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GAC, the world’s largest independent shipping and transport services provider, has broken new ground with the expansion of its network of global alliances into Venezuela. 

On March 1, 2004, GAC’s Global Network Alliance agreement with Vensport C.A., a prominent Venezuelan shipping agency, swings into action in the South American country that boasts one of the world’s largest known oil deposits. In addition to Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), Venezuela’s ports attract bulk carriers, LNG tankers, and container and general cargo ships.

Lars P. Heisselberg, Group Vice President, GAC Shipping Services says, “The GAC-Vensport alliance strengthens our worldwide coordination of port and ship agency services. With a firm partner in Venezuela that is committed to identifying and introducing cost-effective solutions, our global network is further enhanced, allowing us to provide customers with even better services for their ships - wherever they go.”

Ruben Ortega, Vensport C.A.’s Managing Director, says that entering into an alliance with such a well-reputed organisation as GAC will enhance Vensport’s market coverage and strengthen its understanding of the maritime sector’s goals around the world.

“Sharing our resources will allow us to provide an even more cost-effective and reliable operation,” notes Ortega. “It is our firm belief that all our clients will benefit from this new venture which is based on financial strength, educated and experienced shipping professionals, and full understanding of customer needs,” he adds. 

With alliances already established in North, Central and South America, the GAC-Vensport deal brings GAC a step closer to complete port coverage in the Americas. In the past 12 months, GAC has rapidly expanded its Global Network Alliances to complement its own port coverage in the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Asia, Africa and key locations in the US, Europe, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. 

LONDON: Iraq opened its second Gulf oil port this week, clearing the way for it to boost crude exports by up to 20 per cent and generate more funds for post-war reconstruction. The port could allow Iraqi exports to rise back to two million barrels per day (bpd), levels last seen before the US-led invasion last spring. An Iraqi shipping official said that the Khor Al Amaya terminal was now open and the first crude tanker had already arrived there for loading.

MUSCAT: The Omani government has approved the design and construction by Septech Emirates of two floating docks for fishing harbours in Al Asharaka, south of Muscat, and Lima, in the Khasab region. "Currently, access to land at these two sites is straight onto the beach," said managing director of Septech Emirates, David Heffernan. The docks in Oman will receive a multitude of boats, from traditional dhows, patrol vessels and recreational boats to large, commercial fishing boats.

MANAMA: Bahrain's Interior Ministry planes will be used to patrol the coasts to check the re-emerging piracy in the region, the ministry's top officer has announced, after suspected pirates snatched a Bahraini-owned fishing boat. "The ministry's planes will operate along with the coastguard boats to help deter pirates and ensure the safety of Bahraini waters," Undersecretary Sheikh Duaij Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa was speaking during a meeting with representatives of the Fishermen Society. Armed assailants had earlier raided a Bahraini boat in the Abu Luthama area and threw the fishermen overboard. Three fishermen were rescued by a passing Saudi ship.

DAMMAM: A passenger shipping line will soon start operating between Dammam and Dubai, and the King Abdul Aziz Port Authority has approved plans for the construction of a passenger berth at the port. The transport minister and chairman of the board of directors of the port, Dr. Jabara Al Seraisry, said a committee headed by KAA Port Director Naeem Ibn Ibrahim Al Naeem has been set up to supervise the construction. The port at present only handles commercial liners and tankers. There has been demand for passenger service from Dammam for quite some time.

BAGHDAD: The Iraqi government has plans to set up a special insurance company to cover shipping, with post-war traffic to the country's ports flourishing in the absence of sanctions, finance officials said. The creation of a new company to provide cover for ships and the goods they carry is under consideration as part of a revamp of the insurance sector which shrank in real value as the 12-year embargo caused inflation and poverty. The private sector is expected to have a stake in the overhauled insurance sector as the US-backed interim government last year announced plans to open up all sectors except natural resources to private investments.

TEHRAN:  According to Iran's State News Agency IRNA Iran's first shipment of kerosene headed from this southwestern port for Umm Qasr in southern Iraq this week, the head of the city's Ports and Shipping Office said. The consignment, including 3,000 tons of the oil product, was taken by the Panama-registered tanker C Angel from a jetty near Abadan refinery, Hedayatollah Fez-Mahdavi said. He said the shipment followed an agreement reached between the two neighbouring countries' officials to meet part of the Iraqi people`s fuel demands from Iran.        

TEHRAN: A new shipping terminal is to be built in Iran’s Kaveh Port, Qeshm Island. According to the Deputy Director of the Qeshm Free Zone in logistic affairs, Fereydoun Alimoradi, the primary studies are over and the first phase of the terminal will cover an area of 50 hectares. The official referred to the economic privileges of the Qeshm Island and its location in the South-North Corridor as the main reasons behind the construction of the terminal there.

MUSCAT:  Arabian Maritime and Navigation Aids Service LLC has been entrusted with the responsibility to maintain Aids to Navigation for assisting vessels in Oman territorial waters, a press release said. Oman has a vast and a complex coastline, which requires an extensive array of ATON — lighthouses, buoys, beacons and racons to render the waters safe for shipping. Sophisticated computerised systems and management arrangements are in place to issue Navdues Certificates to ship agents/owners. Ship agents/owners are expected to produce these certificates as part of their port clearance procedures.

AMMAN: The Jordanian, Syrian and Lebanese transport ministers will hold a meeting this month to discuss ways to enhance tripartite co-operation in the transport sector, a senior official has said. In the maritime domain, the three ministers will study ways to boost co-oporation among the countries' ports overseeing the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, said Batayneh. The three countries have earlier discussed the possibility of Syria and Lebanon relying on Jordan's sole maritime outlet of Aqaba to receive exports from Asia and for Jordan to rely on Syrian and Lebanese ports to receive exports heading from the West.

ABU DHABI:  The UAE Navy is to purchase six advanced corvettes worth more than $500 million under a contract signed with a local company. The Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding Co (ADSB), which was created by the UAE Offsets Group as a joint-stock firm in 1996, will supply the vessels to the Navy under the deal — the biggest naval contract to be awarded to a Gulf company. The contract involves the design and construction of a new class of multi-purpose corvettes for the UAE Navy called the Baynunah Class.

TEHRAN: Deputy Head of Iran`s Industrial Development and Renovation Organisation Abdolhossein Fahmi has said in Tehran that the first Iran-German ship will be delivered to Islamic Republic of Iran`s Shipping Lines in April 2005, IRNA has reported. Fahmi told IRNA that under the contract six ships will be built on an order by Iran and Germany. He said one of the ships will be produced in Germany and five others in Iran.

RIYADH:  Saudi Arabia's National Chemical Carriers (NCC) has signed a SR250 million  contract with South Korea's Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for the building of two new chemical carriers. This deal brings the number of chemical carrier newbuildings ordered by NCC this year to six, with a total investment of SR800 million. NCC also signed contracts for chartering four new carriers with Saad Al Arifi, chairman of International Shipping and Transportation Company, a Sabic affiliate.  

LONDON: The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has elected Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt and Turkey to be members of its Council for the 2004-2005 biennium, stated a press release. The announcement was made at IMO’s 23rd assembly session held at its London headquarters from November 24 to December 5, 2003. IMO is responsible for the safety of international shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. The organisation is also commissioned with providing machinery for co-operation among governments in the field of governmental regulation and practices relating to shipping engaged in international trade

ABU DHABI:  Norway’s Farstad Supply has reached an agreement to sell platform supply vessel Far Sun to Seaport International Shipping in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The vessel is scheduled to leave for the Emirates immediately after the purchase is completed next month. Far Sun, a BP operated vessel since 1993, is a 1,500 tonne DW Platform Supply Vessel and is worth approximately $4 million, stated a company news release.         

ISTANBUL: “Sept. 11 showed how planes could be turned into bombs. Think how much damage a tanker carrying 50,000 tonnes of petrol could do. And hundreds of them pass within 300 meters of the center of Istanbul every year.” Tuncay Cehreli knows what he’s talking about. In 1994, he was part of the salvage crew sent to prevent the tanker Nassia, crippled and burning, from drifting into the heart of the city. Now he’s in charge of a new maritime security system that went into operation on the Bosphorus. “The previous system didn’t cover some of the most dangerous sections of the passage. Now we can monitor vessels as small as 20 tonnes all the way from the Black Sea to the Aegean, 320 kilometers to the west.”

