Qingdao Hyundai Shipbuilding launches 6th DCV36 bulker for VBTH

PostTime:2011-09-06 08:21:05 View:927

China’s Qingdao Hyundai Shipbuilding (QHS) on August 2, 2011 launched the multi-purpose seagoing dry cargo ship "Nephrite" of DCV36 project. This is the sixth bulker built for Volga-Balt Transport Holding (VBTH), the project designer Marine Engineering Bureau said.  The DCV36 dry bulk carrier is a seagoing ship of unlimited navigation area versus the same class vessels of projects RSD44 RSD49. The single-hold 5000DWT ship with effective length of 85 meters features safety margins, hulls thickness and main engines capacity.  The DCV36 project vessels are designed for transportation of seaborne general and bulk cargo, including 20 and 40 -foot equivalent unit containers with height of up to 9.5 foot (including reefer containers), metal, grain, timber, coal, bulk and heavy-lift cargo, dangerous goods of 1.4S, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8, 9, and Appendix "B" the International Code of Safety for High Speed Craft. The vessel project was designed to the class of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping KM AUT1 Ice 3.  The bulker is a single-deck, single-hold and single-screw motor ship of unrestricted navigation area, which has forecastle and poop, aft based deckhouse and engine room, double bottom and double sides in cargo holds area, removable grain bulkheads with bulb fore and transom aft ends, with Cargotec’s side-rolling hatch covers, with bow thruster. Ship’s LOA - 89.96 m, calculated length - 84.89 m, beam - 14.5 m, depth - 7.5 m. Summer LWL - 6.4 m, the draft DWT – 5026 t. Cargo hold dimensions - 60 x 11.5 x 9.2 m, which allows placement of 3 tiers of 9.5-foot containers, and also provides for transportation of large-sized cargoes. Cargo holds capacity - 6230 cbm. Double bottom is designed for distributed load intensity of 14.0 t per sqm and for bucket grab usage. Vessel's hull is design for Ice3 ice category for operation in Baltic and White Seas during whole year. Hull's theoretical forms, ice passability and hull's strength, main engine capacity fully satisfy the new requirements of Finnish-Swedish Ice Regulation. Proceeding from results of resistance calculation methods medium-speed diesel MAK 8M25C was chosen as main engine. This diesel has maximum specification continuous capacity of 2640 kW with speed of 750 rpm. Main engine use heavy fuel oil with viscosity of 380 cSt. Autonomy is of 25 days. The ship has accommodations for 13 people, including the crew, a pilot and trainees. Keel-laying of the series lead ship "Amethyst" was held on Oct. 16, 2009 (launched on May 17, 2010, delivered on April 22, 2011). A VBTH team led by Oleg Firsov is overseeing the newbuilds construction. The Customer is VBTH, majority owned by Universal Cargo Logistics Holding, consolidating a number of Russian shipping (North-Western Shipping Company, Volga Shipping, VF Tanker, etc.), stevedoring and shipping assets (Nevsky Zavod, Oka Shipyard, Borremflot, etc.). Marine Engineering Bureau is a non-governmental design and engineering firm recognized by Russian Maritime Register of Shipping Russian River Register and Register of Shipping Ukraine.

Port of Qingdao's throughput increases 12.9pc in first half of 2011

PostTime:2011-07-25 08:37:50 View:490

PORT of Qingdao, the second largest Chinese port for foreign trade, lifted 194 million tonnes of cargo during the period from January to June, up 12.9 per cent over the same period in the prior year, Xinhua reports. The port launched 13 railway container lines to Chengdu, Yinchuan, and Urumqi during this period. This is said to be one of the reasons for the throughput growth.  

Qingdao becomes one of China's cruise homeports

PostTime:2011-07-18 09:37:05 View:556

COSCO Shipping is reported to be spending $12 million on armed guards and other measures to protect its vessels from pirates, according to China Military News. COSCO will buy bullet-proof vests and on-board equipment to deter attacks and protect its ships and crews in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. According to The South China Morning Post, Cosco Shipping's chief operating officer, Guo Jin, said the measures are necessary for those ships that are unable to avoid high-risk areas off Somalia.  He also said that the company plans to hire British security companies that use former Special Air Service troops or Royal Marines. While COSCO has declined to comment, the Shipping Gazette reports that some Hong Kong shipowners, including Pacific Basin Shipping, Wah Kwong Maritime Transport and Valles Steamship, have hired armed guards to protect their ships against pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The UN Security Council has warned that Somali pirates are attacking growing numbers of ships in the Indian Ocean, and the attacks are becoming more violent and extreme. Furthermore, attacks have become increasingly common off the coast of India as pirates seek to evade the international maritime force patrolling the waters off Somalia.

