DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 356
Number 356 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Monday 21-12-2015 News reports received from readers and Internet News articles copied from various news sites.
The TERTNES approaching the Ijmuiden locks enroute Amsterdam –
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EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS
Seacontractors ATLANTIS inbound for Rotterdam Photo : Kees Torn © CLICK on the photo and hyperlink in the text ! RNLI lifeboat aiding vessel in difficulty
The RNLI lifeboat is currently assisting a fishing boat off the coast of west Cork after the vessel got into difficulty in rough seas At around 11am the Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat was called to assist a 46-foot vessel around 14 miles south of The Old Head Of Kinsale The lifeboat has now located the vessel and towed the boat back to Kinsale Harbour There were four crew on board the fishing vessel and it was expected that both boats will arrive back to Kinsale Harbour at around 3.30pm. Conditions at sea are described as poor with high winds and poor viability. Source: breakingnews
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AMELS ahead of the game following successful Tier III emissions test AMELS has become the first Dutch yacht builder to meet stringent new International Maritime Organization (IMO) emissions regulations. The successful test under independent Lloyd’s Register class supervision ensures the generator sets of the new 57.70- metre AMELS 188 will comply with IMO Tier III NOx emissions limits. In fact, completed as the United Nations climate summit drew to a close, this achievement puts AMELS ahead of the regulations, which apply to vessels with keels laid from 1 January 2016.“Even though we have already laid the keel for the AMELS 188, we are committed to managing power on board our motor yachts responsibly and efficiently,” explains AMELS Project Manager Romke van der Linde. “We are the first yard in the Netherlands that can apply for IMO Tier III certification for luxury yacht generator sets and we will also be certifying the main engines when they arrive in February.” Tier III, the next stage of the United Nations’ IMO nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions regulations, applies to vessels operating in North American and the United States Caribbean Sea NOx Emission Control Areas (ECAs). Additional areas are expected to be designated NOx ECAs in the future. Reduced ecological footprint AMELS is leading a new generation of engineering best practice to reduce the ecological footprint of its superyachts. In addition to IMO Tier III NOx compliance, the new AMELS 188 currently under construction will feature: • Hybrid Power switchboard for peak shaving with battery bank • Smart generator set configuration • AMELS Heat Recovery system. “Our holistic design approach demonstrates not only a reduced ecological footprint, but also significant operating cost savings,” comments AMELS Design Manager Hans Konings. “It's faster return on investment and lower Total Cost of Ownership. The numbers stack up and that's what our clients want to hear.” Introduced at the Monaco Yacht Show 2015, the AMELS 188 is highly innovative and completely new in the AMELS family. The 57.70-metre, 970 GT superyacht combines advanced solutions with the modern elegance and timeless pedigree of designer Tim Heywood. See more details, exterior perspectives and Reymond Langton's vision of the interiors on the AMELS website: http://www.amels-holland.com/range/amels-188/#1 and news item http://www.amels- holland.com/amels/news/
Tugboats, Mega-Ships and the Container Port
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In the maritime industry, and more specifically container shipping, much attention is focused on port and containership performance, as the industry strives to better the time in which a ship can be unloaded and ready to make its next call. However, how important are the smaller vessels, namely tugs, which facilitate mega-ships coming into ports? The crew of the TSHD CAUSEWAY wish you a safe & Happy Voyage to 2016 CLICK at the card ! Escort Tugs, which provide immediate assistance to giant container vessels are an essential part of port operations and will typically be placed behind a vessel and be attached to a towing line. Pilots guide the tug and monitor when to pull a ship at a certain angle. When a ship is not being ‘tugged’, the towing line will remain slack. Assist Tugs may also be required during port transits and are essential for positioning tugs alongside a vessel, applying force to assist the making of turns, reducing speed, providing propulsion and docking.The operations department at the Port of Montreal outlined for PTI how tugs are utilised: “Tug boats are necessary for assisting mega-ships in ports while docking and undocking. Depending on many factors, the required tug boat bollard pull and the number of tug boats used will vary. “The main objectives for [a] tug assist is to induce gyration movement, control speed and counter a vessel’s inertial mass without a vessel’s main propeller whilst at the berth to protect hull and berth integrity. “This decision is first made depending on the location characteristics and prevailing weather conditions. Restricted manoeuvring room, limited water depth, current and, the vessel dimensions are some of the factors guiding this decision.”Tugboats were essential during the Panama Canal’s expansion project, which is due to be completed in April, 2016, being key in supporting dredging activities. On a day-to-day basis, a tug’s primary duty is to support containerships and other vessels in manoeuvring in and out of the canal’s locks.Since ships are not allowed to accelerate when passing through the Panama Canal locks, tugs are vital for ensuring that ships are aligned with perfectly. Depending on ship-size, more than one tug may be required to steer a ship, which involves the captain communicating with the pilot overhead.
Alan Loynd, Managing Director, Branscombe Marine Consultants and former employee of HK Salvage and Towage, argues the tugs are now vital for the majority of containership berths at ports: “With the exception of some smaller and highly manoeuvrable vessels, tugs are vital in berthing the vast majority of ships. Modern ships tend to be configured to move large amounts of cargo as efficiently as possible.“They are very good at sailing from place to place, but they are not designed to be nimble. Thus when they reach port approaches, they require tugs to help them weave through the harbour.“When they reach the berth they cannot move themselves sideways, so the tugs take over and push them alongside. Some ports are so constricted, and some ships so big that a tug is also needed to tie up to the stern and act as a dynamic rudder as the big ship comes into port. This is known as indirect towing.”Loynd continues: “It is worth pointing out that tugs cannot always see where they are going.“Pushing against the side of a large containership, bulk carrier or oil tanker, all you can see is the side of the ship in front of you. Hence one reason for having a pilot on the bridge – he can see everything, and can tell the tugs when to push, when to pull etc. So tugs are almost always responding to orders from a pilot in harbours and rivers.” The members of the Curacao Maritime Association wish all seafarers a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy year 2016.As a former merchant seaman myself, I know what it is to spend thiswonderful time of the year far away from love ones and family.Nevertheless, our members think of those who support the world economyby ensuring the flow of goods, minerals ,nature products and giant manmade objects reach their respective destinations under often dangerous circumstances. In this respect we also honor the Navy personnel who guard over our seamen in hostile areas.As separate categories we mention the crews of the hundreds of cruise ships transporting with great care hundred thousands of passengers who wishto enjoy the sea and new destinations as well as the giant offshore production industry. John Kooijman, Secretary of the Curacao Maritime Association. CLICK at the card !
