Seacurus Daily: Top Ten Maritime News Stories 08/08/2017
1. UK Search Help Needed
Theresa May, the British prime minister, is being urged to help out in the ongoing search for the missing 22 crew from the sunken ore carrier "Stellar Daisy". The ship â owned by South Koreaâs Polaris Shipping â developed cracks in its hull in the South Atlantic and sank on March 31 with just two crewmembers rescued. The ensuing search and rescue operation has been one of the biggest in recent maritime history. One of missing crewâs sister, Ye Won Heo, is a UK citizen and today she has sent a letter to the British prime minister asking for support in a search operation of the St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
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2. EU Launches MRV System
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has launched its monitoring, reporting and verification system THETIS-MRV to help reduce CO2 emissions from E.U. shipping. The system went live this week and will enable companies responsible for the operation of large ships using E.U. ports to report their CO2 emissions, as required by law from January 1, 2018 under the E.U.âs Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Regulation. The rules apply to ships above 5000 GT which account for around 55 percent of ships calling at E.U. ports and represent around 90 percent of the total share of related emissions.
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has launched its monitoring, reporting and verification system THETIS-MRV to help reduce CO2 emissions from E.U. shipping. The system went live this week and will enable companies responsible for the operation of large ships using E.U. ports to report their CO2 emissions, as required by law from January 1, 2018 under the E.U.âs Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Regulation. The rules apply to ships above 5000 GT which account for around 55 percent of ships calling at E.U. ports and represent around 90 percent of the total share of related emissions.
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3. Admiral of the Ocean Award
Andre Grikitis, CEO of Houston-based breakbulk and heavylift company Intermarine, has been chosen to receive the Admiral of the Ocean Sea award by the United Seaman’s Service. Recognized as one of the most prestigious award in the maritime industry, the Admiral of The Ocean Sea award has been presented annually by the United Seamen’s Service for the past 47 years. It is given in recognition of individuals and organizations that have shown outstanding support for American seafarers and the maritime industry of the United States.
Andre Grikitis, CEO of Houston-based breakbulk and heavylift company Intermarine, has been chosen to receive the Admiral of the Ocean Sea award by the United Seaman’s Service. Recognized as one of the most prestigious award in the maritime industry, the Admiral of The Ocean Sea award has been presented annually by the United Seamen’s Service for the past 47 years. It is given in recognition of individuals and organizations that have shown outstanding support for American seafarers and the maritime industry of the United States.
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4. New Training Record Rolled Out
The International Chamber of Shipping has published a new edition of its Personal Training and Service Record Book, which aims to help seafarers and employers maintain a comprehensive record of training and seagoing services. Book includes a record of participation in drills and aims to help port state control inspections and support shipping companiesâ ISM Code processes. All grades of qualified seafarers can use the book, which supplements a series of ICS training record books for trainee officers and ratings in both deck and engine departments.
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5. IMO Biofouling Focus
The IMO is moving its attention to hull biofouling after its success with preparations for the Ballast Water Management Convention in developing nations. A new global project, the GloFouling Partnership, a collaboration between the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the IMO, has been given the go-ahead and allocated $6.9 million. The project will focus on the implementation of the IMO Guidelines for the control and management of shipsâ biofouling. The Guidelines (resolution MEPC.207(62)) are intended to provide a globally consistent approach to biofouling.
The IMO is moving its attention to hull biofouling after its success with preparations for the Ballast Water Management Convention in developing nations. A new global project, the GloFouling Partnership, a collaboration between the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the IMO, has been given the go-ahead and allocated $6.9 million. The project will focus on the implementation of the IMO Guidelines for the control and management of shipsâ biofouling. The Guidelines (resolution MEPC.207(62)) are intended to provide a globally consistent approach to biofouling.
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6. Tankers Still Struggling
The tanker market has kept on showing little signs of a recovery over the past couple of months. According to ship owner Teekay Tankers, things will keep on being tough in the following weeks. In its latest outlook of the future prospects of the tanker market, Teekay said that âcrude tanker spot rates softened during the second quarter of 2017 due to the combined impact of lower OPEC oil production, high tanker fleet growth and normal seasonal weakness. Rates have continued to decline at the start of the third quarter of 2017, in what is normally the weakest part of the year for tanker ratesâ.
goo.gl/kfULPD
goo.gl/kfULPD
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7. Ongoing Cyber Threat
Analysts have highlighted the ongoing threat of cyber-attack in the container shipping sector and their research makes for a worrying read in the light of the ongoing fallout from the widely-reported attack on Maersk. Experts warn that close to half of container carriers have a disturbingly low level of cyber security, as reported in ShippingWatch. Against the backdrop of this grim prognosis, and with impeccable timing, a major new report, âCyber Security Onboard Shipsâ, backed by heavyweight organisations in the shipping industry, including BIMCO, was issued.
goo.gl/s23wim
Analysts have highlighted the ongoing threat of cyber-attack in the container shipping sector and their research makes for a worrying read in the light of the ongoing fallout from the widely-reported attack on Maersk. Experts warn that close to half of container carriers have a disturbingly low level of cyber security, as reported in ShippingWatch. Against the backdrop of this grim prognosis, and with impeccable timing, a major new report, âCyber Security Onboard Shipsâ, backed by heavyweight organisations in the shipping industry, including BIMCO, was issued.
goo.gl/s23wim
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8. Ports Stops Racist Rescuers
Anti-immigration activists in Europe are trying to disrupt the flow of migrant boats from north Africa to Europe. A group of Tunisian fishermen do not like that idea and on Sunday prevented a ship carrying the far-right activists from docking at Zarzis, according to a French News Agency, or AFP, report. âItâs the least we can do given what is happening out in the Mediterranean,â the head of the local fishermenâs organization told AFP. âMuslims and Africans are dying.â A port official said, âWhat? Us let in racists here? Never.â C-Star is moving up the Tunisian coast and is expected to try to dock elsewhere.
goo.gl/kFzswq
goo.gl/kFzswq
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9. Auction of Seized Vessel
Shanghai Maritime Court will auction off defunct Xiamen Hongxiang Shippingâs general cargo vessel Hong Xiang 59 via online platform Taobao on August 17. The starting price of the auction is RMB7.87m ($1.17m). Hongxiang Shipping mainly operates in the domestic dry cargo sector and has become mired in debt. Most of the companyâs vessels have been seized by creditors leading to the suspension of its shipping operations.
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10. Injured Seafarer Rescued
A 25-year-old crewman has been evacuated after he fell on board the cargo ship New Taizhou which was anchored some nine nautical miles off St Helena Bay, South Africa. The incident occurred on August 3, according to a report issued by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI). The crew member, a Chinese national, had suffered back pain and lacerations in the fall. The sea rescue craft was towed to St Helena Bay and launched. Upon its arrival, the injured crewman was transferred onto the sea rescue craft and brought to shore.
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Daily news feed from Seacurus Ltd â providers of MLC crew insurance solutions www.seacurus.com
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