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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008

Keppel FELS Limited was contracted to build its proprietary DSS 38 deepwater semisubmersible rig for Scorpion Offshore Ltd.

The contract with Scorpion is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions by mid July 2008. It is valued at $405 million. The amount excludes owner-supplied drilling and subsea equipment. Upon its completion in the fourth quarter of 2011, this semi will be chartered by Scorpion to Brazilian national oil company Petrobras for a period of six years. “The DSS 38 model was developed from our years of experience as a rigbuilder and keen understanding of operating requirements in the deepwater region bordered by Brazil, West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico. “It is significant that Scorpion has entrusted Keppel to build this premium design as its first semi for Petrobras. This demonstrates the growing recognition of our DSS 38 model as a choice deepwater rig for offshore Brazil. “We look forward to strengthen our partnership with Scorpion with this high quality rig,” said Mr Tong Chong Heong, Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer of Keppel O&M. The DSS 38 is rated to drill to depths of 30,000 feet below mud line in just over 9,000 feet water depth. With operational displacement of approximately 38,000 tonnes, the DSS 38 has housing facilities for a crew of up to 130 men. It has both vertical and horizontal riser storage. The eight 3000kW azimuth thrusters configuration are designed to keep the vessel in position. All configurations comply with the American Bureau of Shipping Dynamic Positioned System (DPS-2) requirements. Source: Maritime Today

Wärtsilä aims to become a leader in ship design

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008

Wärtsilä has acquired the global ship design group Vik-Sandvik, a leading independent group providing design and engineering services to ship owners and the ship building industry worldwide.

The value of the acquisition is Eur 132 million (US$207.36 million), with an additional maximum sum of Eur 38 million (US$59.69 million) to be paid based on the performance of the business over the next three years. In 2007, Vik-Sandvik's turnover was Eur 55 million (US$86.4 million) and the profitability is on a very good level. The role of ship design is becoming more and more important due to higher performance requirements, more sophisticated systems, and increased integration onboard most vessels. Also, the environmental and emission regulations regarding NOx and carbon dioxide are becoming increasingly stringent. Vik-Sandvik will be integrated into Wärtsilä Ship Design within Ship Power. All personnel - including the management - will continue as Wärtsilä employees. The acquisition is subject to relevant regulatory approvals, which are expected during the third quarter of 2008. Vik-Sandvik specializes in the design of high-end offshore vessels, as well as product and chemical tankers and more specialized vessels. The company has its headquarters in Fitjar, in Western Norway, and it has operations in Norway, Poland, India, Brazil, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia and China. Vik-Sandvik has up to now been wholly owned by the Sandvik family. Source: Baird Online

Dubai targets megayachts with world's largest mobile boat hoist

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008

Dubai Maritime City announces that it has successfully assembled and functionally tested the world’s largest mobile boat hoist, the only other examples of which are to be found in Spain and Italy.

The hoist, which weighs 300 tonnes and is capable of lifting 720-tonne boats, will be load-tested in early August 2008, after which it will be fully operational in October of the same year. The hoist took a year to build in Italy and was assembled in 45 days in Dubai with the assistance of Italian industrial lifting equipment specialist Ascom. The lifting equipment will complement Dubai Maritime City’s two ship lifts as it will concentrate on the handling of smaller crafts, particularly mega yachts. To be operated by local shipyard Drydocks World–Dubai, the hoist can be operated manually or through remote control and can be turned in all angles. “Positioning dedicated equipment for our small-craft clients further focuses our services while speeding up and enhancing our overall boat handling capacity. The addition of this record-breaking hoist affirms our commitment to becoming the premier maritime hub in the region and a preferred global port for some of the most unique shipping services in the world,” said Ali Al Daboos, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Maritime City. Source: Seatradeasia

BSM (DE) has a new Managing Director

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008

Mr. Ireneusz Kuligowski has taken office with effect from 22 June 2008, as Managing Director of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Deutschland) GmbH & Co.

