31.12.11

Prem Divya: unladen tanker explodes at Fujairah



There were three blasts, December 29, - boom, boom, boom - so the people were in panic. The tanker PREM DIVYA IMO 9138599, had arrived in Fujairah on December 27 for 10 days of "operational care". Workers from local firms had come to check the pipes and do welding in the engine room and other repairs and maintenance.

Ships must receive gas-free approvals before commencing any "hot work", or activities that could start a fire, such as welding, Capt Morad said. "We already got that, so what went wrong, we don't know. Any tanker that has gas in it should be made free of gas before any welding or hot work takes place."

Soon after the explosion late on Thursday afternoon many of the men on board leapt into the water. Neighbouring ships and the coastguard arrived to help them to safety, and the port authorities sent a crew to put out the fire. Empty oil tankers are susceptible to having residual flammable gas on board - even more so than on full tankers, where the gas has less area in which to expand. read
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29.12.11

Enrico Levoli: hijacked, Savina Caylyn supersized

The size of the ransom of the Italian aframax tanker Savina Caylyn induced the group's leaders to release all hostages including 17 indians

Enrico Ievoli

“MT Enrico Ievoli, sailing from Fujairah (the UAE) was carrying 15,750 tonnes of caustic soda from the United Arab Emirates to the Mediterranean, was captured approximately 215 nautical miles East by Northeast of Salalah at 0403UTC. With a crew of 18 comprising of six Italians, five Ukrainians and seven Indians, it is owned by Marnavi of Naples in Italy.
http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=53194&rand=

9188415 ENRICO IEVOLI I BKI Chemical/Oil Tanker 16631 2000
Ship Type: Tanker - Hazard B
Year Built: 1999
Length x Breadth: 138 m X 20 m
DeadWeight: 16631 t
Speed recorded (Max / Average): 17 / 15.7 knots
Flag: Italy [IT]
Call Sign: IBKI
IMO: 9188415, MMSI: 247597000

Yekaterinburg: rubber-coated outer hull flamed up





The fire now put out. Wooden scaffolding around K-84 caught fire.The blaze soon spread to the submarine's rubber-coated outer hull. Firefighters were still working at the scene, pouring water over the outer hull as well as the space between it and the inner hull,

The blaze at the Roslyakovo dock, one of the main dockyards of Russia's northern fleet 1,500 km (900 miles) north of Moscow, is believed to have started when wooden scaffolding caught fire during repairs to the submarine Yekaterinburg, which some Russian news agencies said had been hoisted into a dry dock.

K-84 Delta class Ekaterinburg 17 February 1982 17 March 1985 30 December 1985 Northern Active, overhaul in 2002, overhaul complete, upgraded Sineva missiles [9]


Delta class submarines in fiction

In the novel Ice by James Follett a Delta II class submarine called the Podorny is dispatched to the South Atlantic to search for a missing British submarine.[20]
In the pilot movie for seaQuest DSV a heavily modified Delta IV was being operated by pirates, led by former seaQuest captain Marilyn Stark.
In the video game Crysis Warhead, the player character incorrectly identifies a cargo submarine as a Project 914 Delta IV class. The submarine in question has the missile bay removed and replaced with a large cargo bay.
In Terminator Salvation: Cold War, Dmitri Losenko commanded a Delta IV-class submarine called the Gorshkov. When the US launches an attack on Russia the Gorshkov launches an attack on Alaska.

26.12.11

Sparta and Araon: icebreaker helping pump out



A South Korean polar research ship on December 26 reached Sparta, a leaking Russian fishing vessel that has been stuck in the frigid waters off Antarctica for the past 10 days. The crews are trying to pump fuel out of the damaged boat so that the leak may be welded shut.

25.12.11

Mercosur condemns Falkland Islands registry



The Mercosur declaration, under which the bloc's four full members vowed "to adopt … all the measures it is possible to impose to impede the entry of boats flying the illegal flag of the Malvinas [Falkland] Islands."
The Falkland Islands has operated its own register since 1861.

On 15 September 2003, a four-part register arrangement similar to that operated in the United Kingdom was commenced when the Falkland Islands adopted Parts I and II of the UK Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (with modifications).

The Register is ordinarily restricted to merchant vessels not exceeding a gross tonnage of 150, fishing vessels and small ships whose owners or charterers have a connection with the Falkland Islands and except in the case of the latter, all applications to register require the approval of the Governor.
Argentina's increasingly vocal stance on the Falklands was partly a helpful sideshow from domestic political issues, including subsidy cuts and inflation.

"This issue has historically been used quite a bit by Argentinian presidents when they want to distract the public," said a Houston expert

Thor Liberty: loaded missiles at Papenburg


The ship carrying missiles bound for South Korea that was detained in Finland over Christmas has run into more problems at the port of Kiel in Germany. The ship's crew is once again facing questions over secure storage of its cargo.
A representative of Kiel police told local media January 12 that they are inspecting the explosives in containers onboard. The same issue caused a lengthy inspection and re-loading operation at Kotka harbour.
[earlier]Reloading of explosives onboard the impounded Thor Liberty vessel in Kotka resumed on Sunday. Rescue officials say the operation could continue well into December 26. More of the poorly loaded explosives were confiscated on Sunday but work is proceeding without any major problems. So far some 250 kilos of explosives have been confiscated from the ship and will be destroyed later.

