Top News of the Week February 10 – 15, 2014

Containership Collides with Chemical Tanker in Singapore Strait

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) received a report that today a collision had occurred between the departing Liberia-flagged containership “Hammonia Thracium” and the Panama-flagged chemical tanker “Zoey” in the Singapore Strait, off Sebarok Island (about 10km south of mainland Singapore).

Kyokuyo Shipyard to Build 540TEU Container Carrier for Imoto Lines (Japan)

Kyokuyo Shipyard Corporation will build a 540TEU container carrier for Kobe-based Imoto Lines, Ltd., a leading company for Japan’s domestic sea transport.

InterManager Calls for Calm over Possible Filipino Officer Ban

Ship managers should put in place sensible contingency plans to guard against a worst-case scenario should Filipino officers potentially find themselves banned from working on EU-flagged vessels. This follows concerns raised by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) over the ability of the Philippine Maritime Administration to fully and effectively implement all provisions of the STCW Convention.

Siem Offshore Inks Contracts with Helix for Two Well-Intervention Vessels

Siem Offshore Inc. has entered into agreements with Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. to provide two well-intervention vessels. The two vessels shall be owned by Siem Offshore and chartered by Helix for an initial period of 7 years, with options that can extend the charter periods up to 22 years.

“K” Line to Invest in Flag Ship for “Drive Green Project”

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) has launched “DRIVE GREEN PROJECT” in order to pursue environmental protection and energy savings with the world’s most advanced technologies to be integrated on the 7,500-unit Car Carrier on order with Japan Marine United Corporation as Flag Ship of this project that includes constructing total of 8 new similarly-designed PCC’s announced in press releases in late 2013 and earlier this year.