26.5.12

Odai, Professor Katsman laden with arms for Syria?


Professor Katsman

Odai


 ODAI from North Korea is scheduled to dock today in Latakiya 
“North Korea is  continuing to send arms to Syria. The shipments arrive by air and sea and they are being paid by a special slush fund that the Iranian government set up for this purpose.”
 Professor Katsman, is owned by a Maltese firm, which is owned by a Cypriot company that is owned by Russian firm.
Diplomats said the Russian firm might have been acting on behalf of state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, though that was not clear. 


9368261 PROFESSOR KATSMAN UBOG3 General Cargo Ship 5465 2008


Vessel Identification


Name: Professor Katsman
IMO: 9368261
Flag: Russia
MMSI: 273355040
Callsign: UBOG3

Technical Data
Vessel type: Cargo
Gross tonnage: 4,970 tons
Summer DWT: 5,465 tons
Length: 128 m
Beam: 16 m
Draught: 3.5 m



Additional Information
Owner: Volga Baltic - Moscow, Russia
Manager: North Western Shipping
St.petersburg, Russia


Receive: 23/07/2010 04:44
Ship: PROFESSOR KATSMAN
  Malta
IMO: 9368261




Name: Odai
IMO: 8992675
Flag: North Korea
MMSI: 445683000
Callsign: HMVZ6
Former name(s):
- Nikolla (Until 2008 Sep 09)
- An Qiang (Until 2005 Oct 03)
- Jin An 3 (not Yet Confirmed)

25.5.12

Rena: Balomaga and Relon each get seven months


Navigation Officer Leonil Relon, 37:


Captain Mauro Arieves Balomaga, 44
Rena captain and navigation officer's sentencing:


Captain Mauro Arieves Balomaga, 44:


For:


* operating a ship in a manner which caused unnecessary danger or risk (section 65(1)(a) Maritime Transport Act 1994 -


Seven months prison to be served concurrently


For:


* perverting the course of justice - (section 117(e) Crimes Act 1961)


(four charges)


.SEVEN MONTHS PRISON to be served concurrently


For:


* being the master of a ship from which harmful substances and/or contaminants were discharged into the coastal marine area (sections 338(1B) and 15(B) Resource Management Act 1994 -


NO SENTENCE


Navigation Officer Leonil Relon, 37:


For:


operating a ship in a manner which caused unnecessary danger or risk (section 65(1)(a) Maritime Transport Act 1994 -


.SEVEN MONTHS PRISON to be served concurrently


For:


perverting the course of justice - (section 117(e) Crimes Act 1961)






(three charges)


.SEVEN MONTHS PRISON to be served concurrently


For:


being a person responsible for the navigation of a ship from which harmful substances and/or contaminants were discharged into the coastal marine area (sections 338(1B) and 15(B) Resource Management Act 1994 -


NO SENTENCE


read  more   see also video



20.5.12

Negra Hipolita: Citgo tanker back to Syria again?


More diesel for Syria: "We've sent three shipments (and) they haven't needed any more than that."

The fuel is crucial to Syria's embattled al-Assad as former trading partners have dropped out for fear of violating international sanctions.

The former carrier, Negra  Hipólita  is off Limasol and says Destination: SUEZ CANAL   ETA: 2012-05-19 12:00   Info Received: 2012-05-18 21:57.

