Norsafe has signed a new contract with the Swedish Coast Guard (KBV)

22nd December 201616th January 2017Phil Page

On Wednesday 21^st December, Norsafe signed another new contract with the Swedish Coast Guard (KBV) to deliver nine new Magnum 750 MKII boats. The boats are specially developed in close cooperation with KBV and are a continuation of seven boats already delivered between 2015 and 2016.

“It is hard to imagine a better Christmas present than this”, said Kjell Sørensen, SVP of sales at Norsafe. “This shows that Norsafe is recognised as a high quality provider of specialised boats. The new boats will be delivered over the course of the new year.”

Hill Dickinson Further Strengthens Marine Practice

22nd December 2016Catherine Varney

International law firm Hill Dickinson has reached an agreement that will bring the shipping practice of Swinnerton Moore LLP to the firm.

The agreement is expected to be finalised by the end of February and will see founding partners Tony Swinnerton and Lewis Moore join Hill Dickinson’s City of London office. Tony and Lewis bring with them an established roster of distinguished clients from across the international marine market.

InterManager President’s New Year message: 2016 tested us, but let’s make 2017 the year that drives us

21st December 20164th January 2017Elaborate Communications

There is no shying away from the fact that 2016 has been a difficult year for our industry. The frighteningly low freight markets domino effect on the whole industry has tested even the most seasoned of maritime professionals.

As owners began to tighten their belts, managers were being squeezed even tighter they had to make decisions based purely on cash flows rather than investment potential. The overall effect being on the quality of service managers can offer not only owners but also seafarers.

Vroon Extends 140-plus Vessel Contract for KVH mini-VSAT Broadband Solution

14th December 2016Phil Page

Successful five-year contract for VSAT broadband connectivity is extended, and more vessels to be provided with KVH’s IP-MobileCast content delivery service and KVH OneCare services

MIDDLETOWN, RI – December 14, 2016 – KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), has announced that Netherlands-based Vroon has extended its contract for KVH’s maritime satellite communications solution, choosing the mini-VSAT Broadband^sm network for connectivity services onboard more than 140 Vroon vessels.

“In working with KVH during the past five years, we realized that having a reliable communications partner is essential to the smooth operation of our vessels and welfare of our crews,” says Rob Frenks, Vroon’s group ICT manager. “We also witnessed firsthand the advantage of the IP-MobileCast entertainment packages in enhancing crew welfare. KVH offers us a total and affordable managed service that brings together proven hardware and a fully integrated global network management system that will support our business for years to come.”

The multi-year contract also includes KVH’s IP-MobileCast^TM service for news, sports, movie, and TV delivery, and preventive maintenance checks to ensure peak performance on all fielded systems as part of the KVH OneCare^TM program.

The Princess Royal begins the Festive Season with The Mission to Seafarers

12th December 20164th January 2017Elaborate Communications

The Mission to Seafarers Annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols took place last week at its headquarters at St Michael Paternoster Royal Church, London.

Once again the charity had the privilege of its President HRH The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence attending. Not only did Her Royal Highness read the first lesson, the congregation were fortunate enough to meet with the charity’s President at the post-service drinks reception in the sumptuous setting of Skinners’ Hall.

Norsafe’s Experience in The Polar Code Pays Off

12th December 201616th December 2016Phil Page

The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters or The Polar Code as it is more familiarly known, is expected to take effect on 1st January 2017.

Adopted by the IMO, this risk and goal based system will be mandatory for any sailing planned in the polar region. A specific risk analysis has to be undertaken to assess and mitigate potential risks to demonstrate compliance with the code.

In readiness for the introduction of the code, Norsafe has become the first LSA supplier to have executed full scale tests and trials during a joint stakeholder SAR-EX (Search and Rescue) expedition in April 2016 with the following stakeholders; Norwegian Coast Guard, Norwegian Maritime Authorities, Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authorities, ENI, DNV-GL and 5 different universities.

ZERO PER CENT FOR THE SWEDISH CLUB

9th December 2016Phil Page

8 December 2016, Bangkok: In a move designed to support owners in difficult trading conditions, for the second year running The Swedish Club has announced a zero per cent general increase for the up-coming P&I renewals 2017-2018.

