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

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 064

Distribution : daily to 28750+ active addresses 05-03-2014

Number 064 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Wednesday 05-03-2014 News reports received from readers and Internet News articles copied from various news sites.

Das Traumshiffe DEUTSCHLAND moored at the CC01 berth at the Singapore Cruise terminal in Keppel Bay last Sunday - Photo : Piet Sinke © - CLICK on the photo !

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EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS

The MARIE MAERSK enroute – Photo : R. Munstermann ©

Unique Maritime Group Locks In Key Appointment for its Diving Division

Unique Maritime Group, which is one of the world’s leading integrated turnkey subsea and offshore solution providers, has announced the joining of Scott Jamieson as the Group Business Development Manager for its Diving Division. He will be based at UMG’s head office in Sharjah, UAE. His main responsibilities will focus on developing Unique’s relationships with key clients in the diving industry and seeking new business opportunities to support our diving division. The division currently has a wide range of commercial products either available for sale or rent. Some of these include the Air and Mixed Gas Diving Systems, SAT Systems, Hyperbaric Reception Facilities, Personal and Ancillary Diving Equipment, Scuba Replacement Packages, Underwater Tools, Diving Compressors, etc.

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Scott started his early career by working as a Service Engineer and then rapidly progressed in his career path by handling various roles in the diving sphere. With over 30 years of substantial experience in the diving industry, Scott also carries with him a history of sales and marketing experience within this industry. Before taking up his role of a BDM at Unique, he served as Area Director at Divex, Dubai UAE for the last 10 years taking care of various geographical locations, providing valuable technical and engineering solutions to clients within the region. On this occasion, Harry Gandhi, CEO @ Unique Maritime Group commented, “We are extremely delighted to welcome Scott Jamieson to Unique Maritime Group. In 2014, we have major growth plans for our Diving department which is called HYDRA and we hope that with Scott’s phenomenal history of tapping significant deals with industry stalwarts backed by firm sales, marketing and business development skills, will help us achieve the same.” Scott Jamieson affirmed, “I am delighted to be offered this exciting new role to further enhance UMG’s business in the diving sector. UMG has a strong reputation in the market for the top-class products and services it offers to customers

worldwide. I hope to use my expertise to target new clients in this important market sector and also add value to the diving services that UMG already has to offer. ”

mv "Norstream" inbound on river Thames for Tilbury dock, with full load of Hyundai cars passing Tilbury power station. Under command of Capt. Julian Jager. Photo : Keimpe ©

URGENT CORRECTION I am writing subsequent to your publication of an article regarding a pirate attack on SEABOURN SPIRIT off Somalia. Please be aware that this article is a direct re-publication of an article that appeared in the UK Daily Mail on November 5, 2005, the time of the attack. We have been attempting to contact the publisher of the new article, the Somali radio station website Shabelle Media Network. via ALLAFRICA.com, so far without success. This is not a current situation and SEABOURN SPIRIT is presently operating in the Caribbean Sea. Please if possible publish a correction to our readership to avoid any further confusion or concern. Thank you very much for your assistance in correcting this misinformation. Bruce Good - Director of Public Relations Seabourn

RINA granted Danish LNG fuel authority



International classification society RINA has been authorised by the Danish Maritime Authority to act on its behalf to carry out plan approval and surveillance during construction on board ships using LNG as marine fuel. The authorisation is valid for ships flying the Danish Flag.

Andrea Cogliolo, head of innovation, RINA Services, says, “This authorisation recognises RINA’s expertise with gas and will allow us to assist owners in Denmark who are actively considering conversions to and newbuildings with LNG fuel. We believe there will be a rapid and accelerating switch to LNG as a fuel in north European waters, but the move to gas must be done safely and with good management of all the risks involved. That is where we can make a real difference, by helping owners and yards to adopt new fuel solutions in a safe and timely manner.”

RINA has rules and requirements for the use of liquefied or compressed natural gas (LNG or CNG) on board ship as an alternative to traditional fuels. These rules give the industry a regulatory tool to ensure that the arrangement and installation on board of machinery using this type of fuel are such as to provide a level of integrity, from the point of view of safety and reliability, equivalent to that of a conventional installation.

Cogliolo says that until the new IMO Code for Gas Fuelled Ships is completed owners and yards must work to class requirements. “We are helping owners move to gas, and we are making sure they avoid the pitfalls as well gaining the benefits,” he says. RINA is actively involved in a number of projects to convert existing tonnage or build new vessels with gas fuel and is also facilitating studies for the diffusion of LNG as a fuel in the Mediterranean area.

Otto Marine Name Multi-Purpose OSV at Indonesia Shipyard

Singapore-based Otto Marine inform it has named the 'Norshore Atlantic' - which it considers to be the first vessel of its kind to be constructed in Asia - at its Batam Shipyard in Indonesia.

The new offshore service vessel has been built to the MT6022XL Norwegian design. The highly complex vessel classed by DNV is equipped with dynamic positioning 3 ('DP3') capability, and is primarily designed for riserless operation utilizing known and field proven technology.

Norshore Atlantic is equipped to perform riserless drilling operations, plugging and abandonment of old wells, well completion work, well intervention and subsea construction work. It has an ROV system installed onboard, and is equipped with a 150T AHC, offshore cranes, and a drilling derrick.

