DEEP HELDER SHOWS HER FACE -...

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 045

Distribution : daily to 28450+ active addresses 14-02-2014

Number 045 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Friday 14-02-2014

News reports received from readers and Internet News articles copied from various news sites.

DEEP HELDER SHOWS HER FACE

At the De Hoop Shipyard in Foxhol the DEEP HELDER showed her face for the first time

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EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS

LATEST ADDITION TO SIMACHARTERS

Sima Charters latest fleet addition SC AMETHYST arrived for the first time in Maassluis

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The newest and largest vessel in the fleet of Sima Charters SC AMETHYST arrived straight from the builders in the port of Maassluis. According to the director of the company Ruud Lievaart the 20 mtr long vessel is ready in a few weeks time for charters world wide, and meets all international standards for crew and tender operations, the SC AMETHYST is powered by 2 Volvo Penta D13 with output of 1176 kW/1600HP each which giving the Crew/pilot/survey boat a service speed of 22 knots, onboard is beside the crew accommodation for 12 passengers with additional 10 m2 clear deck space Photo’s : Cees Kloppenburg ©

The BLUE MARLIN en route to the anchorage in Philips Bay – Australia to float off the 2nd ALHD “Adelaide”.

Photo : Frank Berrens ©

Too many ships chasing little cargo: SCI Huge oversupply of vessels in the market is impacting the business of Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). The company said although its vessels were fully deployed, it was not getting good freight rates. “We’re witnessing plenty of ships chasing little cargo,” said AK Gupta, chairman and managing director of SCI, who was here last week for an orientation programme for officers of public sector enterprises.

According to him, the public sector enterprise has not performed well this year due to weak demand and low freight rates. “The recession has gone a bit too long,” he said. This is the case world over for those involved in core shipping business, he added.

For the half year ended September 30, 2013, SCI clocked a total income of Rs 2,012.46 crore, 16.4 per cent lower than Rs 2,407.42 crore it posted for the same period in 2012. Net loss for the six-month period stood at Rs 222.23 crore as against a loss of Rs 242.39 crore in the previous year.

For the fiscal 2012-13, while the total income stood at Rs 4,360.60 crore, the net loss was at Rs 114.31 crore. It is yet to announce its third quarter results this fiscal.

Internationally, freight rates in the shipping business are governed by the benchmark London-based Baltic Dry Index (BDI). It provides an assessment of the price of moving the raw materials by sea.

However, Gupta said some of the shipping players, including Mercator Lines and Essar Shipping, had been able to weather the recessionary impact by diversifying into non-core shipping segments like coal, dredgers, mobile offshore protection unit and captive cargo. In the case of SCI, it has a huge presence in the core shipping business — bulk carriers and tankers.

SCI, which has 74 vessels with a dead weight tonnage (DWT) of 5.85 mt, has placed orders for 14 vessels, including a bulk carrier, two very large container carrier, and anchor handling, towing and supply vessels, totaling 986,800 DWT.

Gupta said the PSU had no plans to place new orders for vessels as it was dependant on improvement in cash flows. “It depends on our cash flows. Whatever cash flows we have we’re able to meet the working capital needs,” he said. Source: Business Standard



The MEGA CARAVAN 2 arriving at Fremantle, Western Australia, in very strong winds and heavy sea haze with a full

deck load of processing modules from Batam, Indonesia for discharge at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson. Photo : Chris Gee ©

Asia Dry Bulk-Capesize rates to slide on cargo, tonnage imbalance

By Keith Wallis Rates for capesize bulk carriers on key Asian routes will continue to slide next week as too many ships chase too few cargoes, ship brokers said on Thursday. But prospects are brighter in the smaller panamax and supramax sectors where plenty of fresh cargoes mean freight demand and ship supply is more balanced, brokers added. "The capesize market is definitely getting softer," said one Singapore based ship broker. Rio Tinto has been the only one of the big miners looking for ships in the Australian market this week, while there is not a large volume coming out of Brazil, he said. Bad weather in Brazil and Australia had caused ship delays, while a power outage at Richards Bay had affected cargo loading operations in South Africa. "There are a lot of ships and not enough cargo volume," the broker said. Ship owners had initially held out this week for a freight rate of $8 per tonne for capesize charters from Australia to China, but the large number of ships available meant they eventually had to settle at the lower market rate, he said. Rates for the Western Australia-China route closed at $7.61 per tonne on Wednesday, up from $7.17 per tonne a week earlier but down from the start of this week. Rio Tinto fixed two capesize ships on Wednesday at $7.55 per tonne, according to Reuters chartering data. Rates for the Brazil-China route closed at $19.74 per tonne on Wednesday, down from $19.85 per tonne last Wednesday. However, the last fixture concluded had slipped to about $19.40 per tonne. Daily capesize earnings now barely cover operating costs, while the market is "clearly overtonnaged," Norwegian broker Fearnley said in a research note on Wednesday. There are better prospects in the panamax and supramax markets with more cargoes at higher rates in Asia compared with the Atlantic basin, brokers said. Rates for a north Pacific round trip voyage climbed to more than $11,000 per day, Fearnley said in its research note. By comparison, rates for a transatlantic roundtrip voyage dipped below $10,000 a day, broker ICAP said in a dry bulk report on Wednesday. Rates for a panamax transpacific voyage closed at $9,869 per day on Wednesday, although the last concluded fixture was higher at $10,380 per day. Owners of supramax vessels were holding out for higher rates amid tightening tonnage supply. "The spot market is pushing up a lot," with charter rates around $12,000 per day in the Pacific, said a Singapore-based supramax broker. "Very few vessels are open on prompt dates, with charters now finding it harder to fix a cheap ship," said ICAP in its Wednesday report. The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index closed at 1,085 on Wednesday, down one point from 1,086 last Wednesday. Technical charts indicated the benchmark is expected to bottom around a support at 1,046. Source : Reuters - Reporting By Keith Wallis; Editing by Tom Hogue



Fairmount Glacier towed drifting bulker from mid-Atlantic

Tug Fairmount Glacier has safely delivered bulk

carrier Cassiopeia Star in the port of Las Palmas, Canary Islands. The bulker was picked up during bad weather on the mid-Atlantic where she was drifting with main engine problems. Fairmount Glacier was contracted by Tsavliris Salvage to assist. After steaming at full speed for 1,720 miles the Fairmount Glacier met with the still drifting Cassiopeia Star. The 173 meters long, 32,328 DWT bulk carrier Cassiopeia Star was bound for Mexico loaded with barite in ore lumps. The Fairmount Glacier towed the Cassiopeia Star safely from the mid-Atlantic to Las Palmas over a distance of 1,950 miles.

