World Maritime News - 13 Dec., 1996

NOTE: The next World Maritime News will be dated 27 Dec., 1996.

Happy holidays to everyone!

I.A.C.S. announces new bulk carrier rules

The International Association of Classification Societies announced last week it will introduce new rules on requiring the strengthening of older bulk carriers. The ships involved are those over 150 meters/490 feet and over 10 years old. As of 1 July, 1998, the regulations, which include strengthening the bulkhead between holds 1 and 2, must occur at the first special survey.

Gdansk Shipyard assets to be leased, enter holding firm with others

Seven Gdansk Shipyard employees suspended their 10-day hunger strike on 6 Dec. after receiving assurances the Polish shipyard yard may be saved. A letter of intent has been signed between Poland and Laman Poland, a Norweigan-Polish joint venture, under which Laman Poland will lease the assets of Gdansk Shipyard. Poland reportedly plans to form a holding company next year that will takeover Gdansk Shipyard. Shipyards in Szczecin and Gdynia are to be joined in the company with a steel mill in Czestochowa and a ship engine plant in Poznan. The 150 employees staging a sit-in at the local government offices agreed to end their protest.

Bremer Vulkan yard may be closed

About 1,000 employees of Bremer Vulkan Verbund A.G. demonstrated in Bremen, Germany, on 11 Dec. after a letter from Jobst Wellensiek, the shipyard's receiver, to the Bremen commercial court was released. Wellensiek wrote that the Bremen-Vagesack Shipyard would have to be closed unless a further credit of U.S.$27.24 million by KfW, the Federal Reconstruction Corp. in Frankfurt, Germany, was guaranteed by Bremen. The European Commission would only approve the money as closure aid. Later on 11 Dec., Bremen approved an initial guarantee that will keep the yard open until at least April 1997. A second guarantee would be needed to keep it operating until mid-1997. At that time, the yard would be closed with 2,000 laid off. Some 300 other employees may be retained for naval and special projects work.

F.M.C. rules on military cargo shipments

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission ruled on 10 Dec. that the U.S. Department of Defense cannot ship commercial military cargo via foreign-registry lines on U.S.-registry ships. The ruling affects three lines, but the decision was viewed as a precedent. The U.S. Military Sealift Command has tried since 1988 to solicit bids from foreign lines that charter space on U.S.-registry ships, with the intent that competition may lower rates. Under U.S. law, military cargoes must be shipped aboard U.S.-registry vessels, but the department argued that since the cargoes were aboard U.S. ships, foreign lines who charter space on them should be able to compete for business. The 10 Dec. ruling involved Sea-Land Service Inc., which has space-sharing agreements with P.& O. Containers Ltd. and Nedlloyd Lines B.V. In June 1995, F.M.C. administrative law judge Frederick Dolan Jr. ruled that restrictions in space-sharing agreements violate the Shipping Act of 1984, which forbids carriers from allocating shippers in space-sharing arangements and prohibits a line from soliciting cargo from a specific shipper except under applicable laws of countries. A lawsuit filed by Sea-Land is pending in a federal appeals court. The F.M.C. agreed that the charter agreements amounted to allocating shippers, but said that in this case a different law required that restriction.

Greek maritime workers stage protest in Piraeus

Greek maritime workers held a rally and march through Piraeus 11 Dec. to protest the Greek government's decision to abolish a special tax regime, effective since 1955, for crews of Greek-registry ships. The march was led by the administrative boards of the Panhellenic Maritime Federation and the Piraeus Labor Center.

Elbe River to be dredged

The German states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein have agreed to have the Elbe River dredged so that modern containerships can navigate as far as Hamburg. The dredging, involving tens of thousands of tons of contaminated mud, will likely begin the second half of 1997.

Litton to buy Racal-Decca

Litton Industries Inc. announced 12 Dec. it is buying Racal-Decca Marine Group from Racal Electronics P.L.C. for U.S.$49 million in cash. The deal includes all of Racal-Decca except the British Deca Navigator chain and the non-maritime assets of Decca South Africa. Litton, which also owns C Plath and Sperry Marine, has no plans to merge the businesses. The deal will close in early April and Racal Electronics will use the money to cover net debt.

Newport News Shipbuilding spin-off approved

The shareholders of Tenneco Inc. voted 10 Dec. to spin off Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. The shipyard will become an independent, publicly traded firm for the first time since 1968. Ninety-seven percent of the shareholders approved the decision, announced in March. The shipyard's stock debuted on the New York Stock Exchange on 11 Dec.

