Seacurus Daily Top Ten Maritime News Stories 09/11/2014

Seacurus Daily Top Ten Maritime News Stories 09/11/2014

1. Multiple Manila Deaths

Two seafarers have died after falling off vessels in Manila port the last week. An Indonesian seafarer Ati Kurina Hidayap, 21, fell off the Indonesian vessel "TP Diwanik 1" on Sunday while it was unloading logs in Manila port the Police Guard said, according to local reports. The body of the Indonesian seafarer is reported to have been recovered. The death comes less than a week after Belgian seafarer drowned after falling off the vessel Sebastian de Elcano on 4 November. The vessel was reported to be docked 1nm from the breakwater at Manila port when Floris JK Heeren and two colleagues were cleaning the lower deck when they fell. http://goo.gl/yYgjVk

 

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2. Dover Ferry Drama

DFDS Seaways’ Ro-Pax vessel Dover Seaways had an unfortunate incident on Sunday morning when it struck the harbor wall at Dover while enroute to Dunkirk, a two hour crossing. DFDS notes in a statement four people were taken to hospital as a result of the incident and damage to the Dover Seaways is currently being assessed. Three of DFDS’ ships operate on the Dover-Dunkirk route with 12 departures daily. The 183 meter vessel was built in 2006 by Samsung Heavy Industries, is British-flagged and classed by Lloyd’s Register.

http://goo.gl/UvoAl2

 

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3. Connectivity is the Key for Seafarers

UK Chamber of Shipping CEO, Guy Plattern has announce that improved internet access will help ‘cure’ seafarers who feel lonely on board vessels. At the Merchant Navy Welfare Board’s annual dinner in London this week, Plattern spoke about how better connectivity and a strong economy can ensure prosperity for individuals who work at sea. “The ability to send a message home, chat with friends on Facebook, even just check the football results. These small things can have the most profound impact on the mental health of our seafarers,” said Plattern during his keynote address.

http://goo.gl/kzBq6J

 

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4. No Impact of Safety Requirements for Good Owners

New health and safety guidelines for seafarers to bolster the MLC2006 should have no major impact owners that have fully implemented the convention. The guidelines were agreed at a meeting at the International Labour Organistion in Geneva last month. Commenting on the guidelines Nicholas Fisher, ceo of Masterbulk, said: “Owners have already implemented MLC2006 and these guidelines will assist them to revisit and better understand the requirements and thought processes of the competent authorities. “In theory there should be no major impact on those owners who have already embraced the legislation".

http://goo.gl/FlrMOR

 

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5. Maritime Security Legacy Questioned

In 2004, when the ISPS Code entered into force, ports in West and Central Africa eagerly declared their compliance with this set of measures. The ISPS Code, aimed at enhancing the security of ships and ports, was specifically developed ‘in response to the perceived threats to the maritime industry in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.’ Yet the United States Coast Guard has said some of these ports are not properly implementing the measures set out by the IMO. Are these African ports circumventing international standards at a time when the Gulf of Guinea is increasingly becoming the most insecure maritime area in the world?

http://goo.gl/ILyT3j

 

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6. Pilots Want Specialised Ebola Guidance

“The pilots are the first onboard, but as yet they don’t have direct guidance as to what to do, what is the best way to protect themselves from the Ebola virus,” said Don Cockrill, chair of the UK Maritime Pilots’ Association. He says that the situation “is evolving”, adding that there are now bulletins from the National Maritime Information Centre listing those ships that have in the last 21 days called into West African states, “but what do we do now?” he asks. “We need advice, not general guidelines issued for the whole shipping industry, but advice for us, the pilots.”

http://goo.gl/e2SDw5

 

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7. Waste Water from Scrubbers Targeted

The head of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) says the EU should establish rules on the handling of waste water from scrubbers, PortNews reports. Speaking in Hamburg during a workshop held by the liquified natural gas (LNG) Initiaitve Nordwest network, VDR’s CEO Ralf Nagel said that rules surrounding the use of scrubbers are not being coordinated internationally, leading to uncertainty for shipowners. "The EU member states need to establish uniform rules for discharging scrubbing water in their ports and coastal waters," said Nagel. Shipping companies that invested early must not be punished for that now, it was stated.

http://goo.gl/IV4Twi

 

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8. Confusion at Rapid Demise of Bunker Firm

The rapid collapse into bankruptcy of OW Bunker just 48 hours after it revealed a $125m fraud at Singapore subsidiary Dynamic Oil Trading, as well as $150m in risk management losses announced at the same time, leaves an awful lot of unanswered questions. OW Bunker was not a two-bit marine fuel supplier, it had revenues of $17bn in 2013 and claimed a 7% share of the global marine fuel supply market. Suppliers and sub-contractors will find themselves with large unpaid bills, something which P&I insurers Skuld have warned shipowners about. And more than 600 employees of the group worldwide face a very uncertain future.

http://goo.gl/wSKQsQ

 

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9. Massive New Charter Project Attracts Bidders

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has compiled a shortlist of bidders for a US$900m mega-boxship project. Various prominent shipowners and five Asian yards have entered the penultimate stages of a race to construct and charter six vessels that are18,000-20,000 TEU in capacity. Bids have to be submitted by mid-November 2014 in anticipation of tenders being completed by the end of the year. MOL is to review bids from various international bidders and team up to three winners with five Asian ship yards. Bidders are from locations across the globe, although Chinese yards have not been invited to partake due to a lack of experience.

http://goo.gl/aIT5kw

 

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10. Deep Losses for Drilling Giant

Transocean offshore drilling reported on Sunday a net loss of $2.217 billion this quarter, or $6.12 per diluted share. Considering the Zug, Switzerland-based offshore drilling firm has a current market cap of USD $10.8 billion, this quarterly loss will most certainly leave a large dent. So far this year, the company’s share value has plummeted 43 percent. With oil majors spending less on deepwater exploration the demand for offshore drilling services is moderating while at the same time a plethora of new high specification rigs are coming into the market. Drilling is to be hit hard.

http://goo.gl/cOs7O0

 

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