International News

Fatigue remains a potent enemy

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The most recent edition of Maritime FEEDBACK, published by The UK Confidential Reporting Programme for Aviation and Maritime (CHIRP), has been released with a warning about the hazards of fatigue and its potential implications.

Captain John Rose, Director (Maritime) CHIRP, makes the following comments on the subject.

“Every company desires safe operations and whilst written rules, standards and procedures are important and necessary, they are not enough. Companies must develop a culture in which the value of safety is embedded at every level ashore and at sea. This commitment to safety should be a value that shapes decision making all of the time and embedded at every level in the organization, at sea and ashore.

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Ocean Signal recognised for world’s smallest man overboard device

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Ocean Signal has been recognised for world’s smallest man overboard device
Ocean Signal has been recognised for world’s smallest man overboard device

The innovative rescueME MOB1 by British company, Ocean Signal, has been nominated for a prestigious DAME Design Award.

Developed by UK communication and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal as the world’s most advanced Man Overboard locating device, the rescueME MOB1 has been selected by the DAME Awards Jury in the ‘lifesaving and safety equipment’ category.

The MOB1 incorporates both AIS and DSC technologies within the most compact product on the market at 30% smaller than similar products. The easy-to-use device has been designed to integrate into a life jacket, ensuring the best chance of rapid rescue for an MOB in extreme conditions.

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Bunkering ship concept accepted by Bureau Veritas

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Bunkering ship concept accepted by Bureau Veritas
Bunkering ship concept accepted by Bureau Veritas

GTT, the world leader in the design of membrane containment systems for the maritime transportation and storage of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), announces that it has received a second Approval in Principle (AIP) for its 4,000 m3 Bunkering Ship concept, using Mark III Flex Cargo Containment system and operating with a vapour pressure of up to 2 barg. Following one delivered by Lloyd’s Register, this new AIP was received from the classification society, Bureau Veritas, after several months of a joint research and innovation program.

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Panama confirms April 2016 opening for Canal expansion

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The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and Miguel Hincapie, Panamanian Foreign Vice Minister, Saturday confirmed that the Panama Canal’s third set of locks will be complete in time for the scheduled opening date of April 2016, local media reports.

The ACP in a public statement asserted that the completion of the expansion project has “reached 94 percent completion, and everything indicates that in April 2016 the new locks will come into commercial operation.”

Speaking on arrangements for the opening ceremony, Hicapie said that heads of state and government officials will be invited from 70 countries, as “related to trade with the Panama Canal.”

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Green shipping project set to be launched in Norway

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Norwegian Government and DNVGL join to launch a new green shipping project
Norwegian Government and DNVGL join to launch a new green shipping project

The shipping industry is in a state of transition as it adjusts to increasingly strict emissions standards set forth by regulators. The European Parliament recently stated its aim to reduce emissions by more than 40 percent by 2030. The International Transportation Forum has also proposed reducing emissions by more than 50 percent by 2080, as well as taxes on those who exceed regulations.

And with the U.N. Climate Change Conference on the horizon, it is possible that emissions regulations will only get more stringent. Government officials and industry leaders are scrambling to innovate to stay ahead of new rules.

In a joint program with the Norwegian government, Oslo-based DNV GL recently launched the Green Coastal Shipping Programme which aims to create the most environmentally-friendly vessels in the world.

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Chinese State visit to the UK could boost Seawork Asia show

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The Asian commercial marine industry’s foremost exhibition, Seawork Asia is set for success in light of David Cameron’s talks in October with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping. Following the Chinese premier’s State Visit, Cameron has hailed greater cooperation along with trade deals, which will help aid British maritime organisations in their quest to launch and reinforce their businesses and brands in China.

China is currently ranked second in the world for shipbuilding, and has experienced fast growth for seven consecutive years. China alone has over 32,000 kilometres of shoreline, 1,400 harbours and 1,600 shipyards containing than 170,000 vessels. Therefore there are myriad opportunities for sales and collaboration between Chinese businesses and firms located across the globe.

The demand for marine civil engineering, workboats and floating plant, together with the equipment and services that keep them in operation is forecast to grow at double figure rates during the next twenty years. The rapid increase in marine activity also requires a wide range of support services such as coastguard, patrol, safety and navigation.

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Qatar International Boat Show to showcase 85 boats

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Qatar International Boat Show runs from 10 -14 November
Qatar International Boat Show runs from 10 -14 November

The third edition of the Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) will this year showcase more than 120 brands and 85 boats, both on land and in water. The show will be held from the 10th to the 14th November at Mourjan Marinas in Lusail City, Qatar.

