Van Ameyde Marine, the global marine consultancy and surveying firm, is advising ship managers to remain Covid aware and ensure that crews are fully vaccinated amid the prospect of a further wave of infections from a new strain of the virus.

Michael Robertson, a senior marine consultant with the company’s McAuslands division, said: “With reports in Europe and Asia pointing to an increase in the number of Covid cases, ship managers and crews should not let their guard down. If there is another wave this winter, we could see ships and crews quarantined again and trade disrupted. There are reports of a new strain of the virus emerging in China, so I don’t think Covid is going away any time soon.”

While a Covid infection may be less severe for a fully vaccinated individual, Van Ameyde McAuslands’ crew care team is concerned that some seafarers have yet to receive their booster jabs.

“In the UK, we have seen an increase in vaccinations to keep boosters up to date but, in general, seafarers are not as vaccinated as well as perhaps they should have been. Some seagoers would certainly have missed getting their boosters in the time frame required for them to be effective,” said Robertson.

Charlotte Malkin, Crew Care Coordinator, Van Ameyde McAuslands, said: “While Neptune Declaration statistics point to a seafarer vaccination rate of 89.3%, which is probably an over estimation, we are finding that some crew members have only had one or two of the doses and missed boosters when they were at sea. We’re arranging a lot of vaccinations and tests at the moment.”

While travel entry requirements for many countries have eased, the crew welfare team is arranging more and more in Antigen tests arranged for crews at airports, with results sent directly to the ship manger and individual within 30 minutes.

“When travelling to Asia, a PCR test is still a travel entry requirement. We continue to carry out PCRs for crews travelling back home to the Philippines, for example. Chinese Embassy approved PCRs are also required if vessels are scheduled to visit Chinese ports or if crews are flying back home from China,” said Malkin.

If tested positive, Van Ameyde McAuslands places the seafarer under quarantine at an approved hotel, providing welfare support and carrying out tests at regular intervals. If symptoms persist or advance the crew care team transports the individual to hospital.

The marine consultancy is also advising ship operators to keep managers and crews abreast of the rapidly developing monkeypox situation and how to mitigate against the risk of infection.

“We are keeping a fairly close eye on the implications of the monkeypox outbreak, which is now shown to be transmissible by touch at a certain point in the incubation period. P&I Club clients are already issuing advisories based on our recommendations,” said Robertson.

Katy Peters, Founder and CEO of 360 Health, a medical services provider that supports the Crew Care team with vaccination supplies, medical escorts and nursing support, said: “Similar to Covid-19, monkeypox infection is likely to bring on flu-like symptoms – fever, headaches etc. but the incubation period could be up to 21 days. A rash usually appears within one to five days after the onset of symptoms and this could be on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus. The illness will typically last between 2-4 weeks.”

Van Ameyde Marine encourages crews to practice good and frequent handwashing and advises against close contact with anyone showing signs of extensive skin eruptions, blisters and rashes.

If seafarers do show signs of a mild monkeypox infection, they should take medication to manage symptoms. If they develop more severe symptoms, they should be isolated in a separate room to prevent the infection spreading to other crew members.  Social-distancing measures should be maintained with disposable gloves and face masks worn when in close proximity to an infected person.

Van Ameyde Marine also recommends crews to strop sweeping and vacuuming in infected areas to avoid disturbing virus particles. Infected bedding, clothing, and towelling should be carefully placed in plastic bags without shaking the items before carrying them to washing areas. Items should be boil washed at more than 60°C.

“Ship operators should advise their P&I Clubs immediately if they suspect they have a case on monkeypox on board one of their vessels,” said Robertson. “The Club can provide advice and guidance and instruct experts to assist as different ports will react differently to the presence of monkeypox on board a visiting vessel just as they do with Covid-19.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Source: https://maritime-professionals.com/what-to-do-if-a-monkeypox-outbreak-is-suspected-on-board/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022

 


Survitec’s Seahaven, the world’s largest inflatable lifeboat, is now ready to be installed on cruise vessels, having received full type approval certification from classification society Lloyd’s Register.

