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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2006 – 033

PSi-Daily Shipping News 09-03-2006

Number 033*** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS ***Thursday 09-03-2006 News reports received from readers and Internet News articles taken from various news sites.

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EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS

The German Guided Missile Frigate F 209 RHEINLAND-PFALZ seen here departing from Cape Town Photo : Ian Shiffman ©

Neuriënd afscheid van de ‘oude’ Door Wout Bareman

Natuurlijk was er een vleugje weemoed, toen hij de 'oude' Zonnebloem voor het laatst afmeerde. Maar 'oproepkapitein' Willy Bondewel uit Terneuzen plengde gisteravond, bij het afscheid in de Coolhaven in Rotterdam, niet één traan. Tja, hij is nu eenmaal de nuchterheid zelve. „Ik heb bij het weg gaan even zachtjes 'Tabé, ouwe schuit' geneuried. Meer niet.“ Kapitein Willy Bondewel neemt zonder tranen afscheid van de oude Zonnebloem. Binnenkort stapt hij over op de nieuwe Zonnebloem van de gelijknamige organisatie, die langdurig zieken en gehandicapten op gezette tijden opbeurt met een stukje vertier. Begin februari kwam het nieuwe schip, dat volgens Bondewel de allures van een heus cruisschip heeft, in de vaart. Dit jaar staan er 42 reizen met in totaal 2850 passagiers op het programma. En Bondewel zal er bij zijn. Want het afscheid van de oude Zonnebloem, waarop hij in vijftien jaar tijd in totaal 168 meevoer als kapitein of stuurman, is voor hem geen afscheid van het werk aan boord. „Ik ben 68, maar het gaat me nog prima af. Het is zo ontzettend leuk om voor die mensen, die op deze manier ook hun vaak eenzame leven op een prachtmanier onderbroken zien, te varen. Het is iets heel speciaals. Je ziet mensen opleven, je merkt hoe ze er naar toe hebben geleefd. Mensen, die in




sommige gevallen te horen hebben gekregen dat ze niet lang meer te leven hebben. Het lijkt wel of ze hun leven nog even oprekken om die reis toch nog mee te maken. De emoties aan het einde van de reis? het is prachtig werk.“ Hij heeft al proefgevaren met het nieuwe, hypermoderne schip en staat in april veertien dagen in de stuurhut als vervangend kapitein. Het schip is al direct voor een jaar volgeboekt; de wachtlijsten zijn enorm. Eigenlijk zou de organisatie snel geld moeten inzamelen voor een tweede schip. Willy Bondewel begon bij de Zonnebloem nadat hij op doktersadvies was gestopt met het zware werk als binnenschipper. Z'n rug liet dat werk niet meer toe. „Van het GAK kreeg ik wel toestemming om op de Zonnebloem te gaan varen, omdat op dat schip alle mogelijke voorzieningen voor gehandicapten voorhanden waren. Voor mij was het een geschenk uit de hemel, want ik had, na 28 jaar zelfstandig varen en voordien bij m'n vader aan boord, geen zin op de wal weg te kwijnen.“

De Zonnebloem vaart hoofdzakelijk Rijnreizen vanuit Arnhem. Alleen bij extreme omstandigheden, zoals te hoge of te lage waterstanden, wordt een alternatieve route door Nederland gevaren. „Op dit soort passagiersschepen moet altijd twee man aan boord zijn met de vereiste papieren. Het is echt zaak dat er mensen met ervaring op de brug staan, want op de Rijn is het constant uit je doppen kijken, vooral in de buurt van schepen met gevaarlijke stoffen. En die varen er nog al wat.“ Varen met gehandicapten en langdurig zieken geeft ook onvergetelijke ervaringen. Zoals die keer dat een bedlegerige passagier met bed en al in het centrum van een Duitse stad strandde met? een lekke band. „Moesten we aan boord een nieuw wiel ophalen.“ Of het verhaal van die defecte wc-pot, die in afwachting van reparatie was gedemonteerd en op de gang was gezet. „En jawel, toen we hem wilden terugplaatsen bleek hij door iemand gebruikt!“ Dat de Rijnreizen wonderen doen, blijkt regelmatig. Bondewel grinnikend: „Bij het ontschepen zijn er mensen, die hun rollator vergeten en zo naar huis terugkeren. Wij noemen dat het Lourdeseffect.“ Bondewel voer de oude Zonnebloem van Geertruidenberg naar de Coolhaven in Rotterdam. Met aan boord een groot aantal genodigden, onder wie mensen van het Leger des Heils. De boot gaat namelijk twee jaar dienst doen als drijvend opvangcentrum voor dak- en thuislozen. Willy Bondewel, vorig jaar nog uitgeroepen tot Havenman van het jaar in Terneuzen en al eerder benoemd tot Schuttevaerman van de Eeuw, leverde het schip probleemloos af. Zoals hij dat al tientallen keren eerder deed.

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.

