TYPHOON

Submarines To Be Used As Ore Carriers?

Russian metals giant Norilsk Nickel has finished a feasibility study of a project to use nuclear submarines for ore shipments, which once started will cost $80 million, Norilsk's chairman said. "The feasibility study has been prepared and now the board of directors has to approve spending of up to $80 million for its implementation," Yuri Kotlyar said. "But even then the decommissioning of the submarines should be sanctioned by the state." Kotlyar said the company could use two Typhoon class submarines to carry cargoes between the Arctic ports of Murmansk and Dudinka, where Norilsk units are situated. The 30,000-ton Typhoon is Russia's largest submarine, which can carry up to 20 nuclear missiles. But defense experts say that due to cash shortages not all of Russia's Typhoons carry them. In February Kotlyar said that Norilsk has instructed its research institute, Gipronikel, to prepare a feasibility study on using submarines for cargo transports due to rising freight costs of nuclear icebreakers. Norilsk has to resort to expensive nuclear-powered icebreakers to guarantee shipments of ores and concentrates between its units.

Submarines As Ore Carriers?

Russia'sNorilsk Nickel - a big metal producer -- has finished a feasibility study of a project to use nuclear submarines for ore shipments, which once started will cost $80 million, Norilsk's chairman said. "The feasibility study has been prepared and now the board of directors has to approve spending of up to $80 million for its implementation," Yuri Kotlyar said. "But even then the decommissioning of the submarines should be sanctioned by the state."

Rafael Signs $28m Navy Deal

The Israeli Armament Development Authority Rafael signed a contract with the United States Navy to supply then with 67 Typhoon-type naval weapon stations. The deal, a joint enterprise between Rafael and the American company EBA, is set to yield Rafael $28m. The Typhoon-type naval weapon station is designated for medium diameter canons installed on navy ships. The system is also designed to handle terror threats from sea. (Source: Ynetnews)

Two Die As Typhoon Pabuk Packs A Powerful Punch in Japan

Powerful Typhoon Pabuk, packing winds of up to 79 mph, ploughed into Japan on Tuesday, killing two people, snarling air, sea and rail traffic and forcing Universal Studios to close its theme park. The typhoon landed at around 7:00 p.m. in the western prefecture of Wakayama, becoming the first typhoon to hit Japan's main island of Honshu in two years, the Meteorological Agency said. Local officials issued evacuation recommendations for 7

MOL Supports Typhoon Relief Efforts in the Philippines

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced that the company has contributed US$30,000 to typhoon Washi relief efforts on Mindanao Island through its group company Magsaysay MOL Marine, Inc.*1 (Magsaysay-MOL).  It is also reviewing other relief options as the situation unfolds. “We wish to convey our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the typhoon,” President Muto said

Typhoon Disrupts Taiwan Shipping

Typhoon Saola closes ports in Taiwan and causing severe disruption to shipping.   Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the world’s leading maritime services provider, is advising that Typhoon Saola is causing severe disruption to shipping in Taiwan with all ports now closed and cargo operations suspended - with the exception of Kaohsiung on the west coast of the country.   The Taiwan Central Weather Bureau’s latest sea warning area covers the sea of north

China Deep-Dive Expedition Anchors to Avoid Typhoon

The oceanographic ship carrying 'Jiaolong', China's manned deep-sea submersible, anchored in Yangtze entrance to avoid typhoon Mawar ahead of a 7,000-meter attempt The ship, the Xiangyanghong 09, left the eastern port city of Jiangyin earlier on Sunday and travelled about 155 nautical miles to an anchorage at the mouth of the Yangtze River near Shanghai, according to the onboard headquarter of the operation. The submersible, named after a mythical sea dragon, will dive 7

MOL Helps Typhoon Victims in Luzon

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. President Akimitsu Ashida announced a donation of $40,000 to relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana that struck the Philippines at the end of September. The company expressed its heartfelt sympathy for the disaster victims, and said it hopes they can return to normal life as soon as possible. MOL is making the donation through Manila-based Magsaysay-Mitsui O.S.K. Marine, Inc., which provides recruitment and training of seafarers

Philippine Ferry Sinks

More than 700 people are reported missing after a Philippine ferry capsized in a typhoon on Sunday.  Reuters reported that so far, only four people are known to have survived the ferry disaster.  Many passengers did not make it off the MV Princess of Stars in time. Princess of Stars ran aground on but the coast guard was unable to reach it because of huge swells and bad weather caused by Typhoon Fengshen, which crashed into the central on Friday.

Taiwan Searches For Chinese Sailors

Taiwan on Tuesday searched on for 10 Chinese crew members of a Belize-registered vessel that went missing off the island's southern coast during a killer typhoon, though hopes of finding survivors were fading, officials said. "After 72 hours, chances of finding any survivors are low," said Younger Wu of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. "The emergency task force had been called off, but we will continue the search until all bodies are accounted for," Wu