MARITIME NEWSThursday, March 20, 2014

International maritime news for seafarers

UN authorises return of illegal Libyan oil exportsThe UN Security Council condemned the illicit export of crude oil from Libya on Wednesday and authorised UN member states to board suspect vessels and return illegally seized oil to the Libyan government.

The council unanimously adopted a resolution authorising the ship inspections three days after US Navy SEAL commandos seized a tanker off Cyprus containing Libyan oil that a militia controlling the country's oil terminals was trying to export in defiance of the central government.

US Ambassador Samantha Power tweeted that the "Libyan government's hand is now stronger in negotiations with militias threatening one of Libya's most precious resources." She said that the resolution "makes it hard for the illicit exporter of oil to profit from their actions."

The resolution underlines that the Libyan government has the primary responsibility to prevent the illicit export of its oil and expresses concern that illegal shipments "undermines the government of Libya and poses a threat to the peace, security and stability of Libya".

It authorises government-operated ships to inspect vessels suspected of carrying illegal oil that have been reported to the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against Libya, "and direct the vessel to take appropriate actions to return the crude oil to Libya."

Militia commander Ibrahim Jedran, whose fighters control Libya's oil terminals, denounced the US seizure of the tanker saying on Tuesday that Washington was siding with the government in Tripoli against the aspirations in the eastern half of the country for greater autonomy.

Jedran is part of a movement demanding autonomy for eastern Libya, and last summer his militia took over Libya's oil facilities in the east, virtually shutting down the country's previous production of 1.4 billion barrels a day.

This month, Jedran's militia loaded a tanker full of more than USD 30 million-worth of oil at a Mediterranean port it controls and tried to export the oil for sale for the east's coffers. It is not known who the oil was to be sold to or who owns the tanker. (AP)

SAFETYMNZ issues online radio navigation warnings

Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) has announced that the text of all radio navigational warnings applicable to the country's areas of responsibility are now available online. All warnings will be posted in full on the official website.

There are three types of navigational warnings: long range (NAVAREA), coastal and local. The information available includes: the text of 'in-force' radio navigational warnings for New Zealand's areas of responsibility (NAVAREA XIV and Coastal Warning Area Z); information about NAVAREA and METAREA XIV warnings, and coastal navigational warnings and a link to in-force meteorological warnings (METAREA XIV and Oceanic).

While this change gives mariners alternative ways to check information when preparing for a voyage, it does not replace the Inmarsat SafetyNET service or radio broadcasts as the official channel for the latest warnings and forecast information.

Maritime safety information is of vital concern to all ships and pertains to navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecast and other urgent safety-related messages broadcast to ships.

Source: MNZ

Syria surrenders almost half chemical arsenalSyria has removed almost half of its chemical arsenal from the war-torn country, the world's chemical watchdog said on Wednesday, including its entire stock of lethal mustard gas.

Two shipments have in the last week been transferred from the port of Latakia to Norwegian and Danish vessels for destruction outside the country, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said in a statement.

Syria has now handed over its entire stock of mustard gas, the only chemical agent Damascus had that did not require mixing to be used, the OPCW said.

Despite having shipped 45.6% of its Category 1 and Category 2 chemicals, Syria remains behind schedule for the destruction of its entire arsenal by June 30.

That deadline was agreed by Russia and the US last year as part of a plan to avert US-backed military strikes in the wake of deadly chemical attacks outside Damascus blamed by the West on President Bashar al-Assad's regime. (AFP)

Dutch firms to remove broken bulker from French beachDutch companies Svitzer and Koole have been awarded the contract to remove wreckage from the shoreline at Anglet beach in France. A 100m Spanish-flagged bulk carrier had broken up after it was trapped against the breakwater, off the southwestern coast of France in strong winds on February 5, 2014.

The two-month long salvage operation is expected to be conducted in three stages. The first stage involves the deconstruction of the close-to-shore forward section. The plan is to cut the hulk into smaller pieces and tow them to the beach for removal.

The second phase will involve the removal of the aft section, containing the superstructure. The third and the final phase will involve clean-up of the seabed and surrounding areas.

The ship had lost power while on its way to the Port of Bayonne. Rough seas and strong winds caused the ship to in contact with breakwater. Initial reports intended that the ship was carrying fertiliser were found to be incorrect. All the 12 crew-members were airlifted by two helicopters prior to the ship breaking up.

Italy appeals UN to help free marines from IndiaItaly has appealed to the UN to help free its two marines who are being tried in India for killing two Indian fishermen in 2012.

"Italy is willing to try the marines at home, but in the meantime we ask for their freedom," said Interior Minister Angelino Alfano was quoted as saying by ANSA news agency.

Alfano's remarks came ahead of his meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Italy has been trying to rally international support among the EU, the US and NATO countries to bring home marines, PTI reported.

Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone shot dead two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, sparking diplomatic tensions between India and Italy.

The marines, deployed on the Italian-flagged oil tanker, said they mistook the fishermen for pirates. They are now staying in the Italian Embassy in New Delhi awaiting trial.

