Some of the World’s Longest Ships:
Name: Knock Nevis
Ships in class: 1
Type: Supertanker
Length: 458 m / 1,504 ft
Disp.: 564,763
Status: FSO
Main Builder: Sumitomo Heavy Industries
Operator: Fred Olsen Production
Name: Batillus class
Ships in class: 4
Type: Supertanker
Length: 414 m / 1,358 ft
Disp.: 550,000
Status: All scrapped
Main Builder: Chantiers de l'Atlantique
Operator: Societe Maritime Shell
Name: Esso Atlantic class
Ships in class: 2
Type: Supertanker
Length: 406 m / 1,334 ft
Disp.: 516,000
Status: All scrapped
Main Builder: Hitachi Heavy Industries
Operator: Exxon
Name: Esso Pacific
Ships in class: =
Type: Supertanker
Length: 406 m / 1,334 ft
Disp.: 516,000
Status: Scrapped
Main Builder: Hitachi Heavy Industries
Operator: Exxon
Name: Emma Maersk
Ships in class: 4
Type: Container Ship
Length: 397 m/1,302 ft
Disp.: 170,974
Status: In service
Main Builder: Odense Steel Shipyard
Operator: A.P. Moller- Maersk Group
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Hello, New Bloggers!
Hello, guys and dolls! Welcome to the group of people
whose thinking renews now and then. Any way you do it,
you should blog. It will improve your vocabulary (?) or
even improve the way your brain works.
whose thinking renews now and then. Any way you do it,
you should blog. It will improve your vocabulary (?) or
even improve the way your brain works.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Ship Noise Pollution in US Waters
Excerpts from the International Shipping News:
Ship noise pollution moves up the agenda
Daily News
23 Apr 2008
MERCHANT vessels are likely to face growing traffic constraints in US waters in the coming years due to concerns over the impact of ship noise on marine mammals, according to Frank Gonynor, senior claims executive at Gard AS.
Speaking at a seminar hosted by the club in Hamburg today, he warned that it is only a matter of time until lawsuits are launched against owners and operators of cargo ships while inside US waters.
What next?
Ship noise pollution moves up the agenda
Daily News
23 Apr 2008
MERCHANT vessels are likely to face growing traffic constraints in US waters in the coming years due to concerns over the impact of ship noise on marine mammals, according to Frank Gonynor, senior claims executive at Gard AS.
Speaking at a seminar hosted by the club in Hamburg today, he warned that it is only a matter of time until lawsuits are launched against owners and operators of cargo ships while inside US waters.
What next?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Korea Permits Foreign Welders
News Bit from Fairplay 24
Daily News
23 Apr 2008
KOREA’S new shipyards, which are facing a severe shortage of skilled welders, will be able to source workforce from overseas under the government’s ‘Gold Card’ provision. About 200 foreign welders will be employed by relatively new medium sized shipbuilders, Kim Young Hun, head of Human Resource Management of Korea has stated.
Calling Pinoy Welders ! Here is one good chance of getting jobs.
Daily News
23 Apr 2008
KOREA’S new shipyards, which are facing a severe shortage of skilled welders, will be able to source workforce from overseas under the government’s ‘Gold Card’ provision. About 200 foreign welders will be employed by relatively new medium sized shipbuilders, Kim Young Hun, head of Human Resource Management of Korea has stated.
Calling Pinoy Welders ! Here is one good chance of getting jobs.
Hyundai Heavy to Build First Korean-Designed LNG Ship
Monday, April 21, 2008
A Korean shipbuilder has succeeded in independently designing a liquefied natural gas carrier. Building LNG ships is a high value-added business, as it requires the highest level of shipbuilding technology. The latest achievement should significantly lower the royalties that Korean companies have had to pay to countries that developed such technology. Hyundai Heavy Industries said that Russia plans to purchase an LNG ship built with Korean design technology in May. Although Korea dominates global LNG carrier orders, it has been dependent on foreign companies that own the core technology needed to design the ships. Korean shipbuilders have paid Gaz Transport & Technigaz (GTT) of France more than W1 trillion (US$1=W1,000) in royalties over the last five years for the technology. In order to stop paying such high royalties, Korea's shipbuilding industry began developing its own design technology for LNG vessels in 2004. It succeeded in doing so last year and received an actual order from Russia this year. The industry anticipates that the success will generate more than W6 trillion in benefits. Source: Chosun
A Korean shipbuilder has succeeded in independently designing a liquefied natural gas carrier. Building LNG ships is a high value-added business, as it requires the highest level of shipbuilding technology. The latest achievement should significantly lower the royalties that Korean companies have had to pay to countries that developed such technology. Hyundai Heavy Industries said that Russia plans to purchase an LNG ship built with Korean design technology in May. Although Korea dominates global LNG carrier orders, it has been dependent on foreign companies that own the core technology needed to design the ships. Korean shipbuilders have paid Gaz Transport & Technigaz (GTT) of France more than W1 trillion (US$1=W1,000) in royalties over the last five years for the technology. In order to stop paying such high royalties, Korea's shipbuilding industry began developing its own design technology for LNG vessels in 2004. It succeeded in doing so last year and received an actual order from Russia this year. The industry anticipates that the success will generate more than W6 trillion in benefits. Source: Chosun
TSA to use maritime spec for worker ID
By Alice Lipowicz
The Transportation Security Administration announced it has adopted a maritime industry specification for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential biometric reader and the contactless smart card.
TSA and the Coast Guard selected a recommendation advanced by the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee to require encryption and use of the so-called TWIC privacy key as the working specification for readers. The TWIC privacy key is a scheme advanced by the advisory committee to utilize encryption to protect information on the cards.
“If the readers that meet this working specification perform as planned during the pilot testing, we will finalize the specification as we complete the rulemaking that requires the use of readers,” states the Sept. 20 Federal Register notice.
TSA said it adopted the encryption scheme to better protect the personal information on the cards. It stated that the TWIC privacy key model is less burdensome for maritime operators than other encryption models.
TSA also modified the advisory committee’s specification to require that the contactless transmission of information between the card and reader should occur at a rate of at least 400,000 bits per second.
The TWIC has been in development and testing for at least three years, and in 2006 it was decided that the ID card should conform to the Federal Information Processing Standard 201 for government employees.
TWIC enrollment of port workers is expected to begin in October at the port of Wilmington, Del. It will advance to other ports shortly afterwards.
The Transportation Security Administration announced it has adopted a maritime industry specification for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential biometric reader and the contactless smart card.
TSA and the Coast Guard selected a recommendation advanced by the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee to require encryption and use of the so-called TWIC privacy key as the working specification for readers. The TWIC privacy key is a scheme advanced by the advisory committee to utilize encryption to protect information on the cards.
“If the readers that meet this working specification perform as planned during the pilot testing, we will finalize the specification as we complete the rulemaking that requires the use of readers,” states the Sept. 20 Federal Register notice.
TSA said it adopted the encryption scheme to better protect the personal information on the cards. It stated that the TWIC privacy key model is less burdensome for maritime operators than other encryption models.
TSA also modified the advisory committee’s specification to require that the contactless transmission of information between the card and reader should occur at a rate of at least 400,000 bits per second.
The TWIC has been in development and testing for at least three years, and in 2006 it was decided that the ID card should conform to the Federal Information Processing Standard 201 for government employees.
TWIC enrollment of port workers is expected to begin in October at the port of Wilmington, Del. It will advance to other ports shortly afterwards.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Newer Anti-Pirate Invention.
Excerpts from "Pirates and Privateers"
One of the newer inventions to protect sailors and cargo is the Secure-Ship System. This collapsible electric fence is mounted around the deck, and can be activated in its entirety or by zones on either side of the ship. When triggered, it turns on the lights and activates alarms and sirens to alert the crew. Anyone who touches the fence receives a 9,000-volt shock, painful but not fatal. The fence works in all types of weather and salt water doesn’t affect it. It is suitable for use on any ship except those carrying flammable materials such as oil. “All but the most determined pirates will quickly take their activities elsewhere when faced with an electric fence. This anti-boarding device will also prevent stowaways, deterring illegal immigration and possibly thwarting would-be terrorists,” says Captain Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB.
This is another anti-pirate device. Previously blogged was the Ship-Loc system.
One of the newer inventions to protect sailors and cargo is the Secure-Ship System. This collapsible electric fence is mounted around the deck, and can be activated in its entirety or by zones on either side of the ship. When triggered, it turns on the lights and activates alarms and sirens to alert the crew. Anyone who touches the fence receives a 9,000-volt shock, painful but not fatal. The fence works in all types of weather and salt water doesn’t affect it. It is suitable for use on any ship except those carrying flammable materials such as oil. “All but the most determined pirates will quickly take their activities elsewhere when faced with an electric fence. This anti-boarding device will also prevent stowaways, deterring illegal immigration and possibly thwarting would-be terrorists,” says Captain Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB.
This is another anti-pirate device. Previously blogged was the Ship-Loc system.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
World's Largest Cruise Ship Delivered
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The third in the series of the world´s largest cruise vessels for Royal Caribbean was delivered in Aker Yards, Turku. The “Independence of the Seas” has all of the signature elements of her sister ships “Freedom of the Seas” and “Liberty of the Seas”, making the Freedom-class ships the most innovative and forward-looking class of ships in the cruise industry for the time being.
The vessel is like a small city with lots of service: many restaurants, theatres, cafés, shopping mall, hospital, hair dressers´ and bakers´..Already the mindset behind the vessel’s name is in giving the the passengers the independence to create their own unique adventure by choosing multiple onboard options - from rock climbing, surfing or ice skating to spa treatments, fine dining or world-class entertainment.
In addition to the innovative comfort amenities there is lots of technical improvement onboard the Independence, e.g. advanced water purification: The state-of-the-art AWP-plant purifies all of the ship’s grey and black waters into a degree of being virtually pure drinking water. The separated sludge will be consequently dried and incinerated with other combustible waste. All other waste material generated on board will be landed in ports and nothing - except for that fully purified drain water - will be released into the sea.
The vessel is 339 m long, 38.6 m wide, and takes 4,375 passengers and 1,365 crew. It has diesel-electric propulsion. In order to ensure a best possible fuel economy and subsequently environmentally friendly operation a series of different hydrodynamic improvements including a new ducktail design were carefully studied and taken into use.
Hello guys and doll!
Time for a respite from the blogging fever.
How about some vacation?
The third in the series of the world´s largest cruise vessels for Royal Caribbean was delivered in Aker Yards, Turku. The “Independence of the Seas” has all of the signature elements of her sister ships “Freedom of the Seas” and “Liberty of the Seas”, making the Freedom-class ships the most innovative and forward-looking class of ships in the cruise industry for the time being.
The vessel is like a small city with lots of service: many restaurants, theatres, cafés, shopping mall, hospital, hair dressers´ and bakers´..Already the mindset behind the vessel’s name is in giving the the passengers the independence to create their own unique adventure by choosing multiple onboard options - from rock climbing, surfing or ice skating to spa treatments, fine dining or world-class entertainment.
In addition to the innovative comfort amenities there is lots of technical improvement onboard the Independence, e.g. advanced water purification: The state-of-the-art AWP-plant purifies all of the ship’s grey and black waters into a degree of being virtually pure drinking water. The separated sludge will be consequently dried and incinerated with other combustible waste. All other waste material generated on board will be landed in ports and nothing - except for that fully purified drain water - will be released into the sea.
The vessel is 339 m long, 38.6 m wide, and takes 4,375 passengers and 1,365 crew. It has diesel-electric propulsion. In order to ensure a best possible fuel economy and subsequently environmentally friendly operation a series of different hydrodynamic improvements including a new ducktail design were carefully studied and taken into use.
Hello guys and doll!
Time for a respite from the blogging fever.
How about some vacation?
Kenya: Maritime Boss Calls for More Seafaring Women
KENYA Maritime Authority (KMA) Director General Mrs Nancy Karigithu is calling for integration of women in the maritime sector. She told a high powered conference at the World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden that women continue to face many challenges in that field. "We need to explore ways of enhancing women participation in the maritime management," she said.
The KMA boss said the presence of challenges did not mean there were no opportunities, which could be realized with the assistance of forums as the maritime women association.
In her keynote address, Mrs Karigithu, who is the current chair of the Women In The Maritime Sector In Eastern & Southern Africa (Womesa), noted with optimism the growing interest among women in joining the maritime industry although the ratio is still low.
"The number of Kenyan women graduates from this university and from International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) testifies to this fact. On average the enrolment for maritime studies among female students at home is no more than 10 per cent of the total intake but their high scholarly performance proves their enormous potential to contribute to the advancement of the maritime industry in Kenya," she added.
Even though women hold less than 5 per cent of managerial positions of decision making and influence in the maritime industry which could imply that only half of the Kenyan women who trained for the maritime profession actually remain it the field.
The KMA boss said the presence of challenges did not mean there were no opportunities, which could be realized with the assistance of forums as the maritime women association.
In her keynote address, Mrs Karigithu, who is the current chair of the Women In The Maritime Sector In Eastern & Southern Africa (Womesa), noted with optimism the growing interest among women in joining the maritime industry although the ratio is still low.
"The number of Kenyan women graduates from this university and from International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) testifies to this fact. On average the enrolment for maritime studies among female students at home is no more than 10 per cent of the total intake but their high scholarly performance proves their enormous potential to contribute to the advancement of the maritime industry in Kenya," she added.
Even though women hold less than 5 per cent of managerial positions of decision making and influence in the maritime industry which could imply that only half of the Kenyan women who trained for the maritime profession actually remain it the field.
New tools help manage beaches
CSIRO's Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship and the Western Australian Government have developed practical tools to help planners manage potentially competing uses of Australia's marine ecosystems. The Federal Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, and the Western Australian Minister for Environment, the Hon David Templeman MLA, launchd the North West Shelf Joint Environmental Management Study (NWSJEMS) in Perth on 11 April 2008.
NWSJEMS project leader, CSIRO's Dr Scott Condie, said this research was vital because coasts and oceans worldwide are being exposed to growing pressure from increasing population and industrialisation.
