DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 1

Number 043 *** COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS *** Friday 12-02-2016

News reports received from readers and Internet News articles copied from various news sites.

Boskalis UNION BOXER stand-by at Pointe Noire Anchorage, with in the background on

the left seen the SMIT BARGE 14 and on the right the UNION SAPPHIRE Photo : Capt Edwin Kempinga Master Union Boxer©

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 2

IN MEMORIAM

Na een boeiende internationale carrière, is overleden

Rombartus Willem Scheffer Rom

weduwnaar van

Johanna Theodora (Kay) Scheffer - Peters

Oud directeur Smit-Lloyd B.V. Oud voorzitter, Hoofddirectie Smit Internationale N.V.

Oud president International Salvage-Union Ridder in de orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw

Schiedam, 15 maart 1931 †Breda, 9 februari 2016

Bart Scheffer†

Alena Porubcanska

Correspondentie adres: Mevrouw Porubcanska

Verdilaan 1 4837 CL Breda

De crematieplechtigheid vindt plaats op zaterdag 13 februari om 12.00 uur in Aula 2 van het crematorium Zuylen,

Tuinzigt laan 11 te Breda.

Na afloop van de crematie plechtigheid bent u welkom in de koffiekamer van het crematorium.

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 3

Your feedback is important to me so please drop me an email if you have any photos or articles that may be of interest to the maritime interested people at sea and ashore

PLEASE SEND ALL PHOTOS / ARTICLES TO :

newsclippings@gmail.com

If you don't like to receive this bulletin anymore : To unsubscribe click here (English version) or visit the subscription page on our website.

http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/uitschrijven.aspx?lan=en-US

EVENTS, INCIDENTS & OPERATIONS

IN MEMORIAM ROMBARTUS WILLEM SCHEFFER On Tuesday 9th February we received the message that Mr. Scheffer passed away at the age of 85 years. During

the sixties, seventies and eighties of last century Mr. Scheffer was a remarkable personality in the world of shipping. After his training to become an officer on board of ships, he sailed for some two years on freighters and passenger ships, i.e. for Van Nievelt Goudriaan and for KJCPL on Tjisadane. Soon, it struck his masters that Rom Scheffer he had quite some commercial qualities. At the age of 22 years Mr. Scheffer decided to work ashore. He accepted jobs for foreign companies in South-Korea, the U.S., Hong Kong, Kuala

Lumpur and Singapore. Top: Mr Scheffer in talk with Dr. Subroto minister of Energy in Indonesia. A.o. he chartered ships for a mining company that exported ore from Malaysia to Japan. When the mines were more or less exhausted and mergers took place, he was looking for a new challenge. His reputation was already well-known and he we was recommended to Mr. A. Lels, the man who, at that time one of the directors of L. Smit & Co, laid a plan on the tablet to establish a shipping company for supplying drilling platforms in the North Sea. In 1964 at the age of 33 years Mr. Scheffer became the first employee and the first director of Smit-Lloyd, the company that Mr. Lels had in mind. Thanks to the energetic approach of Rom Scheffer the company became a renowned firm in the offshore world and oil-industry. Oil-production at sea was still in its infancy en Mr. Scheffer was a pioneer as far as supplying drilling platforms was concerned. The original plan was to have seven suppliers built, however for each ship there was already

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 4

a contract concluded before even being commissioned. After only some years dozens of Smit-Lloyd suppliers were sailing the oceans. Subsidiaries were established in a.o. Australia, Greece and the U.S. In 1976 some of the subsidiaries of L. Smit & Co’s Internationale Sleepdienst, among which Smit-Lloyd merged. Still the Smit-Lloyd vessels kept on sailing under their own well-known colours for quite some time. One year after the merge Rom Scheffer was asked to accept the job of CEO of Smit International as a whole. Although his heart was still with Smit-Lloyd he accepted this difficult task. For ten years he was the leading personality of this worldwide well-known towage and offshore company. During that period of time he encountered many problems. Both the markets for towage as well as offshore activities decreased. Yet, thanks to his inventive, however difficult decisions Smit International survived. By 1987 Mr. Scheffer had to decide to step down. His health caused him too much troubles and he was right when he stated : You can’t do this job in a more quiet atmosphere. Still after 1987 the maritime markets were facing difficult times. As a consequence in 1996 Smit-Lloyd was sold to the American Seacor company. That’s certainly a fact that hurted Mr. Rom Scheffer.Although retired Mr. Scheffer kept on following the wealand woe of Smit International, the towage market as well as the situation in the offshore industry. In 2006 he persuaded me to write the history of ‘his’ company, viz. The book “The Smit-Lloyd Story”. An outstanding man in the maritime world passed away. He leaves his marks in the offshore history. By : Nico J. Ouwehand

The TIGER ZHEGANG discharging cattle feed in Le Havre

Photo: Emmanuel Godillon http://larmes-de-rouille.piwigo.com

VETH PROPULSION NAMES TWIN DISC AS AN ASIAN

DISTRIBUTOR Dutch thruster manufacturer Veth Propulsion has named Twin Disc as its distributor for select Asian markets (Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam) Veth Propulsion Managing Director Erik Veth and Twin Disc CEO John Batten made the announcement.The companies will leverage their unique positions to offer customers in the region access to Veth Propulsion's wide range of workboat and shipping products, supported by Twin Disc's extensive support network of sales and service facilities. The agreement was formalized at the Marintec China trade fair last December. "I'm excited about the newly formed partnership with Veth Propulsion," said Batten.

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 5

"Our companies share a passion for engineering, product development and providing the marketplace with new, differentiating technologies." Veth added, "Twin Disc is completely aligned with our vision and commitment to providing the commercial marine sector only the finest products and after sales service and support." Operating internationally, Veth Propulsion has a long resume of successful installations of its innovative products in e.g. inland, offshore, dredger and tug vessels. The company engineers and manufactures azimuth rudder propellers, thrusters and marine electronics, and is a supplier and servicer of diesel engines and generator sets. Since 1951, its quality equipment has been widely respected by shipyards/owners and naval architects worldwide. www.veth.net. For over 75 years, commercial mariners have relied on Twin Disc's reliable, yet cutting-edge products. The Racine, Wisconsin-based company manufactures marine transmissions for all market segments, Arneson Surface Drives™, Rolla Propellers, control drives, helm controls and the state-of-the-art Express Joystick System®.

The MSC ANTIGUA seen outbound from Le Havre – Photo : Fabian Montreuil (c)

Coastguard agency criticised after emergency tug meeting

The British Maritime Coastguard Agency has been accused of failing to see the value in emergency tug cover, as the end of the contract for the vessel serving the isles draws ever nearer. Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has criticised the coastguard agency after it produced a risk assessment which, he says, fails badly to address concerns.It comes after a stakeholders meeting in Edinburgh amid fears tug cover may end once the contract finishes in less than two months.The isles have only been able to enjoy a reduced level of tug provision since the previous coalition government sought to scrap the vessels in October 2011 with an eye on saving £32.5 million. But following pressure from Mr Carmichael and others, the Herakles was given a reprieve to provide cover for the north of Scotland from its Orkney base.That reprieve comes to an end on 31st March, and concerns are running high over whether any level of service will remain after that. Mr Carmichael says the contract should be given an immediate extension.“It was apparent five years ago that the MCA did not see the value in the emergency towing vessel and it was equally clear from today’s session that this has not changed,” said Mr Carmichael.“They produced a risk assessment which, even though it has massive gaps in it, still showed the risk associated with removing a locally-stationed tug was unacceptably high. “They seem to expect the private sector to fill the gap that they are intending leaving but can not identify where that is going to come from.”He argued that the Westminster government had “put the cart before the horse”.“They are assessing risk after the decision has been made to remove the budget. In these circumstances it is difficult to see this exercise

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 6

as a meaningful or good faith exercise.” Emergency tugs were introduced following a recommendation by Lord Donaldson in light of the Braer disaster off Garths Ness in January 1993.Mr Carmichael added: “He [Lord Donaldson] identified in detail the considerations that the government should take into account when considering these decisions. You would have thought that this would have been a very obvious starting point for the MCA. It was blindingly obvious that they had not.“If the government are sincere when they say that they want to consult then the first thing they should do is extend the contract beyond the current end date of 31st March. That can be done and should be done.” Source:

The LYNDA VICTORY moored at pier 3 – Steinweg in Rotterdam-Waalhaven Photo : Gerrit van Katwijk ©

