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Dubai Drydocks started its operations in 1983. Since then the shipyard has repaired over 5000 vessels of all types and sizes many of which are ULCC’s and VLCC’s representing a large proportion of the world’s tanker fleet. Almost all major shipping companies across the globe have utilized the Dubai Drydocks.
Dubai Dry docks is a purpose built ship repair yard designed to minimize transportation of material and personnel between ships and workshops or drydocks jetties and repair berths. The yard employs over 8500 multi-national skilled employees from 30 countries. This work force can be supplemented by 1,500 workers from local subcontractors when required.

Dubai Drydocks nature of operations and achievements are listed below:

Ship Repair

• 60% of the worlds VLCC/ULCC dry-docked during 2006 and 2007 choose Dubai Drydocks
• The strategic location of Dubai Drydocks and the booming trade with in this region has resulted in more and more LNG/LPG vessels visiting Dubai Drydocks. Dubai Drydocks is also authorized for maintenance and service of Membrane LNG carriers of Gaz transport & technigaz design
• The rapid development of Gulf region is bringing more and more dry cargo ships into the Yard
• 15 of the world’s biggest dredgers are operating in the Gulf region and in particular Dubai waters. The service and repair of these units are frequently carried out by Dubai Drydocks.
• The container ports around the Gulf are rapidly growing and the number of container ships trading in the region are more and more requiring the services and dry docking at the Yard.
• The service and repair of smaller tonnage vessels operating in the region such as fishing vessels and the coastal ships has always been an important part of Dubai Drydocks work load

Ship Conversions

• With the number of FPSO and FSO conversions carried out by Dubai Drydocks, the ship yard has established itself as a major player in the market
• Installation of cargo handling equipments for cement and other bulk cargos is a type of conversion, which has been successfully carried out at numerous occasions in the yard

Offshore

• Between 10 to 15 Jack up Rigs are dry docked / Serviced / repaired at the yard every year
• From the very big fleet of supply ships in the Gulf area many have frequently chosen Dubai Drydocks for their needs of Service and Repairs
• Number of Geo-Technical Ships operating in Indian Ocean and the Gulf has chosen Dubai Drydocks for service and overhaul of their specialized equipment and the ships themselves
• Number of Crane Barges have chosen Dubai Drydocks for their service and repairs. The Size of the big Crane Barge and their heavy equipment requiring repairing facilities which Dubai drydocks can provide.
• Work Barges operating in the Gulf region operate under rough environment. Their requirement for steel repairs and reinforcements is often carried out at Dubai Drydocks.

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Every year Harbin, located in North East China, hosts International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Harbin faces directly the cold winter wind from Siberia. The average temperature in summer is 21.2 degrees Celsius, and in winter it varies from -16.8 degrees to - 38.1 degrees Celsius.

The Harbin festival is one of the world’s four largest ice and snow festivals, along with Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada’s Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway’s Ski Festival. This years theme of the Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival of Harbin is “Ice World, Olympic Dream”. The sculptures at the expo consumed 120,000 cubic metres of snow and 10,000 cubic metres of ice. This year the show started on December 20.

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Walruses prefer to live in icy weather in large groups of thousands. They are sighted in Arctic Ocean and sub Arctic seas of the Northern Hemisphere. They can be easily identified by their unique tusks, whiskers and heavy built body.

Now due to Global Warming, the ice starts melting and the icy surface area starts reducing where walruses live. Unlike seals, walruses can not swim in water for longer time and they have to come to the icy surface for survival. When large number of walruses gather in a small area most of the old and very young walruses die due to stampede. Also panic stricken walruses due to the sound from low flying aircrafts or on sighting polar bear die due to stampede. Thousands of walruses have died so far this year.

How do we put an end to these man made disasters?

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Earthrace, the 100% biodiesel boat with a net zero carbon-footprint is preparing to circumnavigate the globe in March 2008 to increase awareness of the environment and the sustainable use of resources.

Earthrace interfaces environmentally friendly technologies such as low-emissions engines, non-toxic anti-foul and efficient hull design. She is also one of the coolest looking powerboats ever imagined. Earthrace with wave piercing hull design has the ability to submarine through waves, and can in fact go up to 7m underwater. This enables the boat to maintain a higher average speed through big seas as compared to a conventional craft.

Earthrace open to the public in London

Earthrace now at London is opened for visitors to go on board and meet the crew at the QEII Pier, Greenwich. Anyone with a GreenwichCard (Greenwich Council’s discount card for residents) will get on board free, everyone else is encourage to make a small donation that will go directly to the boat’s running costs.