The team developed a sophisticated model that allows users to envisage different development scenarios and management options, and comprehensively evaluate their potential impacts on marine ecosystems. The sophisticated techniques developed for this study are being further improved and can be adapted for any marine ecosystem facing pressures from potentially competing uses. It is already being applied to the Ningaloo Marine Park to make the next benchmark in modelling tools for marine managers, and are being used in south-eastern Australia.
NWSJEMS project leader, CSIRO's Dr Scott Condie, said this research was vital because coasts and oceans worldwide are being exposed to growing pressure from increasing population and industrialisation.
The team developed a sophisticated model that allows users to envisage different development scenarios and management options, and comprehensively evaluate their potential impacts on marine ecosystems. The sophisticated techniques developed for this study are being further improved and can be adapted for any marine ecosystem facing pressures from potentially competing uses. It is already being applied to the Ningaloo Marine Park to make the next benchmark in modelling tools for marine managers, and are being used in south-eastern Australia.
Breeding of amberjack and blue fin tuna a milestone in fisheries research
Malta will be receiving e250,000 over three years to reach four objectives with regard to the development of the amberjack and blue fin tuna industry: building up of parenting stock, developing nutrition procedures for the stock, gathering a sample of tuna eggs to be analysed and testing transportation of such eggs to find the method that will not damage them. The European Union is contributing e3 million in view of these objectives. This was explained by Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino while accompanying the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Joe Borg together with a European delegation on a visit to the fish exhibition and marine nursery at the Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences (MCFS), Fort San Lucjan, Marsaxlokk.
The new research in the breeding of tuna in cages 1.2 kilometres out at sea would surely help in mitigating the depletion of stocks. Such stock was tagged about 10 days ago to ensure sustainable growth and development besides general monitoring of the project.
The new research in the breeding of tuna in cages 1.2 kilometres out at sea would surely help in mitigating the depletion of stocks. Such stock was tagged about 10 days ago to ensure sustainable growth and development besides general monitoring of the project.
Russia. Makarov State Maritime Academy opens its first Neptune LNG Simulator
Makarov State Maritime Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia officially opened its new Kongsberg Maritime supplied Neptune LNG Simulator on 13th March 2008. The Simulator is reported to be the first and only one of its kind in the Russian Federation, and has attracted the attention of many international crewing and ship management companies, several of whom attended the opening.
The new Neptune LNG Simulator provides training facilities for cargo mates and marine engineers on both Spherical and Membrane LNG tankers and has been developed to provide focused training benefits for students and seafarers at all levels of experience. "The Simulator is going to be used for training of personnel for LNG tankers, both cadets' education and seafarers re-training," stated the Deputy Rector of the Academy, Professor Nikolay Alekseyev during the opening ceremony.
The new Neptune LNG Simulator provides training facilities for cargo mates and marine engineers on both Spherical and Membrane LNG tankers and has been developed to provide focused training benefits for students and seafarers at all levels of experience. "The Simulator is going to be used for training of personnel for LNG tankers, both cadets' education and seafarers re-training," stated the Deputy Rector of the Academy, Professor Nikolay Alekseyev during the opening ceremony.
Royal launch for Wirral maritime college
PRINCE Andrew unveiled, on April 17, 2008, the new name of a college which aims to “place Merseyside at the centre of the world’s maritime industry”.
The organisation recently became part of Mersey Maritime, and the prince unveiled a plaque marking its change to “The Maritime and Engineering College North West”.
The Maritime and Engineering college has been given a £1.75m training package designed to make Merseyside a global leader in maritime training – and is the first of its kind to be seen in Europe.
It is supported by Wirral Council and the North West Development Agency along with European funding, and works with hundreds of local maritime-based firms.
Jim Teasdale, chief executive of Mersey Maritime, welcomed the prince’s visit to the site which he said “firmly places Merseyside at the centre of the world’s maritime industry”.
He said: “It will not only bring quality and efficiency benefits to maritime businesses on Merseyside, but will also appeal the global market.”
The organisation recently became part of Mersey Maritime, and the prince unveiled a plaque marking its change to “The Maritime and Engineering College North West”.
The Maritime and Engineering college has been given a £1.75m training package designed to make Merseyside a global leader in maritime training – and is the first of its kind to be seen in Europe.
It is supported by Wirral Council and the North West Development Agency along with European funding, and works with hundreds of local maritime-based firms.
Jim Teasdale, chief executive of Mersey Maritime, welcomed the prince’s visit to the site which he said “firmly places Merseyside at the centre of the world’s maritime industry”.
He said: “It will not only bring quality and efficiency benefits to maritime businesses on Merseyside, but will also appeal the global market.”
TAIC: Kotuku report highlights wider problems in maritime industry
An unseaworthy boat and misjudgements by those responsible for the Kotuku, are being blamed for it sinking in Foveaux Strait, and the loss of six lives. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission report out today says the disaster highlights wider problems in the system of boat inspections. It says the Kotuku's hull was in poor condition, it was unstable, and water couldn't drain properly from the deck after it was hit by two large waves.
Deputy Chief Commissioner Pauline Winter says the boat should not have been allowed to go to sea, and when it capsized there was little chance for the crew. Kotuku's Skipper John Edminston was one of the three who survived - he says he believes the boat was seaworthy.
Deputy Chief Commissioner Pauline Winter says the boat should not have been allowed to go to sea, and when it capsized there was little chance for the crew. Kotuku's Skipper John Edminston was one of the three who survived - he says he believes the boat was seaworthy.
Cruise trends for 2008: New ships, more luxury, potential deals
NEW YORK — More choices in food, activities, itineraries and luxury are some of the trends shaping the cruise industry for 2008.
The Cruise Lines International Association estimates that 12.6 million people cruised worldwide in 2007 on the 24 cruise lines CLIA represents, a 4.6 percent increase over 2006. CLIA believes demand will hold, with a projected 12.8 million passengers for 2008 despite the weakening economy. A recent CLIA survey of 500 travel agents found 90 percent expect 2008 cruise sales to be as good or better than 2007.
Activities
Last year, ships with bowling alleys and mechanical waves for surfing joined vessels with rock-climbing walls and ice-skating rinks. Cunard's Queen Victoria, launched in December 2007, became the first ship to offer fencing lessons at sea.
In December 2008, Celebrity Cruises will launch Celebrity Solstice with a half-acre lawn of real growing grass on the top deck. Guests will be invited to play bocce and croquet, picnic with wine and cheese, or practice golf putts. Also aboard Solstice: glassblowing demonstrations created by New York's Corning Museum of Glass.
In August, Nickelodeon, the children's cable network, offers its first-ever family cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, with a Western Caribbean itinerary.
Shore excursions throughout the cruise industry continue to reflect consumer demand for active and authentic experiences, including kayaking, wildlife watches and bike tours. Regent Seven Seas' Mariner cruises offer a ride on a floatplane in Alaska as it delivers the mail. Silversea Cruises' "Silver Links" program offers excursions to golf courses around the world.
Most cruise ships now offer access to e-mail at sea, but at prices like 75 cents a minute, you might want to wait for an Internet cafe in port.
The Cruise Lines International Association estimates that 12.6 million people cruised worldwide in 2007 on the 24 cruise lines CLIA represents, a 4.6 percent increase over 2006. CLIA believes demand will hold, with a projected 12.8 million passengers for 2008 despite the weakening economy. A recent CLIA survey of 500 travel agents found 90 percent expect 2008 cruise sales to be as good or better than 2007.
Activities
Last year, ships with bowling alleys and mechanical waves for surfing joined vessels with rock-climbing walls and ice-skating rinks. Cunard's Queen Victoria, launched in December 2007, became the first ship to offer fencing lessons at sea.
In December 2008, Celebrity Cruises will launch Celebrity Solstice with a half-acre lawn of real growing grass on the top deck. Guests will be invited to play bocce and croquet, picnic with wine and cheese, or practice golf putts. Also aboard Solstice: glassblowing demonstrations created by New York's Corning Museum of Glass.
In August, Nickelodeon, the children's cable network, offers its first-ever family cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, with a Western Caribbean itinerary.
Shore excursions throughout the cruise industry continue to reflect consumer demand for active and authentic experiences, including kayaking, wildlife watches and bike tours. Regent Seven Seas' Mariner cruises offer a ride on a floatplane in Alaska as it delivers the mail. Silversea Cruises' "Silver Links" program offers excursions to golf courses around the world.
Most cruise ships now offer access to e-mail at sea, but at prices like 75 cents a minute, you might want to wait for an Internet cafe in port.
Evergreen mega boxships order stalls
TAIWANESE container giant Evergreen appears to have fallen foul of the credit squeeze amid reports that plans to deploy a series of 12,400 teu ships are coming apart. Brokers believe a shipbuilding order by Greece’s Niki Group on the back of a charter deal to Evergreen has been cancelled, with the yard berths now back on the market.
Another major containership owner, Claus-Peter Offen, is believed to have reconfigured a massive order for 12,600 teu vessels placed with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. Four of the 18 ships of that size that Mr Offen had originally specified have been downgraded to 7,000 teu units, according to unconfirmed reports, with the financial balance made up by an additional pair of capesize bulkers.
Now, though, brokers are hearing that the order has run into difficulty because of the problems of organising the necessary finance. Evergreen Marine said in February that an agreement in principle had been signed with Niki Group for the long-term charter of eight 12,400 teu vessels that would be delivered in 2011.
Source: Lloyds
Another major containership owner, Claus-Peter Offen, is believed to have reconfigured a massive order for 12,600 teu vessels placed with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. Four of the 18 ships of that size that Mr Offen had originally specified have been downgraded to 7,000 teu units, according to unconfirmed reports, with the financial balance made up by an additional pair of capesize bulkers.
Now, though, brokers are hearing that the order has run into difficulty because of the problems of organising the necessary finance. Evergreen Marine said in February that an agreement in principle had been signed with Niki Group for the long-term charter of eight 12,400 teu vessels that would be delivered in 2011.
Source: Lloyds
Alarm bells over new generation of unsafe ships
EXECUTIVES from leading shipping companies, class societies and shipyards are alarmed by falling construction standards in the rush to meet a record demand for new ships. “Safety and quality standards are non-existent and where they should happen to exist they are being compromised all the way,” According to Mr Sarris, managing director of Enterprises Shipping & Trading in Greece, many recently- established shipbuilders simply “copy-pasted” specifications from other existing designs, sometimes combining them in ways that “make no sense.
The shipbuilding industry had been growing too fast for the past five years and too few of the new builders had been able to acquire the proper knowledge or resources. However, this lack of expertise did not stop them experimenting on demanding ships, he warned. “Some new yards go directly to some difficult projects, for example they go to chemical ships,” he said. “For those who have no knowledge nothing is difficult,” he added. At the same time, he predicted that many of the yards that had been set up in the quest for instant profits would be short-lived.
There are widely differing estimates of how many new shipbuilders have appeared. Worldyards has counted at least 60 newcomers out of 129 Chinese shipbuilders it has verified with orders, with another eight start-ups recently in South Korea. But Mr Liang cited official Chinese statistics that the number of builders in the country by the end of last year had shot up to 1,059 — and unofficially could be as many as 3,000.
Source: Lloyd's
The shipbuilding industry had been growing too fast for the past five years and too few of the new builders had been able to acquire the proper knowledge or resources. However, this lack of expertise did not stop them experimenting on demanding ships, he warned. “Some new yards go directly to some difficult projects, for example they go to chemical ships,” he said. “For those who have no knowledge nothing is difficult,” he added. At the same time, he predicted that many of the yards that had been set up in the quest for instant profits would be short-lived.
There are widely differing estimates of how many new shipbuilders have appeared. Worldyards has counted at least 60 newcomers out of 129 Chinese shipbuilders it has verified with orders, with another eight start-ups recently in South Korea. But Mr Liang cited official Chinese statistics that the number of builders in the country by the end of last year had shot up to 1,059 — and unofficially could be as many as 3,000.
Source: Lloyd's
Friday, April 18, 2008
Long Range Identification & Tracking System
LRIT is a point to point system. Messages are relayed from the ship via satellite to earth base stations and then routed (securely) to user states via Data Centres. It is an altogether more secure data transmission system which would require sophisticated equipment to intercept the messages.
LRIT is a global tracking system, designed to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness. It enhances existing AIS coverage (limited to approximately 50miles) and addresses some of the problems associated with AIS, for example false reporting.
Dynacom to install World Link virus software
World-Link Communications has entered into agreement with Dynacom Tanker Management of Greece to provide ShipAV anti virus services aboard its fleet of 30 tankers.
Dynacom employs a proprietary system linking its shore based office network with its fleet, and says it required a customised solution to protect its data assets at sea.
The technical teams at World-Link and Dynacom worked together to integrate the software with the proprietary Dynacom platform to provide seamless daily anti-virus updates to the vessels.
Updates can be sent over narrow band systems such as the Inmarsat mini-M, B, and over the Iridium networks. ShipAV daily updates are as small as 5kb, and cost less than $0.50 per day.
The project will initially begin with the 30 existing vessels and will be followed, by 2009, by a further 17 vessels.
Kyriakos Papapolydorou, World-Link Sales Manager said, “We are very pleased to have won a client with the standing of Dynacom Tankers. The deal provides an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our leading capability to develop, integrate and collaborate with our clients.”
Dynacom employs a proprietary system linking its shore based office network with its fleet, and says it required a customised solution to protect its data assets at sea.
The technical teams at World-Link and Dynacom worked together to integrate the software with the proprietary Dynacom platform to provide seamless daily anti-virus updates to the vessels.
Updates can be sent over narrow band systems such as the Inmarsat mini-M, B, and over the Iridium networks. ShipAV daily updates are as small as 5kb, and cost less than $0.50 per day.
The project will initially begin with the 30 existing vessels and will be followed, by 2009, by a further 17 vessels.
Kyriakos Papapolydorou, World-Link Sales Manager said, “We are very pleased to have won a client with the standing of Dynacom Tankers. The deal provides an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our leading capability to develop, integrate and collaborate with our clients.”
Jeppesen acquires Ocean Systems
Jeppesen has announced the purchase of Ocean Systems, Inc., a provider of vessel and voyage optimisation solutions. Ocean Systems will become a part of Jeppesen’s marine division.
Ocean Systems is based in Alameda, California. The companies are not disclosing terms of the transaction, but say that the acquisition will not affect Boeing’s financial guidance.