The owners explain that the new ship is suitable for work in both shallow and deep water, ranging from 70 to 3000 meters. For its maiden project, the Norshore Atlantic is contracted in Asian waters. Subsequently, it will be engaged by an oil major on a three year program and is expected to work globally.

Mr. Garrick Stanley, Chief Executive Officer commented: "The completion of the Norshore Atlantic is a significant milestone for Otto Marine, and for the offshore support vessel industry in the Asia Pacific region. Through Norshore Atlantic and the recently delivered Go Phoenix, we have demonstrated that our yard is capable of constructing ultra-large, highly sophisticated vessels. Source : Maritime Global News

The HANJIN IMABARI departing from Port Hedland loaded with ore – Photo : Bas ©



Bulk carrier ZHE HAI 505 outbound from Rotterdam. Photo : Monique Davis-Mulder ©

First woman selected as head in 20-year history

Leading oil and gas industry body, the Intervention & Coiled Tubing Association (ICoTA) European Chapter, has appointed a new chair and vice-chair. Former vice-chair Kelly Murray will take the helm as chair of the organisation, becoming the first women to do so in the chapter’s 20-year history, while fellow committee member Andrew Louden

has been appointed as the new vice-chair.

Mrs Murray becomes chair after spending five years as an ICoTA committee member where she has played a pivotal role increasing awareness of the organisation within the industry and the wider community. Most notably she has played a vital role in organising the SPE ICoTA Junior Energy Apprentice competition aimed at encouraging school pupils to think about a career in the oil and gas industry. Both appointments were announced at the ICoTA European Chapter’s annual dinner at the Marcliffe Hotel, Aberdeen, attended by more than 300 leading figures from the region’s intervention and coiled tubing industry.

Currently UK intervention solutions manager at Halliburton, Mrs Murray was previously the chief

operating officer at Red Spider before it was bought over by the American oil giant. Mrs Murray started her career in the industry with Baker Hughes and spent the majority of those nine years in the well intervention group.

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Mr Louden is currently the UK managing director of Interwell and has been a member of ICoTA Europe committee for three years With nearly 25 years experience in the well intervention sector Mr Louden started his career with Marathon Oil before taking on a number of roles at Schlumberger and Helix RDS. Under his leadership Interwell has grown from a head count of just four in the UK to more than 40.

Commenting on her appointment, Mrs Murray said: “I am delighted to take on this new role as chairman and become the first woman chair. ICoTA is key in providing a global network of professionals, engineers and technical experts across all well intervention disciplines, offering a vital platform through which to exchange practical knowledge and share innovative ideas and products.”

“ICoTA is 20 this year. I want as chairman to continue the momentum of previous committees to ensure we can attract the new breed of engineers, which the industry needs both now and for the future. The adoption of new technologies and more collaborative ways of working will help to secure the ever-changing North Sea landscape going forward. ICoTA is pivotal in sharing this information and learning across all of the wells’ disciplines.

“I would also like to thank Michael Taggart for his excellent leadership and contribution to ICoTA through 2013. Membership has increased and the organisation continues to be recognised as an established and specialised networking forum for all well intervention activities, both by service providers and oil companies alike.”

Mr Louden added: “I am pleased to have been chosen as vice-chairman of ICoTA Europe. I want to help the organisation build on what it does best, ensuring we continue to offer the excellent opportunities for knowledge sharing and innovation that are recognised across the industry.”

The tug EN AVANT 20 with the HERCULES J outbound from Rotterdam enroute Bremerhaven -

Photo : Arjan Elmendorp. ©

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Vripack’s V20 wins UIM green environmental award

Vripack is delighted to let you know that the V20 Solar Racer has received a 2013 green environmental award special mention from the international motorboat federation UIM. The trophy was presented last Saturday the 1st of March in the exclusive Salle des Etoiles in Monaco.

The UIM Executive committee selected the V20 Solar Racer for a ‘Special mention for Greening the Sport’. Bart Bouwhuis and Marnix Hoekstra, directors of Vripack, attended the Awards Giving ceremony and are very proud of this outstanding achievement.

Bart Bouwhuis and Marnix Hoekstra explain; “Solar energy is one of the most important essentials in the puzzle towards a sustainable economy. The V20 Solar Racer is there to promote the ultimate synergy of nature, motion and

innovation within the motor racing sport. The constant focus on expertise from the fields of innovation and scientific developments is important to Vripack in order to stay focused within the delivery of high quality design, architecture and engineering. The V20 is an excellent way to bring our knowledge of Solar Racing to the World in our typical Holistic approach as we don’t simply

design boats we engineer fantasies.”

The V20 is the Worlds first One Design Solar Racer which is solely driven by the energy created from the sun. The V20 is a so called Hydro Foiling WIG vessel. The adjustable hydro foils carry her hull out of the water and the NACA shape of the deck creates a Wing in Ground (WIG) effect creating additional lift. The goal for all this is to reduce the natural resistances to a minimum allowing the Solar Power to be used for pure speed followed by pleasure and an ear to ear smile.