A Certificate of Type Approval was presented by Lloyd’s Register Chief Operations Officer Mark Darley to Mark Cotton, Survitec Sales Director, during the SMM trade fair, which is taking place this week, in Hamburg, Germany.

Certification follows the successful completion of heavy weather sea trials (HWST) in December, and all environmental and physical testing concluded in April as defined by Lloyd’s Register Type Approval (A.520).

Seahaven is unique in that it is the first lifeboat to have completed an exhaustive reliability testing programme that far exceeds the mandatory testing requirements set out by SOLAS.

“We are delighted to receive Lloyd’s Register Type Approval,” said Cotton. “The Certificate of Type Approval signifies all required regulatory testing has been successfully completed. Receiving this certificate is a significance achievement both for Survitec and the maritime industry at large.”

Certification not only confirms Seahaven is compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s stringent rules for the evacuation of cruise ship passengers and crew, but it offers industry an alternative to the traditional lifeboat arrangement.

The award-winning 1,060-capacity inflatable lifeboat solution takes all the safety features associated with a conventional lifeboat and MES arrangement. With the compact design and higher evacuation capability of Seahaven, up to 85% of cruise ship deck space is freed up yielding up to $8.4 million increased revenue per year for cruise operators.

Richard McCormick, AES and MES Product Manager at Survitec, said: “Commercially, the Seahaven journey is really just beginning. Since we officially launched this ground-breaking technology earlier this year, we have advanced our discussions with key industry players on the numerous benefits and the value of installing Seahaven onboard their vessels.”

“Seahaven not only redefines safety at sea but also revolutionises the vessel design and the cruise experience,” he said. “Cruise ship operators and naval architects are already looking at remodelling the space normally given to conventional lifeboats and davits for additional cabins, enhanced passenger experience and revenue generating opportunities.”

Mark Darley, Chief Operations Officer at Lloyd’s Register, said: “Survitec’s Seahaven inflatable lifeboat solution is a breakthrough in innovative space saving design and will present significant opportunities for cruise ship owners whilst prioritising safety at sea. Lloyd’s Register are extremely proud to award Type Approval Certification to Survitec for this design.”

Representatives from Survitec will be available to discuss in detail the space-saving safety attributes of Seahaven and other Survival Technology solutions on Stand 528, in Hall B of the SMM trade fair, which takes place this week at Hamburg Messe + Congress.

Source: https://www.seanews.co.uk/shipping-news/survitecs-seahaven-receives-lloyds-register-type-approval-certification/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022

 


After the explosion at Tianjin, there was the push to evaluate what happened to ensure that it would never happen again. But then it did, in Beirut, bigger and more destructive than what happened before in China.

Dangerous storage of ammonium nitrate was to blame in both. In the case of Beirut, more than 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate was left unattended in the warehouse for seven years. Even after the lessons learned in Tianjin, the ammonium nitrate would sit in Beirut for five more years.

With increasing frequency

Despite the lessons that can be learned from past incidents, the frequency of maritime explosions appears to be on the uptick. They have occurred on ships at sea, in ports and on moored ships.

In early June 2022, a container depot near the port city of Chittagong, Bangladesh saw several containers on the property explode and launch into the air. The private facility typically stored clothing and other items ready for export. Apparently, hydrogen peroxide, the chemicals stored in containers, was allegedly without authorization, destined for use in the textile industry. Because the containers were labelled incorrectly, firefighters did not know what they were dealing with. They started to fight the fire with water, not firefighting foam, which resulted in further explosions. Nine of the 49 people killed in Chittagong were firefighters.

