Maritime education is evolving with changes in technology, and the transition has accelerated since the beginning of the pandemic. Many more courses are now available online including much of the STCW certificate coursework that seafarers need for licensing.

Classes that require an element of hands-on work can now be found in a “hybrid” or “blended” format with the practical elements conducted in-person and written instructions delivered electronically. Even basic simulation can be conducted remotely using virtual reality headsets, and the student can be thousands of miles away from the instructor.

Distance learning is an established phenomenon in the maritime industry. As a prime example, U.K.-based MLA College (formerly Marine Learning Alliance) has been providing undergraduate and graduate education for maritime professionals online since 2012. Through a partnership with the University of Plymouth, MLA offers Bachelor and Master’s degree programs in maritime operations, oceanography, hydrography and meteorology with an MBA option for those interested in business and management.

The flexibility of the online format has some advantages for globe-trotting maritime professionals. With three “start points” for coursework each year, students can begin their education at MLA when it fits their schedule. There’s no need to obtain visas or relocate across borders since the work can be done anywhere with Internet access.

“As education providers, it’s our responsibility to develop methods which allow quality education to all,” says Professor John Chudley, MLA College’s Rector.

Green Light from Regulators

Online coursework was well-established before the pandemic, but COVID-19 lockdowns exposed many more people to the idea. In the first year of the outbreak, millions of students around the world had to transition to a study-from-home model because schools were shuttered. This shift reached the highly-regulated realm of maritime training too.

In order to keep the industry moving, many flag states expanded the allowable scope of remote delivery for STCW coursework. Flag administrations approved more partially-online “blended trainings” and – for the first time ever – allowed remotely-proctored written exams. The green light from regulators reflects growing acceptance of an online delivery model though much of the hands-on coursework and the practical evaluations for mariners must still be done in person.

“Flag states are certainly much more receptive to applications now and more open-minded about what can be done,” says Raal Harris, Chief Creative Officer at leading training provider Ocean Technologies Group (OTG). “I think the dial is moving to accommodate more remote training – provided standards and learning outcomes are not compromised.”

Beyond COVID safety, remote learning has advantages for both the mariner and shipowner. When attending class online, there’s no need to buy an airline ticket to an academy or pay for a hotel stay during the course. Online training can even be completed during off-hours on board, giving the mariner more time off between hitches. It’s no surprise that OTG reports “more and more” demand for STCW approved e-learning courses, and other providers are seeing the same thing.

“Online training is now a rapidly growing market,” agrees Captain Özgür Alemda?, Founder & CEO of Maritime Trainer, a top training and assessment provider in the eastern Mediterranean. “Upcoming standards and new skillsets to meet regulations for decarbonization, ESG and digitization will require more learning and training, which is driving demand.”

The STAR Center, the Florida academy affiliated with the American Maritime Officers (AMO), has a long history of in-person instruction and prides itself on the strength of its on-campus programs and facilities. But it too is pivoting to meet the demand for online options.

“Students and companies are continually looking for high-quality online and blended programs in order to gain efficiencies,” says Jerry Pannell, the academy’s Director. “STAR Center has developed and is continually improving industry leading and recognized online and blended courses that meet regulatory requirements.”

Other U.S. training providers are tracking the same trend. Connecticut-based online training company Mariner Skills has been offering remote-learning STCW courses since 2015 and says that COVID lockdowns have changed the industry. “One of the largest impacts on maritime training after the pandemic is the near-universal acceptance of online training solutions,” explains CEO Anush Ramachandran.

The company has experienced nearly 100 percent year-over-year growth for the past two years, and Ramachandran credits the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to allow remote proctoring for much of its expansion. The Coast Guard greenlighted digitally-monitored remote exams in 2020, and while the agency’s decision was aimed at reducing COVID risk it also removed the only travel requirement for written coursework – the in-person exam.

“For an online training provider like Mariner Skills, this opened the entire U.S. market, if not the global market,” Ramachandran says.

Mariner Skills has broad ambitions for its STCW courses. Modern maritime training incorporates hours of simulation, and most flag states require that this portion of the coursework be done in person. But by this fall Mariner Skills expects to roll out cloud-based simulation for many of its trainings through a partnership with a leading sim provider. “This will open up a large number of courses for online learning,” predicts Ramachandran.

