UK News

First UK aircraft carrier centre blocks completed

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Pictured are Cammell Laird's head of construction Jeff Jones, project director John Drummond and steelwork supervisor Joe Dawber.
Pictured are Cammell Laird’s head of construction Jeff Jones, project director John Drummond and steelwork supervisor Joe Dawber.

Cammell Laird has completed its first aircraft carrier centre blocks for a second ship set to become the centrepiece of Britain’s military capability.

The Birkenhead marine and engineering services company has fabricated and outfitted two blocks for the new PRINCE OF WALES aircraft carrier, which are being transported by sea to the Rosyth shipyard in Scotland.

Construction of the blocks began in July 2013 and has involved a workforce of 250 including contractors. Cammell Laird is playing a key role in the aircraft carrier project, the biggest UK engineering project since the London Olympics.

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Initial findings into three fatalities

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This article relates to the entry of a confined space on board the cargo ship SUNTIS in Goole Docks, Humberside on 26 May 2014 resulting in three fatalities. The initial findings of the MAIB are available.

At approximately 0645 (UTC+1) on 26 May 2014, three crew members on board the cargo ship, Suntis, were found unconscious in the main cargo hold forward access compartment, which was sited in the vessel’s forecastle (f’ocsle). The crew members were recovered from the compartment but, despite intensive resuscitation efforts by their rescuers, they did not survive.

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Shipowners ‘need protection’ from excessive port charges

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guy plattenUK Chamber CEO, Guy Platten, has delivered a keynote speech to the British Ports Association annual conference in Belfast.

Mr Platten focused on the broad challenges facing the industry, but explained that a system must be found to mediate disputes between shipping companies and port operators over the cost of doing business.

He said: “Shipowners, just like commercial ports, are in business to make money – and expect to negotiate with their suppliers in order to secure a good service at a competitive price. Some UK ports are effective monopolies – and I reveal no confidences when I say that there are concerns that this results in them treating shipowners as captive customers.

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Belfast Harbour profits surge to record

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belfastBelfast Harbour has posted record profits for 2013, which means they can commit more than £60m to capital expenditure projects for the future. According to Belfast Harbour’s Annual Report, turnover rose strongly by 30% to £50.3m. Profit before taxation also increased sharply too by 42% to £26.2m.

The very strong performance is a reflection of a record year for tonnages handled, increasing by 16% to 22.7m tonnes. The growth in trade was particularly good in sectors such as Dry Bulk Cargo (up 45%). Growth in trades associated with the new and burgeoning offshore wind farm sector also rose from 3,000 to 200,000 tonnes.

Chairman of Belfast Harbour, Len O’Hagan, said,“ Much of 2013’s growth was secured by investments totalling £100m by the Harbour in three sectors – renewables, dry bulk and freight. The single largest expenditure (£53m) was our development of the UK’s first bespoke logistics and assembly harbour to support offshore renewables.

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Port of Dover plans unveiled

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Port of Dover plans umveiled
Port of Dover plans umveiled

UK Shipping and Ports Minister, Stephen Hammond, has set out a plan for the future of the Port of Dover that he believes will strengthen community involvement, boosting commercial development and unlocking the potential for regeneration.

Discussions facilitated by the minister over how the port should best be run have resulted in a major step forward, with Mr Hammond setting out a plan that will enable the community and port to work together effectively, providing a catalyst for regeneration which will benefit the port, the people who use it, and the town of Dover.

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UK Government launches National Strategy for Maritime Security

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The UK’s first ever National Strategy for Maritime Security has been published by the Shipping and Armed Forces Minister.

The maritime sector is vital to the UK and it is said that the publication is a “a major step forward for the shipping industry and demonstrates the UK’s commitment to seafarer safety and securing world trade.” Click to read the National Strategy for Maritime Security in full.

The UK maritime sector accounts for over 2% of the entire economy and supports one in every 50 jobs. It is a simple fact that as an island nation, most of the UK’s connections to the wider world are provided by sea with and over 90% of our trade is carried by ship.
“The safety of our seafarers is therefore a priority of international importance, and work is also needed in the promotion of regional growth and the stability of international trade.” the UK Chamber of Shipping press release states.

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Small Craft Working Group meets at Grafham Water

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IIMS members at the Grafham Water SCWG meeting
IIMS members at the Grafham Water SCWG meeting

The IIMS UK Small Craft Working Group (SCWG) met for one of its regular meetings in early May at Grafham Water Sailing Club near Huntingdon.

The theme of the day was Metals in the Marine Environment. Although attendance was smaller than normal, those who did come to the meeting found the day both absorbing and highly informative too.

Three speakers spoke in detail and at length about their specialist subjects.

Carol Powell has been a consultant metallurgist to the Copper Development Association and Nickel Institute in the UK for over 20 years with particular specialisation in marine applications for copper-nickels, stainless steels and high nickel alloys. Furthermore, she has been a member of the Marine Corrosion Forum and Copper-Nickel Task Force since their inception and is currently deputy chair of the European Federation of Corrosion Marine Working Party.

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IIMS Certifying Authority training day

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Marine surveyors at the IIMS Certifying Authority training day
Marine surveyors at the IIMS Certifying Authority training day

Twenty plus marine surveyors who are IIMS Certifying Authority examiners met for their twice yearly training day at Portchester Sailing Club in mid May.

With the many changes now in place as a result of the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) legislation, it was an opportunity to review the procedures and to learn more about the convention.

Mark Towl from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) was the key presenter in the morning session. During his presentation he stressed that the MCA is still reviewing many aspects of MLC 2006 and further changes were inevitable. He also stressed that, in his view, the MCA have taken the most liberal view to how MLC 2006 is being interpreted.

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Classic refitted superyacht Shemara launched

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Shemara just launched. Photo copyright © 2014 Jake Sugden
Shemara just launched. Photo copyright © 2014 Jake Sugden

Britain’s largest independent ship repairer, Burgess Marine, has successfully launched the 65m (212 feet) classic 1930’s superyacht Shemara from its ship lift facility at the top of Portsmouth Harbour. Shemara Refit LLP completed the refit in just over three years at the ex Vosper-Thornycroft yard in Portchester.

Burgess Marine provided specialist support and personnel to Shemara Refit LLP for structural and fabrication works, mechanical works and pipefitting. Mr Peter Morton, the owner of Shemara Refit LLP, said, “Burgess Marine has been an important partner in this project from the moment we took ownership of the vessel in Lowestoft in 2010.”

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