Sleepvaart- en Offshore Nieuws

Transcription

7e jaargang, nr. 1
dd.08 Januari 2006
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Aankoop, verkoop, nieuwbouw, vernoemingen, etc.
Vertrek Kooren boten naar Frankrijk
Op 28 december zijn vanuit Rotterdam de RT Pioneer; RT Claire; RT Stephanie en de SD
Seine vertrokken naar Le Havre. De vijfde sleepboot die de Kooren vloot in Le Havre gaat
versterken is de SD Loire, welke direct vanaf de werf naar de Franse havenplaats zal varen.
Azie
M.b.t. eerdere berichtgeving van de verkoop van de Wellington (ex Azie – Aziebank) dat zij was
verkocht en dezelfde naam had, het volgende: Diverse bronnen melde dat de Wellington
afgelopen zomer werd verkocht en is herdoopt in Teimoso.
Keppel Wins S$120M in Contracts
Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd
(Keppel O&M), has clinched three newbuilding contracts worth a total of S$120 million. The first
contract involves the construction of four Anchor Handling Tug/Supply (AHTS) vessels at its
Keppel Nantong Shipyard, northwest of Shanghai. The deliveries of these vessels are expected
between third quarter 2007 and mid 2008. The owner is Hadi Offshore Pte Ltd., a newly
established Singapore subsidiary of Hadi H. Al Hammam Est., Saudi Arabia (HADI). The
companies have awarded Keppel Singmarine a total of 14 orders since 2001. Keppel
Singmarine’s latest delivery for HADI was in December 2005. An AHTS vessel, it was
completed one month ahead of schedule and achieved an excellent safety record of zeroincident during the whole construction period. Mr Charles Foo, Managing Director (Special
Projects) of Keppel Offshore & Marine and Chairman of Keppel Singmarine, commented,
“Construction of the first HADI vessel at Keppel Nantong Shipyard will begin by the first quarter
this year. We are committed to ensure that our good track record with HADI will be replicated in
Keppel Nantong Shipyard. “Nantong City where our yard is located has good infrastructure,
efficient logistics network and skilled manpower. With Keppel Singmarine’s management, we
are confident that we will be able to meet our customers’ requirements in completing the
newbuildings to their satisfaction.” Mr. T.K. Rajgopal, General Manager of HADI, said, “We
have full confidence with Keppel Singmarine’s capabilities and commitment. Their track record
has indeed led us to entrust them to build our next fleet of vessels in their new overseas yard in
Nantong, China. We are confident that they will be able to deliver the vessels with the same
high quality that we have been enjoying.” The second contract that Keppel Singmarine has
secured is for the construction of a 60-tonne Ice-Class AHTS vessel for repeat customer,
LUKOIL. An earlier order was placed for a similar AHTS in the second quarter 2005. The
leading oil company in Russia, LUKOIL’s main activities are in oil and gas exploration and
production, and production and sale of petroleum products. In yet another deal, Keppel
Singmarine will build a 100-tonne Anchor Handling Tug (AHT) for its new customer, Seaways
International Pte Ltd, a newly setup operations in Singapore with base company in the Middle
East. One of the world’s leading builders of offshore support vessels, Keppel Singmarine has
delivered a total of 15 vessels in 2005, with 28 others currently under construction. It is a whollyowned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation Limited through Keppel O&M, a global leader in
offshore rigs, ship conversion and repair and specialised shipbuilding. The group’s near market,
near customer strategy is bolstered by a global network of 17 yards in the Asia Pacific, Gulf of
Mexico, Brazil, the Caspian Sea, Middle East and the North Sea regions. Integrating the
experience and expertise of its yards worldwide, the group aims to be a provider of choice and a
partner in solutions for the offshore and marine industry. These contracts are not expected to
have a material impact on the net tangible assets and earnings per share of Keppel Corporation
Ltd for the financial year of 2006. (Bron: Marinelink)
Baloe
Op 3 januari arriveerde het casco van de nieuwe sleepboot voor Scheepvaartbedrijf Herman Sr.
vanuit Stettin in Dordrecht. Het casco werd gesleept door de Poolse ZEUS. De sleepboot type
Shoalbuster 2308 zal in April 2006 als BALOE in de vaart worden genomen. (bron
LEKKO/Damen Hardinxveld)
CP Valour’s Initial Phase of Salvage Complete
Despite unfavorable weather and sea swells which at times have been more than four metres,
all IMO- classified hazardous cargo has now been removed from CP Valour following its
grounding in the Azores on December 9. None of the crew of 21 suffered injury as a result of
the grounding. Salvage efforts have been underway since shortly after the grounding but have
been repeatedly thwarted by adverse sea conditions which are causing increasing damage to
the ship. Representatives of CP Ships Marine Operations arrived on site as soon as possible
after the grounding to liaise with local authorities and assist the salvage efforts. Several
attempts to re-float CP Valour were not successful and because of the current state of damage
to the ship, no further attempt to re-float will be undertaken. This has been discussed and
agreed with local authorities. Next steps in terms of removal of the cargo and of the ship itself
are under consideration. At the time of the grounding, the ship had about 1,000 tonnes of heavy
fuel oil and 140 tonnes of diesel oil on board as well as a small quantity of lubricating and
hydraulic oil and paint. All accessible fuel oil that could be pumped has been removed as well
as all lubricants, paints, chemicals and engine oils. With the removal of these materials and the
hazardous-classified cargo, the threat to the local environment has been significantly reduced.
A limited amount of bunker and diesel fuel has been spilled since the grounding. Local pollution
mitigation specialists have removed most of the fuel that washed ashore. CP Valour was en
route from Montreal to Valencia carrying 525 containers and was heading into safe anchorage
when it grounded off the coast of the Azorean island of Faial. (Bron: Marinelink)
Letojanni & AMT Explorer
Vrijdag 6 januari 2006 is de Italiaanse zeesleper Letojanni (Barbara Onorato – 2003; Biscay
Star – 2000) 7040/1977 van Augustea Imprese Marttime e di Salvataggi S.p.A. – Augusta, met
de AMT Explorer aan de tros Rotterdam binnengelopen. De Letojanni kwam met haar sleep van
het West Espoir Field Offshore Ivory Coast. (Bron: Erik Zijlstra)
Smit Luzon
De onlangs verkochte Smit Luzon (ex Smit-Lloyd 117) is herdoopt in Jascon 29. (Bron:Ko
Rusman)
Donjon-Smit Offers No Cost Standby Coverage for Marine Salvage
Donjon-SMIT, an OPA-90 Alliance, has announced that it now offers free coverage for salvage,
firefighting and lightering as required under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The majority of OPA90 salvage, firefighting and lightering service providers charge a fee, ranging as high as $650
per vessel per year of coverage, particularly for tank vessels. Donjon-SMIT offers free standby
coverage for all vessels both tank and non-tank, which will result in significant savings for
companies. This new no cost approach by Donjon-SMIT is based on the operational capabilities
of the company, its longstanding expertise, usage of own equipment and access to additional
resources necessary for effective and timely response to all kinds of casualties.
DOF orders another newbuild
District Offshore (DOF) in Norway has placed a contract with Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted to build
a MT 6009 design PSV. After delivery spring 2007 the vessel will start work on a contract with
Shell. (Bron: Clipping News)
J. van der Ster – Marcol Archief Productie
7e jaargang, nr. 2
dd.16 Januari 2006
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Avongarth
The Sao Vicente (ex. Galito-96, ex. Tiverton-90, ex. Avongarth-89) has been dismantled by her owners,
Lutamar, and she is to be scrapped. (Bron: Lawrence Amboldt)
Farstad Deals
SUBSIDIARIES of Norwegian offshore support specialist Farstad Shipping have secured new contracts
worth about NKr280m (US$42.4m). The deals take contract coverage of the Farstad-fleet for the first half
of this year to 88% and to 65% for second half. The company says coverage for 2007 is currently 28%.
BHP Billiton Petroleum (BHPB) has chartered the 2003-built anchor handling tug supply vessel Lady
Caroline (2003) and the newbuild Far Sword, due for delivery in April, for 330 to 420 days. Start-up is
scheduled to commence in late May. The vessels will support BHPB's drilling program off north-west
Australia. In addition Far Saltire's contract has been extended by further 5 months till June 2006. The
vessel will operate for BHPB and Woodside on the Australian sector. Conoco Phillips has declared the
option
for further 3 months for the platform supply vessel Lady Grete till March 2006. The vessel will support
Conoco Phillips' activity off the coast of Indonesia. The supply vessel Lady Melinda has been awarded a 6
months contract by Technip in Angola scheduled to start this month. Petrobras has declared the options
for AHTS Far Crusader till January 2007, Far Centurion till March 2007 and Far Sea till July 2006. The
vessels will continue to operate on the Brazilian sector. (Bron: Clipping News)
Fairmount Heavy Transport Awarded Amenam Contract
Rotterdam based Fairmount Heavy Transport NV has been awarded the contract by Saibos Akogep SNC
to transport and install the AMP2 Topside for Total. The scope of the work for Fairmount Heavy Transport
includes the engineering of the transport and installation project, the load out of the AMP2 Topside (about
11,000 tons ) on the barge Fairmount Fjell in the tidal port of Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, the transportation of
this module from Malaysia to the float-over location offshore in Nigeria and the float-over, positioning and
installation of the AMP2 Topside on its jacket. The contract will occupy the Fairmount Fjell for June to
September 2006. The project will start directly after Fairmount Fjell's maiden project for which it is
currently underway to Zadar to load the jack-up drilling rig Trident IV for transport to Malabo, Equatorial
Guinea for Transocean. Although the delivery of the converted vessel will most likely be pushed back a
couple of months, the Company's Board of Directors is of the opinion that this contract will generate a
financial contribution superior to the original alternative of being idle until starting the conversion in July
2006. Due to contractual requirements, Fairmount Heavy Transport is requested to keep commercial
terms confidential. (Bron: Marinelink)
Tug to guard Great Barrier Reef
The Australian government has announced an A$137m (US$103m), eight-year contract for a “powerful
new ocean-going vessel” to be permanently stationed in the northern Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait
area. According to a statement the vessel is currently under construction in Malaysia. It has a large rear
deck for transporting equipment and supplies for aids to navigation maintenance and construction work. It
is particularly suited to emergency towage with a bollard pull of 85 tonnes and will carry crucial oil pollution
response equipment at all times. The vessel will be flagged in Australia and crewed by Australians. The
Cairns-based vessel will be used primarily for emergency towage of ships as well as for overall
maintenance and construction services for Australia's national marine aids to the navigation network.
Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Warren Truss says: "A permanent emergency towage
vessel is a great boost to environmental protection measures in this highly-sensitive region. There are
currently no port-based tugs capable of emergency towage services in the northern Great Barrier Reef
and the Torres Strait. " He adds: "The new offshore tug will be available for towage operations in the case
of a shipping emergency, greatly reducing the risk of pollution from such an incident. Utilising this tug will
avoid a delay of several days before a tug could respond from southern ports." (Bron: Clipping News)
Pentow Service
De dit jaar voor het eerst door Smit ingestelde veilgheids prijs voor het beste schip in de wereldvloot van
het afgelopen jaar is gewonnen door de Pentow Service. (Bron:Smit)
Vlootvernieuwing Smit in 2005
Het afgelopen jaar heeft Smit 19 stuks eenheden aan haar vloot toegevoegd, welke op de Jaarrede op 9
january door de Hr. Ben Vree als volgt werden genoemd:
4 tugs voor Panama; Smit Mandji; Smit Damietta & Smit Port Said; Smit Oloma; 4 tugs URS; 6 tugs KST
en de Smit Kamara.
In de dezelfde jaarrede deelde de directie voorzitter van Smit mee, dat er dit jaar minimaal 36 schepen
aan de vloot zullen worden toegevoegd. Deze schepen werden als volgt gepresenteerd:
3 tugs Smit Transport: 2 tugs Nigeria; 4 tugs: Stan Tug 2208 – Smit Femco Novik; 5 tugs KST; AHTS
Gabon; Smit Komodo; Smit Nicobar; 18 tugs Brazil. (Bron:Smit)
7e jaargang, nr. 3
dd.22 Januari 2006
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Aker Yards to Build PSV for Farstad Supply
Aker Yards has signed a contract with Farstad Supply to deliver an UT 751 E platform supply vessel. The
value of the contract is approx $45M. This is the 17th contract between the shipowner Farstad Shipping
ASA and Aker Yards. The hull for the PSV will be built in Romania and outfitted at Aker Yards, Brevik.
Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for July 2007. (Bron: Marinelink)
Sailor Saved from Sunken Tugboat
ChinaDaily.com reported that a sailor aboard a sunken tugboat was rescued after a 39-hour stay at the
bottom of the Yangtze River. Guo Linyuan, 31, a villager from Yaowan town of Xuzhou, a city in northern
Jiangsu Province in East China, was left 14 meters below the water’s surface after an unidentified
watercraft crashed into a group of tugboats at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday near Zhenjiang, causing three
tugboats to sink to the bottom of the river. As his tugboat sank rapidly, Guo was stuck in the
accommodation and found an air-tight space of less than 1 square meter in the room. The Zhenjiang
Maritime Safety Administration arrived on the scene and began to carry out the rescue and salvage the
wrecks. Guo was saved at 10:40 a.m on Thursday and sent to the hospital. A second person aboard,
Guo's wife, Wu Xueli, 30, was still missing as of Friday night. (Source:Marinelink)
Lafitte Waterway Closes After Barge Accident
The Intracoastal Waterway closed near Lafitte for almost seven hours Saturday then reopened with some
navigational restrictions after a pole attached to a barge hit a bridge and snapped off,
www.NewOrleansTimes-Picayune.com reported. Authorities closed the waterway at 12:30 p.m., shortly
after the spud pole, used as a stabilizing device on the work barge, hit the bridge and fell on the water.
The pole reached 75 feet high, 2 feet higher than the underside of the bridge. It took several hours to
determine whether the broken pole in the water posed a hazard to boats. The channel also remained
closed as the Coast Guard awaited a salvage crew. The Coast Guard expected to temporarily close the
waterway again to remove the broken pole, which is submerged at a depth of 11.5 feet near the LafitteLarose Highway bridge. No time was set for the closure and it was unclear how long it may last. Only
vessels with a draft shallower than 11 feet were allowed to pass through the area after it reopened. There
were no injuries. The damage to the bridge, which wasn't closed to vehicle traffic, appeared to be minor.
(Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune)
Multratug 8
De Multratug 8 is in januari 2006 herdoopt in Serwal 4 van Project Zegluga te Polen. (Source:Leon de
Hoop)
Coast Guards Respond to Tug
Coast Guard crews are currently responding to a distress call from the 135-foot tugboat, Valour, towing a
500-foot barge loaded with approximately 140,000 barrels of petroleum by-product 37 miles off the coast
of Cape Fear, N.C. The Valour radioed the Coast Guard for help on Tuesday because they had a
crewmember fall overboard, and their vessel was taking on water. A rescue helicopter from Air Facility
Charleston launched to assist, and upon arriving at the scene they rescued one crewmember and
transported him to Myrtle Beach Hospital, S.C. The remaining crewmembers stayed with the struggling
vessel until the Justin Fox, a 125-foot tugboat in the area, arrived on scene. The good samaritan vessel
was able to rescue five crewmembers before the Valour sank in the 15 to 20-foot seas and gale-force
winds. The Coast Guard and good samaritan vessels are still searching for two crewmembers. Two Coast
Guard helicopters and an airplane are searching the area. An 87-foot patrol boat is en route. The barge is
adrift and the Coast Guard is working with Maritrans, the tug's owner, to recover it. (Source:Marinelink)
Towboat Brimstone Heavily Damaged By Fire at Vicksburg
The drydocked towboat Brimstone was heavily damaged by an engine room fire on January 11, at
Vicksburg, Miss., fire officials said, but there were no injuries reported. It took about an hour to put out the
fire. Yazoo River Towing owns the 4,000-hp. vessel, which it bought in 1992 from Mississippi Marine
Transport Company, Jackson, Miss. The vessel is 156 by 38 feet. She was built by Parker Bros. Shipyard
in Houston, Texas, and powered with F-M 38D8 1/8 diesels. No other details were available. Bisso Marine
Company has successfully refloated a 440- by 136-foot drydock, an effort made more complicated
because a 120,000-bbl. barge was on the drydock when the storm surge from Hurricane Katrina pushed it
aground. Parts of the four-section drydock were sunk, while others were grounded. The effort required
four "pull-barges" to get the drydock back on the waterway. – Bludworth Shipyard is constructing two
2,400 hp. towboats for Republic Barge Transportation Company. They will be powered by twin Cummins
KTA38-M2 engines, developing 1,200 hp. each at 1,800 rpm. The first of the 84- by 30-foot towboats is
due this spring (Source:Jan van der Doe)
Multraship completes lifting of pushertug from Danube
DUTCH salvage and towage company Multraship Salvage BV has successfully refloated the Slovakian
pusher-tug Polana, which sank in the River Danube on December 19 last year following a serious fire in its
engineroom. Despite a rapid response from local firefighters at the time of the casualty, the fire spread into
the Polana’s accommodation and other parts of the ship. The vessel subsequently sank in 10-12 metres of
water in the Romanian section of the river, off Giurgiu. The Romanian authorities ordered the owners to
remove the vessel immediately, not least because the Polana had over forty tonnes of fuel on board.
Awarded the contract to refloat the vessel over the Christmas and New Year period, Multraship Salvage
mobilised its floating sheerlegs Cormorant, and the tugs Fonda and Herman, under the direction of a
salvage team from Holland, accompanied by a diving team from UK-based salvor, Titan.
Following extensive preparations, the salvors finally started lifting on January 15. “It was a tough job,” says
Leendert Muller, managing director of Multraship Salvage. "High water levels and currents running up to
between four and five knots made diving almost impossible. Placing the lifting wires was therefore a
difficult and time-consuming job. “But we needed to act quickly because we knew from previous
experience, and particularly from last year’s salvage of the Rostok from the Romanian Danube, that the
ingress of heavy sand is extremely rapid. That proved to be the case once more. The vessel weighed
around 375 tonnes, but the net weight of the vessel with sand inside was over 600 tonnes".
Reports indicate that a small amount of fuel escaped from the vessel at the time of its sinking, but the
remaining fuel was successfully transferred by the salvors into tank barges. The vessel has now been
successfully redelivered to its owners, while the Cormorant is heading for Bulgaria to carry out its next
job. (Source:Clipping News)
Maritrans Tug Sinks off Cape Hatteras, Barge Adrift
At approximately 11:50 p.m. on January 17, 2006, the Maritrans Tug VALOUR, towing the Maritrans tank
barge M 192, began taking on water in heavy seas approximately 20 miles east of Cape Fear, North
Carolina. The tug separated from the barge and reportedly sank around 2:30 a.m. Initial reports are that
some members of the 9-man crew were injured, and the crew abandoned ship. No information is currently
available on the cause of the incident. The M 192, a double-hulled petroleum barge, is carrying 135,000
barrels of #6 oil, and is adrift. No damage has been reported to the barge. The company activated its oil
spill emergency response plan to respond to the incident. The barge was destined for Corpus Christi, TX.
The U.S. Coast Guard was notified and a Coast Guard rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene.
Other vessels in the vicinity are rendering assistance. Maritrans Operating Company L.P. is
headquartered in Tampa, FL, and operates a fleet of oil tankers, oil barges, and tug boats. Maritrans
Operating Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Maritrans, Inc. (Source:Clipping News)
Fincantieri "close to building first AHTS.
Fairplay's daily news reports that Finarge in Italy is negotiating a contract to build a new AHTS at
Fincantieri shipyard which, if confirmed, would be the Italian shipbuilder’s first order of this type.
Fairplay said Finarge wants to order something similar to the AHTS San Fruttuoso, which has a bollard
pull of 185 tons, built at Aker Yards in Norway in 2003. However, as Fairplay also noted, there is a large
order backlog at Aker and other yards that build offshore support vessels, and Fincantieri is reportedly
offering a reasonable price for this first AHTS deal. (Source:Clipping News)
Singapore's Ezra orders deepwater AHTS
Singapore's Ezra Holdings Ltd today announced that wholly owned subsidiary, Lewek Shipping Pte Ltd
has ordered two new, deepwater equipped, multi-purpose anchor handling, towing and supply vessels
(AHTS) for S$65.3 million (US$40 million), excluding the cost of certain owner furnished equipment.
The two 70-meter 12,000 brake horsepower (bhp) AHTS will be Ezra's first two vessels for delivery in
financial year ending August 31, 2008. The contract has been awarded to Pan-United Marine Limited. In
FY2007, Ezra will also be taking delivery of nine new vessels comprising two anchor handling tugs (AHT),
six AHTS and a Heavy Lift Accommodation Pipelay Vessel. "We remain committed to our fleet expansion
program and our newbuilding orderbook is driven by strong demand from the offshore oil and gas sector,"
said Mr Lionel Lee, Ezra's Managing Director. He added: "We continually invest in a range of vessels for
both deep and shallow water support work so that we can better meet customer demand." Ezra has built
up a strong profit growth track record since its public listing in August 2003. In FY2005, Ezra reported a
138% rise in Group net profit to S$36.1 million (US$22.1 million). Ezra says it continues to build on its fleet
size as well as its range of offshore support capabilities. By end FY2008, the fleet under management and
operation will grow to 32 offshore support vessels with a strong deepwater E&P support services
capability. Ezra operates one of the youngest fleets of specialized vessels serving Asia's buoyant offshore
oil and gas industry. Pan United Marine says the new contracts will lift its orderbook to a record volume,
with 17 vessels to be delivered over 2006Ð08, and value of about S$400 million (US $245 million). The
PUM Group owns and operates two shipyards: Pan-United Marine Limited in Singapore; and under PT
Pan-United Shipyard Indonesia in Tanjung Uncang, on the northwest coast of Batam, Indonesia.
Qatari newbuild has SWATH hullform Doha Marine Services in Qatar has revealed details of the latest
addition to its fleet, DMS Constructor, a Small Waterplane Twin Hull (SWATH) vessel designed for
worldwide operations with an emphasis on the construction support in shallow and deep water. In a recent
statement, the company said it believes that the SWATH hullform is more stable than a conventional
monohull and that combined with DP 2, this creates a versatile, flexible vessel. The company said there
were other advantages to the SWATH design, including reduced wave drag, reduced powering, and a
more comfortable, smoother ride. DMS Constructor is 72m long with a beam of 28m and a deadweight of
around 2,750 tonnes. The main propulsion system takes the form of a quartet of fully azimuthing thrusters
with fixed pitch propellers of 1,200kW each. The diesel-electric power plant comprises four 1,750KW
alternators which will drive the vessel at a service speed of 10 knots. DMS Constructor has a clear deck
area of in excess of 1,000m2, deck cargo carrying capacity of 750 tonnes, and is capable of carrying
400m3 of fuel oil, 800m3 of fresh water and 2,000m2 of water ballast/drill water. DMS Constructor also
has fully air-conditioned accommodation for 250 and a hospital with two beds. A 4 x 4m moonpool will
allow the deployment of ROVs and diving equipment, and the vessel is equipped with two
electro/hydraulic telescopic cranes each with a boom length of 55m with a capacity of 50 tonnes at 6m
outreach and 20 tonnes at 20m mounted on the starboard side. (Source:Clipping News)
Bourbon reveals role in Rigdon Marine investment
Bourbon's equity investment will help Rigdon Marine acquire 10 more PSVs. Bourbon in France has
confirmed that, in line with its international development strategy, it has invested US$9.1 million in Rigdon
Marine in the US. Shortly beforehand, Rigdon Marine had announced that it was to acquire another 10
new PSVs. Bourbon said that its latest investment in Rigdon Marine would strengthen Rigdon's fleet and
"generate technical and operational synergies in both vessels and personnel." Bourbon Chairman and
CEO Jacques de Chateauvieux said: "This stake in Rigdon Marine is the natural outcome of four years of
collaboration. We have seen that this fast growing company has rapidly become a profitable service
provider.. particularly in the Gulf of Mexico. Our commitment is a clear demonstration of Bourbon's
investment policy, designed to assemble the best skills and resources to successfully fulill customer needs
for new generation vessels worldwide." (Source:Clipping News)
Fourth GPA 670 PSV delivered
Guido Perla, Chairman of Guido Perla and Associates (GPA), has announced the delivery of Hector, the
fourth of 10 GPA 670 PSVs designed by the company for Bourbon Offshore. Hector marks the last of four
original vessels ordered, but with the offshore support vessel market booming and with the successful
construction of Guido Perla and Associates’ design, Bourbon Offshore has expanded the GPA 670
building programme to a total of 10 vessels, which will be built at Zhejiang Shipbuilding in Ningbo, China.
“We established an office in China to oversee the construction of Bourbon’s GPA 670 Class of vessels.
The expansion of the project to ten vessels, demonstrates the satisfaction of the vessels owner to
continue the rejuvenation of its offshore fleet,” said Guido Perla. “The GPA series of platform support
vessels for Rigdon Marine Corporation and Bourbon Offshore has established our company as one of the
leading designers of platform support vessels in the world.” The GPA 670 PSVs are 240ft, diesel-electric
vessels, which are equipped with two stern-mounted Kawazaki KST-200 360 degree azimuthing Z-drive,
fixed pitch, 1,200 rpm powered, full range variable speed motors. A further enhancement to the dieselelectric drives is the technologically advanced dynamic positioning system and the vessel management
system that provides total redundancy, which is required for the DP 2 certification. Consequently, if a
vessel system fails, it can be bypassed without the loss of control during cargo operations or while
maintaining position at an offshore facility. The GPA 670 vessel is capable of carrying 9,005 cubic feet of
bulk material and 6,868 barrels of liquid mud in self cleaning oval tanks. The vessels’ pumps deliver mud
to a height of 197ft above water. The 80-PSI air compressors can also deliver 50 tonnes of dry cement or
barite per hour to the same height. (Source:Clipping News)
Marine News:
Sales, Transfers & Renamings
Calabar Seahorse, 118/82 – tug. By Zapata Gulf Marine Service Ltd. S.A. Panama to Coloured Fin Ltd,
Trinidad & Tobago and renamed Telemachus.
Cleveland Cross, 290/89 – tug. Has been renamed Forth by Svitzer Marine Ltd, UK
Deben, 371/90 – tug. Has been renamaned Adsteam Deben by Adsteam UK, Southampton, UK.
Gulf Frontier, (Seacor Frontier – 03, Arcadian Commander – 96), 1530/81 – research. By Fleet Capital
Corp, USA to Team VI Ltd, St.Vincent and the Grenadines and renamed Team Liwa.
Gulf Yankee, (Seacor Yankee – 03, Nicor Yankee – 91), 975/82 – offshore tug/supply. By Fleet Capital
Corp. USA to Team VII Ltd, St.Vincent and the Grenadines and renamed Team Rima.
Jacklyn M. (Robert L.Torres – 93, Andrew Martin – 90), 198/76 – tug. Has been renamed G.L.Ostrander
by Lafarge Corp. USA.
Justine McAllister (S/R Carquinez – 01, Exxon Carquinez – 68, Exxon Maine – 55) 192/51 – tug. By
McAllister Towing & Transportation Co.Inc. (MT&T), to New York State University Maritime College, both
USA to and renamed The Privateer.
Karin S, (Diamante – 98), 120/95 – tug. By Stemat BV. St.Vincent and the Grenadines to Williams
Shipping Marine Ltd, UK and renamed Wilpower.
Motorman, (Searcher – 02, Smit-Lloyd 119 – 98, Bhiel Traveler – 91), 1389/77 – offshore tug/supply. By
Specialist Marine Services Ltd. To Eide Marine Services A.S. both Bahamas and renamed Eide Traveler.
Normand Viking, (Troms Titan – 05, Viking Titan – 00, Polar Titan – 92), 2535/85 – offshore tug/supply.
Has been renamed Normand Titan by Solstad Rederi A/S Norway.
Ocean Venture (S/R Golden State – 98, Exxon Golden State – 93, Eliska – 89, Eliska Theriot – 84)
172/75 – tug By SeaRiver Maritime Inc. To Moran Towing Corp. USA and renamed Paul T.Moran
Panagiotakis Star (Anglian Duke – 02, Endurance – 94, Azzurro Primo – 90, Maersk Blower – 87) 762/77
– offshore tug/supply. By Panagiotakis Star Salvage & Towage, Greece to Rederi AB Nestor, Portugal
(MAR) and renamed Herkules
S/R Everett (Launched as Mohawk) 858/00 – tug By First Security Bank of Utah NA (Corporate Trust
Division) to K-Sea Transportation Corp both USA and renamed Lincoln Sea
Seabulk Gannet I, (Red Gannet – 99, Sea Basset – 98, Boa Eskil – 95, Jon Viking – 90) 1030/76 –
offshore tug/supply. By Seabulk Gannet I Inc. Marshall Islands to Intone Pte. Ltd,. Singapore ans renamed
Ocean Gannet
Seabulk Grebe ( Red Grebe – 98, Smit-Lloyd 109 – 97) 1384/74 – offshore tug/supply. By Seabulk Grebe
Inc. To Rig Deliverer Shipping Inc. Both Panama and renamed Rig Deliverer.
Seabulk Wyoming (Bengal Sea – 96) 717/79 – offshore tug/supply. By Seabulk Offshore Ltd, USA to
Inter Gulf Marine LLC, UAE (Dubai) and renamed Al-Ased
Seacor Explorer 1596/01 – tug. By Java Marine Lines Pte.Ltd. Singapore to Gulf Fleet Middle East Inc.
Vanuata and renamed Nelson Tide
Seacor Fortitude (Big Orange 30 – 00, Veesea Diamond – 97, Subsea – 91, Nicor Subsea – 90,
Arcadian Seafarer – 85) 184/79 – standby safety. By Gem Shipping Inc. USA to Reserved Capital
Enterprise Corp, St.Kitts & Nevis and renamed Skif.
Seacor Intrepid, 1951/04 – offshore tug/supply. By Seacor Smit Offshore (Worldwide) Ltd. Marshall
Islands to Gulf Fleet Middle East Inc. Vanuatu and renamed Goldblatt Tide
Seacor Rebel (Nicor Rebel – 90) 296/83 – offshore tug/supply. By Seacor Marine International Inc. To
Jettco Marine Transportation Inc. USA and renamed J.F.Jett
Seacor Rover 1405/02 – offshore tug/supply. By Java Marine Lines Pte.Ltd. Bahamas to Gulf Fleet
Middle East Inc. Vanuatu and renamed Wilbert Tide
Sheba 389/00 – tug. By Med Marine Pilotage & Towage Services Construction Industry and Trade Inc.
St.Vincent and the Grenadines to Bahrain Bulk Trade WLL, Bahrain and renemaed Yasmin
Sun Mercia, 449/90 – tug. Has been renamed Adsteam Mercia by Adsteam UK, Gravesend. UK.
Toisa Panther (TNT Panther – 90) 846/84 – offshore supply. By Toisa Ltd. UK to Ahmed Ali Khalifa
Shipping Agencies Co.Inc. Panama and renamed Ahmed VI.
Troms Falken 2152/01 – offshore supply. By TFDS Offshore A/S to Solstad Rederi A/S both Norway and
renamed Normand Produce.
Troms Steggen 1992/00 – offshore tug/supply. Troms Brevik KS to Solstad Rederi A/S both Norway and
renamed Normand Vibran.
Troms Titan (Viking Titan – 00, Polar Titan – 92) 2535/85 – offshore tug/supply By TFDS Offshore A/S to
Solstad Rederi A/S, both Norway and renamed Normand Viking.
Reports
Amethyst 242/92 – tug was renamed Seaways 11 (Vct) prior to 18/04/2005
Badan 332/63 – tug was renamed Arctic Explorer (Swe) rpior to 8/8/2005
Comenda 641/78 – tug arrived at Horsens as Mira A (Den) on 13/11/2005
Casualties
Catuan (Darlene Bisso – 01, Mohican (WYMT-73) – 87) 193/44 – tug, owned by Remolcadores
Dominicanos SA, Dominican Republic. Grounded 13/10/2005 and subsequently sank at San Pedro de
Macoris and although refloated 25/10, is considered to be a total loss.
7e jaargang, nr. 4
dd.29 Januari 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Maritrans report about victims
Maritrans Operating Company L.P. announced today that the US Coast Guard has suspended any further
search and rescue efforts following the sinking of its tug VALOUR and confirmed that the missing
crewman is presumed lost at sea. A total of three crewmen lost their lives in the incident. They were Chief
Mate Fred Brenner, 53, of Baltimore, Maryland, Chief Engineer Richard Smoot, 50, of South Point, Ohio,
and AB/Tankerman Ron Emory, 56, of Milford, Delaware. There are six other crewmembers who were
rescued and who were reunited with their families on Thursday morning. "This tragedy saddens all of us at
Maritrans and we continue to keep the families of all of the crewmembers in our thoughts and prayers,"
said Jonathan Whitworth, President of Maritrans Operating Company L.P. Maritrans said its barge M 192
safely reached the Cape Fear River under tow this afternoon and is en route to Wilmington, N.C., following
an incident on Wednesday in which its tug, VALOUR, sank off the North Carolina coast. The barge will
receive a complete condition assessment for possible damage before it returns to operations. However,
the Coast Guard's preliminary assessment did not find any damage to the barge. There continues to be no
indication of any loss of cargo from the barge, which is carrying a type of heavy fuel oil. (Source: Clipping
News)
Coast Guard suspends search for missing man, tug
Maritrans Inc, a maritime petroleum transport company, said on Thursday said search and rescue efforts
had been called off for its tug Valor and a missing crewman. The vessel sank off the coast of Cape Fear,
North Carolina Tuesday night while towing a barge filled with 130,000 barrels of oil. Two crew members
were found dead. Six others were rescued alive. The U.S. Coast Guard halted the search for the missing
man and the tug on Thursday. The three dead were identified as: Chief Mate Fred Brenner, 53, of
Baltimore, Maryland; Chief Engineer Richard Smoot, 50, of South Point, Ohio; and Tankerman Ron
Emery, 56, of Milford, Delaware. The tug sank after the barge it was towing broke loose, some 20 miles
east of Cape Fear. "This tragedy saddens all of us at Maritrans and we continue to keep the families of all
of the crew members in our thoughts and prayers," said Jonathan Whitworth, chief executive officer of
Maritrans. Maritrans Operating Company LP, a unit of Maritrans, said in a statement that there was no
indication any of oil was lost. The company's stock, which slid 5.5 percent on Wednesday after news of
the incident, rebounded on Thursday and closed up 5.3 percent or $1.32 at $26.19. (Source: Clipping
News)
Floating Crane Sunk
On January 19 the floating self-propelled crane sank in Novorossiysk port. The crane's team (7 people)
was saved. The accident happened during the crane's towing operation. During the towing operation the
rope snapped and the 60 meters long crane fell on the western pier of the Novorossiysk Ship Repairing
Yard. As a result the 4 holes were made in the crane, the boom was broken. The 2 tugboats and a rescue
boat participated in the rescue operation. (Source: Clipping News)
Press Service Reports Kidnapping Of Four Off Tidewater Vessel
The Associated Press reported last week (January 18) that Nigerian rebels kidnapped four people off the
Tidewater vessel Liberty Service, including Patrick Landry, 61, captain of the vessel. Landry is a former
resident of New Iberia, La. Landry told his son, Dwight Landry, that about 40 rebels in three speedboats
overtook the Liberty Service. They were carrying rocket grenades, machine guns and other weapons.
They confiscated the boat. Tidewater contracts with Shell Oil to service Shell rigs throughout the world.
The elder Landry has worked for Tidewater for more than 30 years, his son said. While his family awaits
word, Shell has negotiators in the area, and they are in touch with the rebels. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Tug Boat Sinks In Dumwamish
A 101-foot tugboat sank at its moorage off the mouth of the Duwamish River and nearly dragged down a
second tug, officials said.The cause of the sinking of the tug Island Brave was unknown, said David
Zanzig, port captain for Island Tug & Barge, owner of the vessel. He said some of the more
than 20,0000 gallons of diesel fuel in the tugboat'stanks leaked before company divers sealed the fuel
tanks. The amount that escaped was undetermined but appeared to be small and wa s contained by
booms, Coast Guard Petty Officer Kurt Fredrickson said. Someone driving over the Spokane Street Bridge
notified the company about 11 a.m. Sunday that the Island Brave and Patricia S, to which it was tied, were
listing north of the bridge and east of Terminal 5. The Island Brave sank beneath the surface about 1:15
p.m. A large crane on a barge was brought to the scene in time to pull upward on the sinking tug so the
Patricia S could be cut free, Zanzig said. Slightly more than two years ago, the Patricia S took water and
slipped onto its side at the same location but was kept afloat. Another of the company's tugs sank and
was lost near Alaska about eight years ago, Zanzig said. Island Tug has 15 tugboats and 17 barges that
are used mainly to haul gravel and support construction. (Source: Clipping News)
Bollinger confirms Rigdon order
Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., of Lockport, La., has announced the signing of a multi-vessel contract with
Rigdon Marine Corporation. Bollinger will build ten (10) platform supply vessels (PSV) for Rigdon Marine,
based on a new GPA 654 Class, designed by Guido Perla & Associates. The design incorporates
increased carrying capacity and greater operating efficiency, compared to similar sized vessels, while at
the same time allowing simplified construction methods to reduce construction cost. All ten vessels are
planned to be built at Bollinger's Lockport La. facility. Donald "Boysie" Bollinger, chairman and CEO of
Bollinger said, "We are excited about our upcoming program with Rigdon Marine. I have worked along
side of Larry and several of his team members for many years. The timing of this state of the art PSV
program is ideal for both of our organizations, and I am confident that this program is only the first of
several to come." The GPA 654 Class of PSV is a newly designed vessel that measures 190-ft. x 46-ft x
18Ðft. The vessels will be diesel-electric and classed ABS +A1+AMS+DP2, USCG Subchapter L and
SOLAS. Larry Rigdon, president and CEO of Rigdon Marine Corporation said, "Our organization is
committed to the redevelopment of the State of Louisiana and having the next phase of our building
program in Louisiana and at Bollinger is another reinforcement of that commitment." (Source: Clipping
News)
Havila returns to Leirvik
Havila Shipping of Norway has signed up with domestic shipbuilder Havyard Leirvik to build a platform
supply vessel for NOK 270m ($41.22m). Delivery of the MT 6010-type ship is scheduled for August 2007.
It will then begin a long-term contract with Norway’s Norsk Hydro, Havila said. Havila has two
anchorhandlers on order at the Leirvik yard, plus a 20% interest in another similar vessel. (Source:
Clipping News)
Montgat
De Montgat (2725 apk, 265/95, 43t paaltrek) is in 2005 door Remolcadores de Barcelona verkocht aan
Megalochari Hellenic Tugboats, Piraeus. (Source: Lawrence Amboldt)
Bollinger delivers Bordelon OSV's
Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, Louisiana, has delivered the Offshore Supply Vessels Sarah
Bordelon and the Marcelle Bordelon to Bordelon Marine, Inc., Lockport, Louisiana. In 2001 Bordelon
Marine took delivery of three of the highly successful Bollinger 145-foot mini supply boats, which
expanded the Bordelon fleet to six vessels. Bordelon has once again taken the opportunity to grow its
fleet. This time it has added two 163 ft vessels that incorporate many features usually associated with
larger vessels. "We decided early on that we wanted to raise the bar and build vessels that were
completely state-of-theart, said Wes Bordelon, owner and vice president of operations, of Bordelon
Marine. These vessels utilize a number of cutting edge systems only found commonly on much larger
vessels. Systems such as computerized alarm and cargo monitoring, satellite communications, electronic
logs and charting software are all a part of being able to provide our customers with a higher level of
service and efficiency. Bollinger delivered that vessel in the Sarah and Marcelle." The new vessels are
163-feet long with a 36-feet beam and a depth of 11.5-feet. Light draft is 5.4-feet and maximum draft is
9.7-feet. Liquid mud capacity is 1,230 barrels, methanol capacity is 44,600 gallons and fuel oil capacity is
57,200 gallons. Deck cargo capacity exceeds 370 metric tons, with an open deck that measures 110-feet
x 30-feet. The vessels are classed ABS Load Line, DP, USCG Sub Chapter L, OSV. The Bordelon
vessels were designed with components, typically associated with their larger big brother OSV's. Both
vessels are outfitted with state of the art electronics packages and systems, with the BEIER IVCS 2000
Dynamic Positioning System, Independent Rudders Steering Control, and Propulsion Control System. The
systems allow the user to control, monitor and alarm any equipment via a touch screen interface. Graphic
displays allow the user to view different control and monitoring screens of each group of systems being
monitored. Each vessel is powered by 2 x Cummins KTA 38M0 main engines, driving Twin Disc 5301
reduction gears. The vessels have 1900 GPM Stang fire monitors, powered by an 8 x 6 Crane Denning
fire pump, driven by a Cummins N14 diesel engine. "Our production team has always stepped to the plate
to exceed our customer needs to meet the demands of the offshore support vessel industry," said Chris
Bollinger, executive vice president of new construction of Bollinger Shipyards. "Our close friends at
Bordelon once again had the confidence in our people to deliver that product in vessels that will take their
company into the future." (Source: Clipping News)
Edison Chouest announces more newbuildings
Galliano, La.-based Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) announced plans to construct several new anchor
handling towing supply vessels (AHTS) at its North American Shipbuilding (NAS) facility in Larose, La.
Additionally, the company is announcing plans to expand upon its highly successful series of 280-ft.
platform supply vessels (PSV), as well as many new fast supply vessels. In a release one week ago,
Bollinger Shipyards also announced the construction of two 245-ft. liftboats for Chouest. ECO has already
ordered ship's equipment for the first three AHTS vessels, and holds an option for another three vessels.
The first two AHTS vessels are to be delivered during the first and third quarters 2007. This new
proprietary hull design, 16,000 HP class, 280-ft, DP2, 200 MT bollard pull, new generation anchor handler
offers increased capacities for both deck and below-deck cargoes, with a deadweight tonnage of 4,236
LT. The ship will be equipped with a 500 MT three-drum winch, providing total wire capacity for 27,034
feet of 4.25-inch wire, with secondary winches with a total capacity of 33,160 feet of five-inch diameter
synthetic rope. Chain lockers will accommodate 18,700 feet of 3 3/4-inch chain. Deck equipment includes
dual tow pins, shark jaws and stern rollers. The third new Chouest AHTS vessel to be delivered in the
second quarter 2008 is a 348-ft, proprietary hull design, 16,000 HP class, DP2, 210 MT bollard pull, new
generation anchor handler. The vessel will feature a deadweight tonnage of 5,111 LT and is equipped with
a 600 MT four-drum winch, providing total wire capacity for 43,960 feet of five-inch wire and secondary
winches with a total capacity of 107,020 feet of five-inch diameter synthetic rope. Chain lockers will
accommodate 38,704 feet of 3 3/4-inch chain. Deck equipment includes dual tow pins, shark jaws and
stern rollers. "All three of the new anchor handling vessels have been designed to meet the challenges of
increased requirements for installation and recovery of deepwater mooring systems," said ECO President
Gary Chouest. To date ECO has delivered eight 280-ft. platform supply vessels, all currently working in
the Gulf of Mexico. The company is now releasing plans to construct an additional ten vessels, all slated
for delivery within the next 24 months. The ninth 280-ft. PSV, the DANTE, was recently completed at NAS
and is slated for delivery soon, to be closely followed by the ALLIE CHOUEST, currently being completed
at ECO affiliate North American Fabricators in Houma, LA, and scheduled for a March 2006 delivery. ECO
says the 280-ft series has revolutionized the supply vessel industry in the Gulf of Mexico, featuring a
deadweight of 4,800 tons, as well as dedicated below deck tankage for 15,415 barrels of liquid mud. The
vessels provide a clear deck area of 10,251 sq. ft. (203 ft x 50.5 ft), with a capacity of 2,700 LT. In recent
months ECO has taken delivery of two new 160-ft fast supply vessels, designed and built by Breaux
Brothers in Loreauville, LA. ECO is also announcing the continuation of that newbuild relationship, with
plans for an additional nine fast supply vessels over the next two years. The two 245-ft liftboats are based
on a Bollinger design that has proven to be an industry leading design that is American Bureau of
Shipping (ABS) classed and USCG certified subchapter L, meeting all SOLAS/MARPOL requirements.
The vessels will be built at Bollinger's Lockport, La. facility, with deliveries scheduled for the first and
second quarters 2007 (Source: Clipping News)
Thoresen buys supply ship
Thoresen Thai has acquired Swire Pacific’s 657-dwt supply vessel Pacific Oak (built 1982) for $3.1m as it
looks to bolster its offshore business. The Teraoka Zosen built vessel, to be renamed Mermaid
Performer, will join the already four strong fleet of Thoresen subsidiary Mermaid Offshore Ltd. Thoresen
said it acquired the vessel to serve the “increasing demands for dive support/survey vessels in our subsea
engineering business.” The Bangkok-based owner said funds for the acquisition would come from
Mermaid Offshore’s existing capital plus loans from its parent Mermaid Maritime. Havila confirms newbuild
to have safe cargo handling solution Havila Shipping in Norway has confirmed that it has signed a contract
with Havyard Leirvik AS to build a MT6010 PSV. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for August 2007, and
on delivery the vessel will enter into a long term contract with Norsk Hydro. In December, Havila Shipping
received a Letter of Intent from Norsk Hydro for a long term contract for a single PSV vessel. The contract
period is for 10 years with five yearly options with a start-up of July 2006, so one of the company's vessels
will act as a frontrunner until delivery of the newbuild. Havila said the MT6010 will be noteworthy because
it will be equipped with Odim's newly developed safe cargo handling system. "This, combined with the
company's HSE policy, will contribute to a safe working environment onboard the vessel," said Havila.
(Source: Clipping News)
Meer Rotortugs op stapel
Kooren Shipbuilding and Trading, onderdeel van de Kotug Groep, laat vier sterke rotortugs bouwen bij de
ASL-werf in Singapore. Ze krijgen een trekkracht van ruim tachtig ton en worden in de tweede helft van
2007 opgeleverd. De order komt op het moment, dat ASL de laatste hand legt aan de vierde rotortug, die
KST eerder bestelde. Van deze serievan het type RT-60 zijn de eerste twee, de RT Stephanie en RT
Claire, in Le Havre ingezet. Nummer drie en vier, de RT Anthonie en RT Zoë, volgen binnenkort. Alle vier
hebben ze een trekkracht van zestig ton. De nieuwe serie van vier is van het type RT-80. Deze kunnen
ruim twintig ton meer trekken dan de RT-60. Qua afmetingen verschillen beide typen nauwelijks. De
Nieuwe serie wordt 28,30 meter lang en twaalf meter breed. De slepers krijgen drie Wartsila 8L20Choofdmotoren van ruim 1600 kW, die elk een Wartsila/Lips azimuth schroefunit aandrijven. Verder kunnen
ze worden ingezet bij brandbestrijding. Volgens KST zijn er van de serie van vier al twee verkocht. De
naam van de kopers worden nog niet bekend gemaakt. De andere twee bouwt KST op speculatieve basis
voor de verkoop of voor bareboat verhuur. Tot nu toe zijn twaalf rotortugs in bedrijf of in aanbouw.
(Source: Shuttevaer)
Noors Eidesvik innoveert bevoorraders
De Noorse offshoreservicerederij Eidesvik combineert bij de bouw van een nieuwe platformbevoorrader
twee recente nnovaties, namelijk LNG-aandrijving en het ontwerp VS493 Avant. Beide vernieuwingen zijn
eerder afzonderlijk toegepast in respectievelijk de Eidesvik-schepen Viking Energy en Viking Avant.
Laatstgenoemd offshoreservicevaartuig onderscheidt zich van de gangbare psv’s doordat de machines,
de brug en de verblijfsaccomodatie op het achterschip zijn geplaatst. Daarmee lijkt het schip op een
gewoon vrachtschip. Volgens Eidesvik en de ontwerpers resulteert een dergelijk ontwerp in onder meer
een grotere stabiliteit en een gelijkmatiger geluidsniveau voor de bemanning. Het slankere laaddek geeft
goede vaareigenschappen en een gunstig brandstofverbruik. Nog een praktisch voordeel is bijvoorbeeld,
dat het risico wordt voorkomen dat slangen voor het overpompen van chemicalien en andere vloeistoffen
worden beschadigd door de hekschroef. De op LNG (vloeibaar aardgas) varende Viking Energy is in
gebruik sinds 2003 en heeft aangetoond dat de bedoelde brandstof qua milieuvoordelen geheel aan de
verwachtingen voldoet met een forse reductie van de emissies ten opzichte van gangbare brandstoffen.
Los daarvan zijn ook de kosten lager. Het design voor het nieuwe schip dat beide innovaties in zich
verenigt heeft de logische werktitel VS493 Gass-Aavant. Het 5600 brutoton metende schip wordt ruim 92
meter lang en 21 meter breed. De onder voor de bouw is gegund aan de Noorse werf West Contractors in
Ølensvåg, die de klus gaat klaren voor veertig miljoen euro. De oplevering is in augustus 2007. (Source:
Shuttevaer)
Tug Sinks off Frying Pan Shoals, 3 Die
High seas off Frying Pan Shoals on the night of January 24 led to the sinking of a tugboat and the death of
three crew members. The 125-foot tugboat Valour set its barge adrift to turn around and recover a crew
member who fell overboard. During the search, the tug started taking on water and sank around 2:30 a.m.
on January 25 about 39 miles off the Cape Fear coast near the Frying Pan Shoals light tower. The U.S.
Coast Guard and the crew of another tugboat, Justine Foss, helped rescue six crewmen. One died after
being rescued. One of the missing two is believed to have gone down with the tug. The Coast Guard
searched more than 1,700 nautical square miles over a period of 16 hours for the other missing crew
member before suspending its search. The U.S. Coast Guard Station Oak Island did not have a boat in
the water for the search and rescue efforts. Gale-force winds exceeded 50 miles per hour and the seas
were 15 to 20 feet high when the boat went down. The barge, which was adrift for approximately 12 hours,
was carrying 5.5 million gallons of petroleum. While adrift, the barge hit and displaced a buoy but caused
no immediate damage. During the entire ordeal, no oil was spilled, Coast Guard officials said. The Justine
Foss towed the barge to a mooring Thursday at the N.C. State Port Authority in Wilmington. The Valour
remains submerged in approximately 100 feet of water. Divers were to search the vessel for the
crewmember and to assess any environmental impact. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the
incident and will oversee salvage efforts. (Source: State Port Pilot)
Smit Bronco
De, bij IHC Sliedrecht, in aanbouw zijnde Smit Bronco verloopt volgens verwachting. Momenteel is de
brug geplaatst. De verwachting is dat deze week de schroefassen worden gestoken en de 2 x 8 cilinder
Caterpillars op de fundaties worden gezet. (Source: Hans van der Ster)
Letojanni
De Italiaanse zeesleper Letojanni, welke in Schiedam lag afgemeerd, is vertrokken met de
Anna 4 naar de Golf van Mexico. Kapitein Josef (oude bekende) melde dat het de bedoeling
was om zaterdag te vertrekken. Dit natuurlijk weer en weder dienende. Wij wensen de
Letojanni een goede reis. (Source: Hans van der Ster)
7e jaargang, nr. 5
dd.05 Februari 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Barge Partially Sinks
The AP has reported that a barge hauling 800,000 gallons of liquid asphalt that strayed from its tow has
partially sunk to the river bottom, according to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard said the barge doesn't
seem in danger of breaking. The river current has pushed the 80-foot barge sideways against a railroad
bridge near downtown Louisville. Nauert said the barge is believed to be stable. The barge was one of
three that got away from their tow Thursday when a connecting cable broke or separated. Two of the
barges were caught, but the third went over the McAlpine Dam spillway and eventually wedged against
the bridge. Officials can't tell how much has leaked from the barge, but Nauert said there was no evidence
of significant leaking. Barge owner Magnolia Marine Transportation Co. of Vicksburg, Miss., has hired a
Pennsylvania company, River Salvage Co., to bring in two crane barges to pump out the spilled asphalt
and secure the broken barge before it is towed away. The cleanup could take up to three weeks or more,
according to officials. (Bron: Marinelink)
Tidewater Announces The Release of Hostages
Tidewater Inc. confirmed that the four workers who were abducted by armed force and taken hostage from
its offshore supply vessel Liberty Service offshore the Niger Delta on January 11, 2006, were released
safe and well in the early morning hours of January 30, 2006. Three of the hostages were employees of
Tidewater Crewing Limited, a Tidewater subsidiary. They were Captain Patrick Landry, 61 years of age,
and a citizen of the United States; Harry Ebanks, 54 years of age, and a citizen of Honduras; and Milko
Yordanor Nitchev, 56 years of age, and a citizen of Bulgaria. The fourth hostage was Nigel Watson-Clark,
a citizen of the United Kingdom and an employee of Ecodrill. Both Tidewater and Ecodrill were working for
Shell Nigeria at the time of the attack. All of the workers will undergo medical examinations before
repatriation to their homes and families. Tidewater has worked closely with Shell Nigeria, Ecodrill, the U.S.
and U.K. governments, and the Nigerian authorities to bring about the successful release of the hostages.
(Bron: Marinelink)
Proefvaarten:
Adsteam Warden (ASD 2411) officielen proefvaart (vanuit Waalhaven) op Donderdag en Vrijdag 09/1002-06
Smit Diare (ASD 3110) officieleproefvaart vanuit Gorinchem op 06/07/08/09-02-06.
Wadi Al Fai (ASD 2509 BN 510807) officieleproefvaart vanuit Gorinchem in week 7 kan onder de bruggen
door!!!!
Ankobra River (DST 2909 for Ghana) officieleproefvaart vanuit Gorinchem in week 7
Pawlina (ASD 3111 for Tug Malta) officieleproefvaart vanuit Gorinchem in week 8.
Smit Bronco, geplande opleverdatum is week 18, proefvaart is gepland in week 16 of 17.
Smit Kamara wordt op 9 februari gedoopt in de Waalhaven voor het kantoor van Smit. Zij zal hierna
vertrekken voor haar eerste karwei.
De RT Antonie maakt deze week de official trials en bollard pull test.
De RT Zoe volgt volgende week. Redwise brengt beide schepen naar Rotterdam en zullen hier worden
gedoopt. (Bronnen: J & F v.d.Hoek, Martijn de Jong; Ton Has)
Le Havre sleepbootoorlog?
De Franse autoriteiten in Le Havre dwarsbomen de nieuwe sleepdienst Société Nouvelle de Remorquage
du Havre (SNRH) en haar partner Kotug. Die conclusie trekken president-directeur Ard-Jan Kooren en
vice-president business development Dorus Knegtel van Kotug nu de vijf schepen, waaronder drie Rotor
Tugs, die in Le Havre zijn gestationeerd nog steeds niet aan het werk kunnen. De nodige vergunningen
leken binnen te zijn en de combinatie dacht begin dit jaar te kunnen beginnen met havensleepdiensten in
Le Havre. Maar Kotug en SNRH kregen te horen dat er nog een na-inspectie moet plaatshebben. ‘Onze
boten en bemanningen waren goedgekeurd, alleen het bemanningsschema nog niet’, zeggen Kooren en
Knegtel. ‘We lopen vanaf het begin al tegen allerlei muren op. Zo hebben we al twee keer een weigering
gehad voor het bemanningsschema voor vaar- en rusttijden. Daar komt bij dat onder druk van de bonden
in Frankrijk er op elke sleepboot vier man moet varen, terwijl dat er wettelijk drie mogen zijn. Dus worden
wij verplicht ook met vier man aan boord te varen. Het mooiste was nog, dat in de technische inspectiecommissie van twaalf man, die 6 januari en daarna kwamen inspecteren, er drie van concurrent Les
Abeilles waren.’ Volgens een medewerker van Les Abeilles Le Havre heeft het bedrijf geen problemen
met een nieuwe sleepdienst. ‘Wel willen we dat zo’n bedrijf zich aan de Franse sociale verplichtingen
houdt en dat de sleepboten alle in Frankrijk verplichte uitrusting en veiligheidsmiddelen aan boord
hebben. Wanneer de uitgangspunten gelijk zijn aan die van ons hebben we niets tegen concurrentie.’
(Bron: via Leo Kramer)
Manus
29 januari is de Manus (ex ARGUS 3) van Fa. Schramm vertrokken
Carib onder de naam Midgard La Dani (vlag Dom. republiek). (Bron: Wim Kosten)
naar
de
Multratug 5
De MULTRATUG 5 is ondertussen hernaamd in NDJI-NDJI onder de vlag van Congo. (Bron: Wim Kosten)
Barge Sinks on Ohio River
(Editor’s note: We have been swamped with reports about runaway barge problems on the Ohio River.
We’ll try to sort out the facts.) Television newscasts out of Louisville on Thursday, January 26. reported,
"A tug was pulling three barges carrying asphalt when they broke free" about 2 p.m. One barge was
recovered a short time later. A second went through McAlpine Locks and Dam and struck the K & I Bridge,
officials said. A third barge was reported to be resting harmlessly against the lower gates of the dam and
appeared to be in no danger. The Coast Guard had considered shutting down the Sherman Minton Bridge
as a precaution but did so only briefly. The temporary shutdown of Sherman Minton came after a vessel
tried to retrieve a barge. Officials ended the attempt due to danger to the workers. The barge shifted, and
that’s when the shutdown of the bridge occurred. The K & I Bridge is owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad.
It crosses the Ohio between Louisville’s Portland neighborhood and eastern New Albany, Ind. Trains
continue to cross the bridge, but the bridge is inspected each time before they cross. On the 27th it was
reported by "Courier-Journal.com" that the barge lodged against K & I Bridge was leaking hot asphalt and
diesel fuel. (The barge carried 15,000 gallons of diesel fuel used to power heaters that were used to keep
the asphalt in a constant liquid state.) How much fuel was spilled was not known at the time. The river was
closed to commercial traffic Thursday night until the situation was resolved. (This report said two barges
had gone over the McAlpine Dam spillway.) The leaking barge against the K & I Bridge was buckled and
sinking. It was turned on its side against two bridge pilings. The Federal Railroad Administration has been
asked to investigate the structural safety of the bridge. Two towboats were stationed near the buckled
barge to stop it in case it breaks loose from the bridge. If that were to happen, Sherman Minton would be
shut down. Each of the three 80-foot barges were carrying about 19,500 barrels of asphalt. That was
estimated to be about 800,000 gallons. The Coast Guard said that any leaked asphalt most likely has
solidified and gone to the bottom. That left in the barge probably coagulated as it cooled, he said. It was
reported on the 28th by the "Courier-Journal" that the barge would be removed sometime this week and
that it was expected to remain against the K & I Bridge at least till the 30th. Magnolia Marine Transport
Co., owner of the barge, reportedly has hired River Salvage of near Pittsburgh (Crescent, Pa.) and its
equipment (including two crane barges) was expected to arrive today (Monday). Cleaning up the barge for
movement could take up to three weeks, a Coast Guard spokesman said. The river was reopened to
commercial traffic Friday and backed-up traffic was almost clear by Friday night, the Coast Guard said.
The report of the 27th said two of the barges had been recovered and just the barge against the K & I
Bridge was the problem. As per usual, the environmental activities are taking place and investigations are
underway from the respective agencies. (Bron:Jan van der Doe)
James Marine, Inc., To Purchase Tennessee Valley Towing Assets
James Marine, Inc., Paducah, Ky., has announced its intention to purchase the assets of Tennessee
Valley Towing, also of Paducah, with final closure of the transaction taking place in mid-summer. Ronnie
James, president and CEO of James Marine, reportedly approached TVT officials in the fall of 2005 about
the possibility of purchasing TVT. At the time it was not for sale. But after further discussion, TVT officials
decided the time was right. James Marine intends to retain TVT’s management staff and towboat
personnel, the announcement said. (Bron:Jan van der Doe)
Indian yard to build three AHTS for Lamnalco
ABG Shipyard Ltd, one of India's leading private shipyards, has secured a contract to build three anchor
hanlders for Cyprus-based Lamnalco Ltd. The three newbuilds are due to be delivered in 20, 22 and 24
months respectively from the date of the contract coming into force. ABG Shipyard has delivered five
vessels to Lamnalco in the recent past and has two more under construction for the company at its yard in
Surat. (Bron: via Leo Kramer)
Triple-Engine Tug From Rodriguez
In mid-January Rodriguez Boat Builders Inc. of Bayou LaBatre Alabama installed three Cummins KTA38
M0 diesels in the finished hull of a new 90 by 32-foot tug for Hughie L. Cheramie, Inc. of Galliano
Louisiana. With the engines installed in the new hull the already completed steel work for the deckhouse
was lifted into place and the tug showed its final shape. Finishing would take another three months with
delivery to the owners scheduled for April. Except for the engines and the owner supplied double-drum
towing winch the boat is a virtual sister ship to the Gloria G. Cherami built at Rodriguez a few years ago.
Electrical service will be supplied by two Cummins 4BTA 60 kw generator sets. The boat will be ABS load
line inspected. The three Cummins mains will generate 850 hp each at 1800 RPM for a combined 2550 hp
driving the boats three props. This will be the seventh boat that Rodriguez has built for Huey Cheramie.
(Bron: Marinelink)
DOF confirms award of newbuild contract to Kleven Verft
District Offshore (DOF) in Norway has confirmed that it has awarded Kleven Verft in Ulsteinvik, Norway a
contract to build a VS495 DEM multi-purpose PSV to fulfill the terms of a 10-year charter from Norsk
Hydro Produksjon AS.DOF said the vessel will be delivered in third quarter of 2007. (Bron: via Leo
Kramer)
Trial Program Yard Number 511727, Damen ASD 3110, “Smit Diare”
Date:
06 of February 2006 (yard trials)
07 of February 2006 (official trials)
08 of February 2006 (official trials)
Location:
Europort Rotterdam / North Sea
Monday 6th of February 2006
08.00 hr
Departure to Europort Rotterdam
14.00 hr
Arrival at Europort Rotterdam
14.30 hr
Yard trials
16.30 hr
End of program
Tuesday 7th of February 2006
08.00 hr
Departure to Bollard Pull location
08.30 hr
Bollard Pull trials
12.00 hr
Winch trials
16.30 hr
Anchor / fire fighting / black out trials
18.15 hr
End of program
Wednesday 8th of February 2006
08.00 hr
08.30 hr
12.30 hr
13.15 hr
14.30 hr
15.30 hr
16.00 hr
Departure to North Sea
Start endurance trials
Photo session at North Sea
Speed trials
Manoeuvring trials
End of official trials
End of program
(Bron:Damen via Willem Ruts)
7e jaargang, nr. 6
dd.12 Februari 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Zeesleper Gepard na 8 jaar weg uit Vlissingen?
De zeesleper Gepard die al ruim 8 jaar aan de kade bij De Schelde ligt is verkocht aan een bedrijf die
ermee aan het werk gaat in het Midden-Oosten. Het schip kwam ooit in Vlissingen voor een verbouwing,
maar toen de eigenaren de rekening niet wilden betalen ging het aan de ketting. Een groep investeerders
uit Oekraïne heeft het schip nu gekocht. Morgen vertrekt het voor een eerste opknapbeurt in de
Scheldehaven. Woensdag gaat het dan per sleepboot naar Polen voor de eindreparatie. (Bron: Lida Saaij)
RT Antonie & RT Zoë
RT-Antonie en RT-Zoë worden vooralsnog niet in Rotterdam gedoopt, doen hoogstwaarschijnlijk R’dam
wel aan maar doop staat gepland in Bremerhafen. (Bron:Ton Has)
Washburn & Doughty Delivers Bulldog to Crescent Towing
Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. delivered the Bulldog, a 98 x 37 ft., 6700 hp, Z Drive Firefighting
Tug, to Crescent Towing of New Orleans, Louisiana. Bulldog provides ship-assist and escort services for
LNG tankers at the Elba Island LNG re-gasification terminal in Savannah, Georgia. Bulldog is a new
Washburn & Doughty in-house design and the first tug built at the yard for Crescent Towing. Washburn &
Doughty’s Chief Naval Architect and Vice President, Bruce Washburn, drew on the company’s extensive
experience designing and building Z Drive Tugs for ship docking and LNG operations while designing the
98’ Tug. Since 1999, the company has designed and built 18 Z Drive Tugs, 6 of which are used at LNG
Terminals. With the 98’ design, Washburn & Doughty maintained a traditional look while providing 360
degree visibility in the pilothouse. Underwater the vessel features a deep box skeg designed to enhance
escorting without sacrificing maneuverability. Throughout the design process Washburn & Doughty
received significant input from Crescent, Moran Towing Corporation, the shipping companies and their
consultant, Greg Brooks. In addition, Washburn & Doughty contracted with Glosten Associates who
analyzed the tug’s escort capability from their escorting computer model. Glosten predicted that at 8 KTS
the tug will have steering forces of 75.6 ST and braking forces of 116.2 ST. Bollard pull tests on January
10th in Newport News, Virginia revealed the following results: Forward Mode – 180,000 LBS (90 Tons);
Forward Mode Max – 182,000 LBS (91 Tons). Bulldog is classed ABS Maltese Cross A1, Maltese Cross
AMS, Towing Vessel, Fire Fighting Class 1, Escort Vessel. The Firefighting 1 classification requires two
monitors to each produce 5280 gallons per minute for a distance of 394’ at a height of 148’, as well as a
deluge system and the ability to sustain firefighting operations for a minimum of 24 consecutive hours.
Firefighting 1 equipment includes two Caterpillar 3412C engines rated at 900 HP @ 2100 RPM and
Nijhuis HGTFI-1-250.500 pumps located in the engine room. The pumps supply two remote controlled FiFi
1 monitors mounted on the aft upper deck. Controls for the monitors are in the pilothouse and locally at
the monitors. The firefighting system also includes a deluge sprinkler system and eight (8) fire stations
located on the main deck. Bulldog is powered by two medium speed GE 7FDM12 main engines that each
produce 3350HP @ 1050RPM. The propulsion system is completed by Rolls Royce model US255 Z
Drives with 2800mm, 4 blade, stainless steel propellers. Bulldog is equipped with John Deere model
6068TFMGK-99, Tier 2 emissions certified, marine generator sets providing 99KW @ 1800RPM, 208V 3
phase power. One generator is normally on-line while the other is on standby. In the event that the on-line
generator fails, the standby generator will automatically start and go on line. The generator experiencing
the failure will be automatically shut down. The main switchboard provides for automatic paralleling of the
generator sets and is integrated with the winch controls. The online generator provides sufficient power to
operate the winch in normal (assist) mode. When high power (escort) mode is selected, the standby
generator is automatically paralleled with the online generator. The bow is fitted with a Markey type DESF48, 100 HP electric escort winch. The winch drum holds 750 ft. of 9" synthetic line. The winch features
line-pulls up to 365,000 lbs. @ 0- 8 FPM; line-speeds up to 600 FPM; and a drum brake holding capacity
of 476,000 lbs utilizing an Eaton water cooled brake. A 15 hp Markey CEWC-60 electric stern hawser
capstan is located on the aft deck and a 5 hp Markey CEP-40 electric messenger capstan is fitted on the
foredeck. Bow fendering includes 12"x14" rectangular molded rubber on the upper section; 16" soft loop
on the middle section; and a "Turk’s head" style fender on the lower section. 12"x14" rubber "D" fender is
fitted at the main deck on the sides and stern. Accommodations are located in the deckhouse and include
a mess/galley; four two man staterooms, two heads and lockers. (Bron:Jan van der Doe)
Merou met sleep naar Italie
De aan de Parkade in Rotterdam liggende supplier/tug Merou is verkocht aan India eigenaren. Voordat zij
naar India vertrekt zal ze met de E 6002 vanuit Rotterdam eerst Italie aandoen om aldaar de E 6002 af te
leveren. De E 6002, van Smit Transport Europe BV, zou zoals eerder vermeld worden gesloopt in ’sGravendeel. Van hieruit is zij echter doorverkocht aan Italiaanse eigenaren. (Bron:Hans van der Ster)
Waterman op sjouw met de E 3505
De sleepboot Waterman, van Wagenborg uit Delfzijl, vertrekt deze week met de E 3505 naar zee. Zij gaat
een Ro-Ro klep laden. Die dan wordt versleept naar een Engelse plaats en aldaar zal worden gelost door
de Matador van Bon en Mees. (Bron:Hans van der Ster)
Verwaaid.
