South East Shipping News

Five Carriers Consolidate Asia-South America Services

Peter T. Leach, Senior Editor | Dec 8, 2011 3:04PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

• Container Lines
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• Container Shipping
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• Maritime
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• Asia
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• China
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• South America

Hamburg Sud and Maersk merge service with CMA CGM, CSAV, China Shipping service

Hamburg Sud and Maersk Line will combine a Asia-South America service with a service operating by CMA CGM, CSAV and China Shipping Co., starting later this month.

The latest round of vessel-sharing agreements comes as the container line industry aggressively restructures itself to stave off weak demand and overcapacity. The pact between the two groups of carriers combines services between Asia, South Africa and the East Coast of South America.

During the period from December 2011 through May 2012, Hamburg Sud and Maersk’s ASAS/NGX Sling 2 service will be merged CMA CGM, CSAV and China Shipping’s ASAX/SEAS Sling 2 service. The new joint service will consists of 11 vessels with capacities of 4,200 to 4,600 20-foot equivalent units deployed by all five carriers.

The port rotation of the new joint service is: Shanghai, Ningbo, Nansha, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, Durban, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Paranagua, Itajai, Santos, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Singapore, Hong Kong and back to Shanghai.

The new joint service will kick off with the departure of the Cap Jackson from Shanghai on Dec. 16.

The current capacity deployed by the carriers in the ASAS/NGX Sling 1 service and ASAX/SEAS Sling 1 service will remain unchanged and independent.

The structure of the two unchanged weekly slings will be as follows:

ASAS/NGX 1 will be made up of 11 vessels with capacities of between 7,100 – 7,450 20-foot equivalent units, which will be deployed by Hamburg Sud and Maersk Line.

ASAX/SEAS 1 will consist of 11 vessels with capacities of 6,500-TEUs provided by CMA-CGM, CSAV and China Shipping.

-- Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @petertleach.

Costa Rica to Create Caribbean Tourism Hub with Record Investment

SFGate December 6, 2011 04:00 AM Copyright SFGate. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

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InternationalLiving.com highlights plans for massive Costa Rican coastal development.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) December 06, 2011

The Costa Rican government is aiming to develop a quiet stretch of its Caribbean coast into a tourism mecca with the biggest investment of its kind in the country's history, InternationalLiving.com has revealed.

The province of Limon, a two-and a-half-hour drive east from the capital, San Jose, on the country's Caribbean coast, is made up of virgin rainforests and white-sand beaches.
While the country's northern Pacific coast has been popular with overseas visitors for decades, the Limon region has so far been undeveloped as a tourism destination.
However, the Costa Rican government is introducing a raft of measures to help draw businesses and tourists to the area.

Government initiatives include a new free-trade zone in the town of Bufalo and massive investment in the Caribbean port towns of Limon and Moin.
Costa Rica has already signed a $1-billion concession with Dutch company APM to build a new port terminal in Moin - the biggest concession contract in the history of Costa Rica. Construction will start in 2013, and should take three years.

The development will increase the port's capacity and turnaround time, and is expected to bring an estimated 2,000 direct and 8,000 indirect jobs to the area.
The project will be a massive boost for the province's namesake capital of Limon, which is located 12 minutes' drive from Moin.

"Limon started out as a company town," explained real estate expert and writer with InternationalLiving.com, Ronan McMahon. "The firm pulled out in the 1960s and since then, Limon has been a quiet affair."
He continued, "Limon may have been forgotten up until now, but the government's initiatives are going to turn its fortunes around."

The revelations were made in an article that appeared in the December issue of International Living magazine, which can be viewed here: "Opportunity along Costa Rica's Secret Caribbean."

Editor's Note: Members of the media have full permission to reproduce the article, "Opportunity along Costa Rica's Secret Caribbean", either in part or in its entirety, once credit is given to InternationalLiving.com.

Media Contact: For information about InternationalLiving.com content republishing, available source material or to book an interview with one of our experts, contact Associate Editor Carol Barron, 772-678-0287 (US), CBarron(at)InternationalLiving9dot)com or visit International Living Media Center. For automatic updates on the most current stories, follow International Living Media on Twitter.

For more than 30 years, InternationalLiving.com has been the leading authority for anyone looking for global retirement or relocation opportunities. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores. InternationalLiving.com has more than 200 correspondents traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for travel, retirement, real estate, and investment.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/12/06/prweb9019002.DTL#ixzz1frqXciAU

Vale port moves damaged ore ship from berth

The Vale Beijing vessel is anchored at Ponta da Madeira Port near the northen Brazilian city of Sao Luis (STRINGERBRAZIL, REUTERS / December 6, 2011)

Reuters

10:12 a.m. EST, December 6, 2011

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - The damaged Vale Beijing, the world's largest iron-ore carrier, was moved from its berth in Brazil for repairs on Tuesday, opening up space at a port responsible for about 10 percent of the world's iron ore exports, the harbor pilot's office said.

Tugs moved the massive ship from the dock at about 10 a.m. (1300 GMT) in the port in Sao Luis in northeastern Brazil and will tow it to a location outside the shipping channel, a harbor pilot official told Reuters.

