Month: September 2018

S&P Global Ratings affirms Britannia’s ratings as ‘A’ (stable)

Phil Page

S&P Global Ratings, the world’s leading independent credit ratings provider, has affirmed its ‘A’ rating on the Britannia P&I Club. It added that the outlook remains stable over the next three years based on its view that the Club’s current capital buffer well exceeds S&P’s ‘AAA’ level requirement.

S&P based its findings on Britannia’s extremely strong level of capitalization and its strong market position in the P&I mutual business, where it has “a track record of quality in its underwriting” and added that the Club “enjoys strong returns”.

The report also notes that with a five-year average net combined ratio (2014-2018) of 88.9%, Britannia’s operating performance has exceeded its long term break-even target and the peer average during this period.

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ICS Announces New Edition of Best Practice Safety Guide for Gas Carrier Operators

Debra Massey

The global trade association for ship operators, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), has announced that it will soon be publishing a new edition of the ICS Tanker Safety Guide (Liquefied Gas).

The ‘ICS Gas Guide’ is the definitive industry best practice guidance for gas carrier operators, and is a carriage requirement under the national regulations of many flag states.

“It is strongly recommended that a copy of the completely revised third edition is carried on board every ship engaged in the transportation of liquefied gas by sea” said ICS Deputy Secretary General, Simon Bennett. Read more →

Prevention at Sea Signs Two MOUs

Phil Page

Lloyd’s Register certified marine risk assessor and maritime software developer, Prevention at Sea, has recently signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).

The first one has been signed with SQLearn, a leading e-Learning company that provides technological training solutions, and the two companies will collaborate on the development of eLearning training programmes using their combined knowledge of maritime know-how and technology.

This will include the use of the latest training techniques, including the use of Virtual Reality (VR), to engage and enthuse the younger generation entering the industry.

The second MOU has been signed with Katradis Marine Ropes, a specialist in mooring systems, procedures and products.

Katradis has many years’ experience in mooring system and line management best practices and tradition, so combining this with Prevention at Sea’s maritime regulatory knowledge and software expertise will benefit ship operators by enabling the detailed compilation of a ship’s mooring system plan to enable the safer management of its mooring procedures.

Both companies will also explore avenues of cooperation by combining technical knowledge and advances in technology to develop innovative products aiming at bettering the industry and enhancing safety.

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KVH Pledges Support to Maritime UK’s Women in Maritime Campaign

Phil Page

KVH, a leading provider of maritime connectivity and content solutions, is delighted to pledge its support for Women in Maritime, an initiative of industry group Maritime UK. The Women in Maritime campaign aims to promote fairness, equality, and inclusion within the maritime sector, bringing together leaders from across the maritime sector to identify practical steps to increase the number of women in maritime, and crucially within senior roles across its shipping, ports, marine, and business services industries.

The Northern launch of the Women in Maritime campaign took place in Liverpool yesterday, with support by several members of KVH’s Liverpool staff, many of whom have actively mentored and encouraged younger women in their workplace and industry for many years. Says Sue Henney, EMEA marketing director for KVH, who has worked in the maritime industry for 25 years: “The maritime sector is a truly international workplace with a wealth of exciting and diverse opportunities.” Ms. Henney’s colleagues in the Liverpool office include five women with a combined total of nearly 70 years’ experience in the maritime industry.

Maritime businesses have initially been asked to sign a Women in Maritime pledge, and KVH officially signed earlier this week. “KVH is committed to building an employment culture that actively supports and celebrates gender diversity, at all levels, throughout our organisation and our industry,” says Elizabeth Jackson, chief marketing officer for KVH. “We are proud to say that we have an extremely diverse team throughout the business and we support the belief that achieving a balanced workforce in the maritime sector will undoubtedly improve culture, behaviour, outcomes, profitability, and productivity.” 

The initiative aims to reach throughout the maritime industry. “The need for fairness, equality, and inclusion is clearer than ever and the maritime sector must embrace diversity because it’s the right thing to do. Equally there is a strong business case for action,” says Sue Teriplowski, OBE, chair of the Women in Maritime taskforce.