Third Katrina vessel leaves port A FEDERAL judge in New Orleans ruled on Friday that the ferry Scotia Prince, which had acted as home to Hurricane Katrina refugees, could leave port. However, he said he would ensure that the government properly houses those who had been living on board. In allowing the ferry to depart, District Judge Peter Beer said it wasn’t his role to take over the decision making of federal agencies. Plaintiffs in the case wanted the ship to stay in St Bernard Parish for several more months and argued that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had not fulfilled its mandate to provide adequate housing for evacuees and that the ship would do just that. But FEMA spokesman David Passey said after the ruling that "our employees remain committed to the residents of St Bernard Parish who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina." FEMA is moving evacuees from Scotia Prince and two Carnival cruise ships to hotels, motels and apartments, he said. Carnival’s Holiday has also disembarked its refugees in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

One drowned in OOCL safety drill

The OOCL BRITAIN – Photo : Dennis Shum ©

ONE man died during a safety drill yesterday on Hong Kong-registered container vessel OOCL Britain at Seattle's Terminal 18. During the exercise a lifeboat overturned, trapping four underneath. Reports said they were in the water for 20 minutes before being rescued. Two were taken to hospital, where one died several hours later. The US Coast Guard is investigating the incident. No names have yet been released

50 years of Oman-India ties celebrated in style

Omani and Indian dignitaries here joined Admiral Arun Prakash, the visiting Chairman of India’s Chiefs of Staff Committee, on board ‘INS Mumbai’, described as the ‘Pride of the Indian Navy’ and currently docked at the Sultan Qaboos Port, on Sunday night for a banquet to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

They included Indian Ambassador Ashok Kumar Attri, Brigadier Saud Suleiman Al Habsi, Oman’s Assistant Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Commodore Mohammed Ali Al Farsi, Director-general, Administration and Finance, at the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO).



The highlight of the event was a joint performance by a 17-member brass band from the Indian Navy and the RNO band that regaled the select gathering. The Indian Navy band arrived here aboard INS Mumbai on Friday and has staged two public shows — the first at Qurum Amphitheatre on Friday and the second at the Qurum Natural Park on Saturday.

Admiral Prakash and INS Mumbai,the third of the Delhi class of the Guided Missile Destroyers and commissioned in January 2001, have arrived here especially to take part in the last phase of yearlong celebrations marking the Golden Jubilee of Oman-India diplomatic relations.

Photo : Cindy de Kruijf ©

The despatch to Oman of the 6,700 tonne, 165 metre long indigenously built vessel, which occupies the second top place in the Indian naval

fleet after aircraft carrier ‘INS Viraat’, is said to signify the emphasis the Indian authorities place on growing ties with the Sultanate. Admiral Prakash, addressing the audience, underlined the "warmth and hospitality" he and the ship received in Muscat.

The Admiral, who has been holding a series of meetings with top officers of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and visiting places of tourist and military importance since his arrival in Muscat on Friday, said he was ‘deeply impressed’ by Oman’s accomplishments on the economic, social and national security fronts.

He spoke about the contribution of the Indian community in Oman in the development and prosperity of the country, adding that Indians had gained the admiration and respect of the Omani people and authorities. Admiral Prakash referred to the long maritime history of the two countries, and said: “The sea holds great potential. The future lies in the sea. But it also has its own hazards such as piracy, terrorism and illegal trafficking of human beings.“

He said the navies of the two countries must work together to confront these challenges. Attri said although India and the Sultanate were marking 50 years of diplomatic links, ties between them dated back to more than 5,000 years. He noted the celebrations coincided with the 35th anniversary of Oman’s modern renaissance.

The ambassador said the Sultanate had made ‘all-round progress’ during this period, also observing that the Indian community in Oman were ‘partners in this progress.’ Indians had always enjoyed Omani hospitality and been “living here in harmony for generations.” The two governments, Attri said, had been maintaining contacts at the highest defence, political and social levels and, in this context, mentioned the proposed visit here next week by Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherji.

Brigadier Habsi, in his speech, focused on the economic, social, cultural and military cooperation between his country and India. He described military relations as ‘excellent’ and said “there is close cooperation in discussing mutual issues.”

He also referred to joint military and training exercises between the two countries and exchange of visits by defence personnel and naval ships. The programme ended with the two bands jointly playing the national anthems of their countries.



AP Moeller-Maersk, Hyundai Heavy Industries Settle Dispute

AP Moeller-Maersk AS said it and Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd have settled a dispute arising from the contracts for the design and construction of two jack-up drilling rigs, which had been referred to an arbitration court in London, according to AFX News.

In January, the AP Moeller group claimed that Hyundai delivered the 'Inspirer' drilling rig almost 18 months too late and that the rig was incomplete compared with the terms of the contract.

The group therefore decided to withhold either the whole or part of the 2 bln dkr payment.

The Hyundai group responded by filing a counter suit of 400 mln usd, or 2.5 bln dkr, against AP Moeller-Maersk unit Maersk Contractors, to be settled in London.

150,000 Ships Used English Channel About 150,000 ships used the English Channel in 2005, an average of 410 a day. Of the 55,935 vessels that reported to the Coastguard at Dover monitoring traffic in one of the Channel's traffic lanes, most were registered in the Netherlands (5,429), Panama (5,146), the UK (4,756) and Liberia (3,662), according to The Times

INDIAN GOVERNMENT “SHOULD DO MORE” TO PROMOTE INDIAN SEAFARERS

THE Indian government should accept that it has a responsibility to a ‘facilitator’ for the marketing of the Indian maritime industry to the rest of the world, according to Pradeep Chawla, Director, Quality Assurance & Training for Hong Kong-based shipmanager Anglo-Eastern. Speaking at the 2nd Annual Lloyds Manning & Training Conference in Mumbai, India, Capt Chawla spelt out what he believes India needs to do to improve its global market share of seafarers – currently running at 8 percent of world supply of seafarers. He said: “The one single stakeholder that can influence growth of India and make India the largest supplier of seafarers in the world, is the Administration. In the fields of Information Technology, Banking, Business Process Outsourcing etc. the government departments concerned have proved that the right policies and good governance can make a large difference in what Indian businesses as can achieve. The maritime industry has huge, untapped potential too.” Capt Chawla also called on the Indian administration running maritime matters to: become more active in international forums and conferences, ensure strict control of examinations and standards of all training facilities, ensure people in day-to-day operations of ships provide guidance for examination boards and to provide true end user requirements and speak with one voice – ideally having only one department controlling the seafarer industry He added that training schools should, in addition to practical skills, concentrate on courses that have more emphasis on: leadership and management skills, safety management skills and on instilling a correct work attitude.

