Q88 says market demands need to be strictly listened to when it comes to software solutions

22nd June 2017Elaborate Communications

Software providers need to be more aware of the precise demands being voiced by today’s shipowners and charterers and must match or exceed these if they are to win business in this highly competitive yet still potentially lucrative market, according to a leading player in the sector.

Fritz Heidenreich, President of SaaS technology provider Q88, said “time was running out” for those businesses intent on under-delivering and overcharging when it came to the software products they offered to the market.

“Other companies carry too much overhead from unnecessary functionality and line extensions that the industry does not ask for. We don’t think it is fair to dump those added costs on the end-users,” he said.

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.

Norsafe secures contracts worth more than 200 million NOK

16th June 2017Phil Page

Norsafe is pleased to report that it has secured more than 200 million NOK in LSA contracts that have been put out to tender so far this year.

In addition to the recently announced prestigious contract with Kværner for delivery of three of Norsafe’s largest freefall lifeboats with davit systems to the Njord A platform, Norsafe has won several other significant contracts, both for new builds and upgrade projects.

Among the largest contracts are:

– Replacement of lifeboats on the BP Ula platform

– Replacement of lifeboats on Tambar

– Replacement of davits on the Haven jack-up

– Replacement of lifeboats on the Total Elgin platform in the UK sector of the North Sea

Lifeboat Manufacturer Norsafe Appoints Ex-Scottish International Goalkeeper Jim Leighton MBE

5th June 20175th June 2017Phil Page

Norsafe UK has appointed ex-Scottish International football goalkeeper Jim Leighton MBE as its UK Sales Manager.

Working out of the Aberdeen office, Jim will be responsible for offering Norsafe’s range of high quality safety appliances inclusive of aftersales on all inspection, service and repair to the marine, offshore and oil & gas sectors.

Mr Leighton had a very distinguished 38 year career in football playing for clubs including Aberdeen, Manchester United and Hibernian winning three Scottish league championships, four Scottish cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. He also played 91 times for Scotland and was selected in four World Cup squads.

Having retired from playing professionally in 2000 he turned to coaching and was Aberdeen’s goalkeeping coach during two spells at the club finally leaving at the end of the 2014/15 season to pursue a career outside football.

Before joining Norsafe, Mr Leighton worked as Sales Manager for Universal Inspection, supplier of products and services to the onshore and offshore markets.

“I am delighted to welcome Jim to Norsafe Aberdeen,” said Ronnie Vettese, UK Director, Norsafe UK Ltd. Read more →

“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 →