Indonesia, Japan Defense Agreement to Tackle South China Sea Issue
Indonesia will sign a non-binding defense agreement with Japan next week when President Joko Widodo visits Tokyo for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tokyo is forging closer security ties with Southeast Asian nations and builds a counter-balance to China. It has already bolstered partnerships with the Philippines and Vietnam, the two countries most at odds with China over a territorial row in the South China Sea.
Two Singaporean Boats Detained by Indonesia
Two Singapore-registered vessels have been detained in Indonesia the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said. The sole Singaporean who was caught along with those ships is a marine surveyor and he returned to Singapore on March 16. MPA also said it was assisting Indonesia in the investigations of the two separate incidents. Recent media reports had quoted that four Singapore-registered vessels and four Singaporeans were detained.
Multinational Maritime Security Exercise in In Langkawi
Ten countries jointed together with its naval forces in Langkawi, Malaysia, to begin a two-day Multinational Maritime Security Exercise, says a report in Bernama. A total of 19 naval vessels of various classes are being used by the forces of Brunei Darussalam, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and the United States in the exercise. The program includes…
Odisha wants to be a Maritime Gateway of India
Odisha has the opportunity to reclaim its trade and cultural relations with nations in the Indian Ocean Region. The state can become the maritime gateway of India once again, said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Recollecting the rich trade practice of Kalinga merchants, Naveen said the state is in the process of developing a number of ports in the 480-km coastline. He was addressing international conference on "India and Indian Ocean" in Bhubaneswar, capital of the state.
China Criticizes US over Maritime Patrol Proposal in South China Sea
China asked the United States to take no position on the South China Sea issue after US Navy Officer Robert Thomas promised to back the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in patrolling areas of the waterway. "We hope the United States will strictly honor its commitment of not taking positions or sides on territorial sovereignty issues," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei. The U.S.
U.S. Coast Guard Clears Great Lakes Shipping Channels
The US Coast Guard began to prepare for the upcoming shipping season this week, with ice breaking operations on the Great Lakes, says a report in AP. The U.S. Coast Guard's 140-foot icebreaking cutter Bristol Bay broke up ice that remains on some Great Lakes shipping channels in the St. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay welcomed aboard members of the media Friday to demonstrate icebreaking on the St. Clair River.
British Queen visits Plymouth for HMS Ocean rededication
The Queen, who is the sponsor of HMS Ocean, attended the celebration of rededication of the ship following a £65 million refit at Devonport dockyard in Plymouth. HMS Ocean, Britain’s largest warship and helicopter carrier was granted Freedom of the City in 2004. She has recently completed a fifteen-month refit. On arrival the Queen, 88, was welcomed by Plymouth's civic dignitaries at the city's railway station before she travelled to the naval base. Her arrival was marked by a 21-gun salute.
US Navy Christens New Amphibious Transport Dock as John P Murtha
The US Navy is christening the tenth San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship on 21 March at the Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) shipbuilding division visitor control centre. The ship is being named in honour of late John P Murtha, who represented Pennsylvania's twelfth congressional district from 1974 to 2010. Having served in the Marine Corps for 37 years, Murtha saw service in the Korean War and in Vietnam…
Authorisation to Perform Transit Pilotage
Pilotage service providers who wish to perform transit pilotage assignments in Danish territorial waters of Oeresund and the Great Belt during the years 2016–2019 can apply for authorisation at the Danish Maritime Authority. Closing date is 1 May 2015. For the first time, private pilotage service providers can apply for authorisation to perform transit pilotage assignments in the Danish territorial waters of Oeresund and the Great Belt in the years 2016 to 2019.
Entertainment on the High Seas
Those on commercial shipping vessels will no longer have to wait until they reach dry land to catch-up on the latest films, sports and news as Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has today launched its latest service, Fleet Media, which will bring the most recent viewing content to those at sea. A ground-breaking agreement with NT Digital Partners…
Navy to Christen Amphibious Ship John P. Murtha
The Navy will christen the newest amphibious transport dock ship, John P. Murtha (LPD 26), Saturday, March 21 during a 10:00 a.m. CDT ceremony at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. The ship is named in honor of John P. Murtha, who served his country both as a marine and in the halls of congress. Murtha served in the Marine Corps for 37 years and saw service in the Korean War and in Vietnam…
