DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073

Number 073 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Saturday 15-03-2008 News reports received from readers and Internet News articles taken from various news sites.

The SIROCCO arrived in Willemstad for bunkers Photo : Kees Bustraan ©

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Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS

Passenger injured and cars damaged on NorthLink ferry NORTHLINK is to carry out an internal inquiry after a passenger was injured and several cars were badly damaged as the Hrossey encountered difficulties in strong winds in the early hours of Tuesday. According to a spokesman for the company, the boat encountered "an unusual combination" of wind, wave and swell after it left Aberdeen, five hours later than scheduled, for Lerwick. The Hrossey did not leave Aberdeen harbour until 11.45pm last night, with the incident occurring four hours into the journey. The spokesman said the boat, which had 108 passengers on board, had been rolling very heavily during the journey, with one passenger suffering a minor ankle injury and damage sustained by several cars and two gaming machines. A statement released by NorthLink read: "One passenger sustained an ankle injury and arrangements were made for the passenger to be taken to hospital on arrival in Lerwick. "Passengers with damaged cars have been issued with details of NorthLink's insurers. The insurers have said that they will provide a dedicated claims handler so that claims can be processed as quickly as possible. "A severe roll involving damage to vehicles is a very unusual occurrence and we've been operating these routes, sometimes in much more severe weather conditions, since 2002. "We are, though, carrying out an internal inquiry in an attempt to determine just exactly what caused the vessel to roll as she did." Source : shetlandtoday

OPEN DAY AT AJAX-CHUBB

On Thursday March 8, the Marine department of Ajax-Chubb Brandbeveiliging presented itself as a new business unit to serve the marine business. Over 100 customers were invited. The customers were the obvious and familiar faces but also the indirect and project technical personnel of many shipyards which normally only have contact with Ajax-Chubb by phone or e-mail. Besides the fact that many contacts had the chance to see each other face to face, what these days seems impossible due to the workload in the business, the day was also an excellent opportunity for networking in general for making new contacts. Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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The manager of the establishment of Barendrecht, the business unit manager marine and the general manager delivered their speeches. The speeches gave insight in the history of Ajax and Chubb, the present situation and off course how AjaxChubb will continue serving the customers in the future. After these speeches there were various demonstrations held, such as what to do when a frying pan is on fire, a new extinguishing method with watermist and how the quality of foam is tested. This demonstration was done by personnel of Ajax-Chubb Brandbeveiliging BV who give demonstrations and courses on a full-time base. These demonstrations and courses are given throughout the Netherlands. During the open day the guests were entertained with live music and there was plenty of food and drinks. All together a successful happening which was appreciated by all the people who attended that day. At this moment Ajax-Chubb is working to set the next step in CO2 extinguishing systems in the marine market. The goal is to increase safety en reliability with our extinguishing system. And we think we have found it. At this point CO2 extinguishing systems for hold protection are based on a lot of separated opertaions; the main valves opening the needed CO2 cylinders piece by piece. For other zones operating is based on operating a mechanical or pneumatic operating box to operate the main valve and CO2 cylinders. In case of fire the desired situation is to have a simple two step operation for all zones. This will decrease the change of mistake in the operation the control system and increase safety. The new CO2 systems design of AJAXChubb have the goal to simplify the operation of the CO2 extinguishing system to exclude the change of wrong operation. This will be done in two ways. • During operating of the CO2 extinguishing system. The CO2 extinguishing system will give feedback to the operator during handling. This will provide a self check moment and give instructions when needed. • One simple two step operation of two separate controls are identical for every protected zone. This will give clear operating instructions. Besides the increased operation value and safety the use of this system will give extra benefits that are not integrated in today’s CO2 extinguishing systems. The control of all the CO2 extinguishing system is located in one CO2 release panel. Clear operating instructions will give advantages and gain valuable seconds. The operating box of 300x300mm can control up to 6 zones. Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide Page 3 3/14/2008

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 The control system in continuously check the status. All the control lines and internal components will be checked continually. When there is a fault condition in a control cable or the system this fault will be forwarded to the ships control system. When operating the CO2 extinguishing system the main valve will be operated first. After this operation a preset time delay will be started that will unblock the operation of the needed CO2 cylinders. Untill this moment no CO2 cylinder can be operated form the CO2 release panel. When the time delay has passed, the needed CO2 cylinders can be activated. CO2 cylinders that are not intended for the corresponding zone will stay blocked. During this preset time delay the system will give a feed back to the operator and a self check moment accurse. If the wrong main valve is activated, the wrong main valve can be closed by operating the CO2 release panel. After the wrong main valve is closed and the correct valve is opened, the corresponding time delay will start before operating the corresponding CO2 cylinders for the correct zone. Right : Rob van Dijk, reporter of the Dutch World Broadcasting (Radio Nederland Wereldomroep) interviews Peter Oosterman (Manager Marine of Ajax-Chubb) during the live firefighting demonstrations Due to the use of the new CO2 release panel on the Ajax-Chubb CO2 extinguishing systems people do not need to go to the CO2 room to operate the system. This in combination with possibility of long distance control line. CO2 cylinders can be placed away from the CO2 release panel and still guarantee operation. Entering the CO2 room for operating during fire is not needed anymore. Certificates will follow on the control system and CO2 system separately. Photo’s : Piet Sinke ©

UK. RNLI turns shares into saving lives The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has reported that share donations to the charity are on the rise and have nearly doubled in the last year. £140,000 was generously donated via shares in 2007 to assist the charity in its lifesaving work as more people become aware of the benefits of share giving. In the last year, more people opted to donate their shares to the RNLI and they are becoming a valuable source of income for the charity. The charity is keen to thank all of the share donors who contributed to the £140,000 sum, which equates to the cost of training for 140 RNLI volunteer crew members or the purchase of an Atlantic 85 lifeboat. The RNLI uses donations of ordinary shares, gilts, unit trusts and bonds in UK listed companies valued at over £100, which are then sold by the charity with the money going straight towards its rescue services across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Giving in this way offers several benefits for the donor, including Income Tax relief on the donation, which can be claimed through the annual tax return. Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is also not applicable on shares donated to the RNLI. This exemption may be important if the donor has already reached, or is likely to reach their annual CGT limit.


