Number 013 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS ...newsletter.maasmondmaritime.com/pdf/2009/013-14-01-2009.pdf · said the Singapore-registered vessels, M.T Atika, Kam Fung

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 013

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Number 013 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Wednesday 14-01-2009 News reports received from readers and Internet News articles taken from various news sites.

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The ELLY MAERSK seen arriving in Rotterdam – Europoort Photo : Jan Oosterboer ©



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The GOLAR FROST seen anchored off Cape Town Photo : Ian Shiffman ©

Indonesian navy helps find shipwreck victims The Indonesian Navy is deploying personnel, ships and aircraft to take part in efforts to find more than 200 people who have gone missing in a shipwreck in the Makassar Strait on Sunday morning, a spokesman said Monday. To find them, the Navy is initiating land, sea and air operations," Antara news agency Monday quoted Col Joko Santoso, assistant for intelligence to the commander of the Navy's Main Base VI in Makassar, as saying. He said 40 naval personnel were assigned to join the Search and Rescue Team to find the missing boat travelers.



Four naval warships were also deployed to help in the search in the sea in addition to two boats from the Marine Police Command in South Sulawesi and three other boats from the Police Headquarters. "Air-borne search operations will be done by a navy helicopter and a Nomad from the National Defense Forces (TNI) Headquarters. They will arrive at Sultan Hasanuddin airport from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, while an Air Force Boeing 7301 is already in the area of the shipwreck," he said. According to the Navy, the ill-fated boat was carrying a total 317 people, including 17 crew members and its skipper. So far, only 23 were saved, according to Wahidah, the administrator of Parepare port from where the ship had departed for Samarinda in East Kalimantan. Source : chinaview

Official: Overloading not main factor in Indonesian shipwreck

Overloading is not the main reason for the sinking of ship KM Teratai Prima Kosong off the West Sulawesi coast, said an Indonesian official on Monday. "We suspect high waves was the main cause of the shipwreck," the Jakarta Post daily on Monday quoted the Indonesian Transportation Ministry's Director General for Marine Transportation Sunaryo as saying. "The ship was carrying only 250 passengers and 17 crew members, below its capacity of 300 people," he said, adding that the ship was also seaworthy. Indonesian local police will interrogate the ferry's pilot Sabir, one of the 18 survivors who managed to swim to shore in Majene by Sunday morning, to help investigate the accident. The police said they suspected Sabir had been careless, thus causing hundreds of passengers to drown. Rescue teams have picked out four additional survivors from the water by Monday afternoon, bringing the total rescued to 22. More than 200 people are still missing. Source : Chinaview

The BOW FAITH seen in an not so usual position in the port of Rotterdam, during some repairs in the propeller area Photo : Rene Mostert ©

Maritime enforcers seize three Singaporean tankers



Three tankers were seized for flouting maritime laws some three nautical miles off Southern Tanjung Stapa at about 11.40am on Saturday. Maritime personnel found that the ships’ crew had not followed rules on bunkering and safety rafts, which were in bad condition. Tanjung Sedili Maritime Enforcement chief Commander Abdul Hadib Abdul Wahab said the Singapore-registered vessels, M.T Atika, Kam Fung and Spear 1, also did not carry proper shipping documents. The offences came under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. Source: thestar

Liberty ship expected to arrive in Hellas this week

After almost a month and a half the last of the “Liberty” class cargo ships, which served during the World War II, is expected to arrive in Hellas and more specifically the port of Piraeus by the end of the week, in order to be transformed to a floating museum. It will depict the Hellenic maritime history from the end of the World War II and up to about ten years ago, when the last Liberty ship was put out of service. Restoration works will begin in the shipyards of Skaramanga in the area of Elefsina for an estimated cost of $5 million, while already a sum of $1.5 million has been devoted to the vessel for repairs. The “Arthur M. Hantel” is one of the three remaining American ships of the "Liberty" class. The whole effort will be completed after a three-year effort (from February 2005) which achieved its first success in June of 2006, when the U.S. Congress ratified a special law on granting the ship to Greece in the form of a donation. A considerable role in the ratification of the law was played by Greek American Rhode Island Senator Leonidas Raptakis. The vessel will be renamed “SS Hellas Liberty” after the initiative undertaken by Mr. Spyros Polemis, one of the most prominent ship owners of the country, whose effort was also praised by Capt. Vassilis Konstantakopoulos, another major shipping entrepreneur. The emotional link between the Hellenic maritime community and Liberty vessels is very significant, because it was thanks to them, that the country managed to form such a strong and leading presence in the shipping industry, not to mention that thousands of Greek seafarers served onboard Liberty vessels during the war. After the fall of Nazism, 100 Liberties were given to local ship owners by the U.S. government on favorable terms. These vessels were then the backbone, on which the country’s mercantile marine industry was built and developed. Source : Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News

The VOS SOUTHWIND – Photo : Rob van der Hoek ©



Putin approves rules for exemption of vessels from complying with

international conventions RF Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has signed a Decree No 1012 “On exemption of vessels from complying with the requirements of the International Convention on Load Lines,1966; the International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,1974”, Government press center reports. According to the document, the Ministry of Transport is to organize and coordinate activities on RF compliance with the International Convention on Load Lines,1966; the International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,1974 as regards exemption of vessels from complying with the above Conventions’ requirements. A vessel may be exempted upon a request made by a ship owner or a ship owner’s representative to the Federal Agency of Marine and River Transport with a copy furnished to the Federal Fishery Agency (for fishing vessels).

