Number 265 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS...

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2009 – 265

Distribution : daily 10200+ copies worldwide 00-00-2009

Number 265 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Saturday 26-09-2009 News reports received from readers and Internet News articles copied from various news sites.

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The MAERSK BALI seen outward bound at Maaspilot station (even the sky is Maersk Blue !) Photo : Marijn van Hoorn (c)



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EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS

Above seen the LNG ship “Excellence” arriving at Milford Haven’s Dragon LNG plant in wards from the Caribbean. Four of Svitzer’s new Robert Allen designed “RA-Star” tugs bring the ship in- Svitzer Waterston and Svitzer Haven

(92 tons BP) and Svitzer Ramsey and Svitzer Caldey (80 tons BP). Svitzer also provide two line handlers and jetty staff to tie the ship up.

Photo : Dan Cross - MERSEY PHOTOGRAPHIC (c)

US Coast Guard finds sunken ship off Texas coast

The Coast Guard is spearheading an effort to recover oil from a submerged shipwreck about six miles off the Texas coast. The Coast Guard says officials initially thought the spill, described as minor, came from a pipeline. That was ruled out after sonar captured an image of the ship's hull. Salvage company Resolve Marine has determined that heavy fuel oil was onboard the submerged ship. Several agencies are involved in the cleanup. The Coast Guard says the recovery effort could continue through the next few weeks. Source : Examiner

Zeiljacht gestrand in branding 2e Maasvlakte



Dinsdagochtend 22 september 2009 kreeg de bemanning van de KNRM reddingboot de melding “boot aan de grond”. Het bleek te gaan om het zeiljacht “Roan” dat niet op de hoogte was met de aanleg van de 2e Maasvlakte en zodoende was gestrand. De Hoekse KNRM’ers werden om 03.30 uur gealarmeerd en voeren even later de Berghaven uit naar de zuidkant van de 2e Maasvlakte waar het zeiljacht lag. Om 16.15 ter plaatse waar de tweemaster lelijk lag te stuiteren tegen de kust door Zuidwesten wind van 5 Beaufort en golven van anderhalve meter.. Toch lukte het snel om een sleepverbinding te maken en het zeiljacht naar dieper water te slepen, mede doordat bulldozers voor verlichting zorgde. Eenmaal in ruimer water is het zeiljacht op eigen kracht naar de Berghaven in Hoek van Holland gevaren, de Jeanine Parqui bleef stand-by varen. In de waterweg is een opstapper overgezet om te helpen meren. Om 06.15 uur lagen de zeilers geschrokken maar veilig aan de steiger gemeerd.

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The SMIT AMANDLA seen showing her fi-fi capabilities during World Maritime Day Photo : Glenn Kasner (c)



Kenya: Kidnapped Vessel Owners Demand Payment

Owners of a motor vessel who were compelled to pay Sh225 million as ransom to pirates after being captured off the Coast of Somalia while transporting 353 containers to Mombasa now want the cargo owners to be arrested, so as to obtain their security. Ship owners of the mv Hansa Stavanger which has been in anchorage at the port of Mombasa have moved to court demanding the arrest of the cargo, so as to also to allow the vessel continue with her voyage to her next port of call in Dar es Salaam. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has instructed that the cargo be discharged in order to allow the ship to sail and create room for other vessels to berth, and to prevent a backlog and delay in discharge. However the ship owners who are represented by the firm of A.B Patel wants the goods discharged and stored at a Container Freight Station (CFS) in Shimanzi until their claim of an estimated Sh270million ($3, 601,000) is paid, being 40 per cent of the value of the containers. The vessel was hijacked on April 4, 2009 and to avert more danger, the Sh225 million ($3 million) ransom was paid and the ship released. Parties then agreed that cargo owners would pay 40 per cent on cargo value before clearance to recover the costs of the ransom. A communication from ship owners sent to H&H Lines Limited, the ship's agents in Mombasa instructed them not to release cargo if the extra charge, calculated on the Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of the goods, was not paid. The communication, sent by Stichling Hahn Hilbrich, a marine insurance claims consultancy firm from its office in Cyprus, and on behalf of the ship owners, stated that if there was no guarantee or money paid in cash, cargo would not be released. "In the event that goods are not insured or ship owners do not accept the guarantee tendered, a cash deposit of the US Dollar equivalent of 40 per cent of the CIF will be required," read the communication in part. "A fax or email should be sent to Stichling Hahn Hilbrich, detailing the amount remitted....together with evidence of value of the cargo to enable us identify the funds when received. Without this advice it will NOT be possible to release any cargo and /or container," the letter stated. In their documents filed at the High Court in Mombasa, the claimants said the ship suffered substantial damage and loss due to fire and destruction by the captors while on the voyage from various parts in the Middle East including Jebel Ali, Mundra, Nhava Sheva and Bahrain. Source: The Nation

