World Maritime News - 7 Mar., 1997

Germany approves new shipping subsidies

Although Germany had planned to abolish shipping subsides this year, they have again been approved. Some 30 million German marks/U.S.$17.6 million will be given in subsidies, down from 100 million marks/U.S.$58.3 million last year. Subsidies will no longer be granted based on the value of vessels, but rather the amount of income tax paid by crewmembers. Subsidies are planned for 1998 as well. This year's subsidies include 4.2 million marks/U.S.$2.4 million for training German crewmembers.

Preliminary report on Danish port taxes announced

A preliminary finding by the European Court of Justice's advocate-general states that Danish ports charged 40 percent more taxes per ton of cargo on vessels arriving from foreign ports than they did on cargo from coastwise shipping from 1984 to 1990. Under the European Union's Maastrict Treaty Article 95, member countries cannot charge more taxes on cargoes from other E.U. states than the taxes charged on domestic products. Haahr Petroleum, Olieselskabet Danmark and Texaco filed a lawsuit in Copenhagen High Court against Denmark, seeking 15 million Danish kroner/U.S.$2.3 million due to the taxes. The three said that the tax was levied on imported refined oil and not crude shipped to Danish refineries. The court then sought an E.C.J. ruling. The three firms held Denmark accountable because it had ordered ports to assess the tax. A European Commission ruling in 1990 halted it. Denmark said that the tax was needed because special port facilities were for use by importers, and needed to be maintained.

Lloyd's Open Form changed

Lloyd's Form of Salvage Agreement, also known as Lloyd's Open Form and L.O.F. 1995, has been amended to speed cases that go to arbitration. The form is used to determine awards for salvors.

New Chinese shipping line formed

The Chinese Ministry of Communication is combining its operations in Guangzhou and Dalian with two major shipping lines in Shanghai, including Shanghai Haixing Shipping Co. Ltd. The result is China Maritime Transport, with 468 ships of 7.6 million deadweight tons.

N.V.O.C.C.s do not have to file tariffs on certain shipments

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board ruled 24 Feb. that non-vessel operating common carriers do not have to file tariffs after 29 March for shipments between the continental United States and Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Bermuda Container Line files suit against I.L.A. and New York group

Bermuda Container Line Ltd. filed a lawsuit 21 Feb. against the International Longshoremen's Association and the New York Shipping Association in U.S. District Court in Manhattan in New York. Bermuda Container Line said it decided to move from Port Elizabeth, N.J., to Salem, Mass., because handling costs per container were U.S.$300 less. But in June, Bermuda Container Line said, the I.L.A./N.Y.S.A. Local Industry Grievance Committee decided the line could move but only to another I.L.A. port, and hence not Salem. The I.L.A. and the N.Y.S.A. said Bermuda Container Line was given three months to withdraw before discussions began on a new contract with the I.L.A. Since the line did not leave, it is bound by the agreement it has with workers at Port Elizabeth.

Some Sub Sea International assets sold for U.S.$110 million

Dresser Industries agreed 5 March to sell some assets of Sub Sea International to Global Industries Ltd. for U.S.$110 million. The assets include remote-control submarines that do service work as well as other vessels in Asia Pacific, the Far East, the Gulf of Mexico and the Middle East.

TACA revising currency adjustments

The Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement is revising its currency adjustment factors as of April. Cargo moving via continental Europe will have surcharges reduced from 32 percent to 28 percent, and cargo moving from the Baltic and Scandinavia will be cut from 15 percent to 12. Cargo via Ireland and the United Kingdom, however, will increase from six percent to eight percent.

British and Irish lighthouse dues decreased

The fees for British and Irish lighthouses has been reduced by two pence on the basic voyage rate, or five percent.

Anglo-Eastern to manage P.N.S.L.

Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Ltd. has announced it will manage Perbadanan Nasional Shipping Line.

FINMARE to disappear

As the result of changes announced by the Italian government, Societa Finanziaria Marittima S.A. will cease to exist.

Cameroon Shipping Line privatized

Completing a process begun in July 1994, Cameroon Shipping Line has been privatized. The government retains 15.2 percent, and Sofimar, a group formed by the line's employees, has 13 percent. Business interests have 10 percent and agricultural interests another five. Other holders are Unimar at 20 percent, DEG at 15.4 percent and V Ships at 16 percent. The line owns two ships and charters two others for services between western Africa and northern Europe as well as the Mediterranean.

World fleet in 1996

As of the end of 1996, the number of ships over 1,000 tons numbered 26,764, accounting for 717.61 million deadweight tons.

Dutch registry in 1996

Last year, 56 vessels joined the Dutch-registry. It now stands at 439 vessels, up from 3.38 million gross tons to 3.95 million gross tons. Many of the ships were newbuilding short-sea vessels up to 9,000-dwt.

South Korean-owned ships in 1996

At end of 1996, South Korean businesses owned 389 vessels of 11,529,000-gt, an increase of 16 ships and 9.4 percent in gross tonnage. By type, there were 83 dry cargo ships of 1,855,000-gt, up 64 percent; liquified natural gas carriers numbered four of 402,000-gt, up 34.9 percent; there were 108 containerships of 2,716,000-gt, up 32 percent; chemical tankers numbered 15 of 44,000-gt, an increase of 12.8 percent; ro/ros accounted for 20 ships of 861,000-gt, up 6.9 percent; and mineral carriers numbered 47 at 4,095,000 tons, a 5.8 percent increase. Oil tankers decreased 13.7 percent to nine of 1,186,000-gt and general cargo ships declined 4.4 percent to 48 of 132,000-gt. Log carriers dropped 4.4 percent to 11 of 68,000-gt.

India gives five percent cut for scrap ships

India will reduce customs duties by five percent on ships imported for scrapping.

PICC Property providing largest export credit guarantee in Shanghai history

PICC Property signed an agreement with Zhenhua Port Machinery Co. on 6 March to provide a U.S.$10.45 million export credit guarantee for five container cranes being sold to a Brazilian firm. It is the largest such guarantee ever written in Shanghai, China. The Brazilian firm will pay 15 percent now and the balance over eight years.

N.O.L. gets I.S.O. 9002

Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. has received I.S.O. 9002 certification by ABS Quality Evaluations Inc.

