World's first LNG-only ships

Contracts placed with Rolls-Royce Marine, Norway, for designs and equipment systems for two ro-ro vessels and two options mark a new direction in merchant ship propulsion.

Sea-Cargo has ordered the first ships in the world to be fuelled solely with LNG, and also have a simple mechanical drive propulsion system. Sea-Cargo was founded in 2001 through the merger of the liner activities of Seatrans and Nor Cargo, two leading shipping lines trading between the west coast of Norway, UK and mainland Europe. On delivery from the Bharati shipyard in India in 2010 they will operate on a ten-day round trip service covering Baltic, Norwegian and British ports, bunkering gas fuel at one location. They are a major breakthrough, both in the application of LNG fuel for merchant vessels, and in the way the simple Rolls-Royce solution works. An important end result will be a large reduction in emissions compared with a similar ship using liquid fuel. Carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by about 20 percent, nitrogen oxide by about 90 percent, particulates negligible and sulphur oxide emissions will be zero. The new 132.8-metre-long Sea-Cargo vessels will be able to carry 5,600 tonnes of cargo on a draught of six metres, with up to 94TEU of containers on deck and 1,140 lane-metres of roro capacity.
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Lloyd's Register in UAE maritime training venture

Dubai: Lloyd’s Register has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Emirates International Maritime Academy (EIMA) to collaborate in providing maritime training programs in addition to organizing maritime seminars and workshops in the UAE.

This co-operation reflects EIMA's strategy to enhance collaboration with maritime organizations and leading academic institutions in the region to exchange knowledge and expertise. Under the MoU, EIMA and Lloyd’s Register jointly will offer and develop compact maritime courses in the fields of security, safety and ship classification in addition to organizing maritime seminars and workshops. The MoU also includes collaborative efforts to establish a “Marine Centre of Excellence” within the Dubai Maritime City Campus (DMC Campus). The MoU was signed by Capt. Jaafar Sidin, Director of DMC Campus & EIMA; and John Curley, Lloyd’s Register EMEA, Senior Vice President- Marine for the Middle East and Africa. John Curley commented: "Dubai Maritime City has been conceptualized to be the next-generation standard in maritime development. We consider it an honour to be part of this groundbreaking project and look forward to collaborating with EIMA in providing a top-of-the-line maritime training program that will help keep the region in pace with the latest world maritime developments. Lloyd’s Register has an unparalleled record in supporting marine industry academic and training institutions world-wide. The academy is based within the DMC Campus, the region's first maritime educational campus that will be able to accommodate over 1,300 students and will host several world-renowned universities and institutes.
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Shipping industry should prepare for changes

The abolition of liner conferences on the Europe trades is imminent but while the shipping lines are worried about the sea change in the way their business will have to be run, the impact from the ruling will in the near term be quite limited as rates on the Asia-Europe trades are very depressed anyway.

The key takeaway from a talk by the Singapore Shipping Association on the 'Competition Developments in the EU' was that all shipping industry players need to be extremely careful. In future, penalties are expected to be punitive - with a maximum fine of up to 10 per cent of a company's worldwide sales, which could run into the billions of dollars - and there are many grey areas to contend with. All this will lead to huge increases in cost to ensure compliance. Implications for the various parties involved include much less standardization with all lines needing to have their own individual tariffs and supplementary charges as well as rules and regulations, and as a result, much more frequent and flexible changes. While this should theoretically make the market much more competitive and sensitive to prevailing conditions, it could also have the effect of making it very difficult for shippers because they will now have to negotiate separate contracts with every individual line. The smaller Asian shippers in Singapore for example, with lower volume and therefore less bargaining power, may find themselves in a tough position as a result of this.
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Rickmers-Linie plans for most modern heavylift fleet with four new 24,000DWT orders

Germany’s global heavy lift and project cargo shipping company Rickmers-Linie has ordered four more 24,000DWT multi purpose vessels for Polaris Ship management, part of the Rickmers Group Company.

The contract with the Chinese shipbuilder Guangzhou Wenchong was signed in Hamburg last week during the SMM Fair. Delivery of the first vessel is slated for May 2011 and all four vessels are scheduled to be in service by December 2011. This latest quartet brings the number of newbuildings now contracted in China for Rickers to 18. Jan Boje Steffens, President and CEO of Rickmers-Linie said that the company would then have one of the world’s most modern heavylift/project liner fleets. The newbuildings now ordered from Guangzhou Wenchong are identical to four vessels of the Superflex Mumbai Max Class to be built for Polaris by Wuhu Xinlian Shipbuilding, a contract that was announced last July. All eight have been purpose-designed for the carriage of breakbulk, heavylift and project cargo. With a deadweight of 24,000 tonnes, an overall length of 175 metres and a beam of 26.5 metres, they will have variable height tweendecks for maximum cargo flexibility. Each vessel will be equipped with three cranes, one capable of lifting 120 tonnes and two 350 tonne units that can be combined to handle loads of up to 700 tonnes. The service speed of the ships will be up to 18 knots. The electronic control of the main engine utilises the latest in technological development for the reduction of bunker consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, thus contributing to a more environmentally friendly propulsion system.
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Offshore Arabia Conference and Exhibition 2009, where experts meet to protect the environment

Index Holding in cooperation with RECSO and with the support of a number of Governmental Departments and co operations is organizing and launching for the third time “Offshore Arabia Conference and Exhibition 2009”.

Offshore Arabia 2009 is a scientific, social, and economic event that addresses a number of pressing and dividing issues from a scientific perspective to the best practices and solutions for the benefit of energy and environment. It comes at a time when the International Community is actively engaged in extensive dialogue geared towards facilitating and managing energy for sustainable economic and social development, also finding solutions to existing and future environmental changes and challenges. World population will reach 9 billion by the year 2050 against 6 billions today. The world population increase will be mostly in developing countries. With per capita annual increase in the GDP at the rate of 2 percent in the developed countries and at the rate of 3.3 percent in the developing and less developing countries this will lead to an increase in the world income. It might exceed us $ 135 trillion in the year 2050 against us $ 35 trillion today. Offshore Arabia 2009 is creating opportunities and enhancing the potentials of oil and gas industry, global market and researches on the planet's environment.
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Songa Saturn gets CNOOC contract

OSLO: Songa Offshore ASA signed a contract with CNOOC Africa Ltd. for the drilling of one well offshore Equatorial Guinea.

The contract will commence after the rig's current drilling campaign in Libya, which is expected to be completed in late 2009. Before starting the mobilization, Songa Saturn will complete its planned upgrade of the rig from 3,300 feet (1,016 m) to 3,800 feet (1,170 m) water depth capacity. This work is likely to be carried out in Malta directly after the ongoing campaigns in Libya. The contract has an estimated value of US$30 million inclusive of mobilization. The contract has demobilization alternatives for both West Africa and Malta.
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Bollinger to build up to 34 vessels for US Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has selected Bollinger Shipyards to design and construct up to 34 new fast response cutter (FRC) vessels.

The new generation of patrol boats will belong to the Sentinel Class and will replace the Coast Guard’s present Island-class of cutters which Bollinger built almost 25 years ago. Bollinger CEO and Chairman of the Board, Donald “Boysie” Bollinger said he was pleased to have won the contract. “It will mean so much for our employees,” he said. Mr Bollinger went on to say that the program, which is expected to last for approximately ten years for all 34 boats, would provide employment for approximately 500 people at Bollinger Shipyards. The Bollinger design for the craft is based on a parent craft concept using a modern hull form that was originally developed by Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands. “We have had an excellent relationship with Damen for the last ten years.” said Mr Bollinger. “We are currently completing another contract for the USCG, Marine Protector Class Patrol Boats, with the 75th patrol boat being delivered next year. That hull design was also based on a successful Damen design.” The new vessels will measure 46.7 metres by 7.7 metres by 2.6 metres and will be powered by two TIER II diesel engines rated at 4,295kW. The vessel will accommodate a crew of 22 for up to five days at sea. The cutter’s missions will include search and rescue, drug and illegal migrant interdiction, homeland security and maritime defence.
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COSCO to Deliver FPSO Conversion for Petrobras' Campos Basin Ops

Since March 2007, COSCO Dalian Shipyard has signed 4 tanker-based FPSO conversion projects with MODEC.

