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.
Read More

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.
Read More

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.

Read More

GL Contracts Jack Up Platform Thor with Hellenic Shipyards

Hellenic Shipyards has secured a contract at Posidonia for the construction of a sea platform to accommodate offshore wind-parks for location in the Baltic and North Seas.

The classification of the 70 metre platform Thor has been entrusted to Germanischer Lloyd. Mr. Ioannis Manolemis, Member of Hellenic Shipyards Board of Directors, and Dr. Hermann J. Klein, Member of the Executive Board Germanischer Lloyd signed the contract today at Posidonia. The platform is 70 metres long, 40 metres wide, has a draft of 6 metres and can be operated in water depths of up to 50 metres. It has a crane of 400-tonnes lifting capacity. Each of the windmills on the platform produces between two and five megawatts of power. Delivery is scheduled for April 2009. Thor is designed to operate worldwide in harsh environmental limits, said Manolemis at the signing ceremony. The order is the first major commercial newbuilding order won by the largest shipyard in the area of the eastern Mediterranean in the last 22 years. The classification is performed according to the rules and principles set out in Germanischer Lloyd's construction rules.
Read More

Keppel lines up number six for ENSCO

Keppel FELS has landed yet another deepwater rig contract from Dallas-based ENSCO International Inc, in a deal worth $537m at Singapore.

The latest order, for the semisubmersible ENSCO 8500, is the sixth in a series and follows less than a month since the US driller inked the fifth such contract. The new unit is due for delivery during the first six months of 2012. Commenting on the latest deal, Daniel W Rabun, chairman, president and CEO of ENSCO, noted the importance of deepwater developments for the company. "We estimate that out deepwater fleet, including the 8500 Series semis, will contribute approximately 30% of out total revenue when in operation," he said. "We are pleased that Keppel FELS is constructing all six of our new semis," he continued. "We are benefiting from synergies associated with building all these rigs at one yard, and with a partner with whom we have a strong working relationship." The latest order comes against a backdrop of increasingly frenetic activity in the offshore sector. Record oil prices and the seemingly insatiable appetites of energy-hungry Asian economies are generating fresh demand for plant across the entire offshore sector.

Read More

Iran to put $120bn towards LNG production

Iran anticipates no problems securing investments to the tune of $120bn to become the world's top exporter of liquefied natural gas within the next 12 years, managing director of Iran LNG, Ali Kheirandish claims.

Iran "has no financing difficulties" and "has already secured $5bn in financing for investment from its own resources, partners and banks," Kheirandish is cited as having said at a project finance conference in Abu Dhabi. "Many financiers have come to us with very attractive offers and we expect a lot more banks to make offers," he added. Stating that Iran LNG is hoping to produce 80m tons of the gas annually by 2020, Kheirandish is reported as saying, "We could increase the level after that period but it will depend on the market and other conditions." The majority of Iran's LNG production is expected to be sold to Asia and Europe under long-term supply contracts and it is likely that the remaining LNG will find its way onto the spot market.

Read More