The “Thor Liberty,” belonging to a Danish company, flying a British Isle of Man flag, and manned by a Ukrainian crew, was stopped Wednesday during a routine check at the southern Finnish port of Kotka. German media reports say the missiles were marked as “fireworks.”

The high-tech weapons were reportedly loaded onto the ship at Papenburg, on the River Eems, 40km inland from the North Sea, not far from Vörden, once a a Nike Hercules AA missile site.. The export permission documents were registered at the customs office in Emden, in the state of Lower Saxony. back

24.12.11

Sedco 706: Transocean Ld. has Chevron indemnity


Transocean's drilling services contract with Chevron for the SEDCO 706 requires Chevron, among other things, to indemnify Transocean for pollution or contamination based claims arising below the surface of the water. more

23.12.11

RV Araon: Korean icebreaker on rescue of Sparta



A South Korean icebreaker berthed in New Zealand set sail last Saturday night and is due to reach the troubled Russian-flagged Sparta in Antarctic ice on Sunday afternoon,
The Sparta’s owners have chartered the RV Araon, a South Korean icebreaker, to aid the stricken ship
The RV Araon is a 6,950-ton icebreaker operated by the Government of South Korea, designed for operation in one-meter-thick-multiple-year ice condition (KR PL-10) with 3 knot speed per hour and will be equipped with twin Azimuth propulsion units driven by diesel-electric propulsion plant. She will accommodate up to 85 persons, including 25 crew members. The name is derived from Korean words “Ara” for Sea and “On” for All and represents a project to cruise around the world. She supplies the King Sejong Station and will supply a South Korea’s second planned antartcic research station. She underwent her sea trials in January 2010, in the Ross Sea.

21.12.11

Thor Liberty: 69 missiles to South Korea Okay


The paperwork of the freight vessel Thor Liberty, which was found to have explosives and missiles on board when it docked at Kotka Harbour, is in order, said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
On Wednesday, Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen (Christ. Dem.) was still saying that the bill of lading claimed that the containers, which were loaded with Patriot ground-to-air missiles, had been labelled as fireworks.
However, it came out later that this was a linguistic misunderstanding involving the words “rocket” and “missile”.
“There was no attempt in the documents to mislead in any way”, says Detective Superintendent Timo Virtanen of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Seoul (AFP) Dec 20, 2006 As part of its independent system South Korea has announced plans to buy 48 second-hand Patriot missiles from Germany from 2008. It also wants ground control equipment for the Patriots from the US.

[December 22] A Isle of Man-flag cargo vessel detained at Kotka harbour has been found to be carrying a shipment of American-made Patriot missiles. According to information received by YLE, the missile shipment originated in Germany and is destined for South Korea. Onboard the ship are 69 of the missiles with their explosive warheads and propelling charges
sale of missiles to South Korea
SEOUL (AFP) Jul 13, 2005
A German defense chief met with South Korean officials here Wednesday for talks on the sale of second-hand Patriot missiles to Seoul, the defense ministry said.
Klaus Von Sperber, director of international armament affairs in Germany's defense ministry, visited Defense Miniser Yoon Kwang-Ung and other Korean military officials, Yoon's office said.

Sperber arrived here earlier Wednesday for a two-day trip.

"The German official is in Seoul for talks on the sale of Patriot missiles deployed in his country," a ministry official said.

South Korea last week revived a project to buy Patriot missiles, but a decision on whether to buy missiles directly from the United States or second-hand ones from other countries has yet to be taken.

From next year, South Korea hopes to replace its aging ground-to-air Nike missiles, introduced 40 years ago, with Patriot missiles.

The South Korean military had planned to buy 48 Patriot missiles from the United States in 2000, but the plan was scrapped because of a dispute over the cost. read
Name: Thor Liberty
IMO: 9065273
Flag: Isle Of Man (uk)
MMSI: 235218000
Callsign: ZNGT5
Former name(s):
- Cec Liberty (Until 2009 Oct 28)
- White Rhino (Until 2008 Nov 06)
- Cec Liberty (Until 2007 Dec 03)
- Cec Hope (Until 2002 Nov 28)
- Cic Hope (Until 2001 Nov 21)
- Arktis Hope (Until 2000 Jan 04)
Flag Isle of Man / Douglas. Built 1994 / Nordsoevaerfet Ringkobing (DK) Ex CEC Hope; CEC Liberty; White Rhino; Arktis Hope. GT 3810 tdw 5392 TEU 350 L 97,4 B 16,36 D 6,72 Propulsion 1 x MaK 9 M 453 C 2996 kw / 600 rpm; 2 x MTU S 60 344 kw / 1800 rpm; shaft generator 540 kw; CPP; speed 14 ktn. Gear 2 x 50 t.

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Savina Caylyn: D"Amato tanker ransom $11m


The ransom was delivered December 21 in two trips by helo , 8.5 million and a second later in the day. The pirates did not release the vessel until all payment was made, The pirates' freed 17 Indian sailors after receiving an initial sum of $ 8.5 million, ". "It was a tactic of the owner to ensure that Indian nationals were freed." After receiving the money, "launched from a helicopter," the Indians were released on small boats. Then "another 3 million have been launched and we left the ship and released the five Italians,"
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20.12.11

Rena: NZ charges officers with perverting justice



Both men, who have name suppression, appeared in Tauranga District Court today and faced a new charge alleging they altered the ship's documents after it crashed into the Astrolabe reef, attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The charges were laid under the Crimes Act and could see the men facing jail time.

