Addressing delegates at the 4th Asian Marine Insurance Conference, BraemarSA’s Far-East Regional Director, Graeme Temple spoke of the root causes of machinery damage, citing a lack of focus on traditional training as a major concern.
Month: November 2016
Hill Dickinson’s Maria Pittordis wins at the Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards
International Law Firm, Hill Dickinson LLP, is proud to announce that Maria Pittordis, head of marine, trade and energy has won Defendant Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year at the Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards.
The Eclipse Awards, which aim to encourage and reward high standards of practice, are now in their ninth year and growing, with well over 400 guests in attendance at this year’s event, held on 24th November at The Grange St. Paul’s Hotel, London. Read more
Mark Woodhead Named KVH Senior Vice President for Training and Content
Mr. Woodhead will succeed Nigel Cleave, retiring CEO of Videotel, and will guide KVH’s growth in maritime crew welfare, safety, and productivity
MIDDLETOWN, RI, and LONDON, UK – November 7, 2016 – KVH Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI), announced today that Mark Woodhead has been named to the newly created position of KVH senior vice president for training and content, effective on the first of January 2017. In this position, Mr. Woodhead will direct KVH’s market-leading maritime crew welfare, safety, and productivity services, which include Videotel maritime training packages – currently in use on more than 12,000 vessels worldwide – and numerous news and entertainment brands, such as NEWSlink – currently used by more than 9,000 vessels globally.
Mr. Woodhead has been managing director of KVH’s news and entertainment brands since 2013 and will succeed Nigel Cleave, following the planned decision by Videotel’s CEO to retire at the end of the year. Mr. Woodhead’s new position will bring KVH’s maritime training, news, and entertainment under one umbrella for the first time.
“Mark has nearly 20 years’ experience providing commercially licenced, industry-leading content to the commercial maritime, retail, and hospitality sectors, and we are thrilled to have him direct our comprehensive efforts to provide top quality maritime training programs and tremendously popular news and entertainment services as part of a total KVH solution,” says Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH’s CEO. “Using KVH’s market leading mini-VSAT Broadband service to deliver this content makes KVH a complete provider for improving shipping industry productivity and economic performance.”
KVH Announces NEWSlink Live Service with Richer Content to Enhance Digital Life at Sea
NEWSlink Live provides 24/7 world news and ‘play-by-play’ live sports reports to a wide variety of seafarers’ own devices
MIDDLETOWN, RI, and LIVERPOOL, UK – November 14, 2016 – KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), is introducing NEWSlinkTM Live, a new digital content service for crew, at the CrewConnect Global conference, in Manila, November 15-16. This next-generation service enables seafarers to receive richer, more dynamic news, sports, finance, and entertainment content on their personal devices, and builds on KVH’s industry-leading NEWSlink service, in use on more than 9,000 vessels worldwide. NEWSlink Live offers crew a powerful digital wireless experience that supports all computers and mobile devices for easy access, while optimising satellite communications bandwidth and costs. NEWSlink Live delivers the existing daily NEWSlink print editions in an enhanced digital format, and also provides free access to a 24/7 world news feed, a unique ‘play-by-play’ live sports feed, and additional supplementary feeds and media services. This enhanced service is enabled by a customised mini-media player, supplied free of charge with every subscription.
“NEWSlink Live creates an improved experience for seafarers and provides a logical ‘next-step’ service to enhance NEWSlink’s existing daily and weekly newspaper service,” says Mark Woodhead, KVH senior vice president for training and content. “NEWSlink Live extends KVH’s commitment to provide the best content services at sea. We can now deliver news in whatever format best suits the vessel and its capabilities – NEWSlink print editions, the richer content of NEWSlink Live, or KVH’s unique IP-MobileCastTM content delivery service, which provides even more with NEWSlink TV.”
As a thought leader in the maritime industry, KVH is the platinum sponsor of the 2016 CrewConnect Global conference, together with maritime training provider VideotelTM, a KVH company. In addition to the NEWSlink Live presentation, there will be a Videotel demo during the conference to showcase a next-generation virtual experience using the latest and most powerful technology of the HTC Vive virtual reality (VR) system. The VR demo will enable users to explore a virtual 360˚ engine room space, and be able to perform a maintenance task with the use of wireless motion tracking controllers. “This virtual reality demonstration is a great example of how Videotel is constantly looking to the future and staying ahead of the industry to provide better services and a better understanding of how crews’ competency and well-being can have a dramatic impact on vessel performance,” says Mr. Woodhead. In addition to the NEWSlink service and Videotel maritime training programmes, KVH offers a wide range of solutions for the maritime industry. These services include mini-VSAT Broadbandsm connectivity, TracPhone® VIP-series satellite communications hardware, the IP-MobileCast content delivery service, and the comprehensive KVH OneCare™ service and support programme – a complete solution that KVH refers to as the Power of OneTM.
