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POSTINGS FOR 2000

It's usually better to know what could happen before it happens, rather than asking your lawyer what happened, after it happens, then finding out that your P&I Club isn't going to pay for your lawyer...

JUNE

Liberian Registry cuts fees
The Liberian Registry's manager, LISCR, says it has made a "major information technology investment program." As a result it is cutting annual tonnage taxes by 75 per cent to $0.10 per net ton and will waive initial registration fees for new vessels joining the register over the next six months.

Unions get $4 million to help Gulf Coast mariners meet STCW requirements
The AFL-CIO is to announce a new grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help Gulf Coast seafarers meet new training requirements.

Beth Steel gets $20 million, three-year contract from Kvaerner Philadelphia
Bethlehem Lukens Plate (BLP) has signed a three-year contract worth over $20 million with the Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard to supply American Bureau of Shipbuilding (ABS) grade plate steel.

EurOPA initiative endorsed by European Council
The European initiative for tougher maritime safety standards that's come to be called EurOPA is moving right along.

Shareholders approve carve up of Daewoo Heavy Industries
According to the Korea Development Bank, shareholders in Daewoo Heavy Industries have now approved splitting Daewoo Heavy Industries into separate shipbuilding, machinery and heavy industry units.

South Africa spill worse than at first thought
A massive clean-up operation is underway in Cape Town to contain the damage caused by an oil spill following the sinking of the 143,731 dwt bulk ore carrier Treasure last wee

USCG final rule on OPA 90 phase out
The U.S. Coast Guard has published a final rule regarding the conversion of single hull tank vessels to include double bottoms or double sides

France to boost second register
The French Government has taken steps to combat the use of flags of convenience and to boost the French flag fleet ,

Deepwater spar contract for Vastar
Aker Maritime has been awarded a contract for delivery of a spar floating production platform for the Horn Mountain field

Cal Dive vessel damaged by fire
Cal Dive International, Inc. reported that one of its vessels, the DPDSV Balmoral Sea, was extensively damaged by a fire while dockside in New Orleans

First gas turbine powered cruise ships starts maiden voyage
Celebrity Cruises Millennium cruise ship began its maiden voyage today powered by two GE LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbines.

Lunde leaving Intertanko
INTERTANKO today announced that managing director Dagfinn Lunde will leave the organization on September 15 .

Hong Kong register tops 9 million grt markI
Hong Kong Marine Department Director, Tsui Shung-yiu, says the Hong Kong Shipping Register has reached a record high of 9.1 million grt.

Bergesen exercises option to order tankers
Bergesen has executed an option to order two more tankers of 296.000
dwt from Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Japan.The combined contract price for the two tankers is approx. $140 million.

Fred Olsen gets another H-3 rig
On behalf of a company nominated by Bonheur ASA/Ganger Rolf ASA, Fred. Olsen Energy ASA has entered into an agreement with company owned by Transocean Sedco Forex for the purchase of the semisubmersible drilling rig Transocean Discoverer.

Texas announces new spill penalties
Texas Land Commissioner David Dewhurst today announced revised penalty guidelines for oil spills in Texas coastal waters.

EPA continues crackdown on Alaska cruise ships
Today's Anchorage Daily News reports that the federal EPA has been conducting surprise inspections of cruise ship emissions

FGH stock offering will raise $69.7 million
Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. has placed an offering, on a firm commitment, underwritten basis, of 8.75 million shares of its common stock at a price of $8.25 per share.

Frontline in $48.5 million private placement
The board of Frontline has approved a private placement of $48.5 million in equity to a limited number of leading international financial institutions.

Hampton Roads repairers team to pursue Navy business
Today's Virginian-Pilot reports that the two largest private shipyards in South Hampton Roads have agreed to team up to pursue the larger Navy ship overhauls that they have been unable to compete for on their own.

Swedish stealth corvette launched
The first Swedish Navy Visby-class stealth corvette was recently launched powered by four TF50A marine aeroderivative gas turbines in a Combined Diesel Or Gas (CODOG) turbine configuration.

OMI acquires ULCC
OMI Corporation is acquiring Bergesen d.y. ASA's 51% interest in the joint company that owns the 1983-built ultra large crude carrier Settebello

London Club buys $1 billion in extra cover
The London P&I Club has bought overspill reinsurance for the 2000/2001 policy year, for P&I claims in a $1billion layer above the International Group excess loss program

Gulf OSV rates start to firm
Daily rates for supply vessels, and tug supply vessels have started to firm
up in the U.S Gulf., notes shipbroker Marcon.

Carnival reports "constrained" earnings
Commenting on second quarter results, Carnival Corporation chairman and CEO Micky Arison stated that earnings were constrained by a combination of lower net revenue yields and significantly higher fuel costs.

U.K. MoD orders survey vessels
The U.K. Ministry of Defence has placed a £130 million (approx. $220 million) prime contract for the design and build of two new specialist warships

Wärtsilä NSD signs agreement with John Crane-Lips
Wärtsilä NSD, and TI Group, on behalf of John Crane-Lips, have now signed a cooperation agreement to develop, market and supply total marine propulsion power systems to the shipbuilding industry.

GE Marine Engines to upgrade gear plant
GE Marine Engines says that, over the next year, it will invest in substantial upgrades to grinding, inspection and hobbing equipment used at its Lynn, Mass. Gear plant .

Plans to expand Panama Canal

Technigaz wins Spanish LNG import terminal contract

Frontline acquires Euronav Suezmaxes

Hvide Marine enters guilty plea on unlawful payments charge
.

MC shipping loses $3.5 million on sale of multipurpose vessels

New semi-tender for Smedvig

SEACOR announces IPO Filing by Chiles Offshore

Ocean Rig in management agreement with Pride unit

Mosvold back in VLCC newbuilding market

$127.8 million contract for Southwest Marine

Blast off coatings ... on your PC

LNG come back