Month: July 2019

New VR Title from Videotel Helps Protect Cargo

Phil Page

Leading maritime training provider Videotel, has launched a new virtual reality (VR) training title to help ship operators avoid potential claims running into millions of pounds due to cargo damage caused by insufficient tank cleaning onboard chemical tankers.

Ensuring cargo tanks are properly cleaned to receive their next cargo is a complex operation and is a vital part of safe operation onboard, especially with regards to the carriage of sensitive chemical cargoes.

The effectiveness of tank cleaning for such cargoes is frequently assessed by visual inspection and a methanol wall-wash test which involves the application of a solvent to selected areas of the cargo tank bulkheads. The solvent is then analysed for key quality parameters. If this onboard test is not performed properly or results read wrongly by crew, then this could have the direct result of a vessel being de-berthed and/or additional and unnecessary tank cleaning taking placed with all the associated additional costs and time losses.

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KVH Joins Smart Maritime Network as Founding Member of Technology Development Initiative

Phil Page

Maritime innovator KVH is pleased to announce it has joined the Smart Maritime Network (SMN) as one of the founding members of the initiative dedicated to supporting collaboration and standardization in the development of IT systems for the shipping sector. As a founding member, KVH will participate in Smart Maritime Council meetings with a select group of maritime technology developers, systems integrators, and vessel operators to discuss issues relating to the compatibility, standardization, and harmonization of the technology used in the modern shipping industry.

“KVH is thrilled to be a founding member of the Smart Maritime Network,” says Rick Driscoll, KVH’s vice president for service development and implementation. “Setting digital, data, and tech standards that resonate throughout the maritime industry is an extremely important effort that will provide far-reaching benefits at this crucial time in the industry’s digital transformation.”

KVH has a history of innovation in the maritime industry for producing award-winning satellite antenna products and providing global VSAT connectivity services with the fast data speeds to support the digital transformation underway throughout the industry.

Last month, KVH introduced KVH WatchTM, a maritime Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity solution for maritime equipment manufacturers and application providers. KVH Watch enables equipment manufacturers to conduct remote monitoring and real-time interventions so they can minimize expensive service calls and ensure their equipment is performing at its peak.

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Indian Register of Shipping receives RO authorisation from Cyprus

Phil Page

MUMBAI, 30th July 2019 – Leading classification society, the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), has signed a “Recognised Organisation” agreement with the Republic of Cyprus in an impressive ceremony held at the Crown Plaza hotel in Limassol on 23rd July 2019.

The Deputy Minister for Shipping, Natasa Pilides, delivered the ceremony’s opening address which was followed by the signing of the agreement by the Shipping Deputy Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Mr. Costas Iacovou and IRClass’ Vice President & Regional Manager (EU & Americas), Mr. Praveen Mishra.

 

Earlier this year, IRClass had announced its plans for enhanced focus in Europe and this recognition reinforces that commitment.

“IRClass is really proud to have been formally recognised as a “Recognised Organisation” by the Republic of Cyprus. This enables us to offer our classification services to Cyprus flagged vessels and further enhances our reputation in the European market as a trustworthy classification society,” Mr Mishra commented.

IRClass has been present in Europe for more than a decade with several offices including UK, Greece, Netherlands and Turkey. Recognition as RO by the Republic of Cyprus, the 11th largest flag in the world, further enhances its strategy to focus its services within the European shipping community to build upon its business in the region.

IRClass is actively engaging with several owners and expects to class vessels under the Cyprus flag as early as August.

Indian Register of Shipping takes over Chairmanship of IACS

Phil Page

MUMBAI, INDIA, 15 July 2019 – Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), has been elected as the new Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) in a recent Council meeting held in Busan, Korea.

Mr Sharma took over as Chair on 1st July and has outlined his key priorities during his year long tenure which includes IACS to take a larger role in industry matters with a view to provide value added services to owners on the implementation of regulatory requirements.

He stressed on the need to continuously strengthen the systems within IACS towards maintaining and enhancing quality operations. He is also keen to enhance interaction with stakeholders towards affirming its relevance to the industry.

Mr. Sharma highlighted that IACS recognises the importance of good data in decision-making to guide its policy decisions and work has commenced on the formulation of IACS data driven policy. This would be “a very important step and will be one of the main priorities in the coming year,” he said.

Congratulating his predecessor Mr Jeong-Kie Lee, Korean Register’s Chairman and CEO, Mr Sharma commented: “I am grateful to Jeong-Kie for his personal commitment to IACS during his Chairmanship and for laying the groundwork on a number of key initiatives that will be my responsibility to bring to conclusion. I am confident that with the support of all my Council colleagues, IACS will be able to demonstrate the proactive commitment necessary to ensure that the Association remains well positioned for the many challenges that face the maritime community.”

Constant Bridge warnings create ‘alarm fatigue,’ survey reveals

Debra Munford

Frequently sounding bridge warnings, especially false ones, can create ‘alarm fatigue’ and hinder watch keepers in carrying out their vital role, a new survey supported by InterManager has revealed.

Responding to the findings, InterManager is now calling for manufacturers to work with ship operators to address seafarers concerns and develop better ways of communicating bridge warnings.

