Seacurus Daily: Top Ten Maritime News Stories 12/12/2017
1. Call for Autonomous Rules
The Danish Maritime Authority published a report recommending changes to IMO regulations in order to facilitate the development of autonomous ships. In particular, the report examines regulations on manning, the definition of a vessel’s "master" and the
possibility of a "periodically unmanned bridge and electronic lookout." "The development of autonomous ships is fast-moving and we must be at its forefront. However, part of current regulation is based on traditions dating back to the age of sail. That needs
to improve," said minister for industry, business and financial affairs Brian Mikkelsen.
possibility of a "periodically unmanned bridge and electronic lookout." "The development of autonomous ships is fast-moving and we must be at its forefront. However, part of current regulation is based on traditions dating back to the age of sail. That needs
to improve," said minister for industry, business and financial affairs Brian Mikkelsen.
https://goo.gl/vvFGF8
———————————————————————————
2. Master Killed by Pirates
A Vietnamese master kidnapped in southern Philippine waters last year has been found killed. Pham Minh Tuan was found by police in Jolo, believed to have been executed by his Abu Sayyaf captors. Pham was the captain of the Vietnamese vessel Royal 16 hit by
an Abu Sayyaf group near the island province of Basilan last November. Three of his crewmembers were also executed earlier, while one man was able to escape.
A Vietnamese master kidnapped in southern Philippine waters last year has been found killed. Pham Minh Tuan was found by police in Jolo, believed to have been executed by his Abu Sayyaf captors. Pham was the captain of the Vietnamese vessel Royal 16 hit by
an Abu Sayyaf group near the island province of Basilan last November. Three of his crewmembers were also executed earlier, while one man was able to escape.
https://goo.gl/i9FcgR
———————————————————————————
3. #MeToo in Shipping
Top leadership at YoungShip, the non-profit organisation for young people working within the global maritime industry, have issued an open letter warning about shipping as a dangerous work environment for sexual harassment. Penned by Emilie Christiansen, the
president of YoungShip International, shipping was described in the open letter as an industry that is overwhelmingly male dominated and at times hierarchic, but more so it is extremely personal, social and driven by the quality of client relationships.
Top leadership at YoungShip, the non-profit organisation for young people working within the global maritime industry, have issued an open letter warning about shipping as a dangerous work environment for sexual harassment. Penned by Emilie Christiansen, the
president of YoungShip International, shipping was described in the open letter as an industry that is overwhelmingly male dominated and at times hierarchic, but more so it is extremely personal, social and driven by the quality of client relationships.
https://goo.gl/2KieK9
———————————————————————————
4. Finding El Faro Causation
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is set to meet today to determine the cause of the sinking of the cargo ship El Faro near the Bahamas in October 2015. All 33 crew members were lost when the 790-foot vessel went down in Hurricane Joaquin.
It was en route from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico. El Fargos wreckage was found on the seafloor on October 31 that year and its voyage data recorder (VDR) was located in April 2016 and retrieved in August that year.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is set to meet today to determine the cause of the sinking of the cargo ship El Faro near the Bahamas in October 2015. All 33 crew members were lost when the 790-foot vessel went down in Hurricane Joaquin.
It was en route from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico. El Fargos wreckage was found on the seafloor on October 31 that year and its voyage data recorder (VDR) was located in April 2016 and retrieved in August that year.
https://goo.gl/gFSALS
———————————————————————————
5. Cables Casualties of War
If truth is the first casualty of war, the second is probably underwater communication cables which the history of the last century informs us are severed simultaneously with the opening of hostilities. There are many more of these undersea conduits today,
which might account for the current angst being expressed about their vulnerability to hostile powers. The UK Policy Exchange has just published a report on the subject, suggesting the level of harm that could be done with a few snips of the shears on the
sea floor to international communications, which overwhelmingly rely on fibre optic cabling rather than satellites.
If truth is the first casualty of war, the second is probably underwater communication cables which the history of the last century informs us are severed simultaneously with the opening of hostilities. There are many more of these undersea conduits today,
which might account for the current angst being expressed about their vulnerability to hostile powers. The UK Policy Exchange has just published a report on the subject, suggesting the level of harm that could be done with a few snips of the shears on the
sea floor to international communications, which overwhelmingly rely on fibre optic cabling rather than satellites.
https://goo.gl/Qk8ENC
———————————————————————————
———————————————————————————
6. Eagle Bulk Raises Funds
Connecticut-based operator of dry bulkers Eagle Bulk Shipping has entered into a series of refinancing transactions totalling USD 265 million. As a result of these transactions, agreed through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Eagle Bulk Shipco and Eagle Shipping,
the company has extended the maturities of the outstanding debt of its subsidiaries through 2022 and achieved additional financial flexibility with respect to its free cash flow. The successful refinancing of our balance sheet on favourable terms is a strong
endorsement by our lenders and the capital markets of the companys business model, Gary Vogel, Eagle Bulks CEO, said.
