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An industrial scale concept for a floating production unit to produce green ammonia at sea has secured Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV, affirming the technical feasibility of the design.

The so-called P2XFloater concept, developed by Norway-based H2 Carrier, is based on the conversion of an existing Very Large Gas Carrier into a floating, production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO) that can serve to produce environmentally friendly ammonia for the local or for the world market.

The FPSO would source electricity from a wind farm or other renewable source to provide power for electrolysis of seawater to produce the hydrogen as input to the so-called Haber-Bosch process which produces liquid ammonia by combining hydrogen and nitrogen of under high pressure and high temperature. The required nitrogen would also be produced onboard the FPSO.

DNV’s Vice President, Business Development for Floating Production, Conn Fagan, said the AiP covers all aspects of the integrated vessel concept including structural integrity, mooring, ammonia production, ammonia storage and cargo handling.

“The AiP assessment has looked at the technical challenges associated with offshore ammonia production and has concluded that there are no insurmountable difficulties to preclude future classification of the design,” said Fagan.

“For application of the concept in future projects, detailed engineering studies will of course need to be carried out with particular attention to addressing the hazards associated with ammonia and hydrogen for a particular layout and location.”

The presentation ceremony during ONS 2022 (L to R): Erik Henriksen (Director of Business Development – Offshore Classification, DNV) and Sebastian Kihle (Chief Technology Officer, H2Carrier)

“The innovative P2XFloater™ concept provides a low-cost, fast-track and flexible solution to produce green ammonia on an industrial scale and at a competitive price. Market demand is rapidly increasing primarily due to the decarbonisation of the industrial and maritime sectors,” says Mårten Lunde, CEO of H2Carrier AS.

Mr. Lunde added: “We are very pleased to have been awarded the AiP from DNV, which is a significant technical milestone that gives us a springboard for further development towards commercial realisation of this concept.”
Source: DNV

Taiwan is to inspect 202 foreign ships entering the country’s seven large commercial ports between this month and November in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region, also known as the Tokyo MOU, the Maritime and Port Bureau said yesterday.

For the Tokyo MOU, a port state control organization was established, which is composed of representatives from 21 member authorities, the bureau said.

The organization’s main purpose is to establish an effective and consistent port state control regime in the Asia-Pacific region, the bureau said.

Container ships are docked at the Port of Keelung on Aug. 6.

Photo: Jameson Wu, Reuters

A concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) is also launched annually among member authorities to eliminate substandard shipping, protect the maritime environment and safeguard working and living conditions for seafarers, it said.

Taiwan is not a member of the International Maritime Organization, but nevertheless abides by the maritime safety regulations stipulated by international organizations, the bureau said.

The focus of this year’s campaign is to see whether seafarers carry qualification certificates, whether the number of crew members meets the minimum safety quota for onboard seafarers, and whether crew members can present health examination certificates and rest hour records, the bureau said.

The three-month maritime safety campaign would start today at seven international commercial ports across the country, it said.

“Our goal is to conduct random onboard inspections on 202 foreign ships in the next three months,” the bureau said, adding that the goal was set based on the number of ships arriving in Taiwan last year.

“We want to remind shipping firms and shipowners that they need to confirm the qualifications of the seafarers they have recruited and ensure that work shift schedules are friendly to seafarers,” it said.

During the CIC period, ships found with unqualified seafarers on board would be retained by commercial port authorities until improvements are completed in accordance with Article 60 of the Commercial Port Act (商港法), the bureau said.

Because of the annual inspections, Taiwan has been on the Tokyo MOU’s white list for five years in a row, which has greatly enhanced the efficiency of shipping fleets by lowering the frequency of inspections when they arrive in other countries, the bureau said.

“We have worked with CR Classification Society to offer seminars to shipping firms on how they should prepare for the CIC this year,” it added.

Source: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2022/09/01/2003784512

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Port recently received a maiden call from leading global container shipping company MSC’s Indus 2 service. The port expects that the new service will help to further develop the Kingdom’s export market while also facilitating trade between North America and the Indian subcontinent.

King Abdullah Port will provide services for containers transported on MSC vessels for goods imported from Mundra port, in addition to exported goods moving to major European ports, the Port of Halifax in Canada and major ports on the East Coast of the United States.

