Month: March 2012

United States Coast Guard Chooses Videotel on Demand

Debra Massey

CMA Shipping has a tradition of bringing the international shipping community together, and so Videotel Marine International is delighted to use Shipping 2012 as the platform to announce that The United States Coast Guard
(USCG) in Yorktown, Virginia, which trains Port State Control Officers, has taken delivery of three Videotel on Demand (VOD) units.

The units are pre-loaded with top quality marine safety and operational training videos, computer-based training materials (CBT) and instructional courses. Comprehensive and interactive, the training material will be used by the USCG to augment existing Port State Control Office training.

“We are delighted to be supporting the USCG’s efforts,” said Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel. “Towards the end of last year we worked with the US Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection agency to develop a training programme which offered a new and updated approach to US Port State Control. We welcome the opportunity to once again contribute to the training needs within this complex and important environment.”

Videotel is the world’s leading multi-media producer of high quality maritime safety training software and materials serving the international maritime community today. As well as its award-winning videos, programmes and courses on board over 10,000 vessels, Videotel has the largest portfolio of maritime CBT materials in the world. With 800 titles and over 100 million training hours accomplished to date, Videotel is dedicated to promoting the learning of hundreds of thousands of seafarers across the world.

Intermanager President: “Not Paying Ransoms Would Be Massively Detrimental To The Industry”

Elaborate Communications

Any move at government level to ban the payment of ransoms to pirates would have a massively detrimental effect on the risk to the world’s seafarers and the global economy, according to Alastair Evitt, Managing Director of Meridian Marine Management, President of InterManager and the newly appointed Chairman of the Save Our Seafarers Campaign.

Addressing the opening session of this year’s Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) conference in Stamford, USA, Mr Evitt said not only would such a ban have an impact on the willingness of any crew to transit high risk areas, but any owner who then did not pay a ransom for his crew and vessel would be unlikely to ever attract a crew again.

Responding to comments that came out of the recent London conference on Somalia where governments called for a move to not pay ransoms to pirates, he said many vessels would be forced to reroute with the subsequent effect on costs. “And for those forced to transit pirate areas, insurance premiums would become prohibitive – to say nothing of the fact that in many cases vessels would become a total loss after six months,” he said.

“I for one would not sanction one of Meridian’s vessels transiting the high risk area – if there was no ultimate solution in the event of a vessel and her crew being held captive.”

Addressing conference delegates, he said: “I speak as Chairman of the Save Our Seafarers campaign when I say that we are opposing this apparent change of political will and hope we can rely on your support.”

Referring to the future for the seafarer, Mr Evitt said crew recruitment, retention and development would resurface as a major challenge as the shipping industry recovers from this recession: “What will tomorrow’s crews expect by way of remuneration (to make up for stagnant salaries): social media onboard and security to name but a few. As an industry I believe we will also have to pay more attention to cultural issues and onboard integration.”

Working as part of a team is essential in difficult economic times, and none more so than when it comes to the interaction between ship operators and suppliers. “Shipoperating requires joined-up thinking between everyone involved and your ship supplier should be seen as a key team player who can make a significant contribution if they are allowed to,” he said.

So how can ship managers provide better services to their clients? Alastair Evitt said: “InterManager is, investing both time and money in the development of operational and safety key performance indicators and is convinced that with the right measurement tools, facilitating improved management services to our principles will be the next game changer in our sector.”

Asia-Europe Trade Takes New Boxship Capacity

Elaborate Communications

Asia-Europe trade has soaked up the majority of new boxship capacity over the past two years, according to leading international shipbroker Braemar Seascope, which reports that 56% of new boxship capacity delivered was deployed on Asia – Europe and Asia – Mediterranean trades.

Over the past two years 2.6m teu of fully cellular newbuilding capacity has been delivered.
The vast majority of these newbuildings joined main line Asia – Northern Europe and Asia – Mediterranean trades. During the years 2010 and 2011, Braemar Seascope estimates that in the region of 1.5m teu, accounting for more than half of all newbuilding capacity entering service, was initially deployed on those east-west trade lanes.

During 2011, 59 post panamax containerships, with an average capacity of 11,500 teu, entered Asia-Europe services, adding 680,000 teu of fresh capacity. Additionally, 15 containerships of an average 8,400 teu were delivered and deployed on Asia – Mediterranean and a developing Asia – Middle East trade lane, adding more than 125,000 teu of new capacity.

A trade lane of noticeable deployment growth over the past two years is the Asia- East Coast South America route, which recorded approximately 40 newbuildings enter service, including some comparatively high reefer capacity vessels exceeding 7,000 teu nominal capacity which were introduced by Maersk Line and Hamburg Sued. In 2011, this emerging Latin American container route accounted for more than 10% of all new capacity commissioned.

Another developing container trade lane, Asia – West Africa, witnessed deployment of 11 newbuildings last year, including the first of a newbuilding series of 22 x 4,500 teu geared vessels designed specifically for the growing trade between West Africa and Asia.

