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The International Chamber of Shipping, and the International Maritime Health Association, together with tanker owners’ association INTERTANKO have issued new protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 cases on board.

The protocols aim to safeguard the health of seafarers and guarantee the safe operations of maritime trade – offering governments and the general public reassurance that seafarers can embark and disembark ships safely.

Recently, there have been concerns over COVID-19 infections on board ships, due to a small minority failing to adhere to industry guidance. While the number of cases has been limited, newly issued protocols are expected provide shipowners and operators with the tools to safely manage cases on vessels.

Building on previous health guidance released by ICS in May, the new protocols equip ships operators with two useful instruments, namely a flowchart to help identify the process to follow when managing a large number of suspected cases on vessels; and a PCR testing procedures matrix to help identify what to do and when prior to boarding and if a suspect case is identified on ships.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 related travel restrictions have limited the global shipping industry’s ability to rotate ships’ crew. There are now over a quarter of a million seafarers stranded at sea, waiting to be repatriated.

In light of this humanitarian crisis and its far-reaching impact on the industry, ICS put forward COVID-19 health guidance in March, updated in May, to protect the health of seafarers and passengers, as well as the general public.

Natalie Shaw, Director of Employment Affairs for the International Chamber of Shipping said:

“The new protocols build on our previous guidance and should give confidence to the industry and governments that maritime trade can operate safely. Especially when there are suspected COVID-19 cases on board.

“We have observed a small number of COVID-19 cases among ships’ crew in recent weeks and decided to take the initiative to create new protocols, together with IMHA and INTERTANKO.”

The document “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Protocols to Mitigate the Risks of Cases On Board Ships” from ICS and other major bodies is available for download here.

Source: hongkongmaritimehub

AGCS warned the pandemic could endanger long-term safety improvements in the maritime industry despite large shipping losses being at a record low, having fallen by over 20% year-on-year.

The company’s global product leader hull insurance, Baptiste Ossena said “Coronavirus has struck at a difficult time for the maritime industry, as it seeks to reduce its emissions, navigates issues such as climate change, political risks and piracy, and deals with ongoing problems such as fires on vessels.”

“Now the sector also faces the task of operating in a very different world, with the uncertain public health and economic implications of the pandemic.”

In 2019, 41 total losses of vessels were reported around the world, down from 53 on the preceding 12 months – a 70% decline over 10 years. More than 950 shipping losses have been reported since 2010. AGCS attributes the decline to sustained efforts in the areas of regulation, training and technological advancement.

Asia Pacific remains the top loss location with 12 vessels in 2019 and 228 vessels over the past decade, accounting for one in four of all losses. The high levels of trade, busy shipping lanes, older fleets, typhoon exposure, and safety issues on some domestic ferry routes are contributing factors.

AGCS global head of Marine Risk, Captain Rahul Khanna said “It is crucial that safety and maintenance standards are not impacted by any downturn.”

He noted that as owners face decreased revenues, the historical record suggests crew and maintenance budgets are “among the first areas that can be cut and this can impact the safe operations of vessels and machinery, potentially causing damage or breakdown, which in turn can lead to groundings or collisions.”

Though the industry has continued to operate through the pandemic, despite disruption at ports and to crew changes, the Allianz report highlights challenges that could heighten the risks:

The lack of crew changes might lead to an increase in human error on board vessels.
The disruption of essential maintenance and servicing increases the risk of machinery damage which is already one of the major causes of insurance claims.
Reduced/delayed surveys and port inspections could lead to unsafe practices or undetected defective equipment.
The growing number of cruise ships and oil tankers in lay-up around the world pose significant financial exposures, due to the potential threat from extreme weather, piracy or political risks.

The review also notes that events in the Gulf of Oman and the South China Sea show political rivalries are increasingly being played out on the high seas and that shipping is likely to continue to be drawn into geopolitical disputes.