One of these, "SONG DOC PRIED MV19" has already been delivered to TSJOC, and another VLCC, "Apollo Shoju," has been renamed. On September 10, 2008, the Naming Ceremony for the Petrobras Opportunity Oil FPSO Conversion was held in COSCO Dalian Shipyard. During the ceremony, "Apollo Shoju" was renamed as "FPSO Cidade de Niteroi MV18." After delivery, the FPSO will join the Petrobras fleet in the Campos Basin. Kenji Yamada, President of MODEC, Figueiredo & Sanches, Executive Managers from Petrobras, and Wang Xingru, President of COSCO Shipyard Group, witnessed the ceremony. The work scope for this VLCC conversion included repair & life extension, specialist FPSO structure construction, topsides module installation and integration, as well the fitting of steel structure, cable pulling and piping work. Up to now, COSCO Dalian Shipyard has achieved outstanding safety results; a total of 4 million man hours have been spent on the two MODEC projects without any time being lost due to injury.
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Sinotrans and Changjiang Shipping will merge by year end

Hamburg: The proposed merger between two Chinese transport giants, Changjiang Shipping and Sinotrans, will happen by year end.

Sinotrans, China’s leading logistics player will absorb the Yangtze shipping firm as part of the government’s aim to consolidate maritime firms. As well as bulkers and tankers Changjiang Shipping has four shipyards and an emerging marine equipment park.
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ClassNK releases its Annual Report on Port State Control for 2007

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) announces the release of its Annual Report on Port State Control for 2007.

Port State Control (PSC) has proven to be a very effective tool in reducing the number of substandard ships as well as for improving maritime safety and pollution prevention generally. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in PSC activity worldwide, in concert with a number of amendments to relevant international conventions such as SOLAS and MARPOL, as well as the ISM Code and other relevant statutory requirements. ClassNK has been working hard to increase the transparency of information related to PSC issues and to make it even more difficult for substandard ships to continue operating in the market place. As part of its commitment to this transparency, ClassNK publishes an annual report on PSC related activities. This report summarizes the various types of deficiencies identified by PSC inspections carried out in various countries around the world. The report is prepared with the aim of building awareness of the present state of PSC as well as of improving future maintenance and surveys.
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Chavez to tie knot with Russia

Venezuela and Russia plan to sign an agreement that would create one of the largest oil consortiums in the world, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said during a state visit to Moscow.

The consortium would be formed by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA and its Russian counterpart Gazprom, state news agency ABN reported. The joint venture would make "high level" investments in the energy sector, Chavez said. Gazprom announced last week its involvement in one of three liquefied natural gas trains being developed in the country. The company is also part of a joint venture that was awarded two new natural gas blocks to provide gas to the train, a BNamericas report said. Chavez arrived in Moscow after a brief visit to China, where he also signed a number of energy-related agreements. The two countries also promised to expand other industrial ties. One industry analyst told the news agency that Chavez' moves in Russia could be part of a "dangerous political game". "Russia is now playing some of the old cold war cards to make life for the US as difficult as possible," the analyst said, suggesting it may be Russia using Venezuela and not vice-versa. "It's returning to military and industrial involvement in South and Central America to give the US headaches." Chavez's new alliances with Russia come as relations between Russia and the Western world are tense because of violence and political disturbances in Georgia and other former Soviet republics. "Chavez is playing a dangerous game. Until now he has not been any significant threat to US interests," the analyst added. "But by playing with ... the Russians, it could end up being very dangerous for all Venezuelans."
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Saudi Arabia to invest USD 318 billion in energy sector

Zawya reported that Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is forecast to invest around USD 318 billion in energy over the next few years as massive infrastructural developments are in full swing brought about by economic reforms and huge oil revenues amid high crude prices in the global markets.

A recent study by Kuwait Financial Centre forwarded to the Saudi Gazette said that a breakdown of the figure shows that allocation to petrochemical projects totals USD 90 billion, the same amount is assigned to power generation, USD 88 billion is earmarked for water desalination plant projects and USD 50 billion is appropriated for natural gas related projects. Markaz said that to achieve this target, the authorities would have to present several joint projects to the private sector, local and foreign in order to increase power generation capacity. The study said that the petrochemicals sector is driven by either proximity to market or large scale projects which take advantage of low cost, secure oil and gas supplies. These factors in turn have made the Kingdom one of the world's strategic hubs for petrochemicals. These competitive advantages are now likely to be joined by a number of highly integrated refining and petrochemical investments which will develop and strengthen the industry. It added that "capacities after 2008 based on current planned projects may not be met due to the restriction on inputs supply unless the gas production capacity is substantially increased."
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Shenyang to build first bonded logistics facility in northeast

Eastern Chinese City of Shenyang is going to build northeast China's first bonded logistics facility inside its Harbour Front Economic Zone.

The CNY500 million (US$73 million) will cover 10 square kilometres. The first phase will occupy 0.5 square kilometres, consisting of bonded warehouses, a container yard, a customs inspection area and a office building area, offering import and export, processing and international distribution services. The Shenyang Harbour Front Economic Zone is 69 kilometres away from port of Yingkou, one of the main ports in northeast China, and is planned to occupy a total area of 668 squares kilometres.
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Shipping costs plunge on iron stand-off

Worries about the world economy have combined with a stand-off between ore producers and steel mills to send the key index of dry bulk shipping costs plunging nearly 25 per cent this week.

The falls mean the Baltic Dry index – which measures the cost of chartering ships used to carry dry bulk cargoes such as iron ore, coal and wheat – has now lost nearly 70 per cent of its value from the record levels set in May. The index, which stood at 4,975 points on September 19, closed Friday at 3,746 points. The average day rate to charter a cape size bulk carrier on the spot market stood at $46,162 a day, down from peaks of nearly $240,000 a day. The index lost a record 10 per cent of its value yesterday alone. Such major fluctuations are typical of dry bulk shipping markets, where small numbers of excess idle ships or small shortages of vessels can send market rates sharply down or up. Howard Bright, head of dry cargo at London-based Braemar Seascope shiprokers, put the sudden fall down partly to concerns about world economic health and, hence, demand for the commodities shipped in dry bulk ships. “We’ve now come to the conclusion that none of us is immune from what has been going on in the States and the financial problems going on there,” he said. He also pointed to Brazilian iron ore exporters’ efforts to win higher prices from Chinese steel mills, which has led to a drying-up of cargoes on the normally busy China-Brazil route. Ships lying idle off Brazil were willing to accept almost any price for a new charter, he said. Philippe Van den Abeele, of Castalia, the shipping hedge fund, said there were no (Brazilian) cargoes available and empty ships everywhere.
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French port reform hangover spells mixed results at Marseilles-Fos

Cargo throughput at the port of Marseilles-Fos in France totalled 64.27 million tonnes to the end of August, a one percent drop on the first eight months last year.

Strong performances in the oil and liquid bulk sectors could not offset the impact of industrial action from mid-April to the end of June over the French government’s port reform proposals. Container traffic suffered most, slumping 16 percent at 5.6MT and 551,000TEU – with key east-west volumes handled at Fos falling 22 percent to 366,000TEU. The box deficit left general cargo eleven percent worse for the period on 10.36MT, although ro-ro traffic rose three percent to 3MT due to growth from North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. Oil and oil products throughput improved two percent to 42MT. Sustained demand for pipeline deliveries to Germany and Switzerland saw crude imports rise two percent to almost 30MT, while refined products were up seven percent on 8.35MT. Also maintaining previous gains, liquid bulks rose 16 percent to 2.56MT – boosted by 0.6MT (+61 percent) in bio-fuels – but dry bulks fell four percent to 9.26MT due to an eight percent drop in steel industry ore imports, which represent two-thirds of the trade. Passenger volumes slipped one percent to 1.455 million. The total on ferry services to Corsica and North Africa - down six percent to 1.13 million passengers – was affected by declining Algerian demand, which fell 18 percent to 278,000. But cruise volumes rose 22 percent to 327,000 for the eight months and by 40 percent to 75,000 passengers in August alone. Home port embarkations now represent a quarter of the Marseilles total – up 43 percent year on year and 143 percent for the month – and have become the main driver of the port’s cruise business.
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Expert Delegation from Japan visited Cochin Port Trust

The expert delegation from Ocean Policy Research Foundation, Tokyo, Japan visited the maritime development project areas in Vallarpadam and Puthu Vypeen today.

