Archive for July, 2011
Dispatches No. 65 26.07.2011
InterManager Dispatches No. 65 26.07.11
Please visit our website and submit your petition to your local government to END THE PIRACY
www.intermanager.org
This week we will be sending “Good Practice Guide for Shipping Companies
and Manning Agents” prepared by Maritime Piracy – Humanitarian Response Advisory Group.
Comments from your Company Security and HR experts would be highly appreciated.
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Last week:
19 July – Blame or not to Blame – Star Reefers Officers seminar – Kuba Szymanski speaking
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This Week
27 July – London – ICS – Shipping Piracy Meeting – Kuba Szymanski representing InterManager
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Looking forward:
Holidays in August I suppose – I can sense that a lot of us are getting ready for it.
There will be no dispatches next week as I am taking week off – racing in Scotland – West Highland Yachting week
Discounts for Members:
———————
1. Understanding LNG
GAC Training & Service Solutions has developed this two day Liquefied Natural Gas course to give a
structured introduction to LNG. Day One provides a practical approach to understanding the key
elements of the business; Day Two focuses on the supporting activities that underpin an LNG
operation.
When & Where: 14th & 15th of July-Houston When & Where: 22nd & 23rd Sept-Geneva When & Where: 8th &
9th Dec-Houston This course has been specifically designed to suit all managers and staff who want
a clear understanding and overview of the LNG industry To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or
contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
2. LNG Carrier Operations in Port
GAC Training & Service Solutions has developed this two day LNG terminal course which focuses on
the most critical part of the LNG Chain, the Ship to Shore interface and associated operations.
When & Where: 29rh & 30th of Sept-Geneva When & Where: 8th
& 9th Dec-Geneva This course is aimed at newcomers to the LNG world or for those already working in
the industry in need of a refresher.
To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
3. Oil Tanker Operations in Port
GAC Training & Service Solutions has developed this two day Oil Tanker Operations course to give a
clear overview of the most critical aspects of the shipping and distribution of oil, especially the
ship/shore interface and associated operations.
When & Where: 27th & 28th Sept-Geneva
When & Where: 6th & 7th Dec-Geneva
This course has been specifically designed to suit all oil industry newcomers and veterans in need
of a refresher course.
To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
4. Oil & Shipping Operations
GAC Training & Service Solutions has developed this two day Oil & Shipping Operations course to
provide core skills for those new to oil operations or in need of a refresher course in oil tanker
training.
When & Where: 27th & 28th Sept-Geneva When & Where: 6th &
7th Dec-Geneva This course is designed to suit anyone working in the shipping industry such as ship
owners, operators, brokers, managers, charterers, and commodity traders interested in gaining an
overview of oil and shipping operations.
To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
5. Dry Cargo Operations & Chartering
GAC Training & Service Solutions has developed this two day Dry Cargo Operations course to provide
a clear understanding and better knowledge of various key aspects of commercial, legal and
practical dry cargo and shipping operations.
When & Where: 13th & 14th Oct-Geneva
When & Where: 8th & 9th Dec-Geneva
This course is designed to suit anyone working in the shipping industry such as ship owners,
operators, brokers, managers, charterers, and commodity traders interested in gaining an overview
of dry cargo operations and chartering.
To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
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Combating Piracy: West African Maritime Security (24 – 25 August, London
Visit www.piracy-westafrica.com for more information.
Whether you currently operate in the Gulf of Guinea or you are concerned with the broader spread of
piracy and maritime crime, this conference provides essential intelligence in the fight for secure
global shipping.
What will the agenda cover?
• Get to grips with the true nature of the problem
• Learn about the innovative strategies being rolled out at the local and regional level to
combat maritime crime
• Hear first hand accounts from the oil and gas industry
• Share the concerns of the shipping industry
• Learning from Ghana and Cameroon
• Protecting yourself – Tackling the West African hub for drugs, arms and people smuggling
• Find out how West African maritime criminals are adopting traits of Somali pirates
• Exclusive firsthand account from a kidnap victim
InterManager members are eligible for a 15% discount off the conference registration fee – simply
email info@hansonwade.com and quote your booking code: INTERMANAGER
———————-
Ship Registration Seminar
ETC Venue Paddington, London
13-14 September 2011
www.lloydsmaritimeacademy.com/FKT2232INT
Controlling Operating Costs Seminar
ETC Venue Paddington London
15-16 September 2011
www.lloydsmaritimeacademy.com/fkt2233INT
Both events with 20% discount for InterManager members
Diploma in Ship Management – the only distance learning diploma qualification for ship managers
Commences 27th September 2011
Who should study this Diploma in Ship Management:
• Assistant Operator
• Captain
• Chief Officer
• Crewing Officer
• Fleet Operator/Administrator
• General Manager
• Operations Manager
• Superintendent
• Ship Broker
• Ship Inspector
• Ship Officers
How to register and incentive for InterManager members. You can easily enrol online by clicking on
this link – http://www.informaglobalevents.com/LP0077EB1B1
Lloyd’s Maritime Academy is offering a special discount of £150 to all InterManager members, so
make sure you enrol early.