CMA CGM warns of US$125/TEU surcharge July 15 due to dense fog at Qingdao

PostTime:2011-07-11 08:16:47 View:834

FRENCH shipping giant CMA CGM has warned shippers using the Port of Qingdao of a possible a US$125 per TEU surcharge from July 15 because the dense fog there has slowed operations and increased costs. "The situation is not improving," the carrier told customers. "In the last four weeks the port has been closed on average three days per week. The dense fog does not allow ship's berthing and normal terminal operations. "The time lost has to be recovered through a significant increase of fuel consumption resulting from a higher speed and from call omissions, generating additional feeder expenses," said CMA CGM, according to American Shipper. "This surcharge will be removed once the operational situation in the Port of Qingdao has been normalised."  

Qingdao Hyundai Shipbuilding delivers 2nd bulk carrier for VBTH

PostTime:2011-07-05 08:18:51 View:710

Qingdao Hyundai Shipbuilding shipyard held a delivery signing ceremony for the second multipurpose dry bulk vessel "Agate" of a series of ten ships of the project DCV36, ordered by holding company VBTH, said Universal Cargo Logistics Holding said, the majority owner of VBTH.   The portfolio of 10 newbuilds is part of VBTH’s fleet expansion program. The lead ship of the series, the Amethyst, was delivered to the Customer on April 22, 2011. On May 13, the ship set sail for its maiden voyage.   The Project DCV36 vessels with 5,200 DWT, load capacity of up to 5,000 tons are designed to carry general and bulk cargo between ports of the Black, Mediterranean, Aegean, the North and Baltic Seas. The ships Ice3 class allows operations in the Baltic and White seas during winter season. The vessel project was designed by Marine Engineering Bureau.   Dutch-registered Universal Cargo Logistics Holding (UCL Holding) is an international transportation holding comprising stevedoring companies of Sea Port of Saint-Petersburg and Universal Handling Complex in the North-West Russia; Tuapse and Taganrog ports in the South of the country; Volga Shipping, North-West Shipping and Western Shipping companies; as well as a number of shipbuilding, shipping and logistics assets

NOL Qingdao venture begins operations

PostTime:2011-07-01 08:24:19 View:642

NOL Group opened its new terminal at the Port of Qingdao with the arrival of the APL Dubai. Originally expected to open in the second half of 2011, the joint venture container terminal opened for business well ahead of schedule. "We are happy that we can commence operations earlier than planned and we thank our partners for making this possible," said Kenneth Glenn, APL president for North Asia. "This dedicated facility will provide great value to our customers' supply chains through improved schedule reliability, higher service levels and access to terminal capacity." NOL, together with SITC International Holdings, a China-based shipping logistics company, formed a partnership with Qingdao Qianwan United Container Terminal in May 2011 to operate the terminal. Singapore-based NOL said the terminal would primarily serve vessels operated by APL and SITC. The inaugural call at the terminal was made by the APL Dubai, a 6,574-TEU vessel on APL's West Asia Express service. APL makes more than 200 port calls annually at Qingdao, linking the city and Shandong province, as well as its neighbouring provinces to international markets through APL's global shipping network. The terminal has an annual capacity of 1.5 million TEUs. "This container terminal shows that APL is here for the long run. We are committed to Qingdao's long-term growth and the development of North China's economy," added Glenn. Qingdao, on the Yellow Sea coast, is China's fifth-largest container port and the largest in the North.  

NOL opens new Qingdao box shop early with the APL Dubai first to call

PostTime:2011-07-01 08:18:04 View:732

SINGAPORE's Neptune Orient Lines has announced the earlier-than-scheduled opening of its joint venture container terminal at the Qingdao port with the arrival of the 6,574-TEU APL Dubai on APL's west Asia express service. This terminal is operated by Qingdao Qianwan United Container Terminal (QQCTU), a joint venture formed in May between NOL and China-based logistics company SITC. Initially designed to handle an annual capacity of 1.5 million TEU, NOL said the terminal will primarily serve vessels operated by its container shipping unit APL and SITC. According to a NOL statement, the terminal is equipped with sophisticated handling equipment including seven post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes and 16 rail-mounted yard gantry cranes. "We are happy that we can commence operations earlier than planned and we thank our partners for making this possible," said APL north Asia president Kenneth Glenn. "This facility will provide great value to our customers' supply chains through improved schedule reliability, higher service levels and access to terminal capacity." APL, NOL's container shipping arm, makes more than 200 port calls annually at Qingdao, linking the city and Shandong province, as well as its neighbouring provinces to international services. Said Mr Glenn: "This container terminal shows that APL is here for the long run. We are committed to Qingdao's long-term growth and the development of North China's economy." Qingdao, on the Yellow Sea coast, is China's fifth-largest container port and the largest in northern China.  

