daily collection of mar itime press clippings 2014 –...

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 119

Distribution : daily to 29275+ active addresses 29-04-2014

Number 119 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Tuesday 29-04-2014

News reports received from readers and Internet News articles copied from various news sites.

On Sunday 27 April 2014 world safety day was held on the AWB Lancelot. As seen from the starboard FRC the spectators enjoying the man over board exercise demonstration.

Photo : via Capt. Peter Lankester - Master DP3 AWB Lancelot

http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/�

http://www.saveourseafarers.com/�

http://www.fairmount.nl/�



EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS Your feedback is important to me so please drop me an email if you have any photos or

articles that may be of interest to the maritime interested people at sea and ashore PLEASE SEND ALL PHOTOS / ARTICLES TO :

[email protected]

If you don't like to receive this bulletin anymore : To unsubscribe click here (English version) or visit the subscription page on our website.

http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/uitschrijven.aspx?lan=en-US

Brand new "LEVERKUSEN EXPRESS " off Cuxhaven. The vessel came back from it's maiden voyage to Hamburg on a misty day. Photo : Maik Ebel (c)

Grieving families angry they can't see full report on Lamma ferry disaster

Grieving relatives of the 39 people killed in one of Hong Kong's deadliest maritime disasters have accused the government of dragging its feet in the quest to find out who was responsible. Two days after the partial release of a 430-page internal probe that uncovered "suspected criminality'' and identified misconduct on the part of 17 unnamed Marine Department officials, relatives of those killed in the Lamma ferry tragedy on October 1, 2012, left a meeting with top government officials disappointed. Relatives want to see the full report. They have been denied that amid Department of Justice concerns the information the report contains could compromise the ongoing criminal prosecution of the captains of the two ferries and possible future criminal proceedings.

After meeting Secretary for Transport and Housing Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung yesterday, the families, who have offered to sign confidentiality agreements in order to see the full report, said they would, as a last resort, back a move to invoke the Legislative Council's special powers to get to the truth. One relative, who would only give her surname, Chan, said: "I don't want to still be unable to tell the deceased why the ship sank so quickly when I visit

mailto:[email protected]�

http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/uitschrijven.aspx?lan=en-US�


http://www.pimsmultimodal.com/�



their grave in 10 years." She said she accepted that she would have to wait until after the criminal investigation to see the report. But she added she could not understand why she needed to wait until the end of the disciplinary hearings. Irene Cheng, whose son died in the tragedy, accused Cheung of failing to keep an earlier promise that the report would not be kept under wraps. "We have already missed the best time to invoke the [special powers] ordinance," she said. "We were too quiet in the beginning.'' The relatives are due to meet Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung on May 15. The families said they would not attend unless Democratic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun, who represents most of them, and other legal representatives could be with them. To was excluded from the meeting on Thursday where Cheung briefed families on the summary of the report. Cheung said Director of Public Prosecutions Keith Yeung Kar-hung would attend a Legco meeting on Monday to explain the decision to not disclose the full report. He reiterated that the release of the full report could pose a risk to criminal investigations. Yuen said he hoped lawmakers would consider carefully the impact of obtaining the full report through Legco's special powers because the scope of the investigation was wide. Source : South China Morning Post

International Company managing and operating self propelled Jack Up rigs working worldwide, seeks suitably experienced Captains, Chief Engineers, Officers, Engineers and Crew to join their expanding fleet. Interested applicants must have valid STCW

Certification, are invited to submit their latest updated CVs to : [email protected]

The CITY OF SHANGHAI in Rio Grande – Photo : Marcelo Vieira (c)

Lifeboat called out after boat skipper severs a finger off South Devon

TORBAY Lifeboat was called out when a man lost his finger in an accident on a yacht sailing in Lyme Bay.

The 40ft Shequel raised the alarm after the accident on Saturday and the all weather boat was sent out to the stricken sailor just before 5pm after weather conditions worsened. Portland Coastguard were co-ordinating the rescue and sent the Portland Coastguard Helicopter to pick up the injured seaman from the lifeboat. A Brixham Coastguard spokesman said: "The Shequel had four people on board. The skipper from the Hampshire area severed a finger while they were in Lyme Bay.Source : torquayheraldexpress




2015 a big year for cruise industry Turns out 2015 is a big year for the cruising industry with two major lines celebrating milestone birthdays. In addition to Cunard, which fetes its 175th anniversary next year, Princess Cruises will also mark its 50th anniversary and has launched a special commemorative itinerary to Mexico that will retrace its maiden journey with ports of call to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Manzanillo.

The PACIFIC PRINCESS – Photo : Peter Szamosi (c)

New destinations like La Paz and Loreto have also been added. The 14-day cruise will depart December 3 — 50 years to the day after the line’s original ship, the Princess Patricia, set sail in 1965. This time, guests will board the Pacific Princess. After 50 years, Princess Cruises is now the third largest cruise line in the world. Next year marks another major milestone in the cruising industry, as Cunard will fete its 175th anniversary with a series of special events. The British luxury liner made its mark when it became the first passenger cruise line to circumnavigate the globe in 1922. In May of 2015, the British port city of Southampton will host a major celebration when three of Cunard’s luxury liners reunite in a “Cunard Royal Rendez-Vous,” which promises to be an impressive and grandiose spectacle. Source: themalaymailonline

Tugs holding WA to ransom, says Fortescue Metals Group chief executive

Nev Power Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Nev Power says the world's fourth-largest iron ore producer will have to shut its mines in days if tugboat crews walk off the job, a move he said would hurt government revenue and damage the nation's reputation in Asia. In a stinging rebuke, Mr Power said the three unions representing the tugboat crews - which have applied to take protected industrial action through Fair Work Australia - are holding the state to ransom. It could cost jobs across the Pilbara, he said. ''They [tugboat workers] are a critical part of the supply chain and I don't

http://www.bbc-chartering.com/�



think it's right that a small number of people can put the livelihood and jobs of so many at risk and put the financial future of companies and the state at risk,'' Mr Power said. A ballot of workers is being conducted, with a decision on whether to take action expected in about a fortnight.

The tugs Mount Florance and Boodarie returning to the tugpen in Port-Hedland. Radiance of the Seas seen in the

background. Photo : Bas (c)

BHP Billiton has the licence to operate tugboat services for all users at Port Hedland, where a quarter of the world's iron ore is exported. BHP contracts tugboat operations to Teekay Shipping. The militant Maritime Union of Australia is representing deckhands, which are understood to earn about $140,000 a year. The Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers manages the engineers while tugboat masters, who are understood to earn up to $300,000 a year including allowances, are represented by the Australian Maritime Officers Union.

The bulker BERGE LYNGOR outbound from Port Hedland – Photo : Marijn van Hoorn (c)

The claims by the different workers vary and are not all focused on pay, with some workers concerned that they are regularly working more than 12 hours a day. Iron ore exports from Port Hedland have jumped about 20 per cent a year since 2009. BHP iron ore president Jimmy Wilson is hopeful the world's biggest miner can avoid an industrial dispute. ''I do think that both management and the unions will take a responsible approach to this and we are hopeful that we will see some resolved outcome,'' Mr Wilson told Nine Network's Financial Review Sunday program. The Port Hedland Port Authority estimates up to $150 million of exports leaves the port each day. Mr Power said lost exports would hurt government royalty income. Mr Power said if tugboat crews went on strike he would have to shut production at the company's mines possibly within hours, impacting on jobs throughout the Pilbara. ''It would be a matter of hours or a day or so, it wouldn't be any longer than that,'' Mr Power said. Source : smh.com.au

ALSO INTERESTED IN THIS FREE MARITIME NEWSCLIPPINGS ? PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE :

WWW.MAASMONDMARITIME.COM AND REGISTER FOR FREE !

http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/�



ABIS DUSAVIK LOADED 2 TRAFOS IN LEIXOES

MV ABIS DUSAVIK arrived at Leixoes last 24th April to load two trafos of

124ts pw plus acessoires. The vessel was fixed under C/P last 22nd March and all cargo was made available at pier on 23rd

March, started loading 24th April at 08:00hrs and sailed at 21:00hrs before the Easter holiday. Vessel was attended by our agency Ocidenave. Photos : Carlos Ramos – Ocidenave (c)

MAC signes USD125m Contracts for more new builds

MAC are pleased to announce the recent signing of 4 new build OSV contracts with Fujian Mawei Ship Yard. SE China. Valued at $125m (Includes some OFE ) This will bring the current MAC order book to 25 vessels, due delivery between May 2014 and June 2016, Ranging in size and specification from 60m PSV's up to 500 man Flotels. The recent signing was for 2 additional 60m PSV's, to follow on from the successful launch of the current 2 which will deliver July 2014, Also 2 Newly designed 89m MAC MOTEL's which will feature 240 beds, Crane and Walk to Work Gangways.