China Steel Express and Yang Ming form new venture

China Steel Express Corp. announced 12 Dec. it will set up a U.S.$4 million joint venture with Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. China Steel Express will own 70 percent with Yang Ming owning the rest. The firm will lease and operate bulk carriers between 66,000-dwt and 140,000-dwt. China Steel Express, which has four 140,000-dwt ships, will provide its ships to the venture, as well as three 130,000-dwt bulk carriers building for delivery next year. China Steel Express' current four ships are operated by Taiwan Navigation Co. Ltd. and Yang Ming, carrying coal and iron ore from Australia.

Brazilian bill on shipping advances

The Brazilian Chamber of Representatives has passed a new shipping bill and sent it to the Senate. The bill preserves reservation policies on cargo except passengers and a second registry would be formed within six months of the bill becoming law.

Pacific Basin buys Rydex

Pacific Basin Bulk Shipping has bought Rydex Industries, the Canadian maritime communications firm. Pacific Basin increased its stake from 31 percent by buying 85 percent of the outstanding shares. Pacific Basin is owned by Konsortium Perkapalan Bhd.

Norwegian court awards money in boycott of ship

A Norwegian court has awarded U.S.$52,240 plus interest to a German shipping firm as a result of a boycott of one of its ships in October 1995 by International Transport Workers' Federation affiliated unions. The M/V Corona (3,717-dwt bulk carrier built in 1994, operated by Hegemann-Kammerer and Co. G.m.b.H.) was blocked at Heroya, Norway, by workers demanding that the ship's owner, DH Shipping Co., sign an agreement to double the six crewmember's wages. The wages demanded were 50 percent higher than what the crew could receive via I.T.W.F. actions in Germany.

Contship expanding U.S. operations

Contship Containerlines Inc. has announced plans to expand its U.S. operations. As of 1 Jan., Contship will offer centralized customer service from Virgina Beach, Va. Offices will also be opened in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston and New Jersey.

P. & O. Nedlloyd Container Line operations in Caracas

P. & O. Nedlloyd Container Line will start operations in Caracas, Venezuela, on 1 Jan. The line will be represented by H.L. Boulton, and Caracas was recently selected as the line's head office for South America.

Babcock announces price for Rosyth Naval Dockyard

Babcock International Group P.L.C. announced 12 Dec. it will pay U.S.$34 million to buy the British government's Rosyth Royal Dockyard in Fife, Scotland. The deal was announced 25 Nov. Babcock has managed the yard since 1987.

Lykes, banks agree on cash collateral extension

Lykes Bros. Steamship Co. has reached an agreement to extend its cash collateral arrangements with creditor banks to 21 Jan. The deal requires court approval. Also, the deadline for filing a reorganization plan is now 31 March.

Five lines to introduce Europe to India and Pakistan service

Andrew Weir, Contship Containerlines Ltd., Compagnie Maritime d'Affretement, P. & O. Containers and Safmarine-CMBT Lines have signed an agreement to introduce a weekly joint service in mid-1997. The service will link northern Europe with India and Pakistan, with calls also being made in the western Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. Seven containerships of 2,800 TEU to 2,900 TEU capacity will be used.

C.M.A. leaves Cyprus for Port Said

Compagnie Maritime d'Affretement has announced it is leaving Cyprus, one year into a three-year transshipment contract with Cyprus Ports Authority at Limassol. Themis Philippides of M and A, the line's Cypriot agents, said C.M.A. would incur U.S.$4.5 million annually in additional costs if it continued, through high costs and limited working hours. C.M.A. transferred transshipment operations to Cyprus in October 1995. In mid-October 1996, C.M.A. moved to Port Said, Egypt, which was said to be temporary. C.M.A. had handled 150,000 and 200,000 containers annually through Limassol, 50 percent of its business. The port's lack of a 24-hour loading and unloading service was reportedly costing C.M.A. U.S.$1,500 every hour that its ships were not at a berth. Services are halted between 0130 and 0600 daily.

COSCO moves eastern Mediterranean hub and shifts to Singapore

China Ocean Shipping Co. has decided to move its eastern Mediterranean hub from Limassol, Cyprus, to Naples, Italy. The move is effective in April and the hub will serve the Asia Pacific/Mediterranean/United States weekly service in both directions. For the first two months, common feeder carriers will be used to call Limassol; Constanta, Romania; Odessa, Ukraine; Varna, Bulgaria; Beirut, Lebanon; Latakia, Syria; Haifa, Israel; and Alexandria, Egypt. COSCO will then operate its own feeders. COSCO is also moving its regional container facilities to Singapore from Hong Kong, and will build offices and repair facilities there. COSCO is planning a new northeast Asia to southeast Asia service with 12 1,000 to 1,500 TEU capacity containerships. They will call weekly in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.

Maersk to start South Africa/Namibia to Europe service

Maersk Line has announced that early next year it will start a container service from South Africa and Namibia to Europe. The service will be every two weeks and will call at Algeciras, Spain. Calls will also be made at ports in the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic.

