What is Top of Your Agenda? ICS Addresses Key Issues at its International Shipping Conference 2017

17th July 2017Debra Massey

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) will address some of the biggest concerns in modern shipping at its annual conference this year, to be held during London International Shipping Week (LISW). Secretary-General to the IMO, Kitack Lim, and ICS Chairman, Esben Poulsson, will be spearheading discussions, following what will have been be an eventful two months in the industry’s legislative calendar.

ICS’s flagship International Shipping Conference will take place on Wednesday 13th September at The British Library, and will focus clearly on an agenda of key issues that are at the forefront of shipping today: CO2 reduction and environmental regulation, the maintenance of free trade and the role of the seafarer.

High Seas Governance Must Take Account of Existing IMO Framework

12th July 2017Debra Massey

At the United Nations in New York, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is representing shipowners at a UN Preparatory Committee which is developing a new legal instrument, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which will apply to ‘high seas’ areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The principal aim of this UN work is to address the vacuum that exists with respect to issues such as preserving global fish stocks from unregulated fishing, and damage to marine ecosystems from ocean acidification and plastics caused by land based agriculture and industry.

ICS says that developing new measures applicable to the high seas is undoubtedly a very important and legitimate exercise, but that it wishes to ensure that the interests of shipping will not be unwittingly damaged.

ICS Pleased with IMO Progress on Environmental Issues

10th July 201710th July 2017Debra Massey

Commenting on the outcome of last week’s meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – which represents the world’s national shipowners’ associations – says it is pleased with the progress made by IMO Member States on a number of critical environmental regulatory issues that will have a profound impact on the future structure of the global shipping industry.

Green House Gas Reduction Strategy

ICS says that IMO has made a good start on the development of a CO2 reduction strategy which it is confident will match the ambition of the Paris Agreement on climate change, and that significant progress was made on the general outline of an initial strategy for adoption in 2018.

ICS Director of Policy, Simon Bennett, said “Though no detailed decisions have yet been taken by IMO, the industry’s specific proposals have been well received by a number of governments among both developed and developing nations, and there is generally willingness on all sides to give these further consideration at the next IMO working group on the strategy in October.”

SRI Calls on Governments to Look at Ways to Implement Legislation Backing the Fair Treatment of Seafarers

5th July 201712th July 2017Debra Massey

Government Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Director Generals and Permanent Representatives from the world’s leading maritime nations, including many crew supply countries, joined leading international judges, barristers, prosecutors and seafarer associations at the event to discuss the key issue of Guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident and explore ways these Guidelines could be implemented into national legislation.

Joint Industry Launches Latest Industry Guidelines on Cyber Security

5th July 20175th July 2017Debra Massey

The second edition of The Guidelines on Cyber Security Onboard Ships has been released. The latest practical advice has been compiled by the joint industry group, which is led by BIMCO and now includes new members OCIMF and IUMI, as well as the original contributors CLIA, ICS, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO.

The second edition includes information on insurance issues and how to effectively segregate networks, as well as new practical advice on managing the ship to shore interface, and how to handle cyber security during port calls and when communicating with the shore side.

The chapters on ‘contingency planning’ and ‘responding to and recovering from cyber incidents’ have been rewritten to reflect the fact that the guidelines are aimed specifically at ships and the remote conditions prevailing if a ship’s defences have been breached.

The Guidelines on Cyber Security Onboard Ships have also been aligned with the recommendations given in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Guidelines on cyber risk management which were adopted in June 2017.

Shipping Industry Unites to Propose Ambitious CO2 Reduction Objectives to Global Regulator

22nd June 201722nd June 2017Debra Massey

Four major international trade associations – BIMCO, INTERCARGO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and INTERTANKO – have made a joint proposal to the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) concerning ambitious CO2 reductions by the international shipping sector, which is responsible for transporting about 90% of global trade and 2.2% of the world’s annual man-made CO2 emissions.

