.. Jalbum 8.6 UK Shipping News and things of general maritime interest slides/Ship+Photo+Wilhelmina[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 At a hearing on Friday 27th August at Folkestone Magistrates Court, the owner/skipper of a UK Registered fishing trawler was prosecuted following an incident in the Traffic Separation Scheme off Texel, Netherlands on the 9th January 2009. On the morning of 9th January 2009 the Netherlands Coastguard observed on radar an unidentified vessel steaming the wrong way down the northbound lane of the Off Texel Traffic Separation Scheme. About 40 minutes later the vessel was observed by the Netherlands Coastguard passing within one cable of a northbound vessel. An aircraft operated by the Netherlands Coastguard was sent to identify the vessel which it did as the UK registered fishing vessel Wilhelmina (LT60). The Wilhelmina was fishing at the time of the incident. The incident was initially investigated by the North Sea Unit of the Netherlands Water Police. Investigations showed that the incident occurred in International Waters and the matter was therefore reported to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for further investigation. The owner/skipper of the Wilhelmina, Rense Johannes de Boer of Urk in the Netherlands was fined £3,500 plus £3,752.20 costs. In summing up the Magistrates stated: You changed direction in a designated shipping lane for 4.5 miles, in direct contravention of Rule 10(b) I. No action was made to alert the local authorities or other ships of that manoeuvre. You are an experienced seafarer. Your early plea of guilty was taken into account Mr. David Fenner, Principal Fishing Vessel Surveyor for the Eastern Region of the MCA said. Mr de Boer could have fished quite legally within the lane had he proceeded in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane. By failing to do so he placed himself, his vessel and crew and other users of the Traffic Separation Scheme at risk. At a hearing on Friday 27th August at Folkestone Magistrates Court, the owner/skipper of a UK Registered fishing trawler was prosecuted following an incident in the Traffic Separation Scheme off Texel, Netherlands on the 9th January 2009. On the morning of 9th January 2009 the Netherlands Coastguard observed on radar an unidentified vessel steaming the wrong way down the northbound lane of the Off Texel Traffic Separation Scheme. About 40 minutes later the vessel was observed by the Netherlands Coastguard passing within one cable of a northbound vessel. An aircraft operated by the Netherlands Coastguard was sent to identify the vessel which it did as the UK registered fishing vessel Wilhelmina (LT60). The Wilhelmina was fishing at the time of the incident. The incident was initially investigated by the North Sea Unit of the Netherlands Water Police. Investigations showed that the incident occurred in International Waters and the matter was therefore reported to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for further investigation. The owner/skipper of the Wilhelmina, Rense Johannes de Boer of Urk in the Netherlands was fined £3,500 plus £3,752.20 costs. In summing up the Magistrates stated: You changed direction in a designated shipping lane for 4.5 miles, in direct contravention of Rule 10(b) I. No action was made to alert the local authorities or other ships of that manoeuvre. You are an experienced seafarer. Your early plea of guilty was taken into account Mr. David Fenner, Principal Fishing Vessel Surveyor for the Eastern Region of the MCA said. Mr de Boer could have fished quite legally within the lane had he proceeded in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane. By failing to do so he placed himself, his vessel and crew and other users of the Traffic Separation Scheme at risk. slides/Ship+Photo+Wilhelmina[1].jpg slides/Ship+Photo+MANXMAN[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 British Turbine Steam Ship Manxman is reportedly soon to be demolished. Shw was launched from the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, February 8, 1955 and was the last vessel in her class of six similar ships ordered by the Isle of Man Steam Packet. Her sisters were all scrapped from 1974 onward. She remains laid up in Sunderland but with the threat of being scrapped very soon. British Turbine Steam Ship Manxman is reportedly soon to be demolished. Shw was launched from the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, February 8, 1955 and was the last vessel in her class of six similar ships ordered by the Isle of Man Steam Packet. Her sisters were all scrapped from 1974 onward. She remains laid up in Sunderland but with the threat of being scrapped very soon. slides/Ship+Photo+MANXMAN[1].jpg slides/Regina_MAersk.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 A.P. Moeller-Maersk, the world's largest container shipping company, was back in the black in the first half of 2010, according to its interim report out Wednesday. Net profit for the six-month period was 2.5 billion dollars, compared to a loss of 0.5 billion dollars in the same period of 2009. Revenues were up 20 per cent, "primarily as a result of higher freight rates and volumes for the group's container shipping activities as well as higher oil prices," the company said in a statement. The Danish company also operates in the energy, logistics, retail and manufacturing sectors. It employs some 115,000 people in 130 countries. The size of its shipping business means Maersk's performance is watched closely by analysts as an indication of trends in world trade. A.P. Moeller-Maersk, the world's largest container shipping company, was back in the black in the first half of 2010, according to its interim report out Wednesday. Net profit for the six-month period was 2.5 billion dollars, compared to a loss of 0.5 billion dollars in the same period of 2009. Revenues were up 20 per cent, "primarily as a result of higher freight rates and volumes for the group's container shipping activities as well as higher oil prices," the company said in a statement. The Danish company also operates in the energy, logistics, retail and manufacturing sectors. It employs some 115,000 people in 130 countries. The size of its shipping business means Maersk's performance is watched closely by analysts as an indication of trends in world trade. slides/Regina_MAersk.jpg New Cruise Ships on Order - Cruises - Cruise Critic.url# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 New cruise ships on order New cruise ships on order ../res/link.gif slides/Ship+Photo+AIDAdiva[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Carnival Corporation has ordered the seventh new ship for its German-based AIDA Cruises subsidy in the past six years. The 71,300 gt cruise ship will carry 2.192 passengers and will be constructed by the Meyer-Werft yard in Papenburg, Germany. The line’s goal is to have 10 “club” ships by 2013. The new vessel, due in 2013, will follow the 2010 built AIDABLU, the AIDASOL (which enters service next April) and another as-yet-unnamed sister in 2012. Carnival Corporation has ordered the seventh new ship for its German-based AIDA Cruises subsidy in the past six years. The 71,300 gt cruise ship will carry 2.192 passengers and will be constructed by the Meyer-Werft yard in Papenburg, Germany. The line’s goal is to have 10 “club” ships by 2013. The new vessel, due in 2013, will follow the 2010 built AIDABLU, the AIDASOL (which enters service next April) and another as-yet-unnamed sister in 2012. slides/Ship+Photo+AIDAdiva[1].jpg slides/suez canal38765.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The Suez Canal authorities in Egypt have announced that daily incomes have been rising since the return to better conditions following the global economic crisis in 2008. The global recession affected the canal’s revenues, which dropped last year. On 13th Aug, the canal authorities took $18.7 million from 65 ships going through the passage which connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The canal is one of Egypt’s most important sources of income and is currently undergoing some construction work, after which the water depth will be increased to more than 62 feet for ships carrying heavy loads. The Suez Canal authorities in Egypt have announced that daily incomes have been rising since the return to better conditions following the global economic crisis in 2008. The global recession affected the canal’s revenues, which dropped last year. On 13th Aug, the canal authorities took $18.7 million from 65 ships going through the passage which connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The canal is one of Egypt’s most important sources of income and is currently undergoing some construction work, after which the water depth will be increased to more than 62 feet for ships carrying heavy loads. slides/suez canal38765.jpg slides/Cardiff Docks during coal strike1.