Due to travelling abroad this week the newsclippings may reach you irregularly

Russian tanker arrives in Egypt after escaping pirate attack

A Russian tanker, which has come under pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden, has safely arrived in the Egyptian port of Suez with a shipment of aviation fuel, a Primorye Shipping Company spokesman said on Friday. "The vessel has delivered 41,000 tons of aviation fuel to the Suez port and is currently pumping the fuel from on-board tanks to a storage facility on the shore," the official said. The Alexandra tanker, with 19 Russian crewmembers onboard, was attacked on September 19 by a motor boat with four gunmen on board. The pirates opened automatic fire at the bridge, but the crew took evasive action and prevented the assailants from boarding the ship. South Korean destroyer Daejoyoung on patrol nearby swiftly responded to the tanker's distress call and the pirates were forced to retreat. Around 35 warships from the navies of 16 countries are currently deployed on key trade routes in the Gulf of Aden to counter frequent attacks by pirates based in Somalia, which has no functioning government. Russia has deployed its own task force, comprising a missile destroyer, two support ships and a naval infantry unit, in the pirate-infested waters off the Somali coast to protect commercial shipping lines in the area.



There have been around 150 pirate attacks on commercial vessels in the region since the beginning of the year, with over 40 ships captured and at least 270 personnel taken hostage. Source: RIA Novosti

Norwegian research vessel denied access to Russian Zone

The Norwegian research vessel “Johan Hjort” didn’t got any reasons for the denial. Johan Hjort belongs to the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and participates in a joint Russian-Norwegian ecosystem survey of the Barents Sea. The survey was approved by the official joint Norwegian-Russian fishery commission. Research director of the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, Ole Arve Misund, says in a news-release that they are very sorry for the denial into Russian zone in the eastern Barents Sea. - Now, we can’t complete the ecosystem as planned, says Misund. The ecosystem research programme covers the areas from outside northern Norway, towards the sea north of Svalbard and further east into the Russian zone. The Russian research vessel Vilniusoperated by the Russian research institute PINRO in Murmansk will instead cover the eastern part of the Barents Sea. Here you can read the blogg from Johan Hjort's research expedition. Source: barentsobserver



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The PRIDE OF AFRICA seen in Cape Town Photo : Ian Shiffman (c)

Somali pirates kill Syrian captain, ship rescued

Somali pirates boarded a Panama-flagged ship heading for Mogadishu on Thursday and killed its Syrian captain after he refused to turn the vessel away from the port, officials said. "The pirates killed the captain after he refused to turn the ship. Usually, we send police when commercial ships draw near the port but the pirates were already on board and opened fire injuring one policeman," Abdiasis Hassan, minister for ports, told Reuters. African Union peacekeeping mission (AMISOM) troops and Somali police rescued the ship, officials said. "The captain was a Syrian and his body is at the port now. The ship's name is Barwaqo," Ahmed Abdi, a port official, told Reuters. Three crew members were also injured, he said. "Our soldiers opened fire on two boats that were trying to hijack the ship," Barigye Ba-Hoku, AMISOM's spokesman, told Reuters. "We got messages asking for our help and we helped to rescue the ship." Piracy has surged off the Somali coast in recent years where sea gangs continue to defy foreign navies patrolling the vast shipping lanes linking Asia and Europe. There has been a relative lull in Indian Ocean waters in the past few months because of monsoon winds but analysts fear the number of pirate attacks will rise again soon.



