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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 Number 55 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Tuesday 24-02-2015 News reports received from readers and Internet News articles copied from various news sites. 22-02-2015 : The STENA SUPERFAST X departing from Gdynia Photo : Jakub Bogucki © Your feedback is important to me so please drop me an email if you have any photos or articles that may be of interest to the maritime interested people at sea and ashore PLEASE SEND ALL PHOTOS / ARTICLES TO : [email protected] If you don't like to receive this bulletin anymore : To unsubscribe click here (English version) or visit the subscription page on our website. http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/uitschrijven.aspx?lan=en-US Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 1 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS The MAERSK ENFIELD inbound for Rotterdam-Europoort – Photo : Willem Koper © Reddingboot van de toekomst naar Breskens De NH 1816 ,het nieuwste type van de KNRM, voor proef op station Ameland (Ballumerbocht) samen met de Anna Magaretha. Photo : GertJan Verbeek- Hollum-Ameland © De nieuwste reddingboot uit de KNRM vloot, de NH1816, is voor een midweek naar reddingstation Breskens. De Breskense reddingbootbemanning zal de boot gaan testen. De KNRM is al jaren bezig aan de ontwikkeling van een nieuw type reddingboot welke op termijn de grote reddingboten, zoals reddingboot Zeemanshoop, moet gaan vervangen. Na jaren van ontwikkeling en bouwen is op 2 april 2014 reddingboot Nh1816 gedoopt. Dit eerste prototype is daarna voor de KNRM een intensieve testfase in gegaan.Momenteel maakt de boot een reis langs de reddingstations met een grote boot. Dit om de reddingbootbemanning kennis te laten maken met het schip en om leerpunten van deze bemanningen weer mee te nemen. Deze week is reddingstation Breskens aan de beurt. Wilt u de Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 2 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 reddingboot zien? Als alles volgens planning verloopt zal de NH1816tot vrijdag in de Vissershaven verblijven. Bron : KNRM -Breskens The MARIE MAERSK inbound at Rotterdam-Europoort – Photo : Dick Smit - www.schepenspotterxl.com © LNG Shipping Rates Nosedive With LNG prices down as slowing demand combines with rising output, the cost to ship super-chilled natural gas has also tumbled to the lowest level in more than four years and is forecast to fall further, reports Bloomberg According to Andrew Buckland, a London-based analyst at Wood Mackenzie Ltd rates to transport liquefied natural gas have declined to about $50,000 per day and will probably go lower before recovering. In 2012 it was more than $140,000 a day. That’s good news for buyers and sellers of the fuel. Lower rates can benefit traders that sign short-term contracts and give LNG players flexibility in where they deliver the gas, said Hal Miller, president of consulting company Galway Group in Houston. At the same time, ship owners will be hurt by falling rates. There has been reports that over a dozen liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are parked, many idle, in and around Singapore - one of the world's biggest trading hubs for the fuel - in a sign that the slowdown engulfing world gas markets may be worsening into a crisis. LNG ships ordered three or four years ago have struggled to find work and compete with newer, larger and more fuelefficient vessels that have pushed rates to the lowest since late 2010, market analysts said.The market could stay depressed until the middle of next year with rates potentially sinking to $40,000 a day with too many vessels, said Tatsuo Osakabe, the Tokyo-based managing director of Fearnleys Japan, a shipping broker. The crash in demand in Asia is so severe that some analysts say the future of the entire LNG industry may be impacted. "The weakness in energy markets is threatening to derail LNG's emergence as the pre-eminent energy source," ANZ bank said this week in a research note. Source : MarineLink Turkey extends naval mission in Gulf of Aden Experts agree that Turkey's decision to extend its mandate in NATO's operation in the Gulf of Aden is strategically important.Turkey's parliament approved on February 3rd a motion to extend the mandate of Turkish Naval Forces in the Gulf of Aden for one more year. The recent extension, calling for the further participation of Turkish ships in Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 3 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 NATO's international anti-piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield (OOS), was first approved in 2009.OOS aims to counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast while increasing the level of security for commercial vessels.The North Atlantic Council extended its counter-piracy mission in 2014 for two more years, until the end of 2016. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, a law professor at Istanbul Medipol University, said the region is critical for Turkey's foreign trade activities.As the number of Turkish ships using the route increases, Ankara further co-operates with the international community to contribute to the security of maritime trade channels and decrease the threat of piracy, Topal said."On the other hand, this latest decision from the Turkish parliament to extend the mission's term is a necessity within the current foreign policy that Turkey follows. It is consistent with Turkey's policy in adopting an active role regarding the international problems that occur beyond its borders," Topal told SES Türkiye. Topal also noted that the active participation of Turkey in OOS ensured that Turkish commercial ships face fewer attacks during their navigation period through the region. "Turkish armed forces provide security for the international humanitarian aid channelling to this region. In fact, during the famine in Somalia, the Turkish Navy provided security for the Red Crescent aid ships," he added.Catherine Long, a Turkey-Africa relations and policy expert from Istanbul's Kadir Has University, said Turkey's continued participation in NATO's Operation Ocean Shield is important because vessels on the shipping lanes running through the Gulf of Aden to the Suez Canal remain at risk for attack."This risk is universally felt given the importance of these particular shipping lanes that pass through the maritime chokepoint of Bab el Mandeb into the internationally essential chokepoint of the Suez Canal," Long told SES Türkiye. "Piracy and other forms of maritime attacks, theft, or kidnapping in the Horn of Africa represent the focus of international interventions because the cost of adapting to a route around southern Africa adds unsustainable costs to trade-related shipment routes."Long added that Turkey's continued presence in OOS represents the country's market-oriented strategic interests. The combination of revived ports and improved maritime security will facilitate the imports of Turkish goods by Somalia, Long said. The increased stability of Somali ports may also lead to the establishment of a hub for trade logistics into the landlocked Eastern and Central African states. "Turkey's deployment of a vessel to the Gulf just three days after Turkey's participation in OOC signals its continuing willingness to serve as one of NATO's regional anchors," Long said.Fouad Farhaoui, an Africa expert from Ankarabased think tank USAK, said the extension of Turkey's participation in OOS is not only a move linked to its commitments under NATO, but especially a strategic preference for Turkey. "Turkey's naval forces carried out an Africa trip in March 2014 in regions neighbouring Somalia, while from January 31st to February 2nd, for the first time in history the Turkish Navy visited Jeddah port lying on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia," Farhaoui told SES Türkiye.The latest visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti in late January also was a strong sign of Ankara's commitment to the region, Farhaoui said."Nowadays Turkey has become a significant actor in naval strategies of the African continent," he said. "However, it should also pay importance to deepening its relations with all the East African countries and preserve its presence in the region from all possible challenges." Source : turkishweekly The ANL EUROA IMO 9433066, 2010/18326gt Ex OS Samson till NOV 2012 Nobel Acrux till Jan 2015, out from Swanson Dock off Newport, 21-2-2015. Photo : Andrew Mackinnon – www.aquamanships.com © South Africa – Stowaways The Club has been advised by P&I Associates, a correspondent in South Africa, of a change in the approach taken by the Department of Home Affairs in Cape Town to foreign nationals who are found, before a vessel has departed, to have unlawfully boarded a vessel in Cape Town. Previously such persons were treated as “trespassers”, so that the costs of repatriation did not fall on the vessel. However, the new approach means that foreign nationals found on Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 4 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 board a vessel without the requisite permits will be treated as stowaways so that the cost of repatriation will fall on the vessel. This change is effective immediately and is already being applied in Durban.The Correspondent advises that Members should be vigilant to ensure that any person boarding a vessel in Cape Town or Durban, including stevedores, agents, ship chandlers, cleaners, immigration, ship repairers, marine surveyors and contractors are in possession of a Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) permit. Absent a permit, the Correspondent further advises that a person should be asked to leave the vessel and, if need be, taken to the bottom of the gangway and port security notified. The port, as the landlord, will then have the person detained and charged as a trespasser on their property.Members should be guided by the above advice from the Correspondent. This is, of course, in addition to Members’ obligations to ensure that access to the vessel is controlled in accordance with the ISPS Code. Source: London P&I Club The 17000 tons GINA KROG jacket (the largest jacket ever built at Heerema Vlissingen ) under Construction for Statoil Petroleum measures 60x50m at the bottom part and 40x30 at the top and is having a height of 142m hoog.. the sail away is scheduled for April 15th Photo : Wim Kosten – www.maritimephoto.com (c) 2014: The Big Secondhand Sales News A record volume of tonnage is reported to have changed hands last year and reported secondhand sales rose by 29% year-on-year to total 51.0m GT in 2014. Activity at the larger end of the oil tanker sector was particularly strong and 2014 saw a firm increase in the volume of containership tonnage sold year-on-year. This month we take a closer look at the detail behind global sales activity in 2014. Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 5 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 Selling And Buying Big A total of 1,320 vessels of 51.0m GT were reported sold market in 2014, a record in terms of GT. This was driven by strong interest in the oil tanker sector 2015-02-20_upload_2587491_WFMK_2015_02with a reported 309 tankers of 23.0m GT sold, 82% more tonnage y-o-y, and the sector accounted for the largest share of sales in GT terms (45%) for the first time on record. In the general cargo sector, the volume of tonnage sold rose 48% y-o-y in 2014 and 275 units of 6.5m GT were reported to have changed hands. Containerships accounted for 93% of the general cargo units reported sold in 2014 in terms of GT. Meanwhile, reported bulker sales fell 7% y-o-y to 16.9m GT in 2014 (411 ships) though the sector still accounted for 33% of total sales in terms of GT. The Big Sell On Vessels Whilst the number of units that changed hands fell 8% y-o-y in 2014, greater interest in the larger size segments saw the average size of ships sold rise 37% y-o-y to around 39,000 GT – the highest ever level. In the tanker sector, a record 79 VLCCs of 12.7m GT were reported sold in 2014 (around a third of which were en-bloc deals) as well as 59 Aframaxes of 3.5m GT and 37 Suezmax tankers of 3.0m GT (up 118% y-o-y in terms of GT). Further, 60 Capesize units of 5.4m GT and 12 boxships above 8,000 TEU of 1.1m GT were reported sold in 2014. Increased sales of these larger units led to a big rise in the volume of GT sold. The Big Buyers In 2014 In recent years, Greek owners have typically accounted for the largest proportion of secondhand purchases and their share stood at 24% in 2014 (11.8m GT). Chinese owners are reported to have bought the second largest volume of tonnage in 2014, 5.7m GT, with over half (56%) of units purchased from domestic owners. Elsewhere, US owners saw sales activity rise 139% y-o-y in 2014 to 4.0m GT, with oil tankers accounting for 50% of the GT. The Big Sellers In 2014 Japanese owners remained net sellers in 2014 with 7.0m GT reported sold. Bulkers accounted for 51% of Japanese sales in terms of GT and 41% of units were reported sold to Greeks. German owners sold a reported 6.1m GT in 2014, up 36% y-o-y, and they accounted for 56% of total boxship sales (5.9m GT). Meanwhile, Chinese owners also sold a record 5.1m GT in 2014, a y-o-y rise of 58%.So, secondhand sales activity was strong in 2014 and the reported value of sales totalled $26.1bn, up 26% y-o-y. There was interest in the larger sizes and the average size of ship sold reached a record level. Greek and Japanese owners were the ‘top’ buyers and sellers respectively whilst Chinese owners’ activity broke previous highs. There has been 3.0m GT reported sold in 2015 so far, but 2014’s total will be a challenging target. Source: Clarksons The CMA CGM THALASSA inbound fro Rotterdam-Europoort – Photo : Willem Koper © Chinese tanker owners venturing out in the “open sea” For a long time, among the chief notions revolving around China’s ambitions on sea trade, was that the financial behemoth favored the transportation of its needed raw materials, especially crude oil, by Chinese-owned and more importantly state-owned vessels, primarily crude oil tankers (VLCCs). The ambition was to be able to move 85% of its crude imports on Chinese controlled ships and that a mega order of up to 80 VLCCs might materialise. Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 6 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 According to shipbroker Gibson though, “fortunately for international shipowners this has not yet been the case with the economic realities of tanker earnings discouraging investment. Chinese charterers were not prepared to pay in excess of ‘market’ levels to support such a program. Currently the number of VLCCs on order from Chinese controlled companies stands at around 30, with delivery spread between now and 2017 at around 10 units per annum. These vessels were ordered by relatively few players such as Associated Maritime, China Shipping, Cosco Dalian, Shandong Landbridge and Grand China”. The London-based shipbroker noted that “the upcoming number of deliveries is well above those delivered in the recent past. Just 5 were delivered in 2013 and 8 in 2014 with Brightoil Petroleum and Petrochina among the recipients in addition to those already mentioned above. Due to financial pressures, 2014 saw the amalgamation of the Nanjing Tankers and Associated Maritime Co’s fleets under the umbrella of China Merchants creating a large fleet of some 42 VLCCs (once their 14 newbuildings are all delivered) and 7 Aframaxes. Interestingly in the VLCC period fixing frenzy of January 2015 this owner is reported to have committed 3 VLCCs out on t/c for two years to non-Chinese interests. China Shipping has also been busy fixing out 3 VLCCs to Trafigura for 12 months t/c. Finally, Cosco has fixed out a VLCC to BP for 12 months”, Gibson said. It added that “there seems to be a gradual relaxation of state control in some areas which perhaps explains the above VLCCs being fixed out in the international market. It appears that there is a desire to expand their trading partners rather than relying exclusively on Chinese charterers. This is also reflected in the refining sectors with licences being granted to independent refiners allowing for the import of crude oil, with ChemChina being granted a licence to import 200,000 b/d. Politically, the new premier of China has made it clear that he supports private commercial initiatives. There is also press speculation that that a merger may be on the cards between CNOOC and Sinochem, and CNPC and Sinopsopec”.Gibson concluded by noting that “whilst it is interesting to see some limited diversification of the Chinese shipping business model, there is no question that crude imports into the country will continue to increase, despite slowing growth in domestic economic expansion. An expanding strategic petroleum reserve, more crude heading into commercial inventories and rising refining capacity will significantly lift crude imports, at least in the near term”.Meanwhile, in the crude tanker market this week, in the Middle East, there was “no pre-holiday rush to fix for VLCCs to feast upon, and the week ticked along at a relatively slow pace accordingly. Rates more, or less, stagnated in the high ws 50’s to the East, and low ws 30’s to the West, and could have moved lower, but the expectation/hope of a much busier week to come has prevented Owners’ sentiment from puncturing. Suezmaxes ticked over at an average 130,000 by ws 50 West, and ws 90 to the East, but the second half of the week was dominated by only the shortesthaul business, and a slightly weaker feel is in the air. Aframaxes slipped a little, as expected, to 80,000 by ws 110 to Singapore and will remain on the soft side until Eastern players return solidly into the marketplace”, Gibson said.Similarly, in the Mediterranean, “too many ships, and not enough early delay, to giveAframax Owners any grip, and rates fell off to 80,000 by ws 90 Cross Med as a result. They look set to stay there for a while yet. Suezmaxes huffed and puffed, but again, there wasn’t quite enough demand to impact position lists sufficiently to allow rate demands to be met above 140,000 by ws 80 from the Black Sea to European destinations. Things may, perhaps, get a bit more interesting next week – perhaps”. Finally, in the North Sea, “Aframaxes fell off a touch to 80,000 by ws 97.5 cross UKC and to 100,000 by ws 87.5 from the Baltic on slimdemand, but forecasts of bad weather a comin’ mean that there is some anticipation of animprovement from next week. Suemaxes got the odd knock, and there was reasonable interest to the East where $3.9 million was paid for fuel from Rotterdam to Singapore. Charterers would have liked to have taken VLCC cover also, or instead of, but tonnage is very tight on the fixing window, and ideas don’t match the ‘arb’ economics. In theory $6.25 million works. Rumours of crude oil from Houndpoint to South Korea being concluded at $8.1 million swirled around, but nobody put their hands up to confirm the validity”. Gibson concluded. Source : Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 7 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 The MSC MYKONOS enroute Antwerp – Photo : P., M. & Ph. van Luik www.shipsoffterneuzen.nl Supertankers Speed Up as Oil Prices Fall The world’s supertankers are sailing at the fastest speeds in 2 1/2 years as a collapse in crude oil prices spurs demand for cargoes and drives up daily returns owners can make from deliveries.Very large crude carriers, each about 1,000feet long and able to transport 2 million barrels of oil, sailed at an average of 12.57 knots this month, according to data from RS Platou Economic Research, an Oslo-based firm. The fleet, whose steel weight is about 27 million metric tons, last moved that fast in August 2012.Tanker rates have surged amid signals that China accelerated purchases of crude to fill its stockpiles after Brent crude, the global benchmark, collapsed last year. Prices plunged in part because the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries pledged to keep pumping oil amid a global oversupply. The ships earned an average of more than $71,000 a day since the start of January, the best start to a year in Baltic Exchange data that begin in mid-2008. “Freight rates are high because there’s a lot of oil trade at the moment,” Frode Moerkedal, an Oslo-based analyst at Platou Markets, an investment adviser linked to the research company, said by phone on Thursday. “OPEC has refused to cut production so there’s more oil being shipped.”VLCC speeds from 14-to16 Feb. were 6.7 percent higher than 14-to-16 Nov., according to Platou. The speed for the ships when voyaging without cargoes rose 10 percent over the same period to 13.31 knots. The daily average rate to hire a VLCC on the benchmark Middle East-to-East Asia route was $71,772 so far in the first quarter, compared with an average of $47,614 in the fourth quarter, according to Baltic Exchange data. VesselsValue Ltd., a London-based firm that provides shipping data, also estimates VLCCs are sailing at the fastest since 2012. The acceleration is in part because falling oil prices have cut fuel costs and made it more profitable for owners to transport cargoes, said Kaizad Doctor, analytics director. Ship fuel is known as bunker.