The visit of the experts is aimed at observing and assessing the potentials of the ports in the southern coast of India from their specific viewpoints of shipping, civil engineering and logistics etc. The team will identify the potential of the port by taking into account the distinguishing features of respective region where the port is located and work out practical proposals to help develop maritime infrastructure. Apart from Cochin the team is also visiting the ports at Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Tuticorin. The report regarding the visit will be provided as the informative reference for the Japanese maritime industries sector, which is attentive to India as a promising business frontier. The team comprises Mr.Yutaka Fukushima, Deputy Senior Researcher, Overseas Coastal Area Development Institute of Japan, Mr Keiji Iwata, Deputy General Manager, Dry Bulk Carrier Supervising Office, Mitsui O.S.K Lines Ltd., Mr Shinichi Oi, General Manager, Marine Technical Department, M.O. Marine Consulting Ltd., Mr Yoshihisa Imai, Senior Research Fellow, Ocean Policy Research Foundation and Mr Takehisa Imaizumi, Advisor, Policy Group, Ocean Policy Research Foundation. The expert team is accompanied by Mr P Sasikumar and Mr J P Saini, Under Secretaries from Ministry of Shipping, Government of India.
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Hapag-Lloyd sale the hot topic as SMM closes

Hamburg: Parent TUI’s efforts to offload its boxship division have been greeted with initial bids far below the expected 4-5bn euros, with neither NOL of Singapore nor a Hamburg consortium putting in bids of more than 3.3bn euros, according to sources close to the deal.

As the world’s largest maritime trade fair, SMM in Hamburg, comes to be closed all eyes will return to the future of the city’s container line, Hapag-Lloyd, the source of much conjecture. Parent TUI’s efforts to offload its boxship division have been greeted with initial bids far below the expected 4-5bn euros, with neither NOL of Singapore nor a Hamburg consortium putting in bids of more than 3.3bn euros, according to sources close to the deal. Now speculation among the congested byways at SMM is that TUI will abort the sale, potentially a huge embarrassment to senior management as the transaction fell victim to a downward container cycle. Final bids are due in by the end of the month. ‘I just can’t see them offloading it now, it will remain part of TUI,’ said a source close to the transaction. However, there is an outside chance that the Hamburg consortium might raise their bid, especially following the news this week that German regional state lender HSH Nordbank is joining the consortium.
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Deepwater to Build Offshore Wind Farm

Rhode Island picked Deepwater Wind to develop an offshore wind farm expected to cost more than $1b and provide about 15 percent of the state's electricity.

The wind farm was expected to generate about 1.3 million megawatt-hours a year. Rhode Island selected Deepwater after reviewing seven bids on its April request for proposals to build an offshore wind farm. Deepwater was established to develop utility-scale offshore wind projects in the northeast United States. To help seal the deal, Deepwater pledged to make a significant investment in the state of about $1.5 billion with the construction of a regional manufacturing facility in Quonset and creating up to 800 direct jobs with annual wages of $60 million. The Quonset facility will manufacture support structures upon which the turbine and its tower are based that will serve the entire northeast. To help pay for the project, the governor recently urged the state Public Utilities Commission to require the state's power company, National Grid, to enter into long-term energy contracts with renewable generators, like Deepwater. Deepwater will now enter a 90-day period to negotiate a formal development agreement with the state. The final agreement will include Deepwater Wind's total commitment to Rhode Island, including the establishment of a manufacturing headquarters in the state and the reimbursement of the cost of the permitting process. Final approval of the project is contingent on multiple regulatory approvals from both the state and federal governments.

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Shipping Market Sinks Most in 9 Years on Steel Output

Commodity investors' expectations for a rebound in shipping rates are collapsing as Chinese steel mills reduce production and economic growth sputters.

Shipping investors, analysts and brokers from New York to Oslo cut their forecasts for fourth-quarter rates by 17 percent in three days this week, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The cost to hire a capesize vessel, most commonly used to carry coal and iron ore, will average an estimated $70,000 a day in the period, down from $84,000 forecast at the start of the week. The price to lease a capesize is falling the most in at least nine years, according to the benchmark Baltic Exchange index. Leasing costs may continue to decline because steelmakers are scaling back production and two of the world's fastest- growing economies, Russia and China, are slowing based on estimates from the International Monetary Fund and economists surveyed by Bloomberg. ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steelmaker, said Sept. 17 it could cut output 15 percent in Europe and the U.S. to support prices. ``It will just keep going down from here,'' said London- based Andreas Vergottis, the research director at shipping hedge fund Tufton Oceanic Ltd. who correctly predicted the plunge a month ago. Prices won't ``find resistance'' until they've fallen about another 50 percent, he said Sept. 23. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Japan's largest operator of iron- ore ships, dropped 6.3 percent to its lowest in almost two years in Tokyo. China Cosco Holdings Co., the world's largest operator of dry-bulk ships, fell 11 percent in Hong Kong trading.

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Petrobras strikes oil above subsalt layer

Brazilian state-run Petrobras said it struck light oil south of the Santos basin in shallow waters above the subsalt layer of the ocean floor.

The area where the find was made, the BMS-40 block, could contain up to 150 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent, Petrobras said in a statement. "This find confirms the good light oil potential in the shallow waters of that basin," the company said. Petrobras had confirmed in May the presence of light oil in the block, which is 100%-owned by the Brazilian company, said Reuters. The new discovery is 5.8 miles (9.3 kilometres) away from this first find. Unlikely recent discoveries in the subsalt cluster at great depths at sea, the find was made above the layer of salt about 6758 feet (2060 metres) under the ocean floor and at a water depth of 898 feet, which should make future production easier. It is located about 200 kilometres off Sao Paulo state's coast.

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Vosta LMG and partner yard Siestas sign for two sister ships

Vosta LMG recent signed a new contract with JJ Sietas Schiffswerft of Hamburg, Germany, for the supply of engineering and component packages for each of the two trailing suction hopper dredgers being constructed.

Vosta LMG’s partner yard Siesta will build the two 5,500-cubic metre dredgers and supply them to Josef Möbuis Bau-Aktiengesellschaft, an affiliated company of the Austrian STRABAG. The first vessel will be delivered by October 2010 followed by the second one in January 2011. VOSTA LMG has developed a new modular type trailing suction hopper dredger. Through application of modular block building of sections and repeated use of standardizsd components, the building of trailing suction hopper dredger with hopper volumes of up to 7,200 cubic metres can be achieved without major design changes.

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Aries Steel Snake Boat finds place in the Guinness Book of World Records

Aries Punnamada Chundan, the first ever snake boat made of steel and a design wonder crafted by Aries Marine enters the Guinness Book of World Records.

Breaking the existing record, Aries Chundan has successfully completed the record attempt for the largest canoe crew with a crew of 141 rowers and five helmsmen on board on 1 May 2008 at Alleppey backwaters in Kerala. Aries Chundan is the longest steel made snake boat with 143 feet and a masterpiece design of Aries Marine. The attempt for the world record was in comparison to ‘Nadumbhagam Chundan’, which had only 118 crewmembers and holds the existing record. Several international dignitaries, including representatives of RINA, Italy and Germanischer Lloyd, Germany who visited Cochin for ShipTek 2008 have witnessed the rowing of Aries Chundan held at the Punnamada Lake. Mr. Sohan Roy S.K, CEO Aries Group was also present on the occasion. Aries Chundan has already found place in the Limca Book of Records as the longest snake boat made of steel. This innovative steel snake boat has a scientific design, based on the latest scientific methods in Naval Architecture. Its shape and stability have been designed using the world famous ‘AUTOSHIP’ software.

