North Korean
Ninety North Korean Ships Granted Entry to Japan
Ninety North Korean vessels were granted certificates to enter Japanese ports in the eight months since a new law that bans entry of any ship without insurance took effect, according to a Daily Yomiuri report. The law on liability for oil pollution damage, which came into force on March 1, requires vessels of 100 tons or larger to be insured before docking in Japan. It had been viewed as a de facto economic sanction, as it was believed that most North Korean vessels would not fulfill the law's requirements and therefore would be unable to dock in Japan. But according to the report, some Liberal Democratic Party members recently said more North Korean vessels had insurance coverage than they had expected. Source: Daily Yomiuri
U.S. Navy Continues Battle with Pirates
Countering piracy, or any other threat, comes naturally to U.S. Navy personnel patrolling critical sea lanes around the world, and October was been a busy month for those monitoring pirate activities off the east coast of Africa. On October 30, a U.S. Navy destroyer answered a call for help -- relayed through the International Maritime Bureau -- from the North Korean crew on a vessel that had been overtaken by pirates in international waters October 29.
This Day in Naval History – April 14
1898 - Commissioning of first Post Civil War hospital ship, USS Solace 1969 - North Korean aircraft shoots down Navy EC-121 reconnaissance aircraft from VQ-1 over the Sea of Japan 1988 - USS Samuel B. Roberts struck Iranian mine off Qatar 1989 - First Navy ship arrives on scene to assist in Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup (Source: Navy News Service)
This Day in U.S. Naval History - April 14
1898 - Commissioning of first Post Civil War hospital ship, USS Solace 1969 - North Korean aircraft shoots down Navy EC-121 reconnaissance aircraft from VQ-1 over the Sea of Japan 1988 - USS Samuel B. Roberts struck Iranian mine off Qatar 1989 - First Navy ship arrives on scene to assist in Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup (Source: Navy News Service)
This Day in Naval History - July 03
From the Navy News Service: 1898 - At Battle of Santiago, Cuba, Rear Adm. Sampson's squadron destroys Spanish fleet. 1950 - USS Valley Forge (CV 45) and HMS Triumph participate in first carrier action of Korean Conflict. VF-51 aircraft (Valley Forge) shoot down two North Korean aircraft. The action is first combat test of F9F Panther and AD Skyraider.
Unusually, Somalia Legally Detains Ship
Somali authorities have seized a North Korean vessel for allegedly dumping cement off the country's coast, & will prosecute. A North Korean-flagged ship and its crew were captured by the quasi-government of Puntland near the coast of the Puntland port city of Bossaso while discharging some 5,000 tons of cement, NK News said, citing Somali radio station, Radio Gaalkacyo, and as reported in 'The Korea Times'. The M.V
This Day in Navy History
October 11, 1776 - Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain, New York. Although defeated, the American flotilla delayed the British advance and caused it to fall back into winter quarters. 1824 - Marquis de Lafayette visits the Washington Navy Yard during his year long tour of America. He returned to the yard the next day, October 12, to continue his visit. 1942 - Battle of Cape Esperance begins: In two-day battle
This Day in Naval History - July 02
1923 - Commissioning of Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 1926 - Distinguished Flying Cross authorized by Congress. 1937 - Amelia Earhart disappears in Pacific. Navy conducts extensive unsuccessful search. 1945 - USS Barb (SS 220) bombards Japanese installations on Kaihyo Island, Japan; first successful use of rockets against shore positions. 1946 - Establishment of VX-3 to evaluate adaptability of helicopters to naval purposes.
This Day in Naval History – June 25
1917 - Navy convoy of troopships carrying American Expeditionary Forces arrives in France 1950 - North Korea invades South Korea beginning Korean Conflict (Source: Navy News Service)
Fishing Boat Fire in Antarctic Killed Three
Fire on board S. Korean fishing boat in remote Ross Sea killed at least three crew earlier this year A major rescue effort was launched in the Ross Sea in early January when the 51 metre Korean fishing vessel Jeong Woo 2 caught fire. It was the second major incident in Antarctic waters in as many months and involved several Korean fishing vessels, a United States research vessel and a United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft.
