FIVE STAR

Sixth Sword of Honour for Drydocks World

For the sixth year in a row, Drydocks World – Dubai (DDW-D), a ship repair, conversion and new building yard in the region and the flagship company of the Drydocks World group, has been the recipient of the British Safety Council’s (BSC) globally respected Sword of Honour. The award is in recognition of the consistent success the Dubai yard has achieved in applying internationally accepted safety standards. The Sword of Honour scheme, now in its 30th year, recognizes organizations that have implemented safety systems that are among the best in the world. Only organizations that achieve the maximum rating of five stars in the Council’s Five Star Health and Safety Management System Audit are eligible to apply. DDW-D is one of only 40 organizations across the world that receive this honour annually. Nawal Saigal, Managing Director of DDW-D, received the Sword from Nina Wrightson OBE, Chairman of Trustees, BSC, at a grand ceremony held recently at the Goldsmiths Hall in London. (www.drydocks.gov.ae)  

SHINEC Builds Interiors for RAON

The Shipbuilding Joint Stock Company (SHINEC) has won a $200,000 contract to build the interiors for five ships owned by the RAON group of the Czech Republic. The work, covering wooden wall and floor planks, furniture, cupboards and lounge bars, is expected to last through the end of the year. The conversion of five ships owned by RAON into luxurious “floating hotels” is part of the largest-ever ship engineering project by the Republic of Czech

New Cruise Ship to Ply Yangtze River

According to a report on www.chinadaily.com.cn, a new cruise ship will soon set sail to the Yangtze River's Three Gorges Dam. The "Yangtze River No. 2," a 139-m, six-storey cruise ship, will embark on its maiden voyage from the southwestern Chongqing Municipality to the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei's Yichang City on August 29, www.chinadaily.com.cn reported, citing an official of Changjiang (Yangtze) Cruise Overseas Travel Co., the operator of the ship.

Blohm + Voss Repair Wins Business

Earlier this year, the Black Prince of the Fred. Olsen Cruises Line shipping company docked into Dock 10 of Blohm + Voss Repair GmbH. The cruise liner was originally constructed in such a way that it was able to be employed on the one hand as a passenger liner and cargo ship, and on the other as a passenger and car ferry. The Black Prince was converted into a pure passenger liner in 1986. A maximum of 451 passengers can go on a cruise in the 241 cabins of the Black Prince

Horizon Lines Promotes Alherd Kazura to VP International Services

Horizon Lines has promoted Alherd Kazura to the New Position of VP International Services   Horizon Lines, Inc. (NYSE: HRZ), the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping company, today announced that Alherd Kazura has been appointed to the new position of Vice President of International Services. Mr. Kazura will report to Brian Taylor, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer of Horizon Lines, Inc.    

Region’s Ports Vital Conduit for Africa-Asia Trade Development

Reciprocal growth opportunities as UAE builds on regional hub status and emerging African powerhouse nations look to develop world-class port operations using successful UAE model The continent of Africa will take center stage at the 2013 World Ports & Trade Summit, which takes place in Abu Dhabi from March 19-20, with a special focus session on day two of the event to examine opportunities in the region for both trade and infrastructure development.

Sea Star Enlarges Refrigeration Fleet, Preps for LNG Ships

Sea Star Line, LLC said that it has increased its refrigerated container fleet by 25% in the past year to better serve the Puerto Rico trade. Sea Star is also in year two of a five year refrigerated equipment replacement plan. The replacement plan aims to reduce the average age of the entire Sea Star Line refrigerated container fleet to less than three years. Additionally, Sea Star Line recently entered into a five year agreement to acquire new gensets to support the increased reefer fleet

NCL In Talks With Singapore's Star Cruises

One week after spurning an offer from industry leader Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian cruise ships operator NCL Holding ASA is in talks with Singapore's Star Cruises Plc. Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line, the world's fourth-largest cruise operator, had rejected Carnival's 30 Norwegian crowns-a-share offer ($3.77) as too low and hinted rival takeover bids might surface. But NCL said it was not clear whether Star, the leading Asia-Pacific cruise line, would prove its savior.

Star Cruises Signs Long-Term Contract

Long-term Preventive Service agreement will increase reliability and extend equipment life-time through scheduled maintenance procedures. ABB, an  automation technology group, has won a long-term service contract from Star Cruises for preventive maintenance of all ABB equipment onboard SuperStar Virgo for the next five years. The approximately US$ 1 million contract was signed in the fourth quarter of 2012 and commences in January 1, 2013.

Pole Star & Mackay Sign Distributorship Agreement

Mackay Communications joins Pole Star’s wide marine market network of approved distributors. Mackay will offer Pole Star’s portfolio of products and services including Fleet Management, Alert Advanced Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), Marine Asset Tracker (MAT), and LRIT conformance testing services to their customer base throughout North America. “We are extremely pleased to formalize the relationship with Mackay,” commented Duncan Halliday