Jonathan Roach, Senior Container Analyst at Braemar Seascope, said: “For the next three years going forward we expect another four million teu to hit the water, which includes approximately 150 containerships with a nominal capacity of 10,000 teu or more.”

ISSA Encourages Ship Suppliers To Go Green

Elaborate Communications

Ship suppliers are being encouraged to ensure “green” measures are central to their core business practices.

The International Shipsuppliers & Services Association (ISSA) is encouraging its members to implement green policies and achieve internationally-recognised environmental standards under its flagship Green ISSA initiative.

ISSA President Jens Olsen said: “We believe that the modern ship supply industry must have environmental considerations at the heart of its business practices and we encouraged to see that many of our members are already working towards achieving international environmental standards.”

ISSA, which has almost 2,000 members worldwide, is strongly encouraging its members to achieve the International Organisation for Standardisation’s ISO 140000 certification. Standards for environmental management systems are set out in ISO14001:2004, while ISO14004:2004 gives general guidelines for companies initiating environmental policies.

In addition to complying with international regulations, there are numerous ways in which ship suppliers can ensure their business takes proper consideration of environmental concerns including:
• Minimising waste
• Introducing biodegradable packaging
• Ensuring fridges and freezers are operating efficiently and economically
• Avoiding unnecessary delivery journeys to vessels
• Using vehicles with low emissions or that run on eco-fuels

Mr Olsen pointed out: “In addition to helping the environment, some of these measures can save companies money themselves – particularly by consolidating deliveries to ports which now charge fees of up to $100 per visit.”

Environmental measures are on the agenda for discussion during the forthcoming ISSA Annual Convention meeting in Cadiz, Spain, from May 25-26.

ICS: Shipping Needs Global Legislation Not Unilateral Measures

Elaborate Communications

Balancing environmental aspirations with economic realities, but also with political realities is not easy, ICS Chairman Spyros M Polemis is set to tell delegates at the influential CMA Conference in Connecticut this week.

In a speech entitled “Balancing Environmental Aspirations With Economic Realities,” Mr Polemis will:
• highlight the danger of aspirational legislation
• stress that shipping is a global industry requiring global rules
• urge legislators to ensure their proposed environmental legislation is compatible with technical and economic realities

Urging US States not to implement their own rules, Mr Polemis is set to point out: “If major trading nations such as the US adopt rules that are at variance to those agreed by governments at IMO we have chaos and if individual US States decide to implement their own rules in conflict with Federal requirements, it is even worse – we actually run the risk of double chaos.”

In particular, Mr Polemis will highlight the issues of ballast water management and sulphur emissions – pointing out the need to ensure enough low sulphur fuel is available to enable the international shipping community to meet low emissions requirements and the need to establish that equipment actually exists to meet ballast water treatment standards.

He will also discuss industry concerns that Market Based Measures may be seen by some governments as fund-raising opportunities with the shipping industry viewed as a “cash cow” by some.

He will conclude that shipping should be treated like a sovereign state in its own right: “A ship may be flagged in one country, and owned in another, while the cargo carried will be of economic benefit to a variety of different importing and exporting nations. This is why we need to maintain a special global regime for shipping,” he is set to say.

InterManager President To Chair Save Our Seafarers

Elaborate Communications

Alastair Evitt, President of InterManager and Managing Director of Meridian Marine Management Ltd, has been appointed chairman of the Save Our Seafarers campaign.

Mr Evitt, who was previously SOS vice chairman, succeeds Giles Heimann who is stepping down to concentrate on his role as Secretary General of the International Maritime Employers’ Committee Ltd

Save Our Seafarers (SOS) was launched in March 2011. It is calling for unified action to raise awareness of the human and economic cost of Somali piracy, and for greater political will to be shown by governments in their actions on this critical issue. The internationally important campaign has gained support across more than 190 countries worldwide.

Through its internationally-recognised website, SOS provides up to date information and resources which highlight the effect of international pirate activity on the shipping industry, particularly the world’s seafarers who risk robbery, captivity and even death.

SOS has produced a short video highlighting the human and economic cost of Somali piracy. The six-minute video highlights the significant threat of Somali piracy attacks for the worldwide seafarer community and potentially for world trade itself.
The video can be viewed by the following direct link: http://youtube/xgq71beY9Jc

Alastair Evitt, a former Master Mariner, has spent 36 years in the marine industry, including 15 years at sea before coming ashore to work in Ship Management in 1990.

He has occupied senior management roles in Cyprus and Singapore for a large third party ship manager before returning to the UK to take up his present position as Managing Director of Liverpool based Meridian Marine Management.

Alastair was elected President of InterManager in November 2010. As President, Alastair has worked hard on behalf of the association’s membership to raise the profile of the ship management industry and taken a central role in a number of industry campaigns, including the Save our Seafarers steering committee, which he was elected chairman of in March 2012.