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 At its peak, in the early 20th century, Cardiff was the busiest port in the world by tonnage. In the years leading up to the First World War, more than 10 million tonnes of coal was exported annually through its docks. In 1907, Cardiff’s Coal Exchange was the first host to a business deal for a million pounds sterling. After a period of decline, Cardiff’s port has started to grow again – handling more than three million tonnes of cargo in 2007. At its peak, in the early 20th century, Cardiff was the busiest port in the world by tonnage. In the years leading up to the First World War, more than 10 million tonnes of coal was exported annually through its docks. In 1907, Cardiff’s Coal Exchange was the first host to a business deal for a million pounds sterling. After a period of decline, Cardiff’s port has started to grow again – handling more than three million tonnes of cargo in 2007. slides/Cardiff Docks during coal strike1.jpg slides/752px-Liberty_ship_at_sea[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Apart from the preserved vessels the last two liberty ships have finally been broken up. Apart from the preserved vessels the last two liberty ships have finally been broken up. slides/752px-Liberty_ship_at_sea[1].jpg slides/21642250_ec6cfd73bb_b[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Poole Harbour Commissioners have drawn up a £20M long-term development plan, including a cruise ship mooring system. Poole Harbour Commissioners have drawn up a £20M long-term development plan, including a cruise ship mooring system. slides/21642250_ec6cfd73bb_b[1].jpg slides/Lincoln Castle-05.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Not quite sure of the latest state of play but it looks like the paddle steamer Lincoln Castle will go the same way as the Ryde. Not quite sure of the latest state of play but it looks like the paddle steamer Lincoln Castle will go the same way as the Ryde. slides/Lincoln Castle-05.jpg slides/simulation_large[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Infrastructure (BBI) has signed an agreement with Canadian investors that would see PD Ports sold for a nominal A$1.00 (US$0.90). The deal would see Brookfield Asset Management and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners jointly sponsor a comprehensive restructuring recapitalisation of embattled BBI and take direct control of PD Ports, owner of the port of Teesport in the UK. PD Ports wants to press ahead with the development of its proposed £330m, 1.5m teu Northern Gateway container terminal project, which has already been pushed back. Infrastructure (BBI) has signed an agreement with Canadian investors that would see PD Ports sold for a nominal A$1.00 (US$0.90). The deal would see Brookfield Asset Management and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners jointly sponsor a comprehensive restructuring recapitalisation of embattled BBI and take direct control of PD Ports, owner of the port of Teesport in the UK. PD Ports wants to press ahead with the development of its proposed £330m, 1.5m teu Northern Gateway container terminal project, which has already been pushed back. slides/simulation_large[1].jpg slides/2603437480069727321PLqUNP_fs[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Dover Strait ferry operators have criticised Dover Harbour Board (DHB) over privatisation plans. Norfolkline, SeaFrance and P&O hit out DHB’s consolations with them over plans to privatise the port, describing them as a “meaningless waste of time”, according to Interferry News. DHB announced plans to privatise in January, while in March the three operators criticised DHB for misleading them over the reasons behind hikes in port charges over the last three years and plans to increase charges by 33%, compared to 2009, by 2012. The operators believe the funds are being used for DHB’s pension fund deficit to smooth the path to privatisation Helen Deeble, CEO of P&O Ferries, has written to UK Shipping Minister Mike Penning advising him that the talks with DHB are over. She also said that in lieu of any kind of appeals process, P&O Ferries intends to lodge a pricing complaint. Dover Strait ferry operators have criticised Dover Harbour Board (DHB) over privatisation plans. Norfolkline, SeaFrance and P&O hit out DHB’s consolations with them over plans to privatise the port, describing them as a “meaningless waste of time”, according to Interferry News. DHB announced plans to privatise in January, while in March the three operators criticised DHB for misleading them over the reasons behind hikes in port charges over the last three years and plans to increase charges by 33%, compared to 2009, by 2012. The operators believe the funds are being used for DHB’s pension fund deficit to smooth the path to privatisation Helen Deeble, CEO of P&O Ferries, has written to UK Shipping Minister Mike Penning advising him that the talks with DHB are over. She also said that in lieu of any kind of appeals process, P&O Ferries intends to lodge a pricing complaint. slides/2603437480069727321PLqUNP_fs[1].jpg slides/Zhen Hua 25 - P5085606.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The Zhen Hua 2 in the Medway with Felixstowe Gantry Cranes onboard. The Zhen Hua 2 in the Medway with Felixstowe Gantry Cranes onboard. slides/Zhen Hua 25 - P5085606.JPG newcruiseships3265.pdf# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 New Cruise Ships New Cruise Ships ../res/pdf.gif slides/Fleet___DNI_-_HTTP_____FJ[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The bow sections of one of the UK’s two new aircraft carriers, Queen Elizabeth, are now completed and ready to set sail from Babcock’s Appledore shipyard in Devon. They will make a six day journey by barge to Rosyth in Scotland, where the ships will be assembled. Shipyards throughout the UK are contributing their skills to the project – Glasgow, Rosyth, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Devon and Birkenhead – as well as a further 100 contracts throughout the supply chain. The bow sections of one of the UK’s two new aircraft carriers, Queen Elizabeth, are now completed and ready to set sail from Babcock’s Appledore shipyard in Devon. They will make a six day journey by barge to Rosyth in Scotland, where the ships will be assembled. Shipyards throughout the UK are contributing their skills to the project – Glasgow, Rosyth, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Devon and Birkenhead – as well as a further 100 contracts throughout the supply chain. slides/Fleet___DNI_-_HTTP_____FJ[1].jpg slides/8116[2].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully has redelivered the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), to the U.S. Navy. The redelivery follows the completion of an Extended Drydock Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA). The project is the ship's last dry docking before deactivation. She is the second oldest vessel still in commission in the United States Navy after the wooden-hulled, three-masted frigate USS Constitution. As the oldest carrier in the fleet, she was originally scheduled for decommissioning some time in 2014–2015 depending on the life of her current reactors and completion of her replacement, the USS Gerald R. Ford however, with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, Enterprise is now set to retire in 2013 with 51 years of continuous service, the longest for any aircraft carrier in the history of the U.S. Navy. Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully has redelivered the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), to the U.S. Navy. The redelivery follows the completion of an Extended Drydock Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA). The project is the ship's last dry docking before deactivation. She is the second oldest vessel still in commission in the United States Navy after the wooden-hulled, three-masted frigate USS Constitution. As the oldest carrier in the fleet, she was originally scheduled for decommissioning some time in 2014–2015 depending on the life of her current reactors and completion of her replacement, the USS Gerald R. Ford however, with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, Enterprise is now set to retire in 2013 with 51 years of continuous service, the longest for any aircraft carrier in the history of the U.S. Navy. slides/8116[2].jpg slides/Fleet___DNI_-_HTTP_____FJ_____2[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The bow sections of one of the UK’s two new aircraft carriers, Queen Elizabeth, are now completed and ready and have left from Babcock’s Appledore shipyard in Devon. They will make a six day journey by barge to Rosyth in Scotland, where the ships will be assembled. Shipyards throughout the UK are contributing their skills to the project – Glasgow, Rosyth, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Devon and Birkenhead – as well as a further 100 contracts throughout the supply chain. The bow sections of one of the UK’s two new aircraft carriers, Queen Elizabeth, are now completed and ready and have left from Babcock’s Appledore shipyard in Devon. They will make a six day journey by barge to Rosyth in Scotland, where the ships will be assembled. Shipyards throughout the UK are contributing their skills to the project – Glasgow, Rosyth, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Devon and Birkenhead – as well as a further 100 contracts throughout the supply chain. slides/Fleet___DNI_-_HTTP_____FJ_____2[1].jpg slides/No Picturenews28.