De afgelopen week heeft enkele dagen een bijzonder transport verwaaid gelegen in de Waalhaven, voor
het pakhuis van Smit. Het betrof het transport met een top sectie voor een containerkraan. Dit transport
zou uit Rotterdam vertrekken naar Antwerpen. De sectie was geladen op de E 3503 met als voor ponton
de E 1601 en als kopbak de 103. Het geheel zal versleept worden door de Taktow 1 als kopboot en de
Maas als achter duwboot. (Bron:Hans van der Ster)
Smit Kamara gedoopt.
Voor het hoofdkantoor van Smit is afgelopen middag, 9 februari 2006, de Smit Kamara gedoopt door
Mevr. Kathleen de Weijer-Findlay, 'Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V.' (NAM). Om 12.35, na de
doopster het schip en haar bemanning een behouden vaart te hebben gewenst, viel de fles champagne
met geweld tegen het SB anker. Hierna stegen een grote hoeveelheid ballonnen van af het voordek de
lucht in die gelijk speelballen werden van de gure wind. Op de naast de Smit Kamara gelegen ponton
werd op Chineese wijze, met de drakendans, de goden verzocht om het schip veilig over de wereld zeeen
te begeleiden. Na deze plechtigheid zocht het doopgezelschap de warmte op waar onder het genot van
een hapje en drankje deze feestelijke doop werd gevierd.(Bron:Hans van der Ster)
Smit International NV net earnings increase by roughly 40%
Rotterdam, 9 February 2006 As previously reported on 20 December 2005, Smit International NV
anticipated net earnings significantly higher than the EUR 27.4 million net earnings it booked during 2004.
We are now able to announce that, with respect to the previous fiscal year, net earnings for 2005 have
risen by nearly 40% to EUR 38.3 million. Despite facing a heavier tax burden of 30% (up from 24% in
2004), the divisions Harbour Towage, Terminals and Transport & Heavy Lift achieved better results in
comparison to 2004. The Salvage division performed well above the so called historical average. Our
associated companies, under which the harbour towage activities with outstanding results, also performed
exceptionally well. Further information will be provided when the 2005 annual figures are published on
9 March 2006 (Bron: Smit)
En Avant 31 verkocht
De sleepboot En Avant 31 van Sleepdienst En Avant uit Dordrecht is verkocht aan Sleepdienst H.Verduin
uit Amsterdam en omgedoopt in Ruiterkade. Zij werd gebouwd in 1939, onder bouwnummer 342 bij Atlas
Werke AG in Bremen als Star voor de Kriegsmarinewerft in Wilhelmshafen. De afmetingen waren 24,30 x
6,30 x 2,46 meter. Zij was uitgerust met 1200 pk Deutz. In 1940 werd ze ingedeeld bij Operation Seelöwe
en gestationeerd in Calais. Na de oorlog kwam ze als oorlogsbuit in handen van het U.S.Military
Government in Hamburg. Vanaf 1949 voer ze onder Nederlandse vlag, eerst als Walcheren XI van het
gelijknamig scheepvaartbedrijf uit Amsterdam, daarna, zonder naamsverandering van 1950 tot 1953 bij C.
van Splunter uit Amsterdam. Voorts voer ze vanaf 1953 als Tholen van T.v.d.Grijp uit Giessendam en
vanaf 1954 als Carla van T.den Breejen & Van den Bout uit Aerdenhout, die haar in 1962 verkocht aan
Rederij T.Muller uit Dordrecht. De 1200 pk Deutz werd in 1978 vervangen door 1530 pk Caterpillar. (Bron:
Schuttevaer)
Seabreeze January 2006 Report
BHP Billiton fixed newbuild Far Sword
BHP Billiton Petroleum (BHPB) has fixed Farstad’s AHTS UT712 Lady Caroline and the newbuild AHTS
UT712L Far Sword, due for delivery from Aker Brevik in April 2006, for a period of 330 to 420 days. Startup is scheduled to commence in late May. The vessels will be supporting BHPB’s drilling program offshore
northwest Australia. In addition the UT728L Far Saltire’s contract has been extended by five months until
June 2006. The AHTS will operate for BHPB and Woodside Energy in the Australian sector.
Acadian Update
The 1991 built UT705 PSV Acadian Sea redelivered from her term charter with ASCO at the end of 2005.
This vessel (the ex Far Server) then began another term charter with French oil company Total,
supporting the semi-submersible Sedco 714 and should be close to completing work at the start of
February. For those of you interested, an Acadian is a native or inhabitant of Acadia, a former French
colony on the East coast of North America.
Lady Melinda for Technip in Angola
Farstad’s UT755 PSV Lady Melinda has been awarded a six month contract by the engineering and
construction company Technip in Angola from January.
Amerada Hess fixed the Bourbon Peridot
Houston based Amerada Hess Corporation has awarded the Ulstein P105 PSV Bourbon Peridot a twoyear contract to perform sub sea operations in Equatorial-Guinea on the west coast of Africa. The vessel
has served three months as a front-runner for a Bourbon newbuild BP Norway has taken for a 10-year
contract and will be modified for its new duty for Amerada Hess.
Piper Performs for Peterson
January saw Peterson Logistics B.V. award the UT755 PSV Highland Piper a one year contract plus two
1-year options. The vessel completed her term charter with Venture Production PLC and entered dry
dock. The vessel will start with Peterson Logistics in mid February.
Polar Bears
2005 was an eventful year for Rieber Shipping of Bergen as they disposed of older tonnage and acquired
the MV Knight now renamed Polar Queen and announced 2 newbuild seismic vessel orders with options
for 2 sister vessels. The new year has started positively with confirmation of several term charters. Polar
Prince has been fixed to Deepocean for 6 months firm from 1st April. The vessel will mainly be working
for Statoil. Ernest Shackleton was signed up by Stolt Offshore for a 120 day seasonal charter commencing
on the vessel’s return from Antarctica where the vessel has been performing her usual support duties for
the British Antarctic Survey. Also going to Stolt is the Polarbjorn which is fixed for 6 months starting in
March. Prior to commencement of this charter the vessel is being marketed jointly by Rieber and Stolt.with
a Solo workclass ROV installed onboard. Meanwhile the Polar King recently completed a Canyon/BP
flotel charter at Thunderhorse in the US Gulf and is now performing ROV support duties for Canyon until
early February, at which time she is scheduled to depart for a European shipyard for modifications for her
7 year seismic charter with Fugro Geoteam.
Mediterranean Manoeuvers
PSV's Highland Monarch and North Prince have completed their charters with BP Turkey. The Monarch
is currently drydocking in Malta prior to relieving the Highland Valour which has been front running on a
charter to BP Egypt. The BP Egypt contract, which covers the UT755 design Highland Monarch and the
UT722L design AHTS Highland Endurance runs until December 2007. The North Prince will return to
the North Sea prior to commencing a 6 month charter with Shell in Ireland. The Highland Valour is also
scheduled to return to the North Sea and is currently uncommitted.
New Rolls-Royce ship design unveiled
Roll-Royce has unveiled the latest design in its family of coastal protection vessels at the Pacific 2006
exhibition in Sydney, Australia. The latest design, the UT527, delivers fire fighting, emergency towage and
pollution control capability and can hold up to 320 survivors of a marine disaster. A medium sized
helicopter and two smaller daughter craft are also available for specific missions. It can remain at sea for
up to three years without return if required, changing crew and being replenished at sea. The 92-metre
long ship, powered by RR Bergen diesel engines, world be capable of more than 20 knots and have an
unrefuelled range of 20,000 nautical miles at 16 knots. RR has identified three naval markets for its ships
designs: coastal protection vessels, underway replenishment ships and fast logistics vessels.
Perenco Pick
Perenco were in fixing action this month and concluded agreement on two vessels to support the GSF
Labrador. The ERRV Esvagt Supporter was fixed to provide the standby cover for the rig and the
Malaviya 18 UT755L was selected for the PSV support work with the JU GSF Labrador in the Southern
North Sea commencing mid/end February. The Malaviya 18 will support the rig ex Great Yarmouth. Both
vessels will be employed for approximately 60 days. When the rig hands over to Perenco this will release
the PSV UT705 Aqaurius which is currently supporting the rig.
Newbuildings, Conversions, Sale & Purchase
10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 ...
In mid January, Louisiana based shipowners Rigdon Marine Corporation announced they had gained
financing for ten new vessels to be built by a major Louisiana shipbuilder. Readers may remember that
Rigdon had recently taken delivery of ten GPA 640 vessels, however this latest announcement is for the
construction of a new class of PSV called the GPA 654. Delivery of these vessels is expected to be
completed in Autumn 2008 with the first arriving around the start of the second quarter of 2007.
New ROV/Survey vessel for DeepOcean
Østensjø Rederi AS will have an ST-254CD ROV/ Survey vessel built for DeepOcean at an estimated cost
th
of NOK 350 million. On delivery in the 4 quarter of 2007 the vessel will commence an 8-year contract
plus options with DeepOcean.
New order from Vroon
A contract for the construction and delivery of two Damen Platform Supply Vessels 7216 was signed with
Vroon B.V. These vessels built to standard Damen design will be deployed for supply and general
assistance operations for offshore drilling rigs and production platforms. Propulsion is provided by a
diesel-electric system through two azimuth thrusters and in addition a bow thruster is fitted. An extensive
cargo handling system is fitted which includes tanks for fresh water, fuel, dry bulk, liquid mud, brine, glycol
and oil. Tugger winches, hydraulic capstans and two hydraulic cranes are fitted on the main deck.
Accommodation is provided for 24 persons. The first vessel will be delivered in 2007, the second one in
2008.
Edison Chouest to build three AHTS at NAS
Further news reaches Seabreeze from our Houston office – Edison Chouest are going to build three
anchor handlers (with an option for three more) at their own yard in North America. Delivery for the first
AHTS is expected in the first quarter of 2007 and its details will include 16,000 BHP, 200 tonnes bollard
pull and an overall length of around 85 metres. The third vessel will, however, be a little different from the
first two in that it will have a slightly larger bollard pull (210 tonnes) and an LOA of more than 100 metres
with delivery scheduled for April-June 2008.
Nomis Shipping Ltd Newbuild Dea Olympian
Nomis Shipping Ltd newbuild AHTS Dea Olympian has been delivered 16th January from the Jaya Yard
in Indonesia. The 5500BHP vessel will be marketed in Asia.
Augusta orders two AHTS with Kleven
Naples-based Augusta Offshore SpA has placed an order with Kleven Maritime for two UT-734N offshore
vessels to be delivered in June and August 2007. The vessels have a number of functions and facilities
making them well suited for supply services, anchor handling, towing, oil recovery and rescue operations.
Main specifications: LOA 68.90m, Breadth 16.80m, main engines 11,424BHP and 132 tons BP towing
capacity.
Geo ASA to convert two cable vessels
Geo ASA has purchased two cable laying vessels from Japan for delivery ultimo January. The vessels,
built in 1998 and 2000 and with a LOA of 98m and 117m respectively, will be converted for use in the
offshore and seismic market. The total investment will amount to approximately US$ 50 million.
Bourbon invests US$ 9.1m in Rigdon Marine
In line with its international development strategy, Bourbon has invested US$ 9.1 million in the American
group Rigdon Marine. The investment contributes to the implementation of the new financial structure of
Rigdon Marine, which is simultaneously announcing that is has obtained bank loans of US$ 170 million
and new equity capital from American investors besides Bourbon. This financial restructuring will allow
Rigdon Marine to finance the construction of 10 new vessels and double its fleet by the end of 2008,
forming the foundation for continued growth. In addition to the first 10 new generation PSV’s already
operated by Rigdon Marine, Bourbon’s current investment will strengthen the Rigdon Marine fleet and
generate technical and operational synergies in both vessels and personnel.
Second Aker PSV09 for GulfMark Offshore
DOF orders MPSV with Kleven Maritime Olympic Shipping orders sub-sea vessel Early January GulfMark
Offshore has exercised an option to build a second Aker PSV09 design vessel. The vessel, which will be
an identical sister ship to the Aker PSV09 currently under construction in Norway, is a 4,850 DWT diesel
electric powered PSV. The purchase price for this vessel is approximately US$30 million, with delivery
expected during the third quarter of 2007.
North Ocean 1 orders construction vessel
The Norwegian-Dutch joint venture North Ocean 1 KS, based in Bergen Norway, has awarded the
Spanish shipyard Matalships & Dock a contract to build a sophisticated construction vessel. The diesel
electric powered vessel will be capable of subsea construction, laying umbilicals, maintenance work on
subsea infrastructure and of general support duties. Main specifications: LOA 120m, beam 27m, DPII and
accommodation for 120. According to the yard there are two options which have to be declared shortly.
Construction will start later in the first quarter of 2006 and should be completed in 17 months. This is the
second contract Metalships has secured from this owner, having delivered the Arbol Grande in May 2003
DOF orders MPSV with Kleven Maritime
Kleven Verft, Ulsteinvik has been awarded a contract by DOF for the construction of a MPSV of VS495
DEM design. The contract value is around NOK 315 million with delivery in the third quarter of 2007. The
vessel is 96.9m long with a beam of 21m and a 1,030m2 deck space.
Olympic Shipping orders sub-sea vessel
Olympic Shipping has signed a contract with Ulstein Verft AS for the building of a large multifunctional
sub-sea vessel Ulstein P101 with delivery end of October 2007. The contract value is around NOK 300
million. The 95 metres long vessel can accommodate 87 people and will be prepared for an active heave
compensated crane, ROV and a helicopter deck. And with ice class ICE-C the vessel will be able to
operate even in artic water like the Barents Sea. The sub-sea sector is currently one of the fastest growing
industries as oil companies increasingly tap deepwater reserves. Almost 40% of UKCS oil production now
comes from sub-sea wells.
7e jaargang, nr. 7
dd.19 Februari 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Tank Barge Damages Marina in Port of Memphis
On Saturday night the Coast Guard Command Center in Memphis was notified by the towing vessel A.
DEAN HEASLEY that one of the two barges they were towing had struck the Riverside Park Marina.
Coast Guard investigators were dispatched to the scene of the accident. The marina sustained significant
damage but no injuries were reported. The marina holds many houseboats and is home to approximately
60 people. Many of the boats were affected by the accident with one reported to be taking on water. The
two tank barges, which were empty at the time of the accident, were being towed to the refinery in the port
for a scheduled loading. West-Northwest winds of 15 mph were reported last night and may have been a
factor in the casualty. The crew of the towing vessel was tested on scene by the Coast Guard for evidence
of alcohol with negative results. Mandatory drug testing of the crew was also ordered by the towing vessel
company, the results are pending. The Coast Guard and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will
coordinate on the marine casualty investigation into the circumstances surrounding this accident. (Bron:
Marinelink)
Aker Yards to Build PSV
Aker Yards has confirmed an optional agreement with Siem Offshore Inc for the building of two Platform
Supply Vessels. The value of the contract is approximately NOK 275 million. Delivery is scheduled for
second quarter 2007 from Aker Yards, Aukra. The vessels are of Vik Sandvik design, VS 470 Mk II. The
vessels will be equipped with dynamic positioning, special product tanks, azimuth thrusters and
accommodation for 34 persons. (Bron: Marinelink)
Kirby Marine Orders New Towboats
Kirby Marine has 241 active towboats and 887 active tank barges with a total capacity of 16.4 million
barrels. The company’s ongoing repower program that has seen 46 Cummins engines installed to date.
More recently the publicly traded corporation has announced plans for two new builds the first of which will
be delivered in September 2006. The 90x35x10-foot vessel will be built by Quality Marine of Houma
Louisiana to a design by Maine-based naval architect Corning Townsend. The new vessel will be powered
by a pair of Cummins KTA38 M2 engines rated at 1050 HP each at 1600 RPM each. The engines will turn
into Twin Disc MG5600 gears with 6.4:1 rations. The propellers are 82x63-inch and mounted on 7.5-inch
tail shafts. Electric service for the vessel will come from a pair of 99 Kw generator sets. Deck equipment
will include a pair of Nabrico 40 ton electric over hydraulic winches. Tankage on the new towboat includes
22,144 gallons of fuel, 12,040 gallons of water and 513 gallons of water. With an estimated bollard pull of
42,000 pounds the towboats will each push three 30,000-barrel barges on canal and river operations.
Accommodation will be provided for four to six crew-members. (Bron: Jan van der Doe)
Siem Offshore confirms Kleven deal
Vessel & ROV News - February 17, 2006 Siem Offshore has confirmed that it has signed a contract with
Kleven Maritime AS for the construction of multifunction field and ROV support vessel for delivery in June
2007. The vessel is a MT6016L design from Marin Teknikk with a length of 104m and a beam of 20m, and
will have a deck area in excess of 1,100 m2, large lifting capacity, accommodation for 100, launch and
recovery systems for ROVs, moonpool, and helideck. The vessel is designed for worldwide subsea
operations including light construction work, maintenance, and ROV services. (Bron: Leo Kramer)
Scheepswerf bouwt grote pijpenlegger
De scheepswerf Merwede in HardinxveldGiessendam gaat een grote pijpenlegger bouwen voor het internationale offshorebedrijf Subsea 7. De
bouw zal tussen de 170 en 200 miljoen dollar kosten. Het schip wordt 150 meter lang en er zullen 120
bemanningsleden op gaan werken. De werf steekt er ruim 500.000 mansuren in. Toeleveranciers en
onderaannemers nemen nog eens het dubbele daarvan voor hun rekening. Met deze nieuwe opdracht is
Merwede tot ver in 2008 verzekerd van werk. (Bron: Leo Kramer)
Ships Abandoned at UAE Ports
The Khaleej Times reported that at least two ships are currently being abandoned at UAE ports, with
some 16 seamen of Asian and Middle Eastern origin being left at the mercy of charitable organizations like
the Mission to Seafarers. One tugboat with four crew members and a small tanker vessel with 12 seamen
are currently being abandoned by their owners at Hamriyah in Dubai and Hamriyah Port in Sharjah
respectively. The four-member crew, all Indians, of the tugboat, which is owned by an Iraqi, has not been
paid for four months now, and is now relying on the mission. The tug has been sold to another Iraqi. The
other ship, a feeder diesel smuggling vessel, has 12 crew members, including Syrians, Pakistanis and
Bangladeshis, who have also not been paid by the owner for several months now. The ship used to
smuggle diesel from Iraq, carry it to Iran to avoid sailing into international waters and then come to the
Gulf, from where its load used to be discharged onto bigger ships. At any given time, there are at least
100 ships in this area, whose crew has not been paid for months. To be able to address more issues of
this kind, The Mission to Seafarers in Dubai, which is part of the international organization that cares for
seafarers regardless of race or religion in over 300 ports around the world, launched its charitable appeal
‘The Angel Appeal.’ The aim of the project is to raise over $1 million before the end of this year to build
and equip a boat appropriately named ‘Angel’ to support some of the estimated 140,000 seafarers using
the East Coast Anchorages of the UAE each year. (Source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com via Jan van der
Doe)
Marine News – WSS
Sales, Transfers & Renamings
Howard Hogue, (Torm Heron – 04, Leo Bay – 99) 2556/99 offshore tug/supply. By Tidewater Vessels Ltd.
Vanuatu to Deep Sea Supply Shipowning AS Norway (NIS) and renamed Sea Lynx.
Maersk Dispatcher, 2556/98 – offshore tug/supply. By Lion Offshore Ltd. – Bermuda (British) to
Tidewater Vessels Ltd. Vanuatu and renamed Ray J.Hope.
Maersk Trinity (Maersk Handler – 02; Maersk Supporter – 98, Mahone Bay – 87) 2322/83 – offshore
tug/supply. By Oxgate Security Co.Ltd. Isle of Man (British) to MISR Gulf Shipping & Offshore Co.
St.Vincent & The Grenadines and renamed MISR Gulf VII.
Mansal 18 (Ocean Installer – 97, Endeavour – 96, Saipem Ragno Due – 95, Tender Captain – 79)
3665/75 – offshore support. By Mannai Corp WLL, Qatar to Superior Diving Co. Vanuatu and renamed
Superior Endeavour.
Mansal 19, (ISS Surveyor – 97, Ravello – 97, Subsea Pices – 90, Star Buccaneer – 80, Gadus – 76),
2455/67 – offshore support. By Mansal Offshore Ltd, Qatar to AME Marine Services Sendirian Berhad,
Malaysia and renamed Allied Centurion
Merchantman, (Achiver – 01, Smit-Lloyd 115 – 98), 1388/75 – offshore tug/supply. By Specialist Marine
Services Ltd, to Eide Marine Services A/S, both Bahamas ans renamed Eide Fighter.
Westhinder, 280/71 – tug. By URS Belgie NV, Belgium to Multratug BV, Netherlands and renamed
Multratug 25
Members Reports
Algerina Neri 347/93 tug was renamed SMR Cuyutlan (Prt) prior to 25/8/2005
Azuma Maru 252/02 – tug was renamed Kincardine (Vct) prior to 28/11/2005
Cathorce 342/03 – tug sailed from Satander for Chilie as Beagle on 27/11/2005
Gulf Ruler 191/76 – tug was renamed John H.Malik (Usa) prior to 5/12/2005
Iwaki Maru 381/03 – tug was renamed Kinnaird (Gbr) prior to 28/11/2005
Lady Anya 364/90 – tug was renamed Adsteam Laceby (Gbr) at Grimsby on 14/12/2005
Redbridge 399/95 – tug was renamed Adsteam Redbridge (Gbr) at Lowestoft prior to 21/11/2005
Smit Barbados 354/88 – tug was renamed Yris (Ven) prior to 18/7/2005
Smit Bermuda 354/86 – tug was renamed Iriana (Ven) prior to 18/7/2005
St.Gluvias 207/59 – tug was renamed Gluvias (Gbr) at Lowestoft prior to 26/9/2005
7e jaargang, nr. 8
dd.26 Februari 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Museumhaven in de prijzen met Bob Verbiest Cultuurprijs
20-02-2006 - Het bestuur van de Stichting Historische Sleepvaart is bijzonder verguld met de erkenning
van en de waardering voor Maasluis Sleepboothaven. Op vrijdag 17 februari werd in Vlaardingen de Bob
Verbiest Cultuurprijs uitgereikt, met een cheque van 12.500 euro voor de museumhaven. Met de komst
van de zeesleper Elbe in februari 2005 is Maassluis als sleepbootstad definitief op de kaart gezet. De
gemeenteraad bekrachtigde in december 2005 het voornemen een museumkade aan te wijzen in de
buitenhaven van Maassluis. De zeesleper Hudson heeft al meerdere jaren ligplaats in Maassluis en de
stoomzeesleper Furie al bijna 30 jaar. De komst van de Elbe is de opmaat geweest voor de realisering
van de museumhaven, met ondersteuning van havensleepboot Adriaan en bergingsvaartuig Bruinvisch.
Initiator Luuk Vroombout wist de aandacht op de Maassluise haven te vestigen door gemeentebestuur en
deelnemers bij elkaar te brengen. Overigens krijgt de sleepboothaven dit voorjaar formeel een eigen
bestuur. De Stichting Historische Sleepvaart, het bestaande samenwerkingsverband van de zeeslepers
Elbe, Furie, Hudson, en het Nationaal Sleepvaartmuseum wordt omgedoopt in de Stichting
Sleepboothaven Maassluis en wordt daarmee aanspreekpunt voor de sleepvaartstad. De Bob Verbiest
Cultuurprijs is een initiatief van de drie Waterweggemeenten; Maassluis, Vlaardingen en Schiedam in
samenwerking met het Fonds Schiedam Vlaardingen e.o. De cultuurprijs mag gerekend worden tot de
belangrijker onderscheidingen op dit gebied in Nederland. De jury schrijft in haar verslag: “Het werk aan
de schepen en in het Nationaal Sleepvaartmuseum, wordt verricht door verschillende organisaties die
echter zo’n coherente samenwerking hebben bereikt dat van één gezamenlijk initiatief mag worden
gesproken van volstrekt unieke aard in documentair en industrieel archeologisch opzicht en daarmee als
van grote culturele waarde mag worden beschouwd.” (Bron: Navigo Maritiem)
Aker Yards to Build PSV for Island Offshore
Aker Yards has signed a contract with Island Offshore VIII KS, a company within the Island Offshore
Group in Ulsteinvik, Norway, to deliver a UT 755 LN platform supply vessel. This is the 17th contract
between the shipowner, Island Offshore in Ulsteinvik and Aker Yards. The hull for the platform supply
vessel will be built in Romania and the vessel will be outfitted in Brevik. Delivery is scheduled for
September 2007. The value of the contract is approximately NKr 150 million. The UT755LN will have
a length of 74m and breadth of 16m and deadweight of approximately 3,200 tonnes. (Bron: Marinelink-Leo
Kramer)
New Fees for Tug Services at Panama Canal
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that effective April 1, 2006, there will be rate increases for
tug and linehandling services due to rising operating costs. The decision was made by the Republic of
Panama's Cabinet Council, upon a recommendation from the ACP's Board of Directors. Rates for tug
services will increase 7 percent and rates for linehandling services will rise 4 percent. Fees vary by vessel
size. Rates for these services have not been increased since March 2004. However, increases in
operating costs due primarily to sustained fuel hikes have impacted tugboat and linehandling services,
making it necessary to adjust rates. (Bron: Leo Kramer)
Tug Parade
Van 24 tot 28 april 2006 vindt in het WTC/Beursgebouw de 19e International Tug & Salvage (ITS)
Convention & Exhibition plaats. Als onderdeel van dit evenement zal op 26 april ter hoogte van de
Cruise Terminal Rotterdam van 15.15 uur tot 17.30 uur een sleepbotenparade worden gehouden waarbij
organisator ABR Company Ltd. probeert om zoveel mogelijk sleepboten in de Rotterdamse haven bij
elkaar te krijgen. De sleepbotenparade op 26 april in de Rotterdamse haven zal naar verwachting de
grootste sleepbotenbijeenkomst ter wereld worden. Niet alleen zullen de meest geavanceerde sleepboten
hun krachten en manoeuvreerbaarheid aan het publiek tonen, maar zal er ook een scala aan historische
sleepboten te zien zijn. Het doel is om meer dan 30 sleepboten aan de parade deel te laten nemen.
Meestal vindt er tijdens iedere ITS Conventie een sleepbotenparade plaats. Maar dit spektakel zal op veel
grotere schaal worden uitgevoerd tegen de unieke achtergrond van een van de grootste havens ter
wereld: De Haven van Rotterdam. Als onderdeel van de parade zullen de modernste sleepboten een
sleepbootballet uitvoeren. Meer dan 500 ITS conventie-deelnemers uit zo’n 50 verschillende landen zullen
de sleepbootparade vanaf een speciaal voor dit doeleinde gereserveerd gedeelte op de Cruise Terminal
gadeslaan. Publiek is van harte welkom om het spektakel vanaf de verschillende andere kades en
bruggen te aanschouwen. Het tijdstip (woensdagmiddag) is speciaal uitgekozen zodat ook kinderen na
schooltijd de gelegenheid hebben om de parade te zien. Een volledige lijst van de historische en moderne
sleepboten zal worden verstrekt naarmate de datum van het evenement dichterbij komt. Echter op
www.stoomvaart.nl staat een overzicht van vele van de historische schepen die al hebben toegezegd
mee te doen aan de parade. (Bron: Clipping News)
Osprey wordt Acergy
De SEAWAY OSPREY ligt bij Shipdock in Amsterdam en de romp is afgelopen weekend rood gespoten.
Zij wordt het eerste schip in de nieuwe kleuren met grote letters ACERGY op de zijkant en ze zal naar
verwachting op 26 februari als ACERGY OSPREY het dok verlaten. Daarna komt ook de DISCOVERY
naar Amsterdam, om eenzelfde gedaante wisseling te ondergaan. Of daar ook Acergy voor de naam
komt te staan is nog niet bekend.
Persbericht:
I'm delighted to inform you that as of today, our new name is in use and demonstrates we are all part of
one group worldwide * Acergy. As I explained in the email I sent the day we announced our new name,
Acergy is a unique word * created by fusing the term Acer (which means sharp) with the last syllable of the
word energy. Why have we chosen the name? Because it's original, distinctive, appropriate and practical.
It's a name we can be proud of; that reflects our values: we operate as one group; client relationships are
key; projects are our business; engineering is at the heart of our business; people are central to our
success; we act on our commitments. The Acergy employee pack that you will receive shortly, contains
more information about our new name and corporate identity. It will help you use Acergy on a day to day
basis, when talking to colleagues, clients and partners, or preparing internal or external communications.
Acergy is a new name * for you, for your colleagues and for our clients and partners. Over the coming
days, weeks and months, you will invariably talk to people who still refer to 'Stolt Offshore' or use other
terms, phrases and abbreviations connected to our old name. You can play a key role in helping people to
make the transition from old to new by explaining our name clearly, expressing positive support for it and
emphasising that Acergy operates as one group worldwide. Here's to Acergy. Here's to our future
success. As previously explained, we are required to change our name for legal reasons following the sale
of Stolt-Nielsen's shares in our company. I'm delighted to tell you that we have now unveiled our new
name and corporate identity. From Wednesday 1 February 2006, Stolt Offshore will become Acergy.
Acergy is a unique word - created by fusing the Latin term 'Acer' (which means sharp) with the last syllable
of the word energy. So Acergy is original - but also distinctive, appropriate and practical. We believe it
is the right name to signal the ongoing changes in our business and to help us become:
The acknowledged leader in seabed-to-surface engineering and construction. Acergy is a name we can
be proud of; that reflects our values:
We operate as one group
Client relationships are key
Projects are our business
Engineering is at the heart of our business
People are
central to our success
We act on our commitments. I would like to thank you for any help you
provided during the name creation project. This afternoon, we introduced Acergy to those attending our
Annual Kick-Off Meeting. Those attending will explain Acergy and our new corporate identity
in greater detail to everyone in our group as soon as possible. You will soon receive an employee pack
containing a brochure designed to help you understand Acergy better. You can also find out more on the
company intranet. We are re-branding the most important and practical elements first. On 1 February we
will have the brochure explaining the new name, a new corporate brochure, updated stationery templates,
a brand new website and a new-look intranet. Over the next 5 months we will need to work together
across the group to phase-out all those items marked Stolt Offshore and to re-brand all new
communications as Acergy. It will take us a little longer to re-brand some assets such as our vessels and
ROVs. One final point - although we have announced Acergy to employees, clients and partners, we will
have to wait until Wednesday 1 February to operate as Acergy. I hope you will use the next few days to
familiarise yourself with Acergy and take time to find out what it means for you. In the meantime, may I be
the first to extend the warmest possible welcome to Acergy - a company with great achievements behind
us and a bright future ahead. (Bron:Jan Plug)
New tug for Fairplay Towage
„Fairplay Towage“ of Hamburg has come to an agreement with „Buksér og Berging“ of Oslo to bareboatcharter their new terminal handling and offshore anchor-handling tug “BARENTS”. Under the yardnumbers NB58 and NB59, Buksér & Berging has contracted two tugs at the Norwegian shipyard MoenSlip A/S, located at Kolvereid, West-Norway. The “Barents” (NB-58), to is re-named “FAIRPLAY-27”
(72tbp), and is delivered on 13th February, 2006. Fairplay Towage took delivery of the ship in Norway
directly from the yard and sailed her to Rotterdam where she will be employed as harbour-tug in
Rotterdam-Europoort as well as an offshore-tug in the Northsea in the Euro-Tugs-Pool, a Joint Venture of
Fairplay Towage and URS Antwerp for offshore-services, coastal- and worldwide towages (www.eurotugs.com). Following her arrival in Rotterdam, “Fairplay-22” (53tbp) will be relocated to Hamburg to
strengthen Fairplay’s presence in Germany’s biggest seaport. In turn again “Fairplay V” (28tbp) will be
shifted to Rostock whereas the “Fairplay IV”, presently at Rostock, will be re-located to Szczecin to
strengthen Fairplay’s Polish set-up. The “Fairplay-27” is a 37m ASD-tug with the class-notation DNV
+1A1, EO, Tug, Escort, Ice C, SF, FiFi 1. With a width of 15,0m and a service draft of 4,65m, she is
equipped with 2 Deutz SBV9M628 engines producing 2x 2070kW. Two Schottel SRP 1515 CP
propulsions and a Schottel bowthruster pumpjet SPJ82RD are producing a bollard pull of 72tons and a
speed of 14kn. Scania DI12 62M and a Stamfort HCM534C auxillary engines, each of 260kW, are
supplying the required electrical power. The Karmøy self-tensioning winch with 250ts brakeload is
accomodating 1200m of 54mm wire. The winch being placed midships behind the accomodation will be
used over the stern as well as over the bow. When working as a ‘reverse tractor’ the tow-wire will be lead
forward through a tunnel under the accomodation. The ship is further equipped with tugger winches,
towing pins, chain/wire stoppers and a stern roller, all of Karmøy. The spacious aft-deck serviced by a
Palfinger PK23080MD-deck-crane, gives sufficient space especially for offshore works. Fenders all around
the ship’s hulls serve as another safety feature. The two fire fighting monitors according to FiFi1-standard
deliver each up to 1400 cbm water or water/foam mixture per hour. (Bron: Clipping News)
Crowley's First Russian Flagged Vessel Starts Work
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Crowley Maritime Corporation's Marine Services unit
announced the deployment of the Crowley Alliance, the
company's first Russian flagged and crewed vessel serving the
offshore oil industry near Sakhalin Island, Russia. The vessel
is owned and operated by Crowley Far East Services, a
Crowley subsidiary formed and incorporated in Sakhalin State,
Russia. The subsidiary, which is part of the corporation's
marine services segment, offers marine and shore side
logistics and transportation services to the energy and
construction industries in the region. A contest to name the
vessel was held amongst the students at the Senior High
School of Korsakov, Russia. Valiakhmetova Ekaterina, the 8th
grade student who won the contest said the name Alliance was
chosen because in translation from the French, the word means "the union, association of persons or the
states for achievement of overall aims." In the fall of 2005, Crowley entered into a contract with Exxon
Neftegas Limited (ENL) to provide an Ice Strengthened Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) for the
ORLAN, an 80,000 metric ton offshore production and drilling platform. To provide this service on a longterm basis, ENL required the vessel to be flagged under the Russian Federation and crewed by Russian
Nationals. Crowley is no stranger to the ORLAN. The company towed the ORLAN from its original location
off Alaska's north slope to Sovetskaya Gavan, Russia in 2001; then from Sov Govan to Ulsan, Korea in
2004, and finally from Ulsan to offshore Sakhalin Island in the summer of 2005. The Alliance, which
Crowley purchased from Maersk Supply Service, is a UT 708 design 12,000 BHP AHTS that is Lloyds Ice
Class 1A Super. The vessel has the hull strength and power to break first year ice up to one meter (39
inches) thick, and during the most severe part of the Sakhalin winters will follow an icebreaker to the
ORLAN location. In addition, the Alliance can provide ocean towing, anchor handling, and general supply
duties for ENL's offshore projects and will help extend their operating season due to its capability to
contend with early winter and late spring ice. On January 26, the crew of the Crowley Alliance raised the
Russian Flag signaling the end of the mobilization phase and the beginning of a new chapter for Crowley
in Russia. During the flag raising, Captain Vladimir Bogomazov, shorebase and marine supervisor for ENL
stated, "We congratulate all of the Crowley team with the raising of the Russian Flag on your vessel. It is a
great milestone for Crowley. I wish the Alliance and its crew good luck." Reaching this point was not an
easy task as Crowley took possession of the vessel in Egypt on November 28, 2005. To meet the
demands of the fast approaching winter in Sakhalin, ENL needed the vessel to be ready to work by
January 15, 2006. The team had only 32 days to mobilize the vessel over 7,000 miles, dry dock, change
the flag state, hire and train a crew, and establish ISM compliant operating procedures for the vessel and
company. In early February, the Crowley Alliance has posted a sailing board to make her inaugural
voyage to the ORLAN located in ice-filled waters off Northeast Sakhalin Island. (Bron:Jan van der Doe)
Two Newbuilding tugs from Grand Weld
Owner:
ATCO ,Saudi Arabia
Vessel;
Azimuth stern drive tug
Shipyard: Grand Weld SY
Country: Dubai
Hull no:
H016/05, H017/05
Thrusters: 2 per vessel Type Wärtsilä Propulsion Drunen
Propeller diam:2400 mm.
Engines: Wärtsilä 9L 20 1750 kW at 1000 RPM
Class:Bureau Veritas Hull+ , Mach + , UMS
(Bron:Jacques Huurenkamp)
type LCT CS 250-S/WN-K
Two Tugs from Nanindah
In december 2005 is bij Nanindah, Pulau Bantam de Adsteam Larrakia voor Adsteam Australië, bouwnr.
T151 opgeleverd.
In december 2005 is bij Nanindah, Pulau Bantam de Adsteam Ginga voor Adsteam Australië, bouwnr.
T152 opgeleverd. (Bron:Jaap Bijl)
Nieuwe sleper voor Semco
In oktober 2005 is bij Guangxi G., Wuzhou de Salvision voor Semco, Singapore, bouwnr. 01-2004-04
opgeleverd. (Bron:Jaap Bijl)
Herman verkocht
De shoalbuster Herman (119 brt.) uit 2002 van Sleepvaartbedrijf Herman Sr., Zwijndrecht is in januari
2006 verkocht aan Holyhead Towing Co. en herdoopt in Afon Lligwy. (Bron:Jaap Bijl)
7e jaargang, nr. 9
dd. 12 Maart 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Coast Guard to Conduct Casualty Investigation on Tug
The Coast Guard will begin a formal marine casualty investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the leading to the sinking of the tug Valour, which sank 37-miles off the coast of
Cape Fear, N.C., January 18, resulting in multiple loss of life. The hearings will begin
Wednesday March 1, at 9 a.m. at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg's Prevention Office at 155
Columbia Drive in Tampa, Fla. The investigation is intended to determine causes of the accident
and obtain information that may prevent or reduce the occurrence of similar incidents. Valour
sank in 15-to-20 foot seas and gale force winds off the Carolina coast. Three people died in the
accident. Five people were rescued by the tug Justine Foss, and one was rescued by a Coast
Guard rescue helicopter from Air Facility Charleston, S.C. Justine Foss along with recovered the
barge and towed it to Wilmington, N.C. Lt. Cmdr. Charles B. Barbee has been designated as the
investigating officer overseeing the formal proceedings. Barbee is the executive officer of Marine
Safety Unit Savannah and is a 14-year Coast Guard veteran. (Source:Jan van der Doe)
Tugboats Robbed in Arabian Sea
Pirates had a field day with mechanical and electrical equipment from two out-of-order tugboats
that were anchored off the coast of the Arabian Sea near Manora Island. On Feb 24, the Docks
Police registered an FIR against four masked men, who robbed the two tugboats. The police said
that FIR No 36/06 was registered on the complaint of Ahsan Ali, who is a manager with Old Port
(Pvt) Ltd, the company, which owns the tugboats. The Daily Times reported that Ali informed
the police that the four men approached his company's boats in two separate vessels. They took
the guards stationed at the tugboats hostage and loaded the stuff into their boats. The names of
the tugboats are Jawa and Jawa Bosar. The pirates took away motors, some tools and copper and
scrap. The police said that the tugboats were being repaired and had been out of order for the last
six months. (Source: Daily Times via Jan van der Doe)
Names
De namen van de sleepboten gebouwd bij Grandweld Dubai aangekondigd in de hiervoor
gepubliceerde nieuwsbrief zijn als volgt: Hull 016/05 AATCO JOUD Hull 017/05 AATCO
TAMARA (Source:Jacques Huurenkamp)
Fairmount Alpine due to be completed shortly
Fairmount Marine in the Netherlands says its third 205 tonnes bollard pull ocean-going tug is
nearing ompletion and has been moved from the building dock to an afloat position alongside the
finishing quay. The vessel, Fairmount Alpine, will be delivered shortly (Source:Leo Kramer)
Bourbon embarks on new strategic plan - to invest in newbuilds for shallow water
Bourbon Offshore is to invest in new AHTS and new GPA 654 PSVs. Bourbon in France has
announced that it has competed its 2003-2007 strategic plan a full year ahead of schedule, and
has embarked on a new strategic plan, 'Horizon 2010', in which it plans to invest 1.45 billion
Euros in new vessels. During the 2003-2007 plan, the company successfully refocussed its
activities exclusively on the marine sector, and achieved 15 per cent annual growth in revenues
from marine activities. As of the end of 2006, Bourbon Offshore will have a fleet of 53 supply
vessels and 39 crewboats. The new strategic plan will see Bourbon Offshore acquire a new class
of 58m, diesel electric, shallow water anchor handler, the GPA 254 class, which will have a
deadweight of 1,400 tonnes, bollard pull of 80 tonnes and 4,000bbl/660m3 of liquid mud. With
azimuthing propellers, the new class of AHTS will have a pair of 750hp bow thriusters, and will
be DP2 classed vessels. Bourbon Offshore will also invest in a new class of 58m shallow water
PSV, the GPA654 class, which, at 58m and 1,600 tonnes deadweight, will carry 4,000bbl/660m3
of liquid mud. These vessels will also be DP2 diesel electric ships, with a pair of 750hp bow
thrusters. (Source:Leo Kramer)
DMT expanding fleet with new vessel
Deep Marine Technology (DMT) in the US has announced more details of the new 292ft vessele
DMT Emerald which it is to acquire. Available from the fourht quarter of 2006, the new vessel
has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of the offshore oil and gas
industry. Some characteristics of the vessel include: •
100 tonne knuckleboom crane •
100
tonne Heave Compensated Multi- Purpose Tower •
24 X 24 Moonpool •
Two Heavy
Work Class ROVs •
DP2 • Accommodation for 76 •
US Flagged “The Oil and Gas
Industry is very dynamic,” said Mike Gilliam VP ROV/DSV Operations, “and it is therefore
essential that the design of this and any future vessels meet the current and foreseeable needs of
our clients and reflect DMT’s commitment to them to provide first class subsea services." "This
vessel compliments this initiative and with its acquisition, provides a highly flexible vessel that is
an appropriate fit along with the DMT Diamond and future company expansion plans.” The new
vessel will include the ability to perform: •
Suction Pile Installation •
Subsea Tree
Installation
•
Laying of Umbilicals •
Well Intervention •
Manifold Installation (Source:Leo
Kramer)
Le Havre tug delay goes on and on
SOCIATA Nouvelle de Remorquage du Havre (SNRH), a towage venture in which Dutch
operator Kotug has a majority stake, is still being denied an operating licence by an over-zealous
French administration that claims the company is not yet ready for service. The delay, now more
than eight weeks long, is costing at least euro30,000 ($36,000) a day, according to sources close
to Kotug. The French criticise the position and design of two cabins on the tugs and blames the
SNRH work organisation especially as regards working and resting time, which are seen as
inadequate. Furious SNRH has now started legal proceedings with an administrative court and is
to bring the case before the state’s Conseil d’Etat. It is hoped a decision in SNRH’s favour will
come soon, to permit the company to start working. Bosses of the local monopoly [Les Abeilles]
are using the unions against us to protect their dominant position by putting forward the threat of
job losses. Our operations will not destroy Les Abeilles but complement their activity,â SNRH
said, stressing that the Port 2000 container complex will generate new activity to satisfy both Les
Abeilles and SNRH. Unions have repeatedly warned that they would bring the towage sector to a
halt across France if SNRH is allowed to start operations at Le Havre. (Source:Clipping News)
Maersk sells anchor handler
March 3, 2006 Maersk Supply Service has confirmed that it has sold the anchor handling tug
supply vessel Maersk Topper to Viko Shipping Co Ltd. The vessel was delivered to her new
owner on February 16th in Singapore and has been renamed CS Topper (Source:Leo Kramer)
Smit stoot belang in Mexicaanse dochter af
ROTTERDAM - Het maritieme bedrijf Smit Internationale stoot een belang van 40 procent in het
Mexicaanse bedrijf Servicios Mexicanos en Remolcadores (SMR) af. Dat liet Smit maandag
weten. De verkoop levert het Rotterdamse bedrijf een boekwinst op van ruim 4 miljoen euro.
Smit heeft het belang overgedaan aan Grupo Transportes Maritimos Mexico (TTM). Volgens de
onderneming past de transactie in de strategie dat ze alleen belangen aanhoudt die groter zijn dan
50 procent. (Source:Leo Kramer)
Kooren Singapore built tugs
RT Antonie en RT Zoë are handed over by ASL Shipyard Singapore to Kooren Shipbuilding and Trading
this week. Both vessels departed from Singapore with a Redwise delivery crew at 08-03-2006 with
destination Rotterdam. ETA Rotterdam, around Eastern. (Source:Ton Has)
Slepers zwermen uit over de wereld.
Scheepswerf Damen heeft de afgelopen drie maanden weer sleepboten opgeleverd aan
opdrachtgevers in Letland, Syrie, Australie, Trinidad & Tobago, Libie, Engeland, de Verenigde
Arabische Emiraten, Ghana en Nederland. Hieronder bevonden zich ook sterke havenslepers voor
rederijen als Adsteam en Smit. De reeks begon in december met de oplevering van de Damen
ASD Tug 3110 Amber, een havensleper met een trekkracht van 55 ton voor Amberholdings
Liepaja in Letland. Kort daarop volgde de oplevering van de Amrit en Almarquab 2, twee
kleine standaard slepers van het type Damen Stan 1906 met een trekkracht van twaalf ton.
Opdrachtgever was de Tartous Port General Company uit Syrie. Hierna volgde de Cap Ndoua,
een Damen ASD Tug 2509 van 42 ton voor Inco Australie Management. De zusjes NEC Legacy
en NEC Industry, beide Damen Stan Tug 1605, werden gebouwd voor National Energy
Coprporation of Trinidad & Tobago. Zij hebben een trekkracht van bijna dertien ton. Als laaatste
verliet in december de Damen Stan Tug 2608 Silin de werf in Gorinchem. Deze havenslepers van
49 ton was bestemd voor de Socialist Ports Company uit Libie. Dit jaar werd de Damen Stan Tug
1605 Port Boisé opgeleverd aan Inco Australia Management. Dit slepertje heeft een trekkracht
van veertien ton. In february volgde de Adsteam Harty en Adsteam Warden, beide door
Adsteam UK gestationeerd in Sheerness, en de Adsteam Meringa, die de moedermaatschappij in
Australie inzet. Het drietal is van het type Damen ASD Tug 2411 en heeft een trekkracht van
ongeveer zeventig ton. Naar Fujairah in de Verenigde Arabische Emiraten vertrokken de Damen
ASD Tugs 2509 Wadi Sidr en Wadi Al Fai en naar Tokoradi in Ghana de Damen Stan Tug
2909 Ankobra River. Tot slot werd aan Smit in Rotterdam de Damen ASD 3110 Smit Diare
opgeleverd. Deze sleper, met een trekkracht van 57 ton, vertrok gelijk naar Nigeria. Ondertussen
wordt proefgevaren met de Pawlina, een Damen ASD 3111 van ongeveer zestig ton en bestemd
voor Tug Malta. (Source:Schuttevaer - Pas)
Seabreeze February Market Report
Møkster’s Mighty MT
February saw Olympic charter in Møkster Shipping’s newbuild MT6000 MkII PSV for a 9 month firm period
plus three monthly options. Following on from Olympic’s long term fixture to Shell of the
Olympic Princess, Olympic found themselves a little bit short of tonnage. Having a contractual
requirement to delivery two MT vessels to Statoil for pipe haul in 2006, they made the decision
to hire in the Stril Odin. Olympic do have two MT vessels available this year, the Olympic
Orion and a newbuild MT vessel that will deliver shortly, however it is rumoured one of them is
fixed away on a long term charter out with the North Sea, thus the need to hire in. Reckon that
Møkster will be keen to forward fix their Mighty MT “Stril Odin” so that she slips into a new
term charter following the pipe haul charter.
Sophie’s Choice
Peterson has fixed Siem Rovde’s newly built VS470 MkII Sophie Siem for one year firm plus
options starting 31st March. The vessel is currently contracted with Dong.
Supporter Keeps SupportingSophie Siem c/o Rovde Shipping AS
February saw the UT755 Northern Supporter come off hire from Peterson Logistics in The
Netherlands. The vessel had been on hire to them since March 2005, but before she got much of a
chance on the spot market, Peterson’s has her fixed again. The vessel will shortly go to dry dock
for a few weeks, then after that she will return back to Peterson’s for a two month charter plus
options. While the Northern Supporter is in dock this time she will have DP1 installed, this
upgrade marks a turn around in Trico’s fortunes as the company now go from strength to
strength, demonstrating this with investment and upgrading of the fleet.
Shell Go Independent
Sealion bagged a contract when they fixed the Toisa Independent to Shell. The contract period
is 6 months firm plus a few options and will provide PSV cover while some of the Shell term
vessels support the Norske Shell Orman Lange project this summer. When the Shell term tonnage
return to Aberdeen in the autumn, the Toisa Independent will be Independent and available
again. Currently the Toisa Independent is on charter to Petrobras and is expected to be released
shortly to return to the North Sea. This fine filly has diesel electric propulsion, LOA of 84m and a
deck area of 1000m2. It also has a few bells and whistles!!
Talisman’s Good Luck
Secunda's UT705 Acadian Sea has been fixed for one year plus options from May to Talisman to
support their North Sea exploration and production activities. The vessel is currently supporting
the Sedco 714 with Total and is expected to complete this contract early April. Meantime,
Talisman are also chartering SBS Marine's newbuild VS470 MkII SBS Tempest which is due
for delivery from Norway's Karmsund yard at the end of May. The vessel is fixed for five years
plus options. The SBS Tempest replaces the 1985 built UT705 SBS Cirrus, ex Active Duke",
which has been on hire since May 2003.
On The Up
The Gulf Offshore managed VS 4408 PSV UP Esmeralda has been chartered by the Canadian
oil company CNR. The vessel went onhire for work in the North Sea during the second half of
February for a period of 6 weeks firm with a further three weekly options. Other news from UP
Offshore (the owners of these vessels) include the imminent return of the sister vessel UP Safira
from its term charter with Paladin. Finally, UP Offshore have taken delivery of their latest
addition to the fleet, the UP Aqua Marinha PSV, which has just begun a six month plus options
term charter with Brazilian oil company Petrobras.
Talisman Have Spirit
Talisman were fixing via ASCO this month when they took the UT755LN Island Spirit for a 1
month charter plus 1 month option. This is a bit of a fill in charter for the vessel because at the
end of April she is due to be upgraded and will head off to Brazil for a long term charter. So you
are unlikely to see any “spirit” on the spot market in 2006!!
Gulf Offshore’s newbuild Dina Merkur
On 24th February Gulf Offshore’s newbuild Dina Merkur arrived in Aberdeen Harbour from
Norway to prepare for her first duty, a cargo run for Talisman. The UT755LC design PSV is
currently trading the spot market out of Aberdeen.
Contracts for Farstad from Eni and INPEX
Farstad has recently been awarded contracts from Eni and the Japanese INPEX Corp. For the
anchor handlers UT728L Far Saltire and UT712 Lady Astrid. The duration of the contracts is
around 12 months plus two 6-month options. Both vessels will be supporting the semi Songa
Venus off the North West coast of Australia. The semi will mobilise from Singapore during
July/August. Depending on the options the contract value is between US$19 and US$35million.
Tag Sealogistics orders 3 AHTS vessels
Mumbai based offshore service provider Tag Sealogistics has placed orders for three 6,400 BHP,
80 tons bollard pull AHTS vessels with ABG shipyard. The cost of the acquisition is expected to
be around US$42 million. Delivery of the vessels is expected to be completed during 2007. The
company currently owns three AHTS vessels and one tug, all of which are under long term
charter with Indian state-owned oil
company ONGC.
Siem Offshore Inc. orders two PSV’s
Aker Yards has confirmed an optional agreement with Siem Offshore Inc. for the construction of
two PSV’s with delivery scheduled for the second quarter of 2007. The contract value is NOK
275 million. The vessels are of Vik Sandvik design, VS470 MkII and will be equipped with DP,
special product tanks and accommodation for 34 persons.
Siem Offshore order with Kleven Maritime
Kleven Maritime has received its first order from Siem Offshore Inc. for the construction of a
Multifunctional ROV Support Vessel (MRSV) of MT 6016L design. The contract value is NOK
317 million. The vessel is being developed in close cooperation between owner and yard and
designed by Marin Teknikk AS. Main specifications: 103.7m long with a beam of 19.70m, a deck
space in excess of 1,100m2 and accommodation for 100 persons. The vessel will be designated
for the sub sea market worldwide, with focus on light construction work, maintenance and ROV
services. Delivery is scheduled for June 2007.
Gulf Offshore Newbuilds
Mid April the 5150BHP AHTS Sea Guardian will be delivered from the Indonesian Jaya Marine
Yard. It is
the sister vessel of the Sea Intrepid (pictured) which delivered late last year and is currently
trading the spot market in South East Asia. In September this year the 5500BHP AHTS Sea
Sovereign is due to be delivered from the same yard. This vessel has the following
specifications: LOA 70, beam 14.95m, deck space 490m2, BP 70t, DP-2 and accommodation for
42 persons. Both newbuilds are currently uncommitted.
Iceflower Power
Danish Nordane Shipping A/S took delivery of the first of two sophisticated Ice Class 1A FF tugs
from Irving Shipbuilding Inc. of Canada in January. The 5,000HP Stevns Iceflower tug measures
30.8x11.14m and has a bollard pull of 60.4 tonnes. The vessel is fully equipped for towing and
anchor handling operation, has two remote controlled FiFi monitors and two ice knives fitted at
the aft end to divert large pieces away from the propellers.
7e jaargang, nr. 10
dd. 19 Maart 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Smit Bronco te water
De Smit Bronco wordt a.s. woensdag 22 maart te water gezet/gelaten. Waarna zij verder wordt
afgebouwd bij de IHC werf in Sliedrecht. De Smit Bronco zal woensdag, als eerste werk, op de hydrolift
worden tewater gelaten. Bij hoogwater zal zij worden uitgevaren rond 09.30 uur. De 2e uit de serie de
Smit Barracuda wordt a.s. dinsdag 21 maart bij de werf verwacht. Zij zal na de Smit Bronco boven de
hydrolift worden gevaren en droog worden gezet, waarna zij na schoonmaken de loods zal worden
ingereden voor de verder bouw. (Source: Hans v.d.Ster via IHC-Sliedrecht)
Smit Anambas
Morgen 20 maart zal de Smit Anambas worden afgezonken in de Waalhaven bij het reparatiebedrijf van
Balck. Hier zal dan de lading, bij hoogwater, opdrijven en worden weggesleept, waarna de ballast tanken
van de Smit Anambas weer worden leeggeblazen. (Source: Hans v.d.Ster)
US tug company in legal trouble
US tug and barge operator Bouchard Transportation has been issued with a notice of non-compliance by
the state Department of Environmental Protection for trips by the Tug Barbara Bouchard on 11 and 18
February, Both times, according to the Cape Cod Times, the tug was pushing a barge with more than
6,000 gallons of oil through Buzzards Bay and the Cape Cod Canal without a tug escort.
The escort tug requirement was introduced after a Bouchard-towed barge spilt oil in April 2003. 'We
expect them to be in compliance,' the newspaper quoted DEP spokesman Ed Coletta. (Source: Clipping
News)
Kleven to build MPDSV for Sealion
Kleven Verft, Ulsteinvik, Norway has signed a contract with Toisa Limited of Bermuda for construction of a
sophisticated offshore vessel to be managed by Sealion Shipping of Farnham, U.K The vessel is a
Multifunctional Diving Support Vessel (MPDSV) of MT 6016 L design, developed in close cooperation
between the owner and the yard and designed by Norway's Marin Teknikk. The vessel is 103.7 meters
long and has a beam of 19.7 meters. With accommodations for up to 100 persons, the vessel will target
the market for diving operations world wide and will be equipped with a high capacity crane, moonpool,
helideck and saturation dive system. The contract value is NOK 327 million Delivery is scheduled for
December 2007. This is the first vessel for Sealion to be built at Kleven Maritime. (Source: Clipping News)
Harvey Gulf in $200 million construction program
Harvey Gulf International Marine, Inc., Harvey, La., says it has committed to investing well over $200
million in new build construction projects. Vessels under construction for the company at Eastern
Shipbuilding, Panama City, Fla., include three 280 ft offshore supply vessels, a 16,500 bhp towing/anchor
handling tug and a 265 ft dive support/well intervention vessel. The first of the 280 ft OSV's, the Harvey
Spirit has an expected delivery date of September 2006 and will start a 2 year charter with a major U.S.
Gulf of Mexico operation as soon as Harvey Gulf takes delivery. Harvey Gulf says its 280 ft class of OSV's
will have more clear deck space (202 ft x 52 ft) than any vessel of similar class and will offer 11,000
barrels of Liquid Mud, 12,000 cubic feet of Bulk capacity and are ABS Certified DP2. The other two
vessels of this class are being built under a new contract signed in January and have anticipated delivery
dates in April and July 2007. The 16,500 hp offshore towing/anchor handling tug is being built under a
contract signed with Eastern last month and has an expected delivery date of September 2007.
It will be a sister vessel to what Harvey says is "the strongest tug already operating in the U.S. Gulf of
Mexico, our M/V Harvey War Horse." Anticipated bollard pull will be 170-plus tons. The vessel will be
equipped with Dynamic Positioning Class 1 capabilities, shark jaws, bow thrusters, Kort nozzles and an
open stern for anchor handling. The 265 ft dive support/well intervention vessel Harvey Discovery is
scheduled for delivery from Eastern next month when it is to begin a three year charter with Saipem
Americas working on subsea construction projects. The vessel is ABS Certified Dynamic Positioning Class
II. It is equipped with a 75 ton crane and moon pool and will also have multi-industry capabilities. It can
also be used as an OSV (with its liquid mud and dry bulk capacities) to support drilling rig operations
should it be called upon for those duties. Meantime, Harvey Gulf's 13,500 hp offshore tug, Harvey Titan, is
presently undergoing conversion work that, says Harvey, will make it the first U.S.-flag tug to have
Dynamic Positioning Class 1 capability. The conversion work should be completed this month.The DP1
capability will greatly enhance the vessel's station keeping ability during connecting, holding and
disconnecting from rigs during strong loop current and marginal weather conditions. (Source: Clipping
News)
Tidewater sells AHTS
Broker Marcon reports that Tidewater Marine Service has sold its Vanuatu flag AHTS Gulf Fleet No 67 to
private buyers. Photo : Piet Sinke © Gulf Fleet No 67 was built in 1984 by St Louis Ship with principal
dimensions of 188ft x 40ft x 16ft and a loaded draft of 13.7ft on 1,111 long tons deadweight.Two EMD 12645E7C main engines produce 4610bhp driving twin four-blade fixed pitch propellers through Reintjes
WAV-2740 gears for a maximum/service speed of 15/12 knots and estimated 68 tonnes bollard pull. She
is fitted with an Intercon double-drum waterfall DW-200SP towing winch rated at 350,000 lbs line pull.
The ship's new owners will reactivate and recertify her with ABS. (Source: Clipping News)
Rocks crash tug skipper was drunk
The skipper of a coastguard tug which ran aground off Shetland last year has pleaded guilty to being
drunk in charge of the vessel. Peter Leask was more than three times over the legal alcohol limit.
He also admitted two other charges, including spilling 84 tonnes of diesel oil into the sea after hitting
rocks.Lerwick Sheriff Court heard the repair and clean up costs were more than £3m. Sentence has been
deferred until next month for social inquiry reports. The Anglian Sovereign ran aground on 3 September
last year and limped, listing, into Scalloway Harbour. The 13 crew on the vessel had to be airlifted to
safety.Port manager Jim Dickson said: "The Anglian Sovereign was the largest oil spill in UK waters since
the Braer, fortunately the oil itself was diesel oil, which will evaporate and is light. "We managed to recover
more than half of it using skimmers and there was minimal damage to the environment." Wildlife in the
area suffered from the spill and the vessel was so badly damaged a section had to be rebuilt. Councillor
Iris Hawkins, of Shetland Islands Council, said: "I think it's very ironic that the vessel that we campaigned
for so long to get to protect our waters from pollution was actually the one that ended up polluting around
our shores, very ironic indeed and very unfortunate." (Source: Clipping News)
Salvatore Laura sank
As officially announced this morning from the Greek Miistry of Mercantile Marine, the SALVATORE
LAURO was sunk 10nm southwest from the village of Gerolimenas(in the southeastern tip of the
Peloponnese), while under tow to the breakers in Aliaga from the tug St James. The tug was also towing
the CAPRI EXPRESS to the same destination and continued its voyage despite losing one of the two
ships. The tow had began at the port of Napoli. No injury or loss of life took place, while no pollution
occurred. (Source: Clipping News)
Fire onboard the Camperduin
Rumours are going around that the CAMPERDUIN of Th.Viegers from Andijk was hit by a fire in the
engineroom whilst working off Dubai for Van Oord dredging, no persons are reported injured. The 26 mtr
long CAMPERDUIN is built during 2004 at the Damen yard in Hardinxveld-Giesendam Deep Sea Supply
acquires 22 new build contracts Norwegian offshore services operator Deep Sea Supply ASA (DESS) is
set to become a much bigger player. It has reached an agreement to acquire 22 shipbuilding contracts for
a total consideration of $394 million from Hemen Holding Ltd. ("Hemen"), a company controlled by John
Fredriksen. The acquisition is subject to DESS raising the necessary financing and Hemen is expected to
become the largest shareholder in DESS, holding an estimated 20--22% of the outstanding share capital
subsequent to private placement set to end this morning. Deep Sea Supply ASA is a publicly quoted
company, listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. It was established in April 2004 by Jon B. Skabo and Klaus
Tollefsen for the purpose of building up an offshore support vessel business, primarily targeted towards
North Sea spot market operations. In 2005, negotiations with Tidewater resulted in it acquiring six
AHTS vessels of the KMAR 404 design. These six vessels, although among the newest and most
powerful in Tidewater's fleet, were not ideally suited for their operations. Acquisition of the Hemen
newbuild contracts will catapult DESS into the supply vessel big time. The vessels involved are:
two large 15,000 bhp, Anchor Handling Tug & Supply vessels BHP being built at the Jaya yard in
Singapore for delivery first half of 2007, eight UT755L Platform Supply Vessels of 3,250 DWT of the UT
755L design being built at the Cochin yard in India for delivery in 2006-2008, and twelve 6,500 bhp AHTS
being built at the ABG yard in India to be delivered in 2006-2009. The $394 million will be paid by a cash
consideration of $120 million to Hemen, and DESS assuming the remaining construction and project costs
estimatedat $274 million. The total newbuilding program will be financed with a share issue of $150-165
million, a subsequent share Issue of up to $5 million (directed to DESS shareholders not offered to
participate in the Private Placement) and a bank facility of $225 million from Fortis Bank. DESS has
retained First Securities, Pareto Securities and Fortis as managers for the Private Placement. "We are
satisfied that we have been able to secure this fleet of attractive new-buildings at a competitive price. This
will make DESS a company of substantial size, giving us access to better deal flow and more
opportunities, which suits our strategy well.", says Olav Fjell, Chairman of Deep Sea Supply. (Source:
Clipping News)
Aker Yards to build Construction Vessels for DOF
Friday, March 17, 2006
Aker Yards has entered into a contract with
DOF ASA, through its subsidiary DOFCON
ASA, for the building of two large Construction
Vessels, with optional agreement for two
sister vessels. One vessel is to be built at
Aker Yards, Søviknes, Norway. The vessel is
an Aker OSCV 06 L, designed by Aker Yards
Project, with delivery scheduled for May 2008.
The vessel is of 153 meters length, will be
equipped with a 400 tonnes offshore crane,
and will have DP Class 3 and Ice Class. The
vessel will have a maximum speed of 18
knots, considered important for global
operations in order to minimize mobilisation
time. DOFCON has an option to order a sister
vessel for delivery first quarter 2009. The
other vessel is to be built by Aker Yards in
Brazil, with delivery scheduled for October
2008, and is of the design Aker OSCV 06. The vessel is of 138 meters length, and will be equipped with a
250 tonnes offshore crane, and will have DP Class 3. The vessel will be the only large construction vessel
so far to be built in Brazil. DOFCON has an option to order a sister vessel for delivery April 2009. (Source:
Marinelink)
Sales, Transfers & Renamings Marine News March 2006
Bue Islay, (Searcher – 99, Hornbeck Searcher – 96, Sunset Searcher – 95, Far Searcher – 93, Nuna –
91) 928/86 – offshore tug/supply. By Viking Offshore Services Ltd., to Viking North Sea Ltd., both UK and
renamed Viking Islay.
Bue Jura, (Cromarty Tide – 00, Cromarty Service – 93, Cromarty Shore – 81), 1092/74 – standby safety.
By Viking Offshore Services Ltd., to Viking North Sea Ltd., both UK and renamed Viking Jura.
Bue Mull, (Sceptre Tide – 99, Hornbeck Sceptre – 98, Seaboard Sceptre – 95, Salgado – 90) 891/80 –
offshore supply. By Viking Offshore Services Ltd., to Viking North Sea Ltd., both UK and renamed Viking
Mull.
Bue Tiree, (Supreme – 99, Hornbeck Supreme – 98, Seaboard Supreme – 95, Sapucaia – 90) 863/81 –
offshore supply. By Viking Offshore Services Ltd., to Viking North Sea Ltd., both UK and renamed Viking
Tiree
Candeias, 766/83 – offshore supply. Has been renamed N.S.Candeias by Delba Maritima Navegacao
SA. Brazil.
Dogancay V, 224/02 – tug. By Sanmar Denizcilik Makina ve Ticaret Ltd, Sirketi, Turkey to Compagnie
Chambon, St.Vincent and the Grenadines and renamed Chambon Largade.
Far Scotsman, (Seaforth Monarch – 89) 1948/82 – offshore tug/supply. By Farstad Shipping ASA, Isle of
Man (British) to Secunda Marine Services Ltd, Barbados and renamed Scotsman Sea.
Kapitan Engler, (Alex Falck – 04, Kapitan Engler – 04) 139/65 – tug. By Pounds Shipowners &
Shipbreakers, to J.A.Evelegh, both UK and renamed Princeton
Lady Emma H, (Lady Emma – 98, Check Chau – 98) 267/98 – tug. By Adsteam Medway Ltd to Adsteam
Humber Ltd, both UK and renamed Adsteam Ellerby.
Maasbank, 609/87 – tug. By Balau NV, Bahamas to Barry Towge & Offshore SA Portual (Mar) and
renamed Warlock
Multratug 8, 276/70 – tug. Has been renamed Serwal 4 by Multratug BV Netherlands and transferred to
Polish Registry.
N.S.Candeias (Candeias – 04) 766/83 – offshore supply. By Delba Maritima Navegacion S, Brazil to
Zakher Marine International Inc, Georgia and renamed Zakher Rio.
Normand Vibran, (Troms Steggen – 05) 1972/00 – offshore tug/supply. By Stolstad Rederi A/S, Norway
to Ganware Shipping Corp.Ltd. India and renamed Everest.