Tricon dropping Antwerp call

Tricon, the partnership of Cho Yang Shipping Co. Ltd. and DSR-Senator Lines, will end direct calls at Antwerp in February.

N.Y.K. to lease space on Hyundai ships in the Pacific

Nippon Yusen Kaisha Ltd. will lease space on Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. vessels operating between Asia and the U.S. west coast, it was announced 6 Dec. The agreement will take effect in 30 days from filing with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, unless the commission requests more information. N.Y.K. will charter 100 slots on Hyundai ships sailing from South Korea.

GKX adding two more calls

The GKX Far East/Middle East consortium of Neptune Orient Line, Nippon Yusen Kaisha Lines and P. & O. Containers, is upgrading its service next month. Calls will be added at Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Port Klang, Malaysia.

Saga Forest Carriers to call Vancouver, Wash.

Saga Forest Carriers has agreed to return to the Port of Vancouver, Wash., after having left in 1994. A new three-year deal was agreed to, and Saga Forest Carriers will call at the port starting 8 Jan. The line will use Terminal 3 operated by Marine Terminals Corp. At least 24 vessels a year will call, with two calls a month.

Di Gregorio adding sixth ship

Di Gregorio will add a sixth ship early next year to its service between Argentina, Brazil and the United States operated with Cho Yang Shipping Co. Ltd. and DSR-Senator Lines. The ship will call at Buenos Aires, Argentina; the Brazilian ports of Rio Grande, Rio de Janeiro and Santos; Miami; New York; Norfolk, Va.; and Savannah, Ga. The ship will be chartered, as construction on the M/V DG Atlantis (17,000-dwt ro/ro) has stopped at Caneco Shipyard in Brazil due to inflation. The price of the ship has doubled from U.S.$30 million originally.

Holyman Sally to stop Ramsgate to Dunkirk freight, refurbish ferry

Holyman Sally Ferries has announced that it will refurbish the M/V Sally Sky (4,150-dwt passenger ferry built in 1976). The vessel will be renamed the M/V Luxembourg. Also, as of March, freight service between Ramsgate, England, and Dunkirk, France, will end.

Buquebus introduces new fast ferry

Buquebus International Ltd. introduced the new M/V Silvia Ana to its Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Montevideo, Uruguay, route on 9 Dec. The vessel is the largest monohull fast ferry in the world, and has a capacity of 1,245 passengers and 300 vehicles.

Antwerp, Mongla halted by strikes

The Port of Antwerp, Belgium, was idled at 0700 9 Dec. by a strike which lasted until 1900 10 Dec. The port itself as well as locks were blocked by striking workers. Some pilots were operating and a few bridges remained open. Employees struck in protest over a plan to change their status from public sector to private sector workers. As of 11 Dec., the port began to return to normal operations but 40 to 50 ships were waiting to enter and 15 waiting to leave the port. Dockworkers at Mongla, Bangladesh, staged a strike on 12 Dec. over a wage dispute. Some 6,500 workers began the strike after talks on 11 demands, including higher wages and benefits and employment for more workers, failed on 11 Dec. At least 12 ships in port, loaded with cement, fertilizer and other cargo, are stuck at the port.

E.B.R.D. gives U.S.$19 million for project in Moldova

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will provide a U.S.$19 million finance package to Terminal, a joint venture that will build an oil terminal on the Danube River in southern Moldova. Terminal is a joint venture of Tirex-Petrol, the Moldovan state oil firm, and Technovax, a venture of two Greek construction companies. The terminal will include storage tanks about one kilometer/0.6 miles inland. The project will cost U.S.$38 million.

Chenglingji, Qinglan open to foreign-registry ships

Chenglingji, Hunan Province, China, was opened to foreign-registry vessels on 9 Dec. The port, located on the Yangtze River at Yueyang, is 1,300 kilometers/800 miles from the coast. Until 9 Dec., foreign ships could only navigate to Wuhan, Hubei Province, about 1,100 kilometers/680 miles from the coast. Since 1991, 100 million Chinese yuan was spent renovating the port. It has 84 berths, two of which can handle 5,000-dwt ships, and an annual handling capacity of 600,000 tons. Also, the Port of Qinglan, Hainan Province, has opened to foreign-registry ships. The port, at Wenchang, has a container terminal with a handling capability of 5,000 tons and a five kilometer/three mile channel.

New stevedore to operate in Marseilles/Fos

SeaYard, a new stevedore, will begin operations in April in Marseilles/Fos, France. SeaYard was formed by several firms, including Agence Maritime Mediterraneenne, a subsidiary of Balguerie, Calberson-Geodis, China Ocean Shipping Co., Marseilles Consignation (Zim Israel Navigatio Co.'s local agent) and Natie Invest. U.S.$6.2 million will be spent on container handling equipment and port management software. COSCO will use SeaYard when it begins its Mediterranean to U.S. east coast service in 1997.

