By Mark Edward Nero
The Maritime Administration on July 1 announced the availability of a report evaluating the design and construction of new battery components, as well as the risks and benefits of battery use in the power plant of a hybrid tugboat.
The assessment, which was conducted after a battery-related fire aboard a hybrid tug, looks at the benefits and risks associated with the reinstallation of batteries as part of the vessel’s hybrid power system.
In August 2012, an explosion and fire occurred in one of the lithium-polymer batteries on the Foss Maritime hybrid tug Campbell Foss, and subsequent to that fire, Foss removed the remaining batteries from the vessel and all of the lead-acid batteries on its other hybrid tug, Carolyn Dorothy. Campbell Foss was returned to service in diesel configuration without batteries, and Carolyn Dorothy was returned to service in a modified hybrid configuration that didn’t require the use of batteries.
The newly-released assessment showed that a refined design with explosion protection, structural separation from occupied spaces, specialized battery controls, and shutdown protocols improved the risk profile for the hybrid power system.
The report also demonstrated that without the battery array, the hybrid system would not achieve the tug’s full performance requirements nor the emissions and fuel consumption reductions made possible by hybrid technology.
However, anecdotal evidence suggests, according to the report, that the use of batteries in a hybrid tug system poses an impediment to more widespread adoption.
The document was developed through a partnership with Foss Maritime with funding from MARAD’s Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program. The META program’s designed to assist maritime stakeholders in addressing key environmental issues facing the industry.
The full report can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Hybrid-Battery-Refit-Final-Report-with-pics.pdf.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
USCG Fines 2 Puget Sound Ferry Jumpers
By Mark Edward Nero
Two men who intentionally jumped off the passenger vessel Spirit of Seattle last month face up to penalties of $2,500 each after being issued notices of violation, the captain of the port for the US Coast Guard’s Puget Sound sector said July 6.
Coast Guard investigating officers said that Nathan Keel of Tempe, Ariz. and Chanda Jatinder of Mesa, Ariz., were aboard the underway vessel on June 5 when they jumped over the rail and into the water.
Crewmembers from the vessel, which had more than 300 passengers aboard, immediately responded and recovered the individuals, according to the Coast Guard. Neither of the men suffered injuries.
Coast Guard officials have said they’re seeking penalties for violation of section 46 USC 2302 (a) of the Code of Federal Regulations, regarding interfering with the safe operations of a vessel so as to endanger the life, limb or property of a person.
“Intentionally jumping off a commercial vessel is extremely dangerous and diverts the crewmembers’ attention away from the safe operation of the vessel,” Puget Sound Sector Captain of the Port Joe Raymond said. “I have directed my staff to investigate each of these incidents and issue violations as appropriate.”
Two men who intentionally jumped off the passenger vessel Spirit of Seattle last month face up to penalties of $2,500 each after being issued notices of violation, the captain of the port for the US Coast Guard’s Puget Sound sector said July 6.
Coast Guard investigating officers said that Nathan Keel of Tempe, Ariz. and Chanda Jatinder of Mesa, Ariz., were aboard the underway vessel on June 5 when they jumped over the rail and into the water.
Crewmembers from the vessel, which had more than 300 passengers aboard, immediately responded and recovered the individuals, according to the Coast Guard. Neither of the men suffered injuries.
Coast Guard officials have said they’re seeking penalties for violation of section 46 USC 2302 (a) of the Code of Federal Regulations, regarding interfering with the safe operations of a vessel so as to endanger the life, limb or property of a person.
“Intentionally jumping off a commercial vessel is extremely dangerous and diverts the crewmembers’ attention away from the safe operation of the vessel,” Puget Sound Sector Captain of the Port Joe Raymond said. “I have directed my staff to investigate each of these incidents and issue violations as appropriate.”
Seaport Alliance Adds 2 Leaders
By Mark Edward Nero
The entity that operates the marine cargo operating partnership between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma announced the hiring of two new managers on July 11.
Zachary Thomas has joined the Northwest Seaport Alliance to lead the Operations Service Center, and Bob Meyer has been promoted to lead port operations and manage safety.
Thomas, holds a bachelor’s degree in nautical science from the Marine Maritime Academy, brings over 23 years of experience in the maritime industry to his new position, according to the Seaport Alliance. Prior to joining the NWSA, he held a variety of positions with Ports America, most recently as general manager in Tacoma since 2014.
In his new position, he is to lead efforts to partner with stakeholders across the supply chain to improve the efficiency and cost-competitiveness of the Puget Sound gateway.
Meyer, who holds a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation and business administration from the Maritime Academy, joined the Port of Tacoma in 2014 to manage the non-container facilities, a position that transitioned to the Northwest Seaport Alliance when the ports of Seattle and Tacoma formed the marine cargo operating partnership in August 2015.
In his expanded role, Meyer is to direct the operations at all port-operated terminals and rail yards, as well as the Seaport Alliance’s safety program.
