Austal USA has won a contract to design and build the US Department of Defence's next generation multi-use platform, the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion.
As the project's prime contractor, Austal will design and construct the first 103-metre JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between 2009 and 2013. Similar to the Austal-built 'WestPac Express' operated by the US Marines for the past seven years, the JHSV will be capable of transporting troops and their equipment, supporting humanitarian relief efforts, operating in shallow waters and reaching speeds in excess of 35 knots fully loaded. The vessels will be a joint-use platform operated by both the United States Army and Navy. “Austal is very proud to have been selected to build an important part of the US Navy's fleet,” said Austal Managing Director Bob Browning. The vessels will be built at Austal's US shipyard located in Mobile, Alabama, where work is continuing on the first phase of a new state-of-the-art Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF). Upon completion in mid-2009, the first half of the 70,000 square metre MMF will be available for the fabrication of all JHSV modules.
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Saturday, November 15, 2008
Dubai Maritime Week
Dubai Maritime City Authority has announced that it will organize the ‘Dubai Maritime Week’ starting from 2010, as part of a series of initiatives designed to support the development of the UAE and region’s maritime sector.
The region’s first-of-its-kind event will be co-organized by Dubai World Trade Centre, one of the largest exhibition organizers in the Middle East and owner of Dubai International Boat Show, the region’s largest and most prestigious boating event. The “Dubai Maritime Week” will include seminars, exhibitions, panel discussions and conferences relating to the global maritime industry. In addition, activities that allow Dubai’s entire community to participate will also be a feature of the Week, including maritime themed photography exhibitions, boat racing and more. Dubai Maritime City Authority aims to capitalizing on the strengths of Dubai as a regional and international hub for trade and commerce, by providing a strategic location for the full spectrum of maritime-related businesses, including maritime management, maritime services, maritime retail and recreation, maritime education and research, ship repair and maintenance, as well as yacht repair and maintenance through Dubai Maritime City.
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The region’s first-of-its-kind event will be co-organized by Dubai World Trade Centre, one of the largest exhibition organizers in the Middle East and owner of Dubai International Boat Show, the region’s largest and most prestigious boating event. The “Dubai Maritime Week” will include seminars, exhibitions, panel discussions and conferences relating to the global maritime industry. In addition, activities that allow Dubai’s entire community to participate will also be a feature of the Week, including maritime themed photography exhibitions, boat racing and more. Dubai Maritime City Authority aims to capitalizing on the strengths of Dubai as a regional and international hub for trade and commerce, by providing a strategic location for the full spectrum of maritime-related businesses, including maritime management, maritime services, maritime retail and recreation, maritime education and research, ship repair and maintenance, as well as yacht repair and maintenance through Dubai Maritime City.
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Shenzhen Qianhaiwan Bonded Port established
Shenzhen Qianhaiwan Bonded Port was formally approved by the State Council on October 18 as China’s ninth domestic bonded port.
The new bonded port is planned at 3.71 square kilometres. Within the port area, business operations such as international transit, distribution, procurement, trade as well as export processing, will be entirely subject to tax revenue and foreign exchange management policies applicable for foreign goods in either a free trade zone or an export processing zone. Following stipulations by the State Council, this bonded port will be in enclosed management, with quarantine and inspection facilities constructed in accordance with relevant provisions by the Customs on special-supervision areas.
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The new bonded port is planned at 3.71 square kilometres. Within the port area, business operations such as international transit, distribution, procurement, trade as well as export processing, will be entirely subject to tax revenue and foreign exchange management policies applicable for foreign goods in either a free trade zone or an export processing zone. Following stipulations by the State Council, this bonded port will be in enclosed management, with quarantine and inspection facilities constructed in accordance with relevant provisions by the Customs on special-supervision areas.
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COSCO Dalian opts for CMMS on more tanker newbuildings
COSCO Dalian, the liquid bulk arm of Cosco Group which operates 40 tankers including 12 VLCCs, has decided to install computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) on eight more of its newbuildings to be delivered 2009-10.
The latest contract for AMOS Maintenance & Purchase software supplied by SpecTec follows an earlier contract to install the same software on 11 newbuildings. Mr Zhao Jinwen, Director of the Technical Department of COSCO Dalian, signed the contract with James de Vroome, EVP of SpecTec APAC, in Dalian last week.
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The latest contract for AMOS Maintenance & Purchase software supplied by SpecTec follows an earlier contract to install the same software on 11 newbuildings. Mr Zhao Jinwen, Director of the Technical Department of COSCO Dalian, signed the contract with James de Vroome, EVP of SpecTec APAC, in Dalian last week.
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Gulf cruise sector to double by 2010
International cruise operators to dock in the Gulf, keen to capitalize on new cruise destinations-region expected to handle 400,000 passengers by 2010.