“This can be attributed to the simultaneous decrease in the oil prices and the consequent reduction in bunker prices but also due to the increase inrates caused by the Chinese re-stocking cut-price crude,” Doctor said. Source: Bloomberg DUBAI CHARM arrival Geelong 22-2-15 in bound for the Geelong Refinery. Photo : Bill Barber © Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 8 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 Hazardous Occurrence Related to VHF Communications and Port Operations "This occurrence which I am reporting occurs frequently. I was the designated dock & channel pilot for the vessel “A”. Whilst preparing to sail, another vessel “B” was also manoeuvring."The problem was that both ships were using the same VHF channel for intership communication resulting in an order on one ship being received on the other, this could have caused serious damage or injury. The order given on the “B” and received on “A” was to “Let go everything”. I indicated to the master of “A” that I would prefer to give orders verbally without the use of the VHF and for other internal communication the master reverted to speaking in his native language (Not sure why he didn't change channel). I feel that the use of VHF when manoeuvring is becoming more problematic and an accident caused either by two ships being on the same channel inadvertently, or by malicious intent from some third party is not far away. "As vessels approach a port under pilotage the helm/engine/thruster controls can come thick and fast and when all these orders are being relayed on an open public VHF channel I feel its asking for trouble. A 'wrong way' helm order may not have time to be corrected on final approach to a lock or berth and an inappropriate engine order could be catastrophic for the bow tug and its crew. If radio must be used to communicate internally then I think we should be using a low power UHF set which is unlikely to invite public access. However personally, I think just shouting the order is usually the most positive and effective."Both vessels were using VHF, though which channel they were using I am not sure. It is not only the ships of these two companies which have similar bridge procedures. This is a very common practice. CHIRP Comment This report has been forwarded to the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Port Marine Safety Code Steering Group. The UK Maritime Pilots’ Association has also indicated that it will survey its Members in order to try and ascertain to what extent others experience similar difficulties. •Operational communications should be covered by a Competent Harbour Authority’s risk assessment. •Ensuring radio communications are properly prefixed will limit the risks of misidentification. •Using alternative communication methods should be considered e.g. “Talkback” systems. Source: CHIRP AMORGOS IMO 9646716, 2014/24247gt out from Geelong off Sorrento, 21-2-2015. Photo : Andrew Mackinnon – www.aquamanships.com © see also : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R4Hb0S7Ikc#t=101 Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 9 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 The MTS VICTORY arrived with the NP 440 in Rotterdam – Photo : R&F van der Hoek-LEKKO © Shipping Industry Faces Erroneous Payment Risks The shipping industry is at a high risk of unauthorised and/or erroneous payments due to the nature of the movement of cash throughout the industry, according to UK-based consulting firm Moore Stephens. Shipping, being a cash-driven business, and the combination of large, frequent and often short-notice receipts and payments does not sit well with private equity firms when considering cash management, the consulting firm explains. “Over the last two decades, the industry has moved from one populated by owner-managed businesses with cash payments authorised by owners, to a corporate one with companies growing and turning to external sources for equity funding. Despite the private equity industry taking a keen interest in the shipping space, significant cultural and knowledge gaps are frequently only coming to light for both the investor and the shipping company once an investment has been made,” Moore Stephens said. The firm attributes this to the fact that due diligence processes are typically focused on the economics of the market, the individual track records of the management team and the ships themselves from a technical specification and operational perspective. As a result, the actual day-to-day operation of what is effectively the middle and back offices of shipping companies ends up scrutinised to a much lesser degree.“An understanding of the cash flows associated with running a shipping business is critical, receipts are often lumpy and irregular, payments inconsistent from month-to-month, widely spread in terms of size, frequent and payable on presentation of pro-forma invoices as opposed to final invoices. In addition, late settlement can cause vessels to be delayed or even detained,” Moore Stephens adds. Hence, it is essential for shipping companies to have robust and routinely audited systems in place to ensure that risks are managed appropriately. Source: Moore Stephens North politicians strengthen calls for emergency tugs More politicians have joined the call to bring back emergency tugs to the west coast following the grounding of a large cargo ship. The 423ft Lysblink Seaways vessel crashed into rocks at Ardnamurchan Point, Kilchoan, at around 2am on Wednesday but floated clear at high tide just before 9pm on Thursday.The grounding reignited the row over the removal of emergency tugs from the west coast.On Thursday environment secretary Richard Lochhead wrote to the UK Government seeking early discussions and to ask for the funding of emergency towing vessels to be provided beyond March 2016. Western Isle MP Angus MacNeil said yesterday: “Once again we have seen how vulnerable we are without an emergency tug.“Is the west coast of Scotland, the most westerly point of Britain, simply too far away from Westminster to be a priority?“The lack of an emergency tug meant there was no quick response. We had a lucky escape this time because of the cargo on board the ship, but next time it could be much more serious.“Despite the sophisticated navigation equipment on board ships, accidents will happen and an emergency towing vessel is an Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 10 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 insurance policy. We need to protect the environment and our fishing industry.“When parliament returns next week, I will be raising the issue with the Department for Transport, calling for the reinstatement of the emergency tug vessel.” Dave Thomposn SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said: “Here is a classic case of a vessel grounded and leaking oil in an area of outstanding natural beauty and an area important for marine ecology and economy. “We have a valuable tourist industry and shell and fish farms at risk as well as the wider marine environment all of which is worth billions of pounds to the Scottish and UK economies.“It couldn’t be clearer that there is a role for Government in protecting the coastal communities and their economies and yet the UK Government want to save a few million pounds by withdrawing this necessary protection.“I call on them to see sense and I welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s action writing to seek early discussions on the withdrawal of funding and his call to the UK Government to extend funding for emergency towing vessels beyond March 2016.” Source : pressandjournal Independent Consultants and Brokers in the International Tug and Supply Vessel market (offices in London and Singapore) Telephone : +44 (0) 20 8398 9833 Facsimile : + 44 (0) 20 8398 1618 E-mail : [email protected] Internet : www.marint.co.uk The VOS PRECIOUS outbound from Ijmuiden – Photo : Ruud Coster © CORRECTION ON YESTERDAYS CLIPPINGS In Yesterdays newsclippings a photo could be seen of the arrival of the new floating sheerlegs ASIAN HERCULES III in Singapore, I typed by mistake a lifting capacity of 4000 ton , but this has to be 5000 ton sorry for the typo the Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 11 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 sheerlegs is built at , Keppel Nantong which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore's Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. Asian Lift is a 50/50 joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and Smit Singapore Pte Ltd. The venture started in 1985 with the pooling of sheerleg cranes between both companies and with the timely introduction of the 1,600 t Asian Hercules. Asian Lift owns and operates a fleet that has grown from three sheerlegs to five, excluding Asian Hercules III. This includes the 1,600 t Asian Hercules and the 3,200 t Asian Hercules II. Its fleet has a total combined capacity of up to 6,600 t for multiple crane lift operations. Mr. Lee Tai Kwee, President of Keppel Nantong said, "Keppel and Asian Lift have a winning partnership that has been instrumental to the success of both companies. We are proud to continue this mutual growth with the construction of the world's largest sheerleg crane. Such cranes are essential equipment for the efficient operation of our shipbuilding and offshore construction work. The Asian Hercules III's first assignment will be in Singapore. It will serve the offshore oil and gas as well as marine markets in Southeast Asia. "We believe that Asian Hercules III will play an important role in serving the industry where heavy lift activities are essential," said Mr. John Chua, General Manager of Asian Lift. "South East Asia is an important market, especially with the high volume of offshore and marine projects being contracted here. With the weight of modules and other components increasing, Asian Hercules III will be well placed to meet the needs of the market for greater lifting capacity." Photo : Capt. Jelle de Vries – Sunshine Offshore service © The GREAT BLESS leaving the Ijmuiden locks bound for Santa Cruz – Photo : Simon Wolf © ABB advisory selected to boost fuel efficiency of Pioneer Marine’s new bulk carriers Newbuilds will feature OCTOPUS-Onboard fuel monitoring system to support the crew’s decisionmaking. Amarcon, an ABB Group company, announced that the company will deliver SEEMP-compliant OCTOPUS-Onboard fuel monitoring systems for 12 Handysize bulk carriers that will be built by YangZhou GuoYu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd and delivered to the Singapore based owner Pioneer Marine Inc. in 2015 and 2016. The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) is an operational measure that establishes a mechanism to improve the energy efficiency of a ship in a cost-effective manner. It has been mandatory on all vessels since 2013. ABB’s SEEMP-compliant OCTOPUS-Onboard fuel monitoring set-up consists of Coriolis flow sensors, a Torductor torque measurement system and a software solution. By sending the sensor-measured data to the software, the OCTOPUS-Onboard system makes Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 12 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 important fuel consumption indicators available to the vessel crew and the onshore operations department. This way the system supports the crew in decision-making and enables them to optimize the fuel efficiency of the vessel. The data collected from the sensors can also be analyzed later using the OCTOPUS-Online portal. ABB’s advisory solution allows Pioneer to take the fuel efficiency of the new vessels one step further: the vessels are of Green Dolphin design, which was created to reduce fuel consumption and to meet both current and future expected air and water emissions regulations.“Safety of our people and protection of the environment are our top priorities. The OCTOPUS-Onboard advisory system compliments the Green Dolphin newbuild design and introduces a new dimension to ensuring optimal fuel efficiency. Accurate advice based on the sensor-measured information enables the crew to operate the vessel in the most fuel efficient manner, thus reducing our carbon footprint,” says Pankaj Khanna, President and CEO of Pioneer Marine.