MUSCAT:  Oman's shipping agents have formed a group with the goal of developing the maritime industry in the Sultanate. The Professional Grouping of Shipping Agents (PGSA) is a partnership of about 20 well-established shipping agencies. The association would also serve as an interface between the authorities, the import/export community, ship operators and their representatives, said CM Najeeb, general manager of Towell Barwil and president of the PGSA.           

TEHRAN: One of Iran's major shipping enterprise, the Bonyad Shipping Company (BOSCO), is to start from November 1 a container service from the Belgian port of Antwerp to Iran and vice-versa.  BOSCO will be represented in Belgium through its general agent, Naviran. Due to the importance of Antwerp as the hub for general cargo and container shipment in Western Europe, especially for Iranian shipping, BOSCO has decided to centralise its European operation center in Antwerp, Reza Najd Javadipour, president of Naviran, told IRNA in Brussels  

RIYADH:  The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (NSCSA) reported its net incomer grew to SR 132 million ($35.2 million) in the first nine months of 2003, compared with SR 68.9 million ($18.4 million) in the same period a year earlier.  The company operates a fleet of nine very large crude oil carriers (VLCC) with a total capacity of 2.7 million DWT. It also owns 16 chemical carriers and four container vessels .

DOHA: Qatar Shipping Co has signed a $223.3m mandate with Credit Lyonnais (CL), a leading international French bank for long-term financing for its fleet expansion. The Export Import bank of Korea (Kexim) is with CL, an Export Credit Agency lender and this is the first transaction for Credit Lyonnais with Q-Ship, said a press note.  Kexim will finance 70 per cent of the loan and the balance of 30 per cent is to be a commercial loan. CL will syndicate this 30 per cent portion with other commercial banks.

TEHRAN:  Iran has offered its facilities to serve as the main gateway for the major inland destinations of Iraq after being successful is providing similar service to Afghanistan’s northern and western areas.  Iran is well situated for passage of the goods to Iraq. Iran’s adequate port facilities and sufficiently good trucking fleet, the short distances to various cities and also the wide experience that Iran has, will streamline and facilitate transit of the cargoes to Iraq, whose ports do not have big capacity to receive containers, said Armond Gigola, delegate of the International Transport Companies Association of Iran, while addressing the FIATA World Congress.  

TEHRAN: Iran-Hesabi (cargo) ship that has been busy transiting goods and offering sea services en-route Persian Gulf- European ports is anchored at Italy's Naples port, where it is being loaded for its next destination under quite normal conditions. According to the public relations bureau of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Shipping Lines (IRISL), the Italian news agency ANSA's earlier report regarding the threats posed against the Iranian ship are null and void, and the Iranian ship is following its pre-scheduled activities quite normally. The 23,000-tonne capacity Iranian cargo ship that travelled at 16.5 nautical miles speed was manufactured in Iran in 1998, when it joined the modern fleet of the IRISL. ANSA had announced that Iran-Hesabi's front side had plunged into the sea 12 degrees quite unexpectedly.  

CAIRO:  The US Trade and Development Agency has authorised a $257,000 grant to study needed improvements in navigation and traffic management on the Nile River between Cairo and Aswan. The study will focus on maximising river transport as an efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly means of enhancing Egypt's economic infrastructure, reported Washington File. Historically, river transport has played an important role in sustaining the Egyptian economy. Maximising river transport on the Nile River offers a number of advantages: an environmentally-friendly means of transportation, a reduction in road traffic and congestion and the increased safety, fuel and maintenance savings, a cost-effective means of transportation, increased employment opportunities as river transport becomes available 24 hours per day and increased efficiency in transporting commodity cargo.        

MANAMA: The Alsharif Group of Companies has won the ISO 9001: 2000 accreditation.
Established 60 years ago, the group is in the business of ship agency, freight forwarding and ship chandelling. The group's three shipping companies and its ship chandelling company have been awarded the ISO 9001:2000 accreditation. The companies are: Alsharif, Dilmun Shipping Agency, National Shipping Agency and Mohamed Taher Alsharif. "We began the ISO project in May this year," said general manager Thajone Savanghan.

LONDON:  Saudi Arabia has booked three tankers to move 6.2 million barrels of crude
oil to the US Gulf for October delivery, shipping brokers said. They said Vela International Marine, state oil company Saudi Aramco's chartering arm, had booked three VLCCs to move 855,000 tonnes lifting between September 25 and 30. It takes between five and six weeks to reach the United States from the Gulf. "Three have been booked, they're on subjects," a broker said. It was not immediately clear whether the bookings represented additional spot tanker bookings over and above normal demand and term contracts.           

LONDON: The expansion of the Neka-Tehran oil pipeline will more than double Iran`s crude “swaps” capacity with Caspian countries when it opens later this year. Iran is due to complete the expansion by the end of September that will allow for and extra 70,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Caspian and Russian crude to be supplied, according to Petroleum Argus, quoting a senior Iranian oil ministry official. The 340-km pipeline links Caspian sea to Iran`s 250,000 bpd Tehran refinery and the 100,000 bpd Tabriz refinery, but the existing capacity from the port of Neka is just 50,000 bpd. The expansion includes the construction of four new pumping stations, which are being tested before the work on the pipeline is declared completed.

LONDON: The expansion of the Neka-Tehran oil pipeline will more than double Iran`s crude “swaps” capacity with Caspian countries when it opens later this year. Iran is due to complete the expansion by the end of September that will allow for and extra 70,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Caspian and Russian crude to be supplied, according to Petroleum Argus, quoting a senior Iranian oil ministry official. The 340-km pipeline links Caspian sea to Iran`s 250,000 bpd Tehran refinery and the 100,000 bpd Tabriz refinery, but the existing capacity from the port of Neka is just 50,000 bpd. The expansion includes the construction of four new pumping stations, which are being tested before the work on the pipeline is declared completed.

MUMBAI:  THE Indian shipping industry and the ports sector have revved up their efforts to implement the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code to cover all Indian foreign-going ships, major and minor ports and ship repair yards in the wake of increased pressure from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to meet the July 2004 deadline. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), which has been selected as the designated authority for implementation of the security code, is confident that the ISPS norms will be implemented in the major and minor ports by December 2003, while the Indian foreign-going ships will be able to meet the norms by January 2004. The DGS has identified that about 200 Indian foreign-going vessels, 13 major ports, 36 minor ports and 10 ship repair yards in the country would have to comply with the ISPS code within the time set by IMO.           

MUSCAT: A concession agreement for the exclusive provision of navigational aids services was signed yesterday between the Sultanate's government and the Arabian Maritime and Navigation Services (Amnas) company. The agreement was signed as part of the July 23 anniversary celebrations. Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council; and Malik bin Sulaiman Al Ma'amari, minister of transport and telecommunications, signed the agreement on behalf of the government, while Amnas authorised managers signed for their side. The 15-year agreement stipulates the establishing of an Omani navigational aids services company in the name of Amnas in which the UK-based Menas will hold some shares. Amnas is the joint venture in which the Omani partner Seven Seas Company LLC works together with the Menas.

MUSCAT: A concession agreement for the exclusive provision of navigational aids services was signed yesterday between the Sultanate's government and the Arabian Maritime and Navigation Services (Amnas) company. The agreement was signed as part of the July 23 anniversary celebrations. Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council; and Malik bin Sulaiman Al Ma'amari, minister of transport and telecommunications, signed the agreement on behalf of the government, while Amnas authorised managers signed for their side. The 15-year agreement stipulates the establishing of an Omani navigational aids services company in the name of Amnas in which the UK-based Menas will hold some shares. Amnas is the joint venture in which the Omani partner Seven Seas Company LLC works together with the Menas.

AMMAN:  A Pakistan-Iran joint trade committee will be established to help increase the two countries' volume of bilateral trade while a proposal for the formation of a joint trade expert committee is also under consideration. Mohammad Shariatmadari made the disclosure, the Iranian commerce minister, while addressing businessmen in the port city of Karachi. The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) could ask for representation in the proposed joint trade expert committee, he said.

