Global LNG fleet surges past 200-vessel mark Sea Views

The world fleet of LNG carriers is expanding exponentially according to LNG World Shipping Newsletter. The numbers crossed the 200-vessel mark in April and is set to increase to 300 by the end of 2008.

It took 34 years to 1998 for the in-service fleet of LNG carriers to reach 100 vessels, then eight years to the current level of 200 with the delivery of A.P. Moller's Maersk Qatar from Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) on April 15.

The next 100 ships, however, will take just two more years to enter service.

A.P. Moller has six more LNG vessels on order at SHI, the third of which is due for delivery in September 2008, possibly giving the Danish carrier the 300th LNG ship.

The newsletter also noted that with growth, the global LNG fleet was also going through technical transitions and it cited the difference between Maersk Qatar's traditional steam turbine propulsion system, which burns LNG boil-off on laden voyages, with the future A.P. Moller ships that will be powered by dual-fuel diesel-electric systems.

On the newbuilding scene, Korean yards have now drawn level with Japanese ones as the leading builders of LNG ships. Both countries have now delivered 64 vessels.

The growth in the world's LNG fleet has also given birth to a spot market that is expected to gather momentum soon.

Emirates Shipping appoints agencies

Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) has appointed its agents in Pakistan and Spain. They are Emirates Shipping Agency Pakistan (Pvt) and Emirates Agencias Spain.

Emirates Shipping Agency is a part of Anchor Shipping and Trading Group.

Adnan Ahmad, chief executive of Emirates Shipping Agency Pakistan, said, "Emirates' focus on customer service and quality is going to give exporters in Pakistan improved competitiveness, reduced transit time and enhanced information flow."

On the appointment of the Spanish Agent, Vikas Khan, chairman and chief executive of ESL, said, "With the launch of Emirates Shipping Line in Spain, we can offer a wider range of coverage to new and existing customers who will be assured of a more comprehensive service not only in the Spanish ports, but also act as a hub for the North African ports."

Rafael Trocoli, general manager of Emirates Agencias Spain, said, "The Spanish market welcomes the new service."

Shipping Corporation set to expand

Fairplay has reported that the Shipping Corp of India (SCI) proposes to take the joint venture route for fast-track expansion, according to S. Hajara, chairman and managing director. "The recent venture with Forbes Gokak & Sterling is for acquisition and operation of chemical tankers. Initially, four tankers will be purchased to carry vegetable oil. Soon, we also propose to carry chemical products in a big way. The idea of having such ventures is to enable us to operate as a private sector company," said Hajara, adding that SCI has a number of such proposals under consideration at the moment. "It is a good route to take for public sector undertakings, already shackled by red-tape formalities," he said.

Most of SCI's acquisition plans are held at various ministries for approvals. The block approval for 35 vessels with an investment of Rs63 billion ($1.4 billion) is finally expected to get approval soon.

Hajara also said freight and charter markets are unlikely to shoot up in the current year, thanks to increased supply of new tonnage and slow-paced dismantling of old vessels. He said SCI has managed to earn revenues in 2005-06 as good as in the previous financial year.

IMB criticises Malacca Strait status

A report by AFX has quoted an IMB official lending support to calls appealing for the removal of the Malacca Strait from Lloyds Market Association's Joint War Committee list of dangerous waterways.

Noel Choong from the International Maritime Bureau's (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre said piracy in the region has fallen sharply in recent times, due in large part to the efforts of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia patrolling the region and helping to keep the strait safe. "Based on the figures, there is no justification to include Malacca Strait in the list, unless Lloyds has some other information we are not aware of," he said.

The writer is a Dubai-based marine consultant.