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Dirk Degroote Manager of Design and Proposal of Tugs at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, said: “From a designer and builders’ perspective, we see a clear trend towards more compact, more powerful tugs and the increasing importance of automation and sensor information. “The increasing importance of automation and sensor information on board is a logical next step if we look at the level of automation already present in some of the container terminals and at the technologies available in other industries. Therefore, we are also investing heavily in this field to cope with the challenges of the future.”So, along with the appropriate technology of the tugs and with the help of pilots, tugs can be vital for ensuring that vessels can make a safe transit; and with automation becoming more important for tug operations, it appears to be an up and coming trend in the development of tugs .According to Crowley Holdings, the technology available for designing and building tugs can be vast, and it is more important to balance commercial viability with the best available technology. Source: Port Technology International
The TORM TRINITY approaching the Ijmuiden locks enroute Amsterdam – Photo : Patrick Deenik ©
The GREENLAND spotted off Borkum during trials – Photo : Flying Focus Aerial Photography www.flyingfocus.nl ©
PortXL looks for start-ups
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To strengthen innovation in the port of Rotterdam, PortXL – World Port Accelerator was launched on 29 October. PortXL is an open innovation program focussing on port related industries. We are looking for the ten best port related tech startups for all over the World. Those teams will be accelerated during an intensive 100 day mentorship driven program located in Europe’s biggest port, the port of Rotterdam.We are looking for teams with scalable business propositions, ready for the market within 12 months, able to disrupt their sector and have a minimum of 2 team members and an entrepreneurial spirit. We have a special focus on the sectors: Transport & Logistics, Energy, Chemical & Refinery and Maritime. Source: Port XL Brazil prosecutors charge 12 in SBM Offshore graft scheme Brazilian prosecutors on Thursday charged 12 people with a bribery scheme involving Dutch firm SBM Offshore NV, the world's top leaser of oil production ships, and state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA. Police said they executed four arrest warrants as part of an investigation known as "Operation Black Blood." Two of the suspects are already in jail in the southern city of Curitiba, the epicenter of a broader investigation into price fixing and bribery involving Petrobras contracts with engineering firms. ANTHONY VEDER wish you a happy holiday season and a safe and successful 2016. CLICK at the card ! Former Petrobras executives Pedro Barusco, Jorge Zelada and Renato Duque were charged with corruption, along with former SBM sales agents Julio Faerman and Luis Eduardo Campos Barbosa da Silva, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. Anthony Mace and Didier Keller, both former SBM chief executive officers, were charged with racketeering and corruption, as was Robert Zubiate, a former senior vice president.Earlier on Thursday, police carried out raids and arrests in "Operation Black Blood" in Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis and Curitiba, police said.The alleged bribery in the SBM probe in Brazil predates the better-known "Operation Car Wash," which is focused on graft involving engineering firms and Petrobras between 2003 and 2014.Between 1998 and 2012, there were "undue payments" in Switzerland of at least $46 million relating to contracts for floating oil production, storage and offloading ships, prosecutors said.They said Duque, who is in jail on corruption charges in Curitiba, asked SBM sales agents for $300 million for the ruling Workers' Party to fund its 2010 election campaign.An SBM representative in Brazil said none of the company's offices in Brazil had been raided. The company, though, issued a statement saying that, based on what it has heard so far, it believes the latest allegations are without merit.SBM, which supplies and operates floating production, storage and offloading vessels, is negotiating a leniency agreement with the Brazilian government, sources have told Reuters. The latest charges came one day after Petrobras formally invited SBM, which had been banned from participating in Petrobras tenders because of the "Car Wash" investigation, to bid for new work.Petrobras said in a statement that it has been cooperating closely with prosecutors who have called its assistance "fundamental" to today's charges in "Operation Black Blood."The company settled with Dutch authorities in November 2014 for a record $240 million, ending a more than two-year inquiry into improper payments to government officials in Angola, Brazil and Equatorial Guinea by sales agents between 2007 and 2011.Dutch prosecutors said they received information from Brazilian authorities that SBM Offshore's Brazilian sales passed on some of their commissions to Brazilian government officials via offshore entities. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier; Additional reporting by Anthony Deutsch in Amsterdam; Silvio Cascione in Brasilia, and Marta Nogueira in Rio de Janeiro; Writing by Caroline Stauffer in Sao Paulo; Writing by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Jonathan Oatis) ALSO INTERESTED IN THIS FREE MARITIME NEWSCLIPPINGS ? CLICK HERE AND REGISTER FOR FREE !
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The Damen newbuilding MULTRATUG 31 seen outfitting in Stellendam – Photo : Leen van der Meijden ©
Dry Bulk Scrapping: Not younger than 18 years, unless… International dry bulk shipowners seem only to scrap ships aged 18 years or older. While a couple of Chinese owners have scrapped ships that were even younger than that. 19 ships out of 28 ships built in 1998 to 1999 and demolished between 2013 and 2015 highlights the effect of the Chinese-flag scrapping cash subsidy provided to the Chinese owners. China launched a two-year scrapping subsidy program in 2013, a program that was extended for two more years earlier in 2015. The program may in nature be distortive and put in place to inspire an increase in newbuilding orders, nevertheless the increased scrapping volumes is good for the fundamental market balance.Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO, Peter Sand, Says: “all ship owners have dug into the pool of 1995 to 1997-built bulk carriers in recent years, when choosing ships for scrapping. ship owners in particular have scrapped even younger ships, built in 1998-2000. They were encouraged to do so by a subsidy program. With the extension of the program it’s likely more of the same will show in 2016 and 2017”. During 1995 to 1997, new ships with a combined capacity of 51.5 million DWT were delivered. In the past three years, 11.8 million DWT of those ships have now been scrapped. This is equal to a share of 23%. Marking a significant cut in fleets built in those years. But, when compared to the breaking of ships built in the 80’s the cut has been much deeper.Two-thirds of the fleet built in those years that were still on the water
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in 2012 have now been removed. The next two years are likely to wipe out most of the remaining 80’s built ships, as the freight market will hardly deliver significant returns.Ships from 1969 to 2003 have been broken up in the last three years and together brought the average age to 27 years by the time of scrapping. The board and volunteers of the BRUINVISCH wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2016 CLICK at the card ! The negative development of the market in the past couple of years becomes clearer when looking at the average age of the individual years. In 2013 is was 28.2 years, in 2014 it was 27.3 years and in 2015 the average scrapping age has hit 25.3 years.“The recent development in the scrapping age, is set to continue in 2016. Even though all older ships are not scrapping candidates by default, they do ‘sit far out on the bench’ in most cases when the owner decides which ship doesn’t make the cut anymore. In a heavily oversupplied market as we see in these years, scrapping remains the only permanent way to better the fundamental balance. Idling and slow steaming, as effective as they may seem, are only temporary measures not a part of a sustainable solution”, adds Peter Sand. Source: Article by Peter Sand, Chief Shipping Analyst, BIMCO
The MSC MONTEREY seen inbound for Antwerp – Photo : Huib Lievense © Still Standing: The Transpacific Trade Global container trade is expected to grow at a disappointing rate in 2015, with box volumes contracting on a number of routes. However, the Transpacific peak leg trade has been an exception, and container volumes on the route are expected to grow by 5% in the full year, to 15.4m TEU. Although it appears to have weathered a particularly difficult period, this trade has not been without its own dynamics this year. The crew of the TSHD GATEWAY wish you all a Merry X-Mas and prosperous New year CLICK at the card ! In 2015 so far, a number of developments have impacted trade on the eastbound Transpacific route. Port congestion on the US West Coast in early 2015 led to significant delays, and box throughput at major West Coast gateways fell sharply in Q1, by 5% y-o-y. However, as a result of cargo diversions, container throughput at the major US East and Gulf Coast ports increased 14% y-o-y in Q1. Overall, US box imports from Asia, which make up the majority of eastbound Transpacific trade, are estimated to have grown at a robust rate of 9% y-o-y in Q1.US West Coast port delays eased once new labour contracts were agreed with ILWU longshoremen in February. This led to a
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recovery in box throughput levels at US West Coast ports in Q2. However, US East and Gulf Coast ports retained high throughput growth rates, reaching 12% y-o-y in Q2-Q3, indicating that some of the cargo diversions continued.Overall, peak leg Transpacific trade is estimated to have continued expanding at a healthy rate of 5% y-o-y in Q2-Q3. US import growth was supported by a strong US dollar and rising consumer spending. Imports from the ASEAN region are estimated to have expanded notably; the value of US imports from Vietnam reportedly rose nearly 30% y-o-y in Q1- Q3, driven by growing electronics and footwear imports. Meanwhile, US toy imports reportedly surged this year (with reports of strong ‘Star Wars’ retail sales perhaps providing a clue as to what lies beneath the Christmas tree this year).However, Asian box exports to the US are estimated to have increased at a softer pace in recent months, attributed in part to the impact of high US retail inventory levels. US inventory accumulation is estimated to have slowed in the third quarter, compared to Q1 and Q2, with reports suggesting that businesses chose to run down their existing stock. Whilst this might have had a continued impact upon US imports in the final months of 2015, peak leg Transpacific container trade is still expected to increase at a healthy rate of 5% in the full year, lifting total volumes to 15.4m TEU.The expected expansion in box volumes on the Transpacific peak leg route has been one of the few bright spots in container trade in 2015. Looking to 2016, high US inventory levels could continue to bear down on import volumes, although the US economy is expected to continue growing steadily next year at 2.8%. Whether or not the peak leg Transpacific trade will maintain a strong growth rate in 2016, with the current projection of 5% expansion subject to a range of pressures, growth on the route this year has certainly helped to prevent a sharper downturn in global box trade growth. Source: Clarksons
Leo Dahmen gepensioneerd. Vrijdag 18 december nam Leo Dahmen afscheid van het Maritiem Instituut Willem Barentsz op Terschelling als senior DP instructor. Ruim vier jaar geleden trad Leo in dienst bij het MIWB, om zijn kennis en ervaring over te dragen aan de cursisten van de Dynamic Positioning training. Kennis en ervaring deed hij op tijdens zijn 46 jarige carrière op zee, waar hij bij diverse rederijen alle rangen doorliep. Kenmerkend voor Leo is zijn vakkennis en de met humor doorspekte manier van lesgeven, vaak ondersteund door tot de verbeelding sprekende praktijkvoorbeelden. In de jaren dat hij verbonden was aan het MIWB leidde hij veel zeelieden op tot DP-ers en droeg op deze wijze een steentje bij aan de verbetering van de veiligheid op zee. Het is jammer dat we afscheid moeten nemen van een prettige collega. Leo, bedankt en geniet van je pensioen.
