DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2020 –144
Number 144 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Saturday 23-05-2020 News reports received from readers and Internet News articles copied from various news sites.
The brandnew SEVERN SUPPORTER leaving IJmuiden enroute Rotterdam. The Neptun build multicat is owned by Severn Offshore and managed by Landfall. For her first job she was chartered by Tug Training and Consultancy (TTC). Photo : Capt Bas van Hoorn Towmaster / Senior Trainer KOTUG INTERNATIONAL B.V. ©
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The MAASTRICHT MAERSK arriving at Rotterdam Maasvlakte assisted by the Boluda Europe tug INNOVATION Photo : Rotterdam Pilot Marijn van Hoorn (c) Alphatron Marine levert compleet navigatie- en communicatiepakket voor drie Boomkorkotters Alphatron Marine Zuid kan met trots melden dat zij de opdracht heeft ontvangen voor het leveren van een compleet navigatie- en communicatiepakket voor drie Boomkorkotters die gaan varen onder de Belgische vlag. In 2002 werd voor het laatst een Boomkorkotter van dit type gebouwd. Nu 18 jaar later worden de Z483 en Z39 bij Padmos Stellendam gebouwd en de Z98 bij scheepsbouwer Hoekman op Urk. Deze Boomkorkotters zijn opnieuw ontworpen met als
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uitgangspunten een optimaal brandstofverbruik, veiligheid, bemanningscomfort, duurzaam en kwaliteit. “Om hieraan mee te mogen werken is dan ook een fantastische uitdaging voor ons kantoor. Omdat we ons al jaren inzetten voor de visserij zijn dit de opdrachten waar je het voor doet. Daarbij sluiten de uitgangspunten van de werf naadloos aan op die van Alphatron Marine” aldus Ben Schot, Sales Manager van Alphatron Marine Zuid.
Alphatron Marine Zuid zal de schepen voorzien van een compleet navigatie- en communicatie pakket met onder andere de nieuwe JMR-5400 radar. Deze krachtige radar heeft een gebruiksvriendelijk besturingssysteem en is uitgerust met speciaal ontworpen software voor de visserij. Dit maakt deze radar uniek in zijn soort en zal zeker de juiste ondersteuning bieden aan de hedendaagse visserij.Daarnaast wordt onder meer onze nieuwste JMA-3400 radar, Dual AlphaSeapilot MFC, Dual JRC JLR-21 GPS Compass, ons vernieuwde AlphaCam CCTV-systeem en een complete VSAT/TVRO oplossing geïnstalleerd op de schepen.
The SEBAROK SPIRIT arriving in Rotterdam Caland canal assisted by the Boluda Europe tug VB HUDSON Photo : Rotterdam Pilot Marijn van Hoorn ©
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Giant Sleipnir vessel wraps up decommissioning campaign for ConocoPhillips by Nermina Kulovic
Earlier this month, Heerema Marine Contractors’ giant semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) SLEIPNIR completed its first decommissioning campaign of the season. It was a unique project, as Heerema’s CHAMPION installed the same modules for ConocoPhillips at the Greater Ekofisk Field in the 1970s, Heerema said in a statement on Tuesday. Now, almost fifty years later, SLEIPNIR has returned to complete the journey. The decommissioning of the Ekofisk 2/4A platform is the final stage of an important story in Norway’s energy history. The permanent production platform was the oldest on the Norwegian shelf when oil production ended in September 2013. Now, the Ekofisk 2/4A platform will be recycled up to 99% at the AFEBV decommissioning site in Vats, Norway. This topsides campaign entailed Engineering, Preparation,
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Removal, and Disposal/Recycling of five modules, a crane boom, and a burner boom within the Greater Ekofisk Field. Heerema also developed a dedicated subsea excavator to prepare the jacket for removal later this season by SLEIPNIR. According to Heerema, it was particularly appropriate that SLEIPNIR would perform the decommissioning work as it is the world’s most sustainable SSCV.
Using SLEIPNIR made an already environmentally friendly process of removing retired platforms from our seas as sustainable as possible, the company explained. During the project, SLEIPNIR ran on LNG when next to the platform. Heerema will also be working on the removal of the platform’s jackets later this year. Earlier this month Sleipnir transported and installed the Nova topside module on the Gjøa platform in the North Sea. The giant vessel picked up the 740mT module from a barge outside Stavanger, Norway, and transported it to Neptune Energy’s operated Gjøa platform. Installation was completed within three hours. The Nova module will be used for the tie-back of the Wintershall Dea operated Nova field, located about 120 kilometres northwest of Bergen, with a water depth of 370 meters.As was the case with the ConocoPhillips decom project, SLEIPNIR ran on LNG during Nova module installation to reduce carbon emissions. Source : offshore-energy.biz Photo’s : Heerema Marine Contractors
Hoek van Holland Berghaven with the KNRM lifeboat JEANINE PARQUI and several pilot tenders ready for action Photo : Charles Bijl Freelance Service Maasmond www.fsmconsulting.nl © CLICK at the Photo!
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The GUAYAQUIL EXPRESS arriving in Rotterdam assisted by the Boluda Europe tug INNOVATION Photo : Rotterdam Pilot Marijn van Hoorn © A Giant Ponzi Scheme? Carnival Cruise Line President: Cruising on August 1st “Still Very Uncertain” By Jim Walker
The CARNIVAL VALOR departing from New Orleans Photo : Piet Sinke www.maasmondmaritime.com (c) CLICK at the photo & hyperlink in text to view and/or download the photo(s) ! The president of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy, stated in a letter to crew members last week “while we hope to bring back a small number of ships on August 1, that is still very uncertain.” Ms. Duffy continued by stating “what we do know is that whenever we do resume cruising, it will be a gradual, phased in return.”
