- Transport on Line - hiltunen.htm

BUSINESS

United Nations committee recommends new hazardous transport guidelines

A United Nations committee has formed new guidelines for transporting
hazardous cargo. The recommended regulations include standardizing packing,
labeling, testing and transport. The committee could not agree on how often
hazardous shipping laws should be reviewed. Canada, Norway, Sweden, the
United Kingdom, the United States, the Hazardous Materials Advisory Council,
the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil
Aviation Organization called for reviews every two years. Argentina, Brazil,
Germany, the European Chemical Industry Council, the International Maritime
Organization and the International Road Transport Union called for four
years. Due to the dispute, no recommendation on reviews was made. The committee
consisted of about 30 countries in addition to international organizations.

GN Comtext buying BIMCOM Services?

GN Comtext Ltd. is reportedly buying BIMCOM Services from Cable &
Wireless P.L.C. GN Comtext would then dominate shipbroking communications.

Chinese distress network in operation

China has announced that an offshore communications system for vessels
to send distress signals is operational. The system has a range of 93 kilometers/58
miles, with stations in Fujian, Hebei and Liaoning provinces as well as
Shanghai and Tianjin.

I.M.O. group approves extending two Asian separation zones, ship reporting

The International Maritime Organization's subcommittee on navigation
has approved a plan to extend the Traffic Separation Scheme for the Straits
of Malacca and the Straits of Singapore and require a Ship Mandatory Reporting
system, in which vessels sailing through the area would report to authorities
in Malaysia and Singapore, respectively. The subcommittee acted in mid-July
on a request from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore made two years ago.
The traffic separation would extend from the One Fathom Bank near Port
Klang, Malaysia, to Teluk Ramunia, Malaysia. The scheme would then cover
468 kilometers/290 miles instead of the present 184 kilometers/114 miles.
Following action by the I.M.O. in May, the changes may take effect in November
1998.

Three European ferry lines discussing merger

Deutsche Fahrgeschellschaft Ostsee mbH (DFO), DSB Rederi A/S and Scandlines
are discussing a merger. The single company would have 35 vessels.

United States, Venezuela sign boarding agreement

The United States and Venezuela have signed an agreement that will permit
law enforcement personnel of one country to board vessels registered in
the other when they are in international waters. The measure is specifically
aimed at ships suspected of smuggling drugs.

Bid for Western Bulk Shipping falls short

Paal Caspersen and Kvaerner have more than 50 percent of the shares
of Western Bulk Shipping, it was announced this week. This comes after
Belships Co. Ltd. Skibs A/S offered 38 Norwegian kroner/U.S.$4.90 for outstanding
shares of the firm. The offer ended 8 Aug.

Strike at Caledonian MacBrayne's resolved

The labor union RMT and Caledonian MacBrayne's Ltd. have resolved a
dispute over wages and working conditions that led to a strike against
the Clyde River, United Kingdom, ferry operator. Personnel returned to
work 5 Aug.

Maersk Data, Cable & Wireless to cooperate in venture

Maersk Data and Cable & Wireless P.L.C. have formed Cable &
Wireless Nautec to market computer systems and data processing systems
for ship and shore locations. There are 200 employees.

I.B.U. and cruise firm agree to representation

The Inland Boatman's Union and Fisherman's Wharf Bay Cruise Corp. have
signed a letter of agreement under which the I.B.U. will represent masters,
deckhands and ticket agents of Red & White Fleet.

Treasure hunters fined U.S.$590,000 for destroying seas grass

A U.S. federal district court in Miami has fined Salvors Inc., the treasure
hunting business of Mel Fisher and his son Kane, U.S.$590,000 for violating
regulations of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in the United
States. They also have been ordered to turn over several artifacts. This
is the first violation of sanctuary regulations to go to trial. The sanctuary
was formed in 1990. On 30 July, the court found Salvors responsible for
destroying more than 0.4 hectares/one acre of protected sea grass in 1992
while searching for treasure from galleons that sank during a hurricane
in 1733. Mel Fisher, 74, was dismissed as a defendant in May due to health
problems related to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, Judge Edward B. Davis
ruled that Salvors and Kane Fisher must pay U.S.$589,331 to restore the
sea grass and turn over objects salvaged from the galleons, including an
iron anchor, cannonballs, silver coins, silver forks and plates and bronze
medallions. Salvors estimates the ruling will cost it U.S.$1.8 million
after the fine, legal fees and the treasure's value is accounted for. The
sea grass was destroyed during the use of "mailboxes," bent metal
tubes that direct wash from a vessel's propellers downward, blowing away
debris to uncover buried objects. The court found that the use of the devices
created hundreds of holes, from 6.1 meters/20 feet to 9.1 meters/30 feet
in diameter and 0.9 meters/three feet to 1.5 meters/five feet in depth.
Salvors argued that the damage was not permanent, despite evidence from
the sanctuary that the grass had not substantially recovered, and also
said that other treasure hunters were searching the area at the time as
well.

Spain finds no problems with Transmediterranea

The Spanish government, after an investigation, has rejected claims
that Transmediterranea is mismanaged, lacks certain representation on the
board of directors and misallocates funding. The charges were made by minority
shareholders in June.

Leif Hoegh shareholders to get extraordinary dividend

Shareholders of Leif Hoegh will get an extraordinary dividend shortly
in the form of 200 million Norwegian kroner/U.S.$27 million in Bona Shipholding
Ltd. shares. The 2.5 million shares will be distributed with one Bona Shipholding
share for 12 of Leif Hoegh. Cash will be given to shareholders with less
than 12 shares or those who do not receive Bona Shipholding shares if they
run out. Leif Hoegh's stake in Bona Shipholding will decrease from 42.3
percent to 33.5 percent.

Aim Carribean Express moves in Jacksonville

Aim Carribean Express, a non-vessel operating common carrier, has relocated
its office in Jacksonville, Fla., to 2780 Lloyd Rd. The new facilities
are double the size of the old.

