Archive for September, 2011
Owners Get Proactive Over Piracy
The Danes want a lot more done about the piracy problem off the east coast of Africa.
The country’s shipowners have had their share of vessels captured or attacked and have formed their own working groups in Copenhagen, where they swap experiences and best practice.
This led, in May this year, to the Danish government to issue a paper: Strategy for the Danish Counter-Piracy effort, 2011-2014.
The government — and the shipowners — know despite their vociferous efforts, they alone cannot solve the piracy problem and it needs an even more co-ordinated international effort.
Danish Shipowners’ Association director Jan Fritz Hansen now chairs a new working committee on piracy in the European Community Shipowners’ Association.
The Danish shipowners are worried about the impact the naval presence is having on a region that has seen increased attacks in recent months.
With the pirates getting more aggressive and co-ordinated, then the response has to follow suit, insists Mr Hansen.
“There are 15 naval vessels in the region. Many governments are not delivering anything and we need them down there,” he said.
More Danish owners are turning to armed security to protect their vessels and crews during a transit — a turn of events the DSA terms a “standard necessity”.
The Danish authority has legislation for licences for vessels under the country’s flag and is looking for some flexibility over the permission required to put weapons on board, having achieved the vetting for security firms.
Denmark also recognises the rules of engagement issued by the Security Association for the Maritime Industry.
Together, the nation’s shipowners and its government have been pushing for a more holistic solution to the Somalian problem for a long time. Both bodies believe fighting fire with fire will not solve the issue in the long run.
Instead they are keen to see the Somalians build up their own fisheries industry again and use it as a source of income.
But more importantly, Mr Hansen asks, can society help follow the ransom money? There should be more effort made in tracking the pirates and middle men, once a ransom is paid, to bring them all to justice.
This is where the European Union could help, he says. The EU is very bureaucratic and while it may be difficult to get a EU-wide naval commitment, there should be something the European Parliament can press forward to develop the means to chase the payments.
There is still the need to push forward the fact the Somalian problem is not just a shipping problem — and those countries that can not commit with a military presence can help in other ways.
“We can not carry this through on our own. We need Europe. We need the bigger countries to help track the ransom as well,” says Mr Hansen.
Seachefs Project Addresses Training Skills Gap
How to crew the fleet with qualified ships cooks is a taxing question. New MLC 2006 Regulations require Managers to ensure that cooks are trained, qualified and found competent.
The EU Seachefs pilot project completed with assistance from InterManager member Bernhardt Schulte’s Ship Management Training Centre in Cyprus, takes a new approach to the problem.
It focuses on delivering a standardised, fast-track, training for seagoing cooks. On the one hand, Seachefs aims to define uniform standards for cooks; on the other hand Seachefs charts a path to switch hotel and catering personnel to the maritime sector to address the shortage issue.
For more information see pdf below:
Seachefs Project Report (217)
Real Time Tutoring To Meet Real Business Need
Real Time Tutoring To Meet Real Business Need: The New Videotel Academy MLC 2006 CBT Course
No matter which flag their vessels fly or which country they are from, ship operators will soon have no option but to comply with the obligations of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention – and now is the time to prepare. However, they face the challenge of finding high quality, flexible and user friendly training that suits the needs of personnel who operate in diverse working environments with unusual working hours. Videotel Marine International now provides the answer, with the launch of the on-line Videotel Academy MLC 2006 tutor assisted distance learning course, incorporating computer based training (CBT), the first programme of its kind in the industry and the only course of its kind to offer real time on-line tutoring across the globe.
“The ILO Maritime Labour Convention is probably the single most important international regulation affecting manning and labour affairs that has been seen for many generations,” says Nigel Cleave, CEO at Videotel. “It covers every aspect of the manning of ships, from employment conditions to medical standards, and from crew accommodation to work hour regulations.