—————————–
Athens – 05th of October
Safety4Sea is organizing the 2nd Annual Forum to be held in Athens. 15 speakers will debate issues
including Regulatory Developments, Environmental Management, Loss Prevention, Human Element,
Security and Anti-Piracy. Attendance is FREE subject to registration available at www.safety4sea.com .
Event is supported by INTERMANAGER and BIMCO. Save the date !
For details please contact Mr. Apostolos Belakos ab@ibsmarine.com
6th Turkish Shipping & Ship Finance Conference 2011:
Choosing Your Course in Challenging Shipping & Financial Markets
19 – 20 October
PLUS: Shipbuilding Contracts Masterclass
18 October 2011
Web: www.informamaritimeevents.com/fkt2256MGEM
Quote VIP Code: FKT2256MGEM to claim your 20% Discount
Digital Ship is pleased to announce their autumn conferences and exhibitions.
Taking place in:
Singapore (18 & 19 October 2011),
Korea (28 October 2011),
Athens (22 & 23 November 2011) and
Istanbul (1 December 2011) these are the leading events for maritime IT, satcom, technical,
electronics and navigation managers who want to know about the latest developments in satellite
communications, maritime software, bridge electronics and technology.
Admission is free of charge for employees of shipping companies.
There are also plenty of networking sessions to meet with business partners, customers and peers.
Please go to www.thedigitalship.com or call +44 20 7017 3411
Brgds
Kuba
Capt. Kuba Szymanski
Secretary General
InterManager
+44 7624 498 266
web: www.intermanager.org
Dispatches No. 64 20.07.2011
InterManager Dispatches No. 64 20.07.11
Please visit our website and submit your petition to your local government to END THE PIRACY
www.intermanager.org
WE DID IT J InterManager Team successfully completed 24 Peaks Challenge. Weather was absolutely atrocious whole 2 day. Very heavy rain and rather strong wind made the challenge even more challenging. Not only we were among only 5 teams who did the whole challenge but also thank you to your great support with have raised £ 6 666 which is well above required £ 5 000. THANK YOU J
New Member joining InterManager
We are very pleased to welcome SHIPVET as our new associate Member.
The leading independent vetting agency worldwide for oil tankers, chemical tankers, gas carriers, bulk carriers and container vessels. http://www.shipvet.co.uk/home.php
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Last week:
11-15 July – London – IMO – MEPC
15 July – London – Maritime Piracy – A Humanitarian Response Programme. Meeting, to discuss the Good Practice Guide for Seafarers, Nigel Cleave – Videotel, Keith Parsons – VShips, Capt. Ulrich Ganz – BSM Cyprus representing InterManager
16-18 July – Lake District – 24 peaks challenge
—————
This Week
19 July – Blame or not to Blame – Star Reefers Officers seminar – Kuba Szymanski speaking
—————
Looking forward:
27 July – London – ICS – Shipping Piracy Meeting – Kuba Szymanski representing InterManager
Discounts for Members:
———————
1. Understanding LNG
GAC Training & Service Solutions has developed this two day Liquefied Natural Gas course to give a
structured introduction to LNG. Day One provides a practical approach to understanding the key
elements of the business; Day Two focuses on the supporting activities that underpin an LNG
operation.
When & Where: 14th & 15th of July-Houston When & Where: 22nd & 23rd Sept-Geneva When & Where: 8th &
9th Dec-Houston This course has been specifically designed to suit all managers and staff who want
a clear understanding and overview of the LNG industry To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or
contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
2. LNG Carrier Operations in Port
GAC Training & Service Solutions has developed this two day LNG terminal course which focuses on
the most critical part of the LNG Chain, the Ship to Shore interface and associated operations.
When & Where: 29rh & 30th of Sept-Geneva When & Where: 8th
& 9th Dec-Geneva This course is aimed at newcomers to the LNG world or for those already working in
the industry in need of a refresher.