While fires and explosions on ships have been an issue for centuries, the issue is growing, due largely to an increase in hazardous materials being shipped. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s Review of Maritime Transport 2021, the amount of chemicals being transported by marine vessels worldwide in terms of ton-miles, or one ton of freight carried over one mile, has increased by about 88 percent over the past two decades.

Plenty. Non-declaring what’s being shipped is at the root of many fires and explosions at ports and aboard ships. Shippers have been misdeclaring or under-declaring hazardous materials for years, especially in containerized shipments due to various reasons, like escaping customs duties and taxes, hiding the value of the cargo, or to hide the illegal nature of the cargo or even the real weight.

If shipping a pure chemical substance, it’s easier to determine a products shipping names or UN (United Nations) number, a four-digit number that identifies hazardous materials in international transport. For hazardous compounds or manufactured goods that may contain hazardous materials, like a lithium battery, it can be more difficult. Calcium hypochlorite, a disinfecting and bleaching agent with a tendency for self-ignition, has been responsible for many fires in recent years. For instance, calcium hypochlorite may be misdeclared as calcium chloride. Other names encountered in the past have included: BK Powder, CCH, Hy-chlor and Chloride of lime or Chlorinated lime. (Here’s some helpful property naming guidance: How to Determine Correct UN Number and Proper Shipping Name (chemsafetypro.com).

Unfortunately, another reason for misdeclaration of cargo is saving money. Since hazardous goods and materials require extra attention, shipping costs more.

Misdeclaration helps avoid paying a premium for shipping. It can also save on a separate container. One shipping container may carry various items for different shippers but depending upon the property of the material, cargo deemed hazardous requires a separate container and an appropriate and secured stowage location. Even when the container has space to occupy more cargo, no other cargo should be put in a shipping container with hazardous materials. This can lead to hazardous cargo being stowed incorrectly on ships, putting the ship and crew at risk.

A confusing web of regulations

Hazardous material transported by sea needs to comply with various regulations that address appropriate packing, storage and communication between authorities and parties involved in the shipping process.

Ships carrying hazardous materials fall under the jurisdiction of the International Maritime Organization’s Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code). The code resulted from the 1960 Safety for Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. The SOLAS convention is regarded as one of the most important of all international treaties related to the safety of merchant ships. In 1914, the first version of the SOLAS convention was adopted in response to the Titanic disaster. The IMDG code was the result of the fourth SOLAS Convention. Considered the first major achievement for the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the code was a big step forward in modernizing regulations to keep up with technical developments in the shipping industry.

The IMDG Code provides a suggestion on how to declare dangerous materials, store them on vessels and transport them. Available in six languages, the latest version of the code was released in January 2020. But many find the code a complex document and highly technical in a lot of places.

The IMDG code is for the cargoes which are carried in packaged form and covers approximately 3500 products. However, there are many ships that carry solid, liquid, and gaseous cargo in bulk, among them:

A 100-year-old problem

Even before the IMDG Code, the marine and fire protection industries saw fire and explosions as a growing industry problem. After World War I, cargo vessels, including tank ships, were converted to carry larger cargos. This led to incidents of fires and explosions during shipbuilding, repair, and conversion. All those involved, from vessel owners and shipyard owners to their insurers, raised concerns.

To address those concerns, in 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an international organization dedicated to fire prevention, and its Marine Committee adopted a series of standards known as the Regulations Governing Marine Fire Hazards which includes regulations that address the control of gas hazards on vessels during repair activities. Today it is known as NFPA 306 (Control of Gas Hazards on Vessels).

The NFPA provides many resources to help the industry address their fire and explosion challenges. For one, to help prevent instances like what happened in Chittagong, NFPA 1405, or its Guide for Land-Based Fire Departments that Respond to Marine Vessel Fires, provides direction on what elements are necessary for a comprehensive marine fire-fighting response program for land-based fire fighters.

