NSCSA Receives New Chemical Tanker NCC HUDA

The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia announces that its 80% owned subsidiary company The National Chemical Carriers Ltd. Co. (NCC) received on Friday, 15th April 2011 in Korea a new chemical tanker named “NCC HUDA” with DWT of 45,000 tons from SLS Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. of South Korea, as part of two vessels previously purchased by NCC from SLS on 21/12/2010 for a total price of approximately (SAR 322 Millions) for the two tankers. The vessel started her operation from 15/4/2011 and the financial impact of the delivered tanker on the company’s revenue will appear starting second quarter of the current financial year.

NCC has additional nine vessels under construction at SLS in South Korea costing (SAR 1,721 Millions) with deliveries expected during 2011/12, in addition to one large chemical tanker of 75,000 DWT, to be constructed at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. (DSME) of South Korea at the price of (SAR 247 Millions) for delivery during 2013.
Source: NSCSA

SCI signed contracts for acquisition of two resale Supramax bulk carriers

The  Shipping  Corporation  of  India  Ltd.  (SCI) has signed contracts for acquisition of two resale Supramax bulk carriers with M/s Grand Yard. Investments Ltd., China on 15th April, 2011.  These vessels have been acquired through a competitive global tendering process and SCI has selected the vessels of M/s Grand Yard Investments based on the technical suitability and commercial competitiveness.

These  vessels  are  presently  under  construction  at M/s Guoyu Shipyard, China which is under the same group of M/s Grand Yard Investments Ltd. The vessels are at an  advanced stage of construction and would be delivered to SCI within 4 months and 5 months of contract effectiveness respectively.

SCI  presently  has  17  bulk  carriers in its fleet out of which some of the Handymax bulk carriers would be due for phasing out shortly. The vessels contracted  now would enable SCI to partly replace some of these Handymax bulk carriers which have completed their economic life. SCI also has another 6 Handymax bulk carriers on order with STX Shipyard, China which will join the SCI fleet during the year 2011-12.

The  major  economies  of  the  world  are  on a revival path after the global slowdown. The fundamentals of Asian economies continue to be strong and outlook for dry bulk trade remains positive. SCI would be able to cater to this growing trade with the new vessels upon delivery. SCI also has further plans to augment its bulk carrier fleet by acquiring Panamax and Capesize bulk carriers in the near future.

SCI  has  embarked upon a major fleet acquisition plan and presently has 31 vessels of 20.22 million DWT on order. This includes all types of vessels, i.e.  crude oil carriers (VLCCs), dry bulk carriers, cellular container vessels and offshore supply vessels. Total investment for these projects would be over US $ 1.39 billion (about Rs. 6,200 Crores).
Source: SCI

West Maritime have become a part of the Design & Solutions business area

The engineers at West Maritime have become a part of the Design & Solutions business area at ULSTEIN, in connection with a strategic effort to strengthen the engineering area.

“Engineering is an important focus for Design & Solutions, as it ties together what we do in design with what we do in terms of delivery and integration of equipment packages”, says Tore Ulstein, COO for the business area.
West Maritime are engineering professionals, and ULSTEIN acquires the consultancy services in this company. Responsible for Engineering in Design &Solutions, Richard Schofield, comments that the purchase of the engineering operation at West Maritime is an integral part of their engineering strategy. “We are striving to build one of the best maritime engineering teams in the world. The individuals from West Maritime will add significant depth to our knowledge and capability and provide us with the platform to improve on the contracts we already have, and on future contracts.
Director Solutions, Roar Stenersen, explains that their company has had a long-lasting relationship with West Maritime:
“We have cooperated for long periods of time, as West Maritime employees have been hired staff to follow up on external engineering projects. They have worked closely with ULSTEIN, and know our products and our organisation.”
Svein Frode Eggesbø, chairman of the board at West Maritime, believes that the acquisition is a good solution for their company. “We share ULSTEIN´s beliefs in the future. The focus on the external engineering resources is the right choice for future strength, and I strongly believe in the organization that we are now developing”, says Eggesbø.
Engineering is important in all business areas at ULSTEIN. In addition to the engineering teams at Design & Solutions, there is a large engineering department in Shipbuilding, and engineering teams in Power&Control.
Source: West Maritime

GE Shipping sells its 3 VLCC's under construction

In March 2010, The Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd. (G E Shipping) had signed a contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries Ltd, (HHI) South Korea for the construction of

three Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) of 318,000 dwt each. These vessels were scheduled to be delivered between January and April 2012.