Famed coastal city center for marine products, shipping

PostTime:2011-03-08 08:01:30 View:635

Our famed coastal city Qingdao in Shandong province has mapped out plans to be a forerunner in the country's ocean economy by 2015 and a crucial part of the Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone.The city is also striving to become a center for independent oceanic R&D as well as a demonstration area for protecting the sea ecology.By 2015 Qingdao expects to lead in the country in modern oceanic industries, generating an added value of 115 billion yuan, an annualized increase of 16 percent.By 2020 the added value generated by the ocean economy will reach 220 billion yuan through an average yearly increase of 14 percent.The city plans to be a regional development center for new marine-based industries, an international shipping center for Northeast Asia, an international ocean research center, an international seaside resort and an international water sports hub.Such goals are based on decisions and demands made by central and provincial governments.In 2009, President Hu Jintao called for building the Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone. The State Council then officially approved the country's first national development strategy for an oceanic economy.The economic zone covers 159,500 square kilometers of offshore waters surrounding Shandong province and 64,000 square kilometers of land that includes six cities - Qingdao, Dongying, Yantai, Weifang, Weihai and Rizhao.Qingdao will generate 30 percent of the zone's overall economic output, one-fourth of its marine economy and half of State-level marine science and research projects.Last year the city's marine-based economy - including ocean science and technology, pharmaceuticals, environment protection, biological products - had a total production value of 140 billion yuan, a 55 billion yuan increase over 2009 as its GDP grew by 1 percentage point more than the national economy.At Chinese Ocean University, the nation's most renowned university for ocean-related science and study, the city has nearly one-third of the country's advanced marine specialists.Its use of seawater leads in the country, while the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics sailing regattas further spurred the Qingdao's seaside tourism and yachting industries.Qingdao port ranks among the top 10 in the world. The city's international airport currently has 94 national and international air routes.The city has also established a National Laboratory for Ocean Science and Technology that made breakthroughs in ocean biology.It is now establishing a 10 billion yuan development foundation to strengthen environmental protection.Last year the city held its first international summit on the marine economy.It has also accelerated construction of the Dongjiakou Port Area - a shipbuilding and repair base in Haixiwan Bay - along with its high and new-technology economic zone.In the next five years Qingdao will emphasize the following:The city will foster and strengthen the dominant ocean economy and take the lead in the country to reach a modern marine industry system.The system will mainly focus on modern fisheries such as aquatic breeding and farming, producing marine engineering, instruments and chemicals, modern ocean service industries such as port logistics and seashore tourism, and strategic new industries such as marine biology and eco-environment protection.Qingdao will deepen cooperation with noted scientific research institutes at home and abroad and push further to develop the National Laboratory for Ocean Science and Technology, deep ocean bases and ocean science research ships.The city will invest more in ocean science and technology research and development to acquire more core technologies with self-owned intellectual property right.By 2015 new marine scientific and technological industries will rise from 17 percent currently to 25 percent of the total marine-based industrial production value.Qingdao will also establish a database for major blue economy projects and each year select and implement a number of those through large investment and huge influence.This year key projects include the continuing construction of Dongjiakou Port Area, the construction of Qingdao Bonded Port Area phase two, Sino Petro LNG projects with an overall investment of 10 billion yuan, the Sea Carnival project in Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone's Huangdao Area with an investment of 3 billion yuan as well as the planning and construction of new Qingdao international airport.

One official, 37 apartments

PostTime:2011-02-28 07:34:39 View:593

THE former manager of a state-owned cargo shipping company in east China's Qingdao City was charged with corruption and taking bribes, Xinhua news agency reported yesterday.Song Jun, former vice general manager of Qingdao Ocean Shipping Co Ltd (COSCO Qingdao), was said to have received more than US$7 million in bribes which he used to invest in the stock market and buy property and cars.Song brought a total of 37 apartments in Beijing, Tianjin, Qingdao and other cities, Dong Yizhi, deputy chief prosecutor of Qingdao People's Procuratorate, said in an annual work report to the city's People's Congress. Dong didn't say which stage the legal process had entered over song's case in his report.Song, 49, who was removed from his post in May 2009, was vice general manager and CIO of Qingdao COSCO, in charge of the company's IT department and its business on land. Song was said to have taken kickbacks from contractors during a period in which he oversaw the construction of Qingdao COSCO office buildings, National Business Daily reported earlier.