“We feel that the extensive training needed should be conducted in real time by a senior course tutor with significant experience in the field. However the range of roles and responsibilities held by course participants also demands that the training be flexible and available on demand. Videotel Academy tutor-assisted CBT training perfectly suits those seemingly conflicting requirements by combining distance learning techniques with the traditional advantages of the support and interaction provided by learning in a classroom environment. Participants really benefit from the ability to communicate ‘face to face’ with their course tutor and receive mentoring and academic support in real time.”
The course is on-line and tutor supported, and follows a structured learning programme lasting 12 weeks. It provides the essential knowledge required from those responsible for implementing and ensuring compliance with the standards of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention. Participants will be encouraged to engage in on-line discussions with the course tutor and fellow delegates to pool experience and knowledge.
The tutor for the course is David Dearsley who has over 45 years of experience in the shipping industry at sea and ashore, some 25 years of which was working as Deputy Secretary General of the ISF where he was responsible for co-ordinating the global shipowners position on initiating, reaching agreement on and then drafting and developing the text for the MLC. He has also worked with the IMO and the ILO.
Training Saves Lives: Videotel Joins With Mines Rescue Marine
Training Saves Lives: Videotel Joins With Mines Rescue Marine To Launch Entry Into Enclosed Spaces Training Series
Accidents in enclosed spaces are frequent, often fatal – but crucially, also avoidable. Videotel Marine International has joined forces with Mines Rescue Marine to launch a brand new training series, Entry into Enclosed Spaces. The programme delivers a hard hitting message to both ship board and shore based personnel that will ensure that when working in enclosed spaces the correct equipment is used and good safety procedures become second nature.
“There is no excuse for the unacceptable casualties we have seen recently,” says Stephen Bond, Deputy Chairman, Videotel. “Again and again we hear of seafarers coming to grief in enclosed spaces. These incidents could have been avoided by an understanding of the dangers of entering enclosed spaces and the critical importance of following proper procedures. We are convinced that the Entry into Enclosed Spaces Training Series will help save lives.”
“We are delighted to have been able to work with Mines Rescue Marine to create this programme. For over 100 years, their Mines Rescue Service has developed its specialist skills, experience and knowledge gained from working in a difficult and potentially dangerous environment to effect the rescue and escape of mineworkers from underground. This experience has proven invaluable in helping to construct the training programme, ensuring it is both realistic and practical.”
With comprehensive written material including case studies and student exercises, the package consists of 6 programmes covering awareness; preparation and procedures; equipment; enclosed spaces entry; emergency procedures and rescue; and the correct use of breathing apparatus. It is available in a range of formats – interactive CD-ROM, through Videotel on Demand (VOD) and VHS/DVD with supporting booklets.
Entry into Enclosed Spaces was launched onboard the HQS Wellington by Captain Terry Jewell, Master of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.
Dispatches No. 72
Please visit our website and submit your petition to your local government to END THE PIRACY
www.intermanager.org
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AGM – Manila 15th November 2011 followed by Manning and Training Informa seminar
We have now block booked SOFITEL HOTEL for that week. Room rates are as follow:
Single Rate Double Rate
Luxury Room US$155.86/108.15 EUR US$170.58/118.36EUR
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We are delighted to introduce new FULL MEMBER of InterManagers – Bibby Ship Management
Bibby Ship Management offers its customers a true one-stop-shop service of full commercial and technical management and is part of the Bibby Line Group which is headquarted in Liverpool,with offices in the UK, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, India, the Philippines and Singapore all of which offer the following services:
• Technical Management
• Crew Management Services
• Training and Development
• Payroll and employment services
• Marine & Business Travel
• Industrial Relations
• Flag State Management
• Yacht Management Services
Bibby Ship Management fully operates in accordance with the International Safety Management code (ISM), OHSAS 18801 health and safety and ISO 9001 quality management.
