Top News of the Week February 17 – 22, 2014

First Jack-Up Vessel Built in Germany for Offshore Wind Farms Leaves Sietas Shipyard

It is a first in the German shipbuilding industry: The “Aeolus”, the first jack-up vessel for offshore wind farms designed and built in Germany, which was constructed at Sietas Shipyard for the prestigious Dutch marine engineering company Van Oord, has left the shipyard. Having passed through the Este barrage of Hamburg port, the jack-up vessel now travels along the river Elbe to Bremerhaven.

COSCO Group, China Shipping Sign Cooperation Agreement

COSCO Group and China Shipping signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement in Ocean Plaza on February 13, 2014. The two sides will establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and a resource sharing mechanism in areas of shipping, terminal operation, logistics, shipbuilding, ship repair, etc.

There Is Very Little Piracy in Gulf of Guinea, but Criminal Gangs Are Operating Widely

Most attacks in West African waters are part of a long running criminal programme of cargo theft or kidnapping and ransom inside territorial waters, and not piracy says maritime security company GoAGT.

New Shipping Alliance on the Horizon

COSCO, K Line, Yangming, Hanjin and Evergreen Line have agreed in principle to establish a shipping alliance which will be operational only on the trades between Asia and Europe, including the Mediterranean region, and it will be called the CKYHE Alliance.

Finnish Transport Agency Orders New Icebreaker from Arctech

Efficient and cost-effective icebreaker assistance is a critical factor affecting the competitiveness of Finland’s economy and foreign trade. It is the responsibility of the Finnish Transport Agency to provide the operating framework for winter navigation and to ensure effective year-round seaborne transports.

February 23, 2014