http://www.hddemolition.com/�



The Motels will be the first OSV's to be delivered with the revolutionary OMPECO Garbage Convertor, which reduces garbage in volume by 70% and converts to inert sterile dust. Thereby reducing one big headache for operations. Also to be installed is the EPIC POB Monitoring system, which will electronically track POB, both on the vessel, and across the gangway, so enabling the Master to know the exact whereabouts of ship based personal at any

given time, an invaluable solution during an emergency muster. For more information, www.macoffshore.net

Royal Caribbean Profit Plunge Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, the world's second-largest cruise operator, said its quarterly profit fell by two-thirds as costs rose and six cruises were canceled or shortened due to several mishaps. Shares of the company, whose cruise lines include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruise, fell as much as 3.2 percent in early trading. The company shortened or canceled six cruises during January-March, typically the strongest season for cruise operators. Voyage disruptions hurt yields, which include ticket sales and spending on board, by about 0.5 percent in the first quarter ended March 31. Royal Caribbean said its cruise operations were hurt by several mishaps in the first quarter. The company and its larger rival Carnival Corp faced disruptions when a collision between Kirby Inland Marine oil barge and a cargo ship in March spilled residual fuel oil in the Gulf of Galveston, shutting the Houston Ship Channel.

The cruise industry has just started recovering from negative publicity after a series of headline-grabbing mishaps, including virus outbreaks and engine fires, over the past two years. Carnival, the world's No. 1 cruise operator, forecast a full-year profit below analysts' estimates in March as it cuts prices and spends more on advertising.

Royal Caribbean has also been struggling to boost sales in the Caribbean, its biggest market. "While we were seeing strong bookings for the Caribbean with recent booking volumes trending well above last year's levels, the environment remains very promotional," Chief Financial Officer Jason Liberty said on a post-earnings conference call. Royal Caribbean said it expected pricing in the Caribbean to remain under pressure this year. "We needed to introduce more promotions (in the Caribbean) in March and April to close the occupancy gap," Chief Operating Officer Adam Goldstein told Reuters. Net cruise costs, excluding fuel, rose 1.3 percent on a constant-currency basis in a quarter in which cruise liners usually offer their best deals.

Royal Caribbean said it expected smoother sailing in the coming quarters as bookings were seen rising and demand for its Chinese and European cruises was expected to stay strong. The company said it expected double-digit percentage rise in yields in its Europe and Asia Pacific cruises this year. Europe cruises account for 22 percent of the company's capacity, while Asia Pacific sailings make for 12 percent.

Royal Caribbean said booking volumes rose about 18 percent in the past three months. Bookings jumped 20 percent in the past eight weeks. "The company experienced a record booking week at the end of February, which is an unusual time for so much activity," Royal Caribbean said in a statement Royal Caribbean raised its full-year earnings forecast to $3.25-$3.45 per share from $3.20-$3.40 per share. The company said it expected net yields to rise by 2-3 percent.

The cruise operator forecast earnings of 45-55 cents per share for the second quarter ending June 30. Analysts on average were expecting 46 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Royal Caribbean's net income fell 65 percent to $26.5 million, or 12 cents per share, in the first quarter. Excluding items, the company earned 21 cents per share, well below the average analyst estimate of 28 cents. Revenue fell 1 percent to $1.89 billion, in line with analysts' expectations. Royal Caribbean's shares were down 1 percent at $51.93 on Thursday afternoon on the New York Stock Exchange. Carnival shares were up 1.3 percent at $37.89. Source : Reuters / MarineLink

http://www.macoffshore.net/�



OLYMPIC BOA leaving Kleven Maritime shipyard in Ulsteinvik for sea trials – Photo : Jean Paul de Wilde ©

Independent Consultants and Brokers in the International Tug and Supply Vessel market (offices in London and Singapore)

Telephone : +44 (0) 20 8398 9833 Facsimile : + 44 (0) 20 8398 1618

E-mail : [email protected] Internet : www.marint.co.uk

IOANNIS STEFANOU JOINED WALLEM SHIP MANAGEMENT

The Wallem Group welcomes Mr Ioannis (Yanni) Stefanou to the team as Global Technical Director of Wallem Ship Management. He will lead the business as it positions itself for continued growth. Read all about it in the attached news release or online here: http://www.wallem.com/news

The QUEEN VICTORIA outbound from Port of Southampton bound for to Funchal, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lisbon

Photo : Aled Jones ©


http://www.marint.co.uk/�

http://www.wallem.com/news�



Jack-Up Barge Acquires Platform for Increased Versatility

Jack-Up Barge, the offshore self-elevating platform supplier, has announced the acquisition of the Odin self-elevating platform from Hochtief. The acquisition expands the Jack-Up Barge fleet, increasing capacity and versatility. This is a new approach from Jack-Up Barge who have previously expanded with new builds. The company are renaming the barge JB 119, ready to take its place alongside the seven platforms currently operated. The platform, 46.1m long by 30m wide and 4.6m high, has 60m legs that enable operation in water depths of up to 45m. The

platform features on board accommodation for up to 40 persons.

Jack-Up Barge Commercial Director Maarten Hardon (left) with Managing Director Ronald Schukking

Jack-Up Barge Commercial Director Maarten Hardon says the JB 119 will fit neatly into the pre-existing fleet, with no requirement for adjustments to be made. “She fits perfectly into our portfolio,” he says. “Currently the platforms we operate are generally for either large or small scale operations. This acquisition will enable us to offer a mid-scale platform in the future.” He says the purchase was a natural one, when the opportunity arose, considering the quality of the platform. “She was well maintained, in good condition

and with an almost new crane.” The Liebherr BOS 7500 Heavy Lift Crane lifts 300t at 15m. The maximum reach of the boom is 84m to accommodate offshore wind installations. Mr Hardon says that the platform’s specifications make her suitable for use as a coastal unit carrying out civil construction work or for small offshore wind installation projects. Jack-Up Barge are planning to put the platform into international service and have already secured a contract for her in South America. She is due to sail at the beginning of May for a construction project that is expected to take 8 months. In the past Hochtief employed the platform for foundation pile installation, offshore substation construction and pile driving for harbour construction. Jack-Up Barge are expanding their fleet further with a new build platform they will name JB 120. Specifications: Classification: GL + 100 A5 K50 Dimensions: 46.1m l 30m w 4.6m h Leg dimensions: 60m Draught: min: 2.3m max: 3.25 Operating depth: 45m Payload: 1,200t Deckload: 15t/m2-30t/m2 Hoisting capacity: 900t/each Hoisting speed: up to 2.5m.min Crane capacity: 15m/300t Crawler crane: Liebherr BOS 7500 Mooring winches: 2 double winches 2 single winches Power supply: Diesel/hydraulic: 4 x 355KW Diesel/Electrical: 4 x 355KW

Two FPSO conversions for Total



French oil major, Total has awarded the development of the ultra- deep offshore Kaombo project offshore Angola to three European concerns, leading to two FPSO conversions. These are Technip, Heerema Marine Contractors and Saipem. Saipem is expected to procure, convert and commission two FPSOs, as well as provide engineering and maintenance services for a period of seven years in a deal worth $4 bill. Although the bulk of the project will be handled in France, engineering, fabrication and commissioning of activities onshore and offshore will take place in Angola. The first FPSO is expected to begin operations by the first quarter of 2017, with the second expected to be commissioned later that year. Upon their completion, the two FPSOs will each have a 115,000 barrels per day capacity with a reserve capacity of 1.7 mill barrels of oil. Technip in collaboration with Heerema, will supply and install underwater equipment such as pipes, cables, subsea tubes and other equipment to link the FPSOs to the seabed in a contract worth $3.5 bill. According to Total, an estimated “.....over 14 mill man-hours of fabrication and construction work will be performed locally in Angolan yards.” Sourc : Tankeroperator

Naming ceremony for lifeboat With an award winning rescue already under her belt, preparations are underway for the naming ceremony and service of dedication of the new Atlantic 85 class lifeboat this weekend.

The RNLI naming and service of dedication will take place at Cardigan Lifeboat Station this Saturday (3 May) as RNLI volunteers and supporters join together to officially name the Atlantic 85 lifeboat Albatross. The £214,000 inshore lifeboat has been kindly funded by Miss Sheila Margaret Foster from York. As an inland supporter, Miss Foster explains her reasons for supporting the charity that saves lives at sea:

‘Ever since I visited Filey and saw their lifeboat when I was five years old, I have had a great admiration and fondness for the RNLI. To think that those brave volunteer crews put their own lives at risk in order to save others is truly admirable. I have supported the RNLI all of my life, and I’m very proud to see Albatross on service in Cardigan.’