Before joining the NWSA, Meyer spent nearly a decade as a merchant mariner and several years with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, most recently running the company’s Port of Brisbane terminal.
The entity that operates the marine cargo operating partnership between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma announced the hiring of two new managers on July 11.
Zachary Thomas has joined the Northwest Seaport Alliance to lead the Operations Service Center, and Bob Meyer has been promoted to lead port operations and manage safety.
Thomas, holds a bachelor’s degree in nautical science from the Marine Maritime Academy, brings over 23 years of experience in the maritime industry to his new position, according to the Seaport Alliance. Prior to joining the NWSA, he held a variety of positions with Ports America, most recently as general manager in Tacoma since 2014.
In his new position, he is to lead efforts to partner with stakeholders across the supply chain to improve the efficiency and cost-competitiveness of the Puget Sound gateway.
Meyer, who holds a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation and business administration from the Maritime Academy, joined the Port of Tacoma in 2014 to manage the non-container facilities, a position that transitioned to the Northwest Seaport Alliance when the ports of Seattle and Tacoma formed the marine cargo operating partnership in August 2015.
In his expanded role, Meyer is to direct the operations at all port-operated terminals and rail yards, as well as the Seaport Alliance’s safety program.
Before joining the NWSA, Meyer spent nearly a decade as a merchant mariner and several years with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, most recently running the company’s Port of Brisbane terminal.
LA-LB Ports Container Fees Rising
By Mark Edward Nero
On July 8, the 13 marine terminal operators at the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex announced a 1.9 percent increase in the traffic mitigation fee at the ports. Beginning Aug. 8, the container fee will be $70.49 per twenty-foot equivalent unit or $140.98 per forty-foot container.
The increase goes toward sustaining continued operation of off peak gate hours amid labor cost increases, according to the terminal operators collective.
The adjustment falls under the rules of the West Coast Marine Terminal Operator Agreement, which state that the container fee shall be adjusted annually to reflect increases in labor costs based on maritime labor cost figures.
The Pacific Maritime Association negotiates and administers maritime labor agreements with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
PierPass, a not-for-profit company created by marine terminal operators at the LA and Long Beach ports to address multi-terminal issues such as congestion, air quality and security, launched the off peak hours program in 2005 to reduce cargo-related congestion on local streets and highways around the ports.
The “OffPeak” program established regular night and Saturday work shifts to handle trucks delivering and picking up containers at the 13 container terminals in the two adjacent ports.
Using a congestion pricing model, PierPass charges a fee on weekday daytime cargo moves to incentivize cargo owners to use the OffPeak shifts. The fee also helps pay for the labor and other costs of operating the OffPeak shifts.
According to an analysis by maritime industry consultants SC Analytics, the costs incurred by the terminals to operate the OffPeak shifts in 2015 totaled $236.2 million. During the year, the terminals received $168.9 million from the traffic mitigation fee, offsetting only part of the OffPeak program’s costs.
Since 2005, OffPeak has taken more than 35 million truck trips out of daytime Southern California traffic and diverted them to less congested nights and weekends. About half of all port truck trips now take place during the OffPeak shifts, according to terminal operator data.
On July 8, the 13 marine terminal operators at the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex announced a 1.9 percent increase in the traffic mitigation fee at the ports. Beginning Aug. 8, the container fee will be $70.49 per twenty-foot equivalent unit or $140.98 per forty-foot container.
The increase goes toward sustaining continued operation of off peak gate hours amid labor cost increases, according to the terminal operators collective.
The adjustment falls under the rules of the West Coast Marine Terminal Operator Agreement, which state that the container fee shall be adjusted annually to reflect increases in labor costs based on maritime labor cost figures.
The Pacific Maritime Association negotiates and administers maritime labor agreements with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
PierPass, a not-for-profit company created by marine terminal operators at the LA and Long Beach ports to address multi-terminal issues such as congestion, air quality and security, launched the off peak hours program in 2005 to reduce cargo-related congestion on local streets and highways around the ports.
The “OffPeak” program established regular night and Saturday work shifts to handle trucks delivering and picking up containers at the 13 container terminals in the two adjacent ports.
Using a congestion pricing model, PierPass charges a fee on weekday daytime cargo moves to incentivize cargo owners to use the OffPeak shifts. The fee also helps pay for the labor and other costs of operating the OffPeak shifts.
According to an analysis by maritime industry consultants SC Analytics, the costs incurred by the terminals to operate the OffPeak shifts in 2015 totaled $236.2 million. During the year, the terminals received $168.9 million from the traffic mitigation fee, offsetting only part of the OffPeak program’s costs.