The official added the ship - owned and operated by South Korea's STX Pan Ocean - could not use its own engines for fear that they may further damage the Vale Beijing, which is longer and wider than three soccer or U.S. football fields end to end.

The port in northeastern Brazil, known as Ponta da Madeira, is operated by Vale, the world's second-largest mining company, which has a long-term contract with STX to ship iron ore.

The 384,300 tonnes of ore loaded aboard the Vale Beijing, enough to make steel for nearly 3-1/2 Golden Gate Bridges, was mined by Vale at its giant Carajas complex in Brazil's Amazon region.

A crack in the ship's ballast tanks was either the result of loading its holds or because of a structural problem, said the official, who asked not to be identified. Vale said on Tuesday it had no new information on the ship.

As there are no facilities to unload iron-ore at Ponta da Madeira and no large shipyards in the area, repairs will have to be made by divers while the ship is at anchor, the harbor pilots' office said.

Harbor pilots have detailed knowledge of the harbors where they live and work and are required by law and marine tradition to go aboard all large vessels arriving or leaving a port to steer them through approved channels and clear of marine obstacles and other ships.

Their work is closely regulated by world navies and coast guards and their dispatch offices track marine traffic and activity for the entire ports and harbors.

(Reporting and writing by Jeb Blount; Editing by Stuart Grudgings and Sofina Mirza-Reid)

TWIC card holders: TSA may have shorted you one digit

By Charlie Morasch, Land Line staff writer

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential eventually will allow port security with digital card readers to remotely check your authority as you drive onto a port.

Unfortunately for some TWIC cardholders, not everyone got all their digits.

TSA recently announced that TWIC cards issued before April 5, 2011, may be missing a digit of its “Federal Agency Smart Credential Number.”

The snafu affects some 26,000 TWICs, TSA said in a statement.

“Due to a card production system error, the number of characters in the FASC-N on some TWICs was shortened, causing readers to not recognize the card as a valid TWIC. TSA will issue a replacement TWIC at no cost to you if you have a card with a truncated FASC-N.

“If your card has this issue it is still valid and provides evidence of your eligibility for unescorted access to secure areas,” TSA said in the statement.

To see if your card needs to be replaced, check the 8-digit number on the lower left hand portion of the TWIC backside and compare it to numbers posted here.

TSA has spent $420 million on TWIC, and the federal government and private sector may spend as much as $3.2 billion on TWIC during the next 10 years, not including the card readers themselves.

More than 1.9 million U.S. workers have enrolled in TWIC. The program was created after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The first TWIC enrollments began in 2007 and will start expiring in 2012.

Standard TWIC enrollment costs $132.50, although workers with “current, comparable” threat assessment background checks such as hazmat endorsements, Merchant Mariner Documents or Free and Secure Trade (FAST) cards may obtain a TWIC card with a shorter lifespan for $105.25.

Truck drivers have wondered why the expensive cards have been used largely as “flash cards,” even with their ability to be read by remote devices.

Last year, many online readers of Land Line Magazine’s website said their cards were rarely checked at ports. Thirty-seven percent of respondents in an April 2010 poll said their TWIC cards were checked always or “most of the time” at ports they visit. Twenty-nine percent said rarely, and about one-third of respondents in the unscientific poll said their TWIC cards were never checked at ports they visit.

TSA’s TWIC hotline is available at 866-DHS-TWIC (347-8942), as well as TWIC’s e-mail help desk at TWIC.Helpdesk@gcrm.com. The program’s website is www.tsa.gov/twic.

TSA said TWIC cardholders who visit ports that don’t yet use card readers may not need to replace the cards immediately.

.

President Martelly back to Haiti with many promises

 Monday, 05 December 2011 11:46

.. .PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (defend.ht) - Haitian President Michel Martelly returned Sunday December 4 to Haiti after attending the first summit of Latin American and Caribbean (CELAC) in Venezuela. He said that 33 countries participating in the meeting promised to contribute significantly to Haiti’s reconstruction.

 

"This trip was a success, we met with presidents grateful to Haiti and who promised to help us," said Martelly announcing in 2013 an International day for Latin American countries that had received help from Haiti at the time of their independence.

 

"This day will be celebrated in Jacmel (south-east of Haiti), where the infrastructures will be set up to host foreign dignitaries, promised Mr. Martelly.

 

"The President sees an opportunity to launch major operations in Jacmel to put this city on the tourist map. "I will speak with the Minister of Finance or with the private sector on how to build a resort in Jacmel," said Martelly.

 

"The President of the Republic expressed his optimism about the benefits of the first CELAC summit.

 

"He informed that the 33 countries participating in the meeting passed a resolution formally and to contribute significantly to the reconstruction of Haiti.

 

""Equator will cooperate with Haiti on defense and social programs, Venezuela will increase its cooperation in the PetroCaribe program, Chile has promised to build ten schools, and Panama promises to reduce the cost of obtaining a business visa to Panama are currently estimated at 1000 dollars, "Mr. Martelly listed.