Respondents highlighted there is a problem with too many similar sounding alarms and revealed a need for alarms to be easily identifiable so that urgent warnings can be recognised over simple notification bells. Read more →

Ambitious Targets to Cut Shipping Emissions

Debra Munford

  • Zero-emission capable ships to be in UK waters by 2025
  • Competition launched to spark innovation in clean maritime technology
  • Clean Maritime Plan part of long-term strategy to keep UK as world leader in maritime sector

All new ships for UK waters ordered from 2025 should be designed with zero-emission capable technologies, in ambitious plans set out by Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani to cut pollution from the country’s maritime sector.

The commitment is set out in the Clean Maritime Plan published today. The government is also looking at ways to incentivise the transition to zero-emission shipping and will consult on this next year. Read more →

ICS announces first speakers for its flagship conference during LISW19

Debra Munford

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) will challenge the shipping industry and policymakers to face the reality of powering global trade without the use of fossil fuels in its 2019 International Shipping Conference Setting Course for 2050: Powering Global Trade.

Taking place at the British Library on Wednesday 11 September 2019, during London International Shipping Week, the conference will bring together leading scientists, economists, oil & gas industry players, financiers, infrastructure and shipping leaders along with ministers and policymakers. The programme will ask how the changing dynamics of global trade, new technology and the need to address climate change will impact business models and will set out how todays shipowners must prepare for the transition to zero CO2 emitting fuels – the ‘4th Propulsion Revolution’.  Read more →

The Swedish Club Starts a Loss Prevention Revolution

Debra Munford

The next generation of Loss Prevention has arrived. A pilot project from The Swedish Club means that shipowners can now be offered real time personalised loss prevention, tailored to their location, and voyage profile.

Trade Enabling Loss Prevention (TELP) allows The Swedish Club to use a combination of the latest automatic identification system (AIS) technology coupled with solid statistics and expertise built up over years to map a risk profile for an individual vessel at every stage of its voyage, It can then provide members and their vessels with timely, tailored advice when they are approaching areas of particular risk. Read more →

ICS – Six Months’ Countdown to the ‘Global Sulphur Cap’

Debra Munford

With six months to go until the implementation of the ‘Global Sulphur Cap’ the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued updated guidance to help shipowners comply with new UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. Taking full effect on 1 January 2020 the legal framework will require merchant ships worldwide to use fuel with a sulphur content of less than 0.50 percent or use alternative mitigation technologies.

Guy Platten, Secretary General of ICS said: “These new regulations are good for human health and good for the environment. With just six months to go before implementation these free ICS guidelines will help shipping companies with the vital task of preparing for compliance. We strongly recommend that shipowners prepare an Implementation Plan for each of their ships using the template agreed by IMO.”  Read more →

Britannia Celebrates 30 years since the Granting of the Tokyo Branch Licence

Debra Munford

Britannia’s branch office in Tokyo has just celebrated 30 years since the granting of its licence by the Japanese Ministry of Finance (now the Financial Services Agency) to carry out P&I and FD&D insurance business in Japan.

In fact, Britannia was the first foreign P&I Club to be granted such a licence in Japan which reflects its continual commitment to the Japanese market. Read more →

Seagull & Videotel affirm their position as the World’s largest Maritime eLearning Companies

Debra Munford

With a commitment to invest $30 million in new courses and technology
July 1st 2019, Oslo & London – Following the acquisition by Oakley Capital of Seagull and Videotel, the group, with more than 20,000 vessels using their products and the largest library of learning courses available, affirms its position as the world’s largest Maritime eLearning companies. The group announces today a commitment to invest more than $30 Million over the next 5 years in new courseware and technology.

$30 Million investment in new courses and technology

Our maritime clients want the confidence that their learners have access to the best, widest and deepest courseware that meet today’s exacting compliance standards and which will deliver the desired learning outcomes to grow their employees. Read more →

ICS – Six Months’ Countdown to the ‘Global Sulphur Cap’

Debra Munford

With six months to go until the implementation of the ‘Global Sulphur Cap’ the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued updated guidance to help shipowners comply with new UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. Taking full effect on 1 January 2020 the legal framework will require merchant ships worldwide to use fuel with a sulphur content of less than 0.50 percent or use alternative mitigation technologies.

Guy Platten, Secretary General of ICS said: “These new regulations are good for human health and good for the environment. With just six months to go before implementation these free ICS guidelines will help shipping companies with the vital task of preparing for compliance. We strongly recommend that shipowners prepare an Implementation Plan for each of their ships using the template agreed by IMO.”  Read more →

New Council Takes the Helm at Singapore Shipping Association

Debra Munford

First female President elected in SSA’s 34-year  history

 The Council of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) – the industry voice of Singapore’s maritime community – has made history by nominating the Association’s first-ever female President since its founding in 1985.

At SSA’s 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 26 June 2019, the 2019/2021 Council elected Caroline Yang, Chief Executive of Hong Lam Marine, as the association’s President. Ms Yang started her career with Hong Lam Marine as its in-house counsel in 1991, and has more than 25 years’ experience in the shipping industry.

As President of SSA, Ms Yang will be supported by two Vice Presidents and the SSA Secretariat headed by Michael Phoon. The two Vice Presidents nominated by the 2019/2021 Council are Katie Men, Managing Director of Iseaco Investment and Rene Piil Pedersen, Managing Director of A P Moller Singapore. Read more →