AIS Class-A from ACR

ACR Electronics has introduced the Nauticast-INLAND AIS, a Class A-rated SOLAS transponder that also serves as a navigational safety aid on rivers and inland waterways.

The unit can switch from an IMO-specified AIS unit to use for inland navigation as required, and is fully compliant with ECDIS connectivity. It can also be remotely controlled.

The unit measures 28 cm x 20 cm x 6 cm, and weighs 2.5 kg, with an integrated keyboard and display.

North Sea Seca Now In Force

Reminder to vessels calling North Sea ports:

Rules restricting the sulphur content of fuel used by ships operating in the North Sea came into force in late 2007. There is now a 1.5 percent cap on the sulphur content of bunkers within the North Sea SOx Emission Control Area (Seca). Alternatively, ships must fit an exhaust gas cleaning system, commonly known as a "scrubber". At present scrubber technology is still in the development stage so most ships are switching from high sulphur fuel to more expensive low sulphur fuel as they enter the Seca. Port state control inspectors are able to check whether ships are burning fuel that complies with the regulations.

New Bridge Procedures Guide

For ship managers who may want to improve or enhance navigational practice on board ships uner their management-

From The Sea, Jan/Feb 2008 issue, published by the Missions to Seafarers, London:
A fully updated edition of the ICS "Bridge Procedures Guide", which is intended to reflect best navigational practice on ships today in all sectors and trades, has been published by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which strongly recommends that a copy is carried on board every ship.
The new edition takes account of the increased use of modern electronic charting systems, and the introduction of equipment such as Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). Guidance concerning pilotage has also been thoroughly updated, and advice about dynamic positioning has been included.
It also covers the latest internationally agreed standards and recommendations adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and includes bridge and emergency checklists for use by ships' masters and navigating officers. It is available from maritime booksellers or visit www.marisec.orgs/pubs.

New Bridge Procedures Guide

Cavour Aircraft Carrier, Italy

On 22 November 2000, a contract was drawn up between Fincantieri and the Italian Ministry of Naval Defence to supply an aircraft carrier vessel, known as the Nuova Unita Maggiore (NUM) or 'New Major Vessel', to the Italian Navy.
"The Cavour is an aircraft carrier of the Italian Navy, which will enter service in 2008."
Building work on the new vessel, which was originally to be called the Andrea Doria but has since been named the Cavour, began at Fincantieri's shipyards in Riva Trigoso and Muggiano in July 2001.The Cavour was launched in July 2004 and began sea trials in 2006. The aircraft carrier will be commissioned in early 2008 and enter service in late 2008 / early 2009.

E/S Orcelle - Environmentally Sound ship

Wallenius Marine’s Sara Gorton, Environmental Manager and Christer Nygren, Technical Manager have been part of the development of a zero emission car carrier model for the future – the Environmentally Sound ship the E/S Orcelle. The E/S Orcelle will represent subsidiary company Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics at the World Expo in Nagoya, Japan, which started on March 25, 2005.Solar cells on the sails, which give solar and wind power, wave energy from the pentamaran-shaped hull together with light materials will run the 250 meter long, 50 meters wide, 10,000 car capacity strong vessel of the future without harmful emissions. E/S Orcelle, with the E/S standing for Environmentally sound Ship and "orcelle" - French for the Irrawaddy dolphin, classified by WWF as a critically endangered species, but the name also refers to solar cells and fuel cells. Facts: • Capacity: 10,000 cars • Length: 250 m • Width: 50 m • Height: 30-40 m • No of decks: 8, 3 adjustable • Speed: 15 knots • Built in lightweight materials – aluminium and thermoplastics composites • Pentamaran which gives greater stability, low weight, significantly less drag + improved utilization of energy • No ballast water will be needed Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics has launched a website with information about E/S Orcelle: http://www.2wglobal.com/expo2005/english/index.jsp

New freefall lifeboat from Eide Marine Tech AS (EMT)

EMT has together with their lifeboat factory in China developed a new freefall lifeboat for 64 persons - for a freefall height up to 32 metres.

The lifeboat has a new superstructure design in order to get the water off the superstructure faster than earlier designed freefall lifeboats. And together with the bow, which EMT has used for several years, this will make the entry to the water quite soft.
EMT has already offered the lifeboat with launching appliance to several projects in Norway and abroad.

