The meeting aims to unite efforts of the 17 Signatory States to enhance regional maritime security and protect international trade routes

Dubai, UAE: In line with its commitment to support the security and safety of the maritime industry, the UAE hosted the 2022 high-level workshop of the amended Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC) concerning the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden area.

The workshop was held between 28 to 30 June 2022, at the Intercontinental Festival City hotel in Dubai. With the presence of H.E. Eng. Suhail Al Mazrouei, the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. The workshop witnessed the presence of around 80 officials, including ministers, representing 17 countries. There were also representatives from ‘Friends of DCoC’ which includes international agencies and countries including France and the USA were present.

The latest amendment of the Djibouti Code of Conduct was adopted at the 2017 Jeddah meeting by countries in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden area.

This Code of Conduct is a major agreement in combating piracy and armed robbery against ships sailing in the region’s waters.

The Jeddah Amendment, which was developed from the initial version of the DCoC, covers measures to tackle a range of illicit activities, including piracy, arms trafficking, trafficking in narcotics, illegal trade in wildlife, illegal oil bunkering, crude oil theft, human trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal dumping of toxic waste in regional and international waters in the region.

Strategy to Support Maritime Security

Commenting on this significant meeting, H.E. Hassan Mohammed Juma Al-Mansouri, Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “The UAE is a leading global maritime hub with the maritime economy exceeding AED 90 billion annually. Over 25,000 commercial ships call the UAE ports every year, making it a gate to the entire region. Maritime security is a key factor to sustain economic growth. Without it, the region’s countries will face major challenges. The UAE abides by all international initiatives that aim to enhance our maritime security and suppress all forms of illegal activities. We dedicate our maritime capabilities, resources and expertise to ensure that the region is free from criminal acts and abuses against humans, the environment and the wildlife.”

Al-Mansouri added: “Just as all oceans and seas around the world are connected as one large body of water, the security and the safety of ships and maritime routes are also connected, especially within the Arabian Gulf and the Western Indian Ocean region. This area has the largest energy reserves in the world as well as the most important straits and international trade routes. Affecting the maritime security of the region will have negative impacts on the global economy as a whole. That’s why, this meeting of the signatory states on the DCoC, which is hosted by us in the UAE, is significant for enhancing maritime safety worldwide.”

The Jeddah Amendment was signed by 17 countries. These are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, Jordan, Yemen, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and Tanzania.

Overarching regional framework

H.E. Sheikh Nasser Al Qasimi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport Regulation at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in the UAE, said: “Over the years, the emended DCoC has evolved from a piracy-centric cooperation framework into a comprehensive forum that addresses maritime security from a comprehensive perspective. Last year, the signatory states made great efforts to implement the planned Information Sharing Network and regionally prioritised Capacity Building Matrix to address the changing maritime security conditions in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. The DCoC was further supported by the International Partners through the Friends of the Djibouti Code of Conduct to be able to collaborate in providing assistance based on the needs of the Signatory States. Today, we consolidate this cooperation, building on the previous efforts, in order to achieve the highest levels of maritime safety and security in this vital region of the world.”

Source: https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/uae-hosts-the-2022-high-level-meeting-of-the-amended-djibouti-code-of-conduct-legtn2zo

Ship owners have sped up their newbuilding contracting activity, opting for more modern tonnage. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Allied Shipbroking said that “the impressive performance of the newbuilding market continued for yet another week. A large part of the buying interest continues to focus for yet another week on gas carriers and more specifically LNG units, as we are still seeing a flow of orders being made on behalf of the major Qatar LNG Project that is in the works. It seems that the good feeling that exists for this sector, the positive freight rates as well as the desire to secure energy supply amidst the current global energy crisis that has emerged has increased investor appetite for these projects and in turn the number newbuilding projects that are taking shape. On the shipbuilders’ front, the lion share has been taken up by South Korean shipyards which traditionally have the higher expertise, know-how and track record for these type of vessels, though if appetite remains high for much longer, we are likely to see an overspill across to other shipbuilders as well. We have also seen a strong buying appetite hold for containership units, as earnings are still holding at record highs, while despite the lacklustre earnings performance noted in tankers, the recent freight market recovery has triggered an increase in buying interest and a fair flow of new orders this past week”

Source: Allied Shipbroking

Banchero Costa added in its report this week that “whilst still satisfactory there is a slowing of orders for larger tonnage. Big concern for the New buindings with delivery after 3 years. This week Capital Gas Greece ordered 2 x 174,000 cu.m LNG Carriers at Hyundai Samho for delivery Jan/March 2026 at a level of $240 mln per unit. These are nearly $8 mln more than 2 other greeks controlled orders done few weeks back.

