Good day Mariners

The cyclonic storm ‘Laila’ in the Bay of Bengal gained in strength overnight and spun closer to the eastern coast of the country

Satellite picture on Wednesday showed the outer bands of the cyclone circling from north to south tangential to the Kerala coast

The heaviest recorded rainfall in the State during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday was 5 cm at Kunnamkulam in Thrissur district. Many other stations recorded rainfall ranging from 1 cm to 3 cm on the gauge. The prospects are for continued rainfall, because the cyclone is traced to roll up the ridge of the eastern flank of the peninsula drawing moisture from southeast Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the entire Bay of Bengal.

The 6 Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes (RTGs) is the first consignment of the fleet of 15 units which would be deployed as the yard cranes at Vallarpadam. These have been manufactured by TGPC at Abu Dhabi at a cost of 1.7 million dollars a piece and transported in fully assembled condition. The offloading of the cranes would be a roll off operation from the barge after removal of the sea fastening.

The cranes are capable of lifting 41 tons under the spreader and can handle 20,40,45 feet ISO containers from the container yards to the truck and vice versa at a theoretical cycle speed of about 25 to 30 boxes per hour. These cranes weigh about 130 tons and are structurally designed for 2 million lifts.

The crane is operated by an operator from an ergonomically designed cabin with all the advanced safety features. These cranes incorporate high standard safety and reliability. There have been substantial improvement in the design and the cranes are also fitted with the sensors that detect pedestrians and obstacles on the track and prevent crane movement.

The crane management system provides all essential data for fault detection, maintenance and operational data.

Government-owned Cochin Shipyard has plans to raise funds through capital markets, but it seems its planned IPO will get delayed further because of some crucial restructuring.

The yard is working on a new face which focuses onspecialised shipbuilding to get better response from the investor for its initial public offer scheduled in FY11 as approved by the government.

Theyard is looking to split the infrastructure in five specialised
business units namely naval, offshore, small commercial ships, repair and ship conversion, in order to be a broad spectrum shipyard.The new IPO draft prospectus will also project defence shipbuilding as a focus area

The restructuring process would delay the yard’s IPO, which was initially planned in 2008 during the shipping boom, to raise Rs 1,000 crore through issuance of 10 per cent fresh equity.

Cochin Shipyard’s move indicates the lucrativeness of allied areas such as defence and ship conversion in the changed shipbuilding market dynamics.

Meanwhile, experts caution that while increasing focus on defence orders Cochin Shipyard should not lose out on its core merchant shipbuilding, as once new orders start flowing globally, shipbuilding countries like Korea and China will become aggressive and here Indian yards should be prepared to maintain their share of global shipbuilding.

Courtesy : Beta NDTV Profit

“An intimate cruise ship in Cochin ”

MS Costa Allegra is a cruise ship owned and operated by the Italy-based Costa Cruises. She was built in 1969 by the Wärtsilä Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland as the container ship In 1990 the ship was acquired by Costa Cruises and rebuilt into a cruise ship at the T. Mariotti shipyard in Genoa, Italy. She entered service as the Costa Allegra in 1992.

The eight decks on the Costa Allegra are named after famous impressionist painters. A three deck high glass atrium is the centre of the ship. All throughout the ship, elegant works of art can be found.[2]
The play of light on glass and water transforms this magnificent ship into a floating work of art. Carrying The intimate Costa Allegra cruise ship is a vessel of imagination and opulence. Peach and rose hand cut Carrara marble, walls finished in the finest woods and decks named after famous impressionist painters. There is a glass atrium three decks high, and a dome that opens up to a 360 degree view of the sky — day or night. Fountains stream into pools that are at the same time, exquisite skylights for the public rooms below. On the Costa Allegra cruise ship, you will find art and artistry around out every corner.

