By Mark Edward Nero
The US Coast Guard on Feb. 23 detained two Panama-flagged bulk carriers, Atlantic Ruby and Amber L after discovering what it says are substandard safety issues while conducting routine exams on board the vessels along the Columbia and Willamette rivers.
The violations were discovered through the Port State Control program, under which the Coast Guard verifies that foreign flagged vessels operating in US waters comply with applicable international conventions, US laws, and US regulations.
Atlantic Ruby, a 590-foot bulk carrier, was boarded in Portland last Thursday after Port State Control officers detected the safety deficiencies. Coast Guard inspectors say they found the fire extinguishing system was improperly serviced, with the time delays left disconnected. The time delay ensures personnel inside a room can escape before the fixed fire-extinguishing agent is released.
A separate exam conducted in Kalama on board Amber L, a 609-foot bulk carrier, identified several safety discrepancies, including cooling water leaking from the main engine, and multiple issues with the vessel’s steering system, per the USCG.
With both vessels identified as not being in substantial compliance with applicable laws or regulations, the Coast Guard has imposed controls until the conditions have been rectified and the vessels are brought into compliance.
Atlantic Ruby and Amber L are expected to remain in the Columbia River captain of the port zone until the discrepancies are corrected.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Vigor to Build 2 Additional Ferries for Passenger Service
By Mark Edward Nero
Vigor has been awarded the contract to build two all-aluminum, 400-passenger ferries for the Water Emergency Transportation Authority, a passenger ferry service in San Francisco. The contract now brings the total number of vessels being built by Vigor for WETA to five.
The hulls are to be constructed at Vigor Ballard, and the superstructure at Vigor’s Harbor Island shipyard, both in Seattle.
Vigor began construction on the first two WETA ferries in their class in the spring of 2015. “It’s an efficient design and very environmentally friendly,” Vigor Ballard General Manager Tim Kolb said. “We’re extremely pleased to extend our partnership with WETA for two more vessels.”
“The four Vigor vessels will play critical roles in maintaining service reliability in WETA’s planned expansion of ferry service on the San Francisco Bay,” WETA Executive Director Nina Rannells said in a statement.
The 135-foot by 38-foot all-aluminum catamarans, designed by Incat Crowther, Australia, will feature MTU 12V4000 M64 EPA Tier III engines rated 1,875 BHP at 1,800 RPM coupled with ZF7600 reduction gears as the propulsion system. An exhaust after treatment system will also be included.
Additional vessel features include a beam: 38 feet; maximum draft 6.75 feet; 400-passenger limit; and top speed of 27 knots.
Vigor has been awarded the contract to build two all-aluminum, 400-passenger ferries for the Water Emergency Transportation Authority, a passenger ferry service in San Francisco. The contract now brings the total number of vessels being built by Vigor for WETA to five.
The hulls are to be constructed at Vigor Ballard, and the superstructure at Vigor’s Harbor Island shipyard, both in Seattle.
Vigor began construction on the first two WETA ferries in their class in the spring of 2015. “It’s an efficient design and very environmentally friendly,” Vigor Ballard General Manager Tim Kolb said. “We’re extremely pleased to extend our partnership with WETA for two more vessels.”
“The four Vigor vessels will play critical roles in maintaining service reliability in WETA’s planned expansion of ferry service on the San Francisco Bay,” WETA Executive Director Nina Rannells said in a statement.
The 135-foot by 38-foot all-aluminum catamarans, designed by Incat Crowther, Australia, will feature MTU 12V4000 M64 EPA Tier III engines rated 1,875 BHP at 1,800 RPM coupled with ZF7600 reduction gears as the propulsion system. An exhaust after treatment system will also be included.
Additional vessel features include a beam: 38 feet; maximum draft 6.75 feet; 400-passenger limit; and top speed of 27 knots.
Vancouver USA Welcomes Bulk Carrier on Maiden Voyage
By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Vancouver USA recently welcomed the Philippines-flagged bulk carrier Brighten Trader on the vessel’s maiden voyage to the United States.