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
Capacity: 64 Persons
Max. Installation Height 32 m
Length Mould 10500 mm
Breadth Mould 2750 mm
Height Overall 3200 mm
Weight of boat with equipment 7100 kg
Weight of boat with persons 11900 kg
Speed 6 knots
Engine 380J-3, Bukh

Boxer legislation to cut ship emissions could drive up fuel costs 50%

The shipping companies' fuel costs could rise as much as 50 percent under proposed legislation by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, aimed at reducing sulfur emissions from ships traveling in U.S. waters.

The bill, S. 1499, would require the sulfur content of diesel fuel used by ships to drop from the present average 27,000 parts per million to an ultimate level of 1,000 parts per million. It would require, by Dec. 31, 2010, all domestic and foreign-flagged ships sailing into U.S. ports to switch to lower-sulfur fuel when traveling within 200 nautical miles of shore. However, currently, the cost of standard bunker fuel used commonly in the shipping industry ranges from $460 to $490 per ton, while the lower-sulfur content marine diesel fuel costs range from $790 to $860 per ton.

World Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Guide - Contact Address

The World VTS Guide is a reference book for ships calling at international
ports. It is suggested that for those who do not have this guide yet, online
info may be downloaded from the website at: www.worldvtsguide.org

If you have other reference books on the subject, then this could be a useful additional.

To ships sailing the "seven seas" and persons/entities connected with these ships - may you have fair winds and smooth seas!

Technology To Combat High Seas Piracy

Any shipowner who do not have this but interested ... or just anybody who may be
interested too?

A MEASURE TO ENHANCE MARITIME SECURITY
Following the SOLAS regulation XI-2/6 adopted in December 2002 by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and effective over two stages (July 1, 2004 and July 1, 2006), all vessels of more than 500 GT must be equipped with a SSAS (Ship Security Alert System). SSAS is a system that sends an alert from ship to shore in case of a piracy or terrorist attack on-board a vessel.
ShipLoc provides:
Long range tracking of your ships 6 or 24 times per day displayed on a dedicated website with complete maritime maps.
Monitor the exact location of your vessels anywhere in the world at any time.
Display data such as speed, location, heading and time of the last ship position.
Visualize maritime weather data: wind, waves, air pressure...
Calculate the ETA of your vessel

Immediate alerts. If the crew pushes the alert button, a notification is sent to the ship owner and to the competent authorities.
Discrete message, undetectable on-board or by surrounding ships.
CLS operators monitor incoming alerts 24/7 365 days a year.
Data are completely tamper-proof, secure and reliable. They cannot be falsified in any way.

ShipLoc is operated by the company CLS, a subsidiary of the French Space Agency, known internationally as the operator of Argos worldwide location and data collection system. CLS is an international corporation with 260 employees: 200 at company headquarters in France, near Toulouse, and 60 at its offices and subsidiaries around the world.

CLS
8-10, rue Hermès,
31520 Ramonville Saint-Agne
France

Contacts:
Tel +33 05 61 39 47 20
Fax +33 05 61 39 47 97
E-mail: info@shiploc.com

Thuraya Satellite Launch Success

The launch of the Thuraya-3 communications satellite from the Pacific Ocean, using a Zenit-3SL rocket, was successfully completed on January 15th, having been delayed a number of times at the end of November due to poor weather conditions. The satellite was launched from a floating
Odyssey platform in the mid-Pacific, at 11.49 GMT on 15 January, placing the 5,170 kg (11,380 lb) Thuraya-3 into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Managed by launch company Sea Launch, the floating platform was located on the equator at 154 degrees West, to take advantage of a principle of physics whereby a rocket launched from an equatorial position can carry a heavier payload into orbit than it could from elsewhere on the Earth's surface. The Zenit-3SL craft lifted off immediately once the 44-minute launch window opened, with the Thuraya 3 satellite separating itself from the vehicle 98 minutes later. Thuraya-3 is the third and latest geo-mobile satellite manufactured by Boeing for Thuraya. The first two satel-Thuraya satellite launch success lites, Thuraya-1 and -2, launched in 2000 and 2003 respectively, were the largest commercial satellites ever launched at that time. The successful completion of the project has marked the end of a difficult period for the communications provider in its attempts to add the new satellite to its network, with a number of previous attempts to launch the rocket having been aborted. The most recent planned launch of Thuraya-3 was originally scheduled for November 13, 2007, before being cancelled. The launch was then expected to take place November 21, 2007, at 3.25 GMT, before the weather and unusually strong currents put paid to these plans. Thuraya's CEO, Yousuf Al Sayed, indicated that the launch of this satellite will form an important part of the company's strategy going forward. Mr Al Sayed also added that Thuraya has already completed all ground network preparations for Thuraya-3, and set up a commercial infrastructure with a number of partners in East Asia, with a view to a commercial launch early in 2008. Once operational, the new satellite will double Thuraya's current coverage to include all Asia-Pacific countries, enabling The Thuraya-3 satellite, launched January 15, will double Thuraya's current coverage it to offer its services in markets like China, Japan, Australia, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

