DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 247
Number 247 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Thursday 04-09-2014
News reports received from readers and Internet News articles copied from various news sites.
The 2014 Damen built 70 ton BP ASD Tug 2411 tugboat MALTA, entering the Grand
Harbour , Malta on Monday 1st September, 2014 photo : Photo marine Pilot Anthony
Chetcuti, www.maltapilots.com.mt , www.mmrtc.com.mt ©
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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 247
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EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS
RED BOX ENERGY SERVICES ordered 2 barge carriers at at CSSC
ZPMC & RED BOX ENERGY SERVICES signed July 17th the contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International
for 2 Polar Yamal LNG moduletransport ships, The ships will be the world's first vessels to meet year-round deck
Arctic route running transport ships for modules, the ships are to provide transportation services for the LNG module
Yamal Peninsula Yamal LNG project within the Arctic Circle. The project is scheduled to produce annually 16.5
million tons of liquefied natural gas, for the plant in total 264 modules with a total weight of 400,000 tons weighing
from 100 tons to a range of up to 7550 tons, of which 90 meters long the largest module , 40 meters wide and 42
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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 247
meters high, are required, therefore, this polar ships are designed with a heavy-duty deck layout . General icebreaking
ship are rarely more than 30 meters wide, while this ship's are 43 meters wide it will be the most widest polar ice class
ships. Furthermore this icebreaking ships are having a very strong construction to meet the harsh ice conditions in the
Arctic environment . The ships with are able to transport modules weighing up to 10,000 tons !
Source : Google translated Chinese to English of GSI press release
Boskalis dredger RHENUS operating at the Markermeer for the Construction project Naarden
Photo : FLYING FOCUS luchtfotografie www.flyingfocus.nl ©
Kustwacht Curaçao staakt patrouilles
op zee
WILLEMSTAD — Het geweld dat steeds gebruikt wordt tegen leden van de kustwacht in het algemeen en op het
eiland in het bijzonder, was reden voor
hen om gedeeltelijk te
staken. Zij
kwamen gisteren bijeen bij het
hoofdkwartier van de vakbond NAPB en
hebben
uiteindelijk
besloten
de
patrouilles in de territoriale wateren te
staken. Dat zegt NAPB-voorzitter
Ronaldo
Abrahams
desgevraagd
tegenover de krant. Een gezamenlijke
vergadering van deze bond en de bond
Abvo met de minister van Justitie
Nelson Navarro zou vanmiddag om half
één plaatsvinden in het kantoor van de
minister, voegde Abrahams daaraan
toe. Links : de PANTER vertrekkend uit Willemstad (Curacao) voor een patrouille offshore – Photo : Kees Bustraan
© “De overheid noch de kustwacht zelf kan de veiligheid van de leden garanderen”, benadrukte de voorzitter. De
leden worden regelmatig geïntimideerd. “Zo werd een Curaçaose kustwachter begin vorige maand bijna aangereden
en overreden en zijn twee Bonairiaanse leden met een kapmes mishandeld afgelopen vrijdag.” Er moet dus iets
gedaan worden om de leden te beschermen, benadrukt de bondsleider. Er zijn inmiddels wel bepaalde maatregelen
genomen. Zo zullen zij alleen hun diensten verlenen bij de acties van Search en Rescue, maar staken de kustwachters
de patrouilles op zee. De resultaten van de vergadering met de minister waren voor het ter perse gaan van dit bericht
nog niet bekend Bron : Amigoe
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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 247
A-E rates off 2.1pc to US$1,083/TEU,
transpac up 6.6pc to $2,178/FEU
The MARIE MAERSK in Rotterdam-Europoort – Photo : Jan Oosterboer ©
SPOT rates on Asia-Europe routes slipped 2.1 per cent to US$1,083 per TEU for the fourth straight week, and down
$100 year on year, according to data from the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI). Mediterranean rates fell
3.4 per cent last week to $1,378 per TEU, according to SCFI data, but were up year on year by $167. Transpacific
rates to US ports from Asia were up 6.6 per cent to $2,178 per FEU to west coast ports and rose 4.4 per cent to
$4,344 per FEU to American east coast ports. Drewry's Hong Kong and Los Angeles benchmark rate was unchanged at
$2,075 per FEU for a second straight week. But Drewry expects the benchmark to rise in response to the September
rate hikes, but weaken as prices to the US west coast decline as more tonnage chases declining cargo volumes. With
additional capacity in the market, Asia-Europe carriers have resorted to cutting rates to fill ships, a typical move in
these situations, said Freight Investor Services broker Richard Ward. Rates to Europe have now fallen $372 since
August 1, perhaps signalling an end to the peak season, he told Lloyd's List. Zim's announced ad hoc sailings could
"negatively impact any further attempts to increase rates during the remaining four months of the year he said. "With
one vessel planned each month for the next three months, in addition to their August sailing, reports now suggest that
Zim will continue to offer rates into the market $300 per TEU below prevailing levels,he said. Source : Asian Shipper
Jasper Fails to Take Delivery of Jasper
Cosmopolitan from Yulian Shipyard
Singapore-listed Jasper Investments Limited (the Company and together with its subsidiaries, the Group) referred
Monday to the Company’s announcement dated Aug. 22 (the Previous Announcement). Unless otherwise defined, all
capitalized terms used in this announcement shall bear the same meanings ascribed to them in the Previous
Announcement. Further to the Previous Announcement, the Board wishes to inform that Jasper Cosmopolitan has
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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 247
been unable to raise sufficient funds to take delivery of the Jasper Cosmopolitan accommodation semisub from
China's Yiulian Shipyard, and as such a Non-payment Event has occurred. Pursuant to the Non-payment Event,
Yiulian Shipyard has exercised its right to seek to sell the Jasper Cosmopolitan vessel. The Group intends to work
collaboratively with Yiulian Shipyard on the sale process and, to the best of the Board’s ability, negotiate a profit
share in the interest of enhancing the Jasper Cosmopolitan vessel’s sale price and increase the value to the benefit
of the shareholders. Further announcements will be made on any material developments on the foregoing matters, as
and when appropriate. In the meantime, Shareholders are advised to exercise caution when dealing in the securities of
the Company and refrain from taking any action in relation to their securities which may be prejudicial to their
interests. Source : Rigzone
The COSTA FASCINOSA is leaving Venice at the sunset. Visibility is excellent and prealps and alps are visible in the
background. Photo : Alberto Camali ©
see also : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R4Hb0S7Ikc#t=101
VRAAG AAN DE LEZERS
Kreeg de volgende mail van newsclippings lezer Rinus Timmermans : Mijn grootvader ( Marinus Timmermans )
overleden in de jaren 70 heeft in de oorlogsjaren gevaren en ook daarna op een stoomsleepboot in de haven van
Rotterdam genaamd (VLAARDINGEN) en daarna op een motor sleepboot genaamd (NETTA). Als kleinzoon heb ik
nog meegevaren op een van deze schepen. De vraag is : k an iemand Rinus helpen aan fotos van deze slepers ?
Rinus zijn e-mail adress is scooter2740@gmail.com Bedankt voor de moeite !!
Interislander ferry Kaitaki pulled from service
The Interislander ferry KAITAKI has been pulled from service last Tuesday A spokesman
for the Interislander says the ferry has suffered a coupling failure on a shaft generator,
meaning the ferry could sail for the rest of the day. The ferry's return trip from Wellington
and another from Picton were cancelled, along with a freight trip. He said freight and
passengers were being transferred to ARATERE where possible. The spokesman said the
KAITAKI has four power sources and runs on two at all times."With one already under
planned maintenance, the unavailability of the third means the ship has no redundancy in
the event of a further issue," he said. The Interislander is looking into the most suitable
solution to the problem. Source : TVNZ
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NATO warships to patrol Mediterranean
to prevent terrorist attacks
The Royal Netherlands Navy replenishment ship HNLMS AMSTERDAM A 836 off the Grand Harbour, Malta on
Monday 18th August, 2014. Photo : Capt. Lawrence Dalli - www.maltashipphotos.com ©
THE US Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued an advisory to ships operating in the Mediterranean that NATO
warships are patrolling and vessels might be boarded. Under Operation Active Endeavor (OAE) NATO ships are
monitoring shipping to counter terrorist activity. The operation, carried out under Article 5 of the NATO Charter and
consistent with international law, evolved out of NATO's immediate response to the terrorist attacks against the United
States of September 11, 2001. "Under OAE NATO ships hail vessels and request identification and other information.
Boarding of vessels may be requested, and is carried out only with the consent of the master and/or the flag state,"
the advisory said. "Non-compliant vessels are reported to appropriate law enforcement organisations and shadowed
until action is taken by a responsible agency/authority or until it enters a country's territorial sea. "US-flag vessels
hailed by NATO warships under OAE should cooperate to the extent possible without jeopardising the safety and
security of the vessel, crew, or cargo," said the MARAD release. "In the event the vessel cannot fully cooperate with
OAE, provide the hailing warship the vessel name, IMO number and company security officer contact information, and
report the circumstances immediately to the company security officer," said the statement. Source : Asian Shipper
Lloyd's Register Energy certifies largest
cryogenic storage tank in India
VRV Asia Pacific Pvt. Ltd calls on Lloyd’s Register Energy for its pressure vessel expertise
Lloyd's Register Energy has inspected and certified a 28-metre high cryogenic storage tank for VRV Asia Pacific Pvt.
