Seismic vessel 'WG Columbus' launched at H J Barreras

Shipyard Hijos de J. Barreras has launched the ‘WG Columbus', a seismic vessel built for the UK-based WesternGeco Company in Spain.

The newly launched vessel is the first of a series of four. WesternGeco is the world's largest geophysical services company. Services range from 3D and time-lapse (4D) seismic surveys to multicomponent surveys for delineating prospects and reservoir management. The new vessel, along with three vessels to be built, is designed to prospect oilfields in any place in the world. ‘WG Columbus' has a length of 88.8 metres with a 19-metre beam. The outer look of the new vessel has an innovative design to its bow, called an inverted bow: the stem is developed opposite to conventional vessels. The control equipment of the seismic vessel contains state-of-the-art equipment, and the vessel has advanced dynamic positioning equipment. The diesel/electric propelling plant has been specially designed to make the fast-response compatible with smooth movements of the vessel. It has six main generator sets of 1,710kW each consisting of a 1000rpm, 1,800kW diesel engine. ‘WG Columbus' has a heliport and accommodation space for 69 people. The vessel was built in compliance with the regulations and under special monitoring by DNV, in order to achieve level + 1A1 SF, EO, DYNPOS-AUTR, CLEAN DESING, COMF-V839, ICE-C, NAUT-AW, and HELDK.
Read More

World Ocean Council launches 'Corporate Ocean Responsibility'

An inaugural World Ocean Council meeting will take place in New York at the end of this month to hammer out a collaborative 'Corporate Ocean Responsibility' approach toward improving the health of the marine environment.

The workshop will be kicked off by Georg Kell, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact and Vaclav Mikulka, Director of the United Nations Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea. “The world’s oceans are at risk. The health of the seas depends on developing a more comprehensive approach to sustainability and stewardship by business. A growing number of companies are trying to be responsible, but collective efforts beyond those of a few companies or even a whole sector are needed to address the combined effects on the global ocean ecosystem,” said Paul Holthus, Executive Director of the World Ocean Council. The World Ocean Council will convene ocean industry sustainability leaders on June 24 and June 25. Interested companies interested are invited to contact the Council. A special seminar outlining the growing collaboration on ocean sustainability issues will be held on June 25 as part of the annual UN consultations on oceans. At this event, leadership companies will have the opportunity to familiarize NGOs, governments and international agencies with their marine environmental programs.

Read More

Polish Register launches loading software

The Polish Shipping Register has launched a software package to enable quick and accurate assessments of a ship’s loading condition and consequent stability and strength.

PR claims its StabPRS software represents a major advance in processing data to provide day to day onboard assistance in operating vessels safely. The program calculates the effects of changes in the ship’s loading condition, updates the stability parameters, presents risk levels and predicts likely outcomes. This enables master and crew to take the necessary remedial action. StabPRS calculates traditional stability, shear forces and bending moments, and verifies cargo weight, using draft marks data. The package’s options include verifying wave generated forces affecting heavy cargo lashings; simulating cargo handling by deck cranes and predicting the heel angle of every cargo handling process; planning optimal routes in given wave conditions; and warning crew about exceeding allowable strength and stability parameters. The program operates whether the ship is intact or damaged. For example, it calculates damage stability and hull strength when up to several compartments are flooded.
Read More

UAE companies shared limelight at Posidonia 2008

Dubai Maritime City, a prime sponsor of this year's Posidonia, professed itself more than happy with the four-day event which drew a record attendance of more than 18,000 visitors.

The city was joined at the show by other prominent UAE organizations such as the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority, Sharjah Ports, Drydocks World Dubai, GMMOS Group and NICO International in promoting the Gulf region’s transformation into a sophisticated global port of call. “Posidonia provided the perfect platform for Dubai Maritime City to raise its profile to the international arena, " said Nawfal Al Jourani, chief marketing officer of DMC. "The global shipping industry recognises the importance of the Middle Eastern corridor, given its strategic location at the middle of major Eastern and Western shipping lanes.” More than 80 countries and territories were represented at the five-day industry event, which attracted 21 national pavilions. DMC used the event to officially launch the 'Maritime Centre' focal point of the 2.27m sq mtr development, intended to launch shipping company headquarters and regional offices in five high-rise towers. Authorities from neighbouring emirate Sharjah were also happy with the show. Hamriyah FZ is the largest free zone in Sharjah, currently covering 23m sq mtr and housing more than 2,700 companies from over 108 countries. Its attractions include 'zero taxation' benefits: no corporate tax, no income tax and no customs duty.

Read More

Yang Ming's largest container ship calls SCT on maiden voyage

The ‘YM Uberty’, an 8,200TEU newbuilding, called at Shekou Container Terminals (SCT) in Shenzhen, China, on her maiden voyage recently.

The new vessel is the largest among those of Yang Ming that have ever berthed SCT. Yang Ming has been in strategic partnership with SCT for more than ten years, and now, there have been ten services of Yang Ming calling SCT. The ‘YM Uberty’ and seven other sister vessels are being deployed on Yang Ming's AES3 service to replace four existing 4,500TEU vessels, the statement said. SCT has been seeing steady growth of box volume in recent years and that of the first quarter doubled in the first quarter of this year. Capacity of the container terminal is still expanding and the No. 8 and No. 9 berths will be completed in the next two years.
Read More

DP World acquires Chennai Port Container Terminal

DP World has confirmed the company's 100 per cent ownership of the container terminal at Chennai Port.

It is completing the buyout of its partners' shareholdings in Chennai Container Terminal Chettinad Logistics (20 per cent stake) and the Jakari Group (5 percent stake). DP World's focus on expansion of its terminal business in Chennai combined with a strong growth trend in South Indian trade and the partners' desire to reinvest resources in their respective core businesses were the main drivers of this decision. The price of the buyout was not disclosed. "The move to 100 per cent ownership reflects the great commitment and belief by DP World in the terminal development in particular and to the employees of Chennai Container Terminal, " said CEO of Chennai Container Terminal Ennarasu Karunesan said.
Read More

Posidonia 2008: A success beyond any doubt

This year’s Posidonia proved to be more than a handful as usual for most professionals in the maritime industry.

With more than 17,000 visitors, a record since the fair is beginning some decades ago, Posidonia 2008 lived up to the expectations. Special events were held, with classification societies and Asian shipyards proving to be among the most active exhibitors, at least in terms of announcements made and deals closed. DNV for instance announced a series of initiatives, not to mention the small event held at its stand, in order to give away the “Green Award Certification” to Aegean Bulk’s M.V. Afovos. It was the first time that this prestigious award, is being handed out for a bulk carrier, currently operating in the fleet of Aegean Bulk and classed by DNV. Germanischer Lloyd also announced a series of deals, among which was the use of CO2 index, a special tool provided by the group, by Costamare, headed by Cpt. Vassilis Constantakopoulos. But classification societies weren’t the only ones. Dozens of service providing companies were also at center stage of Posidonia, showcasing their products and meeting with potential customers. After all, that’s the purpose of every fair and this proved to be right also for Posidonia this year.
Read More