Northrop Grumman awarded $15m naval contract

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. is being awarded a $15.4m cost-plus-award-fee modification under previously awarded contract to exercise an option to provide integration services for mission packages that will deploy from and integrate with the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

The contract comes from The Naval Sea Systems Command. This modification supports the Littoral Combat Ship, Mission Module Program Office, Program Executive Office, Littoral and Mine Warfare. LCS Mission Packages will be optimized for flexibility in the littorals. Work will be performed in Washington D.C., Bethpage, Panama City, Hollywood, San Diego and Dahlgren and is expected to be completed by September 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $113,338, will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

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SCI to acquire state-of-the-art 10 new ships

Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI) has placed orders for ten new ships aggregating $600 million, a top company official said.

The company has placed further orders for six more newbuilding tankers in August 2007. With this the company has an extremely healthy orderbook position with eighteen ships on order-including VLCCs ordered in FY 06. The state-of-the-art newbuilding ships, which are being built to the most modern and latest specifications are not only expected to augment the company's fleet but also bring in great improvement in the fleet in terms of quality.

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Crowley contracts for large, fast ATBs

Maritime Corporation's Vessel Management Services subsidiary has signed a contract with VT Halter Marine Inc. and Dakota Creek Shipyards to build three articulated tug-barge (ATB), 330,000-barrel tank vessels, the largest in the company's history and the fastest in their class.

The new vessels will be delivered in yearly intervals between the second half of 2011 and the first half of 2013. Once received, the three new Jones Act ATBs will be operated in the U.S. coastwise trade by Crowley's petroleum services segment. These three new vessels will bring Crowley's total ATB fleet to 17, including four 155,000-barrel and ten 185,000-barrel ATBs. The new ATBs will feature the latest systems technology and double-hull construction for maximum safety and reliability.

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Topaz wins US$ 210mln BP contract

BUE Caspian, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai-based Topaz Energy and Marine Ltd has announced that it has been awarded prestigious contracts for the provision of three offshore support vessels by BP Azerbaijan (AIOC).

The contracts are for firm periods ranging from 3 to 7 years, with extension options for a further three years. The initial investment of over USD 65 million in vessel construction brings to a total ten new build vessels mobilised to Azerbaijan within a five year period. The potential contract value is estimated to be in excess of USD 210 million assuming that all of the contract options are exercised.

Commenting on the contract Roy Donaldson, General Manager, BUE Caspian said the second deal BP Azerbaijan has awarded Alliance demonstrates the firm’s confidence in our capabilities. Under the terms of the agreement BUE Caspian will supply two Norwegian built Ulstein UT755L Platform Supply Vessels and one Fast Crew Boat presently under construction by Damen in Holland. The three new vessels will complement the existing offshore support fleet with supply and services to the newly constructed East Azeri, West Azeri and Deepwater Guneshli installations.

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Essar Shipping places $210 mn orders for bulk carriers

The Russia-owned Essar Shipping & Logistics (ESLL) has placed a mega order for constructing six bulk carriers with ABG Shipyard.

The Mumbai-based shipbuilder will construct six geared Supramax bulk carriers. The contract is valued at $210 million. The vessels with 54,000 dwt will be built at an estimated cost of $35 million each. These ships will be delivered between December 2009 and March 2011, and will be fitted with 36-tonne cranes with the grab. Essar Shipping, a subsidiary of ESLL, already owns and operates 27 ships including very large crude carriers, product tankers and bulk carriers. These vessels will be environment-friendly and comply with the stringent International Maritime Organization regulations.

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Iran warns India over pipeline deal

Iran warned India that it would sign a multi-billion dollar gas pipeline deal with Pakistan alone if New Delhi did not swiftly agree terms on transit pricing with Islamabad.

Iranian and Pakistani officials are holding a round of talks this week over finalising the long-delayed pipeline, which would see Iranian gas sent to Pakistan and to India via Pakistan. But Indian officials have been absent from the talks over the “peace pipeline” as Islamabad and New Delhi have yet to agree over the payment of transit fees by the latter. India had said on Tuesday it remained committed to the deal despite its not attending the new round of talks in Tehran. Discussions on the 7.4-billion-dollar project started in 1994, but have been held up by technical and commercial issues.

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Dubai issues Maritime City law

The Dubai Government has issued the Law No. (11) of 2007 establishing the Dubai Maritime City, which is to gradually incorporate the ship repair and maritime services companies located at Jadaf Dubai, a top official said.

According to the new law, the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) will be able to levy fees and register vessels and professionals in the maritime sector, set up a maritime arbitration centre as well as become a centre for marine insurance and re-insurance. The law, promulgated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, stipulates that the facility will be managed by the DMCA, which will be affiliated with the Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation.

According to the law, the DMCA shall aim to enhance the position of the Emirate and to make it a centre, without limitation, of the maritime services; maritime management; vessel and yacht registration; vessel and yacht ownership and charter; maritime and educational research; vessel and yacht design and building; maritime shipment organization; maritime exhibitions, conferences, training and workshops; maritime tourism; and maritime specialized arbitration. The law will further enhance the position of Dubai as a centre of maritime excellence, said Amir Ali, chief executive of Dubai Maritime City.

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