Britain’s largest independent ship repairer, Burgess Marine, has partnered with Shoreham Port to revitalise ship repair in the commercially thriving Sussex Port.
Shoreham Port offers one of the few remaining dry dock facilities on the South Coast of England. The Port has had a dry dock facility since the 1930’s and since that time has provided a valuable service to the marine industries on and around the South Coast.
Continue reading “Burgess Marine to revive south coast dry dock”
Lerwick Port Authority has awarded a construction contract for the latest expansion of the harbour’s facilities in a project costing a total of £16.5 million, which will benefit the fishing and oil sectors.
The new jetty at Holmsgarth North will provide deeper berthing and more working area for the fishing fleet, while the outer arm of the L-shaped jetty will create a dock sheltering a planned new white fish market. The outer arm will also be suitable for berthing offshore industry vessels.
Continue reading “Lerwick Port Authority to award £16.5 million project”
The Edith Maersk, the largest vessel ever to enter the River Thames, arrived at DP World London Gateway on Sunday 19 October.
The 396 metre long, 56 metre wide ship has a draught of 16 metres and can carry up to 15,500 teu.
The ship, which is just weeks shy of celebrating its first anniversary, left the terminal on Sunday night bound for Singapore.
Continue reading “Edith Maersk docks at DP World London Gateway”
The government’s spotlight shines on marine apprenticeships, with the marine industry being announced as a Trailblazer today. Within this scheme, a new boatbuilding apprenticeship will be developed by employers working together to design standards in their occupations and sectors.
Co-ordinated by the British Marine Federation, the employer group for the marine industry will be lead by Berthon Boat Company and includes Sunseeker International, Princess Yachts, Pioneer Sailing Trust, Pendennis Shipyard, Fairline Boats, Broom Boats, Green Marine, English Harbour Yachts, Windboats and Cockwells.
Dorset based luxury motoryacht manufacturer, Sunseeker International, has shocked the local community in the Poole area by announcing that it could lose 300 jobs from its 2,000 plus workforce.
It is understood that the company is undergoing a strategic review of its current operations and any job losses are most likely to come from the managerial and administrative ranks. Sunseeker International is embarking on a consultation process with its staff.
Continue reading “Sunseeker International puts 300 jobs at risk”
Cammell Laird has completed its first aircraft carrier centre blocks for a second ship set to become the centrepiece of Britain’s military capability.
The Birkenhead marine and engineering services company has fabricated and outfitted two blocks for the new PRINCE OF WALES aircraft carrier, which are being transported by sea to the Rosyth shipyard in Scotland.
Construction of the blocks began in July 2013 and has involved a workforce of 250 including contractors. Cammell Laird is playing a key role in the aircraft carrier project, the biggest UK engineering project since the London Olympics.
Continue reading “First UK aircraft carrier centre blocks completed”
This article relates to the entry of a confined space on board the cargo ship SUNTIS in Goole Docks, Humberside on 26 May 2014 resulting in three fatalities. The initial findings of the MAIB are available.
At approximately 0645 (UTC+1) on 26 May 2014, three crew members on board the cargo ship, Suntis, were found unconscious in the main cargo hold forward access compartment, which was sited in the vessel’s forecastle (f’ocsle). The crew members were recovered from the compartment but, despite intensive resuscitation efforts by their rescuers, they did not survive.
UK Chamber CEO, Guy Platten, has delivered a keynote speech to the British Ports Association annual conference in Belfast.
Mr Platten focused on the broad challenges facing the industry, but explained that a system must be found to mediate disputes between shipping companies and port operators over the cost of doing business.
He said: “Shipowners, just like commercial ports, are in business to make money – and expect to negotiate with their suppliers in order to secure a good service at a competitive price. Some UK ports are effective monopolies – and I reveal no confidences when I say that there are concerns that this results in them treating shipowners as captive customers.
Continue reading “Shipowners ‘need protection’ from excessive port charges”
Belfast Harbour has posted record profits for 2013, which means they can commit more than £60m to capital expenditure projects for the future. According to Belfast Harbour’s Annual Report, turnover rose strongly by 30% to £50.3m. Profit before taxation also increased sharply too by 42% to £26.2m.
The very strong performance is a reflection of a record year for tonnages handled, increasing by 16% to 22.7m tonnes. The growth in trade was particularly good in sectors such as Dry Bulk Cargo (up 45%). Growth in trades associated with the new and burgeoning offshore wind farm sector also rose from 3,000 to 200,000 tonnes.
Chairman of Belfast Harbour, Len O’Hagan, said,“ Much of 2013’s growth was secured by investments totalling £100m by the Harbour in three sectors – renewables, dry bulk and freight. The single largest expenditure (£53m) was our development of the UK’s first bespoke logistics and assembly harbour to support offshore renewables.
UK Shipping and Ports Minister, Stephen Hammond, has set out a plan for the future of the Port of Dover that he believes will strengthen community involvement, boosting commercial development and unlocking the potential for regeneration.
Discussions facilitated by the minister over how the port should best be run have resulted in a major step forward, with Mr Hammond setting out a plan that will enable the community and port to work together effectively, providing a catalyst for regeneration which will benefit the port, the people who use it, and the town of Dover.
The UK’s first ever National Strategy for Maritime Security has been published by the Shipping and Armed Forces Minister.
The maritime sector is vital to the UK and it is said that the publication is a “a major step forward for the shipping industry and demonstrates the UK’s commitment to seafarer safety and securing world trade.” Click to read the National Strategy for Maritime Security in full.
The UK maritime sector accounts for over 2% of the entire economy and supports one in every 50 jobs. It is a simple fact that as an island nation, most of the UK’s connections to the wider world are provided by sea with and over 90% of our trade is carried by ship.
“The safety of our seafarers is therefore a priority of international importance, and work is also needed in the promotion of regional growth and the stability of international trade.” the UK Chamber of Shipping press release states.
Continue reading “UK Government launches National Strategy for Maritime Security”
The IIMS UK Small Craft Working Group (SCWG) met for one of its regular meetings in early May at Grafham Water Sailing Club near Huntingdon.
The theme of the day was Metals in the Marine Environment. Although attendance was smaller than normal, those who did come to the meeting found the day both absorbing and highly informative too.
Three speakers spoke in detail and at length about their specialist subjects.
Carol Powell has been a consultant metallurgist to the Copper Development Association and Nickel Institute in the UK for over 20 years with particular specialisation in marine applications for copper-nickels, stainless steels and high nickel alloys. Furthermore, she has been a member of the Marine Corrosion Forum and Copper-Nickel Task Force since their inception and is currently deputy chair of the European Federation of Corrosion Marine Working Party.
Continue reading “Small Craft Working Group meets at Grafham Water”
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