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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 Rhys Parker of RNLI Corporate Fundraising said: ‘Donating shares is a simple process and it's fantastic that more and more people are seeing the benefits and are choosing this method of tax effective giving. Large or small, the charity welcomes all donations, which together can make a huge difference to our volunteer lifeboat crew members and lifeguards. It means that we can buy essential equipment and deliver the training that they need to save lives from the beach to the open sea.' Source : BYM Marine & Maritime News

The ORANGE STAR seen enroute Rotterdam Photo : Margriet Teerling ©

VLIERODAM WIRE ROPES Ltd. wire ropes, chains, hooks, shackles, webbing slings, lifting beams, crane blocks, turnbuckles etc. Nijverheidsweg 21 3161 GJ RHOON The Netherlands Telephone: (+31)105018000 (+31) 105015440 (a.o.h.) Fax : (+31)105013843

Internet & E-mail www.vlierodam.nl [email protected]

Riverdance ferry listing at 100 degrees

THE STRICKEN ferry Riverdance is now listing at 100 degrees off the coast of Cleveleys after being battered by heavy winds. The vessel suffered heavy damage after being buffeted by 90 miles an hour winds on Wednesday. Plans to reduce the list by using internal buoyancy and tidal effects have now been abandoned.

Salvors are now assessing the situation and are in discussion with the owners and insurers of the vessel A revised plan containing options for the removal of the vessel will now be presented to Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of States Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), for his consideration early next week.


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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 Mr Shaw said: "The owners of the ship have given their reassurance that their objective of removing the vessel in an environmentally friendly and timely manner remains paramount. "Contractors will continue to clear cargo or debris washed ashore from the vessel. "As access to the main deck has now been breached by the heavy seas it is likely that this work will increase over the next week."

Op 27 en 31 mei 2008 organiseert Richard Krabbendam Mini-Seminars "Zwaar Transport & Hijsen" en presenteert in een volle dag de "Tips & Trics" van dit geweldige vakgebied. Interesse??. Kijk op de website: www.heavyliftspecialist.nl voor een gedetailleerd programma Richard ziet u graag verschijnen op één van deze twee dagen. U zult er geen spijt van krijgen!

Kapitein breekt onderbeen Woensdagmiddag 12 maart rond vier uur vertrok een Lynx-helikopter van Marinevliegkamp de Kooy voor de evacuatie van een persoon met een gebroken onderbeen. Het ging om de kapitein van de tanker Tristar Dubai, die op dat moment 40 kilometer ten westen van IJmuiden ten anker lag. Onder zware weersomstandigheden, windsnelheden variërend tussen 80 en 100 km per uur en golven van 4 tot 5 meter hoog, zijn de helikopterredder, de arts en een brancard op het schip afgezet. Vervolgens hebben ze de patiënt aan boord van het schip klaargemaakt voor transport, terwijl de helikopter op een nabijgelegen boorplatform wachtte. Na 30 minuten kregen de vliegers het sein dat de patiënt gereed was om gehesen te worden. Daarna vloog de helikopter richting het Rode Kruis ziekenhuis te Beverwijk, waar medisch personeel al op het dak stond te wachten om de patiënt op te vangen. De helikopter is vervolgens teruggekeerd naar de thuisbasis Marinevliegkamp de Kooy. Bron : Blik op het Nieuws

MARINEHELIKOPTER EVACUEERT GEWONDE VAN SCHIP

Een Lynx-helikopter van het marinevliegkamp De Kooy bij Den Helder heeft een gewonde van een schip op de Noordzee geëvacueerd. Het ging om een bemanningslid van de autocarrier Sea Venus die op veertig kilometer ten westen van Rotterdam voer. Het slachtoffer bleek eergisteren eerste- en tweedegraads brandwonden aan gezicht en borst te hebben opgelopen. Dat gebeurde toen bij de explosie van een ketel aan boord stoom vrij kwam. Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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Begunstigd door het weer, zette de Lynx een redder, een arts en een brancard af op de Sea Venus. Terwijl de machine in de buurt van het schip bleef rondvliegen, werd de patiënt gereed gemaakt voor transport.

Foto : MLD © Nadat de drie aan boord van de Lynx waren gehesen, vloog die naar het Rode Kruis-ziekenhuis in Beverwijk. Daar ontfermde medisch personeel zich over de man. De helikopter vloog vervolgens terug naar het marinevliegkamp De Kooy.

Nigeria - Pirates Attack Julius Berger's Vessel

SUSPECTED pirates seized one vessel, two tug boats and six crew members along the New Calabar river in Rivers State. The pirates, who later demanded for a N20 million ransom, threatened to blow up the vessel and tug boats and kill the crew members if their demand was not met. Sources said the vessel and tug boats belong to construction company, Julius Berger and were conveying cement to a project site in one of the creeks when the gunmen attacked them. The pirates were said to have freed one of the crew members after seizing the vessel and tug boats and asked him to take a message to the company that except a ransom of N20 million was paid to them, they would blow up the vessel and the remaining crew. The sources further said that the pirates who attacked the vessel and tug boats in three speedboats, opened fire as they approached them. After taking over the vessel, the pirates asked the captain and the drivers of the tugboats to steer the Bonny-bound vessel against their planned course. A source narrated "We have the report that suspected gunmen have overpowered a vessel laden with cement along the New Calabar River . They also seized two tugboats that accompanied the ship. Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 "The vessel and the tugboats are properties of Julius Berger that is carrying out major construction work in many parts of the Niger Delta region," a source told Daily Champion. Spokesman for the Joint Task Force in the state, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, however said that he was not aware of the attack. Musa appealed to members of the public to give prompt information to troops on the activities of criminals to enable law enforcement agencies carry out their assignments and promised that JTF would launch a search and rescue mission for the vessel and crew. Spokeswoman of Rivers State Police Command, Mrs. Ireju Barasua (DSP) also could not confirm the story as at press time. Source : allafrica.com