[February 17] "The information we have received is that the Negra Hipolita is on the Venezuelan coast, and according to the agreement, Venezuela is ready to continue supplying diesel".
El Zabayar did not say when the third shipment would be sent. The PDVSA shipments appeared to be carried out under a 2010 agreement between the two nations in which Venezuela provides diesel in exchange for food and commodities such as olive oil.
It is not clear if PDVSA is negotiating directly with Syria's state oil firm Sytrol, which has been blacklisted by the United Sates and the European Union even though there is no blanket embargo on supplying fuel to Syria due to humanitarian concerns.
[February 22]Negra Hipólita, tanker of Venezuelan PDVSA [US-based subsidiary CITGO Petroleum], arrived in the Syrian port of Banias on Feb. 15, probably carried diesel and possibly other types of fuel. Given the risk that (refining) capacity could be cut due to sabotage, fuel shortages are likely to force the government to rely on costly imports supplied by a shrinking pool of political allies," risk group Business Monitor International wrote in a recent report.
[February 17]The Venezuelan tanker was last seen off the coast of Cyprus with a destination of Banias and the estimated arrival date of February 16, The tanker was on its second trip to Banias in three months and carried diesel fuel. Baniyas is home of one of the largest oil refineries in Syria
Gross Tonnage: 28338, DeadWeight: 47144 t Speed recorded (Max / Average): 14.7 / 14.4 knots Flag: Venezuela [VE] Call Sign: YYHQ IMO: 9117480, MMSI: 775048000
Home port: Las Piedras Class society: Lloyd´s Shipping Register Build year: 1996 Builder*: Astillero La Naval Sestao, Spain Owner: Petroleos De Venezuela Caracas, Venezuela Manager: Petroleos De Venezuela Caracas, Venezuela
American motorists rely on Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), one of the top exporters of oil to the US. The state-owned company is a global oil giant and in 2009 reported estimated proved reserves of 97.8 billion barrels of oil and 5 trillion cu. meters of natural gas. PDVSA's exploration and production take place in Venezuela, but the company also has refining and marketing operations in the Caribbean, Europe, and the US. US-based subsidiary CITGO Petroleum supplies gasoline to some 6,500 US retail outlets. Outside Venezuela, PDVSA refines, markets, and transports petroleum products in Belgium, the Caribbean, Sweden, the UK, and the US.
The PDVSA shipments appeared to be carried out under a 2010 agreement between the governments of the two nations in which Venezuela provides diesel in exchange for food and commodities such as olive oil.
Syria’s oil minister spoke about a possibility of Venezuelan imports in January, and traders said the Negra Hipolita diesel shipment to Syria was the second delivery in the past three months.
The vessel can carry 47,000 tons, which if fully loaded would be worth around $50 million. It was not clear how much diesel the ship was carrying.
While there is no blanket embargo on supplying fuel to Syria, its state-owned oil firm Sytrol, responsible for organizing fuel imports and exports, was placed on a U.S. blacklist last summer, and the EU followed suit in December.
It was not clear whether the recent reported fuel transactions were done via Sytrol.

11.5.12

SMYRNI, Prokopiou-owned tanker hijacked

George Procopiou 




The Liberian-flagged Tanker, the M/T SMYRNI,Imo 9493779 is carrying a cargo of 135000 MT of crude oil managed by Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd. (with a further 40 vessels in the fleet)  was attacked by 2 pirate skiffs approximately 285nm SSE of Masirah Island, Oman. and  hijacked while it was transiting the Arabian Sea.   No communications have been received from the ship since the ship was boarded.


All relevant authorities have been notified.  
The attack occurred at 0930 UTC, May 10, which saw a report stating that pirates had boarded the vessel. The owners and the reporting authority, UKMTO, lost contact with the vessel which was later confirmed by MSC(HOA) to have been hijacked. 
 Andrew Mwangura said the vessel was heading for the Somali coastline. Industry websites said the tanker had sailed from Turkey, but there were mixed reports about its destination.


Ship Type: Oil products tanker
Year Built: 2011
Length x Breadth: 275 m X 48 m
Gross Tonnage: 83562, DeadWeight: 149998 t
Speed recorded (Max / Average): 9 / 9 knots
Flag: Liberia [LR] 
Call Sign: A8YB6
IMO: 9493779, MMSI: 636015015 




Owner:Pisces Finance Ltd.
Class Society:American Bureau of ShippingOperator:Pisces Finance Ltd. / Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd.


Pisces Finance II Limited was incorporated in 2002 and is based in Cricket Square, Cayman Islands.
Mr. George Procopiou Founded Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd. and serves as its Chairman of the Board. Mr. Procopiou serves as Director of The North of England Protecting and Indemnity Association Limited.Dynacom Tankers Management, Ltd., a shipping company, operates cargo vessels for the oil industry. It operates a fleet of double hulls, very large crude carriers (VLCC), tankers, and LNG carriers. The company was founded in 1991 and is based in Athens, Greece with additional offices in Bombay and New Delhi, India; Singapore, Singapore; Fujaira, the United Arab Emirates; and a representation in Beijing, China.