The V20 is a light weight composite vessel with solar cells which also has the possibility to stall the sun energy in her Lithium Ion batteries or convert this energy directly to the propeller. A sophisticated battery management system assists the pilot to determine what the ideal speed is. With sufficient energy yield it is possible to cruise 100% on the sun and even recharge the battery at the same time. The boat is driven by an electro motor which powers the propeller allowing the V20 to fly up to a speed around the 30 km p/h. In a World Wide Class several V20s will be challenging each other and the elements in an International race circuit. The boats in the V20 class are all identical except for a few strategic elements. The V20 solar boat will add a new exciting element, the V20 Class, to the 5th edition of the Dutch DONG Energy Solar Challenge, between 28th June and 5th July 2014. Then the Solar 1 Monte Carlo Cup, a result of a partnership between Monaco based Solar 1 Races, The Monaco Yacht Club and Vripack, will follow which takes place on the Mediterranean waters in the Monaco bay between 10th and 13th July 2014.

ISS–Tositti expands presence in East Adriatic through strategic partnership

with Navigo Logistika ISS-Tositti, the joint venture formed at the beginning of 2005 between the world’s largest independent marine services organisation, Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), and Venice-based Tositti & C., is teaming up in a new strategic partnership with the Koper-based port agency, Navigo Logistika. After many years of cooperation in various segments



of the shipping industry, the companies will form a new entity called ISS-Navigo and advance their ambitious expansion plans in the East Adriatic.

The new partnership is an important milestone in the development of ISS-Tositti, which already has a growing presence in the Slovenian and East Adriatic markets, and it also develops Koper as a key gateway port for Central Europe throughout the ISS customer base.

Navigo Logistika provides comprehensive agency service in Slovenian, Croatian and Montenegro ports. These port agency services are not just port based, but available wherever customers need them. Its diversified customer base includes clients across the oil, yacht, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as serving naval, government and inter-governmental clients. Additionally, Navigo provides landside commercial and logistics, transit, offshore support and other associated marine services.

Stefano Tositti, Managing Director, ISS-Tositti, said: “This new partnership will combine matchless professionalism, unrivalled market knowledge and completely open-minded thinking. Through mastery of the latest operating systems and a proactive approach to our clients’ business needs, we will offer a unique shipping service solution, specifically tailored for all kind of cargoes.” Adds Ali Al Dilaimi, Managing Director, ISS Navigo: “We are excited about expanding the business with ISS-Tositti to offer new locations within the East Adriatic region and with the most up-to-date market intelligence with leading ship owners, operators, traders and co-brokers through the world, we can be sure to provide the most appropriate services at the right time and place.”

The DOCKWISE SWIFT stand by near the jack up rig BOHAI 8 15Nm south of Pulau Salawat, West Papua.

Photo : Laurens Van Hove - Chief officer mv Mariner ©

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Lankhorst towing ropes for Arctech Icebreakers

Ice management in Sea of Okhotsk and Gulf of Finland

Maritime ropes producer & supplier, Lankhorst Ropes, has supplied leading Arctic vessel builder Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc. with steel wire towing ropes for three new icebreaking supply and emergency operations ships operating in seas off Far East Russia and the Gulf of Finland. The emergency and rescue vessel, NB 508 Baltika, is being built for the Russian Ministry of Transport. While the NB 506 Vitus Bering and NB 507 Aleksey Chirikov, high capability multifunctional icebreaking supply vessels are for Russian shipping company Sovcomflot. Lankhorst has supplied each of the NB 506 Vitus Bering and NB 507 Aleksey Chirikov with 1,000m of 66mm diameter steel wire rope; the ropes have a minimum breaking load (MBL) of 310Mt. The NB 508 Baltika will use 700m of 58mm diameter rope with 240Mt MBL. The steel wire ropes feature an independent wire rope core, providing greater strength and stability to the rope than a fibre core. As well as towing, the galvanised rope can also be used for multiple other offshore applications.

Challenging Conditions

Two of the vessels, NB 506 Vitus Bering and NB 507 Aleksey Chirikov, will support the Sakhalin-1 Arkutun-Dagi oil and gas field in the Sea of Okhotsk, Far East Russia. The ships’ main tasks will be to protect the oil and gas rigs from ice accumulation, provide supplies and transport crews, as well as, oil spill recovery, firefighting, ocean towing, stand-by and rescue. The ships and their equipment will have to perform in temperatures of minus 35 °C, waves up to 18 meters in height and wind speeds exceeding 140 kilometres per hour. Of the NB 508 Baltika the Managing Director of Arctech Helsinki Shipyard, Esko Mustamäki said “Baltika should be the benchmark when developing and building innovative Arctic vessels. Lankhorst Ropes share our desire for innovation and high standards making them the ideal rope supplier for Arctech”. Once delivered the Baltika’s operations will include icebreaking, rescue and oil spill

recovery in the Gulf of Finland. For more information on Lankhorst maritime ropes email [email protected] and visit www.lankhorstropes.com.

The 1980 built SLE flag and Egyptian owned offshore supply ship ABOU SULTAN berthed at Gun Wharf, Grand Harbour, Malta on Monday 3rd March, 2014 after entering harbour to shelter from bad weather on Saturday 1st March, 2014. Photo : Capt. Lawrence Dalli - www.maltashipphotos.com


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In Singapore the NOR SUN was renamed in LOGINDO STURDY - Photo : Piet Sinke ©

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Higher prices and steady freight rates lead ship owners to temporarily halt

second hand vessel purchases As the dry bulk market has kept on improving, but at a very slow rate, ship owners have elected to take a step back from the flurry of the S&P market, as it was in the past few week. After all, prices had started to firm up quite a bit. According to the latest report from Lion Shipbrokers, "buying interest is decreasing as ships' values have firmed beyond the budget of many prospective buyers out there. We recorded less second hand transactions this week (20 sales compared with 30 sales of last week)", said the shipbroker. In a similar weekly report, shipbroker Golden Destiny reached the same conclusion, noting that there were 43 transactions reported worldwide, both in the secondhand and demolition markets, down by 38% on the week, with 42% decrease in secondhand purchases and 29% lower scrapping volumes from the activity reported in the last week.

According to Golden Destiny, "at a similar week in 2013, the total S&P activity in the secondhand/demolition market was standing at 5% lower levels, when 41 transactions had been reported and secondhand ship purchasing was standing 47% higher than the levels of newbuilding orders. The ordering appetite was minor for the main conventional vessel segments. (15 total new orders, 7 bulkers, 2 tankers, and 6 special projects)". In total, Golden Destiny reported 26 vessels changing hands for a total amount of $513,7 million, while two deals were done at an undisclosed price (10 bulkers, 10 tankers, 1 gas tanker, 1 liners and 4 containers). "Bulkers and tankers held the lion share of this week’s

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S&P activity -38% share each, containers 15% share, only 1 S&P deal reported in the gas tanker segment.. The highest invested capital is reported in the tanker segment for region $185 mil, due to intense S&P activity reported in the crude tanker segment", said the shipbroker.

Among the most notable deals, Lion Shipbrokers reported that in dry bulk carriers, "Hanjin’s panamax BARITO (73K BLT 1996 HUDONG/CHINA SS/DD DUE AUG 2016) has changed hands locally within South Korea, achieving a price of $7.2 mill. Price is similar to the recent deals of three years older units of HANSUNG SUNRISE (73K BLT 1993 HYUNDAI/S. KOREA) and VITAPRIDE (69K BLT 1993 IMABARI/JAPAN), illustrating the premium buyers are willing to pay extra for South Korean and especially Japanese built units. Four supramaxes changed hands this week; clients of Giavridis of Greece have acquired Japanese controlled TRITON STORK (56K BLT 2004 MITSUI/JAPAN CR 4X30T) for the market level of $21.15 mill. In an en bloc deal, clients of Thoresen of Thailand have purchased Cido’s supramax trio TOP HARMONY, TOP FREEDOM & TOP ISLAND (55K BLT 2005/05/06 OSHIMA/JAPAN CR 4X30T) for $68.9 mill ($22.6 mill, $22.6 mill & $23.7 mill respectively). Remind you that last week, similar unit SKY MARINER V (53K BLT 2005 IMABARI/JAPAN CR 4X30T) was committed for $22 mill. Modern handy WEST FORTUNE (28K BLT 2009 SHIMANAMI/JAPAN CR 4X30.T DD DUE APR 2014) commanded a firm $17.5 mill basis special and dry-docking surveys due next month", said the shipbroker.

Meanwhile, in the demolition market, Lion noted that "the Subcontinent market is stable at firm levels, with India monopolizing almost all of the reported tonnage for one more week. China remains stable at levels in the low-mid $300, same as Turkey, paying levels in the region of $300". Similarly, Golden Destiny mentioned that "India holds firm position in the demolition arena with container disposals in the panamax segment surging and yards fulfilling their capacity. The high influx of container tonnage for disposal may cause, in the short term, a downward pressure in scrap rates once the arrivals for beaching begin and yards being full of capacity. Bangladesh and China remain quiet, while in Pakistan, there is still short of activity for tanker disposals by winning this week one capesize bulker".

Demolition activity was down by 29% on the week, despite a large increase in bulker scrapping activity (up by 250% on the week). " In terms of deadweight sent for scrap, there has been 36% weekly increase with strong reported disposals for large vessel sizes, 3 capesize-2 panamax bulkers, 1 VLCC-1 panamax in the tanker segment, 2 panamax in the container. India is reportedly to have won 7 of the 17 demolition transactions, Bangladesh 0, Pakistan 1, China 2, Turkey 1 and 6 reported vessel disposals at undisclosed demo country. Benchmark scrap prices in the Indian subcontinent region: $420-430/ldt for dry and $450/ldt for wet cargo. Scrap prices in China hover at $310/ldt for dry and $330/ldt for wet cargo. Notable demolition transactions: Reported in the container segment, M/V “HANJIN IRENE”4,024 teu with 18,888 Ldt, built 1994 fetched $485/ldt in India asis Fujairah with sufficient bunkers for the voyage to India. At a similar week in 2013, demolition activity was up by 12%, in terms of the reported number of transactions, when 19 vessels had been reported for scrap of total deadweight 689,599 tons with 4 disposals for bulkers, 3 tankers, 8 liners, 2 containers, 1 passenger/cruise and 1 Ro-Ro. Ship-breakers in Indian subcontinent region had been offering lower levels of the current year, $385-400/ldt for dry and $420/ldt for wet cargo", the shipbroker concluded. Source : Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

An Amels Vlissingen built Yacht returned at the builders after a few hours trials at the Westerschelde

Photo : Huib Lievense ©



Branson discusses new cruiseline with UAE investors

British tycoon Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the diverse Virgin empire, is looking to enter the cruise market and has tapped Middle Eastern interests for capital, Dubai’s The National newspaper reported. Branson is looking to build two cruiseships for around $1.7bn and to headquarter the new firm in Miami. Branson told The National that he was in discussions with Abu Dhabi investors about the new venture. Abu Dhabi is spending big at the moment to lure more cruise business its way.

Branson is understood to be holding discussions with other investors from around the world regarding this cruiseline launch. Source : Asia Cruise News

Vroon’s IVER EXPORTER anchored off Singapore – Photo Leon van Duivendijk – Iver ships ©

Traditional and modern ways of shipping finance

The shipping industry has faced its worst crisis during the last 25 years. The limited liquidity of the shipping market and the trend of banks to limit their exposure have made shipowners to find new methods of financing their investment projects. Traditional lenders such as Germany’s Commerzbank and HSH Nordbank and the UK’s Lloyds and RBS are either exiting the market or trying to reduce exposure.

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It is worth noting that during 2013 shipping companies have raised more than $8bn from stock exchanges of Oslo and New York. The truth is that equity funds remain a small player because traditional debt financing offers $250bn annually while during 2008 this figure was close to $500bn!

In addition, institutional investors such as private equity and hedge funds have emerged and play a key role in the shipping industry. From 2010 to 2013 nearly $15,6bn private equity funds have been invested, while $5bn of shipping loans have changed hands during the latest year.

Michael Dell, founder of Dell, has invested $33M in acquiring 9,8% share of Stealthgas capital as LPG shipping sector highlights strong demand and small orderbook. "We are extremely excited and proud that one of the United States' major billionaires is investing with us" said Harry Vafias, founder of Stealthgas. Other examples are Oaktree Capital Management which took a large stake in Floatel Maritime and York Capital Management which formed a joint venture with Greek Costamare Inc. to buy five containerships for more than $190M.

Most analysts express their opinion that investors have targeted attractive sectors of the market, especially product tankerts, LPG and LNG. They also mention that the main difference between traditional shipowners and private equity funds is that while the first tend to hold their vessels for 25 years, the second aim to quick profit by listing companies or selling their vessels when ship valuations and charter rates recover.

Finally, one major concern is that the problem of oversupply may be augmented because fleet growth for 2016 accelerates as the prices for newbuildings are low and the rates appear to have positive prospects. Source: Article written by John Nikolaou, based in Athens. He is a Financial Analyst with Coca Cola HBC and has passion about the maritime industry.

Panama says still targeting canal expansion by end 2015

Panama's Foreign Minister Francisco Alvarez De Soto told chief executives of the Japanese Shipowners' Association Monday that the Panama Canal Authority and relevant parties are still targeting to complete the upgrade to the Panama Canal by the end of 2015, a JSA source said.

Asked by JSA vice president Yasumi Kudo during a 30-minute meeting in Tokyo to clarify the latest outlook for the Panama Canal expansion completion, Alvarez De Soto is quoted as saying the ACP and relevant parties are making efforts to complete work by the end of 2015 despite reported delays, the source said.

Alvarez De Soto also told Kudo, who is president of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, that completion of the Panama Canal expansion by the end of 2015, as agreed between ACP and contractors, would mutually benefit the canal and its users, the source said.

The meeting took place just days after that ACP said February 27 that it had ended its talks with the new locks project contractor Grupo Unidos por el Canal, S.A. (GUPC), through which a "conceptual agreement" has been reached for the expansion project.

The conceptual deal includes commitment by ACP and GUPC to complete construction of the Panama Canal by December 2015, with GUPC paying $100 million and ACP advancing $100 million, which will enable work to resume at a normal pace in March, the ACP said in a statement.

Under this agreement, construction of the third set of locks is slated to be completed by December 2015, with the 12 lock gates from Italy expected to arrive in Panama in staggered shipments by December 2014.

The performance bond for $400 million may only be released to insurer Zurich North America, to obtain financing to complete the work. During the meeting, Kudo also told Alvarez De Soto that the ACP and the canal users should have regular dialogue on tolls, safety and environmental issues even after finalizing a prospective new toll system for the Panama Canal, the source said.

In response, Alvarez De Soto said stability of the Panama Canal toll was important for canal users, adding that ACP intends to continue talks with the canal users going forward, the source said.

At the meeting, JSA President Jiro Asakura told Alvarez De Soto it was important for the Japanese shipping industry and Panama to enhance cooperation as the Japanese maritime industry has been a major user of the Panama Canal, the source added. Alvarez De Soto is in Japan over March 2-4 at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The last time a Panama foreign minister visited Japan was in October 2012, when then-foreign minister Romulo Roux accompanied President Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal on his visit to Japan. Martinelli met then JSA president Akimitsu Ashida during his visit. Panama is by far Japan's largest flag state for its ocean liner fleet. In mid-2012, Japanese



shipowners had 1,881 Panama-flagged ships, accounting for close to 66% of the country's 2,851 fleet, according to JSA data. Source: Platts

Last week the Lion City’s LNG terminal was officially opened by Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong. The Methane Micky Harper is the first vessel to call the terminal. Photo taken last Friday. Photo : Leon van Duivendijk - Iver Ships B.V. ©

'Save major ports' campaign launched The Water Transport Workers' Federation will carry on its 'Save Major Ports' campaign till March 6, federation general secretary T Narendra Rao said at a media conference here. Unions affiliated with the federation have launched the campaign in light of the dwindling cargo and increasing privatization of assets in major ports, Rao said at the press meet. The drop in cargo handling and declining financial positions of major ports are affecting workers' livelihoods, he asserted.

Major ports such as Chennai, Kochi, Haldia and Mormugao are suffering because of lack of cargo, while private ports such as Gangawaram, Kakinada, Kattupalli (Chennai), Krishnapatnam and Karaikal (TN) have sprung up in quick succession threatening the existence of the major ports, he pointed out.

The unions are also observing a 'demands week' at all the 12 major ports to highlight various long-pending issues of port workers, Rao said. These include filling up vacancies that existed as of January 1, 2007, at all major ports and devise a productivity-linked rewards scheme for the next three years immediately in consultation with recognized federations. He also pointed out that while the Union shipping ministry's maritime agenda estimates that new projects in major ports will require an investment of Rs 1.09 lakh crore, the development of private ports will require around Rs 1.67 lakh crore - much more than the Centre's plan. This is the time to save our major ports, he said adding that nobody is bothered about their survival. Source: TNN

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“Multiaxial fatigue analysis for ships and offshore structures are highly relevant”

A Joint Industry Project “4D-Fatigue”is being initialized to improve fatigue assessment and automatic screening of welded joints in ships and offshore structures which are subjected to multi-axial and variable-amplitude loading.

Improvement of fatigue assessment has a large influence on maintenance and repair costs, operational downtime, and potential lifetime extension. It is also essential to ensure required safety levels with respect to crew, passengers, society, environment, asset, cargo and a better structural design.

Fatigue is a complex and progressive form of local damage which is influenced by many factors such as magnitude, direction, phase and frequency of the loads causing cyclic stress; material imperfections and environmental conditions (cryogenic, arctic, hyperbaric, sea water). The existing multiaxial fatigue design methods can overestimate fatigue lifetime of welded structural details by more than a factor of ten and predict lifetime of 30 years whereas the actual fatigue lifetime is three years only. Therefore, there are large interests of Dutch and International ship and offshore companies to enhance the knowledge by a thorough fundamental approach and participating by supporting this project financially. The results of the research will be used in practical design and lifetime extension of ship and offshore structures and to potentially modify the current rules and regulations. The main objective of the 4D-Fatigue experimental research program is defining the most simplified approach to estimate fatigue lifetime of welded details subjected to multi-axial, non-proportional and variable-amplitude stresses. The approach should be applicable for welded details in ship and offshore structures and should predict the fatigue lifetime with an accuracy of at least 50 percent. If you are interested in joining this 4D-Fatigue JIP please contact Prof. Mirek Kaminski of TU Delft [email protected] or our office at [email protected]

The tug ATLANTIC OAK returning to the Atlantic Towing base on the Dartmouth side of Halifax Harbour.

Photo : John Attersley ©

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Port of Salalah 2013 net profit dips 20%

Salalah Port Services Co, also called the Port of Salalah, the second largest transshipment terminal in the Middle East, reported a 20 per cent decline in net profit for the year 2013, compared with the previous year. Consolidated net profit decreased to RO5.66mn for 2013, compared with RO7.08mn for 2012, mainly due to lower container volume handled at the port during 2013, according to the company’s filing to the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

The Port of Salalah, however, recorded historical new highs in volumes handled at its General Cargo Terminal (GCT), which offset a decline in Container Terminal (CT) transshipment volume handled during 2013. The GCT registered a record throughput of 7.94mn tonnes at the end of 2013, compared with 7.25mn tonnes in 2012, resulting in a growth of 9.5 per cent.

The port’s Container Terminal (CT), on the other hand, handled over 3.34mn twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), compared with 3.63mn TEU in 2012, representing a decline of eight per cent.

The company said it recorded a contraction in transshipment volume from one of its customers in the third and four quarter of 2013, which was the main reason for the decline in the overall volume handled at the CT. The transshipment volumes represented 96.5 per cent of throughput volume at the CT during 2013.

“Through improved service levels, the company was able to retain its major customers in 2013. Overall, volumes at the CT were negatively impacted by new terminal developments within the region, combined with the slow development of global trade,” said Ahmed bin Nasser al Mahrizi, chairman, board of directors, Salalah Port Services Co, in the company’s directors' report.

He added, “Despite the increased regional competition among the ports and fluctuations in the global economy, which had an impact on the company’s transshipment, the general

outlook for the Port of Salalah remains positive as the road ahead offers unparalleled opportunities that require the interconnection, coordination and collaboration of its stakeholders for all to gain.” The consolidated revenues of Port of Salalah in 2013 were RO58.5mn, compared with RO57.54mn in 2012. Mahrizi said that the management of Port of Salalah continues to seek new business and attract routes through Salalah to a number of new destinations, including East Africa and the Asian subcontinent. “The company expects general cargo growth to continue during 2014 and 2015, supported by the launch of the GCT expansion that will significantly increase the port’s capacity to handle cargo. This will, in turn, also support the growth of the local businesses that are depending on the GCT for export and import of cargo,” he added.

The company said that the management is gearing up its marketing efforts to maintain high capacity utilisation of the expanded GCT when it comes online towards the end of 2014. “The outlook for the GCT is positive, with our customers indicating an increase in their throughput for 2014 and beyond. The business plan of the company includes marketing Port of Salalah as the hub with added interconnectivity and exposure to multiple major geographies and markets,” Salalah Port Services Co said in its company report. Source: Muscat Daily

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NAVY NEWS Long Voyage Reveals Some

Vikramaditya Problems India’s new aircraft carrier arrived from the Russian shipyard on January 7th after a 39 day journey. This was the first long range (15,000 kilometers) cruise for the Vikramaditya and was not without incident. One of the eight steam boilers failed and the carrier proved unable to refuel at sea. The Indians feel they can deal with both problems.

The boiler problem is nothing new. Back in 2012 seven of eight steam boilers in the carrier power plant failed during high-speed trials. The Russians blamed India for this, as the Indians refused to allow the Russians to use asbestos to insulate the steam boilers. Instead the Russians had to use firebrick which, as some engineers suspected, was not adequate. Extensive work had to be done on the engines to rectify the problem. It’s unclear if the recent boiler problem is related to the 2012 insulation problems.

Refueling at sea is a matter of practice and each type of ship requires slightly different moves to make it work. With practice the Vikramaditya crew will make it work and how that is done will be passed down from generation to generation of sailors who crew the ship. The tanker that was trying to refuel Vikramaditya at sea was also new to dealing with such a large ship. The Vikramaditya is a 44,000 ton ship, now the largest in the Indian Navy and the largest the navy has ever handled. Source : Strategy page

China's aircraft carrier leaves for tests, training

China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, Sunday left its homeport of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province on tests and training missions. The journey is the first of its kind for Liaoning in 2014 and is part of its yearly tests and training schedule, according to sources with he People's Liberation Army Navy.

The aircraft carrier and its crew have conducted a series of tests and trainings, including landing and takeoff by various aircraft on its deck.

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The Liaoning is China's only aircraft carrier in operation. It was refitted based on an unfinished carrier of the former Soviet Union. The refitted carrier was delivered to the navy on Sept. 25, 2012. Source : Xinhuanet

Italian Navy Receives its Third FREMM Frigate “Carlo Margottini”

Two months after the final acceptance of the FoC ASW Virginio Fasan, the Italian Navy has enlarged the existing fleet with the third FREMM Frigate, Carlo MARGOTTINI. The ceremony was held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano, La Spezia (Italy). The FREMM Margottini is in Anti Submarine Warfare configuration as well as Fasan.

The delivery of three ships fully operational in nine months is the result of the synergy among OCCAR, Italian Navy and national Industries. The whole Programme for Italy includes the production of up to 10 ships, 8 already funded. The Programme is in line with the contractual schedule. The next mission, on the 29th of March, is the launch of the CARABINIERE, the third frigate in ASW version.

Fincantieri CEO, Giuseppe Bono stated: “Today ceremony confirms/seals a praiseworthy corporate and system performance. Thanks to the close synergy with the OCCAR Programme Division and the Italian Navy, we deliver the third fully operative unit built in nine months, which allows the Italian Fremm programme to meet the strict deadlines and Navy requirements. Italian FREMM are intended to operate at National level and at integrated cooperation within international missions, contributing to European, NATO and United Nations operations.

Main Characteristics: - Length, overall: 144 m - Displacement (around): 6,700 t - Crew + extra Personnel: 145+55 - Propulsion: CODLAG - Speed: > 27 kts

OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) is the contracting Authority for the FREMM Programme, Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (51% Fincantieri, 49% Selex ES) is the Prime Contractor for Italy. Source : navyrecognition

SHIPYARD NEWS



STX Offshore & Shipbuilding wins 620 bln won order

STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. said Monday it obtained an order worth 620 billion won (US$578.9 million) to build 12 crude oil tankers. Under the deal with Navig8 Product Tankers Inc., a Singaporean shipper, STX Offshore & Shipbuilding will deliver the tankers by the end of June 2016, the South Korean company said in an e-mailed statement.

STX Offshore & Shipbuilding had faced difficulty in winning orders since July last year when it was placed under a self-rescue plan to normalize its management. Its creditors agreed in January to provide 1.8 trillion won to help the firm tide over a liquidity crunch. Source : [email protected]

Keppel and TS Offshore in $500m jack-up contract

Keppel has won a $500m jack-up rigbuilding contract with TS Offshore.

The KFELS N Plus rig, the first of its design, is scheduled for delivery in Q1 2017. The rig will feature 678m legs, will be able to operate in water depth of 500ft, and drill to depths of 35,000ft. The rig is slated for deployment in the Eastern China Sea, but will also be capable of operation in the North Sea.

"The KFELS N Plus rig is a robust and cost-efficient rig with distinctive safety and operational features,” said Xiong Shaohui, TS Offshore chairman. “It is one of the world's most advanced rigs of its class with better drilling capabilities, a superior cantilever load performance, a larger deck space, a higher variable load and enhanced accommodations. We are confident it fills the gap for ultra-high specification rigs needed in the Eastern China Sea or almost anywhere in the world with a need for high specification and deepwater jackup rigs.”

Wong Kok Seng, md of offshore at Keppel O&M and md of Keppel FELS said, "We are delighted that TS Offshore has chosen to build their rig for the Eastern China Sea to our ultra-robust and ultra-high specification

KFELS N Plus design. This rig is the combination of Keppel's unique experience in designing and building rigs both for the North Sea as well as other parts of the world. It has the versatility to operate efficiently in the deeper waters of the Eastern China Sea as well as areas where the operating foundation conditions pose considerable installation challenges.” Source : Seatrade Global


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The EDDY 30-65 tug under construction at Holland Shipyards in Hardinxveld–Giessendam

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The Largest Cruise Ship in Italian Shipbuilding History Launched.

Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard has launched the “Britannia”, a new flagship of the P&O Cruises fleet owned by the Carnival Group. Attending the ceremony for the owner was Gerard Tempest, Chief Commercial Officer di Carnival

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UK, while representing Fincantieri were, among others, Attilio Dapelo, Shipyard Manager. Godmother of the ceremony was Louise Hunt, an English travel agent. The construction of “Britannia” consolidates Fincantieri’s primacy in building the largest passenger ships in Italian shipbuilding history. In fact, at 141,000 gross tons, 330 metres long and 38 metres wide, the new ship is the largest ship ever built by Fincantieri. It has 1,780 cabins, of which 1,438 with balconies (81% of the total), and is able to accommodate 3,600 passengers, with total capacity for over 5,600 people including crew. As an innovative ship for a new ground-breaking class, “Britannia” stands out for their new “future-proof design”, not only in terms of layout and state-of-the-art performance, but also because they comply with the most recent regulations in shipping (Safe return to port”).

Rongsheng inks major non-marine contract

China’s largest private shipyard, Rongsheng Heavy Industries has been awarded a contract to build the steel structure for Hutong Yangtze River Bridge, a new bridge on the Yangtze River which will be 1092 meters long and connect Shanghai and Nantong. “At the same time of developing our shipbuilding and offshore businesses, we also see non-marine businesses like steel structure as a new direction for strategic transformation. The contract is an important landmark of Rongsheng’s expansion into multi-sector businesses,” said Chen Qiang, chairman of Rongsheng. Source : Sino Ship News

Sanfu bags 10 MPVs from German owner

Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering has received orders from new German owner Zeaborn GmbH for the construction of ten 12,500 dwt multi-purpose vessels. Price for each vessel is $19m and deliveries are scheduled from the second half of 2015 to 2017. Source : SinoShipNews

ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES

Sentences handed down in Sohar port corruption case

A 23-year jail sentence has been handed to the ceo of Oman Oil Company (OOC) for bribes relating to port construction. Also, the former adviser to the minister of National Economy, was sentenced to a 10-year jail term. A third defendant, the 65-year-old Korean CEO of LGI who was charged with offering bribes to the OOC chief, was handed a 10-year jail term. The public prosecutor charged the first defendant, OOC chief, with accepting a bribe to award the contract for construction of a plant for the Oman Petrochemical Aromatics Company at Sohar Port to LGI Korea. Source : GulfShipNews

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Shorepower Coming for Quebec and Montreal

Montreal is getting shorepower.

More than $24 million has been earmarked for shorepower hook-ups in Montreal and Quebec City, according to the Cruise the Saint Lawrence Association. The investment is part of a bigger initiative totaling more than $60 million by the Quebec government to promote cruise tourism. No dates or additional information on the electrical hook-ups were provided. Tourism Québec has also announced investments totaling $7.625 million spread out over three years to enhance and position the Saint Lawrence as a must see tourist destination, hoping to attract more ships to the region.

Of this sum, $5.9 million has been set aside to prioritize support for tourism infrastructure initiatives in six ports of call which welcome international cruise ships: Baie-Comeau, Gaspésie, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Îles de la Madeleine, Saguenay and Sept-Îles.33Additional financial assistance in the amount of $1.725 million is going to the Cruise the Saint Lawrence group to allow them to implement an action plan through 2016. Source : cruise Industry news

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Maersk commences new alliance linking Far East to Indian Subcontinent

Maersk, the core liner shipping company of the Maersk Group, has announced the commencement of operations of its new Far East alliance linking the Far East to Indian Subcontinent. On January 14th Maersk had announced a new cooperation with three existing Far East to Indian Subcontinent services, starting February 2014.

Mr Franck Dedenis, MD for Maersk, said that "India is an important market for us and our aim is to grow profitably. With the Far East alliance, we are making sure that Maersk’s service network and capacity is optimised. This multi carrier cooperation will provide more frequent sailing between Asia’s major trading hubs, thus bringing tremendous value to our customers."

In a slot sharing agreement, 18 vessels with a total capacity of about 17,500 TEUs will be deployed on the three Far East Indian Subcontinent services. The multi carrier cooperation will provide more frequent sailings between Asia’s major trading hubs and at the same time, eliminate unnecessary service duplications between the carriers.

The enhanced network will enable the carriers to offer three weekly sailings covering China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, compared to one weekly sailing currently offered independently by each liner. Some of the highlights of the new alliance are:

1. Largest vessels ever deployed on the trade, affording customers the capacity to move large lot shipments. 2. Multiple sailings out of Tanjung Pelepas and Singapore, allowing greater flexibility to the South-East Asian market.

3. Best-in-class to get customers' products delivered quickly and reliably to ensure they can ease any cash flow limitations.

Mr Dedenis said that "With this step, we once again reinforce our commitment to ensure efficient delivery of cargo in terms of quality, timeliness and reliability." Source - www.eximin.net


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The 'BAMSE TUG', 'NORMAND TITAN' and 'KEVERNE' battling through a strong flood tide in the Firth of Tay to take the 'GSF GALAXY II' out from Dundee. Photo : Iain Jamieson ©

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