A. & J. Inglis Ld.

Buckley McAllister, President of McAllister Towing & Transportation, weighs in on the coronavirus pandemic and its impacts on the maritime sector.McAllister Towing & Transportation is a long and storied organization based in New York, the original U.S. COVID-19 hot spot that has been transformed from the city that never sleeps into a surreal ghost town. Describe the view from your perspective.All McAllister administrative personnel who can work from home are doing so. Luckily, most office personnel do most of their work online, so the need for actual visits to the office are infrequent. The crazy thing about lower Manhattan these days is being able to park on the street.

Shipowners see ammonia and hydrogen as the most attractive fuel options for the long term, according to an ABS survey. Nearly 60% of respondents said they viewed hydrogen and ammonia as the most attractive fuel choices in the long-term.The survey of shipowners and operators registering for an ABS webinar, Pathways to Sustainable Shipping, also revealed nearly two thirds of owners currently have no decarbonization strategy in place.When asked which fuel is most likely to be adopted in the near term, 70% selected fuels in the light gas pathway, which includes liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the short term and hydrogen as a future solution.

Most cruise lines’ operations are now suspended, but at the beginning of the year, BSM Cruise Services’ managed ships were deployed all around the world.Martin Springer, Managing Director BSM Cruise Services explains that, while all BSM’s managed vessels have advanced procedures and contingency plans in place for any crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an extreme situation.But he continues, “BSM Cruise Services’ commitment to building long-lasting customer relationships and cost-effective ship management – with safety as our number one priority – means that our relationship with our clients is that of a trusted partner, not just a supplier.

UK-based engine manufacturer Cox Powertrain said its purpose-designed 300hp CXO300 diesel outboard engine has entered production following several years of development and testing.Production will commence in Cox Powertrain’s headquarters and assembly and test facilities in Shoreham, West Sussex UK. The assembly plant boasts a turnkey Production System developed by QM Systems Ltd, a maker of manufacturing and test systems across all industries. The production line's ‘no faults forward’ design removes the possibility of assembly error, ensuring every outboard meets Cox’s requirement for the highest standards of quality.

The technology group Wärtsilä has completed replacement of the Ship Analytics simulator solution at the United States Coast Guard Academy’s Ship Control and Navigation Training System (SCANTS) facility. The original simulator system was installed at the Academy in the 1990s, and the replacement work was carried out primarily by, and in partnership with, NavSim Services, Inc., the prime contractor. The upgrade was accomplished in two stages to accommodate the operational training schedule of the Academy, and to fit within the academic breaks.The primary purpose of the USCGA SCANTS facility is bridge training for Academy cadets and officers preparing to take command of their own cutters.