Albatross’ first call-out was a dramatic night-time rescue of two people trapped on a rocky ledge as large waves broke around them back. The September rescue resulted in three of the volunteer crew being recognised by the Institution for their heroic actions. Cliff Griffiths, Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘The naming ceremony and service of dedication will not only welcome the new Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Albatross to Ceredigion and into the RNLI fleet on Saturday, but

http://www.ptrholland.com/�



it’s also a chance for the RNLI to thank Miss Foster for her generous support in saving lives at sea. The Atlantic 85 was called into action only a few weeks after her arrival in Cardigan, taking part in a dramatic rescue off Tresaith which resulted in saving two lives. Since then the volunteers have been kept busy responding to service calls and training.’

The Atlantic 85 is the most technologically advanced inshore lifeboat and was first introduced into the RNLI fleet in 2005. It is the first inshore lifeboat to have radar, which means it can operate more effectively in reduced visibility. It is also faster and bigger than its predecessor, with room for four crew members as well as more space for casualties.

Cardigan RNLI volunteers were called out on service 49 times last year, rescuing 32 people and saving seven lives. Source : tivysideadvertiser

Low sulphur fuel oil availability a burning issue throughout shipping

industry More clarity and knowledge of the pending issue of the introduction of low sulphur fuels throughout the maritime spectrum is the main need for ship owners, in order to be able to work out their future needs and plan their investment policies. This has become a burning issue among the industry, as noted in the latest weekly report from shipbroker Gibson. The London-based shipbroker noted that "earlier this month the Marine Environmentaal Protection Committee (MEPC) held its 66th session at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and delivered the results of their latest deliberations on several issues which will have a significant impact on the whole shipping industry. The MEPC is perhaps the most infllential body within the IMO in terms of setting down proposals and the timescales for any impending legislation affecting the whole industry".

According to Gibson, "the most significant area of interest at the IMO is the MEPC consideration of the review of the timing of the implementation of the global sulphur limits. In particular, to determine if there will be enough availability of fuel oil to comply with the standard set out in the regulation. As a result of the latest meeting the MEPC has agreed to set up a correspondence group torecommend whether the global 0.5% sulphur limit should be implemented in 2020, or deferred to 2025. The correspondence group will report back in October this year, and if its terms of reference are accepted, the study will be set in motion and make reccomendations to the IMO in 2017. However, whatever the eventual outcome of any IMO study, the European Union has already fixed the date for their “sulphur directive” in EU territorial waters at 2020 even if there is a delay in the introduction of the 0.5% global sulphur cap. Effectively this will mean that in 2020 a 0.1 % permissible sulphur content will apply within the European ECA and 0.5% level in the remaining EU territory", Gibson noted.

The shipbroker added that "on the issue of the availability of sufficient low sulphur fuel by 2020, the industry appears divided. A joint UK/Netherlands paper on this subject refers to a refinery analysis which indicates that refining capacity in 2020 will exceed demand for low sulphur fuels which will reduce the price. However, another industry expert recently said that refiners are being constrained by the lack of upgrading in Europe, minimal upgrading in the US and the possibility of delays in the new Middle East capacity. This may indicate a significant price differential within different bunkering regions and more product would require shipment to the areas of requirement. This scenario could put further pressure on supply and increase the fuel prices. The average HSFO fuel price in Rotterdam averaged $598/tonne in 2013. MGO prices were 30% higher at just over $900/tonne during the same period. Whatever the outcome of the IMO deliberations, the industry eagerly awaits more clarity as to what the long term global policy will be as many key investment decisions hang on the results of the MEPC recommendations", Gibson concluded.

Meanwhile, in the crude tanker market this week, in the Middle East, "a steady, but uninspiring, cargo flow before, and after, the Easter holidays was never enough to invigorate the VLCC market, and with seemingly good onward availability, owners face another week of defensive operations. Rates eased to as low as w36.5 to the East with the average dipping below the ws 40 mark. Little moved to the West, but in theory levels stand at around ws 28 via Cape. Suezmaxes saw more cargo volatility but the wealth of tonnage prevented that from converting into any rate gain and the market continued to operate in the low ws 60’s East and low ws 30’s to the West as a consequence. Aframaxes failed to hook onto a more active far Eastern scene, but could push above the present 80,000 by ws 95/97.5 level to Singapore if that situation continues through next week".

In the Mediterranean, "initially 'up', but then down once again after the holidays for Aframaxes here. 80,000 by ws 87.5 Cross Med is now in Charterers' sights, and it will take some time for the current malaise to unwind. Suezmaxes drifted sideways, and then also downwards, as the week progressed with 140,000 by ws 55 concluded from the Black



Sea to European options and US$2.15 million paid for a run to West Coast India, and it’s nothing more than hope for Owners to cling onto for the near term, at least". Gibson noted.

In the North Sea, Gibson said that "steady demand, but steady supply too, resulted in Aframax rates staying closse to 80,000 by ws 95 Cross UK Cont and down to 100,000 by ws 72.5 from the Baltic, though tea-leaf readers are now expecting a slightly lower rate range to become in vogue next week. Suezmaxes saw very little but estimated at 135,000 by ws 52.5 for US Gulf. VLCCs also struggled to find partners but a rare deal was recorded at a lower US$3.50 million for Fuel Oil to Singapore", the shipbroker concluded. Source : Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

German Ship Captain Swamped in Debt Underscores Bank Risk

Reederei Heinrich, a 149-year-old German shipping company, risks losing two of its three vessels unless it repays loans as financial stress in the industry spreads to banks facing a European Central Bank review.

The company, established near Hamburg, Germany’s biggest port, has endured misfortunes such as the death of a family member struck by anchor chains and ships that ran aground. Now General Manager Jens Robrahn says he’s concerned that HSH Nordbank AG may call in 22 million euros ($30 million) of outstanding debt and seize two boats acting as security. “I currently get 4,000 euros a day for a vessel, which covers operational costs and interest payments, but I don’t have the money to pay back the loan,” Robrahn, 73, a ship captain, said in a phone interview from his office in Jork, 25 kilometers (16 miles) west of Hamburg. Smaller container vessels like his Anna Sirkka and Page Akia need to repay about 1 million euros in debt a year, he said. Robrahn and HSH Nordbank, the world’s largest maritime lender, declined to provide further details.

As it tries to clean up the region’s banks, the ECB is taking a closer look at whether they need more capital to absorb possible losses on loans like Robrahn’s. Shipping loans are among the riskiest assets on banks’ balance sheets and among those most prone to misstatement, an ECB spokeswoman said. German lenders including Hamburg-based HSH Nordbank, Commerzbank AG (CBK) and Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale controlled about one-third of the $475 billion global ship-finance market at the end of 2012, according to Swen Metzler, an analyst at Moody’s Investors Service in Frankfurt.

The three lenders set aside more than 3.6 billion euros in provisions for bad shipping debt in the past three years after dozens of firms in Germany’s 1,543-container-ship market, the world’s biggest, were hurt as overcapacity and an economic slump pushed down cargo prices the most since the 1970s. The ECB, which began auditing 128 banks in February and takes over as Europe-wide regulator in November, is investigating whether executives are fully reporting the riskiest loans and whether ships such as Robrahn’s Anna Sirkka, a 135-meter container vessel built in 2006, are still valuable enough to use as collateral.

“German shipping banks’ two biggest concerns at the moment are whether they get their money back and whether they need to boost capital to support their risk exposure,” Lars Heymann, partner at a unit of auditing and consulting firm PKF Fasselt Schlage, whose clients include shipping companies, said in an interview at his office in Hamburg.

HSH Nordbank reported 9 billion euros of bad shipping debt, or about 43 percent of its loans to the industry, in fourth-quarter earnings published April 10. Nonperforming shipping loans at Commerzbank, Germany’s second-biggest bank, amounted to about 3.9 billion euros at the end of 2013, or 27 percent of its lending to the maritime industry, according to the company. The ECB is also asking banks across Europe to reveal the loans they restructure, a process by which they extend repayment periods or lower interest costs. The Frankfurt-based central bank may force lenders to set aside more capital to reflect the greater risk of default from such loans. HSH, Commerzbank and Hanover-based NordLB, the third-biggest shipping lender in Germany, are among European banks that don’t disclose restructured loans in their financial statements. Spokesmen for the banks declined to provide information when contacted by Bloomberg News.