Corrupting juries and witnesses
Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who—
(a) dissuades or attempts to dissuade a person, by threats, bribes, or other corrupt means, from giving evidence in any cause or matter (whether civil or criminal, and whether tried or to be tried in New Zealand or in an overseas jurisdiction); or
(b) influences or attempts to influence, by threats or bribes or other corrupt means, a member of a jury in his or her conduct as such (whether in a cause or matter tried or to be tried in New Zealand or in an overseas jurisdiction, and whether the member has been sworn as a member of a particular jury or not); or
(c) accepts any bribe or other corrupt consideration to abstain from giving evidence (whether in a cause or matter tried or to be tried in New Zealand or in an overseas jurisdiction); or
(d) accepts any bribe or other corrupt consideration on account of his or her conduct as a member of a jury (whether in a cause or matter tried or to be tried in New Zealand or in an overseas jurisdiction, and whether the member has been sworn as a member of a particular jury or not); or
(e) wilfully attempts in any other way to obstruct, prevent, pervert, or defeat the course of justice in New Zealand or the course of justice in an overseas jurisdiction.

Both were remanded at large to reappear in Tauranga District Court on February 29.

19.12.11

Liquid Velvet gets $8m Ransom Demand



At first the chemtanker was held at Bargaal but has now been moved to Garacad
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18.12.11

Kolskaya: sinks in the Sea of Okhotsk


Rescuers have recovered 14 survivors and located 16 bodies so far. 37 crew members still missing
[earlier] Three lifeboats the rescuers found soon after at the scene were empty. One lifeboat remained unaccounted for by search and rescue teams, who held hopes it could be found with survivors on board. It was located on Monday, but was also empty. Rescue workers have found a raft with up to 15 people aboard near an offshore Russian drilling rig that capsized in the Sea of Okhotsk - but it was unclear if they were alive, more

[earlier]"The Kolskaya keeled to its side ... and sank within 20 minutes. The depth of the water at the site is 1,042 metres (3,400 feet)," Russia's federal water transport agency said on its website.

Four of the survivors, suffering from hypothermia, were airlifted by helicopter to land and taken to hospital after the disaster struck at 12:45 p.m. (0145 GMT).
[earlier]The rescue operation is continuing despite night having fallen. The Emergencies Ministry says 14 people have been saved and four found dead. Rescuers had problems with lifting the dead bodies from the water and had to leave them floating in the sea until the storm, which sank the rig, calmed down a little,
The drilling rig belongs to the Arktikmorneftegazrazvedka exploration company, which carried out work under a contract with energy giant Gazprom.

The drilling rig, which can take up to 102 people on board, was built in 1985 in Finland. The rig started its operations in September to drill and test the Pervoocherednaya well on the West-Kamchatka licensed block of the Okhotsk Sea shelf.

The rig, which is 69 meters long and 80 meters wide, was intended to drill a well at a depth of 3,500 meters.

A Gazprom spokesman said that the rig had fulfilled its works for Gazprom by the time of the accident and was heading for its base.

Investigators have said they are considering the rig's tow in disregard of a severe storm as the most likely reason for the accident.

but in 1992 Emtunga installed the living quarter module.

SIZE AND WEIGHT:
The overall module dimensions 32.0 x 16.0 x 14.0 m, three levels. Total area 1550 m2.
Total weight 582 tonnes.

Rig Name: Kolskaya
Rig Manager: ArcticMorNefteGazRazvedka
Rig Owner: ArcticMorNefteGazRazvedka
Competitive Rig: Yes
Rig Type: Jackup
Jackup Type: Independent Leg Cantilever
Rig Design: Gusto Engineering BV Schiedam / Triangular
Rated Water Depth: 328 ft
Drilling Depth: 21,325 ft
Classification: DNV
Rig Design: Gusto Engineering BV Schiedam / Triangular
Built By: Rauma Repola Oy at the Rauma Repola Finland shipyard
Delivery Year: 1985
Flag: Russian Federation

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The 'Neftegaz-55' tugboat, also owned by AMNGR, had been towing the Kolskaya rig and took part in the search effort, but pulled out after suffering hull damage. The tug, carrying 11 crew rescued from the rig, was limping to port.

'Neftegaz-55 8418459 NEFTEGAZ-55 UHKK Tug 1397 1987

16.12.11

Sparta: supplies dropped, patched





video

video
The 48-metre (157ft) long Sparta is licensed to catch toothfish in the Southern Ocean. Russian fishing vessel Sparta is seen listing in waters in the Ross Sea near Antarctica on Dec. 16, 2011. The fishing vessel with 32 crew members were taking on water near Antarctica on Friday. Heavy sea ice was hampering rescue efforts, and officials said it could be four or five days before anybody reaches the ship to try to rescue the crew. Dec.17

8809361 SPARTA UIBS Fishing Ship 371 1988

11.12.11

9.12.11

HAI YANG SHI YOU 981, 船主 nears Okinawa


Hong Kong-listed CNOOC and international partners including Canada's Husky Energy Inc [under Ka-Shing Li] and U.S. company Chevron Corp will step up exploration of the deepsea waters in the South China Sea in coming years, with the first major production from the Liwan gas project operated by Husky.

