- Transport on Line - hiltunen.htm

BUSINESS

Agreement reached between Hong Kong and Taiwan on flags

On 24 May, an agreement was reached over what flags should be flown
by Hong Kong-registry vessels visiting Taiwan, after Hong Kong transfers
to Chinese control on 1 July. The vessels will now fly the new Hong Kong
flag, a white Baihuania flower on a red field. The ships will also fly
the Chinese flag, except when they visit Taiwan. It was also agreed during
the six hours of talks to continue direct sailings between the two after
1 July.

Canada and the United States in fishing standoff, vessels seized

Canada and the United States briefly resumed talks on renewing the Pacific
Salmon Treaty this week, which was last discussed in 1994. Talks were suspended
in Seattle on 20 May, reportedly as to what extent the U.S. delegation
had the ability to compromise. The talks stalled over dividing coho and
sockeye stocks. Canada then said it would more strictly enforce regulations
on foreign-registry vessels in Canadian territorial waters. British Columbia
gave the federal government a 90-day notice that the U.S. Navy would no
longer be able to use a weapons testing range in the province at Nanoose
Bay, which is suited for conducting torpedo tests. British Columbia made
the decision as a result of the collapse of the talks. Meanwhile, the Canadian
Coast Guard seized four U.S.-registry fishing vessels. The masters of the
three appeared in court in Vancouver 27 May, while the vessels remain at
Port Hardy. The Janet G. and the Nautilus were seized 25 May. Early 26
May, the Four Daughters (U.S.-registry, 33 meters/108 feet) was seized.
The crews were released late 26 May. A fourth vessel was seized later.
The action was taken after the vessels crossed into Canadian waters and
did not report to Canadian authorities. In addition, the three failed to
haul aboard fishing gear. The regulations have been in place since 1996
but not strictly enforced. In response, after a brief resumption, the United
States suspended negotiations on 27 May.

Constantine Peratikos killed by November 17 in Greece

November 17 has claimed responsibility for killing Constantine Peratikos
on 28 May as he left his office at Pegasus Maritime Enterprises Inc., a
family-owned business in Piraeus, Greece. Among the businesses' units are
Aran Shipping & Trading S.A. and Pegasus Ocean Services Ltd. His funeral
will be at noon 31 May at the First Cemetary of Athens. Peratikos, 42,
was shot four times (twice in the chest and twice in the pelvis) as he
walked to a garage to get his car about 1700. Two disguised men jumped
out of a Mitsubishi truck, while a third waited to drive away. One of the
two held several papers and warned some 20 witnesses to stay away. After
shooting Peratikos, the truck failed to start. The three forced a driver
and a female passenger from a taxi, while firing at a police officer who
persued. They abandoned the taxi and stole another car, in which was found
a fake mustache, sunglasses and a wig. Peratikos died before reaching Tzanneion
Hospital. Ballistics tests on the .45-caliber rounds that killed Peratikos
showed they were fired by a weapon used in 11 previous attacks. Cartridge
cases found nearby also implicated November 17's signature weapon. November
17 had threatened people who were involved in the privatization of state
firms under the previous government, especially those who did not deal
with debts owed by the firms. Peratikos became managing director of the
family business in 1992, after it acquired the Elefsis Shipyard through
Astir Management. A parliamentary deputy involved in the sale was killed
by November 17 in 1992. In August 1995, Pegasus Maritime Enterprises sold
the yard after debts totaled 27 billion Greek drachmas. November 17, a
"leftist" terrorist organization, has killed 21 people since
1975. In December of that year, it used the signature .45-caliber semi-automatic
pistol to killed Richard Welch, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's
station chief in Greece. November 17 has been inactive since a failed attack
to launch an anti-tank rocket at the U.S. Embassy in Greece in January
1996. The group's last assassination was in June 1994, when Turkish Embassy
Counsellor Omer Haluk Sipahioglu was killed by three men outside his home.
November 17 is named for the day in 1973 when the military government of
Greece put down a student uprising.

U.S. shipping lines lose overtime wages case

Several U.S. shipping businesses have lost an attempt to make crewmembers
exempt from state regulations on overtime pay and working conditions. In
a decision 27 May, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a California Supreme Court
ruling that said states have the authority to regulate pay of people in
their waters. Several businesses, led by two units of Tidewater Marine
Services Inc., argued that federal laws on work rules for people working
at sea had precedence over state law. At issue was a decision by California
to make its work regulations applicable to maritime personnel working on
offshore supply vessels servicing petroleum platforms in the Santa Barbara
Channel. One of the regulations is that crewmembers must be paid overtime
for time worked over eight hours in a 24-hour period. Vessel operators
argued that their exemption from this rule under federal law made them
exempt from California's law as well. California, however, said the decision
only applied to California residents working in the channel who began and
ended a voyage in a Californian port, making the state inherently involved
and therefore justified in its decision.

Sweden recommends banning mobile telephones on ships

The Swedish National Maritime Administration has recommended that shipping
firms ban the use of mobile telephones aboard ships. In Norway recently,
a man aboard a ship used a phone on the foredeck, at which time the ship's
rudder suddenly swung hard over while the vessel was on autopilot. After
the ship returned to its course, he again tried to use the phone and the
autopilot again made a course change. It is believed that the phone's magnetic
pulse interfered with the autopilot's operation. While Det Norske Veritas
is studing the problem, Sweden is recommending such phones be banned for
the time being.

Head of Estonia commission resigns

The head of the Swedish commission invesigating the sinking of the Estonia
resigned 26 May, after admitting that he had lied. The Estonia sank 28
Sept., 1994, in the Baltic Sea, killing as many as 1,049 people. Last week,
a radio journalist asked Olof Forssberg is he had received a document written
in 1959, enabling the Swedish National Board of Administration to delegate
the inspection of bow visors on ro/ros to classification societies. Forssberg
said he had not received it, when in fact he later admitted he did, the
week before.

Heidenreich Marine and OMI form new tanker operator

Heidenreich Marine Inc. and OMI Corp. announced 29 May they have formed
OMI-Heidmar Shipping L.L.C., which will operate chartered tankers in the
Far East. The firm is expected to be operating by August through a subsidiary
in Singapore. Employees of Heienreich Marine and OMI will be assigned to
the new business.

Shipmair bankrupt

On 26 May, it was announced that Shipmair, a Dutch ship operator, had
been declared bankrupt.