Robrahn’s Anna Sirkka is among the smaller cargo ships purchased via Kommanditgesellschaft, or KG, a German system of using private funds, including loans, to finance ships. The vessels are struggling to remain competitive as larger carriers take to the seas. About 400 KG-funded vessels filed for insolvency in the past three years, including 119 in 2013, according to the VDR shipowners’ association, which has about 220 German shipping companies as members.



Commerzbank, based in Frankfurt, expects a similarly high rate of bankruptcies this year, the lender’s shipping-unit chief, Stefan Otto, said in a telephone interview.

Higher provisions for bad debt at state-owned HSH, bailed out by the government in 2009, contributed to a full-year loss of 814 million euros in 2013, the bank’s biggest since 2008. Uncertainty over how the ECB will value collateral on 52 billion euros of shipping loans at HSH, Commerzbank and NordLB has analysts concerned that it will ask the banks to raise more capital as the review nears its October conclusion. Between 36 percent and 45 percent of the shipping loans approved by the three lenders were used to purchase container ships, according to their latest financial statements.

While Commerzbank’s total assets are more diversified, HSH Nordbank is underestimating the risks of its shipping clients defaulting, said Sascha Steffen, an associate professor at the Berlin-based European School of Management and Technology and co-author of a study on stress-testing Europe’s banks published in January. “I fear that the asset-quality review will show a very different risk assessment and will detect a significant lack of capital,” Steffen said.

HSH Nordbank Chief Financial Officer Stefan Ermisch and Commerzbank Chief Executive Officer Martin Blessing have said their banks are strongly capitalized.

Hansa Treuhand Group, a Hamburg-based company with a fleet of 52 vessels declared two of its container ships insolvent in February, the first time it has done so in its 31-year history. “The ships were worth less than the debt they were carrying,” Julia Eble, a spokeswoman for Hansa Treuhand, said in a telephone interview. “Banks and private investors were just not willing to inject further money into the vessels.” The ratio of bad loans to total loans in the KG segment are as much as twice the average in shipping, illustrating significantly higher lending risks, Metzler of Moody’s said.

The ECB may not accept the way German banks value ships as collateral for loans, said Heymann of PKF Fasselt Schlage. Rather than valuing vessels at market value, a method used in Nordic and other European countries, banks in Germany typically categorize ships as long-term assets, price them using a multiple-year average or calculate a “fair value” that may exceed market prices.

“Foreign bankers have been rubbing their eyes with amazement,” Heymann said. “Pure accounting doctrine would stipulate that you look at a ship’s market value, which in these crisis years may well go down to the scrap or steel value of a ship.”

The ECB is telling auditors that banks should set aside provisions for a shipping loan according to whether ships continue to generate cash or whether they need to be liquidated. Auditors have a clear position on how to value ships consistently across Europe, a spokesman for the central bank said by e-mail. Vessels with a total capacity of 779,000 containers lay idle across the world last year as the industry suffered from oversupply. Before the 2008 crisis, the amount never exceeded 200,000 containers a year, according to Hansa Treuhand.

About 8 billion euros of loans, including 4.8 billion euros committed by private investors, are at risk of default in the German KG-funded sector, according to a study by Deutsche FondsResearch published in November. Nonperforming loans are “more common in the container segment,” Otto of Commerzbank said, declining to disclose the size of his KG-ship loan portfolio. About half of Commerzbank’s loan book includes German clients, he said.

Commerzbank, which like HSH Nordbank received a bailout after the financial crisis, started exiting ship financing in 2012. Last year, it cut its debt to the industry by about 4.5 billion euros, or 24 percent, to 14 billion euros, reaching a target three years earlier than planned.

HSH reduced its exposure to shipping by about 7.6 billion euros to 21 billion euros last year. Its assets amount to 109 billion euros, the company said April 10. To dispose of riskier assets ahead of the ECB review, banks are seeking buyers for nonperforming shipping loans and the assets that back them.

HSH sold a loan secured by 10 container carriers and tankers to Greek marine company Navios last year. It is planning another two or three such transactions in 2014 worth about $1 billion, Jan Gross, HSH’s head of special loans, said at a February maritime conference in Hamburg.

Commerzbank sold 14 chemical tankers to a fund managed by Oaktree Capital Management LP in December, eliminating 280 million euros in bad shipping loans. Oaktree Capital Management, Blackstone Group LP (BX), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC are among firms buying German vessels and taking stakes in companies that need financial backing. HSH also is urging debtors to merge with other firms to prevent bankruptcy,



while Commerzbank is leasing out some ships that borrowers had previously used as collateral to help reduce losses from lending that turned sour.

Moody’s Metzler expects the ECB review “to contribute to further increases in loan-loss provisions” at shipping banks. “The German regulator has allowed banks relatively high discretion in their approach to reclassifying recovered loans into performing categories,” he said. Robrahn, who’s married to Petra Heinrich, a descendant of the company’s founder, said he hopes his vessels will be spared from insolvency, also for the sake of the private investors involved. “Billions of euros of investor money have already been burned, and if more ships file for insolvency even more people lose their savings,” he said. Source: Bloomberg

Dramatic debut for new Montrose lifeboat

A new Tayside lifeboat made a splash on its first day of operation after being called into action minutes before it was officially launched. The Class D David A. Kennedy inshore lifeboat at Montrose Harbour debuted before its official dedication after two members of the town’s sailing club became disorientated in the heavy fog which smothered Montrose Basin on Saturday afternoon. Dignitaries were gathered at the harbour to witness the staged launch of the new vessel but got to see the boat dive into real-time action before it was officially christened. The incident happened during a small-scale regatta held by Montrose Sailing Club at the basin.

The thick fog led to an official race being cancelled but the gathered adult members were still offered the chance to go out onto the water for a smaller run. Five vessels and the club’s safety boat took to the basin during a period of improved visibility, but two dinghies were

isolated when a thick blanket of mist returned without warning.

The new lifeboat crew were alerted after attempts by members of the club to signal the boats back in were unsuccessful, and all parties were towed back to shore in their dinghies by the new lifeboat and a crew from HM Coastguard Montrose. RNLI Guild vice-chairman Joe Wishart said: “We thought we were just getting a display of how the boat works but then realised it was actually being called out. “We do these events because we know how vital the lifeboat is, but then we saw it in action and it just brings it all home to you. “The service was delayed a bit, because you can’t launch a boat if it’s not there, but we were just delighted that everyone was returned to shore safely.”

http://www.vlierodam.nl/�



Kathy Locke, club commodore at Montrose Sailing Club, said it was the first time in the club’s 50 years that the lifeboat had to be called to assist in an event. “We have very clear procedures at the club and our paramount concern is always the safety of our members,” said Ms Locke. “We have a great working relationship with the RNLI team at Montrose and in normal circumstances the safety boat would have towed the members in.” source : the courier

The SEVEN WAVES arrived at Rio de Janeiro as seen from the SEVEN CONDOR who were waiting for the Pilot of Guanabara Bay. Photo : Cap. Holger Warner-Maglioli – master Seven Condor ©

Hellas: Ship owners invest more than $6.8 billion for vessel acquisitions

during first quarter Despite the ongoing woes of the dry bulk market and a lackluster tanker market performance over the first quarter of the years, ship owners from Hellas and around the world have increased their investments in both the newbuilding, as well as the second hand markets. Attractive pricing together with financing availability have acted in favor of such decisions by ship owners, who are looking to place their companies at an advantageous position, in expectance of a market recovery. According to figures compiled by shipbroker Golden Destiny, Hellenic ship owners have mostly turned to second hand vessels, where their purchasing appetite was 38% higher than their ordering business. " The invested capital of Greek owners in the secondhand market was more than $3,3bn for 131 vessel purchases, when during the first three months of 2013, was region more than $1bn. In terms of number of units, their secondhand purchasing activity increased by 87%, with 26% share of the total S&P activity from 21% in the first quarter of 2013", the shipbroker noted. It added that "despite the conservative approach of Hellenic owners towards the newbuilding business, the increase of investments is higher than their secondhand vessel purchases. In terms of number of units, newbuilding orders from Greek recorded 126% increase compared with their activity in their first three months of 2013 with their invested capital of more than $3,5bn, with 12% share of the total newbuilding activity from 9% in the first quarter of 2013", it noted.