Piracy attacks around the world more than doubled to 240 from 114 during the first six months of the year, according to the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre. Source: Reuters

FPSO HAI YANG SHI YOU 115 @ Lat.: 21 21.0N Long:114 34.6E with vessel COSL 671 along side offloading some deck cargo Sept. 25, 2009. - Photo : Charles D. Miller - www.tugboatphotos.com (c)

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The MSC HIGHNESS seen enroute Antwerp - Photo : Richard Wisse (c)

Bids invited to remove oil from ship sunk off Orissa coast

Paradip port authorities have invited bids from salvage firms to remove oil from a vessel that sank near the port in Orissa 15 days ago, official sources said Thursday. The oil poses a major threat to the coast if it leaks. The tenders, which were floated Wednesday, invited two a technical bid and a price bid for the salvage and disposal of fuel oil from MV Black Rose, a senior port official told IANS. The vessel under a Mongolian flag ran aground Sep 9 near the



harbour area of the port in the district of Jagatsinghpur, some 100 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, with 924 tonnes of furnace oil and about 25,000 tonnes of iron ore fines. Twenty seven crew members were on board. All but a Ukrainian engineer, whose body was found 10 days later, were rescued. The site where the ship has gone down is very close to the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, one of the few remaining nesting sites in the world for the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles. The turtles come to the site every year around this time for breeding. If the oil spills, it could pollute the marine environment. It could also pose a threat to turtles, a wildlife body has warned.

Salvage work begins on fishing boat 5 months after sinking

Salvage work began Tuesday on a fishing boat five months after it capsized and sank off Hirado Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, with hopes of recovering the remains of 12 crew members who went missing in the accident. The Daiei Maru No. 11, with a fishing net covering half of its deck, was pulled up to the surface by a crane ship from a depth of some 80 meters, where it sank on April 14 while heading to the East China Sea. The 135-ton round-haul netter will be brought to shallow waters after removing the net and fixed on top of a salvage barge as early as Thursday, and Japan Coast Guard officers are expected to start searching inside the boat on Saturday. ‘‘I believe that my son is still inside the boat,’’ said Machiko Sakamoto, 56, the mother of missing crew member Kozo, 23. ‘‘I want him or even just his belongings to be returned as soon as possible,’’ she said. The boat will be made into a fishing bed after the search. Ten of its 22 crew members were rescued by other fishing boats but the remaining 12 went missing.

The VENTURA seen moored in Brest – Photo : Jacques Carney ©



NAVY NEWS General Dynamics NASSCO Starts Construction

of the Future USNS William McLean General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics , 22-09 began construction of the future USNS William McLean, the twelfth ship of the U.S. Navy's T-AKE program. The William McLean is named in honor of the Navy physicist who conceived and developed the heat-seeking Sidewinder missile. The ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in the third quarter of 2011. The T-AKE ship incorporates international marine technologies and commercial ship-design features, including an integrated electric-drive propulsion system to minimize operating costs over its projected 40-year service life. The primary mission of T-AKE ships is to deliver as much as 10,000 tons of food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions to combat ships at sea. NASSCO has delivered the first eight T-AKEs, which are also known as Lewis and Clark-class ships. The shipyard also has construction contracts for four additional T-AKEs and long-lead material contracts for two more ships for a total class of 14 ships.

Bonhomme Richard deploys after generator repairs

The amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard departed its berth at Pier 13 before noon Thursday, restarting a scheduled overseas deployment that was delayed last week when problems surfaced with some cracks and leaks in several steam generators. The San Diego-based ship, carrying the bulk of 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit on the deployment with the three-ship amphibious ready group, “is back in fighting shape,” the ship’s skipper, Capt. John Funk, told families and friends in a recorded message on the ship’s “Careline” announcing the new departure date.