“We are very pleased to welcome the Ocean Systems team to the Jeppesen and Boeing families,” said Mark Van Tine, Jeppesen president and CEO.
“The voyage optimisation solutions developed by Ocean Systems deliver increased safety and substantial fuel savings over conventional route planning methods. In addition to improving customer operating efficiencies, the resulting voyage optimisation helps them to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their overall environmental footprint.”
“We are excited to become an integral part of Jeppesen’s and Boeing’s marine solutions,” added Dr. Henry Chen, president of Ocean Systems, Inc.
“With their support and resources, we will make a great contribution to the advancement of maritime transportation technologies.”
Ocean Systems is based in Alameda, California. The companies are not disclosing terms of the transaction, but say that the acquisition will not affect Boeing’s financial guidance.
“We are very pleased to welcome the Ocean Systems team to the Jeppesen and Boeing families,” said Mark Van Tine, Jeppesen president and CEO.
“The voyage optimisation solutions developed by Ocean Systems deliver increased safety and substantial fuel savings over conventional route planning methods. In addition to improving customer operating efficiencies, the resulting voyage optimisation helps them to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their overall environmental footprint.”
“We are excited to become an integral part of Jeppesen’s and Boeing’s marine solutions,” added Dr. Henry Chen, president of Ocean Systems, Inc.
“With their support and resources, we will make a great contribution to the advancement of maritime transportation technologies.”
New BMT software for SAR
BMT Cordah Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has announced its latest software development the SARIS Incident Management System (SARIS IMS), a new tool to support the global Search and Rescue (SAR) community.
The SARIS Incident Management System (SARIS IMS) consists of three modules designed to ensure information flow and situational awareness during maritime rescue operations - the SARIS Information Management Module; SARIS Resource Management Module; and SARIS 4MC Module (for drift modelling).
The Information Management module manages information flow between casualty vessels, Maritime or Joint Rescue Co-ordinations Centres (MRCC/JRCCs) and Search and Rescue units, to improve communications between the emergency services.
In addition, the Resource Management module monitors the status and progress of search and rescue units to and from incidents, while the Incident Information Management module supports the operator in gathering and processing incident information.
SAR Mission Co-ordinators using the system are equipped with a visual picture of the situation on large wall mounted status board display systems, powered by individual workstations. Information has only to be input once in order to be disseminated around the system and analysed by the various modules.
SARIS was originally developed in 1996, in conjunction with the MCA, to enable the drift modelling of vessels, objects and survivors at sea following a maritime accident. The software is in use around the world by organisations ranging from the Royal Navy to the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center (MRCC).
The latest version of the software, SARIS 4MC will be fully integrated with the other modules and for the first time the drift calculations will be powered by the latest particle tracking algorithms.
The SARIS Incident Management System (SARIS IMS) consists of three modules designed to ensure information flow and situational awareness during maritime rescue operations - the SARIS Information Management Module; SARIS Resource Management Module; and SARIS 4MC Module (for drift modelling).
The Information Management module manages information flow between casualty vessels, Maritime or Joint Rescue Co-ordinations Centres (MRCC/JRCCs) and Search and Rescue units, to improve communications between the emergency services.
In addition, the Resource Management module monitors the status and progress of search and rescue units to and from incidents, while the Incident Information Management module supports the operator in gathering and processing incident information.
SAR Mission Co-ordinators using the system are equipped with a visual picture of the situation on large wall mounted status board display systems, powered by individual workstations. Information has only to be input once in order to be disseminated around the system and analysed by the various modules.
SARIS was originally developed in 1996, in conjunction with the MCA, to enable the drift modelling of vessels, objects and survivors at sea following a maritime accident. The software is in use around the world by organisations ranging from the Royal Navy to the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center (MRCC).
The latest version of the software, SARIS 4MC will be fully integrated with the other modules and for the first time the drift calculations will be powered by the latest particle tracking algorithms.
Trials of space-based AIS completed
COM DEV International has announced the successful completion of airborne validation trials of its advanced Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver solution, which aimed to test the viability of tracking AIS signals from space.
COMDEV says that the trials have validated key aspects of system performance and demonstrated that the company's receiver solution is capable of extracting a "significantly greater" number of AIS signals compared to a standard receiver.
The company also says that the results suggest that such a system, employed in space, will provide a "persistent and predictable level of performance."
COM DEV is also currently completing the development of a nano-satellite which is being built by the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies/Space Flight Lab.
The spacecraft is said to be ready for launch in the spring of 2008, as planned, and will be deployed in the first space-based validation trial of an advanced AIS capability designed to deal with large numbers of overlapping AIS signals.
In addition to this, one of COM DEV's partners on the AIS project, Gatehouse, is developing software that will enable data collected from space to be displayed and managed as part of an integrated maritime domain awareness picture by adding the dimension of extended long-range monitoring capability.
COM DEV says it has received expressions of interest from a number of maritime agencies of nations that plan to assess the performance of the Advanced AIS system.
COMDEV says that the trials have validated key aspects of system performance and demonstrated that the company's receiver solution is capable of extracting a "significantly greater" number of AIS signals compared to a standard receiver.
The company also says that the results suggest that such a system, employed in space, will provide a "persistent and predictable level of performance."
COM DEV is also currently completing the development of a nano-satellite which is being built by the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies/Space Flight Lab.
The spacecraft is said to be ready for launch in the spring of 2008, as planned, and will be deployed in the first space-based validation trial of an advanced AIS capability designed to deal with large numbers of overlapping AIS signals.
In addition to this, one of COM DEV's partners on the AIS project, Gatehouse, is developing software that will enable data collected from space to be displayed and managed as part of an integrated maritime domain awareness picture by adding the dimension of extended long-range monitoring capability.
COM DEV says it has received expressions of interest from a number of maritime agencies of nations that plan to assess the performance of the Advanced AIS system.
Imtech Euro 50m offshore vessel contract
Imtech, parent company of Radio Holland, has announced that it is to provide solutions for platform automation, propulsion and drive, energy distribution, innovative automated bridge systems and navigation and communication on board a number of offshore construction vessels in the oil and gas sector.
The total value of these vessels’ contracts amounts to over Euro 50 million. Imtech says that the systems will offer the added benefit of significantly reducing fuel consumption and environmentally harmful emissions.
One order, from the Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore, is for the provision of electric propulsion, automation and high and low voltage systems on board the crane vessel Borealis, operated by Nordic Heavy Lift.
The hull will be built in China, after which Imtech, via its branches Imtech Marine & Offshore in Rotterdam and Radio Holland Singapore, will implement and commission the technology.
Another order, from Seaway Heavy Lifting, will include the provision of broadband satellite communication, ICT infrastructure, autopilot, alarm, monitoring and control systems, as well as various other modern electronic solutions on board the HLV-5000, via Radio Holland's branch in Rotterdam.
The HLV-5000 is an offshore crane vessel under construction at the Merwede Shipyard of IHC Merwede in The Netherlands.
Imtech in Hamburg will provide technical infrastructure and automation, including electric propulsion, on board a new seismological research vessel for Fugro Aberdeen at the Fassmer Werft shipyard in Germany, while Imtech Marine and Offshore in Rotterdam will perform a technical infrastructure installation on board the Sea Trucks Group's offshore construction vessel Jascon 35, providing high and low voltage, energy distribution, propulsion, and navigation and communication systems.
The total value of these vessels’ contracts amounts to over Euro 50 million. Imtech says that the systems will offer the added benefit of significantly reducing fuel consumption and environmentally harmful emissions.
One order, from the Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore, is for the provision of electric propulsion, automation and high and low voltage systems on board the crane vessel Borealis, operated by Nordic Heavy Lift.
The hull will be built in China, after which Imtech, via its branches Imtech Marine & Offshore in Rotterdam and Radio Holland Singapore, will implement and commission the technology.
Another order, from Seaway Heavy Lifting, will include the provision of broadband satellite communication, ICT infrastructure, autopilot, alarm, monitoring and control systems, as well as various other modern electronic solutions on board the HLV-5000, via Radio Holland's branch in Rotterdam.
The HLV-5000 is an offshore crane vessel under construction at the Merwede Shipyard of IHC Merwede in The Netherlands.
Imtech in Hamburg will provide technical infrastructure and automation, including electric propulsion, on board a new seismological research vessel for Fugro Aberdeen at the Fassmer Werft shipyard in Germany, while Imtech Marine and Offshore in Rotterdam will perform a technical infrastructure installation on board the Sea Trucks Group's offshore construction vessel Jascon 35, providing high and low voltage, energy distribution, propulsion, and navigation and communication systems.
P&O to install Manpower crew software
Manpower Software has agreed a deal to install its MAPS Maritime Suite onboard the new P&O cruise ship, Ventura, to create a more efficient crew scheduling system.
Ventura is the latest addition to the P&O Cruise fleet, and is about to launch its service in Southampton, UK. Weighing in at 115,000 tonnes it is the largest superliner built for the British market.
Manpower says that its MAPS Maritime Suite is already in use by Carnival Corporation vessels, including Princess Cruises, Cunard, Ocean Village and P&O Cruises. The solution aims to allow for effective planning of crew rotations for 1,200 crew and ensure all paperwork for immigration is in order on arrival and departure at ports of call.
Crispin Jessop, Manpower Software's account director for maritime, commented: "We are delighted P&O Cruises, who has been a customer since 1999, chose Manpower Software's MAPS Maritime Suite for optimising onboard personnel on Ventura and wish her well for her future maiden voyage."
Ventura is the latest addition to the P&O Cruise fleet, and is about to launch its service in Southampton, UK. Weighing in at 115,000 tonnes it is the largest superliner built for the British market.
Manpower says that its MAPS Maritime Suite is already in use by Carnival Corporation vessels, including Princess Cruises, Cunard, Ocean Village and P&O Cruises. The solution aims to allow for effective planning of crew rotations for 1,200 crew and ensure all paperwork for immigration is in order on arrival and departure at ports of call.
Crispin Jessop, Manpower Software's account director for maritime, commented: "We are delighted P&O Cruises, who has been a customer since 1999, chose Manpower Software's MAPS Maritime Suite for optimising onboard personnel on Ventura and wish her well for her future maiden voyage."
P&O to install Manpower crew software
Manpower Software has agreed a deal to install its MAPS Maritime Suite onboard the new P&O cruise ship, Ventura, to create a more efficient crew scheduling system.
Ventura is the latest addition to the P&O Cruise fleet, and is about to launch its service in Southampton, UK. Weighing in at 115,000 tonnes it is the largest superliner built for the British market.
Manpower says that its MAPS Maritime Suite is already in use by Carnival Corporation vessels, including Princess Cruises, Cunard, Ocean Village and P&O Cruises. The solution aims to allow for effective planning of crew rotations for 1,200 crew and ensure all paperwork for immigration is in order on arrival and departure at ports of call.
Crispin Jessop, Manpower Software's account director for maritime, commented: "We are delighted P&O Cruises, who has been a customer since 1999, chose Manpower Software's MAPS Maritime Suite for optimising onboard personnel on Ventura and wish her well for her future maiden voyage."
Ventura is the latest addition to the P&O Cruise fleet, and is about to launch its service in Southampton, UK. Weighing in at 115,000 tonnes it is the largest superliner built for the British market.
Manpower says that its MAPS Maritime Suite is already in use by Carnival Corporation vessels, including Princess Cruises, Cunard, Ocean Village and P&O Cruises. The solution aims to allow for effective planning of crew rotations for 1,200 crew and ensure all paperwork for immigration is in order on arrival and departure at ports of call.
Crispin Jessop, Manpower Software's account director for maritime, commented: "We are delighted P&O Cruises, who has been a customer since 1999, chose Manpower Software's MAPS Maritime Suite for optimising onboard personnel on Ventura and wish her well for her future maiden voyage."
Northern Maritime installs supply chain system
Avanquest Solutions has delivered a supply chain management and Accounts Payable solution to Northern Marine Management Limited (NMM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Stena AB Gothenburg providing global ship management services.
The system is intended to speed up procurement and payment business processes and cut costs “by reducing the volume of paper we send around the world” said Dominic Fernandez, senior finance manager at NMM.
A browser based system has been installed in the NMM Glasgow office, to help deal with the 40,000 to 50,000 invoices the company receives from suppliers each year.
Data can be accessed via a Citrix application in ‘real time’, allowing users instant access for look-up from anywhere in the world. Documents are held in RTF (Rich Text Format) so amendments and notes are easily added.
Future plans include the integration of the Avanquest solution with a new finance package later in 2008, as well as an integration with Microsoft Infopath to allow purchase requisitions to be made from vessels at sea.
The system is intended to speed up procurement and payment business processes and cut costs “by reducing the volume of paper we send around the world” said Dominic Fernandez, senior finance manager at NMM.
A browser based system has been installed in the NMM Glasgow office, to help deal with the 40,000 to 50,000 invoices the company receives from suppliers each year.
Data can be accessed via a Citrix application in ‘real time’, allowing users instant access for look-up from anywhere in the world. Documents are held in RTF (Rich Text Format) so amendments and notes are easily added.
Future plans include the integration of the Avanquest solution with a new finance package later in 2008, as well as an integration with Microsoft Infopath to allow purchase requisitions to be made from vessels at sea.
Panama Registry inaugurates 24/7 service
The Panama Maritime Authority is now offering access to the Bureau of Maritime Security (SEGUMAR) on a continuous basis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for users of the Panama Registry with technical enquiries.
Previously based in New York, SEGUMAR services and offices have been relocated to Panama, to the new headquarters of the Panama Maritime Authority. The chief of the SEGUMAR Panama Office can now be reached at any time, at: jortega@segumar.com.
SEGUMAR-New York will retain duties in the printing and delivery of Technical Certificates issued and approved by the SEGUMAR-Panama Office, receiving payments by Recognised Organisations (ROs) related to the issuance of statutory certificates, and acting as liaison between the General Directorate of Merchant Marine and locally based customers.
The SEGUMAR Panama Office comprises of 25 technicians, fully bilingual (in English and Spanish) and available round the clock to deal with consultations about authorisations, issuances of certificates and other queries.
SEGUMAR-Panama office says that all requests will be processed immediately. The Duty Technical Supervisor can be reached at: + 507-501 53 50.