Mr. Kuligowski is no stranger to the Schulte Group. In the past, Mr. Kuligowski has worked for Eurasia in Hong Kong, Mumbai and Jakarta, Hanseatic in Cyprus and AMLP on Bermuda. During his seagoing career, Mr. Kuligowski sailed on various types of vessels holding various positions, ranging from Wiper to Chief Engineer. He has a Bachelor degree in Marine Engineering and holds a diploma in Shipping and Marine Operations. Before joining BSM (DE), he worked as the Senior Vice President of Operations at Star Reefers Ltd, UK. Mr. Kuligowski is excited to return to the Schulte Group: “To return to the Group is as much an emotional and sentimental matter, as it is a practical one. I am very pleased to be back with my old friends and colleagues, some of whom I have known for many, many years. There can be no better way to complete a career in shipping than going through the ranks from Oiler, Chief Engineer, Superintendent, Manager and then becoming Managing Director. I hope that this is a good proof that in the Schulte Group of companies one can have not just a job but a life-long career.” The relocation from London to Hamburg is no problem for Mr. Kuligowski: “Moving from London to Hamburg will be an experience by itself but this is a beautiful city where I spent a lot of time in the past. In many ways it is similar to my hometown, Gdansk, in Poland ”, he said. Source: Bernhard Schulte

Keel Laid for Costa Ship

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008

Work is continuing at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera (Province of Venice) on the construction of the Costa Deliziosa.

Costa Deliziosa is the 15th member of the fleet belonging to the Italian Company Costa Cruises, the number one cruise line in Italy and across Europe, which is due to enter service in spring 2010. In the last few days the keel of the new ship has been laid; this includes the first section, 100 meters in length, which was built in the Ancona shipyard and towed to Marghera. The 92,700 gross tonnage Costa Deliziosa, sister ship of the Costa Luminosa, will be able to carry up to 2828 Guests. Fincantieri is currently building three new Costa ships in its yards. In addition to the Costa Deliziosa, the Italian ship builder is presently completing the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica (total Guest capacity of 3780 and 114,500 gross tonnage), respectively the 13th and 14th members of the fleet, which are being fitted out in Marghera and Genova-Sestri P. and will be delivered in spring 2009. Costa’s fleet expansion program includes the introduction of 5 new ships by 2012, all built in Italy by Fincantieri for a total investment worth 2.4 billion euros. Source: Maritime Today

CSIC establishes industrial base in Chongqing

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008

China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) recently announced that it has decided to invest RMB10bn in establishing an industrial base in Chongqing Municipality.

It covers four industries, namely, the special ship, associated ship engine, power supply equipment, and railway locomotive and heavy casting and forging industries. Upon completion and by 2015, the base will generate more than RMB50bn in annual sales income and more than RMB9bn in pre-tax profits. Source: Seatradeasia

Havyard Leirvik to deliver Havyard 860 construction vessel to Havila Ships

Monday, Jul 07, 2008

Norway's Havyard Leirvik has signed contract with Havila Ships for the delivery of a Havyard 860 offshore construction vessel for delivery in spring 2011.

Total Contract value is approximately US$300 million. Havyard Leirvik has, with this order, full occupation for its employees into 2011. The Havyard 860 is an advanced construction vessel which will carry out work on the seabed in connection with development, operation and maintenance of sub sea installations for oil production offshore. The ship will have clean design class for satisfying highest environmental requirements and diesel-electric propulsion systems for highest dynamic position class DYNPOS AUTRO / DP3. To carry out subsea work, the vessel will be equipped with two large offshore cranes, the biggest lifting 250 tonnes and launching systems for remote-operated vehicles over the shipside. The Havyard 860 will have high comfort class and facilities as day rooms, an internet cafe, a cinema, a health club, ensuring high living standards for the 140 people onboard. With this, Havyard Design has developed four different vessel types for working on subsea oil production installations. They have developed designs for platform supply vessels and anchor handling tug supply vessels. The Havyard 860 measures 160 metres by 28 metres and has a cargo deck space of 2,400 square metres. Source: Baird Online

$33 billion Middle East port expansion underway

Monday, Jul 07, 2008

Dubai: Gulf neighbours challenge dominance of Dubai's Jebel Ali - one of the world's biggest container ports - with major building programs.

