ASRY Offshore Services has won its first major contract involving the upgrading of the jackup rig ‘Hercules 170’.
The rig is owned by Hercules Offshore, a US-based company; however the rig is operated by its company in Qatar. The rig is currently working in the Persian Gulf region but will be taken to ASRY’s shipyard in Bahrain later this year. The work contract covers a number of upgrades to increase its performance and drilling capabilities. This will involve the installation of a new and larger portside crane, adding more generators, some modification work to the lifeboats and also an upgrade to the drilling system.
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Sunday, August 31, 2008
Maersk Tankers grabs early STX delivery slots
Danish shipping and oil group A.P. Moller-Maersk said that it had placed an order for four very large crude oil carriers at South Korea's STX Shipbuilding.
They said that they also had an option for two more ships. "We are in place with the transaction and the contract will signed next week," Maersk Tankers director Soren Skou told. The Danish firm is thought to be paying $153m per ship. STX was selected due to the availability of 2011 delivery slots.
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They said that they also had an option for two more ships. "We are in place with the transaction and the contract will signed next week," Maersk Tankers director Soren Skou told. The Danish firm is thought to be paying $153m per ship. STX was selected due to the availability of 2011 delivery slots.
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Second U.S. Ship Delivers Aid to Georgia
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) and the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) transit through the Black Sea en route to the Republic of Georgia to deliver humanitarian relief supplies.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) pulled into port in Batumi, Georgia Aug. 27 to deliver humanitarian relief supplies as part of Operation Assured Delivery, the United States military's ongoing effort to support the Georgian government's request for humanitarian assistance. Dallas will offload 80 pallets with more than 76,000 pounds of humanitarian assistance supplies. The goods include hygiene items, food, milk and juices. Batumi port currently provides an established distribution hub to quickly dispense the aid. "The crew of Dallas really wants these goods to make a difference in the lives of the Georgian people," said Capt. Robert Wagner, commanding officer of Dallas. "When we received the order to deliver these supplies, the men and women of this ship responded quickly at every turn." USS McFaul (DDG 74) arrived in Batumi Aug. 24 delivering 155,000 pounds of aid to Georgia. USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) is scheduled to deploy for Georgia at the end of the month with more supplies. U.S. Navy C-9, C-40 and C-130 aircraft have flown tens of thousands of hygiene kits and more than 30 tons of meals ready-to-eat into the country during the past week.
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U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) pulled into port in Batumi, Georgia Aug. 27 to deliver humanitarian relief supplies as part of Operation Assured Delivery, the United States military's ongoing effort to support the Georgian government's request for humanitarian assistance. Dallas will offload 80 pallets with more than 76,000 pounds of humanitarian assistance supplies. The goods include hygiene items, food, milk and juices. Batumi port currently provides an established distribution hub to quickly dispense the aid. "The crew of Dallas really wants these goods to make a difference in the lives of the Georgian people," said Capt. Robert Wagner, commanding officer of Dallas. "When we received the order to deliver these supplies, the men and women of this ship responded quickly at every turn." USS McFaul (DDG 74) arrived in Batumi Aug. 24 delivering 155,000 pounds of aid to Georgia. USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) is scheduled to deploy for Georgia at the end of the month with more supplies. U.S. Navy C-9, C-40 and C-130 aircraft have flown tens of thousands of hygiene kits and more than 30 tons of meals ready-to-eat into the country during the past week.
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Grand Alliance adds Spanish port to EUM service
The Grand Alliance is enhancing its service between Mediterranean and Asia (EUM) by adding the Spanish port of Valencia to its port rotation.
The newly revised port rotation for the enhanced Mediterranean service is: Busan – Shanghai – Ningbo – Shekou - Hong Kong – Singapore - Port Klang – Jeddah –Damietta – Genoa – Fos – Barcelona – Valencia – Damietta – Singapore - Hong Kong - Busan. Eight vessels with the capacity of approximately 6,000TEU will be deployed on the service. The Grand Alliance, formed in 1998, is a consortium in global container shipping including Hapag-Lloyd of Germany, MISC of Malaysia, NYK of Japan and OOCL of Hong Kong.
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The newly revised port rotation for the enhanced Mediterranean service is: Busan – Shanghai – Ningbo – Shekou - Hong Kong – Singapore - Port Klang – Jeddah –Damietta – Genoa – Fos – Barcelona – Valencia – Damietta – Singapore - Hong Kong - Busan. Eight vessels with the capacity of approximately 6,000TEU will be deployed on the service. The Grand Alliance, formed in 1998, is a consortium in global container shipping including Hapag-Lloyd of Germany, MISC of Malaysia, NYK of Japan and OOCL of Hong Kong.
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Saturday, August 30, 2008
SingTel receives Frost & Sullivan Technology Leadership Award
Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) announced that it has received the prestigious 2008 Asia Pacific Frost & Sullivan Technology Leadership Award in the field of Maritime Broadband Communications.
SingTel was bestowed this award for its leadership in developing innovative solutions to improve communications at sea and address the rising challenges of the maritime industry. Solutions such as SingTel’s Office-At-Sea suite of maritime applications, which enables vessels to communicate seamlessly and cost-effectively with their headquarters on land, were recognized for boosting business productivity and improving crew welfare. Other notable innovations by SingTel include the world’s first 1.5-metre C-band stabilised satellite antenna. Co-designed with its partner SeaTel, this enables sea-going vessels to enjoy significantly higher bandwidth (up to 6Mbps) than a traditional 2.4-metre C-band antenna. The award also recognizes SingTel’s collaboration with the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA) to set a new benchmark in maritime education. Through this initiative, SingTel helped to establish the Satcom@SMA maritime innovation hub. The first of its kind in Asia Pacific, this facility, which is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, serves as a platform for the development of new applications and solutions. SingTel also played an important role in developing a new maritime satellite communications module to be included in SMA’s syllabus, which offers practical experience in the use of satellite communication systems and applications for ships.
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SingTel was bestowed this award for its leadership in developing innovative solutions to improve communications at sea and address the rising challenges of the maritime industry. Solutions such as SingTel’s Office-At-Sea suite of maritime applications, which enables vessels to communicate seamlessly and cost-effectively with their headquarters on land, were recognized for boosting business productivity and improving crew welfare. Other notable innovations by SingTel include the world’s first 1.5-metre C-band stabilised satellite antenna. Co-designed with its partner SeaTel, this enables sea-going vessels to enjoy significantly higher bandwidth (up to 6Mbps) than a traditional 2.4-metre C-band antenna. The award also recognizes SingTel’s collaboration with the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA) to set a new benchmark in maritime education. Through this initiative, SingTel helped to establish the Satcom@SMA maritime innovation hub. The first of its kind in Asia Pacific, this facility, which is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, serves as a platform for the development of new applications and solutions. SingTel also played an important role in developing a new maritime satellite communications module to be included in SMA’s syllabus, which offers practical experience in the use of satellite communication systems and applications for ships.
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Asian container heavyweights invest in Rotterdam
Cosco Pacific, "K'' Line, Hanjin Shipping and Yang Ming have announced that they will take a stake in the new Euromax terminal, located in Rotterdam's Maasvlakte area, Europe's biggest cargo hub later this year.
Each of the four partners will invest 12.5% by the end of this year and the remainder of the ownership of the terminal will be by Europe Container Terminals. The terminal, scheduled to open on September 5, will have four berths and a capacity of 2.3m teu per year and be the fifth overseas investment by Cosco Pacific. The company's deputy managing director, Ken Chan has been reported as declaring the company would like to invest more overseas because international port projects only account for 11% of Cosco's profits from ports. Its remaining 89% of port earnings is generated from mainland hubs where investment opportunities are declining. Cosco Pacific's negotiations with the Fujian Port Group are likely to be finalized by the year-end with Cosco Pacific and Yantian Port Group reportedly interested in a 30% stake in Fujian Port. The company has already invested in two other ports in Quanzhou and Xiamen in Fujian.
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Each of the four partners will invest 12.5% by the end of this year and the remainder of the ownership of the terminal will be by Europe Container Terminals. The terminal, scheduled to open on September 5, will have four berths and a capacity of 2.3m teu per year and be the fifth overseas investment by Cosco Pacific. The company's deputy managing director, Ken Chan has been reported as declaring the company would like to invest more overseas because international port projects only account for 11% of Cosco's profits from ports. Its remaining 89% of port earnings is generated from mainland hubs where investment opportunities are declining. Cosco Pacific's negotiations with the Fujian Port Group are likely to be finalized by the year-end with Cosco Pacific and Yantian Port Group reportedly interested in a 30% stake in Fujian Port. The company has already invested in two other ports in Quanzhou and Xiamen in Fujian.
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Scan Geophysical wins largest ever seismic contract
Norway-based Scan Geophysical has been awarded a US$70 million contract from Petroleos de Venezuela.
Scan’s largest ever seismic contract will cover 3D seismic work in offshore Venezuela, over an area of 3,300 square kilometers. Preceded by earlier announced awards by PDVSA for seismic services offshore Venezuela, this contract calls for additional marine 3D seismic to be acquired in the Dragon Norte region. The new contract will backlog Scan’s vessel, the ‘SCAN Resolution’, into the third quarter of 2009. Scan Geophysical is an international seismic data acquisition company specialising in marine streamer seismic services.
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Scan’s largest ever seismic contract will cover 3D seismic work in offshore Venezuela, over an area of 3,300 square kilometers. Preceded by earlier announced awards by PDVSA for seismic services offshore Venezuela, this contract calls for additional marine 3D seismic to be acquired in the Dragon Norte region. The new contract will backlog Scan’s vessel, the ‘SCAN Resolution’, into the third quarter of 2009. Scan Geophysical is an international seismic data acquisition company specialising in marine streamer seismic services.
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Bulgaria ports to build container terminals with Japanese loan
The contract for a loan in the amount of EUR 230 M for the construction of new container terminals was signed by Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski and representatives of the Japanese bank.
The Bulgarian Cabinet officially received Friday the loan in the amount of EUR 230 M from the Japanese Bank for International Development for the construction of new container terminals at the ports of Varna and Bourgas. The contract was signed by the Bulgarian Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski and representatives of the Japanese bank. The loan has a 25-year term and a 7-year grace period. This is the last international development loan to be received by Bulgaria. According to the Bulgarian Transport Minister Petar Mutafchiev, the container terminals have a completion deadline of 2014 and will process 6 times more loads than the current capacity. In the mean time, data shows that the container loads have increased by 40% compared with the last year. The Varna terminal will have to process in 2008 a total of 158,000 containers compared with 100,000 in 2007, according to the port's Director Dimitar Papazov. Papazov further said that the equipment of the "Varna-West" port was obsolete and did not provide enough capacity for the processing of all arriving containers, adding that about 1,200 heavy trucks pass through the port daily - a huge number as well.
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The Bulgarian Cabinet officially received Friday the loan in the amount of EUR 230 M from the Japanese Bank for International Development for the construction of new container terminals at the ports of Varna and Bourgas. The contract was signed by the Bulgarian Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski and representatives of the Japanese bank. The loan has a 25-year term and a 7-year grace period. This is the last international development loan to be received by Bulgaria. According to the Bulgarian Transport Minister Petar Mutafchiev, the container terminals have a completion deadline of 2014 and will process 6 times more loads than the current capacity. In the mean time, data shows that the container loads have increased by 40% compared with the last year. The Varna terminal will have to process in 2008 a total of 158,000 containers compared with 100,000 in 2007, according to the port's Director Dimitar Papazov. Papazov further said that the equipment of the "Varna-West" port was obsolete and did not provide enough capacity for the processing of all arriving containers, adding that about 1,200 heavy trucks pass through the port daily - a huge number as well.
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Patrol Coastal Ships Returned to U.S. Naval Service
Patrol coastal ships USS Tempest (PC 2) and USS Monsoon (PC 4) was returned to the U.S. Navy from the U.S. Coast Guard during a ceremony held at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.
Tempest has been on loan to the Coast Guard since December 2005, and Monsoon was on loan since October 2004. Both ships were transferred back to naval control during a ceremony that exemplified the interoperability of the two services. During the time with the Coast Guard, both ships traveled more than 160,000 nautical miles and spent more than 700 days underway in support of counter drug, illegal alien migration interdiction and coastal security. These operations resulted in the successful seizure of 1,700 pounds of cocaine and the interdiction of more than 500 illegal immigrants. The two ships will be utilized by the Navy as training platforms to get crews ready for operating PCs overseas in support of Maritime Security Operations. Currently, there are several PCs forward deployed to the Middle East operating in infrastructure protection missions.
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Tempest has been on loan to the Coast Guard since December 2005, and Monsoon was on loan since October 2004. Both ships were transferred back to naval control during a ceremony that exemplified the interoperability of the two services. During the time with the Coast Guard, both ships traveled more than 160,000 nautical miles and spent more than 700 days underway in support of counter drug, illegal alien migration interdiction and coastal security. These operations resulted in the successful seizure of 1,700 pounds of cocaine and the interdiction of more than 500 illegal immigrants. The two ships will be utilized by the Navy as training platforms to get crews ready for operating PCs overseas in support of Maritime Security Operations. Currently, there are several PCs forward deployed to the Middle East operating in infrastructure protection missions.
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Ellicott Dredgers celebrates new factory opening
Ellicott Dredges, USA, has recently celebrated the opening of a new factory.
Last month, the Baltimore-based company opened an expansion to its new factory in Wisconsin. In just four months Ellicott doubled the size of its new Wisconsin factory to 85,000 square feet (10,000 square metres). The addition has a crane capacity of 40 tonnes and clearance under roof of 29 feet (8.8 metres), sufficient to build under roof and completely inside dredges up to 2983kW. This is the most modern cutter dredge manufacturing facility in the world and the largest in North America. The additional space is already filled up with dredges under construction for stock and for clients. Ellicott has already used the plant's new training facilities for several foreign delegations, including from Iraq and Korea. In addition to the new facilities, Ellicott also launched the first of four Series 4170 "Super-Dragon" dredges for a Middle Eastern client. This dredge, named 'Embarka 2', will be used to build man-made islands in the Persian Gulf off Abu Dhabi.
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Last month, the Baltimore-based company opened an expansion to its new factory in Wisconsin. In just four months Ellicott doubled the size of its new Wisconsin factory to 85,000 square feet (10,000 square metres). The addition has a crane capacity of 40 tonnes and clearance under roof of 29 feet (8.8 metres), sufficient to build under roof and completely inside dredges up to 2983kW. This is the most modern cutter dredge manufacturing facility in the world and the largest in North America. The additional space is already filled up with dredges under construction for stock and for clients. Ellicott has already used the plant's new training facilities for several foreign delegations, including from Iraq and Korea. In addition to the new facilities, Ellicott also launched the first of four Series 4170 "Super-Dragon" dredges for a Middle Eastern client. This dredge, named 'Embarka 2', will be used to build man-made islands in the Persian Gulf off Abu Dhabi.