He is also a Fellow of the Nautical Institute and Vice Chairman of the NW Branch, he has previously served on the committees of both the Cyprus Shipping Council and the Singapore Shipping Association. He was appointed as a Councillor to the Singapore Shipping Association in 2003.

Hutton’s Appoints General Manager

Elaborate Communications

Hutton’s, the UK’s leading ship supplier, has appointed a General Manager to work at its new head office in Hull, England.

David Greenwood brings to Hutton’s a wealth of experience having been responsible for running international logistics and supply operations for almost 20 years.

He has been responsible for start-ups, growth and change management and operations for companies such as UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Tibbett & Britten and Whitbread. More recently he managed the food and non-food supply chain for the MoD into Iraq during the Gulf War, and since 2009 he has successfully managed a ship chandler company in Dubai, UAE.

David, who joined Hutton’s on March 1st, will assume responsibility for the overall day-to-day management of Hutton’s, enabling Managing Director Alex Taylor to focus on the company’s overseas projects and new ventures.

Alex Taylor said: “David’s international experience of shipchandling and indeed the logistics and supply chain will bring an added dimension to the already strong management team at Hutton’s.”

David Greenwood said: “I am proud to have joined Hutton’s and I look forward to helping the company to further enhance its customer service and the comprehensive range of services we offer to the market.”
—ends—

Notes to Editors:
• Hutton’s has developed as the UK’s one-stop shop facility providing the full range of products and services to the International Shipping and the Offshore Industry.
• Hutton’s recently took over a large new head office premises in Witty Street, Hull, incorporating 3,000sqft of frozen and chilled warehousing, four temperature-controlled dock levellers and a customs-approved bonded warehouse
• Photograph of David Greenwood available

Braemar Release Second Edition of their Highly Praised Guide to Hull & Machinery

Debra Massey

Marine survey reports frequently contain engineering terminology which can often be unfamiliar to the non engineers in the wider spectrum of the shipping industry. In an attempt to bridge this gap Braemar (Incorporating the Salvage Association) has released the second edition of their Guide to Hull & Machinery, a key reference book covering some of the common terminology used for ships, their engines, and ship’s related operation, which is often encountered in survey reports.

The first version of the Guide to Hull & Machinery, released last year, was met with such enthusiasm by the marine insurance market that Braemar have now produced a new enhanced version. The second edition includes additional data such as explanations on gross and net register tonnages, subdivision and load line, deck mooring fittings and lifting appliances, whilst some useful guide formulas are included on selection of wires and synthetic ropes.

In the machinery section data can be found on gear boxes, fuel and lube oil systems, purifiers and transmission systems, whilst the sheer scale of marine engines in comparison to a human body can now be appreciated on the section of typical propulsion engines.

Dino Levantis, Business Director for the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe region of Braemar (Incorporating the Salvage Association) is the lead author of the publication. “The intention has been to keep it simple,” he explains. “Targeted at experienced marine professionals and newcomers alike it is not intended as an unwieldy dictionary of terminology but as a quick reference tool with easily understood illustrations that covers the essentials in a user friendly way.”

The guide is available in hard copy or pdf and is free of charge to those working in marine claims and insurance. For further information or a copy of the guide please contact Charlotte Ward, Head of Marketing and Client Relations at Braemar (Incorporating the Salvage Association) at charlotte.ward@braemar.com

Tokyo MOU Inspections Highlight Perils of Poor Maintenance Warns Cargo Care

Debra Massey

A recent state inspection campaign that raises concerns over multiple problems with hatch openings should be welcomed by the industry, is the message from Peter Peltenburg, Group Director of Cargo Care Solutions. “We cut corners on maintenance at our peril. As the economic downturn bites the industry has seen a shift to lower quality products, and a less systematic approach to scheduled maintenance. This is false economy, and the results of this campaign show that ship owners are ultimately paying for these short cuts.”

The comments were made after a state inspection campaign supported by Tokyo MoU revealed a large number of vessel deficiencies relating to cargo hatch openings, and reported one casualty during the campaign period.

“Whilst operators are aware of the need to keep cargo in good condition, it’s all too easy to overlook the fact that hatch covers are essential to protect and keep the structural safety of a vessel,” he adds. “There have been a number of vessel losses known which were due to the loss of the weathertight integrity of the hatch covers. Some include human casualties.”

Approximately a third of all P&I claims are cargo-related. Numerous of these cases are related to ingress of seawater via the hatch covers of dry cargo vessels. According to P&I clubs, reports of leaking hatch covers are the most frequent cause for selecting a vessel for an unscheduled condition survey.

“Increased investment and attention to hatch cover maintenance and repairs may save the shipowners’ money from cargo claims,” explains Peter. “It’s a simple calculation, but one which is so often overlooked. We need a report like this to remind us that seemingly minor short cuts in maintenance can lead to major problems.”

Cargo Care Solutions has a long history in the field of cargo access equipment. As the former after-sales network of Macor Neptun and SEOHAE Marine System, it has more than 30 years of experience in its field and supplies parts and services for all types and brands of maritime cargo access equipment.