Cochin Shipyard Ltd received the MOU Excellence Award for the year 2009-10 for its outstanding performance under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into with the Government of India. The award was presented by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh to Cmde K Subramaniam, CMD at a function held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 31 January 2012.

This is the third consecutive year that the Company has received this prestigious Award.

The growth of CSL has been phenomenal in the last 5 years. The income of the Company increased from Rs 846 Crores in 2006-07 to Rs 1603 Crores in 2010-2011 and net profit increased from Rs 58 Crores to Rs 228 crores. During the same period, the company has received excellent rating consecutively in the last 4 years for its performance under the MOU with Government of India. In recognition of its performance, CSL was awarded the Category 1 Miniratna Status by Government of India in July 2008.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: Panoramio

The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), which is incorporated within the Marine Institute, a semi State body, announces tender procedures for the supply of business development services to secure foreign direct investment into Ireland in the maritime and shipping services sector.

The IMDO has a requirement to engage a Contractor for up to 150 days per annum for a maximum of two years to support and secure foreign direct investment into Ireland in the maritime and shipping services sector.

The open tender procedure deadline is on 15th February 201.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image:IMDO

Faster, punchier, and more efficient, HMS Lancaster has put to sea again after a 16-month overhaul in her home port. The Portsmouth-based frigate has emerged from a £22m refit with increased firepower and improved kit from bow to stern and is now being put through her paces off the South Coast.

This is the first sight of the Queen’s ship, HMS Lancaster, sailing under her own steam after a 16-month refit in her home base of Portsmouth.

On a sullen winter’s day on the South Coast, she slipped her moorings to begin sea trials, the first time she’s sailed since September 2010.

In the intervening period, the ship’s company and engineers, technicians and shipwrights at BAE Systems have carried out £22m improvements and upgrades to the 21-year-old warship.

On the ‘crunchy’ side of things, Lancaster’s received several major upgrades to her weapon systems and sensors, including new, fully automatic 30mm close-range guns on either side of the ship, the latest version of the Seawolf air defence missile system – effectively doubling its range – and a new ship’s brain, the command system which deals with the masses of information from the frigate’s myriad sensors.

On the engineering side, the warship’s received four new diesel generators, while all four turbine engines have been overhauled, anti-fouling paint applied to the keel and the addition of a transom flap on the stern – an underwater spoiler, for want of a better description, which makes her cut through the sea faster and hence more efficiently.

And most importantly of all… the ship’s shop, better known as the NAAFI, has received its first revamp in two decades. Billed as a ‘mobile mini supermarket’, it sells everyday items from sweets and crisps to duty-free cigarettes and toiletries.

“It is a vital component of the morale of the ship’s company,” say WO1 Matt Fisher, the ship’s Executive Warrant Officer.

“The importance of a successful canteen cannot be over-emphasised and the enhancements achieved today will do much to ensure a little of our home comforts travel with us.”

During the refit period, a little under one quarter of the normal ship’s company of 180 souls remained with Lancaster to work to ensure that sufficient ship-based knowledge was on tap, among them WO2(ME) ‘Judge’ Duery.

“It has been a very busy refit period which has seen some dramatic changes to the ship, although the biggest change is in the ship’s company as we have over 80 per cent brand new to Lancaster,” he said.

“We have trained very hard to be ready for sailing and are keen to show what we can do.”

Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, Cdr Steve Moorhouse, added:

“I feel extremely privileged to command Lancaster as we emerge from an extended refit period with state of the art weapon technologies, powerful engines and a Ship’s Company that are well trained and highly motivated.

“I am extremely grateful to BAE Systems for their hard work in returning the ship to me ready for our departure and I look forward to putting Lancaster to the test during our forthcoming period of sea trials.”

As with all her sisters in the 13-strong class of Type 23 frigates, Lancaster is named after a duke: the Duke of Lancaster, a title which has been held by the monarch since the days of Henry IV at the end of the 14th Century.

To mark the ship’s association with the Queen, HMS Lancaster departed on her sea trials with a new flag flying from her mast – that of the Duchy of Lancaster, donated by Paul Clarke, the Chief Executive Officer of the Duchy and his wife, Vanessa.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: RoyalNavy

GAC’s in-house ship-to-ship transfer expert GAC Transfer Services (GTS) has responded to growing demand for LPG imports and exports of clean products in the Indian Subcontinent with the establishment of a new fully-equipped base in Sri Lanka.

Ship-to-ship (STS) equipment such as fenders and hoses, in accordance with industry standards, is stored at GAC’s base in Galle, which is strategically located at the southern tip of the island nation, and is ready to be transported by tug to different locations according to demand and conditions. Experienced GTS operators work with their GAC Sri Lanka colleagues to take care of all local arrangements such as government permits, clearances, storage and transportation.

Logical solution

Lars Bergstrom, GAC Group Vice President – Indian Subcontinent, says the choice of Sri Lanka as the regional base for STS operations offers a logical solution for Principals without incurring high costs or getting caught up in red tape.

“India is a very important market with growing demand for STS, but there are logistical issues due to bureaucracy and high costs of locating there,” he says.

“Thanks to its proximity to that market, and its key geographical position close to major east-west shipping lanes, Sri Lanka was a natural choice for the expansion of STS services to the region.”

Safety compliance

The main commodities handled include LPG (-50′C), crude oil, fuel oil and gas oils, all in line with OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum) and ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) guidelines and in strict compliance with the GAC Group’s HSSE policy, Quality Management System and all local and international safety, security and environmental regulations.

Most operations will be carried out Off Port Limits (OPL) without any Port Authority intervention. During the south-west monsoon season between June and October STS operations will be concentrated in the more sheltered areas OPL Trincomalee, and at OPL Galle and Colombo during the December to April north-east monsoon season. All operations are supported by boats owned and operated by GAC Sri Lanka according to the highest safety standards.

Expansion and integration

In 2009, three decades of civil war officially came to an end and in 2010 the London-based joint cargo committee of Lloyds Registry removed Sri Lanka out of the War Risk Rating. That opened the way for the expansion of GAC’s STS operations to complement existing services such as ship agency, bunker supplies and the Ship Supply Service (SSS) which uses a fleet of ten modern high speed service craft to deliver supplies and personnel to vessels in international shipping lanes without them having to deviate from their course.

Agency, STS, SSS, bunker supplies and other services can be provided as part of an integrated package of shipping, logistics and marine solutions that GAC provides from the ports of Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee and, most recently added, Hambantota.

