Vancouver Shipyards finishes $170M modernisation project

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards has completed its two year modernisation project ahead of schedule
Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards has completed its two year modernisation project ahead of schedule

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards officially celebrated the completion of its two year, $170M Shipyard modernisation project ahead of schedule and under budget.

Funded entirely by Seaspan, this project has transformed Vancouver Shipyards into the most modern facility in North America that will establish a shipbuilding and ship repair centre of excellence on the West Coast, and allow for the effective and efficient delivery of non combat vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy.

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European maritime surveillance network reaches operational status

European maritime surveillance network reaches operational status
European maritime surveillance network reaches operational status

Developed under the auspices of the European Defence Agency since 2006, the European Maritime Surveillance network (Marsur) project has now reached an operational level of maturity.

One of the longest running projects undertaken by the European Defence Agency (EDA), Marsur is a technical solution that allows dialog between European maritime information systems. Containing 17 Member States plus Norway, the project aims to improve the common “recognised maritime picture” by facilitating exchange of operational maritime information and services such as ship positions, tracks, identification data, chat or images.

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Mandatory enclosed space entry drills from January 2015

Enclosed space entry drills become mandatory from January 2015
Enclosed space entry drills become mandatory from January 2015

From 1 January 2015 all persons involved in enclosed space entry, and/or assigned enclosed space rescue duties, will be required to take part in enclosed space entry and rescue drills at intervals not exceeding two months.

The amendments to SOLAS Chapter III are detailed in IMO Resolution MSC.350(92), which requires the following in relation to enclosed space entry and rescue drills:

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IIMS UAE branch networking event

cordstrapIIMS UAE branch is working With Cordstrap Middle East Limited and Fleet Line Shipping Services. Institute members and guests are invited to their monthly networking event.

Highlight of the evening is a talk by Mr Jon Blower. Jon is the Vice President Sales MEA – Asia Pacific of Cordstrap Middle East Limited and his topic for the day is New IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing Cargo Transport Units – CTU Code.

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Small tanker pirate attacks rise in SE Asia says IMB report

Small tanker pirate attacks are rising in southeast Asia
Small tanker pirate attacks are rising in southeast Asia

While pirate attacks on the world’s seas have fallen for the third consecutive year, small tanker hijacks by armed gangs are escalating in Southeast Asia, reveals the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in its latest piracy report.

IMB’s 2014 third quarter global piracy report notes a total of 178 pirate attacks so far this year, down from 352 for same period in 2011. In the first nine months of 2014, pirates killed three crew, kidnapped five from their vessels and took 369 seafarers hostage. A total of 17 vessels were hijacked, 124 were boarded and 10 were fired upon. There were 27 further reports of attempted attacks.

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Rescue of migrants at sea is an obligation

The rescue of all persons in distress at sea, including illegal migrants, is an obligation under international maritime law, as well as being a long established humanitarian duty, says the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).  ICS is the global trade association for commercial ship operators, whose ships are currently involved on a daily basis in the rescue of refugees at sea in the Mediterranean.

Whatever may be decided by policy makers in EU Member States, the legal and humanitarian obligation of merchant ships to provide assistance to anyone in distress at sea will remain unchanged, says ICS.

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Coastguard search and rescue helicopter programme

Bristow is set to operate the UK coastguard search and rescue helicopter programme
Bristow is set to operate the UK coastguard search and rescue helicopter programme

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has reported that by the summer of 2017 there will be ten coastguard search and rescue helicopter bases established around the UK.

All ten bases will be operated by Bristow Helicopters Ltd on behalf of Her Majesty’s Coastguard at the following locations:

• Central southern England  •  Northern England  •  Northern Scotland  •  North Wales  •  Shetland Isles  •  South east England  •  Southern Scotland  •  South Wales  •  South west England  •  Western Isles

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Burgess Marine to revive south coast dry dock

Burgess Marine has partnered with Shoreham Port to revive south coast dry dock
Burgess Marine has partnered with Shoreham Port to revive south coast dry dock

Britain’s largest independent ship repairer, Burgess Marine, has partnered with Shoreham Port to revitalise ship repair in the commercially thriving Sussex Port.

Shoreham Port offers one of the few remaining dry dock facilities on the South Coast of England. The Port has had a dry dock facility since the 1930’s and since that time has provided a valuable service to the marine industries on and around the South Coast.

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Lifeboat Crew Exchange Programme hailed a success

IMRLifeboat Crew members from 11 countries have been involved in a European Exchange Programme designed to help reduce the numbers of people losing their lives in Europe’s waters.

With the aim of exchanging knowledge, sharing ideas and building relationships between the voluntary institutions, the project is now in its third year.

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Lerwick Port Authority to award £16.5 million project

Sandra Lawrenson, CEO of Lerwick Port Authority besides David Nicolson of Bank of Scotland, who provided the funding
Sandra Lawrenson, CEO of Lerwick Port Authority besides David Nicolson of Bank of Scotland, who provided the funding

Lerwick Port Authority has awarded a construction contract for the latest expansion of the harbour’s facilities in a project costing a total of £16.5 million, which will benefit the fishing and oil sectors.

The new jetty at Holmsgarth North will provide deeper berthing and more working area for the fishing fleet, while the outer arm of the L-shaped jetty will create a dock sheltering a planned new white fish market. The outer arm will also be suitable for berthing offshore industry vessels.

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European Parliament gives patronage to European Shipping Week

European Shipping Week has been granted the European Parliament’s official patronage
European Shipping Week has been granted the European Parliament’s official patronage

European Shipping Week has been granted the European Parliament’s official patronage by its President, Mr Martin Schultz. Both the European Commission and the European Parliament have now actively expressed their support for the week long event which will be held in Brussels from 2-6 March 2015.

Commenting on European Shipping Week, Mr Schultz said: “The aim of the initiative, namely to bring together the leading members of the shipping industry of the EU and give them an opportunity to meet, debate and share experiences is welcomed by the European Parliament. Inviting the members of the EU policymaking bodies and presenting to them the practical side of the shipping industry can only lead to a better mutual understanding and contribute to the promotion and competitiveness of European maritime transport.”

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Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority nominated for top post

Andreas Nordseth of the Danish Maritime Authority
Andreas Nordseth of the Danish Maritime Authority

When the election for the post as Secretary General of United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) is announced later this year, the Danish Government will nominate Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority Andreas Nordseth for the position.

Minister for Business and Growth Henrik Sass Larsen said, “Andreas Nordseth is a strong candidate for the job. He has many years of experience in the maritime field and, as Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority, he sets the course for quality shipping both domestically and internationally.”

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