European Union countries currently enjoy more than 35 percent of the total volume of international trade while the share of Asian countries is only 5 percent, he said. It is high time a joint strategy is forged to get them the right share in the international trade, he advised. The Iranian shipping fleet consists of 120 vessels and "we are ready to start the service on the Shahjahanpure (Iran) to Gwadar (Pakistan) route," he offered. Previously, only 29 items were on the list for free importation into Iran while other items had to have a license or permit from the Iranian government. "Now there is no restriction on imports," he said. The government of Iran is also doing work to promote and legalize border trade, he added.

AMMAN:  Maritime officials from eight Arab countries and nearly 30 Arab maritime companies concluded a two-day meeting at the southern port city of Aqaba where they discussed ways to enhance shipping co-oporation between Arab countries. “At its third meeting, the Arab Shipping Chambers Union convened with officials and companies representing Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, Algeria and other countries,” said Nadeem Gargour, president of Jordan Shipping Agents Association. The gathering, he said, gave participants an opportunity to discuss ways to upgrade the level of maritime corporation among Arab countries.

AMMAN:  Maritime officials from eight Arab countries and nearly 30 Arab maritime companies concluded a two-day meeting at the southern port city of Aqaba where they discussed ways to enhance shipping co-oporation between Arab countries. “At its third meeting, the Arab Shipping Chambers Union convened with officials and companies representing Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, Algeria and other countries,” said Nadeem Gargour, president of Jordan Shipping Agents Association. The gathering, he said, gave participants an opportunity to discuss ways to upgrade the level of maritime corporation among Arab countries.

Lubmarine is the worldwide maritime lubricants network of oil major Total. It provides a full range of lubricants to the shipping industry, supported by expert technical advice and cutting edge research and development. It launched a new generation of clean lubricants for medium-speed engines and high stress applications. It is available from July 2003. The new lubricant range, Aurelia XL, has been specially formulated using the latest additive technology to cope with the increasingly demanding environment of modern marine engines. It is compatible with residual fuel of different qualities leading to excellent engine cleanliness in both the hot and cold areas of the engine; good high temperature thermal and oxidation stability; low volatility; high load carrying capacity; and excellent corrosion protection.

MANAMA:  Asry is riding on a crest of success despite tough competition, says chairman Eid Abdulla Yousif. He was speaking ahead of a general assembly meeting recently, which approved the financial statements and auditors' report for last year. Ship repair sales increased to around $90 million, compared to $83m in 2001, as reported in the GDN in February. Asry's income for the first five months of this year was $37m and 57 vessels were repaired, many of which were very large crude carriers (VLCCs). Earlier the board met and reviewed the reports

LONDON:  Lloyd's Register-Fairplay has introduced a new monthly research report providing analysis and forecasts of the world shipbuilding market. The Shipbuilding Market Forecast, derived from Lloyd's Register-Fairplay's unique database of vessels 100 grt and above and a specially developed forecasting model, provides detailed analysis of the current order book, world fleet summary and newbuilding forecasts for the next five years. Each monthly report focuses on a specific market sector, and includes in-depth analysis of market conditions, capacity and newbuilding requirements  

DUBAI :  UK-based IMG Offshore is to open a regional office in the UAE this year to tap growing Middle East oil and gas industry demand for state-of-the-art composite pipe wrapping materials that combat the effects of corrosion.

It will spearhead its assault on the region’s market at next month’s Chemtex and Corrosion Middle East 2003, the Middle East’s only international exhibition for the chemical, petrochemical, chemical process technology, corrosion control and management industries.

“We are very interested in starting operations in the Middle East and as a first step are opening an office in the United Arab Emirates, along with warehousing facilities for stocking materials,” said Robert Gough, Business Manager, IMG Offshore

MUSCAT :  Oman LNG and BP Gas Marketing have reached agreement to supply up to four million tons of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) over a six-year period beginning in 2004 to BP to deepen BP’s gas marketing activities in Spain. The flexible agreement will involve BP receiving up to 12 cargoes of LNG by ship in Europe to underpin existing supplies. Co-operation between the two parties will ensure additional opportunities to add value through diverting to other markets. Oman LNG will provide shipping for the duration of the agreement. “We are delighted to enter into this agreement with Oman LNG. It will enable us to continue to develop our downstream market positions in countries such as Spain where we are the leading new market entrant—and to offer our global customer base a portfolio of flexible supply sources to meet their needs,” said Ralph Alexander, BP’s chief executive, Gas, Power and Renewables  

DUBAI: Al Jadaf will be shifted progressively from its current location to Dubai Maritime City (DMC). Dredging for the AED 650 million project has begun and the first phase will be completed within one year.
The first phase involves the reclamation and building the facilities for the ship repair work, explained Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, who announced the project.

“The new project will help us use technology in a better way and plan in advance so that we can provide all necessary facilities to companies engaged in ship repair and building,” says Hamed Bin Lahej, general manager of Al Jadaf. Builders and designers of yachts, traditional ships and recreational boats will be based here along with ship repair and maintenance services and ship modification companies. 

"DMC will provide world class maritime services, catering to maritime industries that are continually growing," he added.

The maritime city, to be built between Port Rashid and Dubai Dry Docks, will cater to a diverse international maritime clientele and will focus on national, regional and international companies and institutions involved in maritime related business in six areas — marine services, management, product marketing, research and education, recreation, ship design and manufacturing.
Marine research and education will receive a big boost in the form of a 'marine academy' within DMC, where curricula like marine engineering, marine transportation, naval science, maritime operations and technology, logistics and intermodal transportation and pilot and navigation simulations will be promoted by DMC in the future.  

DUBAI: National Paints is a licensee of Transocean paints and is one of the largest paint manufactures in the Middle East. With the strict international laws banning the use of tin in paints, viable alternatives are being developed. Transocean’s marine division has developed tin free marine paints to achieve environment protection objectives and directives of national and international companies. Tin free antifouling has been developed for all types of vessels and yachts. Among other new products, is a new tin-free yacht antifouling launched in April. In addition, environment friendly powder, decorative and aqua-epoxy coatings are being developed as well. National Paints represents Transocean marine paints in Jordan, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Sri Lanka..

MUSCAT:  The government of Oman has decided to set up a national shipping corporation, Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, has announced. Sources said the proposal is under the government’s evaluation, and the possibilities of potential local and foreign partners participating in the multibillion-dollar company cannot be ruled out. As far as its navigational location is concerned, Oman is distinct with 1,700kilometre-long coastline, and it is regarded as the gateway to the Gulf. The Middle East has an estimated proven oil reserves of about 686 billion barrels — Iran 89.7 billion, Iraq 112.5 billion, Kuwait 96.5 billion, Oman over 5.8 billion, Qatar over 15 billion barrels, Saudi Arabia 262 billion, Syria 2.5 billion, UAE 97.8 billion and Yemen 4 billion.

DUBAI: Cummins Marine introduced the QSK6O engine, with a power range of 2000-2300 hp (1492 – 1716 kW) or propulsion and 1500-1825 kWe for auxiliary applications and is the most powerful marine engine in the Cummins line-up. Says Sam Taleb Middle East General Manager of Cummins, “The QSK6O provides operators with a choice, not only for high-speed applications, but as a cost effective alternative to medium speed.”

The QSK6O is a full authority electronic engine. Quantum System electronics optimize engine fueling for reduced emissions, smoke and fuel consumption. The electronic control module, a CM500 for propulsion and Dominion-G drive for auxiliary configurations, even allows for customised calibrations to match the engine to a vessel’s operating environment. The Cummins-designed Eliminator oil purification system eliminates the need for conventional oil filters, saving service time and disposal problems. A 100-gallon (378 litre) oil pan extends the time between oil changes beyond the typical 250 hours. It also has a Centinel oil management system and an oil burn system. 
The engine is manufactured at the Daventry Engine Plant in the United Kingdom. Cummins has more than 500 company owned and independent distributor locations in 131 countries and territories.    

MUSCAT:  In the next year or two, at least 2,774 new vessels, including one LNG tanker of Oman, will be ready to take up voyages. Among the new vessels on order, which covers some 75 countries, Japan tops the list with 307 new vessels followed by Germany (230), Greece and the US (210) each. The United Arab Emirates will have six new vessels, while Qatar will have 16, of which seven are tankers. These new vessels will have 116,409,964 dwt in all. Of the new vessels on order, tankers are the highest in numbers with 952. While Oman will have one LNG tanker, neighbour Qatar will have 3 LNG tankers, two product tankers and 2 LPG carriers, according to the latest issue of a shipping magazine. 

