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FGH and Ocean
Rig settle dispute The settlement terminates the previously announced arbitration proceedings in which both companies were engaged. The settlement was reached without admission of liability on the part of either company for the delays previously encountered in the outfitting of the two rigs. As part of the settlement, the Bingo 9000-1
will now be delivered on October 31, 2000 Friede Goldman Offshore and Ocean Rig say they have also "restructured their relationship in a number of significant respects to help improve cooperation and to give Ocean Rig a more active role in the project." The two have agreed to appoint a mutually acceptable independent organization to take responsibility for planning and scheduling the projects until completion and have agreed to freeze the design of the rig. In addition, the parties have agreed to retain an independent company to organize and manage the commissioning of the rigs. In an effort to help finance the completion of the rigs, Ocean Rig has agreed to an increase of $21.5 million in the contract price of each rig. These additional per rig amounts will be paid
Monthly progress will be assessed and verified by the independent planning consultant who is to be engaged as part of the settlement between the companies. The companies have also agreed to make further improvements to the cash flow available for the projects by modifying the current milestone structure to allow for additional twice-monthly progress payments. Friede Goldman Offshore says it is confident in the revised delivery dates and looks forward to working with the independent planning consultants and Ocean Rig to monitor the progress of the rigs. Korean shipbuilding orders outstrip Japan Shipbuilders Association of Japan statistics reportedly indicate that, in 1999, South Korean shipbuilding orders reached 12.72 million gt, an increase of 27.3% over the previous year. In contrast, Japanese yards booked less than 10 million gt, a drop of 9.2% from the previous year. Preliminary figures from the China Shipbuilding Association, meanwhile, show China securing 19% of an estimated world total of 45 million gt with around 8.5 million gt. Superseacat
Service to be launched between Sea Containers is establishing a company in Estonia to manage the ship. Silja Line in Helsinki will be the general sales and marketing agents and the service will carry the Silja brand name. The state of the art fast ferry will cross between Tallinn and Helsinki in 90 minutes at an average speed of 37.8 knots, about 42 miles an hour. Sea Containers has invested in research
and development of the Fincantieri-built SuperSeaCat -- three
sister ships operate on the Irish Sea and English Channel. The
craft gives a smooth ride as a result of an underwater wing called
a T-foil. This hydrodynamic innovation acts as a stabilizer for
the vessel and improves the ride by 60% working like an aerofoil.
The increased stability the T-foil provides means that high speeds
linked with a comfortable ride for passengers across the Baltic
Sea Facilities on board SuperSeaCat include
guaranteed seating for all 752 passengers on two decks, a 50
seat Business Class lounge, amusement area, cafeteria and bars,
a duty and tax free shop and a mother and baby room. RINA
reacts to Erika report "We understand that the preliminary inquiry has found that there was structural failure, and it has identified a chain of involved parties which includes the owners, the charterers and ourselves," says Nicola Squassafichi, CEO of RINA. "For our part we intend to co-operate fully with the investigations into this casualty so that we can do anything which needs to be done to prevent a similar incident. The evidence as to what exactly happened and who the parties involved are is not yet clear, but we will find out." Squassafichi emphasizes that RINA is concerned at the environmental damage, and he expressed sympathy for the crew and those affected. "Our duty now is to find out what happened and to play our part to prevent anything like this happening again," he says. "We have already taken a number of urgent measures." These measures include:
"We are confident that we have carried out our duties fully with respect to the Erika," says Squassafichi. "RINA is a classification society with high standards and a good track record, devoted to safe ships and clean seas. We intend to learn what we can from this incident to further improve our performance." RINA is part of the Registro Italiano Navale
group and is a Genoa-based classification society which was formed
in 1861. It was a founding member of the International Association
of Classification Societies (IACS). Today it classes 3,000 ships
totaling more than 18 million gt. It has particular expertise
in passenger vessels and fast craft. RINA says it has consistently
had good Port State Control figures and an excellent track record
with respect to pollution from vessels under its class. It employs
more than 645 people in 51 offices around the world. |
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Sea Containers
Ltd. says its $30 million SuperSeaCat Four will operate in a
new fast ferry service between Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki,
Finland starting in April, 2000. This 100 meter long vessel with
capacity for 752 passengers, 164 cars and 4 buses will provide
three sailings a day (four in the peak season) until year end.
The ship flies the Italian flag.