Kapitein bestraft voor dodelijk ongeval Congo

De Raad voor de Scheepvaart heeft een kapitein van een Nederlandse sleephopperzuiger medeschuldig bevonden aan een ongeval waardoor drie mensen omkwamen. Veertien opvarenden overleefden het incident. De raad heeft de uitspraak vrijdag gepubliceerd. Het gaat om de kapitein van de Nautilus. Tijdens het zandzuigen bij de haven van Pointe Noire in Congo op 30 november 2006 kapseizde de sleephopperzuiger doordat het vaartuig overladen werd met zand. Volgens de raad was de 35-jarige kapitein T.S. uit Tjuchem medeschuldig. Hij mag twee maanden zijn beroep niet uitoefenen op een zeeschip. De Inspectie Verkeer en Waterstaat (IVW) concludeerde vorig jaar al dat de 91 meter lange Nautilus van Boskalis Westminster NV overbeladen was. De wersomstandigheden speelden geen rol bij het ongeval. Het was die dag mooi weer, met weinig wind of deining. Tijdens het onderzoek bleek wel dat de Nautilus kampte met een lekkage in een compartiment, dat nog niet was ontdekt door de bemanning. Het betreffende deel van het schip moet vol water hebben gestaan, aangezien het zich onder de waterspiegel bevindt. Bij een normale belading leverde het lekke compartiment volgens de IVW overigens geen enkel gevaar op. Overbelading is al jaren een probleem in de baggersector. Tijdens inspecties bleek volgens de IVW in de afgelopen jaren dat 40 tot 50 procent van de zandschepen te veel lading naar binnen halen. De Raad voor de Scheepvaart doet bij de uitspraak vrijdag de aanbeveling aan baggerbedrijven ,,hun kapiteins en schippers er duidelijk op te wijzen dat het verboden is om dieper af te laden dan het baggermerk en controle uit te oefenen op de naleving hiervan.'' Door alleen te wijzen op de verantwoordelijkheid voor de veiligheid, terwijl in feite sprake is van een ,,gedoogbeleid met betrekking tot het baggermerk'', worden kapiteins in een loyaliteitsprobleem gebracht, aldus de raad.

The MAERSK RIESA seen departing from Rotterdam Photo : Tjep van Roon © Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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Kanaal naar Parijs aanbesteed

De plannen voor een enorm kanaal van de Schelde naar de Seine komen in een stroomversnelling. In juni begint de Franse dienst voor waterwegen naar verwachting met de aanbesteding van deze waterweg. Die moet in 2014 Rotterdam verbinden met Parijs, Le Havre en veel andere steden. Dat bleek donderdag in Brussel op een conferentie van de Europese federatie voor de Bouwindustrie. Het project van circa 1,6 miljard euro is een van de grootste infrastructuurprojecten van Europa de komende jaren. Het omvat de aanleg van 106 kilometer kanaal, zeven sluizen, drie aquaducten en 59 bruggen. Momenteel kunnen alleen plezierschepen van de Schelde naar de Seine varen. Doel is dat daar plaats is voor grote containerschepen. Dat moet zeer veel vrachtwagens van de weg halen en veel CO2-uitstoot beperken. Maar nog niet alle voorbereidingen zijn klaar, waarschuwt Karla Peijs. De oud-minister en Commissaris van de Koningin is een van de initiatiefnemers van het kanaal. ,,Er zal nog heel wat water door de Schelde en Maas en zo gaan voor het rond is'', zei Peijs na de conferentie. ,,Nederland, België en Frankrijk moeten nog overleggen over de financiën en de tol.'' De tol moet de aanleg helpen bekostigen, naast particuliere en overheidsinvesteerders. De tol zal bedrijven niet wegjagen, meent Peijs. ,,Wegvervoer wordt nog veel meer belast. Ik merk dat bedrijven popelen om het kanaal te gebruiken. Vergeet niet dat de binnenvaart nu niet bij Parijs kan komen.'' Ze ziet ook grote kansen voor de vele Nederlandse binnenvaartschippers. ,,Het probleem is vooral dat de sector te weinig jonge mensen kan aantrekken voor het werk.'' In haar vorige baan als minister zorgde ze er persoonlijk voor dat het project EU-subsidie kreeg. Dat is inmiddels 420 miljoen euro voor het Franse deel. ,,Het zou mooi zijn als er nog EU-geld komt voor een Nederlands deel'', zegt Peijs. Ze vindt het logisch om Terneuzen aan te sluiten op de nieuwe waterweg. Dat kan via het kanaal van Gent naar Terneuzen. Een Belgisch-Nederlandse commissie studeert tot de zomer welke sluis er nodig is. ,,Het zou erg mooi zijn als er EU-geld voor komt'', zegt Peijs. ,,Een zeesluis kost pakweg een miljard euro. Een binnenvaartsluis 300 à 400 miljoen euro'' Bron : ANP

CASUALTY REPORTING Zeesleper in aanvaring met vrachtschip op Noordzee

Op de Noordzee hebben vannacht twee zeeschepen averij opgelopen. Bij een reddingspoging aan de monding van de Elbe (in het noorden van Duitsland) kwam de zeesleepboot Oceanic in aanvaring met het koelschip Hope Bay, dat al voor anker was gegaan, tegen elkaar, deelde de averijdienst in de havenstad Cuxhaven mee. Uit de sleepboot is een nog onbekende hoeveelheid olie gelekt. Vliegtuigen werden ingezet om de olievervuiling in het oog te houden, maar tot dusver zou er geen gevaar zijn voor de kusten. Het vrachtschip uit de Nederlandse Antillen was uit voorzorg voor anker gegaan. Het sloeg boven de waterlijn lek door de aanvaring. Nog vannacht viel voor de kust van het Duitse Waddeneiland Norderney de roerinstallatie uit van de tanker Navkios, dat onder Cypriotische vlag vaart. Het 117 meter lange schip dreef een tijdje stuurloos af, tot het kon ankeren. In totaal werden zeven boten ingezet bij de schepen met averij, waarvan vijf bij de 143 meter lange Hope Bay. Het vrachtschip werd vanavond naar Cuxhaven gesleept.

Cruise ship with 280 aboard runs aground near Athens Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 Greek rescue crews on Thursday mounted an operation to evacuate 280 passengers on board a cruise ship that ran aground and was taking on water off the island of Poros, near Athens. "The passengers are being transferred to other vessels," a ministry official told AFP. The Greek-flagged ship is believed to have hit a reef three nautical miles from the port of Poros, a small island in the Saronic Gulf an hour's distance from the capital popular with tourists. A spokeswoman for the ship's company, Hydraiki Corporate Cruises, confirmed the number of passengers on board, but was unable to give any details on their nationalities. "The operation is proceeding smoothly, around 40 people have been taken off the ship so far," Poros mayor Dimitris Stratigos told NET state television. Four minesweepers, a torpedo boat, a military transport plane and seven helicopters were dispatched to the area in addition to coastguard vessels. Weather conditions in the area are good. The ship, the Georgis, was on a day cruise from Piraeus to the Saronic islands of Aegina, Hydra and Poros. In April 2007, a larger cruise ship operated by Cyprus-based Louis Hellenic Cruises (LHC), the Sea Diamond, sank near the Aegean island of Santorini after hitting a reef. Two French tourists were killed in the incident, but some 1,600 passengers and crew were evacuated safely.