The Company has now entered into a contract to sell en bloc all three VLCC’s on order. These will be delivered to the new buyer immediately upon delivery from the yard.

With the exit of this contract, the Company’s current new building order comes down to 3 dry bulk carriers (1 Supramax and 2 Kamsarmaxes). 

Source: The Great Eastern Shipping Company

HHI RECEIVES ORDER OF A NEW ULTRA-DEEPWATER DRILLSHIP

A wholly owned subsidiary of Fred. Olsen Energy ASA has entered into a turnkey contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. for the building of a new ultra-deepwater drillship with scheduled  delivery in 3rd quarter 2013. Total project cost is estimated to USD 615 million (including spare parts, owner furnished equipment and project team). The contract includes an option from Hyundai for the purchase of a similar second drillship exercisable within October 2011. 

This DP drillship will be designed for water depth capacity up to 12,000 feet, have a seven ram BOP (Blow Out Preventer), dual activity capability, five mud pumps, a 165 ton capacity heave compensated crane, a maximum hook-load capacity of 1,250 tons and an accommodation module housing up to 210 people.
Source: Fred. Olsen Energy

EMAS to take delivery of one of Vietnam’s largest FPSOs from Keppel Shipyard

EMAS Production is set to take delivery of one of Vietnam's largest Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels from Keppel Shipyard Limited (Keppel Shipyard), on behalf of owner PV Keez Pte. Ltd (PV Keez).

To be managed and operated by EMAS Production, FPSO Lewek EMAS has been chartered by Premier Oil Vietnam Offshore B.V. for the development of the Chim Sáo field off southern Vietnam for six years, with a further option to extend the charter by another six years. The FPSO charter contract is one of only seven signed worldwide in 2009, and is worth approximately US$1 billion.

The project to convert the 168,000 dwt Suezmax tanker into an FPSO was awarded to Keppel Shipyard in December 2009. To date, Keppel Shipyard has achieved a good safety record of over 4.1 million incident-free man-hours for its conversion.

Speaking at the vessel's naming ceremony today, Mr Lionel Lee, Group Managing Director of EMAS said, "Lewek EMAS is our second FPSO project with Keppel Shipyard with whom we have established a win-win partnership. This FPSO underscores EMAS' ability to deliver a diverse range of customised marine and offshore support solutions, from design and engineering to maintenance and offshore installation. The addition of Lewek EMAS to our fleet propels EMAS Production to be one of Asia's leading FPSO operators."

Mr Nelson Yeo, Managing Director of Keppel Shipyard said, "Keppel Shipyard is pleased to support the conversion of Lewek EMAS. We provided a broad spectrum of FPSO conversion services on this project, including the engineering and fabrication of topsides modules.

"In spite of the tight schedule, the project teams for this conversion have worked hard to upkeep the highest standards of quality and safety of our people and workplace. The successful conversion of Lewek EMAS further enhances Keppel as the choice provider of reliable and value-added services."

Lewek EMAS is on track for delivery in the second quarter of 2011, and is expected to begin production in July this year.

A joint venture between Ezra Holdings Limited, PetroVietnam Transportation Corporation, EOC Limited and KSI Production Pte Ltd, PV Keez is the first overseas company to secure an offshore Vietnam loan in order to finance the FPSO's conversion.
Source: Keppel Shipyard

MHI Receives Order from PGS of Norway for 2 Ramform Vessels

Tokyo, April 15, 2011 - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has received an order for two vessels capable of three-dimensional (3D) seismic data acquisition for sea bottom resource exploration from Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (PGS), a leading company in marine seismic and reservoir data acquisition, processing and analysis/interpretation services in Norway. The contract, which was signed on April 14 in Oslo, also provides an option to PGS to order another two vessels in the future. Delivery of the two ships on order is slated to begin in the spring of 2013.

