Shanghai: Chinese shipbuilder Guangzhou Shipyard International has reported 27.56% jump in revenue to 3.077bn Yuan ($450m) for the first half of 2008 as well as a corresponding 14.62% increase in year on year profits to 533.13m Yuan.
In the first six months of this year, the builder completed construction of nine vessels of an estimated cumulative cargo capacity of 283,000tons of cargos and delivered seven ships. It also commenced building nine new vessels including a few 51,800dwt oil tankers. During that period, it won new orders for five ships of 80,500dwt in total, bringing its orderbook to 65 vessels.
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Proposal on Ship Speeds in Whale Areas
The Department of Commerce proposed to limit oceangoing ship speeds to 10 knots within 20 nautical miles of the Atlantic ports along migration routes of the endangered right whale.
The recommendations, in an environmental impact statement, reduced the geographic scope of the protections that were proposed two years ago but left the original speed limits intact. Release of the recommendation for seasonal restrictions on the speed of commercial vessels heading in and out of ports from New York to Savannah, Ga., clears the way for possible final adoption of these mandates. On average, about one to two right whales died in collisions with seagoing ships annually from 1997 to 2001. The animals give birth to their calves off the Florida coast in the winter and then migrate north, through heavily trafficked shipping areas, to feeding grounds off New England. The decision was greeted with little enthusiasm by environmentalists, who felt that it did not sufficiently protect the whales. The World Shipping Council, which represents commercial shippers, was also cool to the final speed limit, but the area covered in the recommendation did follow what it had sought. In its 2006 comments on the proposed rule, the trade group argued against a 30-nautical-mile buffer, saying that limit was unwarranted. The group said “the extra cost burden on liner shipping would be reduced by half” with a limit of 20 nautical miles.
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The recommendations, in an environmental impact statement, reduced the geographic scope of the protections that were proposed two years ago but left the original speed limits intact. Release of the recommendation for seasonal restrictions on the speed of commercial vessels heading in and out of ports from New York to Savannah, Ga., clears the way for possible final adoption of these mandates. On average, about one to two right whales died in collisions with seagoing ships annually from 1997 to 2001. The animals give birth to their calves off the Florida coast in the winter and then migrate north, through heavily trafficked shipping areas, to feeding grounds off New England. The decision was greeted with little enthusiasm by environmentalists, who felt that it did not sufficiently protect the whales. The World Shipping Council, which represents commercial shippers, was also cool to the final speed limit, but the area covered in the recommendation did follow what it had sought. In its 2006 comments on the proposed rule, the trade group argued against a 30-nautical-mile buffer, saying that limit was unwarranted. The group said “the extra cost burden on liner shipping would be reduced by half” with a limit of 20 nautical miles.
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Noble Denton secures US$3.5 million vessel design deal
Global offshore and marine consulting firm Noble Denton, UK, has secured a major contract to carry out detailed design work for a new elevated support vessel.
The deal with Gulf Marine Services in Abu Dhabi, is worth approximately US$3.5 million and involves the preparation of a design package and license for a multi-purpose self-propelled jack-up vessel, the ‘Gusto MSC NG-2500X’. The full detailed engineering work will be carried out by the company’s subsidiary ODL from its Sharjah base and work on the primary structure is already underway. The contract is a contributory factor in Noble Denton’s expansion in Sharjah where employee numbers will grow to 100 this year. The NG-2500X is designed to perform field moves and jacking operations without tug assistance. The current design is intended for well services, repair and maintenance, installation and decommissioning projects. It has accommodation for 150 personnel, has a 280-tonne crane and can operate in 60 metres of water. The unit will be built in compliance with ABS regulations and Panama Flag and to full North Sea specifications. Hull construction will take place in China and will take approximately nine months to finish. The vessel will then be completed in the UAE at GMS own facility.
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The deal with Gulf Marine Services in Abu Dhabi, is worth approximately US$3.5 million and involves the preparation of a design package and license for a multi-purpose self-propelled jack-up vessel, the ‘Gusto MSC NG-2500X’. The full detailed engineering work will be carried out by the company’s subsidiary ODL from its Sharjah base and work on the primary structure is already underway. The contract is a contributory factor in Noble Denton’s expansion in Sharjah where employee numbers will grow to 100 this year. The NG-2500X is designed to perform field moves and jacking operations without tug assistance. The current design is intended for well services, repair and maintenance, installation and decommissioning projects. It has accommodation for 150 personnel, has a 280-tonne crane and can operate in 60 metres of water. The unit will be built in compliance with ABS regulations and Panama Flag and to full North Sea specifications. Hull construction will take place in China and will take approximately nine months to finish. The vessel will then be completed in the UAE at GMS own facility.
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
US containers screened at Karachi
US Customs has begun talks with Pakistan on expanding a pilot program for 100 per cent screening of all US-bound containers at the port of Karachi.
The success of similar exercise at the nearby Port of Qasim is believed to have prompted the US authorities to initiate the talks for Karachi port. The Port of Qasim was one of the seven ports that the US Congress wanted included in the secure freight initiative project of the US Customs & Border Protection agency, which has submitted two reports suggesting that 100 per cent screening is possible only at ports with low volumes to the US. Port of Qasim is one such port and among others are Southampton and Puerto Cortes in Honduras. But at ports handling larger volumes for the US, taking X-rays and radiation readings of every container is not practical because of the expense and logistical challenges of setting up inspection zones in ports without disrupting normal cargo flows.
