Indonesia, Australia on Joint Sea Patrol to Combat Illegal Fishing
Indonesian and Australian authorities have signed an agreement to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and to promote sustainable fisheries governance across the region. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has signed a cooperation agreement with the Australian Agriculture and Water Resources Department to combat illegal fishing through a joint patrol. Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce met Indonesia's Minister for Maritime Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti, agreeing to co-operate on tracking down foreign fishers that stray into the archipelago nation's vast waters. Through the cooperation, Indonesia is hoping to put a stop on foreign vessels stealing fish in Indonesian waters.
Indonesia to Develop Maritime ‘Technoparks’
The Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has announced plans to develop five maritime technology parks to improve fisheries-based business in Indonesia, says The Jakarta Globe. The areas set for development — dubbed Technoparks for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, or TPKP — have been announced as the Natuna Islands in Riau Islands province; Simeulue district in Aceh; Sangihedi Islands district in North Sulawesi; Western Southeast Maluku district in Maluku, and Merauke district in Papua. Achmad Poernomo, head of research and development at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry said that the government had aside a Rp 17 billion [$1.2 million] budget for TPKP development in those five areas.
Transas Develops Simulators for Korea Coast Guard
Transas Marine, in collaboration with local agent Mecys, announced the completion of a complex simulator project for the Korea Coast Guard Academy (KCGA). The real hardware integration and achieved level of realism make this simulator complex truly unique. Within the project, Transas has developed models for bridge and engine room simulators matching the layout of PV3000 and three other Korea Coast Guard vessels. The installed simulators include the Transas full mission engine room simulator ERS 5000 which is a replica of the PV3000 KCG vessel…
KR Directs Build of Green Equipment Certification Center
The Korean Register, an IACS member classification society, is leading a project to build and operate the world’s first green-ship equipment certification center in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, Korea which is due to open in February 2014. Work is already underway and the new $269 million won facility is being constructed with the full support of the Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the local government and various research institutes. The project has been created in response to IMO’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction and maritime pollution regulations and will enable KR to lead the way in certifying essential green-ship components, including engines.
S. Korea Plans Ban on Single Hull Tankers
In the wake of the country's worst oil spill, South Korea reportedly plans to introduce a ban on single-hulled tankers, according to an AFP report. A drifting barge hit a 147,000-ton Hong Kong-registered tanker Hebei Spirit on December 7, holing it in three places, resulting in an estimated 10,900 ton crude oil spill. According to the AFP report, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is mulling moving up the country's single-hull phase out from 2015 to 2010.
Korea to Build 8 Quays for Cruise Ships
Eight wharfs will be built in six ports exclusively for cruise ships by 2020 to foster the Korea's marine tourism industry. The government will also develop cruise tour programs that allow participants to experience traditional Korean culture on land, such as temple stays, tea tasting and pottery making. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries yesterday jointly announced a set of measures to double the number of cruise ships visiting Korea and the number of passengers on them by 2011. The annual growth of cruise tourism is 8.1 percent worldwide, much greater than that of ordinary tourism market, 4.3 percent. Last year, 67 foreign cruise ships touched at Korean ports with 33,993 passengers.
Shipbuilders Make Financial Contributions to International Maritime Developments
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) said that the Korea Shipbuilders's Association (KOSHIPA), comprising nine major Korean shipbuilders, would subscribe a fund for technical cooperation projects amounting to $100,000, in order to enable developing countries to advance their shipbuilding industries in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) arena. KOSHIPA plans to contribute $50,000 to the fund by the end of this year, and add more $ 50,000 as of early next year. The contributions will be deposited in the IMO/Korea Trust Fund, which was established in June 2003 in accordance with the memorandum of understanding and was designed to assist developing countries to implement the provisions of the international conventions.