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Friday, August 29, 2008
Maersk Contractors becomes Maersk Drilling and Maersk FPSOs
Maersk Contractors, Denmark, will launch its activities under two separate trade names with effect from August 28.
Maersk Drilling is re-introduced to cover all drilling activities across the globe and a new trade name, Maersk FPSOs is established to encompass all floating production, storage and offloading activities. By operating the two business areas under separate and self-explanatory trade names each activity now has a clear and logical identity and can focus on their individual core competencies. “We are changing the name to strengthen our profile, but our ownership and the people taking care of our business will go on unaffected”, said CEO Claus V Hemmingsen. Mr Hemmingsen will be responsible for both business units. In Maersk Drilling, Paul Carsten Pedersen will continue as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Deputy. The name of the Chief Commercial Officer for Maersk FPSOs will be announced shortly and until then, Paul Carsten Pedersen will remain CCO also for this area. For the offices around the world, the parent company will change name from Maersk Contractors to Maersk Drilling. Maersk FPSOs will be established either as a division of this company or as a separate entity subject to the most beneficial local set-up.
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Maersk Drilling is re-introduced to cover all drilling activities across the globe and a new trade name, Maersk FPSOs is established to encompass all floating production, storage and offloading activities. By operating the two business areas under separate and self-explanatory trade names each activity now has a clear and logical identity and can focus on their individual core competencies. “We are changing the name to strengthen our profile, but our ownership and the people taking care of our business will go on unaffected”, said CEO Claus V Hemmingsen. Mr Hemmingsen will be responsible for both business units. In Maersk Drilling, Paul Carsten Pedersen will continue as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Deputy. The name of the Chief Commercial Officer for Maersk FPSOs will be announced shortly and until then, Paul Carsten Pedersen will remain CCO also for this area. For the offices around the world, the parent company will change name from Maersk Contractors to Maersk Drilling. Maersk FPSOs will be established either as a division of this company or as a separate entity subject to the most beneficial local set-up.
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Enercon Launches E-Ship 1 in Kiel
Ship naming and launching ceremonies for Enercon’s new E-Ship 1 took place at Lindenau GmbH shipyards in Kiel on August 2.
After launching, the ship will be hauled to the fitting dock where the final details – fixtures, fittings and equipment – will be installed before the ship is delivered in December this year. The ship’s sponsor, Martina Kuhlmann, Enercon executive assistant, christened the vessel and wished the typical German saying: “Immer eine Handbreit Wasser unterm Kiel” which means “always at least as much water under the keel as the hand is wide”, and in addition “always favourable winds”. The name “E-Ship” was originally only meant to identify the project, but in the meantime the name has caught on so well that Enercon decided to use it to name the actual ship. The “E-” in E-Ship is a symbolic letter. Next year, after the ship has been fully equipped and trial runs completed, the Aurich-based wind turbine manufacturer will start using the vessel to transport its turbines and components worldwide. A large portion of the energy required to propel the ship will be supplied by four sailing rotors – large, rotating, vertical metal cylinders, 25 m tall.
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After launching, the ship will be hauled to the fitting dock where the final details – fixtures, fittings and equipment – will be installed before the ship is delivered in December this year. The ship’s sponsor, Martina Kuhlmann, Enercon executive assistant, christened the vessel and wished the typical German saying: “Immer eine Handbreit Wasser unterm Kiel” which means “always at least as much water under the keel as the hand is wide”, and in addition “always favourable winds”. The name “E-Ship” was originally only meant to identify the project, but in the meantime the name has caught on so well that Enercon decided to use it to name the actual ship. The “E-” in E-Ship is a symbolic letter. Next year, after the ship has been fully equipped and trial runs completed, the Aurich-based wind turbine manufacturer will start using the vessel to transport its turbines and components worldwide. A large portion of the energy required to propel the ship will be supplied by four sailing rotors – large, rotating, vertical metal cylinders, 25 m tall.
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ICTSI takes over Mindanao port operations
The Phividec Industrial Authority formally turned over the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) to a International Container Terminal Services, Inc. subsidiary last week in Manila.
Mindanao International Container Terminal Services Inc. (MICTSI) was granted the 25-year MCT concession in May, and took over operations in June. The turnover ceremony was held at the MCT berthside and was attended by Phividec officers, shipping lines and local government officials. ICTSI, which operates five other terminals in the Philippines, has a global port network spanning 11 countries in four continents. Headquartered in the Philippines, ICTSI is on its 20th year of operation, and continues to pursue container terminal opportunities around the world.
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Mindanao International Container Terminal Services Inc. (MICTSI) was granted the 25-year MCT concession in May, and took over operations in June. The turnover ceremony was held at the MCT berthside and was attended by Phividec officers, shipping lines and local government officials. ICTSI, which operates five other terminals in the Philippines, has a global port network spanning 11 countries in four continents. Headquartered in the Philippines, ICTSI is on its 20th year of operation, and continues to pursue container terminal opportunities around the world.
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COSCO launches new feeder container line
COSCO has recently launched a feeder container shipping line connecting the northern and eastern Chinese ports of Tianjin, Yantai and Shanghai.
The weekly service will be connected to COSCO's ocean shipping lines to Europe and America at Shanghai. The maiden voyage vessel loaded 86TEU at Yantai. The launch of the line is expected to relieve the space shortage pressure at Yantai caused by the suspension of COSCO's service to US west coast. The average vessel capacity of the 18 ships is 8,000TEU.
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The weekly service will be connected to COSCO's ocean shipping lines to Europe and America at Shanghai. The maiden voyage vessel loaded 86TEU at Yantai. The launch of the line is expected to relieve the space shortage pressure at Yantai caused by the suspension of COSCO's service to US west coast. The average vessel capacity of the 18 ships is 8,000TEU.
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Incat Crowther to Develop 37.5m Catamaran Motor Yacht
Incat Crowther has been commissioned to develop a new high speed catamaran motor yacht for an international businessman.
The vessel will be capable of cruising at 25 knots and will have long range capabilities in excess of 3500nm. The stylish new catamaran will be 123 ft. in length, and with a 34-ft.beam will provide deck space on a vessel that will be designed for long range cruising. The vessel will be powered by a pair of MTU 12V4000 M71 main engines driving fixed pitch propellers through a reverse/reduction ZF gearbox. The main running gear will be protected by an integrated skeg providing protection from grounding and other potential hazards. The vessel will be built at the West Australian shipyard of Sabre Catamarans, who have a strong history in the construction of high speed aluminium catamarans.
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The vessel will be capable of cruising at 25 knots and will have long range capabilities in excess of 3500nm. The stylish new catamaran will be 123 ft. in length, and with a 34-ft.beam will provide deck space on a vessel that will be designed for long range cruising. The vessel will be powered by a pair of MTU 12V4000 M71 main engines driving fixed pitch propellers through a reverse/reduction ZF gearbox. The main running gear will be protected by an integrated skeg providing protection from grounding and other potential hazards. The vessel will be built at the West Australian shipyard of Sabre Catamarans, who have a strong history in the construction of high speed aluminium catamarans.
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Mercator Lines to enter coal mining business
Mercator Lines, which is possibly the only domestic shipping company to foray into the coal mining business, is now planning to acquire a 50 million tonne coal mine in Indonesia.
Mercator expects to invest $50-75 million (approximately Rs 200-300 crore) for acquisition, a senior company official said. He said that the company is evaluating acquisition options, in terms of quality of coal, coupled with the necessary infrastructure needed to transport this product. Mercator has leveraged its Singapore-based subsidiary Mercator Lines Singapore for its coal mining activities. Mercator Lines’ cash and bank balance at the end of FY08 was Rs 853 crore. Mercator Lines derived nearly 95% of its FY08 net profit of Rs 370 crore from its core shipping business. Almost 15 months ago, Mercator had purchased three coal mines in Indonesia, for an investment of nearly $10 million ( approximately Rs 42 crore). Also earlier this year, it was awarded a coal block in Mozambique, by the local government there. It’s targeting an annual production of nearly one million tonne from their existing Indonesian coal mines during FY09. In order to leverage the opportunities to transport coal from its overseas mines, Mercator Lines also plans to add two more ships with a capacity of 93,500 Dwt (dead weight tonne) each, on a time charter basis, over the next 18 months. The company’s current fleet capacity is 27 vessels, which includes 12 vessels to carry bulk transport.
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Mercator expects to invest $50-75 million (approximately Rs 200-300 crore) for acquisition, a senior company official said. He said that the company is evaluating acquisition options, in terms of quality of coal, coupled with the necessary infrastructure needed to transport this product. Mercator has leveraged its Singapore-based subsidiary Mercator Lines Singapore for its coal mining activities. Mercator Lines’ cash and bank balance at the end of FY08 was Rs 853 crore. Mercator Lines derived nearly 95% of its FY08 net profit of Rs 370 crore from its core shipping business. Almost 15 months ago, Mercator had purchased three coal mines in Indonesia, for an investment of nearly $10 million ( approximately Rs 42 crore). Also earlier this year, it was awarded a coal block in Mozambique, by the local government there. It’s targeting an annual production of nearly one million tonne from their existing Indonesian coal mines during FY09. In order to leverage the opportunities to transport coal from its overseas mines, Mercator Lines also plans to add two more ships with a capacity of 93,500 Dwt (dead weight tonne) each, on a time charter basis, over the next 18 months. The company’s current fleet capacity is 27 vessels, which includes 12 vessels to carry bulk transport.
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Sri Lanka to call for port terminal tenders soon
Tenders for the long-delayed first container terminal in the planned new Colombo south port will be called in the next 2-3 weeks, a senior Sri Lanka Ports Authority engineer said.
Janaka Kurukulasuriya said construction work on the new Colombo breakwater will start as soon as the current south-west monsoon ends. A loading point is being built at Waskaduwa, south of Colombo, to supply the huge amount of quarry material by barge to the project site off Colombo. The contractor selected for the infrastructure work, Hyundai, has already started dredging work, said Kurukulasuriya, chief engineer - development of the SLPA. "For the terminal operation, we're going to select an operator on BOT (built-operate-transfer) terms to operate the first terminal, the south terminal." To start construction work on the first terminal, the contractor has to wait until at least 2,000 metres of breakwater is done. The terminal project is to be completed by early 2012 and the operator will get a concession for 35 years.
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Janaka Kurukulasuriya said construction work on the new Colombo breakwater will start as soon as the current south-west monsoon ends. A loading point is being built at Waskaduwa, south of Colombo, to supply the huge amount of quarry material by barge to the project site off Colombo. The contractor selected for the infrastructure work, Hyundai, has already started dredging work, said Kurukulasuriya, chief engineer - development of the SLPA. "For the terminal operation, we're going to select an operator on BOT (built-operate-transfer) terms to operate the first terminal, the south terminal." To start construction work on the first terminal, the contractor has to wait until at least 2,000 metres of breakwater is done. The terminal project is to be completed by early 2012 and the operator will get a concession for 35 years.
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Thursday, August 28, 2008
'Seven Seas' completes first major installation project
Subsea 7’s latest state-of-the-art deepwater Flex / J-lay vessel, the 'Seven Seas', has completed her first major installation project for StatoilHydro's Yttergryta field in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.
As part of the StatoilHydro frame-agreement, the ‘Seven Seas’ carried out two offshore campaigns where a 130Te PLEM, 25Te Flowbase and 6km dual lay umbilical / 3" MEG line and three spools were installed. The ‘Seven Seas’ will complete mobilization at Dusavik, Norway for her next project at the BC-10 development in the Campos Basin, Brazil. The vessel has been designed to perform highly specialized subsea laying, construction and engineering work for the deepwater global offshore pipe oil and gas industry and is capable of operating in water depths of up to 3,000 metres. ‘Seven Seas’ was delivered in June and is the fourth in a series of eight new vessels joining the fleet between 2007 and 2010, representing a total investment of over US$1.8 billion. Seven Seas’ was also recently confirmed as the lead vessel for Subsea 7's framework agreement with BP Angola for the development of Block 31. The vessel was designed and constructed by Merwede Shipyward in the Netherlands.
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As part of the StatoilHydro frame-agreement, the ‘Seven Seas’ carried out two offshore campaigns where a 130Te PLEM, 25Te Flowbase and 6km dual lay umbilical / 3" MEG line and three spools were installed. The ‘Seven Seas’ will complete mobilization at Dusavik, Norway for her next project at the BC-10 development in the Campos Basin, Brazil. The vessel has been designed to perform highly specialized subsea laying, construction and engineering work for the deepwater global offshore pipe oil and gas industry and is capable of operating in water depths of up to 3,000 metres. ‘Seven Seas’ was delivered in June and is the fourth in a series of eight new vessels joining the fleet between 2007 and 2010, representing a total investment of over US$1.8 billion. Seven Seas’ was also recently confirmed as the lead vessel for Subsea 7's framework agreement with BP Angola for the development of Block 31. The vessel was designed and constructed by Merwede Shipyward in the Netherlands.
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SMA ties up with Japan's top maritime college
The Singapore Maritime Academy of Singapore Polytechnic took a step eastward in its expanding network of tie-ups with maritime training institutes around the world.
It signed a memorandum of understanding with top Japanese maritime college Toba National College of Maritime Technology. SMA will embark on maritime innovations, academic and student exchange with the 127-year-old college, which was established in 1881, and is the most established among Japan's five maritime colleges. It will be the first time Toba has forged links with an educational institution outside Japan. Academy director Roland Tan and Toba president Taketoshi Yamada signed the agreement to formalize the partnership. The collaboration will advance research in the range of common disciplines between the two institutions and enhance education experiences for staff and students, SMA said. The tie-up will enable SMA students to have training opportunities onboard the five vessels Toba college has access to, including the sail training tallship Nihon Maru. In return, Toba students will be able to join SMA's maritime experiential learning cruises onboard a luxury cruise ship. SMA currently has tie-ups with the Netherlands' Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz, the UK's Newcastle University and Russia's Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University among others.
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It signed a memorandum of understanding with top Japanese maritime college Toba National College of Maritime Technology. SMA will embark on maritime innovations, academic and student exchange with the 127-year-old college, which was established in 1881, and is the most established among Japan's five maritime colleges. It will be the first time Toba has forged links with an educational institution outside Japan. Academy director Roland Tan and Toba president Taketoshi Yamada signed the agreement to formalize the partnership. The collaboration will advance research in the range of common disciplines between the two institutions and enhance education experiences for staff and students, SMA said. The tie-up will enable SMA students to have training opportunities onboard the five vessels Toba college has access to, including the sail training tallship Nihon Maru. In return, Toba students will be able to join SMA's maritime experiential learning cruises onboard a luxury cruise ship. SMA currently has tie-ups with the Netherlands' Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz, the UK's Newcastle University and Russia's Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University among others.
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Solar powered roro for NYK
Japan's largest liner NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) and refiner Nippon Oil Corporation are designing a ship that will be partially powered by solar energy.