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Cheap Fares Carnival has been heavily advertising cruises on the representation that it plans to restart certain cruises from Texas and Florida as early as August 1st. Carnival has been advertising cheap cruise fares to entice customers to book cruises, including offering five-day cruises from Galveston, to Cozumel, Mexico, in early August starting at $139, plus taxes, fees and port expenses. This comes out to a base rate around $28-a-day, according to the LA Times. The popular-among- hard-core cruise-fans blog CruiseRadio was showing cruise deals with Carnival Cruise Line as low as $20 a day per person. A “Ponzi Scheme?” Many people in the travel industry doubt that any cruises will actually leave U.S. ports as early as August 1st. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended its “no sail” order from mid-April to July 24th. It remains to be seen whether the CDC will again extend the order past the theoretical August 1st cruise date. Many Carnival customers are still waiting to receive refunds of fares for cruises which were cancelled 60 to 90 days ago. Some cruisers feel that by collecting fares for cruises in August which likely will not take place, Carnival is essentially running a quasi “ponzi scheme.” It is collecting money for new cruises, which probably will not take place, to be used to eventually refund fares which Carnival owes to its customers for the past several months. Our small firm has been contacted by literally hundreds of passengers complaining that Carnival has not returned their cruise fares for cruises cancelled due to COVID-19. There are many dozens or people complaining about this on Twitter, like this: I consider myself patient... but I have now waited over a month for my cruise refund @CarnivalCruise. Surely there is something that can be done to expedite this process. This is absolutely ridiculous. #Carnival @CLIAGlobal @CruiseReport The CDC requires the cruise lines to submit procedures and protocols to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic for approval by the agency. Carnival has failed to do so to date. This reinforces my belief that Carnival is more interested in advertising and selling cruises than taking steps to reduce the liklihood that coronavirus will infect some of its guests and crew members and spread on its ships. The point of Ms. Duffy’s letter was to inform its crew members that those ship employees with at least two years of service are eligible for a small monthly stipend of around 30 to 60 days of their basic wages / base salary. Although the letter involves relatively nominal amounts, it is a positive development for any cruise line to compensate its crew like this. Most cruise lines are no longer paying their crew members or paying them only token amounts, NCL and MSC, for example, entirely stopped paying their crew members. NCL is giving the crew whose contracts ended only a $10 a day stipend to buy bottled water or snacks in the onboard crew mart. Viking Cruises, on the other hand, has been paying their crew members a percentage of their wages since it was the first cruise line to supend operations. Royal Caribbean is offering its crew a one time stipend of $400. Billions of Dollars in Financing But Thousands Laid-Off At the end of March, Carnival was in dire straites reportedly needing $1,000,000,000 per month to cover its costs. Credit markets were frozen. In layman’s terms this means that conventional lenders had no money to lend. Carnival had turned to private equity lenders to find money. These lenders allegedly offered financing at 15 percent, plus a substantial equity stake in Carnival. When the Federal Reserve announced that it intended to backstop credit markets, it effectively unfroze credit markets and Carnival was able to obtain money from conventional lenders at 11.5 percent. The result of this defacto bailout is that Carnival received over two billion dollars in financing last month. Last week, Carnival Corporation announced a series of layoffs and furloughs affecting more than 1,300 workers at its Florida offices. CEO Arnold Donald released a letter and video to Carnival employees about the terminations and furloughs. Carnival Corporation stated that 820 positions in South Florida would be eliminated and 537 workers placed on temporary furlough out of its workforce of around 3,000 South Florida employees (more than 45% of its Florida employees). Earlier last week, Carnival Corporation terminated 450 employees in the United Kingdom, cut the salaries of the remaining staff members by 20% salary through November, and let go of two cruise line executives, Holland America Line president Orlando Ashford and Seabourn president Rick Meadows. Carnival-owned Holland America Line announced at the end of last week that it is laying off around 2,000 employees and furloughing or reducing the hours and pay of its remaining shoreside employees, according to the Seattle Times. Notwithstanding it’s billion dollar financing, Carnival is still treading water. In order to stay afloat, it will continue to market and sell cruises even though it is “very uncertain” whether the cruises will actually take. Source: cruiselawnews Arrests in NCA drugs investigation - Sandown- moored cruise ship crew member investigated By Lucy Morgan Audience and Content Editor
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A CRUISE SHIP crew member, from a ship that was moored off the Isle of Wight's east coast for a number of weeks, is involved in a police investigation, a tour company has confirmed. Marella Discovery 2 had been at anchor off Sandown, along with a number of other cruise ships.
The MARELLA DISCOVERY 2 seen moored in Malta in October 2018 Photo : Michael Cassar © It has now left its berth near the Nab Tower. A National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation is continuing into the alleged importation of drugs. Three men were arrested on Saturday, April 25, and are due before Winchester Crown Court later this month (May). MARELLA DISCOVERY 2, was among a number of cruise ships moored off the Isle of Wight until recently Holiday firm TUI said: "We're aware of a police investigation involving a crew member onboard MARELLA DISCOVERY 2."As this is now a police matter, it would be inappropriate to comment further. We will continue to assist the authorities throughout their investigation." Source : Isle of Wight County Press
Virgin Voyages Cancels Cruises Through October 15 By Ben Souza Virgin Voyages, the new adults only cruise line that was originally scheduled to debut this spring, will now sail its first cruise on October 16, 2020. Virgin Voyages has canceled all cruises through October 15, 2020. The cruise line has also rescheduled the Richard’s Birthday Bash sailing for July 14th, 2021. This sailing will still be a once in a lifetime experience, while also continuing Virgin’s tradition of doing business for good.
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The SCARLET LADY moored in Dover (UK) Photo : Dieter A.Jaenicke www.vikingmaritime.co.uk © For first-time canceled Sailors, Virgin be auto-crediting double the amount you’ve paid to date toward your voyage fare. And if you book your next sailing before June 30th, Virgin will give you up to $500 to spend on board. If you’d prefer a refund, you can call or email Virgin anytime between May 21st and December 31st, 2020. Please know that if a Sailor contacts the cruise line directly, they will honor their request and their travel agent will still be tied to their booking. For Sailors who have already received the full 200% in Future Voyage Credit, they will get to keep it. But, if they’d prefer, instead of the 200% Future Voyage Credit, Virgin can refund the full paid amount along with a Future Voyage Credit equal to 25% of the paid voyage fare that can be used on a future sailing.In addition for sailings through December 16th, 2020, Virgin is moving final payment dates to 60 days (from 120 days) before the cruise, and you can cancel up to 48 hours before their voyage and receive a 100% voyage credit. This is part of the cruise line’s Smooth Sailing program.In addition, they are lowering the fares for their RockStar Quarters while making the decision to remove some of the previously offered perks. The world is changing, so they are, too — and they want to make sure that you can still experience the brilliance and spacious luxury of traveling as a RockStar. Changes will be updated in the coming weeks.Virgin was hoping to begin sailing in August but said in an email that it just wasn’t possible to begin cruises at that time. Source : Cruisefever
The NORWEGIAN STAR departed from Rotterdam Holland Amerika Kade and shifted to Damen Shiprepair in Schiedam for a maintenance period Photo : Jan Oosterboer © ALSO INTERESTED IN THIS FREE MARITIME NEWSCLIPPINGS ? CLICK HERE AND REGISTER FOR FREE !