Fairmount Marine is a marine contractor for ocean towage and heavy lift transportation, headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Fairmount’s fleet of tugs consists of five modern super tugs of 205 tons bollard pull each, especially designed for long distance towing, a multipurpose support vessel and a large submersible transport barge. Fairmount Marine is part of Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group.

Rising bunker fuel prices hurting shipping companies

Rising bunker fuel prices are hurting shipping companies already hit by prolonged weak charter rates. According to Shin Yang Shipping Corporation Bhd (Syscorp) group financial controller Richard Ling, bunker diesel price had surged to more than US$100 per barrel from between US$90 and US$95 per barrel in the first half of last year. “The bunker fuel cost has gone up too much and is now on the high side,” he told The Star yesterday.

Industrial diesel is now priced around RM2.80 per litre. He said fuel consumption made up 30% to 40% of the group’s shipping operational cost. Miri-based Syscorp group operates a fleet of some 300 vessels, including chemical tankers, container ships, tugs and barges, that serve domestic and international routes.

The group has operations in the Middle East. Ling said freight rates for container cargo had been affected due to the stiff competition among the players to attract the cargo. At current rates, he said, container shipping was not profitable although cargo volume had increased. The group has reported a significant increase in containerised cargo volume last year, mainly contributed by outbound cargo from Sabah and Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia.

Although the freight rates have somehow stabilised, he does not foresee an upward revision soon. On the Middle East operations, Ling said on-going contracts had provided “comfortable” volume of cargo for the group to transport.



Most of the cargo comprise building materials, like quarry and aggregate, for island’s housing and industrial infrastructural works in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ling said the group now deployed three crude palm oil (CPO) tankers that serve Malaysia-Southern China routes, and two CPO barges.

“The charter rates for CPO transportation are okay because of less competition in this sector. CPO transportation is profitable,” he added. Syscorp group’s other key business is ship building and ship repair. Ling said the ship building sector was seeing better prospects in view of the rising demand for new vessels to serve the offshore oil and gas sector as well as resource-based industry (mining).

Syscorp is focusing on building bigger vessels after its shipyards in Miri (three) and Bintulu (one) underwent major upgrading that have boosted capacity. The group, among other contracts, is currently constructing a RM70mil offshore accommodation workboat for DESB Marine Services Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned unit of Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd.

In the financial year to June 30, 2013, the group repaired some 390 vessels of various types. Source: The Star

A Dutch “onder onsje” (get together) in the port of Ushuaia.

In the front the Dutch Schooner OOSTERSCHELDE and in the back the ZAANDAM (HAL) Photo : Zaandam Engineer ©

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MyFerryLink last to cater for Dieppe-Newhaven service

Following DFDS’ decision to pull out, Calais-Dover operator MyFerryLink is now the sole candidate in the running to operate the Dieppe-Newhaven ferry service. Under a new public concession to take effect on 1 January 2015, MyFerryLink look set to be the only operator on the route after DFDS, as well as P&O Ferries and Brittany Ferries had already withdrawn their initial interest.

Commenting on DFDS’ decision not to proceed further with tender, the company’s VP, Shipping Division, Peder Gellert Pedersen, said: "We do not believe we will be able to satisfy the new conditions laid down by the owners of the route.

"Among other things, the conditions contain an exclusivity requirement, which means that we can’t pool our general resources, our procurement volumes, large fleet and other resources in order to benefit from economies of scale." Source : Irish Trucker

YOUR HELP IS REQUIRED

Newsclippings contributor Kevin Blair trying to identify a ship in a card photo he have and would like some help. Kevin thinks the only way to identify it would be first to identify the crest on the funnel. Looking through all the books he have on funnels and flags he can’t find it anywhere. Is anyone able to identify the funnel crest or the ship perhaps. Kevin thinks that the photo dates from around the 50’s time. Of you can help Kevin please e-mail him at : [email protected] many Thanks for you help !

Cruise revenues set to climb in Oman Oman is looking to push tourism to a far greater proportion of its GDP with cruise shipping to the fore of this aim, said Ahmed bin Nasser al Mehrzi, the Sultanate’s Minister of Tourism. Tourism accounted for 6.6% of GDP in 2012. The transformation of Port Sultan Qaboos into a tourism and cruise ship precinct is designed to re-establish Muscat as the maritime gateway to the Gulf of Arabia. Plans to transform it were first announced in the middle of last year. In December Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman announced plans to establish common operational and technical standards to promote the region as a cruise destination. Source : Gulf ship news




The HANSA ASIA outbound from Rotterdam – Photo : Monique Davis-Mulder ©

Hyundai Merchant Marine to sell LNG transport business for $1 bln

Hyundai Merchant Marine plans to sell its liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport business to a local investment firm for 1.1 trillion won ($1.03 billion) as the South Korean shipper continues its search for funds to pay off debt.

Hyundai Merchant Marine is on course to post its third straight year of loss as demand has been weak since the onset of the global economic slowdown. Selling the LNG transport unit is part of parent Hyundai Group's plan to raise support funds of more than 3.3 trillion won. Hyundai Group, once affiliated with Hyundai Motor Group, also plans to support South Korea's second-biggest shipper by market share with the proceeds of selling brokerage Hyundai Securities Co Ltd.

In a statement on Wednesday, Hyundai Merchant Marine said it has chosen IMM Investment Corp as the preferred bidder for the LNG transport business, and that it plans to complete the deal in the first half of this year.

Shares of Hyundai Merchant Marine rose as much as 12 percent after the announcement compared with a benchmark index which inched up 0.4 percent. The LNG unit, which has provided Hyundai Merchant Marine with stable cash flow, owns 10 vessels and carries nearly 20 percent of South Korea's annual LNG imports under long-term contracts with state-run Korea Gas Corp.

"The sale... is our best option to restore market confidence, and we will concentrate our efforts to improve competitiveness in containers and bulk carriers going forward," Hyundai Merchant Marine said in the statement.