The leading Japanese companies said solar panels capable of generating 40 kilowatts of electricity would be placed on a 60,000 car carrier to be used by Toyota Motor Corp. Toyota is one of NYK’s most important clients and also one of the most stringent customers when it comes to environmental footprints. The solar panels should save up to 6.5% of fuel oil used in powering diesel engines. According to Hideyuki Dohi, general manager at Nippon Oil's energy system development department, the system would help cut CO2 emission by 1-2% or some 20 tonnes per year. NYK Line is slated to invest some $1.4 million in the solar panel to be designed by Nippon Oil.
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The leading Japanese companies said solar panels capable of generating 40 kilowatts of electricity would be placed on a 60,000 car carrier to be used by Toyota Motor Corp. Toyota is one of NYK’s most important clients and also one of the most stringent customers when it comes to environmental footprints. The solar panels should save up to 6.5% of fuel oil used in powering diesel engines. According to Hideyuki Dohi, general manager at Nippon Oil's energy system development department, the system would help cut CO2 emission by 1-2% or some 20 tonnes per year. NYK Line is slated to invest some $1.4 million in the solar panel to be designed by Nippon Oil.
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ZPMC receives order of four cranes to New York's APM Terminal
Shanghai's Zhenhua Port Machinery Co, the world largest port equipments producer, will deliver its all-electric super postpanamax cranes to the APM Terminal in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey.
APM Terminal stated that the delivery of the four cranes is due in mid August and with a specified delivery of daylight arrival at "dead low tide" because of low overhead clearance at the Bayonne Bridge. The STS equipment will be the most technologically advanced cranes working at the marine facility, said the company.
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APM Terminal stated that the delivery of the four cranes is due in mid August and with a specified delivery of daylight arrival at "dead low tide" because of low overhead clearance at the Bayonne Bridge. The STS equipment will be the most technologically advanced cranes working at the marine facility, said the company.
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China’s ports ride wave brought by boost in foreign trade
To many international port operators, investing in China's port facilities is like tapping into an inexhaustible money-making machine.
When ports in other parts of the world have reached their saturation point, those in China are handling over 4 billion tons of throughput a year, maintaining a double-digit growth rate annually. This has been mainly due to the country's blistering growth in foreign trade. China's trade volume exceeded $2 trillion last year. Exports volume grew 25.7 percent from a year earlier to reach $1.22 trillion while imports increased 20.8 percent year-on-year to $955.8 billion. The country has emerged as the world's third largest trading power and the world's fourth largest economy with a GDP of 24.66 trillion yuan ($3.60 trillion) last year. Driven by its strong export growth and huge domestic market demand, China is expected to become the world's second largest economy, second only after the United States in 2011, according to the International Monetary Fund. To maintain a smooth flow of imports and exports, the government has set a target of increasing China's port throughput volume by at least 80 percent during the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10). The country will construct 164 new deep water berths and 69 container berths during the period. China's container throughput volume is expected to surge 70 percent to reach 170 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) by 2010. Chinese port operators are vying to construct new berths and upgrade old ones to remain competitive. Shanghai appears to be leading the way. The city could overtake Singapore as the world's largest container port with its throughput volume expected to grow 15 percent this year.
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When ports in other parts of the world have reached their saturation point, those in China are handling over 4 billion tons of throughput a year, maintaining a double-digit growth rate annually. This has been mainly due to the country's blistering growth in foreign trade. China's trade volume exceeded $2 trillion last year. Exports volume grew 25.7 percent from a year earlier to reach $1.22 trillion while imports increased 20.8 percent year-on-year to $955.8 billion. The country has emerged as the world's third largest trading power and the world's fourth largest economy with a GDP of 24.66 trillion yuan ($3.60 trillion) last year. Driven by its strong export growth and huge domestic market demand, China is expected to become the world's second largest economy, second only after the United States in 2011, according to the International Monetary Fund. To maintain a smooth flow of imports and exports, the government has set a target of increasing China's port throughput volume by at least 80 percent during the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10). The country will construct 164 new deep water berths and 69 container berths during the period. China's container throughput volume is expected to surge 70 percent to reach 170 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) by 2010. Chinese port operators are vying to construct new berths and upgrade old ones to remain competitive. Shanghai appears to be leading the way. The city could overtake Singapore as the world's largest container port with its throughput volume expected to grow 15 percent this year.
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Polarcus orders six Ulstein vessels
Offshore shipowner Polarcus, UAE, has ordered six new ships of Ulstein design.
Though Polarcus is a relatively new offshore shipowner, many of its employees have previously worked in the offshore marine industry, and some employees have in fact, worked for Eastern Echo in the past. The Ulstein SX124-, Ulstein SX133- and Ulstein SX134-type vessels will all be built at Drydocks World Dubai. The two new vessel designs, Ulstein SX133 and Ulstein SX134, are the first vessels with the Ulstein X-BOW to receive DNV’s ICE-1A class notation. Ships with the Ulstein X-Bow shape have smoother acceleration and motion, resulting in more stable towing power and thus a more even load on the seismic equipment being towed aft. By the same token, such ships provide a steadier and safer working platform for the deck crew. The Ulstein SX124 and Ulstein SX134 vessels will be fitted with a 3D seismic system and twelve streamer winches, while the two Ulstein SX133 multi-purpose seismic vessels will be equipped with six streamer winches for 3D/2D/source operation. The package from the Ulstein Group includes comprehensive deliveries of design and main equipment to the six vessels.
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Though Polarcus is a relatively new offshore shipowner, many of its employees have previously worked in the offshore marine industry, and some employees have in fact, worked for Eastern Echo in the past. The Ulstein SX124-, Ulstein SX133- and Ulstein SX134-type vessels will all be built at Drydocks World Dubai. The two new vessel designs, Ulstein SX133 and Ulstein SX134, are the first vessels with the Ulstein X-BOW to receive DNV’s ICE-1A class notation. Ships with the Ulstein X-Bow shape have smoother acceleration and motion, resulting in more stable towing power and thus a more even load on the seismic equipment being towed aft. By the same token, such ships provide a steadier and safer working platform for the deck crew. The Ulstein SX124 and Ulstein SX134 vessels will be fitted with a 3D seismic system and twelve streamer winches, while the two Ulstein SX133 multi-purpose seismic vessels will be equipped with six streamer winches for 3D/2D/source operation. The package from the Ulstein Group includes comprehensive deliveries of design and main equipment to the six vessels.
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Dalian port in oil terminal JV with PetroChina
Hong Kong-listed port operator Dalian Port Co. has announced a $36.5 million oil terminal joint venture (JV) with PetroChina.
The new facility is to be located at Xingang in Dalian and will be able to handle up to 440,000 dwt supertankers with its 28 metre draft. The terminal will have a designed capacity for 300,000 metric tonnes (mt) of crude oil, said Dalian Port Co. which operates oil, container and ro/ro terminals at Dalian in northern China. The 50:50 JV, which has not obtained government approval, has been named Dalian Port. PetroChina International Terminal Co. Dalian Port had earlier this year sold oil tanks with capacity of 450,000m³ to PetroChina. Oil shipments made up 44% of Dalian Port's revenue in the first half of this year, raking up a 12% rise in profit although oil products handled dropped 1.2% to 17 million tonnes. Jiang pinned weaker crude oil transshipment on the sale of the oil tanks to PetroChina, a deal which cut Dalian Port's storage capacity.
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The new facility is to be located at Xingang in Dalian and will be able to handle up to 440,000 dwt supertankers with its 28 metre draft. The terminal will have a designed capacity for 300,000 metric tonnes (mt) of crude oil, said Dalian Port Co. which operates oil, container and ro/ro terminals at Dalian in northern China. The 50:50 JV, which has not obtained government approval, has been named Dalian Port. PetroChina International Terminal Co. Dalian Port had earlier this year sold oil tanks with capacity of 450,000m³ to PetroChina. Oil shipments made up 44% of Dalian Port's revenue in the first half of this year, raking up a 12% rise in profit although oil products handled dropped 1.2% to 17 million tonnes. Jiang pinned weaker crude oil transshipment on the sale of the oil tanks to PetroChina, a deal which cut Dalian Port's storage capacity.
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DP World hosts high-level Shanghai delegation
Chinese team tours Nakheel projects; praises quality and commitment
DP World, Dubai World’s flagship global marine terminal operator today hosted a 17-member high-level civic delegation from Shanghai, China, led by His Excellency Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai. The high profile visit included meeting and talks with senior DP World and Dubai World officials and a tour of Nakheel’s island developments. The delegation’s visit, which underlined the rapidly growing economic ties between Dubai and China, was part of a familiarization tour aimed at getting first hand knowledge about the new developmental projects that Dubai World is undertaking at its home base. Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Executive Vice Chairman of DP World and Group CEO of Ports and Free Zone World, and Mohammed Sharaf, CEO of DP World, received the delegation and briefed the visitors on the various projects under development. Mr Bin Thaniah said: “DP World is pleased to host the delegation from Shanghai on behalf of Dubai World. The Shanghai delegation’s visit underlines the strong relations between DP World, Dubai World and China. China is also one of Dubai World’s key overseas investment bases. DP World currently operates five marine terminals in China, including Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal, ACT and CT3 in Hong Kong, DP World Yenta and Tianjin Orient Container Terminals.
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DP World, Dubai World’s flagship global marine terminal operator today hosted a 17-member high-level civic delegation from Shanghai, China, led by His Excellency Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai. The high profile visit included meeting and talks with senior DP World and Dubai World officials and a tour of Nakheel’s island developments. The delegation’s visit, which underlined the rapidly growing economic ties between Dubai and China, was part of a familiarization tour aimed at getting first hand knowledge about the new developmental projects that Dubai World is undertaking at its home base. Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Executive Vice Chairman of DP World and Group CEO of Ports and Free Zone World, and Mohammed Sharaf, CEO of DP World, received the delegation and briefed the visitors on the various projects under development. Mr Bin Thaniah said: “DP World is pleased to host the delegation from Shanghai on behalf of Dubai World. The Shanghai delegation’s visit underlines the strong relations between DP World, Dubai World and China. China is also one of Dubai World’s key overseas investment bases. DP World currently operates five marine terminals in China, including Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal, ACT and CT3 in Hong Kong, DP World Yenta and Tianjin Orient Container Terminals.
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Strong growth for Guangzhou Shipyard
Shanghai: Chinese shipbuilder Guangzhou Shipyard International has reported 27.56% jump in revenue to 3.077bn Yuan ($450m) for the first half of 2008 as well as a corresponding 14.62% increase in year on year profits to 533.13m Yuan.
In the first six months of this year, the builder completed construction of nine vessels of an estimated cumulative cargo capacity of 283,000tons of cargos and delivered seven ships. It also commenced building nine new vessels including a few 51,800dwt oil tankers. During that period, it won new orders for five ships of 80,500dwt in total, bringing its orderbook to 65 vessels.
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In the first six months of this year, the builder completed construction of nine vessels of an estimated cumulative cargo capacity of 283,000tons of cargos and delivered seven ships. It also commenced building nine new vessels including a few 51,800dwt oil tankers. During that period, it won new orders for five ships of 80,500dwt in total, bringing its orderbook to 65 vessels.
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Proposal on Ship Speeds in Whale Areas
The Department of Commerce proposed to limit oceangoing ship speeds to 10 knots within 20 nautical miles of the Atlantic ports along migration routes of the endangered right whale.
The recommendations, in an environmental impact statement, reduced the geographic scope of the protections that were proposed two years ago but left the original speed limits intact. Release of the recommendation for seasonal restrictions on the speed of commercial vessels heading in and out of ports from New York to Savannah, Ga., clears the way for possible final adoption of these mandates. On average, about one to two right whales died in collisions with seagoing ships annually from 1997 to 2001. The animals give birth to their calves off the Florida coast in the winter and then migrate north, through heavily trafficked shipping areas, to feeding grounds off New England. The decision was greeted with little enthusiasm by environmentalists, who felt that it did not sufficiently protect the whales. The World Shipping Council, which represents commercial shippers, was also cool to the final speed limit, but the area covered in the recommendation did follow what it had sought. In its 2006 comments on the proposed rule, the trade group argued against a 30-nautical-mile buffer, saying that limit was unwarranted. The group said “the extra cost burden on liner shipping would be reduced by half” with a limit of 20 nautical miles.
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The recommendations, in an environmental impact statement, reduced the geographic scope of the protections that were proposed two years ago but left the original speed limits intact. Release of the recommendation for seasonal restrictions on the speed of commercial vessels heading in and out of ports from New York to Savannah, Ga., clears the way for possible final adoption of these mandates. On average, about one to two right whales died in collisions with seagoing ships annually from 1997 to 2001. The animals give birth to their calves off the Florida coast in the winter and then migrate north, through heavily trafficked shipping areas, to feeding grounds off New England. The decision was greeted with little enthusiasm by environmentalists, who felt that it did not sufficiently protect the whales. The World Shipping Council, which represents commercial shippers, was also cool to the final speed limit, but the area covered in the recommendation did follow what it had sought. In its 2006 comments on the proposed rule, the trade group argued against a 30-nautical-mile buffer, saying that limit was unwarranted. The group said “the extra cost burden on liner shipping would be reduced by half” with a limit of 20 nautical miles.
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Noble Denton secures US$3.5 million vessel design deal
Global offshore and marine consulting firm Noble Denton, UK, has secured a major contract to carry out detailed design work for a new elevated support vessel.
The deal with Gulf Marine Services in Abu Dhabi, is worth approximately US$3.5 million and involves the preparation of a design package and license for a multi-purpose self-propelled jack-up vessel, the ‘Gusto MSC NG-2500X’. The full detailed engineering work will be carried out by the company’s subsidiary ODL from its Sharjah base and work on the primary structure is already underway. The contract is a contributory factor in Noble Denton’s expansion in Sharjah where employee numbers will grow to 100 this year. The NG-2500X is designed to perform field moves and jacking operations without tug assistance. The current design is intended for well services, repair and maintenance, installation and decommissioning projects. It has accommodation for 150 personnel, has a 280-tonne crane and can operate in 60 metres of water. The unit will be built in compliance with ABS regulations and Panama Flag and to full North Sea specifications. Hull construction will take place in China and will take approximately nine months to finish. The vessel will then be completed in the UAE at GMS own facility.
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The deal with Gulf Marine Services in Abu Dhabi, is worth approximately US$3.5 million and involves the preparation of a design package and license for a multi-purpose self-propelled jack-up vessel, the ‘Gusto MSC NG-2500X’. The full detailed engineering work will be carried out by the company’s subsidiary ODL from its Sharjah base and work on the primary structure is already underway. The contract is a contributory factor in Noble Denton’s expansion in Sharjah where employee numbers will grow to 100 this year. The NG-2500X is designed to perform field moves and jacking operations without tug assistance. The current design is intended for well services, repair and maintenance, installation and decommissioning projects. It has accommodation for 150 personnel, has a 280-tonne crane and can operate in 60 metres of water. The unit will be built in compliance with ABS regulations and Panama Flag and to full North Sea specifications. Hull construction will take place in China and will take approximately nine months to finish. The vessel will then be completed in the UAE at GMS own facility.
