IRANIAN OIL TANKERS ORDERED TO SWITCH OFF AIS TRANSPONDERS

Iran is switching off AIS (tracking systems) for most of its 39 ship tanker fleet, citing oil industry, trading and shipping sources, was an effort to disguise the destination of oil sales.

The main aim is to take the ships "off radar" is designed to counter sanctions by the west as per sources. Captains of the National Iranian tanker Co., were ordered to switch off their black box transponders used in the shipping industry to track vessel.

Now only two of NITC's smaller suezmax size tankers now have their tracking system in operation as per sources.

Under normal circumstances, tankers would generally not turn off AIS (Automatic Ship Identification system), which were introduced to improve safety at sea and allow, marine authorities to locate vessels.

Ships are obliged by international law to have a satellite tracking device on board when travelling at sea. However, a ship's master has the discretion to turn off the device on safety grounds with the permission from the vessel's flag state.

Millions of barrels of Iranian oil that were in storage in Iranian tankers a few weeks ago now seem to have disappeared, ship tracking data shows.

So where is it going ? Has it been re-routed, has production been shut in or is the oil being stored somewhere else ? Is it all being stored at sea ?

"It's the million dollar question - the billion dollar question even " a senior executive in Asia at a large oil trading house said.

As per European shipping industry sources "Some big Asian companies may be taking oil on Iranian ships provided they switch off the transponders."

It has long been assumed Iran would sell most of the oil shunned by Europe to China, its long-term strategic and commercial ally. But until now there has been scant proof.

India, however, has been buying oil on Iranian ships on extended credit for several months, Industry sources say.

"China and India are our lifters of last resort," said an Iranian oil official, who declined to be identified. "And the sanctions are making the situation very good for them."

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TITANIC MILESTONE, 100 YEARS AFTER SAILING FROM SOUTHAMPTON

It was exactly 100 years ago, on April 10th 1912, when the ill-fated Titanic sailed from the English port city of Southampton.

And the mood was suitably somber on tuesday, when a series of events were held there in honor of the ship's anniversary. More than 650 descendants of those onboard met for ceremony at the exact same place where the Titanic set sail. Southampton was home to more than a third of the more than 1500 people who died when the ship hit an iceberg and sank on 15th April, 1912, during its maiden voyage to New York.

Those who gathered threw flowers and wreaths into the water, before a minute of silence.

M/V Leila released by Somali pirates - results of Puntland authorities and elders pressure

Somali pirates have reportedly released the Panamanian-flagged Roll-on/Roll-off, M/V Leila, and 24 crewmembers.

The details of the Leila’s release are still a bit fuzzy, but  somali reports indicates that the vessel could have been released for far less ransom than was originally demanded as a result of Puntland authorities and elders applying pressure on the pirates saying the hijacking created unwanted attention for the region.

“Religious elders played an important role and finally succeeded in releasing the vessel from the pirates,” a local businessman told Somalia Report. “The elders had asked the pirates before to release the vessel unconditionally, but the pirates had refused. Finally, the elders asked this group to accept a sum which covered the expenses of the hijacking, and pirates accepted. These negotiations between the pirates, elders and owners were private. The pirates final demand was $150,000, and when the owners agreed to paid this, the pirates released the vessel, but it was meant to remain secret.”

The M/V Leila was highjacked by a group of somali pirates on 15th february this year while underway approximately 50 nm off the coast of Oman.  The 24-strong crew are said to be in good condition and the vessel is sailing to the Port of Berbera.

The vessel is owned and operated by New Port Cargo & Shipping of Dubai.

49TH NATIONAL MARITIME DAY CELEBRATED

April 5 marks the national Maritime Day of India. On this day in 1919 navigation history was created when  SS Loyalty the first ship of the Scindia Stream Navigation Company journeyed to the United Kingdom. 

The National Maritime Day was first celebrated on 5th April, 1964.

Maritime history goes back to the hoary past, because no country has jurisdiction over the seas, it has been necessary for nations to reach agreement regarding ways of dealing with ships, crews cargoes. 

The London-based International Maritime Organisations (IMO) is the United Nations specialised agency responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing pollution from ships. IMO has 158 countries as its members. India became its member in 1959.

Ports: India has about 7516 kilometres of coastline serviced by a total 182 ports, 13 of them under a special status as major ports being under the preview of the Central Government, Seventy others ports termed as a minor ones comes under the jurisdiction of the respective State Government.

In Gujarat minor ports are being adminstered by Gujarat Maritime Board having structure and power to a large extend similar to those of Board of Trust in a major port.

India continues to have the largest merchant shipping fleet among the developing countries and ranks 17th in the world in terms of shipping tonnage. Hence the importance of Maritime Day. 