The ship will take on AV-8B Harrier jets and other helicopters and Navy landing craft and head west to rejoin about 1,500 sailors and Marines aboard transport dock ship Cleveland and dock landing ship Rushmore, which left last week for the planned Western Pacific and Persian Gulf deployment. Bonhomme Richard’s planned Sept. 18 departure was delayed by Navy officials Sept. 16 because of what 3rd Fleet officials attributed to an “emergent engineering maintenance issue.” Repair teams,

including sailors and workers from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Va., tackled the repairs while the ship remained pierside, a period Funk described as “a challenging couple of days.” Three of the five ship’s service turbine generators on Bonhomme Richard “had cracked and/or leaking welded balance access plugs,” a Naval Sea Systems Command spokeswoman, Kathleen Roberts, said in an e-mail response. “Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers bored out and replaced both plugs on the three affected generators,” Roberts said, noting that each generator has two such plugs. The delay had left in limbo some 3,000 sailors and Marines — the bulk of the 4,500-member ready group — as many had already vacated their barracks rooms or apartments for the deployment. For the Marines, the delayed departure meant a weekend of liberty close to home. “Some units stayed at their command posts,” and others worked aboard the ship, said 1st Lt. Roger Hollenbeck, an 11th MEU spokesman. The



ship’s galley has been providing meals throughout the week, and “everybody’s been given a place on the ship,” Hollenbeck said. “The Navy’s been great. It’s just like if we are embarked. At the end of the day, Marines can go out in town.” Navy Capt. Rodney Clark, Amphibious Squadron 7 commander in San Diego, is leading the ready group, which includes Tactical Air Control Squadron 12’s Detachment 1; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23’s Detachment 3; Assault Craft Unit 1’s Detachment B; ACU-5’s Detachment F; Beachmaster Unit 1’s Detachment B; and Fleet Surgical Team 9. The 2,100-member 11th MEU, based at Camp Pendleton, is lead by Col. Gregg Olson and includes Battalion Landing Team 2/4, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 11.

SHIPYARD NEWS

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The “CEC MIRAGE” belonging to CLIPPER PROJECTS SHIP MANAGEMENT A/S, Denmark, under steel works in CERNAVAL Shipyard, in Algeciras, Spain.

Photo: Pablo de Celis ©

Britain's VT Group exits shipbuilding



Britain's VT Group plc says it has signed a legally binding agreement with BAE Systems plc on the disposal of its 45 percent. shareholding in BVT Surface Fleet Limited, the shipbuilding and naval support joint venture between BAE and VT, for cash consideration of GBP 346 million. VT has also agreed to inject GBP 43 million of capital into BVT on completion of the transaction, so the cash proceeds to be received by VT on the disposal of its shareholding in BVT will be GBP 303 million. In addition, VT will, at completion, settle GBP 4.7m of ordinary course inter company balances with BVT. This marks the final exit from shipbuilding of the company once known as Vosper Thornycroft. Source : MarineLog

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Trico Marine suspends four Tebma newbuilds Trico Marine Services, Inc. has suspended delivery of the last four in a series of eight subsea services vessels from

India's Tebma Shipyards. Suspension of the newbuild contracts was one of a series of moves announced yesterday by Trico, which has previously disclosed its intent to concentrate on improving its balance sheet, reducing outstanding debt and strengthening near term liquidity. In addition to renegotiating its contract with Tebma, Trico has inked agreements for the sale of two North Sea class vessels for an aggregate sales price of approximately $40 million. The first sale is currently

scheduled to close in early October. The second sale is set to close in late October, subject to delivery and inspection in Hong Kong. Trico will utilize the proceeds to repay European bank debt outstanding. Both vessels will be sold to buyers in Asia.



The company also announced that it had reached an agreement regarding the delivery of seven remaining subsea services vessels from what it identifies only as "the shipyard in India." The ships in question are a series of eight VS470 MPSV's on order at Tebma Shipyards, the first of which, Trico Sabre, was delivered from Tebma's Malpe shipyard on May 20. Trico Marine say the first three of the remaining vessels will be delivered as currently scheduled between December 2009 and July 2010. The construction contracts for these three vessels have been amended to reduce the purchase price. Approximately $40 million of additional capital expenditures will be incurred between October 2009 and July 2010 to complete these three vessels. Delivery of the last four subsea service vessels has been suspended and Trico Marine says it "preserves the right to cancel its obligation to take delivery of such vessels" and that "preserving the option to construct the remaining four vessels allows the company flexibility in developing its strategic growth plans for subsea services to adjust for market conditions and liquidity needs at a future date. The effect of the indefinite suspension of delivery is to reduce previous committed capital expenditures for 2010 and 2011 by approximately $80 million." Trico says the vessel sales, which are in the North Sea spot vessel market, reduce debt, improve liquidity and are consistent with its strategy to reduce both its spot OSV exposure and its dependence on the supply vessel market. The amendments to the subsea service newbuild contracts ensure capacity for subsea services growth with the delivery of three subsea services vessels and also reduce 2010 and 2011 committed capital expenditures. The company -- which earlier this year was embroiled in a bitter proxy battle with major shareholder Kistefos -- also announced what it called "steps its Board of Directors has taken in its continuing effort to have the Company's governance provisions reflect best practices, including some revisions to governance provisions dating back to 2005. The Board will seek stockholder approval to declassify the Board, with stockholders voting on declassification at the 2010 annual meeting." Trico also announced a number of changes to its bylaws and corporate governance guidelines. Source : MarineLog