Could take weeks to remove ship stuck in St. Lawrence A container ship that ran aground in the St. Lawrence River near Trois-Rivières, Que., could be stuck in the mud for weeks, a Transport Canada official said Thursday. The MSC Sabrina, a shipping vessel the size of a city block, weighs about 70,000 tonnes with its cargo. En route to Montreal from France, its black hull struck shore five days ago during the massive snowstorm that rattled Central and Eastern Canada. The ship's owner has tried three times to move the ship, with no success. On Tuesday, five tugboats and an icebreaker tried to set it free. "The ship, it didn't move at all," said Pierre LeBrun, a marine safety inspector with Transport Canada. The shipping company will now have to lighten the weight of the vessel by offloading cargo onto a barge with a crane. "This is a big logistic," LeBrun said. "We don't want the crane to take a container and, by accident, a container falls in the water." The Panama-based firm that owns the boat has to draft a detailed plan of how it intends to proceed and submit it to Transport Canada for approval. LeBrun said the vessel is not blocking or polluting the waterway, and the shipping company or its insurance will pay the full cost of the removal. It's not the first time the MSC Sabrina has encountered trouble. The ship collided with a Dutch fishing vessel in June 2000 off the coast of the Netherlands, and 15 minutes later struck a British cargo boat. Neither accident resulted in major damage. Source : CBC News

Tanker lekgeslagen op Rijn bij Lobith

Een Nederlands motortankschip is vrijdagmiddag tegen een meerpaal in de Rijn bij Lobith gevaren. Uit het lek in de scheepswand dat daardoor ontstond, is 70 ton blanke gasolie weggestroomd in de rivier, aldus een woordvoerster van


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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 Rijkswaterstaat. Rijkswaterstaat heeft de lekgeslagen tanker naar de vluchthaven in Tolkamer geloodst. Daar is het gat in de wand provisorisch gedicht, zodat er niet meer gasolie kon wegstromen. De olie in de vluchthaven wordt opgeruimd. De olie die het schip op de rivier verloor, heeft zich volgens de woordvoerster door de sterke stroming al helemaal verspreid. Bij de politie kwamen klachten binnen van omwonenden over een vieze lucht. Volgens Rijkswaterstaat zal de gaslucht snel verdampen. Bron : ANP

NAVY NEWS

The HSV 2 SWIFT seen at Tema 11/03/2008. Photo : DAVID FIDDLER ©

Another Ghost Fleet ship left Another ship is leaving the so-called Ghost Fleet in the James River off Fort Eustis. The U.S. Maritime Administration says the Scan is departed the James River Reserve Fleet. It will be the 67th ship to leave the fleet since January 2001. The Scan was built in the 1960s as a freight and passenger vessel. It's headed to Marine Metals in Brownsville, Texas. Source : Rich.com

Navy Festival weekend’s big attraction

The annual South African Navy Festival will be held this weekend, from Friday 14 through to Sunday 16 March at the Simon’s Town Naval Base. This is the time when the navy literally opens its doors to the public, to come and see what the navy is all about and an opportunity to see at first hand just how our tax rands have been spent. On display will be ships of the fleet, which will be joined this year by the ships of the German Navy task force that has been in our waters for about a month undertaking exercises with the SAN. But it’s not only about ships – it’s also about people with a variety of events that are aimed at keeping everyone, of all ages, entertained, excited and enthralled throughout the three days. The gates of the naval base will open at 10h00 each day and close at 18h00. Entrance is free but parking is going to be at a premium and visitors should be prepared for a long walk. Alternately consider using the Simon’s Town train service which leaves from Cape Town main station throughout the day and evening. Among the many attractions are the following: Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ships of the SA and German Navies will be dressed (flagged) and open to the public. Tug rides and tug ballets Flea Market Children’s activities Gun Run Navy Band performances Fire Fighting displays Naval Dog displays Air Sea Rescue exercises Super Lynx and Oryx helicopters on display Live Cannon firing Diving displays by the divers of the navy Various static displays and exhibits

On Saturday morning 15 March a Right of Entry Parade through the streets of Simon’s Town, commencing at 10h00. On Saturday evening a performance by the Navy Choir in the SAS Simonsberg Cinema starting at 18h45 (free entry). Later that evening (at 20h00) there will be a Night Gunnery Shoot from Lower North. On Sunday a Retreat Ceremony will be held between 16h15 and 16.30. Source : ports.co.za

www.tos.nl

TOS Rotterdam (+31)10 – 436 62 93

E-Mail [email protected]

Czech military to get its first submarine

A submarine from Albania will soon become part of the Czech military equipment, which is quite unusual for this landlocked country, the daily Lidove noviny (LN) wrote Wednesday. The old, discarded submarine will not, however, be used as a weapon but will be on display in the Military History Museum in Lesany, Central Bohemia, the paper writes.

The Russian-made Whiskey class submarine was produced in 1954 and served in the Albanian navy until 1994, the daily adds. The opportunity of acquiring a submarine for the Lesany museum was opened several years ago when Albania discarded the outdated machines, LN writes. Since Czechs have good relations with Albania, they knew there were a lot of discarded submarines in the south. Last year, Czech Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova asked her Albanian counterpart Fatmir Mediu for one submarine during his visit to Prague, the paper writes. At present there are only a few details left to be discussed before the relevant Czech-Albanian agreement on cooperation in military history is signed, the paper writes. This is also why Albanian chief-of-staff Luan Hoxha is arriving for a visit to the Czech Republic Wednesday, it adds.


