Panama Canal PAC-4 Work Begins

Work on the second largest contract of the Panama Canal Expansion Program has begun. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) issued consortium FCC-ICA-Meco the Notice to Commence the fourth and final dry excavation (PAC-4) contract. PAC-4 is the most complex expansion project after the design and build of the new set of locks.

UN Review of Maritime Transport 2009

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released its Review of Maritime Transport 2009, suggesting that the global economic downturn and financial crisis slowed growth in world seaborne trade, while an increase in the supply of vessels has kept freight rates depressed:<br

Broadpoint Debuts Rate Plans, GOM

Broadpoint, a full-service telecommunications and network solutions company, announced that it will offer individual rate plans to offshore and marine employees in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. Workers can now tap Broadpoint&rsquo;s 100,000 square mile cellular network for voice, SMS and data service,

Canal Seeks Bids, Second Largest Contract

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) released its Request for Proposals (RFP) for the fourth dry excavation contract, the second largest and most complex project after the locks contract. Rounding out the last of four dry excavation projects, the fourth dry excavation project represents a key

Fourth Panama Canal Excavation Project

As part of its Expansion Program, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) plans to solicit bids for the fourth and last dry excavation project. The project will be the final phase in creating a critical access channel that will link the new Pacific locks with the Canal&rsquo;s existing Gaillard Cut (the narrowest stretch of the Panama Canal).

Broadpoint Expands Coverage

Broadpoint has increased its number of cellular sites in the Gulf of Mexico by more than 30 percent, and said it will continue an aggressive schedule to add additional sites through the end of this year.&nbsp; In addition to expanding its core network, Broadpoint has made technology upgrades to its

Aida Cruises Chooses MCP for New Ships

Maritime Communications Partner (MCP), provider of onboard communications to the global cruise fleet, has announced a new five-year contract with Germany&rsquo;s Aida Cruises for the supply of wireless mobile services and systems to three, 2,174 passenger new builds.The contract for three consecutive new builds in 2010,

New Trimble Receivers

Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced two new Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers designed specifically for marine construction applications&mdash;the Trimble&reg; SPS361 and Trimble SPS461 GPS Heading Receivers. These dedicated marine receivers deliver both GPS heading together with Differential

Blue Ocean, Ip.access Provide GSM Coverage

Ip.access, developer of picocell and femtocell solutions, announced that Blue Ocean Wireless, the world&rsquo;s first global GSM provider for the deep sea merchant maritime sector, is using their nanoGSM system to provide mobile phone service to merchant seafarers.Blue Ocean Wireless&rsquo; global

Boatsense Remote Vessel Monitoring

Boatsense Solutions, Inc. announced that it recently installed its wireless remote vessel monitoring system on several Moran Towing Corporation&rsquo;s tugboats. Moran maintains three major lines of business: shipdocking, contract towing and marine transportation. Approaching its 150th anniversary,

Danaos 3Q, 9 Month Report

Danaos Corporation (&ldquo;Danaos&rdquo;) (NYSE: DAC), a leading international owner of containerships, reported unaudited results for the period ended September 30, 2008. Highlights for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008:&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Net earnings from continuing operations of $28.

STX and SCI Sign Contract

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has signed contracts for construction and delivery of four Panamax bulk carriers with STX Shipyard, reports said.These vessels would be of higher capacity in the Panamax size range with 80,655 DWT each compared to the conventional Panamax vessels of 75,000 dwt.. SCI

Olivier Named Broadpoint COO

Broadpoint, a full-service telecommunications and network solutions company, has announced Bryan Olivier as its chief operating officer. Bryan Olivier has more than 27 years of experience in management, engineering and network operations at leading companies in the telecommunications and energy industries.

Broadpoint, AT&T Sign Contract

Broadpoint extended its alliance with AT&amp;T, extending&nbsp;AT&amp;T&rsquo;s wireless voice and data capabilities further into the Gulf of Mexico. &ldquo;Our business and enterprise customers need a reliable communications system wherever their jobs may take them, and that&rsquo;s exactly what Broadpoint offers,&rdquo; said J.

Mobile Networks on Cruise Ships

Maritime Communications Partner AS (MCP), fully owned by Telenor ASA, has signed a contract to install and operate the cellular network onboard all ships in Princess Cruises, Cunard Lines and P&O Cruises Australia's fleet. The agreement covers 21 ships at the signing of the contract. The fleet

Consolidation Brings Bigger Container Ships

The world’s largest container shipping line — the Maersk Line — pressed into service the largest container ship Emma Maersk in September 2006. At 1,58,000 DWT, a length of 397 m, width of 56.4 m and loaded capacity of 11,000 TEU, this was one of the eight ships ordered at one stroke. Eyebrows were

Navy Strategy of Engagement Builds Trust

By Edward Lundquist Senior Science Advisor Alion Science and Technology The United States must engage with maritime partners around the world to create and build trust, according to senior Navy leaders speaking at the 2007 Surface Navy Association West Coast Symposium, held pier side at Naval Station San Diego, in August.