Van Ommeren and Pakhoed to share facility in China

Two Dutch tank storage firms will operate a combined terminal in Zhuhai, China. Koninklijke van Ommeren N.V. and Pakhoed N.V. will each own 47.5 percent of Vopak, with Zhuhai International Engineering and Consulting Co. owning five percent. The facility will be operational by the end of 1998, with two phases. The first, costing U.S.$85 million, will result in a capacity of 175,000 cubic meters/228,000 cubic yards. When completed, the facility will have a capacity of 320,000 cubic meters/416,000 cubic yards.

COSCO in two-year agreement with E.C.T.

China Ocean Shipping Co. has concluded a two-year storage contract with Europe Combined Terminals at Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The contract is an extension of an existing one.

River Trade Terminal announces contractor

River Trade Terminal Co. Ltd. announced 6 Dec. it has appointed a joint venture of Dredging International, Shui On Contractors and Wai Kee (Zens) Construction & Transportation Co. Ltd. as the main contractor for the River Trade Terminal in Hong Kong's Tuen Mun. The 65 hectare/160 acre terminal will have 60 berths and a quay 3,000 meters/10,000 feet long. It will offer container and breakbulk services and storage, lightering, transshipment, warehousing and container maintenance and repair. The first area of the terminal will be operating by the fourth quarter of 1998 with the entire facility operational by late 1999. River Trade Terminal Co. is 33 percent owned by Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd., 33 percent by Hutchison Port Holdings, 10 percent by COSCO Pacific Ltd., 10 percent by Bank of China Group Investment and 14 percent by Jardine Matheson.

Novorossiysk terminal to be upgraded

Bouygues Offshore will spend U.S.$63 million to double the capacity of the Sheskharis Oil Terminal at Novorossiysk, Russia. The terminal currently can handle tankers up to 180,000-tons, and the upgrade will involve an increase in handling capacity for 15 million tons annually to 30 million tons. Work will begin early next year and last 17 months. The contract was awarded by Orenburg Oil Co.'s Onako Terminal, which owns the license to build and operate the terminal extension. The deal will be financed by a loan from Banque Nationale de Paris, which will be backed by oil products to be loaded by Elf Aquitaine.

Caillard receives contract for Turkish project

Caillard has won a U.S.$19 millin contract for a bulk project in Turkey. Eregli Iron and Steel Works will receive a complete bulk cargo handling facility for coal and iron ore. It includes two gantry cranes and five large conveyor belts. The facility will allow the steel producer to increase annual production from 2.4 million tons to over 3 million tons as of 1999.

Two North Carolina ports plan upgrades

The North Carolina ports of Morehead City and Wilmington have received U.S.$6 million in state funds, the first major allocation by the state to the North Carolina State Ports Authority since 1987 - 1988. Morehead City will use its share for upgrading rail services, refurbishing buildings, rewiring two gantry cranes and repaving. Wilmington will put its money towards U.S.$12 million needed for refurbishing a dock used to load wood pulp.

Queensland ports cutting conservancy fees

Ports in Queensland, Australia, will cut berthing fees next year. Conservancy fees will be decreased 21 percent, and there will be no fees for ships calling for repairs, fuel or provisions.

Assessment on local cargo and New York and New Jersey reduced

The tonnage assessment on local cargo at the Port of New York and New Jersey will be reduced 17 percent on 1 Feb. The reduction will result in an assessment for cargo originating or headed to locations within 416 kilometers/260 miles of U.S.$2.90 per ton from U.S.$3.50 per ton.

Status of ports

The Mexican ports of Campeche, Dos Bocas and Frontera closed 1730 8 Dec. due to high winds. Small vessel restrictions were announced at Alvarado, Coatzacoalcos, Nautla, Salina Cruz, Tuxpan and Veracruz. Pajaritos reopened 0800 9 Dec. after having been closed most of the weekend. Dos Bocas reopened at 1730 9 Dec. All ports were open 10 Dec. except Frontera while small vessel restrictions at Ensenada, Puerto Madero, Rosarito and Salina Cruz. As of 11 Dec., all ports were open except small vessel restrictions at Ensenada and Rosarito. All Mexican ports were open fully on 12 Dec. The Port of Novorossiysk, Russia, closed at 2255 8 Dec. due to weather and reopened the night of 10 Dec.

