning offshore wind market — forecast to be worth an estimated GBP 30 billion per annum by 2030 — by advertising their experience and capabilities on the new Scottish Industries Directories platform.Due to launch later in 2019…
Irish wind and solar projects developer Mainstream Renewable Power has appointed Raghuram Natarajan chief executive of its Asia-Pacific business."This key appointment to the Group’s Leadership Team, based out of its newly opened regional headquarters in Singapore, comes ahead of significant expansion plans for the region," said a press release.Natarajan brings a decade and a half of senior leadership experience in the wind and solar industry across India, Thailand, the Philippines…
The classification society ABS and Netherlands based research institute MARIN have launched a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to investigate transparent and validated methods to assess performance of wind-assisted shipping propulsion technologies.The wind propulsion technology is a key driver in owners/operators investment decision-making.The JIP focuses on the majority of all marketed wind-assisted ship propulsors, while also aims to overcome the challenge to the uptake of these technologies by:- Improving methods for transparent performance prediction.- Using the improved methods to provide ship owners/operators with fast predictions…
Tropical Storm Barry formed on Thursday with heavy rains expected across the north-central U.S. Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center said.Barry, the second named storm of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, was located about 95 miles (150 kilometers) south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River at about 11 a.m. EDT with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles (65 km) per hour, the Miami-based weather forecaster said. (Reuters, Reporting by Swati Verma in Bengaluru Editing by Bill Trott)
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for: Mouth of the Pearl River to Intracoastal City. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for: Mouth of the Mississippi River to Cameron. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for: Mouth of the Mississippi River northward to the Mouth of the Pearl River.A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. For a depiction of areas at risk please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic available at hurricanes.gov.
Danish ship supplier Wrist Ship Supply acquires Belgian competitor Van Hulle in order to strengthen its position in Belgium and the Netherlands.According to a press release from the supplier of provision and stores to ships and offshore installations, while Van Hulle will continue operating as a stand-alone business unit, this enhances their market presence and service offering and marks yet another important step in the steady development of Wrist’s global network.With the acquisition of Van Hulle…
Japanese engineering giant Hitachi Zosen Corp and French marine renewables technology outfit Naval Energies will work together in the field of floating wind power.The French marine renewables specialist said in a press release that the two companies will design and build floating wind turbines with a capacity of several hundred megawatts off the Japanese coast using Naval Energies' semi-submersible floating solution, which is a concrete, steel or a hybrid combination fixed to…
A.P. Moller Holding, which controls Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk will acquire Danish wind turbine supplier KK Group, it said on Wednesday, in a first step into the renewable energy industry.The acquisition marks a new direction for the family-owned company, which has built its business on the shipping and oil industry.The parties declined to disclose the price of the deal. A.P. Moller Holding will buy KK Group, whose main activities are through KK Wind Solutions, from…
UK energy industry recruitment outfit ERSG has appointed Chris Stupack as head of offshore wind in the United States.Stupack will be leading ERSG's office in Boston, which opened in November last year, where the company will be focusing on supporting the development of the offshore wind market.Chris comes from a strong recruitment background having started in the industry 5 years ago, showing passion and natural aptitude he progressed quickly to a divisional head of energy with his previous employer.US offshore wind power is set to achieve 86…
Now that the United States finally can envision steady winds blowing from the Atlantic Seaboard due to a pipeline of offshore wind farms on the horizon, the maritime industry can finally step up and earn some of the benefits. This includes shipbuilding, port construction, and worker training. This article reviews the key developments and forecasts the growth in maritime jobs.The federal and state governments share responsibility for developing offshore wind farms and bringing the wind into the power grid and…
As the prospects for offshore wind energy continue to grow in and around the United States, so too do the business potential and parnterships. The latest announcement comes from south Florida where Resolve Marine Group and Bibby Marine Services, a U.K. based dedicated “Walk to Work” vessel company (W2W) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop Jones Act compliant vessel solutions for the U.S. offshore wind sector. Resolve and Bibby will aim to partner with wind resource providers to deliver timely and innovative services in this sector. While initial focus will be on W2W vessel solutions, the partnership is targeting a wider range of multi-faceted solutions including CTV vessel requirements…
French family-owned maritime transportation group Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) is venturing into wind-powered shipping as the group sees the benefits of operational savings and a need for decarbonisation.LDA Group has become the latest member of the International Windship Association (IWSA) to help further the development of these primary renewable solutions.LDA President, Edouard Louis-Dreyfus, stated: "we are very excited by the development of wind solutions as a key answer…
UK-based offshore equipment rental company Hiretech Limited has appointed Keith Mackie as Managing Director, with current Managing Director and company founder Andy Buchan taking on the newly created role of Chief Executive Officer.Mackie has held a number of senior roles within the engineering and energy service industries, most recently as Managing Director at Power Jacks Limited.Commenting on his new role, Mackie said, “I am delighted to be joining Hiretech at such an exciting time.
