DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Number 087 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Tuesday 31-03-2009 News reports received from readers and Internet News articles taken from various news sites.

DEEP CYGNUS seen outfiting in Rissa Norway, 2 x azimuth main drives 2 x retractable thrusters 2x tunnel thrusters Total installed 15,2 MW in thruster power Photo : Tim de Klerk - Wartsila Netherlands BV ©

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 1 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS

SVITZER OCEAN TOWAGE Jupiterstraat 33 Telephone : + 31 2555 627 11 2132 HC Hoofddorp Telefax : + 31 2355 718 96 The Netherlands E-mail: [email protected] www : www.svitzer-coess.com SVITZER’s SINGAPORE DEPARTED WITH OBAN-B FROM ROTTERDAM

Photo : Henk van der Heijden © Last Sunday did see the departure of the OBAN-B platform from the Rotterdam- area, this platform arrived approx. 5 months ago, but due to financial problems the plans were cancelled and the platform now departed from Rotterdam for an 12.000 long towing trip via Cape Town towards Singapore, during the stay in Rotterdam the handling agent was LKL Oceantrade Inc. who also arranged the tow, the assisting tugs were delivered by KOTUG, as can be seen at the photo left, the SD SHARK and SD SEAHORSE in action – Photo : Fred Vloo ©

I would like to thank all photographers who send me (loads of) pictures of this transport, as I am restricted in the quantity of photos daily I am not able to use them all, I hope you all understand this, all photos are filed for later use and thanks again for sending !! Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 2 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Dry bulk market still on the losing side The dry bulk market seems to have lost its momentum during March, as evidenced by the fall from the highs of almost 2,300 points (the best level from the fall of 2008), to just 1,687 points last Friday. During the previous week, the Baltic Dry Index lost another 100 points and more, or a little less than 6% week on week. The main sectors affected were the capesizes and the smaller supramaxes, with the BCI (Baltic Capesize Index) losing more than 100 points or just under 5% on the week, while the BSI (Baltic Supramax Index) shed more than 200 points of just over 13% from the previous week.

What’s even more alarming at least for the short-term prospects of the market, is the fact that during the previous week, the global stock markets managed to gain ground. The only index of the shipping market that managed to edge off the downward pressures and end the week in a marginal rise of 1% was the Panamax Index, which though had led the fall in previous weeks. Meanwhile, experts remained puzzled as to estimate the future course of the market. One voice mention hearing was the one of the head of Chinese shipping giant Cosco Group, Wei Jiafu, who said last week that the dry bulk market will recover by the second half of 2009.

In the sale and purchase markets, things are quite different. The fall of the freight market has depressed ship values, with increasingly more owners been prone to purchase vessels at quite attractive prices, compared to the previous months. As a result, purchase enquiries are abundant and most of them are for older tonnage, which poses less risks at these prices, given that it can always head for demolition leaving hefty profits to ship owners. As we highlighted in previous top stories, the “war” that has broken out between the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and the Bangladesh Ship Breakers Association (BSBA) may prove to be a serious issue, which may bring disruption to the recycling industry in Bangladesh. According to Weberseas’ latest weekly report “BELA came out with a court ruling last week ordering ship recycling yards that have not obtained environmental clearance to shut down within 2 weeks. This meant that all 36 such yards would need to shut down as none of them hold such clearances as these were not legal requirements in the past. BSBA have reacted and we understand that they have a 3 week period to appeal and industry experts believe a solution will be found. This, however, is an environmental issue that has to be addressed and may be a re-occurring problem”.That said, ship demolition prices have remained stable, with the highest ones found in Bangladesh, followed by India, Pakistan and China. Weberseas said that the “demo sale of the week is that of the caper DURI (20,000 ldt) sold for what seems to be a very high price of US$ 335 per ldt and heading for Bangladesh. This competes with the prices that are being paid for tankers. We hope that the high prices paid of late in Bangladesh will not be challenged by buyers/end users taking advantage of the instability and uncertainty in the Bangladeshi re-cycling industry” said the broker. Source : Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News

The VB ARTICO arrived with the GIANT 4 in Rotterdam Photo : Jan Oosterboer © Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 3 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Your feedback is important to me so please drop me an email if you have any photos or articles that may be of interest to the maritime interested people at sea and ashore PLEASE SEND ALL PHOTOS / ARTICLES TO : [email protected]

VLIERODAM WIRE ROPES Ltd. wire ropes, chains, hooks, shackles, webbing slings, lifting beams, crane blocks, turnbuckles etc. Nijverheidsweg 21 3161 GJ RHOON The Netherlands Telephone: (+31)105018000 (+31) 105015440 (a.o.h.) Fax : (+31)105013843 Internet & E-mail www.vlierodam.nl [email protected]

Slump brings bounty to ship-breaking town The global economic slowdown has hit industries ranging from automakers to investment banks, but in one small town on India's western coast, business is at record levels and workers can hardly keep up with demand. In Alang, home to the world's largest ship-breaking facility on the coast of Gujarat state, the financial year to April will be one of its best ever, as a slowdown in global trade and lower freight rates mean ships are being scrapped faster. But there is a flip side. Activists fret that the booming business will encourage a disregard for safety and environment guidelines, which they say ship breakers are already flouting. Stretched along the 11km coastline, beached oil tankers and cargo carriers lie in various stages of disembowelment. Peculiar tide patterns that brings high tide in only twice a month enable the beaching of ships right up to the yards. Men in blue overalls and hard hats, operating cranes, wielding blowtorches, hacksaws and hammers swarm over the beached ships, many condemned to a premature end because of the slowdown. "Idle ships are a huge financial burden, so ship owners don't have any option but to get rid of their ships, even if it means scrapping them years ahead of schedule," said Vishnu Kumar Gupta, joint secretary at the Alang Ship Breakers Association.