The companies would mostly drill in the northern part of the South China Sea, industry officials and analysts have said, staying away from politically sensitive waters to the south to avoid territorial rows with neighbors such as Vietnam and the Phillippines.

"981 will start drilling late this month or in January," said a company official, referring to the country's first and only homemade deepsea rig Offshore Oil 981, which is designed to operate at a water depth of 3,000 metres and to drill up to 10,000 metres.


It was reported that Li Ka Shing second son, Richard Li Tzar Kai was courting Emperor Entertainment Group female starlet, Isabelle Leung

7.12.11

Rena: 115 containers still on board



The daily media conference for the Rena disaster finished Dec 1 and will become a weekly conference unless the situation changes. There are 1115 containers still on board
"We are now soliciting support from various sectors of the [Filipino] society, especially the maritime industry, to join us in lodging a nation-wide protest action to prevent Capt. Balomanga and his watch officer from being incarcerated. 12 months imprisonment should not be a penalty for a navigational error.' here

6.12.11

Deepwater Horizon: revving up for the trial



Filings are starting before trial among BP and the contractors Halliburton and Transocean over blame in the Deepwater Horizon blast in April 2010, which killed 11 workers and led to 206m US gallons (780m litres) of crude oil escaping into the Gulf of Mexico. So far, BP, the majority owner of the Macondo well, has footed the bill for the emergency response and cleanup. Also involved are Anadarko Petroleum and Cameron International.
here

The first trial over the disaster is scheduled to start 27 February in New Orleans. It is expected to last three months and determine the liability of each company involved in drilling the Macondo well. There will be other phases over cleanup costs, punitive damages and other claims.

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1.12.11

HAI YANG SHI YOU 981, 船主 drillship gone south




CNOOC 981 is moving South at 4 knots from Shanghai, presumably on sea trials. In May,2011, CNOOC announced plans to deploy its first floating drilling platform to waters within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) claimed by the Philippines.
Marine Oil 981, HAI YANG SHI YOU 981, 船主 may be headed for Spratly Islands and a conflict with Vietnam.
2011-12-01 20:28 HAI YANG SHI YOU 981 29.21839 123.1751 3.7 181
2011-12-01 18:21 HAI YANG SHI YOU 981 29.34051 123.1904 3.4 183
2011-12-01 13:29 HAI YANG SHI YOU 981 29.6417 123.2491 4.1 187
2011-12-01 10:20 HAI YANG SHI YOU 981 29.86356 123.3032 4.2 186
2011-12-01 00:22 HAI YANG SHI YOU 981 30.42981 123.0966 4.5 168
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27.11.11

Swanland: Cook Island-registered bulker sinks




In one of the largest joint rescues undertaken by Irish and British rescue agencies in the Irish Sea.Reports from the scene indicated that the ship's hull had begun to split causing an ingress of water . The ship put out a mayday call at 2 am when she got into difficulties in gale force winds around ten miles off the Lleyn peninsula, North Wales. Five Russian crew members are still missing after two others had been rescued from the life rafts to which they were clinging. The vessel is an 81 metre freighter which was believed to be carrying a cargo of up to 3,000 tonnes of limestone.
Name: Swanland
IMO: 7607431
Flag: Cook Islands
MMSI: 518333000
Callsign: E5U2283
Former name(s):
- Elsborg (Until 1996 Aug 12)
- Artemis (Until 1994 Dec 16)
- Elsborg (Until 1988 Nov 14)
- Carebeka Ix (Until 1983 Jan 14)
Vessel type: Cargo
Gross tonnage: 1,978 tons
Summer DWT: 3,137 tons
Length: 81 m
Beam: 14 m
Draught: 3.5 m
Build year: 1977
Builder*: Bijlsma Lemmer Scheepswerf
Lemmer, Netherlands
Owner: Torbulk - Grimsby, U.k.
Manager: Torbulk - Grimsby, U.k.

26.11.11

ROSALIA D` AMATO: 6 million Ransom


Six million ransom was paid for the release of the vessel, down from 7 million USD demanded, both the negotiators and the owners wanted that secret

ROSALIA D` AMATO (IMO 9225201) owned by Perseveranza SpA , a Company owned by Giuseppe D'Amato. Giuseppe D'Amato is the leader of a family of Shipowners that since four generations is present in the world shipping community. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano hailed the release of the Rosalia D’Amato, along with its crew of six Italians and 15 Filipinos .
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22.11.11

Sedco 706: leak nothing to do with Transocean



The leak, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the coast of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state. was the result of an underestimate of pressure in the offshore oil reservoir that was the target of their drilling and an overestimate of the strength of undersea rock.

As a result, high pressure oil was able to leak into the well bore hole. While the well was immediately shut off, the pressure from the so-called "kick" caused the bore-hole wall to crack and oil to seep through crevices and porous rock to the seafloor and then up into the ocean.

Chevron owns 52 percent of Frade, which is producing about 79,000 barrels of oil and natural gas equivalent a day, and is the fields operator. Petrobras owns 30 percent and a Japanese Group known as Frade Japan owns 18 percent.

The well, which is being abandoned, was drilled by Transocean from their Sedco 706 rig. Buck said the problems at the well "had nothing to do with Transocean."