VR & AR

Many expect that virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR) technology will democratize simulation and make it practical for remote learning programs. Off-the-shelf VR goggles create a reasonably realistic bridge experience for just $200 in equipment, and for some applications this level of fidelity is enough.

“I think there are trainings we could do at the entry level, like basic rules of the road,” notes Jon Kjaerulff, Director of Business Development for MITAGS, the U.S.-based training academy affiliated with the Masters, Mates & Pilots (MMP). “You could have students all over the country or a classroom of people, all wearing headsets. And all of them could be on the same virtual ‘bridge’ for the training.”

Kjaerulff thinks VR will eventually become part of the curriculum so long as it can be done in a way that meets industry and regulatory standards. The concept has already been used for practical applications in several nations including Norway, Japan and Australia. Since VR equipment fits in a shoebox and doesn’t break the bank, it can be acquired by individual companies for their own informal training or even purchased by mariners for practice on board.

“I believe VR and AR will become more mature, better understood and therefore more widely considered in the next three to five years with the help of developments in devices and technology,” says Captain Alemda? of Maritime Trainer, which has been building its own VR tools for several years. “But industry-wide adoption will certainly need to be supported by standards.”

In-Person Training

Traditional in-person learning still has a big role to play, especially now that pandemic restrictions have lifted and some academies are expanding their campuses and course catalogues. For example, MITAGS-West in Seattle has just created a one-of-a-kind damage control training module based on U.S. Coast Guard and Navy standards. Every naval force trains its sailors for hull breaches and flooding, and for good reason, but these hands-on lessons are missing from STCW education for merchant shipping.

MITAGS hopes that operators will see the practical value of having their mariners build damage-control skills with first-hand experience, just like they do for STCW-required safety and survival training. “We see the attraction of remote learning, but you know, there are certain things that are always going to be best in person,” says Kjaerulff. “I mean, I really would worry about somebody who got all their first aid training online.”

In addition to hands-on safety training, both MITAGS and STAR Center see a big future for in-person assessment programs, which put vessel operators’ seagoing employees to the test. This is an inherently hands-on process requiring qualified assessors and high-end simulation.

“Our assessment programs, including navigational watchkeeping, engineering and behavioral based competency, have continued to grow and expand,” says STAR Center’s Pannell. “More importantly, the acceptance from the maritime community of assessments and the follow-up training that may be identified has been encouraging.”

In-person training is thriving at Southern California’s Orange Coast College, which recently expanded its waterfront campus. OCC’s two-year program mints new mariners for yachts and commercial vessels, and some of its graduates go on to finish four-year degrees at state maritime academies. The college has its own marina with a fleet of 40+ small craft for underway training and assessments.

OCC’s program holds a MARAD Center of Excellence designation, one of 27 in the U.S., and the college is expanding to accommodate its success. In September 2021, OCC opened a new mariner training center with three classrooms, a full mission bridge simulator and a conference space. “It essentially doubled our campus size,” says Sarah Hirsch, Director of OCC’s Waterfront Campus. “Students can do their desk work, they can do their simulator training, then walk down to the waterfront and get on a boat.”

Jobs Waiting

OCC’s program emphasizes the practical side of the business, and students get exposure to local maritime enterprises across the spectrum. When they graduate – or even beforehand – they can choose where they want to go, says Hirsch. Word has gotten round, and her staff members sometimes have to fend off employers who want to hire away OCC’s students early. “You know, it’s every other day that someone sends us an offer,” she says. “We tell them we’ll pass on their contact info after graduation.”

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/magazine/training-goes-virtual

 

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

 


Last week’s news of a Chinese couple’s audacious plot to set up a mini-state in the Republic of the Marshall Islands by allegedly bribing members of parliament and officials was deeply disturbing: if successful, it could have seen the creation of a ‘semi-autonomous region’ on the remote Rongelap Atoll to expand foreign access to the Marshall Islands, according to reports.

Even more absurd than the scheme itself was how far the pair were able to get before they were busted. As reported by the BBC, a bill supporting the plan actually made it into parliament in 2018, where it was defeated by then president Hilda Heine’s government. Heine went as far as to accuse the bill’s promoters of working for China to turn the Marshalls into a ‘country within a country’. However, after Heine’s loss in the 2019 election, the new parliament endorsed the concept in 2020, paving the way for its establishment.