DUBAI:  Jotun Paints is currently closing down production of TBT antifouling paints in the Middle East – and in the rest of the world. Mr Erik Aaberg, Executive Regional Vice President, Jotun Paints in the Middle East, confirms that Jotun Paints will not bring any TBT based antfouling paint to the market in 2003. This is to comply with International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) ‘International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships’. 

Though this convention will not enter into force until perhaps 2004 or 2005, its effective date for banning the application of TBT based antifouling paints is 1 January 2003. When the convention is ratified, it will be enforced through vessels having to carry a certificate to document that their antifouling system, if applied after this date, is TBT free. Port states will have to opportunity, under the Convention, to check these documents and even inspect and sample vessel’s antifouling. Before 1 January 2008, existing TBT based antifouling either have to be removed or covered by a sealer coat.

SeaQuantum is a true selfsmoothing as well as self-polishing antifouling through the predictable chemical reaction of hydrolysis. A hull becomes smooth as the coating wears. Fuel consumption is reduced due to less friction.

MUSCAT:  Oman-based Topaz Energy and Marine has posted a net profit of RO1.747 million for 2002, compared with RO1.514 million in the previous year. Sales edged up to RO 20.010 million from RO19.525 million during the period under review. Chairman Samir Fancy credited the 2002 performance to a robust performance by the shipowning division. The offshore market saw improved charter rates and overall fleet occupancy rates close to 90 per cent. He said the company was unlocking profit and cash from older ships while re-investing in newer vessels.

RIYADH: The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (NSCSA) has said it has signed a three-year deal with a subsidiary of ChevronTexaco to transport its crude oil to the world market. Under the agreement, NSCSA will transport crude from the Gulf and East Africa to North America, Europe, Australia and East Asia "at a rate band consisting of a floor rate and discounted market rates," NSCSA said in a statement. "Chevron Transport Corporation will load 12 full shipments or more per annum on NSCSA's ships with a minimum of six shipments destined to North America," NSCSA said without giving the value of the deal.  

MANAMA: PRICES of consumer goods are not expected to rise despite an increase in shipping charges to and from Bahrain. Shipping companies say an increase in the war risk surcharge is necessary to off-set higher marine insurance premiums imposed on them because of the conflict in Iraq.The Temporary Additional Risk Surcharge (TARS) has rocketed by up to seven times in some cases. But Commerce Ministry Assistant Under-Secretary for Supply and Consumer Protection Ahmed Bubshait predicted the increase should not be felt by consumers.  

DUBAI: Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) has announced that it has established a presence at the strategic Iraqi port of Umm Qasr, and will be participating in the handling of the first consignment of humanitarian aid cargo to be delivered by sea. The cargo will consist of essential food and medical supplies, and water.
       Within hours of UK forces declaring the port "safe and open,” a senior management representative from ISS’s Kuwait office, proceeded to Umm Qasr in order to carry out an inspection of port facilities and infrastructure and assess local options for discharge and storage.
       Alastair Roff, Managing Director Middle East for ISS, says: “Umm Qasr will be a key facility for humanitarian aid cargoes, and it was important that, as soon as the port was secure, ISS was already there and geared up to offer a full range of port agency services as soon as possible.”
       Meanwhile, all ports and terminals in Kuwait are reported to be working normally.  It is expected that large volumes of aid cargo will also be shipped through Kuwaiti ports in the near future.  Warehousing space is currently in limited supply, although local authorities are working to free up more space. 
        ISS is the world’s largest marine services provider, handling 40,000 vessels a year for 2,500 clients worldwide.  

LONDON: Major shipping lines serving the Northern Gulf region, have raised war risk fees by 2,200 per cent since the war broke out in Iraq, but the effect on International Trade has been minimal, an industry body said on Wednesday. Costs have trickled down to the bottom line after leading Insurers raised the cost of war cover for vessels last week. "Prices have most certainly gone up to Kuwait and destinations to Iran, but increases for the bulk of the Gulf's trade has been very small -- I was really quite surprised," said Keith Nuttall, a spokesman for the Europe Middle East Rate Agreement liner conference.  

ABADAN: Passenger vessels have resumed services between Iran and Kuwait, which were suspended since the US-led war broke out in Iraq.  Announcing this, the Managing Director of Valfajr-8 Shipping Line in Khorramshahr, Abdol-Nabi Nassouri, has said that after the short several-day disruption, the first vessel left Imam Khomeini Port for Kuwait last week. He told IRNA, "Since the outbreak of war in Iraq, the passenger shipping company moving between Khorramshahr and Kuwait, temporarily changed its point of origin to Imam Khomeini Port to avoid possible risk.

DUBAI: GAC Logistics, a global supply chain and logistics services provider, has successfully integrated U.S Customs’ Automated Manifest Systems (AMS) requirements into its supply chain management systems.
CargoGulf, which is GAC Logistics’ own worldwide Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC), is one of the first to be registered and compliant with the U.S Customs as a carrier. 
“Achieving AMS compliance was a learning process and I am sure that our customers will benefit from the understanding we have gained. We know that many in our industry, including some of the shipping lines are unclear as to what is required, which must be a concern for the exporter. Since the start of this year, all GAC Logistics offices around the world can file manifests electronically and have the green light from U.S. customs in a matter of minutes,” said Bill Hill, Group Vice President, Logistics Division, GAC. 
Direct AMS filing offers significant benefits for customers including: reducing exposure of customers’ supply chain, and eliminating the possibility of fines or rejection through pre-screening of manifest data. Accurate filing of manifest information in compliance with the U.S Customs also ensures timely loading of cargo at origin and avoids any delay on arrival at the U.S ports.
Extensive testing and evaluation have been carried out over the past few months. GAC Logistics’ staff has also undergone training to ensure accurate and timely AMS filing for the customers.
The AMS certification is part of GAC Logistics’ ongoing plans to comply with all the new measures to ensure the highest security standards for its customers. The other initiatives include membership application for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) programme, and review of its internal documentation, operational procedures and guidelines.

KUWAIT CITY: The Arab world's largest shipping firm, United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), said it would continue operations despite Iraq war. "The company will continue to perform its strategic role in the event of any emergency as it has done in the past," UASC chief executive and general manager Abdullah Al Madi was quoted as saying. He said the Kuwait-based firm had shifted some of its administrative offices to Dubai to ensure smooth operations.  

DUBAI: Danish cylinder lubrication specialist, Hans Jensen Lubricators A/S has awarded Goltens an "Authorised Service Provider" agreement for its line of cylinder lubricating equipment, featuring the lubrication technology, Swirl Injection Principal (SIP). Jensen Lubricators manufactures lubrication systems for 2-stroke engines and is a recognised supplier to diesel engine manufacturers.
Says Preben Liltved, Vice President, Goltens Europe, "Installing and servicing Jensen lubricators perfectly matches Goltens' business activity in the retrofit and diesel engine repair and maintenance service markets."
"Goltens' staff of trained technicians, engineers and mechanics are accustomed to the major makes of main and auxiliary diesel engines and are the optimal service partner", says Thomas Jensen, vice president sales, Jensen Lubricators. SIP lubrication can be installed as retrofit on all major engines, i.e. MAN B&W, Sulzer and MHI designed 2-stroke engines and, according to Goltens, there is huge growth potential for SIP in the retrofit market.

TEHRAN: Iran confirmed and then denied a press report that it was poised to close a key port close to the border with Iraq. A port official first told AFP that the Aftab-e Yazd daily was correct in reporting that ships had been asked to leave the port of Khoramshahr, although he denied it had anything to do with war in Iraq just across the Shatt Al Arab seaway. But a shipping official in the southwestern city later denied that any restrictions were planned on access to the port. During the 1991 Gulf war, several stray US missiles hit Iranian territory close to the border.