Ltd. -- a first of its kind in India using ‘cold strengthening’ technology. “During this complex design and manufacturing
process of the cryogenic tank, we received excellent response and support from Lloyd’s Register Energy,” said G.L.
Rangnekar, Managing Director of VRV Asia Pacific Pvt. Ltd. “There was only one company we would trust to certify
such a project, and that is Lloyd’s Register Energy.” Lloyd’s Register Energy surveyors were involved during the
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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 247
manufacturing of the vessel to ensure the equipment was built to specified construction codes and India’s Petroleum
and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) regulation. PESO stipulates the design of the structural support and
foundation for the tank must be verified by an independent body. Lloyd’s Register Energy is an approved inspection
body by PESO for pressure tanks. The end user, Ellenbarrie Industrial Gases Ltd., nominated Lloyd’s Register Energy
for the design appraisal work to ensure compliance. The tank is the largest to be made in India using a technique
called ‘cold strengthening’. Cryogenic tanks are often operated in harsh conditions. VRV’s tank will operate in
temperatures of minus 196 C˚ and has a storage capacity of approximately 433,000 litres. VRV Asia Pacific has
advanced the ‘cold strengthening’ technique which uses hydrostatic force to test for strength and leaks. Using this test
helps maintain safety standards and durability of a vessel over time with stringent process control procedures under
the guidance of Lloyd’s Register Energy. “We are proud to be part of this first innovative project for not only VRV Asia
Pacific, but for India,” said Pascal Coudeville, SVP of Lloyd’s Register Energy Inspection Services. “For more than 60
years we have been working with Indian manufacturers to help ensure the safety of critical infrastructure. Our
technical experience in this area is the result of years of investment in our surveyors to deliver high-quality inspection
services for hundreds of clients across the country.” VRV Asia Pacific is a group company of VRV S.p.A in Italy. VRV
Asia Pacific has used Lloyd’s Register Energy extensively for several third-party inspection assignments, including the
services for ASME Code inspection as their Authorised Inspection Agency. LRQA -- Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance -the management systems division of Lloyd’s Register, certified VRV Asia Pacific for their integrated management
systems covering QMS, EMS and OHSAS standards. Source : Lloyds
BRANDARIS OP VISSERIJDAGEN IN
HARLINGEN
De jaarlijkse Visserijdagen in Harlingen trokken
weer een massa publiek. Voor de vlootschouw met
de VIP’s aan boord komt altijd het statenjacht van
Fryslân naar Harlingen. Door omstandigheden
kon dat dit jaar niet en daarom werd de
gerestaureerde reddingboot “BRANDARIS” uit
Terschelling gevraagd. Dit schip vaart normaliter
Natuurtochten en verzorgt de uitstrooiing van as
op zee. Op de foto de VIP’s , waaronder
burgemeester
Sluiter
van
Harlingen
en
waarnemend Commissaris van de Koning in
Fryslân Konst,
zwaaiden naar elk passerend
schip.Na afloop moest het anker gehieuwd worden
en die klus werd mede geklaard door twee hoge
militairen. Burgemeester Sluiter ( achter scheepsbel) en gedeputeerde Konst kijken lachend toe. Rechts schipper Aike
Lettinga houdt de zaak nauwlettend in de gaten. Foto’s : Jan Heuff ©
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LaNaval starts the Steel Cutting of the ferry
Texelstroom for the Dutch company TESO
LaNaval Shipyard in Spain has started on the 1st of September, according to the project schedule, the steel cutting
of the ferry TEXELSTROOM that LaNaval is building for the dutch company Royal
N.V. Texels Eigen Stoomboot Onderneming (TESO), located in the island of Texel,
at the north of The Netherlands. The ferry, which will be named “TEXELSTROOM”
is a new generation vessel for the transportation of up to 1,750 persons and 350
vehicles. She will have a dimensions of 135 meters length and 28 meters width and
will be equipped with the latest technologies in the market, making a breakthrough in
energy consumption and environment friendship. So, the Ferry will be powered by
diesel-oil or alternatively Natural Gas, being helped also by electric batteries that will
form an integral part of the advance energy management system. Furthermore, she
will have over 700 square meters of solar panels providing some independence from
conventional fossil fuels. The Ferry will have a continuous operation between the
port of Den Helder, at the north of The Netherlands, and the island of Texel, with
very intensive transit of passengers and vehicles. The interior’s design of the public
accommodation area aims the shapes, colors and materials to fit with the surrounding
attractive tidal area where the ferry will be operating, taking the public interior spaces
to higher level of quality and design than any similar ferry in the market. LaNaval and TESO signed the contract for
the design and build of the ferry in May 2014 and since then the shipyard has carried out, in close co-operation with
TESO, the class approval process of the design with Lloyds Register, as well as the selection of the suppliers for the
main equipment and systems. With the steel cutting the production process for the TEXELSTROOM starts and it is
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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 247
planned that her keel will be laid by the end of this year, which will be the next important milestone of the project. The
launching is planned for June 2015, being her departure for final tests in Texel area scheduled for December 2015.
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Opening RDM Bezoekerscentrum en
programma Wereldhavendagen RDM
Vrijdagmiddag 5 september om 16.00 uur vindt de opening plaats van het RDM Bezoekerscentrum op Heijplaat. De
bijeenkomst wordt gehouden in het Dokkaffee (Directiekade 30). Dat maakt van de gelegenheid tevens gebruik om
het nieuwe zonneterras te presenteren en een tentoonstelling te openen van de Canadees/Nederlandse kunstenares
Monique Sliedrecht. In het Bezoekerscentrum, gevestigd in de serre van het Dokkaffee, krijgen bezoekers
informatie over de innovatieve activiteiten die plaatsvinden op de campus (www.rdmcampus.nl ) en de andere delen
van de voormalige scheepswerf. Met de toegenomen activiteit op het terrein, waar naast bedrijven ook
techniekonderwijs en onderzoekscentra gevestigd zijn én allerlei evenementen gehouden worden, is er veel behoefte
aan een plek die uitleg geeft over geschiedenis en toekomst van het gebied. De tentoonstelling van de
Canadees/Nederlandse kunstenares Monique Sliedrecht in het Dokkaffee bevat installaties, schilderijen en foto’s die
geïnspireerd zijn door een verblijf van tien jaar in het noorden van Schotland. In haar werk betrekt de artiest
maritieme voorwerpen. Ze noemt haar expositie ‘artistiek thuiskomen’. De tentoonstelling is te zien in het Dokkaffee
tot 5 december.
W ereldhavendagen
De ‘drie-in-één-opening’ is een prachtige opmaat voor de Wereldhavendagen op het RDM-terrein, zie
www.rdmcampus.nl/wereldhavendagen . Tijdens die dagen op 5, 6 en 7 september rijden tuk-tuks rond over het
immense terrein, toont Energy Floors zijn ‘duurzame dansvloer’ (www.energy-floors.nl ), kan men voor het eerst
wandelen over de volledig opgeknapte Kraanbaan 2, een bezoekje brengen aan de pas naar de thuishaven
teruggekeerde stoomboot Dockyard IX en het onlangs in gebruik genomen nieuwe kantoor van Innovatie Centrum
Duurzaam Bouwen bewonderen (niet op zondag). Verder is het natuurlijk een prachtige gelegenheid om het volop in
ontwikkeling zijnde terrein te bezoeken.
Van Oord orders new subsea rock
installation vessel
Van Oord has ordered a new subsea rock installation vessel. Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group Shanghai will build
the vessel at its Ningbo yard in China. Van
Oord orders new subsea rock installation
vessel The vessel will be delivered in 2016.
Subsea rock installation is a proven
technique for the protection and
stabilisation of offshore structures and
pipelines, and is one of Van Oord’s main
activities for its clients in the oil and gas
industry. The vessel, which has a DP-3
(dynamic positioning) system, will be
suitable for installation of a wide range of
rock sizes through a fall pipe or a tremie
pipe at the side of the vessel. With a
deadweight of 14,000 tons, a length of
154 metres and a beam of 28 metres, the
vessel can operate in water depths of more than 600 meters. There is accommodation on board for 60 people. In close
cooperation with the Ulstein Group special attention was paid during the design phase to the energy efficiency of the
bow and hull. In addition to state-of-the-art components and materials, the vessel is being equipped with several
innovative and sustainable systems, including a Green Passport, Clean Ship Notation and Ice Class 1A – PC7. At the
moment Van Oord deploys three SRI-vessels: Stornes (27,000 tons), Nordnes (26,000 tons) and Tertnes (11,000
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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2014 – 247
tons). The vessel will strengthen Van Oord’s leading position in subsea rock installation. This investment forms part of
the Van Oord strategy to offer a complete service to its worldwide clients as specialized EPC contractor.