Postponed boxship deliveries ease ZIM's financial woes

The Israeli container shipowner, ZIM Integrated Shipping, has reached a financial understanding to postpone four pending 10,000TEU newbuild deliveries. Originally due to be delivered in 2010, the quartet will now be delivered in 2014-15. This follows a similar recent postponement of nine 12,600TEU ships in the same timeframe. The move bolsters company cash flow by deferring investment of up to $2 billion and is a significant step in ZIM’s extensive economic recovery plan. “This understanding reflects the shipyard’s clear expression of confidence in ZIM’s recovery plan and the company’s long term commercial success,” ZIM ceo Rafi Danieli said. He predicted that the world shipping industry would recover before 2014, providing a stronger market for the newbuildings. Source : The Motorship



The LEWEK TOUCAN seen during the installation of the export gas meter skid onboard the Gas Export FPSO Lewek Arunothai

Photo : Flip Geerling (c)

Penang Port on target in container handling, says MD

Penang Port Sdn Bhd has recorded a 13% rise in container handling, contrary to the statements made by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, said its managing director Datuk Ahmad Ibnihajar. Ahmad denied claims that the port had experienced a 24% decline in container handling in the second quarter of the year. He said despite the economic slowdown, the port was on target to match last year’s volume. Making a profit: Ahmad showing a graph of Penang port’s growing operating performance over the years. “The port has been making a profit since 1999 despite heavy losses from the ferry services, which is provided for the benefit of Penangites,” he said at a press conference. Ahmad was responding to the statement made by Lim that the port’s revenue was falling. Ahmad said in the second quarter of this year, container handling improved 13% from 199,391 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) to 225,322 TEUs. “This figure is expected to increase by another 12% in the third quarter (ending in September) and despite the economic slowdown, we expect this year’s figures to match last year’s of 929,639 TEUs,” he said. He chided Lim for making inaccurate statements. “On July 30, a report was published quoting someone who does not know his facts. “The Penang Port corrected these figures in a report on Aug 1 and Lim is still using the wrong figures,” he said.



Ahmad said it was unfair to paint a negative picture of the port when it is making money. “Our banks are now calling us up and want to review our credit rating,” he said. On Tuesday, Lim released a statement asking that the Federal Government consider restoring Penang’s free-port status as container handling had declined 24% in the last quarter. Ahmad said Lim’s office had not contacted the Penang Port to verify the figures and urged Lim to check the facts with the proper authorities first before making statements. Source : The Star

Yesterday, Friday september 25, a floating drydock was passing Terneuzen. Leading tug was Multratug 18, breaking tug was Multratug 10. The dock was destined for Hansweert, probably for Scheepswerf Reimerswaal.

Photo : Willem Kruit (c)

Acergy awarded contract offshore Angola

Acergy has been awarded the Block 17/18 GEP Phase 2 Project, a contract valued at approximately US$110 million, by Total E&P Angola and BP Angola (Block 18) BV for the installation of over 70km of 24in pipeline from Block 2, together with the associated jumper, PLET and tie-ins, to the nearshore/onshore pipeline in water depths up to 40m. Engineering will commence with immediate effect with offshore installation scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2010, using Acergy Polaris, Acergy Hawk and Acergy Legend.