Norther Seeker, (Jane Viking – 97, Sea Garnet – 90, Sea Piper – 82) 1378/75 – offshore supply. By Trico
Shipping A/S Norway to Seaport International Shipping Co.LLC, Comoros and renamed SIS Seeker
Ocean East, 233/94 – tug. By Intone Pte.Ltd, Singapore to Albany Shipping Inc. St.Vincent and the
Grenadines and renamed Ocean Samrat
Old Saybrook, (Exxon Texas – 93, Esso Texas) 218/68 – tug. By Eugene Boats Inc. To Leboeuf Brothers
Towing Co.Inc. both USA and renamed Creole Pride
Searanger, (Highland Fortress – 00, Northern Fortress – 93) 2567/82 – offshore supply. By Seaworks
International Ltd. Vanuatu to Offshore Supply Vessels I BV Netherlands and renamed VOS Sympathy
Uniwise 2, (Avonmore – 00, Impala – 90) 159/82 – offshore supply. By Uniwise Offshore Ltd, Thailand to
ARC Marine Pvt.Ltd, India and renamed Mahi.
Waterloo, 298/87 – tug. Has been renamed Adsteam Waterloo by Adsteam UK Liverpool, UK.
7e jaargang, nr. 11
dd. 26 Maart 2006
_______________________________________________________________
W&D Delivers Z-Drive FiFi Tug
Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. of East Boothbay, Maine delivered Bulldog, a 98 x 37 ft., 6,700 hp,
Z Drive firefighting tug, to Crescent Towing of New Orleans, La. Bulldog provides ship-assist and escort
services for LNG tankers at the Elba Island LNG re-gasification terminal in Savannah, Ga. Bulldog is a
new Washburn & Doughty in-house design and the first tug built at the yard for Crescent Towing.
Washburn & Doughty's Chief Naval Architect and Vice President, Bruce Washburn, drew on the
company's experience designing and building Z-Drive Tugs for ship docking and LNG operations while
designing the 98-ft. Tug. Since 1999, the company has designed and built 18 Z-Drive Tugs, six of which
are used at LNG Terminals. With the 98-ft. design, Washburn & Doughty maintained a traditional look
while providing 360-degree visibility in the pilothouse. Underwater, the vessel features a deep box skeg
designed to enhance escorting without sacrificing maneuverability. Throughout the design process
Washburn & Doughty received input from Crescent, Moran Towing Corporation, the shipping companies
and their consultant, Greg Brooks. In addition, Washburn & Doughty contracted with Glosten Associates
who analyzed the tug's escort capability from their escorting computer model. Glosten predicted that at 8
KTS the tug will have steering forces of 75.6 ST and braking forces of 116.2 ST. Bruce Doughty,
Washburn & Doughty's President & CEO said, "We have worked on numerous tug bids for LNG
operations lately and thereby become very familiar with what terminals and shippers are looking for in a
vessel. Our 98-ft. tug addresses what LNG operations need in a tug, particularly as it pertains to power,
maneuverability, escorting and firefighting capabilities." Bollard pull tests on January 10 in Newport News,
Va., revealed: Forward Mode — 180,000 lbs. (90 Tons); Forward Mode Max — 182,000 lbs. (91 Tons).
Firefighting 1 equipment includes two Caterpillar 3412C engines rated at 900 hp @ 2,100 rpm and Nijhuis
HGTFI-1-250.500 pumps located in the engine room. The pumps supply two remote controlled FiFi 1
monitors mounted on the aft upper deck. Controls for the monitors are in the pilothouse and locally at the
monitors. The firefighting system also includes a deluge sprinkler system and eight fire stations located on
the main deck. Bulldog is powered by two medium speed GE 7FDM12 main engines that each produce
3,350 hp @ 1,050 rpm. According to Bazemore, "The GE power units are remarkable and performing
well." The propulsion system is completed by Rolls Royce model US255 Z Drives with 2800mm, 4 blade,
stainless steel propellers. Bulldog is equipped with John Deere model 6068TFMGK-99, Tier 2 emissions
certified, marine generator sets providing 99 kW @ 1,800 rpm, 208V 3 phase power. In the event that the
on-line generator fails, the standby generator will automatically start and go on line. The generator
experiencing the failure will be automatically shut down. The main switchboard provides for automatic
paralleling of the generator sets and is integrated with the winch controls. The online generator provides
sufficient power to operate the winch in normal (assist) mode. When high power (escort) mode is selected,
the standby generator is automatically paralleled with the online generator. The bow is fitted with a Markey
type DESF-48, 100 hp electric escort winch. The winch drum holds 750 ft. of nine in. synthetic line. The
winch features line-pulls up to 365,000 lbs. @ 0- 8 fpm; line-speeds up to 600 FPM; and a drum brake
holding capacity of 476,000 lbs utilizing an Eaton water cooled brake. A 15 hp Markey CEWC-60 electric
stern hawser capstan is located on the aft deck and a 5 hp Markey CEP-40 electric messenger capstan is
fitted on the foredeck. Bow fendering includes 12 x 14 in. rectangular molded rubber on the upper section;
16 in. soft loop on the middle section; and a "Turk's head" style fender on the lower section. 12 x14 in
rubber D fender is fitted at the main deck on the sides and stern. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Harvey Gulf orders again
March 20, 2006 Harvey Gulf International Marine in Louisiana in the US is reported to have embarked on
a new round of investment in newbuilds. Sources in the US say the company plans to spend more than
US$200 million on new ships, and has under construction at Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City,
Florida, three 280ft supply vessels, a 16,500bhp AHTS, and a 265ft dive support and well intervention
ship. (Source: Leo Kramer)
1,500 Tons Of Salt Sink In GIWW
Some 1,500 tons of salt sank in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway On March 17 after the barge in which it
was loaded collided with an offshore barge in 18-19 feet of water. The mishap resulted in channel
restrictions The salt barge was the lead unit in a tow being moved by the Mv. Jesus Saves. According to
the "Inland River Record", the boat is owned by Dufrene Boats, Inc., Harvey, La. The Marmac 15, the
other vessel in the accident, was being towed by the Megan E. Dupre and the E. H. Demouy, Gulf Coast
newspapers reported. The barge suffered damage above the water and was able to move to a nearby
shipyard for repairs. Work to unload the salt barge is pending. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Tidewater Agrees To Repower Tugs
Vancouver-based Tidewater Barge Lines has a fleet of 15 tugs, some built in the 1960s with inefficient
engines that pollute the air. A recently released study reveals that tugs and ships on the Columbia River
are "significant contributors" to haze in the Columbia River Gorge. When Tidewater was approached with
the idea of putting scrubbers on the vessels’ stacks, the conversation quickly turned to engine
replacement. A Department of Environmental Quality official told Tidewater that it soon would be able to
compete for federal grant money to help defray the cost of replacing aging engines. If Tidewater is
successful, the company could get as much as $500,000 toward the $1.8 million cost of replacing two
engines in one of its oldest and most power tugs. Tidewater could have rebuilt the engines for $400,000,
but it was decided replacement was the thing to do. The new clean-diesel engines are expected to cut
emissions by 85 percent. If the company gets the grant, it could also be eligible for Oregon tax credits
valued at $280,000. But there would be another bonus. The new engines would save $234,000 annually
in fuel costs. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
McAllister FiFi 1 Tractor Tugs Respond to Emergency
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
On March 15, two restaurants, the historic Bowen’s Inn and the
Lighthouse Inn caught fire on Solomon’s Island in Calvert
County Maryland. The Solomon’s Volunteer Rescue Squad
and Fire Department (VFD) arrived on scene at the three alarm
fire and immediately recognized the need for additional
firefighting resources. Winds out of the NW were steady at 3035 knots with gusts up to 50 knots that quickly fanned the
inferno and created satellite fires. McAllister Towing’s tugs A.J.
McAllister and Emily Anne McAllister were crewed and
underway. Mate Tom Marstin of the Emily Anne McAllister, with
23 years of experience as a member of Solomon’s VFD,
coordinated getting the tugs into position and spraying water
by 13:15. Reports have more than 70 firefighters from 4
counties at the scene; due to limited water hydrants and resources being spread thin, the fight was being
lost. The Lighthouse Inn was completely engulfed and eventually collapsed. The A.J. and the Emily Anne
showered water at a rate of 11,000 gallons per minute a brought the fire under control within one half
hour. At 13:45, the VFD’s Incident Commander called a halt to the tugs’ efforts so the situation could be
assessed. During this time, the Emily Anne eased her way to shore so that Mate Marstin could obtain a
radio from the Incident Commander for future instructions. The tugs were then ordered to sweep hot spots
along the shore and further assist the VFD in dousing the numerous satellite fires that had arisen from the
high powered winds. There were no injuries to firefighting personnel or civilians. The damage suffered on
Solomon’s Island has been estimated near $5 million. The community and firefighters both acknowledged
the tugs’ efforts in containing the fire. Assistant Fire Chief Charles Nava of Solomon’s VFD said, “Big fire
requires big water and the tugs provide big water. The tug operation enabled us to mitigate the further
spreading of the fire in a matter of minutes versus the time it would have taken us.” Dick Devoe, a resident
of the area, “My wife and I were watching from our yard when the tugs arrived and immediately got to
work. Witnessing the power of the tugs cannons we knew it was only a matter of minutes before the fire
would be suppressed. As far as the community is concerned the tugboats were the heroes of the day!”
Both the A.J. McAllister and Emily Anne McAllister are state of the art tugs that were specifically built for
liquid natural gas terminals. Each tug is equipped with emergency response equipment that meets or
exceeds the FiFi 1 standards of classification by the American Bureau of Shipping. The tugs were built to
specifications set by Statoil, British Petroleum and Shell Oil for work at the Cove Point liquid natural gas
terminal. The tugs’ firefighting equipment include (2) Skum MK-250EL/VR fire monitors with foam injection
capability and a 1,100 gallon per minute deluge system. Each tug features Nijhuis HGT1 fire pumps
(driven by Detroit Diesel 12V-925TI) capable of pumping 5,800 gallons of water per minute. This
equipment is fully automated with controls in the pilot house. Both tugs are classed +A-1 firefighting (FiFi
1), Escort, +A-1 towing and +AMS by the American Bureau of Shipping. (Source: Marinelink)
Aker to Build AHTS for Maersk
Friday, March 24, 2006
Aker Yards has entered into a contract with AP. Moller Maersk AS, for the building of eight Anchor Handling Tug
Supply Vessels (AHTS). The contract also includes an optional
agreement for another two sister vessels. The series of AHTS
vessels is of Vik & Sandvik design, VS 472. Deliveries are
scheduled for 2008 and 2009, from Aker Yards in Norway. The
vessels are of approximately 240 x 65.5 x 30 ft. Roy Reite,
responsible for Offshore & Specialized Vessels in Aker Yards
comments: "We are very pleased that AP. Moller - Maersk as a
large international shipowner again chose to cooperate with us. This contract is the largest contract signed
in the Offhore & Specialized Vessels business area to date, and will give activity well into 2009. It will also
create considerable opportunities for numerous of our equipment suppliers and network of
subcontractors". (Source: Marinelink)
‘Smit Bronco’ te water gelaten
De eerste nieuwbouw multipurpose tug de “Smit
Bronco” is afgelopen woensdag 22 maart,
onder
grote
belangstelling
van
Sleepbootspotters, te water gelaten bij IHC in
Sliedrecht en wordt daar momenteel afgebouwd.
Medio april zal ze gaan proefvaren. De “Smit
Bronco” is de eerste van drie multipurpose tugs
onder constructie. Het zusterschip de “Smit
Barracuda” is het volgende schip dat bij de werf
wordt afgebouwd. Zij werd nadat de “Smit
Bronco” te water was gelaten, uit het water
getild en de afbouw loods ingereden. Het casco
van de derde multipurpose tug voor Smit
Transport Europe BV, de “Smit Bison” werd In
Servie afgenomen en zal ook naar de werf van
IHC in Sliedrecht worden verscheept. (Source:
Hans van der Ster)
Smit Owena proefvaart voor Fotograven
De Smit Owena, PDNE, bouwnummer 511728 zal op 3, 4 en 5 april haar proefvaarten gaan uitvoeren.
Bijgevoegd het schema:
e
4 april 2006
3 april 2006
14.00 – 4 Petroleumhaven
14.30 – Yard Trails
08.00 – Aanvang Proefvaart
08.30 – Vertrek uit
e
16.30 – 4 Petroleumhaven –
08.30 – Aanvang trekproeven
Gorinchem
Compenseren
12.00 – testen lier
10.37 – Baanhoekbrug
e
17.30 – 4 Petroleumhaven
16.00 – To off-shore put
10.50 – Papendrechtse brug
voor overnachting.
11.17 – Spoorbrug Dordrecht
5 april 2006
16.30 – Naar Gorinchem
19.17 – Spoorbrug
08.30 – duurproeven en
Zwijndrecht
fotovaren
19.40 – Papendrechtse Brug
13.15 – Snelheidsproeven
20.00 – Baanhoekbrug
14.30 – manoevreerproeven
e
21.00 – Aankomst Gorinchem
16.00 – 4 petroleumhaven
Veel succes met het maken van de plaatjes. Helaas zit ik zelf weer eens in het buitenland en hou me dus
aanbevolen voor wat mooie foto exemplaren. (Source: Damen)
16.30 – Anker, fifi en blackout test
18.00 – 4e petroleumhaven.
GBS wordt versleept vanuit Vlissingen
SMIT Marine Projects is momenteel bezig met de voorbereidingen voor het uitslepen van de stalen
opslagtank (GBS) voor het De Ruyter veld, ca. 35 mijl uit de kust van Den Haag. Het verslepen van de
opslagtank die 76 x 63 meter meet, 73 meter hoog is en droog 56.000 ton weegt zal gebeuren vanuit
Vlissingen en zal plaatsvinden tussen 3 april en 6 april. De momenteel vast gelegde schepen die hiervoor
opgetrommeld zijn, zijn de “Anglian Earl”, “Nordon Challanger”, “Granit”, VOS Sympathy” en waarschijnlijk
de “Zeus”. (Source: Smit Marine Projects)
Pacific Endeavour starts ice trials
Swire Pacific Offshore says the first example of its new class of icebreaking PSVs, the UT758 Pacific
Endeavour, started ice trials on March 13th when it arrived at the edge of the Artic polar pack. Said Swire:
"Prior to departure there was considerable anxiety among the ice experts about finding sufficient first year
ice of the quantity and quality required due to the unseasonably warm winter in the extreme northern
hemisphere. However, it turned out the polar pack ice was thicker than anticipated from the forecasts, and
the vessel was frequently encountering areas of ice of 4-6m thickness capped with 1.5m of snow." Apart
from ice manoeuvring trials the vessel also conducted a full push test to confirm the maximum torque and
maximum revs of the motors at 7MW of input power at the Aquamaster thrusters. "All on board were
extremely impressed with the way Pacific Endeavour handled ice that was well over the initial design
specifications, and well in excess of what will be found off Sakhalin Island where the vessel will operate,"
said the company. The channel widening test was passed with flying colours, achieving a 65m channel
through 45cm ice and 10cm snow in excess of 2.5 knots headway, as were subsequent trials. (Source:
Clipping News)
North Star Shipping invests in PSV
North Star Shipping , part of the Craig Group, has announced that it is to invest a further £12 million in its
fleet of support vessels and has signed a contract with Astillerios Balenciaga shipyard in Spain for a
78.2m PSV. The new PSV, which is due to be delivered in 2007, will go straight into a long-term charter
with Talisman Energy UK Limited, which has awarded North Star Shipping a five year charter for the
vessel with multiple options. The new PSV is designed by IMT, with whom the company has a
longstanding relationship, is designed the IMT 978, and will be 78.2m in length with a breadth of 17m and
740m2 deck. Intended as a PSV, the vessel will also be capable of meeting the requirements of a 300
Class ERRV and be capable of carrying daughter craft. (Source: Clipping News)
Moulin Tide Launched
March 10th yard number 844/1 was launched at the Northern Shipyard SA for Remontowa Shipyard SA,
the 67 mtr. long vessel is named MOULIN TIDE and is on order for Tidewater Marine LLC from New
Orleans. Gdansk Shiprepair Yard REMONTOWA S.A. has signed contract with Tidewater Marine Inc. for
delivery of 4 vessels during year 2005 (2 are in option). Vessels are to be building in co-operation within
Remontowa Group. The hulls of the tugs are being built in Northern Shipyard SA. The burning of the steel
for the first unit - AHTS 1144/01 began on 6th of February 2004 and on 19th of February the keel was laid.
On the 29 th of June 2004, in the Northern Shipyard SA took place the launching ceremony of AHTS
1144/01 and the unit was hauled to Remontowa S.A. for furnishing work. Where Tidewater Marine LLC of
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA called in June 2002 for bids of three series (80, 100 and 120T bollard pull)
of AHTS, Remontowa's American & Offshore Commercial Department, which is responsible for farther
development of offshore sector service, had to decide the best way of attitude. Analysis of technical
condition lead to the conclusion, that Customer's expectation is to have rather small vessels in size, but
with comparatively large cargo capacities. In addition, the smallest bollard pulls vessel looked as limited
water depth operator. Available on the market, typical AHTS projects did not fulfil those conditions, while
famous, independent consultants offered only theoretically customised design, since they were providing
rather geometrically converted hullforms and/or compilations of previous solutions. Based on mentioned
above it was decided to prepare own and new concept in spite, that call for the bid clearly stated the only
proven design to be accepted. Finally, contract for newbuilding shown such Remontowa's attitude suitable
and successful. "Cost cutter" was the nickname given by Tidewater to the vessels as the guiding principle
of projects. It meant not only simple construction and lower building cost, but also considerably lower
recurring, operating costs. As long as demanded vessel's dimensions and bollard pull are observed, the
only way to satisfy operating costs lowering expectations is to increase the speed, deadweight and cargo
capacity, in terms of maintained propulsion power level. In such case the cost of cargo unit transfer is for
sure lower, comparing to competing solutions. Bigger cargo capacity and increased number of voyages,
within the same period of time and with comparable fuel consumption, should attract potential clients by
offering an advantage in form of vessel's flexibility with her special hullform design, allowing operation
either on shallow or deep water oil fields. Opportunity in offering of lower service rates would further sharp
operator's competitive edge on extremely tough market at present. Locally sited Naval Engineering and
Design's team, chosen by Remontowa as authors of new concept, examined number of different
propulsion systems, sophisticated solutions of ship's body forms, as well as vessel's layout, what resulted
in more than thirty well-developed project versions. This would eventually help to fulfil specific needs of
other, potential clients, as well as have resulted in compromised and well balanced solution, finally
presented to the Owners. Limited vessel's breadth and draft on one hand, with increased deadweight,
bollard pull and speed on the other, seem to contradict strongly and form rather ambitious challenge.
Therefore, local Design and Scientific Research Centre has been employed and extensive programme of
tank testing was performed, to prove assumed parameters and to ensure satisfactory seakeeping
characteristics as well. Additional cost cutting gain, important for shipbuilders, is homeliness of applied
body shape, which spares labour cost of the hull's erection. Moreover, promising results of this type of
ship, gave excellent hullform for shallow water platform supply vessel (PSV) or other OSV concept, where
cargo capacity and vessel's speed may be further, significantly increased, comparing to AHTS results.
Final technical solutions, as well as received results, both offering handy, safe and comfortable workplace,
are as follows: * ABS class notation of: +A1, (E), Offshore Support Vessel, FFV Class 1, +AMS, +DPS -1;
* Length overall 67m, moulded breadth 15.5m, deadweight of 1.850 at 4.4m and 1.950 at 4.6m draughts; *
Twin American maker M.E., 2.983 kW each, driving via reduction gears two contra rotating CPP in nozzles
and developing more than 90T of bollard pull and 14.5 knots of full speed at MCR, two shaft generators
1200kW each and two FF pump 800kW each driven from the front end of MEs via step-up gear; *
Electrically driven bow thrusters 800HP to comply DPS -1 class; V Cargo deck area of 410 sq m with
allowable cargo load up to 1.000t ( 5.5T / cu.m); V Cargo tanks capacities: liquid mud - 470 cu.m (3.000
imperial barrels); dry cargo - 193.6 cu.m (7.000 cu.ft); cargo F.O. - 900 cu.m; cargo F.W. - 790 cu.m;
potable water - 210 cu.m; B.W. - 490 cu.m; V Double-drum, 225 T, hydraulic, low pressure, anchor
handling / towing winch; storage real adequate capacity; two 10T tugger winches; one 2 MT at 10 m arm
deck crane; shark jaws / towing pins set; 300T SWL stern roller; * Comfortable accommodation for
compliment of 28 and complied offshore standards. (Source: Clipping News)
Book Review: Tugboats of New York
"Tugboats of New York" is one of those rare constructions where everything works just about perfectly.
The text is insightfully, appreciatively, and masterfully written. The illustrations are informative, handsome,
and sometimes — deliberately, one gathers, given some of the credits — quite beautifully artistic. The
photo captions are detailed and often lengthy, turning the book into sort of an A-V show on paper. And
what paper. The stock is coated and 60-lb. heavy, bright, easy on the eyes, apparently formulated to last
the next century or two. The illustrations glisten with a sheen more reminiscent of actual photographic
prints than something screened into a book. The quality of manufacture echoes the lavish production
values of coffee-table books produced in Asia, although this one is American-made. All these individual
excellences combine with a tactile and sensual force when the volume is hefted and spread-open for a
read, a page-turner whose deluxe composition dignifies its subject. With a title like "Tugboats of New
York" and a subtitle, "An Illustrated History," what the book's about would seem fairly inescapable. Yet
with so many cogs in the machinery of its telling, author George Matteson may have intended other
messages besides the one that's spelled-out. NY Long Ago The author upholds the New York theme of
the book in grand style, taking local history back to before there was a New York, or even a place to build
it. "Eleven hundred million years ago," states the opening, "the Manhattan Prong began to form under the
relentless pressure of collision between tectonic plates bearing the North American and African
continents." That's how the "New York" pedigree of the work begins; the tugboats come later "About nine
thousand years ago," we're told after an intervening couple of paragraphs of geological development,
"Long Island Sound became an arm of the ocean; the Narrows a tidal strait ... Vagaries of terrain made
Staten an island and the East River a tidal strait leading to Long Island Sound; and thus, Manhattan, the
artifact of a thousand-million-year-old prong, was ready for business." It was still a bit early for the tugboat
business, but a fundamental characteristic of the eventual city was by then cast. "Most of that business is
conducted at the will of the tides ... through the labyrinth of channels that make up the Upper and Lower
bays, the Hudson, East, and Harlem rivers, the Kills that encircle Staten Island, Raritan and Newark bays,
and the Hackensack and Passaic rivers." What do these formations, laid-out in an unpopulated landscape
during the time of the Pharaohs, have to do with a local industry which got its start no more than 189 years
ago? "The behavior of the harbor currents and the consequences of that behavior have become a vital
language learned by generations of boatmen." Boatmen. The author included. "Early on in my education, I
was given the opportunity to steer a tow comprising two empty scrap barges out of the Kill Van Kull ... I
steered carefully along the Jersey flats as far as the buoys that mark the entrance channel to the ferry
dock on the south side of the statue. There I could see by the action of the buoys' leaning and weaving in
the current that we had used up all the benefits of the Back Channel route. I shaped a course across the
main ship channel, stemming the current for the tip of Governors. I had gotten perhaps a quarter of the
way across when the pilothouse door flew open and there was the captain, much annoyed. "'I said to go
up to the statue before you cut across.'" "I felt very foolish. 'I was almost there.' "'I didn't say almost. You
go to it. That's the way it's done. That's the way it's always done.'" We've reached only the fourth page of
text in this rich 270-page volume (including index, five pages of bibliography, seven of chapter notes, and
a three-page epilogue), and already we've ventured seamlessly from the formation of the planet and a part
of it cut-out just for tugboats, to the credentials of the guide who is conducting our tour. Were a hull to slide
as cleanly through the water, a boatman would be proud. We've even come to understand just a little
about tugboating and a stand-up, be ready to be stood-down, character of its world. What could the next
four pages bring? Minding Business in New York Whatever the main theme of the book, the author
departs its regional orientation at his pleasure, whenever no other way arises to tell the tale. If he goes
back eleven hundred million years to the genesis of this place made for tugboats, he's earned the right to
go back 268 years to the genesis of the self-propelled towing vessel, drawn-up on paper. It was
apparently never built, and had its origin in London in 1737, not New York. Like the plate tectonics that
constructed the region, the movement of ideas was inexorable but slow.
The earliest commercial steamboats saw the prospects in towing, even if not as a primary occupation. The
famous Nautilus, the Staten Island steam ferry that entered service 80 years after the steam towboat was
first sketched-out, was an early adopter of the new tech. She was fitted with towing bitts, the author tells
us, and from time to time went off on the impromptu tow with a complement of ferry passengers still
aboard. Even by the time of purpose-built towboats, sidewheelers after the 1830s, the spontaneous
demand for services — or competition to provide same — was propelled by the technology of the day.
There were no long-distance communications, and a lot of tows arrived on the winds. When? Why, there
they are now. As the local fleet of tugboats developed ocean-going prowess, working the waters around
Sandy Hook, they extended the practicality of doing business in the region. Not many merchantmen could
make their way across the ocean, straight up to their docks under sail. If the port of New York made
commerce viable and physically built the city, it had the tugboat, literally, as its motor. The clipper ships
wouldn't have worked if it hadn't been for tugboats, which by the 1860s had developed the screw propeller
and the particular profile by which they're recognized to this day. Transatlantic steamships bearing cargo
by then were able to navigate closer to the piers of New York, and schedules grew somewhat more
predictable. But it still took tugboats to dock them. The voracious appetite of the adolescent city required
tugboat services for cargo coming the other way too, from the north down the Hudson for example. This
included the barges and boats of the Erie Canal, among other canals built to the Hudson, and a great
towing empire that developed midway between New York and Albany. The Cornell Steamboat Company
headquartered itself at Rondout, near the D&H Canal, like New York itself "as much a creature of its
geographical situation as it was of the management skills of its early proprietors." For the better part of a
century, the Cornell company was the dominant force in towing things south to the old Manhattan Prong.
Goods came from the canals, and from the towns along the rivers en route, with their gravel and cement
and bluestone and brick, the base substances of cities before architects discovered steel and glass. They
arrived in tows whose sheer sprawl is hard to imagine in a day when container barges take such little
space. The canalers were not literally tugboats of New York, but they were so closely affiliated with New
York that the story is incomplete without them. Their influences surface periodically through the book.
Almost from the time the canals began operation, railroads and eventually highways began competing
with the river tows, successfully in response to the social requirements and economic balances of the 19th
and 20th centuries. That was okay, because downriver the railroads themselves needed tug services.
Something had to bring boxcars from the railheads on the Jersey shore to their final destinations around
the boroughs and beyond.
The author credits John H. Starin, who built a large nautical empire in New York (130 tugs, lighters,
steamers and barges by the 1880s), for development of the carfloat system that might form the genesis of
intermodal transport as we know it. In time the tugboats at this work were mostly railroad property in their
own right, though they stimulated other business for the boats on the harbor begun for them so many
millions of years before. A lot of tugs from elsewhere, as well as the proprietary tug operations of
corporations with other "core businesses," like the railroads and the petroleum companies, commingled in
New York along with the assets of purely local operators large and small, mostly small. Only a few
sourcess seem to have recorded tug business dealings in those days, beyond the iconic descriptions of
dispatchers shouting orders to skippers through megaphones from Manhattan office towers. The tugboat
business was a lot more complex than that, of course, with harbor masters and agents and scalpers of
varying backgrounds and levels of honor promoting or exploiting business for tug owners in the days
before telephones. "That the waterfront in general and the milieu of the tugboatmen in particular was
beginning to accumulate multiple layers of extortionate characters did not bode well for the port." They're
presumably no longer part of the fabric, though the tug owners, then as now, endured something of a
dichotomy about making their activities known. Word should get out to stimulate more business, but word
should be kept quiet to avoid attracting competition. The book describes many other intricacies of tugboat
dealings as common as steamboats in their time, and now just as vanished. Whether these business
structures were unique to New York or were indigenous to other ports as well is not clear, though their
parallels must have existed elsewhere. With luck, the success of the present volume will encourage
equally learned tomes under titles like "Tugboats of Philadelphia" or "Tugboats of Norfolk." It would be
interesting to compare. Principles of tugboat design, machinery, and operating characteristics are
abundantly covered in the book, although the majority are more-or-less generic and not New Your
specific. It's probably a safe bet that some of the author's observations about the business were applicable
elsewhere. "Salesmanship, competence, wit, and charm also became important business attributes. A
towing competitor might easily duplicate the qualities of a specific tug, but to duplicate a personal
relationship was a different matter. Reserves of common understanding and trust became as important as
horsepower." Also likely common elsewhere, "The business at all levels was populated by individuals who
operated privately and by their own wits. This independent quality defied most attempts at regulation.
Watermen have a well-documented taste for individuality.... Throughout the nineteenth century they defied
all efforts to establish a uniform pricing system in the harbor. The result was a boisterous oversupply of
boats and of the characters who ran them." Maybe for the better, the author a few pages later compares
the past and future boatman. "Today, there is no official patience for [the past's] sort of man. Coast Guard
licensing procedures are viewed as a matter of national security. The rules have been altered to make it
all but impossible for a prospective captain to obtain a license by virtue of work experience and training on
board ... The various merchant-marine academies, faced with the almost total disappearance of jobs in
deep-sea employment for their graduates, have turned to training young men and women for careers in
inland and coastal towing. Acting as advisers to the Coast Guard in drafting new licensing rules, the
academies have been allowed to write their own curricula into the new rules, ensuring that their graduates
will get first crack at whatever jobs there are. Under this influence a new style of officer has emerged,
buttoned down and bureaucratic. They are undeniably diligent and intellectually well equipped for the job,
but their arrival represents a clean break from the ancient unruly traditions of the harbor."
While an unregulated harbor may equate with an unruly harbor, a corollary is that an unregulated harbor
spawns, insists upon, the honorable personal relations that also bob up periodically through the course of
the narrative. The chapter "Trust and Honor: The Rescue of the Dalzelline" illustrates the spirit in a New
York anecdote, which also has its parallels elsewhere when a "pressing need for quick action" dictated
that "the [business] agreement was an entirely verbal one but bore within its understandings a wealth of
integrity and tradition." The spirit pays homage to "the inviolability of a verbal promise." Most of the people
we know would roll their eyes over the proposition that tugboaters represent the pinnacle of honorable
conduct, especially after bitter labor disputes and endless, sometimes vexing competition from their
brethren. Still, most would mean what they're saying, and stick up for it. The contrast is not exclusive to
New York here, either. "The bond of a promise has been shrugged off in much of today's business world,
but in most corners of the harbor the principle that a man's word is his bond still persists." A man's word
and bond is also his reputation, in a self-contained society like a harbor's. The tugboat business has
always been a B2B business. "The basic measure of a boatman's conduct in business affairs is that he did
what he said he was going to do ... For such widespread commerce to function, a presumption of all
parties' good faith and enterprise was essential." There was of course the strike, that is the big one that is
recent enough for most people to remember and remark upon, and which the author likens to two bald
men fighting over a comb. Power struggles are no stranger to New York Harbor, though the strike at the
end of the1980s apparently had no winners. But such conflicts express a state of madness of sorts, the
body turned against itself, institutional in contrast to the I've-got-to-trust-you bond that can emerge on
deck. The author describes of his tug operations, ordered by strangers on the phone, "an agreement on a
price was struck, and I performed the service ... I sent the customer the bill, and in thirty days or so I
received my payment." The only uncollectible was a friend, who is still a friend anyway -- "a paradox that
speaks to the relative expectations of ordinary friendship compared to those of honor in New York
Harbor." Picture Perfect? All the book's photos are in black-and-white, or more precisely, grayscale, rich in
tone like the film originals of the 1930s and ' 40s when most were taken. Few spreads of text are without
at least one comely illustration, and many are fullpage. Although the text covers the harbor from eleven
hundred million years ago on up to 2005, when the book was published, the majority of photos come from
a smaller slice of time. A few go back to the stereoscope era, with Anthony photos of the 1850s or ' 60s,
but most hover around the WPA (Works Progress Administration) era. Gordon Parks is among the talents
that recurs through the book, having been funded in the late 1940s for photos of life aboard. Mr. Parks
would be the featured name in the photo credits, though plenty of work by other photographers of the era
is present, all up to high standards. Perhaps because of the photographers themselves, or the type of
equipment they were using, there's a formality and distance between the viewer and subject, at least with
some of the human ones pictured aboard, that would look stilted in photography today. Cameras since
then have gotten quicker, closer, maybe even more expected, so the result in this book is a certain
stylized nostalgia of those years. "Adele, the author's wife, did much of the image researching," said Steve
Maikowski, Director of New York University Press, when we called to inquire how a work of so many
honorable qualities saw light of day, in a world where so much gets shrugged-off. "The researches
revealed that at the University of Louisville were over 300,000 prints donated by EXXON, some taken
under the WPA. That really deepened the illustrations. We said they are so sensual -- let's think of a 9x12inch format, do it oblong, and let's put in more of these beautiful photographs. The project grew based on
the illustrations." What it had grown from was a proposal by the author, not yet a finished manuscript, but
"I had wanted to grow our list of regional history," said Mr. Maikowski. "This one came across my desk and
it struck a chord. I'd met a former New York harbor tug captain, and over a beer asked him about the
proposal. He took it away to look at, and said this is really good work. That was the first litmus test -- this
guy knows his stuff." With the discovery of the collection of photos came the decision that "we wanted to
make a more beatiful book and I told designer Charles Hamed to lay out each page individually, as if
every page is part of a coffee table art book. I decided to go out and raise some money to pay for the
more significant fixed costs, like the very high-quality scans of the photos," which with a reasonably small
endowment could keep the initial press run of 4000 at a reasonable retail price -- the publisher's website
quotes $39.95, although Amazon offers it at $26.37.It probably compliments everyone that a copy on eBay
sold for over $40 a couple months back. Mr. Maikowski says that without the support of its benefactors,
the book would have carried at least a $44.95 list. About three-quarters of the first printing had been sold
as of our conversation early last December, but subsequent press runs could hold the line on price
because the parts of the enterprise that received underwriting do not need redoing. The Dibner Fund, the
Walter Ferguson Foundation, and an "industry member" in New York who has requested anonymity were
the supporters mentioned. They backed a good bet. Aside from some of the stiff and not quite
spontaneous-looking pictures of crews in their engine rooms and gallies, there are plenty of vibrant period
photos that exude the texture and the spirit of the tugs of the times -- these are your grandpa's tugboats -occasionally tying into the present with today's museum tugs at work when they were young. Modern tugs
are represented too, like the McAllister tractor in a firefighting demonstration across the back of the dust
jacket. But the book is "an illustrated history" with graphic rewards for all. For us it's a pleasure to come
across the Chancellor, now under restoration at Waterford, pictured in her youth in New York, or the K.
Whittelsey with her grand mechanics here, her hominess there -- including a close-up of a galley shelf as
prosaic as can be -- for besides all else, tugs are the homes of the people who work them... If there's a
cautionary note at all in the volume, it's that the nostalgia reinforces an impression that seems easy to
adopt in New York, that the harbor-as-engine is a past fact of history. There are bears in the woods who
believe, or would have others believe, that it all became irrelevant after the day of black-and-white film. It's
a harmless belief, unless city planning or legislation takes inspiration from it. But George Matteson's text
leaves little question about history, or the fact that it's ongoing and living. History (Cont'd) There are a few
millionaires around, but not many people in the tugboat business, as this book recalls them, made
particular fortunes. Most, it would seem, were marginal most of the time, some broke, some broken by the
business.There may be traditions, but they'd have developed against a continually changing background.
It's been years since railroad car floats were big business, but it's been even more years since block ice
and brick were major tows in New York, and more years still since the square riggers. The context of
towing keeps changing, but the necessity does not. As long as there is water there is an opportunity to
move things, and tugs are still the motors. Today, in New York, it's petroleum products most of all.
Tomorrow it could be all kinds of things, as social requirements and economic balances realign.
Meanwhile, where there's petroleum nowadays, there are ATBs. The author shares a dichotomy on the
subject, part of which recalls the old skipper who insisted upon crossing at the Statue. Some things have
always been, and variance can be disapproved on principle alone. "The move to large-scale ATB systems
is not only because of navigational and safety considerations. Tugs and barges have always been subject
to far simpler construction and manning requirements than have conventional ships, so any arrangement
that allows a vessel to be defined as a tug and barge ... vastly reduces its construction and operating cost.
This wrinkle in the law has resulted in a few so-called tugs that are so ungainly when not married to their
barges that they are barely able to traverse a sheltered harbor in flat calm.. Furthermore, the perpetual
marriage of a tug to a single barge violates one of the basic efficiencies of tug and barge operations,
namely, that the tug, which generally represents the bulk of the capital outlay of a barging operation, can
shft off to other profitable employment while its barge is idle or held in port for loading and unloading." And
steam tugs were quieter, but the author, like the industry as a whole, knows a good development when he
sees it after all. "Recently, the ability to push in virtually any weather has been achieved by a variety of
systems," he states some pages later, "that allow the tug and barge to make their attachment solely in the
notch at the stern of rhe barge. ... These "articulated tug-barge" (ATB) designs have revolutionized the
transportation of petroleum and chemicals along coastal routes. ATBs as large as full-sized tankers,
carrying as much as a quarter of a million barrels of cargo, are now operating on the coast in all weather."
In some ways, it might seem, the good old days of New York tugboating are still ahead. "Starting in 1929
the towing industry became habituated to a defensive posture. Starting with the depression years and
continuing to the end of the century, traditional harbor business withered, as companies battled one
another toward extinction. A dogged conservatism, enforced by tenuous profit margins and rigid labor
practices, locked the towing industry into a downward spiral that seems only recently to have abated. With
new tugbot construction and the promise of a few enduring markets, the tugs of New York Harbor appear
to have weathered a long and mighty storm and today, as ever, have another tide to catch." So in 270-odd
pages we've gone from the unfathomable past to the unforeseeable future, or at least a dimly-envisioned
near-future. Is this book a history or a forecast? Does it cover New York, or a national industry? What is
this book about, really? The epilogue gives the literal last word on the subject, and is set nowhere near
New York. It's way upstate on the canal, and although it opens on a tugboat, its focus becomes babies
and railroad trains. It's a delicious little morsel about something else that flows through the book, another
recounting that could occur anywhere if people would let it, about folks looking after one another. Like the
earliest geological formation of this broad and demanding harbor, it provides a clue to the nature of the
tugboats of New York. (By Don Sutherland)
7e jaargang, nr. 12
dd. 31 Maart 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Aker Yards to Build Supply Vessels for Farstad
Monday, March 27, 2006
UT 751 E platform supply rendering Aker Yards has signed a
contract with Farstad Supply AS, a company within Farstad
Shipping ASA in Ålesund, Norway, to deliver one UT 751 E
platform supply vessel and one UT 712 L anchor handling tug
supply vessel. The total value of the contract is approx NOK
570 million. This is the 18th and 19th contract between the
shipowner Farstad Shipping and Aker Yards. The hulls for the
vessels will be built in Romania and outfitted at Aker Yards,
Brevik. Delivery of the vessels are scheduled for December
2007 and March 2008. (Source: Marinelink)
GE Shipping Acquires OSV
According to source, the Great Eastern Shipping Company on Monday took delivery of a newly built OSV
named `Malaviya Twenty Five' from Bharati Shipyard Ltd. With this, the company's fleet now stands at 73
vessels - 40 ships and 33 offshore assets. The company has also signed a new building contract with
Bharati Shipyard Ltd for a 140 T bollard pull anchor handling tug supply vessel with delivery expected by
mid-2007. Apart from these, a modern Aframax crude carrier is due to join the company's fleet this month,
the company said in a release. The company has also signed a contract with STX Shipbuilding Company
Ltd, Korea for construction of 2 Long Range One (LR1) Product Tankers of 74,500 dwt each. (source:
Sify)
Two men rescued from Lake Okeechobee after tug capsizes
Two Michigan men were rescued Saturday after they were tossed into chilly Lake Okeechobee when their
commercial tugboat capsized, authorities said. Nathaniel Dozman, 19, of Wayland, Mich., and Josh
Ruprecht, 27, of Twin Lakes, Mich., were pulled from the lake early Saturday after spending at least four
hours in the water, clinging to the foundering vessel. They were operating the Birdie B, a 38-foot tug and
barge, heading west on the Intracoastal Waterway when the vessel capsized in 6-to-7-foot waters that
were roiled by a passing storm, authorities said. The men sent out an alert before going in the water near
3 a.m. They clutched the vessel as the Coast Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission and the Okeechobee County sheriff's searched, commission spokesman Jorge Pino said.
The men were spotted by a rescue helicopter and were removed from the water at about 7 a.m., Pino
said. They were transported to St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach in fair condition, but they were
suffering from dehydration and hypothermia, he said. It was not clear how cold the water was, but
southern Florida was in the midst of a cold snap early Saturday that lowered air temperatures in the
northern section of the lake to the mid-to-high 40s, Pino said. "I can only imagine that the water was
frigid," Pino said by telephone Saturday. "It's a miracle that these two individuals were able to make it."
The sunken tug is submerged but is not blocking the intracoastal, and approximately 500 gallons of diesel
fuel on board is contained, the Coast Guard said. (Source:Clipping News)
Bourbon Hestia
The Bourbon Hestia was handed over in Singapore. (Source: Clipping News)
Supplier from Riderkerk
De Red Pelican en Sea Leader, liggende te Ridderkerk, zijn omgedoopt in respectievelijk Hani (D6DI8)
en Sina (D6DI9) en zullen een dezer dagen vertrekken richting Dubai . (Source: Hans van der Ster)
Sydney Tugs
The ex Sydney harbour tugs Warilla and Warang arrived in Singapore, the Warang with some weather
damage on bow. The rumors are going that the tugs will be used in the Singapore region. (Source:
Clipping News)
Maersk Supply Service provides more details on anchor handler order
Maersk Supply Service has provided more details of the eight 15,300bhp VS 472 anchor handling and
supply vessels it has ordered from Aker Yards AS in Norway. The vessels are of Vik & Sandvik design
and the first vessel is expected to be delivered during the first quarter of 2008 – the following vessels are
expected to be delivered at two-monthly intervals afterwards. As part of the contract, Maersk Supply
Service has options for an additional two vessels. The above mentioned vessels will join the current
Maersk Supply Service fleet of more than 60 vessels. The newbuilds will be 73.20m overall with length
between perpendiculars of 64.20m, breadth moulded of 20.00m, depth to main deck of 9.10m, draft (max)
of 7.60m, and draft (max) including skeg, of 8.40m. The AHTS will have a bollard pull of 160 tons, main
winch (waterfall type, with three drums) of 400 tons capacity, two Triplex shark jaws of 700 tons, two stern
rollers of total capacity 1m000 tons, and a deadweight at maximum draft of 3,700 tons. The deck load will
be 1,200 tons and deck area 600m2. Speed at draft of 6.00m, sea trial conditions, 85 per cent MCR, will
be 16 knots. The ships will have capacity for 670m3 of fule, 635m3 of fresh water, and rig chain lockers of
555m3. They will have a pair of CP propellers of 4.00m diameter, two 700bhp tunnel thrusters aft, and two
forward of 1,20bhp each. Accommodation will be provided for 30. (Source: Clipping News)
Maersk Vega delivered by Keppel FELS
Maersk Supply Service has confirmed that Maersk Brazil LTDA took delivery of the PSV Maersk Vega on
March 16th from Keppel FELS Brasil shipyard. The vessel has joined the existing fleet of 55 vessels
operated by Maersk Supply Service. (Source: Clipping News)
Tidewater sells Chief
Broker Marcon says Tidewater Marine's PSV Chief has been sold to private Caribbean interests for an
undisclosed sum. The 1982 Bender Shipyard-built vessel with principle dimensions of 190ft x 40ft x 14ft
and a loaded draft of 12ft on 1,100 long tons deadweight with a clear deck of 135ft x 31ft, will now pass to
it's fifth owner since being built. In former times, the vessel has been known as the HOS Chief, Point
Chief and State Chief. The Chief handle will continue on with its new owners who will rename her
Midnight Chief. Marcon International acted as brokers on behalf of the sellers, whilst Bellem Marine
Bureau acted as brokers on behalf of the buyer. (Source: Clipping News)
Two Workers Die During Salvage Of Casino Barge At Gulfport, Miss
Two men who were involved in demolishing the Grand Casino Gulfport barge died March 21 while
attempting to pump water from the barge. Tim Alan Fitzgerald, 49, Newport News, Va., went into the hull
to pump water without underwater breathing equipment. Officials said he was quickly overcome by the
toxic gas hydrogen sulfide. When Miguel Hidalgo-Soberano, 48, of Cardenas Tabasco, Mexico, entered
the barge in an attempt to rescue Fitzgerald, he, too, was overcome and perished. The men were part of a
marine team working with PRC Environmental, the Houston-based company that as dismantling the
barge. (Source:Jan van der Doe)
SMIT takes another step in the renewal and expansion of its fleet with 18 newly
built vessels
Rotterdam, 31 March 2006
Division Harbour Towage and Terminals
SMIT has reached an agreement with Damen Shipyards from the Netherlands for constructing 11 newly
built vessels. Two of these vessels (type ASD 3211, 65 tons bp) have been awarded with a long-term
contract for the Terminals Division in Equatorial Guinea and will be delivered in respectively September
and December 2007. Four vessels (type ASD 2810) are replacements for the Harbour Towage fleet in
Rotterdam. These vessels will be equipped with a substantially higher bollard pull (60 tons bp). Two of
these vessels will be delivered in respectively 2007 and 2008. An additional five vessels of the ASD 2810
type (60 tons bp) will be deployed as replacement for and expansion of the divisions’ worldwide fleet. Two
vessels will be delivered in 2007 and three in 2008.
Division Transport & Heavy Lift
Also SMIT has reached an agreement for the purchase of 7 newly built workvessels from Hadi H. AlHammam Est. of Saudi Arabia. These vessels of approximately 75 tons bp are a modified version of the
‘Smit Kamara’ and ‘Smit Komodo’. The first two vessels of this new series will be delivered during this year
and the last one is expected to be delivered in 2008. They will be managed by the SMIT Singapore
organisation. This investment comprises both replacement as well as expansion. Three of these vessels
have already been awarded with long-term contracts for the oil & gas sector to work for Saudi Aramco in
Saudi waters through Hadi H. Al-Hammam Est. Both Hadi H.Al-Hammam Est. and SMIT have declared
their intent to jointly pursue additional opportunities in Saudi Arabia. All fleet renewals and expansions fit
into SMIT’s strategy of moving to the top-segment of the market with long-term contracts, autonomous
growth, fleet renewal and optimalisation. (Source:Smit)
Navigation Season In St. Paul
St. Paul, Minn. — The 2006 navigation season in St. Paul began March 22 when the towboat Reggie G of
Bettendorf, Iowa-based Alter Barge Line, arrived with 12 barges and landed in a barge fleet below Pigs
Eye Bridge. She was assisted by the towboat Itasca of Upper River Services, a local fleeting service. The
next northbound arrivals were American River Transportation’s American Beauty and Roberta Tabor, and
Alter’s Phyllis. (Source:Jan van der Doe)
Tug and linehandling fees going up at Panama Canal
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced that effective April 1, 2006, there will be rate
increases for tug and linehandling services due to rising operating costs. The decision was made by the
Republic of Panama's Cabinet on a recommendation from the ACP's Board of Directors. Rates for tug
services will increase 7 percent and rates for line handling services will rise 4 percent. Fees vary by vessel
size. Rates for these services have not been increased since March 2004. However, increases in
operating costs due primarily to sustained fuel hikes have impacted tugboat and line handling services,
making it necessary to adjust rates, says the ACP. For more information on these increases, please refer
to the ACP's Web site: www.pancanal.com. (Source: Clipping News)
Tug Malta ripe for privatisation
Government is set to continue divesting of its assets with the ministry for investments this week
announcing that in the near future, an international call will be issued to find a strategic investor with
international experience for Tug Malta Ltd. It is Government’s intension to retain a minority interest and the
ideal partner would have to upgrade the company so that it would be able to offer its services off shore,
lead it to participate in salvage operations and have it work in international ports. The highlights of the
financial results ending Sept 05, show that Tug Malta Ltd made a profit before tax of Lm671,217 against a
loss before tax of Lm21,467 registered in the previous year. Last year, when the 2004 result were
announced, there was talk that a request was to be presented to the Malta Maritime Authority, as the
regulatory body to revise the towage tariffs. There is no indication this year if these changes in tariffs have
been approved and whether they have contributed positively to the 2005 results. In any case, it is good to
know that a parastatal company is investing around Lm4 million in two new tug boats and without the need
of any government guarantees. This means that financial institutions and suppliers see the Company as
unable to give it credit on the strength of its balance sheet. Moreover, in the previous year, the
Government had announced that there would be an application before the Malta Maritime Authority as the
regulator, to consider Tug Malta’s operations as essential economic services. Analysing the figures one
finds that turnover in financial year 2005 reached Lm3 million against Lm2.3 million registered in 2004.
This is a healthy increase of 31.7%. There is no explanation of how much of this increase is a result of any
rise in tariffs or whether this was a result of increased demand for Tug Malta’s services. On the expenses
side the operating expenses in 2005 increased marginally by 0.8% to reach Lm1.96 million. From the
analysis the major increase was in the fuel costs which offset the savings made in repairs. Other
expenses such as payroll and depreciation remained constant. Administration expenses in 2005 increased
by 21% to reach Lm405,000. The increases were mainly related to Human Resources Development and
Training – which is an investment to enhance the workers’ skills – and insurance costs. Savings were
registered in finance costs and even though payroll costs increased, other expenses such as professional
fees, advertising, travel and entertainment and sundry expenses remained constant. An interesting slide
hown during the presentation of results was a breakdown of the costs showing that the company’s
expenses are split into 82% as operational, 17% as administrative and 1% as financial. During the
announcement of results, one could feel that there was enthusiasm by the presenters in showing how the
Company was improving its financials. Over a 10 year performance chart there is a sudden surge in
revenue in 2005 against 2004 and this reversing the downward trend in revenue that was being
experienced in previous years. Indeed the company looks ripe to be sold. With the delivery of two new
tugs expected this month and in October 2006 and the only operational issue which seems a problem is
the manning level of the Tugs, management is in discussion with the unions to reduce this from five sailors
to four per Tug. However, there will not only be redundancies but this will come about as a result of natural
wastage of staff returning of age. The sound financial performance registered in 2005, according to the
minister, is the result of the restructuring process. In fact during 2005, the company continued to improve
in its operations, so much so that it is undertaking service level agreements and providing frequency
discounts. Last year a lot of training was undertaken by tug markets who, were trained in Holland on
simulators in preparation for the new tugs they will work with. Moreover, on the job training was given by
an experienced UK Tug Master. These should improve further the Tug moves and overall operations.
Malta has a very high rate of jobs per tug at 1,000 compared to 600 registered by Italy and Ireland; 400 by
Belgium and under 200 by Denmark; Lithuania and Spain. Despite these favourable results, the number of
ships using tugs at Marsaxlokk and the Grand Harbour decreased when comparing financial year 2005
with 2004. The Tug moves in 2005 increased to 81% at Marsaxlokk from 79% , at Marsa Shipyards it
remained 6% as in previous years whilst at the Grand Harbour there was a decrease of 2% from 2004, to
reach 13% in 2005. The issue of manning levels is being discussed with the Unions. In order for the
Company to reduce costs the staff levels have to decrease from 5 to 4 per Tug. This is an important
consideration, as from the figures given; the current manning levels at Malta are the highest in Europe. As
an average Malta has a crew of 10 per tug. Compared to 8 registered by France, UK, Germany and
Greece; 6 at Spain; 5 in Sweden and Denmark and a low 3 in Holland. Tug Malta is committed to continue
to invest in tugs and employees to offer an immediate efficient service to its clients. During the
presentation of results, no information was provided on the company’s balance sheet. The strategic
investor would definitely analyse the tariffs Tug Malta charges to its clients, review why less ships are
calling to whether optimal use is being made of staff including the manning levels, and study the costs.
However, finding a fleet of an additional two new tugs is definitely something which is of benefit to the
future operations of the company as well as the capabilities of the staff who have had 2005 as a year
dedicated to training. This is the third Government controlled entity which operates in the Maritime
Section. Sea Malta ended up in liquidation and its services taken up by a private entity. Gozo Channel is
the second entity, which will continue to be Government controlled and dependent on the Public Service
Obligation payments, and Tug Malta which is showing good financial results in anticipation for
privatisation. (Source: Clipping News)
Lowestoft tugs help in marine exercise
Two powerful tugs operated by a Lowestoft firm have played key roles in a major marine exercise off the
south-west coast of Britain. The vessels from Klyne Tugs (Lowestoft) were involved in a towing and
pollution control exercise called Bluewater, conducted recently by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency
(MCA). Over two days, the event involved several MCA teams and emergency services concerned with
salvage, counterpollution, fire-fighting and the handling and care of noxious substances. A large team of
expert observers from Europe, Scandinavia and Canada attended the exercise. One day was devoted to a
towing trial, held in Lyme Bay. Anglian Princess, one of four Klyne tugs employed as emergency towing
vessels by HM Coastguard, worked alongside the powerful new tug Abeille Liberte from the French
Coastguard. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Orangeleaf was engaged to act as a casualty throughout
the exercise and the tugs practised making a towing connection using a rocket-line, helicopter transfer and
more traditional means. Once connected, each tug took the ship in tow, simulating emergency conditions.
The next day, with RFA Orangeleaf anchored off Portland, the Klyne tug Anglian Earl was used as a
base from which other activities were conducted. The tug's spacious after-deck was loaded with tonnes of
essential pollutioncontrol equipment and once moored alongside the 'casualty' played an important part in
the proceedings. Although Anglian Earl is not a full-time member of the Coastguard fleet and normally
operates in the North Sea or on towage contracts elsewhere, she is frequently used as a back-up vessel.
On this occasion, Anglian Earl was engaged so Anglian Princess could return immediately to her station
at Falmouth once the towing exercise was completed. (Source: Clipping News)
Tug Malta registers profit of Lm671,217 in 2005
During a news conference it was announced that Tug Malta registered a profit of Lm 671,217 (before
taxes), after having declared a loss of Lm21, 467 (before taxes) last year. During this news conference,
Austin Gatt, Minister for Investment, Industry and Information Technology, said that the restructuring of the
Tug Malta was a success story, and is now in a financial position not to have to rely on Government bank
guarantees when purchasing new tugs. He also spoke about the privatization proceedings of the
company, which are expected to start in the coming months through an international request for strategic
investors, which would bring international business. The minister went on to say that the restructuring
process would mean implementing changes including the reduction in the number of seamen on each tug
from five to four people. Discussions are ongoing between management and the Union and these
measures are to be implemented upon arrival of the first new tugboat. This process will happen through
“natural wastage” whereby the workers would resign from their post voluntarily, said the minister. Dr. Gatt
also mentioned that the Government is interested in being a minor shareholder within the company.
Crowley Christens ATB
Crowley Maritime Corporation christened the first of six new 185,000-barrel Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB)
tank vessels that the company will take delivery of over the next two and half years. The vessels
christened were the 9,280 HP-tug Pacific Reliance and barge 650-1. At ceremonies held at the Mobile
Convention Center on South Water Street, Constance Crowley Peabody, aunt of Tom Crowley Jr.,
company chairman, president and CEO, christened the Pacific Reliance, while Janet Bishop from
ConocoPhillips, christened barge 650-1. Crowley's Petroleum Services group will charter the VT Halter
Marine-built ATB from Crowley's vessel construction and naval architecture subsidiary, Vessel
Management Services, and operate it for ConocoPhillips under a three-year agreement. Crowley already
has four, 155,000-barrel ATBs operating on the U.S. West Coast. "We are thrilled to be expanding our
ATB fleet with these new, larger, state-of-the-art vessels," said Crowley. "Our existing ATBs have
performed extremely well for our petroleum customers and we're confident that this new ATB will provide
ConocoPhillips with many years of safe, reliable and efficient transportation for their products." An ATB
has an articulated, or hinged, connection system between the tug and barge, which allows movement in
one axis, or plane in the critical area of fore and aft pitch. Crowley and VT Halter Marine jointly designed
the ATB tank vessel. The barge 650-1 was built at Halter's shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., and the Pacific
Reliance at its shipyard, in Moss Point, Miss. Boyd E. King, VT Halter Marine's CEO said "VT Halter
Marine's order book is growing thanks to multi-year projects like Crowley's six-unit ATB order. This project
highlights VT Halter Marine's ability to utilize the joint capabilities of its specialized facilities that work in
concert to produce a diverse product line of commercial and defense related vessels." The new ATBs
feature the latest systems technology and double-hull construction for maximum safety and reliability. Not
only does the unit have the capability of transporting refined products, but it can also carry heated cargoes
and easy chemicals, which require special arrangements of vents, stripping systems, pump components
and tank coatings above that normally required for product carriers. All of Crowley's ATBs are built under
the ABS SafeHull program for environmental protection. This program puts the vessel design through an
exhaustive review to identify structural loads and strengthen the vessel structure. The 650-Class barges
will be 27,000 deadweight tons, 587 feet in length, 74 feet in breadth and 40 feet in depth. The fully loaded
draft will be 30 feet. There is an electric cargo pump in each of the 14 cargo tanks to assure maximum
cargo integrity and segregation flexibility; two anchor windlasses and associated equipment to enable the
vessel to accommodate offshore mooring operations; and a vacuum system with three retention tanks to
easily handle cargo changes. There is also a dual mode inert gas system and vapor collection system for
maximum safety. A layer of inert gas covers products in the tanks to make the atmosphere too lean for
combustion. An enhanced mooring system features 1,000-foot Spectra-type lines on split drums with a
high-speed recovery rate of 100 feet per minute. The tugs meet all SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and
ABS criteria, and have a foam capable fire monitor; twin fuel-efficient diesel engines; a noise reduction
package; and other upgrades to increase crew comfort. The communication and navigation equipment is
among the most technologically advanced in the industry today. These six new ATBs will join a fleet of
four, 155,000-barrel Crowley ATBs already in service. The Sea Reliance/550-1, Sound Reliance/550-2,
Ocean Reliance /550-3 and Coastal Reliance/550-4 have each made over 100 successful voyages. The
ATB fleet has moved over 65 million barrels of product with zero spills and only two Lost Time Incidents
(LTI) in three and a half years, averaging approximately 20 million barrels moved a year. (Source:
Marinelink)
Bourbon builds at Bharati
Groupe Bourbon of France has returned to Bharati Shipyard in India with an INR 4bn ($89m) order for five
anchorhandling tug/supply (AHTS) vessels. The company has not released the delivery dates of the 120
ton BHP vessels nor has it mentioned any charter agreements. These five newbuildings are in addition to
the 36 vessels Bourboun said it had under construction at the end of 2005 with delivery until the end of
the first quarter in 2007. This is not the first time Bourbon has been to Bharati with an order. In January
last year the Indian yard won an order to build two multipurpose long-platform supply vessels for Bourbon.
The vessels cost $8m a piece and were delivered to the French owner in June and September 2005.
Bourbon had a productive year in 2005 as increased activity in the offshore sector saw it add 18 vessels to
its fleet through the year. Earlier in March Bourbon announced a doubling of profit for 2005 with net
earnings reaching EUR 215m ($257.6m) as compared to EUR 101.6m in 2004. Revenues climbed from
EUR 918.8m in 2004 to EUR 1.02bn last year, helped by gains on investment disposals of EUR 94.1m.
Bharati has also been active in 2005 recently announcing an increase in third-quarter profit of 126% as
compared to the same period in 2004. Profit for the three months to September was INR 104.4m ($2.36m)
as compared to INR 46.2m in 2004, while revenues in the period climbed 80% to INR 705.2m. (Source:
Clipping News)
7e jaargang, nr. 13
dd. 30 April 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Bourbon Orders 12 New Harbor Tugs
In line with its Horizon 2010 strategic plan, Bourbon is expanding the power of its harbor tug fleet and
anticipating international growth by ordering 12 tugs, including a series of 8 vessels from the Piriou
shipyards in Concarneau (France) and 4 from the Damen shipyards in China. - An investment scheduled
in the Horizon 2010 strategic plan With this order for 12 vessels, BOURBON is investing 60 million euros
and continues to modernize the Les Abeilles fleet operating in major French and international ports. This
new order brings to 16 the total number of vessels to be delivered to Les Abeilles. The last order of this
magnitude for Les Abeilles was placed in 1998 for the construction of 14 tugs. This development strategy
is in line with the Bourbon Horizon 2010 plan, which provides for an investment of 100 million euros in the
Towage & Salvage Division by 2010 and foresees annual revenue growth of 4% for this segment. - 8 new,
more powerful tugs to upgrade the Les Abeilles fleet in the major French ports Satisfied with the technical
and operational specifications of the Abeille Barfleur and Croisic, tugs built by the Piriou shipyards and
based at Le Havre and Nantes-Saint Nazaire respectively, Bourbon made the choice to order the same
type of tugs from the same yards on the basis of custom technical specifications, which were modified to
boost the power and add technical improvements. Measuring 30 m long and 10 m wide, the more compact
template for this series contributes to better maneuverability enabling greater operational efficiency. These
tugs, equipped with Azimutal Stern Drive propulsion and a new design, offer 15% more bollard pull
capacity than earlier models, raising capacity from 57 to 65 tons. This choice is an effective response to
the changes in towage operations resulting from an increase in the size and tonnage of the vessels towed.
The 8 new tugs will also be equipped with fire-fighting capacity. Deliveries are scheduled between October
2007 and the end of 2008. - 4 new tugs to accelerate international growth in towage and assistance The 4
tugs being built by the Chinese subsidiary of the Damen shipyards are designed to contribute to the
international expansion of the towage and assistance business. These are 4 standards vessels, 28 m long
and 10 m wide, which have a bollard pull capacity of 58.5 tons and are equipped with Azimutal Stern Drive
propulsion and fire-fighting capacity. This order, which is identical to the order placed with Damen in 2005
for the Tangier-Mediterranean contract, optimizes the benefits of the series effect. Moreover, by deciding
to order a proven product, Les Abeilles ensures that it is expanding its fleet with quality tugs, recognized
and appreciated by clients. The 4 tugs will be delivered from November 2007 until July 2008. (Source:
Marinelink)
Fairmount
Number three of the newbuilding series of five supertugs is getting ready for delivery. The name giving
ceremony of AHT Fairmount Alpine will be held on 11 May 2006 sponsored by Mrs Schuur. Deleivery of
the Fairmount Alpinne will take place on 31 May 2006, whereafter the vessel will immedaitly mobilise to
Korea for her first assignement. AHT Fairmount Glacier, number four in the company's newbuilding
programme, will be delivered on July 31st 2006 by builder Niigata Shipbuilding. (Source: Fairmount)
Bourbon Offshore orders 56 newbuilds
April 24, 2006
Bourbon's orders include several GPA654 design PSVs. Having announced details of its new, Euros 1.23
billion strategic plan in February, which it dubbed 'Horizon 2010 plan,' Bourbon Offshore has announced
that it has placed order for the first of what will be a total of 56 new offshore support vessels worth
some Euros 672 million. The 56 vessels the company plans to order are in addition to the 27 supply
vessels it already has under construction as of December 31st 2005. 18 newbuilds are being
ordered deepwater offshore operations with deliveries and commissioning of the vessels staggered from
the final quarter of 2007 until the first half of 2009. They include: Four Ulstein P105s ordered from
Zhejiang shipyard in China. These are sister vessels to Bourbon Peridot, delivered in 2005 and will be
91m long with a deadweight of 4,900 tons, with diesel-electric propulsion, DP2, and will be pre-equipped
to receive a 100 ton deep sea crane. Eight GPA 670 PSVs ordered from the Zhejiang shipyards in China.
This order follows an initial order of 10 vessels of the same type, five of which are already in operation.
With a length of 73m and deadweight of 3,200 tons, these PSVs will also be diesel-electric propulsion and
classed DP2. Five AHTS ordered from the Bharati shipyards in India. This series of AHTS will
have 11,000hp and a bollard pull of 125 tons, and is identical to the series of five units, four of which were
recently delivered by Keppel in Singapore (Bourbon Artemis, Bourbon Aladin, Bourbon Apsara, Bourbon
Alexandre). Classed DP1, the vessels have FiFi 1. One MPSV ordered from the De Hoop shipyards in the
Netherlands. This 85m MPSV has accommodation for 70 with diesel-electric propulsion, a DP2 system,
and heave compensated 100-ton crane and is intended for subsea operations conducted in deepwater
using ROVs. Bourbon has also ordered 38 modern OSVs intended for continental offshore operations.
These include: Two MPSVs ordered from the Bharati in India with a length of 60m and accommodation for
44 intended for maintenance work in oil and gas fields on the continental shelf. 36 supply vessels ordered
from Dayang shipyards in China. This large order includes two series of vessels, both designed by Guido
Perla & Associattes, and includes 26 AHTS with 80 tons bollard pull, and 10 economical PSVs of 1,600
tons deadweight. "These next-generation vessels precisely meet future client demands for safety,
manoeuvrability, environmental protection and productivity," said Bourbon. All 36 AHTS and PSVs
ordered are diesel-electric, classed DP2 and FiFi1. They have been designed to transport a variety of
products and can carry 640m3 of liquid mud. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Icebreaking Moss 828 design delivered to FEMCO
April 25, 2006
Havyard Lerivik has delivered a Moss 828 ice class MISV for FEMCO. Havyard Leirvik shipyard in Norway
has delivered an multi-purpose cebreaking supply vessel to FEMCO, a Russian management company
owned by Rosneft. Delivered in March, the newbuild will be operated on behalf of CSJC Sevmorneftgaz.
