Polarcus orders six Ulstein vessels

Offshore shipowner Polarcus, UAE, has ordered six new ships of Ulstein design.

Though Polarcus is a relatively new offshore shipowner, many of its employees have previously worked in the offshore marine industry, and some employees have in fact, worked for Eastern Echo in the past. The Ulstein SX124-, Ulstein SX133- and Ulstein SX134-type vessels will all be built at Drydocks World Dubai. The two new vessel designs, Ulstein SX133 and Ulstein SX134, are the first vessels with the Ulstein X-BOW to receive DNV’s ICE-1A class notation. Ships with the Ulstein X-Bow shape have smoother acceleration and motion, resulting in more stable towing power and thus a more even load on the seismic equipment being towed aft. By the same token, such ships provide a steadier and safer working platform for the deck crew. The Ulstein SX124 and Ulstein SX134 vessels will be fitted with a 3D seismic system and twelve streamer winches, while the two Ulstein SX133 multi-purpose seismic vessels will be equipped with six streamer winches for 3D/2D/source operation. The package from the Ulstein Group includes comprehensive deliveries of design and main equipment to the six vessels.

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Dalian port in oil terminal JV with PetroChina

Hong Kong-listed port operator Dalian Port Co. has announced a $36.5 million oil terminal joint venture (JV) with PetroChina.

The new facility is to be located at Xingang in Dalian and will be able to handle up to 440,000 dwt supertankers with its 28 metre draft. The terminal will have a designed capacity for 300,000 metric tonnes (mt) of crude oil, said Dalian Port Co. which operates oil, container and ro/ro terminals at Dalian in northern China. The 50:50 JV, which has not obtained government approval, has been named Dalian Port. PetroChina International Terminal Co. Dalian Port had earlier this year sold oil tanks with capacity of 450,000m³ to PetroChina. Oil shipments made up 44% of Dalian Port’s revenue in the first half of this year, raking up a 12% rise in profit although oil products handled dropped 1.2% to 17 million tonnes. Jiang pinned weaker crude oil transshipment on the sale of the oil tanks to PetroChina, a deal which cut Dalian Port’s storage capacity.

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DP World hosts high-level Shanghai delegation

Chinese team tours Nakheel projects; praises quality and commitment

 

DP World, Dubai World’s flagship global marine terminal operator today hosted a 17-member high-level civic delegation from Shanghai, China, led by His Excellency Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai. The high profile visit included meeting and talks with senior DP World and Dubai World officials and a tour of Nakheel’s island developments. The delegation’s visit, which underlined the rapidly growing economic ties between Dubai and China, was part of a familiarization tour aimed at getting first hand knowledge about the new developmental projects that Dubai World is undertaking at its home base. Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Executive Vice Chairman of DP World and Group CEO of Ports and Free Zone World, and Mohammed Sharaf, CEO of DP World, received the delegation and briefed the visitors on the various projects under development. Mr Bin Thaniah said: “DP World is pleased to host the delegation from Shanghai on behalf of Dubai World.  The Shanghai delegation’s visit underlines the strong relations between DP World, Dubai World and China. China is also one of Dubai World’s key overseas investment bases. DP World currently operates five marine terminals in China, including Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal, ACT and CT3 in Hong Kong, DP World Yenta and Tianjin Orient Container Terminals.  

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