DUBAI: ExxonMobil Marine Lubricants introduced Mobilgard M Series, a line of oils specifically formulated to be an effective solution to the problems experienced in today’s increased more demanding medium-speed diesel engines operating on residual fuel. The product line is available globally.
ExxonMobil launched the new M series – M330, M430, M340, M440 and M50 – to deal with stresses caused by today’s increased use of lower-quality residual fuels, higher fuel injection pressures, and lower specific lube-oil consumption rates. These factors typically result in piston undercrown and ring-belt deposits, fuel contamination of the lube oil, and sludge build-up in the crankcase.
“The Mobilgard M Series was engineered to address each of these problem areas and its unique additive system provides world-class piston undercrown control, unmatched lube-fuel compatibility and excellent overall cleanliness,” says Mark Andreotta, vice president ExxonMobil Marine and Aviation Lubricants. “We are introducing the best overall performing marine lubricant for medium-speed diesel engines. For ship owners and operators interested in reducing downtime and saving money on maintenance, Mobigard M Series is today’s answer.” 

MANAMA: Ship companies have been told it is business as usual in the Gulf, despite the increasing threat of war in Iraq. Naval Co-operation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) adviser to maritime staff Lieutenant Commander Ken Sprowles says commercial shipping operations should not be affected by any conflict. He did warn, however, that oil tankers and oil installations in the Gulf were at a higher risk of attack than other vessels. Over all, Lt Cmdr Sprowles said there was no increased risk to ships operating in this region. "Despite an increase in war rates in some countries, we are advising ships that there is no increased risk," he said.

DUBAI: Goltens completed the construction of the hull of a cruise and dining vessel in Al Jadaf. Owned by Bateaux Dubai, a part of DUTCO Group, the vessel Al Minsaf will offer lunch, sunset and dinner cruises on Dubai Creek to tourists. The boat will be covered with transparent glass and will be positioned in the Creek in September 2003. It will have the capacity to serve 350 guests. 
Goltens got the contract for Al Minsaf in November 2002. “We developed the detailed drawings based on the initial design made by Paris based Seine Design studio. We made the hull and did the mechanical installation for the vessel, which has the approximate dimensions of 55 x 15 metres. On an average 25 people worked on the vessel to complete it within 19 weeks,” says Ole Larsen, Technical Director of Goltens Dubai. 
The company hopes to construct a barge for the same owners. The barge will be built in UAE and shipped to France. According to Larsen, it is cheaper to build in UAE than in other countries even after taking into account the transportation charges.

MUSCAT: Major shipping lines operating in the Gulf region have raised the bunker adjustment factor (BAF) charges over fears of an attack on Iraq, press reports said. The charge has been increased from $30 to $40 per 20-ft-container, while that of a 40-ft-container has been hiked from $60 to $80. The new rate is effective from March 1. 

SHARJAH: Expo Centre Sharjah along with Australia based Baird Publications are organising Gulf Maritime 2003 at the Expo Centre from 25 – 27 March 2003. The event is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. 

“With participation from key port authorities of UAE as well as UAE’s prominent maritime companies, Gulf Maritime 2003 is poised to be the Arabian Gulf’s premier exhibition and conference for the commercial, government and military maritime world, as envisaged by us,” says Michael Muller, Director Marketing and Sales of Expo Centre Sharjah. 

The event targets owners and operators of commercial and government ships and boats, shipbuilders and port managers. It will cover the full spectrum of maritime activity in the Gulf and the Middle East. Exhibitors will include designers, builders and suppliers of equipment and services for all kinds of ships and boats. In addition, suppliers of port equipment and services, government services, finance and classification societies will be represented. 

The show has strong support at the government level, with sizable participation from organisations such as the Sharjah Ports and Customs Authority, the Dubai Dry Docks, Al Jadaf and the Hamriya Free Zone. “Their presence not only gives the event an official recognition from UAE’s concerned authorities, but will also effectively expose the potential UAE’s maritime industry offers to international suppliers and regional buyers,” Muller says.

DOHA: Qatar National Navigation and Transport Company (QNNTC) has made a 2002 profit of QR130 million ($35 million), local press reported. That will  amount to an increase of QR10 million on the previous year. Deputy chairman Saqr Al Hitmi said the rise in profits was achieved in a climate of stiff competition in the local market. 

A significant decrease in piracy in Middle East and African waters has been recorded in 2002 by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). Attacks at  sea in the region numbered 75 for 2002, down 25 per cent compared to the 100 attacks reported in the previous year 2001. At the same time, the   Annual Piracy Report has shown a significant increase in pirate attacks on the world's oceans. The vulnerability of shipping to terrorist attacks is  highlighted in the report. 

The only answer was for coastal states to make sure that approaches to their ports were secure. IMB recommended that port authorities designate approach channels under coast guard or police supervision from which all unauthorised craft would be banned.

MANAMA: A passenger ferry service from Bahrain to India is expected to be resumed in April, after a gap of almost two years. Riyadh-based Tamak Establishment is currently finalising an agreement with the Kerala government and the shipping authorities in India and the Gulf to start the service which can take up to 1,000 people. Tamak  got the go-ahead to launch the service after managing director Thomas Mathai signed a memorandum of understanding with Kerala Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar during the Global Investors Meet held in Cochin last month. The first passenger ferry service between the Gulf and India was launched from Bahrain in June 2001 by Tylos Ferry, a division of Bahrain-based Sanad Travel. However, the company was forced to stop operating the ferry after a few months, as it failed to get a sea-worthiness certificate from the federal Mercantile and Marine Department.

DUBAI: ExxonMobil Marine Lubricants introduced Mobilgard M Series, a line of oils specifically formulated to be an effective solution to the problems experienced in today’s increased more demanding medium-speed diesel engines operating on residual fuel. The product line is available globally. 
ExxonMobil launched the new M series – M330, M430, M340, M440 and M50 – to deal with stresses caused by today’s increased use of lower-quality residual fuels, higher fuel injection pressures, and lower specific lube-oil consumption rates. These factors typically result in piston undercrown and ring-belt deposits, fuel contamination of the lube oil, and sludge build-up in the crankcase.
“The Mobilgard M Series was engineered to address each of these problem areas and its unique additive system provides world-class piston undercrown control, unmatched lube-fuel compatibility and excellent overall cleanliness,” says Mark Andreotta, vice president ExxonMobil Marine and Aviation Lubricants

TEHRAN: Iran’s Minister of Industries and Mines Eshaq Jahangiri has unveiled an ambitious project for renovation of national shipping fleet in line with market demand saying proposals to the effect are expected to be submitted to the cabinet soon, IRNA has reported. Jahangiri, in an address to the fourth nationwide seminar on national maritime industries, highlighted the importance of the plan for modernisation of Iranian shipping industries to meet the growing demand for transportation and transit of foreign goods via Iran. He also pointed to demands worth several million dollars for repair and renovation of oil tankers plying in the Hormuz Strait as well as billions of dollars for shipping related services in projects for developing South Pars gas fields in Bushehr province in southern Iran. Contracts worth about $2 billion have been signed with Iranian contractors for establishing marine structures and a 12-year long term loan with three per cent interest rate is to be made available from Forex Reserve Fund for renovation of the shipping fleet.

DUBAI: The GAC Group, the world’s largest independent shipping and transport services provider, has unveiled its new business plan, known as Vision X – Global Reach, which sets the framework for extending the Group’s global presence while integrating and diversifying its range of services. 
Group President, Lars Säfverström commented: “No other company is as thoroughly immersed in shipping, logistics and marine services as GAC. Our goal is to integrate our unique combination of services, not only across our business divisions but also across geographical regions, thus creating a ‘one world - one agent’ opportunity for our customers.”
West Africa and the Indian sub-continent are expected to offer significant opportunities for the Group.  In Southeast Asia and China, GAC’s network infrastructure is virtually complete. The Middle East, as GAC’s traditional market, continues to be of importance. Under the Vision X plan, the focus will be on cost reductions and productivity improvement, as market demand is driven by price. 
“For shipping, we aim to increase the number of port calls attended by 47% by 2007,” said Shipping Group Vice President, Lars Peter Heisselberg.  “Reorganisation of our hub agency services to include new hubs in the USA and UK, and the establishment of the Global Disbursement Centre in Dubai, will further reinforce our competitiveness.”
GAC Logistics recently added Scandinavia and Latin America to its network and penetration of new geographical markets is on the cards, while GAC Marine will open one new geographical market, West Africa.