To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
3. Oil Tanker Operations in Port
GAC Training & Service Solutions has developed this two day Oil Tanker Operations course to give a
clear overview of the most critical aspects of the shipping and distribution of oil, especially the
ship/shore interface and associated operations.
When & Where: 27th & 28th Sept-Geneva
When & Where: 6th & 7th Dec-Geneva
This course has been specifically designed to suit all oil industry newcomers and veterans in need
of a refresher course.
To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
4. Oil & Shipping Operations
GAC Training & Service Solutions has developed this two day Oil & Shipping Operations course to
provide core skills for those new to oil operations or in need of a refresher course in oil tanker
training.
When & Where: 27th & 28th Sept-Geneva When & Where: 6th &
7th Dec-Geneva This course is designed to suit anyone working in the shipping industry such as ship
owners, operators, brokers, managers, charterers, and commodity traders interested in gaining an
overview of oil and shipping operations.
To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
5. Dry Cargo Operations & Chartering
GAC Training & Service Solutions has developed this two day Dry Cargo Operations course to provide
a clear understanding and better knowledge of various key aspects of commercial, legal and
practical dry cargo and shipping operations.
When & Where: 13th & 14th Oct-Geneva
When & Where: 8th & 9th Dec-Geneva
This course is designed to suit anyone working in the shipping industry such as ship owners,
operators, brokers, managers, charterers, and commodity traders interested in gaining an overview
of dry cargo operations and chartering.
To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
———————-
Combating Piracy: West African Maritime Security (24 – 25 August, London
Visit www.piracy-westafrica.com for more information.
Whether you currently operate in the Gulf of Guinea or you are concerned with the broader spread of
piracy and maritime crime, this conference provides essential intelligence in the fight for secure
global shipping.
What will the agenda cover?
• Get to grips with the true nature of the problem: The IMO, the Nigerian Government and
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office update you on the latest work being done at the national and
international level to combat the problems of maritime crime
• Learn about the innovative strategies being rolled out at the local and regional level to
combat maritime crime: Including insights from the Nigerian Ports Authority and NIMASA
• Hear first hand accounts from the oil and gas industry: With a large proportion of the
worlds’ oil and gas resources based in West Africa, hear the innovative work being done by Shell
Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Ltd and Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited to
protect their resources
• Share the concerns of the shipping industry: Tackling the challenges surrounding levels
of violence used, liability and the impact on the shipping industry – ISAN and BIMCO outline the
support that is available and the work that needs to be done
• Learning from Ghana and Cameroon: The Ghana Maritime Authority and the National Shippers’
Council, Cameroon outline the impact of the upsurge of piracy in territorial waters and reveal how
they’re talking steps to safeguard their offshore assets in the region
• Protecting yourself – Tackling the West African hub for drugs, arms and people smuggling:
Make sure you don’t get caught up in drugs, arms and people smuggling, with the latest
recommendations from INTERPOL and the Maritime Piracy Task Force
• Find out how West African maritime criminals are adopting traits of Somali pirates: What
will this mean for you?
• Exclusive firsthand account from a kidnap victim: How could this have been prevented and
what lessons can be learned?
InterManager members are eligible for a 15% discount off the conference registration fee – simply
email info@hansonwade.com and quote your booking code: INTERMANAGER
———————-
Diploma in Ship Management – the only distance learning diploma qualification for ship managers
Commences 27th September 2011
Who should study this Diploma in Ship Management:
• Assistant Operator
• Captain
• Chief Officer
• Crewing Officer
• Fleet Operator/Administrator
• General Manager
• Operations Manager
• Superintendent
• Ship Broker
• Ship Inspector
• Ship Officers
How to register and incentive for InterManager members. You can easily enrol online by clicking on
this link – http://www.informaglobalevents.com/LP0077EB1B1
Lloyd’s Maritime Academy is offering a special discount of £150 to all InterManager members, so
make sure you enrol early.
—————————–
Digital Ship is pleased to announce their autumn conferences and exhibitions.
Taking place in:
Singapore (18 & 19 October 2011),
Korea (28 October 2011),
Athens (22 & 23 November 2011) and
Istanbul (1 December 2011) these are the leading events for maritime IT, satcom, technical,
electronics and navigation managers who want to know about the latest developments in satellite
communications, maritime software, bridge electronics and technology.
Admission is free of charge for employees of shipping companies.
