Seacurus Daily Top Ten Maritime News Stories 01/12/2014

Seacurus Daily Top Ten Maritime News Stories 01/12/2014

 

1. Calls to Slash Shipping Red Tape

BIMCO calls for ways to reduce red tape for shipping which will be presented to the IMO. The report comes from the Ad Hoc Steering Group for Reducing Administrative Requirements (SG-RAR), set up by the IMO in 2012, and identifies ways to lessen administrative burdens associated with mandatory IMO conventions and codes. Key findings of the report for reducing red tape include calls for, electronic certificates and similar documents, electronic “single window” information exchange system, all parties to accept suitable replacement for paper documentation, Identifying and reducing possible administrative burdens

http://goo.gl/bMRpVo

 

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2. UK Club Looks to Self Assessment

The UK P&I Club is trialling a voluntary self-assessment scheme for its entered ships. The scheme is designed to help the club’s shipowner members take a more hands-on role in identifying and controlling the risk of accidents on their vessels – which in turn could help to reduce their insurance premiums by way of reduced claims. This trial is the latest development in the club’s recently adopted claims-based approach to ship inspections. Launched four years ago, this approach focuses specifically on measures needed to control the most likely accidents on a ship as identified by the club’s database of 12,000 major claims.

http://goo.gl/CZaoTL

 

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3. ECDIS Could be Too Smart

With navigation systems on ships getting more complex, it is leading to the question of whether they getting too smart for the user. Speaking at a Asia Maritime event on Navigation and Vessel Optimisation, Fleet Management head of quality and safety Mayank Mishra asked: “Ecdis is intelligent, but is it smart?” Referring to the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (Ecdis), which has been mandatory onboard vessels since 2012, Mishra said he felt that in their zeal to attract more customers, makers of these systems are adding ever more features, which may eventually end up confusing users.

http://goo.gl/cnoGjv

 

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4. Philippine Ferry Sinking and Rescue

The Philippine Coast Guard in Camiguin has successfully rescued the crew members of a sinking passenger-cargo vessel in Balbagon. The rescued seafarers were onboard MV Super Shuttle Ferry 11 and were siphoning seawater from her grounded sister ship, MV Super Shuttle Ferry 15 when the incident occurred. Personnel of Coast Guard Sub Station (CGSS) Camiguin immediately ordered the crew to suspend its siphoning operations when they noticed that MV Super Shuttle Ferry 11 was already listing on its portside. The ship officers and crew abandoned ship five minutes later.

http://goo.gl/s95XkC

 

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5. Governments Stick Migrant Boot In

Many governments seem to be making statements about changes in policy to save costs with little thought given to the legal ramifications of what they are decreeing. Such is the horrific case of migrants travelling into Europe across the Mediterranean Straits and running into trouble. In October the UK government stated it would no longer assist with the rescue of refugees fleeing from the North African coast. Governments are throwing the obligations and costs for humanitarian actions back on the shipping industry, with no reward for any efforts made and the threat of prosecution for inaction.

http://goo.gl/NTe36S

 

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6. IT on IMO Agenda

The IMO’s Marine Safety Committee (MSC) met in London last week for its 94th session, with several IT issues on the agenda. The MSC approved the e-navigation Strategy Implementation Plan (SIP), a roadmap of tasks required to give effect to prioritised e-navigation solutions, including improved bridge design, equipment, communications and reporting. Cyber security was also on the agenda, with the Committee considering a proposal to develop voluntary guidelines on cyber security practices for ports, vessels and marine facilities. MSC agreed that cyber security was “an important and timely issue”, but needs a multilateral response.

http://goo.gl/hf4vBp

 

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7. First Gas Ready Ultra Large Box Ship

United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) named the industry’s first ever LNG-ready ultra large container vessel. MV "Sajir" is the first vessel in UASC’s current newbuilding program, comprising 17 of the world’s most eco-efficient vessels. With a capacity of 15,000 TEU (A15), the DNV GL classed vessel is the largest and most eco-efficient vessel in this capacity range. Preliminary calculations indicate an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) value that is close to 50% below the 2025 limit established by the IMO. MV "Sajir" will start operating on the Asia-North Europe route after delivery. 16 further vessels will be delivered from Hyundai.

http://goo.gl/qTtLQ9

 

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8. Owners Praise EU Navy Extension

The European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA) has stated its wholehearted support of the recent decision to extend the EU Operation Atalants mission mandate. ECSA states that this is a step in the right direction, indicative of the EU’s willingness to adopt a holistic approach on this thorny issue. “We much appreciate the decision of the Council to prolong the Atalanta mission for another two years. We applaud the move to increase the scope of the mission’s mandate in order to assist other EU capacity-building missions in Somalia and the neighbouring area” commented Patrick Verhoeven, ECSA Secretary General. http://goo.gl/AyTiwm

 

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9. Remembering the Seafarers Still Held

Pirate gangs in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia are still holding 30 hostages in illegal captivity, the New Zealand navy officer who has just ended command of a multinational anti-piracy task force said Monday.  Commodore Tony Millar, who had commanded the Combined Maritime Task Force’s Counter-Piracy Task Force 151 (CTF151) since August, said while the number of hostages had fallen we should not forget those who are still being held. CTF151 had operated successfully with his staff of 13 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel overseeing 12 ships and three patrol and surveillance aircraft from seven different navies.

http://goo.gl/HsBXOz

 

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10. New Bunker Clause from BIMCO

BIMCO says it has released a new clause that it hopes will discourage fuel suppliers from arresting ships in order to claim a charterer’s unpaid bunker bills. The Bunker Non-Lien Clause will require that before agreeing on any bunker supply, charterers must put their suppliers on notice that the bunkers will be bought "solely on the charterers’ account." If charterers refuse or fail to do so, then a ship master can choose not to take delivery of the bunkers, said Grant Hunter, chief officer of legal and contractual affairs at BIMCO. "The clause acts as a useful safety-net for owners," he said.

http://goo.gl/3Pw40f

 

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