Lough Swilly RNLI to receive first
€2.4m Shannon class lifeboat in Ireland
The RNLI has announced that Lough Swilly lifeboat station in Buncrana, County Donegal is to be the first in Ireland to
receive the new Shannon class lifeboat. The
Shannon is the latest class of all-weather
lifeboat to join the RNLI fleet and the first to be
propelled by waterjets instead of traditional
propellers, making it the most agile and
manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat yet. It is
capable of travelling at 25 knots. Waterjets
allow the 13 metre long, 18 tonne vessel to
operate in shallow waters and be intentionally
beached. Its unique hull is designed to minimise
slamming of the boat in heavy seas and the
shock-absorbing seats further protect the crew
from impact when powering through the waves. An improved Systems and Information Management System (SIMS)
allows the crew to operate and monitor many of the lifeboat’s functions from the safety of their seats. As with all RNLI
all-weather lifeboats, the Shannon is designed to be inherently self-righting, returning to an upright position in the
event of capsize. Lough Swilly RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager John McCarter said: “This is an historic day for Lough
Swilly lifeboat station. “We were established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1988 and in 2000 received our first all
weather lifeboat. In those years, Lough Swilly lifeboats have launched 710 times, sometimes in very challenging
conditions, to help those in trouble at sea. “The station acknowledges the great financial support it has received from
the community and fundraising volunteers of North East Donegal. In addition, Donegal County Council and Buncrana
Town Council have provided invaluable infrastructural support throughout that time. “This new lifeboat, which has
been designed with the lifeboat crew in mind and which will make our response times even faster, will be a major
advancement in lifesaving on the North West coast.” The €2.4m lifeboat is the first class of lifeboat to be named after
an Irish river, recognition by the charity of the role of Irish lifeboat crews and volunteers throughout the 190 year
history of the RNLI. The new lifeboat is currently under construction in Lymington, England and is expected to arrive
on station in Donegal next April. Lough Swilly’s lifeboats have launched 710 times and saved 47 lives, as well as
bringing 517 others safely home, since its establishment in 1988. Of this total, 380 of the launches have been to
leisure craft, 262 during the hours of darkness and 70 of them in winds of force 8 or above. The Shannon lifeboat also
has a further Irish connection. Peter Eyre, an RNLI Naval Architect from Derry was instrumental in the development of
the new lifeboat, designing the hull form at the age of 24 in his spare time. Peter studied at Foyle and Londonderry
College before studying Ship Science at the University of Southampton and undertaking a work placement with the
RNLI. Source: donegaldemocrat
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Cruise schip Monarch in de spotlight (6)
Op weg naar Aruba
Dit is deel zes van een serie over het cruiseschip Monarch. Els Kroon beschrijft haar belevenissen aan boord en in de
aanloophavens. Na twee goed bestede havendagen met veel spannende indrukken mogen we weer genieten van een
heerlijke dag op zee. De wind, die nu op de boeg staat zorgt voor een verkoelende bries en een rustgevende wiegende
beweging. Tekst en foto’s: Els Kroon
We zijn op weg naar Aruba, een
bestemming, die bekend staat om
haar parelwitte stranden, die
aantrekkelijk worden aangeprezen
in de brochure in onze hut. Het
bezoek aan het buureiland van mijn
thuisbasis is een goede gelegenheid
om te ervaren wat er nieuw is op
‘One Happy Island’. Daarbij schiet
me onmiddellijk de veelgeprezen
tram
te
binnen.
Met
een
uitgebreide
promotiecampagne
werd dit nieuwe vervoermiddel ten
dienste
van
de
toeristen
aangekondigd
en
na
de
onvermijdelijke
vertragingen
letterlijk ingeluid. Een ritje met dit voertuig staat dan ook hoog op mijn verlanglijstje al was het maar om te zien hoe
buitenlandse toeristen erop reageren. Het observeren van mijn medepassagiers is een interessante bezigheid.
Partyliefhebbers, die in Cartagena ook al kozen voor de Chiva Rumba partybus laten zich ook hier weer verleiden. De
gereedstaande Kukoo Kunuku bussen brengen alle passagiers al in een vrolijke stemming nog voordat ze de terminal
hebben verlaten.
Ook de tour naar De Palm
eiland mag zich verheugen
in een grote belangstelling.
De plaatjes in de folder zien
er dan ook heel aanlokkelijk
uit. Het zijn twee van de
acht tours die aan boord
worden aangeboden. Aruba
biedt naast Curaçao de
grootste variëteit aan tours.
Als we het eiland naderen
zien we een prachtige
azuurblauwe zee die de
contouren van Oranjestad omzoomt. In de verte tekent zich in westelijke richting de skyline van de high rise hotels af.
Het markante Riu Palace vormt het herkenbare boegbeeld. We krijgen een plaatsje aan de lange kade waar rijen
touringcars staan te wachten. Naar het oosten doemt de Hooiberg op in een nog steeds door het Saharazand
vertroebeld uitzicht over het eiland. Dichterbij zien we het mierzoete Royal Plaza winkelcomplex met haar klokkenspel
en het Renaissance hotel met haar casino en jachthaven. Een vertrouwd beeld dat zich herhaalt als ik me te voet naar
de stad begeef. Onderweg is er eigenlijk niets veranderd. Taxichauffeurs, die de passagiers met de kaart van Aruba in
de hand proberen over te halen, auto- en jeepverhuur voor chauffeurs die liever zelf het heft in handen nemen, dure
juwelierswinkels en aaneengeregen kraampjes, die artikelen verkopen waarop zonder uitzondering de naam van het
eiland voorkomt. Ook de “I love Aruba” T-shirts vragen door middel van een levensgrote advertentie de aandacht.
Restaurant The Paddock, al tientallen jaren herkenbaar aan het zwart-witte design, de verlengde Volkswagen Kever op
het dak en de poseermodellen van een oerhollandse boerenfamilie, is er nog steeds in ongewijzigde vorm.
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Nieuw is de tegenover het Crystal Casino gelegen kiosk van Atlantis Submarines Adventure Center, het verkeersbord
met de afbeelding van een tram, en de
Margarita Plaza waar de laatste hand gelegd
wordt aan de bestrating. Maar niet vandaag.
Wegens een nationale feestdag zijn de meeste
winkels gesloten. In de anders zo drukke
hoofdstraat, waar de kaarsrechte tramrails
meteen opvallen, kan een kanon worden
afgevuurd zonder iemand te raken. De tram is
vandaag de grote afwezige. Ook het
archeologisch museum in het uit 1929
stammende
historische
pand
aan
de
Schelpstraat 42 kan ik niet met een bezoek
vereren. Gelukkig kan ik wel genieten van de
naar de oorspronkelijke bewoners verwijzende
kano op het mooi gerenoveerde plein. Vanaf
het terras van het centraal gelegen
Renaissance hotel, het voormalige Sonesta, dat haar open karakter heeft weten te bewaren, zien we ‘ons’ schip dat
inmiddels gezelschap heeft gekregen van het de nog grotere Norwegian Sun. Bemanningsleden van beide schepen
bevolken met hun tablets en iphones de zitjes bij het infinity zwembad en omzeilen zo de dure internettarieven aan
boord. Het is er bovendien goed toeven aan de bar, die een prachtig uitzicht biedt op de jacht- en cruisehaven. In de
zeer nabije toekomst wordt Aruba volgens minister Otmar Oduber van Toerisme, op zoveel mogelijk toeristische
plaatsen voorzien van highspeed wifi. Op dit moment is men bezig om op de luchthaven een draadloos netwerk aan te
leggen waar alle reizigers gebruik van kunnen maken. Ook op de meest bezochte toeristische attracties, waaronder het
centrum van Oranjestad en zelfs de afgelegen attracties aan de noordkust zullen toeristen op elk gewenst moment
informatie kunnen opzoeken via de Aruba App en
Aruba.com en hun vakantiekiekjes kunnen
versturen.
Aruba
probeert
zohaar
concurrentiepositie ten opzichte van de andere
Caribische eilanden te versterken. Curacao ging
haar daarin een jaar geleden al voor met open
wifi in groot Willemstad. Via een roltrap, die er
ook al sinds mensenheugenis is, belanden we bij
het parlementsgebouw dat door velen wordt
gefotografeerd als achtergrond van de zes reuzenletters die de liefde voor Aruba uitdrukken. In de jachthaven aan de
overkant liggen fotogenieke vissersbootjes naast ‘bonecatchers’ met gigantische buitenboordmotoren en witte jachten
van bezoekers uit La Guaira. Wandelen door Oranjestad geeft echt een vakantiegevoel. Parallel aan de jachthaven
loopt een brede boardwalk, die leidt naar het Seaport Casino, de Renaissance Marketplace met de Cinemas, het Plaza
Café naast het beroemde pannenkoekenhuis en het conventiecentrum. Wie de toeristische folders met vele coupons
en speciale aanbiedingen heeft gemist in de cruiseterminal kan ze hier alsnog oppikken. Ze bevatten een handige
stadsplattegrond en een afbeelding en informatie over de tram. Het is de bedoeling dat er uiteindelijk vier trams,
waaronder enkele dubbeldekkers de route van anderhalve mijl door de stad gaan rijden. Veel hop-on, hop-off plaatsen
moeten de toeristen de gelegenheid geven om zonder vermoeienissen de stad van de cruiseterminal tot aan Plaza
Nikki, het einde van Main street
te verkennen. De trolley stopt
ook bij het busstation waardoor
een ritje naar de beroemde lange
zandstranden, de high rise hotels
en de naburige winkelcentra
eenvoudig en met weinig kosten
te realiseren is. Arubus hanteert
kleurcodes voor haar routes, die
de toerist met retourkaarten of
handige dagkaarten (10 dollar)
over het hele eiland brengen. De
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stop op Aruba van 07.00 tot 20.00 uur is lang genoeg om daar profijt van te trekken. Kort na zonsondergang gooit de
Monarch als eerste de trossen los. We zetten koers naar La Guaira, de havenstad van Venezuela’s hoofdstad Caracas.
