Good day Mariners

“World’s longest sea bridge commence construction”
The 50km long Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, expected to be the world’s longest sea bridge commenced its contruction in Zhuhai of Guangdong province

The ceremony witnessed by Vice-Premier Li Keqiang, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Donald Tsang, the Governor of Guangdong province Huang Huahua, and Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Edmund Ho, is expected to be successfully completed by 2016.

Zhang Xiaoqiang, the deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission in the occasion stated that this commencement marked a step forward in China’s plan to boost its transport infrastructure.

Zhang said he believes the bridge will help boost development on the west side of the Pearl River. “Through a more convenient and fast transport network, Hong Kong’s finance, tourism, trading, logistics and professional services can better reach the west of the pan-Pearl River Delta area,” Tsang said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The bridge is expected to reduce travel time between the west side of the Pearl River and Hong Kong to three hours. It will take only 20 minutes to cover the distance between Hong Kong and Macao, Tsang said.

Tsang added that no efforts would be spared to maximize the economic benefits of the project, including keeping toll charges as low as possible to encourage people to use the bridge.

The Y-shaped bridge is being built at a cost of more than 72 billion yuan ($10.54 billion).

The project is financed by the central government together with the regional governments of Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong. The main 35 km of the bridge include a 29.6-km oversea pass and a 6-km harbor tunnel under the South China Sea. Two artificial islands will connect the tunnel and bridge on either side.

Reclamation projects to create the artificial islands in Macao and Zhuhai ports are part of the first phase of construction.

Each city will have a port, which its own government will build. “The Hong Kong SAR government is making every effort to promote the project, in the hope of completing it at the same time as the main bridge,” Tsang said.

Some 50 million yuan has been budgeted for landscaping, which includes the addition of sightseeing areas for tourists to enjoy the spectacular view of the South China Sea and white dolphins cruising nearby.

The six-lane bridge is expected to remain in good shape for up to 120 years.

“Royal Phuket Marina announces PIMEX 2010″

Marking the seventh year, Phuket Royal Marina will once again host PIMEX, the annual marina and lifestyle exhibition to be held from 7th to 10th January 2010.

The event checked as the largest in-water display of any boating exhibition in the region, provides ample opportunity for local and international marina experts to showcase their products.

The event already features to have thirty-five yachts, the largest being the 103ft superyacht, Mangusta along with Ferretti 881 and two of the latest Pershing models, a 72ft and 80ft. Windy Boats will also be attending with their 58ft Zephyros design. Eighty on-shore exhibitors are also expected presenting a full range of marine and lifestyle products.

Adding to the spectacular exhibition are the seminars organised by the Human Development Forum Foundation (HDFF) which will discuss over the new perspectives and advancements in policy and technology surrounding harbour security, archipelago states security, security of sea lanes, and new sustainable technologies.

The event ensures to be an ideal day out amidst comforts of the Royal Phuket Marina.

“‘APJ Suryavir’ found stuck off the Alaska Coast”

A vessel owned by Calcutta’s Apeejay Shipping Ltd, ‘APJ Suryavir’ was found stuck off the Alaska coast yesterday after an engine failure. The ship with a crew of 28 was said to be safe according to the US coast guard.

“There are 28 persons on board. They are all safe,” Ray Dwyer, duty officer at the US coast guard’s Juneau Rescue Co-ordinator Center in Alaska’s Juneaum, said over the phone today.

An Apeejay group spokesperson said in Calcutta this evening that a “fair number” among the crew were from Bengal, without specifying the break-up. The official echoed the US coast guard in saying they were “all safe”.

APJ Suryavir from China and was supposedly heading towards Portland in the US when the engine of the bulk cargo carrier failed in bad weather.

The vessel, drifting 860km southwest of Alaska’s Adam Island tonight, was facing stormy seas and strong winds. Dwyer said the lack of cargo on board was creating balance problems.

“We have our coast guard fixed-wing C-130 (aircraft) orbiting the area and they may be able to drop some provisions to them because they had complained of being a little low on food and water,” Dwyer said.

Apeejay, however, denied that the stocks were short, saying the crew had plenty when they left China. “We have reports the weather is improving. Once it does, our crew is equipped to repair the ship and sail to the port of Kalama on the US west coast,” the spokesperson said.

The company is in touch with the Mumbai-based directorate-general of shipping and the US coast guard, the official said.

