NOVATEK and TOTAL sign sale agreement for Arctic LNG 2 stake

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March 5, 2019

PAO NOVATEK and TOTAL S.A. signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement in relation to the sale of a 10% participation interest in the Arctic LNG 2 project, within the binding agreement, signed at the 22nd Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum in May 2018. The transaction will be closed by the end of first quarter 2019, NOVATEK says in a press release.

The Arctic LNG 2 project has made significant development progress since May 2018. Front-end engineering and design work has been completed in October confirming the preliminary cost estimates between $20 billion and $21 billion. Moreover, additional exploration drilling confirmed significant reserve growth at the Project’s Utrenneye field, and accordingly, the Russian state reserves commission subsequently increased the field’s natural gas reserves to approximately two trillion cubic meters under the Russian reserves classification.

Total consideration includes a payment for the 10% participation interest as well as financing for the Project through the capital of Arctic LNG 2.

“We have worked closely with TOTAL for many years and have built a good working relationship based on mutual trust and respect. We are pleased to further develop our successful cooperation with them on our new Arctic LNG 2 project.“ noted Leonid Mikhelson, NOVATEK’s Chairman of the Management Board. “The Project’s vast conventional reserve base, advanced engineering and design work, and innovative LNG design combined with our experience in implementing large-scale LNG projects in the Arctic region is part of our strategy for creating sustainable shareholders value.”

The Arctic LNG 2 project envisages constructing three LNG trains at 6.6 million tons per annum each, using gravity-based structure (GBS) platforms. The Project is based on the hydrocarbon resources of the Utrenneye field. As of 31 December 2018, the Utrenneye field’s 2P reserves under PRMS totaled 1,138 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 57 million tons of liquids. Under the Russian classification reserves totaled 1,978 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 105 million tons of liquids. OOO Arctic LNG 2 owns an LNG export license.

PAO NOVATEK is one of the largest independent natural gas producers in Russia, and in 2017, entered the global gas market by successfully launching the Yamal LNG project. Founded in 1994, the Company is engaged in the exploration, production, processing and marketing of natural gas and liquid hydrocarbons. The Company’s upstream activities are concentrated mainly in the prolific Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Region, which is the world’s largest natural gas producing area and accounts for approximately 80% of Russia’s natural gas production and approximately 15% of the world’s gas production. NOVATEK is a public joint stock company established under the laws of the Russian Federation. The Company’s shares are listed in Russia on Moscow Exchange and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) under the ticker symbol “NVTK”.

Source:portnews

Fincantieri and Viking sign contracts for 2 ships

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March 5, 2019

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In the context of the agreement announced in March 2018 for the construction of 6 ships, Fincantieri and Viking signed the contracts for the first 2 units, which will be delivered respectively in 2024 and 2025, the company said in its release.

In partnership with the shipowner, Fincantieri will develop an advanced project based on the successful characteristics of the previous ships, upgraded and revisited in line with the latest available technologies. Viking’s current ocean fleet includes ships having exclusively all-veranda staterooms, a gross tonnage of about 47,800 tons with accommodation for 930 passengers in 465 cabins.

Fincantieri started its partnership with Viking in 2012, trusting the shipowner who was entering the ocean cruise market as a start-up. Today, the cooperation which first began with an order for two ships, has reached a total of 20 units, including the order awarded to Vard for two special cruise ships and the options. This is an all-time record, the largest number of units built by a shipbuilder for one sole shipowner.

The first of the series, “Viking Star”, has been built at the shipyard in Marghera and delivered in 2015. The other units, “Viking Sea”, “Viking Sky”, “Viking Sun”, and “Viking Orion”, handed over in 2016, 2017 and 2018, were all built at the Ancona yard, as well as “Viking Jupiter”, which joined the shipowner’s fleet in February. Other 10 units, options included, for Viking Cruises will take to the sea from the Group’s Italian yards between 2021 and 2027. Furthermore, Vard, together with Fincantieri, is also specializing in the construction of expedition vessels. In this context, the company has acquired the order from Viking for 2 special cruise ships, with an option for two more vessels, which will be built in the Group’s yards.