The Brighten Trader, commanded by Capt. Marcelino S. Ecobiza from the Philippines, is operated by Victoria Ship Management of Manila, and owned by Sea Queen Shipping Corp. of the Philippines, and was represented by General Steamship Corp. It arrived in Vancouver in Feb. 18.
The vessel, which is 590 feet long with a deadweight capacity of 39,310 metric tons, was built in China and launched Jan. 12, 2017.
At the Port of Vancouver USA, the Brighten Trader was loaded with about 10,500 metric tons of copper concentrate, then sailed to Vancouver, BC, to load additional concentrate cargoes.
As of Feb. 27, it was at anchor at the Port of Prince Rupert.
The vessel is expected to head to Japan and China after its stops on the North American West Coast.
The Port of Vancouver USA recently welcomed the Philippines-flagged bulk carrier Brighten Trader on the vessel’s maiden voyage to the United States.
The Brighten Trader, commanded by Capt. Marcelino S. Ecobiza from the Philippines, is operated by Victoria Ship Management of Manila, and owned by Sea Queen Shipping Corp. of the Philippines, and was represented by General Steamship Corp. It arrived in Vancouver in Feb. 18.
The vessel, which is 590 feet long with a deadweight capacity of 39,310 metric tons, was built in China and launched Jan. 12, 2017.
At the Port of Vancouver USA, the Brighten Trader was loaded with about 10,500 metric tons of copper concentrate, then sailed to Vancouver, BC, to load additional concentrate cargoes.
As of Feb. 27, it was at anchor at the Port of Prince Rupert.
The vessel is expected to head to Japan and China after its stops on the North American West Coast.
Oakland Port Raising Cranes 27 Feet
By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Oakland said Feb. 24 that as many as six 366-foot-tall cranes will soon be raised 27 feet higher. The $14 million-to-$21 million project is expected to begin this spring at its largest marine terminal, with the objective being to make it easier to load and unload megaships with containers stacked high above deck.
“By raising the height of ship-to-shore cranes, we make certain that we’re ready as more megaships head our way,” Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll said.
The governing Board of Port Commissioners approved the crane plan at a Feb. 23 meeting. It calls for installing longer legs on four-to-six cranes at Oakland International Container Terminal, which handles 70 percent of Oakland’s cargo.
The Port of Oakland has said it will pay to raise the cranes and that the terminal operator, SSA, is expected to repay the port over the life of its Oakland lease.
“We need bigger cranes to work the larger and more heavily laden ships calling Oakland,” SSA President Ed DeNike said. “It’s part of SSA’s long-term commitment to Oakland.”
Container cranes are raised by having a massive jack lift the entire structure off the terminal deck, and then portions of the original crane legs are cut away. Next, new leg extensions are placed under the crane and fastened into place.
The terminal said it hopes to begin work on the cranes in April. Completion is scheduled for the second quarter of 2018, depending on how many cranes are raised. That number will also determine the project’s total cost.
The port said it would take about nine weeks to raise each crane.
Jacking equipment is already en route to Oakland, the port said. Up to 40 tractor-trailers are expected to be used to transport the equipment. Steel leg extensions are being fabricated in China where the cranes were manufactured.
The Port of Oakland said Feb. 24 that as many as six 366-foot-tall cranes will soon be raised 27 feet higher. The $14 million-to-$21 million project is expected to begin this spring at its largest marine terminal, with the objective being to make it easier to load and unload megaships with containers stacked high above deck.
“By raising the height of ship-to-shore cranes, we make certain that we’re ready as more megaships head our way,” Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll said.
The governing Board of Port Commissioners approved the crane plan at a Feb. 23 meeting. It calls for installing longer legs on four-to-six cranes at Oakland International Container Terminal, which handles 70 percent of Oakland’s cargo.
The Port of Oakland has said it will pay to raise the cranes and that the terminal operator, SSA, is expected to repay the port over the life of its Oakland lease.
“We need bigger cranes to work the larger and more heavily laden ships calling Oakland,” SSA President Ed DeNike said. “It’s part of SSA’s long-term commitment to Oakland.”