A US cargo vessel, alerted by the coast guard, was expected to reach the spot later tonight but the Suryavir crew were being advised not to shift in a hurry.

“We are hoping the Master (of Suryavir) would consider waiting at least till the conditions are better,” Wes Parker, search rescue controller of the coast guard, said.

The coast guard aircraft would again fly over the area around the time a rescue vessel arrives to drop a raft or some provisions, if needed, Parker added.

It would be dangerous for the crew to try to get onto another vessel before the weather improves. And if they enter the water, it would be very difficult to rescue them, the official said.

The Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI), formerly known as the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training (DMET), India’s national Institute for the training of Marine Engineers is all ready to celebrate its 60th year marking the Diamond Jubilee Celebration from 13-14 December, 2009.

DMET-MERI is marked to be India’s oldest and best known Marine Engineering College. Records prove that the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training (DMET) commenced operations on August 10, 1949 in temporary facilities at Boribunder ,Bombay and Gorachand Road in Park Circus, Calcutta with a total intake of 50 cadets( 20 at Bombay and 30 at Calcutta ).The institute finally moved into new facilities at Taratala Road in1953 and Lower Parel in 1966.The new building in Calcutta was formally inaugurated as the Marine Engineering College on December 14, 1953 by our first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru with the then Transport Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri in attendance.

Indian Marine Engineer are now seen synonymous with DMET, moreover almost every major shipping company in the world has found to have at least one DMETian in its onshore management personnel or floating staff. The star of DMET graduates has continued to rise, as they built up a formidable reputation for quality engineering skills.

Many DMET graduates went on to build successful companies, establish marine engineering workshops and maritime training Institutes, develop surveying standards, and of late, make the transition to the new economy by pursuing successful careers in Management.

Ex-Cadets and well wishers have decided to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee year of DMET-MERI during this year to promote the Institution further in the service of the Nation and the World at large.

The Celebrations would start on December 13th with an extravagant musical show by renowned artists such as Shreya Ghosal and eminent dance groups, followed by dinner. As December 14 is observed as the college day every year, a function marking the Diamond Jubilee Celebration has been scheduled to be held at Institute Auditorium on Monday , December 14, 2009 at 5.00 p.m., in the presence of eminent personalities followed by performance by Sri Bikram Ghosh .

The Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI), formerly known as the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training (DMET), India’s national Institute for the training of Marine Engineers celebrated its 60th year marking the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Year on the 13th and 14th December, 2009.

The celebrations gave a spectacular kick start on 13th December with an introductory video on DMET developed by Marine BizTV, the Global Maritime TV Channel followed by an extravagant musical show by renowned artists such as Shreya Ghosal and eminent dance groups, followed by dinner. As December 14 is observed as the college day every year, a function marking the Diamond Jubilee Celebration was held in Institute Auditorium at 5.00 p.m., in the presence of eminent personalities followed by performance by Sri Bikram Ghosh

DMET-MERI noted as India’s oldest and best known Marine Engineering College, has records which prove that the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training (DMET) commenced operations on August 10, 1949 in temporary facilities at Boribunder,Bombay and Gorachand Road in Park Circus, Calcutta with a total intake of 50 cadets( 20 at Bombay and 30 at Calcutta ).The institute finally moved into new facilities at Taratala Road in1953 and Lower Parel in 1966.The new building in Calcutta was formally inaugurated as the Marine Engineering College on December 14, 1953 by our first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru with the then Transport Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri in attendance.

Indian Marine Engineers are now seen synonymous with DMET, moreover almost every major shipping company in the world has found to have at least one DMETian in its onshore management personnel or floating staff. The star of DMET graduates has continued to rise, as they built up a formidable reputation for quality engineering skills.

Many DMET graduates went on to build successful companies, establish marine engineering workshops and maritime training Institutes, develop surveying standards, and of late, make the transition to the new economy by pursuing successful careers in Management.

Ex-Cadets and well wishers now celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of DMET-MERI during this year to promote the Institution further in the service of the Nation and the World at large.

Marine BizTV, the Global Maritime TV Channel developed a unique video illustrating the success story of DMET.

For a closer look, visit: www.video.marinebiztv.com

Sydney: A giant iceberg was found drifting towards Australia which scientists Wednesday called a once-in-a-century event.

According to Australian glaciologist Neal Young, it is some 19 kilometres (12 miles) long, about 1,700 kilometres south of the country, using satellite imagery.