Maritime law firm merger complete

The merger of Haight, Gardner, Poor & Havens with Holland &
Kinght to create the 12th largest law firm in the United States was completed
31 July. There are some 600 attorneys, working on the Holland & Knight
name. However, attorneys from the other firm will for now be known as Haight
Gardner, Holland & Knight.

ROUTES AND SERVICES

APL starting service from Houston to Latin America

The Wall Street Journal reported 5 Aug. that APL Ltd. will soon start
a container service between the Port of Houston, two Mexican ports, Venezuela,
Panama and Colombia. The service, to start next month, will involve space-sharing
with a line already established on the route.

Maersk Line, Sea-Land Service to cooperate on service

Maersk Line and Sea-Land Service Inc. will cooperate on container service
between the eastern coast of South America, North America and Europe. Fixed-day
weekly calls will be made in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The service
currently operated by Sea-Land Service and Transroll Navegacao S.A., but
the latter is leaving the service shortly. Maersk Line will take its place
on or after 30 Aug.

AEI expands to two more countries

AEI Corp. has added Germany and the United States to its Logis-Ocean
real-time electronic container tracking service. AEI already has Logis-Ocean
in operation in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Christensen Canadian African Lines sailing from Montreal to South Africa

Christensen Canadian African Lines will operate three ships every 21
days from Montreal to the Ports of Cape Town and Durban in South Africa.
The Thorl (ro/ro), the Thorscape (Singaporean-registry 20,321-dwt ro/ro
built in 1977, operated by Jaya Shipmanagement Pte. Ltd.) and the Thorsriver
(ro/ro) will work on the service.

DSR-Senator Lines beginning shift to Hamburg

DSR-Senator Lines is beginning its service transfer from Bremerhaven,
Germany, to Hamburg, Germany. The Pusan Senator (52,000-dwt, 4,500-TEU
capacity containership built in 1997, operated by DSR-Senator Lines), on
charter from Norrdeutsche Vermoegensanlage GmbH & Co., made its first
call at the Eurokai Terminal in Hamburg on 7 Aug. The Pudong Senator has
already called the port.

B.G. Freight Line, Coastal Container Line offering new services

Coastal Container Line has begun a new service, three times a week,
between Waterford, Ireland, and Cardiff, Wales. Also, B.G. Freight Line
began a weekly container service from Waterford to Rotterdam, the Netherlands,
on 8 Aug. The Jan Becker (German-registry 3,400-dwt, 260-TEU capacity containership
built in 1987, operated by Stuwe & Co. Schiffahrts GmbH) left Rotterdam
that date for the Belview Terminal in Waterford.

Azov-Carribean Line to call Howland Hook

Azov-Carribean Line will begin calling Howland Hook in New York this
month. Calls will be made every two weeks as part of its service to the
Dominican Republic.

New ferry service in Germany

Speedways Fast Ferries, a new ferry operator, has begun a service in
Germany between Helgoland Island, Cuxhaven and Hamburg. The Vargoy (Norwegian-registry
50-dwt ferry built in 1994) has been chartered. The voyage lasts two hours.

Canada Maritime deploys containership

Canada Maritime Services Ltd. has placed the Canmar Valour (1,000-TEU
capacity containership) in service on Route B of its container service
from North America to the Mediterranean, which it operates with Orient
Overseas Container Line. Canada Maritime Services bought the ship from
O.O.C.L. to replace the Canmar Spirit (Hong Kong-registry 16,963-dwt containership
built in 1971, operated by Canada Maritime Services) and the Canmar Venture
(Hong Kong-registry 16,963-dwt containership built in 1971, operated by
Canada Maritime Services). The ships had sailed Route 3 of Canada Maritime's
northern service, which includes the St. Lawrence Seaway. In October, the
Canmar Valour will be drydocked for a new radar installation, a new electronic
chart system and a new fuel treatment plant.

Isle of Man Steam Packet replacing the Peverilo

Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. is replacing its Peverilo with the Belard
(3,595-dwt ro/ro built in 1979 in Fredrikshavn, Denmark) on the Heysham,
England, to Douglas, Isle of Man, route. Recently refitted, the Belard
has two internal decks with a fixed ramp.

Rhapsody of the Seas to be out of service briefly

The Rhapsody of the Seas (Norwegian-registry 6,300-dwt passenger ship
built in 1997, owned and operated by Royal Carribean International) will
be out of service from 13 Sept. to 5 Oct. The ship will be drydocked for
replacement of its starboard propulsion motor. As a result, two cruises
to Hawaii, on starting 13 Sept. and 24 Sept., have been canceled. The ship
will resume service with a voyage through the Panama Canal. Passengers
with reservations for the canceled cruises will get a full refund and a
U.S.$500 per cabin credit on a cruise taken by 31 Dec., 1998. For information,
telephone 800-762-1392 or 305-539-4895. Royal Carribean International expects
a loss of U.S.$0.05 per share in the third quarter.

OT Africa Line's agents in Singapore, Malaysia

Harpers Shipping (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. has been named OT Africa Line
Ltd.'s agent in Singapore, while subsidiary Harper Wira Sdn. Bhd. will
act as the line's agent in Malaysia.

CANALS, PORTS AND STRUCTURES

Stena Line Ports sells Harwich

Stena Line Ports Ltd. sold the Port of Harwich, England, on 5 Aug. for
72 million British pounds/U.S.$120 million, to a new firm as part of an
institutional buy-out. Stena Line, which owns Stena Line Ports, will receive
a capital gain of 150 million Swedish kroner/U.S.$11 million, and its cash
reserves will be strengthened by 575 million kroner/U.S.$71.6 million.
Some 220 people are employed at the port, which Stena Line acquired through
its purchase of Sealink British Ferries in 1990.

New Japanese port planned for 21st century

Japan has announced its intent to build the Port of Hibikinada at Kitakyushu,
Japan, by 2020. The port, on 2,000 hectares/4,940 acres of reclaimed land,
will have 12 berths, six of which will be 15 meters/50 feet deep. It will
handle 1.5 million TEUs annually.

New Malaysian port operating group

A new association of Malaysian port operators has been formed. It is
open to all businesses at Malaysian ports. Among the charter members are
Kelang Container Terminal Sdn. Bhd., Klang Multi-Terminal Sdn. Bhd., Klang
Port Management Sdn. Bhd., Johore Port Sdn. Bhd., Lumut Maritime Terminal
Sdn. Bhd., Patulu Port Sdn. Bhd. and Penang Port Sdn. Bhd.

Stolthaven Terminals, SOL Petroleo to develop new Argentine tank terminal

Stolthaven Terminals and SOL Petroleo have signed a letter of intent
to form a joint venture to develop a public tank storage terminal at Campana,
Argentina. Stolthaven Campana will use the existing facilities of Carboclor
Industrias Quimicas and will also build new facilities. The storage terminal
will be marketed as a Stolthaven terminal.

British terminal destroyed in fire

The Sheerness Produce Terminal in the United Kingdom was destroyed by
fire the night of 4 Aug. It was operated by Medway Ports, a subsidiary
of Mersey Docks and Harbour Co.

New York and New Jersey approve money for dredging, fruit terminal

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey has approved U.S.$16.9
million for dredging and planning. U.S.$1.2 million will be spent on a
study for long-term options for the ports, U.S.$12.7 million will be spent
on dredging and U.S.$3 million is part of a U.S.$18 million study on deepening
13 channels in the area. The authority also has announced U.S.$4.5 million
will be spent to build a fruit terminal at Howland Hook.

New port investments in Brazil

Samarco is planning to build dock facilities at Ubu in the Espirito
Santo facility in Brazil. Another company, CST, is planning to spend 163
million Brazilian reals/U.S.$150 million at the Port of Praia Mole, Brazil,
for expansion and Barra do Riacho will spend 130 million reals/U.S.$120
million.

Long Beach sets U.S. TEU handling record

The Port of Long Beach, Calif., handled 309,627 TEUs in June, becoming
the first U.S. port to handle more than 300,000 TEUs in one month. The
figure includes 165,763 loaded inbound TEUs and 100,262 loaded outbound
containers.

Singapore announces planned rate changes

The Port of Singapore Authority has announced several changes to port
charges that will be put in place once the authority is corporatized later
this year. Billings for rebtes given to lines for fast connections will
be consolidated from four to one. The overstay dockage grace period for
vessels will be extended from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. For changes in
container status after 168 hours, the cost for TEUs will be Singaporean$50/U.S.$34
and for longer containers, S$75/U.S.$51. A flat rate of S$80/U.S.$54 will
be charged for pre-trip container inspections. Ships exempted from pioltage,
but that still request a pilot, will pay the normal rate, instead of the
present practice of charging double. Local dock fees will not be collected
from the first carrier of containers which lose their transshipment status.
Finally, there will be no charge on inter-gateway removal of containers
between terminals and Pasir Panjang.

Maintenance/clerical personnel at Oakland ratify contract

About 300 maintenance and clerical staff at the Port of Oakland, Calif.,
have ratified a five-year contract. The members of the Service Employees
International Union will be protected from outsourcing of jobs at current
facilities, and the port must now notify the union 60 days before outsourcing
occurs at new port facilities. In addition, the 300 will get an 11 percent
wage increase over the first three years, with cost-of-living adjustments
the last two years.

Russian firm begins new port on Gulf of Finland

Surgutneftegaz has started a U.S.$500 million petroleum port on the
Gulf of Finland, 60 kilometers/37 miles southwest of St. Petersburg, Russia.
At Batareinaya Bay, it will be completed in 2001. It is the first port
to be built in Russia by a private Russian business. The port will handle
seven million tons of petroleum annually, though it is to be built to handle
twice that amount. As part of the project, U.S.$100 million is being spent
to build a pipeline to the port from the Kirishinefteorgsitez refinery.

Three Delaware River ports agree to master contract

Southern New Jersey, Phildelphia and Wilmington, Del., have agreed to
adopt a master labor contract. Included in the provisions is the abolishment
of craft definitions for personnel during the last hour of an eight-hour
shift, meaning that workers can now be shifted to different jobs when,
for example, there is too much work for one specialty to handle. During
the day, there will be 14 to 19 start times and inclement work.

Maritrend moving headquarters

Maritrend Inc., a U.S. stevedoring company, is moving its headquarters
from Houston to New Orleans.

Dockworker injured at Ohio port

Arthur Woodward was severely injured on 3 Aug. when a bundle of aluminum
fell as he was working in the cargo hold of a ship at the Toledo World
Terminal in Toledo, Ohio. He was taken by helicopter to Mercy Hospital
in Toledo where one leg was amputated.

Galveston container terminal fees

The Port of Houston has set its fees for the container terminal it will
operate at the Port of Galveston, Texas. They are similar to Houston's
Barbours Cut rates. As of 1 Sept., charges will be U.S.$62.50 for loaded
containers and U.S.$22.25 for empties, with transshipment U.S.$35 and storage
accruing after a vessel's third visit. Demurrage will be U.S.$5 per day.
Dockage and wharfage fees are similar to other Houston operations.

Details of Manila port rate changes

Foreign-registry vessels calling at the Port of Manila, the Philippines,
will be charged 15 percent more for cargo handling and docking as of 15
Sept. The changes affect Manila International Container Terminal, operated
by International Container Terminal Services Inc., and South Harbor, operated
by Asian Terminal Services Inc. In March, rates will increase another 10
percent. For cargo handling, rates are currently 772 Philippine pesos/U.S.$27.09
per TEU at M.I.C.T. and 782 pesos/U.S.$27.45 at South Harbor. Rates will
increase to 901 pesos/U.S.$31.71 and 914 pesos/U.S.$32.12, respectively.
As of March, rates will be 992 pesos/U.S.$34.88 and 1,005 pesos/U.S.$35.33,
respectively. Docking charges are now 1,188 pesos/U.S.$41.70 per imported
TEU and 970 pesos/U.S.$34.05 per exported TEU. This will increase to 1,387
pesos/U.S.$48.78 at M.I.C.T. and 1,133 pesos/U.S.$39.84 at South Harbor,
and later, to 1,526 pesos/U.S.$53.66 and 1,247 pesos/U.S.$43.82, respectively.