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
US containers screened at Karachi
US Customs has begun talks with Pakistan on expanding a pilot program for 100 per cent screening of all US-bound containers at the port of Karachi.
The success of similar exercise at the nearby Port of Qasim is believed to have prompted the US authorities to initiate the talks for Karachi port. The Port of Qasim was one of the seven ports that the US Congress wanted included in the secure freight initiative project of the US Customs & Border Protection agency, which has submitted two reports suggesting that 100 per cent screening is possible only at ports with low volumes to the US. Port of Qasim is one such port and among others are Southampton and Puerto Cortes in Honduras. But at ports handling larger volumes for the US, taking X-rays and radiation readings of every container is not practical because of the expense and logistical challenges of setting up inspection zones in ports without disrupting normal cargo flows.
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The success of similar exercise at the nearby Port of Qasim is believed to have prompted the US authorities to initiate the talks for Karachi port. The Port of Qasim was one of the seven ports that the US Congress wanted included in the secure freight initiative project of the US Customs & Border Protection agency, which has submitted two reports suggesting that 100 per cent screening is possible only at ports with low volumes to the US. Port of Qasim is one such port and among others are Southampton and Puerto Cortes in Honduras. But at ports handling larger volumes for the US, taking X-rays and radiation readings of every container is not practical because of the expense and logistical challenges of setting up inspection zones in ports without disrupting normal cargo flows.
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Brilliant year for Dalian
China’s largest crude oil terminal Dalian Port Co. rose the most in five months in Hong Kong trading after boosting its first half profit by 70 percent.
Dalian rose as much as 9.1 percent to US 54cents and traded at US 52cents this morning before 11 am. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 2.7 percent. “Dalian Port’s profit growth will be sustainable if oil prices fall in the second half and oil imports rise at a fast pace,” Roslyn Ji an analyst from Core Pacific-Yamaichi International told, referring to the 44 percent of first-half sales from handling oil and liquefied chemicals. Dalian Port reported a net income increase of US$32.08 million late last week. Gross profit rose 13 percent to US$57.6 million.
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Dalian rose as much as 9.1 percent to US 54cents and traded at US 52cents this morning before 11 am. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 2.7 percent. “Dalian Port’s profit growth will be sustainable if oil prices fall in the second half and oil imports rise at a fast pace,” Roslyn Ji an analyst from Core Pacific-Yamaichi International told, referring to the 44 percent of first-half sales from handling oil and liquefied chemicals. Dalian Port reported a net income increase of US$32.08 million late last week. Gross profit rose 13 percent to US$57.6 million.
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Big maritime art show in Melbourne
The Mission to Seafarers Victoria will be once again hosting its annual ANL Maritime Art Prize competition and exhibition.
The exhibition promotes excellence in maritime and seafaring subjects in art. Over 100 works will be exhibited this year at the historic seafarers centre located in Docklands. Responding to the theme “The relationship between humanity and the sea”, the artists have created a collection comprising both contemporary and traditional artwork that will be available for public viewing. The Mission to Seafarers is an international mission of the Anglican Church which cares for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths. There are 230 Mission sites around the world and four centres in Victoria. Working round the year, chaplains, staff and other volunteers manage "drop-in" centres called Flying Angel Clubs in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings that offer a safe and secure place where seafarers receive counselling and support. Approximately 1,000 seafarers a month rely on the services provided by the Mission and funding is predominately raised through the shipping industry’s support of events like the annual ANL Maritime Art Prize. Major Sponsors in 2008 are ANL, ASP Ship Management, Stolt-Nielsen and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
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The exhibition promotes excellence in maritime and seafaring subjects in art. Over 100 works will be exhibited this year at the historic seafarers centre located in Docklands. Responding to the theme “The relationship between humanity and the sea”, the artists have created a collection comprising both contemporary and traditional artwork that will be available for public viewing. The Mission to Seafarers is an international mission of the Anglican Church which cares for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths. There are 230 Mission sites around the world and four centres in Victoria. Working round the year, chaplains, staff and other volunteers manage "drop-in" centres called Flying Angel Clubs in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings that offer a safe and secure place where seafarers receive counselling and support. Approximately 1,000 seafarers a month rely on the services provided by the Mission and funding is predominately raised through the shipping industry’s support of events like the annual ANL Maritime Art Prize. Major Sponsors in 2008 are ANL, ASP Ship Management, Stolt-Nielsen and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
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ArcelorMittal invests $850m in Brazilian mine and port
London: Indian-born Lakshmi Mittal has signed an $850.5m agreement that will see the world's biggest steelmaker ArcelorMittal, acquire an iron-ore mine and develop a port in Brazil.
ArcelorMittal, which stated that it will pay London Mining Plc about $810m for the mine, may invest up to $700m to raise output to more than 10m tons per year from its current production of approximately 3m tonnes. The company added that it will also take an 80% stake in a port in Rio de Janeiro for $40.5m and will develop the facility with Canada's Adriana Resources Inc. The development of the port in Sepetiba Bay to handle the increased export volumes is expected to cost about $250m. Construction is slated to start in the final quarter of 2008 and is expected to take between 18 months and two years to complete, with further expansion on the cards in the following five years. The move would not only help expand ArcelorMittal's raw-material supplies at a time when prices of iron ore and coal are extremely high, but the port link would also help the company increase its self sufficiency.
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ArcelorMittal, which stated that it will pay London Mining Plc about $810m for the mine, may invest up to $700m to raise output to more than 10m tons per year from its current production of approximately 3m tonnes. The company added that it will also take an 80% stake in a port in Rio de Janeiro for $40.5m and will develop the facility with Canada's Adriana Resources Inc. The development of the port in Sepetiba Bay to handle the increased export volumes is expected to cost about $250m. Construction is slated to start in the final quarter of 2008 and is expected to take between 18 months and two years to complete, with further expansion on the cards in the following five years. The move would not only help expand ArcelorMittal's raw-material supplies at a time when prices of iron ore and coal are extremely high, but the port link would also help the company increase its self sufficiency.
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Indian government urged to ratify new maritime convention
India, one of the emerging maritime nations of the world and the biggest contributor to manpower to shipping worldwide, should speed up the process of ratifying Maritime Labour Convention 2006 to take maximum advantage of it.
MLC 2006 is the new international agreement that consolidates almost all of the 70 existing international Labour Organisation (ILO) maritime labour instruments in a single modern globally applicable legal document. It establishes comprehensive minimum requirements for almost all aspects of working conditions for seafarers. It also combines rights and principles with specific standards and detailed guidance as to how to implement these standards at the national level. The new convention will come into force 12 months after ratification by at least 30 ILO member countries with a total share of at least 33 per cent of the world's gross tonnage of ships. Already the convention has been ratified by more than 3 countries like Bahamas representing about 20 per cent of the world's tonnage. According to ILO observers, many of the countries in Europe and Asia are fast progressing towards ratifying it.
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MLC 2006 is the new international agreement that consolidates almost all of the 70 existing international Labour Organisation (ILO) maritime labour instruments in a single modern globally applicable legal document. It establishes comprehensive minimum requirements for almost all aspects of working conditions for seafarers. It also combines rights and principles with specific standards and detailed guidance as to how to implement these standards at the national level. The new convention will come into force 12 months after ratification by at least 30 ILO member countries with a total share of at least 33 per cent of the world's gross tonnage of ships. Already the convention has been ratified by more than 3 countries like Bahamas representing about 20 per cent of the world's tonnage. According to ILO observers, many of the countries in Europe and Asia are fast progressing towards ratifying it.
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Monday, August 25, 2008
Three-in-one vessel designed by Ulstein
Dutch design office Ulstein Sea of Solution has designed a new vessel capable of combining three offshore operating functions into one design.
The vessel, ordered by Romanian contractor GSP Drilling will be built at the Keppel Singmarine facility in Singapore, and will be able to carry out pipelay, heavy lift and tender assist drilling operations. ‘GSP Titan’ measures 161.5 metes long on a moulded beam of 37.8 metres. A total of six powerful 4,300kW engines give the vessel a transit speed of 13 knots. The vessel will be delivered in August 2011, and will be the first large pipelay / heavy lift vessel in the world that will be propelled by three Voith Schneider Propellers on the aft, which will also be used for roll damping. The customized 1,800-tonne Huisman heavy lift mast crane has been lowered and integrated in the starboard aft side enabling the vessel to pass Istanbul Strait underneath the Bosphorus bridge to enter the Black Sea.
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The vessel, ordered by Romanian contractor GSP Drilling will be built at the Keppel Singmarine facility in Singapore, and will be able to carry out pipelay, heavy lift and tender assist drilling operations. ‘GSP Titan’ measures 161.5 metes long on a moulded beam of 37.8 metres. A total of six powerful 4,300kW engines give the vessel a transit speed of 13 knots. The vessel will be delivered in August 2011, and will be the first large pipelay / heavy lift vessel in the world that will be propelled by three Voith Schneider Propellers on the aft, which will also be used for roll damping. The customized 1,800-tonne Huisman heavy lift mast crane has been lowered and integrated in the starboard aft side enabling the vessel to pass Istanbul Strait underneath the Bosphorus bridge to enter the Black Sea.
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DP World profit may vrise on port network
DP World Ltd., the world's fourth- largest port operator, may this week report first-half profit doubled on African acquisitions and greater handling capacity at its Dubai hub even as the world's biggest economies slow.
The 45-terminal operator's net income may reach $244.3 million when it reports August 28, according to the average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The Dubai state-controlled firm said its profit for the same period in 2007 was $111.2 million before separately disclosable items. "The company's first-half growth is driven by an increase in cargo handling, especially in Jebel Ali, and acquisitions in Africa and Saudi Arabia," analyst Muneeba Kayani at Morgan Stanley said. The Dubai-based analyst has an "equal-weight" recommendation on the stock. DP World's $4.96 billion-public share sale in November, the Middle East's largest, has left investors disappointed as its shares have dropped 35 per cent to $0.85 since listing on the Dubai International Financial Exchange Ltd. in November. DP World last month reported container volume jumped 21 per cent in the first half, helped by growth in India and the Middle East. In 2007 the company gained control of Egypt's Sokhna Port at the southern entrance to the Suez Canal, its third on the Red Sea after Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti, East Africa. This year it plans to raise the capacity of its base at Jebel Ali port by more than a quarter.
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The 45-terminal operator's net income may reach $244.3 million when it reports August 28, according to the average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The Dubai state-controlled firm said its profit for the same period in 2007 was $111.2 million before separately disclosable items. "The company's first-half growth is driven by an increase in cargo handling, especially in Jebel Ali, and acquisitions in Africa and Saudi Arabia," analyst Muneeba Kayani at Morgan Stanley said. The Dubai-based analyst has an "equal-weight" recommendation on the stock. DP World's $4.96 billion-public share sale in November, the Middle East's largest, has left investors disappointed as its shares have dropped 35 per cent to $0.85 since listing on the Dubai International Financial Exchange Ltd. in November. DP World last month reported container volume jumped 21 per cent in the first half, helped by growth in India and the Middle East. In 2007 the company gained control of Egypt's Sokhna Port at the southern entrance to the Suez Canal, its third on the Red Sea after Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti, East Africa. This year it plans to raise the capacity of its base at Jebel Ali port by more than a quarter.
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New oil discovery in Rio de Janeiro
State-owned Brazilian company Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) and Galp Energia have made an oil discovery.
The discovery was made on Block BM-S-11 in the presalt layers of the Santos basin off Brazil. Informally known as lara, the 1-BRSA-618-RJS discovery well, was drilled 230km off Rio de Janeiro in 2,230 metres of water.
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The discovery was made on Block BM-S-11 in the presalt layers of the Santos basin off Brazil. Informally known as lara, the 1-BRSA-618-RJS discovery well, was drilled 230km off Rio de Janeiro in 2,230 metres of water.
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Sri Lanka's Mercantile Shipping to Receive New Vessel Mid-2009
Sri Lanka's Mercantile Shipping Company said it expects delivery of the first of two new cargo ships on order by the middle of next year as construction is slightly ahead of schedule.
The company said it made good profits in the last financial year but added that cash flow would be tight this year as funds would be tied up in the new buildings projects. Net profit rose almost 83 per cent to 106 million rupees (US$997,672) from 58 million rupees in the year ended March 31, 2008 while revenue increased 18.3 per cent to 671 million rupees from 567 million rupees. Mercantile Shipping is acquiring the two new cargo ships as part of efforts to renew its fleet. Construction of the two multi-purpose vessels, each of 7,800 tonnes deadweight, has begun with the hulls being built by a ship yard in the Ukraine. The completed hulls will be towed to the Bodewes Shipyard in The Netherlands where final installation will take place. "The construction process is a little bit ahead of schedule and the first vessel is expected to be delivered by the middle of next year, the second by end of 2009," chairman A. N. U. Jayawardena said in the company's annual report. The ships will be hired out on a two-year charter. The charter market has "improved considerably" during the last two years with global demand for ships and transport being driven by rapidly growing economies like India and China, Jayawardena said. The vessels will be financed by a package comprising of the company's own funds, a non-repayable grant from the Dutch government and a bank loan from a German commercial bank. It has set up a fully-owned subsidiary called Mercantile Emerald Shipping to build two multipurpose cargo vessels. Mercantile Emerald Shipping will borrow a total of 16 million euros (US$23.79 million) to finance the construction of the ships from Germany's Bremer Landesbank.
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The company said it made good profits in the last financial year but added that cash flow would be tight this year as funds would be tied up in the new buildings projects. Net profit rose almost 83 per cent to 106 million rupees (US$997,672) from 58 million rupees in the year ended March 31, 2008 while revenue increased 18.3 per cent to 671 million rupees from 567 million rupees. Mercantile Shipping is acquiring the two new cargo ships as part of efforts to renew its fleet. Construction of the two multi-purpose vessels, each of 7,800 tonnes deadweight, has begun with the hulls being built by a ship yard in the Ukraine. The completed hulls will be towed to the Bodewes Shipyard in The Netherlands where final installation will take place. "The construction process is a little bit ahead of schedule and the first vessel is expected to be delivered by the middle of next year, the second by end of 2009," chairman A. N. U. Jayawardena said in the company's annual report. The ships will be hired out on a two-year charter. The charter market has "improved considerably" during the last two years with global demand for ships and transport being driven by rapidly growing economies like India and China, Jayawardena said. The vessels will be financed by a package comprising of the company's own funds, a non-repayable grant from the Dutch government and a bank loan from a German commercial bank. It has set up a fully-owned subsidiary called Mercantile Emerald Shipping to build two multipurpose cargo vessels. Mercantile Emerald Shipping will borrow a total of 16 million euros (US$23.79 million) to finance the construction of the ships from Germany's Bremer Landesbank.
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LNG Ltd seals technology pact
Australia’s Liquefied Natural Gas Limited has sealed a separate technology agreement with South Korea’s SK Engineering & Construction (SKEC) paving the way for a joint venture.
