“Hotline between Coast Guards of India and Pakistan working well”

Arrest of anglers by Pakistan and India when they stray into each other’s waters is fast becoming outdated with the establishment of a “hotline” between the Coast Guard and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency.

“Now, if an Indian fishing boat enters Pakistan waters, they call us to shepherd it back to our side instead of arresting the fishermen and we must have received about a dozen such calls in the past three months,” said Commander, Coast Guard Region (West), Inspector-General A. Rajasekhar. The direct communication facilitates discussions between the two countries’ coast guards and the Pakistan Embassy in New Delhi, Mr. Rajasekhar said. The exercise, held to mark the Coast Guard Day that falls on February 1, saw several patrol vessels, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft displaying their skills. Mr. Rajasekhar said it might not have always been the case that Indian fishing boats inadvertently crossed into the Pakistani side. They could have been lured by better catch. “The boats, fitted with GPS and other communication systems cannot be so mistaken.” The Indian fishing boat fleet was much larger than that of Pakistan. Therefore, the incidence of their involvement was comparatively much higher. Though the hotline idea was mooted over two years ago, it started working only last November. Both sides were now talking in terms of mutual aid in joint search, rescue, and even pollution control.

Read More

‘Superior Achiever’ launched at IHC Krimpen Shipyard

Offshore support vessel ‘Superior Achiever’ has been launched at the IHC Merwede Shipyard, IHC Krimpen Shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, the Netherlands.

The vessel is being under construction for Superior Offshore International, Inc. based in Houston, USA. Before launching, the ‘Superior Achiever’ was named by Dutch minister of Economic Affairs, Mrs. Maria van der Hoeven. IHC Krimpen Shipyard based on the successful IHC Merwede Type 22 series of vessels has developed the ‘Superior Achiever’. In close cooperation with Superior Offshore International, Inc., this particular Type 22 has been enhanced. The vessel will be a fully dynamically positioned, multi role offshore support vessel for offshore support and construction operations worldwide. The ‘Superior Achiever’ features flexible and modular capacity saturation diving capability through a dedicated diving moonpool. One or two remote operated vehicles, launched over the side, can support sub-sea operations. For offshore construction a variety of cranes are available, such as a 160-tonnes crane, a 120/170-tonnes heave compensated crane, capable of handling 70 tonnes to a depth of 1,800 metres and a 24-tonnes man-riding crane. ‘Superior Achiever’ is the first ship after re-opening the shipyard, late 2006.

Read More

China orders ports to halt loading coal for export

The Transport Ministry has ordered seaports to suspend loading coal for export amid mounting power shortages in China.

The severe winter, which has seen the greatest volume of snowfall in decades in some provinces, has led to coal transport bottlenecks, leaving many utilities in short supply of fuel. Ocean shippers have also been ordered by the ministry to divert their exports of coal to meet domestic requirements, while railways have been told to make hauling coal and food a priority over the coming weeks. It warned of “severe” consequences for failing to comply with the order, which will remain in effect through the Lunar New Year holiday in February. China’s economic planning agency ordered the country’s utilities and coal suppliers to coordinate their efforts to avert power shortages that have forced more than a dozen provinces to ration electricity.

Read More