Heightened political risk and unrest globally has implications for shipping, such as the ability to secure crews and access ports safely. In addition, piracy remains a major threat with the Gulf of Guinea re-emerging as the global hotspot, Latin America seeing armed robbery increase and renewed activity in the Singapore Strait.

Shipowners are also concerned about the prospect of cyber conflicts. There has been a growing number of GPS spoofing attacks on ships, particularly in the Middle East and China, while there have been reports of a 400% increase in attempted cyber attacks on the maritime sector since the coronavirus outbreak.

Get the latest information and viewpoints on maritime issues during Riviera Maritime Media’s series of webinar weeks on key technical subjects in shipping

The maritime sector has remained resilient amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with container throughput falling by only 2 per cent from January to July this year compared with the same period last year.

This is lower than has been registered at many other ports, said Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat on Tuesday (Aug 25).

“We have kept our port open and goods flowing,” he said.

“In fact, we saw some diversion of traffic from other ports to the port of Singapore.”

In order to build on this, the Government will look to expand the base of maritime talent in Singapore, said Mr Chee at an online dialogue to promote job opportunities in the sector.

He announced one such initiative on Tuesday to offer more than 200 traineeships in the maritime sector to new and recent graduates. They will come under the SGUnited Traineeships Programme, which aims to give graduates and soon-to-be graduates industry experience in various sectors.

Organisations that will be offering the traineeships include PSA, Jurong Port and Maersk Singapore. Those interested can apply for roles in areas such as operations, engineering and corporate job functions.

Mr Chee said: “This is a good start, but we are not going to stop here.

“We will continue to work with the industry to create more training and attachment opportunities to grow our maritime talent pool.”

He said that the sector offers opportunities for travel and pays attractive salaries.

But he acknowledged it is still under pressure with the global economy slowing down, affecting trade volumes and the movement of goods.

However, while companies become more cautious in the current climate, the Government is confident that the maritime sector will continue growing after the Covid-19 pandemic ends, he said.

Training workers now will help to protect Singapore’s position as a global hub port and international maritime centre.

Moving forward, Singapore will also look to combine the strengths of its sea port and airport to offer multi-modal logistic solutions.

Mr Chee said this will enable the Republic to seize opportunities created by the rapid growth of e-commerce in the region.

“Even though you are placing the orders online, the goods still have to be delivered physically,” he said.

“This will give an extra boost to intra-regional trade, (so) connectivity and logistics will play increasingly important roles.”
Source: The Straits Times

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), along with the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) and the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), have issued new protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 cases on board. The protocols aim to safeguard the health of seafarers and guarantee the safe operations of maritime trade – offering governments and the general public reassurance that seafarers can embark and disembark ships safely.

Recently, there have been concerns over COVID-19 infections on board ships, due to a small minority failing to adhere to industry guidance. While the number of cases has been limited, newly issued protocols will provide shipowners and operators with the tools to safely manage cases on vessels. Building on previous health guidance released by ICS in May, the new protocols equip ships operators with two useful instruments:

A flowchart to help identify the process to follow when managing a larger number of suspected cases on vessels; and
A PCR testing procedures matrix to help identify what to do and when prior to boarding and if a suspect case is identified on ships.

In light of this humanitarian crisis and its far-reaching impact on the industry, ICS put forward COVID-19 health guidance in March, updated in May, to protect the health of seafarers and passengers, as well as the general public.

These comprehensive documents ensure the safe operations of maritime trade and serve as a reassurance to governments that crew change and seaborne trade pose limited health risks.

Natalie Shaw, Director of Employment Affairs for the International Chamber of Shipping said:

“We have observed a small number of COVID-19 cases among ships’ crew in recent weeks and decided to take the initiative to create new protocols, together with IMHA and INTERTANKO.”

The document “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Protocols to Mitigate the Risks of Cases On Board Ships” from ICS and other major bodies is available for download here.

Download free Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance to help protect the health of seafarers (and passengers) as well as the general public here.

