Top Ten Maritime News Stories 27/05/2015

Seacurus Daily: Top Ten Maritime News Stories 27/05/2015

 

1. New Enclosed Space Campaign

In January 2015 enclosed space entry drills and training every two months became mandatory under amendments to SOLAS. Mirroing this, at its 48th Committee meeting, the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) confirmed that enclosed space entry will be the subject of its 2015 Concentrated Inspection Campaign. More people die or are injured in enclosed spaces than through any other related onboard work activity, and the largest problem is with spaces which are not perceived as dangerous – anchor lockers and deck stores which may suffer from oxygen depletion, for example.

http://goo.gl/tVFy8u

 

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2. Port State Also Looking at Welfare

While the 2015 Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) will address enclosed space entry, they have also decided on the 2016 focus. Next year the CICs will include a campaign to verify compliance with the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006 (MLC2006). Secretary General Richard Schiferli says the decision to hold the CIC demonstrates the importance to the Paris MoU of decent working and living conditions onboard ships, as well as ensuring that seafarers’ rights are respected.

http://goo.gl/wA0j4q

 

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3. Danger in the Maritime Domain

The first few months of 2015 have demonstrated, in the most visible way possible, just how complex and sometimes dangerous the maritime domain can be, as well as how important it is to maintain awareness, treat the risks and avoid complacency at all costs.” Piracy and maritime crime is a complex matter, not one with easily identifiable or actionable answers. Dryad Maritime released its analysis of worldwide reported incidents of piracy and crime against mariners for Q1 2015, a report which includes but is not limited to traditional piracy and maritime crime, including also commentary on other threats and issues.

http://goo.gl/lQnHon

 

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4. Fines for HK Transgressions

Vessel masters and owners who fail to comply with a new low sulfur regulation in Hong Kong face a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for six months, Lloyd’s Register has warned in a statement issued by Swedish Club. The new at-berth low-sulfur regulation for ocean-going vessels (OGVs), known as the Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels) (Fuel at Berth) Regulation (Cap. 311AA), comes into force on July 1, 2015, and will apply to any moored or anchored OGV at any berth in Hong Kong waters, excluding the first hour after the vessel’s arrival and the last hour before its departure.

http://goo.gl/WBOHjX

 

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5. LR Launches New Guides

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and UK P&I Club (P&I) have launched three new pocket checklist applications for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Following the success of the ILO MLC and ISM & ISPS pocket checklists, LR and P&I have developed the Marine Fire Safety, Marine Pollution Protection and the Port State Control applications. Robert Brindle, LR’s lead specialist on Port State Control, commented: "The seafarers of today were calling out for a paperless solution that was portable and interactive. These apps allow us to update users when new legislation comes into force, helping to ensure they’re in compliance with the latest regulations". http://goo.gl/SYxjkn

 

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6. Northern Route Change Everything

Global warming and Arctic ice melt have received worldwide attention in recent years. The opportunity that receding ice presents for the shipping industry with regards to alternative voyage routes is enormous – ships are starting to utilise Arctic passages for much lengthier periods of time and the development of new passages which were previously unnavigable is driving shorter trading times and fuel cost savings. Furthermore, the risk of piracy can be avoided by using Arctic routes. For, instance, sailing from Shanghai to Hamburg through the NSR eliminates the risk of encountering Somali pirates. But will new "ice pirates" emerge?

http://goo.gl/rgte0J

 

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7. Maersk Karachi Ablaze

Fire erupted on board the unfortunate Maersk Karachi on May 22 at around midday at the NTB Terminal in Bremerhaven. It is believed the the fire was caused by salvage works, involving torches, that were being carried out aboard. The efforts of some 28 fire fighting teams and emergency personnel, nearly 70 men, were hampered by the mass of debris. There were no reports of injuries, only the local residents were advised to keep their windows shut due to unpleasant odour. Currently, the vessel is surrounded by three tug monitoring the situation.

http://goo.gl/a3UwRL

 

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8. Hyundai Delivers Landmark Vessel

South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the world’s biggest shipbuilder, announced a new milestone Tuesday with the recent delivery of its 2,000th ship. The milestone was reached with the delivery of the Ocean BlackLion, the last of four ultra-deepwater drillships for Diamond Offshore. Hyundai Heavy opened its doors with a bang in the early 1970’s by simultaneously completing shipyard construction and delivering two 266,000 DWT VLCCs just two years after breaking ground along a stretch of beach in Ulsan. Since then, the shipyard has grown to become the world’s biggest shipyard, setting a number of world records.

http://goo.gl/JGYxZ0

 

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9. Gas Carrier Boom Continues

Some 37 very large gas carriers (VLGCs) of a total capacity of 3.1 million cum are to be delivered this year, resulting in a 23% fleet growth in terms of capacity, shipping brokerage Banchero Costa Research said in a report. 23 vessels of all sizes were delivered in the first four months of 2015, including seven VLGCs, or vessels of more than 70,000 cum, the report shows. Another 45 VLGCs, or 3.8 million cum, are slated for delivery in 2016, adding up to an additional 22% global fleet growth. The brokerage estimates that as of May 2015, there are 170 VLGCs aged from up to four years to 30 years serving the market.

http://goo.gl/c6izYt

 

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10. Libyan Calls for Calm After Attacks

Following the bombing of one of its tankers by the internationally-recognized government forces, the National Oil Corporation of Libya called on the eastern forces to stop the damaging attacks. NOC condemned the attack in a statement, saying the incident had considerable harmful consequences on the national economy and the lives of the Libyan people as it was targeted directly at the property of the Libyan people. “We appeal to everyone in a position of authority to prevent targeting of economic potential of the country’s infrastructure because of its large impact on Libya’s security and stability, jeopardizing the country’s future,” NOC said.

http://goo.gl/rETY9m

 

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