Dry bulk market keeps its momentum Although the beginning of the year wasn’t all that impressive, after a few sessions, the Baltic Dry index (BDI), which measures shipping costs around the globe, has risen for a series of sessions, indicating that underlying demand for goods may be returning to the market. The index rose 6.21 percent to 872 points late on Friday, its best run-up since Dec. 17, but is still down about 93 percent from the lifetime high of 11,793 it reached in May 2008. Nevertheless, the last couple of sessions saw the index staging an accumulative 10.5 percent recovery, hitting its highest point since October. Capesize vessel rates jumped by 20% on Friday as excess vessels supply continues to shrink, driving up prices for remaining vessels. The cost to charter a Capesize vessel has leaped nearly 50% in the last week. This has been directly reflected in the relative BCI (Baltic Capesize Index) which has been steadily increasing and ended the week at 1,728 up 367 points - equaling to a 27% increase week on week. Meanwhile, Oppenheimer, a US investment bank in a report on the shipping outlook for 2009 said that cape size rates would average $24,000 per day in 2009. Rates would only rise slightly average to $29,000 per day in 2010. It added that cash break even costs for a cape size were in the range of $11,000 to $13,000 per day. According to Weberseas latest report, activity remains strong in the sale & purchase market for dry bulk carriers, with many enquiries mostly for modern tonnage. “After a long time we are reporting the sale of a capesize bulker, namely the m/v GOLDEN WING (170k/97) which was sold to Greek buyers for US$ 27 million. We can compare this to the sale of the m/v BET PERFORMER (172k/97) which was sold in May 2008 months ago at US$ 132 mill, a price reduction of approx 80% in 8 months” said Weberseas. In another deal, three older panamax bulkers, built between 1983-1984 were also sold for approximately $3 million, which in Weberseas’ words is showing that even in this difficult market environment these older units can still find a home other than the scrap yards. Source : Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News



The WATERGEUS seen in Brunsbuttel at the Kiel Canal Photo : Michael Brakhage ©

National Shipping Diverts Vessels to Avoid Pirates

The National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia is diverting some of its vessels around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to avoid piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Emirates Business 24/7 reported, citing a company official. The company will place its vessels under international naval protection when they sail through the Gulf of Aden, the Dubai- based newspaper reported, citing Saleh Al Shamekh, president of oil and gas at National Shipping. Source: Bloomberg

Transportroute via Indische Oceaan wordt ook duurder

Nederlandse scheepvaartbedrijven die op Azië varen, lopen tegen nieuwe, fors hogere kosten aan. Na de extra premieopslag voor vervoer in de door piraten bedreigde Golf van Aden bij Somalië, rekenen verzekeraars sinds 7 januari ook een hoger tarief voor delen van de Indische Oceaan. Die premie wordt mede afhankelijk van de snelheid en hoogte van het schip. De aanscherping blijkt uit een verklaring van het Joint War Committee, het adviesorgaan van de grootste maritieme verzekeraars, dat de Indische Oceaan aan zijn risicolijst heeft toegevoegd. Uit het advies van dit toonaangevende instituut is verder op te maken dat schepen er voortaan goed aan doen minimaal 600 zeemijlen buiten de kust van Oost-Afrika te gaan varen, willen ze uit handen van piraten blijven. Binnen dat gebied gelden de sterk verhoogde verzekeringspremies. De piraten zijn hun werkgebied steeds verder aan het verleggen. Gisteren werd de Saoedische tanker Sirius Star na betaling van losgeld door kapers vrijgegeven. Het schip werd in oktober 450 zeemijl ver uit de Keniaanse kust gekaapt. De aangevallen tanker geldt voor het Joint War Committee nu als een van de redenen om de verzekeringspremie in delen van de Indische Ocean te verhogen. De komst van de Russische en Chinese marine in het gebied heeft het risico volgens de grote verzekeraars niet doen afnemen.



Rederijen die de kortere route wel willen nemen, krijgen dus een sterk verhoogde premie van maritieme verzekeraars voor de kiezen. „Maar omvaren kost ze ook behoorlijk wat extra geld”, zegt Rogier van der Sluijs, directeur Broking Marine van verzekeringsmakelaar en risicoadviseur Aon. De alternatieve route vanuit Nederland via ZuidAfrika kost reders per vracht gemiddeld tot 35% meer dan de route via de Golf van Aden. Ook de reder die, om de Golf van Aden te vermijden, uit veiligheid zijn schepen via de Kaap laat varen naar het Midden-Oosten, heeft nu te maken met deze 600 mijlsgrens en verhoogde premies. Van der Sluijs: „Bedrijven zullen ieder voor zich een afweging maken waarbij het gevaar voor de bemanning ook zeker een factor zal zijn.” Drie tot vier grote rederijen hebben onlangs besloten al hun scheepstransporten via ZuidAfrika te laten omvaren, zegt Van der Sluijs, die als makelaar voor de maritieme sector de meest geschikte verzekeringen voor schip en lading zoekt.

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P&I premium hike to make Indian shipping operations costly

Weighed down by increasing claims, P&I clubs have increased their premium rates by 15% to 25%.

Recession-hit shipping companies in the country are expected to experience yet another squeeze in their already constrained finances due to 15% to 25% hike in protection and indemnity (P&I) premiums effected by the various P&I clubs that service them. For shipping companies globally, P&I policies are due for renewal on February 20. Increasing cases of piracy, pollution and wreck removal over the years have made most of the P&I clubs bleed. While most of the 13 odd international group P&I clubs are feeling the pinch, four of them are said to be good shape and two in dire straights. According to the shipping consultant, there are two types of premium incomes for a P&I club: Underwriting income and investment income. While a club always makes losses in its underwriting business, it makes up the losses in investment income.



