North Carolina Ports adopts port equipment training simulator

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June 19, 2019

North Carolina Ports received last month a new port equipment simulator to run training packs for Reach Stacker and Ship-to-Shore crane, as the need for efficient, cost-effective training becomes increasingly relevant.

Montreal-based CM Labs Simulations, developer of Vortex training simulators, delivered the equipment last month.

North Carolina Ports has one of the highest crane productivity rates on the US east coast, with more than 40 moves per hour.

In 2018, North Carolina Ports installed two neo-Panamax cranes, with a third installed in 2019, to accommodate loading and unloading of ultra-large container vessels.

The simulator is powered by Smart Training Technology, which provides a training tool that delivers the most transferable skills anywhere, outside of the real equipment.

Machine motion and vibrations are rendered using motion platforms, while the surround sound system delivers authentic equipment and environment sounds.

CM Labs also delivered its Instructor Operating Station (IOS), which gives trainers full control of training scenarios, allowing them to observe from any angle, inject faults and weather conditions, and conduct after-action review of trainee performance.

"The addition of the CM Labs Vortex Port Equipment Simulator is an important component of North Carolina Ports’ long-term improvements plan. The simulator serves as a critical training tool for current and future employees, allowing us to better prepare our employees for the cargoes of today and tomorrow by keeping in mind our core focus of safety, speed and efficiency,"…said Brian E. Clark, North Carolina Ports Chief Operating Officer.

Source;safety4sea

TechnipFMC awarded Mozambique LNG subsea contracts by Anadarko

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June 19, 2019

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TechnipFMC has been awarded several subsea contracts by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation for the Mozambique Golfinho/Atum developments.

The company was awarded a major contract for the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the subsea hardware system. It will execute the offshore installation scope with its consortium partner Van Oord and in cooperation with subcontractor Allseas. The value of the contract is over $1bn.

Additionally, TechnipFMC was also awarded separate contracts to provide subsea hardware in support of well construction and the EPCI scope.

Arnaud Pieton, president subsea at TechnipFMC, commented: “We are extremely pleased to have been selected for the majority of the Mozambique LNG subsea scope. TechnipFMC will execute its scope utilising our integrated model – iEPCI TM – and will highlight our industry leading subsea capabilities to help maximise Anadarko’s overall project value. This award is a testament of our 25-year partnership with Anadarko and will further expand our presence in Mozambique.”

TechnipFMC opened a new office in Mozambique in February 2019 to support its operations there.

Source;splash247

MSC 101 approves measures on safer mooring operations

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June 19, 2019

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During IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), that took place between June 5 to 14, participants discussed on current issues related to safety and security of the shipping industry. The matters of discussion also focused on draft measures for safe mooring operations, as prepared by the SDC sub-committee based on proposals originally submitted by Denmark.

Mainly, the measures that got the green light from the Committee involve an amended SOLAS regulation and guidelines aiming to enhance the current situation where accidents and unsafe work situations frequently happen during mooring operations of ships.

The measures will now be circulated to Member States with a view to adoption at the next Committee meeting in 2020.

Except safe mooring operations, the Committee also discussed about fuel oil safety issues in relation to the 2020 sulphur cap that are to come into operation on January 1, 2020.

In addition, in continuing the ongoing work on autonomous ships, MSC approved interim guidelines for MASS trails with a view to assist IMO Member States, industry and other parties involved in testing autonomous ships in a safe and efficient way.

In light of the meeting, the Danish delegation held a presentation on cybersecurity in which a representative from Maersk providing the Committee with their experiences of the 2017 cyberattack.

Source:safety4sea

Gaming application to reduce GHG emissions

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June 19, 2019

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W-Foundation, a global relief and conservation organization, collaborates with UN's Climate Neutral Now initiative to boost sustainability and climate action via an application that will encourage the public to take action and share the results of GHG emissions reductions.

The application was launched in Korea, and is now available in English. In order to encourage the users and their enthusiastic participation and voluntary generation of useful greenhouse gas emissions reduction data, the top 20% are rewarded each month with WGP (W Green Pay), a blockchain currency.

Moreover, to lure more users, those using the application can place a link on the HPPXI app to Climate Neutral Now initiative, thereby inviting other HOOXI app users to support the initiative.

With the proceeds, W-Foundation purchases UN certified emission reduction units (CERs) to support emission reduction projects in developing countries.

Also, the application aims to specifically generate time series data that can over time contribute to a rigorous quantitative accounting of the public's contribution to greenhouse gas remissions reduction through the HOOXI app. For each user signing up through the HOOXI app, W-Foundation makes a donation equivalent to 1 ton of carbon for each registrant who signs up through the advance registration site.