Container cranes are raised by having a massive jack lift the entire structure off the terminal deck, and then portions of the original crane legs are cut away. Next, new leg extensions are placed under the crane and fastened into place.
The terminal said it hopes to begin work on the cranes in April. Completion is scheduled for the second quarter of 2018, depending on how many cranes are raised. That number will also determine the project’s total cost.
The port said it would take about nine weeks to raise each crane.
Jacking equipment is already en route to Oakland, the port said. Up to 40 tractor-trailers are expected to be used to transport the equipment. Steel leg extensions are being fabricated in China where the cranes were manufactured.
Friday, February 24, 2017
Bulk Carrier Detained in Longview, Washington
By Mark Edward Nero
Substandard safety issues onboard the bulk carrier Iolcos Commander has resulted in the vessel being detained by the US Coast Guard in Longview, Wash.
On the evening of Feb. 12, the Coast Guard received notification from the captain of Iolcos Commander of an engine malfunction while getting underway from berth in Longview. The vessel attempted to start their engine to transit to Vancouver, Wash., but the crew couldn’t start the main engine and had to receive tug assistance back to their berth.
Upon notification of the marine casualty, the Coast Guard’s captain of the port issued an order requiring the vessel to remain at berth until repairs were conducted and approved.
The following morning, inspectors from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland went onboard to assess damages. After inspectors identified several safety discrepancies they expanded the scope of the damage assessment, leading them to conduct a full safety and security exam.
Inspectors found fuel and cooling water leaking from the main engine, posing a potential fire hazard to the crew. The inspectors also found the fixed fire extinguishing system was improperly installed, causing excessive chaffing on several discharge hoses rendering the system unsafe to operate.
Crewmembers on board Iolcos Commander are currently rectifying the deficiencies.
The vessel, a 714-foot, Malta-flagged ship, is expected to remain in the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River captain of the port zone until the violations are corrected.
Substandard safety issues onboard the bulk carrier Iolcos Commander has resulted in the vessel being detained by the US Coast Guard in Longview, Wash.
On the evening of Feb. 12, the Coast Guard received notification from the captain of Iolcos Commander of an engine malfunction while getting underway from berth in Longview. The vessel attempted to start their engine to transit to Vancouver, Wash., but the crew couldn’t start the main engine and had to receive tug assistance back to their berth.
Upon notification of the marine casualty, the Coast Guard’s captain of the port issued an order requiring the vessel to remain at berth until repairs were conducted and approved.
The following morning, inspectors from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland went onboard to assess damages. After inspectors identified several safety discrepancies they expanded the scope of the damage assessment, leading them to conduct a full safety and security exam.
Inspectors found fuel and cooling water leaking from the main engine, posing a potential fire hazard to the crew. The inspectors also found the fixed fire extinguishing system was improperly installed, causing excessive chaffing on several discharge hoses rendering the system unsafe to operate.
Crewmembers on board Iolcos Commander are currently rectifying the deficiencies.
The vessel, a 714-foot, Malta-flagged ship, is expected to remain in the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River captain of the port zone until the violations are corrected.
Neeser Re-elected Port of Vancouver Board Chair
By Mark Edward Nero
The body that oversees operations at the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia has re-elected Craig Neeser to serve as chair for a fourth term, commencing March 1, 2017.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Board of Directors announced the decision on Feb. 23. The port’s board of directors is composed of 11 members: one federal appointee; one BC provincial appointee; one appointee for the Prairie Provinces Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba; one municipal appointee; and, seven port user appointees.
Neeser was originally appointed to the board in August 2009 and most recently re-appointed in 2015. He’s the former president of Weyerhaeuser Co., a private lumber company. Before that, he was senior vice president with Weyerhaeuser’s International Group, and was senior vice president, solid wood group when Weyerhaeuser acquired MacMillan Bloedel.
Under Weyerhaeuser, he also served as vice president, British Columbia, and later as president, Canada. He has served on the boards of directors of the Council of Forest Industries of British Columbia, University of Alberta, Global Forest Partners, Maynards, the Vancouver Aquarium, and the Forest Products Association of Canada.
