Good day Mariners

“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.

“From Antarctica to New Zealand, more than 130 Icebergs drift”

Hundreds of fleets of icebergs split off from Antarctic ice shelves has started to drift toward New Zealand and could pose a risk to ships in the south Pacific Ocean, officials

The nearest iceberg measures about 30 yards (meters) tall, lies 160 miles (260 kilometers) southeast of New Zealand’s Stewart Island, Australian glaciologist Neal Young said. He couldn’t say how many icebergs in total were roaming the Pacific, but he counted 130 in one satellite image alone and 100 in another.

Large numbers of icebergs last floated close to New Zealand in 2006, when some were visible from the coastline — the first such sighting since 1931.

Maritime officials have issued navigation warnings for the area south of the country.

“It’s an alert to shipping to be aware these potential hazards are around and to be on the lookout for them,” Maritime New Zealand spokeswoman Sophie Hazelhurst said.

No major shipping lanes or substantial fishing grounds are in the area, but most ships there have little hull protection if they collide with an iceberg — which typically has 90 percent of its mass under water. Very few adventure sailors would be in the waters in November, when it is still the southern hemisphere’s spring.

Maritime New Zealand safety services general manager Nigel Clifford said as the icebergs drift closer “the more the potential risks grow of them posing a hazard to shipping” as they break up and float lower in — or just under — the ocean surface.

The agency was “keeping a close eye on the increasing risk … it’s tracking iceberg positions and has begun initial planning for any incident,” he told The AP.

New Zealand oceanographer Mike Williams said the icebergs are drifting at a speed of about 25 kilometers (16 miles) a day and he expects most won’t reach New Zealand, as happened during the last major flotilla in 2006 when “a lot of them went out east (carried by ocean currents and wind) away from New Zealand.”

“Scientist reveals new species in dark ocean dept.”

Ten years of research by a team of 2000 scientists from 80 countries reveals the intricate existence of species like a translucent giant octopus to a fish bearing barbed fangs, living in total darkness at least 5km beneath the surface of the world’s oceans.

Nearly 17,650 species of animal, including corals, crabs and starfish, were identified living in the depths untouched by sunlight, a marine survey found.

The researchers discovered 5,600 new marine species on top of the 230,000 animals already known to live in the world’s oceans and they hope to add several thousand more when the final census is released in London on October 4, 2010.

Robert Carney, an oceanographer at Louisiana State University, who co-leads the study of the ocean depths as part of the wider international Census of Marine Life (COML) said, “The abyss is not the dark hole anymore.”

“The diversity of life in the deep sea is much, much greater than we believed,” he said.

Scientists predict that there could be more than one million species which remain undiscovered.
Odd Aksel Bergstad, an oceanographer based at the University of Bergin in Norway, told Al Jazeera: “There is a huge number left to discover especially in the vast muddy areas of the deep sea floor.”

“The reality is that the deep sea is a frontier that hasn’t been studied very much, but with modern technology and still after 10 years we’ve only scratched the surface of this huge environment,” he said.

Among the creatures identified in the deep sea areas were luminous jellyfish and gelatinous creatures known as finned octopods, or “dumbos,” because they flap earlike fins and look like the cartoon elephant.

“Most of the organisms in the deep sea depend on the steady rain and transport of material from the sunlit upper layers and this comes in many forms from small organic particles and dead animals,” Bergstad said.
“But one of the main problems for all these deep sea creatures is the scarcity of food, the darkness and the huge volumes they have to cope with. However, these animals are uniquely adapted.”
Experts also found a tubeworm at a depth of 990m on the seafloor in one part of the Gulf of Mexico.

After using a robotic arm to lift the tubeworm from a hole on the seabed, oil gushed out and they discovered it was consuming chemicals from the decomposing oil.

Carney said that oil companies focused mostly on geological surveys to find deposits but that the presence of tubeworms could also be a marker.

“You certainly have a source or methane or liquid petroleum nearby if you find these tubeworms,” he said.
Another trip to the seafloor of Antarctica recorded the Osedax, a whalebone-eating worm.

Although the ocean depths are permanently black, many animals create their own light with luminous markings to help spot or attract prey or a mate. Scientists also said many have working eyes.

