Puerto Rico News

Another successful exclusivity agreement was undersigned between VANOS S.A. and Skipsutstyr A/S, for premium Norway-made optical solutions, for the Greek and Cypriot markets. Skipsutstyr A/S is a renowned Norwegian manufacturer and distributor, focused on product development and high performance, while committed to the customers’ needs on searchlights, floodlights, bowlights, navigation lights, general lighting and window wiper systems, for harsh environments. POLARLIGHT searchlights and...

Borchard Lines Ltd-owned Palletwide containers offer door-door savings, for a wide range of export industries. Palletwide containers With increasing haulage issues within continental Europe and the Mediterranean regions, the over 20% saving on door-door costs, offered by Palletwide containers, is amplified by the need to decrease the number of land-side moves. Environmentally, the benefits are clear, along with punctual, door-door services providing all-round savings.

Certas Energy, working in partnership with Peel Ports Group, recently launched Shell GTL Fuel, at their new 24-hours HGV refuelling site, located at the Port of Liverpool, in the United Kingdom (UK). Borchard Lines Ltd, who have been operating liner shipping services since 1933, are the first company, at the Port of Liverpool, to trial Shell GTL Fuel, in two of their fleet vehicles. Shell GTL Fuel Shell GTL Fuel is a liquid fuel that is a cleaner burning alternative to diesel. Shell GTL Fuel...

The new communications systems, which have been provided by Aquila and designed and manufactured by its partner, Jotron, will be used to assist UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) operations on the Ascension Island, located in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. Auila’s ground-to-air solutions Aquila provides ground-to-air solutions and servicing, in some of the most remote parts of the world. The Ascension Island, which is a volcanic yet beautiful mid-Atlantic island, is no excepti...

GEM elettronica is proud to announce the successful installation and acceptance testing of the 3D Columbus Radar onboard of the Italian Navy Ship Vulcano. Columbus Columbus is a short-medium range, 3D, Air & Surface search-navigation radar system, proposed for Naval and Land-based operations, demanding high detection performances, high reliability and availability, reduced maintenance and lifecycle costs. It is specifically designed to detect and track small fast-moving targets in all alt...

The largest ambulance boat ever built in Norway, Thea Jensen, was recently handed over to its new owners. Jotron safety equipment onboard Jotron has supplied EPIRBs, AIS-SART and VHF handheld radios for the vessel. The aluminium-hulled Thea Jensen ambulance boat will be operated in the area of Loppa, Hasfjord and the outer Altafjord, in Norway and be used primarily to serve the residents in remote areas, where transport to hospitals by land is not feasible, due to the roads being impassable, e...

In the year to 1st December 2020, Borchard Lines’ schedule reliability continues to show strong results, averaging over 93% on-time, consistent overall quarters.  Using the same methodology, this is in contrast to the global shipping trend, which as was recently noted:- “Global schedule reliability of container shipping fell to just 56 percent in September, with the on-time performance of Asia shipments to the US West and East coasts slipping below 50 percent. According to data...

In the period 1st January to 31st May 2021, Borchard Lines’ schedule reliability has remained at its high levels, averaging between 95-100% on-time, consistent over both quarters. In the period 1st January to 31st May 2021, Borchard Lines’ schedule reliability has remained at its high levels, averaging between 95%-100% on time, consistent over both quarters. This is in comparison to a global industry average of 40.3% (March 2021 figures). Missing the window The cons...

In the period 1st January to 30th September 2021, Borchard Lines’ schedule reliability has remained at its high levels, averaging between 86-100% on-time, consistent over all three quarters. UK ports remain a particular challenge. In the period 1st January to 30th September 2021, Borchard Lines’ schedule reliability has remained at its high levels, averaging between 86%-100% on time, consistent over both quarters. This is in comparison to a global industry average of 35.8% (December...