As it is often rightly argued, island countries’ sovereignty and their right to do business with whomever they please should be respected. However, this case demonstrates that sovereignty can put at risk by the very people entrusted with safeguarding it, which is why any such dealings should not be above question, and scrutinising them should not be seen, or portrayed, as a breach of sovereignty.

According to the charge sheet, Cary Yan and Gina Zhou bribed several Marshall Islands lawmakers with US$7,000 to US$22,000 to support the scheme. Yan also invested in a private business venture on behalf of one official, who then appointed Yan as a ‘special adviser’ on Rongelap. Both Yan and Zhou became naturalised Marshall Islands citizens.

Despite the seriousness of the case, the Marshall Islands government has ignored opposition calls for clarification, which is puzzling; in such situations, a quick and unequivocal response can help clear the air and allay undue suspicions. On the other hand, a non-responsive attitude creates public distrust and disquiet—particularly when it’s a question of threats to territorial integrity by a potentially corrupt, treasonous undertaking.

Contrary to Heine’s claims in 2018, there is no clear indication of China’s direct involvement, although the charge sheet indicates a typical Chinese strategy of conducting business by building personal connections, sometimes with elements of chequebook diplomacy. Besides cash bribes, the accused paid for the travel, accommodation and entertainment of Marshallese lawmakers to Hong Kong for a conference to establish the ‘Rongelap Atoll Special Administration Region’. One official gave a speech in praise of the concept.

This tactic is reminiscent of ‘elite capture’, often associated with the Chinese state and Chinese businesses, with the two elements said to operate in concert. Some Pacific commentators argue that the ambitions of Chinese businesses are often closely intertwined with the ambitions of the state.

Although the involvement of Chinese state officials is unclear at this stage, there’s no denying that the Marshall Islands would be a prime target and major prize for them. The country is one of only 13 that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and, for China, it would be a major scoop to persuade it to defect, especially after having coaxed Solomon Islands and Kiribati to switch sides in recent years.

On top of this, the Marshall Islands’ Compact of Free Association with the United States is due to expire next year, and Washington has made it a priority to renew the longstanding treaty. Among other things, the compact guarantees the US free and open military access to the Marshalls, while denying others the same rights.

Given the stakes, it’s not inconceivable that China would try to gain influence in the Marshall Islands, especially in the context of recent developments in the region, such as Kiribati’s decision to ditch Taiwan, rewarded with a US$66 million Chinese grant, followed by its shocking move to lift the moratorium on commercial fishing in the Phoenix Islands. When Kiribati withdrew from the Pacific Islands Forum in July, its former president Anote Tong quipped that something was ‘cooking’ between Beijing and Tarawa, while opposition leader Tessie Lambourne was adamant that China influenced the decision.

Likewise, in Solomons Islands, claims by an ABC Four Corners report that a Chinese state-owned company was negotiating to buy a deep-water port and World War II airstrip raised deep suspicions. Like the Marshall Islands case, there were allegations of bribery and influence buying, with Four Corners purporting to show documents of a Chinese slush fund that dispersed nearly US$365,000 directly to MPs loyal to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Head of Solomon Islands Transparency International Ruth Liloqula claimed: ‘China is keeping this government together. We all assume that China is remotely controlling the government and Solomon Islands affairs.’

While China denied the allegations and an angry Sogavare threatened a national ban on foreign journalists, the Four Corners’ claims are not easily dismissible given China’s involvement in chequebook diplomacy in the region. That said, the topic of China in the Pacific is a delicate one that’s not helped by speculation. The media don’t always get it fully right, such as reports of alleged Chinese attempts to develop a deep-water port in Vanuatu. However, playing down Chinese actions in the Pacific, and underestimating Beijing’s ambitions and power, is quite risky as well.

Evidence of the impact of China’s activities in the other regions of the world is clear and it would be naive to believe that the Pacific is somehow different and immune to trends gripping other countries where China is active.