An official at IMM Investment was not immediately available for comment. Separately, Hyundai Merchant Marine's bigger rival, Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd, plans to sell part of its bulk carrier fleet and other assets to raise half of the 1.53 trillion won it needs to plug losses. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin and Joyce Lee; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

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The ROLLDOCK SEA in Le Havre – Photo : Fabien Montreuil. ©

Pertamina to inaugurate largest LPG tanker

State-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina is set to inaugurate large-scale liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker Pertamina Gas I, which has a capacity of 50,000 tons. Pertamina director for trade and marketing Hanung Budya said in a press statement in Jakarta on Tuesday that the very large gas carrier (VLGC) was the world’s biggest and most technologically advanced LPG carrier that would reinforce the company’s tanker fleet.

“This tanker will strengthen the stock resiliency and expedite LPG distribution, especially in the eastern part of Indonesia,” said Hanung as quoted by Antara news agency. Pertamina president director Karen Agustiawan will officially inaugurate VLGC Pertamina Gas I on Sambu Island and the Riau Islands, together with six other downstream oil and gas projects, on Wednesday.

“The operating of the tanker vessel will also strengthen Pertamina’s bargaining power among tanker owners,” said Hanung. He said Pertamina Gas I was a multifunctional vessel that could function not only as a carrier but also as a container and loading and unloading station as well as a dock to transfer LPG to smaller vessels for distribution in regions across the country.

“The VLGC will allow Pertamina to improve its efficiency and to expedite the LPG distribution to people,” said Hanung. The VLGC was built in the biggest shipyard in the world, Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea. Source: Jakarta Post

The ALPINE LEGEND outbound from Amsterdam – Photo : Simon Wolf ©



Philippines single maritime administration: too late for EMSA?

The Philippines Congress has passed a bill that will see a single maritime authority becoming responsible for the training and certification of its seafarers as the government seeks to stave off a threatened ban on Filipino officers by the European Maritime Safety Authority (EMSA).

Both houses of Congress passed a bill that designates the Maritime Industrial Authority (Marina) as the single maritime administration in charge with the implementation of the 1978 STCW, and other related covenants and international agreements consistent with the requirements of EMSA. Philippines Senate president Franklin Drilon, principal author of the bill, said it would make the country’s policies on maritime administration aligned with the requirements of STCW.

The move comes as the Philippines huge crewing industry anxiously awaits the results of EMSA’s audit of the country’s compliance with STCW carried out in October 2013. A draft report was expected to be sent to the Philippines authorities last November with publication in the early part of 2014. If the Philippines fails the audit, the second in 2013, it could see EMSA making good on a threat, first made when the country failed an audit in 2010, to bar its officers from EU-flagged ships. An issue central to failing the EMSA audit was the lack of a central body controlling the certification of seafarers and the monitoring of the quality of training the Philippines 94 maritime schools and academies. At least six different government bodies were in charge of the various functions.

While there have been hopeful statements coming from Philippines officials in recent weeks, there are also signs the industry is bracing itself for the worst, which would see 5,000 Filipino officers facing a ban from EU-flagged ships.

On Tuesday Intermanager issued a statement saying that ship managers should make contingency plans for any possible ban. Intermanager president Gerardo Borromeo is also ceo of Philippines Transmarine Carriers, one of the largest crew suppliers in the Philippines. Source: Seatrade Global

Maersk Line returns 14 ships to KG fund Maersk Line continues its announced strategy of returning ships to owners, a move that is set to hit German KG funds in particular. Now Maersk Line returns 14 container ships two years and three months before the original twelve year charter contract is set to expire, according to Deutsche Schiffahrts Zeitung.

The German KG fund MPC Flottenfonds III, owned by MPC Capital, receives the ships, and the fund informs that the ships have already been sold on for scrapping. The ships were built between 1991 and 1995, have a capacity of 3,600 to 4,200 teu, around 56,000 teu in total. The price and terms of the sale have not been made public, says Deutsche Schiffahrts Zeitung.

Maersk Line confirms to ShippingWatch that the 14 ships will be returned to MPC, but the carrier has no further comments on the matter beyond this. In relation to the deal, a spokesman for MPC Capital stated that the ships were returned to the fund because there was an opportunity to sell the ships on in a move that would bring solid returns for the private KG investors in the fund.

"Due to the changed market environment in the shipping industry and the existing prospectus of the KG fund and its contractual settings an ‘exit’ at a later point in time might have not realised the same return on investments for KG-investors of the MPC Capital ship fund," he says. In October, then-COO of Maersk Line, Morten Engelstoft, explained in an interview with ShippingWatch that the carrier, as the remaining Triple-E ships were delivered, was working to rethink its entire fleet network, a process that included the return of chartered ships, which at the time accounted for approx. 42 percent of the company's fleet.

"We're constantly looking at our network, and thus our entire fleet, to ensure that we're using our ships in the best way possible. But we basically have sufficient flexibility to make sure that we're not left with the problem of receiving so much tonnage that it becomes impossible for us to reduce the total fleet capacity to a level suited to our needs," he said.

Maersk Line currently has more than 300 ships on charter, and a significant number of these are chartered on fairly short contracts that will either have to be extended within the near future, or returned to their owners, Maersk tells ShippingWatch.

MPC Capital has launched and structured some 126 funds with a total 3 billion euros in capital, and an investment volume of 8.9 billion euros within the maritime sector, according to the company's website. Source: ShippingWatch



The BUDAPEST BRIDGE in Cape Town – Photo : Ian Shiffman ©

Aboitiz Equity Ventures exits shipping business

Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) has sold all its interests in the shipping business for $8.3 million (roughly P374 million) to Norway-based firms to focus on core business. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, AEV said it completed the sale of its stake in the shipping business to PTC Holdings Corp., Behike Holdings Inc., Valdicava Holdings Inc., Jebsen Invest A.S. and Furunes Holdings Inc.

"The divestment of interest in the Abojeb Group is part of AEV’s strategy to focus on its identified core businesses such as power generation and distribution, financial services, food and real estate and infrastructure," the disclosure read.

The sale involved interests in the Abojeb Group, namely Aboitiz Jebsen Company Inc., Aboitiz Jebsen Manpower Solutions Inc., and Jebsens Maritime Inc. It also included Abojeb Group's interest in subsidiaries engaged in recruitment, ship manning and related businesses: Starbulk Aboitiz Jebsen Crew Management Philippines Inc., Filscan Shipping, Inc., General Charterer Ocean Shipping Inc., Selandia Crew Management Olympic Jebsen Offshore Inc., and Viking International Carriers Inc.