“Fuel consumption is the highest operational expenditure for each and every vessel of the global fleet, and one of the biggest environmental concerns. Our OCTOPUS-Onboard system helps ship operators to efficiently optimize the fuel consumption of their fleet while they also reduce their emissions,” says Heikki Soljama, Managing Director for ABB’s Marine and Ports business. MSC ATLANTA in the Pass of Bath on her way to Antwerp. The former name was APL ATLANTA as you can clearly see on the red funnel marking.The vessel is owned by the Swiss Hanseatic Lloyd and registered in St Johns (Antigua flag). Photo : Adri de Schipper © ISIS Seen as Threat to Cruise Ships on the Mediterranean by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D. Self-relegated to Iraq and Syria, just months ago ISIS seemed a distant threat to Italians and other Europeans. Having set up Libyan strongholds along the Mediterranean coast, however, ISIS is now on Europe’s doorstep. The latest threat is to Mediterranean cruise ships– those, forinstance, that go from Sicily up the Italian coast to the south of France, or bop from one Greek island to another. The Italian Ministry of Defense has outlined various grim scenarios whereby ISIS would engage in Somali-style piracy on the Mediterranean,menacing shipping companies and cruise ships. The Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 13 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 report states: “Having gained control of some ports and of vessels of various descriptions and with the possibility of taking advantage ofthe experience accumulated by the people traffickers working the migratory routes for years, ISIS could repeat the scenario that has dominated the maritime region between Somalia and Aden for the last ten years.” The report details what how this might play out: “Speed boats could attack fishing boats, cruise ships, small merchant ships, as well as coast guard in this case more to capture prisoners to exhibit in orange jumpsuits and a knife to the neck (and to ask for lucrative ransoms for them).”Various representatives of cruise lines have stepped forward to downplay the predictions of the Italian ministry, underscoring the safety of their routes, security policies and staff. There has been no talk as yet about changing or eliminating routes, and there is no public discussion of bringing armed soldiers aboard, in part because the ships are already endowed with private security teams, often made up of former law enforcement officers.The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), for example– whose members include, among others, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean– is doing its best to put a good face on the situation. In a brief statement, the CLIA said that though they cannot reveal the details of the security measures employed by individual cruise lines“we can ensure that they remain in constant contact with the national and international authorities with regard to safety. On board there aresecurity professionals full-time, who are committed only to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.” The CLIA also said that the various cruise companies “work closely with authorities around the world and have strict procedures to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.” These include the scanning of documents and “specific systems able to confirm the identity of the passengers in the early stages of embarkation and disembarkation.” Gianno Onorato, the CEO of MSC Cruises, explained that the company has no ships that pass close to Libya and moreover is “in close contact with the Foreign Ministry and with international organizations.” He also said that ports “are under strict surveillance” and that the ships at sea“are followed by a special system that allows the authorities to monitor the routes.” Another cruise company, Costa Crociere, with 12 of its 15 ships in the Mediterranean, declared that it “considers the safety of guests and crew as the top priority and is closely monitoring the international situation.” It also stated that the company “is in constant contact with the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of their operations andactivities” and is constantly monitoring “the evolution of the situation.” Company representatives also noted that there are no plans for any oftheir cruise ships to have stopovers in Libya. Source : breitbart Hull Vane nominated for ‘Vernufteling’ creates hydrodynamic lift, which is partially oriented forward. This results in a reduction in of the ship’s resistance. The performance of the Hull Vane depends on the ship’s length, speed and hull shape in the aft sections, and ranges from 5 to 15% for suitable ships. In specific cases, savings up to 20% are possible. The Hull Vane was invented by Dr. Ir. Pieter van Oossanen and is protected by patents in all major shipbuilding countries. Van Oossanen naval architects invites you to vote for the Hullvane. You can leave your vote from February 18th via this link: http://www.dagvandeingenieur.nl/9-finalistenvernufteling-zijn-bekend/ Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 With the Hull Vane, Van Oossanen Naval Architects is amongst the nine finalists hoping to lay claim on the top spot for the ‘Vernufteling’. This award for “ingenuity” is given yearly to the engineering company with the most compelling innovation. The election is organized by the KIVI, the Dutch Royal Organisation of Engineers. On the ‘Day of the Engineer’, the 18th of March 2015, the award will be granted. The Hull Vane is a fuel saving device in the form of a fixed foil, located below the stern of a ship. It influences the stern wave pattern and Page 14 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 The FAIRWAY operating in Kuwait – Photo : crew HAM 318 © Fuel-Siphoning Attack on Thai Tanker Highlights Spike in Piracy Around Asia Rates of theft around Asia have risen precipitously in recent years, making the region the pirate capital of the world. Last year it was home to 75 percent of all piracy operations — 183 of the 245 instances of actual and attempted piracy reported worldwide were in Asian waters, a 22 percent increase over 2013. The stealing of oil from a tanker on Friday shows just how bold the region’s pirates have become. Pirates boarded the Thai tanker Lapin in Malaysian waters and siphoned off its cargo of 2,000 metric tons of bunker oil and five metric tons of diesel before leaving an improvised explosive package onboard and escaping. Investigators for the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) confirmed the attack on Tuesday. The ship was passing through the Strait of Malacca that separates Indonesia from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. The attack was carried out by up to eight pirates suspected of being Indonesian. They boarded the Lapin from a small boat armed with guns and blades, gathered the 15 crewmembers, tied them up, and took control of the tanker. A larger vessel approached alongside onto which the oil and diesel were siphoned. Before leaving the tanker early on Saturday morning, the men destroyed the ship’s communication devices collected the crew’s belongings. They then told the crew that they’d planted a bomb aboard the tanker. The crew freed themselves and sailed the Lapin into Thai waters where, with the help of a passing fishing boat, they notified authorities of the attack. The Royal Thai Navy reached the tanker on Sunday and dispatched a bomb disposal unit, which determined that there was no explosive or detonator attached to the “bomb.” None of the crew were harmed. The ReCAAP Information Services Center (ISC) Deputy Director Nicholas Teo told VICE News that fuel-siphoning piracy is an ongoing problem. The Lapin attack was the first successful siphoning incident reported in 2015, but the frequency of these attacks has escalated significantly in recent years. Last year there were 15 such attacks, 12 of them successful — a dramatic increase on the previous three years when a total of only eight cases were reported. “Illegal siphoning of fuel/oil has become a lucrative business owing to the market price and taxes imposed on fuel,”a recent ReCAAP ISC report said. “With continued demand for fuel/oil in underground markets, siphoning incidents are here to stay.” Most attacks occurred in the South China Sea or Strait of Malacca. The region offers much opportunity for this kind of piracy: over a third of all shipping passes through the Strait of Malacca, including 15.2 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum transported every day. “The general trend is that the crew report that people come onboard and lock all but one or two of them in a cabin while the others are left on the bridge,” Teo said. “An unknown boat then comes alongside takes the cargo and leaves. But in most of these cases we find that these stories don’t gel.” Rather inconsistencies usually render the crew’s version of events implausible and suggest the perpetrators acted with insider knowledge, Teo explained. There is a required level of knowledge to successfully execute an attack, such as the one carried out onLapin, where fuel is siphoned from one vessel to another. ReCAAP ISC’s report into siphoning said that perpetrators “would need to have good knowledge or insider information” of the type of manifest onboard, the tanker’s route, and the type of siphoning equipment it carried onboard.“In some cases we have a particular company or vessel hit multiple times,” said Teo. “There’s one company that was hit six times and another four. We approached these companies and told them that these must be inside jobs.” The perpetrators need to consider a location to conduct siphoning to avoid detection by authorities, coordinate a vessel to carry the stolen fuel, and have a location where it can be stored for potential buyers. The perpetrators also need to understand market demand, including the type and grade of fuel and the going price for siphoned fuel. Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 15 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 “We cannot conclusively point the finger and say that this group and this company is involved in the incident, but it’s clear that this is being conducted with insider information,” Teo added. Many perpetrators are connected or belong to well-organized syndicates that, with local and perhaps even transnational networks, have channels to sell on the stolen oil. ReCAAP ISC considers there to be at least three major groups conducting syphoning attacks in the region. The stolen fuel is distributed to illegitimate petrol stations selling cheap fuel across the continent and eventually finds its way into the thousands of boats in South East Asia’s many rivers and around its islands.