Maritime Safety News Archives - Page 33 of 260 - SHIP IP LTD

Ukraine grain export cargoes might soon start flowing more rapidly. In a hopeful sign the Turkish Ministry of National Defense reports that the first ship to depart Ukraine with an export cargo of grain since the Russian invasion is on its way to Lebanon after passing inspection.

The Sierra Leone-flagged Razoni arrived in Istanbul’s waters on Tuesday evening, after sailing from Ukraine’s main Black Sea port of Odesa on Monday.

“A joint civilian inspection team comprising officials from the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations visited the merchant vessel Razoni this morning,” the Black Sea Grain Initiative Joint Coordination Center (JCC) said in a statement.

“This marks the conclusion of an initial ‘proof of concept’ operation,” the statement continued, adding that three ports in Ukraine were due to resume the export of millions of tonnes of wheat, corn and other crops “at a time of global food insecurity.”

In addition to shipping millions of tonnes of Ukraine grain export cargoes, the initiative also envisages the export of fertilizer needed by the world’s farmers, “under close monitoring,” the Joint Coordination Center statement said.

It noted that the inspectors had spoken to the Razoni’s crew and gained “valuable information” about the vessel’s journey along the maritime humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea that was agreed by the signatories of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

“The JCC will use this voyage in its ongoing work on fine-tuning procedures and processes to enable the continuation of safe passage of commercial vessels across the Black Sea under the Initiative,” the statement said.

HOW MANY SHIPS WILL FOLLOW?

After the first successful inspection, Reuters reports a senior Turkish official, who requested anonymity, as saying three ships may leave from any of the three Black Sea ports of Odesa and nearby Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk every day, instead of the previously planned one.

The news agency quoted U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric as saying that more outbound movement was being planned from Ukraine for today (Wednesday), adding that about 27 ships were covered by the export deal.

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/legal-safety/safety-and-security/video-ukraine-grain-export-ship-passes-inspection-heads-for-lebanon/


Key officials from Kenyan Government Ministries and Agencies responsible for maritime security have attended a workshop (25-29 July) to review and finalize the country’s draft National Maritime Security Risk Register.

Efforts to safeguard the region against strategic threats in line with the objectives of the Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct 2017, remains a high priority. If left unchecked, the problems would undermine the value of a well-developed maritime sector and blue economy. The specific threats include: maritime terrorism, illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; trafficking of drugs, weapons and people; illegal wildlife trade; the threat to ships posed by new and emerging threats particularly cyber security, aerial drones, boat borne IEDs, and attack on ships using limpet mines.

Twenty-five participants attended the workshop, which was supported by IMO, and The workshop follows a workshop in May 2022 (read story here).

Speaking at the workshop launch, Ms. Nancy Karigithu, Principal Secretary, State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs of Kenya, highlighted the importance of the National Maritime Security Risk Register in managing Kenya’s national level risks to maritime security interests, which will enable the Maritime Security Committee to prioritize and co-ordinate programmes of work to mitigate risks. “By developing a National Maritime Security Risk Register coupled with a National Maritime Security Strategy, Kenya will have fulfilled her individual strategic responsibility and well on her way to realize the maritime sector’s collective vision on national maritime safety and security, thus fully securing her maritime interests”, Ms. Karigithu said.

Following the establishment of a National Maritime Committee, and the NMSRR, Kenya is now set to start developing its National Maritime Security Strategy.

Source: https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/Pages/WhatsNew-1739.aspx


Meeting the IMO 2023 regulations will have quite a significant impact on the supply of vessels in the container shipping market in the long term, Søren Skou, CEO of A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S, estimates.

As of 2023, the shipping industry will need to meet a new round of vessel efficiency and carbon intensity regulations applying to existing ships. In practice, this means that ships would have to meet a specific Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), have an enhanced Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) that lays out the vessel’s energy efficiency improvement steps, and determine Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating scheme.

The regulations aim to cut the carbon intensity of all ships by 40% by 2030 when compared to 2008 levels.

“This is relatively new legislation and we are still trying to figure out what the impact will be on the supply. There are different ways of improving the energy ratings of old ships: you can use biofuel or slow down the speed. These are the two most obvious ways of moving the energy rating from a D to a C,” Skou explained, speaking on the likely impact of the regulations on the market.

“At this point, we only have some high-level numbers for our own fleet. It looks like in order to comply we will need somewhere between 5 and 15 percent more capacity up towards 2030 if the way we comply is by lowering the speed.”

This is quite a significant impact if compliance is based on slowing down the speed, which is the most likely option given the shortage of biofuels, and their price. Of course, this is still outstanding.”

Commenting on the regulation during a conference call on the company’s business performance for the second quarter of 2022, Skou said that the manner of the enforcement, as well as its timelines, remains unclear at this point.