Trans-American consolidating in Houston

Trans-American Steamship Agency moved its headquarters to its existing Houston office on 1 March. The headquarters had been in Los Angeles.

Wan Hai announces new service, will also operate a service for A.P.L.

Wan Hai Lines ltd. will start a weekly container service between Japan, Malaysia and Singapore on 10 March. The Star Express II will have two sailings a week, with Kobe, Japan, to Singapore in eight days and Port Klang, Malaysia, in nine days. American President Lines Ltd. will begin a container service between Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore on 17 March. Calls at Malaysia will now be twice a week, calls at Hong Kong and Singapore will be three times a week and service to Japan will be five times weekly. Intra-Asia Express will be offered through a slot-chartering agreement with Wan Hai Lines. Wan Hai Lines will operate three containerships on a fixed-daily service. At 19 knots, eight-day service will be offered from Port Klang to Yokohama, Japan, or Kobe to Singapore. Kobe to Hong Kong and Hong Kong to Tokyo is four days.

CMBT-Unicorn restructuring

CMBT-Unicorn has announced it will restructure and form two separate marketing units under the control of the joint venture's members, CMB Transport S.A. and Unicorn Lines Pty. Ltd. One will operate as CMBT, the other as Quadrant Container Line. The first voyages affected are the Nahoon (9,742-dwt dry cargo ship built in 1992, operated by Sovcomflot) sailing 29 March from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and the CMB Kilimanjaro, sailing from Durban, South Africa, on 2 April.

Minsheng Kanbara starting Ningbo to Japan service

Minsheng Kanbara Shipping is starting a service between Ningbo, China, and Hachinohe and Hitachi in Japan via Shanghai, China. Starting in the middle of this month, the Youwa (Japanese-registry 5,935-dwt, 282-TEU capacity dry cargo vessel built in 1986, operated by Noma Kaiun K.K.) will call every 20 days.

Midland forms new firm for Mediterranean, Black Sea service

Midland Inc. announced 6 March it has formed Midland Liners to handle Midland container shipping in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. It will begin operating from Piraeus and Thessaloniki, Greece, and Taganrog, Russia, on 18 March. Each port will be called twice a month.

NMC Container Lines to operate Philippine service

NMC Container Lines Inc. has received permission from the Philippine government to operate a service between Cebu and Manila. The line has been granted one-month provisionary authority, until 22 March, pending certification of a certificate or public convenience. It will operate two vessels.

Maersk Line joins Good Hope Express

Maersk Line is adding a ship to the Good Hope Express, a service between the Far East, South Africa and the east coast of South America. With 12 ships, the service includes CSAV, Maersk, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Norsul Offshore S.A. and Quadrant Line.

United Arab Shipping switches terminals

United Arab Shipping Co. is now using the Global Terminal in Jersey City, N.J., for its America-Mediterranean-Asia Service. The Addiriyah (Saudi Arabian-registry 24,302-dwt containership built in 1979, owned and operated by United Arab Shipping) made the last call at the Maher Terminal, with import cargo on 24 Feb. and export cargo 5 March.

Ferry service between Albania and Italy suspended

On 3 March, the ferry service from Vlore, Albania, to Brindisi, Italy, was suspended. The worsening situation in Albania prompted the Italian government to take the action due to passenger and vessel safety as well as possibilities of a flood Albanian citizens leaving the country as refugees. Vlore, which has become somewhat autonomous from the rest of Albania, was bracing for an assault by the Albanian military. Residents of Vlore, with residents throughout Albania, staged anti-government protests due to the collapse of the "pyramid" schemes in the country, leaving many without money. Residents of Vlore stormed military and government buildings, and have essentially amassed a small army of captured weaponry. In Sarande, Albania, residents stormed the Albanian People's Navy facility. They are now in control of seven Huchuan-class Semi-Hydrofoil Torpedo Boats, vessels transferred in 1974 and 1975 by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.

D.F.D.S. shifts vessels on Harwich to Hamburg route

D.F.D.S. will place the Prince of Scandinavia (Danish-registry 22,000-gt, 3,335-dwt passenger vessel built in 1975) on its Harwich, England, to Hamburg, Germany, route on 6 May. It will replace the Hamburg (14,000-gt, 2,999-dwt passenger vessel built in 1976), which will be used between Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Newcastle, England.

PORTS AND TERMINALS

Major reclamation at Manila planned

The Philippine Ports Authority will reclaim 400 hectares/1,000 acres of land from Mabila Bay for 22 billion Philippine pesos/U.S.$850 million. It is part of a 25-year development plan. In the South Harbor, land will be expanded by 360 hectares/900 acres on Engineering Island. A container freight station, roads and other facilities will be built. At the Manila International Container Terminal, new container berths will be built and at North Harbor, there will be room for larger ships. As part of the plan, Asian Terminals Inc., which operates the South Harbor, will spend 667.6 million pesos/U.S.$24.5 million.

New South African port?

Plans have been announced to build a port to handle bulk cargoes at Coega at Port Elizabeth, South Africa. An industrial development zone would be build nearby. The project would cost 700 million South African rand/U.S.$152 million. It would handle ships up to 80,000-dwt and a feasability study will be completed in April. The impetus for the port are two new planned industries in the area. Gencor Ltd. plans to build a zinc refinery to handle 220,000 tons annually, and Kynoch plans to build a fertilizer plant. Both would cost a total of 2.3 billion rand/U.S.$520 million.

Paramaribo to be refurbished

The European Union has pledged U.S.$37.5 million to Suriname to be used over five years. Most of the grant will be used to refurbish the Port of Paramaribo.

Strike at Paranagua

Dockworkers at the Port of Paranagua, Brazil, began a 72-hour strike at 1200 5 March. Discussions failed. The workers are asking for a 21 percent wage increase retroactive to March 1996. The port agreed to the raise, but not making it retroactive. Paranagua handles 60 percent of Brazilian soybean exports, about 11 million tons annually. On 5 March, 317,000 tons of soybeans and 430,100 tons of soybean meal was stranded at the port.