Stepping up responsibility and enforcement

The movement of cargo, its storage and regulation are disjointed. Cargo changes hands all along the supply chain. There are a lot of hands in the mix. That means everyone needs to uphold their responsibility in the product’s journey from shippers to ship masters to storage facilities to port authorities tasked with enforcing existing regulations.

The tragedies in Tianjin, Beirut, and Chittagong are reminders of what can happen when complacency prevails.

The cost of these incidents extends far beyond these ports. An explosion in a key port was the last thing that an already-shaky Lebanese economy needed. The mass destruction of communities within a 6-mile radius left the economy in ruin and created a humanitarian crisis. Rebuilding has been challenging because of supply shortages.

The global pandemic disrupted supply chains. These events did not help. According to local trade associations, 90% of Bangladesh’s trade which includes clothing headed to H&M, Walmart and other retailers – passes through the Chittagong port. As a result of the explosion, hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of garments were destroyed in the fire. When the Felicity Ace caught fire off the coast of Portugal in February 2022, more than 4,000 cars, many luxury, valued at $400 million were lost.

And, quite literally, in many cases, everyone pays. General Average is a principle of maritime law. The law establishes that all sea venture stakeholders – owner, shipper, charterer, consignee – proportionately share in losses that resulted from a voluntary sacrifice of a portion of the vessel or cargo to save the voyage in the event of an emergency – whether their shipment or vessel was damaged or not.

The shipping industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. More materials – hazardous and non – are being shipped all over the world. The growing frequency of fires and explosions are reminders that with increased activity brings added risks and responsibilities.

There should be little tolerance for misdeclared or mislabeled goods, improper storage, or shoddy port protocols. There is plenty of solid guidance to take necessary precautions in the handling, shipping, and storage management of hazardous materials. It’s time to step up efforts to disrupt the all-too-frequent incidents of maritime fires and explosions. In our efforts to protect the safety of crew, ships and the environment, the Marine Insurance community should unite and collectively decide whether a loss resulting directly from a misdeclared cargo shall be indemnified. This would be accomplished by instituting policy language that denies coverage on a claim where the supporting documents clearly show that a cargo was misdeclared. Carriers themselves should not continue to support shippers that willfully misdeclare cargo putting crews, ships, the environment, and cargo at risk.

Source: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/opinions-analysis/explosion-risk-flaring-land-and-sea

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022

 


In the 40 days since July 22, when Russia and Ukraine signed a UN sponsored 120-day deal brokered by Turkey, 2.1 million tonnes of grain have been exported through the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa and Yuzhne. After a slow start, around 0.5 million weekly tonnes of grains are now being exported, according to BIMCO, which says that, at this pace, monthly exports will surpass 2 million tonnes.

ukraine grain shipments chart

On September 7, however, Russian President Vladimir Putin raised concerns over how the deal has been working, saying that most shipments are headed towards the European Union and Turkey rather than the emerging economies in Africa it was designed to aid.

Russia has expressed an intent to renegotiate the deal and restrict grain exports to the EU. Now according to Reuters, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan says he wants grain from Russia to be exported too, adding that Putin was right to complain that Ukraine grain was going to wealthy rather than poor countries.

IMPLICATIONS FOR SHIPPING

“In spite of limited exports so far, the grain agreement has helped cool down global food prices. These are now back to February levels according to FAO’s food price index. If Russia attempts to alter or stop the deal, this progress could be reversed,” says BIMCO’s chief shipping analyst, Niels Rasmussen.

In August, Ukraine showed interest in expanding the deal to include cargoes such as metals. In addition, the country expressed hope of opening the port of Mykolaiv under the deal, another key port for grain exports.

While a restriction of Ukraine grain exports to Europe could benefit bulk shipping through increased average haul, says BIMCO, a risk to loss in volumes remains. Crop spoilage remains a risk in Ukraine with storage at capacity and the ongoing maize harvest adding further pressure.