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The success of similar exercise at the nearby Port of Qasim is believed to have prompted the US authorities to initiate the talks for Karachi port. The Port of Qasim was one of the seven ports that the US Congress wanted included in the secure freight initiative project of the US Customs & Border Protection agency, which has submitted two reports suggesting that 100 per cent screening is possible only at ports with low volumes to the US. Port of Qasim is one such port and among others are Southampton and Puerto Cortes in Honduras. But at ports handling larger volumes for the US, taking X-rays and radiation readings of every container is not practical because of the expense and logistical challenges of setting up inspection zones in ports without disrupting normal cargo flows.
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Brilliant year for Dalian
China’s largest crude oil terminal Dalian Port Co. rose the most in five months in Hong Kong trading after boosting its first half profit by 70 percent.
Dalian rose as much as 9.1 percent to US 54cents and traded at US 52cents this morning before 11 am. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 2.7 percent. “Dalian Port’s profit growth will be sustainable if oil prices fall in the second half and oil imports rise at a fast pace,” Roslyn Ji an analyst from Core Pacific-Yamaichi International told, referring to the 44 percent of first-half sales from handling oil and liquefied chemicals. Dalian Port reported a net income increase of US$32.08 million late last week. Gross profit rose 13 percent to US$57.6 million.
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Dalian rose as much as 9.1 percent to US 54cents and traded at US 52cents this morning before 11 am. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 2.7 percent. “Dalian Port’s profit growth will be sustainable if oil prices fall in the second half and oil imports rise at a fast pace,” Roslyn Ji an analyst from Core Pacific-Yamaichi International told, referring to the 44 percent of first-half sales from handling oil and liquefied chemicals. Dalian Port reported a net income increase of US$32.08 million late last week. Gross profit rose 13 percent to US$57.6 million.
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Big maritime art show in Melbourne
The Mission to Seafarers Victoria will be once again hosting its annual ANL Maritime Art Prize competition and exhibition.
The exhibition promotes excellence in maritime and seafaring subjects in art. Over 100 works will be exhibited this year at the historic seafarers centre located in Docklands. Responding to the theme “The relationship between humanity and the sea”, the artists have created a collection comprising both contemporary and traditional artwork that will be available for public viewing. The Mission to Seafarers is an international mission of the Anglican Church which cares for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths. There are 230 Mission sites around the world and four centres in Victoria. Working round the year, chaplains, staff and other volunteers manage "drop-in" centres called Flying Angel Clubs in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings that offer a safe and secure place where seafarers receive counselling and support. Approximately 1,000 seafarers a month rely on the services provided by the Mission and funding is predominately raised through the shipping industry’s support of events like the annual ANL Maritime Art Prize. Major Sponsors in 2008 are ANL, ASP Ship Management, Stolt-Nielsen and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
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The exhibition promotes excellence in maritime and seafaring subjects in art. Over 100 works will be exhibited this year at the historic seafarers centre located in Docklands. Responding to the theme “The relationship between humanity and the sea”, the artists have created a collection comprising both contemporary and traditional artwork that will be available for public viewing. The Mission to Seafarers is an international mission of the Anglican Church which cares for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths. There are 230 Mission sites around the world and four centres in Victoria. Working round the year, chaplains, staff and other volunteers manage "drop-in" centres called Flying Angel Clubs in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings that offer a safe and secure place where seafarers receive counselling and support. Approximately 1,000 seafarers a month rely on the services provided by the Mission and funding is predominately raised through the shipping industry’s support of events like the annual ANL Maritime Art Prize. Major Sponsors in 2008 are ANL, ASP Ship Management, Stolt-Nielsen and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
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ArcelorMittal invests $850m in Brazilian mine and port
London: Indian-born Lakshmi Mittal has signed an $850.5m agreement that will see the world's biggest steelmaker ArcelorMittal, acquire an iron-ore mine and develop a port in Brazil.
ArcelorMittal, which stated that it will pay London Mining Plc about $810m for the mine, may invest up to $700m to raise output to more than 10m tons per year from its current production of approximately 3m tonnes. The company added that it will also take an 80% stake in a port in Rio de Janeiro for $40.5m and will develop the facility with Canada's Adriana Resources Inc. The development of the port in Sepetiba Bay to handle the increased export volumes is expected to cost about $250m. Construction is slated to start in the final quarter of 2008 and is expected to take between 18 months and two years to complete, with further expansion on the cards in the following five years. The move would not only help expand ArcelorMittal's raw-material supplies at a time when prices of iron ore and coal are extremely high, but the port link would also help the company increase its self sufficiency.
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ArcelorMittal, which stated that it will pay London Mining Plc about $810m for the mine, may invest up to $700m to raise output to more than 10m tons per year from its current production of approximately 3m tonnes. The company added that it will also take an 80% stake in a port in Rio de Janeiro for $40.5m and will develop the facility with Canada's Adriana Resources Inc. The development of the port in Sepetiba Bay to handle the increased export volumes is expected to cost about $250m. Construction is slated to start in the final quarter of 2008 and is expected to take between 18 months and two years to complete, with further expansion on the cards in the following five years. The move would not only help expand ArcelorMittal's raw-material supplies at a time when prices of iron ore and coal are extremely high, but the port link would also help the company increase its self sufficiency.
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