A top-flight delegation of international, regional and local cruise executives is due in Dubai next month to take part in the sixth Seatrade Middle East Cruise Conference - the region's premier maritime forum which takes place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on 14-16 December. Senior management from AIDA, Carnival, Costa, Holland America, Louis, MSC Cruises, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Saga, Seabourn and Silversea and are among the participants, an international who’s who in the cruise sector, underscoring the high level of interest shown in the Gulf as a cruise hub. On the agenda are topics ranging from sourcing passengers from the region, what cruise lines are looking for in shore excursions, port and terminal development, the role of cruise tourism in broadening the region’s inbound tourism mix, and the growth of the Gulf as a major destination for winter cruising. The latter was boosted recently with the announcement by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines that it will base the 1050-cabin ‘Brilliance of the Seas’ in Dubai in winter 2010, operating a series of week-long cruises between January and April that will enhance the Gulf’s visibility as a hub.
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A top-flight delegation of international, regional and local cruise executives is due in Dubai next month to take part in the sixth Seatrade Middle East Cruise Conference - the region's premier maritime forum which takes place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on 14-16 December. Senior management from AIDA, Carnival, Costa, Holland America, Louis, MSC Cruises, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Saga, Seabourn and Silversea and are among the participants, an international who’s who in the cruise sector, underscoring the high level of interest shown in the Gulf as a cruise hub. On the agenda are topics ranging from sourcing passengers from the region, what cruise lines are looking for in shore excursions, port and terminal development, the role of cruise tourism in broadening the region’s inbound tourism mix, and the growth of the Gulf as a major destination for winter cruising. The latter was boosted recently with the announcement by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines that it will base the 1050-cabin ‘Brilliance of the Seas’ in Dubai in winter 2010, operating a series of week-long cruises between January and April that will enhance the Gulf’s visibility as a hub.
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Cruise liners to set sail from Kochi
Kochi Port has made its first major breakthrough in its ambitions to emerge as India’s foremost cruise destination with AIDA Cruises of Germany.
It has expressed its satisfaction over the facilities at Kochi for adopting it as a home port for the operation of its prestigious liner AIDA Cara. AIDA Cruises is expected to begin its operations out of Kochi from next October with a first sail to Phuket in Thailand. AIDA Cara is a liner that has regularly called at Kochi, Port Trust sources said. Several other cruise companies are also in talks with Kochi Port for making it the turnaround port for some of their liners. Cochin Port Trust Chairman N. Ramachandran told media persons on Wednesday that negotiations on having major cruise operators working out of Kochi had progressed smoothly. He said that having home port status would give a quantum boost to the tourism industry in the State. Kochi becoming a home port means there will be tourists coming in chartered flights to join a cruise trip or even a significant number of tourists ending their cruises here in Kochi.
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It has expressed its satisfaction over the facilities at Kochi for adopting it as a home port for the operation of its prestigious liner AIDA Cara. AIDA Cruises is expected to begin its operations out of Kochi from next October with a first sail to Phuket in Thailand. AIDA Cara is a liner that has regularly called at Kochi, Port Trust sources said. Several other cruise companies are also in talks with Kochi Port for making it the turnaround port for some of their liners. Cochin Port Trust Chairman N. Ramachandran told media persons on Wednesday that negotiations on having major cruise operators working out of Kochi had progressed smoothly. He said that having home port status would give a quantum boost to the tourism industry in the State. Kochi becoming a home port means there will be tourists coming in chartered flights to join a cruise trip or even a significant number of tourists ending their cruises here in Kochi.
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Crisis will not hit LNG projects says Woodside
Despite the financial crisis liquefied natural gas demand is still expanding and the market for the super cooled gas will not impede Woodside’s projects, the Australian giant’s marketing president said.
Speaking at Woodside’s investor briefing, Reinhardt Matisons, cited an independent forecast from energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, saying that LNG demand is forecast to expand by 7% per year to 2020, edging down slightly from last year. “That means the current market of 180 million tonnes per annum would grow to about 400 million tonnes per annum by 2020,” he said. Matisons explained that while traditional LNG importers such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan would underpin Woodside’s new projects such as Pluto and Sunrise, demand from China and India was also strong. “These markets can absorb any surplus LNG that comes into the market and thus keep the market really tight for the foreseeable future,” said Matisons. “Notwithstanding the financial crisis, we still see a good strong, long-term market for our LNG. Put that another way – the market won't hold up our projects,” he added.
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Speaking at Woodside’s investor briefing, Reinhardt Matisons, cited an independent forecast from energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, saying that LNG demand is forecast to expand by 7% per year to 2020, edging down slightly from last year. “That means the current market of 180 million tonnes per annum would grow to about 400 million tonnes per annum by 2020,” he said. Matisons explained that while traditional LNG importers such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan would underpin Woodside’s new projects such as Pluto and Sunrise, demand from China and India was also strong. “These markets can absorb any surplus LNG that comes into the market and thus keep the market really tight for the foreseeable future,” said Matisons. “Notwithstanding the financial crisis, we still see a good strong, long-term market for our LNG. Put that another way – the market won't hold up our projects,” he added.
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