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Visit of Expert Delegation from Japan to Cochin Port Trust

An expert delegation from Ocean Policy Research Foundation, Tokyo, Japan visited Cochin Port Trust and held discussions with Shri N Ramachandran, Chairman and senior officers on the maritime development projects at Cochin Port .

The visit of the experts is aimed at observing and assessing the potentials of the ports in the southern coast of India from their specific viewpoints of shipping, civil engineering and logistics etc. The team will identify the potential of the port by taking into account the distinguishing features of respective region where the port is located and work out practical proposals to help develop maritime infrastructure. Apart from Cochin the team is also visiting the ports at Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Tuticorin. The report regarding the visit will be provided as the informative reference for the Japanese maritime industries sector, which is attentive to India as a promising business frontier. The team comprises Mr.Yutaka Fukushima, Deputy Senior Researcher, Overseas Coastal Area Development Institute of Japan, Mr Keiji Iwata, Deputy General Manager, Dry Bulk Carrier Supervising Office, Mitsui O.S.K Lines Ltd., Mr Shinichi Oi, General Manager, Marine Technical Department, M.O. Marine Consulting Ltd., Mr Yoshihisa Imai, Senior Research Fellow, Ocean Policy Research Foundation and Mr Takehisa Imaizumi, Advisor, Policy Group, Ocean Policy Research Foundation. The expert team is accompanied by Mr P Sasikumar and Mr J P Saini, Under Secretaries from Ministry of Shipping, Government of India.

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World Maritime Day Parallel Celebrations Held in Greece

The fourth "Parallel Event" to celebrate World Maritime Day formally and officially outside of the International Maritime Organization's London base was held in Greece hosted by the Government of the Hellenic Republic.

On 19 September, Athens was the location for a seminar and panel discussion on the theme of IMO: 60 years in the service of shipping, in which leading figures from the maritime community took the opportunity to outline, from their perspective, their views on the past, present and future of IMO and the shipping industry. On 20 September, the International Memorial to the Wife of the Seafarer was unveiled in the town of Galaxidi, by the Secretary-General of IMO, Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, and Greece's Minister of Mercantile Marine, the Aegean and Island Policy, Mr. Anastasis Papaligouras. The Athens event, held at the Evgenidion Foundation, was opened by the Prime Minister of Greece, Dr. Kostas Karamanlis, who, in praising the Organization's achievements over six decades, referred to its contribution to the reduction in marine accidents and incidents, its sensitivity over environmental protection issues and its role as a model of multilateral and institutional co-operation. Other speakers were: Mr. Spyros Polemis, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping and President of the International Shipping Federation; Mr. David Cockroft, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation; Mr. Philip Embiricos, President of BIMCO; Mr. Nicky A. Pappadakis, Chairman of INTERCARGO; Mr. Nicholas G. Fistes, Chairman of INTERTANKO; Mr. George A. Gratsos, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping; Mr. Nicos D. Efthymiou, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners; and Mr. William Azuh, Chairman of the IMO Club of Maritime Attachés.

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'Island Wellserver' elected Ship of the Year 2008

The offshore service vessel ‘Island Wellserver’, owned by the Norwegian company Island Offshore and built by Aker Yards, Langsten, was declared Ship of the Year 2008 by the Norwegian State Secretary Rikke Lind.

‘Island Wellserver’is a subsea riserless oil and gas well intervention vessel, and represent new technology in the offshore market. The ship also introduces new standards for working environment, safety and comfort, according to Ms Lind. The ship is a result of a vision that the subsea well intervention market should be served by a vessel, instead of a drilling rig, which so far has been the case. “The vessel is a masterpiece in Norwegian shipbuilding and reflects the high market demands in the booming sector of ship based light well intervention services,” said Ms Lind. Described as a subsea riserless well intervention vessel with a running wire line through a subsea lubricator system, she is equipped with the most advanced systems available. She will perform production logging, plugging and gauging operations, re-perforations and downhole mechanical works. Built to the highest DNV Comfort Class notation, she has a noise and vibration level similar to a modern cruise ship. This makes her the world’s only offshore vessel with DNV‘s highest Comfort Class, V(1) C(1).

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Hyundai Heavy to build a wind-power plant

Ulsan: Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world's largest shipbuilder, will build a factory to produce wind-power generators in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province.

This is a key part of its plans to get into the alternative energy business. The company will spend 102 billion won ($880 million) on the plant, and the generators will be able to produce 400 megawatts of electricity a year. Construction is scheduled to be completed in February 2010, the company said in a regulatory filing. Seeking to diversify its business lines, Hyundai Heavy is aggressively expanding into the energy sector, including solar power. It invested 34 billion won to build its first solar cell-producing plant in Eumseong, 108 kilometers south of Seoul. It also plans to spend 300 billion won to build a second solar cell plant by 2010. HHI’s plans to diversify include investing in airlines and shipping lines ahead of a potential perceived pause in ship orders.

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Germanischer Lloyd and China Ship Fund sign strategic cooperation

Hamburg: Classification Society Germanischer Lloyd will provide engineering services to the China Ship Fund.

The strategic cooperation agreement has been signed by Xu Hui, Chairman Centrans, and Dr Hermann J Klein, Member of the Executive Board Germanischer Lloyd, at the SMM exhibition in Hamburg. Under the collaboration agreement Germanischer Lloyd will provide complete support and solutions in all stages of the ship design and building process. Specific focus will be on analyses with regard to ship efficiency, low emissions and low fuel consumption for tankers and bulk carriers. The demand for domestic and international transport of oil and gas in China will continue to rise. Therefore, the Chinese logistics group Tianjin Centrans and the government of the city of Tianjin has initiated the “China Ship Fund”. The investment institution structures and executes investments in all shipping sectors and logistics. They finance bulk carriers, tankers and containerships as well as special purpose vessels like converted refinery platforms. The China Ship Fund was one of the four funds newly approved by the China National Economic and Reform Committee with a capital base of 3 billion US-Dollar.

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Queensland to restructure ports

The Queensland government this week announced a major overhaul of its port authorities.

Infrastructure bottlenecks have been the bane of mining companies eager to take advantage of record prices for Australian coal. The restructuring would bring about several major changes, first and foremost, the creation of the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation to control the hot spot in Mackay. The Abbot Point coal terminal would also be revamped with expansion, helping o streamline services out of the Bowen Basin. “It can only improve and increase the capacity and management of the supply chain,” Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser told. Capacity at Abbot Point, though recently expanded to handle 21 million tonnes per year would be further expanded to double to 50 million tonnes a year with the June budget setting aside A$818 million (US$683.42 million) for the project.

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Chongqing Marine breaks into Japan-China market

Shanghai: Chongqing Marine Shipping has announced that it is to extend its existing Pusan-Taicang/Jiangyin loop to include Kyushu later this month.

The service, which is the first for the company in the Japan-China market, will boast additional calls at Moji and Hakata making it the first direct service to Japan from Jiangyin. The move follows in the footsteps of companies such as Pan World Logistics Co, Centrans International Marine Shipping and Qingdao Marine Noah's Ark Shipping which all recently became players in this market. The new Chongqing Marine Shipping fixed-day weekly service will deploy a 332teu vessel following the port rotation: Moji (Wed), Hakata (Wed), Taicang (Fri/Sat), Jiangyin (Sat/Sun), Pusan (Tue), Moji.

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Navy Rolls Out Littoral Combat Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Mission Package

A ceremony to mark the rollout of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission module for the littoral combat ship (LCS) was held at Naval Base Point Loma.

The Program Executive Office for Littoral and Mine Warfare, Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Space and Naval Warfare Command (SPAWAR) and Space and Naval Warfare Systems, San Diego, hosted the event. According to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisitions, Anne Sandel, this is the third mission package to be released for use with the LCS class of ships. The other two packages are the mine and surface warfare mission modules. The LCS can be configured to deploy with any one of the three interchangeable mission modules typically within 96 hours depending on the nature of the mission. The new mission module package offers new technologies, such as a new unmanned surface vehicle (USV), the vertical takeoff unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV), new dipping sonar and towed array sonar devices.

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Orbit’s OrSat Antenna Successfully Completes Extensive Global-Ku Coverage Tests

Completely independent and hands-free, OrSat performs flawlessly; OrSat is presented at SMM and Monaco 2008.