Lauritzen sells Danyard stake to P.S.C., which is in several other deals

J. Lauritzen A/S announced 11 Dec. it has sold its 48 percent stake in its Danyard A/S unit for U.S.$100 million to Penang Shipbuilding Construction Sdn. Bhd. At the same time, Danyard Aalborg is being separated by Danyard A/S, and will be involved only in Danish shipping. Penang Shipbuilding Construction will also receive 40 percent of Danyard Aalborg. The deal includes a technology transfer. Relatedly, PSC Industries Bhd. announced the same day that it will buy the remaining 30 percent of Penang Shipbuilding & Construction it does not own from Business Focus Sdn. Bhd. for 205 million Malaysian ringgit. PSC Industries will also buy 50 percent of Suria Barisan Sdn. Bhd. for 28.32 million Malaysian ringgit via issuing 708,000 new shares at 40 Malaysian ringgit each. Suria Barisan holds eight percent of Naval Dockyard Sdn. Bhd. and Penang Shipbuilding & Construction owns 40 percent.

Eisa gets order four six bulk carriers

Eisa Shipyard in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has reportedly received an order for six 44,000-dwt bulk carriers from Horizon Schiffahrts. The U.S.$161.7 million order is being backed 70 percent by BNDES. The first ship will be delivered in November 1998 with one following every three months.

Sadra to build six ships for Iran

Sadra International Naval-Industrial Co. has won a contract to build six 22,000-dwt vessels. The 1,120 TEU capacity ships will cost U.S.$27 million, and will be delivered to the Islamic Republic of Iran's Shipping Co. within 44 months.

Daewoo receives order for tanker

Daewoo Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. on 11 Dec. won a U.S.$90 million contract for a 126,000-dwt oil tanker. The ship will be delivered in 1998 to British Petroleum P.L.C. and Maersk Tankers and will transport crude oil from drilling sites to refineries. British Petroleum is the buyer and project manager, while Maersk Tankers will operate the vessel.

Shipping Corp. of India cancels order with Samsung

The Shipping Corp. of India has terminated a contract with Samsung Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. to build two 110,000-dwt tankers for delivery next year. Samsung reportedly was not expected to keep the schedule outlined in the order and refused to renegotiate the price of the ships. The deal was signed in 1995.

Yichang Shipyard holds ceremony to mark completion of vessel

Yichang Shipyard, of Yangtze River Shipping (Changhang) Group, held a ceremony on 8 Dec. at the completion of a containership for Jungerbans Corp. The ship is one of 12 on order, with loans from China Import and Export Bank, the Wuhan and Yichang branches of the China Industrial and Commercial Bank and the Yichang branch of the Communications Bank of China.

Details on new Kepphil drydock at Batangas

Kepphil Shipyard broke ground 10 Dec. for its new 40,000-dwt drydock in Batangas, the Philippines. The U.S.$19.2 million drydock will be built by Toyo Construction Co.'s CCT Constructors Corp. Construction will take 15 months. The drydock will be 200 meters/650 feet by 38 meters/125 feet and have a draft of 7 meters/23 feet. The drydock will be built so that it can be expanded to a 70,000-dwt capacity in the future.

Fifth tanker delivered to National Iranian Tanker

A new 300,000-ton oil tanker has entered service wth National Iranian Tanker Co., it was announced 11 Dec. It is the last of five built by Daewoo Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.

M/V Cape Sorell launched in Poland

Szczecin Shipyard has launched the M/V Cape Sorell, a 13,700-dwt containership with a 1,055 TEU capacity. The ship will be delivered to Cypriot buyers by the end of the year.

Mitsubishi to use Intranet

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will use an all-digital ship design system, utilizing Intranet, beginning in April 1998. The network will be installed at the yards in Kobe, Nagasaki and Shimonoseki. The system will cut costs 20 to 30 percent.

Antwerp Shiprepair to work on the M/V Esra-1

Antwerp Shiprepair N.V. has secured its largest repair contract since restarting operations in 1994. The firm will replace about 150 tons of steel in the bow of the M/V Esra-1 (Turkish-registry 66,234-gt, 124,100-dwt combination ship built in 1976, operated by Marti Shipping and Trading). The ship suffered engine problems while approaching the Zanvliet lock in Antwerp, Belgium, on 19 Nov., and hit the side wall of the lock. The ship, which had sailed from Richards Bay, South Africa, suffered a 30 centimeter/12 inch hole above the waterline. The M/V Esra-1 then grounded and later was refloated by tugs. However, she took on water and sank about two meters/7 feet from mooring near a berthing quay. The repair contract is worth U.S.$2 million and involves 25,000 manhours of work which must be completed by 31 Jan.

