SpeedFerries purchases 'SpeedOne' from Incat

British operator SpeedFerries has purchased the 86-metre wave piercing catamaran ‘SpeedOne' from Incat.

SpeedFerries entered the market with a new low-cost model in May 2004, launching sailings between Dover and Boulogne with the ‘SpeedOne' on charter from Incat. The deal marks a £13.5 million (US$26.6 million) investment for SpeedFerries and follows a recent move to a dedicated and exclusive terminal at Dover's Western Docks. The next stage in the company's development is to source a second Incat vessel to partner ‘SpeedOne', bringing a higher frequency of sailings and possible new route opportunities. ‘SpeedOne' was formerly known as HMAS ‘Jervis Bay', when operating for the Australian Defence Force between Darwin and Dili during the East Timor crisis.

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European Maritime Day

ICS/ISF welcome EU support for global shipping regulation

Speaking on European Maritime Day yesterday, at a reception in Athens during the annual general meetings of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF), ICS/ISF chairman/president Spyros M Polemis remarked: "At the risk of tempting fate, relations between the international industry and the European Union institutions seem to have improved, when contrasted with the situation after the losses of the ‘Erika' and the ‘Prestige'." "ICS and ISF have been especially pleased by the message conveyed by the EU Maritime Policy Review ‘Blue Paper', published last autumn, to the effect that the European Commission's preference is to give IMO a chance to develop global regulations to cover international shipping.

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Impacts Due to Climate Change

Climate change and environmental impacts on Australia's coast

"Climate change has serious implications for coastal areas as much of Australia's population and infrastructure is in the coastal zone," Committee Chair Jennie George said. "The growth in population along the coast is also increasing pressure on the environment in many areas. "The committee has received excellent submissions to date, raising significant coastal management issues. The committee is keen to hear the views of interested persons and groups across Australia and encourages them to put in their submissions by the end of May."

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Pilot Boat Launched by Kvichak

Kvichak Marine, a Seattle-Based designer and builder of aluminum vessels, has launched a Fast Pilot with excellent performance

Guido Perla and Associates, Inc. (GPA) said that Kvichak Marine, a Seattle-Based designer and builder of aluminum vessels, has launched a Fast Pilot Boat for which GPA provided total production engineering for the construction of the hull, piping, propulsion, outfitting and electrical systems. The Pilot Boat, measuring 22 m long, is an all welded aluminum monohull of significant deadrise with a double chine. The vessel is designed as an all-weather pilot launch and will provide exceptional sea-keeping, a comfortable ride, and excellent performance in the planing regime, where sea and weather conditions allow. The vessel is self-righting and is equipped with twin-engine propulsion with excellent all round visibility, an aft mounted wheelhouse, an energy absorbing fender system and a large clear deck layout.
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Rejuvenation of Natural Gas after the Powerful Quake

Sinopec's Chuanxi gasfield has restored natural gas output to about 40% of its normal levels nearly a week after a powerful quake disrupted production, a company paper reported today

As of Sunday, gas output in the field close to regions badly hit by the 7.9-magnitude quake had reached more than 3 million cubic metres per day, the China Petrochemical News reported.The field's output was reduced to 10% of its capacity of 8 million cubic metres per day after the earthquake on 12 May forced the closure of chemical plants that use gas, which led Sinopec to shut down nearly 1000 wells. After safety checks and repairs, all production and transport facilities in the gasfield are now ready for full-scale operation and can increase output if gas users restore operation, the report said. Gas supply to Chengdu, the capital of earthquake-devastated Sichuan province, by Sinopec's Southwest Petroleum Company, the gasfield’s operator, has resumed to over 3 million cubic metres a day, largely the same as before the quake, the paper added.
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