If anything, the Marshall Islands case indicates that while national sovereignty is sacrosanct, it shouldn’t be allowed to be used as a shield to deflect legitimate questions—especially by those who may be prepared to trade national sovereignty for personal gain. In other words, national sovereignty cannot be divorced from the reality that crucial decisions in a country are often the prerogative of a few elite, potentially bribable leaders who operate in secrecy, can circumvent the wishes of the people and don’t always act in the national interest.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/chinese-partners-attempt-to-set-up-micro-state-on-mid-pacific-atoll

 

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

 


Starlink introduced its enterprise and maritime connectivity services and equipment earlier this year, delivered via the world’s largest constellation of highly advanced satellites operating in low Earth orbit. From oil rigs and merchant vessels to mine sites and yachts, Starlink allows users to connect from the most remote locations and waters across the world.

Speedcast has been supporting customer trials to demonstrate the capabilities of Starlink as part of a seamlessly integrated service.

“Starlink is an exciting new communications pathway for customers, offering significant diversity and added capacity at a time when remote sites continue to push to the farthest ends of the Earth and when bandwidth demand is ever increasing,” said Joe Spytek, chief executive officer at Speedcast. “As a trusted, agnostic integrator of next-generation technologies for customers, we’re excited to add Starlink to our toolkit to make ubiquitous connectivity a reality for remote operations around the world.”

“We’re excited to provide Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet to Speedcast enterprise and maritime customers,” said Jonathan Hofeller, vice president of Starlink sales at SpaceX. “This significant leap in connectivity will open even more possibilities for companies to manage operations anywhere on Earth.”

Source: https://thedigitalship.com/news/maritime-satellite-communications/item/8064-speedcast-to-offer-starlink-service-to-maritime-customers

 

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

 


FORCE Technology has launched an online simulator to provide remote access to maritime navigation simulation for the purpose of testing planned port and harbour construction projects.

The new SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies unlocks time and cost savings during the planning and design phase of maritime infrastructure projects as proposed developments can be evaluated in real-time and under highly realistic conditions without the requirement to visit a physical simulator facility.

SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies is an expansion of maritime simulator developer FORCE Technology’s SimFlex Cloud simulator, a dedicated SaaS (Software as a Service) solution offering realistic navigation simulation for training purposes. It expands the company’s engineering design and testing services making them fully available online, helping customers to reduce costs and accelerate the planning phase by providing easy remote and real-time access to highly accurate environment simulations based on the proposed structural and/or vessel routing changes.

All new environmental model designs are created by FORCE Technology engineers within weeks of receiving the engineering plan so they can be quickly assessed by professional captains, pilots and navigators using any of the 700 mathematical ship models in the SimFlex Cloud vessel database. SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies introduces the new possibility of immediate online access for testing at any time and from anywhere with a stable broadband connection.

Navigators and bridge officers charged with harnessing their real-life experience to verify the impact of port and harbour design changes can operate their vessel models using a mouse and keyboard, a specially designed operator console for desktop simulation and can even operate their vessels in the first person using SimFlex Cloud’s new Augmented Reality (AR) functionality. Further, SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies provides the capability to automate test routes and specific maritime operations in order to produce trustworthy data over continuously repeated activities.

SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies enables verification of the impact of any new maritime infrastructure, from large turnkey projects to smaller more localised work. Design test applications include navigation in relation to new or removed seamarks; the effects of the design and location of piers including width and location of landing channels; conditions for arrival/departure in existing or new ports; vessel movements in relation to both frequency and time, which contributes to the precise assessment of e.g., the risk of grounding; moored ship movement at open or closed facilities; and maneuverability in shallow waters.

“Engineering design verification is a key service provided by the expert team at our state-of-the-art simulator facility in Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark,” said Jan Michelsen, head of department, simulation, ports & training at Force Technology. “Providing online access to these services through the introduction of SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies is a natural step that will help to optimise our customers’ workflows and allow them to make the most of their infrastructure planning & design budgets. The system also enables us to support customers from further afield, as online access significantly reduces the need for first-hand time with our full-mission simulator.”

Source: https://thedigitalship.com/news/electronics-navigation/item/8057-force-technology-expands-maritime-navigation-simulator-services

 

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


THE International Maritime Organization plans to promote sustainable maritime transport through capacity building activities in the Asia Pacific region under a new partnership agreement.

The IMO’s partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) also covers knowledge partnership activities in the region.

A memorandum of understanding was signed on Monday by IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim and ESCAP executive secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

“This strategic partnership, combining IMO’s global mandate and outreach and ESCAP’s experience and expertise in supporting its regional partners, is expected to contribute a great deal to sustainable maritime transport,” said Mr Lim said.