 

ICS Launches Free Guidance on Preparing for 2020 Sulphur Cap

Debra Massey

To assist shipping companies prepare for implementation of the UN IMO global sulphur cap for ships’ fuel oil, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has produced – free of charge – some comprehensive guidance on implementation planning, to help ensure compliance across the shipping industry with this regulatory game changer.

The free ICS guidance has been prepared for the vast majority of ships that will comply after 1 January 2020 using fuel oils with a sulphur content of 0.50% m/m or less.

ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten, explained:
“Shipping companies may need to start ordering compliant fuels from as early as the middle of 2019, and they are strongly recommended to commence developing implementation plans as soon as possible.”

Apart from the significant additional cost of compliant fuel, ICS says that implementation of the global cap will be far more complex than for the previous introduction of Emission Control Areas. This is because of the sheer magnitude of the switchover and the much larger quantities and different types of fuel involved, as well as continuing uncertainties about the availability, safety and compatibility of compliant fuels in every port worldwide. Read more →

Industry Launches LISW19 with ‘International Trade in a Changing World’ as the Central Theme

Debra Massey

LONDON: SEPT 12TH, 2018:  The 12-month countdown to what promises to be the largest and most successful London International Shipping Week so far, has started with the changing face of global trade and the opportunities posed, chosen as the key theme for the week.

LISW19’s overarching theme International Trade in a Changing World will be supported by a series of sub themes: Growing; Innovating; and Partnering. These will provide the backdrop to the flagship LISW19 conference to be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane on Thursday September 12th, 2019. The themes may also be referred to by LISW19 Supporting Organisations and Sponsors wishing to hold their own events during the week.

Over 20,000 international shipping and maritime decision makers are expected to descend on London between September 9th and 13th, 2019 to attend the fourth London International Shipping Week (LISW). Read more →

Success of KVH AgilePlans Accelerates Maritime Digitalization

Phil Page

Company’s innovative Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) program is fast-growing choice of global maritime fleets

MIDDLETOWN, RI – September 6, 2018 – Increased demand for the AgilePlansTM subscription-based Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) program from KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) has been the driving force behind the company’s unprecedented growth in VSAT unit deployments during the first six months of 2018, a timeframe when the maritime industry has been increasing its drive toward digitalization.

KVH recently reported that it successfully shipped almost as many VSAT systems in the first six months of 2018 as it shipped in all of 2017.  Further, KVH VSAT unit shipments from April to June were up 100% compared to the same timeframe last year and shipments are at an all-time record by far compared to any quarter in KVH’s 10-year history in the maritime VSAT business.

Throughout the maritime industry, commercial fleets are transitioning to digitalization to increase operational efficiency and allow for integrated IoT solutions. Vessel operators can leverage faster connectivity to take advantage of real-time data transfers to improve decision making for fuel optimization, route planning, and safety. Providing Internet access to seafarers for crew welfare and onboard training is also important in attracting and retaining today’s more digitally sophisticated crew.

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Singtel, KVH Industries Collaborate to Accelerate Maritime Sector Digitalization Across Asia Pacific

Phil Page

MIDDLETOWN, RI – August 30, 2018 – Singtel and KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), a global satellite and maritime communications provider, today announced a partnership to provide shipping companies a seamless broadband satellite service with KVH’s mini-VSAT BroadbandSM satellite connectivity to help accelerate the digital transformation of the maritime industry across the Asia Pacific region.

This satellite service is designed to facilitate the use of digital solutions in the maritime industry to significantly improve operational efficiency, crew welfare, and onboard safety. Vessels can leverage this fast and reliable connectivity to harness real-time data about engine performance gleaned from onboard sensors to facilitate preventive maintenance and reduce maintenance costs; obtain information on weather patterns and sea currents to determine the ship’s most fuel-efficient route; and provide onshore operations staff regular updates about the status of cargo.

“With 90% of the world’s trade carried by seaborne vessels, it is imperative for the shipping industry to adopt innovative technologies in order to operate more efficiently,” said Ng Kheng Ghee, Head of Satellite at Singtel. “This service provides an accessible high-speed broadband connectivity that enables digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud and data analytics to be deployed onboard ships. As the leading maritime communications service provider in the Asia Pacific region, we look forward to this partnership with KVH to help shipping companies in the region deploy digital technologies across their fleets, using advanced satellite communications products and services.”