The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee will meet in London this July to begin the development of a strategy for the reduction of the sector’s CO2 emissions aligning the international shipping sector response to the 2015 Paris Agreement’s call for ambitious contributions to combat climate change. Read more →

The Swedish Club Appoints Three New Board Members in its 145th Year

21st June 2017Debra Massey

Lars Rhodin, Managing Director of The Swedish Club, announced three new appointments to the board during the Club’s 2017 AGM held in Gothenburg on Thursday 15 June – the 145th since The Swedish Club was established in 1872.

Representing a cross section of the shipping industry, the three new board members come from different sectors and different countries, but share their commitment to shipping and to the pursuit of excellence.

New to the board are: Mr Chen Wei, Cosco Shipping Lines, Shanghai; Mr Jude Correa, Seaspan Ship Management, Vancouver; and Mr Lu Jian, Winning Shipping, Singapore.

Lars Rhodin welcomed the new board members, saying: “The Swedish Club represents members across the globe in almost every sector of shipping. We are delighted to see these new faces on our board and welcome the talents they will bring.”

IMO Needs to Finalise Ballast Water Implementation Dates

19th June 2017Debra Massey

The global shipping industry – as represented by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – has urged its global regulator, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to back a carefully crafted proposal, from a broad coalition of governments, concerning the implementation dates for installing complicated new ballast water treatment systems.

“If this pragmatic proposal is agreed, this would allow shipping companies to identify and invest in far more robust technology to the benefit of the marine environment” said ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe.

ICS says that this IMO decision on dates, to be taken by a meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee during the first week of July – just two months before the entry into force of the IMO Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention on 8 September 2017 – will be critical, having significant implications for around 40,000 existing ships.

“Shipping Committed to Green Growth” ICS to Tell UN Ocean Conference

5th June 2017Debra Massey

The high level United Nations Ocean Conference (5-9 June), organised by the UN General Assembly, opens today in New York.

On Tuesday 6 June, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) will explain that the global shipping industry is fully committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goal for the protection of the Ocean.

ICS says that the decision by President Trump to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on climate change will have no impact on the shipping industry’s strong commitment to reducing its CO2 emissions.

Speaking at a session on the prevention of ocean acidification, ICS will present some ambitious ‘aspirational objectives’ on CO₂ reduction which the industry – responsible for moving about 90% of global trade – wants its regulator to adopt on behalf of the international shipping sector, in the same way that governments under the Paris Agreement, have adopted CO₂ reduction commitments on behalf of their national economies. Read more →

‘Anatomy of an Accident’ from The Swedish Club Dissects Major Casualty Response

31st May 2017Debra Massey

Anatomy of an Accident, a new publication from The Swedish Club, provides a unique insight into the huge coordinated exercise that surrounds a serious vessel casualty. Illustrating just how easily an incident can escalate; the guide explores the various parties and processes involved in dealing with an emergency situation, and the complicated interplay between the cast of professionals involved in bringing an incident to a resolution.

Developed out of The Swedish Club’s Emergency Response Training programme, Anatomy of an Accident focuses on a realistic incident scenario run by the Club with participants from important maritime services and support sectors. This approach has been designed to test how operations are affected when dealing with an incident, reinforce who is responsible for which action during an emergency, and ensure that a shipowner’s emergency response plan works with the individual elements interacting and supporting one another should a real life crisis occur. Read more →

ICS Commits Shipping to Ambitious CO2 Reduction Objectives

15th May 201715th May 2017Debra Massey

In a submission to IMO Member States, being made in conjunction with other shipping organisations, ICS will propose that IMO should adopt three Aspirational Objectives:

To maintain international shipping’s annual total CO2 emissions below 2008 levels
To reduce CO2 emissions per tonne-km, as an average across international shipping, by at least 50% by 2050, compared to 2008
To reduce international shipping’s total annual CO2 emissions by an agreed percentage by 2050, compared to 2008, as a point on a continuing trajectory of CO2 emissions reduction

Major Upgrade to ISF Watchkeeper Simplifies Work Hour Record Keeping

9th May 2017Debra Massey

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and IT Energy have announced the launch of the latest release of their acclaimed ISF Watchkeeper software – ISF Watchkeeper 3.5 – developed for maintaining records of individual seafarers’ work hour records, as required by IMO and ILO regulations, and to help prevent crew fatigue and to avoid issues with Port State Control.