Nova Star in Spain, no replacement yet for ferry

The ferry NOVA STAR may or may not be back next year on the run between Yarmouth and Maine, but the company that runs the service is still in the running for the job. After failing to convince the province fork over more money to continue ferrying travellers back and forth from Portland to Yarmouth, the good ship MV NOVA STAR has landed in sunny Spain. NOVA STAR 's last reported position Wednesday evening was just off the southern Spanish port of Algeciras. Meanwhile, new operator Bay Ferries of P.E.I. has yet to finalize what ship will operate on the Maine-Nova Scotia route this year.Brian Taylor of the province’s Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal department said Wednesday that Bay Ferries has been updating the department on complex, sensitive discussions for a while. “They’re still finalizing the details of their operation," he said."The last thing we’d want to do is hamper them or anything (by revealing particulars),” he said. The province ended the Nova Star relationship late last year. The vessel failed to reach even half the 80,000-passenger goal by August. This was after the province spent almost double its initial seven-year subsidy estimate in just two seasons. With a successful bid to provide the service in hand, Bay Ferries has been shopping for months, but the PEI-based company remains tight-lipped.A spokesman deferred questions Wednesday to a carefully-worded press release issued Feb. 4 in which Bay Ferries CEO Mark MacDonald said the company has been “working hard” and “doing everything we can to reach that goal” to secure a Yarmouth-Portland ship that meets Canada-US regulatory requirements and makes financial sense for Nova Scotia.“Because we are competing for assets against other operators worldwide, we are limited in what we can say on the status of our search because of the risk that it would jeopardize our company’s ability to get the best ship in place for the Yarmouth-Maine service in 2016,” MacDonald said. The Department of Transportation agreement included a plan for having a vessel in place for 2016 within 45 days of the October 2015 announcement. The uncertainty has been grating on tourism operators who rely on American and Canadian travellers. The Chronicle-Herald reported earlier that Connecticut-based Friendship Tours has cancelled trips to Yarmouth in June, July and September. Chris d’Entremont, PC MLA for Argyle-Barrington said Nova Scotians have been waiting long enough for this new vessel to be found“We’re late once again. Every year we’ve

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 7

been late and it’s contributed to bad ridership,” he said. “You haven’t announced the boat yet -- is the boat even going to be ready to run by June? I don’t know.” Source: THE CHRONICLE HERALD

Tanker MARINUS at the IJmuiden locks inbound for Amsterdam Photo : Patrick Deenik (c)

Verification of tonnage figures for BWM Convention completed – further ratifications needed

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim reiterated his request to countries that have not already done so, to ratify the BWM Convention as soon as possible. The process to verify global tonnage figures in order to assess entry into force criteria for the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention has now been completed.Forty-seven countries have now ratified the BWM Convention, substantially more than the 30 required, but their combined fleets comprise 34.35 per cent of global tonnage, just under the 35 per cent required for entry into force.IHS Maritime & Trade provided IMO with verified tonnage figures as of 31 December 2015. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim reiterated his request to countries that have not already done so, to ratify the BWM Convention as soon as possible in order to establish a certain date for entry into force, which will facilitate the work to make any necessary amendments to the BWM convention. Source : IMO

EC backs IMO as lead body to handle shipping emissions

The new secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Lim Kitack, met with the European transport commissioner, Violeta Bulc, yesterday. Bulc said the European Commission will support the concept of an international regulatory framework for shipping that is both developed and governed by the IMO.Moreover, the EC and the IMO will work together this year toward the adoption of a mandatory collection and reporting system for global ship emissions source: Splash 24/7

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 8

HAL’s NOORDAM berthing at Shakespeare Bay, Picton, Queen Charlotte Sound NZ. Photo: Dianna Robjohns.(c)

Study Finds No Scientific Data to Support Work Hour Changes for Towing Vessel Crewmembers The American Waterways Operators, the national trade association for the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, hailed

a study conducted for the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine which concludes that "[t]here is currently no scientific data to support […] a change in hours of service" for towing vessel crewmembers. Left : pushertug SEA HOG in New Iberia, Louisiana Photo : Brendan Lally (c)

The study's authors reviewed several recent studies suggesting that when sleep is split into more than one period per day, as in the square watch system in use on many towing vessels, "performance

is comparable, and in some cases, better than when the same duration of sleep is obtained in a single sleep period."Instead of regulatory changes to hours of service, which "are not likely to be the most effective way to increase sleep durations and improve sleep quality," the TRB study presents a suite of "evidence-based best practices to improve sleep on schedules requiring a split-sleep period." The study recommends that these best practices be linked together by a fatigue risk management system developed as part of a towing vessel's safety management system. "The TRB study is the latest contribution to a growing body of scientific research in multiple transportation

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 9

modes that demonstrates that splitting sleep into two periods can be a safe and effective way to manage fatigue in 24/7 operating environments like the tugboat, towboat and barge industry," said Jennifer Carpenter, AWO Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Carpenter continued, "AWO and its members have been working with the Coast Guard to prevent and manage fatigue risks in our industry for nearly two decades. We look forward to working with the Coast Guard and our other government partners to incorporate the TRB study recommendations into our ongoing efforts to ensure that towing vessel crewmembers consistently obtain the quantity and quality of sleep they need to do their jobs safely and to optimize crewmembers' sleep and endurance within existing industry watch schedules." The American Waterways Operators is the national trade association representing the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, which operates on the rivers, the Great Lakes, and along the coasts and in the harbors of the United States. Barge transportation serves the nation as the safest, most environmentally friendly and most economical mode of freight transportation. For more information about AWO, please visit www.americanwaterways.com.

Tschudi’s BOULDER moored at MAK-BOLIER in the 2nd Merwedeharbour in Dordrecht for maintenance

Photo : Maarten Versluijs ©

Solis Marine welcomes Captain Mike Nicholson Solis Marine is pleased to welcome Captain Mike Nicholson to the team in London. Mike is a master mariner with experience of a wide range of vessel types but was also the harbour master of the Port of Tyne and a first class pilot on the Rivers Humber, Trent and Ouse in the UK. We are delighted to be able to offer such expertise through the London office. For more information please visit www.solis-marine.com.

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 10

The MARINER of the SEAS seen moored at the Keppel Bay cruise terminal in Singapore

Photo : Ernst Lohmann (c)

Ship leasing firm SBM Offshore says U.S. re-opens bribery probe

* Company sets aside $245m for settlement in Brazil * CEO Chabas says scope of U.S. inquiry unclear * SBM settled with Dutch, U.S. prosecutors for $240 mln in 2014 * SBM's sales agents had paid $200 mln in bribes in 2007-2011 (Adds CEO comments on investigation)

By : Anthony Deutsch SBM Offshore, the world's top oil production ship leasing company, said on Wednesday that U.S. authorities had re-opened an inquiry into bribery allegations involving the Dutch company. The company reached a record $240 million settlement in November 2014 with Dutch and U.S. authorities relating to corruption charges in Angola, Brazil and Equatorial Guinea, over an estimated $200 million in bribes paid between 2007 and 2011. SBM Offshore said in a statement it was setting aside a further $245 million for a possible settlement with Brazilian authorities, although the timing of that settlement was unclear.The company, which generates roughly 60 percent of revenue in Brazil, has been in talks with the Brazilian comptroller general's office about a leniency deal related to the corruption scandal at state-run oil company Petrobras. In December, Brazilian prosecutors charged 12 people with involvement in the bribery scheme, including a U.S. citizen.The U.S. Department of Justice has "made information requests in connection with that inquiry. The company is seeking further clarification about the scope of the inquiry," SBM Offshore said. SBM Offshore Chief Executive Bruno Chabas told journalists the U.S. authorities are looking into "a number of points". "We will of course answer those questions and cooperate. At this point we are not being prosecuted. It is just a normal process which is happening." Chabas said SBM Offshore does not know what the focus of the investigation is. "The only thing we can guess is it probably linked to what happened in December in Brazil," he said. Last month Chabas and former board member Sietze Hepkema settled "personal favouritism" charges with Brazilian prosecutors for around $60,000 each, with no admission of guilt. Source: Reuters (Editing by Alexander Smith)

Maritieme cluster aan boord van Internationale Waterambitie; nu doorpakken in de uitvoering

Op 3 februari jl. stuurden de ministers Ploumen (Buitenlandse Zaken), Kamp (Economische Zaken) en Schultz van Haegen (Infrastructuur & Milieu) de Internationale Waterambitie (IWA) naar de Tweede Kamer. Hierin staat dat de drie ministeries intensief gaan samenwerken om waterproblemen in minimaal acht stedelijke delta’s voor 2019 meetbaar te verminderen. Verder wordt verdubbeling van de toegevoegde waarde van Topsector Water in 2020 beoogd. Nederland Maritiem Land (NML) ondersteunt de internationale ambities en vindt het positief dat de maritieme sector bij de IWA aan boord is gekomen. De concrete maritieme bijdrage moet echter nog wel vorm krijgen. Met de gebundelde aanpak willen de ministeries partnerlanden met een totaalpakket helpen om de waterzekerheid en waterveiligheid te verbeteren. Juist doordat het Nederlandse maritieme cluster goed in staat is om ‘one-stop-shop’ oplossingen te bieden voor uitdagingen op- en om het water bij stedelijke delta’s, sluit deze aanpak goed aan bij het

