Marine News

ILO MLC2006 smartphone app available

Posted on by News Hound

The ILO MLC2006 Smartphone App, that was developed by The UK P&I Club and Lloyd’s Register, is freely available to download. The app is aimed at assisting those who need to be compliant with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, which is now in full force. The app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones.

The pocket checklist app serves as an interactive tool that enables ships’ crews and their managers to view the requirements of the ILO MLC2006 and check off required activities as they are completed.

Download the ILO MLC2006 app at:

iOS
Android

Spain and Italy face European Commission clamp down

Posted on by News Hound

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.

Continue reading “Spain and Italy face European Commission clamp down”

New research points to British superyacht success

Posted on by News Hound

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.

Continue reading “New research points to British superyacht success”

Non MLC 2006 compliant supply ships could be detained

Posted on by News Hound

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.

Continue reading “Non MLC 2006 compliant supply ships could be detained”

Lloyd’s Register issues new energy guidance notes

Posted on by News Hound
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.”

Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register issues new energy guidance notes”

Arctic shipping routes cause concerns for marine insurers

Posted on by News Hound

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.

Continue reading “Arctic shipping routes cause concerns for marine insurers”

Echo Yachts formed in Australia

Posted on by News Hound

A Singapore based family has formed Echo Yachts, a yacht builder that is to be located in Western Australia’s Henderson Marine Precinct. Their purpose is to undertake the building of the family’s yachts, including the largest ever superyacht built in Australia. The new company has brought together what would seem to be a regional who’s who of the Australian superyacht industry.

Commenting on the project, Echo Yachts director Mark Stothard said “Together with my partners Jurien Van Rongen and Nick Gardiner, we are thrilled to have been selected to head-up this project and we are very excited about the world class credentials of those who will be working with us.”

The 84 metre aluminium vessel will be the largest tri-hulled superyacht ever built anywhere. Construction will take three years from start to finish. The superyacht’s external design and interior styling will be led by Fremantle based (and world renowned superyacht designer) Sam Sorgiovanni. One2three Naval Architects, who operate from both Sydney and Henderson, will act as the project’s naval architects.

Princess Yacht founder to step down

Posted on by News Hound
David King steps down
David King steps down

Having been one of the original founders of Princess Yachts in 1965, David King has decided to stand down as Chairman. Citing his wish for new minds to lead the company forward, Mr King will remain a director and focus mainly on new yacht design and development, an area in which he has always been heavily involved.

After a period of consultation, the Princess board of Directors has appointed Philippe Mellier as its new Chairman. Mr Mellier is the CEO of The De Beers Group, the world’s leading diamond company, and was previously the Executive Vice President at Alstom s.a., the world’s leading high-speed train producer. Prior to this, Mr Mellier worked in the automotive sector, holding senior and board-level positions within Ford, Renault and the Volvo Group. He brings to the role uniquely useful experience in high-quality, performance-focused product manufacturing, marketing and sales.

Continue reading “Princess Yacht founder to step down”

Port of Salalah improves container productivity

Posted on by News Hound

The Port of Salalah, the largest port in Oman, has enhanced its berth productivity levels to rank 15th globally and match top container ports in the world according to the independent research firm Journal of Commerce (JOC) which has produced the 2013 Port Productivity report for the second year running.

Based on the 2013 average container moves per ship, JOC has also ranked the Port of Salalah third in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, having achieved an average of 91 gross moves per hour (gmph), a 26% increase over the 2012 average of 71 gmph.

“Our employees have been working hard at improving teamwork and internal processes at the port, and the benefits are shared by our customers as well,” said Ahmed Akaak, Deputy CEO at the Port of Salalah, adding, “for example, we have reduced waiting times at the gate from over 70 minutes to less than 30 minutes, and moreover an astonishing reduction in breakdowns and downtimes, and overall improved levels of work satisfaction and teamwork.”

Continue reading “Port of Salalah improves container productivity”

Plastic main propellers fitted for the first time

Posted on by News Hound

Japanese classification society ClassNK and Nakashima Propeller Co., Ltd., have installed the world’s first carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) propeller on a main propulsion system of a merchant vessel.

The CFRP propeller was installed on the Taiko Maru, a domestic 499 GT chemical tanker owned by Sowa Kaiun YK by Marugame-based Koa industry Co., Ltd. in May 2014. The CFRP propeller installed on the vessel was developed and produced by Nakashima Propeller Co., Ltd., with support from ClassNK, which granted approval for the design and manufacturing process of the CFRP propeller, as well as provided research and funding support for the project as part of the ClassNK Joint R&D for Industry Program. Despite its ultra-lightweight composition, CFRP exhibits the same, if not superior strength, to the aluminum-bronze composite materials used in conventional propellers, according to ClassNK. Due to the light weight of the propeller, propeller shafts can be manufactured with smaller diameters, contributing to a significant reduction in weight and fuel costs.

Continue reading “Plastic main propellers fitted for the first time”

New Panama Canal means increased insurance risks

Posted on by News Hound

As the Panama Canal prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary, insurers are warning of the increased risks that will arise from its plan to double the cargo carrying capacity of ships transiting one of the world’s most important waterways. Every year, over 12,000 oceangoing ships navigate the canal, a figure which could increase significantly following the anticipated opening of the new locks in 2015. It is forecast the expansion will enable between 12 and 14 larger vessels per day (approximately 4,750 additional ships per year) to pass through the canal. Significantly, many of these ships are expected to be new-Panamax class container vessels of 12,600 teu, which are far larger than the existing largest vessels able to access the canal (4,400 teu).

AGCS experts warn the increased traffic and larger vessels may challenge the Panama Canal’s improved safety record over the past decade with the risks exacerbated through the initial period of the canal opening. Captain Rahul Khanna, AGCS’s Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting, explains the potential risk management impact of this expansion: “Larger ships automatically pose greater risks. The sheer amount of cargo carried means a serious casualty has the potential to lead to a sizeable loss and greater disruption. For example, a fully-loaded new-Panamax 12,600 teu container ship is as long as four football fields with a beam of up to 160 feet and could have an insured cargo value alone of $250 million.”

Continue reading “New Panama Canal means increased insurance risks”

Maritime & Coastguard Agency to be overhauled

Posted on by News Hound
The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency to be overhauled
The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency to be overhauled

It is reported that the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency is undergoing a massive upheaval to help it cope with the demands of the 21st Century.

Between September 2014 and December 2015, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC’s) at Solent, Portland, and Brixham are due to close. Additionally, the sites at Liverpool, Swansea and Thames will become Coastal Operations Bases, but will no longer have a search and rescue coordination function.

The remaining nine MRCC’s wills be upgraded to Coastguard Operations Centres (CGOC’s) and, together with a desk at the London Port Authority, will be networked through the new National Maritime Operations Centre at Fareham to create a fully resilient national command and control network.

Continue reading “Maritime & Coastguard Agency to be overhauled”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine