Austal to build Joint High Speed Vessel for US Defence Department, options for nine more

Austal USA has won a contract to design and build the US Department of Defence's next generation multi-use platform, the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion.

As the project's prime contractor, Austal will design and construct the first 103-metre JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between 2009 and 2013. Similar to the Austal-built 'WestPac Express' operated by the US Marines for the past seven years, the JHSV will be capable of transporting troops and their equipment, supporting humanitarian relief efforts, operating in shallow waters and reaching speeds in excess of 35 knots fully loaded. The vessels will be a joint-use platform operated by both the United States Army and Navy. “Austal is very proud to have been selected to build an important part of the US Navy's fleet,” said Austal Managing Director Bob Browning. The vessels will be built at Austal's US shipyard located in Mobile, Alabama, where work is continuing on the first phase of a new state-of-the-art Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF). Upon completion in mid-2009, the first half of the 70,000 square metre MMF will be available for the fabrication of all JHSV modules.
Read More

Dubai Maritime Week

Dubai Maritime City Authority has announced that it will organize the ‘Dubai Maritime Week’ starting from 2010, as part of a series of initiatives designed to support the development of the UAE and region’s maritime sector.

The region’s first-of-its-kind event will be co-organized by Dubai World Trade Centre, one of the largest exhibition organizers in the Middle East and owner of Dubai International Boat Show, the region’s largest and most prestigious boating event. The “Dubai Maritime Week” will include seminars, exhibitions, panel discussions and conferences relating to the global maritime industry. In addition, activities that allow Dubai’s entire community to participate will also be a feature of the Week, including maritime themed photography exhibitions, boat racing and more. Dubai Maritime City Authority aims to capitalizing on the strengths of Dubai as a regional and international hub for trade and commerce, by providing a strategic location for the full spectrum of maritime-related businesses, including maritime management, maritime services, maritime retail and recreation, maritime education and research, ship repair and maintenance, as well as yacht repair and maintenance through Dubai Maritime City.
Read More

Shenzhen Qianhaiwan Bonded Port established

Shenzhen Qianhaiwan Bonded Port was formally approved by the State Council on October 18 as China’s ninth domestic bonded port.

The new bonded port is planned at 3.71 square kilometres. Within the port area, business operations such as international transit, distribution, procurement, trade as well as export processing, will be entirely subject to tax revenue and foreign exchange management policies applicable for foreign goods in either a free trade zone or an export processing zone. Following stipulations by the State Council, this bonded port will be in enclosed management, with quarantine and inspection facilities constructed in accordance with relevant provisions by the Customs on special-supervision areas.
Read More

COSCO Dalian opts for CMMS on more tanker newbuildings

COSCO Dalian, the liquid bulk arm of Cosco Group which operates 40 tankers including 12 VLCCs, has decided to install computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) on eight more of its newbuildings to be delivered 2009-10.

The latest contract for AMOS Maintenance & Purchase software supplied by SpecTec follows an earlier contract to install the same software on 11 newbuildings. Mr Zhao Jinwen, Director of the Technical Department of COSCO Dalian, signed the contract with James de Vroome, EVP of SpecTec APAC, in Dalian last week.
Read More