The shipbroker added in its analysis that "the revival of newbuilding business stemmed mainly from the firm position of dry bulk charter rates since the last quarter of 2013 and the changed picture of crude tanker market, provide a significant boost of business for Chinese, Korean and Japanese yards. Chinese yards are holding key position on dry bulk newbuilding business with 74% share and Korean appear in the frontline for tankers with 45% share. Japanese yards are still lagging behind, but they increased significantly their business in the bulker segment with main activity in the construction of handy and ultramax bulkers and in the tanker segment for the construction of handysize/chemical/product vessels. The end of the first quarter of the year with hot shipping investments, but signs of downward revision in freight rates as the world economy remains fragile due to the stability of growth in the developing economies, raises concerns about the future outlook of shipping investments. The last month of the first quarter gave a sense of slower purchasing and ordering appetite, with asset prices still signaling an upward trend. It remains to be seen the development of asset prices and the response of shipping investors during the second quarter of the year, but it now seems that the first half of the year will result in higher levels of investments than the previous



year", Golden Destiny noted. Globally, "shipping players continue to be more aggressive in the newbuilding market with purchasing appetite for secondhand vessels being 37% lower than the newbuilding appetite. During January-March 2014, the invested capital for secondhand purchases increased by 163% for the acquisition of 499 vessels with bulkers holding 56% share. In terms of number of units, the secondhand purchasing activity increased by 49% from the volume of activity during the first quarter of 2013, while the increase in newbuilding activity is even higher at 63%. The invested capital in the construction of newbuilding vessels surpassed the $25billion for 792 new orders, while the invested capital in the secondhand market is estimated to be more than $10,5bn", the shipbroker concluded.

In any case, dry bulkers and tankers grabbed the lion's share of S&P activity with 73% of the total activity (36% for bulkers and 37% for tankers), versus an aggregate share of 51% during the first quarter of last year. In terms of newbuilding orders, dry bulk carriers led the market with a share of 43% for a total of 338 orders, amounting to $4.7 billion, an increase of 43% versus the similar period of last year. In the tanker market, there were just 136 new orders for $4.65 billion, still an annual increase of 74%, while in the second hand market there were 186 vessel purchases.

According to Golden Destiny, "the sharp downward correction in the BDI during the first days of April, to levels of below the psychological barrier of 1,000 points, has not yet changed the positive outlook of this segment as Chinese demand for imported iron ore cargo holds firm. In the tanker market, crude rates have shown an upturn of the market from the lows of last year but with a declining trend as the increase in US shale oil production sustains the imbalance between vessels’ supply and demand. In the container market, the overcapacity issues could not offer hopes for full recovery in spot rates as consumers’ consumption of the global economy has no returned yet to pre-recession levels. Threatening element for dry bulk outlook is estimations for a slower global steel demand for this year. According to the World Steel Association, global demand is expected to rise 3.1% in 2014 to 1.52bn tons - down from growth of 3.6% last year and increase slightly in 2015 by 3.3%. The WSA said Chinese demand for the commodity would rise just 3% in 2014 to 721m tons, compared with growth of 6.1% recorded last year. In 2015, Chinese demand growth is expected to slow further to 2.7%. However, demand for steel in developed economies is forecast to grow 2.5% in 2014, following a contraction of 0.3% last year. The US is forecast to make a strong recovery, with steel demand expected to grow 4% to 99.4m tons, on the back of a pick-up in construction activity and manufacturing. European demand is forecast to rise 3.1% this year, following a contraction of 0.2% in 2013", it concluded. Source : Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

PLEASE MAINTAIN YOUR MAILBOX, DUE TO NEW POLICY OF THE PROVIDER, YOUR ADDRESS WILL BE “DEACTIVATED”

AUTOMATICALLY IF THE MAIL IS BOUNCED BACK TO OUR SERVER If this happens to you please send me a mail at [email protected] to reactivate

your address again You can also read the latest newsletter daily online via the link :

http://newsletter.maasmondmaritime.com/ShippingNewsPdf/magazine.pdf


http://newsletter.maasmondmaritime.com/ShippingNewsPdf/magazine.pdf�

http://www.tos.nl/en/companies/ship-delivery/�



MV Maria loads LNG cold box at Tanjung Langsat bound for Derince, Turkey

SAL Heavy Lift's MV Maria has called at the Port of Tanjung Langsat in Malaysia to load a 120-tonne cold box for Air Products. Cold boxes are for application in LNG plants. The vessel is

en route to Derince where it will discharge its cargo.

"Timeliness is an essential ingredient of our business," said Justin Archard, managing director of SAL Heavy Lift's South East Asia and Australasia operations. "We were able to book and load in less than a week for the client, due to the strategic positioning of the MV Maria. The 20-knot capability will ensure the cargo can be delivered within a tight timeframe." The MV Maria, one of SAL Heavy Lift's Type 161B vessels, features 700-tonne lift capacity.

Captain Chris Wells of Queen Mary 2 reveals the secrets of his job - and a

few tips for seasickness AS the captain of the world’s largest ocean liner, Chris Wells has traversed the globe and met people from every corner of it. After a career in the merchant navy and on smaller passenger ships, Captain Wells first became involved with the Queen Mary 2 during its construction, and took the helm in April 2008. At sea for up to three months at a time, the West Sussex resident is responsible for the safety of up to 2620 passengers and 1253 crew on board Cunard’s flagship vessel, and for navigating the ship on the ocean and while entering and leaving port.

He is also called upon to act as the public face of the Queen Mary 2: hosting receptions and meeting and talking with guests.

Captain Wells chats with Julian Swallow about the highs and lows of life on the high seas, what he does in his downtime, and whether it’s really an honour to dine at the Captain’s table.



How do you become captain of the world’s largest ocean liner?

My career started with a cadetship in the merchant navy, followed by many years experience at sea on tankers, bulk carriers and gas carriers, combined with periods of study in nautical college ashore to obtain a Master’s certificate. Then I spent more time at sea on passenger ships to move up through the ranks - first officer, safety officer, staff captain and, at last, Captain.

When did you take command of the Queen Mary 2?

I was first in command of Queen Mary 2 in April 2008. However I was involved with Queen Mary 2 from the very beginning, as I was appointed to the site team in Chantiers de l’Atlantique (the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, where the Queen Mary 2 was built) in April 2002 and was present in the yard throughout the construction. I was Staff Captain at the time, and sailed on the maiden voyage as Staff Captain, remaining with the ship through to April 2005, when I moved to Princess Cruises.

What are the primary tasks involved in the job?

First: The Captain is responsible for the safety of the ship and everyone on board.

Second: I’m in charge of the Bridge team, for the safe navigation of the ship, and manoeuvring entering and leaving port.

Third: I also represent the company publicly - on board I’m hosting receptions and meeting and talking with our guests.

Fourth: The Captain needs to motivate and encourage the ship’s company to deliver Cunard’s famed White Star Service to our guests.

What are the good and bad points of the job?

One of the key features of the job is the variety - every day is different. We meet different people from all over the world, and take them on journeys all over the globe. Of course, being a seafarer, the main disadvantage is separation from friends and family, sometime for long periods.

Normally I spend about three months on-board, but I then have about two months at home, when I see my family every day.

Do you ever get seasick?

No! Queen Mary 2 is a true ocean liner; not only is the hull plating thicker than cruise ships (25mm) but the hull form is “fine lined” which means the hull doesn’t reach its full width until more than one-third of the length of the hull from the bow. This allows the ship to cut through heavy seas without too much loss of speed, and reduces the buoyancy forward, which in turn reduces pitching movement.

Many passengers are afraid of sea sickness. What would you recommend to prevent or ease it? Does the technology balance the motion on the QM2?

The shape of Queen Mary 2’s hull reduces pitching, while the weight of the ship keeps her more stable in the water, and she is fitted with four stabilisers which reduce rolling. Thus Queen Mary 2 is a very stable ship. Of course she will still move in rough seas, but there are lots of medications which can ease motion sickness. Guests can also try acupuncture, which is offered on-board in the Canyon Ranch Spa, or they can take anything with ginger in it.

What is the most critical situation you have experienced on a ship?

In almost 40 years at sea there have been lots of little things which can concentrate the mind, some critical, some not so critical. It is not the individual situations which are important to remember, but the experience gained over the years!

When you’re on vacation, do you seek the sea or try to avoid it?

On vacation I am with my wife and three children. We live near the South Coast of England around 15 minutes from the sea and sometimes we will visit the beach - so I don’t avoid the sea! I’m just beside it, not on it!

Other times we will go to the forests in the South Downs of Sussex. On holiday, we go camping, or to Germany, Sweden, Austria or France - sometimes near the sea, sometimes far from it.

How has cruising changed in the time you’ve been working on liners?

The biggest change is affordability - 20 years ago a cruise holiday was both a relative rarity and a luxury. Nowadays there are a huge number of cruise holidays, with a massive choice of style, destinations, and cost.

What tips do you have for people going on their first cruise?

