When contemplating technology in the maritime context, the mind often gravitates towards sophisticated electronic tools like GPS, AIS and ECDIS. However, it is essential to broaden our perspective. Technology – defined as “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes” –encompasses not only the technical skills associated with electronic tools, but also the soft (or human) skills crucial for human interaction and decision-making. The tragic loss of the El Faro and her crew serves as a somber reminder that the intricate balance required between advanced technology and human expertise is a critical determinant of safety and success. (El Faro and…
Back in 1994, Bill Clinton was a year into his first term as President of the United States, gasoline cost an average of $1.12 per gallon, the film Pulp Fiction first landed in movie theatres, and Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley. And there was also another momentous event that year that helped—and continues to help—shape the maritime industry on British Columbia’s West Coast: the opening of Seaspan ULC’s Victoria, British Columbia shipyard, which took place in April of that year. In 1994, the business began with one 20-foot shipping container and five managers. The facility’s first major repair job…
Crowley Maritime’s first all-electric tugboat begins its working life in San Diego. Maritime industry firsts are always exciting, and the first American all-electric ship assist tugboat, the eWolf, is no exception. The 82-foot tug is now homeported in the Port of San Diego where it’s expected to be put to work this spring. Vessel owner Crowley Maritime accepted delivery of the vessel in January. “The eWolf will provide services through its advanced vessel control technology and first-in-class energy features while providing the safety, quality and reliability that Crowley and our mariners are known for,” Crowley Shipping Senior Vice President and…
Terminals up and down the West Coast are incorporating environmentally friendly practices, equipment and technologies in an effort to meet emissions goals, improve efficiency and enhance community and workforce health. The focus for many is to reduce carbon emissions and upgrade terminal vehicles, including heavy-duty equipment. The challenge is that the market is still expanding to include the maritime industry and demand outpaces the supply. As green technology advances, ports, terminals and manufacturers are reaffirming their commitment to environmental, social and governance principles. To find out the latest, Pacific Maritime reached out to officials from green certification programs, terminal operators…
A variety of infrastructure projects are underway at major West Coast ports, with a focus on increasing capacity, improving navigation and enhancing efficiency. To accommodate bigger ships and increased demand, ports have been expanding facilities, deepening and widening channels and turning basins and enhancing on-shore coordination with rail and truck transit. They’ve also invested in digital infrastructure and green technology, both to meet emissions goals and to improve efficiency with several training, educational or other maritime facilities in the works. To find out the latest news, Pacific Maritime reached out to port and port authority officials in Vancouver, BC, Tacoma, Wash.,…
As constituents and regulators increasingly push for cleaner maritime operations, supply chain stakeholders are commissioning the next generation of vessels to be more sustainable to ensure compliance. “Two or three years ago, vessels that had a lower emissions footprint may have made up 10% of the work we were doing,” Michael Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of the Vancouver-based naval architect company Robert Allan, Ltd., told Pacific Maritime Magazine. “This year, in new contracts we’ve received in the last 12 months, it’s somewhere between 60% and 70%,” he said. “It’s a real sea change from the last couple of years.” The…
BRIX Marine continues to flex in the Hawaii shark tourism space. Washington-based BRIX Marine has delivered the newly built aluminum Classic Tunnel Catamaran (CTC) Kamohoali’i for client Haleiwa Shark Tours of Oahu, Hawaii. The 40-foot length, 14-foot beam vessel dubbed a 4014-CTC is the latest of the BRIX Marine family of Hawaiian shark tour boats. The new 20,560-pound tour boat, which is named after the Hawaiian shark god, is U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T small passenger vessel certified. “Kamohoali’i is a testament to BRIX Marine’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of marine innovation,” BRIX Marine Managing Director Perry Knudson said.…
When it comes to cargo handling equipment, sustainability is the apparent path forward for West Coast seaports, both in terms of environmental innovation and funding. From yard tractors and rubber-tired gantry cranes to ship-to-shore and roll-on/roll-off cranes, the next generation of equipment arriving at West Coast marine terminals is capable of operating on electric charging and/or alternative fuel sources. But funding such innovation will be key to how well terminals move forward on cargo-handling equipment. That’s why port officials have been particularly bullish in going after that funding at the state and federal level to leverage private sector investment. “There…
Without a concerted effort to change the trajectory of offshore wind port investment, the U.S. is likely to fall short of both its short term goal of creating 30 GW of new renewable energy by 2030 and long-term goal of 110 GW by 2050. This is according to Darren McQuillan, vice president of global business development with Bardex Corp., a Northern California company that designs, builds and supports engineering systems and propriety products for the marine industry. His comments were made during one of the sessions held during the Floating OSW (Offshore Wind) Port & Vessel Summit that took place…
Yard infrastructure projects, facility upgrades and work on notable vessels have kept West Coast shipyards busy over the past year as they take on major jobs and expand operations. Some have purchased new cranes and expanded drydocks, others completed maintenance and repowers on historic boats and a few handled unique projects. Pacific Maritime reached out to yards to find out the latest news, notable jobs and yard improvement projects. Bay Ship and Yacht Co. The big news out of Alameda, Calif.-based Bay Ship and Yacht Co. is the change to employee ownership though an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Bay…