A few creatures that normally live in the sunlit zone visit the abyss, such as the southern elephant seal which was registered at a depth of 2,388m.

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.

Here’s a chance for you to enter a warship. Learn about torpedoes, missiles, radars and machine guns, for Navy Fest 2009 is here. If you have always wanted to know more about life at sea and the risk naval officers take to keep our country safe, then the fest at the Naval Base is the place to be.
The open-to-all fair features inaugurated by Vice-Admiral K N Sushil, Flag Officer Commanding- in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, has nearly 25 stalls dedicated to the different schools of the Navy. INS Dronacharya, the gunnery school, has machine guns and other rifles on display.

Each stall has a display board detailing the various activities of each school. Officers and cadets in these stalls are ready to help you understand the working of the mind-boggling equipment on display.
If you are in a mood for fun and games head straight to the section where amusement rides await you.

The festivities are on till November 22.

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.

“Hamburg Sud container vessel named in Antwerp.”
The fifth in a row of six identical Hamburg Süd container vessels, ‘Rio Bravo’ was named in the Port of Antwerp. The vessel was named after ‘Rio Bravo del Norte’, the Spanish name of river Rio Grande, which flows through the USA and Mexico.
The ‘Rio Bravo’ was christened on November 12 in the Port of Antwerp was sponsored by Laura Madeleine von Schubert, daughter of Roland Oetker, Managing Partner of ROI Verwaltungsgesellschaft and member of the advisory board of the Oetker Group.
The vessel shall be serviced between Asia and South America East Coast before being phased into the Europe – South America East Coast Service in mid-October.
The final built in the series, ‘Rio Madeira’, is said to be delivered before November end and to deliver service in Hamburg Süd’s Europe – South America.

“Japan’s economy post strongest growth since 2007.”

Japan announced Monday its best economic growth in more than two years during the latest quarter, boosting hopes the global economy is getting back on its feet after the worst recession in decades.

“Somali Pirates Seize Cargo Ship With 22 Crew ”

Somali pirates on Wednesday seized a cargo ship in the Indian Ocean with 22 crew members on board, the European Union Naval Force said. Naval spokesman Cmdr. John Harbour said that there are three Greeks and 19 Filipinos among the crew of the Greek-owned Filitsa. The ship is registered in the Marshall Islands. A press release by the EU said the ship was taken 400 miles (640 kilometers) northeast of the island nation of the Seychelles. It had been heading for the South African port of Durban but has now turned around and is heading north.
Pirates have increased their attacks since the end of the monsoon season last month. They are now holding at least 12 ships and more than 200 hostages. Three ships have been seized in the last week alone.
Pirates can often command multimillion-dollar ransoms for the release of the vessels they capture, a fortune in impoverished Somalia. The failed state has not had a functioning government for a generation and its lawless coastline provides a perfect pirate haven.

“Somali pirates say have seized two more vessels ”
Somali pirates said on Wednesday they had hijacked a fishing vessel and another ship in the Indian Ocean believed to be carrying oil. Pirate Hassan said by telephone from the coastal town of Haradheere that three gunmen were wounded while seizing the second vessel overnight on Tuesday.
“They hijacked it from the Indian Ocean and its 24 crew are safe. There was brief fighting before we captured it. Three of my friends were injured,” Hassan told Reuters. “We think it is carrying fuel.”
Heavily armed pirates from Somalia are holding at least 11 vessels and more than 200 crew hostage, including a British couple whose yacht was hijacked off the Seychelles.
The presence of a multinational naval force patrolling the strategic shipping lanes through the Gulf of Aden, which links Europe to Asia, has failed to curb their attacks.
Andrew Mwangura of the Kenya-based East African Seafarers Assistance Programme and a pirate called Osman both said a fishing vessel had been hijacked off the northern Somali coast earlier in the week.
“Our colleagues hijacked a Yemeni fishing boat near Hafun on Monday night,” Osman told Reuters.
On Sunday, pirates seized a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo ship loaded with weapons bound for Somalia, maritime experts said.
Then on Monday, the gunmen launched their longest range hijack attempt yet — opening fire on a giant Hong Kong-flagged crude oil tanker 1,000 nautical miles east of Mogadishu.

“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.