Sri Lanka to form terminal operator, raise tariffs

Sri Lanka Ports Authority is planning to form a wholly-owned business to handle transshipment operations at Colombo. The limited liability firm would operate a container terminal and conventional berths. Imports would be duty-free and would be exempt from inland revenue and exchange. The authority is also planning to raise tariffs by 1 April. Navigation charges will increase 19 to 25 percent, and stevedoring charges will go up 10 percent.

Lockwood Greene to design terminal for PDVSA

Lockwood Greene will design a petrochemical export terminal for Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. to be built at Pequiven in Jose, Venezuela. The facility will handle 9.9 million metric tons of liquid and dry bulk chemicals annually and 1.6 million tons of containerized chemicals per year. There will be a container dock, two petrochemical berths and a bulk berth two kilometers/one mile offshore. A jetty will link it to shore.

Sea-Land to manage Xiamen berth

Sea-Land Service Inc. will manage a container berth in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, for Fairyoung Holdings Ltd. Sea-Land will shift some of its vessel calls in Xiamen to that berth. Operations will begin 11 March and Sea-Land will get part of any profits.

C.P. Ships adding two gantry cranes at Montreal

C.P. Ships will install two panamax gantry cranes at Montreal at a cost of Canadian$14 million/U.S.$10.25 million by the fourth quarter. They are being built by Liebherr Container Cranes. One will be installed at the Racine Terminal and the other will be used at the Cast Terminal.

Hutchison details cost of operating Balboa and Cristobal

Hutchison Port Holdings, which took over operation of the Panamanian ports of Balboa and Cristobal on 1 March, has detailed the costs involved. It will pay U.S.$22.2 million in annual rent to Panama. Hutchison will pay U.S.$10 million for existing equipment and Panama will get 10 percent of gross revenues as well as a non-contributory 10 percent holding in the firm, Panama Ports Co. Hutchison has a 25-year concession.

Four businesses unite to secure Indian port contract

The Kier Group and Shahi Shipping have joined in a bid to win a 2.4 billion Indian rupee/U.S.$67.6 million port project at Dighi, India. The port can handle up to four million tons of liquid cargoes annually. JVG Industries and Pidilite Industries would also be involved in Dighi Port Co., which would have a capital base of 600 million rupees and 1:1 debt-equity ratio. Shahi Shipping would bring 100 million rupees/U.S.$16.7 million, JVG 200 million/U.S.$5.58 million and Kier 60 million/U.S.$1.7 million. The rest will come from private placements and Pidilite Industries.

Mobil berth disabled

The berth at Mobil Corp.'s Coryton refinery in the United Kingdom has been removed from service, after a very large crude carrier was slammed into the berth in 40 knot winds.

Associated British Ports in agreement with Cunard

Associated British Ports and Cunard Line Ltd. have signed a three-year deal with allow call's by Cunard vessels at Southampton, England. It is effective until 2000.

Gdansk Shipyard to cease operations, most employees laid off

Gdansk Shipyard has effectively said it will cease operations, having announced 6 March that 3,600 employees will be dismissed. They will receive three months severance pay and other benefits, totaling U.S.$8.54 million. Some 200 employees will remain to protect U.S.$88 million in assets. The shipard, founded in 1947, is perhaps best known for a strike in 1980 that established the Solidarity trade union. Lech Walesa, a worker at the yard, became the country's president from 1990 to 1995. In August, the yard declared bankruptcy with U.S.$152 million. It was hoped to secure a U.S.$100 million loan to build five containerships for Heinrich Schoeller Holdings Ltd., but Bank Gdanski, leading a group of seven banks, decided not to make the loan. Another bank, Bank PeKaO, rejected a loan request 5 March.

Vietnam plans shipbuilding upgrade

The Vietnamese state shipbuilding firm is planning to spend U.S.$1 billion to upgrade shipbuilding and repair facilities in the country.

Daedong Shipbuilding taken over

Daedong Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. has effectively been taken over by Soo San Heavy Industries. Until now, Soo San's ship work has been limited to a small repair yard in China. It took over Daedong by buying a controling interest in Daedong's holding firm, Seyang Shipping Co. Ltd. Seyang Shipping recently declared bankruptcy.

Bath Iron Works announces expansion

General Dynamics Corp.'s Marine Division/Bath Iron Works announced 25 Feb. it is planning a U.S.$307 million expansion. Four hectares/10 acres will be added by filling in part of the Kennebec River. The project, which will cost U.S.$200 million, will enable three ships at a time to be worked on in the area by the end of 2001. The shipyard plans to add a floating drydock at the site, possibly making the drydock at Portland, Maine, redundant. Bath Iron Works wants Maine to form a port authority to own and finance the expansion by low-interest bonds. The shipyard would then lease it. Another U.S.$107 milllion will be spent by General Dynamics on other improvements over 10 years.

CARENA workers strike

Employees at Cie Abidjanaise de Reparations Navales in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, struck 5 March for higher wages.

Dispute at Subic Shipyard and Engineering settled

On 27 Feb., about 100 part-time contract workers walked out in a dispute over wages and benefits. About 90 percent returned 4 March after a settlement was reached. They threatened to leave if the daily wage of 143 Philippine pesos/U.S.$5.43 was not increased to 200 pesos/U.S.$7.60, and if the overtime rate of 150 percent was abolished.

Hanbo withdraws shipbuilding proposal

Hanbo Group announced 3 March it has withdrawn a plan to invest U.S.$1 billion in a shipbuilding venture in the Philippines. The Philippine Board of Investments was informed in early January. Hanbo, which recently collapsed with U.S.$5.8 billion in debts, is involved a loan scandal in South Korea.

Owners, insurers of the Calypso file suit

The Cousteau Society and eight insurers and underwriters of the society's Calypso have filed a lawsuit for compensation in Singapore. On 8 Jan., 1996, the Calypso, the 20-meter/66-foot converted Royal Navy minesweeper that was Jacques Cousteau's research vessel, sank in Singapore while in the custody of Kwong Soon Engineering Co. Pte. Ltd. The ship was to sail for the Yellow Sea in China, but was hit by a barge while at anchor. A writ of summons has been issued for two claims which alledge breach of contract, negligence and failing to provide care, custody and a safe berth for the Calypso. The insurers and underwriters are seeking a right to subrogation. The suit was filed last month by the group's Singapore representative, Joseph Tan Jude Benny and Scott. The Calypso was later raised and taken by ship to Marseilles, France, where the ship remains at present.

