31.5.11

First Ocean: IRISL boxship evades pirates



IRISL First Ocean container ship, Maltese-flag, operated by the multinational V-ships, came under attack on Tuesday after several armed people on board three skiffs approached it at high speed, .

The Iranian warships patrolling the area made their way toward the cargo ship immediately upon a distress call coming from the ship that reported an unauthorized boarding attempt by a number of people.

Iranian Navy engaged in a fire fight. No injuries were reported.
In 2009 Hanjin delivered the first of the IRISL newbuildings, First Oceanbut then refused to hand over three sister vessels after failing to receive the balance of money owed amid speculation that the shipping line had been caught up in US sanctions against Iran that prevented US banks from participating in any financing. or suspected the market slump was squeezing IRISL’s financial resources and breached loan-to-value covenants.

As the deadlock dragged on in the summer, the three ships at the center of the dispute were put up for sale by Hanjin, and apparently attracted bids for as little as a quarter of the contracted price of around $100m apiece when the ships were ordered in 2006.

But that auction through ICAP Shipping was considered by some to be purely a legal technicality rather than a serious effort to sell the ships, with no offers accepted and talks continuing throughout with IRISL.


9349576 FIRST OCEAN 9HMV9 Container Ship 85896 2008

29.5.11

Jih Chun Tsai No. 68: USN Frigate kills pirates





Wu Lai-yu, captain of the Jih Chun Tsai No. 68, died on May 20 during an exchange of fire between the long liner, which was used by the pirates as a mother ship, and the USS Stephen W. Groves in the Indian Ocean.

The death surprised Wu's family, who had reached a ransom deal in late April with the pirates following a painstaking negotiation that lasted more than a year.

The pirates agreed to release Wu and the 79-tonne vessel in one month upon receiving the ransom. The amount of the ransom is not clear, but it was less than the US$8 million the pirates originally demanded.

Wu's wife said Sunday through Tsai Pao-hsing, secretary-general of the Liouciou Fishery Association, that Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs should help seek compensation from the U.S.

The wife complained that the U.S. troops saved two Chinese crew members, but allowed Wu's body to sink along with the fishing ship rather than retrieve it for the family.
The 80-tonne Jih-chun Tsai 68 with captain Wu Lai-yu and 10 Indonesian crew was hijacked in March 2010 while sailing in waters off Somalia.

Three pirates killed.

27.5.11

Ocean, Tonnerre: Apache clearance in principle


NATO officials said four British Apache attack helicopters were available aboard the assault ship HMS Ocean in the Mediterranean as well as four French Tigres aboard the French helicopter carrier Tonnerre.

British ministers gave clearance in principle for the use of Apaches on Thursday and said NATO could now call on them. HMS Ocean (L12) of the Royal Navy is an Amphibious assault ship (or Landing Platform Helicopter) (or Helicopter carrier), the sole member of her class. She is designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff of Commander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force. She is currently the largest ship in the Royal Navy.

26.5.11

Tonnere: helicopter carrier to Libya




The French daily Le Figaro reported that 12 helicopters, which could launch more accurate close attacks on pro-Gaddafi forces and targets than fixed wing aircraft, were shipped out to Libya on the French warship Tonnerre on May 17.

Tonnerre (L9014) The Mistral class is a class of three amphibious assault ships, also known as a helicopter carrier, of the French Navy. Referred to as "projection and command ships" (bâtiments de projection et de commandement or BPC), a Mistral class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 NH90 or Tiger helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 vehicles including 13 Leclerc tanks, or a 40-strong Leclerc tank battalion,[5] and 450 soldiers. The ships are equipped with a 69-bed hospital, and are capable of serving as part of a NATO Response Force, or with United Nations or European Union peace-keeping forces.

23.5.11

213 Al Ghardabia: struck by NATO




in Tripoli Harbour 20th May 2011. Koni class is the NATO reporting name for a anti-submarine warfare frigate built by the Soviet Union. Koni II were made for warmer waters

20.5.11

YM Jupiter: Vships tanker boarded by NATO





NATO borded chemtanker YM Jupiter, Maltese flag, on the high seas May 20 bound for Tripoli.

