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Certifying Authority Training Day held

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IIMS Certifying Authority training day held at Portchester Sailing Club
IIMS Certifying Authority training day held at Portchester Sailing Club

More than 20 marine surveyors attended the IIMS Certifying Authority training day, held at Portchester Sailing Club on Wednesday 1 October. Participants came from as far afield as France, Spain, Holland and even India.

The day was presented as a workshop with John Excell, John Heath and Fraser Noble (Chairman of the IIMS Certifying Authority) leading the delivery and handling the resulting debate and comments.

The day proved to be long and exhausting, but productive as delegates got their heads around some of the more complex matters relating to the MCA directives and requirements.

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Container Annual Review & Forecast 2014/15

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Drewry’s Container Annual Review & Forecast 2014/15 emphasises that the recovery of the container industry, when that happens – possibly by late 2016 or 2017 – is to be based around the formation of the new mega alliances and the continued reduction of unit costs, rather than the matching of supply and demand at the individual trade route level. A different recovery  is taking shape, which is unlikely to be built on any improvement in freight rates.

An orderbook that will see at least 53 and 45 ULCVs delivered in 2015 and 2016 respectively, coupled with the delivery of 100 ships of between 8,000 teu and 10,000 teu from the yards at the same time as
a similar number of ships being cascaded from the Asia-north Europe trade – will mean both reductions in unit costs and the potential for excess capacity on some routes. Continue reading “Container Annual Review & Forecast 2014/15”

Small Craft Working Group (Scotland) Training

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The IIMS Small Craft Working Group (Scotland) is set to meet on 17 and 18 November 2014 at Silvers Marine (Gareloch Support Services Ltd), Silverhills, Rosneath, Helensburgh, G84 0RW for a two day training session.

The provisional programme for this two day meeting is as follows: Continue reading “Small Craft Working Group (Scotland) Training”

Spain and Italy face European Commission clamp down

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The European Commission is taking action against Spain before the Court of Justice of the European Union, because 20 Spanish ports have yet to adopt and implement the port security plan, the Commission said. Spain has failed to transpose the Directive 2005/65/EC on enhancing port security which “aims to guarantee uniformly high levels of security in all European ports” because it hasn’t implemented a port security plan laying down provisions for ensuring port security.

The EU Member States had until June 15, 2007 to transpose the Directive. The EC has asked Member States with the greatest delays in meeting their obligations, including Spain, to prepare national action plans with precise time-frames for conducting assessments and drawing up port security plans.

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Initial findings into three fatalities

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This article relates to the entry of a confined space on board the cargo ship SUNTIS in Goole Docks, Humberside on 26 May 2014 resulting in three fatalities. The initial findings of the MAIB are available.

At approximately 0645 (UTC+1) on 26 May 2014, three crew members on board the cargo ship, Suntis, were found unconscious in the main cargo hold forward access compartment, which was sited in the vessel’s forecastle (f’ocsle). The crew members were recovered from the compartment but, despite intensive resuscitation efforts by their rescuers, they did not survive.

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Shipowners ‘need protection’ from excessive port charges

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guy plattenUK Chamber CEO, Guy Platten, has delivered a keynote speech to the British Ports Association annual conference in Belfast.

Mr Platten focused on the broad challenges facing the industry, but explained that a system must be found to mediate disputes between shipping companies and port operators over the cost of doing business.

He said: “Shipowners, just like commercial ports, are in business to make money – and expect to negotiate with their suppliers in order to secure a good service at a competitive price. Some UK ports are effective monopolies – and I reveal no confidences when I say that there are concerns that this results in them treating shipowners as captive customers.

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Bart’s Bash breaks World Record

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bartsBashBart’s Bash, the global dinghy race organised by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, has broken the Guinness World Record for the largest sailing race over 24 hours.

