SIMPLAN Seals: German Engineered, U.S.-Built
Simplex Americas has entered into a new production and assembly agreement with Blohm+Voss Industries, the manufacturer of SIMPLAN Shaft seals. Reacting to rapidly increasing demand for SIMPLAN shaft seals for the inland waterways market, along with the financial pressures being experienced by operators in a global economic crisis, the two companies have initiated partial production and assembly in the U.S. In addition to this, a new distribution network has been set up for the Gulf region, with stock supplies and technical support in three locations.
www.simplexamericas.com
New Great Lakes Icebreaker
Legislation authorizing construction of a new icebreaker for the Great Lakes is being applauded by the Great Lakes shipping community as key to the industry's future. H.R. 1747, the Great Lakes Icebreaker Replacement Act of 2009, was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 26 by Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-MN). "The Great Lakes are in desperate need of another modern icebreaker," said Don Cree, President of Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) and President of the Toledo (Ohio) Port Council. "Most of the U.S. Coast Guard's icebreaking assets are nearing the end of their productive lives. As a result, freighters have been
experiencing significant delays and even suffering extensive damage. In the spring of 2008 alone, ice-related damages cost U.S.-Flag vessel operators $1.3m to repair." The U.S. Coast Guard has eight icebreaking assets stationed on the Great Lakes. The newest is the Mackinaw, which was launched in 2006. "We have a proven design in the Mackinaw," said John D. Baker, 2nd Vice President of GLMTF and President Emeritus of the ILA's Great Lakes District Council. "H.R. 1747 wisely calls for a sister ship to be built." Baker also noted that having another modern icebreaker is important to the overseas trade to the Great Lakes via the St. Lawrence Seaway. "Vessel operators will not come to the Lakes when the Seaway opens if they fear being delayed or damaged by heavy ice. They will wait 'til the ice clears. The same will be true at the end of the season. They will cancel their final voyages rather than risk being trapped on the Lakes over the winter."
Subsea Contract for Aker
Aker Solutions has been awarded a contract by StatoilHydro for the delivery of a complete workover system for subsea trees at the challenging high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) Kristin field in the Norwegian Sea. Contract value is approximately $49.2m. Scope of work includes engineering, procurement, manufacturing and testing of a complete work-over intervention system, including tools.
April 2009
www.marinelink.com
67