S. Korea yards taking part in bids for Saga's cruiser

There has emerged the possibility of South Korean shipbuilders participating in the newbuilding talks with UK-based Saga shipping as they aim to enter the passenger ship sector.

Saga Shipping seems to be sounding out not only European but also South Korean yards on its plans to build three-four passenger ship newbuildings. STX Shipbuilding, which recently has become the potential newcomer in the sector with the acquisition of Aker Yards, appears to be among the candidate yards for Saga. Saga is studying the plan to build passenger ships along with an option to purchase second-hand vessels primarily to replace the 1965-built 24,000-GRT 'Saga Rose'. If Saga is to opt for newbuildings, they will likely be 30,000-40,000-DWT, a little larger than the existing ship, and have a passenger capacity of 700. Saga has already inquired with shipyards about their slipway schedules. One of the most knotty problems Saga faces in pushing ahead with its plans is delivery. Saga is seeking a near-term delivery by 2010 since the revised SOLAS Convention requires a newbuilding to be equipped with much tighter anti-fire prevention measures.
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A global achievement for Francis Joyon

Francis Joyon has smashed round the world record by 14 days

The IDEC trimaran crossed the finishing line off Brest on January 20, 2008 at 00h39:58. At the age of 51, Francis Joyon is once again the fastest solo yachtsman around the world having completed the voyage in 57 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 6 seconds. He has shattered the previous record, held since 2005 by the British yachtswoman, Ellen MacArthur by 14 days, 44 minutes and 27 seconds. It is truly an incredible performance: while he thought it was possible to bring the time down to below 70 days (the time to beat was 71 days and 14 hours), the sailor from Locmariaquer in Southern Brittany has brought it down to below 60 days and even to below 58 days. On board IDEC, Francis Joyon has covered more than 26,400 nautical miles at the astonishing average speed of 19.09 knots. Francis Joyon also becomes the only solo sailor in the world to have grabbed the non-stop single-handed round the world voyage record aboard a multihull on two occasions after a first record back in 2004.
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Antarctic Survey breaks through the ice

Royal Navy ice patrol ship 'HMS Endurance', pictured breaking through ice north of James Ross Island as she carries out survey work in the Antarctic.

The survey was carried on behalf of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) on an 18-month deployment in the area, is currently transferring scientists to Mount Haddington where they will be carrying out ice drilling for the next two months. Endurance's first task on arrival in the South Atlantic is focusing on the South Shetland Islands and the difficult to reach James Ross Island in Erebus and Terror Gulf (Weddell Sea). This involves the ship operating in dense areas of ice, in some of the most extreme weather conditions on Earth. Onboard Endurance are five scientific teams from the British Antarctic Survey who are working on independent projects, including the sampling of ice cores from the summit of the volcano Mt Haddington. Each day the team is being flown out from the ship to different locations all over the Antarctic Peninsula and is returned from their mountainous data gathering by the ship's two Lynx Helicopters. Endurance is fitted with modern hydrographic surveying equipment and experts at UKHO in Taunton will process the data gathered.
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'Ice Prince' update

The UK tug 'Anglian Earl' is remaining on scene as a guardship, at the site of the wreck.

With 46.8 metres of estimated clearance over the wreck, it is not seen to be a hazard to navigation but a full survey of the wreck site will be carried out by the Irish Lights vessel 'Graunuaile'. The vessel arrived on scene this morning and will confirm the precise clearance. The Temporary Exclusion Zone of 1,000 metres is still in force. The owners are developing plans for the recovery of oil and cargo from the wreck, however the recovery may prove technically difficult. Currently no new timber has surfaced, but sheen of oil is coming from the wreck and is currently dispersing within three miles. Weather on scene is Southwesterly force 8 gales. The weather is not expected to improve until Sunday. The Secretary Of State's Representative for Maritime Intervention and Salvage (SOSREP) continues liaison with the French 'Prefet Maritime' and the Environment Group continue to monitor the situation. The Greek Maritime Authority will be responsible for the accident investigation.
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Arabs place orders for vessels with Gujarat shipping industry

Call it another adventure by the wealthy Arabs.

A cost-cutting move by industrialists in the Gulf has resulted in reviving the 200-year-old wooden shipping industry in Gujarat. The cash-rich Arabs are placing orders for ancient vessels to carry livestock, mainly for meat, to the Middle East. Modern vessels had cornered a bulk of the cargo business during the shipping industry’s boom, leaving those in the manufacture of vessels to businesses like ferrying fish and other products to destinations within the state. The entry of sheikhs is seen as a much-required boost. Locally known as vahanvatti, the wooden ship building industry exists in Mandvi and Salaya ports. However, the past two years have seen massive orders coming from the Middle East and Africa to make huge wooden ships. Wooden ship manufacturers say that the cost of such ships range from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore, based on their tonnage and size and have a life of about 30 years. The registration of the wooden cargo ships is done at the destination and by the purchaser.
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Navy to display world-class warships at RD Parade tableau

The Indian Navy will showcase its world-class frontline warships in the form of INS Delhi and Talwar Class Frigate besides a recently upgraded submarine at the Republic Day Parade.

The Naval Tableau, in keeping with its theme, "Indian Navy - Professional Team, Proud Force" will display all arms of the Navy, namely, surface, sub surface and air. "The Indian Navy tableau shows what we Indians are proud of and extends a feeling to the citizens of the country that they are secure as the naval fleet guards the Indian waters," Rear Admiral Pradeep Chauhan told. The Front of the float shows a group of marine commandos carrying out beach assault from an inflatable Gemini craft, while the trailer carried models of two front line warships. A Delhi Class destroyer and a Talwar Class Frigate maneuvering in a formation besides a kilo class submarine were showcased in the second part of the tableau. Models of Indian Navy's Sea Harrier fighter jet and IL-38 Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft would display the evolving strength of Indian Navy.
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Keppel's Sea Apache delivered

Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited has delivered its Sea Apache vessel to Gulfmark Offshore Inc.

Delivery of the 139-tonne (152 ton) bollard pull Anchor Handling Tug/Supply (AHTS) was made on time and with a zero lost time safety record. Subsidiary Keppel Singmarine received a bonus of US$10,000 for the timely delivery. Choo Chiau Beng, Chairman/ CEO of Keppel Offshore & Marine, said, "We are pleased to announce that all our major projects for 2007 were delivered on time to our customers despite the tight labour market and equipment supply crunch. At the naming ceremony of the Sea Apache, Martin Watts, area director for Gulf Marine Far East, a subsidiary of Gulfmark, said, "Keppel has once again achieved a first class production of our vessel.” The Sea Apache is the second delivery of a new class of vessels. Four more deliveries are expected this year, all from Keppel Singmarine." Sea Apache is the second of a fleet of six vessels ordered by Gulfmark, which provides marine transportation services to the energy industry, primarily in the North Sea, Southeast Asia and the Americas.
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