DAILY COLLECTION OF M ARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 –...

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 008

Distribution : daily to 28250+ active addresses 08-01-2014

Number 008 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Wednesday 08-01-2014

News reports received from readers and Internet News articles copied from various news sites.

CFL's latest newbuilding, the Industrial Merchant, was spotted just north of the Maltese Islands on January 2nd. After delivery to Dutch shipping company CFL last December, the vessel is currently on her maiden voyage delivering a container gantry crane to Manilla in the Philippines. Photo : CFL

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IN MEMORIAM

JOOST BONEKAMP Op zaterdag 4 januari overleed plotseling Joost Bonekamp. Hij stierf bij een vliegtuigongeluk in Infanta (Zuid-Afrika). Joost is maar 45 jaar geworden.

Joost was sinds 1989 actief in de duikwereld als duiker, supervicer en superintendent. Hij werkte op vele plaatsen in de wereld, en deed de moeilijkste klussen.

Ondertussen verhuisde hij naar Zuid-Afrika, dat zijn nieuwe vaderland werd. In 2002 trouwde hij met Sabine Fiorine.

Joost wordt gecremeerd in Zuid-Afrika, op 10 januari nemen familie en vrienden daar afscheid van hem. Mogelijk komt er in Nederland nog een gelegenheid om stil te staan bij zijn overlijden.

Het condoleance register kan worden bekeken op

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**** JOOST, RUST ZACHT ****

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EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS

The MARCO POLO ( ex Alexander Pushkin) enroute Amsterdam – Photo : Joop Marechal (c)

Long term Petrobras contract for two semisubmersible crane and accommodation platforms

OOS International B.V., a young and dynamic offshore services company providing offshore accommodation services, today announced that with support from CIMC Capital it has successfully secured a four-plus-four-year charter contract for two semisubmersible crane and accommodation platforms for Petrobras Brazil. OOS

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International has scheduled the delivery of the two vessels to Petrobras at the start 2014. The OOS Gretha DP3 can accommodate 618 persons on board and sister vessel the OOS Prometheus can accommodate 500 persons on board. The vessels are operated by and under the management of OOS International and will work in the Campos and Santos basins offshore Brazil.

“This is a significant contract achievement for such a small company,” commented founders Leon Overdulve and Jacco van Eerde. “We were able to complete this unique transaction over the course of 300 days with the support of the many people who believe in OOS International, including our Brazilian and Chinese colleagues, employees, customers and vendors. We are looking forward to a prosperous future.” The founders of OOS-International would like to express their gratitude to Mr He Guoqiang of CIMC Raffles and Mr Minjie Liu of CIMC Capital for their continuing support and trust that this project could happen.

Evergreen plans to upgrade fleet The container shipping company’s plans to upgrade fleet capacity reflects the trend to operate larger container vessels to save unit costs Evergreen Marine Corp the nation’s largest container shipping company, plans to charter seven new vessels with capacity of 14,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) to upgrade its fleet at lower unit costs. However, the upgrade plan might not have a significant impact on the container shipper’s capacity, as the company is to gradually retire some of its old and smaller vessels with lower operating efficiency. The seven vessels — owned by Sumitomo Corp, a leading integrated trading company in Japan — are scheduled to be delivered to Evergreen in 2016 and 2017, with a 10-year term of tenancy. “The decision fits into the company’s fleet replacement plan,” Evergreen Marine said in an announcement on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE). With the world’s three-largest container shippers announcing plans to introduce a set of vessels with capacity above 10,000 TEUs, the trend to operate larger container ships to save unit costs has been confirmed. Evergreen launched a plan last year to introduce more large vessels. The company announced last year it will charter 10 container ships with capacity of 13,800 TEUs — built by Hyundai Heavy Industries — from Greek shipowner Enesel SA. The container shipper has taken delivery of two of the 10 vessels since September last year, with the remaining eight to be delivered in the second half of the year. However, Evergreen Marine said the plan would not increase supply in the container shipping industry significantly, as the company intends to replace some of its smaller vessels during the period by eliminating its self-owned ships or not extending the leasing contract of its chartered vessels. Evergreen Group vice chairman Bronson Hsieh said last month that demand for this year on container shipping sector could rise on the back of global economic recovery. Evergreen Marine has also announced to implement a rate restoration program for routes from Far East and Indian Sub-Continent to Europe and the Mediterranean region by US$500 per TEU, or by US$1,000 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU). The rate-hike plan, effective on Wednesday, reflects the company’s brighter outlook for this year. Hsieh said the company is considering joining the Green Alliance, also known as the CKYH alliance, to improve its competitiveness. The Green Alliance comprises a group of several Asian container shipping companies, including Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp China Ocean Shipping (Group) Co of China, Japan’s Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd — known as “K”



Line — and Hanjin Shipping Co of South Korea. In the first three quarters of last year, Evergreen Marine posted a net loss of NT$2.19 billion (US$72.91 million), or NT$0.63 per share, its financial statement showed. However, the container shipper might still post a profit for the whole of last year, thanks to its strong non-operating gains. Last month, the company announced that its full-owned subsidiary, Greencompass Marine SA , disposed of containers worth NT$2.24 billion, which may lead the company to earn a total of NT$44.8 million, its stock exchange data showed. Source : Taipei Times

Cable Layer STEMAT SPIRIT outbound Rotterdam. Photo : Monique Davis Mulder (c)

New lifeboat confirmed for Whitstable IT WAS announced that Whitstable’s lifeboat station will be getting a new lifeboat later this year.The new boat will replace the Oxford Town and Gown which has served the town for the last 13 years. The larger Atlantic 85 class lifeboats is one-metre longer and slightly wider than the current boat. It is equipped with radar, VHF direction finding equipment with seating for a crew of four.