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 slides/No Picturenews28.jpg slides/image_preview[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Plans for a £500m deep sea container terminal at Avonmouth Dock near Bristol have been approved by the government. The terminal will be built partly on land reclaimed from the River Severn and will enable Bristol to take some of the world's biggest container ships. Bristol Port Company wanted the extra facility because large vessels could not pass through the narrow lock entrances at the existing docks. More than 1,200 new jobs could be created as a result of the development. Plans for a £500m deep sea container terminal at Avonmouth Dock near Bristol have been approved by the government. The terminal will be built partly on land reclaimed from the River Severn and will enable Bristol to take some of the world's biggest container ships. Bristol Port Company wanted the extra facility because large vessels could not pass through the narrow lock entrances at the existing docks. More than 1,200 new jobs could be created as a result of the development. slides/image_preview[1].jpg slides/pjhq-northwood-bunker.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 A national control centre to help protect the UK's interests at sea has been set up by the government. The National Maritime Information Centre will target terrorism and other crime, and respond to disasters. Security Minister Lord West said piracy off the Horn of Africa and the seaborne Mumbai terror attacks of November 2008 highlighted the need for such a centre. The facility is based at the national military control centre at Northwood in north-west London. Lord West said the maritime base would allow government agencies and departments to share information about activity at sea more efficiently, which would protect UK interests at home and abroad. Sharing information would help officials to identify and counter potential threats to the UK at an earlier stage, he added. Threats identified by ministers include terrorism and other criminal activity. The centre will also assist the co-ordination of more rapid responses to accidental or environmental disasters at sea. Lord West said globalisation and mass movement of goods across the world meant criminality at sea could affect the UK's national interest. He highlighted drugs trafficking in the Caribbean and piracy in Africa as examples where crime continued to destabilise states and regions. The harm could be felt in local communities in the UK through the smuggling of drugs, arms and people, he added. A national control centre to help protect the UK's interests at sea has been set up by the government. The National Maritime Information Centre will target terrorism and other crime, and respond to disasters. Security Minister Lord West said piracy off the Horn of Africa and the seaborne Mumbai terror attacks of November 2008 highlighted the need for such a centre. The facility is based at the national military control centre at Northwood in north-west London. Lord West said the maritime base would allow government agencies and departments to share information about activity at sea more efficiently, which would protect UK interests at home and abroad. Sharing information would help officials to identify and counter potential threats to the UK at an earlier stage, he added. Threats identified by ministers include terrorism and other criminal activity. The centre will also assist the co-ordination of more rapid responses to accidental or environmental disasters at sea. Lord West said globalisation and mass movement of goods across the world meant criminality at sea could affect the UK's national interest. He highlighted drugs trafficking in the Caribbean and piracy in Africa as examples where crime continued to destabilise states and regions. The harm could be felt in local communities in the UK through the smuggling of drugs, arms and people, he added. slides/pjhq-northwood-bunker.jpg slides/pa259-2080512100142939[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The first phase of the Felixstowe South Reconfiguration (FSR) is almost complete, apart from the land-side works, and all the various dredgers, hopper barges, survey vessels and ancillary craft have now left the port. The expansion of the UK’s largest container terminal, which started midway through 2008, has included reclamation of 28 hectares of land including the original dock basin and some of the harbour, gaining an additional 730m of quay wall, to be equipped eventually with 13 new quayside cranes and 50 rubber tyred gantry cranes. Rail connections have also been improved, with a new terminal, tracks and sidings and rail mounted cranes. The reclaimed land has swallowed up the old Dooley and Landguard terminals and has involved demolition of the tank farm, oil jetty, and various port buildings. A sheltered tug berth is being created in the angle between the old and the new quays. Dredging took well over a year, re-aligning the main shipping channel and creating a 16m deep berthing pocket alongside the new quay to accept two more ultra large container ships. The first phase of the Felixstowe South Reconfiguration (FSR) is almost complete, apart from the land-side works, and all the various dredgers, hopper barges, survey vessels and ancillary craft have now left the port. The expansion of the UK’s largest container terminal, which started midway through 2008, has included reclamation of 28 hectares of land including the original dock basin and some of the harbour, gaining an additional 730m of quay wall, to be equipped eventually with 13 new quayside cranes and 50 rubber tyred gantry cranes. Rail connections have also been improved, with a new terminal, tracks and sidings and rail mounted cranes. The reclaimed land has swallowed up the old Dooley and Landguard terminals and has involved demolition of the tank farm, oil jetty, and various port buildings. A sheltered tug berth is being created in the angle between the old and the new quays. Dredging took well over a year, re-aligning the main shipping channel and creating a 16m deep berthing pocket alongside the new quay to accept two more ultra large container ships. slides/pa259-2080512100142939[1].jpg slides/CMYK_London_Gateway_port[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Construction on the £1.5bn London Gateway port scheme starts in earnest today 16th March, with dredgers readying the Thames for the world’s largest container ships. Laing O’Rourke and Dredging International are pressing ahead with the project, which when completed will be able to receive 3.5 million containers a year. Carillion started doing early works on the scheme, which was launched in 2008, to reconstruct 26 ha of coastal mudflats which are being lost through construction of the port. The Essex site will be raised by three metres and the wharf, extending up to 600 metres into the estuary, will be built on reclaimed land. A separate logistics park, originally planned to be 9.5 million sq ft in size, is set to be built under a separate construction contract. Construction on the £1.5bn London Gateway port scheme starts in earnest today 16th March, with dredgers readying the Thames for the world’s largest container ships. Laing O’Rourke and Dredging International are pressing ahead with the project, which when completed will be able to receive 3.5 million containers a year. Carillion started doing early works on the scheme, which was launched in 2008, to reconstruct 26 ha of coastal mudflats which are being lost through construction of the port. The Essex site will be raised by three metres and the wharf, extending up to 600 metres into the estuary, will be built on reclaimed land. A separate logistics park, originally planned to be 9.5 million sq ft in size, is set to be built under a separate construction contract. slides/CMYK_London_Gateway_port[1].jpg newcruiseships.pdf# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 ../res/pdf.gif Louis Majesty.flv# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Two passengers aboard a cruise ship were killed when 26-foot waves crashed into the Louis Majesty on 3rd March off northeast Spain, officials said. Fourteen others were injured. The Greece-based Louis Cruise Lines ship was in the Mediterranean north of Barcelona when it was hit by three "abnormal" waves, each about 26 feet (9 meters) high, cruise line spokesman Michael Maratheftis said. As a result, five windows in public areas -- on the forward part, or bow, of the 14-deck ship -- were smashed, and two male passengers -- a German and an Italian -- were killed, he said. Fourteen others were treated aboard the ship for light injuries but were hospitalized as a precaution when the ship returned to Barcelona on Wednesday night, Maratheftis said. Spain's state news agency reported that two of the passengers had serious injuries, including a 62-year-old woman with fractures in both legs. Maratheftis would not