Is your company a Top 100 performer? The END of application period for this year’s MN100 edition is just over the horizon. Only those who apply can be considered for inclusion. Just 7 days to go ...The MN100, always our August print edition, is our annual look at the best 100 firms in the MarineNews, brown water, workboat space. There will never be a better time for you to tell MarineNews just why your firm is one of the best in the business. All of that – the selected 100 companies – will be featured in the August edition of the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre.
Naval forces from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen foiled an attempted attack on a commercial ship in the Red Sea by the Iran-aligned Houthi group, a military spokesman said on Monday.A tweet by Saudi state television quoting Colonel Turki al-Malki did not name the ship or provide other details about the incident.Reporting By Stephen Kalin
The Offshore Sector's Support of National Interests in Times of Crisis.Desperate Times Call for Diverse ResourcesIn 2017, North America was assaulted by significant weather events resulting in cascading humanitarian crises. Despite the substantial response from the U.S. maritime industry, a misconception arose that insufficient U.S. assets were available to support critical response activities in affected regions; in particular, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Public…
Hamburg-based Buss Group has acquired SSC Wind from Wildeshausen with an aim to expand its services in the offshore and onshore wind markets.In future, the company will operate on the market under the company name Buss Wind Services GmbH.With this strategic step, Buss completes its portfolio in the wind sector. To date, Buss had focused on port logistics for offshore wind farms in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.Buss offers this service both in its own offshore terminals in Eemshaven (Netherlands)…
Saudi Arabia’s Rawabi Vallianz Offshore Services (RVOS) has contracted Netherlands-based Praxis Automation Technology to deliver dynamic positioning systems for its fleet of offshore support vessels (OSVs) operating out of the country. RVOS, joint venture company between Rawabi Holding and Vallianz Holdings Limited of Singapore, said that the contract includes the retrofit of 14 ships with a Praxis Automation Class 2 Dynamic Positioning (DP) system, including the integration to the ship’s power distribution system and control systems.Jerome Lin…
ST Engineering Halter Marine and Offshore (STEHMO) installed a NOV crown mounted compensator (CMC) on Diamond Offshore’s Ocean Blackhawk drillship.The 215-metric-ton passive heave compensator was fully assembled and lifted on the top of the derrick on May 22, 2019. Carol Crane Rigging & Lifting Technology and Mammoet supported STEHMO with completing the engineered lift. STEHMO also cleaned and painted tanks, lifeboats and the exterior hull above the waterline.Before the lift,…
Danish provider of offshore service vessels A1 Offshore Solutions ApS and lifting and offshore equipment specialist KenzFigee have signed a cooperation agreement to offer clients in the offshore oil, gas and wind industry a cost-efficient and safe Walk-to-Work vessel solution.The pact follows A1 Offshore Solution’s experiences with the KenzFigee 3D Active Motion Compensated (ACM) 26-meter gangway solution installed on board its’ offshore support vessel ‘Notus Express’.Increasing demand for cost efficient…
Is your company a Top 100 performer? The END of application period for this year’s MN100 edition is just over the horizon. Only those who apply can be considered for inclusion.The MN100, always our August print edition, is our annual look at the best 100 firms in the MarineNews, brown water, workboat space. There will never be a better time for you to tell MarineNews just why your firm is one of the best in the business. All of that – the selected 100 companies – will be featured in the August edition of the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre.