Previously based in New York, SEGUMAR services and offices have been relocated to Panama, to the new headquarters of the Panama Maritime Authority. The chief of the SEGUMAR Panama Office can now be reached at any time, at: jortega@segumar.com.
SEGUMAR-New York will retain duties in the printing and delivery of Technical Certificates issued and approved by the SEGUMAR-Panama Office, receiving payments by Recognised Organisations (ROs) related to the issuance of statutory certificates, and acting as liaison between the General Directorate of Merchant Marine and locally based customers.
The SEGUMAR Panama Office comprises of 25 technicians, fully bilingual (in English and Spanish) and available round the clock to deal with consultations about authorisations, issuances of certificates and other queries.
SEGUMAR-Panama office says that all requests will be processed immediately. The Duty Technical Supervisor can be reached at: + 507-501 53 50.
First private AIS network for Greece
IMIS Hellas reports that it has successfully completed the installation of the first private Greek AIS network with national coverage.
Over the last six months the company has installed 40 AIS stations across the country with the ability to monitor the position, speed, and course of all SOLAS vessels in Greek waters.
The AIS programme was selected by the ‘Greek Information Society’ to be subsidised with a 50 per cent grant as part of the ‘Intelligent Sea Transport’ project.
Under the Euro 750,000 contract with the Information Society, IMIS Hellas will use the network to provide a public automated telephone service for ferry routes with estimated times of arrival, as well as a web service for port and shipping management.
IMIS Hellas, based in Athens, is a new affiliate of IMIS Global, with offices in the UK, South Africa and the USA.
Over the last six months the company has installed 40 AIS stations across the country with the ability to monitor the position, speed, and course of all SOLAS vessels in Greek waters.
The AIS programme was selected by the ‘Greek Information Society’ to be subsidised with a 50 per cent grant as part of the ‘Intelligent Sea Transport’ project.
Under the Euro 750,000 contract with the Information Society, IMIS Hellas will use the network to provide a public automated telephone service for ferry routes with estimated times of arrival, as well as a web service for port and shipping management.
IMIS Hellas, based in Athens, is a new affiliate of IMIS Global, with offices in the UK, South Africa and the USA.
Zodiac commits 125 ships to Iridium OpenPort
UK ship management company Zodiac Maritime Agencies has announced that it is equipping its fleet of 125 ships with the Iridium OpenPort optimised-bandwidth satellite terminals under a service agreement with AND Group, becoming the first shipping company to publicly commit to the service.
The new OpenPort service marks a major departure for Iridium from its established low-data rate products by offering bandwidth of up to 128 kbps on a global basis to the maritime industry. The system can also carry 3 simultaneous voice calls while the data service is in use.
The new OpenPort service marks a major departure for Iridium from its established low-data rate products by offering bandwidth of up to 128 kbps on a global basis to the maritime industry. The system can also carry 3 simultaneous voice calls while the data service is in use.
“After evaluating its projected requirements for ship-to-shore voice and data, Zodiac has made the decision to upgrade to Iridium OpenPort across the fleet
“The higher-bandwidth satellite service, coupled with AND Group’s IPSignature software and Iridium’s flexible per-megabyte pricing, will provide a cost-effective fleetwide solution for ship’s business, crew calling and e-mail.”
Iridium is trying to position the product as a low-cost alternative to other mobile satellite systems.
Iridium is trying to position the product as a low-cost alternative to other mobile satellite systems.
Veson unveils Cargo Matching module
Veson Nautical has unveiled its newest software solution, the Integrated Maritime Operations System (IMOS) Cargo Matching Module, designed to enable charterers to more easily manage their information and select optimal vessel and cargo transport options.
A unified graphical and grid interface enables the charterer to simultaneously see an overview of operational information and a wide array of vessel and cargo details.
Alternative scenarios can be rapidly identified, tested and tweaked, and, once the best decision-set across a population of cargoes and vessels is found, one click of a mouse will begin creating, modifying and scheduling voyages in the IMOS Operations Module.
Using the system, a charterer can also request a specific analysis, such as locating the best vessels for a cargo. The analysis is presented in a separate view so that the user can review the data, and select a cargo/vessel match that best meets the relevant selection criteria.
Veson says that the IMOS Cargo Matching Module will be available this spring.
In other news, Veson has also recently implemented its IMOS and IMOS OnBoard systems for Thoresen Thai Agencies Public Company Limited (TTA), owner and operator of 43 general cargo vessels and bulk carriers.
To date, Thoresen has completely revamped its IT infrastructure and network, installing new hardware and software applications for the commercial, technical, and finance/accounting departments.
All the IMOS modules have been installed for the shore-based offices, including Thoresen’s branch office in Singapore. The company is currently completing the process of implementing IMOS OnBoard, as well as integrating IMOS into its new SAP financials package.
A unified graphical and grid interface enables the charterer to simultaneously see an overview of operational information and a wide array of vessel and cargo details.
Alternative scenarios can be rapidly identified, tested and tweaked, and, once the best decision-set across a population of cargoes and vessels is found, one click of a mouse will begin creating, modifying and scheduling voyages in the IMOS Operations Module.
Using the system, a charterer can also request a specific analysis, such as locating the best vessels for a cargo. The analysis is presented in a separate view so that the user can review the data, and select a cargo/vessel match that best meets the relevant selection criteria.
Veson says that the IMOS Cargo Matching Module will be available this spring.
In other news, Veson has also recently implemented its IMOS and IMOS OnBoard systems for Thoresen Thai Agencies Public Company Limited (TTA), owner and operator of 43 general cargo vessels and bulk carriers.
To date, Thoresen has completely revamped its IT infrastructure and network, installing new hardware and software applications for the commercial, technical, and finance/accounting departments.
All the IMOS modules have been installed for the shore-based offices, including Thoresen’s branch office in Singapore. The company is currently completing the process of implementing IMOS OnBoard, as well as integrating IMOS into its new SAP financials package.
Maritime broadband antenna from Thuraya
Thuraya has introduced a new antenna for the marine environment, for use with the ThurayaDSL satellite system.
The antenna is manufactured by Spacecom, a Danish-based technology partner for Thuraya, and can be purchased as a stand-alone option, or as a fitted accessory to the ThurayaDSL terminal.
Thuraya says that the new antenna will be able to offer broadband services under any weather conditions, and is configured to always be pointing towards the satellite regardless of ship's movement and position.
The company has already been preparing to launch an advanced marine product that offers voice, fax and SMS sometime in the next few weeks, and believes that an enhanced ThurayaDSL offering will help to ensure a strong presence in the entire maritime communications market.
Thuraya's coverage area includes seaways such as the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Mediterranean, Arabian Sea, North Sea, and Baltic Sea, as well as substantial parts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and international waters in most of the Asia-Pacific.
The viability of Thuraya's maritime communications system has also been strengthened the successful launch of a new satellite, Thuraya-3, in January of this year, following delays to the planned launch at the end of 2007.
The antenna is manufactured by Spacecom, a Danish-based technology partner for Thuraya, and can be purchased as a stand-alone option, or as a fitted accessory to the ThurayaDSL terminal.
Thuraya says that the new antenna will be able to offer broadband services under any weather conditions, and is configured to always be pointing towards the satellite regardless of ship's movement and position.
The company has already been preparing to launch an advanced marine product that offers voice, fax and SMS sometime in the next few weeks, and believes that an enhanced ThurayaDSL offering will help to ensure a strong presence in the entire maritime communications market.
Thuraya's coverage area includes seaways such as the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Mediterranean, Arabian Sea, North Sea, and Baltic Sea, as well as substantial parts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and international waters in most of the Asia-Pacific.
The viability of Thuraya's maritime communications system has also been strengthened the successful launch of a new satellite, Thuraya-3, in January of this year, following delays to the planned launch at the end of 2007.
SingTel global broadband 'first in Asia'
Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) has announced that it is to offer a new maritime broadband service with global coverage, claiming to be the first satellite service provider in Asia to offer this type of bandwidth on a global scale.
SingTel has already been providing Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services with regional coverage for the past two years, but is now extending its services to provide seamless, worldwide coverage over all major shipping routes.
One feature of the service that SingTel is particularly excited about is the system’s ability to automatically switch between satellites as it moves between different regions.
SingTel has already been providing Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services with regional coverage for the past two years, but is now extending its services to provide seamless, worldwide coverage over all major shipping routes.
One feature of the service that SingTel is particularly excited about is the system’s ability to automatically switch between satellites as it moves between different regions.
“SingTel’s global maritime VSAT service has advanced auto-beam switching capability which eliminates the need for manual intervention. This helps shipping owners save valuable time and resources.”
The new service offers customers secure connectivity to offices on land over a private terrestrial network, and is fully integrated with SingTel’s ConnectPlus Internet Protocol – Virtual Private Network (IP-VPN), which provides coverage in over 80 locations worldwide.
The new service offers customers secure connectivity to offices on land over a private terrestrial network, and is fully integrated with SingTel’s ConnectPlus Internet Protocol – Virtual Private Network (IP-VPN), which provides coverage in over 80 locations worldwide.
Dynamic Positioning system for Pieter Schelte
Kongsberg Maritime is to supply an integrated Dynamic Positioning and manoeuvring system to Allsea's latest construction vessel, Pieter Schelte.
The technology relies on a distributed and open system design, which employs a fully backed-up system-wide standardised communication network, integrating the K-POS Dynamic Positioning, K-Thrust thruster control, and K-Chief machinery automation systems, into a complete solution with positioning and manoeuvring capabilities.
Pieter Schelte will be one of the most advanced construction vessels in operation, and is due to enter service in 2011. For field abandonment/lifting operations, the vessel will have a capacity to handle topsides of 48,000 metric tons and jackets up to 25,000 metric tons. In pipe laying mode, with a tension capacity of 1,500 (upgradeable to 2,000) metric tons, Kongsberg says that the vessel will outstrip the existing global fleet.
The vessel employs two fully equipped redundant bridges; forward and aft (in separate fire zones). The equipment communicates either via the redundant LAN network or via the alternative also redundant serial network, allowing the two bridges to provide full redundancy for each other.
The technology relies on a distributed and open system design, which employs a fully backed-up system-wide standardised communication network, integrating the K-POS Dynamic Positioning, K-Thrust thruster control, and K-Chief machinery automation systems, into a complete solution with positioning and manoeuvring capabilities.
Pieter Schelte will be one of the most advanced construction vessels in operation, and is due to enter service in 2011. For field abandonment/lifting operations, the vessel will have a capacity to handle topsides of 48,000 metric tons and jackets up to 25,000 metric tons. In pipe laying mode, with a tension capacity of 1,500 (upgradeable to 2,000) metric tons, Kongsberg says that the vessel will outstrip the existing global fleet.
The vessel employs two fully equipped redundant bridges; forward and aft (in separate fire zones). The equipment communicates either via the redundant LAN network or via the alternative also redundant serial network, allowing the two bridges to provide full redundancy for each other.
Eutelsat and SpeedCast launch new VSAT service
Eutelsat Communications and SpeedCast have announced that they are to jointly launch a new maritime broadband communications service for the commercial shipping sector.
The new service will offer Ku-band VSAT satellite capacity, mostly on Eutelsat and AsiaSat satellites, which the companies say will serve "key shipping routes."
For a fixed flat fee per ship, irrespective of usage, the system will feature automatic switching from one satellite coverage beam to another, without manual intervention, using a one metre stabilised satellite antenna.
Eutelsat and SpeedCast, together with distribution partners, say they are principally targeting operators of merchant shipping and fishing fleets who wish to integrate on-board applications in order to optimise productivity and improve crew welfare, and that the service will enable secure offshore Virtual Private Networks to be established with land-based offices.
The Ku-band product will be provided via a Network Operations Centre operated by SpeedCast in Hong Kong connecting with a network of teleports, including SpeedCast’s Hong Kong teleport and the Turin teleport operated by Eutelsat’s broadband affiliate, Skylogic.(March 28, 2008)
The new service will offer Ku-band VSAT satellite capacity, mostly on Eutelsat and AsiaSat satellites, which the companies say will serve "key shipping routes."
For a fixed flat fee per ship, irrespective of usage, the system will feature automatic switching from one satellite coverage beam to another, without manual intervention, using a one metre stabilised satellite antenna.
Eutelsat and SpeedCast, together with distribution partners, say they are principally targeting operators of merchant shipping and fishing fleets who wish to integrate on-board applications in order to optimise productivity and improve crew welfare, and that the service will enable secure offshore Virtual Private Networks to be established with land-based offices.
The Ku-band product will be provided via a Network Operations Centre operated by SpeedCast in Hong Kong connecting with a network of teleports, including SpeedCast’s Hong Kong teleport and the Turin teleport operated by Eutelsat’s broadband affiliate, Skylogic.(March 28, 2008)
‘Green’ safety equipment from Jotron
Jotron Group has launched a new range of EPIRBs (Emergency Position Identification Radio Beacon) as well as a new SART (Search and Rescue Transponder), with an emphasis on being ‘as environmentally friendly as possible’ while still meeting the required international standards.
The two new EPIRBs are called Tron 40S MkII and Tron 40GPS MkII while the new SART enters the market under the name of Tron SART20. Both the EPIRB and SART come with a 5 year warranty as standard.
The EPIRBs include an LED-module that has been developed comprising a unique reflector. The new intense LED-light will assist search and rescue teams by improving detection during difficult weather conditions.
For ease of replacement, the new series EPIRBs have also been designed to fit the current type of bracket used by its predecessors Tron 40S and Tron 40GPS.
In addition to these technical features, the new range of products has been incorporated into the Jotron AS recycle program, and contains no lead-soldering.
A new Non-Hazardous battery assembly has also been used, for improved environmental-friendliness, as well as easier distribution, as ‘Non-Haz’ products are subject to less strict regulation with regard to transportation.
Both the new EPIRBs as well as the new SART, including accessories, are available through Jotron’s distribution network.(April 11, 2008)
The two new EPIRBs are called Tron 40S MkII and Tron 40GPS MkII while the new SART enters the market under the name of Tron SART20. Both the EPIRB and SART come with a 5 year warranty as standard.
The EPIRBs include an LED-module that has been developed comprising a unique reflector. The new intense LED-light will assist search and rescue teams by improving detection during difficult weather conditions.