provide specifics, but said there were no life-threatening injuries to the 14 wounded passengers. Two passengers aboard a cruise ship were killed when 26-foot waves crashed into the Louis Majesty on 3rd March off northeast Spain, officials said. Fourteen others were injured. The Greece-based Louis Cruise Lines ship was in the Mediterranean north of Barcelona when it was hit by three "abnormal" waves, each about 26 feet (9 meters) high, cruise line spokesman Michael Maratheftis said. As a result, five windows in public areas -- on the forward part, or bow, of the 14-deck ship -- were smashed, and two male passengers -- a German and an Italian -- were killed, he said. Fourteen others were treated aboard the ship for light injuries but were hospitalized as a precaution when the ship returned to Barcelona on Wednesday night, Maratheftis said. Spain's state news agency reported that two of the passengers had serious injuries, including a 62-year-old woman with fractures in both legs. Maratheftis would not provide specifics, but said there were no life-threatening injuries to the 14 wounded passengers. ../res/movie.gif slides/A-submarine-002[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 One of the last male bastions in the US military is about to fall. The navy this week moved to lift a ban on women serving on submarines. The decision comes after more than a decade in which opponents argued it would be too difficult to have women crew members, citing lack of privacy on submarines, where living quarters are cramped and "hot-bunking" is commonplace. They raised concern about sexual tensions with crews stuck in a confined space often for months at a time. Others argued it would be too costly to provide separate showers, toilets and living quarters. The navy has more than 50,000 women in the 330,500-strong service, but although they have been able to serve on warships since 1993 they have been banned from submarines, including the 71 nuclear-powered vessels. The only remaining area in the navy from which women will be barred is the Seals. In Britain, women are not allowed to serve on Royal Navy submarines because of health concerns. An MoD spokesman said: "There is an ongoing review into the roles female personnel are excluded from, which will be completed this year." One of the last male bastions in the US military is about to fall. The navy this week moved to lift a ban on women serving on submarines. The decision comes after more than a decade in which opponents argued it would be too difficult to have women crew members, citing lack of privacy on submarines, where living quarters are cramped and "hot-bunking" is commonplace. They raised concern about sexual tensions with crews stuck in a confined space often for months at a time. Others argued it would be too costly to provide separate showers, toilets and living quarters. The navy has more than 50,000 women in the 330,500-strong service, but although they have been able to serve on warships since 1993 they have been banned from submarines, including the 71 nuclear-powered vessels. The only remaining area in the navy from which women will be barred is the Seals. In Britain, women are not allowed to serve on Royal Navy submarines because of health concerns. An MoD spokesman said: "There is an ongoing review into the roles female personnel are excluded from, which will be completed this year." slides/A-submarine-002[1].jpg slides/Ship+Photo+HMS+York+F98[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 slides/Ship+Photo+HMS+York+F98[1].jpg slides/19153_342874448222_137330428222_4582555_4749639_n[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Queen Victoria was illuminated in pink while berthed at Sydney's Circular Quay. Queen Victoria was bathed in vibrant pink light from dusk to support Australia's National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), which officially launched its 2010 fundraising target of $17 million at an event onboard. Pink lights illuminated the entire ship, providing the ideal setting for the event. Queen Victoria was illuminated in pink while berthed at Sydney's Circular Quay. Queen Victoria was bathed in vibrant pink light from dusk to support Australia's National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), which officially launched its 2010 fundraising target of $17 million at an event onboard. Pink lights illuminated the entire ship, providing the ideal setting for the event. slides/19153_342874448222_137330428222_4582555_4749639_n[1].jpg slides/londongatewayport2[2].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Although aspects of the project are still subject to review, dredging work for the London Gateway prot project is to get under way next month, according to the dredging contractor who will be responsible for the project, DEME. A joint venture of Laing O’Rourke Infrastructure Limited – Dredging International NV (part of the DEME Group) won the contract for the construction of the port on the river Thames in the UK in 2008, but the future of the project has under review ever since. The client for the massive project, DP World, has decided to proceed with the construction of essential infrastructure for the planned port, even though the main civil works, including the quay wall construction and related work has been deferred. The project is located at the former Shell Haven installation about 25 miles downstream of the City of London. Assuming that the entire project goes ahead, the work is due to be completed in a period of 54 months from the start of dredging, that is, by end 2014. Although aspects of the project are still subject to review, dredging work for the London Gateway prot project is to get under way next month, according to the dredging contractor who will be responsible for the project, DEME. A joint venture of Laing O’Rourke Infrastructure Limited – Dredging International NV (part of the DEME Group) won the contract for the construction of the port on the river Thames in the UK in 2008, but the future of the project has under review ever since. The client for the massive project, DP World, has decided to proceed with the construction of essential infrastructure for the planned port, even though the main civil works, including the quay wall construction and related work has been deferred. The project is located at the former Shell Haven installation about 25 miles downstream of the City of London. Assuming that the entire project goes ahead, the work is due to be completed in a period of 54 months from the start of dredging, that is, by end 2014. slides/londongatewayport2[2].jpg slides/Ship+Photos+NORMAN+SPIRIT[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 LD Lines and Transeuropa Ferries have announced a commercial agreement to launch a freight and passenger service between Ramsgate and Ostend. It is due to start next month, and will initially involve one ferry, LD Lines' Norman Spirit which currently operates between Dover and Boulogne. The ship will be renamed Ostend Spirit. It will operate two return sailings a day, with a crossing time of four hours. The ship is expected to replace one of the current Transeuropa Ferries' fleet later in 2010. Another ferry, the former Brave Merchant, will replace the Norman Spirit on the Dover-Boulogne route. Starting between March 15 and 30, the two companies will co-operate on commercial aspects of the route. LD Lines will take a lead in the development of the tourist passenger business while Transeuropa Ferries will continue to build its focus on freight traffic and ship operations. LD Lines and Transeuropa Ferries have announced a commercial agreement to launch a freight and passenger service between Ramsgate and Ostend. It is due to start next month, and will initially involve one ferry, LD Lines' Norman Spirit which currently operates between Dover and Boulogne. The ship will be renamed Ostend Spirit. It will operate two return sailings a day, with a crossing time of four hours. The ship is expected to replace one of the current Transeuropa Ferries' fleet later in 2010. Another ferry, the former Brave Merchant, will replace the Norman Spirit on the Dover-Boulogne route. Starting between March 15 and 30, the two companies will co-operate on commercial aspects of the route. LD Lines will take a lead in the development of the tourist passenger business while Transeuropa Ferries will continue to build its focus on freight traffic and ship operations. slides/Ship+Photos+NORMAN+SPIRIT[1].jpg slides/Queen Elizabeth33ff 2.