Romanian operators lose licenses

Several Romanian vessel operators have lost their international navigation
licenses after they failed to meet financial guarantees mandated by the
Romanian government.

MeesPierson leaving Hong Kong

MeesPierson (Hong Kong) Ltd., the Asian unit of MeesPierson, is leaving
Hong Kong for Singapore.

B.C. Ferries and union reach agreement

B.C. Ferries and a union representing 4,200 of its employees reached
a tentative contract agreement on 28 May. A mediator and Ken Georgetti,
president of the British Columbia Federation of Labor, assisted. The agreement
clarifies overtime and a process to resolve grievances, and also has a
small wage increase.

APL withdraws federal application in N.O.L. deal

APL Ltd. has withdrawn one of two applications to the U.S. government
in its deal with Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. APL said it withdrew the Exxon-Florio
request to make sure both applications have the same information and are
considered at the same time. Exxon-Florio is the common name for a procedure
by which deals by foreign firms to buy U.S. businesses are reviewed by
the U.S. Congress to determine if it is detrimental to national security.

Singapore opening shipyard tug service to competition

Singapore has announced it will allow competition for internal shipyard
tug services beginning 1 July. In the past, shipyards requiring tugs to
move vessels in their yards had to use tugs operated by the Port Authority
of Singapore.

Philippines extends shipping rate increases

The Philippine Maritime Industry Authority has extended the 13.14 percent
temporary increase in shipping rates for members of the Domestic Shipowners
Association. The rates, which expired 10 May, are now effective to 10 June.
Seven lines requested the extension due to increases in fuel and labor
costs.

Shanghai exchange sets base rate for containers

The Shanghai Shipping Exchange has set a base rate for containers in
the Shanghai to Europe routes. The TEU rate is U.S.$1,050 and the FEU rate
is U.S.$2,000.

INTERTANKO decides against an Asian office

The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners has canceled
a plan to set-up an office in Asia. Instead, a steering committee of INTERTANKO's
Asian Panel will be formed to meet twice a year. Eight tanker owners from
Japan, Malaysia and Singapore have been nominated to the committee.

Greek ministry to get financial aid

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis has ordered the government to provide
financial aid worth 1.2 billion Greek drachmas/U.S.$4.4 million to the
Greek Merchant Marine Ministry. The money will be used to purchase vessels
and vehicles needed by the Greek Port Police. The ministry will also receive
18 billion drachmas through the Schengen Accord for three years.

Singaporean association renamed, reorganized

With an expanding international focus, the Singapore National Shipping
Association has become the Singapore Shipping Association. It has been
reorganized as well, with an International Committee added along with the
reorganized units on domestic shipping; services; technology, safety, the
environment and training; general affairs; and finance, investment and
auditing. The seven member council can now co-opt up to three associate
members and two new members. ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Coastal Bunkering Services
Pte. Ltd. and Thome Ship Management Pte. Ltd. have been added. In addition,
shipping support services are now eligable for associate status.

Central American Discussion Agreement appoints collection service

The Central American Discussion Agreement has hired Demurrage Collection
Services Inc. to operate its demurrage and detention programs. Starting
1 June, Demurrage Collection Services will bill and collect payments relating
to demurrage. It will require cash deposits for those businesses not making
payments on time.

N.L.R.B. rules in San Francisco Bay secondary boycott

The U.S. National Labor Relations Board has dismissed charges against
a ship officers' union by two tug firms regarding an alleged secondary
boycott in San Francisco Bay. Oscar Niemeth Towing and SeaRiver Maritime
Inc., in a filing 18 April, said that the actions of the members of the
International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots on the bay was
illegal. Crews of the two towing companies are not unionized, and members
of the Masters, Mates and Pilots refused to hire or work with them, instead
requesting unionized towing businesses. In addition, some dockworkers reportedly
refused to assist docking procedures when tugs of the two were used. On
7 May, the N.L.R.B. ruled that the action was legal.

Great Circle Shipping begins operations

Great Circle Shipping Corp., based at Glen Cove, N.Y., has begun operations.
The firm specializes in chartering and logistics management of bulk and
breakbulk cargoes.

Gokal ordered to compensate victims of BCCI fraud

A British court on 23 May ruled that former shipping executive Abbas
Gokal should pay 2.94 million British pounds/U.S.$4.8 million to the victims
of the collapsed Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI). Sir
Richard Buxton amended an earlier confiscation order against Gokal, who
was sentenced two weeks ago to 14 years in prison. In addition, the judge
appended the compensation order, so that the money will be sent directly
to BCCI's liquidator for dispersal to victims instead of the British government.
If Gokal, 61, who was found guilty of conspiring to account falsely and
conspiracy to defraud, does not pay the money within two years, he will
spend an additional three years in prison. BCCI failed in 1991 with debts
of more than U.S.$12 billion after reports of widespread money laundering.
Thousands of people lost their savings in the biggest known banking fraud.
Gokal was the fifth person convicted in relation to the case. A Pakistiani
citizen, Gokal headed the Gulf Group, a shipping business that was the
largest debtor in the BCCI collapse.

Sea-Land Service introduces FreshMist

Sea-Land Service Inc. has introduced FreshMist, a humidity control feature
for refrigerated containers. The system has a water source, a pump and
an atomizer which is linked to the air circulation system. A microprocessor
activates the system when humidity reaches a set level. The atomized water
enters the container through the air circulation and turns off when the
top humidity limit is reached.

ROUTES AND SERVICES

F.E.F.C. increases westbound rates

The Far Eastern Freight Conference will increase the rate for westbound
containers from Asia to northern Europe on 1 July. TEUs will now be U.S.$125,
FEUs will be U.S.$250 and less-than-containerload cargoes U.S.$256.

Orion Marine begins United States to Indian Ocean service

Orion Marine Corp. has begun a weekly service from the East and Gulf
coasts of the United States to Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion. Transshipment
of cargo occurs at Antwerp, Belgium, or Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Orion
Marine is the agent for two lines that serve the route, Tuli Navigation
and Con Flo Lines, which had operated services twice a month. The new service
will have a transit time of 25 to 30 days. Ports of call in the United
States include: New York; Baltimore; Charleston, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; Jacksonville,
Fla.; New Orleans; and Houston.