Netanya, Israel - Orbit Technology Group, a well established leader in the field of advanced mobile satellite communication and tracking antenna systems for marine, air, rail, and other ground applications, announces another milestone for its Marine Mobile Satellite Communication System – the OrSat. Having successfully completed a rigorous field test onboard a ship that traveled from a north western European port, through the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, Indian Ocean and up to Yokohama, Japan – and then back, OrSat demonstrated flawless connectivity throughout the voyage, with seamless roaming between satellites on the rout. Throughout the entire trip, personnel onboard enjoyed uninterrupted, full satellite communication connectivity via Internet, engendering enthusiastic responses from the crew – all without having to change or replace any parts in the system throughout the voyage, and without any other human intervention. The OrSat is now ready for use as a Global-Ku Satcom system, the only antenna system in the world that has been both fully tested on the global rout and also Type-Approved by all satellite companies that cover this route. In addition to being ready for Global Ku satellite coverage, OrSat offers the largest gain possible for an antenna enclosed inside a 1.28 m radome. This highly efficient, service oriented, mature and proven system continues to build on its uniqueness and customer satisfaction record, with hundreds sold worldwide. OrSat distinguishes itself through sophisticated and innovative design – simple to operate, with plug-and-play architecture and unmatched cost effectiveness.

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COSCO subsidiary bags $256m in contracts

Singapore: COSCO Corp, through 51% owned Cosco Shipyard Group (CSG) - has won newbuilding and conversion contracts worth $256.2m.

'We are glad to receive further votes of confidence from our repeat and new customers from across the globe despite the current economic uncertainties,' said vice-chairman and president Jiang Lijun. ‘In light of high input costs, our group will continue to sharpen our focus on getting more high-value jobs to better optimize the returns from our expanding capacities.’ The newbuilding contracts, its first new orders since July, were awarded by a German customer to CSG's subsidiary, Cosco Dalian Shipyard, which will build two 80,000 dwt Kamsarmax bulk carriers for a total contract value of $108m. The contracts were awarded by various customers from the US, China, Hong Kong, India and Italy. Cosco said the first 30% instalment payments for the contracts have been received, and the two vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2010 and 2011 respectively. The other orders were nine conversion contracts valued at $148.2m, which CSG secured through subsidiaries Cosco Nantong Shipyard, Cosco Dalian Shipyard, Cosco Zhoushan Shipyard and Cosco Guangdong Shipyard.

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Launching of giant work boat

A new giant offshore vessel was launched from Ulstein Verft last weekend. Owned by Norway’s Eidesvik Offshore, ‘Viking Poseidon’ measures 130 metres long and 25 metres wide.

‘Viking Poseidon’ will now be completed by the quay and tested before delivery in December, said Ulstein Verft managing director Karsten Sævik. ‘Viking Poseidon’ is the first ship Eidesvik has ordered from the Ulstein Group, but the ship owner has also ordered two seismic vessels of the Ulstein SX120 type from Ulstein with delivery in 2010. Viking Poseidon is an Ulstein SX121 with Ulstein X-Bowdesign. The vessel is fitted out for 105 persons and is equipped with a 250-tonnes offshore crane, a ROV garage and a helideck. The vessel will have diesel electric propulsion. Upon delivery, the vessel has a long-term charter contract of eight years with options with Veolia ES Special Services in USA.

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Dubai World Security to provide marine protection to the world

Nakheel’s iconic Island development progressing well.

Dubai World Security, the security solutions arm of Dubai World, and Nakheel, another Dubai World company and creator of the iconic island development ‘The World’ signed a major Marine Security Services contract aimed at providing end-to-end marine security cover for The World. Under the contract Dubai World Security will deploy its full service capabilities, making use of highly trained manpower and ultra modern equipment to ensure safety and security to the upcoming island community. The contract, signed by Mahmood Amin, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai World Security, and Hamza Mustafa, Managing Director of The World, at a ceremony held at Tamani Hotel (Dubai Marina) marks an important step for the security service provider in its drive to maintain a qualitative edge in the area of large-scale multi-layered operations. It is also an important milestone for The World, which is progressing towards completion. The two sides aim to put in place a comprehensive security mechanism which will be operational by the time the project is completed. Under the contract, Dubai World Security will provide two lines of security through highly trained Marine Service personnel. Well-equipped power boats with top-of-the-line navigation and communication facilities such as radar, GPS and portable radios will be used for patrols. Through its round-the-clock security cover to The World, Dubai World Security aims to set a new benchmark for quality excellence.

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Çiçek Shipyard to Launch First of Four Tankers

The Turkish shipbuilder Çiçek Shipyard will launch the first of four 3,150 dwt chemical tankers that were originally under construction to the yard’s own account.

Subsequently sold to Maltese investors, the first is due for delivery in November 2008 while the remaining three ships will be delivered at four-monthly intervals in 2009. To be classed by Bureau Veritas and constructed to meet Ice B standards, they will be capable of worldwide trading, transporting oil products, chemicals (IMO type II) and vegetable, animal and fish oils. MarineLine coatings have been selected by Çiçek to give the ability to carry a wide range of cargoes while high manoeuvrability is guaranteed by the choice of twin azimuthing propellers and a bow thruster.

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Wartsila offshore designs for China and India

Helsinki: Wartsila Ship Design has received major orders from customers in China and India, including a Deepwater Engineering Survey Vessel design for China Oilfield Services Ltd.

This is a 105-metre, 4,300dwt vessel capable of drilling operating at deep water for geotechnical surveys and geophysical surveys: to date, most of China's oil exploration has been in relatively shallow waters, but there is now a need to probe deeper. In addition, the Chinese state-owned Shanghai Salvage Company has ordered a 123-metre Multi-Purpose Support Vessel design from Wärtsilä in order to carry out year-round tasks along the coastline of China. The key requirement is for multi-purpose flexibility since the vessel will be required to carry out a multitude of different operations, including salvage, offshore engineering services, diving and ROV operations, fire-fighting, anchor handling, ship supply, environmental protection, and route clearing. In India, a 110-metre, 4,500dwt Diving Support Vessel design has been ordered by India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), and will provide a stable platform for saturation and air-diving operations. The Wärtsilä Ship Design unit was set up recently following the acquisitions of the ship design companies Vik-Sandvik and Schiffko. The latest acquisition, the Singaporean based Conan Wu & Associates will also be part of the Ship Design unit.

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GL snaffles contract for seven 13,100teu megaboxships

Hamburg: Hyundai Heavy Industries has awarded classification of seven 13,100teu seven ultra-large container vessels ordered by German shipowner MPC Capital to Germanischer Lloyd.

Mr. DY Han, Senior Executive Vice President of HHI and Member of GL's Korean Shipbuilding Committee, signed the contract with Dr Hermann J. Klein, Germanischer Lloyd's Member of the Executive Board, at the opening of the shipbuilding trade fair SMM in Hamburg. Steel cutting for the first vessel will begin in November 2010 at HHI's yard in Ulsan, Korea. With a construction time of nine months per vessel, the final ship will be delivered in June 2012.
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First oil strike for Philippines in 14 years

Australian independent Nido Petroleum and joint venture partner Kairiki Energy have shored up the presence of an oil column at the Yakal-1 well in the north-west Palawan basin off the Philippines.

This is the country’s first oil discovery in 14 years. Evaluation of wireline logs, pressure data and samples confirm an oil column to a minimum of 78 metres in height and maximum possible height of 93 metres in Service Contract 54. As well as the Yakal-1 and Tindalo-1, the next well on schedule, there are in excess of 20 additional prospects in the SC54 inboard area covered by 3D seismic data. Following the suspension of the Yakal-1 well for future re-entry, the WilBoss jack-up drilling rig will mobilize to the Tindalo-1 well site, about 5.5 kilometres to the north-east of Yakal-1, for the second well in the drilling campaign.
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Mitsubishi delivers 'Toyofuji Maru 2'

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan has recently delivered ‘Toyofuji Maru 2’, a car and general cargo carrier, to its owner Toyofuji Shipping.