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The QE2 cruise liner could be sold off as its Dubai owner looks to ease its debt mountain, it has been reported. State-backed investment firm Dubai World plans to sell a raft of assets - including the luxury liner - owned by its private equity arm Istithmar, according to the Sunday Times. Dubai World is laden with debts of £14 billion and sent shockwaves through global markets last November when it asked to delay repayments to around 100 banks while it attempted to tackle its finances. Istithmar bought the QE2 from Cunard in 2007 for 100 million US dollars (£64 million) amid plans at the time to transform it into a luxury floating hotel. The liner, which was launched by the Queen in September 1967, was the longest-serving ship in Cunard's 168-year history. It crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers. Other trophy assets on the block could also include the Canadian circus group Cirque du Soleil. Advisers to Dubai World led by accountancy firm Deloitte are expected to present the plans for asset sales to creditors led by banks Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group in the coming months, the report said. Alongside Istithmar's assets, Dubai World's interests range from Scotland's historic Turnberry golf course to a series of UK ports through its acquisition of P&O in 2006. The company also owns Nakheel, which is behind Dubai's lavish Palm man-made island developments - although the expansion was fuelled by cheap debt and the emirate has since run into trouble. In December Dubai received a £6 billion handout from oil-rich neighbour Abu Dhabi to help meet its obligations while it secures its financial future. The QE2 cruise liner could be sold off as its Dubai owner looks to ease its debt mountain, it has been reported. State-backed investment firm Dubai World plans to sell a raft of assets - including the luxury liner - owned by its private equity arm Istithmar, according to the Sunday Times. Dubai World is laden with debts of £14 billion and sent shockwaves through global markets last November when it asked to delay repayments to around 100 banks while it attempted to tackle its finances. Istithmar bought the QE2 from Cunard in 2007 for 100 million US dollars (£64 million) amid plans at the time to transform it into a luxury floating hotel. The liner, which was launched by the Queen in September 1967, was the longest-serving ship in Cunard's 168-year history. It crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers. Other trophy assets on the block could also include the Canadian circus group Cirque du Soleil. Advisers to Dubai World led by accountancy firm Deloitte are expected to present the plans for asset sales to creditors led by banks Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group in the coming months, the report said. Alongside Istithmar's assets, Dubai World's interests range from Scotland's historic Turnberry golf course to a series of UK ports through its acquisition of P&O in 2006. The company also owns Nakheel, which is behind Dubai's lavish Palm man-made island developments - although the expansion was fuelled by cheap debt and the emirate has since run into trouble. In December Dubai received a £6 billion handout from oil-rich neighbour Abu Dhabi to help meet its obligations while it secures its financial future. slides/Queen Elizabeth33ff 2.jpg slides/mcga2007-logo_mca[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 An additional 13 ships with a combined tonnage of 210,000 gt joined the UK Ship Register in the final quarter of 2009, according to statistics from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Of these vessels, 10 were newbuildings, with the other three transferred in from other flags. An additional 13 ships with a combined tonnage of 210,000 gt joined the UK Ship Register in the final quarter of 2009, according to statistics from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Of these vessels, 10 were newbuildings, with the other three transferred in from other flags. slides/mcga2007-logo_mca[1].jpg slides/mcga2007-logo_mca[1] - Copy.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is to mount a tough regulatory crackdown on compliance with the rules on seafarer working hours, and has warned shipowners that they may find themselves in court if they flout the relevant regulations. More than a quarter of a million British civil servants - which will include coastgurads - will stage a 48-hour nationwide strike ahead of this year's election. Their trade union, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), attributed the planned walk out to a dispute over redundancy pay. PCS did not rule out the possibility of further industrial action throughout March if the dispute is not resolved. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is to mount a tough regulatory crackdown on compliance with the rules on seafarer working hours, and has warned shipowners that they may find themselves in court if they flout the relevant regulations. More than a quarter of a million British civil servants - which will include coastgurads - will stage a 48-hour nationwide strike ahead of this year's election. Their trade union, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), attributed the planned walk out to a dispute over redundancy pay. PCS did not rule out the possibility of further industrial action throughout March if the dispute is not resolved. slides/mcga2007-logo_mca[1] - Copy.jpg cruise ships.pdf# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Cruise ships on order Cruise ships on order ../res/pdf.gif slides/Carnival_Magic[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 There was the laying of the first block of the cruise ship “Carnival Magic”, Fincantieri’s shipyard at Monfalcone on 12th Jan ordered by Carnival Cruise Lines (Carnival Group), due for delivery in spring 2011. There was the laying of the first block of the cruise ship “Carnival Magic”, Fincantieri’s shipyard at Monfalcone on 12th Jan ordered by Carnival Cruise Lines (Carnival Group), due for delivery in spring 2011. slides/Carnival_Magic[1].jpg slides/Ship+Photo+GRY+MARITHA[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Cornwall councillors refused planning permission for a new ferry terminal at Penzance Harbour last month. The Scillonian ferry and the freighter Gry Maritha are both in need of replacement, and the preferred option is to introduce a larger, single ferry. Island representatives have said they will have to consider a mainland link with Falmouth if the situation is not resolved. Cornwall councillors refused planning permission for a new ferry terminal at Penzance Harbour last month. The Scillonian ferry and the freighter Gry Maritha are both in need of replacement, and the preferred option is to introduce a larger, single ferry. Island representatives have said they will have to consider a mainland link with Falmouth if the situation is not resolved. slides/Ship+Photo+GRY+MARITHA[1].jpg slides/3877993497489cfea[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The City of Liverpool has announced ambitious plans to develop itself as a cruise destination, despite its hopes of becoming a turnaround port being dashed last week. Liverpool City Council had hoped to create a turnaround facility at the swish new Liverpool Cruise Terminal but because the plan was partly funded by £9 million of cash from the EU, the government blocked it on the grounds that it "could raise competition issues in relation to other ports operating in this market," according to a statement by transport minister Paul Clark. Associated British Ports, which operates Southampton port, had lobbied vigorously against the application, fearing that it would lose some of its 300 annual cruise ship visits to Liverpool. John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen constituency, told the Southampton Daily Echo: "This was a basic issue of fair competition. Everybody at Southampton knows other ports are entitled to compete for cruise business, but it would have been quite unfair to do that on the back of public subsidy in one place and no subsidy in Southampton. This is a real victory for Southampton." Not to be deterred, Liverpool City Council and Peel Ports (which operates Liverpool port) have this week announced a 10-year master plan to turn the River Mersey into one of the U.K.'s leading cruise destinations and treble the number of cruise ships visits from 15 (the 2009 total) to 50 in the next 5 to 10 years. It's easy to see why they would want to do this; cruise ships are a huge boost to the economy. When Cunard's Queen Mary 2 visited this year, an astonishing 100,000 spectators turned out to see it, generating £5.7 million. The strategy includes developing a business plan to encourage more visits to Liverpool's City Terminal and Langton Dock (a somewhat run-down facility used for the occasional turnaround). The council will explore the possibility of leasing Liverpool Cruise Terminal to a commercial operator. Passengers using Langton and the waterfront attractions on the Mersey will be surveyed with a view to basing future investment decisions on their needs. There's even a chance that passengers scheduled to use Langton Dock will be transferred to Liverpool Cruise Terminal until a better facility is built. The City of Liverpool has announced ambitious plans to develop itself as a cruise destination, despite its hopes of becoming a turnaround port being dashed last week. Liverpool City Council had hoped to create a turnaround facility at the swish new Liverpool Cruise Terminal but because the plan was partly funded by £9 million of cash from the EU, the government blocked it on the grounds that it "could raise competition issues in relation to other ports operating