What we understand is that it would really start being enforced in 2024 and 2025. Therefore, the short-term impact may be very limited, but in the longer term, it will be quite significant,” he noted.

Maersk delivered record results in Q2 2022., as revenue increased by 52pct. and earnings more than doubled compared to same quarter last year. Results were driven by continued exceptional market conditions and sustained momentum from the strategic transformation focused on integrated logistics. Based on the strong performance in the first half of 2022, Maersk has upgraded its guidance for the full year 2022 and increased the current share buyback programme.

In Q2, revenue grew to $ 21.7bn, EBITDA and EBIT increased to $ 10.3bn and $ 9bn respectively, and free cash flow rose to $ 6.8bn. The Q2 net result came in at $8.6bn and $ 15.4bn for the first half of the year. Return on invested capital (ROIC) was at 62.5 pct. for the past 12 months.

Source: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/maersk-ceo-we-will-need-5-15-more-capacity-to-meet-imo-2023/


Bulk carrier WEN FENG 18 reportedly suffered fire in engine room in the afternoon Aug 2, while proceeding in Shanghai approach channel with cargo of ore. Bulk carrier had to be anchored in fairway, understood she was disabled. Fire was extinguished by switching on fire fighting CO2 system. She was still anchored as of 2130 Beijing time Aug 3, with at least 3 tugs at her side.

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Thai Ministry of Labor reached an agreement with Korean Shipbuilding Association including Hyundai, to open a window for Thai skilled workers willing to go to Korea. Korean shipbuilding industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, such as welders (some 4,000 vacancies); electricians (1,800 vacancies); painters (1,400 vacancies). South Korea has increased migrant quota by 20%, aiming at skilled work force, with Thais being among top wanted workers. South Korea meanwhile, was to send industry representatives to Thailand to test applicants’ skills. Korean Government is considering the shift in age limits, allowing more workers to enter Korean labor market. Understood proposed age shift applies both to current Korean and Thai age limits.
Many Thais choose to enter Korea as tourists and work illegally. Bangkok Post estimates last year a total of 18,221 Thai nationals were legally employed while the number of illegal workers known as phi noi or “little ghost” was estimated to be at about 140,000, according to statistics provided by South Korean Embassy.

There is a language proficiency test required from Thai workers, who seek employment in Korea, there are other requirements which have to be met, and finally, Thais who officially apply for employment entry but were rejected, will lose some 30,000 Baht, understood in forms of miscellaneous fees, which have to be paid.
Obstacles and barriers don’t decrease the number of Thais willing to work overseas, now, when the labour market in South Korea is bursting with activity with the pandemic restrictions easing.

Another problem questioning migrant workers project success, arises in South Korean Shipbuilding Industry itself. There’s a growing Korean labor unrest and protest against industry’s efforts to bring in less expensive foreign labor. Says Maritime Executive:

“Workers across South Korea’s shipbuilding industry are intensifying their labor actions protesting the shortage of skilled workers and the industry’s efforts to bring in less expensive foreign labor to meet the current shortages in key skills. The umbrella union that represents workers at eight of the major shipbuilders announced today that it would join the strike against Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Protests began in late April in response to the government’s announcement that it would relax visa requirements at the request of the shipbuilders. The new visas are specifically for skilled workers for the shipbuilding industry including welders, painters, and others with essential skills.

The move came after the shipbuilders pressed the government saying that they did not have enough skilled workers to keep pace with their orderbooks and the flow of new contracts. Each of the major shipyards is reporting that their orderbooks are full into 2024 with as many as 37 additional ships ordered in just the first three months of 2022. The 2022 orders were equivalent to half of 2021’s already elevated pace continuing the surge in business for the shipbuilders.
The unionized workers of Hyundai’s three shipyards, as well as Samsung Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, HSG Sungdong Shipbuilding, K Shipbuilding, and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, are all supporting the labor actions. They are blaming the shipbuilders for creating the problem and now undermining the long-term health of the industry and their jobs.
The unions are calling for higher wages, improved labor conditions, and the rehiring of workers let go in recent years. The unions contend that employment fell from over 200,000 mid-decade to around 90,000 in 2021. Automation has offset some of the declines but many tasks they highlight required skilled workers. The unions argue the shipyards laid off too many workers and are doing little to attract young people to join the workforce.”

Industry seems to suffer mostly from rising costs of everything, from raw materials to logistics, with probably, new technologies, required to meet new and unreasonable “environment” regulations, being the most costly issue. Cost of everything is on the rise, no wonder industries are trying to economize and save each extra dollar or won. World economy isn’t as of recent, an economy of peaceful times of prosperity, ruled by free market and common sense, it’s an economy of war and survival.