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 11

maritieme cluster.De totale exportwaarde van het maritieme cluster is € 22,5 miljard, ruim 4% van de totale Nederlandse export aan goederen en diensten (bron: Maritieme Monitor 2015). Dat maakt het een speler van formaat. Om de beoogde verdubbeling van de toegevoegde waarde in 2020 te behalen, is het daarom belangrijk om de maritieme rol en bijdrage binnen de ambitie te verduidelijken en te concretiseren. Het maritieme bedrijfsleven gaat hierover graag in gesprek met de betrokken departementen. Recentelijk heeft de NML Trade Council het ‘Maritime Hotspots 2016-2018’ programma gelanceerd. Dit programma streeft intensieve maritieme samenwerking met opkomende regio’s in Zuid-Oost Azië, het Midden Oosten en de Golf van Mexico na. Dit maakt dat het programma goed binnen de IWA aanpak past en het logisch is om dit programma een plek te geven in de uitvoeringsagenda onder de IWA. NML zal de ontwikkeling van het uitvoeringsagenda onder de IWA constructief kritisch blijven volgen om te zorgen dat rol en erkenning van het maritieme cluster gewaarborgd wordt.

Seen in Sydney HAL’s AMSTERDAM and the PACIFIC EDEN. (ex STATENDAM (HAL) ) now sailing for P&O.

Photo: : Amsterdam Engineer (c)

SBM cuts 3200 jobs in 2015, more to come Written by Melissa Sustaita

SBM Offshore says there are no signs of recovery before 2018, as the floating production specialist reduced its workforce by 3200 in 2015, with more job cuts expected this year. About 1500 of the job cuts were full time employees and contractor staff, and the remaining 1700 were construction yard positions related to the winding down of projects under construction. For 2015, restructuring costs totaled US$55 million, and overall restructuring costs were $63 million, which are expected to generate annualized savings of approximately $80 million.Due to the prolonged downturn, SBM will cut a further 400 positions this year at a cost of $30 million, which is expected to generate a further $40 million of annualized cost savings in addition to the previously announced savings of $80 million beginning in 2016. “While client investment decisions continue to be postponed, the company has taken a view that a recovery is unlikely before 2018. Nevertheless, the company will maintain an engineering overcapacity to position itself for a future market upturn,” SBM said. “This leads to cumulative directional turnkey EBIT losses of approximately $150 million over 2016 and 2017. Should the industry downturn persist additional steps will be considered to manage the company's cost base.” SBM’s revenue for the year took a 26% hit to $2.6 billion, compared to 2014’s $3.5 billion that the company said was mainly attributable to lower turnkey segment revenues.During the year, SBM completed the Cidade de Maricá topside integration work at the Brasa yard, and the vessel sailed away on 19 December and is currently on location undergoing first oil readiness acceptance testing. The charter contract includes an initial period of 20 years, and delivery to Brazilian giant Petrobras is scheduled for Q1 2016.Also in Brazil, construction is ongoing

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 12

for the CIDADE DE SAQUAREMA FPSO. Since 20 December, the vessel has been undergoing topside module integration at Brasa. The charter contract for the FPSO includes an initial period of 20 years. Delivery to Petrobras is scheduled for mid-2016. SBM will also be decommissioning the MARLIM SUL FPSO and should be complete this quarter. Following decommissioning, the vessel will be marketed for future conversion opportunities. Construction was completed on the Turritella FPSO in Singapore, and the vessel arrived on location in the US Gulf of Mexico. Start-up of the facility is expected in mid-2016. The charter contract includes an initial period of 10 years with extension options up to a total of 20 years. Last month, SBM accepted an out of court settlement over allegations relating to the Petrobras Lava Jato corruption scandal, noting that the settlement did not amount to an admission of guilt. Source : OEdigital

The 87 mtr long 3811 DWT SCALI DEL PONTINO inbound for Rotterdam – Photo: Peet de Rouw (c) CLICK at the photo and hyperlink in the text

1st Asia Pacific Maritime Insurance Conference, 16 - 17 Mar 2016, Marina Bay

Sands, Singapore

The 1st Asia Pacific Maritime Insurance Conference (APMIC) organised in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Maritime 2016 in Singapore provides the premium peer networking and dialogue event for ship owners, ship managers, underwriters and all the stakeholders in the maritime industry to get first-hand insights on the critical challenges facing Asia’s maritime and offshore markets. This 2-day conference includes active panel discussions and expert presentations to discuss pressing issues and concerns relating to maritime market development, legal & regulations, underwriting, claims, risk management as well as practical solutions in maritime trade.

Details of the conference: Date: 16 – 17 March 201 Venue: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

For full conference details and speakers, please refer to attachment or visit the event website at: www.asiainsurancereview.com/airapm

USCG Will Inspect Anthem of the Seas For Storm Damage

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that it will inspect the cruise ship ANTHEM OF THE SEAS when she returns to Cape Liberty, New Jersey on Wednesday evening. The agency said that a team of inspectors will examine the ship to “verify the extent of damages and ensure repairs are satisfactorily completed” before the Anthem is allowed to leave

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 13

port again.The USCG has the authority to inspect vessels for purposes of Port State Control, but “Anthem of the Seas is a Bahamian-flagged vessel and Bahamian investigators will take the lead in the investigation,” the USCG said.The Coast Guard added that the vessel was still maneuverable and seaworthy.The ANTHEM OF THE SEAS suffered damage to her interior on Sunday during Winter Storm Mars, when she experienced seas in the range of 30 feet and wind gusts of over 100 knots, according to on-board meteorological instruments. Her 4,500 passengers were confined to their cabins during the worst of the storm; only minor injuries were reported. Royal Caribbean chose to divert the Anthem back to her home port, Cape Liberty, instead of continuing her planned seven day voyage to the Bahamas.The Anthem's presence off Cape Hatteras at the time of the storm has attracted scrutiny from elected officials like Senator Bill Nelson, Democrat of Florida, who has called for an investigation. "The thing about this storm was that it was forecast for days. So why in the world would a cruise ship with thousands of passengers go sailing right into it?" the senator said Monday. The National Transportation Safety Board told media that Senator Nelson had asked the agency to fold an investigation of the Anthem into its inquiry into the loss of the ro/ro El Faro. “[The El Faro] investigation includes a weather group that is investigating TOTE Maritime's decision-making processes regarding vessel operations in hurricanes and other heavy weather occurrences. The Anthem of the Seas incident may provide us an additional opportunity to learn best practices that cruise line operators employ for operating in heavy weather,” said the NTSB. Anthem Captain Claus Andersen filmed a discussion of the storm, widely available on video as of yesterday. “We were supposed to have around four to five meter seas, which is 12-15 feet,” he said, with winds of of 40-50 knots. “It developed so quickly. That was the special thing. In eight or nine hours it goes from being nothing to a full-blown storm.”However, Ryan Maue, a digital meteorologist for WeatherBell Analytics, disagreed with Captain Andersen's assessment that the conditions off Cape Hatteras were worse than predicted. He told NJ.com that “the storm was well forecast by many different weather models from every agency. This was not a surprise to anyone watching the weather on a daily basis.” NOAA spokeswoman Susan Buchanan told media that alerts regarding the storm were issued beginning Friday, with an official warning product issued Saturday. Source: MAREX

The MAERSK NITEROI outbound from Antwerp – Photo : Walter de Groot (c)

Dry bulk carriers still in demand in the S&P market, but at a slowing rate

The current state of the dry bulk market has caused asset prices to diminish as well, down to a point where cash-rich owners can take advantage of potential distressed sales. As such, shipbroker Intermodal noted that the last two months of 2015 made a case for traditional shipowners to invest in the dry bulk sector, doing so though based purely on asset prices and not on market conditions. Today, three months later and with fewer vessels in the market, buying appetite seems to be subdued but not extinguished. According to Intermodal’s SnP broker, Mr. Timos Papadimitriou “we are witnessing buyers still willing to inspect and offer on modern vessels, while once more we witness strong preference to Japanese built tonnage. Market expectations may not have changed dramatically when compared to three months ago, but what appears to be different today is that shipowners are letting the sour feeling to finally sink in. As these lines are written the festivities for the Chinese New Year are taking place and are bound to depress the market even more. A couple months down the line, the closing of the Japanese fiscal year coupled with all the scheduled deliveries, are expected to also help shape the dry bulk asset scene for the rest of the year”, he noted. The shipbroker added that “although it seems that the perfect storm is brewing in the dry sector, the future holds surprises and if there is one thing we‘ve learnt from market cycles, it’s that things don’t always go as expected. For now we can