Changes at the Helm of VISET Malta plc



VISET Malta plc (operators and developers of the Valletta Cruise & Ferry Terminal and Valletta Waterfront) are pleased to announce the appointment of John Portelli as Chief Executive Officer and Stephen Xuereb as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. John Portelli (left) and Stephen Xuereb (right) are, respectively, the new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of VISET. Mr Portelli has over 15 years of senior management experience in Malta's maritime sector. He was the General Manager of CMA CGM in Malta. He was also the Executive Secretary of the Privatisation Unit and Chairman of the eMalta Commission. A Chevening Scholar, Mr Portelli graduated from the Universities of Malta and Manchester and was elected a Fellow in the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He also worked

on a number of maritime consultancy assignments funded by international organisations. Mr Xuereb, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants, has played a central role in VISET since its inception in 2002. A Henley graduate, he was responsible for setting up the finance and corporate function within the organisation and for ensuring the completion of the project within the stipulated cost estimates. He was also responsible for the setting up of the tax free operations at the terminal. Before joining VISET, Mr Xuereb was Group Financial Controller of a major group of companies involved in fashion retail, hospitality and property development. The vision of VISET's newly appointed senior management is for the Company to continue consolidating its position as a premier cruise and ferry terminal in the Mediterranean. This will be further strengthened with the continued growth and appeal of the Valletta Waterfront as a leading entertainment destination for cruise passengers, tourists and locals. The fresh approach and injection of new ideas brought into the Company by Mr Portelli, combined with the extensive experience and knowledge of Mr Xuereb, will propel VISET and the local cruise industry into an era of new opportunities and growth. To discover more visit www.vallettawaterfront.com

Fairstar signs loan agreement, wins contract from Saipem

Fairstar Heavy Transport has signed a loan agreement with Fortis Bank Nederland for a USD15 million, four year facility secured by a second mortgage over the company’s two vessels Fjord and Fjell.

The floating rate facility is priced at three month LIBOR plus a margin of 4%. The proceeds will be used to redeem the Company’s outstanding NOK 124 million Bond. The Fortis loan can be drawn down at any time until March 1, 2010. Fairstar has presented its Bondholders with an option to extend the repayment date of the NOK Bond until March 1, 2010. Norsk Tillitsmann, acting as Trustee for the Bondholders, is currently discussing this option with the Bondholders. A meeting with the Bondholders has been set for Friday October 2, 2009. Mark de Haas, CFO of Fairstar commented: “The capital markets remain extremely challenging. Fairstar is now methodically reducing our long-term liabilities. However, maintaining a conservative level of liquidity is the most prudent way for us to manage our business and our balance sheet. The Fortis facility is another vote of confidence in our ability to maintain a sustainable leadership position in the off-shore heavy transport industry”



In addition the company has advised that it has signed a contract with Saipem to transport the jack-up rig Perro Negro 3 from India to Dubai. Fairstar’s semi-submersible transport vessel Fjell is now underway from Singapore. The transport from the loading location to the discharge site is expected to require about 14 days including time for the actual float-on and float-off of the rig. Total contract value is approximately EUR 1.2 million. Philip Adkins, CEO of Fairstar stated: “We are delighted to have been selected by Saipem to transport this valuable cargo. Fairstar has the opportunity to demonstrate the performance of Fjell, and our team on board, to a major energy company. The contract creates important revenue for Fairstar now and is a significant step towards our goal of establishing Fairstar as a leader in the harsh and demanding world of offshore heavy transport.”

The SMIT BULLDOG seen during trials in Rotterdam-Europoort Photo : Rik van Marle (c)

StealthGas Inc. Announces New Charter Arrangements

for the Lyne, the Sir Ivor, the Gas Defiance, the Gas Prodigy and the Gas Czar

StealthGas Inc. , a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry, announced today the following new charter arrangements. In September the Gas Prodigy commenced a one month time charter to an Asian national oil company. The charterer has the option to extend the duration of the charter by a further month. Commencing from October the Gas Czar will extend her existing time charter to a Far Eastern based operator for a further three months. Commencing from October 2009 the Gas Defiance will extend her existing time charter to an Asian gas supplier for a further three months until January 2010. Commencing from December 2009 the Lyne and the Sir Ivor will renew



their bareboat charter arrangements to an international gas trader for a further seventeen months each until approximately May 2011. The average time charter equivalent rate for the above five charters is $273,876 per calendar month or $9,009 per day.

