Marine vessels are a significant source of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, including CO2, NOX, SOX, particulate matter, and black carbon, which impact local air quality, human health, and the global climate. Since the record low Arctic sea ice extent recorded in September 2012, policy attention has increasingly focused on strategies for addressing shipping activity in the Arctic and the associated environmental impacts.
Built by Oceanco, INFINITY is the first superyacht to be delivered in 2015
The new 89 metre INFINITY is the superyacht industry’s first delivery in 2015 – constructed by Oceanco. Built under the project name Y710, this magnificent yacht boasts a commanding exterior design by Espen Øino and an exceptional interior design by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and David Kleinberg Design Associates. Continue reading “Oceanco Delivers the first superyacht of 2015 – INFINITY”
The Missing Seafarers Reporting Programme is live and open for business
The Missing Seafarers Reporting Programme is the flagship programme delivered to the international and maritime communities by the Human Rights at Sea (“HRAS”) organisation. It is a privately funded programme delivered through the generosity of international donors having been conceived by the HRAS Founder in September 2013.
The vision is to primarily support seafarers, fishermen and their families by the registration of seafarers and fishermen missing at sea through a secure, independent and international on-line platform. That platform is known as the Missing Seafarers Register.
Issue 8 of The Navigator magazine by the Nautical Institute is available to read now.
Communicating effectively on the bridge, between ships or to the shore is the topic under discussion in the eighth issue of The Navigator – the free publication from The Nautical Institute. The 12-page magazine, aimed at marine navigational officers at all stages in their career, is now being distributed to SOLAS vessels around the world.
Editor of The Navigator, Emma Ward, said: “Miscommunication or the use of poor information is a leading cause of accidents at sea. In this issue of The Navigator, we aim to encourage readers to adopt effective communication techniques onboard ship. We also want to open a discussion about best practices across the industry.”
The new issue looks at the importance of different methods of communications at sea and examines the difference between data and information. There is an interview with a serving third officer and a brand new letters page offering insight into a number of maritime issues from members of the magazine’s readership.
Dublin Port Company has officially opened its newly completed Alexandra Quay Container Terminal
The opening marks the completion of the third and final phase of the development of the new facility. This third phase will enable the terminal to cater for an additional 80,000 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) per annum bringing the terminal’s total capacity to over 400,000 TEU per annum.
The initial two phases of the project created new runways for three rows of rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), a type of large mobile crane used for stacking shipping containers. The third and final phase added a fourth runway for RTGs and deepened and strengthened the quay wall to allow bigger container ships to be loaded and discharged with modern high speed ship-to-shore gantry cranes.
The MAIB has published its report and findings about two fatalities aboard the Arniston. Photo credit: Dave Nelson
The MAIB has published its report and findings on the investigation of the two fatalities due to carbon monoxide poisoning on board the Bayliner 285 named Arniston on Lake Windermere on 1 April 2013.
This tragic case, which could have easily been avoided, involved a mother and her daughter who were overcome by fumes from a portable generator, which had been installed in the engine bay. It had been modified by the addition of an exhaust which subsequently failed allowing the small sleeping area to fill with lethal carbon monoxide.
South Asia still the preferred end of life location says NGO Shipbreaking Platform. Photo: NGO Shipbreaking Platform
The NGO Shipbreaking Platform has released a complete list of all ship owners and their ships sold for breaking last year.
The Statistics
Out of a total of 1026 ships dismantled globally in 2014, 641 – representing 74% of the total gross tonnage (GT) scrapped – were sold to substandard facilities in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh where ships are dismantled directly on tidal beaches. None of the South Asian yards comply with international standards for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling.
End-of-life ships contain toxic materials such as asbestos, heavy metals, PCBs, oil residues and organic waste within their structures – these pollutants can not be contained or safely removed on a tidal beach. The demolition of the largest movable man-made structures is hazardous and must be conducted in a controlled manner using adequate infrastructure such as cranes as well as necessary health and safety provisions – in 2014 the Platform reported 23 deaths and 66 severe injuries due to accidents such as explosions, workers crushed under steel plates and falling from heights on the South Asian beaches.
The righted Hoegh Osaka car transporter ship finally under tow back to Southampton Docks. Photo: Mick Hopley
Words by Capt. John Noble
The rather dramatic grounding of the large car carrier Hoegh Osaka on the 3rd January raised the spectacle of first, how did it happen and second, how would it be removed.
As I write this article the salvors, Svitzer, have successfully brought the ship into Southampton.
The ship sailed from Southampton at about 2020 hours on the 3rd January. It has been reported that soon after leaving the berth she developed an alarming list. The Master and pilot became extremely concerned and just after passing the notorious Bramble Bank located between the mouth of Southampton water and Cowes on the Isle of Wight a Continue reading “Thoughts on the salvage operation of Hoegh Osaka”
The World Shipping Council warns to prepare for Container Weight Verification legislation coming in July 2016
At the end of 2014, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) that will require every packed export container to have a verified container weight as a condition for loading aboard a vessel.
Fincantieri has laid the keel for the luxurious Seven Seas Explorer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The first building block for Seven Seas Explorer was placed on 21 January 2015 during a special keel laying ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy. The keel laying signals a significant milestone in the construction for what will be the most luxurious ship ever built, and brings the vessel one step closer to its July 2016 maiden voyage.
In a ceremony befitting of the world’s most luxurious ship, a sleek black Rolls Royce Phantom transported the three symbolic coins to the keel laying event. Upon arrival, a dapper butler emerged with a red velvet pillow carrying the coins to be welded into the keel, including a rare 1921 U.S. silver coin known as the Peace Dollar symbolizing the safe passage of Seven Seas Explorer; a 1959 silver Italian Lire representing the year the Fincantieri shipyard was established; and a commemorative coin specially minted for this occasion.
The stricken Hoegh Osaka that has provided an extraordinary spectacle for people living on the UK south coast could soon be on the move back to port
The car transporter ship, Hoegh Osaka, was deliberately grounded following the decision made by the Captain and Pilot on Bramble Bank in the Solent early in January after it began to list heavily. The ship was only 50 minutes into its voyage from the port of Southampton and was carrying a full load of Landrover Jaguar cars and heavy duty construction equipment. It is felt that the quick thinking and decision making, taken to protect the lives of the 25 crew on bard, was courageous and correct.
At that time, the Hoegh Osaka was listing at more than 50 degrees and a salvage operation is expected to take several days. She became an instant tourist attraction for not only locals on the south coats, but also further afield. Such a sight as this is rarely seen.
Fred van Beers who has been appointed as the new CEO of shipbuilder Blohm+Voss
Blohm+Voss has appointed Fred van Beers as its Chief Executive Officer Management Board (CEO). As of 1 March 2015, Fred van Beers will take over from Dr Herbert Aly as CEO to lead Blohm+Voss’ growth strategy. His focus will be on developing the luxury yacht business. He will also work to strengthen the leading position of Blohm+Voss in general repairs and conversions with a specific focus for cruise ships and vessels for the off-shore industry.
Fred van Beers (52) has held senior leadership positions in the maritime industry for more than 15 years. He joins Blohm+Voss from his current position as Vice President Services Northern Europe at Wärtsilä, the global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the maritime industry and energy markets with a presence in more than 70 countries.
Marine vessels are a significant source of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, including CO2, NOX, SOX, particulate matter, and black carbon, which impact local air quality, human health, and the global climate. Since the record low Arctic sea ice extent recorded in September 2012, policy attention has increasingly focused on strategies for addressing shipping activity in the Arctic and the associated environmental impacts.