Climate Neutral Now calls for companies, organisations, governments and citizens to collaborate towards climate neutrality by reducing their climate footprint by measuring their greenhouse gas emissions, reducing them as much as possible and then compensating those which cannot be avoided.

Concluding, Niclas Svenningsen, Manager of Global Climate Action at UN Climate Change commented..."We are excited to cooperate with W-Foundation to promote climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in our global communities."

W-Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2012, committed to leading and enabling a broad-based public support for nature conservation, climate change mitigation and immediate relief for refugees impacted by climate change and natural disasters.

Source:safety4sea

$1bn worth of cocaine found on MSC ship

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June 19, 2019

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MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co is once again at the centre of a huge cocaine bust at the Port of Philadelphia.

Authorities yesterday revealed they had found 16.5 tonnes of cocaine on the 9,962 teu MSC Gayane, which was raided on Monday morning when it docked at the US east coast port, having come from Colombia. The street value of the haul was estimated at $1bn, a record high for the city of Philadelphia.

Members of the crew were arrested and face federal charges.

According to court documents, second officer Ivan Durasevic allegedly admitted to his role in bringing the cocaine onboard the vessel.

“Upon leaving Peru on this current voyage, he got a call from the Chief Officer to come down to the deck, at which time he saw nets on the port side stern by the ship’s crane,” the complaint said. “Durasevic and approximately four other individuals, some of whom were wearing ski masks, assisted in the pushing of the nets toward Hold Seven or Eight of the vessel.”

Durasevic said he was paid $50,000 by the chief officer, who has not been identified.

Another crew member, identified as Fonofaavae Tiasaga, also allegedly admitted to partaking in loading cocaine on the ship, including on a previous voyage, the complaint said.

“Prior to departing on the voyage, the ship’s Electrician and the Chief Mate also approached Tiasaga and asked if he was willing to help again,” the complaint states. “According to Tiasaga, each of these four crewmembers coordinated individual loads of cocaine.”

The court documents also allege that at least twice while the ship was en route between stops in Chile and Panama, numerous smaller boats approached the MSC Gayane at sea to hand off large bundles of the illicit drug.

In March another MSC vessel, the 9,400 teu MSC Desiree, was raided when calling at Philadelphia and a stash of cocaine worth $38m was found onboard.

MSC said in a statement yesterday that it “takes this matter very seriously and is grateful to the authorities for identifying any suspected abuse of its services.”

IMO and UN Environment – working together to keep the Mediterranean clean

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June 19, 2019

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A key IMO-administered pollution response facility in the Mediterranean is to undertake a far-reaching programme of activities designed to help address the adverse effects of shipping on human health and marine ecosystems, IMO says in a press release.

At their bi-annual meeting in Malta (11-13 June), focal points for the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), have agreed:

· to continue developing and strengthening pollution response capacity and cooperation at national, sub-regional and regional levels

· to explore and establish synergies between the Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean and the IMO action plan to address marine plastic litter from ships

· to examine further the possibility of designating the Mediterranean Sea area as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides under MARPOL Annex VI

· the need to define a sustainable and collaborative approach to implement the Offshore Protocol and its action plan effectively, and

· to launch a wide consultation process to prepare a draft post-2021 Mediterranean strategy for prevention of, and response to, marine pollution from ships involving all coastal States and relevant regional organizations

The meeting marked the 25th anniversary of the Mediterranean Assistance Unit (MAU), a group of experts and centres of expertise that can be mobilised by REMPEC in emergencies, and welcomed its latest member, the Adriatic Training and Research Centre for Accidental Marine Pollution Preparedness and Response.

More than 80 participants attended the meeting, from IMO, 19 Mediterranean coastal states, the European Union/European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), UN Environment, as well as other governmental and non-governmental organizations and shipping industry representatives.

Shipping activity in the Mediterranean has been rising considerably in recent highlighting the need for continued regional cooperation on pollution prevention and response. In particular, a rapid rise in cruise activity makes it now the world’s second busiest region for cruises.

Kim Heng Offshore & Marine Holdings signs MoU with HHC and Thaitan

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June 19, 2019

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Kim Heng Offshore & Marine Holdings Limited, an established integrated offshore and marine value chain services provider, has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary KimHeng Marine & Oilfield Pte Ltd (“KHMO”) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Hung Hua Construction Co. (“HHC”) and Thaitan Drilling Co. Ltd (“Thaitan”) to establish a long term business cooperation.

HHC is a marine construction company participating in dredging and maritime construction projects. For more than 30 years, HHC has been engaging in dredging of waterways, navigation channels, constructing of dykes, foundation piles, breakwaters, projects of large reclamation and port construction.