Pioneer

GAC Sri Lanka was a pioneer in the provision of Ship Supply Services off Galle and services for oil & gas exploration projects in the Gulf of Mannar. It is now extending that pioneering spirit with the introduction of its round-the-clock STS transfer service exclusively using its own equipment and boats in Sri Lanka.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: GAC

The Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI) launched its International Accreditation Programme for Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs).

The SAMI Accreditation Programme will see maritime security providers, within the Association’s membership undergo a 3-stage process of due diligence, systems checks and site visits. The programme will be managed by SAMI, with accreditations performed by an independent third party certification body, the National Security Inspectorate (NSI).

Work on developing the standards and accreditation programme has been ongoing for the past eight months. Further developing the guidelines laid down by industry and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the programme will assess the capabilities, experience, corporate standing and resources of PMSCs.

According to SAMI founder, Peter Cook, “It has been no mean feat to forge a united front from an industry which has always followed its own path. We are pleased and proud to announce the launch of what we believe to be a rigorous and significant means of assessing global maritime security providers”.

The developments were led by SAMI and supported by NSI who have been conducting a pilot scheme that successfully concluded in January 2012.

NSI Chief Executive, Jeff Little added, “We are delighted to work with SAMI. Our mission at NSI will be to uphold the independence and credibility of the SAMI Standard while actively and robustly verifying that the maritime security providers have everything in place required by the shipping industry and IMO”.

The three stages of the SAMI Accreditation Programme build to form a full and complete picture of the subject company. Stage 1 is a due diligence check, which focuses on the financial, legal and insurance elements of the PMSC. Stage 2 is an in-depth review of the company and involves a physical verification of their premises, systems and documentation. While Stage 3 will see checks on deployed operations.

During the development of the Programme SAMI has worked in consultation with a range of leading marine insurers, flag States, shipping associations, seafarer welfare organisations and with vital input from the maritime security industry.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012

DOF Rederi II AS, a wholly owned subsidiary of DOF ASA, has today taken delivery of Skandi Hawk from Cochin Shipyard in India. The vessel is a combined CSV/PSV of STX PSV 09 CD design and the second vessel in a series of two vessels from the same yard.

In addition the vessel will be equipped with a 60 tons crane and two ROV’s.

The vessel is committed on a 1 yr contract with DOF Subsea Asia.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: DOF

Tamrotor Marine Compressors (TMC) has received orders for a total of 40 TMC SA 30 compressors for the 20 18,000 TEU ships ordered by Maersk Line.

For the largest capacity order in history, Maersk Line has chosen to order 2 x TMC SA 30 compressors for each of the 20 vessels ordered at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. in Korea.

With this order, Maersk Line ensures the most environmentally sustainable compressed air production on board the ships, with a reduction in energy consumption by 40-50% compared to conventional compressors.

The 18,000 TEU (Triple –E) containership is the world’s largest ship type. The new ships will surpass the current industry records for fuel efficiency and CO¬2 emissions per container moved held by the Emma Maersk class vessels.

The A. P. Moller-Maersk Group is committed to developing environmentally sustainable solutions. In 2009 they became a signatory to the United Nations’ Global Compact – ten principles for ethical business behaviour in the areas of human rights, labour rights, environment and anti-corruption. In 2010 they adopted a formal sustainability strategy that the y will enable them to systematically integrate sustainability into all their business processes. One of their strategies is “Responsible procurement”.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: Maersk Line

Samsung Heavy Industries has delivered a 8,100 TEU containership to Chilean company Compañía Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV). This 300 meters long vessel named Tucapel comes as the fifth vessel in a series of seven that CSAV has ordered from the Korean shipbuilder.

The Tucapel acquisition is deemed to be part of CSAV’s restructuring plan to restore the most profitable services and routes with new vessels. All ships are named after Chilean rivers.

Two ships that remain to be delivered in the first half of 2012 bear the names Toltén and Tirúa.

In 1999, when 5,000 TEU-class ships dominated the market, Samsung Heavy Industries developed the world’s first 6,200 TEU-class container ship. Since then, SHI has developed the 7,700 TEU-class container ship, the 8,100 TEU-class container ship, and the 9,600 TEU-class container ship. In 2006, it received an order for the world’s largest container ship, a 13,300 TEU-class vessel. It also developed the world’s largest 16,000 TEU-class container ship in 2007.

Samsung Heavy Industries has received orders for 965 units of ships from the world’s leading shippers since launching its shipbuilding business, (June 30, 2011). Its world-leading technological excellence is proven by its successful delivery of 763 units of ships.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: Shipspotting

When a 204-meter cruise vessel suffered an oil leak in its stern tube seal assembly, Hydrex was asked to carry out a permanent seal replacement. The repair was carried out with the Hydrex flexible mobdock technique and performed in stages to allow the ship to keep the tight schedule of the cruise it was on.

A small Hydrex diver/technician team met up with the ship in Kusadasi, Turkey and removed the starboard side rope guard. This was done to shorten the time required for the actual replacement of the stern tube seals. It was essential in fitting the operation within the short stop the vessel made in the next harbour on its trip. The team was then completed with additional diver/technicians and sailed to Greece on board the cruise ship.

As soon as the vessel arrived in Piraeus, the Hydrex diver/technicians set up a monitoring station next to the ship and made all necessary preparations for the main part of the operation. The team then installed the Hydrex flexible mobdock around the stern tube seal assembly. This created a dry working environment underwater in which to carry out the repair in the drydock like conditions, necessary when replacing seals.

After the diver/technicians had opened up the assembly they removed the damaged stern tube seals one by one and replaced them with new ones. A subsequent leakage test showed that the repair was successful. The team then closed the stern tube seal assembly again and removed the flexible mobdock. This ended the second part of the operation well in time for the cruise ship to sail to its next stop with its passengers.

In Istanbul, Turkey, the team met up with the vessel again and refitted the rope guard onto the stern tube seal assembly, concluding the operation. The ship could continue its journey free of oil leaks without going to drydock and without any changes to its schedule.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: Hydrex

Salvors have experienced a good week of progress in removing containers and debris from Rena.

However, this remains a challenging and time-consuming task, involving the cutting up of containers and manually removing debris and damaged contents so it can be taken ashore.

The McDermott heavy lift helicopter continues to be used to recover debris. The helicopter has been removing loads of up to 2.5 tonnes from the wreck. 475 containers have been removed from Rena. Cargo and remains from wood containers were removed yesterday by the McDermott helicopter, with a 20 foot container from Bay 4 also removed. Bay 4 is now empty. A second helicopter completed 8 lifts of paper and also leather. Two damaged hatch covers were lifted off Rena by the Smit Borneo.