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Wall Street Thinks Petrobras Should Sell Its Offshore Oil Assets Petrobras is the most powerful company in Brazil. It's oil discoveries have led to job creation and impressive investment in some coastal states. But beyond Petrobras, an annual household survey by the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics says that the quality of life is improving across the board. The crew of the TSHD ARGONAUT 1 wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year CLICK at the card ! Word on the Street is that Petrobras would look more “serious” if it started shedding some of its prized possessions: the oil rich fields in Brazil’s deepwater Atlantic.“Selling pre-salt oil absolutely makes Petrobras look more serious,” Javier Murcio, a fund manager for Standish Mellon Asset Management told FORBES recently. “Pre-salt oil is a politically charged asset. But it makes a lot of sense for the financial position of their company to sell some of their stakes in those fields. That would be welcome by the market in many ways.”Last Friday, Reuters reported that off-record sources had told them that Petrobras was willing to sell 10% of its 40% stake in the Libra oil field off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. That was the first hint in the media that such a divestiture was on the table. The oil firm quickly moved to discredit the sources, but a key phrase in the statement stood out: “We are not considering, at this moment, a sale of our stake in Libra.” At this moment. That’s where the money is.A sale of 10% of their Libra stake would be worth around $1.5 billion, according Macquarie. The Brazilian oil giant, caught in a dragnet of political scandal of epic proportions, promised to sell $15 billion in assets by the end of next year. So far they have sold less than 10% of that. New CEO Aldemir Bendini was brought on board to put Petrobras through shock and awe, and cutting investment in an effort to make the company’s mega $130 billion debt more manageable. Petrobras shares are down over 85% in the last five years.Regardless of the bloodletting in the oil market, and an embarrassing bribery scandal, Petrobras is one of the most interesting oil companies in the world because of its pre-salt oil discoveries made back in 2006.When Bendini was brought on board this year he said he was not selling pre-salt assets. Friday’s statement that they were not selling “at this time” gives bond lords and oil magnates something to watch closely. Oil firms would love to buy an oil field on the cheap without having to test to see if there’s any oil there. Bond managers would like to see Petrobras controlling its debt, in hopes it can one day be rerated out of speculative grade.source: Forbes Evergreen unveils Panama terminal expansion By: Joseph Bonney, Senior Editor Evergreen Group’s Colon Container Terminal in Panama has completed the third phase of an expansion that will allow the terminal to handle the largest ships that will transit the Panama Canal’s soon-to-open larger locks.The terminal expansion added a fourth berth that, combined with the adjacent Berth 3, will provide an overall quay length of more than 2,100 feet. The new berth has a water depth of 54 feet and three gantry cranes that will span 23 rows of containers.The expansion increases CCT’s annual capacity to 2 million 20-foot-equivalent units from the previous 1.5 million TEUs. An additional expansion of Berth 3 will increase annual capacity to 2.4 million TEUs by early 2017, and allow Berths 3 and 4 to simultaneously handle two 12,000 to 14,000- TEU ships.The new Berth 4 is scheduled to begin operation in the first quarter of 2016. Distribution : daily to 33.350+ active addresses 21-12-2015 Page 10 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 356
The completion was marked in a ceremony Thursday attended by officials including Panama President Juan Carlos Varela and Panama Maritime Authority Administrator Jorge Barakat Pitty.The Panama Canal Authority is targeting April for the opening of new locks that will accommodate vessels of 13,000-14,000 TEUs, nearly triple the maximum capacity of container ships transiting the canal’s existing century-old locks. The BIGLIFT TEAM wish you a HAPPY 2016 Click on the advert to see the special BIGLIFT New Year messages special for you! CCT terminal, on the canal’s Atlantic side, is one of several terminals in Panama, the Caribbean and South America that are bidding for transshipment traffic from the expanded canal. On the canal’s Pacific side, 11 potential bidders have expressed interest in a planned Corozal terminal that would have annual capacity of 5.3 million TEUs.Opinion is divided on how the canal expansion will affect transshipment volume, and whether it will keep pace with added terminal capacity. Some analysts have forecast double-digit increases in transshipment at Panama, but port analyst Asaf Ashar has said carriers may use the expanded canal to increase direct services without transshipment, or transshipment through other Latin American and Caribbean ports. Source: Journal of Commerce
The ATLANTIC MERMAID moored in IJmuiden – Photo: Marcel Coster © Courage Marine scraps panamax for $2.5m By Vincent Wee from Hong Kong
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Courage Marine is continuing its programme of disposals, selling the 72,000-dwt panamax bulker MV COURAGE for scrap for $2,5m, it said in a stock market announcement.The vessel was acquired by the group in January 2014 for $8.6m and currently has a carrying value of $6.2m. The group is expected to make a loss of $3.9m on the sale, after deducting net proceeds of $2.4m from the carrying value. Transaction expenses came up to $108,703, However during the course of 2014, when the vessel was acquired at the beginning of the year, MV COURAGE only brought in revenue of $3.6m and made a net loss of $952,000. "The directors consider that the consideration to be attractive in the current market conditions," Courage Marine said, adding that "the disposal is for demolition and this provides a good opportunity for the group to generate cash which is intended to be used as general working capital of the group and/or for funding of attractive business/investment opportunities which may arise in future". Source: Splash 24/7
Rederij Groen’s REMUS spotted off Cape Town – Photo : Aad Noorland © Mexico opens first deep-water oil and gas blocks to bidders Mexico's government is offering its first deep-water oil and gas exploration blocks to bidders as part of the historic energy industry overhaul that opened the sector to private investment.The secretary of energy says 10 blocks will go up for bid in September 2016, four of them in the "Lost Belt" in the Gulf of Mexico maritime boundary between Mexico and the U.S. The crew of Boskallis NDURANCE wishes everybody a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year CLICK at the card ! A Thursday statement says the auction was set for late next year to give multinational companies time to analyze the projects. So far, Mexico has awarded contracts for exploration and production on land and in shallow water since the 2014 reform that ended seven decades of state monopoly on the oil business.Mexico produces 2.2 million barrels a day, down from a 3.4 million peak in 2004. Source: lasvegassun Transocean, Noble drilling pacts terminated early