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3-mast topzeil schoener VRIJHEID – bj 1898 - loa 48.00*8.00*2.10 m – zeiloppervlakte 740 m2 en hospitaal passagiersschip WILLEM-ALEXANDER –bj 2003, loa 85 m - speciaal ingericht voor ouderen, zieken of gehandicapten. Max aantal passagiers 50. i.v.m. corona lockdown afgemeerd in de haven van Harderwijk Photo : Arno Moonen (c)
Malaysian contractor snaps up two offshore deals by Bojan Lepic Two subsidiaries of Malaysia’s engineering services company T7 Global have been awarded contracts from Hess and PTS Resources.The first contract was awarded to Tanjung Offshore Services by Carigali Hess Operating Company for the provision of onshore fabrication, offshore hook-up, and commissioning for infill flowlines. T7 Global said on Tuesday that the letter of award dated was received on 31 March 2020. The company stated in a Bursa Malaysia filing that the duration of the contract was four years, with an expected start from 1 June 2020. The value of the contract will be based on a work order request from Carigali Hess. The stock filing also showed that T7 Wenmax, another subsidiary of T7 Global, received a letter of award dated 14 May 2020 from PTS Resources for the supply of systems and equipment. The duration of the contract is for a period of one year, with an expected start from 18 May 2020. According to T7 Global, the total provision value of the contracts is approximately RM140 million ($32.1 million). Source: offshore-energy
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2 cruise ships carry out technical calls at Gibraltar including crew repatriation
The SOVEREIGN moored in Gibraltar Photo : Francis Ferro © A total of 154 crew from two cruise liners remained berthed at Gibraltar UK after the chartered flight for their repatriation developed technical issue on Monday, May 18.
The JEWEL OF THE SEAS outbound from Gibraltar Photo : Terry Jesty © Royal Caribbean's JEWEL OF THE SEAS and Pullmantur's SOVEREIGN ships were carrying out technical stops at Gibraltar (for bunkering) that also had to include the crew repatriation. One of the flights, with 164 crew aboard, left successfully to London UK. The crew have been on board the two liners for weeks and none had any health issues or Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms. Gibraltar, like most cruise ports globally, suspended regular calls due to the ongoing pandemic.However, the government allowed so-called ‘technical calls’ in order to enable operators to transfer crew for humanitarian and operational reasons, as well as take for refuelling and provisioning. The ships are expected to depart after the crew transfer is complete. Source : cruisemapper.
The container vessel SEAGO BREMERHAVEN inbound for Rotterdam and arriving from Felixstowe Photo : Cees van der Kooij ©
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Abu Dhabi Ports holds post-COVID-19 virtualworkshop for Arabian Gulf port operators Abu Dhabi Ports held a virtual roundtable workshop with port operators from across the Arabian Gulf, to tease out shared experiences, challenges faced and best practices when dealing with COVID-19, the company said in its release. Hosted by video conference, and held in cooperation with the Arab Sea Ports Federation (ASPF) Regional Office based in Abu Dhabi, the agenda included presentations from Ports and Maritime Affairs – Bahrain, Mawani – Saudi Ports Authority, Kuwait Port Authority, Port of Salalah , as well as the port operators of Fujairah, Dubai and Sharjah and who all touched upon shared experiences relating to business continuity, health and safety, performance, and sea operations.In a wide-ranging discussion, the port operators agreed on standardised sterilisation procedures when receiving vessels arriving from affected countries, preparedness to meet the challenges of COVID-19, and the measures and solutions required to create a post COVID-19 business environment.The workshop was conducted in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Yousif Abdullah Al Subah, General Manager of Kuwait Port Authority and President of the Arab Sea Ports Federation (ASPF), who emphasised the necessity of having continuous discussions and coordination among ASPF members especially in times of difficulty: “Maritime trade serves as a vital lifeline for the entire global economy. Our meeting today reminds all those within our sector that we must not only commit to delivering business continuity and upholding the health and safety of our seafarers, but we must endeavour to take a flexible and open approach towards future plans relevant to the situation.The hosting of the Arab Sea Ports Federation workshop is the latest effort by Abu Dhabi Ports in fighting COVID- 19 following its successful ‘Horns of Hope’ solidary campaign which included the participation of many port operators from around the region and beyond. Held in the presence of the Head of the Regional Office of Arab Sea Ports Federation, Abdulla Al Muharrami, the workshop programme was structured according to collated responses from questionnaires sent to the respective Arabian Gulf port operators.The questions highlighted key challenges faced by coronavirus together with a range of potential solutions. Source : Portnews PLEASE MAINTAIN YOUR MAILBOX, DUE TO NEW POLICY OF THE PROVIDER, YOUR ADDRESS WILL BE “DEACTIVATED” AUTOMATICALLY IF THE MAIL IS BOUNCED BACK TO OUR SERVER If this happens to you please send me a mail at [email protected] to reactivate your address again You can also read the latest newsletter daily online via the link : http://newsletter.maasmondmaritime.com/ShippingNewsPdf/magazine.pdf Norwegian Cancels All July Sailings Norwegian Cruise Line said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is extending its operations pause through July 31, cancelling all July departures across its fleet. Guests will receive a future cruise credit of 125 percent for cruises that were set to leave between March 18 and July 31. The credit can be applied to any Norwegian sailing through the end of 2022,
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The company also announced ti is giving out a 20 percent discount on any cruises booked by May 31, 2020, using a Future Cruise Credit source: cruiseindustrynews
ferry DE VRIENDSCHAP alongside her berth in de Cocksdorp Texel. Normally DE VRIENDSCHAP operates during the summer season as ferry between the isle of Texel and the isle of Vlieland. Photo : Lourens Visser www.navcom.org Backhoe Dredger Sarb Inaugurated in the Netherlands
National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) has just announced the inauguration of the backhoe dredger SARB in the Netherlands. The inauguration comes as a part of NMDC’s international growth and fleet investment strategy which is aimed at positioning the company as a leader in the industry. The contract for the new dredger was inked by the UAE based dredging contractor and Ravestein B.V. at the NMDC headquarters in Abu Dhabi on February 15, 2019. The SARB has the following technical specifications: Length – 60m; Width – 18m; Draught – 4.5m; Dredging depth – 25m; Bucket size – 14m²; Spud forces – 400T each; Spudwinches – 100T each; Spudcarier – 10m. Source: dredgingtoday
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The LNG tanker MACOMA entering on a hazy morning the port of Quintero with a cargo from Sabine Pass (USA) and assisted by the local tugs ARRIERO, HORCON, LONCURA and TUNQUEN to her berth. She was built in 2017 by Daewoo yard in South Korea for Teekay and is in longtime charter to Shell. Measures 295 m. length overall and 46 m beam. DWT 95.134 m/t Photo : Arnold Koningstein (c)
Bonn & Mees tug PIETER L with the sheerlegs MATADOR passing Rotterdam-Noordereiland Photo : Cor Vermeer © SFL announces acquisition of 2020-built VLCC with long term charter SFL Corporation Ltd. has agreed to acquire a newbuild 308,000 dwt crude oil carrier, or “VLCC”, in combination with a 7- year bareboat charter, adding nearly $60 million to SFL’s fixed rate charter backlog, the company said in its release. The vessel is expected to be delivered from the shipyard in China in the second quarter, and will have full cash flow effect in Q3 2020. The net purchase price will be $65 million, which is significantly below current broker estimates for VLCC resales, effectively providing SFL with a very attractive risk profile. SFL’s chartering counterparty, an affiliate of the Landbridge Group, has secured a 3-year sub charter to an oil major, providing good cash flow visibility. There will be purchase options for the charterer during the charter period, first time after three years, and at the end of the charter there is a purchase obligation.
