Aker Philadelphia launches 7th product tanker

USA: Aker Philadelphia Shipyard launched the seventh in a series of twelve product tankers to be completed by 2011 yesterday (April 21).

When completed, the 182.8-metre-long vessel will be sold to American Shipping Company and bareboat chartered to OSG America for use transporting petroleum products.The 46,000DWT vessel was floated off of its blocks late in the morning on Friday (April 17), and was transferred by tug from the building dock to the outfitting dock on Saturday (April 18), where it will remain for the next few weeks as it undergoes testing and commissioning in preparation for sea trials next month.

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Sunreef Hull Completed

Most of the aluminium hull construction of one of the largest luxury catamarans in the world, the Sunreef 114, has been completed at Sunreef Yachts of Poland.

This 31 ton, 114 ft lopng hull was turned and repositioned inside the shed so that the hull structure can be straightened and the next phase of the building process can be started. At present, a number of construction tasks are being performed simultaneously: the fly-bridge is being built and will be shortly assembled with the hulls, the construction of interior furniture has now started and all final aluminium fitting-out is being done. Once the fly-bridge is fixed on the hulls the insulation of the accommodation area in both hulls will start. Floor support construction and the first electrical systems will follow next. After that, all furniture will be installed and general finishing work will be completed. Sunreef 114 is scheduled to be launched in winter 2009.

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Grandweld delivers new 41-metre crewboat

Dubai-based shipbuilding, ship repair and conversion company, Grandweld, has recently delivered the sixth 41-metre crew boat to offshore oil and gas industry fleet operator, Stanford Marine.

“These vessels have the speed, cargo capacity and endurance that make them desirable for charter by our clients,” said Stanford Marine General Manager Sumit Gupta.“With the expansion of offshore oil and gas facilities in recent years, these new vessels are key to meeting our business requirements.” The vessel carries 45 tonnes of deck cargo and has a maximum speed of 24 knots. The design was carried out by the Grandweld Engineering Department using Autoship and ShipConstructor software to ensure optimal performance. This involved a complete 3D computer model being made for hull, structural and machinery systems.

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NYK Ship management enhances seafarer competence

Singapore: NYK Ship management is to implement a crew appraisal and training system developed together with DNV.

Under the agreement, DNV will verify and certify NYK Shipmanagement’s competence management system based on a set of Officer Competence Standards developed by the two companies, and in compliance with specifications from the Society of International Gas Tankers (SIGTTO) and Terminal Operators and the Tanker Officer Training Standards (TOTS) from Intertanko. “The initial contract is for verification and certification of the competence management system for operation of our tankers managed by NYK Shipmanagement Singapore,” says Hemant Pathania, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of NYK Shipmanagement, Singapore. “It is expected that this will lead to verification and certification of other vessels managed by NYK Shipmanagement.”NYK Shipmanagement aims to deploy the system on all of its 24 tankers by September this year and then move on to its entire managed fleet of 104 ships.The competence management system, facilitated by DNV SeaSkill, will enable NYK Shipmanagement to systematically examine crew tasks, work tools, operating environment, officer’s mental well being, training and experience and communication across different vessel types.

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Market for new floating production systems 'frozen'

WASHINGTON: The market for new floating production systems has frozen as a result of the abrupt downturn in the global economy, according to a new study by Washington-based International Maritime Associates (IMA).

Over the past quarter, no orders have been placed for floating production units, marking the first time this has occurred since 1996 when IMA began tracking the floating production sector.As a result, order backlog for production floaters has dropped 30 percent from the same time last year, according to IMA's analysis. However, IMA concludes the downturn appears temporary and the long term outlook for the production floater sector remains very strong. Long term fundamentals have not changed and energy demand is expected to continue to grow over the next several decades.In addition, IMA's researchers believe the futures market is indicating that oil will return to a US$70 per barrel level within three years and US$80 per barrel within eight years. While the immediate price of oil impacts cash available for investment, the expected price provides the basis for measuring project merit.

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