 

"Other important announcements made by the President of the Republic: a visit in Haiti of a large delegation of investors from Latin-America and Caribbean Tuesday; the revival of the hydroelectric central construction (Artibonite 4C) with Brazil’s assistance; the launching of a program to fight hunger next January.

 

.

 

 

 

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – FLAGLER MEMORIAL BRIDGE: Test Piles.

PCL Civil Constructors, Inc. has advised the Coast Guard that they will constructing test piles south of the existing Flagler Memorial Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 1021.8, Palm Beach, Florida. This work is anticipated to begin on December 5, 2011 and will continue through January, 2012. This work will be outside the main navigation channel and is not expected to affect navigation. Mariners are advised that PCL has various pieces of floating equipment in the area outside the navigation channel. Mariners are requested to proceed at slow speed minimum wake through this area.

Ref: LNM 48-11

Chart: 11472 CG File: 2708

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – WEST PALM BEACH – ATLANTIC AVENUE BRIDGE: Bridge Closure.

The Atlantic Avenue Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 1039.6, Palm Beach County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2011 to facilitate the Holiday Pageant Parade event.

Ref: LNM 46 through 48-11

Chart: 11467 CG File: 2088

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – HILLSBORO BOULEVARD BRIDGE: Bridge Painting.

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR LNM 49-11 12/06/11

Type of EST Comp

Location Work Date Bridge Ref LNM

SC-ICW-Barefoot Landings Bridge Repairs JAN 12 Barefoot Landings 42-11

SC-Little Pee Dee River Bridge Construction NOV 13 SC 917 Bridge 20-11/26-11

SC-ICW-Charleston Fender Repairs DEC 11 James Isl Exp 31-11

SC-St Helena Snd-Ashepoo Riv Bridge Construction MAR 13 US 17 Bridge 39-11

SC-ICW-Port Royal Bridge Construction DEC 11 McTeer Bridge 15-10/10-11

GA-ICW-Savannah Bridge Replacement NOV 12 Skidaway (Diamond Cswy) 50-10/01-11

GA-Green Island Sound-Vernon Riv Bridge Construction DEC 13 Harry S. Truman Pkwy 01-11/47-11

FL-St Johns Riv Bridge Repairs DEC 11 Dames Pt Bridge 30-11

FL-St Johns Riv-Ortega Riv Bridge Repairs JAN 12 SR 211/Ortega Riv Bridge 25-11/41-11

FL-St Johns Riv-Ocklawaha Riv Bridge Replacement JAN 12 Shapes Ferry Bridge 31-11/40-11

FL-ICW-Kingsley Creek Bridge Repairs DEC 11 SR A1A (SR 200) Bridges 44-10/01-11

FL-ICW-Matanzas Riv Bridge Construction NOV 11 A1A Bridges 36-09/01-11

FL-ICW-Tolomato Riv to Palm Shores Bridge Repairs APR 12 Indian River Bridge 16-11/20-11

FL-ICW-W Palm Bch – Palm Bch - Jupiter Bridge Construction SEP 12 US 1 Bridges 42-11

FL-ICW-W Palm Bch – Palm Bch Bridge Repairs DEC 11 Atlantic Ave Bridge 26-11/27-11

FL-ICW-Broward – Deerfield Bch Bridge Repairs DEC 11 Hillsboro Blvd Bridge 27-11/28-11

FL-Hillsboro Inlet Bridge Repairs DEC 11 Hillsboro Inlet Brige 45-11

FL-ICW-Broward – Ft Lauderdale Bridge Repairs DEC 11 Commercial Blvd Bridge 27-11/28-11

FL-OWW-St Lucie Canal (S Fork)- Bridge Construction APR 12 Indian St Bridge 18-11/27-11

FL-OWW-Kissimmee Riv Bridge Repairs JUL 12 SR 70 Bridge 39-11

FL-OWW-Kissimmee Riv Bridge Repairs JUN 12 US 98/FL 700 Bridge 39-11

FL-Lostmans Riv to Wiggins Pass–Marco Isl Bridge Construction DEC 11 Judge SS Jolly Bridge 12-10/01-11

FL-ICW - San Carlos Bay – Sanibel Riv Bridge Construction SEP 11 Lindgren Blvd 19-11

FL-ICW – San Carlos Bay – Matlacha Pass Bridge Construction DEC 12 Matlatcha Pass Bridge 45-10/01-11

FL-Big Sarasota Pass-Lido Key Chan Scour Protection JAN 12 Ringling Cswy Bridge B 45-11

FL-ICW-Charlotte Hbr-Tampa Bay Bridge Repairs JAN 12 Ringling Cswy Bridge 45-11

FL-Tampa Bay – Cut A Bridge Repairs NOV 12 Sunshine Skyway Bridge 44-11

FL-Tampa Bay – Hillsborough River Bridge Repairs FEB 12 Platt St Bridge 22-11/35-11