“We have come across tugboats and fishing boats that have been modified as fuel tankers, but these can generally only take around 5 tons,” Teo said.This makes the 2,000 metric tons siphoned from the Lapin seem like quite the load, but Teo noted that it’s all relative. “Some tankers carry around 30,000 tons,” he said.Notwithstanding the threat of violence, the lack of harm to the crew on the Lapin is typical. The perpetrators of these incidents are generally only interested in the cargo, and rarely have intended to hijack the vessel and kidnap those onboard. Source: VICE The AAL SHANGHAI inbound for Melbourne – Photo : Dale E. Crsip © S.Korea's Daebo International Shipping in court receivership A third dry cargo shipper has filed for bankruptcy this month following a collapse in freight rates to historic lows in what shippers call the worst market conditions since the 1980s. South Korea's Daebo International Shipping Co Ltd filed a court receivership, a form of corporate bankruptcy, on Feb. 11, mainly due to poor dry bulk market conditions, a company official said on Monday. It is the third known bulk shipper bankruptcy this month. Weaker demand from China and an oversupply of ships has led to the industry downturn, pushing the Baltic dry index .BADI - the industry benchmark for freight rates - to an all-time low this month. The index has slumped by nearly twothirds in the past 15 months. "The dry bulk market is in a really bad shape, which has hit us hard," the Daebo International official told Reuters by phone. He declined to be identified as he was not authorized to speak to media. "We did our best but we cannot help it." He said the court ordered Daebo's assets to be frozen on Feb. 13. Daebo International mainly provides panamax-sized dry bulk shipping services such as iron ore, coal, grains and steel products, according to its website. South Korea is the latest major shipping country to be hit by a bankruptcy in the sector. China's Winland Ocean Shipping Corp WLOL.PK filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 16 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 on Feb. 12, court documents show, also citing difficult market conditions In Denmark, privately owned Copenship filed for bankruptcy earlier in February after losses in the dry bulk market.The combination of lower steel demand in China and the huge volume of new tonnage coming on line is what is causing panic and making this the worst bulk market since the mid-1980s," Hsu Chih-chien, chairman of Hong Kong and Singapore-listed dry bulk shipper Courage Marine said this month. China's imports tumbled 19.9 percent in January from a year earlier as its economy grows at its slowest rate in 24 years. Dry-bulkers are not the only shippers in trouble. Over 10 percent of the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker fleet is currently estimated to be idled after Asian LNG prices fell almost two-thirds since February 2014.Source : Reuters (Additional reporting by Jonathan Saul in LONDON; Editing by Richard Pullin) DAMEN STAN TENDER 1504 BARRACUDA I LOADED ONBOARD THE CMA CGM AQUILA Last week the brandnew Damen Stan Tender 1504 – BARRACUDA I built for Specialised Marine Services in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), was loaded for delivery onboard the CMA CGM AQUILA, in Rotteram The BARRACUDA I willl be used for pilot duties in King Abdullah Port. King Abdullah Port is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s newest port facility, located in King Abdullah Economic City. It is a full-service commercial port with a highly strategic location. The first privately owned and funded port in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the port is overseen by a single regulator. Earlier In 2013 Damen delivered already three tugs to Specialized Marine Services for terminal operations, two ASD 3213 tugs and one ASD 2310 tug. Photo’s : Rimmert Berlijn © Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 17 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 Vessels for the future In recognition of the need to reinforce targeted R&D and innovation efforts, interests across the European maritime industry have joined forces in the Vessels for the Future initiative. Launched in late 2014, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) is overseen by the European Research Association and involves 50 companies, research institutes, academic organisations and interested associations. Europort’s focus on complex specialised vessels is given support with a new European maritime industry initiative. The initiative aims to encourage synergies already existing within Europe’s maritime business cluster, stimulating integration among shipbuilders, equipment suppliers, research bodies and classification societies. The Public Private Partnership (PPP) is overseen by the European Research Association and involves 50 companies, research institutes, academic organisations and interested associations. Europe’s highly skilled workforce and its investment in R&D, position it as the leader in the development of high-tech, safe and efficient ships. The Vessels of the Future project has been conceived to ensure European-built ships remain at the industry’s cutting edge, in pursuit of new markets and new opportunities for business. The initiative strikes a direct accord with the themes and principles underpinning Europort 2015, the exhibition for maritime technology, and coincides with the Europort-organised conference ‘Vessels of the Future’ which will run in conjunction with the exhibition. Europort Exhibition Manager, Raymond Siliakus commented that “Europort strongly believes that the solutions and tools needed to stay ahead in today’s challenging environment will come from innovation in technology. It will be the leaders in this area that drive the industry forward as a whole. Europort is focused on supporting maritime and offshore leadership by facilitating the development and distribution of groundbreaking technology.” Secretary General of SEA Europe and Europort Advisory Board Member, Douwe Cunningham, said: “The recognition that Europe should be a world leader in maritime research and innovation of new technologies strikes a particular chord with the European technology manufacturing industry. The solutions for overcoming many of the environmental, safety and societal challenges stem from the European manufacturers’ innovative evolution of the smallest equipment to integrated systems and complex specialised vessels”. Advanced technologies, continuous investment in research, development and innovation of products and production methods are a key driver to enhance the European maritime technology industries’ competitiveness. The PPP approach will support a range of demonstration projects, and is considered to be the most effective way of transferring research results to the market via industrial partners in terms of cost/benefit and performance. Dr. Pierre C. Sames (DNV GL), Chairman of the European Research Association, added: “With the establishment of ‘Vessels for the Future’ as a Research Association we are demonstrating that our goal is receiving widespread support from the wider maritime community. We look forward to working with the European Commission to conclude the exchanges and bring the initiative into action.” Europort will take place at Ahoy Rotterdam on 3-6 November 2015 and is expected to attract visitor numbers in excess of 30,000. The visitor profile includes leading technology pioneers, decision makers and professional representatives from shipping companies, yards and owners with over 84 countries represented. It is a must attend for anyone wanting to stay ahead in the international maritime market, with all sectors of the maritime chain present under one roof. Hutchison's Barcelona box shop docks port's biggest, 16,600-TEU MSC London HUTCHISON's Barcelona Europe South Terminal (BEST) handled the largest containership ever to call at the Port of Barcelona, the 16,600 TEU MSC LONDON.The arrival also set a new productivity record by discharging 618 containers and loading 1,035, in less than eight hours: a rate of 212.58 moves per hour, said the Hong Kong company statement. Individual cranes operated at rates of up to 45 moves per hour, one of the best rates in Europe, Hutchison declared" We achieved this record using seven cranes at the peak supported by our fleet of 36 automatic stacking cranes," said BEST general manager Guillermo Belcastro. "BEST is the only semi-automated terminal in Spain and the only one in the Mediterranean to be equipped with 11 ship-to-shore gantry cranes large enough to handle the latest generation of mega-vessel," he said.With state-of-the-art operating systems, including HPH's proprietary terminal operating system, nGen, BEST offers shipping lines and shippers the most efficient way of accessing markets in Spain and southern France," said the company statement.The MSC LONDON.is one of the largest ships operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Built in 2014, the vessel is 399 metres in length with a breadth of 54 metres and a draft of 16 metres. With a gross tonnage of 176,490 tonnes the call was the last at the port from the MSC Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 18 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 Dragon Express service. The MSC LONDON.was followed on 11 February 2015 by a call from the 10,300 TEU SUSAN MAERSK, the first call at BEST by the new 2M alliance between MSC and Maersk. Barcelona Europe South Terminal, owned by Hong Kong's Hutchison Port Holdings Limited (HPH) is capable of serving multiple mega-ships simultaneously and has an eight-track rail facility, the biggest on-dock railway terminal of any port in the Mediterranean connecting it to traffic coming from, and destined for, Southern Europe. Source : Schednet CASUALTY REPORTING 48 dead after Bangladesh ferry carrying up to 140 passengers sinks A river ferry carrying up to 140 passengers capsized in central Bangladesh on Sunday after being hit by a cargo vessel, killing at least 48 people, officials said. A rescue operation was underway, but it was not clear how many people were missing.The ferry was struck by the cargo vessel at the Daulatdia-Paturia crossing on the Padma River on Sunday afternoon, said fire department official Shahzadi Begum. Rescue teams were deployed and passing boats were helping in the operation, she said. The site is 25 miles northwest of Dhaka, the capital. Ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh, an impoverished South Asian nation that is crisscrossed by more than 130 rivers. The ferry, the M.L. Mosta, was submerged at a depth of up to 20 feet, said Inspector Zihad Mia, who is overseeing the rescue operation.By Sunday evening, at least 48 bodies had been recovered, Mia said.He said officials had yet to determine how many passengers were missing. Ferries in Bangladesh usually do not maintain formal passenger lists."We don't have a clear picture about how many were exactly in the ferry when it sank," Mia said. "But I think many have survived."Jewel Mia, an official from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, told reporters at the scene that up to 140 people were on board when the ferry sank.A passenger who survived said many people got trapped inside when the ferry sank. "The passengers who were on the deck have survived, but many who were inside got trapped," Hafizur Rahman Sheikh was quoted as saying by the Prothom Alo newspaper.Sheikh said the cargo vessel hit the middle of the ferry.Authorities ordered an investigation into the accident and a five-member committee has been asked to submit a report within 15 days, the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.The Padma is one of the largest rivers in Bangladesh, where overcrowding and poor safety standards are often blamed for ferry disasters.Last August, a ferry with a capacity of 85 passengers was found to be carrying more than 200 when it capsized on the Padma near Dhaka, leaving more than 100 people dead or missing. The ferry's owner was arrested after weeks in hiding on charges of culpable homicide, unauthorized operation and overloading. At least five people were killed earlier this month when a ferry sank in southern Bangladesh. source : FoxNews ALSO INTERESTED IN THIS FREE MARITIME NEWSCLIPPINGS ? CLICK HERE AND REGISTER FOR FREE ! Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 19 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 NAVY NEWS Seen from the Queen Elizabeth on the 11/1/2015 FGS Spessart A1442 in an 8 metre swell with a 50kt headwind. Spessart is a Rhon Class Tanker of the german navy, She was originally built for civilian service as Okene for Libya, but is now named after a mountain range in Germany. Built by Kroper of Rendsburg in 1974. On 5th Sept 1977 she was commissioned into the Deutsche marine and based at Kiel. 14,169 displ, 16kts, Comp 44. Photo : Iain Forsyth © France, Germany, Japan in running for Australian submarine deal Australia on Friday said France, Germany and Japan were potential partners to design and build its next generation of submarines, in what will be its biggest ever defense procurement program.As Canberra seeks to replace its ageing Collins Class fleet, Defense Minister Kevin Andrews said all three countries had proven military design and build capabilities and were currently producing submarines. "France, Germany and Japan have emerged as potential international partners," he said, adding that any future system's ability to work in sync with US military technology a "fundamental consideration." The current diesel and electric-powered Collins Class submarines are set to be retired from about 2026 onwards, with the project to replace them worth about Aus$50 billion (US$39 billion). The Australian military confirmed last month that it was in talks with Japan and others but this is the first time it has narrowed down the countries it would invite to bid on the project.Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters building a submarine was "a very complex business," explaining why a joint venture with an international partner was preferred. "It's not all that different from building a space probe, it really is that difficult and that sophisticated," he said. Abbott said besides Germany, France and Japan, there was also Russia and China "but for various reasons we don't normally choose to partner with Russia or China for defense equipment".The government said it would seek proposals from the trio of countries with options for designing and building the submarines overseas, in Australia or a combination of both. There are concerns the domestic ship-building industry will be fatally hurt by Canberra choosing off-the-shelf submarines from Japan or another international supplier.But Andrews said he expected significant work to be undertaken in Australia during the build phase, with at least 500 new high-skill jobs to be created, including in combat system integration, design assurance and land-based testing.The competitive evaluation process is expected to take 10 months, after which one international partner will be chosen.Besides matching the range and endurance of the Collins Class, the new generation of subs are expected to offer superior sensor performance and stealth capabilities. The government's preferred combat system and main armament is the heavyweight torpedo jointly developed between the United States and Australia. Source : thejakartapost Nigeria: Jonathan Lauds China, U.S. Navy Partnerships PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has expressed confidence in the continued cooperation between Nigeria, the United States of America and China in the area of maritime security.The President stated this at the commission four new Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 20 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 Navy Ship in Lagos."I am delighted to be here to commission four new platforms that were recently added to the Nigerian Navy Fleet," he said. The fleet consists of the Nigerian Navy Ship Okpabana, a High Endurance Cutter acquired from the US, Nigerian Navy Ship Prosperity, a former Irish Navy fishery patrol boat, acquired purposely for use as a training ship; and Nigerian Navy Ship Centenary, one of the two offshore patrol vessels procured from China and Nigerian Navy Ship Sagbama, which was donated by the Peoples Republic of China."The four ships being commissioned are part of a total of six ships expected to be commissioned into the Nigerian Navy Fleet in 2015. I am confident that this event represents a furtherance of continued cooperation between Nigeria, the United States of America and China in the area of maritime security," Jonathan said.He thanks the friends of Nigeria and the Nigerian Navy for making this occasion a reality."Permit me to use this occasion to express the desire of this administration to see more progress in our cooperation, to the mutual benefit of our respective countries," Jonathan said.He used the opportunity to reaffirm confidence in the competence and commitment of officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy."Our administration will not waiver in its support to the on-going capacity building effort of the Navy," - he added. Source : allafrica Navy submarine INS Sindhughosh collides with fishing boat, suffers periscope damage In yet another accident in the Navy, a Russian-origin Kilo-class submarine INS Sindhughosh suffered some damage when a fishing boat hit its periscope during a special operation off the western coast late on Thursday night.The 3,000-tonne submarine INS Sindhughosh, which was participating in the major naval exercise Tropex (Theatre Readiness Operational Level Exercise) in the Arabian Sea, was at "periscope depth" when the incident took place in the intervening night of Thursday-Friday."The submarine was practicing 'special boat section' operation during which divers swim out of its torpedo tubes with a Gemini boat to carry out a covert land operation on land. It was pitch-dark when the operation was being carried out close to the coastline, south of Mumbai," said an official. "The fishing boat hit the submarine's periscope without any warning. The submarine surfaced and then made its way to the naval dockyard at Mumbai, where its damaged periscope will be repaired. It's an occupational hazard but such exercises have to be carried out," he added. While this seems to be more of an inadvertent mishap, around 40 naval officers are in the dock — most of them facing court martial — for the string of warship mishaps in just the last couple of years, as reported earlier by TOI.The captain of another Kilo-class submarine INS Sindhuratna, for instance, is now facing a general court martial (GCM) for the mishap on board his submarine, which killed two officers, injured several sailors and proved to be the final trigger for Admiral DK Joshi to resign as Navy chief in February last year. While INS Sindhuratna Commander Sandeep Sinha will undergo disciplinary action, six other officers have been awarded "severe displeasure" — a black-mark in their records preventing any promotion, foreign posting, course and the like for them for two years. They include Commodore commanding submarines of Western Naval Command, SR Kapoor, and two of his officers.They were on board INS Sindhuratna for "Task-II trials" to clear the 26-year-old submarine for operational deployment — after a refit for Rs 200 crore at Mumbai naval dockyard — when disaster struck on February 26. The probe showed a cable fire over the battery pit in the submarine's third compartment led to the thick toxic smoke on board the vessel, as was first reported by TOI.Defence minister Manohar Parrikar also wants accountability to be firmly fixed for submarine INS Sindhurakshak's sinking at the Mumbai dockyard after internal explosions in August 2013, which killed three officers and 15 sailors. But the Navy is yet to finalize the inquiry report into this accident.The INS Sindhuratna case brings out how several factors are increasingly coming together to create a crisis in the blue-water force, tasked with guarding India's huge strategic interests in the region stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Malacca Strait. Politico-bureaucratic apathy in clearing new projects and emergency purchases, for instance, is making the Navy flog ageing warships well beyond their operational lives. Submarines, for instance, have a design life of only 25 years. India is down to just 13 ageing diesel-electric submarines, only half of them being operational at any given time. The four Shishumar-class submarines of German-origin were inducted between 1986 and 1994. The nine Kilo-class submarines of Russian origin, in turn, were inducted between 1986 and 1991. Source : indiatimes France deploys aircraft carrier in Gulf for IS fight France deployed an aircraft carrier in the Gulf as part of the US-led military campaign against the Islamic State jihadist group in Iraq, a defence ministry official said. "The integration of the Charles de Gaulle in the operation... (in Iraq) Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 21 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 began last Monday," a member of Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian's staff told AFP as his entourage made its way to the carrier.The first Rafale fighter jet took off in the morning from the Charles de Gaulle as it sailed about 200 kilometres (120 miles) off the coast north of Bahrain in the direction of Iraq.The warship's deployment will cut in half the time it takes for the planes to reach Iraq for strikes against IS from their base in the United Arab Emirates.France launched Operation Chammal in support of the US-led coalition against IS in September.It has nine Rafale and six Mirage fighters operating in Iraq from bases in Jordan and the UAE, along with a maritime patrol and a refuelling aircraft. Source : siasat PLEASE MAINTAIN YOUR MAILBOX, DUE TO NEW POLICY OF THE PROVIDER, YOUR ADDRESS WILL BE “DEACTIVATED” AUTOMATICALLY IF THE MAIL IS BOUNCED BACK TO OUR SERVER If this happens to you please send me a mail at [email protected] to reactivate your address again You can also read the latest newsletter daily online via the link : http://newsletter.maasmondmaritime.com/ShippingNewsPdf/magazine.pdf Tony Abbott ‘wrong on sub-par Swedes’: industry TONY Abbott was wrong to suggest Swedish shipbuilder Saab Kockums lacked recent submarine-building experience when excluding it from the government’s $50 billion design and build partnership for the next fleet, defence industry leaders say. South Australian Defence Teaming Centre chief executive Chris Burns said that, contrary to government assertions, Saab had delivered six submarines since 1996 and was well advanced in the design and delivery of Sweden’s next generation of submarines. The Prime Minister said on Friday that firms from Japan, Germany and France would be involved in a 10-month process to bid for the design and construction of eight submarines, but Sweden had been ruled out because the last Swedish submarine came off the production line in 1996.Defence Industry Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said the South Australian government would appeal for Saab Kockums, which has partnered with the ASC to build the Collinsclass fleet, to be included in the process. “We are extremely concerned that the Swedish model, without adequate explanation, has been excluded,’’ he said. “This all goes to creating the perception that this entire process is not truly competitive, is not truly open and is somehow rigged.