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’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.  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’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—the Trimble® 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’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’ global

Boatsense Remote Vessel Monitoring

Boatsense Solutions, Inc. announced that it recently installed its wireless remote vessel monitoring system on several Moran Towing Corporation’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 (“Danaos”) (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:•    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&T, extending AT&T’s wireless voice and data capabilities further into the Gulf of Mexico. “Our business and enterprise customers need a reliable communications system wherever their jobs may take them, and that’s exactly what Broadpoint offers,” 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

GL: Containership Threats Require “Sensible” Controls

“The container supply chains have become very reliable and efficient over the years, they are however under greater threat than ever before, not least due to terrorism, the introduction of new security measures, more extreme weather, piracy, strikes and a growing proliferation of unilateral port state regulations,

PetroCom Introduces New Technology for Offshore Industry

PetroCom LLC has begun construction and testing of the first digital cellular network in the Gulf of Mexico. Working with partners Siemens and Ericsson, PetroCom is introducing GSM technology to provide secure and high-speed communications for companies in the multi-billion dollar offshore industry.

Satcom: Cellular Fixed Wireless Helps Deliver Mercy

Mercy Ships is a nonprofit organization operating medical relief ships that travel to the poorest countries of the world to perform medical services and community development programs. In order to serve such communities, the ships have three basic requirements: a place to dock, fresh water and telephone access.

Boatracs Joins Port Security Test

Boatracs, the premier provider of wireless maritime information solutions, recently participated in a maritime security exercise co-sponsored by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Regional Maritime Security Coalition (RMSC), Oregon Emergency Management (OEM), and the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Contracts Iranian Shipyard Karoon Signs New Contract. VSE Awarded Support Contract for Iraqi Navy. GA Contract for Launch & Recovery Systems. Proserv Offshore Windfarm Contract. Aker Solutions LOI for Gudrun Tie-in to Sleipner.
Cruise Ship Trends Obama Signs Cruise Ship Safety Bill. Port of Kiel docks four cruise ships at once. GNMTC Orders Cruise Ship from STX France. Costa Cruises Installs Funnel on Costa Favolosa. New England Ports Expect Record Cruise Season.
Education/Training Cummings Recognizes 100th Anniversary of USCG Academy. Naval Engineering Education Center Kick Off. Training Course Certified to Ice Navigation Standard. VMT on IMO’s Recognition of Survival Craft Simulation. China’s Harbin Engineering University Uses FORAN.
Environmental Grant to Reduce Emissions at Port of Pittsburgh. China’s Oil Pollution Laws Worth Watching. GLMRI Awarded $750,000 Clean Diesel Grant. PHA, Maersk $1.5m EPA Grant for Emissions Reduction. EPA Statement: Use of Oil Dispersant on the Oil Spill.
Finance Brunswick Reports Q2 2010 Results. Statoil Q2: High Activity, Good Operations. General Maritime Q2 & Six Months Results. Navios Maritime Partners Results for Q2 2010. Athens Group Doubles Revenue, First Half of 2010.
Marine Electronics Consilium Oil Spill Radar Tested. Jeppesen, Brazil Forge Marine Data Agreement. Thrane & Thrane to Launch New VSAT Antenna. NMEA Board of Directors Changes. Alewijnse Marine Systems Outfits Oceanco Motoryacht.
Marine Propulsion Bay Diesel & Generator Distributes NREC Power Systems. Air Supported Monohull with Pod Propulsion. Bay Diesel & Generator Distributor for Scania/Terex. Vane Brothers, Alban Tractor Aid Oil Spill Clean-up. NOC Remanufactured Gear Elements for USNS Arctic.
Navigation NOAA Fairweather Updates Arctic Charts. Icebergs across the North Atlantic. WCI: Groundswell of Support for Inland Waterways Capital Plan. Leaders Tour Canal Site. Raytheon Anschütz New Intelligent Bridge System.
Navy This Day in Naval History – July 30. This Day in Naval History – July 29. This Day in Naval History – July 28. This Day in Naval History – July 27. This Day in Naval History – July 26.
Offshore Offshore: Winds of change or a storm to weather?. Salazar Visits GOM Rigs, Observes Inspections & Safety. Noble Closes Acquisition of Frontier Drilling. Huisman Delivers Crane to Deep Water Construction Vessel. Advertising Campaign To Fight Drilling Ban.
Ports Grant to Reduce Emissions at Port of Pittsburgh. Two Finalist Proposals for New Port of Philadelphia Terminal. LaHood Green Lights Oahu Container Yard. DP World Antwerp Commissions Liebherr Crane. Port of Kiel docks four cruise ships at once.
Ship Sales Oil and Garbage Skimmer Vessel for Charter, Sale. Recent Ship Sales. Beijing Plan to Scrap Old Ships. Diana Shipping to Buy Container Ships. Sale of Two New AHT Supply Vessels.
Shipbuilding More ShipConstructor Promef Projects. Brunswick Sells Fishing Holdings to Triton Boats. General Dynamics Delivers Submarine Missouri. Iranian Shipyard Karoon Signs New Contract. VSE Awarded Support Contract for Iraqi Navy.
Technology Fugawi X-Traverse Compatible with the iPad. NG: Maritime Laser Demo System Proves Capabilities. Air Supported Monohull with Pod Propulsion. ASC Chosen for North Sea Platform. VMT on IMO’s Recognition of Survival Craft Simulation.
Workboats New Alnmaritec Skimmers Delivered. Two More High-Bollard-Pull Ocean Tugs for Crowley. AVRA Towage Adds to Fleet. BCGP Delivers Seven RIBs to Fla. Fish & Wildlife. Sustainable River Transport.