Caillard to install new equipment at Richards Bay

Under contract to Portnet, Caillard will install new coal handling equipment
at Richards Bay, South Africa. Caillard will install a 1,500-ton per hour
unloader and a 2,500-ton per hour conveyor system.

Typhoon Victor hits China and Macau

Typhoon Victor, which was rated a Category 9 storm (Category 10 is the
highest) affected China and Macau on 2 Aug. One person was killed and 33
injured in Hong Kong. Local ferry services were canceled and many vessels
docked at typhoon shelters.

Singapore port limits

Updating information previously reported, the Port of Singapore has
extended its port limits five kilometers/three miles southwest from the
eastern and southeastern area of the port to the Traffic Separation Scheme
with Indonesia, and 1.6 kilometers/one mile south of the southwestern area
of the port. The changes occurred 11 July and were announced 25 July.

Sepetiba Coal Terminal transferred

Brazil's Rio De Janeiro Port Authority formally transferred the Sepetiba
Coal Terminal to Companhia Siderurgica Nacional on 1 Aug. The company will
pay 40 million Brazilian reals/U.S.$37 million to lease it for 25 years
after winning a concession. Some 16 million reals/U.S.$15 million will
be spent on improvements. The terminal will employ about 75 people and
the current rate for cargo is 6.29 reals/U.S.$5.80 per metric ton.

SHIPYARDS AND EQUIPMENT

Bethlehem Steel to close BethShip

Bethlehem Steel Corp. said 1 Aug. it will close BethShip Inc., its shipyard
in Sparrows Point, Md., and sell its assets. For several months, Bethlehem
Steel held talks with Baltimore Shipbuilding and Drydock L.L.C., a group
of investors led by Peter Angelos, owner of the Batlimore Orioles professional
baseball team, on selling the yard. The two sides failed to reach an agreement.
Baltimore Shipbuilding and Drydock had already negotiated a labor contract
wit the International Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers. Bethlehem
Steel had also held talks with WHX Corp. There are about 100 people currently
employed at BethShip, which until March employed 900. The shipyard can
trace its history to the 1920s.

Sembawang bids for Jurong Shipyard

Sembawang Corp. has made a conditional offer for outstanding shares
of Jurong Shipyard Ltd. It already owns 23 percent of the shares. Sembawang
is offering Singaporean$6.50/U.S.$4.65 per share for a total of S$393 million/U.S.$267
million.

French shipyard sold to Aponte Group

Compagnie Marseillaise de Reparations has been bought by Aponte Group.
Its Marinvest holding firm paid 20 million French francs/U.S.$3.2 million.
About 110 of its 350 employees will be kept by the new owners. Among Aponte
Group's holdings is Mediterranean Shipping Co. and Mediterranean Shipping
Cruises, so it is likely that vessels of these firms will be repaired at
Compagnie Marseillaise de Reparations.

Aarhus Flydedok buying Svendborg Vaerft

Aarhus Flydedok has announced it will buy Svendborg Vaerft A/S, the
Fyn Island, Denmark, shipyard. Aarhus Flydedok will pay 40 million Danish
kroner/U.S.$5.5 million and operate it has a subsidiary doing repairs and
conversions to vessels. Svendborg Vaerft has four floating dry docks, the
largest of which is 160 meters/525 feet long and 30 meters/100 feet wide.

Astilleros Espanoles buys Spanish yard for 1 peseta

The Spanish government has sold Hijos de J. Tomas Alonso Barreras S.A.
to Astilleros Espanoles S.A. for 1 Spanish peseta/U.S.$0.006. The yard
is in Vigo, Spain.

Schichau Seebeckwerft remaining open briefly?

Schichau Seebeckwerft AG in Bremerhaven, Germany, will build mid-ship
sections for two cruise ships, it was announced this week. The shipyard,
formerly part of Bremer Vulkan Verbund AG, had announced it would close
after being in bankruptcy for 14 months. Lay-offs still seem likely and
its future remains clouded. The yard said it will employ 650 of its 930
personnel from MyPegasus, a holding firm created to handle remaining Bremer
Vulkan Verbund assets. The rest will apparently be laid-off by the end
of next month.

Astilleros Espanoles deal approved

The Spanish cabinet has approved a deal in which Astilleros Espanoles
S.A. will spin-off four shipyards as independent subidiaries that will
be responsible for their own survival. The yards are Cadiz, Puerto Real,
Sestao and Seville. Other yards of Astilleros Espanoles operate on the
same terms, and the change for the remaining four came in an attempt to
secure aid from the European Commission.

Ingalls Shipbuilding to lengthen dry dock, add production bay

Litton Industries Inc. announced 5 Aug. it will spend U.S.$25 million
on two projects at its Ingalls Shipbuilding Inc. in Pascagoula, Miss. The
firm's floating dry dock will be expanded and an additional production
bay will be built for construction of offshore structures. The dry dock
expansion will involve adding a detachable section 48.8 meters/160 feet
long. The section will be built at the yard starting in October and will
bring the dock to a length of 244 meters/800 feet. Work on the new production
bay will start in mid-1998.

Socrates Computer Systems to supply Newport News Shipbuidling

MVSI Inc.'s Socrates Computer Systems Inc. will open a facility at Newport
News Shipbuilding Inc. to serve the shipyard's computer requirements. The
NNS/Socrates Service Center will maintain an inventory of computer equipment
and software, and employees will go to the facility for immediate service.