He said he was not aware of such a large iceberg being found in the area since the days when 19th century clipper ships plied the trade route between Britain and Australia.

“I don’t recall any mention of one for a long, long time,” Young, of the Australian Antarctic Division and Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, told AFP.

“I’m guessing you would probably have to go back to the times of the clipper ships.”

Young said the iceberg measured about 140 square kilometres (54 square miles).

The glaciologist saidd the iceberg carved off the Antarctic about 10 years ago and had been slowly floating round the icy continent before taking the unusual route north.

He said the “very, very big” iceberg was originally about 400 square kilometres but then split into two smaller pieces.

“This one has survived in the open ocean for about a year,” he said. “In that time it’s slowly been coming up to the north and north east in the general direction of Western Australia.”

The finding comes after two large icebergs were spotted further east, off Australia’s Macquarie Island, followed by more than 100 smaller ice chunks heading towards New Zealand.

“Pirates target Pakistan-flagged ship this time”
According European Union’s anti-piracy force spokesman, Somali pirates had hijacked a Pakistan-flagged fishing vessel.

Talking on the incident, Cmdr. John Harbour said that the pirates had seized the MV Shahbaig on Tuesday and that there were 29 crew on board. Further details were said to be available only on Wednesday.

According to the reports pirates are still holding hundreds of crew and a dozen vessels as hostage. Somalia Piracy is marked at high levels this year despite of the growing number of international warships and extra safety precautions taken by merchant vessels.

So far, Somalia does not have a coast guard or navy to stop the pirates because it has not provided an effective central government since 18 years.

“DMET-MERI celebrates 60 Glorious Years”

he Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI), formerly known as the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training (DMET), India’s national Institute for the training of Marine Engineers is all ready to celebrate its 60th year marking the Diamond Jubilee Celebration from 13-14 December, 2009.

DMET-MERI is marked to be India’s oldest and best known Marine Engineering College. Records prove that the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training (DMET) commenced operations on August 10, 1949 in temporary facilities at Boribunder ,Bombay and Gorachand Road in Park Circus, Calcutta with a total intake of 50 cadets( 20 at Bombay and 30 at Calcutta ).The institute finally moved into new facilities at Taratala Road in1953 and Lower Parel in 1966.The new building in Calcutta was formally inaugurated as the Marine Engineering College on December 14, 1953 by our first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru with the then Transport Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri in attendance.

Indian Marine Engineer are now seen synonymous with DMET, moreover almost every major shipping company in the world has found to have at least one DMETian in its onshore management personnel or floating staff. The star of DMET graduates has continued to rise, as they built up a formidable reputation for quality engineering skills.

Many DMET graduates went on to build successful companies, establish marine engineering workshops and maritime training Institutes, develop surveying standards, and of late, make the transition to the new economy by pursuing successful careers in Management.

Ex-Cadets and well wishers have decided to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee year of DMET-MERI during this year to promote the Institution further in the service of the Nation and the World at large.

The Celebrations would start on December 13th with an extravagant musical show by renowned artists such as Shreya Ghosal and eminent dance groups, followed by dinner. As December 14 is observed as the college day every year, a function marking the Diamond Jubilee Celebration has been scheduled to be held at Institute Auditorium on Monday , December 14, 2009 at 5.00 p.m., in the presence of eminent personalities followed by performance by Sri Bikram Ghosh .

ROSEBURG, Ore: Local veterans still remember the day when Empire of Japan launched an attack on Pearl Harbor in the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, the date bringing back the unforgettable dread.

68 years since the attack, many local veterans still remember and talk about how they were just teenagers when it had happened.

It is remarked as an attack that had launched the United States into World War II and thousands of young soldiers into the line of duty.

Veteran Lilburn Garett, 16-years-old during the incident remembers seeing the damage firsthand.

“I was too young to be in the military, so I worked in the shipyard during the war packing ships from Pearl Harbor. It was bad damage. Some of its ends was tore up, bombed off,” Garett said.

The chaos had taken more than 2,400 American lives, wounding another 1,200.

Clifton Nyleen, now 87 years old says he will never forget the incident.

“Our flag flies all the time on any holiday, and particularly on December 7th,” remembers Nyleen. “That’s a day that sticks in my mind, and it will never change.”

Flags flew at half-staff around the country Monday in honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Local veterans say they’re glad to see the day being remembered, even if it’s not a holiday like Veterans Day or Memorial Day.

