Ocean Business – May 2019
New York Company Takes Delivery of New Barges
Bouchard Transportation Co. has taken delivery of two vessels from VT Halter Marine and Bollinger Shipyards: the ATB unit MV Evening Breeze, a 4,000-hp, Tier 4-approved, 112-by-35-by-17-ft. vessel equipped with an Intercon coupler system; and Barge No. 252, which measures 318 by 70 by 28 ft., has a 55,000 barrel capacity, and will be used to transport petroleum products in the U.S.
Panama Canal Extension Upgraded to Stable
Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the 20-year $450 million senior unsecured bonds issued by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) to A1 from A2, with a stable outlook, based on the waterway’s strong performance since the expansion’s inauguration. Moody’s noted that the expanded canal has increased overall tonnage and attracted new market segments, contributing to the waterway’s strong performance. According to Moody’s, “stronger cash-flow generation coupled with a relatively low leverage has resulted in very solid financial metrics.”
Aloha-Class Vessels Built for Hawaiian Demands
Kaimana Hila, the newest containership to join the Matson Navigation Co. fleet, was christened in a ceremony in March. At 3,600 TEUs, the Aloha-class vessel soon to be delivered from Philly Shipyard Inc. is the largest containership ever built in the U.S. The Aloha-class design features dual-fuel engines with LNG capability, double-hull fuel tanks, freshwater ballast systems, and a more fuel-efficient hull design. Constructed specifically to satisfy the future freight demands of Hawaii, the vessels bear increased cargo capacity, with the ability to accommodate a diversified mix of cargoes.
MacArtney Canada Moves into COVE
MacArtney Canada Ltd. recently moved into new offices at the COVE (Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship) in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. Currently comprising a team of sales, engineering, shipping and logistics staff, MacArtney Canada will occupy new facilities on the water’s edge, in an old Dartmouth Coast Guard facility. With the ability to install full launch and recovery systems on their doorstep, MacArtney Canada plans to increase its SubConn connector stock as well as cable inventory and cable-molding options.
IOSTIA Launches Career Center
The International Ocean Science & Technology Industry Association (IOSTIA) has launched a new career center that connects professionals across all disciplines and career stages with employers offering career opportunities.
The IOSTIA Career Center is powered by YourMembership and has tools for both job seekers and employers, including anonymous resume submission, social media job content and brand advertising.
ROV Inspects Dam in Sierra Nevada Mountains
Phoenix International Holdings, in partnership with Underwater Acoustic International (UAI) and Ocean Tech Services, mobilized a sonar team and ROV team to the Wishon Reservoir to perform a comprehensive underwater acoustic imaging and visual inspection of the Wishon Dam for the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E).
The intent of the inspection was to collect a baseline of current conditions to enable planning for effective repair and remediation. The acoustic imaging was accomplished using a high-resolution underwater acoustic steered beam imaging system from UAI. The visual inspection was performed using an inspection-class ROV.
USV Company Rebrands to Bring Tech to Market
Marine Advanced Research Inc. has changed its name to Marine Advanced Robotics Inc. The name reflects the company’s shift in focus from technology research and development to a market-driven application of its WAM-V vessels, according to its CEO. WAM-V is a class of USVs that range in size from 8 to 100 ft. and are currently operating in 10 countries.
Ports Association Mourns Steve Cernak
Port Everglades Chief Executive and Director Steven M. Cernak passed away in March 2019 following a long, valiant battle with cancer. He was the immediate past chairman of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and immediate past chairman of the Florida Ports Council. Cernak was recognized with the AAPA 2019 Cruise Award and was named one of the South Florida Business Journal’s 250 powerful leaders.
Autonomous Systems Developer
Opens Technology Center in Boston
Sea Machines Robotics, a U.S.-based developer of autonomous vessel control systems, opened a new advanced technology center in Boston. The workspace, which is dedicated to accelerating product development and accommodating an expanding team, is located adjacent to the company’s headquarters and vessel testing sites in East Boston’s historic shipyard.
Fast Response Cutter Delivered to USCG
Bollinger Shipyards delivered the USCGC Joseph Doyle, the 33rd fast response cutter (FRC) to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), which took delivery in March in Key West, Florida. The 154-ft. Sentinel-class FRC has a flank speed over 28 kt., state-of-the-art command, control, communications and computer technology, and a stern launch system for the vessel’s 26-ft. cutter boat.
Moving Vessel Profiler Systems Remain
Essential for Leidos Hydrographic Surveys
Leidos continues to use AML Oceanographic’s moving vessel profiler (MVP) systems as a staple in both manned and autonomous hydrographic survey operations. The company recently purchased another MVP30 to increase the amount of water column profiling it conducts while decreasing the amount of vessel downtime inherent with manual methods for similar data acquisition, as well as achieving a high-quality data product.
Davis Instruments Celebrates 50th Anniversary
In 1969, newly minted Stanford M.B.A.s Bob Selig and Jim Acquistapace purchased a small plastic sextant manufacturer named Davis Instruments. Today, the partners celebrate 50 years of successfully introducing hundreds of innovative and award-winning products into the marine, fishing and outdoor markets, and launching a revolution in weather monitoring equipment.
Seaspan Installs KVH Broadband
Connectivity in 107 Vessels Worldwide
Seaspan, one of the world’s largest container ship operators, completed the implementation of KVH mini-VSAT broadband connectivity for all 107 managed vessels in its global container ship fleet. Seaspan selected KVH’s TracPhone V7-HTS/AgilePlans and KVH’s TracPhone V11-IP for the vessels.
Ropeless Fishing Now Legal in California
A three-month early closure at California Dungeness Crab Fishery prompted legalization of ropeless fishing. In a fishery worth an annual $84 million in revenue, the closure had a large impact. To solve the problem, the Center for Biological Diversity and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, with the support of the PCFFA fisher’s association, found common ground. An agreement has been reached giving fishers the opportunity to continue fishing with a viable and commercially used alternative: ropeless fishing.
USCG Seeks Input on Tillamook Bay
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officials seek public comment by June 1 at https://bit.ly/2ZfNZuk while conducting a waterways analysis and management system (WAMS) review of Tillamook Bay. USCG uses WAMS to validate the adequacy of the existing aids to navigation (ATON) system and get a better understanding of the uses of each waterway and general safety issues. WAMS focuses on the waterway’s present ATON system, marine casualty information, port/harbor resources, changes in marine vessel usage and future development projects.
Humphree USA Stabilizers Available
At Three New West Coast Suppliers
Humphree USA appointed three new dealers for its marine stabilization systems on the West Coast of North America: S3 Maritime in the Seattle area, Newport Harbor Shipyard in Southern California, and Raven Marine in British Columbia. S3 Maritime offers complete yacht systems, service and support from its facility in the Salmon Bay Marine Center on the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Newport Harbor Shipyard, established in 1981, is a full-service facility with lift capacity up to 90 t. and the capacity to service yachts up to 150 ft. Raven Marine is based near Sidney and serves British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest in maintaining, repairing, shipping and caring for yachts.