The International Group of P&I Clubs issued a circular providing an update on the US sanctions on the government of Venezuela and Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA). On 5 August 2019, the US increased its sanctions programme against Venezuela, with the Executive Order 13884.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) conducted a ferry emergency exercise (FEREX) at the Regional Ferry Terminal (RFT) at Harbourfront, to trial the competency of about 250 personnel from 10 government agencies, three ferry operators and Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd in response to ferry mishaps.
Two Turkish drill ships are continuing operations in the eastern Mediterranean, while another ship is expected to join them this month, said Energy Minister Fatih Donmez, amid an ongoing dispute between Turkey and Cyprus.
The contention on the applicability of the Cabotage Act (2003) to Drilling Rigs appears not to be close to a final resolution, particularly on the question of whether a Drilling Rig can be construed as a vessel within the definition in the Cabotage Act, according to Nigerian firm Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I).
In light of Turkey’s continuation of illegal drilling activities and a few days after the second Turkish drill ship arrived off Cyprus, the European Council announced some preliminary sanctions against Turkey. Among others. the Council decided to suspend negotiations on the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement.
Too many shipboard safety drills have become meaningless reminders of procedure. Capt. Yves Vandenborn says good drills should reflect the roller-coaster ride of real-life emergencies. The problem with many safety drills today is that nobody takes them seriously.
Further escalating tensions among the EU and Turkey, the Turkish ship ‘Yavuz’ arrived Monday night off the island of Cyprus and it is set to drill for oil and gas, triggering a strong protest from Nicosia the EU. This comes less than a month after EU leaders warned Turkey to end its gas drilling in waters around the island.
According to Demirören News Agency, Turkey announced that it will establish naval and air bases in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, aiming to ensure its security in the Eastern Mediterranean. The announcement followed a visit to Northern Cyprus by a team from the Turkish Navy, which held talks with diplomatic and military officials in the north of the island before returning to Ankara.
Greece and Cyprus called on the European Union to take punitive measures against Turkey amid escalating tensions in the eastern Mediterranean over offshore energy reserves. After Ankara announced it would expand exploration for potentially lucrative gas resources in the region, the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, appealed to the EU to unreservedly condemn the illegal actions of Turkey.
India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has moved a record high 35 offshore drilling rigs to new locations ahead of the Indian monsoon season. Aqualis Offshore, the international marine and offshore engineering consultancy announced that it assisted the offshore rigs’ transmit.
