Rena: Costamare boxship away off Astrolabe Reef

An investigation into the grounding and breaking up of the Rena, a Liberian-flagged ship owned by the Greek shipping firm Costamare, is ongoing. The ship's captain and navigation officer, both Philippine nationals, will next month face criminal charges relating to operating a vessel in a dangerous manner and allowing the release of toxic materials.

Marine Oil 981, HAI YANG SHI YOU 981, 船主, Chen

Disputes over the sea’s islands and surrounding waters should be resolved through “dialogue and diplomatic measures,” Chen Bingde, chief of staff of the People’s Liberation Army,
Cheng yesterday confirmed China is developing a ballistic missile with a maximum range of 2,700 kilometers (1,700 miles) and the ability to strike moving targets including aircraft carriers, the China Daily reported. The Dongfeng-21D is undergoing experimental testing and will be used as a defensive weapon, the state-owned paper cited him saying.
Underestimated Development

In January, the Pentagon said it had underestimated the speed of China’s military development, including a fighter jet with stealth capabilities that was unveiled in test flights this year. The Office of Naval Intelligence last year estimated the DF-21D missile had a range of almost 900 miles.

The weapon would be fired from mobile, land-based launchers and is “specifically designed to defeat U.S. carrier strike groups,” the report said.

earlier
and earlier

6.9 knots Panamanian vessel hijacked in Gulf of Aden

The Malaspina Castle, was hijacked April 6 in the Gulf of Aden, carrying iron and had 24 people on board from Bulgaria, the Philippines, Russia and Ukraine.

MALASPINA CASTLE
former ADVENTURE / VENTURE STAR
Vessel's Details:
Ship Type: Cargo
Year Built: 1981
Length x Breadth: 183m X 28m
DeadWeight: 32587 MT
Speed recorded (Max / Average): 8.2 / 6.9 knots
Flag: Panama [PA]
since 2005 Feb 04 GREECE
since 1994 Feb 01 LIBERIA
Call Sign: 3EJN8
IMO: 7915967, MMSI: 372574000