Source: banchero costa &c s.p.a

Knutsen NYK Offshore OAS booker 1 firm Suezmax Shuttle Tanker 154,000 dwt at Cosco Zhoushan for delivery 2024. No price emerged. Thenamaris added 2 more Aframax LR2 Product Carriers at Hyundai Vietnam for dely mid-2025. Total 15 ships on order in Vietnam from Thenamaris, all product carriers except 4 Bulkers ordered recently”.

Meanwhile, in the S&P Market, Allied said that “on the dry bulk side, it was a rather mediocre week in terms of activity taking place, given the relatively fewer number of units changing hands. This, on the other hand, came slightly attuned with the recent downward pressure noted from the side of earnings, with many interested parties appearing to have held back interest for the time being, hoping to get a better perspective of the true market direction at play right now.

Source: Allied Shipbroking

Especially in the bigger size segments, SnP activity was sluggish, underlying the higher volatility noted. On the tanker side, the number of deals appeared stronger as of the past week. It is true that the recent incremental growth in freight rates has helped things heat up in the SnP market as well. However, given that it will take some time before any form of true market direction takes shape, we can not take this recent trend for granted. At this point, we see activity being skewed towards the MRs, relatively inline with the momentum noted in their freight rates”.

Source: banchero costa &c s.p.a

Banchero Costa commented that “after offers were invited the 16th of June Japanese controlled Panamax Lowlands Maine abt 77k blt 2005 Sasebo (SS: 03/2025 – DD: 01/2023, BWTS fitted) has been sold for $16 mln. Two weeks ago, Orient Prima and Beauty abt 76k blt 2005 Imabari were reported at $17 mln. Chinese buyers were behind purchase of Cardinal abt 55k blt 2004 Oshima (SS due July 2024 DD due June 2022 BWTS fitted) at $15.8 mln. Open hatch boxed handysize Ionian Spire abt 32k blt 2008 Kanda (SS due 2026 DD due 2024 BWTS fitted OHBS) has been sold at $17 mln to Turkish buyers. In the tanker market, Greek owners have sold their “Maran Sagitta” abt 105 k dwt blt 2009 Hyundai for $27.6 mln to c. of Performance Shipping. Furthermore, Suezmax Storviken abt 152k blt 2006 Samsung (CAP 1 SS due 2026 and BWTS fitted) was purchased by Greek buyers at $23.5 mln”, the shipbroker concluded.
Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday referred to as for seamless coordination amongst numerous companies concerned in the nation’s maritime safety equipment.
In an handle on the first assembly of the MultiAgency Maritime Security Group (MAMSG), Doval mentioned the companies and stakeholders in the maritime sphere must coordinate in sync with India’s general strategy of progress and improvement.
In view of geopolitical developments, seas have develop into way more necessary, he mentioned.
The assembly was chaired by the National Maritime Security Coordinator Vice Admiral (retd) G Ashok Kumar.
Kumar assumed cost because the nation’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator on February 16 this yr.
The assembly was attended by senior officers from key central authorities ministries, companies and safety forces coping with maritime affairs.
Maritime safety coordinators from 13 coastal states and Union Territories additionally attended it.
In a serious determination to reform coordination of maritime safety affairs on the apex degree, the Union Cabinet in November final authorized creation of the put up of NMSC, underneath the NSA, on the National Security Council Secretariat.
This initiative was supposed to make sure a seamless strategy to India’s maritime safety chopping throughout geographical and purposeful domains.
At the inaugural assembly, a quantity of essential coverage points on maritime safety have been taken up, together with mapping of present orders and insurance policies on maritime safety to determine gaps, evaluate of customary working procedures for maritime contingencies, safety of ports and coastal infrastructure and creation of a nationwide maritime database, officers mentioned
The MAMSG is envisaged to offer a standing and efficient mechanism to make sure coordination of all facets of maritime safety together with coastal and offshore safety, in addition to fill the technological and operational gaps in assembly current and future safety challenges.
The assembly is anticipated to handle maritime contingencies requiring an pressing and coordinated response.