For ease of replacement, the new series EPIRBs have also been designed to fit the current type of bracket used by its predecessors Tron 40S and Tron 40GPS.
In addition to these technical features, the new range of products has been incorporated into the Jotron AS recycle program, and contains no lead-soldering.
A new Non-Hazardous battery assembly has also been used, for improved environmental-friendliness, as well as easier distribution, as ‘Non-Haz’ products are subject to less strict regulation with regard to transportation.
Both the new EPIRBs as well as the new SART, including accessories, are available through Jotron’s distribution network.(April 11, 2008)
UKHO launches AVCS chart service
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has launched its new flagship digital chart product, the Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS).
UKHO says that AVCS will provide the international mariner with “an integrated global set of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) schemed in folios along the major shipping routes and covering the world’s top ports, with ordering, flexible licensing and updating services reflecting the operation of the 21st century mariner.”
The Organisation also says that the service will provide access to carriage compliant ENCs from a single ‘value added’ source, to overcome the present requirement to carry, maintain and use a mix of ENC, Raster and paper charts drawn from multiple sources.
UKHO says that AVCS will provide the international mariner with “an integrated global set of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) schemed in folios along the major shipping routes and covering the world’s top ports, with ordering, flexible licensing and updating services reflecting the operation of the 21st century mariner.”
The Organisation also says that the service will provide access to carriage compliant ENCs from a single ‘value added’ source, to overcome the present requirement to carry, maintain and use a mix of ENC, Raster and paper charts drawn from multiple sources.
AVCS provides access to all previously available ENCs, and “exclusive access” to a significant number of new ENCs, produced by the UKHO in co-operation with many of the world’s Hydrographic offices.
The UKHO has also worked with many Hydrographic Offices to improve consistency, to ensure that newly produced coverage seamlessly sits alongside existing coverage.
The UKHO has also worked with many Hydrographic Offices to improve consistency, to ensure that newly produced coverage seamlessly sits alongside existing coverage.
AVCS comprises only of official ENCs produced by government Hydrographic Offices, so seafarers can be certain that any information contained in the folio is fully compliant with SOLAS legislation for use within Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).
UK ferries to have internet onboard
Moovera Networks is to provide in-ship broadband internet connectivity technology for the Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries in the UK.
Wightlink has equipped ferries in the South of England, running between the Isle of Wight and the mainland towns of Portsmouth and Lymington, with the Moovbox M Series mobile broadband gateway, which provides internet access at multi-megabit speeds, and real-time GPS-based ship location monitoring.
The implementation of on-board internet is part of a major modernisation programme for Wightlink, that includes the commissioning of three new ships recently constructed in Croatia and currently undergoing sea trials.
Wightlink has equipped ferries in the South of England, running between the Isle of Wight and the mainland towns of Portsmouth and Lymington, with the Moovbox M Series mobile broadband gateway, which provides internet access at multi-megabit speeds, and real-time GPS-based ship location monitoring.
The implementation of on-board internet is part of a major modernisation programme for Wightlink, that includes the commissioning of three new ships recently constructed in Croatia and currently undergoing sea trials.
The Moovbox M Series delivers internet access at speeds up to 3.6 Mbps by creating a bridge between a vessel and a next-generation 3G HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) cellular broadband network.
It offers Ethernet connectivity for ship systems, secure WiFi for crew laptops, and includes built-in GPS for real-time fleet tracking.
It offers Ethernet connectivity for ship systems, secure WiFi for crew laptops, and includes built-in GPS for real-time fleet tracking.
LNG Simulator unveiled at Russian Academy
The Makarov State Maritime Academy, in St. Petersburg, Russia, has officially opened its new Neptune LNG Simulator, supplied by Kongsberg Maritime.
The simulator, reported to be the first and only one of its kind in the Russian Federation, provides training facilities for cargo mates and marine engineers on both Spherical and Membrane LNG tankers.
"The simulator is going to be used for training of personnel for LNG tankers, both cadets’ education and seafarers’ re-training," said Professor Nikolay Alekseyev, deputy rector of the Academy.
Simulator training options include routine cargo operations as well as auxiliary systems and emergency operations. Individual training, group training and team training can be conducted both under instructor supervision, and without.
The system also provides pre-programmed training scenarios, E-coach automatic messaging for trainees and automatic performance assessment. Additionally, all training sessions are recorded and can be replayed for debriefing afterwards.
The simulator, reported to be the first and only one of its kind in the Russian Federation, provides training facilities for cargo mates and marine engineers on both Spherical and Membrane LNG tankers.
"The simulator is going to be used for training of personnel for LNG tankers, both cadets’ education and seafarers’ re-training," said Professor Nikolay Alekseyev, deputy rector of the Academy.
Simulator training options include routine cargo operations as well as auxiliary systems and emergency operations. Individual training, group training and team training can be conducted both under instructor supervision, and without.
The system also provides pre-programmed training scenarios, E-coach automatic messaging for trainees and automatic performance assessment. Additionally, all training sessions are recorded and can be replayed for debriefing afterwards.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Global Pirate Attacks Increase
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The AP reported that pirate attacks rose worldwide in the first quarter of the year, with Nigeria overtaking Indonesia as the country worst plagued by sea bandits, a global maritime watchdog said.
Seafarers suffered 49 attacks between January and March around the world, up 20 percent from the 41 recorded in the same period last year, the International Maritime Bureau said in a report by its piracy reporting center in Malaysia.
Nigeria ranked as the No. 1 hotspot amid a lack of effective law enforcement, with its 10 reported attacks.
Other countries recording attacks in the first quarter included Tanzania with four, and the Philippines, Bangladesh, Peru, Angola, Ghana and Mozambique with two each.
Source: AP
" A bane to shipping and a curse to sailors."
The AP reported that pirate attacks rose worldwide in the first quarter of the year, with Nigeria overtaking Indonesia as the country worst plagued by sea bandits, a global maritime watchdog said.
Seafarers suffered 49 attacks between January and March around the world, up 20 percent from the 41 recorded in the same period last year, the International Maritime Bureau said in a report by its piracy reporting center in Malaysia.
Nigeria ranked as the No. 1 hotspot amid a lack of effective law enforcement, with its 10 reported attacks.
Other countries recording attacks in the first quarter included Tanzania with four, and the Philippines, Bangladesh, Peru, Angola, Ghana and Mozambique with two each.
Source: AP
" A bane to shipping and a curse to sailors."
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
So sad .... but true!
Excerpts from the Nicolas Newman Book Review on Southeast Asian Piracy
Nationals from all nations in South East Asia are involved in piracy often exhibiting a high degree of operational cooperation. This is ironically in contrast to the lack of cooperation exhibited by the countries involved in tackling the crimes of piracy!In terms of the numbers arrested, citizens from Indonesia and the Philippines seem to be the main participants. Those in the Philippines tend to come from the southern provinces of this country, which has been for centuries, a haven for piracy in the region. In the days before steam, the monsoon season in Peninsula Malaysia was known as the ‘Pirate Season’, since the wind not only brought the rains but the pirates from the Philippines.
Nationals from all nations in South East Asia are involved in piracy often exhibiting a high degree of operational cooperation. This is ironically in contrast to the lack of cooperation exhibited by the countries involved in tackling the crimes of piracy!In terms of the numbers arrested, citizens from Indonesia and the Philippines seem to be the main participants. Those in the Philippines tend to come from the southern provinces of this country, which has been for centuries, a haven for piracy in the region. In the days before steam, the monsoon season in Peninsula Malaysia was known as the ‘Pirate Season’, since the wind not only brought the rains but the pirates from the Philippines.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Pipe Dream
28 March 2008 Shiptalk
After the successful launch of Audacia in November 2007, Allseas is now fully committed to its next construction vessel - Pieter Schelte - which will take the pipe laying specialist into new territory by providing heavy lift and platform removal capability. With the Dutch company Imtech Marine & Offshore as contractor for the power and drive solution, Kongsberg Maritime will supply a unique integrated Dynamic Positioning and manoeuvring solution, tailored to the operations of Pieter Schelte.
The Kongsberg Maritime integrated Dynamic Positioning and manoeuvring concept relies on a distributed and open system design, which employs a fully backed-up system-wide standardized communication network. The communication network integrates the K-POS Dynamic Positioning, K-Thrust thruster control, and K-Chief machinery automation systems, into a complete solution with unique positioning and manoeuvring capabilities required for e.g. the planned heavy lift operations.
SOx Slip Down
07 April 2008 shiptalk
The Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved proposed amendments to the MARPOL Annex VI regulations to reduce harmful emissions from ships. The main changes would see a progressive reduction in sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions from ships, with the global sulphur cap reduced initially to 3.50% (from the current 4.50%, effective from 1 January 2012; Progressive reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from marine engines were also agreed, with the most stringent controls on so-called "Tier III" engines, i.e. those installed on ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016, operating in Emission control Areas. The revised Annex VI will allow for an Emission Control Area to be designated for SOx and particulate matter, or NOx, or all three types of emissions from ships, subject to a proposal from a Party or Parties to the Annex which would be considered for adoption by the Organization, if supported by a demonstrated need to prevent, reduce and control one or all three of those emissions from ships. In the current Annex VI, there are two SECAs designated, namely, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea area, which also includes the
Ballast Banished
8 March 2008 shiptalk
Ships take on ballast water for stability when they're not carrying cargo. They discharge ballast when they load freight, expelling tons of water and anything else---from pathogenic microbes to mollusks and fish---that's in it. The idea is opening part of the hull to the sea, creating a very slow flow through the trunks from bow to stern and continuously sweeping water through the ship and out so the ship is always filled with local sea water, not hauling water from one part of the world to the other The U-M ballast-free ship concept was conceived in 2001 and patented in 2004. It is intended for new-vessel construction only.
Largest Worlship with newest technology
It takes quite a bit of technological ingenuity to realise a system with which you can accurately keep a sea giant at location under any weather conditions. Imtech (Imtech Marine & Offshore) is providing virtually all of the technological solutions for Allseas’ new work ship the ‘Pieter Schelte’ (the largest in the world at 360 by 117 metres). The ‘Pieter Schelte’ can (dis)assemble or move both jackets (underpinning construction of oil or gas platforms) and topsides (the part that stands on top of the jacket and where the processing of oil and/or gas takes place). Since the work ship also houses a high tech system for laying pipelines on the bottom of the ocean, the ship can also play a role in creating transport for oil and/or gas. Imtech is installing, among other things, a dynamic positioning system which will allow it to function at sea to the accuracy of a millimetre. The ship is also being equipped with diesel electric energy generators: the most modern, efficient and environmentally friendly solution available today.
Scrapping Progress
11 April 2008 - Shiptalk
The Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization reports that it has made "substantial progress" in developing the draft text of the International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. This new convention will provide globally applicable ship recycling regulations for international shipping and for recycling activities. The work paves the way for the committee to approve the draft at its next meeting in October 2008, taking the process one step closer to the holding of a diplomatic conference to adopt the Convention in
Kongsberg Maritime supports Vietnamese shipbuilding
Posted: 02.04.2008 World News
Kongsberg Maritime has signed a contract to supply Integrated Monitoring and Control Systems for five new 13,000 Dwt Product/ Chemical carriers. Being built for Greek owner IASON Hellenic Shipping Co. Ltd at the Vinashin Group owned Pha Rung Shipyard in
Kongsberg Maritime simulator attracts Russian Companies
Posted: 15.04.2008World News
Makarov State Maritime Academy , St. Petersburg , Russia Russian Federation
The new Neptune LNG Simulator provides training facilities for cargo mates and marine engineers on both Spherical and Membrane LNG tankers and has been developed to provide focused training benefits for students and seafarers at all levels of experience. The Simulator is going to be used for training of
personnel for LNG tankers, both cadets' education and seafarers re-training
Makarov
The new Neptune LNG Simulator provides training facilities for cargo mates and marine engineers on both Spherical and Membrane LNG tankers and has been developed to provide focused training benefits for students and seafarers at all levels of experience. The Simulator is going to be used for training of
personnel for LNG tankers, both cadets' education and seafarers re-training
Important breakthrough for ODIM
Posted: 15.04.2008 World News
A contract worth some NOK 50 million for a new type of robotic anchor handling solution has been awarded to ODIM by Maersk Supply Service. It is collaboration between the Danish supply and rig company, Norwegian oil company StatoilHydro, Innovation Norway and ODIM. Initiated in 2004, by StatoilHydro’s need to reduce crews’ exposure during high-risk operations on anchor handling vessels. ODIM has succeeded in developing a high-technology solution which is safer as well as a simple and efficient operator interface. The new hydraulic robotic arms function as extensions of the operator`s own arms. They can lift, grip, turn and rotate a number of different components while at the same time the operator can easily feel the forces in play through the sensitive control system. The equipment is remotely controlled from the bridge. This solution allows hazardous anchor handling operations to be conducted without crew on deck, which is clearly in line with oil company ambitions to safeguard people in the service.
Monday, April 14, 2008
FBMA Marine Inc. Announce Contract With Wightlink Limited For Two New Medium Speed Catamaran Ferries
FBMA Marine Inc. (FBMA), the Aboitiz-owned shipbuilder based in Cebu, Philippines has signed a new building contract with Wightlink, Portsmouth UK. The order is to design and build two new 41m medium speed passenger catamarans, for use on the Portsmouth - Ryde crossing. This success builds on FBMA Marine Inc.'s new building contract for a 70m Ropax ferry for Scotland, UK, and a 57m high speed catamaran ferry for New Caledonia.
The order for FBMA project 1026 and 1027, was awarded following an international tender and the two vessels, due for delivery in summer 2009, will provide replacements for two existing high speed catamaran vessels. The new catamarans, designed by BMT Nigel Gee Ltd, have been configured to optimise both seakeeping and fuel efficiency on the very busy Portsmouth - Ryde commuter route. The vessels have a single accommodation deck with 260 seats and double width boarding access doors, to enable rapid embarkation and disembarkation. Additional features include the incorporation of a dedicated stowage for bicycles and an external seating area.