“Why has the Swedish option been excluded when we have, in the water now, six of the most lethal submarines on the planet ... you can’t claim to be having an open process when you rule people out before they’ve even had the chance to reach the start line.’’ South Australia’s economic modelling was also at odds with Mr Abbott’s claims that two-thirds of project benefits would be in sustainment of the fleet, Mr Hamilton-Smith said.“Let me completely dispel the myth that two-thirds of (the) project (will be) spent on sustainment. That’s, I suspect, completely incorrect,’’ he said.“The model that’s been put forward from Japan has a life of 17-18 years, it is maintained completely differently to Collins, it has no mid-cycle docking like the Collins. Those jobs simply won’t be there.”The submarine project had the potential to provide 10,000 jobs, and he called on the federal government to show its economic modelling on benefits of both an offshore and local build. The South Australian government has come out fighting since Friday’s announcement, with Premier Jay Weatherill announcing a jointly funded advertising campaign with Victoria to maximise defence work in Australia.The campaign would lobby the federal government and opposition to promote the “long-term security for an advanced manufacturing sector in this nation’’, Mr Weatherill said.South Australian Liberal senator Simon Birmingham said shipbuilders from Japan, Germany and France had been selected for their “continuous, constant and capable” submarine design and building expertise based on the best advice from defence chiefs and the Chief of Navy. “I’m not hearing anybody saying that Sweden has that current involvement in building subs,’’ he said.He also called on the Premier to focus on how the state could work with the nations named on Friday to maximise local defence jobs. Source : the Australian Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 22 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 SHIPYARD NEWS Van Oord’s NEXUS fitting out at Damen Shiprepair in Vlissingen Photo : Wim Kosten – www.maritimephoto.com (c) Buy new ships and help local shipbuilders There is enormous scope to help local shipbuilders grow Questions are rightly being asked about the government’s decision to borrow $184m last month to purchase six oil carrying ships with an average age over 30 years old for the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation. Common sense dictates that if BSC has not added to its fleet since 1991 and needs more vessels, it ought to be buying newer craft.The government’s own rules restrict vessels over 25 years old from using Bangladeshi ports for safety reasons .International regulations and insurance requirements mean that even if the government were to relax certain requirements, it is certain the vessels being procured will have great difficulties securing insurance and clearance for using foreign ports.The government has to be more far-sighted and prudent when committing taxpayer funds.We believe the government has also overlooked a major opportunity to boost Bangladesh’s emerging shipbuilding industry, as it could have at least opened tenders to build such ships here. Even if for some reason, this were not technically possible for this particular order, the government still has enormous scope to help local shipbuilders. As a nation with thousands of aging and unsafe river vessels plying both passenger and cargo routes, it should be better at enforcing rules to pressure transport owners to modernise their fleets.Local shipbuilders have a natural advantage in supplying and fitting out such vessels. Encouraging new orders of this type can not only improve river safety but provide the platform shipbuilding companies need to create more jobs and to grow further and compete better in export markets. Source : dhakatribune Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 23 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 At the Ferus-Smit-Shipyard in Leer the „NORDANA SKY“ was launched CLICK on the photo to see the movie of the launch Photo / Movie : Andreas Busecke, Leer/Ostfriesland © Grand Bahama Shipyard Chosen by Crowley for 23-Vessel Dry Dock, Maintenance and Upgrade Agreement By Sarah Kirkby Grand Bahama Shipyard Chosen by Crowley for 23-Vessel Dry Dock, Maintenance and Upgrade Agreement - The Crowley Tug Achievement and Barge 650-08 is currently in dock three at the Grand Bahama Shipyard which is part of the 23 vessel contract. The Tug Achievement had its 2 shafts pulled and the 2 rudders dismantled - refitted after class inspection. The Barge 650-08 had major pipe work on the fuel and cargo lines done. On both units 100 % hull treatment of the top side, flat bottom, vertical sides as well as both super structures. All deep well pumps were lifted out and completely overhauled including the E-motors. All cable trays on deck of the barge were renewed. There are other works to this vessel as part of this docking project. Freeport, Bahamas – One of the largest exclusive ship repair fleet agreements in Caribbean history, worth over $10 Million dollars, has been signed between the Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) and Crowley which will extend through 2017. GBS, the ship repair and refurbishment yard in Freeport has signed a ship repair fleet agreement with Crowley Maritime Corporation for an extensive maintenance program for twenty three (23) vessels over the next twelve months. The agreement, worth more than $10 million dollars, will see GBS dock and upgrade these vessels exclusively at the Shipyard.Graham Couser, Senior Vice President of GBS, said “The agreement will allow GBS to work with Crowley as partners to prepare, plan and collaborate in advance of each docking to maximize efficiency and success. Not only is Crowley getting excellent value through advance commitment, but by removing the time consuming individual tendering process for each ship, we can provide priority dock space, superior scope planning, and leading turnaround times.”“Grand Bahama Shipyard’s variety of facilities and excellent track record positions them well to be a long-term partner in Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 24 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 ensuring our fleet’s stringent maintenance needs are met for the foreseeable future,” said Rob Grune, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Petroleum Services. “The benefits of an exclusive fleet agreement with a single yard are clear. Rolling over experience from one vessel to the next will create exponential rewards and efficiencies over reselecting a Yard each time. Also, the doubts and uncertainties that arise from individual bids are eradicated. It’s a win-win situation.”GBS’s Chief Executive Officer, Carl-Gustav Rotkirch disclosed that throughout 2015, Crowley has committed the following units; 1 oil product tanker, 12 product barges and 10 tugs from the company’s articulated tug-barge (ATB) fleet for regular dry dock maintenance and upgrade work at GBSY.Rotkirch pointed out that the agreement was signed in December 2014 and is effective immediately, with the first vessel having arrived at GBS this past January. Source : thebahamasweekly ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES Farstad Shipping Secures LoI with Technip for Sleipner Vessel Farstad Shipping ASA has signed a Letter of Intent with Technip regarding utilization of the subsea vessel Far tbn Sleipner (2015, Vard 3 07) which is under construction at Vard Langsten. The Agreement secures the subsea vessel a utilization of 11 months, divided into two fixed periods. Including mobilization and demobilization, Technip can use the vessel for up to 16 months. Delivery of the vessel from the yard is expected to take place in March/April 2015, and preparations for the contract will then start immediately.The contract is based on market terms. The commercial terms of the agreement with Technip will be kept private and confidential between the parties. For more information, please visit: https://www.farstad.com/ MMA Offshore improves H1 results, warns of tough market outlook By Lee Hong Liang from Singapore MMA Offshore, a merger of the businesess of Mermaid Marine Australia and Jaya Holdings, has posted a strong increase in earnings in the first half ended 31 December 2014 but is anticipating a more challenging second half.Net profit for the six-month period was recorded at $37.7m, an increase of 55.8% from $24.2m in the previous corresponding period.Revenue also jumped 80% year-on-year to $456.3m backed by strong contributions from a number of key Australian vessel projects.MMA Offshore said its first half results include the full impact of the Jaya business and are in line with expectations.Following Mermaid Marine Australia’s purchase of 100% of the subsidiaries of Jaya Holdings in June 2014, the company has united the two businesses under a single global brand named MMA Offshore.At present, the rebranded MMA Offshore has a fleet of over 60 modern OSVs and four onshore facilities in Southeast Asia and Australia.Looking ahead, MMA Offshore expects activity in the second half to be weaker than the first half as a result of reduced Australian project activity as Gorgon construction completes, combined with the impact of lower oil prices. The company also expects further downward pressure on rates as clients continue to focus on cost reductions.“The recent plunge in the oil price has had a dramatic impact on the sector globally with oil and gas majors reacting by curbing capital expenditure and seeking to reduce their operating costs,” said Tony Howarth, chairman of Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 25 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 MMA Offshore.“The Australian construction market is less impacted in that most of the current offshore support work relates to the construction of large LNG projects which have already been sanctioned and are well into the construction phase,” Howarth commented.