The 12-step plan entitled “Recommended Framework of Protocols for Ensuring Safe Ship Crew Changes and Travel during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic”, as circulated by IMO, can be found on the IMO website here.

Download free 12-Step Guide poster to the IMO’s Recommended Framework of Protocols for Ensuring Safe Ship Crew Changes and Travel here
Source:maritimesky

Severity: Critical Alert

Exit/Entry: Officials in Brazil extend ground and maritime entry ban through at least Sept. 24, due to coronavirus disease. Restrictions remain.

Alert Begins 28 Aug 2020 01:21 PM UTC
Alert Expires 14 Sep 2020 11:59 PM UTC

Incident: COVID-19 restrictions
Location(s): Nationwide (map)
Time Frame: Indefinite
Impact: Transport, travel, and business disruptions

Summary
As part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), officials in Brazil have extended the travel ban prohibiting most nonresident foreign nationals from entering the country by land or water through at least Sept. 24. The ground and maritime borders will remain closed until further notice. Brazilian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign residents working for international organizations or foreign governments, as well as close family members of Brazilian citizens and residents, or people working for trade or humanitarian purposes are exempt from the ban.

International flights have resumed. Foreign citizens are allowed to enter Brazil by air, except for the Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul, Roraima, Rondonia, Rio Grande do Sul, and Tocantins states. Before traveling to Brazil, visitors will have to prove they have health insurance, and their visits must not be longer than 90 days.

Domestically, authorities in most states have imposed additional, varying movement and business restrictions. Some of the restrictions in the largest states are:

Sao Paulo: Authorities have extended orders for residents to remain at home until at least Sept. 6, and continue to implement a five-tier recovery plan. The city of Sao Paulo and surrounding areas remain on Phase 3 of the plan, under which retail stores, restaurants, personal care, and other businesses may open at 40-percent capacity. No region in the state is on Phase 4 or Phase 5, the least restrictive phases.

Rio de Janeiro: Authorities have eased multiple business restrictions, allowing restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas, tourist sites, and personal care businesses to operate at 50-percent capacity. Residents must wear protective facemasks in public settings. In the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro, sport and cultural events outdoors are also allowed.

Minas Gerais: Officials are implementing a four-tiered system to reopen the economy, dividing the state into several regions. No region is on Phase 4, the least restrictive. Belo Horizonte and its surrounding areas will ease business restrictions starting Aug. 31. Starting Sept. 4, bars and restaurants will be allowed to open without restrictions on closing times, as well as on weekends in Belo Horizonte and surrounding areas.

Bahia: Authorities have suspended inter-municipal transport between various municipalities. Public events remain canceled statewide. The most-affected municipalities have a nightly curfew in place. As of Aug. 28, eased business restrictions in Eunapolis allow restaurants and bars to operate at 40-percent capacity. Residents must wear protective facemasks in public settings.

State and municipal officials could continue to tighten, reapply, or deescalate their local restrictive measures over the coming weeks, depending on local disease activity and government preparedness to respond to the disease. All restrictions are subject to amendment at short notice.

Background and Analysis
The measures taken by Brazilian authorities are similar to actions taken by other governments globally in response to the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure – especially in those with underlying medical conditions.

Advice
Strictly heed the instructions of authorities. Abide by local health and safety measures. Confirm appointments and travel arrangements.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Source: worldaware

London. UK. Human Rights at Sea today issues the latest of its Insight Briefing Notes covering P&I Insurance Coverage & Seafarers’ Rights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researched by Jessie Santana-Carvalho LL.M. (Maritime Law), the Briefing Note outlines key considerations for seafarers, as well as considerations for P&I clubs. The document was submitted to the International Group of P&I Clubs.

Introduction

Maritime transport is the predominant engine of global trade and economic growth. The pace of this engine was heavily disrupted by the persistence and intensification of the COVID-19 pandemic; thereby plunging the world into disarray as continually observed with nations wrestling to contain the virus expediently and efficiently before it impedes the import and export of affordable food and goods.

