DMC and Arab Sea Ports Federation sign MoU

The world's first purpose-built maritime centre, Dubai Maritime City has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Arab Sea Ports Federation to explore joint business opportunities and open new avenues for cooperation and mutual growth.

The partnership is expected to effectively extend DMC’s network and partnerships within the Arab World and strengthen its presence in key maritime locations across the region. "This partnership is an important strategic move as we position Dubai Maritime City to be the premier maritime destination in the region,” said Amer Ali, DMC ceo. “In addition, it is also our aim to build on our common goals to enhance and strengthen the economic prospects of the region's maritime environment. We believe that cooperation and constant communication are important components for us to move forward - a consolidated approach that will help us maximise the region's maritime potential. This partnership with the Arab Sea Ports Federation is a key step towards achieving a harmonious development in the regional maritime industry.” Both parties have agreed to exchange ideas with regards to maritime policies and strategies, as well as information that will unlock new business prospects. The two parties also hope to achieve better coordination, integration and association in various maritime activities, including strengthening strategic relationships with maritime organisations.

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'Volantis' to perform Egyptian offshore works

UK-based CTC Marine Projects has received a contract worth US$20 million for project work in offshore Egypt.

Petrobel awarded the contract to CTC, a company from North England specializing in the trenching of subsea pipelines, flowlines and cables. During the North Bardawil project, CTC Marine will use ‘Volantis’. Built by Fosen Yards, Norway, ‘Volantis’ is a multipurpose trencher / ROV vessel. It has an overall length of 106.6 metres on a 22-metre beam and a 9.6-metre moulded depth. The 2,400NT vessel has a top speed of 15 knots and was designed by Skipsteknisk. ‘Volantis’ has a fuel oil capacity of 2,300 cubic metres and a drinking water capacity of 450 cubic metres, and is powered by MaK and Caterpillar engines, and has a 150-tonne crane on deck.

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Russian International Register of Vessels numbers 219 ships with total dwt of 1.2 mln tons

As of the beginning of 2009, Russian International Register of Vessels registered 219 ships with total deadweight of 1.2 million tonnes, Aleksei Klyavin, Director of the Department of State Policy in the field of Maritime and River Transport, said at the meeting of Russia Shipowners’ Union.

According to Klyavin, the Ministry of Transport has made a decision on development of a conception and specifications for a bill on amendments to be introduced into the Merchant Marine Code with regard to development of Regulations for service at marine fleet. Klyavin also informed the meeting about the planned inspection to be held by IMO in 2009 according to the protocol on cooperation signed by RF Minister of Transport Igor Levitin and IMO Secretary General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos on December 4, 2008 in London.

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Subic Bay trumpeted as mother port

Manila: Businessmen and economic experts have proposed that Subic Bay should be developed into a "mother port" to make the country more competitive in the Asia-Pacific region.

The proposal was raised recently by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). Meneleo Carlos, NCC Infrastructure Working Group champion, said that Subic is closer to most major sea lanes, so it would be easy for mother ships used in transshipment to pass by Subic and pick up cargoes for direct delivery to destinations like Europe. Carlos said the use of the Subic Bay Freeport as mother port will result in faster shipment, lower cost, and more profits and jobs. "Shipment will be faster," he said, pointing out that cargoes from the country won't have to be transshipped anymore through Hong Kong or Singapore. Carlos said that NCC is now looking at the possibility of moving more cargo through Subic with the use of 50 to 80 teu barges that will carry cargo from Batangas, Cavite, Manila, and Bataan. Meanwhile, moving goods between manufacturing centers in the country through water transport could prove to be more economical, provided that adequate systems for handling roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessels are provided, Carlos added.

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Kotug expands fleet with two deliveries

The Netherlands: Kotug has added two new tugboats to its fleet.

These last two tugboats of a series of four, with a towing capacity of 65 tonnes, were christened in Rotterdam on January 17, 2009. The tugs ‘SD Seal’ and ‘SD Seahorse’ were christened by Mrs Marleen van Honk, wife of Captain Marcel van Honk, Chairman of the Dutch Works Council and Mrs Diny Aalberts, wife of Captain Peet Aalberts, Secretary and Treasurer of the Werknemers Vereniging Adriaan Kooren (Employee Association). The ‘SD Seal’ and ‘SD Seahorse’ are sister ships of the ‘SD Shark’ and ‘SD Stingray’, which were added to the Rotterdam fleet and christened in Rotterdam last year. At the beginning of the next month, the ‘RT Margo’, which arrived in Rotterdam from Singapore at the end of 2008, will be christened. This tugboat with a towing capacity of 83 tonnes incorporates the Kooren Shipbuilding and Trading-patented Rotortug principle (three screws and three main engines) and is currently the strongest harbour tug operating in Dutch waters.

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