General News

Termomeccanica has introduced a range axially split centrifugal and in-line pumps which do not require oil or grease lubrication. Both designs use the pumped fluid as a lubricating medium and to give…

Passenger ferry operators in the EU are counting the cost in lost revenue following the demise of duty free sales in the middle of last year. Across the European Union, ferry companies…

NKK is developing a welding robot that can weld on a ship`s bottom shell plate from underneath the bottom of the ship while in dry dock. The company says it has devised…

The IMO may have handed engine manufacturers a virtual monopoly on spare parts and reconditioning. Shipowners with engines complying to the IMO?s NOx code may find their sources of spare parts and…

An in-line sensor which monitors the level of contamination in hydraulic fluid has been introduced by Arma Supplies. The company has designed and built two flushing rigs which it says can flush…

As the year ends, Kvaerner has failed to meet its deadline for disposing of its 13 yards and has only sold three (Leirvik, Kleven and Govan). A spokesman for the company says…

Rochem Environmental is to install its FM-Module grey water cleaning system on two ships operated by Celebrity Cruises. Cruise ships Galaxy and Mercury are expected to be fitted with the system by…

An independent Norwegian Cruise Line will order one ship per year says Geir Aune, president and ceo of NCL Holdings ASA. Speaking in a press conference he said that the company?s bid…

Ameron Coatings has introduced Amerlock 2 low-temperature cure epoxy which it says has improved corrosion protection in marine environments, cures to 0 degF ?18degC, is typically re-coatable in three hours, and is…

Liberia, Algeria and Poland have been voted off the 32-state IMO Council for 2000 - 2001 to be replaced by the Bahamas, Malta and Morocco. As Liberia?s register is the second largest…

Magnetrol says that the introduction of a coaxial probe for its Eclipse transmitter means that its guided wave radar level measurement system can be used in both high-temperature and high-pressure process environments.…

Classification : ClassNK assessments ClassNK, the Tokyo-based classification society, has introduced a conformity assessment service for life-saving appliances, marine pollution prevention and fire protection equipment under the amendments to Council Directive 96/98/EC…

China : Another first for Chinese yards Hard on the heels of recent first-time orders for ropax ferries and VLCCs at Chinese yards, Dalian New Shipyard in China has won its first…

Cleaning : Cleaning by microemulsion The Drew Marine Division of Ashland Specialty Chemical Company has developed a solvent-free air cooler cleaner that it says eliminates the hydrocarbon fumes, surface residues and sludge…

Italy : Minoan orders again Fincantieri`s wholly owned subsidiary Sestri Cantiere Navali has won an order to build a pair of new passenger ferries for Minoan Lines of Greece.The two ships were…

Fuel Treatment : Reducing dosing Drew Marine says its Amerstat 25 microbiocide fuel treatment allows a 40 per cent reduction in the dosing required to protect against biodegradation of distillate fuel in…

Japan : TESS design proves popular Tsuneishi Shipyard in Japan has won a further order - this time from Taiwanese interests - for its innovative TESS 52 handymax bulk carrier. The Japanese…

Bridge Systems : Compact integrated console In co-operation with SAIT Marine, Radio Holland has developed a compact integrated bridge console for ships with a limited amount of space available on the bridge.…

European shipowners have beaten a path to Hanjin Heavy Industries in Korea in recent months, placing orders for container ships and chemical tankers.Vroon BV in the Netherlands has placed orders for a…

Vessel Tracking : STN Atlas to upgrade Hamburg STN Atlas Elektronik has won a contract for upgrading of VTS facilities at the Port of Hamburg.Due for completion in April 2000, the project…

Korean yards, including the troubled Daewoo shipyard, have been awarded a number of VLCC contracts in the past month. Daewoo`s orders include a pair of 300,000 dwt tankers from Worldwide Shipping for…

Control network : ABB launches fieldbus device ABB Industria has launched a fieldbus device that enables drives to be used with LonWorks control networks.The ABB NLON-01 LonWorks adapter module allows commands to…