The downturn in shipping industry has affected the apple cart and clubs are finding it difficult to make their operations profitable, especially with huge claims being imposed on them. During the current year the investment income is less because interest rates are down as their investments are giving negative returns due to the overall decline. In addition, the increasing number of marine insurance claims over the years has added to their woes. Given the imperatives, the clubs have hiked up the premiums for policies. During 2007-08, Indian shipping companies have paid about Rs 310 crore alone as premium for P&I cover in addition to hull insurance which accounted for Rs 785 crore (including for energy sector assets) for the same year. Given the double-digit hike, some in the shipping industry believe, many of the companies would consider shifting to other clubs for renewal because they have no other option. "It is a necessary evil that no shipowner can wish away," said a shipping consultant. "The hike has come at a time when there is turmoil in the financial markets and freight market is in decline," said shipping company executive. "We are still to see how the market will move this year. So it is a matter of grave concern for shipping companies. Its impact will be felt dearly by all of them, particularly by those who are more exposed to the bulk sector. The quantum of P&I insurance premium for a ship is fixed depended upon the kind of service it renders and its area of operation. Moreover, availing P&I coverage in India attracts service tax which goes on to add to the already tax-heavy operational costs for shipping companies. "The government has washed its hands off this problem by permitting shipping companies to select the P&I Clubs. "Even though the premium hike is universal, Indian companies will have to shell out more due to addition of taxes like service tax. With high operational costs, there could not be any level playing left for Indian operators vis a vis foreign shipowners," he said Source : Times of India

Berging Margreta in volle gang Bergers zijn bezig met de berging van het dubbelwandige containerschip Margreta. Het 135-meterschip uit Zwolle kwam zondag tegen het vallen van de avond op de kruising van het Hollands Diep en de Dordtse Kil in aanvaring met het zeeschip Sichem Anne. Beide vervoerden gevaarlijke stoffen.De Margreta werd met pompen drijvende gehouden. De ravage aan boord is volgens ooggetuigen enorm, maar niemand raakte gewond. Vermoedelijk heeft de bulbsteven van de Sichem Anne een flink gat veroorzaakt in de bakboordzij van het containerschip. Ook het zeeschip heeft beneden de waterlijn schade opgelopen, maar er is geen gevaar voor zinken.

Uit de eerste officieuze berichten kan worden opgemaakt dat de Margreta afvarig van de Moerdijkbruggen kwam en de Sichem Anne opvarend bakboord uit ging richting Dordtse Kil. Over de toedracht is nog weinig bekend. Er is geen radardekking van de verkeersposten in het gebied. De Waterpolitie van het Korps landelijke politiediensten heeft vastgesteld dat er geen alcohol in het spel is, gaat de bemanning horen en een technisch onderzoek instellen. Volgens het KLPD is er geen gevaar voor de omgeving en geen hinder voor het scheepvaartverkeer. De chemicaliëntanker is doorgevaren naar Dordrecht en ligt in de zeehaven.

Russian anti-submarine ship takes over anti-piracy mission from thefrigate Neustrashimy



The large antisubmarine destroyer Admiral Vinogradov of the Russian Pacific Fleet has taken over the mission of protecting civilian vessels from pirates off the coast of Somalia from the frigate Neustrashimy of the Russian Baltic Fleet, assistant to the Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Igor Dygalo has said. "The crews exchanged information and transferred the function of protecting seafaring from the Neustrashimy to the Admiral Vinogradov that has already lead a convoy of two Russian civilian ships," he told the press on Sunday. He said that the Neustrashimy will leave the area of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea in the second half of January. The Pacific Fleet naval squadron consisting of the Admiral Vinogradov, the salvage tug vessel Fotiy Krylov, the tankers Pechenga and Boris Butoma arrived in the area of the Russian-Indian exercises Indra-2009 due at the end of January and aimed at practicing the protection of safe seafaring, resistance to piracy and terrorism. The itinerary of Indra-2009 implies artillery and missile fire exercises.

The South African research vessel ELLEN KHUZWAYO seen moored in Mosselbay Photo : Pim Korver FILM+VIDEO ©

China's military goes global China is developing a formidable navy to protect its economic interests, but China's growing military range does not have to develop into a threat. A milestone has been reached: China has despatched three navy ships to the Gulf of Aden to support the international fleet fighting Somalian pirates. This operation is not just a key moment in the development of China's blue-water navy, but also demonstrates China's growing willingness to secure its economic interests abroad. The weaponry is formidable. The vessels showcase the technological progress that the Chinese navy has made in the past few years. The type 052C Lanzhou Destroyer, commissioned in 2005, is the first Chinese vessel fitted both with impressive fire-power and state-of-the-art command-and-control systems. The Fuchi-class replenishment ship, of which two have been built so far, demonstrates China's intent to be able to engage in distant, long-term operations to protect strategic sea-lanes far beyond littoral waters. This has become a priority for the Chinese government in the past decade. In 2005, the State Council, China's executive, concluded that becoming a maritime power would imply not simply bolstering its maritime transport, but also building a powerful navy to protect the merchant fleet. In 2006, President Hu Jintao stated that the navy should modernise faster and that it should prepare itself for a growing number of tasks. Pirates have set the task, by seizing two Chinese trawlers and attacking at least two other ships. But, beyond that, the rationale for engagement is the growth of Chinese economic interests along the East African coast. Several fishing



companies have hammered out lucrative concessions from the governments of Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar. Seaports like those of Dar es Salaam, Mombasa and Port Sudan have developed into important transit hubs for all kinds of natural resources that Chinese companies excavate on the African continent. In addition, China is digging for oil in most East African countries, and relies on the Gulf of Aden for much of its current oil supply from the Middle East. Are we witnessing the emergence of gunboat diplomacy? China is clearly expanding the geographic boundaries of its military strategising. Two senior researchers of the State Council's study department have categorised non-traditional threats such as piracy as a strategic economic challenge and have pleaded for the national security strategy to include a series of new measures to reflect China's position as an “influential world power”. An article in the state-controlled China Daily stated that: “China must break through traditional diplomatic thinking... Only to rely on the traditional mode of high-level political contacts, only ‘peaceful coexistence' and ‘mutually beneficial cooperation' or the principle of self-restraint are insufficient to protect ourselves or to safeguard overseas economic interests and development”. Nevertheless, the emergence of an aggressive Chinese gunboat diplomacy is unlikely in the near future. China is suspicious of the military build-up of other emerging powers, such as India, not to mention the persistent naval dominance of the United States, but it recognises that the costs of going solo and the risks of a naval arms race are far too high to bear. China will become more assertive in defending its economic interests abroad, but it will do so by pragmatically, combining operations under UN banner with bilateral military partnerships. For the European Union, the baseline is the need to invest in a sustained and collaborative military presence in key areas such as Africa and the western Indian Ocean. This would mitigate any military competition between emerging powers and maintain the leverage that the West needs in order to prevent it being sidelined if such a contest were to arise. At the same time, it should liaise with China and other stakeholders to develop a joint agenda for various non-traditional security challenges. The EU and China should both strengthen multilateral bodies to ensure that bodies like the UN and the African Union can tackle security threats. Finally, it is essential for the EU to come to grips with the nature of various non-traditional threats. The perceived dichotomy that sets up R2P – the responsibility to protect – against sovereignty continues to thwart a genuine security debate between China and Europe. China's growing military range does not have to develop into a threat. The EU has an opportunity to join forces with China. It should do so with one voice and a clear strategic vision. Jonathan Holslag is the head of research at the Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies (BICCS). Source : europeanvoice