Some movement in the forward part of the wreck continues to be detected as the structure continues to deteriorate, but this is not unexpected. This movement is due to the weight of containers being lifted off the wreck, as well the internal structure being exposed to the force of sea and the movement of containers up and down inside the holds.

Salvors and naval architects continue to monitor the wreck to ensure it remains safe to work on. Salvors are continuing to work on surveying the area around the submerged rear section of the Rena with divers and are attempting to source a ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) to help with mapping.

No diving work was carried out yesterday afternoon due to the choppy conditions.

A significant number of damaged containers and a large amount of debris remain on the sea floor around Rena.

The weather forecast for today is for winds of 18 knots, gusting to 22 knots from the South-South-East, with a swell and sea conditions of about 2m. Weather is overcast and seas choppy. This is expected to continue through to Sunday.

Containers

Braemar Howells advises that more than 220 tonnes of container debris has been removed from Matakana Island in combined helicopter and barge operations. This has included large tonnages of milk powder and recycled paper. A total of eleven containers have been removed from the island, some of them empty – and others in a badly damaged condition which have been cut up. There has been excellent support from local iwi for the recovery operation.

Next week the Braemar team will focus on further cleaning of Matakana’s beaches – the work will include lifting piles of stacked wood and timber onto a barge offshore. A wooden structure built at Orokawa out of timber debris has been removed for safety reasons. People are asked to please report any containers or debris to 0800 333 771.

Oil spill response

MNZ continues to assess the level of risk and resources needed to respond to the Rena and has recently relocated and re-sized the ICC to reflect this. The ICC has a large warehouse space which will allow it to expand if the scale of response needs to escalate again.

About 25 people are currently working in the ICC with more in the field. The response team comprises people from all round the country, working in areas such as planning, logistics, salvage, wildlife, administration, finance etc.

Small amounts of oil continue to trickle from Rena producing a light sheen. 30 people were working on Matakana yesterday (Thursday) and two teams of 15 each were working at Mt Maunganui and Leisure Island, and this is continuing today. A team of 5 is also working at Ongare Point.

Wildlife

17 Little blue penguins and 1 grey-faced petrel are being cared for at Massey University, with another 4 penguins being cared for in Tauranga. There are tentative plans to release 8 penguins next week, conditions permitting.

Small amounts of oil continue to trickle from Rena producing a light sheen.

A wildlife team that has been working at Motiti will return to Tauranga today. The Te Maunga wildlife facility has been largely dismantled and will be passed back to Tauranga City Council shortly.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: Maritime NZ

On 31 January 2012, the EUNAVFOR flagship ESPS PATIÑO conducted a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) with the NATO Flagship TGN GIRESUN watched by Russian observers before the exercise was repeated by the Russian Flagship Admiral Tributs with the Russian Fleet Tanker Pechenga with NATO and EU NAVFOR observers embarked.

During the morning, the EU NAVFOR and NATO ships demonstrated to several Russian observers on-board the two Flagships a RAS manoeuvre where the ships steer parallel courses only 40 – 50 metres apart while passing fuel between the ships. In the afternoon, the same challenging seamanship exercise was performed by the Russian Task Force units, this time watched by EU NAVFOR and NATO observers.

The exercise was coordinated to improve the interoperability among ships from different forces that operate in the Horn of Africa countering Somali pirates.

During the exercise, all observers had the opportunity not only to discuss this type of underway replenishment manoeuvres, but share their experience and views regarding the counter-piracy operations and the necessity for protecting World Food Programme shipping and the merchant shipping community in general. Following the exercise all those involved agreed that they were much better aware of the differences between the procedures which will greatly improve the support able to be offered between all the ships of the multi-National forces in the region.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: EU Navfor

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today announced that the MOL-operated containership MOL Summer rescued 116 survivors from the ferry Rabaul Queen, which sank about 17 km east of Papua New Guinea.

According to local reports, the Rabaul Queen with about 350 passengers aboard was under way from the port of Kimbe on New Britain Island to Lae in Papua New Guinea.

On the morning of Thursday, February 2, the Rabaul Queen sank near Fischhafen, shortly after transmitting a distress signal, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

The MOL Summer, under way from Hong Kong to Brisbane, was dispatched by AMSA to serve as on-scene coordinator for the rescue operation, and pulled 116 survivors from the water, transferring them to AMSA at Lae early on Friday (JST).

Meanwhile, eight other merchant vessels near the scene helped with rescue activities at the request of AMSA. In all, five vessels, including the MOL Summer, rescued a total of 246 people.

“We hopes the remaining passengers and crew from the Rabaul Queen will be swiftly rescued and brought to safety.” said the company in s press release

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: Wikimedia

Edith Maersk, the largest container ship in the world, arrived on  Friday January 13 at Deurganck dock in Antwerp. It arrived to Antwerp as first port in Europe, coming from the Far East via the Suez Canal.

After loading containers in the Far East with the last port of Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia), the Edith Maersk sails to Antwerp, where it has arrived after a journey of 17 days.

The vessel was docked around 1900 hrs with a draught of more than 14 meters. 2215 containers was discharged, good for 3850 TEUs. On Saturday, January 14 at 1900 hrs she left the port of Antwerp to head for Bremerhaven.

Last month one of her sisters, the Evelyn Maersk was expected in Antwerp. This call was cancelled at the last minute as the Evelyn Maersk had to dodge a storm at sea. Due to time constraints the ship diverted to Rotterdam. E-class ships The Edith Maersk, together with her 7 sisters (Ebba, Eleonora, Elly, Emma, Estelle, Eugene and Evelyn), is the largest container ship in the world. Edith Maersk sails under the Danish flag, is 397 meters long and 56 meters wide. She has a capacity of 15,500 TEUs, including 1000 reeferplugs.

Services in Antwerp

Last year, Maersk Line, already accounted for more than 300,000 TEU in the port of Antwerp (excluding containers moved by barge / train). And this volume will only increase significantly in the future.

Triple-E

Soon the Edith Maersk will no longer be the largest container ship in the world.

Currently there are 20 Triple-E ships ordered, the first 10 ships to be delivered in 2013. The Triple-E class is 400 m long, 59 meters wide and has a capacity of 18,000 TEU, making it unique in her kind and which is 16% more than the Emma Maersk class.