Alang has received more than 125 ships in the past three months alone, compared to 136 ships in all of 2007 and 2008, Gupta said. Ship breakers expect this year's total to hit 250, making it among the best years ever. "In the past five to six years of the boom, very few ships were scrapped and we were working on zero margins as there was intense competition for the few ships that were coming in," Gupta said.

Ships were once either sunk or taken apart in the countries where they were built, before high costs and environmental restrictions drove ship-breaking efforts elsewhere. India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh carry out 80 per cent of the world's ship breaking business. Labour activists say this is largely because of cheap labour costs and lax safety standards that fail to protect workers who are exposed to toxic chemicals as they dismantle the scrapped vessels. About 150-200 workers can break down a 10,000-tonne ship in three months, salvaging nearly every part. The road to Alang is lined with sheds selling doors, tables, sofas, kitchen ranges, crockery, bathtubs, air-conditioners and sheets of steel, the most precious commodity.

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 4 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

But the economic slowdown has cut into profits, hitting breaking charges and scrap values. About 80 per cent of a ship's steel is "reusable", Gupta said, cheaper than primary steel and used mostly in construction. With a property slump from the global recession, demand for steel has fallen and prices have dropped by 80 per cent since mid-2008 when steel along with other commodities were enjoying record highs. Nevertheless, profits from the booming demand for ship-breaking services have turned the businessmen, who lease the yards, into millionaires. At the same time, the workers who earn only a few dollars a day, face health hazards as they cut up the hulls of ships, navigating through razor sharp pieces of steel, and being exposed to carcinogens and even radioactive materials from the former cargoes of these ships. "These are the most vulnerable of workers, working in extremely dangerous conditions with little protection or recourse to proper care," said Gopal Krishna, of Toxics Watch in New Delhi. "The ship breakers claim conditions have improved, but there is no documentation, and no means of verification," he said. Alang was at the centre of a global controversy when ageing French aircraft carrier Clemenceau set sail for its yards in December 2005 because of the presence of many toxins including mercury, lead and asbestos. Greenpeace protested and India's Supreme Court halted the ship's access to Alang in January, forcing Clemenceau to return to France. It will now be broken at a special yard in the United Kingdom. While several international protocols check the movement of toxic materials and ensure worker safety, activists say recyclers have not signed up, or do not follow the guidelines. "By any standards, the demolition of ships is a dirty and dangerous occupation," the International Labour Organisation said in a report, which estimates India's ship-breaking and recycling industries directly and indirectly employ half a million people. "The feasibility of ship breaking is largely determined by the price of scrap metal. The race is to find countries where occupational health and safety standards are not enforced." Increased competition is driving workers' wages lower and the prices of recycled materials are also expected to fall, the ILO report noted, but there is also greater pressure on ship breakers to implement stricter safety and environmental measures. Gupta, of the Alang Ship Breakers Association, says safety guidelines are adhered to, and that workers earn about 300 rupees ($5.80) a day, well above the minimum wage. There are modern hazardous waste management facilities, he said, and a new code will soon be adopted that is being formulated by the ILO and the United Nation's International Maritime Organisation. Krishna, of non-governmental organisation Toxics Watch, was less sanguine about prospects for Alang. "Yes, they may break more ships, but I have no hope that conditions for workers or the environment will improve." Source: Emirates Business Trawler runs aground on Long Beach near Kommetjie The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was scrambled on Saturday morning (28 March) shortly after 05h00 following a call from the Transnet National Ports Authority advising that a distress signal had been picked up from the trawler AMBER ROSE, reporting that it had gone aground on Long Beach between Chapman’s Peak and Kommetjie. Red distress flares were being activated from the crew of 12 on board the vessel.

The NSRI said that it appeared that the vessel may have experienced mechanical steering failure and drifted ashore. An investigation will however be launched by SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) to determine the exact cause of the grounding.

NSRI Hout Bay launched their rescue craft MTU Nadine Gordimer and Albie Matthews, while land-based rescue vehicles from Metro Rescue, NSRI Kommetjie and CMR responded to the scene.

NSRI Hout Bay station commander Brad Geyser said that on arrival on-scene, in thick fog, the vessel was located by the NSRI rescue craft, hard aground, in an outgoing tide and 2 metres of breaking surf, about 15 metres off-shore. He said all crew were found to be safe on-board and it was decided to take the crew off the vessel from the land side.

NSRI Hout Bay's rescue craft remained on-scene to assist if necessary. NSRI Kommetjie deputy station commander PJ Veldhuizen said that rescue swimmers were sent from the beach through the surf and they rigged a rope from the

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 5 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

vessel to shore and 11 of her 12 crew were taken off the vessel, one by one, with the assistance of the NSRI Kommetjie rescue swimmers and they were waded ashore through the shallow surf.

The skipper remained on-board the vessel to await a salvage team and the vessel appears in no danger being hard aground almost on the beach. The 11 crew who were taken ashore were assessed and no-one sustained any injuries. Source : Ports.co.za

The BELUGA EVALUATION seen in action in Rotterdam-Waalhaven Photo : Arjan van Aalst ©

Christmas presents cancelled at Maersk The ongoing saving round at Maersk reaches far. In an announcement to the Maersk Line captains, it appears that the Christmas presents have been taken out of the budget, and that the families will not be invited to the annual Christmas and summer get-togethers this year.

A.P. Moller-Maersk has a reputation of doing things thoroughly and this is also the case when it comes to saving money.

According to CO-Sofart/Dagen, it appears from a mail issued by the shipping company to the captains, that the annual book gift to the ships sailing under the Danish flag will, amongst other things, not be given this year. Also the Christmas presents have been cut out along with the traditional Christmas and summer get-togethers for Danish sailors and their families.

On the more serious matter, applications for help from Falck Health Care in relation to psychological problems will "no longer be executable".

According to CO-Sofart/Dagen, Maersk states in the mail that the shipping company considers it wisest immediately to inform the crews about the concrete increase of the saving plan, and that this initiative will include the entire budget, no matter how small amounts of money may be involved. Last week it surfaced that the ships had been asked to use kitchen rolls instead of paper napkins at the meals in order to save money. Source: maritimedanmark.dk

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 6 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Lloyd’s Register Asia surveyor training centre in Shanghai opens LLOYD’S Register Asia’s first dedicated marine surveyor training centre in Shanghai expects to produce 200 graduates over the next five years.

The recently opened Maritime Surveyor Training Institute (MSTI) is in line with the organisation’s aim to continue delivering services of high technical standards in the maritime sector. “Quality staff training provides the most significant contribution to the continued development of our core product – the provision of independent technical assurance to the maritime industry,” said Lloyd’s Register Asia marine training manager for North Asia, Roy Ellams, in a statement.

“It ensures that we will always have the right skills to support the provision of maritime transport services that are safe for both mariners and the environment,” he added. Ellams said the MSTI represented a new approach to the development of technical competency for the industry, offered at a time when commercial pressures were driving the need for innovation.

With the recession shrinking access to new capital for companies in the maritime industry, he said new solutions would be required for old problems. “Innovation doesn’t just happen, it has to be stimulated and encouraged. The development of technical competencies is a key ingredient in that mix. “It at once fulfils our responsibility to our staff, clients and the greater public,” he said.

A key element in that new approach is the appointment of experienced “surveyor-mentors” who will guide the trainees through the one-year programme. Each programme will feature 20 trainees and two programmes will be held every year. China was chosen as the location for the group’s first dedicated training centre due to that market’s continuing demand for knowledge development, Ellams said. “This programme will put into the field skilled technicians who are able to deliver the most up-to-date and reliable classification services to reduce the industry’s risks,” he said.

“It will also help ensure that our staff continue to offer sound advice on the latest technical or regulatory issues that our clients may face.” Source : The Star

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 7 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

The DE ZHOU seen connecting up to the MAERSK DEVELOPER Photo : Capt Kees Pronk ©

Financial crisis is killing small companies Following the financial crisis, the banks have tightened credit for the smaller shipping companies' general operations so much that several are threatened by bankruptcy. Six smaller Danish shipping companies have already had to put down the shutters.

"The crisis has already cost fire small and two larger shipping companies their life. It is especially a problem that the government bank packages do not reach beyond the counter to the bank customers. The banks are adopting a very restrictive credit policy, through which they also have tightened the operation credits, which never previously have caused problems for the small shipping companies", says secretariat manager Michael Wengel-Nielsen of the Shipowners' Association of Small Ships to Ritzau.

The Shipowners' Association of Small Ships has together with the Shipowners' Association of 1895 had meeting with the two largest banks of the country, Nordea and Danske Bank, but without positive results. The banks have according to the shipping companies no faith in the small companies ability to produce profits. "We have tried to explain the situation of the shipping companies, but we have not received much understanding. The banks suggest that the companies should merge and use the benefits of large-scale operations", says Michael Wengel-Nielsen to the bureau.

The secretariat manager understands that some shipping companies might be in a situation, in which the banks see no possibility of helping them, if the overdraft keeps growing. But he does not understand the tightening of the operation credit. The two associations consist of 180 ships combined. Source: maritimedanmark.dk

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 8 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Cronkite joins bid to save SS United States Walter Cronkite is lending his name to the effort to preserve the United States, the Cold War-era ocean liner that has languished at a South Philadelphia dock for more than a decade.

The legendary CBS newsman this week accepted the post of honorary chairman of the SS United States Conservancy, a national group committed to preserving the vessel, a spokesman for Cronkite said Wednesday.

The 990-foot ship was put up for sale in January by its current owner, Norwegian Cruise Lines, for an estimated $20 million. Enthusiasts have fretted that the iconic ocean liner would be sold for scrap. Last week, NCL told the conservancy that the ship would not be sold to scrappers or any non-U.S. entity, said Conservancy spokesman Dan McSweeney.

"We're not out of the woods yet, though this recent statement is cause for cautious optimism," McSweeney said. "We need to continue to raise awareness and build momentum in support of the effort to save this great national treasure." Source : Philadelphia Inquirer

ALSO INTERESTED IN THIS FREE MARITIME NEWSCLIPPINGS ? PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE : WWW.MAASMONDMARITIME.COM AND REGISTER FOR FREE ! Redcar lifeboat launched to rescue stranded boat LIFEBOATS were launched after a boat became stranded during low tide. The RNLI boats were launched from Redcar at 1.45pm when a six metre long diving boat carrying five passengers was picked up by a large wave and dumped onto rocks.