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CASUALTY REPORTING



Tanker runs aground near Schodack Island State Park

The Petrochem Trader, a large vessel that had recently unloaded a cargo of ethanol, ran aground near the Schodack Island State Park today, Sunday, January 11. Tugs managed to free the vessel by late afternoon. As of Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., the Coast Guard had not arrived on the scene, but the first of three tugboats had showed up to attempt to pull the vessel back into the main shipping channel. The ship was headed downriver toward New York City at the time of the incident. Using lines, the three tugs ventually managed to pull the vessel off the mud flats near the park. The Petrochem Trader reportedly reversed course and headed up the Hudson, returning to the Port of Albany. Coast Guard officials arrived before the vessel was pulled back into the channel. Members of the nearby Castleton Boat Club were gathered at the club for the Giants playoff game and watched the ship pass around 1 p.m. "We noticed it was going fast on the wrong side of the channel," said Commodore Nadine Fuda. Just past the boat club, club member say the ship veered to the left apparently to move to the correct side of the channel but evidently over compensated sending the vessel aground in the shallow waters near the banks of the Hudson River. It looked like he was cutting hard to get back in the channel, but just couldn't correct it," said Ms. Fuda. Called an "articulated tug barge," the vessel appears to be the third in a series built for U.S. Shipping Partners by Bay shipbuilding. According to a press release from the company on the web, Patrick O'Hern, vice president and general manager of Bay Shipbuilding reports that the barge can hold 156,000 barrels, or 6.5 million gallons. "I came out to watch it go by," said Chris Bearup. "Ten minutes later, I said it looks like he's turning around, and everyone looked up. Next thing we knew he was sideways and stopped." Source : Indenews

NAVY NEWS

Above seen the Pyotr Veliky (099) arriving in Cape Town Photo : Bob Johnston ©

Families of HMAS Sydney crew relive warship's sinking



Devastation ... one of the computer-generated images which simulate the explosions on the stricken Sydney. FAMILY members of the crew killed during the sinking of HMAS Sydney watched in silence as computer-generated images showed for the first time the extent of damage sustained in the attack. The 645 crew died after the ship sank on November 19, 1941, following an attack by the German raider HSK Kormoran, about 100 nautical miles off the West Australian coast. During an inquiry into the loss of the warship yesterday family of the crew and Defence personnel appeared shocked as they saw a computer-simulated reconstruction of the battle. The reconstruction, pieced together by defence scientists and naval architects using observations from the wreck site and accounts from Kormoran survivors, showed in real time the dramatic and devastating impact of heavy shell and gunfire that took out the bridge and targeted both port and starboard sides. A torpedo attack ripped through the vessel's port bow. HMAS Sydney sustained more than 87 hits from big artillery shells. Almost 4000 kilograms of munition hit the vessel. Smaller shells were also fired. Counsel assisting the inquiry, Commander Jack Rush, said the sustained artillery attack combined with the impact of the torpedo made it a "unique" sea battle as other warships had remained afloat after enduring gunfire or torpedo, but had never been subjected to both. "HMAS Sydney was severely damaged," Commander Rush said. "She had a large number of casualties, several major fires and many small fires burned out of control, smoke filled the lower decks and obscured the upper deck, her bow was flooding and much of the ship was without electrical power." The initial attack lasted no more than five minutes, but it took the Sydney about 4½ hours to sink. Figures presented by defence scientists and naval architects suggest that at least 70 per cent of the Sydney's crew was incapacitated or trapped by fire, heavy smoke or toxic fumes or because escape passages were blocked. It was unknown whether any of the crew had escaped but if any had gone into the water they probably had no chance of surviving because of damage to the life rafts and there being no other ships nearby to rescue survivors. The inquiry continues.

5th Fleet Focus: Order of Battle Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) USS Monterey (CG 61) USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) USS Mason (DDG 87)



USS Nitze (DDG 94) USNS Supply (T-AOE 3) Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) USS San Antonio (LPD 17) USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) USS Ramage (DDG 61) USS Hartford (SSN 768)

EU NAVFOR HS Psara (F454) - Command FGS Karlsruhe (F212) FS Floréal (F730) FS Premier-Maître L'Her (F792) HMS Northumberland (F238) In Middle East / Somalia coast Theater Ocean 6 HDMS Absalon (L16) RFS Neustrashimyy (FFG 712) RFS Admiral Vinogradov (DDG 572) FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (F 218) FS Jeanne d'Arc (R97) FS Georges Leygues (D640) FS Jean-de-Vienne (D643) FS La Boudeuse (P683) FS Var (A608) FS Saphir (S602 HMS Portland (F79) HMS Lancaster (F229) HMAS Parramatta (FFH 154) KD Sri Inderapura (L 1505) KD Lekiu (F30) KD Sri Indera Sakti (A1503) KD Mahawangsa (A1504) INS Mysore (D60) INS Tabar (F44) INS Ganga (F22) HMS Al Riyadh (812) (RSNF) HMS Makkah (814) (RSNF) HMS Al Dammal (816) (RSNF) PLAN Haikou (D171) PLAN Wuhan (D169) PLAN Weishanhu (A887) USS Scout (MCM 8) USS Gladiator (MCM 11) USS Ardent (MCM 12) USS Dexterous (MCM 13)