The Moss 828 MISV has high icebreaking class and is designed to provide icebreaking and ice
management duties in ice thicknesses of up to 1.5m of level ice. Its primary role is as a support vessel
with oil recovery capability with large onboard tanks, plus ROV/diving support and standby/rescue
capability. The vessel has diesel electric propulsion, utilising two Azipods each of 7.5MW. Being designed
to work in extremely low temperatures - as low as - 45 degrees C - the newly delivered vessel also has
shelters to protect the crew and enhanced heating capacity as well as de-icing facilities. (Source: Leo
Kramer)
Aker Yards to Build PSVs for Greatship Limited
Greatship (India) Limited, wholly owned subsidiary of The Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited,
Mumbai India, has confirmed an agreement with Aker Yards, for the building of two Platform Supply
Vessels of UT 755 LN type. Delivery is scheduled for July and October 2008. (Source: Marinelink)
Island Offshore orders X-BOW construction ship
April 10, 2006
Island Constructor - the first OCV with the X bow design. Ulstein Verft in Norway has been commissioned
to build a large construction vessel with the new ULSTEIN X-BOW hullform for Island Offshore. The
ULSTEIN SX121 is the first special purpose vessel from Ulstein Design AS and will be called Island
Constructor. The total value of the contract is approximately NKr 600 million. “This contract with Island
Offshore is a very important contract for the Ulstein Group as it reconfirms that leading shipping
companies within the offshore industry believes in the new bow concept ULSTEIN X-BOW,” said Gunvor
Ulstein, CEO at Ulstein Group. “The ULSTEIN SX121 is the first vessel from Ulstein Design's S-series to
be built,” said Tore Ulstein, president of Ulstein Verft and Ulstein Design. “We have previously had two
vessels of Ulstein design built at the yard, and our experience of both the quality of the vessels and
cooperation with shipyard personnel has been so positive that we were keen to return,” said Island
Offshore's president, Håvard Ulstein. The vessel that Island Offshore has contracted will be able to carry
out many types of operation. There will be ample space for special equipment, a large deck area, and a
tower for well operations that can be installed at a later date. The new vessel will be classified as an
inspection, maintenance and repair/offshore construction vessel (IMR/OCV), and will be 120m long with a
breadth of 25m. It will be fitted for 90 people, and will be equipped with, moonpool, an active heavecompensated offshore crane, ROV hangar, diesel electric power plant and a helicopter deck. The vessel
will be delivered in the spring of 2008. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Young Brothers to Invest $186m
Tuesday, April 11, 2006 Young Brothers Ltd. announced it will spend $186 million over 10 years on a new
fleet of barges, tugboats, shipping containers, lifts and other equipment. The 106-year-old company is
Hawaii’s largest interisland cargo line. The company's first new barge, a car-carrying roll-on/roll-off barge
that can transport 500 vehicles, is scheduled for delivery late this year, sources said. The vessel, which is
enclosed to protect cars from sea spray and salt air, is now being designed by Glosten Associates Inc. of
Seattle, a naval architecture firm. The company now has 11 barges and eight tugboats, but plans to begin
retiring some of those in the coming years. The new fleet of eight barges and six tugboats will replace the
old vessels with more efficient ones. Hong said the company expects to receive a new barge
approximately every year starting at the end of this year. The price tag for the tugs and barges is expected
to be about $130 million, company executives said. The typical barge will cost about $8.5 million and the
typical tugboat about $10 million. The rest of the investment, some $56 million, will go toward shoreside
equipment, shipping containers and the like. The company also plans to invest in new information
management systems. Although relatively inexpensive compared with the new barges and tugboats, the
technology systems are important because they will provide customers real-time data that they can use to
track shipments. In 2005, Young Brothers had 926 barge sailings, an increase of 36 percent over its 683
sailings in 2000. (Source: Star Bulletin)
GulfMark takes delivery of Guardian
April 27, 2006 GulfMark Offshore has taken delivery of its latest new vessel, Sea Guardian. The vessel, an
identical sister ship to Sea Intrepid delivered last year, is a 5,150bhp AHTS that is expected to start its
initial contract in Southeast Asia on May 1st, 2006. (Source: Leo Kramer)
7e jaargang, nr. 14
dd. 7 Mei 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Eerste vaartocht stoomsleper Y 8122 succesvol verlopen
Onder grote publieke belangstelling heeft de Y 8122 na een vele jaren durende restauratie op zaterdag 29
april in Den Helder weer geheel op eigen kracht gevaren. Door de museumhaven werden die dag diverse
vaartochtjes gemaakt met de stoomsleper, die 70 jaar eerder, op een steenworp afstand, ook op de Oude
Rijkswerf Willemsoord van stapel was gelopen. De eerste vaartocht, geheel op eigen kracht en volledig
onder stoom, werd ingeluid door kanonsschoten die door de leden van de saluutbatterij van
schietvereniging De Vrijheid uit Den Helder werden afgevuurd. Vervolgens werd de Y 8122 herdoopt door
oud-schipper Fokke de Vries, die na de Tweede Wereldoorlog een aantal jaren op de stoomsleper had
gevaren. Vertrekpunt van de eerste vaartocht was ’t Schipperscafé van de Stichting Nautische
Monumenten Den Helder en de Stichting Museumhaven Willemsoord. Geëscorteerd door de motorsleper
Dombo Y 8017 maakte de Y 8122 een aantal vaartochtjes door de museumhaven. De bemanning,
gevormd door vrijwilligers van de Stichting Y 8122, had zich speciaal voor de gelegenheid in een
stokerskostuum gehuld. Voorzitter Kees Schouten van de Stichting Y 8122 noemde het in zijn toespraak
een heel bijzondere prestatie dat de stoomsleper na vijftien jaar van restaureren weer in volle glorie aan
het publiek kon worden getoond. Hij prees alle vrijwilligers voor het vele door hen geleverde werk.
Kortgeleden is de ketel van de Y 8122 door Lloyd’s Register Nederland gekeurd en hierdoor kan de sleper
voortaan in het hele land op eigen kracht aan allerlei nautische manifestaties gaan deelnemen, waaronder
van 19 tot en met 21 mei aan ‘Dordt in stoom’ in Dordrecht. De sleper is geschouwd door de
schouwingscommissie van de behoudorganisatie Stichting tot Behoud van Authentieke Stoomvaartuigen
en Motorsleepboten (BASM), voldoet aan de criteria van de Sectie Varende Monumenten van de
Federatie van Oud-Nederlandse Vaartuigen (FNOV) en is als ‘Varend Monument’ opgenomen in het
Nationaal Register. In 1991 heeft de Stichting Nautische Monumenten Den Helder de Y 8122 in eigendom
gekregen. De stoomsleper maakt deel uit van de historische schepencollectie van Museumhaven
Willemsoord en wordt beheerd door de Stichting Y 8122. (Source: Clipping News)
Maritrans to build two tugs at Bender
Maritrans Inc. has entered into a letter of intent and is close to finalizing an agreement with Bender
Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc. to build two new 8,000-horsepower tugboats. The two new tugboats are
expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. The total cost for the
two tugboats is expected to be $32 million. Once delivered, one of the tugboats will replace the tugboat
VALOUR. The company has entered into a charter to lease a substitute tugboat for the VALOUR until the
new tugboat is delivered. The company plans to pair the second newbuild tugboat with the M215, the last
of the singlehulled barges it has slated for rebuilding. CEO Janathan Whitworth commented, "By adding
two 8,000-horsepower tug boats that have the latest version of the Intercon connection system, we should
further enhance the speed of our fleet in a manner that adheres to our strict safety and environmental
policies. Building these two boats supports our view that articulated tug barge units (ATB's) best serve the
company and its customers and is consistent with our previous decision to build three state of the art
tug/barge units as well as our successful barge rebuilding program that has been in place since 1998. We
believe the combination of the attractive price of the three newbuildings and the two tugboats announced
today as well as the cost effective nature of our rebuilding program positions Maritrans to earn a strong
return on its investment while satisfying customer needs at a lower cost than competitors. Going forward,
we remain committed to build upon our past success and seek opportunities to further expand our
leadership in the U.S. Jones Act trade." Whitworth announced the tugboat decision after Maritrans
reported net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 of $5.8 million, or $0.48 diluted earnings per
share, on revenues of $47.4 million. This compares with net income of $3.7 million, or $0.43 diluted
earnings per share, on revenues of $43.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The company said
that during the quarter it continued to earn strong average daily rates on its vessels deployed in the clean
product spot market despite lower fleet utilization due to higher than expected refinery maintenance
turnarounds in the Gulf of Mexico, the slow ramping up of production of a number of Gulf refineries still out
of service as a result of the 2005 hurricane season, and Gulf refineries shut down for retooling to prepare
for the new ultra low sulfur diesel specifications. Demand by the Company's Delaware River refinery
customers for the Company's crude-oil lightering services was affected in the first quarter by three
refineries undergoing scheduled maintenance for a portion of the quarter. Barrels delivered to crude-oil
lightering customers during the first quarter of 2006 were down approximately 2% from the volumes
delivered during the fourth quarter of 2005 (Source: Clipping News)
Kooren Shipbuilding and Trading B.V. Announces the sale of three RT-80r
Rotor@tugs
Kooren Shipbuilding and Trading B.V. has the pleasure to announce the sale of three of their newly to be
build RT-80r class to Bugsier-, Reederei-, und Bergungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG. These Rotor®tugs
are to be built at ASL Shipyard Pte Ltd. in Singapore. The tugs will have a bollard pull capacity of 80
metric tons each. The high bollard pull and comparable low draft, has been a decisive factor of placing this
order with Kooren Shipbuilding and Trading B.V. Delivery of the tugs will be between November 2007 and
mid 2008. All three tugs will be powered by three Wärtsilä 8L20C engines of min. 1600 kW each at 1000
rpm. The three azimuth thrusters will come from Wärtsilä/Lips Propulsion Systems, they are of the CS225S/WN-K 2300 CP type in HR nozzles. The tugs will be classed by Germanischer Lloyd and will fly the
German Flag, All tugs will be equipped with fire fighting and spray capabilities in line with the required FiFi
1 notation. The main dimensions of the tug are as follows: Length over all : 28.30 meters Beam over all :
12.00 meters Draught : 5.95 meters Kooren Shipbuilding and Trading B.V. and ASL Shipyard Pte Ltd. are
building these tugs to the highest standard with various features not normally incorporated in a tug.
Seabreeze April market report
Lnyx Pounces
Island Oil & Gas has fixed the KMAR404 AHTS Sea Lynx for a period of two months starting 15 April. The
vessel will be supporting the semi Petrolia.
Stop Press - Solstad Secure Technip Term
Solstad’s A101 anchor handler Normand Mariner has been fixed by Technip Offshore for construction
support duties until 10th June2006.
Harmonie Hits Right Note For Shell Nigeria
The GPA670 PSV Bourbon Harmonie, currently under construction in the Zhejiang shipyard in China is
scheduled to be delivered on 25th May. The vessel will commence a long-term charter with Shell Nigeria
upon delivery.
Deep Sea Delta Does The Double
Two Solstad anchor handlers, the Normand Titan and the Normand Trym have been contracted by
Gazflot to support the semi Deepsea Delta in the Barents Sea. The contract is to commence mid June and
will last for approximately 100 days. The 12,000 BHP Normand Titan is currently in the yard for
maintenance until the beginning of May. Both vessels will trade the spot market prior to commencing the
Gazflot contract.
Remo Released & In Search Of The Sun
Specialist Marine Services managed AHT Remo finally finished the month long heading control work with
BP at the Schiehallion FPSO at the start of May. The Remo will now be on her way to warmer climes with
a four month firm contract in the Azores, with a further 4 months of options.
John & Jan...
Tidewater VS 486 anchor handler John P Laborde has been successful in winning a tender for a term
charter with Brazilian oil company Petrobras. The 2004 built vessel will begin work around the middle of
May, this year. Contract duration is expected to be around one year and is to be employed in the Campos
Basin, Rio de Janeiro. Main particulars of this vessel include deck area of just over 600 square metres,
26,400 BHP, 216 tons bollard pull and an overall length of just over 85 metres.
Term Time
Statoil hit the market this month for a term PSV vessel for a 3 or 5 year firm period. Delivery is flexible with
a window of end June to end December being availableto potential bidders. Whilst the current market is
tight a delivery window of this size will attract a handful of bidders. But Statoil is not the only ones looking,
with multiple other term requirements out from other North Sea and world regions, the demand for
tonnage continues, with the market looking set to remain firm for the rest of this year, but 2007 and
beyond is more uncertain, with ships delivering faster than rigs can the constant vessel deliveries keep
being swallowed up? Well one thing is for sure, they currently are!
Sasha Secured For Another Month
Siem Rovde VS 470 MK II PSV Sasha has been extended by EMGS (Electro Magnetic Geo Services).
This extension by the seabed logging company will mean the Sasha will stay with EMGS until the end of
June, however there are various option remaining after this time.
Shell Size Up UP
Shell Europe saw a few vessels start term charters, with the Sentinel, Malaviya Twenty, North Prince,
Toisa Independent and Olympic Princess all delivering for term charters to the super major. All vessels
are on 6 months plus options contract except the Olympic Princess who starts a two years firm contract.
Shell’s activity levels are well up on last year, and on the back of this increase more term tonnage has
been taken. The Shell policy is to handle logistic needs with the term pool fleet, and this can be clearly
seen by spot market activity. Shell have rarely spot hired tonnage for cargo work, which has kept their
exposure to the spot market at a minimum, which has protected them against the high spot rates currently
being enjoyed by Owners. The combination of a healthy fleet size, stringent logistic planning and pooling
of resources has enabled Shell to avoid spot market exposure so far. These additions to the fleet should
enable this to continue.
Pair Pick A Peach For Petrolia
The pair in question are Lundin and Apache who between them both picked one of the UP PSV vessels to
support the semi-sub Petrolia. Lundin will first take the Petrolia for 1 well off North West Ireland in circa
June 2006, then directly after that Apache will take the rig for 6 months firm plus options. UP Offshore now
have the big decision of which vessel to nominate, the UP Esmerelda or the UP Safira? Both vessels are
sisters of the VS4408 design with 840m2 of deck area and full under deck capacities. These charters will
see one of these fine ladies working right through into 2007.
Bourbons’s Horizon 2010 plan: 56 newbuilds
In our March edition of Seabreeze we reported on Bourbon’s strategic plan Horizon 2010 in which it plans
to invest €1.45 billion in new vessels, 85% (€1.23 billion) of which will be devoted to the Offshore Division.
Since the beginning of this year Bourbon has placed the first series of orders for 56 offshore supply
vessels, which represents a total USD 808 million (€672 million). These are in addition to the 27 supply
vessels already under construction since end of December 2005. Here is some more information on the
current delivery and commissioning schedule: 4 Ulstein P105 PSV’s ordered from the Zhejiang shipyards
in China These 4 vessels are sister ships of the Bourbon Peridot, delivered in 2005. 8 GPA 670 PSV’s
also ordered from the Zhejiang shipyards, follows an initial order of 10 vessels of the same type, 5 of
which are already in operation. 5 AHTS ordered from the Bharati shipyards in India This series of AHTS,
with 125 tons BP, is identical to the series of 5 units, 4 of which were recently delivered by Keppel in
Singapore (Bourbon Artemis, Bourbon Aladin, Bourbon Apsara, Bourbon Alexandre).1 MPSV
ordered from the De Hoop shipyards in the Netherlands. The deliveries and commissioning of the above
mentioned vessels will be staggered from the final quarter of 2007 until the first half of 2009. 2 MPSV’s
ordered from the Bharati yards in India This order follows the order for 2 MPSV’s currently under
construction at the same shipyards. 36 supply vessels ordered from the Dayang shipyards in China. This
large order includes 2 series of vessels of GPA design, identical to the 10 units already ordered in
December 2005 by Rigdon Marine for the Gulf of Mexico. 26 of the 36 vessels are AHTS with 80 tons BP,
and the other 10 are PSV’s of 1600 tons DWT.
Far Scout – Back to Lead the Pack
Farstad’s leading vessel Far Scout (UT722L) was welcomed back into the North Sea in Mid April 2006
after supporting operations offshore Mauritania. Since returning with its Foreign Traveller’s badge, the well
equipped and always prepared Scout has used its 203tbp and 18000 bhp to good effect assisting with
rigmoves for Talisman, Peak and Norsk Hydro. The pack leader now moves to the semi sub GSF 140
where it is performing rig move duties for BG. It is uncertain how long the UT 722L will remain in the North
Sea.
Elbe & Ems Flow To North Sea
Unterweser Reederei GmbH (URAG), took delivery of a pair of new tugs this month. The Elbe and the
EMS delivered from the Spanish shipyard Astilleros Zamakona and both of these tugs are enhanced
versions of the very popular Jade and Weser. Being a bit longer and punchier and with a bit more power,
these tugs are capable of 75 tns of bollard pull. Both tugs are equipped with a twin Voith-Schneider
propeller system which make the tugs ultra manoeuvrable. As the jack up rig move market is very active
we are sure these tugs will soon be in high demand. The tugs are currently available ex Bremerhaven,
however the official naming ceremony is on the 10th of May which will restrict the availability a bit until
after the champagne has been smashed and lots of Becks has been drunk (not by the crew but by
attendees at the naming ceremony). Erik assures us he will only drink lemonade (Yeah, right, that’ll be the
day—Ed.)
Not Too Chilly In Canada
On the 22nd April, Maersk Company Canada were pleased to name the ASENAV 141 newbuilding, the
Maersk Detector at the ASENAV shipyard in Valdivia, Chile.. The AHTS has 18,280 BHP, 212 tons
bollard pull, deck area of 710m2 and LOA of 89.3 metres. As expected, the vessel will be Canadian
flagged and is expected to work on the East coast of Canada.
Lucky Heather
April saw the Lundin “Heather” platform start drilling, and to support the operations Lundin hired the
newbuild VS 470 mkII PSV “Cerberus” from new North Sea market entrants Harms Bergung of Germany.
The VS 470 mkII is a cutting edge medium sized PSV, and with her ideal deck area of 700m2 and full
under deck capacities, Lundin considered her perfect for supporting this platform drilling campaign. The
vessel is likely to remain on hire with Lundin into 2007.
Trico To Build at Tromrefjord
Houston based Trico Marine Services Inc. has entered into an agreement to build a MT6009 MkII PSV for
a total cost of approximately US$25 million. The vessel will be built by Solstrand AS at its Tromrefjord
shipyard in Norway. Delivery is expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2007. Trico will have the option to
purchase a sister vessel at a later date. The Clean and Comfort Class diesel-electric propulsion vessel will
incorporate DP2 and a large carrying capacity of 3,300 dwt. It also comes with an additional deck level for
increased accommodation of client personnel. These unique characteristics will make the vessel attractive
for global deployment including specialized disciplines such as seismic, ROV and subsea applications.
Islands Sold
Island Offshore have sold several of their vessels. The UT 745 E PSV Island Rover has been sold to
BOA whilst the UT 755L PSV Island Scout has been sold to Ugelstad.
Statoil Standby For Mokster
Letters of Intent worth some NOK 1.6 billion, including options, have been awarded by Statoil to the
Møkster Safety shipping company for delivery of two standby vessels. Møkster Safety is a subsidiary of
Simon Møkster Shipping. The agreement covers two identical vessels, both newbuildings. One will be a
standby vessel for the Tampen area in the North Sea and is due to be delivered in February 2008. The
other, to be delivered in October 2008, will be used as a relief vessel in the Exploration & Production
Norway (UPN) pool. The standby ship which is going to Tampen will replace the two vessels currently
used for emergency response, saving the Tampen licences NOK 50 million per year. The new vessels are
designed by Vik Sandvikand are a further development of the Stril Poseidon, which is the standby vessel
Statoil uses in the Halten Bank area. The vessels will be more usable and robust than the boats they are
replacing. A particular difference between these and other standby ships is their ability to pull lifeboats
directly on board in extreme weather conditions via a special stern slipway. The vessels’ man overboard
(MOB) boats are normally launched and retrieved through this slipway. Other facilities include a sick bay
and a helideck. Both agreements will run for a 10-year period, with five one-year extension options. The
vessels will be built at a Norwegian shipyard.
P Class Picked
Sealion Shipping Ltd recently announced on behalf of Toisa Ltd that an order has been placed with the
Merwede Shipyard in The Netherlands for the construction of a new, DP3, Construction Class, Saturation
Diving Vessel. The vessel is to be an enhanced sister vessel to the Toisa Proteus and she will enter
service in March 2008. Designed to support worldwide offshore construction and diving operations, her
outline specifications will be: LOA 131.7m, beam 22.0m, design: Toisa P-Class, DP: DNV/IMO Class 3,
accommodation 1999 beds, deck area: approx. 1,500m2, helideck and 4-engine diesel-electric propulsion.
Sealion Shipping Ltd currently operates four existing saturation DSV’s within its modern fleet of 19 various
offshore support vessels. In addition Toisa has a further eight OSV’s onder construction which will enter
the Sealion fleet during 2006 and 2007, including their recent other DSV order *) from the Kleven Verft
Yard
Smit’s Magnificent Seven
Smit’s Transport & Heavy Lift Division has reached an agreement for the purchase of seven newbuild
work vessels from Hadi H. Al-Hammam Est. of Saudi Arabia. The vessels, with a 75t bollard pull, are a
modified version of the Smit Kamara and the Smit Komodo. The first two vessels of this new series will
be delivered during this year and the last one is expected to be delivered in 2008. They will be managed
by the Smit Singapore organisation. This investment comprises both replacement as well as expansion.
Three of these vessels have already been awarded with long-term contracts with Saudi Aramco. All fleet
renewals and expansions fit into Smit’s strategy of moving to the top-segment of the market with long-term
contracts, autonomous growth, fleet renewal and fleet optimization.
The first of the seven is named Smit Lombok (source: Hans van der Ster)
Siem Secure Support Vessel
Siem Offshore Inc. has ordered a new Multifunctional ROV Support Vessel (MRSV of MT 6016 L design
with Kleven Maritime. The contract value is NOK 327 million. Delivery from the Kleven Verft in Ulsteinvik,
Norway is scheduled for March 2008. The vessel’s main specifications: LOA 103.7m, beam 19.70m, deck
area in excess of 1,100m2, accommodation capacity up to 100 persons. The vessel will be equipped with
a high capacity crane and launch and recovery systems for ROV.
More For Myklebusthaug
Norwegian shipowner Myklebusthaug Offshore AS has placed an order with Simek AS for a PSV of
UT755LC design with an estimated contract value of NOK 145 million. The vessel will be a sister vessel to
the UT755LC Dina Merkur which was delivered in February this year. Upon delivery in July 2007 the
vessel will also be managed by Gulf Offshore.
More orders for Aker Yards
Island Offshore VIII KS, a company within the Island Offshore Group has signed a contract with Aker
Yards for the construction of a UT 755LN PSV with delivery scheduled early November 2007. The
vessel’s hull will be built in Romania and outfitting will take place in Brevik. The contract value is around
NOK 150 million. The 3,200dwt vessel is 74 metres long and 16 metres wide. This is the 18th contract
between Island Offshore and Aker Yards. Another order for a PSV of ST-216L CD type has been placed
by Volstad Shipping AS ofǺlesund. The contract value is approximately NOK 260 million an d delivery
scheduled for June 2008. The vessel is 93.40m long, 19.2m wide and has a cargo capacity of 5,000
tonnes. Nordcapital Holding GmbH & Cie. KG in Hamburg has signed an agreement with Aker Yards for
the construction of four UT 755LN PSV’s with an option for an additional four vessels. The option has to
be declared by mid May 2006. The four vessels, with a total contract value of approximately NOK 580
million, are scheduled for delivery from the fourth quarter of 2007 until the second quarter of 2008.
Construction of the vessels will be at various Aker yards in Norway.
Remøy Ahoy
Remøy Management has ordered a VS794 CGV design coast guard vessel with Kleven Maritime plus one
optional vessel. Specifications: LOA 93m, beam 16.6m, 100t BP and gas-driven propulsion.
Far Scout returns to North Sea
Farstad’s UT722L Far Scout returned to the North Sea in mid-April after supporting operations offshore
Mauritania. Broker Seabrokers said that, since returning, the well equipped Far Scout has used its 203
tonnes bollard pull and 18,000bhp to good effect assisting with rig moves for Talisman, Peak and Norsk
Hydro. The ship now moves to the semi sub GSF 140 where it is performing rig move duties for BG.
However, Seabrokers said it is uncertain how long the UT 722L will remain in the North Sea. (Source:
Clipping News)
Solstad ships contracted by Gazflot
Seabrokers reports that two Solstad anchor handlers, Normand Titan and Normand Trym, have been
contracted by Gazflot to support the semi Deepsea Delta in the Barents Sea. The contract is to commence
mid June and will last for approximately 100 days. The 12,000bhp Normand Titan is currently in the yard
for maintenance until the beginning of May. Seabrokers said both vessels will trade the spot market prior
to commencing the Gazflot contract. (Source: Clipping News)
7e jaargang, nr. 15
dd. 14 Mei 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Pacific Tugboat Service Awarded Contract
Pacific Tugboat Service, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded an $8,052,763 indefinite-delivery/indefinitequantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for maintenance, upkeep and repair of government owned vessels.
Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by May 2011. Contract
funding in the amount of $50,000, will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was
competitively procured and advertised via the internet, with one offer received. The Naval Undersea
Warfare Center, Newport, R.I., is the contracting activity (Source: Marinelink)
Normand Rover acquired by Boa Offshore
The MSV Normand Rover (built 2001 * DP II) has repotedly been sold to Boa Offshore AS on private
terms. Delivery of the vessel will take place during December 2006, and she will be renamed Boa Rover.
Jaya Admiral acquired by JV
Fearnleys Offshore supply reports that a Joint Venture affiliated company of Seacor Holdings has
exercised its option to purchase the AHTS Jaya Admiral (built 2004 * 12,000bhp) on private terms.
Concurrent voor sleepdiensten op Westerschelde
De sleep- en bergingsbedrijven op de Westerschelde krijgen concurrentie. De grootste speler in de haven
van Antwerpen, Port of Singapore Authority/HesseNoordNatie, brengt begin volgend jaar vier sleepboten
in de vaart. Ze krijgen de Westerschelde en de haven van Antwerpen (voor de sluizen) als werkgebied.
PSA sleepdienst van PSA/Hesse- NoordNatie wordt een directe concurrent van de Unie van Reddings- en
Sleepdienst (Union) in Antwerpen. Maar PSA, dat wereldwijd achttien containerterminals exploiteert,
waaronder verschillende inAntwerpen sluit ook de inzet bij bergingen niet uit. Dat werd gisteren nog eens
door een woordvoerder in Antwerpen bevestigd. Het bergingswerk op de Westerschelde is nu in handen
van de Union, Multraship in Terneuzen en Polderman in Hansweert. Woordvoerders van de Union en
Multraship hielden zich gisteren op de vlakte. Ze wachten meer informatie af, maar maken zich
vooralsnog niet al te veel zorgen over de nieuwkomer. PSA beschikt met name in Azië over een vloot van
een kleine zestig moderne slepers. Daarnaast worden ook alle mogelijke andere activiteiten ontplooid,
zoals beloodsing, bestrijding van milieuverontreining, de inzet van schepen in de off-shorebranche en
wereldwijde transporten. Binnenkort wordt begonnen met het werven van personeel voor de vier slepers.
Het gaat om zestig man. PSA/Hesse-NoordNatie is ook in de markt voor exploitatie van de Westerschelde
Container Terminal. (Source: Clipping News)
Aker Yards to Build Two More PSVs for Nordcapital
Aker Yards has confirmed an optional agreement with Nordcapital Holding GmbH & Cie. KG in Hamburg,
Germany for the building of two Platform Supply Vessels. The Contract value is approximately $47.5m.
Delivery is scheduled for summer and autumn 2008. The vessels have the designation UT 755LN.
Another Four For Damen ASD
Further to the order, in September 2005, for four Damen ASD Tugs 2810, Bourbon Les Abeilles has
ordered another series of 4 sister vessels; the signing ceremony was performed during the ITS 2006 that
took place in Rotterdam. The building will take place at Damen Shipyards Changde, China and the
delivery of the first vessel is scheduled for end October 2007, with a 3 months interval for the 3 remaining
tugs. All tugs will have a bollard pull of approx. 58 tons and will be equipped with fire fighting notation FIFI
1. (Source: Clipping News)
Sales, Transfers & Renamings Marine News May.
Antares, (Seaforth Chieftain – 02), 834/74 – offshore tug/supply. Has been renamed Med Cinque by
Offshore Adriatica S.r.l. Italy.
Asso Nove, (Augustea Nova – 98, Sea Defender – 88, Sea Coral – 83), 1371/77 – offshore supply. By
Scinicariello Ship Management SpA, Italy to Folk Shipping, UAE. (Dubai) and renamed Lilian.
Azuma Maru, 252/02 – tug. Has been renamed Kincardine by J.P.Knight (Caledonian) Ltd. Japan and
transferred to St.Vincent and Grenadines registry.
Badan (Naantali – 92), 332/63 – tug. By Randvik Bogserb ts AB, to Pite Havsbad AB, both Sweden and
renamed Arctic Explorer.
Bulk Cyg, (Seabulk Cygnet I – 04, Red Cygnet I – 98, Rotterdam – 96, OSA Rotterdam – 95, Oxenturm –
78), 630/74 – tug. Has been renamed Facal Veinte by Remolcadores Facal SA, both St.Vincet and the
Grenadines and transferred to Spain registry.
Far Server, 2610/91 – offshore supply. By Farstad Supply AS to Isle of Man (British) Secunda Marine
Service Ltd, Barbados and renamed Arcadian Sea.
Far Spirit, (Loch Shuna – 89, Far Spirit – 87, Stad Spirit – 86) 2169/83 – offshore supply. By Farstad
Supply AS, Isle of Man (British) to Ocean Mainport Offshore Ltd, Norway (NIS) and renamed Ocean
Spirit.
McNee Tide (Torm Eagle – 01) 2590/99 – offshore tug/supply. By Tidewater vessels Ltd, to Deep Sea
Supply Shipowning AS, both Vanuatu, Name unchanged.
Ngan Chau 456/94 – tug. Has been renamed Cook by Hongkong Salvage & Towage Co.Ltd. Panama.
Peng Chau 294/00 – tug. Has been renamed Botany by Hongkong Salvage & Towage Co.Ltd. Panama.
Seacor Discorverer 1405/02 – offshore tug/supply. By Seacor Smit Offshore (Worldwide) Ltd, Marshall
Islands to Petroleum Technical Services Co. Vietnam and renamed Binh Minh.
Seabulk Arkansas (Hawke Seal – 96) 692/82 – offshore supply. Has been renamed NW Campeche by
Seabulk Offshore Ltd, USA and transferred to Mexico Registry.
Seabulk Debbie (Gray Guard – 97) 494/83 – utility vessel. Has been renamed Neptune Cresent by
Neptune Maritime & Offshore Services, Liberia and transferred to Panama Registry.
Seabulk Discovery (Gmmos Discovery – 97, Anina Oil Discovery – 89, Tarpon – 87, Oil Discovery – 87)
861/73 – offshore tug/supply. By Seabulk Discovery Inc. Marshall Islands to Bahman Trading Corp.
Kuwait and renamed Bahman Discovery.
Seabulk Hercules (Gmmos Hercules – 97, Dopet I – 93, Chrisophe – 90, Gulf Fleet No.1 – 78, Sedco
Anne – 74) 1202/69 – offshore supply. By Seabulk Hercules Inc. To AMS Hercules Inc. Both Marshall
Islands and renamed AMS Hercules.
Seabulk Missouri (Pegasus Seal – 96) 272/82 – offshore tug/supply. Has been renamed NW Veracruz
by Seabulk Offshore Ltd. USA and transferred to Mexico Registry.
Seabulk Penguin II (Red Penguin II – 98, Rosa – 98, Fortunata – 92, Redsea Pride – 91, Seaforth Victor
– 88, Edda Star – 79) 1186/75 – offshore tug/supply. By Seabulk Penguin II Inc. Marshall Islands to
Magnum International Ltd, Comoros and renamed Princess Nnenna.
Wellington (Gunard – 86, Aziebank – 82, Azie – 73) 168/61 – tug. By TP Towage Co.Ltd. UK to Lutamar
Prestacao de Servicos a Navegacao Lda, Portugal and renamed Teimoso.
Members Reports
Barents 731/06 – tug renamed Fairplay 27 (Atg) prior to 13/2/2006
Flying Osprey 243/76 – tug renamed Boa Sund (Pan) prior to 29/3/2005
Kanmon Maru No.25 199/87 – tug renamed Armarin 5 (Tur) prior to 20/3/2006
Lady Kathleen 364/91 was renamed Adsteam Kathleen (Gbr) at Hull on 12/3/2006
Lady Laura 353/01 – tug renamed Adsteam Laura (Gbr) prior to 27/2/2006
Montado 277/77 – tug renamed Stadt Tug (Vct) prior to 3/3/2006
Ocean Iolite 228/06 – tug renamed Armarin 6 (Tur) prior to 20/3/2006
Pacific Ocean 361/01 – tug renamed Profit Legend Two (Sgp) prior to 14/4/2005
Sun Anglia 339/85 – tug renamed Adsteam Anglia (Gbr) prior to 27/2/2006
Warang 425/82 – tug reported as Ran (Pan) prior to 10/3/2006
Warilla 422/82 – tug reported as Ril (Pan) prior to 10/3/2006
Demolitions
Ticonderoga (Mobil 9 – 91, Socony 9 – 60) 185/54 – tug. By Exxon Mobil Corp. USA to unspecified
breakers and reported 9/2005 (n.b.).
Tug Fahd – tug 1227ldt. Sold to Indian breakers and beached Alang 7/3/2006.
7e jaargang, nr. 16
dd. 21 Mei 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Channel Closed After Thebes Bridge Accident
The Upper Mississippi River was closed to all commercial traffic for more than a day and a half last week
between Mile 44 and Mile 20 following an accident that left three barges sunk and 22 barges adrift after an
allision with the troublesome Thebes (Ill.) railroad bridge at Mile 43.7. The barges scattered and drifted
more than 20 miles through the dark night following the accident, which occurred around 11 p.m. on May
7, according to Lt. (jg) Anthony Baird, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit-Paducah. Baird told The
Waterways Journal the channel was closed because one of the sunken barges remained capsized and
partially submerged in the channel at Mile 37.2 with the starboard, stern corner protruding above the
surface. He said two other barges sank outside the channel as a load of scrap metal settled along the left
descending bank at Mile 31, between Daniel Light and Commercial Point, and a loaded rock barge came
to rest atop a dike at Mile 26 above Buffalo Island. Baird said the scattered and sunken barges were in a
loaded 30-barge tow being pushed downriver by the Mary Kay Eckstein of Marquette Transportation
Company Inc. The Inland River Record lists the twin-screw vessel at 7,200 hp…. (Source: Jan van der
Doe)
Bourbon Artemis sold into Mexican JV
The AHTS Bourbon Artemis (NB 06/2006 – 10,890bhp) has been sold to Naviera Tamaulipas in Mexico
for approximately US$30 million. Broker Fearnleys Offshore Supply said Groupe Bourbon and Rigdon
Marine in the US have entered into a Joint Venture with Naviera Tamaulipas, and Bourbon will be part
owner in the vessel, which will be Mexican flagged. (Source: Clipping News)
McNee Tide due to return to North Sea
Fearnleys Offshore Supply says the AHTS McNee Tide will return to the North Sea at the beginning of
June from West Africa, and will then trade the spot market. The vessel will be renamed Sea Wolf during
May. The AHTS Amadon Tide, one of the vessels Deep Sea Supply acquired from Tidewater, has been
renamed Sea Bear and has recently been fixed to Devon Energy for work in the Mediterranean. (Note red.
McNee Tide see also last S & O News nr.15) (Source: Clipping News)
AHTS are bound for Malaysia
Broking sources report that the AHTS Beryl (built 2005 – 4,800bhp) and AHTS Zircon (built 2004 –
5,400bhp) have been sold to Marine Co in Malaysia, a joint venture between Scomi Marine and CH
Offshore. The en bloc price for both vessels was reportedly US$23 million and delivery will take place at
the end of October 2006. The vessels will work under the Malaysian flag. (Source: Clipping News)
Irving tug probed in pollution crackdown
The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating suspected illegal bilge dumping from an Irving-owned tug boat that
docked in Hawaii last month. The Atlantic Hickory was en route from Shanghai to Jacksonville, Fla.,
when it stopped in Hawaii on April 5. Company spokesperson Mary Keith says the boat was boarded as
part of a routine inspection. "The tug was released shortly afterward as were the crew," Keith said. The
vessel is now under investigation for possible pollution violations. An article published in a shipping
industry magazine, Tradewinds, says coast guard inspectors obtained a search warrant as part of a
campaign against devices known as "magic pipes." Magic pipes are used to bypass oily water separators
on ships. The bypass lets the crew dump polluted bilge water directly into the sea. Keith says it is the
company's belief the investigation will conclude with no charges. "We maintain our belief that there was no
illegal discharge. And none of the evidence to date would suggest otherwise." Terry Shore, the clean
water campaign director with the California environmental group Bluewater Network, says the coast guard
is cracking down on the owners of boats that use the so-called magic pipes to discharge bilge waste in
American waters and is issuing fines as high as $25 million for violations. "The U.S. Coast Guard at least,
is enforcing the oily water laws more strictly than in the past. And they've been working with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies." (Source: Clipping News)
Smit Anambas bound for Canada
De Smit Anambas wordt in de Waalhaven gereed gemaakt om naar Canada te worden gesleept door de
Sable Cape van ITC. Het vertrek staat gepland op 23 mei. In Canada gaat zij een lading ophalen om deze
af te leveren in Rotterdam. (Source: Hans van der Ster)
Zeeleeuw wordt omgevlagd
Als eind van de maand de Zeeleeuw Rotterdam zal aandoen wordt zij omgevlagd naar Bahama vlag. De
eigenaar Smit Transport Europe BV blijft vooralsnog de eigenaar. Zij gaat de Atraban in West Afraka
aflossen en zal worden ingezet door Smit Terminals. (Source: Hans van der Ster)
Bisso Takes Delivery of New Tug
Bisso Towboat Co., Inc., has taken delivery of a new 4,300 hp reverse z-drive ship-assist tug, Alma S.
Constructed at Main Iron Works, Houma, LA, the 100 x 38 x 13.5 ft., Alma S. is powered by two EMD 16645E6 main engines, producing 2150 hp, each at 900 rpm, which drive two Ulstein-Aquamaster US 2001
Z-drives. The Z-drives feature 90.6 in. diameter x 82.4 in. pitch stainless steel propellers set in stainless
steel Kort Nozzles and the estimated bollard pull is 60 tons. Electrical service is provided by a pair of 100
KW generators powered by John Deere 6068TMGK engines. Deck equipment includes a Markey DYSF42 hydraulic bow winch, with render/recovery feature and equipped with 500 ft. of 8 in. circumference
Plasma line and a 100-ton Washington Chain and Supply quick-release tow hook.
Auxiliary equipment includes EMI engine and fire/smoke alarm systems, complete electronics package
including Simrad autopilot/heading sensor, Foruno radar, GPS, fathometer and AIS, Heli-Sep Oily/Water
separator, Owens Kleen Tank sewage treatment plant and 750 GPM fire monitor. Other features include
sound proof insulation throughout the crew quarters and engine room and stainless steel h-bitts, quarter
bitts and bow staple. For crew comfort, the galley and all bunk rooms are equipped with flat screen TV’s
and DVD players. Tankage includes capacity for 43,000 gallons of diesel, 1,800 gallons of lube and
hydraulic oil, 11,000 gallons of potable water and 1,900 gallons of dirty/waste oil. The Alma S. is an almost
exact carbon copy of our 1999-built Cecilia B. Slatten which was the first reverse z-drive ship-assist tug
built for use on the Mississippi River. The Alma S. received only a few minor modifications from the design
of the Cecilia B. Slatten, primarily in the areas of increased crew comfort and improved operational
capabilities. The Alma S. joins a fleet of 12 tugs on the River and will be positioned in the St.
James/Convent area to service the large tankers and bulk carriers which call in that area. (Source:
Marinelink)
D.H. Delta
D.H. Delta, 2006 verkocht aan Qatar Dredging Co., Doha onder dezelfde naam. (Source: Leon de Hoop)
4-Winds
Rederij Groen heeft de ex BR-57 Maria Helena aangekocht en is te Stellendam vernoemd in 4-winds.
(Source: Leon de Hoop)
Vlootvernieuwingsprogramma Smit
De in maart 2004 ingezette wereldwijde vlootvernieuwing bij SMIT is de grootste ooit binnen ons bedrijf.
Het gaat zowel om vervanging als uitbreiding van de vloot. Standaardisatie staat centraal in het
vernieuwingsprogramma. SMIT wil zoveel mogelijk schepen met dezelfde lay-out en dezelfde
basiscomponenten zoals motoren, voortstuwingssystemen etc. Hierdoor zijn alle schepen goed
uitwisselbaar tussen al onze vestigingen en Divisies. De standaardisatie van onze vloot komt ook tot
uitdrukking in onze keuze voor ASD-voortstuwing, in plaats van tractor-voortstuwing. ASD-voortstuwing is
tevens een goed voorbeeld van ‘proven technology’, een belangrijk uitgangspunt voor onze nieuwe
schepen. We willen ons niet wagen aan onzekere experimenten, maar kiezen bewust voor beproefde en
dus betrouwbare techniek. Stabiliteit in onze activiteiten is eveneens belangrijk. Om die reden investeren
we in de Divisie Transport & Heavy Lift dan ook in een flink aantal AHTS-schepen. Hierdoor zijn we in
staat om meer lange termijn contracten af te sluiten, met als gevolg een stabieler resultaat.
82 tonnes bp AHTS ‘Smit Komodo’.
Positie behouden én versterken
De vervanging van schepen is noodzakelijk vanwege de gemiddelde leeftijd van onze vloot. Nu bedraagt
deze zo’n 17 jaar. Die leeftijd willen we terugbrengen naar 10 tot 12 jaar, zodat we over een moderne en
jonge vloot beschikken. Een vloot bovendien met meer tonnen BP, want de ontwikkelingen in de
scheepvaart vragen om sterkere schepen. Met een jonge en sterke vloot kunnen we onze wereldwijde
concurrentiepositie aanscherpen, en gericht inspelen op de toekomst. SMIT is een internationale
topspeler. En die positie willen we niet alleen behouden, maar ook versterken. Binnen de Divisie Harbour
Towage bijvoorbeeld vervangen we in 2007 en 2008 een aantal havenslepers die zo worden uitgerust dat
ze ook geschikt zijn voor 2-mansvaart. Het is niet gezegd dat er vanaf het moment van oplevering meteen
met twee man op wordt gevaren. Maar gelet op de toekomst, is het cruciaal dat we die mogelijkheid in
ieder geval hebben. Niet alleen kostenoverwegingen spelen hierbij een rol maar ook door krapte en
vergrijzing op de wereldwijde arbeidsmarkt zullen we immers steeds moeilijker aan varend personeel
kunnen komen. Inmiddels wordt in bepaalde delen van de wereld met twee man gevaren. Bij ons gebeurt
dit bijvoorbeeld al in Canada. Ook de URS heeft plannen in deze richting. SMIT wil onder andere met het
testen van de 2-mansvaart een voortrekkersrol spelen, en zo bekijken onder welke condities dit in de
toekomst mogelijk is.
Overzicht vlootvernieuwing
Het totale vlootvernieuwingsprogramma omvat nu al 80 schepen. En daarmee is het einde nog niet in
zicht. Een overzicht per Divisie van alle opgeleverde en nog op te leveren schepen, treft u hierna aan. Wij
zullen u op regelmatige basis op de hoogte blijven houden van actuele ontwikkelingen.
Special
Vlootvernieuwing per Divisie
Toelichting: schepen waarop een optie rust zijn nog niet in aanbouw. Voor deze categorie moet
nog een
definitieve opdracht aan de scheepswerf worden verstrekt.
Op volle kracht vooruit
SMIT wil in de toekomst blijven groeien, en haar vloot verder versterken. Daarom zal het niet blijven bij de
schepen in het overzicht in deze News & Views. Zo zijn er plannen om tot 2010 voor de Divisies Harbour
Towage en Terminals aanvullend een aantal nieuwe schepen te laten bouwen. Voor Zuid-Afrika bestaan
plannen voor verdere uitbreiding, bijvoorbeeld voor een nieuwe bunker barge. Ook behoort de bouw van
additionele barges voor Canada tot de mogelijkheden. Over het vervangen en uitbreiden van de verdere
vloot van de Divisie Transport & Heavy Lift denken we in de toekomst verder na. Ook bestaan er plannen
om nieuwe, nog krachtiger sleepboten te laten bouwen, met het oog op de tweede Maasvlakte. Er leven
nog tal van andere plannen binnen alle Divisies en regio’s. Uiteraard zijn die afhankelijk van bouwkundigeen marktontwikkelingen. De financiële ruimte om te groeien is echter aanwezig. Kortom, het laatste woord
over onze vlootvernieuwing is nog niet gezegd! (Source: Smit)
7e jaargang, nr. 17
dd. 28 Mei 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Series of 30m Tugs From Far East Shipyards
In an efficient near-assembly-line process at Far East Shipyard
in Sibu a series of 29-meter tugs are being built and delivered
to an Indonesian owner, Pte. Arpeni Pratama Ocean Line Tbk..
The first of these boats, Cigading, was delivered in midJanuary. By late March, the second boat, Paiton, was ready for
delivery. A third was taking shape on the yard’s ways while the
steel for the fourth vessel was being cut nearby. The United
Ship Design hulls, with their 9-meter beams 4.267-meter
molded depth (29.53x14), feature the double-chined hulls
common to many boats built in Sarawak. The shafts are
encased in skeg-like pieces that serve both as shaft struts and
protection when working in shallow water. A raised fo’c’sle and bilge keels contribute to good sea-keeping
abilities. For an extended cruising range, the boats’ have 227 m3 of fuel tankage as well as 42 m3 of fresh
water. Main engines are a pair of Cummins KTA38 M2 engines each rated for 1200 hp at 1800 RPM and
turning into Twin Disc MG5321 gears with 5.95:1 ratios. On deck the Paiton is fitted with a single drum
towing winch and a towing hook manufactured locally by Siong Ping Engineering. Both the Cigading and
the Paition are named for Indonesian ports. (Source: Marinelink)
Second anchor-handler for Rem
Kleven Verft of Ulsteinvik, Norway, is building another offshore ship for domestic owner Rem Maritime.
The contract for the UT 712 L anchor-handler is worth NOK 300m ($49.19m). The ship will have a bollard
pull of 190 tonnes and is scheduled for delivery in September 2008. It is the second such Rolls-Royce–
designed ship the owner has ordered at Kleven. “The vessel has several functions that make it suitable for
advanced anchor-handling missions and other underwater operations,” said Rem chief Age Remoy. Rem
also has six other offshore vessels on order at the yard. (Source: Clipping News)
Former Chouest man starts Energy Marine Services - plans for 10 newbuilds
Fearnley Offshore Supply reports that Energy Marine Services, a new company established by George
Banos, a former employee at Edison Chouest in the US is now up and running. The company will build a
whopping 10 PSVs of 228ft LOA, 2,850 dwt and with DP 2. The financing for the vessels is close to
completion through New York banks and investment funds, and the newbuild contracts are expected to be
signed during June 2006. (Source: Clipping News)
Swire sells AHTS to Saudi Arabians
Fearnleys Offshore Supply says the AHTS Pacific Centurion (built 1982 – 8,160bhp) has been sold by
Swire Pacific Offshore to Zamil in Saudi Arabia. The vessel has been renamed Zamil 20. (Source:
Clipping News)
Pan-United confirms new order
May 23, 2006 Pan-United Marine (PUM) shipyard has clinched a US$49.5 million contract to construct a
specialized offshore support vessel. Said Executive Director Ng Sing Chan said: “As exploration and
production venture into ever deeper waters, size does matter – this will be one of the biggest construction
vessels with DP3 capabilities to be built in this part of the world. This contract shows that PUM is wellpositioned to capture a good slice of the highend specialized vessel shipbuilding segment.” The latest
contract boosts PUM’s outstanding orderbook above S$470 million. The value of the vessel, expected to
be delivered in the third quarter of 2008, is estimated at above US$130 million, including the cost of
owner-furnished equipment. The vessel, designed for diving operations, will be equipped with a 1,600tonne revolving pedestal crane and two 100-tonne revolving cranes for heavy lifting and pipe-laying
projects in offshore support projects for the oil & gas sector. (Source: Leo Kramer)
New tug burns on Hudson
The tug unit of Crowley Maritime's newly christened 185,000-barrel ATB caught fire Sunday on the
Hudson River, but crews quickly extinguished it before it could spread from the engine room. The New
Hamburgh fire department responded to the call and took about 20 minutes to douse the blaze, according
to local press accounts. The tug lost power for roughly 30 seconds before a backup generator kicked in. A
ruptured fuel line is suspected. The articulated tug barge was carrying a cargo of some 51,000 barrels
ethanol at the time en route from Albany to Baltimore. It is now scheduled to be towed to New York
City today for inspection. The tug Pacific Reliance was christened in Mobile, Alabama only March 30 along
with companion barge 650-1 after construction at VT Halter Marine in Mississippi. It is the first of six
new 185,000-barrel articulated tug barges to be taken in by Crowley over the next three years. The unit is
on three-year charter to oil company ConocoPhillips. (Source: Clipping News)
New Paintjob for Sullom Voe Tugs
The five bright red tugs operating at the Sullom Voe Terminal are soon to display the blue and white
corporate colors of their new owner. Shetland Towage, a company wholly owned by the Shetland
Charitable Trust, was incorporated into the Shetland Islands Council's ports and harbor operation on
February 10, in a bid to streamline operations at the harbor and to cut costs. The first of the tugs is
expected to be back in the isles from dry-docking in late June, when it will be sporting a blue hull and
white superstructure, similar to the look of the council's fleet of inter island ferries. (Source: Shetland
Marine News)
Orders new subsea vessel from Ulstein
Ulstein Verft AS has signed a contract with Olympic Shipping AS in Fosnavåg to build yet another large,
multifunctional subsea vessel, model ULSTEIN P101 designed by Ulstein Design
A.S.
Olympic contracted a similar vessel in early 2006. Olympic was the first
shipowner to contract a ship by Ulstein Design. When they now come back to
order their fourth ship, it is also the 25th design delivered from Ulstein Design.
“For us, highly satisfied customers coming back to order new ships show a true
vote of confidence. It is something we appreciate at the Ulstein Group,” says CEO
Gunvor Ulstein. HIGH ACTIVITY The new contract brings the Ulstein Group’s
order reserve to a new high of approximately NOK 3 billion. Olympic Shipping has
also been very active, contracting ships in Norway for nearly NOK 3 billion over
the past six years. Including those to be built by Ulstein Verft, Olympic’s 16 vessel
fleet, consists of 14 offshore vessels, one research and one fishing vessel.
Olympic Shipping has four offshore vessels under construction. THE FIRST AND
THE 25th ULSTEIN DESIGN In addition to the two subsea vessels, Olympic
Shipping previously contracted two anchor-handling vessels at Ulstein Verft, both
of Ulstein Design. “In the year 2000, Olympic Shipping became the first shipowner to contract a ship of
Ulstein Design. The new contract is the fourth vessel Olympic orderes from Ulstein, and the 25th vessel
delivered from Ulstein Design. In other words, we have been doing good business with the shipping
company from our neighboring town, and they have now come back to the Ulstein Group to build yet
another ship developed by Ulstein,” says Tore Ulstein, President of Ulstein Verft and Ulstein Design. The
vessel, building no. 280 at Ulstein Verft, will also have a positive impact on the order books of Ulstein
Elektro AS. ULSTEIN P101 FOR SUBSEA This is the third ULSTEIN P101 ordered from Ulstein Design. It
is a large, multifunctional subsea vessel that can also be used as a supply ship. With such great demand
for subsea operations, the ULSTEIN P101 is a highly sought after type of vessel. The ship can carry out
seabottom operations worldwide and, with its ice class (ICE-C), is well suited for operating in arctic waters
such as the Barents Sea. The vessel is 95 meters long, 20.5 meters wide and accommodates 87 people.
The ULSTEIN P101 is extremely seaworthy and steady, providing a good work platform for most
operations. The vessel will be equipped with a ROV launching arrangement (Remote Operated Vehicle -
minisub) and a helideck. It will also be prepared for installation of a large, heave compensated crane.
(Source: Leo Kramer)
Repeat AHTS orders for Labroy
Subsidiaries of Singapore's Labroy Marine Limited have signed two shipbuilding contracts worth
US$14,400,000 each, totaling US$28.8 million (S$45.5 million) in a repeat order for two units of 63 m
AHTS vessels scheduled to be delivered in 2008. (Source: Clipping News)
Polar Pevek delivered to Rieber Shipping
The icebreaking tug Polar Pevek has been delivered to GC Rieber Shipping in Norway. Early in 2004,
Rieber Shipping won an international tender from Exxon Neftegaz Ltd for a 15-year charter of a
purposebuilt ice-breaking tug vessel to support its operations at Sakhalin. The contract was successfully
secured in close cooperation with Rieber Shipping's partner, Primorsk Shipping Corporation (Prisco).
Polar Pevek was built by Aker Langsten in Norway, and will now commence her duties for Exxon
Neftegaz at the DeKastri oil-terminal. The ship is 72m x 17m and has 11,000kW and is purpose-built for
tanker assistance and ice-management in one of the most weather-exposed areas of the world. (Source:
Clipping News)
Siem buys again
Norwegian investor Kristian Siem’s Siem Offshore is buying three platform supply vessels (PSVs) from O
H Meling & Co of Stavanger. The deal is worth NOK 500m ($82.14m) to Meling and will see Siem acquire
a controlling interest in two ships and buy a shipbuilding contract outright. Siem will own 100% of a MT
6000 PSV with a 70-tonne crane currently under construction at Kleven Maritime for delivery at the end of
2006. It will also become a 51% shareholder in the ownership company of a VS 470 II PSV, built in 2004,
and a VS 485 ship to be delivered from Karmsund Maritime Services in June 2007. The remaining 49% of
the shipowning company will be retained by Meling and affiliated parties. Meling will continue to operate
the jointly owned vessels, while Siem Offshore will handle charters. Siem Offshore has another eight
offshore ships on order at Kleven Verft and Aker Yards in Norway. (Source: Clipping News)
Robert Allan Deisgns Fireboats for NYC
Friday, May 26, 2006
In July 2005, the Fire Department of
New York (FDNY) warded a contract
for the design of their new fast
response fireboats to Robert Allan Ltd.
of Vancouver, BC. The design team
has been working closely with the
FDNY project team finalizing the
functional requirements for the vessel,
assessing alternatives, and developing
the concept design. In March 2006, the
project successfully completed a
comprehensive
value
engineering
process, during which a panel of
independent marine and fire-fighting
industry experts reviewed the proposed
design and, in concert with the Robert Allan Ltd. and FDNY design teams, assessed the merits of a variety
of suggested options. The design process is now moving full steam ahead to the detailed design stage,
which will lead to an anticipated tender call for two new fireboats in the fall of 2006. The new fast response
fireboats are designed to specifically address the fire-fighting and rescue needs of the greater New York
harbor including responding to CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive)
incidents, and Hazmat decontamination. The pumping system is configured for marine fire incident
response, and to support land-based firefighters with a 50,000 gpm total pumping capacity (at 150 psi)
connected to a system of hoses capable of supplying water up to 5 miles inland. (Source: Marinelink)
New Lerwick tug "a real beauty"
LERWICK Port Authority's new £1.8 million tug is due to arrive in the harbour towards the end of next
week. Four crew members from the port authority are at the Danish Vestvaeftet shipyard, in Hvide Sande,
to carry out sea trials and eventually sail the new vessel home to Shetland. Lerwick Port Authority placed
the order with the yard, just north of Esbjerg, in April last year. As vessels calling at the Lerwick Harbour
continue to become larger in size, port trustees felt the time was right to replace the much smaller tug
Knab with a larger workhorse. The new tug has a bollard pull of 21 tonnes and is equipped with two Volvo
engines, each capable of delivering 720 horsepower. The tug has been designed by naval architects
McCraig and Napier, of Glasgow. Mr Napier also designed the Knab, which was built in 1980. LPA chief
executive Allan Wishart said Thursday that the new vessel was expected to arrive in early June, most
likely on Friday, 2 June. He said the Danish shipyard had done a sterling job, and he added: "She is a real
beauty." The port now plans to stage a welcome ceremony with fireworks, as the lifeboat and other
vessels accompany her in to the harbour. The new tug is also expected to perform three traditional turns
in the dock before berthing. The christening ceremony is planned for early July. (Source: Clipping News)
7e jaargang, nr. 18
dd. 18 Juni 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Limestone Barge Sinks In Mobile Bay, Holds Up Traffic
A 195-foot limestone barge in tow of the River Eagle, Excell Marine Corporation, Cincinnati, sank in
Mobile Bay about seven miles north of Fort Morgan last Tuesday night. It blocked the Mobile Ship
Channel, delaying larger vessels bound to port. The Coast Guard said it was closing the entire channel on
Friday. Ships with drafts of 28 feet or more were not able to navigate the bay. The lost business will cost
the Alabama State Docks between $400,000 and $600,000 in dockage and wharfage fees. The loss could
be greater if ships divert to other ports. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Damen Will Build Ships
In May 2006, Damen and Cotecmar of Cartagena, Colombia signed a contract for the construction of two
Damen Stan Tugs 2208. The vessels are expected to be delivered by mid 2007. (Source: Clipping News)
Siem Offshore to acquire O H Meling newbuilds
Siem Offshore Inc and O H Meling & Co AS (OHM) have entered into a Heads of Agreement whereby
Siem will acquire from OHM a controlling interest in one vessel and two shipbuilding contracts. The parties
have agreed that subject to certain conditions, the company will acquire a shipbuilding contract for a PSV
of MT6000 design with a 70 tonne crane currently under construction at Kleven Maritime AS to be
delivered at year end 2006. Further, the company will become a 51 per cent shareholder in a ship-owning
company which will own a PSV of VS 470 Mk II design, built in 2004, and a shipbuilding contract for a
PSV of VS 485 design, to be delivered from Karmsund Maritime Services AS in June 2007. The remaining
49 per cent of the company will be owned by OHM and affiliated parties. (Source: Clipping News)
Barry Towage & Offshore orders RAmpage 5000
Barry Towage & Offshore SA, through its management company Interconsult, has signed a Letter of Intent
with Astilleros Zamakona shipyard in Spain for construction of a Robert Allan designed RAmpage 5000
anchor handling offshore support vessel. In a statement, the company said it had chosen the RAmpage
5000 "because it best fits all our requirements and expectations for expanding the present fleet." Anglo
Belgian Corporation will supply the two ABC 16V DZC main engines rated at 2 x 3,400kW at 960rpm for
the newbuild. The azimuthing thrusters - type SRP 3030 CP - and bow thruster - a STT 2 - will be supplied
by Schottel. The propulsion system will give a bollard pull ahead of 114 tons and a free running speed of
at least 14 knots. Electrical driven deck machinery will be provided by Ridderinkhof BV in the Netherlands.
Guul Victory
Shahriar, (ex; Guul Victory), is in 2006 verkocht aan onbekende kopers te Sierra Leone en herdoopt
Challenger. (Source: Leon de Hoop)
Brasil news from Lawrence Amboldt
De nieuwe AQUARIUS is opgeleverd door de Ocean Wilsons werf te Guaruja en een zuster, de VOLANS
zal op 6.6.06 volgen. Ontworpen door Damen, zoals andere recente sleepboten van Ocean Wilsons.
4,478 kW, Aquamaster, 32.22m x 11.00m x 4.25m (diepgang), 72t paaltrek volgens jaarverslaag, maar
65.9t volgens website). De oude AQUARIUS is intussen verkocht aan Seaserve ComercioTransporte e
Navegacao Ltda. Momenteel heeft Ocean Wilsons 62 sleepboten en is de grootste sleepdienst in Brazilie.
(Source: Lawrence Amboldt)
Smit
De Zeeleeuw, van Smit Transport Europe BV. Is voor onbepaalde tijd vercharterd aan Smit Terminals. Zij
gaat de in 1983 bij Damen gebouwde Artaban vervangen. Voor dit charter is de Zeeleeuw dinsdag 13 juni
omgevlagd naar de Bahamas. Official Number: 8001215. Call Sign: C6VN8. De komende week zal zij
vertrekken uit de Waalhaven naar Takoradi – Ghana.
De Smit Engeland is onderweg naar Las Palmas, waar zij eind juni zal aankomen en vervolgens
afgeleverd wordt aan de kopers (Cooperativa Rimorchiatori Ancona Soc. Coop. a.r.l. te Ravenna, Italië).
De Smit Jamaica (2) gaat maandag haar proefvaarten in de Europoort doen. Het schema hiervoor is van
de week al doorgestuurd.
Drie van de zeven suppliers die door Smit eerder dit jaar zijn aangekocht worden verkocht. Het zijn de
Smit Langkawi (2); Smit Luzon (2) en de Smit Lumut (2). De Smit Langkawi 6,000 bhp AHTS, welke
aan het eind van 2006 zal worden afgeleverd is verkocht naar Maleisie. Terwijl de Smit Lumut 6,000 bhp
AHTS en Smit Luzon 6,000 bhp AHTS, welke in 2007 zullen worden opgeleverd, verkocht zijn naar West
Afrika.. (Source: Hans van der Ster)
Svitzer
In februari 2006 bij Pacific Ocean Engineering & Trading Pte.Ltd., Singapore te water gelaten m.slb.
Svitzer Muharraq, bouwnummer 1204, 332 brt., voor Svitzer W.M.E., vlag Belize.
Recentelijk is de Svitzer Stanlow te Tranmere, Shell Terminal (Liverpool) aangekomen. De nieuwe Voith
Schneider tractortug is door Redwise van Singapore naar Liverpool overgevaren. Gebouwd door Ang Sin
Liu (ASL) Shipyard Pte. Ltd., Singapore. Bollard pull 70 ton.
Door dezelfde werf is het zusterschip Svitzer Oden afgeleverd voor het geassocieerde bedrijf RodaBolaget (Zweden). (source: Jaap Bijl)
Crowley's Bay-Area Tugs Relocate to Port of Oakland
To better serve its Oakland ship assist and escort customers Crowley Maritime Corporation is relocating
its tugs to Berth 9 in the Port of Oakland effective Friday, June 16. The move, eight miles away from
Crowley's previous terminal at 10th Avenue, will allow Crowley to provide faster service upon receiving a
customer's ship assist request. Crowley tugs will be based closer to most customer operations and will be
able to work with greater ease in the expanse of the Outer Harbor. Tugs will no longer need to sail through
the Oakland Estuary to reach most vessels. Crowley tugs, which were once a fixture in San Francisco Bay
from the early 1900s to 1996, returned home in 2004 to once again provide service to area customers. In
the Bay Area, Crowley provides traditional ship assist services to carriers, typically container shipping
companies, as they enter and leave the port and its surrounding areas. (source: Marinelink)
7e jaargang, nr. 19
dd. 26 Juni 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Foss Maritime Honored
Captain Sam Nelson and crew of the Foss Maritime Company tugboat Justine Foss received the
Lifesaving Award from the Seamen's Church Institute at their annual Silver Bell Dinner on June 1 in New
York. United States Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen was in attendance and personally
congratulated Captain Nelson. Captain Nelson and his crew received the award for their heroic efforts in
response to the needs of the crew of the tugboat Valour and the barge M-192 while in heavy weather and
rough seas on January 18, 2006 off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Capt. Nelson and his
crew, through their seamanship skills, were able to rescue five men from the water and regain control of
the laden tank barge during darkness and severe sea conditions, said Paul Gallagher, Director of Sales
Marine Transportation, Foss Maritime. In addition, on Friday, June 9, Don McElroy, Foss Maritime Vice
President of Marine Transportation, was presented with top honors at the Jones F. Devlin Ship Safety
Achievement Awards Luncheon held by the Chamber of Shipping of America at the Hilton Riverside Hotel
in New Orleans in honor of the JUSTINE FOSS and her rescue of the crew of the Valour. (Source: Jan
van der Doe)
De ‘Smit Kamara’ operationeel
De ‘Smit Kamara’ werd donderdag 25 mei jl. volledig operationeel. Ze ondersteunt momenteel een
grootschalig schilderproject voor het ‘K15FG’ platform, ten hoogte van Den Helder. Een project team met
onder andere schilders en steigerbouwers verblijft momenteel aan boord van de ‘Smit Kamara’ en stapt
iedere dag over met behulp van het Offshore Access System (OAS). Het OAS bewees zich al een dag na
aanvang van het project toen er wegens slecht zicht geen helikoptervluchten in de sector ONEgas Oost
mogelijk waren; De ‘Smit Kamara’ kon die dag daarentegen zonder problemen aan het werk. De ‘Smit
Kamara’ zal naast het ‘K15FG’ platform eveneens worden ingezet voor het ‘K15FC’ platform, waarmee zij
twee onbemande platforms op één dag ondersteunt. (Source: Smit)
Damen presenteert mock-up stuurhut 2810 ASD tugs
Damen in Gorinchem presenteerde 22 mei jl. de brug lay-out van de 2810 ASD Tugs. De nieuwbouw
commissie van de Ondernemings-raad SMIT Harbour Towage en een aantal kapiteins van Harbour
Towage Rotterdam bekeken de houten mock-up. De aanwezigen waren na afloop positief over de
compacte en efficiënte inrichting. (Source: Smit)
‘Smit Nicobar’ gedoopt
Op 3 juni jl. werd de AHTS ‘Smit Nicobar’ gedoopt in Singapore. Als doopvrouw trad mevrouw Jeanette
Bruinsma op. Ook de Nederlandse ambassadeur en zijn vrouw waren aanwezig. Direct na de
doopceremonie vertrok de ‘Smit Nicobar’ naar Sakhalin waar zij, na aankomst medio juni, het offshore
accommodatie/service vaartuig ‘Safe Bristolia’ gaat ondersteunen. (Source: Smit)
Tugboat Strikes Railroad Bridge
6/21/2006 10:17:36 AM Foggy conditions are being blamed for a tugboat striking the concrete bridge
abutments on the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge. The Tuesday morning incident occurred when the
tugboat Cheyenne was pushing two barges with scrap metal and stone south on the river and could not
see the abutment because of dense fog, according to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. Contact made
with the Coast Guard indicated one barge was taking on water and that emergency pumps were deployed
to keep it afloat. There were no reported injuries. The 90-foot tug, piloted by Capt. Denault Donovan, is
owned by Albany Port Ventures in Albany. Preliminary investigation indicates the accident was caused by
lack of visibility on the river. The Coast Guard is continuing its investigation. (Source: MidHudson News
Network-via Jan van der Doe)
Hamtun
The HAMTUN ( former Adsteam - Southampton ) seen arriving in her new homeport Terneuzen, where
the tug will be renamed in MUTRATUG 16, the 29 mtr long tug is powered by 2 Stork Werkspoor engines
driving 2 Schottel azimuth thrusters for a total output of 34 ton BHP at present, The tug will be upgraded
and the BHP will increased to 39 tons. (Source: Clipping News)
SBX Acquires New Vessel
SeaBird Exploration Limited (SBX) has acquired M/V Sentinel. A DP (Dynamically Positioned) vessel, built
in 1979. The vessel will be converted to a Source/Ocean Bottom Seismic ship. Total cost for the vessel,
including upgrade and additional equipment, is expected to be up to $20 million. The vessel is expected to
be in full operation from early 2007. (Source: Marinelink)
Rectificatie
Het bericht dat drie suppliers die door Smit zouden worden verkocht, de Smit Langkawi (2); Smit Luzon
(2) en de Smit Lumut (2). is niet juist heeft de directie laten weten. Hoe men aan dit bericht is gekomen
weet men niet aldus Smit. (Source: Hans van der Ster).
More orders for Labroy Marine
June 21, 2006. Labroy Marine shipyard in Singapore has secured contracts worth US$54.3 million to build
an anchor handler, a multi-purpose maintenance vessel and two topside maintenance vessels for an as
yet unspecified customer for delivery in 2008. (Source: Leo Kramer).
Europese Commissie (EU) beëindigt onderzoek bij Smit Internationale N.V.
Rotterdam, 22 juni 2006 Zoals reeds eerder door ons bekend gemaakt, is de EC eind 2003 een
onderzoek gestart naar mogelijke mededingingsbeperkende afspraken tussen sleepvaartbedrijven in
Europa. De EC heeft haar onderzoek naar mogelijk mededingingsbeperkend gedrag beëindigd. Het
onderzoek heeft geen concreet bewijs opgeleverd van een overtreding van de Mededingingswet.