RNLI helmsman Mark Reeves said: "When we got there the dive boat was aground on a long flat stretch of rock called Westscar Head." Once the boat had been guided into deep water it's skipper, a 64 year-old man from Stockton, brought his craft back to the beach at Redcar. Source : The Northern Echo

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 9 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Container crane onboard Wagenborg's Barge 4 seen passing Maassluis whilst entering the Rotterdam harbour on 30 March 2009 at 08.31 CET. Photo : Dirk van Vuuren ©

First Russian LNG to Japan The first scheduled Russian LNG cargo has been successfully loaded from the Sakhalin II LNG plant onto the LNG carrier “Energy Frontier”, PrimaMedia reports. The vessel departed Prigorodnoye port on 29 March bound for Sodegaura terminal, Tokyo Bay, with a cargo of some 145 thousand cubic metres of LNG. This consignment, the first ever Russian gas to be delivered to Japan, will be taken by two of the Company’s foundation customers - Tokyo Gas and Tokyo Electric.

“This is a key milestone, the culmination of many years of effort by the Russian Federation, the Sakhalin Oblast, our shareholders and the thousands of Company and contractor staff who made it all possible, - said Sakhalin Energy’s CEO Ian Craig. – Russia has marked its entry into the Asia Pacific LNG market and Japan and Korea have a new long term energy partner”.

Sakhalin LNG is currently being produced by the first of two trains, the second of which is due to come on stream in the middle of this year. 2009 and early 2010 will see a gradual ramp-up to full production capacity of both trains. The project infrastructure includes three offshore platforms, an onshore processing facility, 300 km of offshore pipelines and 1,600 kilometres of onshore pipelines, an oil export facility and the LNG plant.

Practically all the 9.6 million tonnes of annual production capacity of the two LNG trains has already been committed in long-term sales contracts to supply customers in Japan, Korea and other markets. Sakhalin LNG is the first Russian gas to be supplied to these regions.

Year round export of oil from Prigorodnoye commenced in December 2008 and will also reach peak production in 2010.

Man over boord op de Waddenzee

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 10 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Rond 09.00 uur maandagmorgen ontving het Kustwachtcentrum Den Helder van het werkschip ‘Coastal Digger’ op de Waddenzee dat er een man overboord was gevallen. Het schip bevond zich nabij de Zoutkamperlaag. Onmiddellijk werden door het Kustwachtcentrum de reddingboten van de stations Schiermonnikoog en Lauwersoog van de Koninklijke Nederlandse Redding Maatschappij gealarmeerd. Binnen 8 minuten had men de persoon weer aan boord, doch deze was ernstig onderkoeld en had een gebroken enkel. De reddingboot van Schiermonnikoog heeft de patiënt naar Lauwersoog gebracht. Vandaar is de man per ambulance overgebracht naar het Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen. Bron : Kustwachtcentrum CASUALTY REPORTING

The Russian flagged KAPITAN RYNTSYN encountered propulsion problems in the Rotterdam-Calandcanal and ended up for some time free floating in the channel as can be seen above Photo : Fred Vloo ©

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 11 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

SHIPYARD NEWS

www.tos.nl TOS Rotterdam (+31)10 – 436 62 93 E-Mail [email protected] EDT Offshore PSV delivery date slips EDT Offshore’s Ulstein PX-105 PSVs, which are currently under construction at Astilleros de Sevilla in Spain, are now expected to be delivered in October 2009 and early 2010.

In its latest report on the market, Braemar Seascope Offshore said both of the 88.8m vessels had originally been anticipated for delivery this year. The first vessel will be EDT Jane while the second has yet to be named.

They will have a deck area of around 985m², accommodation for 23 and will be equipped with DP2. It is understood both of the vessels are currently uncommitted. Source : Offshore Shipping Online SHIPDOCK COMPLETES REPAIRS ON BW ORINOCO

The Shipdock shipyard in Amsterdam completed the repairs on the BW ORINOCO as can be seen at the above photo Photo : Kasper Kools ©

Guangzhou shipyard merger called off China's Guangzhou Shipyard International Co said on Friday it will call off a proposed $445 million acquisition of a shipyard from its state-owned parent as its shares have slumped in the global financial crisis. The company's board also approved dropping a planned rights issue, it said in a statement.

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 12 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Guangzhou Shipyard, controlled by China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), said in July it was the sole qualified bidder for Guangzhou Wenchong Shipbuilding Ltd, and would pay 3.04 billion yuan ($445 million) for the asset. It planned to fund the acquisition through a rights issue. Its shares have fallen nearly 60 percent in the past year, underperforming a 28 percent drop on the index for major Chinese companies listed in Hong Kong. Source: seatradeasia ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES

REDWISE MARITIME SERVICES B.V. Amersfoortseweg 12-E 3751 LK Bunschoten-Spakenburg The Netherlands Phone : +31 (0) 33 42 17 860 (24 hr) Fax : +31 (0) 33 42 17 879 [email protected] www.redwise.com

The FORTE DE SAO LUIZ seen in Rio Grande Photo : Marcelo Vieira © Durban harbour widening on track for 2010 completion Port of Durban’s Rand 300 million harbour entrance widening project - which started in the third quarter of 2007 - is due for completion in April 2010, according to the director of design consultancy Prestedge Retief Dresner Wijnberg, Allan Wijnberg.

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 13 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

In a recent report, Creamer Media's Engineering News said the project, which was commissioned by Transnet, will widen the entrance from 120m to 220m and deepen it from 12.8m to 19m at its deepest point. This will allow 9,000 TEU container vessels to safely navigate the entrance. At present, the largest vessels that can be accommodated are limited to 4,000 TEU.