“Kerala to invest in the ‘business of ports”

The Kerala Government is sailing to emerge as one of the leading maritime States, if the action plan prepared by the Department of Ports for the maritime development of the State is any evidence.
The Government, with its clear vision on the future maritime development, has identified the port sector as a major thrust area to promote industrial activity in the State. By identifying this sector as a potential source of generating revenue, the Government has initiated steps to encourage setting up of new port facilities, support infrastructure and upgrading of existing facilities along with installation of modern and efficient handling equipments.
A committee constituted by the Department of Ports has recommended investment in the “business of ports”, which has the potential to drive the economic development of the State. Business of ports includes development operations of the port infrastructure as also port-related industries, the committee observed.
Before coming out with the action plan, the Committee visited all prominent locations in the State, including non-major ports from Manjeswaram in the North to Vizhinjam in the South and interacted with various trade bodies and stakeholders.
It had also made a study on the canal and inland water bodies to ascertain the possibilities of integrating the movement of cargo through the canals and inland waters with coastal shipping by developing a new mode of water transport in the form of canal-cum-coastal shipping to maximise the movement of cargo by water transportation.

Non-major ports

Dr Jacob Thomas, Director of Ports, told Business Line that the objective of the study is to establish a network of non-major ports along the 580-km Kerala coast for effectively handling major portion of the cargo, which is now being handled by road and rail networks, thereby enhancing the economy of the State and creating more job opportunities.
With the setting up of such a network, he said it would be possible to achieve 25 per cent of Kerala’s total cargo movement through water transportation by 2020.
The Government, he said, proposed to develop the port sector through the PPP mode and separate companies would be established for development and operations by holding 26 per cent stake.
The investment in the port development is expected to be around Rs 2,000 crore in the next three years and the first phase will come mostly as private investment.
At present, there are 17 non-major ports in Kerala, which are under the Government’s control.
These ports have to be developed and sufficient infrastructure has to be provided to handle medium and small-sized vessels throughout the year.
The State has also come out with a policy on ports to increase its share in the maritime trade by setting a target of becoming the top three maritime States in the country in terms of cargo handling in the next 10 years.

Focus on SEZ

Stressing the need to provide more focus on the need to develop SEZ in the port areas, the committee suggested creation of at least four SEZs at Azhikkal, Ponnani, Kodungallur and Vizhinjam by March 2015 so as to create a hassle-free environment for the promotion of exports.
The Committee also recommended to commence the development projects of Azhikkal, Beypore, Ponnani, Alappuzha, Kollam and Vizhinjam ports by January 2011 and complete all stages of the projects in a time-bound manner by 2016.
There is also a need to initiate action for the development of Kasargode, Badagara, Thalassery, Kodungallur and Neendakara ports by January 2011 to facilitate coastal shipping.
The 580-km Kerala shoreline is also an international border having security implications. The coast is proposed to be benefitted under the Kerala Maritime Board soon. For the coastal security, a separate budget allocation has been made in the State Budget for the first time.
Modern coastal security and port security arrangements are also planned, Dr Thomas said.

“The longest rail bridge of India built in Kerala”
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under the Ministry of Railways, was entrusted with the job of CONSTRUCTION OF RAIL CONNECTIVITY FROM IDAPALLI TO INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TRANSSHIPMENT TERMINAL- VALLARPADAM with a target to complete the rail connectivity work by 31st of March 2010. By taking the engine through the completed track on this day, that promise stands fulfilled. We thank the District Administration, Cochin Port Trust, Contractors, the workers, the media and the public for their support for this project.

The final cost of the project, on completion, will be around Rs.350 crores, funded by Govt. of India through Ministry of Shipping.

The total length of the Rail connectivity is 8.86 Km and starts from the existing Southern Railway Network at Idappalli Railway Station and runs parallel to the existing Track for a length of around 3 Km by constructing earthen embankment and Minor bridges / Culverts upto Vaduthala. Then it passes over the longest Railway Bridge in India of 4.62km, and passes through inhabited area of Vaduthala and its Backwaters; cuts across Idyakkara Island, Mulavukadu Island and finally reaches Vallarpadam where a new Railway station is being constructed. This line is a dedicated line ONLY for goods traffic.

The project has the longest Railway Bridge and other 4 small bridges. The bridges are on 1.2 diameter piles and are taken to an average depth of about 55 metres. There are such 1275 piles (1239 on major bridges and 36 Nos on minor bridges) made for the project totaling to about 65000 metres of pile length. The superstructure is of I and U girders. All put together, there are 99 spans of 40 m and 33 spans of 20 m U girder.