SCI to Buy 12 Vessels

The Union Cabinet allowed the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) to buy 12 vessels. SCI will acquire four Aframax tankers of about 1,10,000 dead weight tonnage (DWT) each, two large Range-II product tankers of about 95,000 DWT each, four Panamax bulk carriers of about 75,000 DWT each and two cellular container vessels of about 5,000 TEU each.

H.I.G. Capital Completes Acquisition of PetroCom

PetroCom LLC announced that an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, a Miami-based private investment firm, has completed the previously announced acquisition of PetroCom. Headquartered in New Orleans, PetroCom is a leading cellular carrier in the Gulf of Mexico and a full-service telecommunications solutions provider for the offshore industry.

SeaMobile Signs Deal with HAL

SeaMobile Enterprises, a provider of at-sea communications, connectivity and content services, signed an agreement with Holland America Line. SeaMobile will provide wireless cellular phone and PDA services for Holland America Line’s guests throughout the world. Installations of wireless broadband communications

PetroCom, LLC To Be Acquired by H.I.G. Capital Affiliate

PetroCom LLC has entered into a binding agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, a Miami-based private investment firm. Headquartered in New Orleans, LA, PetroCom is a leading cellular carrier in the Gulf of Mexico and a full-service telecommunications solutions provider for the offshore industry.

SeaMobile, Crystal Cruises Sign Contract

SeaMobile Inc. signed an agreement with Crystal Cruises to provide communication solutions for its guests throughout the world. SeaMobile will begin installing wireless broadband communications equipment on board two luxury Crystal Cruises ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, later this year.

SeaMobile Buys MTN for $168m

According to reports, SeaMobile, a Seattle company that provides cellular and wireless service on cruise and cargo ships, acquired a Florida-based competitor, Maritime Telecommunications Network. The $168m all-cash deal, announced, will boost SeaMobile's position in the growing market to

Seamobile Acquires MTN

SeaMobile, Inc. has acquired Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. (MTN), a provider of satellite-based broadband communications and networking services for the maritime industry. The acquisition has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Venturi Wireless Solution Deployed by PetroCom

Venturi Wireless announced that PetroCom has deployed the Venturi optimization solution within its offshore cellular network. PetroCom operates a 100,000-square-mile GSM network in the Gulf of Mexico and maintains a variety of onshore/offshore satellite networks both domestically and internationally.

SeaMobile, Oceania Cruises Sign Agreement

SeaMobile Inc. has signed an agreement with Oceania Cruises to provide communication solutions for its guests throughout the world. The first ship in the Oceania Cruises fleet to deploy the SeaMobile advanced wireless services will be the line's flagship, Regatta. Guests and staff aboard the ship will

Shipping Corp Floats Tenders to Buy 11 Ships

Shipping Corporation of India has floated global tenders for acquiring 11 ships, including two cellular container ships with carrying capacity of 4,300 twenty feet equivalent each, six Handymax bulk carriers of 50,000-58,000 DWT each, and two product tankers. These tenders were part of SCI’s $500 million 14-ship acquisition plan,

MTN and Cingular Collaborate With On Line Identity

Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture between Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), of Miramar, Florida, and Cingular Wireless, the largest wireless carrier in the United States, launched its customer and service driven website, www.cellularatsea.com. Wireless Maritime Services (WMS)

Iridium Sand Impeva to Expand Collaboration

Iridium Satellite and Impeva Labs will expand their current collaboration in the implementation of a real-time container monitoring, tracking and security system on behalf of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). PANYNJ recently awarded a contract to Impeva Labs as part of the federal Operation Safe Commerce (OSC) Phase III.

Impeva Labs Awarded Security Contract from PANYNJ

Impeva Labs, Inc., announced that it has received 18-month contract from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). Impeva Labs will supply the PANYNJ with advanced container security technology for Operation Safe Commerce (OSC) Phase III. Impeva Labs was competitively selected

SCI Signs for Two VLCCs

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI), today signed contracts with Daewoo Ship Building and Marine Engineering CoLtd of South Korea for building and delivering two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCS). The tankers, to be built at DSME's shipbuilding yard in South Korea, would have a deadweight of about 300,

Unocal Thailand, Ltd. Awards Contract

Ocean Specialists, Inc. has been awarded a consultancy contract from Unocal Thailand, Ltd. to study Unocal’s offshore communication network alternatives in the Gulf of Thailand. The study will involve assessment of Unocal’s existing network, forecasting future network capacity requirements and analyzing

PetroCom’s VSAT Sat Services Completely Operational

PetroCom is making great strides in repairing its communication systems that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Patched very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite and wireless systems that were quickly operational with ingenuity and resourcefulness are now repaired properly and working near capacity.

MTN Acquired by Perseus

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), of Miramar, Fla., a provider of satellite-based communications, networking and other services to the cruise and offshore oil and gas industries, announced completion of its acquisition by an affiliate of Perseus, L.L.C. Perseus is a merchant bank and private

WCC Sat Phones Aid Tsunami Relief Efforts

World Communication Center (WCC), a leading provider of global satellite voice and data communications, has provided nine satellite phones to assist Mercy Corps in its multi-country tsunami aid programs. WCC’s Iridium-based satellite communications solutions enable the field-based relief workers to

Software Solutions

Autohydro: An Exciting Future The early 1980s witnessed the birth of the first generation Autohydro by Coastdesign Inc. (now called Autoship Systems Corporation (ASC)). Autohydro was one of a very few PC-based first principles stability and longitudinal strength programs available on the market of the day.