There are also plenty of networking sessions to meet with business partners, customers and peers.
Please go to www.thedigitalship.com or call +44 20 7017 3411
InterManager Charity Team Braves Torrential Rain to Raise Funds
“We did it!” – that’s the triumphant message from InterManager Secretary General Captain Kuba Szymanski after his team completed the gruelling 24Peak Challenge to raise funds for maritime charity Seafarers’ UK.
Together they braved heavy rain and wind for 27hrs and seven minutes to climb 24 peaks in the UK’s Lake District region.
An exhausted but pleased Kuba said: ”The weather was absolutely the worst ever. We had 27hrs and six minutes of heavy rain and wind and our team got thoroughly soaked. Navigation was very challenging with visibility down to 20-40 yards. Then, in the last one minute of our walk, the sun came out – completely out of the blue!”
The InterManager team, which included staff from maritime companies Seagull, Headland Media and the Nautical Institute, was one of only five teams to complete the weekend challenge. Led by Kuba Szymanski, the team comprised Jennifer Crowther, Anthony Royle, Regina Bindao, Bjarke Jakobsen and Hannah Merton.
Set in the UK’s picturesque Lake District, the 24 Peaks Challenge is a two day trial over a walking distance of 31 miles which tests participants’ endurance and physical strength to the limit as they encounter difficult terrain, lengthy ascents and steep descents along the way.
To date the InterManager team’s fundraising efforts have raised nearly £7,000 for Seafarers’ UK – a leading maritime charity which provides support to seafarers from the Royal Navy, the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets and their dependants.
Kuba explained their motivation: “All of our companies have a long history in providing services to the maritime industry and owe a great debt to those who live, or whose loved ones have lived, the hard life at sea.”
He added: “It’s a tough challenge and a great charity! Everyone did very well. We flew the InterManager flag very high indeed!”
The team members are still collecting money and if you would like to show your support please donate online at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/InterManager.org
Norway’s Anti-Piracy Stance Grabs Industry Attention
The dog days of summer are upon us, which may explain why Norway’s release of new anti-piracy regulations crept by without much attention. But the force and practicality of Norway’s effort to lay out practical terms for using armed guards on Norway-flagged vessels is now dawning on shipowners and maritime lawyers.
“The Norwegians have helped ships flagged in Norway take the bull by the horns,” said Chris Greiveson, a Singapore-based partner at Norwegian law firm Wikborg Rein.
Norway had tried to make the guidelines for using weaponry on ships during an attack as simple and straightforward as it could, he added. “[The rules] are essentially exemptions to local firearms law,” Mr Greiveson said.
The rules go so far as to specify the type of weapons that owners are allowed to deploy via security guards on their vessels, including rifles with as high a calibre as AK-47s, and large semi-automatic weapons.
Norway issued the rules on July 1, at a time when more shipowners are turning to armed guards for protection, particularly in crossing the Indian Ocean.
Lloyd’s List has reported that protection and indemnity clubs are being swamped by requests from owners in all flags to review contracts with security companies offering piracy protection.
Guidelines for selection of security companies and for rules of engagement have been issued by the International Maritime Organization and by P&I clubs.
However, owners that opt to deploy armed guards are still entering a grey area in the law that has not been tested with a great degree of legal precedent. For example, they are held to the laws of their flag state on such matters as which weapons are allowed and the use of weapons.
Only Norway, so far, has been specific about the actual weapons the owners may use. The rules require owners to get a general framework permission from a Norwegian police authority and the country’s maritime directorate, and then to document the actual use of a properly trained and vetted armed personnel with the authorities.
“A granted permit will not be linked to each individual firearm,” the regulations state said. “However, companies must apply for an exemption in order to be permitted to hold prohibited firearms.” Moreover, exemptions are granted for fully automatic firearms with bullets that do not exceed 7.62 mm in calibre or that use rounds with a size of 9 x 19 mm.
The exemptions also allow for single-shot, repeating semi-automatic firearms with bullets with diameters that do not exceed 12.7mm — in other words, “quite a big beast of a weapon”, according to Mr Greiveson.
The regulations include guidelines for storage of weapons and many other practical issues. The detailed level of advice came in the wake of criticism of the Norwegian government by Norwegian shipowners, who were calling for a more useful code to work with. “Norway has done a great service to its shipowners,” said Mr Greiveson.
BW Group chairman Helmut Sohmen said that the regulations were helpful, and would help stop “incidental attacks”.