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 14

only wait and hope that the Monkey – 2016 being its year – will give its blessing”.Meanwhile, as Papadimitriou noted, “at the same time, moving on to tankers, the picture is rather blurry and unclear. It seems that the market is waiting for some sort of downward correction to take place, although the wishful thinking that earnings will stay at healthy levels is unsurprisingly in the mind of all market participants. As there is too much analysis and many predictions out there for oil prices as well as the effect that Iranian production entering the global stage will have, I will only focus on current assets prices”. It’s worth noting that “the asset market is flooded with ships. Piles of MR, AFRAs and VLCCs are being stacked, ranging mostly from early to mid-2000. On average and at any given time there are more than 40 vessels for sale on every segment with Korean built tonnage dominating the lot. Owners appear willing to dispose of tonnage the soonest it hits the 10 year mark. These ships still make money to their owners and even though they put the “for sale” sign on them, they don’t seem to be willing to part ways easily. The average price a Seller is asking for a 10 year old MR1 built in Korea is around USD 18 million. To put things into prospective, one can buy 2 x Japanese Kamsarmaxes, a year younger, and be left with more than 3 million to burn on subsidizing them for the next couple of years. Of course the MR is making money compared to the Kamsarmaxes that are currently bleeding cash. Nonetheless this just sums up the contradiction”, Intermodal’s analyst said. Papadimitriou went on to say that “some might say that the current picture of the tanker market is rather similar to the picture of the Bulk Carrier market back in 2006 when the market had been rising for more than two years and in everybody’s mind a decline was due. Again many rushed to sell. The rest is history. Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to argue anything. The point is to remotely try and make sense of what is going on. History repeats its self but this is not always the case. One thing is certain though and this is that history has a strange sense of humor. In 2016 players will have to find the silver lining between a cheap investment and a cash flow that allows you to survive”. Source: Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

The yacht SILA INUA (The Sailing Igloo) arriving in Willemstad – Curacao Photo : Kees Bustraan (c)

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 15

The FAIRMOUNT EXPEDITION enroute from Hamburg after the refloating of the CSCL INDIAN OCEAN to her

homeport Rotterdam passing Hoek van Holland – Photo : Kees Torn (c) CLICK at the photo !

Diverging markets cause widely differing ordering patterns for new ships

Investing in new ships has become more perplexing. In 2015, shipping investors placed a large volume of orders for newbuilding vessels with shipyards around the world, equivalent to five percent of the existing world merchant ship fleet. Yet the total was about one-fifth lower than capacity ordered in the previous year, and down by almost a half compared with 2013. This steep decline reflects current markets and also much greater uncertainty about future market trends.But a notable feature, within the broad picture, is that patterns of new ship ordering have varied enormously among fleet sectors. These changes and their main drivers are examined in this article. Orders for newbuildings reveal investors’ perceptions of fundamental factors over the years ahead, in individual sectors, and provide insights into market psychology.In 2015 container ship ordering surged, almost doubling from the preceding year, and tanker ordering was about two-thirds higher. These outcomes could be interpreted as indicating favourable, or at least improving, freight market trends and prospects. By contrast, bulk carrier newbuilding orders collapsed to only about one-quarter of the previous year’s level, indicating very negative views of the outlook. But sometimes the explanation is less straightforward, more complex. The chart shows the global trend of shipbuilding yards’ orderbooks for new ships, based on figures compiled by Clarksons Research. Orderbook trends for the three largest vessel categories – bulk carriers, tankers and containers ships – are shown, as well as other ship types together. Volumes plotted are total deadweight tonnes vessel capacity on order at the end of each year.A sharply reduced bulk carrier orderbook at end-2015, compared with twelve months earlier, can be clearly seen. Deliveries of new ships during last year greatly outpaced incoming orders for future delivery, causing the orderbook total to fall. By contrast, the tanker and container ship orderbooks expanded, with an especially notable tanker increase. In the other ship types category there was an overall decrease although for gas carriers, both LNG and LPG, the large orderbook was roughly maintained through last year. So the overall merchant ship orderbook reduction during 2015 was a reflection of the bulk carrier downturn.

Looking at the orderbook changes in more detail, during the past year the bulk carrier total declined massively by 28 percent, from 176 million deadweight tonnes at the end of the previous year, to 127m dwt (1,571 ships) at end-2015. Conversely the tanker total rose strongly by 33 percent, from 76m dwt, to 101m dwt (1,058 ships). In the container ship sector the total also rose, but less rapidly, by 15 percent in teu (twenty-foot equivalent unit) terms from 3.3m teu, reaching 3.8m teu (455 ships). Within the ‘others’ category, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers orderbook edged upwards by less than one percent during 2015, reaching (measured by cubic meters) 24.5m cbm at year end. Similarly, the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers total edged downwards by one percent over the same period, to 10.3m cbm Another significant aspect is how these orderbooks related to the size of the fleet already existing. At the end of 2015 in the three largest sectors shipyard orderbooks were in a tight range, between 16 percent of existing

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 16

tonnage for bulk carriers, and 18 percent for container ships and tankers. Gas carrier orderbooks were much larger, on the same comparison, at 36 percent of the existing fleet (both LNG and LPG)Changes in the volume of ships on order in individual sectors reflected, as usual, recent freight market trends and current conditions, coupled with investors’ views on expected future market developments. Additional influences were shipbuilding prices and the availability and cost of financingOrdering activity is largely explained by these key influences. The bulker market was weak and optimism about improvement receded, while the tanker market was strong and optimism abounded. But in the container ship sector the very strong ordering activity last year, when freight earnings and charter rates deteriorated and the outlook darkened, was more surprising. How did the key influences evolve In the container ship market, global containerised trade growth slackened markedly in 2015, and this was particularly visible in the principle trade lanes. Meanwhile, the entire container ship fleet’s growth accelerated to a faster pace, with continuing very rapid expansion in the biggest vessels size group, mainly employed in the trades where the volume of movements was decelerating most noticeably.Massive over-capacity on many container routes last year was reflected in a sharply deteriorating freight earnings trend. Moreover, expectations for an improving trend ahead receded. Despite this sombre background, contracts for new container ships placed in 2015 surged to 2.1m teu, almost double the previous year’s volume and equivalent to about 11 percent of the existing operational fleet. A prominent feature of container ship contracting during 2015 was that orders were highly concentrated in the ‘mega-ship’ VLBC (very large box carrier) size group. In particular, the orderbook for vessels of 12,000 teu and larger jumped by 55 percent over the twelve months period, from 1.6m teu at the end of 2014, reaching 2.4m teu (143 ships averaging 16,800 teu each) at end-2015. Moreover, these orders for super-large leviathans now correspond to as much as two-thirds of current existing fleet capacity in that size group.What explains this apparent conundrum? Another factor seems to have been highly influential. The mega-ship orders placed last year were mostly contracted by container service operators committed to long-term involvement in the trades where they participate. In an environment of intense competition and persisting profitability challenges, decisions were made to leverage the economies of scale, adopting cost-minimisation strategies by acquiring the biggest ships, with the most economical operating costs.In the tanker sector, orders for new ships were encouraged by a very strong freight market and the high earnings achievable. Additional trade movements, after the fall in oil prices from late 2014 onwards, improved employment opportunities. This gain coincided with restrained fleet growth, resulting from past ordering patterns based on earlier limited optimism about tanker market prospects. The consequence, a tighter market with much higher charter rates and revived optimism about future trends, was reflected in tanker newbuilding orders placed in 2015 rising by 63 percent, compared with the previous year, to reach 47m dwt tonnes. The bulk carrier market during 2015 was disastrous for shipowners, although there was some temporary improvement around mid-year. Fleet growth continued slowing, but existing over-capacity was huge. The novel factor was a sharp slowdown in global seaborne dry bulk commodity trade expansion to nil, or almost nil, for the year as a whole. Shrinking coal trade was a major influence. As a result, slower fleet growth was still excessive and the freight market along with sentiment plummeted. Bulk carrier newbuilding orders placed in 2015 were down by almost three-quarters, to just 18m dwt, the lowest annual volume for fourteen years. Among other market sectors, more cautious attitudes prevailed last year. Orders for gas carrier newbuildings were much lower than seen in the previous twelve months. Contracts for LNG carriers placed during 2015 totalled 5.2m cbm, a huge 52 percent reduction, while in the LPG carrier sector there was 27 percent decline in the annual volume recorded, to 4.1m cbm.Price changes for newbuildings during 2015, expressed in dollars, and expectations for these, provided limited incentives to place orders. But a 10-15 percent fall in bulk carrier prices, over the twelve months to the end of last year, was not sufficient to offset negative market sentiment. Tanker prices also moved downwards although, at 3-4 percent, reductions were smaller. Indicative prices for large containerships and large gas carriers saw little or no change. The aggregated investment value of new ships ordered last year was down by about two-fifths, compared with the previous twelve months, according to provisional calculations by Clarksons Research. From $113 billion in 2014, the total declined by 39 percent to $69bn in 2015. Within last year’s total, the top ten shipowning countries comprised more than $50bn, or over two-thirds of the overall amount. Based on the location of the contracting owner, Japan was the largest newbuildings investor country in 2015 with a $10.2bn value of orders placed. Unlike changes among many other large investing countries this result was higher, by 12 percent, than seen in the preceding year. China was the second largest investor at $9.6bn, about 24 percent below the previous annual amount. In third place was the USA with $6.4bn (52 percent lower), followed closely by Greece with $6.2bn (50 percent down). In positions four to ten were (in declining sequence) Denmark $3.9bn, South Korea $3.5bn, Germany $3.4bn, Norway $2.6bn, Hong Kong $2.2bn and Singapore $2.1bn.The apparent massive reduction in the value of newbuilding ship orders by investors in Greece is especially noteworthy. It reflects their heavy involvement in the bulk carrier market. According to Clarksons, Greek owners’ investment in new bulk carriers virtually collapsed in 2015, falling by over 90 percent with just nine orders reported, the lowest recorded annual volume. By contrast, Greek owners’ investment in