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The outlook for offshore rig-owners just got a little gloomier as oil explorers end more contracts for drilling vessels to save much-needed cash during the worst market crash in a generation.Transocean and Noble, two of the world's largest offshore rig contractors, each reported early termination of drilling pacts for their vessels floating in the Gulf of Mexico near the United States. C. Engineer ANDRE LIGTHART wenst iedereen Fijne Feestdagen en een voorspoedig 2016 CLICK at the card ! Statoil said on Thursday it cancelled the lease for Transocean's Discoverer Americas ultra-deep-water rig because there was not enough work for it.The rig, which is capable of drilling in water as deep as 3,700m, was earning a day rate of US$590,000 (S$830,000). Its scheduled expiration was May.Royal Dutch Shell cancelled the lease for the Noble Discoverer rig a year ahead of its contract ending. The rig, which works in water as deep as 300m, was earning US$369,000 a day, the London- based rig contractor said on Thursday in its fleet status report."The outlook for the offshore drilling industry looks far tougher than when the year started," Mr Jud Bailey, an analyst at Wells Fargo, wrote on Wednesday in a note to investors titled Moving A Little Closer To The Panic Button.Offshore rig-owners around the world are suffering from the double whammy of a glut of new vessels entering the market at the same time as falling crude prices force oil explorers to cut spending.Crude prices are down by more than half since last year.Oil traded near US$35 a barrel and headed for a third weekly decline amid a worsening US supply glut and the first interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve in almost a decade.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for January delivery was at US$34.97 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Noble, which will move its rig to Singapore to park it for an extended period, will receive 90 per cent of the adjusted operating day rate for the rest of the termTransocean's Discoverer Americas rig will receive an early termination payment "fully compensating the company as provided for in the contract", according to a statement on Thursday."Discoverer Americas has been a very good performer for Statoil," Mr Tore Aarreberg, head of rig procurement at Norwegian oil giant Statoil, said in a separate statement on the company's website."Without additional activity lined up, we unfortunately have to let the rig go prior to contract end." Source: BLOOMBERG
Paragon Offshore Confirms Delisting Notice From NYSE The New York Stock Exchange suspended trading Paragon Offshore Plc’s shares, effective immediately due to their abnormally low price levels, Paragon said Dec. 18.Paragon’s ordinary shares were no longer suitable to list based on the exchange’s listed company manual, and Paragon said it will not submit a business plan to the exchange to remedy the delisting.Paragon applied to be listed on the OTC exchange, effective Dec. 18, under the ticker “PGNPF.”The NYSE's delisting action does not affect Paragon's business operations and does not conflict with or cause an event of
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default under any of Paragon's material debt or other agreements. Paragon will file periodic and other reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Source: oilandgasinvestor Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line wins Cruise of the Year 2015 Grand Prix Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that the Nippon Maru: "Tonde (fly to) cruise packages to Okinawa, Kyushu, and Hokkaido", which wereplanned and offered by its group company Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line,Ltd., won the Grand Prix in the "Cruise of the Year 2015" awardssponsored by the Japan Oceangoing Passenger Ship Association (JOPA). The awards recognize inventive approaches by cruise lines, travel agencies,and so on in creating new travel experiences that contribute to theexpansion of Japan's cruise market, the company said in its press release.The Tonde Cruise Hokkaido was launched in 2006 as Japan's first full-scale fly-and-cruise package - in which travelers fly to the cruisship port and fly home at the end - and marks its 10th anniversary this year. This four-day, three-night cruise to Hokkaido, calling at out-of-the-way destinations like Rishiri Island, Rebun Island, and theport of Rausu, with arrival/departure at the Port of Otaru. The TondeCruise Okinawa, with arrival/departure at the Port of Naha, visits surrounding islands, while the Tonde Cruise Kyushu, visits neighboring islands around its arrival/departure port of Hakata.Thanks to MOPAS' efforts to meet customer needs and build strongrelationships in arrival/departure ports and local areas, a total ofmore than 22,000 passengers from all over Japan have enjoyed thesefly-and-cruise packages. Its efforts to develop new cruise markets and its leading role in the promotion of regional tourism were key to itsselection for this award. Source: Portnews Detained bulker allowed to depart Duluth The owner and operator of the motor vessel CORNELIA and the U.S. Coast Guard reached an agreement Tuesday that will allow the 24,516 dwt, 2001-built bulk carrier to depart Lake Superior. From the Eemshaven the crew of the JAN STEEN wish everybody Merry Christmas and a prosperous busy 2016 CLICK at the card ! As we reported earlier this month , the vessel had been at anchor in Duluth, MN, since November 5, as the Coast Guard continued investigations of alleged environmental crimesNow that the agreement is in place to protect the U.S. government's interests the vessel will start making preparations to depart the Great Lakes before the winter lock closures.The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota accepted the case for criminal investigation Nov. 9, 2015. Source: Marinelink
Singapore traffic falls for fourth straight month By : Turloch Mooney, Senior Editor
Container throughput at the port of Singapore fell by nearly 16 percent in November compared with the same month last year.Figures from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore show the world’s second-busiest container port handled just over 2.4 million 20-foot-equivalent units during the month, compared with 2.86 million in November of 2014.This is the fourth consecutive month of decline in throughput at the port. October volumes fell by nearly 20 percent year-over-year; September by 16 percent and August by 13.5 percent.Volume for the first 11 months of the year is down by over 8 percent compared with the same period last year. Singapore has handled 28.4 million TEUs so far this year, compared with nearly 31 million at this time last year.November volumes are down 4 percent compared with the 2.5 million TEUs handled in October. Source : Journal of Commerce
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CASUALTY REPORTING
Cargo Ship Runs Aground in St. Lawrence Seaway The German general cargo ship BBC MAPLE LEA ran aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway near Montreal, Quebec, and was refloated with tug assistance at about noon local time on Friday.Media reports suggest that she grounded on rock and suffered some amount of damage. The indigenous Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, with tribal interests in the incident area, said that the ship's bow thruster was damaged in the grounding and that the she was leaking a minor quantity of hydraulic oil. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has sent a team to investigate the incident. Absorbent booms were deployed to contain any possible contamination.As of Friday, AIS data show the Maple Lea at dock near Sainte-Catherine, across the Seaway from Montreal. The 13,000 dwt MAPLE LEA is owned by Auerbach Schifffahrt and chartered by BBC Chartering. Her AIS suggests that she was under way for Ghent, and media reported that she was carrying a cargo of scrap at the time of the incident BBC MAPLE LEA was involved in another incident in 2013 in which she lost power off the coast of Cape Breton and threatened to drift aground. The Canadian Coast Guard came to her assistance when she became stuck in ice during a commercial tow response. While conducting icebreaking operations around the MAPLE LEA, Coast Guard icebreaker LOUIS S. ST LAURENT made contact, resulting in hull damage to both vessels.
