Austal's Vietnam Yard Delivers Its First Newbuild
Shipbuilding group Austal announced Friday that its Vietnam yard opened in 2018 has delivered its first vessel fully constructed at the Vung Tau shipyard.The 94-meter high-speed catamaran A.P.T James was officially handed over from Austal Vietnam to the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCo), to be used for maritime transport services on the Trinidad and Tobago ‘sea bridge’ route between the islands.The Auto Express 94 vehicle-passenger ferry was designed at Austal Australia and features the company’s signature raked bow and optimized hull design.
Hong Kong Introduces Clean Fuel Rules
The Government of Hong Kong’s Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels) (Fuel at Berth) Regulation, which mandates oceangoing vessels (OGV) to use clean fuels while berthing in Hong Kong for reducing emissions so as to improve air quality, will be gazetted Friday, March 13. The compliant fuels required by the regulation are low-sulphur marine fuel (sulphur content not exceeding 0.5 percent), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and any other fuels approved by the Director of Environmental Protection.
Hong Kong Plans to Add High-Value Maritime Services
In his annual policy address to the Hong Kong SAR Legislative Council, Chief Executive C Y Leung pledged that the Government would continue to improve port facilities and enhance the efficiency of port operations, thereby seizing the opportunities brought by the growth of trade in the Mainland and Asia. "The logistics industry has flourished in recent years. Ten hectares of land have been set aside in Tuen Mun West for logistics use. Land will also be earmarked in new development areas for the construction of modern logistics facilities.
Fit Hong Kong Pilots Can Work Longer
The government's transport bureau has proposed that HK harbor pilots be allowed to extend their service until 68 years of age. The proposal has been made to meet the needs of the shipping industry, reports 'The Standard'. Pilots over 65 who have passed physical and mental fitness tests and eye examinations currently have their licenses downgraded, meaning they can only pilot vessels of less length. It also proposed to remove the compulsory pilotage requirement for ships of between 1,000 and 3,000 gross tonnes that are heading to or leaving container terminals. The bill will be introduced to the Legislative Council on March 20, 2013. Source: The Standard