"NATO naval forces can deny access to vessels entering or leaving Libyan ports if there is reliable information to suggest that the vessel or its cargo will be used to support attacks or threats on civilians, either directly or indirectly," saying it believed the fuel would be used for military purposes. He would not confirm reports that the 148-metre-long tanker, which flies under the Maltese flag, was carrying 12.750 tonnes of fuel.

Ym Jupiter Last updated: May 12, 2011
Ex-name(s): YM ZEYCAN ANA IMO number: 9291597
Flag: Malta Call sign: 9HTF8
Port of Registry: VALLETTA Summer DWT: 15995.5 MT
Type of vessel: Chemical Built: Jan 18, 2007
Type of hull: Double Hull Owner: YM Mercury Tankers Ltd
Class Society: Bureau Veritas Operator: V.Ships UK Limited
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Deepwater Horizon: Mitsui settles with BP





Mitsui had accepted "the findings by the Presidential Commission into the lethal Macondo blowout that the accident was the result of a number of separate risk factors" although not in proportion to the $37.8 billion before tax charge that BP had put aside for the Gulf of Mexico. With its 10% stake, that would have been close to $4 billion, but as one of its Gulf of Mexico drilling partners agreed to pay $1.1 billion.

Still, analysts expect Anadarko - which owned 25% of the Macondo license - to come under pressure to settle with BP soon. If it settled on the same basis as Moex, Andarko would pay the oil giant nearly $2.7 billion. Moex, part of Japanese commodities trader Mitsui, which owned 10% of the ill-fated Macondo well, agreed to contribute toward the costs of the $41 billion disaster. Anadarko Petroleum, has a 25 percent stake in the project, and its joint operating agreement with BP gives it a 25 percent share of the liability. . Geneva-based Transocean owned the Deepwater Horizon, which was leased to BP PLC to drill its Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico.
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In connection with the oil spill incident that occurred on April 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico on the exploratory block designated Mississippi Canyon 252, last year Transocean and certain of its affiliates (collectively, "Transocean"), the owner and operator of the rig, filed a limitation action based on maritime law in an effort to limit its liability (the "Limitation Action"), and in the Limitation Action, on February 18, 2011, Transocean tendered MOECO, MOEX USA Corporation (a 100% subsidiary of MOECO, "MOEX USA") and MOEX Offshore 2007 LLC (a 100% subsidiary of MOEX USA, "MOEX Offshore"), which owns a 10% working interest in the lease for the relevant block.

On April 19, 20 and 21, 2011, Transocean and the defendants in the Limitation Action filed cross-claims primarily seeking contribution and indemnification from one another, and as a result MOECO, MOEX USA and MOEX Offshore were served with cross-claims by Cameron International Corporation, Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. and Transocean. MOEX Offshore filed cross-claims against BP Exploration and Production, Inc. ("BP"), Transocean, Halliburton, Cameron, M-I LLC and Weatherford U.S. L.P. and certain of their affiliates, asserting that they should bear the responsibility, whether in whole or in part, for the alleged damages and seeking contribution and indemnification.

On April 4, 2011, BP sent a Notice of Dispute to its business partners, MOEX Offshore and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, based on the Operating Agreement entered into by such parties. The Notice of Dispute states that as of February 28, 2011, BP's invoices to MOEX Offshore totaled approximately U.S. $1,856,000,000. In addition, MOEX Offshore has received invoices from BP after that date. The most recent invoice, dated April 5, 2011, states that MOEX Offshore's payment obligation totals approximately U.S. $2,067,000,000. MOEX Offshore expects to receive additional invoices from BP, but it expects to continue to withhold payment given that at the present time it is uncertain whether there will be an obligation to pay. Based on the Operating Agreement, the parties must designate a representative to meet and confer in an effort to resolve the claim made in the Notice of Dispute. MOEX Offshore has designated a representative. Notably, on April 27, 2011, BP filed a motion to stay MOEX Offshore's cross-claims in the Limitation Action referenced above based on the arbitration clause in the Operating Agreement.
Cameron, BP asserted, designed and built a faulty preventer and negligently maintained it.