Washington Coast Guard Crew Deploys to South Korea
Through chilling winds and choppy seas, five-man crews aboard small, gray security boats worked tirelessly for 10 days patrolling the waters around a massive 348-foot petroleum vessel near the coast of Pohang, South Korea. Boat crews from Port Security Unit (PSU) 313 worked night and day to
'USS Nimitz' Shows the Flag in Korea
The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier arrives to participate in joint naval drills as part of routine training according to the Combined Forces Command. The 97,000-ton Nimitz, one of the world's largest warships, made a port call at the southeastern port city of Busan for a three-day stay to
Has Shipbuilding Hit Bottom?
The shipbuilding industry shows signs of bottoming out with the global market index pointing to an upturn, & Korean players receiving more orders from abroad. Citing Clarkson Research Services, the Korea Times reports that a total of 277 vessels were ordered in the first quarter of the
North American Oil Supply Shocks Markets
IEA’s Medium-Term Oil Market Report sees companies overhauling global investment strategies; meanwhile, surge in non-OECD refining capacity shakes up product market The supply shock created by a surge in North American oil production will be as transformative to the market over the next
KPI Bridge Oil Appoints Singapore Office Trader
KPI Bridge Oil has appointed Mr. Araki Takanobu as Senior Bunker Trader at its Singapore office. Araki Takanobu has more than 13 years experience in various bunker- and cargo trading roles and has previously been working in Japan, Korea and Singapore
KPI Bridge Oil Appoints Senior Trader for Singapore Office
KPI Bridge Oil, a global broker and trader in marine bunkers, marine lubricants and risk management products, has appointed Mr. Araki Takanobu as Senior Bunker Trader. Araki Takanobu has more than 13 years experience in various bunker and cargo trading roles and has previously been working in
Shipbuilding Capacity: Still Too High
In a market where shipbuilders are forced to accept new contracts below cost levels, a significant share of the building capacity has been withdrawn or removed. Jørn Bakkelund of RS Platou, ship brokers and investment bankers, sum up the state of the global shipbuilding market as
United Nations Authorizes Korean Register to Verify CDM
The Korean Register of Shipping (KR) has been authorized by the United Nations (UN) as a designated operational entity for the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism). The CDM is defined in the Kyoto Protocol and allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitment to
Korean Register Elects a New Chairman & CEO
Today (27 March), in Seoul, at an extraordinary meeting of the general assembly, the Korean Register of Shipping (KR) elected Dr Chon Young-kee as its new Chairman & CEO. The general assembly oversees the running of KR and comprises 86 voting members.
North Star Announce £63million BP Contract
North Star Shipping, a division of the family-owned global shipping and energy services firm The Craig Group, entered a £63million contract with BP. The multi-service contract is for five years with a possible extension of five years and includes tanker assist
Thai Speedboats Collide: 18 Injured
18 South Korean tourists were injured, two critically, when two speedboats ferrying them to Pattaya's Koh Larn collided. The crash took place about 800 metres offshore from Koh Larn's Tawaen beach and 10 injured tourists were sent to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and 8 to Pattaya Memorial Hospital
Korea's STX Offshore Gets Emergency Loans
Creditors of the ailing shipbuilder agree to provide STX Offshore with (US$540 million) in emergency loans. The news is cited as coming from the main creditor bank and is reported by the Yonhap News Agency. STX Offshore, the shipbuilding unit of STX Group
Finland Finances Two TUI ships
Arrangements have been made to ensure that the Turku shipyards of STX Finland will be able to deliver two ships ordered by the German TUI cruise line, Finland’s Ministry of Employment and the Economy said on Friday. The two cruise liners are slated for a 2014-2015 completion date.
Bahri Receives New General Cargo Ship
The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) receive the 'Bahri Hofuf' from the South Korean shipyard Hyundai Mipo. The new 26,000 dwt general cargo ship is the second vessel delivered from the six vessels that were contracted by the Company with this shipyard in 2011 for a total value
Sale of Finland's STX Shipyards Offers Opportunities
The Finland PM is hopeful that a strong new owner can turn around the prospects of the cash-strapped Finnish shipyards. This past week, the South Korean parent company STX announced it plans to sell off the Rauma and Turku shipyards as well as its half-share in the Helsinki shipyard