Commenting on the new port call in the Indus 2 liner service, Jay New, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The addition of King Abdullah Port to MSC’s liner service reaffirms our role as a major enabler of international Saudi trade and one of the world’s most important ports. In keeping with our vision to be an advantageous and sustainable world-class port that delivers long-term value to its stakeholders, we have been constantly upgrading our facilities and improving our service offerings through the adoption of the latest technologies and innovative solutions. “

King Abdullah Port’s partnership with MSC dates back to September 2013 with the berthing of the first vessel from the company’s fleet at the port. With MSC as a key customer, the port handled 1.5 million TEU over the first half of the year, an increase of 6.69% compared to the same period of 2021.

APM Terminals Pipavav terminal recently received a first block train for Maersk, carrying goods for rice exporter D.D. International, from ICD Panipat. The new service, operated by DP World, is expected to help hinterland customers connect with global markets.

The train was flagged off from ICD Panipat in the first week of August and reached the port less than two days later. The containers, all carrying rice, are destined for Jeddah and Dammam in the Middle East.

Commenting on the occasion, Jakob Friis Sørensen, Managing Director, APM Terminals Pipavav, said, “The connection helps our customers in moving their containers safely, quickly and sustainably and offers our hinterland customers an additional mode to expand their business in the global markets. Moving the consignment by rail not only reduces congestion on the road but also helps in reducing carbon footprint.”

Source: https://www.themaritimestandard.com/apm-terminals-pipavav-receives-block-train-from-icd-panipat/

The Government says a vessel from Brazil that appears to be headed towards the Strait carrying reportedly toxic materials will not be permitted to enter British Gibraltar Territorial Waters if it attempts to do so.

The vessel, named Sao Paulo, is said to be laden with toxic paints, asbestos, and cancer-causing chemicals. It’s on its way to Turkey to be scrapped.

The Government says that unless a vessel (or its tug) schedules a call at the Gibraltar Port, the Port Authority is unable to prevent its transit through the Strait.

The shipping of the vessel goes against an injunction from the Brazil Federal District Court and international laws, according to several NGOs.

For its part, the Environmental Safety Group says it has been contacted by an NGO from Brazil hoping to raise maximum awareness of the passage. The ESG has also contacted the Port and local environmental authorities about this.

Some recent reports say that Turkey has refused entry to the vessel, however it has not agreed to turn around and appears to be slowly heading towards the Strait. It is being towed by another vessel named Alp Centre.

Source: https://www.gbc.gi/news/ship-carrying-toxic-cargo-would-not-be-permitted-enter-bgtw-says-government

During the month of July, Saudi Arabia’s ports achieved a 16% increase in cargo throughput compared with the same month in 2021, handling a total volume of 28 million tons, up from 24 million tons a year before. Statistics released by the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) reveal a 45.4% growth in general cargo traffic, to 718,082 tons, a 30.3% increase in dry bulk cargo, to 4.2 million tons, and a 19.1% surge in liquid bulk cargo, which accounted for 16.3 million tons of total throughput.

Similarly, container throughput at Saudi ports jumped 6.4% to 641,862 TEU, compared to 602,181 TEU during the same period last year. Transshipment movements were up 9.5% year-on-year at 268,000 TEU.

Automobile imports also soared to 78,438 units, rising 31% compared to the 60,052 vehicles in the equivalent period in 2021, while foodstuff volumes recorded a 40% upturn, to around 2 million tons.

Source: https://www.themaritimestandard.com/saudi-ports-register-strong-cargo-throughput-growth-in-july/

Bahri Logistics has entered a partnership deal with channels by stc, part of stc group, which has operations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. Under the terms of the agreement, Bahri Logistics will provide a wide range of logistics solutions, including assistance with customs clearance, storage and delivery services.

Soror Basalom, President of Bahri Logistics, commented: “Bahri’s selection for this significant contract underlines our reputation for providing services of the highest standard across a broad range of industries, including the growing telecommunications sector. We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership with channels by stc as it seeks to further expand its business in Saudi Arabia.”

The new contract is considered by both parties to represent an important step in implementing their respective strategies for developing Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector.

Source: https://www.themaritimestandard.com/bahri-signs-logistics-partnership-deal/

Part of the AD Ports group, Safeen has recently announced it has achieved an impressive safety record of more than 5 million man-hours without any Lost Time Injuries (LTI) and zero environmental incidents since its launch in 2012.

Operating in nine commercial ports in the UAE and the Middle East, Safeen offers a broad portfolio of marine services and solutions, including towage, quayside-support services, emergency response, vessel assistance, inspections, and shipping maintenance.

Captain Adil Alhammadi, CEO of Safeen, said: “We have achieved this remarkable feat by promoting a safety culture across the organisation that comprises progressive HSE policy updates, regular audits, emergency drills, and regular in-house safety and training programmes to promote the wellbeing of our employees whilst maintaining a seamless supply chain network for our customers.”