Specifications

• Hull: Wavepiercing Trimaran
• Length: 24m (78ft)
• Beam: 8m (24ft)
• Draft: 1.3m (4ft)
• Range: 3000nm (6000km)
• Maximum speed: 45 knots (90km/h) depends on fuel load
• Fuel: B100 Biodiesel (100%)
• Fuel Capacity: 10,000 litres (2500 gallons)
• Displacement: 10 ton
• Construction: Carbon , Kevlar composites
• Crew: 4
• Beds: 8
• Engines: 2 x 350kW (540 hp) Cummins Mercruiser
• Gearboxes: ZF 305A (single speed)
• Air intakes: top of wings to remain above waves while piercing
• Windscreen: 17mm laminated toughened glass

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New york National Boat Show

The 2008 New York National Boat Show, where more than 1,000 of the newest and best in luxury and cruising yachts, sport fishers, bass boats, performance boats, personal water craft, pontoon boats, inflatables, engines, marine accessories, electronics and fishing equipment, plus nautical gifts and apparel will be on display. It’s also easy one-stop shopping for insurance, financing and boater education.

When?

Saturday, December 29, 2007 through Sunday, January 06, 2008.

Where?

Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre
655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001.
Main Entrance: Eleventh Avenue at 35th Street.
Telephone: 212- 216-2000.

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Arko Datta won World Press Photo 2004 with this picture of an Indian woman mourning the death of a relative killed in the Asian tsunami catastrophe on December 26, 2004.

An important development after Tsunami is that India has commissioned Tsunami Early Warning Centre. Relief measures are still going on. According to the International Federation’s Tsunami three-year progress report – a report that captures the collective efforts of the more than 30 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies involved in the operation

• International Federation relief and recovery efforts have reached an estimated 3,873,000 people in ten affected countries.
• more than 21,300 houses have now been built
• further 18,098 under construction. In all, the Red Cross Red Crescent is committed to building about 51,000 new homes for tsunami survivors.

At the end of September 2007, approximately 1.773 billion Swiss francs had been expended, equating to about 58 per cent of the 3.076 billion Swiss francs raised by the Red Cross Red Crescent. Projections suggest that by the end of this year, a further 291 million Swiss francs will have been spent (leading to an expected year-end total of 2.064 billion Swiss francs).

The largest amounts have been spent in shelter and community construction, emergency relief and health and care. About 80 per cent of funds have been spent in the three worst affected countries: Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The International Federation expects to have completed all major reconstruction by the end of 2009. The Tsunami three-year report is available for download here.

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OldSailor wishes you all Merry Christmas.

Click here to view 70th Christmas Cup swimming competition held in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Tremendous developments are taking place in Automobile technology.

Geneva based Rinspeed Inc is ready to show case their zero emission amphibious car in the upcoming Geneva Motor Show (March 6th thru 16th, 2008) which can travel in water as well as on road.

The 37 kw electrical driven dream car sQuba at a push of a button autonomously transforms to an amphibious vehicle which can move in water depth of up to 10 meters (33 feet). The propulsion on the water is ensured by two propellers in the stern and two powerful jet drives in the bow. As sQuba is using electric drive, has zero emissions and zero pollution. The body is made up of futuristic Carbon Nano Tubes and the driver and passenger while underwater are supplied with fresh breathing air by the self-contained on-board system. The empty car weighs approx 920 kg.

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With vast coast line of 7500 km, Indian Shipping and Ports are bound to see growth. Private shipyards are poised to expand. Press release of Year End Review 2007,dated December 20, 2007 by the Indian Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways is given below:

Year End Review –07
The expansion and modernization of Ports remained amongst the top priority areas of the Government during the year 2007. Several developmental projects got underway at the major ports during the year. The year also witnessed significant growth in traffic and capacity at ports and also the growth in Indian Tonnage. During the year, the Perspective Plans have been prepared for 12 Major Ports alongwith a consolidated National Development Plan.

Port Sector
Preparation of Perspective Plans for Major Ports

Pursuant to the decision of the Committee on Infrastructure (COI) headed by the Prime Minister, the 12 Major Ports engaged international consultants for preparation of their respective Perspective Plans (Business Plans) for 20 years which would include an Action Plan for 7 years also. The Perspective Plans have been prepared for 12 Ports alongwith a consolidated National Development Plan. These plans are expected to serve as guides for the Major Ports in preparing their Annual Plans and undertaking various developmental projects in future.