The TEKLA SCHULTE outbound from Rotterdam – Photo : Kees van Schie ©
Fuel Efficiency Boosts CMA CGM Results
23-08-2014 : CMA CGM OPAL IMO 9386483, 2009/40560gt out from Melbourne off Sorrento
Photo : Andrew Mackinnon – www.aquamanships.com ©
CMA CGM reported higher core profits for the second quarter of 2014, year-over-year, as it increased its fuel
efficiency. The France-based company reduced costs per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) by 4.8 percent, driven
largely by a 9.3 percent decline in fuel costs as both bunker prices and consumption per unit fell. Its volumes carried
rose by 8 percent year-over-year to 3.1 million TEU, while revenue grew 3.7 percent to $4.2 billion. The volume
growth came largely from the company's development of Asia-Europe and Africa lines, as well as the Asia-Pacific lines
of subsidiary ANL. CMA CGM's core earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose 18.7 percent to $204 million,
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although its consolidated net profit of $94 million was down sharply from Q2 2013, when the company recorded a onetime gain on the sale of port terminal operations. The carrier is now adding long-term charter vessels on its Black Sea
lines and working toward expanding its port terminal operations in India and the Caribbean. "Freight rates remained
volatile overall, with the usual high level of volumes at this time of the year helping drive current rate increases," the
company said. "On this basis, CMA CGM expects its third-quarter operating performance to be sustained." The planned
P3 alliance among CMA CGM, Maersk Line, and Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) collapsed in June, with Maersk Line
and MSC choosing to form their own alliance. In response, CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping firm,
has reportedly been seeking partners for its own alliance. Source : Ship & Bunker News Team
Maersk-MSC tie-up approval may run to
late 2014
The proposed alliance between Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's two largest
container shipping lines, is likely to obtain the only antitrust clearance it needs from the US by late November but with
additional conditions attached. Marketed as 2M, Copenhagen-based Maersk Line and Geneva-based MSC plan a vesselsharing agreement for seaborne trade that straddles Europe, the US and Asia. The US Federal Maritime Commission is
reviewing the application but the agency will likely demand additional information, extending the review process. "The
chances for 2M to be approved are very good, since the commission voted four-to-one in favour of the more
concentrated [P3] merger last time," a source close to the commission said. "However, similar to the approval of P3,
there will in all likelihood be strings attached to 2M. There will be requests for more information as well as answers to
questions required, with the earliest approval date late November," the source said.
The MAERSK LAVRAS outbound at the Westerchelde – Photo : Willem Kruit ©
In March, four of the body's five commissioners voted in favour of P3 - a merger bid by Maersk, MSC and France's
CMA CGM - on the condition that a monitoring programme aimed at reining in the three carriers' bargaining power
against US exporters and terminal operators be put in place. P3 was abandoned after China's Ministry of Commerce
barred its formation under the country's anti-monopoly law. Maersk Line and MSC then came back with the 2M
alliance, which involves a total of 185 vessels with a capacity of 2.1 million teu (twenty-foot equivalent units) on 21
trade routes. The reasons for the close scrutiny and additional conditions, according to the Washington-based source,
were the timeframe for the consortium's existence and the size of the vessels it plans to operate. Scheduled to begin
early next year, 2M plans to operate for 10 years, twice the life span of other existing container alliances such as G6
and CKYHE. In addition, 2M also plans to operate vessels with a capacity of up to 19,200 teus, exceeding the size of
container ships now in service or under construction. As 2M embodies a traditional vessel-sharing agreement now
commonplace in the container shipping market, it does not fall under the category of "concentration of business
operators" defined by China's anti-monopoly law so it does not require approval from the commerce ministry, only
registration with the Ministry of Transport. Terminal operators such as China Merchants Holdings (International)
(CMHI) are also vying for business from 2M, after absorbing costs from the abandonment of P3. CMHI last week
reported throughput fell 7.4 per cent at Shekou Container Terminal in the first half, compared to a 0.7 per cent dip in
Shenzhen ports during the same period. "We initially had few [cargo] volumes from Maersk Line at Shekou. After P3
was announced, we adjusted our business structure in hopes of accommodating them," said Zheng Shaoping, CMHI's
deputy general manager and executive director. "We signed a contract with P3 for more port calls at Shekou, only to
find out it wasn't approved. The volumes we are working to attract from 2M are similar as what we signed with P3." If
the commission gives its approval, the tie-up is expected to reshape the global container trade landscape, with AsianDistribution : daily to 31000+ active addresses
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based exporters bearing the brunt of any adverse impact from the consolidation, according to John Lu, chairman of
the Singapore National Shippers' Council.
The MSC LIESELOTTE outbound at Westerschelde after dry docking – Photo : Henk de Winde ©
"In the world container trade, Asia has a share of close to 60 per cent. Any antitrust activities are going to harm Asian
shippers and exporters. Asian shippers are the major group to be affected," said Lu, who was also chairman of the
Asia Shippers' Council until late last year. In the case of 2M, 16 of the 21 trade routes are connected to Asia. While
vessel-sharing agreements can bring down costs and improve efficiency for carriers, such benefits have so far failed to
be passed on to shippers, exporters and consumers, Lu said. "Antitrust means competitors will not be allowed to come
together as such a move will significantly influence market price. What we see now - the trend of forming container
shipping alliances - is not against the law, but very close to being against the law, and is in spirit contradicting the
principle of fair competition," Lu said. Source : south China Morning Post
APM Terminals: Interest Building in
Nicaragua Canal Opportunities
A number of parties are looking into potential projects tied to the planned Nicaragua Canal, Joe Nielsen, Latin America
CEO for APM Terminals, told ShippingWatch. Although APM Terminals is not involved in the canal project, Nielsen said
it has been fielding inquiries about possible port development. The $40 billion, 278-kilometer canal would be an
alternative to the Panama Canal, with the capacity to handle larger ships, but the project is still in the early stages.
"Let's first get the canal, then we can look into whether it needs a port," Nielsen said. He added that his company will
be somewhat skeptical about the project at least until it gets its financing sorted out. "So far it's difficult to tell how far
along they are with the project, until the day someone actually puts some money on the table and says they're ready
to finance it," he said. "USD 40 billion for Nicaragua is incredibly dramatic." Nielsen said APM Terminals would not feel
any major effects from the project since it does not have any ports located close to either the Panama Canal or the
proposed site of the new canal. Meanwhile, Nielsen added, the Panama Canal is reportedly planning additional
expansion to accommodate larger ships, on top of the project currently in progress. "They're preparing for two things:
The increasing competition, which could potentially arise," he said. "But also the fact that the size of the ships going
through the Panama Canal has grown faster than expected by most. "It's very early, but talk around town in Panama
is that they are not going to stand idle by and watch while someone takes away their national treasure." The canal
project won the support of a committee of Nicaraguan officials, businessmen, and academics earlier this summer.
Source : Ship & Bunker News Team
Padma gobbles up ro-ro ferry terminal
at Mawa
The ro-ro ferry services on Mawa-Kawrakandi route remained suspended from on Monday afternoon after the newly
established ro-ro ferry terminal at Mawa was devoured by the Padma River. BIWTA marine officer at Mawa M
Shajahan said the mighty river gobbled up the terminal around 3:00pm last Monday, barely four days after it was
newly established. The incident forced the authorities to suspend the ro-ro ferry services on the river route. The ro-ro
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ferry terminal was set anew up on August 28 following the collapse of the No-3 terminal on August 27. Meanwhile, the
Padma was still flowing 34cm above the danger level on Monday although the water level marked a fall by 2cm.
Van Oord’s AEOLUS arriving in Vlissingen to load parts for the Luchterduinen Wind turbine park
Photo : Wim Kosten – www.maritimephoto.com (c)
New Shipping Agency Set to Bring
Radical Change to the Industry
The shipping industry is set to see an unprecedented paradigm shift with the launch of Wave Shipping. Through a
fresh approach to meeting customers’ challenges and by introducing new technologies, Wave Shipping has set its
sights on revolutionising the industry and becoming a global provider of port agency services. On board to steer the
agency is a team of industry veterans from leading maritime services companies and leaders across all business
disciplines. Mr Lars Rosenkrands, Founder & CEO of Wave Shipping, said: “We are making a bold promise; to
bring change to an industry that is traditionally averse to changes. Our goal is to provide a significantly improved
customer experience in port agency by combining a truly competent and experienced team with a unique approach to
digital information delivery, which offers a higher level of convenience, transparency and service consistency for clients
and partners.”
The Differentiating Factors
The primary assets of Wave Shipping are the people and the management team. Inspired by companies in other
industries with outstanding customer service records, Wave Shipping adopts a flat organization structure with the aim
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of facilitating a culture of transparency, empowerment and performance. Mr Rosenkrands is confident of this
differentiated structure. “Limitations brought about by bureaucratic red tape will no longer be a concern; this structure
calls for independent decision-making and brings about more efficient and client-focused solutions. It also increases
the agency’s involvement in the clients’ business progress and development – becoming an effective partner in
assisting clients with challenges instead of actions based on top-down instructions,” he says. As a commitment to
provide efficient services, Wave Shipping has also integrated a unique client-facing application into its IT system,
which allows real-time access to reports and data for port operations and cost accounting.