ALSO INTERESTED IN THIS FREE MARITIME NEWSCLIPPINGS ? CLICK HERE AND REGISTER FOR FREE ! NAVY NEWS Weeks may be needed to repair Navy ship after breakdown LCS Milwaukee broke down Dec. 11 and had to be towed more than 40 nautical miles to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia.
A week after the brand new littoral combat ship MILWAUKEE broke down at sea, engineers and experts are still trying to determine why metal debris fouled the ship's propulsion system. Engineers are pulling apart a system called the combining gear, which allows the ship to use power from its diesel and gas turbine engines for propulsion, to determine where the flakes of metal came from, according to Navy officials familiar with the repairs.The repairs to MILWAUKEE are likely to take weeks, officials said, because identifying these kinds of problems require flushing out the systems and taking them apart.The crew took the right actions when the debris was discovered by shutting down the propulsion system to limit damages and calling for a tow, the Surface Navy's top officer said."We've got to take care of our people and we've got to take care of our ships," said Vice Adm. Tom Rowden, head of Naval Surface Force Pacific, said in a Dec. 17 phone interview.In the days following the breakdown off the Virginia coast, speculation arose that a shipyard mishap was to blame for the debris, after the engines were run without lube oil. But engineers believe that's likely not the cause, according to two sources.The ship was commissioned Nov. 21 in Milwaukee,
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Wisconsin, after being built in Marinette. The mono-hull version of the LCS is a Lockheed Martin design. Lockheed declined to comment on the breakdown or what their engineers think caused it, directing questions to the Navy. MILWAUKEE broke down Dec. 11 and had to be towed more than 40 nautical miles to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia.The ship suffered the engineering breakdown while transiting from Halifax, Canada, to Mayport, Florida, and ultimately its home port of San Diego.In Mayport, Florida, the ship was scheduled for a yards period and was going to be temporarily used as a training ship for the new Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2 based there.Problems with the propulsion plant began almost as soon as MILWAUKEE got underway from Halifax. The ship's computer system triggered an alarm and the ship called away an engineering casualty.Engineers cleaned out the metal filings from the lube oil filter and locked the port shaft as a precaution. In the early hours of Dec. 11, the ship was conducting steering tests and lost lube oil pressure in the starboard combining gear due to metal filings in that filter.The metal filings in the lube oil have not been a class-wide issue, according to the Navy.The ship then dropped anchor while the engineers troubleshot the system. By mid-morning, the salvage ship Grapple rendezvoused with MILWAUKEE and towed it into Little Creek for its unceremonious arrival there. Crew 104 manned the ship for the transit to Norfolk, where Crew 108 took over.News of the breakdown concerned the influential chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who called for transparency."Reporting of a complete loss of propulsion on USS MILWAUKEE (LCS 5) is deeply alarming, particularly given this ship was commissioned just 20 days ago," Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said in a statement. "U.S. Navy ships are built with redundant systems to enable continued operation in the event of an engineering casualty, which makes this incident very concerning." MILWAUKEE's breakdown kicked off a terrible week for the LCS program. Less than a week after the breakdown, news emerged that the Pentagon is ordering the Navy to cut the total buy of LCS to 40 from 52, and to pick between the mono-hull version and the trimaran version built by Austal USA in Alabama. Instead of the ships, the Pentagon directed the Navy to invest in more F-35Cs, Virginia Payload Modules and missiles.Source: 13newsnow Attack submarine USS Hartford returns to Connecticut A U.S. Navy attack submarine USS HARTFORD has returned to the base in Groton, Connecticut, following a six-month deployment.The USS HARTFORD stopped in Faslane, Scotland, and Rota, Spain, as it conducted security operations in the European Command area of responsibility. Family members of the roughly 130 crew members greeted the sailors and officers as the nuclear-powered vessel arrived Friday at Naval Submarine Base New London.The Los Angeles-class submarine was commissioned in 1994 and is the second ship in the Navy to be named for Connecticut’s capital city. Source: The Washington Times
German-made submarine heads to Israel for delivery By :Ryan Maass The latest German-built Dolphin-class submarine INS RAHAV is en route to Haifa to be delivered to the Israeli Navy. INS RAHAV , given the Hebrew name for Greek god of the seas Poseidon, is one of the Israeli Defense Force's most expensive weapons. The vessel's voyage to Haifa comes roughly a decade after the Israeli government placed the order to German defense contractor Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft. The company unveiled the submarine in April 2013, however more work was needed to ensure the vessel was fully operational. INS RAHAV is the fifth submarine of its class to be delivered to the Israeli Navy, The Times of Israel reports.INS RAHAV is the second new- generation, air-independent propulsion submarine built after Israel's INS TANIN, which entered service in 2014. The
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submarines are capable of staying submerged for longer periods of time, according to IHS Janes. INS RAHAV cost an estimated $2 billion to build."Submarines are a strategic tool in the IDF's defense arsenal. Israel is prepared to act at any time in any place to ensure the safety of Israel's citizens," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said when INS RAHAV was unveiled in 2013. INS RAHAV is expected to reach its home port in Haifa in mid-January. After its arrival, the vessel will undergo a series of system installation programs before officially entering service later in 2016. Source: UPI Russia Modernizing Fourth-Generation Borei- Class Nuclear Subs The first Borei-A-class nuclear submarine cruiser will enter into the Russian Navy’s service in 2018, Rubin shipbuilder General Director Igor Vilnit said Friday“The first cruiser from the Borei-A project we plan to hand over to the Navy in two years, in 2018,” Vilnit said during a ceremony on the beginning of the construction of the IMPERATOR ALEXANDER III nuclear submarine in Severodvinsk.Navy Deputy Commander Vice Adm. Viktor Bursuk said during the ceremony that Borei-A-class submarines would significantly strengthen both the Russian Navy on the whole, and its Pacific Fleet in particular.Bursuk added that, judging by the pace at which the Borei was being manufactured, it was possible to predict that a total of eight Borei-class nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines would be put into the service of the Russian Navy by 2020, as previously planned. Source sputniknews Fifth Kilo-class submarine heads to Vietnam Heavy lift vessel ROLLDOCK SEA, carrying the fifth Kilo submarine that Russia built for Vietnam, has left St. Petersburg for Cam Ranh port in central Vietnam,. This is the fifth diesel-powered 636 Kilo-class submarine that Vietnam purchased from Russia to modernise and enhance the capacity of its navy forces to defend the country's territorial watersThe Vietnam People’s Navy has already received four submarines: HQ-182 HANOI, HQ 183 HO CHI MIN HQ-184 HAI PHONG and HQ-185 DA NANG The last submarine HQ-197 BA RIA-VUNG TAU was launched on September 28.Russia signed a contract to supply six 636 Varshavyanka Kilo-class submarines worth US$2 billion for Vietnam People’s Navy in 2009. The contract included training crew and supplying necessary equipment. Having a displacement of 3,000-3,950 tonnes, the 73.8m long submarine can operate at a maximum depth of 300 metres and at a range of 6,000-7,500 nautical miles for 45 days and nights with 52 crew members. Armed with cruise missiles, this diesel-electric stealth submarine is believed to be the quietest in the world and so was dubbed ‘black hole’ by NATO. Source: VietNamNet Bridge Ingalls launches guided missile destroyer Ralph Johnson Ingalls Shipbuilding launched its 30th -class guided missile destroyer RALPH JOHNSON on Saturday.Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is the most important builder of army ships in america, and has constructed and delivered 28 Arleigh Burke- class destroyers for the U.S. Navy. like RALPH JOHNSON are designed for each offensive and defensive fight missions, and are capable of function independently or as a part of service strike teams, floor motion teams, amphibious prepared teams, and underway replenishment teams.4 extra guided missile destroyers, together with RALPH JOHNSON, are presently in manufacturing by Ingalls Shipbuilding division. Ralph Johnson is predicted to be christened and bear sea trials in 2016. Firm officers say they have been capable of forward of schedule. “The final week of translating this high quality ship throughout land after which launching it from our drydock is not any small process, and our shipbuilders completed it in a really environment friendly method,” Ingalls’ DDG 51 program supervisor George Nungesser stated. Destroyer RALPH JOHNSON,