The acceleration of this crisis placed an enormous toll upon trade, tourism, and safety at work in a manner that has sharpened the collective thought process of shipowners’ ongoing operations and their protection and indemnity (P&I) coverage.

Quarantine rules within P&I cover had never come under scrutiny, until this pandemic exposed an undeniable pattern of systemic risk. Whilst giving up civic freedoms to save lives might serve well in the interim; to manage such a widespread health crisis, such quarantine measures are not without social and economic consequence.

Ship owners have been compelled to navigate complex restrictions to mitigate the risk of their liability

Read More & Download below:

Insight Briefing Note: COVID-19 P&I Insurance Coverage & Seafarers’ Rights

“Quarantine rules within P&I cover had never come under scrutiny, until this pandemic exposed an undeniable pattern of systemic risk.” Download our latest Insight Briefing Note (14 MB) covering the expected cover from P&I insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Mikal Bøe’s Core-Power sketches in bold terms the unique perspectives of this energy source, which would overshadow all other possible ways of emission-free propulsion. In fact, he claims it would be the only viable cost-effective, safe zero-emission technology.

Atomic battery

This is not ‘old’ nuclear technology with light water reactors, such as those used on submarines, aircraft carriers and icebreakers, but new advanced ‘atomic battery technology’. Other alternatives, such as hydrogen and ammonia as fuel, are far too expensive and unsafe, according to Core-Power.

The basis of the story is the maritime Molten Salt Reactor (m-MSR). It is based on a technology developed as early as the 1950s. It uses a fluid fuel in the form of very hot fluoride or chloride salt infused with a “hot” fissile material, instead of solid fuel rods which are used in conventional pressurised nuclear reactors.

m-MSRs have no moving parts, operate at very high temperatures under only ambient pressure, and can be made small enough to provide micro-grid-scale electric power for energy hungry assets, like large ships. Because of this, they can be mass-manufactured to bring the cost of energy down below that of gas, diesel and even renewables, according to Core-Power.

Experiments

Despite an endless series of experiments, the technology has so far produced barely functioning systems. On paper, MSRs have great advantages over conventional reactors. For example, they can basically operate at normal air pressure, where light water reactors require a pressure of up to 150 atmospheres. As a result, the construction of an MSR is, in principle, much cheaper.

Core-Power states that ‘the fuel is the coolant of an MSR and the coolant is the fuel, which cannot leak away’. What happened in Chernobyl or Fukushima is unthinkable with an m-MSR,’ says the start-up. According to the company, ‘excitement is growing in the maritime sector’ because MSRs can power large ships such as supertankers and 24,000 TEU container ships completely electrically for thirty years without having to refuel.

Consortium

The company, which is also based in Singapore, says it works with ‘a consortium of leading m-MSR developers’. However, it is unclear which parties they are. Nor does Core-Power give any indication of the development costs or the price of such a m-MSR, nor of the dimensions of such an installation.

On its site, however, the company is very optimistic about the pace at which shipping can switch to the use of atomic batteries. The current fleet of an estimated 40,000 smaller ships could already start sailing on synthetic ‘electro fuels’ such as green ammonia, which is produced with atomic power MSRs, in the period 2024-2028.

And from 2028, a new generation of large ships with their own reactor would come into service, which would never have to refuel again. Moreover, they will be bigger, faster and cheaper than the current ships, Core-Power promises. In short, the technology opens up ‘a new future for global shipping’. Anyone who has confidence in it, is very welcome to invest.

This article first appeared in Dutch on Nieuwsblad Transport, a publication of SWZ|Maritime’s publishing partner Promedia.

With Greece taking actions to control a resurgence of COVID-19 and more travel restrictions being placed on people returning from Greece, MSC Cruises announced today that it has decided to postpone for a month the company’s planned cruises to Greece.

After highlighting the country’s success in controlling the virus and declaring that Greece was ready for tourists, a week ago faced with a growing number of cases of the virus the country announced new restrictions. Bars and restaurants were ordered to close between midnight and 7 a.m. and gatherings of more than 50 people were also prohibited. The restrictions have also been extended to more parts of the country.