The vessel measures 165 metres in length, 27.6 metres in beam, with a 6.5-metre draught and a depth of 24.15 metres. The 6,090DWT tonne vessel was delivered in late August and is driven by one 11,935kW Mistubishi-UE 7UEC52LSE running at 127rpm. ‘Toyofuji Maru 2’ has a cruising speed of 21 knots and can carry 2,003 cars and 22 crew. In the design stage of the vessel, special attention was paid to reduce environmental load. The newly developed hull form, high performance propeller with HVFC (Hub Vortex Free Cap) and the latest model of main engine (Mitsubishi-UE diesel engine) achieve good propulsive performance to save the fuel oil consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, the fuel conditioner enhances the complete combustion in the main engine, and the exhaust gas filters in the funnel prevent air pollution by the dust and/or mist.
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CMA CGM and FESCO establish new Baltic Sea feeder service

France’s CMA CGM and Russia’s FESCO have established a new, large volume, Baltic Sea feeder service between Hamburg, Germany, and St. Petersburg, Russia.

In the weekly service, two 1A ice-class ships are in use, the ‘Emotion’ with a capacity of 1,440TEU as well as the 1,730TEU, newly built ‘CMA CGM Volga’ (alias ‘FESCO Vitim’). The ‘CMA CGM Volga’, built by Polish shipbuilders Stocznia Szczecinska, is 184.7 metres long, 25.3 metres wide and has 250 connections for reefer containers. This makes ‘CMA CGM Volga’ the largest container ship that regularly calls at the Port of St. Petersburg. With a load-bearing capacity of 22,500 tonnes, the ship reaches a maximum draught of 9.9 metres and has a service speed of 19.7 knots. St. Petersburg is the largest Russian port on the Baltic Sea. In the past five years, container traffic between Hamburg and St. Petersburg increased fourfold. Container traffic achieved growth of 22 percent in 2007 and reached a volume of 730,000 TEU. On the average, there are 30 weekly departures in the direction of Russian Baltic Sea ports starting in Hamburg from 14 different feeder companies. The high departure density makes it possible for export loads to also be transported via Hamburg to Russia several times a day.
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Russian warships leave for the Caribbean

Moscow: A squadron of Russian warships set sail to the Caribbean from their base near Murmansk in the first foray into the backyard of U.S. since the Cold War.

The nuclear-powered missile cruiser Peter the Great, anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Chabanenko and two support ships will take part in war games with Venezuela’s Navy in November. Russian anti-submarine aircraft will also join the manoeuvres. The Peter the Great is one of the largest warships of its kind and carries Su-33 jet fighters and helicopters, as well as a variety of weapons systems including Granit long-range cruise missiles that can be armed with nuclear warheads. Earlier this month Russia sent Tu-160 strategic bombers to Venezuela in the first projection of Russian air power close to the U.S. coast since the breakup of the Soviet Union 17 years ago. The Caribbean manoeuvres come as Russian-American relations have dipped to their lowest point since the Cold War over Russia’s trouncing of Georgia, Washington’s closest ally in the former Soviet Union. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who will visit Moscow this week, said Latin America needed a strong friendship with Russia to help reduce Washington’s influence in the region. The Russian warships may visit the strategically located Syrian port of Tartus.
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S.Korean shipyard builds supertanker for Russia's Primorsk

South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries has started building an ice-class tanker with deadweight of 104,000 metric tons for the Primorsk Shipping Corporation, the Russian company said.

The vessel is the last of a group of six giant tankers to be built for PRISCO by the Korean firm, the world's largest shipbuilder. The Russian firm is based in the Far East port city of Vladivostok. The tanker will be ready for use in June 2009 alongside two previously manufactured ships of the series, now in service delivering crude oil and oil products to Pacific Rim countries. PRISCO currently has 19 tankers with aggregate deadweight of around 1.3 mln tons. By 2010, the company plans to double the figure.
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SMM breaking records

SMM 2008 will once more break all records of previous years.

1,965 exhibitors from 56 nations will be presenting their products and services in Hamburg. That is 300 more exhibitors than in 2006. For comparison: In 2006 there were 1,669 exhibitors, and in 2004 there were 1,452 exhibitors. The increase in the number of exhibitors was possible thanks to the accelerated completion of the new halls of the Hamburg Fair. The last of the new halls, that is B7, was completed in time for the event, bringing the total gross space available in the halls to 87,000 square metres (versus 75,000 sqm in 2006), that is more than ever before. The B-site is now arranged for a round tour again, from the Central Entrance near the Television Tower to Entrance East, continuing to Entrance South and back again to the Central Entrance. A site map is provided in your press folders and in the SMM catalogue. The fourth and last entrance to Hamburg Messe, that is Entrance West, gives a direct link to the S-Bahn and U-Bahn rapid transit networks at Sternschanze station. World shipbuilding continues to be in good shape, maintaining a high level of activity. SMM is always a mirror of economic developments in the global shipbuilding markets, so the demand for space at this SMM was simply enormous. This year there are more countries represented at SMM than ever before. For the first time, there are companies from Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico and Serbia in Hamburg.
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Dubai Customs World reviews Djibouti experience with Executive Council

High-level meeting discusses operational success at Djibouti Port.

Senior officials of the Dubai Customs World, the customs solutions provider under Dubai World, held talks with the officials of the Consulting Office of Dubai during which they discussed the work experience while managing the operations at Djibouti Customs. The high-level meeting was attended by Ahmed Khalaf Al Merri, Dubai Customs World Director, Butti Hassan Al Merri, Marketing and Sales Director, Ayman Ibrahim Al Dasoukee, Customs Relations Officer, Huda Al Hashimi, Head of the Consulting Office of the Executive Council, Vineet Chhatwal, Chief Operating Officer, and Mohammed Nayal, Institutional Management and Government Advisor. After the meeting, Al Merri said: “We presented a detailed review of the stages of progress made by Dubai Customs World while managing Djibouti Customs operations. We succeeded in demonstrating very high level of professionalism. It was an opportunity for Dubai Customs World to prove the operational standards that have been adopted in managing the various sectors. Our commitment to excellence in developing creative customs solutions is in line with the age of globalization and information technology.” Huda Al Hashimi lauded Dubai Customs World for the efficient role it played in developing Djibouti’s customs operations and for its accomplishments there. Al Merri pointed out that Dubai Customs World is ready to share its successful experiences with other countries within the framework of mutual co-operation in developing human resources and technology. This will benefit all parties, strengthen ties and help attract more investments. The Customs Department plays a central role in motivating investors and businessmen, encouraging them to set up projects that will boost economic development and sustainable growth.
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DP World adds capacity at Jebel Ali

Dubai: DP World has increased handling capacity at its Jebel Ali terminal following the delivery of new tandem-lift and rail-mounted gantry cranes for installation on the second phase of the Container Terminal-2 at the port.

Eight new tandem-lift cranes and 20 rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs) have been delivered to the Jebel Ali terminal, increasing the total number of lift cranes to 16 and RMGs to 38. Most of the new cranes have been commissioned and are operational, while the remaining are expected to commence operations shortly. Additional equipment is expected to be installed at the port in coming months. The second phase of Container Terminal-2 at Jebel Ali is expected to have 29 tandem-lift cranes and 60 RMGs, when fully operational in the first quarter of 2009. The Container Terminal-2 is expected to have a total capacity in excess of 5m teu when fully operational.
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Nothing sheepish about Siba's three million milestone

The world’s most technologically advanced livestock carrier, ‘Becrux’, has celebrated a milestone, successfully transporting its three millionth sheep.

