Monday, August 4, 2008

PGS awarded major North Sea seismic campaign for StatoilHydro

Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) has been awarded a contract for a series of seismic surveys to be conducted in the summer of 2009 for StatoilHydro in Norway.

Four of the company's seismic vessels will be involved in the surveys, giving a total contract value of around US$100 million. StatoilHydro will be the first customer for the ‘Ramform Sterling’, PGS' second new S-Class Ramform vessel, on schedule for delivery in July 2009. This vessel will operate with both steerable streamers and steerable sources in order to produce the highest possible repeatability for 4D surveys. A second high capacity Ramform vessel will be deployed for further HD4D work. A part of the campaign includes the use of a new PGS invention, the GeoStreamer. This new streamer system will be used in 3D mode and offers the customer enhanced resolution and deeper penetration resulting a higher quality, deghosted image. The system has the added advantage of being towed deeper than conventional streamers, offering extended operating windows in areas of variable weather such as in Northern Europe.
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Passenger ship MV Kavarathi launched

MV Kavarathi, a new passenger ship launched for Lakshadweep.

The 700-seat all-weather ship, with modern amenities and latest navigation tools, has 300 upper-class seats, many of which will be allotted to tourists. Lakshadweep Administrator B.V. Selvaraj dedicated the ship. Lakhshadweep MP Pookunji Koya, Kochi Customs Commissioner, B. Syed Mohammed, Cochin Port Chairman, Ramachandran, Director General of Shipping, Ajoy Chatterjee and other eminent personalities of Lakshadweep Island were present for the function. The ship’s fare would be subsided for the islanders, but tourists would have to pay a ‘much higher fare.’ The tourists’ fare was expected to meet part of the ship’s cost of operation. The ship is likely to sail out on its maiden voyage by this month end. Mr. Selvaraj said that tourism would be promoted with out hurting the culture and tradition of the Island. Several hundred people from the islands showed up at the dedication ceremony and greeted the ship, which was described as a ‘gift of God to the people of Lakshadweep.’ Folk dances were staged to mark the occasion. The new all-weather ship will be especially useful during the monsoon.
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DMCA discusses maritime security and safety rules with Dubai Police

DMCA announced that it recently held discussions with the Dubai Police Department to develop new strategies and regulations for security and maritime safety, training and registration of vessels and marine driving licences.

DCMA officials recently met with Brigadier Abdul Jalil Mahdi, deputy director-general of the Dubai Police Department of Preventive Security, within the framework of strengthening cooperation with local government and regulatory bodies. They discussed the possibility of Dubai Police participating in discussions relating to the preparation of maritime laws and registrations in Dubai, which are under the direct responsibility of DMCA. During the meeting, DMCA, under its newly launched entity 'Raseina', emphasised its commitment to cooperate with Dubai Police and also announced that DMCA will unveil new measures and regulations beginning next month aimed at further improving the maritime sector. The new initiatives and services are in line with DMCA's objective of expediting and streamlining the registration and licensing processes in the UAE maritime sector. "Dubai Maritime City Authority is taking concrete steps to enhance the delivery of maritime services and consolidate Dubai's reputation as a centre for maritime excellence. The establishment of the Marine Registration and Licensing Department is one of the key initiatives that will help us attain our objectives. Amer Ali, CEO of DMCA said.
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Sasebo clinches first VLGC contract from Sanko

Tokyo: Sasebo Heavy Industries has moved into the market of large-size LPG carriers (VLGCs).

Sasebo announced on July 30 that it has received an order for an 84,500-cu.m VLGC from Sanko Steamship for delivery in late December 2013. A former Samsung Heavy Industries executive has been plucked to join the yard on this debut order. The spec is the largest type of LPG carrier in the world. It will be a 49,500-grt ship measuring 229 meters in overall length, 36.6 meters in breadth, 22.2 meters in height and 11.38 meters in draft. Aside from the VLGC, Sasebo also bagged Sanko's order for one capesize bulker (for delivery in late September 2010) and two 74,900-dwt panamaxes (late November and December 2011).
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Germanischer Lloyd office opens in Fuzhou

Germanischer Lloyd has announced that it has opened a new office in Fuzhou.

"The strong demand for newbuilding tonnage in recent years has been matched by a strong trend to build up shipyard capacity in Asia," stated the German classification society which is to class some 700 vessels currently on order in China. Germanischer Lloyd also announced the appointment of Wolf Dieter Enter as technical manager in China. Mr. Enter’s role will be to advise clients in shipbuilding and maritime supply on technical standards, and to supervise 250 company surveyors. Germanischer Lloyd already has offices in Shanghai, Dalian, Jiangyin, Nanjing, Ningbo, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Qingdao and Yangzhou.
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