Whitesea Shipping & Supply to build AHTS vessels

Whitesea Shipping & Supply (WSS) signed for the building of 3+3, 100 Bollard Pull Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels with Astillero Rio Santiago of Buenos Aires.

The vessels will be built with the highest specifications possible enabling them to deliver a BP of over 100 tons, will have a large carrying capacity for fuel, drill and fresh water, bulk and mud. It will also have a capacity for carrying 40 people and a large deck of 600 M2 for carrying about 2,000 tons of cargo. In addition, the vessel will have FIFI 1 capability and will be highly maneuverable due to their Dynamic Positioning (DP 2) capability. Based in Sharjah since 1981 WSS has a fleet of 30 vessels, which is one of largest independently, owned fleets of offshore vessels in the Gulf region. The above agreement follows an earlier order placed last year by WSS for another 5, 70 BP, AHTS vessels with Keppel Singmarine.

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China Shipping Development to buy four ships

China Shipping Development Co. said it would buy four very large ore carriers (VLOCs) from Chinese shipbuilders for $400m to develop its ore import business.

Each ship will have capacity of 230,000 deadweight tonnes, said the company. The purchase would be funded from the company's own resources or through bank loans, informed company sources. Last month, China Shipping Development said that in another deal, it would buy four large iron ore carriers for $460m.

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Rivals meet for new round of talks

China and Japan have launched their 10th round of talks on the joint development of gas and oil resources in the disputed area of the East China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told media that China would continue to push forward with consultation with a pragmatic attitude so as to reach a joint development plan acceptable to both countries. China’s stance was in accordance with the agreement reached by the two nations' leaders in April, Liu said. Director of the foreign ministry's department of Asian affairs and Head of the Japanese foreign ministry's Asian and Oceania affairs bureau are co-chairing the talks.

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Ships asked to avoid whale route

The endangered right whale is to get extra protection after a safe haven from shipping was set aside off Nova Scotia in Canada.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) ratified a Canadian proposal to designate the 1,800-sq-km zone an "Area to Be Avoided" at a meeting in Denmark. The voluntary restriction asks ship captains to steer around the area. Collisions with container ships are seen as a key threat to right whales, thought to number just 400. The new zone is in the Roseway Basin, south of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It is close to a major shipping route between North America and Europe, and scientists say the slow-moving mammals have been killed in collisions with huge cargo vessels. The restrictions will apply between 1 June and 31 December, when whales are known to congregate in the area. Despite being protected since 1937 the right whale is close to extinction, with scientists estimating a global population of only 400.

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Cochin Shipyard launches two new vessels

The Cochin Shipyard launched the sixth Bulk Carrier, under construction for Clipper Group, Denmark and fifth Platform Supply Vessel for Deep Sea Supply, Norway at a gala ceremony held at the shipyard.

Chief Surveyor for Government of India and Additional Director General of Shipping (ADGS) Mr. Ajoy Chatterjee was the chief guest of the ceremony. Cmde M Jitendran, CMD, CSL and other senior officials of Cochin Shipyard were present on the occasion. Mrs. Lisa Molin, the God Mother for the vessel named her “Clipper tenacious”. Mr. Nicolai Molin, Commercial director for Clipper group was also present for the ceremony. The sixth bulk carrier is launched and planned to be delivered ahead of schedule. The platform supply vessel too was launched on schedule. Clipper Tenacious is the last in the series of six ships being built by Cochin Shipyard for Clipper. The order for these ships was placed in 2004 and all ships were delivered on schedule. The ship is designed and built as a single screw diesel engine driven bulk carrier for unrestricted worldwide service.

CSL has further orders for 16 more Platform Supply vessel for various foreign owners. The prestigious air defence ship for the Indian Navy is also under construction.

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