“This will result in significant cost savings and have a major impact on the South African economy,” Wijnberg said.

The reports said the project required dredging of 8 million cubic metres of sand to widen and deepen the entrance channel. Source : Dredging News Online

The Salvigour seen at Shanghai Anchorage getting ready to tow out barge to Singapore. Photo : Peter Lee – POSH-Semco © GEM takes delivery of Korean shipbuilder's first Panamax Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM), the Middle East's largest independent commercial product tanker operator, has taken delivery of the first ever Panamax built by Korean ship building giant, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), marking a historic event in association with the Dubai-based carrier. The 75,000 dwt product oil carrier, Gulf Castle, is also the first of four new Panamax vessels scheduled for delivery this year from HMD, and is the fifth Panamax vessel in the fleet.

Earlier this month GEM took delivery of the 47,000 dwt Gulf Muttrah, and with Gulf Castle, GEM’s fleet strength now reaches 13 vessels. “The delivery of Gulf Castle marks a significant milestone in our partnership with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. Being the very first Panamax vessel manufactured out of its dockyards, GEM is honoured in being their customer for such a historic event,” said Ahmed Essa Hareb Al Falahi, CEO, GEM.

“Gulf Castle is a ship which both GEM and HMD will always remember as crucial in our business when we endeavoured to raise the stakes in spite of the risks faced by the global economic downturn rather than be complacent about the future.

“Like all our previous vessels, HMD has applied and implemented in Gulf Castle the same stringent design requirements necessary to meet GEM’s high standards of safety and quality.“ Having taken delivery of two new vessels this year, GEM is scheduled to take delivery of four more new vessels in 2009 – one 47,000 dwt chemical tanker and three more 75,000 dwt Panamax carriers. Al Falahi added: “As the second vessel received from HMD this year, we are confident that the remaining four vessels scheduled for delivery will also be delivered on-time and beyond the highest industry specifications – all in line with GEM’s business strategy of adhering with the highest standards of safety and quality for the benefit of our customers, the environment and our staff.”

GEM’s adherence to safety, quality and security has been acknowledged and recognized by the shipping fraternity through the three awards it received in 2008 alone. Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards awarded

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 14 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

GEM in the Safety and Quality category, while Lloyd’s Middle East Shipping Awards recognized GEM in the Clean Seas category, and bestowed the company with the Tanker Company of the Year award. GEM is certified by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance to the ISO 9001-2000 Quality Management System and ISO 14001-2004 Environment Management System for the operational and technical management of its fleet. Source: Gulf Energy Maritime Cork ferry deal stalled in talks NEGOTIATIONS appeared to have stalled regarding attempts by a consortium to buy a ship from a Finnish bank for the new Cork-Swansea ferry service.

The consortium, led by West Cork Tourism, were expecting representatives of Aktia Savings Bank, Helsinki, to come to Cork this week for face-to-face negotiations, but it is now understood this meeting has been postponed until next week at least.

An auction was held a fortnight ago in Finland where the Cork consortium were the highest bidders for a passengerferry called the Julia. The Finnish owned ship is valued at €10 million, and although the consortium did not meet the reserve price, it had since been hoped a deal could be made with its bank owners.

The 1,400-passengerferry previously operated between Helsinki and St Petersburg until the last year.

It is understood the bank in Finland had two meetings last week with creditors who lost money when the ferry went out of business five months ago, and a delegation had been expected to travel to Cork as a deal seemed imminent.

"There is a bit of cat and mouse going on – it's a bit frustrating for all of us," said West Cork Tourism chairman Conor Buckley, who still hopes a deal can be made.

Tourism groups and business people from Cork, Kerry and Wales, are involved in the consortium headed by West Cork Tourism, and around €2.3 million has been brought in from €3 million pledged in a coop scheme put together to purchase the ferry.

Individuals, organisations and syndicates pledged €10,000 per share for some 300 shares recently, and one share has been bought by tourism related businesses in the Muskerry Gaeltacht under the auspices of Comharchumann Forbartha Mhúscraí.

Six businesses in the Muskerry Gaeltacht are involved in the Comharchumann Mhúscraí share, in which the Comharchumann itself has invested €1,600, and other share-investors include the Blackwater Valley Tourism organisation.

The rest of the consortium is made up of private investors who are investing around €2 million, which would bring the total amount of available funds to €5 million. With the ship valued at €10 million, it is understood a loan has been sought from the Finnish bank selling the ship to cover the rest of the purchase price.

If the consortium is successful in buying the Julia, they hope to launch the CorkSwansea ferry service within six weeks, and it is also intended to rename the ship Innisfallon after a long line of ships that previously operated under that name between Ireland and Wales.