It also has larger 4-stroke engines and is more economical. Mike Judge is the Whitstable Lifeboat Operations Manager.

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He said: “We held successful trials at the station with an Atlantic 85 Lifeboat and its associated launching trailer back in November and as a result the RNLI have allocated a new boat to be placed at Whitstable. “The new boat will be

built at the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes and it is expected to be delivered to Whitstable in July. “It has been funded through a bequest from a Mrs Lewis who lived in London and whose nephew and family were keen windsurfers who spent many weekends in Whitstable.”

The current boat is launched on average around 60 times per year to calls and between 40 and 50 times in training exercise. Mike added: “It has done excellent service to maintain the RNLI’s extremely high standard of equipment. The station is very proud of her

achievements as are the members of the Oxford Branch of the RNLI and the people of Oxford who raised the money to buy her in the first place.” Source : canterburytime

HAL’s ROTTERDAM ENROUTE FAR EAST

HAL’s ROTTERDAM arriving in Rotterdam yesterday (Jan 7th) to embark the passengers –

Photo : Hans Steenbeek ©

Today departs HALS flagship the ROTTERDAM from her homeport Rotterdam bound for the Far East, from Rotterdam the Liner will sail via Southampton to Lisbon, (12 Jan) followed by Gibraltar at 13-01 and Malaga at 14-01, de stop in Malta will be made Jan 17th before heading for Kusadasi in Turkey where as stop will be made at 19 Jan followed by Piraeus at Jan 20th and Iraklion at Crete at Jan 21st before heading to the Suez Canal, the canal will be passed January 23rd during daylight hours and from Suez the liner will head for Salalah in Oman where vessel will arrive 28 January, followed by Muscat at 30 & 31st Jan, From Oman de liner heads for Mumbai in India where the vessel will be docked at 03 en 4 February followed by Goa at February 5th , and Colombo (Sri Lanka) at February 7th, and heads from there towards Phuket in Thailand, followed by Penang (Malaysia) and Port Kelang at February 13th, followed by arriving in Singapore February 14th at 7 in the morning to depart again in the evening at 6 pm bound for Tanjung Priok (Jakarta ) in Indonesia at February 16th, followed by several harbours in Indonesia , as well in Tanjung Perak (Surabaya) at February 25th before heading back to Singapore to arrive 27 february at 4 pm, to stay overnight in the lion city and depart early morning February 28th . see the movie made by Fred Claessen during the far East cruise in 2013 onboard the Rotterdam HERE

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The GLOMAR PATRIOT operating off the Dutch coast –

Photo : FLYING FOCUS luchtfotografie - www.flyingfocus.nl ©

USD 350 MILLION CAPITAL INCREASE FOR MAERSK VLCC FLEET ACQUISITION

With reference to the press release of 5 January 2014 in which Euronav announced the acquisition of fifteen (15) Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) from Maersk Tankers Singapore Pte Ltd. for a total acquisition price of USD 980 million, the company today announces that the board of directors has decided to raise USD 50,000,000 by way of a capital increase under the authorised capital and that 5,473,571 new shares will be issued upon full payment of the subscription price, which is expected to be at or around 10 January 2014. The subscription price for the shares was set at 6.70 EUR per share which is above the average closing price of the Euronav share during the 30 calendar days prior to today’s board decision and takes into account a EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.3634. A group of external institutional investors, including BHR Capital LLC, Glendon Capital Management LP, GoldenTree Asset Management LP, Solus Alternative Asset Management LP, certain funds managed by York Capital Management Global Advisors, LLC and their affiliates, undertook to subscribe to the capital increase decided by the board and also committed to subscribe to a subsequent capital increase, subject to successful debt funding and shareholders’ approval. Both the capital increase under authorised capital and the subsequent capital increase to be decided upon by the shareholders’ meeting are substantially oversubscribed.

The board has further decided today to convene an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting in February, where the shareholders will be requested to approve a capital increase up to an amount of USD 300,000,000 against issuance of up to 32,841,528 new shares. That capital increase will also be reserved to the same institutional investors and the issue price proposed for this capital increase is also set today at 6.70 EUR per share.

Further details in connection with the equity component of the financing under the authorised capital are included in the board report drawn up in accordance with articles 596 and 598 of the Companies Code which can be found on the company’s website under the section ‘Investors’ and further information related to the shareholders’ meeting capital increase will be distributed in due time together with the formal invitations for that meeting.

Euronav will finalise in the coming days a USD 500 million bank debt facility as well as USD 235 million of mezzanine financing in order to complete the funding of the acquisition.

In relation to the acquisition of the Maersk fleet, Paddy Rodgers, CEO of Euronav said: “This acquisition is a first step towards a wider consolidation of the world tanker fleet, with the concurrent benefits of synergy and logistical enhancement to the benefit of all stakeholders. Euronav lead the way in 1999 with the establishment of the first VLCC pool, Tankers International LLC and it is our belief that effective access to capital markets will require tanker owning companies to become larger so as to provide sufficient scale and liquidity to meet the requirements of large

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institutional investors. That also fits well with the industry requirement for long-term stable companies, who are owners, operators and managers with a strong operational reputation and a good understanding of the markets. Euronav has effectively become the only platform of comparable size dedicated to the crude oil tanker sector and has ambition to grow further.”

RMK Maritime advised on the acquisition, DNB Markets provided financial advisory services in connection with the financing and Argo Law advised on the Belgian legal aspects and on the structuring of the financing.