New ISO standards for recycling ships to meet eco concerns

The international organization for standardization (ISO) has release the first document in a new series of management system standards regarding the recycling of ships.
The new series, ISO 30000 ship recycling management systems, has been designed with the goals of supporting environmental protection and increasing the safety of workers.
ISO 30000 has been developed to assist stakeholders-large and small-in the uniform implementation of the international marine organization's (IMO) requirements on ship recycling.
The series of standards will increase transparency, facilitate trade, provide a clear reference for industry and constitute a valuable risk assessment tool. These IS0O standards can be used by any organization and for ships of all types and sizes, everywhere, employed in international and domestic trade alike.

MARPOL Annex VI _ Updates as of January 4,2008

Air pollution and MARPOL Annex VI: Worldwide *Updates* 4 Jan 2008


Summary of important dates:
1999 26th April EU EU sulphur directive 1999/32 adopted

2000 1st January
IMO Ship engines should comply with NOx technical code
IMO Ships incinerators must be of an approved type
1st July EU Max 0.2% sulphur for marine gas oils

2005
19th May IMO MARPOL Annex VI enters into force
11th August EU EU Sulphur Directive 1999/32 as amended by 2005/33 enters into force

2006 19th May IMO Baltic SECA enters into force
11th August EU Baltic SECA enforced by EU directive 2005/33
EU Max 1.5% sulphur for passenger ships to/from EU ports (2005/33)
EU Max 1.5% sulphur for marine diesel oils

2007
1st January CARB Max 0.5% sulphur within 24 miles of California shore
11th August EU North Sea and English Channel SECA enters into force
22nd November IMO North Sea and English Channel SECA enters into force

2008 1st January EU Max 0.1% sulphur for marine gas oils

2010 1st January EU Max 0.1% sulphur bunker fuel in use at EU berths
EU Max 0.1% sulphur in all EU inland waterways
CARB Max 0.1% sulphur within 24 miles of California shore

2012 1st January EU Max 0.1% sulphur bunker fuel in use by Greek ferries at Greek ports

(SECA – SOx emission control area where fuel in use on board must not exceed 1.5% sulphur)

Norwegian owners approve Liberian registry

THE Norwegian Shipowners' Association (NSA) has lifted its recommendation not to use the Liberian ship registry, which has been in effect since 2001. NSA released a statement saying that the basis for their position on the Liberian registry is due to the positive developments in Liberia, the position of the UN and the Norwegian authorities, and the increased transparency concerning financial transactions between the registry and the Liberian authorities.

In late 2001, the NSA recommended its members not to use the Liberian registry until the country “answered the UN's call for increased transparency surrounding cashflows from the country”.

LR Americas secures Martec

LLOYD'S Register Americas has completed the acquisition a Canadian company, Halifax, Nova Scotia-based engineering firm Martec. Martec specialises in developing advanced engineering simulation technology for the design and analysis of complex structures and systems – particularly ships, ports, harbours, and offshore facilities.
Martec’s activities will be part of the Lloyd’s Register Group’s Marine Consultancy Services, co-ordinated by Claus Myllerup, Senior Vice President, Head of Lloyd’s Register Technical Investigations & Analysis.