AEV, however, said long-time partner in the shipping business Jebsen Invest AS will continue to partner with Aboitiz family members in their personal capacity. In 2010, AEV sold its century-old shipping business Aboitiz Transport Systems (ATS) Corp. to Kuwaiti-backed rival Negros Navigation Co. Inc (Nenaco) for $81 million to focus on expanding its banking and energy-related businesses.

For 2014, AEV set a capital expenditure of P88 billion and the power business under Aboitiz Power Corp. will get the lion's share of the total. Source: GMA News

China's new port rules continue to be a setback for valemaxes

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China's ministry of transport has issued new port regulations touching on berthing rules for larger vessels, limiting them to a maximum of 250,000 dwt in capacity. The revised new rules are likely a reaction to Vale's mega-sized 400,000 dwt VLOC, or valemaxes, that entered Chinese ports back in December 2011 and April 2012, leading to a string of protests, especially from China Shipowners' Association (CSA), regarding safety issues at the ports.

The ministry stated in the revised regulations that dry bulk carriers of more than 250,000 dwt in capacity must not be fully loaded if they wish to berth at Chinese ports. The ministry pointed out that the ruling would have minimal impact as most vessels calling at the ports are below 250,000 dwt in size.

The regulations, however, will mean that the fully-loaded 400,000 dwt VLOCs would be denied entry into Chinese ports. Analysts have commented that the valemaxes are typically loaded to a capacity of 300,000-350,000 dwt, which are still above the 250,000 dwt load limit set by Beijing.

CSA has repeatedly criticised Vale of trying to monopolise the transportation of iron ore sold to China and influence freight rates, under the guise of the company's attempt to mitigate its exposure to volatile rates. Back in December 2011, Vale's valemax Berge Everest first entered the Chinese port of Dalian and encountered safety breaches when cracks surfaced on the ship's hull, prompting a backlash by CSA to lobby on denying entry to valemaxes into China. China's ministry of transport had then stiffened the guidelines on calls by supersized bulkers at Chinese ports. Source: Seatrade Global

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Tanker G. Symphony arrives in smoky haze from Victoria’s bush fires into Western Port Bay 10 February 2014

Photo : Bill Barber ©

Swimmers attempt to stop ship Nine anti-drilling protesters from Kaikoura have been sighted on paddle boards near the seismic survey vessel Duke off Aotea Quay this afternoon. Senior-Sergeant Marc Clausen from police communications said the police launch Lady Elizabeth IV had been dispatched to the scene to clear the area.

The Duke is scheduled to sail out of Wellington Harbour by 4pm. Interislander freight only ferry Arahura's berthing at the ferry terminal has been delayed while Wellington Wharf police sort the situation out.

This protest is part of ongoing resistance the stop-deep-sea-drilling community have planned in protest against oil exploration in the Pegasus Basin, where the MV Duke has been firing seismic blasts into the seabed 35 nautical miles off the coast of Kaikoura. The MV Duke has been in port in Wellington and had planned to return to the Pegasus Basin this afternoon, the group says.

Protest spokesperson Tania Wati said there were nine swimmers in the water, representing the different kinds of people that make up the concerned community of Kaikoura. ''We believe deep sea oil exploration is bad news and it's time for kiwis to get off the fence. We want to put the call out to the rest of New Zealand - help us save Kaikoura from the Hazards of Duke.'' "We have travelled to Wellington from Kaikoura to voice our concerns about deep sea oil exploration off our coast. We have been speaking but Anadarko and the government is not listening - so we thought

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we would bring our concerns to Wellington. The politicians can't ignore us on their doorstep, just like we won't ignore dangerous seismic testing off ours.''

Kaikoura resident Brett Cowan, concerned about the safety of Kaikoura's whales, dolphins and marine life, said seismic testing created noise pollution which was known to distress whales and dolphins, impacting on their ability to feed and navigate through their environment. ''

As kaitiaki, our community is responsible for the safety of the local marine life that makes Kaikoura such a special place and is the backbone of our local economy. Seismic testing is dangerous; it is deaf by a thousand booms.''

''We are a strong community and we intend to send a strong message to Anadarko and this government that Kaikoura does not want this dangerous activity here in our waters,'' said local surfer Haley Baxter.

Those concerned in Kaikoura say a recent study by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), part of the United States Department of the Interior, clearly shows harm to whales, dolphins, fisheries and other marine life caused directly by seismic mapping.

NAVY NEWS Indonesia's naming of navy ship:

Sensitivity is a two-way street, says ambassador-at-large Bilahari Kausikan

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has told the Singapore media that "no ill intent was meant, no malice, no unfriendly outlook", when Indonesia named a new frigate KRI Usman Harun, after two Indonesian marines executed in 1968 for a 1965 terror attack on MacDonald House in Orchard Road that killed three and injured 33.

Singaporeans will no doubt be happy to know this. But I am afraid that the Foreign Minister entirely missed the point. The issue is not Indonesia's intentions. It is something far more fundamental. Indonesians never tire of reminding Singapore that we should be "sensitive" and "neighbourly". But Indonesians do not seem to believe that they should be equally "sensitive" to their neighbours. "Sensitivity" and "neighbourliness" are to them a one-way street.

These are the facts: Between 1963 and 1966, then Indonesian President Sukarno waged a "Konfrontasi" (confrontation) of terror attacks and military action to "Ganjang (crush) Malaysia". Singapore was part of the Federation of Malaysia formed in September 1963 until August 1965 when it became independent. Source : Straitstimes

Pakistan likely to buy S20 submarines from China

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A senior Pakistani official recently told the UK's Jane's Defence Weekly that the country is likely to purchase six submarines from China. The official said the deal will be completed soon and an agreement is expected to be signed by both parties by the end of the year.

The Sina news web portal also cited a Pakistani official who said Islamabad and Beijing had settled the details for the arms sales and only the payment issue needed to be finalized.

The Pakistani source revealed that the S20 diesel-electric submarines, an improved model of the People's Liberation Army's Yuan-class submarines, may be the model that Pakistan will buy because China has actively promoted the model in the global market. The S20 was developed based on the Type 039 submarine, which is referred

to as Yuan class by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and which measures 66 meters in length, 8m in beam and 8.2m in draft.