USS Typhoon (PC 5) USS Sirocco (PC 6) USS Chinook (PC 9) USS Firebolt (PC 10) USS Whirlwind (PC 11) USCGC Baranof (WPB 1318) USCGC Maui (WPB 1304) USCGC Adak (WPB 1333) USCGC Aquidneck (WPB 1309) USCGC Wrangell (WPB 1332) USCGC Monomoy (WPB 1326) HMS Ramsay (M 110) HMS Blyth (M 111) HMS Atherstone (M38) HMS Chiddingfold (M37) USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) USNS Laramie (T-AO 203). USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) RFA Wave Knight (A386) RFA Cardigan Bay (L3009) *Fotiy Krylov - Russian fleet Tug *Boris Butoma - Russian Boris Chilikin class fleet oiler *Pechenga - Russian Dubna class oiler Source : informationdissemination

The DARING and DAUNTLESS seen fitting out at the builders Photo : Jim Prentice ©

Russian warships to visit Syrian port A naval task force from Russia's Northern Fleet will visit on Monday the Syrian port of Tartus, where the Russian Navy keeps a maintenance and resupply site, a Navy spokesman said. (Russian Navy modernized - Image gallery) The task force, which includes the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, the Admiral Levchenko destroyer and the Nikolay Chiker salvage tug, is currently on a tour of duty in the Mediterranean.



Capt. 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said the carrier group had carried out joint exercises with the Turkish Navy last week and would return to its duties in the Mediterranean Sea after visiting Tartus. The Soviet-era Navy maintenance site near Tartus is the only Russian foothold in the Mediterranean. Russian media reports have suggested the facility could be turned into a base for the country's Black Sea Fleet, which could lose its current main base in Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula in 2017. About 50 naval personnel and three floating piers are reportedly deployed at the Tartus site, which can accommodate up to a dozen warships, and Russia is expanding the port and building a pier in nearby El-Latakia. No official confirmation of the reports has been made. Source : rian.ru

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Turkish navy completes exercise with Russian fleet in Mediterranean

Turkish naval forces completed training exercises with Russia's northern fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, a Russian news agency reported on Monday. For the first time, a part of Russia's northern fleet conducted training exercises with their Turkish colleagues in the Mediterranean Sea, Russia Today said. The naval pilots and ground crew were put through rigorous tests where mistakes are simply not an option. "Every time we double check everything, because if anything happens at sea there's no chance of making an emergency landing like on the ground," said Major Sergey Nagaichenko, a technician taking part in the drill, told the Russian news agency. "Only after everything has been cleared, are pilots given the green light to fly the 11-ton helicopters... They work hand in hand with their Turkish counterparts conducting simulated search and rescue operations at sea," the agency said. In another exercise, in which a Turkish vessel is out of fuel and water, the task of Russian warship Admiral Levchenko is to respond and assist its stricken colleague, it added. "The Turkish navy is very strong and has deep traditions. We’ve sharpened our inter-operational ability with them. And now we are ready to tackle almost any task together," Russia Today quoted ship commander Sergey Okhrenchuk as saying. After the maneuvers the Turkish ships headed home and the group from Russia's northern fleet continued its voyage, carrying out its duties in the waters of the Mediterranean, the agency said. Source : hurriyet




Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) seen arriving in the Port of Fujairah for refuelling, cargo and provision. Lewis and Clark is a new Combat Logistics Force underway

replenishment naval vessel to replace the current capability of the Kilauea-class ammunition ship, Mars-class and Sirius-class combat stores ships. Lewis and Clark was delivered to the Navy June 20, 2006, and is operated by Military Sealift Command. She is designed to have a crew of 123 civilian mariners augmented by a military

department of 49 personnel. Photo : Maarten Mostert ©

Canadian Navy's Halifax Class frigates IPMS will be upgraded

L-3 Communications announced that its Montreal-based MAPPS division (L-3 MAPPS) has been awarded a CAD$73 million contract to supply its Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) upgrade for the Canadian Navy's 12 Halifax Class frigates. The IPMS will modernize the frigate's ship control system and improve the operational effectiveness of the vessels. "This award reinforces our position as the premier supplier of ship control systems to the Canadian Navy," said Steve Kantor, president of L-3 Marine and Power Systems group. "It is one of the largest control system contracts ever awarded - a single contract for 12 large frontline naval ships." The L-3 IPMS is based on a proven open-architecture design and features Versa Module Europa-based remote terminal units. The new IPMS incorporates a damage control system and electrical control system. It also offers new advanced functionality with equipment health monitoring, an on-board training system, CCTV integration and an interface with the ship's new combat management system. Several training simulators will also be delivered to the support facilities of the Canadian Navy. The Halifax Class frigate (hull designation FFH) is a class of multi-role patrol frigates that have served the Canadian Forces since 1992. HMCS Halifax (FFH 30) was the first of an eventual twelve Canadian-designed and built vessels, which combine traditional anti-submarine capabilities with systems to deal with surface and air threats. In 2007, the Canadian government announced a planned refit of the Halifax Class known as the Halifax Class Modernization Project or alternately as the Frigate Life Extension. The Halifax Class IPMS program follows on the heels of the selection of L-3's IPMS in October 2008 for the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) project by Thales UK for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense.



SHIPYARD NEWS

The Bernd Becker owned Eucon Progess seen at Van Brink Rotterdam for name change into JORK RANGER Photo : Joop Bartels ©

STX Marine responds to Petrobras tender STX Canada Marine (STXM) says it has responded to the recent Petrobras tenders by offering two innovative PSV designs for the Brazilian offshore sector. Both designs are variants of our popular PSV 23DE clean design vessels under construction at Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Florida, tailored to the specific requirements of the Petrobras tender. Both designs are DP2 compliant, diesel electric vessels with the power plant located on the main deck, two azimuthing stern drives, and two tunnel bow thrusters. Said STX Marine: "The goal was to provide a design that was both compliant with Petrobras needs and competitive to build. Key features of this design are a simplified hullform and construction arrangement that is in keeping with cost effective Gulf of Mexico construction practices. High speed diesel engines are specified to keep capital cost to a minimum."