Australia’s Liquefied Natural Gas Limited is partnering with Arrow Energy to build an LNG export terminal near Gladstone, Queensland. The agreement relates to LNG Ltd’s “Optimised Single Mixed Refrigerant” (OSMR) LNG processing technology and sets out the framework for the company to establish a technology joint venture, owned 50% by each party, which lays the foundation for SKEC and LNG Ltd to collaborate on other LNG project opportunities. “Not only is it (the Gladstone LNG project) likely to be the first coalbed methane gas-to-LNG project in the world but with the application of the OSMR process technology it has the potential to set new industry benchmarks as to plant cost, efficiency and carbon emissions,” SKEC’s vice president Yang-Kyoo Ju said. The agreement covers the final design of the OSMR process technology for the Gladstone plant, the pursuit of other opportunities to market and commercialise OSMR and collaborate in the development of other LNG processing and related technology, LNG Representatives of SKEC are in Queensland this week to further the proposed engineering, procurement and construction consortium with Laing O’Rourke Australia, which signed a pre-construction services agreement with LNG Ltd for LNG storage tank selection and front-end engineering and design works in March. The Gladstone LNG joint venture plans first gas in 2011 with annual export volumes initially pegged around 1 million tonnes per annum. If the venture achieves this target it will be the first CBM to LNG facility in the world, beating the larger rival projects proposed by a Santos and Petronas venture, scheduled to start up in 2014, and a BG and Queensland Gas Company venture set to start up in 2013.
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Australia’s Liquefied Natural Gas Limited is partnering with Arrow Energy to build an LNG export terminal near Gladstone, Queensland. The agreement relates to LNG Ltd’s “Optimised Single Mixed Refrigerant” (OSMR) LNG processing technology and sets out the framework for the company to establish a technology joint venture, owned 50% by each party, which lays the foundation for SKEC and LNG Ltd to collaborate on other LNG project opportunities. “Not only is it (the Gladstone LNG project) likely to be the first coalbed methane gas-to-LNG project in the world but with the application of the OSMR process technology it has the potential to set new industry benchmarks as to plant cost, efficiency and carbon emissions,” SKEC’s vice president Yang-Kyoo Ju said. The agreement covers the final design of the OSMR process technology for the Gladstone plant, the pursuit of other opportunities to market and commercialise OSMR and collaborate in the development of other LNG processing and related technology, LNG Representatives of SKEC are in Queensland this week to further the proposed engineering, procurement and construction consortium with Laing O’Rourke Australia, which signed a pre-construction services agreement with LNG Ltd for LNG storage tank selection and front-end engineering and design works in March. The Gladstone LNG joint venture plans first gas in 2011 with annual export volumes initially pegged around 1 million tonnes per annum. If the venture achieves this target it will be the first CBM to LNG facility in the world, beating the larger rival projects proposed by a Santos and Petronas venture, scheduled to start up in 2014, and a BG and Queensland Gas Company venture set to start up in 2013.
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Formal bids invited for DSME sale
Seoul: Creditors of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering have formally launched the bidding process for a 50.4% stake in shipyard.
Korea Development Bank and state-run Korea Asset Management Corp are offering 96.4 million shares they hold in Daewoo Shipbuilding. The notice, which gave Wednesday August 27 as the closing date for bids, specified that a bidder must meet the legal requirements to invest in the defense industry, a condition that effectively rules out foreign contenders. The deal is expected to fetch up to $8bn, more than double its current market valuation, due to competition from local conglomerates seeking a new growth engine and strong earnings prospects for Daewoo. POSCO, the world's fourth largest steelmaker, is seen as a strong candidate to buy Daewoo and has been seeking partners to bid with. Construction-focused GS Group and energy-to-insurance group Hanwha are also reported to be preparing bids, while would-be buyer Doosan Group recently decided to drop out of the race.
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Korea Development Bank and state-run Korea Asset Management Corp are offering 96.4 million shares they hold in Daewoo Shipbuilding. The notice, which gave Wednesday August 27 as the closing date for bids, specified that a bidder must meet the legal requirements to invest in the defense industry, a condition that effectively rules out foreign contenders. The deal is expected to fetch up to $8bn, more than double its current market valuation, due to competition from local conglomerates seeking a new growth engine and strong earnings prospects for Daewoo. POSCO, the world's fourth largest steelmaker, is seen as a strong candidate to buy Daewoo and has been seeking partners to bid with. Construction-focused GS Group and energy-to-insurance group Hanwha are also reported to be preparing bids, while would-be buyer Doosan Group recently decided to drop out of the race.
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Sunday, August 24, 2008
Ports of Auckland targets Tauranga assets
New Zealand-base Ports of Auckland managing director Jens Madsen has unveiled a company plan to buy Port of Tauranga’s container business.
Ports of Auckland, which declared an annual net profit of $21.1m for 2007 - down from $64.6m the year before (that included one-off profits), had previously attempted the merger. “Although the 2007 Port of Tauranga / Ports of Auckland merger proposal was not successful the rationale for changes in the industry in the upper North Island is still strong," Madsen said. "The sustainability of New Zealand’s existing ports sector investments, the industry’s ability to invest in the future and the global competitiveness of the country’s supply chain might be assisted by the purchase of Port of Tauranga’s container business by Ports of Auckland," he continued, adding, "A single integrated container business at the upper North Island would also facilitate a more sensible and coherent approach to investment in supporting infrastructure - in road, rail and coastal shipping." However, Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns is reported to have dismissed the idea of a buy out on the basis that “A rough and ready calculation would suggest that Tauranga's container business would be worth substantially more than Ports of Auckland's container business."
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Ports of Auckland, which declared an annual net profit of $21.1m for 2007 - down from $64.6m the year before (that included one-off profits), had previously attempted the merger. “Although the 2007 Port of Tauranga / Ports of Auckland merger proposal was not successful the rationale for changes in the industry in the upper North Island is still strong," Madsen said. "The sustainability of New Zealand’s existing ports sector investments, the industry’s ability to invest in the future and the global competitiveness of the country’s supply chain might be assisted by the purchase of Port of Tauranga’s container business by Ports of Auckland," he continued, adding, "A single integrated container business at the upper North Island would also facilitate a more sensible and coherent approach to investment in supporting infrastructure - in road, rail and coastal shipping." However, Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns is reported to have dismissed the idea of a buy out on the basis that “A rough and ready calculation would suggest that Tauranga's container business would be worth substantially more than Ports of Auckland's container business."
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Foreign-flag ships in detention in UK ports after failing inspections
Eight foreign-flag ships remain under detention in UK ports during July after failing Port State Control inspections.
According to the UK Maritime and Coastguard agency, latest monthly figures show that there were five new detentions of foreign-flagged ships in UK ports during July 2008 and three vessels under detention from previous months. Out of the detained vessels, four were registered with flag states listed on the Paris MOU white list, two were registered with flag states on the grey list, one was registered with a flag state on the black list and one was registered with an unlisted flag state. During July, 107 Port State Control inspections were carried out in the UK.
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According to the UK Maritime and Coastguard agency, latest monthly figures show that there were five new detentions of foreign-flagged ships in UK ports during July 2008 and three vessels under detention from previous months. Out of the detained vessels, four were registered with flag states listed on the Paris MOU white list, two were registered with flag states on the grey list, one was registered with a flag state on the black list and one was registered with an unlisted flag state. During July, 107 Port State Control inspections were carried out in the UK.
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Hamburg Sud to add fifth Brazil port of call
Hamburg Sud is adding a weekly port of call from Jacksonville to the southern Brazilian port of Navegantes, to take advantage of the South American nation's booming economy.
The stop at Navegantes will be launched from mid-September, making it the fifth Brazilian port called on by the line, said Francis Larkin, Hamburg Sud's senior vice president, reports the Jacksonville Business Journal. It is noted that Brazil is Florida's top trading partner and Jacksonville's second largest trading partner, and imports are expected to continue to grow. The main imports from Brazil are building materials, lumber, furniture, textiles and auto parts, with chemicals and raw materials being exported to Brazil.
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The stop at Navegantes will be launched from mid-September, making it the fifth Brazilian port called on by the line, said Francis Larkin, Hamburg Sud's senior vice president, reports the Jacksonville Business Journal. It is noted that Brazil is Florida's top trading partner and Jacksonville's second largest trading partner, and imports are expected to continue to grow. The main imports from Brazil are building materials, lumber, furniture, textiles and auto parts, with chemicals and raw materials being exported to Brazil.
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China's international forwarders council meet in Anhui
China International Freight Forwarders Association's (CIFA) third council meeting has recently been held in Huangshan, Anhui province.
The Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Civil Affairs and Anhui provincial Department of Commerce officials delivered speeches at the meeting and expressed continuing support for the domestic freight forwarding industry. Vice chairman of CIFA Liu Zhanfang hosted the meeting, while chairman Zhao Huxiang presented the work report and vice secretary-general Lin Zhong presented the financial report. The meeting heard a report on the earlier fifth Sino-International Freight Forwarders Conference and the FIATA annual meeting in September. Regional representatives expressed the hope that the Ministry of Commerce would give more support to the domestic forwarding industry, and suggested that CIFA should learn from its overseas peers in urging the industry to enhance its self-discipline and that all forwarders associations should strengthen communications.
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The Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Civil Affairs and Anhui provincial Department of Commerce officials delivered speeches at the meeting and expressed continuing support for the domestic freight forwarding industry. Vice chairman of CIFA Liu Zhanfang hosted the meeting, while chairman Zhao Huxiang presented the work report and vice secretary-general Lin Zhong presented the financial report. The meeting heard a report on the earlier fifth Sino-International Freight Forwarders Conference and the FIATA annual meeting in September. Regional representatives expressed the hope that the Ministry of Commerce would give more support to the domestic forwarding industry, and suggested that CIFA should learn from its overseas peers in urging the industry to enhance its self-discipline and that all forwarders associations should strengthen communications.
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Saturday, August 23, 2008
Dredging company fined for ignoring environmental safeguards
The company that dredged the Falmouth Marina in the UK has been fined £40,000 (US$75,130) after ignoring environmental safeguards.
Premier Marinas, which dredged Falmouth Marina’s outer basin, ignored marine environment safeguards placed on their license to do the operation, a court heard. The general manager then falsified records of water quality sampling to hide the offences. Conditions of the license were designed to protect the area from sludge containing toxic substances from being introduced into the marine environment, West Cornwall Magistrates were told. The sediments dredged up were heavily contaminated with the boat anti-fouling paint, biocide tributyltin, or TBT, substance banned worldwide. The license granted by the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) was supposed to allow it to be safely re-buried in deeper holes and re-capped with clean sediment within the Marina. However, following complaints by fishermen in the area that unusual dredged material was turning up offshore at the Falmouth Bay disposal site, the MFA launched an investigation. In a case brought by the MFA, Premier Marinas (Falmouth), and its general manager, John Osmond, together with the managing director of dredging contractors Sub Marine Services Ltd, Anthony Richards, pleaded guilty to a number of offences under the Food and Environment Protection Act. Magistrates ordered Premier Marinas to pay more than £40,000 in fines and costs.
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Premier Marinas, which dredged Falmouth Marina’s outer basin, ignored marine environment safeguards placed on their license to do the operation, a court heard. The general manager then falsified records of water quality sampling to hide the offences. Conditions of the license were designed to protect the area from sludge containing toxic substances from being introduced into the marine environment, West Cornwall Magistrates were told. The sediments dredged up were heavily contaminated with the boat anti-fouling paint, biocide tributyltin, or TBT, substance banned worldwide. The license granted by the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) was supposed to allow it to be safely re-buried in deeper holes and re-capped with clean sediment within the Marina. However, following complaints by fishermen in the area that unusual dredged material was turning up offshore at the Falmouth Bay disposal site, the MFA launched an investigation. In a case brought by the MFA, Premier Marinas (Falmouth), and its general manager, John Osmond, together with the managing director of dredging contractors Sub Marine Services Ltd, Anthony Richards, pleaded guilty to a number of offences under the Food and Environment Protection Act. Magistrates ordered Premier Marinas to pay more than £40,000 in fines and costs.
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Maersk revamps Asia-Australia offerings
Copenhagen: Maersk Line has combined three existing Asia to Australia services into one single rotation, creating a new and comprehensive 'pendulum loop'.
The new 'Boomerang Service' will phase in on 27 September 2008 and deploy ten vessels calling at ports previously covered by Maersk’s present AU1 (North Asia to/from Australia), AU2 (East Asia to/from Australia), and AU3 (South East Asia to/from Australia) services. The service will offer rotations for Boomerang - North East Asia (Southbound), Boomerang - North East Asia (Northbound), Boomerang - South East Asia (Southbound) and Boomerang - South East Asia (Northbound).
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The new 'Boomerang Service' will phase in on 27 September 2008 and deploy ten vessels calling at ports previously covered by Maersk’s present AU1 (North Asia to/from Australia), AU2 (East Asia to/from Australia), and AU3 (South East Asia to/from Australia) services. The service will offer rotations for Boomerang - North East Asia (Southbound), Boomerang - North East Asia (Northbound), Boomerang - South East Asia (Southbound) and Boomerang - South East Asia (Northbound).
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Philadelphia port to build a new marine container terminal facility by 2013
An expansion of a new marine container terminal facility is to be built on former land of the Philadelphia Navy Yard and located south of the existing port's Packer Marine Terminal.
Potential bidders have a deadline of September 5 to put in requests for the private-public partnership on the Delaware River to finance, develop, construct and operate the facility. The state of Pennsylvania aims for authorization of permits by 2010 and completion of building by 2013.
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Potential bidders have a deadline of September 5 to put in requests for the private-public partnership on the Delaware River to finance, develop, construct and operate the facility. The state of Pennsylvania aims for authorization of permits by 2010 and completion of building by 2013.
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MSC to use larger ships on Europe-South Africa service
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Greece, has started boosting the capacity of its Europe-South Africa service by replacing the 5,000TEU vessels previously used on this service with ships ranging between 5,000TEU and 6,000TEU.
Two 4,953TEU box ships, the ‘MSC Catania’ and the ‘MSC Messina’, are currently being used to run the service. The 5,762TEU ‘MSC Los Angeles’ is expected to join the loop, becoming the largest containership ever to trade between Europe and South Africa. MSC has just recently taken charge of the ‘MSC Los Angeles’, after chartering the ship from CSCL. The Chinese shipping line had freed up the ER Schiffahrt-managed vessel, by removing calls at the ports of Barcelona and Valencia from its AEX-1 loop. Following the ‘MSC Los Angeles’, the 5,527TEU ‘MSC France’ will enter MSC's Europe-South Africa service in mid-August. MSC will also take charge of two more 5,500TEU box ships sublet from CSCL, the ‘CSCL Shanghai’ and the ‘CSCL Hong Kong’, and three sister ships to the ‘MSC Los Angeles’, namely the ‘E R Amsterdam’, the ‘E R Felixstowe’ and the ‘E R London’, which are currently ending their charters with Maersk Line.