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SFL will fund the acquisition with a $50 million non recourse bank debt facility at very attractive terms, and net cash flow after debt service during the first three years is estimated to more than $4 million per year on average. SFL has a unique track record in the maritime industry and has paid dividends every quarter since 2004. The Company’s fleet of more than 80 vessels is split between tankers, bulkers, container vessels and offshore drilling rigs. SFL’s long term distribution capacity is supported by a portfolio of long term charters and significant growth in the asset base over time. Source : Portnews
The ALP CENTRE arriving in Rotterdam from Lisbon Photo : Wouter van der Veen © China To Europe Front- And Back-Haul Container Spot Rates In Rare Reversal
The fully loaded Hapag Lloyd container vessel AL JMELIYAH inbound for Rotterdam and arriving from Yantian (China) Photo : Cees van der Kooij © Throughout April, container shipping spot freight rates on the back-haul trade from North Europe to China were higher than those on the front-haul trade from China to North Europe. This is a rare occurrence that has developed in the wake of the massive supply chain disruptions in the world’s #1 manufacturing hub due to the Covid-19 outbreak, causing
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aftershocks across the Far East. “A reversal of front-haul and back-haul spot freight rates is a rare event. Especially on a high-volume main trade route like the Far East to Europe, which normally holds a 2:1 ratio. As capacity has been cut decidedly and fast by all carriers to better fit the evaporating demand for containers out of China, much improved utilisation on the Europe to China back-haul trade has put carriers in a position to command higher spot rates.April was unique in that way, and the phenomenon is gone for now. Spot rates out of the main China ports are fixed at $1,453 per FEU heading for North Europe discharge, against $1,356 per FEU for containers going east on 19 May,” Peter Sand, BIMCO’s Chief Shipping Analyst says. When two boxes go West, only one heads East
The MSC BRANKA inbound for for Rotterdam arriving from Salvador (Brazil) Photo : Cees van der Kooij © On most main container trade routes, there is a ‘mismatch’ between loaded container volumes. On the Far East to Europe trade, that ‘mismatch’ is 100%. Under normal market conditions, carriers deploy capacity to match demand on the front- haul of the trade, where the payload is highest. One the back-haul, more empties and shipping capacity are repositioned, and costs are only to a limited extend covered by freight rates. Boost in confidence – boost in rates February proved to be a turning point for the spot freight rates as volumes ended almost on par for that month, since 634,000 TEU went east and 690,000 went west. But the relative strength made all the difference. Whereas eastbound back-haul volumes from Europe to Far East went up by 1%, front-haul volumes fell by 32%. Carriers announce General Rate Increases (GRIs) or specific surcharges in the lead-up to starting many new months. In contrast to last year, the relatively higher back-haul volumes, made Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) on the North Europe to Far East Trade sticky in 2020. The pendulum that swung negotiation power from shippers to carriers was repeated in April, lifting back-haul spot rates even further and above the sliding front-haul spot rates. Data on moved volumes for April and May are currently pending, but they are likely to pinpoint these developments. Mothballing May Blanked sailings on the front-haul trade out of Far East towards Europe during week 20 (11-17 May) are estimated to have reached 28% of total trade lane capacity. May is likely to see a peak in blanked capacity.For the coming weeks, to end-July, carriers are expecting higher cargo volumes on the front-haul, despite the seasonally lower nature of May-July. Blanked capacity currently announced account to 12% of total trade lane capacity, as fewer sailings are blanked and fewer were initially planned for (source: Sea-Intelligence).
The SAFMARINE MAFADI navigating Rotterdam Beercanal Photo : Dirk Nootenboom © “Intra-Asian cargo movement, which is the bellwether indicator for volume growth on the main export trade lanes out of the Far East explains the current hardship in capital letters, while pointing towards only a gradual easing of the pain.Falling by a total of 13.1% in Q1, February volumes fell by 21.5% compared with last year, while March volumes were down by 20%,” says Sand. Source: BIMCO
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The length overall 225,00 mtrs and width 32,26 mtrs, built in 2006 and a summer dwt of 76,465 t are the details of the Panama registered bulk carrier BONANZA YR. In the photo, on her way to Tacoma for another cargo of grain. Photo : Aart van Essen ©
Three vessels passing Hamburg - Loetsenhoeft: TOKYO TRIUMPH leading, followed by Feeder Vessel ALEXANDER B and Bulker AM GHENT . Photo : Hans Schaefer © UK oil industry facing ‘very tough’ future, new report shows by Mark Lammey The “astonishing” changes in the world oil market have left the North Sea industry facing a “very tough” future, a top petroeconomist has warned. Professor Alex Kemp, of Aberdeen University, said prevailing low oil and gas prices threatened to drive expenditure to “extremely low levels”, leave “lots of fields undeveloped” and cause production to fall “quite sharply”. In a new report covering the period 2019-50, Prof Kemp stressed the sector’s future would depend on technology which can enhance productivity.