Ballast Water Management Convention_Ratification Status

Info as of Nov 30, 2007:

The International Ballast Water Management Convention was adopted by IMO on February 13, 2004 and will enter into force when it has been ratified by at least thirty member states, representing 35% of the world's gross tonnage. To date, only 10 countries, representing 3.6% of the world's gross tonnage, have ratified it. They are: Barbados, Egypt, Kiribati, Maldives, Nigeria, Norway, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic and Tuvalu.

New Certified Bilge Oil Water Separator

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

NEW BOSS IMO MEPC 107(49) Certified Bilge Oil Water Separator.

In January of 2005, many countries began requiring new ships and ships replacing separators (over 400 tons) to meet the IMO MEPC 107(49) regulations. This regulation requires removal of not only free oil as the previous regulation did, but also what is called "fluid C". Also oil content monitors are required to track results of separation. This new requirement has significantly raised the price of a bilge separator and limited the separators to choose from. The BOSS Series 107 brings you the best, most economical system available today to meet this new requirement. Our filter exchange program makes it easy.

Environmental protection put into practice

Late last year, the classification society, Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has launched a prototype CO2-index, based on MEPC/Circ.471, which is available for all GL classed ships within “fleet online”. The new CO2-index tool can be used to record fuel consumption, transported cargo and distance between two consecutive ports and CO2 emissions. Computed index values can be compared to other ships’ indices and eventually be used to minimize emissions from transport.

Marine Propulsion Conference

you might be interested ....

Topics under the spotlight include but are not limited to: optimising fuel efficiency; understanding oil stress in two and four stroke engines; balancing environmental compliance with performance requirements; power & propulsion solutions for the modern shipowner and the key to successful in-service maintenance programmes.

Venue: Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, London, UK
12/03/2008 to 13/03/2008

Ship's Ballast Water - Latest News

Ballast Water
A normal part of ship operation is the use of water ballast taken onboard vessels to ensure stability. Such water will contain organisms that will be transported by the ship until the vessel de-ballasts. While the vast majority of such organisms will not survive the journey or the introduction into a different environment some hardy species may survive and establish themselves. Such non-native species may cause serious ecological, economic and public health impacts, particularly when they become invasive.
Latest News
The final Ballast Water Scoping Study for North West Europe (Part 1 of the Ballast Water Management Strategy for NW Europe) is now available in two files listed below:
Ballast Water Scoping Study Part A
Ballast Water Scoping Study Part B
Parts 2 and 3 of the Ballast Water Management Strategy for NW Europe
Please see two papers that have been submitted by the United Kingdom to the OSPAR Convention meeting 2007, a Ballast Water Phase 2 Update (PDF, 40kb) and Voluntary Guidelines for Vessels Entering the OSPAR Region (PDF, 452kb)
Ballast Water Convention
In response to this the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), over many years, has been developing international legislation to prevent the harmful effects of transporting aquatic organisms in ships ballast water.“International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments”.
The main requirements of the Convention include: ships having on board a Ballast Water record book, which must be entered into after each ballast water operation;the phased implementation of a ballast water discharge standard, which is based on the ships ballast water capacity and its construction date.ships performing ballast water exchange with an efficiency of at least 95% volumetric exchange of ballast water. For ships exchanging the ballast water by the pumping-through method, pumping through three times the volume of each ballast tank will be considered equivalent to meeting the 95% standard; and ships adhering to the performance standard where levels are set at which quantities of organisms are allowed to be discharged in ships’ ballast water.
The convention will enter into force 12 months after it has been signed by 30 states representing 35% of world merchant shipping tonnage.

Navigation Chart Plotter

Navigational Chart Plotters
Navigation Safety, Cruising, Sailing, Fish Finding, Search & RescueInterphase’s Chart Master navigational chart plotters are designed to use C-MAP’s revolutionary MAX chart cartography with ports and tides. All units include a built-in worldwide database and the most extensive list of vector electronic charts available.
Chart Master 169CS
Interphase’s new Chart Master 169CS offers cutting-edge navigation features with a gorgeous panoramic color display.The wide, sunlight viewable display gives you the “big picture” while being easy on the eyes and providing truly useable side-by-side split screen displays.