The parties intend to work together to support knowledge sharing, intergovernmental co-operation, capacity building, joint resource mobilisation and strengthening UN initiatives and program.

ESCAP and IMO also plan to promote activities relating to marine environment protection and climate change, maritime transport facilitation in support of global and regional trade flows and maritime safety.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, during the IMO/ESCAP Thematic Solution Forum (TSF) at the Global South-South Development Expo 2022.

The GSSD Expo is an annual event organised by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation to showcase evidence-based successful development solutions and initiatives, in collaboration with United Nations agencies and all other partners.

Source: https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/environment/imo-partnership-promotes-sustainable-maritime-transport-in-pacific/

 

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

 


The newbuilding market has picked up the pace over the past week. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Allied Shipbroking said that the “newbuilding market activity moved on a very positive tone during the last week, recording a strong performance in terms of the volumes of fresh orders coming to light. The ‘’Lion Share’’ was taken up equally between Gas carrier and the Containership sectors. The majority of Gas contracts were placed on behalf of the Qatar project. On the containership front, after a long period we saw an inspiring flow of fresh projects coming to light. There was an absence this week of new orders emerging for the tanker and dry bulk sectors, with the former going against the expectation that has been driven from the improved freight market conditions of late. In the case of the later, things are expected to remain muted for the time being especially when given the sharp correction noted in earnings over the past month or so. All-in-all, what we see is that despite the overall current market uncertainty accompanied by high inflations, considerable fluctuations related to the commodities prices and currencies , it appears that for the time being buying appetite is still holding buoyant, while owners have adopted a more ‘’wait and see’’ attitude regarding any newbuilding investments”.

 

Source: Allied Shipbroking

Banchero Costa, added in a separate report this week that “Evalend Shipping placed an order for 3 + 2 VLGC carriers of 88,000 cbm to be built at Hyundai. The price reported to was around $96.6mln each and deliveries of the 3 firm units are in 2024 and 2025. The Finnish owner Langh Ship made an order for 3 x 1,200 teu feeders. The vessels are TIER III, dual fuel, scrubber fitted and with batteries for port operations. The vessels will be built by Paxocean Zhoushan and will be delivered during end of 2024 and beginning of 2025. U-Ming Transport confirmed an order for 2 x Ultramax in China. One vessel will be built at New Dayang and the other subcontracted to Sumec. Vessels will be delivered during 2025 and were priced $34mln each”.

Source: banchero costa &c s.p.a

Meanwhile, in the S&P market this past week, Allied commented that “on the dry bulk side, things moved on an extremely uninspiring tone during this past week, reflected in the low volume of transactions that appeared in the market. What contributed mostly to this sluggish pace has certainly been the dramatic drop in earnings noted over the past month which has left an overwhelming feeling that asset values are about to follow in the same direction. Although it is very difficult for the time being to see any quick recovery taking place, things are looking a bit more optimistic to some extent for the smaller size segments, given the softer drop and limited freight market volatility that this segment has experienced.

Source: Allied Shipbroking

On the tanker side, the momentum still remains strong for yet another week given the increased vivid activity that took place during this period of time. Given the overall positive momentum that prevails in the freight market as of late and the fervent buying interest that has emerged, there is an anticipation of a good flow of transactions being developed during the upcoming weeks”.

Shipbroker Banchero Costa also noted that “few ships were inviting offers last week and several will also call for bids this week; interesting to follow the activity on the drybulk front. On the tanker the momentum keeps building with a large number of units out for sale and several private deals being concluded. A major deal on VLOC was negotiated with Berge Bulk purchasing enbloc from Cara Shipping the sisters STELLA DAPHNE (2017) and STELLA ISABEL (2015) about 250,000 dwt for enbloc price of $98mln, both ships are BWTS fitted. There were 2 interesting deals on modern, eco type Ultramax with Ultrabulk selling the ULTRA TRUST 61,000 dwt built 2015 Tadotsu (bwts fitted and scrubber fitted) to Eagle Bulk for a price around $28mln and with Nisshin Shipping selling 2 Ultramax eco type to Jinhui, namely HANTON TRADER I and WESTERN SANTONS 64,0000 dwt built 2014 Hantong (BWTS fitted) for a price of $25.375mln each. The Imabari 2006 built Supramax MEDI BANGKOK around 53,000 dwt (BWTS fitted) is reported sold for a price of region $17mln for delivery November.