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The goalposts have shifted considerably since he and colleague Linda Stephen published their last report in December, when Brent crude was above $60 per barrel. Back then, they outlined North Sea industry’s prospects using $50, $60 and $70 per barrel price scenarios, but the new report is modelled on much lower levels – $25, $35 and $45. It reflects a dramatic plunge in prices due to the coronavirus’ impact on demand, the collapse of an international production deal and storage concerns. Prof Kemp warned low prices could prevail for “a long time ahead”, resulting in “capital rationing”. With an oil price of $25 per barrel, development expenditure would total £28.9 billion over the period, compared to £35.4bn at $35 per barrel and £52.8bn at $45, he said. Production of hydrocarbons (oil, gas and condensate) would total 7.2bn barrels of oil equivalent (boe) at $25, 8.3bn boe at $35 and 10.5bn boe at $45. Under the $35 scenario, the number of producing fields would sink to around 50 in 2035, from well over 200 currently, and only 38 new field developments would go ahead over the next three decades. Of the 411 fields classed as technical reserves, or discovered fields not currently being actively considered for development, 381 fail to get over the investment “hurdle”. The previous report predicted field development expenditure of more than £110bn based on a $70 oil price, supporting total output of 14.5bn boe. The UK Oil and Gas Authority has estimated that overall remaining recoverable resources range from 10-20bn boe. Decommissioning costs would amount to £37-38bn, down from £43-47bn in the previous report, due to a reduction in new fields.Prof Kemp said that while oilfields would stop production earlier at lower prices, decommissioning activity may be delayed by “cash-strapped” companies who will “think twice” about whether they can pay for platform removals and well abandonment work.
Van Wijngaarden’s LINGESTROOM inbound with an ABEKO workbarge Photo : Peter Maanders Port Towage Amsterdam © He believes the case for government intervention is strong, in light of banks’ current lack of enthusiasm for lending to oil firms. Prof Kemp proposed advances on tax reliefs to stimulate investment in new field developments and save thousands of jobs. “Government could help by giving, on a temporary basis, a field development tax credit,” he said, adding: “If a company develops a new field, they will get the tax relief on that investment advanced. It’s not a gift. It would be clawed back later.” Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) market intelligence manager Ross Dornan acknowledged lower prices had created a “very uncertain outlook” and pressed companies into “difficult decisions”. Last month, OGUK warned up to 30,000 UK oil industry jobs could be lost over the next 12-18 months without additional support measures. Ross Dornan, OGUK Market Intelligence Manager said: “Remaining as competitive as possible to attract investment, alongside innovative and flexible approaches and business models, will be required to ensure we can not only continue to meet as much of the UK’s energy needs from domestic oil and gas, but also prepare places like the north-east to fully capitalise on net-zero opportunities of the future.” Dick Winchester, who is on the Scottish Government’s energy advisory board, said: “Prof Kemp has produced yet another clear, concise, well analysed but, on this occasion, very concerning report. “If we add to this the potential impact of reductions in fossil fuel use due to climate change and changes in our habits following our positive experience of working from home during the Covid-19 epidemic, then we need to accept there is a major problem looming large for the
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Aberdeen supply chain and the UK Government given its commitment on decommissioning costs. “Alex’s report is a strong warning that we need to get our act together on energy transition and diversification.” North East Labour MSP and energy spokesperson Lewis Macdonald said Prof Kemp’s report highlighted a “real risk to jobs and energy security” and called for the UK and Scottish governments to invest in safeguarding jobs and infrastructure. Mel Evans, senior climate campaigner for Greenpeace UK, said: “The only support the government should consider is funding a just transition to renewable energy, to help companies and workers leave oil behind and move into an industry that’s sustainable. “Support must help workers to reskill and find good, well-paid jobs in sectors such as decommissioning and offshore wind.” Source : Energy Voice
Van Wijngaarden Marine Service AMSTELSTROOM outbound from Amsterdam Photo : Ruud Coster © Ship Recycling Could Receive a Boost from Recent Developments in the UAE
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With scrapyards in the South East Asia being effectively underutilized for the past couple of months, ship owners will be very happy to hear that activity could soon pick up and moreover, at higher prices, provided that the pandemic conditions allow for increased activity.In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Clarkson Platou Hellas said that “as we touched upon last week, we are trying to accept any positives that emanates from the recycling destinations in view of the subdued previous month or two and whilst the following news will not give any immediate advantage, it will have a major impact for the long term. The UAE Government this week announced that they are to suspend the export of ferrous scrap for four months. The decision has been made due to the scarcity of scrap raw material being faced by UAE based steel mills. All stakeholders have been ordered to adopt the necessary action for implementation of same by the Ministry of Economy with immediate effect. This will be encouraging news for the local scrap markets in India and Pakistan and with the lack of inventories from the UAE, increase in pricing and demand should be seen internally from the steel mills for ship steel. All we need are for the three main recycling destinations to once again be fully operational! It does appear that more Owners are starting to test the waters by offering more units into the ship recycling arena and finally some new sales are reportedly taking place, aside from those vessels at the respective anchorages under new negotiations following failed sales, but there still remains the important question as to the foreign crew repatriation once they have disembarked from a vessel that has been delivered to the recycling yard. According to the shipbroker, “there are still no major international flights from these countries and therefore the Indian authorities continue to only permit importation of those vessels with full quota of Indian nationals or vessels under tow. The Indian ship recyclers and other industry players, including the cash buyers, are lobbying the Government with the intention of trying to persuade them allow foreign crew to disembark on the yards at Alang and in this respect, are offering local hotels for facilitating quarantine procedures and assistance with onward travel arrangements. Time will tell if their efforts are rewarded to the benefit of all and sundry. We now also wait for information from India with regards to their lockdown position as the current timescale is in place until the 17th May. Some beaching of units have taken place this week in Bangladesh, however only those vessels with Chinese or Indian nationals onboard. The Indian nationals are travelling over land back to India and the Chinese were placed on the one flight from Dhaka to China. Generally it would appear that more inquiry is being seen from Bangladesh but do need restrictions to be lifted to really advance its purchasing pace. Pakistan have announced today that the partial lockdown currently in place is to be extended until 31st May. Some industries are running a limited operation, but it remains to be seen if vessels will be allowed to be beached on their recycling yards as confusion reigns in this respect. Most likely any permission will be given after the Eid holidays which are set to be finished in two weeks’ time”, Clarkson Platou Hellas concluded”. In a separate note this week, Allied Shipbroking said that “some restrictions seem to have been lifted recently in the key Indian Sub-Continent markets, but this does not mean that lockdown has ended just yet. However, given the expectations for a return to normality (in terms of operational matters) over the following weeks could help feed healthier appetite amongst breakers after several weeks of inactivity. In Bangladesh, the government allowed for some scrapyards to proceed with the demolition of units that were awaiting at Chattogram anchorage due to the upcoming Amphan cyclone (most of these deals though have been re-negotiated to lower price levels). However, the general restrictions are still in place curbing any further interest for the time being. Meanwhile, restrictions have not yet been lifted in India either, but with local authorities allowing vessels with Indian crew to be scrapped. The surge noted in steel plate prices and the anticipated stimulus package from the domestic government will help the country to regain cash-buyers’ interest once the market is fully re-opened. The same conditions are currently seen in Pakistan with the only vessels proceeding for demolition being the ones with local crew members. However, with some stimulus movements being anticipated from the local authorities, we expect interest for business to start showing a gradual revival here too”.Meanwhile, GMS, the world’s leading cash buyer of ships said in its latest weekly report, that “whilst the various recycling destinations remain far from fully open today, the anticipation of subcontinent markets opening within the month / before June has once again motivated Cash Buyers to take speculative positions and commit vessels at some firmer levels over the recent weeks. It is true that there have been some easing of restrictions in both India and Bangladesh, however, there are still restrictions on vessels arriving both locations with foreign crew onboard, in addition to domestic crew flying overseas for ‘as is’ take overs, as all international flights in and out of the subcontinent markets are still grounded at present. There may be further easing of restrictions in the coming week(s) on international tonnage, however, for now, only those vessels that have received special exemptions and have domestic crew on board are being allowed to beach in India and Bangladesh. India is allowing ships with Indian crew to beach whilst anchoring and beaching permissions are not being granted for vessels with international / foreign crew for the time being. The same is true in Pakistan and Turkey as well. In Bangladesh, foreign crew cannot disembark without getting special permissions from the police and immigration departments and this is causing some confusion for those vessels that have arrived locally and are waiting to beach for some time now”, GMS concluded. Source : Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