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 17

orders for new tankers increased by 15 percent from the previous year, reaching $4.4bn, comprising over two-thirds of the national investment total for all ship types. How will these changes in newbuilding order patterns affect future market balances in the individual sectors? Perhaps the most unambiguous and potentially beneficial change is the steep downturn in bulk carrier ordering and consequent orderbook reduction. This development implies lower newbuilding deliveries and much more restrained fleet growth sometime ahead, probably from 2017 onwards. In all the sectors, as is well understood, other factors in addition to new capacity inflows will also shape the balance between vessel supply and demand, in turn influencing freight rate trends. The volume of capacity removed from the fleet by scrapping, often hard to predict, will have a huge impact on fleet growth. Trade evolution and other factors such as average voyage distances will affect demand for shipping capacity.Where future fleet expansion has been potentially boosted greatly by increased ordering of new ships, circumstances have changed. In the tanker and container ship sectors, there is now more reliance upon prospective trade and vessel demand growth in the next few years at least, to support the market.Arguably, prospects for the container ship sector as a whole justify intense anxiety. The colossal recent orders for mega-size ships accompanied huge over-capacity and faltering cargo volumes in some of the main trades. A vigorous pick up in container movements extending over several years appears to be needed, but the outlook is not especially encouraging. These features emphasise again that shipowning is not suitable for those of a nervous disposition. Source: Article by Richard Scott, visiting lecturer, London universities & MD, Bulk Shipping Analysis

10-02-2016 : The EASTER K nearing the completion of the discharge of a cargo of coal, IN Kita Kyushu, Japan

photo : Les Whitehead - Cable Innovator (c)

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 18

Rederij Groen’s MARIANNE-G spotted in Stellendam Photo : Marijn van Hoorn ©

Six new VLCCs marks the start of a busy delivery year

2016 is off to a flying start when it comes to delivering brand new VLCCs from shipyards in South Korea and China to owners and investor across the globe. The six new VLCCs were delivered in a strong winter market. Having reduced slightly, since the turn of the year, VLCC average earnings currently sit at USD 50,000 per day, in early February. For the full year, an additional 58 VLCCs are scheduled for delivery, but delays and postponements usually decrease that number to a certain degree. Taking that into consideration, BIMCO expects 37 VLCCs to be delivered during the final 11 months of 2016. South Korean shipyards will provide the lion’s share of these newbuilds.Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO Peter Sand says: “We have consistently expected 2016 to be a year of rising supply pressure in the crude oil tanker sector. We have seen 6 VLCCs delivered in January, the most since November 2014. BIMCO expects the highest inflow of new VLCC capacity to come into the market during the first and the fourth quarter. The same pattern is projected for suezmax and aframax crude oil tankers. Supply side growth to outstrip demand side growthAfter three years of low but very healthy crude oil tanker fleet growth with an annual average of 1.5% from 2013 to 2015, BIMCO forecasts a fleet growth of 4.3% for the crude oil tankers in 2016. The biggest share of that growth is set to be within the VLCC segment. Demolition activity in all crude oil tanker segments is foreseen to be fairly low at 5 million DWT, higher than the 1.4 million DWT scrapped in 2015, but lower than in all the years since 2008, buoyed by strong marketsThe VLCC fleet currently consists of 654 tankers out of which 72 were built before 2000. Those 72 tankers represents 10.7% of total VLCC capacity. Average year of build for the fleet is 2006.“The rise of crude oil transport capacity- stemming from the introduction of new modern tankers -being delivered into the active fleet is likely to result in a four-year high fleet growth rate in 2016.BIMCO expects crude oil tanker demand in 2016 to grow by 2.5-3.5% depending on developments in the oil price, refinery throughput, global oil supply, geopolitical tensions and inventory changes.Overall, we expect supply side growth to outstrip demand side growth in 2016, resulting in downside pressure on spot and time-charter rates for crude oil tankers”, adds Peter Sand. Source: BIMCO

Hapag-Lloyd adds wide beam ships German ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd has purchased two wide beam ships from NileDutch, and will charter two sister ships for use in South America as well as four wide ships for a Canada-Mediterranean string.

Hapag-Lloyd has taken delivery of two modern 3,500-TEU ships with a special wide-beam design from the Dutch shipping company NileDutch. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the two vessels, which are to be initially deployed in South America, Hapag-Lloyd said in a statement Wednesday."The wide-beam design of the hull means that the ships, which were built in 2015, maintain a comparatively high slot capacity despite having a lower draught, thereby making them particularly well suited for ports with shallow water as for example some South American ports," the German ocean carrier explained. Hapag-Lloyd is also chartering two more identical ships from NileDutch’s same series, both of which will be deployed together with their sister ships. Anthony J. Firmin, chief operating officer of Hapag-Lloyd said the ships will be deployed in the cabotage business in South America. Hapag-

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 19

Lloyd is also chartering four other wide-beam ships for services between the Mediterranean and Montreal, Canada. Those ships are two years old and have an operating capacity of around 2,700 TEU. They will replace existing, older tonnage, are equipped for sailing through ice and also have a comparatively low draught, which is an advantage for traveling on the St. Lawrence River. Source : American Shipper

CASUALTY REPORTING

COLLISION AT SINGAPORE JURONG ANCHORAGE

Last Wednesday at the Singapore West Jurong anchorage a collision took place between the TAIHUA VENTURE which was taking bunkers at the time of the collision with the ALEM MOLEX after the collision the TAIHAU VENTURE leaked water from the forecastle Photo: Sijtze Visser ©

ALSO INTERESTED IN THIS FREE MARITIME NEWSCLIPPINGS ? CLICK HERE AND REGISTER FOR FREE !

