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Licences for ENI and Total to explore block seven

The cabinet on Monday licensed energy companies ENI and Total to explore block seven of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and approved a partnership between the two in five other blocks.

The cabinet also approved nine other drills inside the EEZ within the next couple of years.

Block seven neighbours the Calypso field in block six where ENI carried out an exploratory drill early in 2018 and is believed to hold between six and eight trillion cubic feet.

Total and ENI had applied for an exploration licence in block seven back in November 2018.

The joint projects include block three where in February 2018 Turkish warships prevented an ENI drillship from carrying out a drill.

Ankara has repeatedly warned Cyprus against taking “unilateral steps” in exploring and developing hydrocarbons without factoring in the Turkish Cypriots.

In September 2001, Turkey and the north signed a ‘continental shelf delineation agreement’.

Turkey’s claims on the island’s EEZ partly overlap with Cyprus’ blocks 1, 4, 6 and 7. Ankara also supports the north’s claims on blocks 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 12 and 13, including within few kilometres from the Aphrodite gas field.

Turkey is currently carrying out exploration west and east of Cyprus, prompting protests.

Source

sea freight cyprus
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Sea freight import to Cyprus

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/ By Admin / Car Shipping • Shipping/ • • • / 0 Comments

Buying a car from UK?

Are you looking to buy and ship a car from UK to Cyprus?

Then you are at the right place.

If you are looking to buy and ship a car to UK from Cyprus from websites like Autotrader.co.uk and Cargiant.co.uk then look no further.

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When you find the car you want to buy, contact us by filling this form here. We will give you a price for shipping the car.

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Lakkotrypis on drilling
/ By Admin / Energy • Oil & Gas/ • • / 0 Comments

Eight offshore drills for hydrocarbons over next 24 months

Cyprus plans to carry out eight offshore drills for hydrocarbons over the next 24 months, the government revealed on Tuesday.

“Activities within the Exclusive Economic Zone are ongoing. For the next 24 months we are planning eight drills, six exploratory and two appraisal drills,” energy minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis said presenting an overview of his ministry’s work over the past year.

He did not disclose where the drills would be taking place, but said the targets have been identified.

The intention is for the drilling programme to commence by the end of this year or early 2020.

On block 7, which is currently unlicensed, Lakkotrypis said that talks are advancing to grant the concession to a joint venture of France’s Total and Italy’s ENI.

At the same time, the government is engaging with these two companies so that they form joint ventures in all the blocks in which they now hold concessions separately.

“We have reached a preliminary agreement… the legal details remain for them to cooperate in all the blocks in which they are not together,” the minister told reporters.

On the Aphrodite reservoir in block 12, discovered in 2011, he said the government is close to a deal with the concession holders – Noble Energy, Shell and Delek.

The companies have submitted a development and production plan which is to be discussed at a workshop this week.

Meanwhile negotiations on revising the Production Sharing Contract – as requested by the three companies – are at an advanced stage. More talks are scheduled for later this week.

“There remain certain legal points relating to the agreement between us, and on the optimal way of exploitation which concerns running a subsea pipeline to the LNG terminal in Idku [Egypt], liquefaction there and then transporting the LNG to world markets,” Lakkotrypis said.

The option of a land-based LNG facility in Cyprus was still on the table, Lakkotrypis added. To that end, land has been secured in the area of Vasilikos for the prospective construction of a five-train LNG plant.

However the facility would require massive amounts of natural gas to make it financially worthwhile.

During the previous week, government officials met successively with all the energy companies active in the EEZ to discuss common planning for such an undertaking.

This dialogue for an LNG facility was at its initial stages.

Regarding the envisioned EastMed pipeline – an EU Project of Common Interest with €34.5m in co-financing pledged by the European Commission – Lakkotrypis said that a tender is underway for a detailed technical study.

The study’s purpose would be to gauge how competitive the mooted pipeline can be.

On Italy’s stance on the EastMed – following recent reports that Rome was getting cold feet – the minister said Nicosia has yet to receive an official briefing from the Italians.

The government expects the Italians to clarify their position after the European Parliament elections.

Regarding the use of FLNG (floating liquefied natural gas), Lakkotrypis said the technology is yet to be proven. But he did not rule out any method for developing Cyprus’ natural gas resources.

As for the newfangled East Mediterranean Gas Forum, the “vision” is for it to evolve into an international energy organisation that will discuss infrastructures and project timetables.

The minister noted that in view of the increased demand for natural gas and thus heightened competition, Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean must become competitive in the global market.

Asked about the Turkish provocations in Cyprus’ EEZ, he said Nicosia is deploying both diplomatic and legal measures, whether these pertain to Turkey itself or the companies assisting.

“We are using all the tools at our disposal.”

On ‘Green Growth’, the minister said that the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in gross total energy consumption in Cyprus currently stands at 9.72 per cent; the goal is for this to reach 13 per cent by the year 2020.

The share of RES in energy consumption in road transport alone was at 2.6 per cent in 2018, with a target of 10 per cent for 2020. This target would be achieved by a steady increase in the use of biofuels.