“Indian Navy rescues ‘Nordic Spirit’”

Indian Navy remarkably succeeded to rescue a large ocean-going tanker, the Nordic Spirit from pirates

The Indian Navy frigate was stationed near the Gulf of Aden, which lies between Yemen and Somalia.

“Around 11 am (IST) on Monday, pirates approached the 300m-long ship and fired, leaving five bullet holes in the hull,” said PRO (Defence) Captain Manohar Nambiar. The tanker had a Norwegian flag.

A total of two boats attacked the tanker, which had eight people on board. Sensing the danger, the ship sent out an immediate distress call to all vessels in the vicinity.

“The call was picked up by the warship, which was on anti-piracy patrol duty. The warship dispatched an on-board Chetak helicopter to the location,” added Nambiar.

When the pirates heard the approaching helicopter, he said, they realised that they had run out of luck and fled the scene.

Soon after, the frigate reached the spot and its crew was thanked for their timely response.

“India, along with various other countries, has been conducting a round-the-clock patrol in this sensitive area, 365 days a year, since 2007,” Nambiar added.

Since November 30, a total of 204 attacks were recorded by the suspected Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. According to the data it records that pirates had attacked 165 ships and succeeded in seizing 45.

“‘Victoria Jenna’, the advanced river cruise ship launched”
US-managed Victoria Cruises recently launched its largest and most technically advanced river cruise ship, the ‘Victoria Jenna’.

The Victoria Cruises operating river cruises in China had launched it new ‘Victoria Jenna’ scheduled to sail a seven-night route from Chongqing to Yichang and back.

The 10,000GT vessel measures 133.8 metres by 18.8 metres with a 2.6-metre beam draught and features a speed of 14 knots apart from its accommodation to 396 passengers and 180 crewmembers.

“Copenhagen summit 2009 on climate change.”

In 2012 the Kyoto Protocol to prevent climate changes and global warming runs out. To keep the process on the line there is an urgent need for a new climate protocol. At the conference in Copenhagen 2009 the parties of the UNFCCC meet for the last time on government level before the climate agreement need to be renewed.
Therefore the Climate Conference in Copenhagen is essential for the worlds climate and the Danish government and UNFCCC is putting hard effort in making the meeting in Copenhagen a success ending up with a Copenhagen Protocol to prevent global warming and climate changes
Governmental representatives from 170 countries are expected to be in Copenhagen in the days of the conference accompanied by other governmental representatives, NGO’s, journalists and others. In total 8000 people are expected to Copenhagen in the days of the climate meeting.

“MV Aquamarine opens up high seas luxury cruising for Indian tourists”

Indian travelers will soon get to enjoy the joys of international class cruising on the Indian Ocean onboard MV Aquamarine, the first international cruise ship to homeport in India.

The luxury liner was officially launched at a ceremony to celebrate its inaugural sailing, by Union Minister for Tourism, Kumari Selja in Kochi today. MV Aquamarine is the first cruise liner to offer cruises targeted at the Indian tourism market. In her speech, the Minister said that there was tremendous scope for cruise tourism in the country, given India’s strong domestic tourism sector and growing middle class and of course, the country’s 7,517 kilometre long coastline. Director of Kerala Tourism, Mr M Sivasankar stated that exotic voyages from Kochi, is a unique product for the Indian market, which is craving for new and exciting experiences. He added that the new development will further boost Kochi’s position as a cruise hub and destination in the area.

MV Aquamarine has a capacity to carry 1,200 passengers and will offer itineraries on the Kochi-Maldives-Kochi and the Kochi-Colombo-Kochi routes, in addition to a one-night high sea-sailing itinerary. Mr Oneil Khosa, Managing Director of Louis Cruises India, while speaking at the aforementioned ceremony underlined the fact that the 2 night/3day itineraries to Maldives and Sri Lanka are considered to be ideal as Indian, are not inclined towards long sailing. Packages start from Rs 5,000 per person per day for a three-night tour package.

Addressing the officials and travel executives who honored the ceremony with their presence, Mr. Louis Loizou, Louis Group Executive Director and Deputy CEO of Louis Cruises expressed the company’s satisfaction for adding Kochi to the list of homeports-the first non-European base for Louis’ twelve-strong fleet. Mr. Loizou thanked the Indian authorities for their warm welcome and noted the endless potential of the Indian tourism market and the Group’s strong belief that cruising will be embraced by Indians and visitors alike.