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designated DDG 114, is known as for Medal of Honor recipient Pfc. Ralph Henry Johnson, a Marine who served within the Vietnam Struggle. Johnson distinguished himself when he threw himself on an explosive system to save lots of his fellow Marines and stop the enemy from advancing on their place. Johnson died immediately. Source: sunnewsjournal. Six wounded in blasts at mosque in Bangladesh naval base At least six naval personnel were seriously wounded in explosions at the end of prayers on Friday at a mosque inside a Bangladesh naval base in Chittagong, police said. Two people were arrested in connection with the blasts. Police said they had confessed to being members of banned militant group Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh. The group wants to establish a sharia-based Islamic state in Bangladesh and tends to target government facilities. "Two bombs blasted at the mosque after Jumma prayer and six persons were critically injured," said Devdas Bhattachariya, an additional commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police, adding that all the wounded were from the navy. No one from the navy was available for comment. Security forces also deactivated five unexploded bombs from the mosque in the port city of Chittagong, some 265 km (165 miles) southeast of Dhaka. It is the first time a mosque used by Bangladesh's Sunni Muslim majority has been attacked.Last month, a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Bangladesh's northern district of Bogra was attacked, killing a cleric and wounding three other people in the second attack on the tiny Shi'ite Muslim community in a month.Islamic State claimed responsibility for those attacks, although the government denies any Islamic State presence in the country.Islamic State also claimed responsibility for the killings of a Japanese citizen and an Italian in the past months, but police blamed those killings on Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh. Bangladesh is planning to join a coalition led by Saudi Arabia of Islamic countries fighting militants. Source: The Jeruzalem Post SHIPYARD NEWS Pella Shipyard completes mooring and sea trials of tugboat MB-97 On December 17, Pella shipyard (Leningrad Region) completed mooring and manufacturer’s trials of tugboat MB-97 of Project 02790 (Hull No 508), the shipyard saysIn the nearest time the vessel will be delivered to the basing site in Lomonosov (Leningrad Region) and the tug will join the Baltic Sea Fleet of RF Navy. In the nearest time state commission will commence the acceptance procedure.Tugboats are intended for towing ships, floating facilities offshore and in port waters. The multipurpose tugs can escort vessels at a speed of up to 10 knots, participate in search and salvage operations, assist in fire fighting at floating and onshore facilities and breaking 0.6-m-thick ice at a speed of up to 6-8 knots. Vessel’s characteristics: displacement - 945 tonnes, LOA – 34.4 m, beam - about 12.1 m, draught – 4.4 m, speed – 13.5 knots, class notation - KM Arc4 R1 Аut1 FF3WS Tug by Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. Deck equipment: bow double-drum anchor-towing- mooring electro-hydraulic winch М 140-180-2Т-2В-1С-FEH RED Fluidmecanica providing escort services, 20 t of bollard pull and 1860 kN of brake holding force; aft electro-hydraulic towing winch CHR-20-180-1Т-1С-ЕА RED Fluidmecanica, providing 20 t of bollard pull and 1800 kN of brake holding force; towing hook providing 650 kN of bollard pull with quick release device; cargo crane Fluidmecanica HLRM 45/5 S with lifting capacity of 19.5 kN at the boom of 13.5m.In order to fulfill fire-fighting operations the tugboat is equipped with external fire fighting system made by FFS (capacity is 1500 m3/h, 2 water monitors, water curtains system).The tug was launched on January 28, 2015.JSC Pella Shipyard based in Russia’s Leningrad region was founded in 1950. In 1992 Pella was privatized as Pella Holding Co. comprising the parent company and several subsidiaries. The shipbuilding firm specializes in building harbor tugs with rated power
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of 1,000-5,000hp, pusher tugs, escort tugs, pilot boats and rescue boats for Russian and foreign customers. Source: Portnews THSD JUN YANG 1 LAUNCHED AT ROYAL IHC IN KINDERDIJK Royal IHC successfully launches 21,028m³ trailing suction hopper dredger JUN YANG 1 for GDC The naming and launch ceremony of the trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) JUN YANG 1 took place on Saturday 19 December 2015 at Royal IHC’s shipyard in Kinderdijk, The Netherlands. Photo left: : Ruud Muis AEGIR-Marine B.V. © The dredger is being built for CCCC Guangzhou Dredging Co., Ltd (GDC), and theceremony was performed by Ms. Li Wen Ci, the wife of H.E. The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in The Netherlands.IHC has a long-standing relationship with GDC and both companies cooperated closely in thedesign of the dredger. At the time of delivery, it will be the largest vessel of its kind in China, and will enable GDC to carry out capital dredging and land reclamation jobs on the international market in an efficient way.To achieve this, the JUN YANG 1 is equipped with two suction tubes, each with a submerged dredge pump, for a highly efficient dredging performance. Both suction tubes have a dredging depth of up to 40-60m, and the starboard suction tube can be extended to a dredging depth of 90m. Two inboard dredge pumps have been installed for efficient shore discharging and rainbowing.
The TSHD has a high level of automation, designed and supplied by IHC, for highlyproductive dredging operations. This is the 19th vessel built by IHC for GDC over the last 40 years. In four decades IHC hasdeveloped a diverse portfolio of dredging vessels ranging from TSHDs to cutter suctiondredgers and wheel dredgers. These dredgers were constructed either on the IHC slipways in The Netherlands, or in partnership with shipyards in the People’s Republic of China.“The very long-lasting relationship between GDC and IHC reflects the mutual trust andappreciation between the two companies,” says IHC’s Executive Director Shipbuilding, ArjanKlijnsoon. “This has resulted in extremely close cooperation on the construction of the largestTSHD in China.” The contract for the design, construction and delivery of the vessel was signed between GDCand IHC on 1 November 2012. The keel of the vessel was laid on 16 January 2015 at IHC’s shipyard in Kinderdijk. The JUN YANG 1 is scheduled for completion by end July 2016.
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Naming ceremony for Van Oord’s second Damen CSD 650, Mangystau On 16 November, a naming ceremony was held at Damen Dredging Equipment in Nijkerk for the second of Van Oord’s Damen Cutter Suction Dredgers (CSD) 650, the MANGYSTAU. The ceremony was attended by members of the Van Oord and Damen families. The vessel will be delivered to the client in the first week of January.Damen received the first order for a CSD650 from leading dredging and marine contractor Van Oord at the end of 2014; the Ural River. With delivery scheduled six weeks from ordering, the on-stock availability of the vessel was a critical factor to support Van Oord’s dredging projects in the Caspian Sea. With project time extended, Van Oord required additional equipment to finalise operations.