Ship managers and captains are under pressure to implement new data applications, in order to improve operational efficiency and keep crew welfare at the forefront, getting more from their satellite data. With traditionally restrictive VSAT solutions comes challenges, as demand for onboard connectivity continues to grow, yet corporate spending is scrutinised and in some cases, operational costs require trimming. Trial of new data heavy applications Trialling new applications, which require ad...

To create great products means to listen, understand and rebuild constantly. In the current global market situation, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe capacity disruptions, the biggest challenge for A.P. Moller – Maersk’s (Maersk) customers was to acquire the right agility and resilience in their supply chain. While talking to the customers, a key learning was that more clarity was needed on the kind of contracts and products that they were purchasing with Maersk. Whi...

Rolls-Royce is introducing significantly extended engine running times, of up to 96,000 hours between overhauls (TBO), for the latest generation of its mtu Series 4000 engines, for commercial marine applications. In general, all marine engines of the latest generation of mtu Series 4000 can now run for up to 25 years before they need a major overhaul, depending on the duration and intensity of use. That is seven years more between overhauls than previously recommended. Rolls-Royce's mtu Series...

SBM Offshore is pleased to announce it has signed contracts with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) for the 22.5 years lease and operation of FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão. These contracts follow the signing of the binding Letter of Intent as announced on August 3, 2021. FPSO Alexandre de Gusmão will be deployed at the Mero field in the Santos Basin offshore Brazil, approximately 160 kilometres from Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro state. Fast4Ward® program Mero is a...

BAE Systems, a globally renowned company in electric propulsion, successfully installed its zero-emission propulsion system in the first U.S. hydrogen fuel cell powered marine vessel, the Sea Change. BAE Systems provided its HybriGen Power and Propulsion solution to Zero Emission Industries for integration on the Sea Change vessel that will operate in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Sea Change project is funded and owned by SWITCH Maritime, an impact investment firm building the first fleet of...

Headquartered in Kolding, Denmark, Tricon produces control panels and electronics for the global market. This calls for wide-ranging and skilled logistics solutions. Currently, Blue Water handles all Tricon’s cross-border shipments to and from Kolding, the company’s factory in Hungary and the rest of the world. Good sparring partner “The employees of Blue Water are always quick to assist if we have questions or challenges," says Director of Tricon, Kenneth Lund, adding ...

The OECS region’s coastal and marine environment is pivotal to the advancement of the region’s sustainable development agenda as well as to the ecological sustainability and holistic development of its Member States.  Although the Blue Economy in the region is fairly nascent and requires a major boost to realise its transformative promises, there is momentum and gradual growth in understanding of the potential of the Blue Economy to position the region to realise its aspiration...

When I recently read about OceanXplorers, Disney Plus' new series about heroic scientists researching the world of the deep, I was excited—not least for my kids—and quietly dismayed. Our society needs to do for the ocean what Carl Sagan and Neil DeGrasse Tyson did for outer space: familiarise ourselves, get excited, engage and connect. That said, NASA's funding is $22.6 billion, and NOAA received roughly one-quarter of that at $5.4 billion. A decent amount of people reading thi...

With COP26 just around the corner and a year on from the announcement of the UK Government’s 10 Point Plan, the need to become more carbon neutral is as prominent as ever and is now underway in numerous industries across the world. Frequent severe weather events It’s no secret that the weather is changing, with severe conditions happening more frequently and at pace, with soaring temperatures, storms, flooding and even volcanic eruptions all making headlines on a regular basis. Ho...

For the first time after the COVID-19 breakout, Blue Water’s Aid & Development Logistics team gathered with a large number of NGOs, the UN, and many of their suppliers for the annual AidEx event and conference in Brussels, Belgium. At the event, government bodies meet with the private sector and the many other professionals working to help the most vulnerable of this world. This year, AidEx could celebrate its tenth jubilee. Sustainability Blue Water was part of the Danish Pavilion....

The UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) has given initial consideration to an innovative proposal from the global shipping industry to collectively provide USD 5 billion to accelerate R&D to support its decarbonisation. The world’s governments have agreed to give further consideration to the detail of the concept of an IMO-supervised, industry financed, USD 5 billion programme, to be conducted by a new International Maritime Research and Development Board (IMRB)...