Craig Patrick of FBMA Marine Inc. commented: "This order has been won by FBMA Marine on the knowledge and experience gained from a growing portfolio of successful high speed catamaran projects. This project was secured against strong competition from traditional catamaran builders, and we are proud to have won this order based on both our cost effectiveness and technical ability to meet stringent MCA and EU regulations. We are also very pleased to be working with BMT Nigel Gee and look forward to our continuing successful association, drawing on our considerable experience of building high speed aluminium vessels here in Cebu. We are also delighted at the repeat business from Wightlink, their existing fast passenger catamarans were refitted with us in FBMA Marine prior to delivery in 1997.
Principal particulars:
Length overall : 40.90 m
Length waterline : 38.60 m
Beam overall : 12.00 m
Draft : 1.60 m
Passengers : 260
Bicycles : 20
Speed : 20 knots at 85% MCR
UK Flagged - HSC 2000 Cat A
The order for FBMA project 1026 and 1027, was awarded following an international tender and the two vessels, due for delivery in summer 2009, will provide replacements for two existing high speed catamaran vessels. The new catamarans, designed by BMT Nigel Gee Ltd, have been configured to optimise both seakeeping and fuel efficiency on the very busy Portsmouth - Ryde commuter route. The vessels have a single accommodation deck with 260 seats and double width boarding access doors, to enable rapid embarkation and disembarkation. Additional features include the incorporation of a dedicated stowage for bicycles and an external seating area.
Craig Patrick of FBMA Marine Inc. commented: "This order has been won by FBMA Marine on the knowledge and experience gained from a growing portfolio of successful high speed catamaran projects. This project was secured against strong competition from traditional catamaran builders, and we are proud to have won this order based on both our cost effectiveness and technical ability to meet stringent MCA and EU regulations. We are also very pleased to be working with BMT Nigel Gee and look forward to our continuing successful association, drawing on our considerable experience of building high speed aluminium vessels here in Cebu. We are also delighted at the repeat business from Wightlink, their existing fast passenger catamarans were refitted with us in FBMA Marine prior to delivery in 1997.
Principal particulars:
Length overall : 40.90 m
Length waterline : 38.60 m
Beam overall : 12.00 m
Draft : 1.60 m
Passengers : 260
Bicycles : 20
Speed : 20 knots at 85% MCR
UK Flagged - HSC 2000 Cat A
MaxSea Racing/ Cruising Navigational Software
MaxSea Marine Software is an easy-to-use advance marine navigation system designed to provide today’s mariner and navigator with the most efficient, timesaving, and safe course to any destination. MaxSea uses a proprietary algorithm (a mathematical step by step solution solving procedure) that makes use of weather and ocean condition forecasts as well as the vessel’s specific POLARS (a target speed formula based on the sailing vessels design employing wind speed and apparent wind angles: see illustration) to clearly display the best route directly onto your electronic navigation chart. Free weather forecasts are obtained by email from MaxSea’s Navcenter.com server. The email requests are generated by an intuitive interface called the MaxSea Chopper. The Chopper allows you to easily select any area in the world, choose from list of popular weather models, specify the elements (such as currents, winds, waves, etc.) and define a time period for your forecast. The data is efficiently returned in a compressed standard grib file and displayed graphically in color on your computers chart screen. MaxSea then uses this information to calculate routing in a series of waypoints to the final destination. The navigator can then print out these waypoints to be used as a guideline for planning optimum course strategy. The course can be further studied in more detail by instructing MaxSea to create a movie that will show the vessel and weather in concert along the optimum course and compare the results to the rhumb line.
Technology finds monster waves beyond estimates of computer models
Researchers aboard the RRS DISCOVERY experienced waves of up to 95 feet in height - the biggest waves ever recorded. The scientists believe these waves are created by resonance where a storm builds energy into waves over the hours rather than by strong winds which are traditionally thought of the source for large waves. You can read more about the findings of British National Oceanographic Center researchers aboard the RRS DISCOVERY here.
From an industry perspective, design of vessels able to withstand large waves may need to be reconsidered in the future As a final note, waves of up to 95 feet give new meaning to so called heavy weather or force majure defenses. It will be interesting to see the impact of this data on the maritime industry.
From an industry perspective, design of vessels able to withstand large waves may need to be reconsidered in the future As a final note, waves of up to 95 feet give new meaning to so called heavy weather or force majure defenses. It will be interesting to see the impact of this data on the maritime industry.
Fourteen (14) different ballast water management tech & systems reviewed by IMO
Excerpts from the Ballast Water Management Convention:
Review of Convention
The Convention requires a review to be undertaken no later than three years
before the first effective date for compliance set out in the Convention in
order to determine whether appropriate technologies are available to achieve
the standard. A Review Group established at the session reviewed
14 different ballast water management technologies and systems
which could meet the ballast water performance standard in the Convention.
Update on the BWM status as of March 31, 2008:
13 states have ratified or 3.62% of world tonnage.
The 14 different ballast water management technologies and systems remains to be seen yet.
Review of Convention
The Convention requires a review to be undertaken no later than three years
before the first effective date for compliance set out in the Convention in
order to determine whether appropriate technologies are available to achieve
the standard. A Review Group established at the session reviewed
14 different ballast water management technologies and systems
which could meet the ballast water performance standard in the Convention.
Update on the BWM status as of March 31, 2008:
13 states have ratified or 3.62% of world tonnage.
The 14 different ballast water management technologies and systems remains to be seen yet.
Research Icebreaker with Drilling Capability
Wartsila's ship design and marine consultancy subsidiary, Schiffko GmbH (Hamburg), has been awarded a contract from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and marine research of Bremerhaven (Germany) to design the revolutionary new European research icebreaker “Aurora Borealis", which will have a deep-sea drilling capability. The ship shall facilitate research in ice and open water conditions in the fields of geology, geophysics, oceanography, biology, glaciology, bathymetry, meteorology, and atmosphere physics.
“Aurora Borealis" will set new standards in the fields of polar research and naval architecture. Currently, no polar research vessel has the capability to autonomously navigate in pack ice outside the summer season. “Aurora Borealis", in contrast, is planned as a multi-purpose icebreaking research vessel for Arctic and Antarctic operations with the capability to autonomously navigate in ice with a thickness of up to 4.5 metres. This will for the first time make possible all-year-round research, e.g. on the effects of global climate change.
The ship shall have the unique capability to perform scientific deep-sea drilling operations at water depths of up to 5000 metres with a penetration of up to 1000 metres, even when amid drifting pack-ice fields. An innovative, high-performance dynamic positioning system shall enable the ship to keep position in such a demanding environment.
The “Aurora Borealis" project is a major strategic European science infrastructure development for the next generations of polar researchers. The vessel will have a length between perpendiculars of 165 metres, the highest icebreaker classification, and more than 55 MW of propulsive power, thereby considerably outperforming all currently operating research icebreakers. Yet machinery onboard “Aurora Borealis" shall be highly energy efficient, environmentally friendly, fully redundant, and allow for reliable and safe operations in the most remote and hostile polar regions.
“Aurora Borealis" will set new standards in the fields of polar research and naval architecture. Currently, no polar research vessel has the capability to autonomously navigate in pack ice outside the summer season. “Aurora Borealis", in contrast, is planned as a multi-purpose icebreaking research vessel for Arctic and Antarctic operations with the capability to autonomously navigate in ice with a thickness of up to 4.5 metres. This will for the first time make possible all-year-round research, e.g. on the effects of global climate change.
The ship shall have the unique capability to perform scientific deep-sea drilling operations at water depths of up to 5000 metres with a penetration of up to 1000 metres, even when amid drifting pack-ice fields. An innovative, high-performance dynamic positioning system shall enable the ship to keep position in such a demanding environment.
The “Aurora Borealis" project is a major strategic European science infrastructure development for the next generations of polar researchers. The vessel will have a length between perpendiculars of 165 metres, the highest icebreaker classification, and more than 55 MW of propulsive power, thereby considerably outperforming all currently operating research icebreakers. Yet machinery onboard “Aurora Borealis" shall be highly energy efficient, environmentally friendly, fully redundant, and allow for reliable and safe operations in the most remote and hostile polar regions.
Research Icebreaker with Drilling Capability
Wartsila's ship design and marine consultancy subsidiary, Schiffko GmbH (Hamburg), has been awarded a contract from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and marine research of Bremerhaven (Germany) to design the revolutionary new European research icebreaker “Aurora Borealis", which will have a deep-sea drilling capability. The ship shall facilitate research in ice and open water conditions in the fields of geology, geophysics, oceanography, biology, glaciology, bathymetry, meteorology, and atmosphere physics.
“Aurora Borealis" will set new standards in the fields of polar research and naval architecture. Currently, no polar research vessel has the capability to autonomously navigate in pack ice outside the summer season. “Aurora Borealis", in contrast, is planned as a multi-purpose icebreaking research vessel for Arctic and Antarctic operations with the capability to autonomously navigate in ice with a thickness of up to 4.5 metres. This will for the first time make possible all-year-round research, e.g. on the effects of global climate change.
The ship shall have the unique capability to perform scientific deep-sea drilling operations at water depths of up to 5000 metres with a penetration of up to 1000 metres, even when amid drifting pack-ice fields. An innovative, high-performance dynamic positioning system shall enable the ship to keep position in such a demanding environment.
The “Aurora Borealis" project is a major strategic European science infrastructure development for the next generations of polar researchers. The vessel will have a length between perpendiculars of 165 metres, the highest icebreaker classification, and more than 55 MW of propulsive power, thereby considerably outperforming all currently operating research icebreakers. Yet machinery onboard “Aurora Borealis" shall be highly energy efficient, environmentally friendly, fully redundant, and allow for reliable and safe operations in the most remote and hostile polar regions.
“Aurora Borealis" will set new standards in the fields of polar research and naval architecture. Currently, no polar research vessel has the capability to autonomously navigate in pack ice outside the summer season. “Aurora Borealis", in contrast, is planned as a multi-purpose icebreaking research vessel for Arctic and Antarctic operations with the capability to autonomously navigate in ice with a thickness of up to 4.5 metres. This will for the first time make possible all-year-round research, e.g. on the effects of global climate change.
The ship shall have the unique capability to perform scientific deep-sea drilling operations at water depths of up to 5000 metres with a penetration of up to 1000 metres, even when amid drifting pack-ice fields. An innovative, high-performance dynamic positioning system shall enable the ship to keep position in such a demanding environment.
The “Aurora Borealis" project is a major strategic European science infrastructure development for the next generations of polar researchers. The vessel will have a length between perpendiculars of 165 metres, the highest icebreaker classification, and more than 55 MW of propulsive power, thereby considerably outperforming all currently operating research icebreakers. Yet machinery onboard “Aurora Borealis" shall be highly energy efficient, environmentally friendly, fully redundant, and allow for reliable and safe operations in the most remote and hostile polar regions.
Engines for World’s First Elevating Support Vessel
Remedial Offshore announced the purchase of V228 medium-speed diesel engines from GE Marine, Erie (USA). The engines will be used to power the new Remedial Offshore Elevating Support Vessels™ (ESVs). As the world’s first self-propelled, 325-foot/100-meter nominal water depth-rated jack-up well intervention vessel, Remedial Offhore’s ESV™ design provides a hybrid between a jack-up drilling rig and a marine vessel. The new ESV concept offers tremendous versatility and operational functionality, ranging from an incorporated electric well workover package to a large open deck for offshore support functions.
Each vessel is uniquely outfitted to provide a stable work environment for deploying today’s most advanced well intervention or production enhancement technologies. ESV abilities include well workovers, sidetracking, well abandonment, facility upgrades, brownfield rejuvenation projects and small field developments, as well as providing complete services for well intervention. The GE engines meet Remedial Offshore’s design and operational criteria, such as the ability to have sufficient power available with a minimal number of engines in the existing space, while ensuring adequate redundancy.
Remedial Offshore’s ESV technology provides stable offshore work platforms specifically designed and purpose-built to support remedial oil and gas activities and applications. The Remedial Offshore ESV concept is fully compatible with advanced well intervention technologies and facilitates mature field rejuvenation. Each Elevating Support Vessel:
Allows global deployment in a vast number of mature basins;
Can work in nominal water depths to 325 feet/100 meters;
Is self-propelled (7 knots), eliminating need for tugs or anchor-handling vessels;
Can carry more than 3,000 tons/2,722 metric tons of variable load;
With a high-capacity (308 tons/280 metric tons) pedestal crane on a traversing gantry that does not obstruct equipment on the large, open deck (~10,000 ft2/930m2 );
Is self-elevating, which enhances safety, extends the “weather window” in which it can operate, and optimizes its onboard crane lift capabilities;
Includes an electric 500-kip “doubles” workover rig; and
Benefits from numerous proprietary design features.
Each vessel is uniquely outfitted to provide a stable work environment for deploying today’s most advanced well intervention or production enhancement technologies. ESV abilities include well workovers, sidetracking, well abandonment, facility upgrades, brownfield rejuvenation projects and small field developments, as well as providing complete services for well intervention. The GE engines meet Remedial Offshore’s design and operational criteria, such as the ability to have sufficient power available with a minimal number of engines in the existing space, while ensuring adequate redundancy.
Remedial Offshore’s ESV technology provides stable offshore work platforms specifically designed and purpose-built to support remedial oil and gas activities and applications. The Remedial Offshore ESV concept is fully compatible with advanced well intervention technologies and facilitates mature field rejuvenation. Each Elevating Support Vessel:
Allows global deployment in a vast number of mature basins;
Can work in nominal water depths to 325 feet/100 meters;
Is self-propelled (7 knots), eliminating need for tugs or anchor-handling vessels;
Can carry more than 3,000 tons/2,722 metric tons of variable load;
With a high-capacity (308 tons/280 metric tons) pedestal crane on a traversing gantry that does not obstruct equipment on the large, open deck (~10,000 ft2/930m2 );
Is self-elevating, which enhances safety, extends the “weather window” in which it can operate, and optimizes its onboard crane lift capabilities;
Includes an electric 500-kip “doubles” workover rig; and
Benefits from numerous proprietary design features.
Safety Assessment of Container Ships
Container ships have been increasing in size noticeably in recent years, and very large container ships with load capacity exceeding 10,000 TEU have been completed worldwide. Very large 8,000 TEU class container ships have already been built to NK class. With the increasing size of the hull, very thick steel plates exceeding 70mm in thickness are being used in the hull structure around the upper deck. Laboratory studies in recent years, however, have reported that brittle cracks that occur in the welds of very thick steel plates in fact propagate in straight lines without swerving and may not stop even after penetrating the parent material, which is contrary to conventional wisdom.