NAVY NEWS Navy urged to slow deployments of warships

built in Marinette The USS Milwaukee sets sail on last November after being commissioned in Milwaukee. The ship was built as part of a U.S. Navy ship building program that supports thousands of Wisconsin jobs and could be downsized as the ships face continued criticism and remain vulnerable in the military’s budget decisions. A U.S. Navy ship building program that's supported thousands of Wisconsin jobs could be downsized as the ships face continued criticism and remain vulnerable in the military's budget decisions. The Navy should consider delaying deployment of the new littoral combat ship, and toning down praises for it, until the ship successfully completes more testing, Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the panel's top Democrat, said in a Feb. 5 letter to the Navy, made public this week.The Marinette Marine Corp. shipyard, in Marinette, employs about 2,000 people building the littoral combat ships, designed for a variety of missions including combat in shallow, coastal waters. Defense contractor Lockheed

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 20

Martin Corp., through Marinette, has delivered three of the vessels to the Navy: USS Freedom, USS Fort Worth and USS Milwaukee, which was christened in Milwaukee last November. Seven more of the $479 million warships are in various stages of construction in Marinette, while a different version is being built in Mobile, Ala. Altogether the Navy wants 52 of the ships, although Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has directed the service to cut that number to 40 vessels — a move that could shorten the life of the ship building program by several years. "It is a little bit nerve-wracking every time this conversation comes up," said Jerry Murphy, executive director of New North, an economic development group that represents industry in 18 counties of northeastern Wisconsin. "The longer the run of this contract, the stronger the workforce ultimately becomes," Murphy said of the shipyard. The littoral combat ship construction is scheduled to continue in Marinette for at least the next five years. However, the ships have faced criticism from McCain and others over their performance and reliability. Carter and his predecessor as defense secretary, Chuck Hagel, both questioned the littoral combat ship's ability to withstand combat. In its annual report on major weapons, the Pentagon testing office said one of the vessels had difficulty in tests at sea defending against swarming vessels, such as those used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards, and that both versions of the ship have extensive reliability problems.With six ships delivered, but "practically no LCS mission capabilities proven" for mine clearance, surface warfare and submarine hunting, "we urge you to reevaluate the deployment strategy," McCain and Reed said in their letter to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. "We expect Navy leaders to acknowledge and close the chasm between aspirations and reality for the LCS," they wrote. Going forward, there's also pressure from the Defense Department for the Navy to select one version of the littoral combat ship over the other, which could take Marinette out of the program. That's an ongoing concern for northeast Wisconsin, especially, where the LCS program has been a mainstay of employment."Every year we have these conversations. It does give everybody pause to think about what would happen if that flow of work was diminished," Murphy said.Fairbanks Morse Co. in Beloit builds the diesel engines for the ships from Marinette. It also has more than 50 suppliers involved in the program."Any changes to the LCS program would have a significant impact on our business. In addition to our own business, in Beloit, if there were any cutbacks in the program, it would have a big impact on our supply base in Wisconsin," said Andrew Smith, Fairbanks Morse' marine segment leader. In December, USS Milwaukee broke down at sea and had to be towed more than 40 miles to a Navy base near Norfolk, Va. It was not a problem with the diesel engines, according to Fairbanks Morse. Rather it was a failure of the ship's gearing system, according to the publication Navy Times. USS Milwaukee is still docked in Virginia undergoing repairs, the Navy said Tuesday, declining further comment.The Navy plans to use littoral ships for a deployment in Bahrain in 2017.McCain and Reed say the ships still have significant unresolved issues, and that the Navy's assessments of the program do not reflect reality."More than seven years after the first LCS was delivered, the (Pentagon) report makes clear the program remains mired in testing delays with an unclear path ahead. Yet we seldom hear from Navy leaders about these challenges and the path to achieving full operational capability." The Navy says it remains confident in the ship's performance, and that there are issues with any new type of vessel."For this new ship class, we will continue to refine how we train, maintain, operate and deploy LCS based on what we have learn in operational tests, maintenance, and deployments. The first two deployments of LCS have been successful, but we still have work to do in order to better execute the mission for which this platform was designed," Rear Adm. Dawn Cutler, the Navy's chief spokesperson, said in an email.Regarding the exercise involving swarming attack vessels, Navy spokesman Dale Eng said: "In two of the three raid events, a single target minimally and only briefly entered the established keep-out range. In both cases, ship's crew quickly maneuvered to open up the range and achieve a kill on the target. The test events also serve to refine tactics and procedures and the lessons learned in these events are part of that effort." Bloomberg Business News contributed to this report. Source: Milwaukee Wisconsin journal sentinel

Liberal pollsters to help in German submarine bid

PM leans towards full-strength fleet of 12 subs Liberal Party pollsters Crosby Textor are poised to become involved in the submarine race with German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems planning to hire the firm to help with its bid for the $50 billion contract. Meanwhile, Fairfax Media can reveal that the Turnbull government's national security committee of Cabinet has signed off on the plan to commit to building a full fleet of 12 submarines to replace the ageing Collins Class. Also on Wednesday, Defence officials dismissed suggestions that the Japanese bid was getting favourable treatment by being allowed to patch up holes in its proposal to build the new fleet.Germany, Japan and France are in a three-way race to build the new boats starting in the late 2020s. Each has submitted a proposal that the Defence Department is now examining under the so-called "competitive evaluation process".Fairfax Media has learnt that TKMS Australia is seeking the services of Crosby Textor, the political polling firm with a long history of working as pollsters and strategists for the

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 21

Liberal Party. The firm is expected to survey Australian attitudes towards the submarine project.TKMS Australia chairman John White declined to comment. The Financial Times newspaper reported this week that Japan had failed to submit a detailed budget plan or identify which of the two major Japanese firms involved was actually in charge of the project.Australian officials had laid increasing pressure on Japan to fix these gaps in its proposal after bids had closed at the end of November, the paper reported.Independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon asked Defence officials during a Senate hearing whether any of the bidders had been asked to provide further information.The Navy's head of the submarine program, Rear Admiral Greg Sammut, said that information had been "requested of all participants".It had been asked in a different form of one bidder with whom there was a "government-to-government arrangement as opposed to a commercial arrangement", he said.This indicated Japan, whose bid is being effectively run by the Japanese government in contrast to the German bid by TKMS Australia and the French partially government-owned firm DCNS."But the information requested of each participant is the same," Rear Admiral Sammut said.He said this was consistent with the bidders' contracts with Defence.Senator Xenophon, asked later whether he was concerned that the Japanese were being coached through their bid, said: "I can't say that, but that is the obvious question that will arise if there has been a contract variation … That could well mean that there has been an opening up of the process."I just want it to be a fair process and I want taxpayers to get value for money." Source : Sydney Morning Herald

3 Japanese naval vessels to visit Cambodia next week

Three Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels will dock at the Cambodia's Sihanoukville Autonomous Port from Feb. 17 to Feb. 20, according to a press release from the Japanese embassy here on Wednesday. The vessels, namely AKEBONO, HATAKAZE and YAMAYUKI, are led by Captain Kazuhiko Mizoe, commander of the Escort Division 11 of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, the press release said."The objectives of the visit are to strengthen friendship between Japan and Cambodia through various exchange programs as well as to give opportunities for approximately 110 cadet school graduates to learn about culture and military in Cambodia," it said. During the visit, Mizoe is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Admiral Tea Vinh, commander of the Royal Cambodian Navy, on Feb. 18, it added. Source: chinamil

Navy ship visits Cayman By James Whittaker

British Royal Navy ship the HMS MERSEY, which assists with anti-drug trafficking operations and is on standby for disaster relief in the region, called into Grand Cayman yesterday (Thursday). The 250-foot vessel, with a crew of 48, left its home port of Portsmouth in the U.K. in January and will be on patrol in the northern Atlantic until July. The ship has a remit to provide “security and assurance” to the U.K.’s Overseas Territories in the Caribbean and will visit all six during her time in the region. During the visit to Grand Cayman, the ship’s crew will conduct a joint exercise with the police marine unit. There will also be an evening reception and tours of the vessel for local students.On Friday, crew members will take part in a community project with the Sunrise Adult Training Center in West Bay, helping to create a vegetable garden at the facility.Some of the crew will also take part in the Caybrew Challenge Quiz with a team of local

football fans. Commanding Officer Lt. Cmdr. Richard Hewitt said, “I was looking forward to bringing Mersey to Grand Cayman and to continue to show the Royal Navy’s commitment to U.K. Overseas Territories, as well as working with organizations such as the Royal Cayman Islands Police Marine Unit.”The HMS Mersey is one of the Royal Navy’s four River Class offshore patrol vessels.The ship has a doctor and medical team on board in case assistance is needed in a disaster.The vessel can make 10 tons of fresh water per day and is also able to embark shipping containers of aid and equipment if required, using her own cranes, according to a press statement from the Governor’s Office.“The Mersey will also reinforce trade links with Central America and reaffirm relationships with foreign partners, including the Mexican Navy. She will also take part in the multinational exercise Trade Winds 16 in June. Additionally she will

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 22

conduct counter-narcotics patrols with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment team embarked for boarding operations,” the statement said. Source: caymancompass

Navy ship rescues stranded tourists, island caretakers in Masbate

A Philippine Navy ship has rescued 100 local tourists and two island caretakers who were reported to be stranded on Sombero Island in Masbate, a regional military spokesman said Wednesday. In a statement, Col. Angelo de Guzman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command said those stranded were rescued Tuesday morning. De Guzman said elements of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon's Patrol Gun Boat 370 under LT Edwin Nuestro Jr. carried out the operation. The team was dispatched "despite the turbulent seas to respond to a distress call from the stranded tourists," the statement said. Most of those stranded were from Manila. Source : GMA News