in this market," according to a statement by transport minister Paul Clark. Associated British Ports, which operates Southampton port, had lobbied vigorously against the application, fearing that it would lose some of its 300 annual cruise ship visits to Liverpool. John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen constituency, told the Southampton Daily Echo: "This was a basic issue of fair competition. Everybody at Southampton knows other ports are entitled to compete for cruise business, but it would have been quite unfair to do that on the back of public subsidy in one place and no subsidy in Southampton. This is a real victory for Southampton." Not to be deterred, Liverpool City Council and Peel Ports (which operates Liverpool port) have this week announced a 10-year master plan to turn the River Mersey into one of the U.K.'s leading cruise destinations and treble the number of cruise ships visits from 15 (the 2009 total) to 50 in the next 5 to 10 years. It's easy to see why they would want to do this; cruise ships are a huge boost to the economy. When Cunard's Queen Mary 2 visited this year, an astonishing 100,000 spectators turned out to see it, generating £5.7 million. The strategy includes developing a business plan to encourage more visits to Liverpool's City Terminal and Langton Dock (a somewhat run-down facility used for the occasional turnaround). The council will explore the possibility of leasing Liverpool Cruise Terminal to a commercial operator. Passengers using Langton and the waterfront attractions on the Mersey will be surveyed with a view to basing future investment decisions on their needs. There's even a chance that passengers scheduled to use Langton Dock will be transferred to Liverpool Cruise Terminal until a better facility is built. slides/3877993497489cfea[1].jpg newships.pdf# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 New Cruise Ships New Cruise Ships ../res/pdf.gif slides/brand[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 AP MOLLER-MAERSK is selling its European ro-pax ferry subsidiary Norfolkline to DFDS in a €347m ($496.3m) share and cash deal that sees Maersk take a 31% strategic stake in the ferry operator, which provides services in the Baltic and North Sea. AP MOLLER-MAERSK is selling its European ro-pax ferry subsidiary Norfolkline to DFDS in a €347m ($496.3m) share and cash deal that sees Maersk take a 31% strategic stake in the ferry operator, which provides services in the Baltic and North Sea. slides/brand[1].jpg slides/DSCF1035.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Shipowners long-running battle to cut the cost of calling at UK ports by reducing light dues has won firm support from the opposition Conservative Party, which could form the next government. Shadow shipping minister Julian Brazier has spelled out the dangers of financially penalising shipowners using British ports. Shipowners long-running battle to cut the cost of calling at UK ports by reducing light dues has won firm support from the opposition Conservative Party, which could form the next government. Shadow shipping minister Julian Brazier has spelled out the dangers of financially penalising shipowners using British ports. slides/DSCF1035.JPG slides/refuel[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The U.K. government plans to privatize the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which supplies food, fuel and ammunition to the Royal Navy, as a consequence of GBP20 million cuts imposed on the Ministry of Defense by the Treasury, the Rail, Maritime & Transport union said Dec 8th. The union, which opposes the move, said a review of the RFA including the privatization option would be made as part of Decembers pre-Budget report. The RFA, a civilian-manned fleet owned by the Ministry of Defence, has a flotilla of 16 ships and employs over 2,000 people. The U.K. government plans to privatize the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which supplies food, fuel and ammunition to the Royal Navy, as a consequence of GBP20 million cuts imposed on the Ministry of Defense by the Treasury, the Rail, Maritime & Transport union said Dec 8th. The union, which opposes the move, said a review of the RFA including the privatization option would be made as part of Decembers pre-Budget report. The RFA, a civilian-manned fleet owned by the Ministry of Defence, has a flotilla of 16 ships and employs over 2,000 people. slides/refuel[1].jpg slides/Ship+Photo+CARNIVAL+DREAM[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The US group Carnival Corporation & plc and Fincantieri have reached an agreement to build a 3,690-passenger, 130,000-ton cruise ship for the brand Carnival Cruise Lines. The ship, which has been developed from the “Carnival Dream”, delivered last September, will be built at Monfalcone shipyard and is scheduled to enter service in spring 2012. The US group Carnival Corporation & plc and Fincantieri have reached an agreement to build a 3,690-passenger, 130,000-ton cruise ship for the brand Carnival Cruise Lines. The ship, which has been developed from the “Carnival Dream”, delivered last September, will be built at Monfalcone shipyard and is scheduled to enter service in spring 2012. slides/Ship+Photo+CARNIVAL+DREAM[1].jpg slides/Doulos-01.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The oldest ocean-going passenger ship in the world will end her service on December 31, 2009.Surveys by marine safety authorities confirmed major repairs will required to keep her in service which would be far beyond the economical feasibility of maintaining a ship with such a limited life span. The oldest ocean-going passenger ship in the world will end her service on December 31, 2009.Surveys by marine safety authorities confirmed major repairs will required to keep her in service which would be far beyond the economical feasibility of maintaining a ship with such a limited life span. slides/Doulos-01.jpg slides/800px-Dover_Harbour[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Dover Harbour Board is set to push back its £400m ($665m) plans for a second ro-ro terminal and 400-berth marina at Britain’s top ferry port, initially pencilled in for 2013, by at least three years. The move is said to reflect a reduction in projected demand for such a facility in the light of the current economic climate. Dover Harbour Board is set to push back its £400m ($665m) plans for a second ro-ro terminal and 400-berth marina at Britain’s top ferry port, initially pencilled in for 2013, by at least three years. The move is said to reflect a reduction in projected demand for such a facility in the light of the current economic climate. slides/800px-Dover_Harbour[1].jpg slides/1-aircraft-carrier[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The keel has now been laind for the CVN 78 Gerald R Ford, first of a new class of carriers. In January 2007, The US Navy announced that the new class would be called the Gerald R Ford Class. The first two ships, Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) and CVN 79, will be commissioned in 2015 and 2019 and further ships of the class will enter service at intervals of five years. A total of ten Ford class carriers are planned with construction continuing to 2058. CVN 78 will replace USS Enterprise (CVN 65) which entered service in 1961 and will approach the end of operational life by 2015. The total acquisition cost of the CVN 21 is expected to be $11.7bn. The Gerald R Ford class carriers will be of about the same displacement, about 100,000t, as its predecessor the Nimitz class George HW Bush (CVN 77) but will have about 500 to 900 fewer crew members. The other main differences in operational performance compared to the Nimitz Class are increased sortie rates at 160 sorties a day (compared to 140 a day), a weight and stability allowance over the 50-year operational service life of the ship, and increased (by approximately 150%) electrical power generation and distribution to sustain the ship's advanced technology systems. Another key performance requirement is interoperability. The keel has now been laind for the CVN 78 Gerald R Ford, first of a new class of carriers. In January 2007, The US Navy announced that the new class would be called the Gerald R Ford Class. The first two ships, Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) and CVN 79, will be commissioned in 2015 and 2019 and further ships of the class will enter service at intervals of five years. A total of ten Ford class carriers are planned with construction continuing to 2058. CVN 78 will replace USS Enterprise (CVN 65) which entered service in 1961 and will approach the end of operational life by 2015. The total acquisition cost of the CVN 21 is expected to be $11.7bn. The Gerald R Ford class carriers will be of about the same displacement, about 100,000t, as its predecessor the Nimitz class George HW Bush (CVN 77) but will have about 500 to 900 fewer crew members. The other main differences in operational performance compared to the Nimitz Class are increased sortie rates at 160 sorties a day (compared to 140 a day), a weight and stability allowance over the 