Hiermede is deze procedure afgesloten. (Source:Smit)
7e jaargang, nr. 20
dd. 02 Juli 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Aker Yards Secures Contracts for Diving Support Vessels
Aker Yards ASA said it won an order from DOF ASA for a diving support vessel (DSV), and a contract
from DOFCON ASA and Technip for a second DSV. For DOF, Aker Yards will build a DSV based on Aker
Yards' Aker DSV06 design, while the other DSV will be to the Aker OSCV-06L DSV design. (Source:
Forbes)
Vessel Runs Aground, Pulled Free
A 590-ft. cargo ship that ran aground has been pulled to deeper water and is being held offshore of Port
Canaveral until it is safe to enter port. The Shenandoah Highway, a cargo ship carrying automobiles, left
the Southampton, United Kingdom, and attempted to enter Port Canaveral. A few minutes later the ship
ran aground. Coast Guard inspectors from Marine Safety Detachment Port Canaveral boarded tugs and a
small boat crew from Station Port Canaveral to assess the situation. Crews didn't spot any pollution when
they arrived at the Shenandoah's position and started making preparations to remove the ship from the
sandy bottom. Using four contracted tugs, the blank was pulled from the bottom and is being held offshore
until divers can inspect the Shenandoah's hull to insure that vessel is structurally sound. (Source:
Marinelink)
Vroon Offshore Services takes delivery of Power Express
Power Express is committed to a charter with Wintershall Noordzee. Vroon Offshore Services has taken
delivery of the PSV Power Express. The new vessel was delivered by Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard Co Ltd
in China. Power Express is currently positioning from China to the Netherlands. Upon arrival she will
commence a charter with Wintershall Noordzee BV for their North Sea Operations. Power Express
is 75m overall with a beam of 17.5m and depth of 7.6m. The ship has a maximum draft of 6.4m and
deadweight of approximately 3,859 tonnes. She bears the class notation BV 1 *Hull *Mach, Supply
Vessel / Fire fighting Ship 1, Chemical Product, Water Spraying, Unrestricted Navigation, AUT-UMS,
INWATERSURVEY, MON-SHAFT, IG, ALM. Main propulsion takes the form of 2 x 2,460kW main
engines. The ship is fitted with 2 x 700kW bow tunnel thrusters and 2 x 400kW stern tunnel thrusters. The
design was undertaken by Vuyk Kenton working closely with Vroon. Vroon Offshore Services has two
sister vessels on order at the same yard. Delivery of these is expected in fourth quarter of 2006 and
first quarter of 2007. A further two PSVs are on order for Vroon at Damen Shipyard in Galatz (Romania).
Multraship Announces Fleet Additions
Salvage and towage company, Multraship BV has added the former Red Funnel/Adsteam tug Hamtun to
its fleet. The 1985-built, 3,500 IHP vessel has been renamed Multratug 16 and will mainly be deployed
providing harbour towage services in the ports of Terneuzen and Flushing and on the Terneuzen-Ghent
Canal. Multraship has also bought the former Dutch lifeboat Johannes Frederik, to operate as a fast-
rescue tender providing emergency response services in the River Scheldt area. The vessel, now
renamed Multraship Responder, will replace the Multrajet, which has been sold to the Congolese Ministry
of Health. (Source: Marinelink)
Bourne Tug in Need of Rescue
The Boston Globe reported that an old tugboat, New York Central No. 16 will be demolished soon to make
way for a CVS pharmacy. A Raynham man started working to save the boat. But with an estimated
$250,000 needed to rescue the tug, its future is murkier than the waters of New York Harbor it once
plowed. Tugboat No. 16 has been a Cape Cod landmark since local maritime history buffs rescued it from
a scrapheap on Staten Island in 1982. Developers said this month they plan to destroy the old tug, one of
the last of the steam-powered boats that tugged barges filled with goods up and down the Hudson River.
Maritime enthusiasts such as Schneider hope to save the boat from demolition, but have yet to find the
money to relocate the tug, which currently sits on a 30-by-90-foot concrete pad near the Route 25 onramp.
They say the removal of the landmark to make way for a drugstore will damage the visual character of the
Cape. Others want it relocated to a maritime museum. But the developers say they can no longer wait.
Although a specific date has not been set, No. 16 will be torn down after CVS closes on the property sold
by The Hegarty Family Trust, which could be in a matter of days or weeks, said Patrick Butler, a lawyer
representing the developers. The tug's possible demise has left some in the local and maritime community
in mourning. The boat, which was launched in 1924, received an 11th-hour reprieve and its backers a bit
more time to raise money, because developers are in a dispute with the town over traffic lights on the
property. Until their appeal to the town Planning Board is resolved and they close on the property,
demolition of the tug will be delayed, Butler said. Schneider hopes there is enough time to save the tug.
Most recently, officials from Connecticut's Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and the Sea, have
expressed interest, especially since they are planning a 2007 exhibit called Tugs, said museum
spokesman Michael O'Farrell, adding that the museum must find a donor to help bear the costs. Butler
said that over the past nine months they worked with local associations and outside museums to preserve
the tug. In the end, he said, relocating the decaying boat could cost more than $250,000. It would involve
taking it apart, possibly moving it by barge, and then restoring it. Mike DeAngelis, a CVS spokesman, said
engineers hired by the company and developers called the tug structurally unsafe, saying there was
significant rusting and corrosion, making it costly to relocate. DeAngelis also said that the Bourne
community has not rallied to keep the tug, instead outsiders have been trying to drum up support. The
CVS store will be designed to blend with the colonial architecture typical of Cape Cod. Still, some scoff at
that, saying that a 21st-century colonial-looking CVS cannot replace a true piece of history. (Source:
Boston Globe)
Smit-Lloyd 50
De Ocean Suez is verkocht aan Rashed Maritime Services - Egypte. In 1975 gebouw als Smit-Lloyd 50
voor Smit-Lloyd. In oktober 1985 verkocht aan Smit Lloyd Shilbaya te Alexandrië en herdoopt in Smit
Lloyd Suez. In 1996 verkocht aan Smit Swire Shilbaya, niet herdoopt. Op 19-12-1996 verkocht aan
Seacor Marine Inc. Morgan City, niet herdoopt. In 2000 overgegaan naar Ocean Marine Services - Cairo
en herdoopt Ocean Suez. Herdoopt LORD (Source: Dirk Verkouter)
Pyrrhos
De Intrepide (ex. Pyrrhos-03) (4420 apk, 374/98) is in Ronier hernoemd en zal naar Dakar vertrekken.
Ook de Provencal 4 (2700 apk, 299/73) zal later dit naar naar Dakar gaan, maar een nieuw naam is nog
niet bekend. (Source:Lawrence Amboldt)
Sun Thames
De Sun Thames heet nu H.T.Sword en zal op de Humber goedkopere sleepdiensten gaan verrichten dan
de moedermaatschappij. Een tweede sleepboot zal volgen, vermoedelijk de Lady Constance of de Lady
Elizabeth. (Source:Lawrence Amboldt)
Towage protestor on hunger strike
THE operations manager at would-be towage newcomer SNRH has gone on hunger strike at Le Havre in
an effort to force the French department of maritime affairs to allow his company to compete for business.
SNRH, an affiliate of the Dutch group Kotug, has spent the past six months trying to get the department to
issue an authorisation, but without success. The hunger strike, now in its fifth day, was followed on
Monday by protest action that sought to compare Le Havre’s stance with a Lenin-era port that banned
competition, and by three of the company’s tugs raising the profile by standing off the port entrance.
SNRH applied for a towage operator’s authorization in January but has been thwarted by concerns that
the company could not meet regulations regarding working hours and the number of staff employed.
SNRH rejects these allegations and suggests that the real reason is the threat by current monopoly
towage provider Les Abeilles that it would launch a nationwide port strike if a competitor was given the
green light at Le Havre. (Source: Clipping News)
Vroon Offshore Services orders DPII Diving Support Vessel at ABG Shipyard
Vroon Offshore Services has ordered a DP II Diving Support Vessel at the ABG yard in India for delivery
in 2nd quarter of 2008. The new vessel will be fully outfitted for Diving, ROV and Deepwater construction
operation. The vessel is equipped with a dynamic positioning system, 4 point mooring anchoring system,
external fire fighting system, helideck, moon pool, 50 tons crane and accommodation for 68 people Vroon
Offshore Services also has a 4 point mooring Diving Support Vessel on order at the same yard for delivery
in the late summer of 2006. In addition Vroon Offshore Services operates another 3 Diving Support
Vessels in the North Sea market. We strongly believe that the new vessel will further enhance the
Company's abilities in the Diving Support market and strengthen our market position. (Source: Clipping
News)
URS orders four new ASD tugs of 65TBP
On 21 June last URS signed a contract with the Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon SA for the building of
four ASD tugs of 65 TBP. These ASD tugs will be of the same type as the Union Coral – Union Pearl –
Union Ruby and Union Emerald. In the last decade, URS already took delivery of 6 Voith Schneider tugs
and 6 ASD tugs from this shipyard of which 4 ASD tugs came into service last year in the ports of Antwerp
and Zeebrugge. At present, 2 ASD tugs of 60TBP with a LOA of 25.00 m are under construction. (Source:
Clipping News)
Salvage tug expected at Tristan da Cunha to refloat grounded oil platform
The salvage tug Zouros Hellas was expected off Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean Thursday
to take over of the recovery of the semi submersible oil platform Petrobas XXl, which went aground on
the south-east of the island near Trypot Bay. The platform, which was being towed behind the tug Mighty
Deliverer from Brazil to Singapore via Cape Town, became separated in March during a patch of adverse
weather. Visual contact was maintained until mid May when further bad weather separated the two
vessels. A second tug Ruby Deliverer subsequently arrived to assist in locating the whereabouts of the
missing PXXl and to help secure a new tow but neither had any success – the rig had disappeared into
the vastness of one of the world’s emptiest oceans. That was the position until early June when a group of
islanders, visiting the largely uninhabited southeast of the island to round up cattle ahead of the coming
winter, came across a strange sight – an oil platform firmly aground on a sloping sandbank some 250m off
the rocky coast. After notifying the local authorities on the island the platform’s owners were informed that
Petrobas XXl was no longer missing. It was however firmly aground on what was originally believed to be
a reef but which is now thought to be a sandbank. A small diesel slick visible near the platform was also
reported. The platform is otherwise chemically inert and has noone aboard. The owners appointed SMIT
Salvage of South Africa to refloat PXXl and they have dispatched the tug Zouros Hellas which was
expected at the island 22 June. During the crossing extremely rough seas were encountered leaving many
of the tug’s crew stricken with seasickness. With the tug on the scene salvage operations are expected to
get underway, weather permitting – but possibly as early as this weekend. Once the platform has been
refloated the plan is to take it to Cape Town for a full survey and any necessary repairs before continuing
the interrupted voyage to Singapore. (Source: Clipping News)
7e jaargang, nr. 21
dd. 09 Juli 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Esnaad Buys Two Rolls Royce Tugs
The UK based Rolls Royce Group has sold two UT780 tugboats to the UAE's Esnaad, a unit of the Abu
Dhbai National Oil Company, according to agency reports. The boats, which will be able to handle high
temperatures, are being built in Indonesia and will be ready in Q1 2008. Although the value of the deal
was not disclosed, the purchases are the first part in a $200m fleet replacement program. (Source: AME
Info.)
Investors Cool on Adsteam Bid
Institutional shareholders of tugboat company Adsteam Marine remained mixed about the recommended
$700m all-cash takeover offer from Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk. Analyst Alexander Mees of
JP Morgan said some smaller investors were happy with the takeover bid, but larger shareholders
believed Adsteam was worth far more, fuelling hopes that a higher bid might be in the making. Adsteam
shares remained unchanged at $2.57 - slightly higher than the $2.54-a-share cash bid lodged by salvage
company SvitzerWijsmuller, a subsidiary of Maersk. Adsteam's largest shareholder, Investors Mutual, said
that while the offer represented a healthy premium, it was still below replacement value of Adsteam's 200
tugboats. It is said that analysts believed that a higher bid might emerge from other global tugboat
operators including Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchinson-Swire, Dutch-based Smit and Singaporean port
operator PSA. Another major shareholder with a 9 percent stake in Adsteam said that while it was a
reasonable offer, there was room to move. Under the terms of the Danish bid, Adsteam has given an
undertaking not to seek rival bids and would have to pay a break fee of $6.9 million if directors backed a
rival offer. The Danish offer is also subject to several conditions, including competition approvals in
Australia and Britain, and Foreign Investment Review Board approval. (Source: The Australian)
Openbaar bod SvitserWijsmuller op Adsteam
Vandaag is door SvitserWijsmuller A/S en Adsteam Marine Limited een gezamenlijk persbericht
uitgestuurd, waarin staat dat SvitserWijsmuller een openbaar bod tegen contanten heeft uitgebracht op
Adsteam (AUD 693 miljoen, ongeveer EUR 405 miljoen). SMIT is niet verrast over deze ophanden zijnde
transactie. Het bevestigt de verdere consolidatie in deze industrie, waar uiteindelijk 2 tot 3 spelers over
zullen blijven. Blijkbaar heeft SvitserWijsmuller als onderdeel van A.P. Moller Maersk Groep besloten in
deze tak van maritieme dienstverlening te willen blijven en het is dan logisch om door te groeien. SMIT
bouwt reeds een aantal jaren aan de ingezette groeistrategie gericht op acquisities en autonome groei in
wereldhavens (Harbour Towage) en de olie- en gasmarkt (Terminals). In dit kader is er in het verleden ook
gesproken met Adsteam. Echter SMIT richt zich met name op groei in Zuid-Amerika, het Midden- en Verre
Oosten, markten waarin Adsteam nauwelijks aanwezig is. Voorts is SMIT van mening dat de prijs die voor
Adsteam betaald wordt fors is. SMIT richt zich bij haar acquisities altijd op het creëren van
aandeelhouderswaarde en vindt een premie van rond de 30% boven de gemiddelde aandelenprijs hoog.
(Source: Smit)
A.P. Møller Maersk nu ook grootste havensleper
Met de overname van het Australische Adsteam Marine groeit de Deense containerrederij A.P. MøllerMaersk uit tot 's werelds grootste aanbieder van havensleepdiensten. De Rotterdamse sleper Smit
Internationale was eveneens gegadigde, maar kon de prijs voor Adsteam niet opbrengen.
Foto: Ben Wind
Møller betaalt voor Adsteam 402 miljoen euro. De Deense rederij voegt de Australische havensleper
samen met zijn bestaande dochterbedrijf SvitzerWijsmuller. Dit komt vrijwel neer op een verdubbeling van
de vloot van sleepboten. Concurrent Smit Internationale heeft het nakijken. 'Adsteam is een mooie club,
waar we ook mee gesproken hebben', verklaart divisiedirecteur Abel Dutilh van Smit Internationale. Maar
de prijs die Møller op tafel legt, kan Smit niet evenaren. 'Het is ondenkbaar dat wij ooit in die buurt zouden
komen. Het is veel geld, en het wordt ook nog in contanten voldaan. De zakken van Møller zijn wel heel
diep geworden. Ze zijn vastbesloten om in deze markt te groeien.' Analisten voorzien dat de overname
van Adsteam een nieuwe consolidatieronde in de sleepvaart inluidt. De koers van het aandeel Smit
Internationale schoot gisteren met 6,9 procent omhoog. Het Rotterdamse bedrijf is actief op het
overnamepad, maar staat ook zelf in de schijnwerpers. 'Het is mooi om zelfstandig te blijven, maar je
moet niet uitsluiten dat er een partij langskomt waarmee we het goed kunnen vinden.' Dutilh zegt dat er
'wel eens een balletje wordt opgeworpen' over overname van Smit, maar dat een transactie niet aan de
orde is. 'Het is wel duidelijk dat de buitenwacht vertrouwen heeft in onze filosofie.' Het bedrijf is druk op
zoek naar overnamekandidaten in Zuid-Amerika en West-Afrika. Het oog is gericht op landen als Brazilië,
Venezuela en Mexico, waar de olie- en gasproductie veel sleepwerk met zich meebrengt. Maar anders
dan Møller kiest Smit niet voor 'de grote klappers', maar geeft het de voorkeur aan 'kleinere clubjes' die
aansluiting zoeken bij een grote branchegenoot. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Aker Yards to Build Platform PSVs for Island Offshore
Aker Yards has signed a contract with Sneingen AS, a company within the Island Offshore Group in
Ulsteinvik, Norway, to deliver two UT 755 LN platform supply vessels. The value of the contract is
approximately $51.3m. This is the 19th contract between the shipowner, Island Offshore in Ulsteinvik and
Aker Yards. The hulls for the platform supply vessels will be built in Romania and the vessels will be
outfitted in Brevik. Delivery is scheduled for primo May and primo July 2008. (Source: Marinelink)
Keppel Secures Contracts for Icebreakers
Keppel Singmarine has clinched contracts worth a total of $164.3m for two highly essels from LUKOIL –
Kaliningradmorneft (LUKOIL), a subsidiary of Russian oil company, LUKOIL Oil Company. The parent
company of Keppel Singmarine, Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), has also signed an
agreement with LUKOIL for further co-operation in potential newbuilding of offshore rigs, special purpose
offshore facilities and vessels to service LUKOIL's offshore oil terminal vessels at Keppel O&M shipyards
around the world. The vessels will be delivered to their owner between end 2007 and mid 2008. To be
deployed to the Barents and Arctic Seas, these vessels are designed and will be built to the rules and
standards of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS), and are customised in accordance with
the owner’s stringent requirements and superior technical specifications. The 328-ft. auxiliary icebreaker
vessel will have equipment and system capabilities to work in temperatures down to –40oC and to
proceed through 1.7 metres of level ice with 20cm snow cover. The 81-metre long multi-purpose
icebreaking supply vessel can proceed through landfast ice having an unbroken thickness of up to 1.5
metres with 20cm snow cover. (Source: Marinelink)
Seabreeze June Newbuildings, Conversions, Sale & Purchase
Bold Sold To Solstad
Solstad Offshore have come to an agreement with North Sea Invest to purchase another construction
vessel. The 1999 built DP II Bold Endeavour is currently under 5 years term charter with DeepOcean
(which is a company that Solstad hold an interest in). Other details include an LOA of 129 metres and a
deck area of around 1,600 square metres.
Barry On The RAmpage
Barry Towage & Offshore SA, via Interconsult, are to build an anchor handler at the Astilleros Zamakona
shipyard in Spain. This company will construct a Robert Allan design— the Rampage 5000. Details
include bollard pull of 114 tons, LOA of 49.5 metres and a design draft of 4.75 metres.
Ostensjo Relax Grip On Vivax
Norwegian based shipowners Ostensjo Rederi have sold their 50 ton terminal tug Vivax to Eide Marine
Services AS. The Vivax had been a familiar sight to many in the Danish sector and beyond but will now be
renamed the Eide Master and will be engaged in inhouse activities. The Ostensjo personnel that were
onboard the Vivax have been deployed to other vessels.
Volstad Vote For Two More
Volstad Maritime have ordered two ST 256 L design DSV / ROV vessels. These will be built at the Fosen
Mek. Yard and will have an LOA of 107 metres and a beam of 22 metres. The contract is worth an
estimated 1.4 billion Kroner. Readers may remember that Volstad Maritime ordered a ST-256-L design
vessel last year too.
Texel Excels
June saw the arrival of DOF’s newbuild DP II MT 6009 PSV Skandi Texel from the Fitjar Mekaniske yard
in Norway. The vessel was so named because Texel is an island North of Den Helder in the Netherlands,
and the Skandi Texel has gained a five year contract with Peterson Supplylink, working out of Den Helder.
Norseman To Leave North Sea
Olympic Shipping have sold their ME 303 anchor handler Olympic Supplier. The vessel has been
purchased by Norwegian investors and renamed the Norseman. Hull based Specialist Marine Services
(SMS) are managing the vessel on behalf of these investors and the plan is for the vessel to work the
North Sea spot market until around 20th July at which time it will depart for a term charter working offshore
Brazil.
Having A Whale Of A Time With The Orca
Bourbon Offshore’s AX 104 with X-Bow delivered this month. The Bourbon Orca is the first of this design
to be delivered so Seabreeze sent our roving reporter Graeme Riddell to investigate during its christening
on the 24th June in Aalesund, Norway. Points to note about the Orca include, of course, the “X bow” or
inverted bow which is designed to improve the performance of the vessel and give greater comfort to the
crew. Other points are the diesel electric propulsion (the first anchor handler to be equipped with this
propulsion combined with azimuth thrusters) and the Safe Anchor Handling System which eliminates the
need for men on the aft deck during the most dangerous operations. We at Seabreeze wish it luck and are
sure it will set new standards on its term charter with Norsk Hydro.
A Construction Vessel Too Far
Farstad Shipping ASA are to build a UT 761 CD construction vessel at Aker Yards, Langsten. Farstad
have also got a long term charter with Saipem UK lined up for the DP III, large crane and A Frame
equipped vessel which is expected to deliver in the last quarter of 2008.
Deep Sea’s Decisions
Norwegian based shipowners Deep Sea Supply have been active on the sale and purchase market this
month. The first announcement advised that they had obtained a 20% stake in four new UT 755LN PSVs,
and will manage these vessels. These four are being built at Cochin Shipyards in India. The second bit of
news is that Deep Sea Supply have sold three of the 6,500 BHP anchor handlers that are currently being
built at the ABG shipyards, also in India. It is understood that the vessels may be converted for seismic
use but no mention of the buyers name has been advised.
URS Finalise For Four
Belgium based shipowners URS are to build four azimuth stern drive tugs at the Astilleros Armon SA
shipyard in Spain. The 65 ton bollard pull tugs will be familiar to some readers as they are identical to four
of their current tugs, the Union Coral, Pearl, Ruby and Emerald. Details include LOA of 33 metres, breadth
of 11 metres, max draught of 5.6 metres and a gross tonnage of 497 tonnes.
BHP Billiton Wield The Sword
Farstad’s newest addition, the UT 712 L anchor handler Far Sword made an appearance this month after
delivering from the Aker Brevik yard. The vessel is working the spot market in the North Sea for a short
time in June, before commencing a long term contract with BHP Billiton working out of Australia. The BHP
Billiton charter will involve the Far Sword supporting the Semi-submersible Atwood Eagle for a duration
330-420 days on the upcoming Stybarrow campaign. Farstad also have their UT 712 DP anchor handler
Lady Caroline supporting this program of work.
Seabird Flocks To The Sentinel
SeaBird Exploration Limited (a marine seismic company) have bought the Sentinel PSV from Gulf
Offshore. This vessel will provide additional data acquisition capability to the company after it has been
upgraded and converted to a controlled source and ocean bottom seismic vessel. It is estimated that the
vessel conversion will be completed early next year, with the total cost of the sale (including upgrade /
conversion) being US$ 20 million.
Havila & Havyard
Havila Shipping ASA are to build a new subsea construction vessel, called the Havyard 858 design.
Details of the vessel include a length of 110 metres, a breadth of 23 metres, Clean Class and a 275 ton
crane. Expected delivery is in May 2008. The deal is worth NOK 590 million to Havyard Leirvik AS, with
Havila also having an option for one equivalent vessel at the same price, delivering March 2009. Havila
have also announced they will convert the PSV Havila Harmony into a subsea vessel, with completion
expected in the first quarter of next year. The conversion will include the fitting of a 150 ton crane, helideck
and an increase in the quality of furnishing and cabins.
Vroon Have Got The Power
Vroon Offshore Services took delivery of the Vuyk Kenton design PSV Power Express this month. The
3859 mt deadweight vessel was built in China by the Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard Company and will begin
its term charter with Wintershall Noordzee once it arrives in the North Sea. The vessel has an LOA of 75
metres, 17.5 metres draft and 2 x 2,460 kilowatt engines. As a reminder, Vroon have two sister vessels
being built by the same yard (delivery Q4 2006 and Q1 2007) as well as a further two PSVs on order from
the Damen Shipyard in Galatz, Romania (due for delivery in 2007 and 2008). Vroon were also busy
ordering a DP II Diving Support Vessel from the ABG yard in India. Delivery is expected in the second
quarter of 2008 and the main details include 4 point mooring system, accommodation for 68 people,
helideck, moon pool and a 50 tons crane, fully outfitting the vessel for Diving, ROV and Deepwater
construction operations.
Commander Issues Orders
REM Maritime newbuild MT 6016 PSV Rem Commander delivered at the start of June after a christening
in Geiranger, Norway. The impressive looking vessel has now arrived in the Gulf of Mexico ready for its
long term charter with Global Industries, expected to commence mid July.
Scotia Undergoes Highland Clearance
Bourbon Offshore Norway AS have sold their ME 202 diesel electric PSV Bourbon Scotia. The vessel has
been sold to KBM Marine Services W.L.L. of Dubai. The 1982 built 2,900 ton, 2760 BHP vessel will work
primarily in the Middle East. The sale is in accordance with Bourbon Offshore Norway`s strategy to renew
the fleet. The average age for the remaining 18 vessels of Bourbon Offshore Norway is 4.95 years.
Tug owner seeks bulker arrest
The Indian owner of an anchor-handling tug which sank with the loss of at least 14 lives after it was struck
by a Cyprus-flagged bulk carrier on Thursday has begun legal proceedings against the bulker’s Greek
owners. Thirteen crew members were rescued but 14 bodies were recovered from the water with reports
that another body has been recovered, leaving up to five people still missing. The owner of the tug, Jaisu
Shipping of Kandla, has filed for a petition demanding the arrest of the Pontonostos, owned by Ocean
Freighters of Piraeus, and is also seeking INR 100m ($2.17m) in compensation. When TradeWinds
contacted Ocean Freighters on Tuesday and Wednesday it was told that all relevant employees were
“occupied” and so could not answer questions about the incident. An e-mail sent to Ocean Freighters by
TradeWinds on Tuesday requesting a phone call in return or another suitable time to call the Piraeus
office was not met with reply. An inquiry launched in the aftermath of the collision has now ended but the
vessel will not be allowed to leave port until all concerned parties, including police, the courts and
directorate general of shipping, are satisfied. The collision occurred as a dredging vessel was widening
and deepening the port channel. One source who has been in contact with Ocean Freighters speculated
that the dredger may have blinded both the tug and the bulker as they were underway at either side of the
dredger. The same source also hinted that if the tug was very close to the dredger before the collision
there may have only been one bleep on the radar system onboard the Pontonostos. A source at the
Kandla Port Trust indicated that both vessels were in the middle of the channel when the collision
occurred. Suresh Kewalramani, owner of Jaisu Shipping, however, claimed that the bulker left its
navigational path on the port side and came over to the starboard side of the narrow channel which has a
shallow draft. Kewalramani could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday. Kewalramani
further claimed that the crew onboard the Pontonostos did not immediately come to the assistance of the
crew of the stricken tug, claiming this is in violation of the international convention of SOLAS (safety of Life
at Sea). The Pontonostos is NK-classed and has insurance cover with the UK P&I club. (Source:
Clipping News)
Tweede sleepvaartbedrijf in Antwerpen
De Belgische sleepbootfirma URS, een gezamenlijke dochter van Smit en Fairplay, krijgt eind dit jaar
concurrentie in Antwerpen. Via een paginagrote advertentie in de krant De Standaard heeft een
internationale groep de vacature voor een algemeen directeur aangekondigd. De nieuwkomer is al actief
als sleepvaartbedrijf buiten Europa en wil op de Schelde vier sleepboten inzetten. Er wordt gestart met
een zestigtal werknemers. Algemeen wordt aangenomen dat PSA uit Singapore achter het nieuwe bedrijf
zit. Sollicitanten werden gevraagd te schrijven naar een selectiebureau in Breda. (Source: Clipping News)
7e jaargang, nr. 22
dd. .. Juli 2006
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Magnolia Honors All Of Its 'Mr. Lamptons'
Although more commonplace in the past, family-run companies are still fairly evident in today's barge and
towing industry. However, a company with five family members is-and was even years ago-a rarity. This
was brought to light recently when Magnolia Marine Transport Company dedicated its new towboat
June 23 in Vicksburg, Miss. The Vicksburg-based firm named the new boat Mr. Lampton after the four
Lampton brothers who are involved in the business. The fifth family member is their father, the still-active,
80-year-old founder and chairman of Magnolia Marine and its parent company, Ergon Inc. The 3,000 hp.
towboat was built by Nichols Propeller Company, Greenville, Miss. Magnolia Marine is the river
transportation arm of Ergon, which Les Lampton Jr. began in 1954 with one other employee to provide
bulk lube oil to drilling operations in southern and central Mississippi. He started Magnolia Marine three
years later with the leased vessel Jack T and three barges. The fledgling company transported No. 6 oil to
power and paper plants, working out of the garage apartment of then-general manager Mark Shurden in
Greenville. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Golding Barge Line Christens Two More New Towboats
Continuing the practice of christening its new boats on the fly, Golding Barge Line Inc. caught up with its
two newest vessels recently to properly anoint them during a brief respite from their rounds. The company
held what owner Steve Golding calls "working christenings," for the mv. Boyd Golding and the mv. John
Reid Golding, both recently delivered from Quality Shipyards LLC. Attended by family and employees,
the bottle breaking for the Boyd was conducted at Quality's yard in Houma, La., on May 31. For the John
Reid, it was staged at Memphis June 11. Previously, two other new boats, the Angie Golding and the
Stephen Austin Golding, were christened in similar fashion. The Vicksburg, Miss.-based barge line
operates a fifth towboat, the chartered Lori Johnson, and has two more on order that are scheduled for
delivery in mid-2007, one 2,000 hp. and one 3,000 hp. The boats match up to a fleet of 33 tank barges
with three new 30,000-barrel barges to come. "We made the decision a few years back to go with all-new
boats and barges," Golding commented. "The difference in technology, comfort and fuel efficiencies in
today's new boats is night and day from the equipment that was built in the '60s and '70s.". (Source: Jan
van der Doe)
ABG Shipyard Delivers Vessel
ABG Shipyard announced that it has delivered and transferred the vessel 61M Anchor Handling Tug /
Supply Vessel to Egypt based Maridive & Oil Services SAE. This is the first of the delivery to Maridive &
Oil by the Company, out of the total seven vessel building orders received from the Egypt based company.
(Source: Equity Bulls)
ASA, ISU Exchange Affiliate Memberships
Tuesday, July 11, 2006. The American Salvage Association (ASA) has been accepted as an Affiliate
Member of the International Salvage Union (ISU). In turn, the ISU has been accepted by the ASA as an
Affiliate Member as well. While operating on different continents, the ASA and the ISU have virtually the
same mission and engage in similar activities. Those include professionalizing the marine salvage
industry, protecting the sensitive marine environment, identifying places of refuge, and developing industry
Safety Standards. One of the ISU's primary objectives is to foster a wider understanding of the salvage
industry's contribution to environmental protection and the recovery of property. The ISU also plays an
active role in encouraging inter-industry debate concerning the many legal and commercial issues
influencing the efficient performance of salvage and pollution prevention services. A key objective of ASA
is to encourage the promulgation of long-awaited U.S. Coast Guard regulations for marine salvage and
fire-fighting. The two organizations also share a number of members, including Bisso Marine, Crowley
Marine, Donjon Marine, SMIT Salvage, and Titan, A Crowley Company. The relationship between the ASA
and the ISU is one of mutual respect, understanding and friendship, said George Wittich, ASA President.
(Source: Jan van der Doe)
Lafarge Dedicates New ATB
Monday, July 10, 2006. Lafarge dedicated a new articulated tug-barge (ATB) on June 5 as the latest
addition to its Great Lakes fleet. The Samuel de Champlain tug and Innovation barge were built and are
owned by American Transport Leasing Inc., a subsidiary of Lafarge. The new vessel will transport cement
and cementitious materials among 17 Lafarge facilities throughout the Great Lakes, including its terminal
on the Cleveland waterfront. The articulated design represents a significant advance over conventional
tugs and barges. The tug fits into a notch at the stern of the barge, where hydraulic connections allow
them to dip and rise independently. The design makes the vessel more maneuverable than conventional
tug-barge combinations, especially in adverse weather conditions. The new combination of the Samuel de
Champlain and Innovation forms Lafarge's second articulated tug-barge. The first, the G.L. Ostrander
tug and Integrity barge, went into service in 1996. Other recent improvements in the region's distribution
network include a new state-of-the-art cement terminal in Detroit, an upgrade to its production facilities at
its plant in Alpena, MI and added storage capacity at Columbus, OH. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Note from source:
Bovenstaand bericht over de nieuwe boot voor LaFarge is niet helemaal juist. Op een typisch
Amerikaanse wijze hebben ze de aandacht weer op zich zelf gericht. De "Samuel de Champlain" is de
voormalige "Vortice" die op de Atlantische Oceaan ronddreef na een brand in de opbouw/accomodatie.
Is toen naar Italie (Triest) gesleept en later naar Hamilton, ON. Heeft daar enkele jaren gelegen bij McKeil
Workboat en is verkocht naar de VS (werf) als "Norfolk" en weer te voorschijn gekomen in deze nieuwe
gedaante. Heeft ook gevaren als "Tender Panther" voor Wilhelmsen en "Marquerita" voor Ugland
Maritrans Fleet Utilization Down in 2Q
Monday, July 10, 2006. AP has reported that Maritrans Inc., which operates a fleet of tugs, barges and oil
tankers, said preliminary fleet utilization for the second quarter declined to 77.5 percent from 81.8 percent
in the same period last year. The company said refinery out-of-service time was unusually high during the
first half of the year because of maintenance turnarounds, retooling and outages from the 2005 hurricane
season. Matritans said idle time for its spot clean product fleet declined from the first quarter but was
higher than in the second quarter of 2005. The company expects to report 140 vessel days of out-ofservice time for maintenance and capital projects for its ships. During the year-ago period, the company
reported 154 days of out-of-service time. source: AP (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Crescent Towing Captains Honored
Thursday, July 13, 2006. Crescent Towing/New Orleans captains received Citations of Merit awards on
July 12 at the NOLA Port Safety Consul meeting. USCG Commanding Officer and Captain of the Port of
New Orleans, Capt. Frank M. Paskewich, presented the award. The Crescent Towing Captains were
recognized by the COTP because of the professional efforts put forth in face of Hurricane Katrina's fury.
Award recipients include: Capt Arnona, Capt. Breaux, Capt. Cain, Capt Cascio, Capt. Domangue, Capt.
Doyle, Capt. Ferniz, Capt. Jones, Capt Murley, Capt. Schmitt, Capt. Schwartz, Capt. Sylvester, Capt.
Trosclair, Capt. Wright (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Anchor Handling Tug From South China
Thursday, July 13, 2006. Formerly a state owned shipyard, the Guangdon Xinhui Shipyard in Jianmen,
Guangdong China has recently been renamed South China Shipyard (SCS) after being purchased by the
Hong Kong based firm South China Shipbuilding Holdings (HK) Ltd. The yard is currently building two
42x11-m anchor handling tugs with twin Cummins QSK60 main engines delivering 2200 hp each
at 1800 RPM with Reintjes WAF763 gears with 5.75:1 reduction. Each vessel will also be fitted with
Cummins QSM11-powered 240 kW gen sets. The vessel will be fitted with a double-drum electric over
hydraulic anchor handling and towing winch with a 65 MT line pull and a 180MT brake holding capacity.
Optional provision has been designed in for both bow and stern thrusters. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Actie om meer loon bij Muller Dordrecht.
Negen van de achttien werknemers,vooral kapiteins, van rederij Muller Dordrecht hebben 10 juli 24 uur
gestaakt. Het bedrijf kon volgens directeur Bram Muller geen duw- en sleepdiensten verrichten in
Dordrecht en Moerdijk. Bestuurder Cees Bos van FNV Bondgenoten hoopte met de acties in de CAOonderhandelingen meer loonsverhoging af te dwingen. De FNV eist per jaar twee procent salarisverhoging
en meer inkomenszekerheid bij ziekte en arbeidsongeschiktheid. Directeur Muller noemt de acties zeer
schadelijk en onnodig. ‘Ik bied namelijk meer dan FNV Bondgenoten vraagt: één procent loonsverhoging
en een automatische prijscompensatie van 1,7 procent. Dat is bij elkaar toch 2,7 procent?’. (Source:
Schuttevear)
De Hoop levert zeeslepers versneld af.
Scheepswerf De Hoop in Lobith levert nog voor de vakantie twee dertig meter lange en tien meter brede
ijsversterkte (klasse 1B) zeeslepers met duwkop op, de Iskander en de Alpays. Dat is twee maanden
eerder dan de bedoeling was. De schepen zijn ontworpen voor offshorewerk in de ondiepe delen van de
Kaspische Zee, die ’s winters vier maanden dichtvriezen. Ze zijn gebouwd in opdracht van de
Kazakstaanse rederij Caspian Offshore Construction (COC). (Source: Schuttevear)
Marine News WSS reports
Kiboko, (Strongbow – 81) 391/77 –tug, By Kenia Ports Authority, to Alba Petroleum Ltd., both Kenya and
renamed Strongbow.
Mataf Master, (Yousef Alganim-30 – 04, Jaberi – 04), 524/77 – tug. By Al Mataf Shipping LLC, North
Korea to Bahregan Marine Services Co.Ltd., Iran and renamed Bahregan 4.
Nawress (Bakassi – 95) 278/79 – offshore supply. By La Societe dÁssistanse et de Ravitaillement
Offshore Tunesie (SAROST), Tunisia to Bambini S.r.l., Italy and renamed Maestrale Terzo.
Ocean Coral, 73/04 – tug. By Intone Pte.Ltd. Singapore to Archirodon Construction Overseas Co. S.A.
St.Vincent and the Grenadines and renamed Androklis IV.
Ocean Topaz, 73/04 – tug. By Intone Pte.Ltd. Singapore to Archirodon Construction Overseas Co. S.A.
St.Vincent and the Grenadines and renamed Androklis III.
Pacific Oak, 783/82 – offshore tug/supply. By Swire Pacific Offshore Operations Pte.Ltd. Singapore to
Mermaid Offshore Services Ltd. Thailand and renamed Mermaid Performer.
Ryan (C.M.Hoffe – 94) 522/77 – tug. By Svitzer Marine Ltd. St.Vincent and the Grenadines to Al-Jazeera
Shipping Co. WLL Bahrain and renamed Heracles.
Sea Force (Tony Bay – 95, Oil Supplier – 90, Mantarraya – 90, Oil Supplier – 84) 865/72 – offshore
tug/supply. By Zakher Marine Oilfield Services Establishment, UAE to Queen Tower Marine & Oil
Services, Georgia and renamed Qtmos 1.
Seabulk Vermont (China Seal – 96) 911/77 – offshore supply. By Seabulk Offshore Ltd. To Centurion
Marine Offshore LLC, both USA and renamed Vermont.
7e jaargang, nr. 23
dd. 23 Juli 2006
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Foss Maritime Acquires Constellation Tug
Foss Maritime Company, the Seattle-based marine services company, announced that it is expanding into
the American East Coast market with the acquisition of Constellation Tug Company of Charlestown, Mass.
With the planned introduction of new, technologically advanced tractor tugs to the Constellation fleet, the
company will increase its capacity and capabilities, and improve service for its Boston Harbor and
Massachusetts Bay customers. Foss has agreed to acquire the equipment, assets and trade names of
Constellation Tug Company of Charlestown, MA and will operate the company as a subsidiary under the
name Constellation Maritime Company. The current leadership of Constellation will continue to manage
the company when it becomes a subsidiary of Foss. Marc Villa, a partner at Constellation Tug, has been
named President of the company, and the other partners at Constellation Tug – Conti Coluntino, Jeff
Nichols and Bob Manning – have also accepted management positions. Constellation currently operates
four tugs and three barges, providing ship assist and marine services in the ports of Boston, Quincy and
Salem. In late 2006, two tractor tugs will join the Constellation fleet, including one of the Foss-built new
DOLPHIN class ASD tractor tugs with 5000 hp and 65 short tons of Bollard pull. (Source: Marinelink)
Havila Fortune sold
July 20, 2006 KS Havila Fortune, a 30 per cent owned company that is
part of Havila Shipping, has sold Havila Fortune to Boa Offshore AS. The 1992-built UT706 PSV was
owned 100 per cent by Havila in the period from February 2005 to September 2005. Delivery of the vessel
has taken place. The price of the vessel was based on market terms, and will give Havila Shipping ASA a
book profit of approximately NKr 15 million. (Source: Leo Kramer)
TS Marine signs three-year vessel charter
July 20, 2006 TS Marine has confirmed that it has entered into an
agreement with Havila to charter Havila Harmony DP2 MPSV. The charter is for a period of three years
with 2 x 1 year options. Major upgrades are planned prior to delivery to TS Marine. These include a 150
tonne heave compensated knuckleboom crane, moonpool, helideck and extended accommodation. Havila
Harmony is due for delivery to TS Marine in March 2007. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Historic tug parts to help restore vessel in Kingston
Saturday, July 22, 2006 KINGSTON — Parts of the New York Central No. 16, a rotting icon on Cape Cod,
will be transported to Kingston next week, sparing the historic tugboat from demolition, CVS/pharmacy
announced Friday. The tugboat has drawn attention in recent weeks, as CVS moves forward on plans to
build a drug store where the boat now sits. Originally built in 1886 to ply New York Harbor, it has served
for nearly a quarter century as a gateway landmark to Cape Cod since being rescued from a Staten Island
scrap heap. Embedded in concrete, its top half sits about a mile from shore, where it has helped lure
visitors to a number of restaurants in Bourne, Mass., over the years. Steve Trueman restores tugboats
and other historic vessels in anticipation of opening the North River Tugboat Museum on the Rondout
Creek. He will cut up the boat, and truck the salvageable parts to Kingston. He'll use them to restore a
sister ship, the New York Central No. 3. "I'd like to take all the stuff off that New York Central boat and put
it on our New York Central boat and have one running New York Central boat," Trueman said.
Some of the best parts of the No. 16 — its upper deck, wheelhouse, smokestack and masts — match the
worst parts of the No. 3, Trueman said. Trueman said he could complete the restoration within a year.
Charles Schneider of Raynham, Mass., has been the leading proponent of preservation. McAllister Towing
and Transportation Co. agreed to transport the tug to Bayonne, N.J., where local officials would make it
part of a waterfront park. But Schneider has yet to find anyone who will transport the tug from the CVS
land to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy on the water. Schneider and Trueman had agreed if the
boat could not be saved whole by CVS's Aug. 1 deadline, Trueman would salvage the parts. Still hoping to
save boat Schneider hasn't given up on saving the boat whole, despite the announcement Friday that
CVS and Trueman had come to an agreement. "We've lost too many of these things," Schneider said.
"The maritime history in this country has received too little attention and too many historic vessels have
been lost." CVS spokesman Mike DeAngelis wouldn't comment on that hypothetical, but he praised
Schneider's commitment. "We consider this good news because this agreement with the museum is going
to put a steam-powered tugboat back in the water. (Trueman's) plan was the only one that promised to do
that." (Source: Leo Kramer)
Ahoy, SmitWijs Singapore Reports.
Na een paar dagen bergingsstation dicht onder de kust van Scheveningen, waarbij de vissers aan boord
zeer fortuinlijk waren en ruim 60 kg makreel uit het water haalden, ging Smitwijs Singapore 16 juli anker
op voor een grotere vis in de Noord Atlantische Oceaan. De met bentonite geladen bulk carrier "Federal
Elbe", bouwjaar 2003 in China, was onderweg van Halifax naar Saoedi Arabie. Op 10 juli, 240 mijl Oost
van de Grand Banks of Newfoundland brak de roerkoning en raakte het stuurloos. Een poging van een
ander schip van de maatschappij om het te verslepen faalde en hulp van de "professionals" werd
ingeroepen. Na binnen 6 dagen ruim 2000 mijl afgelegd te hebben bereikte Smitwijs Singapore op 22 juli
de driftende Federal Elbe. De sleepverbinding werd gemaakt en binnen 2 uur was de Smitwijs Singapore
met de Federal Elbe aan de sleeptros weer onderweg, bestemming Portugal. Een afstand van 1550 mijl,
voor de Smitwijs Singapore. Voor de Federal Elbe wordt de afstand ruimschoots meer, want deze zwalkt
van BB naar SB achter ons. Het ene moment ligt het koers richting IJsland en 15 minuten later ligt het
koers naar Kaapstad. De snelheid varieert tijdens het gieren van 5'9 tot 10'2. De verwachting is dat 30 juli
het transport in Setubal aankomt. De lading van de Federal Elbe wordt daar gelost en daarna gaat het
onfortuinlijke schip het droogdok in om de roerschade te herstellen. De Smitwijs Singapore gaat, na het
vullen van de brandstoftanks, op weg richting Golf van Mexico voor een sleepreis. Of een volgend jop.
(source: Kapitein Kees Pronk en bemanning)
Eckstein Marine Service Adds Mv. Ave Maria To Fleet
The Ave Maria, a 2,000 hp pushboat, left Quality Shipyard in Houma, La., June 23 and became the 30th
boat in the fleet of Eckstein Marine Service of Harahan, La. It is a sister ship to the Redeemer, which was
launched late last year. Vaughn McDaniel, Eckstein vice president of human resources, said three more
boats are under construction as the firm continues to modernize its fleet of boats, which push barges with
both dry cargo and petroleum products. The Saviour, the 10th boat Eckstein has built at Quality Shipyard,
is scheduled for a December 2006 delivery. “Quality has done a remarkable job, staying on schedule and
delivering two boats last year despite the hurricanes,” McDaniel said. Two additional boats are being built
at LaForce Shipyard in Bayou la Batre, Ala. One will be named the St. Jude Thaddeus; the second is not
yet named. That will bring the fleet back to 33 boats. Eckstein sold two older boats recently. McDaniel said
35 is a target number for company vessels, with about two-thirds on charter and one-third in “tramp”
service. Eckstein had marine architect Corning Townsend design the Ave Maria and Redeemer with more
crew comfort in mind, including satellite television in each stateroom and an extra deck that will provide
better visibility over the tow. The extra deck houses the captain’s stateroom and head…. (source: J van
der Doe)
7e jaargang, nr. 24
dd. 31 Juli 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Eymard Bros. Towing Adds Pushboat, Yard
Eymard Bros. Towing Company of Harvey, La., took delivery of its new 1,725 hp. mv. Caleb J. Eymard
recently. The 60- by 28- by 9.5-foot pushboat was purposely built with a short hull because it is slated to
do fleeting work in the Mississippi River, where the company has a contract to supply three tugs for ADM,
said company president Gary Eymard Sr. Eymard and his son Gary Jr. did much of the work on their
three-deck boat at L&L Marine’s yard. The boat has triple Guascor 180 engines that develop 575 hp.
each, mated to 6:1 Twin Disc 5222 reduction gears, supplied by Stewart Supply. Eymard said he installed
Yanmar 40 kw. gensets from Laborde Products in Covington, La., for electrical power. He said he is also
using Laborde Products to supply a new Mitsubishi engine to replace a blown 16v92 engine in one of his
other tugs, the mv. Jana Marie. Although the mv. Caleb J. Eymard (named for his grandson) was
designed with six berths, the boat is a “dinner-bucket” boat because the crews normally go home at
night…. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Zuhai Shipyard Completes Construction on Tugs
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Zuhai Shipyard recently finished construction of two tugs. The two latest vessels are 30 x 9-m with a 4.1molded depth with a 615-ton displacement. The SOLAS-equipped ABS-classed vessels have 550-m/m
frame spacing. A plum and fendered bow stem extends to the water line of the raked forward hull section.
Accommodation is provided for 12 crewmembers. Tankage is provided for 280 cu. m. of fuel and 50 cu. m.
of water. A pair of 80 kW gen sets provides electrical power. Propulsion power is provided by a pair of
Cummins KTA38 M2 mains each delivering 1200 hp at 1800 RPM. The engines turn 2000-m/m propellers
in nozzles through Reintjes gears with 5.95:1 ratios. This power gives a design free running speed of ten
knots and a 30-ton bollard pull. Rexroth supplied the electric over hydraulic steering. On deck, a pair of
large line storage reels flanks a 30-ton towing hook. The towing hook is fitted with an emergency release
that can be activated from the aft controls in the wheelhouse. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Smit Jamaica
De nieuwe sleepboot van Smit voor Argentinie, de Smit Jamaica, vertrekt morgen vanuit de Waalhaven
naar zee. Zij zal in de haven van Buenos Aires worden ingezet voor havensleepdiensten. De Smit
Jamaica is een type ASD 2810 tug. Zij is gebouwd onder toezicht van Lloyds Register of Shipping bij de
Scheeswerf van Damen te Gorinchem onder bouwnummer 511509. De sleepboot heeft een lengte van
28,67m een breedte van 10,43m en een diepgang van 4,60m met een displacement van 541 ton.
Twee Caterpillar motoren met een totaal vermogen van 4930 bhp bij 1600 omw. Afgegeven via Rolls Roys
Azimuth Thrusters geven haar een snelheid van13,8 knots. Het trekvermogen van deze sleper is 59,3 ton
vooruit en 56,1 ton achteruit. De Smit Jamaica is de derde sleper met deze naam die bij Smit heeft
gevaren. (Source: Hans van der Ster)
Smit Barracuda
Vandaag is de Smit Barracuda aan haar trails begonnen vanuit de Scheurhaven in Europoort. De Smit
Barracuda is de tweede voor Smit Transport Europe BV uit een serie van drie. De eerste Smit Bronco
vaart momenteel vanuit IJmuiden. De derde sleepboot wordt de Smit Bison. (Source: Hans van der Ster)
7e jaargang, nr. 25
dd. 06 August 2006
_______________________________________________________________
England goes Italy
The Smit Engeland was handed over at Las Palmas on August 3, 2006 to her new owners Cooperativa
Rimorchiatori Ancona Soc. Coop. a.r.l. te Ravenna, Italië and renamed Geco. (Source: Neeltje Snoei)
Sales Announcement "PAULA V"
" Balboa Marine Leasing, LLC, Irvine, CA has sold its US Flag 4,000BHP twin screw tug "PAULA V" (ex Victor J. Guidry) to US Gulf Coast Buyers on a private and confidential basis. The vessel was idle in So.
Louisiana and in a partial state of rebuilding, by her former Owner, after being stricken by a fire in Fall
2001 while being delivered to the US West Coast from the US Gulf. The new Owner intends to complete
the rebuild and to re-power the vessel from her original STORK-WERKSPOOR main engines with more
modern diesels. The vessel was originally built in 1975 by Avondale SY in Mobile, AL and she was in the
process of being rebuilt (after the fire) to her original ABS +A1 Class for hull and machinery. The vessel
has a raised focstle bow, and her dimensions are 110' x 32' x 17.5' depth of hull, and she is fitted with a
Smatco 55 DTDT-170 double drum towing winch, with 150,000# of line pull. Her fuel capacity is 78,000
gallons and she has quarters for 8 persons. She will be engaged in various general and dedicated towing
duties for her new Owner in the US Gulf. Marcon acted as sole broker in this transaction between the
Buyer and the Seller. " (Source: Clipping News)
Fortune sold
KS Havila Fortune, a 30 per cent owned company that is part of Havila Shipping, has sold Havila Fortune
to Boa The 1992-built UT706 PSV was owned 100 per cent by Havila in the period from February 2005 to
September 2005. Delivery of the vessel has taken place. The price of the vessel was based on market
terms, and will give Havila Shipping ASA a book profit of approximately NKr 15 million. (Source: Clipping
News)
Harms christening AHT Magnus
Op vijdag 4 augustus 2006 heeft in Cuxhaven de doop plaatsgevonden van de nieuwe AHT voor Harms
Offshore uit Hamburg. Het schip kreeg de naam MAGNUS. Het zusterschip dat TAURUS zal gaan heten
wordt naar verwachting in November 2006 in de vaart genomen. Beide schepen werden/worden gebouwd
door de Muetzelfeldtwerft in Cuxhaven. Bijzonder is dat de schepen geheel op de werf worden gebouwd.
Geen kant-en-klare romp of elders gebouwde secties. De belangrijkste gegeven zijn: length o.a. 58,47 m beam o.a. 14,80 m – depth to maindeck 7,65 m - draught 5,80 m. Bollard pull min 200 t cont. at 14.000
kw. Main towing wire 1600 m 76 mm dia - spare wire 1200 m. Main engines 2 x MAN B&W 14V32/40 14.000 kw at 750 rpm. Speed 18 kn. Class GL +100 A5 E2 Deep Sea Tug. DP2 Nautronix. Accomodatie
voor 23 personen. De Muetzelfeldtwerft en Harms maakten tevens bekend dat de contracten voor nog
eens 4 boten definitief zijn getekend. 2 stuks van 220 ton bp en 2 stuks van 280 ton bp. Oplevering in
respectievelijk 2007 en 2008. (Source:Dammis van Dijk)
Lady Elizabeth renamed.
The Adsteam tug Lady Adsteam has been renamed HT Sabre (Source:Lawrence Amboldt)
Seabreeze July Report
Market Round-up / Newbuildings, Conversions, Sale & Purchase
Nexen Need North Stream
Nexen have chartered the Gulf Offshore UT 745 North Stream for 21 months firm. This term contract is
for support of the Borgsten Dolphin semi-submersible and is expected to begin at the end of August / early
September this year. The 950 square metre deck PSV will likely work the spot market until the Nexen term
contract commences.
TS Marine Take Two
Further to last month’s article (“Havila & Havyard”), TS Marine (Contracting) Ltd have term chartered the
Havila Harmony from Havila Shipping ASA. Last month we reported the vessel was to be converted from
PSV to subsea vessel with expected completion in March 2007. The recently announced term charter,
based in Australian waters, with TS Marine begins immediately after completion and the period is three
years firm with 2 x 1 year options. Total value of the option including options is around USD 73 million. TS
Marine have also been busy with Norwegian shipowners Rem Maritime. Rem’s newbuild MT 6016 that is
likely to be named Rem Etive has been chartered by the Aberdeen based company for five years firm with
two 1 year options. Expected delivery of the vessel from the Kleven shipyard is mid April 2007 and the TS
Marine contract will begin thereafter. It will be used for various projects and contracts including work with
Weatherford Inc. The Rem Etive will be able to carry out diverless subsea decommissioning and
intervention activities, rigless well intervention services, wellhead and subsea infrastructure abandonment,
subsea tree changeout and subsea construction support activities.
AP Moller’s Move For More
Danish based AP Moller look to be close to nearly doubling their presence in the global tug and port
support business when Australia based Adsteam Marine accepted their DKr 2billion (US$515 million)
takeover offer. This would add 150 tugs to their present fleet of 190 tugs. The deal is still conditional upon
various subjects being lifted including UK competition authority approval.
Solstad’s Indian Summer
India based Reliance Industries Ltd have term chartered several vessels from Solstad Offshore ASA in a
deal worth 345 million NOK for the firm periods alone. The Normand Drott and Normand Jarl anchor
handlers have been fixed for 14 wells firm (est. Duration 3 years) beginning in direct continuation of their
current contracts with Reliance which is expected to be in August 2006. Furthermore the Normand Trym
anchor handler is expected to commence a two years firm plus one year option charter with Reliance in
November / December this year.
Queen Reigns For Another Year
Trico Supply were delighted to announce that their ME 202 PSV Northern Queen has been extended until
October 2007 with Dutch based Peterson Supplylink. The vessel has been on charter working in their
North Sea Dutch Sector pool since July 1998. Seabreeze learns that Dave Henderson and the boys have
become rather attached to working down there and were more than happy to spend another year working
with their Dutch friends. More than 4,600 days without an LTI speaks for itself...
Valour Gets Shell’s Votes
Gulf Offshore (N.S.) Ltd UT 722 L anchor handler Highland Valour was fixed to aid Shell Europe in their
summer rig move programme. The contract enables Shell to use the 180 ton bollard pull anchor handler
for work in the UK, Dutch and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea as well as over in Irish waters. The
period of this charter is 28 days firm plus 14 daily options thereafter. By the time you read this story, it is
likely the anchor handler will have carried out at least two rig moves for the Anglo-Dutch oil super major.
Her name is Rio... ♪___ ♫
No, fortunately Duran Duran have not re-released their famous Rio single… In fact Norwegian shipowners
District Offshore (DOF) have agreed a two year contract with Petrobras. The Brazilian state oil company
will take delivery of the newbuild Skandi Rio Gary Kennedy of DOF) upon delivery in October 2006. Total
contract value is around US$ 24 million.
Danis Delivers
Norwegian shipowners Siem Rovde AS received their newbuild VS 470 MK II Siem Danis this month. The
PSV was built at the Aker Aukra yard in Norway and its main details include DP II, LOA of 73.4 metres,
680m2 deck area and full underdecks. Technip have term chartered this vessel for various duties so we
are unlikely to see this PSV available on the spot market until October this year.
DOF Decide On Aker Cracker
DOF ASA, through their subsidiary DOFCON ASA, are to build a large construction vessel called an Aker
OSCV 06. They have signed a contract with Aker Yards to build in the Aker Yards of Brazil, in a deal worth
around NOK 720 million. Main details of the design include LOA of 128 metres, DP III and a 250 tonnes
offshore crane. This is the fourth vessel of this design being built for DOF and expected delivery of this
one is in May 2009.
Nomis Purchase Patrol
US based shipowners Tidewater have sold their PSV Estay Tide to Nomis Shipping. The vessel will be
reclassed in America and then converted in Hull (UK) to a UK Class B ERRV and renamed the Dea Patrol
Nomis expect this addition to be available to them in UK waters by mid October.
Citation Sighted
United States based shipowners Ryan Marine Services Inc are to expand their crew and utility boat fleet to
include a Four-Point anchor vessel called the RMS Citation. This boat will be delivered to Ryan Marine
Services in August after completing an 8 month rebuild and re-commissioning of the former Caldive vessel
Mr Sonny. Details include LOA of 177 feet, 2700 square feet deck, accommodation for 28 passengers, a
completely refurbished galley, a moon pool and a 35 ton Pettibone pedestal crane. It is understood the
vessel will be marketed for research, ROV, diving and salvage operations.
I’ve Seen A Dina
The UT 705 PSV Myklebusthaug Offshore AS owned Aquarius has been renamed the Dina Aquarius. The
1991 built vessel, managed by Gulf Offshore Norge AS, now has a Norwegian flag and has been
reregistered in Bergen. It is understood that the “Dina” is a reference to the owner’s grandmother. Dina
Aquarius remains on its term charter with Saipem throughout the summer.
Two More New Islands To Be Built
Norwegian shipowner Island Offshore have contracted Aker Yards to build two new UT 755LN platform
supply vessels. The deal is worth US$52 million and planned delivery for the two are in May and July
2008. Aker’s Brevik yard will fit out the vessels but the hulls will be built in Romania.
Advantage Avant
Norwegian based Eidesvik Shipping are building another vessel for Statoil with the design based on the
VS 493 LNG Avant PSV Viking Avant. The unmistakeable looking ship will be fuelled by LNG, reducing
nitrogen oxide and carbon emissions. The NOK 370 million vessel will be used to transfer supplies from
Statoil’s Kristiansund logistics base to platforms in the Halten / Nordland area. Delivery from Eidesvik’s
Westcon Shipyard in Olen is scheduled for Autumn 2007.
Deep Sea Supply
Norwegian shipowners Deep Sea Supply ASA have acquired a newbuilding contract from
Skipsaksjeselskapet Sunnmøre Rederi AS for a Havyard 842 anchor handler costing NOK 252.5 million.
The vessel will be built at Havyard, deliver in September 2008 and have a bollard pull of 200 tons.
So Near And Yet So Far
Farstad Shipping newbuild UT 712 L anchor handler Far Stream (pictured c/o Farstad) delivered in July.
The DP 2 vessel with nearly 16,000 BHP and deck area of 540 m2 achieved 186 tons bollard pull (with
azimuth thruster) after delivery from the Simek yard in Flekkefjord, Norway. It is understood that Farstad
intend to use the vessel on the spot market for the foreseeable future.
Farstad Plough Into New Segment
Farstad Shipping ASA announced they have entered into a contract with Aker Yards and Saipem UK Ltd.
Aker will build a UT 761 CD construction vessel (pictured below, equipped with DP 3, large construction
crane and A Frame) at a cost of around NOK 850 million. This 350 tons bollard pull vessel will be used for
a long term service contract with Saipem for plough trenching of pipelines and for subsea operations in
ultra deep waters. The vessel delivers in December 2008 and the service contract, beginning in January
2009, has a minimum five year firm period but there is an option to change the firm period up to ten years.
In fact Saipem have options to extend the contract with 5 x 1 year beyond the firm period. It should be
noted that the above project is the largest in Farstad Shipping’s history and is the first that Farstad are
building against this particular market segment.
Bibby Get Busy
Aberdeen based subsea contractor Bibby Offshore Ltd are to build their second newbuild diving support
vessel. The vessel will be named the Bibby Topaz (graphic below) and will be built in Norway with delivery
expected in July next year. The main details include an LOA of 107 metres, a twin diving bell, 18 man dive
system rated to 300 metres water depth, heave compensated 150 tn crane, accommodation for 106
persons and a working deck area of 1000 metres. Although the vessel will be targeted at the North Sea
market, it will be capable of operating worldwide.
Gulf Invite Invincible
Gulf Offshore have been awarded management of Fratelli D’Amato SpA’s newbuild UT 755L PSV FD
Invincible. The DP II, FiFi 1 PSV will be UK flagged, crewed by Gulf Offshore personnel and will deliver
from Ravenna shipyard in Italy on the 26th August. The FD Invincible is currently available for charter and
we at Seabreeze are sure some lucky charterer will snap her up.
SEIC Hang On For Endurance
Swire Pacific’s first icebreaking and supply vessel Pacific Endurance delivered this month from the Aker
Langsten yard in Norway. The UT 758 design proceeded to Singapore and will shortly begin a fifteen year
charter with SEIC at Sakhalin, carrying out production support.
Thor Thunders Into The Faroes
P/F Thor, based in Hosvik in the Faroe Islands currently own and manage 22 vessels mostly engaged in
fishing. However since 1997 the company has become increasingly involved with chase/guard vessels,
cable lay and seismic support. They have just announced a major development in the form of a
newbuilding order for a 55 m Support/ Chase-ship to be built at local yard, P/F Torshavnar Skipasmioja.
Construction will commence this autumn with delivery scheduled for November next year. The value of the
contract is Kr 75,165,000 and foreign subcontractors will be utilised to assist with the steelwork while the
Faroese carry out installation work and fitting-out. Diesel electric machinery will drive 2 x Aquamaster
azimuthing propulsion units. The vessel will be multipurpose having a bollard pull of 19 tons, 320m2 deck
cargo area and crew transfer capability. This new order demonstrates Thor’s confidence in the future of
the Faroese offshore sector where Statoil have just spudded a well with the Stena Don, and where BP
plan a well next summer and Eni a well in 2008. This follows an absence of drilling rigs in the area since
summer 2003.
Keppel Have All The Lu(c)k
Keppel Singmarine Pte were celebrating this month after winning a bid to build two highly specialised
vessels for Lukoil—a deal worth US$ 164.1 million. They are to build an auxiliary icebreaker vessel as well
as a multi purpose icebreaking supply vessel. Delivery of the vessels (the first such vessels to be built at
an Asian yard) are between end 2007 and mid 2008. The auxiliary vessel will have an LOA of 100 metres
and be capable of working in temp.s as low as –40 degrees Celsius. It should also be able to travel
through 1.7 metres of level ice with 20 centimetres of snow cover. The supply vessel will be shorter (LOA
of 81 metres) and will be able to get through landfast ice of up to 1.5 metres unbroken thickness with 20
centimetres of snow cover.
Fortune Favours The Brave
BOA Offshore have purchased the UT 706 Havila Fortune from fellow Norwegian shipowners Havila
Shipping AS. It is understood that the deal is worth around NOK 120 million. The vessel is still currently
trading the North sea spot market.
Garware Getting Bigger
Garware Offshore Services Ltd have four PSVs on order at present. The first delivers in October this year
(and has a term charter with Transocean), the second in April 2007, the third in March 2008 and the last at
the end of 2008.
Deep Sea Supply acquires AHTS contract
Deep Sea Supply ASA in Norway has acquired a newbuilding contract from Skipsaksjeselskapet
Sunnmøre Rederi AS for an anchor handling tug supply vessel. The expected delivery date is September
2008 and the vessel's price is NKr 252.5 million. The vessel is a Havyard 842 design of 16,000bhp and
bollard pull of 200 tons and will be built at Havyard Leirvik. (Source: Clipping News)
ACL to Christen Fourth Inland Towing Vessel
American Commercial Lines Inc. will christen the M/V Warren E. Bourgeois on August 2 at the new
Houston Fleet Facility in Channelview, Texas. The vessel’s namesake, Mr. Warren E. Bourgeois, is
currently the company’s manager of Gulf Coast Barge Operations. Bourgeois began his career with the
company in 1969. The M/V Warren E. Bourgeois recently completed a $1.4m refurbishment and is the
fourth vessel to be christened by ACL this year under its capital program to enhance and upgrade its fleet.
The vessel’s features include new internal construction, soundproofing, satellite radio in all staterooms, flat
screen televisions, wireless internet access and enhanced employee accommodations. The vessel is a
2,100 hp inland towing vessel that will operate primarily on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the Lower
Mississippi River. (Source:Jan van der Doe)
7e jaargang, nr. 26
dd. 13 August 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Fransen blijven Kotug dwarsbomen
De Franse rechter heeft in een tussenvonnis bepaald dat Kotug-dochter Société Nouvelle de
Remorquage du Havre (SNRH) een voorlopige vergunning moet krijgen om havensleepdiensten te
verrichten in Le Havre. Maar het lijkt er niet op dat de Nederlandse slepers, na zeven maanden
stilliggen, kunnen gaan varen. De Franse autoriteiten wierpen direct een nieuw barrière op. Er lijkt maar
geen einde te komen aan de pogingen van de Franse autoriteiten om SNRH af te laten zien van de
plannen om in de Franse havenstad sleepdiensten te verrichten. Na een zes jaar durende strijd verwierf
SNRH in juli 2005 de hiervoor benodigde vergunning en werden in hoog tempo vijf moderne
havenslepers gebouwd, die 1 januari 2006 klaar lagen om te beginnen. Nauwelijks waren de slepers in
Le Havre gearriveerd of de lokale autoriteiten, met steun van de Franse monopolist Les Abeilles, stelden
dat SNRH niet aan alle bemanningseisen voldeed en daarom niet aan het werk mocht gaan. Een lang
juridisch steekspel volgde, met als resultaat dat de rechter in Rouen SNRH nu in het gelijk heeft gesteld
en zij een voorlopige vergunning moet krijgen om met vijf sleepboten aan de slag te kunnen.Om te
voorkomen dat de SNRH-slepers aan het werk gingen, toverden de Fransen echter een nieuw probleem
uit de hoge hoed. Volgens de lokale autoriteiten is de Kotug-dochter niet in staat een volledige 24-uurs
service te garanderen en voldoet derhalve niet aan de veiligheidseisen die aan sleepdiensten worden
gesteld. Dit laatste ontkennen Kotug en SNRH. De Fransen beschuldigen de SNRH-top ervan niet tijdig
aanvullende informatie te hebben verstrekt om daarmee aan te tonen wel aan de veiligheidseisen te
kunnen voldoen. Volgens SNRH is alle benodigde informatie voorhanden en is dit de zoveelste poging
hen het werken onmogelijk te maken. Voor de Franse autoriteiten speelt overigens nog mee dat, als zij
de Kotug-dochter groen licht geven, er een landelijk conflict met het personeel van concurrent en
monopolist Les Abeilles en hun vakbonden zal ontstaan. Die hebben namelijk gedreigd het
scheepvaartverkeer in alle Franse havens plat te leggen. Als reden wordt aangevoerd dat aan SNRH
minder strenge eisen worden gesteld dan aan hun eigen sleepdienst. (Source: Clipping News)
East Isle yard wins tug order
The Prince Edward Island government in Canada is lending $3.6 million to the Quebec towing company
Ocean Group Inc so it can order two new tugs from East Isle Shipyard in Georgetown. Ocean is the
principal provider of towing services in the Port of Quebec, but also carries out maritime services
throughout Canada. The total value of the contract is more than $18 million. While the province has
loaned money to Irving-owed East Isle Shipyard before to build new boats, this is one of the first times
the province has handed cash directly to an out-of-province purchaser. Dennis King, a spokesman with
the Department of Development, described it as a “creative deal” put together to ensure the work
remained in Prince Edward Island and was not lost to shipyards in other parts of the world who were also
vying for the work. “It’s a guaranteed interest-baring loan over five years, which is secured by the ships
themselves,” King said. Ocean already purchased a tugboat built at East Isle in Georgetown, which
carried a purchase price of nearly $10 million. That purchase was funded through private money.