“Insecurity remains a factor among those shipping Ukrainian grain,” says Rasmussen. “The ships operating in Ukraine are on average six years older and 32.9% smaller than a year ago, reflecting risk aversion and higher insurance premiums on hull value. Russia’s dissatisfaction with the deal is likely to further hinder Ukrainian exports as decision makers remain hesitant to risk their assets.”

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/legal-safety/shipping/ukraine-grain-exports-grow-but-putin-isnt-happy-with-where-theyre-going/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022


Northern Xplorer has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Portuguese shipbuilder West Sea for the construction its maiden vessel, said to be the world’s first zero-emission cruise ship.

West Sea intends to build the 250-passenger vessel at its facility in Viana do Costello north of Porto for expected delivery at the start of the 2025/2026 cruise season.

“As a shipbuilder focused on advanced vessels and high quality, we very much look forward to working together with Northern Xplorer. We’re proud to be taking a lead in building such an innovative and technology advanced vessel of a high standard that will have minimal impact on the environment,” said West Sea manager Vitor Figueiredo.

“This is a new milestone on our journey towards emission-free cruising. Having approached yards worldwide for tenders, we’re delighted to be embarking on this exciting project with West Sea. They are a modern, professional yard with a good track record. It’s great to be here at SMM for the signing alongside our technology partner, ABB, whose expertise has been key to developing the concept of this pioneering vessel,” said Rolf André Sandvik. founder and CEO of the recently established Norwegian cruise venture Northern Xplorer.

The vessel’s design features ABB’s fully electric propulsion system, including the battery and hydrogen fuel cell technology that will enable to it to sail emissions-free in the Norwegian fjords and further afield as the green shift takes root.

“We are very happy on behalf of Northern Xplorer, and it has been an honor to contribute with our expertise to this pioneering project aiming to prove the viability of eco-friendly cruise operations using zero-carbon fuel,” said Jorulf Nergard, Vice President Business Development, ABB Marine & Ports.

NX and ABB are currently in dialogue with multiple sub-suppliers for vessel systems. “We haven’t made any final decisions yet because we want to go with the newest technology as it becomes available. Where possible we also aim to select the most sustainable materials available in the market,” Sandvik said.

NX has worked closely with Oslo-based Affinity Offshore AS, who “have done a tremendous job in sourcing the right shipyard for such an innovative project”, Sandvik said. “Our financial partner Clarksons Securities AS will assist us as lead manager on the project, while I’d also like to thank our fantastic ship designer, Multi Maritime AS in Førde, who have worked persistently for three years with a design that is truly eye-catching. It is a vision for the future and will be a jewel to travel in.”

Oslo-based business law firm Grønvigh, Tjersland & Indrevær DA were central to creating the LoI’s legal framework. “As part of our mission to create optimal value for our clients, we are very pleased to be helping Northern Xplorer on their journey to developing the cruise industry of the future,” said partner Jonas Tjersland.

The LOI is an important step toward creating a new paradigm in the cruise industry and to meet Norway’s brave decision to ban fossil fuel-powered ships from its world-heritage fjords from 2026. “Discerning travelers want to cruise with a clean conscience, and with this ground-breaking green ship we aim to cater to that strong demand,” Sandvik said.

Sandvik previously commissioned the hybrid-electric sightseeing vessels Vision of the Fjords (built 2016) and Future of the Fjords (built 2018) in his former role as founder and CEO of tourism company The Fjords. Constructed by specialist Norwegian shipbuilder Brødrene Aa, both vessels won the ‘Ship of the Year’ award during maritime trade fair SMM in Hamburg in their respective delivery years. “That was an exciting project in its time and a world-first enabling pollution-free journeys in Norway’s UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. With NX we’re taking take things to the next level,” he said.

Source: https://www.marinelink.com/news/worlds-first-zeroemission-cruise-ship-499330

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022

 


U.K.-based defense contractor Babcock International has secured two further contracts relating to Poland’s Miecznik (Swordfish) frigate program.