In contrast to the time restrictions for the Ural River, this second order allowed for Van Oord to apply a procurement approach to the sourcing of the dredger. The quality and flexibility to incorporate all of Van Oord’s wishes, in addition to the strength of Damen’s first delivery, ultimately facilitated securing the tender for the MANGYSTAU. Jointly engineered modifications to the Ural Riverallowed change of her classification to Coastal Operation, additional tank capacities and specific safety and environmental features to comply with Van Oord’s requirements. The crew of the KNRM Breskens lifeboat ZEEMANSHOOP wish you all Merry Christmas and a healthy 2016 Click at the card
Initial feedback regarding the first vesselis encouraging, indicating a substantial increase in production exceeding expectations, in combination with a significant reductionin fuel consumption and a reduced crew requirement. “The success of sister ship Ural River laid the basis for the design of the Mangystau. Damen’s knowledge combined with our practical experiences resulted in a very versatile vessel. The name MANGYSTAU refers to a province in the region of the Caspian Sea, which is an important working area for Van Oord,” says Govert van Oord, area director for Europe.“Damen is keen on standardisation and consistently providing the same standard and quality. This approach is compatible with Van Oord’s approach to continue to use the same type of dredger for their project. This has numerous benefits not only in the understanding
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of how the dredger will operate, but it also means that the spare parts package can be used for both dredgers,” states Damen Sales Manager Jeroen van Woerkum.
The OCEANIC SIRIUS at Damen Shiprepair in Brest. Photo : Jacques Carney © Bankrupt shipbuilder to pay $5 mln over treatment of guest workers BY DANIEL WIESSNER A shipbuilding and repair company will pay an estimated $5 million to settle claims that it mistreated visa guest workers from India who lived in crowded, guarded camps while performing cleanup work after Hurricane Katrina, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said on Friday.Signal International Inc, which filed for bankruptcy in July and sold its assets so it could settle the EEOC's 2012 lawsuit and related cases, will pay the money to 476 workers who allegedly had $1,000 a month deducted from their pay to live in unsanitary "man camps" and were given undesirable jobs while enrolled in the H-2B visa program. Source : Reuters Bas-Caraquet shipyard woes lead to 28 lay-offs Quebec-based Groupe Océan still supports project, but taking "pause" until financial problems fixed By Jacques Poitras
Quebec-based Groupe Océan, a key player at the troubled New Brunswick Naval Centre, is laying off all 28 of its employees at the site until the facility's financial problems are resolved.The company plans to build a floating drydock at the centre over the next five years, eventually employing 77 people. The shipyard project in Bas-Caraquet has been touted as a big boost to the economy in northeast New BrunswickBut this fall Groupe Océan became one of four contractors to file a lien against the Naval Centre, saying it has not been paid for almost $717,000 worth of workers' time and materials.Now it says it's taking a "pause" until the shipyard's financial problems are resolved. "We are not withdrawing from the Naval Centre," says company spokesperson Philippe Filion. "We're pausing to fix the current problem, and then we'll come back even stronger. Our goal is to stay in New Brunswick and continue the project."Three other local suppliers have also filed liens worth around $1.5 million.Victor Boudreau, the minister for the Regional Development Corporation, says "discussions are ongoing" to resolve the Naval Centre's cash crunch."Our offer is still on the table but it comes with conditions that have to be met," he says. "Other funding partners needed to secure their share of the project."Those conditions include the Naval Centre matching RDC's promised $4 million in infrastructure funding. RDC stopped payments after $1.5 million once it became clear the centre couldn't raise the
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matching money.The centre has said banks and other lenders wouldn't advance the moneys without financial guarantees from the two municipalities who helped create the centre, the town of Caraquet and the village of Bas- Caraquet. The municipalities can't guarantee that amount.Regional Development Corp. Minister Victor Boudreau and his department have been trying to salvage the Naval Centre's future. (CBC)Boudreau wouldn't comment on the details of the province's discussions with the Naval Centre, saying he would not "start negotiating financial conditions in the media. The GBA SHIPS team wish you Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year and is also in 2016 bringing more knowledge, help and hope aroud the globe Click at the card !
"The 28 workers will be offered jobs at other Groupe Océan facilities outside the province and will be able to return to Bas-Caraquet once the project moves ahead."We've invested a lot of money to support the project," Filion says, "but we're the only ones to have kept our promises, so at the moment, we're losing money."Filion said Groupe Océan can't keep spending money on the drydock if the Naval Centre doesn't have the money to pay it for the work it's doing.In May, a government press release said Groupe Océan "will invest $29 million over a five-year period as it undertakes the first construction project" at the site.But Filion now says that's incorrect, and it's supposed to be the cash-strapped Naval Centre itself putting up the $29 million."It's not Groupe Océan investing the $29 million. It's the Naval Centre that is having Groupe Océan build a project for $29 million. It's the drydock, and it's the Naval Centre that has to furnish the funds to pay for the drydock."Besides RDC's $4 million, the federal government has handed over $2 million through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.Opportunities New Brunswick, the provincial job-creation agency, is also set to provide Groupe Océan $3.8 million in payroll rebates for the anticipated 77 jobs. None of that money has been handed over.RDC said in late October that it would take about two weeks to resolve the situation No guarantee for project from provinceFriday, Boudreau wouldn't say whether he's confident the project will re-start. But he downplayed any idea that the economy of the region hinges on it."Whether this project goes forward or doesn't go forward, there are still going to be other initiatives, other attempts to bring jobs to northern New Brunswick," he said.The opposition Progressive Conservatives, who began the approval process for the funding when they were the government, say the Liberal government's mistake was presuming that the two municipalities involved in the Naval Centre would be able to borrow $4 million in matching funds."It was a poison pill the way it was set up, and the premier should have known," said Conservative Leader Bruce Fitch.But Fitch said he's not necessarily against the province putting more money into the centre if there's evidence it would boost the local economy."If there's a business case looking at some of those spin-offs, you may be able to justify going forward with the funds," he said.source: CBC Bollinger Shipyard Settles Claims it Bungled Coast Guard Hull Lengthenings by Mike Schuler Lockport, Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards has agreed to pay the United States $8.5. million to settle a lawsuit alleging that the shipbuilder lied about the seaworthiness of aging Coast Guard vessels it was contracted to lengthen. The payment settles a False Claims Act action filed against Bollinger Shipyards in the Eastern District of Louisiana claiming that Bollinger misrepresented the longitudinal strength of patrol boats it retrofitted and delivered to the Coast Guard. The claims date back to 2002 when Bollinger was contracted to lengthen and modernize all 49 of the Coast Guard’s 110-foot Island-class patrol boats or to 123 feet, meant to extend the life of the vessels until the arrival of the next- generation Fast Response Cutters. After all the Island-class boats were originally built by Bollinger between 1982 and 1992. But soon after the first eight vessels completed the retrofit and returned to service they began buckling and failing, including at least one vessel that developed a severe crack in its hull. The Coast Guard eventually ordered all eight vessels decommissioned in 2007 and the modernization program was cancelled.The United States alleged Bollinger provided the Coast Guard with engineering calculations that falsely represented the longitudinal strength of the boats and was two times greater than their actual longitudinal strength. The suit also claimed Bollinger ran the calculations three times and only provided the Coast Guard with the highest and most inaccurate, of the three
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calculations. The U.S. further alleged Bollinger also failed to follow the quality control procedures that were mandated by the contract that would have ensured against such engineering miscalculations.“Those who expect to do business with the government must do so fairly and honestly,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We expect the utmost integrity and reliability from the contractors that design and build equipment that is essential to public safety and our national defense.”Of the eight lengthened patrol boats, six would be scrapped and two were transferred to the U.S. Navy and used for target practice. At the time of their decommissioning, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen noted: “The excessive cost and time associated with continuing to pursue an uncertain resolution to these structural problems has convinced me — with the recommendation of my chief engineer — that permanently removing these cutters from service while recouping any residual value and redirecting funds to other programs is in the best interest of the government.”Still, Bollinger Shipyards remains one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s main subcontractors for new vessel construction. The shipyard recently delivered its 15th Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter (FRC), 154-foot patrol crafts that are just now starting to replace the aging Island-class patrol boats. To date, Bollinger has been commissioned to construct 30 FRCs with a contract value totaling $1.4 billion.Bollinger is also currently competing with two other shipyards for the design and construction contracts for another next-generation Coast Guard workhorse, the Offshore Patrol Cutter. Up to 25 OPCs are planned. Source: gCaptain ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES
HAL’s PRINSENDAM arrived in Willemstad-Curacao – Photo : Kees Bustraan © India willing to take stake in Iran LNG terminal India has expressed its willingness to take a stake in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in southern Iran, Indian sources say.“We have given a proposal to develop the discovered Farsi offshore block (now called Binaloud) on a standalone basis as well as to make it part of an integrated package – [a] stake in LNG terminal as well as development of the field,” a senior Indian official was quoted by official media as saying.An Indian Foreign Ministry official said talks are under way between Tehran and New Delhi on the projects.The Indian side has reportedly offered the formation of a consortium of state-owned and private entities for future cooperation between the two countries.