Source: Cyprus Mail

zim join blockchain
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ZIM Joins Maersk’s Blockchain Shipping Platform TradeLens

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services has signed on as a member of Maersk and IBM’s blockchain-enabled TradeLens platform.

Launched in 2018, TradeLens uses blockchain technology to drive transparency throughout the shipping process by digitizing documentation and making it available in real-time to all trading partners – from carriers to freight forwarders, customs officials, port authorities and more.

The success of the platform ultimately depends on whether Maersk and IBM will be successful in convincing other industry players to join. But to date, more than five million shipments have been recorded on TradeLens by more than 60 network members and 100 total ecosystem members, according to TradeLens figures.

ZIM joins Pacific International Lines (PIL), the world’s tenth largest containership operator, as the only other major carrier to become a TradeLens member.

“The addition of ZIM to TradeLens shows exactly why we worked with Maersk to create this solution,” said Daniel Melka, Country General Manager, IBM Israel. “Blockchain networks like TradeLens work best when comprised of a diverse network of participants who work together to affect change for an entire industry, which is what we are seeing happen with TradeLens.”

“What makes the solution so effective is its ability to deliver these benefits while still allowing carriers like ZIM and others to maintain their competitive advantages. The more carriers and other ecosystem members that join the platform, the closer we come to bring about a new era in global trade,” said Mike White, TradeLens leader for Maersk.

ZIM is expected to begin contributing data to the platform before the end of 3Q 2019.

Eyal Ben Amram, ZIM CIO commented: “We are very pleased to join TradeLens, as part of our vision to be at the forefront of digital innovation in shipping. ZIM endorses a proactive approach of promoting and investing in innovative digital solutions, such as the pioneering blockchain-based electronic Bill of Lading initiative, in collaboration with Wave Inc, and the recent investment in Ladingo, a ground-breaking e-commerce solution.”

brexit and cyprus
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How to prepare for Brexit

Customs guide for businesses

In the absence of a Withdrawal Agreement, which would put in place a transition period until the end of 2020 (with the possibility of an extension foreseen in the Withdrawal agreement), the UK will be treated as a non-EU country for customs purposes as of 30 March 2019.

It is now urgent that businesses in the EU start preparing for the UK’s withdrawal, if they have not yet done so.

Brexit will affect your company if…

  • … it sells goods or supplies services to the UK, or
  • … it buys goods or receives services from the UK, or
  • … it moves goods through the UK.

What does this mean?

Without a transitional period (as tabled in the Withdrawal agreement) or a definitive arrangement, trade relations with the UK will be governed by general WTO rules, without application of preferences, as of 30 March 2019.

This means in particular that:

  • Customs formalities will apply, declarations will have to be lodged and customs authorities may require guarantees for potential or existing customs debts.
  • Customs duties will apply to goods entering the EU from the United Kingdom, without preferences.
  • Prohibitions or restrictions may also apply to some goods entering the EU from the United Kingdom, which means that import or export licences might be required.
  • Import and export licences issued by the United Kingdom will no longer be valid in the EU (EU27).
  • Authorisations for customs simplifications or procedures, such as customs warehousing, issued by the United Kingdom will no longer be valid in the EU (EU27).
  • Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) authorisations issued by the United Kingdom will no longer be valid in the EU (EU27).
  • Member States will charge VAT at importation of goods entering the EU from the United Kingdom. Exports to the United Kingdom will be exempt from VAT.
  • Rules for the declaration and payment of VAT (for supplies of services such as electronic services), and for cross-border VAT refunds will change.
  • Movements of goods to the United Kingdom will require an export declaration. Movement of excise goods to the UK may also require an electronic administrative document (eAD).
  • Movements of excise goods from the United Kingdom to the EU (EU27) will have to be released from customs formalities before a movement under Excise Movement and Control SystemSearch for available translations of the preceding link (EMCS) can begin.

What should you do?

All businesses concerned have to prepare, make all necessary decisions, and complete all required administrative actions, before 30 March 2019 in order to avoid disruption.

Follow the checklist below and get to know which practical steps you need to take as soon as possible to be prepared.

Brexit checklist for traders

  • ASSESS whether your business trades with the UK or moves goods through the UK.

If it does:

  • REGISTER your business with the national customs authority, if you have not done so for trading with non-EU countries.  You can find the contact details of the national customs authorities in this list.
  • ASSESS whether your business is ready to continue trading with or via the UK by having the necessary:
  1. human capacity (staff trained in customs matters);
  2. technical capacity (IT systems and others); and
  3. customs authorisations, such as for special procedures (storage, processing or for goods under the “specific use” rule).
  • ENQUIRE with your national customs authority about the existing customs simplifications and facilitations that are available for your business, such as:
  1. simplifications for transit procedures.
  2. comprehensive guarantees, with reduced amounts or waivers;
  3. simplifications for placing goods under a customs procedure;
  • CONSIDER applying for an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status from your national customs authority.
  • If you are registered for the VAT Mini-One-Stop-Shop in the UK, REGISTER in an EU27 Member State.
  • If you have paid VAT in the UK in 2018, SUBMIT your VAT refund claims sufficiently in advance of 29 March 2019 for them to be processed before that date.
  • TALK to your business partners (suppliers, intermediaries, carriers,…) as Brexit might also impact your supply chain.
  • CHECK our page with e-learning modules on Customs and Tax to see whether you or your staff needs extra training.