Since 2005, OffPeak has taken more than 35 million truck trips out of daytime Southern California traffic and diverted them to less congested nights and weekends. About half of all port truck trips now take place during the OffPeak shifts, according to terminal operator data.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Holland America Wins Seafarer of Year Award
By Mark Edward Nero
The captain and crew of Holland America Line’s Seattle-based cruise ship ms Veendam were named “Seafarer of the Year” at the 2016 Lloyd’s List North American Maritime Awards for the rescue of a pilot who ejected from his aircraft in the Pacific Ocean, Holland America said July 5.
The “Seafarer of the Year” award recognizes the skills, bravery and professionalism that seafarers demonstrate daily. On Jan. 25, 2015, Veendam rescued a pilot 225 miles off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, who had to ditch his single-engine aircraft after running out of fuel.
The plane had a parachute system and the pilot was able to safely escape into a life-raft where he was retrieved by Veendam.
Holland America Line received the award at a ceremony in New York. Lloyd’s List called Veendam’s award one of the “stand-out moments of the gala dinner.”
“Whenever the crew of a vessel are actively involved in a rescue it shows the capabilities and the humanity of the profession,” said Sander Wielemaker, an area manager for award sponsor DNV GL, an international certification body and classification society. “The master and crew, through coordination with the authorities, were able to save the life of the individual and no doubt add a moment of out-of-the-ordinary excitement for the passengers of the cruise ship.”
“To be honored for saving a life is both humbling and rewarding,” Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford said.
Holland America Line has said it participates in rescues at sea whenever called upon. Also in 2015, ms Zuiderdam rescued eight crewmembers from a sinking vessel in the Caribbean, while ms Zaandam came to the aid of seven stranded crewmembers at the Arctowski Polish research station at King George Island in Antarctica.
Also during the awards, Crowley Maritime was named ocean-going ship operator of the year, and the Alaska Prevention & Response Network received the “Safer, Cleaner Seas Award.”
The full list of awardees can be seen at http://lloydslistawards-northamerica.com/2016-winners/
Vigor Delivers Tug to Harley Marine
By Mark Edward Nero
Vigor Marine’s Seattle shipyard recently delivered the Dale R. Lindsey, a 95-foot by 38-foot by 16-foot, 3,000 horsepower ATB Twin Screw Tug to Seattle-based Harley Marine Services.
This is the eleventh vessel built by Vigor for Harley Marine, a long-time customer. Two 83,000 bbl., double-hull ATB tank barges, Fight ALS and Fight Fanconi Anemia, were recently completed at the Portland, Oregon shipyard.
“Repeat business is one of the best compliments a builder can receive,” Vigor Executive VP of Business Development Keith Whittemore said in a statement. “Even better is when the confidence of our customers extends into new areas. Vigor has worked hard to expand its capabilities and has steadily grown from a barge builder to a construction portfolio that includes ferries in Seattle, Alaska and San Francisco, fishing vessels, fireboats, tugs, high performance crafts and now an ATB tug.”
Designed by Elliot Bay Design Group for primary operation in Alaska, the ATB tug utilizes an Articouple FRM-43M coupler system to pair with the 20,000-barrel oil barge, Petro Mariner. It features a raised aluminum pilothouse for optimal visibility built by Kvichak Marine.
“We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Vigor, built on their ability to consistently deliver a quality product to serve the needs of our customers,” Harley Marine’s Harley Franco said. “Their knowledge of the unique construction needs of vessels operating in the demanding Alaskan environment will be an added benefit in helping us maintain our unswerving commitment to both safety and the environment in the communities we serve.”
Oakland Opens Near-Dock Rail Facility
By Mark Edward Nero
On July 7, the Port of Oakland welcomed the first train to
use a new, $100 million near-dock rail facility located in the port’s Outer
Harbor Intermodal Terminal area, the site of a former US Army base.
The new tracks were designed as part of a strategy to
enhance the port’s intermodal capabilities: the port has said it wants to
attract more discretionary cargo, which isn’t local to the region and can be
shipped through any number of seaports in the United States, Canada or Mexico.
The new tracks are part of a phased rail expansion. They
consist of five manifest yard tracks and eight support yard tracks. Manifest
yards are used for receiving rail cars that come from Class I railroads. Support
yards are used for short-term storage. There are a total 39,000 linear feet of
track. Warehouses and distribution centers are also envisioned on the former
Army base.
The cargo on the inaugural train was originally destined for
Canadian seaports. The 100-car locomotive carries agricultural products from
Archer Daniels Midland Co. from the Midwestern United States and headed to
Asia. The cargo is to be transferred from rail cars directly into containers by
port tenant Capital River Group and delivered to the terminals for export.
The Port of Oakland says it has seen a growing market for
agricultural products, especially from California’s Central and Salinas Valleys
and the Midwest.
“The port envisioned a rail yard that would bring cargo
through Oakland,” Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll said. “This
was made possible by maritime business partners such as Union Pacific Railroad
and government funding partners.”
The rail yard was built using California state Trade
Corridor Improvement Funds (TCIF) and federal transportation grants.
