Month: March 2018

92% of Seafarers Strongly Influenced By Internet Access When Choosing Where to Work, According to Futurenautics Survey

Phil Page

The Crew Connectivity 2018 Survey Report, sponsored by KVH Industries and Intelsat, shows digital transformation underway in the maritime industry

Middletown, RI – March 28, 2018 – Roger Adamson, Futurenautics Maritime’s chief executive officer, presented to a London audience yesterday the key findings from his research organization’s newly released Crew Connectivity 2018 Survey Report, sponsored by KVH Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI) and Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I). The report is based on a survey of 6,000 serving seafarers, the largest sample to date to complete the wide-ranging questionnaire covering onboard attitudes to the digital transformation sweeping the industry.

According to the report, more seafarers than ever have access to connectivity: Some 75% of seafarers can now use the Internet at sea, which is a rise of 32% or over half a million more crew (520,000, to be exact) since the last survey three years ago. Futurenautics Maritime conducted the first survey in 2012, in an effort to provide data of value to the maritime industry.

“It’s our belief that collaborating and sharing information can accelerate the pace of transformation in shipping and maritime, and begin to understand and solve big problems,” says Mr. Adamson. “The Crew Connectivity survey is a clear demonstration of that process in action.”

The report’s findings show a change in mindset among seafarers regarding many aspects of connectivity. Among the key findings:

  • 92% of seafarers reported that Internet access strongly influences their decision on where to work, up from 78% in prior years.
  • 95% of seafarers view connectivity as having a positive effect on onboard safety, an increase of 72% since the 2015 survey.
  • 69% of respondents view the increasing use of big data and analytics as a positive opportunity for their jobs in the next five years, versus 17% who see it as a threat.

Read more →

Deadline Looms for Lifeboat Hook Replacement Advises Norsafe

Phil Page

Norsafe, global Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) manufacturer, has advised the industry that it needs to ensure that all ships’ on-load LSA release mechanisms

comply with SOLAS Resolution MSC.317(89) by 1st July 2019.

In some instances, this may mean that a lifeboat’s release and retrieval system needs to be modified or replaced on or before that date, normally at the next scheduled dry-docking, as only hooks certified and tested in compliance with the aforementioned SOLAS resolution and named in the IMO GISIS database will be allowed on any lifeboat with onload hooks.

Norsafe’s on-load hook release system, called the TOR MK2, complies with all SOLAS regulations and the LSA code. It has been designed with three main priorities in mind; minimal maintenance, high safety precautions and simplicity of use.

A key feature is a yellow padlock sign, visible on both sides of the hook, which indicates that the hook is set and the release cables are correctly located.

The cables are arranged so that even if the hook is incorrectly reset, and the release handle is forced, the cables are protected from being stretched or damaged.

In addition, the on-load release activation requires 4 physical actions to be performed which provides a significant safety barrier against premature on-load release.

Norsafe’s global servicing and maintenance teams can ensure release mechanisms are compliant.

For more information on re-hooking please contact Norsafe’s service department by e-mailing service@norsafe.com or phoning +47 370 56 333.

Stena Line Joins with The Swedish Club to Test Emergency Plans

Debra Massey

The Swedish Club and Stena Line have completed a major Emergency Response Training Exercise, designed test how Stena’s own comprehensive emergency procedures integrate with those of the authorities and support services in the event of a major incident.

The round table exercise took place last week at the Swedish Sea Rescue Society headquarters, with over sixty expert contributors taking part. The drill, jointly planned and conducted by the Club and the Swedish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), tested the levels of cooperation required between the resources and authorities that would be at the centre of a mass evacuation from a passenger ferry in the Gothenburg area.

The Stena Line team was headed by Bjarne Koitrand, Technical Operations Director, Jörgen Lorén, Director and Senior Master, and Jesper Waltersson, Press and Media Relations Manager. Read more →

ICS Publishes Latest Flag State Performance Table with New Criteria Included

Debra Massey

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published the latest version of its Flag State Performance Table, which can be downloaded free of charge via the ICS website. http://www.ics-shipping.org/free-resources/flag-state-performance-table.

The Table provides a helpful indication of the performance of individual flag states worldwide, which analyses how the administrations included deliver against a number of criteria such as port state control records, ratification of international maritime Conventions and attendance at IMO meetings. This year, a new criteria on participation in the ‘IMO Member State Audit Scheme’ has been included.

ICS Deputy Secretary General, Simon Bennett, remarked: “Following the entry into force of amendments to the relevant IMO Conventions, the IMO Member State Audit Scheme has become mandatory. This is a significant development that should make further contributions to improving maritime safety and the prevention of pollution.”

He added, “ICS also recently released a new interactive version of the Table, which contains a search facility and allows users to compare and contrast the performance of up to four flag states at a time”.

The 2017/2018 Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table is currently being distributed among ICS national shipowners’ associations and their member companies, which cover over 80% of the world merchant fleet.

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KVH Media Advisory: How HTS Technology and Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) are Changing Maritime SATCOM

Debra Massey

Speakers from KVH and Intelsat present the advantages of HTS technology and Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) at the CMA conference in Stamford, CT

Ryan Smith from KVH and Dan Lesmez from Intelsat teamed up at CMA Shipping 2018, the annual conference of the Connecticut Maritime Association, yesterday to explain how ship owners, operators, and managers can take advantage of the commercial benefits gained from switching to High Throughput Satellite (HTS) technology by using Connectivity as a Service (CaaS).

Mr. Smith described a subscription-based plan for Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) called AgilePlans, which KVH pioneered. “The benefits of connectivity enable ships to operate more efficiently and provide a higher level of crew welfare, said Mr. Smith. “KVH’s all-inclusive CaaS offering for the maritime industry provides an advanced satellite communications solution without a costly capital expenditure or long-term commitment,” he continued. “Vessel owners and operators can enjoy a complete package including hardware, connectivity, installation at selected ports, entertainment and training content, and global support.” Read more →

Thome Outlines Key Strategies for Success at CMA

Phil Page

Gautam Kashyap, Thome’s Vice President for Business Development, outlined the Group’s strategies for success at the 2018 Connecticut Maritime Association shipping conference.

“Ship Management is changing and the right mix of digitalisation, automation and data analytics are key criteria towards providing greater efficiency, transparency and value-added services to clients in the future,” he said.

Ship Managers will need to invest heavily in new technology to keep up with changes in the market and Thome has already started this process by developing an Operations Hub, based at its headquarters in Singapore, which enables situational awareness for both duty-personnel and Thome’s crisis teams.

This is the first stage in a three-stage process enabling remote tracking of individual ships in the fleet, passage planning, security risk assessment, weather routing, video conferencing, integrated vessel management system (NAU) implementation, and individual on-board CCTV remote monitoring.

Two additional stages of improvements in the hub are planned. Stage two will further improve efficiency and availability through operational support functions like cargo handling, port turnaround and energy efficiency monitoring.

Stage three will concentrate on advanced support covering areas like cyber security, machinery condition assessment and trouble shooting.

Crew and onshore training is also crucial and Thome has a very comprehensive programme in place to ensure that all staff receive correct and relevant training for their roles which are updated on a regular basis.

In conclusion, Mr. Kashyap felt that a company’s size would be a critical factor in being able to meet customer demands and industry requirements in the future.

Thome has grown from humble origins to having a fleet of over 400 vessels, a crew pool of over 12,000 seafarers, a shore team of over 800 people and 11 worldwide offices. This means the Group can compete on a global scale and is ready for the challenges of the future.