DP World launches 'Promis'

DP World-UAE Region has officially launched the first phase of its new port management operation system 'Promis,' which will gradually replace the existing systems applied in all departments and sections of the company.

The new system has been fully put into application in the Marine Operations Department at Jebel Ali Port, where it proved its efficiency in connecting the various departments through an integrated control and co-ordination centre. This enables the efficient management of all operations to cope up with the needs of the rapidly growing marine industry sectors in the country, including shipping, export and import, most of which are carried out through Jebel Ali Port. Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director of DP World- UAE Region, said: "The implementation of 'Promis' is part of our constant efforts to make use of the most modern technology at DP World. Following the success of 'Promis' in the Marine Operations Department, we will seek in its second phase to connect all DP World departments at Jebel Ali Port to one central network in order to achieve total and efficient co-ordination of operations. This is the first step in making the implementation of this highly efficient technology possible at all DP World terminals around the world." DP World- UAE Region's goal is to build the first fully-automated port control system in the world because our operations require very high level of accuracy and speed.
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Sarawak Slipways delivers 'OMS Terra Nova'

Sarawak Slipways of Miri, Sarawak East Malaysia, has delivered the 1179GT FPSO support vessel ‘OMS Terra Nova'.

A pair of Niigata mains engines each generating 1,838kW at 750rpm power the Niigata Z-Drives on the ABS-classed dynamic positioning vessel. A 520kW Cummins KTA19-M4 engine powers a retractable HRP azimuthing bow thruster as an essential component of the vessel's dynamic positioning system. For electrical requirements, the 50 by 13.8-metre vessel has a pair of Cummins QSM11-powered 250 kW Stamford generator sets. Aft of the main house, a double drum MacGregor Plimsoll double drum anchor handling winch is completely enclosed. A closed circuit television system allows the wheelhouse to monitor action around the winch. The boat has a designed bollard pull of 55 tonnes forward and 42 tonnes aft with the mains at 100 per cent MCR. The ‘OMS Terra Nova', registered in Port Klang, Malaysia, is the first of two being built at he Sarawak Slipways.
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FRO - Acquisition of vessels and time charter contracts

Ships Inc. at a purchase price of $240 million at Hamilton, Bermuda.

The vessels are built in the period 1992 to1996, and will be delivered in the period June 2008 to August 2008. Frontline also announced the agreement to take five double hull Suezmax tankers on time charter from Eigir Shipping for the balance period of existing charters, all with delivery June/August 2008 and redelivery November 2009/April 2010. The vessels are built in the period 1999 to 2006. The acquisitions and chartering-in of the vessels will contribute to further consolidation in the Suezmax market. This also confirms Frontline's regained position as the world's largest operator and owner of double hull Suezmax tonnage in addition to its position as the world's largest independent operator and owner of double hull VLCC tonnage.Frontline's commitment to acquire the five double hull Suezmax tankers and to charter-in further five, confirms the Board's firm belief in the future prospects in the tanker market.

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First Q-Flex ship reaches US

Qatar has sent its first shipment of LNG to be carried on giant new tankers to the United States, Qatargas.

The new tankers have capacity of around 216,000 cubic metres for the gas chilled to its liquid form, about 60 percent larger than Qatargas' current fleet of vessels with capacity of around 135,000 cubic metres. The Qatargas vessel Q-Flex Al Gharrafa is on charter to RasGas carrying a cargo for Cheniere Energy and will discharge at the newly commissioned Sabine Pass LNG Terminal in Louisiana. The vessel is owned by a joint venture between Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) and Overseas Ship Holding Group (OSG) and is on long-term charter to Qatargas 2. Equipped with an on-board re-liquefaction system to handle the boil-off gas, Q-Flex vessels are able to deliver almost 100 percent of the cargo to customers. The cargo is the second to arrive at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. The terminal is owned by Cheniere Energy and received its first cargo in April. The terminal cost around $1.5 billion to build and will be capable of reheating and pumping around 2.6 billion cubic feet of gas per day into the US gas system.
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