India News

Southampton, UK-based hovercraft builder Griffon Hoverwork has won two new orders for its latest model the 995ED.The 995ED was launched at the Exponaval maritime exhibition in Chile in December 2018 following delivery of the first production craft to the Malaysian Government’s Marine Department which is being used for the maintenance of navigation marks and light houses. And now Griffon’s production line is busy building another 995ED for a private client for use in icy conditions.

The world's principal shipping organisation, representing around 80% of the world’s merchant tonnage, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)  remains confident that shipping will improve its carbon efficiency by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 2008, in line with the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This follows important decisions made by the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 74) which met in London this week…

The middle of the first quarter in 2019 saw tanker rates firming significantly, driven mainly by an increase in US exports, said Frontline Ltd. is the world's largest oil tanker shipping company.The tanker market pulled back in January due to OPEC production cuts and a high level of newbuilding deliveries after a strong end to 2018, it said.The market then came off primarily due to extended refinery maintenance in preparations for IMO 2020 and both new and persistent supply disruptions.Atlantic…

Two yard workers have died and five others were severely injured yesterday (May 15) in a major explosion on board beached vessel at a shipbreaking yard in Chittagong, Bangladesh, said the NGO Shipbreaking Platform.At around 8:30 AM, a fire broke out on board the vessel BUNGA KELANA 4, beached at Mahinur Ship Breaking yard, also known as Premium Trade Corporation. The flames spread from abandoned waste oil located close to the engine room where workers were torch-cutting steel parts. Mohammod Rubel, 25 years old cutter man, lost his life in the accident. He died on his way to the hospital.

Global energy investment totalled more than USD 1.8 trillion in 2018, a level similar to 2017, said the International Energy Agency (IEA).The investment stabilised in 2018, ending three consecutive years of decline, as capital spending on oil, gas and coal supply bounced back while investment stalled for energy efficiency and renewables.IEA's latest annual review said that for the third year in a row, the power sector attracted more investment than the oil and gas industry.The biggest jump in overall energy investment was in the United States…

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG)  shipping demand in Q1 209 was essentially flat compared to Q1 2018 and coupled with a 10 % growth in the fleet since Q1 2018 rates suffered, said Awilco LNG Group.A relatively warm winter in the Far East and high storage levels in China and South Korea resulted in muted gas buying interest in the quarter and the downward gas price pressure seen in Q4 2018 continued throughout Q1 2019, said the Norwegian owner of LNG carriers.Due to weak demand and ample cargo availability Asian LNG futures prices for Q2 2019 delivery continued falling until early April…

Indian Navy's fourth stealth Scorpene class Submarine Vela was launched yesterday (May 06, 2019)for trials at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.The launch of the submarine is a major boost for the underwater capability of the Indian Navy, claimed a press release. Vela is the fourth of the six Scorpene submarine that has completed the out fittings at MDL.The Vela submarine, the fourth of six underwater warships being built in India with French collaboration,  will undergo a number of tests conducted by the Navy before it is commissioned in the defence fleet…

INS Ranjit, a Rajput class destroyer ship in India, was decommissioned at a solemn yet grand ceremony at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam culminating a glorious era on 06 May 19.The decommissioning ceremony was attended by officers and sailors of the commissioning crew as well as other who have been part of Ranjit’s voyage over the last 36 years.The Chief Guest for the Decommissioning ceremony was Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi PVSM AVSM YSM NM VSM ADC (Retd) Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor…

A cyclone barrelled into eastern India on Friday, bringing down trees and power lines and "extensively" damaging the tourist town of Puri, but there were no early reports of casualties with a million people evacuated before it made landfall.Tropical Cyclone Fani, the strongest to hit India in five years, spent days building up power in the northern reaches of the Bay of Bengal before it struck the coast of the state of Odisha at around 8 a.m., the state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.Howling winds gusting up to 200 kph (124 mph) whipsawed trees, uprooting scores, and driving rain impacted visibility, while streets were deserted in the state capital Bhubaneswar and Puri."Damage in Puri is extensive…

India has evacuated more than 300,000 people along its northeast coastline by boat, bus and train ahead of a severe cyclone due to make landfall on Friday, with many villagers piling household possessions on to trucks before fleeing their homes.Severe cyclonic storm Fani was churning up the Bay of Bengal about 320 km (198 miles) south-southwest of the Hindu temple town of Puri where special trains were put on to evacuate tourists and the beaches were empty.In total, about 1.2 million people are expected to be evacuated from low-lying areas of 15 districts in the eastern state of Odisha to cyclone shelters, schools and other buildings…

India's Mercator, which has diversified from being only a “Shipping” company to an “Energy focused conglomerate”, has clinched a deal to sell its last very large crude carrier (VLCC).In a stock exchange announcement, the company has confirmed that it has sold its VLCC 'Nerissa', which was built in 2006, for a total net consideration of USD 27.5 million.The company said that the proceeds from this sale will be utilised to bring down its debt and other liabilities.The company further…

Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS has decided to invest in startup company Mash Energy ApS to develop a commercially viable biofuel.The Danish ro-ro giant said in a press note that MASH Energy ApS produces biofuel from agricultural waste, currently from the by-products of nut processing in Tanzania and India.The biofuel is CO2 neutral and can be used in ships. In addition, the residual product is an effective fertiliser and will also contribute to reduce the CO2 balance.Together with Mash Energy…

The decision by the US government not to extend sanctions wavers for eight countries importing crude oil from Iran could remove around 1.1 million b/d from the market. But Saudi Arabia and several allies can replace the lost barrels, says a report.According to Rystad Energy, the production will drop to 2.27 million bpd for the second half of 2019, reaching this level by July 2019, which equates to a drop of 0.43 million barrels per day (bpd) from current March 2019 levels.The net effect for the oil market is bullish…

Global shipping group CMA CGM has launched CMA CGM eSolutions, a digital system which enables its customers to manage the transport of their goods entirely via a digital interface.The digital eco-system comprising an online agency and other eCommerce channels such as Electronic Data Interchanges (EDI) and Application Programming Interfaces (API), which allow the digital transmission of relevant information and data between CMA CGM and its customers, it said in a press release.A large majority of the CMA CGM Group’s bookings are made via its eCommerce solutions…

The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has secured an order for providing classification services for nine floating border out posts (FBOPs) and 36 patrol boats of the Border Security Force (BSF).IRClass, a 'Preferred Partner' to the Indian Navy, has considerably increased the range of its services to Ministry of Home Affairs in classing and certifying water crafts for paramilitary forces.The Ministry, in turn, has reciprocated by stipulating that the FBOPs, besides being built to IRClass rules, are also maintained in class for 13 years after delivery.

The international shipping company based in Tokyo Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (MOL) and Reliance Ethane Holding (REHPL) a 100% subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd(RIL) and based in Singapore agreed to co-owning of six very large ethane carriers (VLECs) which are currently fully owned by REHPL.VLEC is designed for transportation of liquified ethane which has over 80,000m3 of tank capacity. The vessels which transport liquified ethane at - 92 degrees have GTT Mark III membrane system…

Japanese logistics major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced, the delivery of a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), "Phoenix Jamnagar" on April 24, which was built at Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) Ariake works and will be placed under control of Phoenix Tankers (Phoenix) based in Singapore, a 100% subsidiary of MOL.The vessel was designed and developed by JMU as a next-generation Malacca Max Type VLCC with utilizing its accumulated knowledge and technology as gained through…

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) announced that it has signed another significant long-term sales agreement with Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil) for its high-quality base oil called ADbase.IndianOil is the largest seller of finished lubricants in the Indian market with approximate volume of 450,000 tonnes per annum. The total Indian market for finished lubricants is 2 million tonnes and is growing at the rate of 2.4 per cent per annum.IndianOil will use the ADbase oils to manufacture high end engine oils for India’s growing automotive sector.Ahmad Bin Thalith…

South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has received an order for the construction of a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit on the condition that the client receives approval from its partner and government.The contract worth KRW 1.1 trillion (US$963 million) has been signed with an unnamed Asian shipowner, said a report in Yonhap. The FPSO will be constructed at its main shipyard in Geoje, some 330 kilometers south of Seoul, the company said in a regulatory filing.Although Samsung Heavy didn't announce the name of the Asian customer…

The Korean Register (KR) of Shipping has entered into an agreement with the  dry bulk shipping company Oldendorff Carriers and GSR Services for the development and certification of Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) for Oldendorff's fleet for meeting tight EU - deadlines.The classification society reminded in a press release that from the end of 2020 onwards, the EU-Ship Recycling Regulation requires that all EU-visiting or EU-flagged ships have a certified IHM on board. With 30…

The Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the promotion of the Nigerian Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Dikko Bala, to Director. Also elevated to the position of Director in the Agency was the Deputy Director, Maritime Labor Services, Mrs. Rita Uruakpa.Other beneficiaries of the promotion exercise were Mr Kazir Musa, who was promoted to Deputy Director, and 18 officers, who were elevated to Assistant Directors.

The Indian Container Services Division of APM Terminals Inland Services said that its specialised service that allows clothing manufacturers to ship garments on hangers (GOH) helped cater to leading global apparel brands.APM Terminals Inland Services fabricates and modifies standard dry shipping containers, enabling them to conveniently carry coats, dresses, jackets and blazers and any other clothing necessary. As a result, for example, in a 20 feet container, approximately 5…

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) will buy Reliance Industries (RIL) stakes in Singapore-based Reliance Ethane Holding (REHPL) which has a fleet of six very large ethane carriers (VLECs).RIL has 100% holding in six limited liability companies (LLCs) which own the VLECs. "MOL and a strategic minority investor have signed binding definitive agreements for an investment in the six special purpose limited liability companies each owning a VLEC," said a statement from the Mukesh Ambani-led Indian conglomerate holding.Transaction closing is subject to regulatory approvals.