A significant development in the vessels’ performance is that the hullforms have been modified to provide the additional speed required by Petrobras without increasing the installed power. Source: oilpubs.com

Centre for mega container terminal at Chennai port: Baalu

Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu today said Centre was planning to establish a mega container terminal at the Chennai Port at an estimated cost of Rs 3,686 crore and the proposal was awaiting Cabinet approval. Dedicating a new rail overbridge at Lalapet near here, he said the facility would be established on an area of two km into the sea. He said that the Government had sanctioned 290 road and bridge projects amounting to Rs 627.20 crore on various National Highways in the State. Under the Central Road Fund Scheme, a total of 223 works to the tune of Rs 395.38 crore had been sanctioned for developing roads with a length of 1,771 km, he added. He said under the Inter-State connectivity and economic importance scheme, the State had granted in principle approval for nine works costing Rs 21.82 crore. The works cover improvement of 61 km long State Highways. Of them, two works would be implemented with 100 per cent Central share at an estimated cost of Rs 8.85 crore while two other works totalling Rs 10.41 crore in the same category had already got the Ministry''s approval, he added. He said the improvement of the Karur-Coimbatore section of the NH 67 was being undertaken at a cost of Rs 178 crore and the project would be completed by March. Work on 89 km had been completed, he added. Source: Mynews

The SHELF EXPRESS seen arriving in IJmuiden Photo : Joop Marechal ©

ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES Accommodation vessel on course for

second quarter completion Dan Swift is due to be completed in the second quarter of this year. Dan Swift, the DP 2 accommodation and support vessel under construction for J Lauritzen at Blohm & Voss in Germany is approaching completion. J Lauritzen says the vessel is due for completion in the second quarter of 2009. The vessel is expected to be one of the first conversions of its type on the accommodation and support vessel market.



Dan Swift will provide high-end accommodation for 256 passengers, recreational facilities, offices and workshops. The vessel will furthermore, be equipped with a 100 tonne knuckle boom crane with active heave compensation to perform light construction work and maintenance offshore. J Lauritzen has purchased two telescopic gangways from Marine Aluminium in Norway to provide the maximum flexibility and modes of connection to either floating or fixed structures.

Survival of the fittest THE local maritime industry is expected to sail in choppy waters this year as global trade continues to decline. But the impact of the global economic downturn on the country’s goods transportation sector is expected to be cushioned as intra-Asia trade is still at a healthy level. This is reflected by the fact that all major ports in the country – Westports, Northport and Port of Tanjung Pelepas – met their volume targets last year. The three ports are only anticipating slower growth this year as they could still rely on intra-Asia transhipments as well as the import and export business. For example, although the price of crude palm oil has been falling in recent months, exports to India, one of the major

importers of our crude palm oil, is still robust. Northport, a major import and export terminal in Port Klang, posted slightly above three million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last year, up 5% from 2007. Due to its large exposure to import and export cargo handling, the port is expected to post slower growth this year compared with last year. But Northport managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Basheer Hassan Abdul Kader earlier said with the company’s low gearing of almost 0%, Northport could withstand the onslaught of the global economic crisis. Westports, which has more transhipment business, is in somewhat better shape in terms of volume. But the declining trade is also affecting Westports’ volume to a certain extent, and the port does not expect its “usual” double-digit growth this year. The port recorded about 16% volume growth in 2008 to slightly less than five million TEUs.

The country’s main transhipment port, Port of Tanjung Pelepas, posted just below 5.8 million TEUs last year, slightly below expectation, but an increase of about 6.1% over 2007. Malaysian shipping companies which are mainly involved in the container, bulk and crude palm oil (CPO) transportation are also not spared from the whiplash of the global economic crisis. MISC Bhd, which operates a relatively small container shipping business compared with its main activity of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation, should withstand the lower demand in container cargo.



The country’s major bulk carrier operator, Malaysian Bulk Carriers Bhd (Maybulk), has now ventured into the lucrative offshore support vessel (OSV) market after a collapse in bulk transportation where the Baltic Dry Index plunged more than 90% from its peak of 11,793 points on May 20. Maybulk has also completed its proposal to acquire a 22.08% stake in PACC Offshore Services Holdings (POSH) for US$221mil. Based on the current local and international demand, the OSV sector outlook is expected to be positive this year. For main players in the OSV market such as Alam Maritim Resources Bhd and Tanjung Offshore Bhd, it should be smooth sailing. The current stronger oil price, which breached US$50 per barrel recently, will also propel OSV demand to greater heights this year. But future financing for fleet expansion could be difficult as banks are getting jittery on lending, especially for this particular capital-intensive industry. Thinking ahead, Alam Maritim recently entered into a joint venture with CIMB Private Equity to acquire five vessels for a total of US$70mil. The local logistics sector is already feeling the pinch of the declining trade. This is due to Port Klang’s monthly volume that has contracted by as much as 25% in the past few months. On the bright side, the current economic turmoil will result in the survival of the fittest and make the industry less fragmented.

Mexico fishermen resume Pacific oil port blockade

Fishermen protesting rising diesel prices resumed a blockade of Mexico's Salina Cruz marine oil terminal, a major refined products distribution point on the southwest coast, state oil company Pemex said. The fishermen blockaded the port for much of the day on Thursday but ended their action in the evening after calling for talks with the government. Most of Mexico's oil is exported from Gulf of Mexico ports. Salina Cruz handled around 2 percent of Mexico's oil exports over the first 11 months of 2008, according to government data. The Mexican government froze gasoline prices on Wednesday as part of an economic stimulus package but diesel prices, which are around 25 percent lower than in the United States, will continue to rise on a weekly basis. Pemex has warned the blockade could lead to oil product shortages along Mexico's Pacific coast. Mexico has little storage infrastructure for oil products and many of its distribution terminals only hold enough inventory to meet two days of demand. Mexican fishermen's groups have been pushing for a reduction in marine diesel prices in past weeks, saying recent price increases have eroded their earning power. Fishermen in the Salina Cruz area have also been protesting the imposition of a larger safety zone around the port where they are prohibited from fishing. Pemex says the safety zone is required to meet international standards. Source: reuters



The Maersk Fortaleza seen entering the harbour of Puerto Quetzal at the Pacific coast of Guatamala. Alongside seen the Damen Stan Tug 2207 Poseidon.