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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 The Czech Republic is also interested in other Albanian weapons of immense historic value, Military History Institute director Ales Knizek told the paper. "We have discovered in Albania, for example, a 18-metre-long anti-aircraft gun version 37 made by the [Czech] Skoda Plzen with production number 6, which is absolutely incredible. It even bears inscriptions in Czech besides others in Serbian-Croatian," Knizek said. In Albania, there can also be found old firing arms made by the Czech arms producer Brno Zbrojovka, as well as other weapons of Czech production used in both world wars, he said. The arms were brought to Albania by Italian soldiers who took them from their campaign in the former Yugoslavia, Knizek said. Regarding the size of the submarine, only a part of it will probably be transported to the Czech Republic, the paper writes. "It is a huge colossus, so we may only bring the fundamental artefacts," Knizak said. Czech military historians enjoy a good reputation in Albania, helping the Albanian Defence Ministry establish is own history museum. "Our cooperation is good and it would be great to acquire the weapons," Knizek said. Thanks to Knizek, the Czech museum can also boast a successful acquisition of the Israeli tank Merkava. Source : praguemonitor

Indian ‘Brahmos to be fired from submarine soon’

BrahMos, the supersonic cruise missile and its attendant systems, will be installed in a vertical launch mode on board the Indian Naval vessel “Ranvir,” according to informed sources. The missile system would also be installed on 15Alpha type destroyers and Talwar class frigates. BrahMos already been inducted into the Navy and the Army. “Very soon, the missile will be fired from a submarine after the platform is identified by the Navy,” the sources said. On Wednesday, BrahMos was launched from the Naval ship “Rajput” towards a target on an uninhabited island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. A. Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, said “the launch was precisely executed and the mission was a 100 per cent success.” BrahMos is a two-stage missile that is nine metres long, has a diameter of 70 cm and weighs 3.9 tonnes with the canister. It can carry conventional warheads weighing 300 kg. It is a versatile missile that can be launched from ships, silos, trucks, submarines and aircraft. Rear Admiral P.K. Nair, officiating Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Triservices Command, witnessed the launch from “Rajput.” The Andaman and Nicobar Triservices Command deployed 10 vessels, three Dornier aircraft and four helicopters for managing the mission. Source : hindu.com

SHIPYARD NEWS

Vinashin Signs $2b in Contracts The Viet Nam Shipbuilding Industry Group (Vinashin) signed 22 contracts worth $2b at Vietship, the country’s largest shipping exhibition being held in Ha Noi, VNS said. The contracts, signed with both domestic and foreign partners, covered shipbuilding, maritime transportation, developing ancillary industries for Viet Nam’s shipping fleet and financing and insurance, Vinashin said in its written statement. Noteworthy deals included a contract to build a 16,800 DWT cement carrying vessel for KGJS of Norway, a contract to build 16 cargo vessels for Jebsens of Norway and a contract to build a 11,000 DWT cargo ship for Kanematsu of Japan. Most of the nine shipbuilding contracts will not be delivered until after 2010. Source: VNS Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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ASL Wins $91m in Contracts

ASL Marine Holdings won three new shipbuilding contracts worth $91m from repeat customers based in Europe, Energy Current reported. The first contract with Belgian group DEME is for a 12,860 KW self-propelled cutter suction dredger with a barge loading facility and a total installed power of about 13,000 KW. The two other contracts are repeat orders from an unidentified European customer for two units of emergency response and rescue vessels. The vessels will be deployed in the North Sea to support offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities. The three vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2010. Source : MarineLink

Cruise owners eye Korean yards The entry of Korean yards into cruise-ship construction is being widely anticipated by the sector. Speaking at the Seatrade conference in Miami, Barry Rogliano Salles president Jean-Bernard Raoust cited three Korean players – STX, Samsung and Daewoo – as the most likely candidates. Chinese yards are not ready, he explained, while Japan’s yards remain content with domestic commercial shipping orders – although Mitsubishi is a contender because of its previous work for Princess. Korean yards are feeling the most pressure from Chinese competition, so they will be the most aggressive in pursuing cruise orders when cargo business slows. “Asian yards haven’t been excited about cruise ships up to now because they’re absolutely full of cargo ships. But if the cargo market slows down, we should see the Koreans become very eager to take cruise orders.” Raoust said that cruise-ship owners “are very keen to push for new competition from Asia [yards] because of the cost of the euro”. Yet he also believes that cruise owners will demand a 15-20% discount on any Asian order to compensate for risk, which will make it difficult for an Asian yard to turn a profit. Meanwhile, considerable cruise attention is being focused on STX’s acquisition of 39% of Aker. Raoust noted that Aker’s shares have fallen from Nk87.75 at the time of the acquisition to Nk46.60 at the end of February, so “STX could purchase the remaining 61% for the same price it paid for the first 39%”. Source : Lloyd's Register Fairplay Daily News

NGV Tech gets US$27 million order for accommodation barge

Malaysian shipbuilder NGV Tech Sdn Bhd on Mar. 3 signed a US$27 million contract with Nordic Maritime Pte Ltd. for a 300-man newbuild accommodation barge. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in July 2009. The deal brings the value of NGV Tech's newbuild contracts up to MYR550 million (US$174 million) for 2008. NGV Tech is also finalising newbuild deals for 8,000 bhp to 10,000 bhp anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTSs) as well as two 120-man, 52-metre (171-ft) crewboats. NGV Tech is now working on the construction of two utility boats, a 35-tonne (39-ton) tug and two 65-tonne (72-ton) tug vessels, seven crew boats and four 72-metre (236-ft) OPL vessels. The Malaysian shipbuilder recently undertook an expansion of its facility located at Sijangkang, Malaysia. T he yard space is expected to increase twofold to 50 acres (20 hectares) in the second quarter of 2008. Source : Energy Current

Odense yard 'must make profit'

AP Møller-Maersk group’s struggling shipbuilding unit Odense Steel Shipyard has to make profit in order to secure its future, said group ceo Nils Smedegaard Andersen in a webcast presenation. The yard currently has a full orderbook until 2010 and some orders into 2012. Odense made a loss last year, but it was smaller than in 2006. Asked whether Odense is a strategic asset for the group, Andersen said: “We shall think about that. It must make money like all our businesses.” However, no change has taken place in how the board views its role in the group for the time being. Odense sold the Volkswerft yard in Germany and Balti ES business in Estonia last year, but these sales did not have a significant financial effect, Andersen said. APM does not publish the result of Odense. Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Daily News Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide Page 14 3/14/2008


The STENA BRITANNICA seen above in Dry dock at Damen Ship Repairs in Schiedam, left the drydock and resumed services again at the Hoek van Holland > Harwich route. Photo top: Frank de Visser © Photo left : Cees de Jong ©