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Two 4,953TEU box ships, the ‘MSC Catania’ and the ‘MSC Messina’, are currently being used to run the service. The 5,762TEU ‘MSC Los Angeles’ is expected to join the loop, becoming the largest containership ever to trade between Europe and South Africa. MSC has just recently taken charge of the ‘MSC Los Angeles’, after chartering the ship from CSCL. The Chinese shipping line had freed up the ER Schiffahrt-managed vessel, by removing calls at the ports of Barcelona and Valencia from its AEX-1 loop. Following the ‘MSC Los Angeles’, the 5,527TEU ‘MSC France’ will enter MSC's Europe-South Africa service in mid-August. MSC will also take charge of two more 5,500TEU box ships sublet from CSCL, the ‘CSCL Shanghai’ and the ‘CSCL Hong Kong’, and three sister ships to the ‘MSC Los Angeles’, namely the ‘E R Amsterdam’, the ‘E R Felixstowe’ and the ‘E R London’, which are currently ending their charters with Maersk Line.
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Friday, August 22, 2008
CMA CGM to build new terminal at Tianjin
CMA CGM Group signed a 50-year concession agreement to build and operate a 1.7m teu container terminal in the Port of Tianjin in North China.
The new terminal is expected to become operational in 2011 and will feature a 1100-meter quay. It will be operated by a joint venture consisting of CMA CGM (with a 20% stake); Tianjin Port Holding Co., a Tianjin Port Group subsidiary listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (60%), and Hong Kong-based Asia International Shipping Ltd. (20%). “With this new investment, CMA CGM has secured a strategic base in Tianjin, which is the port offering the best prospects of growth in North China,” said Farid Salem, CMA CGM Group chief evp. “This will further improve the quality of service offered to our vessels, and therefore to our customers.” The group, which is already present in the Chinese port of Xiamen and operates a network of 64 offices across the country, currently offers 30 weekly services from China, with a departure every six hours. In 2006 it also acquired an 8% share in China Rail Intermodal, a project to design, build and manage a network of 18 railway container stations covering the entire Chinese territory, including Tianjin. Located only 150 km from Beijing in the Binhai industrial zone, Tianjin provides a strong maritime link to the Chinese capital. It ranks 16th in the world in container traffic, with more than 7.1m teu handled in 2007, an increase of 19% over 2006.
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The new terminal is expected to become operational in 2011 and will feature a 1100-meter quay. It will be operated by a joint venture consisting of CMA CGM (with a 20% stake); Tianjin Port Holding Co., a Tianjin Port Group subsidiary listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (60%), and Hong Kong-based Asia International Shipping Ltd. (20%). “With this new investment, CMA CGM has secured a strategic base in Tianjin, which is the port offering the best prospects of growth in North China,” said Farid Salem, CMA CGM Group chief evp. “This will further improve the quality of service offered to our vessels, and therefore to our customers.” The group, which is already present in the Chinese port of Xiamen and operates a network of 64 offices across the country, currently offers 30 weekly services from China, with a departure every six hours. In 2006 it also acquired an 8% share in China Rail Intermodal, a project to design, build and manage a network of 18 railway container stations covering the entire Chinese territory, including Tianjin. Located only 150 km from Beijing in the Binhai industrial zone, Tianjin provides a strong maritime link to the Chinese capital. It ranks 16th in the world in container traffic, with more than 7.1m teu handled in 2007, an increase of 19% over 2006.
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DP World Awards 400 million Pound Container Port Build Contract
DP World signed a 400 million pound contract to build the first phase of a new port at London Gateway, the most technically advanced container port in the world, integrated with Europe's largest logistics park.
This is the first major contract to be awarded in the £1.5 billion project, due to be built over the next 10 to 15 years. The contract is over five years, and will see the construction of the first phase of the port's quay providing three berths and over 1.2 kilometres of quay in a joint venture between Laing O'Rourke and Dredging International. The new port will eventually handle 3.5milion TEU (twenty foot equivalent units), providing a much needed increase in capacity for the UK's container terminals. The South Essex project is currently set to be the largest creator of new jobs in the UK, delivering over 12,000 in the coming years, and is the largest investment in the South East of England. Chief Executive of London Gateway, Simon Moore, said: "This contract is a major milestone in constructing the port. In an economic climate where the building industry is experiencing a sharp slow down, this is great news for Essex and the UK in general.
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This is the first major contract to be awarded in the £1.5 billion project, due to be built over the next 10 to 15 years. The contract is over five years, and will see the construction of the first phase of the port's quay providing three berths and over 1.2 kilometres of quay in a joint venture between Laing O'Rourke and Dredging International. The new port will eventually handle 3.5milion TEU (twenty foot equivalent units), providing a much needed increase in capacity for the UK's container terminals. The South Essex project is currently set to be the largest creator of new jobs in the UK, delivering over 12,000 in the coming years, and is the largest investment in the South East of England. Chief Executive of London Gateway, Simon Moore, said: "This contract is a major milestone in constructing the port. In an economic climate where the building industry is experiencing a sharp slow down, this is great news for Essex and the UK in general.
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Vosta LMG signs contract for new cutter suction dredge
The Arab Potash Company, Jordan, has awarded Vosta LMG with a new contract for the delivery of a new cutter suction dredge.
The dredge will measure 75 metres by twelve metres, with a maximum dredging depth of six metres. The new CSD600 will have a total installed power of 3,34kW with a cutter power of 650kW and a pump power of 1,825kW. The dredge will be equipped with a Vosta SC25 cutting system and will be built in Malaysia and delivered in 2009. This is the second contract Vosta has received from Arab Potash, with the previously delivered cutter suction dredger also having the special design to excavate hard salt deposits in extremely corrosive and harsh climatic conditions where ambient site temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius are common. Vosta will train additional crew on site to operate the dredge at its specified performance when delivering the dredge, including floating pipeline.
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The dredge will measure 75 metres by twelve metres, with a maximum dredging depth of six metres. The new CSD600 will have a total installed power of 3,34kW with a cutter power of 650kW and a pump power of 1,825kW. The dredge will be equipped with a Vosta SC25 cutting system and will be built in Malaysia and delivered in 2009. This is the second contract Vosta has received from Arab Potash, with the previously delivered cutter suction dredger also having the special design to excavate hard salt deposits in extremely corrosive and harsh climatic conditions where ambient site temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius are common. Vosta will train additional crew on site to operate the dredge at its specified performance when delivering the dredge, including floating pipeline.
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AWE rides oil revenues wave
Australian Worldwide Exploration saw full-year profits and revenues surge as production was boosted by output from the Tui field in New Zealand and world oil prices surged.
AWE reported net profits of A$264 million, or 58.8 cents per share, up from A$35 million, 7.9 cents previously. Sales revenues rose to A$821 million (US$717.3 million) from A$144.2 million previously over the same period as production jumped to 9.8 million barrels of oil equivalent from 3.9 million boe last year. The figure was boosted by higher than expected output from the Tui field on New Zealand’s offshore Taranaki basin, which produced a gross 14.2 million barrels over the period. Operating income rose to A$504 million from A$40.5 million in 2007. AWE said in April it would take over fellow Australian producer Arc Energy. The move will substantial boost its assets and reserves, including holdings in the Perth basin in Western Australian and in the Bass basin off Victoria. The Henry gas field in the offshore Otway basin off southern Australia was also officially sanctioned for development in the year.
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AWE reported net profits of A$264 million, or 58.8 cents per share, up from A$35 million, 7.9 cents previously. Sales revenues rose to A$821 million (US$717.3 million) from A$144.2 million previously over the same period as production jumped to 9.8 million barrels of oil equivalent from 3.9 million boe last year. The figure was boosted by higher than expected output from the Tui field on New Zealand’s offshore Taranaki basin, which produced a gross 14.2 million barrels over the period. Operating income rose to A$504 million from A$40.5 million in 2007. AWE said in April it would take over fellow Australian producer Arc Energy. The move will substantial boost its assets and reserves, including holdings in the Perth basin in Western Australian and in the Bass basin off Victoria. The Henry gas field in the offshore Otway basin off southern Australia was also officially sanctioned for development in the year.
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Macduff delivers 'Amethyst'
‘Amethyst’, a new steel-hulled trawler has been completed recently by Macduff Shipyards, UK.
The hull which is arranged as a twin rig trawler is a repeat of a vessel built earlier this year, ‘Daystar’. The new vessel was built for Ralston Johnston and partners, and will operate from Fraserburgh through Westward Fishing Company. The hull form is double chine, with a bulbous bow, and box type ballast keel. ‘Amethyst’ measures 19.05 metres by 6.8 metres, with a moulded depth of 3.8 metres. The main engine is a Caterpillar 3412TC rated 375kW at 1,800rpm with a Twin Disc MG5170DC gearbox with 6.95:1 reduction ratio, driving a 1900mm diameter 4 blade Lips propeller in a Lips nozzle. A Mitsubishi 6D24TC auxiliary engine is arranged with a JBJ clutched splitter box to drive the deck machinery hydraulic pumps, and also a 46kW 415/3/50 alternator.
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The hull which is arranged as a twin rig trawler is a repeat of a vessel built earlier this year, ‘Daystar’. The new vessel was built for Ralston Johnston and partners, and will operate from Fraserburgh through Westward Fishing Company. The hull form is double chine, with a bulbous bow, and box type ballast keel. ‘Amethyst’ measures 19.05 metres by 6.8 metres, with a moulded depth of 3.8 metres. The main engine is a Caterpillar 3412TC rated 375kW at 1,800rpm with a Twin Disc MG5170DC gearbox with 6.95:1 reduction ratio, driving a 1900mm diameter 4 blade Lips propeller in a Lips nozzle. A Mitsubishi 6D24TC auxiliary engine is arranged with a JBJ clutched splitter box to drive the deck machinery hydraulic pumps, and also a 46kW 415/3/50 alternator.
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USNS Lewis and Clark Wins Safety Award
Military Sealift Command’s dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark won the 2008 Department of the Navy safety excellence award in the Military Sealift Command category, Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced.
The 689-ft. ship is currently operating out of Norfolk, Va., and is crewed by 124 civil service mariners and a small military detachment of 11 active-duty Navy sailors. Lewis and Clark’s crew was recognized for developing new operational procedures upon delivery of the new class of ship that set the standard for onboard high risk operations across the entire class of T-AKE ships and have became a prototype model for the maritime industry. MSC’s engineering directorate lauded the crew for stepping up to the task of identifying, assessing and addressing safety issues during the ship’s break-in period. In addition to creating the procedures, two Lewis and Clark crew members were noted in the award package. Relief Chief Engineer Tim Nesbitt personally authored the prototype “T-AKE Engineering Casualty Control Manual,” which provides drill protocols and scenarios for responding to engineering causalities and is used throughout the T-AKE fleet. The Department of the Navy safety excellence award program recognizes Navy and Marine Corps teams, ships and installations for exceptional commitment to safety and operational risk management.
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The 689-ft. ship is currently operating out of Norfolk, Va., and is crewed by 124 civil service mariners and a small military detachment of 11 active-duty Navy sailors. Lewis and Clark’s crew was recognized for developing new operational procedures upon delivery of the new class of ship that set the standard for onboard high risk operations across the entire class of T-AKE ships and have became a prototype model for the maritime industry. MSC’s engineering directorate lauded the crew for stepping up to the task of identifying, assessing and addressing safety issues during the ship’s break-in period. In addition to creating the procedures, two Lewis and Clark crew members were noted in the award package. Relief Chief Engineer Tim Nesbitt personally authored the prototype “T-AKE Engineering Casualty Control Manual,” which provides drill protocols and scenarios for responding to engineering causalities and is used throughout the T-AKE fleet. The Department of the Navy safety excellence award program recognizes Navy and Marine Corps teams, ships and installations for exceptional commitment to safety and operational risk management.
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Thursday, August 21, 2008
SAPOG (South Asian Port Games) announces Marine BizTV as its exclusive ‘International Marketing Partner’
The opening ceremony of SAPOG 2008, the first ever South Asian Port Games will be held at Sri Lanka. Scheduled for 4 consecutive dates, the event commences on 4th October 2008 and concludes on 8th October 2008. The Official ‘Logo’ & ‘Web’ launch of SAPOG took place on 12th August 2008 at ‘Ceylon Continental Hotel’ Colombo.
SAPOG 2008 aims to build solid relationships with real sporting spirit among all Sea and Air ports in the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) region. SAPOG 2008 has also declared Marine BizTV, the world’s first maritime satellite channel as its only International Marketing Partner. Marine BizTV is a 24 free to air Satellite channel available across Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America.
The steering committee for SAPOG consists of Patron in Chief - His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka; Patron - Hon. Rathnasiri Wickramanayake, Prime Minister, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSri Lanka; Chairman - Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Ports and Aviation Cabinet, Sri Lanka; Deputy Chairman - Hon. Sarath Gunarathne, Deputy Minister of Aviation, Sri Lanka and Convener - Hon. Dilan Perera, Minister of Port Development, Sri Lanka. The organizing committee of SAPOG 2008 consists of Hon. Dilan Perera as the Executive Chairman and Mr. Nalin Attygalle as the Project Director.
The participating countries for SAPOG 2008 are Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. A total number of 677 participants have registered for the event so far to mark their presence from these seven countries. The host country, Sri Lanka will provide Transport, Food and Lodging for all legitimate participants for SAPOG.
SAPOG 2008 constitutes a wide series of games both indoor and outdoor like Carrom, Billiard, Table Tennis, Badminton, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Netball, Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. Two more sports, Golf and Tennis are also included for the event. The newly introduced countries of SAARC will also be given an opportunity to enter their respective teams for SAPOG 2008. The observer status countries in the region like Australia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Korea, Vietnam and United States are also invited for the ever first port games by SAARC.
Log on to www.marinebiztv.com/sapog for more details.
SAPOG 2008 aims to build solid relationships with real sporting spirit among all Sea and Air ports in the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) region. SAPOG 2008 has also declared Marine BizTV, the world’s first maritime satellite channel as its only International Marketing Partner. Marine BizTV is a 24 free to air Satellite channel available across Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America.
The steering committee for SAPOG consists of Patron in Chief - His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka; Patron - Hon. Rathnasiri Wickramanayake, Prime Minister, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSri Lanka; Chairman - Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Ports and Aviation Cabinet, Sri Lanka; Deputy Chairman - Hon. Sarath Gunarathne, Deputy Minister of Aviation, Sri Lanka and Convener - Hon. Dilan Perera, Minister of Port Development, Sri Lanka. The organizing committee of SAPOG 2008 consists of Hon. Dilan Perera as the Executive Chairman and Mr. Nalin Attygalle as the Project Director.
The participating countries for SAPOG 2008 are Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. A total number of 677 participants have registered for the event so far to mark their presence from these seven countries. The host country, Sri Lanka will provide Transport, Food and Lodging for all legitimate participants for SAPOG.