Mutiny off western Africa, two missing and presumed dead

The master and chief officer of the M/V Janna (Antigua and Barbuda-registry 4,455-gt multipurpose ship built in 1983, managed by Helmship G.m.b.H.) are missing and presumed dead after two crewmembers mutinied while the ship was in the Gulf of Guinea on late 11 Dec. The two Polish crewmembers are believed to have killed the German master and Mexican chief officer. The ship was sailing from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to Takoradi, Ghana, when a distress signal was sent. The remaining nine crewmembers locked themselves in the bridge and later overpowered the two mutineers, who were then locked up. The vessel is sailing to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

SNCM offices bombed and occupied, Corsican ports blockaded

A bomb exploded late 5 Dec. in Porto-Vecchio, Corsica, destroying a building that included ticket officers of shipping line SNCM. A group associated with the Cuncolta Naziunalista organization have occupied SNCM offices in Ajaccio and Bastia since 5 Dec. No one was hurt and no one claimed responsibility for the bomb. Also, fishermen are blocking the Corsican ports of Ajaccio, Bastia, Ile Rousse and Porto-Vecchio to call for concessions in a French government plan to grant tax breaks. They are seeking cuts in payroll charges and want fuel prices more in line with mainland ports. A court on 4 Dec. told fishermen to lift a blockade that kept an SNCM ferry in Ajaccio since 3 Dec. The court ordered them to pay 100,000 French francs/U.S.$20,000 for every day the blockade lasts, as well as a fine of 10,000 French francs.

Canada charges master with shark definning

The master of the F/V Shoshin Maru 38 (Japanese-registry) was charged in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on 11 Dec. with illegally killing blue sharks for their fins. It is believed to be the first such case in Canada, which banned the practice last year. If convicted under the Canadian Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, Mitsuo Ozaki faces a fine of up to C$100,000. The vessel may be seized. An observer aboard the vessel, fishing off Nova Scotia last week, reported the practice while the F/V Shoshin Maru 38 was fishing for tuna. The vessel is based in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.

U.S. Coast Guard involved in two fisheries enforcements

On 1 Dec., the U.S. Coast Guard lead ship of the U.S.C.G.C. Reliance (WMEC 615)-class Medium-Endurace Cutter sent a boarding team aboard the F/V Cheryl off New England in a closed fishing area. Scallops were found in the holds. The cutter escorted the F/V Cheryl and then transferred the escort to the "Island"-class Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Sanibel (WPB 1312) which took the vessel to New Bedford, Mass. The catch, estimated at U.S.$12,000, was seized and given to the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service. The next day, the Reliance-class cutter U.S.C.G.C. Confidence (WMEC 619) stopped and boarded the F/V Don Tomas, which was found to have been fishing in the Bahamian Exclusive Economic Zone without a permit. The vessel had 580 kilograms/1300 pounds of red snapper, 36 kilograms/80 pounds of grouper, 27 kilograms/60 pounds of dolphin and 18 kilograms/40 pounds of tuna. The master said they planned to sell the catch in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The hold was sealed and the vessel was seized by the National Marine Fisheries Service at Mayaguez.

Vessels warned to stay clear of area off Japan after bomb is dropped

The Japanese Maritime Safety Agency has warned vessels to stay away from an area about 11 kilometers/seven miles off Naha, Okinawa, Japan, after a U.S. Marine Corps aircraft dropped a 450 kilogram/1,000 pound bomb in the area 10 Dec. The bomb, which did not detonate, is in at least 45 meters/150 feet of water. The aircraft, running low on fuel, was authorized to jettison the bomb in order to make a safe landing on Okinawa.

Cuba turns over seized cocaine to the United States

Cuba has given the United States more than six tons of cocaine seized from the M/V Limerick (Colombian-registry). The master and crew of the vessel are to be tried in Miami. The ship, sailing from Barranquilla, Colombia, to Freeport, Bahamas, began taking on water about 19 kilometers/12 miles off U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in October. The U.S. Coast Guard conducted a consensual boarding in international waters, but as the ship took on more water, the boarding was halted and the Colombian and Ecuadorean crew abandoned the ship. They were arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling. The M/V Limerick then drifted into Cuban waters, where the Cuban personnel boarded the ship and found the cocaine.

Kvaerner refrigerated ships sold

Kvaerner A/S said 12 Dec. it has sold its fleet of refrigerated vessels for one billion Norwegian crowns.

A.P. Moeller sells five ships to Bernhard Schulte

A.P. Moeller announced 6 Dec. it has sold five product and gas tankers to the Bernhard Schulte group. The five R-type vessels reportedly were sold for U.S.$95 million. They will reportedly be used by Maersk Tankers under a time-charter for the next five years.

M/V Island Breeze sold from Carnival to I.B.

Dolphin Cruise Line announced 6 Dec. that the M/V Island Breeeze (16,604-dwt passenger ship built in 1961, formerly the M/V Festivale) has been purchased by I.B. Ltd. from Carnival Cruise Lines. The deal involves a seven year charter. I.B. will handle all financial responsibilities while Dolphin Cruise Line will handle the ship's operation as well as marketing and sales. On 25 May, the ship will be drydocked for refurbishment at a cost of over U.S.$10 million.