NSCSA orders three containerships from Samsung Heavy Industries

National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia has ordered three 4,400-TEU capacity
containerships from Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., it was announced
4 Aug. The ships cost U.S.$127 million and will be delivered in 1999 for
joint service with Compagnie Maritime d'Affretement between northern Europe,
the Middle East, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Far East. Chase
Manhattan led the financing of the ships.

Amfels to build rig for Chiles Offshore

Amfels Inc. has received a U.S.$60 million contract to build a jack-up
drilling rig for Chiles Offshore Corp. The Le Torneau Super 116-class rig
will be built under license by Le Torneau Inc. for delivery in the second
half of 1999. It will be classed by the American Bureau of Shipping.

CACI Inc.-Federal gets U.S.M.S.C. contract

The U.S. Military Sealift Command has signed a one-year contract with
CACI Inc.-Federal which, with possible extensions, will be worth U.S.$34.9
million. The firm will provide logistics management services to M.S.C.
ships.

Winship project continuing

The second phase of the Windship project has been approved. Led by Denmark,
Windship is researching the use of sails to power or assist bulk carriers.

First D-class containership delivered to Evergreen Marine

The Ever Dainty, the first of Evergreen Marine Corp.'s ten D-class containerships,
was delivered by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. on 25 July. Built at
Kobe, Japan, the ship has a capacity of 4,173 TEUs. It began loading containers
at the Port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on 28 July. The next vessel, Ever Decent,
was launched 26 July for delivery 30 Oct. At 25 knots, the D-class are
the fastest ships of Evergreen Marine, and will be used in around-the-world
service. With the D-class entering service, the 4,229-TEU capacity, 23-knot
R-class has been shifted from westbound to eastbound service.

Lambelu leaves Meyer Werft

The recently built Lambelu (14,800-gt, 2,000-passenger capacity ferry)
left Meyer Werft in Germany on 4 Aug. for Jakarta, Indonesia. The vessel
was ordered by the Indonesian government's Directorate-General of Sea Communication.
-- 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

From: sschultz@execpc.com To: "About transportation" <Cargo-l@distart.ing.unibo.it>
Subject: World Maritime News - 8 Aug., 1997 (2/2) Date: Fri, 8 Aug 1997
21:36:42 -0500 (CDT) Errors-to: <damco@pointest.com> Reply-to: Cargo-l@distart.ing.unibo.it
Sender: Maiser@distart.ing.unibo.it X-listname: <Cargo-l@distart.ing.unibo.it>
MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer:
Mercury MTS (Bindery) v1.31

EVENTS, INCIDENTS AND OPERATIONS

Master of Russian-registry ship murdered off South Korea

The master of the Sibirskiy-2117 (Russian-registry 3,505-dwt bulk carrier
built in 1981, owned and operated by Lena River Shipping Co.) was killed
in his cabin 11 July while the ship was docked at the Port of Masan, South
Korea. On 5 Aug., the ship arrived at the Port of Nakhodka, Russia, where
the local transport prosecutor announced the incident on 7 Aug. Following
interrogations of the crew, the prosecutor said the whole crew had been
drinking heavily from the time it left Nakhodka to when it was moored at
Masan. Following the strangulation of the master, an attempt was made to
set the cabin on fire. South Korean authorities have conducted an investigation
which is being reviewed by the Nakhodka prosecutor.

U.S. Coast Guard evacuates two after helicopter crash at sea

On 30 July, a helicopter from the Azteca II (Mexican-registry 68.3-meter/224-foot
fishing vessel) crashed 1,360 kilometers/850 miles west of Cabo San Lucas,
Mexico. The three aboard were rescued by the Azteca II, but two suffered
serious injuries. The U.S. Coast Guard's Hamilton-class High-Endurance
Cutter U.S.C.G.C. Midgett (WHEC 726) transferred a corpsman to assess the
two. On 2 Aug., the cutter's HH-65A Dolphin helicopter transported them
to Cabo San Lucas for treatment.

Oder River shipping stopped

Shipping in the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland on the Oder River
has been suspended due to heavy flooding. At least 40 German-registry inland
vessels are idle.

Israel blockades Palestinian fishing vessels

Contending that the Palestinian Authority has not done enough to restrict
armed organizations, Israel on 1 Aug. announced several measures meant
to pressure the authority's leadership. Included among the measures is
a blockade of Palestinian fishing vessels by the Israeli Navy, primarily
along the Gaza Strip. The actions come after two suicide bombings at the
Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem on 30 July that killed 13 persons and
injured more than 150.

Dredger finds grenades off Finnish port

A Dutch-registry dredging vessel recently found tens of hand-grenades
off the Port of Kokkola, Finland. Explosives and ordnance were dumped in
the area starting in 1945, and in 1961, dumping shifted further out to
sea until operations ended in 1974.

Bahamas, U.S. Coast Guard find large amount of cocaine hidden on vessel

From 25 July to 27 July, the Bahamian government and the U.S. Coast
Guard jointly boarded the Anne (Panamanian-registry, 54.9 meters/180 feet
long) at Freeport, the Bahamas. During the boarding, what appeared to be
cocaine was found packed into the bulkheads and under the deck in the master's
cabin. The substance, weighing 1,360 kilograms/2,992 pounds, tested positive
for cocaine. The vessel and crew, along with the cocaine, were taken into
custody by the Bahamas.

U.S. aircraft carrier spills diesel at Yokosuka...

The U.S. Navy's Forrestal-class Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Independence
(CV 62) spilled 35,960 liters/9,350 gallons of diesel late 1 Aug. while
moored at Yokosuka, Japan. The spill was quickly contained in the harbor,
including 379 liters/98.5 gallons that passed a primary containment boom
and was contained by a secondary boom. Thirty-one boats from Japan and
the U.S. Navy cleaned the spill, partly by speeding its evaporation. The
spill occurred when the ship attempted to adjust its position by releasing
water in a ballast tank, but instead released diesel.