The surface displacement of the submarine is 1,850 tonnes and its submerged displacement is 2,300 tonnes, with a maximum speed of 18 knots. It can reach 8,000 nautical miles at 16 knots and it can carry 38 crew members in total for 60 days. It uses a double hulled structure and its maximum dive depth is 300m.

Selling diesel-electric submarines to Pakistan will further consolidate China's role as a supplier for the country’s weapons and military equipment and enhance the Pakistan Navy's combat capability. At present, the Pakistan Navy has five aging submarines bought from France — three Agosta 90B-class submarines purchased in the 1990s and two Agosta 70-class submarines, bought in the late 1970s. Source : Want China Times

Russia Offers Amur-1650 Boat Modification For India's $11.8 Billion

Submarine Tender Russian shipbuilders are gearing up for India's $11.8 billion “stealth” diesel-electric submarines tender, with plans to offer its fourth-generation Amur-1650 boats, in order to accommodate Brahmos missiles and an Indian-made air-independent propulsion system. “We have considered arming Amur-1650 with vertical launchers, and have made significant progress in designing these launchers for our Club-S missile systems,” Igor Molchanov, chief designer at St. Petersburg-based Rubin was quoted as saying. Molchanov also said it would be possible to place Brahmos missiles and the Indian-made air-independent propulsion system on Amur subs if requested, which will not affect the overall performance of the submarine. He added that the Russian system was more efficient and safe compared to the Indian model as it does not require supplies of hydrogen to be carried on board the submarine. The Amur-1650 has an armament of multirole torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, and can also effectively engage land targets with advanced cruise missiles. Source : defenseWorld

Collins subs improving, govt says The navy's six Collins submarines are looking better and better.

Defence Minister David Johnston says his concerns about the Collins boats, which in recent years spent more time undergoing maintenance than at sea, were easing. "I can only say that a lot of my fears and concerns are starting to abate and I think that's a very good thing," he told reporters in Sydney.

Senator Johnston said he had urged the Australian Submarine Corporation to keep the pressure to finish the submarine remediation.

Collins submarines had a range of problems from the outset, including excessive noise and an unreliable computerised combat system, prompting an extended and costly remediation program. But reliability problems persisted, with the Collins maintenance and sustainment program heading the government's list of troubled defence projects.



Senator Johnston said he had been highly critical of Collins maintenance and sustainment over a number of years.

"I am not really allowed to say much on the topic but let me tell you I am not as agitated as I was. Things, I think, are looking up," he said. Source : AAP

Salvage work on sunk submarine finally kicks off in Mumbai

The complex salvage operation to "fish out" INS Sindhurakshak and carefully extricate its unexploded missiles and torpedoes is now finally kicking off, six months after the 3,000-tonne submarine sank due to internal explosions and killed three officers and 15 sailors at the Mumbai naval dockyard. Defence ministry sources on Wednesday said the almost Rs 240 crore salvage contract has been inked with Resolve India, a subsidiary of the US-based Resolve Marine Group, which has to bring its "salvage masters and dive support teams" as well as heavy-duty equipment to the mishap site within 45 days. The actual salvaging could take another three-four months.

"It will be a challenging task since the submarine, with internal deformation due to the series of explosions in the forward weapons compartment, is submerged in eight metres of water. It cannot be simply lifted out since its structural integrity is suspect. The room for manoeuvre is also limited due to the limited depth," said a source.

Moreover, the Kilo-class submarine still has the bulk of its torpedoes and Klub-S missiles strewn inside after being dislodged from their six firing tubes and 12 racks in the boat's nose. INS Sindhurakshak was fully-loaded with 18 missiles and torpedoes since it was to head for a long patrol just a few hours after the mishap took place on August 14.

There is little likelihood of the missiles and torpedoes being "unstable" since they have already been exposed to explosions, high pressure and temperatures, apart from being underwater for such a long time. "But handling of unexploded ammunition is always a tricky job," said an expert.

The Navy will be able to complete its pending board of inquiry (BoI) only after forensic and other examination of the submarine take place. As reported earlier, preliminary findings indicated it was "an accident or inadvertent mishandling of ammunition" that caused things to spiral out of control with some missile and torpedo warheads exploding in "sympathetic detonation".

INS Sindhurakshak, incidentally, had returned to India in April last year after undergoing an over two-year "mid-life medium refit-cum-upgradation" in Russia at a cost of $156 million. When the submarine was inducted in December 1997, it had cost $113 million, as was first reported by TOI.

The accident punched a big hole into the Navy's underwater combat arm, leaving it with only 13 aging diesel-electric submarines - nine Kilo-class of Russian origin and four HDW of German-origin. Only half of them are operational at any given time. Source : timesof India

Iran unveils new Fateh-class submarine Fateh is an upgrade over the 29-meter Ghadir class of subs that the Iranians have been building for

years. The world captured its first glimpse of a new Iranian submarine before the Islamic Republic's official unveiling.

According to IMS Jane's Defence Weekly, the new Fatah-class submarine was briefly shown in a video montage that Iranian television aired. The clip, which the regime likes to broadcast in order to stir national pride in the country's military achievements, shows a submarine with a 40-meter waterline that is docked at the Bostanu shipyard.

According to Jane's, the Fateh is an upgrade over the 29-meter Ghadir class of subs that the Iranians have been

building for years. The original footage aired on Iranian television last week. Source : JerusalemPost



India suggests Sevmash to extend warranty service period for aircraft

carrier Vikramaditya India suggests Sevmash to extend warranty service period for aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (former Russian aircraft-carrying heavy cruiser Admiral Gorshkov) from 20 to 40 years, press center of Sevmash shipyard says. The issue was discussed during the meeting dedicated to the matter.