[Ramform W-class,  an offshore 3D seismic vessel of PGS]

The vessels ordered are the "Ramform W-class," the newest generation in the Ramform series featuring today's most advanced 3D seismic data acquisition/analysis capability. The 104 meter (m) long vessel has a very wide breadth of 70m. For quiet operation, the vessel adopts diesel electric for the main propulsion system. 

The Ramform W-class vessel employs multiple streamer cables, each several kilometers in length, towed from the vessel's stern. The cables contain a vibration sensor known as a "hydrophone" which detects echoes of sound waves emitted from sound sources and bounced back from the sea bottom and stratum boundaries. The detected echoes are used for 3D seismic analysis. The new Ramform vessels ordered by PGS have a 30m wider stern compared with existing vessels; this feature permits deployment of a greater number of streamer cables-up to 24 lines-enabling exploration of a wider area at one time.

In selecting a supplier for the two Ramform vessels, PGS solicited proposals from shipbuilders both in Norway and abroad. MHI is the leading company in Japan in building special ships-including various ocean exploration ships, training ships and cable-laying vessels. MHI believes its abundant experience and track record in this category and the company's diversified expertise and comprehensive technological capabilities accumulated through its long history in shipbuilding, plus the strength of the MHI brand, were highly acclaimed by PGS and contributed to the order.

PGS, which was established in 1991, currently owns and operates 16 offshore seismic vessels. The company has decided to introduce the newest-generation Ramforms in order to expand its fleet and further strengthen its competitiveness in the seismic industry.

MHI has instituted a policy to expand its business in ocean development field as part of a new strategy for its Shipbuilding & Ocean Development business segment. Gaining further momentum from the PGS order, going forward MHI will now further strengthen its aggressive activities to explore demand for special ships in Japan and other countries.
Source: MHI

Changxing Shipyard Repairs MV Atlantic Monterrey

 

MV Atlantic Monterrey started her new voyage from Changxing Shipyard along with whistle on 5th April. The vessel belongs to Singapore PCL company and she was a 25-year old bulk carrier. There were lots of problems existed in hatch covers especially No.2 hatch cover. The machinery workshop operation head Mr. Zhu Jianhua found that the hatch cover wheel centre excursion after his inspection with the working team. He immediately started to re-positioning the wheel centre and renew the rubber gasket from No.1 to No.4 hatch covers. The adjusting job was difficult due to the hatch coaming steel renewal job and the chain wheel renewal. The yard management and machinery workshop managers paid high attention to this job and yard’s GM, Mr. Zhang lingen, came on board to supervise the working procedure. They finished the hatch cover adjusting job and passed the hatch cover hose test only in a short span of four days. The machinery workshop working team positively responded the requirement “ Strive for the famous brand and ensure the high-level quality” from the yard leaders.
Source: CSGCIC

Christening and Launching for New Vessel Held at Barkmeijer Shipyard

After christening and name giving by Miss Deborah Danser, m.v. Marietje Deborah was launched at Barkmeijer Shipyards in Stroobos on April 14th. The Marietje Deborah is the third in a series of four 1A ice-classed nozzle fitted 8300 tons vessels Barkmeijer is building for the Danser-Van Gent family in Delfzijl.

Principal particulars: length overall 126,20 m., width 15,20 m., moulded depth 9,50 m., container capacity 305 TEU of which 125 on deck, main engine: 3060 kW B&W MAN-diesel.

The expected delivery of m.v. Marietje Deborah will be mid July.