The three E’s stand for Economy of scale, Energy efficient and Environment. This type of ship will significantly reduce fuel consumption dropping by 35% and CO 2 emissions by 50%.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: Wikimedia

JSC Severnaya Verf shipyard (St. Petersburg) will construct 10 Project 20385 corvettes (modernized Project 20380 Stereguschiy) for Russian Navy, the yard’s press secretary Olga Vilde told RIA Novosti on Feb 1. Official keel-laying ceremony of Project 20385 lead corvette Gremyaschiy took place on slipways of Severnaya Verf on Feb 1. The project was developed by Almaz design bureau and is a modernized Project 20380.

Frigate Admiral Golovko (Project 22350) was laid down at the shipyard on the same day.

“In accordance with the Russian Government’s resolution, Severnaya Verf shipyard was appointed the only manufacturer of other nine corvettes upgraded under Project 20385 for Russian Navy“, Vilde said. As for her, Russian Navy is interested in reinforcement with such corvettes. “The Navy’s demand is up to 20 ships“, said the official.

Attending the ceremony, Northern Fleet (NF) Commander Vice Admiral Vladimir Korolev pointed out that Project 20385 corvettes would help Russia protect littoral sea zone.

“All littoral zone problems will be resolved with such ships in hand“, Korolev said. He emphasized that two newest ships laid down within one day was a significant event. “Such things happened rarely even in Soviet times“, noted the NF Commander. According to him, Project 20385 is deep modernization of Project 20380. “These ships have new capabilities and will help Russian Navy face the future with confidence“, Korolev said.

Project 20380 lead corvette Stereguschiy was delivered to defense ministry in 2007 and became the first large-size surface warship built in the post-Soviet period. Delivery of the second corvette Soobrazitelny was held in 2011. Third corvette named Boiky was put afloat last year and will join the Navy in the current one. Another corvette – Stoiky – is under construction. Fifth ship of the project – Sovershenny – is being built in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

According to Mrs. Vilde, combat capabilities of the new Project 20385 corvette outclass those of European and Russian analogs.

Major advantages of the corvette are versatility, low signature, high automation level, fast speed, and improved air defense capability. Displacement of Project 20385 corvette is 2,200 tons; length is 104 meters; beam is 13 meters; speed is 27 knots; fuel range is 4,000 miles; crew is 100 men.

The ship is armed with Uran strike missile system, 100-mm gun mount, air defense system, tactical data system, sonar, trailed antenna, and deck-based helicopter Ka-27.

The corvette has low underwater noise and sonar jamming levels. By virtue of special architectural and design solutions, the ship’s secondary radar and infrared signatures are considerably reduced.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: airbase

Evolutionary vessel propulsion systems have proved their maturity upon successfully meeting challenges of reliability, efficiency and demanding environmental requirements.

These systems are designed to offer a number of propulsion options for vessels of various sizes. Their affordability is another compelling feature for the market highly interested in the system integration.

Diesel-electric propulsion

A simplified and a substantially flexible solution, which forms a stable operating system with all prime mover designs, has been introduced by Inpower, a company headquarted in Norway. Featuring the smallest possible number of components, the PhiDRIVE from Inpower is deemed to be the world’s most efficient electric propulsion system for vessels. It is founded on the most structured directly paired, permanent magnet machines. These machines are combined between a prime mover and a propeller, with a power cable as their only connection. Therefore, the PhiDRIVE provides a better hull utilization compared to conventional diesel-electric or mechanical systems. Reduced use of power electronics and the corresponding energy loses result in a considerable efficiency improvement. Additional efficiency is acquired by utilization of permanent magnet machines including more compact installations. Increased efficiency and lower volume lead to improved power density.

Meloyfjord Fishing Company from Norway selected the STADT STASCHO diesel-electric propulsion system as it preferred choice for its vessel MS Meloyfjord. This vessel accounts for the fourth fishing vessel built in Norway based on the STADT solution featuring compact size and low noise that has now become a clear trend for newbuild Norwegian vessels in fisheries and research. This innovation offers a reduced system complexity and downtime risks, increased reliability and extended service life. Sinusoidal voltage and current are supplied to the electric motor and back to the switchboard. This structure marks low harmonic disturbances in the main switchboard and motor, and dispenses with the need for transformers and filters, giving rise to a more compact configuration.

Siemens Industry, Inc. secured a contract to equip two PSVs, which will be built for Tidewater Marine LLC, with the Siemens Blue diesel electric propulsion solution. This innovation will improve reliability largely contributing to reduction of lower maintenance costs, increasing efficiency and operational performance. The vessel features advanced design that will also decrease fuel consumption and emissions. The delivery is scheduled for the end of 2012.

Azimuth thrusters – enhanced arrangement solutions

The ferry M/F Eiksund is a research and development concept representing a successful novel propulsion system installation and testing. The novel propulsion system retrofitted to the 49m double-ended ferry combines PhiDRIVE with the azimuth rim-driven thruster (ARDT) design developed by Brunvoll AS. This is the first example of rim driven azimuth thrusters used for main propulsion on a ship for commercial service, with an ARDT unit fitted at each end of the vessel. Previous applications of rim-driven technology had served to tunnel thrusters.

Hybrid marine propulsion solutions

Seattle headquartered Northern Lights, Inc. (NLI), introduced an environmentally compatible hybrid marine propulsion solution developed to fit a number of marine applications. It eliminates wet stacking lowering both energy waste and fuel costs. NLI’s Lugger propulsion engines are combined with BAE Systems’ HybriDrive Propulsion System. A Propulsion Control System (PCS) efficiently directs power produced from the electric generator for immediate use or stores it in the Energy Storage System (ESS), while the propulsion motor provides power to the prop. The NLI hybrid-marine system can be applied as a conventional propulsion system; however it can also be incorporated into an auxiliary power kit to provide the ship’s service AC power without generating the waste and pollution. The hybrid system can be outfitted for accessory power for modern vessels’ complex thruster and winch systems.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has launched a concept for its Low Emission Hybrid Ferries Project. These innovative ferries will account for the world’s first sea going Roll On Roll Off vehicle and passenger diesel electric hybrid ferries in Scotland. Some of the most innovative new “clean” technology, such as battery banks ensuring a minimum of 20% of energy for the on board consumption, will be utilized. The vessels will feature small diesel generator sets, directing power to a 400 volt switchboard, which will supply power to electric propulsion motors that turn the propulsion units. Two lithium-ion battery banks with a total of 700kWh will be providing power to the units while reducing fuel and CO2 consumption by at least 20%. The battery bank charging will take place during nights from the mains. The vessel design and power configuration will contribute 19-24% savings of power input to the propulsion units by incorporating a conventional diesel mechanical solution reducing emissions. This innovation my initiate utilization of energy derived from local wind, wave or solar systems for battery charging.