Hyundai to build four 300,000-dwt tankers

Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. announced 3 March it has won a U.S.$330 million order from Sea Tanker Corp. for four 300,000-dwt oil tankers. The first two will be delivered by the second half of 1998 with the rest the following year.

A.P. Moller buys largest floating drydock

A.P. Moller has purchased the largest floating drydock in the world from Lowaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft. It reportedly cost about 24 million Norwegian kroner/U.S.$3.5 million.

In a first, Norwegian owner orders fishing vessel from Chilean yard

Astilleros y Servicios Navales will build a 74.5-meter/244-foot purse seiner-trawler for DOF Shipping at is yard in Valdivia, Chile. It will have a capacity of 2,000 cubic meters/2,600 cubic yards and was designed by Vik and Sandvik. It is the first time a Norwegian firm has ordered a fishing vessel from a Chilean shipyard.

Aalborg Vaerft to refit Queen of Scandinavia

Aalborg Vaerft will refurbish the Queen of Scandinavia (Danish-registry 33,000-gt, 3,898-dwt passenger vessel built in 1981) for six weeks between early April and mid-May. The work will include refurbishing a restaurant and cabins and building a new night club. The vessel sails between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Oslo, Norway.

Canada rules neither it nor Romania can decide Maersk Dubai case

Justice Michael MacDonald ruled 6 March in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that six Taiwanese citizens accused of killing three stowaways at sea will not have to face trial in Romania. MacDonald said there was enough evidence to charge the six with manslaughter and second-degree homicide, but he said there was no authority to do so, as an extradition treaty with Romania only covers crimes committed in the two countries and not at sea. Romania will appeal and the six were freed. A request was made with the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal to take them back into custody pending the appeal, but it was denied. On 24 May, the Maersk Dubai (Taiwanese-registry 29,872-gt, 31,160-dwt, 2,138-TEU containership built in 1983, owned and operated by Yangming Marine Transport Corp.) arrived in Halifax. It had been chartered to Maersk since 1994. Eight Filipino crewmembers deserted, alledging that the master and officers subdued a Romanian stowaway on deck during the voyage. The crew said he was never seen again, inferring that he was forced overboard. They also said that on 12 March, the crew was forced to put two other Romanian stowaways on a raft made of oil drums 48 kilometers/30 miles off Spain. The crew said they had protected another Romanian stowaway, and he was later brought ashore. After an assault on the ship by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to take the crew into custody, legal proceedings began to determine what country would try the master, first mate, second mate, chief engineer, chief cook and radio officer. The ship sailed 4 June for New York with a replacement crew. The ship's carpenter, who was also arrested, was released in December. Romania requested extradition since the stowaways were Romanian citizens, but Taiwan said that since the ship carried its registry, it was a Taiwanese matter. Further complicating the issue was the fact that China, which regards Taiwan as a province, said it was a Chinese legal dispute. MacDonald said there was enough evidence to charge the master and four crew with second-degree homicide, and to charge the master and three officers with two counts of manslaughter, but that neither Canada nor Romania has jurisdiction. Taiwan has said it will prosecute if the six return to Taiwan.

Navigation season on the Canadian/U.S. Great Lakes opens

The 1997 navigation season on the Canadian/U.S. Great Lakes began 3 March when the David Z. Norton (U.S.-registry 10,344-gt, 19,786-dwt, 6,477-nt, 194-meter/635-foot self-unloading bulk carrier built in 1973, operated by Oglebay Norton Co.) left port to begin moving iron ore on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland. The 1996 season ended just 30 days before. Also, the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., will open 25 March.

U.S. Coast Guard searches for missing vessel in the Pacific

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching an area 240 kilometers/150 miles southwest of Oahu Island, Hawaii, for the Havana (24-meter/78-foot wooden fishing vessel). The Havana, with a crew of five, left Honolulu on 20 Feb. Two HC-130H Hercules aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point began the search after the wife of the vessel's master contacted the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service. She had attempted to call the Havana by radio since 24 Feb.

Two people fall overboard in San Francisco Bay

On 15 Feb., the Jack London Commodore (23-meter/76-foot dinner cruise vessel) reported that a passenger went overboard as the vessel entered San Francisco Bay from the Oakland Estuary. A security officer aboard jumped in to rescue the person. A Coast Guard HH-65A Dolphin helicopter and a 12-meter/41-foot utility boat, a Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel, the San Francisco Fire Department's vessel Phoenix and the Oakland Fire Deptartment's vessel Seawolf searched the area but did not locate them.

Vessel disabled off Florida, crewmember missing

On 19 Feb., the Sir Muscles radioed that it was disabled but saling at 1.5 knots in the Santaren Channel. A U.S. Coast Guard HU-25A Falcon located the vessel 64 kilometers/40 miles southeast of Key Largo, Fla. It has less than a day's supply of food and water, and the crew believed the engine would fail soon. As the Coast Guard "Island"-class Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Baranof (WPB 1318) arrived, the ship reported a crewmember overboard about 46 kilometers/29 miles southeast of Key Largo. The Sir Muscles, the cutter and an HH-60J Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater searched the area but did not find the man. The Sir Muscles later arrived in Miami.

U.S. Coast Guard airlifts apparent heart attack victim

A U.S. Coast Guard HH-60J Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., evacuated a crewmember from a fishing vessel 1 March, 26 kilometers/16 miles east of Chatham, Mass. Michael Pittman, 37, of Hampton, Va., apparently suffered a heart attack aboard the Trade Wind (U.S.-registry), homeported in Boston. The vessel sent a distress call at 1834, and the helicopter took Pittman to Barnstable Airport. After landing at 2045, he was taken by ambulance to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Mass. He is in stable condition.

Oil spilled at Odessa as pipeline breaks during loading

During loading of the Achenian Faich at the Port of Odessa, Ukraine, on 2 March, a pipeline broke and 20 tons of oil spilled. Four ships worked to contain the 80,000-square meter/864,000-square foot spill.

Illinois, Ohio River sections closed, restrictions at St. Louis...

