Advocates for developing a U.S. offshore wind industry say they believe an impending environmental impact statement from the federal Bureau of Offshore Energy Management will allow Vineyard Wind and 14 other proposed Atlantic projects to move forward. “We are confident that BOEM is going to meet its deadline,” said Laura Smith Morton, senior director of…
Harvey Gulf further expands Subsea Solutions Team
U.S. based Harvey Gulf Subsea Solutions has appointed two new members to its Subsea Solutions Team — Brad Brister and Mark Scott. Brad Brister. Harvey Gulf Subsea Solutions Team photo Brister is a PMP certified project manager with over 19 years of subsea IMR experience. He has extensive expertise in managing both onshore and offshore cross-functional…
Corps reopens Illinois Waterway to navigation
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announced Thursday that construction is complete and the Illinois Waterway locks have reopened to navigation after a series of extended, consolidated closures. With construction coming to an end at Dresden Island, Starved Rock and Marseilles locks, the Illinois Waterway lock and dam system is open for…
Hurricanes, Covid-19 impact Kirby’s earnings report
Inland tank barge giant Kirby Corp. reported weakened earnings for the third quarter of 2020 on Thursday, citing a dip in demand for services due to the Covid-19 pandemic, numerous devastating storms that disrupted operations in the Gulf, and a drop in activity in the oil patch. The Houston-based barge line posted $27.4 million net…
Southwest Shipyard delivers Shearer Group-designed 23K barrel tank barge
The Shearer Group Inc. (TSGI) has announced the delivery of a 250’x54’x12’-6”, 23,000 bbl. tank barge built by Southwest Shipyard L.P., Houston. (The name of the owner was not disclosed.) Southwest Shipyard contracted TSGI to develop the design of the barge. The barges primary mission is to deliver jet fuel to support U.S. Navy assets.…
Distressed Gulf of Mexico looks to mid-2021
Between a persistent pandemic’s assault on fossil fuel demand and an epic storm season, the Gulf of Mexico seems to have been cast into some kind of ecclesiastical time warp this year. Yet, even as 2020 mercifully wraps up, most agree it will be at least mid-2021 before a clearer picture emerges on the how…
Refined product drop hits inland marine sector
Not surprisingly, the Covid-19 pandemic has put a dent in the refined product volumes inland barge operators transport from refineries and chemical plants, particularly along the Gulf Coast, which houses half of the nation’s oil refining capacity. With Gulf Coast refinery and petrochemical plant utilization hovering between 70% and 75% going into the third quarter,…
NOAA scientists study how offshore wind construction noise may affect black sea bass
Scientists at federal fisheries laboratories are investigating how sound generated by the construction and operation of offshore wind turbines may affect black sea bass – a valuable species in the Northeast that is attracted to underwater structures like turbine foundations. “No one knew for sure how much black sea bass can hear and how that…
Coast Guard interdicts 22 Cuban migrants at Cay Sal Bank
The Coast Guard assisted Bahamian authorities in interdicting 22 Cuban migrants at Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas, Wednesday. A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew located 22 Cuban migrants on land at Cay Sal Bank. The Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo (WPC-1112) crew embarked the 21 adult Cuban males and one adult…
McFadyen tapped to lead Fairbanks Morse’s aftermarket business
Fairbanks Morse, Beloit, Wis., has named James (Jay) McFadyen as vice president and general manager of Aftermarket. James McFadyen. Fairbanks Morse photo “Jay’s experience leading global businesses through organizational and operational transformations will be a tremendous asset to Fairbanks Morse as we expand aftermarket services domestically and internationally,” George Whittier, CEO of Fairbanks Morse, said…