QIBS 2015 has already secured many international exhibitors, such as Azimut, Sea Ray, Princess, Ferreti, Riva, Gulf Craft, Sunseeker, Prestige, Itama, Benetti, Sunreef, Silver Yachts, Heesen Yachts and many more.

In addition, the Qatari maritime industry will showcase companies such as NDSQ (Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar), Halul Boats, Balhambar Boats and Al Udeid Boats.

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Revolutionary new multigas carrier design launched

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Revolutionary new multigas carrier design launched by DeltaMarin and Brevik Technology
Revolutionary new multigas carrier design launched by DeltaMarin and Brevik Technology

Deltamarin Ltd and Brevik Technology AS, a VARD affiliate, have joined forces by developing a novel multigas carrier design, which is expected to change the nature of the gas carrying industry. The concept combines in unprecedented way the successful design of Deltamarin’s B.Delta and the new-generation patented cylindrical gas tanks by Brevik Technology.

By combining the readily available and proven B.Delta design and separate cylindrical gas containment tanks, a cost-efficient and easy-to-build solution is now available to the gas carrier market. The design can be utilised for LNG, LPG, LEG and ethane carriers.

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Singapore seeks to attract 1,200 new maritime employees

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Singapore seeks to attract 1,200 new maritime employees
Singapore seeks to attract 1,200 new maritime employees

Fresh measures to attract and help Singaporeans deepen skills and advance their careers in seafaring and shore-based sectors will soon be rolled out. These include bringing various SkillsFuture programmes to the maritime sector and introducing new measures to support Singaporeans’ careers in seafaring. In addition, a new national-level initiative – the Maritime Singapore Connect (MSC) – will give Singaporeans easier access to maritime job openings, and information on maritime education and training options.

Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, announced these initiatives at the Singapore Shipping Association’s (SSA) 30th anniversary gala dinner today.

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International Institute of Marine Surveying to launch new Professional Qualifications

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The IIMS Professional Qualifications in Yacht & Small Craft and Commercial Ship Marine Surveying are run on a distance learning basis.
The IIMS Professional Qualifications in Yacht & Small Craft and Commercial Ship Marine Surveying are run on a distance learning basis.

Recently the IIMS was notified by Pearson Edexcel, the external awarding body of the current IIMS HNC and HND in marine surveying, that they intended to stop supporting specialist, customised course providers such as ours. We were not alone in receiving this startling news, taken by Pearson Edexcel for reasons known only to them. The final intake for students wishing to gain an HNC/HND is mid October. The scheme will then close for new student registrations, but will remain open for those already registered to complete their studies by 31 October 2018.

On receiving the news, the IIMS education committee met a couple of times to consider the best way forward and quickly came to a consensus. A proposal was submitted to the Board and duly approved. The result is a positive outcome and provides an excellent and proactive way forward.

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Shipping confidence levels rising says latest Moore Stephens research

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The latest research by Moore Stephens reveals shipping confidence levels are rising. Busan New Port, South Korea (Reuters)
The latest research by Moore Stephens reveals shipping confidence levels are rising. Busan New Port, South Korea (Reuters)

Overall shipping confidence levels rose in the three months ended August 2015 to their highest level this year, according to Moore Stephen’s latest Shipping Confidence Survey. Respondents to the survey were concerned predominantly about low freight rates and overtonnaging, with continuing doubts also expressed about private equity funding. In August 2015, the average confidence level expressed by respondents in the markets in which they operate was 5.9 on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high). This compares to the 5.3 recorded in May 2015, which equalled the lowest figure recorded in the life of the survey, launched in May 2008 with a confidence rating of 6.8. All main categories of respondent recorded an increase in confidence this time, most notably charterers (up from 4.2 to 6.5) and owners (up from 5.1 to 5.8). The confidence of brokers, meanwhile, was up from 4.8 to 5.2, and that of managers from 6.1 to 6.4. Geographically, confidence was up in Asia from 4.9 to 5.8, in Europe from 5.3 to 5.9, and in North America from 6.0 to 6.3.

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Canada’s shipowners set the nation’s election agenda

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Canada’s federal election, to be held on October 19, is an important opportunity to boldly support the marine industry as a means to sustainable Canadian growth, says Robert Lewis-Manning, President of the Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA). During this election and post-election period, the CSA has urged political leaders to build upon Canadian domestic shipping for the Canadian economy and sustainable economic growth.

“The Canadian marine industry connects Canada’s economic capacity with the rest of the world,” says Lewis-Manning. “Not only does it generate $34 billion of revenue annually, but it also creates 98k jobs directly and indirectly for Canadians in the region of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence alone.”

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