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From China to Italy

South China Shipyard (SCS) in Jianmen, Guangdong China is putting the final touches on a sturdy new anchorhandling tug for delivery to Italian buyers. The 42 by 11-meter vessel is powered by a pair of 60 liter V-16 Cummins QSK60 main engines. Each engine delivers 2200 hpat 1800 RPM into Reintjes WAF763 gears with 5.75:1 ratios and four-blade fixed-pitch propellers in nozzles. Electrical needs are met by a pair of Cummins QSM11 powered 240 Kw generators with a harbor set that is a Cummins-powered 60 KW generator. The boat is fitted with a 250 KW bow thruster and a 90 KW stern thruster. On deck a double drum winch for anchor handling and towing is equipped with a tension meter and a 180-ton holding brake. The boat's stern roller is 1.6 by 4 meters. Source : MarineLink

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SMIT LIPUMA COMPLETING TRIALS

The 71 mtr long Smit Lipuma seen completing harbour trials in Durban before going into service this week. The Smit Lipuma is Diesel Electric powered by 2 x Caterpillar 2 (each 500kVA) plus 2 x C9 (each 250kVA), furthermore the propulsion units are HRP 2 x 500kW stern omni-directional plus 1 x420 kW bow HRP water jet Photo : Pim Zandee © Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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A.P.Moller-Maersk Strikes Balance Profit increases in USD higher than in DKK

The Board of Directors of A.P.Moller-Maersk A/S has released the annual report 2007. The Group’s revenue in 2007 made $51,218 mn compared to $43,743 mn in 2006. Profit before depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses (EBITDA) was $11,909 mn – an increase of 38%. Total depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses increased by $1,559 mn to $4,814 mn. Gains on the sale of ships, rigs, etc. increased by $402 mn to $1,113 mn. Net profit before tax was $8,032 mn compared to $6,053 mn in 2006. Profit for the year was $3,427 mn – an increase of 26% (in Danish kroner, the profit totaled DKK 18,658 mn – an increase of 15%). Cash flow from operating activities was $7,313 mn compared to $3,987 mn in 2006. Cash flow used for new investments was at a high level, totaling $10,808 mn compared to $6,919 mn in 2006. Cash flow from sale of assets was $1,759 mn compared to $1,629 mn in 2006. The Group expects to generate a profit in the order of $3.6-4 bn in 2008. Source : SeaNews

FreeSeas to Acquire Handymax; Increase Fleet to Eight Vessels

Handymax Free Lady Expected to Join Fleet in the Third Quarter of 2008 FreeSeas Inc. a provider of seaborne transportation for drybulk cargoes, announced today that it has agreed to purchase one second-hand drybulk carrier from an unaffiliated third party for approximately US$65.2 million. The vessel is a 2003-built, 50,300 dwt Handymax vessel built in Japan, and is scheduled for charter-free delivery to FreeSeas in June or July of 2008. The Company intends to finance the acquisition using cash on hand and the Company's existing credit facility. Employment arrangements for the vessel will be announced when finalized.


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NEW DOEKSEN SUPERCAT IS NAMED TIGER

As spotted by one of the readers of the newsclippings in the port of Harlingen, the new ferry for the route Harlingen <> Terschelling will be named TIGER, most probably due to the wind the cover which was attached over the new name was blown off by the wind, showing the new name earlier then the official naming ceremony which is scheduled for March 28th in the port of Harlingen Photo : Wytze v.d. Witte - www.janvandewitte.nl ©

EMPRESS OF THE SEAS TO BE RENAMED

The EMPRESS OF THE SEAS arrived in Willemstad (Curacao) to be renamed, the passenger liner is sold by the Royal Caribbean to Pullman tour – Photo : Kees Bustraan ©

Maersk underlines service expansion constraints Maersk Line has spelled out some of the constraints facing those developing maritime traffic in the Indian Ocean. Addressing a conference last week in the Seychelles, Ranjoy Neerohoo, Line and Operations Manager for Maersk Line underlined that Maersk Line uses Port Louis as its transhipment hub for the Indian Ocean because of the many advantages the Mauritian port has in its favour.


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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 But at the same time Maersk also faced constraints, he said. One of these was that the maximum draught allowed was insufficient for the largest ships to use Port Louis. A second came from having a service limited for coastal traffic and a third constraint was the high port costs due to prolonged vessel turnover on account of port congestion. He said this while acknowledging the declaration by Mr Shekar Suntah, Director General of Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) that the port congestion was due to the explosion of transhipment activities at Port Louis. Neerohoo said that Maersk Line transhipment operations at Port Louis over the past three years have contributed enormously towards improving access for the Indian Ocean Islands to the rest of the world. “We cannot offer direct calls to all the ports in the area. Operation wise, this is not possible as it would render the services much more expensive and less competitive.” Neerohoo said the acquisition of new gantries and other equipment by the Cargo Handling Corporation (CHC) and the decision of the Mauritian Government to have a strategic partner for the Corporation were paving the way to turn Port Louis into a reliable regional hub. The problems in the various ports of the region cannot be segregated and treated independently. For a shipping line such as Maersk to be efficient in the ports of the Indian Ocean, it is imperative that all the conditions are met. “But such is not the case presently. We find ourselves in a situation where efficiency and competitiveness cannot be maintained,” Ranjoy Neerohoo underlined. On the other end, Port Director General Shekar Suntah stressed the large investments envisaged by the MPA over coming years in order to meet maritime growth. These projects include a new container terminal at Fort-William, a new fishing port, a cruise terminal at Les Salines, Port-Louis, and the development of the sea front in this same area. Eric Magamootoo, representative of the La Reunion Chamber of Commerce added that there were presently important expansion works in Le Port, La Reunion. The representatives from Madagascar emphasised the actual reforms in progress in their port which aimed at increasing handling capacities and pleaded in favour of the creation of a regional shipping line to smooth the commercial maritime exchange between the Indian Ocean Islands. Source : ports.co.za

EURONAV NV ANNOUNCES FINAL YEAR RESULTS 2007 During its meeting, Euronav’s board of directors approved the final consolidated financial statement for the period ended 31 December 2007 The joint statutory auditors have confirmed that their audit work, which has substantially been completed, did not reveal any significant changes to be made to the financial information included in the press release. At the date of the press release the total number of shares that the company bought back is 749,332. The board of directors will propose to the annual general meeting of shareholders of Tuesday 29 April 2008, a total gross dividend for the financial year 2007 of EUR 0.80 (2006: EUR 1.68) per share. The board will also adopt a policy of considering paying an interim dividend after approving half year consolidated financial statements this year and in future years. Euronav announced earlier that Maersk Oil Qatar AS has awarded two contracts in favor of a joint venture between Euronav NV and Overseas Shipholding Group for the provision of Floating Storage and Offloading (‘FSO’) services on the Al Shaheen field off shore Qatar. The contracts for eight years are to be performed by two vessels, the TI Asia (2002 - 441,893) and the TI Africa (2002 - 441,655). The Contracts will call for extensive conversion and the vessels will commence the provision of FSO services in July and September of 2009. The Cap Felix (2008 - 159,000 dwt), a newbuilding Suezmax built at Samsung Heavy Industries in Korea, to be delivered in April 2008, has been fixed out on time charter contract to BP Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide Page 19 3/14/2008

