Multraship refloats bulk carrier off Denmark

Leading salvage and towage company Multraship has successfully refloated the 74,403 DWT bulk carriers 'Trans Pacific' east of the island of Samso in the Danish Great Belt.

The 2004-built vessel was carrying a cargo of 68,978 tonnes of potash when it grounded on sand and gravel on January 27. On January 28, Multraship mobilized a salvage team and equipment, including a number of salvage tugs, divers, anti-pollution equipment, a bunker barge, and the Spliethoff vessel Alexandergracht. About 1,000 tonnes of bunkers were transferred to the bunker barges, while roughly 10,000 tonnes of the potash cargo was offloaded into the Alexandergracht. Working in appalling weather conditions, in driving rain and up to Force 11 winds, and with full co-operation from the Danish authorities, the salvage team refloated the vessel at high water late on the evening of February 6. The Trans Pacific was then towed to Kalundborg Roads, where a diving inspection is planned prior to reloading of the cargo.
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Galoc project still playing catch up

The schedule and budget of the Galoc oilfield project off the Philippines are still being assessed due to delays during the completion of the development wells.

The marginal project had already endured a recent budget increase of about US$18 million on the original $87 million project cost due to interruptions to the drilling program. The estimated project cost at the end of 2007 was $104 million, including contingencies. Additional delays were experienced during the completion of the wells, and "the impact on the project schedule and budget are still being assessed. First oil is expected in late March 2008, according to project operator Galoc Production Company, at a gross rate of 18,000 barrels of oil per day. Gaffney Cline at 23.4 million barrels of oil certifies proven plus probable reserves for the Galoc field off Palawan in Service Contract 14C. GPC owns 58% of the Galoc project on behalf of Vitol and Otto Energy. Other partners are Nido Petroleum (22%) and local Philippine companies (20%).
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Navy ship expected to leave port

A Royal Navy vessel moored in a port after its second mechanical failure in three weeks is due to depart.

HMS Illustrious is in Portland, Dorset, after a system separating oil from the ship's wastewater developed a fault. The ship first left Portsmouth on 21 January to carry out exercises in the Channel before its four-month diplomatic tour in the Indian Ocean. However, a faulty refrigeration unit meant it was forced back for repairs. It left again on 25 January. The visit to Portland was a planned trip despite the latest mechanical problems preventing the vessel returning to sea. In December 2004, HMS Illustrious returned to service after a £120m refit. The two-year revamp was designed to extend the working life of the 20,000-tonne ship by up to 10 years.
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Primo Cup 2008 marked out as a top level vintage

The 2008 Mediterranean regatta season has opened in style with the XXIV Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse.

From Ukraine to Ireland, Portugal to Greece, 205 competitors from 21 nations took part over the two weekends in the 13 classes (Dragon, Laser SB3, Platu 25, J24, Mumm 30, Smeralda 888, First 40.7, Star, Surprise, H22, Melges 24, Swan 42 and Melges 32). All faced weather conditions that were as testing on the nerves as they were on the body. More than 1000 sailors descended on the Principality of Monaco for three days of competition to be welcomed by capricious winds ranging from 5 to 20 knots, a strong chop and omnipresent sunshine. The annual rendezvous sponsored by clothing company SLAM lived up to its reputation. While the Dragons opened the ball on the first weekend with a record participation of 40 boats, including numerous Scandinavian and Ukranian teams, the second weekend was marked by a strong showing of the Bénéteau Platu 25 class (17 registered) and the internationalization of the Laser SB3, with nine nations represented. The race committee chaired by Thierry Leret kept the program going at a rhythm, which enabled participants to test new materials and train crewmembers at the start of the 2008 season.
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Two new container berths at Port of Xiamen commence operation

The expanded No 20 Berth and newly-built No 21 Berth at Xiamen's Dongdu port area have passed project completion inspection and have commenced operations as January came to a close.

The two berths are operated by the Xiamen International Trade Group Corp. The expanded No 20 berth can handle a 50,000-tonne containership, has a quay length of 355.2 metres and a water depth of 13.5 metres, costing CNY9.8 million (US$1.4 million) to build.The No 21 berth was a multi-use berth with a capacity of 20,000 tonnes. It has a quay length of 195 metres and a water depth of 13.5 metres.

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UN agency advances proposed cargo reform towards General Assembly approval

A Proposed United Nations standard shipping treaty will now do the rounds of member governments ahead of being submitted to the annual meeting of the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in June before it is brought to the General Assembly for approval later in the year.

If passed, reported the American Shipper, the UN treaty will likely bring amendment to national shipping laws which are passed based on previous international agreements. For example, the US Carriage of Goods at Sea Act, is based on the old Hague Rules, though other countries use a different form called the Hague-Visby rules and still others, have adopted the so-called Hamburg Rules.

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Melbourne dredging awaits okay from Labor environment-minister

The Port of Melbourne Corporation is keeping its fingers crossed that a controversial plan to dredge the shipping channel will receive approval from recently appointed Environment Minister Peter Garrett.

A spokeswoman said Mr Garrett has been locked in talks with advisers in Canberra to formulate the details for the A$1 billion (US$906.74 million) project's environmental management plan to ensure the 16 extra conditions he placed on the project will come to fruition, a report by the Melbourne Herald Sun said. The report said the delay in the dredging has cost the Port of Melbourne Corporation A$1 million so far amid calls from industry members to scrap all or part of the planned works. However, global port operator DP World, with five container terminals in Australia, is urging the project be given the green light, after its Australia managing director, Jack Williams, said further delay would leave Australia with infrastructure unable to meet international shipping needs.

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