Scientists oppose extending oil exploration in Tañon Strait

In an article in the Inquirer.net "Philippine marine scientists have called on the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to cancel the extension of an oil exploration permit for Tañon Strait issued to Japan Exploration Co. In a statement, scientists belonging to the Philippine Association of Marine Scientists also asked for a transparent review of the whole Environmental Impact Assessment process for the exploration. They lamented the claim of the Department of Energy and the DENR that there were no negative impacts on the marine ecosystem of Tañon Strait."
With the world changing, is technology destroying our marine resources? we push for developement... but at what price? can technology work without compromising our one and only world.

BMT Delivers Triplet Ferries to Indian Islands

The ferries are capable of carrying 154 with a crew of 10, and have a top speed of 25 knots. The trio represent leading ferry technology, built to the highest international standards and fully compliant with IMO HSC 2000. The vessels will add significantly to the developing transport network around the islands reducing transit times and improving inter-island connectivity.

Three high speed aluminium catamaran ferries designed by BMT Nigel Gee Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, have safely arrived in India's Lakshadweep Islands.

The vessels, built by Penguin Shipyards International, Singapore, will provide a vital inter-island transport service in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA), a large outspread group of islands in the Arabian Sea, off the south-west coast of India.

Dutch Seek Islands to Combat Rising Sea Threat

Dutch water industry experts on Monday backed proposals to build several off-shore islands to protect the nation's coast, much of which lies below sea-level, from rising seas caused by global warming.

Dutch had completed work on a cluster of artificial islands off the coast of Dubai in the shape of the world's continents which used 320 million cubic meters of sand, equal to a 2-metre-wide, 4-metre-high wall stretching around the world.

The Problem of Space Debris

I have come across this article "The Problem of Space Debris" which was posted at the U.S.News. and would like to share it with you.

Technology in one form or another (talking about everything under the skies) is being utilized by mankind in all its day-to-day activities (day in and day out). Technology rules governments, business industry, household, man...himself. It controls the skies and the waters. But maybe some have ruled out the absolute fact that technology is man-made. It may have its successes, but man is controlling it and enhancing it and maintaining it, but can destroy it as well. I just want to leave this absolute question for all of us to reflect upon: Something like this (article stated) happens, and it destroys half of all what is supporting our technology down here, what will happen?
I ask this question not because I oppose technology but it gave me something to think about what if something goes wrong? I myself cannot find a definite answer to that question. What could mankind do when situations like this happen?

China's test adds to the perils for satellites

By Kevin Whitelaw

Posted December 4, 2007

Three months earlier, China had destroyed its old Feng Yun 1-C weather satellite in an antisatellite weapon test that NASA called "the single worst contamination of low Earth orbit during the past 50 years." When the Feng Yun exploded, tens of thousands of shards shot off in every direction. Today, the debris field extends from 125 miles above the surface of Earth to 2,500 miles. Air Force engineers have calculated that it will take a century for all the pieces to fall out of orbit.

Many of these chunks are big enough to threaten satellites and equipment in lower Earth orbit, including the international space station. The Air Force Space Command has identified and is tracking 2,229 pieces of debris from the test that are at least as large as a softball. "Anything that size or larger, if it collided with a satellite, would equate to instantaneous death for a satellite," Until now many of these Feng Yun remnants have been seen and observers say that a 20 percent jump—to 11,800—in the size of its catalog of space objects of concern, including satellites and debris, after the test. (In all, analysts track more than 17,300 objects in space, but the rest have yet to be identified with certainty.)

Chinese scientists told western counterparts that their calculations suggest the risk of collision has increased by less than 1 percent. But U.S. analysts have seen the number of close calls between satellites and debris more than double since the test. In an average week, Mason says, there will be up to 200 incidents where a piece of the Feng Yun passes within 3 miles of one of America's 400 satellites. NASA was forced to move its scientific satellite Terra on June 22 to avoid a chunk from the Feng Yun after engineers calculated that the risk of a collision was 7 in 100. Similarly, Iridium, the commercial satellite voice and data communications firm, says the number of close calls between space debris and its 66 satellites rose 15 percent after the test, even though the overall risk of a collision is remote. Says John Campbell, EVP at Iridium, "We're concerned about any activity that makes space a less hospitable place to work in."

COPY-PASTE Technology Swarms Martech Blogspot

Copy-Paste Technology has recently been an ideal avenue for some Martech people. It is a convenient way to posting blogs, without even reading the content of the damn blog. We know that such technology is utilized whenever you see any of the following: advertisements are posted along with the blog, or when the blog is too long, or when the blog contains information that is totally irrelevant to the subject of the blog itself.