MV Aquamarine will homeport in Kochi from 2nd December 2009 to 25th April 2010 and will operate cruise itineraries 3 times a week from Kochi. Around 60,000 Indian tourists are expected to cruise on MV Aquamarine this season. The vessel will make her debut voyage tomorrow, from Kochi to the Maldives. Kerala Tourism has tied up with the company to market and promote cruise tourism from Kochi.

Besides 525 spacious state rooms and suites, which are all above sea level, passengers will also get to enjoy her world class facilities including several restaurants, a swimming pool, fitness center, massage/sauna facilities, a casino and duty free shopping. The vessel has also been modified to include a cricket pitch – giving Indian travelers a new experience of playing cricket on the high seas. Food and entertainment on board will also take in Indian taste and has been modified to include both Indian and European themes.

The 7 deck ship spans 531 ft in length, 83 ft in breadth and has 4 elevators. With a gross tonnage of 25,611, it will cruise the Indian Ocean at 17 knots. MV Aquamarine is owned by Louis Cruises India, a subsidiary of Louis Cruises – the 5th largest cruise operator in the world. The company’s decision to expand its operations to India was to take advantage of the rising Indian tourism market. Louis Cruises India will reach out to a broad target segment in India including families, honeymooners, the corporate sector and MICE.

Apart from hosting a growing number of cruise ships, Kochi also hosted the Volvo Ocean Race last year, marking its entry on the global yachting map.

“Overloaded ferry capsizes, 40+ dead in Bangladesh”
The ‘Coco’ was travelling with hundreds of people from Dhaka, all headed home for the Eid ul-Adha Islamic festival. Dhaka’s ETV television station reported that over 1,500 people were on board. Police said that the vessel had a maximum capacity of 1,000 people.

At least 40 people were killed after a ferry capsized near a dock in southern Bangladesh around midnight on November 29.

Rescuers have conducted searches inside the submerged cabins, with scores people still missing.

“We don’t know how many people are still trapped inside the ferry,” the South China Morning Post quoted police officer Mohammad Bayezod as saying. “Anyone still there has no chance of survival.”

Survivors said the hull of the vessel broke when it hit a shoal, letting water into the ferry.

“Many passengers were frightened after seeing water in the lower deck and started rushing out, causing the boat to tilt on one side,” survivor Shahidul Islam told the paper.

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan said that an investigation would be carried out.

“We ordered a probe, our initial finding was that the ferry was heavily overloaded.”

“Dangerous new phase in the economic crisis ”
As we reach the end of a miserable 2009, signs continue to mount across the globe that the world economy is stirring back to life. The U.S. finally returned to growth in the third quarter, with its strongest showing in two years, India posted inspiring 7.9% growth and the results out of tiny Taiwan, one of the economies slammed the hardest by the global recession, were so impressive one economist beamed that the island “got its groove on.” Stock markets, aside from a downward blip here and there, have generally been buoyant. During this season of Thanksgiving and holiday cheer, there seems to be good reason to give thanks and be cheerful.

Or maybe not. The worst of the crisis is almost certainly behind us, but that doesn’t mean the crisis is over. Lying ahead are a slew of unresolved problems, policy challenges and, no doubt, further surprises.

Dubai, one of seven states that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is in crisis.

The tiny Persian Gulf emirate, Dubai, has long sought to position itself as an international finance and trading center within today’s global economy.  It built an ultra-modern image, with luxury hotels and resorts and high-profile sporting events.  But the downturn has already sent some foreign workers packing

In Dubai’s hey day, the sound of construction was everywhere.  High rises and tourist resorts were built by legions of foreign workers, most of them from India and Pakistan.  Dubai became an international magnet, reinventing itself as a financial capital and tourist mecca in the Persian Gulf.  Then the global crisis reached this outpost and boom turned into bust.

Fears of a dangerous new phase in the economic crisis swept around the globe yesterday as traders responded to the shock announcement that a debt-laden Dubai state corporation was unable to meet its interest bill.
Shares plunged, weak currencies were battered and more than £14 billion was wiped from the value of British banks on fears that they would be left nursing new losses.
The collapse of the Dubai dream is not a sui generis event without any implications for wider markets. Rather, it may be a straw in the wind indicating that the travails of finance capitalism in the current period are far from over.