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19.11.11

Sedco 706: Transocean rig at Brazil leak site



Chevron Corp. (CVX), the second-largest U.S. energy company, said it has halted an oil leak at the Frade project off the coast of Brazil after plugging a well.

“Fluid flow from the well appears to have ceased. The well probably contributed to the seeps that have been the source of an oil sheen that appeared on the surface of the ocean.

Chevron said yesterday that it planned to use cement and mud to seal a fissure in the sea floor that was the suspected source of the oil leak. As much as 882 barrels of crude had reached the surface, Brazil’s oil regulator, known as ANP, said yesterday, citing Chevron.

The company contracted Transocean’s Liberian-flag Sedco 706 rig to drill an appraisal well in the Frade field 230 miles (370 kilometers) northeast of Rio de Janeiro, The SEDCO 706 is a dynamically-positioned Sedco 700 design semi-submersible drilling unit capable of operating in moderate environments and water depths up to 2,000 m (6,562 ft)* using 18¾” 10,000 psi BOP and 21” OD marine drilling riser. here

Chevron, which has 51.74% interest, started production at Frade field in 2009. Partners in the field are Petroleo Brasileiro SA 30%, and Frade Japao Petroleo Ltda., a joint venture of Inpex Corp., Sojitz Corp., and Japan Oil, Gas & Metals Corp. 18.26%.

14.11.11

Rena: hang the captain



The captain has been charged with being the master of a ship from which harmful substances and/or contaminants were discharged into a coastal marine area.

The second officer is charged with being responsible for the watch of a ship from which the same offence occurred.

The RMA charge carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or a fine up to $300,000. If the offence continues, a fine of $10,000 for every day or part of the day the offending continues can be imposed. The Maritime Transport Act charge carries a maximum penalty of 12 months prison or maximum fine of $10,000 Judge Wolff, who further remanded the two defendants on bail until December 21, confirmed the suppression orders in place would continue until further notice. Mana Party leader Mr Harawira wants a strong punishment for the Rena's captain.

"Hanging the poor bugger might sound a bit harsh, but somebody should pay," he said.

13.11.11

Less wind, more pirates in Gulf of Aden



decreased winds and seas will only worsen the problem in the short-term as the Monsoon season has ended.

8.11.11

Halifax: oil tanker released off Nigeria



Part of the cargo was siphoned,
The Halifax is operated by the Greek-based Ancora Investment Trust Inc and is flagged out of Malta.
"Halifax was reportedly located this morning off Bonny Fairway buoy. The vessel is presently being escorted to Port Harcourt harbour by Nigerian Navy Patrol Team. Further details to follow," read an email message sent to Reuters by the Nigeria Maritime Administration

4.11.11

Arctic Sea: becomes Shelley Express




The ghost vessel Arctic Sea is no more, its owner's website is down, and the company's Dutch owner is merged.
Vessel's Name Flag Call Sign Last Reported
ARCTIC SEA Barbados 8PWS 2011-11-03 15:26
BBCTIC SEA Barbados 8PWS 2011-09-17 21:04
ARCTIC SEA Malta 9HDN8 2010-05-12 08:55

www.glfl.ca/


Following two years of close cooperation initiated by Hans Laue, Gisholt Shipping, between Dutch Shipowners CFL (Canada Feeder Lines) and Scan-Trans, Scan-Trans now issues new shares that enables CFL to become a 20% shareholder in Scan-Trans Holding A/S.
Great Lakes Feeder Lines was successfully formed in continuation to its founders forming Canada Feeder Lines, a now Dutch based European shipping company with no further ties to Canada, Great Lakes Feeder Lines, its founders, or to trading vessels in Canada or the United States.



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Blida: with load of clinker finally ransomed, maybe





MV Blida ransomed for USD 3.5 million. The pirates who hijacked Blida received only 2.6 million. Garaad, an investor took 600,000, and Loyaan, the negotiator and translator took 120,000, their normal percentages. Cash was dropped on November 2 and after counting it, the vessel released November 3 amid reports pirates attempted to hijack her again back

3.11.11

Halifax: tanker hijacked to steal oil, not ransom



Pirates seized an oil tanker off the coast of Nigeria's southern delta, kidnapping the crew in a bid to steal ship's cargo in the latest hijacking targeting the region, private security officials said November 3
Gunmen boarded the MT Halifax as it sat in waters off the coast of Port Harcourt, the main city in the oil-rich Niger Delta, the officials said.

The pirates took over control of the ship and sailed off into the waters of the Gulf of Guinea, and are holding onto the crew as they offload the crude oil in the ship's hold, the officials said.

8810932 HALIFAX 9HMH5 Tanker 29753 1992

Vessel's name: Halifax Last updated: Aug 23, 2011
Ex-name(s): STARDUST / HAWK / MARITIME PRUDENCE
IMO number: 8810932
Flag: Malta Call sign: 9HMH5
Port of Registry: VALLETTA Summer DWT: 29752.95 MT
Type of vessel: Oil Tanker Built: Feb 26, 1992
Type of hull: Double Bottom Owner: TRUST A MARITIME LTD
Class Society: Lloyds Register Operator: ANCORA INVESTMENT TRUST INC.

