Western Australia News

Gorgon LNG Faces Scrutiny on Delayed Carbon Capture Project

The state of Western Australia has ordered an inquiry into a delay in burying carbon dioxide emissions at Chevron Corp's Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, which could lead to a change in conditions on the project.The state approved the $54-billion Gorgon project in 2009 on the condition that at least 80 percent of carbon dioxide released in its gas processing operations over a five-year rolling average period would be buried."It has become apparent there needs to be a clearly defined start point for the commencement of the five-year rolling average…

Joyce Krane Moves into Maritime Sector

The family business Joyce Krane from Karratha recently ordered an LHM 280 Mobile Harbor Crane. The Australian heavy lift and logistic company has been a Liebherr customer of mobile cranes for many years and is now opting for its first Liebherr maritime crane. Joyce Krane, an Australian heavy-lift and logistics specialist with more than 40 years of experience, is a long-standing Liebherr customer for mobile cranes. Joyce Krane from Karratha recently ordered an LHM 280 Mobile Harbor Crane for quayside operation in Dampier, Western Australia.

Bhagwan Marine Expands Fleet

Just months after moving its corporate headquarters to Perth in order to strengthen relationships with Western Australia’s largest Oil & Gas clients, Bhagwan Marine has expanded its fleet further to meet the needs of those clients.The CMV Athos and the DP2 SeaMaster are both Dynamic Positioning (DP2) vessels, combining enhanced capabilities with greatly improved efficiency, safety and manoeuvrability.The CMV Athos is a 65m ABS Classed, Multi-Purpose Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS)…

AAL Ramps Up Asia-Australia Liner Service

Breakbulk and heavy lift project cargo operator AAL said it will boost its scheduled North and South East Asia to Australia West Coast Liner Service (AUWC) to a monthly service with the addition of a second MPV vessel. The expansion comes on the back of very strong growth (16 percent in 2017/1018) for Western Australia’s $109 billion mineral and petroleum industry, due mainly to rising commodity prices, stronger than expected export demand and growing local production.AAL’s AUWC…

Australia’s New Ship Simulation Center Opened

A new specialist Ship Simulation Center, based in Atwell Arcade, Fremantle, was officially opened on Thursday, February 9, 2017 by City of Fremantle Mayor Dr. Brad Pettitt. The Australia Ship Simulation Center, owned and operated by HR Wallingford, has moved into new premises from where it will continue to provide expert navigation consultancy and a dedicated pilot training center for Western Australia and the wider region. HR Wallingford UK’s Chief Executive, Dr. Bruce Tomlinson and Dr.

Partners to Develop Western Australia LNG Supply

Woodside and GE have signed an agreement to work together to support the use of LNG as a fuel in Western Australia. The agreement will provide customers with the option of seamless access to reliable LNG fuel supply and gas-fuelled transport and power generation solutions. Woodside CEO Peter Coleman said that this type of collaboration was key to development of the LNG fuel market in Western Australia. “The agreement between our companies will harness the combined experience and offerings of Woodside and GE…

High-tech VTS System to Guide Iron Ore Giants

One of Australia’s most important economic gateways will soon house a state-of-the-art shipping management control system to be installed at Port Hedland, the world’s largest bulk export port. The system includes a command and control system integrated with advanced radar, long-range closed circuit TV and voice radio technology to safely manage and guide thousands of ship movements in and out of the tidally constrained port with pinpoint precision. The Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)…

LNG Marine Fuel Institute Launched in Canberra

Port Hedland Mayor, Camilo Blanco, and the Town of Port Hedland’s CEO, David Pentz, attended the launch of the LNG Marine Fuel Institute at Parliament House, Canberra on Wednesday, June 21. The Institute, which was opened by The Honorable Josh Frydenberg MP, Federal Minister for the Environment and Energy, hopes to see Australian LNG as the primary fuel for marine transportation, powering the road, rail and mining industries. Mayor Blanco said that the Institute will work with industry and Government partners to position Australia at the forefront of LNG…

Baltic Index Rises on Higher Rates across All Segments

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, rose on Wednesday, helped by higher rates across all vessel segments. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels, was up 29 points, or 3.49 percent, at 859 points. The capesize index gained 91 points, or 12.05 percent, to 846 points. Capesize earnings are on the rise with average earnings ticking up to about $7,200/day as the market continues to gain some traction in Western Australia and Brazil…