This suggests that if a brittle crack does in fact occur in a hull structure using very thick steel plates, there is a risk that this brittle crack could propagate at high speed and cause a major or catastrophic accident such as failure or collapse of the hull structure. Thus, the proper study of the brittle crack propagation behavior of very thick steel plates and the establishment of suitable technical standards to prevent the occurrence of brittle fracture accidents can be considered as being critical matters of concern.
The present research and development work undertaken by ClassNK is aimed at studying the brittle crack propagation behavior of very thick steel plates used in very large container ships, and formulating rational technical standards for suitable design methodologies for arresting brittle cracks from the viewpoint of ensuring structural safety. The R&D project is to be carried out during fiscal 2007 and 2008 and its scope includes:
Large-scale model tests as necessary to establish technical standards related to the brittle crack propagation behavior of very thick steel plates based on the latest knowledge.
Study design methods that are effective in arresting the propagation of brittle crack based on the knowledge obtained from the above tests.
Develop technical standards for designs incorporating suitable brittle crack arrest techniques, and at the same time study the establishment of related rule requirements.
For more information write to: ClassNK Material and Equipment Department
This suggests that if a brittle crack does in fact occur in a hull structure using very thick steel plates, there is a risk that this brittle crack could propagate at high speed and cause a major or catastrophic accident such as failure or collapse of the hull structure. Thus, the proper study of the brittle crack propagation behavior of very thick steel plates and the establishment of suitable technical standards to prevent the occurrence of brittle fracture accidents can be considered as being critical matters of concern.
The present research and development work undertaken by ClassNK is aimed at studying the brittle crack propagation behavior of very thick steel plates used in very large container ships, and formulating rational technical standards for suitable design methodologies for arresting brittle cracks from the viewpoint of ensuring structural safety. The R&D project is to be carried out during fiscal 2007 and 2008 and its scope includes:
Large-scale model tests as necessary to establish technical standards related to the brittle crack propagation behavior of very thick steel plates based on the latest knowledge.
Study design methods that are effective in arresting the propagation of brittle crack based on the knowledge obtained from the above tests.
Develop technical standards for designs incorporating suitable brittle crack arrest techniques, and at the same time study the establishment of related rule requirements.
For more information write to: ClassNK Material and Equipment Department
Ships on Legs
Most ships do not have legs. But a jack-up barge has six, protruding high into the air when the ship is in transit. Extending to a length of 48m from the bottom of the ship, and penetrating up to 5m into the sea bed, the "legs" of these ships provide a stable "ground" in a place where there is only roiling water. As the legs push down, the ship is lifted above the waves. Purpose-built at a Chinese shipyard, the £60m jack-up barge MPIO resolution is an extraordinary piece of engineering to help with the construction of offshore wind farms.
Jack-up barges rise out of the water to form a stable platform. With a solid platform achieved, the windmill is fixed into place using a crane from the ship. These procedures are becoming more common as the drive goes on to increase wind power.
Resolution’s most recent appointment has been to help with construction of the 60-turbine Robin Rigg scheme in the Solway Firth, about six miles off the south west coast of Scotland. On average, it takes about 24 to 36 hours to install wind turbine foundations from a vessel like the resolution. At locations where drilling is required, it can take closer to three days.
For more information visit: BBC News
Jack-up barges rise out of the water to form a stable platform. With a solid platform achieved, the windmill is fixed into place using a crane from the ship. These procedures are becoming more common as the drive goes on to increase wind power.
Resolution’s most recent appointment has been to help with construction of the 60-turbine Robin Rigg scheme in the Solway Firth, about six miles off the south west coast of Scotland. On average, it takes about 24 to 36 hours to install wind turbine foundations from a vessel like the resolution. At locations where drilling is required, it can take closer to three days.
For more information visit: BBC News
World's Fastest Diesel Ferry
Austal’s 65 metre Auto Express catamaran ferry “Shinas”, built for the Sultanate of Oman, has achieved a record service speed of 52 knots during sea trials, making it the fastest diesel-powered vehicle-passenger ferry currently in commercial service. The vessel’s confirmed service speed of 52 knots exceeds contract requirements by one knot, with the vessel also reaching a peak speed of 55.9 knots (103.5 km/h). “Shinas” is the first of two identical vessels being built for the Sultanate of Oman at Austal’s facilities in Henderson, Western Australia.
Each vessel will carry 208 passengers and 56 cars along a 180 nautical mile route between Shinas and Oman’s rugged Musandam Peninsular. The vessel has the capability to assist in search and rescue operations due to its helicopter landing facility, which is suitable for a medium class helicopter. Both vessels are powered by four MTU 20 cylinder 1163 series diesel engines each producing 6,500 kW and driving Rolls-Royce / Kamewa waterjets. The vessels meet Det Norske Veritas survey requirements and conform to the HSC code.The full length vehicle deck allows space for 56 cars or 54 truck lane metres plus 40 cars with a deck clear height of over three metres. The vehicle deck aft can withstand axle loads of 9 tonnes (single wheel) or 12 tonne (dual wheel). The remainder of the main deck caters for maximum axle loads of 3 tonnes (single wheel). Lightweight structural fire protection, zoned sprinkler systems and hydrants ensure optimal fire safety during vehicle transport. As an added safety measure, the vessel has a medical transfer station accessible off the vehicle deck, offering a high level of medical equipment for patient transport. The vessel’s high operating speed is made possible by four MTU 20 cylinder 1163 series diesel engines, each producing 6,500 kW and driving Rolls-Royce / Kamewa waterjets.
Each vessel will carry 208 passengers and 56 cars along a 180 nautical mile route between Shinas and Oman’s rugged Musandam Peninsular. The vessel has the capability to assist in search and rescue operations due to its helicopter landing facility, which is suitable for a medium class helicopter. Both vessels are powered by four MTU 20 cylinder 1163 series diesel engines each producing 6,500 kW and driving Rolls-Royce / Kamewa waterjets. The vessels meet Det Norske Veritas survey requirements and conform to the HSC code.The full length vehicle deck allows space for 56 cars or 54 truck lane metres plus 40 cars with a deck clear height of over three metres. The vehicle deck aft can withstand axle loads of 9 tonnes (single wheel) or 12 tonne (dual wheel). The remainder of the main deck caters for maximum axle loads of 3 tonnes (single wheel). Lightweight structural fire protection, zoned sprinkler systems and hydrants ensure optimal fire safety during vehicle transport. As an added safety measure, the vessel has a medical transfer station accessible off the vehicle deck, offering a high level of medical equipment for patient transport. The vessel’s high operating speed is made possible by four MTU 20 cylinder 1163 series diesel engines, each producing 6,500 kW and driving Rolls-Royce / Kamewa waterjets.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
SingTel To Offer Global Maritime Satellite Service
SingTel first in Asia to offer global maritime satellite broadband service
-Seamless coverage over all major shipping routes worldwide; World’s first satellite broadband solution integrated with secure private network
Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) announced that it is the first satellite service provider in Asia to offer a maritime broadband service with true global coverage.
SingTel, one of Asia’s satellite service providers, has been providing Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services with regional coverage for over two years. It is now extending its reach to provide seamless, worldwide coverage over all major shipping routes through its strategic alliances with top-tier global satellite service providers.
Mr Bill Chang, SingTel's Executive Vice President for Business, said: “In the past, VSAT deployments onboard vessels such as container ships required time-consuming re-configurations of the satellite communications equipment when the vessels move from one ocean region to another.
“SingTel’s global maritime VSAT service has advanced auto-beam switching capability which eliminates the need for manual intervention. This helps shipping owners save valuable time and resources.”
The new service is the first in the world that offers customers secure connectivity to offices on land over a private terrestrial network. It is fully integrated with SingTel’s award-winning ConnectPlus Internet Protocol – Virtual Private Network (IP-VPN), which provides extensive coverage in over 80 destinations worldwide.
Mr Chang said that customers will enjoy peace of mind knowing that sensitive shipboard information and data applications such as email will be safe from the threat of hackers and terrorists, as they are delivered over a secure private network.
Network congestion and latency will also not be a problem, unlike services that deliver traffic over the public Internet.
Customers can quickly and easily extend their office Virtual Private Network (VPN) applications to the sea in a secure manner. This enables the ship to become an extension of the shore-based office.
Mr Chang added: “SingTel is excited to play a key role in rejuvenating the maritime industry with this breakthrough. Our solutions will transform the way our maritime customers operate, enabling them to take their businesses to the next level.”
a new trend in our communications.....
-Seamless coverage over all major shipping routes worldwide; World’s first satellite broadband solution integrated with secure private network
Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) announced that it is the first satellite service provider in Asia to offer a maritime broadband service with true global coverage.
SingTel, one of Asia’s satellite service providers, has been providing Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services with regional coverage for over two years. It is now extending its reach to provide seamless, worldwide coverage over all major shipping routes through its strategic alliances with top-tier global satellite service providers.
Mr Bill Chang, SingTel's Executive Vice President for Business, said: “In the past, VSAT deployments onboard vessels such as container ships required time-consuming re-configurations of the satellite communications equipment when the vessels move from one ocean region to another.
“SingTel’s global maritime VSAT service has advanced auto-beam switching capability which eliminates the need for manual intervention. This helps shipping owners save valuable time and resources.”
The new service is the first in the world that offers customers secure connectivity to offices on land over a private terrestrial network. It is fully integrated with SingTel’s award-winning ConnectPlus Internet Protocol – Virtual Private Network (IP-VPN), which provides extensive coverage in over 80 destinations worldwide.
Mr Chang said that customers will enjoy peace of mind knowing that sensitive shipboard information and data applications such as email will be safe from the threat of hackers and terrorists, as they are delivered over a secure private network.
Network congestion and latency will also not be a problem, unlike services that deliver traffic over the public Internet.
Customers can quickly and easily extend their office Virtual Private Network (VPN) applications to the sea in a secure manner. This enables the ship to become an extension of the shore-based office.
Mr Chang added: “SingTel is excited to play a key role in rejuvenating the maritime industry with this breakthrough. Our solutions will transform the way our maritime customers operate, enabling them to take their businesses to the next level.”
a new trend in our communications.....
Satellite-based information system to bolster maritime security along India’s coast
Satellite-based information system to bolster maritime security along India’s coast
Submitted by Guest on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 10:33.
By Nov, govt to get an eye in the sky to keep track of shipsSatellite-based information system to bolster maritime security along the country’s coastPosted: Thu, Apr 3 2008. 1:29 AM ISThttp://www.livemint.com/2008/04/03012904/By-Nov-govt-to-get-an-eye-in.ht...
Bangalore: India is setting up a satellite-based information system to identify and track ships that would bolster maritime security along the country’s coast and lead to faster search and rescue of distressed vessels.
This will bring India in line with latest guidelines of the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) convention administered by global regulator International Maritime Organization (IMO).
India, a signatory to Solas, expects the tracking system—long-range identification and tracking of ships, or LITS—to be in place by the first week of November. IMO has asked member countries to activate LITS by December this year.
“The aim is to eliminate chances of terrorism by preventing terrorism-related materials and contraband cargo from coming into our country through ships,” says P.H. Krishnan, the country’s deputy director general of shipping. “The law mandates us to stop such vessels from entering our territorial waters.”Antrix Corp., the commercial arm of the country’s space agency Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), is implementing the system for the directorate general of shipping. LITS would be integrated with future land-based vessel-tracking systems, including that of the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy.The system is expected to cost around Rs60 crore and would come up in Mumbai with a remote data centre for disaster recovery in New Delhi. Antrix has called for expressions of interest from Indian technology firms to build the data centre for LITS.
Submitted by Guest on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 10:33.
By Nov, govt to get an eye in the sky to keep track of shipsSatellite-based information system to bolster maritime security along the country’s coastPosted: Thu, Apr 3 2008. 1:29 AM ISThttp://www.livemint.com/2008/04/03012904/By-Nov-govt-to-get-an-eye-in.ht...
Bangalore: India is setting up a satellite-based information system to identify and track ships that would bolster maritime security along the country’s coast and lead to faster search and rescue of distressed vessels.
This will bring India in line with latest guidelines of the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) convention administered by global regulator International Maritime Organization (IMO).
India, a signatory to Solas, expects the tracking system—long-range identification and tracking of ships, or LITS—to be in place by the first week of November. IMO has asked member countries to activate LITS by December this year.
“The aim is to eliminate chances of terrorism by preventing terrorism-related materials and contraband cargo from coming into our country through ships,” says P.H. Krishnan, the country’s deputy director general of shipping. “The law mandates us to stop such vessels from entering our territorial waters.”Antrix Corp., the commercial arm of the country’s space agency Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), is implementing the system for the directorate general of shipping. LITS would be integrated with future land-based vessel-tracking systems, including that of the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy.The system is expected to cost around Rs60 crore and would come up in Mumbai with a remote data centre for disaster recovery in New Delhi. Antrix has called for expressions of interest from Indian technology firms to build the data centre for LITS.
pinoy inventions
WORLDS SMALLEST AND POWERFUL WELDING MACHINE A pocketsize and powerful welding machine, breakthrough innovation of Filipino ingenuity. We are now marketing this innovative product around the world. Fast moving and very saleable for its affordability and compactness.Very durable and heavy dutySize: 1.8 x 8.5 x 1.8 inches Weight: 2 poundsDuty cycle is 100% the machine can withstand long hours of operation without overheating. Voltage is 110 * 220 * 240 * 440 auto volt. Cycle: 60~50 HzWelding Capacity: 200 - 500 amperesWarranty: 0ne (1) yearMachine has been tested and has passed strict quality control prior to distribution. It is very safe and will not cause any electrical shock.You can carry this machine anywhere you like, even in your handbag. This will make the big welding machines obsolete and would take industrial sectors by storm. For videos Pls. visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAplLEjTriE Interested parties may email us at L13manalili@yahoo.com or L21manalili@yahoo.com or the_g1@lycos.com. Mobile number +63-09183458277 or +63-09224975422. Telephone number +632-4975515. Manufactured and Distributed by Manalili Pressman Machinery. Manalili Building. Address:103 E Rodriguez Sr AvenueQuezon City, Philippines.