Talk to your travel agent, and check that the cruise or voyage you’re booking is right for you - is it a family ship, luxury ship, big ship or small ship? Do you want to dress up for dinner, or dress down?



How difficult is it to dock and turn a massive ocean liner in a confined space, such as Sydney Harbour?

Queen Mary 2 is provided with an azimuthing podded propulsion system and three bow thrusters, which allow us to turn the ship in her own length. Sydney Harbour is big enough for us to turn and manoeuvre alongside, but there is not much clearance below the ship, so we must manoeuvre slowly.

How do tug boats help?

Tugs assist bigger ships to turn in the harbour by pushing sideways on the bow or the stern and can push the ship sideways to the berth. However, most passenger ships have thrusters or podded systems which allow them to move sideways without the help of tugs.

Is it really an honour to eat at the captain’s table?

An honour? No! But many passengers like the opportunity to dine at the Captain’s table, and the opportunity to ask him or her lots of questions. And perhaps they also enjoy being seen dining at the big table in the middle of our grand dining room! Source :Perth Now Travel

Sportvissersbootje in de problemen bij

IJmuiden Op de Noordzee, op 29 mijl ten westen van IJmuiden is een sportvissersbootje in de problemen gekomen. Rond het middaguur meldde de Joint Venture zich via de marifoon bij de Kustwacht in Den Helder, omdat het lekkage en motorproblemen had. Aan boord zijn zeven personen. Waar het bootje lekt is niet bekend, maar men kan het met een handpomp bijhouden.

De Kustwacht heeft de KNRM-reddingboten Koos van Messel uit IJmuiden en de Annie Poulisse uit Zandvoort opgeroepen om ter plaatse te gaan. Beide boten hebben een pomp aan boord die ze kunnen overzetten op de Joint Venture. Inmiddels is de Annie Poulisse weer teruggekeerd naar Zandvoort. Ondertussen heeft een andere sportvissersboot de Joint Venture op sleeptouw en is er ook een zeiljacht in de buurt. Het kan nog enkele uren duren voordat men in IJmuiden aankomt. Ook de Koos van Messel is bij de Joint Venture gearriveerd en vaart momenteel met 8 knopen richting IJmuiden. Verwachtte aankomst is 15:30. Koos van Messel zoekt contact met Marina Seaport. Mogelijk willen ze het bootje meteen uit het water willen halen met de bootkraan.

UPDATE:

Om 16:30 uur is het bootje door de Koos van Messel de pieren binnen gesleept. Hierna kon het op eigen kracht naar de kraan van de jachthaven varen waarna het meteen op de kant is gezet. Politie en Koninklijke Marechaussee kwamen een controle doen. De eigenaar vertelde zeer blij te zijn met de hulp van de Wahoo en twee andere schepen die in de buurt bleven tot de reddingboot arriveerde. Ook zorgden ze voor de communicatie met de Kustwacht. De bemanning heeft in ieder geval wat kabeljouw gevangen. Source : Haarlems Dagblad

No ban on Filipino seafarers

http://www.multraship.com/�



At the Committee on the Safety of the Sea (COSS) held 23 April, EU Member States endorsed the recommendation from the European Commission not to de-recognise Filipino seafarer certificates of competency. Instead, the Philippines administration will report back to the EC every three months. Additionally, European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) will continue to undertake inspections to ensure continued compliance. Coupled with this will be technical assistance provided by EU member States to the Philippines in ensuring that they are able to comply with their obligations. This is outcome is welcomed, providing the balance between an outright ban and a clean bill of health. The additional monitoring and technical assistance will provide the added assurance owners need when sourcing seafarers from the Philippines. Source: Intertanko

SKANDI ICEMAN recovering the ROV between the BORGHOLM DOLPHIN and SHEARWATER

Photo : Edda Ferd ©

Costa Concordia: Sponsons positioned to ready for tow from Giglio

The first of 19 more massive sponsons to be attached to the Costa Concordia was positioned last week to ready the ship to be towed from the Italian island of Giglio. The cruise liner has sat 300 meters from shore since the Jan. 13, 2012 tragedy. Over the next few weeks more sponsons to be attached to join those already attached to the ship. Fourteen of the sponsons will be placed on the starboard side, another 5 on the port side; they are up to 810-tonnes, 33.5-meter wide and 11.5-meter high. The sponsons, when in place, will help to lift the Costa Concordia off the false bottom that the companies working the job have now got it sitting on, and enable it to be fully-floated and towed. Some 65 percent of the ship was submerged underwater when it hit a reef and keeled over. It was pulled back upright last September in a lengthy process called parbuckling by the companies Titan Salvage of the U.S. and Micoperi of Italy. The has been no specific date given for the ship to be towed but Italy's environmental minister, Gian Luca Galetti, told media 10 days ago that the ship would be towed to a port for dismantling “....as soon as possible, to protect the environment and also the summer tourist season.” Previously, Galetti said it would likely be June by the time the ship was finally removed but this recent statement, while not definitive, gave the impression it may be gone sooner. However, with so many sponsons yet to be attached, June may still be the most likely target-date for the towing. The Costa Concordia's captain, Francesco Schettino, is accused of having ordered the ship too close to shore to 'salute' a retired captain living on Giglio. Thirty-two of over 4,200 people on board the ship died and Schettino is currently on trial in Grosetto. Schettino is charged with manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning his ship. Last summer his lawyers tried to get him a plea bargain but the prosecution declined doing so. If found guilty, Schettino, 54, could get up to 20 years in jail. Source : digitaljournal.com

OSD-IMT develops range of windfarm vessel designs



OSD-IMT, the UK division of Offshore Ship Designers (OSD), has developed a range of innovative new designs of offshore wind-farm service operation vessels (SOVs).

The 1,350 dwt IMT972 SOV is powered by two Steerprop SP25 or equal 1900 kWe fixed pitch azimuth propulsion units. There is also an option for fitting two 2.5 MW Voith Turbo main thrusters. Frequency-controlled electric motor-driven CPP thruster units are fitted forward, comprising two tunnel-type bow thrusters and one retractable bow

thruster for station-keeping and high-dynamic performance under manoeuvring or DP conditions.

The IMT972 has a LOA of 72.20 m and conforms to the Clean Design classification requirements of DNV for wind-farm service operation vessels. It can provide accommodation for up to 60 persons, including 22 crew, and is able to operate for 30 to 45 days on station, and longer if replenished at sea.

The main features of the IMT972 include a heave-compensated turbine platform, and an aluminium access gangway arranged with a telescopic frame which facilitates the transfer of equipment to the platform. A back-up evacuation process is arranged by using the workboat to transfer technicians from the turbine access ladder in an emergency. The vessel has a small pallet lift and conveyor lift system for the loading and transfer of stores and spares, with access to/from a heated under-deck workshop and stores area. A mono-hull workboat is fitted with a heave-compensated single point lift davit for general wind turbine work duties as well as for emergency evacuation of technicians.

There are two boat-landing areas, one starboard and one at the stern of the vessel. There is a large deck area arranged for additional equipment or the retrofitting of an ROV system for turbine tower or seabed inspection.

The IMT972 has an electro-hydraulic 1.0 tonne SWL motion-compensated folding jib crane fitted on a pedestal on the main deck aft of the access gangway tower. It accesses the wind tower platform when the gangway is stowed and can also work over the stern, deck area or ship’s side.

The air-conditioned crew facilities include a mess room and recreation room. All accommodation will be fitted with an electronic identity access system, similar to the system used on passenger ships, to help locate personnel at any time.

In addition to its role as a wind farm maintenance SOV, the IMT972 can be used as a standby rescue vessel, command/control vessel, survey vessel and ROV support vessel.

