General News

The suite of fleet management software modules from ABS has been expanded following the merger of its SafeNet with the Nautical Technology Corporation (NTC) Ship Manager program. The two management systems have…

About 2,900 shipbuilders, or two thirds of those who once worked for Bremer Vulkan now have new jobs. Many have not gone back into the few remaining local yards, but it indicates…

ICS Electronic has launched a GMDSS A2/A3 communication system called the ICS Touchcomm TC2. A touch screen display allows control of both the VHF and MF/HF radios via one common control panel,…

Almost 80 per cent of the merchant ships built last year were propelled by two-stroke engines. Simplicity, both by design and direct drive, along with low running and maintenance costs have proved…

Stratos Mobile Networks has introduced Stratos Mail, a messaging service that allows Inmarsat-A/-B Telex or -C equipped vessels to communicate directly via satellite with Intemet e-mail subscribers. On the vessel, Stratos Mail…

The recently completed floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel Varg is designed for use in the harsh environment of the North Sea. Delivered in September by Keppel FELS Singapore Ltd, Varg…

Dubai Drydocks will commence an extensive refit of the FPSO Cossack Pioneer during February 1999. The contract was awarded by Woodside Energy after competitive tender, and is seen as an important step…

Exhibition space at Shiprepair & Conversion `98 has increased by 30 per cent and is full to capacity, according to the organisers. This year`s event takes place on November 18-19 at London`s…

Cegelec Projects has supplied a triple voting dynamic positioning system to R & B Falcon`s FPSO Seillean. The upgraded vessel will be used on the world`s deepest production well, at 1,900m, by…

Tanker owners` association Intertanko has calculated that the cost of changing ballast water in a VLCC as proposed by the IMO will be $1,800 per trip, costing the industry over $18.6 million/year…

San Diego`s Southwest Marine officially acquired the Norfolk, VA shiprepairer Norshipco on October 1. This gives Southwest significant repair capacity on both coasts. Terms were not disclosed, but Norshipco has not been…

The Canadian Transportation Safety Board has shown Flare`s owner, flag state (Cyprus) and classification society (LR) evidence from an underwater survey of the bow section. This points to a fracture beginning in…

Following an announcement earlier in the year that it was planning to quadruple its passenger capacity within the next seven to ten years, American Classic Voyages (AMCV) has finally signed a Letter…

Germany`s Meyer Werft shipyard has clinched the order to build a £200 million ($341.58 million) sister ship to P&O Cruises Oriana. The 76,000g UK-flagged vessel`s keel will be laid in January 1999…

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has decided to invest in new tonnage for its VLCC fleet and has ordered a double-hulled VLCC at Japan`s Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). The contract, the value…

Japanese engine manufacturer Niigata has introduced an HLX medium-speed series in 22, 28 and 34cm bore sizes. Piston strokes are 300mm, 400mm, and 500mm respectively, giving engine speeds of 1,000/900 rev/min, 750/720…

SMM, Hamburg`s biennial gathering of shipbuilding industries, has grown again and many exhibitors will use the show to launch new products. Each day, The Motor Ship will publish a daily newletter/paper providing…

COMMUNICATIONS The Webtrack messaging and tracking service uses the Internet to allow fleet managers and their agents to keep track of and in touch with their fleets, says BT. Webtrack uses existing…

In its first launch since acquiring a number of suppliers Litton Marine Systems offers an improved version of a Decca radar Decca`s BridgeMaster radars have established their mark in the marine market…

Subject to shareholder agreement, Cammell Laird Holdings is to buy ALB Holdings, owner of the Wear Dockyard Group, for a total consideration of £32.68 million ($54.68 million). The Wear Dockyard Group operates…