As we have discussed on the first day of class, blogs are evaluated based on quality and content, with a maximum of 250 words. Of course, if we simply copy and paste somebody else's ideas, not only are we violating copyright laws (which is a criminal violation, thereby making the offender, if found guilty, a CRIMINAL), but we also show to the rest of the world that we Filipinos have a bad habit of not using enough of our brain. I hope that the Copy-Paste Technology would be a thing of the past for our purposes, and that past offenders will remedy their CRIMINAL ACT by editing their blogs. Rest assured that such blogs will forever be deleted from the archives of this blogsite by February 14, so that future generations will never know how careless we are. Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!

'Declare Nigeria a war zone'

08/02/2008 21:15 - (SA)

London - The world's biggest seafaring union said on Friday it wanted Nigerian waters declared a war zone after an alarming rise in attacks and kidnappings on merchant shipping by rebels.
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), which represents 186 maritime unions and some 700 000 seafarers worldwide, said it was pressing shipping associations and major shipping firms to recognise the dangers of operating off Nigeria.

"This is in response to an increasing number of attacks and kidnappings by the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)," ITF spokesperson Sam Dawson said.
Dawson said declaring Nigeria as a war zone would change terms and conditions for seafarers operating there, including paying them higher wages, which he likened to danger money.
Insurers have already raised hull war-risk rates for shippers who operate in the area in the last month, following a spate of attacks onshore and offshore.

source: http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2267303,00.html

Philippines Aims To Become Asia's Next Maritime Hub

MANILA, Feb 6 Asia Pulse - The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is planning to promote the Philippines as Asia's next maritime hub by developing the country's local shipbreaking, shipbuilding, drydocking and transshipment industries.

"The recognized tiger economies of Asia have prospered over the years because they have rightfully focused on these maritime potentials," the agency pointed out.
The maritime regulator cited the example of Taiwan which is synonymous with shipbreaking; Japan, the world's top shipbuilder, which was eventually displaced by South Korea; and Singapore and Hong Kong, the present maritime hubs of Asia in view of their booming cargo transshipments.
"The Philippines could have joined the bandwagon and caught the boom, had we properly developed our shipbuilding industry," Marina pointed out.
The agency said that in the past, many foreign vessels used to come to the Philippines for drydocking but were shunned by substantial duties and bureaucratic red tape at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Marina has laid down plans for the country's maritime industry according to specific mandates, which include promotional, developmental and regulatory/supervisory activities.
Under its promotional mandate, the maritime agency is focusing on the promotion of Philippine-flag ships, development of new financing windows for shipping and proposing maritime attaches in strategic international ports.
The developmental mandate covers the establishment of Marina training centers, development of certification process for competency of maritime manpower, development of new routes areas of operation, conduct of a pre-feasibility study to identify potential routes, development of mandatory ship retirement/replacement program, improvement of shipyard capability to build 500 gross-registered tonnage ships and below and adoption of electronic commerce.
The agency said the regulatory/supervisory activities would pave the way for the adjustment/rationalization of safety standards according to ship type or size; preparation of guidebook for enhanced enforcement and monitoring procedures; codification of Marina circulars, maritime-related laws, rules and regulations; ratification of maritime conventions; domestic shipping database update; and enhancement of an overall maritime industry database.
The maritime body noted one viable strategy for sea transport is cargo consolidation vis-a-vis designation of suitable hub centers and ports. "As you know, carriers look into moving cargoes as one economy in or out of the ASEAN or the APEC Region through cargo consolidation," he said.
In the case of bulk grain shipments, Marina pointed out Mindanao is a potential hub, especially ports in the northern part.
The Asian Development Bank of the Philippines is currently conducting a study on the prioritization of strategic directions on the shipment of corn to Borneo and fertilizer from Bintulu as backload.
Meanwhile, an ideal container transshipment hub would be the port of Makar in General Santos, especially with the opening of the direct containerized services to and from Bintung.
"Exports from East Asia will utilize this route instead of going down to Surabaya via Jakarta to Singapore then Kaoshioung for the US West Coast," the maritime regulator said.
Marina noted shipping costs may be reduced by as much as 5O per cent using the same route for imports from the US West Coast destined for Sulawesi, Maluku, Irian Jaya and up to the Lesser Sundra Islands.