There had also been calls for Greece to reconsider its decision to reopen its ports to cruise ships. While the ports, so far, remain open, other countries have begun to add requirements for travelers returning from Greece. Italy was among the countries imposing a mandatory requirement for COVID-19 testing with 48 hours after returning from Greece, Malta, Croatia and Spain.

“In connection with the recent introduction of additional testing measures for residents of Italy having traveled to Greece, we are seeing cancellations and a softening in demand since the ship’s itinerary includes as many as three ports in that country,” MSC said in the announcement delaying by four weeks its first cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean. “MSC Cruises believes that reservations will start to pick up again in the coming weeks due to the appeal of the itinerary.”

The MSC cruise ship MSC Magnifica had been scheduled to resume cruises from Bari and Trieste, Italy on August 29 to three ports in Greece. The cruises were only being offered to residents of the Schengen area, although MSC reports that the majority of the passengers for these and its Western Mediterranean cruises have been Italian nationals and residents.

MSC is continuing 7-night cruises aboard its MSC Grandiosa between the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Palermo with a call at Valetta, Malta. The cruise line also anticipates resuming a more extensive program of cruises for the winter season starting as early as November 2020.

In addition to MSC Cruises, German’s TUI cruise line announced plans to resume sailing to Greece in mid-September. The company is planning to use one of its Mein Schiff cruise ships for 7-night cruises from Crete to Piraeus and Corfu and was also offering land extensions for additional nights on the Greek mainland. The company recently repositioned two of its ships, Mein Schiff 3 which is now docked in Greece and Mein Schiff 5 which is currently en route to Greece.

Several small ship companies have also been operating in Greece while other large cruise lines were also reported considering cruises to Greece.

Source: maritime-executive

EGERSUND, Norway and LONDON, Aug. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — NAVTOR, the leading provider in navigational software for the maritime industry, today announced that it has received a majority growth investment from Accel-KKR, a leading global software-focused investment firm headquartered in Silicon Valley.

The investment also marks Accel-KKR’s 42nd completed investment in the EMEA region since 2013 when it established a European headquarters, making Accel-KKR one of the most active software private equity firms in Europe and specifically, Scandinavia. It also marks Accel-KKR’s 15th completed investment globally since the second half of March 2020.

NAVTOR is the world’s leader in cloud-based e-navigation solutions including Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), digital maritime publications, route optimization and fleet management across an integrated platform – effectively providing all critical voyage information at the fingertips of navigators and solving the complex challenges of passage planning. The global maritime e-navigational industry is on a multi-year technological expansion in large part due to new regulations, an increased focus on safety and ESG goals and advances in technology.

“The entire NAVTOR team is very excited to work with Accel-KKR in our continued momentum as a leader in the e-navigational space,” said Tor Svanes, CEO and Founder of NAVTOR. “Through a relentless focus on serving the needs of commercial seafaring fleet managers and navigators, we have built a superior technological offering with an industry-leading reputation for customer service and support. We look forward to writing NAVTOR’s next chapter together with the AKKR team.”

Børge Hetland, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder of NAVTOR added, “With Accel-KKR’s backing, we see tremendous opportunities to take NAVTOR to the forefront of our industry, and to further serve our customers with a total ship operations platform – from navigation excellence to fleet optimization and crew performance. Specifically, we are very excited to be working with Accel-KKR given their breadth of software-specific and M&A capabilities to accelerate NAVTOR ‘s top-line growth.”

“The sheer size of the global maritime industry and the continuing digitization of fleets bode well for the future of NAVTOR,” said Maurice Hernandez, Head of the European office at Accel-KKR. “Pairing NAVTOR’s mission-critical software and the deep domain expertise of its management team with AKKR’s know-how in accelerating growth in software companies will lead to exciting outcomes for the marketplace and customers. We look forward to working closely with the NAVTOR team in the coming months and years.”