However, he raised the caveat that deploying armed guards was no solution to the problem. The escalation of violence could put seafarers into the middle of a melee, or pirates could simply be clever enough to stay away from Norwegian ships and attack those less likely to be so well armed.
Singapore Shippers Call For UN Protection Force
The Singapore Shipping Association has proposed the involvement of a dedicated UN force to protect commercial shipping in the Indian Ocean.
In practical terms the force would consist of UN troops stationed at way points at which merchant vessels could pick up a protection squad before they navigated the most dangerous areas.
The SSA presented its proposal to the UN’s ninth plenary meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia in New York on Thursday, said SSA executive director Daniel Tan.
The SSA said this would help to get the participation of major flag states like Liberia and Panama, which lacked the resources for military deployments themselves, and would be a cheaper solution than extensive naval deployments.
In addition the SSA believes UN-sanctioned troops would not face any potential legal issues, unlike armed private security contractors, which operate in a legal grey area and whose presence is not welcome in some ports. “It is a possible medium-term solution,” said Mr Tan.
The SSA maintains that a long-term solution to the piracy issue in the Indian Ocean will involve international engagement with Somalia.
Pirates Demand Compensation From South Korea For Deaths
Somali pirates holding South Korean seafarers are demanding the release of pirates held by the South Korean authorities, as well as compensation for the deaths of some of their colleagues earlier this year, as a precondition for the captives’ freedom.
Eight pirates were killed in January when South Korean special forces secured the release of the chemical tanker Samho Jewelry . The Asian country’s government insisted that the deaths resulted from an exchange of fire, and has consistently denied any punishment element.
Stephen Askins of Ince & Co said: “Compensation would be a matter of Korean law and I assume would require the families to take action in Korea. I can’t see that being much of a runner in practical terms, unless a human rights organisation sought to support them. Even then, I wonder whether such an action is possible.”
An action in the UK would need a finding of unlawful killing. But with the right to life enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, there is a chance that an investigation would be instigated, he added.
“If a hostage rescue was ordered it would normally be in a situation where lethal force was permitted in principle. Even then any force used would need to be reasonable and proportionate.”
Last April, the Somalis released the vessel Asphalt Venture while holding on to seven Indian crew members, on the grounds that they were displeased with the Indian Navy’s killing of several colleagues.
P&I Clubs Draw Up Lists Of Approved Security Providers
Some protection and indemnity clubs in the Far East have drawn up their own lists of approved shipboard security providers, in response to escalating requests from shipowners for guidance in deploying armed guards, according to industry sources in Hong Kong.
While the London-based International Group of P&I Clubs insisted today that there was no centrally held whitelist, secretary Andrew Bardot confirmed that his organisation was examining wider issues of accreditation and standards in this highly sensitive area.
Meetings have taken place with the newly-formed Security Association of the Maritime Industries, which aims to introduce some form of benchmarking scheme, he added.
Sources at two UK-based P&I clubs in Hong Kong told Lloyd’s List that their firms do employ whitelists, and maritime lawyers and an official at the Hong Kong Marine Department both revealed that they are widely in use locally.
Insurers said they have adopted the practice as a means to avoid ruinous claims that could arise from a mishap in the discharge of deadly force by inexperienced or incompetent guards.
A number of owners have recently have admitted publicly that their companies deploy armed guards in response to intensifying attacks.
Pacific Basin Shipping , Wah Kwong Marine Transport Holdings and Valles Steamship have all either used guards or intend to use them.
The practice appears to be gaining wider acceptance following guidance issued by the International Maritime Organization and several P&I clubs on due diligence that should be conducted in relation to hiring a security company.
The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee included criteria on selection of security companies in its circular 1405 on May 23, including specific advice on what kind of information to seek in background checks on security companies. One chief executive of a Hong Kong-based shipping company said that he was recently in London talking to security firms, and commented that there was a relative shortage of good ones. He said there was a real danger that there were too few to meet growing demand.
Ruizong Wang, the managing director of the Swedish Club’s Asian unit based in Hong Kong, admitted that the club had formed a “small group to look at contracts between shipowners and security firms, one that includes an outside lawyer”.
He said the purpose was to ensure that the contracts did not put shipowners at disadvantage. He could not confirm whether the Swedish Club had started keeping a list of preferred providers. An executive at Gard said that it was providing a similar service.
Mr Bardot said that the International Group was looking at the liability and insurance provisions in security provider contracts and at efforts to come up with some form of accreditation.
