Your midweek round-up of news from the world of heavy lift and project forwarding.
Philip Adkins, chief executive of ZPMC-RED BOX Energy Services, delivered some more positive news for the company that was incorporated in Hong Kong in 2014.
He confirmed that the heavy lift shipping line has bareboat chartered the two 50,000 dwt semi-submersible ships that were originally ordered by China's United Faith Group from the Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore shipyard in 2011.
Called Red Zed I and Red Zed II, they will be deployed to serve a second contract which the company has won for the Yamal LNG development, with the delivery of the first module set for this summer.
Adkins told HLPFI: "Red Zed II passed its sea trials shortly before the Chinese New Year and Red Zed I will soon be undertaking its own sea trials."
He also confirmed that work was on schedule on the two PC-3 module carriers that were ordered by ZPMC-RED BOX Energy Services from Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in 2014.
"By January 2016, we will have a fleet of four heavy lift ships, all contracted to the vast LNG project in Russia, and the company has a firm order book in excess of USD400mn. But this is not the end of our plans and we are considering various options for how we might continue building up our fleet," Adkins added.
In business
Rickmers concludes refinancing
Rickmers Group has successfully concluded the negotiations on the general reorganisation of existing bank loans with a total value of EUR1.28bn (USD1.43bn).
Gruber Logistics has taken over the logistics department of Cologne-based cement plant manufacturer Humboldt Wedag, a subsidiary of KHD Humboldt Wedag International.
EU adds guidelines for road cargo security
The European Commission has published the 2014 European best practices guidelines for cargo securing for road transport.
Geodis is uniting the identities of its five operations under the single Geodis brand, with the roll-out of the new name to begin this month.
Contractual obligations
Statoil chooses Pioneering Spirit
Statoil has signed a contract with Allseas for the installation of three platform topsides on the Johan Sverdup field, using its recently renamed installation vessel Pioneering Spirit.
Capacity developments
Tanker morphs into heavy lift ship
For the first time in many years, HLPFI has heard about the conversion of an aframax tanker into a semi-submersible heavy lift vessel (SSHLV).
Nor Lines adds two and Norwegian link
Effective April 1, 2015, Nor Lines is deploying two new LNG-powered ro-ro vessels to offer a weekly service between Cuxhaven and Norway.
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) subsidiary Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries completed the construction of the heavy lift crane vessel Hyundai-10000 at its shipyard in South Korea.
Sweden's Port of Gothenburg intends to build a new 60 ha energy port in the Risholmen area, with works scheduled to start in 2018.
Lovemore Bros ups rigging capacity
Lovemore Bros has invested ZAR3.85mn (USD325,988) in a new hydraulic gantry crane with a lifting capacity of 350 tonnes.
Silk Way finalises Boeing deal
Silk Way Group will purchase three Boeing 747-8 freighter aircraft as per the agreement signed by the two parties in December 2014.
On the move
Air Charter Service is expanding its German operation by moving to new premises in Frankfurt, and has plans to expand the team there by an additional six personnel before October 2015.
Niklas Olsson has left his position as managing director of Greencarrier Freight Services in China to join Ceva Logistics as managing director, Nordics.
Notable shipment
Portus has moved the first shipment of next generation Mark VI patrol boats, built by SAFE Boats International and purchased by the U.S. Navy, through Jaxport's heavy lift cargo berth.
