FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: FRIDAY, 20 MAY 2005
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
Section 1: Business News From St. Helena
Section 2: Relevant Wool News
Section 3: Relevant Internet News
Section 4: Announcements
Section 5: FIBS News Direct
Section 1:
PORTLAND PORT PRESS RELEASE
RMS ST HELENA TO RETURN TO PORTLAND
Andrew Weir Shipping announce confirmation of Portland as the UK Terminal
Just over a year after her last visit to the Dorset port, Andrew Weir Shipping, who manage the vessel, have announced that the St Helena Lines’ passenger-cargo ship RMS St Helena is to return to Portland, before the end of a trial period during which the vessel has remained in the South Atlantic, operating out of Capetown and Walvis Bay. The decision to revert to a UK terminal with calls to this country in September and next spring has been welcomed by the Port and the local community and by St Helenians living in Great Britain. It is understood that there was keen competition for this service and that the decision to select Portland was made on commercial grounds.
The Reverend David Botterill, vicar of St John’s Church and Missions to Seafarers Chaplain on Portland, said: “We are thrilled that the RMS is coming back and we look forward to renewing our contacts with the islanders. Following an initiative by Councillor Ian Phelps, one of our Churchwardens and the Mayorat the time that the service first started, Portland churches have been sending books to St Helena Social Services for distribution on the island for the past three years. With the help of Andrew Weir, we have now despatched nearly a ton of them to the South Atlantic. We have much enjoyed meeting St Helenians living in this country and we hope that the welcome return of RMS St Helena will further strengthen links between the two Island communities” Mrs Jenny Patterson, Chairman of the St Helena Association in the UK, representing St Helenians living in this country, said: “We are delighted that the RMS is coming back to the United Kingdom and particularly pleased that the ship will berthing at Portland. St Helenians in this country enjoy visiting Dorset and the Port always makes them welcome.” John Healy, Commercial and Operations Manager, said that Portland Port was very pleased that they had again been selected as the UK terminal and looked forward to working once more with Andrew Weir Shipping and with the ship’s Captain and crew. “RMS St Helena is good for us and for Dorset and we are determined to provide a service that is good for the ship and good for St Helena and the islands of the South Atlantic. We are also pleased to see that St Helena Lines are founding members of the Niche Cruise Alliance, for which Portland, with its Britannia Passenger Terminal and access to the World Heritage Coast, exceptionally beautiful countryside and historic centres like Stonehenge and Bath, is particularly well situated.”
For further information, please contact:
Rupert Best, Director for Communications, Portland
Port Group
Direct Line: Tel: 01308-488765
Fax: 01308-488764
Mobile: 07785-507099
Portland Line: Tel: 01305-824044
Fax: 01305-824984
E-mail: r.best.cd@portland-port.co.uk
Section 2:
FOGL WEBSITE
Friday, May 20, 2005
FOGL Announce Preliminary Unaudited Results for the Period
Ended 31 March 2005:
Santos Predicts Strong Growth Outlook Stone Energy Corporation Announces Results of Annual Meeting and Increase in 2005 Capital Spending Hydro Announce World's First Commercial Wave Farm Deal Occidental Announces Permian Basin Acquisition
FOGL is an oil and gas exploration company operating in the undrilled South and East Falkland Basins, potentially a new petroleum province in the South Atlantic. Formed in May 2004, these are FOGL’s maiden results following its admission to AIM in October 2004.
Highlights
• During the period FOGL:
- extended its licence area by 50,000 sq km through the award of a
100% owned licence
- completed a 9,450km 2D seismic survey, well in excess of the IPO
plan; the results of the survey far exceeded expectations by
identifying 130 leads
- strengthened the management team with the appointment of a second
non-executive director and a full time exploration manager
• Further work is planned to define up to 20 drillable prospects by
mid-2006
• Current cash position of £11 million; the company is debt free
• FOGL is evaluating its funding requirements and the source of
funds for the increased exploration programme
• FOGL is targeting drilling of the first exploration well in 2007
John Armstrong, Executive Chairman of FOGL, said: “We have made remarkable progress since last year’s IPO. The results of the seismic survey are encouraging and have upgraded the licences by providing direct evidence of the presence of hydrocarbons.
“We are now planning a much enlarged exploration programme with the aim of developing a multi-well drilling plan in 2006, with the possibility of drilling the first exploration well in 2007. In this light, we are evaluating our funding requirements and the source of funds for the increased exploration programme. This includes the option of including another party or parties in the project across some or all of the licence acreage. “This is the most exciting project I’ve been involved in for some years and there is a real chance that the Falkland Islands will become a new petroleum province.”
Section 3:
WOOL REPORT: for the week ending Friday 13th May 2005
Auctions
The Australian Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) gained two cents on Wednesday and a further three cents on Thursday. The EMI thus closed the week up five cents at 727 A cents. Nearly 90% of the 53,000 bale offering was sold. The tone was described as generally strong and competition was well spread.
In New Zealand, the pass-in rate was 28% of the 9,400 bale offering. Crossbred combing fleece wool was generally unchanged.
Currencies
The Australian dollar was trading a cent stronger against the pound at A$2.42/£ with the result that sterling prices for Australian wool gained slightly for all microns.