94 Vas Georgiou B/2 Nikis Street
Glyfada
Athens,  166 75
Greece
Founded in 1991
George J. Procopiou’s business card states that his title is Civil Engineer. That fits very well with the personal style of Dynacom, a family-operated company in Glyfada, just outside Athens in Greece.

But the impression of a family-owned and -operated shipowner confirms the commitment to shipping and to running a professional company. It is hands-on for Mr Procopiou, whose company will take delivery of no fewer than 21 newbuildings next year. “Running Dynacom is both our business and hobby,” says Procopiou, underlining that it is teamwork that creates success and not a one-man show. Transforming Dynacom from a company operating basically second-hand tonnage into the present-day operator of a young fleet with an ambitious newbuilding programme is quite an achievement, and we are pleased to have an opportunity to learn more about the company from the very engaged George Procopiou, Civil Engineer, who occupies the corner office.“Since 2000, we’ve ordered no fewer than 85 newbuildings, and next year (2009) we will take delivery of another 21 vessels. We have good in-house expertise on newbuildings and on what we should look for when it comes to additions and changes to the yard designs. Normally, when we go through the specifications we end up with some USD 4–6 million in additions. This means that we take delivery of vessels made to our specifications, and the important thing here is that these vessels are as attractive to us as they are to potential users” says Procopiou.


One of the main reasons for Dynacom’s success is the company’s in-depth knowledge of shipping acquired over a long-term period. The company has first-rate operational and technical knowledge of the vessels. “The enthusiasm for what we do in terms of shipping experience and know-how makes our people stay on – we are all very proud of our achievements as we all identify ourselves very strongly with our company. 
The fleet today comprises some 50 vessels – mostly tankers and some LNG carriers,” he says.

Environment
Fuel prices are on the way up, as has been the case for a while. Engine manufacturers must maintain a focus on achieving the best possible fuel consumption and least possible emissions. Slowing down 
vessels to reduce the per mile fuel consumption and consequently emissions is 
of course a quick fix for air pollution issue. It is the engine makers task to design and build engines with lower 
emission levels. 
A longer term solution might be in switching from fuel oil to LNG. 
On the suggestion that larger vessels could be more environment friendly, this is a complex issue as many factors have 
to be in line to enable the use of larger 
vessels, such as port sizes water depth, shore installations. All such topics should be addresses simultaneously and under the spectrum of the global effects on 
pollution and not the regional ones.




LNG 
The move into the highly specialised LNG business, which used to be a rather closed business segment with particularly high standards, confirms Dynagas’s commitment to shipping and energy transportation and it achieved due to the company’s high standards and knowledge. “The age of our LNG vessels is less then two years The LNG market is soft for the time being, but I strongly believe that this will change over time. Two main reasons for this are that using coal for power production is not all that environmentally acceptable in many countries and, with the soaring prices for oil products, power production based on oil will have to be reduced. In many countries, nuclear power is either banned or has a bad public image. That leaves natural gas, as it is much more environmentally friendly with lower levels of CO2 emissions and almost no SOx and NOx emissions. Some projects have been delayed as the LNG production facilities either have not been finished in time or are experiencing technical problems. But the orders for ships are there and right now there are too many vessels waiting 

9.5.12

Hai Yang Shi You - 981 Begins Deepwater Drilling In South China Sea



CNOOC has spudded its debut deep-water well.  Hai Yang Shi You - 981 or Marine Oil 981 has  been recently been moved into place 320 kilometers (or 198 miles) southeast of Hong Kong, at the northern end of the South China Sea and within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone. Operations at the rig are slated to begin 


"For to be strengthened to safeguard the state sovereignty, the maritime law enforcement. Safe operation of the hole must be ensured as well. Following the conventions of maritime safety laws, a water of 500 meters will be marked out around the hole. A trip of foreign vessels, including fishing boats, are prohibited in this water. "



[April 19]China National Offshore Oil Corp, the country's biggest marine oil producer, signed a production-sharing contract on April 18 with Eni China BV for a deepwater block in the South China Sea.
Italy-based Eni will operate the 30/27 block, which has a total area of 5,130 square kilometers and lies 400 kilometers off the coast of Hong Kong.
Eni will conduct three-dimension seismic surveys and drill one exploration well in the block and cover all expenditures during the exploration period.
CNOOC will have up to a 51 percent interest in any commercial discoveries in the block.Since China's near-shore area offers very limited potential for further oil and gas exploration, it's imperative for the company to go to deepwater projects.
CNOOC is testing its first domestic semi-submersible drilling rig, the Haiyang Shiyou 981, which is capable of operating at a maximum water depth of 3,000 meters, as part of its ambitions to achieve deepwater output of 50 million tons of oil equivalent by 2020. more

8.5.12

Enrico Ievoli: freed ransom?? no ransom?