More Fleets Turn to KVH’s IP-MobileCast Service for Competitive Advantage
New and expanding customers cite cost containment and improved recruiting and retention as among the business benefits
MIDDLETOWN, RI – November 21, 2016 – KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), announced today that numerous global fleets have subscribed to or expanded their deployments of its IP-MobileCastTM content delivery service in recent months, reflecting the increased importance that ship managers are placing on the competitive advantages of a focus on staffing optimization.
Major fleets that have selected the IP-MobileCast content delivery service recently include:
- Navigator Gas, operator of a fleet of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers with worldwide clients, selected IP-MobileCast for 28 vessels.
- OSG Ship Management, one of the world’s leading energy transportation services companies, has chosen IP-MobileCast for more than 20 vessels.
- Wisby Ship Management, operator of a global fleet of tankers, is providing 18 vessels with IP-MobileCast content delivery.
- Klaveness Ship Management, an Oslo, Norway-based global fleet operator has selected IP-MobileCast for more than 10 vessels in its container and bulk fleet.
- Valles Steamship (Canada) Ltd., of Vancouver, a long-time customer of KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadbandsm SATCOM services, recently added IP-MobileCast content delivery for six vessels.
- United States Seafoods, a major North American seafood company, has subscribed to IP-MobileCast for three vessels, enabling their seafarers to receive content via their personal devices.
Drive to Promote Hazard Awareness Delivers Results
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
Mersey Maritime Gears Up For Third Industry Awards
Mersey Maritime CEO Chris Shirling-Rooke
Plans are underway for the highly-anticipated Mersey Maritime Industry Awards (MMIA) 2017 with the four Diamond Sponsors and the Drinks Sponsor already secured for the third annual event.
The MMIAs are organised by sector representative body Mersey Maritime, and the Awards recognise the excellence and diversity that exists across all sectors of the maritime industry in the North West and the Isle of Man.
The 2017 MMIAs’ four Diamond Sponsors are demolition and remediation experts Beech Group, Liverpool John Moores University, port operator Peel Ports Group, and training provider in the maritime industry Stream Marine Training.
The Swedish Club Runs Groundbreaking Seminar in China
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. “
We MUST future proof our industry, says InterManager
InterManager, the third party and in-house ship management association, has urged the maritime industry not to neglect its duty in ensuring a sustainable future.
Speaking at CrewConnect Global, InterManager’s President Bjørn Jebsen and Secretary-General Capt Kuba Szymanski spoke of the necessity of working closely with key decision makers to maintain a resilient industry.
Use Training to Direct the Future of Shipping Says ICS Chairman
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.
Hill Dickinson Appoints First Chief Operating Officer
Hill Dickinson has today announced that it has hired Iain Johnston as its first Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Iain Johnston, who will take up the position of COO this month, will be charged with further strengthening Hill Dickinson’s position in the marketplace, accelerating the firm’s development and overseeing the day to day operations of the business.
With extensive knowledge of running international businesses, Iain brings over 25 years’ experience in marketing services and business development, including leading or working with the Boards of companies undergoing rapid change and strategic growth. In addition, Iain has founded, developed and sold or floated several technology businesses. Read more
Increase Maintenance To Prevent Engine Room Fires, Warns Braemar (Incorporating The Salvage Association)
BraemarSA has warned that a lack of maintenance has led to a significant increase in engine room fires according to its latest Asia Market Briefing.
Analysing the trends report, its author, Graeme Temple, Far East Regional Director at BraemarSA, said: “Engine room fires remain all too common a problem, and during the Summer we saw a dramatic increase. Since attending these casualties we found that typically these fires are being caused by volatile vapours impinging on hot surfaces from technical failures that are down to a lack of maintenance and basic routine visual inspection.
“If we look at the trends recorded during the Spring, the Far East team for BraemarSA only attended two fire casualties, so the increase of 150% should be a wakeup call for owners and managers not neglect regular maintenance, especially on aging vessels and for crews to remember basic watch keeping practice. It also remains the case that engine failures accounts for nearly 50% of what we do.”