FL-Tampa Bay – Hillsborough River Bridge Repairs JAN 12 MLK Blvd Bridge 05-11

FL-Tampa Bay – Old Tampa Bay Bridge Repairs MAR 12 Howard Frankland Bridge 47-11

FL-ICW-Tampa Bay-Anclote-St Petersburg Bridge Construction JAN 13 Pinellas Baywas C 44-11

FL-ICW-Tampa Bay-Anclote-St Petersburg Bridge Repairs DEC 11 Corey Cswy Bridge 40-11

FL-ICW-Tampa Bay-Anclote-Indian Rocks Bridge Repairs DEC 11 Indian Rocks Bridge 40-11

FL-Anclote Riv Bridge Repairs NOV 11 Beckett Bridge 06-11/10-11

B. DRAWBRIDGE STATUS SUMMARY

 

The following is a list of known drawbridge discrepancies, restrictions, and closures in navigable waters of the Seventh Coast Guard District. Additional information regarding bridges can be found in Volume 4 (Cape Henry to Key West) or Volume 5 (Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) of the U.S. Coast Pilot, 33 CFR 117, or by calling (305) 415-6744. Unless otherwise noted in the date column, the described status will be in effect until further notice. Mariners knowing of bridge activities not listed below are urged to notify the Seventh Coast Guard District Bridge Branch.

BRIDGE LOCATION DATE STATUS REF

Lady’s Island AICW, Beaufort, SC Jan 11, 10 – Dec 30, 11 Special Regulations 03-10/01-11

Grand Ave Ortega Riv, Jax FL May 1, 11 – Jan 3, 12 Single-leaf Ops 25-11/41-11

Ocean Ave Lantana, FL Dec 4, 11 Closed to Nav 48-11

6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Atlantic Ave AICW, Palm Bch, FL Until Dec 5, 11 Single-leaf Ops 26-11/40-11

Hillsboro Blvd AICW, Deerfield Bch, FL Until Jan 3, 12 Single-leaf Ops 26-11/40-11

Platt St – Hillsborough Riv Tampa, FL Until Feb 28, 12 Single-leaf Ops 35-11

Corey Cswy GICW, St Petersburg, FL Until Jan 22, 11 Single-leaf Ops 40-11/47-11

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Indian Rocks GICW, Indian Rock, FL Until Jan 22, 11 Single-leaf Ops 42-11/47-11

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

C. BRIDGE INFORMATION.

SOUTH CAROLINA – ST HELENA SOUND – ASHEPOO RIVER – US 17 BRIDGE: Bridge Construction.

Lane Construction is currently working on the replacement of the US 17 Bridge across the Ashepoo River mile 32.5, Green Pond, South Carolina. This work is expected to be completed by March 15, 2013.

Ref: LNM 39 through 48-11 Chart: Not Charted

 

waterway and will be reducing the vertical clearance by 2 to 3 feet for the containment system. This work is expected to be completed by June 10, 2012. Mariners should proceed with caution through this area.

Ref: LNM 39 through 48-11 Chart: 11428

FLORIDA – GULF INTRACOASAL WATERWAY – SAN CARLOS BAY – MATLACHA PASS BRIDGE: Bridge Construction.

Archer Western Contractors are replacing the Matlacha Pass Bridge, Matlacha Pass mile 6.0, Lee County, Florida. The contractor will need to close the channel under the Matlacha Pass Bridge in order to drive the piling for the bridge supports. The schedule will be posted on the Lee County web site which will provide an up to date listing of channel closures. The web site is http://matlachabridge.info/

The construction/navigational closures have been updated on the Matlacha Web Site, please refer to the marine information web page for closure information. The posted information has been approved by the Coast Guard Bridge Branch.

Due to the major construction activity at this bridge site mariners are reminded to be extremely careful when transiting through this area. The contractor may not be in the channel at all times during this restrictive period. Contact the bridge tender for passing information.

Channel closures have also been scheduled in August and then again in November/December 2011. The dates of these closures will be published in future Local Notice to Mariners.

Ref: LNM 45-10 through 48-11

Chart: 11425 CG File: 3866

FLORIDA – GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – CHARLOTTE HARBOR TO TAMPA BAY – SARASOTA BAY – RINGLING CAUSEWAY BRIDGE: Bridge Repairs.

Wright Construction Group has advised the Coast Guard that they are installing rip-rap around the piles of the Ringling Causeway Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway mile 73.6, Sarasota, Florida. This work is expected to continue until January 4, 2012. A barge and crane will be positioned outside of the main navigational channel during this operation.

Ref: LNM 46 through 48-11

Chart: 11425 CG File: 3830

FLORIDA - GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY - TAMPA BAY TO ANCLOTE - PINELLAS BAYWAY "STRUCTURE C" BRIDGE: Bridge Construction.

The Pinellas Bayway "Structure C" Bridge across Gulf Intracoastal Waterway mile xxx, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida is being replaced with a high-level fixed bridge. This project is anticipated to start on December 15, 2011 and is expected to be completed by December 15, 2013. This work will require some waterway restrictions and closures. This information will be published in future Local Notice to Mariners.