This deal adds two more Georgetown-built vessels to Ocean’s fleet and the company has plans for a
fourth tug in 2009 although financing is not yet in place for that. The province said it is prepared to
discuss further financing with Ocean. East Isle Shipyard employs about 130 employees and has an
annual payroll of about $10 million. King said he’s convinced if the province had not stepped in and
helped finance the tugboats, the contracts would have gone not only to another province but to another
country. (Source: Clipping News)
Donjon Marine Removes Grounded Vessels
Thursday, August 10, 2006 Donjon removed the Navy research vessel Shadwell from Mobile Bay, after it
was grounded as a result of the recent hurricanes. Donjon Marine, Co., Inc., recently removed from
strand the Ex-Troop Carrier State of Maine and the Navy research vessel Shadwell, which were
grounded on Little Sand Island in Mobile Bay, Ala., as a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The
operation was planned, and directed by Donjon, but performed with the use of local subcontractors for
dredging, crane barge, and towing services. A U.S. Navy Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) also
was deployed for diving and support labor. This project also offered an opportunity for the MDSU team to
use and train on its hydraulic pulling equipment, which was specifically designed for grounding
operations. This operation was a continuation of the cleanup efforts which occurred as a result of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita where Donjon served as the lead Salvage Contractor for the Federal
Response as a result of its competitively bid U.S. Navy Salvage and Related Services Contract with the
U.S. Navy, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving. Donjon has held that contract, uninterrupted, since 1979,
after a competitive bidding process approximately every five years. As such, Donjon supplied equipment
and personnel in support of the needs of the Federal Response Team (FEMA, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, and U.S. Coast Guard who tasked and directed the U.S. Navy, Supervisor of Salvage and
Diving). (Source: Jan van der Doe)
New vessel for Rederij Groen
Sealink Marine in Malaysia handed over July 29th the Sealink Victoria 3 to Rederij Groen of
Scheveningen, the new owner will rename the vessel in Victory-G and will change to the Pamanian flag.
The vessel is build by Sealink Sdn Bhd in Miri (Serawak) during 2004 and measures 53.8 x 13.8 x 4,5
meter and is powered by 2 1575 hp Caterpillar main engines. In total an accommodation for 42 persons is
available. Rederij Groen will operate the vessel as a support vessel for the seismic industry. (Source:
Clipping News)
Curaçao Towage Company launches new website
Curaçao Towage Company has officially launched its new website www.ktktugs.com, which will serve
as a meeting point with clients around the world. The Curaçao Towage Company is the towage provider
in the Ports of Curaçao and has business relations around the world within the maritime sector. In order to
serve their clients better and on a 24-hour basis, the company decided to launch this website. The website
has a dynamic and modern layout where the visitor can get all information regarding the company, its
history, its services and its fleet. The website also has video images, giving it a dynamic look. The site
also provides information and links to the ports and island of Curaçao. Clients can contact the offices by email on the following address [email protected]. (Source: Clipping News)
US Navy Tug Fights Fire Aboard Freighter in Liberia
USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) responded to a shipboard fire aboard a commercial freighter while repairing
the port of Monrovia, Liberia’s, damaged commercial pier and surveying the city’s harbor, Aug. 10. The
engine room of Tahoma Reefer, an Estonian commercial freighter also paying a call on Monrovia’s port,
burst into flames in the early hours of the day. Later that morning,
just as smoke from the burning vessel was spotted from Apache’s bridge, the U.S. Embassy in Liberia
phoned the ship and asked the crew to respond. Using the ship’s rigid hull inflatable (RHIB) boat, Apache
Chief Mate Troy Bruemmer and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Pete Sharpe, officer-in-charge of the 12-member
embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 and three other crew members, rushed to the scene. “When
we arrived, we witnessed the deck house of the ship engulfed in flames,” said Sharpe. “All the crew
members and the harbor pilot were on the bow, some without life jackets. We returned to our ship to get
more life jackets and additional divers to assist.” While the crew aboard Apache’s RHIB rescued the nine
men aboard the freighter, the tug’s civilian master, Capt. Charles Rodriguez, put his ship into action. “As
the chief mate, warrant officer and divers removed Tahoma’s crew from the starboard side, Apache
approached the ship’s port side and commenced fighting the fire,” said Rodriguez. Using the tug’s
starboard fire stations, Apache worked to put out the flames. More than four hours later, Tahoma’s fire
was under control. “Actions under unusual and hazardous situations is what makes life at sea so
rewarding and different every day,” said Capt. Nick Holman, commander, Sealift Logistics Command
Europe. “The cool heads and fast hands of Apache’s crew and embarked Navy divers during this
emergency situation represents seamanship at its best.” No crew members were injured during the
operation. Apache is a noncombatant ship operated by 16 U.S. merchant mariners employed by the U.S.
Navy’s Military Sealift Command. (Source: Clipping News – photo:MSC )
Tidewater to sell 14 tugs
Tidewater Inc. says it has entered into a definitive agreement with Crosby Marine Transportation, LLC to
sell 14 of its offshore tugs. Twelve of the tugs currently constitute Tidewater's total domestic fleet of
offshore tugs. In addition, two tugs scheduled to return from international assignments in the Middle East
are included in the transaction. The sale of ten of the tugs is expected to close by the end of August, with
the sale on the other four vessels scheduled to close over the next four months as current charter
contracts to which the four tugs are subject expire. The combined cash sales proceeds of $44.8 million will
result in an estimated pre-tax financial gain of approximately $34 million, or $22 million after tax, or $.38
per common share, and Tidewater says the sale should have a negligible effect on future earnings
capacity. Dean E. Taylor, Chairman, President and CEOof the Company, commented, "We believe that
our ongoing efforts to sell our non-core assets and reinvest proceeds into newer core fleet assets or the
repurchase of Tidewater stock should return significant value added for our stockholders. This type of
transaction along with our strong balance sheet and borrowing capacity allows us total flexibility in
pursuing future attractive investment opportunity that arises." Tidewater Inc. owns over 500 vessels, the
world's largest fleet of vessels serving the global offshore energy industry. (Source: Clipping News)
7e jaargang, nr. 27
dd. 20 August 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Coast Guard Monitors Sunken Tow Boat
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur is monitoring the pollution threat and structural integrity of the
132-foot, U.S.-flagged towing vessel Mama Lere, which is partially submerged and accompanied by a four
barge tow. The Mama Lere began flooding while transiting from New Orleans to Houston. The flooding
began in the engine room at Mile Marker 289 on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway near the West Port Arthur
Bridge. Coast Guard small boats were in the area at the time of the sinking and rescued the five
crewmembers onboard. The Mama Lere is believed to be carrying approximately 10,000 gallons of diesel
fuel oil. The vessel is not obstructing navigation and the waterway currently remains open to traffic as
monitored by Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur and Texas
General Land Office have worked together to deploy over 2,500 feet of boom around the vessel, and
individuals on scene are plugging the fuel vents on the vessel to mitigate any pollution. The cause of this
incident is under investigation by MSU Port Arthur. (Source: Marinelink)
Rowan awards major transportation contract to Fairmount
Rowan and Louis Dreyfus Fairmount BV (managed by Fairmount Marine) have signed a contract for the
transportation of the Rowan jack-ups Gilbert Rowe and Rowan Paris from the Gulf of Mexico to the Middle
East. The super barge Gavea Lifter, the world’s largest semi-submersible transportation barge, will be
mobilised to the Gulf of Mexico immediately after completion of the current SEDCO 709 dry docking
operation in. Fairmount said only Gavea Lifter is able to transport both rigs at one time, thus saving
considerable costs and time. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Viking Supply Ships Acquires SBS Marine
Viking Supply Ships AS (VSS), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Kistefos AS, has acquired a Scottish-based platform supply
vessel company in a strategic move designed to augment its
fleet portfolio and support its growth plans in international
markets. It has acquired 100% of the share capital of SBS
Aberdeen Ltd, the parent company of SBS Marine Ltd (SBS).
SBS operates four platform supply vessels (PSVs) and has two
additional PSVs under construction in Norway, to be delivered
in November 2006 and February 2007. All six vessels have long term contracts with five of the vessels
ultimately working for drilling company Transocean in India and one vessel for Talisman Energy (UK)
Limited in the North Sea. The SBS business will be run as a stand-alone subsidiary of VSS. It will be a
sister company of fellow VSS subsidiary Viking Offshore Services Ltd (VOS) , with VOS Chief Executive
Graham Philip assuming the same role with SBS. Keith Fletcher, the current owner of SBS, will continue
to manage the day-to-day operations of the business as General Manager. Graham Philip, who is also a
Director of VSS, said: “As part of VSS’s international growth strategy we have been seeking to add to our
portfolio of marine services – which already include anchor-handling tug supply vessels (AHTSVs) as well
as rescue and recovery vessels - and SBS is an ideal fit in that regard. “SBS is a truly outstanding
company with a very modern, high-quality fleet – as well as the new builds, three of its four existing
vessels are less than three years old. It has consistently demonstrated innovation, introducing new design
features to its vessels to enhance safety, efficiency and customer service. “The company has a highlyprofessional shore-based team located in Portlethen, just outside Aberdeen. Led by Keith Fletcher, it has
built up the business from one second hand PSV which it acquired in 2001. “Unusually in the marine
industry, SBS operates a decentralised management structure with the vessel masters and chief
engineers being responsible for all aspects of managing their vessels, which is extremely important when
operating vessels in international markets. “SBS will continue to operate very much as a discrete business
within VSS and we are confident it will build on its reputation as one of the success stories of the marine
services industry.” The acquisition of SBS has been funded by equity provided by VSS and debt finance
provided by Bank of Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland. (Source: Marinelink)
Nautica to Build Two Tugs
Nautica Nova Shipbuilding and Engineering Sdn Bhd has signed a contract to build two tugboats for
Multraship Towage & Salvage, a Dutch salvage and towage company. Managing director Chuah Chuan
Yong said the company would deliver the first 108.2 ft. tugboat at end-2007. Nautica, which operates on a
13-acre site near Sungai Prai, employs 140 skilled workers, of whom 10% are engineers. (Source:
http://biz.thestar.com.my)
Ezra forays into Australian waters
August 16, 2006
Ezra Holdings Limited in Singapore is tapping into the fast-growing offshore oil and gas support services
sector in Australia with a 500-day term charter contract worth potentially up to US$37 million (or S$58.4m)
excluding extension options. The contract commences in November. Under the contract, Ezra will supply
two anchor handling, towing and supply vessels and a fast crew utility vessel which will be built for S$4.9
million, excluding the cost of certain owner-furnished equipment. This crewboat, which can transport up to
80 persons, is expected to be delivered in November. "We are capitalising on our strengths and diversity
in deepwater capability for the Australian market, where the focus on deepwater exploration is widening.
We expect the market here to take off, and already, rates here are reflective of the increased level of
activity. We’re positioning Ezra to participate strongly in this uptake in Australia,” said Mr Lionel Lee,
Ezra’s Managing Director. “Our construction infrastructure division, which includes heavy lift
accommodation crane barges, and pipelay vessel, strengthens our reach in this new market amid the
rising level of exploration and oil and gas discoveries in the waters off Australia,” dded Mr Lee.By 2007,
EZRA will have 33 vessels under management, including those under sale and leaseback agreements.
Navy Tug Rescues Several Liberian Fishermen
Military Sealift Command tug USNS Apache rescued seven fishermen whose canoes capsized off the
coast of Liberia, Sunday, August 14. Apache has been in Monrovia since August 9 Sailors from the ship's
embarked Mobile Diving Salvage Unit Two conduct repairs on the Port of Monrovia's commercial pier and
survey the harbor as part of an effort to strengthen the emerging U.S. partnership with that nation.
Apache was two nautical miles west of the harbor entrance Sunday afternoon when the ship came upon
five men struggling in the water next to their canoe. "Several of us saw the overturned boat and people in
the water around 2:45 p.m.," said Apache's civilian master Capt. Charles Rodriguez. "I immediately called
the Chief Mate to tell him to get out to the site as quickly as possible." Apache's Chief Mate Troy
Bruemmer and Able Seaman Jeremy Guyet were in the harbor aboard the ship's rigid hull inflatable boat
(RHIB) observing the divers' pier repair operation, when they received the call for help. "They were on
scene picking the first of the five victims out of the water within 10 minutes," said Capt. Rodriguez. "They
hauled the fisherman into the boat, huddled them together and covered them because they appeared to
be in the first stages of hypothermia." Bruemmer and Guyet were en route to the port with the canoe's
crew when they happened upon two more fishermen adrift at sea. After getting them out of the water and
into the RHIB, the two crew members returned all seven men to dry land. This is the second rescue
operation Apache has conducted in five days. Last week, the ship also came to the aid of fellow seafarers
at the Port of Monrovia, putting out a fire that was raging aboard commercial freighter Tahoma Reefer.
"The crew is very upbeat," said Capt. Rodriguez about his ship's response to last week's events and the
MDSU Two's work at Monrovia's pier. "Everyone is excited to be a part of the work being done here in
Liberia." Apache is currently on a six-month deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. (Source:
Marinelink)
Tidewater Closes on Sale of 10 Offshore Tugs
Tidewater Inc. announced today the closing on the sale of ten offshore tugs for a total cash price of $31.5
million. The culmination of this transaction results in an approximate $24 million pre-tax financial gain, or
$.27 per common share after tax. The company previously announced that it had entered into a definitive
agreement with Crosby Marine Transportation, LLC to sell a total of 14 offshore tugs. The balance of the
four tugs covered by the definitive agreement, with a total sales price of $13.3 million, should close over
the next four months as current charter contracts to which the four tugs are subject to expire. Parks Paton
Hoepfl & Brown, who served as financial advisor to the company, commented, "This transaction was a
good one for both parties - Tidewater received a fair price for the vessels and Crosby Marine acquired
quality assets that are a good strategic fit for its operations." (Source: Marinelink)
Leopard renamed
The tug Leopard from van Jan Stepnieuwski, (ex; Wielingen), has been renamed Panda in December
2005. (Source:Leon de Hoop)
Jaguar renamed
The tug Jaguar from Jan Stepnieuwski, (ex; Wandelaar), has been sold in July 2006 to Zaklad Ustug
Zeglugowych Sp. Z.o.o., Szczecin and renamed Euros. (Source:Leon de Hoop)
Full steam ahead
Net profit Smit Internationale N.V. increases by 57% in the first half of 2006 Rotterdam, 17
augustus 2006 • Excellent results for the Harbour Towage Division. • Terminals Division on track. • A low
work rate for the Salvage Division. • Good rates and high fleet utilisation of the Transport & Heavy Lift
Division. • Outlook: net profit over the full year 2006 expected to be 25-35% above 2005. Mid-year Results
2006 • The net profit in the first half of 2006 increased to EUR 29.7 million from EUR 18.8 million in the
first half of 2005. • The operating profits increased by 59% from EUR 20.1 million in first half of 2005 to
EUR 32.0 million. • The result of the associated companies is EUR 9.6 million (first half of 2005: EUR 5.3
million). • Interest charges rose from EUR 2.3 million in first half of 2005 to EUR 2.5 million in 2006.
• Tax burden in the first half of 2006 increased to approximately 30% compared to 24% in the first half of
2005. • The net profit per average share issued amounts to EUR 3.85 compared to EUR 2.46 in the first
half of 2005.
HARBOUR TOWAGE DIVISION
Harbour towage services and related maritime services
The first half of 2006 operating profit for the Harbour Towage Division rose to EUR 15.0 million from EUR
9.0 million in 2005. The return on average capital employed (ROACE) is 33.9% (2005: 21.6%), well above
the desired objective of 15%. In June of this year, we reported the settlement of the Crew Facility
(“Bemanningsfaciliteit”) issue. As a consequence we released the provision for an amount of EUR 4.1
million. Bearing in mind the above mentioned ,the results achieved in Rotterdam have improved again and
are well above the 15% standard. Continuation of efficiency measures in staffing and fleet composition still
remain a necessity. Also in Canada, the results of both the harbour towage activities and the transport
activities were excellent. In Panama, the results were back on track again despite the depreciation level of
the new fleet. The market for Harbour Towage is a stable market. SMIT has a target for the growth of net
profit of 50% over a 5-year period (from 2005 onwards).
TERMINALS DIVISION
Towage services and related maritime and management services at offshore and onshore terminals
The operating profit of the Terminals Division amounted to EUR 5.6 million, compared to EUR 7.7 million
in the first half of 2005. The return on average capital employed (ROACE) is 14.4% (first half 2005:
18.7%), just below the desired objective of 15%. The lower operating profit is due to higher pension costs
as well as the loss of a contract in the last quarter of 2005. New contracts will contribute to the operating
profit as of 2007. All applicable long-term contracts were renewed. For two contracts discussions are
ongoing for an extension of the term. The growth target is a 50% increase in net profit over a five-year
period (relative to 2003).
SALVAGE DIVISION
Salvage, wreck removal, environmental care and consulting.
The operating profit for the first half of 2006 is EUR 1.2 million compared to EUR 3.8 million in the first half
of 2005, below the historical average of EUR 5 million per year. The net production ratio dropped from
18.4% in 2005 to 5.9% in 2006 due to the low workload. SMIT has set the objective of realising a net
production ratio of at least 10% per year. In June of this year SMIT concluded quite a number of new
contracts, which will contribute to the results in the second half of this year. There is no change with
respect to the “Thunderhorse” valuation. As a rule, the level of activity within this Division is unpredictable.
In this market SMIT focuses on the top segment, where our specialised expertise allows us to offer a great
deal of additional value, particularly for environmental-protection activities. The goal is to maintain a
market share of 25 – 35%.
TRANSPORT & HEAVY LIFT DIVISION
Chartering, barge rental, heavy transport, (ocean) towage, heavy lift work, execution of and support for
maritime projects.
The operating profit for the first half of 2006 was EUR 13.4 million compared to EUR 2.2 million in the first
half of 2005. The return on average capital employed (ROACE) is 75.7% (2005: 29.2%). The desired
objective is 15%. As planned, the investment programme of this Division only started late 2005, so that the
ROACE percentages as presented here are highly inflated due to a low depreciation level. In 2006, the
transport activities in Europe and Asia showed a strong positive development both in rates and in. The
results of the heavy lift activities were also very positive as all sheerlegs were involved in various projects.
The activities of Marine Projects had considerable positive impact. There are 10 new work vessels being
delivered in 2006-2008, and long term contracts have been concluded for 5 of them. (Source:Smit)
7e jaargang, nr. 28
dd. 27 August 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Aker Yards Makes It 21
Norway's Aker Yards has signed its twenty-first newbuilding deal with domestic owner Farstad. It will build
a UT 751 CD-type platform supply vessel at a cost of NOK 320m ($51.19m) for delivery in January 2009.
Group yard Aker Brevik will outfit the vessel and the hull will be built at Aker's Romanian subsidiary Braila.
The 4,000-dwt ship is designed by Rolls Royce Marine and is 94 metres long. Farstad said the deal was
part of its general fleet renewal. Aker Langsten is building Farstad's twentieth newbuilding, a NOK 850m
construction ship, reports Tradewinds. (Source: Clipping News)
Rectificatie
Vanuit verschillende hoeken zijn er reacties binnen gekomen m.b.t. het bericht over de Leopard als zou
die zijn herdoopt. Hierbij een bericht van Frits v.d.Hoek met de juiste benamingen. De Leopard (exWielingen) is nu van Leopard Shipping Ltd., St.Vincent & Grenadines en is en wordt NIET vernoemd. Jan
Stepniewski & Co. Ltd., Gdynia blijft manager/operator van de Leopard. De Panda is de naam van
een flat top barge. De Jaguar is in Januari 2006 verkocht aan ZUZ te Szczecin en omgedoopd in Euros
(Bron LEKKO/Janusz Stepniewski)
GE Shipping Unit Orders AHTS
Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd. said on Monday its subsidiary had signed a contract to buy two vessels
from Sri Lanka's Colombo Dockyard Ltd. The anchor handling tug and supply vessels would be delivered
to Greatship (India) Ltd. during the third and fourth quarters of the year to March 2008, the company said
in a statement. (Source: Reuters)
Tidewater vessel christened in name of late oil man
Tidewater Inc. on Monday christened a new offshore platform supply vessel in the name of Patrick F.
Taylor, a philanthropist oil man who designed the precursor of Louisiana's generous free college tuition
program. The 220-foot M/V Pat Taylor was built by Quality Shipyards LLC, a Tidewater subsidiary based
in Houma. Normally, Tidewater names its vessels after company employees and directors. "But we felt
like the numerous contributions of Pat Taylor to the energy industry and to the community should be
recognized in this unique matter," Tidewater Chief Executive Officer Dean Taylor said. During a 1988
speech to a group of middle school students, many of them considered underachievers, Taylor promised
to pay their college tuition if they graduated from high school with a B average. His idea grew into the
state-financed Tuition Opportunity Program for Students, which offers in-state college tuition for Louisiana
students with good grades. Taylor, the owner of Taylor Energy Co., died Nov. 5, 2004, at age 67.
Numo
Numo (6704218), o.a. ex; Scandic Mammut '03; Svendborgsund '01 2006 verkocht aan Export Trade
Corporation Ltd., Hong Kong zonder naamswijzeging (Source:Leon de Hoop)
Another Siem contract for Kleven
Kleven Verft in Ulsteinvik, Norway, has signed a contract with Siem Offshore Inc for the building of a new,
sophisticated multifunctional platform supply vessel. The newbuilding is based on the new MT 6017
design, developed in close cooperation between owner and yard, and is designed by Marin Teknikk. The
contract has a value of $47 million and delivery is slated for November 2008.
The vessel is 93.7 metres long, with a beam of 19.7 metres, a working deck of 1,047 m2 and
accomodation for 68 persons. The contract includes options for offshore crane and helideck.
This contract is Siems third with Kleven Verft in a short period of time, and in addition Siem has taken over
one vessel under construction at the yard. Kleven Verft now has 13 vessels on order, at a contract value
of NOK 4,0 billions. Kleven Maritime as a group has in total 22 vessels on order , at a contract value of
NOK 5,6 billions. (Source: Clipping News)
Iran’s IOOC hires 39 vessels
The rental contract for 39 tugboats and vessels to speed up projects at Iranian Offshore Oil Company
(IOOC) has already been signed and the proposal to get three more is still under study, company’s
manager Iraj Pursharif noted on Wednesday. “The ships are employed for various sea operations and
eight of them are rented from a Dutch company, Svitzer Wijsmuller Middle East, with a branch office in
Dubai. It is registered in Virgin Island of England,” he stated, adding that the rest are leased through
Iranian and UAE firms. All the vessels are hired for five years with total average fee of $40m per annum,
he said in conclusion. (Source: Clipping News)
Vane Line tug launched
The Manitowoc Company, Inc., announced the launching of a 6,000-brake-horsepower tug for Vane Line
Bunkering, Inc., a subsidiary of The Vane Brothers Co., Baltimore. Manitowoc Marine Group was awarded
a contract for the construction of two articulated tug and barge units, each consisting of a 480-foot,
145,000-barrel, double-hulled hot oil tank barge and a 123-foot, 6,000-horsepower tug in December 2005.
The oceangoing articulated tug and units are slated for delivery in fourth quarter of 2006 and third quarter
of 2007. The Vane contract represents the 11th double-hulled barge and fourth oceangoing tug to be built
by Manitowoc Marine Group. Both tug and barge units, which will serve the mid-Atlantic petroleum
markets, will be classified in compliance with ABS, Coast Guard and OPA-90 standards. "Manitowoc is
proud to be selected by Vane Brothers for their latest shipbuilding project," said Bob Herre, president and
general manager of Manitowoc Marine Group. "By building the barges at our Bay Shipbuilding facility and
the tugs at Marinette Marine, we will incorporate our multiple shipyard strategy, which allows us to focus
our best expertise on a multi-phase shipbuilding project and complements our ability to deliver the tug and
barge units simultaneously." (Source: Clipping News)
Auckland
S. A. Mahieu Transpoirts Pétroliers, Le Havre, heeft onlangs de Franse duwboot Auckland (ex. René, ex.
Valeureux) aangekocht en in Pierre herdoopt, 2x450 apk, 14m20 x 5m75, 1970 door Chantiers de Chalon
te Chalon-sur-Saone gebouwd voor Sogestran. (Source: Lawrence Amboldt)
Coast guard vessel to be tug
SSG-ABO. The Finnish coast guard vessel "Turva", which was sold in June to the shipping company
Idantie-Osterled for EUR 230,000, will be used as both a tug and an icebreaker. At present, the vessel is
undergoing an inspection for approval for service in the Baltic. The "Turva" was delivered in 1977 and has
a displacement of 550 tons. "The vessel was originally built to icebreaker class in DNV and is thus suitable
for icebreaking in e.g. the Archipelago Sea. She will be mainly employed in transporting biofuel from
Kalmar and Riga to Alholmen´s power station in Jakobstad. We have a long-term contract with its owner",
says Erik Nylund, at Idantie-Osterled, to SSG. The biofuel will be transported on barges and at present,
the shipping company owns the "Partner" with a cargo capacity on deck of 1,280 tons. Idantie-Osterled
plans to order another barge of the same type as the "Partner", but with double the capacity. In addition to
the "Partner" and the "Turva", the shipping company has two large and three small tugs as well as a
couple of work boats. One of the tugs is the "Ajax", formerly owned by the Swedish navy. (Source:
Clipping News)
Hudson
Afgelopen zaterdag is er, in Vlaardingen, een opendag geweest voor de donateurs van de Hudson. Aan
boord van de Hudson kon door de donateurs worden bekeken wat de vrijwilligers de afgelopen jaren van
deze voormalige Smit sleper, die rijp was voor de sloop, voor werk hebben verzet. De sleepboot ziet er
schitterend uit. En binnen zijn de verblijven weer terug gebracht in de oude staat. Aan boord is een
prachtige tentoonstelling te zien van wat zich in de Tweede Wereldoorlog op zee heeft afgespeeld.. Uniek
is de hut van de kapitein, Ome Ben, met de inrichting zoals die moet zijn geweest tijdens zijn langdurige
verblijf aan boord tijdens deze zwarte periode. Ook de bemanningsverblijven zijn op zeer realistische wijze
ingericht en tentoon gesteld. Ook op de brug is de werkelijkheid zoveel mogelijk nagebouwd. In de ruimte
waar vroeger de machinekamer was is een Dieselmotor geplaatst. Door het draaien van de machine is
zichtbaar gemaakt wat zich in een cilinder afspeelt en hoe het vermogen aan de schroef wordt afgegeven.
Kortom een bezoek aan deze prachtige vooroorlogse zeesleper is de moeite waard. Tot slot werden de
donateurs na het bezoek nog verrast met een heuse schoot aan van een echte Vlaardingse
Schellevispekel. Bestuur en vrijwilligers hartelijk dank voor deze gastvrije ontvangst. (Source: Hans van
der Ster)
7e jaargang, nr. 29
dd.3 September 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Smit Nigeria renamed for bareboat charter
The Smit tug Smit Nigeria will be renamed for a bareboat charter at Femco. The new name is Smit Kuban
Smit Harbour Towage Rotterdam BV. Is still the registered owner. (Source: Neeltje Snoei)
Tugs For Kazmortransflot
The two new tugs - "Esil" and "Tobol" joined the fleet of Kazmortransflot. The ships were built in Hanoi
(Vietnam). The vessels were acquired for $6 mn with the help of Raifaisen Leasing Kazakhstan. The tugs
are 4 th.tons dwt; their speed is 5 knots. (Source: Clipping News)
Tugs for sale:
COLERAINE: GYOC Blt Appledore UK 1970; Wijsmuller Marine Ltd-Belfast; LR +100A1 +LMC; 34.64 x
9.22 x 3.61m draft; MWM TBRHS345SAU 2,500 bhp 32 tbp cpp in Kort steering nozzle; Ideas GBP
180,000 as-is where-is UK
CORROIOS : Blt Estaleiros Sao Jacinto Portugal 1970; LR +100A1 +LMC River Tagus service; 33.02 x 9
x 4.6m draft; MWM TBRHS345A 2,160 bhp 35 tbp fpp in Kort nozzle; Fifi/foam 400 m3/hr; Ideas Euros
325,000 as-is where-is Portugal
EMPURRA: Blt Wilton Fijenoord Neth 1967: BV I *hull *mach tug coastal areas; 24.95 x 6.52 x 3.34m
draft; MAN G8V 30/45 1,190 bhp 13 tbp fpp; Fifi 150 m3/hr; Ideas Euros 125,000 as-is where-is Portugal
NIPON: Blt Kanagawa Japan 1971; Rinave R1 *hull *mach tug coastal area; 31 x 8.4 x 3.92m draft; 2 x
Hanshin 6LUD32 total 3,000 bhp 45 tbp 2 x cpp in independently steerable Kort nozzles; Towing winch Fifi
270 m3/hr; Due to crankshaft damage on one main engine ows inviting offers on strictly as-is where-is
basis, Portugal (Source: Michael J. Vincent, F.I.C.S.Ship/tug broker)
Neerlands Laatste Stoomzeesleper 90 jaar
Het is best bijzonder: een nog in goede conditie verkerende stoomzeesleper van 90 jaar. Vooral
bijzonder vooral omdat het varend monument “FURIE” een uniek stuk industrieel erfgoed is met
nationale en internationale bekendheid. Het begon met een persbericht uit de Martenshoeker Courant
van 24 december 1915: “Van de N.V. Scheepswerven v.h. Gebr. G & H Bodewes alhier, werden gisteren
de kielen gelegd voor twee booten “Gebroeders Bodewes V” & “VI” welke door de machinefabriek Fulton
alhier van machine installaties, groot 500 ipk, zullen worden voorzien”. In mei 1916 was de tewaterlating
en in augustus van dat jaar was de “Bodewes VI” klaar voor oplevering. Pas in
1918 werd ze verkocht naar Zweden, waar ze tot 1976 eerst als “HOLMEN III” en later als ” HOLMVIK”
vooral houtvlotten gesleept heeft. Na een avontuur als filmster in de TV-serie Hollands Glorie kwam ze in
1978 permanent naar Maassluis. En daar begon een stel enthousiaste vrijwilligers met de zware klus om
de sleper weer vaarklaar en zoveel mogelijk in originele staat te krijgen. Een klus die geslaagd is, want
nu na 28 jaar ziet de jarige er prima uit en er wordt veel gevaren. Dat de “FURIE” bekend is bleek nog
eens in 2000. Ze werd toen als achtste genomineerd voor de tentoonstelling “ De toptien van uw keus -Het schip van de eeuw” van het Maritiem Museum in Rotterdam. Een hele eer om in het gezelschap te
vertoeven van “NIEUW AMSTERDAM”, “TITANIC” en “WILLEM RUIJS”. De verjaardag van de oude
dame wordt op zondag 3 september gevierd met een vaartocht en een etentje voor de vrijwilligers met
hun partner. (Source: Clipping News)
Odyssea Marine Releases Information on Vessel Fire
On August 11, the M/V Odyssea Voyager, a 195-ft. dive support vessel owned by Odyssea Marine, Inc.,
and operated by Odyssea’s North Bank Towing Division, was severely damaged by fire the cause of
which is not yet known. Located in West Delta Block 35, the Voyager, in a four-point mooring
configuration, was supporting diving operations of Superior Offshore International, Inc., when flames were
noticed in a compartment in the bow section of the vessel. As the crew fought the flames, the fire spread
and eventually engulfed the main cabin of the vessel. There were 40 people on board, including 26
passengers and 14 crew members, all of whom abandoned ship, and were brought to safety. Two crew
members of Odyssea Marine, Inc., diagnosed with smoke inhalation, were flown by US Coast Guard
helicopter to West Jefferson Hospital located in Marrero, Louisiana. Both crew members were treated and
released that night. Despite the damage to the vessel, there were only minor injuries. Nearly 30,000
gallons of fuel oil on board at the time of the fire was a cause for concern. The vessel was recovered with
no fuel spill and no danger to the environment. The vessel is now safely docked in Amelia, La. There are
many people and organizations that deserve appreciation and acknowledgement for their efforts during
and after this incident. Of particular note, the employees of Odyssea Marine, Inc. gratitude to the following
organizations and people that assisted during the fire. Those include: Superior Offshore International, Inc.
as some of its employees on board the Voyager attempted to extinguish the fire. Superior also sent its
Gulf Diver V vessel to assist with the incident. Tidewater Inc. and its crew boat M/V Rapid Runner that
was early to the scene to assist with the rescue of passengers and crew and also assist with extinguishing
flames International Boat Rentals Inc. dispatched the M/V International Warrior and the M/V International
Scout, both supply vessels to the scene to assist with the rescue and fire. The United States Coast Guard
who assisted with the USCG Cutter Pelican by rescuing passengers and crew and also flying via
helicopter two crew members needing medical attention to West Jefferson Hospital. Offshore Construction
Company Allseas, who offered Odyssea’s North Bank Towing tug M/V Thad A to assist with the incident
and salvage efforts Crew members of Odyssea’s North Bank Towing Division tug M/V Thad A particularly
Captain John Houser, who offered clothes and essentials to those crew members of the Voyager who
remained at sea to monitor the fire. Other crew members included Captain Ray Foret, Engineer Lance
Starr and deck crews Dennis Booth and Lawrence Burton. Crew members of Odyssea’s North Bank
Towing Division tug M/V Capt. Frank that assisted with the monitoring of the fire and towing the Voyager
safely into port. Of note were the efforts of Captain Gary Hagan and Captain Randy McQuarrie. Also
aboard were deck crews Michael Foss and Joshua Borbon. Crew members of the M/V Odyssea Voyager
that worked under pressure to extinguish the fire and move passengers safely from the vessel. Also of
note were Captain Luis Diaz, Engineers Rudolph Bodden and Kessel Pineda, and deck crews Marvin
Reyes, Miguel Jiminez, and Alan Scott who assisted with the salvage. Odyssea’s North Bank Towing staff
that monitored the fire and assisted with a variety of tasks throughout the weekend up and until the
Voyager had been salvaged. Team Members include James Bennett, Shawn Bonvillain, Harold Ganaway,
Don Bourgeois, Goldie Vantromp, Judy Kimball, Wayne Martin, Chuck Denning, Jay Bernard, Wonit
Boudreaux, Gerald “Turk” Clements, Bruce Norton and Aaron Thomas. North Bank Towing Captain Craig
Herda, vacationing in Mexico, volunteered to fly back to the US to assist as needed. Of particular thanks
goes to Corey Denning, Operations Manager of North Bank Towing, who coordinated the shore based
efforts during the fire and also participated in the salvage operations. Special thanks also goes to Gerald
“Turk” Clements, appointed Salvage Supervisor of the Voyager, who carefully executed the removal of the
vessel’s anchors and brought the vessel safely into port. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Seabreeze August Market round up
Tetra Take Term AHTS
Tetra Technologies has chartered the Maersk Achiever through Seabrokers Group for a firm period of 12
months. The vessel has been undergoing modifications in Fredericia, Denmark over the last couple of
months. While at the shipyard, the vessel was modified with a heave compensated Hydramarine HMC
4490 crane which is rated at 200 mt at 1500 m water depth. She has also been outfitted with a mezzanine
deck and additional accommodation. Tetra will utilize the vessel to assist in subsea salvage and well
intervention projects in the US Gulf that were d a m a g e d from hurricanes in 2005. After sea trials and
transit time, the vessel is expected to arrive in the US Gulf late September.
This Month’s Cover Story
On September 5th Norskan Offshore will take delivery of their latest newbuilding in Brazi l "Norskan
Botafogo" which is an UT 722L anchor handler with 18,000 BHP. This is the fifth newbuilding for Norskan
Offshore in Brazil and the first of a series of three anchor handlers built on speculation for the local
market. The Norskan Botafogo will go on contract for Petrobras from the delivery. The next vessel to be
delivered towards the end of the year has also been awarded a contract with P e t r o b r a s while the
third one is still uncommitted. Solstad have had representation in Brazil since 1996 and in 2002 DOF AS
joined Norskan Offshore as 50% partners, at which point the company started an ambitious program to
develop a modern and high standard operated fleet. Today they operate two platform supply vessels and
one anchor handler of their own, and in addition they support the operation of the Normand Borg and
Normand Hunter. Norskan Offshore have their main office in Rio de Janeiro and operation base in Macaé.
Petrobras has been their main client up to now, but they intend to take their share of the growing demand
represented by the international companies that are in development phases in Brazil as well. In addition to
the Norskan owned fleet, they shall also provide management for a ROV support vessel and two offshore
construction vessels being constructed in Brazil for the account of DOFCON ASA – a challenging program
and a clear message that they believe in a future in Brazil. The President of Norskan Offshore Brazil is
Hans Ellingsen from Norway. His ambition is to maintain the same high quality level of services in Norskan
Offshore that are being practiced by the parent companies.
Deep Sea Supply To Decamp ?
Deep Sea Supply, owners of anchor handlers working in the North Sea and West Africa, look set to be
moving from their Norwegian base. In their Q2 statement, the company now controlled by John Fredriksen
said they were looking to develop their business in an “international market place based on competitive
conditions in a stable and predictable regulatory and operational environment” which could be “Cyprus,
Singapore or other suitable jurisdiction”.
Viking Conquest
Norwegian shipowner, Viking Supply Ships AS have announced the purchase of the Scottish supply
vessel company SBS Marine. SBS Marine was established in 2000 as a division of SBSL Holdings
(Shetland Base Services), a logistics provider to the North Sea oil industry since the early 1970's. In 2002
the logistics division was subject to a management buyout and SBS Logistics was formed. This company
has seen rapid expansion culminating in its recent acquisition of fellow Aberdeen logistics provider,
Seaforth Maritime. SBS Marine currently operates four modern PSV's with another two under construction
in Norway delivering in November this year and February 2007. Three of the current fleet are on longterm
charter in India with the fourth on term charter to Talisman in the North Sea. The two newbuilds are
already committed for term contracts in India. The business will be run as a stand-alone subsidiary of VSS
and operate as a sister company of Aberdeen based standby vessel operator Viking Offshore Services.
Island Cheers At Charters
Three of Norwegian based Island Offshore’s newbuilds have been term chartered. UT 776E Island
Champion will commence a five year term charter with Team when it delivers in January 2007. Sister
vessel Island Challenger starts its three year firm plus 3 yearly options term charter with Statoil upon
delivery in March next year with the P105 Island Patriot frontrunning from January 2007 until the Island
Challenger delivers. The third charter was the UT 787 CD AHTS Island Vanguard fixture to MLS/ENI for
180 days firm plus options, beginning January 2007.
Farstad’s Charter Frenzy
Farstad Shipping ASA have a recent flurry of activity on the term market. Here is their latest news: Starting
with the North Sea, ASCO UK Ltd have extended the UT 745 PSV Far Service until 18th August 2008 (an
extension of two years). ASCO UK Ltd have also extended the ME 202 PSV Lady Elizabeth by six
months, so the vessel will remain there until end 2006 with a further 2 x 1 month options remaining after
this. Moving further afield, the UT 719-2 multi role vessel Lady Guro has been extended for 10 years with
Shell Exploration in the Philippines (supporting the Malampaya gas field). Further south, the UT 722 Far
Grip has been chartered by New Zealand Overseas Petroleum Ltd and Santos Ltd for around 20 months,
firming up the vessel until mid 2008, supporting the Ocean Patriot semi offshore New Zealand and south
eastern Australia. Petrobras extended the ME 303 MKII Far Sea by two years until mid June 2008 while
JVPC extended the Lady Cynthia by one year (with 1 year opt) from September 2006, working off the
southern coast of Vietnam. Lastly, the VS 470 newbuild Far Spirit has won a 9 to 12 month charter with
Woodside Energy starting October this year supporting the DP drill ship Chikyu working in deep water off
north-west Australia and Kenya (with the UT 755L Lady Grete front running for the Spirit which is due to
deliver in January 2007.) Got all that ?
Technip Sign Up Solstad
Solstad fixed their two Ulstein A101 anchor handlers Normand Master and Normand Mariner for term work
with Technip this month. The Normand Master will perform ploughing and trenching work for Technip in
the North Sea and is likely to remain there until perhaps mid October. The Normand Mariner departed the
North Sea in August to carry out construction work for Technip in Malaysia. The work in Malaysia should
last about a month and thereafter the Normand Mariner will return to the North Sea.
Statoil Sticks With Stolmen
DOF ASA reported that the Skandi Stolmen has been extended with Statoil by one year with a further
three option years.
Flipper Swims In For Petro-Canada
Norwegian based shipowners Solstad Offshore ASA have contracted with Petro-Canada UK Limited for a
term charter with the UT 745E PSV Normand Flipper. The large PSV will support Petro-Canada’s drilling
operations in the North Sea (the Glomar Arctic III will be the rig it will support). Charter period for this term
contract is one year firm beginning in December 2006 and with a contract value of around NOK 73 million,
it seems like this is a perfect early Christmas present for the Norwegian company.
Mighty Magnus
After an extensive period of high rates for rig moving vessels, Shell EPE have decided to take the bull by
the horns and hire another term vessel to conduct in-house rig moves. Shell currently has 12 rigs on hire,
and the hectic rig move schedule has left them at the mercy of the market more often that they would like,
hence the timely addition to the Shell fleet. The Magnus is an AHT with 200tns of bollard pull, DP2 and a
few other bells and whistles. The German Owners Harms Offshore will deliver the vessel to Shell in early
September and thereafter will be thrust into rig move action. This will now give Shell EPE three term rig
move vessels, and as a result will reduce spot market exposure, and improve efficiency. Shell EPE are
now a European team, thus the vessel will be put to work in UK, Norwegian and Dutch waters. This will be
the Owners third vessel working on a term charter in the North Sea, expanding their reputation of being a
quality supplier of offshore tonnage.
Clipper Looks Trim For Maersk Oil
Trico Supply UT 745 PSV Northern Clipper has been chartered for term work by Maersk Oil UK. The large
decked vessel will begin work around mid October after a routine drydock. Maersk Oil intend to hold onto
this vessel for at least a year, however they have a further two yearly options.
BG & FD Get Busy
BG have chartered the Fratelli D’Amato newbuild UT 755L FD Invincible for support of the
semisubmersible rig Sedco 704. The vessel, to be managed by Gulf Offshore, will begin the Central North
Sea contract in a window during September that is dependent upon when the Sedco 704 rig is released
by Venture. The contract duration is two wells firm plus one well option, with expected duration of each
well to be around sixty days.
Ezra & Australia
Singapore based Ezra Holdings Ltd have ventured into the Australian oil and gas offshore support
industry. Under a 500 day term charter, Ezra are to supply two anchor handlers and a fast crew utility
vessel. This is a large deal for Ezra (it is worth US$ 37 million excluding options) and shows their keen
interest in taking part in the upcoming Australian market.
Fame Peaks For Havila
Norway based shipowners Havila Supply signed a contract with UK based turnkey specialists Peak for
charter of the PSV Havila Fame. The medium sized PSV has a deck area of nearly 560 square metres
which Peak will use to good effect supporting the Ensco 92 jack up in the southern sector of the N o r th
Sea (expected to be working off Great Yarmouth on UK block 49/21). Charter period for this contract is
two wells firm (estimated to last around 65 days in total) with a further optional well expected to take
around 30 days.
DOF Delve Deeper Into Construction
DOFCON have ordered another two large construction vessels. Aker yards will build these at Soviknes,
Norway in a contract worth NOK 1,175 million. Delivery for the first vessel—an Aker OSCV 06 L design—
is expected in Spring 2009. This will be a DP III, Ice Class construction vessel with a LOA of 153 metres
and maximum speed of 18.5 knots. New-build number two is expected to deliver in Spring 2008 and will
be equipped with a 250 ton offshore crane, DP III and will have a LOA of 118 metres.
Sweet News For Candies
Phoenix International have signed a term charter for the Otto Candies DP II vessel Kimberley Candies.
The vessel is presently supporting inspection and repair of damage to the oil & gas offshore infrastructure
wreaked by last season’s hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. It is understood the term charter with Phoenix
includes options until mid 2011. Additionally, whilst on the subject of Otto Candies, Swifts Shipbuilders
(Morgan City, USA) are building two 170 feet crew boats for Otto Candies with the first delivering in July
2007.
Kleven Kept Busy
The Kleven shipyard in Ulsteinvik, Norway had several reasons to celebrate after gaining two contracts.
Firstly, Siem Offshore signed a contract for the building of a new, high tech MPSV. Understood to be
based on the new MT 6017 design (pictured), it has been developed in close co-operation between owner
and yard and is expected to deliver in November 2008. Contract value is $47 million and main vessel
details include a working deck area of nearly 1050 m2, accommodation for 68 persons and a LOA of 93.7
metres, with options for an offshore crane and heli-deck. The other important piece of news from Kleven
was the ordering of a UT 712L anchor handler by Rem Maritime of Fosnavaag, Norway. Contract value is
295 million Nok with delivery expected late 2008 / early 2009. The vessel will have LOA of 78.3metres,
bollard pull of 190 tons and a deck area of 510 square metres. These and other orders should keep the
Norwegian yard busy for a long time to come.
Farstad Order Again
Aker Yards has signed a contract with Farstad Supply AS for a platform supply vessel of UT751 CD
design. The contract value is approximately NOK 320 million. This is the 21st contract between the
shipowner Farstad Shipping and Aker Yards. The hull for the vessel will be built in Braila, Romania and
outfitted at Aker Yards, Brevik. Principal dimension will be 94m LOA with a beam of 21m and a
deadweight of 4000 tons. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for January 2009.
Moulin Cruise
Tidewater Inc newbuild anchor handler Du Moulin Tide has been term chartered for three years to
Chevron. The 10,000 BHP vessel will be working out of Angolan waters after delivery in mid September
this year.
Eidesvik Agree Another Avant
Eidesvik Offshore ASA have exercised their option to build a third VS 493 LNG-Avant PSV with Westcon
in Olensvag, Norway. As discussed in last month’s Seabreeze (“Advantage Avant”), these vessels are
fuelled by liquid natural gas which reduces emissions and is better for the environment. The vessel will
deliver around second quarter of 2008 with a contract value of about 325 million NOK. It is further
understood that Eidesvik are preparing this vessel for fuel cell technology testing.
Prosafe Pursue Petrojarl
Prosafe, the Norwegian oil services group has declared an intention to acquire a 29.6 % in Petrojarl for a
consideration of NOK 1.1 billion. The move, follows Prosafe's purchase of rival floatel operator, Consafe,
and would consolidate Norway's offshore energy production industry. Petrojarl, which has four FPSO's in
the North Sea, was formed in June of this year having broken away from Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS).
Prosafe confirms that it is pleased to have been able to acquire a strategic position in Petrojarl ASA.
Prosafe believes that Petrojarl with its fleet of four harsh environment FPSOs and an experienced and well
reputed organisation is well placed to participate in the future growth within the floating production
industry. The acquisition is in line with Prosafe’s intention to grow its position in this business segment.
Harvey Keep Their Spirit Up
Louisiana based Harvey Gulf International’s latest 280 foot DP II PSV Harvey Spirit was launched this
month. The vessel built by Eastern Shipbuilding still has several months of work before it is ready for use
by Harvey Gulf and is the fourth built by the yard for this customer.
Siem Seem Pleased
Siem Offshore Inc have agreed with the limited partnership KS Ocean Carrier to buy the VS 483 PSV
Ocean Carrier (pictured) in a deal worth NOK 183 million. Siem Offshore Inc has held a 20% ownership in
the vessel after the completion of the Rovde transaction in February earlier this year. They have also
acted as commercial and technical manager of the vessel over the last 16 months, using their subsidiary
Siem Rovde AS. A piece of breaking news—Siem Offshore Inc has entered into an agreement with an
Indian buyer for the sale of the VS 470 MK II PSV Siem Molly. Sale price is NOK 193 million , making
Siem a profit of at least NOK 50 million from this deal. The vessel is still under construction at Aker Yards
and is expected to deliver in October this year.
Crosby Catch 14
Tidewater Inc are to sell 14 of their offshore tugs to Crosby Marine Transportation, LLC in a $44.8 million
deal. Two of these vessels are tugs due to return from Middle East charters whilst the other twelve
currently make up Tidewater’s total domestic fleet of offshore tugs. It is understood that the cash
generated from this will be used in either the re-purchase of Tidewater stock or in “newer core fleet
assets”. As Tidewater own over 500 vessels, this sale is unlikely to have any effect on future earnings
capacity.
Pat On The Back From Tidewater
This month, Tidewater Inc. christened their new 220 ft PSV “M/V Pat Taylor. The vessel which was built by
Quality Shipyards LLC (a Houma based Tidewater subsidiary) is named after the late well known
philanthropist oil man. Patrick F Taylor created the precursor of Louisiana’s free college tuition programme
and Tidewater, who normally name their vessels after their company employees and directors, felt that Pat
Taylor’s contributions to the energy industry and community should be recognised.
Havila Home In On Solstrand
Havila have purchased Norwegian shipyard Solstrand AS from Sparebank 1. The yard has traditionally
concentrated on building fishing vessels and more recently has obtained two contracts to build supply
vessels for Trico and Sartor Shipping.
Aker Action Double Deal
Norwegian based Aker Yards ASA were busy in the second half of August, signing two contracts with
Island Offshore worth a combined $96 million. The first deal with the Ulsteinvik based shipowner is for a
UT 712 L anchor handler with an LOA of 78.3 metres. Delivery for this vessel is expected in September
2008. Deal number two was for the construction of a UT776 CD PSV with an LOA of 93 metres. Delivery
for this PSV is scheduled for March 2009. The hulls of each vessel will be constructed in Romania, with
final outfitting to be carried out at Aker Yards, Brevik, Norway.
Charisma Captured By Deep Sea Supply
Seabrokers are pleased to advise that Bourbon Offshore have sold their KMAR 404 anchor handler
Bourbon Charisma to Deep Sea Supply ASA at a price of NOK 273 million. The 1999 Kvaerner Kleven
yard built vessel was re-named Sea Cougar after delivery in August this year. It now has a NOR flag and
has been chartered to MLS for term work beginning in October this year. The period of the fixture is
understood to be four to six months but the Sea Cougar will continue to work in the North Sea spot market
until the commencement of the term charter with MLS.
Ostensjo Order
Norwegian based shipowners Ostensjo Rederi have ordered a second ST 216 PSV. The vessel, to be
built by Astilleros Gondan in Spain, will be exactly the same as the previously ordered ST 216 vessel.
Ostensjo expect delivery in February 2009 and currently have no commitments for it.
Maersk Ventura delivered
On August 28th Maersk Brazil Ltda took delivery of the PSV Maersk Ventura from Keppel FELS Brasil
shipyard. The vessel has joined the existing fleet of more than 55 vessels operated by Maersk Supply
Service. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Rem Maritime orders anchor handler from Kleven
Rem Maritime has signed contract with Kleven Verft in Ulsteinvik, Norway to build a UT712 L anchor
handler. The vessel will be 78.3m long, with a breadth of 17.2m, a bollard pull of approximately 190
tonnes and crane capacity on the main winch on 400 tonnes. The vessel will be delivered by the yard in
December 2008. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Bibby Offshore comments on newbuild DSV
Vessel & ROV News - August 31, 2006
Bibby Offshore Ltd, the Aberdeen, UK-based subsea contractor, part of Bibby Line Limited of Liverpool,
has confirmed that it has committed to bring a second newbuild Diving Support Vessel (DSV) to the
market, following on from Bibby Sapphire conversion which delivered in the first quarter 2005. The new
vessel, named Bibby Topaz, is under construction in Trondheim, Norway at the Fosen yard and will be
available for subsea operations from July 2007. As with the Bibby Sapphire, Bibby Offshore will be
taking Bibby Topaz on a long term time charter from Volstad Seismic A/S. The vessel, which is a
Skipsteknisk AS design to Bibby Offshore specification, will be 107m long and have a beam of 22m. She
will have a twin diving bell, 18 man dive system rated to 300m water depth. The vessel will also have a
heave compensated 150te crane, a working deck area of 1,000m and accommodation for 106 persons. In
a recent statement, Bibby Offshore said the vessel will be the first purpose-built DSV available to the
North Sea market since the late 1980s and will be the most advanced and powerful vessel in her class.
The order represents a further major commitment and investment in the subsea sector from Bibby
Offshore and its parent Bibby Line Limited. Howard Woodcock, Managing Director of Bibby Offshore, said:
"Bibby Offshore bringing the Bibby Topaz to the market underlines our focus and commitment to the
industry in the North Sea Region and beyond; she will be a superb addition to our fleet, adding much to
our capability, capacity and reputation in this sector.” The diving and ROV services on the vessel, like the
company’s other DSV’s, Bibby Aquamarine and Bibby Sapphire will be provided by Aberdeen based
contractor, Integrated Subsea Services (ISS) from their growing and specialist manpower and equipment
pool. The vessel, whilst targeted at the North Sea Market, will be capable of supporting operations
worldwide and be an integral part in the company’s strategic plan for growth. Bibby Topaz, when
operational next year, will have a dual redundant Dynamic Positioning system, an advanced ROV with
comprehensive and dedicated survey facilities on-board and three six man deck decompression
chambers, together with diver and chamber gas reclaim. The DSV will also be fitted with a helideck
capable of taking 12.8 tons or Sikorsky N92 or equivalent. Technical management and marine crewing of
the Bibby Topaz has been awarded to Meridian Marine Management of Liverpool, a sister company of
Bibby Offshore, who also technically manage the Bibby Sapphire and Bibby Aquamarine and the Bibby
Group’s jack-up rigs. (Source: Leo Kramer)
7e jaargang, nr. 30
dd. 10 September 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Coastguard Tug Ànglian Monarch' takes Drifting Tug and Barge under Tow
The Dover based Coastguard tug Ànglian Monarch' has been in action this afternoon after the tug
`Cumbrae' towing an unmanned barge got into difficulties off Ramsgate earlier today. The crew of the
vessel reported in to Dover Coastguard at just after 9.00 a.m. this morning that they had a problem with
the tow, and that an emergency tow wire had become lodged around the rudder under the towing vessel.
The vessel was drifting at the time and Master of the vessel did not wish to use his propellers for fearing of
fouling and exacerbating the situation. The `Cumbrae' had 6 crew aboard. The anchor had been dropped
but this wasn't holding the vessel and she was still drifting just outside the shipping lanes. The Agency's
Counter Pollution Unit was informed and the Coastguard tug was sent to the scene. The Ànglian
Monarch' arrived on scene at about 2.15 this afternoon to evaluate the situation. Details of the drifting
vessel were incorporated into the routine Channel Navigation Information Service broadcasts to alert other
vessels of the `Cumbrae's' predicament. Upon arrival the Coastguard tug slowly circled the drifting tug and
tow to see what could be done and spotted what appeared to be black rope around the Cumbrae's'
rudder. The tug had earlier attempted a reverse procedure to free herself but this had proved to be
unsuccessful. Colin Mulvana, Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer from the Agency said: "We had
various conversations during the afternoon both with the onshore contact for the tug and directly with the
master as our concern was that as the evening drew in we would potentially have two `rogue' vessels
drifting in what is the worlds busiest waterway. "Despite their later efforts to free the tug from the rope
around their rudder they were unsuccessful, and at just after 4.00 p.m. the Ànglian Monarch' took them
under tow towards Dover and out of harms way. We have kept Dover Port Control informed of these
developments. "As the Ànglian Monarch' began to make way the 'Cumbrae' was able to restart its
engines and is presently following the Coastguard tug which is towing the barge, which has now two
people aboard from the rescue vessel. "This incident reemphasises how essential these ocean going tugs
are to the strategy of protecting the UK's coastline in ensuring drifting vessels or those not under
command do not represent a threat to the coastline, or other shipping, in the very busy waters around our
shores." (Source: Leo Kramer)
Aker Yards builds two more PSVs for Nordcapital
September 4, 2006 Nordcapital Holding in Hamburg, Germany has ordered a pair of UT 755 LN PSVs
from Aker Yards in Norway. The two vessels are scheduled for delivery in December 2008 and March
2009, and will be built at Aker Yards, Aukra. The value of the contract is approximately NKr 290 million.
Including the new orders, Nordcapital has on order eight sister vessels from Aker Yards for delivery
between October 2007 and March 2009. All of the will be fitted with DP1 and FiFi1. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Shipping Corporation of India to invest in support vessels
September 4, 2006 India's national flag carrier Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is planning to acquire a
total of 10 offshore support vessels over the next three years, reports Business Standard. In the first
phase of the project, SCI will acquire five anchor handlers of circa 70 tonnes bollard pull. The company
would acquire five more vessels in the second phase of the prokject. At present, SCI owns 10 offshore
support vessels and manages 21 such vessels for ONGC. SCI is also bidding for ONGC's new tender for
provision of 26 offshore supply vessels. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Halul receives first Indian AHTS
Doha-based Halul Offshore Service Company (HOSC) received their latest new anchor handling tug
supply vessel (AHTS), the Halul 24, which was built by Bharati Shipyard in India. This vessel is the first of
four AHTSs ordered by HOSC as a part of modernising their fleet and Halul 24 will be providing services
to RasGas offshore facilities. The remaining three AHTSs are expected to join the fleet in another 8
*** Een J.v.d.Ster – Marcol Production ***
months time. It is equipped with two medium speed diesel engines delivering power of 5900 BHP and
achieving a bollard pull of 70 tonnes. The newbuilding is fitted with bow and stern thrusters of 500 kW
each for better manoeuvrability and station keeping and is also fitted with external fire fighting facilities to
LRS Fi-Fi-1 standards and Fast Rescue Boat. The vessel can carry deadweight of 1,750 tonnes and is
highly sophisticated with unmanned machinery space, state of the art communication facilities and joystick
manoeuvring controls. (Source: Clipping News)
Tugboat Celebrates 100
The tugboat Heinrich Ludwig was launched 100 years ago on September 4, 1906. Up to today, it is in daily
use at the Port of Hamburg for Carl Robert Eckelmann AG. So, as far as known, it is the oldest tugboat
still in service. In 1906 it has been built by the Hamburg based shipyard Janssen & Schmilinsky as a
steely motor tugboat. In 1956, after 50 years in service its steam engine was replaced by a diesel engine.
Since 1996 it is owned by Carl Robert Eckelmann AG, transport and logistics. This tugboat is a positive
example for the durability of economic assets. The hull and many other items still are original. This applies
as well to the oversized steering-wheel, which nowadays however serves as additional steering-wheel
only. (Source: Marine Link)
New Tugs Offer Cutting Edge Capability
The two innovative Carousel combi-tugs being built in Malaysia for Dutch salvage and towage company
Multraship could revolutionize tug design, without the need for expensive technology, according to the
Carousel system designer, Novatug. The tugs ordered in July this year from Malaysian shipbuilder Nautica
Nova Shipbuilding & Engineering (NNSE) incorporate the unique Carousel towing system and will address
directly the needs of big ships requiring escort facilities into harbours and rivers. Rolf Kievits, general
manager of Rotterdam-based Novatug, says, "The beauty of the Carousel construction is that the solution
it offers is so logical, and relatively simple. Of course it requires engineering, design work and stress
calculations to ensure that everything is fail-safe. But the Carousel construction is in fact nothing other
than a very clever and logical mechanical system which makes use of basic laws of physics and requires
no expensive technology." Comparing the time taken to build the Carousel tugs, as opposed to
conventional tugs, Kievits says, "The Carousel system is an integral part of the design. There is no extra
steelwork involved. The Carousel and winch, as elements of the towing equipment, will be built off-site and
installed on the vessels at the yard. So there is no extra construction time involved." In terms of cost,
Kievits said, "It is not possible to equate safety with pure financial cost, but our aim is to design and build
the safest tug afloat at an affordable price. Of course the great advantage of the Carousel system is that it
incorporates just one winch, as opposed to the two which other, conventional vessels would need to carry
out the same task. Carousel also incorporates a more cost-effective propulsion lay-out which will result in
long-term economies of maintenance and fuel consumption." The Carousel design incorporates an
integrated winch platform, together with appropriate finite element calculations to ensure that the entire
structure is able to take its prescribed design load, fully independent of the ship, on the freely rotating
Carousel and winch platform. The system for the tugs being built in Malaysia has been engineered to a
300-tonne design load. This includes the whole spectrum of horizontal and vertical loads the winch has to
work with. For practical purposes, however, and to ensure safe operations when assisting other ships, the
system as a whole is restricted to a 160-tonne working load. In order to power the winch on a freely
rotating Carousel, Novatug has designed a twin-diesel-engine power-pack to power the hydraulic system.
Where maximum power is not required, this system can be operated at fifty per cent capacity by using
only one of the two engines. The winch has been specifically designed for harbour towage, escort work
and coastal applications. It is a sate-of-the-art hydraulic winch, manufactured by Rapp Hydeema of
Norway, with full active escort capabilities. Kievits explains, "We had to find the right balance between the
winch dimensions and the rope capacity, where we opted to use 72 mm Dyneema line of 200 m length. In
the event that the tugs were required to undertake deep-sea work, however, a winch with additional wire
capacity could be fitted to the Multraship tugs. "In terms of maintenance requirements, the usual
manufacturer service intervals are recommended. For the Carousel, we recommend that the bearings are
checked at regular service intervals, which will probably mean an annual inspection of the load-runners."
Kievits is excited about the marketing opportunities for the Carousel system. He says, "So far, we have
fitted the system to a conventional tug which originally had a bollard pull of twenty tonnes, and we have
the escort designs building in Malaysia for Multraship. I think it fair to say that these two examples will be
at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of what we are able to offer owners and operators." Although
doubts have been expressed about the impact on crew safety of operating on board a vessel fitted with
the Carousel system, Kievits says, "Given current restrictions on crew working on deck during
manoeuvres, there is no real difference in this respect between a Carousel tug and a conventional tug."
The first of the two eighty-ton static bollard pull Carousel Combi-Tugs is due for delivery at the end of
2007, and the second, about three months later. The vessels will be among the most robust harbour and
escort tugs in the world. They will be highly stable both statically and dynamically, and will therefore be of
particular significance for large vessels making approaches to rivers and harbours. They are also
especially fuel-effective, producing potential savings in this regard of between thirty and fifty per cent.
(Source: Marine Link)
Crowley to Build Four More 185,000 - Barrel ATBs
The Pacific Reliance and 185,000 - bbl tank barge 650-1 (shown here) were christened in March of 2006.
The tug for the second vessel of this type - the Gulf Reliance - has been delivered, while barge 650-2 is
scheduled to be completed and delivered in the fourth quarter of this year. Newly ordered vessels are
expected to bring Crowley's ATB fleet to 14 by the end of 2010. Crowley Maritime Corporation's Vessel
Management Services subsidiary has signed a contract with VT Halter Marine Inc. to build four more
articulated tug-barge (ATB), 185,000-barrel tank vessels. The new vessels will have an estimated
delivered cost of approximately $236 million, including owner-furnished equipment. The vessels will be
delivered in six-month intervals between the first half of 2009
and the end of 2010.
The four new ATBs (Pride/650-7, Achievement/650-8,
Innovation/650-9 and Vision/650-10) will be operated by
Crowley's petroleum services segment as they are completed.
These four new vessels will bring Crowley's total ATB fleet to
14, consisting of four 155,000-barrel and ten 185,000-barrel
ATBs. Four of Crowley's 155,000-barrel vessels, the Sea
Reliance/550-1, Sound Reliance/550-2, Ocean Reliance /550-3
and Coastal Reliance/550-4 have each made more than 100
successful voyages and moved over 75 million barrels of
product with zero spills in the last four years, averaging
approximately 21 million barrels moved a year. The first of the 185,000-barrel ATBs, Pacific Reliance/6501 was christened at the end of March. The second vessel of this type, Gulf Reliance has been delivered
and the 650-2, is under construction for Crowley at VT Halter's facilities in Mississippi and is scheduled for
delivery in the fourth quarter of 2006 while the remaining vessels contracted in 2005 (Resolve/650-3,
Commitment/650-4, Courage/650-5 and Integrity/650-6) will be delivered by 2008. "We have received
extremely positive feedback from our customers on our ATBs," said Tom Crowley Jr., company chairman,
president and CEO. "The first 10 ATB's have all been chartered and we are extending the 650 series to
meet additional demand for this class vessel as soon as possible. These vessels offer compelling
economics and exceptional safety and performance." Boyd E. King, VT Halter Marine's CEO said, "This
contract brings the combined value of Crowley's projects with VT Halter Marine to almost $500 million. It is
strong evidence of the solid partnership that has been forged between the two companies." An ATB has
an articulated, or hinged, connection system between the tug and barge, which allows movement in one
axis or plane in the critical area of fore and aft pitch. The four tugs being built under the new contract will
be interchangeable with the other tugs in the company's ATB fleet. The 185,000-barrel barges will be
substantially identical to those currently under construction. The new ATBs feature the latest systems
technology and double-hull construction for maximum safety and reliability. Not only does the unit have
the capability of transporting refined products, but it can also carry heated cargoes and easy chemicals,
which require special arrangements of vents, stripping systems, pump components and tank coatings not
required of product carriers. All of Crowley's ATBs are built under the ABS SafeHull program for
environmental protection. This program puts the vessel design through an exhaustive review to identify
structural loads and strengthen the vessel structure. The 650-Class barges will be 27,000 deadweight
tons, 587 feet in length, 74 feet in breadth and 40 feet in depth. The fully loaded draft will be 30 feet.
There is an electrically driven cargo pump in each of the 14 cargo tanks to assure maximum cargo
integrity and segregation flexibility; two anchor windlasses and associated equipment to enable the vessel
to accommodate offshore mooring operations, and a vacuum system with three retention tanks to easily
handle cargo changes. There is also a dual mode inert gas system and vapor collection system for
maximum safety. An enhanced mooring system features 1,000-foot Spectra-type lines on split drums with
a high-speed recovery rate of 100 feet per minute. The tugs meet all SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and
ABS criteria, and have a foam capable fire monitor; twin heavy fuel engines; a noise reduction package
and other upgrades to increase crew comfort. The communication and navigation equipment is among the
most technologically advanced in the industry today. Vessel Management Services, which is part of
Crowley's corporate services segment, provides technical project support services involving naval
architecture and marine engineering, contracting, on-site representation for ship, tug and barge
construction and ownership of new vessels for the parent company. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
AP Moller group orders AHTS
LR Fairplay's Daily Newbuilding News reports that Danish owner AP Moller, which owns Maersk Supply
Ships, has ordered an anchor handling tug supply vessel from Volkswerft Stralsund shipyard in Germany.