 ©photos Wilto Eekhof and Henk Zuur
Source: WAGENBORG

Japanese Ship Orders Doubled in FY2010

Japanese export ship orders made a strong recovery in fiscal 2010, which ended on March 31, after sinking at their fastest pace in 17 years in the previous fiscal year.
[Read More]
Source: Journal of Commerce

Hyundai Mipo to benefit from increased small-ship scrapping

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, the world's fifth largest shipbuilder will benefit from increased small-ship scrapping, a South Korean brokerage said Thursday.
[Read More]
Source: Xinhua

Korea regains top shipbuilding spot

Korea recaptured its status as the world’s leading shipbuilding nation by new orders in the first quarter by securing more deals for large, value-added vessels than China, a government report showed yesterday.
[Read More]
Source: Korea JoongAng Daily

RasGas’ ship “Simaisma” first to enter N-KOM’s new dry dock in Ras Laffan

N-KOM’s (Nakilat-Keppel Offshore Marine) new state-of-the-art dry dock at Ras Laffan Port has received its first ship - the RasGas’ chartered LNG Vessel, Simaisma. This historic event marks a newphase for the RasGas fleet and RasGas’ drive to ensure the security and reliability of LNG supply.

RasGas chartered vessel, Simaisma, with its 23-strong crew, Captain Ilias-Chrysovaladis Kattidenios and Technical Director Mr Andreas Spertos of Maran Gas Maritime were greeted by Mr Tom Mc Hale, RasGas’ Acting Managing Director and his wife Mrs Sinead Mc Hale who is the ship’s sponsor. Together, they jointly presented a gift to Captain Ilias-Chrysovaladis Kattidenios in commemoration of this first dry docking at the new facilities.

Tom Mc Hale stated: “This is an important milestone for RasGas, our shipping operations and the country, placing Qatar at the forefront of not only regional, but global port development and the shipping industry.”

RasGas' chartered LNG fleet is an integral part of the company's LNG supply chain and strategically, one of the most important links to ensure secure and reliable delivery of LNG to RasGas' global customer bases. These LNG ships are specifically designed to handle the low temperature of LNG, as the safe transportation of the liquefied gas is essential. The RasGas fleet contains Conventional, Q-Flex and Q-Max Vessels that are double-hulled to provide a double barrier for cargo protection, making RasGas’ LNG Vessels some of the safest and most advanced on the seas.

To ensure the highest standards in safety, the RasGas fleet of 27 vessels demands regular maintenance and has, until recently, required periodic dry docking abroad asQatar did not have the necessary facilities. The completion of N-KOM’s new facility inRas Laffan Port reduces the need for docking in foreign ports for maintenance and repair – further underlining RasGas’ position as a secure and reliable supplier of LNG with a sustainable model that ensures the integrity of their supply chain.

“RasGas aims to provide fast, secure and cost-efficient shipping solutions to its clients. The new dry dock at N-KOM facilitates this and is another first for Qatar” added Mc Hale.

N-KOM Dry Dock was completed in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the docking of RasGas’ Simaisma represents the first in a number of phases that will see this dry docking facility grow into one of the largest in the world, providing maintenance and repair services for vessels in various industries as well as ship building facilities.
Source: RASGAS

OSX Brasil Receives Order for Three New FPSO Units from OGX

OSX has received from its client OGX Petróleo e Gás (“OGX”) an order for 3 (three) new FPSO units (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading), to be chartered for 20 years by OGX, according to the strategic cooperation contract existing between the two companies, to serve the oil and gas production program of OGX.

As a result, OSX’s firm order book has nearly doubled its value, increasing from US$ 2.5 billion to US$ 4.8 billion approximately.

The 3 new FPSOs of OSX will follow the “Flex” concept, already applied for FPSO OSX-2, which allows the processing of different types of oil, reaffirming OSX’s technological capacity for designing integrated solutions for the offshore industry.

“The confirmation of this order for 3 additional FPSOs nearly doubles the value of our current order book and materializes our expectations for OSX´s business plan. It is another demonstration of the success of the exploratory campaign of our client OGX, and of the excellent perspectives for oil production in Brazil.”, said Luiz Eduardo Carneiro, OSX´s CEO.
Source: OSX

NAUTILUS FORMS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND SECURES VESSEL

Nautilus Minerals Inc.'s plan to open a new frontier of seafloor resource production has taken a major step forward, with the formation of a strategic partnership with German shipping company Harren & Partner.

