Month: January 2012

Braemar (incorporating The Salvage Association) Announces New Regional Director for Key Market

Debra Massey

Braemar (incorporating The Salvage Association) is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Gayton to the key role of Regional Director, Americas. He will take responsibility for strengthening and growing Braemar’s surveyor presence in this important region and for engaging more directly with the local New York market, focusing on its traditional hull & machinery business and also on the marine consultancy services provided to P&I clubs and marine lawyers.

“As a base to service both the Americas region and the wider global market, New York has been a key location for our business since we first opened an office in the city 100 years ago,” said Nigel Clark, Managing Director of Braemar (incorporating The Salvage Association). “Richard is ideally suited to take forward our strategy in this area and his appointment represents a move to the next stage of the Company’s development. I’m delighted we have been able to secure the services of such an able and experienced marine professional for one of our most senior positions.”

Richard joins Braemar (incorporating The Salvage Association) from The American P&I Club where he was Vice President/Principal Surveyor of their Surveys and Technical Services Department. Prior to that he worked as a staff surveyor with The Salvage Association based in the New York office and will therefore bring to the role an impressive combination of Salvage Association culture, hull and machinery expertise and experience of working with a major P&I Club.

ICS Publishes New Flag State Table

Elaborate Communications

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its latest annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table – see www.ics-shipping.org/flag-performance.htm

The Table collates various data available in the public domain. Under the supervision of ICS’s member national shipowners’ associations, the presentation of the Table for 2011 has been modified slightly in order to address feedback from governments.

However the purpose is the same: to encourage shipowners to examine whether a flag state has substance before using it and to encourage them to pressure their flag administration to effect any improvement that might be necessary.

ICS believes that a balance has to be struck between the commercial advantages of shipowners selecting a particular flag and the need to discourage the use any flag that does not meet its international obligations. While it is shipping companies that have primary responsibility for the safe operation of their ships it is the flag state that must enforce the rules.

ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe explained: “ICS makes no apology for continuing to subject flag states to scrutiny, in the same way that ships and company procedures are rightly subjected to inspection by governments. Our overriding interest in promoting high performing flags is that they are less likely to tolerate sub-standard operators who would otherwise enjoy an unfair commercial advantage over the vast majority of fully compliant shipping companies”.

The Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table 2011 is available from national shipowners’ associations or via the ICS website – see www.ics-shipping.org/flag-performance.htm
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Notes To Editors:
• The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for shipowners, with member national associations from 36 countries representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world merchant fleet.

MAJ Officer Returns With Doctorate in Marine Policy

Elaborate Communications

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica is delighted to announce the return of its Director of Shipping Policy Eric Deans who has completed a Ph.D in Marine Policy at the University of Delaware.

Dr Deans is well known throughout the shipping industry and has worked for the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) for 11 years. This month he resumes his responsibility as Director of Shipping Policy and Research and Registrar General for the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, which was administered in his absence by Mr Seymour Harley, who now returns to his role as Registrar of Ships.

Rear Admiral Peter Brady, MAJ Director General, said: “We welcome Dr Deans and congratulate him on his success. We are delighted that Dr. Deans has pursued research that will immediately impact the work of the MAJ.”

During his Ph.D studies Dr Deans conducted timely and relevant research which focused on cargo flow dynamics – in particular, how containerized traffic is impacted by the Panama Canal expansion. Dr Deans explained: “Since Jamaica is strategically located close to the Panama Canal, my research provides up-to-date insights that could allow Jamaica to capitalize on maritime opportunities with North America and South America, the Caribbean and Asia. The research analysed shippers’ preferences for ports and designed a model that could be used to prioritize investments in ports.”

During his sabbatical Dr Deans also acted as Jamaica’s representative to the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee and served as a member of the IMO Expert Group on market based measures to reduce ship emissions. The strong environmental component of the academic program also provided support for his participation as a delegate. Dr Deans authored a proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emission from ships through port state control measures. This proposal was presented by Jamaica at the 62nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the IMO.

Rear Admiral Brady said: “Completing the highest academic degree is a considerable accomplishment and the MAJ congratulates Dr. Deans and looks forward to his future contributions to Jamaica’s maritime development.”

Videotel and the MNTB Join Forces to Promote Good Practice in On Board Training and Simplify the Training Minefield

Debra Massey

Every industry has its training needs. However the unique operating environment within the maritime sector, particularly on board a vessel, means that new recruits can be faced with a daunting array of training requirements and options. The Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) has responded to this, working with Videotel Marine International to launch a new familiarisation programme entitled On Board Training which showcases good practice in on board training, describes and illustrates UK training programmes at sea and demonstrates the broad spectrum of training opportunities available to officer and rating trainees.

“Commercial shipping is a crucial component of our worldwide transport system,” says Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel. “We need highly trained officers and ratings for the operators and charterers of ships worldwide. Through this training programme the MNTB demonstrates the opportunities available in this worthwhile and rewarding job, whilst at the same time boosting trainees’ confidence and enthusiasm for a future career at sea. “

On Board Training also focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the Company Training Officer, the Designated Shipboard Training Officer, The Master, the Chief Engineer and all the training providers on board.

Founded by the Chamber of Shipping, the MNTB is the authoritative centre of expertise and information on careers, qualifications, skill needs and issues in the industry. It provides education and training frameworks to develop high quality British seafarers who are respected worldwide for their professionalism and skill. It co-ordinates the work of shipping companies, academic establishments and trades unions across the world and is approved by the United Kingdom’s certification agency – the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The programme is available on DVD accompanied by a Training Record Book which provides guidance for, as well as proof of, the work that trainees are required to undertake and perform competently during their training periods at sea. This is a crucial element for consideration by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in their decision whether or not to grant a certificate of competency to a trainee seafarer.

Videotel Calls for Effective Training and Regulation to Avoid Tragedy When Shipping Dangerous Bulk Cargoes

Debra Massey

Whatever the cause of the recent loss of the Vinalines Queen and crew, the message for the industry is a stark one – greater enforcement of the regulations laid down in the IMSBC (International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargo) code is essential, together with effective training for shipowners and crews to deal with what can be the catastrophic effects of an unsafe cargo.

The tragedy has again raised issues relating to badly managed dangerous cargoes, particularly when compared with the loss of three similar vessels through cargo liquefaction just over a year ago.

“There seems to have been an industry view amongst many that liquefaction of cargo is a rare occurrence, but the facts are now speaking for themselves, ”explains Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel Marine International. “It is only through training and education that we can get the message home that such tragedies can be prevented – not only through avoidance of the risk itself, but through following the proper procedures should a problem occur during the voyage.”

Nigel Cleave adds, “The conclusion drawn every time must be that nothing should be loaded and transported unless everyone involved is 100% sure that it is safe to do so. We can provide the training and support to help them be sure.”

Videotel’s very latest 2012 training programme, Dangerous and Difficult Bulk Cargoes – Minerals and Man-Made Derivatives, sets out clearly how to deal with potentially dangerous mineral based cargoes as specified in the IMSBC code. In particular, the programme looks at how ship’s personnel can greatly reduce the chances of loading an unsafe cargo by verifying shipper’s documentation and figures given for temperature and/or moisture content. It also impresses on all crew involved the necessity of regular monitoring of the cargo condition within the hold while under passage, which is essential to controlling atmospheres or maintaining stability.

The course is aimed at all shipowners and onboard crew who regularly transport dangerous cargoes and is available as a DVD with supporting booklet and an interactive CD-ROM.