The vessel is owned by Siba Ships of Italy. The vessel unloaded its milestone sheep in Doha, Qatar, on September 18 - just two months after its 500,000th cattle milestone was achieved. ‘Becrux’ is now returning to Perth in Australia to load another consignment for the Middle East. The vessel entered the Siba Ships livestock fleet in 2002 and has completed 77 voyages since its launch. Its speed and animal welfare advances have cemented its position as the flagship of the world’s livestock fleet. “The ‘Becrux’ doesn’t just exceed the industry standard in terms of voyage success rates - the sheep and cattle on board the Becrux arrive at their destination in better condition than aboard any other vessel,” said Wellard Rural Exports Managing Director Steve Meerwald. The bulk of the cattle and sheep on the ‘Becrux’s’ voyages have been supplied by Australia’s largest livestock exporter, Wellard Rural Exports.
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Sealink delivers 53-metre tug

A Dutch owner has taken delivery of the ‘Venture G’, the second in a pair of sisterships from the Sealink Shipyard in Miri, Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Like the first vessel, the ‘Mare Verde’, the second vessel, the ‘Venture G’ measures 53.8 metres by 13.8 metres with a moulded depth of 4.5 metres. Designed by Conan Wu and Associates of Singapore, the vessel has an engine room mounted well aft with large tankage capacity forward. The bunker tankage includes 913 cubic metres of IFO 380, 220 cubic metres of MDO and 208 cubic metres of fresh water. The vessel is fitted with a thermal fluid heater and three cargo pumps, two for the IFO 380 and one for MDO. Main engines are a pair of Cummins KTA50-M2 diesels each generating 1,265kW at 1,800rpm and turning four blade 2,000 by 2,080 m/m propellers through Twin Disc MG5506 gears with 6:1 ratios. A five tonne-bow tunnel type bow thruster is also fitted. Auxiliaries are three Caterpillar-powered 245kW 50 hz sets. The emergency gen set is a Cummins powered 30kW set.
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Shell Plans Russian Oil Exploration Project

Shell is planning a new exploration project in Russia and is considering three oil fields in Kalmykia in the Urals as possible sites, a source familiar with the plans said.

"The fields require deep drilling, over 6 kilometers," the source said on the sidelines of an investment forum in Russia's southern city of Sochi. Shell's representative in Russia declined to comment. The source said Shell has yet to acquire licenses for the fields. A number of Russian oil companies have drilled the fields but failed to reach productive layers due to poor technology. Shell and the Kalmykia regional government last month signed a cooperation agreement allowing Shell to explore and develop oil resources. Shell has been trying to improve its position in Russia, after it had to cede control in major offshore project Sakhalin 2 to state-controlled Gazprom last year. Shell now owns 27.5 percent of Sakalin 2. Shell also owns half of West Siberia's Salym project and plans to develop heavy oil deposits in the Volga region of Tatarstan jointly with mid-sized oil firm Tatneft.
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Lloyd's Register says slow steaming wasteful, costly

Lloyd’s Register has dismissed the "slow steaming" concept, introduced to counteract skyrocketing fuel prices, as costly and harmful to the environment.

Containerships, declared the marine classification society, are built to operate at higher outputs and will need to be more closely monitored when slow steaming to avoid loss of engine performance, fuel quality, and lubrication oil consumption when moving below 20 knots. The large containership is designed for 25 knots at 70,000kW main engine power and will require just 50 per cent power when reduced to 20 knots, said Lloyds Register in a statement. As voyage times increase, fuel savings will be less, it said, adding that at slower speeds, NOx emissions also increase, resulting in waste engine capacity and higher capital costs from unused power potential. Also cited were losses in heat recovery systems, turbocharger and propeller efficiency as well as increased fouling of hulls and propellers. Lloyds Register also warned of increased compensatory fuel consumption of auxiliary engines to supplement loss of heat recovery capability, increased lubricating oil consumption and possible increased vibration levels risking safe, reliable ship operations.
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Kollakis-owned Chartworld Shipping ship attacked by Somali pirates

A Greek-owned ship with 19 sailors on board, most of them Filipinos, has been attacked by pirates off Somalia, the Greek merchant marine ministry.

The ministry said it did not have any further information on the attack, which happened 250 nautical miles off Somalia, or the fate of the crew of 17 Filipinos, one Chinese and one Ukrainian. The freighter Captain Stephanos, flying the Bahamas flag, belongs to the ChartWorld Shipping Corporation, and was carrying a cargo of coal, the ministry said. It was the second attack on Greek shipping in a week. Last Thursday the Centauri, with 25 Filipino sailors on board was attacked off Somalia by pirates in a speed boat, armed with three rocket launchers. France on Friday circulated a draft resolution in the United Nations Security Council urging states to deploy naval vessels and military aircraft to join in the fight against rampant piracy off the coast of lawless Somalia. The waters off Somalia, which has not had an effective central government for more than 17 years and is plagued by insecurity -- are considered to be among the most dangerous in the world.
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Taiwan's CPC buys into Qatar LNG plant

Taiwan's state-run CPC Corporation has bought a five per cent stake in a liquefied natural gas processing facility in Qatar.

Qatar, the world's largest exporter of gas chilled to its liquid form, and CPC have also signed an agreement to invest together in other joint energy projects. CPC Corp bought the five per cent stake in Qatar's Rasgas train 5. The train, an industry term for an LNG production facility, has capacity to produce 4.7 million tonnes per year.CPC already has a 25-year agreement to purchase 3 million tonnes per year of LNG from Rasgas. CPC is Taiwan's sole gas importer. Taiwan's demand for LNG was expected to total some 9.4 million tonnes per year in 2008, and to rise to 16 million by 2020.Before the transaction, state-owned Qatar Petroleum held 70 per cent of Rasgas, while Exxon Mobil held the rest. Qatar sits on the world's third-largest gas reserves and plans to boost its LNG output capacity to 77 million tonnes per year in 2010 from around 38 million tonnes per year in 2008.Qatar's LNG is produced by two companies, Rasgas and Qatargas.
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Aker Philadelphia delivers fifth vessel to American Shipping Company

Delivery comes six days after the shipyard’s ten-year anniversary celebration.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, USA, has delivered its fifth product tanker to American Shipping Company. The tanker is the fifth in a series of twelve that will be delivered to American Shipping Company and in turn, chartered to OSG America. In the coming days the vessel will take to the sea for use in transporting petroleum products for BP, and is the third vessel in the series to be utilized by BP. A traditional naming ceremony was held at the yard and attended by representatives from Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, American Shipping Company, OSG America and BP. The vessel’s sponsor, Mrs Jane Baldry formally christened the ship and gave her the name ‘Overseas Texas City’. The ‘Overseas Texas City’ is the first vessel built at the yard to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest Tier II requirements. The vessel was modified to incorporate three improved diesel powered electrical generating sets to run the vessel’s electrical system, which will result in lower levels of pollutants while in operation.
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Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Freedom

Cmdr. Walt Coppeans, Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast, officially accepted delivery of Freedom (LCS 1) on behalf of the Navy from the Lockheed Martin/Marinette.

Since Builder's and Acceptance Trials this summer, the Navy and the Lockheed Martin team have been working to prepare the ship for delivery, sail away and commissioning. With acceptance by the Navy, the LCS crew will move aboard and prepare the ship to depart Marinette Marine for Milwaukee, the location of the ship's Nov. 8 commissioning. Upon commissioning, the ship will sail out of the Great Lakes and down the East Coast for Norfolk, Va., making a number of port calls along the way. Prior to delivery, the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) conducted Acceptance Trials aboard LCS 1 Aug. 17-21. INSURV found the ship to be "capable, well-built and inspection-ready" and recommended that the Chief of Naval Operations authorize delivery of the ship. Because the trials were conducted in Lake Michigan, some ship systems, including aviation and combat systems, could not be demonstrated. Systems not demonstrated during recent trials will be presented to INSURV in early 2009 trials in Norfolk, Va., and in the open ocean.
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BP may sell CPC stake

BP may sell its share in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which pumps crude from Kazakhstan to the Black Sea, if it fails to agree with Russia on terms for expanding the line.

The move would trigger a further shareholding reshuffle at the consortium after another member; Gulf Arab state Oman, said it was also looking to sell its stake. Most of the shareholders of the Chevron-led pipeline, which runs to the major Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, have agreed on the expansion terms demanded by Russia, which owns 24% in the consortium as a host state. BP, the only shareholder that still opposes the terms, said it was considering selling the stake if no compromise was found. "This is one of the options to settle the current situation," Vladimir Buyanov, a BP spokesman told. He said BP may sell its stakes in Lukarco and Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures, which are members of the consortium. BP's stakes in the ventures bring its share in CPC to 6.6%, Buyanov said. Russian pipeline monopoly Transneft, which holds the country's stake in CPC, had long opposed the plan to double the pipeline's capacity from the current 700,000 barrels per day, but it has now dropped its objections. Transneft previously argued that the pipeline yielded low returns and that expansion would add pressure on the already congested Turkish Straits shipping route.
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Korean shipowners join international piracy crisis call

The Korea Shipowners’ Association has spoken out over what it calls 'brutal' pirate activities in the Gulf of Aden, including vessels 'Bright Ruby'.

