Volvo Ocean Race: Final in Port Race

After an extremely disappointing leg nine, which saw second overall in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 slip away when Telefónica Blue ran aground and had to return to Marstrand for emergency repairs.

Bouwe Bekking and his men made a remarkable comeback today, to snatch the in-port race in Stockholm from nearest rival PUMA. Telefónica Black was third.The rocks and islands surrounding the course set today for the final of the in-port race series in the Volvo Ocean Race were black with thousands of spectators, while out on the water, in the Stockholm Archipelago, spectator boats lined both sides of the course and masts could be seen as far as the eye could see. The well-behaved spectator fleet was expertly marshalled by the Swedish Navy. It was the perfect day for racing. As the breeze built to nine knots for the first of two races, the fleet of seven Volvo Open 70s, sailing with plenty of heel and producing foaming white water from their bows made a clean start, led by Delta Lloyd.

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Attica to sign for two new ro-pax vessels

The Attica Group, Greece, has reached an agreement with Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) for the building of two new fast car-passenger ferries.

Attica said that the contracts would be signed on June 25. The ships will each have an overall length of 145.5 metres and a speed of 26 knots. The vessels will have the capacity to carry 2,400 passengers and 450 private vehicles or 50 freight units and 150 private vehicles.

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National port regulator in the offing

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Shipping has decided to set up an authority to regulate the functioning of major ports along the coastline of the country.

The department on Monday circulated the draft of the new law it proposes to enact to set up the authority under the Major Ports Regulatory Authority Act, 2009. The regulatory authority would comprise a chairman and four members with a five-year term and would have the liberty to set up regional offices as well. The authority would decide on the rates for the facilities and services provided at the major ports and to monitor the performance standards of the port authorities and private operators providing such facilities and services.

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Dry Blue Star Returns to the Burger Shipyard

Blue Star, a 1987 86.5 ft Raised Pilot House Burger, returned home to the Burger shipyard to have routine maintenance performed.

She arrived at the shipyard Tuesday June 9, 2009 after a 10 hour run from Grand Haven, Michigan where she had spent the winter. Once at the Burger facilities she was hauled utilizing Burger’s 500mt Marine Travelift. The Burger Service Team is working closely with the Captain and crew of to assure a rapid return to the water as she is scheduled to spend most of her summer cruising Lake Superior.Utilizing Burger’s facility and knowledgeable staff for this service work was a natural fit for the owner and crew of Blue Star. What better place to bring your vessel for service than the shipyard in which she was built.Burger Boat Company designs and builds custom yachts, in aluminum and/or steel, ranging in sizes to 200 ft. Since 1863 Burger has been recognized internationally for design, quality construction, seaworthiness, reliability and is the most respected custom yacht builder in America.

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Petrobras to Reel in More Rigs for Offshore Santos Basin

Petrobras to Reel in More Rigs for Offshore Santos Basin

Brazilian state-run energy giant Petrobras (PBR) expects to bring up to four more drilling rigs to a prospect in the offshore Santos Basin in the second half of the year.The ultra-deepwater rigs will be used to "attack" areas in the subsalt region in the Santos Basin, Petrobras' Mario Carminatti told the local Estado news agency. The Santos Basin is home to the Tupi field, the Western Hemisphere's largest oil discovery in more than 30 years.The rigs will be used to complete studies of the Tupi, as well as other subsalt drill targets, Petrobras' executive manager for exploration said.

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