Growth in Traffic and Capacity

In the first eight months of financial year 2007-08 i.e. April-Nov., 2007, the traffic handled was 333.27 MT as against 294.60 MT in the corresponding period in the previous years registering a 13.13% increase

Mumbai Port Trust

Construction of Offshore Container Terminal on BoT basis at a estimated cost of Rs. 1228 crore. The Mumbai Port Trust’s component of work of Rs. 366 crore.

Construction of 2nd Chemical Jetty at a cost of Rs. 116 crore through Internal Resources of Mumbai Port Trust approved by the GOI. It will have a capacity of 2.0 MTPA.

Redevelopment of 18 to 22 Indira Docks at an estimated cost of Rs. 355 cr. Has also been approved.

Paradip Port Trust

- The approval of the Government was granted to the Revised Cost Estimate proposal of ‘Deepening of Channel at Paradip Port’ on 29.11.2007.

- The proposal of Deep Draught Iron Ore Berth on BoT basis was approved by PPPAC (in principle) at estimated cost of Rs. 504.76 crores on 30.3.2007.

- The proposal of construction of Deep Draught Coal Berth on BoT basis was approved by the PPPAC (in principle) at an estimated cost of Rs. 612.22 crores on 30.3.2007.

Visakhapatnam Port Trust

Modernisation of Outer Harbour at VPT at an estimated cost of Rs. 185. 15 crore approved .

Tuticorin Port Trust

- Construction of Berth No.9 and North Cargo Berths are in progress.

-‘In-principle’ of approval of Planning Commission obtained for Deepening of Channel and Basin project at Tuticorin Port.

- Approval of Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) received for the project of Development of 8th Berth as the Second Container Terminal at Tuticorin Port on BOT basis. Further action is under process.

- The old Tug Rajaji was replaced with a new Tug MT Tuticorin. TBP at total cost of Rs. 25 crores.

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Super luxury yacht Qadissiyat Saddam built in 1981 for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein never joined his personal fleet. It is believed that Saddam, who had close links with the Saudi regime, kept Qadissiyat Saddam in Saudi Arabia for safety as Saddam Hussein had another Yacht Al Mansur in Iraq. Al Mansur was bombed by Anglo-American forces during the Iraq War of 2003, but “Qadissiyat Saddam” was saved.

The yacht Qadissiyat Saddam was moored in the Saudi port of Jeddah for 10 years and later renamed as Al Yamamah to join the Saudi Arabian Royal Yacht . Now further name has been changed as Ocean Breeze and is moored off Nice, France for sale with an asking price of 23.5 million euros, ($34mn).

Interesting features of the Yacht:

• It is decorated throughout with fine mahogany, gold, silver and marble, and was described by its builders as “lavish in every detail and very Arabic in style”.
• The décor included Arabesque arches, dark wood carvings, deep-pile carpets, and loose rugs woven in Islam’s holiest cities.
• In addition to typical Muslim features, including prayer rooms and ornate fountains, the specification was much the same as super-yachts owned by millionaires the world over.
• There are bathrooms with gold taps, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, hi-tech entertainment suites and games parlours, including table tennis and pool tables, and flat-screen TVs in almost every cabin.
• With banquets in mind, there is silverware for 200 people. But as the yacht was intended for Saddam’s private use, it can sleep only a relatively modest 28 people.
• There is a helicopter pad and a health clinic, complete with a mini-operating theatre.
• Security measures include a secret passage which would have allowed Saddam to get to a fast boat in case of trouble.
• A mini-submarine pod is also connected to the passage.
• The vessel’s 35-man crew was on standby 24 hours a day, all year round. It has storage for heavy machine-guns and surface-to-air missiles. All of the glass on board is bullet-proof.
• When the yacht was built, all of the workers involved were sworn to secrecy, signing gagging orders.

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Coastal ships of Norway in a few years can get relief from rough seas and sea sickness.

Norway has chalked out plans to construct the world’s first shipping tunnel to save time and money for vessels passing through a coastal area known for its dangerous seas. Strong winds, high waves and powerful currents in the area of Stad on the western coast of Norway cause long delays while ships wait for calmer conditions.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration has recommended building the 1,800-metre tunnel with a flexibility for future growth in ship sizes. The tunnel, estimated to cost 1.7-billion kroner ($307-million Canadian) and take five years to build, would cut through a peninsula, saving ships the risky journey around the coastline. The idea to build a shipping passage is going on since 1870.

The advantages of sea tunnel are:

• cost effective
• no rough seas and no more sea sickness
• reduced transport time
• growth of tourism

The plan is expected to be approved by the parliament next year.