1.11.11

Liquid Velvet: which tanker hijacked in Gulf of Aden



Marshall Islands-flagged Liquid Velvet was seized on Monday in the Gulf of Aden
The 11,599 DWT vessel is owned by Greek firm Elmira Tankers,

9083940 LIQUID VELVET V7OM9 Tanker 11559 1994
Vessel's name: Liquid Velvet Last updated: Jul 14, 2011
Ex-name(s): Liquid Challenge / Shina IMO number: 9083940
Flag: Marshall Island Call sign: V7OM9
Port of Registry: Majuro Summer DWT: 11559 MT
Type of vessel: Chemical Built: Feb 10, 1994
Type of hull: Double Hull Owner: Minimal Enterprise Co.
Class Society: Nippon Kaiji Kyokai Operator: Elmira Tankers Management S.A.


Compare BEN
Built 2006 by Samho as Songa Diamond
Renamed: 2006 Brovig Bay, 2007 Liquid Velvet, 2007 Ben
At the terminal on the same day was 1994 built “Liquid Velvet”(9083940)
Owner: Open Waters Ben Pte Ltd
Manager: Columbia Shipmgmt Singapore
GRT 8450, DWT 12910
Length 127, beam 20 metre
Single screw diesel 13.5 kts
IMO Number: 9311646
Brovig Bay purchased by Elmira Shipping, and renamed Liquid Velvet.
Renamed: 2006 Brovig Bay, 2007 Liquid Velvet, 2007 Ben

31.10.11

Schelde Trader: Maersk boxship aground off NZ



Schelde Trader, on charter to Maersk Line ran aground in the Bay of Plenty, just three weeks after the Rena hit the Astrolabe Reef, a second container ship. Preliminary assessments indicate that a mechanical failure caused the loss of power, which then resulted in a loss of steering. The container vessel was leaving the harbour after having come in to refuel on its way from Auckland to Noumea.
The harbour passage was not a difficult route to pilot. "I wouldn't have thought it was a difficult harbour to navigate. "

Schelde Trader Reider Shipping 9264752 SCHELDE TRADER PBKZ Container Ship 8015 2003

GROSS TONNAGE 6.704 tons
SUMMER DWT 8.015 tons
BUILD 2003
BUILDER COSCO ZHOUSHAN SHIPYARD ZHOUSHAN - CHINA
FLAG NETHERLANDS
CLASS SOCIETY GERMANISCHER LLOYD
MANAGER/OWNER REIDER SHIPPING WINSCHOTEN - NETHERLANDS

FORMER NAMES
until 2009 May 08 MEKONG CHAIYO
until 2005 Feb 27 SCHELDE TRADER

30.10.11

Iceberg 1: 100 miles north of Hobyo

658 N 4921 E

[October 30]We are not close to releasing this vessel....until we get our demanded ransom: a spokesman, Aden said. Last known position 0700 north 04922 east, 100mi N Hobyo

Listed by ABS as still held by pirates November 2

27.10.11

Iceberg 1: released or not?



Has Iceberg 1 been released? AP has retracted its notice
Iceberg I (12-2007)
IMO: 7429102
according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence is associated with Azal Shipping & Trading of Dubai.
Azal Contracting & Oil Services Corp. is a private firm with many activities specialized in different field of services and investment . AZAL utilizes both its assets and resources efficiently and takes full and early advantages of technical advances and markets needs. Our philosophy is based on blending individuals to form strategic partnerships with multinational corporations.. The ISO 9002 accreditation is a clear signal to our valued clients that Azal Blue Bell Shipping provides a consistently reliable quality services.

26.10.11

Rena: little blue penguins create a public issue



While we all know that an oil spill is a bad thing, the sight of a Little Blue Penguin, covered in oil, brings the issue very much into the realms of the "here and now''.

25.10.11

Rena: clutch of blue penguins will not be reared


164 tonnes of heavy fuel oil has been pumped from Rena on to the barge Awanuia.

This means 645 tonnes of the 1370 tonnes thought to be left on the ship has been pumped. . But for the little blue penguins of Mount Maunganui this is breeding season, and the timing of the Rena oil spill in the Bay of Plenty could not have been much worse.

Locals put the number of breeding pairs of little blues penguins in this area at around 200 to 300; and the population now has the full attention of a team from Maritime New Zealand's National Oiled Wildlife Recovery unit, monitoring their burrows daily to help the birds survive this environmental disaster.

Whilst these nocturnal penguins may not appreciate such close attention as they incubate their eggs, the monitoring is critical. The penguins come ashore during the evening to find their burrows, and many are becoming oiled crossing rocks covered in thick tar-like oil.

"If a penguin becomes oiled and tries to preen itself, it can swallow the oil and become very sick. If we find a bird that is heavily oiled, we collect it and take it back to the wildlife recovery centre to be cleaned and rehabilitated," explains WWF-New Zealand Marine Programme Manager Rebecca Bird, one of 140 field staff working as part of Maritime New Zealand's oiled wildlife recovery efforts.