50-year operational service life of the ship, and increased (by approximately 150%) electrical power generation and distribution to sustain the ship's advanced technology systems. Another key performance requirement is interoperability. slides/1-aircraft-carrier[1].jpg slides/CIFlogo[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Would be English Channel ferry operator Euro-ferries has again had to call off the launch of its planned fast-ferry service between Ramsgate and Boulogne-sur-Mer. The company, which had promised to start the service last Saturday, has been forced to admit that it still is not ready, despite the fact that bookings have been taken. Would be English Channel ferry operator Euro-ferries has again had to call off the launch of its planned fast-ferry service between Ramsgate and Boulogne-sur-Mer. The company, which had promised to start the service last Saturday, has been forced to admit that it still is not ready, despite the fact that bookings have been taken. slides/CIFlogo[1].jpg slides/Ship+Photo+HMS+Trafalgar[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The 27-year-old nuclear-powered submarine HMS Trafalgar sailed into her home, Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth, for the final time Tuesday 10 November 2009. The submarine is the first of the Trafalgar Class submarines and the first of the class to be decommissioned from the Royal Navy. The 27-year-old nuclear-powered submarine HMS Trafalgar sailed into her home, Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth, for the final time Tuesday 10 November 2009. The submarine is the first of the Trafalgar Class submarines and the first of the class to be decommissioned from the Royal Navy. slides/Ship+Photo+HMS+Trafalgar[1].jpg slides/qmthamesuu.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The Queen Mary has left the Embankment in London and will now be renovated and moored in La Rochelle, France, as a restaurant and fitness centre. The Queen Mary, which was built in 1933 and originally carried mail and passengers along the river Clyde in Scotland, has been moored on the Thames since the early 1970s as a stationary pub boat. The removal of the Queen Mary on Monday will reveal the site of the historic Savoy Pier, a feature of London's riverside that harks back to the development of the Thames Embankment in the late 19th century. The Queen Mary has left the Embankment in London and will now be renovated and moored in La Rochelle, France, as a restaurant and fitness centre. The Queen Mary, which was built in 1933 and originally carried mail and passengers along the river Clyde in Scotland, has been moored on the Thames since the early 1970s as a stationary pub boat. The removal of the Queen Mary on Monday will reveal the site of the historic Savoy Pier, a feature of London's riverside that harks back to the development of the Thames Embankment in the late 19th century. slides/qmthamesuu.jpg slides/echizen_kurage_07[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 The trawler, the Diasan Shinsho-maru, capsized off Chiba`as its three-man crew was trying to haul in a net containing dozens of huge Nomura's jellyfish. Each of the jellyfish can weigh up to 200 kg and waters around Japan have been inundated with the creatures this year. Experts believe weather and water conditions in the breeding grounds, off the coast of China, have been ideal for the jellyfish in recent months. One of the largest jellyfish in the world, the species can grow up to 2 meters in diameter. The last time Japan was invaded on a similar scale, in the summer of 2005, the jellyfish damaged nets, rendered fish inedible with their toxic stings and even caused injuries to fishermen. Relatively little is known about Nomura's jellyfish, such as why some years see thousands of the creatures floating across the Sea of Japan on the Tsushima Current, but last year there were virtually no sightings. In 2007, there were 15,500 reports of damage to fishing equipment caused by the creatures. Experts believe that one contributing factor to the jellyfish becoming more frequent visitors to Japanese waters may be a decline in the number of predators, which include sea turtles and certain species of fish. The trawler, the Diasan Shinsho-maru, capsized off Chiba`as its three-man crew was trying to haul in a net containing dozens of huge Nomura's jellyfish. Each of the jellyfish can weigh up to 200 kg and waters around Japan have been inundated with the creatures this year. Experts believe weather and water conditions in the breeding grounds, off the coast of China, have been ideal for the jellyfish in recent months. One of the largest jellyfish in the world, the species can grow up to 2 meters in diameter. The last time Japan was invaded on a similar scale, in the summer of 2005, the jellyfish damaged nets, rendered fish inedible with their toxic stings and even caused injuries to fishermen. Relatively little is known about Nomura's jellyfish, such as why some years see thousands of the creatures floating across the Sea of Japan on the Tsushima Current, but last year there were virtually no sightings. In 2007, there were 15,500 reports of damage to fishing equipment caused by the creatures. Experts believe that one contributing factor to the jellyfish becoming more frequent visitors to Japanese waters may be a decline in the number of predators, which include sea turtles and certain species of fish. slides/echizen_kurage_07[1].jpg slides/petercardy - Copy.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Peter Cardy, the former charity boss brought in to head the Maritime and Coastguard Agency two years ago, has taken the surprise decision to step down in April next year. Mr Cardy’s term of office has been dogged by controversy from the start, with some in the organisation objecting to the appointment of a man with no maritime experience. He really rubbed the Coastguards up the wrong way. Peter Cardy, the former charity boss brought in to head the Maritime and Coastguard Agency two years ago, has taken the surprise decision to step down in April next year. Mr Cardy’s term of office has been dogged by controversy from the start, with some in the organisation objecting to the appointment of a man with no maritime experience. He really rubbed the Coastguards up the wrong way. slides/petercardy - Copy.jpg slides/Port-of-Sheerness[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Consulting engineering firm Royal Haskoning has been engaged by The Peel Group to prepare a masterplan for the Port of Sheerness in Kent. This is the preface to a fifteen year regeneration programme for the area, which will deliver a major port expansion and one of the largest regeneration projects in the South East of England. Regeneration plans could provide over 120 hectares of new land at the Port of Sheerness. The masterplan represents a major development that will not only allow for expansion of the port. It will also establish a new community, promenade, landmark marina, and a raft of new homes which will see the population increase by almost half, and aims to re-establish Sheerness as a visitor destination. The project proposal includes the creation of a major land reclamation in the Thames Estuary, which could potentially provide over 120 hectares of new land. This will be shared between the port and new development, and include new deep water berths to allow the port to expand its capacity, a new marina, new homes, retail, leisure and light industrial space. An additional consideration for the area is the restoration of its heritage, which dates back to the Sixteenth Century when Sheerness was used as a major naval base until its closure in the 1960’s. One of the key objectives of this project involves bringing many of the port’s Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Listed Buildings back into public use through conversion and restoration. Extensive local and regional consultation is about to commence with a planning application expected in 2013. Consulting engineering firm Royal Haskoning has been engaged by The Peel Group to prepare a masterplan for the Port of Sheerness in Kent. This is the preface to a fifteen year regeneration programme for the area, which will deliver a major port expansion and one of the largest regeneration projects in the South East of England. Regeneration plans could provide over 120 hectares of new land at the Port of Sheerness. The masterplan represents a major development that will not only allow for expansion of the port. It will also establish a new community, promenade, landmark marina, and a raft of new homes which will see the population increase by almost half, and aims to re-establish Sheerness as a visitor destination. The project proposal includes the creation of a major land reclamation in the Thames Estuary, which could potentially provide over 120 hectares of new land. This will be shared between the port and new development, and include new deep water berths to allow the port to expand its capacity, a new marina, new homes, retail, leisure and light industrial space. An additional consideration for the area is the restoration of its heritage, which dates back to the Sixteenth Century when Sheerness was used as a major naval base until its closure in the 1960’s. One of the key objectives of this project involves bringing many of the port’s Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Listed Buildings back into public use through conversion and restoration. Extensive local and regional consultation is about to commence with a planning application expected in 2013. slides/Port-of-Sheerness[1].jpg slides/prelude].