Singaporean rig builder Sembcorp Marine said on Wednesday that authorities had searched its shipyard in Brazil as part of a graft investigation, sending its shares lower and underlining the staying power of Brazil's ongoing "Car Wash" corruption probe.Sembcorp Marine said the search was related to investigations against former consultant Guilherme Esteves de Jesus, adding that Martin Cheah Kok Choon, the former president of the Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz shipyard, was also under investigation.In a separate statement…
Esvagt, provider of emergency rescue and response vessels and related services to the offshore energy industry, said it has appointed a new head of business development to lead a push into new services, including in offshore wind.The Danish vessel operator announced the appointment of Flemming Hjorth as Head of Business Development, New Services, the focus on business development will be even more concentrated. "When we develop the services that we can offer, we strengthen our relationships with our customers and help optimise the value chain for the benefit of both parties…
Frank Joseph Pallone Jr., the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 6th congressional district, says that the battle against the Trump Administration’s push for seismic blasting and drilling for oil and gas in the Atlantic Ocean has made progress.In 2017, President Trump signed an executive order that supports offshore oil and gas drilling along the East Coast. On June 25, Pallone secured House passage of an amendment that prohibits federal spending to advance oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic Ocean."It’s now time for the Senate to take up the underlying legislation…
Norwegian offshore supply vessel provider Golden Energy Offshore (GEO) named two platform supply vessels (PSVs).The company's CEO Per Ivar Fagervoll said that the sister vessels Energy Empress and Energy Duchess were named on 29 June 2019. The naming ceremony was held on board the Energy Empress beneath the Seven Sisters waterfall in the Geiranger fjord.The vessels have been built at the Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipments Co., Ltd (ROC) yard, China.The platform supply vessels have been designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS and are based on Ulstein’s PX121 design.
NOIA President Randall Luthi issued the following statement after Dominion Energy and its partner Ørsted began construction of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Project:“NOIA congratulates Dominion Energy for starting construction on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project (CVOW) — the first federal and second overall U.S. offshore wind project. This demonstration project is an important stepping-stone towards commercial-scale offshore wind development in the U.S. Dominion’s partnership with leading offshore wind developer…
The CMA CGM Group will support the financial and industrial development of Notilo Plus, a Marseilles-based start-up specialized in autonomous underwater solutions, in order to help them launch their industrialization.Notilo Plus develops autonomous underwater dronesFounded in 2016 and based in Marseilles and Lyon, Notilo Plus develops autonomous underwater systems featuring artificial intelligence and data enhancement capabilities. It develops “made in France” autonomous solutions targeting the fields of maritime transportation, leisure and infrastructure.Last December, Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, presented the Jacques Saadé Award to Notilo Plus on the occasion of the Trophées de l’Economie 2018.
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) demonstration project has entered the construction phase as the American power and energy company Dominion Energy has formally begun construction.Gov. Ralph Northam announced the start of construction of the CVOW demonstration project, consisting of two six-megawatt wind turbines located approximately 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach."This activity marks the first work at the project site to facilitate interconnection of the two 6-megawatt wind turbines which will power 3,000 homes at peak.
2019-007-Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Indian Ocean-Violence Due to Regional Conflict and PiracyDescription:This revised advisory cancels U.S. Maritime Advisory 2018-0151. References: (a) U.S. Maritime Alerts 2018-001A, 2018-002A, 2018-002B, 2018-005A, and 2018-007A2. Issues: Regional conflict and piracy threats continue to pose potential risks to commercial vessels operating in the above listed geographic areas.3. Conflict in Yemen continues to pose potential risk to U.S.