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Last week:
19-23 September – IMO DSC meeting
20-21 September – Montreal -Participation of InterManager in the Panel on KPIs during the upcoming Canada Maritime Conference – Kuba Szymanski attending
20 – 21st September – London – Risk Management in Shipping – Alastair Evitt speaking
22-23 September – RO – RO conference in London, Kuba Szymanski attending
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This Week
27-28 September – Copenhagen – International Ship Management Business Conference Alastair Evitt Chairing
Members speaking: Rajesh Bajpaee Bernard Schulte and Roberto Giorgi VShips
29 September – London – MPHRP launch of Piracy Exhibition in Museum of London Docklands – Kuba Szymanski attending
29 September – London – IMO – World Maritime Day – Kuba Szymanski attending
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Looking forward:
02-05 October – Cyprus – Maritime Cyprus Conference – V-ce president George Hoyt attending
05 October – Athens – Safety 4 Sea – annual conference – Kuba Szymanski speaking
06 October – London – ACI – Maritime Communication and Technology Summit – Kuba Szymanski speaking
19 October – Athens – Seagull user forum –
04-05 November – Bristol – Nautical Institute – Command Seminar – Kuba Szymanski Attending
Discounts for Members:
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Upcoming GAC Training & Service Solutions (GTSS) Training Courses
13th & 14th Oct 2011-GENEVA-Dry Cargo Operations & Chartering
25th & 26th Oct 2011-GENEVA-Understanding LNG
27th & 28th Oct 2011-GENEVA-LNG Carrier Operations in Port
1st & 2nd Nov 2011-GENEVA-Oil Tanker Operations in Port
9th & 10th Nov 2011-GENEVA-Oil & Shipping Operations
22nd-24th Nov 2011-CORK-A Complete Guide to Bunkering-NEW COURSE!!!!
To enrol please log onto www.nmci.ie/gtss or contact Ms. Joanne Kelleher at nmci@gac.com
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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
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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
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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
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26-27 October; London ACI 9th Maritime HR and Crew Development conference
Is the industry doing enough to secure its future?
What is being done to recruit and retain seafarers?
What are the latest training techniques to ensure a high level of expertise?
The 9th Maritime HR and Crew Development conference will discuss these issues and will give you the opportunity to brainstorm with your peers on the best HR strategies. You will get the opportunity to meet some of the biggest players in HR and crewing. Attend Europe’s most prominent Maritime HR and Crew Development meeting to network with other maritime professionals working towards higher standards and skills in the industry.
Special 15% discount for InterManager’s members. Please contact Melanie Mulazzi on +44 207 981 2504 or mmulazzi@acieu.net
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Intermodal Europe 2011 takes place in Hamburg on 29th November – 1st December and will bring together a mix of high quality speakers and key exhibitors providing visitors with an invaluable industry forum and promises to be the most successful yet. FREE to attend exhibition & conference. Register at www.intermodal-events.com/im
Capt. Kuba Szymanski
Secretary General
InterManager
+44 7624 498 266
web: www.intermanager.org
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Copyright © InterManager 2011.
InterManager
Pirate Attack Surge Feared As Somalia Monsoon Ends
Warships and private security providers in the Gulf of Aden are gearing up for a surge in Somali piracy as the monsoon season draws to a close, according to sources based in the region.
Although a cluster of attacks south of Somalia was seen late last week, weather forecasts suggest poor meteorological conditions off Mombasa and the Kenyan coast in the coming days will disrupt pirate activity in this area.
However, one private security concern stressed attacks are nevertheless still possible. Gulf of Aden Group Transits said in a circular to clients: “Pirate action groups have been known to attempt attacking and boarding in harsh weather conditions.
“The use of the local Somali drug khat by pirates may also cause pirate action groups to take higher risks when attempting to attack and hijack vessels. Be aware that the strong southern weather may also push pirate action group operations further north.”
Meanwhile, the Vietnamese operator of bulk carrier Hoang Son Sun has reportedly paid more than $2m in ransom to free the ship and its crew held hostage by Somali pirates since the start of the year.