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“If we are giving them sovereign guarantee, we do not see any problem in the consortium which would subsequently have private players also,” the Foreign Ministry official said.The LNG project in question is Iran LNG which is located at Tombak Port in southern Iran. The LNG plant consists of storage and loading facilities.“The options to get gas from Iran are either through a pipeline or by shipping it. Having a stake in the LNG terminal there will help in selling gas being produced from the Farsi block,” the Indian official said.India has already shown determination for firming up commercial ties with energy-rich Iran which is a major supplier of oil to the Asian giant.India’s ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) has proposed to develop the Farsi block under a deal whose terms would comply with the newly unveiled Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC).OVL is keen to develop Farzad-B gas reservoir which is estimated to hold 21.68 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas in place, of which 12.8 tcf of gas and 212 million barrels of condensate are recoverable.Iran expects to bring five LNG projects online in the next three years, including a liquefaction facility which is 60% complete. Several European companies have proposed to participate in the projects but negotiations have yet to be finalized. Royal Dutch Shell, Spain’s Repsol and France’s Total abandoned three LNG projects when the West imposed sanctions on Tehran in 2011, banning supply of energy equipment including high-tech liquefaction articles.But the sanctions are expected to be lifted early next year as Iran’s historic nuclear deal with six world powers is close to taking effect. Source: presstv Six big changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2016 We are just weeks away from the start of 2016 and the new year will be bringing with it a lot of changes to Royal Caribbean. From new ships to new amenities to new things to try onboard, there is plenty of reason to be excited about the changes coming to RoyalCaribbean in 2016.
6. Three ships will be refurbished in 2016
LIBERTY OF THE SEAS, MAJESTY OF THE SEAS and JEWEL OF THE SEAS are all due for refurbishments in 2016, which means a lot lot of new things todo onboard each ship.Liberty of the Seas is getting a massive upgrade, with new restaurants,staterooms, water slides and an aqua park.Liberty of the Seas will go into drydock in January 2016 for about amonth and then resume service in February 2016 with a ton of new options.Next up will be JEWEL OF THE SEAS, which will receive a $30 millionbow-to-stern revitalization in April 2016.
JEWEL OF THE SEAS will get a ton of upgrades, with new staterooms, restaurants, Voom high speed internet, poolside movie screen and a lot more.MAJESTY OF THE SEAS will also be going to drydock after her April 29, 2016 cruise and will receive several upgrades, including water slides,additional hot tubs, and an outdoor movie screen added to the pool area.The ship will also add new restaurants, upgrades to the casino and additional amenities for guests staying in suites.All three ships are due for some major work and the result will be completely new and impressive options for guests to enjoy going forward.
5. Empress of the Seas is returning to the fleet
EMPRESS OF THE SEAS will return home to Royal Caribbean an almost eight year absence. Just like the ships listed above, EMPRESS OF THE SEAS will undergo an extensive refurbishment in Spring 2016 before resuming service in the fleet. Royal Caribbean veterans that remember EMPRESS OF THE SEAS will enjoy the return of an old friend and the opportunity to cruise on a classic ship once again.
4. Broadway show will debut on two ships
What is better than a new Broadway show on a Royal Caribbean ship? How about a new show on two ships!
The hit Broadway musical, Grease, will debut onboard HARMONY OF THE SEAS and INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS starting in 2016.The all-new, never-before-seen stage production, specially adapted by Royal Caribbean Productions, will boast a soundtrack of crowd favoritessuch as “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’,” “Look at Me, I’m SandraDee,” “Born to Hand-Jive,” “Beauty School Dropout” and more.
3. Voom is coming to more Royal Caribbean ships
Royal Caribbean's high speed internet service known as Voom is arguably one of the best innovations Royal Caribbean has ever created and it is going to be available on even more Royal Caribbean ships in 2016.
We know of at least six ships that will be getting Voom in 2016
Freedom of the Seas Harmony of the Seas Ovation of the Seas Majesty of the Seas
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Jewel of the Seas Enchantment of the Seas
The exact dates when each ship will start offering Voom may vary, but expect all ships to have Voom ready to go by May 2016 at the latest.
2. Ovation of the Seas will debut
In addition to everything else we listed, Royal Caribbean will launch two brand new ships in 2016, starting with OVATION OF THE SEAS. Launching in April 2016, OVATION OF THE SEAS. is the third Quantum class cruise ship will offer a 52-night Global Odyssey from Southampton, U.K. to Tianjin, China.Following a summer season in Asia, Ovation of the Seas will head southto Australia, where she will homeport in Sydney for winter 2016-17. OVATION OF THE SEAS. will not only claim the title of the largest cruiseship to ever call Australia home but also the most technologicallyadvanced in the region.
1. Harmony of the Seas will debut
While China gets the newest Quantum Class, North America is getting the newest Oasis Class, HARMONY OF THE SEAS Debuting in May 2016, HARMONY OF THE SEAS will offer a blend of classic Oasis class offerings coupled with some new enhancements.The soon-to-be largest cruise ship in the world will offer European sailings from her homeport in Barcelona, Spain, starting on June 7 Following her summer season, she will head to Port Everglades, Floridaoffering seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. Harmony of the Seas is going to packed with a lot to do onboard, including the recently announced Ultimate Abyss 10 story slide.Source : royalcaribbeanblog.
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…. PHOTO OF THE DAY …..
SIEM DAYA 1, Limassol registered, 121m x 25.9m, GT8594T , at Falmouth UK 18th December 2015 after having installed a demonstration 400KW tidal generator off the South Wales coast. . The vessel which is DP2, comfort class, clean design, ice class C, 120 pax, Vaard OSCV 11L design, was sold recently to Daya Materials Berhad of Malaysia.
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Fitted with 250T active heave 3,000m crane, 2 x 3,000KW propulsion azimuth, 2 x 1,900KW tunnel thrusters and 1 drop-down 1,500KW azi. Photo : Tim Mark ©
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