“Boat capsizes in Mahanadi river.”
Boat capsized in Mahanadi River taking a toll of 5 lives. The devotees were traveling to Lord Dhabaleswar temple when the incident occurred near Mancheswar Ghat of Athgarh.

A crew of 25 was on the way to Lord Dhabaleswar temple to celebrate Kartik Purnima yesterday when the mishap had occurred. The report stated that an argument between the passengers and the boatman over fare had lead to capsize.

Though search operations had continued for the missing five persons till yesterday evening , it went in vain.

“Boat sinks in Indian Ocean.”
A death toll of more than twenty was reported with the boat capsize of a suspected asylum seeker in Indian Ocean.

The boat carrying around 40 people onboard had started to capsize between Indonesia and Australia when a merchant vessel had located the distress signal.

Merchant vessels that responded to a distress call managed to pluck 17 survivors from the Indian Ocean late Sunday and were searching for others, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor said.

“ It is too early to say whether those on board were asylum seekers trying to reach Australia, though aspects of the emergency — such as an unseaworthy boat carrying so many people in waters sometimes used by human traffickers — signaled that may be the case” added O’Connor

A large flow of boats carrying asylum seekers were lately found in Australia. Some 35 boats with around 1,770 asylum seekers from Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and Sri Lanka were lately reported.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority received distress signals on Sunday from the boat, and the authority asked any vessels in the area to respond, authority spokeswoman Rhianne Robson said.

Both Taiwanese fishing trawler and the merchant ship LNG Pioneer reached on spot on Sunday saving the victimized while an Australian military plane and Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Service was on its way.

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, the chief of Australia’s defense forces, said the boat that sent the distress signal was intact when the rescue vessels first arrived.

“Somehow or other during the process of the interaction between the ship and the trawler and also the stricken vessel, there’s been a capsize and people have ended up in the water,” Houston told reporters.

“Disney dream to come true with water coaster”

Disney Dream, the post-panamax cruise liner building for Disney Cruise Line at Meyer Werft, Germany at the time of its debut in 2011, looks to add more fun and excitement with water coasters.

Disney takes a step forward with its innovative ideas of water coasters apart from the animated turtle letting children know more on the life of ocean.

The Disney Dream is preparing to feature adventure filled AquaDuck Water Coaster and Virtual Portholes.

AquaDuck Water Coaster in concise, ensures to be a splendid ride with twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids above the upper decks of the ship while Virtual Portholes is all about real time video view of life outside the ship using high definition cameras.

“Yemeni fishing vessel under Somali Attack.”

Somali pirates hijacked a Yemeni fishing vessel after an open fire attack taking away a minimum of one of the hijackers’ life.

“We have attacked a Yemeni fishing boat. It was taking fish near Eyl last night,” pirate Bashir told Reuters by phone from Eyl. “They had weapons and fought against us. They killed one of us and injured another one but we have hijacked it at last. It’s in our hands now.” He added.

Hundreds of people have attended a wedding in central Somalia between a man who says he is 112 years old, and his teenage wife.
Ahmed Muhamed Dore – who already has 13 children by five wives – said he would like to have more with his new wife, Safia Abdulleh, who is 17 years old.
“Today God helped me realise my dream,” Mr Dore said, after the wedding in the region of Galguduud.
The bride’s family said she was “happy with her new husband”.
Mr Dore said he and his bride – who is young enough to be his great-great-grand-daughter – were from the same village in Somalia and that he had waited for her to grow up to propose.
“I didn’t force her, but used my experience to convince her of my love; and then we agreed to marry,” the groom said.
The BBC’s Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says the marriage, in the town of Guriceel, is being described by Somali historians as the first of its kind in the Horn of Africa nation for more than a century.
In 1941 he joined the British colonial forces as a soldier for 10 years and then served as a police officer after Somalia won independence in 1960.
Altogether, Mr Dore has 114 children and grandchildren. His oldest son is 80 years old and three of his wives have died.
He says he hopes his new bride will give him more children.

“Yachts under Somali Threat.”