India has removed the possibility of a death penalty but insisted that the marines would still be prosecuted under the anti-piracy law. Now, they face up to 10 years in jail.

RESCUEIran, Oman to hold joint rescue drillsNaval forces of Iran and Oman will hold a joint rescue drill in Iran's southern waters.

The three-day maritime manoeuvre is scheduled to start on April 7, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, the commander of the Iranian Navy, said.

The Iranian commander also said that the country plans to increase its presence in the high seas, adding that Iran's 30th Naval Fleet will be dispatched to the international waters in order to sail around the African continent, Xinhua reported.

Since 2010, Iran and Omani forces have held several joint rescue drills off the coast of their waters.

Spain: Search for 4 after helicopter sea crashSpain's Air Force says rescue units are searching for its four members missing after their helicopter plunged into the sea off the Canary Islands.

The Air Force said on its Twitter account that the search was resumed at first light Thursday.

The helicopter, part of the Air Force's marine rescue service, crashed into the sea late Wednesday while flying some 40km south of Fuerteventura island, off northwest Africa. One crew member was rescued.

The Canary Islands' emergency services department says Army, coast guard and Spanish Red Cross units are taking part in the search operation. (AP)

Two helicopters, 19 Japanese boats searching for missing crewTwo helicopters and 19 patrol ships of Japanese coastguard are searching for the missing Chinese crew members a day after a 12,630-tonne Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel sank after it collided with a South Korean container vessel at the mouth of Tokyo Bay.

Twelve of the 20 Chinese crew aboard the Panamanian-flagged vessel were rescued but one of them was later declared dead.

The Panamanian-flagged ship carrying a cargo of steel coils sank soon after the collision. However, the South Korean container vessel, which suffered severe damages, remained afloat and was assisted by tugs to dock at the port of Yokohama.

NAVIGATION2.3mln free PDF nautical charts downloaded in 90 daysThe three-month trial period of free PDF versions of NOAA nautical charts has registered a huge success as nearly 2.3 million charts have been downloaded so far.

The up-to-date navigation information, which is available online in a universally-accepted file type, help ships and boats to avoid groundings and other navigation dangers.

NOAA's interactive chart locator will help vessels to select a chart from maps of the US and choose their format.

NOAA-certified Print-on-Demand service providers maintain the accuracy of the maps, as printing PDFs may alter a chart's scale, colour or legibility.

TECHNOLOGYKVH introduces New TracVision TV-seriesKVH has announced to bring reliable, fast and affordable global TV service to boaters and mariners alike with the introduction of the new TracVision TV-series satellite system. The new TV-series will debut on March 20th at the Palm Beach International Boat Show in Florida.

The new TracVision TV-series, TV1, TV3, TV5 and TV6, provides superior satellite TV entertainment at sea, supporting DIRECTV, DISH Network, Bell TV and nearly all Ku-band services around the globe.

3% discount offered to Green Award certified shipsThe Hamburg Port Authority has joined the Green Award scheme, under which it will provide incentives for ships, which willmaintain highest standards of safety, quality and environmental protection.

Starting 2014, oil, product and chemical tankers, LNG and LPG carriers of any size, holding a Green Award certificate, will get a 3% discount in port fees, when calling at the port of Hamburg.

The move is expected to further encourage ship owners and managers to go above the minimum required legal standards and promote safety and environmental consciousness.

SHIPPING DATABALTIC EXCHANGE

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WORLD TRAVELMAURITIUSMauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000km off the southeast coast of the African continent. The country includes the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, the islands of Agalega and the archipelago Saint Brandon.

Getting thereBy plane: Air Mauritius is the home carrier and operates a network of routes to the local islands and to international destinations in Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia.

By sea: The Mauritius Pride and the Trochetia are the Mauritian vessels that usually sail to and from Reunion Island, Rodrigues Island and Madagascar.

By bus: Several fairly good bus services serve the island. Taking the bus is the most economical way of travelling across the island.

By metered taxi: Taxis are the best way to visit the island.

Top attractionsMauritius Botanical Garden - It is also known as Pamplemonsses Mauritius Garden and SSR Botanical Garden. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius and is located near Port Louis. The botanical garden is most famous for its giant water lilies, spice garden and unique collection of 85 varieties of palms from Central America, Asia, Africa and the islands around the Indian Ocean.

Black River Gorges National Park - The park is stretching on an area of 6,574 hectares in the hilly south-western part of Mauritius. One can walk along the greenery and reach the highest point of the island, which is the Black River Peak. The national park protects most of the island's remaining rainforest and is home to many species of wild animals and birds.

Ile aux Cerfs Island - In English, it is known as the deer island is near the east coast of Mauritius in the Flacq district. Ile Aux Cerfs is famous for its sandy beaches, beautiful lagoon and big selection of activities and facilities. Nowadays there are no more deers on the island, but you will find there some of the worlds beautiful beaches and as such it is one of the must place to visit and see in Mauritius.