On 27 Feb., several sections of the Illinois River were closed to vessel traffic. It was feared that wakes generated by vessel passages would further exacerbate heavy flooding in the area. The areas included 26 kilometers/16 miles from Peoria, Ill., to Henry; six kilometers/four miles around Banner; and 1.6 kilometers/1 mile near Liverpool. Restrictions are in place from La Salle to Grafton. Since the river empties into the Mississippi River, there is concern that other areas will be hit by high-water levels. Restrictions have been placed on tows around St. Louis until the level drops below eight meters/25 feet. Also due to flooding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed three locks on the Ohio River on 4 March. Vessel traffic stopped on 214 kilometers/134 miles of the river from Cincinnati to Louisville, Ky.

..German rivers closed as well

Shipping in Germany on the Moselle, Neckar and Saar rivers was suspended 26 Feb. due to high-water levels.

Vessel set adrift in Rhode Island

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating why someone set a 60-meter/200-foot vessel adrift from a Quonset Point dock in Rhode Island on 2 March. There was no one aboard.

Kuwait takes Iraqi Navy vessel into custody

Kuwait has filed a complaint with the Arab League, saying that an Iraqi Navy vessel violated its territorial waters. According to Kuwait, when a Kuwait Navy vessel approached to investigate a radar contact last week, the Iraqi vessel opened fire with a light machine gun. The vessel was reportedly seized and the crew arrested.

Large cocaine find in Miami, seizure in Venezuela

The U.S. Customs Service seized 1,460 kilograms/3,250 pounds of cocaine found in toilets on 3 March. A dog trained to sniff out drugs found the cocaine during an inspection at the Port of Miami aboard the Colombia (Cypriot-registry 15,989-dwt dry cargo ship built in 1984, operated by Transportacion Maritima Grancolombiana). One container held boxes with toilets with cocaine covered in oil hidden among them. The Venezuelan Civil Guard arrested 19 people on 2 March and confiscated 250 kilograms/550 pounds of cocaine destined for Puerto Rico. Using information provided the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, personnel raided a port facility at Puerto Cabello. The cocaine was found in the tires of a truck and aboard the Romana I (Panamanian-registry), which was to sail for Puerto Rico this weekend. The 19 included five customs personnel, the master of the Romana I and the 12 crew.

Crewmembers from passenger ship disappear in Tokyo

Some 27 Myanmar citizens who were crewmembers aboard the Superstar Capricorn (Singaporean-registry 28,078-gt passenger ship, operated by Star Cruise Sdn. Bhd.) disappeared 1 March in Tokyo. They had gone ashore on an authorized outing at 1100 but failed to return to the ship before it sailed for Yokohama 3 March. The crewmembers have temporary visas valid until 11 March. The Superstar Capricorn left Yokohama on 4 March. With only its 641 crew, the ship is sailing between Japanese ports to promote a new service from Taiwan to Okinawa, Japan. The Superstar Capricorn will return to Taiwan on 13 March.

Stowaway from the Nordoen escapes in Sweden

One of the eight stowaways aboard the Nordoen (Swedish-registry vessel owned by Bylock and Nordsjofrakt) has escaped. On 22 Jan., police handcuffed and restrained the stowaways at Karmoey, Norway. The ship arrived at Haugesund from Nador, Morocco, with 6,000 tons of iron ore. The eight stowaways requested asylum in Norway, stating they were from Algeria. An investigation showed they were from Morocco and when told that asylum was denied, some of the eight became violent. They were put in two cabins aboard the Nordoen under police guard. The master refused to sail with them aboard for fears they would become violent once at sea. Norway then provided five security personnel for the ship's voyage to Gothenburg, Sweden. Four began a hunger strike. After four days on the ship, Sweden took the eight into custody. During a fire at a police facility, one of the stowaways escaped. It is believed the fire was started by the stowaways. After spending February in Sweden, the Swedish government returned the seven others to Norway early last week.

U.S. Navy destroys mine off Florida

A Mk 6 mine was destroyed on 22 Feb. by the U.S. Navy about 74 kilometers/46 miles west-northwest of Key West, Fla. The sailing vessel Stephanie contacted the U.S. Coast Guard on 20 Feb. after an object was sighted in the water. Based on a description from the Stephanie, a UH-1N Iroquois helocopter from Naval Air Station Key West flew to the area and dropped a marker buoy. The next day, members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team 6 from Naval Base Mayport positively identified the object. It was anchored and the next day two divers placed a charge that destroyed it. The Mk 6 series, the first of which was used in World War I, was taken out of U.S. service in 1970.

Tankerman to appear before judge for gasoline spill

Stephen D. Morse, 24, has been taken off duty and will appear before a U.S. District Court administrative law judge on 19 March. On the morning of 5 Feb., about 99,000 liters/26,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline spilled into the harbor at South Portland, Maine, as a tank barge was being loaded at Gulf Oil Corp. Local firefighters sprayed the spill with water to disperse it. The BFT-39 (U.S.registry, 79 meters/260 feet long, owned by Boston Towing and Transport Co.) sailed the next day to Bucksport. Morse was the tankerman aboard the barge at the time, and was supposed to monitor floating gauges in the barge's 12 cargo tanks. According to an investigation, Morse left the barge during the transfer to take shelter in a tug due to the cold weather. When he returned 30 minutes later, gasoline was overflowing from the tanks. He has been charged with negligence. -- Steve Schultz - Whitefish Bay, Wis., U.S.A. - sschultz@execpc.com

"When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean's skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember, that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang" - Herman Melville from "Moby-Dick; or, The White Whale," Chapter 114, Paragraph two

Norwegian Cruise Line buys passenger ship, takes operation of another

Norwegian Cruise Line will buy the Royal Majesty (Panamanian-registry 32,000-gt, 2,700-dwt, 1,056-passenger capacity ship built in 1992) from Kvaerner A.S.A. and will operate the Crown Majesty (Panamanian-registry 800-passenger capacity ship built in 1993, formerly the Crown Dynasty). The latter ship is on charter to Cunard Line Ltd. by Silja Line. Norwegian Cruise Line will pay U.S.$110 million for the Royal Majesty, in addition to U.S.$80 million in stock in the parent company, NCL Cruises Ltd. The stock is 20 percent of the firm and NCL Cruises has a year to repurchase the shares at U.S.$71 million if it wants. In effect, Norwegian Cruise Line will buy 90 percent of the Kvaerner subsidiary that owns the Royal Majesty. It includes business already secured as well as the ability to call at Bermuda. The ship will be delivered in April. The Crown Majesty will likely be delivered in the fourth quarter of the year. Both ships were operated by Majesty Cruise Line Inc. The deals are contingent on securing financing.