20 people sent to hospital following ammonia leak in Harbour Grace, N.L. Canadian Press



Twenty people were taken to hospital following an ammonia leak on a ship docked in Harbour Grace early Tuesday. Fire Chief Sonia Williams said they arrived on the scene just before 9:30 a.m. to find a number of workers in distress on the wharf. "All workers were off the vessel . . . and we looked after them as we saw fit and transferred them as soon as possible," she said. Williams said she spoke to the captain of the cold storage ship and the source of the leak was identified. "They had the situation under control," she said. Eastern Health said 17 people were treated in hospital, then released. Two others were in good condition and a third in fair condition. Occupational Health and Safety was investigating the incident

SALVORS RECOVER MORE POLLUTANTS MEMBERS of the International Salvage Union (ISU) recovered over 875,000 tonnes of pollutants during salvage operations last year. During 2005, emergency assistance was provided worldwide for 247 vessels with cargoes and bunkers threatening pollution (a marginal fall of some 7.5% on the 266 casualties recorded in the survey for 2004).

Top : Salvor SMIT Salvage seen here in combination with local teams recovering oil and cargo form the sunken UMFOLOZI in the port of Walvis Bay (Namibia)

Photo : Piet Sinke ©

The results of the ISU’s latest annual Pollution Prevention Survey show that oils, chemicals, other pollutants and bunker fuel recovered last year totalled 875,331 tonnes, as against 734,582 tonnes in 2004. This amounts to an increase of just over 19%. ISU President Hans van Rooij says: “Once again, our members have demonstrated their effectiveness in defending the marine environment. In 2005, the recoveries included over half a million tonnes of crude oil.”



Forty-six of the ISU’s 51 members contributed data for the latest annual survey. In 2005, ISU salvors responsible for the 247 salvage assistances recovered the following: 61%, crude oil (and diesel oil) - 533,281 tonnes (452,304 tonnes in 2004), 7%, chemicals - 60,147 tonnes (34,752 tonnes), 23%, other pollutants (e.g. gasoline, slops, dirty ballast, etc) - 201,960 tonnes (152,235 tonnes) and 9% bunkers 79,943 tonnes (95,291 tonnes). Hans van Rooij adds: “The volume of crude oil recovered saw an increase of just over 17% on the 2004 figure of 452,304 tonnes. The recovery of chemicals, at 60,147 tonnes, was an increase of over 73% on the 2004 figure. The volume of bunkers recovered has in the past been remarkably consistent – in the range of 60,000-70,000 tonnes. In 2004, however, the figure increased to 95,291 tonnes. Last year it fell back to 79,943 tonnes, a decrease of over 16% on 2004.”

P & O cruise ship departs after repairs A P & O cruise ship that was forced to dock in Malaysia for urgent repairs has now departed again for the final leg of its seven day journey. The Pacific Sky had problems with one of its engines after leaving Singapore on Saturday night and became stranded in the Malacca Straights. The ship docked in the Port of Kelang for repairs yesterday and is now on its way to Penang. P & O says the 1,500 passengers will be given $350 in compensation because the cruise missed calls to two ports. A spokeswoman for the ocean liner says the ship will receive permanent repairs when it arrives back in Singapore on Saturday morning.

Pong Su to sue The North Korean owner of the ship whose officers were cleared of heroin smuggling in Australia may seek compensation for loss of earnings for the men. Pong Su Shipping of Pyongyang is considering suing after the 6,200–dwt cargoship Pong Su’s master and three officers were acquitted in court on Monday of bringing in 150kg of the drug worth AUD 160m ($193m). The company’s solicitor Jack Dalziel also complained that any move by Australian authorities to destroy the vessel, which was used to import heroin into Australia, would fly in the face of the acquittal. The 1980-built ship has been berthed in Sydney since it was seized in April 2003 after a four-day chase by the Australian military, federal police and customs officers. The ship’s captain Man Sun Song, 65, its political secretary Dong Song Choi, 61, first mate Man Jin Ri and chief engineer Ju Chon Ri, both 51, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which could have seen them jailed for life. Four others people - one passenger and three from a shore party - had already been found guilty of drug trafficking. Dalziel said the shipping company could have lost millions of dollars since their ship was seized. The ship had been worth several hundred thousand American dollars but had deteriorated since it was seized. But federal police commissioner Mick Keelty said the ship would be treated like any other drug smuggling vessel and would be destroyed. "It still is a vessel that was used for the importation of heroin into Australia, that's been proved before the courts, and it will be destroyed just like any other vessel in that situation," he said. "What normally would happen in a case like this is where a vessel is used for an importation of this kind, the vessel is disposed of under the Customs Act and that's what we intend to pursue in this case," he said. Barrister Nick Papas, who represented one of the accused, said the ship had probably deteriorated to such an extent since 2003 that there may be no choice but to destroy it.



CASUALTY REPORTING Two Boat Accidents Kill 45 West Africans

Two wooden canoes carrying West Africans seeking a better life in Europe foundered off the coast of Mauritania over three days, leaving at least 45 would-be immigrants dead, a health official said Monday.