The ARTEMIS in Rio Grande – Photo : Marcelo Vieira (c)

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ST PAULINE at Malta Photo : Michael Cassar (c)

Rising rates for shippers could mean a happy 2014

The Baltic Dry Index, through 2012 and 2013 was unsustainable and should rebound. That rebound appears to be well under way with the BDI up over 200% in just the last year. Though Q4 and beyond will provide more favorable pricing, the timing of this impact on balance sheets will not be uniform throughout the industry. This is due to the nature of contracts. Some companies favor locking in long-term contracts while others prefer daily spot pricing. Those with daily price adjustments will obviously show the benefits of this increased pricing ahead of those with long-term contracts. But are those the companies you should buy for the long term?

DryShips is a majority daily spot rate carrier. While long term contracts are being emphasized for their predictability going forward, currently this company's revenue is heavily tied to daily BDI rates. Therefore, it will be one of the first to experience the benefits of the increased pricing, and analysts are eagerly awaiting their Q4 report for confirmation.

Buried in the middle of its Q3 2013 report there were indications that substantial increases in demand from China for raw materials could provide the catalyst leading to more favorable conditions for shippers. China iron ore imports were up 16.9% YoY, and Chinese coal imports were up a staggering 21.4% YoY. Consequently, exports from countries like Australia and Brazil were up as well. A key factor going forward, according to management, is global steel demand, which appears to be increasing as the global economy improves and stockpiles are depleted.

Frontline was once a multi-billion dollar company that paid attractive dividends and traded above the USD 70 range before the 2008 economic collapse. Now this company sits at around USD 4, pays no dividend, and has about a USD 300 million market cap. Oh, how times have changed in the liquid tanker industry.

Frontline was unprepared for the financial collapse and their balance sheets suffered as a result. Hidden in the 2012 annual report is a statement that should concern all shareholders about the future of this company:

If the tanker market does not recover before 2015 and no additional equity can be raised or assets sold there is a risk that we will not have sufficient cash to repay the existing USD 225 million convertible bond loan at maturity in April 2015. Such a situation might force a restructuring of the Company, including modifications of charter lease obligations and debt agreements. In the event that our cash flow from operations does not enable us to satisfy our short term or medium to long term liquidity requirements, we will have to consider alternatives, such as raising equity, which could dilute shareholders, or selling assets, which could negatively impact our financial results, depending on market conditions at the time.

Since that statement the company has only posted dismal results and recent reports indicate poor conditions will continue. If this market recovery doesn't materialize for Frontline over 2014 things could get even worse.

Diana Shipping is still my top pick in this sector for numerous reasons. Having the newest fleet of all shippers (5.4 years) contributes to efficiency and overall profitability. The majority of vessels are chartered on a medium- to long-term basis, providing an element of stability compared to spot pricing. Finally, dry bulk carriers can adapt to changing demand in the market by shipping ore one month and transporting grain or automobiles the next. Over the last year shares of Diana are up 87%, but there is still more room to run, especially as pricing continues to improve. A low LT



debt/equity of 0.32 against an industry average of 1.41 and an attractive price/book of .89 vs an industry average of 1.98 indicate a well run company with significant bang for your buck. Source: Motley Fool

The MULTRATUG 19 assisting the the LEO STAR 1 at the Gent-Terneuzen canal – Photo : Willem Kruit (c)

corrosion repair with Ecoshield application

Subsea Industries has just announced a new product for filling and building up a corroded and pitted steel surface to its original form prior to recoating with Ecoshield. Ecofix® is as tough as the steel itself, machinable, and can be used to repair most pitting or corrosion damage on rudders, stabilizer fins, thrusters and other underwater gear.

Ecofix is used in combination with Ecoshield, the ultimate rudder protection coating. When a rudder or other piece of underwater ship gear has not been properly protected, the surface will become corroded. Cavitation damage can cause severe pitting. The steel needs to be restored to its original shape with a smooth surface prior to recoating. This is where Ecofix comes in. It is a superior, tested and proven filler. Because it uses the same basic resin as Ecoshield, the coating can be applied just one hour after the filler. The bonding and hardness are extraordinary. This is the effective

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alternative to metal facing or very expensive alternative fillers. And because it is part of the Ecospeed/Ecoshield family, it is fully compatible with the coating. Ecoshield gives permanent protection against cavitation damage for rudders. The glassflake reinforced coating protects the rudder for the service life of the ship without need for recoating or major repair and comes with a ten-year guarantee. It is the only coating known to fully protect a rudder from all cavitation damage for the remainder of a vessel’s service life. Now with the launch of Ecofix, the repair work needed on the underlying steel can be done effectively and economically prior to the Ecoshield application.

Ecoshield and Ecofix are also suitable for stabilizer fins, thrusters, nozzles and other underwater ship gear which needs special protection from corrosion. Now these items can also be repaired prior to recoating where other, less effective coatings have permitted corrosion and cavitation damage to occur. With the launch of the new product, Subsea Industries offers a full package; Ecofix restores the surface of the rudder or other underwater gear and Ecoshield will protect the area from ever suffering corrosion and cavitation damage again. Contact one of the Ecospeed offices today and put a permanent end to worries about cavitation and corrosion damage to rudders and underwater gear.

The DOKTER WAGEMAKER enroute Damen Shiprepair in Schiedam – Photo : Hans van Overbeek ©

Why Pinoy seafarers are in demand overseas

Are you looking for a job this year? The Department of Labor and Employment says there are many job opportunities for Filipinos who want to be seafarers. Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief Hans Leo Cacdac said there are bright prospects for Filipino seafarers, especially with many shipping companies expanding their operations and routes.

Magsaysay Maritime Corp., the biggest Philippine company sending seafarers abroad, said many Filipinos can find jobs with shipping companies looking for international crew. Marlon Roño, president of Magsaysay Maritime, said Filipino workers have unique characteristics that make them stand out from other ship workers.