First Shanghai to Japan reefer container service to start

The first weekly refrigerated container service between Shanghai, China,
and the Japanese ports of Kobe, Osaka and Yokohama began 30 May. Shanghai
Haixin Shipping Co. Ltd. operate the Syringa and the Tulip, two 228-TEU
capacity ships built in the Netherlands last year. For Yokohama, a ship
leaves Shanghai Friday night and arrives in Yokohama early Monday morning.
On the other route, a ship leaves Shanghai Saturday night and arrives in
Kobe Monday morning and Osaka that afternoon.

Inter Pacific Shipping in new three port route

Inter Pacific Shipping will begin a new weekly, fixed-day service next
month with two 500-TEU capacity vessels. Calls will be made at Singapore;
Port Klang, Malaysia; and Tuticorin, India.

Malaysian Internatinal Shipping to sail from Port Klang to Bangkok

Malaysian International Shipping Corp. Bhd. will begin a container service
from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Bangkok, Thailand, on 4 June. The Bunga Emas
Empat (Malaysian-registry 668-TEU capacity containership) will arrive that
day in Port Klang. Fixed-day, weekly calls will be made, with Port Klang
on Wednesdays and Bangkok on Sundays. The Klang Port Container Terminal
will be used in the former, with Unithai Container Terminal being called
in the latter.

More on Europe to Indian subcontinent service

Andrew Weir Shipping Ltd., Compagnie Maritime d'Affretement, Contship,
P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Ltd. and SCL (Safmarine and CMBT Lines/Himalaya
Express) will begin a container service between Europe and the Indian subcontinent
on 1 June. Seven 2,800-TEU capacity containerships will have fixed-day
weekly calls at: Thamesport, England; Hamburg, Germany; Antwerp, Belgium;
Gioia Tauro, Italy; Port Said, Egypt; Aqaba, Jordan; Dubai/Jebel Ali, United
Arab Emirates; Karachi, Pakistan; Nhava Sheva, India; Port Said; Gioia
Tauro; and Thamesport. DSR-Senator, Hapag-Lloyd, Lloyd Triestino di Navigazione
S.p.A., PNSC and Polish Ocean Lines have slot-charter agreements.

Azov sailing between the Dominican Republic and the United States

Azov-Carribean Line has started a service, every two weeks, between
the Dominican Republic and the United States. Cargoes accepted include
containers, heavy-lift, project and ro/ro. Vessels sail from Chester, Pa.,
to Rio Haina, Dominican Republic. The transit is five days, and the first
ship on the service is the Katya Zelenko (Ukrainian-registry 4,650-dwt
ro/ro built in 1980, operated by Azov Shipping Co.).

Ariel Maritime expands British cargo facilities

Ariel Maritime has expanded its network of cargo receiving locations
in the United Kingdom, and now accepts cargo at Birmingham, Liverpool,
London and Manchester. Door-to-door services are also available, with direct
conventional cargo moving through Antwerp, Belgium.

More on Maersk Line in eastern Africa

The recently announced expansion of services by Maersk Line in eastern
Africa, using 600-TEU capacity ships, will have a rotation of Jebel Ali,
United Arab Emirates; Mombasa, Kenya; Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania; Beira, Mozambique;
Durban, South Africa; Mombasa; Colombo, Sri Lanka; and Jebel Ali. Service
will be twice a month.

CANALS AND LAND FACILITIES

Containers handled in Japan up five percent

The Japan Container Association reports that 10.52 million TEUs were
handled at eight large and 35 small ports in Japan last year. This is a
five percent increase from 1995.

Taiwan to build port on Quemoy

Taiwan is planning to build a commercial port on the island of Quemoy.
Located at Shuitou, it would have nine berths for ships up to 5,000-dwt.
The government plans to spend New Taiwanese$4.5 billion/U.S.$166.5 million
in the initial phase, which should be completed by 2002.

Facilities in Oahu shut down by I.L.W.U. action

On 28 May, U.S. Judge Hellen Gillnor issued an injunction in order to
end a work stoppage by members of the International Longshore and Warehouse
Union in Hawaii. I.L.W.U. members refused to load scrap aboard a ship in
Oahu for Hawaii Metal Recycling Co. Sympathy strikes spread at the port,
with faclities of Matson Navigation Co. and Sea-Land Service Inc. idled.
While the injunction ordered striking I.L.W.U. members to return to work,
some picketing continues.

Beilun to be upgraded

Zhejiang Province in China will invest four billion Chinese yuan/U.S.$480
million to expand the port of Beilun so it can handle two million TEUs
annually. It will have four more berths by 2010. The port now has four
berths and handles 200,000 TEUs per year.

Venezuelan coal port receives approval

The Venezuelan Council of Ministers has approved a plan by TransCoal
to build a U.S.$60 million coal port at San Bernardo Island, Venezuela.
The project now requires environmental permits. Coal from western Venezuela
and eastern Colombia, as well as other locations, would be brought to the
port via a 70-kilometer/43-mile road. The port would load the coal aboard
ships for export at the rate of three to six million tons daily.

First Indian chemical port to open

The first chemical port in India will open next year at Dahej. Operated
by Indian Petrochemical Corp., it will cost 5.5 billion Indian rupees/U.S.$150
million. Gujarat Chemical Port Terminal Co. involves the Gujarat maritime
board, Gujarat Alkaline and Chemicals Ltd., Gujarat Naranda Valley Fertilizer
Co. and Gujarat State Fertilizer Co.

Manzanillo to be upgraded

Some 292 million Mexican pesos/U.S.$36.9 million has been dedicated
to improvements at the Port of Manzanillo, Mexico, this year. The port
will fund 70 million pesos/U.S.$8.9 million, with Cementos Mexicanos and
Operadora Portuaria de Manzanillo funding 47 million pesos/U.S.$5.9 million.
The money will be spent on widening road access, upgrading rail facilities
and repairing terminals damaged in an earthquake. The rest of the money
is from private investment in dedicated terminals and other facilities
which have previously been announced.

New warehouse building at Jurong, Singapore

C&P is building a U.S.$60 million warehouse on Penjuru Lane in Jurong,
Singapore. The four-story building will allow trucks to drive up to docks
at all four stories, with a total of 80 bays. Two of seven freight stations
have been demolished to make way for the building, which will open in mid-1998.
The facility will have 48,000 square meters/58,000 square yards of space.

Mitsubishi building warehouse at Shanghai

Mitsubishi Logistics Corp. is building a warehouse in the Pudong area
of Shanghai, China. It is being built with Shanghai Linghua Logistics,
a venture of Kerry Godown (Shanghai) Ltd., Mitsubishi Corp. and others.