Navy Halts Funding for Northrop Grumman’s Carrier-Based Combat Drone

By Sandra I. Erwin As it reconsiders its unmanned aviation strategy, the Navy has decided to cease funding the X-47B bat-winged drone

that made aviation history in recent years. The first-ever autonomous unmanned aircraft to be launched from and recovered on a carrier deck, the X-47B, is likely to run out of funding by the end of fiscal year 2016. The Navy has not requested money for the program in its fiscal year 2017 budget. The X-47B remains in “standby status” at the Naval Air

Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland, Capt. Beau Duarte, the Navy's Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager, told National Defense Feb. 10 in a statement. There is still a chance, however, that the aircraft could fly again, he said. The Navy received $250 million in fiscal year 2016 for “risk reduction activities” for a future drone known as the unmanned carrier launched strike and surveillance, or UCLASS. The Naval Air Systems Command will “evaluate what surrogate aircraft activities, including further X-47B operations, are cost effective to meet these risk reduction goals,” Duarte said. The latest decision regarding the X-47B caps off a complex turn of events for this program since the Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a contract in 2007 to build a carrier combat drone. The company produced two of the tail-less, strike fighter-sized unmanned aircraft — dubbed Salty Dog 501 and Salty Dog 502. The Navy was ready to mothball them in the summer of 2015 and send them to an aviation museum, but reversed course in the face of congressional backlash. Lawmakers chided the Navy for abandoning the program at a time when other nations are rushing to develop advanced combat drones and anti-ship missiles that would make long-range aircraft like the X-47B more valuable in a future war. The X-47B in August 2014 took off and landed alongside a manned F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter. In April 2015, it made aviation history again with the successful completion of the first-ever autonomous aerial refueling of an unmanned aircraft. The Naval Air Systems Command extended Northrop Grumman’s unmanned combat air systems demonstration contract through the end of calendar year 2015. The Navy spent $1.5 billion on the unmanned combat aircraft demonstration over the past eight years. A Northrop Grumman spokeswoman declined to comment on the 2017 budget decision. Scott Winship, Northrop Grumman vice president of advanced air warfare, told reporters last month during a media tour of the company’s aviation facilities in Palmdale, California, that he was hopeful the Navy would continue to fund the X-47B. The aircraft has only flown a fraction of its projected service life, he said. “It’s a 55,000-pound airplane, carries 4,000 pounds of bombs. And there is room for additional sensors.” The achievements of this aircraft are extraordinary, but more work is needed to push the technology further, Winship said. “You can’t say that landing and taking off a carrier 15 times or plugging a probe/drogue one time proves that it works operationally,” but more testing and experimentation could help the Navy gain confidence that unmanned aircraft can be integrated into the carrier wing,

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 23

he added. The next step would be to make them fly in a combat-realistic scenario. “We always did our takeoffs and landings aboard a clean deck, in calm seas, with nobody else around, only watching one airplane come onboard, that’s not the operational type of dance the Navy does.” With more time and effort, the X-47B could show Navy leaders the art of the possible, he said. “We’ve outlined a plan to finish the program we started in 2007 that was truncated.” The airplane was designed for 16,000 hours of service, Winship said. As a prototype, it would be allowed to fly just 4,000 hours, but the Navy only agreed to 400 hours, he explained, “Because we didn’t build a full scale ‘bend and break’ article.” So far, “We’ve used 70 hours of the 400.” The airplanes that are now at Patuxent River, Winship said, have 80 percent of their life left. The apparent end of the X-47B program comes as the Navy rethinks its broader strategy for deploying unmanned aircraft aboard big-deck carriers. Officials announced this week that the UCLASS program is morphing from a strike/surveillance drone to a carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling tanker. The new initiative, known as a carrier-based aerial-refueling system, or CBARS, is seen as a potential “combat multiplier” for the air wing that would help to extend the range of manned Navy fighters. Source : nationaldefensemagazine

SHIPYARD NEWS

The MAX CARRIER in dry dock N°3 at Damen Shiprepair in Brest

Photo: Emmanuel Godillon http://larmes-de-rouille.piwigo.com ©

FORMER SHIPYARD SITE BROUGHT TO MARKET A 75-acre former shipyard site on the north bank of the River Tyne in Wallsend has been brought to market. Bilfinger GVA has been instructed to market the Hadrian Road property, which has a 1,000 metre frontage to the River Tyne including a strengthened angled loading quay and extensive assembly pad with underground ducting network. The site includes buildings measuring a total of 440,000 sq ft including office accommodation in OGN House, which dates back to 1890. There are also project offices, high bay fabrication sheds and warehouses. Danny Cramman, head of industrial agency at Bilfinger GVA, Newcastle, who is handling the marketing of the property, said: "The site, premises

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 24

and extensive waterfront facilities offer a unique product to the market place and are well suited to a range of potential uses including, but not limited to, the offshore sector, general manufacturing, engineering and open storage. "Either the whole or parts of the land and buildings are available by way of new leases for a term of years to be agreed.

The HARKAND ATLANTIS left the drydock during heavy rains at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen.

Photo : Wim Kosten – www.maritimephoto.com (c)

ROUTE, PORTS & SERVICES

European bio LPG produced in Rotterdam Neste has realised a new facility for the production of biopropane fuel or bio LPG at its refinery on the Maasvlakte. This new fuel produces considerable lower carbon emissions and can be used without further adaptations by any equipment powered by conventional LPG. Neste will sell the biopropane to SHV Energy, which will be marketing the fuel in Northwest Europe. As such, Neste and SHV Energy stand to make an innovative contribution to the further development of the circular economy. Neste’s NEXBTL technology allows the company to make renewable, top-quality products from virtually any type of vegetable oil or waste animal fat. Kaisa Hietala, Vice President of Renewable Products at Neste, offers further details on the expansion of the range. “We have developed an innovative renewable product family based on our NEXBTL production technology. Bio LPG is the latest addition to our list of renewable products,” says Hietala. “It ensures that customers in Europe will be able to use this new renewable product and enjoy its environmental benefits and other unique properties.” Bio LPG offers a number of advantages. The fuel can not only be produced from residues: greenhouse gas emissions during combustion are also lower. This has convinced the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment to include biopropane in its mix of fuels for the future."Bio LPG is a wonderful addition to our product portfolio that will yield a lot of advantages for our clients," says Fulco van Lede, Management Board Member of SHV Energy. “The fuel can be used within a full range of existing LPG applications, from transport and commercial heating to retail leisure cylinders, demonstrating the versatility of the fuel without having to change conventional equipment. In addition, bio LPG offers our rural customers an even cleaner energy

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 25

alternative to the high-carbon fuels that many of them are still dependent on in off-grid areas.”The Netherlands is not the only country that has shown a strong interest in this product. The UK Department for Transport has included Bio LPG in its renewable transport fuel programme, and distributor SHV Energy is working with customers and policy-makers in France, Germany, Ireland, Scandinavia and the Benelux on the development of similar schemes to promote the adoption of bio LPG in a growing number of countries. Source : Source: Port of Rotterdam Authority

The Damen multicat 2613 VOE EARL spotted in Stellendam Photo : Marijn van Hoorn ©

Stena Line to move service from Majnabbe terminal at the Port of Gothenburg

The Masthugget Terminal would be around well into the future and would be opened up to the people of Gothenburg and become an integral part of the urban landscape. The Sweden-Germany ferry service would be moved from Majnabbe to the outer areas of the port on Hisingen. This is the potential outcome of the new agreement that the Port of Gothenburg is hoping to reach with Stena Line, the port of Gothenburg said in its press release. "Stena Line is one of the port's biggest customers and a major employer in Gothenburg. With 1.7 million passengers each year, it generates annual tourist revenue of 700 million kronor for Western Sweden. Finding a solution that is acceptable to everyone in the long-term is vital, not only for the port and for Stena Line but also for the whole of Gothenburg," said Ulrica Messing, Chair of the Gothenburg Port Authority. Stena Line's current agreement for the Masthugget Terminal runs out in 2019 and for the Majnabbe Terminal in 2024. Both areas are included in the RiverCity development project. The Port of Gothenburg, Stena Line and a number of City of Gothenburg administrations have examined alternative sites for Stena Line ferry operations. The original plan – bringing together all traffic at Majnabbe – was abandoned in the spring. A study showed that the investment cost would be prohibitive as the area would need to be redeveloped completely. A further difficulty lies in securing permits for the substantial increase in traffic that would arise and the impact this would have on local residents on both sides of the river."The best alternative that emerged during the course of the enquiry is for ferry traffic to Denmark, which is more dependent on a central location, to remain in Masthugget for longer whilst the transfer of ferry traffic to Germany from Majnabbe to the outer areas of the port is brought forward," said Ulrica Messing.The new agreement will lean towards traffic to Denmark remaining at Masthugget until 2035 although this does not exclude the possibility of terminating the agreement at some point after 2025 if the area is needed for development. A key element in this new direction is making the terminal more accessible to the people of Gothenburg.Magnus Kårestedt, Port of Gothenburg chief executive, said: "The terminal will be integrated more closely into the urban landscape and become a hub and a meeting point for the city, the river and the people. Design proposals will be produced and presented by Stena Line in the near future." The Stena Line service between Gothenburg and Kiel in Germany would switch from its present location at Majnabbe to the outer areas of the port as soon as this is feasible. The Majnabbe agreement would be shortened and run until

