Maritime Monday 29

Welcome to this week's edition of Maritime Monday.

This week's photos:
FPSOs go round.

SSP FPSO
Floating Production, Storage and Offloading

The SSP FPSO is used as a floating production and storage for hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are stored in tanks in the hull of the platform and are transported by shuttletankers or by pipe line to onshore refineries. The hull is fitted with machinery, power generators, transformators, electric boards, fire control systems, ballast pumps and cargo pumps. The main components on deck are living quarters with control rooms, workshop, life vessels, helipad, cranes, on- and offloading system for oil, and anchorwinches. The FPSO also has a processing plant for hydrocarbons installed on deck. Depending on characteristics of the field, the processing plant has different modules for processing oil, gas, and water.

The SSP FPSO is more than a computer image.

The TAI AN KOU with Sevan Marine Engineering's "SSP 300" FPSO and in the background the KANG SHENG KOU with Exxon's Sable Tier 2 Compression deck sail side by side - NMA Maritime

It's round.

This Week's Items:

Environmental Republican celebrates the Birthday of the US Navy.

Eagle Speak has coverage of the US donating patrol craft to the Kenyan Navy.

Watcher Magazine has the news that Russia's Gazprom will build the world's largest offshore gas field off Murmansk, the Shtokman Field, without any international partners as was expected. Also, none of the gas will be headed to the US, as was also expected.

Sailors, Mariners & Warriors League has news of the conviction of the Captain of the ZIM MEXICO III of criminal misconduct as a result of a port accident that resulted in the collapse of a container crane, killing an employee working on it.

Mainichi Daily News has coverage of a drunk Chief Engineer going 'Berserk' off the coast of Japan.

Zaman Daily Newspaper has news of the sinking of the Comoros-Flagged vessel MAGIC in Turkish waters.

Bellona has news of a new long-term storage facility for spent fuel for Russia's nuclear icebreakers. The fuel was being kept on 'Technical Service Ships'. One of them was the LEPSE, which currently houses 639 spent fuel assemblies. Go here to see a summary of the vessel, which has been dubbed the most radioactive ship in Europe, and here for a short history of the nuclear waste ship.

The Times Online has the story of Norway's closure of two offshore oil platforms due to faulty lifeboats.

The Stupid Shall be Punished has news of a port call in Hong Kong for the USS Honolulu (SSN 718) and USS La Jolla (SSN 701) fast attack submarines tied up alongside USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Submarine Tender. Yes, in Hong Kong.

EU Referendum covers the changing purpose of the EU's Galileo GPS system from civilian to military as the costs skyrocket out of control and the realization sinks in that businesses are not willing to pay for something that they can already receive from the US for free. (To be operational in 2010, maybe.)

Smart Tech Writing has an explanation of Flotsam, Jetsam, and Lagan.

Read the latest cruise ship deaths at Safe Cruise.

Marex Newsletter questions if the Lake Charles LNG Terminal is a "Model for Success or a Recipe for Disaster." Also, on their homepage, they have an offer to send you a free copy of their magazine. (You can also sign up for their newsletter.)

Treehugger has coverage of harnessing wave power in Europe.

The O.E.S. Project Web Log (Operation Enduring Service) is showing signs of frustration. Not familiar with the project? Check out The Dread Pundit Bluto for a short summary.

Check out photos of the massive boat lift at the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Dam in Russia.

Alaska Report has an update on the 'toxic ship' PROBO KOALA going back out to sea.

Haight's Maritime Items has:

President signs SAFE Port Act - The White House issued a news release stating that President Bush signed into law the Security and Accountability for Every Port (SAFE Port) Act of 2006 (H.R. 4954). Among other things, this bill, also known as the Port Security Improvement Act of 2006, modifies the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program by requiring the prompt issuance of TWIC cards to maritime employees and the initiation of a pilot program for installation and use of card readers. It also codifies the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Container Security Initiative (CSI) programs. (10/13/06).

And:

US economic sanctions against Sudan - President Bush signed an Executive Order imposing economic sanctions against the Government of Sudan. Companies doing business with both the United States and Sudan should exercise caution so as to avoid inadvertent violation of US law. (10/13/06).

Fairplay Daily News has:

Crew shortage spurs Conti reflaggings - HAMBURG 09 October – German KG financier Conti Group, one of the staunchest supporters of the German flag, has been forced to transfer more of its ships into open registries this year because of the acute shortage of German masters. Managing director Nikolaus Pröls told journalists in Hamburg today that five 1,600-teu vessels were reflagged to Liberia this year as its pool of German captains has become stretched to the limit through retirement and poaching by other German owners. "Reflagging has only taken place on a limited scale so far, but the pressure is rising," Pröls warned. Irrespective of the personnel shortage, Conti's fleet is set to yield record payouts for private investors this year, even exceeding the very good result of 2005. Pröls predicted overall payouts of euro170M ($214M) after euro144M last year. Current charter income levels across Conti's 80-strong fleet will also enable it to write off the outstanding debt for another eleven ships, he added. Lloyd's Register - Fairplay

Lloyds List has the following:

Two killed as tugboat strikes gas pipeline - GULFPORT Energy Corp has shut a southern Louisiana oil and natural gas field yesterday after two vessels struck a natural gas pipeline. Two people were killed and another two were critically injured.

The West Cote Blanche Bay field had been pumping 4,000 bpd of oil in August. "Gulfport has temporarily shut-in all production from the field; however, no damage has been reported to Gulfport's West Cote Blanche Bay production facilities," Gulfport said in a statement.

The Coast Guard responded to the accident near the Cypremort Point State Park after reports of 30.5m flames in the area. State police said a tugboat pushing barges had struck the natural gas pipeline, adding emergency services were working to put out subsequent fires.

"We have two confirmed dead, two critically injured and three confirmed persons missing," Iberia Parish Sheriff Sid Hebert told Reuters. Coast Guard officials said vessel traffic in the region had not been disrupted. State police had initially reported a rig was also on fire.

Finally, Gizmodo notes that the Moller 'Skycar' prototype is for sale on ebay. You have until October 19 to bid. (High bid was just over $2 million as of this posting.) Be sure to check out the Q & A at the bottom. No question is too silly!