19.5.11

Sea King: sailor found dead four days after pirates





Christopher Cortez Cepradowas found dead last Wednesday, four days after pirates robbed the chemical tanker MT Sea King at anchor in the port of Benin's main city, Cotonou.


IMO number: 9326641
Flag: Marshall Island Call sign: V7OC7
Port of Registry: MAJURO Summer DWT: 13115.527 MT
Type of vessel: Built: Feb 21, 2008
Type of hull: Double Hull Owner: Sea King Shipholding, S.
Class Society: American Bureau of Shipping Operator: V.Ships Ltd.
V.Ships Ship Management
V.Ships is the world’s largest supplier of ship management services to a fleet of over 1000 vessels. The managed fleet comprises a broad range of vessel types including the three main asset classes, tankers, bulk carriers and containerships plus many specialized vessels including offshore vessels.

Final bids for V Ships, a ship-management business owned by Exponent Private Equity, are due June 16, a person familiar with the situation told Dow Jones Newswires Monday.

The auction is being run by investment bank Lazard Ltd. (LAZ) and has attracted several private-equity firms including Permira and Cinven Group, people said.

London-based Exponent bought V Ships for $338 million in March 2007, could fetch as much as $600 million, or 10 times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $60 million.

Since its formation in 1984, V Ships has expanded from servicing cargo vessels to providing services for cruise liners, ferries and large yachts.

The company is based in Douglas, Isle of Man, and operates through an extensive network of offices located primarily in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The network encompasses 70 offices and 35 countries with the principal places of business Monaco, Limassol, Singapore, Shanghai, Glasgow and London.

16.5.11

HDMS Esbern Snare: Kills and sinks four pirates


The Danish navy killed four pirates and released sixteen Iranian hostages after a skirmish with a pirate boat off the Somalian coast last Thursday.

The Navy announced today that HDMS Esbern Snare, was approached and fired upon by a pirate ‘mother-ship’ on Thursday morning.

After a firefight between the vessels, the remaining pirates surrendered by throwing their weapons in the sea.

The Navy then took control of boat and detained the remaining 24 pirates.

None of the hostages or the Navy personnel were harmed in the attack though ten pirates were treated onboard the Esben Snare for injuries.
The four dead pirates were buried at sea according to Nato procedure and Muslim tradition.
The Absalon class is based on a frigate-type design, but built with an internal multipurpose deck (flex deck) and a stern vehicle ramp. The ships can serve as command platforms for a staff of 75 persons (naval or joint staff) with a containerized command and control centre, transport and base of operations for a company-sized landing force of some 200 men with vehicles.

15.5.11

Ferdinand, Drazki: Romania, Bulgaria frigates to Libya



The Bulgarian government has approved sending the frigate Drazki for three months to the Mediterranean Sea to take part in the NATO operation In 2009, Bulgaria purchased three second-hand frigates from Belgium - Drazki, Gordi ("Proud"), and "Verni" ("Faithful") and the Tsibar minesweeper.
Romania will participate in the NATO naval operation off Libya's coast with the King Ferdinand frigate. Regele Ferdinand (F221) (formerly HMS Coventry (F98)) is a Type 22 frigate The length of stay of each ship in the Mediterranean is one month in general before rotation is done.




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7.5.11

Full City: boarded by Turks , Pirates scared off





The Panama flagged and Chinese owned merchant ship M/V Full City was attacked by Somali pirates yesterday (05.05.2011) morning. the crew of M/V Full City was able to hide themselves inside a citadel before being captured by the pirates. .

The Turkish frigate F-491 TCG Giresun, the nearest coalition warship was ordered to proceed and help the attacked merchant ship.



Upon arriving to M/V Full City, that was damaged by the rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire of the pirates, communication with the crew of the ship was established. Later the naval special forces teams of board of the Turkish frigate, fast-roped to the ship and secured her.

When the search revealed that there were no pirates on board, and all the crew was safe and sound M/V Full City continues her journey.

5.5.11

Full City: COSCO (Hong Kong) bulker hijacked




Seven Pirates hijacked the vessel, "Full City," some 450 nautical miles off the coast of India's Mumbai and 750 nautical miles east of the area where the Chinese Navy convoy fleet was assembled, May 6.