“The international market is expected to be challenging in the current environment with pressure on rates and utilisation across all vessel segments,” he added.Meanwhile, MMA Offshore said its newbuild programme is on track with five new vessels currently under construction, including two ROV support vessels to be delivered in 2016 and two PSVs in 2017. Source : Seatrade Global 22-02-2015 : Heavy Load Carrier “PAPENBURG” (ex Condock II, built 1986) with a part (width 40m) of the new NORWEGIAN ESCAPE on way to Meyer Werft, Papenburg (DE) @Kiel Canal Photo : Tony Zech www.zechphoto.de © With slump in bunker prices, box ships lose cargo to bulk reefers THE sharp decline in bunker fuel prices is making bulk reefer ships more competitive than conventional containerships for perishables.According to unidentified ship brokers, a number of freight programmes by fruit shippers has been moved back from container shipping lines to specialised reefer ships in the early stages of the southern hemisphere peak season, reported Newark's Journal of Commerce.Ecuadorian banana producer Bonita, with its shipping subsidiary Ecuadorian Line, is reported to have reactivated all of its five reefer ships after idling some tonnage last year following a service agreement with container line MSC, brokers say.Fellow banana supplier Banex is believed to have been awarded extra volumes from Polish importer Citronex for the Ecuador-North Europe run that Banex operates with charter tonnage from Siem/Star Reefers. Elsewhere, specialist reefer tonnage has been chartered in to haul citrus products from North America to Japan, with Stockholm-based reefer ship operator Cool Carriers reportedly fixing a ship for a voyage ex-Hueneme, California.Freight and charter rate levels are down 10 to 15 per cent compared to 12 months ago on the west coast of South America, brokers said.Many market participants were also anxious that spot freights might be pushed even further given the reduced import demand from Russian buyers struggling with a weak rouble and wide-ranging trade sanctions. Source : Schednet Hong Kong needs marine upgrades to lure luxury yachts, expert warns By : Bryan Harris The arrival of the world's largest sailing yacht in Hong Kong has sparked fresh calls for the city to increase its investment in marine infrastructure. Measuring almost 100 metres long and worth more than US$150 million, EOS called in for repairs after having trouble with its bow thruster while touring Southeast Asia. Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 26 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 The EOS, a three-masted Bermuda-rigged schooner, is repaired at Hongkong United Dockyards. Yacht owners have long complained about the lack of moorings. Photo: Alan Loynd Branscombe Marine Consultants © The three-masted Bermuda-rigged schooner - owned by US media mogul Barry Diller - found room to berth at Hongkong United Dockyards (HUD) in Tsing Yi after failing to find suitable maintenance facilities for a boat of its size in the Philippines. Left : The EOS spotted in Puerto Princesa City – Palawan – Philippines – last December Photo : Allan Mollenido © A former chairman of US media house Fox and worth about US$2.4 billion, Diller is married to fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg. Todd Jeffery, general manager of special projects at HUD, said Hong Kong needed additional investment to attract more vessels of that size ."The problem is Hong Kong doesn't offer a lot of services or facilities for yachts of that size," Jeffrey said."There is no marina that could accommodate a boat that size … If a yacht owner can't find the facilities, there is no reason for them to come [to Hong Kong]."Hong Kong's yacht owners and enthusiasts have long complained about a lack of berthing spots for their vessels. The city is estimated to only have about 5,000 mooring spaces for its 15,000 fishing and leisure boats. Jeffrey emphasised that there were benefits to the wider population - and not just the wealthy elite - from investing in marine infrastructure. "It keeps jobs here. It improves the image of Hong Kong. These boats take on provisions and require repair work," he said."It brings a tremendous number of positives that aren't realised by the general public."A spokesperson for the Marine Department said the government had granted permission for nearly 1,900 new moorings in 41 designated areas at the end of last year.The 1,500-tonne EOS, arrived earlier this month, and is due to set sail again today.Source : South China Morning Post Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 27 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 Confusion as imported LNG due next month ISLAMABAD: With the loading of the first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) beginning on Feb 28, the country’s two gas utilities are under extreme pressure to enter into a series of agreements. The companies have objected to the agreements in writing because of what they say their long-term adverse financial implications.At the heart of the problem is the inability of the ministries of water and power and petroleum and natural resources to finalise agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) on the sale/purchase and supply of the commodity and for utilisation of the allocated LNG quantities even though decisions had been taken in this regard by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) back in the last quarter of 2012.As a consequence, the gas utilities, particularly the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL), are being made to take all sorts of risks on behalf of the suppliers, purchasers, facilitators and consumers and that too just before delivery of the first LNG consignment, expected in early March, according to an official of the petroleum ministry.The SNGPL is already in the red and is required under court orders to return around Rs15 billion to retail consumers for overcharging them in the past.As things stand now, the imported LNG is more likely to be released into the utilities’ distribution networks, which have system losses of 10-15 per cent, to take the fuel to the CNG (compressed natural gas) stations. This is not in line with the ECC decisions. The utilities are already struggling to absorb losses on account of local gas priced at $4 or less per MMBTU (Million British Thermal Units) and now they will have to take care of imported LNG having end price of $9-10 per MMBTU. The SNGPL has been warning about the “impending crisis”. “Any further delay in finalisation of back-to-back agreements with the IPPs may eventually result in supply of LNG to the retail sector, thus leading to sharp increase in gas prices for the public. The ECC of the cabinet had, however, envisioned that such LNG sale will only be made to bulk consumers while protecting the domestic sector,” SNGPL Managing Director Arif Hameed wrote to the authorities about a month ago. In case of non-utilisation of LNG terminal due to deficiencies in the supply chain, the government or its nominated companies might end up paying $272,000 per day from April 1 onwards, he added.His fears appear to be materialising as agreements with the IPPs, which are supposed to be the main users of imported LNG, have yet to be finalised because they are not ready to assume any additional liability beyond their existing agreements unless they are protected under fresh power purchase agreements to be approved by the lenders and shareholders and passed on to consumers after approval by the National Power Regulatory Authority.Sources said the three major governmentowned companies in the supply chain — the Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGCL) and the SNGPL — had not been given a clear commitment by the finance ministry regarding full payments for the imported LNG even though it was indicating diversion of power sector subsidies for advance payments against LNG. The PSO is responsible for the import of LNG, even though this is not its core business, and for injecting the fuel into the SSGCL network through the Engro’s re-gasification terminal at Port Qasim. The SSGCL is then required to transfer it to the SNGPL at the Zamzama-Sawan gas establishment.The SSGCL has absolved itself of any financial implication for the short term by informing the petroleum ministry that it does not need additional gas at least for the first year of import.The SSGCL, sources in the petroleum ministry said, would share one-third of the imported LNG from March next year but is not yet ready to enter into any long-term agreement.As a result, a recent meeting presided over by Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi directed the SNGPL to be responsible for the entire 325MMCFD (million cubic feet per day) of contracted LNG from next month and 400MMCFD from October in the first year. The petroleum ministry told the stakeholders recently that during the period in which the IPPs would not be able to utilise the new fuel, the surplus LNG should be diverted to CNG stations which would act as a buffer to absorb it. The first shipment for commissioning of the Floating Storage and Re-gasification Terminal would be used by the CNG sector in Punjab because of the absence of agreements with the IPPs. For this to happen, however, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has to approve an LNG price notification. Before the notification, the ECC has to amend a decision taken by it in 2012 to allow LNG consumption in the CNG sector The previous decision allocated LNG to bulk consumers, particularly the IPPs, and did not involve CNG stations which are not on bulk supply lines but on distribution lines.The gas companies are required to work out tariff and seek policy guidelines for change in the Third Party Access Rules after incorporating system losses. These require approval by another regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission, for additional liabilities on the PSO, SSGCL and SNGPL, which are listed companies.To top it all, the tariff increases approved by Ogra recently have been blocked by the prime minister. As if that is not enough, Ogra is currently operating on an “acting charge basis” in the absence of full-time members and chairman. Moreover, the PSO officials finalising LNG imports and pricing for 20 years are working on a contract of three months. Source : Dawn …. PHOTO OF THE DAY ….. Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 28 DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2015 – 055 Hurtigruten's M/V "RICHARD WITH" in Hammerfest – Photo : Gunnar Haug © The compiler of the news clippings disclaim all liability for any loss, damage or expense however caused, arising from the sending, receipt, or use of this e-mail communication and on any reliance placed upon the information provided through this free service and does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information UNSUBSCRIBE / UITSCHRIJF PROCEDURE To unsubscribe click here (English version) or visit the subscription page on our website. http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/en/unsubscribe/ Om uit te schrijven klik hier (Nederlands) of bezoek de inschrijvingspagina op onze website. http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/nl/uitschrijven/ Distribution : daily to 32250+ active addresses 24-02-2015 Page 29