Source: https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/39049/thai-workers-wanted-korean-shipbuilding-industry-c/


Fire erupted in engine room of 26-meter yacht GOOD VIBES while she was sailing in Freus, between Ibiza and Formentera islands, Balearic islands, Med, on Aug 3. Spanish SAR boat SALVAMAR ACRUX responded, disabled yacht was towed to Ibiza. Yacht guests were evacuated, skipper and owner remained on board.
Motor yacht GOOD VIBES, GT 96, length 26 meters, built 2020, guests 8, crew 2.
New FleetMon Vessel Safety Risk Reports Available: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/


In a bid to enhance maritime security, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria, on research and training towards enhancing maritime safety and security in Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement by the Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward on Sunday.

According to the statement, the Director-General NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, and his counterpart at NITT, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, while signing the documents in Zaria, said that the MoU was hinged on research and training with a view to enhancing local content and boosting the quality assurance of the institute.

The statement further explained that the MoU is a follow up on earlier agreements reached between both agencies in their quest to further domesticate specialized training programmes at management cadre in the maritime sector.

Jamoh however described the MoU as a mutually beneficial partnership, aimed at supporting the core mandate of the NITT, while also in line with his administration’s commitment to capacity building for NIMASA staff.

“The MoU is to formalize and strengthen the existing relationship between NIMASA and the NITT in terms of research, training and capacity development in general.  We appreciate your visit to NIMASA sometime ago and we are glad that much progress is being made in terms of our collaboration,” Jamoh said.

Source: https://shipsandports.com.ng/nimasa-partners-nitt-to-boost-maritime-security/



Hawaii-based carrier Matson posted exceptional earnings in the second quarter, driven in large part by the growing popularity of its transpacific services. From April through June it brought in just over one billion dollars in revenue and posted an operating income of $470 million. In percentage terms, this is a better operating income margin than many blue-chip European carriers.

Matson is the last operator using U.S.-built (not just U.S.-flagged) container ships in an overseas liner trade, and it has had considerable success. For more than 15 years, its Jones Act vessels have been making voyages to China and back, providing a premium service for shippers who need fast transit times to Southern California. The higher freight rate comes with excellent performance for on-time arrival and cargo availability – both of which are hard to come by in the post-pandemic era.

With its coastwise-qualified fleet, Matson can also deliver Californian cargo to Honolulu on the backhaul run. This extra revenue-generating voyage is closed to foreign-built ships. But it is the transpacific service that really boosts Matson’s earnings. In the second quarter the company added more eastbound voyages to handle a container volume increase of 12 percent, driven by e?commerce shipments, clothing and other goods for the U.S. market. Its transpacific service commanded a “significant” premium over the SCFI, and rates were considerably higher than during the same time last year. One contributing factor: Matson has added a seasonal expedited run from Shanghai to Oakland, where it operates its own terminal. The transit takes less than two weeks, and it skips the port congestion in Southern California.

The popularity of the service is reflected in the numbers. Revenue increased by more than 50 percent and operating income rose by more than 130 percent year-on-year during the quarter. Rates softened slightly in July, but Matson expects that the rest of the year will still be quite good for business.

“We are seeing solid demand for our China service as China’s factory production continues to recover from the COVID-19-related supply chain challenges,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Cox in an earnings statement. “We expect an orderly marketplace for the remainder of the year with our vessels continuing to operate at or near capacity and earning a significant rate premium to the market.”

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/matson-s-transpacific-service-is-booming


The Swedish Maritime Administration, together with the Swedish companies Tenfifty AB and Maranics AB, has conducted a research and innovation project during the past two years. Earlier this year, a full-scale test was launched of an emergency call detection system that uses the very latest AI technology. The system will be in operational use until the autumn when an evaluation will be made.

No calls missed

It was Tobias Nicander, rescue leader at the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre, who came up with the idea of getting help with listening to the emergency channel back in 2009. Calls can sometimes be difficult to interpret because the signals are weak and the messages are incoherent.

In addition, there is always the risk that the operator is already working on an alarm when a new case arises. There is thus a small risk of missing a call, but by transcribing all calls, the risk is reduced. The technology did not exist when Nicander got the idea, but ten years later, technology has caught up.

‘Not only do we get the calls texted, we have also defined keywords that should be clearly marked and should remain on our screens until we say that we have seen them,’ says Nicander. ‘We also receive documentation of what has been said on the channel, which can be helpful in improving the process in the future. It serves, for example, as a perfect base for education.’

Relieving and supporting operators

Already on the first day, the system drew the operators’ attention to two “Mayday” calls: one in Germany and one in Denmark. This shows that the AI solution can interpret even weak signals and that the operators really get the help they want, to be able to make even better assessments in the future.

In addition, it shows that the reach of the Swedish coastal radio network is good enough. The solution will not replace the operators. It is developed with the goal of relieving and supporting the operators in their daily work.

Source: https://swzmaritime.nl/news/2022/08/03/swedish-maritime-administration-uses-artificial-intelligence-in-sea-and-air-rescue/


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