CAL DIVE OFFSHORE CONTRACTORS INC.
Cal Dive Offshore Contractors Inc. was a company that specialized in subsea contracting services, primarily focusing on the offshore oil and gas industry. Here are some key points about the company:
Historical Background
- Established: Cal Dive International, Inc. was initially founded in 1975. The company had a subsidiary named Cal Dive Offshore Contractors Inc. which operated as part of its broader scope.
- Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA.
- Industry: The company was involved in the oil and gas sector, particularly providing services related to underwater construction, maintenance, and decommissioning.
Services Offered
- Subsea Construction: Installation of underwater pipelines, structures, and other infrastructure essential for the extraction and transportation of oil and gas.
- Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair (IMR): Offering services to ensure the integrity and functionality of subsea installations.
- Decommissioning Services: Safe and environmentally responsible deactivation of offshore installations no longer in use.
- Diving Services: Utilizing commercial divers and sophisticated diving support vessels to perform complex underwater tasks.
- ROV Services: Use of remotely operated vehicles to perform tasks in underwater environments that are too hazardous for human divers.
Fleet and Technology
- Cal Dive Offshore Contractors Inc. maintained a fleet of specialized vessels equipped with advanced technology for underwater operations. These included dynamically positioned (DP) ships capable of maintaining a fixed position without anchors, sophisticated diving support vessels (DSVs), and ROVs.
Challenges and Bankruptcy
- Market Volatility: The offshore oil and gas industry is highly sensitive to fluctuations in oil prices, and companies like Cal Dive Offshore Contractors Inc. often faced significant market volatility.
- Bankruptcy: Faced with financial difficulties, the parent company Cal Dive International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2015. This was largely due to a downturn in the oil and gas industry, project delays, and other financial pressures.
- Asset Sales: As part of the bankruptcy proceedings, the company sought to sell off assets to pay creditors and restructure its operations.
Legacy and Impact
- Despite the challenges, Cal Dive Offshore Contractors Inc. played a significant role in the offshore oil and gas sector during its operational years. It contributed to the development of underwater technology and techniques that continue to influence the industry.
It's important to note that while the entity faced financial troubles, the expertise and technology developed by Cal Dive have been absorbed and continue to be used by other companies and new ventures in the subsea contracting field.
Ships
KESTREL
Special Purpose Vessel | Flag: Republic of Vanuatu | Port: PORT VILA
AMERICAN TRIUMPH
Offshore Supply Vessel | Flag: United States of America | Port: NEW ORLEANS, LA
AMERICAN VICTORY
Offshore Supply Vessel | Flag: United States of America | Port: NEW ORLEANS, LA
DANCER
Offshore Supply Vessel | Flag: United States of America | Port: NEW ORLEANS, LA
RIDER
Barge | Flag: United States of America | Port: NEW ORLEANS, LA
AMERICAN STAR
Offshore Supply Vessel | Flag: United States of America | Port: NEW ORLEANS, LA
Maritime News
Mexico's Top Prosecutor Vows More Action on Fuel Crimes
Mexico's top prosecutor said on Sunday that authorities have so far detained 14 people suspected to be involved in the illicit trade of fuels, reiterating that more actions would follow as new information comes to light.On March 19, authorities seized a petroleum tanker in the Port of Tampico, together with nearly 63,000 barrels of diesel it was carrying, as well as containers and vehicles for its transport and storage.The tanker, Challenge Procyon, had arrived from the United States, LSEG tanker-tracking data showed.
Shipbuilding - JV Company Orders Containership Pair
ElbFeeder, a joint venture of the Icelandic transportation company Eimskip and German listed ship-owner Ernst Russ, signed contracts for a pair of 2,280-TEU container vessels with the shipyard China Merchants Jin Ling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co. Ltd. The newbuildings will be an addition to the ElbFeeder joint venture and expand it to a total of nine vessels. Options for two additional vessels were negotiated.The newbuildings will be employed in the Eimskip Blue Line between Reykjavik and Rotterdam for an initial 10-year period through a time-charter agreement signed in combination with the newbuilding contract.
Trump Administration Drops Gauntlet on UN Fuel Rules, Threatens Tariffs
The United States has told countries to reject a United Nations' marine fuel emissions-cutting deal or face tariffs, visa restrictions and port levies, U.S. and European officials and sources told Reuters.The Trump administration is looking to boost U.S. economic might, including by taking a bigger role in global shipping, and has used tariffs as a weapon to extract better terms from Washington’s trade partners.In April, countries struck a draft agreement through the U.N.'s International Maritime Organization (IMO) that would impose a fee on ships that breach global carbon emissions standards.
Second-hand Containership Prices Soar in the Face of Soft Shipping Rates
Despite significantly weaker freight rates, the average price for five-year-old container ships has increased 17% year-on-year and 6% since the beginning of 2025,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.The average per TEU price of a basket of seven five-year-old container ships was $9,761/TEU in late August 2024. Since then, the price has risen to $10,758/TEU at the beginning of 2025 and to $11,413/TEU in late August.Feeder ships smaller than 3,000 TEU have seen the highest price increase at an average of 26% year-on-year.
“2 Days, 50 Ports”: New Wave Media Acquires Port of the Future Conference & Exhibition
New Wave Media, a leading B2B media company serving the global maritime, offshore energy, subsea and logistics sectors, acquired the Port of the Future Conference & Exhibition, a premier international symposium known for its focus on advancing port infrastructure, technology, and policy.Under the continued leadership of its founder, Kevin Clement, the event will retain its iconic tagline — “2 Days, 50 Ports” — and continue to convene top-tier port and terminal executives from around the world.The 2026 Port of the Future Conference is scheduled to be held March 23-25, 2026, at the Hilton University of Houston.