Traffic Separation Schemes off Western Australia

On 1 December 2016 two new Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) will come into effect off the south-west coast of Western Australia. Australia’s proposal to establish the schemes was approved by the International Maritime Organization earlier this year and adopted by its Maritime Safety Committee in May. A TSS separates opposing streams of traffic by establishing traffic lanes and separation zones. The two schemes, off Cape Leeuwin and Chatham Island in the state’s south-west, aim…

Aibel Bags Greater Enfield Project Contract

Aibel Pte Ltd in Singapore has been awarded the E&P contract for modifications on Woodside Energy Ltd’s Nguijma-Yin floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) off Western Australia. The FPSO will undergo modifications to the topsides, hull and turret, along with installation of a new Custom Water Flood module. The contract includes both detailed marine and topsides engineering and procurement services as well as commissioning services. At the peak the Greater Enfield Project will engage more than 100 employees. The work will be executed by Aibel`s office in Singapore.

Keppel Secures Marine Projects worth S$120 mln

Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M)'s wholly owned subsidiary Keppel Shipyard Ltd (Keppel Shipyard) has secured four contracts worth a total of about S$120 million from repeat customers. Mr Michael Chia, Managing Director (Marine & Technology) of Keppel O&M, said, "We are pleased to secure new orders from long-time customers who continue to entrust their projects with us, whether it is for turret fabrication or vessel upgrades. The first contract that Keppel Shipyard secured is from BW Catcher Limited…

Wheatstone LNG Facility Exports First Cargo to Japan

Australia's Wheatstone liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, after starting production earlier this month, has shipped its first export cargo to a buyer in Japan, majority owner and operator Chevron Corp said on Tuesday. Wheatstone is the sixth out of eight projects in a $200 billion Australian LNG construction boom that is now in its final stretch. The two remaining project due to for start-up are Royal Dutch Shell's Prelude floating LNG project and Ichthys, led by Japan's Inpex.

Q4 Bounce Forecast for Dry Bulk Market

The Q4 bounce – a seasonal staple of the dry bulk markets – looks likely for Capesize and Panamax segments, but the effects may be limited. Independent research and consultancy firm Maritime Strategies International (MSI) is forecasting a fourth quarter bounce in dry bulk market earnings, driven by improving iron ore, coal and grain trades. In its latest Dry Bulk Freight Forecaster, MSI sees positive signs beyond the traditional summer lull in chartering activity for both the Capesize and Panamax sectors.

Austal JV Wins First Ferry Contract

Aulong Shipbuilding, a joint venture company formed by Austal Limited and Guandong Jianglong Shipbuilding of Zhuhai, China, has won the first ferry contract to build a 42 metre high speed aluminium ferry for Chinese mainland operator Blue Sea Jet. Less than two months after the announcement of the joint venture, Aulong Shipbuilding has been awarded a A$10 million (RMB49.99 million) contract to design and build the ferry. The contract was awarded following a competitive evaluation based on product performance, price and commercial terms.

Austal Opens Up Trimaran Deal with Fred Olsen

Austal’s latest contract announcement for two 117 metre high speed vehicle passenger ferries, for Fred Olsen SA, not only sends a strong signal to the international market that ‘fast ferries are back’, but confirms Austal’s proven trimaran hull design as the most cost effective and highly capable vessel platform to deliver superior seakeeping and schedule performance. The €126million Euro (A$190million) contract, announced at Interferry 2017 in Split Croatia represents Fred Olsen SA’s largest ever ferry order.

Capesize Rates to Climb in a 'Market on Fire'

Freight rates for large dry cargo ships on key Asian routes, which hit three-year highs this week, are likely to rise further on a shortage of ships available for immediate charter, brokers said. Rates for 180,000 deadweight tonne (DWT) capesize ships are set to break $10 a tonne from Australia to China in the next few days, while rates could also surpass $20 a tonne from Brazil to China. "There are more chances of rates breaking $10 than $20 because the Australian market is more active among miners and vessel operators," a Singapore-based capesize broker said on Thursday.