Bulk storage area opens in Spain

Servicios Logisticos Portuarios opened a new bulk cargo storage facility
at Bilbao, Spain, on 29 May. The facility cost 700 million Spanish pesetas/U.S.$4.9
million. The storage area, on the Reina Victoria wharf, can handle ships
up to 80,000-dwt.

Virginia Port Authority to form unified chassis pool

The Virginia Port Authority has announced plans to pool chassis into
a single entity. The authority oversees the ports of Newport News, Norfolk
and Portsmouth. Trac Lease Inc. would control the pool of about 18,000
chassis, cutting about 30 to 40 percent to save U.S.$14 million and free
40 hectares/100 acres of space by eliminating 8,000.

Inspection center open at Shanghai

An inspection center has been formed at the Port of Shanghai, China.
The facility, at Taiping Road, will handle all procedures for arriving
and departing vessels, with departments focusing on customs, health/quarantine
efforts, vaccination for animals and inspection of plant cargoes and harbor
administration.

China dredging Mekong River

China has begun dredging a section of the Mekong River in Yunnan Province.
The 500 million Chinese yuan/U.S.$60 million project will allow 300-dwt
vessels to sail as far as Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, at one end.

Rotterdam to use L.P.G. trucks

At least two businesses at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, will
use trucks fuled by liquified petroleum gas. The Rotterdam Internal Logistics
Foundation will work with two firms to convert their trucks used at the
port.

SHIPYARDS AND EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS

German shipbuilding in 1996

German shipbuilders last year delivered 89 new vessels of 1.1 million
tons at a cost of 5.4 billion German marks/U.S.$3.2 billion, according
to the German Shipbuilding and Marine Technology Association. Germany accounted
for seven percent of the new ships built last year, ranking third worldwide.

GEC ALSTHOM to take over Leroux & Lotz Naval

GEC ALSTHOM, the parent of Chantiers de l'Atlantique, is taking control
of Leroux & Lotz Naval, the French shipbuilder. The two yards had pooled
work on fast ferries. With the takeover, GEC ALSTHOM now controls all major
commercial French shipbuilders except for Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre.

Elbewerft Boizenburg bankrupt

Elbewerft Boizenburg GmbH has been declared bankrupt. The German builder
of mostly inland vessels has orders to last until late 1998, but has had
difficuly obtaining commercial bank loans to finance current newbuildings.
It cannot pay its 300 employees their May wages.

New Indian shipyard planned at Paradip

BCC Shipping & Shipbuilding Co. and Clark & Stanfield Ltd. plan
to open a shiprepair yard at Paradip, India. There would be two floating
dry docks, a graving dock, eight wet basins, a constuction building, a
power generation plant and a yard for new construction.

Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre and Tulcea Shipyard in venture

Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre and Tulcea Shipyard S.A. have agreed
to jointly design and build medium-sized merchant vessels. The French and
Romanian yards will focus on 70-meter/230-foot to 150-meter/490-foot vessels.

Thyssen merging shipbuilding operations

Thyssen AG has announced it will soon merge its shipbuilding divisions
into a single corporate entity. These include Blohm + Voss, Thyssen Nordseewerke
GmbH and the Preusssag Group, the main component of which is Howaldtswerke-Deutsche
Werft AG and its affiliates.

Chinese, Korean firms in engine venture

Korea Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd.'s Hanjung Corp. and
Jiangnan Shipbuilding Co. announced 21 May they will form a joint venture
in Shanghai, China, to build ship engines. The U.S.$20 million venture
will build 50 small and medium-size ship engines, with a combined one million
horsepower, annually. Operations will begin in 1999 and it is hoped to
have U.S.$160 million in sales.

China approves 100,000-dwt slipway

The Chinese State Planning Commission has approved a slipway for ships
of 100,000-dwt at the Bohai Shipyard at Huludao, Liaoning Province, China.
It will cost 2.5 million Chinese yuan/U.S.$300,000 and will be able to
build 2.5 ships per year.

Polsat owner agrees to finance ship at Stocznia Gdansk

The owner of the Polish television network Polsat has reportedly agreed
to finance construction of a containership by Stocznia Gdansk S.A.

Saudi Arabia orders third frigate

The Royal Saudi Navy ordered a third Sawari 2-class Guided-Missile Frigate
last week from France. Two ships of the F-3000S vessels were ordered from
Direction Construction Armes Navale at Lorient, France, in mid-November
1994.

Kvaerner Fjellstrand to build ferry for Egyptian operator

Abd El Nasser Eid Youssef has ordered a high-speed catamaran ferry from
Kvaerner Fjellstrand A/S for U.S.$12 million. The 307-passenger vessel,
capable of 36 knots, will sail in the Red Sea. In addition to passengers,
it will carry up to 12 vehicles.

Avondale Industries gets option for another Bob Hope-class ship

Avondale Industries Inc. said 27 May it has received an option for the
construction of the seventh Bob Hope-class ro/ro for the U.S. Military
Sealift Command. The option is valued at U.S.$228.2 million and is expected
to be exercised in 1999. The total cost of the seventh ship will likely
be around U.S.$250 million when it is completed in 2001.

Bay & Delta Towing places tractor tug order

Bay & Delta Towing has ordered two Z-drive tractor tugs from Marco
Shipyard in Seattle. After delivery in early 1998, they will be used in
San Francisco. Each will have a pair of Caterpillar 3516B diesels and Aquamaster
Z-drives.

More on the Grand Princess, largest passenger ship yet built

The largest passenger ship ever built, the Grand Princess, was launched
22 May at Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A.'s shipyard at Monfalcone,
Italy. Alison Ratcliffe, wife of Princess Cruises Chairman Peter Ratcliffe,
was the sponsor. The ship was floated to an outfitting pier on 23 May for
completion before it is delivered in spring 1998. The 109,000-gt, 7,000-dwt
ship cost U.S.$400 million and is 285 meters/935 feet long. The Grand Princess
has 1,296 cabins for 3,300 passengers and 1,100 crewmembers. It has a "virtual
reality center," five swimming pools, a glass-walled night club suspended
46 meters/150 feet above the stern and a nine-hole putting green with computerized
golf center. The ship's maiden voyage, from Southampton, England, to Istanbul,
Turkey, is scheduled for May 1998. The Grand Princess is the first vessel
built at Monfalcone using a new mobile, automated building facility designed
and built by the yard under the European Eureka project.