Unicorn Tankers buys first ship

Unicorn Tankers, a subsidiary of Grindrod Unicorn, has bought the May Fair I (Panamanian-registry 13,947-dwt chemical tanker built in 1991) from NT Marine Co. It has been placed in the Botany Bay Parcel Tanker International pool. The ship will be the first such vessel to carry chemical cargoes to and from South Africa.

Shanghai Nonggongshang buys second vessel

Shanghai Nonggongshang has announced it has purchased its second vessel, the NGS No. 9. The firm was formed in China in 1995.

Midland buys another ferry

Midland Inc. will buy an 800-passenger capacity ferry for its Midland Steamship. It will be homeported at Piraeus, Greece, to transport passengers to Greek islands.

Containerships

Royal Nedlloyd N.V. has reportedly sold the Armada Trader (Dutch-registry 10,345-dwt, 900-TEU capacity containership built in 1990) to Wassenborg Shipping for U.S.$11.2m.

Tankers

The Torm Kristina (Danish-registry 41,766-gt, 77,788-dwt tanker built in 1986 by Samsung Shipbuildling and Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.) has been sold for U.S.$2.5 million to U.S.$26 million to Thenemaris. It has epoxy-coated cargo tanks and can carry International Maritime Organization Category II and III cargoes. There are 12 pumps for 10,320 tons per hour. The ship was operated by Torm Burwain Tankers and carried the names Nortank Queen and Stavik. The Valiant Express (Liberian-registry 29,998-dwt tanker built in 1986) has reportedly been sold to OMI Corp. for U.S.$18 million. It was operated by Thome Ship Management Pte. Ltd. The Plumeria (Panamanian-registry 25,574-gt, 38,620-dwt tanker built in 1982 by Onimichi Zosen at Onomichi, Japan) has been sold to Blystad Shipping Inc. and Bell Ships for U.S.$12.75 million to U.S.$13 million. It was operated by Orix Maritime Corp. and was built as the Orchid. It has three cargo pumps for moving 3,900 tons per hour. Medsea Shipping sold the Corus (Liberian-registry 132,650-dwt tanker built in 1989) and the Eurus (Liberian-registry 139,764-dwt tanker built in 1988) to Stecknes for U.S.$45 million. The transaction was made in November, but was only recently announced. The deal reportedly included the balance of a 10-year time-charter to Total S.A. worth U.S.$18,000 daily per ship. Both were operated by Euronav Luxembourg S.A.

Bulk carriers

The Maritime Nancy (Panamanian-registry 72,136-dwt bulk carrier built in 1990) has reportedly been sold to clients of Cerrahoglu for U.S.$19.3 million. The ship as operated by I.M.C. The Cemtex Yuan (36,303-gt, 66,865-dwt bulk carrier built in 1984 by China Shipbuilding Corp. at Keelung, Taiwan) went to clients of Mamaris for U.S.$11.5m. It was operated by U-Ming Marine Transport Corp. The Angel Feather (Panamanian-registry 42,248-dwt bulk carrier built in 1989) has been reported sold to a Japanese interest for U.S.$17m. The ship was operated by Nippon Yusen K.K.

Demolition

Hanjin Shipping Co. has sold two vessels for scrapping. The Hanjin Masan (25,411-dwt containership built in 1979) was reportedly sold on an "as is" basis in South Korea at U.S.$142 per light displacement ton. The Hanjin Tonghai (25,444-dwt containership built in 1979) has reportedly been sold for U.S.$145 per ldt for scrapping in India. Bergesen dy A/S has sold the Larina (178,750-dwt combindation carrier built in 1972) on an irrevocable letter of credit to Pakistan for U.S.$165 per ldt.

Fifty-nine missing and one dead as ship sinks in Indonesia

Fifty-nine Indonesian citizens are missing and one is dead after the Bintang Perkasa (Indonesian-registry passenger vessel owned by Jeffry) capsized and sank late 4 March after sailing from Surabaya, Indonesia. The sinking was 31 kilometers/19 miles off Masalembo Island. The vessel was carrying 70 passengers and 16 crew and 26 were rescued.

Five killed and four injured in ship fire at Shanghai

Five people were killed and four injured in a fire aboard the Miden Agan (Cypriot-registry 21,586-gt, 21,370-dwt containership built in 1982, operated by Uniship (Hellas) Shipping and Trading S.A.) at the Lifeng Shipyard in Shanghai, China, on 28 Feb. While electric welding equipment was being used on steel, an explosion occurred which started the fire. It took over 300 people and 28 pieces of firefighting equipment at least an hour and a half to contain the fire.

Three missing after collision sinks bulk carrier

The Kangson (Cambodian-registry 9,387-gt, 14,980-dwt bulk carrier built in 1970, owned and operated by Sea Wave Shipping) sank 28 Feb. at the mouth of the Yangtze River in China after colliding with the Meiguihai (Chinese-registry bulk carrier operated by COSCO Qingdao). Thirty-eight crewmembers from the Kangson were rescued and three are missing. The ship was carrying scrap steel to Shanghai. The Meiguihai was carrying ore from India.

Vessel fire in Wales kills one and injures four

One crewmember was killed and four others were injured in a fire aboard the Inishfree (Irish-registry) at Newport, Wales, early 21 Feb. Declan Byrne, 25, of Dublin, Ireland, was killed when a fire began in the ship's galley. Two crewmembers are in intensive care. Fifty firefighters extinguished the fire. The ship, with a crew of eight, was carrying 5,003 tons manganese ore from Boulogne, France, to Newport. On 19 Feb., the ship suffered a propulsion failure in the Bristol Channel. It got underway for Newport 20 Feb.