Video: Argentine Forces Fire Warning Shots at Chinese Fishing Vessel

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March 5, 2019

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Once again, Argentine forces have opened fire to chase off a Chinese vessel caught fishing within Argentina's exclusive economic zone.

On Sunday morning, the Argentine Naval Prefecture (PNA) vessel Mantilla spotted the Chinese fishing vessel Hua Xiang 801 at a position about one nautical mile inside of the EEZ boundary. She had her fishing gear deployed, and when Mantilla approached she fled the scene. The Mantilla gave pursuit, and according to the PNA, the Hua Xiang attempted to collide with her, putting "the crew's life at risk."

Despite multiple orders in Spanish and English to stop for boarding, the Hua Xiang did not halt, even after Mantilla fired warning shots with her autocannon. The fugitive vessel ultimately escaped into international waters, and Argentine authorities have asked other nations to help pursue her.

"The vessel was conducting illegal fishing," said Carlos Villareal, chief of marine traffic serices for PNA. "It evaded the maritime authority and [we have issued] an international arrest warrant. There is a history of this, and the vessels that escaped were captured and fined [$190,000]."

The Argentine EEZ boundary off the coast of Comodoro Rivadavia runs through a rich squid fishery, and distant-water fishing vessels regularly gather in the area just beyond Argentine jurisdiction. The region is known locally as "milla 201" – or "mile 201" – in reference to its location outside the 200-nm boundary.

The PNA patrols this line to keep down the number of vessels operating illegally in Argentine waters, and tense interactions are a recurring issue. Last February, the Mantilla fired warning shots at another non-compliant Chinese fishing vessel, sparking a minor diplomatic incident. In a similar incident involving a Chinese trawler in 2016, the suspect vessel was not so lucky: after repeated warnings, the PNA sank it.

The relationship isn't only about enforcement, though. PNA also provides SAR and emergency response services for the region, and a PNA aircrew helped medevac the chief engineer of a different Chinese vessel on the same weekend as the Mantilla's encounter with Hua Xiang 801.

Source:maritime-executive

Three Seafarers Abducted From Product Tanker in Gulf of Guinea

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March 5, 2019

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Three Romanian crewmembers of the product tanker Histria Ivory have been kidnapped by pirates off Togo, according to Romania's Free Trade Union of Navigators (SLN) and the Romanian Ministy of Foreign Affairs (MAE).

At about 1930 hours on Sunday, pirates attacked the Ivory at a position about 20 miles off the port of Lome, Togo. The majority of the crew took shelter in the ship's citadel, but three Romanian nationals were abducted. The pirates fled the scene after the kidnapping, and local authorities escorted the Ivory to a safe anchorage.

The vessel was reportedly damaged during the attack, but none of the crewmembers were injured, according to the MAE. The union posted images purported to describe the wreckage aboard the Ivory (below).

"The Free Trade Union of Navigators warns that in the Gulf of Guinea, the rate of pirate incidents is increasing in intensity, which affects seafarers and global shipping," the SLN said in a statement. "In high-risk areas, it is necessary to increase vigilance on the bridge and tune radar for small distances to prevent any attempted attack to succeed. Also, the piracy procedures must be well received by each crewmember and followed precisely in case of piracy incidents."

Source:maritime-executive

Two container ships collide at Busan Port

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March 4, 2019

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The container ship Safmarine Nokwamda collided with the container ship Tianjin, while berthing at Busan Container Terminal, on March 2. Both ships sustained damages, while several containers fell from Tianjin.

The collision took place while the 'Safmarine Nokwanda' was berthing at the port. At that time it hit the stern of Tianjin.

Tianjin sustained serious damages, while a number of containers were crushed and fell overboard. As for Safmarine Nokwanda, it also suffered damages to the bow.