Ref: LNM 44 through 48-11 Chart: 11411

FLORIDA – GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – TAMPA BAY TO NEW PORT RICHEY - COREY CAUSEWAY (SR 693) BRIDGE: Bridge Repairs/Update.

Due to bridge repairs, the Corey Causeway (SR 693) Bridge, across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway mile 117.7, St. Petersburg Beach, Pinellas County, Florida will be placed on single-leaf operation from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, 7 days a week from October 15 through January 22, 2011. A double-leaf will be available with a four hour notice to the bridge tender. The vertical clearance may be reduced by three feet between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for tarps. This bridge will open a single-leaf on a 20-munite schedule per 33 CFR 117.287(f).

Ref: LNM 40 through 48-11

Chart: 11411 CG File: 3149A

FLORIDA – GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – TAMPA BAY TO NEW PORT RICHEY – INDIAN ROCKS (SR 688) BRIDGE: Bridge Repairs.

Due to bridge repairs, the Indian Rocks (SR 688) Bridge, across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway mile 128.2, Indian Rocks, Pinellas County, Florida will be placed on single-leaf operation from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, 7 days a week from October 15 through January 22, 2011. A double-leaf will be available with a four hour notice to the bridge tender. The vertical clearance may be reduced by three feet between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for tarps. This bridge will open a single-leaf on demand per 33 CFR 117.5.

Ref: LNM 40 through 48-11

Chart: 11411 CG File: 2124

Due to painting operations, the Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 1050.0, Deerfield Beach, Broward County, Florida will be placed on single-leaf operations on the hour and half-hour with a four hour notice for a double-leaf opening, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The contractor has indicated that they will need to place scaffolding on the bridge which will reduce the vertical clearance. It is anticipated that this work will start on October 1, 2011 and will continue until January 3, 2012.

Ref: LNM 26 through 48-11 Chart: 11467

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – NEW RIVER (SOUTH FORK) – CSX RAILROAD BRIDGE: Horizontal Clearance Reduction.

The horizontal clearance of the CSX Railroad Bascule Bridge across the New River (South Fork) mile 2.8, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida has been temporarily reduced to 56 feet.

Ref: LNM 16-08 through 48-11 CG File: 2500

Chart: 11467

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – NEW RIVER – SW 7

th AVENUE/SE 3RD AVENUE BRIDGE: Bridge Painting.

Painting Operations will start on the Marshall Memorial (SW 7

th/3rd Avenue) Bridge, across the New River, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida during the week of October 10, 2011. This work is not expected to impede smaller vessels traffic. Larger vessels are requested to contact the bridge tender for passing information. Mariners are advised that there will be floating equipment in the vicinity of the bridge during this work.

Ref: LNM 40 through 48-11

Chart: 11467 CG Files: 3017/2128

FLORIDA – OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY – (SOUTH FORK) ST LUCIE CANAL – INDIAN STREET BRIDGE: Bridge Construction.

The contractor constructing the Indian Street Bridge across the south fork of the St. Lucie Canal has advised this office that they have started construction of the portion of the bridge that crosses the St. Lucie Lagoon. They have installed a temporary trestle and floating turbidity barrier in this area. This portion of the work is expected to continue through April 2012. The contractor will be providing additional information prior to starting the portion of the bridge that crosses the South Fork of the St. Lucie Canal.

In October 2011, the contractor will begin placing a temporary trestle in the vicinity of the (South Fork) St. Lucie Canal. This temporary trestle is not expected to impact the main navigational channel. The contractor will also have a crane barge in the area that may restrict a small portion of the navigation channel. The contractor will be placing beams onto a barge which will be used for the main portions of the new bridge, during the time that the contractor places the beam onto the barge and the crane places the new beam onto the bridge, the channel will be closed to navigation for safety reasons. The exact schedule for this operation will be published in future Local Notice to Mariners.

Ref: LNM 18 through 48-11 Chart: 11428

FLORIDA – OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY – ST. LUCIE CANAL – SR 710 BRIDGE: Special Bridge Notice.

The Coast Guard has issued a Public Notice (PN) regarding the permit application for approval of location and plans to replace the State Road 710 (Big John Monahan) Bridge across the St. Lucie Canal (Okeechobee Waterway), mile 28.1, at Indiantown, Martin County, Florida. You may access PN 18-11 which solicits comments through 28 December 2011 at: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=pnBridges&Active=1&region=7. The project manager is Miss Evelyn Smart and comments may be expressed by telephone at (305) 415-6989 or by e-mail at Evelyn.Smart@uscg.mil.

Ref: LNM 47 and 48-11

Chart: 11428 CG File: 3863

FLORIDA - OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY – ST LUCIE INLET TO FORT MYERS – KISSIMMEE RIVER: SR 70 BRIDGE: Bridge Construction.

Quinn Construction will start work on repairs to the SR 70 Bridge across the Kissimmee River, Okeechobee, Highland County, Florida on September 25, 2011. This work will consist of fender repairs, roadway grating repairs and painting operations. The contractor will have floating equipment in the waterway and will be reducing the vertical clearance by 2 to 3 feet for the containment system. This work is expected to be completed by July 10, 2012. Mariners should proceed with caution through this area.