...Fuel spill at Le Havre

The Katja (Bahamian-registry 97,220-dwt tanker built in 1995, operated
by Lundqvist-Rederierna) spilled fuel at the Port of Le Havre, France,
on 7 Aug. The spill was large enough to require a concerted clean-up effort.

U.S. Coast Guard stops fishing vessel in closed area

The catch of the Edgartown (U.S.-registry 26-meter/85-foot fishing vessel,
homeported at New Bedford, Mass.) was seized the morning of 6 Aug. by the
U.S. Coast Guard. The Edgartown was found inside the southern boundary
of Closed Area II, 331 kilometers/207 miles southeast of Cape Cod, Mass.
The vessel was spotted just after 2300 5 Aug. by the Coast Guard's Reliance-class
Medium-Endurance Cutter U.S.C.G.C. Vigorous (WMEC 627). During a boarding,
lobster, monktails, scallops and yellowtail flounder worth U.S.$39,500
was found. The cutter is escorting the Edgartown to New Bedford.

Belizian-registry fishing vessel being sought

On 31 July, a U.S. Coast Guard HC-130H Hercules aircraft from Coast
Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, videotaped the South Star (Belizian-registry
fishing vessel) with longline fishing gear, 40 kilometers/25 miles inside
the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. After sighting the aircraft, the South
Star abandoned the gear and left the area. The United States has requested
that Belize order the South Star to Honolulu, the nearest U.S. port, for
prosecution.

Ship breaks Sierra Leone blockade

A vessel carrying 7,000 metric tons of rice ran the naval blockade of
Sierra Leone on 31 July and docked at the Queen Elizabeth Quay in Freetown.

Prince Rupert fishing vessels thank public with salmon

Illegally, 50 fishing vessels in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada,
fished for thousands of coho and steelhead salmon in the Skeena River on
4 Aug. The salmon that was caught was then served to the public at what
was called B.C. Day, to thank Prince Rupert for supporting them during
the on-going confrontation with the United States over fishing quotas.
The rest was given away to the public.

U.S. Coast Guard scuttles fishing vessel in test

The U.S. Coast Guard scuttled the Scottish Pride (14-meter/45-foot steel
gillnet fishing vessel) at 1300 7 Aug., near the five-kilometer/three-mile
territorial line south of Port Clyde, Maine. A retired vessel, the Scottish
Pride was sunk to collect information on the dynamics of a sinking ship,
which will add to efforts underway to prevent maritime casualties. All
the fishing vessel's equipment was removed and video cameras were installed
to record the sinking.

VESSEL TRANSFERS

Global Ocean Carriers buys four ships

Global Ocean Carriers Ltd. said 5 Aug. it has taken delivery of four
vessels on 25 July: two Panamax bulk carriers and two containerships. The
four cost U.S.$55.4 million and were funded using proceeds from the firm's
issue of U.S.$126 million worth of 10-year unsecured notes. Global Ocean
Carriers also said it has prepaid all of its U.S.$61.5 million in secured
debt. It has no secured debt outstanding on its fleet.

Rickmers Line adds three T.M.M. vessels

Rickmers Line has bought three ships from Transportacion Maritima Mexicana
S.A. de C.V. Operated by Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd., they are the Bibi
(22,378-dwt dry cargo ship built in 1979), the Leon (22,267-dwt dry cargo
ship built in 1979) and the Merida (22,229-dwt dry cargo ship built in
1979). The multipurpose vessels have an 800-TEU capacity, tandem rotating
cranes, heavy-lift derricks and five double-hatch cargo holds.

FRONAPE transfers registry of fleet

Frota Nacional de Petroleiros (FRONAPE) has transferred the registry
of its fleet from the Brazilian register to the new second register, the
Brazilian Special Register.

Reprieve for the Brittania?

Slated for decommissioning later this year, the British Royal Navy's
royal yacht Brittania may sail another 20 years. Devonport Management Ltd.
has offered to buy the vessel and invest 50 million British pounds/U.S.$79
million for a refit. Under a timeshare agreement, the yacht would then
be leased back to the British government when needed.

Shreyas Shipping buys largest Indian feeder ship

Shreyas Shipping Ltd. has bought the Orient Patriot (20,144-dwt, 1,074-TEU
capacity containership built in 1983 in Poland), the largest Indian containership
used in feeder service. It cost 257 million Indian rupees/U.S.$7.2 million
and will likely sail between Kandla, India, and the Persian Gulf.

Actinor Shipping buying refrigerated ship

Actinor Shipping A/S has paid U.S.$20.5 million for the Chaiten (Liberian-registry
12,838-dwt, 20,200-cubic-meter/674,000-cubic-foot refrigerated ship built
in 1988).

Denholm Ship Management gets three Benor tankers

Denholm Ship Management will operate three tankers owned by Benor Tankers.

Alaskan cooperative buys pollution response barge

Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response Inc. has spent U.S.$840,000
for an oil spill response barge.

Bibby Line transferring accomodations

Bibby Line Ltd. will relocate a floating accomodations vessel from northern
Europe to east of the Suez Canal.

U.S.S. Leyte Gulf arrives at Norfolk

The U.S. Navy's Ticonderoga-class Guided-Missile Cruiser U.S.S. Leyte
Gulf (CG 55) arrived at its new homeport of U.S. Naval Station Norfolk,
Va., on 30 July.

VESSEL CASUALTIES

Tug sinking in Singapore kills one, four missing

One person was killed and four are missing after a Singaporean-registry
tug operated by Universal Dockyard Ltd. capsized and sank off Pulau Retan
Laut near the Pasir Panjang Container Terminal in Singapore at 0820 7 Aug.
The crew included five Indonesian citizens and one Philippine citizen.
One of the crew survived and is hospitalized. The tug was towing a Belizian-registry
barge loaded with rocks for use as a foundation for caissons. The barge
also capsized but remained afloat.