According to sources, no one was injured because of the incident.

Maersk’s South African unit Safmarine is operating Safmarine Nokwanda, while Tianjin is owned by Germany’s NSB Holding and is currently chartered to ZIM.

Both ships have now departed Busan and are continuing their voyages. Safmarine Nokwanda is going to China, with Tianjin heading to the Americas.

Source:safety4sea

Wärtsilä signs maintenance agreement to support MSCL’s tug operations

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March 4, 2019

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The technology group Wärtsilä has signed an optimised maintenance agreement with Marine Service Company Ltd (MSCL), a Saudi Arabian tug operator. It is the first ever such agreement that Wärtsilä has signed with a marine operator in Saudi Arabia. MSCL operates four terminal escort tugs operating in the port of Rabigh, and the comprehensive maintenance planning resulting from the agreement will streamline the vessels’ operations, thereby ensuring optimal performance and availability. The 5-year agreement was signed in October 2018.

Within the framework of the agreement, in addition to systematic service activity planning, Wärtsilä provides maintenance budgeting, major overhauls, state-of-the-art tools, spare parts, and technical expertise covering the ships’ engines and certain auxiliary equipment. Wärtsilä’s technical resources are available at all times. In addition, technical audits are carried out bi-annually, and MSCL’s vessel crews will receive extensive training on the onboard equipment.

“Vessel availability is of utmost importance to MSCL as an operator, and it is in our interest to have a long-term cooperation with reliable and valued partners. The optimised maintenance agreement with Wärtsilä is a value-based solution that suits our technical and financial requirements. It is a true upgrade, since it not only increases the availability and efficiency of the vessels, but it also has a positive effect on our bottom line,” says Capt. Salah U. Ahmed, General Manager, Marine Service Company Ltd.

“We are very pleased that MSCL chose us to be their partner, which opened the opportunity for us to enter into a completely new market of marine agreements in Saudi-Arabia. With our strong local presence, extensive experience, and unmatched service capabilities in the marine sector, we can help MSCL to increase their profitability by enabling better vessel availability,” says Haidar Al Hertani, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Saudi Arabia.

Kalmar Sets Out Future of Terminal Operations

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March 4, 2019

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Availability and performance guarantees are the way to improve cargo handling and efficiency in terminal operations, according to industry experts Kalmar in its latest Port2060 update.

Kalmar has followed on from previous insights into artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous vehicles (AV) and said availability and performance guarantees are based on “a simple idea that can be extended in various dimensions based on the customer’s needs.”

The ultimate aim, according to Kalmar, is a performance-based business model, in which it does not get paid by the number of container handling machines it sells or leases, but by the performance of the machines in question, such as completed container moves per hour.

To start this process Kalmar says, one must begin at the first level – the rental business. Instead of selling machines, the company leases them to its customers and ensure the machines are available and maintained according to a defined schedule.

After that, Kalmar calculates what size fleet it needs in order to ensure the required number of operational machines at all time. The key point for all parties is that once Kalmar is responsible for not only the machines, but also their connectivity, optimization and maintenance, it can higher levels of performance and availability than traditional maintenance models.

Antti Kaunonen, President, Kalmar, said this about Kalmar’s vision for future operations: “This is not a simple path to follow, and we understand that it may not be for every customer."

Some will prefer a traditional contract model and we will, of course, cater to them too. However, for those ports and terminals that are willing to take the next step in developing their operations, we are ready to discuss and negotiate from a stance of mutual understanding of each other's strong points and business goals.

Our industry has worked with transaction-based business models for over 100 years. Now it's time to go further.

Are you ready to think in a new way and to take the performance of your terminal to the next – guaranteed – level? If you are, we will be there for you, ready to meet the challenge.