Connecticut-based operator of dry bulkers Eagle Bulk Shipping has entered into a series of refinancing transactions totalling USD 265 million. As a result of these transactions, agreed through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Eagle Bulk Shipco and Eagle Shipping,
the company has extended the maturities of the outstanding debt of its subsidiaries through 2022 and achieved additional financial flexibility with respect to its free cash flow. The successful refinancing of our balance sheet on favourable terms is a strong
endorsement by our lenders and the capital markets of the companys business model, Gary Vogel, Eagle Bulks CEO, said.
https://goo.gl/SSeVdz
———————————————————————————
7. Vessel Sinks at Anchorage
The freighter "Keneukai" went down just off the pier at Port of Trisakti, Kalimantan, Indonesia. Initial reports indicate that she was anchored on the Barito River and dragged anchor during an ebb tide, striking a submerged wreck and puncturing her hull on
the port quarter. She took about 2,500 tonnes of cement with her when she went down. All 14 crewmembers were safely evacuated, and an investigation into the accident is ongoing. The 1984-built Keneukai is an Indonesian-flagged freighter of 2,800 dwt capacity.
She has no recent port state control inspection record.
The freighter "Keneukai" went down just off the pier at Port of Trisakti, Kalimantan, Indonesia. Initial reports indicate that she was anchored on the Barito River and dragged anchor during an ebb tide, striking a submerged wreck and puncturing her hull on
the port quarter. She took about 2,500 tonnes of cement with her when she went down. All 14 crewmembers were safely evacuated, and an investigation into the accident is ongoing. The 1984-built Keneukai is an Indonesian-flagged freighter of 2,800 dwt capacity.
She has no recent port state control inspection record.
https://goo.gl/8NVZXk
———————————————————————————
8. Worker Falls to Death
A worker has passed away following a fall on Thursday from the Maersk Interceptor jack-up drilling rig, which is currently looking for oil at the Tambar field, Norway. Another worker sustained injuries in what was described as a serious incident by Aker BP.
The worker fell into the sea but was plucked from the water by the crew from the standby vessel. Both workers are employees of Maersk Drilling, owner of the rig. The deceased, a Norwegian citizen and employee of Maersk Drilling, fell into the sea during maintenance
work on the rig.
A worker has passed away following a fall on Thursday from the Maersk Interceptor jack-up drilling rig, which is currently looking for oil at the Tambar field, Norway. Another worker sustained injuries in what was described as a serious incident by Aker BP.
The worker fell into the sea but was plucked from the water by the crew from the standby vessel. Both workers are employees of Maersk Drilling, owner of the rig. The deceased, a Norwegian citizen and employee of Maersk Drilling, fell into the sea during maintenance
work on the rig.
https://goo.gl/uJJYD2
———————————————————————————
9. Largest Crane Design
The Dutch firm Holding OOS International Group B.V. has signed an MOU with China Merchants Industry Holdings for the design and construction of the world’s largest semi-submersible crane vessel, the "OOS Zeelandia". OOS revealed the design during the E.U.-China
Blue Industry Cooperation Forum in Shenzhen, but confirmed it had already signed the MOU back in July. The basic design is already in progress, with the vessel suited to platform removal and installation in deep water up to 3,000 meters (9,800 feet).
The Dutch firm Holding OOS International Group B.V. has signed an MOU with China Merchants Industry Holdings for the design and construction of the world’s largest semi-submersible crane vessel, the "OOS Zeelandia". OOS revealed the design during the E.U.-China
Blue Industry Cooperation Forum in Shenzhen, but confirmed it had already signed the MOU back in July. The basic design is already in progress, with the vessel suited to platform removal and installation in deep water up to 3,000 meters (9,800 feet).
https://goo.gl/UK4sXe
———————————————————————————
10. Artificial Intelligence for Ships
Eco Marine Power announced today that it will begin using the Neural Network Console provided by Sony Network Communications Inc., as part of a strategy to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various ongoing ship related technology projects including
the further development of the patented Aquarius MRE (Marine Renewable Energy) and EnergySail. An initial area of focus will be on studying how the Neural Network Console and AI can assist with the development of the automated control system for EMPs EnergySail.
This system automatically adjusts the position of the EnergySail for wind speed and direction.
Eco Marine Power announced today that it will begin using the Neural Network Console provided by Sony Network Communications Inc., as part of a strategy to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various ongoing ship related technology projects including
the further development of the patented Aquarius MRE (Marine Renewable Energy) and EnergySail. An initial area of focus will be on studying how the Neural Network Console and AI can assist with the development of the automated control system for EMPs EnergySail.
This system automatically adjusts the position of the EnergySail for wind speed and direction.
https://goo.gl/Pb3d68
———————————————————————————
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.