Full City 26,758 DWT, Bulk Carrier, Built 1995
Owners/Managers are COSCO (Hong Kong), Built at Hakodate Dock, Panama Flagged, NK Classed, Length Overall of 167.20 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 160.00 m., Draught of 9.54 m., Beam of 26.00 m., Gross Tonnage of 15,873, Mitsubishi Engine, Speed of 14.30 kts at 22.50 tonnes per day, Heavy Fuel Oil, Horsepower of 7,200B at 158, Bunker Capacity of 1,195 tonnes.
Owner/Manager Details
COSCO (Hong Kong) Group Ltd.
Specialised Details
Grain Capacity of 33,918 cu.m., 5 Holds, 5 Hatches, 4 Crane(s) with a safe working load of 25 tonnes.
Additional information
IDENTIFICATION: Launch Name was Full City. Handysize Bulker, Call Sign 3FRQ4, IMO Number 9073672. DIMENSIONS/TONNAGES: Moulded Depth of 13.30 m., Tonnage of 8,993 International Net and 26,335 Dwt (long). ENGINE DETAILS: Engine Description 2 S.A. 6-cyl., Engine Model 6UEC45LA. CARGO HANDLING: Bale Capacity of 32,658 cu.m., Hatch Dimensions are 4 @ 19.20 x 13.00 m., 1 @ 13.80 x 13.00 m. SAFETY AND OTHER DETAILS: Last known special survey in January 2005, Ballast Capacity of 8,624 tonnes.
China Daily
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2.5.11

USS Carl Vinson: Usama buried from carrier




Body was ritually washed and the burial at sea conducted in Islamic form. back

Sinar Kudus: Ferronickel laden, ransomed



The hijacking occurred on March 16 off Somalia. The ship is operated by local shipping company PT Samudera Indonesia Tbk. and was carrying ferronickel belonging to state mining company PT Aneka Tambang from Indonesia to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. PT Samudera Indonesia used a service company as a negotiator. the pirates had demanded a US$2.6 million ransom in the beginning, which they then raised to $3.5 million and continued to increase. “Now, [04/11] they are asking for $9 million,” he said. back

Osama:killed by Navy Seals, buried at Sea




A team of Navy SEALS stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach It’s being reported here in Washington that Osama bin Laden has been buried at sea. This was done to avoid there ever being a shrine. Apparently, the body was treated according to Islamic custom, which would have meant it being washed and shrouded by Muslims.

The US armed forces has a number of Muslim chaplains

U.S. Joint Special Operations Command Special Mission Unit (SMU) from the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU — formerly known as Seal Team Six) did the shooting. There were other JSOC spotters on the ground, as well as two special operations helicopters and an unmanned drone overhead.

One of the special-ops helicopters reportedly suffered mechanical difficulties and crash landed onsite. It was destroyed by U.S. forces.

Bin Laden was killed along with two al Qaeda couriers and one of Bin Laden’s adult sons Khaled, two brothers who were harboring him and one of his wives, officials said. A woman who was used as a human shield by one of the couriers was also reportedly killed. Several other women were wounded and are reportedly receiving treatment.

1.5.11

Gemini: 200 nm off Mombasa hijacked




Chemical tanker Gemini , Singapore-flag, left Kuala Tanjung, Sumatra, on April 16 for Mombasa, Kenya with 28,000 metric tonnes of crude palm oil, hijacked 200 nm SSE off Mombasa Kenya. Korean captain and three other Korean crew members, Glory Ship Management Pte. Ltd.

Ship Name: GEMINI
IMO: 8412352
MMSI: 564479000
Callsign: 9VKU3
Flag: Singapore

Category: Chemical / Oil Products Tanker
Jiangsu Jiaoyan Marine Equipment Co., Ltd.(Original is Jiangyin F.R.P. Boat Factory )began to build different kinds of F.R.P. boats in 1974 and became a joint venture-Jiangyin Xinjiang F.R.P.Co., Ltd. in 1993 with Glory Ship Management PTE LTD., SINGAPORE, which is engaged in import and export business, From the beginning of 2003 year, the company began to produce the davit, winch and others deck machinery.