Malaysia’s oilfield services player Sapura Energy said it has has clinched contracts worth a total of MYR 1 billion ($242 million) for several new oil patch deals and one – the company’s first – offshore wind contract.The 10 new contracts are for its engineering and construction and drilling segments across Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and Australia, said a press release from the company.In addition, the company has been selected for a frame agreement with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) for fixed offshore structure works…
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) issued a statement in support of two bills introduced in the U.S. Senate this week, which would both extend the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind energy.The legislation comes at a critical time for offshore wind in America, as energy developers prepare to start construction on the first wave of large-scale projects.The Offshore Wind Incentives for New Development Act introduced by Senators Markey (D-MA), Whitehouse (D-RI)…
French power group Engie’s total renewable capacity in India now exceeds 1.5 GW. The company recently bagged a 200 MW onshore wind project in the state of Gujarat from Solar Energy Corporation of India.ENGIE is all set to sign a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Federal Government entity, SECI.Earlier, Engie won a 280 MWp solar project from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited. The project—part of the Raghanesda solar park—is currently under development. Under the scope of the project…
Newbuild MarketUnsurprisingly, across the offshore sectors, newbuild orders have been scarce to none. Oversupply is still a major problem for the industry and due to slippage, ordering vessels now would be counterproductive. Why order brand new vessels from a yard and wait several years for these to be delivered, when you can purchase readily available cheap tonnage direct from the yards ready to go?Source: Vessels ValueSale and purchaseIt has been a bumper year for sale and purchase activity within the OSV and OCV sectors…
Seaspan Shipyards has delivered Canada's first new Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV), the CCGS Sir John Franklin, to the Canadian Coast Guard (Coast Guard).An official handover ceremony took place aboard the vessel attended by the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, senior officials from the Coast Guard, Seaspan and supply chain partners.The delivery of the first OFSV is the culmination of years of work by hundreds of dedicated Seaspan employees…
French floating foundations developer Ideol and Japanese renewable specialist Shizen Energy have signed an agreement to jointly develop a commercial-scale floating offshore wind project (OWF) off the coasts of Kyushu in Japan.The agreement was signed in Tokyo today by Paul de la Guérivière, CEO of Ideol, and Masaya Hasegawa, Representative Director of Shizen Energy, during the state visit of Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of Economy…
The United Arab Emirates said on Wednesday that clear and convincing evidence was needed to apportion blame for attacks last month on four oil tankers off its coast, and that tensions in the region needed to be dialled down.The United States and Saudi Arabia have publicly blamed Iran for that attack and a subsequent one on two vessels in the Gulf of Oman. Tehran has denied any involvement.The UAE has submitted the results of an investigation into the first attack, which showed that a state entity was behind them, without naming the country.If a country was to be identified, "this evidence must be clear and precise and scientific and convincing for the international community…
Is your company a Top 100 performer? The application period for this year’s MN100 edition is officially open and underway! Only those who apply can be considered for inclusion.The MN100, always our August print edition, is our annual look at the best 100 firms in the MarineNews, brown water, workboat space. There will never be a better time for you to tell MarineNews just why your firm is one of the best in the business. All of that – the selected 100 companies – will be featured in the August edition of the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre.
Norwegian oil and gas rig operator Dolphin Drilling filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday, leading creditors to seize its key assets in a restructuring that will see the company maintain operations.Formerly known as Fred. Olsen Energy, Dolphin Drilling ASA had debt of just over $1 billion at the end of 2018 and a net loss for the year of almost $300 million, its annual report shows.Once a dominant supplier of drilling rigs to oil and gas firms exploring the North Sea, Dolphin was…
Vestas Wind Systems A/S and GE Renewable Energy have settled all disputes related to multiple claims of patent infringement, said a joint announcement."The settlement of all disputes related to multiple patent infringement claims in the U.S., result in the discontinuation of the case pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California as well as all other pending proceedings related to the patents-in-suit," said the announcement.GE had initially filed a patent dispute in California against Vestas in 2017…
The oil and gas exploration and production company International Petroleum Corporation (IPC) has commenced drilling the first well in a planned multi-well drilling program on Block PM307, located offshore Peninsular Malaysia.Canada-based IPC is the operator of Block PM307 and holds a 75% working interest, with Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd holding the remaining 25% working interest.The PM307 drilling program is planned to consist of two infill landing pilot wells in the south-eastern and north-eastern areas of the Bertam field…
JFD will combine expertise and experience with Malin React.The teaming agreement will ensure rapid vessel mobilization of JFD’s submarine rescue assets to facilitate the fastest possible deployment anywhere in the world, minimizing the Time to First Rescue (TTFR) and optimizing the chances of a successful rescue.In the event of a submarine emergency, and assuming no dedicated rescue vessels are available, a fly-away submarine rescue capability will be deployed and mobilized to a nearby Vessel of Opportunity (VOO) which will then conduct a rescue operation for the distressed submarine (DISSUB).
