Puffin delivers first crude cargo

AED Oil's wholly owned Puffin oil project delivered its first crude cargo of 328,000 barrels of oil.

The crude cargo was lifted from floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel Front Puffin to trading tanker Mayon Spirit. The API gravity for the crude cargo was calculated at 43.6, which corresponds with the previously published API. The next offtake from Puffin is now scheduled for mid-November. AED is completing the commissioning of the production facility, which was put on hold leading up to the offloading. The wells will be tested and oil production optimized after completing the commissioning. Drilling on Puffin-10, first began on Oct. 12, is expected to be complete by mid December.

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Ship flying SAR flag seized with US$2b cocaine

A container ship which was involved in Mexico's biggest cocaine bust is not registered in Hong Kong though it was flying the SAR flag when seized, police said on Friday.

Mexican authorities have so far found 26 tonnes of cocaine worth US$2 billion onboard the Esmeralda after it arrived in the country from Colombia. The head of the Hong Kong police narcotics bureau, chief superintendent Peter Else, said a check with the registry of shipping showed no record of a ship registered under the name of Esmeralda. Police and marines discovered the first cache of 11 tonnes of cocaine on Tuesday after the ship had arrived from Buenaventura in Colombia. The statement said the cocaine was found in more than 21,000 packages and that authorities were still searching the vessel for more drugs. The Mexican government called it the largest drug seizure in the country's history.

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Noel ‘no threat’ to Sable output

Production at the Sable natural gas project in the North Atlantic off the Canadian province of Nova Scotia is not expected to be hampered by the remnants of Hurricane Noel.

Noel, whose intense rains are blamed for as many as 100 deaths in the Dominican Republic this week, is forecast to become an intense extra-tropical storm and pass over Nova Scotia by late this weekend, according to private forcaster DTN Meteorlogix. The Sable project, which lies 250 kilometres south-east of Halifax, Nova Scotia, produces more than 400 million cubic feet a day. The gas is shipped to Atlantic Canada and New England. Sable's other partners are Shell, Imperial Oil, Pengrowth Energy Trust and Mosbacher Operating.

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Tata NYK to induct 10 more dry bulk carriers

Singapore-based Tata NYK Shipping Pte Ltd, the 50:50 joint venture shipping firm set up by the world's sixth biggest crude steel maker, Tata Steel Ltd, and Japanese shipping major NYK Line, will expand its fleet by inducting 10 more bulk carriers to meet rising demand for shipping cargo into and out of India.

The joint venture started commercial operations in May and currently operates a fleet of six vessels, including four Handymax carriers and two Panamax vessels. The joint venture was set up to ship bulk cargo such as coal, iron ore, bauxite and steel arriving in and departing from Indian shores. Officials also said the shipping firm would cater to the needs of Tata Steel for moving raw materials and finished steel. The ships operated by Tata NYK are registered in Panama or Singapore, and fly the flags of these countries where the tax regime is conducive for shipowners.

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90 boats nominated for Rolex Sydney Hobart Race 2007

This year Sydney will witness more participation for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia announced a larger than anticipated fleet of 90 yachts has been nominated for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2007, Australia’s premier bluewater event. Once again the heavier classic yachts from a bygone era of boat building will line up with the sleek and modern on 26 December when the start of the iconic yacht race will showcase Sydney Harbour to the world for the 63rd time.

One of the stand out features of this year’s line up is the number of international entries, in particular the six UK entries, the largest British contingent in recent times. The Rolex Sydney Hobart 2007 fleet will represent the USA, UK, New Zealand and Mexico as well as every Australian state and the ACT. The first lead up regatta to the Boxing Day start will be the Rolex Trophy One Design Series from 7-9 December followed by the spectacular SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on Tuesday 11 December and finally, the Rolex Trophy Rating Series, an exciting preview to the handicap form guide for the Rolex Sydney Hobart, from 13-16 December.

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Astute' submarine takes first deep plunge

The Royal Navy's newest and most advanced nuclear submarine, 'Astute', is taking her first dive for an underwater test of her systems.

The 'Trim and Basin Dive' is taking place in Devonshire Dock, Barrow and involves submerging 'Astute' in a dive hole large enough for the 100 metre-long, 7,400 tonne boat. The dive is the first time that the submarine has been fully submerged, and provides the opportunity to test the submarine's underwater stability and systems.

Tests include trials of various boat systems and equipment including the mechanism that releases an emergency buoy, the emergency escape tower, and various hydraulics and electrical systems. Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said this is an important step on the road to preparing 'Astute' for service. These submarines are hugely impressive vessels, and will provide the Royal Navy with a world class capability. After completing the dive, 'Astute' will be docked and taken back into Devonshire Dock Hall. The next stage will be to calculate her stability, weight and buoyancy.

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Euroseas Ltd. takes delivery of 15th vessel

Euroseas Ltd., an owner and operator of drybulk carriers and container ships and provider of seaborne transportation for drybulk and containerized cargos has taken delivery of the M/V Trust Jakarta, to be renamed Ioanna P, a Panamax drybulk vessel of 64,873 dwt built in 1984 in Japan.

The vessel was acquired for approximately $28.6 million and was delivered with a time charter attached until July 2008 at a rate of $35,500 per day. On the basis of fixed spot and existing time charters approximately 92% of the vessel capacity in the fourth quarter of 2007 and approximately 46% in 2008 are fixed, which will help protect from market fluctuations.

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