Ref: LNM 39 through 48-11 Chart: 11428

FLORIDA - OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY – ST LUCIE INLET TO FORT MYERS – KISSIMMEE RIVER - US 98 (FL 700) BRIDGE: Bridge Construction.

Quinn Construction is repairing the US 98 (FL 700) Bridge across the Kissimmee River, Okeechobee, Highland County, Florida. This work will consist of fender repairs, roadway grating repairs and painting operations. The contractor will have floating equipment in the

waterway and will be reducing the vertical clearance by 2 to 3 feet for the containment system. This work is expected to be completed by June 10, 2012. Mariners should proceed with caution through this area.

 

The United States, a Trade Partner of Cuba?

Escrito por Lourdes Perez Navarro *

domingo, 04 de diciembre de 2011

04 de diciembre de 2011, 11:33Havana (PL) Any dictionary defines the words to trade as "buying and selling for" or "to interchange products". In terms of commercial relations between two nations they would mean then to execute such transactions in a bilateral way.   Having said that, it can be asked: is the United States a trade partner of Cuba? It is true that an important amount of nutritional products comes from the US to Cuba - and only in that direction-, but under what conditions? The barriers imposed are clear. Authorized sales only include foods and medicines, although the regulations for these make their purchase almost impossible, as proof must be given of their ultimate use. The payment must be in cash, because it is prohibited to grant credits, and the transportation of the merchandise cannot take place in Cuban boats. North American entrepreneurs cannot buy products or invest in Cuba - in spite of their ever increasing interest in so doing -, and business contacts are extremely restricted. And there is more. Cuba continues without being able to freely export and import products and services of any kind towards or from the United States in normal conditions, like any other country in the world. Cuba is not allowed to use the US dollar in its transactions, including payments to the United Nations and other international organizations. The Caribbean nation cannot have accounts in US dollars in banks in third countries or access credits from US banking institutions, their branches in other nations or from international institutions like the World Bank or the Inter American Development Bank. Cuba is still prohibited from dealing with subsidiaries of US companies in third nations. The entrepreneurs who do so are exposed to high financial sanctions, according to the laws that sustain the economic and commercial blockade of Cuba, with a marked extraterritorial character. Only during the government of President Barack Obama, they have fined organizations or citizens more than 1.1 billion dollars for dealing with Cuba, an amount superior to that registered in previous US administrations. Can that be called trade?, we asked Doctor Luis René Fernandez Tabío, professor and auxiliary investigator of the Center of Hemispheric and US Studies of the University of Havana. "Trade, as such, does not exist, because what occurs between both countries at the present time is limited to the importation by Cuba of farm and food products originating in the United States, a process submitted to strict regulations that limit it considerably. "It is not trade, because Cuba cannot export merchandise nor offer services to the United States, except some lines like works of art and publications, which is of little significance. "When we represent the "commercial relations" between both countries in a graph, we see a single line of Cuban imports, almost totally of nutritional products. "These transactions must be paid in cash before the goods leave US ports, which is contrary to international trading regulations. Since they cannot use US currency, the Cuban companies and banks suffer losses. Let's remember that there are no direct operations between Cuban and North American banks either . "Even the charter flights for trips authorized by the US administration must be only by means of US airlines and not by regular flights, which creates many inconveniences and obstacles in the transportation". Does that one-way relationship only affect Cuba?, we asked. "As they attempt to asphyxiate the Cuban economy, this does not only act against Cuba, but also against the interests of the United States. That is so because the economic sanctions, imposed for more than five decades by the US government, have been blocking the participation of US economic interests in trade and investments in the island", he said. "In addition they reinforce the climate of confrontation that, indirectly, prevents other aspects of the relations, like academic, sporting, cultural and even familiar and personal. "Even though the Obama administration opened spaces for the latter, they cannot be considered as totally normal, but are rather regulated and with several restrictions. "Actually, with such policies very high costs are assumed and counter-productive effects are obtained, if it is accepted that the objective is to cause the collapse of the Cuban government. The economic sanctions, like the blockade, contrary to what the US supposes, serve to strengthen the unity of the Cuban society, instead of fragmenting it and breaking its political and social system. "Also they have managed to stimulate a more diversified and independent economic development that promotes a greater self-sufficiency and the improvement of its socioeconomic system. " Without disregarding its economic costs, the blockade has created the urgency to produce the necessary goods and diversify international economic and political relations to the maximum, looking for substitutes and alternative sources of assets to obtain economic invulnerability". *Economic journalist for Prensa Latina.

Moody's downgrades French shipping giant CMA

December 04, 2011

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Ratings agency Moody's said on Friday it was downgrading its ratings on French shipping giant CMA CGM, the world's third-biggest container mover.

The move came despite an announcement on Thursday from CMA CGM and rival Swiss-Italian MSC, the world's second-biggest shipper, of a partnership to share fleets to improve their performances.

 

 

Moody's said in a statement it was downgrading CMA CGM's corporate family rating (CFR) and probability of default rating (PDR) to B2 from B1.