A joint venture company is to be formed to own and operate a production support vessel which will serve as the operational base for Nautilus to produce high-grade copper and gold ore at its first development project, Solwara 1, in the Bismarck Sea of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The vessel will be the floating platform for the mobilization and remote operation of production machinery operating on the seafloor at water depths of approximately 1,600 metres. The seafloor production tools will cut and gather ore which will be pumped in slurry form to the production support vessel, where it will be processed through a dewatering plant before transfer to barges for transport and subsequent treatment.

Under the terms of the strategic partnership, Harren will design and construct the vessel at a cost of approximately 127 million euros ($167-million (U.S.)), with delivery scheduled for the first half of 2013.

On delivery, the vessel will be sold to the vessel JV in which Harren will hold a 50.01-per-cent interest. The remaining 49.99 per cent of the vessel JV will be controlled by Nautilus through a holding company in which the PNG government owns a 5-per-cent stake through its wholly owned company Petromin PNG Holdings Ltd.

The vessel JV will charter the vessel to the mining joint venture, in which Nautilus holds a 70-per-cent stake and Petromin holds a 30-per-cent stake, to carry out its seafloor production operations, for a period of eight years, at an average daily rate of $70,000 (U.S.). Harren will provide crewing, logistics and ship management services to the vessel JV which will be on charge at a daily rate of $10,000 (U.S.) to the mining JV. The mining JV will provide a charterer's guarantee to the vessel JV for an initial value of $10-million (U.S.) reducing over a five-year period to $2.5-million (U.S.).

Financing for the vessel JV will include approximately 75 million euros ($99-million (U.S.)) in bank debt to be procured by Harren, which also will contribute 16 million euros ($21-million (U.S.)) in equity and loans. Nautilus will contribute approximately 32 million euros ($42-million (U.S.)) in equity and loans, and Petromin will contribute the remaining four million euros ($5-million (U.S.)).

"This transaction is a major step forward in the development of the seafloor resources industry," said Nautilus chief executive officer Stephen Rogers.

"Through this joint venture with Harren, we will secure a state-of-the-art vessel to operate on this groundbreaking project. This will ensure that we have the best available equipment and the greatest operational efficiency and flexibility in bringing Solwara 1 into production.

"It brings to the project the extensive shipping expertise and experience of Harren, which operates a fleet of 56 vessels around the world. In addition, an important aspect of the transaction is that it provides access to bank funding through the joint venture vehicle, enhancing capital flexibility for the project," he said.

Harren chairman, Peter Harren, said the company was very familiar with international strategic partnerships, which have been a foundation of its business during its 20 years of operation. "During the course of our negotiations with Nautilus, we have built a strong relationship and believe that working together we can make a major contribution to this exciting project in Papua New Guinea," he said.

Harren has completed preliminary design for the vessel, a multipurpose dry cargo ship classed by Germanischer Lloyd. It has a length of 208 metres, beam of 40 metres, a deadweight capacity of approximately 18,800 tonnes and a speed of 17 knots.

The vessel will house generator sets producing 30 megawatts of power for the vessel, seafloor production tools and associated pumping machinery, and will have on-board accomodation for up to 160 people, including 30 maritime crew. The vessel is to be built at a German shipyard.

In addition to the production support vessel, the other major pieces of equipment to be built prior to the start of operations include:

1. The seafloor production tools. Three remotely operated machines -- an auxiliary cutter, a bulk cutter and a collecting machine -- are in the final stages of design by United Kingdom company Soil Machine Dynamics. The design of these machines is based on technologies that are tried and proven in the oil and gas, trenching, marine dredging, and mining industries. Key contracts are now in place for cutting heads, tracks, and the launch and recovery system.
2. The riser and lifting system, which pumps the slurry from the seafloor to the production support vessel. The design, being carried out by a United States subsidiary of French group Technip, is close to finalization with component testing now under way.

