Long Term

SBX' Acquires Remaining 50 percent in Sana Navigation

SeaBird Exploration Limited (BVI) (SBX) has acquired the remaining 50 percent ownership in the Joint Venture entity Sana Navigation Company Limited (Sana) which charters the M/V Northern Explorer from Russian owners on a long term bareboat charter. The purchase price is $25.5m. The Joint Venture is now terminated in all respects. The acquisition of the 50% interest in Sana includes the long term bareboat contract, the liquid cash, other current assets, and fixed assets including the seismic equipment, and all future earnings. After the acquisition, SeaBird owns and controls 100% of Sana and its present and future cash flows. Sana has exercised an option to buy the M/V Northern Explorer in accordance with the charter terms with transfer of title to SeaBird expected to be in 2006 and subsequently the vessel will be fully reflected in the balance sheet assets of SeaBird. The M/V Northern Explorer is on contract to TGS until October 2006 under a contract entered into in 2004. SeaBird has experienced considerable interest for the vessel thereafter and is currently evaluating further employment opportunities in line with current market rates.

CMA CGM Issues Statement to Thwart Rumors

Responding to information circulating, CMA CGM Group states that it has no short term plans to either purchase or long-term charter-in any vessels. The Group has a modern fleet of 408 ships, of which 92 are owned, that enable it to meet the current needs of its customers and provide them with end-to-end service around the world. In today’s economic environment, CMA CGM’s priorities are to reduce its debt and to strengthen its financial position.

Apax Partners to Acquire FTMSC

France Telecom has signed an agreement with Apax Partners to sell 100 percent of the shares of France Telecom Mobile Satellite Communications SA (FTMSC). The completion of the transaction is expected in the near future. FTMSC is one of the world’s largest mobile satellite communications providers, marketing and distributing communications solutions for customers based in areas with limited access to terrestrial telecoms infrastructure

Terminal Improvement Plan Presented

A draft long-term plan for terminal improvements at Horseshoe Bay was presented by BC Ferries president & CEO Bob Lingwood at a public council meeting in West Vancouver. The Horseshoe Bay development plan includes: · An expanded vehicle holding compound to reduce traffic congestion and queuing on the Upper Levels Highway, · A new ticketing/administration building incorporating recommendations from West Vancouver's advisory design panel, · A new parkade with 350 public parking spaces and

S&P Cuts MC Shipping Outlook To Negative

Standard & Poor's has revised the outlook on MC Shipping Inc. to negative from stable. At the same time, the company's single-'B' long-term corporate credit rating and single-'B'-minus senior unsecured debt rating were affirmed. The rating on MC Shipping reflects the shipping industry's below-average characteristics, and the company's weak financial profile. MC Shipping is part of the Vlasov Group-a major ship-owning and ship-management group

CEO to Leave Port

Port of Goteborg AB president and CEO since 1996, Gunnar Nygren will be stepping down in March 2002. At 60, he is planning to take early retirement. “This is a decision that was triggered partly by my turning 60 but even more so by the fact that the Port is now in a position where the future demands more long-term leadership than I will be able to offer,” comment Gunnar Nygren. He quotes key investments that are under way in the Port of Goteborg

Ultrabulk Orders Handysize Bulk Carriers

Ultrabulk signs contracts with a Japanese yard for construction of new generation handysize bulkers Denmark-based Ultrabulk has placed an order with a major Japanese ship yard for the construction and delivery of one new generation super ECO-designed handysize bulker of 38,000tdw size for delivery in 2014, with Ultrabulk’s option to extend the order with one additional vessel. The vessel(s) will be equipped with an electronic main engine as well as other equipment and systems which are

BP Orders 4 PSVs from HHI for North Sea

BP orders four new Platform Support Vessels to help deliver North Sea strategy The vessels will be deployed to support its West of Shetland (WoS) and Norwegian operations and are be delivered between the winter of 2013 and summer of 2014. The purpose built and highly specified vessels have been designed to provide long term support to BP’s North Sea business and will provide the capabilities BP requires to deliver its strategy more efficiently and safely

Chevron Funds Upstream Growth in $5.1 Billion Capital Program

Chevron Corp. announced a $5.1 billion capital and exploratory spending program for 1999 and a plan to reduce expenses in 1999 by $500 million. The planned actions will fund the company's economic long-term growth plan and address the need to improve near-term results, given poor current industry conditions. The 1999 capital budget is about eight percent less than projected spending for 1998, but significant spending will continue for promising long-term growth projects in Kazakhstan

Intelsat Reports Second Quarter 2012 Results

Satellite investment program progresses with three launches planned for third quarter; Intelsat EpicNG high performance satellite platform establishes leadership with long-term commitments.    Intelsat S.A., the world's leading provider of satellite services, reported financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2012. Intelsat S.A. reported revenue of $638.7 million and a net loss of $84.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012