“The Asia Pacific region boasts some of the busiest ports in the world, and we are thrilled to be working with Singtel,” said Mark Guthrie, KVH’s Vice President for Asia Pacific. “With KVH’s end-to-end connectivity solution, our leadership role in global maritime VSAT, and our already strong base in this region, we look forward to combining forces with Singtel to help serve the many important fleets and ship managers operating here.”

Through this collaboration, Singtel will provide its maritime customers with KVH’s product and service offerings, including AgilePlansTM, a subscription-based connectivity solution for commercial fleets. This all-inclusive, no-commitment offering includes KVH’s global connectivity service, VSAT hardware, and curated content with free installation in selected ports and zero maintenance costs.

Singtel has been building digital solutions for the maritime industry including cybersecurity and IoT capabilities. Singtel collaborates with best in class partners to provide definitive solutions for secured IoT through the use of cutting-edge technology designed to help ship managers monitor and manage their fleet with greater efficiency.

Britannia Opens Exclusive Correspondent Office in Copenhagen

Phil Page

Britannia underlined its commitment to the important Danish P&I market by hosting a reception to mark the official opening and launch of its newly appointed Exclusive Correspondent based in Copenhagen, B Denmark P&I.

The reception was held at B Denmark P&I’s offices in the heart of Copenhagen’s shipping district, Hellerup. In attendance was John Ridgway and Andrew Cutler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer respectively of Tindall Riley (Britannia) Limited, Managers of The Britannia P&I Club, along with B Denmark P&I Managing Director, Michael Boje-Larsen.

Mr Boje-Larsen is a lawyer with considerable experience in maritime law and has previously worked both for another IG Group P&I Club and in private practice. He has worked for over 20 years in the insurance sector and was seconded to open a competitors Greek office in the early 2000’s, adding a unique set of skills to the team.

Britannia opened the office in Copenhagen to enhance its service delivery and growth potential in Denmark which currently accounts for 16% of its business. The expansion into Denmark also reaffirms previous comments from the Club about having offices in strategic locations to ensure the Membership receives the best service possible in a timely manner.

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“Ships are not Operating in a Regulatory Vacuum” says ICS Chairman, at start of Major UN Negotiation on Future Ocean Governance

Debra Massey

At the United Nations in New York, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is representing shipowners at the start of a major negotiation to agree a new legal instrument for the protection of the ocean under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – which will apply to ‘high seas’ areas ‘beyond national jurisdiction’.

Addressing government negotiators in New York today (5 September), ICS Chairman, Esben Poulsson, highlighted the need to ensure that this UN initiative will not “unwittingly” impact on the effective future governance of global shipping, potentially interfering with principles such as freedom of navigation, or otherwise cutting across the work of shipping’s global regulator, the London-based UN International Maritime Organization (IMO).

“As a result of the global rules already provided by IMO, ships are not operating in a regulatory vacuum” stressed Esben Poulsson. “A shipowner’s activities are never beyond national jurisdiction, even on the high seas.”

ICS fully supports the objectives of the UN negotiations and the critical need to provide environmental protection for the ocean from activities such as fishing and seabed mining.  However, ICS says these are activities which, unlike commercial shipping, do not enjoy a comprehensive framework of global regulation such as that which has been developed, over a period of 50 years, by the UN IMO and its 174 Member States. Read more →

Viking Acquires Leading Lifeboat Manufacturer

Debra Massey

The acquisition of lifeboat solution provider Norsafe is another boost for VIKING’s worldwide capabilities, ensuring a unique an unmatched product and service offering in the maritime safety industry.

Maritime safety equipment manufacturer and global service provider VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S has announced it has acquired Norsafe, the Norwegian boatbuilder whose lifeboats are used throughout the world. The acquisition is in line with VIKING’s long-running strategy of putting the customer’s needs and priorities first.

Established in 1903, Norsafe produces a full range of free-fall lifeboats and fast rescue boats with davits and have supplied over 28,000 lifeboats to the global ship market over the years. Its advanced lifeboat products are manufactured in accordance with the latest SOLAS requirements and approved by national and certifying authorities for both ships and offshore use. Read more →