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The ACTA ORION outbound from Amsterdam after a maintenance period at Damen Shiprepair Photo : Ruud Coster © UK confirms checks on goods crossing Irish Sea after Brexit transition By : david Osler CHECKS will be made on animals and foodstuffs entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK following the expiry of the Brexit transition period at the end of this year, the government has confirmed. The move is needed to ensure the entire island of Ireland maintains disease-free status, Michael Gove, the minister charged with seeing through Brexit, told the House of Commons today. As a result, border controls will be installed at the ports of Belfast and Warrenpoint, as well as Belfast’s two airports, and existing facilities will be expanded at Larne.No customs fees will be payable on goods remaining in the region, and there will be no need for security certificates for goods in either direction. Tariffs will not be levied on goods going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Source: Lloydslist
Liberia-flagged, 2015 built, MSC ISTANBUL, 186.650 DWT, 15.908 TEU, inbound from Sines just before leaving the Overloop van Hansweert. Photo : Alexander Hoogstrate © ALSO INTERESTED IN THIS FREE MARITIME NEWSCLIPPINGS ? CLICK HERE AND REGISTER FOR FREE !
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The NILEDUTCH BREDA inbound for Antwerp passing Kruinigen-Kruseveer Photo : Rob van den Houten © DFDS expects slow passenger traffic recovery By : James Baker
The GARDENIA SEAWAYS outbound from Antwerp passing Vlissingen entering the Oostgat Photo : Annette Eikelboom © DFDS, theEuropean shortsea ferry operator, expects no immediate return of passenger numbers and has warned that it is unlikely to see a peak tourism season this year. Poul Woodall, the company’s environment and sustainability director, said that two of its predominantly passenger service-oriented routes between Copenhagen and Oslo, and Amsterdam and Newcastle, have been closed until at least June 17. “Some routes are passenger only, which is where the pandemic has had the most impact,” he said during a webinar discussion. “The freight business is really dedicated as an essential infrastructure service by most countries in which we operate, and we have been requested to keep the business running by a number of countries we serve.” Four vessels on the two cancelled routes had been put into layup, along with 13 freight vessels, he added. “We continue to accept passengers on the Baltic and English Channel ro-pax routes, but these are predominantly freight drivers and those who have essential travel,” Mr Woodall said. This in itself caused issues, because essential travel is defined differently in different countries. “That makes it difficult to filter passenger bookings and means we have had to implement different precaution methods on shore at our terminals and on board vessels,” he said. “On the Baltic, we have a situation where we can take passengers from Sweden to Lithuania, but we cannot take passengers from Lithuania to Sweden. Eventually the Baltics will be filled with Swedes.” But while DFDS was seeing the first signs of Europe getting back to business, with car production and other manufacturing beginning to resume, the tourism market remained a ‘big joker’, Mr Woodall said. “We are just at the beginning of what should have been a peak season but certainly is not a peak season. We fear we will lose out on this year’s season, which is unfortunate, as that is what really carries the passenger business throughout the year.” But the passenger business was unlikely to return in any familiar form, he added. “There will be changes to the way we do our business, not least with our passengers,” Mr Woodall said.“There will be a big job in getting confidence back into mass transportation. We have it in passenger shipping and in airlines. It is something we have to work on collectively, but individually we must communicate what we are doing in order to satisfy the passenger demand. It is an important part of our business.” Source: Lloydslist
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NAVY NEWS
Sailors man the rails aboard the future BRP JOSE RIZAL (FF-150) as the warship departs Korean waters. The ship is expected to arrive in Subic Bay on May 23. Milestone: PH Navy ship docks on Pag-asa Island for 1st time By: Frances Mangosing A Philippine Navy ship properly berthed on Pag-asa Island (Thitu) in the West Philippine Sea for the first time since the Philippines occupied the island to assert sovereignty over it. BRP IVATAN (LC-298) docked at the port on the island, which is in the final stages of construction, last May 13, said Lt. Maivi Neri, acting public affairs officer of Naval Forces West This makes it “the first ever PN vessel that berthed thereat.” She couldn’t say, however, when the beaching ramp would be finished. BRP IVATAN was on Pag-asa Island for a resupply and troop rotation mission at the Philippine- occupied detachments in the West Philippine Sea. The ship returned to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Sunday, May 17, after weeks of sailing in the West Philippine Sea, part of the Philippine- claimed waters in the disputed South China Sea. For many years, those who needed to go to Pag-asa by ship had to ride a small boat first to get to the island because of the absence of a harbor. Large vessels have to anchor as far as 7 kilometers away from the shore because of the absence
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of a dock. Smaller boats are used to unload people and goods on the island. Pag-asa is inhabited by about a hundred Filipino civilians and hosts a small military garrison. In 2017, the Philippine government announced plans for the construction of a beaching ramp or a port on Pag-asa Island to enable ships to deliver construction materials for the building and repair of facilities. Analysts believe that the repair and construction work on the island is the reason Chinese militia boats have maintained constant presence nearby since 2018. Source: globalnation.inquirer
The Royal Navy 35,500 ton replenishment ship A 387 FORT VICTORIA spotted off Devonport early morning May 20 on her way to cruise over the de-gaussing cables. Photo : Raymond Wergan, Newton Ferrers. © SHIPYARD NEWS
Shipyard De Hoop completes world’s first remote sea trials By : Rebecca Gibson © Shipyard De Hoop has successfully carried out the world’s first-ever remotely operated ship trials for Silversea Cruises’ SILVER ORIGIN, which is set to be delivered in the coming weeks despite challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Dutch shipyard has continued to work on the ship during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite challenges caused by a reduced workforce, a national lockdown in the Netherlands, global travel restrictions preventing contractors from reaching the yard and delays in receiving supplies such as carpets, loose furniture and onboard art. The lockdown in Italy also disrupted the installation of the ship’s windows and galley. To safeguard its 200 remaining employees, De Hoop followed strict health, sanitation and safety protocols. They included daily temperature checks, a strict 1.5-metre separation rule, a one-way system throughout the ship and enhanced cleaning procedures onboard the ship and in the crew living quarters and mess. In addition, face-to-face meetings were replaced by video calls. Around 100 of the employees are staying in an onsite residential facility named BARGE ROSSINI, where they are also following strict hygiene procedures. To date, no employees have caught the virus. Silver Origin’s sea trials were held between 27 and 29 April off the coast of Goeree-Overflakkee where, due to travel bans preventing sub-contractors from reaching the ship, the dynamic positioning acceptance test was remotely tuned and calibrated by a third party in St. Petersburg, Russia – over 1,800 kilometres away. To facilitate this, a fast internet
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connection set up onboard Silver Origin and the operative in St. Petersburg used a camera and a headset to direct manoeuvring tests, while the captain acted as an onboard lookout.“This was the first time such an operation has been completed remotely during a sea trial,” said Fre Drenth, director of De Hoop Shipyard. “The tuning was successful and took no longer than usual. It demonstrates that it is possible to tune dynamic positioning systems remotely. It could potentially save a lot of travelling time for engineers in the future. I am enormously proud of my team for their work.”