Bulk carrier sinks off Mumbai, crew rescued

The Sea Empress (St. Vincent and the Grenadines-registry 3,011-gt, 4,410-dwt
bulk carrier built in 1970, operated by Glim Pex and owned by Bayat International
Group of Cos.; homeported at Kingstown) sank 2 Aug. after losing power
and flooding the day before while anchored off Mumbai, India, in bad weather.
The ship was carrying 4,200 tons of sulphur from Bahrain to Mumbai. All
19 crewmembers were rescued by Indian Navy helicopters. The master and
chief engineer are Pakistani citizens with the rest of the crew Indian
citizens. Flooding initially began in the engine room, later spreading
to the cargo holds.

Crew rescued after ship runs aground of Kaohsiung

The 17 crewmembers of the Golden Tiger (Taiwanese-registry 7,800-gt,
13,323-dwt bulk carrier built in 1982, owned and operated by Fuh Feng Lines
Co. Ltd.) were rescued by helicopters 3 Aug. after the ship ran aground
2 Aug. in heavy seas near Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Three crewmembers were injured.
The crew included 11 Taiwanese citizens and six citizens of Myanmar.

Ming Mercy damaged by fire

The Ming Mercy (Taiwanese-registry 36,303-gt, 66,799-dwt motor bulk
carrier built in 1984, owned and operated by Yangming Marine Transport
Corp.) had a 12-hour fire 7 Aug. while the ship was anchored off Port Kembla,
New South Wales, Australia. It reportedly began in crew quarter's two decks
above the waterline and quickly spread, affecting at least three decks
in the accomodations area. The fire has been extinguished but damage is
extensive. There were four aboard the ship at the time, and one crewmember
suffered minor burns and an ankle injury. The ship was waiting to load
coal at Woolongong.

Tug towing general cargo ship suffers fire in eastern Meidterranean

The Macedon (Greek-registry 495,gt, 530-dwt motor tug built in 1972,
operated by Gigilinis Co.) was engulfed in a fire on 4 Aug. while towing
the Rothnie (Bahamian-registry 10,320-gt, 17,474-dwt general cargo ship
built in 1978, operated by Sandford Ship Management Ltd.) in the eastern
Mediterranean. The Macedon cast off the Rothnie and the tug's eight crew
boarded the drifting ship, 160 kilometers/100 miles off Egypt. Both vessels
were later taken in tow by the Everlast (Panamanian-registry 336-dwt motor
tug built in 1977, operated by Portolos Hellenic Tugboats S.A.) and taken
to Syros, Greece.

Spanish-registry fishing vessel catches fire

The San Eduardo (Spanish-registry 249-gt side trawler) caught fire 2
Aug. in the Atlantic Ocean, at 49 degrees 30 minutes north, 09 degrees
49 minutes west. After the crew was rescued, the fire was extinguished
and the San Eduardo was towed to Spain.

Bulk carrier suffers fire off Djibouti

The Leon (Panamanian-registry 19,317-gt bulk carrier) had an engine
room fire 5 Aug., 380 kilometers/240 miles off Djibouti. The SB-408 (910-dwt
tug built in 1984, operated by Tsavliris) has taken the ship in tow towards
the Suez Canal.

Fishing vessel blazes in the Falkand/Malvinas Islands

The El Greco (Falkland Islands-registry 2,169-dwt stern trawler) caught
fire 4 Aug. at 46 degrees 30 minutes south, 60 degrees 23 minutes west,
in the Falkland/Malvinas Islands. The crew abandoned the vessel but later
reboarded. The El Greco was then taken under tow by the trawler Cotobad
for Montevideo, Uruguay.

Tug sinks at Soo Locks...again

The 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.) sank at the compensating gates in the St. Mary's River on 5 Aug. The
vessel lost power and was pinned to the gate by the current. The three
crew were able to get off the tug, but the master reportedly suffered an
injury to his jaw. Two cranes were working to refloat the tug. On 19 May,
the same tug, towing a barge, sank at the Soo Locks on the Canadian/U.S.
Great Lakes under similar circumstances. It was salvaged 24 May.

One injured as riverboat casino breaks moorings

The riverboat casino Lady Luck broke its moorings on the Mississippi
River in Bettendorf, Iowa, on late 3 Aug. during a storm. One person was
injured when he was hit by flying glass. The casino's engines were started
and the vessel was brought under control, while a towboat assisted it back
to its mooring.

Koningin Beatrix slightly damaged

The Koningin Beatrix (Dutch-registry 22,289-gt, 3,060-dwt passenger
ferry built in 1986, operated by Stena Line B.V.) was slightly damaged
on 3 Aug. docking at Rosslare, Ireland. It docked the next day in Dublin,
Ireland. There were 1,300 passengers aboard. It returned to service the
morning of 8 Aug. after sailing to Cammell Laird Group P.L.C. for inspection.

The Goodwill may be salvaged

On 31 July, the Goodwill (Panamanian-registry 75,277-gt, 149,401-dwt
bulk carrier built in 1992, operated by Keoyang Shipping Co. Ltd.) ran
aground on a reef near the Muirfield Seamount, 110 kilometers/69 miles
southwest of Australia's Cocos Islands. Loaded with 145,000 tons of iron
ore, 1,130 tons of heavy fuel and 107 tons of diesel fuel, it was reportedly
sailing from Dampier, Australia, to Dunkirk, France. After the ship began
flooding, the 21 crewmembers (11 Indonesian citizens and 10 South Korean
citizens) abandoned it and were rescued early the next day by a British-registry
vessel, which sailed to Perth, Australia. The same day, the Goodwill began
drifting and was boarded by a salvage team from Singapore, which thinks
it may be able to save the ship. The Goodwill was last reported drifting
north-northwest at about 1.25 knots, 120 kilometers/75 miles west of the
Cocos Islands.