Solemn delivery of aircraft carrier of Project 11430, INS Vikramaditya, to Indian Navy took place at Severodvinsk-based shipyard Sevmash on November 16. The contract on modernization of aircraft-carrying heavy cruiser Admiral Gorshkov was held on March 9, 2004. Upon completion of the refitting and upgrading, the aircraft carrier was named Vikramaditya. Source : PortNews

SHIPYARD NEWS

SEA AXE 25 was built at the Cape Town shipbuilding yards of Damen earlier this month. – Photo : Ian Shiffman ©

FSG wins order for two Well-Intervention Vessels

Next successful step into the Offshore market

Flensburger-Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) is happy to report an order from Offshore vessel operator Siem Offshore, based in Kristiansand, Norway, for two identical newbuildings for well-intervention services, based on a 307 WIV design of the Norwegian company SALT Ship Design. FSG has made a name for itself over the past 15 years as the world leader in the building of RoRo and RoPax ships, and entered the Offshore market with two orders

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for Dutch operator RollDock as well as two orders for Seismic vessels for WesternGeco. For the Flensburg-based yard, this is another successful step in the expansion of its production portfolio. Managing Director Peter Sierk said “we have been working in the Offshore sector for some years now and this order of complex products proves that we have established our position in this high-tech market." The two vessels will be owned by Siem Offshore and chartered by the worldwide leading Offshore service provider Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. The new WIVs will have a length of 158 metres, a beam of 31 metres and max. service speed of 17 knots. The vessels are compliant to MODU code and well-Intervention 2 notation. They provide accommodation for 150 persons. Delivery of the two new orders from the yard is scheduled for February 2016, respectively July 2016. Afterwards they will be equipped with Helix topside equipment. Still on the yard’s order book are one multifunctional heavy-lift ship for RollDock (Netherlands), two seismic vessels for WesternGeco (England), and one RoPax ferry for the Scottish ferry operator Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd.

The CELEBRITY CENTURY in drydock with seen the two 18566 kW CPP propellers of the 19 year old vessel

Photo : Tim de Klerk ©

Second Damen oil and gas support Stan Tug 2208 for Smit Lamnalco

Smit Lamnalco has taken delivery of, and will soon deploy,

the ‘SL Kiwi’. It’s their second tug of the Damen STu 2208 type. The 39.4 tonne bollard pull tug will join the sister ship ‘SL Kittiwake’, delivered late 2012, to support Single Point Mooring operations.

Built at Damen’s facilities in Gorinchem (the Netherlands), the ‘SL Kiwi’ left Rotterdam on board a Heavy Lift vessel by Christmas 2013. From Smit Lamnalco’s perspective the short lead time was important. “Although short lead times naturally are one key element in our standard design USP, the vessel does have a number of client-specific features, such as an open stern with removable bulwark top plate and Smit Lamnalco corporate colours. In addition, various options from our ‘catalogue of OEM extras’, such as a deck crane and



fuel oil separator unit, were selected too”, Jan de Vente project manager for tug newbuilds at the Damen Shipyards Gorinchem head office says.

Like its sister ship, the ‘SL Kiwi’ will to a large extent be deployed in marine services to the oil and gas terminal industry, including diving support. Hence the various extras. The Stu 2208 type vessels were dominantly designed for towage and harbour mooring assistance. In keeping with Damen Shipyards’ design and type notation house style, Stu 2208 simply and efficiently means: Standard Tug, 22 metres long, 8 metres wide. Since ‘standard’ does not stand for ‘standstill’ – as with any of Damen’s Standard Design series – there is continuous improvement of standards based on heavy duty technologies and principles. “This is an extra asset when the tugs are deployed for offshore support which includes long or even semi-permanent in-field presence.”

Saga returns to Gibdock Saga Cruises has highlighted Gibraltar’s continuing attractions for cruise owners, returning to Gibdock for repair and maintenance work on one of the ‘grand old ladies’ of the cruise industry, the 24,492grt, 670-passenger capacity Saga Ruby. Delivered by Swan Hunter in 1972 to Norwegian American Line as Vistafjord, the ship is the last cruise vessel built on the Tyne. Having previously docked Spirit of Adventure in 2011 for the same owner, the 13-day renewal Saga Ruby drydocking project required flexibility on the part of the yard, which was called upon to adapt its original repair plan to take account of additional works.

The original project demanded an extensive scope of work in a demanding time frame. Emerging work included repairs to items of hull damage, a wing tank, boiler supports, bulkheads in the tailshaft tunnel and sewage tanks. Six

engine room coolers also had to be removed, cleaned and reinstalled and a new alternator fitted.

John Taylor, Gibdock Operations Director, says: “We had to change the whole repair plan, and time constraints were a significant issue. The ship had to leave on January 26th no matter what and we had to make sure all the additional repairs were finished by then. One of the challenges, as is often the case with cruise ships, was getting access to the damaged areas. For example, some cabins had to be cleared, pipes removed and water supplies shut down. The process was managed safely and efficiently, minimising any delays and disruption.”

Two new sewage treatment units were fitted during Saga Ruby’s drydocking. This required cutting a 2.4m x 2m access window in the side shell, and once again an extensive internal area had to be cleared and pipes disconnected. Despite the additional work, Saga Ruby left the yard’s No. 1 dock on schedule on January 25th. Mr Taylor reports: “All repairs were finished in accordance with the owner’s schedule. We showed what we could do under pressure.”

Peter Wright, Saga Cruises Head of Commercial says: “The yard rose to the occasion and delivered what we asked for, and more. We have used Gibdock before and they have always done a good job. The location was perfect for this particular project as well.” Alongside Saga, established cruise customers at Gibdock include Pullmantur, Louis Cruises and Thomson Cruises. Gibdock Managing Director Richard Beards says: “Cruise shipping is vitally important to Gibraltar PLC. Gibdock’s full service repair and maintenance facility is just a short distance from the cruise terminal, offering owners an unrivalled opportunity to undertake repairs either in drydock or alongside to the highest standards and within their pre-planned schedules, avoiding both operational deviation and redelivery delays.” Gibraltar is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Mediterranean region, with 179 cruise ships calling during 2013 (up from 173 in 2012), carrying over 285,000 passengers. Based on current commitments, 181 cruise ship calls are expected in 2014.

ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES



The CHURCH BAY coming back from sea trials in Balamban shipyard Cebu. The vessel was built by the Australian company Austal in Balamban, the CHURCH BAY is built for TURBINE

TRANSFER Limited, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Holyhead Towing Company, and operates fast catamarans for the transfer of personnel and equipment between the shore and wind turbines. The fleet includes 12, 15, 16, 18 and 20 metre versions, all built by South Boats. The designs have a successful and proven track record on wind farms throughout Northern Europe. As well as being robust, fast and seaworthy, the layout of the vessels has been designed with comfort and safety of passengers in mind — the boats and the technicians they carry are expected to work in challenging environments. Long term customers from the offshore wind farm sector include Siemens, RWE NPower, Dong Energy, Centrica, Statoil, Van Oord Offshore and others. Click here to visit the Turbine Transfers website. Photo : Captain Edward Fitzek ©

DISA INTERNATIONAL EXPANDS IN SINGAPORE TO SUPPORT ASIA &

OCEANIA OPERATIONS

DISA INTERNATIONAL HOLDING BVBA, the innovative underwater solutions contractor, announces that it has expanded its network with an office in Singapore to support operations in Asia and Oceania. The company, under the

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name DISA SINGAPORE PTE LTD, will be run by Mr. Rik Zwinkels. With a broad experience in a variety of marine and subsea companies during his two decade-career, Mr. Zwinkels will lead the expansion into the region as well as increase the companies’ worldwide exposure to the oil and gas industry.

Rik Zwinkels, of DISA SINGAPORE, confirms: “DISA has been expanding steadily since it was founded in 2003 and it is the right time for further growth. The established name in Europe and the Middle East, now with a presence in Asia and Oceania as well, will prove to be a worthwhile contribution to the different industries in which DISA is active.”

DISA provides diving and ROV services as well as survey & positioning, subsea directional drilling and underwater grouting and concreting including the development and construction of custom made subsea tools and ballasting/suction modules. For engineering and operations, DISA Singapore has access to the pool of personnel and assets already available throughout the company.

Hans Reinigert, Managing Director of DISA INTERNATIONAL, said: “We are pleased to be able to announce this significant step forward for DISA and are very happy to have Rik on board and in charge of developments in Asia and Oceania. I firmly believe DISA will benefit greatly from his knowhow and experience in realizing the envisaged growth strategy.”

Didier de Graaf, Director Operations and founder of DISA INTERNATIONAL, said: “Whilst DISA has experience in the Oil and Gas industry, with Rik in our team, we’ll be able to grow this component of our business taking into account the industries’ ever growing stringent requirements. As a civil engineer, he also understands our other business components. We look forward to a successful cooperation.”

Hong Kong port loses out to bigger berths in Shenzhen

Tight space at Kwai Tsing container terminals will see shipping alliance deploying its larger vessels to newer port facilities in the north

Hong Kong port could lose further business to Shenzhen because an alliance of three shipping companies would need bigger berths for their large vessels and more space at their docks.

The consolidation of Maersk, CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), which has been dubbed P3, would lead to a cut of 10 sailings per week from 18 at the Kwai Tsing container terminal, said Sunny Ho Lap-kee, the executive director of the Hong Kong Shippers' Council, quoting a report by shipping consultant Alphaliner.

The packed layout of berths and shorter berth lengths at Kwai Tsing, which opened in 1972, means only 15 of the 24 berths in Hong Kong can accommodate large container ships or vessels carrying 11,000 to 18,000 20-foot equivalent units (teu). The port facilities in Shenzhen are newer and can handle large vessels.

"The area of hinterland per berth at Hong Kong is just half of the international standard because of the acute shortage of land," Ho said. "Bunging (congestion) is very serious in Hong Kong even though our throughput was down last year." A port operator in west Shenzhen said its business would increase after P3 was up and running.

"The number of calls to Shekou will increase according to the new rotations deployed by P3," said David Deng, a vice-president of China Merchants Holdings International. "Some ports will face call cuts while others will benefit from the consolidation." Shenzhen overtook Hong Kong as the third-busiest container terminal in the world last year by handling 23.3 million teu.

Hong Kong, which handled 22.3 million teu last year, saw shipments diverted to Shenzhen during a strike at the dock last summer.

Gerry Yim Lui-fai, the chief executive of Singapore-listed HPH Trust, said it had been talking to CMA CGM and MSC on how to improve their productivity. He said the P3 members were all "adequately served" in Hong Kong.

The P3 shipping alliance, which has yet to be approved by mainland China, European Union and the United States, is likely to have a 37 per cent share of the Asia-Europe trade and 24 per cent of the transpacific trade.

The rationalisation of the services of P3 members, with 255 vessels on 29 loops, will come through consolidation in vessel rotations and the replacement of small vessels with bigger ships. Maersk operates a Triple-e vessel, which has a capacity of 18,000 teu, which will require a deeper berth to dock. Dredging will be done in Kwai Tsing in the next two to three years to deepen the berth.

The Tonggu channel in Shenzhen is also being dredged to make it deeper and this will be completed in April to allow Triple-e vessels to use the port. Source : South China Morning Post



CONGRATULATIONS - Notification of Shortlisting - Annual Offshore Support

Journal Conference - 18-20 February 2014, London

We are pleased to advise that CSS Olympia has been short-listed by the Annual Offshore Support Journal Conference Advisory Panel for the Support Vessel of the Year Award. This prestigious award goes to the owner, designer and builder of an offshore support vessel delivered in the past calendar year which is considered to have set an industry benchmark through innovative design and efficient operation. As such Marine Assets Corp (Developer) - STX Europe (Designer) - and Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding (Shipyard) and the new owner Gran Energy of Brazil are all delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. The final 4 shortlist for each of the Offshore Support Journal Awards 2014 can be viewed at http://www.rivieramm.com/events/annual-offshore-support-journal-conference-and-awards-2014-64/award-voting-2033 and voting can be done via the links on the awards page.

The winners will be announced at the 2014 OSJ Gala Award on 19 February in London. Votes can be submitted till 14 February.

Transas Group streamlines the management structure of its Marine

Business Unit Transas Group has announced the appointment of Andrey Belentiev as the Group’s Director of the Marine Business Unit. Andrey Belentiev, former Managing Director of Transas (JSC), Russian

marine business entity, is now in charge of the Transas marine business worldwide.

Centralized strategic governance, technology development and financial management will contribute to a better overall performance of the Transas Group and its marine business.

Ralf Lehnert, Managing Director, Transas Marine International continues running international part of the Transas marine business. Alexander Sokolov, who has been with Transas for more than 10 years, will succeed Andrey as a Managing Director, Transas (JSC) and will be in charge of Marine and Industrial business in Russia. Transas Technologies, managed by Vladimir Ponomarev, will remain the Transas Group’s main technologies development

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centre for Marine division and adjacent industries. Ralf Lehnert, Alexander Sokolov and Vladimir Ponomarev will report directly to Andrey Belentiev

Andrey Belentiev joined Transas more than 20 years ago, and has been with the company since its inception. A number of major maritime projects, both in Russia and worldwide were implemented under Andrey’s supervision. During his five years as a Managing Director, Transas (JSC) has become one of the Russia’s leading companies in the IT sphere.

