Posidonia 2008 sees a sea of ‘green’ initiatives

Efforts taken by Global Maritime Community to reduce the impact on Sea and Air pollution is escalating day by day

With today’s World Environment Day high on the corporate social responsibility agenda of governments, companies and NGO’s from around the globe, ‘green’ business took centre stage at Posidonia 2008 today as the global maritime community is escalating its efforts to further reduce its impact on sea and air pollution. “While shipping’s CO2 footprint is a meagre 4.11 per cent of total emissions despite being accountable for a massive 90 per cent of the transportation of goods and raw materials worldwide, the industry continues to introduce innovative technologies and reinvent business practices in a joint effort to help protect the environment,” said Themistocles Vokos, Chairman, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A. the organiser of the world’s biggest and most international maritime event being held at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre (HEC) from June 2 – 6. “We are extremely honoured to see the large number of Posidonia 2008 exhibitors showcasing their systems and technology designed to protect the environment.”

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Garfish well spudded offshore Australia

AUSTRALIA: Nexus Energy has spudded the exploration well Garfish-1 using Seadrill jackup West Triton. The well will take around 14 days to reach the primary target and will be followed by two Longtom production wells in Longtom-4 and Longtom-5.

The Garfish-1 exploration well is in Production License VIC/L29 in the Gippsland Basin. The well was set in 13 and 3/8 inch casing after having reached a depth of 2,345 feet (714 m) true vertical depth, Over the next week a 8 1/2 inch hole will be drilled. The well is planned to reach a depth of 8,146 feet (2,482 m). The primary target of the Garfish-1 well will be to test a seismic anomaly which directly overlies the Longtom gas field. Similar seismic anomalies at Longtom have been shown to indicate the presence of gas bearing reservoir sands. Following the intersection of the primary target, the well will then be deepened to confirm that the main reservoir sands of the Longtom field extend to the western part of the VIC/L29 license area. The Garfish-1 exploration target is calculated to have a possible resource potential of 180 Bcf of gas. The well is expected to take approximately two weeks to reach the primary exploration target.

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Dalian to build Italy's largest vessel

Shanghai: Italian owner ILVA Servizi Marittimi Spa has ordered a 300,000 dwt Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) to be built at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry, that will be the largest ship ever built for the Italian flag.
The VLOC will be 321 m loa, 300,000 dwt and is due for delivery in 2011. It will be classed by RINA and be the largest vessel on the Italian classification society's books.The vessel is to be plan approved by RINA's recently expanded Shanghai Plan Approval Centre, and classification during construction will be by surveyors from RINA's Dalian Survey Station. Antonio Pingiori, RINA marine division md says, "We have invested heavily in people and tools in China, and built up relations with the shipyards. This major order is a step up in size for us and is the result of the work we have put in to building a solid, responsive technical presence in China. We have expanded our Shanghai Plan Approval Centre and invested in training Chinese experts in the use of our LEONARDO hull software, and expanded our presence close to the major yard groups. This will give owners confidence that we are able to work with the biggest shipyards and biggest vessels too." Italy-based ILVA has a fleet of 15 Italian-flag ships, all classed by RINA, and has a further 13 ships totalling 730,600 dwt on order, all to RINA class and all at Chinese yards.
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TSC in Yantai Raffles frame

Hong Kong-listed TSC Offshore Group has landed a framework deal to provide drilling equipment for rigs being built at the Yantai Raffles Shipyard in China.

TSC said in a statement it had signed a two-year master agreement to provide its drilling products to the shipyard. The deal is expected to be worth up to 589 million yuan in 2008 and 1.03 billion yuan in 2009. TSC said individual sales would be handled between its various subsidiaries and Yantai under the terms and conditions laid out in the master agreement. TSC units supply drilling control systems, mud-pumps, oilfield supplies and other equipment.
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Container transshipment emphasized at Xiamen Port

Xiamen port has taken a series of active measures with a view to improve its international container trans-shipment service and attracting more carriers from around the world.

The measures are to improve operation conditions, lower service charges and facilitate customs clearances. A new mode of customs monitor has also been adopted, under which first leg ships can be given paper release for loading as soon as the import processing is finished and the number of boxes to be unloaded determined. Consequently, ships will no longer need to wait until a tally report is presented at the end of unloading, which should save time and money for all parties concerned.
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Seaarland and OSG set up Suezmax pool

Amsterdam-based Seaarland Shipping Management and New York-based Overseas Shipholding Group have set up Suezmax International, a commercial pool that will initially operate eight tankers.

The Suezmax International Pool is co-managed by Seaarland Shipping Management in Amsterdam and OSG Ship Management in New York, USA. OSG and Seaarland have committed eight ships to the pool so far: the ‘ ‘Overseas London', ‘Overseas Newcastle', ‘Genmar Hope', ‘Elisewin', and four newbuildings due for delivery from Nantong Rongsheng Shipbuilding, China during 2009. Seaarland has also ordered three 165,000DWT Suezmax tankers on May 30, 2008 to be built at Hyundai Heavy Industries, South Korea, for delivery in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2011. The intention is to commit these ships to the new pool. "The Suezmax International pool will benefit our customers by providing a cohesive, high quality, competitively priced solution to their logistical requirements. Seaarland and OSG will benefit from improved scheduling and the bulk buying of goods and services including bunkers, agency and port expenses," said Antonio Zacchello, managing director of Seaarland Shipping Management. The Suezmax International pool will have two chartering offices.
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RINA Launches ILO Notation

RINA has introduced a new voluntary notation, which will help shipowners meet the new international standards for crew accommodation.

The notation, ILODESIGN will ensure compliance with the ship construction and accommodation layout and outfitting requirements of the new ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006. Roberto Cazzulo, deputy director of RINA’s marine division says, “Seafarers are the most important resource of shipowners, and good seafarers will become scarcer in the next few years. Owners who invest in ensuring that their crews are properly looked after will benefit by attracting and retaining higher quality crews. By ensuring that all new tonnage ordered now complies with the future requirements of this convention they will avoid costs of modification when the convention enters into force. This initiative is part of a drive by RINA to help shipowners better manage human resources, and it complements our focus on human factors and training, such as our new training academy in the Philippines.” The ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 sets minimum standards for the employment of seafarers. It also stipulates requirements for accommodation, recreational facilities, space, ventilation, lighting and sanitary conditions. It is expected to enter into force in 2012 and will replace all existing ILO agreements, and introduce a certification process.

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