Speaking at the Club’s Board meeting in Bangkok, Lars Rhodin, Managing Director of The Swedish Club, said that entered tonnage on the P&I side of the business was sustaining controlled growth, a continued appreciation from the Club’s members for the zero general increase previously declared for 2016/2017.

Mr Rhodin told Board members: “This positive result has been ahead of expectations and has demonstrated the importance of the Club’s continuing balanced underwriting approach in a competitive market.”

The Swedish Club Board agreed upon an alternative cover in FD&D of USD 10 million (above the standard of USD 5 million) for legal and associated costs for any one dispute. The general increase was again set to zero per cent.

European Shipping Week 2017 welcomes keynote speakers and panelists

6th December 20169th December 2016Elaborate Communications

European Shipping Week 2017 (ESW2017) is pleased to announce its line-up of high level industry speakers at its flagship conference to be held at Steigenberger Wiltcher’s Hotel in Brussels, on Wednesday 1^st March 2017.

Moderated by Julian Bray, Editor-in-Chief of Tradewinds, the flagship conference will attract up to 400 top industry ship owners and regulatory personnel who will hear from industry specialists on key issues under the overarching theme of: European Shipping Policy: Delivering Global Competitiveness, Quality and Sustainability.

It will begin with delegates being welcomed by the Chairman of ESW2017 and ECSA’s Secretary General, Patrick Verhoeven, who will then hand over to Julian who will introduce Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Transport; Michael Cramer, Chairman of the TRAN Committee at the European Parliament; and also Joe Mizzi, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure in Malta, who will start the Conference by touching on the institutional keynotes.

The Global trends affecting shipping session will include presentations by Märtha Rehnberg, Associate Partner, Dare Disrupt Trade and Alexander Stubb, Member of the European Parliament, Finland. They will then be followed by Jos Delbeke, Director-General DG Climate Action in the European Commission. After a Q&A session, Kyriakos Anastassiadis, CEO, Celestyal Cruises; Marialaura Dell’Abate, Amoretti Armatori Group; Mark Dickinson, General Secretary, Nautilus International; Trond Hodne, Business Director, DNV GL Maritime; Henriette Thygessen, CEO, Svitzer and Melina Travlou, CEO, Neptune Lines will contribute to the presentations.

Extension of EUNAVFOR mandate is necessary and welcome to counter continuing piracy threat

5th December 20169th December 2016Elaborate Communications

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has welcomed the extension of EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta, following a decision by the EU Council, which will continue to see military forces deployed for counter piracy operations in the Western Indian Ocean until December 2018.

ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe said: “The presence of military forces is an essential component of the package of government actions that has helped to suppress the activities of Somali pirates, in support of the protective measures that continue to be taken by the shipping industry. Ship operators and seafarers will be very pleased that EUNAVFOR has announced its ongoing commitment to these vital counter piracy activities.

ARMITT GROUP SIGNS CONTRACT WITH HUTCHISON PORTS TO BUILD STEEL HANDLING FACILITY AT LONDON THAMESPORT

2nd December 20162nd December 2016Phil Page

The Armitt Group, a respected UK shipping agent and specialist logistics company, has signed an agreement with Hutchison Ports for a purpose built, 120,000 square feet specialist steel handling facility at London Thamesport.

Construction of the first phase of 60,000 square feet is currently well underway with completion expected by the end of April 2017. Freight will move through the facility as early as May 2017.

The opening of a specialist steel terminal at London Thamesport is significant. This deep water facility will offer reduced sea freight distances for both short and deep sea steel importers as well as superb rail links straight into the heart of the United Kingdom.

Commenting on the agreement, Nicholas Marshall, Commercial Director of The Armitt Group, said:

“With no lock, beam or draft restrictions to be concerned about, delivering break bulk into London Thamesport is an attractive proposition for importers.

“Sailing times will be cut by three to four days compared to ports on the UK’s west coast or those further up the east coast. When you consider the savings to be made on fuel, travel time and port costs, plus the reduction in CO2 emissions, delivering into London Thamesport is an easy decision for importers to make.

“We have had significant enquiries from current and prospective clients who realise the multiple advantages in sailing directly into a rail connected, deep water facility and being able to use larger vessels over shorter sailing distances.”