German Boxship Collides with Crane at Keelung Port
A German-flagged container ship Hansa Meersburg ran into a crane while berthing at Keelung Port, Taiwan resulting in the damage of containers and port infrastructure, CNA reported. The 2007-built freighter, operated by German-based Leonhardt and Blumberg hit and damaged a berth crane valued at NT$200 million (US$6.78 million) as it was sailing into the harbor. In addition to the damage sustained by the crane, a pier was also damaged, suffering a hole three meters wide and two meters deep. The Focus Taiwan news channel reported that a 62-year-old worker, Chen Lin-tsang, who was handling cargo, suffered minor injury when the ship hit the crane. The incident is being investigated by the Marine Port Bureau (MPB) under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan.
Taiwan Condemns Philippine Attack on Fishing Vessel
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirm that shots fired from a Philippine ship killed one fisherman and caused serious damage. There have been incidents in the past with Taiwanese fishermen operating in the area being arrested and detained by the Philippine authorities but there have been few reports of shooting, much less injuries and death, reports 'Focus Taiwan News Channel'. Hung Shih-cheng, 65, was shot dead by the personnel on the Philippine vessel on Thursday morning, when the Taiwanese boat – the Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28 – was operating some 170 nautical miles off the southern coast of Taiwan, Focus Taiwan adds, citing the ministry.
China Aircraft Carrier Group Assembling Quietly
Escort ships for China's first aircraft carrier, the 'Liaoning', are quietly assembling at Qingdao Harbor & are expected to sail soon. Citing the Hong Kong-based Chinese-language newspaper 'Wen Wei Po' Focus Taiwan reports that the carrier battle group might comprise the Liaoning, four type 052C or 052D destroyers, two type 052B destroyers, two to four type 054A escort ships, one or two type 093 nuclear submarines and one supply ship. The report also said the Liaoning battle group's…
Evergreen Group to Order 100 Containerships
According to an April 19 report from the Taiwan News, after refraining from placing any order for new ships for the past two years, the head of the Evergreen Group now sees the opportune time to replenish his fleet with newbuildings. Dr. Chang Yung-fa, chairman of the Evergreen Group, said in a recent interview in Tokyo that the group intends to order 100 new containerships in the near future and negotiations with shipbuilders are expected to start in May. (Source: Taiwan News)
Tanker Companies Mull Fleet Expansion
According to a Feb. 8 report from Bloomberg, Tanker companies including General Maritime Corp. and Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd. may expand their fleets after the recession sent ship costs to five-year lows last year. Prices for five-year-old very-large crude carriers, or VLCCs, dropped to $77.1m on Dec. 14, the lowest level since March 2004, according to price assessments compiled by the London-based Baltic Exchange. (Source: Taiwan News)
Kawasaki's China Venture Delays Dock
According to a July 13 report from the Taiwan News, Kawasaki Heavy Industries' shipbuilding venture in China will delay operations of a second dock in Dalian by three years as the global recession dries up demand. The second dock, originally slated for operations in early 2012, may be postponed until 2015, said Yusuke Kamada, a spokesman at Kobe, Japan-based Kawasaki. (Source: Taiwan News)
Taiwan Shipbuilder Denies Orderbook Collapse
According to an April 19 report from the Taiwan News, Taiwan International Shipbuilding denied reports that its business had collapsed after Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. canceled order. Vice General Manager Wang Ko-hsuan told Taiwan News that Zim Integrated Shipping did cancel a plan to buy six ships, but it still had more than 50 vessels left to build. Ko-hsuan said there would be no layoffs for five years and no wage cuts. (Source: Taiwan News)
Exxon to Take Bids for Tankers
Exxon Mobil Corp., said it will invite shipyards and vessel owners to take part in a tender for the supply of tankers to transport the fuel. Pre-qualification for the tender and decisions on the required number and size of vessels will be completed by the end of the year, Exxon said. PNG LNG plans to have a fleet of dedicated ships in order to control the required efficiency in shipping scheduling, it said. Source: Taiwan News