Siem to order a pair of OSRVs Siem Offshore in Norway is ordering two oil spill recovery vessels (OSRV) on the back of a lucrative eight year contract with Petrobras. The two ORSVs, to be operated by SIEM Consub, shall be built in Brazil under the Merchant Maritime Brazilian Government Fund program (“FMM”), which provides up to 90% long-term debt financing. The time charter contracts for Petrobras shall commence following their delivery in the second half of 2012. "The gross contract value for the firm period is $157m for both vessels," Siem said. It also has a further eight year option on both ships. Siem Consub owns and operates a fleet of nine vessels in Brazil. The fleet will be extended with six vessels to be built in Brazil and operated on long-term charter contracts for Petrobras. "By building more vessels in Brazil Siem will probably be able to take one or more of its anchor handlers down to Brazil," a leading observer said. Source : The Motorship

Aberdeen Harbour maintains position as gateway to North Sea

Aberdeen Harbour continues to cement its position as the centre of activity for the energy industry’s marine operations in North-west Europe, and remains one the UK’s busiest ports. Figures show more than 50 per cent of the port’s major activity is connected to the oil and gas industry. This, combined with other commercial traffic generates more than £420 million for the region’s economy annually and supports in excess of 11,000 jobs. This latest data highlights the importance of Aberdeen Harbour to the energy industry and demonstrates continuing growth in oil and gas-specific traffic using the port in recent years. In 1999, 4,212 offshore support vessels used Aberdeen Harbour, which by 2008 had increased by more than 20 per

cent to 5,424. Most notably, however, is the increase in vessel tonnage, from 9.14million tonnes to 15.5million tonnes, in the same period. Left : EDDA FRENDE seen arriving in Aberdeen Photo : Rob & Frits v/d Hoek (c) Colin Parker, chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour said: “We have experienced an increase in the number and size of vessels using the port. Since 1999 we have witnessed dramatic

increases due to favourable economic conditions, but even in quieter times, activity has remained high."



“Aberdeen Harbour provides a valuable support system to the oil and gas industry in the North Sea and also offers services for operators working in other oil regions throughout the world.” "To maintain and further enhance the provision and quality of services at the port, we are implementing a £65 million, five-year development strategy to ensure facilities continue to meet existing and future customer needs and have the ability to accommodate the larger support vessels now operating in the sector. Through this continual investment, the port can offer its customers an efficient and cost effective service that allows for the faster turn around of vessels and so increasing productivity." Right : The SAFMARINE AKWABA seen in Aberdeen Photo : David Dodds (c) "Ensuring the port’s continued competitive position requires a strong and supportive Board” added Mr Parker. “Collectively they provide robust governance of the Harbour, ensuring that, as a Trust port, all profits (£6.795 million in 2008) are reinvested in developing and maintaining the port’s facilities to the highest standards. That way we can continue to meet the needs of an evolving energy sector supporting activity in the North Sea and beyond.” Source : Offshore Shipping Online

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. Announces Purchase and Delivery of

New Build Ultra Handymax Vessel Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. a global, vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company, announced today that it has purchased the Navios Celestial, a 2009 built Ultra Handymax vessel, of 58,084 dwt, from a Japanese Shipyard. The vessel's nominal purchase price of $36.2 million was funded with $31.2 million of cash, and $5.0 million in mandatorily convertible preferred stock. As a result, the vessel's effective purchase price was $33.5 million, using the $10.00 mandatory conversion price of the preferred stock. The terms of the mandatory convertible preferred stock are set forth below. Angeliki Frangou, Chairman and CEO of Navios Holdings stated, "We are pleased with this new acquisition, as it reflects acceptance by a new shipyard of our equity and our continued ability to purchase modern vessels through novel financing techniques. Initially we will employ this vessel in the spot market. At an appropriate time we will seek to employ the vessel under period charter."



Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. Announces Purchase and Delivery of

New Build Ultra Handymax Vessel Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. a global, vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company, announced yesterday that it has purchased the Navios Celestial, a 2009 built Ultra Handymax vessel, of 58,084 dwt, from a Japanese Shipyard. The vessel's nominal purchase price of $36.2 million was funded with $31.2 million of cash, and $5.0 million in mandatorily convertible preferred stock. As a result, the vessel's effective purchase price was $33.5 million, using the $10.00 mandatory conversion price of the preferred stock. The terms of the mandatory convertible preferred stock are set forth below. Angeliki Frangou, Chairman and CEO of Navios Holdings stated, "We are pleased with this new acquisition, as it reflects acceptance by a new shipyard of our equity and our continued ability to purchase modern vessels through novel financing techniques. Initially we will employ this vessel in the spot market. At an appropriate time we will seek to employ the vessel under period charter." Navios Holdings currently controls a fleet of 60 vessels totaling 6.4 million dwt, of which 33 are owned and 27 are chartered-in under long-term charters. Navios Holdings operates 39 vessels (eight Capesize, 13 Panamax, 17 Ultra Handymax and one Handysize product tanker) totaling 3.3 million dwt. The average age of the operating fleet is 4.7 years. Navios Holdings also has 21 newbuildings to be delivered. These vessels are expected to be delivered at various dates through 2013. Source: Navios Maritime Holdings

The TK ISTANBUL seen outward bound at the Westerscheldt River Photo : Richard Wisse (c)



Port of Ningbo container throughput up 0.3 per cent to 998,600 TEU in August

Container throughput of eastern China's port of Ningbo reached a new monthly high by reaching 998,600 TEU in August, up 0.3 per cent year on year and up 8.5 per cent over July. This was the fourth month in a row that the port recorded month-on-month increase in its box volume, said Logistics Week. The port's throughput tonnage increased 5.4 per cent to 24.1 million tonnes. Two new shipping lines were launched at the port in the same month. Source: SchedNet

Master alleges safety shortcomings on Gozo ferries

A Senior Master on the Gozo ferries has filed a judicial protest against Gozo Channel accusing it of violating a number of safety procedures and ignoring his pleas for remedial action. Captain Mario Grech said masters were being forced to operate in violation of safety regulations and the safety management system of the International Ship Management as laid down in the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS). Capt Grech said he was being discriminated against by the company for drawing its attention to the shortcomings. Listing some of the more serious shortcoming, Capt Grech said the company was not allowing enough time for the crews to practice emergency drills. There had been a case where the company wanted a ferry to carry the maximum number of passengers it could take, but Capt Grech said he refused because the crew was not adequately trained to handle all the passengers in case of an emergency. Capt Grech said the masters were not being given the facility to verify the competence and training of their crews, especially crew members who changed from day to day. There had been an occasion where he was assigned a bosun who lacked the necessary qualifications and Capt Grech said he strongly suspected that documents he had produced were fakes. He said that last June, three of the ferries were found to have their water tanks contaminated with legionella. The water supply was shut off to all areas, including the toilets and, in an abusive manner, the captains were ordered to explain to any passenger who asked, that there was a fault in the pumps. The company dragged its feet in the cleaning of the tanks, such that he had to refuse to operate his vessel until the tanks were cleaned and treated. There had also been cases where rescue equipment was removed for maintenance, without being substituted even while the ferries remained in service. In this case too, Capt Grech said, he had refused to sail his ferry until the equipment was replaced. He also complained that after he had pointed out shortcomings in the way ferries were loaded on the Sa Maison-Mgarr route, he was taken off the route instead of matters having been remedied . Turning to administration, Capt Grech said overtime and allowances were not being fairly allocated. He also claimed that a chief officer was promoted to captain despite having previously been failed by a selection board because he lacked qualifications. Capt Grech called on Gozo Channel to regularise its position and to avoid the repetition of cases such as those he had listed. The protest was filed in the Gozo Court and signed by Dr Kevin Mompalao. Source : Times of Malta



The MELBOURNE STRAIT seen departing from Willemstad (Curacao) Photo : Kees Bustraan (c)

OLDIE – FROM THE SHOEBOX

The Merseyside Maritime Museum's preserved tug "Brocklebank" on the Manchester Ship Canal following a visit to Manchester. "Brocklebank" was completed in 1965 by WJ Yarwood & Sons of Northwich (UK) for the Liverpool-

based Alexandra Towing Company. Photo : Rob Blythe (c)



…. PHOTO OF THE DAY …..

The DMS KINGFISHER seen departing from Rotterdam - Photo : Hans Hoffmann ©

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Number 265 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS...

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