Source: https://www.themaritimestandard.com/safeen-safety-record-continues-to-impress/

Following modifications to some of its existing heavy lift vessel fleet, enabling them to transport containers, P&O Maritime Logistics is introducing a Red Sea service, connecting Jeddah and Port Sudan. The service will be operated in partnership with DP World group sister company, Unifeeder.

By establishing this new route using the modified Multi Carrying Vessels (MCVs), P&O Maritime Logistics aims to help reduce regional port congestion, as the MCV vessel type can call at smaller berths, and turnaround faster, compared to larger vessels on this shortsea route.

According to the company, shallow draft MCVs utilise less space and can access areas of the port where larger ships cannot fit due to their size and length. This is useful when connecting feeder ports, such as Port Sudan, with hub ports, such as Port of Jeddah.

P&O Maritime Logistics began modifying MCVs following successful trials with the Topaz Lena, one of two ships that will be deployed on the Red Sea route. The other is the Topaz Volga. The company is modifying a further two vessels and could have as many as ten modified upon request.

Source: https://www.themaritimestandard.com/new-red-sea-container-service-launched-by-po-maritime-logistics/

A fishing vessel suspected of engaging in labor abuses was detained by the South African government on Aug. 3, days after a workshop led by the International Labour Organization in collaboration with the ILR School.

It was the first such action by the South African government in nearly five years.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that shoppers pay more attention to the fish than the fishers,” said Jason Judd, executive director of the New Conversations Project. “And although trade policy in the U.S. and the ‘ethical trade’ codes of seafood retailers protect fishers from forced labor, for example, they’re not effectively enforced. So it’s good to see the South African government putting to use what the ILO and Cornell are teaching, and good to see SAMSA acting on reports of labor abuses on fishing vessels.”

Dangerous working conditions and labor abuses in commercial fishing are common around the world. But enforcement actions to protect fishers are not. So the detention of the Taiwanese-flagged vessel with a largely Indonesian and Filipino crew – with a detention order noting likely violations of safety and health standards and problems with fishers’ pay and contracts – was hailed by labor experts.

The inspection and detention of the fishing vessel by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in Durban came within days of a labor inspection workshop led by the International Labour Organization in collaboration with the ILR School’s New Conversations Project in Cape Town. The South African government detained the foreign-flagged fishing vessel based on a tip from a labor rights organization over concerns regarding worker safety.

“It’s one thing to read case studies and talk about these concepts and new tools. It’s something else to test them out. So we went onto three fishing vessels – two foreign-flagged, one South African – in the Cape Town port for practice inspections,” Judd said. “We also covered two other difficult topics: cooperation between agencies and tightening up enforcement regimes. It’s good to see it coming together like that in Durban.”

The four-day training brought together roughly 50 people who work in South African government agencies connected to the fishing industry – including labor, maritime safety and immigration – and unions and worker rights organizations.

The workshop used the ILO’s Work in Fishing ILO Convention, 2007 and SAMSA’s inspection protocols to shore up detection of labor violations under South African law and to ensure that fishers, receive, among other things:

improved occupational safety and health and medical care at sea, and shore care for sick or injured fishers
sufficient rest for their health and safety
protection of a written work agreement
same social security protection as other workers

In the workshop, Judd taught how to identify forced labor in fishing and presented two new tools under development with the ILO to help assess fishing crews, working conditions and labor protections. The first is a checklist of quantitative measures used to estimate the likelihood of forced labor risk on boats, such as assessing if the vessel does not have enough personnel, has been at sea for an extended period of time, or is providing suspiciously uniform reporting of hours of rest for its crew. The second tool establishes employer and supervisor interview protocols and tools to pinpoint labor practices and flag possible abuses.

SAMSA reported in mid-August that the vessel was released after the owner and fishers resolved a range of issues, including training of the crew, staffing of the vessel, treating an injured and hospitalized fisher, reconciling outstanding payments and more. “But costs for flying home were borne by fishers themselves,” Judd said. “So it was not a total success but, for SAMSA, a step forward and we hope other governments will follow suit.”

The New Conversations Project and ILO published in 2022 an analysis of changes in work in fishing in Southeast Asia in the COVID pandemic and, again with the ILO, proposes to take the new tools and protocols to Peru and Ecuador and Southeast Asia.

Source: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2022/08/ship-detained-after-ilr-workshop-labor-abuse-among-fishers

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