Around 120 little blue penguins have been rescued from the mount so far, and their chances of survival are comparatively good - penguins are some of the most resilient birds in recovering from oil spills. But Rebecca and the team are facing a tough choice - removing an oiled bird will give it a chance of survival, but its clutch is unlikely to survive:

"We checked on the pair of little blue penguins in the 'window nest' a couple of nights ago, and the mate was oiled so we had to take him away to the recovery centre to be looked after. Then the next night we found the other penguin was oiled and had to take her away. We hope that the birds we recover will be rehabilitated successfully, but it's heartbreaking to know that saving them means their clutch won't be reared," . Builders are racing to finish aviaries for the long-term care of hundreds of little blue penguins rescued following the oil spill.
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22.10.11

Rena: bow is broken and twisted from the impact



Rena's bow is broken and twisted from the impact with the Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga.

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21.10.11

Rena: Captain, Navigation Officer further remanded


The 44-year-old captain of the ship, Mauro Balomanga, and the 37-year-old officer in charge of navigational watch at the time of the grounding both defendants, yet to enter pleas, were further remanded on bail and are due back in court on November 2.

20.10.11

Rena: Filipino captain , navigation officer in Court




Salvors are now back on board the vessel Rena carrying out general assessments of the ship's status. A team of three salvors re-boarded the ship this morning, however, swell and weather conditions have not been favourable for restarting pumping of from the ship. "The bow section of Rena is still sitting firmly on the reef, however, movement from the heavy swell and tide action overnight has moved the stern section slightly further to the left. "Booster pumps have now been installed on the vessel Rena and further pumps will also be added to speed up the rate of oil extraction. Salvors will recommence pumping when weather and swell conditions allow this to be done safely.
Mauro Balomanga captain and his navigational officer of the stricken ship responsible for the country's largest environmental maritime disaster will remain unshown in New Zealand who appeared before Judge Robert Wolff in Tauranga District Court October 19.

19.10.11

Rena: cracks connected underneath hull



The two large cracks on either side of the ship are connected underneath the hull, but it is still held together through its internal structure. The bulbous section on the hull of the ship was also severely cracked and was being pushed upward as the ship's hull rested on the reef below. here note video

18.10.11

Rena: video oil, ship remains stable



There are currently swells peaking at 4m around the vessel.

While pumping has been suspended, salvage experts are continuing with other work on board the vessel, such as cleaning out the engine room, getting more equipment on board and creating more work space. The ship is stable and remains in the same condition as it was yesterday - with cracks down each side but is still together in one piece.

17.10.11

Deepwater Horizon: Anadarko settles with BP



BP has reached a $4bn (£2.5bn) settlement with a former partner in its Deepwater Horizon oil rig over claims related to last year's deadly explosion and oil spill at the offshore drilling platform.

Anadarko Petroleum's payment will form part of BP's $20bn compensation trust fund, set up to compensate victims and help pay for the clean-up after the fatal fire that killed 11 people and led to the largest oil spill in US history. Anadarko also agreed to drop its gross negligence claims against BP.

Texas-based Anadarko held a 25% stake in the Macondo well and has agreed to hand that to BP in return for a share of any funds BP recovers from third parties or insurance.

The settlement follows other agreements with Deepwater partners. In May, BP announced an agreement with MOEX Offshore 2007, a unit of Japan's Mitsui which owned 10% of the well. It agreed to pay BP $1bn. The following month Weatherford International, a Switzerland-based contractor that supplied parts to the rig, agreed to pay $75m to the trust fund to settle claims between itself and BP.
earlier

Rena: 20-minute window to change course


The ship would have travelled in a straight line for up to 20 minutes before it struck the Astrolabe Reef off the Bay of Plenty coast at about 2.20am on 5 October. and it is a mystery why evasive action wasn't taken.
Decoded transmissions sent by the ship show the vessel took a managed, deliberate turn without on-board navigational charts having been checked. Rena's navigators only used radar recognition of land, and possibly the port entrance beacon to find their way.

Reports that the Rena is breaking up are incorrect. Salvage experts advise that while the Rena is cracked port and starboard, it remains together in one piece and is in the same position as it has been for the past week.

MNZ Salvage Unit Manager Andrew Berry (who today replaces Bruce Anderson as part of a shift rotation) says oil pumping operations are progressing. A booster pump is now in place, which is hoped to begin operation soon.

"All going well."
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14.10.11

Rena: water not supporting bow, stern


Liberian-flagged Rena has been stuck for nine days on a reef 14 miles off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, spilling about 300 tons of heavy toxic fuel and some of its hundreds of containers into the sea."What's holding the vessel together at the moment is the fact she's lying on the reef and some internal structures, companionways, ducting and the like inside the vessel," Maritime NZ spokesman "The ship is supported over part of its bottom and the water is not providing the usual support to the bow and stern so the static forces will be tending to bend the ship. In addition the waves will be causing changing forces that will tend to grow cracks,"
photoblog

13.10.11

Scarabeo 9: China-built oil rig coming to Cuba



Repsol has accepted two partners in the venture.Norsk Hydro ASA, Oslo, and ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL), New Delhi, signed an association contract in Havana with Repsol and Cuba’s state company Cubapetroleo SA (Cupet) to explore the blocks. Repsol YPF, which will remain operator, is retaining a 40% stake, and Hydro and OVL each will hold 30%.The gateway for the United States to end or weaken the embargo may be the giant oil rig, the Scarabeo 9, which could be on its way to the Florida Straits from a shipyard in Singapore any day now. The Spanish oil company RepSol is the first of several foreign energy companies scheduled to explore for oil in deep water 50 miles from Key West.
A spokesman for Spanish oil company Repsol YPF says a Chinese-made rig is on schedule to arrive off Cuba and begin drilling before the end of the year.