Roño said Filipinos have a good work attitude, speak fluent English and are hard workers. Earlier, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said there are at least 47,000 jobs are open for Filipino seafarers and other others seeking to work aboard international cruise ships. Baldoz said cruise ships hire workers without college degrees. These cruise ships also prefer those with working experience in hotels, casinos and spas, as well as in the fields of beauty and health, information and technology and security.

Baldoz said the basic skills and related requirements for jobs on cruise ships are a high school diploma, experience and proficiency in spoken and written English. Source: ABS-CBN

Danish shipper plans more commercial travel in Northwest Passage

The company that made the first commercial transit of the Northwest Passage plans to increase its shipments through the legendary waterway next year, suggesting such traffic is coming sooner than anyone anticipated. “We hope and expect to do it,” said Christian Bonfils of Nordic Bulk Carriers, the Danish shipper which owns the Nordic Orion.



The vessel made history last September when it hauled 15,000 tonnes of coal to Finland from Vancouver through waters that were once impenetrable ice. It took four days less than it would have taken to traverse the Panama Canal, and its greater depths allowed the Orion to carry about 25 per cent more coal.

Sailing through the passage saved the company about $200,000 and resulted in a nicely profitable voyage. “We had a very smooth voyage and not any major delays,” said Bonfils. “We’re very pleased about it.”

The company is talking with the Canadian government about ramping up those shipments, Bonfils said. The number of planned transits is under discussion. “It’s a bit too early to say,” said Bonfils from Copenhagen, Denmark. “The window for doing this changes every year. We need to slowly explore what is actually possible to do here.” A federal spokesman confirmed the company has broached its plans for multiple transits with the government. “Nordic Bulk Carriers representatives have met with Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada representatives to discuss anticipated transits in 2014 through the Northwest Passage,” said Kevin Hill of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which is responsible for the Coast Guard. Those discussions have included possible icebreaker assistance, Hill said.

That means an era that many experts relegated to the future is already here, said Rob Huebert, an Arctic policy expert at the University of Calgary. “The game is afoot,” he said. Huebert suggested that previous surveys reporting almost no interest in the Northwest Passage were simply the result of shippers playing their cards close to their vests.

“When you look at the number of ice-strengthened vessels that came out of the woodwork for (Russia’s) Northern Sea Route, it’s obvious that some companies have been quickly building up capacity. It’s obvious now the companies aren’t being forthright in terms of what their capabilities are.”

In Russia, 421 vessels applied for permission to use that country’s northern passage last season. Now that Nordic Bulk Carriers has shown it’s possible — and is acting on that information with more crossings — other shippers are likely to follow suit, said John Higginbotham, a professor at Carleton University and former assistant deputy minister of transport. “I expect more companies to take advantage of it,” he said. “I think there’s some Canadian companies that got scooped. I believe they only woke up to this development.” Higginbotham said the ice in the Passage varies in extent from year to year. But the old, tough, multi-year ice that once blocked the route is largely gone. “It is thinner and more rotten and (has) less volume than ever before,” he said.

However, one commercial transit does not a Suez Canal make. That waterway gets 18,000 ships a year. Since 1903, Coast Guard records show only four tankers have made full transits of the Northwest Passage, including one each in 2011 and 2012. No cargo ship has made the voyage and the Nordic Orion is the only bulk carrier to have done so.

The Northwest Passage lacks adequate nautical charts, ports, search and rescue stations and icebreakers available to commercial ships. Unlike in Russia, the federal government has not made upgrading those facilities a priority.

But Bonfils said his company is convinced there’s money to be made in sending goods through a waterway that once bedevilled generations of mariners. “It’s a good addition to what we do because we have the ships already,” he said.

“We don’t expect a boom in ice-class bulk carriers being built because all of a sudden you can sail the Northwest Passage. This is more of an addition (instead of) a stand-alone business.” Expect more shippers to reach the same conclusion, Higginbotham said. “Where there’s cargo to make money, ships will go.” Source: The Canadian Press

COSCO GLORY leaving Rotterdam-Europoort – Photo : Jan van Esch ©



Indian Register of Shipping – A class Apart

Acquiring full membership of the International Association of Classification Societies Ltd. (IACS), and with the appointment of a new CMD, the first step for IRS is to move up in terms of quality and enhanced standards execution and delivery. Major plans are already in place to take IRS to the next stage and it is being repositioned to play a more dynamic role than just being a classification society. Improving mindsets and qualitative improvements in execution as well as in the delivery of services is the foremost target for IRS. This will lead to a definite growth in India as well as outside India. “The world is our market and we are just getting ready to reach out for our share”, claims Mr. Arun Sharma, Chairman & Managing Director this morning in a one-on-one interaction. Mergers and acquisitions would be very much on its mind in the near future with a view to strengthening the base and to making a foray into new areas, he informs. IRS is looking at investing in designer houses, consultancy services etc. It will now clearly look at both, performing the role of a traditional classification society, which is safety of life, assets at sea and protection of the marine environment and being a solution provider for its clients, thereby embracing the philosophy of ‘Beyond Class’.

IRS wants to be seen as a solution provider to its clients, which will add value to its business and help customers meet the new challenges faced by the industry. Today, the endeavor is to make Indian Register a classification society preferred by its clients and look at areas ‘Beyond Class’. There is also a gradual shift in its focus to ‘high end’ businesses, while at the same time consolidating its current strengths. Over and above, IRS is looking at the oil and gas sector since it needs to do a lot of catching up in this regard. Accordingly, a focused group has been set up to look at this within.

