Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. increased its holding in Fugro N.V. to 25.1% Boskalis as of mid-March 2015. Boskalis views Fugro as an interesting company with strong market positions in its core activities. The strategy of Boskalis is focused on offshore and (maritime) infrastructure, making use of the combination of high end knowhow and maritime assets. This fits very well with the activities of Fugro. The two companies have a lot in common in the area of assets, knowledge, capital intensity, global coverage, client base and are both global leaders in niche markets.

United Heavy Lift (UHL) is the name of a newly-established heavy lift shipping and project transportation company, founded in February 2015 by Lars Rolner, who previously held various executive positions in the heavy lift industry for over 30 years. UHL’s target is to establish long term relationships with well-established ship owners, offering a new choice to customers who require reliable first-class heavy lift transportation. As such, United Heavy Lift and Arkon Shipping & Projects have joined forces. UHL is cooperating with Heino Winter, which owns a fleet of 15 heavy lift vessels. Interestingly, Arkon Shipping has also recently formed an alliance with heavy lift company Jumbo.

The Port of Oakland was finally able to report no backlog of vessels in San Francisco Bay or outside the Golden Gate awaiting berths on 3rd April. The vessel backlog had plagued ports all along the west coast of the U.S.A as the effects of a ninemonth labour disagreement exacerbated pre-existing logistical problems.This was the first time since January that all ships calling at Oakland, the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.A, berthed without delay.

Damen Shipyards announced on 8th April that Africa-focused proprietary investment firm L.A.T. Cleveson had signed an order for the supply of two 80m long 3300 Platform Supply Vessels and two 53.25m long FCS 5009 Fast Supplier Vessels.