Qingdao port aims to become regional hub

PostTime:2011-02-25 07:40:29 View:597

Qingdao Port is seeking a more ambitious position among its major Northeast Asian rivals as it tries to transform itself into a regional shipping centre offering premium businesses in cargo handling, logistics and related industries."Over the next five years Qingdao Port will add 300 million tonnes of capacity to augment throughput to 600 million tonnes and 20 million TEUs by the end of 2015," Chang Dechuan, chairman and chief executive officer of the Qingdao Port Group, told China Daily.Located in Jiaozhou Bay on the southern tip of Shandong Peninsula, the port is the world's seventh-largest by throughput and the eighth-largest container port. In 2010, it handled a total throughput of 350 million tonnes and container throughput of 12 million TEUs.But its management looks beyond these accomplishments, especially as a group of neighbouring rivals such as the Chinese ports of Tianjin, Yantai and Dalian, and South Korea's Busan are also quickly developing and eroding its advantage in certain sectors.With a total area of 10.56 sq km, Qingdao Port is less than one-fourth the size of other domestic ports, undermining its efforts to become a major bulk-cargo shipping centre and regional shipping hub.It has been overloaded for some time, handling more than the 150-million-tonne maximum capacity it was designed for. Expansion of its facilities is high on the agenda.According to Chang, the port will invest US$4.56 billion to achieve its goal of becoming Northeast Asia's regional shipping centre.Chang said that by 2015 Qingdao Port will comprise four port areas: The Dongjiakou area will serve as a shipping and storage centre of bulk cargo and energy; the Qianwan port will be a container shipping hub in Northeast Asia; the Huangdao port will be an oil product and chemical logistics hub; and the old port will handle grains, chemical fertiliser, steel, aluminum, equipment, cold chain shipping containers and feedstuff.In 2010, the Port of Qingdao maintained its leading position in raw-material handling. It is the world's largest iron ore port, and China's largest import port for crude oil.

Chairman of Qingdao Port awarded "China Economic Personage" of 2010

PostTime:2011-01-18 08:00:48 View:795

Chang Dechuan, Chairman & CEO of Qingdao Port Group (QD Port), was named as one of this year's China Economic Personage and Top 10 Economic Leaders in the Transformation of China at the 2010 China Economic Forum Jan 15. QD Port became a shining example for the transformation and upgrade of Chinese enterprises at the beginning of the 12th five-year development period.Mr Chang was one of the two people recognized as a China Economic Personage at the event hosted by nine media organizations under Xinhua News Agency. The presentation ceremony was held in the Great Hall of the People. Organizers announced they conferred the honor on Chang due to his global vision, application of international standards and use of local advantages."Under his leadership, the 118-year-old SOE successfully completed its transformation and upgrading, ranking itself the 7th largest port of the world," they announced.Chang led QD Port to vigorous growth despite the financial crisis. During the 11th five-year development period, the group reached its own development goals three years ahead of time. In the past five years, the total turnover of the port reached 1.45 billion tons ＆＃8722; an increase of 13.5 percent annually. In the same time frame, 49.45 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers were handled at the port ＆＃8722; making a 14-percent growth since last year. The group's capital rose from 13.9 billion yuan by the end of 2005 to today's 27 billion yuan. And for six consecutive years the port paid the highest taxes in Qingdao city.In his acceptance speech, Mr Chang said the State-owned group should bear social responsibility and accelerate the transformation and upgrade to grow even stronger in the future.

Qingdao Port gets foreign foothold

PostTime:2011-01-14 07:36:53 View:576

BEIJING - Qingdao Port Co will operate a crude oil port in Myanmar adjacent to the Sino-Myanmar crude-oil pipeline, according to an announcement posted on the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission's website on Tuesday. This will set another successful example of domestic companies expanding operations in foreign ports, analysts said. An agreement was signed between Qingdao Port and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to cooperate in operating a Myanmar crude-oil port, the announcement said. The Sino-Myanmar crude-oil pipeline begins near Sittwe, a western port city in Myanmar, and runs to Kunming, the capital city of China's Yunnan province. It is projected to have a capacity of 22 million tons of crude oil annually. Once operational, it will diversify China's crude oil import routes from the Middle East and Africa, and avoid traffic through the Strait of Malacca. Whether Qingdao Port will invest in the Myanmar crude oil terminal is still unclear, but according to a statement on the CNPC website, the agreement "will promote port construction and management, and provide both companies with business expansion in their respective fields". "This agreement is very important for Qingdao Port because this is the first time the port will extend its management expertise overseas," said Zhang Hongbo, an industry analyst with CITIC Securities. "It is hard to tell how much Qingdao Port will profit from the agreement now, but it certainly gains great opportunities for future development through the cooperation," he said. In recent years, Chinese companies have increasingly sought to expand their business in overseas ports, especially since China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO), the nation's largest shipping company and a world leader, obtained in 2009 the right to operate in Piraeus, Greece's largest port and the top container port in the eastern Mediterranean. But most companies' attempts have been thwarted by "strict requirements and regulations that sometime verge on local protectionism", Zhang said. "The Chinese companies still have long way to go. If Qingdao Port has managed to expand abroad now, its prospects will be very bright," he added. The port of Qingdao is the ninth biggest in the world. In November, Qingdao Port Co announced plans to triple its annual investment to 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in 2011 from more than 3 billion yuan in 2010.