Somali Pirates attacked a personal yacht ‘Lynn Rival’, with a British couple from Indian Ocean.
The British couple, Paul Chandler (59) and Rachel Chandler (55) was kidnapped before they had given a distress signal on Friday. The yacht was 150 nautical-mile south-west to the Amirante Islands, en route to Tanzania, when the incident occurred.
But family of the couple is now concerned over the ransom demanded, though Somali Government vows to locate them.
Dr Alvarez, the hostage negotiator said: “The bad news is [the family] will have to pay a ransom.” He said being white, it will be assumed the Chandlers, from Tunbridge Wells, are rich.
“These guys don’t understand about mortgages and having to pay rent and, of course, comparatively, the hostages will be wealthy from their point of view,” Dr Alvarez added.

“The World’s Biggest and most Expensive Cruise Ship, Oasis of the Seas set for sail.”

After six long years and a glittering $1.47 billion, Royal Caribbean International proudly received the world’s biggest cruise vessel, Oasis of the Seas in Turku, Finland
The Oasis of the Seas enjoying the peak of luxury and comfort can house 6360 passengers and 2160 crew with 21 swimming pools, an aqua park, casino, real trees, six layers of state room, golf course, restaurants and much more.
Oasis of the Seas, 16 decks high or 65 metres above the waterline, measuring 360 metres long and 47 metres in width offers the biggest suite of 156 square metres featuring 78.3-square-metre balcony with a Jacuzzi.
Topping the finest cruise ships and giving a tough competition to even the recent pride in cruising industry, Queen Mary 2, Oasis of Seas offers elite packages of fun, excitement and adventure with its onboard casino, spa, shops and with options ranging to even pool surfing, rock-climbing and boardwalk on a zip line.
“Part of the thought process of the ship is to overcome the old myths people have about cruising,” Royal Caribbean executive, Richard Fain, said.
“It’s very hard to look at a vessel like this and think that cruising is secondary when you can choose rock-climbing, surfing or zip-lining.” he added
According to Mr Fan, Oasis of the Seas cruising in Caribbean has received extensive pre booking orders apart from the crucial global crisis which had earlier affected the industry.

Illegal fishing threatens Indian ocean.”
According to Kenyan Fisheries Development Minister Paul Otuoma, the rise in illegal fishing activities in Indian Ocean is threatening tuna stocks along the eastern and southern African coast.

“USS New York on its maiden voyage.”
The USS New York, ship made of steel from the ruins of World Trade Center sailed its first voyage on Tuesday from Louisiana, where it was built, and is set to arrive in New York harbour on 2nd November.

“Kota Wajar hijacked in Indian Ocean.”
Pacific International Lines (PIL) container vessel, “Kota Wajar”, 1,550-teu vessel was positioned at Lat 01o33′S Long 54o52′E on 15 October 2009 when it was hijacked by unidentified men north of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean.

“Aries group presents Technical Analysis on Thekkady Boat Mishap.”
Mr.Sohan Roy, CEO, Aries Group presented a significant Technical Analysis on the Thekkady Boat Tragedy on a Press Meet held on 13th October 2009 at Cochin.

“A large shipyard in the city of Vladivostok.”
The city of Vladivostok is to see a large shipyard amidst them soon after the agreement signed between Russia and China.

“Jewel of Muscat” and Oman Project nearing completion.
The Sultanate of Oman, at the Eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is going through a renaissance of its maritime heritage. Taking it one step closer to their goal is the Jewel of Muscat project, which now nearing completion.
Ten Key Facts about the Jewel of Muscat:
1. The project involves the reconstruction of a 9th-century sailing ship in Oman.
2. The Jewel of Muscat is based on a range of historical sources, including the findings of the Belitung Wreck, which was discovered in 1998.
3. The 18 metre ship will be built without nails. The planks will be sewn together with coconut fibre, and will have to fit perfectly so as to ensure that the ship is watertight. The wood will be protected by a layer of goat fat mixed with lime.
4. The planking on the ship is made from Afzelia africana timber from Ghana.
5. The Jewel of Muscat is being built in a specially constructed ship yard at a beach in Qantab, Oman.
6. Once built, the ship is expected to embark on a voyage from Oman to Singapore, retracing part of the historic maritime trade route between Arabia and the Far East.
7. During its voyage, the team will use 9th-century navigation techniques.
8. Construction should take between ten and twelve months. The voyage is expected to begin in February 2010, with the Jewel of Muscat reaching Singapore by June 2010.
9. The project is being funded and supported by the governments of Oman and Singapore.
10. Every stage of the Jewel of Muscat’s construction and voyage will be covered on this website. The site contains videos, photographs and interactive features. The project will also be filmed for a television documentary.