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Shell has unveiled plans to build the world's biggest ship - a mega-tanker the length of more than four football pitches laid end to end. The 480m mega-tanker will house a liquefied natural gas plant so it can process gas as it floats over offshore fields. Known as the Prelude FLNG Project, the 75m-wide vessel will be able to "withstand a one-in-10,000-year tropical storm", according to Shell. It will displace 600,000 tonnes and carry 50,000 tonnes of equipment. The carrier will be used to develop Shell's Prelude and Concerto gas discoveries, located in the Browse Basin, about 200km off the northwest coast of Western Australia. Shell said the technology will reduce both project costs and the environmental footprint of an LNG development. This is because floating LNG can unlock "stranded" gas reserves that have previously been considered uneconomic to develop because of they are small or far from shore. It can also place liquefaction facilities very close to, or directly over, offshore gas fields, doing away with the need for long-distance offshore gas pipelines or extensive onshore infrastructure. The development of the ship is still subject to environmental and production approvals - as well as Shell's final decision on whether to go ahead with the investment. Shell has unveiled plans to build the world's biggest ship - a mega-tanker the length of more than four football pitches laid end to end. The 480m mega-tanker will house a liquefied natural gas plant so it can process gas as it floats over offshore fields. Known as the Prelude FLNG Project, the 75m-wide vessel will be able to "withstand a one-in-10,000-year tropical storm", according to Shell. It will displace 600,000 tonnes and carry 50,000 tonnes of equipment. The carrier will be used to develop Shell's Prelude and Concerto gas discoveries, located in the Browse Basin, about 200km off the northwest coast of Western Australia. Shell said the technology will reduce both project costs and the environmental footprint of an LNG development. This is because floating LNG can unlock "stranded" gas reserves that have previously been considered uneconomic to develop because of they are small or far from shore. It can also place liquefaction facilities very close to, or directly over, offshore gas fields, doing away with the need for long-distance offshore gas pipelines or extensive onshore infrastructure. The development of the ship is still subject to environmental and production approvals - as well as Shell's final decision on whether to go ahead with the investment. slides/prelude].jpg slides/Le_boreal[1].html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 “Le Boreal”, the first of two super luxury cruise ships ordered from Fincantieri by the French owner Compagnie du Ponant was recently launvhed. Due to take up service in spring 2010, in terms of size and sophisticated décor in many respects the ship is very similar to a mega yacht. The new ship, which will fly the French flag, is approximately 10,700 gross tonnes, 142 metres long and 20 wide. Passenger capacity is over 260 guests, accommodated in 132 cabins and suites, all with a sea view, of which 94% with a private balcony. Equipped with cutting edge technologies to reduce environmental impact, “Le Boreal” will be able to reach ports and destinations which are inaccessible to larger vessels. Compagnie du Ponant, whose head office is in Marseilles, currently has a fleet of three cruise ships serving a super-luxury customer target. Founded in 1988, the company is a member of CMA-CGM Group, the world’s third ship owning group in the container sector. “Le Boreal”, the first of two super luxury cruise ships ordered from Fincantieri by the French owner Compagnie du Ponant was recently launvhed. Due to take up service in spring 2010, in terms of size and sophisticated décor in many respects the ship is very similar to a mega yacht. The new ship, which will fly the French flag, is approximately 10,700 gross tonnes, 142 metres long and 20 wide. Passenger capacity is over 260 guests, accommodated in 132 cabins and suites, all with a sea view, of which 94% with a private balcony. Equipped with cutting edge technologies to reduce environmental impact, “Le Boreal” will be able to reach ports and destinations which are inaccessible to larger vessels. Compagnie du Ponant, whose head office is in Marseilles, currently has a fleet of three cruise ships serving a super-luxury customer target. Founded in 1988, the company is a member of CMA-CGM Group, the world’s third ship owning group in the container sector. slides/Le_boreal[1].jpg slides/noordamwesterdam.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Holland America ships will be used for accommodation instead of the QE2. Next summer, hundreds of thousands of football enthusiasts will descend on South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and a few thousand lucky fans will be staying aboard Holland America Line's Noordam and Westerdam. South Africa's Cape Argus newspaper reported on the 25th that the two ships have been confirmed for a June 10 to July 12 residency in South Africa (World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 11). Chartered by Germany-based hospitality services provider One Ocean Club, Noordam and Westerdam will dock at three South African ports -- Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban -- sailing between them to follow the action. Holland America ships will be used for accommodation instead of the QE2. Next summer, hundreds of thousands of football enthusiasts will descend on South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and a few thousand lucky fans will be staying aboard Holland America Line's Noordam and Westerdam. South Africa's Cape Argus newspaper reported on the 25th that the two ships have been confirmed for a June 10 to July 12 residency in South Africa (World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 11). Chartered by Germany-based hospitality services provider One Ocean Club, Noordam and Westerdam will dock at three South African ports -- Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban -- sailing between them to follow the action. slides/noordamwesterdam.JPG slides/No Picturenews14325e.html# Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:14:04 +0100 Fincantieri and the US cruise group Carnival Corporation & plc announced today an order to build two prototype ships for Princess Cruises brand. The contract confirms a memorandum of understanding signed in February. At 141,000 gross tonnes, the two new vessels, which have a maximum passenger capacity of 3,600, will be the largest cruise ships ever built by Fincantieri and the flagships of Princess Cruises fleet. Scheduled for delivery in spring 2013 and 2014, these ships, as prototypes, will be two of the most exclusive and innovative in the world. Although the design incorporates a number of features which have contributed to the success of the Fincantieri’s most recent vessels, an in-depth review has been carried out in order to develop a ship of superior quality. To this end all the sea-view cabins will have private balconies, for a total of 80% of cabins, and the main hall, the wellness centre and restaurants will be enlarged and feature luxury décor. Since the 1990s Fincantieri has built 53 cruise ships, of which 49 for Carnival Group. A further 12, including the two ships for Princess announced today, will be delivered within 2014. Fincantieri and the US cruise group Carnival Corporation & plc announced today an order to build two prototype ships for Princess Cruises brand. The contract confirms a memorandum of understanding signed in February. At 141,000 gross tonnes, the two new vessels, which have a maximum passenger capacity of 3,600, will be the largest cruise ships ever built by Fincantieri and the flagships of Princess Cruises fleet. Scheduled for delivery in spring 2013 and 2014, these ships, as prototypes, will be two of the most exclusive and innovative in the world. Although the design incorporates a number of features which have contributed to the success of the Fincantieri’s most recent vessels, an in-depth review has been carried out in order to develop a ship of superior quality. To this end all the sea-view cabins will have private balconies, for a total of 80% of cabins, and the main hall, the wellness centre and restaurants will be enlarged and feature luxury décor. Since the 1990s Fincantieri has built 53 cruise ships, of which 49 for Carnival Group. A further 12, including the two ships for Princess announced today, will be delivered within 2014. slides/No Picturenews14325e.jpg