In January-September 2018, companies of UCL Port, a stevedoring division of UCL Holding, handled 27.2 million tonnes of cargo, which is similar to the results of the nine-month period of 2017.
In the reporting period dry cargo volume grew by 4.2% to 23.4 million tonnes. Handling of oil cargo fell by 24.3% to 3.8 million tonnes with reduction in transshipment via Tuapse and Taganrog.
Exports accounted for 85% of the nine-month volumes, imports made 14%, or 3.9 million tonnes.
In the reporting...
South Korean oceans ministry informs that it examines the possibility of developing a port in Russia’s Far East. This moves targets to help local companies leverage its strategic location.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will conduct the feasibility study until September 2019 on the Port of Slavyanka. This project aims to provide investment information to Korean companies, which are interested in developing the region.
According to Yonhap news agency, in October 2017, Hyundai Engineering &...
https://safety4sea.com/s-korea-examines-port-development-in-russias-far-east/
The Iranian Quds Force organizes, equips and finances the 50,000 Shia militia in Syria that provides the ground troops for the Russian and Iranian effort to prop up the Bashar al Assad regime, a retired senior Israeli Defense Force general said on Wednesday.
Assaf Orion, a military fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said newly announced American determination to maintain a military presence in Syria until the Iranians leave is possibly overlooking the extent of Tehran’s...
https://news.usni.org/2018/10/18/panel-tehrans-quds-force-key-russian-iranian-interests-syria
A Panama-flagged vessel ship, loaded with scrap metal sank in the Black Sea, 50 miles off the coast. The ship’s eight crewmembers are all safe. According to an initial investigation, the vessel sank probably due to a cargo displacement.
Namely, the Russian news agency Sputnik cited a spokesperson from the Russian Federal Agency of Sea and River Transport saying that the captain of the vessel sent out a distress signal when he realized that the ship had listed to its side.
Luckily, all eight crew...
https://safety4sea.com/vessel-loaded-with-crap-metal-sinks-in-black-sea/
South Korea’s oceans ministry is to conduct a feasibility study looking at developing a port in Russia’s Far East with an eye on détente with neighbour North Korea, as well as increasing transits through the Arctic waters. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said it will carry out the feasibility...
https://splash247.com/south-korea-looks-at-russian-far-east-port-investment/
Russian natural gas producer Novatek announced discovery of a new natural gas and gas condensate field at the North-Obskiy license area, located in the shallow waters of the Ob Bay, in the Arctic Ocean. The announcement was made after the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Arctic LNG 3, completed the testing of the first exploration well at the area.
The North-Obskoye field has estimated reserves of more than 320 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas under Russian reserve classification, and...
https://safety4sea.com/novatek-announces-major-gas-find-in-gulf-of-ob/
Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kuzbass in 2016. Sputnik Photo
THE PENTAGON – Continued research and development into stealth technologies for U.S. submarines will be important as Russia continues research into undersea warfare and long-range missiles, the head of U.S. naval forces in Europe said on Friday.
Russia has “continued to pour rubles into the undersea domain research and development, because they know it’s a niche capability and they want to get better than us,” Adm. James Foggo said...
https://news.usni.org/2018/10/10/naveur-u-s-must-invest-undersea-tech-keep-ahead-russian-advances
The following is the Oct. 5, 2018, Congressional Research Service report, Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: Background and Issues for Congress.
From the report
The United States and Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in December 1987. Negotiations on this treaty were the result of a “dual-track” decision taken by NATO in 1979. At that time, in response to concerns about the Soviet Union’s deployment of new...
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71), right, approaches the Lewis and Clark-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE 13) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) for a replenishment-at-sea in the Mediterranean Sea, Oct. 6, 2018. Ross, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its seventh patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests Europe and Africa. US Navy photo.
T...
Russia’s Gazprom has placed orders at Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex for the construction of four vessels. The company has ordered three supply vessels and a passenger vessel for platform crews, with deliveries expected from 2021 through to 2024. The supply vessels will be used for towing operations,...
https://splash247.com/gazprom-orders-offshore-quartet-at-zvezda/