INTERMANAGER PLACES MINIMUM MANNING AND THE PAPERLESS SHIP HIGH ON ITS LIST OF PRIORITIES
Following its meeting in Oslo, Norway during the international NorShipping event, InterManager, the international trade association for in-house and third party ship managers, has set its sights on examining two key areas which could have significant benefits for the shipping industry.
First in its list of priorities is an investigation of minimum manning levels for different types of vessels trading on different trade routes and carrying different cargo types to determine whether and how these need to be reviewed, better understood for their implications to safety and efficiency and then discussed at flag state level to take into account required rest hours as set under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
The rules currently in place stipulate the minimum number of personnel needed to move a ship safely from one port to another. InterManager is concerned, however, that these rules were not just meant to set a crew complement number but were intended to also serve as a mechanism to improve overall operational status. Given today’s operating realities, this may not actually be what is happening. InterManager’s Executive Committee agreed to engage with industry stakeholders to consider how best to ensure sustainable and safe manning levels, taking into account the current operating and legislative environment, onboard administrative burdens and fatigue issues.
A second important area that InterManager also intends to examine is the issue of “the paperless ship” and work to draw up guidelines aimed at reducing the amount of paperwork officers and their crew have to undertake while at sea. Executive members are keen to seek ways to reduce this burden and improve the flow of form filling between the ship and shore.
Gerardo Borromeo, InterManager President, said: “Managers are concerned that these previously agreed minimum manning levels may not be properly reflective of today’s marketplace. For example, a VLCC calling at seven ports a year may have a minimum manning level of 18 but a smaller chemical tanker, calling at over 100 ports in the same period may be required to operate with a much lower crew complement of say 12. This has concerning implications when you consider the number of ports such a vessel may be visiting in a very short period of time.”
“We want flag states to look at each vessel type, the cargo it is carrying and the voyages it is on and to set up and agree on legislation to ensure there are always sufficient people on board to operate that vessel safely while catering for the necessary rest hours. We, of course, need to be realistic in approaching this issue as it involves not only safety and efficiency, but economics as well. At the end of the day, InterManager is looking to drive sustainable solutions that benefit the entire industry and the general public.
He added: “The burden of administrative tasks falling on seafarers in today’s shipping industry is significant. Industry surveys have indicated that the volume of red tape is one of the factor’s adversely affecting recruitment. InterManager aims to improve this situation not just for today’s seafarers but also for tomorrow’s.”
These new projects follow confirmation this week that InterManager has achieved its pre-set aim of delivering a comparable set of operational KPIs to the shipping industry as a whole by passing over ownership of the scheme to BIMCO. Working on behalf of the entire shipping industry since 2003, InterManager, its members and its project partners – including the Norwegian Research Council, Marintek and SOFTimpact – have worked tirelessly to produce a unique and comprehensive monitoring system which has the potential to produce huge benefits for ship operators.
Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of InterManager and part of the core development team for the system, said: “The KPI system was born out of a need for an international system to define, measure and report on operational performance in an effort to respond to society’s increasing demands. Our members have spent 13 years on developing and perfecting this system and we are deeply grateful to them for their tireless efforts. It is accredit to them and to the KP System that an organisation like Bimco now sees fit to take up the reins and roll out this invaluable system to the benefit of the entire shipping industry.”
Last Week:
02 June Oslo, InterManager Executive Committee Meeting
02 June Oslo, Big Data Round Table – Nigel Clive, Tony Field, Spencer Eade, George Hoyt and Kuba Szymanski representing InterManager
03 June Oslo, Data Analysis Conference – Is shipping ready for AIS as a Commercial tool? Capt. Kuba Szymanski speaking
04 June Oslo, Ocean Industry Podium, Capt. Kuba Szymanski representing InterManager and speaking.
3 – 12 June London, MSC 95 session at IMO- Capt. Paddy McKnight represents InterManager
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This Week:
3 – 12 June London, MSC 95 session at IMO- Capt. Paddy McKnight represents InterManager
10-12 June Szczecin – International Maritime Conference – Capt. Kuba Szymanski speaking about role of CSR in shipping
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Looking forward:
13-20 June – week off. Yacht Race Dun Laogharie to Dingle
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Discounts and offers for members:
Special 15% discount for InterManager members in the Piraeus GLAROS Hotel. The Hotel Management has confirmed it is willing to offer InterManager members (15%) off its internet prices if booked from their web site, www.glaros-hotel.gr/ This discount cannot be combined with any other discounts. You only need to mention you are an “InterManager member” in the “Comments and Special Requests” section of the web site and/or mention your company is an “InterManager member” when you check into the hotel.
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17th June 2015 – 18th June 2015, Aberdeen, UK Operating Specialist Wind Vessels Summit 2015 –
KEY PRESENTATIONS:
- Operational Experiences in New Installations
- Regulations for a Developing Industry
- Ensuring Crew Safety: How is This Best Accomplished?
- Improving Turbine Access in Harsh Deep-water Conditions
- Highlighting the need for High-Speed Vessels within the Offshore Wind Industry
More Info/ Registration:
Rohan Baryah +48 61 646 9780 [email protected]
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Name: 12th Ballast Water Management Summit
Location: Singapore
Dates: 16th -17th September 2015
Contact Name: Mohammad Ahsan
Contact Telephone: +44 (0) 203 141 0606
Contact E-mail: [email protected]
Website Link: http://www.wplgroup.com/aci/conferences/eu-mbw12.asp
Agenda Link: http://v11.vuturevx.com/exchange-sites/Whitmore%20Group/59/events-pdfs-eu/mbw12-agenda-mkt.pdf
15% Discount Code for members / subscribers: MBW12MA15
NOTES:
Essential Guide for Shipowners: Preparing Plans for Selection, Installation and Operating BWT Systems
ACI’s 12th Ballast Water Management has taken a forefront position on the agenda of many ship owners & operators as more and more states continue to ratify the IMO Ballast Water Convention. The 12th Ballast Water Management Summit will provide you with an overview from key regulators and classification societies, case studies of ship owners’ operational experiences and their implementation experiences through the process of selection and integration of ballast water systems. This year, there will be greater comparison between different technologies to give a better overview of available systems and expert guidance on your selection process.
KEY PRESENTATIONS THIS YEAR INCLUDE:
- Install Ballast Water Management System Now or Wait for IMO Ratification
- Operations in US Waters: What You Need to Know
- IMO Assembly adjustments to the implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention
- Alternate Management System (AMS): What are Your Options?
- Exemptions from ballast water management requirements
- What are the Alternatives to Ballast Water Management: Ballast Free Ships?
- Long-Term Maintenance Plans for Ballast Water Management Systems
- Crew Training: Efficient Use of Ballast Water Management Systems
For more information & registration, please contact Mohammad Ahsan on +44 (0) 203 141 0606 or [email protected]
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Ballast Water Management Technology North America
24 – 25 September 2015, Miami
Overcoming regulatory barriers and reducing shipowner risk
Join our 2015 BWMTech community and meet 120+ key industry players from across the globe, network with 80+ shipowners and receive 14+ hours of content to find the solutions that you need.
http://www.informamaritimeevents.com/FKT2892IMNL
Quote VIP code FKT2892IMNL to save 20%
Green Ship Technology North America
17 – 18 November 2015, Washington DC
Harmonising global industry regulations and promoting sustainability in shipping
Attend GST North America and meet 250+ green shipping professionals, hear from 60+ expert speakers and gain a unique opportunity to network with our Green Ship Technology community.
http://www.informamaritimeevents.com/FKT2946IMNL
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Brgds Kuba
Capt. Kuba Szymanski
Secretary General
InterManager