A&P Southampton to work on the Albatros

A&P Southampton Ltd. will drydock the Albatros (24,803-gt, 6,815-dwt
motor passenger ship built in 1957, owned by V Ships and operated by Silver
Line Ltd.). The ship was damaged 16 May in the Isles of Scilly in the United
Kingdom when it hit a submerged object. The ship was following a pilot
boat out of St. Mary's, and reportedly hit the Bartholomew Ledges. The
Albatros' hull suffered a 60-meter/200-foot gash and it returned to St.
Mary's for an underwater inspection. The 504 German passengers aboard disembarked
at 1200 18 May, while the 300 crewmembers remain aboard. It had been on
a two-week cruise out of Bremerhaven, Germany, and was chartered by Phoenix
Reisen. The ship arrived at the yard 27 May, and will be inspected with
some repairs possible depending on the extent of the damage.

Abu Dhabi National Oil gets last ship

Kvaerner Masa-Yards Inc. has delivered the Umm Al Ashtan (68,500-dwt,
135,000-cubic meter/176,000 cubic yard liquified natural gas carrier),
the fourth and final ship of the order, to Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. on
27 May. The ships are operated by the company's National Gas Shipping Ltd.
and carry natural gas from Abu Dhabi Gas Liquification Co. at Das Island,
United Arab Emirates, to Tokyo Electric Power Co. in Tokyo. The four ship
order, when placed in 1993, was Kvaerner's largest ever and the largest
order ever placed in Finland.

PSC Industries to deliver first ferry to Japan

PSC Industries Bhd. will deliver its first ferry to a Japanese line
on 7 June. The 4.5 million Malaysian ringgit/U.S.$1.8 million vessel will
be handed over at Fukuoka, Japan, to Ezaki Kisen.

East Japan Ferry gets new vessel

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. delivered a 1,500-ton, 101-meter/331-foot
monohull ferry to East Japan Ferry Co.. Ltd. on 29 May. The vessel achieved
42.4 knots on trials, with four 8,840-horsepower diesel engines and four
water jets. It can carry 423 passengers and 106 vehicles. The ferry will
be operated on two-hour sailings between the Japanese ports of Aomori and
Hakodate starting 5 June.

Bremer Vulkan Verbund delivers next to last ship

Bremer Vulkan Verbund AG delivered the containership Hansa Century to
Hansa Treuhand Schiffsbeteiligungs AG & Co. on 30 May. It will be chartered
to Deppe Linie and operated in a joint service with Lykes Lines between
northern Europe, Mexico and the U.S. East and Gulf coasts. It is the next
to last ship built by the yard.

New tugs for Singapore

The Port of Singapore Authority will soon put the first of three new
tractor tugs into service. The Steady was built to Lloyd's Register of
Shipping standards and has 3,400 horsepower. Also building are the Swift
and the Superior, with a total cost for the three of Singapore$14.5 million/U.S.$10.1
million. All three should be operating by July. -- Steve Schultz - Whitefish
Bay, Wis., U.S.A. - sschultz@execpc.com

"When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean's
skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not
willingly remember, that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang"
- Herman Melville from "Moby-Dick; or, The White Whale," Chapter
114, Paragraph two

EVENTS, INCIDENTS AND OPERATIONS

At least 69 killed in Sri Lanka

On 28 May, Sri Lanka Navy vessels intercepted several boats of the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) north of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. Seven boats
were destroyed and as many as 50 people killed. The Sri Lankan government
said the boats were carrying reinforcements to fighting in the Wanni region.
Meanwhile, some 20,000 troops from two Sri Lanka Army divisions began Operation
Jaya Sikuru ("Sure of Victory") against forces of the LTTE on
29 May from Vavuniya, Sri Lanka. At least 19 people were reportedly killed
trying to escape the fighting, when their vessel capsized off Nachchikudah.
Five men swam ashore and 13 bodies have been found.

Stowaways, thought to have drowned, found in Australia

A sailor and two 18-year-old women, thought to have died after jumping
overboard from a ship off Australia, were found 6 May on Cape York Peninsula
near Coen, Queensland, Australia. On 5 Feb., twins Joanne and Sarah Ingham
boarded the Bunga Terasek (Malaysian-registry 24,458-dwt containership
built in 1991, operated by Malaysian International Shipping Corp. Bhd.)
at Nelson, New Zealand, as stowaways. On 14 April, they were discovered
and locked inside a cabin on the ship. On 20 April, the two, along with
Ja'afar Bin Mohamed Zan, a 27-year-old Malaysian citizen, somehow jumped
overboard from the ship in Prince Charlotte Bay near Cairns, Queensland.
Thought to have died, they were found by aboriginies and taken to Coen
on 7 May. They had apparently survived on seafood, and besides being hungry
and thirsty, were reportedly not injured, after surviving crocodiles and
sharks.

Japan keeps Chinese group away from disputed East China Sea islands

A group of Chinese nationalists attempted to land on an archipelago
in the East China Sea on 26 May, but Japanese government vessels kept them
away from the area. Some 60 vessels from the Japanese Maritime Safety Agency
kept 20 vessels from Hong Kong and Taiwan from the islets, which Japan
claims as the Senkaku Islands and China and Taiwan call the Diaoyu Islands.
Three people jumped aboard some of the Japanese vessels, but they were
later returned to their boats, which flew Taiwanese and U.S. flags. The
group was never able to enter the waters around the islands that Japan
claims. Organizers of the action called it off after several minor collisions,
including one that sent several journalists overboard. The same day, a
group in Hong Kong burned a Japanese flag outside the country's consulate,
shoting "down with Japanese militarism." Japan claimed the islands
after defeating China in 1895.

U.S. Coast Guard medical evacuations

On 19 May, a 70-year-old man, with a chest infection and experiencing
cardiac failure, was evacuated from he Carnival Destiny (Panamanian-registry
8,600-dwt passenger ship built in 1996, operated by Carnival Corp.). A
U.S. Coast Guard HH-65A Dolphin from Coast Guard Air Station Miami hoisted
the man aboard 117 kilometers/73 miles south of Miami. He was reported
to be in stable condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. A helicopter
from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., hoisted aboard a crewmember
from the Summer Breeze (13,613-dwt refrigerated ship built in 1985, operated
by Cool Carriers) on 25 May, 48 kilometers/30 miles east of Kill Devil
Hills, N.C. Marieno G. Notorio, a 41-year-old Philippine citizen, was flown
to Albemarle General Hospital in Elizabeth City and is reported in good
condition. A Coast Guard flight surgeon, in contact with the Summer Breeze
the night of 24 May, authorized the evacuation for a possible strangulated
hernia.

