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Times Colonist,  27 February 2006

The Canadian Navy, Customs, RCMP and their US counterparts will conduct a three-day drug interdiction exercise this week. The exercise will run from 28 Feb to 02 March and will use waters in Esquimalt Harbour and the Juan de Fuca Strait. The exercise will involve more than 400 personnel and the naval ships HMCS Calgary, Brandon, Saskatoon and Coast Guard vessels Wilfrid Laurier and Tanu from Canada and the US Cutter Sea Lion.  

United States:  "Navy to base two more attack submarines in Puget Sound"

Seattle Post Intelligencer,  01 March 2006

The US Navy will move two of its fast attack submarines to Washington state next year as it continues to shift assets from the Atlantic to the Pacific. USS Seawolf and USS Connecticut are expected to arrive on the West Coast by summer 2007. The two ships will be based in Bremerton and Bangor. Three other subs, USS Hampton, Albuquerque, and Jacksonville will also move from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Two of the subs will be based in San Diego while the third will move to Pearl Harbor.  

Russia: "New generation submarines to be armed with Bulava missiles"

RIA Novosti,  01 March 2006

The Deputy Commander of the Russian Navy, Admiral Mikhail Zakharenko told media this week that the next generation of Russian subs will be armed with the Bulava Strategic Missile system. The missile was tested twice last year and is adapted from the Topol-M SS-27. Two Borey-class submarines under construction in Russia will be first outfitted with the Bulava.

Beaufort Sea:  "Methane gushes from sea floor"

National Post,  08 March 2006

Specialists from the Geological Survey of Canada say that methane gas is escaping from mud volcanoes in the Beaufort Sea.  Using remotely controlled vehicles, scientists have been examining the phenomenon and believe that the gas is seeping out of the permafrost in some areas.  However, the group admits that there is still a gap in the science as to how much of the gas is being released and whether it will impact global warming. The group will conduct further studies in the area in order to gain more accurate information in 2007 and 2008.  News of the finding is helping to fuel speculation about the reduction of ice in the Arctic which has led many to argue that ship traffic through the region may be possible within decades.  Methane gas is 20 times more efficient as a greenhouse gas the carbon dioxide.  

Australia:  "Catch of the day is blind and blonde"

Age,  09 March 2006

A new crustacean has been discovered in the South Pacific.   Scientists have named the animal Kiwa hirsuta and describe it as a white, 15 cm long lobster covered with "what looks like silky blonde fur"; the creature is so distinct that it required a new family and genus in order to name it.  The Kiwa hirsuta was discovered by a team of US-led divers in deep waters about 1500kms south of Easter Island.  

Vancouver Port:  "Unions on collision course"

Globe and Mail.  13 March 2006

The Canadian Auto Workers Union is looking to unionize the 1,000 short-haul truckers who are responsible for moving 60 percent of the containers arriving in Vancouver ports.  The Union says that it wants to act as a bargaining agent for the truckers and has already signed collective agreements with 15 container-haulage firms that employ some 250 independent drivers.  The move however, has sparked a minor "turf war" with the Teamsters union which has had a presence in Vancouver ports since 1965.  As a result, the Teamsters have applied to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to stop the Auto Workers Union from signing up drivers.  A representative of the Vancouver Port Authority has welcomed the idea of trying to organize collective agreements for the drivers but is skeptical that the Union will be successful in its bid.  

Alaska:  "Alaska hit by 'massive' oil spill"

BBC News,  13 March 2006

Prudhoe Bay was the victim of the largest oil spill ever in Alaska's North Slope Region earlier this month.  Some 267,000 gallons of crude leaked from a rusted transit pipeline before it was discovered on 02 March.  The spill covered some 1,040 kms of the region's north coast.  

China:  "China to build aircraft carrier to develop navy fleet: report"

TMCnet.com,  13 March 2006

A pro-Beijing daily in Hong Kong reported that China's military is planning to construct an aircraft carrier. The daily quoted People's Liberation Army Lt. Gen. Wang Zhiyuan as saying: "The Chinese army will conduct research and build an aircraft carrier and develop our own aircraft carrier fleet." The general said the carrier fleet would not be complete for another three to five years.

Arctic: "Ice Retreats in Arctic for 2nd Year; Some Fear Most of It Will Vanish"

New York Times,  15 March 2006

Scientists from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado report that sea ice in the Arctic Ocean failed for the second year in a row to grow at its normal winter expansion rate.  The group uses satellite data to monitor the region and suggests that unless there is a very cold spring, sea ice losses in 2006 will match or potentially exceed those of 2005.  2005 was the largest year of sea ice loss since satellites began monitoring in 1979.  

Seaspan:   "Seaspan strengthens Asia ties"

Financial Times,  15 March 2006

A Financial Times article earlier this month highlighted the growth of Seaspan.  The report noted the importance of Seaspan in facilitating the growth of China Shipping Group in the late 1990s when it needed to expand its fleet of vessels but was concerned with getting government approval for the proposal: Seaspan assisted CSG by buying new vessels and the leasing them back to the company.  Now Seaspan charters vessels to three major shipping companies under long contracts and has grown its fleet to 15 vessels with another 14 scheduled for delivery within the next 18 months.  The company plans to add another 100 ships within a decade.  Seaspan credits the Chinese market for its amazing success; China accounts for more than 50 percent of the world's container movement.  

Mexico:  "Mexico pushes for increased port traffic"

National Post,  15 March 2006

Mexico will conduct a feasibility study looking at turning the tiny port town of Punta Colonet into a mega port.  News of the study builds on other Mexican initiatives that include Hutchison Port Holding's plans to invest USD$ 200 million in infrastructure improvements for the more southern port at Lazaro Cardenas, currently Mexico's deepest port.  The news comes as increasing maritime traffic along the Pacific coast is leading many to question whether more port and transport sites are needed to deal with increased Asian trade with North America.  

Pakistan:  "Terrorist Hunt On High Seas"

Defense-aerospace,  15 March 2006

Pakistan's navy will take control of the multi-national Combined Task Force 150 in April. The Task Force has been operating in support of operation Enduring Freedom and has most recently been led by the Dutch. The Task Force is responsible for patrols from the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Aden. Pakistan's command marks the first time an Islamic country will command such a unit. The primary mission of the Task Force is to prevent acts of maritime terrorism and the transit of terrorists.   

Piracy:  "Malacca straits report no crimes since last Oct."

Xinhua,  15 March 2006

According to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Coordinated Center, no maritime crimes have been reported in the Malacca Strait since October 2005. Officials attribute the sharp decline to recent efforts taken by various maritime enforcement agencies in the region.