All trials were completed successfully. “We usually have a large team that participates in the sea trials, but this year was different because of the extraordinary situation,” said Vesa Uuttu, director of newbuilds and site office for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Silversea’s parent company. “Hence, a limited team participated – enough to comply with regulations. It was a proud moment to see the ship perform as she did – for all involved, especially the team at the De Hoop Shipyard who have worked tirelessly to complete the project in these tough circumstances.” SILVER ORIGIN is currently docked in Pernis, Netherlands undergoing the final finishing touches ahead of her delivery in the coming weeks. After delivery, the vessel will head to her new home of the Galapagos Islands to prepare for the reopening of the cruise industry. “We are so grateful to the professionals at the De Hoop shipyard,” said Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s president and CEO. “In the face of such adversity, their efforts were extraordinary and represent the resilience of European industry. SILVER ORIGIN looks magnificent. Our pioneering new ship represents the dawning of a new age of travel in the Galapagos Islands and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard when the time is right.” Source : cruiseandferry
Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to acquire Oceana shipyard in Brazil Germany’s naval company thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has signed a contract to acquire the Oceana shipyard in Brazil – the shipyard which will build four Tamandaré-class corvettes for the Brazilian Navy. The shipyard will be bought from Aliança S.A., a company owned by Brazilian CBO Group which specializes in the offshore support vessels sector and one of the largest employers of qualified maritime personnel in the Brazilian market. As explained, the acquisition is being executed through the Brazilian subsidiary, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems do Brasil, and is part of the international strategy of Marine Systems. The newly unveiled acquisition is subject to the approval of the Brazilian antitrust authorities and the official entry into force of the frigate contract – expected for the middle of this year. It was agreed not to disclose the purchase price, according to TKMS. “Even in challenging times like these, we are single-mindedly pursuing our path. Our successful export business enables us to maintain and further develop our technological capabilities in Germany and to grow as a company,” Rolf Wirtz, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, commented. “With Oceana, we have an excellent infrastructure for building the most modern frigate of the Brazilian Navy. The shipyard also offers us the prospect of taking on follow-on orders. Not only locally, but also in other countries of South America.” The Oceana shipyard was set up in 2013 for the production of high quality and technology offshore support vessels and is said to be ideal for large-scale projects. Over the next two years, up to 800 local employees are to be recruited for the Tamandaré project alone. Last year, a consortium created by TKMS, Embraer Defense & Security and
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Atech was selected to build the ship quartet under the program valued at up to USD 1.6 billion. In March 2020, the Águas Azuis consortium and Emgepron, an independent Brazilian state company linked to the Ministry of Defense through the Brazilian Navy Command, signed a contract for building the Tamandaré-class newbuilds in Rio de Janeiro.
The Tamandaré-class ships are planned for delivery between 2025 and 2028. According to Brazilian Navy specifications, the corvettes will measure 107,2 meters in length and will displace 3,455 tons. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will supply the naval technology of its Meko class shipbuilding platform. Embraer will integrate sensors and weaponry into the combat system, while Atech, an Embraer Group company, will be the supplier of the combat management system (CMS) and integrated platform management system (IPMS), and the recipient of technology transfer in cooperation with Atlas Elektronik, a thyssenkrupp Marine Systems subsidiary that produces the CMS and sonar systems.In addition to construction, the contract includes a sustained transfer of technology in naval engineering for building military ships and combat and platform management systems, as well as integrated logistical support and lifecycle management. Source : Naval Today ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES
Wärtsilä simulator upgrade will enhance Le Havre pilot operations
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The technology group Wärtsilä will supply a complete navigational simulator upgrade for the Le Havre pilot station in France. The intention is to provide the pilot station with a totally new simulator specifically adapted to the requirements of the pilots’ operations. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in February 2020.The new unique visualisation system to be supplied is based on 14 DP projectors, comprising seven main circular and seven ground projection systems. It features a panoramic 350- degree screen. The station’s existing Wärtsilä simulator was installed in 2004, and the new upgrade is required to address current and anticipated requirements. “We have worked with Wärtsilä for a number of years already, and we are familiar with their experience and expertise in simulation technology. The new system will be of great benefit to us in training the pilots, and will complement the practical training they acquire at sea,” says Pavel Pereira, President of the pilot Station.“Le Havre is a busy port and safety is a prime consideration. For this reason we have been contracted to deliver a totally new, state-of-the-art navigational simulator that will enhance and ease pilot operations,” says Eric Letrou, Area Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Voyage. The simulator enables users to study the reaction of a vessel in operational situations. It assists trainees in perfecting manoeuvres under challenging sea and weather conditions, and in emergency situations, taking into account currents and winds as well as pitch and bank effects. Furthermore, it will enable the validation of future port planning. Wärtsilä’s navigational simulators are in full compliance with international standards and regulations. The Le Havre pilot station has existed since the 16th century. 