Philippine crewmember killed in passenger ship fire

An engine room fire aboard the Superstar Gemini (Panamanian-registry 19,089-gt, 1,800-dwt passenger ship built in 1992, owned and operated by Star Cruise Sdn. Bhd., formerly the Crown Jewel) killed a Philippine crewmember at 2300 28 Feb. The ship was 3.5 kilometers/2.2 miles west of Raffles Lighthouse, Singapore, sailing from Singapore to Malacca, Malaysia. After the fire was extinguished by the crew, the ship was towed to the Singapore World Trade Center where the 689 passengers and 471 crewmembers disembarked. The ship will be repaired by Sembawang Shipyard Pte. Ltd.

Ship loses power off Iceland and runs aground, one missing

The Vikartindur (German-registry 8,633-gt containership built in 1996) had an engine failure at 1200 5 March, 10 kilometers/six miles off southern Iceland in a storm. It was able to restart its main engine but at reduced power. The ship drifted towards land until its anchor took hold about 2.7 kilometers/1.7 miles off the coast. At 1900, the anchor broke and the vessel ran aground at 2100 at 63 degrees 43.9 minutes north, 20 degrees 52.4 minutes west. The Icelandic Coast Guard lead ship of the AEgir-class Fisheries-Protection Ship attempted to attach a towing line, but the ship was hit by heavy seas. One crewmember was lost overboard and is missing. Another suffered a broken leg. The 19 crewmembers of the Vikartindur were rescued by the Icelandic Coast Guard's AS 365 N Dauphin 2 helicopter. Vikartindur was sailing from Thorshavn to Reykjavik, Iceland, with 2,900 tons of cargo in containers.

Tanker grounding off Venezuela spills 20,000 barrels of oil

The Nissos Amorgos (Greek-registry 50,563-gt, 89,427-dwt tanker built in 1988, operated by Teekay Shipping Ltd.) ran aground late the night of 28 Feb. off western Venezuela and spilled at least 20,000 barrels of crude oil. A slick 12 kilometers/seven miles long formed in the Gulf of Venezuela near San Carlos Island from oil spilled from the No. 1 cargo tank. The slick came ashore on San Carlos and Zapara Island. The ship, carrying 474,000 barrels or 64,573 tons from Puerto Miranda, Venezuela, to Port de Gella, Italy, was towed closer to land and anchored 26 kilometers/16 miles off the Paraguana Peninsula. After transferring oil among its tanks, the ship sailed for Guaranao, Venezuela, to offload the oil and undergo an inspection. The ship was chartered by Maraven S.A., a subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., and was carrying the oil for Agip Petroil S.p.A.

Galapagos sinks south of Jamaica

The Galapagos radioed 20 Feb. it was taking on water with a 15 degree list about 312 kilometers/195 miles south of Jamaica. The tanker Tamal diverted to assist, and when the U.S. Coast Guard Hamilton-class High-Endurance Cutter U.S.C.G.C. Gallatin (WHEC 721) arrived, the ship had a 20 degree list with the starboard cargo deck underwater and seas breaking over the cargo hatches. The cutter rescued the nine crewmembers before the ship sank in 3,320 meters/10,900 feet of water.

Sapphire abandoned after fire

The Sapphire (Maltese-registry 1,391-gt, 2,226-dwt bulk carrier built in 1967, operated by Wealth Shipping Co. Ltd.) was abandoned 5 March at 38 degrees 04 minutes north, 05 degrees 14.5 minutes east. The location is in the Mediterranean north of Algeria. The ship, sailing from Italy to Malaga, Spain, had a fire that affected the engine and superstructure. The nine crewmembers were rescued by Arktis Carrier (Danish-registry 2,671-dwt dry cargo ship built in 1988, operated by Elite Shipping A/S).

Six rescued after fishing vessel catches fire off Hawaii

The 13-meter/44-foot fishing vessel Aerial suffered an electrical fire on 3 March, 0.8 kilometers/0.5 miles off Olowalu, Maui Island, Hawaii. A rigid-hull inflatable boat from U.S. Coast Guard Station Maui rescued the six people aboard. Two vessels in the area, the Kalana and the Navtec 2, assisted local firefighters in attempting to extinguish the fire. However, the Aerial later sank.

Three rescued from sinking vessel off Florida

The fishing vessel Judy III (U.S.-registry) sank 22 Feb. 75 kilometers/47 miles southwest of Marco Island, Fla., after an engine room fire. The three crewmembers boarded a liferaft and activated a 406 Mhz emergency position indicating radio beacon. A U.S. Coast Guard HH-60J Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, which was on a training mission, located the liferaft and took the three to Page Field at Fort Myers. The Coast Guard "Point"-class Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Point Jackson (WPB 82378) recovered the liferaft and the beacon.

All 107 passengers evacuated from grounded ferry

The Sea Wind (Swedish-registry 15,879-gt, 4,000-dwt ro/ro ferry built in 1972, owned and operated by Sea Wind Line) ran aground at 0600 5 March north of Vaxholm, Sweden. The grounding holed several bow tanks which filled with water and some oil spilled. All 107 passengers were evacuated. There is a crew of 30 on the ship, which was sailing from Turku, Finland, to Stockholm, Sweden.

Bulk carrier, caught by wind, collides with six tugs

The Bogasuri Dua (Indonesian-registry 20,495-gt, 33,747-dwt bulk carrier built in 1977, operated by Pacific Carriers Ltd.) collided with six tugs on 17 Feb. at Surabaya, Indonesia. The ship was getting underway to leave the port when strong winds pushed it into six tugs owned and operated by Tanjung Priok Sea Pilot. Five of the tugs, moored at a wharf, were slightly damaged. The other tug sank.

Isla Mindoro involved in separate collisions within two hours

Late 28 Feb., the Isla Mindoro (Philippine-registry 2,981-gt, 3,778-dwt dry cargo ship built in 1986, operated by Magsasay Lines Inc.) collided with a 497-ton vessel in Japan's Inland Sea. The latter ship was carrying gravel from Hyogo Prefecture and had a crew of six. Neither ship apparently sustained any damage. The Isla Mindoro has a crew of 25 Philippine citizens. Just after midnight 1 March, the Isla Mindoro was involved in another collision. Near Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, the Isla Mindoro hit the Chemi Link (Belize-registry 875-gt tanker) with a crew of nine South Korean citizens. No one was injured, but the Isla Mindoro was holed in four places along the hull, with some gashes as large as 50 centimeters/20 inches.

