Seacurus Daily: Top Ten Maritime News Stories 20/07/2017
1. Shell of a Bad Deal
The crew of a North Sea supply ship hired by Shell are being paid less than the minimum wage, according to industry watchdogs. Filipino crew aboard the "North Promise" reportedly earn as little as £2.60 an hour. The supply ship, which is owned by Gulfmark, was contracted to Shell for two years in April. It was inspected by the International Transport Workers’ Federation when it arrived in Aberdeen last week, who found crew were paid $590 a month. The RMT union described it as the latest in a series of pay scandals to hit UK ports. National secretary Steve Todd said: "exploitation is getting worse".
———————————————————————————
2. Bunker Buyers Unprepared
Bunker buyers are woefully unprepared for 2020 when the global sulfur cap on marine fuel lowers to 0.50 percent, and many shipowners seem to be just "sleepwalking into gasoil." That was one of the key messages made by Alok Sharma, Global Head of Sales, Inatech, who recently talked to Ship & Bunker about where the industry is currently positioned to tackle the challenges of the new global sulfur cap. "The environment we’re in right now, really it is outstanding just how ill prepared anyone is," says Sharma. "It’s not head in the sand time – that was two years ago. Today we’re down a rollercoaster and heading towards a cliff". goo.gl/nkNRS3
Bunker buyers are woefully unprepared for 2020 when the global sulfur cap on marine fuel lowers to 0.50 percent, and many shipowners seem to be just "sleepwalking into gasoil." That was one of the key messages made by Alok Sharma, Global Head of Sales, Inatech, who recently talked to Ship & Bunker about where the industry is currently positioned to tackle the challenges of the new global sulfur cap. "The environment we’re in right now, really it is outstanding just how ill prepared anyone is," says Sharma. "It’s not head in the sand time – that was two years ago. Today we’re down a rollercoaster and heading towards a cliff". goo.gl/nkNRS3
———————————————————————————
3. Greeks Rise Once More
Greek shipowners and Greek-controlled shipping companies appear more active over the recent period in the second-hand market and new orders sector, apparently judging that brighter prospects are on the horizon in terms of asset play and daily rates. New orders by Greek-controlled shipping mostly involved tankers, whereas bulk carriers and used tankers dominate the second-hand market. By all accounts, the next major transaction on line is by John Angelicoussis’ Maran Tankers, which is a few signatures shorts of finalizing a deal with Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering for the construction of four VLCCs.
goo.gl/bBtDPA
goo.gl/bBtDPA
———————————————————————————
4. Flags Take Bashing
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) says Australia’s Government can no longer ignore its national security responsibilities in the wake of damning findings today by the Senate Inquiry into Flag of Convenience (FOC) Shipping. The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee report chronicles gaping holes in Australia’s national security framework just one day after a Government announcement to create a new Ministry of Home Affairs. The Senate report states: “The committee maintains that [FOC] vessels present serious security risks to the Australian coast, which need to be properly addressed.
goo.gl/d8u9Av
goo.gl/d8u9Av
———————————————————————————
5. Club Action on Cyber Risks
P&I Club Gard has been urging its shipowner members to take a holistic approach to cyber security. The Club urges steps that involve 3 key areas. These are People – focus on knowledge, behaviour and mind-set Raise awareness, provide training and communicate the risks at all levels of the organisation. Processes – focus on policies, procedures and risk assessments. Align cyber risks with existing security and safety risk management requirements contained in the ISPS and ISM Codes as included in company policies, and IT systems – focus on firewalls, antivirus and encryption. Ensure there is adequate protection at all levels.
goo.gl/gCeWAv
goo.gl/gCeWAv
———————————————————————————
6. Tug Loss Report
The inexperience of the crew of the Domingue tug that sank while assisting the container ship CMA CGM Simba in the port of Tulear, Madagascar in September 2016 was one of the reasons behind the tug’s sinking that resulted in two deaths. A report from the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) of the incident found that aside to Domingue’s crew lack of experience in this type of operation, the tug was not fitted with a gog rope and no emergency means were provided to release the two ropes under tension. In addition, it is highly probable that Domingue’s open doors and hatches contributed to its rapid capsize.
———————————————————————————
7. Nigeria’s Piracy Losses
The Nigerian government claims it loses an estimated sum of $1.5 billion to piracy monthly. Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, made the claim while opening a public hearing on the bill to amend the maritime operations coordinating board act. The speaker said according to 2012 reports, the number of vessels attacked in the West African sub-region had reached a world record high. He said the increasing attacks in the Gulf of Guinea has given countries in the sub-region a negative image.
The Nigerian government claims it loses an estimated sum of $1.5 billion to piracy monthly. Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, made the claim while opening a public hearing on the bill to amend the maritime operations coordinating board act. The speaker said according to 2012 reports, the number of vessels attacked in the West African sub-region had reached a world record high. He said the increasing attacks in the Gulf of Guinea has given countries in the sub-region a negative image.
———————————————————————————
8. New Hydrogen Boat Launched
A new boat equipped with hydrogen fuel cells has embarked on a six year voyage to highlight the capabilities of clean technology and how it can be used for transportation. Called the Energy Observer, the boat had once been used for racing. A team of 50 engineers, designers, and architects have refashioned the vessel to be powered by hydrogen fuel cells, solar panels, and even wind turbines. The boat will make several stops throughout the world on its global voyage. Energy Observer will use solar and wind power during the day and its hydrogen fuel cells at night
goo.gl/NwQCST
goo.gl/NwQCST
———————————————————————————
9. Collapsible Container Saver
A new collapsible 20ft container, which is currently in development, promises to save operators both money and space both at the terminal and in the supply chain. Navlandis’s ZBox claims to be able to take the place of empty containers, which take up around 25% of sea traffic, slashing both logistics and transportation costs. This is because five folded units can fit into the space occupied by a current standard container potentially reducing operating costs by up to 50% and CO emissions by up to 20%.
goo.gl/21YZPK
A new collapsible 20ft container, which is currently in development, promises to save operators both money and space both at the terminal and in the supply chain. Navlandis’s ZBox claims to be able to take the place of empty containers, which take up around 25% of sea traffic, slashing both logistics and transportation costs. This is because five folded units can fit into the space occupied by a current standard container potentially reducing operating costs by up to 50% and CO emissions by up to 20%.
goo.gl/21YZPK
———————————————————————————
10. Manager Wins Major Contract
Germany-based company Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) informed that it has taken on the management of the 20,146 TEU "MOL Tribute", one of the newest vessels in Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ (MOL) fleet. The newbuilding was handed over to BSM’s Hong Kong ship management center on July 10, 2017.
The ultra large container vessel (ULCV) was recently completed at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) shipyard in South Korea. The 196,877 dwt MOL Tribute features a length of 400 meters and a width of 58.8 meters.
———————————————————————————
Daily news feed from Seacurus Ltd – providers of MLC crew insurance solutions www.seacurus.com
Best regards,
S Jones
Seacurus Ltd
Registered in England No. 5201529
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
A Barbican Group company
Telephone: +44 191 4690859
Facsimile: +44 191 4067577
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.seacurus.com
Registered Office: Suite 3, Level 3,
Baltic Place West, Baltic Place,
South Shore Road,
Gateshead,
NE8 3BA,
United Kingdom
This message, and any associated files, are intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it was addresses and may contain information that is confidential, subject to copyright or constitutes a trade secret. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, copying or distribution of this message, or files associated with this message, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately.