SAPOG 2008 constitutes a wide series of games both indoor and outdoor like Carrom, Billiard, Table Tennis, Badminton, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Netball, Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. Two more sports, Golf and Tennis are also included for the event. The newly introduced countries of SAARC will also be given an opportunity to enter their respective teams for SAPOG 2008. The observer status countries in the region like Australia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Korea, Vietnam and United States are also invited for the ever first port games by SAARC.
Log on to www.marinebiztv.com/sapog for more details.
Dredging to start on Sydney's third terminal
Dredging is about to commence at Port Botany, in New South Wales, as part of the first stage of the A$1 billion (US$870 million) port expansion.
Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said the dredging process would take a year. “Dredging the bay will ensure we have the capacity to accommodate the expected doubling of trade through the port over the next ten to 15 years,” Mr Tripodi said. “A silt curtain is being installed around the area where dredging is being done to confine sediment and to protect the wider Botany Bay environment.” Mr Tripodi said a cutter suction dredge from Belgium, the ‘Nu Bounty’, would be used during the initial stages of dredging. The dredge measures 50 metres in length, ten metres in width and has the capability to dredge to a depth of 22 metres below water. The ‘Nu Bounty’ will reclaim an area between the existing Brotherson dock and the end of the third runway adjacent to the Patricks terminal. A concrete precast facility will be built in this area later in the year. From early 2009, a larger dredging vessel will complete the dredging activities. “The expansion of Port Botany is one of the largest infrastructure projects being undertaken in Australia and an important component of the [New South Wales’] Government’s plans for the economic growth of [the state],” Mr Tripodi said.
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Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said the dredging process would take a year. “Dredging the bay will ensure we have the capacity to accommodate the expected doubling of trade through the port over the next ten to 15 years,” Mr Tripodi said. “A silt curtain is being installed around the area where dredging is being done to confine sediment and to protect the wider Botany Bay environment.” Mr Tripodi said a cutter suction dredge from Belgium, the ‘Nu Bounty’, would be used during the initial stages of dredging. The dredge measures 50 metres in length, ten metres in width and has the capability to dredge to a depth of 22 metres below water. The ‘Nu Bounty’ will reclaim an area between the existing Brotherson dock and the end of the third runway adjacent to the Patricks terminal. A concrete precast facility will be built in this area later in the year. From early 2009, a larger dredging vessel will complete the dredging activities. “The expansion of Port Botany is one of the largest infrastructure projects being undertaken in Australia and an important component of the [New South Wales’] Government’s plans for the economic growth of [the state],” Mr Tripodi said.
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Blue Marine Acquires Tankers for PEMEX Refinación
Blue Marine Shipping, has acquired two new tankers that shall be leased by PEMEX Refinación for the next 10 years.
Blue Marine awarded two out of the five tender agreements on May 30, in which PEMEX Refinación invited tenders in order to improve its fleet. The cost of these two new tankers, African Future and Torm Wabash, reached 85.8 million and 98.4 million dollars respectively. The tankers were previously owned by the Torm and Delmod Marine Companies, with which Blue Marine executed a buy-sell agreement. Both tankers fulfill the recommendation of the International Maritime Organization, which establishes that ships without double hull, double bottom, or double side, shall be removed after 25 years. Thanks to this double structure, better operative conditions are guaranteed, as well as industrial safety and environmental protection, which are the main reasons for PEMEX Refinación to renew its current fleet.
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Blue Marine awarded two out of the five tender agreements on May 30, in which PEMEX Refinación invited tenders in order to improve its fleet. The cost of these two new tankers, African Future and Torm Wabash, reached 85.8 million and 98.4 million dollars respectively. The tankers were previously owned by the Torm and Delmod Marine Companies, with which Blue Marine executed a buy-sell agreement. Both tankers fulfill the recommendation of the International Maritime Organization, which establishes that ships without double hull, double bottom, or double side, shall be removed after 25 years. Thanks to this double structure, better operative conditions are guaranteed, as well as industrial safety and environmental protection, which are the main reasons for PEMEX Refinación to renew its current fleet.
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Dubai port operator awards London Gateway contract
Dubai's port operator said that it has awarded a 745 million dollars contract to British firm Laing O'Rourke and Belgium's Dredging International for the first phase of a project to develop a port and business park in Britain.
This is the first major contract granted in the 1.5 billion pounds (2.8 billion dollars) London Gateway project, DP World, one of the world's largest container port operators, said in a statement. The London Gateway project, announced by DP World in November 2006, aims to develop "the most technically advanced container port in the world, integrated with Europe's largest logistics park," the statement said. The 400 million pounds (745 million dollars) five-year contract awarded on Wednesday "will see the construction of the first phase of the port's quay providing three berths and over 1.2 kilometres of quay," it said. The new port in South Essex "will eventually handle 3.5 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent units), providing a much needed increase in capacity for the UK's container terminals," the statement added. The Dubai government-controlled DP World became one of the world's top three container port operators after its 6.9-billion-dollar acquisition of Britain's Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co two years ago. DP World said that construction work will begin later this year at the 1,500 acre site, on the former Shell Haven oil refinery near Thurrock.
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This is the first major contract granted in the 1.5 billion pounds (2.8 billion dollars) London Gateway project, DP World, one of the world's largest container port operators, said in a statement. The London Gateway project, announced by DP World in November 2006, aims to develop "the most technically advanced container port in the world, integrated with Europe's largest logistics park," the statement said. The 400 million pounds (745 million dollars) five-year contract awarded on Wednesday "will see the construction of the first phase of the port's quay providing three berths and over 1.2 kilometres of quay," it said. The new port in South Essex "will eventually handle 3.5 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent units), providing a much needed increase in capacity for the UK's container terminals," the statement added. The Dubai government-controlled DP World became one of the world's top three container port operators after its 6.9-billion-dollar acquisition of Britain's Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co two years ago. DP World said that construction work will begin later this year at the 1,500 acre site, on the former Shell Haven oil refinery near Thurrock.
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Russia revises ship survey guidelines
Russia has developed new guidelines on the procedures and methods of surveying ships.
The new book also establishes requirements for survey of ships in service to confirm their compliance with the requirements of international conventions, agreements, IMO codes and national regulations of the Russian Federation. The guidelines were developed based on a 2004 edition, but amendments have been made and a more elaborate “Rules for the Classification Surveys of Ships in Service” has been included. Annexes have been issued as a separate book, and are intended for surveyors, ship crew, and shipowners. They provide guidelines on carrying out surveys and tests and instructions on determining technical conditions.
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The new book also establishes requirements for survey of ships in service to confirm their compliance with the requirements of international conventions, agreements, IMO codes and national regulations of the Russian Federation. The guidelines were developed based on a 2004 edition, but amendments have been made and a more elaborate “Rules for the Classification Surveys of Ships in Service” has been included. Annexes have been issued as a separate book, and are intended for surveyors, ship crew, and shipowners. They provide guidelines on carrying out surveys and tests and instructions on determining technical conditions.
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Pirates Seize Tanker off Somalia's Coast
Armed pirates seized a Malaysian palm oil tanker with 39 crew off the coast of Somalia — the fourth hijacking in a month.
It was reported that the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur, said the center received a distress signal late about the raid on the MT Bunga Melati Dua and immediately notified Western naval ships patrolling the area. An international terrorism task force dispatched a warship to intercept the tanker, which was heading toward Somalia territorial waters.
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It was reported that the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur, said the center received a distress signal late about the raid on the MT Bunga Melati Dua and immediately notified Western naval ships patrolling the area. An international terrorism task force dispatched a warship to intercept the tanker, which was heading toward Somalia territorial waters.
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Lloyd's Register EMEA signs heads of terms to acquire Scandpower AS
Lloyd's Register EMEA has made its most significant move yet in becoming the leading authority in the provision of risk management services to the nuclear, oil and gas, and transportation sectors, having signed Heads of Terms to acquire 100% of the share capital of Scandpower AS.
The acquisition will be the largest the Lloyd's Register Group has ever conducted. Scandpower has approximately 250 staff that specialise in the provision of risk management services to the nuclear, oil and gas, and transportation industries. In the nuclear field, the company's services are entirely focused upon civil power generation. Within the oil and gas sector, Scandpower's services are focused upon exploration, production, refining and transport. Activities in the transportation sector are focused on the railway and aviation industries. Approximately 65% of staff are headquartered in Norway and 25% in Sweden. The remaining staffs are evenly split between Houston and Beijing. Iain Light, Lloyd's Register's Oil & Gas Director said of the agreement, "Lloyd's Register has a clear strategy to become the leading provider of compliance, integrity and specialized consultancy services to clients throughout all sectors of the transportation and energy sectors. The acquisition of Scandpower AS will be a major step towards achieving that goal". Demand for energy is increasing world-wide. Combined with raised safety and environmental expectations, and the need for operational efficiencies, the demand for nuclear and oil and gas energy and transportation related risk management services is at an all time high and is now expected to increase further.
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The acquisition will be the largest the Lloyd's Register Group has ever conducted. Scandpower has approximately 250 staff that specialise in the provision of risk management services to the nuclear, oil and gas, and transportation industries. In the nuclear field, the company's services are entirely focused upon civil power generation. Within the oil and gas sector, Scandpower's services are focused upon exploration, production, refining and transport. Activities in the transportation sector are focused on the railway and aviation industries. Approximately 65% of staff are headquartered in Norway and 25% in Sweden. The remaining staffs are evenly split between Houston and Beijing. Iain Light, Lloyd's Register's Oil & Gas Director said of the agreement, "Lloyd's Register has a clear strategy to become the leading provider of compliance, integrity and specialized consultancy services to clients throughout all sectors of the transportation and energy sectors. The acquisition of Scandpower AS will be a major step towards achieving that goal". Demand for energy is increasing world-wide. Combined with raised safety and environmental expectations, and the need for operational efficiencies, the demand for nuclear and oil and gas energy and transportation related risk management services is at an all time high and is now expected to increase further.
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Beluga launches P-series multipurpose super heavy lift project carrier
Beluga Shipping, based in Bremen, Germany, has recently launched the Beluga P-series, a new state-of-the-art multipurpose super heavy lift project carrier.
The P-series will represent the next generation of flexible carriers operating more independently from local port infrastructure. It is an ideal strategic answer to the current market situation marked by growth and expansion. A total of 16 units are under construction and due to be delivered as from 2009 onwards. Ice class E 3 will enable these vessels to travel the north-east-passage for presumably two or three months a year. Ballast water treatment systems based on electrolytic disinfection will be installed on all P-series carriers to prevent environmentally harmful marine invasions in alien habitats. Furthermore, two of these super heavy lift vessels will also be equipped with the innovative towing kite propulsion system “SkySails”. On the Beluga P-series vessels the kites will provide for sail surfaces of 600 square meters each. Fuel savings in the dimension of up to ten tonnes daily can then be anticipated according to present-day-estimates.
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The P-series will represent the next generation of flexible carriers operating more independently from local port infrastructure. It is an ideal strategic answer to the current market situation marked by growth and expansion. A total of 16 units are under construction and due to be delivered as from 2009 onwards. Ice class E 3 will enable these vessels to travel the north-east-passage for presumably two or three months a year. Ballast water treatment systems based on electrolytic disinfection will be installed on all P-series carriers to prevent environmentally harmful marine invasions in alien habitats. Furthermore, two of these super heavy lift vessels will also be equipped with the innovative towing kite propulsion system “SkySails”. On the Beluga P-series vessels the kites will provide for sail surfaces of 600 square meters each. Fuel savings in the dimension of up to ten tonnes daily can then be anticipated according to present-day-estimates.
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EMEC partners with Marine BizTV
EMEC initiated a strategic partnership with MarineBiz TV, the first satellite TV channel covering the marine industry worldwide in July, 2008.
The main intent of the partnership is for EMEC to provide content to MarineBiz TV from an European perspective, keeping a worldwide audience up to date with the latest opportunities and developments in the field, and at the same time reaching a wider audience interested in the activity of the leading companies in the industry. The partnership is strategically important for the Marine Equipment industry as a whole, as it is especially targeted towards students and young professionals specialising in the Marine field. EMEC and MarineBiz TV are both developing new and compelling ways to promote interest in marine research and innovation, and expect the results to be beneficial to the whole industry by ultimately addressing the skill shortage which has been affecting it for years. Also, this joint effort by MarineBiz TV and EMEC is aimed at bridging the gap between different practices and policies in the European and Asian Marine Industry, opening new channels of communication between different perspectives and promoting the European Marine Equipment industry across the global market.
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The main intent of the partnership is for EMEC to provide content to MarineBiz TV from an European perspective, keeping a worldwide audience up to date with the latest opportunities and developments in the field, and at the same time reaching a wider audience interested in the activity of the leading companies in the industry. The partnership is strategically important for the Marine Equipment industry as a whole, as it is especially targeted towards students and young professionals specialising in the Marine field. EMEC and MarineBiz TV are both developing new and compelling ways to promote interest in marine research and innovation, and expect the results to be beneficial to the whole industry by ultimately addressing the skill shortage which has been affecting it for years. Also, this joint effort by MarineBiz TV and EMEC is aimed at bridging the gap between different practices and policies in the European and Asian Marine Industry, opening new channels of communication between different perspectives and promoting the European Marine Equipment industry across the global market.
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Panama’s fleet posts record figures
The Panama Register has reported an increase of 4.7% in its fleet size during the first six months of 2008 to 7, 965 vessels of 177.09M gt in June 2008, up from 7,605 vessels of 168m gt at December 2007.
“The registration of newbuildings constituted 50% of the six month increase,” said Alfonso Castillero, Panama Maritime Authority director of merchant marine. The increase in fleet size, which have helped Panama maintain its position as the world’s first largest merchant fleet, have been attributed to friendly registration procedures. Reforms to three maritime laws –a maritime commercial law, a general port law on future national and international port concessions and reforms to the merchant marine were approved and signed into law at the beginning of August 2008. "The new legislation will improve the age of the fleet and create mechanisms that will help Panama’s flag to quickly respond to eventual accidents abroad,’' said Castillero. “It is a very modern law which will benefit our loyal customers and the registration of newbuildings,” he added. The merchant marine law is expected ease administrative and legal procedures and offer incentives for newbuildings and loyalty to the flag. The legislation will grant incentives for registering newbuildings and to users that register fleets, depending of gross tonnage and type of ships.
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“The registration of newbuildings constituted 50% of the six month increase,” said Alfonso Castillero, Panama Maritime Authority director of merchant marine. The increase in fleet size, which have helped Panama maintain its position as the world’s first largest merchant fleet, have been attributed to friendly registration procedures. Reforms to three maritime laws –a maritime commercial law, a general port law on future national and international port concessions and reforms to the merchant marine were approved and signed into law at the beginning of August 2008. "The new legislation will improve the age of the fleet and create mechanisms that will help Panama’s flag to quickly respond to eventual accidents abroad,’' said Castillero. “It is a very modern law which will benefit our loyal customers and the registration of newbuildings,” he added. The merchant marine law is expected ease administrative and legal procedures and offer incentives for newbuildings and loyalty to the flag. The legislation will grant incentives for registering newbuildings and to users that register fleets, depending of gross tonnage and type of ships.
