Examination, Testing and Maintenance of Shipboard Lifting Appliances and Loose gear

Sulphur Emissions Control Area has helped with the reduction of harmful emissions The UK P&I Club issues bulletin regarding fuel switching safety as follows:With reference to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Alert 11-01 the Club wishes to reiterate advice given in the previous Bulletin 645 to increase awareness to potential claims that may arise from fuel switching issues. The Sulphur Emissions Control Area (SECA) off the European North West coast has been in effect for many years and has helped with the reduction of harmful emissions in that area. Following on from that success a joint United States, Canadian and French effort to develop a similar Emission Control Area (ECA) extending 200 miles off the coast of the North American continent is underway. It is probable that similar ECAs may appear elsewhere around the world in the future.A vessel entering and exiting such an area will be required by law to switch between heavy or intermediate bunker fuels and a more refined distillate fuel. This process carries with it certain risks which can lead to claimsIt is possible that complications may occur to the vessel's main power plant during this switch over period resulting in the vessel...

It is generally known that "human beings by their very nature make errors; therefore it is unreasonable to expect error-free human performance". Shappell & Wiegmann, 1997Examples of some serious errors are Costa Concordia, Exxon Valdez, Prestige and Sea Diamond. They are all accidents that are associated in some way with human factor. All managing companies, all ship owning companies and generally all companies have Safety Management Systems and safety programs. So, why do they fail? The answer is because Safety is treated as an obligation or priority, but not as a VALUE! Not treating safety as a value, we are losing the possibility of integrating in the structure of the company.According to Traditional Safety Approach, we are always targeting at the minimization of marine accidents. This happens with many ways, such as Safety Policy, Training, Meeting, Slogans, Awards, Committees & Councils, Regulations and Reprimands. When we are talking about maritime safety, we are actually talking about accidents (fire, explosion, grounding, collision). According to the well-known factor of 80/20%, the human factor is responsible for the 80% of the causes that lead to maritime accidents, whereas the rest of 20% is technological reasons and other factors. However, if we would like...

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu has welcomed the recently-published report of the Global Ocean Commission (GOC), From Decline to Recovery: A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean, and its call for enhanced action at all levels to mitigate the threats to the global oceans described in the report. In a letter​ to the co-chairs of the Global Ocean Commission (Mr. José María Figueres, Mr. Trevor Manuel and Mr. David Miliband), Mr. Sekimizu noted that, as the United Nations specialized agency dedicated to sustainable uses of the world's oceans through safe, secure, clean ships, IMO plays a key role in advancing the critically important agenda carried forward in the report and has adopted key treaties addressing several of the outlined threats. Mr. Sekimizu highlighted IMO's active role in addressing many of the issues raised in the GOC report, noting also that IMO is working actively through several existing coordination mechanisms - such as UN Oceans, the Global Partnership for Oceans, and the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) - to ensure that joint efforts are maximized and duplication reduced. "In my view, thoughtful development of ocean regulations, coupled with early entry into force,...

Estimate puts the number of armed guards on board vessels at around 10-12% Better regulation of the world's maritime security concerns took a couple of steps nearer this week.First, the IMO was known to be debating the issue at MSC 89 during the week, the results of which should be known early next week, while second, the fledgling Security Association for the Marine Industries (SAMI) said that it had signed up 19 members and will start to vet security firms operating in the marine sector shortly.Founded last year by ex Royal Marine Peter Cook and commercial shipping navigating officer Steven Jones, SAMI has the backing of the Marshall Islands (MI) flag state, among others.At a reception this week, Cook explained that members have to sign an International Code of Conduct for Private Security Contractors, which is a Swiss initiative supported by the MI."There is no regulation to look at the entrepreneurs, either good or bad," Cook said.He said that working groups will be set up to introduce vetting and KPIs with which to work. "We are waiting for the IMO guidelines," he said. He also explained that the Norwegians have guidelines in place and he was talking with the International...

GasLog Ltd. announced an agreement with Methane Services Ltd., an affiliate of BG Group, to purchase three LNG carriers from MSL's fleet and to charter those ships back to MSL for six-year initial terms. MSL also will have options to extend the term of the time charters for two of the ships for a period of either three or five years at its election. The ships to be acquired will be nominated by MSL from an agreed group of six sister ships built in 2006 and 2007. GasLog supervised the construction of all six ships and has provided technical management for the ships since delivery. The aggregate cost to GasLog for the ships is expected to be approximately $468 million. Each LNG carrier to be acquired is modern, steam powered and has a capacity of 145,000 cubic meters. The Company estimates that upon their acquisition, these ships will represent approximately $426.3 million of incremental contracted revenue over their initial charter terms and add over $50.0 million per annum to GasLog's EBITDA1. Paul Wogan, CEO of GasLog, commented that "we are very pleased that we will be able to add these LNG carriers to our fleet as it again demonstrates our...

A new era of responsibility for shipping companies Singapore Stock Exchange ("SGX") has introduced a Sustainability Reporting Guide (the "Guide") for its listed shipping companies. This follows a public consultation, issued in August 2010 that received widespread attention and positive feedback in support of disclosure and accountability for operating and developing businesses in a sustainable manner. Sustainability reports may be part of the annual report of the issuer or standalone reports and will be issued on a voluntary basis.It has long been recognised that the way businesses operate can have long terms effects on the environment and society. More recently concerns about climate change, biodiversity, social and environmental risks have been heightened by crises and natural disasters. End customers demand that suppliers behave responsibly. SGX, as a responsible Exchange with global reach, has responded with a Guide for listed companies. This guide is relevant for all issuers who operate in industries that are susceptible to environmental risks.Within the Guide, the Policy Statement sets out the principles and the Questions and Answers guide listed companies in extending their reporting beyond financial governance to sustainability aspects. A more holistic reporting will be achieved, with companies reporting their financials as well as the...

Eugen Maersk

Intends to reduce costs associated with US shipbuilding and ship repair The National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP), co-sponsored by the US Navy, issued news release stating that it has awarded funding valued at approximately $14.6 million for six new research and development (R&D) projects intended to reduce costs associated with US shipbuilding and ship repair.To view the news release please click hereSource: National Shipbuilding Research Program

US Coast Guard is investigating the incident The Coast Guard responded to a minor collision between two cruise ships in the Port of Key West Tuesday morning.No injuries, pollution or structural damage occurred during the incident.The Carnival Imagination was moored and the Carnival Fantasy was mooring when the vessels struck stern to stern, causing minor cosmetic damage to both vessels.Alcohol and drug testings have been conducted on personnel in safety-sensitive positions in accordance with Coast Guard policy.Source: USCG