Photo : Dick Buitenhuis ©

Mumbai ports seen losing cargo business to Gujarat

The Mumbai ports are losing their liquid cargo business to counterparts in Gujarat. The ‘unfriendly measures’ prevalent at Mumbai Port (MPT) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) are driving away a major chunk of the cargo business to Mundra and Kandla in Gujarat, according to users. The Mumbai-based ports earn around Rs 60,000 crore annually from the liquid cargo handling business. All India Liquid Bulk Importers and Exporters Association (AILBIEA) president Jayant Lapsia said: “Inadequate and inefficient infrastructure, delays in assessments by the custom authorities, low rationalisation of trade policies and multiple taxes are hampering the day-to-day business at ports in Mumbai.” Companies operating from Mumbai such as Hindustan Uniliver, Godrej Industries and Marico India are planning to shift their liquid cargo operations to Gujarat. “This will have serious consequences on income and employment in the city,” added Mr Lapsia. The share of liquid bulk traffic business handled by Mumbai ports declined by almost 10% in the past few months. Source : The India Times

Port of Newcastle breaks coal shipment records in December

The Port of Newcastle has ended 2008 by setting a new monthly record for coal exports, Ports and Waterways minister Joe Tripodi announced today. The December 2007 total of 8,548,813 tonnes of coal exported through the Port of Newcastle in New South Wales also beat the previous record set in December 2007 by nearly 165,000 tonnes. A Government spokesman claimed that the all time record tonnage handled at Newcastle has cemented the port's reputation as the biggest coal export facility in the world." For the 2007-08 financial year, Newcastle Port Corporation reported a record 88.88m tonnes of coal exports valued at $7.7bn. On a calendar year basis (2008) the amount of coal exported from Newcastle totalled 91.4m tonnes. Jodi McKay, minister for the Hunter Region, of which Newcastle is the major city, said Newcastle’s position as the world’s leading coal export facility will be further enhanced with the completion of new coal loading infrastructure over the next few years.



"The new $1bn coal terminal being constructed by Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group on Kooragang Island is scheduled for operation in 2010 with an initial export capacity of 30m tonnes," the minister pointed out.

The OCEANA seen arriving in Willemstad – Curacao Photo : Kees Bustraan ©

Obama unlikely to repeal 100% box scanning law

THERE is little chance of a repeal of US 100% box scanning legislation under president Barack Obama, the World Customs Organisation heard today. The newly elected Democrat president is not expected to work as hard to oppose the unpopular law as the administration of Republican president George Bush, diplomats heard in Brussels. The anti-terrorism measure, due to come into effect in 2012, would require all US-bound containers to be scanned prior to ship departure. It has triggered protests from trading partners, in particular the European Union, who say the US is exporting its security concerns at the expense of shippers across the globe. Mr Obama’s precise position on the law is still unknown since he is not reported to have made reference to it during his election campaign. But WCO executives, who have been lobbying US lawmakers, say the incoming president is unlikely to fight an initiative backed by a Democrat-controlled Congress. “As for a repeal, we will not see that,” WCO director Michael Schmit told customs ambassadors from around the world at Friday’s New Year’s gathering. The best that could be hoped for was a delay in implementation “beyond 2012”, he said. “[President] Bush fought against the law,” Mr Schmitz said. But while the US administration had been effectively lobbied, Congress had on the other hand “heard very little”, he said. This message was reinforced by the newly elected WCO secretary general Kunio Mikurija. “Congress is key,” he said. “Security should not be used as a new barrier [to trade]. We have to convince the US Congress to review the legislation on 100% scanning.” The WCO, which is pushing for the blanket scanning plan to be replaced by a risk-based system, said it would wait for US appointments to be confirmed, such as that of Secretary for Homeland Security, before resuming its lobbying campaign. Congressional committees, particularly the trade committee, are being targeted as potential allies. The ways



and means committee, which has already asked for a postponement to the scanning law, is also expected to lend support. Within the US there is opposition to trade security legislation on cost grounds. A separate anti-terror measure aimed at the supply chain, known as the “10+2” law, comes into effect later this month and is expected to cost $20bn to implement, the Brussels gathering heard. Shippers will from January 26 have to inform US Customs and Border Protection of new consignment details, such as the container stuffing location and the identity of the stuffer. Financial penalties will apply for non-compliance. Experts say 100% scanning would be even more costly. Pilot projects at a variety of ports have shown it is technically feasible but would cost up to $100 per box. Moreover, many in the supply chain industry believe that if implemented it would do little to improve US security. At the same time, there are hopes some ports would be exempt. “I think this law is more likely to happen under Obama than before,” said the Israeli ambassador to the WCO. “But ports in Europe will probably be alright.” The European Sea Ports Organisation said it believed “high volume” scanning, not 100% scanning, would be the most likely outcome. Source : lloydslist.