Danfoss China has signed a cooperation agreement with renowned Chinese shipyard, Zhenjiang Shipyard, to quicken the rate of electrification in the Chinese marine industry. The agreement between Danfoss China and Zhenjiang Shipyard is directly aligned with China’s strategy to boost green shipping and will see the two companies partner, in order to further enhance Zhenjiang Shipyard’s hybrid tugboats, the star vessel of the business’ portfolio. Partnership with Zhenjiang Shipya...

The municipality of Aveiro will integrate its first fully electric ferry into its public transportation system in 2022, which will be powered by Danfoss’ Editron division’s electric propulsion system. The vessel will replace the existing diesel-powered ferry operating between Forte da Barra, in Ilhavo, and São Jacinto, in Aveiro. The new electric ferry forms part of the country’s effort to accelerate the transition to emission-free public transport solutions. Increased...

MetOcean Telematics is pleased to announce the official release of the STOKES Iridium tracking drifter. It is available for purchase. The STOKES drifter was designed and tested in technical partnership with Florida State University (FSU). STOKES drifter The STOKES drifter is a compact drifting buoy that tracks water currents at the surface. The small lightweight buoy is equipped with Iridium satellite telemetry, GPS positioning, and a sea surface temperature sensor. Iridium satellite telemet...

On 12th November, the Pakistan Navy commissioned its new Corvette – a Damen OPV 1900 – named PNS Tabuk at the Port of Constanta, Romania. The ship is part of a two-vessel order with Damen, signed by the Pakistan Ministry of Defence in 2017. Both ships are built at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. The first vessel, PNS Yarmook, joined the Pakistan Navy’s fleet in February. Multipurpose & highly adaptable platform The Damen OPV 1900 feature 2 DAMEN INBOARD RHIB 1125. Th...

IOTICS is creating a digital twin of Portsmouth International Port as part of an ambitious 1.5m project to demonstrate an achievable modular green hydrogen generation system within the Port. The Shipping, Hydrogen & Port Ecosystems UK (SHAPE UK) project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. Portsmouth International Port is the UK's largest and most successful municipal port, operated by...

Two pioneers in marine electrification, Volvo Penta, and Danfoss’ Editron division, have worked together to power two of the UK’s first fully integrated hybrid electric crew transfer vessels (CTVs). The vessels have been in operation at an offshore wind farm for a month and are already making a positive environmental impact. A recent announcement from COP26 was the promise of £160 million in new funding to support the building of floating offshore wind farms in Scotland a...

SBM Offshore is pleased to announce it has been awarded contracts to perform Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) for a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading vessel (FPSO) for the Yellowtail development project. The FEED contract award triggers the initial release of funds by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) to begin FEED activities and secure a Fast4Ward® hull. Construct, install, and lease FPSO Following FEED and subject to g...

The EU Innovation Fund has given a positive grant decision of EUR 88 million funding to Neste’s green hydrogen and CO2 capture & storage project, which aims to quickly and efficiently reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the Porvoo refinery in Finland. The project introduces carbon capture and storage (CCS) and electrolysis solutions that allow decarbonisation of production at the refinery. The project is currently in the feasibility phase. Climate targets  The project will stron...

The transition to a low-carbon society is reliant upon bringing in new and growing technologies, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to reduce the CO2 emissions to atmosphere, and Norway’s Equinor is a pinoeer in this area. There is a need for reliable consequence models for safety assessments, design of barriers and documentation of CCS safe design. To ensure the highest safety standards, it is critical to have tools that simulate what actually happens if accidents occ...

Ports around the UK continuously command media attention, and most recently, the ongoing disruption to supply chains globally has had a great impact on the day-to-day running of our ports. One example is Felixstowe, the UK’s largest container port, which has been forced to turn away ships from Asia because of a lack of capacity. The severe lack of HGV drivers is adding to the problem too. It has been reported that the amount of time goods spend inside Felixstowe port, known in the indust...