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Sailing Olympics - Promising Prospect for Brits
British Laser sailor Paul Goodison finished 18 points ahead of his second placed Swedish rival Rasmus Myrgren and 20 points ahead of his third placed competitor, Gustavo Lima from Portugal.
Goodison's two solid performances, a 4th and a 6th, were sufficient to ensure that the man who came 4th in Athens was assured of a medal this time around. Bronze is already Goodison's, but the news could be much better in 24 hours. In a worst case, bronze is guaranteed in the medal race which sees a fleet of just 10. Here, last would earn him silver if Lima won and a 9th would get him gold. "It's definitely not over until we're finished and the results are on the board," said Goodison after today's races. "I thought I had a great day on the water, I nailed all the starts and held my nerve on the shifts. But the job's not over until we're finished and hopefully it will be a gold medal. "Iain Percy and Andrew 'Bart' Simpson were similarly cautiously optimistic after their best day's racing, although for them the path to success is a little longer with three more races to go until their medal competition. An 8th, a 2nd and a first places the British Star team in second overall. Swedish sailors Fredrik Loof and Anders Ekstrom hold the overnight lead with a margin of just 3 points. Meanwhile in the RSX fleet, Nick Dempsey was enjoying some consistently good results and posted a 5th and a 3rd today to place him in second overall by three points. There is just one more race before the medal race today. As the count down continues there is an air of nervousness around the venue.
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Goodison's two solid performances, a 4th and a 6th, were sufficient to ensure that the man who came 4th in Athens was assured of a medal this time around. Bronze is already Goodison's, but the news could be much better in 24 hours. In a worst case, bronze is guaranteed in the medal race which sees a fleet of just 10. Here, last would earn him silver if Lima won and a 9th would get him gold. "It's definitely not over until we're finished and the results are on the board," said Goodison after today's races. "I thought I had a great day on the water, I nailed all the starts and held my nerve on the shifts. But the job's not over until we're finished and hopefully it will be a gold medal. "Iain Percy and Andrew 'Bart' Simpson were similarly cautiously optimistic after their best day's racing, although for them the path to success is a little longer with three more races to go until their medal competition. An 8th, a 2nd and a first places the British Star team in second overall. Swedish sailors Fredrik Loof and Anders Ekstrom hold the overnight lead with a margin of just 3 points. Meanwhile in the RSX fleet, Nick Dempsey was enjoying some consistently good results and posted a 5th and a 3rd today to place him in second overall by three points. There is just one more race before the medal race today. As the count down continues there is an air of nervousness around the venue.
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London's top shipbrokers back conservation of world famous ship
London’s top shipbrokers have backed a project to secure the future of the world’s most famous sailing ship, ‘Cutty Sark’, by donating a cheque for £50,000 to aid conservation work following last year’s fire.
Keith Amato, Director of ACM; Denis Petropoulos, Joint Managing Director of Braemar Seascope; Robert Knight, Managing Director of tankers at Clarksons; Martyn Burst from Galbraith’s; Kevin Rose, Director at Gibson; and Michael Brown, Managing Director of SSY presented the cheque to Richard Doughty, CEO of the Cutty Sark Trust. Although only two percent of the ‘Cutty Sark’s’ original structure was damaged by the fire, the scope of this landmark project, designed to safeguard the future of this international maritime icon, has been significantly increased. Mr Petropoulos said the ‘Cutty Sark’ was an important part of London’s heritage and all six companies believed it was a very good cause. Mr Amato said that a lot of work has been undertaken on the project and that they all felt it was right to contribute to the conservation project. When the project is completed in March 2010, ‘Cutty Sark’ will “float” once more, suspended three metres above the bottom of her dry berth. This space will become a magnificent gallery and will also give visitors a unique opportunity to see the wonderful shape of the ship’s hull.
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Keith Amato, Director of ACM; Denis Petropoulos, Joint Managing Director of Braemar Seascope; Robert Knight, Managing Director of tankers at Clarksons; Martyn Burst from Galbraith’s; Kevin Rose, Director at Gibson; and Michael Brown, Managing Director of SSY presented the cheque to Richard Doughty, CEO of the Cutty Sark Trust. Although only two percent of the ‘Cutty Sark’s’ original structure was damaged by the fire, the scope of this landmark project, designed to safeguard the future of this international maritime icon, has been significantly increased. Mr Petropoulos said the ‘Cutty Sark’ was an important part of London’s heritage and all six companies believed it was a very good cause. Mr Amato said that a lot of work has been undertaken on the project and that they all felt it was right to contribute to the conservation project. When the project is completed in March 2010, ‘Cutty Sark’ will “float” once more, suspended three metres above the bottom of her dry berth. This space will become a magnificent gallery and will also give visitors a unique opportunity to see the wonderful shape of the ship’s hull.
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Maersk Convincer' named at Jurong Shipyard
Maersk Contractors has named its latest newbuilding drilling rig from Jurong Shipyard, Singapore.
Mrs Beth Allen, accompanied by her husband, Mr William S Allen, Senior Vice President, AP Moller-Maersk, named the rig ‘Maersk Convincer’ at a ceremony at the yard yesterday. The rig is the second of two identical jack-up rigs acquired by the AP Moller–Maersk Group in July 2006. The rig is capable of operating in water depths up to 375 feet (115 metres) in most parts of the world including the harsh environment of the central and southern parts of the North Sea. The new rig is of the Baker Marine Pacific Class 375 design and distances itself from conventional jack-ups in several areas, not least on the drill floor where the highly mechanized equipment leads to increased safety of the crew. The sophisticated drilling equipment will also make the rigs well qualified for drilling deep and difficult wells, including high temperature/high pressure wells. The first assignment for the ‘Maersk Convincer’ is a one-year drilling contract with an option to extend the contract, with Brunei Shell Petroleum offshore Brunei.
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Mrs Beth Allen, accompanied by her husband, Mr William S Allen, Senior Vice President, AP Moller-Maersk, named the rig ‘Maersk Convincer’ at a ceremony at the yard yesterday. The rig is the second of two identical jack-up rigs acquired by the AP Moller–Maersk Group in July 2006. The rig is capable of operating in water depths up to 375 feet (115 metres) in most parts of the world including the harsh environment of the central and southern parts of the North Sea. The new rig is of the Baker Marine Pacific Class 375 design and distances itself from conventional jack-ups in several areas, not least on the drill floor where the highly mechanized equipment leads to increased safety of the crew. The sophisticated drilling equipment will also make the rigs well qualified for drilling deep and difficult wells, including high temperature/high pressure wells. The first assignment for the ‘Maersk Convincer’ is a one-year drilling contract with an option to extend the contract, with Brunei Shell Petroleum offshore Brunei.
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Grimaldi Group to increase capacity to Israel
The new single hull vessel "Eurocargo Salerno" will replace M/V Spes on August 22 which has been on service for several years.
Grimaldi Group announced a decision to place larger capacity vessels on its Israel service. The company said that the ro-ro / container carrier Eurocargo Salerno will call the port of Ashdod. Grimaldi Group offers a direct ro/ro and container service every 7 days from/ to Ravenna, Koper, Monfalcone, Piraeus, Haifa, Ashdod and Izmir, Carrying containers, cars, vans, commercial vehicles, trucks and general cargo between the Adriatic ports and the Eastern Mediterranean. At present two vessels are deployed on this service: the Fides and Spes with speed of 18 knots, and a total cargo capacity of 800 lane meters, 350 TEUS and 1300 cars. on August 22 the new single hull vessel "Eurocargo Salerno" will replace M/V Spes which has been on service for several years. Ephraim Alter, General Manager Allalouf & Co. Shipping Ltd, which represents Grimaldi Group in Israel, noted that during the first half of 2008 the Adriatic ro-ro service experienced an outstanding increase in demand making it necessary to replace the vessels with larger capacity ships.
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Grimaldi Group announced a decision to place larger capacity vessels on its Israel service. The company said that the ro-ro / container carrier Eurocargo Salerno will call the port of Ashdod. Grimaldi Group offers a direct ro/ro and container service every 7 days from/ to Ravenna, Koper, Monfalcone, Piraeus, Haifa, Ashdod and Izmir, Carrying containers, cars, vans, commercial vehicles, trucks and general cargo between the Adriatic ports and the Eastern Mediterranean. At present two vessels are deployed on this service: the Fides and Spes with speed of 18 knots, and a total cargo capacity of 800 lane meters, 350 TEUS and 1300 cars. on August 22 the new single hull vessel "Eurocargo Salerno" will replace M/V Spes which has been on service for several years. Ephraim Alter, General Manager Allalouf & Co. Shipping Ltd, which represents Grimaldi Group in Israel, noted that during the first half of 2008 the Adriatic ro-ro service experienced an outstanding increase in demand making it necessary to replace the vessels with larger capacity ships.
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Doosan backs away from DSME bid
South Korea’s Doosan Group has revealed that it does not intend to participate for a 50.4% stake in Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, the world’s third largest shipbuilder.
The decision, the result of a negative shareholder reaction to the financial burden of the purchase, comes as DSME stakeholder Korea Development Bank opens the bidding process for the yard. Steel producer POSCO is expected to emerge as the leader of the pack of other companies bidding for the DSME stake which carries an estimated value of $4bn.
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The decision, the result of a negative shareholder reaction to the financial burden of the purchase, comes as DSME stakeholder Korea Development Bank opens the bidding process for the yard. Steel producer POSCO is expected to emerge as the leader of the pack of other companies bidding for the DSME stake which carries an estimated value of $4bn.
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Monday, August 18, 2008
DP World also provides new cash deposit payment method
As part of its continuous drive towards upgrading products and services, Dubai Trade, Dubai World's trade facilitation department and provider of online trade eServices, announced the successful deployment of additional DP World eServices.
DP World eServices use the Rosoom platform to enable online payments for port charges. This release will facilitate easier and faster container movements at DP World's flagship Jebel Ali Port. Dubai Trade, which brings together a vast majority of companies that interact with Dubai's ports, customs and the free zone for the purpose of trade into a single community, had launched Rosoom in May 2008. The Rosoom platform has already proved to be a huge success with the trading community with over 14,000 successful payment transactions to date amounting to over Dhs11.7m. Mr. Mahmood Al Bastaki, Director of Dubai Trade, said that the deployment of the new payment services from DP World is the result of a concerted effort by a team of experts to aid customers. The newly launched eServices from DP World will facilitate the trading community to make online payment of port charges for Less than Container Load (LCL) cargo un-stuffed at the Jebel Ali Port Container Freight Station (CFS) and private CFS locations. It will also enable the payment of Document Processing Charges (DPC) for containerized and non-containerized export cargo against Customs bills generated through the new declaration platform, Mirsal II. In addition, DP World has created an additional payment method that will enable its customers to open a deposit account. Customers can top-up this cash deposit account through the Rosoom platform and utilize the balance for DP World online fees. DP World initiated the deposit scheme in response to demand from customers for a convenient mechanism to make payments promptly. Rosoom marks the latest in a series of trade facilitating services that Dubai Trade has launched recently. Covering the entire supply chain, the online service provider has become a vital link between the trading community and key sectors like the ports, free zone and customs.
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DP World eServices use the Rosoom platform to enable online payments for port charges. This release will facilitate easier and faster container movements at DP World's flagship Jebel Ali Port. Dubai Trade, which brings together a vast majority of companies that interact with Dubai's ports, customs and the free zone for the purpose of trade into a single community, had launched Rosoom in May 2008. The Rosoom platform has already proved to be a huge success with the trading community with over 14,000 successful payment transactions to date amounting to over Dhs11.7m. Mr. Mahmood Al Bastaki, Director of Dubai Trade, said that the deployment of the new payment services from DP World is the result of a concerted effort by a team of experts to aid customers. The newly launched eServices from DP World will facilitate the trading community to make online payment of port charges for Less than Container Load (LCL) cargo un-stuffed at the Jebel Ali Port Container Freight Station (CFS) and private CFS locations. It will also enable the payment of Document Processing Charges (DPC) for containerized and non-containerized export cargo against Customs bills generated through the new declaration platform, Mirsal II. In addition, DP World has created an additional payment method that will enable its customers to open a deposit account. Customers can top-up this cash deposit account through the Rosoom platform and utilize the balance for DP World online fees. DP World initiated the deposit scheme in response to demand from customers for a convenient mechanism to make payments promptly. Rosoom marks the latest in a series of trade facilitating services that Dubai Trade has launched recently. Covering the entire supply chain, the online service provider has become a vital link between the trading community and key sectors like the ports, free zone and customs.
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Swire Oilfield Services expands in Australia
Swire Oilfield Services Director and General Manager, Rupert Bray and Finance Director, Lyall Dochard, aim to capitalise on buoyant market conditions in Australia and beyond following the acquisition of Maritime Products and Services.
Swire Oilfield Services, Norway, has acquired Australia-based Maritime Products & Services (MPS). Swire is a specialist offshore cargo carrying unit supplier based in Stravagner. MPS is the latest acquisition in Swire Oilfield Services’ international growth plan. Over the past nine months, the company has acquired businesses in Norway, Angola, Nigeria, the USA and now Australia for a total of £35 million (US$86.62 million). In addition to the acquisitions, US$33.59 million have been invested to improve the company’s fleet across its global locations. As Australia enjoys buoyant market conditions and high levels of earnings and profits, operators in the region now have access to Swire Oilfield Services’ products and services, which includes chemical tank, basket and container rental, chemical handling and aviation fuel services. Employing eight people, MPS was founded in 2001 and quickly established itself as Australia’s leading supplier of chemical tanks, pump and filtration equipment. “Demand for MPS’ service offering in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region has increased significantly over the past few years and the acquisition allows us a smooth entry to the market,” said Director and General Manager of Swire Oilfiled Services. “We have already committed over £2 million (US$3.73 million) to expand our fleet and expect to spend twice that in the coming year.”
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Swire Oilfield Services, Norway, has acquired Australia-based Maritime Products & Services (MPS). Swire is a specialist offshore cargo carrying unit supplier based in Stravagner. MPS is the latest acquisition in Swire Oilfield Services’ international growth plan. Over the past nine months, the company has acquired businesses in Norway, Angola, Nigeria, the USA and now Australia for a total of £35 million (US$86.62 million). In addition to the acquisitions, US$33.59 million have been invested to improve the company’s fleet across its global locations. As Australia enjoys buoyant market conditions and high levels of earnings and profits, operators in the region now have access to Swire Oilfield Services’ products and services, which includes chemical tank, basket and container rental, chemical handling and aviation fuel services. Employing eight people, MPS was founded in 2001 and quickly established itself as Australia’s leading supplier of chemical tanks, pump and filtration equipment. “Demand for MPS’ service offering in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region has increased significantly over the past few years and the acquisition allows us a smooth entry to the market,” said Director and General Manager of Swire Oilfiled Services. “We have already committed over £2 million (US$3.73 million) to expand our fleet and expect to spend twice that in the coming year.”
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