Apache Restarting Gas Output as Cyclone Floods Chevron LNG Site

Apache Corp. will start its gas plant at Varanus Island today after production was halted by a tropical cyclone that also flooded the site of Chevron Corp.’s Gorgon project off Western Australia.
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Source: Bloomberg

Indian authorities blamed German freighter for the sinking of fregate INS Vindhyagiri

The "Nordlake" has been placed under civil arrest by the Bombay high court and on Feb 23 was directed not to leave the Indian waters. The vessel had caused damage of approximately Rs 1,000 crore to the fregate "Vindhyagiri" and was accused to have disregarded traffic management system and basic safety norms. Instead of proceeding on the starboard side, it proceeded towards the port, which caused the collision. Representatives of the Sea Consortium Shipping (India) Private Limited — the agent of MV NordLake, informed the court that the ship should be exempted for discharging the perishable cargo, at JNPT.
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Source: Maritime Bulletin

Floating Oil Platform is Held Firm by Back-Up Lines Made with Dyneema®

Ropes made with Dyneema®, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), are being successfully used to secure rigs, Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs), Buoyant Turret Mooring (BTM) systems and similar constructions in the offshore oil and gas industry. Users are finding them invaluable when original equipment steel wire rope (SWR) and chains that secure mooring legs break or suffer damage. The back-up lines made with Dyneema® are installed as a safety feature until regular maintenance can be carried out.
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Source: Your Oil & Gas News

Japanese shipyards recover with 300pc more orders in January

Ship orders for Japanese yards have more than tripled in January year on year and with gains of 218.5 per cent averaged over 14 consecutive months to 1.5 million gross tons, according to the Japan Ship Exporters Association.

This is an increase over the December's 162.1 per cent increase in orders, reports Newark's Journal of Commerce, adding that in January, Japanese shipbuilders received orders for 28 export ships - 25 bulkers and three oil tankers.

From April to December 31, Japanese export ship orders came to 10.9 million gross tons, up 116.2 per cent from the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Shipbuilders' Association of Japan chairman Takao Motoyama was cautious despite the good news. "If the strength of the yen continues, Japan will lag behind South Korea and China in terms of price competitiveness," he said.
Source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Noway. Kongsberg Maritime: eBird Seismic Streamer Control System nominated for prestigious Design Award

Unique 'diving bird' technology highlighted for design innovation
Kongsberg Seatex's 'eBird' Seismic Streamer Control System has been nominated for the prestigious Honours Award for Deisgn Excellence by the Norwegian Design Council (NDC). Kongsberg Seatex, Kongsberg Maritime's specialist in position reference systems, and attitude determination, is one of four companies to be nominated, with the winner to be announced during the Norwegian Design Day on Wednesday 16th March, 2011.
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Source: BYMNews

70,000 Seafarer Jobs Seen in Coming Years

Filipino seafarers will find greater opportunity as tens of thousands of seafarer jobs will be available in the next few years.
Stein Eriksen, managing director of the Norwegian Training Center-Manila of the Norwegian Ship Owners Association, said more quality seafarers would be needed as the global economy starts to recover from the financial crisis that crippled businesses in 2008.
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Source: PINOY-OFW.COM

No ban on Filipino seafarers on ships sailing Gulf of Aden

The Philippine government will be not ban the deployment of seafarers on board ships that will navigate the Gulf of Aden and other pirate infested areas.
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Source: Manila Bulletin

ROC suspends Cliff Head production offshore Western Australia

ROC advises that production from the Cliff Head oil field, offshore Western Australia, in which its subsidiary, Roc Oil (WA) Pty Ltd, holds a 37.5 percent participating interest, has been temporarily suspended since February 17, following advice from BP that it had identified organic chloride in Cliff Head crude delivered to the BP refinery on February 15. ROC understands that the organic chloride may have been related to batch chemical treatments being undertaken as part of the current Cliff Head 12 well workover.
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Source: Penn Energy

Seaspan Seeks 10 New 10,000-TEU Ships

Container shipowner Seaspan said it is negotiating to order up to 10 new ships that would carry up to 10,000 20-foot equivalent units each and have “an innovative design that focuses on improving loadability and fuel efficiency.”
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Source: Journal of Commerce

Navios Maritime Holdings Receives 2011 Panama Maritime Excellence Award From Panama Maritime Authority

Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., a global, vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company, announced yesterday it has received the 2011 Panama Maritime Excellence Award from the Panama Maritime Authority.
The PMA's highest award was presented to Navios Holdings Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Angeliki Frangou at the Panama Maritime Authority Gala held in Panama City, Panama on Monday, February 14.
"On behalf of Navios, I am deeply honored to accept the Panama Maritime Authority's distinguished 2011 Excellence Award," said Angeliki Frangou, Chairman and CEO of Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc. "I am proud of our outstanding team at Navios, who work very hard every day to meet the unique challenges of the global shipping and logistics industry."
The Panama Maritime Excellence Award is the highest award given by the Panama Maritime Conference to the entity or person who has made the most positive impact on the maritime international community during recent years. Criteria for selection was based on matters relating to enrollments, ship financing, innovation in the shipping sector, contributions to sustainable development in the shipping sector and quality and security.
Navios Holdings has extensive experience performing complex freight movements and bulk cargo logistics around the world, and in providing innovative solutions for customers' special requirements. It is a leader and innovator in seaborne risk management and shipping advisory services, and a strong financial partner with a secure asset base.
Source: Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.