The new Innisfallon would be operated by B&I Lines under Captain Frank Allen, son of Charlie Allen who was involved in some of the early Cork-Swansea ferries. Source : corkman

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 15 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

The VOS CHANCELLOR seen anchored at Singapore Eastern Anchorage Photo : Piet Sinke ©

This above photo can also be seen in high resolution in the photo album at my website www.maasmondmaritime.com or via the direct link http://www.flickr.com/photos/33438735@N08/show/ China's Jiangyin Port plans throughput of 750,000 TEU this year Port of Jiangyin, in eastern China's Jiangsu province, plans to spend CNY500 million (US$73 million) on upgrading its facilities to make sure its container throughput reaches 750,000 TEU a year. The port also aims to have its overall cargo tonnage surpass 100 million tonnes and foreign trade cargo reach 12.5 million tonnes by the end of this year, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The port kept a robust year-on-year growth of 63.5 per cent in its container throughput last year even under global economic downturn, which amounted to 502,162 TEU. Its cargo throughput rose 21 per cent to 87.4 million tonnes. Source: schednet

Kon. Wilhelminahaven zz 22 3134 KG Vlaardingen (Port No 650) The Netherlands www.mariflex.net tel (24 hrs) : +31 (0) 10 434 44 45 [email protected] SCI may withdraw container liner service to Europe

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 16 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) may withdraw the container liner service that it operates to Europe jointly with four partners. The foreign partners of the state-run SCI have expressed their desire to withdraw the weekly service. The service — Indian Subcontinent Europe service — linked Jawaharlal Nehru Port to European cities such as Barcelona, Rotterdam and Hamburg. SCI’s partners — ZIM Israel, Yang-Ming Lines of Taiwan, MISC of Malaysia and K- Line of Japan — have issued notice to withdraw the service.

Captain Chopra, SCI senior vice-president told ET, “SCI is looking for new partners to continue the service.” However, industry sources said it is difficult to find out shipping companies willing to run an India-Europe liner service in the wake of global slowdown in the commodity market. Even if the service is scrapped, it will have a minimal impact on SCI topline. SCI runs four global liner services in association with foreign partners. Industry analysts said many shipping liners are withdrawing services following steep fall in freight rates. Source: Economic Times India

The MOL ACCORD seen anchored at Singapore Eastern Anchorage Photo : Piet Sinke ©

This above photo can also be seen in high resolution in the photo album at my website www.maasmondmaritime.com or via the direct link http://www.flickr.com/photos/33438735@N08/show/ Third group of Chinese Amway employees arrive in Taiwan Some 1,600 sales representatives of Amway (China) arrived at the port of Keelung in northern Taiwan Saturday -- the third such group to visit Taiwan since March 16.

Many of them rushed to buy umbrellas as soon as they disembarked from the cruise vessel Legend of the Seas from Shanghai to protect themselves from rainy weather.

In addition to a welcoming party of hospitality girls dressed in traditional chipao dresses, the tourists were accosted by a protest group of local Falun Gong members, although no major incidents were reported.

The group formed part of a total of 12,000 Amway (China) employees visiting Taiwan on nine cruise tours between March and May. The northern Taiwan port has seen a marked warming trend in cruise tourism since the beginning of this year, with the number of visiting cruise ships expected to hit a new high for 2009, said Keelung Harbor Bureau Director-General Shiao Ting-shun.

Projected cruise visits to the port this year have already reached a record high of around 42, according to Shiao. In April alone, there will be a single-month high of 11 such calls, he said. Shiao said he is upbeat about the future of Taiwan's cruise tourism over the next decade and about the handsome business opportunities that they will bring. In line with the opening of direct Taiwan-China shipping links from last December, Keelung Port will take concrete measures to promote cruise tourism and ferry services across the Taiwan Strait in the hope of luring more Chinese tourists, he added.

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 17 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Apart from the nine groups of Amway (China) employees, a liner owned by the Hong Kong-based Star Cruises is scheduled to arrive in Keelung May 27, bureau officials said. From May to October, Star Cruises, which is the leading cruise operator in the Asia-Pacific, will also use Keelung as a home port for cruises to the Japanese islands of Kyushu and Okinawa. Source : Central News Agency Hempel operating profit fell by 7 per cent Hempel's operating profit was EUR 89 million in 2008. This was strongly affected by non-recurring items, including the accrual for closing down the production facility in Denmark and the amortisation of the trademark of Lacor.

Essentially, 2008 was divided into two sections for Hempel, especially its Container segment, which was strong at the beginning of 2008, before sales declined considerably in the latter part of the year. However, net sales for all Hempel's other segments increased.

A total of 273 million litres of paint were sold, compared to 289 million litres in 2007. Group revenues fell by 1 per cent to EUR 916 million to EUR 89 million. Net profit fell by 18 per cent to EUR 57 million - up by 2 per cent before non- recurring items.

"There is no escaping the fact that 2009 and 2010 promise to pose some very real challenges. But if we maintain our focus on efficiency and continue to provide high-quality products and a high level of service, we will emerge as a stronger company", says Hempel Group President and CEO Pierre-Yves Jullien. Source: Hempel

In the James Watt Dock in Greenock last week was the Scottish buoy/lighthouse tender PHAROS. Photo : Tommy Bryceland, SCOTLAND ©

HAMBURG SÜD RESTRUCTURES TRIDENT SERVICE GERMAN container line Hamburg Süd says it is restructuring its Trident Service in May “in response to changing market conditions”. A statement says: “The changes are designed to bring reduced network costs.” It adds that the new

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 18 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

service configuration ensures that Hamburg Süd will continue to provide “premium service in the Transatlantic market, while reducing capacity in line with the sharp decline in volumes which has been witnessed in this trade”.

Cargo to and from Europe - Australia/New Zealand will be served through the well the hub port of Cartagena, Colombia, with dedicated transshipment connections to and from three weekly North Europe services. The company claims: “Apart from the increased frequency and fast transit times, the new concept will enlarge Hamburg Süd's European port coverage with the following ports: Rotterdam, Netherlands, Tilbury, UK, Hamburg, Germany, Antwerp, Belgium, Le Havre France.