Update on collision between the Apollo Oshima and the Maersk Tacoma

At 0600 26 July, the Apollo Oshima (Panamanian-registry 258,068-dwt
tanker built in 1993, owned and operated by Idemitsu Tanker Co. Ltd.) and
the Maersk Tacoma (Panamanian-registry 37,238-gt, 44,182-dwt, 3,169-TEU
capacity containership built in 1982, operated by Univan Ship Management
Ltd.) collided outside Singapore. The Maersk Tacoma was leaving Singapore
for Kaohsiung, Taiwan, while the Apollo Oshima was sailing in a westbound
lane. There were no injuries. The Maersk Tacoma sustained serious damage
on its port side between bays 18 and 22 and lesser damage to its superstructure.
It has been drydocked at a Sembawang shipyard in Singapore, reportedly
for at least two weeks. The Apollo Oshima was reportedly slightly damaged.

Barges hit rail bridge in Virginia

A tug pushing two barges allided with the fendering system on the CSX
Transportation rail bridge over the Appomattox River near Hopewell, Va.,
on 25 July. The tug's operating company contracted for repairs to the bridge.

Ferry, U.S. Coast Guard tender damaged in fireworks explosion

A fireworks explosion on the city pier in Charlevoix, Mich., on 26 July
killed one person and injured 17 others, with shrapnel spread within a
300-meter/1,000-foot radius of the explosion. A local ferry was holed above
the waterline and half its windows were destroyed. The U.S. Coast Guard's
Balsam-class Seagoing Buoy Tender U.S.C.G.C. Acacia (WLB 406), homeported
at the pier, suffered minor scrapes and dents to its hull and flying bridge.

U.S. Coast Guard cutter assists one fishing vessel, boards another

The Cheryl K (U.S.-registry 15-meter/50-foot longliner, homeported in
Portland, Maine) was disabled 3 Aug., 240 kilometers/150 miles southeast
of Portland. The U.S. Coast Guard's Bear-class Medium-Endurance Cutter
U.S.C.G.C. Seneca (WMEC 906) received a distress call from the fishing
vessel at 2200 3 Aug. The Cheryl K reported that it had lost power with
five aboard and was drifing in heavy fog near very active shipping lanes.
After arriving at 2330 3 Aug., the cutter determined that repairs were
not possible at sea and the fishing vessel was towed to the Portland sea
buoy. It was then taken into port by the Coast Guard's "Island"-class
Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Wrangell (WPB 1332). The day before, the U.S.C.G.C.
Seneca located the fishing vessel Jillian (U.S.-registry) 1,300 meters/4,500
feet inside Closed Area II near Georges Bank. U.S.$7,650 in monkfish, scallops
and winter flounder was found. The vessel was seized and escorted to New
Bedford, Mass.

Fortuna Reefer refloated

The Fortuna Reefer (Panamanian-registry 3,971-dwt, 93.3-meter/306-foot
refrigerated ship built in 1980, operated by Alphamax Corp.) ran aground
24 July on coral and sand in a nature reserve near Mona Island, Puerto
Rico. The ship had about 357,000 liters/94,000 gallons of fuel aboard,
and 47,500 liters/12,500 gallons or 70,000 tons was removed. The rest was
shifted to other tanks in the double-bottom vessel. On 30 July, the ship
was refloated and a light sheen was seen near the port side. Two Crowley
Marine Services Inc. tugs escorted the ship to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The
Fortuna Reefer had unloaded tuna at Mayaguez and was sailing to the Panama
Canal. Five tugs, a chartered supply vessel and a response barge were involved
in the salvage.

Tug Malta receives its largest salvage award yet

Tug Malta Ltd. has received its largest salvage award so far, after
two of its tugs were involved in a salvage operation two years ago. On
4 Feb., 1995, the Chesapeake Bay (German-registry 45,170-dwt containership
built in 1995, operated by Claus-Peter Offen) ran aground approaching Marsaxlokk
Freeport. Smit Tak B.V. was hired to salvage the ship, and it in turned
contracted three tugs: the Matsas Star (Greek-registry 1,226-dwt tug built
in 1977) from Matsas Salvage and Towage and the Lieni (Maltese-registry)
and the Vitorin from Tug Malta. The Chesapeake Bay was refloated three
days later. On 9 May, 1996, the salvage award was published but the three
firms involved appealed for an increase of 25 percent. On 6 Jan. the final
salvage award was agreed on and it has now been divided between Matsas
Salvage & Towage, Smit Tak and Tug Malta.

U.S. Navy's NR-1 searching for Israeli submarine missing almost 30 years

The U.S. Navy's nuclear research submarine NR-1 has spent the last three
weeks searching for an Israeli Navy attack submarine that sank off Egypt
in January 1968. The search is reportedly outside Egyptian territorial
waters, but with the cooperation of the Egyptian government. The NR-1 has
been searching for the I.N.S. Dakar, originally the British Royal Navy's
H.M.S. Totem, built in 1944. Israel bought two submarines, including the
H.M.S. Totem, in June 1965. On 9 Jan., 1968, the I.N.S. Dakar sailed from
Portsmouth, England, for Haifa, Israel, with 69 crewmembers. On 24 Jan.,
south of Crete, Greece, the I.N.S. Dakar radioed the Israeli Navy headquarters,
seeking permission to dock early. The request was denied and it never arrived.
On 4 Feb., the I.N.S. Dakar was declared sunk and its crew missing. On
9 Feb., 1969, the submarine's emergency buoy was found by a fisherman off
Khan Yunis in Gaza. The NR-1 is operating from the Carolyn Chouest (U.S.-registry
2,110-dwt offshore supply vessel built in 1994), chartered from Edison
Chouest Offshore Inc. This is the second major search for the I.N.S. Dakar
since it was listed as missing. In 1986, Israel and the United States sought
the submarine during Operation Challenge Express.

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

New species of worm found in Gulf of Mexico

Dr. Charles Fisher, an associate professor of biology at Pennsylvania
State University, has discovered a new species of worm that lives off methane
ice on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. The centipede-like iceworm is the
first animal to be found in methane ice. The flat, pink-colored worms were
found during a 10-day expedition sponsored by the U.S. National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration's National Undersea Research Center. Fisher
believes the worms may affect the formation of natural gas deposits on
the ocean floor.