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 for a period of three years. The contract includes a floor rate and a profit sharing element in order to participate to any upside movement of the spot market. The two newbuilding VLCCs (Hull 1925 and 1926) currently under construction at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea, with delivery foreseen in the first quarter 2009 have been chartered out to Total for a period of seven years. The time charter contract will start beginning of the second quarter of this year and will initially be performed by the Algarve (1999 – 298,969 dwt) and the Luxembourg (1999 – 299,150 dwt). These vessels will be replaced by the two aforementioned newbuilding VLCCs upon their delivery ex-yard. These contracts include a floor rate and a profit sharing element in order to participate to any upside movement of the spot market. Finally, for the first quarter of 2008, the estimated average VLCC time charter equivalents rates of the Tankers International pool is USD 101,300/day. This estimate is based on 90% of available spot days already fixed in the first quarter

Hamburg handles 9.9 million TEU, up 11.6% after Elbe Dredging

The Port of Hamburg handled 9.9 million TEU, up 11.6 per cent a record year on year increase largely credited to the dredging of the River Elbe that opened the harbour to the burgeoning transshipment trade to the Baltic, RZD-Partner reports. "After the last dredging, Hamburg's market share of the container traffic volume of the North Range ports in Europe has risen from 22 to 26 per cent," said the port marketing man Juergen Sorgenfrei. Feeder links to the Baltic and eastern Europe outperformed other transport routes in 2007 with a growth rate of 21.2 per cent, port authorities said in a release. Hamburg's container traffic with Russia amounted to 730,000 TEU, up 21.6 per cent over the previous year, making Russia Hamburg's third largest container trading partner. Seaborne traffic between Hamburg and the Baltic Sea states generated a transhipment volume of 2.7 million TEU in 2007, up 11.7 per cent compared with 2006. Finland was Hamburg's fourth largest trading partner with 502,000 TEU, Sweden fifth with 390,000 TEU, and Poland seventh with 325,000 TEU. Singapore was ranked second with 749,000 TEU. The volume of Hamburg's container traffic on the Asian sea routes rose by about 722,000 TEU from 2006 to 2007. This represents an increase of 14.9 per cent. East Asia and Southeast Asia each recorded double-digit growth rates in 2007, at 16.5 per cent (3.9 million TEU) and 12.2 per cent (1.0 million TEU), respectively. In traffic with India alone, last year a volume of 150,000 TEU was handled in ocean-going trade via Hamburg, an increase of 48 per cent yearon-year. Last year, Hamburg's container terminals handled 3.2 million TEU in trade with China, up 23 per cent, making China Hamburg's top trading partner. Source : PortNews

Belangstelling Royal Caribbean CPA laat de mogelijkheden onderzoeken om de twee bestaande pieren op het schiereiland van Caracasbaai geschikt te maken voor de aanleg van cruiseschepen. Rederij Royal Caribbean toonde recentelijk interesse om te participeren in de ontwikkeling van het gebied. Mocht dit doorgaan dan is een tweede megapier in de binnenstad van de baan. De ontwerper van de megapier destijds in Otrobanda heeft nu van Curaçao Ports Authority de opdracht gekregen de mogelijkheden te onderzoeken. Het havenbedrijf hoopt de uitkomst hiervan later dit jaar nog te ontvangen. Het onderzoeksresultaat zal worden voorgelegd aan het Bestuurscollege. De overheid is eigenaar van het schiereiland, CPA beheert het. Het idee van deze ontwikkeling heeft een aantal voordelen in de visie van het havenbedrijf. Directeur Agustin Diaz: “In feite staan er al twee megapieren. Tegen geringe kosten wordt dan het hele gebied mooier.” Hoewel beide pieren niet Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 fraai ogen, functioneren ze prima. Regelmatig maken vrachtschepen gebruik van deze diepwaterhaven, die vanwege het heldere water bij uitstek geschikt is voor onderzoek en werkzaamheden aan het onderwaterschip. Dat rederijen meedoen in het ontwikkelen van cruisefaciliteiten op Caribische bestemmingen is een trend. St. Maarten werkt momenteel aan de uitbouw van de miljoenen kostende infrastructuur voor de nieuwe generatie cruiseschepen samen met Royal Caribbean. Dergelijke vorm van samenwerking is van essentieel belang ‘om te voldoen aan de eisen van cruisemaatschappijen’. Aruba tekende vorig jaar een intentieverklaring met Royal Caribbean, maar tot een uitwerking is het nog niet gekomen. Dat de cruisetoerist specifiek komt om te winkelen is een misverstand, weet ook Diaz. Om die reden is afmeren in de binnenstad niet strikt noodzakelijk. Over land, maar ook over water zijn er vanaf de Caracasbaai prima transportmogelijkheden. Net als op St. Maarten behoort ook hier een watertaxi tot de mogelijkheden. “Naar het Sea Aquarium, naar de golfbaan op Sta. Barbara, naar de stad. De cruisetoeristen willen graag naar de binnenstad. Niet alleen om te winkelen, maar om ‘klein Amsterdam’ en de brug te bezichtigen.” Het cruisetoerisme levert CPA maar weinig geld op. Het havenbedrijf investeerde door de jaren heen veel in het algemeen belang van het eiland. Hoogtepunt daarbij was de bouw van de cruisepier in Otrobanda, die een kleine 30 miljoen gulden kostte en wanneer mogelijk ook wordt gebruikt voor vrachtschepen om te bunkeren. “Dat geld hebben we nog lang niet terugverdiend.” De CPA-directeur raamt de kosten voor een tweede pier in de binnenstad op een slordige 80 miljoen. Alleen al die hoge kosten maken het aantrekkelijk om te kijken naar alternatieven ‘als je de ontwikkeling wilt bijbenen’. Bovendien beloopt het cruiseseizoen maar zes maanden per jaar en kunnen het resterende deel de faciliteiten voor andere doeleinden worden gebruikt. Het havenbedrijf wil de focus terugbrengen naar specifieke havenactiviteiten. “Cruisetoerisme is niet onze corebusiness. We faciliteren schepen, maar moeten ons niet bezighouden met muziek op de kade en souvenirverkoop”, verwijst Diaz naar de in zijn ogen te veel afgeweken koers de afgelopen jaren. Marketingdirecteur Jan Sierhuis moest mede vanwege dit verschil van inzicht het bedrijf verlaten. De paar honderd cruiseschepen die het eiland jaarlijks aandoen, brengen maar een fractie van de jaaromzet (55 miljoen in 2007) binnen. De cruise-industrie stelt hoge eisen aan haven en dwingt in ruil voor het brengen van toeristen voordelige tarieven af. Iedere cruisetoerist – zo’n 300.000 per jaar – spendeert gemiddeld enige tientallen dollars op het eiland. Bron : Amigoe.com