Siemens has set new standards by further developing EcoProp, a hybrid propulsion system for smaller ships, boats and yachts, securing maximum efficiency. The system operation can be set to Diesel mode, Battery mode, Electro mode and Hybrid mode. The overall performance of the ship is enhanced through streamlined operation of diesel engines. The system is more like a “plug and play” solution thus more flexibility is ensured for the ship’s layout. Siship EcoProp will be installed on a 65m supply vessel set to be delivered in 2012 to the Italian coastguard service by Cantieri Kavali Megande.

Azipod propulsion system

This concept was unveiled approximately 20 years ago and has been acknowledged as a major propulsion system for luxury cruise liners and ice going tonnage due to its maneuverability, improved performance, reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

ABB has secured a contract to provide energy-efficient power and propulsion systems for two new icebreaking vessels designed to operate under extreme arctic environmental conditions in drifting ice up to 1.7 m thick and temperatures down to -35ºC. The vessels will be constructed by the Arctech Helsinki Shipyard in Finland and ABB’s equipment will comprise power generation and distribution systems, thruster motors, and two 6.5 MW propulsion systems including drives and the Azipod energy-efficient electric propulsion units. Both newbuilds should be delivered in spring 2013 to the shipping company Sovcomflot, which is going to deploy them to transport supplies to the Sakhalin-1 platform that will host the Arkutun-Dagi field development off Sakhalin Island.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012

The newest MAGNUM advanced management training class will now turn their attention to the goal of “winning new business”, and helping to shape the future of their industry in the high growth emerging markets in which APM Terminals has committed to approximately $3 billion USD in new infrastructure development and existing facility expansion in 2011.

APM Terminals’ aggressive expansion into Latin America, Africa and Asia is creating demand for managers and industry experts with special skills which the MAGNUM program has been designed to fill.

APM Terminals CEO Kim Fejfer and other senior executives attending the graduation ceremony of the MAGNUM Class of 2011 in Delft, Netherlands, saw the first MAGNUM group to have completed new global business coursework introduced in partnership with ESADE, a top global business school based in Barcelona. The 28 MAGNUM graduates of the Class of 2011 represent 13 countries and operations throughout the APM Terminals Global Port, Terminal and Inland Services Network, including natives of Brazil, India, Peru, Mexico, Honduras and Egypt.

“We are very excited about how these new MAGNUM graduates will help shape the future of our company and the future of our industry, as we pursue our goals to win new business and become the world’s leading port and terminal operator” said Fejfer, adding “Education opportunities and professional advancement are key part of our overall investment strategy”.

Chosen from applicants within the APM Terminals Global Port, Terminal and Inland Services Network through a rigorous selection process, the MAGNUM participants completed a three-module, intensive eight-month, multi-functional program featuring practical terminal hands-on training assignments and classroom work focusing on business applications to address the needs of the port and cargo transportation industry. Each module is completed in a different country in which APM Terminals has operations.

The ESADE partnership was established to introduce a stronger external component to the program, which has also been accelerated into an eight month curriculum, and includes completing management projects and field study at operating facilities.

“The opportunities of the high-growth markets will drive this industry in the next decade, and the MAGNUM program has given us the tools to build a new foundation for progress” said MAGNUM graduate Arturo Montero Guevara, a native of Mexico who works for APM Terminals Mexico, SA de CV.

The graduates have each received a Corporate Program for Management Development (CPMD®) certificate from ESADE as well as the MAGNUM (Management Training) diploma. The PMD coursework is designed for furthering the management and strategic planning skills that high-potential managers will require as their fast-track careers proceed. The APM Terminals-ESADE affiliation, which began in 2011, has been contracted for three years.

“To succeed in a global business, you need a truly global perspective” said MAGNUM graduate Sunil Verma, a native of India currently working as Head of Finance for APM Terminals Japan in Yokohama.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: APM Terminals

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, along with the officials of Sri Lanka Port Authority, welcomed the vessel ‘Arcadia’ yesterday at a brief ceremony held in the Colombo harbour. This luxury carrier, owned by the UK based company Carnival PLC, had more than 2,100 tourists on board, with British, Australian, New Zealand and Brazil nationals.

The local excursion tour operator Gemini Tours and Travels thereafter took the tourists in the ship to prearranged destinations, Kandy, Pinnawala and on a Colombo City Tour.

The vessel was scheduled to leave for Thailand.

Arcadia has 11 decks inclusive of a state-of-the-art swimming pool, an auditorium, a gym and a restaurant.

Having set sail from the UK on January 3, the vessel was berthed at Cochin, India, just before resuming its journey to Colombo.

According to the SLPA officials, more than 20 such luxury carriers, coordinated by the Shipping Agency Services (Pvt) limited, had already been programmed to tie up in Colombo by the end of 2012.

Source: Sri Lanka Port Authority, February 3, 2012; Image: Wikimedia

Höegh LNG has today exercised an option for a new FSRU to be built at Hyundai Heavy Industries Ltd. in Korea.

The FSRU will be delivered in the second quarter of 2014, and its specifications will be adapted to comply with relevant project requirements.

Höegh LNG’s President and CEO, Sveinung Støhle, says in a comment: “With our two FSRUs on order allocated to specific projects in Indonesia and Lithuania, the Company continues focusing its growth plans at the floating regasification market, and is currently participating in several tender processes for additional FSRU projects. We have therefore decided to place an order for a third FSRU to be built at Hyundai. Our strategy to expand in the floating regasification market worldwide remains firm and we believe in strong continued growth in this segment.”

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: Höegh LNG

Van Oord renews order for an offshore wind power transport and installation vessel from Sietas with option on a second ship.

The deal is perfect and Sietas will be the first German shipyard to build an offshore wind power transport and installation vessel. The order was placed by Van Oord of the Netherlands, a reputed and globally active hydraulic engineering company, and was renewed today in Hamburg after the Sietas shipyard had been unable to continue with the order originally placed in 2010 due to the terms of its insolvency proceedings. Delivery of the complex vessel is planned for early 2013. The parties have agreed to keep the purchase price secret. Van Oord has also secured an option on a second ship of the same type.