A new and novel Railway station was constructed at Idappalli and the new Railway station at Vallarpadam is nearing completion, as this work is linked to the construction of ICTT by Dubai Port.

Cochin Shipyard to bolster capital base via IPO

A brimming order book, which includes an aircraft carrier, is prompting public sector Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to increase capacity. The shipyard has plans to go in for an IPO to divest stake to raise funds for expansion, which includes a new dry dock. The proposal is to go in for fresh equity of 10%, which would also help increase the capital base of the company.

CSL has currently a capacity to make vessels of up to 110,000 deadweight tonne and the expansion will allow CSL to build and repair vessels of up to 200,000 deadweight tonne.

Expertise of building an aircraft carrier and timely delivery of vessels have helped CSL carve a niche in the market, despite severe competition from the Far East and Southeast Asia for commercial shipbuilding.

Presently, the shipyard has orders worth Rs 4,500 crore,.

That’s not all the yard delivered two of India’s largest double-hull Aframax tankers.

It has been quite a turnaround for them…

“DAM999 embarks on its voyage with God’s blessings”

The ‘Pooja’ of DAM999, the most awaiting Hollywood film by the illustrious writer and businessman, Sohan Roy, was held on 15th February 2010 at Anjumana Temple in Cochin. The outstanding personalities from film industry like Padmasree Thotta Tharani, Ajayan Vincent, Pattanam Rasheed were present along with Mr. Sohan Roy at the auspicious occasion. The shooting of the movie, will start on March 1st 2010.

” Queen Mary 2 visits Kochi for the third time ”

The Queen Mary 2, billed as the grandest and most magnificent ocean liner ever built, came calling at the port here Sunday on its third visit in the past three years.

This vessel had come on its maiden voyage two years back and returned last year also.

The liner arrived from Dubai Sunday morning and left for Phuket in Thailand in the evening.

The vessel was berthed at Ernakulam Wharf and the tourists, including from US, Britain and Germany, disembarked for sightseeing in and around Kochi, a press release issued by the Cochin Port said.

The liner has 13 decks and boasts of the most modern luxuries and amenities. These include 10 luxury hotels, a planetarium and an ayurveda massage parlour.

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has registered a trademark – Cadalmin – for the products and services of the institute.

The trademark will be launched by C D Mayee, Chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board on November 19. Anwar Hashim, National President of Seafood Exporters Association of India, will be the guest of honour.

The India International Aqua Show, 2010, Kochi, is an Ornamental Fish & Accessories Exhibition and Trade Fair Organised by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala in association with the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. It is a unique opportunity for exhibiting and marketing ornamental fish and accessories.

The event, scheduled to take place at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium,Cochin,Kerala State, India, and is expected to attract exhibitors, breeders, traders and visitors within India and outside the country.

“Cyclone Phyan spares Mumbai.”

Cyclone Phyan crossed India’s west coast just north of this metropolis on Wednesday evening and weakened into a tropical storm, but shed a huge amount of rain water over the area with winds blowing at 85 km per hour. No damage was reported in the initial hours.

The Met department has said on its cyclone alert website that the cyclone is now likely to move further north by northeast and weaken into a deep depression overnight.

It said strong winds at a speed of 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph are likely along and off north Maharashtra and adjoining south Gujarat coasts till midnight. “Sea condition will be high to very high.”

The authorities warned that the winds were still strong enough to damage huts and break tree branches, causing damage to power and communications lines in coastal areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Before Phyan weakened, people scurried home in pelting rain as schools, colleges and offices shut here in the early afternoon.
Maharashtra Chief Secretary Johny Joseph said: “All disaster control agencies like the district administration, police, civic and traffic authorities, fire brigade, Home Guards, Coast Guard, and the Indian Navy have been put on high alert to tackle any eventuality arising out of the weather conditions.”

Non-stop rain and heavy cloud cover led to a number of flight delays in and out of Mumbai. According to an official of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, incoming flights were getting delayed by an hour and departures were around 15 minutes behind schedule.

Though there were traffic jams on the main roads in the city, suburban train services were operating normally. Central Railway and Western Railway ran special services to clear the rush of passengers, especially those bound for far-flung suburbs.