Tanker and bulk carrier collide off Yokohama

The Ocean Swallow (Japanese-registry 36,000-gt, 54,000-dwt tanker built in 1980, operated by Cosmo Oil Co. Ltd.), with a crew of 22, collided with the Taisho Maru (Japanese-registry 3,200-gt, 5,678-dwt bulk carrier built in 1987, operated by Taiyo Kisen), with a crew of 11, on 1 March about 2.8 kilometers/1.7 miles southeast of Yokohama, Japan. There were no injuries. While the tanker appears to be undamaged, there are conflicting reports as to any damage aboard the bulk carrier. The Taisho Maru was reportedly carrying cement.

H.M.Y. Brittania collides with replenishment vessel

H.M.Y. Brittania has been damaged in a collision with the R.F.A.S. Bayleaf (A 109), a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Appleleaf-class Transport Oiler. The collision occurred during an at sea replenishment in the Straits of Hormuz as the yacht sailed from Doha, Qatar, to Karachi, Pakistan. H.M.Y. Brittania moored at Karachi for inspection. Damage is reported to the starboard bow and stabilizers.

Tow with 20,000 barrels of oil runs aground in Florida

The Martin Pride, pushing tank barge MGM 403 loaded with 20,000 barrels of No. 6 oil, ran aground 19 Feb. while eastbound at Gulf Intracoastal Waterway mile marker 269, west of Panama City, Fla. The tow was refloated late 20 Feb. and sailed to Panama City.

V.L.C.C.'s steering damaged off Scotland

The Soro (Panamanian-registry 302,102-dwt tanker built in 1993, operated by World-Wide Shipping Agency (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.) was hit by a freak wave on 5 March while sailing to Canada with 283,793 tons of Norwegian crude oil. Its steering system was damaged.

Oregon damaged again while under tow to Seattle

The Oregon (U.S.-registry 121-meter/398-foot barge owned by Crowley Marine Services Inc.) has been damaged again. On 25 Jan., the barge, loaded with 12,500 tons of urea and 6,100 liters/1,600 gallons of diesel fuel, capsized in Cook Inlet, Alaska, after colliding with the Crowley Marine Services tug towing it from Unocal Corp. at Kikiski. The tug's hull holed the barge's ballast tank. The barge was sailing to Sacramento, Calif.. Oregon arrived at Homer, Alaska, on 26 Jan. where it was found the urea was lost in capsizing. On 11 Feb., the barge sailed for repairs in Seattle, but encountered 50 knot winds and six-meter/20-foot seas. The tow put into port at Whittier until the weather improved. Divers at Whittier found that half of the barge's cargo hold was gone and the rest was damaged. A front-end loader and a small forklift aboard also disappeared. The barge was worth U.S.$12 million.

Fire aboard the Bright Field

The Bright Field (Liberian-registry 36,120-gt, 68,200-dwt, 23,035-nt bulk carrier built in 1988, owned by Clearsky Shipping Co. and managed and operated by COSCO Hong Kong Shipping Co. Ltd.) had a fire aboard 19 Feb. while moored at Boland Marine in Violet, La. The fire in the forepeak storage area was likely caused by welding work. Local firefighters extinguished the blaze. On 14 Dec., the ship allided with the Riverwalk mall and hotel complex in New Orleans. At least 116 people were injured and 15 shops and 456 hotel rooms were destroyed as three floors of a building collapsed. The Bright Field was pulled free 6 Jan. and taken to Boland Marine.

In an item in the 28 Feb. World Maritime News, it was stated that the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class Guided-Missile Destroyers are built by Litton Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding Inc. and Newport News Shipbuilding Co. Ingalls Shipbuilding does build the ships, but Newport News Shipbuilding does not. At present, the class is built only by Ingalls Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Corp.'s Marine Division/Bath Iron Works. My apologies for the mistake.

Blackbeard's flagship found?

Marine archaeologists from a private company and the State of North Carolina believe they have found the Queen Anne's Revenge, which sank in June 1718 off Beaufort, N.C. The ship, a captured French merchant vessel with 40 guns, was the flagship of Edward Teach, better known as the pirate Blackbeard. On 3 March in Raleigh, the group announced the discovery, which was made in November. It is less than three kilometers/two miles off the coast in six meters/20 feet of water. Among the artifacts recovered is a 0.3-meter/1 foot tall bronze bell with the date 1709, a brass barrel from a blunderbuss, a 11-kilogram/24-pound cannonball and a lead sounding weight. Large anchors and many cannons are also around the wreck, with at least some wood structure observed. While positive identification has not been made, all signs point to Blackbeard's ship. The site will be excavated and any recovered objects displayed at a museum. The group has formed Maritime Research Institute, a private nonprofit corporation. It will coordinate research and recovery. The search was begun in 1986 by Philip Masters, who now heads Intersal Inc., which searches for historic shipwrecks. In early 1987, Masters found details of the loss of the ship in an appendix to a 1719 book about a pirate trial. Once the general area was known, a device to detect metal was towed underwater in a 20-square kilometer/eight-square mile area. After a large mass of metal was found, divers confirmed the site on 21 Nov. State archaeologists inspected the site the next day. Intersal expects to recoup U.S.$300,000 in rights and an area 300 meters/1,000 feet around the site was declared off-limits 3 March. From 1716 to 1718, Blackbeard operated from North Carolina (he shared the spoils with the governor) against ships along the east coast of North America and in the Carribean. He amassed a large fleet of captured vessels by terrorizing sea lanes. In May 1718, he blockaded Charleston, S.C., for a week. Afterwards, in June, his flagship ran aground on a sandbark entering Beaufort Inlet. The sloop Adventure also ran aground nearby trying to reach the Queen Anne's Revenge. While on Ocracoke Island off Cape Hatteras, he was killed by English troops from Virginia on 22 Nov., 1718. After he was beheaded, his head was hung from a bowsprit.