The vessel will be delivered in 2008 and the order includes an option for two more. (Source: Clipping
News)
NorSkan Offshore takes delivery of latest newbuild
Seabrokers reports that NorSkan Offshore in Brazil was due to take delivery of its latest Brazilian
newbuilding, Norskan Botafogo, on September 5th. The ship is a UT 722L anchor handler with 18,000bhp,
and is the fifth newbuilding for NorSkan Offshore in Brazil and the first of a series of three anchor handlers
built on speculation for the local market. Seabrokers noted that NorSkan Botafogo will go on contract with
Petrobras from delivery. The next vessel to be delivered towards the end of the year has also been
awarded a contract with Petrobras while the third is uncommitted. (Source: Clipping News)
Trico Marine orders OSV's at Bender
Trico Marine Services, Inc. says it has reached an agreement, effective September 1, 2006, to build two
GPA 640, 210 ft offshore supply vessels for a total cost of approximately $35 million. The vessels will have
diesel electric propulsion and class 2 dynamic positioning systems. Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc.
will build the vessels at its shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, with an expected delivery date for the first vessel
in March 2008 and the second vessel in July 2008. The agreement guarantees the construction costs of
the vessels as well as technical specifications and contains penalties for late delivery. Trico expects to
fund construction costs related to each vessel from cash and cash flow from operations. Trico President
and CEO Trevor Turbidy commented, "We are pleased to announce the construction of these vessels,
which is consistent with our previously announced strategy of upgrading our fleet in a fiscally responsible
manner. These vessels address our customers' operating requirements and will have the ability to work in
almost any market in the world. We are delighted that Bender will be constructing the vessels and we
have the utmost confidence in their ability to deliver the vessels on each of their expected delivery dates in
2008." The vessels incorporate an additional deck level for increased accommodation of client personnel.
Trico says that diesel-electric propulsion provides excellent fuel efficiency and lower operating costs for
customers. These characteristics will make the vessel attractive for global deployment including
specialized disciplines such as seismic, ROV, and subsea applications. (Source: Clipping News)
7e jaargang, nr. 31
dd. 17 September 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Rotor Tug “RT Zoe”
Container vessels which call at the Port of Hamburg still get
larger and larger. In response to that stronger tugboats are
being required. As part of its fleet renewal programme harbour
service provider Kotug put into service the tug newbuilding “RT
Zoe” in the summer of 2006 at the Port of Hamburg. A pulling
force of 65 tons makes it to the strongest tugboat at the Port of
Hamburg. It exceeds that of usual tugboats by approx. 15 tons.
“RT Zoe” is a rotor tug equipped with three propellers under
the hull. Two of them are mounted amidships and one is
mounted abaft. Each one may be turned independently by 360
degrees, which results in exceptional maneuver characteristics
for the tugboat. E.g. the tugboat may be swung sideways and
is able to assist. The tugboat is powered by three main engines with altogether 5300 hp. For comparison,
a barge tugboat is powered by approx. 300 hp and a usual tugboat for container vessels by around 3000
hp. It is 28,3 m long and 11,7 m wide. Its maximal draught is 5,9 m. Like its three sister ships which are
stationed in Bremerhaven and Le Havre it has been built in Singapore. The equipment includes two cable
winches and an extensive fire-extinguishing equipment. For the time being “RT Zoe” remains a single item
at the Port of Hamburg. Depending upon development however an employment of further rotor tugs of this
generation is not impossible. (Source:Marinelink)
Report: Attack on ECO Supply Ship Kills One
A Nigerian oil worker was killed and another injured on Tuesday in an armed attack on a supply ship
operated by a U Edison Chouest Offshore, Reuters reported. "Armed men came alongside the vessel at
0300 hours (O200 GMT) and got on board to look for things to take. They executed one of the crew when
they didn't find anything," an unnamed source told the news agency. The supply ship was operated by
Edison Chouest Offshore, a Louisiana-based oil services company, a security source said. The ship was
working on an oilfield about three miles offshore operated by U.S. energy giant Chevron, but officials from
the California-based company were also unavailable to comment. The field is part of the Escravos oil
export system, which normally exports about 160,000 barrels of oil per day. It is located in the western
delta, where a series of attacks and kidnappings earlier this year forced Royal Dutch Shell to evacuate
hundreds of workers and reduce output by 477,000 barrels per day. Oil workers across Nigeria are due to
stop work for three days from Wednesday to protest growing insecurity in the delta, after the killing of
another Nigerian oil worker last month. Violence in the Niger Delta, home of Africa's biggest oil industry,
has been a problem for over a decade. Many in the vast wetlands region resent the oil industry which
provides the bulk of Nigeria's wealth but has brought few benefits to them. (Source:Reuters)
Bugsier 3 besluit trio
De nieuwe kust- annex havensleper Bugsier 3, gebouwd bij K.Damen in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, heeft
vorige week proefgevaren. Het is de laatste uit een serie van drie voor Bugsier Reederei- und Bergungs
Gesellschaft in Hamburg. De 32,80 meter lange en 11,75 meter brede sleper is bijna identiek aan de vorig
jaar opgeleverde Bugsier 1 en Bugsier 2. Qua trekkracht is zij de sterkste van de drie. De Bugsier 1 heeft
een trekkracht van 58 ton, de Bugsier 2 van 63 ton en de Bugsier 3 van 65 ton. De s;lepers, zogehten
azimuth tractor tugs, hebben twee hoofdmotoren, die een 360 graden draaibare Aquamaster-schroefunit
met Kort-straalbuizen onder het voorschip aandrijven. Vrijvarend kan hiermee dertien knopen worden
gehaald. De drie in Hardinxveld-Giessendam gebouwde slepers zijn de sterkste uit de vloot van
kust/havenslepers van de Duitse rederij. Naast assistenties aan zeeschepen in Hamburg zet Bugsier ze
ook in bij het verhalen van booreilanden en bij conventioneel sleepwerk op de Noordzee.
(Source:Schuttevaer)
Drie unieke MPP slepers op één dag gedoopt
Op 19 september a.s. worden voor het kantoor van Smit de drie nieuwe MPP Tug 2500 (multi purpose
pushing tug), van Smit Transport Europe BV, gedoopt. De drie nieuwe sleep-duw en bergingsvaartuigen,
de Smit Bronco, Smit Barracuda en Smit Bison,
zullen resp. gedoopt worden door Mevr. Meeuwisse echtgenote van Commercieel Manager Smit
Transport en Heavy Lift M.J.Meeuwisse, Mevr. De Feijter echtgenote van Engineering Newbuilding
Manager A. de Feijter en Mevr. Keser echtgenote van General Manager Smit Transport en Heavy Lift
G.A.Keser. De casco’s van de schepen zijn gebouwd in Servie. Tijdens de bouw zijn de schepen voorzien
van ijsklasse met notatie 1# Hull Mach Aut-UMS Tug. De schepen werden via de binnenrivieren
aangevlet om te worden afgebouwd door de werf van IHC Holland Delta Shipyard te Sliedrecht onder nr’s
11016; 11017 en 11018 onder toezicht van Bureau Veritas. De schepen hebben een lengte van 25,40
meter, breedte 10 meter en een diepgang van 3,45 meter. De twee Caterpillar dieselmotoren met een
totaal vermogen van 2028 pk geven de schepen een trekkracht van 28 ton. De schepen zijn verder
uitgerust met een boegschroef van 240 pk. Twee Caterpillar generator sets met een vermogen van
97,5Kva leveren het benodigde elektrische vermogen voor de verbruikers. Aan dek van de slepers staat
een een hydraulische gedreven sleepwinch met een trommel voor een 700 meter 38 mm sleepdraad en
een trommel met een 200 meter 44 mm anchor handling draad. Verder is er een sleephaak met een 35
ton swl houdkracht. In de achtersteven is een rol aangebracht voor het ankerwerk en in lijn, voor de
veiligheid, een draad stopper en sleeppennen in dek verzonken. Een hydraulisch gedreven dekkraan van
1400 kNm complementeren de dek uitrusting van deze zeer geavanceerde en goed uitgeruste
Multipurpose duw- sleep en anker behandeling slepers. De accommodatie, volledig voorzien van
verwarming en air conditioning, bestaat uit 2 één persoons hutten en 2 twee persoons hutten. Ook de
brug is voorzien van de modernste navigatie systemen., zoals GMDSS-A2, 2 stuks VHF’s, echosounder,
radio telephonie 2 stuks automatic pilots, DGPS, 2 stuks daglicht radars, Navtex, electronische
kaartsysteem, Satcom mini-m en ARPA. De schepen zullen de oudere eenheden van Smit Transport
Europe BV. gaan vervangen. (Source:Hans van der Ster)
Bold Endeavour joins Solstad and gets new name
Solstad Offshore reports that the construction vessel Bold Endeavour has fornally joined its fleet, and has
been re-named Normand Corona. The ship is on contract with DeepOcean, working in the Gulf of Mexico.
(Source:Leo Kramer)
Sleepbedrijf wil asbestschip kwijt
Het Sliedrechtse sleepbedrijf Landfall is het asbestschip Otapan het liefst zo snel mogelijk kwijt. Volgens
directeur moet er zo snel mogelijk een einde komen aan het rondslepen, het kost het sleepbedrijf anders
andere opdrachten. De sleepboten van Landfall Sliedrecht trekken de Otapan nu rond over de
Middellandse Zee. Het schip zou in Turkije worden gesloopt, maar dat land weigerde de Otapan, omdat er
asbest aan boord is. De Otapan heeft lange tijd in de Amsterdamse haven gelegen. (Source:Leo Kramer)
Great Offshore newbuild due shortly
Seabrokers reports that Great Offshore (India) is due to take delivery of a medium sized PSV (UT755L)
from Brattvaag shipyard in Norway around mid-September although it is not clear if Malaviya 30 will
mobilise to India or remain in the North Sea. In addition, Great Offshore has four small/medium AHTS (712,000bhp) on order at Bharati shipyard in India. (Source:Leo Kramer)
Nexen 'pool' to get another vessel shortly
Seascope Offshore reports that Nexen’s PSV ‘pool’ is scheduled to increase to four units in the first half of
October when they take delivery of the large PSV North Stream (a UT745) which has been fixed primarily
to support a 21 month drilling programme in the Central North Sea with Borgsten Dolphin. The other
vessels in their medium / long term fleet are the large PSV Highland Navigator (UT745) and smaller
Portosalvo (UT755L) /Northern Supporter (UT755) which are currently supporting drilling programmes with
the GSF Galaxy III and Transocean John Shaw in the Central North Sea and the hook-up of the Buzzard
Field. (Source:Leo Kramer)
7e jaargang, nr. 32
dd. 01 oktober 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Mutaties
De Shorne is van de Thames naar de Humber gegaan
De Sun Sussex naar Southampton.
De Adsteam Laceby is momenteel op de Thames omdat de Lady Sarah onder reparatie is.
De nieuwe Adsteam Shotley is intussen in dienst te Felixtowe. (Source: Lawrence Amboldt)
Smit Siberie sold
The Smit Siberie was handed over to her new owners Cooperativa Rimorchiatori Ancona Soc. Coop.
a.r.l. at Ravenna, Italië. She is, after the Smit Engelend, the second tug from Smit for this tugboat
company. Her new name is not known at this moment. (Source: Neeltje Snoei)
Dutchies sold and renamed
The Dutch Power and Dutch Pride were sold to the Turkish Construction Group ENKA and are working
now at D Island Offshore Kazakhstan, Caspian Sea. The Power is now called Aral and Pride called
Meric. (Source: Clipping News)
Labroy books AHTS orders
Singapore's Labroy Shipbuilding and Engineering Pte Ltd has secured four shipbuilding contracts from a
new customer--Greatship (India) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Eastern Shipping Company
Ltd--for the construction of four 63 m, 80 ton bollard pull anchor handling tug supply vessels ("AHTS"),
scheduled for delivery in 2009. The contracts are worth a total of US $60.4 million (S $95.0 million). Mr
Tan Boy Tee, Chairman and Managing Director of Labroy, noted: "Our outstanding order book has hit a
new record of S$1.35 billion. Our shipbuilding department will be kept busy until 2009." (Source: Clipping
News)
QShip, Qcon begin deployment of new anchor handling tugs
Qatar Shipping Company (QShip) and Qatar Engineering and Construction Company (Qcon) began the
deployment this week of two state-of-the-art anchor handling tugs (AHTs) ‘Halul 26’ and ‘Halul 27’ from
the Q Ship/Qcon marine yard at Qatar’s southern industrial city of Mesaieed. The vessels have been built
for Halul Offshore Services and are sophisticated dynamic positioning vessels which can maintain their
position to within one foot even in adverse sea conditions. The event was attended by Q Ship/Qcon
Chairman Salem Butti Al Naimi, Qcon Vice-Chairman Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Thani; the Acting CEO
of Q Ship K.K. Kothari; Qcon General Manager Mazen Abu Naba’a and representatives of Qcon and Halul
Offshore Services. Meanwhile, Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd (Nakilat) said it is planning to acquire
10 huge new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers which will be used by Qatar Liquefied Gas Company III
(QatarGas 3) to export LNG from its 8 million tonne per year Train 6. The $3 billion deal for seven QFlex
and three QMax tankers was signed between Nakilat and three Korean shipbuilders: Daewoo Shipbuilding
and Marine Engineering, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries. Nakilat also signed a
25-year time-charter agreement with Qatargas 3 for the seven vessels. The QMax vessels each have a
capacity of approximately 265,000 cubic metres — the largest LNG carriers ever built — while the
capacity of each QFlex vessel is around 215,000 cubic metres. (Source: Clipping News)
Esnaad Orders Five New Vessels Worth $60m
Gulfnews has reported that Adnoc subsidiary Esnaad, a marine and supply base services company, has
ordered five new vessels from Singapore at a cost of $60m as part of its fleet replacement, a top company
official revealed. Darwish A. Al Qubaisi, General Manager, said that the fleet replacement process is
ongoing to meet the expansion needs of the company. Esnaad took delivery of two new vessels
yesterday, both, anchor handling towing supply vessels built by Singapore-based Otto Engineering at a
cost of $24m. Currently, the company owns a fleet of 26 multipurpose vessels and manages nine
chartered vessels offering services to major clients, mainly Adnoc companies. The $4.9m contract was
awarded last year to ADSB to design and build the crew boat. (Source: Gulfnews)
Companies Sign Joint Contract with ConocoPhillips
Bay-Houston Towing Co., Suderman & Young Towing Co. LP, and Moran Towing Corporation are
pleased to announce they have jointly contracted with the ConocoPhillips Company to provide harbor tug
services for LNG vessels calling at the Freeport LNG terminal, currently under construction in the
Port of Freeport, Texas. Bay-Houston and Suderman & Young will each provide one 6300 hp Z-Tech
tractor tug while Moran Towing Corp. will provide a 5100 hp ASD tractor tug. All three tugs will be classed
by the American Bureau of Shipping, and equipped to ABS A1 Towing Service; ABS AMS; ABS Escort
Service; and ABS Fire Fighting Vessel Class 1. G&H Towing Company of Galveston, Texas will operate
the three tugboats. The tugs will deliver a combined bollard pull in excess of 235 short tons.
The Z-Techs are powered by two Caterpillar 3516C HD engines providing 6300 hp (4700 kw). The
engines drive Schottel Model SRP 1520 Z-drives. The ASD tug is powered by two EMD 12-645F7B
engines providing 5100 hp (3800 kw) driving Ulstein Model 1650H Z-Drives. Bay-Houston and Suderman
& Young are each building one Z-Tech to be delivered by mid-2007 and are both in the
final stages of contracting for the construction of two additional Z-Techs. The six 6300 hp Z-Techs, all
FiFi1 equipped, will be operated by G&H Towing and added to the three tractor tugs already in their fleet.
The additional tractors will significantly expand the companies' capabilities throughout the ports of
Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Corpus Christi, and Freeport. The Moran ASD tug will either be one of
fifteen recently constructed tractor tugs that Moran currently operates, or one of the two additional tugs it
will take delivery of by the end of this year. (Source:Jan v.d.Doe)
Full steam ahead for UT designs
Among recent orders are this UT 712 L for Rem Maritime. Today’s high level of offshore exploration and
production activity has brought with it a corresponding demand for support vessels of all kinds. The result
is an unprecedented order book for Rolls-Royce UT-Designs. Currently, no fewer than 85 vessels of
Rolls-Royce design are on order and of these 21 are scheduled for delivery before the end of 2006. Most
of the others are for delivery in 2007 and 2008. In three cases contracts for series of vessels will provide
work for yards into 2009, and the high level of order intake continues. Owners have placed building
contracts with yards in Norway, India, Singapore, Brazil, Italy and Russia. In all, 17 different Rolls-Royce
UT-Design vessel types are on order, with many variants of the basic types. Among the platform supply
vessels the UT 755 in its many versions remains a favourite, and many are now on order in India. Anchor
handlers cover a wide range of types, reflecting the Rolls-Royce policy of tailoring vessels to the
customer’s requirements and geographical operating area. Contracts for Rolls-Royce design and
equipment package signed in the past few weeks include a UT 712 L AHTS for Rem Maritime, placed
with Kleven Verft. Two vessels of this type are already under construction at the same Ulsteinvik yard for
the same owner. They will be 78.3m long, with a bollard pull of about 190 tonnes, accommodation for 28
people and a working deck area of 510m2. Farstad Shipping has ordered a UT 751 CD PSV from Aker
Yards, representing the 21st vessel contract between the two parties. The hull will be built at Aker’s facility
in Romania and fitted out at Aker Yards, Brevik, in Norway, with delivery sheduled for the beginning of
2009. As the type number indicates, this Farstad vessel will have Clean Design notation, in common with
a growing number of UT-Design vessels as reducing impact on the environment becomes a top priority.
Island Offshore has just ordered two offshore vessels also to be built by Aker Yards, Brevik. One is a UT
712 L anchor handler, a UT-Design that is becoming very popular. The other is a new generation supply
vessel, a UT 776 CD, with diesel electric and pulling azimuth thruster propulsion. (Source:Leo Kramer)
J Hagenaes Shipping orders in India
J Hagenaes Shipping has ordered a total of eight VS 470 MPSVs. J Hagenaes Shipping AS in Aaesund,
Norway, has signed newbuilding contracts with Tebma Shipyards Ltd, India for eight subsea vessels. Six
vessels are to be delivered in 2008, and two more by the first quarter of 2009. The design was developed
together with naval architects Vik Sandvik and is a VS 470 MPSV, with DP2, 'Clean', and 'Comfort'
notation, 71 bunks, 50 ton AHC crane, moonpool and FiFi I. The vessels are primarily intended for the
subsea inspection, maintenance, repair and installation market, but can also act as straight supply
vessels. The company said the contracts "are based on market investigations showing an interesting
future market in the shallow water subsea market worldwide." The vessels will be operated by a new
management company with its head office in Aaesund, in which Welsvik Offshore AS will be a partner.
(Source:Vessel & ROV News)
Deense Stevns slepers in opmars
Een sleepdienst die zich nadrukkelijker in Noordwest-Europa manifesteert, is Stevns Charter & Towage
(Partrederiet Stevns Bugser) uit het Deense Svendborg. Met enkele moderne ASD-slepers is de
afgelopen maanden een reeks offshore sleeptransporten uitgevoerd. Hun groene romp, witte dekhuis en
robuste vorm maken de Deense slepers tot opmerkelijke verschijningen in havens als Rotterdam en
IJmuiden en zelfs op de Westerschelde. Slepers met name als Stevns Ocean en Stevns Arctic, twee
azimuth stern drive (ASD) slepers met een trekkracht van 65 ton, en de nieuwe ASD-slepers Stevns
Iceflower en Stevns Icecap, die zo’n 60 ton trekken.laatstgenoemde slepers zijn dit jaar opgeleverd door
Irving Shipbuilding uit het Canadeese St.John’s. Het duo is ijsversterkt en wordt voortgestuwd door twee
Caterpillar diesels, samen goed voor 5000 pk, die elk een Rolls Royce Aquamaster schroefunit
aandrijven. Deze slepers vervoerden de afgelopen maanden een aantal pontons met platformcnstructies
(jacket en dekmodules) en zware componenten voor windturbines. De rederij uit Svendborg, in 1965
opgericht door Niels Hoejlund Hansen, heeft met deze transporten ondertussen een goede naam
opgebouwd. Naast lokaal sleep- en bergingswerk verricht de rederij ook, zij het op kleine schaal,
offshorewerk. Eerst met twee kleine slepers met een trekkracht van tien tot twintig ton, later met de iets
sterkere Stevns Master (bp dertig ton) en de Stevns Icebird (bp veertig ton). In 2003 werden de eerste
ASD-slepers aangeschaft. Erst de Stevns Ocean en de Stevns Arctic en dit jaar de Stevns Iceflower en
Stevns Icecap. Naast transprten voor de offshore zijn deze bijna 31 meter lange slepers ook uitgerust voor
havenslepen, ijsbreken en bluswerk. (Source:Schuttevaer)
Shell-sleepcontract Østensjø Rederi
Shell heeft in Noorwegen rederij Østensjø gecontracteerd voor sleepbootservice in het Ormen Lange
centrum Nyhamna. Het contract heeft exclusief opties een looptijd van zeven jaar en een waarde van
circa 25 miljoen euro. Østensjø Rederi zal de vloot in verband met de opdracht waarschijnlijk uitbreiden
met een nieuwe sleper. In Nyhamna gaat de rederij uit Haugesund zich bezig houden met behandeling
van tankers voor de verschepping van condensaat. De productie bedraagt circa 8500 kuub per dag en
wordt een in de vier a vijf dagen opgehaald uit de ondergrondse opslag in Nyhamna.
(Source:Schuttevaer)
Nieuwe sleper krijgt oude langzaamloper
Heijsman Scheepsbouw en Reparatie in Stavoren heeft 8 september een sleper 1900 (19 x 4,72 meter) te
water gelaten. Heijsman verzorgde onder andere de bouw van het casco en de inbouw van de
voortstuwingsinstallatie. Opvallend is de hoofdmotor, want dat is een gereviseerde MaK uit 1959. De
zestien to zware langzaamloper levert 160 pk bij 500 toeren. Via de Reintjes-keerkoppeling (1:3,3) drijft de
motor een vierblads schroef in straalbuis aan. De voor recreatie doelen gebouwde sleper is ontworpen
door Yacht Design Architecture & Engineering Gaastmeer en geschikt voor de ruimere vaarwateren. De
1900 steekt 1,55 meter. ‘Ze kan zo als sleepboot worden ingezet, er zit een beting op’, zegt werfbaar Siep
Heijsman. ‘Het caso is hier in een maandje of vier gebouwd. De afbouw gebeurt elders. We zijn nog bezig
met de afstelling van de motor en dan is het voor ons klaar.’ (Source:Schuttevaer)
DOF orders Indian pair
DOF ASA in Norway has placed a newbuilding order with Tebma Shipyard Limited in Goa, India, for two
supply vessels (PSV), design VS 470 MK II. These 73.40 m long, 3,800 dwt vessels will be delivered in
August 2008 and December 2008. (Source: Clipping News)
Manta to Rio de Janeiro
The tugboat Manta of KTK (Curacao Towage Company) will assist tugboats of InterTug Colombia for a 50
days job to tow workstation Elisa from Paramaribo (Suriname) to Rio de Janeiro. KTK signed recently a
co-operation agreement with InterTug of Colombia. According mr. Agustin Diaz junior, KTK had to decide
within 36 hours whether they were in position to assist or not but due to the flexibility of the company they
were able to assist for the benefit of both the companies. Next time we do need InterTUg and then we
count on their support. (Source: Clipping News)
Aker Build Two for Maersk
Maersk AS has announced that they will exercise the option with Aker Yards to build another two Anchor
Handling Tug Supply Vessels (AHTS). The two vessels will be sister vessels to the eight Anchor Handling
Tug Supply Vessels ordered by AP. Moller - Maersk AS in March 2006. The series of AHTS vessels is of
Vik & Sandvik design, VS 472. Deliveries are scheduled for 3rd and 4th quarter 2009 from Aker Yards in
Norway. The vessels are of approx. 73.2 m length. (Source: Marinelink)
Solstad orders two AHTS from Karmsund
Solstad Offshore in Norway has entered into a contract with Karmsund Maritime Service for the
construction of two large anchor handlers. The design for the new ships was developed in close
cooperation between Solstad Offhsore and Vik-Sandvik. The vessels will have 28,000bhp, a bollard pull of
300 tons, accommodation for 60 people, and are designed with particular emphasis on safe anchor
handling. They will be equipped to also operate as construction service vessels (CSV) and will be
prepared for installation of A frames and a large offshore crane. The vessels will be delivered in December
2008 and May 2009, and has a cost price of around NKr 500 million. (Source: Clipping News)
7e jaargang, nr. 33
dd. 08 oktober 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Smit Siberie sold
The Smit Siberie was handed over to her new owners Cooperativa Rimorchiatori Ancona Soc. Coop.
a.r.l. at Ravenna, Italië on October 2 Las Palmas. Renamed Misa Primo. (Source: Neeltje Snoei)
Schouwenbank
De in 1960 bij N.V. Scheepswerven v/h H.H. Bodewes - Millingen gebouwde Europoort sleepboot
Schouwenbank (1) verkocht aan Treffers te Haarlem wordt uiteindelijk gesloopt. De Schouwenbank werd
in 1960 in de vaart gebracht door L.Smit en Co Internationale Sleepdienst voor de Nieuwe Rotterdamse
Sleepdienst (NRS). In 1972 werd zij als Astronoom ingebracht bij Smit Internationale Havensleepdiensten
Rotterdam. In 1980 verkocht aan de Belgische Marine en als Ekster (A998) in de vaart. Als Ekster in 2000
verkocht aan Frans J.Poepjes te Urk. In 2004 doorverkocht aan Willemstein te Nieuwendijk die haar weer
als Schouwenbank in de vaart bracht. In 2006 werd zij verkocht aan Treffers die haar weer de naam
Astronoom gaf. Tenslotte gesloopt door Treffers. (Source: Koos Toussant)
Smit Nigeria
De Smit Nigeria is in Bareboatcharter over gegaan naar Soll-R (Smit Femco) die haar de nieuwe naam
gaf Smit Kuban Port of registry Novo Rossiysk (Source: John Penning)
Bourbon Orca named OSJ's 'Ship of the Year' 2006
Bourbon Offshore's AX104 anchor handler Bourbon Orca has been named Offshore Support Journal's
'Ship of the Year 2006.' The anchor handler is noteworthy for a number of reasons, being the first ship
with Ulstein Design's 'X BOW', the first ship with the Safe Anchor Handling System (SAHS) developed by
ODIM, Ulstein and Bourbon Offshore, and the first diesel electric AHTS. OSJ said the X BOW has a
number of advantages, including:
• reduced pitch and heave accelerations, due to foreship volume distribution and slender hull lines
• no flare, eliminating bow impact and/or slamming in foreship
• reduced noise and vibration levels in foreship, due to 'soft entry' in waves
• less spray due to water not being thrown forward
• higher transit speed in calm water, due to low angles of entry and increased waterline length
• ‘cleaner' hull and accommodation, yielding less icing in ice conditions
• negligible occurrences of green water on the bridge deck
• winch and deck equipment better protected, due to the hull being extended to full beam in the
accommodation area
• higher transit speed and higher operability in head seas
• reduced power consumption and/or higher fuel efficiency both in waves and calm waters. (Source: Leo
Kramer)
DOF and Solstad end JVs in Brazil and Singapore
District Offshore (DOF) and Solstad Offshore in Norway have announced that they plan to dissolve
their joint ventures in Brazil and in Singapore. Solstad Offshore will sell its shares in Norskan Offshore
Ltda Brazil to DOF, and DOF will its shares in Nor Offshore Pte Ltd Singapore. The basis of
the transactions are broker values of the vessels in question. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Swissco orders another AHTS
Swissco International Ltd in Singapore has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Swissco Offshore
Pte Ltd, has placed an order for a new 40m anchor handling supply vessel. Swissco has awarded the
contract to a Chinese Shipyard in Guangzhou, China. This is the 12th contract awarded to the yard and is
the fourth vessel of a similar design. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in the second half of FY07. Said
CEO Alex Yeo: “The oil and gas industry remains robust, and the fleet expansion is part of our plan to
scale up the value chain to meet the demands of our customers in the buoyant oil and gas industry. These
new vessels are able to command better charter rates and we expect better returns when they join the
fleet.” With this order, Swissco expects to take delivery of five vessels for the rest of FY06, six in FY07 and
one in FY08. The S$4.5m purchase will be funded through a combination of internal funds and bank
borrowings. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Odyssea Marine Acquires Vessels from AMT Marine
Odyssea Marine, Inc. has purchased five offshore supply vessels from AMT Marine, Inc. based in Larose,
La. The five vessels range in length from 150 ft. to 200 ft., are all DP1 classed and include the Darwin
John, Andi N. Martin, A.A. Martin, Taylor R. Martin and the Mary Martin, a Bollinger built OSV
delivered in August 2006. The vessels operate in the Gulf of Mexico supplying cargo to major and
independent oil companies, marine construction firms, as well as support drilling operations. With the
recent purchase of the Lytal Enterprises, Inc. vessel fleet consisting of six offshore supply vessels in
February of this year, the Odyssea OSV Division is one of the youngest fleets in the Gulf of Mexico. The
vessels feature advanced technology that the company anticipates the longevity in service and solutions
for the oil and gas industry. (Source: Marinelink)
Eidesvik orders X-bow vessel
Norway's Eidesvik Offshore ASA has entered into a contract with Ulstein Verft AS for delivery of a large
Subsea Construction vessel, type SX SX121 with the innovative Ulstein X-BOW hull. A limited partnership
company (Kommadittselskap), controlled 60% by Eidesvik Offshore ASA and 40% by others, is the buyer.
The value of the contract is approximately NOK 660 million (about $100 million) including an offshore
crane. The vessel will be delivered in November 2008. The new vessel is an inspection-, maintenance-,
repair- and construction vessel (IMR/OCV) with a length overall of 120.2 m, breadth of 25 m and a large
cargo deck area of 1470 square meters. The vessel has accommodations for up to 90 persons and will
amongst others be equipped with a moonpool, an active heave compensated offshore crane, ROVhangar, diesel-electric machinery and a helicopter deck. The construction vessel is the first ship Eidesvik
has ordered from the Ulstein Group. (Source: Clipping News)
Kotug expects Le Havre breathrough
DUTCH towage operator Kotug says that it expects its French affiliate SNRH to open for business at the
port of Le Havre this week after an administrative court ruled against the port authority’s recent withdrawal
of its operating permit. Kotug vice president Dorus Knegtel told Lloyd’s List on Friday that he had the
impression that the port authority had accepted the court’s decision and said that SNRH would be meeting
it early this week to prepare its operational launch. “We are very happy that the judge ruled in our favour,”
he said. The port told Lloyd’s List, however, that it had not yet ruled out the possibility of an appeal against
the ruling of the administrative court. “We have not yet taken a decision,” a spokeswoman said, adding
that the authority was concerting with the ministry of transport and the competent services, as well as with
Kotug, before doing so. “We are trying to be constructive and to act in such a way as to allow things to be
done in a positive manner” she said. There were indications, however, from transport minister Dominique
Perben that he may not yet be ready to allow SNRH to open for business at Le Havre, where its tugs and
crews have been waiting since the start of the year. Speaking at the annual general meeting of the French
ports association, UPACCIM, in Le Havre on Thursday evening, he said that SNRH had not yet satisfied
all the port’s concerns regarding its ability to offer a 24-hour, seven days a week emergency service.
“There is still something missing in terms of security,” he said. Mr Knegtel argued that the port and the
French authorities knew the company was able to comply with their security requirements. Their argument
had rather been a “social” one, aimed at obliging the company to take on more seafarers on its vessels in
line with the demands of crews working for the port’s existing towage operator Les Abeilles. Mr Knegtel
said SNRH, which has four new tugs ready to go to work at Le Havre, could start operations at the port as
soon as it had brought a fifth tug back from Rotterdam, where it was sent provisionally while the company
was waiting for authorisation to start work. Last Friday’s decision from the administrative court in Rouen
follows the port authority’s move in late August to withdraw the operative permit it gave SNRH last year. It
took the decision after the court had over-ruled the refusal of the maritime affairs department of the
ministry of transport to approve SNRH’s proposed crewing arrangements. It claimed SNRH had failed to
respond to its concerns regarding its ability to provide emergency services although the company counterclaimed that its decision was simply a new device for preventing it from starting operations at the port.
First Damen Tug to Be Delivered to New Zealand
On the 26th of September a contract was signed between Damen Shipyards Gorinchem and North Tugz
Limited in Whangerei, New Zealand. North Tugz has ordered one Damen ASD Tug 2411 which will be
built at the Vietnamese yard Song Cam Shipyard in Haiphong. This order is another milestone in the
history of Damen since it will be the first Damen tug to be delivered to a New Zealand customer. The
Damen ASD Tug 2411, with the impressive bollard pull of 70 tons, is one of the most successful compact
harbour tugs in the world with 23 tugs sold and in production in merely 2,5 years time. The delivery of the
vessel to North Tugz is scheduled end 2007. (Source: Clipping News)
Machinekamerkap voor zeesleper Elbe
Met het plaatsen van de nieuwe machinekamerkap vindt vrijdag 6 oktober opnieuw een hoogtepunt plaats
in de restauratie van de Elbe. In de afgelopen jaren is er al veel werk verricht door de Stichting Maritieme
Collectie Rijnmond om de zeesleper Elbe in ere te herstellen. Scheeps- en offshore werf Keppel Verolme,
gevestigd in het Botlek gebied van Rotterdam, startte in december 2005 met een bijzonder leertraject voor
aankomende scheepsbouwers: Het realiseren van de machinekamerkap voor de Elbe. Allereerst is er
door middel van oude tekeningen, foto’s en het inmeten aan boord een beeld gevormd hoe de kap
gemaakt zal worden. Toen de kap op tekening was gezet, is er begonnen met het bewerken van het staal
en de constructie van de luiken en de kap. De kap is deze week, nadat de constructie volledig in de verf is
gezet door het straal- en schilderbedrijf M.O.P.P. (een dochtermaatschappij van Keppel Verolme),
getransporteerd van de werf naar de Govert van Wijnkade in Maassluis. Na de grootscheepse verbouwing
tot loodsboot in 1976, verloor de Elbe haar zo kenmerkende uiterlijk als zeesleepboot. Het terugplaatsen
van de machinekamerkap is daarmee een mijlpaal in het uiterlijk herstel van de Elbe. De zeesleper heeft
na het plaatsen van de kap haar vrije sleepdek weer terug. Afgelopen vrijdag 6 oktober werd er een
speciale kijkdag georganiseerd voor de sponsors om de voortgang van de Elbe- restauratie te
bezichtigen. Tevens werd op deze dag de nieuwe machinekamerkap door middel van een mobiele kraan
op haar plaats gezet. (Source: Clipping News)
7e jaargang, nr. 34
dd. 15 oktober 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Sleep verloren in slecht weer.
Vrijdagochtend 6 oktober, rond 05.30 uur heeft de sleepboot Irbis, ongeveer 7 kilometer westnoordwest
van Texel zijn sleep verloren. De sleep, een lege bak zonder mensen aan boord, drijft in noordoostelijke
richting. Het Kustwacht bergingsvaartuig Waker alsmede twee andere sleepboten, de Tempest en de
Hunter, proberen de bak te bergen. Om 08.45 uur bevond de bak zich nog 2 kilometer uit de kust van
Texel, waar het water te ondiep is voor de Waker om nog iets te kunnen doen. De Tempest en de Hunter
die minder diepgang hebben proberen de bak te bergen. Rond 09.17 uur heeft de Tempest kans gezien
een man over te zetten, waarna de Hunter vast heeft kunnen maken. De sleepboot Hunter is nu met de
bak op weg naar Harlingen. De Waker blijft ter assistentie aanwezig. (Source: Clipping News)
New Tug for Freepoint
The latest addition to Freepoint Tug and Towing Services Ltd is the Diamond Cay , the Diamond Cay
is build at the ASL Shipyard in Indonesia and measures a length of 28 mtr, beam 9.80 mtr. The tug is
powered by 2 x Niigata 6L 25HX main engines of 1800 hp each, driving each a Niigata Z-Peller, giving the
tug a max bollard pull of 45 tons (Source: Rinus Lorwa)
Naming ceremony ‘ Smit Bonaire’
On 14 October 2006, the Naming ceremony of the ‘Smit Bonaire’ took place at Kralendijk, Bonaire. The ‘
Smit Bonaire’ was named by Mrs Angela Garmendia de Nieves, wife of Mr H. Nieves, General Manager
of BOPEC Bonaire. SMIT is currently operating 3 tugs in Bonaire for BOPEC. SMIT is content with their
good relationship with the Caribbean and with Bonaire in particular. Above mentioned confirms our
commitment to this region. If, in the future, our business in this region should expand, we will gladly deploy
more tugs here. The Naming ceremony of this newbuilding tug is part of SMIT’s worldwide newbuilding
programme and strategy of growth and stability. The ‘ Smit Bonaire’ will be deployed in Manzanillo,
Panama, where she will join her newbuilding sister tugs ‘ Smit Aruba’ and ‘ Smit Curacao’. All three
57/60 tonnes bollard pull tugs are of the Damen 2810 ASD design. (Source: Clipping News)
Smit Aruba for Rotterdam
On the 7th October the Smit Aruba was handed over to Smit. The tug left Damen Shipyard Galati Romania
for destination Rotterdam on the morning of 8/10 H 7.30. She is expected on the 27th October at
Rotterdam (Source: Will Ruts)
Kooren
This Tuesday 11-10-2006 the keel laying ceremony for hull 817, 818, 819 for Owner Kooren Shipbuilding
and Trading was carried out at ASL shipyard Singapore. Delivery date planned during last quarter 2007.
(Source: Ton Has)
Smit intends to sell its 50% interest in Smitwijs Towage
Rotterdam, 11 October 2006 SMIT has the intention to sell its 50% interest in SmitWijs Towage to the
other shareholder SvitzerWijsmuller. Both shareholders are of the opinion that these ocean towage
activities will have a stronger position towards the future when under control of one party.
The cyclical nature of ocean towage activities is not compatible with SMIT’s strategy of growth and
stability. The activities will be continued by SvitzerWijsmuller with the current team of Dutch officers.
SMIT will discuss the consequences of the above mentioned intention with the Unions and its Works
Council. Above mentioned intended transaction will not effect the results of SMIT. (Source: Smit)
K. Damen: Delivery and new contract
Early October the Dutch Shipyard K. Damen delivered 2 tugboats to Jan de Nul from Aalst, Belgium. The
tugboats, named DN72 en DN73, each have a length of 16.60 meter and a breadth of 5 meter. Two
Caterpillar main diesel engines with a total capacity of 600 kW are installed resulting in a speed of 10
knots and a bollard pull of 10.6 tonnes. The tugs have been built completely at the yard in HardinxveldGiessendam. These tugs will be used as assistance vessels for the worldwide operating dredgers from
Jan de Nul. On September 28th Shipyard K. Damen signed again a contract with Svitzer Wijsmuller in
Dubai. After supplying two 22 meter pilot/mooring launches in August a new contract has been signed with
the same client. This new contract concerns the supply of 3 harbour/mooring launches with a length of 15
meter (yardnos. 787-789) and 2 offshore hoseand linehandlers with a length of 22 meter (yardnos. 790791). All Vessels will be built at Shipyard Begej in Serbia, a member of the K. Damen Group. (Source:
Clipping News)
Tailor made designs and solutions
Three new offshore vessels of UT-Design illustrate solutions tailor-made to
suit the customer’s requirements with multi-functional AHTS design and advanced PSV ordered for a
particular long-term contract Carlo Magno (right) is classified as a multi-functional anchor-handling/towing/
salvage and service vessel and was built by Rosetti Marino Spa for Augustea Imprese
Maritime. Augustea, a long established company, provides harbour and deep sea towage and deep sea
barge transportation, and is also active in merchant shipping; owning some fifty vessels and controlling
another thirty. The company’s head office is in Naples in Italy and its harbour tug operations are centred
on Augusta in Sicily. When Augustea needed a powerful vessel for open ocean barge towing, also
capable of other duties such as offshore field assistance and salvage, they came to Rolls-Royce and the
UT 514 L design was developed to meet these requirements. Carlo Magno is a 55.4m long twin screw
vessel with two main engines, each of 4,000kW and a bollard pull of more than 130 tonnes. Towing can
be carried out either from a tow-hook or from the Rauma Brattvaag two drum waterfall winch. In addition to
towing, salvage (including firefighting) and anchor-handling, the UT 514 L is equipped for general offshore
service such as transporting people, pipes and equipment. Comfortable quarters are provided for a total of
24 crew and passengers. From the naming ceremony Carlo Magno went straight out on charter, barge
towing in West Africa.
UT 734 N is the type name given to a new design for anchor-handling, towing, firefighting, rescue and oil
recovery operations. Two examples have been ordered by Augusta Offshore with delivery scheduled from
Myklebust Verft in Norway in July and November 2007. Augusta Offshore is based in Naples, and
operates its offshore fleet for oil majors worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, West Africa, Brazil
and the North Sea. Since 1998 the company has come to UT-Design for nine vessels including the latest
UT 734 N contract. The 68.9m long, 16.8m beam, UT 734 N is configured as a cost-optimal design, with
flexibility to handle many types of assignment. It has a powerful winch, about 1,000 tonnes of cargo can
be carried on deck, and the total deadweight is approximately 2,450dwt. Augusta has specified a full
package of Rolls-Royce equipment for these two vessels,
including four Bergen C25:33L6P engines in a twin screw layout. A new and advanced PSV design, the
UT 751 E, has been developed for Farstad Shipping which meets the requirements of a long term contract
with Norsk Hydro. Two of these vessels will be built using a full package of Rolls-Royce equipment and
systems by Aker Yards, Brevik, and the first is scheduled for delivery in mid 2007.These 93m long diesel
electric PSVs will primarily serve Norsk Hydro installations in the North Sea, running supplies from the
Mongstad Base in West Norway, but may undertake other duties. A new hull form has been developed,
incorporating a bulbous bow and propulsion by twin Azipull thrusters. Despite the large carrying capacity,
the hull is designed for an extremely low power requirement regardless of load at the service speed of 1215 knots. The newly developed Rolls-Royce Automatic Sea Fastening Arrangement will be installed to
secure deck cargo.
Seabreeze September Reports
Solstad Secure September Charters
Norwegian based shipowners Solstad Offshore have secured three contracts with ENI Norge. The PSV
Normand Carrier, Normand Titan and Normand Mjolne (all equipped with Norwegian standby) will be
supporting the semi-submersible Polar Pioneer for three months firm plus one month option. Normand
Carrier went on hire in Stavanger in mid September while the other contracts will commence as soon as
they come free from their current charter . ENI Norge is taking over the Polar Pioneer from Statoil and will
be drilling on the Goliath field in the Barents Sea.
On Patrol With PetroCanada
Further to July’s article “Nomis Purchase Patrol”, Nomis Shipping’s recently purchased Estay Tide will
undertake a one year term contract with PetroCanada, beginning end November working in the UK
Central North Sea. The vessel is undergoing conversion work to a UK class B ERRV and has been
renamed Dea Patrol.
New Don For Apache
Apache agreed terms this month with Esvagt, to extend the Esvagt Don for 5 years firm plus options.
Wait you cry, I thought Apache had the Maersk Don on charter! Well they did, but a recent merging of
standby operations has seen the Maersk Don and Maersk Dee come under the wing of Esvagt (Esvagt’s
majority share holder is Svitzer which is owned by Maersk). So the Maersk Don has become the Esvagt
Don which means Apache will get a new Don in more than one way. Part of the contract extension
includes the fitting of a second daughter craft and davit to the vessel. Esvagt also operate a further two
sister vessels, the Esvagt Connector and the Esvagt Observer. The Esvagt Observer obtained a long
term contract with ExxonMobil in early 2005 and underwent a similar conversion. Due to high activity
levels on Forties, Apache required extra standby redundancy and once she is upgraded that is just what
they will get.
Veolia Say Voilà To Siem
Siem Offshore were celebrating last month with the announcement that Veolia Environment Inc have
agreed a five year firm term USD 80 million charter with their MT 6016 L multipurpose field and ROV
support newbuild. The vessel is currently being built at the Kleven yard in Norway with delivery scheduled
for June 2007 whereupon it will commence the Veolia contract. The newbuild will carry out ROV support,
air and saturation diving, subsea construction, subsea surveys and IMR work. It is further understood that
Veolia has an option to buy the vessel at the end of the charter at a cost of USD 50 million.
Eidesvik Ink Some Deals
Norwegian based Eidesvik Offshore ASA had several announcements in September. The VS 470 MK II
PSV Viking Nereus has been contracted for support work with Shell Nigeria. The period of the charter is
understood to be 26 months. The company has also contracted with Veritas DGC Inc. for the charter of
the VS 492 MPSV Viking Poseidon. This 8 year term charter will begin in mid 2007 , but also has two five
year options thereafter. The Viking Poseidon will be converted to become a large 3-D seismic vessel
before starting the contract. The Stril Odin PSV will replace the Viking Poseidon in its current charter in the
North Sea with Statoil.
Divaz Dig Deeper
DeepOcean's MPSV Atlantic Challenger which has been performing IRM duties in the Gulf of Mexico for
many years for Pemex/Diavaz has been awarded a further one year contract by Diavaz effective
December 2006. The contract value is reported to be NOK 100 million.
PGS Not Sheepish About Ramform
PGS (the Norwegian seismic specialist) have exercised an option to build a new Ramform class seismic
vessel with Aker Yards at a cost of Nkr 578 million. This figure does however exclude the cost of the
seismic equipment. The ship, to be named Ramform 8, will be around 16 metres longer than existing
Ramform vessels and the benefits include higher fuel capacity and a quicker transit speed. Delivery is
scheduled for second quarter of 2009.
Award For Orca
Bourbon Offshore AX 104 anchor handler Bourbon Orca has won an award. The futuristic looking vessel
with the revolutionary bow design has been named the “Vessel of the Year” during the Shipbuilding
Machinery and Marine Technology International Shipping Fair in Hamburg. The Orca has been featured
several times in Seabreeze but to remind readers of what it looks like, here is a picture of this award
winning vessel.
REM Fortress
The MT 6016 PSV Rem Fortress has just delivered from the Kleven Verft yard in Norway. The vessel is
now underway to India to begin its three year charter with Global Industries.
Maersk Make More
A.P. Moller-Maersk AS has exercised their option with Aker Yards to build another two VS 472 anchor
handlers with delivery in 3rd and 4th quarter 2009. These two will be sister vessels to the eight ordered by
A.P. Moller-Maersk AS back in March this year.
Viking Take A Liking To Three More
Leading North Sea emergency response and rescue services provider Viking Offshore Services have
exercised their option to build three more “Pioneer Class” field support vessels with Astilleros Zamakona
shipyard in Spain. Viking announced last summer that they were to build six diesel electric vessels with
options for a further three. The vessels will be of the new IMT 955 design with delivery of the first (to be
named Viking Discovery) of nine to be at the end of this year. All of these new vessels will be built to
comply with the technical and operational regulations required for work in UK, Irish, Danish and Dutch
waters.
Esvagt Do Some Exercising
Danish based standby vessel specialists Esvagt A/S have exercised options with ASL Shipyard at
Singapore for two standby vessels. Esvagt already have four standby vessels on order through 2007 and
these further two “Esvagt Corona” types are expected to deliver in spring 2008. Details include LOA of
49.5 metres, 11.5 metres width and diesel electric propulsion.
DOF Do The Double
Norway based shipowner District Offshore (DOF) are to build two VS 470 MK II PSVs at India’s Tebma
Shipyard. Delivery is expected in August and December, respectively, of 2008.
Brazilian Break and Singapore Split
Solstad Offshore ASA and DOF are intending to end their joint ventures in Brazil and Singapore. Solstad
will sell their part of shares in Norskan Offshore Ltd in Brazil to DOF while DOF will sell their part of shares
in NOR Offshore Pte Ltd in Singapore.
Nordcapital Invest Some Capital
Hamburg based Nordcapital Holding have announced they are to build two DP1, FiFi1 equipped UT
755LN PSVs at Aker Yards in Aukra, Norway. Total value of the contract is around 290 million NOK with
delivery expected in December 2008 and March 2009 respectively. This will mean that Nordcapital will
have eight sister vessels delivered from Aker Yards between October 2007 and March 2009.
Trico Duo Built By Bender
Trico Marine Services Inc. are to build two diesel electric DPII GPA 640 PSVs at the Bender Shipbuilding
and Repair Company Inc. at their yard in Mobile, Alabama. Total cost for these 210 ft vessels is around 35
million US Dollars, with delivery scheduled for March 2008 and July 2008. Trico will fund the construction
of these vessels from both cash on hand and cash flow from operations. It is understood that they will
include an additional deck level to accommodate more client personnel and that Trico intend to market the
boats worldwide for offshore cargo work as well as more specialised work
24
Halul Offshore Services Company, based in Doha, have received their first of four anchor handlers built by
the Bharati Shipyard in India. The vessel, to be named Halul 24 will carry out work for Ras-Gas. Details of
the newbuild include 5,900 BHP, 70 tonnes bollard pull, Fi-Fi 1, bow and stern thrusters of 500kW and
comes equipped with Fast Rescue Boat.
Solstad’s Build Bigger Boys
Solstad Offshore ASA are to build two large Vik and Sandvik anchor handlers. These vessels will have
28,000 BHP, bollard pull of 300 tons, accommodation for 60 persons and are “designed with special focus
towards safe anchor handling”. Additionally they will be equipped to operate as service construction
vessels and are prepared for installation of A-Frame and large offshore crane. Delivery is in December
2008 and May 2009 respectively.
Invincible Arrives
Further to last month’s article (BG & FD Get Busy), below is a picture of the newly delivered UT 755L FD
Invincible. It has now commenced its two wells firm term charter with BG supporting the Sedco 704.
Fratelli D’Amato have three sister vessels yet to deliver between 2007 and 2008.
Thirty Thunders In
India based G E Shipping have taken delivery of their DP I UT 755L PSV Malaviya 30. Aker Brattvaag
shipyard in Norway finished off the vessel mid September and the PSV was whisked off to the North Sea
spot market straight after. Aberdeen based Gulf Offshore N.S. Ltd are commercial managers for the 5,640
BHP, 690 m2 deck PSV. In addition, Greatship (India) Ltd have contracted to build four 80 ton bollard pull
anchor handling tugs. These tugs are currently being built by Labroy Shipbuilding and Engineering Pte Ltd
in Singapore, with delivery expected in the first half of 2009. Also this month GE Shipping took delivery of
the 7,100 BHP anchor handler Malaviya 27 from the Bharati Shipyard of India. The vessel is expected to
work on term charter in Indian waters.
Ocean Team Try The Triple
Oceanteam Power and Umbilical AS are to exercise an option for a third construction support vessel.
Metal Ships and Docks yard in Vigo, Spain are expected to complete construction in the third quarter of
2008. Details of the vessel include an LOA of 137 metres, more than 2,400 square metres of deck area, 2
x 100 tonnes cranes and the ability to load, transport and install 7,000 tonnes of flexible product
worldwide.
Siem Sales
Norwegian based shipowners Sartor Shipping AS have agreed to buy three standby vessels from Siem
Offshore Inc: the Ocean Flower, Ocean Star and Solvbas. Sartor take delivery in October 2006 and total
value of this deal is NOK 60 million.
Olympic Order Another
Olympic Shipping AS have ordered a MT 6009-L PSV from Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted AS in Norway.
Details include LOA of over 70 metres, working deck area of 745 square metres, accommodation for 40
persons giving the vessel the flexibility to carry out cargo work and light ROV / subsea work. The diesel
electric, DP vessel (pictured) is expected to deliver in February 2008 and this addition will be Olympic’s
second of this design after they take delivery of their first MT 6009 from Aker Aukra in February 2007.
Corona Joins Club
Further to June’s article “Bold Sold To Solstad”, the Bold Endeavour construction vessel has now formally
joined the Solstad fleet. It has now been re-named the Normand Corona. As a reminder the vessel is
working in the Gulf of Mexico on term charter to Deep Ocean.
Hagenes Half Dozen
Norwegian based Hagenes have ordered 6 DP II VS 470 MK II Subsea PSVs (with an option for a further
two) from Tebma shipyard in India. The vessels will be marketed for shallow water subsea work worldwide
with first delivery in 2008.
Commander and Canyon Come Together
The MT 6016 MPSV Olympic Commander has been chartered by Canyon Offshore for subsea work in UK
and US waters. The three to five year contract will begin in April 2007 after the vessel has been converted.
During conversion (expected to start in February next year) the vessel will be fitted with a subsea 150 ton
active heave compensated crane, helideck, two work ROVs and accommodation for 80 persons. Above is
an artist’s impression of what the vessel will look like after conversion.
Esnaad Fancy Five
Esnaad (the Abu Dhabi based Adnoc subsidiary specialising in marine and supply base services) has
ordered 5 new vessels as part of its $60 million fleet replacement process. The vessels (2 AHTS and 3
work boats) will be built by Singapore based Labroy Shipbuiliding and Engineering with delivery in 2008.
Solstad Secure Ship For Subsea 7
Solstad Offshore ASA have now secured a vessel for their six years plus options contract with Subsea 7
after signing a letter of intent for a large construction vessel with Flekkefjord Slipp og Maskinfabrikk AS.
With 113 metres LOA and a width of 24 metres the vessel will be perfect for the Inspection, Maintenance
and Repair segment.
Horizon Marine Supports Rig Tow to Brazil
After 5,500 nautical miles and 64 days at sea, the semi-submersible drilling unit Noble Therald Martin
arrived in Macae, Brazil. Horizon Marine assisted the routing of the rig prior to its departure and while
underway. Horizon Marine’s Eddy Watch - Gulf of Mexico and Eddy Watch –Trinidad/Venezuela reports
were issued to the tow vessels John P. Laborde and Maersk Master and used with great effect.
Traditionally Horizon Marine has focused north of the equator, but with the analysis and interpretation of
satellite imagery and NOAA drifting GPS buoys, the route south of the equator was charted for and
journeyed by the Noble Therald Martin without any surprises. As operations move further offshore into
deeper water and assets are moved between oil fields, Horizon Marine’s Eddy Watch and Rig Watch
programs are becoming an essential service to the oil industry. (Source: Marinelink)
Rem Fortress delivered
The MT 6016 PSV Rem Fortress has recently been delivered to Rem Maritime by Kleven Verft yard in
Norway. The vessel is now underway to India to begin its three year charter with Global Industries.
Launching of "Mikiona"
At high tide on Saturday, 7th October, J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. of Tacoma, WA launched the new
128.3' x 35.0' x 15.0'' ocean-going tug "Mikiona" for Sause Bros. Inc. of Coos Bay, OR. The twin screw,
U.S. flag tug will remain at the Martinac dock for outfitting with a turnkey delivery date scheduled for
December 15th. A reception was held immediately following the launching ceremony at the Working
Waterfront Maritime Museum. J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. was founded in 1924 and still occupies its
original site on the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma. Twin 1875HP MTU / Detroit Diesel 16V4000 engines
power the vessel. The engines are essentially a 16 cylinder version of the 12 cylinder diesels in the tugs
"Joseph Sause" and "Henry Sause". Engines have been de-rated to 1600RPM and 1875HP each,
providing the most efficient propeller speeds along with maximum extended engine life and a bollard pull
of 130,000lbs. The two 16V4000 diesels will turn twin 104" diameter props inside Nautican nozzles,
producing abt. 130,000lbs. Of bollard pull and an estimated 12kn speed free running. The new state-ofthe-art Nautican nozzles feature pre-swirl stators, focusing incoming water onto the propeller blades
directly, resulting in a 5-6% increase in thrust and bollard pull. "Mikiona" is fitted with an enlarged version
of the quad rudder system installed on the "Joseph" and "Henry Sause". Current projections indicate that
"Mikiona" is expected to tow double skin tank barges of the 87,000bbl "Monterey Bay" and "Morro Bay"
class at 9 knots. The tug will feature a new Norwegian Rapp Hydema hydraulic towing winch with 2,900'
2.25" wire, the first of its kind in Sause's fleet. The winch will be fully controllable from the tug's
wheelhouse. Electronic controls will allow the Captain to monitor and control wire tension. Using the digital
tension meter the Captain can set various tension alarm levels, and set the winch to automatically release
wire at a specified tension level and retrieve wire when the tension lowers to the pre-set level. A newly
designed 4-pin tow pin system will utilize 16" diameter and 16" high pins and a 24" stern roller. The pins
will be more robust, longer lasting and easier on the tow wire than existing systems. The stern roller
features an improved bearing system that will allow it to turn more easily, further reducing wire wear. A
Rapp Hydema bow winch will be installed on the tug, a unit similar to a ship assist bow winch with highspeed retrieval and high brake holding power. The winch is designed to be compatible with modern highstrength soft lines. The winch will be fully controllable both from the wheelhouse and the forward deck.
Vessel has accommodations for an operating crew of nine persons in seven staterooms. Construction of
the "Mikiona's" sister ship "Cochise" has begun at Martinac, with bulkhead prefabrication and stiffening
and skeg, rudder and engine base fabrication. Assembly of the vessel can now proceed since "Mikiona"
has been launched. (Source: Clipping News)
ITC Expands in Offshore vessels
The successful operation of anchor handling tugs TEMPEST and TYPHOON has initiated the decision to
strengthen ITC’s position in offshore support by the recent purchase of two anchor handling tug supply
vessels of 12,000 bhp. The 140 tons bollard pull vessels were built in The Netherlands in 1987 and 1988
under the names Maersk Leader and Maersk Lifter. The AHTS’s will be taken over early 2007 in North
West Europe. The new names are still undecided. The vessels are 69.90 meters in length, 15.90 beam
with deadweight of 2,499 tons. They are fitted out with two bow thrusters and one stern thruster. The two
MAK main engines are able to burn heavy fuel. Its fuel capacity of 1100 m3 which can be enlarged by
another 1000 m3 capacity, make the vessels very suitable for the ocean towage market. However the
present layout of the vessels for the offshore supply market includes both dry bulk and liquid bulk
capacities of close to 2000 m3. A total of 1000 tons of deck cargo can be carried on the 362 m2 free deck.
Deck equipment includes a waterfall type four drum towing and anchor handling winch of 250 tons and
300 tons triplex shark jaws. Its stern roller of 400 tons SWL measures 5.50 x 2.50 meters. The acquisition
reconfirms our confidence in the offshore market and our commitment to the industry. (Source: Clipping
News)
Tug on fire after hitting gas pipeline
The 1996 built pusher tug MEGAN and barge caught on fire Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006, after reportedly
striking a natural gas pipeline. The incident is being investigated by the Coast Guard and National
Transportation and Safety Board. Four people are deceased, two were rescued and two remain missing.
7e jaargang, nr. 35
dd. 22 oktober 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Smit-Lloyd 28 sold
De overdracht van de Smit Lloyd 28 van Smit Singapore is gisteren, 18 oktober getekend, ze is verkocht
aan Pelican Offshore Singapore Pte Ltd. Nieuwe naam is Pelican 28. Heb nog geen fotootje maar als ik
er een heb zal ik ‘m mailen aan de liefhebbers. (Source: John Bruinsma via Jaap Kooij)
Elbe verhaald
Het berghout van de Elbe aan de stuurboordzijde is geheel gerepareerd en gerestaureerd. Nu komt de
bakboordszijde aan de beurt. Daarvoor moest het schip even de haven uit en 180 graden gedraaid
worden. De Adriaan (museale sleper van Kotug) en de Smit Denemarken (de bemanning bood vrijwillige
hulp aan in hun "blok"), uiteraard met toestemming van de rederijen, klaarden het karweitje in de
stromende regen vandaag 21 oktober 2006. (Source: Nico Ouwehand)
Smit Aruba
Deze week wordt de Smit Aruba te Rotterdam verwacht. Fotograven, hou daar rekening mee. U kunt dan
alvast een goed plekje uitzoeken. Welke dag en hoe laat ze de rivier op zal komen varen zal deze week
wel duidelijker worden. (Source: Hans van der Ster)
Fairplay IX met Smit materiaal naa de West
De ingehuurde ‘Fairplay IX’ vertrok met haar dubbele sleep, de ‘Taklift 7’ en de ‘E6001’, naar Curaçao.
De ‘Taklift 7’ wordt ingezet voor het laden van casco’s. Van deze gelegenheid werd gebruik gemaakt ‘wat
materieel’ mee te nemen. Hiervoor werd het ponton ‘E6001’ ingezet. Op de ‘E6001’ werd vervolgens
ponton ‘E1702’ geladen, met daar bovenop de 50-meter top voor de ‘Taklift 1’, de korte toppen van de
‘Taklift 1’ en ‘Taklift 7’, twee containers met hijsmateriaal voor de ‘Taklift 4’, een wrakkengrijper,
zaagkettingen en twee containers met materiaal voor Salvage. Kortom, een behoorlijk efficiënte
combinatie waarbij geen enkel plekje op de ‘E6001’ onbenut werd gelaten. Vanaf Curaçao wordt het
materieel naar de diverse bestemmingen vervoerd. Volgens planning zal het transport over een maand in
Curaçao aankomen. (Source: Smit)
Eleven Companies Seek to Buy Tug Malta Share
According to Di-ve news, Malta’s Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology (MITI)
announced that the process for the sale of the Government 73.72% shareholding in Tug Malta Limited got
underway as eleven companies in the towage and salvage operations signed a confidentiality agreement
with the Privatization Unit and collected the Request for Proposals (RFP) document which outlines what is
expected in the detailed bids that these companies should submit for the acquisition of the Government's
share. Tug Malta services have recently been reformed and regulated by newly revised legislation. The
company was nationalized out of the private companies that used to run the business prior to 1980. Up to
the late eighties, the Grand Harbor was the only shipping harbor in use and as such the company had all
its tug fleet stationed there. However, in 1989, with the development of the Malta Freeport, the company
had to invest in additional tugs in order to be able to offer an efficient service to tug users in the southern
port. Since 2003, Tug Malta underwent a restructuring process. In 2005, the tariffs were revised though
they remained amongst the most competitive in the region. In 2006, Tug Malta took delivery of two new
tug boats. (Source: Marinelink)
Moran and Washburn & Doughty Unveil Newbuild Program
On August 29, 2006 Moran Towing Corporation of New Canaan, Connecticut and Washburn & Doughty
Shipyard of East Boothbay, Maine signed a Letter of Commitment for the construction of six additional tug
boats. These vessels will follow the two 5100 HP 92’ ASDs and two 121’ Intercon Tugs currently under
construction at Washburn & Doughty for Moran. Moran Towing anticipates building six 92’ ASDs for its
ship docking fleet, but has reserved the right to build alternative vessels, including Intercon Tugs or 98’
ASDs, if necessary. The construction of all ten vessels reflects Moran’s steadfast commitment to provide
its customers with the most powerful, technologically advanced and reliable tug fleet in the industry,
according to Paul Tregurtha, Moran’s Chairman and CEO. Construction of the six tug boats is slated to
begin in the spring of 2007 and finish in mid-2009. In 1999 Washburn & Doughty delivered its first Moran
tug, the 92’ ASD Marci Moran. Since then, Washburn & Doughty has delivered to Moran ten additional 92’
ASDs and one 98’ ASD. With the upcoming deliveries, Moran will operate the largest fleet of ASDs in the
United States. Moran’s fleet is comprised almost entirely of recently-built ASDs of 4,000 to 6,700 HP,
many of which also carry Fire Fighting 1 designation. (Source: Marinelink)
Eidesvik sells two AHTS to Sartor
Fearnleys Offshore Supply has confirmed that the AHTS Viking Troll and Viking Queen (both built 1984
–12,560bhp) have been sold to a Norwegian Limited Partnership for NKr 185 million en bloc. The vessels
were due to be renamed Ocean Troll and Ocean Queen during October and will be managed by Sartor
Shipping AS, Norway. (Source: Clipping News)
Bourbon Offshore to build two PSVs with MACS cargo tanks
Sources in Norway say Bourbon Offshore has implemented agreements to build 2 + 2 Ulstein Design
PX105 MACS PSVs with the recently developed Multi Application Cargo Solutions (MACS) cargo tank
concept developed by PG Marine and partners. Final negotiations with potential yards are expected to be
concluded by the end of this month. PG Marine Group said the contracts will require it to deliver a total of
eight MACS installations per vessel, of which four units are combination tanks also used for dry bulk. In
addition, the ships will also have PG Marine's newly developed SLA 125-75 DW deepwell
chemical/special cargo pumps installed in 10 wingtanks, together with all other conventional liquid cargo
systems. MACS was developed by PG Marine working closely with Bourbon Offshore Norway, Flowsafe,
and Ulstein Design, and is a novel, combination tank solution for offshore vessels, the aim of the project
being to develop a radically new solution for combination tanks (capable of handling liquid and dry-bulk
cargo) without the need for conventional pressure tanks. PG Marine describes the Multi Application Cargo
Solution as a combination system that enables the use of a single tank type for different types of cargo,
ranging from drill cuttings, to dry bulk, synthetic fluids and oil recovery. Customers can choose among
several alternative tank arrangements, depending on which cargo combinations the vessel is designed to
handle. Recognising the potential of the new concept, Ulstein Design, Ulstein Group’s design house,
offered to study the integration of MACS into its designs for offshore support vessels. (Source: Clipping
News)
Moran orders six more tugs
Moran Towing Corporation of New Canaan, Connecticut and Washburn & Doughty Shipyard of East
Boothbay, Maine have signed a Letter of Commitment for the construction of six additional tug boats.
These vessels will follow two 5,100 HP 92 ft ASD (azimuthing stern drive) units and two 121 ft Intercon
Tugs currently under construction at Washburn & Doughty for Moran. Moran Towing anticipates building
six 92 ft ASDs for its ship docking fleet, but has reserved the right to build alternative vessels, including
Intercon Tugs or 98 ft ASDs, if necessary. Construction of the six tug boats is slated to begin in the spring
of 2007 and finish in mid2009. In 1999 Washburn & Doughty delivered its first Moran tug, the 92 ft ASD
Marci Moran. Since then, Washburn & Doughty has delivered to Moran ten additional 92 ft ASDs and one
98 ft ASD. With the upcoming deliveries, Moran will operate the largest fleet of ASDs in the United States.
Moran's fleet is comprised almost entirely of recently-built ASDs of 4,000 to 6,700 HP, many of which also
carry Fire Fighting 1 designation. (Source: Marinelink)
Fincantieri Receives AHTS Order
Fincantieri has gained an order from Hartmann Logistik GmbH to build two multipurpose Anchor Handling,
Tug & Supply Vessels (AHTS) with delivery scheduled for December 2008 and February 2009,
respectively, plus an option for further two. Hartmann Logistik GmbH is the Hartmann Group company
active in the Offshore Industry, which is headed by Dr. Niels Hartmann, son of the founder of the Group.
Founded in 1981, Hartmann Reederei is a leading global player, a first class shipping and logistic
company with a fleet of over 100 vessels including container ships, gas tankers and product tankers as
well as bulk carriers, multipurpose vessels and special carriers and has a substantial newbuilding program
currently going on with yards in Europe and the Far East. Operation of offshore oilrigs-support vessels is a
relatively new, developing business for the Hartmann Group, although the company is involved in the tug
and barge business since 1984. The vessels, designed to the top class awarded by ABS, will be 76.50 m
long, 17.50 m wide with a draft of 6.8 m and a deadweight of over 3,000 toes. Equipped with four diesel
engines capable of generating 16,000 hp, the ships will be capable of reaching a maximum speed of 16.3
knots and will have a Bollard Pull of at least 180 tonnes. The vessels will be able to work in any field of
offshore operations and will carry out support activities for oil platforms, such as anchor handling and
positioning, deep-sea towing, anti-pollution operations and fire-fighting (Fire Fighting 2 class equipment),
transport of dry-bulk and liquid cargo. The ships will be equipped with a specific plant, as the “DP 1”
system of dynamic positioning, which makes it possible to act simultaneously on the two adjustable pitch
aft propellers, on the bow and stern thrusters and on the fore azimuth thruster, as well as a system of
large winches (450 tons of pull) which guarantee safe towing and deep-water anchor handling operations.