All 24 seafarers on board landed at Hanoi’s Noi Bai international airport on Friday, Hoang Son deputy general director Nguyen Truong Son told Agence France Presse, adding: “We had to pay the pirates $2.6m. The money was from our own company.”
On the other side of Africa, Spanish tanker Mattheos I was freed on Saturday after 10 days in pirate hands. All 23 people on board were said to be well.
LMA Voices Concern Over IUMI’s Stance On Armed Guards
Claims by International Union of Marine Insurance chairman Ole Wikborg that IUMI has an “active and well published stand in favour of armed guards” has surprised many who remain committed to a neutral position.
Speaking at the the IUMI meeting in Paris last week, Mr Wikborg said: “It took IUMI some time to get to this point, as the prevailing opinion has been that flag states should deal with this and subsequently discuss and decide through the International Maritime Organization.”
However, the Lloyd’s Market Association and the International Maritime Organization both hold neutral positions and LMA senior executive Neil Roberts said the decision to hire and pay for armed guards was one for the shipowner or asset operator, and was not something of which the LMA could approve or disapprove.
“Insurers will make their own individual decisions when presented with such risks,” Mr Roberts said.
“As long as the operation has been approved by the relevant authorities, the choice on whether to insure and on what terms will be based on commercial factors and whether the risk is perceived to be mitigated or enhanced by the presence of such guards.”
International Group of P&I Club’s chief executive Andrew Bardot said that the LMA view was mirrored by the rest of the industry.
He said it was the view of the shipping industry, the IMO and the naval forces that the use of armed guards was likely to result in the escalation of violence and that this would be a “game changer” for the industry.
While there is still no clear view from many of the major flag states, Mr Roberts said the legal complexities meant there could be little certainty for owners about liabilities in many cases.
InterManager Welcomes Bibby Shipmanagement
InterManager, the international trade association for the ship management industry, is delighted to welcome Bibby Ship Management Ltd to its membership.
Located in Liverpool, Bibby Ship Management Ltd provides a quality assured comprehensive technical management service to the international marine industry. The firm’s parent company, Bibby Line Group Limited, has been established for 200 years and appreciates investment in long-term results and commitment to core values – aims which chime well with InterManager’s aims and objectives.
Between them InterManager’s members are involved in the management of more than 4,370 ships and almost 250,000 crew members.
Alastair Evitt, InterManager President, said: “We are delighted to welcome Bibby Shipmanagement to InterManager’s growing membership. Our members are actively involved in achieving global standards across the industry. Working together and sharing best practice is a hallmark of InterManager membership and we look forward to involving Bibby in our discussions and activities.”
Martin Kent, Managing Director of Bibby Ship Management’s Liverpool and Singapore offices, commented: “Over the past fourteen years Bibby Ship Management has expanded its operations globally within the various disciplines that encompass ship management so it was natural for us to consider joining InterManager. We are pleased to have been given this opportunity and look forward to being an active member within the association.”
Shipmanagement Bosses ‘Helpless’ Over Hostage Talks
The heads of two leading shipmanagement companies are calling for more co-ordinated action among all shipping industry stakeholders to prevent and combat piracy attacks.
V.Ships president Roberto Giorgi and Anglo-Eastern Ship Management chief executive Peter Cremers told Lloyd’s List of their frustration and a feeling of helplessness that there is little they can do to speed the release of their crews because negotiations with the pirates are in the hands of the shipowners and insurers.
“We are both very upset and the industry needs to do something more,” Mr Giorgi said.
Each of the companies has a vessel under management being held by pirates. V. Ships is crew manager for the Italian registered aframax tanker Savina Caylyn , which was hijacked in February. The vessel is owned by Italian company D’Amato , which also provides technical management, but V.Ships has five Italian and 17 Indian crew members onboard who have been held for seven months while ransom negotiations continue.
Anglo-Eastern is manager for the 25,390 dwt, Marshall Islands-flagged chemical tanker Fairchem Bogey, which was audaciously taken from Salalah anchorage earlier this month. The ship is owned in the US but Anglo- Eastern has about 21 Indian crew members onboard.