Norwegian VARD will incorporate a hull-integrated seawater cooling system for a cable laying vessel the shipbuilder is designing and constructing for energy and telecom cable systems firm Prysmian Group.Ålesund-based Hydroniq Coolers – formerly named Sperre Coolers – said it has been contracted to deliver its Hydroniq Rack seawater cooling solution that will be integrated in the hull below the main engine room of the vessel. The manufacturer has not disclosed the value of the contract.“This is a cutting edge-edge vessel that is intended to be the most capable cable layer in its market.
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) has received the firm order from the Danish energy company and offshore wind giant Ørsted for their 900MW Greater Changhua 1 & 2a offshore wind power project in Taiwan.The project includes the Asia-Pacific variant of the SG 8.0-167 DD offshore wind turbine and a service agreement. As part of this firm order, Siemens Gamesa will establish a nacelle assembly facility at Taichung Harbor.The facility is expected to be ready in 2021, exceeding…
The American supplier of rotor blades to the wind industry LM Wind Power, part of GE Renewable Energy, has displayed its first 107-meter blade, for GE’s Haliade-X 12 MW wind turbine, which has made its first trip outside its factory in Cherbourg, France.The LM 107.0 P is the first ever wind turbine blade to surpass 100 meters in length, said a press release from the wind turbine blades manufacturer.Final preparations for shipment of the blade are now underway.GE Renewable Energy…
Two and a half years on from the genesis of the FCS 7011 concept in response to extensive feedback from the offshore energy sector, the build of the first of this design has begun at Damen Shipyards Antalya, Turkey. The milestone was marked by a traditional keel-laying ceremony held at the yard.At 70 meters in length, the newbuild will be the largest monohull vessel to be built in aluminium by Damen. It is scheduled for launch in August 2020, and the builder said a prospective client can realistically look forward to delivery by the end of that year.According to Damen…
The United States is building a coalition with its allies to protect Gulf shipping lanes by having "eyes on all shipping", a senior U.S. State Department official said on Monday, following recent attacks on oil tankers that Washington blamed on Iran.The official told reporters en route to the United Arab Emirates that a coalition of nations would provide both material and financial contributions to the "Sentinel" program, but did not name the countries."It's about proactive deterrence, because the Iranians just want to go out and do what they want to do and say hey we didn't do it. We know what they've done," he said, adding that the deterrents would include cameras, binoculars and ships. (Reuters, Reporting by Asma Alsharif and Ghaida Ghantous, Editing by William Maclean)
Russia's ambitious Northern Sea Route (NSR) requires 735 billion roubles ($11.7 billion) in investments, with the state budget to provide a third and the rest to come from companies and banks, the head of state nuclear firm Rosatom, Alexey Likhachyov, said.Rosatom, the world's top nuclear company in terms of foreign orders, was selected by the Russian government to operate the NSR - the Arctic route Moscow wants to turn into a new Suez - coordinating development of the project among its users.This month…
Dutch maritime contractors Van Oord and heavy lifting and transport specialist Mammoet are cooperating with Australian start-up Verton to design a new lifting method for installing wind turbine blades.The technology specialist was scouted after being selected to participate in the maritime innovation platform PortXL in Rotterdam.The cooperation is seeking to develop a way to shorten the installation cycle times and make installation safer for operators. Verton has developed a remote rotating device that uses gyroscopic modules to rotate a suspended load.
Denmark’s Ørsted won New Jersey’s first offshore wind solicitation with a 1.1-gigawatt project Ocean Wind, the largest offshore wind project to secure a development deal with a U.S. state to date.The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) announced in a press note that it has selected Ocean Wind, an offshore wind energy project proposed by Ørsted with support from Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), to negotiate a 20-year offshore wind renewable energy credit (OREC) for an offshore wind farm with a capacity of 1…
Japanese shipping transport company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a charter deal with Hong Kong LNG Terminal Limited for a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU).The FSRU would be used for the Hong Kong Offshore LNG Terminal Project (HKOLNG Project), which is a joint venture established by Castle Peak Power Company Limited (CAPCO) and The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd. (HK Electric).The FSRU vessel will be used for receiving, storing, and regasifying LNG for the…
Offshore engineering consultant Aqualis has completed the acquisition of the London-based Braemar Shipping Services' offshore, adjusting and marine consultancy business Braemar Technical Services (BTS).The new company, called AqualisBraemar, said it will benefit from access to new capabilities, a broader suite of services, a bigger workforce and increased geographical footprint. “I have looked forward to this day. Combining our companies gives us greater critical mass within the marine and energy markets and means we will be much better positioned going forward.