Moreover, the ship will have a 600 sq.m dedicated area for cargo on deck, accommodations for 29
persons and will be able to carry dry bulk and liquid cargo needed by offshore platforms during their
exploration and production activities. (Source: Marinelink)
Obituary: Karl H. Senner
Karl H. Senner, founder of Karl Senner, Inc., passed away after a lengthy illness on Thursday, October 19,
2006. Mr. Senner was born in Marienburg, Germany in 1931. He immigrated to the United States in 1952.
Mr. Senner was a veteran of the United States Army. After a mechanical apprenticeship, Mr. Senner was
hired by Enterprise Engine Company in Oakland, Calif., where he supervised power plant installations.
Enterprise Engine Company transferred Mr. Senner to the marine engine division, eventually moving him
to the New Orleans area. In 1962 Mr. Senner became a partner in a startup venture company, Green
Senner, Inc. which eventually expanded to include a tug company, Green Senner Towing. Green Senner,
Inc. became the North American distributor of Reintjes marine transmissions in 1967. Karl Senner
established Karl Senner, Inc. in 1972 in Metairie, La., retaining the distributorship for Reintjes marine
transmissions. In 1973, Karl Senner, Inc. moved to its current location in Kenner, La. Karl Senner, Inc.
acquired the North American distributorship for BERG Propulsion AB in 1982. The Year 2001 saw the
acquisition of North American distributor rights for Steerprop Oy, a propulsion system supplier. Karl
Senner is survived by his wife, Gerda, sons, Ralph and Michael, daughter, Heidi Means, and seven
grandchildren. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
SNRH BeginsTowage in the Port of Le Havre
After 7 years of legal battles with the Authorities in France, Société Nouvelle de Remorquage du Havre
(SNRH) assisted its first vessel, the ‘Horncap’ of Hamburg based Hornlinie. In doing so, SNRH has fulfilled
the wishes of their International client base to break the towage monopoly in Le Havre and to offer the
same client friendly and competitive service that they receive from the Kotug Group in the ports of
Rotterdam, Hamburg and Bremerhaven. < towage national indefinite an for plan Unions’ the averted and
protocol operational final a in resulted have These Prefect. Regional of supervision under involved parties
all with held were talks conclusive hurdles, last removing 29th September on Rouen judge decision
positive After Havre. Le past treated called been they as users”, “port instead port ‘customers’ clients our
treat to challenge always has ‘It saying quoted is Kooren Ard-Jan President Kotug’s (Source: Marinelink)
Tug boat captain identified
Officials released the name of the tug boat captain who was killed during the Oct. 12 natural gas pipeline
explosion in West Cote Blanche Bay. According to a news release from the St. Mary Parish Coroner’s
Office, the man was identified as Timmy Tauzin, 48, of New Iberia. The manner and cause of death are
still under investigation. The accident killed four and two more are still missing and believed dead. The
search for those still missing was delayed Monday because of inclement weather but is expected to
continue. The National Transportation and Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard are investigating the
details surrounding the explosion, which appears to have been the result of a collision between a tugboat
carrying two barges and an underwater natural gas pipeline. (Source: Clipping News)
GulfMark takes AHTS option
US-based owner GulfMark Offshore has exercised a purchase option on an anchor-handling tug supply
(AHTS) vessel at Jaya Shipbuilding and Engineering. The order comes hot on the heels of delivery of a
similar unit, the Sea Sovereign, from the Indonesian yard which the company purchased in November last
year for $14.5m. GulfMark held first right of refusal on the 70m, Dynamic Positioning (DP)-2 unit under
construction at Jaya’s Batam facility, with the purchase price put at “less than $20m”. Under agreements
with the yard GulfMark will retain the first right of refusal on a subsequent vessel being built at Jaya
Shipbuilding. GulfMark also announced on Wednesday that it had completed the sale of two platform
supply vessels (PSVs) which it expects are to be converted for seismic work. The 1982-built Higland
Patriot and the 1979-built Highland Sentinel were sold in September and October respectively for a
combined price of $18m, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $10m for the owner. In November 2004 GulfMark
placed a $135m order for six offshore vessels at Keppel Corp. GulfMark currently has nine owned vessels
under construction which will boost the owned fleet to 57 units by 2008 with 12 other managed vessels in
the fleet. (Source: Clipping News)
Sical snaps up Siem newbuild
Sical Logistics, the Indian bulk shipping company, has bought a platform supply vessel (PSV) newbuilding
from Siem Offshore for $31.1m. The PSV has been acquired by Singapore-based Bergen Offshore
Logistics, which was itself acquired by Sical in September 2006. Sical said the acquisition of the 3,570-dwt
Siem Mollie (built 2006) was the first such purchase of a newbuild PSV by an Indian company. The Indian
owner has taken delivery of the ship from Aker Yards in Molde, Norway. It is registered under the
Singapore flag. To be renamed Sical Torino the PSV will be deployed in the North Sea where Sical said
such vessels were in “large demand”. Sical’s existing offshore activities involve the operation and
management of 15 offshore supply vessels for Indian energy concern ONGC. Sical vice chairman Ashwin
Muthiah said the purchase clearly indicated that offshore logistics was a “top strategic priority” for the
company. "We see the Sical Torino as a significant strategic addition to Sical's arsenal for offshore
logistics," Muthiah said. (Source: Clipping News)
Maersk extends offer
Denmark’s AP Moller-Maesk has once more extended the offer period for its takeover of Australian tug
group Adsteam Marine. Its SvitzerWijsmuller unit now has until 12 January 2007 to lure investors,
although it has not ruled out pushing the deadline further into next year. The offer period for the $513m
deal has already been extended once, to 27 October from 29 September. It has run into a problem in the
UK, where the two sides are the biggest towage companies. Competition authorities are examining the
proposal. Maersk said: “SvitzerWijsmuller continues to work in conjunction with Adsteam to resolve the
outstanding UK competition commission issues related to the transaction.” The board of Adsteam
continues to recommend the offer to its shareholders. (Source: Clipping News)
Simek delivers Citadel
Simek A/S shipyuard in Norway has delivered newbuilding number 102, a PSV named Citadel, to BUE
Marine Ltd. The vessel is a Rolls-Royce UT 755 L. The naming ceremony was on the 28th September
2006. The vessel left Flekkefjord on October 6th bound for St Petersburg, headed therefater for the
Russian canal system down to the Caspian Sea. On the voyage to Azerbaijan, the vessel is being towed.
Before leaving Flekkefjord, everything above top of wheelhouse was dismounted and stowed on deck due
to the low bridges that the vessel has to pass under. (Source: Clipping News)
7e jaargang, nr. 36
dd. 29 oktober 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Taubatkompaniet acquires AHTS
October 24, 2006; Taubatkompaniet in Norway has purched the AHTS Smit Lloyd 90 (built 1985 9,000bhp) for a price in the region of US$7 million. Offshore Shipbrokers Ltd said the vessel has been
renamed Boa Princess. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Smit Harbour Towage
The Rotterdam based harbour tug Smit Rhone will be converted as from the 6th November to Fifi 1
services at the Maaskant Yard at Stellendam hereafter she will sail to Equatorial Guinee and brought
under Technical Management of Smit Nigeria. The tug will be replaced by the new Smit Aruba which
arrived last week from the Galatz yard Roemenia in Rotterdam. One week later the Rotterdam based tug
Smit Loire will follow the Smit Rhone to the Maaskant yard for her Fifi 1 installation and after her
conversion to Equatorial Guinee also. This tug will be replaced by the Panama based harbour tug Smit
Mersey. It is planned for May next year to swap the Smit Aruba with the Panama tug Smit Mississippi.
(Source: Smit Vessel Management Services)
Adsteam
The river Thams based adsteam tug Shorne has been renamed HT Scimitar and based at Humber.
(Source:Lawrence Amboldt)
Coast Guard Monitors Sunken Tow Boat
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur is responding to the pollution threat and salvage of the 189-ft.,
U.S.-flagged towing vessel La Marie. The La Marie began taking on water when it struck a submerged
object in the Gulf of Mexico, and later sank in the process of being towed to shallower water on Saturday.
The Coast Guard is on scene to assist and monitor pollution abatement and clean-up efforts. Initial
inspections of the vessel found that the vessel sank in about 40 feet of water, with about two feet of the La
Marie remaining visible. The owner is working closely with the Coast Guard to contain and clean any oil
that is discovered, and to conduct salvage operations to safely remove the vessel. The flooding began in
the vessel's engine room about 20 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, southwest of the entrance to the
Calcasieu Ship Channel in Louisiana. La Marie is carrying approximately 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel oil.
The vessel is not obstructing navigation and no waterways have been impacted. The cause of this incident
is under investigation by MSU Port Arthur. (Source: Clipping News)
Sartor acquires standby vessels
Offshore Shipbrokers Ltd (OSL) reports that the standby vessels Ocean Flower (built 1974 - 2,000bhp),
Ocean Star (built 1976 - 3,100bhp) and Solvbas (built 1974 - 3,750bhp) have been sold for an en bloc
price of 60 million Norwegian Kroner to Sartor Shipping. (Source: OSL)
GulfMark Offshore announces vessel sales, newbuild delivery and additional
vessel acquisition
Company News - October 23, 2006 GulfMark Offshore has announced the completion of the sale
of Highland Patriot, Highland Sentinel, the delivery of the newbuild Sea Sovereign, and the acquisition
of an option vessel, Hull 861B. Highland Patriot, a 1982-built 233ft PSV operating in Southeast Asia
and Highland Sentinel, a 1979-built 266ft PSV operating in the North Sea were sold in September and
October, respectively. Both are expected to be converted for seismic work. The combined sales price of
the two vessels was approximately US$18 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately US$10
million, of which approximately US$6.6 million will be recognized in the third quarter and US$3.4 million in
the fourth quarter of 2006. Sea Sovereign, built by Jaya Shipbuilding and Engineering Pte Ltd at
its Batam, Indonesia yard is a 70m (230ft), 5,500bhp, approximately 70 ton bollard pull, DP-2 AHTS. The
purchase price for this vessel was approximately US$14.5 million. In addition, GulfMark exercised its first
right of refusal granted under the Sovereign purchase contract for an additional AHTS vessel currently
under construction in the same yard. That vessel, designated Hull 861B, is a 70m, 7,954bhp,
approximately 100 ton bollard pull, DP-2 AHTS. The purchase price for Hull 861B is less than US$20
million. As with both the Sovereign and Hull 861B, GulfMark has been granted a first right of refusal on a
further vessel from the same yard. Bruce Streeter, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company,
commented: "The completed and planned transaction are part of the ongoing process to improve our
vessel fleet to meet the developing requirements in the marketplace. The addition of Hull 861B is well
timed with the growing demand for modern equipment with multi-function capability. We are excited by the
added potential for the fleet going forward." Including Hull 861B, GulfMark currently has nine owned
vessels under construction, which will bring the fleet of owned vessels to 57 in 2008 when the last vessel
is delivered. Without additional changes, at the conclusion of this expansion the fleet will consist of 57
owned and 12 managed vessels. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Innovative offshore vessel
One of the world’s most innovative offshore vessels was delivered to its owner today. Designed by RollsRoyce for Olympic Shipping, Olympic Octopus embodies the latest thinking in offshore anchor handlers
for worldwide operation. The ship was delivered by Aker Yards, Søviknes, Norway, and will operate in the
Mediterranean on long term contract to BP. As well as having an efficient hull to reduce fuel consumption,
the vessel incorporates a full range of new equipment developed by Rolls-Royce to increase crew safety
on deck, and improve living conditions through reduced noise and vibration. Rolls-Royce also supplied the
Bergen B-series main engines, which have been further developed to increase power and reduce
emissions, while the control systems have been improved and simplified. Anders Almestad, Rolls-Royce
President – Offshore, said: “Olympic Shipping’s new vessel is designed to set a standard for the future in
terms of environment and safety. It is Clean class which cuts emissions and environmental impact, and is
the first ship to fully use three important new Rolls-Royce product developments – equipment for safer
deck operations, the company’s own dynamic positioning system and rim drive thruster technology.” Stig
Remøy, head of Olympic Shipping, said: “ We chose the UT 712 L design because it is seen
internationally as a solid workhorse that is attractive to charterers. At the same time the equipment
package will meet the future needs of the North Sea oil and gas industry, which tends to set the standard
for other parts of the world.” “We are based in Fosnavåg on the west coast of Norway, at the centre of a
strong cluster of ship designers, equipment suppliers, shipyards and vessel operators. Competitiveness is
the key to successful shipowning, and by balancing risk and reward we can not only offer oil companies
vessels that meet their future requirements, but also encourage designers and suppliers to innovate. The
Safer Deck operations equipment illustrates this. The two traveling cranes with their arms and
manipulators, and the associated shark jaws and other items will handle chains and wires under load,
reducing the risk to our crew when they are working on deck. The movements of this system, resembling
the flexible arms of an octopus, which also gave us the inspiration for the ship’s name.” Olympic Octopus
is classed as an anchorhandling tug supply vessel with 16,000 horsepower. The hull incorporates a
bulbous bow and the lines are designed for efficiency and low motions under all operating conditions. IceC and Clean class have been specified. The type name UT 712 originated in the 1980s, and has been
retained for Olympic Octopus because the UT 712 concept has proved a definitive type in this section of
the global AHTS market. There are, however, enormous advances in all areas compared with early
vessels. On an overall length of 78.3m and a beam of 17.2m, Olympic Octopus has a working deck area
of 510m2. All the normal supplies can be carried, and there is tank space for 1,000m3 of recovered oil in
connection with antipollution activities. The vessel can act in a safety standby role with a 280-person
survivor capacity. For anchor handling and towing there is a two drum Rauma Brattvaag hydraulic main
winch rated at 400 tonnes pull, and a 138 tonne-pull secondary winch. Power is provided by two Bergen
B32:40V12P main engines turning CP propellers in nozzles. There are four thrusters: three tunnel side
thrusters and an azimuth swing up unit, all rated at 883 kW. One of the tunnel thrusters is the first
application of the newly developed Rolls-Royce Rim Drive thruster technology. The ship meets IMO DP2
requirements for dynamic positioning, and is the first to have the full Rolls-Royce DP2 system, working in
conjunction with the latest advances in automation and control. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Aker Yards to build Four for Farstad
Aker Yards has entered into a contract with Farstad Shipping ASA for building of four AHTS Vessels with
a value of approx $321m. The vessels to be built are 87.4 m x 21 m Multifunctional Deep Water Anchor
Handling/Tug/Supply/Service Vessels, based on the Rolls-Royce design; UT 731 CD. The Vessels are
scheduled for delivery from Aker Yards, Langsten in the second and third quarter of 2009, and the first
and second quarter of 2010. The vessels will also be equipped to perform ROV services through a
dedicated ROV hangar. The vessels will have a Bollard Pull of 230 tons, and will be outfitted with all
equipment necessary to support the most challenging operations and environments world wide. Including
this contract Aker Yards have delivered and under construction a total of 25 vessels for Farstad Shipping
ASA. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Kleven to Build Six for Siem Offshore
Norway’s Kleven Maritime won a $477m contract to build six ships for Siem Offshore. The shipyards will
deliver six, 292-ft. (91m) long anchor handling tugboats during 2009 and 2010, with an option for six more
in 2010. The ships will be capable of anchor handling as well as construction work for the offshore oil
industry, the companies said in news releases. www.siemoffshore.com (Source: Leo Kramer)
Smit Internationale NV expects a sharp increase in net profit over 2006
Today, Smit Internationale NV announced that they expect a net profit over 2006 of at least EUR 62,0
million. Mid August 2006, SMIT has announced an increase in expected net profit of 25 - 35 % compared
to the 2005 result of EUR 38,4 million. In particular the developments in the Divisions Salvage and
Transport & Heavy Lift have contributed to today’s improved profit expectation over 2006. The Salvage
Division has shown an increase in activities during the second half of this year. In addition financial
settlements have been reached for a significant number of completed salvage jobs from previous periods.
Consistent with earlier announcements, ‘Thunderhorse’ and ‘Artic I’ are not included.The Transport &
Heavy Lift Division shows high occupancy levels and good day rates combined with an increase in longterm contracts for Transport, which will result in a sharp increase of the net profit.In addition, the current
high occupancy level of the Heavy Lift activities will also contribute to this increased net profit expectation.
(Source: Smit)
McAllister to Tow Intrepid
On Monday November 6th, McAllister Towing will move the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid from her home on
the Hudson River at Pier 86 to Bayonne, NJ. The task of moving the massive 920 ft. carrier will begin with
a launching ceremony featuring such dignitaries as Senator Hillary Clinton and former NYC mayors David
Dinkins and Ed Koch. Depending on tide and weather. The operation will consist of five tugs from
McAllister. The newly repowered Christine McAllister with 6,140 hp and 80 tons of bollard pull will be the
lead tow tug. The vessel will be assisted by four highly versatile tractor tugs of the McAllister fleet. The
Robert E., Kaleen, Vicki, and Brooklyn McAllister will add an additional 15,650 hp to the job. Leading
the operation will be McAllister Towing of New York’s Port Captain Patrick Kinnier. Captain Kinnier will be
stationed on the flight deck and will coordinate the crew and line handlers. There are more than 50 line
handlers aboard the ship and piers; they will be comprised of cadets from SUNY Maritime College and
former crewmembers who served aboard the Intrepid. Captain Jeff McAllister, who has over 25 years of
maritime experience, will be the lead pilot aboard the Intrepid and will be coordinating the movement of
the tugs from start to finish. After the initial movement of the ship, there are specially planned events
taking place along her route to Bayonne. At approximately 1100 the Intrepid should pass by Ground Zero
where a 100-ft. American flag will be unfurled from the flight deck. This flag was on loan from the Intrepid
Air and Space Museum to the crews at Ground Zero shortly after 9/11 where it hung as an inspiration for
all to see. There is also a tribute at approximately 1300 from the Statue of Liberty with former crew
members who served aboard the USS Intrepid during WWII. The USS Intrepid has been stationed at Pier
86 for 23 years. It is scheduled to be on leave for approximately two years for major renovations and
improvements. While the aircraft carrier is away Pier 86 will be closed for a complete rebuild. (Source:
Marinelink)
Smit goes Argentina
Rotterdam, 27 October 2006, This week SMIT has started a new operation in Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
SMIT Harbour Towage Argentina has brought into operation two recently delivered ASD Damen tugs
‘Smit Jamaica’, ‘Smit Antigua’ and a conventional tug ‘Buni’. As major traffic flows change, SMIT’s
strategy is to follow these movements and to be present in these new ports. As a result we will no longer
provide services in La Plata, Argentina. (Source: Smit)
Fairplay Towage orders another two tugs
Hamburg based Fairplay Towage has ordered two more strong tugs with Spanish shipbuilder Astilleros
Armon and thus enlarges its fleet further. With an overall length of 36m and a width of 12,7m Fairplay
intends to employ these tugs predominantly in offshoreservices as well as harbour tugs in Rotterdam
Europort. The hull has the iceclass notation E1 for winter-employment in North-European waters. Two 12cylinder ABC-engines (Type ABC 12VDZC 4-stroke) with each 2652 kW at 1000 rpm are delivering their
power via two MC-HD-clutches to two fixed propeller Schottel propulsion units (propeller diameter 2,8m)
and will thus produce a bollard pull of minimum 80ts at a free running speed of 14 kn. Two 6-cylinderdiesel generators with an output of each 160kW are producing the electrical energy for the ship and
another 6-cylinder diesel with 600kW output is driving the Schottel bowtrhuster (Type STT 110LK) as well
as the Kvaerner FiFi-1 installation. A Brusselles waterfall winch is installed on the aft-deck. The upper
drum accomodates 1200m wire of 54mm Ø and produces a breakload of 2000kN. The lower drum has a
breakload of 2500 kN and a wire capacity of 900m 54mm Ø tow-wire. Additonally the tug is equipped with
a combined towing-/anchor-winch on the foredeck with again a 54mm Ø wire of 400m and a breakload of
2000kN. This forewinch will exclusively be used for harbour assistances. All winches can be controlled
from the wheelhouse as well as from portable joystick-controls. With 2 Brusselles tugger winches, Karmoy
Sharkjaws (Triplex AS H 200), Karmoy Towing Pins (Triplex AS S 200), a deckcrane with a SWL of 2 ts at
12m outlay, a wooden deck on both sides of the aftdeck as well as an open stern with a sternroller of 2,5m
width, the tug has anchorhandling capabilities to work with and at oilrigs, for example in the Northsea. Like
with the previously ordered harbour tugs this latest order gets an extensive fendering around the entire
ship to protect the hull especially when working in “Push & Pull-Mode“. The air-conditioned accomodation
have 8 cabins with bunks for max. 12 persons. An adequately designed mess- and dayroom are
completing the crew-area. The navigational- and communication equipment in the wheelhouse
corresponds to the presently available technical standards, such as GMDSS, gyro-compass, autopilot,
electronic seachart, AIS and two radars. The tugs are built according to the guidelines of the German SBG
under German Lloyd class with the classification: ı GL 100 A5 M E1 Tug / ı GL MC E1 Aut FF1. Delivery of
these tugs is planned for February and October 2008. (Source: Clipping News)
Double name giving ceremony at Ulstein Verft
Saturday 28 October, the first two platform supply vessels with the ULSTEIN X-BOW® design will be
named at Ulstein Verft. Bourbon Offshore Norway has ordered these vessels, which are already engaged
in long-term charters for BP Norway. The first two ULSTEIN PX105 vessels ordered by Bourbon Offshore
Norway are on long-term contracts for the oil company BP Norway. Both vessels will be named by BP
Norway´s CEO Gro Kielland at a ceremony at Ulstein Verft on Saturday. The vessels will primarily supply
the oil fields operated by BP in the Norwegian part of the North Sea, and will be based in Sola harbour,
Tananger, Norway. Yard number 275 Bourbon Mistral is starting on a five year contract with BP Norway
shortly after the naming ceremony. Her sister vessel, yard number 276 Bourbon Monsoon, is contracted
for delivery in February 2007. She will start on a 10 year contract for BP Norway. “We are proud that we
have won these long-term contracts with BP Norway for these innovative vessels”, says marketing director
Eirik Eide a representative of Bourbon Offshore Norway. Shipowner Bourbon Offshore Norway was first
to order a vessel with the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, the anchor handler Bourbon Orca. The company is also the
first to receive PSVs with this innovative bow design. “Having had Bourbon Orca working for a period of
time, we clearly see that the bow makes her superior compared to other anchor handling vessels,” says
Bourbon Offshore Norway´s managing director Trond Myklebust. “We have proven that a ship with the
ULSTEIN X-BOW® runs smoother and can maintain higher speeds over time,” he says. “That means
these vessels can reach their destinations in less time, and are safer and more comfortable for the crew to
operate. We believe there is even more to be gained from a PSV with this bow, as these types of vessels
are continuously in traffic. They work in a shuttle system between shore and platforms and have to be
reliable, especially in extreme weather.” “All involved have worked hard in this project, and we hope the
shipowner will appreciate the skill and effort it takes to construct such innovative vessels”, says Ulstein
Verft´s managing director, Karsten Sævik. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Vlootuitbreiding voor ITC
Zeesleepvaartonderneming ITC uit Heemstede breidt haat vloot uit met twee sterke Deense zeeslepers,
die ook anker- en bevoorradingswerk kunnen doen. De rederij neemt hiervoor van AP Møller Group de
Maersk Leader en Maersk Lifter over. Deze zusterschepen werden respectievelijk in 1987 en 1988 in
Nederland gebouwd. Met de twee Deense krachtpatsers, die beide een vermogen hebben van 12.000
bhp en een trekkracht van 140 ton, wil ITC haar positie in de offshore verstevigen. Eerder nam zij hiervoor
de slepers Typhoon en Tempest van SmitWijs Towage over. Deze hebben een trekkracht van 120 ton en
kunnen ook ankerwerk doen. Zij zijn nu in Maleisische wateren actief bij het assisteren van pijpenleggers.
De Maersk Leader en Maersk Lifter komen begin volgend jaar de ITC-vloot versterken. De slepers zijn
69,90 meter lang, 15,90 meter breed en hebben een draagvermogen van 2499 ton. De voortstuwing
bestaat uit twee MaK-hoofdmotoren, die op zware oile kunnen draaien. Verder hebben de schepen twee
boegschroeven en een hekschroef. In de tanks kan 2000 kuub bulklading worden meegenomen en aan
dek 1000 ton offshoremateriaal. De vrije dekruimte bedraagt 362 vierkante meter. Aan dek staat een
zware sleeplier en in het achterschip een 5,50 meter brede hekrol. De Maersk Leader en Maersk Lifter zijn
de eerste en vierde van een serie bevoorraders, die in 1987 en 1988 voor Maersk Supply Service uit
Kopenhagen werd gebouwd bij Scheepswerf Patje in Waterhuizen. Na de komst van de Maersk-boten
bestaat de ITC vloot uit dertien slepers, waaronder tien in eigendom en drie in management. (Source:
Schuttevaer)
Koopvaardijdiensten
Iedereen die zich verbonden voelt met de zeevaart is van harte welkom in de koopvaardijdiensten:
12 November 16.00 in het zeemanshuis Eemshaven
12 November 15.00 in de Pelgrimvaderskerk – Aelbrechtskolk 20 te Rotterdam
19 November 15.30 in de Nieuwe Kerk – Kanaalstraat 250 te IJmuiden.
7e jaargang, nr. 37
dd. 05 november 2006
_______________________________________________________________
Farstad sells two AHTS
October 30, 2006 Farstad Supply AS, a wholly owned company of Farstad Shipping ASA in Norway, has
reached an agreement to sell Far Crusader and Far Centurion to Oceanlink Ltd. Delivery of the vessels
to their new owner will take place during the first quarter of 2007. The two vessels are both anchor
handling tug supply vessels (AHTS) of design ME 303 built in Korea in 1983. The combined sale price for
the vessels is US$28.5 million. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Novatug Establishes Tugboat Equipment Sourcing Consultancy
Novatug, the Rotterdam-based specialist behind the design of the revolutionary Carousel towing system
for tugboats, has established an international tugboat equipment sourcing consultancy for vessel owners
and shipyards. The innovative Carousel towing system, which is being incorporated into two combi-tugs
being built in Malaysia for Dutch salvage and towage company Multraship, could revolutionise tug design,
without the need for expensive technology, according to Rolf Kievits. The Carousel design incorporates an
integrated winch platform, together with appropriate finite element calculations to ensure that the entire
structure is able to take its prescribed design load, fully independent of the ship, on the freely rotating
Carousel and winch platform. The winch has been specifically designed for harbour towage, escort work
and coastal applications. It is a state-of-the-art hydraulic winch, manufactured by Rapp Hydeema of
Norway, with full active escort capabilities. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Conrad Industries Delivers Towboat
Conrad Industries, Inc. is pleased to announce the delivery of
the MV Kenneth Eddy to the US Army Corp of Engineers,
Huntington District. The primary mission of the Towboat will be
year-round mobilization of the Huntington District Repair Fleet
Floating Plant to perform scheduled and emergency
maintenance to 400 miles of navigable channels and navigable
structures on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers. The vessel was
built at Conrad’s Orange Shipbuilding facility in Orange, TX
and was delivered September, 2006. The Towboat measures
124’-8” x 33’-10” and has a full load draft of 8’-6”. Power is
provided by two (2) Caterpillar 3512B main engines and the
gears are Falk 2083MRH. The vessel is ABS classed and
Orange has two additional similar vessels under construction
also for the US Army Corp of Engineers, scheduled for delivery
in 2007. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Power Express
On November 4th the new Vroon’s supply vessel Power Express was christened at Ijmuiden.
(Source:Joop Marechal)
Two Transport barges broken up
The 1966 built E100 and 1954 built Hammen, barges of Smit Transport Europe, will be broken up next
week at the scrap yard of H.Poot at ‘s-Gravendeel. (Source:Hans van der Ster)
Tug Salvaged barge
SSG-ABO. The towing cable to the Swedish barge Bison snapped while the barge was being towed by a
Polish tug in the Gulf of Bothnia off Kristinestad. The Finnish tug Harald was called out from Mantyluoto
and on Saturday, it was able to connect a towing cable to the barge despite heavy weather and 4-metre
high waves. At the time, the Bison, with oil in its tanks, was about to drift aground. (Source:Clipping
News)
Seabreeze October
Market Round-up
Supplier Successful
UK turnkey specialists ADTI have chartered the Rem Maritime UT 755LN PSV Rem Supplier. The vessel
will support the Global Santa Fe semisubmersible rig GSF 140 for a period of at least one well with ADTI
also having the option of a further well. The contract began in mid October.
Star Shines Bright For Shell
Havila Rescue UK Ltd UT 719-R rescue recovery standby vessel Havila Star has been extended for a
year with Shell. This means the vessel will remain with the Anglo-Dutch supermajor until November 2007,
with a further three yearly options available to them thereafter.
CNR Fix On A Hunch
CNR this week took delivery of the VS 4408 design UP Esmeralda for a 6 month + 1 option month
charter. This 840m2 deck PSV will be providing general logistic support work for CNR in the winter
months. This is the second time this year the vessel has been on charter to CNR, having earlier worked
for them in February and March. These vessels are proving to be popular, with the sister vessel UP Safira
on term charter with Apache also into early 2007. Much like Quasimodo found out, you got to be quick to
catch one of these ladies!
Kommander Keeps Going
Petrobras have extended the contract of Subsea 7's pipelay vessel "Kommander 3000" by a further
period of 6 years from February 2007. The vessel has been working for Petrobras in Brazil since 1999 and
the new contract is worth approximately USD 250 million.
Odin Spotted On Spot
Moss 424 design AHTS vessel Odin Viking has returned to the spot market after a 3 month charter with
Aker Maritime Contractors. The 180 tons bollard pull vessel returns to a market that has cooled in recent
weeks, but the Odin Viking is likely to have some high rates in the coming months as the spot market
fluctuates up and down. The onset of bad weather is likely to see rigs bunching in weather windows, with
rates rising and falling accordingly.
Newbuild ‘Nalysis
Our Newbuild Section is dominating Seabreeze these days as it seems that every day brings a new
announcement of another order. There are currently a staggering 400 or so offshore support vessels on
order globally for delivery between now and mid 2008. These are split roughly 50/50 between AHTS &
PSV's. Approximately 110 vessels are being built in Europe, 72 in China and some 48 in India; the
remainder are being built predominately in Brazil and the Far East. Many of the newbuilds are being built
to support deep water harsh environment areas (e.g. Shell are planning to be the first oil company to
produce oil and natural gas in 8,000 feet of water at the Perdido project in the US Gulf), although there
has been an upsurge in the construction of the mid range AHTS of circa 80-100 TBP. Similarly
announcements of newbuild subsea/ construction vessels shows no sign of abating. Read on for all the
latest………….
Siem Sign Up For Six
Siem Offshore are to build at least six VS 491 CD anchor handlers and have the option of a further six
with Kleven Verft AS. This design of vessel will have a bollard pull of 300 tonnes, 28,000 BHP,
accommodation for 60 persons, winch of 500 tonnes and will have special emphasis on safe anchor
handling. One of the more interesting points to note is that these VS 491 CD designs will be configured to
allow both conventional diesel mechanical and diesel electric propulsion which, together with the hull
design, will give efficient fuel consumption and reduced emissions. Not only that, but these vessels will
also be prepared for construction and ROV work. The first six definite vessels will deliver between the
second quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010 (in a deal worth NOK 3.2 billion) and the optional six h
a v e planned delivery between the first quarter of 2010 and the last quarter of that year. If one excludes
the six optional vessels, Siem Offshore have 13 vessels due to be delivered by the first quarter of 2010.
Deep Sea Supply To Sell
Norwegian based shipowner Deep Sea Supply have sold their 20% stake in four newbuild PSVs. Just to
refresh your memories, back in June this year, Deep Sea Supply acquired a 20% stake in four UT 755 LN
newbuilds to be delivered in 2008 and 2009 out of Cochin Shipyard, India. The stake has been sold to a
German limited partnership at a significant profit for Deep Sea Supply.
Eidesvik Take A (X)Bow
A limited partnership company (Kommadittselskap) 60% controlled by Eidesvik Offshore ASA and 40% by
others have contracted with Ulstein Verft AS for a large subsea construction vessel SX 121 X-Bow anchor
handler. The vessel will have a helideck, moonpool and an LOA of around 120 metres, with delivery
expected in November 2008. Eidesvik also made news this month with the sale of their VS 469.3 Viking
Troll and VS 469.2 Viking Queen to Sartor Shipping. The two anchor handlers were built in 1984, and
this sale is part of Eidesvik’s fleet renewal scheme.
Mistral Makes An Entrance
Groupe Bourbon Ulstein PX 105 PSV Bourbon Mistral has now delivered out of the Ulstein shipyard. The
DP II vessel will be kept busy with BP Norway for at least ten years with three yearly options. Bourbon
Offshore also announced that the sister vessel to the Mistral will be named the Bourbon Monsoon—with
delivery expected in February 2007.
Odyssea Pay Right Amount For AMT
Louisiana based Odyssea Marine Inc. have bought fellow Louisana based shipowner AMT Marine’s five
vessel fleet. These supply vessels are all DP I equipped and range in length from 150ft to 200 ft. The
Taylor R Martin, Mary Martin, Darwin John, AA Martin and Andi N Martin are the vessels in question.
The Foounder and President of AMT Marine INC, Andy Martin, is to assume operational responsibility for
Odyssea Marine’s OSV Division.
EXCITING NEWS FOR ITC
Dutch based ITC have bought two anchor handlers from Maersk. The 140 tons bollard pull anchor
handlers Maersk Leader and Maersk Lifter were built in 1987 and 1988. Handover of these 12,000 BHP
vessels is expected in North West Europe, early 2007. These acquisitions strengthen ITC’s position in the
offshore support market (ITC also operate the Tempest and Typhoon anchor handling tugs.)
Trader Traded
Island Offshore have sold their UT 755LN PSV Island Trader to Great Ship (India). The 2005 built PSV
with a deck area of 690 square metres will be handed over to Greatship (India) over the summer of next
year, however it is uncertain where the Indian company will then work the vessel.
No Hassle With Castle
Sticking with the topic of Great Ship (India), there was more purchasing news from the company. They
have now purchased the UT 755L PSV Waveney Castle and will take delivery when it completes its
current term Dolphin Drilling charter. The vessel will then be renamed the Greatship Diya which we
understand to mean “lamp” in Sanskrit.
Veolia Very Keen On Kingfisher
Veolia Environment have bought the MPSV Kingfisher from Eidesvik Offshore ASA in a deal worth 160
million NOK. Handover is expected in mid November this year. The vessel was built in 1989 but was
rebuilt as an offshore vessel in 1998 and is currently working in the Gulf of Mexico.
Havila Head Out Of UK Standby Market
Havila Shipping ASA have signed an agreement with Ocean Mainport Ltd which has resulted in the sale of
Havila’s UK based rescue recovery operation. 100% of the shares in Havila Rescue UK Ltd will be sold to
complete the transaction of the eight vessel sale. The vessels are the Havila Tigris, Havila Star, Havila
Clever, Havila Sun, Havila Tern, Havila Sky, Havila Sea and the Havila Searcher, with handover due at
the end of November, this year. This deal is worth an estimated NOK 348 million. Havila Shipping ASA are
now out of the rescue / recovery market in the UK sector and they intend to concentrate on anchor
handler, PSV and subsea construction as their company strategy. Continuing with news from this
shipowner, it has also been reported that Havila AS have agreed to buy the Solstrand AS Shipyard in
Norway for an undisclosed amount. This shipyard has historically focussed on fishing boat construction
but has latterly been involved in building offshore vessels. As we go to press, Havila Shipping ASA have
just announced a new building contract with Havyard Leirvik AS for 2 large AHTS. The new builds are in
line with the company strategy to focus on large modern vessels in the AHTS / Subsea sector. The cost of
the 2 vessels is estimated to be NOK 1.1 billion. Delivery is scheduled for April 2009, and September
2009. The newly developed Havyard 845 design vessels will have a LOA of 92m, approx bollard pull of
275t and will be built to clean and comfort class. The vessels will also have equipment for safe anchor
handling and equipment handling on deck. They will also have accommodation for 60 persons, ROV
hangar, and prepared for A- frame in order to operate in the sub-sea construction market.
Fairplay
Fairplay have ordered 2 x 80 tonne bollard pull, 36m LOA open stern tugs from Spanish builder, Astilleros
Armon. Scheduled for delivery in February & October 2008 the tugs are intended for the offshore market
as well as harbour & coastal towage. The comprehensive specification includes twin Schottel propulsion
units, waterfall winch aft + forewinch for harbour work, triplex sharkjaws & tow pins, deck crane, FiFi and
joystick.
Octopus Unwraps Its Tentacles
Olympic Shipping UT 712L anchor handler newbuild Olympic Octopus delivered this month. As reported
last month “BP Work Like An Egyptian” the vessel is now on its way to the Middle East to work for three
years with BP Egypt.
Dolphin Swims Into North Sea
Groupe Bourbon took delivery of their Ulstein A102 anchor handler Bourbon Dolphin this month. The
180 tons bollard pull vessel has worked the North Sea spot market so far in September and looks likely to
continue to do so over the coming months...
Farstad Finalise Four...
Norwegian based Farstad Shipping ASA are to build four UT 731 CD anchor handlers with Aker Yards.
Design details include LOA of 87.4 metres, breadth of 21 metres, around 240 tons bollard pull and 25,000
brake horse power. Other interesting aspects of this design are that they will be built to Clean Design (the
DNV’s strictest environmental class) and will be equipped with a “range of newly developed and advanced
equipment for the handling of heavy equipment on deck” allowing “effective and safe operation in harsh
environment areas and deep waters”. The steel hulls will be built in Romania and then outfitted at Aker
Yards Langsten with delivery expected in April 2009, September 2009, January 2010 and March 2010.
Farstad see this agreement as part of their fleet renewal but with a specific interest in deepwater activities.
Rolls Royce are obviously pleased at this, their largest ever offshore marine order with their President-
Offshore commenting, “Our offshore business has been built on giving customers what they want. We are
delighted to be trusted yet again to supply this kind of revolutionary , new capability to them.”
...& Say Ta-Ta To Two
Continuing the Farstad theme on this page...the Norwegian shipowner has sold their 1983 built ME 303
anchor handlers Far Crusader and Far Centurion. In the first quarter of next year, Farstad will handover
these vessels to Oceanlink Ltd in a deal worth USD 28.5 million.
Troms Bullish About Torino
The recently purchased newbuild VS 470 PSV Sical Torino delivered from Aker Bratvaag this month.
Although Bergen Offshore Logistics (a wholly owned subsidiary of India’s Sical Logistics) own the vessel,
Norwegian based Troms Offshore will manage it whilst in the North Sea. The Sical Torino was earlier
called the Siem Mollie but was bought earlier this year from Siem Offshore. For the time being at least, it
would appear that the Sical Torino will stay in the North Sea.
Chouest Choose Navegantes
Edison Chouest Offshore have expanded into the ship yard sector with the inauguration, on 9th October,
of their yard Estaleiro Navship, located at Navegantes in the south of Brazil. The yard will be capable of
building and delivering four ships per year. The shipyards’s first vessel will be a 260’ PSV called
Navagantes Pride (it is delivering to Alfanave, the Brazilian subsidiary of Edison Chouest Offshore). The
yard has more than 19,000 square metres of covered areas and employs around 500 personnel. This is
the first new Brazilian Shipyard, funded by the Brazilian Merchant Marine Fund, specialising in offshore
support vessels.
Nomis Go North
October saw Nomis Shipping sign a MOA to purchase the supply vessel North Prince. This 1978 German
built PSV will be renamed Dea Prince and is most likely to remain in the North Sea and trade the spot
market. Nomis will take delivery of the vessel in early 2007. This together with the three newbuild AHTS
vessel currently being built in the Far East takes their fleet up to 33 vessels. The newbuild AHTS vessels
have a BHP of 5150 BHP and will deliver during 2007.
7e jaargang, nr. 38
dd. 03 December 2006
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Tanjung Offshore invests in AHTS
Tanjung Offshore Bhd's unit Tanjung Kapal Services Sdn Bhd has awarded a RM41 million shipbuilding
contract to Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd for an anchor-handling tug and supply vessel. The
company said construction of the vessel would be financed by internal funds and borrowings. Completion
of the vessel is expected to be the third quarter of 2008. The company said the 60m vessel would also be
able to perform as a safety standby vessel for offshore drilling and workover rigs. Tanjung said the vessel
could also be used for fire fighting, provision of supply and transportation of equipment and cargo between
offshore facilities and platforms. (Source: Leo Kramer)
British
J. P. Knight heeft de Kincardie (ex. Azuma Maru-05) uit 2002 en de Kinnaird (ex. Iwaki Maru-05) uit
2003 naar Venezuela verkocht beide 4,200 apk 2 x Niigata Z-pellers. De Kincardie zal Delta gaan heten
en de Kinnaird - Marianela L. (Source: Lawrence Amboldt)
Sinbad Marine te Killybegs in Ierland heeft de Shoalbuster (ex. Multrasalvor II-06, ex. Shoalbuster -04)
(129/95) aangekocht die door Damen van nieuwe machines is voorzien (2xCummins, totaal 1,198 apk).
In ruil is de Trijnie (ex. DMS 1497-77) (720 apk, 38/76) naar Damen gegaan. (Source: Lawrence Amboldt)
Intussen is bekend dat de Irishman tot eerder dit jaar de Tsing Yi was en de Yeoman de Tolo. Beide
3,000 apk, 188/89, gebouwd voor Imamura Zosen, Kure. De Tsing Yi had bouwnummer 338 en de Tolo
was 337. (Source: Lawrence Amboldt)
Topaz, Two New Vessels
Dubai-based Topaz Energy and Marine's Azerbaijan subsidiary, BUE Caspian, has added two new
vessels to its offshore vessel fleet at a cost of more than $60m. The two new craft are a platform supply
vessel and an emergency response and rescue vessel. Topaz, with a fleet of over 70 vessels, plans to
invest $100m in the next two years in new craft as its oil and gas business expands. (Source: AME Info).
SMIT-Lloyd
Vandaag kreeg ik het bericht dat ook de MAT (Smit-Lloyd Matsas 1; Smit-Lloyd 7) zeer recent bij de
sloper in Aliaga is afgeleverd. Ook de AS 2 (Smit-LLoyd Matsas 2; Smit-Lloyd 8) zou onder de
slopershamer zijn verdaagt. De voormalige Smit-Lloyd 47 is gesignaleerd onder de naam "Swiber
Captain". (Source: Neeltje Snoei).
Tug goes missing en route to Cape Town
The owner of the supply tug which has been missing off the east coast of South Africa since Wednesday
evening fears that something catastrophic might have happened to the vessel, SABC radio news reports.
Godfrey Neaden said he was last in contact with the four men on board the vessel on Wednesday. The
16-metre-long Hawk, which belongs to Neaden's Cape Town-based Marine Services company, was en
route from Richards Bay to Cape Town. By Friday, only an empty, unused raft believed to be that of the
Hawk was found 10 nautical miles north of Shelly Beach on KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast. Neaden said
he feared the tug may have been "overwhelmed at sea". (Source: Clipping News).
Conrad to build LNG terminal/escort tugs
Conrad Industries, Inc. (OTC Pink Sheets: CNRD) has signed contracts for construction of two 98 ft ZTech 7500 Class Terminal/Escort Tugs with Bay-Houston Towing Co. and Suderman & Young Towing
Company, L.P. The ABS classed tugs will provide harbor tug services for LNG vessels calling at the
Freeport LNG terminal which is currently under construction in the Port of Freeport, Texas. G&H Towing
Company of Galveston, Texas will operate the two tugboats. Johnny Conrad, President and CEO, stated,
"We are excited to add Bay- Houston and Suderman & Young as customers. These two new contracts are
scheduled to be constructed at our Orange Shipbuilding facility which has constructed sixty-five tugs and
towboats since 1974. With these additions, our current backlog is at a record high of approximately $93
million." (Source: Clipping News).
Nomis to acquire North Prince
October saw Nomis Shipping sign a Memorandum of Agreement to acquire the supply vessel North
Prince. This PSV, built in 1978, will be renamed Dea Prince and is most likely to remain in the North Sea
and trade the spot market. Brokers said Nomis will take delivery of the vessel in early 2007. (Source:
Clipping News).
3rd Damen Stan Tug for Oldendorff
The third Damen Stan Tug 2208 out of a series of 5 was named and delivered to Oldendorff on the 2nd of
November. She is now on her delivery voyage to South America where she will be one of the nine vessels
ordered by Oldendorff for the transshipper project in Guyana. (Source: Clipping News).
Coast Guard Finds Stranded Sailor on Barge
Russell Bolton, 51, of Green Cove Springs, Fla., tells boarding officers about his ordeal. The Coast Guard
received a call from the tug Ybor City from Jacksonville, Fla., reporting they had a stowaway aboard the
115-foot barge they were towing. A Coast Guard boarding team along with a Customs and Border
Protection officer thought they were going to detain a possible stow away. Actually, Bolton's sailing vessel
collided with the barge before sunrise that morning. Bolton had to jump aboard the barge to keep from
falling in the water. Coast Guard and CBP officers verified the man's story and took him back to shore.
The Coast Guard has removed a man found on a barge this morning whose sailing vessel collided with a
tug and barge. Russell Joseph Bolton, 51, of Green Cove Springs, Fla., was sailing off the coast of St.
Augustine, Fla., when his 33-foot sailing vessel collided with a 115-foot barge being towed by the 70-foot
Ybor City. Bolton was able to jump on to the barge before being thrown in the water. The crew of the
American-flagged Ybor City was unaware that the sailing vessel collided with their barge and spotted
Bolton this morning at about 10 a.m. The crew of Ybor City thought that Bolton may have been a
stowaway and called Coast Guard rescue coordinators at Sector Jacksonville. The rescue coordinators
sent a boarding team to from Coast Guard Station Mayport, Fla., along with a Customs and Border
Protection officer to board the barge. The Coast Guard boarding team handcuffed Bolton until they could
determine he was not a threat to their safety. After the joint Coast Guard and CBP boarding team verified
his identity and nationality, Bolton was taken back to Sector Jacksonville on a rescue boat from Station
Mayport. Bolton was not injured in the collision, and there was no one else aboard the sail boat with
Bolton during the collision. Bolton lived aboard his sailing vessel and will be taken to an American Red
Cross Shelter by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. (Source: MarineLink).
BH Global Marine Wins Supply Contracts
BH Global Marine Limited has secured new contracts. These new contracts involve the supply of cables
for two Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels as well as the supply of specialized lighting for two
oil rigs. BH Global will commence the supply of cables to the two AHTS vessels, which are being built by
Jaya Holdings Limited by the end of 2006. In the early part of 2006, BH Global has successfully delivered
a similar contract for Jaya. The other new contract is for the supply of specialized lighting products for two
oil rigs, which are being constructed by one of the world's largest rig building companies. Besides the
supply of lighting products, BH Global will also play a key role in the procurement and logistics
management for other electrical equipment for this customer's yard facilities and daily operations. Industry
Outlook The prospects for the building of new offshore AHTS vessels globally continue to be very positive.
Similar to oil rigs, the majority of the global offshore AHTS fleet was built during the last offshore cycle in
the 1970s. Currently, more than 70% of the fleet is more than 20 years of age and this aging fleet is due
for replacement. In addition, there is a strong direct link between the growth of AHTS vessels and that of
offshore rig platforms, thus the current boom in rig building bodes well for the prospects of AHTS vessels.
The replacement program of AHTS vessels is expected to intensify in the coming years, and the related
procurement specialists and suppliers like BH Global are well positioned to ride on the expected increase
in demand for AHTS vessels. (Source: Rigzone)
Farstad Shipping Announces Charter Agreement
Hydro has declared its option for a further 3 year charter period for Far Saga. The option period
commences 01.05.07. The last 5 years Far Saga has supported Hydros' subsea/ROV activities through a
contract with Acergy. This co-operation will continue through the period. Acergy has further options to hire
the vessel after the end of the charter period to Hydro. Before commencing the 3 year period, the vessel's
ROV-capacities will be upgraded. The parties have agreed to keep the rate confidential. (Source:
MarineLink).
Simon Mokster Shipping orders VS 470 MkII
November 21, 2006 Simon Mokster Shipping in Norway has entered into a contract with Karmsund
Maritime Service AS for the construction of a VS 470 MkII PSV. The new PSV will be delivered in May
2008. (Source: Leo Kramer).
Aker Yards to build UT 776 CD for Island Offshore
November 20, 2006 Island Offshore has ordered a UT 776 CD PSV from Aker Yards. Aker Yards has
signed a contract with Island Offshore in Ulsteinvik, Norway for a UT 776 CD PSV. The total value of the
contract is approximately NKr 315 million. This is the 23rd contract between Island Offshore and Aker
Yards. The hull for the vessel will be built in Romania and outfitted at Aker Yards, Brevik. Delivery of the
vessel is scheduled for July 2009. (Source: Marinlink).
Havyard wins AHTS contract
November 27, 2006 LR-Fairplay reports that Havyard Leirvik in Norway has won a contract to build an
anchor handling tug supply vessel from domestic owner Simon Mokster Shipping. There is also an option
attached which needs to be taken up by the end of 2006. The vessel is due for delivery in November
2008. LR-Fairplay said Simon Monkster has also placed an order for a platform supply vessel at
Karmsund Maritime Services, also in Norway. Delivery is scheduled for May 2008. (Source: Leo Kramer).
Zeesleper Elbe krijgt haar interieur terug
Het herstel van het interieur van de zeesleper Elbe is zeker gesteld dankzij een substantiële donatie van
het Fonds Schiedam Vlaardingen e.o.. Het bestuur van de Stichting Maritieme Collectie Rijnmond,
eigenaar van de Elbe, is zeer ingenomen met deze eigenlijk onmisbare bijdrage. Nadat het Elbe-bestuur
zorgvuldig een traject met betrekking tot de subsidie-aanvraag had doorlopen heeft het Fonds Schiedam,
Vlaardingen e.o. besloten een belangrijke impuls te geven aan de restauratie van de Elbe. Na het zinken
in 2004 was het helaas noodzakelijk het interieur deels uit het schip te verwijderen. De uiterst solide
gebleken materialen zijn door de vrijwilligers in kaart gebracht en opgeslagen aan de wal in afwachting
van restauratie. Diverse sponsors deden begin dit jaar vergaande toezeggingen bij het maken van een
restauratieplan voor de bemanningsverblijven. De verblijven moeten opnieuw worden geïsoleerd,
elektrisch bekabeld, voorzien van nieuwe vloeren en door een antiekrestaurateur opnieuw worden
ingetimmerd. De bedrijven Cleton (isolatie), Helder&May (vloeren) en Wärtsilä Automation (elektra)
nemen daarbij een flink deel van de kosten voor hun rekening. Om geheel te kunnen voldoen aan de
veiligheidseisen en bijbehorende certificering voegden Alphatron Marine en Consilium daar de 100%
sponsoring van een brandmeldinstallatie aan toe. Dankzij de bijdrage van het Fonds Schiedam,
Vlaardingen e.o. en niet in de laatste plaats de inspanningen van de betrokken bedrijven is de volledige
restauratie van de Elbe dichterbij dan ooit. Naast deze financiële impuls moet gemeld worden dat de
vrijwillige bemanning van de Elbe al meer dan 35.000 manuren heeft gewerkt aan de rehabilitatie van wat
ooit ’s werelds grootste zeesleper was. Recent nog is een nieuwe machinekamerkap op het schip
geplaatst, gesponsord voor Keppel Verolme. Alle genoemde bijdragen motiveren de Elbe-bemanning nog
meer om verder te gaan op de ingeslagen weg. De Elbe zal na restauratie Nederlands grootste varende
museumschip zijn. (Source: Navingo).
Adsteam
Voor augustus 2006 is de Adsteam Calshot t.w. gelaten bij Hin Lee, Zhubai. Bouwnummer 124., 325 brt.
Voor Adsteam GBR. Idem t.w. de Svitzer Pella bij werf Wuxi te Wuxi, bouwnummer 1220, 332 brt. Voor
Svitzer W.M.E. (Source:Jaap Bijl).
7e jaargang, nr. 39
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Launching Nor Sky
The supply vessel Nor Sky was launched on the 6th of December at Jaya shipyard Batam. She is built
under yard number H860B for Nor Offshore. (Source: Hans van der Ster)
Adsteam
De ADSTEAM CALSHOT gaat niet naar Southampton. Ze is in ADSTEAM MARLOO hernoemd en naar
Australië vertrokken. (Source: Lawrence Amboldt)
Taktow
This afternoon, Thursday 7th December 2006 at 15.15 hours, the above vessel has been delivered to her
new Owners, Messrs. M.T.S. Group Ltd. of Falmouth, United Kingdom. She will be renamed MTS Taktow.
(Source: Neeltje Snoei)
USS Intrepid finally freed from Hudson River mud
NEW YORK - Finally pulled free from the Hudson River bottom, the historic aircraft carrier USS Intrepid
was on the move again Tuesday, passing majestically through New York Harbor, bound for a long-awaited
overhaul at a New Jersey shipyard. Just getting the 900-foot vessel to budge was a triumph - and a relief for the Intrepid's owners, who scrubbed an attempt a month ago when the floating military museum's
rudder and four giant propellers got stuck in the mud at the pier that had been the ship's home for the past
24 years. "This old baby is moving!" said Bill White, president of the Intrepid Foundation. This time, there
were no politicians, military bands or other trappings - just officials, journalists and former crewmen on
deck, some of whom cried and gave each other high-fives and hugs as about 200 people ashore cheered.
Three weeks of dredging removed nearly 40,000 cubic yards of muck from under the ship. The blue water
was churned dark brown Tuesday as tugboats strained to haul the giant vessel from its longtime home.
The engineless carrier was towed stern-first past the Statue of Liberty on a five-mile trip to Bayonne, N.J.,
where it will undergo a $60million renovation. The Intrepid survived five kamikaze attacks and lost 270
crewmen in the last two years of World War II in the Pacific. It also served off Korea and Vietnam and as a
recovery ship for astronauts after their space capsules splashed down at sea. Decommissioned in the late
1970s, it was destined for the salvage yard when developer Zachary Fisher transformed it into a military
museum that opened in 1982. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Maersk orders again at ASENAV
December 5, 2006 Maersk Supply Service has signed a contract for the construction of two PSVs
at ASENAV shipyard in Chile. The two vessels are of UT-745L CD design with DP2, a double hull and are
ice-strengthened. The first vessel will be delivered during the third quarter of 2009 and the second vessel
will be delivered during the third quarter of 2010. As part of the contract, Maersk Supply Service has
options for an additional two vessels. The newbuilds will have a deck area of 900m2, deadweight of 4,400
tonnes, and 10,445bhp. They will be 90.15m with a breadth of 18.8m. (Source: Leo Kramer)
RAmpage 5000 offshore support tugs delivered to Bourbon
In November 2006 the second of two RAmpage 5000 Class offshore support tugs, Bourbon Rhesos, was
delivered to its Owners, Groupe Bourbon of Marseilles, France. Bourbon Rhesos joined her sister
Bourbon Rhode, which was delivered about three months ago from the builders Keppel Singmarine Ltd
of Singapore. The RAmpage 5000 Class tugs were designed by Robert Allan Ltd, naval architects of
Vancouver, BC to respond to the demands of owners for a large, powerful tug capable of supporting
offshore terminal operations in more severe weather. These tugs are capable of the most severe towing
duties, but are not as large and as complex as the larger classes of OSVs and AHTSs typically engaged in
similar work. Bourbon Rhode is presently working off West Africa. The Bourbon vessels are of rugged allwelded steel construction, with an extended forecastle deck, with a strongly raked, two level uperstructure
above, topped by a wheelhouse providing maximum all-round visibility. The aft deck is equipped with rash
rails for cargo, a stern gear arrangement suitable for heavy-duty anchor handling, and has space to stow
two standard ISO containers under shelter as additional support modules for diving or oilrec perations.The
tugs are built to BV Notation 1 a Hull, a MACH, Tug, Fire-Fighting Ship 1, Water Spraying, Unrestricted
Navigation, a AUT-UMS, and are registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines.Principal particulars
of Bourbon Rhesos and Bourbon Rhode are as follows:
•
Length, overall - 49.50m.
•
Beam, moulded - 15.00m.
•
Depth, moulded - 6.75m.
•
Nominal operating draft - 4.75m.
•
Draft, loadline - 5.60m.
Propulsion machinery comprises a pair of MaK 9M25 diesel engines, each rated 2,970kW at 750rpm,
driving a Schottel SRP 3030CP Z-drive unit. This combination delivers a rated bollard pull of 100 tonnes,
and a free running speed of 13.5 knots. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Troms Offshore orders at Kleven Maritime
December 8, 2006 The VS 495 DEM CD Mk II is Troms Offshore's first at Kleven. Kleven Verft in
Ulsteinvik, Norway has signed a contract with Troms Offshore in Tromsø, Norway for construction of a
sophisticated offshore vessel. The vessel is a Multifunctional Platform Supply Vessel (MPSV) of VS 495
DEM CD Mk II design, and is the first vessel for Troms Offshore at Kleven Verft. The vessel was designed
by the Norwegian design company Vik Sandvik. The contract value is NKr 355 million and the vessel is
95.3m long, with a beam of 21.0m, large cargo capacity below deck, a working deck of 1,030m2 and
accommodation for 60 persons. The vessel is to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2009 as yard
newbuilding number 339. ?The VS 495 DEM CD Mk II is characterised by a unique and environmental
friendly propulsion system, and features Clean Design class notation. This was decisive in our choice of
vessel?, said Vice President Østen Mortvedt on the new addition to the company?s fleet. ?At Kleven we
are very grateful for this contract, our first with Troms Offshore. We look forward to a long and fruitful cooperation?, said Kleven's Managing Director Ståle Rasmussen. (Source: Leo Kramer)
Coastguard tug Anglian Monarch sent to assist Dutch warship
At quarter past four this afternoon, the Coastguard tug Anglian Monarch was instructed to proceed to the
assistance of the Dutch Warship Johan de Witt. The warship has suffered a mechanical problem, which
has meant they are unable to proceed under their own power to their next port, which is in Belgium. The
Johan de Witt is in a position near the Hinder 1 Bouy in the Dover Straits with 113 people on board. The
warship was on a delivery voyage to the Belgian Navy. The Anglian Monarch is operationally shared
between the UK and French maritime authorities and is available to respond to incidents in UK and French
search and rescue regions. Ted Ingham, Watch Manager, Dover Coastguard said: The weather at the
moment in the Dover Strait is South Westerly Gale force 8 gusting severe gale force 9 with rough seas
and moderate visibility. The tug has arrived on scene and will standby the warship until daylight tomorrow,
when it is expected she will connect a tow and take the warship back to Flushing in Holland. (Source: Leo
Kramer)
Coast Guard rescues 3 from sinking tugboat in Elizabeth River
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) -- A Coast Guard crew from rescued three men in Hampton Roads last night
after their work boat began sinking in the Elizabeth River. The Coast Guard got a report of the sinking boat
at about 10:20 p-m. The three men had abandoned the sinking ship and climbed onto a connected work
barge.
A crew rescued all three men in four-to-six-foot seas and 30-knot winds. Hampton and Portsmouth fire
boats also responded. According to the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers found that the wreck is
stable, and does not pose a serious hazard to navigation. There are no signs of pollution, but the Coast
Guard is monitoring the situation as salvage efforts are planned. The incident is being investigated by the
Virginia Marine Resources Commission. (Source: Leo Kramer)
7e jaargang, nr. 40
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Coast Guard Assists Tug in Distress
The Coast Guard rescued five people on a disabled tug boat approximately five miles South of the South
Padre Island jetties last night. A Coast Guard crew from Station South Padre Island took the boat in tow
after the tug boat Kathleen's five crewmembers radioed for help. The tug crew told the Coast Guard that
their pilothouse windows had been smashed in by heavy waves, they had lost all engine control and were
losing electrical power as well. The Coast Guard Station had two small boat crews underway conducting
training when the call came and diverted a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew to the scene. The rescue crew
arrived at the Kathleen and towed the tug to the Banana Docks in Port Isabelle, Texas. One of the
crewman onboard the Kathleen was injured by the breaking glass and received stitches. No other injuries
were reported. On scene conditions made the rescue extremely dangerous and also made the towing very
slow. Waves were 14 to 16 feet high with occasional 18 footers and winds were in excess of 20 m.p.h. An
HH-65B Dolphin helicopter crew was also dispatched from Air Station Corpus Christi to assist but returned
to Corpus Christi after a short time on scene. (Source: Marinelink)
Teche towing Repowers with Mitsubishi
Tuesday, December 12, 2006 Mitsubishi heavy-duty marine propulsion engines are designed to withstand
the rigors of commercial use. So, when Teche Towing owner Joey Carbonell wanted to re-power his 55-ft.
tugboat, Dixie, with a tough engine, Mitsubishi distributor Laborde Products provided a S6R-MPTA.
Headquartered in Berwick, Louisiana, Teche Towing services drilling rigs. Constructed by Albert Ortis
Boat Builders, the Dixie is used for inland towing and oil field assistance. This is the second boat Teche
has re-powered with a Mitsubishi engine. The 4-cycle, watercooled, turbocharged diesel engine delivers
590 hp at 1,600 rpm. With economic operation and easy maintenance, the in-line, 6-cylinder S6R-MPTA
provides a total displacement of 24.5 L. Paired with Rolls Royce 62 x 61 4-blade modified D-style
propellers, the Mitsubishi diesel offers Teche Towing maximum performance. A twin disc MG527
transmission supplies a 5:1 reduction. (Source: Marinelink)
Barge Owners to Investigate Accident
Monday, December 11, 2006 Reports said that the owner of the tugboat and barges that struck the Queen
Isabella Memorial Bridge's pier protective system and a concrete pillar along the Intracoastal Waterway on
Wednesday is conducting its own investigation into the incident. ACL is the parent company of Louisiana
Dock Co. and American Commercial Barge Lines, the registered owners of the Howard Evans tugboat
and barges respectively. The U.S. Coast Guard documented that a watch stander at the U.S. Coast Guard
sector office in Corpus Christi received the call of the collision at 4:29 p.m. on Wednesday from the
fishing vessel "Fishtales." The Coast Guard crews reported seeing no visible signs of structural damage.
The South Padre Island Police Department arrived at the scene shortly afterward and closed the bridge
pending a structural assessment by the Texas Department of Transportation, the agency further noted.
Coast Guard officials said the tugboat that was towing four barges, lost three barges during the collision.
Initially, officials believed there were only three barges but later found that a fourth was tied to one of
them. The loose barges floated north along the Intracoastal Waterway. The agency's investigation will
include review of documentation, licensing and training, he said. Texas Department of transportation
officials on Thursday estimated damage at about $200,000 from Wednesday's strike. Source: The
Brownsville Herald. (Source: Jan van der Doe)
Coast Guard Assists Tug in Distress
Friday, December 08, 2006 The Coast Guard rescued five people on a disabled tug boat approximately
five miles South of the South Padre Island jetties last night. A Coast Guard crew from Station South Padre
Island took the boat in tow after the tug boat Kathleen's five crewmembers radioed for help. The tug crew
told the Coast Guard that their pilothouse windows had been smashed in by heavy waves, they
had lost all engine control and were losing electrical power as well. The Coast Guard Station had two
small boat crews underway conducting training when the call came and diverted a 47-foot Motor Life Boat
crew to the scene. The rescue crew arrived at the Kathleen and towed the tug to the Banana
Docks in Port Isabelle, Texas. One of the crewman onboard the Kathleen was injured by the breaking
glass and received stitches. No other injuries were reported. On scene conditions made the rescue
extremely dangerous and also made the towing very slow. Waves were 14 to 16 feet high with occasional
18 footers and winds were in excess of 20 m.p.h. An HH-65B Dolphin helicopter crew was also dispatched
from Air Station Corpus Christi to assist but returned to Corpus Christi after a short time on scene.
(Source: Jan van der Doe)
Mario Bigot
Mario Bigot uit Conflanse-Sainte Honorine op de Seine heeft de duwboot SPES MEA (ex. Del Fer-98, ex.
MP 4- ?, ex. Opale-70) 530 apk Scania, 12m20 x 5m07 aangekocht van C. van den Bussche, Duinkerke.
1925 gebouwd als motortankscheep door Chantiers Navals Franco-Belge, Villeneuve-la-Garenne. De
vorig jaar door Mario Bigot aangekochte duwboot ANTIBES (ex. Novice- ?, ex. Esso Thierache-69) is dit
jaar in ARCTIC hernoemt. 734 apk (2xVolvo) 1914 door van Garsse te Moerbeke gebouwd, 14m16 x
5m72. (Source: Lawrence Amboldt)
Bumi Armada orders five anchor handlers
Seascope Offshore says Malaysia-based Bumi Armada has ordered five AHTS (8-12,000bhp) from Pan
United Marine. The vessels will be built at their Indonesian shipyard in Batam with delivery scheduled for
between June 2008 & December 2009. (Source: Clipping News)
Pollution response continues for stuck tug
The Coast Guard and environmental response contractors continue pollution response operations for the
tug Seneca, the USGC reported Thursday. Weather conditions, earlier this week, forced the Coast Guard
and environmental response contractors to suspend pollution response operations for the tug. During that
period, pollution responders assessed the effectiveness of past actions and made preparations for future
response operations. The 94-foot Seneca, owned by Zenith Tugboat Co. of Duluth, Minn., will be hauled
back to its home port after undergoing repairs in Sault Ste. Marie when it broke loose during a storm Dec.
3. It was found partially sunk, 18 miles east of Grand Marais. Future operations will encompass four
stages of action. The first stage calls for responders to access the interior of the vessel to safely remove
as much product as possible. The second stage will assess the vessel's watertight integrity and ability to
float. During the third stage, a trench will be dug from the vessel to a water depth safe for re-floating. The
fourth stage calls for the tug to be towed from its current location back to Sault Ste. Marie. Once the
vessel arrives in the Sault, the vessel will be returned to the owner. The current operational plan takes into
consideration personnel safety and environmental concerns. The plan will reduce the amount of time
personnel and equipment will operate in an exposed portion of Lake Superior. In addition, the removal of
the tug will prevent further environmental concerns. The Coast Guard and contractors will continue to
monitor the situation and adjust actions accordingly. (Source: Clipping News)
Ulstein Group announces keel laying in China
December 4th saw the keel laying ceremony at Zheijiang Shipbuilding Co in China of the first of four
ULSTEIN P105 vessels for Bourbon Offshore Norway. “Two sections were put on the construction berth at
the same time, and there was a typical Chinese ceremony with red banners and fireworks”, said assistant
project manager Kirk Du of Ulstein China. (Source: Clipping News)
Labroy Marine Wins Contracts
Singapore shipbuilder Labroy Marine said on Wednesday it has signed two shipbuilding contracts worth
$58.9m in total. Labroy, whose regular customers for offshore support vessels are in the United States,
Europe and the Middle East, said the two ships are to be delivered in 2009. (Source: Clipping News)
Maersk Defender sold
Maersk Supply Service has announced that it has sold the subsea support/cable lay vessel Maersk
Defender to IS Atlantic Corporation Inc. The vessel was delivered to her new owners on December 12th
and has been renamed Emerald Sea. (Source: Clipping News)

Sleepvaart- en Offshore Nieuws

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VLIERODAM WIRE ROPES Ltd. - Welkom bij Maasmond Maritime

VLIERODAM WIRE ROPES Ltd. - Welkom bij Maasmond Maritime