Receiver Berthold Brinkmann: “This order is a bridge into a new future for the Sietas shipyard. I am pleased that we were able to successfully conclude negotiations with our client Van Oord within a short time. The offshore wind power transport and installation vessel is a first in Germany, and points the way forward for Sietas and German shipbuilding.”

Senator Frank Horch, Hamburg’s Minister of Economy, Transport and Innovation: “Today’s order from Van Oord for an offshore wind power transport and installation vessel based on a Sietas design is a huge leap into the future, despite the shipbuilder’s insolvency. The Hamburg Senate remains convinced of the ability of the Sietas shipyard to survive and of this opportunity for Hamburg to benefit from the opening of the market in the offshore wind power sector. The Senate, as well as myself, consider it important to support Sietas in its efforts to retain as many jobs as possible.”

The Sietas shipyard and its Neuenfelder Maschinenfabrik (NMF) subsidiary will develop and build the installation vessel and offshore crane from one source as architect and integrator. Rüdiger Fuchs, agent for the receiver: “We have worked for one entire year to be the first German shipyard to develop this vessel. It was always our goal to construct and deliver the installation vessel here in Hamburg. This wish has now come true.”

This also settles the order book for the Sietas shipyard in the coming months. Berthold Brinkmann: “The liquidator and management will work at full steam in finding an investor for the entire Sietas group, consisting of the Sietas shipyard, NMF and Norderwerft, and in obtaining more orders for special ships.”

About the offshore wind power transport and installation ship

The Sietas “jack-up vessel”, as the offshore wind turbine transport and installation ship is known in the industry, was developed for use far from the coast in offshore wind fields. It has a transport capacity of up to 6,500 tons (tdw) and can work safely in water depths of up to 45 m. Thanks to its self-loading capacity and jacking system, which keep it stable even in choppy seas, it can work fast and reliably.

The type 187 special ship is 139 m long and 38 m wide. It has a draught of 5.70 m and a speed of 12 knots. The Neuenfelder Maschinenfabrik (NMF), which also belongs to the Sietas Group, will equip the ship with an offshore special crane which can lift a 900-ton load with a reach of 30 m and work at a height of about 120 m above the water. The installation ship will accommodate 74 crew members during its deployment in wind energy fields.

Background to the current situation of the Sietas shipyard

In addition to the Van Oord new construction order for the offshore wind power transport and installation ship, construction of a RoPax ferry (delivery May 2012) and a dredger (delivery August 2012) will continue in the Sietas shipyard as part of the debtor-in-possession financing.

Thanks to these orders, the Sietas shipyard can utilise the capacity of its workforce longer. The Sietas Group will then have the following estimated workforce in mid-2012: new construction shipyard 375 employees (plus trainees), Neuenfelder Maschinenfabrik (NMF) 127 employees, repair company Norderwerft 90 employees. Future developments depend on the entry of a new investor and the future order book.

Conceptionally, the reorientation of the shipyard, focused on the design and construction of sophisticated special construction ships, will continue. Specifically this involves dredgers, heavy lifters, “stone-layers” and construction vessels for offshore wind power turbines. Rüdiger Fuchs: “We worked for these products and for market access. The objective is to carry out two new constructions annually. At the same time, our strong engineering division is to realise one new construction annually for the Sietas shipyard and a basic design for the external market.”

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: Van Oord

Turk Yacht Expands Luxury Yacht Charter Fleet in Turkey. One of Marmaris’ largest yacht charter agent, Turk Yacht, recently announced their new Turkish yacht additions to their existing fleet for their luxury yacht charter business in Turkey; the Grande Mare (formerly Carmina) and Dea Delmare.

The Grande Mare has been known to serve famous people from around the globe, such as Demi Moore. The Hollywood star took the opportunity of a gulet cruise in Turkey from Fethiye, a resort on the country’s Mediterranean shore. Grande Mare (formerly Carmina) was at her disposal, well placed to visit unspoiled crystalline bays, many of which not accessible by land.

This magnificent Turkish gulet, recently refitted in 2012, is 34 meter long with five luxury cabins including two masters with mahogany finishings. The yacht has all the standard entertainment such as a plasma TV, a DVD player and a wide selection of CDs, movies , library and games and water toys such as a jet ski and scuba diving gear. Simply a dream, her traditional, yet historical elegance, the Grandemare is a very pleasing choice for embarking on a luxury yacht charter in Turkey.

The magnificent Dea Delmare is a High Deluxe class Turkish gulet, well known in yacht charter cruises in Turkey. Dea Delmare gulet was launched in 2009 and was designed with total peace, relaxation and wellbeing in mind. This luxury gulet is a wide beamy vessel which offers guests a spacious salon and expansive decks on which to relax during their luxury yacht charter holidays in Turkey. Refitted in 2012, the Gulet Dea Delmare is a beautiful modern classic motorsailor based in Turkey and available for luxury yacht charters from April to the end of October.

With both these new Turkish gulet additions to their existing yacht fleet, as well as having been refitted recently in 2012, you can certainly expect first class service on board a top level luxury yacht when you holiday at sea on a gulet cruise in Turkey.

You can find out more on private yacht charter in Turkey from popular ports of Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Greece by contacting Turkish yacht charter agent representative at Turk Yacht.

The turquoise waters of the Mediterranean await its guests of Turk Yacht on a breathtaking Blue Cruise in Turkey.

World Maritime News Staff, February 3, 2012; Image: Turk Yacht

Dae Sun Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd successfully delivered 34.ooo DWT Bulk Carrier Arietta to Leros Management S.A on January 18, 2012.

The vessel is 5th sistership that the shipbuilder has delivered so far to Leros.

Established in 1945, Dae Sun Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd. has since played an important role in the medium shipbuilding industry in Korea. Situated at the center of the port of Busan, which provides optimum geographical advantages the shipyard has built over 480 ships of various types.

World Maritime News Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: Dae Sun Shipbuilding

Senior Managers of Irish Sea freight ferry specialists Seatruck attended the launch of Seatruck Performance, the third in a series of four newbuildings, at FSG Flensburg Yard, Germany, on Thursday January 12. The new vessel was named by Mrs Virginia O’Reilly, wife of Eugene O’Reilly, Managing Director of Dublin-based O’Reilly Transport.

The first of the large ro-ro newbuildings, Seatruck Progress, is now operating on Seatruck’s busy Liverpool-Dublin route. The second ferry in the series, Seatruck Power, will join this route on mid February. The third vessel, Seatruck Performance, will begin operations in the Irish Sea in April. The fourth new ferry, will be launched at FSG at the end of March and enter service in June.