Fishermen in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat, besides the LakshadweepIslands, have been advised not to go out to sea. But about 60 fishing boats remained missing at sea, with the Indian Navy and Coast Guard planes and ships searching for them.

“Moolathara dam, a regulator and bridge in Pallakad broke”

The bank protection structures of the Moolathara dam, a regulator and bridge in Chittur taluk, broke on Sunday morning due to heavy inflow of water released from the Aliyar dam in Tamil Nadu, causing overflow of water from Moolathara check dam,flooding the Chitturpuzha and the Bharathapuzha.

There was a huge deposit of garbage into the dam, due to which all the shutters were not being able to open due to which the dam burst.

“Another boat tragedy in Kerala”

Eight school children were drowned on Wednesday in yet another tragedy in Kerala when the boat they were travelling in capsized in Chaliyar river

The victims included seven boys and a girl of the Moorkanand Higher Secondary School near Areekode in Malappuram, around 25 km from Kozhikode.

The final rites were conducted on Thursday morning. Minister for Revenue K P Rajendran, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Education Minister M A Baby visited the place and paid their respects. Devasom Minister Kadanapally Ramachandran, Industries Minister Elamarem Kareem and Health Minister P K Sreemathi also visited the home of the deceased and the accident spot.

“Gruesome boat mishap in Thekkady “
A tourist boat carrying 76 people has capsized in a lake in the southern Indian state of Kerala, killing at least 37 people, officials said.
The state-owned double-decker boat was travelling in the remote Thekkady forest reserve when it went down.The boat tipped over after the tourists rushed to one side as they spotted some elephants, officials said.
Fifteen people are missing and 24 have been rescued. Survivors said the boat had few lifejackets and no lifeguards.Rescuers have pulled out 37 bodies and are still searching the area for survivors, state home ministry official Abhiraj Basheer told the BBC.

“Indian Maritime University launches its new centre in Kochi”

The Indian Maritime University (IMU) is expanding its horizons to meet the growing demand for trained professionals in the maritime sector. Headquartered in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. As part of its ambitious plans to set up its centre in Kochi on Saturday.
Established on November 14,2008 IMU is set to play a key role in the development of human resource for the maritime sector, Mr. Vijayan, Vice- Chancellor Of IMU said. The University offers graduate, post-graduate and doctoral programmes with future plans to start a two-year MBA in shipping and port management and a one-year executive MBA in maritime management.

“Cochin Port Trust” – Vice Admiral KN Sushil will take over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-chiek of the Southern Naval Command from the Vice Admiral SK Damle on 31st August 2009. A ceremonial parade will be held at the Naval base for the change of command.

“Handing over of the fisheries research vessel- Matsyakumari-II built for Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) by KSINC”

Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd (KSINC) has completed delivery of its first sea going fisheries research vessel designed and constructed in its yard at Thoppumpady. The formal handing over of the vessel was solemnized by handing over the key of the fishery vessel to Dr B. Meenakumari, Director, CIFT. The Vessel named “Matsyakumari-II” is a fishery research vessel constructed under IRS and to international sea going standards

The vessel can remain in the sea for nine days with 12 people on board (10 crew and 2 scientists). The vessel has facilities for stern trawling, gill netting, long line fishing and also can be used for fishery survey and coastal studies in tropical waters.

“Asia’s largest and most technically advanced Oceanarium to come in New Vypeen, Vypeen Island Cochin”
The Governement of Kerala is planning to develop an oceanarium spread over 44acres at New Vypeen in Kochi, South West India on a Public Private Partnership model with an investment of 300 crores. The proposed Oceanarium which will be launched by 2010 is expected to be the largest in South East Asia. The Government of Kerala, Ministry of Earth Science and Government of India will hold 49% stake and the remeaining 51% will be allocated to private parties.
The Oceanarium will have a 250 meters glass tunnel passing through the sea. A Dolphinarium and a general aquarium will showcase dolphins and different variety of fish from all over the world. The project aims to construct Asia’s largest and most technically advanced Oceanarium at Putuvype Island, off Kochi. The government of kerala hs decided to allot 50 acres of land to Kerala state fisheries department for this project, of which 10 acres will be allocated to the centre for marine living resources and ecology centre