Fishing boats plucked at least 26 people from the Atlantic Ocean following the accidents, but at least 45 people were dead and 17 missing, said Ahmed Ould Haya, head of Mauritania's branch of the International Committee of the Red Crescent.

The boats had sailed separately from Mauritania in an attempt to reach Spain's Canary Islands _ about 600 miles away over open ocean. It was unclear how far they had traveled before capsizing, what caused the accidents, or whether the search was still under way for survivors. Heavy winds have buffeted coastal northern West Africa for days, roiling seas.

The surviving emigrants, who had been in wooden canoes called "pirogues," were pulled from the sea by larger fishing ships, including one from Morocco, Ould Haya said.

Many of the rescued passengers were under care in the Mauritanian city of Nouadhibou, in the north of the country on the edge of the Sahara Desert. The doomed boats' passengers were from across West Africa, he said.

Africans looking to enter Europe without proper documentation often seek to sneak into the Spanish islands or an enclave north across the Sahara Desert, in Morocco. Many die each year trying. At least four died and more than two dozen people were missing and presumed dead in a similar incident in December, when a boat carrying Africans illegally trying to reach Europe capsized off Mauritania's coast in strong winds.

Two Ships Aground Near Novorossiisk Two foreign motor ships, which are in distress in the Tsemesskaya bay, could not get afloat from banks after a strong gale pushed the Barcelona and Ibragim-R motor ships closer to the shore. The TK Barcelona with a displacement of 6,000 tonnes and at 116 meters long, is now in the area of Cape Doob, while the Ibragim-R,with a displacement of 6,500 tonnes and at 105 meters long, is in the area of Kabardinka. According to Itar Tassa, the Novorossiisk port has not received

requests for assistance from the motor ships. A total of 43 crewmembers remain on the ships. The continuing strong gale with gusts of up to 18 meters per second interferes with evacuating people and inspecting the state of the ships’



bottoms. The motor ships are without cargoes. The TK Barcelona came to Novorossiisk flying the Malta flag, while the Ibragim-R is under the Cambodian flag.

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March 7th, The amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) underway off the coast of Mt. Suribachi, on the island of Iwo Jima. Suribachi is the historical site where Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal took his photo of the

famous U.S. flag raising, which later became one of the most famous photos of the 20th Century, and an inspiration to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines fighting in the Pacific during WWII. The Essex Forward Deployed

Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is participating in Balikatan 2006, an annual bilateral combined exercise with the Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military.

India Getting AIP Submarines India has decided to equip the last three of the six Scorpene class subs it is buying, with AIP (air independent propulsion) systems. The French/Spanish firm DCN will supervise the building of the subs in India. Adding the AIP will increase the cost about $200 million per sub. The base cost per boat is $500 million. The Scorpenes are 1,400 ton (surface displacement) boats, with a crew of 32. It has six 21 inch torpedo tubes, and carries 18 torpedoes and/or




missiles. India has ordered 36 sub launched Exocet anti-ship missiles for the Scorpenes. The AIP enables the sub to stay underwater longer, thus making the sub harder to find. AIP allows the sub to travel under water for 4-5 days (three times as long as the non-AIP boats) at low speed (5-10 kilometers an hour). This makes these boats as formidable as nuclear subs, especially since the Scorpenes will have a modern sonar system. The Scorpenes could shut down Pakistan's ports, and sink any Pakistani ships that came looking for them. While not invulnerable, the Scorpenes would have the edge while operating underwater. But the AIP Scorpenes do have to surface (at least to periscope depth) every five days. to recharge batteries. They have to get more fuel for the AIP system as well. The most important asset of the AIP Scorpene is its virtual invisibility to enemy ships, for a longer period. Nuclear subs can stay under for months at a time, and the longer you can be underwater, the more dangerous you are. The six Scorpene boats won't all be in service for about ten years.

USS Honolulu Prepares For Last Aloha Honolulu's namesake ship is preparing to say farewell to its island home after two decades of service. USS Honolulu (SSN 718), which is scheduled to inactivate next year, will hold a farewell ceremony April 15 prior to departing Hawaii on her final deployment to the Western Pacific. "This is an exciting and challenging time for us," said Cmdr. John Russ, the nuclear-powered attack submarine's commanding officer. "We're preparing to leave our homeport for the last time, and at the same time we're going through the normal challenges associated with getting the ship ready to deploy." The submarine is currently in the third week of a pre-deployment maintenance upkeep period in Pearl Harbor. When she leaves Hawaii for her deployment some time after April 15, it will likely be the last time the submarine ever sees Pearl Harbor. The ship is scheduled to return directly to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash., following its deployment to begin inactivation. Honolulu has been homeported in Pearl Harbor for most of her operational life. After being commissioned in 1985, she moved to Hawaii to join the Pacific Fleet in September 1986. She has completed nine deployments to the Western Pacific, participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, and conducted operations under the Arctic ice. The submarine has received an impressive array of awards, including six Battle "E"s. Current and past crew members, as well as elected officials and community members from Hawaii, will honor Honolulu at the April 15 ceremony at Pearl Harbor. Vice Adm. Jonathan Greenert, who currently commands the U.S. 7th Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan, will be guest speaker at the April 15 event. Greenert commanded Honolulu from 1991 to 1993. Honolulu is the third ship named in honor of the city of Honolulu. She was launched in September 1983 and commissioned in July 1985, becoming the 97th attack nuclear submarine (SSN), and the 31st of the Los Angeles-class SSNs delivered to the Navy. The submarine has the ability to conduct a broad spectrum of warfare missions. In addition to her traditional role of seeking out surface ships and submarines, Honolulu is capable of launching strikes, operating with special operations forces, and conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