Three people convicted in Boston in connection with the Xing Da

A federal jury in Boston convicted three Chinese citizens on 15 May
of involvement in attempting to smuggle 109 illegal Chinese migrants into
the United States. The three, residents of New York, were indicted 8 Oct.,
each for two counts of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling "for purposes
of commercial advantage and private financial gain" and two counts
of attempted alien smuggling. They face up to 10 years in prison for each
alien and a fine of up to U.S.$250,000. The three were part of a criminal
organization based in New York that smuggled Asian citizens into the United
States for several years. At 1600 2 Oct., the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted
109 undocumented Chinese migrants aboard the Xing Da (Chinese-registry,
67.4 meters/221 feet) about 960 kilometers/600 miles southeast of Boston
and 176 kilometers/110 miles north of Bermuda. The ship, homeported in
Zhong Shan, Guangzhou, sailed for Boston in June. The Xing Da was spotted
by the lead ship of the U.S.C.G.C. Reliance (WMEC 615)-class Medium-Endurance
Cutter and during a boarding, the Xing Da's engines and generators failed.
The U.S.C.G.C. Reliance took the ship in tow, and due to weather, headed
to Bermuda, where the tow arrived on 8 Oct. The 109 were taken off the
ship 9 Oct. and flown on two Coast Guard aircraft to U.S. Naval Station
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, along with the 26 crew under guard by U.S. Marine
Corps personnel. The three convicted in Boston had agreed to pay an undercover
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service agent U.S.$500,000 to get the
109 aboard the Xing Da into the United States. They were to disembark to
a fishing vessel from Falmouth, Mass., and then be taken ashore to work
in New York "sweatshops;" each passenger paid the smugglers U.S.$30,000,
part of it in China with the rest to be worked off. In reality, the master
of the fishing vessel was the same undercover agent, who had been in contact
with the smugglers since December 1995. Nai Fook Li, 30, was arrested aboard
the fishing vessel. The other two Hui Lin, 34, and Yiu Ming Kwan, 45, were
arrested in New York. The Xing Da was later sold to Bermuda and sunk as
an artificial reef.

Hibernia tow underway for the Grand Banks

The Hiberia, a 600,000-ton petroleum platform, began its tow from Trinity
Bay near Bull Arm, Newfoundland, Canada, to the Grand Banks on 23 May.
The platform will be anchored 315 kilometers/195 miles southeast of St.
John's, Newfoundland. Six tugs were required to move the 224-meter/735-foot
tall structure, with support vessels working to keep the area clear of
icebergs. The Hibernia was towed 36 hours at the end of 300-meter/910-foot
cables to get out of Trinity Bay. The tow then spread out a kilometer/1.6
miles for the eight to 10-day tow. There are three tugs at the rear. The
tow will remain in deep water until just north of the Hibernia field, where
it will wait for a period of 60 to 70 hours of good weather. Two Canadian
Coast Guard vessels, the Martha L. Black-class Light Icebreaker/Navigational
Aids Tender C.C.G.S. Ann Harvey and the Large Search and Rescue Cutter
C.C.G.S. Sir Wilfred Grenfell, are enforcing a 50-square kilometer/20-square
mile exclusion zone around the platform. Drilling will begin 15 Aug. with
the first oil production in December. Members of the Canadian$5.8 million/U.S.$4.2
million project include the Canadian government, Chevron Canada, Mobil
Canada, Murphy Oil, Norsk Hydro and PetroCanada. It is estimated that it
will take 18 years to deplete the 615 million barrels of crude oil at the
site, with peak production of 150,000 barrels daily.

Canadian warship stops suspected sanctions violators in the Persian
Gulf

The Canadian Maritime Command Halifax-class Frigate H.M.C.S. Regina
(FFH 334) stopped two suspected sanctions violators in the Persian Gulf
on 3 May. Both vessels were believed to have violated United Nations trade
sanctions against Iraq. The H.M.C.S. Regina detained the Qabas 2 (1,000-dwt
offshore supply vessel built in 1972, operated by Al Qabas Shipping) as
it sailing from Iraqi to international waters. A second vessel was also
found and diverted to a port for inspection.

Crewmember falls overboard from bulk carrier in San Francisco Bay

A crewmember of the Taio Dream (Panamanian-registry 43,524-dwt bulk
carrier built in 1988, operated by Taio Kaiun) fell overboard 8 May while
the ship was anchored in San Francisco Bay. Third Officer Domingo L. Ocnogacion
was climbing a ladder when he lost his footing and fell 6.1 meters/20 feet
into water near Oakland, Calif. Although he was only in the water for 12
minutes, Ocnogacion suffered the beginning stages of hypothermia and reported
numbness in his extremities. The U.S. Coast Guard pulled him from the water
and transported him to a hospital. The Taio Dream was loaded with wood
chips.

Argentine Navy vessel stops illegal fishing vessel

The Argentine Navy Yamona-class Patrol Ship A.R.A. Alferez Sobral (A
9) found the Tung Heng III (Taiwanese-registry fishing vessel) illegally
fishing recently, 155 kilometers/96 miles off Santa Cruz, Argentina. The
Sobral spotted the vessel fishing for squid and flying an Argentine flag.
As the Sobral approached, the Tung Heng III turned off its lights. During
a four-hour chase, the Sobral fired two warning shots across the bow of
the Tung Heng III, before the vessel was stopped and boarded. The vessel
had its hull painted red and its superstructure white in an attempt to
look like an Argentine-registry fishing vessel. The Tung Heng III was escorted
to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Drunken master stopped in the Netherlands

On 21 May, police found the Daniel, carrying 1,300 tons of fuel, aground
in the delta of the Maas/Rhine River. After freeing itself, it was observed
that the vessel could not maintain a straight course, and it was stopped
and boarded before entering the area around Dordrecht, the Netherlands.
The master was drunk, and was not allowed to proceed for another eight
hours.

