Frontier Driller Final Phase Complete

Signal International announced the delivery of the Frontier Driller semisubmersible rig which underwent a major upgrade and modernization at its East Bank yard in Pascagoula, Miss.

The scope of work encompassed starting with a veteran semisubmersible rig; renovating and outfitting it with updated drilling and marine equipment to render the rig capable of drilling deeper wells. Major tasks such as construction of new derrick (single lift), new BOP handling structure, addition of winch decks (four corners), new riser decks, new ROV deck, raised mud pit roof, converted chain lockers to bulk mud tanks, and new cement deck. Large structures required major lifts of 50 tons – to larger lifts of 300+ tons; all done safely as planned and scheduled by the yard. The helicopter deck was set and secured (crane released for other work) in record time - less than one work shift. New forward and aft lifeboat decks were set and secured in less than one shift, as safety, planning, engineering and production personnel cooperated to expedite the tasks.

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Frontier Driller Final Phase Complete

Signal International announced the delivery of the Frontier Driller semisubmersible rig which underwent a major upgrade and modernization at its East Bank yard in Pascagoula, Miss.

The scope of work encompassed starting with a veteran semisubmersible rig; renovating and outfitting it with updated drilling and marine equipment to render the rig capable of drilling deeper wells. Major tasks such as construction of new derrick (single lift), new BOP handling structure, addition of winch decks (four corners), new riser decks, new ROV deck, raised mud pit roof, converted chain lockers to bulk mud tanks, and new cement deck. Large structures required major lifts of 50 tons – to larger lifts of 300+ tons; all done safely as planned and scheduled by the yard. The helicopter deck was set and secured (crane released for other work) in record time - less than one work shift. New forward and aft lifeboat decks were set and secured in less than one shift, as safety, planning, engineering and production personnel cooperated to expedite the tasks.

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On the Waterfront: Pier T Keeps Docked Ships Clean, Green

It took five years and $23 million, but BP and the Port of Long Beach have finally finished the electrification project at one of the nation's busiest oil terminals.

The project allows BP's massive tankers to shut down their soot-spewing auxiliary diesel engines and plug into oversized electrical outlets while visiting Pier T. That is expected to remove at least 50 tons of pollutants from local skies each year. Ships typically run their auxiliary engines around the clock while berthed to power lighting, refrigeration, pumps and other onboard equipment. The Berth T121 project is an engineering feat, but as is the case with many pioneering ventures, the project was fraught with delays, cost overruns and engineering miscalculations. Scheduled for completion in 2006, it only began cold-ironing permanently this year. Still, when people are getting sick from foul air caused by port industry, the ends arguably justify the means.

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Wadan yards file for bankruptcy

SHIPYARDS in Wismar and Rostock in Germany today filed for bankruptcy protection after talks failed to secure fresh funding from their majority shareholder FLC West.

Despite €220M ($308M) in loans and loan guarantees by the federal and state governments, the company collapsed. Government officials and the 2,500 workers at Wismar and Rostock-Warnemünde blamed FLC – registered in Luxembourg and controlled by Russian interests. Wadan's supervisory board chairman Andrej Burlakow was confronted by an angry mob of 150 workers in Wismar yesterday. They demanded clarity about outstanding wages.

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Wilhelmsen Ships Service Dry Bulk Cargo Specialists Make Strides into China

(Bali, Indonesia) - THE dry bulk cargo handling specialists at Wilhelmsen Ships Service are proceeding with heightened optimism and confidence in China.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service is a global maritime service provider operating in 2,200 ports and a Wilh. Wilhelmsen group company. The Wilhelmsen Ship Service team, which is known as the Minerals Market Segment, is starting to make inroads into China, in particular with leading Chinese steel mills. Minerals Segment Sales Director Mr John Sim said today: "We have been marketing this service to major clients in China for a while including last month and we are starting to see the results." The Minerals Segment team in Wilhelmsen Ships Service is headed by Mr Roy Davidson, Global Minerals Segment Manager, and comprises a team of highly motivated, market facing specialists who deal only with customers who ship dry bulk cargo including coal and iron ore.

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