SolstadFarstad Wins New Contracts in Australia

SolstadFarstad ASA (SOFF) has been awarded several new contracts for the provision of vessels within Australia. McDermott International Inc. affiliated company, MAPL have awarded the provision of a General Purpose Support Vessel, Far Stream, and pipe-haul PSV’s performing services for work Offshore Western Australia. The contract is due to commence during Q1/Q2 2018 and the combined vessels utilization is approx. 200 days. Cooper Energy has supplemented their earlier award of Far Saracen and Far Senator for their upcoming Bass Strait drilling campaign…

CERCG Looking to Ship LNG from Australia's West to East

State-owned China Energy Reserve and Chemicals Group (CERCG) on Monday said it is investigating whether to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Western Australia to the gas-hungry east coast market. The Chinese integrated energy firm, which runs oil and gas projects, processing plants and gas distribution, said in a press release to Reuters that subsidiary CERCG Australia is studying the viability of transporting LNG by road, rail and ship. CERCG Australia's business manager Kevin Gao said the company would use LNG container tanks which can maintain liquefaction for 110 days.

China, Australia Ports Clogged as Coal, Ore Demand Soars

Around 300 ships caught in jam that would stretch 40 miles; freight rates for biggest coal, ore carrier hit 3-yr high. More than 300 large dry cargo ships are having to wait outside Chinese and Australian ports in a maritime traffic jam that spotlights bottlenecks in China's huge and global commodity supply chain as demand peaks this winter. With some vessels waiting to load coal and iron ore outside Australian ports for over a month, key charter rates have jumped to their highest in more than three years.

Bulkers to Benefit as China Iron Ore Appetite Grows

It has been quite awhile since the global bulk carrier market has had much to cheer about, but U.S. dry bulk shippers are set to post strong revenue growth in the next two years thanks to soaring Chinese demand for high-grade iron ore from Brazil and Australia. To combat severe winter smog, China has slashed iron ore output, pushing steel mills in the world's second biggest economy to import more high-grade ore. China also wants to make pollution control a priority for the next three years.

Port Hedland May Clear Ships as Storm Builds off Australia

Giant iron ore port may close as Australian storm builds. Vessels may be cleared from Australia's Port Hedland, the world's biggest iron ore export terminal, as early as Thursday as a safety precaution because of a tropical storm, port manager Pilbara Ports Authority said on Wednesday. The authority said Port Hedland may start clearing vessels on Thursday morning if the tropical low builds overnight into a cyclone off the Western Australia coastline. Port Hedland is used by three of Australia's top four iron ore miners - BHP,, Fortescue Metals Group and Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting.

Maersk Supply Service Wins Contract With Quadrant Energy

Maersk Master and Maersk Mariner, Maersk Supply Service’s two first Starfish-class anchor handling vessels built in 2017, will be on contract with Quadrant Energy in Western Australia, commencing March 2018. Both vessels will support Quadrant Energy’s Phoenix South and Van Gogh drilling campaign which will initially cover three wells for a duration of 150 to 200 days. The highly modern and efficient vessels will be supporting Transocean’s semi-submersible rig DD1 with supply and anchor handling duties throughout the campaign. “Quadrant Energy is an important customer.

Capesize Rates Fall to Eight-week Low

Freight rates for large capesize dry cargo ships on key Asian routes, which fell to an eight-week low on Wednesday, are likely to continue to slide next week as charterers drip-feed cargoes in an over-tonnaged market, brokers said on Thursday. "There is no charity out there. The market can go as low as charterers can drag it," said a Singapore-based capesize broker on Thursday. That came as capesize rates from Brazil and Western Australia to China dropped by $1-$1.50 per tonne in a week. "I don't see much hope in the market.

Authorities team up for S&R Exercise off Perth

A major search and rescue training exercise has taken place off Rottnest Island in Western Australia yesterdayinvolving both state and federal authorities. Search and rescue crews from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Western Australia Police Force (WA Police) and Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services (WA DFES) teamed up for the exercise which simulated an aviation incident at sea. The scenario involved a simulated light plane which had been forced to ditch into the water just before 8am AWST about 7km northwest of Rottnest Island.

Australian LNG-fueled RO/RO Enters Service

A brand new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled roll-on-roll-off freight vessel, Searoad Mersey II, has commenced service from its home port Devonport, in northern Tasmania, Australia. Touted by Bass Strait shipping and logistics firm SeaRoad as the “cleanest, greenest freight ship ever to trade in Australian waters”, Searoad Mersey II is the first coastal ship in Australia to use LNG fuel-and-power technology and the first pure dry cargo ship in the world to use a roll-on roll-off LNG supply system.