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Keppel Secures S$130 Million FPSO Contracts from Prosafe

Keppel Shipyard Ltd has been awarded two contracts valued at approximately S$130 million for the conversion of two new Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities for Prosafe Production. Over the last nine years Keppel Shipyard has been Prosafe's exclusive provider of conversion services for all their FPSO and FSO systems. Keppel Shipyard has completed six FPSO/FSO conversions for Prosafe since 1997. With these two FPSO conversions projects, the number of such projects carried out by Keppel Shipyard for Prosafe will add up to eight. Mr. Nelson Yeo, Executive Director of Keppel Shipyard said "We are delighted with the trust and confidence that Prosafe has in Keppel Shipyard. We will continue to focus on fast track conversions to further strengthen our market position." Added Mr. Hugh Parry, Managing Director of Prosafe Production, "We have entrusted Keppel Shipyard with the conversion of a number of sophisticated FPSO projects due to their strong track record. We have confidence in their reliable and quality service." The first award is for the conversion of the 25-year old tanker, M.T. Apollo, into an FPSO capable of handling a daily oil production of 90,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), daily fluid capacity up to 150,000 barrel of fluid per day (bfpd) and having a storage capacity of 1.78 million barrels of oil. The work scope for the 257,865 dwt tanker will include the fabrication and installation of the internal turret, flare tower and helideck; integration of production skids, boilers and turbo alternators and renewal of bottom plates, as well



as internal tank blasting and painting. Upon delivery in end 2006, the facility will be deployed in Polvo Field off Brazil for Devon Energy. The second award is for the conversion of a Suezmax tanker, a 25-year old tanker, M.T. Ionikos, into an FPSO capable of handling a daily production of 50,000 bopd, daily fluid capacity up to 120,000 bfpd and having a storage capacity of 770,000 barrels of oil. Work on the vessel will include the fabrication and installation of the internal turret, flare tower and helideck; integration of production skids, boilers and turbo alternators; renewal of bottom plates, and internal tank blasting and painting. Due for completion in first quarter 2007, the FPSO facility will be deployed at the Tui Field located in the Taranaki Basin offshore New Zealand for New Zealand Overseas Petroleum Ltd. Keppel Shipyard is the world leader in FPSO/ FSO conversions, having completed 56 FPSO/ FSO conversions and upgrading projects since 1981. It is also the leading yard in ship repair and other vessel conversion. An innovative supplier of products and services in niche areas in the global offshore oil and gas industry, Prosafe is a leading owner and operator of FPSO/FSO vessels outside the North Sea, specializing in the supply, lease and operation of cost-effective vessels for projects where the company can differentiate itself through its innovative proprietary system designs, e.g. mooring systems and fluid swivels, and long proven track record. Keppel Shipyard is a wholly owned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation Limited through Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M). Keppel O&M is a global leader in offshore rigs and ship conversion and repair as well as a specialized shipbuilder. Combining the expertise and experience of its subsidiaries, Keppel FELS, Keppel Shipyard and Keppel Singmarine, 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, Keppel O&M aims to be a provider of choice and a partner in solutions for the offshore and marine industry. The contracts are not expected to have material impact on the NTA and earnings per share of Keppel Corporation for the financial year ending 2006.

Detyens to Overhaul MSC Ship Detyens Shipyard, Inc., Charleston, S.C., is being awarded a $7,286,360 firm-fixed-price contract for ship repair, overhaul and drydock to support Military Sealift Command's combat stores ship USNS Spica (T-AFS 9). USNS Spica's primary mission is to provide underway replenishment and/or vertical replenishment to Navy ships at sea, enabling the ships to remain on station for extended periods of time, ready to respond when needed. This contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $9,762,788. Work will be performed in Charleston, S.C., and is expected to be completed by July 2006. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with eight proposals solicited and three offers received.

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The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has this beautiful old dock crane preserved and in excellent condition. Photo : Tommy Bryceland - GOUROCK ©

PSA, MSC in Singapore venture A new container terminal with an annual capacity exceeding 2M TEU was officially launched in Singapore today. The MSC-PSA Asia Terminal is a joint venture between the government-owned PSA International and Switzerland’s Mediterranean Shipping Co. The venture operates three berths at Pasir Panjang Terminal. It is the second terminal tie-

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up between the partners who are also partners in the MSC Home Terminal in Antwerp, Belgium, that was launched in June 2005. In Singapore PSA's latest venture is the second after the partnership with China's Cosco in December 2003. The attempts to forge closer ties with lines calling at Singapore marks a major shift in approach by PSA after the loss of major lines Maersk and Evergreen to Malaysia’s Port of Tanjung Pelepas. PSA International chairman Fock Siew Wah revealed that four new berths will be added to the Pasir Panjang Terminal over the next 12 months. Four new berths came on stream last year to cope with surging volumes. When the four berths are completed total annual capacity at PSA will be 25.4M TEU.