Mr. Arun Sharma is firm about forging ahead as IRS takes on a new dimension and speaks of making a paradigm shift from the business model of a classification society, a role commonly known the world over, to that of a solution provider. A dedicated business development and customer relationship team has been set up with primary responsibilities for this in India, Singapore and the UK. The new business model he has in mind for IRS will help not only the customers but trade in general as well. IRS is in constant touch with the industry to understand the needs of its customers. The R & D department of IRS will focus also on creating innovative solutions and cashing in on emerging technologies for use by clients to their best advantage. Mr. Sharma says, “Our R & D operates on two fronts. Firstly, it looks to improving the present systems and to come up with new techniques and technologies that can be marketed. Secondly, it creates tailor-made solutions designed especially to meet the individual stakeholder’s needs. The need to innovate is on the top of its R & D agenda. In this regard, IRS has been recruiting senior people at different levels to boost such efforts.

One of the achievements of IRS is its recognition as the Recognized Organization (RO) by 22 flag states, which include Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands. These 22 registries constitute 80 per cent of the world tonnage. IRS presently has over 1,700 vessels registered with it totaling about 11.0 million GT. IRS was admitted as a full member of IACS in June, 2010, and since then, has been making significant contributions to various panels on IACS. Presently, IRS holds the Chair of Small Group on Quality Policy, as well as that of Safety Panel. “Our next step is to get recognition from the European Union”, says Mr. Sharma. “Having been sponsored for this by the Government of Bulgaria, IRS has already been audited by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) the outcome of which will be known by early 2014.” Established in 1975, IRS set up its first overseas office in 1998 in Sri Lanka. Thereafter, IRS continued to increase its

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overseas footprint steadily. Today, IRS has established offices in ten cities across the globe - managing its operations resourcefully to provide worldwide services. IRS Greece and London offices look after entire Europe; Houston office covers the Americas; Dubai office takes care of UAE, the entire East is covered by IRS offices in Sri Lanka, Korea, Singapore, Bangkok and China. IRS also has arrangements with other foreign societies to act on reciprocal basis in the event of any exigency. The organization is one of the founding members of the Association of Asian Classification Societies (ACS) comprising of Class NK of Japan, KR of Korea, CCS of China, IRS of India, BKI of Indonesia and VRS of Vietnam. The Association officially started three years back and complements the activities of IACS. One of the major activities is undertaking need based research for regulatory bodies and other shipping bodies in Asia. The intent is very clear and so does the will. Source: Maritime Professional

The SIA leaving the Middle Lock in Ijmuiden with power cables (via North Channel!). Photo : Joop. Marechal ©

Record growth of new containership capacity in 2014

THIS year could turn out to be a record year for containership deliveries, with 1.6 million TEU of new capacity due for delivery. The top 20 carriers will receive newbuildings, including chartered units, with a total capacity of 1.28 million TEU, accounting for 76 per cent of new vessel deliveries in 2014.

The ZIM SAN DIEGO in Rio Grande : Photo : Marcelo Vieira ©

A further 315,700 TEU owned by non-operating owners are currently open or without known charter assignment, most of which are expected to join the top 20 carriers. An extra 85,000 TEU will be delivered to carriers outside the top 20, according to Alphaliner. NYK, "K" Line and Zim are the only three main carriers that have no newbuildings due this



year. The other 17 of the top 20 carriers will receive new ships this year with new capacity growth led by Evergreen, Maersk, China Shipping and Hamburg Sud, which will each receive between 110,000 and 200,000 TEU.

Evergreen is set to continue its capacity programme in 2014, with 18 new ships of 8,000-14,000 TEU due to be delivered, for a total capacity of 195,000 TEU. This follows 19 new ships for 162,000 TEU that the Taiwanese carrier has received in 2013. MSC booked a net gain of 146,700 TEU in the last 12 months, marking the largest capacity increase among all carriers in 2013 for an overall gain of seven per cent. MSC's net increase allows it to further narrow the gap to Maersk to 201,000 TEU. Although Maersk retained its top spot in the carrier rankings, it made no net gain in operated capacity in 2013 as its 175,900 TEU of new ships delivered during the year were fully offset by the redelivery of an equal amount of chartered tonnage. The highest percentage gain was recorded by PIL with a 26 per cent fleet growth thanks to a net fleet increase of 76,500 TEU, split between 42,200 TEU of newbuildings and 34,300 TEU of net additional chartered tonnage. The gains allowed PIL to jump three ranking slots to become the 15th largest carrier, overtaking "K" Line, HMM and Zim. Source : Schednet

Seaway Heavy liftings OLEG STRASHNOV moored in Freeport (Bahama’s) - Photo : Willem Kappert ©

Korean Register officially authorised for Danish ship survey and certification work The Korean Register of Shipping (KR) and the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) signed an agreement on 20th December, 2013 enabling the Korean classification society to survey and certify Danish ships. This brings the total number of countries where KR is authorised to carry out ship survey and certification work to 66. KR, in accordance with this agreement, is now able to carry out relevant surveys, audits and issue certificates to Danish and Greenland ships for SOLAS, MARPOL, ITC, ILL, ISM, ISPS, and MLC.

All exemption certification relating to surveys will also be issued by KR, after acquiring prior approval from the government of Denmark. KR has been issuing certificates to Danish ships for inspection and examination of ITC (International Tonnage Certificate) since 1998.

KR Chairman & CEO, Chon Young-kee said: “This long-term cooperation agreement is the starting point for developing a further cooperative relationship with Denmark. KR has been receiving new international authorisations at the rate of three or four a year, and we hope to sign further agreements in 2014.” Source: Korean Register of Shipping

Activists track down whaling fleet's catch



Militant anti-whaling activists say they have zeroed in on a Japanese fleet and captured evidence that four whales have been slaughtered, alleging the ships were found inside a Southern Ocean sanctuary. The Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker said it had located all five Japanese vessels and was now in pursuit, forcing the harpooners to cut short their operation and retreat.

The group released footage and photographs showing three minke whales dead on the deck of the factory ship Nisshin Maru and said a fourth, also believed to be a minke, was being slaughtered when Sea Shepherd's helicopter flew overhead.