Seatruck’s unaccompanied trailer operations on the Irish Sea continue to boom. Volumes last year rose by a remarkable 58 per cent, to over 300,000 units. The company now offers 80 sailings weekly on four routes: Liverpool-Dublin, Heysham-Dublin, Heysham-Warrenpoint and Heysham-Larne.

Alistair Eagles, Seatruck’s Managing Director, Irish Sea, says: “The Seatruck Progress has already added extra capacity to the Dublin route. We look forward to the Seatruck Power and now the Seatruck Performance also joining the fleet. Seatruck now have around 20 per cent of the Irish Sea market and we continue to gain momentum”

“Our success centres on the cost-efficiencies of the unaccompanied trailer solution. Put simply, it is the most favourable cost option for the movement of goods. Furthermore, our UK ports, Heysham and Liverpool, are also much closer to the origin and destination of goods than traditional routings via Scotland and Wales. We offer cost savings and lower road mileage.”

The new ro-ro vessels have a length of 142 m, breadth of 25 m and a deadweight of 5,300 tonnes. They each have a capacity of 150 units – 35 more than the earlier “P Class” ships.

World Maritime News Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: Seatruck Ferries

ABG Shipyard, shipbuilding company based in India, won an order to build six offshore vessels worth around USD 101.5 million from state-owned Shipping Corp of India (SCI).

The order comes as a SCI’s long term plan to acquire 24 new vessels.

Delivery deadline is 25 months from the day of signing the contract.

World Maritime News Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: ABG Shipyard

Orion Marine Group, Inc., a leading heavy civil marine contractor serving the infrastructure sector, yesterday announced a contract award of approximately $12 million.

Orion Marine Group was recently awarded a berth construction contract for the Canaveral Port Authority in Florida. Work consists of the construction of two ship docks and dredging at the site to deepen the berths to the appropriate depth.

Onsite construction of the project is expected to commence in early 2012 and last approximately 15 months.

World Maritime News Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: Port Canaveral

On January 31th 2012, at 18h39m50s, the FPSO OSX-1 successfully initiated the production of first oil for its anchor client OGX, the Brazilian EBX Group oil and gas company responsible for the largest private-sector exploratory campaign in Brazil. The FPSO OSX-1 is in charge of carrying out the Extended Well Test on the Waimea accumulation, in the Campos Basin, through well OGX-26HP, located 80km off the coast, at a water depth of 130 meters.

The FPSO OSX-1 is the first floating, production, storage and offloading unit to integrate the OSX fleet. OSX-1 was built in Korea and customized in Singapore, at Keppel’s shipyard. It is 271,75 meters long, and has the capacity to store up to 900 thousand barrels of oil. The FPSO OSX-1 has been leased to OGX for a period of 20 years, and is operated by OSX through its subsidiary OSX Serviços Operacionais Ltda.

During the coming weeks, OGX’s production team will test different flow rate levels, aiming at gradually reaching a stable production level of roughly 15 thousand barrels per day.

“Our FPSO OSX-1 has begun production of the first oil for our client OGX in extraordinary time, approximately two years after discovery. It is an important milestone in the history of the EBX Group. We are thankful for the professionalism and care of our team, in line with our commitment to operational safety, occupational health and sustainability. OSX is very proud to be part of this history and to contribute to transforming Brazil into one of the greatest oil producers in the world” stated OSX’s CEO, Luiz Eduardo Carneiro.

World Maritime News Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: OSX

The platform supply vessel M/V Blue Fighter of PX121 design delivered by ULSTEIN in January has won a contract with American company Apache for work in the North Sea.

The ship was delivered from Ulstein Verft to Blue Ship Invest on 19 January, and entered the spot market in the British North Sea sector directly. After only days of operation in the spot market, the vessel will enter into a long-term contract as of next week.

Remøy Shipping has technical and commercial management of the vessel. “We are now in transit to Aberdeen where we will load before returning to the field,” reported Captain Trygve Valø yesterday afternoon. After a week in operation, the Captain and his crew are very pleased with the vessel’s performance. “Everything is working well – she is a good ship,” he concludes.

Frank Strandebø in Blue Ship Invest joined the vessel her first week in operation. He himself is a captain and got to test the ship in 8 metre waves: “It takes eleven hours from Aberdeen to the oil rig we have been working for, and with some spells of bad weather en route, we got evidence of the ship’s great sea-keeping qualities. She has soft and smooth movements and the X-BOW allows her to keep a higher constant speed in head sea.”

Strandebø greets the Blue Fighter project team in Ulstein Verft with the following: “This vessel is top notch. Everything has been working perfectly on the first trip, so all credit to the project team for the work you’ve done.”

The ship has a length of 83.4 metres and a beam of 18 metres. It has a cargo deck of 875 square metres and a load capacity of 4200 tonnes (dwt). Among others the ship meets the requirements of DNV’s Clean Design notation. It has a maximum speed of circa 15 knots and modern accommodation for 24 persons.

Apache is an oil service company with operations world-wide. Blue Fighter will be stationed in Peterhead, Scotland.

Blue Ship Invest is a company owned by ULSTEIN. The company has entered into a management agreement for Blue Fighter with Remøy Shipping.

World Maritime News Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: Ulstein

First and second Mistral-class amphibious transport docks built for Russian Navy will be named Sevastopol and Vladivostok, said Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Vladimir Vysotsky at the keel-laying ceremony of Project 20385 lead corvette and Project 22350 frigate held on Feb 1 at Severnaya Verf shipyard (St. Petersburg).

According to Vysotsky, each ship will be delivered to Russia in 36 months since the beginning of works.

Keel-laying and steel-cutting ceremonies of the first landing ship took place in France on Feb 1.

Recall that the EUR 1.2-bln contract for two Mistral-class assault landing ships was tied with French company DCNS on June 17 in St. Petersburg in the presence of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. In accordance with the contract, the French party will transfer shipbuilding technology to Russia as well as tactical data system SENIT-9 mounted on French ships. Later on, that technology will be used in construction of other two Mistral-class ships by Russian shipyards.

Russia will build third and fourth Mistral-class helicopter carriers independently.

Displacement of Mistral-class assault landing ship is 21,000 tons; length overall is 210 meters; speed is over 18 knots; operating range is up to 20,000 miles; crew is 160 men plus 450 marines. Air wing comprises 16 helicopters including six placed on the flight deck. Russian Mistrals will be armed with eight Ka-52K and eight Ka-29 helicopters.