Earlier this year, Babcock was selected as the platform design provider and technology partner for the Polish frigate program and is supporting the PGZ-Miecznik Consortium in building three Arrowhead 140 frigates in Polish shipyards by a local workforce, drawing significantly from Polish suppliers and Babcock’s global supply chain.

Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 platform, on which the U.K.’s Type 31 frigate program is based, has been developed from the proven Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt class frigate.

Babcock’s two latest contracts for the Polish frigate program, the class design contract and the transfer of knowledge and skills (TOKAT) framework agreement, respectively support the further development of the program and the enhancement of shipbuilding capability in Poland to deliver Miecznik to schedule.

The class design contract is key to supporting the maturity of the Miecznik frigate and the provision of a design documentation package to Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ S.A) for submission to the classification authority. Babcock says this will push forward the next stage of the engineering process and support the program to cut steel of Ship 1 in 2023.

Under the TOKAT framework contract, Babcock will share its technology, engineering expertise and industry know-how with PGZ S.A., PGZ SW and Remontowa Ship Building with the aim of transforming their shipyards and delivering the Miecznik program for the Polish Navy. The cooperation will include human resources development and staff training, support in infrastructure upgrades planning and the implementation of tools and technologies.

Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: “I am delighted with the progress on the Polish Miecznik program. Our work in Poland builds on the shared interests of the NATO countries. Babcock will deliver first-class frigates that will contribute significantly to the sovereign defense capability in Poland.”

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/news/babcock-signs-key-polish-frigate-project-contracts/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022


Norwegian tanker operator Stolt Tankers and compatriot technology company Yara Marine Technologies have signed an agreement to equip a further seven tankers with Yara Marine’s FuelOpt propulsion optimisation technology.

Stolt Tankers
Jose Gonzalez Celis and Aleksander Askeland sign the new agreement at SMM in Hamburg. Courtesy of Yara

The agreement was signed at SMM in Hamburg, Germany on 7 September 2022.

This new order follows the installation and evaluation of FuelOpt on board the Stolt Breland in early 2022.

Operating the largest fleet of chemical tankers in the world, Stolt Tankers is looking to prioritize voyage efficiency solutions that support emissions reductions. Having successfully trialed Yara Marine’s FuelOpt system and recorded distinct fuel savings and emissions reductions, the company intends to implement the system across a larger percentage of its fleet.

“This collaboration represents a new step towards our carbon reduction goals. We want to be ahead of the timeline and reach our ambition, and the best way to do so with an extensive fleet like ours is to maximize fuel savings and minimize emissions,” Jose Gonzalez Celis, Energy and Conservation Manager at Stolt Tankers, said.

“Shipping needs practical and cost-effective solutions that demonstrate tangible results, and I am pleased to say that our agreement with Yara Marine Technologies has ensured that we are making real progress towards greater fuel efficiency without compromising operational efficacy. We look forward to working together and collaborating on further solutions for our fleet.”

As explained, FuelOpt maximizes fuel savings through energy efficiency and is compatible with any marine fuel, which supports Stolt Tankers’ goal of having a fuel-flexible fleet. The system allows customers to use all existing fuels while future-proofing for possible new fuels. FuelOpt is also compatible with any propeller or engine, and can be installed on older vessels or newbuilds.

“We are proud to support Stolt Tankers with technology solutions that meet their immediate needs, while also allowing for additional enhancements further down the road to Net Zero. Increased fuel efficiency already plays a key role in cost-effective operations, and will no doubt continue to be a vital part of dealing with the expense of future fuels and upcoming regulations,” Aleksander Askeland, Chief Sales Officer at Yara Marine Technologies, commented.

Stolt Tankers Stolt Tankers operates a fleet of 160 chemical tankers, providing global transportation services for bulk liquid chemicals, edible oils, acids, and clean petroleum products.