Hijacked by Somali pirates in December 2011, the ship was released ... after the ransom amount was handed over to the captors.
[April 24]"No ransom, we have done through legal channels, as required by the code of navigation." The owner of Enrico Levoni, freed after four months in the hands of the pirates of Somalia, responds well to those who ask what were the counterparts for the release of ship and crew. The tanker is doing back home escorted by our Navy. The crew is fine. Satisfaction among the Italian authorities, relief from relatives
No reports on sum of the ransom, Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs don’t say if it was paid, though there are little doubts about it. The [Italian]foreign ministry denied the government had paid ransom and said the liberation was the result of "constant pressure'' on Somali authorities, the chemtanker was carrying caustic soda from the United Arab Emirates to the Mediterranean.    Demand for caustic soda declined by around 260,000 tonnes in the second half of 2011 because of shutdowns in the global alumina industry, according to an industry source.  

[January 01]Police from Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland near Dhinooda seized 10 pirates bound for MT Enrico Ievoli [9188415 ENRICO IEVOLI ] of Domenico Levoli, chairman and owner of Marnavi.. The M/T Enrico Ievoli was hijacked off shore Oman coastline while it was heading toward the randevouz point with the chinese armed convoy..
A number of them are investors while others were staff. Once a captured vessel has been brought to anchor, is common for pirate hijackers to be joined by the gang's investors a vessel as well as a team of armed guards brought on board to guard the hostages. The MT Enrico Ievoli was hijacked on December 27, while transporting a cargo of caustic soda. She carries a crew of 18, including seven Indians, six Italians, and five Ukrainians. Puntland forces have detained and seized numerous pirates within recent months but have yet to bring them to trial.


Marnavi S.P.A, Napoli, Italy and Marnavi offshore SRL, Napoli, Italy, respectively enjoy an unblemished and outstanding reputation in the safe transport and carriage of liquid chemical and edible oils, and the renderment of offshore services respectively.


To-day they have a modern fleet of 35 vessels trading worldwide with a total capacity of 170000 DWT, These include 13 stainless steel tankers ranging from 26500 DWT.

7.5.12

BW Rhine: Sohmen family product tanker released










May 4th, 2012 BW Rhine was released after being held under duress while some of the cargo was being stolen.  The gasoline it was carrying was worth millions of dollars.


[May 2]Hijackers looking for the petroleum product cargo, maybe aviation fuel,  forcibly removed from her safe anchorage position off Lome, Togo BW Rhine, product tanker operated by BW Maritime. The vessel was laden at the time.
Contact was last made with the vessel at 18:30 GMT on 30 April. Ongoing efforts are being made to restore communications.
All possible actions are being taken to track the vessel, and coastal navies have deployed assets to assist the search. The BW Emergency Response Team is continuously monitoring the situation and all relevant parties have been informed. On 2012-03-27  discharged aviation fuel at RPD/Bristol UK.   BW Maritime is part of the BW Group, one of the world’s leading maritime groups in the tanker, gas and offshore segments, operating a fleet of 93 owned, part-owned or controlled vessels. BW Maritime is a leading maritime company with commercial responsibility for a fleet of 30 vessels - 14 Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), and a fleet of 16 LR1 product tankers, controlled by the family of Helmut Sohmen . 



BW Rhine
Ship Type: Oil products tanker
Year Built: 2008
Length x Breadth: 228 m X 33 m
Gross Tonnage: 43797, DeadWeight: 76000 t
Speed recorded (Max / Average): 9.3 / 8.5 knots
Flag: Panama [PA] 
Call Sign: 3EOW2
IMO: 9341940, MMSI: 355797000
Owner: NEWELL COMPANY S.A.
Operator: BW Fleet Management Pte Ltd.
Class Society: Bureau Veritas