This organization change is a part of the optimization of the Transas Group’s corporate structure. Better coordination between various entities within Transas Group, more efficient use of shared technology resources and faster time-to-market of innovative products and solutions will provide additional opportunities for Transas customers, while preserving and enhancing the quality of established sales and support network that Transas customers are accustomed to.

The Canadian Lifeboat Institution based in Steveston, British Columbia operates two marine rescue vessels. This vessel, 2B-02 was formerly a 53 foot wooden launch built in Pearl Harbour and utilized by Admiral Nimitz. The current owner, Capt. John M. Horton is an exceptional Canadian marine artist whose detailed canvases depict marine vessels and scenes. (http://www.johnhorton.ca/ ) This photo was taken near the 2014 Vancouver Boat Show by John Adams. ©

WÄRTSILÄ TEKENT CONTRACT VOOR ONDERHOUD MOTOREN VAN OORD

VLOOT Gisteren tekende Wärtsilä Netherlands B.V. een internationaal onderhoudscontract met Van Oord. Het raamcontract houdt een wereldwijd geconcentreerd systeem in waar partnership centraal staat en heeft een waarde tussen de 30 - 40 miljoen euro. In het contract is overeengekomen dat Wärtsilä en Van Oord de komende 3 jaar exclusief samenwerken voor de onderhouds- en reparatiewerkzaamheden voor alle Wärtsilä , Stork-Wärtsilä, Deutz en Bolnes motoren die dienst doen in de Van Oord vloot. Het contract past in de strategie van Van Oord om de totale onderhouds-, brandstof- en managementkosten efficiënt te beheersen. Wärtsilä en Van Oord bevestigen hun strategische focus op duurzaamheid: waardecreatie door maritieme vindingrijkheid, energie-efficiëntie en een duurzame supply chain.

De raamovereenkomst geeft beide partijen de gelegenheid om de vereiste onderhoudswerkzaamheden ruim van tevoren te plannen, met als voordeel dat een schip maximaal inzetbaar is en vereiste mankracht zo effectief mogelijk wordt benut. Van Oord zal ook profiteren van Wärtsilä’s laatste technologische ontwikkelingen, waaronder verbeteringen die leiden tot lager brandstof- en smeerolieverbruik.

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“Het belangrijkste resultaat van deze overeenkomst is dat efficiënter onderhoud mogelijk wordt gemaakt. Het is onze doelstelling om de technische prestaties van de motoren te verbeteren en de onderhoudsplanning te optimaliseren. Dit zal onder andere resulteren in een lager energieverbruik en minder uitstoot. Reductie van CO2 en SOx is van cruciaal belang en Van Oord heeft zich gecommitteerd om daaraan een wezenlijke bijdrage te leveren. De overeenkomst weerspiegelt de focus van Van Oord op duurzaamheid van de vloot”, zegt Jaap de Jong, Director Ship Management bij Van Oord. “Wärtsilä werkt er hard aan om klanten te helpen hun bedrijfsactiviteiten op de lange termijn zeker te stellen, iets wat essentieel is in het huidige economische klimaat in de scheepvaartsector. Met het meest uitgebreide internationale dienstennetwerk in de sector en een wereldwijd logistiek netwerk voor de levering van onderdelen zijn we uniek gepositioneerd om samen met onze klanten een optimale inzet en levensduur voor hun schepen te waarborgen”, zegt Peter Bos, General Manager Sales van Wärtsilä in Nederland.

PLEASE MAINTAIN YOUR MAILBOX, DUE TO NEW POLICY OF THE PROVIDER, YOUR ADDRESS WILL BE “DEACTIVATED”

AUTOMATICALLY IF THE MAIL IS BOUNCED BACK TO OUR SERVER If this happens to you please send me a mail at [email protected] to reactivate

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French strike disrupts ports; tankers held up at oil hub

A 24-hour strike disrupted France’s ports on Wednesday, including tanker traffic at its main oil hub of Fos-Lavera on the Mediterranean coast, while the impact on the French power sector was limited. Wednesday’s nationwide action was called by the CGT union to protest a 2008 port reform that transferred some port workers from the public sector to the private sector. It was well supported by dockers and brought most ports to a standstill, Tony Hautbois head of the CGT’s port section said. “All in all 85 to 90 percent of activity has been blocked today in France,” he said.

At Fos-Lavera near Marseille, the strike was holding up six vessels inside the port, including one crude tanker and five refined products tankers, and another three refined products tankers outside the port, a port spokeswoman said. Ship activity continued as normal to the liquefied natural gas terminal and the LyondellBasell petrochemical plant at the Fos-Lavera hub, she added. At Le Havre on the north coast, France’s largest container port and also an oil terminal, some ship arrivals had been rescheduled to avoid the strike, said Herve Cornede, commercial director at Haropa, port


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operator at Le Havre, Rouen and Paris. Oil products traders said, however, that the strike was having a limited impact on the products market, because they expected disruptions to cargoes to be short-lived. The CGT has also called for a further one-day strike at French ports on Feb. 12 to protest grievances about the port reform. “With the port reform we were promised better days, more traffic and new jobs,” Hautbois said. “In reality, our jobs and our working conditions are being called into question.” Freight and fuel companies have welcomed the reorganization of French ports under the previous conservative government and said it has been improving port performance. “We have had far fewer incidents and supply disruptions, things that you would have seen in the past, so at this stage it’s a rather positive factor for our business,” Jean-Louis Schilansky, head of oil-sector lobby UFIP, said on Tuesday. Thursday’s anti-austerity protests had little impact on power production. EDF’s nuclear power fleet was unaffected, and only 350 megawatts of thermal power capacity were offline, the equivalent of a third of a nuclear reactor. But the CGT is calling for power and gas workers to launch a two-week strike from Friday to voice specific grievances such as underinvestment in thermal power, the union said. The call does not apply to refinery workers who fall under another branch of the CGT. Source : malaya

…. PHOTO OF THE DAY …..

The MEGA CARAVAN 2 arriving at Fremantle, Western Australia, in very strong winds and heavy sea haze with a full deck load of processing modules from Batam, Indonesia for discharge at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson. Photo : Chris Gee ©

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