Source: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/stolt-tankers-chooses-yaras-propulsion-optimisation-tech-for-7-more-ships/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022

 


A joint database on the abandonment of seafarers maintained by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) has received reports of 74 cases of companies abandoning their seafarers on ships around the world..

“This was only during the first half of 2022, so, we can assume that this year we are heading towards surpassing 2021’s record of 95 cases,” as per Dr Heike Deggim, Director, Maritime Safety Division, IMO..

This is a 28% increase compared to 2021 when 95 cases were reported for the whole of 2021, so the situation could be much worse for seafarers in 2022..

An article from Seatrade Maritime News quoted Dr.Deggim as saying “The joint IMO/ILO tripartite working group has been re-established by ILO and IMO to identify and address seafarer issues, and the human element. It will meet over the next two years in several sessions, and they will address in particular guidelines on how to deal with seafarer abandonment cases.”

The working group will also address other issues related to seafarer welfare including the treatment of those suspected of maritime crimes, and bullying and harassment, including sexual assault.

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) recently highlighted the growing number of cases of seafarers reporting the non-payment of wages for two months or longer, which meets the ILO’s definition of abandonment.

It said that seafarers did not always realise that not being paid for a couple of months could be a precursor to abandonment. In 2021 the ITF clawed back some $37m in wages that had been withheld from the crew by shipowners.

If these numbers are true, it is an absolutely despicable act by the guilty companies, including shipowners and ship managers and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.. Seafarers are the backbone of global trade and must be treated as such..!!

Source: https://maritime-professionals.com/shameful-record-for-seafarer-abandonment/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022

 


More than 560 dockworkers are threatening to go on strike from September 19th to October 3rd at the Port of Liverpool. Unite Union is carrying out the strike over poor pay and improper working conditions. The strike will cause strain and widespread disruption in the shipping industry, which is already struggling with supply chain challenges.

The primary point of contention is the Union’s pay raise demand, which the Union says is much needed to offset the double-digit retail inflation rate in the UK. The port operatives and the maintenance engineers voted for a strike in August when they were offered a pay raise of 7% by MDHC Container Services. MDHC is a part of Peel Ports, the second largest Port group in the UK.

Workers are also striking over MDHC’s failure to honor the 2021 pay agreement. The workers stated that MDHC has failed to undertake the long overdue pay review, which has not been conducted since 1995 and has not delivered on its promise to improve shift rotas.

Unite Union has warned that the strike could severely disrupt the proceedings of Liverpool Port and the surrounding areas. They have also warned that there are more strikes scheduled in the coming weeks if MDHC refuses to table an acceptable offer.

Source: https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/39461/dockworker-strike-looms-over-liverpool-port/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022


PSA Corporation Ltd. (PSA) inaugurated the first phase of Tuas port operations in Singapore on September 1st. The inauguration involved opening the first three berths, which were built under phase one of the Tuas Port’s development program. Parts of the port are still under construction and will become completely operational by 2040. The completed port will have an annual cargo handling capacity of 65 million TEU.

The new port is expected to cement the position of Singapore as the biggest Transshipment hub in Asia. The port has a draft of 23 m and a total berth length of about 26 km, which will significantly increase the cargo handling capacity of Singapore. PSA expects 5 berths to be operational by this year’s end, which will allow the port to handle the largest container ships in the world.

Singapore is hailing Tuas as the world’s largest fully automated container port. The quay cranes are automated and can be operated remotely from a control center. Data analytics and digitalization are also ingrained into the port’s modular design. This allows the port to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning for better management of the port’s operations. Sustainability is also a prevalent theme in the construction of the port as the port has a smart power grid and eco-friendly buildings and provisions for powering most of the port operations with electricity.

Source: https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/39453/new-tuas-port-opens-service-singapore/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022


Company DETAILS

SHIP IP LTD
VAT:BG 202572176
Rakovski STR.145
Sofia,
Bulgaria
Phone ( +359) 24929284
E-mail: sales(at)shipip.com

ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED