Good day Mariners

“NAMEPA to present its 2009 Marine Environment Protection Award to the United States Coast Guard”
September 21, 2009 Clay Maitland, Founding Chairman of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), announced that the United States Coast Guard is the recipient of NAMEPA’s 2009 Marine Environment Protection Award. The award will be presented at NAMEPA’s Awards Dinner to be held in New York in conjunction with the 2009 World Maritime Day Parallel Event on October 16th. Commandant Allen will be present to accept the award.

“World Sailor of the Year.”
ISAF received nominations for the 2009 Awards from across the world for sailors representing all aspects of the sport. In deciding the nominees, the achievements of sailors made during the qualifying period of 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009 are taken into consideration.There can be only one winner in each of the two categories, male and female.

“Oil spill could devastate Orissa coast,says Greenpeace.”
The Orissa coast faces devastation if the large amount of oil now inside a capsized ship off the Paradip port spills out of the wreck, international NGO Greenpeace

“AUSMEPA DVD for ‘World Maritime Day’.”
The Australian Marine Environment Protection Association (AUSMEPA) has marked this year’s World Maritime Day, September 24, by releasing the second edition an educational DVD.

“Prisco vessel evades pirate attacks.”
Prisco (Singapore) Pte Ltd reports that its managed tanker Prisco Alexandra, which came under fire in a piracy attack in the Gulf of Aden on Sept 19, has now successfully arrived at the port of Suez and is scheduled to transit through the canal

“Piracy expected to rise as monsoon ends.”
Operators of vessels off the East coast of Africa are being warned by a leading insurance expert to prepare for an increase in pirate attacks after the southwestern monsoon ends in coming weeks.

“Somali pirates stopped by HMAS “Toowoomba”
HMAS ‘Toowoomba’ has successfully thwarted a piracy attack by answering a call for assistance and conducting a boarding of a suspect vessel off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden.

“World Maritime Day.”
World Maritime Day 2009: Climate change: a challenge for IMO too!
World Maritime Day 2009 was celebrated at the Organization’s Headquarters on Thursday, 24 September 2009.
The theme for World Maritime Day 2009 is “Climate change: a challenge for IMO too!”.

India successfully launched its 16th remote-sensing satellite Oceansat-2 and six nano European satellites in 1,200 seconds with the help of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV- C-14) from Sriharikota on Wednesday
The 44.4-metre tall, 230-tonne Indian rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) freed itself from the launch pad at the spaceport and lifted itself up, lugging the 960-kg Oceansat-2 and the six nano satellites all together weighing 20 kg.

“Legendary loss for the industry.”

Captain Charles Arthur Joseph Vanderperre, Chairman of UNIVAN and the pioneer of Ship Management left for heavenly abode on 19th September 2009.
The ‘Father of Ship Management’ as he was widely known was one of the greatest names in Hong Kong shipping circles for the past five decades. Capt. Vanderperre was considered as the ‘Guiding Light’ of UNIVAN and Wallem Group of companies.

“DNV wins global maritime award.”
DNV was named best classification society globally, by the maritime industry’s leading newspaper, Lloyd’s List, at their annual awards event held in London on 8 September. The awards attract a lot of industry attention, and their importance is reflected in the fact that Efthimios Mitropoulos, secretary-general of the IMO, was amongst the panel of judges.

India’s latest addition to the Navy – warship INS Kochi.The 6,500-tonne INS Kochi, launched by Verma’s wife Madulika, is the second warship in the ‘Project 15-A’ under which three guided-missile destroyers with stealth and multi-role features will be built.

“FlyingCat ferry grounds with 59 passengers.”
A French ferry with 59 passengers on board has had to be towed from rocks after it lost control in windy conditions in Braye Harbour, Alderney, France.

“Australia stops ‘asylum’ vessel.”
An Australian navy ship has intercepted a boat carrying nearly 60 suspected asylum seekers – the fourth such incident in less than two weeks.The boat was stopped some 420km (265 miles) north of Broome in Western Australia, officials said.

Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, Chief of the Naval staff will review a ceremonial parade at the Naval Base on his maiden visit to kochi and the Southern Naval command after assuming charge as Naval Chief.

“Statement from Dubai World.”
Dubai World has filed a suit against former employee Herve Jaubert in the United States federal court, Southern Florida.
The company is accusing him of fraud, theft and related charges linked to his time as CEO of Dubai World subsidiary Exomos, established in 2004 to design and make submarines.

“2012 Olympic venue to host ISAF World cup.”
The 2012 Olympic sailing venue at Weymouth and Portland will host the final event of the 2008-09 ISAF Sailing World Cup series.
Over 700 sailors representing 38 nations have gathered at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy for the 2009 edition of the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, where continues through until the Medal Races this Saturday (19 September).

“Launching of Eco Jet Passenger Ferry.”
Australia: Bay Island Transit has launched a new 24-metr, 200-passenger Eco Jet Passenger Ferry, ‘Perulpa’, as part of their fleet modernisation programme.

“Rescue mission lands Orissa scuba diver Sabir Bux in trouble.”
Sabir Bux, an internationally acclaimed scuba diver, is facing trouble for allegedly entering a restricted area in the Bay of Bengal near Paradip port in Orissa.

MAERSk invest US$ 95 million in Angola’s terminal
Sea transport company Maersk Angola is investing US$95 million in Angola in the construction of a second line terminal in Luanda in order to boost its port infrastructure area

“Trinidad and Tobago order passenger ferry fleet.”
In its third significant commercial order for the year, Austal will design and construct four 41 metre high speed passenger catamaran ferries for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

“Royal Australian Navy frigate joins counter-piracy task.”
HMAS ‘Toowoomba’ will be the first Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ship to join the US-led Combined Task Force combating piracy off the Horn of Africa.Chief of Joint Operations Command, Lieutenant General Mark Evans, said HMAS ‘Toowoomba’s’ involvement in the operation was an important contribution towards countering piracy.

“Fireboat named for FDNY heroes killed on 9/11.”
A fireboat launched September 11, 2009 at Eastern Shipbuilding, Panama City, Fla. is named the Three Forty Three in honor of the 343 New York City firefighters killed at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

“Pipavav Shipyard bids on naval,coast guard contracts.”
Bhavesh Gandhi, the Executive Vice-Chairman of India’s Pipavav Shipyard, has said that the company has submitted bids for naval and coast guard vessels.

“Chinese shipbuilding sector to continue struggling.”
Statistics from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MITT) showed that the country’s shipbuilders received a total of 7.87 million DWT of newbuild orders in the first seven months of 2009. This, according to the Global Times, is a 78 percent year-on-year decline.

MITT figures also showed that 75 vessels (3.88 million DWT) were cancelled in the first seven months of the year, about two percent of the total current orders, as at the end of July 2009.

“Oceanography key in air crash rescue.”
Operational oceanography played a key role in the safe rescue of all 155 people on board US Airways Flight 1549 which crashed into the Hudson River on 15 January 2009, as Alan F. Blumberg of the Centre for Maritime Systems, Stevens Institute of Technology writes in the latest issue of the Journal of Operational Oceanography (JOO) published by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).

“MOL concept for new generation vessel”
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that the company has formed the concept for its next-generation vessels, which will be a technically practical in the near future, by building on and refining technologies it has already developed and adopted.

“Egypt Suez Canal revenue drops as risk grows.”
Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority reported this week that the passageway’s revenues for August were down. The report comes after analysts had hoped August would continue to show signs of recovery from the global economic crisis and piracy threats in the Gulf of Aden, but the figures reported are not promising.

“Hapag Llyod cuts staff,wages and work hours.”
A Hapag-Lloyd spokesman has reportedly confirmed that the works council and management have agreed on a cost-cutting programme that will save the company US$900 million per year. Under the cost-cutting scheme, Hapag-Lloyd will discontinue 120 jobs in 2010. This will be done through cancellation agreements and the discontinuation of contracts with temporary workers.

“Offshore testing of Subsea7’s hot tap technology.”
Subsea 7, UK, has announced that following a three-year development, testing and qualification programme, its new subsea hot tap technology, Subsea Grouted Tee (SSGT), has completed offshore trials in the North Sea.

“Pipavav Shipyard’s new dry dock to open next month.”
Pipavav Shipyard’s new dry dock in Gujarat is set to open next month. The new dock is 662-metres-long and 65-metres-wide.
It is capable of accommodating two Panamax ships and two small ships at the same time. Besides the dry dock, there is also a 680-metre by 60-metre wet dock.

“Ship carrying iron ore sinks off Indian coast.”
A cargo ship carrying around 25,000 tonnes of iron ore capsized off Orissa’s coast on Wednesday evening and a crew member is missing, Reuters writes quoting a senior port official.

“US sign anti-piracy document”.
The United States plans to formalise its commitment to have US-flagged ships conduct “internationally-recognised best management practices” against piracy, AFP writes quoting the State Department.

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“Wuhan plans Asia’s largest river port.”
Authorities in Hubei have announced ambitious plans to build new docks, railways and roads around the provincial capital of Wuhan, a development they said would make the city the biggest river port in Asia by 2030, writes CargonewsAsia. The move is part of a plan to speed up the industrialisation of the Yangtze Economic Zone to benefit from effective river transportation.

“Crackdown on Australia port and maritime security.”
The Office of Transport Security (OTS) has issued a report which revealed that convicted criminals are free to work at Australian ports due to gaps in national maritime security.

“Keppel FELS and PV drilling name Twin Rigs”
For the first time in rig history, two identical jackup rigs have been named together by Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) and its customer PetroVietnam Drilling & Well Services Corp (PV Drilling).

“ClassNK releases onboard wireless LAN systems guidelines.”
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has published a new guideline entitled, Guidelines on Shipboard Wireless LAN Systems. In a statement, the classification society said, “The use of wireless LAN systems is becoming more accessible in public areas onshore such as airports, train stations, and hotels. However, with the exception of some passenger ships, LAN systems onboard ships have predominantly been limited to wired systems.

“South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference”
SEAAOC 2009 – South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference is Northern Australia’s largest and longest established petroleum conference. SEAAOC is a significant international opportunity to discuss key gas and LNG developments located across the entire northern Australian band and SE Asia.

“Griffin Kinetics 21st anniversary and Re Branding Launch”
Griffin Kinetic Pte Ltd, a full-fledged, one stop logistic unit was set up in 1988, with the aim of providing air and sea freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution services. The initial emphasis was on the movement of marine spares that require detailed logistics and special handling and has become synonymous with the shipping of marine spares. After being in business for more than 17 years, Griffin Kinetic Pte Ltd has grown from strength to strength. The year 1992 Griffin Kinetic became a member of the Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI). Griffin Kinetic is also a member of Singapore Logistics Association. This recognizes Griffin Kinetic as a leading freight forwarder in Singapore. Griffin Kinetic has carved a niche for itself in its specialization in warehouse-to-vessel delivery. The company has evolved into an entity with a singularity of purpose – Quality Logistics Service . Griffin is represented by agencies in more than 50 cities worldwide, and is able to provide an international network that could help track the client needs.

“Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show”
The Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat & Brokerage Yacht Show, September 10-13, 2009

“Maritime Expo reports big rise in exhibitors”
Middle East market for specialised vessels shrugging off the global downturn, say organisers of Middle East WorkboatsThe organiser of the region’s premier maritime event for specialised vessels is reporting a 60% increase in exhibitors compared with last year, despite the global slowdown.

Hanjin’s ZESCO yard gets approval for foreign ship repair”
Hanjin Shipping’s Zhejiang Eastern Shipyard (ZESCO) has received official approval from the Chinese government to repair foreign ships, writes the Manila Bulletin. ZESCO, developed in conjunction with China’s Shunhe Shipping, is located in Qushan Island of Zhejiang Province near Shanghai’s Yang Shan Port. With the completion of phase-1, the yard sits on a land of 550,000 with 150,000dwt dock, 300,000dwt dock and a quay of 670m. When phase-2 is completed, it will also have a 400,000dwt dock with a quay of 640m.

“GE Oil & Gas launches the new VetcoGray S-Series SVXT subsea tree”
GE Oil & Gas has launched the new VetcoGray S-Series SVXT subsea tree at the Offshore Europe Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, being held from 8-11 September 2009 in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The new VetcoGray S-Series SVXT subsea tree merges horizontal and vertical tree technology, reducing weight by 20%, decreasing height, and also delivering essential functionality in a pre-engineered, pre-configured ‘modular’ way. Low-cost installation of the new SVXT is achieved through a design that enables deployment using standard offshore jack-up drilling rigs without the need for major modifications.

“A.P Moller-Maersk’s logistics services now trading as Damco”

The A.P. Moller – Maersk Group’s logistics activities start trading as Damco on Monday 7 September 2009. Damco is the new, combined brand of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group’s logistics activities.
Damco offers a broad range of supply chain management and freight forwarding services to customers all over the world, and has 10,500 colleagues in 272 offices, covering over 93 countries in Africa, Asia, North America, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America.
In 2008, the company had a net turn-over of USD 2.8 billion, shipped more than half a million TEUs ocean freight, air freighted over 60,000 tonnes, and handled over 50 million CBMs (equivalent to 2 million TEU) for our supply chain management customers.
Damco is an independent business activity within the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group.

“DNV certifies the first maritime SOX exhaust gas scrubber”

DNV has issued a compliance certificate for the first ship fitted with an exhaust gas cleaning system capable of meeting the requirements of SOx Emission Control Areas. The certification demonstrates that ship operators may in the future have the option of using traditional fuel oils, rather than low-sulphur fuels, when voyaging in designated sensitive areas such as the North Sea.

“China overtakes Japan in battle of shipbuilding Titans”

Ship deliveries from China exceeded those from Japan in the first six months of the year for the first time. According to figures from Clarkson Research, China’s share climbed to 23% in the first half, compared with Japan’s 22%.

“Dozens missing from sunken ferry in Philippines”

Philippine authorities are continuing to search for about 30 people still missing after a ferry sank in the middle of the night. Nine people died when the SuperFerry 9 listed then sank, but more than 900 were rescued from life rafts near the southern city of Zamboanga.Officials are hopeful some passengers may still be drifting in life rafts.The Philippine defence minister said the rescue had been helped by the presence of other vessels nearby.

“Remains of Ill-fated Ohrid Lake Ship to be taken out of water”

The remains of the ship “Ilinden” that sunk in the waters of the Lake Ohrid in Macedonia, killing 15 Bulgarians Saturday, will be taken out for the needs of the Bulgarian investigators.

The information was reported Sunday by the Bulgarian information agency BTA, citing the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism.All 15 bodies have been identified, but per Macedonian legislation, they need to be also recognized by relatives in order to be sent to Bulgaria.

“DNV releases guide to reduce air emissions from ships”

DNV has released a comprehensive guide to the technical and operational issues involved in reducing air emissions from ships, including details of the latest MARPOL requirements entering into force on 1 July 2010. The new brochure describes the main requirements that will come into effect under the revised MARPOL Annex VI as well as other local and international regulations concerning air emissions.

“The measures required to meet the new regulations affect many aspects of vessel design and operation and, managed correctly, they bring with them the opportunity for improved efficiency and reduced on-going running costs,” said Mr Angelo Tossio project manager of DNV’s Approval Centre Norway.

“Canada to build new nine mid-shore patrol vessels”

The Canadian Government has announced that Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax will build nine of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new mid-shore patrol vessels. The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, said that preliminary work on the US$179 million contract would begin immediately and that the first vessel would be ready for service in 2011. All nine vessels will be delivered by 2013.

“Russian Shipyard builds New Generation Tug.”

The Nizhegorodsky Teplohod Shipyard, based in Nizhni Novgorod, is preparing to deliver Project TG04 to Norilsky Nikel. The tug is scheduled for delivery this month.The shipyard calls the vessel a new generation tug, as it is the first of its kind to be built in the last ten years for a Russian customer.The ship will be operated in the Port of Dudinka and will have icebreaking capabilities. The vessel has a length of 20.45 metres, a beam of 6.56 metres and a 4.4-metre draught. It has a complement of six crew. The dock weight of the tug is 100 tonnes.

“Class NK releases New Guidelines on Brittle Crack Arrest Design.”

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) is pleased to announce the publication of a new guideline entitled, Guidelines on Brittle Crack Arrest Design. These guidelines have been released as a technical reference to help prevent the propagation of brittle cracks that may occur in the hull structure and possibly threaten the safety of a ship through structural rupture or other catastrophic damage.

In order to ensure the safety of a ship, it is essential that effective measures be taken to ensure that brittle cracks which may lead to breakage of the hull do not occur. At the same time, it is also vitally important to adopt measures to arrest the propagation of brittle cracks in the event that any such cracks to occur.

“Tourist vessel sinks in Macedonia”

A Macedonian Government spokesman has confirmed the death of at least 15 people after a tourist vessel sank in a lake in southwest Macedonia on the morning of Saturday, September 5. The vessel was only 200 metres from the shores of Lake Ohrid when it sank around 11am in cold waters, Ivo Kotevski, a spokesman for the Macedonian Interior Ministry

“Another ferry tragedy strikes in Philippines”

A rescue operation is under way in the Philippines after a ferry belonging to Aboitiz Transport System sank with more than 960 people on board, reports the BBC. Latest reports say 900 people have now been rescued from the SuperFerry 9 but five people have died and more than 60 are still unaccounted for.

The passenger ferry was sailing off the southern Zamboanga peninsula some 860km south of the Philippine capital, Manila, when it began listing. It issued a distress call, prompting the coastguard, the navy, the air force and private boats to help.

The first International Conference on Light Weight Marine Structures will occur September 7-8 2009, in Glasgow, UK. Cost savings is one of the criteria for successful structural engineering and transport application. The use of strong but light-weight members helps to achieve this in that the overall stress levels in a construction are reduced together with handling, manipulation and pay-load cost. These factors are important in such applications as ships, high speed vessels and offshore structures. This conference aims to gather designers, manufactures, marine scientists, regulatory authorities and researchers to discuss technological advancement and implementations that will lead to increased use of light weight design for marine structures.

“South east CEO Conclave & Awards 2009″

The South East CEO Conclave & Awards 2009, organised by Exim India Shipping Times and Fairplay Exposition Group, will be focusing anew, and in a broad perspective, on the current developments and present and future trends in the maritime sector in the region.

Malaysia receives first of two Scorpene submarines

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman welcomed by Malaysian King at Port Klang Yesterday, the Royal Malaysian Navy had one of its most historic moments when the country’s first submarine arrived at its new home.

Transocean drills deepest Oil and Gas well

Transocean Ltd announced that its ultra-deep water semi submersible rig Deep water Horizon recently drilled the deepest oil and gas well ever while working for BP and its co-owners on the Tiber well in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Working with BP, the Transocean crews on the Deep water Horizon drilled the well to 35,050 vertical depth and 35,055 feet measured depth (MD), or more than six miles, while operating in 4,130 feet of water.

“Pirate attacks double,ransoms shoot up”

ICC International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB) report claims that piracy attacks around the world more than doubled to 240 from 114 during the first six months of the year, compared with the same period in 2008. These disturbing facts came to light at a seminar held in Mumbai to address the issue of piracy and attended by ship owners, government agencies, ship managers, crew and NUSI, the National Union of Seafarers of India.

“Japanese think-tank readies blueprint for sustainable shipping by 2050″

Japan’s Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF) announces is preparing to announce proposals for the maritime industries to adopt more sustainable business practices with a view to preventing global warming by 2050.

“Ruckus Wireless Outfits the Queen Mary”

Ruckus Wireless(TM) announced that it was selected to supply advanced, Smart Wi-Fi products and technology for the Queen Mary, one of the world’s most historic ships, now permanently docked and serving as a luxury hotel and convention center in Long Beach, California.

“The Place where Ship got to die”

Thanks to the recession, Gujarat’s ship-breaking yards are booming – but the impact on the environment is toxic. It is known as the graveyard of ships, a place where ageing vessels are torn apart by unskilled labourers and the metal then sold on as scrap. In recent years these often deadly and dangerous ship breakers’ yards, which stretch a full seven miles along the coastline of the Indian state of Gujarat, have themselves been a little on their uppers.

“When a vessel is broken without containment on a tidal beach there is bound to be pollution of the coastal zone. Experience with ship repair pollution in Europe and the US, and consequent rules for how these activities must be dealt with in contained environments, illustrates the problems.”

” The Drydocks World raises funds for underprivileged children”

Drydocks World – Southeast Asia (DDW-SEA), Singapore, has raised over US$55,000 for underprivileged children in Batam Island, Indonesia, through its annual charity golf tournament held on August 7.

“Ship with Indian crew attacked by pirates in gulf”

A traditional wooden ship with Indian crew sailing from the United Arab Emirates toward Bahrain was the target of the first act of sea piracy reported in Persian Gulf waters in years, according to details of the attack that emerged on Sunday.

The Bahraini dhow was intercepted on Friday night by another ship with an armed crew, security sources said.