World Maritime News Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: Flickr

Fourteen percent reduction in fuel oil consumption confirmed in new bulk carrier delivered today to operator Delphin at Jiangsu Hantong (HTS) Lloyd’s Register supervised the design appraisal, build and sea trials, verifying the performance of a new, modified 57,000 DWT ship based on a SDARI design.

The M.V. Aquila, first in a new series of supramax bulk carrier designs, optimised to burn less fuel oil has been delivered in China on the eve of the Lunar New Year holidays. The efficiency improvements have been achieved by carrying out a number of straightforward – but effective – changes including: de-rating the main engine, a new propeller design which has been optimised for the de-rated engine, and fitting a mewis duct.

The daily main engine consumption at a speed of 14 knots at ballast draft, which would have been about 29.4 tonnes, is now about 26 tonnes and the daily main engine consumption at a speed of 13.5 knots at design draft, which would have been about 29.8 tonnes daily, is now about 26.30 tonnes. The engine’s output has been reduced by nearly 1,000 KW to 8,500 KW.

Commenting on the delivery, Meng Cheng Jun, President of the Jiangsu Hantong Group, said that:“This vessel is the fifty-fifth vessel to be delivered since the establishment of our Hantong shipyard, and also the first vessel with the optimized design to be delivered. Based on the SDARI design, Hantong completed the design optimisation and the tank test independently, which also brings us the patent right of our own part. Hantong is taking note of the market environment requests and listening to the owners’ needs on vessels, now therefore, Hantong will keep on strengthening the optimisations of our vessels, and is endeavouring in building the vessels to be eco-friendly and more fuel efficient than previous ones, for our honourable clients.”

Ship designers SDARI said that the structure of this new type BC57K has been, “optimised, satisfying the latest requirements in the Common Structural Rules for bulk carriers, especially to accommodate the severe strength requirement of steel coils. The new ship will be able to load about 54,000 tonnes of steel coils during one voyage with little increase of light weight. Now, the vessel also meets the requirements of EEDI-PHASE I.”

Nick Brown, Lloyd’s Register’s Area General Manager and Marine Manager, Greater China, said: “Owners and operators are looking for efficiencies and now shipyards and designers are responding to this demand. Emissions regulation and higher energy prices are the two leading factors changing our industry. New technologies and innovation will play a vital role in the immediate and long term future of shipping. New fuels, new engines and new designs are becoming available. The difficulty for shipowners, builders, equipment makers and, don’t forget, financiers is not only what technology to support but when to invest. At Lloyd’s Register we have a key role to play in helping the industry appraise designs as well as verifying and measuring performance to help support the decision making process. This new ship is evidence of the shift towards new, eco designs.”

World Maritime News Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: HTS

Aberdeen Harbour continues to strengthen its position as a key economic driver, with record growth in traffic during 2011. In line with previous years, overall vessel tonnage has increased, with the port recording a seven per cent rise, from 24.2 million gross tonnes in 2010, to 25.9 million gross tonnes in 2011.

The harbour’s central importance to oil and gas traffic in the North Sea is demonstrated by an increase in the number of support vessels utilising its facilities, with a rise from 5,122 in 2010, to 5,421 in 2011, contributing to the four per cent growth in overall vessel numbers, from 7,467 to 7,784, across the same period.

Cargoes were shipped through Aberdeen to and from locations including Africa, Russia and the Falkland Islands, with total throughput rising by two per cent, from 4.66 million tonnes in 2010, to 4.76 million tonnes in 2011. A welcome new customer, IPM Ltd., stored and transported 11,000 tonnes of seed potatoes to Egypt and Morocco in November and December.

Timber, salmon feed and scrap metal shipments were among the cargoes bolstering the harbour’s strong performance, in addition to road salt and calcium carbonate slurry. The port continued to handle more than one million tonnes of refined oil products ensuring the continued supply of fuel for many in the region, including road vehicles, offshore locations and vessels.

Passengers using the regular ferry link increased slightly, with in excess of 150,000 people travelling between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles.

Chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour Board, Colin Parker, said: “These strong results highlight the key role the port plays in terms of its contribution to both the regional and national economy. We are delighted with the excellent performance, with signs already pointing at these high levels of activity continuing across 2012.

“The harbour has maintained vital global links through our regular scheduled international shipping services, which were further bolstered last year through the introduction of a circular freight service between North Russia, Norway and Holland. Coupled with the growing importance of our African traffic, these relationships are a key contributor to the success of the port. We hope to further enhance these services over the next 12 months.

“Despite the positive news, we are not complacent. We will invest upwards of £24million this year in order to support the trend for increasing vessel sizes, primarily associated with oil and gas activity, and new business streams such as renewable energy projects and decommissioning.”

World Maritime News Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: Aberdeen Harbour

Festive keel-laying ceremony took place at Severnaya Verf shipyard (St. Petersburg). The name plaque was triumphantly planted on a section of frigate Admiral Golovko constructed for Russian Navy. The ceremony was attended by Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM V. Vysotsky, fleet commanders and top-ranking naval officers, representatives of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation and JSC United Industrial Corporation, veterans and guests.

The frigate was laid down on the same day with Project 20385 lead corvette Gremyaschiy. According to Admiral V. Vysotsky, frigate Admiral Golovko will be based at Northern Fleet.

Admiral Golovko is a third Project 22350 frigate. Lead ship – Admiral Gorshkov – is being outfitted at the yard’s wall and will start trials in 2012. The second hull – Admiral Kasatonov – will be launched this year.

Project 22350 multipurpose frigates developed by Severnoye Design Bureau are large seagoing warships capable to accomplish wide range of tasks. Design displacement is 4,500 tons; length is 130 m; beam is 16 m; draft is 4.5 m; max speed 30 knots.

The frigate is named after outstanding Soviet naval officer Arseny G. Golovko who headed Northern Fleet during the World War II. Formerly, his name was given to a Project 58 missile cruiser, one of the first Soviet warships armed with antiship missiles.

JSC Severnaya Verf is the only supplier of Project 22350 frigates for Russian Navy. Under State Arms Program 2020, defense ministry and the shipyard tied a contract for six frigates of this type. All of them are to be built and joined the Navy by 2018.

Commissioning of Project 22350 lead frigate Admiral Gorshkov is scheduled late in 2012.

World Maritime News Staff, February 2, 2012; Image: Wikimedia