(PNA)

PORT SECURITY - Installation of Radiation Monitors

US Customs and Border Protection issued a press release advising that the Port of Honolulu has installed a Radiation Portal Monitor to screen vehicles and cargo departing from Pier 1 for radiation. Use of radiation monitors is part of an ongoing effort to detect and prevent the transportation of nuclear devices, dirty bombs and other items that could be used in terrorist attacks.

New Design of Coastal Protection Vessel

Rolls-Royce has unveiled the latest design in its family of coastal protection vessels at the Pacific 2006 exhibition in Sydney (Australia). Navies, coastguards and public agencies are increasingly interested in ships which can monitor, patrol and protect their waters and also carry out pollution control, salvage and firefighting tasks. Rolls-Royce draws on a commercial ship design heritage which has seen over 600 of its vessels built over the last 30 years.

Samsung Unveils Tera-Block Method

Thursday, September 13, 2007

According to reports, Samsung Heavy Industries has developed a new shipbuilding system, called the tera-block method, that allows the company to assemble a vessel from just two large ship blocks. Comparing a ship with a house, ship blocks are the equivalent of bricks. As bricks are laid to build a house, ship blocks, which are made individually, are welded together to form a ship. An extra-large ship usually consists of dozens of blocks. But in recent years shipbuilders have been trying to reduce the number of ship blocks they need in order to boost their productivity.

Cargotec Receives Significant RoRo Equipment Orders for PCTCs

Press Release, January 24, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. Finnish time

Cargotec, MacGREGOR’s business area providing marine cargo handling and offshore solutions, has received RoRo equipment orders for 12 pure car/truck carriers (PCTCs). The equipment will be delivered during 2009–2010 and the value of the orders exceeds EUR 20 million.

MacGREGOR is the largest supplier of RoRo equipment for PCTCs and deepsea RoRos and has since year 2000 delivered and been contracted to deliver RoRo equipment to more than 200 such ships.

Also MacGREGOR has the most extensive experience in its field in manufacturing RoRo equipment in China for the Korean market. The orders now received include approximately 6,500 tonnes of liftable car decks for four vessels that will be built in the Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard, as well as design and key component for eight PCTCs built at Chinese Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry.

MPA and IDA launch the Infocomm@SeaPort programme

Singapore’s Seaport To Be World’s First Wi-Max-Ready By 2008

By early 2008, all ships in Singapore can have access to mobile wireless broadband, allowing real-time and data-intensive communications between the ships and their customers and business partners. Thanks to WISEPORT (WIreless-broadband-access for SEaPort), activities that could only be done onshore previously can now be achieved offshore as well, from regulatory filings, to broadband communications, to real-time access to navigational data. WISEPORT is one of the initial projects under the Infocomm@SeaPort programme, which aims to provide a mobile wireless broadband network within 15km from Singapore’s southern coastline. WISEPORT will provide a low-cost, high-bandwidth and secure access.

The Infocomm@SeaPort programme was launched this morning by Mr Raymond Lim, Minister of Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the opening of the 2nd International Maritime - Port Technology and Development Conference (MTEC 2007).

Finland to develop new VTS

The Finnish Maritime Administration is to launch a research and development project to create a new type of traffic management support system for vessel traffic service (VTS) centres, which also makes more use of chart data.
The scheme has been initiated in response to forecasts which show that maritime traffic, especially oil transport, will increase significantly in the Baltic and the Gulf of Finland in the foreseeable future. This also calls for more work on ENCs, particularly depth data.
The intelligent decision support system (IDiSS) project runs until 2010 and aims to create functionalities which will compare depth information in electronic navigational charts (ENCs), automatic identification system (AIS) data for vessels sailing in the VTS area, and directional vectors.
If a directional vector shows that a vessel is heading for waters shallower than it can handle according to its AIS data, the system will issue an alarm to the VTS operator so that they can intervene.
Opportunities for utilising various ENC-based maritime information overlays (MIOs) are also being explored, which could include data on ice, weather and environmentally sensitive areas.

ref: www.thedigitalship.com