Michiel Wijsmuller, managing director of OSD, says, “These new designs are based on the outcome of four years of extensive discussions with wind-farm developers, operators and maintenance companies. They fulfil the operational demands of the wind-farm maintenance industry and can also provide logistics support services to transformer platforms.”

http://www.antwerp-towage.com/�



FILMFESTIVAL IN BAGGERMUSEUM. Zaterdag 3 mei 2014 van 11:00 tot 16:30 uur worden in het Nationaal Baggermuseum negen films gepresenteerd over gebeurtenissen in waterbouwkundige wereld die baggeren heet. Er wordt gestart met een film over de aanleg van het vliegveld Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong. Nederlandse baggerbedrijven bouwden in de jaren negentig van de vorige eeuw een vliegveld in zee. Er werd tien ton zand per seconde aangevoerd. Sleephopperzuigers spreken altijd tot de verbeelding; beleef de bouw en de tewaterlating van de Vox Máxima. De als steekhopperzuiger gebouwde “Batavus” werd later een sleephopperzuiger, hoe een schip werd gebouwd in de periode van klinknagels tot lassen. In het kader van het 950 jarig bestaan van het baggerdorp Sliedrecht wordt om 13:00 uur “Een beeld van Sliedrecht” vertoond.Daarna volgt een promotiefilm van de Vlaamse baggeraar DEME (Dredging International). De baggerwereld is verbonden met de zeesleepvaart, beleef opnamen aan boord van de befaamde zeesleper “Zwarte Zee”. Vervolgens “Schroot uit de Schelde”, baggeren in combinatie met bergingswerkzaamheden in de Westerschelde, de toegang tot Antwerpen. Indrukwekkend is de film over het ontstaan van landschap uit veen.De filmbeleving wordt afgesloten met beelden van baggerwerken in Saudi Arabia. Er zijn af en toe korte pauzes in het programma Het volledige filmprogramma met aanvang en eindtijden kunt u vinden op www.baggermuseum.nl Het Nationaal Baggermuseum is geopend van dinsdag t/m vrijdag van 14:00 tot 17:00 uur en op zaterdag van 11:00 tot 17:00 uur.

VSMC AWARDED ENECO LUCHTERDUINEN EXPORT CABLE

INSTALLATION CONTRACT Cabling specialist VSMC, a joint VolkerWessels and Boskalis company has been awarded a contract by Van Oord Offshore Wind Projects bv to install and bury a 25km long export cable for the Eneco Luchterduinen Offshore Wind Farm. 43 Wind turbines The Eneco Luchterduinen Offshore Wind Farm, to be built by Eneco and Mitsubishi Corporation, will be situated in the North Sea, 23 km off the coast between Noordwijk and Zandvoort, the Netherlands. With 43 wind turbines in total, Luchterduinen will provide up to 150,000 Dutch homes with green energy.

Trenchformer & Ndurance The project will be executed in September of this year using the in-house developed burial tool, the Trenchformer and the newly built cable-laying vessel Ndurance.

Euronav increases share capital through conversion of bonds

On 22 April 2014 Euronav NV's share capital was increased following the exercise of the conversion option of the last outstanding convertible bond issued in 2013, for which the company received a conversion notice prior to the deadline for redemption, the Company said in its press release. That resulted in the issuance of 14,101 new ordinary shares and gives the following overview: total subscribed capital (USD) reached $130,966,225.15 ($130,950,898.60); total number of ordinary shares in issue (with voting rights)* - 120,493,858 (120,479,757); total number of outstanding convertible bonds maturing 2015 - 250 (250); total number of outstanding convertible bonds maturing 2018 - 0 (1).

As none of the convertible bonds maturing in 2018 remain outstanding, the company has no further obligations to make semi-annual interest payments under these bonds that amounted to approximately USD 8.1 million per year. Source : PortNews

NAVY NEWS INS Vagli towed back to Chennai port

http://www.baggermuseum.nl/�

http://www.boskalis.com/press/news-archive/news-page/boskalis-offshore-expands-its-position-in-the-cable-installation-market-with-trenchformer.html�

http://www.boskalis.com/about-us/fleet-equipment/offshore-vessels/multipurpose-vessel.html�



The Tourism Department’s plans to set up a maritime heritage museum at Mamallapuram suffered a minor setback as the private contractor’s efforts to tow the decommissioned submarine INS Vagli to shore failed despite several attempts. It may be recalled that the Vela-class submarine was moved from Chennai Port to Mamallapuram on April 6.

A channel of about 100 metres was dug some two months back to facilitate the easy movement of the submarine from the high seas to the shore. However, over time, the channel got filled with sludge, making it impossible for the submarine to move. Immediately, the private contractor deployed steel plates with rollers and airbags to move the submarine to the shore.

It also failed to yield the desired result, following which the towing operation was abandoned by the operator.

After having exhausted all the viable plans, INS Vagli was brought back to Chennai Port last week. The next course of action will be decided within a few days. Talking to The Hindu, a tourism department official said the submarine was brought back to the city as it was considered unsafe to keep it in the high seas at Mamallapuram due to heavy winds and waves. The operator might start the towing activity during the next window period that might occur some time in July.

“It is not a setback. We have already identified the Public-Private-Partner for converting the submarine into a maritime heritage museum. This work can be done in a year’s time. All the other works are on. There is a small delay but it is due to the model code of conduct coming into the existence due to the Lok Sabha polls,” he said. Source : The Hindu

Navy chief regrets lies about Scorpene submarines functions

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) regrets action by certain parties who spread lies about the functions of the French made Scorpene submarines. The RMN chief, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said the submarine team had conducted their responsibilities to the best of their abilities and he was proud of them.

"As the navy commander, I am disappointed with the lies. The submarines and MV Mega Bakti submarine rescue vessel are brought here for public viewing during armada open day. "Those who wrote negatively about assets of the country, especially the Scorpene submarines, must distinguish between reality and facts," he told reporters at the 80th anniversary celebration of the RMN, here today.

Abdul Aziz said the French navy also praised the ability and efficiency of the nation's submarine team. In another development, he said RMN vessels would continue to be involved in the search operation for Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370. The deployment of additional vessels in the search operation would be announced by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri. "I cannot make the announcement. The RMN role is to prepare equipment as requested by the government. We are always ready," he added.

Media practitioners were today given the opportunity to board the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman (Scorpene) submarine and were briefed on its functions. The RMN bought two Scorpene submarines costing RM3.4 billion to enhance its ability to protect Malaysian territorial waters. Source : New Straits Time - BERNAMA

Devon-built Samuel Beckett ship handed to Irish Naval Service



A 50m euros (£41m) vessel has been handed over to the Irish Naval Service at a Devon shipyard. The 295ft (90m) craft, called the Samuel Beckett, is the first completed ship to be built at Appledore Shipyard, near Bideford, since 2002. The Irish Navy ordered two vessels from the shipyard in October 2010 for 99m euros (£81m). The second, called the James Joyce is still being built.

Photo : Norman Hardaker ©

The Samuel Beckett will be used for fisheries and coastal protection. Since 2002, the shipyard has built only parts of vessels, which have been floated away for other yards to complete. Stuart Fegan from the GMB Union said he had concerns about future work coming to the yard.

He said: "We welcome the decision of the UK government over the decision to commission a new research vessel and certainly hope Babcock who operate Appledore will tender for that work." The new ship, which weighs almost 2,000 tonnes, can hold 54 people. The shipyard was founded in 1855, but went into administration in 2003.

The yard was then bought by engineering contractors Babcock Source : BBC

Not enough naval ships in Sabah – commander

The commander of Naval Region Two, Rear Admiral Dato’ Pahlawan Mohammad Rosland Omar, yesterday said that the number of combat ships and submarines in Sabah is not enough for conducting security operation. Rosland pointed out that there are currently eight patrol ships and six CD90 deployed in Sandakan and another seven patrol ships, six CD90 and two submarines at the Sepanggar base. “Generally, the number of ships we have in Sabah is not enough. However, we are constantly utilizing ships from Lumut on a rotation basis, so we do not face any shortage problem,” he said during a press conference held yesterday at the Sepanggar’s Royal Malaysian Navy Base. Rosland then gave an example of the recent rescue of a fisherman boat in Sandakan, where a ship from Lumut was involved. He revealed that RMN planned to have two practice ships by this year to be placed in Lumut, and another six littoral combat ships to be completed in 2019. “Unlike the typical commercial ship, combat ships are equipped with electronic equipment which make these ships take a longer time to be built. The littoral ships that we are building are over 100 meters in length, and this will take four to five years to be completed for each ship” he added. During the press conference, the commander clarified that the RMN submarines had proven they could function well when one of them sailed from Sepanggar base on April 17 this year and reached Lumut in seven days. “The submarines could not be used in the search for the missing flight MH370 in Malacca due to the depth of water of 50 to 60 metres there which is considered too shallow. If the submarines were used at that time, they could put other commercial ships around the area in danger,” Rosland explained. “Our submarines are just not built for that, and if they are used for the search, it would not be of much help,” he said. Rosland also clarified that the submarine that Singapore sent for the search for MH370 was not a submarine, but a Submarine Support and Rescue Vessel, which is a ship. “In fact, we sent a similar ship for the MH370 search and rescue operation, named Megabakti,” he added. Source : theborneopost



SHIPYARD NEWS

Nevsky Shipyard lays down tanker for RF Navy and launches 8th vessel of project RSD49 for North-Western