The Opportunities
With more than 1.4 million port calls recorded in 2013 and US$6 billion in estimated potential agency revenue, Mr
Rosenkrands sees great potentials and opportunities for Wave Shipping in the market. “Currently, what we see is a
highly fragmented industry with thousands of relatively small agencies and with the four global agencies having a
combined market share of less than 15 percent by volume of port calls handled. There is an opportunity to consolidate
the industry, improve the overall customer service competency and eliminate bureaucratic inertia in the market. With
highly differentiated service levels and efficient business processes, Wave Shipping will be able to fill the gap by
providing an unprecedented level of customer-oriented services in the industry,” says Mr Rosenkrands.
The Team
Founded by Mr Rosenkrands and Mr Alvin Lo, also the Chief Financial Officer of the company, Wave Shipping was
created with the vision to shake up the shipping agency industry. Mr Rosenkrands, who helms the company, has more
than 20 years of senior leadership experience in the shipping industry. In his previous role, he drove geographical and
business expansion in new countries and markets for one of the global market leaders in port agency. With his
extensive business experience in Asia, Middle East and Europe, Mr Rosenkrands is well prepared to lead the expansion
of Wave Shipping. Mr Lo is a CPA with extensive experience working in the shipping industry; he has worked alongside
Mr Rosenkrands in the same global port agency for more than 10 years and has managed its Asia Pacific finance
function, during which he was involved in expanding and overseeing its network of offices in the region. The two
founders are supported by a strong team of market leaders from around the world, who are just as committed to bring
about change and to create a truly customer-focused experience to the shipping agency industry.
The Future
Wave Shipping has offices in Australia and Singapore that are now in operation. The agency has plans to expand its
operations in the Middle East and other parts of Asia in the later part of the year. Its target is to establish presence in
20 countries over the next three years and acquire a more significant market position with 13,000 to 14,000 port calls
a year within five years. “Market reaction towards the launch of Wave Shipping has been very encouraging. We are
well poised to capitalise on this client interest to exceed the initial targets. Personally, I am heartened by the warm
response towards our agency. I strongly believe that with the support of my team, we will be able to make a positive
impact in the industry. It is an exciting time for all of us,” says Mr Rosenkrands. Source: Wave Shipping
The SAINTY VOGUE outbound from Rotterdam – Photo : Cees van der Kooij ©
Great Eastern Shipping plans $380
million capex to raise capacity
Great Eastern Shipping, the largest private sector liner in the country, plans to invest up to $380 million or around
Rs.2,300 crore in acquiring vessels and on a rig by March 2017, a senior official has said. Around $180 million will be
for six vessels on order, which include a major thrust on increasing the bulk capacity and one product anchor vessel,
and a new building, the group’s chief financial officer G. Shivakumar told analysts on a con-call. The company, which is
also into the offshore segment, has a $200 million rig on order, which shall be delivered by the end of the fiscal, he
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said. To a question on the spread of the capital expenditure, Shivakumar said 50% of the planned capex will get over
in FY15 itself, while the remaining will be spread equally in FY16 and FY17 The city-headquartered shipping liner had
reported a 6% growth in its revenue to Rs.385.08 crore in the first quarter of the fiscal, while the net profit was down
at Rs.87.61 crore from Rs.141.96 crore a year ago, largely due to the fall in other income. The shipping trade
worldwide is going through tough times because of the large capacity creation before the 2008 crisis. Companies
complain this has led to a fall in charter rates, even as the commitments on the ordering have to be complied. In the
domestic market, the state-run Shipping Corporation has been sailing through difficult waters for the past many years,
with some watchers also comparing it to the case of the loss-making national airline Air India. Source: Livemint
Another day at the office, RMS GOOLE moored at www.rotterdamoffshore.com jetties.
ITF/IUF delegation meets ‘disdainful’
treatment in Philippines tuna dispute
An international ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and IUF (International Union of Food,
Agricultural and Hospitality Workers) delegation to the Philippines has expressed deep disappointment after it
was met with hostile treatment during a mediation session with seafood giant Citra Mina over the dismissal of workers
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to prevent them forming a union. Members of the ITF/IUF Catcher to counter team – a joint programme between the
two global unions – are in General Santos to coincide with the tuna festival, which celebrates the massive contribution
the industry makes to the Philippines economy. They planned to use the festival as an opportunity to engage with
employers, including Citra Mina, over labour rights in Philippines fishing and working together to promote a productive
and profitable way forward for the industry. A campaign to reinstate United Workers of Citra Mina Group of Companies
Union (UWCMGCU) members dismissed in September 2013 has attracted widespread support from the church and
community in the Philippines. Hundreds of people turned out to a solidarity rally on Sunday with a further workers’
event planned for Wednesday. The issue has been a matter of national interest in the country, and has been reflected
in national and international press coverage. Some 8,000 support messages were also sent in a global online action Liz
Blackshaw is programme leader for the joint ITF/IUF Catcher to counter initiative, which works with fishers to build
worker representation and improve conditions across the fishing industry. She stated: “The fishing industry is crucial to
the Philippines. At the moment the violations of workers’ rights which are going on mean that the country is in
potential danger of being sanctioned by the European Union over illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
No-one wants that to happen; it’s bad for business and it’s bad for workers. “We want positive productive relationships
with fishing employers in the Philippines. What we’ve experienced so far with regards Citra Mina is nothing short of
outrageous. There is just no willingness to negotiate and we’ve been left with no confidence in the national conciliation
and mediation board (NCMB), which has been handling the process between the union and the employer.” “We’ll still
be using the GenSan tuna festival to highlight that we want to work with employers not against them, and we hope
that Citra Mina will come back to the table in good faith.”
The maiden arrival of the MAYVIEW MAERSK in Rotterdam photo : Jan Oosterboer © click HERE to see Kees
Torn’s video of the arrival
Rotterdam loopt warm voor de
Wereldhavendagen
De komende dagen vullen de kades rondom de Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam zich vervolgens verder met andere schepen
en exposities. Het is de verwachting dat het evenement, dat van vrijdag tot en met zondag plaatsvindt, weer meer dan
400.000 bezoekers trekt. Op vrijdag om 14.00 uur wordt het formele startschot van de Wereldhavendagen gegeven.
Op een ponton voor de Wilhelminapier wordt dan een kleurrijke show opgevoerd, waarna respectievelijk de
Burgemeester van Rotterdam, Commandant Zeestrijdkrachten en de President-directeur van het Havenbedrijf
Rotterdam kort het woord voeren. Vervolgens zal op spectaculaire- en kleurrijke wijze het startschot worden gegeven
voor het evenement.
De Wereldhavendagen zijn op vrijdag en zondag van 10.00 tot 18.00 uur te bezoeken. Op zaterdag duurt het
programma van 10.00 tot 23.00 uur. Die zaterdagavond wordt traditioneel gevuld met een spectaculair
avondprogramma op de Nieuwe Maas. Dit showprogramma wordt muzikaal ondersteund met een concert van de
Marinierskapel der Koninklijke Marine en de Rotterdamse zangeres Anita Meijer.
Maritime & Merchant bank is still on its way
A new name in shipping finance, backed with shipping experience including Henning Oldendorff, Maritime & Merchant
(M&M) was granted its banking license in Norway in January 2014 with a stated aim to start operations in April 2014.
Since then things have been quiet from the mortgage lender, at least on the surface. “We are leaping ahead at present
with the final preparation for a capital issue during the autumn of 2014,” Halvor Sveen, managing director told,
Seatrade Global.
“We were shooting for opening in April and we are obviously behind that schedule, as it is has taken longer time than
expected to put together the anchor capital platform. In this context there are also regulatory issues involved, as we
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have a limit of maximum 10% ownership for a single shareholder in a bank in Norway.” With investment funds looking
to own more than 10% of the bank, M&M has had to apply to the Norwegian government for exception from that limit.
“We have recently seen that there have been granted exceptions from the 10% limit,” Sveen explained. “We are
certain that we will have a fair and correct handling of the application and in view of other cases we have observed we
are optimistic that our investors will get the green light, however, all applications live their own life and we just have to
wait for the outcome.” Despite the regulatory hurdle M&M is having to overcome, Sveen is convinced that Norway is
the right place to establish the company. “Oslo maintain a strong position as a ‘financial hub’ for the maritime sector
and the overall maritime cluster creates a most interesting environment for developing a competence driven niche
bank like M&M. The regulatory matter in question we believe we shall be able to overcome.” Sveen is confident that
M&M has not suffered from the delay, “quite the opposite, we have almost on a daily basis enquiries from potential
customers who urge us to start lending.” “I will say that we have received a massive amount of encouragement for
M&M from a broad spectre of stakeholders within the maritime sector and we are convinced that with common efforts
we, including our excellent advisory team; Pareto Securities, DNB Markets and Cleaves Securities, will materialise
Maritime & Merchant Bank.” Although the bank itself operates in a niche sector, Sveen expects the bank’s main areas
of operation for its mortgage-backed lending within the maritime industry will be in established sectors. “Our prime
focus will be on standard mainstream tonnage with a high degree of liquidity; such as tankers and dry bulk in the
shipping sector, PSV/AHTS in the offshore sector. We will as well finance ‘standard’ specialised vessels, like LPG,
chemical tankers and car carriers but, primarily vessels that have employment.” Halvor Sveen will be speaking at
SMM’s Ship Finance Forum on Monday 8 September. Source: Seatrade Global
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Ebola – European Shipowners Increase
Freight Rates On Nigeria-Bound Cargoes
Following the out-break of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa, European ship-owners have increased freight
rates on cargoes and imposed surcharge on crew and vessels coming to Nigeria and other countries battling to contain
the virus. Disclosing this at the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, NCS, in Lagos, President of the Chamber, Chief Adebayo
Sarumi, said Nigerian importers expressed fears over a likely increase in the freight rate of cargoes to Nigeria as a
result of the presence of Ebola virus in the country. Sarumi said the fears had become a reality as the insurance rates
had been increased, while surcharges had also been imposed. Commenting on the increased freight rate, Director
General of the Chamber, Mrs. Ify Akerele confirmed the development, saying the situation was very bad because Ebola
was real. Akerele explained that rates had been increased because Nigeria had become a high risk area, urging that
government must do everything possible to bring the situation completely under control. “It is a tight situation, we can
only complain, but there is nothing we can do, all hands must be on deck to contain the virus. “The man that took the
virus to Port Harcourt has further compounded the problem, we were almost bringing it to an end,” she said. The
chamber’s boss, however, blamed the foreigners of wanting to take advantage of the situation to increase rates,
adding that the same was done during the unrest in the Niger Delta.