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 26

2020 although the move could very well take place within the next 12-18 months.Magnus Kårestedt explained: "Our assessment is that the service to Germany would benefit from being located in the outer areas, where there are terminals with rail links and other infrastructure elements that would make it easier for Stena Line's freight traffic. As regards passenger traffic, the majority of passengers travel by car and are not as dependent on a central location."When the ferries leave Majnabbe an entirely new district could emerge between Klippan and Fiskhamnen."It is a large, central area which within a few years could develop into a highly attractive and cohesive residential and recreation area," said Magnus Kårestedt. Source : Portnews

Abu Dhabi Ports’ investments in new equipment improve efficiency of port operations

Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of ports and Khalifa Industrial Zone in the Emirate, has procured a range of new advanced equipment this year as part of an ongoing upgrade to all of the general cargo and Roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) handling equipment at Khalifa Port and Zayed Port. The new equipment, including forklift trucks, terminal tractors, roll trailers and truck-mounted mobile cranes, will significantly enhance the efficiency and safety of port operations, and reduce vessel turnaround time. These acquisitions are part of Abu Dhabi Ports’ continuous investment in equipment to better handle the increasing general cargo and RoRo volumes. The state-of-the-art equipment will ensure sustainable and reliable services and continue to improve customer satisfaction – one of the core objectives of Abu Dhabi Ports.Apart from higher handling capacity, much of the new equipment also has an improved ergonomic design that provides equipment operators and drivers with better working comfort.Sixteen forklift trucks (FLTs)-- were the first equipment to arrive at Zayed Port. The new trucks, which have a lifting capacity ranging from three tons to fifteen tons, bring the total FLT fleet to over 30. Sixteen new terminal trucks are expected to arrive in February. With new additions, there will be over 30 terminal tractors in the two ports for general cargo and RoRo operations.Abu Dhabi Ports will also take delivery of 37 roll trailers. -The new roll trailers- will take the total number available to over 60. The new trailers will have the loading capacity of 80 tons and 120 tons. Eight truck-mounted mobile cranes are expected to arrive in April. This first batch of truck-mounted mobile cranes for Abu Dhabi Ports – four with lifting capacity of 100 tons and four with 70 tons -– will offer improved mobility and manoeuvrability. They can be deployed at any port in the Abu Dhabi Ports portfolio.In 2015, Abu Dhabi Ports purchased two new mobile harbour cranes with lifting capacity of 65 tons for general cargo operations in Zayed Port. Other new equipment purchased last year– three bucket grabs and two orange pearl grabs – have been facilitating smooth loading and unloading of bulk cargo. Source : Portnews

Port of Felixstowe offers container weighing solution

The Port of Felixstowe has confirmed that it will offer a container weighing service to ensure UK shippers are able to comply with new international regulations that will come into effect on 1 July 2016. From July, an amendment to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention will require every export container carrying cargo to have its weight verified before it is loaded on to a shipThe Port of Felixstowe has taken a leading role in the consultation exercise by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the implementation of the rules in the UK.The service at the port will be available to containers arriving either by road or rail. The Port of Felixstowe is the UK's largest intermodal rail terminal and 40%

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 27

of all laden export containers arrive at the port by rail.Port of Felixstowe (PFL) is strategically located on the UK's southeast coast and within easy reach of major ports in northwest Europe. As Britain's busiest container port and one of the largest in Europe, over 40 percent of the UK's containerised trade passes through the Port. PFL is a member of Hutchison Port Holdings Limited (HPH), the port and related services division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CK Hutchison). Source : Portnews

Titanic II: Exact replica of doomed ocean liner set to sail in 2018

By Patrick Maguire

The fully-functioning imitation of the doomed ocean liner – updated to meet modern safety requirements – will travel from Jiangsu, China, to Dubai. Its supposedly unsinkable namesake struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage between Southampton and New York in 1912. Titanic's fateful collision claimed the lives of over 1,500 passengers and crew – and went on to be immortalised in the 1997 blockbuster starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The replica, funded by colourful Australian billionaire Clive Palmer had initially been slated for a 2016 launch. More than 2,000 passengers will enjoy access to Turkish baths, a gym and swimming pool.While the ship's first, second and third class cabins will be faithful reproductions of the original, a spokesman for mining tycoon Palmer's Blue Star Line said it would be updated with a full complement of modern technology. James McDonald, the firm's marketing director, said: "The new Titanic will of course have modern evacuation procedures, satellite controls digital navigation and radar systems and all those things you'd expec on a 21st century ship." He added that the resurrection of the legendary Titanic brand – more than a century on from the original's demise and almost two decades on from the Oscar-winning film – was exciting people the world over.He said: "We own the TITANIC II name and trademark and people are linin up to be a part of it."Blue Star have been "inundated" with requests from prospective passengers, according to publicity. The enthusiasm for the project comes despite complaints from relative of those who died in the 1912 tragedy, who slammed the plans as insensitive. Source : Express

Seagull Maritime leads the way into mobile apps

The Seagull mobile app for crew training status is set to revolutionise the way seafarers track their training records and receive critical safety alerts, by making both instantly accessible via iPhones and Android devices. The Seagull crew app is available free of charge to all Seagull customers, offering access to selected records within the Seagull Training Administrator Online database covering individual seafarer status on all training requirements and competency. “Seagull is the first to respond to the changing training needs of the seafarers of today, who are entitled to expect the best available tools to support their safety and competency,” says Roger Ringstad, Seagull Maritime Managing Director. “This is a major step forward for an industry whose ability to recruit and retain skilled crews increasingly depends on showing seafarers more commitment to the technology that shore-based staff take for granted.” The app also delivers company notices in electronic bulletin form, either to all crew or to targeted ranks, including circulars, incident reports, regulatory updates, technical information, and quality management guidance. “Crews need the latest information because awareness is the key to ensuring best possible practice,” says Mr Ringstad. “Being notified of a vessel grounding or near miss, for example, inspires extra vigilance for those at sea. The app allows notifications to be delivered directly to the seafarer’s own device at the earliest opportunity, and is no longer tied to the PC.” Already available via Google Play and App Store, under the name Seagull Training, it`s designed with ease of use in mind. The app can be downloaded to individual devices, with the user logging in using his/her secure ID and password. Once logged in, every seafarer can investigate his/her own training records, to establish completed and outstanding training and receive company notices via the STA Online electronic bulletin. “The app enables the user to confirm that he/she has read and fully understood the safety notifications,” says Mr Ringstad. “Seagull Maritime has been at the forefront of the shipping’s uptake of e-learning, and the Seagull app continues our strategy of using the best available technology to support a safer, better trained shipping industry.”

OLDIE – FROM THE SHOEBOX

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 28

The SA Navy tug DE NEYS is due to retire after 46 years service at Simon’s Town dockyard. She was completed at Globe Engineering in Cape Town in 1969. Photo: Robert Pabst (c)

…. PHOTO OF THE DAY ….. The Perfect storm

The Eurokotter Z-181 seen enroute home to the port of Harlingen during Southwesterly gale 9 bft Photo : Flying Focus Aerial Photography www.flyingfocus.nl ©

CLICK at the photo to view more photos made by Herman of Flying Focus

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2016 – 043

Distribution : daily to 33.750+ active addresses 12-02-2016 Page 29

The compiler of the news clippings disclaim all liability for any loss, damage or expense however caused, arising from the sending, receipt, or use of this e-mail communication and on any reliance placed upon the information provided

through this free service and does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information

UNSUBSCRIBE / UITSCHRIJF PROCEDURE To unsubscribe click here (English version) or visit the subscription page on our website.

http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/en/unsubscribe/

Om uit te schrijven klik hier (Nederlands) of bezoek de inschrijvingspagina op onze website. http://www.maasmondmaritime.com/nl/uitschrijven/