SOUTHERN GULF

Chantal's Forces Leave Two Fishermen Missing Off Yucatan Peninsula

Tropical Storm Chantal slowed to a stop and dumped torrential rain on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Tuesday after leaving two fishermen missing at sea and forcing 2,500 evacuations from the low-lying coastline. "At 5 a.m. EDT, Chantal was in a near stationary position 15 miles south of Chetumal," said Stacy Stewart of the U.S. National Hurricane Center. "The storm is carrying torrential rains, up to 15 to 20 in.," Stewart, a hurricane specialist, said. Winds remained at 65 miles per hour (104 kph). Chantal made landfall with winds of 70 miles per hour, around 8 p.m. local time on Monday in Quintana Roo, Mexico's most southeastern state and home to Cancun and other resorts along the "Maya Riviera." High winds churned up Caribbean waters and left two fishermen missing. The men ignored warnings to avoid open seas during the storm, said Jose Nemesio Medina, director of the state's civil protection services. Approximately 2,500 people in the less-developed coastal regions of Xcalat and Mahauhal zones, meanwhile, were evacuated from their homes and taken to temporary shelters in public schools in Chetumal, Quintana Roo's capital and some 18 miles (30 kms) from the hard-hit shore areas. "Only two municipalities required immediate attention since they were the only ones affected by Chantal," said Medina. The two areas were Chetumal and the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, some 78 miles (130 kms) northwest of Chetumal.

Pirates Low Profile in Monsoon Season

NATO Shipping Centre promulgates its latest weekly piracy assessment for the 'High Risk Area' During the reporting period 7 – 13, June 2012, the number of piracy incidents in the High Risk Area (HRA) has remained low, with no incidents reported. Due to the South-West monsoon between June and September, sea conditions in the HRA are expected to be generally unfavourable for small boats. Pirate Activity Groups (PAG) will likely continue to focus their limited efforts in the Northern

New Ports Service Established

A new service between China and U.S. East Coast ports has been launched by Century Bridge Container Lines, which provides direct ports of call to Houston, Miami and N.Y. Lasting only 28 days to arrive to the Gulf, the port rotations encompass Xingang, Qingdao, Shanghai, and Shenzhen (port of Chiwan). With immediate effect, cargo moving on CY/CY basis from Southern China to U.S. on board the company's "all-water East Coast Service" ships

Mediterranean Project Chartering Moves

Mediterranean Project Chartering (MPC), a subsidiary of BBC Chartering & Logistic, is moving its head office in Genoa. Business growth since it was established in 2007 to foster the commercial business activities of BBC in markets across the Mediterranean, has necessitated a move to a larger dedicated office. “As BBC’s representative for the Mediterranean, we have benefited from having access to a large

Joint Venture Returns from the Gulf

The Incat Tasmania-built ship, HSV-X1 Joint Venture, has arrived back at Hobart, Tasmania, returning from the Persian Gulf in service with U.S. defense forces. As the High Speed Vessel HSV-X1 Joint Venture (Incat hull 050) left Tasmanian waters on the evening of September 11, 2001 (AEST) the towers of the World Trade Center fell in New York. The ship which had been chartered for experimental purposes did participate in a number of

Iceberg Alert Off of New Zealand

Maritime officials say they will rely on shipping in the southern ocean to keep tabs on the flotilla of icebergs drifting slowly towards New Zealand. About 100 icebergs, some of them massive, were spotted on Friday by an Air Force crew looking out for illegal fishing. They are about 260 km off the southern coast. Maritime New Zealand says they are often spotted in southern waters at this time of year, but have not been seen this far north in decades.

Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, Wash., has been involved in the following recent sales and

Crowley Marine Service sold its 3,200 hp twin screw tug, Howard H, to buyers in the Caribbean. The 125 x 32 ft. tug was originally built in 1967 by Southern Shipbuilding as Gulf King and is powered by twin Fairbanks Morse diesels. Private interests in the San Francisco Bay Area have purchased model bow, single screw tug Tara C (ex-Tacoma) from Campbell Towing, Inc., Wrangell, Alaska. The 64.5 x 19.5 ft. tug was built in 1957 in Bellingham, Wash

Piracy: Attacks Getting Bigger, Bolder

According to data released July 14, 2011, by the International Maritime Bureau, pirate attacks off Somalia and in the GoA/Indian Ocean region climbed dramatically in the first six months of this year. Figures reveal that there were 266 attacks on vessels in this period compared with 196 attacks in 2010. “In the last six months, Somali pirates attacked more vessels than ever before and they’re taking higher risks,” IMB director Pottengal Mukundan said

Damen Ferry Ordered for China Service

Damen Shipyards and Afai Southern Shipyard contracted to build 35 m ferry for Liuzhou Yinliu Hotel Management.   Liuzhou Yinliu Hotel Management Co. Ltd. (China) has ordered a Damen Ferry 3508 with Afai Southern Shipyard (China). The DFe 3508 is a 35m Aluminium Luxury Sightseeing Ferry and is designated for the municipal government of Guangxi Liuzhou. As Liuzhou is the main business port of the Guangxi Zhuang region

Navy Reestablishes U.S. Fourth Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alan Gragg, Naval Forces Southern Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the reestablishment of U.S. 4th Fleet and assigned Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, currently serving as Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, as its first commander. 4th Fleet will be responsible for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus, which encompasses the Caribbean