Shipping Company Keel laying of the bunkering tanker of project 23130 Akademik Pashin for RF Ministry of Defence has taken place at Nevsky Shipyard LLC. As IAA PortNews journalist reported from the ceremony, it has been attended by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Viktor Chirkov and Deputy Transport Minister Victor Olersky. Besides, the shipyard launched Neva-Leader 8, the eighth dry cargo carrier of project RSD49 built for North-Western Shipping Company. Both vessels are designed by Marine Engineering Bureau. When commenting on the keel laying, Director General of Nevsky Shipyard Evgeny Kuznetsov expressed confidence in successful implementation of the shipyard’s task. The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Viktor Chirkov said: “The vessel laid down is a unique one. It will ensure bunkering of warships right in a seaway so that they could continue carrying out their mission.” He said the vessel is likely to be deployed for operation in the northern regions. There is a plan to build a series of such vessels. On November 1st, 2013, the Federal Agency for Weaponry, Military and Special Equipment and Material facilities Procurement (Rosoboronpostavka), representative of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, and Nevsky Shipyard, LLC signed the State Contract for the construction of sea tanker 23130 project. Nevsky Shipyard got the right to conclude the State Contract having won the open competitive tender. Major characteristics: length overall – 130 m breadth overall – about 21 m draught overall – about 7,0 m deadweight at draught 7,0 m – about 9,000 t maximum speed – 16 knots endurance – 60 days ship’s crew – 24 persons sailing area – unlimited in accordance with ship’s class according to the rules of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping Under the signed State Contract the tanker is to be delivered in the end of 2016. According to Gennady Yegorov, Director of Marine Engineering Bureau, the vessel of project RSD49 is intended for transportation of cargo from river ports to the sea and back. He noted that the 62-meter long hold enables the vessel to carry oversized cargo like elements of drilling rigs by inland water ways to the Caspian Sea, for example. So the vessel combines the functions of a general cargo and oversized cargo carrier. Managing Director of North-Western Shipping Company Albert Vygovsky

http://www.sterntubeseal.com/�



said the company had been operating the vessel of this project for over a year. According to him, this project is the highest demand in the market today.

Neva-Leader 8 is the eighth in the series of 10 vessels of project RSD49 being built by Nevsky Shipyard for North-Western Shipping Company. The lead vessel of project RSD49, Neva-Leader 1, was laid down on December 14, 2010, floated out on May 20, 2012 and put into service on November 26, 2012. As of today, the shipping company operates first seven vessels of the project. The Volga-Don Max vessels with deadweight of over 7,000 t are designed for transportation of general and bulk cargoes, including steel, grain, timber, coal, oversized and heavy-lift and dangerous cargoes. The vessels have three holds, one of them is 51 meter long. The vessels are being built under the programme for large-scale renovation of VBTH fleet. VBTH is the shipping division of UCL Holding. Nevsky Shipyard LLC, a subsidiary of JSC North-Western Shipping Company (part of UCL Holding), is located 40 km from Saint-Petersburg in Shlisselburg on the left bank of the Neva River. The company has

been engaged in shipbuilding since 1952. Nevsky Shipyard builds sea-going and river vessels of various types and purposes and provides all kinds of ship repair. Nevsky Shipyard’s slipway allows launching and lifting for repair 140-m-long vessels with dock weight of up to 3,000 tonnes. North-Western Shipping Company is the largest carrier in Russia’s water transport system, specializing in shipping import / export general cargo, bulk and loose dry cargo, tugging of oversized cargo and vessels. The company’s fleet comprises over 60 sea-and-river-going vessels and 10 sea-going vessels with total deadweight of some 360,000 t. The company annually carries over 6 mln t of cargo Source : PortNews

Aeolus gets sea legs Shipyard Lloyd Werft has attached the first of the four 87-metre steel legs to Van Oord’s offshore installation vessel AEOLUS in Bremerhaven, Germany. The 920-tonne unit was settled into its jacking position on the 139-metre vessel using a Mammoets LR13000, the largest crawler crane in the world. Van Oord said the work “will continue round the clock for a fortnight” and the AEOLUS is scheduled to be operational in July. Source : ReNEws



Safety milestones for Drydocks World The Drydocks World & Maritime World group has reiterated its commitment to Occupational Health and Safety during an event commemorating World Safety & Health Day. The shipyard announced major safety milestones on two

of its key projects including achievement of 2.5 million man hours LTI-free on the pioneering DolWin beta project and 2 million man hours LTI-free in April, 2014 on the UK’s Solan subsea oil storage tank being constructed at the shipyard.

The environmentally friendly DolWin beta will act as a 900 MW electricity transmission link that will connect offshore wind farms located at the DolWin wind farm area near Helgoland in the German sector of the North Sea. The Solan subsea oil storage tank is of dimensions 45 x 45 x 25 metres and is being built at the Drydocks World - Dubai facility for Premier Oil. The Solan field is located in the UK North Sea, west of the Shetland Islands.

His Excellency Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of Drydocks World & Maritime World says the Dubai yard is committed to propagating a high-performing and sustainable safety according to the Zero Harm slogan within the organisation.

“We would like to ensure that risk controls are committed at all levels. This underpins our approach to project delivery, at the same time encouraging innovation to counter, existing or developing risks,” Buamim said. Source : Arabian Supply Chain

ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES

The BBC MONT BLANC outbound from Rotterdam – Photo : Kees Torn ©

http://www.redwise.com/�



Newhaven to Dieppe route under threat again

The Newhaven to Dieppe ferry crossing is under threat again as French authorities threatened to withdraw subsidies to the cross-Channel route. The Transmanche ferry route is currently run by DFDS Seaways but its contract expires next year.

A senior official in France has warned that the route cannot depend on the public subsidy which is said to have cost French taxpayers £190 million over the past ten years, reports the Daily Mail. A spokesman for DFDS Seaways, said: "DFDS Seaways decided not to file an application to operate the Dieppe /Newhaven line for 2015, as we were unsure whether we could satisfy the requirements in the current model.

"However, we fully understand the need of the Conseil General to find a solution that is suitable to them and the public, and we will naturally continue our good and constructive dialogue with the Conseil General in order to support them in their work to find a solution that is acceptable to them and the operator on the route. "In the meantime we will continue to operate on the basis of the current agreement with the Conseil General." The General Council of Seine-Maritime (CGSM), which subsidises the link, is looking for new investors.

Nicolas Rouly, president of the CGSM, said: "This is a potentially difficult decision to take to stop the line. But we have spent £190million pounds of public money in ten years.' Ferry users have described the closure of the line as a 'disaster' , claiming it's the most direct route from London and the South East to Paris and western France for both commercial and domestic users. Source : Travelmole

The MPI RESOLUTION arriving in Vlissingen – Photo : Henk Nagelhout ©

MAERSK TRAINING OFFERS FREE PLACES ON OFFSHORE WIND

TRAINING COURSE Local unemployed people in Tyneside (UK) are being offered free places on a new training course designed to help them take advantage of job opportunities in the offshore wind energy market. The course is open to people who are unemployed, a UK resident for the past 3 years, aged 19 or over and live in the Tyneside region. Subsidised places are available for those that don’t qualify. The course has been developed by Newcastle based Maersk Training and lasts approximately ten weeks. The Diploma covers essential safety skills people need to work in an offshore wind turbine



environment. Everyone who successfully completes the course will receive a Maersk Training Diploma in Staying Safe in the Wind Turbine Environment (Onshore and Offshore). Source : Windtech

OLDIE – FROM THE SHOEBOX

At present Kotug is operating a fleet of modern and sophisticated tugs in many ports around the globe, something to be proud of. Above a picture of the tugs STELLA and TRITON, 2 conventional tugs, single propeller, and basically sisterships With minor differences, like the fifi-monitor aft of the funnel. Nostalgia…. Photo : Henk Ros ©

Click HERE for the LIVE STREAM WEBCAM in Hoek van Holland Berghaven

…. PHOTO OF THE DAY …..

ACTA Marine’s JUTTER assisting the ZIRFAEA in the port of Den Helder – Photo : Peter van Boven ©

http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/en/webcam-feed/�

http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/en/webcam-feed/�



The compiler of the news clippings disclaim all liability for any loss, damage or expense however caused, arising from the sending, receipt, or use of this e-mail communication and on any reliance placed upon the information provided

through this free service and does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information

UNSUBSCRIBE / UITSCHRIJF PROCEDURE To unsubscribe click here (English version) or visit the subscription page on our website.

http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/uitschrijven.aspx?lan=en-US

Om uit te schrijven klik hier (Nederlands) of bezoek de inschrijvingspagina op onze website. http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/uitschrijven.aspx?lan=nl-NL



http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/uitschrijven.aspx?lan=nl-NL�

http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/uitschrijven.aspx?lan=nl-NL�

daily collection of mar itime press clippings 2014 –...

Documents