Source:porttechnology

Lindblad signs agreement with Ulstein Verft for building of second new polar vessel

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March 4, 2019

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Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc. announces that it has signed an agreement with Norwegian shipbuilder and ship designer Ulstein to build a new polar vessel. The new ship is scheduled for delivery from Ulstein Verft in Q3 2021. The vessel is sister ship to 'National Geographic Endurance', which is under construction.

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc., a global leader of expedition cruises and adventure travel experiences, announced the shipbuilding agreement, expanding the line’s National Geographic polar fleet to four ships.

This state-of-the-art vessel will be the next phase of Lindblad’s fleet expansion following the launches of new builds National Geographic Quest in July 2017, National Geographic Venture in December 2018 and the scheduled delivery of National Geographic Endurance in Q1 2020.

The new ship is scheduled for delivery in Q3 2021. Sister ship to National Geographic Endurance, the polar vessel will be fully stabilized with the highest ice class (PC5 Category A) of any purpose-built passenger vessel, and will feature Ulstein’s signature X-BOW®, a unique design that affords the smoothest, most comfortable ride imaginable, in all sea behavior, which results in greater fuel efficiency and fewer emissions, for reduced environmental impact.

Like its sister ship, the new vessel will accommodate 126 passengers in 69 spacious guest cabins and suites and is being designed to connect guests to their environment and be the ultimate platform for exploration. With 75 percent of the cabins featuring balconies for private viewing, multiple observation decks inside and outside, and “observation wings,” the surrounding environs will always be accessible. Off-ship exploring will be greatly enhanced with an innovative Zodiac loading system that will allow everyone to get ashore quickly and safely, ensuring quick access to every destination. The ship’s complement of expedition tools for exploration will include kayaks, cross-country skis, a remotely operated vehicle, hydrophones, a video microscope, underwater video cameras and more to be announced in the coming months.

Source:portnews

UK sector deal ‘published this week’

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March 4, 2019

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UK energy department is expected to publish the long-awaited offshore wind sector deal this week, according to industry sources.

The sector deal aims to deliver at least a third of the country’s electricity from offshore wind by 2030, equivalent to 30GW of installed capacity.

“BEIS is leading on this and it is likely to be the back end of the week,” the source added.

The sector deal will set out how the industry will employ 27,000 people by the end of the next decade.

The plan will also set a blueprint for the global market for offshore wind products and services provided by UK-based companies to be worth nearly £5bn a year.

The industry had hoped BEIS would publish the sector deal last month but sources said the detail of documents had yet to be finalised by the joint industry-government body, the Offshore Wind Industry Council.

Source:renews

Sparrows toasts Hornsea 1 triple

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March 4, 2019

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Sparrows Group Cable and Pipe Lay Solutions division provided personnel and equipment last year to support nearshore, export and array cabling work at the 1218MW Hornsea 1 offshore wind farm off the east coast of England.

The work was secured through three contracts with Boskalis Subsea Cables & Flexibles, DEME Offshore and DeepOcean, Sparrows said.

A specialist team worked with Boskalis to install and operate two 10Te and one 15Te cable tensioner to transfer three 245kV export cables from the vessel NDurance to the landfall site.

Sparrows said bespoke track pads were used to ensure cable clamping limits were maintained for the duration of the pull in activities and the company also provided sea fastenings packages for the equipment.

DEME Offshore was supported with the installation of the three export cables to the offshore reactive compensation station and three offshore substations using a 36Te four-track tensioner.

The equipment was integrated with the connector cable lay vessels’ system and used for spooling and laying activities for over 300km of cable.

A linear cable engine and operators were provided for DeepOcean on board the Edda Freya vessel for the array cable installation, Sparrows added.

Sparrows Group Cable and Pipe Lay Solutions chief technical officer Ewen Kerr said: “We have experienced an upsurge in business from the renewable sector in the last 12 months and the combination of the three contracts won for Hornsea 1, makes this our most significant cable lay project to date."

One of the contracts marks the first time we have conducted nearshore cable transfer operations and this is a testament to our highly trained engineering teams who worked to develop the most effective solution for our client.

Source:renews