FROM FCC
DNV warns of shiprepair bottleneck ‘in two years’
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 20th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: p.3.
Summary:
New research conducted by the classification society Det Norske Veritas suggests that the shipping industry is approaching a dangerous bottleneck in the availability of shiprepair facilities within the next two years.
Offshore vessels sail into prime position
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 20th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: pp.8-9.
Summary:
As existing onshore fields dry up, oil majors are heading into deeper waters - and this means more work for the specialised sector of offshore vessels.
Financial woes threaten top two container ports’ growth
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 19th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: p.3.
Summary:
The global financial crisis and exchange rate issues are likely to hit volume growth at the world’s two largest container ports, Singapore and Shanghai.
Indian firms target deepsea rig market
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 11th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: p.4.
Summary:
Two large Indian companies, Reliance Industries and Larsen & Toubro, have unveiled plans to get into the business of manufacturing rigs to overcome the international shortage of the deepsea drilling vessels.
Ferry Captain fired after near miss
Source: Fairplay Daily News
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
The captain of the ferry Spirit of British Columbia has been fired after a ‘near miss’ between two vessels in Active Pass, the major ferry route between Vancouver and the British Columbia capital of Victoria on 17 March.
$250m to boost aircraft & shipbuilding
Source: Maritime Daily News
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
The Russian government will pour $250m into modernizing the production of special steel alloys. It says that the lack of modern technology is holding back the production of ultra-strong alloys and steel currently used in aerospace and shipbuilding.
Bremerhaven studies to determine port siltation
Source: Maritime Journal News Update
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
The port of Bremerhaven in Germany, now the fourth largest container harbour in Europe, is being used for several important dredging research studies and experiments. One study seeks to thoroughly assess the impact of dredging induced sediment plumes in the broader context of natural processes like storms, winds and changes of season, as well as other human activities like fishing. The other study aims to find technical solutions to discourage sedimentation caused by natural tidal flows in the harbours.
DOJ press release: ship operator pleads guilty to concealing vessel pollution
Source: MarEx Newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 15
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
The US Department of Justice has announced that Paccship, the operator and manager of approximately ten ships that regularly carry goods between Asia and ports in the United States, has been sentenced to pay a $1.7 million fine, after pleading guilty to the improper transfers and discharges of oil-contaminated waste from two of its ships.
IMO backing Antarctic ship review
Source: MarEx Newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 15
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
The recent five-day meeting of the IMO's environment committee recognized campaigners' fears that the continent's waters are at risk from the rising number of ships coming to the area, and also approved plans to amend regulations to reduce emissions from ships.
Company investing to make Malta a hub in shipping industry
Source: Times of Malta
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
In the wake of the acquisition of the majority shareholding of Tug Malta Ltd last July, Rimorchiatori Riuniti Group is looking to the future with confidence, investing €70 million (Lm30.05 million) in three vessels and adopting a vision of making Malta a hub of shipping-related services in the Mediterranean region.
EU ministers reject safety laws for maritime sector
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 9th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: p.1.
Summary:
Proposed European Commission directives on flag state control and civil liability for shipowners have received the support of fewer than seven of the 27 EU member states at a council of ministers meeting in Luxembourg. The flag state directive seeks to make International Maritime Organization flag state rules obligatory. The commission claimed it has the support of the IMO, but national governments said that it was an unnecessary sovereignty grab. The civil liability directive aims to increase liability for shipowners and to "harmonise" compensation payments, but the governments said it was unnecessary and confusing.
Sub: World Maritime Technology Conference & Exhibition – 21st/24th Jan 2009 in Mumbai – First Call for Technical Papers for Presentation at the Conference
Dear WMTC Global Partners,
Good Day and Happy New Year!
The third WMTC Conference will be held from 21st to 24th January in Mumbai, hosted by The Institute of Marine Engineers (India). The Theme of the Conference is “Perceptions and Visions” and the theme provides for discussions on all issues presently faced by the maritime industry.
George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
October 15-17, 2008
The SNAME 2008 Annual Meeting features new and expanded conference programming. Based upon industry and SNAME member feedback, the 2008 Annual Meeting will expand its historical technical conference offerings to include a comprehensive technical program and educational offerings in a broader array of professional areas of interest.
World Maritime Technology Congress
The WMTC is held every 3 years, hosted by a member of the World Maritime Technology Congress in partnership with 25 of the world’s leading maritime associations. The First Conference (WMTC 2003) was organized in San Francisco by The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME). The second Conference (WMTC 2006) was conducted in London by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). The third Conference (WMTC 2009) will be hosted, for the first time in Asia, by The Institute of Marine Engineers (India) in Mumbai from January 21st to 24th 2009. The aim of WMTC 2009 is to bring professionals from various countries, organisations and disciplines of marine industry on a common platform to exchange ideas on the latest developments in the maritime world and seek a way forward for working together
SSK Kilo Class (Type 636) Attack Submarine, Russia
The Russian Kilo Class submarine first entered service in the early 1980s. It was designed by the Rubin Central Maritime Design Bureau, St Petersburg. Subsequent developments have led to the current production versions, the Type 877EKM and the Type 636. A successor, the Lada (Project 677) was launched in November 2004.
In September 2007, it was announced that Indonesia had placed an order for two Kilo Type 636 submarines, plus options to purchase up to eight more.
Type 636 is designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface-ship Warfare (ASuW) and also for general reconnaissance and patrol missions. The Type 636 submarine is considered to be to be one of the quietest diesel submarines in the world. It is said to be capable of detecting an enemy submarine at a range three to four times greater than it can be detected itself.
Welcome to Knickerbocker Maritime
Knickerbocker Maritime (KM) specializes in commercial shipping projects in the tanker, dry bulk and ship management areas.
Knickerbocker Maritime's goal is to assist individuals and companies in achieving commercial and operational excellence by applying proactive and high quality processes as replacements or refinements within the existing structure. Projects for market development incorporate improvements and identification of markets and trades that particularly fit the client. Our efforts provide the client with greater efficiency, reduced costs, greater capability and greater profitability.
Zero tolerance warning on Baltic Sea spills
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 14th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: p.5.
Summary:
The director general of the Danish Maritime Authority, Jorgen Hammer Hansen, has warned shipowners that the industry faces a renewed crackdown in the event of a maritime spill in the sensitive Baltic Straits.
MEPC ‘could delay’ pollution rules approval
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 14th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: p.4.
Summary:
A senior oil industry executive has said he believes the Marine Environment Protection Committee could delay its approval of revisions to Marpol Annex VI, due to be given in April, until it meets again in October for MEPC 58. The MEPC was expected to make a final decision at MEPC 57 on a strategy to reduce SOx and NOx emissions after being given three alternatives by the International Maritime Organization’s Bulk, Liquids and Gases sub-committee in February.
Ferry sank because of ‘distracted’ crew
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 14th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: p.26.
Summary:
A report by Canada’s Transportation Safety Board, into the sinking of the ferry Queen of the North off the British Columbia coast late at night on March 22, 2006, has determined that the ship sank because the crew did not follow "sound navigational practice" while sailing down a narrow channel during a storm.
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 20th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: p.3.
Summary:
New research conducted by the classification society Det Norske Veritas suggests that the shipping industry is approaching a dangerous bottleneck in the availability of shiprepair facilities within the next two years.
Offshore vessels sail into prime position
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 20th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: pp.8-9.
Summary:
As existing onshore fields dry up, oil majors are heading into deeper waters - and this means more work for the specialised sector of offshore vessels.
Financial woes threaten top two container ports’ growth
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 19th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: p.3.
Summary:
The global financial crisis and exchange rate issues are likely to hit volume growth at the world’s two largest container ports, Singapore and Shanghai.
Indian firms target deepsea rig market
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 11th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: p.4.
Summary:
Two large Indian companies, Reliance Industries and Larsen & Toubro, have unveiled plans to get into the business of manufacturing rigs to overcome the international shortage of the deepsea drilling vessels.
Ferry Captain fired after near miss
Source: Fairplay Daily News
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
The captain of the ferry Spirit of British Columbia has been fired after a ‘near miss’ between two vessels in Active Pass, the major ferry route between Vancouver and the British Columbia capital of Victoria on 17 March.
$250m to boost aircraft & shipbuilding
Source: Maritime Daily News
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
The Russian government will pour $250m into modernizing the production of special steel alloys. It says that the lack of modern technology is holding back the production of ultra-strong alloys and steel currently used in aerospace and shipbuilding.
Bremerhaven studies to determine port siltation
Source: Maritime Journal News Update
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
The port of Bremerhaven in Germany, now the fourth largest container harbour in Europe, is being used for several important dredging research studies and experiments. One study seeks to thoroughly assess the impact of dredging induced sediment plumes in the broader context of natural processes like storms, winds and changes of season, as well as other human activities like fishing. The other study aims to find technical solutions to discourage sedimentation caused by natural tidal flows in the harbours.
DOJ press release: ship operator pleads guilty to concealing vessel pollution
Source: MarEx Newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 15
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
The US Department of Justice has announced that Paccship, the operator and manager of approximately ten ships that regularly carry goods between Asia and ports in the United States, has been sentenced to pay a $1.7 million fine, after pleading guilty to the improper transfers and discharges of oil-contaminated waste from two of its ships.
IMO backing Antarctic ship review
Source: MarEx Newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 15
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
The recent five-day meeting of the IMO's environment committee recognized campaigners' fears that the continent's waters are at risk from the rising number of ships coming to the area, and also approved plans to amend regulations to reduce emissions from ships.
Company investing to make Malta a hub in shipping industry
Source: Times of Malta
Source Date: 10th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: -
Summary:
In the wake of the acquisition of the majority shareholding of Tug Malta Ltd last July, Rimorchiatori Riuniti Group is looking to the future with confidence, investing €70 million (Lm30.05 million) in three vessels and adopting a vision of making Malta a hub of shipping-related services in the Mediterranean region.
EU ministers reject safety laws for maritime sector
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 9th Apr, 2008
Source Pages: p.1.
Summary:
Proposed European Commission directives on flag state control and civil liability for shipowners have received the support of fewer than seven of the 27 EU member states at a council of ministers meeting in Luxembourg. The flag state directive seeks to make International Maritime Organization flag state rules obligatory. The commission claimed it has the support of the IMO, but national governments said that it was an unnecessary sovereignty grab. The civil liability directive aims to increase liability for shipowners and to "harmonise" compensation payments, but the governments said it was unnecessary and confusing.
Sub: World Maritime Technology Conference & Exhibition – 21st/24th Jan 2009 in Mumbai – First Call for Technical Papers for Presentation at the Conference
Dear WMTC Global Partners,
Good Day and Happy New Year!
The third WMTC Conference will be held from 21st to 24th January in Mumbai, hosted by The Institute of Marine Engineers (India). The Theme of the Conference is “Perceptions and Visions” and the theme provides for discussions on all issues presently faced by the maritime industry.
George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
October 15-17, 2008
The SNAME 2008 Annual Meeting features new and expanded conference programming. Based upon industry and SNAME member feedback, the 2008 Annual Meeting will expand its historical technical conference offerings to include a comprehensive technical program and educational offerings in a broader array of professional areas of interest.
World Maritime Technology Congress
The WMTC is held every 3 years, hosted by a member of the World Maritime Technology Congress in partnership with 25 of the world’s leading maritime associations. The First Conference (WMTC 2003) was organized in San Francisco by The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME). The second Conference (WMTC 2006) was conducted in London by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). The third Conference (WMTC 2009) will be hosted, for the first time in Asia, by The Institute of Marine Engineers (India) in Mumbai from January 21st to 24th 2009. The aim of WMTC 2009 is to bring professionals from various countries, organisations and disciplines of marine industry on a common platform to exchange ideas on the latest developments in the maritime world and seek a way forward for working together
SSK Kilo Class (Type 636) Attack Submarine, Russia
The Russian Kilo Class submarine first entered service in the early 1980s. It was designed by the Rubin Central Maritime Design Bureau, St Petersburg. Subsequent developments have led to the current production versions, the Type 877EKM and the Type 636. A successor, the Lada (Project 677) was launched in November 2004.
In September 2007, it was announced that Indonesia had placed an order for two Kilo Type 636 submarines, plus options to purchase up to eight more.
Type 636 is designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface-ship Warfare (ASuW) and also for general reconnaissance and patrol missions. The Type 636 submarine is considered to be to be one of the quietest diesel submarines in the world. It is said to be capable of detecting an enemy submarine at a range three to four times greater than it can be detected itself.
Welcome to Knickerbocker Maritime
Knickerbocker Maritime (KM) specializes in commercial shipping projects in the tanker, dry bulk and ship management areas.
Knickerbocker Maritime's goal is to assist individuals and companies in achieving commercial and operational excellence by applying proactive and high quality processes as replacements or refinements within the existing structure. Projects for market development incorporate improvements and identification of markets and trades that particularly fit the client. Our efforts provide the client with greater efficiency, reduced costs, greater capability and greater profitability.
Zero tolerance warning on Baltic Sea spills
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 14th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: p.5.
Summary:
The director general of the Danish Maritime Authority, Jorgen Hammer Hansen, has warned shipowners that the industry faces a renewed crackdown in the event of a maritime spill in the sensitive Baltic Straits.
MEPC ‘could delay’ pollution rules approval
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 14th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: p.4.
Summary:
A senior oil industry executive has said he believes the Marine Environment Protection Committee could delay its approval of revisions to Marpol Annex VI, due to be given in April, until it meets again in October for MEPC 58. The MEPC was expected to make a final decision at MEPC 57 on a strategy to reduce SOx and NOx emissions after being given three alternatives by the International Maritime Organization’s Bulk, Liquids and Gases sub-committee in February.
Ferry sank because of ‘distracted’ crew
Source: Lloyd's List
Source Date: 14th Mar, 2008
Source Pages: p.26.
Summary:
A report by Canada’s Transportation Safety Board, into the sinking of the ferry Queen of the North off the British Columbia coast late at night on March 22, 2006, has determined that the ship sank because the crew did not follow "sound navigational practice" while sailing down a narrow channel during a storm.
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