“Our position as manager is difficult as we have no formal role in negotiations. Crew managers should have an input especially out of respect for the crew,” Mr Giorgi said. “Shipmanagers are helpless when ships are hijacked. Despite our crew being held hostage we have no role in negotiations. Seafarers are not being shown proper respect.”
He said that all the crew manager can do is to provide support for the seafarers’ families, who often come from small close-knit communities and face a horrible time.
“We try to put pressure on all stakeholders, including the shipowner, cargo owner and flag state but we have no direct involvement.”
Mr Giorgi said that pirates were becoming more sophisticated in negotiating strategies.
“When ships are captured we do not know how long they will be held and the price demanded for ransom seems to be increasing.”
He added that with many shipowners facing increasingly tough financial problems, there was greater pressure on them with regard to limiting payment of ransoms. This often prolongs the time that ships and crews are held. For negotiators the prime concern is the physical asset. Cargo owners should also make a contribution towards the expenditure involved.
“The area of pirate activity is so large that navies cannot protect ships. Flag states should take a different approach, to work with owners to get solutions. The key priority is to prevent ships being hijacked, which needs more support by charterers and flag states. The International Maritime Organization should take a stronger stance with flag administrations with regard to allowing armed guards onboard ships. All stakeholders should line up together, but at present that is not the case. If there was more cohesion we could get better results,” Mr Giorgi said.
“Most owners want to put armed security guards onboard their ships but some are prevented from doing so by flag states and insurers. Owners should have the freedom to protect their vessels. Flag states and insurers should not prevent them, otherwise owners will not carry cargo through unsafe areas,” he said. “For managers it should be imperative for ships to carry armed guards. If the risk is such that the vessels cannot sail safely through the area, the owner must take a different route.”
Without more co-ordinated action by the whole industry “there is a real danger of these areas becoming effectively unsafe for shipping”.
Bunker Costs Set To Rise Due To Reduced Output, Sulphur Regulations
High bunker fuel prices are set to rise even higher in the next few years on environmental regulations and reduced global production, potentially eroding owners’ earnings even further than being seen in the tanker industry today, writes Hal Brown .
The forecast by the research team of New York broker McQuilling Partners is underpinned by Russia’s decision to raise taxes on its exports of fuel oil, which is blended into bunkers.
Russia, the world’s largest exporter of fuel oil, will raise tax on its oil product exports, which includes fuel oil, because earlier this year the country faced gasoline shortages and wants to avoid this being repeated by high volumes of exports.
Higher taxes on Russia’s fuel oil exports will discourage those exports due to reduced profitability, resulting in Russian refiners lowering production of fuel oil, according to McQuilling.
After the new export duty comes into force on October 1, throughput at Russian refineries could be lowered by 250,000 bpd by next year and by an additional 500,000 bpd in 2015, the report said, using information from JBC Energy.
Alongside Russian export tax rises cutting fuel oil availability, refiners around the world have been reducing fuel oil production, said the report.
The tightness of fuel oil supply could, though, be reduced as demand for fuel oil for power generation is reportedly set to decline, to be replaced by cleaner and often cheaper natural gas.
However, that does not rule out the potential development of higher future bunker prices heavily impacting an already beleaguered tanker industry. High bunker prices eat into owners’ daily earnings.
“Russia’s decision to realign its export strategy has the potential to sharply lower the availability of fuel oil in the coming months and years,” concluded McQuilling. “The downstream sector’s drive to continue investment into slashing fuel oil production has tightened supplies, yet this has been somewhat offset by decreased demand.
“In the coming years, shipping market participants will face a double assault as sulphur restrictions combined with reduced fuel oil volumes will undoubtedly drive bunker prices higher.”
The cost of bunkers for Fujairah 380 cst fuel is $657 per tonne, according to Greek shipbroker Optima. Earlier this year, prices reached a high of more than $700 per tonne.