For more detailed technical information, you can consult the European Commission’s webpage which contains “preparedness notices” on a wide range of topics, including Customs and Taxes. To get additional information and assistance, contact your national authorities, your local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or your industry association.

Source: EU

LNG tender Cyprus
/ By Admin / Oil & Gas/ • / 0 Comments

Deadline extended again for LNG tenders

THE Natural Gas Public Company (Defa) has – again – extended the deadline for the submission of bids for infrastructures relating to the import of liquefied natural gas for electricity production.

Defa, by law the sole importer of natural gas, decided to push back the tenders submission date by a little over two months – from January 19 to March 29.

During a meeting held at the presidential palace this week, Defa officials explained that the interested companies had requested certain clarifications on the tender documents.

The project has been broken up into two separate tenders: one for the infrastructures (receiving facilities, a floating re-gasification unit, storage) and one for the purchase of natural gas.

The first tender concerning the facilities is already running. Under the best-case scenario, a contract is expected to be awarded sometime this summer.

According to reports, a change has been made to the tender. Initially, delivery of the infrastructures had been set at a fixed date, November 2020. Now, the terms stipulate that the delivery should be no later than two years after the date on which the contract is awarded. That would push back delivery to the summer of 2021.

The second tender – purchase of the fuel from the spot market – is expected to be launched in February.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, industry sources said it was odd that the infrastructures tender precedes, time-wise, the process for acquiring the natural gas itself.

At the very least, they said, the two tenders should be running concurrently.

That is because the final cost of generating electricity from natural gas will include both the cost of the infrastructures as well as the fuel costs. The stated goal of importing LNG is to bring down the cost of electricity.

The cost of the infrastructures alone is estimated at €300m, while another €200m will be spent on operation and maintenance over a 20-year period. Among the €300m are included the €101m in European Union co-funding.

drone delivery anchorage
/ By Admin / Port Agency News/ • / 0 Comments

World’s first commercial drone deliveries to vessels at anchorage tested

In cooperation with Airbus, Norwegian shipping company Wilhelmsen (WSS) launched this week a shore-to-ship Singapore pilot project, marking the first deployment of drone technology in real-time port conditions, delivering a variety of items to working vessels at anchorage. Shore-to-ship delivery of this range and scope has never been explored, prior to this trial, Wilhelmsen said.

Lifting off from Marina South Pier in Singapore with 3D printed consumables from Wilhelmsen’s onshore 3D printing micro-factory, the Airbus Skyways drone navigated autonomously along pre-determined ‘aerial-corridors’ in its 1.5km flight to Eastern Working Anchorage.

The drone landed on the deck of the Swire Pacific Offshore (SPO)’s Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel, M/V Pacific Centurion and deposited its 1.5kg cargo without a hitch before returning to its base. The entire delivery, from take-off towards the vessel, to landing back at base, took just ten minutes.

Operations began with a Toolbox Talk with the Wilhelmsen, Airbus and SPO crew to ensure that the risk assessment was understood by all parties. With final safety checks completed, Wilhelmsen’s Marina South Pier team loaded the drone.

Supported by spotters stationed on board the vessel deck to ensure the safety of the crew and vessel, the drone took off towards the vessel, landing on the dedicated area on the main deck where the parcel was retrieved by the officer on board.

Less labour dependent than delivery via launch, autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can potentially reduce delivery costs by up to 90% in some ports and have a smaller carbon footprint than launch boats. SPO has been an important partner during the detailed final preparation and operational testing of the drone, with the provision of its Anchor Handling Tug Supply.

We’re confident that this pioneering move of Wilhelmsen will create new opportunities for future collaborations with SPO, improve work efficiency and drive cost savings for players in the offshore industry,

...says Duncan Telfer, Commercial Director, SPO.

Signing a unique MoU with aeronautics company Airbus in June 2018, Wilhelmsen was tasked with setting up the necessary maritime and port operations, gaining relevant approvals from port authorities, with Airbus the overall Skyways system architect and provider, contributing its expertise in aeronautical vertical lift solutions to develop the UAS for shore-to-ship deliveries.

The ongoing pilot trial will for now, focus on offshore supply vessels at anchorage 1.5km from the pier. For safety reasons, flights will be limited to this distance for the time being, before the flight range is gradually extended to as far as 3km from the shore.

MPA Singapore is facilitating the trial, which started in late November 2018, through the interim use of Marina South Pier as the launching and landing point for Airbus’ delivery drone. At the same time, MPA has designated anchorages for vessels to anchor off Marina South for the trial.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore is also working with Wilhelmsen and Airbus to ensure safety of the trials.

Source: Safety4Sea