47 pilots currently operate from the station, 24 hours a day, all year round, and in practically all weather conditions. The station serves the port of Le Havre, the Antifer oil terminal, and the port of Fécamp. Wärtsilä Voyage radically transforms how vessels perform their voyage by leveraging the latest digital technologies, to deliver a step-change in safety, efficiency, reliability and emissions. Source: Wärtsilä Equinor Moving Forward with Wind Farm Sequels Offshore UK by :Adnan Durakovic Equinor is preparing to begin its public consultations with Norfolk communities on its proposed wind farm extension projects planned to be built adjacent to the company’s existing offshore wind farms off the North Norfolk coast. The existing Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon offshore wind farms provide renewable electricity for 750,000 UK homes, Equinor said. The Sheringham Shoal Extension and the Dudgeon Extension would increase the capacity to provide electricity for over one and a half million homes across the UK. Equinor is developing the two extensions as one project with an integrated grid option. Sheringham Shoal Extension and Dudgeon Extension are two out of seven UK extension projects approved by the Crown Estate. Both proposed wind farms are classed as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), which means Equinor will apply for a Development Consent Order from the Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy. As part of the planning application process, the company will publish a Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) in summer 2020. The document will set out how it will engage with the local community to ensure that they can provide comments and feedback on the plans as they develop. Equinor is also working with local councils to ensure that the draft proposal takes their considerations into account. The SoCC will detail the timeline for consultations, and how and where people can find information and contact the company. In light of the current restrictions to public gatherings owing to COVID-19 Government guidance, the company is taking extra care to ensure that all interested parties will have access to all the information. Landfall Location The projects have considered two alternative landfall locations for where the offshore export cables will come ashore, Weybourne and Bacton. Supported by technical and environmental analysis Weybourne has been selected as the landfall point. “The decision about the landfall point has been made on a balance of considerations including technical feasibility and ensuring minimum harm to the environment,” said Kari Hege Mørk, project leader at Equinor. “We recognise that the community of Weybourne has been affected by the construction of previous offshore wind farms, and we want to work
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with the local Parish Council, residents and landowners to develop the plans in the most environmentally responsible and considerate way.” Equinor plans to engage local communities to help inform the site selection process for the onshore substation area and refinement of the onshore cable route. Scoping Boundary Changes Equinor is also intending to increase the area within the project search boundary in several locations along the onshore cable corridor. The scoping boundary was published in October 2019 in the company’s Scoping Report. The changes are needed in order for the company to consider alternative cable route options where there are other infrastructure projects and environmental sensitivities, the developer said. Source : offshorewind Your feedback is important to me so please drop me an email if you have any photos / articles that may be of interest to the maritime interested people at sea and ashore PLEASE SEND ALL CORRESPONDENCE / PHOTOS / ARTICLES TO : [email protected] this above email address is monitored 24/7
PLEASE DONT CLICK ON REPLY AS THE NEWSLETTER IS SENT OUT FROM AN UNMANNED SERVER If you don't like to receive this bulletin anymore : please send an e-mail to the above e- mail address for prompt action, your e-mail address will be deleted ASAP from the server Norway Extends Border Closure; Not Ideal for Arctic Cruise Season Norwegian officials have extended their border closure through August 20, effectively ending most of the Arctic expedition cruise season by putting Svalbard off limits to international guests. Not only is it a key expedition destination, Svalbard in most cases serves as a homeport for a number of expedition brands, which offer high-yielding Arctic programs in June, July and August. Svalbard is set to reopen for tourism on June 1, but without international arrivals permitted, business will be limited to domestic travel. Source: cruiseindustrynews Crew of cargo ship detained off Charleston say they haven’t been paid in months By John McDermott
The M/V EVOLUTION has loomed on the horizon of the Charleston Harbor since late January The crew members of a cargo ship that’s been detained off the tip of Charleston peninsula since late January are seeking to be paid back wages from a proposed sale of the vessel. The 21 confined mariners aboard the M/V EVOLUTION said in a court document filed Sunday that they are owed more than $355,000 under their employment contracts. They also said they’re entitled to share a $42,300 bonus if the anchored freighter is sold. A consortium of insurers is demanding that the EVOLUTION be put on the auction block to pay for a shipment of iron that was damaged by saltwater as the vessel sailed to Indonesia from Iran. They are seeking to recoup $1.45 million from an overseas maritime firm called Smooth Navigation, according to a negligence lawsuit they filed in federal court earlier this year. The U.S. Marshals Service detained the 505-foot vessel on Jan. 31, a day after it arrived in Charleston Harbor.The overseas crew is asking a federal judge to place a maritime lien on the Liberian-flagged EVOLUTION and allow them to intervene in the insurance dispute before the auction, which is scheduled for Tuesday Sponsored Otherwise, their pay claims “are in peril of being extinguished,” North Charleston maritime lawyer Julius “Sam” Hines said in a filing.“Courts have described crew wage liens as ‘sacred liens,’ for which, ‘as long as a plank of the ship remains, the sailor is entitled, against all other persons, to the proceeds as a security for his wages,’” Hines wrote.
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Most of the stranded seamen are from the Philippines, except for the two top-ranking officers, who are from Jordan and Lebanon. About $55,000 of their back wages accrued before the ship was arrested in South Carolina waters. The crew members, who have continued to perform their duties, are not seeking to postpone the auction, according to the court filing. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel ordered that the EVOLUTION be sold after a hearing last month.He said he had reviewed the expenses the ship had racked up from the time it arrived in South Carolina through Feb. 22. The bills included $68,000 in dockage payments, $38,000 for fuel and $800 a day in custodial fees. “These costs only compound as time passes,” Gergel wrote. He also noted that the fair-market value of the 25-year-old ship is about $2.75 million. He said a public auction is appropriate based on the growing and “extensive” expenses and the “disproportionate decreasing value” of the EVOLUTIONThe bidding starts at $1.25 million and will increase in minimum $10,000 increments. Would-be buyers are required to submit a $125,000 refundable deposit, according to the sale terms. In addition to the crew wages, the Evolution’s owner and manager, both Greek companies, owe Coleman Supply Co. about $53,200 for provisions, according to a recent court filing. The 133-year-old Charleston-based ship chandler is seeking to place a separate lien on the freighter to secure its 10 unpaid claims. …. PHOTO OF THE DAY …..
The SCHOKLAND alongside the SLEIPNIR in the Amoyfjord near Stavanger loading materials Photo : Jan van Vuuren C/E o/b Schokland ©
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MAASMOND MARITIME PHOTO SITE MORE THEN 16.000 HIGH RESOLUTION SHIPS PHOTOS WITH MORE THAN 17 MILION VISITORS SINCE 2008 https://www.flickr.com/photos/33438735@N08/
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