Bright Ruby was hijacked by Somali pirates on September 10 with 21 crews from Korea and Myanmar onboard, and the South Korean-flagged bulk carrier 'Samsun Elory', which was attacked in the region on September 16. In total over 30 vessels have been attacked by Somali pirates so far this year, it notes, and more than 130 seafarers taken as hostages for 'exorbitant ransom'. The KSA says it therefore fully supports the position of the Round Table of Shipping Associations (BIMCO, ICS, Intercargo and Intertanko), which has together with labour body ITF (the International Transport Workers' Federation ) has just issued a call to the UN and IMO for 'urgent action'. The KSA points out that even though coalition warships from the Combined Task Force 150 continue to maintain a presence off the coast of Somalia, 'acts of piracy and armed robbery have continued in one of the busiest shipping areas in the world, owing to its limited reinforcement.
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Passenger ships- In defence of the most advanced European shipbuilding industry

The members of ASSONAVE, the association of ship builders, repairers and suppliers, met in Rome to review the status of the European shipbuilding industry.

The chairman of the meeting, Corrado Antonini said that all Italian shipbuilding production indices grew in 2007. 32 ships were delivered, 49 were ordered, with an order book amounting to 95 units for a value of Eur 10.6 billion (US$15.21 billion) (Eur 6.8 billion (US$9.76 billion) in foreign transactions). However, Mr Antonini said that the increase of production costs, especially supplies, and the unfavourable evolution of the US dollar/Euro exchange rate have burdened, in Italy and in the rest of Europe, commercial activities and penalized the cost-effectiveness of new buildings. Such factors are affecting, to a decidedly lesser extent, also the Far East, where almost all standard merchant vessels and an increasing share of high-tech ships are now being built. Italy is still known for its quality cruise ship construction, with the highest “per unit” value. Conversely, it must be underlined that the Korean government has shown a totally opposite approach, in a market of global competition, preventing foreign capitals from taking part in the privatization process of the Daewoo shipyard. Within such an environment, the Chairman stated, Italian yards must increase their determination especially in the safeguard of the technological excellence of its products. This includes plant modernizing, industrial research, process and product innovation, protection and training of human resources.
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Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Delivers Fifth Vessel to American Shipping Company

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard delivered its fifth product tanker to American Shipping Company.

The tanker is the fifth in a series of twelve that will be delivered to American Shipping Company and in turn, chartered to OSG America. In the coming days the vessel will take to the sea for use in transporting petroleum products for BP, and is the third vessel in the series to be utilized by BP. On Thursday, September 18, a traditional naming ceremony was held at the yard and attended by representatives from Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, American Shipping Company, OSG America and BP. The Overseas Texas City is the first vessel built at the yard to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest Tier II requirements. The vessel was modified to incorporate three improved diesel powered electrical generating sets to run the vessel’s electrical system, which will result in lower levels of pollutants while in operation. Three other vessels are currently under construction at the yard, all of which will include these modifications. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a leading U.S. commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the Jones Act market. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as the preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships.
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Sarawak to Netherlands

A Dutch owner has taken delivery of the Venture G, the second in a pair of sisterships from the Sealink Shipyard in Miri, Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Like the first vessel, the Mare Verde, the second vessel, the Venture G is 53.8 by 13.8-meters with a molded depth of 4.5 meters. Designed by Conan Wu and Associates of Singapore the vessel has an engine room mounted well aft with large tankage capacity forward. The bunker tankage includes 913 cubic meters of IFO 380, 220 cubic meters of MDO and 208 cubic meters of fresh water. The vessel is fitted with a Thermal fluid heater and three cargo pumps ---- two for the IFO 380 and one for MDO. Main engines are a pair of Cummins KTA50-M2 diesels each generating 1700 HP at 1800 RPM and turning four blade 2000 by 2080 m/m propellers through Twin Disc MG5506 gears with 6:1 ratios. A 5 ton-bow tunnel type bow thruster is also fitted. Auxiliaries are three Cat-powered 245 kW 50 hz sets. The emergency gen set is a Cummins powered 30 Kw set. On deck a pair of five-ton capstans supplements a 10-ton tugger winch.
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Dry sector decline halted

London: The Baltic’s Dry Index climbed more than 100 points yesterday, halting the steep decline of recent days.

Better Panamax rates, particularly on Pacific round voyages, saw that index climb 6.3% to 5243 and the Baltic Dry Index finished 102 points higher overall, at 4,958. Modest gains were also posted in the Capesize and Supramax indices although the Baltic Handysize Index shed a further seven points. Although Capesize rates are dramatically down on levels prevailing a couple of weeks ago, they are still underpinned to some extent by solid Chinese demand, experts point out. Long-term charters are still being fixed at healthy levels and average earnings, admittedly down, are still firm in historical terms, at more than $60,000 a day, according to Clarkson. However, the implications for shipping of recent global financial turmoil are only now coming to light. A significant volume of the record orderbook still has to be financed and some new shipyards were already running into funding difficulties, even before the events of this week.
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Stocks bounce back but stormy water lies ahead

Hong Kong: Bourses in Asia were the first to open after yesterday’s dramatic move by US financial authorities to create a government-sponsored vehicle to acquire the so-called “toxic assets” which lie at the root of recent global financial turmoil.

Asian stock markets set a trend that was to be reflected across the world as exchanges opened later in other time zones. Chinese stocks reversed this week’s downward spiral, surging 9.5% overall, with many of the country’s banking shares well up in double digits. Hong Kong shares soared by a similar figure whilst the Nikkei climbed 3.8%, Australian stocks rose 4.3% and South Korean stocks shot up by 4.6%. Financial shares were in heavy demand across the world, following their heavy beating in recent days. Despite widespread relief that the global run on shares had been brought to a halt, at least for the moment, macroeconomists are in little doubt that there will be some very stormy weeks ahead. For shipping too the outlook is more uncertain than at any time recently. As the credit squeeze has taken hold over the last 12 months, access to capital has become increasingly limited for shipyards and their owner customers. But the repercussions are likely to spread further.
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China Shipping Development to build four more oil tankers

China Shipping Development announced that its subsidiary, China Shipping Development (Hong Kong) Shipping has agreed with Dalian Shipbuilding Industry to have four more 76,000DWT product oil / crude oil tankers built, valuing, in total, US$ 228 million.

Based on the shipbuilding progress, individual payments will be settled in five installments with 20 percent each. 20 percent of the funds are to be raised independently while the remaining 80 percent will be sought through bank loans. It is reported that the four new tankers will be delivered in July, October, November and December 2011. As is indicated in a company statement issued at the end of the financial year in June this year, CSD had in possession a total of 56 oil tankers at 3.58 millionDWT, of which 31 were crude oil tankers with 2,583,587 tonnes of capacity; while capacity for the other 25 product oil tankers amounted to 996,052 tonnes.
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COSCO becomes highest profit-making shipping company in Global 500

COSCO Group stands firmly at 405th place for its outstanding performance in 2007, with annual revenue of US$20.84 billion and profit of US$3.678 billion in Fortune Global 500.

Among the listed four shipping companies, COSCO is the best profit-making shipping company in the Global 500. Also, COSCO achieved impressive performance in five Top 50 rankings: thirteenth in Top 50 fastest profit growth,15th in Top 50 high profit growth, 31st in Top 50 high return to investors, 43rd in Top 50 high earnings per share (EPS) growth, and 46th in Top 50 high revenue growth. COSCO Group's great-leap-forward development in its robot growth, brand building and shareholder return has been extensively recognized in Global 500 rankings, and well recognized by the shipping industry.
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