The data is still being processed, but so far the results of 3,600 boats, which have sailed over 10 million metres in total, representing 18% of the total data, have already surpassed the threshold for the world record, which stood at 2500 boats in regattas made up of at least 25 boats.

“The turnout on 21 September exceeded our expectations and we are very happy that we provided a truly global opportunity for people to come together and enjoy sailing. We hope this event will become a regular feature in the global sailing calendar,” said Richard Percy, CEO, Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.

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New research points to British superyacht success

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With the improvement in the UK economy, British superyacht sector is gaining momentum. Recent research by the BMF says that 69% of members responding to the Superyacht UK survey rating prospects for the next 12 months as good or excellent. The forecast is the most positive outlook for UK based superyacht manufacturing and supply for seven years. The value of the UK superyacht industry has grown to £492 million in 2013/14, a 7.1% increase from 2012/13.

Whilst last year’s headlines reported an increase in refit, this year it is new builds that are driving the improved results with 57% of superyacht revenues from new orders. Overall, 59% of respondents experienced a higher workload over the last 12 months compared to the same period a year ago.

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Monaco Yacht Show Awards announced

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Monaco Yacht Show Awards announced for the first time
Monaco Yacht Show Awards announced for the first time

The first ever Monaco Yacht Show Awards were held the night before the show opened. Nominees included Como, Entourage, Equanimity, Grace E, Polaris and Solandge.

The ceremony began with Gaelle Tallarida, show Managing Director, welcoming the industry representatives to the 24th edition of the Monaco Yacht Show. There followed a short speech from the Minister and an award was made to the new construction project Yersin, which has been built by a resident Monaco owner.

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Non MLC 2006 compliant supply ships could be detained

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iims50Non compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 regulation, which came into force on 7 August, could result in North Sea supply ships being detained says shipping and maritime law expert Katie Williams of Pinsent Masons.

Katie Williams said that although most UK operators were already compliant, vessels operating or passing through UK waters under other national flags could now be at risk of enforcement action. “The Maritime Labour Convention consolidates what has been in place in the UK for some years, but a major change is that for the first time it has an enforcement mechanism with real ‘teeth’,” she said.

“Many shipping companies and charterers have invested significant time and effort in trying to ensure that they will comply with the new regime, however the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as the UK’s enforcement body will be looking to set down a marker that they intend to rigorously apply the new laws. It would be a nightmare scenario for a boat which is chartered at thousands of pounds a day to be detained in port, but it is feasible that in extreme circumstances this could happen,” she said.

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Lloyd’s Register issues new energy guidance notes

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Lloyd’s Register issues new energy guidance notes
Lloyd’s Register issues new energy guidance notes

The new Lloyd’s Register energy guidance notes, launched at ONS 2014, are designed to assist designers, owners and operators of oil and gas equipment on how to assess fire loadings on an installation, and how to protect people and equipment against different fire scenarios.

“Protection against fires on board vessels and installations is critical to a safe operating environment,” said Joar Dalheim, VP Technology, Consultancy Services of Lloyd’s Register.

“Our Guidance Notes provide a significant reference document to guide oil and gas designers, owners and operators on different risk-based methodologies to establish what could be at risk, ranging from simple fire risk issues to highly technical and complex fire risk situations.”

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Arctic shipping routes cause concerns for marine insurers

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The melting of sea ice presents opportunities for international marine transportation networks in the Arctic. Recent discoveries of oil and the potential financial and time savings are making the Arctic shipping routes more appealing to the shipping industry. Two viable Arctic sea routes exist, enabling ships to move between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, thus cutting the distance between East Asia and Western Europe.

These new routes offer viable alternatives, but they are not without risk. Extreme climate and weather conditions create unique hazards, including floating ice, thick fog, and violent storms. Despite new safety features, vessels remain vulnerable to ice damage, machinery breakdown, and more. The harsh environment also creates challenges for crews, few of which have been trained for or have experience in such conditions, according to insurance broker and risk adviser Marsh.

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