DOHA:  BUSAN (South Korea) Qatar Shipping Company (Q-Ship) has taken delivery of the first in a series of three 37,000 dwt chemical tankers. The MT Alnoman was delivered in Busan, South Korea, was attended by officials of Q-Ship. The tanker will operate in spot markets and its maiden voyage began with a cargo from Taiwan to Hong Kong. During their visit, the Qatari officials also attended the slipway launch of MT Jinan, and the keel-laying ceremony for MT Dukhan, the second and third vessels in the series. Q-Ship is to receive delivery of Jinan in March of this year. In Doha, Q-Ship officials signed an agreement with Peninsula LNG Transport No.1, of Liberia, for the provision of a 145,000cbm LNG vessel to RasGas II for a period of 25 years.

IRAN: Iran Marine Industrial (SADRA) company was recently contracted by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to supply three logistics vessels to support exploration activities in the Caspian Sea. The $56 million project was re-tendered in mid-May 2002, revoking an earlier $55-million award for the three vessels to Russia's Vyborg. The parastatal SADRA, Iran’s largest shipbuilding and maritime structure construction company, is also building NOIC’s  $226 million semi-submarine jack-up platform in the Caspian Sea.

KUWAIT: Australia's Austal Ships has secured an order for three Coast Guard patrol boats from the government of Kuwait. With a combined contract value of approximately $8 million, the trio of 22 metre aluminium, monohulls will be built by Austal subsidiary, Image Marine and are due for delivery by early 2004. "Securing this contract with the Kuwait Coast Guard, together with our short-listing for the Royal Australian Navy patrol boat project, shows that there is considerable potential for Austal in this market," said Austal Managing Director, Bob McKinnon in a recent statement.

MUSCAT: Topaz Energy & Marine (TEAM) has acquired a new purpose-built cable-laying vessel that has joined the fleet of its subsidiary Nico World. The vessel, re-named the TEAM Sea Spider, is one of only three cable lay vessels in the world equipped with a large-enough turntable capable of transporting and installing underwater heavy-duty power cables. The versatile vessel has a 4,000-tonne capacity 24-metre diametre turntable to handle HVDC and heavy-duty submarine power cables.

AMMAN: The South African Marine Corporation (Safmarine) has opened a sales and customer service office in Amman, Jordan. A sales team from a local company that previously held the Safmarine agency appointment in the Kingdom will manage the new branch, it has been reported. Safmarine's liner shipping services in the Middle East region currently maintains routes to Europe, Indian Ocean Islands, East Africa, Southern Africa, East Coast South America and West Africa.

DUBAI: The huge potential of the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent for the maritime industries will be put under the spotlight for the first time in a major new event for the region. Seatrade Middle East Maritime, to be held from 3-5 February 2003 in Dubai, UAE, will include an integrated conference and exhibition and a full social programme, building the relationships essential for doing business in this dynamic market.

"The pace of development in this region is spectacular, and the maritime sector is at the forefront of this process," says Seatrade Managing Director, Christopher Hayman. "This new event will demonstrate the enormous opportunities which exist in general shipping, the port and terminal operations, ship management and support services, and also in cruise tourism. Seatrade has 25 years experience of working in the region and we believe the time is right for a major international event of this kind."

Seatrade Middle East Maritime is receiving strong local support, with sponsors including the Dubai Ports Authority, Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Dubai Ship Docking Yard (Al Jadaf).

Over one million tonnes of goods shipped by IRISL's fleet

TEHRAN:Over one million tonnes of goods including chemicals and manufactured commodities were shipped by the Islamic Republic of Iran shipping Lines in the one-month period between September 23 and October 22. Around 1.36 million tons of goods were carried by 29 ocean liners in co-ordination with the IRISL's bulk industrial and chemical department. Besides, the shipment of 135,000 tonnes of goods was co-ordinated by the Asian Line General Goods Transportation Department. The exported goods shipped in co-ordination with the Bulk Industrial and Chemical Department included bauxite, fertilisers, coke, ironware, aluminum powder, white powder, coal and phosphate powder.   E027-181102 posted 18th November 02

New navigational aid offers more accuracy

Asry posts rise in ship repair sales

MANAMA: The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (Asry) has booked ship repair sales of $76.5 million for the previous 10 months. The Bahrain firm reported sales of $68.55 million for the same period last year. The results were reviewed at the 93rd meeting of the board of directors held recently. The meeting was told that 91 vessels were repaired or booked for repair, compared with 84 vessels for the same period last year. Most of these were VLCs (very large crude carriers). E025-041102 posted 4th November 02

Oman to order LNG tankers

Mohammed Bin Masaood & Sons launch new diesel engines DUBAI:Mohammed Bin Masaood and Sons the agent for Volvo Penta in UAE, is launching products that include improved gasoline engines, as well as new 5 and 7-litre low-revolution diesel engines for leisure boats. Volvo Penta’s range of gasoline engines will again comprise 3.0- to 8.1-litre cylinder volumes with output ratings in the range of 135-420 hp. All engines are supplied as complete packages, with a choice of SX single-propeller drives or with Duoprops (with the exception of the 3.0-litre engine). The entire gasoline range has undergone a series of improvements. All gasoline engines have been equipped with new fittings, making it possible to connect a regular garden hose to run the engine’s cooler system on fresh water. With the new attachment, it is easy to run the engine when the boat is mounted on a trailer and it is also possible to flush the engine when the boat is in the water E023-041102 posted 4th November 02   War-risk charges jump for Mideast ports LONDON: Insurers have raised war-risk charges by an average of 15 per cent for ships calling at Gulf ports in the wake of the attack on the Limburg oil tanker, a senior Lloyd's executive has been quoted as saying. He added that voyages to Yemen had risen by close to threefold in some cases since the Limburg blast and that surcharges to Indonesia were set to rise in the aftermath of the Bali bomb that killed nearly 200 people. E022-211002 posted 21st October 02 Six new lines linked to Aden ADEN: Six new international navigation lines were linked to the Aden Container Terminal late in August, according to a navigational officials at the Aden harbour. The officials have been quoted as saying that the new lines would link Aden port with commercial ports in Italy, USA, France, Pakistan,India,and the United Arab Emirates. E021-211002 posted 21st October 02   NICO International signs sales and service     agreement with MAN B & W Dubai : NICO International recently signed an agreement with MAN B & W to offer the complete range of sales and services for their turbochargers. Top officials of the two companies met in Germany to close the deal. According to F. A. Fazelbhoy, General Manager Group Business Development - Topaz Energy and Marine SAOG, this is part of the continuous approach adopted by NICO International to enhance its capabilities to maintain the competitive edge. NICO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Topaz Energy and Marine SAOG (TEAM), a public listed company based in Oman. It has been active in afloat repairs, voyage repair by riding squads, workshop overhauls and short notice repair and troubleshooting services since 1973. NICO has multipurpose workshops in Dubai, Fujairah, and Singapore and is equipped with sophisticated equipment and machinery that offer complete maintenance and repair services including reconditioning of parts and components. E020-211002 posted 21st October 02 Shipping lines to raise rates   ABU DHABI: Shipping lines have for the second time this year-boosted rate, this time by Dh740 ($201.5) per 20-foot container. In a notice to customers, a group of nine shipping lines, the Europe Middle East Rate Restoration Agreement (Emera), said "as part of a rate restoration programme for 2002, the current rate levels from the UK, North Continent and Scandinavia to the Middle East/Gulf will be increased by $200 per 20-foot container and $300 per 40-foot container with effect from October 1, 2002." A 'rate restoration' was implemented in March by charging Dh740 more per TEU. For an importer, each container from Europe will now cost Dh1,480 ($400) more than what he paid before March. And the trader is most likely to pass on the price rise to the consumer. Consequently, prices of European goods could rise shortly. E019-071002 posted 7th October 02

Mideast logistics group discusses networking LONDON: The Supply Chain and Logistics Group of the Middle East (SCLG) recently held their third networking forum, 'An evening with London Ports Authority' which was attended by corporate representatives from across a varied range of industries in the supply chain management process.  The event was organised by representatives from the SCLG Steering Committee comprising Emirates, MMI Logistics, Dubai Ports Authority, Panasonic, Sony and DHL, and attended by 45 members of various third-party, local, regional, government and other organisations, and logistics practitioners who form part of the supply chain industry. The SCLG group has the support of over 100 Middle East-based organisations, and is expected to play networking, educational, training and other developmental roles for members, when registered formally as a legal body. E020-071002 posted 7th October 02