“First open boat Artic circumnavigation.”

Danish exploration team has become the first to successfully travel all the way around the Arctic Ocean by open boat. The 26,000km journey was made over the course of eight summers, during which the ‘POCA 600’ carried a team of four who witnessed both the beauty and culture of the Arctic, as well as the changes wreaked by global warming.

“Maritime shows shrug off downturn.”

The region’s premier maritime event for specialised vessels concluded this week, shrugging off the impact of the economic downturn with a 70% increase in the number of exhibitors and a 60% increase in exhibition space compared with last year, according to the organisers.

“Boat with over 35 people capsizes in Orissa.”

A boat carrying more than 35 people, including school students, capsized while crossing the Budha river at Champachhanda ghat in Orissa’s Jajpur district on Wednesday evening, officials said. Twenty-five people have been rescued so far.

“Pirates hit navy ship in error.”

A group of Somali pirates has been captured after attacking a French navy ship by mistake, apparently thinking it was a harmless cargo vessel. French military spokesman Admiral Christophe Prazuck said the pirates attacked in skiffs late at night some 500km (310 miles) off the Somali coast.

“DNV opens new office in Abu Dhabi.”
Risk management specialist DNV has brought its business units under one roof in Abu Dhabi with a newly opened office in the Al Mushrif area. On the maritime front Liam Carroll is appointed station manager for the new office employs over 40 staff who deliver specialised risk management services for over 50 customers, primarily in the energy and maritime industries in the Middle East.

“Habbeke delivers new crew boat to KRVE.”
Habbeke Shipyard, of The Netherlands, has delivered a new crew tender vessel to the KRVE in Rotterdam. The boat, named the ‘KRVE58’ will operate as a very rapid tender to take pilots and crew members to merchant marine vessels in the harbour complex and North Sea.

“OOCL raises rate from china.”
Ocean carrier OOCL will increase its rates on all dry and refrigerated cargo from Hong Kong, Macau and South China to New Zealand, effective Nov. 1.

“Indonesians wants Camillo Eitzen.”
Indonesian BLT, owner of about half of Eitzen Chemical, has launched a bid for all the outstanding shares in Oslo Listed Camillo Eitzen.

Bisso marine acquires news SAT system.”
Bisso Marine, provider of energy and maritime support services, has acquired a 12-man portable Saturation Diving System.

“Dolphin India’s national aquatic animal”
Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said that like the tiger as the national animal and peacock as the national bird, the government had declared dolphins as the national aquatic animal as it represented the health of the rivers, particularly the Ganga.

Bharati Shipyard ups stakes in Great Offshore bidding race.”
Mumbai: Private sector shipbuilder Bharati Shipyard on Monday said it has hiked the open offer price to acquire stake in offshore service provider Great Offshore to Rs 560 per share.

“SCI’s single hull phase out continues.”
Shipping Corporation of India plans to scrap seven single-hull tankers by the end of this fiscal year to meet the global deadline to phase out single-hull tankers by 2010.

“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.

“Shipowning companies Intership Navigation and Athena Marine: Five stars for Excellent Quality.”
Cyprus based shipowning companies Intership Navigation Co. Ltd. (ISN) and Athena Marine Co. Ltd. received the “GL Excellence – 5 Stars” certificate of classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL).

“Francis Joyon inaugurates new route.”
World record holder Francis Joyon, the fastest man to sail solo around the world, is to set a new record/reference time on an inaugural route between France and Mauritius. The record will be approved by the WSSRC and join the 20 courses listed as World Oceanic Records.

“Drydocks world opens Batam Training Centre.”
Drydocks World – Southeast Asia has announced the official opening of its Training Centre in Batam, with facilities to develop the technical skills of the local workforce.

Vladimir Shtrambrant, the Chief Deputy of the Shipbuilding and Repair Yard of Rosmorport has said that the Russian Government plans to open a tender to build a series of icebreakers.
“Russia to build more icebreakers by 2015.”

“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.

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.