Thaitan is a company specialisingin the provision of leading Horizontal Directional Drilling (“HDD”) services.

The MOU is in relation to the operations between KHMO, HHC and Thaitan relating to HDD projects and marine construction projects.

KHMO and Thaitan will, as a consortium or joint venture,provide design, engineering, drilling equipment and project technical support to HHC’s HDD projects onshore and offshore.

KHMO and Thaitan will support HHC technically and operationally as a preferred sub-contractor for its future projects in Taiwan.

HHC will tender for future HDD projects and marine construction projects in Taiwan on behalf of KHMO and Thaitan.

HHC, KHMO and Thaitan will explore forming a joint venture through a subsidiary registered in Taiwan for future HDD projects and marine construction projects. KHMO,HHC and Thaitan will work towards signinga formal contractual agreementand charter party agreements.The MOU will remain in force for a period of one year, and renewable as mutually agreed by the parties.

Source:portnews

Pioneering Spirit removes Valhall QP topsides

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June 17, 2019

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Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit has removed the QP accommodation platform topsides and connecting bridge from the Aker BP-operated Valhall field in the southern Norwegian North Sea.

Weighing 3,800 tons, the QP topsides is the lightest that the vessel has lifted to date, Allseas said.

Executed on Thursday, June 14, the single-lift operation took two hours to complete from positioning the Pioneering Spirit around the platform to the moment of the lift. According to the company, the actual “fast lift” of the topsides took nine seconds.

The 109-ton bridge connecting the QP topsides to the neighboring drilling platform was removed using one of the vessel’s cranes on Tuesday, June 11.

Removal of the QP topsides is the first job for the Pioneering Spirit under the frame agreement which Allseas signed with Aker BP in 2017 to provide transport, installation, and removal services for the Valhall oil field.

The Valhall complex is about 280 km (174 mi) off the Norwegian coast and comprises six steel, bridge-connected platforms that stand in 70 m (230 ft) of water. The QP topsides is the first of the original structures to be removed from the field center as a key part of the modernizing of the Valhall area.

The lift concludes two years of engineering, planning and pre-lift preparations, which ended last month with the installation of lift rigging for the bridge and cutting of the platform legs. According to Allseas, the castellated cut shape, combined with pre-installed custom-made leg restraints, prevented any possible topsides movement prior to the lift.

The QP topsides and bridge have since been sea-fastened onboard the Pioneering Spirit for transport to the Kvaerner AS disposal yard in Norway. The topsides will be transferred to a cargo barge at a sheltered location close to the yard for load-in to the quay for dismantling. The bridge will be crane-lifted directly onto the quayside.

The Pioneering Spirit will return to the North Sea to remove the 24,800-ton Brent Bravo topsides for Shell UK.

Source:offshore-mag

Subsea 7 to deliver pipelines for Sverdrup Phase 2

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June 17, 2019

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Equinor has awarded Subsea 7 S.A. an EPIC contract for the Johan Sverdrup Phase 2 project in the Norwegian North Sea.

The contract comprises project management, engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of about 100 km (62 mi) of rigid pipelines, including 40 km (25 mi) of pipe-in-pipe flowlines, 27 km (17 mi) of water injection, and 37 km (23 mi) of gas injection pipelines.

The marine operations scope includes the installation of 23 km (14 mi) of umbilicals, tie-in spools, and pre-commissioning.

Project management and engineering will start immediately at Subsea 7’s offices in Stavanger, Norway. Fabrication will take place at its spoolbase in Vigra, Norway, and offshore operations will be carried out in 2021.

According to Equinor, this will increase the share of contracts awarded to Norwegian suppliers in Phase 2 to 85%.

The first phase of the Johan Sverdrup development is nearly 90% completed, with production expected to start in November, Equinor said.

In Phase 1, Subsea 7 was responsible for delivery and installation of several subsea components and tie-in of pipelines at the field.

Source:offshore-mag

X-Feeders boxship and KOTC tanker collide at Chittagong Port

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June 16, 2019

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The 1,688 teu feeder boxship X Press Mahananda and 46,300 dwt MR2 tanker Burgancollided on the Karnaphuli channel near Chittagong Port on Friday.

The accident occurred when the unladen oil tanker Burgan was leaving the port and the containership X Press Mahananda was coming from the opposite direction, and the two ships struck into each other.

As a result of the collision, both vessels suffered damages to their bows.

The Chittagong Port Authority managed to separate the two ships using five tugs and moved them to a nearby dock on the same day, following hours of vessel operations suspended at the port due to the incident.

X Press Mahananda is operated by Singapore’s X-Feeders and Burgan is operated by Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC).

The port authority has launched an investigation into the accident.

Source:splash247