Teekay Offshore Partners, midstream services provider to the offshore oil production industry, said that the agreement with Alpha Petroleum signed in October 2018 for Teekay’s Petrojarl Varg vessel to operate on Alpha’s 100%-owned Cheviot field was terminated.Teekay revealed that deal was off, claiming Alpha had been unable to satisfy key conditions.The floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) contract to operate on the Cheviot oil field on the UK continental shelf was for a seven-year fixed term from first oil…
VLCC spot freight rates between the Arabian Gulf and China rose 101% in the days between June 13, 2019 and June 20, 2019, in the aftermath of attacks on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Spot freight rates for a VLCC, carrying 2 million barrels of oil, between the Arabian Gulf and China reached USD 25,994 per day on June 20, their highest level since March and significantly above the May average of USD 9,979 per day.Despite this increase, freight rates on this route only narrowly exceeds the daily break-even costs of a VLCC…
The new ship owning company Sverre Farstad & Co has taken ownership of a 2016-built platform supply vessel (PSV), marking a return for the Farstad name in the Norwegian offshore sector.Farstad was one of the parties behind the June 2017 three-way merger of Norwegian ship owners Solstad Offshore, Farstad Shipping and Deep Sea Supply. The new company had been called SolstadFarstad, but the Farstad name was dropped in October 2018 when the company changed its name to Solstad Offshore.Now the Farstad family is returning to the offshore support vessel (OSV) business with Blue King…
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) has secured its first preferred supplier nomination in the Japanese offshore wind sector, winning a preferred supplier status for a 455-MW project in Akita prefecture.The agreement with Obayashi Corporation currently includes using SG 8.0-167 DD offshore wind turbines for the Northern Akita Offshore Wind Farm project, a deal which includes a long-term service agreement, with commercial operation scheduled to start in 2024. All deliveries…
Japan's largest oil and gas exploration and production company Inpex Corporation has submitted a revised plan of development (POD) for the Abadi LNG Project, a gas field on the remote Masela Block in the Arafura Sea off Indonesia. The revised POD is based on an onshore LNG development scheme with an annual LNG production capacity of 9.5 million tons. The Project involves developing the Abadi gas field in the Masela Block located in the Arafura Sea in Indonesia.The submission of the revised POD follows a series of dialogues between the authorities and Inpex…
Danish energy trading company Danske Commodities signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the world’s first floating wind farm, Hywind Scotland.Hywind Scotland, the world's first commercial-scale floating wind farm, was officially opened in October 2017. Norwegian oil and gas group Equinor owns 75%, while its partner the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, better known as Masdar, holds 25%. As the sole offtaker, Danske Commodities will take over balancing and trading of Hywind Scotland’s total volume of 30 MW.
MODEC Inc. received a letter of intent (LOI) from Petróleo Brasileiro for the supply, charter, and operations of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel for the Búzios field.The firm time charter period of the contract is 21 years, it said in a press release.The new LOI will be the fifth FPSO deployed at the Búzios field, however it is the first chartered production unit for the region. Búzios is one of the offshore oil and gas fields in Brazil which forms part…
Iran has created a grave situation and jeopardized global oil supplies with its aggressive behavior, Saudi Arabia's minister of state for foreign affairs said on Thursday, adding that the kingdom was consulting with allies on next steps.The United States and Saudi Arabia are among countries that have blamed Iran for attacks on oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit route for global oil supplies. Tehran has denied involvement."I think the situation is very grave because of the aggressive behaviour of Iran," Adel al-Jubeir told reporters in London."When you interfere with international shipping it has an impact on the supply of energy, it has an impact on the price of oil which has an impact on the world economy.