New Brunswick town hopes to stop LNG tankers Tourists visiting New Brunswick could soon spot gas tankers among the whales and fishing boats, as the giant ships use local waters to reach three proposed liquefied natural gas plants across the border. "This is a tourism area," John Craig, mayor of St. Andrews, N.B., told CTV News. "This is not an industrial area. This is a way of life. We are fighting for our way of life." Tourism is highly important to St. Andrews. But a U.S. company is hoping to put a gas facility just five kilometers away in Maine. As opposition leader in 2005, Stephen Harper said Paul Martin's government should take action against allowing the tankers to use local waters. "Will the prime minister do what prime ministers have done for 30 years and stand against American LNG tanker traffic in our internal waters at Head Harbour (Passage), New Brunswick," Harper said. Head Harbour Passage is an internal Canadian waterway. Harper must now decide if his own government can stop tankers from using the waterway to reach U.S. ports. However, there is some dispute whether such a ban is even possible, because of the "innocent passage" provisions of international marine treaties, The Canadian Press Reports. "Canada can say 'no' verbally, but legally there is no definition at this point as to what innocent passage means," Cary Weston, public relations spokesman for Quoddy Bay LNG, which is proposing a plant in Maine, told CP. "It's a grey area." Robert Jette, a lawyer based in Saint John, N.B., said internal waterways might not apply to the "innocent passage" provisions. Canada must first prove that Head Harbour Passage is, in fact, an internal waterway, he told CP. Once that is done, "the argument is that the sovereign state of Canada has the ability to prevent any foreign vessel from doing anything in its internal waters, if it so deems," he said. But despite the fears of local residents, the American companies planning to create the plants say the impact on tourism will be minimal. "We want to schedule ships in a way to minimize impact on the environment or businesses," said Dean Girdis, president of Downeast LNG. "In terms of St. Andrews I don't believe there will be a major impact." Despite the protestations of New Brunswickers, the companies say the it's impossible to stop the tankers. But Craig wants Harper to put a ban on the ships by April 7, and he has the support of both local residents and some in Maine.

Italian towage specialists pull apart TEN Italian port towage specialists have pulled out of the industry association Assorimorchiatori and set up their own, Federimorchiatori. The companies involved are: Onorato-operated Rimorchiatori Sardi, Carmelo Noli, Contug and Rimorchiatori Spezzini, Panfido, Rimorchiatori Laziali, Rimorchiatori Napoletani, San Cataldo, Societa Siciliana Salvataggi and Semarpo. They serve 19 ports from Naples and Gioia Tauro in the south to La Spezia and Savona in the



northwest, and from Cagliari on Sardinia to Venice in the northeast. Two years ago Assorimorchiatori walked away from the ship owners association Confitarma accusing the owners of failing to meet tug operators requirements. Like Assorimorchiatori, Federimorchiatori will be run from offices in Rome.

Wärtsilä Chosen for RCL Cruise Ship Wärtsilä Corporation was chosen to supply diesel engines to Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, for the new post-Panamax cruise ship contracted there by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) and to be operated by Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of RCL. The ship is due for delivery in autumn 2008. Wärtsilä will deliver four 16-cylinder Wärtsilä 46 engines having a combined power of 67,200 kW. The engines will be arranged in a diesel-electric power plant supplying all propulsion and electrical requirements of the vessel. The Wärtsilä engines will be equipped with common-rail fuel injection systems. The common-rail systems ensure that the engines have no visible smoke at any power level while also meeting international regulations for NOx emissions. The ship is the first of a new class of 117,000 GRT cruise ships which are able to carry 2850 passengers in 1425 cabins. It will be both the first ship operated by Celebrity and the first built at Papenburg that exceeds 100,000 GRT. It will have overall dimensions of 315 m long by 36.8 m wide. Although these are the first Wärtsilä medium speed engines for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd at Meyer Werft, Wärtsilä has supplied engines for a number of other RCL cruise ships, including the Voyager and the Freedom classes.

Shell Plans Beaufort Sea Drilling Shell, which stormed back to Alaska last year by spending more than $44 million on Beaufort Sea exploratory leases, has purchased a mammoth drilling rig to probe the Arctic waters for crude. The rig, called the Kullu, has been mothballed since 1993 and now sits in a remote bay along Canada's Northwest Territories, said Cam Toohey, a Shell spokesman in Anchorage. Shell bought the rig late last year from Seatankers Related Pictures Shell plans to refurbish the rig where it sits and then move into the Beaufort Sea off the Alaska coast to drill on the company's leases, he said. The soonest drilling could begin would be summer of 2007, Toohey said. Kullu is an Eskimo word for thunder. The rig was built in Japan in 1983 and has a history of drilling in Alaska's Arctic waters. It's specially designed to deal with ice that can shift around the Beaufort with crushing force against anything in its path. The Kullu is a barge with a conical hull and a drilling derrick on top, making it look something like an upside down mushroom. When ice up to four feet thick pushes up against the rig, the hull acts to force the ice downward and break it up, preventing a floe from pushing the rig off its position. The rig's main deck is 133 feet across and can drill in water from 60 to 600 feet deep. It has berths for up to 108 crewmen. Shell once was a major explorer in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, as well as in Cook Inlet. But the company never was able to find the giant discoveries it wanted and by the late 1990s it had pulled out of Alaska. A year ago, Shell leased nearly a half million Beaufort Sea acres, spending more than $12 million on a single block off Point Thomson, some 60 miles east of Prudhoe Bay. A drilling partnership including Shell struck oil there in 1985, but the find known as Hammerhead never was developed even though it was estimated to hold up to 200 million barrels of oil.