Source: https://www.pehalnews.in/stakeholders-in-maritime-sphere-must-coordinate-nsa-doval-india-news-times-of-india/2181651/

Van Ameyde Marine, the Netherlands-headquartered marine surveying, consultancy, and loss prevention group, has appointed Rob Chesters as its new Global Business Development Manager.

Based in the UK, Chesters has a remit to work with teams across group to develop a global strategy and service offering, with the aim of expanding the company’s international reach geographically and by market sector.

Chesters, who has more than twenty years’ business development experience in the maritime services sector, having held senior positions with Wilhelmsen Ships Service, joins Van Ameyde Marine from Oceanic Technical Solutions, where he worked with shipowners and managers to reduce their vessels’ impact on the marine environment.

Robert Chesters, Global Business Development Manager, Van Ameyde Marine, has a remit to work with teams across the Van Ameyde Marine group to expand the company’s international reach geographically and by market sector

Walter Dekkers, Managing Director Van Ameyde Marine, said: “We are delighted to welcome Robert to the Van Ameyde Marine family as we chart a new course in the company’s long and illustrious history. Rob has a track record shaping growth for maritime service companies and will work with business heads across the company’s marine division to strengthen our presence globally, initially with developments in Singapore and later looking at other geographical areas.

Robert Chesters, Global Business Development Manager, Van Ameyde Marine, said: “From maritime casualties, bunker quality issues, cargo damage, pollution, pandemics and crew welfare, climate changes, to the introduction of autonomous ships, renewables and alternative fuels and new types of cargo; the gamut of issues faced by the marine industry is huge.”

Van Ameyde Marine’s consultancy and surveying group embraces a family of four iconic heritage brands: Van Ameyde Krogius, Van Ameyde McAuslands, Van Ameyde Seasia and Van Ameyde Marine.

“With a global team of almost 100 in-house marine surveyors, engineers, scientists and experts across four historic business brands, Van Ameyde Marine is well placed to help shipowners, charterers, insurers, P&I Clubs, lawyers and government agencies around the world better manage the challenges presented by a maritime industry on the cusp of change.” Chesters said.

All of the companies in the Van Ameyde Marine group have a rich heritage and with Van Ameyde Krogius celebrating its 150th year, Chesters is looking forward to being a part of developing the company for the demands of the future and the digital age.

“These historic companies, each of which, over the course of many decades, has established a solid reputation as a quality, independent and objective technical consultancy, have been brought together to form the global Van Ameyde Marine group.

“I am excited to be working across the Van Ameyde Marine group to deliver a global strategy and service offering that meets the needs of our principals and customers globally,” said Chesters.
Source: Van Ameyde Marine

Source: https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/van-ameyde-marine-set-for-global-expansion-with-chesters-appointment/

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the National Judicial Institute will host the 16th edition of the International Maritime Seminar for Judges under the chairmanship of Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court.

In a press statement made available to LEADERSHIP, by the head, Public Relations, NSC, Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju, it is the mandate of the council to ensure judicial officers, legal and maritime practitioners as well as Legal Advisers and in-house counsel in the employ of public and private sectors of the economy abreast of contemporary issues in the industry.

“The event, aptly described by stakeholders as the ‘prime event in the maritime calendar in Nigeria’ will take place in  Abuja, from 5th – 7th July 2022, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily.

“As the industry arbiter, it is the mandate of the council to ensure judicial officers, legal and maritime practitioners as well as Legal Advisers and in-house counsel in the employ of public and private sectors of the economy are abreast of contemporary issues in this special area of the law that has to do with adjudication on maritime matters.

“The 16th edition, which would have taken place in 2020, was postponed due to the global lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, promises to be engaging and enriching.

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria,  will serve as the special guest of honour while the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki will be the chief host.

“An array of eminent jurists, erudite scholars, and seasoned Maritime/Legal practitioners from the judiciary, and foreign experts from Kenya and Australia will deliver papers aimed at addressing several burning and complex issue bedeviling the maritime industry,” Dhikru-Yagboyaju said.

She said participants at the seminar include justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and judges of federal and states high courts, legal advisers, in-house counsels, legal and maritime practitioners as well as industry stakeholders.

“Other distinguished dignitaries expected at the occasion include the Chief Justices of the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South Africa along with some justices/judges of these countries’ respective judiciaries,” she added.

Source: https://leadership.ng/nsc-holds-maritime-seminar-for-judges/