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Pacific Gas and Electric Company is continuing its efforts to combat climate change. PG&E has recently added 177 MW of solar thermal power and 150 MW of wind power and is seeking regulatory approval of these purchasing agreements.

Now Pacific Gas and Electric Company has announced on December 18, that it has entered into a long-term, two megawatt (MW) commercial wave energy power purchasing agreement (PPA) with Finavera Renewables Inc.

Project features:

• Location: Located approximately 2.5 miles off the coast of the Northern California coast, the Humboldt County Offshore Wave Energy Power Plant will be developed by Finavera Renewables.
• Project completion:The project is expected to begin delivering renewable, clean electricity in 2012.
• The power purchase agreement calls for 3,854 MWh of clean, renewable electricity to be delivered annually to PG&E over the term of the contract.
• The project is expected to offset greenhouse gas emissions by displacing an estimated 245 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually.
• The licensing process will include all required environmental studies such as impacts on local fish habitat, marine mammal migration routes, and commercial and recreational fishing zones.

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During winter when most of us try to keep warm, hot Russians prefer to go for Ice Swimming which is popular in Russia.

In Moscow region a team of ice swimmers have started enjoying their ice swimming season. Traditionally it is believed ice swimming is the best way to remain healthy and feel young. In Russia ice swimmers are called as walruses. December is the right season for ice swimming as there is little wind and just minus 10 Celsius. At this time of year the walruses stay in the water for around 15 minutes. But ice swimmers don’t care about lower temperatures and take the plunge even when it’s minus 40 Celsius.

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At present there are more than 3000 Argo free floating magical robots at sea around the world collecting sea water temperature,salinity, and velocity of the upper ocean to facilitate real time monitoring of the oceans. Argo is an international collaboration that collects high-quality temperature and salinity profiles from the upper 2000m of the ice-free global ocean and currents from intermediate depths.

What are Argo Floats ?

• they are battery-powered autonomous floats that spend most of their life drifting at depth where they are stabilised by being neutrally buoyant at the “parking depth” pressure by having a density equal to the ambient pressure and a compressibility that is less than that of sea water.
• at present there are three models of profiling float used extensively in Argo. All work in a similar fashion but differ somewhat in their design characteristics.
• at typically 10-day intervals, the floats pump fluid into an external bladder and rise to the surface over about 6 hours while measuring temperature and salinity.
• satellites determine the position of the floats when they surface, and receive the data transmitted by the floats. The bladder then deflates and the float returns to its original density and sinks to drift until the cycle is repeated. Floats are designed to make about 150 such cycles.
• for the first time, the physical state of the upper ocean is being systematically measured and the data assimilated in near real-time into computer models.
• Argo is not confined to major shipping routes which can vary with season as the other upper-ocean observing networks are. Instead, the global array of 3,000 floats are distributed roughly every 3 degrees (300km).

Why do we need Argo?

• to study about global change and its regional impacts as sea level is rising at an accelerating rate of 3 mm/year, Arctic sea ice cover is shrinking and high latitude areas are warming rapidly. Extreme weather events cause loss of life and enormous burdens on the insurance industry.
• to optimize governments’ policies and to shape industrial strategies.
• for understanding and to predict changes in both the atmosphere and ocean that are needed to guide international actions. To make those predictions improved models of climate and of the entire earth system (including socio-economic factors) are required.
• Lack of sustained observations of the atmosphere, oceans and land have hindered the development and validation of climate models. In 1999, to combat this lack of data, an innovative step was taken by scientists to greatly improve the collection of observations inside the ocean through increased sampling of old and new quantities and increased coverage in terms of time and area. That is how Argo was born.

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Good news for the scientific community.

Australia’s test flight by Airbus A319 landed on the purpose-built Wilkins Runway, around 70kms from Casey station, late on December 09 and returned to Hobart,Tasmania early on December 10. So far only military aircrafts used to land in icy Antarctica. It is a step towards establishing a permanent air link which will enable Australian scientists to reach Antarctica in four hours, which otherwise takes more than ten days by sea. It is a significant progress and a great achievement for the Australia’s Antarctic Program.

The flight to Wilkins carried only operations personnel and was one of a series of successful ‘proving’ flights before final approval from authorities to allow passengers on board. Regular operational flights to Antarctica will begin once regulatory approvals are completed over the next week or so.

Some of the photographs of Airbus A319

The purpose-built glacial runway at Wilkins.

Photo: Jeremy Smith

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