World’s largest container vessel calls at DP Worlds Jebel Ali terminal

Global marine terminal operator DP World’s flagship Jebel Ali Port welcomed the highest capacity container vessel in the world, the MSC Daniela, with a nominal capacity of 14,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units).

The Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) hosted a welcome reception at the terminal to mark the vessel’s maiden call to Jebel Ali. The ceremony was attended by senior executives from DP World and MSC as well as MSC’s clients. The MSC Daniela is currently the largest container vessel in operation. With an overall length of 366 metres, a 51 metre beam, gross tonnage of 135,000 tonnes and a maximum draught of 15 metres, she spearheads the new generation of mega-vessels (over 12,000 TEU). Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of DP World’s UAE Region, said: “We are proud to have the MSC Daniela call at our facility, underscoring Dubai’s regional hub status. Our Jebel Ali terminal is geared to efficiently handle vessels of her capacity and size. This is a direct result of listening to our customers’ needs, which allows us to plan and cater to future requirements.” Captain G. Aponte, President of Mediterranean Shipping Company said:”

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Bocimar and Fortescue agree on ten-year vessel charter

‘FMG Matilda’, a 2008-built 178,000DWT Capesize bulker in Bocimar’s fleet.

Belgium-based Bocimar International and Australia’s Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) have agreed to establish a shipping joint venture which includes the time chartering of three Bocimar Capesize vessels. Two of these vessels will be delivered this year, while the third vessel will be delivered in mid-2010. The time charters are all for a period of ten years.
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Yang Ming orders more cranes

Shanghai: Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery Co is constructing 22 automatic track container cranes for Taiwan-based Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation.

Valued at about CNY 50 million, the products will be utilized by the Port of Kaohsiung in the latter's enlargement. Capable of automatic operation without cabs, the cranes are expected to lift the efficiency in container loading and unloading to a large extent. So far Zhenhua Port Machinery have won orders for 228 such cranes, the report said. The Port of Kaohsiung enlargement involves a land area of 74.8 hectares, and investment of more than NTD 15 billion. The project includes the construction of four 16 meter-depth deep water docks, with a total coastline of 1,500 meters, capable of handling the fully-loaded berthing operation of over 10,000-ton container carriers, and increasing the annual container throughput by over 2 million TEUs. In addition, about half a month ago, Yang Ming Marine Transport subscribed for about USD 100 million worth of port equipment from Zhenhua Port Machinery.

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Sinopec tests Mexico waters

China's Sinopec is the first integrated oil company to test the waters in Mexico after Congress passed an energy reform last fall.

Sinopec is competing for two large drilling contracts in Mexico's Chicontepec basin, according to documents on Compranet, Mexico's government procurement website. The other Chicontepec bidders are all foreign or local oil service companies, including industry giants Schlumberger and Halliburton. Even if Sinopec loses the upcoming tenders, the Chinese heavyweight appears to be taking a long-term approach in Mexico, said a Dow Jones Newswire report. Next week, Sinopec executives will give a presentation to state-run Pemex on the company's land and offshore drilling equipment, said an industry executive familiar with the meeting. Sinopec has expanded internationally in recent years, buying oil assets in places like Africa, South America and Russia to lock in oil supplies for its massive Chinese refining network. In Mexico, China's second largest oil company is hunting for cash, not crude. By law, Pemex has a monopoly on Mexican oil sales, and can only hire oil companies to work as service contractors. The reform gives Pemex new freedoms, such as offering incentives to contractors who finish work ahead of time, but does not allow Pemex to sell equity stakes in oil projects.

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New multimillion dollar container berth boosts Port of Brisbane's trading capacity

Brisbane, Australia: Transport Minister John Mickel has commissioned a new A$65 million (US$42.36 million) container wharf, which will boost trading capacity through Queensland's largest general cargo port.

Mr. Mickel said the Port of Brisbane's seventh dedicated container berth, Berth 10, would allow at least six container vessels to be accommodated simultaneously by the two major stevedores, Patrick and DP World Brisbane. "The Port of Brisbane is a significant driver of economic activity for Queensland, and the commissioning of Berth 10 demonstrates the [State] Government's commitment to delivering critical new infrastructure. "Coming as it does in the emerging climate of tougher economic conditions makes infrastructure like this all the more important. The extra trading capacity provided by this new berth means the port is well positioned to handle future trade growth, and to remain a competitive, commercially focused entity for the benefit of the Queensland economy. "Importantly, about 80 jobs were created during the construction of the Berth 10 container wharf," Mr Mickel said. Berth 10 is managed and operated by Patrick Corporation, which is completing its new container terminal behind the berth. The port's other major stevedore, DP World Brisbane, has moved along the quayline and taken control of Berth 7 which was previously operated by Patrick.

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Zamil Shipbuilding Takes Delivery of MV Zamil 52

It is the First Saudi Built Rolls Royce UT 733-2 AHTS From, Hassan Abouraya, Consultant Engineer, Corporate Biz. Dev. & Intentional Marketing, Zamil Offshore Services, Saudi Arabia.

The MV Zamil 52, the first Rolls Royce UT 733-2 Anchor Handling / Supply vessel out of a series of seven under construction at Zamil shipbuilding in Dammam, KSA, joined the Zamil Fleet last Wednesday January 7, to serve Saudi Aramco Offshore Oil fields in the Arabian Gulf. Zamil Shipbuilding is a division of the Saudi Zamil Offshore Services Co., which owns and operates the largest offshore support fleet in the Middle East. It is also, the premier and only shipbuilder in Saudi Arabia. The shipyard is specialized in offshore shipbuilding and ship repair in addition to rigs repair. More and above it operates the navigation and pilotage at King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam. Zamil Offshore Services Engineering & Construction services division is the company arm involved in hook up operations with both Aramco and McDermott. Zamil Offshore Services is a wholly owned affiliate of Zamil Group Holding Co., one of the largest Saudi Investment and Industrial Groups. It owns 59 companies working in much diversified businesses; petrochemicals, steel, air conditioning, and many other industries, It owns factories in several countries and is represented in 60 countries world wide. Zamil Shipbuilding has built and delivered 10 Diesel Electric Anchor Handling/ Tug/ Supply / Safety vessels.

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