Cargotec's MacRack solution for side-rolling hatch covers has won the International Bulk Journal's (IBJ) environment protection award. IBJ Awards judges were impressed by the MacRack system, which is based on environmentally-friendly electric-drive technology that offers shipowners energy savings, and eliminates hydraulic oil leaks along with the need to fit hydraulic pipework on board. Read more at Cargotec, www.cargotec.com/...

Imtech Marine & Offshore and VSTEP announce their cooperation to deliver innovative maritime training simulators. The partnership combines Imtech’s worldwide experience in maritime systems and VSTEP’s innovative 3D simulation technology to introduce a new range of high-end maritime simulators which are affordable, maintainable and adaptable for both the profit and non-profit market. The cooperation was launched at the NIDV (Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security) Symposium & Exhibition 2010 using the theme ‘Partners in Technology’. Read more at Imtech, www.imtech.eu/

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced the signing of a long-term transport contract with Vale International SA, a subsidiary of Vale S.A. for two very large ore carriers (VLOCs) on November 18. Two 300,000 DWT-class newbuilding vessels, which will be constructed at Universal Shipbuilding Corporation and slated for completion in 2012 and 2013, will serve the Vale-China shuttle service , transporting iron ore for 25 years. Read more at MOL Power, www.molpower.com/...

CMA CGM SA, the French shipping business reorganizing about $5 billion of debt, said it will receive an investment of $500 million from Turkish family-owned company Yildirim in return for a 20 percent stake. The accord means CMA CGM, the third-largest container shipper, is nearing an agreement with creditors, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Rodolphe Saade said today during a conference call. “We’ve more or less agreed.” Source: Business week, www.businessweek....

STX Europe has announced that the initial public offering of ordinary shares in STX OSV Holdings (STX OSV) has been completed, and that the company made a strong trading debut on the Singapore Exchange on November 12. Source: Baird Maritime, www.worldmaritime...

Global Marine Terminal operator DP World has announced that United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) as new customers at Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT), which is an 80:20 joint venture between DP World and the Vietnamese state-owned Tan Thuan Industrial Promotion Company (IPC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Source: Baird maritime, www.bairdmaritime...

Drydocks World has announced the delivery of jack-up platform ‘Swift 10’ to Swift Drilling. Swift Drilling is a joint venture between Cofely Oil and Gas and Jack-Up Barge. The contract was valued at AED89.3833 million (US$24.3352 million). The specialised jack up platform was built at Drydocks World’s yard in Nanindah, Indonesia. The new jack up rig expected to be deployed in European waters involved in energy and wind farm installations and related activities. An additional unit ‘JB-117’ is undergoing construction in Graha, Indonesia. Source: Baird Maritime, www.bairdmaritime...

BP Norway's FPSO for the Skarv development is set to sail from a shipyard in South Korea marking a another major milestone on the NKr 35.8 Bn (US $5.88 Bn) project. At the end of this month the project is now nearing 90% completion for the first phase, Nils Lillelokken, Skarv business manager for BP Norge told delegates at a major industry conference in Stavanger. Source: offshore 247, www.offshore247.c...

BP has reported a major new gas find in the Nile Delta region offshore Egypt. Named Hodoa, the discovery has been drilled in the West Mediterranean Deepwater concession in the Nile Delta located about 80 kilometres (50 miles) offshore north-west from Alexandria and BP said the find is the first Oligocene deepwater find in the West Nile Delta region. Source: Offshore 247, www.offshore247.c...

Cargotec has completed cooperation negotiations with its current supply personnel regarding reduction of work force in Tampere, Finland on 22 November 2010. The negotiations resulted in a permanent reduction of 90 employees in the Tampere unit, of whom 10 are office workers. The reductions will take place in phases during the coming 1.5 years. In addition, supply workers' temporary lay-offs in the Tampere unit continue. Read more at Cargotec, www.cargotec.com/...