Massive economic growth is driving major seaport expansion in the Middle East worth in excess of $33 billion to handle record volumes of containers and bulk cargoes. "The emergence of strong and diversified maritime companies and operators is making the Middle East, and the Arabian Gulf in particular, one of the most dynamic and vibrant international maritime centres in the world," said Christopher Hayman, Managing Director of Seatrade, organizers of Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2008. According to the most up-to-date data on new seaport developments or expansions from research company Proleads, which monitors all major regional construction, there are currently around 50 such projects valued at more than $33 billion across the Middle East with individual budgets ranging from $10 million to $5.5 billion. The region is home to one of the world's largest container ports in Dubai's Jebel Ali, which currently handles around 11 million twenty-foot equivalent container units a year. The biggest seaport being planned is Qatar's New Mesaieed Port ($5.5 billion), heading a top ten of new or expansion port projects. Middle East port operators are not only expanding in the region. Dubai's DP World, the fourth largest port and terminal operator worldwide, is expanding operations across the Indian subcontinent, Far East, Europe, the Americas, Australia as well as the Middle East. Source: Seatradeasia

Jonathan Bird's Blue World on public television

Monday, Jul 07, 2008

Emmy Award-winning underwater cinematographer Jonathan Bird is pleased to announce that his educational internet program Jonathan Bird's Blue World is now being syndicated to public television stations across the country.

Jonathan Bird's Blue World features the dynamic naturalist and underwater photographer Jonathan Bird as he travels the globe on exciting adventures deep below the surface of the world's oceans, where he meets the exotic and sometimes dangerous animals that live there. Co-produced by Jonathan Bird Productions and the 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations, Oceanic Research Group, the series is designed to entertain the whole family as it teaches everyone to appreciate this little-understood but critical part of our environment. Previously, the program was available only on the internet. However now the half-hour programs are available to all public television stations through syndication by NETA (the National Educational Telecommunications Association). It has been picked up already in 16 states with many more to follow. Jonathan Bird's Blue World can be viewed for free and without advertising on the internet, or on an iPod, as part of Oceanic Research Group's mission to protect the marine environment through education. Each episode of Jonathan Bird's Blue World has an accompanying study guide on the web site to facilitate the use of this program by educators in the classroom. Designed to be both engaging and educational at the same time, viewers will be entertained by every adventure, yet without realizing it, also learn about the marine environment.

New Container Terminal-1 in Subic is ISPS compliant

Monday, Jul 07, 2008

The New Container Terminal-1 at the Subic Bay Freeport is ready for global trade with its ISPS compliance certification.

The terminal is operated by International Container Terminal Services, subsidiary Subic Bay International Terminal. The New Container Terminal-1 (NCT-1), Subic Bay Freeport's newest container handling facility, was recently awarded a three-year certification for its compliance with the International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities (ISPS). The certification was issued by Undersecretary Cecilio Penilla, administrator of the Office for Transport Security of the Philippine Department of Transportation and Communications. An official of Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC), operator of the NCT-1, said the ISPS clearance is an indication that the new terminal is ready for global trade as well as ensuring the safety and security of containers in the terminal. "As the new trading gateway in northern Philippines serving the industries of Subic, Clark and Tarlac economic zones, we are priming the NCT-1 to be at par with the world's best practices in terminal operations," said Aurelio C. Garcia, SBITC general manager. The ISPS is a security regulation by the United Nations' International Maritime Organization established in 2004 to counter increasing terror threats in global maritime trade. The code is an anti-terrorism measure which covers all seafaring vessels and sea ports worldwide. Source: Baird Online