It also downgraded to Caa1 from B3 its rating on 325 million euros ($439 million) and 475 million euros worth of senior unsecured notes maturing in 2019 and 2017, respectively.

 

 

It said its outlook was negative.

"The downgrade was triggered by CMA CGM's weak performance for the third quarter.

As a result 2011 will be significantly weaker than estimated by Moody's last September translating into credit metrics that are likely to be very weak for the category at year end," Moody's said.

"This is linked to the poor performance of the industry during its peak season (between September and October) caused by the oversupply of vessels on the water that slashed freight rates to a very low level," it said.

Clinton Foundation helps seal deal on much-needed hotel for Haiti capital 

Marriott, Digicel unite on $45M project in quake-ravaged Caribbean country

BY Edward Glazarev
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Sunday, December 4 2011, 1:35 AM

 

Digicel Group

Ex-President Bill Clinton joins Digicel's Denis O'Brien (l.), Arne Sorensen of Marriott (2nd from r.) and Haiti's Prime Minister Garry Conille to announce project.

Digicel Group

Rendering of the 173-room Marriott hotel in Port-au-Prince, which will bring much-needed jobs to the Caribbean's poorest country.

The capital of earthquake-ravaged Haiti will receive a big economic boost with the construction of a new $45 million, 173-room Marriott hotel, the government announced.

With the help of former President Bill Clinton's Clinton Foundation, the Port-au-Prince Marriott Hotel will create 175 new jobs and Marriott will invest in hospitality training to benefit Haiti's tourism sector. The Digicel Group will design and build the hotel, which is expected to open in mid-2014.

"This new hotel project will stand as a symbol of Haiti's recovery, providing much needed jobs to the Haitian people and encouraging foreigners to visit, invest and work in Port-au-Prince," Clinton said in a statement. "My Foundation has worked with both Marriott and Digicel, and encouraged them to form this partnership. Their investment proves that Haiti is open for business and on the path to economic recovery."

With merely 500 hotel rooms operating in the city, the Port-au-Prince Marriott will add 173 rooms and create much-needed lodging and meeting space for business travelers seeking to invest in the country, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), humanitarian organizations, reconstruction teams, financial institutions and visitors to the capital.

"With lodging options severely limited in Port-au-Prince, this is indeed bright news," said Digicel chairman and founder Denis O'Brien.

Digicel, the single largest private investor in Haiti and the country's largest telecom provider, has constructed 70 schools and rebuilt the iconic Iron Market in Port-au-Prince after the 2010 earthquake hit the Caribbean's poorest country.

"Haiti is in great need of quality hotels today, and for the foreseeable future," said Arne Sorenson, Marriott International's president and chief operating officer. "We aspire for a hotel of our flagship brand to be located in every capital in countries where we operate. Over time, as Haiti continues to heal, rebuild and develop, our hotel will not only help the many organizations serving Haiti now, but would also stimulate business and attract leisure visitors in the future. Combined with the local businesses we can support, this is the 'multiplier effect' that travel and tourism brings to the economies of emerging countries."

The Port-au-Prince Marriott, which will be located in the Haute Turgeau area of the city, will offer 168 rooms and five suites with Marriott's signature amenities and features, including premium bedding, high-speed Internet (LAN and wireless) and flat-screen televisions. Dining options will include a casual restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge and 24-hour room service. The hotel will include about 4,606 square feet of flexible meeting space, a 1,614-square-foot fitness center, swimming pool, and sundries shop/marketplace.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/clinton-foundation-helps-seal-deal-much-needed-hotel-haiti-capital-article-1.986496#ixzz1fZxYngjJ

Fitch Affirms Port of Palm Beach District, FL's Revs at 'BBB-'; Outlook Negative

 

NEW YORK, Dec 02, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fitch Ratings affirms its 'BBB-' rating on the Port of Palm Beach District's (the district or the port) approximately $40.7 million in outstanding revenue bonds. The Rating Outlook remains Negative.

KEY RATING DRIVERS:

VOLATILITY IN PORT OPERATIONS AND STRONG COMPETITION: The port's elevated risk profile and uncertain recovery outlook due to continued effect of multi-year declines in port's cargo volumes, which are strongly correlated to economic cycles, coupled with the highly competitive South Florida port environment are of heightened concern. Although the port's cruise passenger figures and related income increased in fiscal year (FY) 2011 (ended Sept. 30), which captures a full FY impact of cruise activity from Bahamas Celebration, the port's other operating lines, such as cargo, declined considerably in FY 2011. The port's significant dependency on cruise activity from one cruise line for further financial recovery, given the port's dependence on regional demand and discretionary income, remains a concern.

NARROW OPERATING BASE: Revenue generation is extremely marginal as the port's narrow revenue base has been under pressure in the recent years. Moderate diversity exists among rental, cargo and cruise related revenue streams, with overall base rental income providing approximately 32% of total operating revenue. Long-term leases partially offset volatility associated with cargo and cruise operations; however, the port is highly reliant on its two largest revenue generating contracts with Bahamas Celebration and Tropical Shipping which generate a combined 57% of operating revenues.