These items of equipment are scheduled for delivery in early 2013 and will be wholly owned by the mining JV.

Total capital cost estimates to complete the offshore production system for the Solwara 1 project have been reviewed in light of the Harren transaction. The total capital cost for the extraction of ore from the seafloor and delivery to the port of Rabaul is now estimated to be approximately $407-million (U.S.). The $167-million (U.S.) cost of the production support vessel is treated as a capital cost of the vessel JV and not as part of the capital cost of the Solwara 1 project.

In conjunction with entering into the Harren transaction Nautilus has decided to charter, rather than purchase, ore transport barges, resulting in an associated reduction of capital costs for these items to the project capital cost estimate and an associated addition to project operating costs of barge charter costs.

This has resulted in Nautilus's estimated vessel charter costs (including both the support vessel and the barges) increasing by 33 per cent above the respective cost estimates used in the cost study. Charter costs represented 34 per cent of the total estimated operating costs per tonne under the cost study. Nautilus will indirectly recover certain of these costs in the form of charter party fees through its interest in the vessel JV. There have been no changes to the basic equipment configurations outlined in the cost study, and the anticipated daily production rate remains at an average 3,710 tonnes (1.35 million tonnes per year) excluding site initiation and shutdown.

These changes to costs have been compiled under the supervision of Nautilus minerals project manager -- offshore, Michael Howitt. Mr. Howitt is a qualified chartered engineer and a member of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (MIMarEST). Mr. Howitt has reviewed and approved the disclosure regarding costs contained in this news release.

Conditions precedent

Completion of the Harren transaction is conditional on Harren securing a debt financing package for the vessel JV, and the project sanction by the Nautilus board of directors.

The Nautilus board has approved the revised Solwara 1 project plan, together with the cost information relating to the project, and is aiming to provide full sanction of the project upon securing appropriate financing.

Harren & Partner

Harren & Partner, based in Bremen, Germany, has been in operation for more than 20 years. The company was formed in 1989 by Captain Peter Harren, and now operates 56 vessels of between 4,000 and 70,000 deadweight tonnes including tankers, container feeder vessels, bulk and heavy lift carriers and dock ships.

The company provides comprehensive ship management services including fleet management, ship building project management, ship inspection, crewing, purchasing of new and second-hand tonnage, ship maintenance and repair, safety management, registration, finance, and insurance.

The company employs 145 staff on shore, has 1,800 regular crew members, and has successfully managed more than 20 ship funds -- all with positive rates of return.

Source: Nautilus Minerals

Deltamarin Signs with Chinese Shipyard for Design of 4 Handymax Bulk Carriers

Deltamarin has signed an agreement with the Chinese Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. for the design of 4 Handymax Bulk Carriers to be built for the French shipowners Louis Dreyfus Armateurs. Deltamarin will take care of the Basic and Detail design of the vessels as well as Technical Procurement handling and will also have a site team to take the design to production. This is the first order for the B.delta37 standard bulk carriers, which have evoked the interest of the market with their improved cubic capacity and especially the extremely low fuel consumption compared to other available designs.

The overall vessel length will be below 180 m and the beam 30 m. The service speed at design draught is 14.0 knots. The deadweight is about 40,000 metric tonnes at scantling draught. The vessels will have 5 cargo holds and can take 50,000 m3 of cargo. Deltamarin has focused on fuel efficiency, sustainability and safety during the concept development process, while simultaneously focusing on the cost efficiency of the concept. E.g. the model tested daily fuel oil consumption at design draft is only 18t including 15% seamargin and annual output of CO2 is estimated to be reduced by 5,000 tonnes compared to existing vessels of same size range. The design of the vessels ordered by Louis Dreyfus Armatreurs group has been customised to fulfill group's high standards and includes special features for log transportation.