In its Quarterly Asia Market Briefing, Braemar SA has analysed vessel casualties it has attended in the quarter June to August of this year. Other notable trends compared to the Spring report, include a reduction in the number of structural casualties and a decrease in the number of contact/collision casualties.
Changes And Challenges Are Tough On The World’s Ship Masters
Bullying, micro-management of his activities and the threat of going to jail while doing his job, remain major pressures for the Masters of merchant ships – and the situation is getting worse.
‘Masters Under Attack – Authority and Responsibility in an Age of Instant Access’ was the topic discussed by an expert panel at the Cadwallader Debate, organised by the London Shipping Law Centre (LSLC), at Drapers’ Hall, London.
The panel, chaired by Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony, consisted of Debate Moderator Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of InterManager; Michael Chalos, Partner at K&L Gates LLP (New York); Michael Kelleher, Director at West of England P&I Club; Jeff Lantz, Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards at the US Coast Guard; and Faz Peermohamed, Partner and Head of Global Shipping at Ince & Co.
ICS Tells UN Climate Conference That IMO Needs to Agree Ambitious CO2 Commitments for Shipping by 2018
At the UNFCCC Climate Conference (COP 22), in Marrakesh, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) said that the recent International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreement on a CO2 Road Map for shipping is a significant decision giving further impetus to the substantial CO2 reductions that are already being delivered by the global industry.
Simon Bennett, Director Policy & External Relations, ICS
At an official UNFCCC side event organised by IMO today, ICS Director of Policy and External Relations, Simon Bennett, said:
“We are very optimistic that initial CO2 reduction objectives can now be developed by IMO for the sector by 2018. The shipping industry thinks these should reflect the spirit and ambition of the Paris Agreement while being appropriate to the circumstances that apply to international shipping – just as the commitments made by governments to UNFCCC reflect the circumstances of different national economies.”
ICS says that the IMO Road Map (agreed by the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee at the end of October) will build on the mandatory CO2 reduction regulations for shipping already adopted by IMO – four years before the Paris Agreement was adopted – which will ensure that ships built after 2025 will be at least 30% more efficient.
Thome Welcomes Singapore Government’s Possible Intervention to Support Marine and Offshore Sectors
Thome has welcomed the recent announcement by the minister of trade and industry S. Iswaran that the Singapore government is working in consultation with the marine and offshore engineering sectors, plus the region’s financial institutions, to review the possible need for measures to help them recover from the economic downturn prolonged by the recent slump in oil prices.
Government-backed loans are already provided which help small businesses deal with cash flow issues but the offshore sector has been particularly hard hit by the recession with thousands of job losses.
“A healthy marine industry is crucial to the Singapore economy and so it is good news that the government is taking a serious look at how it might help those sectors of the industry struggling to stay afloat.” said Claes Eek Thorstensen, President of the Thome Group.
KVH Adds NEWSlink Editions in Japanese and Korean, Expanding the News Service’s Reach
Leading provider of international news for seafarers extends its Far East coverage, now addresses the crew welfare needs of the majority of the world’s seafarers
MIDDLETOWN, RI, and LIVERPOOL, UK – October 31, 2016 – KVH Media Group, part of KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), has expanded its market-leading NEWSlinkTM portfolio with
the launch of two new daily local language editions in Japanese and Korean. These new versions raise the count to nearly 110 NEWSlink editions in 23 languages and, together, they reflect KVH’s ability to address the crew welfare needs of seafarers around the world. NEWSlink now produces editions in the native languages of the majority of the world’s seafarers.
The Japanese and Korean editions are standard four-page newspapers delivered seven days a week, following the style of most NEWSlink titles. Each title covers the key daily political, general, financial, sporting, and entertainment news stories from those countries in the local language, and joins NEWSlink’s offering of high-quality daily and weekly newspaper digests, which are currently enjoyed by seafarers and cruise guests on more than 9,000 vessels around the world.
Peter Jackson elected as Hill Dickinson’s first Chief Executive Officer
Hill Dickinson has today announced that Peter Jackson has been elected as the firm’s first Chief Executive Officer and will take up his new position immediately.
Jackson’s appointment by the partners of Hill Dickinson, which was unopposed, is part of an enhancement of Hill Dickinson’s management structure with the aim of improving the agility and efficiency of the business, making it more responsive to clients’ needs.
The changes also see long time Senior Partner David Wareing take up the role of Chairman. Read more