SatCom

As technologically advanced as communications have become, the bottom line, particularly for business applications, remains basically the same: the need for clear, reliable and cost-effective means to communicate. Trends in the transmission of data, voice and e-mail from ship-to-shore are much like that of land-based operations.

Containership’s Surge: When Will It End

As a range of container ship charter indices reach their highest ever levels, the inevitable question must be, how long can this bull run last? Container ship charter rates have reached highest ever levels across a broad range of sizes with Howe Robinson’s container charter index edging up further this week, to another record of 1571.

Marlink Debuts Online Tools to Control Costs

Marlink unveiled new cost-saving enhancements to its industry-leading account management tool, MarlinkOnline, available exclusively to Marlink customers. MarlinkOnline is a secure Web-based tool allowing both maritime and land-based customers to more directly manage their Marlink communication

The Containership Market: Full Steam Ahead?

By David Tinsley, Technical Editor Liner shipping is traditionally a cyclical business, subject to dramatic peaks and troughs and sudden changes in fortune in individual trade lanes. Today's ebullience among all sectors of container shipping, including its various intermediaries, compares
Contracts Major Ballast Water Management System Contract. General Dynamics USS New Hampshire Contract. Austal Contract for JHSV 2 and 3. FMC, Petrobras $80M Subsea Service Contract. Drydocks World Newbuild Contract.
Cruise Ship Trends Silversea's New Flagship Arrives in America. Costa Deliziosa Completes Sea Trials. Port Everglades Opens Cruise Terminal. InnerSea Discoveries Purchases Two Vessels. Island Breeze Continues with East Asian Plans.
Education/Training Free SUNY Maritime Conference. DHS Awards $2k Grant to Cal Maritime. Castle Shipboard Security Program at University. Maritime Environmental Mgmt, Distance Learning. 2010 Norm Manly YMTA Scholarship.
Environmental UAE, NAMEPA Environmental Summit. Ingram Barge Named to EPA SmartWay Program. CG Final Update on Port Arthur Spill. CARB Commercial Harbor Craft Workshop. Green Star Reduces Fuel Consumption.
Finance Northrop Grumman Q4 2009 Results. Hornbeck Offshore Exchange Offer. Panama Canal FY 2010 Q1 Metrics. Horizon Lines Reduces Debt in Q4. WQIS Holds Covered, No Premium Increase.
Marine Electronics New DGNSS From Kongsberg Seatex. NAVICO Honored at 2009 NMEA. Hispano Radio, WESMAR Dealer in Spain. Furuno Manufacturer of the Year. OSIL Uses Sontek ADCP.
Marine Propulsion Scandic Diesel Services Opens in Montreal. PCT Acceptance for Miratech’s V-CAT Catalyst. Wärtsilä Sales Success, RT-flex82 Engines. Royal Caribbean, Rolls-Royce Pod Settlement. EMD’s EPA Part 1042 Emissions Kits.
Navigation Easier Access to Electronic Charts. Sabine-Neches Waterway Open, Limited Traffic. Hong Kong Emergency Wreck Buoy. Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal Closure. NOAA Installs System to Improve Safety & Efficiency.
Navy USS Ashland Loads Supplies for Haiti. Sunken Sub in Balabac Strait is USS Flier. This Day in Naval History – Feb. 5. This Day in Naval History – Feb. 4. Future USNS Matthew Perry Acceptance Trials.
Offshore State Seeks Intervention in Drilling Case. Statoil Honored in Houston. CNOOC Ltd 2010 Business Strategy. Saudi Aramco’s 1st Purpose-Built Jackup. Cape Wind Energy Project Open for Comment.
Ports New Krishnapatnam Port Records. Wilhelmsen Supports Major Port Construction. Ports America Chesapeake 50-Yr Lease. Port of Kiel Close to its 2008 Handling Mark. Mercedes-Benz South Atlantic Hub Opens.
Ship Sales Star Bulk Sells Capesize Vessel Star Beta. Tsakos Energy Ship Sales. Globus Maritime Sells Handymax Dry Bulk Carrier. Oceanfreight Inc. Acquires Capesize Vessel. South Korean Shipping Slump.
Shipbuilding Bristol Harbor Helps Convert Trico Moon. NSRP Approves $1.2M for New Projects. SMM 2010. MES Delivers Bulk Carrier MV Ocean Leader. Keppel FELS Delivers First Rig of 2010.
Technology Shipwrecks: Cleaning Up from the Past. Ship-to-Ship Wireless Broadband Tracking. AVEVA Marine Offers New Features. Penn State Receives Grant. Lockheed Martin Awarded Grant.
Workboats Two RAstar 3800 Tugs from Robert Allan. Donjon’s Tug Fleet Continues to Grow. Colle Shipyard Contract, New ASD Tug. Kvichak Marine Builds NYPD. Hope Services Delivers M/V Lisa Marie.