IMC and IMI UPDATES
This month also we have a new joinee with us. We welcome them all whole heartedly to this club .
New Joined IMC:
1. Company of Master Mariners of Srilanka
The shipping industry in Singapore is planning a new training programme for workers in a bid to prevent retrenchments in the maritime sector. The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) has launched a US$403 million programme to train over 1,000 workers next year under a new Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR). Teo Siong Seng, President of the SSA, said that after years of struggling to attract talent to the maritime industry, it would be a pity to lose them through retrenchment during the economic downturn. So far seven companies including “K” Line Singapore and Neptune Orient Lines have stepped forward to commit a number of their staff to the new programme. The courses cover issues such as shipping operations and documentation, marine insurance and shipping law. The SSA said that this would provide an ideal stepping stone for those interested in pursuing a diploma.
Dubai: Hamriyah Maritime City (HMC) in Sharjah free zone launched its $327m state-of-the-art integrated maritime industrial complex at the Seatrade Middle East Maritime trade fair yesterday. The privately-owned and developed complex, in the heart of the existing Hamriyah Free Zone, is the brainchild of Adnan Al Najjar (pictured), the president and ceo, and fellow equity partners, Kuwaiti businessmen Saad Al Wazzan and Saqer Al Mousherji Construction work is well underway on the 500,000sq mtr complex located in the heart of the free zone, which aims to capture companies from the regional growth in the offshore oil and gas and marine business. Dredging work for the harbour basins and quay walls is almost complete and contractors have started infrastructure construction. The first tenant companies are expected to move into the complex in the first quarter of 2010 with final completion scheduled for 2011.
A Nine Day maritime Carnival ended successfully here at Cochin. The Maritime carnival started off with Maritime Cultural Olympics on 14th December 2008 - A cultural rendezvous for the maritime Students, the day was concluded with International Boating Awards A platform to honor the best from the Boating and Yachting Industry at Le Meridien, Cochin. After the Boating awards there was a two day international conference on boating and yachting from 15 to 16 of December at Taj Residency, Cochin. The fest concluded with the Maritime Film festival from 17 to 22 December showcasing the maritime classic films. This festival paid tribute to the maestros for their great work of art. For memorable moments of the carnival visit www.marinebiztv.com/albums
ASEAN's first Submarine Support and Rescue Vessel (SSRV), 'Swift Rescue' has been launched at Singapore Technologies Marine's (ST Marine) main shipyard in Benoi. ST Marine had conceptualized, designed and built 'Swift Rescue' to enable it with the primary capability of submarine rescue as well as fulfill other secondary roles. The 85 metre by 18 metre vessel is highly maneuverable with excellent sea-keeping capabilities. Equipped with a DPS-2 dynamic positioning system, it also incorporates a helicopter deck and unique operational spaces to meet the requirements of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). It will house a highly sophisticated Submarine Rescue Vessel (SRV) to rescue personnel from a submarine in distress up to a depth of 500 metres. In June this year, ST Marine entered into a joint venture agreement with James Fisher Defence, to form First Response Marine, which was a 50:50 owned company set up for the sole purpose of undertaking the approximately US$260 million contract awarded to ST Marine by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) for the provision of a ship and submarine rescue system and maintenance services.
Global marine terminal operator DP World's flagship Jebel Ali Port has won the Lloyd's List Middle East Award 2008 for the Best Container Terminal of the Year, in recognition of its “vision and commitment to port operations on the domestic and international stages.” The prestigious award honours DP World's performance in providing safe, reliable, cost-effective and environmentally ¬friendly service to customers at terminal and offshore. This is the third time in four years DP World Jebel Ali has taken the Lloyd's List Award Tariq Bin Khalifa, Director of Commerce, DP World-UAE, received the award at Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah Hotel, at a ceremony attended by maritime industry leaders from across the region. Lloyd's List Awards, administered by an independent panel of judges, recognise excellence in the industry in different categories across the key maritime regions of the world. DP World won the Lloyd's List Global Port Operator of the Year award in 2006; Jebel Ali Port won the Lloyd's List Middle East and Subcontinent Awards - Container Terminal Operator of the Year in 2005 and 2006. DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 48 terminals and 13 new developments across 31 countries.
The Netherlands: State Secretary for Defence Jack de Vries layed down the keel of the first patrol vessel for the Royal Netherlands Navy in the dock of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding on Monday, December 8. During the official act, the State Secretary welded an old Dutch duit, traditional Dutch coin, to the first part of the vessel. The names of the four patrol vessels in the class were also announced: 'Holland', 'Zeeland', 'Friesland' and 'Groningen'. The new vessels will measure 108 metres in length and will displace approximately 3750 tonnes. They offer hangar space and landing facilities for one NH-90 helicopter or equivalent types. Their armament will consist of one 76mm Oto-Melara gun, one rapid-fire gun and two Hitrole machine guns. The weapons will all have full remote control. Thanks to the state-of-the-art integrated sensor and communication technology in the mast, detection and tracking of high- and low-altitude air targets, fast boats, periscopes, mines and even swimmers will be possible. The first two patrol vessels are to be built at the shipyard of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen, with a number of sections being supplied by the Damen shipyard in Galati. Major parts of the third and fourth vessels are to be built at the Damen shipyard in Galati under the supervision of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding.
Merchant marine cadets from a United Arab Emirates training ship graduated at a special ceremony held during Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2008, the largest maritime event of its kind in the region, which opened Sunday, 14 December 2008. The deck cadets were the sixth batch of students of the Birla Institute of Technology International Centre for Maritime Studies and Ship Management to pass out after training on the Ras Al Khaimah-berthed training ship Sindbad. Seatrade Middle East Maritime which ran until Tuesday 16 December is under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The event, officially opened by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, attracted a total of 313 exhibiting companies from 33 countries. Principal sponsors of Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2008 included Det Norske Veritas, GEM, Dubai Maritime City Authority, NITC and Gulf Marine. Other sponsors are: ABS, BP Marine, ClassNK, Drydocks World, Emarat Maritime, Ince Al Jallaf & Co, Lloyd's Register, Topaz Energy & Marine, Rais Hassan Saadi Group, SAIFEE Trading, Royal Caribbean Cruises Line, Cloud Cruises and the Ministry of Tourism for the Sultanate of Oman.
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