M/V Dart 2 sold to Jacobs Holdings

The M/V Dart 2 (Romanian-registry 4,650-dwt ro/ro ferry built in 1985, operated by CNM Romline) has been sold for U.S.$3.8 million to Jacobs Holdings. The vessel, formerly the M/V Bazias 2, was chartered by Jacobs Holdings for its Dart Line serice between Dartford, England, and Vlissingen, the Netherlands, but was arrested in Dartford on 11 Feb. due to a claim against Romline by the ferry's former charterer. The price reflects a refit in January. The M/V Dart 2 can carry 12 passengers, 93 trailers and 49 vehicles.

M/T Tonbridge sold

Tanker Pacific Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. has reportedly paid U.S.$7.2 million to U.S.$7.8 million for the M/T Tonbridge (267,911-dwt very large crude carrier built in 1977) from Kuwait Oil Tanker Co. SAK. Sammy Ofer's Zodiac Maritime Agencies reportedly was involved in the deal.

M/T Western Mariner sold

Western Bulk Shipping has sold the M/V Western Mariner (42,239-dwt bulk carrier built in 1984, operated by Northsouth Management Pte. Ltd.) to interests in Europe. The ship will be delivered in February. The firm has six bulk carriers left of 37,000-dwt to 47,000-dwt. There are also six new bulk carriers on order for delivery in 1997 and 1999. Two are being built at Ishikawajima-Harima Industries and four at Oshima. Western Bulk also controls the 70-ship Western Bulk Carriers fleet.

Subsidy transfer for the M/T Falcon Leader denied

The U.S. Maritime Subsidy Board has denied a request by BSTC Holding Inc. to transfer an operating-differential subsidy contract for the M/T Falcon Leader (U.S.-registry 33,869-dwt tanker built in 1983, owned by Connecticut National Bank).

Statoil charters the M/T Nordic Torinita

Den norske stats oljeselskap A/S announced 12 Dec. it has chartered the M/T Nordic Torinita (108,000-dwt) for a year from its owners, Ugland/Nordic American Shipping. Statoil chartered the vessel primarily to ship cargoes of North Sea oil to northwest Europe and North America. The double-hull tanker can carry 732,000 barrels.

Two killed, three injured in lifeboat test on the M/T Jahre Viking

Two people were killed and three injured during a lifeboat safety test 25 Nov. aboard the M/T Jahre Viking (Norwegian-registry 564,763-dwt ultra large crude carrier built in 1976, operated by Jorgen Jahre Shipping A/S) at Dubai Dry Docks in the United Arab Emirates. Leandra Torcelo and Richard Baquisat, both Filipino citizens, were killed when a lifeboat overturned and fell 35 meters/120 feet into the water below. Three others, two Filipinos and an Indian citizen, suffered minor injuries. The M/T Jahre Viking, the largest tanker in the world, had been under repair and inspection for Det Norske Veritas since 5 Nov. The ship left Dubai on 30 Nov. to load oil at the Ras Tanura terminal in Saudi Arabia for the U.S. Gulf coast.

F/V Ida E sinks on Columbia River bar

The F/V Ida E (16 meters/52 feet) sank 28 Nov. near Buoy 8 on the Columbia River bar. The vessel was headed out on its first voyage in two years when bilge and lazarrette alarms sounded. All three crewmembers were rescued by the F/V Prowler and transferred to a U.S. Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment, Wash., motor lifeboat. The Captain of the Port of Portland, Ore., ordered a closure of the northern section of the channel between Buoys 8 and 10 until the F/V Ida E was found. The vessel was located by an HH-65A Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, Ore., and the wreck was marked by the Balsam-class Seagoing Buoy Tender U.S.C.G.C. Cowslip (WLB 277).

Yacht with 70 aboard catches fire off California

The yacht Sundowner, on a party cruise, caught fire at 2115 7 Dec. while returning to its dock in Marina del Rey, Calif. Six of the 70 passengers and crew suffered minor burns. Several people jumped overboard, with some swimming the 18 meters/60 feet to shore while others were rescued by nearby vessels. Several sought refuge in the Santa Monica Yacht Club. The passengers were employees of Trust Company of the West, a money management firm based in Los Angeles. The vessel was severely damaged.

Asphalt spill off Alabama

The M/T Asphalt Champion (Greek-registry 19,216-gt, 32,004-dwt tanker built in 1973, owned and operated by by Chronos Shipping Co.) struck a dolphin while docking in Mobile Bay, Ala., late 8 Dec. The ship's starboard quarter was breached and 16,000 liters/4,200 gallons of asphalt spilled into the bay.