She said that despite the Niger Delta situation, they were still coming, and had chosen to increase the freight rates
once more because of the presence of Ebola in the country. She also disclosed that Chamber will initiate moves with
relevant government authorities to negotiate the increase in freight rates with the foreigners. “We will use the
forthcoming African Maritime Summit coming up this month to discuss the issue of negotiation with the European ship
owners,” she stressed. Also commenting on the increase, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr.
Hassan Bello said that increment was brought to the Council’s notice a few days ago. Hassan explained that the
foreign ship-owners had a penchant for increasing rates at the slightest opportunity, adding that the recent increment
in rates was unjustifiable. He said the Council would use instruments of the International Maritime Organisation, IMO,
to contest the increment in rates. “It has just come to our notice but not officially, I know that the penchant is for
carriers to raise all sorts of premiums at any given opportunity. “I remember the war risk clause which is slapped on
cargo on the pretence that Nigeria is at war, these are unjustifiable surcharges. “We are going to use the Global
Shippers’ Forum to talk the issues,” Hassan added. Speaking on implication of the increased rates on the economy, Mr.
Lucky Amiwero, a logistics expert and President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs
Agents, NCMDLCA, said the increment would result in increased cost of goods and services as importers will transfer
the increased cost to the consumers. Amiwero explained that the increment was not justifiable, since ship crew often
left their vessels, adding that freight could only be increased on the ground of congestion and poor port operation.
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“Will the ship-owners increase freight rates in the United States because there is HIV\AIDS in America, so they cannot
do that on health ground,” he declared. Source: Vanguard
the "Voyages to Antiquity" ship, M/V AEGEAN ODYSSEY anchored at Fethiye, Turkey Photo : Ken Fletcher ©
New Suez Canal project to boost SaudiEgypt ties
A leading Riyadh-based planning, design, management and supervision consultancy has been awarded a major Egypt
contract for the expansion of Suez Canal. The Egyptian government awarded contracts to Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and
Partners) and other Gulf firms worth $4 billion. Company sources here said that Cairo has awarded major contracts for
the construction of a parallel canal in Suez to companies from several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, including
firms from Bahrain and other GCC countries. Dar Al-Handasah was selected among 14 bidders and would work with a
prime contractor and the Egyptian Army to develop industry and logistics in the canal area. The new expanded
passage will span 35 km and is expected to be complete by 2016. Under the $4 billion project, Egypt oversees a
second passage that would join with an expanded Suez Canal for better trade and to have a transformative impact on
the Egyptian economy. The new Suez Canal project is a giant engine for the Egyptian economy that will give it a
strong thrust to potentially end recession and inability. Infrastructure development will undoubtedly create a large
number of jobs that will improve unemployment figures. The Suez Canal, an artificial waterway in Egypt extending
from Port Said to Suez, connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, made the country a passageway for one
tenth of world trade with continuous revenues at hardly any cost. Dar Al-Handasah, meanwhile, has served the public
and private sectors, working on projects with a total investment of $270 billion for over 50 years. The group has
consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 engineering and architectural global consultancies for over 25 years,
sources said. Source: Arab News
Russia's Putin orders Gazprom to start
gas pipeline construction to China
President Vladimir Putin, presiding over a ceremony in Russia's Far East, ordered on Monday the start of construction
for Gazprom's 'Power of Siberia' pipeline, which is planned to bring the first Russian gas to China in 2019.
In May, Gazprom and China CNPC signed a $400 billion deal to ship 38 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas to China
annually over 30 years. Gazprom said on Saturday it plans to launch its Chayanda gas field at the end of 2018, aiming
to ship the first gas to China in 2019. Chayanda is key to supplying China and will produce up to 25 bcm a year at its
peak. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; writing by Katya Golubkova, editing by Jason
Bush)
Mexican navy rescues 15 Cubans adrift
deep in Gulf of Mexico
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The Mexican Navy says it has rescued 13 badly dehydrated Cubans who were drifting in a makeshift boat far offshore
in the Gulf of Mexico. One of those taken from the boat died while being taken for treatment. Another one of the 15
on the boat was found dead on the craft. The Navy said Monday it rescued the Cubans at a point about 133 miles (246
kilometers) north of Puerto Progreso, Yucatan. A fishing boat had sighted the homemade craft, which Navy personnel
said appeared to have been made partly of wood. Most of the remaining Cubans were taken for treatment to Puerto
Progreso, Yucatan. Two women were taken to another hospital for treatment of more serious problems. Mexico usually
repatriates Cubans picked up at sea. Source : FOXnews
NAVY NEWS
China Prepares Navy Warships to Fight
US Submarines
China has a glaring hole in its military strategy against the United States. Military analysts have pointed out that while
China is investing in ballistic and cruise missiles to keep foreign ships away, it has little to counter U.S. submarines
which would play a pivotal role in a conflict with China. The Chinese regime seems to have become privy to this gap. It
has been building and deploying systems designed to detect and attack U.S. submarines. Recent photos show China
has also begun fitting warships with sonar systems designed for anti-submarine warfare. Two types of ships in China’s
People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) are being fitted with what appear to be variable depth sonars (VDSs). Images of
the additional systems were posted on cjdby.net (which appears to be offline at the time of writing), and were picked
up by IHS Janes, a leading security intelligence company. The two ship models are China’s Type 054A frigates and the
Type 056 corvettes. The photos were taken at Huangpu shipyard in Guangzhou province, China.
Both models of the Chinese ships are already equipped with bow-mounted sonars. The new sonar systems are tow
arrays. An analysis from IHS Janes says the location of the new sonar systems, “suggest that some platforms will be
primarily anti-submarine warfare.” The Chinese regime has been trying to build an arsental of weapons and systems
capable of detecting and destroying submarines. A recent report from the U.S. Naval War College says China’s navy
has “limitations or weaknesses in several areas,” which include anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare. It notes,
however, that China is trying to change this.
Currently, mine warfare is the Chinese navy’s key strategy for countering submarines. The report states that China’s
mine warfare school is in Dalian, near one of China’s major surface warfare schools for military officers. It states that
close to 55 PLAN submarines can sow mines, and that China has been “increasingly emphasizing training for aircrews
in mining tactics, techniques, and procedures.” The U.S. Naval Institute found in April that China is also deploying a
network of sensors on the ocean floor to “strengthen its antisubmarine-warfare capability.” The network of sensors is
similar to the U.S. Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS), which the U.S. Navy started in 1949 for anti-submarine
warfare. SOSUS listening posts are deployed in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean, typically at geographic
chokepoints that submarines will likely pass through. The system was used to keep track of Soviet submarines during
the Cold War. The Naval Institute states that analysts inside and outside China “have rightly pointed to the [PLAN's]
quite obvious weaknesses in antisubmarine warfare (ASW) as a persistent Achilles’ heel of the evolving force.” It notes
that despite China’s focus on fighting submarines, it still has a “long road ahead…”
According to The Diplomat, however, if the Chinese regime were to perfect such technology, “it could largely negate
the military capabilities of America’s submarine forces…” “If China were able to field such a network–which according
to the piece is setting up undersea-sensor test sites in the Yellow, East and South China Seas–then American subs
could be pushed back beyond the range of such networks,” it states. The goal of the Chinese regime appears to be
just that—to push the United States far from China’s shores. The U.S. military refers to China’s approach as an antiaccess/area-denial (A2/AD) strategy.
The strategy is meant to “deter U.S. intervention in a conflict in China’s near-seas region over Taiwan or some other
issue, or failing that, delay the arrival or reduce the effectiveness of intervening U.S. forces,” according to an August
report from the Congressional Research Service on China’s naval modernization. The Soviets had used a similar
strategy during the Cold War. According to the report, the Soviets used the strategy to block the United States from
intervening in a NATO-Warsaw Pact conflict. The Chinese regime has a few weapons the Soviets did not, particularly
anti-ship ballistic missiles. Yet, it still lags behind the the area of submarine and anti-submarine warfare. China is
making “moderate progress” in anti-submarine warfare, according to the Congressional Research Center. It states that
given its developments in deploying sonars on warships and other systems for anti-submarine warfare, the PLAN “may
be more capable of identifying adversary submarines in limited areas by 2020.” Source : EpochTimes
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Australia leaning towards buying
Japan’s submarines
Australia is keen to buy military submarines from Japan despite having pledged to build them at home.