When the Nisshin Maru was first spotted from the air, Sea Shepherd Australia chairman Bob Brown said it was in Antarctica's Ross Dependency, within New Zealand's territorial waters and the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, which he described as a "gross breach of international law."

Japan catches the animals under a "scientific research" loophole in the moratorium on whaling.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully denied whaling was taking place within his country's maritime jurisdiction, saying the site was considered international waters, as he condemned the "pointless and offensive" practice. Japan's fisheries agency said it was not aware of the existence of a whaling sanctuary. Source : AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

NAVY NEWS

The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) transits the Atlantic Ocean. Monterey is scheduled to return to homeport in Norfolk after a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility Photo : US Navy (c)

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SHIPYARD NEWS

The GREATSHIP MANISHA in drydock at Keppel in Singapore

Photo : Capt. Jelle de Vries ©

Laid-off Staff of Bulgarian Burgas Shipyard Protest over Unpaid Wages

Over 60 workers made redundant by the Burgas shipyard staged a protest and a 15-minute road block on Sunday over unpaid salaries and compensations. During the road block of the Ivan Vazov Street, near the city's railway station, only public busses were allowed to pass. The protesters demanded that the new management of the company pay them the unpaid salaries and compensations, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR). The Burgas shipyard owes around BGN 4000-5000 in unpaid salaries to a total of 150 redundant workers The laid-off workers have registered with the local labor office and each of them has initiated a lawsuit over the unpaid salaries and compensations. At 8 am on Monday, protesters are to meet with the new executive director of the company, Deyan Marinov to learn about the plans of the new management. Source : novinite.

A busy shipyard De Haas in Maassluis – Photo : Kees van der Kraan ©



ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES

The ROSITA passing Terneuzen enroute Antwerp – Photo : Willem Kruit ©

EU Funding Endorses Port of Cork Plans for Development

Following a successful funding procedure, the Port of Cork has been awarded funding by the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The Port of Cork, described as a future Core Network port by TEN-T, plays a key strategic role in the movement of goods to and from the UK and Continental Europe. This funding will assist in ensuring the Port of Cork meets future connectivity needs and will support the development of the wider regional and national economy which is of key importance to Cork.

It is anticipated that in the first quarter of 2014 and following public consultation, the Port of Cork will lodge a planning application to An Bord Pleanala for the future development of port facilities in Ringaskiddy.

The proposed developments are the first phase of the Port of Cork’s Strategic Development Plan Review (2010), the core principles of which were endorsed in the National Ports Policy launched in 2013. This Policy also identified the continued commercial development of the Port of Cork Company as a key strategic objective.

Speaking about the proposed developments and the recently secured funding, Mr Denis Healy, Manager Engineering Services, Port of Cork said: “This TEN-T funding endorses the Port of Cork’s plans for future development and securing

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connectivity for the region. The general objective of the TEN-T is to modernise transport infrastructure and this objective sits in line with the Port of Cork’s need to improve and ensure future port facilities.”

He continued: “The funding will go towards the achievement of the required statutory consents and the preparation of designs for developments, primarily at Ringaskiddy, but also at Marino Point and Tivoli. It also opens up the opportunity for further EU supports for the implementation phase of the project under the new Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).”

The Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency (TEN-T EA), established by the European Commission, is responsible for managing the technical and financial implementation of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) programme, one of the most important means of infrastructure funding. Its mission is to support the European Commission and TEN-T project managers and promoters, by ensuring the technical and financial management of the projects and the successful implementation of the TEN-T Programme.

Spotted off Zeebrugge the MSC MELATILDE enroute Zeebrugge with the MSC PALOMA outbound from Antwerp

Photo : Ronald Ribbe – http://www.rorifocus.nl ©

Technip Wins Two Contracts for Ultra-Deep Water Fields and Helps Petrobras

Push Back Subsea Frontiers Technip was awarded by Petrobras two ultra-deep water contracts for the supply of flexible pipes for the Sapinhoá Norte field and I5 at Lula field (former Tupi field), located in the Santos Basin pre-salt area (Brazil), at a water depth of up to 2,500 meters.

The combination of both contracts covers the supply of approximately 100 kilometers of flexible pipes for oil production, gas lift, and gas injection. It also includes related equipment for the pre-salt area, to be installed on the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units, Cidade de Angra dos Reis and Cidade de Ilhabela.

The gas injection top risers are designed for high internal pressure, using the Teta profile(1) developed by Technip’s R&D team in its Flexi France plant in Le Trait (France). The gas injection top riser, together with the majority of the scope above, will be manufactured in Flexibras Açu(2), starting production in the first quarter of 2014 in line with previously announced plans. The remaining scope will be manufactured in Flexibras Vitória. Technip’s operating center in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) will perform the engineering and project management.

Frédéric Delormel, Technip’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Subsea, stated: “Developing a pre-salt field means bigger challenges and requires strong innovation. At Technip, we strive to ensure this technological excellence and continually improve high reliability, generating value for the energy industry. In addition to our know-how, we are uniquely positioned with vertically-integrated activities, from the manufacturing to the installation of flexible pipes. Keeping strong focus on quality, we look at the future and are preparing for tomorrow, today, as reflected in our intense R&D efforts or in our new plant in Açu.”

(1) Teta wire: wire with a specific, patented, T-shape used in flexible pipe to resist the radial effect of the internal pressure. Used for high pressure and harsh environments.

(2) The Açu plant is Technip’s new flexible pipe manufacturing plant in Brazil. This high-end facility will deliver a full range of advanced flexible pipe products. Together with Technip’s plant in Vitória, its logistics bases in Macaé and

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Angra, as well as its operating center in Rio de Janeiro, it will help the Group expand Brazil’s national content and its business capabilities to answer the pre-salt market requirements.