Harris Pye – Gulf plans extension of Haven Instrumentation L.L.C. on a worldwide basis  DUBAI:In recent years, Harris Pye Gulf has had a steady role to play in the marine boiler and economizer repair sector. According to Malcolm G. Jordan, Managing Director of Harris Pye Gulf, there has been a substantial increase in the level of marine boiler and economiser repair during the past nine months as compared to the previous period last year. “The workshop and entire workforce have been working flat out and continuously employed,” says Jordan. The company’s economiser manufacture (based in Singapore) supply and installation section has completed several contracts in Dubai and the gulf region, for UASC, Sea-oil Shipping, Exxon-Mobil, Maersk, Bergensen, LSM and others. “We are planning to extend our automation department, which is Haven Instrumentation L.L.C. on a worldwide basis, similar to that of Harris Pye with operations in all continents. Substantial organic growth in our core business of marine boiler repairs, both here and at our station in Bahrain is anticipated in the next two years. Our workforce will be increased as a result,” Jordan concludes.   E021-071002 posted 7th October 02

a Automatic shipment tracking from SkyChain DUBAI: Customers using SkyChain, Emirates SkyCargo's logistics management system, can now receive automatic notification from the airline, by SMS or e-mail, of the progress of a shipment. This comes about with the introduction of a new module, the automatic status Notification. A large part of a cargo agent's day is spent following the status of various shipments. The new module saves time and money. A customer who books a shipment on SkyChain can instruct the airline to notify him of a third party automatically by SMS or by e-mail when the shipment has cleared the different stages of transportation. The menu includes booking, shipment received, customs cleared, notification of consignee, delivered, transferred, discrepancies. The customer can select one or all of these milestones after which to be notified.   E015-230902 posted 23rd Sept 02

IBS Software  wins Sharjah ports contract SHARJAH: India's IBS Software Services has won a contract to implement its port management solution at three ports in Sharjah. The contract was awarded by the emirate's Department of Sea Ports and Customs and calls for the solution, named iPort, to be implemented at the Mina Khalid, KhorFakkan and Hamriyah ports. The integrated iPort solution will enable the department to automate its key operations: marine, traffic, receivables and payables, engineering, personnel and real estate. iPort supports the entire scope of port operations. Functions of the software include voyage pre-notification, marine operations, cargo and container operations, yard management, and invoicing. E016-230902 posted 23rd Sept 02

Saifee’s international designs Dubai: With associate offices in Singapore, Rotterdam and the U.K., Saifee Trading Company is one of the oldest companies to set up in Al Jadaf, with an experience of nearly 21 years.  The company specialises in procurement of spares for all types of equipment for tankers and ships and oil companies. The products include electrical items, life saving equipment, valves, ropes etc. A likely area for expansion, for the company is Singapore or Houston, USA. “We have an office in Fujairah and deliver to other ports. We get a lot of orders from international clients. The stocks come from China, Europe, Japan and Korea,” he adds. The company clients include National Iranian Tanker, Andros Maritime UK, Kuwait Oil Tanker and European Navigation. E017-230902 posted 23rd Sept 02   Grandweld builds aluminium and steel boats     Dubai: Grandweld, part of ATOS International was established in 1984 in Al Jadaf and has been engaged in ship design, building and repairs since its inception. A major contributor to the shipping scene, the company has taken on the challenge of building two boats one each with an aluminium and a steel body. “Overall length is 21.33 metres and breadth (moulded) is 6 metres and depth is 2.5 metres. The speed of the Aluminium boat is 18 knots and of the steel one is 12 knots with conventional pin screw, diesel engines and reverse reduction gear,” says Mr. M. K. Raghunathan, Operations Manager with Grandweld. “We design, fabricate and outfit the boats with all components, including accommodation space, engines, electrical installation and piping. It is a turn-key project up to trial and commissioning,” he adds. E018-230902 posted 23rd Sept 02

a Iran, Germany to establish shipping company Tehran: Iran's Tide Water Company and Germany's Bus Company jointly established a shipping company in the Gulf. The contract was signed two days after an investment agreement was signed between the two countries. The newly established company will begin its operation at the end of Shahrivar (August-September 2002) and transport goods between the Gulf's northern and southern ports. The new company will be focusing on the transportation of container goods. E013-090902 posted 9th Sept 02

CCU takes delivery of bulk carrier Abu Dhabi: Combined Cargo UAE (CCU) has taken delivery of the 51,900 dwt Japanese-made bulk carrier, Al Bateen, thus consolidating the company's position as a dry bulk shipping venture. With this acquisition, CCU now owns five bulk carriers serving long-term contracts signed by the company's foreign partner, the Oslo-based Torvald Klaveness Group. Klaveness owns a 24 per cent equity stake in CCU and is also responsible for managing the company's operations. Currently, CCU has aggregate handling capacity of three million tons a year (t/y). Its biggest customer is Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) for which it transports 1.2 million t/y of alumina from the Aluminium Company of America facilities in Australia   E014-090902 posted 9th Sept 02

a Shipping firms increase rates Muscat: International shipping consortiums operating to the Gulf have introduced an emergency General Rate Increase (GRI) and marine insurance companies continue to charge between $150 to $200 per container as a War Insurance Surcharge. Though the new GRI has no direct link to the current developments in the Middle East, it is the last straw for many shipping lines, operating on thin margins after the sharp increase in war surcharges during the Afghanistan war. Shipping companies like Maersk, Evergreen and American Presidents Line are among the companies that introduced the GRI and the rate of increase varies from one sector to another. The Airlines operating in the Gulf region also continue to charge the revised war insurance premium of RO2 per sector. E009-190802 posted 19th Aug 02

Menas orders new vessel Manama: Bahrain-based Middle East Navigation Aids Service (Menas) has ordered a new 29 million euros (BD10.9 million) ship that will be used to promote safer navigation in the waters of the Gulf. Dutch shipbuilders Damen are carrying out the two-year project that is expected to be completed in May 2004. The new vessel will replace a Menas vessel, the Relume, and will be one of the most sophisticated of its kind when it is finished. It will be used to install and service navigation aids in the Gulf and is described as essential for the safety of shipping and the protection of the marine environment in the Gulf. E010-190802 posted 19th Aug 02

Aalborg works on FPSO Thalassa Dubai: Aalborg Industries has been operating in Dubai for 12 years. Its activities initially concentrated on after sales service on their Danish produced marine boilers, which later extended to all makes of boilers including industrial boilers in countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. Its set-up in Al Jadaf helps it readily access manpower, material, spares and services like NDT testing, transport and crane assistance. According to Jeroen van Riel, General Manager, one of the major projects carried out among others for international and local clients this year, was on the tanker Bourgogne managed by Tecto of Belgium. In the tanker, both boilers were completely retubed. Work entailed burner management and renewal of automation panels. The company is presently working on the FPSO Thalassa. This project will last until mid December. The work includes boiler re-tubing and renewal of super heaters and economizers. Other projects range from super heater renewals for four boilers on board two American managed vessels to the renewal of the complete pressure part of a fully re-designed auxiliary boiler for a local customer. E011-190802 posted 19th Aug 02

Interocean – opening another facility Dubai: Set up in 1991, Interocean Ship Repairs L.L.C. is a diversified group, having its own infrastructure for ship repairs and doing offshore maintenance. It carries out projects in countries like Iran, Oman, and Qatar. The company also has its own supply boats and barges. It has a team of 375 technicians carrying out jobs such as pipe and steel fabrication, blasting, painting and other mechanical engineering work in ships. The company undertakes both land based and ship repair projects in Fujairah, where it has a sister set up. Its team also works on facilities in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. Interocean recently undertook a total refit of a vessel for Iranian Offshore Oil Construction Company (IOOC), a branch of National Iranian Oil Company at a cost of one million dollars. On expansion plans Chhabra says,“We are planning to set up another facility similar to Interocean, in GCC countries in the near future, with 80 to 100 employees.”  E012-190802 posted 19th Aug 02

a Morocco plans Arab corporation for maritime transportation Rabat: In a bid to curb dependency on foreign trade vessels, Morocco’s Ministry of Transportation has contacted several of its Middle Eastern counterparts to discuss possible co-operation in launching an Arab Corporation for Maritime transportation. The ministry envisions the establishment of a transport firm linking east to west under the Agadir Accord, a free trade agreement that seeks to boost trade between Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and Morocco. The partnership will also include Algeria. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, global insurance companies declared the Middle East region a war zone and was subject to high-risk premiums. Shipping companies operating in Jordan’s Aqaba Port raised their fees in order to cover a 12.5 per cent war risk premium surcharge, levied by international insurance companies for steering in a declared war zone.   E007-050802 posted 5th Aug 02