Turkeys new ferry service to start in May

The picturesque coastal town of Bodrum is due to get a new ferry link with the Greek island of Samos in May. The boat ride will be 75 minutes and will cost only 35 euros. Ferry services already operate between Bodrum and the Greek islands of Kalymnos, Kos and Rhodes, transporting around 350,000 tourists. Tourists visiting the Greek islands will be able to enjoy longer visits to Bodrum. Thanks to the friendship between Turkey and Greece, at least 600,000 tourists will be able to travel between Bodrum and neighbouring islands helped by the 48 -hour-valid visa that was previously valid for only 24 hours. Source : selectproperty.com


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SA port news: Cape Town tanker berth to be out of service

The Port of Cape Town’s Harbourmaster Captain DD Naicker has advised that Tanker Berth 2 at the port will be taken out of commission from 7 April 2008 until 16 May 2008 to enable the replacement of fenders. In Durban repairs to the Transnet National Ports Authority floating dock will be undertaken with the dock scheduled to enter the dry dock (graving dock) on 18 April until approximately 8 May, during which some extensive repairs and maintenance will be undertaken. Although no public announcement has been made it is believed that the dock has corrosion problems, which some port observers consider is the result of a lack of adequate and timeous maintenance. The floating dock was acquired second-hand and arrived in Durban shortly after another slightly larger floating dock owned by Elgin Brown & Hamer, known as Eldock. The latter was also acquired second-hand but has remained in service continuously since arrival. Eldock differs from the TNPA floating dock by having a concrete base – the port authority dock is an all steel construction with resultant maintenance challenges. Source : ports.co.za

The 1978 Russian Bulk carrier, Aleksandr Nevskiy, MURMANSK SHIPPING, Gross tonnage - 14,141, Deadweight tonnage - 19,590, seen leaving Leith for Arcangel, [Arkhangelsk]. Photo : Iain McGeachy ©

A.P.Moller-Maersk Container Segment Profit Up According the A.P.Moller-Maersk annual report, the profit after tax of the A.P.Moller-Maersk container shipping and related activities segment for 2007 amounted to $217 mn against a loss of $568 mn in 2006. “The Group’s container shipping and related activities showed significant financial progress, turning a substantial loss in 2006 into a modest profit in 2007”, noted Nils Smedegaard Andersen, CEO of A.P.Moller-Maersk Group. “This was attributable to higher average freight rates and a major increase in the volumes shipped from Asia to Europe”. “However, profits from container shipping activities are still not satisfactory”, he said. In total Maersk Line and Safmarine achieved a volume increase of 2%. Average freight rates Distribution : daily 3950+ copies worldwide

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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 including surcharge for higher fuel costs increased by 5% compared to 2006. APM Terminals achieved a growth in volumes of 13% compared to 2006 and a growth in revenue of 22% to $2.5 bn. The profit for APM Terminals was $111 mn against $99 mn in 2006. 7 new container terminals came into operation in 2007. Source : SeaNews

Balearia launches ro-pax ferry Spanish fast ferry operator Balearia is to launch a ro-pax ferry service between Motril, near Granada, and Melilla in North Africa. The service, which starts in June, is expected to intensify the price war with rival operator Acciona Trasmediterranea over ferry services in the Strait of Gibraltar. Balearia strengthened its position last year by purchasing smaller operator Buquebus, helping to raise its turnover by 33% to almost €200M ($310M) in 2007, the company announced. Pre-tax profits were €51.5M ($79.6 M) subject to audit. Balearia aims to reduce transit times between Motril and Melilla by placing a ro-pax and a fast ferry on the run in July. Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Daily News

The rig PRIDE SOUTH SEA and the AHTS EEMS seen moored in Cape Town Photo : Glenn Kasner ©

MOL to start independent LR1 product tanker operation

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that it will begin independently marketing and chartering seven Large Range 1 (LR1)*1 product tankers in the world market starting in June. MOL has participated in "The LR1 Pool*2" since December 2002, and entrusted the pool with operation of MOL's LR1 product tankers. However, MOL decided to withdraw from the pool in June.


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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 073 "The LR1 Pool," managed by LR1 Management K/S, entrusts MOL with marketing and chartering for Japanese and South Korean customers. This will terminate effective March 28, with closing of the business in U.S., prior to withdrawal from the pool. MOL will start marketing and chartering service in the worldwide market through the MOL Tokyo office, Mitsui O.S.K. Bulk Shipping (Asia Oceania) Pte. Ltd., Singapore office, and Mitsui O.S.K. Bulk Shipping (Europe) Ltd, London office, to flexibly meet expanding and diversifying needs of customers around the world. (*1) LR1 product tanker Panamax-type product tanker (about 75,000 dwt). This type is used around the world for various purposes - as a tanker to complement Large Range 2 (LR2) tankers (about 100,000 dwt) which transport naphtha from the Middle East to Asia; and for a mid- and long-distance transport of naphtha, gasoline, gas oil, diesel oil, jet fuel, and so on. (*2) The LR1 Pool Joint operator of LR1 product tankers. Pool members are Danish ship owner A/S D/S Torm (TORM, headquartered in Copenhagen), six European shipowners, and MOL. As of today, the fleet totals 43 vessels including MOL ships. Source : PortNews

MOVEMENTS

The ENERGY SEARCHER seen arriving at Loyang offshore supply base in Singapore Photo : Dirk Klok ©


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The NDS PRODIGY seen anchored off Pointe Noire Photo : Capt Jan Berghuis – Retriever ©

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