Midwest Inland destinations will be serviced through either Philadelphia or New York “providing the fastest and most cost efficient intermodal connections westbound from Europe”.

The US East Coast-Australia/New Zealand trade will continue to be covered through an end to end service operated jointly with Maersk Line, employing nine vessels each with a nominal capacity of 2,800 TEU and a reefer plug capacity of 530 plugs. Calls in Cartagena will link it to the company's extensive network of connecting and dedicated feeder services into the US Gulf, US East Coast, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and now Europe. Source : Maritime Global Net

MAERSK IN BAOSHAN LINK DANISH shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk Group has signed a three-year strategic cooperation agreement with China's largest steel maker Baosteel Group, according to China Newswires. The news agency says that, under the agreement, Baosteel will supply Maersk with a range of steel products including steel for containers and shipbuilding. Source : Maritime Global Net

KOTUG’s SD SEAHORSE seen riding high offshore Hoek van Holland Photo : Fred Vloo © Olympic Zeus named in Alesund The naming cermony for Olympic Shipping's latest newbuild Olympic Zeus took place in Ålesund on 21st March.

Olympic Zeus is an ULSTEIN A122 type anchor handler designed by Ulstein Design and built by Ulstein Verft.

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 19 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

The vessel is an environmentally-friendly anchor handler/construction vessel developed for advanced operations in deep waters, and has a new type of hybrid machinery developed by Ulstein Design that allows the vessel to perform its tasks with reduced fuel consumption. Source : Offshore Shipping Online India's container traffic falls 26 per cent in January Container traffic in January fell sharply by 25.8 per cent to 6.3 million tonnes compared with the last year due to decline in exports, according to economic think-tank CMIE. "This was the third consecutive month when container traffic registered a fall," according to Centre For Monitoring Indian Economy's (CMIE) monthly review of the Indian economy.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port, which handles 55 per cent of the country's container traffic, reported a 29.6 per cent fall in container cargo. Cargo traffic at major ports remained stable for the second successive month in January, CMIE said. Major ports handled 45.3 million tonnes of cargo traffic during January. Kandla port was the busiest port in the month as it handled 5.7 million tonnes of cargo traffic. It was followed by Mormugao and Vishakhapatnam handling 5.4 million tonnes and five million tonnes, respectively. Major ports are expected to handle 526.5 million tonnes of cargo traffic in 2008-09, up 1.4 per cent compared to year-on-year, CMIE said.

"We expect cargo traffic at major ports to grow by 5.2 per cent to 553.9 million tonnes in 2009-10," it said. In January, iron ore traffic at major ports jumped 30 per cent for the second consecutive month. "This jump in traffic was led by an increase in China's iron ore imports," the report said. As a result, Mormugao port handled 43.1 per cent of the total iron ore cargo traffic and reported a robust 37.5 per cent growth in cargo traffic, it said. Cochin port saw a 41.3 per cent decline in petroleum, oil and lubricants cargo traffic. "Cochin port reported the sharpest decline in cargo traffic among all major ports," it said. There are 12 major ports in the country. Source: www.ptinews.com

The HANS TIDE seen moored in Batam (Indonesia) the utility vessel will be renamed soon in TTB SINGAPORE Photo : Capt Hans Bosch ©

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 20 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Maersk to hike US to Mediterranean rates Maersk Line plans to implement a new round of rate increases for trade moving from the US and Canada to the Mediterranean. Effective May 1, freight rates for dry cargo shipped from all origin points in the US and Canada to destinations in the Mediterranean and North Africa will increase by $80 (Dh294) per 20-foot container and $120 per 40-foot container, high cube or 45-foot container. The Danish carrier said the increases follow serious erosion in rate levels on the route, coupled with equipment shortages in some regions and delays onshore as well as reduction in available capacity. Depending on market trends over the coming months, the carrier plans another general rate hike effective June 15. The proposed increases will be $100 per 20-foot container and $150 per 40-foot container, high cube or 45-foot container. The company said rate increases are necessary to continue to operate services with the high level of reliability.

Recently, CMA CGM joined other container carriers to announce increases in ocean freight rates across its main trades for the second quarter. The French carrier's rate restoration, effective April 1, covers the Asia-Europe and transatlantic services, as well as routes to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Red Sea, North Africa, India/Pakistan and South America. Rates between North Europe and the US will rise by $160 per 20-foot dry container and $220 per 40 foot/40 foot HighCube. On eastbound routes from Asia to Europe, the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black Sea and North Africa rates for a 20-foot box will increase by $350 and by $700 for 40 footer. Westbound rates to Asia will rise by $100 for a 20-foot container and $150 for a 40 foot box. CMA CGM said it will "firmly follow" the rate restoration quantum implemented by members of the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement from May 1 on the eastbound leg. Source: Emirates Business

The KAIKO MARU No 7 seen moored in Niigata (Japan) Photo : Capt. Bas van Hoorn ©

Make fuel surcharge elimination permanent, says board The St. John's Board of Trade is urging Marine Atlantic to permanently axe a controversial fuel charge. On Wednesday, Marine Atlantic announced it would eliminate the surcharge on reservations for travel beginning April 1. But it also noted that the issue would be reviewed again in the future.

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 21 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Board of Trade Chair Bruce Templeton said this temporary approach does not solve underlying concerns with costs of this vital transportation link. "Marine Atlantic is one of two links we have to mainland Canada and other markets, and it is essential that this service positively contribute to our economic competitiveness," said Templeton. "A temporary elimination of the fuel surcharge temporarily improves the climate the business community has for competing, but we need a permanent solution."