MODEST CAPITAL PLAN: Management has identified approximately $28 million in potential capital improvement projects through FY2015, of which approximately $19 million is expected to be grant funded and the remaining costs financed with internally generated funds.

CONSERVATIVE DEBT STRUCTURE: All fixed-rate debt with a level debt service profile and 15-year tenor.

MODERATE LEVERAGE AND ADEQUATE LIQUIDITY: Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) remained unchanged in FY 2011 compared to the prior year (at a narrow 1.13 times (x) on net revenue basis), reflecting minimal cushion against further deterioration. The district's moderate levels of financial leverage with no additional debt plans (net debt/cash flows available for debt service at approximately 6.1x) in conjunction with adequate unrestricted cash and investments (with 330 days of cash on hand) provide for some additional financial flexibility.

WHAT COULD TRIGGER A RATING ACTION:

--Maintenance of the current rating and a return to Stable Outlook will depend upon significant sustained gains in top-line revenue growth, and management's ability to secure new lines of business as well as control expenses and comfortably meet its 1.10x net revenue rate covenants from operational cash flow, and maintenance of current liquidity levels.

--Any sizable decreases in liquidity would likely lead to a negative credit rating action given the port's narrow operating base and weak coverage levels.

Fitch will continue to monitor the port's cargo and cruise performance and its impact on financial results over the next six months. To the extent revenue trends don't improve and the port in unable to secure additional business lines, downward rating action may be warranted.

SECURITY:

The revenue bonds are secured by a pledge of gross port operating revenues.

CREDIT SUMMARY:

The port's revenue base has weakened in the last five years and exhibited substantial volatility, declining at a 1.7% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) between FY2006 and FY2011. Cruise revenues stabilized over the last two years with the addition of a multi-day cruise line, Bahamas Celebration, which signed a five-year lease with the port in March 2010. Although the port's cruise passenger figures and parking income increased in FY2011 from the prior year, operating revenues were approximately $11.9 million or 2% lower than FY2010 revenues, largely due to decreases in shipments of bulk and dry cargo (including fuel and sugar, the ports largest commodities) triggered by weather and renovations at a nearby power plant (the largest fuel oil recipient).

Additionally, the estimated FY2011 actual cruise revenues came in below the port's reported projections for the year presented at the time of Fitch's rating review in Dec. 2010, as the assumed increases in cruise activity from a new one-day gambling cruise (to backfill the previous Palm Beach Princess vessel) did not materialize during the course of the fiscal year. The port's FY2012 budget continues to assume the increased cruise activity from the aforementioned one-day cruise operator with service projected to begin in the third quarter of FY2012. Cruise income at the port accounts for approximately 12% of operating revenue but also generates significant parking revenues. The port's significant dependency on highly competitive cruise business and uncertainty over its ability to secure additional cruise business remains a key concern. Fitch views the significant competition from other nearby ports for cruise passengers combined with the narrower type of cruising offered at the port as constraining any meaningful and predictable growth in this business line. Should the port encounter instability in its cruise operations resulting in additional losses, downward rating pressure is likely.

In light of revenue declines, operating and maintenance expenses were reduced at 3.9% CAGR between FY2006 and FY2011. Management's efforts to control expenses resulted in lower than budgeted costs in FY2011, at approximately $7 million or 3% below FY2010 levels, and helped offset some revenue declines. Expenses are budgeted to increase 3.4% in FY2012, reflecting higher healthcare costs and other marginal cost increases.

DSCR levels improved in FY2010 at 1.13x when compared to FY2008 and FY2009 when the port violated its rate covenants on net revenue basis, with 0.62x and 0.67x DSCR, respectively. The port produced a 1.13x net DSCR in FY2011, with no improvement or notable change from the DSCR levels reported in FY2010. The port expects to generate sufficient net revenues to provide 1.67x DSCR (on net revenue basis) in FY2012 as a result of anticipated increases in cruise and cargo related activities at the port as well as management's cost containment efforts. Fitch expects stabilization and possibly slow growth in the medium term as the port secures the expected additional cruise business and as cargo and bulk volumes recover from depressed levels, reflective of the region's economic growth. To the extent that the port is unable to grow these revenues in the near term, downward rating pressure would likely be warranted.

Fitch notes the availability of approximately $17.5 million in unrestricted cash and unencumbered capital and maintenance reserves available for annual debt service and/or operating expense provides the port with some cushion to deal with weather events or other short-term interruptions in service. The port's current capital plan does not include any future debt issuances and centers on rehabilitation of Slip 3.

Palm Beach operates as a landlord-tenant port, entering long-term leases with various shipping and terminal companies for waterfront property and facilities. In addition to the base rent the port receives under these leases, the port also levies cargo-based tariffs for ship docking, cargo transit, and other port activities.

Additional information is available at ' www.fitchratings.com '. The ratings above were solicited by, or on behalf of, the issuer, and therefore, Fitch has been compensated for the provision of the ratings.