Qingdao Qianjin Shipyard to build Swire Pacific Offshore AHTS

IMT Marine Consultants has announced that it is to design a series of eight IMT 957 AHTS/Utility Vessels to be built at Qingdao Qianjin Shipyard in Qingdao, China.

The vessels, which are scheduled for delivery to owner signed a contract with Swire Pacific Offshore beginning 2010, will have 4,800 HP, delivering 60 tonnes bollard pull on a vessel of 57 m length overall. "These are powerful and flexible vessels and we are pleased that a leading owner such as Swire has entrusted the design to us,” says Neil Patterson, MD at IMT, which is a partner in the Offshore Ship Designers group. “It is the first time we have built these vessels in China, and we shall be able to make use of the resources of our OSD Shanghai design office for detailed engineering work and liaison with the yard," says Neil.

Read More

India's Aban dropped from Russian gig

Indian driller Aban Offshore said the jack-up rig Murmanskaya is primed to start a $10 million gig with Husky Oil’s Chinese offshoot after ExxonMobil’s Russian unit terminated the rig’s contract that was set to start next month.

Aban Offshore informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that ExxonMobil has terminated its contract with Beta Drilling regarding the rig Murmanskaya. The deal was worth $34 million for a two well campaign that was expected to last 160 days off Russia. The outfit added that it has received a letter of intent for a one well contract with Husky Oil for around 50 days with estimated revenues of $10.53 million. The 1991-built jack-up is an independent-leg cantilever unit capable of operating in water depths up to 300 feet. Norwegian rig contractor Sinvest owns Beta Drilling, which currently holds the rights to charter the jack-up drilling rig Murmanskaya, which belongs to Russian state-owned outfit Arcticmorneftegazrazvedka (AMNGR). Aban Offshore owns Sinvest through its various subsidiaries. Aban Offshore has a market capitalization of $500 million. The outfit currently owns eight rigs, one drillship and one floating production unit, all hooked up on long-term deals.
Read More

One of largest UK wind farms to become tallest

A wind farm which was once the largest in Europe is set to become the tallest in the UK in a re-energising scheme.

ScottishPower Renewables and partner Eurus Energy are seeking to redevelop one of the UK's oldest wind farms in Powys, mid-Wales, in a project which will treble the energy output of the site. Llandinam was the largest wind farm in Europe when it was originally built in 1992. Now, a Section 36 Planning Application for the redevelopment of the existing wind farm has been submitted by CeltPower, which is a joint venture between ScottishPower Renewables and Eurus Energy. The plan, if approved, will see a significant reduction of turbines on the site from 103 to 42, but the newly repowered wind farm will be capable of producing 96 MW of clean green energy - a rise from the current output of 31 MW - and will be able to power the equivalent of over 53,000 households. The proposed turbines for the repowering of Llandinam wind farm will have a tip height of 122 metres (400 ft). Plans are also being made to recycle the old turbines by offering them to developers of renewable energy projects elsewhere in the UK and across to eastern Europe. The redevelopment of Llandinam will see the replanting of one of this country's first wind farms, which at the time was the largest in Europe. CeltPower will be hosting a number of public information days in Llandinam and the surrounding areas during May to outline details of the proposed development.
Read More

Navy Selects Mikros for New Shipboard Networks

Mikros Systems Corporation, announced that it was recently awarded two new U.S. Navy contracts.

The contracts cover follow-on work based on Mikros' AIRchitect-EMC wireless network design tool, "interference-aware" network design software that allows the Navy to optimize shipboard network design while avoiding interference with critical radar and communications systems. AIRchitect-EMC was developed by Mikros and subcontractor Intelli-Check - Mobilisa, (Port Townsend, WA) for the Navy under a SBIR Phase II development contract to study Radar Wireless Spectral Efficiency (RWSE). The first program is a subcontract to the Classified Wireless Networks for Embedded Forces program, which is a pilot program run by the Navy's PMW160 Program Office and funded by the Office of Naval Research Rapid Technology Transition program. AIRchitect-EMC will be used to help design a shipboard network for use by USMC Marine Expeditionary Forces, and networks will be installed on two LHD ships. This program is funded initially at $50,000 in FY08, with additional funding expected in FY09. The second program is funded directly by the Navy's PMW750 CVN program office, and covers network design studies for the new aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. This program is funded initially at $100,000 in FY08 and if successful, may result in additional funding in FY09.

Read More

Iran signs maritime MOU with Azerbaijan

Iran and Azerbaijan have signed an agreement to cooperate in maritime trade and shipping, expressing interest in cooperation in the Caspian Sea in Tehran.

The two countries are to co-operate on a number of sectors including expansion of transportation ties, especially in activities relating to shipping and ports. Compliance with maritime safety regulations and inspection rules as well as environmental issues in the Caspian Sea are among the key points of the MoU signed between the two sides, said a senior official with Iran's Ports and Shipping Organization. The Azeri delegation visited the facilities and investment projects at the Imam Khomeini Port. They also discussed and exchanged views with the officials of Tide Water and Kaveh companies on possibilities for joint investments and transportation of transit products.
Read More