The New Zealand dollar was trading three cents stronger at 2.56 NZ cents/£ towards the end of the week.
FWG Agency
Contracting wool from the first voyage of the Marriane Danica has proceeded well against the current global wool and currency background. The final lots were contracted last Monday (9/5/05) as per farm instructions. Invoicing is well in hand. Deliveries are going out and are expected to continue doing so during the next two or three weeks.
A considerable amount of work is being done associated with shipping: lotting the Marianne Danica and working towards having remaining wool at FIPASS shipped north.
Many thanks for all those bale specifications we have received recently.
With Best Wishes, Robert
Section 4:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The May Ball will take place on Friday, 20 May 2005 in the Town Hall Doors open at 2200. Entrance fee is £3.50. Ladies who want to participate must register before entering the hall.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:
Could all horse owners with animals currently grazing on the Rugby Pitch note that the horses will be moved to the land behind the FIDF on Sunday, 22nd or Monday, 23rd of May.
COMMITTEE MEETING:
Standing Finance Committee, Tuesday, 24 May 2005 in the Liberation Room of the Secretariat.
Section 5:
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 20 MAY 2005
FIDF:
This year’s Falkland Islands Defence Force recruits are around half-way through their Pass-out Exercise. The 41 members of the FIDF, including the 9 recruits, are taking part in the exercise, which started near the Clam Shell on Thursday. On Thursday night two of the three sections were carried to the drop-off point by Rigid Raider but problems with one boat and bad weather meant that the section were not deployed until early this morning. Torrential rain and strong, cold winds meant an uncomfortable night for the recruits and the rest of the troops on the ground. The FIDF’s Commanding Officer, Major Peter Biggs, says that the troops spent the night reconnoitring enemy sites. This morning, they launched a successful attack against 10 highly motivated “Enemy” and they are currently preparing for the next mission. The exercise is carrying on in the vicinity of Navy Point in the Camber. It’s scheduled to finish tomorrow with the Pass-out Parade taking place in the evening. It’s during that that the recruits will be presented with their berets and become fully fledged members of the FIDF
PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION:
Entries for the Falklands Photographic competition have now closed and the standard of entries has been described as astoundingly high. Margaret Williams, from the Falkland Islands Tourist Board says that many of the photographs were of wildlife. The others were spread among different sections: Landscape, People, Stanley, the under 16s and any image taken by Military personnel. The competition attracted 64 local entries and 80 from around the globe, including Australia, St. Helena, Austria and Canada. Judging for the competition will take place in the next couple of weeks.
LANDING DAY CEREMONY:
A joint Military and Civilian act of remembrance is being held at Blue Beach Cemetery at San Carlos tomorrow. Starting at 1100, it will mark the landing of the task force in 1982. The ceremony also marks the actions up to the Battle of Goose Green and the death of Captain John Hamilton at Port Howard. The service will follow a traditional format and will be conducted by the Forces Chaplain, the Rev. Peter Lee and assisted by the Rev. Paul Sweeting. Anyone interested in going along should be at the cemetery by 1045. Everyone’s welcome to go along to the service, which will be attended by CBFSAI, members of the Royal Navy, Army, the Royal Air Force, among others.
SEAWEED:
Seaweed could become a new industry in the Falklands, following a report from 4 MFC students, which was presented to the Falkland Islands Development Board earlier this week. I (SF) asked FIDC General Manager, Julian Morris, (JM) what the next step is.
JM: It’s going out to interested parties in the industry. And, depending on their feedback, I think the next stage will be that parties have been contacted in the preparation of this report – people who are already interested in the seaweed business. I think that we would be looking to invite a number of those over to the Falklands.
SF: Have you had any expressions of interest from companies already established in the Islands about setting up a seaweed industry?
JM: There are certainly three Falkland companies that are looking at this and I think they are looking at this seriously but I think the expectation is at the right level. I don’t think we are going to see, in the near future at least, a seaweed plant opening. People have got other issues they are looking at as well. But I think it is definitely something that we need to bottom out. What are the commercial prospects for us? But when looking at seaweed, we see familiar issues. In many instances, seaweed is a relatively low-value product. So the cost of physically freighting it from the Islands is a real problem. Energy costs are a real problem and this is a very energy intensive business and the cost of human labour to run the business. And, where are they going to come from? So, these are recurring issues that we, all the time, come up against when we are looking at brand new initiatives here in the Islands. Seaweed is no different.
POLICE NEWS:
Just after 1830 on Wednesday the police received a request from a resident on Thatcher Drive to remove an intoxicated person from their home. Officers attended and the person was removed. Late on Thursday Officers were informed of a person intoxicated and laying outside the Globe Tavern. When Officers arrived, the person had been removed in a taxi. The taxi driver later contacted the police station to say he was unable to obtain any details from the person due to the level of intoxication. The person is now assisting with enquiries.
HARBOUR, SHIPPING AND FISHING NEWS:
Polish Krill Trawler, ACAMAR arrived in Berkley Sound Wednesday evening. There are 5 vessels fishing in the zone – one Spanish Trawler targeting finfish and four Falkland Islands flagged vessels. One is a Long-liner and the rest are trawlers.
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