The board has consistently advocated for service enhancements at Marine Atlantic, including the addition of another vessel to complement the MV Atlantic Vision recently brought into service. Amongst other benefits, more modern vessels would allow for fuel efficiency on an on-going basis, Templeton explained. Source : The Telegram

The sheerlegs TAKLIFT 7, GPS APOLLO and MATADOR 2 seen discharging newbuilding hulls from the H 405 in the Port of Rotterdam Photo : Hans Reints ©

Dalian Port to form LNG terminal China: The Dalian Port Authority (PDA) Co recently announced plans for a US$380 million LNG terminal joint venture with PetroChina. Dalian Port said it would hold 20 percent of the joint venture in the city of Xingang, while PetroChina would hold 75 percent. The remainder would be held by Dalian Construction Investment.

This latest news follows on from PetroChina's announcement to build another LNG terminal in Jiangsu. This would be the first time in China’s dealings with LNG terminals that the deal includes a foreign partner, the Pacific Oil and Gas Company, which has offices in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia.

PetroChina has also formed an LNG shipping joint venture with China Shipping. A series of LNG vessel orders are expected soon, in time to supply both the Jiangsu and Dalian projects. Source : Baird Online

Opening of SAL Italy Representative Office SAL would kindly like to take this opportunity to announce the opening of the SAL Italy Representative Office in the premises of “K” Line (Europe) in Genoa. This office location emerges from a joint venture created between SAL and “K” Line in April 2007. The new office will operate as marketing and sales representation to provide the added value of direct communication to our Italy based clients. Mr. Maurizio Pigna will be in charge of the SAL Representative Office.

As one of the leading heavy lift carriers in the world SAL operates a fleet of 14 modern geared vessels. The vessels with a combined crane capacity of 1400 ts and a speed of 20 knots trade on a semi-liner service between Europe, the Middle East and Asia. With its growing engineering division SAL provides custom-made transportation solutions for all types of project cargoes ranging from heavy machinery, plant equipment, wind energy, cranes and floating cargoes.

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 22 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

Over the past few years SAL has become increasingly involved in the oil & gas/ offshore related projects. The technological challenges of this sector are addressed by both SAL’s skilled technical team as well as a comprehensive new building program of 4 heavy lift vessels completed in February 2009. These new buildings are having a combined crane capacity of up to 1400ts respectively. This latest enlargement of the fleet by four vessels represents one of the many synergy effects emerging from the joint venture between SAL and “K” Line. The Genoa office will be staffed with a sales team who are looking forward to discussing some of the recent developments with you and explore ways of cooperation in the Italian market. Please, feel free to contact us and our team will be glad to introduce our services to you. Source : SAL

Maersk Line saves fortune on low speed Maersk Line has been both saving money and sparing the environment from a great deal of CO2 discharges by decreasing the speed. The shipping company has since 2007 been carrying through an experiment where 110 of the company's ships have been sailing at a lower speed than that recommended by the engine manufacturers.

"Slow navigation means that we will achieve full flexibility so the ship can, at any given time, sail at the optimum speed. By doing so, the ships will arrive precisely as scheduled. If they arrive too early they have been using too much fuel and travelling at high speed is expensive", says Ole Graa Jakobsen, senior general manager of technological services at A. P. Moller-Maersk, to RB-Borsen.

Approximately one million dollars a year pr. ship and a ten percent lower emission of CO2 is what has so far come out of the experiment. On top of the environmental and financial benefits of travelling at lower speed, this also helps reduce the supply of container capacity in a time with falling rates.

So far, no one has experimented with speeds under the 21 knots, which is the lowest speed recommended by the engine manufacturers for an average size containership. The manufacturers' recommendations are based on an optimum usage of the engine capacity but Maersk Line's experiment has shown that by only using 10 per cent of the engine capacity, the speed can be reduced to 12 knot without it creating any major problems. An average Maersk containership (6200 TEU) normally sails at 25 knots but can also, as recommended by manufacturers, go down to 21 knot.

Maersk Line has presented the documentation from the experiment to the largest head-engine manufacturers, who have agreed on the possibility of sailing with 10 per cent usage. The Finnish manufacturer Wärstilä have changed their instructions for the engine and according to LIoyds List, MAN Diesel is expected to follow.

The publication of the documentation may be followed by the realization amongst Maersk Lines' competitors that large amounts of money can be saved by decreasing the speed.

"We have made the decision to share this with our business competitors", says Ole Graa Jakobsen to RB- Borsen.

"One of the reasons is that we also wish to make this saving on the app. 260 ships we charter. The only way for us to do so is to influence the market in general. The other reason is that we do not wish to withhold information about how the entire container trade may save up to 10 percent of the CO2 emission", he says. Source: maritimedanmark.dk

…. PHOTO OF THE DAY …..

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 23 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 087

The SINGAPORE seen at Maaspilot station outward bound from Rotterdam with the OBAN-B Photo : Hans Hoffmann ©

The compiler of the news clippings disclaim all liability for any loss, damage or expense however caused, arising from the sending, receipt, or use of this e-mail communication and on any reliance placed upon the information provided through this free service and does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information. If you want to no longer receive this bulletin kindly seen an e-mail with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject line to [email protected]

Distribution : daily 7250+ copies worldwide Page 24 www.maasmondmaritime.com/Inschrijven.aspx