Spokesman Kristian Rix would neither confirm nor deny recent reports of delays for the Scarabeo-9 rig.

He says the project's schedule has always been based on a window of time during which the rig was expected to arrive, and it's impossible to predict exact dates for such a complex undertaking.

Rix said Thursday that the Scarabeo-9 is still on track to arrive and begin operations within that window.
Following the acquisition of several engineering companies over the last years, most prominently of Snamprogetti, Bouygues Offshore and Sofresid, the new Business Unit Saipem Onshore has become one of the world’s largest engineering and construction companies, serving primarily the oil & gas, refining and petrochemical markets as well as a number of diversified industrial ones, such as environment, infrastructure, marine terminals, etc.
More than 30 House lawmakers are urging Spanish energy company Repsol YPF S.A. (REP.MC) to abandon its plan to drill for oil in Cuban waters, saying such a move will bolster the financial strength of the Castro regime and could expose Repsol to criminal and civil liabilities in U.S. courts.

In a letter sent to Repsol’s chairman this week, the lawmakers say they “urge Repsol to reassess the risks inherent in partnering with the Castro dictatorship, including the risk to its commercial interests with the United States.”

Repsol spokesman Kristian Rix said the company “is abiding by U.S. embargo legislation, and our drilling plans are in accordance with” safety standards put in place after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Opposition to Repsol’s drilling plans ramped up in recent weeks, as the Spanish company prepares to begin drilling off Cuba’s north coast by the end of the year. A Chinese-built drilling rig that Repsol will use for the project is currently en route from Singapore to Cuba.


9480423 SCARABEO 9 Drillship 23965 2011

Flag: Bahamas

Width: 73 m
Length: 109 m

Vessel type: Platform
Gross tonnage: 31,331 tons
Summer DWT: 23,965 tons
Build year: 2010
Builder*: Raffles Shipyard
Yantai, China

Saipem Onshore

Ultra deepwater 6th generation semi submersible drilling rig

Classification:
DNV +1A1

Design type:
Frigstad D90

Dimensions:
Length overall: 115.00 m
Breadth (common deck box): 80.00 m
Depth (keel to main deck): 35.40 m
Moonpool dimensions: 42 x 8 m
Displacement: 31,000 t

Design criteria:
Water depth: up to 12,000 ft
Drilling depth: up to 15,200 m
Variable deck load: 8,900 t

Cranes:
2 100 t Liebherr revolving deck cranes with 60 m boom

Drawworks:
Dual ram rig type

Mud pumps:
4 Aker Wirth triplex pumps, 2,200 HP each.

Rotary table:
2 Aker Wirth, max. opening 601/2”. Rated capacity: 1,000 t, driven by hydraulic motor.

Top drive:
2 Aker Maritime Hydraulics DDM 1000 HY RR, rated capacity: 1,000 t – 7,500 psi w.p., driven by Rexroth hydraulic motors.

Derrick:
Aker Maritime hydraulic dual ram rig, 118 ft high. Hook load capacity: 2 x 2,000 kips

BOP:
1 Shaffer spherical preventer 183/4” – 10,000 psi w.p.
1 Shaffer double ram preventer 183/4” – 15,000 psi w.p. with shear capacity
1 Shaffer triple ram preventer 183/4” – 15,000 psi w.p.

Power system generators:
8 Wartsila 12V32LNE 7,200 BHP coupled with Coverteam AC generators 5,400 kW each.

Thrusters:
8 Wartsila FS3500-571NU, driven by 4,300 kW electric motors

Risers:
21” O.D., 50 ft long

Crew facilities:
Air conditioned living quarters for 200 people

Helideck:
Suitable for MI8, S61 and EH101

Reno: Mauro Balomanga, Filipino Captain



88 containers have been reported as fallen from the ship. Members of the public should not touch containers that reach the shore, or any of the goods that have come free from the containers. Officials had feared that a large crack in the ship’s hull indicated it was about to split in two but said at a news briefing on October 13 that a breakup was not considered imminent, although it remained a dangerous possibility. Mauro Balomanga, the ship’s captain, a 44-year-old Filipino man, was arrested October 12.

12.10.11

Rena:video crack, captain, 2d charged




Rena's captain had been charged under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act. He faces a fine of $7,800 (£5,000) or a maximum prison sentence of 12 months if convicted.

More charges were likely, MNZ said.

He appeared at a court in Tauranga on Wednesday morning and was granted bail for one week, when he is next due in court.

Judge Robert Wolff granted his lawyer's request that the captain's name be suppressed because people "might want to take matters into their own hands".

The captain's passport has been confiscated and he is to remain at a nominated address approved by the prosecutors and make daily reports to a local police station subject to the needs of the salvage operation.

It is not clear how the vessel ran aground on a well-marked reef in calm weather.

The second officer of the stricken ship Rena has been charged. The man, who was in charge of the navigational watch of the vessel, will face a charge of operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk in Tauranga District Court October 13).

4.07pm: Prime Minister John Key has announced the stricken Rena cargo ship has "stress fractures" in its hull and may break up.

videos

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/massive-crack-rena-4460592/video?vid=4462136


http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/5770592/Rena-disaster-Second-officer-charged-cracks-in-ship#share