Technip is a world leader in project management, engineering and construction for the energy industry. From the deepest Subsea oil & gas developments to the largest and most complex Offshore and Onshore infrastructures, our 38,000 people are constantly offering the best solutions and most innovative technologies to meet the world’s energy challenges. Present in 48 countries, Technip has state-of-the-art industrial assets on all continents and operates a fleet of specialized vessels for pipeline installation and subsea construction. Technip shares are listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris exchange and traded in the USA on the OTCQX marketplace (TKPPY).

The JB 118 operating at the Borwin Alpha location - Photo : Gertruud Strooper – Strooper productions ©

HMM to sell assets to raise US$1.4bn to reduce debt burden

HYUNDAI Merchant Marine (HMM) plans to raise KRW1.5 trillion (US$1.42 billion) from selling various assets and by restructuring its bulk shipping operations, as part of a wider restructuring programme by the Hyundai Group to reduce their heavy debt burden.

The group is aiming to raise up to KRW3.3 trillion to improve its liquidity and has put its financial sector units (Hyundai Securities, Hyundai Asset Management and Hyundai Savings Bank) for sale together with other assets, including the luxury Banyan Tree Hotel in Seoul, according to Alphaliner. The group would then concentrate on three core



businesses - HMM, Hyundai Elevator and Hyundai Logistics - while retaining its controversial North Korean investments through Hyundai Asan. Former Hyundai Group chairman, Chung Mong-hun, committed suicide in August 2003 after he was indicted for secretly transferring millions of dollars to the North Korean government in 2000.

On its part, HMM would sell some of its container terminal assets, container equipment as well as real estate it owns in the United States, China and Singapore. It will also dispose of various financial shareholdings including a 22.4 per cent stake in Hyundai Securities, which is worth about KRW222 billion. HMM's total liabilities as at the end of September stood at KRW8.13 trillion against total equity of only KRW0.82 trillion, as its debt to equity ratio reached 993 per cent. Source : Schednet

Scorpio Bulkers Inc. Announces Newbuilding Agreements for 22 Dry Bulk Vessels for an Aggregate of $1.17 billion

Scorpio Bulkers Inc. announced that it has entered into agreements for the purchase of twenty Capesize dry bulk vessels and two Kamsarmax dry bulk vessels, as listed below:

YARD DWT Delivery

Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd 180,000 Q1-15







Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd 180,000 Q2-15













Daewoo Mangalia Heavy Industries S.A. 180,000 Q1-16

Daewoo Mangalia Heavy Industries S.A. 180,000 Q2-16

Hudong-Zhonghua (Group) Co., Ltd 82,000 Q1-16

Hudong-Zhonghua (Group) Co., Ltd 82,000 Q2-16

The total purchase price for the vessels is approximately $1,171 million. Scorpio Bulkers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of dry bulk commodities. Scorpio Bulkers Inc. has contracted and agreed to purchase 28 Ultramax, 23 Kamsarmax and 23 Capesize newbuilding dry bulk vessels to be delivered starting from the second quarter of 2014 from shipyards in Japan, Korea, China and Romania. The fleet currently on order has a total carrying capacity of approximately 8 million Deadweight tonnes. Source: Scorpio Bulkers Inc.

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The ALEXANDERGRACHT arriving in Willemstad – Curacao

Photo : Kees Bustraan – http://community.webshots.com/user/cornelis224 (c)

Clarkson performs ahead of market expectations, warns shipping markets

to remain challenging

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The Board of Clarkson PLC is pleased to confirm that since its Interim Management Statement on the 7 November 2013, the Group has continued to deliver a positive trading performance against a challenging market backdrop. Activity levels across the Group during the month of December were particularly strong, with our Sale and Purchase business performing exceptionally well. As a result the Group's full year performance for 2013 will now be ahead of market expectations.

The global shipping markets continue to be challenging although the recent improvement in rates in some of our markets is encouraging. Against this background we remain confident that our proven strategy, underpinned by our robust balance sheet, positions the Group well as we enter the new financial year. Preliminary results for the year ending 31 December 2013 will be announced on 10 March 2014. Source: Clarkson PLC

Bigger and deeper

Tanker operations near Murmansk - Photo : Beau Bisso ©

In 2013, throughput capacity of Russian seaports surged by 30.5 mln t, cargo turnover is forecasted to climb by 4% to some 590 mln t. However, cargo flow at inland water ways dropped in the 11-month period by 5.5% to 133.2 mln t. Major problems of the industry are in the lack of specialized sea terminals, low water and “bottlenecks” at IWW.

Russia’s new port facilities

According to the Federal Marine and River Transport Agency (Rosmorrechflot), the throughput capacity of Russian seaports surged by 30.5 mln t this year to some 876.7 mln t per year. The Ministry of Transport forecasts that seaports’ annual throughput is 4% up to about 590 mln t in 2013. So, reserve capacity makes some 33%, sufficient it would seem but Russia still lacks specialized terminals for handling of large capacity vessels.

Rosmorrechflot says throughput capacity of Russian ports will grow by 232 mln t by 2018 (by 20 mln t in 2014, by 30 mln t in 2015, by 54 mln t in 2016, by 80 mln t in 2017 and by 48 mln t in 2018.

In particular, port Bronka in Saint-Petersburg is to be put into operation in 2015 (the investor says). Federal property facilities being built at port Vanino, in Muchke bay, and at port Olya, are to be completed in 2016. Port Sabetta (Yamal) is to commence operation in 2017. Besides, according to the schedule approved by Rosmorrechflot, the same year will see the completion of a specialized terminal at port Vanino (at cape Burnyi), terminal for transshipment of petrochemical products with dredging of water area at Nakhodka settlement, as well as construction of a specialized coal terminal in the Far East of Russia (dedicated for small and medium-size shippers, so called public coal terminal).