BG Kandla Container Terminal registers its highest monthly throughput in December

ABG Kandla Container Terminal at Kandla Port ended calendar year 2008 on a high, registering its highest monthly throughput of 15,762 TEUs for the year in December through the handling of 23 vessels. According to a release, this was a 26 per cent growth over the throughput achieved in November 2008. The terminal’s overall volume for the year stood at 1,52,520 TEUs, which was a significant achievement considering the current downturn in the global economy and the ban imposed on certain commodities by the Union government in April 2008, the release underscored. ABGKCT, which has completed almost two years of commercial operations, comprises two berths (No. 11 & 12) being operated on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis for a period of 30 years. Total berth length is 545 metres with supporting back-up area of 40 hectares. The alongside draught available at the berths is 12.5 metres. ABGKCT is one of the best equipped terminals in the country and has four Rail-Mounted Quay Cranes (RMQCs) (two with outreach of 46 m and two with 52 m), two mobile harbour cranes, four Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGCs), four reach stackers, 18 prime movers and 12 trailers. Of this, the two RMQCs with 52 m outreach and two RTGCs were operationalised in November 2008. The terminal’s current productivity levels are one of the best in the region, the release highlighted, which could be bench-marked internationally. Due to consistency and reliability in performance, two major services, ASX and IGI, have entered into window arrangements with ABGKCT, the release pointed out. In terms of connectivity, the terminal is well



connected to the Middle East, with three fixed sailings every 7-8 days. In addition, there are sailings to coastal India, Colombo and Upper Gulf sectors. ABGKCT is also well connected by road and rail and optimistically looks forward to handling ICD volumes from the Northern hinterland as it has obtained all the relevant charges from the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR). The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), the other important public sector player, and ETA Freightstar, the private container rail freight service provider which operates services from ICD-Loni to various gateway ports, have also evinced interest in sending containers to Kandla Port from Loni and have published the rail tariff to this effect, the release emphasised. Source: kandlaport

The port of Gwangyang – Photo : Theo Strauss ©

Propeller Club to promote UAE maritime industry in a big way

As the UAE positions itself to become a regional and global maritime hub, members of the maritime community in the country are grouping themselves to create ways of promoting the industry and also address the serious concerns affecting them. Through the International Propeller Club of the UAE, Dubai Chapter, the maritime community will seek to enhance quality and improve professionalism in the country's maritime industry Created recently as a non-government organisation with the aim of bringing together all members of the maritime community to discuss areas of mutual interest and chart the way forward for the industry, it will complement existing bodies working towards the cause of the maritime industry. "Our primary purpose is to generate interest for the enhancement of the maritime sector," said Tom Burke, President of the International Propeller Club of the UAE. "As part of our strategy, we are partnering with governmental institutions and other like-minded private organisations to boost the effectiveness of our campaigns and programmes." Burke said the UAE had great potential and determination to succeed as a global maritime hub given its strategic location and economic stability, adding that the club would work towards achieving this goal. The Dubai Maritime City Authority, the world's first purpose-built maritime centre, is sponsoring the Propeller Club as part of its initiative to support grassroots development of the maritime sector in the UAE and the region. Existing private maritime bodies include the UAE Ship Owners' Association and the Dubai Shipping Agents' Association.



The Propeller Club will hold its first gathering on January 15 at World Trade Centre Club, where maritime community members will discuss the dangers of piracy and its threat to the regional maritime industry. Besides sea piracy, other major issues affecting the maritime industry include a slowdown in the global shipping industry resulting from the credit crunch, lack of ship finance and shortage of seafarers. Other activities of the Club will include organising educational and professional programmes that promote the maritime industry. With the growing attraction of Dubai as a major cruise destination, Burke said the club would help in promoting and sustaining this trend. Burke conceived the idea of a Dubai chapter of the propeller club to support the local industry owing to his immense experience working in the maritime industry in the United States. He has worked for 35 years in various areas of the transportation industry including being president of K Line America, chairman of the National Maritime Security Discussion Agreement, and commissioner of the Panama Canal. The International Propeller Club has more than 10,000 members worldwide. Source: Emirates Business

Idle ships become a common sight The number of ships laid up or otherwise idle continues to rise at a high pace.

As of January 5, AXS-Alphaliner counted around 210 ships for a total capacity of 550 000 TEU - 4.5% of the existing fleet (3.5% two weeks ago). A fast increase is recorded in the 500-1 000 TEU segment in particular. Distribution by size category: over 7 500, 24 laid-up; 5 000 to 7 500, 24; 3 000 to 5 000, 31; 2 000 to 3 000, 28; 1 000 to 2 000, 68; 500 to 1 000, 52. Obviously, the report added, the quite large number of services closed or suspended on a variety of trade routes because of the current downturn lies at the root of the daily growing number of idle ships. Source : cargoinfo

The DELTA LLOYD team seen during the VOLVO OCEAN IN PORT RACE in Singapore Photo : Ronald Koelink ©




Ship crews paid double to brave pirates-Saudi firm

Oil shippers are paying crews double to persuade them to sail through the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden, an official at Saudi Arabia's National Shipping Company 4030.SE (NSCSA) said on Sunday. Somali pirates caused havoc in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes in 2008, hijacking dozens of ships including a Saudi Aramco-owned supertanker carrying $100 million worth of crude, freed this week for a reported $3 million ransom. "The main change in operations in generic terms is that most ships are now avoiding the Suez Canal and going around Cape Hope, which adds to the number of days of sailing," Saleh al-Shamekh, the company's president of oil and gas, told Reuters on the sidelines of an energy conference in Dubai. "But on the ships that have to go through the Gulf of Aden, they are having to pay the crew more, double the salaries," he said. Shamekh said their ships were also keeping a distance of up to 1,000 km from the Somali coast, and were travelling in convoys for safety, all of which was adding to cost. Insurance costs had also risen because of piracy, he said. "We don't see it affecting that much on the bottom line - hopefully," he said. Asked how much extra cost NSCSA was incurring as a result of the surge in pirate attacks, Shamekh said: "It's difficult to quantify." "Most of our business is spot business which goes east ... this doesn't get affected," Shamekh said, adding that 65 percent of the NSCSA's activities were in the spot market. NSCSA's five-year plan to double its fleet to around 50 tankers, including 32 chemical carriers, was to be completed by 2011 at a total cost of 5 billion riyals ($1.33 billion), he said. Shamekh said none of NSCSA's ships was being used as part of a global "floating storage", in which oil majors and traders store crude oil on supertankers to take advantage of the contango in oil markets and cheaper freight. Source: Reuters

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The KOTA NASRAT seen arriving in Cape Town during her maiden voyage Photo : Ian Shiffman ©

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Number 013 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS ...newsletter.maasmondmaritime.com/pdf/2009/013-14-01-2009.pdf · said the Singapore-registered vessels, M.T Atika, Kam Fung