Somali pirates release Greek ship

capt-stefanos
The East Africa Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP) issued a statement today confirming that the bulk carrier CAPT. STEFANOS (sometimes spelled CAPT STEPHANOS) was released by its hijackers yesterday.
The vessel was captured by Somali pirates in September along with her crew of 19 in the Gulf of Aden.
“The Greek ship-owner’s company Chartworld Shipping Corporation (Athens) finally [...]


Industry cancels orders worth Rs 3,750 crore for new ship

NEW DELHI: India’s shipbuilding industry may suffer cancellations of about 15% of their total orders, worth at least Rs 3,750 crore, as a slump
in international trade in the wake of the global economic crisis has taken a toll on the sector, industry experts say. Orders for about 35 ships that were to be built [...]


India: Dry bulk cargo shipowners lay up vessels, sell older ships

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Bangalore: Indian shipping firms engaged in carrying dry bulk cargo such as coal or steel have started laying up vessels and even selling older ones as freight rates plunge to record lows amid the global economic downturn and credit crunch. A lay-up happens when a ship is withdrawn from trading operations.
“The market for dry bulk [...]


Tanker outlook: Owners unlikely to walk away from newbuild contracts

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New York: Most of the tankers currently on order will be built and delivered, according to New York broker Poten & Partners. This is in marked contrast to the dry bulk market where analysts believe large numbers of bulk carriers will be seriously delayed or cancelled. However, tanker owners and investors are anxiously awaiting a [...]


Weekly Piracy Report ( 25 November - 1 December 2008 )

Suspicious crafts
None reported
Recently reported incidents

26.11.2008: 0430 LT: Lagos anchorage, Nigeria.

Armed robbers in a small craft boarded a chemical tanker at anchor. They stole ship’s property and escaped before the duty A/B raised the alarm. The craft was observed approaching another vessel. The tanker warned the vessel. The craft aborted the attempt and headed back to [...]


Once upon a time… there were new buildings

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Long gone are the days when Greek ship owners were placing up to 10 new building orders for vessels every week, bringing the total orderbook of the leading maritime nation to over 1,100 ships. According to the latest reports the last couple of months (October and November) no new orders have been placed. The Baltic [...]


2008 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea presented to Brazilian seafarer

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The 2008 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea has been presented to a Brazilian seafarer who saved fellow crew members from a dangerous fire on a ship.
Mr. Rodolpho Fonseca da Silva Rigueira, of the drill ship Noble Roger Eason, nominated by the Government of Brazil, for his decisive, selfless action to rescue six fellow [...]


Weekly Piracy Report (18 - 24 November 2008)

Suspicious crafts
None reported
Recently reported incidents

20.11.2008: 0200 LT: Tema roads, Ghana.

Eight robbers armed with long knives boarded a container ship at anchor via the anchor chain. They took hostage two duty-crew, tied them up and robbed them. They then stole ship’s equipment and stores. The duty officer, from the bridge, called the duty crew several times [...]


Independent investigation into the grounding of the Australian registered bulk carrier Endeavour River at Gladstone, Queensland, on 2 December 2007

endeavour-river
On the afternoon of 2 December 2007, the Australian registered bulk carrier Endeavour River grounded in Gladstone harbour while attempting a mid-tide berthing at the South Trees Wharf.
The master was attempting to berth the ship on a flood tide, with a following wind, and was unable to position the ship correctly for its approach to [...]


IMO chief makes direct appeal to Security Council for Somalia piracy action

mitropoulos
IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos has issued a call at the highest level for a coordinated and cohesive response, both internationally and nationally, to combat the scourge of piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Yesterday (20 November), in a personal briefing to the UN Security Council in [...]