There are also projects in Taman and Murmansk.

The project on construction of a dry cargo district of Taman seaport implies the creation of facilities for transshipment of 94 mln t of dry cargo per year at the Taman peninsula. The construction is to commence in 2014. The project implementation is set forth by all strategic programmes and budget planning documents related to transport



infrastructure development from 2008: Transport Strategy of the Russian Federation till 2030; Sea Port Infrastructure Development Strategy till 2030; federal special-purpose programme “Russia’s Transport System Development (2010-2020)”. In summer 2013, RF President Vladimir Putin ordered to complete the construction of the project’s first phase by 2020. As for Murmansk project, RosTransModernizatsia FGI has announced an open tender for the development of detailed design and construction of Murmansk Transportation Hub. Initial contract price is RUB 40,237,536,000.

According to Murmansk Region Governor Marina Kovtun, the investors (Port Lavna and Rosneft) are ready to commence the construction of coal and oil terminals immediately upon obtaining the State Expertise approval. As far as IAA PortNews knows, the approval has been obtained already.

River transport in search of depth

According to Rosmorrechflot, the length of Russia’s inland water ways with guaranteed dimensions of the navigation passes was 48,872.4 km in 2013.

The navigation of the passed year was not easy. Low water was registered in Lena Basin. Cargo deliveries by Indigirka river was also challenged by extreme navigation conditions. Amur river flood changed the stream channel and covered lots of landmark beacons. Meanwhile, Volga-Don Ship Canal can be overloaded in 2014 as transportation of oil cargoes is forecasted to surge there. Traffic jams are possible at the Canal. In case of low water level the navigation may be closed there at all. In this context, Rosmorrechflot recommends shipping companies make maximum use of the early navigation period. According to Rosmorrechflot head Aleksandr Davydenko, the second line is to be built at the Canal to solve the problem. “At least, the reconstruction project is to be developed in 2014,” Davydenko said.

Source : PortNews - Review prepared by Vitaly Chernov basing on Rosmorrechflot materials.

OW Bunker launches operations in Colombia

OW Bunker, one of the world’s leading resellers and physical distributors of marine fuel, announced the launch of a new operation in Cartagena, Colombia. The move into the Colombian bunker market builds upon OW Bunker’s presence across the region with existing offices in Chile, Uruguay, Panama and Brazil.

OW Bunker’s Colombia office is located in Cartagena – the country’s most active port - on the region’s northeast coast along the Caribbean Sea. Providing customers with a full range of high quality products as well as risk management solutions and related services, the office is ideally located as a hub for serving the wider Caribbean marine fuel market as well as vessels transiting the Panama Canal, particularly container vessels, tankers, bulk carriers and cruise ships.

The Colombia operation will include experienced OW Bunker employees and the team will be further strengthened with additional recruitment planned for 2014. They will be responsible for ensuring that the company’s best practices and quality standards are replicated in the region, and that customers receive the high quality marine refuelling service that OW Bunker is recognised for worldwide.

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Pedro Gómez, Regional Manager, OW Bunker Latin America, commented:

“With our global network, financial strength and local presence, OW Bunker is well placed to support customers in what is a particularly fragmented and complex bunker market. As an established company within the region with a global benchmark for quality products and services, our experience enables us to work closely with customers as a trusted advisor to deliver competitive fuel solutions that increase operational efficiencies, saving them time and money.”

Götz Lehsten, Executive Vice President, OW Bunker, added:

“Our expansion into Cartagena further strengthens our services across the Caribbean and the Latin America bunker market as a whole. We have an experienced team on the ground, with local knowledge and insight, supported by a global infrastructure and network that ensure customers receive the highest quality products and services when and where they need them.” Source: OW Bunker

Defective Welding Caused MSC Monterey Crack

Photo : Wim Kosten – www.maritimephoto.com (c)

Investigations into the cause of the crack in MSC Monterey have found that a defective weld seam was the cause. Specialists of the Canadian Ministry of Transportation, of Germanischer Lloyd as well as representatives of the shipyard, insurance, charterer and REEDEREI NSB have been onboard the vessel on January 02, 2014. The crack has been inspected on the main deck and the outer hull has been subject to comprehensive ultrasonic testings. Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has decided in cooperation with all involved parties to have the final repair of the damage carried out on-site instead of a provisional repair.

Crack detection using ultrasonic testings, not only in the damaged areas, still continue. Analysis of the already carried out testings led to the decision of the GL, to reject the initially planned provisional repair. Instead, the final repair can be carried out on-site. A welding procedure has been defined by GL, which has to be followed exactly.

Adverse weather conditions at the coast of Newfoundland of currently well below 0 C°make repair procedures somewhat difficult. Comprehensive preparations have to be made in order to preheat the steel and the ambient temperature as well als to adhere to the cooling rates exactly. Repairs will be carried out by a Canadian expert company with many experiences in this field and will probably take 7 days till. A representative of GL will supervise works on-site.

After completion of works MSC Monterey will continue her voyage as part of her charter for MSC probably on January 11, 2014. Until the completion of repairs the vessel is anchored in St. Mary’s Bay at a sheltered location in the south of Newfoundland. The crack on the main deck and the outer hull is unchanged. It measures 1.5 meters on the main deck which extends for approximately 30 centimeters into the outer hull.

MSC Monterey is not posing a danger to the environment. The crack has not resulted in any oil spillages or other hazards. Source : MAREX

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…. PHOTO OF THE DAY …..

The WESTERSCHELDE approaching the Mother SWATH WANDELAAR to exchange pilots off the Belgian coast

Photo : Ronald Ribbe – http://www.rorifocus.nl ©

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