Another undeveloped oil discovery known as Kuvlum is nearby. Shell, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is one of the world's largest oil companies, with operations in more than 140 countries and territories. Petroleum News, an Anchorage oil industry trade journal, recently reported that Shell also bought a drill ship that's being refurbished in Singapore. The newspaper said that under government rules, Shell would need two drilling platforms so one could lend support to the other in case of an oil spill. Toohey, however, declined to confirm the report of Shell acquiring the drill ship. Shell is building an Alaska staff, and representatives recently traveled to the North Slope villages of Barrow, Nuiqsut and Kaktovik to tell residents there about the company's exploration plans. Offshore drilling is a concern of many villagers because of potential for industry operations to disrupt the endangered bowhead whale, which villagers harpoon for food.

Offshore Drilling to Expand in Gulf According to Newhouse News Service, energy companies find the Gulf of Mexico lucrative and are investing even more to tap further into its potential, despite the threats of hurricanes. Six months after Hurricane Katrina, Gulf oil production is still down 25 percent and natural gas is down 20 percent. More than 100 platforms were destroyed and almost 200 pipelines were damaged by the storm. But Newhosue News Service reported that all indications point to the Gulf of Mexico rebounding from the storm's effects by the end of this year and that companies were seeking to expand. Shell has plans to spend part of its $15 billion exploration budget this year in the United States. BP plans to spend about $2 billion a year through the end of the decade on exploration. And, among other projects, Chevron has recommitted to spending $900 million to develop its Blind Faith field in the Gulf. The Minerals Management Service estimates there are 71 billion barrels of oil reserves in the Gulf, 56 billion of that in its deeper waters. That could rise if the eastern Gulf of Mexico is opened for drilling. By the end of the year, the agency estimates, about 2 million barrels of oil a day will be produced in the Gulf, compared with the 1.5 million barrels a day that companies produced before the storms last year. Production is expected to stay at that record level for at least five years. Gas production, however, isn't expected to make significant gains in the next few years. However, because of high demand for there may not be enough people, rigs or boats available to reach those estimated production amounts

TMM takes five Mexican tanker owner Grupo TMM has forked out $57m on the combined purchase of five offshore vessels from Seacor Holdings with the purchase of Seacor’s 40% stake in fellow Mexican offshore services provider Maritime Mexicana (Marmex). The vessels, which are currently on time charter contracts supporting offshore exploration and production activities in the Gulf of Mexico, will also fly the Mexican flag. Marmex began supplying oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico in 1993 and the following year experienced significant growth through the merger of TMM and Seacor Smit. TradeWinds reported last month that TMM had been spared a loss in 2005 by the sale of its rail business, using the finances to buy back notes and reduce its debts. TMM operates products and chemical tankers, offshore vessels and tugs. Seacor has itself of late been on the acquisition trail with the purchase of Jones Act tanker, tug and offshore owner Seabulk in July last year for $1bn.

Ellerby boards easyCruise Paul Ellerby has boarded Stelios Haji-Ioannou's easyCruise after quitting a top job at Costa Cruises last month.



Ellerby has been appointed sales and marketing director for easyCruise but he is being tipped as a possible candidate for the new post of chief executive. He spent five years as managing director of Costa Cruises UK before leaving in January. At the time he said he wanted to pursue a new career challenge. Low-cost easyCruise says Ellerby's appointment, which takes affect immediately, is on an interim basis while the company recruits a CEO. Whoever that is will select their own management team. Ellerby is reported as saying that he is keen to remain with easyCruise longer term if the opportunity arises. He will be based in easyCruise's London office and report for the time being to Haji-Ioannou. Serial entrepreneur Haji-Ioannou announced in recent days that he is searching for a CEO to manage the line as easyCruise gears up for growth at the end of its first year. That person will oversee the commissioning of more ships, establishing a base in Miami, and franchising existing cruiseship or possibly riverboat operators interested in using the no-frills easyCruise concept. Haji-Ioannou has been involved with Finnish designers for custom-designed newbuildings of around 500-passenger capacity. Talks with yards have started. A tender document can be viewed on the cruise line's web site. easyCruise says lessons have been learned during its “pilot phase” and in future a more “upscale dining experience” will be introduced. But still on a pay-as-you-go a la carte basis. On-board spa facilities are also being considered. Haji-Ioannou will remain as chairman of easyCruise but says he needs a CEO for the line as there are now 15 easy-brand businesses in the group. easyCruise is currently operating in the Caribbean until 29 April. From 13 May it will offer cruises again along the French and Italian rivieras. The company, whose head office will be in Monaco, says in a statement that further announcements concerning its expansion plans will be made in the coming weeks.

MOVEMENTS THIS SECTION IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY :

MULTRASHIP Towage & Salvage

Scheldekade 48 4531 EH Terneuzen

The Netherlands Tel : + 31 – 115 645 000 Fax : + 31 – 115 645 001

Internet [email protected]://www.multraship.nl

Towage of Semisubmersible Rig “Songa Venus” from Galveston to Singapore

Another OneAllianz Project

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Contracted to Songa Offshore Pte Ltd, Semco’s 165t bp AHT tug “Salviscount” to tow the semisub rig “Songa Venus” from Galveston to Singapore. Departed Galveston early Jan 2006 and pictures taken on 7 March 2006

offshore Cape of Good Hope. Photo : SEMCO ©

The Semi-submersible rig RIG 77 seen here arriving in the Port of Galveston Photo : Piet Sinke ©



The Boabarge 7 preparing to submerge and discharge a Jack Up rig offshore Trinidad. Photo : Paul Hilder ©

MARINE WEATHER THIS SECTION IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY :

Internet: www.spos.nl Tel : +31 317 399800 E-mail : [email protected]

Today’s wind (+6Bft) and wave (+3m) chart. Created with SPOS, the onboard weather information & voyage optimisation system, used on over 500 vessels today.