Halifax customs locates cocaine in pickup truck

Canadian customs personnel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, seized more
than 92 kilograms/202 pounds of cocaine on 27 May, with an estimated value
of Canadian$18.4 million/U.S.$13.3 million. The cocaine was found hidden
under a false floor in a blue 1988 Chevrolet pickup truck that arrived
aboard a containership from Panama on 15 May. The truck was headed to Montreal.
An ion scan of the exterior of the container it was in showed traces of
cocaine. Shadow, a dog trained to locate drugs, found the cocaine. Three
residents of Quebec Province - Gyorgy Bako, 43; Alexandru Roman, 35; and
Anika Roman, 43; - appeared in court related to the drug find.

Cocaine found aboard vessel in Miami

During a boarding of the Sherida Express (Bahamian-registry, 41.5 meters/136
feet) on 19 May, crwemembers of the U.S. Coast Guard "Island"-class
Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Maui (WPB 1304) found a kilogram/2.2 pounds of cocaine
in the engine room. The ship was at an anchorage in Miami and was brought
into the port for a search, after which it returned to the anchorage.

Undocumented Haitian citizens found aboard vessel

The Eben Ezer II (Haitian-registry) was disabled 19 May and towed into
the Miami anchorage area. U.S. Coast Guard Station Miami Beach conducted
a boarding and found 14 Haitian citizens aboard, only six of which were
documented as crewmembers. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
identified those who were not documented and deported them on 20 May.

Egyptian crewmember asks to return home during call in Los Angeles

The master of the Susan I (U.S.-registry tug) contacted U.S. Coast Guard
Group Los Angeles/Long Beach on 19 May to report that a crewmember aboard
the Saqqara (Egyptian-registry 41,525-dwt bulk carrier built in 1984, operated
by MISR Shipping Co.) wished to request political asylum. A boarding team,
already conducting an inspection of the ship, located the crewmember and
a translator. He was then taken to an office of the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service, where he said he did not want asylum, but rather
wanted to return home to Egypt. The service is considering his request.

U.S. Coast Guard requests comments on changes in Delaware Bay

The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed changes to the traffic separation
plan for the approaches to Delaware Bay. It is seeking public comment on
the action until 7 Aug. The changes include shifting the eastern lane south,
establishing a two-way route for tows and reconfiguring the precautionary
zone to exclude shoals that are too shallow for vessels to transit. Those
wishing to comment can call the area's vessel traffic management center
at 202-267-0415.

VESSEL TRANSFERS

Russia, Ukraine agree on Black Sea Fleet

Russia and Ukraine said late 28 May they have agreed on disposition
of the Black Sea Fleet of the former Soviet Union. Russia will be able
to keep its portion of the fleet for 20 years at Sevastopol, Ukraine. Russia
will reportedly compensate Ukraine for about U.S.$526 million in vessels
and the rent of Sevastopol port facilities will reportedly be around U.S.$100
million annually. However, the payments will first be used to offset Ukraine's
U.S.$3 billion debt to Russia. The deal did not resolve Georgia's demand
for 32 vessels formerly based at Poti, a demand which Ukraine supported.
Georgia claimed that since it had contributed to the fleet's creation and
upkeep, it should have a share in it. Russia responded that the original
agreement to divide the fleet was made at a meeting of the Commonwealth
of Independent States in January 1992. Georgia was not a member at that
time, so, Russia says, has no stake.

Gaz Atlantique buying two L.P.G. carriers

Gaz Atlantique is buying two liquified petroleum gas carriers from Belgian
operators. The Eeklo (28,993-dwt, 37,000-cubic meter/48,000-cubic yard
tanker built in 1995) was registered in the Kerguelen Islands last week.
It had been registered in Luxembourg. The Antwerpen Venture (30,310-dwt,
29,000-cubic meter/38,000-cubic yard tanker built in 1996) will follow
shortly. They have been long-term chartered by Exmar N.V. Each ship will
receive an addition of five or six French crewmembers.

Flomeparsa fleet being dispersed

The fleet of the Paraguayan state shipping line, Flomeparsa, is slowly
being dispersed. The 16 vessels totaling 23,887-gt have largely attracted
interest from three private firms and two new state lines. The tonnage
excludes tugs, barges and minor vessels. In one of the most recent acquisitions,
Compania Maritima and U.S. interests have bought three ships of between
2,281-gt and 4,699-gt.

VESSEL CASUALTIES

Seven missing after vessels collide in China

The Lubo No. 2 (Singaporean-registry ro/ro) collided with the Yucheng
(Chinese-registry containership) on 13 May in thick fog, in a narrow channel
between islands near Dalian, China. The Lubo No. 2, with 15 trucks and
73 people aboard, sank. The Yucheng and two fishing vessels rescued 66
people, but seven are missing.

Two killed in tanker explosion off Singapore, three injured

The Mes I (Honduran-registry 4,000-ton tanker) had an explosion and
fire in its engine room on 25 May while anchored near Sultan Shoal off
Singapore. Two crewmembers were killed and three were injured. The crew
abandoned the ship and were rescued by a supply vessel. The Mes I was loaded
with crude oil.

Tanker abandoned during fire off Italy

The Elisa D'Alesio (Italian-registry 7,156-gt, 12,572-dwt tanker built
in 1973, operated by Gaetano D'Alesio) caught fire on 25 May off Sardinia,
Italy, at 39 degrees 59.5 minutes north, 09 degrees 49 minutes east. The
tanker, unloaded but with 350 tons of fuel aboard, was sailing from Livorno,
Italy, to Sarroch. The crew abandoned the ship and were rescued, while
tugs worked to extinguish the fire.

Indonesian-registry bulk carrier ablaze off Tanjung Priok

The Wakeke (Indonesian-registry 2,566-gt, 3,477-dwt bulk carrier built
in 1970, owned operated by PT Pejaka) caught fire 26 May while under repair
at Tanjung Priok, Indonesia. The three people aboard were rescued. Tugs
towed the Wakeke seven kilometers/four miles offshore and the ship last
reported still ablaze. The ship was not loaded when an explosion apparently
started the fire.