The Port of Vancouver is North America’s third-busiest port by tonnage, after the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports in Southern California.
The body that oversees operations at the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia has re-elected Craig Neeser to serve as chair for a fourth term, commencing March 1, 2017.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Board of Directors announced the decision on Feb. 23. The port’s board of directors is composed of 11 members: one federal appointee; one BC provincial appointee; one appointee for the Prairie Provinces Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba; one municipal appointee; and, seven port user appointees.
Neeser was originally appointed to the board in August 2009 and most recently re-appointed in 2015. He’s the former president of Weyerhaeuser Co., a private lumber company. Before that, he was senior vice president with Weyerhaeuser’s International Group, and was senior vice president, solid wood group when Weyerhaeuser acquired MacMillan Bloedel.
Under Weyerhaeuser, he also served as vice president, British Columbia, and later as president, Canada. He has served on the boards of directors of the Council of Forest Industries of British Columbia, University of Alberta, Global Forest Partners, Maynards, the Vancouver Aquarium, and the Forest Products Association of Canada.
The Port of Vancouver is North America’s third-busiest port by tonnage, after the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports in Southern California.
Portland Auto Exports Up 11 Percent
By Mark Edward Nero
In calendar year 2016, 291,000 vehicles rolled through Port of Portland, Oregon terminals to foreign markets and from domestic manufacturers, representing an 11 percent increase over 2015, according to the port’s annual year-end report, released Feb. 14.
The report also states that Portland is the top auto export seaport on the West Coast.
“With our proximity to Asia, Portland has become a leading auto distribution hub,” Keith Leavitt, the port’s chief commercial officer, said. “We’ve seen significant growth in exports since 2012 and expect that positive trend to continue in 2017.”
American-made cars are shipped by rail from assembly plants to the Port’s docks, where vehicles are driven on roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) vessels bound for China and other parts of the Far East.
Many imports such as Hyundais, Toyotas and Hondas make their first stop in Portland before being shipped to dealerships across the region.
The port began auto shipping in 1953 with the import of Volkswagens through Terminal 1. Since then, well-over 11 million vehicles have come through port facilities.
The Port of Portland and tenant Auto Warehousing Co. recently secured state grant funding for a $7 million expansion of auto handling facilities in the Rivergate Industrial District near Terminal 6. Plans call for AWC to develop a new, 18.9-acre storage and staging yard to support the continued growth of export vehicles.
“Vehicle imports and exports provide more than 600 direct local jobs for dockworkers, processors and others working in distribution and transportation throughout the supply chain,” Leavitt said. “Each vehicle imported brings an estimated economic benefit of $275 to the region.”
In calendar year 2016, 291,000 vehicles rolled through Port of Portland, Oregon terminals to foreign markets and from domestic manufacturers, representing an 11 percent increase over 2015, according to the port’s annual year-end report, released Feb. 14.
The report also states that Portland is the top auto export seaport on the West Coast.
“With our proximity to Asia, Portland has become a leading auto distribution hub,” Keith Leavitt, the port’s chief commercial officer, said. “We’ve seen significant growth in exports since 2012 and expect that positive trend to continue in 2017.”
American-made cars are shipped by rail from assembly plants to the Port’s docks, where vehicles are driven on roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) vessels bound for China and other parts of the Far East.
Many imports such as Hyundais, Toyotas and Hondas make their first stop in Portland before being shipped to dealerships across the region.
The port began auto shipping in 1953 with the import of Volkswagens through Terminal 1. Since then, well-over 11 million vehicles have come through port facilities.
The Port of Portland and tenant Auto Warehousing Co. recently secured state grant funding for a $7 million expansion of auto handling facilities in the Rivergate Industrial District near Terminal 6. Plans call for AWC to develop a new, 18.9-acre storage and staging yard to support the continued growth of export vehicles.
“Vehicle imports and exports provide more than 600 direct local jobs for dockworkers, processors and others working in distribution and transportation throughout the supply chain,” Leavitt said. “Each vehicle imported brings an estimated economic benefit of $275 to the region.”