…. PHOTO OF THE DAY …..

Oceaneering’s THE PERFORMER seen moored in the Port of Galveston Photo : Piet Sinke ©

THE PERFORMER is built as the ARCTIC SEAL in 1977 at the Nylands yard in Oslo under yard number 784, during

1987 > 1989 the vessel was named V.S.O. PERFORMER and was named THE PERFORMER during 1989.

Vessel was very active recently used for government duties in the Far East after the Tsunami, the vessel arrived back in Galveston during February and is getting at present overhauled to resume offshore works in the Gulf of Mexico

Passagiersschip ''De Zonnebloem'' Vakantie is heerlijk. Lekker weg. Even geen zorgen aan je hoofd. Als je ziek of gehandicapt bent, wil je ook graag zorgeloos op vakantie. Bijna 47.000 hulpbehoevende passagiers, begeleid door ongeveer evenzoveel vrijwilligers, beleefden de afgelopen 20 jaar de vakantie van hun leven op motorpassagiersschip "De Zonnebloem".

Voor ernstig zieken en gehandicapten is varen de meest comfortabele en vaak enige manier om op vakantie te gaan. Geen hobbelige wegen of turbulentie, maar prachtige vergezichten die vrijwel geruisloos voorbij glijden. Bovendien heeft motorpassagiersschip "De Zonnebloem" alle (medische) middelen aan boord om de dikwijls zwaar hulpbehoevende passagiers van dienst te zijn. En niet te vergeten: bijna 1 op 1 verzorging door enthousiaste en



deskundige vrijwilligers, waaronder verpleegkundigen en ziekenverzorgenden, die dag en nacht voor de passagiers klaar staan. Sinds de tewaterlating in 1985 heeft het oude Zonnebloemschip tot ieders tevredenheid dienst gedaan tijdens 730 vaarvakantieweken (grotendeels over de Rijn naar Koblenz en enkele in Nederland) waarin ruim 250.000 km is afgelegd met 92.000 passagiers. Maar na bijna 20 jaar intensief gebruik en veranderende wettelijke voorschriften, voldoet het niet meer aan de eisen en wensen van deze tijd. Zo zijn de gangen en deuropeningen van hutten, douches en toiletten te smal voor de moderne, bredere rolstoelen. De technische installatie, keuken en sanitaire voorzieningen zijn verouderd en de privacy van gasten, vrijwilligers en bemanning laat te wensen over. Voor passagiers zijn er tweepersoonshutten en dus moeten zieke en gehandicapte passagiers vaak noodgedwongen met een wildvreemde een hut delen. De vrijwilligers worden in vierpersoonshutten ondergebracht. Er zijn centrale badkamers. Niet echt ideaal dus en zéker niet van deze tijd. Het oude schip is 90 meter lang en bood plaats aan 64 gehandicapte passagiers. De bouw van het schip kostte 16,5 miljoen gulden; een bedrag dat gefinancierd is uit de opbrengsten van de 1/2/3-show van Rudi Carell. Het nieuwe, aanzienlijk grotere schip heeft de uitstraling van een echt cruiseschip en is 115 meter lang en 11,5 meter breed. Het schip voldoet aan alle hedendaagse kwaliteitseisen op het gebied van privacy, comfort, sanitaire voorzieningen en Arbo-wetgeving en wordt van alle moderne gemakken voorzien. Het heeft een plafond-tilliftsysteem waarmee gehandicapten gemakkelijk in en uit bed en naar en in de badkamer getild kunnen worden. Het buffet is helemaal aangepast voor rolstoelgebruik. Het nieuwe schip is bovendien sneller, wendbaarder, biedt de passagiers rondom een fantastisch uitzicht en beschikt onder meer over een restaurant, kap- en schoonheidssalon, beautysalon, verwenbadkamer, bibliotheek en internetcafé. Er komen één- en tweepersoonshutten voor de gasten aan boord. De hutten zijn groter en hebben per twee een badkamer met douche, toilet en automatische deuropeners. Kortom een vakantieschip van deze tijd. En, niet onbelangrijk, er kunnen 2.850 passagiers per jaar mee; 550 meer dan met het oude schip. Voor de vrijwilligers zijn er tweepersoonshutten met douche en toilet. Het schip bevat voor 69 passagiers 11 éénpersoonshutten en 29 tweepersoonshutten en voor 66 vrijwilligers 33 tweepersoonshutten. Daarnaast zijn er 12 hutten voor de vaste bemanning.

Voor een schitterende virtuele rondleiding kijk op de site van www.zonnebloem.nl

Met ruim 38.000 vrijwilligers is de Nationale Vereniging de Zonnebloem de grootste vrijwilligersorganisatie van Nederland. De vrijwilligers zetten zich in voor mensen die door ziekte, handicap of leeftijd lichamelijke beperkingen hebben. Het voorkomen van sociaal isolement en het bijdragen aan de kwaliteit van leven zijn daarbij de voornaamste doelen. Jaarlijks leggen de Zonnebloemvrijwilligers ruim een miljoen huisbezoeken af en organiseren zij voor vele tienduizenden zieken en gehandicapten excursies, evenementen en andere dagjes uit. Ook gaan elk jaar ruim 7.200 (zwaar) hulpbehoevende mensen met de Zonnebloem op vaar-, bus- of landvakantie, waarvan 2.850 met het eigen vakantieschip.

Meer informatie? Kijk voor meer informatie over het nieuwe schip op www.zonnebloem.nl of

www.ietsdoenvoordezonnebloem.nl

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