M/V Ocean Phoenix suffers fire in Seattle

The M/V Ocean Phoenix (U.S.-registry 17,845-gt, 19,286-dwt, 90 meter/300 foot "fish factory" built in 1964, operated by Premier Pacific Seafoods Inc.) suffered a fire in her living quarters while moored at Pier 28 in Seattle at 2300 11 Dec. The fire was extinguished in an hour, and is believed to have been caused by an electrical problem.

Barge loaded with explosives runs aground off Alaska

A barge loaded with 19,000 kilograms/42,000 pounds of explosives ran aground on a beach near Yakutat, Alaska, early 1 Dec., after the towline to a tug broke while sailing from Seattle to Seward, Alaska. The 90 meter/300 foot barge is loaded with 940 sacks of ammonia nitrate, gunpowder and blasting agents for dynamite. It is owned by Sea Coast Towing Co.

Icebreaker searches for missing U.S.-registry vessel

On 3 Dec., the U.S. Coast Guard Polar Star-class Icebreaker U.S.C.G.C. Polar Sea (WAGB 11) launched an HH-65A Dolphin helicopter to search for a U.S.-registry sailing vessel with three people aboard, about 160 kilometers/100 miles northeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu. The vessel sent out a distress signal that was received by a Qantas Airline aircraft, which responded in morse code. The vessel told the aircraft it had left Port Vila sailing northeast two days earlier.

M/V Lady Dotic allides with Turkish lighthouse, runs aground

The M/V Lady Dotic (Egyptian-registry, 3,415-tons) allided with a small lighthouse and ran aground in the Bosporus Strait near Istanbul, Turkey, on the night of 9 Dec. The ship, sailing from Ukraine to Egypt, is carrying sunflowers. The M/V Lady Dotic is on a sandbank 200 meters/650 feet offshore and has taken on water.

M/V Finnfellow aground off Finland

The M/V Finnfellow (Finnish-registry 14,297-gt, 4,995-dwt ro/ro built in 1973, operated by FG-Shipping) ran aground at 60 degrees 47 minutes north, 21 degrees 13 minutes east, near Uusikaupunki, Finland, on 9 Dec. The vessel was sailing to the port from Hargshamn, Finland. The six passengers aboard were evacuated but the 18 crewmembers remain aboard. The M/V Finnfellow's bottom and starboard side were reportedly damaged.

M/V Anangel Wisdom runs aground

The M/V Anangel Wisdom (Greek-registry 12,941-gt, 22,363-dwt bulk carrier built in 1974, owned and operated by Anangel Shipping Enterprises S.A.) ran argound near Buoy 6 of the Punta Indio Channel in the Rio de la Plata on 6 Dec. The ship was reportedly sailing to Chile with wheat.

M/V Parnasos runs aground in Suda Bay

The M/V Parnasos (Cypriot-registry 3,997-gt, 6,016-dwt bulk carrier built in 1978, operated by Kavadas Shipping), sailing from La Pallice to Suda Bay with 5,800 tons of wheat, ran aground at Suda Bay during the night of 9 - 10 Dec. A tug is sailing to the ship.

M/V Ypapadi aground off Quebec

The M/V Ypapadi (Panamanian-registry 17,977-gt, 30,866-dwt bulk carrier built in 1982, operated by Zephyros Agencia), carrying 25,000 tons of copper concentrate, ran aground at 48 degrees 51 minutes north, 64 degrees, 25.2 minutes west, on 7 Dec. The ship is aground on sand off the Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec, Canada.

M/V Utviken refloated

The M/V Utviken (Bahamian-registry 17,191-gt, 30,052-dwt, 189 meter/621 foot long bulk carrier built in 1987, oprated by Viken Shipping) has been refloated. The vessel, sailing from Richards Bay, South Africa, to Detroit with titanium slag, ran aground in U.S. waters on a shoal along the southern bank of the St. Lawrence River below Massena, N.Y., on 26 Nov. The ship suffered electrical problems in her steering console, which is believed to have caused the grounding. The cargo was lightered before the refloating attempt. The M/V Utviken has damage to the port side forward and amidships. The forepeak tank and the No. 1 double-bottom tank flooded in the grounding.

Barge Portsmouth delivered to Moran Bulk

Moran Bulk Corp. has taken delivery of the Barge Portsmouth, a dry bulk barge that will operate on the U.S. east coast and the Gulf of Mexico. The barge was built by Moss Point Marine and is 127 meters/418 feet long, has a 23 meter/75 foot beam and a draft of 8.8 meters/29 feet. The barge loaded granular urea in Louisiana for Agway Inc., for delivery in Phildelphia, on its maiden voyage. Gretna Machine and Iron Works designed the vessel, with MacGregor (U.S.A.) Inc. hatch covers, a hatch crane from Marine Travelift Inc. and deck machinery from Netec Inc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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