Fishing vessel crew rescued by Japan and the United States

At 0330 9 May, a Japanese-registry fishing vessel broadcast a distress
call, stating it was on fire near Wake Island in the Pacific Ocean. A U.S.
Coast Guard HC-130H Hercules from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point,
Hawaii, was sent to the area, but had to land on Wake Island due to mechanical
problems. The Coast Guard then requested the assistance of a U.S. Marine
Corps KC-130 series Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron
152 (VMGR-152), which was returning to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma,
Japan, from an exercise at the U.S. Air Force Training Center in St. Joseph,
Mo. The aircraft had stopped overnight at Wake Island. After a search with
Coast Guard personnel aboard, the fishing vessel was found about 304 kilometers/190
miles south-southwest of Wake, with a liferaft nearby. The aircraft dropped
water, food, a radio beacon and a radio. The Japanese Maritime Safety Agency
rescued all eight crewmembers later that day.

Athena damaged in explosion off Sri Lanka

The Athena (Greek-registry 34,636-gt, 61,500-dwt bulk carrier built
in 1979, operated by Natalca Shipping Co. S.A.) was damaged 29 May while
anchored in the outer harbor of Tincomalee, Sri Lanka. The ship, with 52,000
tons of wheat, had sailed from Necochea, Argentina. An underwater explosion
flooded the engine room. There were no injuries among the 29 people aboard
and the cargo reportedly is unharmed. Aboard the Athena were 28 crewmembers
(13 of them Greek citizens) and the master's wife.

Bulk carrier loses power, grounds in Panama Canal

The Wana Naree (Thai-registry 16,578-gt, 26,977-dwt bulk carrier built
in 1980, operated by Great Circle Shipping Agency Ltd.) lost power 25 May
in the Panama Canal after having entered the system at Balboa, Panama.
The ship ran aground between Buoys 80 and 82. It was refloated by Panama
Canal Commission tugs and escorted to Gamboa for an inspection.

Tanker with 280,000 barrels of No. 6 runs aground in Tampa Bay

The Coastal Eagle Point (U.S.-registry 51,870-dwt tanker built in 1960,
operated by Coscol Marine Corp.) ran aground 22 May in Tampa Bay, Fla.,
after a steering casualty. The tanker was carrying 280,000 barrels of No.
6 fuel oil. There was no spill, and the ship was refloated at the next
high tide.

Atrotos runs aground in Elbe River

The Atrotos (Bahamian-registry 4,134-gt, 6,607-dwt general cargo ship
built in 1982, operated by Empros Lines Shipping Co. Special S.A.) ran
aground in the Elbe River between Buoys 11 and 13 on 28 May. The ship had
left Hamburg, Germany, and was refloated by two tugs a few hours later.
It has sailed to Cuxhaven, Germany, for an inspection.

Bridge allision closes section of the Mississippi River

A southbound tug with 12 loaded grain barges struck a rail bridge over
the Mississippi River on 5 May, at mile 535 near Sabula, Iowa. Following
the afternoon allision, the river was closed around the bridge. The tow
had been lining up to pass through the bridge's swing span when the incident
occurred. The tug and six barges lodged against the bridge, while six broke
loose and grounded downstream. Some barges took on water, and the tug's
fuel tank was holed, causing a minor fuel spill.

Japanese-registry ro/ro damaged

The Nankai Maru No. 3 (Japanese-registry 1,499-gt, 1,418-dwt ro/ro built
in 1995, operated by Kyodo Ferry Onyu YK) was damaged in rough weather
on 29 May while sailing to Kagoshima, Japan. The front bridge glass was
broken out and navigational instruments were lost. The ship was 50 kilometers/31
miles off Kasaru Lighthouse in Amamioshima, Japan. It anchored at Nase,
Japan, and will sail to Kagoshima.

Barge rams bridge in Wisconsin

A barge rammed the 10th Street Bridge in Manitowoc, Wis., on 22 May.
The tow was waiting for the bridge to open when the span malfunctioned.
The tow attempted to stop but when it was apparent an allision would occur,
the barge was aimed at a concrete section of the bridge. Though damaged,
the bridge's condition was not serious enough to force it to close.

Leonidas refloated in Thailand

The Leonidas (276,247-dwt tanker built in 1974, operated by Polembros
Maritime Co. Ltd.) was refloated the night of 24 May. The ship, fully loaded
with crude oil for TPI, ran aground 20 May approaching Map Ta Phut, Thailand.
The tanker Orphin Globe was contracted to lighter the ship, but the Polish
master refused, stating that both vessels lacked adequate fendering. Tankers
were later found and took off 10,000 tons of crude. TPI has announced it
will no longer bring in fully loaded ships, as the Leonidas was apparently
overloaded for the channel.

Tug and barge salvaged at Soo Locks

The tug Venture (U.S.-registry 67-gt, 9-nt, 20-meter/65-foot tug built
in 1922 with 500 horsepower, owned and operated by Ryba Marine Construction
Co.) and a barge were salvaged 24 May at the compensating works of the
Soo Locks on the Canadian/U.S. Great Lakes. The tow capsized 20 May when
it was pinned against the gates by the current and during attempts to free
the vessel, it rolled. All crewmembers were able to get off the tug before
it capsized.

No licensed master aboard King Cruiser

An investigation reports that there was no licensed master aboard the
King Cruiser (Thai-registry 650-dwt, 80-meter/260-foot long passenger vessel
built in 1969, operated by Ferry Line of Thailand and Songserm Travel Center),
sailing between the Thai ports of Phuket and Phi Phi, when it sank 4 May
after running aground on a coral reef 27 kilometers/17 miles southeast
of Phuket. All aboard, including 560 passengers, were rescued by two police
boats and fishing vessels. One women reportedly suffered a broken back
during the evacuation, and several people were in shock.

(AT) LAST...BUT NOT LEAST...

Rhapsody of the Seas becomes largest ship to transit Panama Canal

The Rhapsody of the Seas (Norwegian-rehistry 78,491-gt, 6,300-dwt passenger
ship built in 1997, operated by Royal Carribean Cruises) transited the
Panama Canal on 23 May, becoming the largest vessel ever to do so. The
ship is 279 meters/915 feet long and has a beam of 32.19 meters/105.6 feet.
The maximum size for ships entering the canal is 294 meters/965 feet with
a beam of 32.3 meters/106 feet. The ship began its maiden voyage on 19
May when it left Miami. It will arrive in Los Angeles on 1 June for an
official naming ceremony. Cruises in Alaska begin 14 June.

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding marks 30 million horsepower built

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. recently announced it
has built a total of 30 million horsepower of B&W large ship engines
since it completed its first unit in 1928. The mark was reached with the
manufacture of a 10,100-horsepower engine for a bulk carrier building for
a Liberian entity. The ship has a maximum speed of 16.38 knots.