Ship suppliers’ forum in Dubai Dubai: The 2002 International Ship Suppliers Convention will be held in Dubai from October 4 to 6, it was announced. The conference is being organised by the International Ship Suppliers Association (ISSA), which represents 2,000 ship suppliers throughout the world and works to ensure fair trading and best practice within the industry. According to the UAE National Ship Suppliers Association, the convention will be a global gathering of the ship supply industry and will attract an experienced and influential audience, including high-profile representatives and key decision makers. The event gathers between 300 and 400 senior executives along with purchase managers and owners and this year there will be a strong presence from the Middle East region. Participants will discuss vital issues concerning ship suppliers and ship owners.   E008-050802 posted 5th Aug 02

a New mooring barge sets sail The Dubai Shipbuilding & Engineering Company has built a 1,500 DWT mooring barge. The Dubai Millennium vessel has 80 rooms that can serve as offshore accommodation for about 250 people. Mohammed Obaid Mubarak and his brother Juma run the company. The Millennium would serve the offshore oil and gas industry. The company plans to build even bigger ships and work on a new vessel has just started. The company has so far built several vessels, including the Al Shindagha, which sails regional waters as a landing vessel. E005-220702 posted 22nd July 02

ETA signs $41m deal for two ships Emirates Trading Agency this week signed a deal with Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan for building two 75,400 DWT Panamax bulk carriers at cost of $20million each. The deal is routed through Aqua Bella Shipping Limited and Safeer Maritime Limited of Cyprus. In addition to 10 vessels already in operation, ETA will continue to charter further 10 to 12 ships from the international market to support its cargo movement. E006-220702 posted 22nd July 02

a Qatar Navigation signs deal with Qapco The Qatar National Navigation and Transport Company Limited has signed a three-year renewal of contract with Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco) and Qatar Chemical Company Ltd (Q-Chem) for the sea transportation of polyethylene in ISO containers from Qapco and Q-Chem berths at Mesaieed Port to international shipping companies that will carry these exports to their final destinations across the world.  E003-080702 posted 8th July 02

Oman-Iraq direct shipping links on way A Swedish-based shipping line will launch direct services between Muscat and the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr soon. The multipurpose liner service will be operated by Gulf Conro Line, which is extending its current service between Jebel Ali/Dubai and Umm Qasr to include Muscat for the first time. "We believe the service will be of great assistance to local Omani traders who have been shipping their goods to Dubai for onward delivery to Iraq, at considerable additional cost and time," Shipping Division officials said. E004-080702 posted 8th July 02

a War surcharges for ME and South Asia withdrawnar surcharges for ME and South Asia withdrawn Shipping Lines have recently taken back war surcharges that had been imposed on all cargo containers headed towards Israel and Middle East from Europe since last September. Since US began its crackdown against terrorism in Afghanistan the regions of Middle East and South Asia have been struggling with soaring freight and insuring costs as underwriters reassessed the risk to ships docking in the region. The Emery Shipping Alliance which comprises seven lines including P&O Ned Lloyd said that following efforts by member lines in discussion with their insurance underwriters the additional premium advised for vessels serving the Middle East Gulf ports have been reduced.”  E001-240602 posted 24th June 02

Mashreqbank Lends Dubai Shipping $ 63 million Dubai Shipping company has signed an agreement with Mashreqbank to borrow $ 63 million to help fund the purchase of vessels. “We intend to use the loan refinance current equipment in addition to partially funding the purchase of some ships,” an official spokesperson said. Dubai Shipping Company is a subsidiary of state-owned Emirates National Oil Company E002-240602 posted 24th June 02

UAE Abu Dhabi to play host to global shipping meet   A number of issues related to the shipping industry will come up for discussion when Abu Dhabi plays host to the mid-term board meeting of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) to be held here from April 19-25. Dignitaries at the meet would get an excellent opportunity to exchange views and experiences particularly in view of the fact that the Middle East and the Gulf housed a number of key ports. The Abu Dhabi port has formed a number of committees to handle preparations for the event and achieve the economic goals by familiarising the IAPH members with the progress made by the Abu Dhabi Sea Port Authority. Among the delegates participating in the meeting are Dr. Akio Someya of Japan, the current IAPH president and Dominic Taddeo, former IAPH president Posted April 11th '02     UAE PREMIER TRAINING COMPANY partners with MMI LOGISTICS for exclusive regional representation UK based ‘Logistics Training International’ (LTI), an approved Training and Assessment Centre of the Institute of Logistics and Transport, has appointed MMI Logistics to represent them in the UAE. MMI Logistics which is one of the largest and most sophisticated supply chain management companies in the region, will be their sole representative in the region and will foster and facilitate various professional training programmes pertaining to the industry. Speaking on the occasion, David Granville, Chief Executive of People Development Group International Limited (which incorporates Logistics Training International) announced that this groundbreaking partnership was of immense significance to the region. “ Cargo transportation and logistics are the very lifeblood of international trade and industry, a fact that is increasingly evident in the trade-driven Middle Eastern markets. It is crucial that companies and individuals empower themselves with knowledge and skills and tap into modern supply chain management practices to keep abreast of international developments”. Granville added, “We are extremely pleased to partner with MMI Logistics who are acknowledged industry leaders in the region, and the necessary marketing support to promote our training programme. Together with MMI, our mission is to elevate the international profile of UAE’s existing logistics expertise, and we hope that this launch signifies a new phase of development within the industry.” Speaking on behalf of MMI, Ashok Kapoor, Manager Human Resources, MMI stated that the partnership reflected MMI’s ongoing mission to share knowledge with the community and enhance the company’s leadership position in the marketplace. Logistics Training International’s distance learning programme will be open to interested individuals, companies and students. Details of the courses are available at www.scilnet.com. Posted Feb 10th '02      UAE ADSA WINS ISO 9000: 2000 ACCREDITATION     Abu Dhabi Shipping Agency (ADSA), the agents for Nor Asia, CSAV and Global Container Lines in the UAE capital, recently announced the achievement of the coveted ISO 9000: 2000 certification from Moody International. The Certificate of Registration was presented at a ceremony held in the Company’s premises to ADSA Chairman Salem Saif Saqer Al Muheirbi by Wayne Bamford, Quality Assurance and Certification Manager, Moody International.     ADSA’s activities include agency representations, Sea and Air Freight Forwarding, Packing and Removal Services and Project Logistics.       IRAN IRISL & RICKMERS IN NEW BREAK-BULK DEAL     Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and Rickmers Linie GmBH & Cie KG have reached an agreement on joint cooperation for a new break-bulk service from Europe to the Gulf, Iran and Pakistan. According to Ken Dinnadge, Business Manager—Dry Cargo of Gulf Agency Shipping, the local agents for Rickmers, this new service will commence middle of October 2001 and will connect the ports of Hamburg, Antwerp and Genoa with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Bandar Abbas.        UAE SAMUDERA SHIPPING OPENS OFFICE IN DUBAI     Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, CEO of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation inaugurated the Dubai Office of Samudera Emirates Shipping LLC, a partnership between Samudera Shipping Line (SSL) of Singapore, Foremost Maritime Pte Ltd, Mohammed Noor Al Khaja a Dubai businessman and Rehmatulla Nagji of Gulf Container Lines (GCL).     Samudera Shipping Line is a public listed shipping group based in Singapore and has expanded rapidly to become a leading regional shipping line. The company has a throughput of more than one million TEUs at the port of Singapore and is rated the sixth in terms of throughput.     Samudera has been operational in the Gulf—Middle East since October 1998.according to Saliya Senanayake, Managing Director, West Asia, Samudera Shipping Line the company hopes to accomplish 200,000 TEUs throughput per annum from the UAE hub alone by the close of 2002.

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