On this day, country renews its abiding faiths in the Importance of maritime zone as well as searoute for an all-round development of the nation. 

This year, our Maritime nation will celebrate the 49th National Maritime Day with on the theme of “Safer Maritime Navigation on Indian Coast”.

FERRY SERVICE TO BE RESUMED BETWEEN TUTICORIN AND COLOMBO FROM APRIL 19TH

Tuticorin : After a gap of five months, ferry service between Tuticorin and Colombo will resume on April 19, A. Subbiah, Chairman, V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust, Tuticorin, has said.

 

Flemingo Liners, the vessel operator, is likely to charter a 450-seat vessel this time. Previously, Scotia Prince, a nine-deck vessel with a seating capacity of 1,044 was operating twice a week between these two ports. Owing to some technical reasons, the service was suspended in November. The last sailing was from Tuticorin on November 18.

 

The inaugural ferry service was flagged off by Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan on June 13, 2011. As many as 12, 202 passengers had used the ferry service. License income of Rs. 7.8 cr and passenger fare of Rs.1.8 cr were generated from the ferry service, Mr. Subbiah said. 

 

During 2011-12, 281 lakh tonnes of cargo had been handled at the port. A 10 per cent increase in handling of cargo was recorded this financial year. 

 

As for container traffic, 4.77 lakh TEUs were handled, a two percent increase from the previous fiscal. The port had a capacity of 20.55 million tonnes in the last five year plan period. It had doubled to 43. 04 million tonnes in the recently concluded 11th five year plan.

 

In 2012-13, the eighth berth would be dedicated at the container terminal, besides the North Cargo Berth-III and IV exclusively for handling coal, shallow draft berth for handling cement and construction materials and for handling barges. Work on North Cargo Berth-I for NLC power project was in progress for handling coal. Since dredging work for 12.8 meter-draft was completed in November, Panamax (large) vessels had also started berthing here. Over the past three months, 40 Panamax vessels were received at the port, Mr. Subbbiah added.

WEEKLY PIRACY UPDATE

Weekly Incidents by Region – APR 5-11

INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA

GULF OF OMAN: General Cargo Vessel was attacked and boarded on 6 April 16 nm southwest of Bandar-e-Jask, Iran at position 25:28N – 057:32E. Armed pirates attacked and boarded the underway vessel. The vessels Master alerted the crew by raising the alarm and the crew mustered in citadel. The pirates took crewmembers hostage and hijacked the ship. An Iranian warship responded and proceeded towards the vessel in response to the incident. The vessels Master requested that the warship not approach via VHF because it received death threats from the pirates. The Iranian ship proceeded to move closer and fire was exchanged between the pirates and the warship. The Iranian navy boarded the vessel and managed to detain nine pirates and saved the 28 crewmembers. (IMB)

GULF OF OMAN: Bulk Carrier was attacked on 4 April while underway 50 nm southeast of Ras Al Haad, Oman at position 21:37N – 059:59E was fired upon and chased by 4-6 pirates armed with automatic rifles. Ship’s Master raised the alarm, mustered the crew in the citadel and began evasive maneuvers and activated the ships distress signal as well. The security team onboard returned fire and the pirates aborted the mission and escaped. (IMB)

SOUTHEAST ASIA

MALAYSIA: Tanker was boarded on 25 March in Pedra Branca, Malaysia at position 01:50N – 104:28E. 15 pirates armed with knives and guns boarded an underway tanker. The pirates chased the duty crew and entered the living spaces. They later mustered the crew and tied their hands. They later escaped with stolen effects 45 minutes later. One crewman was injured. (IMB)

INDONESIA: Chemical Tanker was boarded on 2 April in Dumai Inner Anchorage, Indonesia at position 01:42N – 103:27E. Three pirates armed with knives boarded the chemical tanker at anchorage and threatened the duty crew. The pirates later escaped with a stolen handheld radio and the incident was reported to an agent at Port Control. (IMB)

INDONESIA: Bulk Carrier was boarded on 7 April at the Muara Jawa Anchorage, Samarinda, Indonesia at position 01:11S – 117:11E. The anchored vessel was boarded by a group of pirates who entered the forward ships store. The pirates were sighted by the duty AB who alerted the D/O and the vessels alarm was raised and the pirates escaped with several items from the vessels ship store. (IMB)

INDONESIA: Chemical Tanker was boarded on 6 April while at anchorage in Dumai Inner Anchorage, Indonesia, at position 01:42N – 103:27E. Four pirates armed with long knives boarded the ship; alert crewman noticed the pirates and raised the alarm. The pirates escaped empty handed. (IMB)