Deltamarin has made a breakthrough in the bulk carrier market within 12 months with 15 newbuildings already signed of Panamax, Lakers and B.delta37 types. All of the vessels have been extensively tested at the HSVA Model basin in Hamburg. Well-known owners are convinced of Deltamarin’s performance based on consistent model test results.

Derivative designs of B.delta series (37 and 64) are currently already being built at Nantong Mingde Heavy Industry (Laker Bulk Carriers and Self Unloaders) and Chengxi Shipyard (Panamax Self Unloaders). There are serious discussions ongoing with several ship owners for continuation of the B.delta37 series as well as for the B.delta64 bulk carriers. The lower fuel and  operating costs and added cargo capacity are very much of interest to ship owners, whereas the lower light ship weight resulting in less required steel and the optimized hull form benefit the shipyards.

The value of the contractual design work for the Bulk Carriers is approximately 35 man-years. The work will be carried out at Deltamarin’s offices in Europe and China and utilizing the partner network.

Source: Deltamarin

S. Korea’s Big 3 Shipbuilders Move into Upswing Phase

So-called ‘Big 3’ shipbuilders in South Korea, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), announced that they achieved greater orders in the first quarter (Q1) this year than they did in Q1 2007 when the shipbuilding industry was at its peak time.
[Read More]
Source: mk News

STRATEGIC MARINE AWARDED MALAYSIAN CREW BOAT CONTRACT

Strategic Marine has secured a contract with JCB Oil & Gas Services Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian company involved in providing services to the expanding oil and gas sector in the country. Under the contract JCB Oil & Gas will purchase two 40 metre Crew Boats (with a further option for two additional vessels). The vessels will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2011 at Strategic Marine's Singapore shipyard.

The Australian owned Shipbuilding company is no stranger to the Malaysian market. With the sale of vessels, Hull 337 and 345, pushing Strategic Marine's total boats supplied into the Malaysian marine sector to twenty-eight.

Strategic Marine currently has one remaining Crew Boat for sale, however, negotiations are well underway with numerous clients to purchase this along with potentially several additional vessels. "We do not anticipate this vessel to be available much longer, the market interest is extremely promising and we hope to finalise a deal in a matter of weeks", stated Terry O'Connor.

Strategic Marine is currently contracted for more than 250 vessels at its yards in Australia, Vietnam, Mexico and Singapore.
Source: Strategic Marine

Vinashin gradually stabilizes production and business

Some members of the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group Vinashin have recovered from the economic crisis and stabilised their production and business to create more jobs and ensure workers’ incomes.

On April 9, Vinashin’s Party Committee held its second Party Congress for the 2011-2015 term in the presence of politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung, who is also head of the Steering Committee for restructuring the Vinashin group.

Deputy Secretary of the group’s Party Committee Nguyen Quang Khai briefed Mr Hung on his organisation’s production and business management and the implementation of the project since September, 2010 to restructure Vinashin and enhance Party building.

Last year, Vinahsin produced 54 ships worth US$577 million, including 28 for export and 36 for domestic ship owners. So far, the group has finalised personnel restructuring, revised management methods at the mother company, and established 15 functional committees and appointed key leaders.

For the 2011-2015 term, the Vinashin Group’s Party Committee elected 33 members of the Executive Board which will be headed by Nguyen Ngoc Su.
Source: Vietnam net

Damen announces “Twin Axe” axe-bow cat

Damen is currently finalising its first “Twin Axe” catamaran, which was designed to support offshore wind farms.
Although the axe-bow concept was developed some five years ago, the Twin Axe offers a more stable platform within its 24-metre loadline.
Compared to conventional catamarans with the same displacement, Damen claims the new concept offers reduced peak accelerations of up to 75 percent, reduced calm water resistance up to 15 percent and reduced added resistance in waves up to 60 percent.
To date Damen has delivered 25 Sea Axe monohulls and 22 are under construction.
The first High Speed Support Vessel 2610 (HSSV 2610) will be introduced in June. In May, the vessel will be subject to a test programme to verify the actual performance against the predictions and model tests.
Source: Damen