“Clubs are getting many different versions of security provider contracts submitted to them by shipowner members and are vetting them to make sure they comply with the requirements for club cover and pooling,” he said.
Pirate Attacks Rise To 266 In First Half
Reported pirate attacks worldwide reached 266 in the first six months of this year, up from 196 incidents in the corresponding period last year, according to statistics released yesterday by the International Maritime Bureau.
Over 60% of incidents were attributed to Somali pirates. As of June 30, Somali pirates were holding 20 vessels and 420 crew. However, their success rate appears to be down, with just 21 hijacks in the first two quarters, against a tally of 27 in the first two quarters of 2010.
Somali pirates took 361 seafarers hostage and kidnapped 13 in the first six months of 2011. Some 50 incidents were recorded for Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore Straits and the South China Sea in the first half of 2011. Three tugs were hijacked by armed pirates and 41 vessels were boarded.
Worldwide, 495 seafarers were taken hostage. Pirates killed seven people and injured 39. Ninety-nine vessels were boarded, 76 fired upon and 62 thwarted attacks were reported.
The gravity of the situation in the Gulf of Aden appears to be escalating, according to IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan. “This June, for the first time, pirates fired on ships in rough seas in the Indian Ocean during the monsoon season,” he said.
“In the past, they would have stayed away in such difficult conditions. Masters should remain vigilant.”
Intermanager Team Puts Its Best Feet Forward To Raise Charity Funds
A team of walkers organised by InterManager will be putting their best foot forward this weekend (July 16-17th) when they climb 24 peaks in 24 hours!
Set in the UK’s picturesque Lake District, the 24 Peaks Challenge is a two day trial over a walking distance of 31 miles which tests participants’ endurance and physical strength to the limit as they encounter difficult terrain, lengthy ascents and steep descents along the way.
The InterManager team, which includes staff from maritime companies Seagull, Headland Media and the Nautical Institute, will be raising money for Seafarers’ UK – a leading maritime charity which provides support to seafarers from the Royal Navy, the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets and their dependants.
Led by InterManager Secretary General Kuba Szymanski, the team comprises Jennifer Crowther, Anthony Royle, Regina Bindao, Bjarke Jakobsen and Hannah Merton.
Kuba explains their motivation: “All of our companies have a long history in providing services to the maritime industry and owe a great debt to those who live, or whose loved ones have lived, the hard life at sea.”
He adds: “It’s a tough challenge and a great charity!!”
The team originally set a fund-raising target of £5,000 and are delighted to have already exceeded this – now they want to see how much further they can go!
To show your support please donate online at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/InterManager.org
Good luck to the team!
Marked Rise In Piracy
The number of pirate attacks on ships has risen by 35% over the last 12 months, with 266 incidents being recorded in the first half of 2011, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has revealed.
A report, entitled Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships, published by the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre highlights the growth in attacks and notes that around 60% of incidents involved Somali pirates.
The IMB report noted a marked rise in piracy but also a growing trend of ship hardening and naval intervention In the report, the IMB indicates that there have been 266 attacks in 2011 so far, which compares to 196 attacks in the first half of 2010.
In a global context, piracy accounted for seven deaths and 36 injuries over the six month period in the report. Also, it states that, in the first half of the year, 99 ships were boarded, 76 were fired upon and attacks on 62 ships were thwarted.
Attacks by Somali pirates were said to have risen from 100 reported incidents in the first half of 2010 to 163 incidents in the same period for 2011.
Illuminating the extent of Somali piracy, the IMB reported that, as of June 30, Somali pirate gangs had hijacked 20 vessels and held 420 crew members hostage.
However, actual hijacks by Somali pirates were said to have fallen by 22% over the last 12 months due to increased naval intervention and also ship hardening.
The Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea were viewed as a hotspot for pirate activity, although the report does indicate a growing number of disturbances and attacks in West Africa, particularly on tankers off the coast of Benin.
The IMB said the West African incidents were “particularly violent” as well as “highly organised”.
Furthermore, the report shines a light on the arms race among pirates over the last five years. During this time, pirates have gone from brandishing hand guns and knives to rocket-propelled grenade launchers and semi-automatic machine guns.
“In the last six months, Somali pirates attacked more vessels than ever before and they’re taking higher risks,” said IMB director Pottengal Mukundan.
“This June, for the first time, pirates fired on ships in rough seas in the Indian Ocean during the monsoon season. In the past, they would have stayed away in such difficult conditions. Masters should remain vigilant.”