This major upgrade, which is available free of charge to existing ISF Watchkeeper users on over 8, 000 ships worldwide, has been designed to reflect the evolving needs of those at sea and managers ashore.

All You Need to Know About Shipping But Were Afraid to Ask: ICS Launches 2017 Annual Review

3rd May 2017Debra Massey

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has launched its latest Annual Review, ahead of the ICS Annual General Meeting in Istanbul next week. The ICS Annual Review 2017 can be accessed free of charge via the ICS website.

Providing an insider’s view of the key issues affecting shipping, the ICS Annual Review provides a unique insight into the global shipping industry and the complex legislative and economic landscape currently faced by ship operators.

The ICS Annual Review explores the challenges presented by the need to reduce CO₂emissions in line with the ambition set by the Paris Agreement on climate change; the worldwide entry into force of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention in September 2017; and the implementation in 2020 of the global 0.5% sulphur in fuel cap, each which will have profound implications for the economics of shipping.

The Review also covers developments with respect to the wide range of other issues in which ICS is involved on behalf of the global industry, ranging from legal and insurance developments, seafarers’ employment standards and the maintenance of free trade principles, to the resurgence of Somali piracy and the continuing migrant rescue crisis in the Mediterranean.

“While much of our work is about preparing for the future, the Annual Review reflects the sheer volume and diversity of issues being addressed by ICS”, said ICS Chairman, Esben Poulsson.

The 2017 ICS AGM will be held in Istanbul from 9-11 May and hosted by the Turkish Chamber of Shipping. It will be Esben Poulsson’s first AGM as ICS Chairman, following his election at the previous AGM in Tokyo last year.

To download the ICS Annual Review please visit www.ics-shipping.org/ics-annual-review-2017

The Swedish Club Welcomes the World

7th March 2017Debra Massey

Members of the World Maritime University enjoyed a whistle stop tour of the marine insurance realm when they visited The Swedish Club’s headquarters in Gothenburg last week.

Twenty students from countries around the world spent the day with some of The Swedish Club’s top professionals, where they were given an insight into key areas of the marine insurance business, and took the opportunity to quiz the Club’s staff on some of the complexities of this important sector of the maritime industry.

“We have been pleased to welcome students from the WMU for the last 18 years,” said Johan Kahlmeter, The Swedish Club’s Head of Claims, Marine. “We value the close relationship we have built up with the organisation over the years, and applaud the excellent work that it does in the field of maritime education.” Read more →

The Swedish Club Improves Offering to Charterers

28th February 201728th February 2017Debra Massey

The Swedish Club has launched a new addition to its portfolio, Rules for Charterers’ Insurance, which has been written to recognise the specific needs of charterers and to ensure that cover can be more easily tailor made to meet their individual requirements.

Rules for Charterers’ Insurance is broken into easy to read topics, enabling brokers and charterers to see at a glance the rules that apply to an individual situation. Future rule amendments can be incorporated in a logical and transparent fashion and not only is it now easier for brokers to find the data they require, but they can also simply refer to the handbook when completing insurance slips.

Lars Malm, Director, Strategic Business Development & Client Relations who headed up the initiative says: “The Swedish Club recognises the importance of charterers to our business and we are delighted to be able to now offer them information specific to their own requirements in a way that improves the user experience for all involved in supporting them.”

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The Swedish Club Delivers on a Firm Foundation

21st February 2017Debra Massey

At the closure of the renewal season The Swedish Club is pleased to report performance in line with expectations and consistent with its strategy of balanced growth on a firm foundation.