Accel-KKR partnered with Crescent Capital Group LP via its European Specialty Lending strategy on financing for this investment.

ABG Sundal Collier served as M&A and debt advisor to Accel-KKR. Brodies LLP, Kirkland & Ellis and Selmer served as legal advisors to Accel-KKR. Pareto Securities and Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS served as M&A and legal advisors, respectively, to the sellers.

About NAVTOR:

NAVTOR has established itself is a world leader in e-navigation since launching in 2011, providing innovative e-navigation solutions, and as a total supplier of navigational products and services for the maritime sector. The company strives to make life easier for navigators, and safer, clearer and more efficient for shipowners, ship managers and operators.

In 2012 the firm released the world’s first type approved Pay As You Sail ENC service, and followed in 2014 with the launch of NavStation, the world’s first digital chart table. The company has grown quickly and established a network of subsidiaries and distributors worldwide, spanning Norway, Singapore, Japan, Sweden, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.navtor.com.

About Accel-KKR:
Accel-KKR is a technology-focused investment firm with over $9 billion in capital commitments. The firm focuses on software and IT-enabled businesses, well-positioned for topline and bottom-line growth. At the core of Accel-KKR’s investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its portfolio companies and a focus on building value alongside management by leveraging the significant resources available through the Accel-KKR network. Accel-KKR focuses on middle-market companies and provides a broad range of capital solutions including buyout capital, minority-growth investments, and credit alternatives. Accel-KKR also invests across a wide range of transaction types including private company recapitalizations, divisional carve-outs and going-private transactions. Accel-KKR is headquartered in Menlo Park with additional offices in Atlanta and London. Visit www.accel-kkr.com for additional information.

Source: prnewswire

Doha, Qatar, served as the site of a training initiative focusing on addressing risks arising from chemical accidents and the potential misuse of toxic chemicals in ports and maritime venues.

“We aim to raise global standards and set norms for the safety, security, and efficiency of ports and coastal State authorities; and standardize port procedures through identifying and developing best practice guidance and training materials for secure transfer of hazardous chemicals,” Rohan Perera, senior program officer of the International Cooperation Branch of the OPCW, said.

Attendees shared views on new approaches to building ports and maritime security to transfer hazardous chemicals more securely, noting areas addressed included aspects of port and maritime chemical safety and security management, port security plans and assessments, risk management, and chemical emergency management.

Col. Khalif Mohammed Al Ali, vice chairman of the National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons of Qatar, discussed the training’s wider context, referencing the challenges facing the world related to the ports, maritime security, and the region.

He said security and safety in sea port is one of the most important pillars for ensuring chemical safety and security and promoting economic and technological development.

Representatives from port authorities, coast guards and maritime security authorities from Bangladesh, China, Iraq, India, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam attended the sessions.

Source: homelandprepnews

Newer Posts

Older Posts

ICS issues new protocols to reduce COVID-19 risks

Shipping losses fall but Covid-19 poses long-term safety challenges

Maritime sector remains resilient during Covid-19 pandemic: Chee Hong Tat

ICS: New protocols to Mitigate the Risks of COVID-19 Onboard Ships

COVID-19 Alert: Brazil Extends Ground & Maritime Entry Ban Through Sept. 24

COVID-19 P&I Insurance Coverage & Seafarers’ Rights

Introduction

‘Maritime atomic battery is the future of shipping’

Atomic battery

Experiments

Consortium

COVID-19 Restrictions Cause Postponement of Cruises to Greece

Accel-KKR Makes Majority Growth Investment in NAVTOR, The Leader in Navigational Software for the Maritime Industry

OPCW training targets ports, maritime chemical safety

News

New IMO Rules: Mandatory Reporting of Containers Lost at Sea – From 2026

2025 CIC on Ballast Water Management – What Ship Operators Need to Know

Maritime Cybersecurity: Recent Developments (Aug 4–8, 2025)

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