The multi-billion dollar purchase could see Australia acquiring a fleet of stealth diesel engine submarines based on the
Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force's Soryu class vessels - the biggest non-nuclear submarines in the world. The
fleet of 12 4,000-ton Soryu class vessels would replace Australia's six outdated Collins-class boats by the 2030s. "It is
the best option out there," an unnamed source told Reuters, claiming that the Australian government is ready to face
the backlash from the country’s defence and technology manufacturers who hoped to get a major boost from the
project.
The negotiations are supposedly still in rather early stages but the sources hinted the deal could be sealed as soon as
January 2015. The sale would enable Australia to avoid the costs and risks of developing a homegrown champion from
scratch, after the locally made Collins-class subs were panned for being noisy and easily detected. A state-owned
shipyard in the South Australian capital of Adelaide would handle maintenance and overhaul, which can cost as much
as the purchase price over the life of the fleet. Options under discussion run from working jointly to develop the
technology, to Australia importing the engines and building the rest, to building the fleet in South Australia under
licence from Japan, to - most controversially - Canberra buying finished subs designed and built by Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries Ltd and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, the sources said. A visit last week by representatives of the two
Japanese companies to the Adelaide shipyards of government-owned ASC Pty Ltd - formerly Australian Submarine
Corp - sparked fierce media speculation in Australia. "No decisions have yet made on the design and build of the next
generation of Australian submarines," a spokeswoman for Defence Minister David Johnston said. "It is entirely proper
and prudent for the government to consider these strategic decisions through the Defence White Paper process."
Spokesmen for Mitsubishi Heavy and Kawasaki Heavy said they were not in a position to comment on the governmentled talks. If the deal is confirmed, it would represent a major expansion of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's drive for a more
active military after decades of Japanese pacifism. Abe has already loosened military exports restrictions but the sale
of a whole fleet of submarines would mark the first instance of Japan selling complete weapon platforms overseas
since the end of the World War Two. Abe and his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott agreed in July to foster security
and defence cooperation between the two countries, including the transfer of military equipment and technology
Source : eandt.theiet
Azerbaijan buying Israeli coast-guard
vessels
Azerbaijan is reportedly acquiring 21 new coast-guard vessels from Israel, according to Eurasianet.org.
While Azerbaijan made no formal announcement about such a purchase, Jane's, the defense and intelligence
publication, confirmed Thursday that the Azerbaijan Coast Guard ordered six Shaldag Mk V patrol boats and six Saar
62 offshore patrol vessels. Jane's based its assertion on images obtained in mid-July showing details of work being
done on the vessels at a new shipyard. Images of the vessels are available on the website of the president of
Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. According to Eurasianet, posters exhibited at the formal opening of the shipyard by President
Aliyev "suggested that Azerbaijan was looking at a more heavily armed Israeli ship, the Saar 72 corvette." Azerbaijan
has purchased arms from Israel in past. In 2012, Israel signed a $1.6 billion arms deal with Azerbaijan, committing to
sell drones and anti-aircraft missile defense systems to Baku. Last year, Iran warned Azerbaijan regarding its purchase
of Gabriel-5 anti-ship missiles, the Iranian Fars News Agency reported. Source : haaretz.
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SHIPYARD NEWS
Three die in Batam shipyard
Three workers of PT Bandar Abadi shipyard in Tanjung Uncang, Batu Aji, Batam, Riau Islands, died and another
worker was still missing when a ship that was being repaired, exploded on Friday evening. Batu Aji Police chief Comr.
Zainal Arifin said the blast, which also injured several workers, occurred when the workers were cleaning the ship
using sandblasts and wielding a pipe in a basement cabin. “The wielding caused heat in the cabin, which was believed
to have triggered the explosion of a liquefied petroleum gas [LPG] canister. A forensics team has been called to the
scene to investigate,” Zainal told The Jakarta Post on Saturday. The dead victims were identified as Ermanto, project
manager Topgrid, blaster painter Poniri, and Bradus Pata. The missing worker was identified as Suhadi, who is also a
blaster painter. Eighteen injured workers were still being treated at Charis Medika Hospital in Batam. Source :
Jakarta Post
Riga Shipyard's first half year’s
turnover – 6.9 mln, losses – 1.3 mln
Limited liability company's Riga Shipyard (Rigas kugu buvetava) net turnover was EUR 6,916,066, and total net
losses were EUR 1,288,002 in the first half of year, according to the company's finance report, handed in to the stock
exchange operator NASDAQ OMX Riga, cites LETA. Last year the total net turnover was EUR 34,781,696, and losses
were EUR 1,379,807 for the same period. In this year's first six months 19 ships (last year – 24) have been repaired,
and four (last year – three) ships have been built and put into operation. Riga Shipyard’s raw material, services and
stock suppliers over the first half year have basically remained the same, and they are from Western Europe, Estonia,
Lithuania and Latvia. Company's investments for capital assets and renovation amounted to EUR 2,810,000 (last year –
EUR 1,709,000).
In April the project co-financed by EU Cohesion Fund "The reconstruction of Riga Shipyard Ltd. heating system was
finished. During the project 2,440 meters of heat distribution networks were renovated and put into exploitation, and
28 heating system units were put under construction/renovation. The total costs of the project were EUR
1,058,351.85, from which EUR 423,340.74 came from EU funds. In June another co-financed project "Energy
efficiency measures in manufacturing workshops" was launched. The project is co-financed by EU "Climate Change
Financing Instrument". The total costs of the project without VAT amount to EUR 1,416,395.83, and the sum of EUR
479,807.72 comes from EU funds. As previously reported, last year Riga Shipyard’s net losses were EUR 1.927 million,
and the turnover was EUR 53.731 million. The company's major shareholder with 49.86% shares is limited liability
company Remars-Rīga. Other shareholders are natural persons who hold 34.73% of shares, and other statutory
companies with 15.41% of shares. The Riga Shipyard was established in 1995. Source : baltic-course
Russia seizes Zaliv
Zaliv Shipyard in Crimea has been taken over by Russian interests following the annexing of the former
Ukrainian region earlier this year.
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Crimea’s interior ministry said Ukrainian businessman Kostyantin Zhevago had been removed from the management of
the company, according to Russian media. It claimed his ownership was illegal and he now faces a potential police
inquiry. Crimea's minister of industry Andrey Skrinnik said that in a letter sent to the law enforcement agencies,
employees of the shipyard accuse the main shareholder of buying out their shares at lower prices. Skynnyk had
previously said Zhevago was in talks with Russian investors to sell out. The yard itself said a “raid” had been
attempted on the company on 24 August and the unknown people involved tried to press a Zaliv director to sign a
lease contract with a Moscow-registered company. Zaliv also said a representative of the Zelenodolsk shipyard
informed Zaliv that it had signed a long-term lease contract for all Zaliv production lines. Sources close to Zhevago said
he would take court action against the raid. The yard is eyeing new contracts for tankers and boxships, plus potential
orders from the Russian state. Zaliv last month agreed to take 100% control of NorYards in Norway, the former
shipbuilding division of Bergen Group. Source : tradewinds
Schooner Columbia launched by Eastern
Shipbuilding
Eastern Shipbuilding Group launched the historic Gloucester Fishing Schooner, COLUMBIA, in Panama City,
Florida on 23 August 2014. The sailing yacht has been a product of passion from the shipyard’s owner, Brian D’Isernia,
who was reportedly fascinated with the rich history of the original. Although the 2014 version of the boat has been
constructed with a steel hull as opposed to the traditional wooden hull, the shipyard has painstakingly and successfully
replicated the once proud and infamous Columbia. She was originally built in 1923 by A.D. Story shipyard of Essex,
Massachusetts, to a design by Burgess. Columbia is famous for her near win against Bluenose, one of Canada’s most
legendary sailing yachts, which even after her sinking in 1946, remains an icon of Nova Scotia. The International
Fisherman’s Cup Races in the year of her launch saw Columbia race nose to nose with Bluenose, and was only
narrowly defeated. Her career tragically came to end in 1927. Whilst sailing in the notorious ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic’,
she was hit by two gales and was lost with all hands off Sable Island. After discovering the original lines plan of
Columbia in the Essex Shipbuilding Museum in Massachusetts, D’Isernia took the opportunity to restore a celebrated
piece of maritime history. Columbia is built to the exact offsets of the original besides the addition of an engine room
and staterooms. The company’s involved in the reconstruction of the iconic boat were chosen carefully, and primarily
hailed from Nova Scotia. Covey Island Boatworks of Lunenburg Nova Scotia built the rigging and spars, blocks were
fabricated by A. Dauphinee & Sons, and the sails were constructed by Michelle Stevens Sailloft, Ltd. Work on the first
Columbia replica went so well, that the shipyard quickly begun to build an additional second replica, which is yet to be
completed. She will now undertake sea trials and testing, and will be on display at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in
October. Source : superyachttimes
ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES
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Gunvor Said to Expand Into Spot LNG
Trading as Supply Increases
Gunvor Group Ltd., the world’s fourth-biggest oil trader, plans to expand into short-term buying and selling of
liquefied natural gas as global supply rises, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The Cyprus-based
trading house will charter vessels for spot agreements and sell cargoes in Asia and the Atlantic basin, tapping into
supply from Nigeria, Australia and Southeast Asia, the people said, asking not to be identified because the plan is
confidential. Seth Pietras, a spokesman for Gunvor in Geneva, declined to comment by e-mail yesterday. Gunvor
follows Vitol SA, Trafigura Beheer BV, Glencore Plc, global energy companies and utilities in competing for spot
cargoes as new projects boost LNG supply, first from Australia and later from the U.S. The company, which has so far
focused on long-term contracts, has an agreement to liquefy natural gas at the planned Magnolia LNG project in the
U.S. as well as an accord to supply Panama with the fuel.
Gunvor is also considering a tie-up with OAO Novatek for the sale of fuel from the proposed Yamal LNG project in the
Russian Arctic, Leonid Mikhelson, chief executive officer of Tarko-Sale, Siberia-based Novatek, said in January. Gunvor
hired Ksenia Babenkova as an LNG trader for its Geneva office from Gazprom Marketing & Trading Ltd., while Kalpesh
Patel from BG Group Plc will start in Singapore, according to the people. They will focus on short-term trading. LNG
trade will rise by 40 percent to 450 billion cubic meters (16 trillion cubic feet) by 2019, the International Energy
Agency said in its medium-term gas market report in June. Spot and short-term LNG contracts accounted for 27
percent of total trade last year, compared with 25 percent in 2012, according to the International Group of Liquefied
Natural Gas Importers, a Paris-based lobby group. Almost 70 million metric tons of LNG capacity, or 20 percent of
global capacity, is poised to come online in the next few years in Australia, Neil Beveridge and Oswald Clint, analysts at
Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., said in an Aug. 22 report. Source : bloomberg
Singapore and Jakarta agree on maritime
borders in eastern Singapore strait
Singapore and Indonesia have agreed on their maritime boundaries in the eastern part of the Strait of Singapore and
will sign a treaty during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's three-day state visit to Singapore, which started Dr
Yudhoyono will also received the Order of Temasek (First Class), Singapore's highest decoration for foreign leaders, in
a ceremony Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said in a statement: "It is being conferred on President
Yudhoyono for his positive contributions to the relationship between Singapore and Indonesia during his 10 years in
office."He will be the second Indonesian leader to receive the honour, which was given to president Suharto in 1974
during his state visit that year for his contribution to the development of Singapore-Indonesia relations. Source :
straitstimes
Qatar to relinquish hold as world leader
in LNG exports
Over the last decade, the discovery of massive quantities of unconventional gas resources around the world has
spurred a renaissance within global energy markets, redirecting international attention to natural gas as a leading
source of energy supply. Modern technology allows natural gas to be chilled at ultra-low temperatures to a liquid
state, called liquefied natural gas or LNG, making it easier to store and transport. Buyers of LNG process the gas
through specialized import facilities that convert it back into its gaseous state.
Since 2006, Qatar has led the world in annual LNG exports, producing a volume of 77 million tons per year (MTPY) at
its 14 gas processing and liquefaction facilities, known as “trains” in industry lingo. RasGas and Qatargas, joint
venture companies with state-owned Qatar Petroleum, produce the country’s LNG at the Ras Laffan Industrial City, a
compound of gas processing facilities that is home to the largest LNG export terminal in the world and located around
50 miles outside of Doha. Qatar boasts the third largest natural gas reserves in the world and has a vast resource
wealth that makes the nation of around 280,000 citizens the richest in the world in terms of GDP per capita. The
North Field offshore Qatar is the largest non-associated gas deposit in the world and the country’s primary
hydrocarbon asset, which it shares with its neighbor across the Arabian Gulf, Iran. The Gulf nation meets most of its
domestic energy consumption through its gas resources, which provide for over 60 percent of government revenues.
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Nearly all of the natural gas exported from Qatar takes the form of LNG, with the remainder transported by pipeline to
the UAE and Oman. Early market entry and heavy investment in LNG infrastructure has allowed Qatar to become an
LNG powerhouse and the world’s largest exporter of the product. Of the 29 LNG importing nations, 26 buy from Qatar.
In 2005, Qatar halted further development of its North Field, imposing a moratorium on new projects in order to
maintain supply stability over the near term. With no further LNG projects planned in the near term, the emergence of
high-capacity LNG projects around the world threatens Qatar’s supremacy as the current market leader as new
projects prepare to go online.
The bulk of new LNG capacity in the near future will come from Australia, the US, Canada, and East Africa. Regional
economics and geographic advantages will make these countries solid competitors for a share of the global LNG
market. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are the largest buyers of LNG — together importing over half of the supply in
the market. These countries are dependent on imported energy as they have highly industrialized economies and lack
domestic energy resources. China and India will lead LNG demand growth in the future as the countries import
greater quantities of LNG to fuel their rapidly expanding economies. Following the 2011 tsunami that devastated
Japan’s Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power facility, the country decommissioned its nuclear energy program and turned
to increased hydrocarbon imports. Japan currently is the largest buyer of LNG in the world, importing 35 percent of
global supplies at its more than 30 re-gasification facilities. By default, the Asia Pacific region has become the largest
market for LNG in the world.
Australia takes the lead
Australia is the frontrunner in the race to overtake Qatar as the world’s leading LNG exporter. Nearly $200 billion
invested in current LNG projects in Australia are set to come online from 2014 to 2017, boosting the country’s export
capacity from 2013 levels of 24.2 MTPY to around 85 MTPY by 2017, well above Qatar’s current capacity.Most of
Australia’s LNG is sold to Japan, which buys from both Qatar and Australia on near-equal footing. Closer proximity to
Japan allows Australia to benefit from shorter shipping routes and lower transport costs than Qatar, providing a
geographic advantage. Despite this benefit, Australian LNG projects suffer extreme cost overruns as high as 50
percent, largely driven by expensive labor costs and a stronger Australian Dollar. “Australia is about costcompetitiveness at the moment,” says Stephen Craen, head of energy project finance at Paris-based investment bank
Societe Generale. “Costs in Australian LNG have been extremely high and it puts new projects in a position that is
difficult to compete on price with LNG exports from the US and other emerging LNG exporting countries like
Mozambique in East Africa.” Large-scale LNG projects are underway in Mozambique and Tanzania, seeking to bring as
much as 20 MTPY of LNG to market as soon as 2018.
North America is pulling Its LNG Weight
A large resource base and high-capacity export projects in the US position the country to become an LNG leader.
Lower regional gas prices in North America provide a significant cost advantage to both US and Canadian gas
producers, making it economical for them to buy and liquefy gas, and then transport it to buyers as LNG. Although
the US possesses the credentials to emerge as a leading exporter of LNG, many regulatory hurdles exist. Senator Lisa
Murkowski of Alaska, who is the Ranking Member of the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee,
recognizes the potential of American LNG projects as an opportunity that should not be missed. “The window for the
US to join the global gas trade will not be opened indefinitely. In fact, it is narrowing, and there is a real possibility
that the nation will miss out on a historic opportunity.” The US Congress is evaluating measures that will expedite the
regulatory approval process for American LNG projects in order to make them more competitive. Obtaining
authorization to export LNG to countries that do not share a Free Trade Agreement with the US remains a significant
challenge. LNG export projects in the US are mostly located along the Gulf Coast, providing a logistical challenge in
accessing Asian markets. Potential delays in a current expansion of the Panama Canal threatens to interfere with
trade routes as American LNG projects come online during the next 3 years. A typical journey for LNG to reach Japan
from the US takes roughly 30 days via the Panama Canal, and up to 50 days around South Africa. LNG vessels sailing
from Qatar and Australia are able to reach Japan in approximately 20 days and 10 days, respectively. Despite longer
trade routes to Asia, the US.is well positioned to supply much closer neighbors in Latin America and Europe. Canadian
LNG export projects are primarily located along the country’s West Coast, providing faster access to Asian markets.
Canada benefits from the same LNG price differentials as the US, with both countries each representing a component
of a greater North American market. Although Qatar is set to abdicate its position as the nation with the greatest
volume of annual LNG exports, it will continue to remain a dominant energy player. Qatar has taken measures to
diversify its global energy portfolio and expand its reach to new markets through a series of aggressive investments.
State-owned Qatar Petroleum maintains a 70 percent stake in the Golden Pass LNG project in Texas, which was
initially developed with the intent to supply LNG produced in Qatar to the US. Following the US shale gas revolution,
Qatar and its partner in the venture, ExxonMobil, have decided to seek approval from US regulators to convert the
existing import facility into a liquefaction terminal. Outside of LNG, Qatar has invested heavily in oil fields in Brazil and
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the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country has further expanded its global reach by acquiring significant
stakes in international oil companies including Royal Dutch Shell and Total S.A. Global demand for LNG is expected to
rise from 2013 levels of 240 MTPY to an estimated 465 MTPY by 2025. A majority of this demand will be met by ample
supply provided from North America, Australia, and projects in East Africa, which together will put downward pressure
on international LNG prices and narrow the spreads between them.With no future LNG projects planned in Qatar as
new competitors flood the market, it is reasonable to conclude that as soon as 2018 Qatar will relinquish its claim as
the largest LNG exporting nation, with Australia as the most likely contender to surpass its productive capacity. Despite
Qatar’s apparent demotion on the LNG hierarchy, the country will continue to maintain an integral role in global energy
markets for years to come. Source : Arabnews
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