Gross tonnage is anticipated to post a 4 to 5 % increase in this policy year, which is coupled with the 8 % growth experienced in 2016. This is the second year in a row The Swedish Club will deliver a zero percent increase to its members.

Lars Rhodin, Managing Director of The Swedish Club says: “We have closed this renewals period on a sound footing, enabling us to continue to support the needs of our members and to deliver on our promise of focusing on quality growth”.

ICS Releases Latest Flag State Performance Table

21st February 201721st February 2017Debra Massey

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its latest Flag State Performance Table which can be downloaded free of charge via the ICS website. See www.ics-shipping.org/docs/flag-state-performance-table

The ICS Table provides an annual overview of the performance of the world’s flag states against a number of criteria such as port state control records, ratification of international maritime Conventions and attendance at IMO meetings. The Table is mainly intended to encourage shipowners and operators to maintain an open dialogue with their flag administrations with respect to any improvements that might be necessary.

ICS Director of Policy & External Relations, Simon Bennett, said:

“This year’s ICS Table continues to highlight the sound performance of all of the world’s major flag administrations, regardless of whether they are open registers or so called ‘traditional’ maritime flags. But in response to feedback from IMO Member States, our member national shipowner associations have agreed to some further refinements in order to make the Table as objective and useful as possible.”

Drive to Promote Hazard Awareness Delivers Results

22nd November 2016Debra Massey

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and The Standard Club have announced the successful conclusion of their ‘Spot the Hazard’ competition for seafarers – part of a major joint initiative to promote hazard awareness throughout the shipping industry.

Seafarers across the world were invited to identify ten hazards within five typical scenes – bridge, deck, engine room, galley and port terminal. The scenarios were supplied in the form of posters which were delivered to shipping companies worldwide. To reinforce the safety messages, after the competition new posters were then issued identifying the hazards on the original scenarios. The level of engagement with the campaign was impressive. More than 1,300 entries were submitted by seafarers from 78 shipping companies, comprising a wide range of nationalities. The competition was also shortlisted for “Innovation of the Year” at the Continuity, Insurance and Risk (CIR) Risk Management Awards.

Competition winners were those entrants who identified the most hazards correctly and whose safety ideas were considered to be the most original and potentially effective for the improvement of onboard safety. Each winner received US$2,000 in recognition of their achievement in beating off stiff competition from over 600 other seafarers. Read more →

The Swedish Club Runs Groundbreaking Seminar in China

17th November 2016Debra Massey

The Swedish Club opened its doors to senior shipowners and brokers from across Asia last week, welcoming them to the Club’s latest Marine Insurance Seminar, specifically designed for the Asian markets.

The event was held in China, at the Zhuhai Marriott Hotel. Run over two days, almost 100 delegates representing China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam participated in the wide ranging programme.

Managing Director and Area Manager in Asia, Ruizong Wang, was delighted with the enthusiasm of the participants: “The Swedish Club works very hard to build strong, mutually beneficial business relationships with members of our local shipping and insurance communities,” he said. “We are one of the few insurers who provides such training to Members in Asia. Feedback from seminar attendees was very positive and we were pleased to learn that the initiative has proved of great value to them. “

Use Training to Direct the Future of Shipping Says ICS Chairman

15th November 2016Debra Massey

Manila 15 November 2016: Training acts not only as a career enhancer, but also plays an essential role in the modernisation of the shipping industry as a whole, said Esben Poulsson, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) today, as he delivered the keynote speech at this year’s Crew Connect Global Conference in Manila.

“The future sustainability of the industry requires an evolutionary response to the training and retention of seafarers,“ he stressed. “We need to do more than simply respond to changing needs, we must learn to anticipate them and thereby control the development of the industry. “

In an uncertain time for the global economy and world trade, and therefore the shipping industry, he pointed out the inevitability that structural change will follow and that operations and trading patterns will also change.