Source: banchero costa &c s.p.a

Interesting to note the payment via letter of credit pushed the price higher. A vintage Handymax MARVEL around 49,000 dwt built 2001 IHI is reported sold for a price of $10.5mln, similar to AMBER L 47,000 dwt built 2000 Oshima (BWTS fitted on delivery) which was sold on subs at $10mln basis delivery Med fairly prompt. Tsuneishi design AQUARIUS 77 around 35,000 dwt built 2016 Tsuneishi Cebu (BWTS fitted) is rumoured committed at $21mln. A smaller Handy the ALAM SERI about 29,000 dwt built 2011 Shikoku (BWTS fitted) was also calling offers on the 8th September, hearing now she is under negotiation at the levels of mid-high $13s mln. The 2 sisters aframax ALBA and PIPER 115,000 dwt built 2005 Samsung were inviting offers. The ALBA being ice class 1A and scrubber fitted was rumoured around $31/32mln, whilst the PIPER scrubber fitted non ice class was under negotiations below $30mln. In the MR sector Gotland sold on subjects one of their GSI built GOTLAND CAROLINA 53,160 dwt built 2006 at $18.5mln to a KS; the HYDE 47,000 dwt built 2007 HMD (scrubber fitted and BWTS fitted) is rumoured sold basis SS due at price in excess of $22mln. The Handy tanker BALTIC MONARCH 37,000 dwt built 2006 HMD (ice class 1B) got sold to Greek Buyers for a price a tick over $15mln. In the smaller chemical tanker sector, the CELSIUS MEXICO around 20,000 dwt built 2008 Shin Kurushima (BWTS fitted) was sold for region $15.5mln”, the shipbroker concluded.
Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

Source: https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/newbuilding-activity-increases-after-the-summer-holidays/

 

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

 


It is both good news and a recognition of a long-felt need that a powerful consortium of technical expertise is being put to work to address the worrying problem of fires in containers. There is, apparently, a serious conflagration in a container about every five weeks while there are fires that are easier to extinguish on a more frequent basis. So, there is some enthusiasm that the European Maritime Safety Agency, the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology, along with the considerable muscle of Bureau Veritas and the support of the Research Institute of Sweden and the University of Southern Denmark are collaborating to deliver a Formal Safety Assessment Study on containership fires. It will be completed by the beginning of February next year, so they are moving fast.

It seems that this vexed subject has been on the agenda for decades, without seemingly much progress, while the scale of the problem has grown exponentially along with the size of container ships. I attended a seminar held by one of the classification societies at least twenty years ago, when there seemed to be an almost fatalistic attitude exhibited by some of the participants, notably those representing the sea carriers. Since then, there has been some progress, notably in the shape of clamping down on the failure to declare dangerous goods and even more recently, with some brave carriers even fining those who take their obligations lightly as regards declarations.

“There has always been something about sealed steel boxes that defies common sense.”

But there has been no great technical breakthrough that enables pitifully small ships’ crews to tackle fires, while the number of boxes at risk in a single ship has hugely increased. Insurers, P&I clubs and salvors, along with fire safety experts, have periodically expressed their concern, but the fires continue, with everyone, it seems, just hoping that the odds will remain on their side in a percentage game.

To someone brought up in pre-container days, with cargo care beaten into our skulls by our senior officers, there has always been something about sealed steel boxes that defies common sense. Who recalls, for instance, the strict injunctions stencilled on packing cases to “stow away from boilers”. It is perhaps a redundant instruction these days, if you think of the heat that can be built up in a steel container, whether it is deep in a hold or perched on the top of the stack under the blazing tropical sun. When I recall the efforts we made with fans and ventilation and fanatical attention to the temperatures and dew point, it is obvious that outside the reefer trades, cargo has to just sweat it out.

Then with the explosion in ship sizes, we have seen the huge globalisation in the production of goods that never were traded in great quantities until the advent of cheap container shipping. It is not surprising that fires break out with some regularity in cargoes of cheaply manufactured and badly packed basic chemicals or stuff like charcoal, which is notorious for overheating. Maybe the recent sudden spike in shipping costs, allegedly making people think afresh about the need to ship this rubbish over thousands of miles from the other side of the earth, will have an effect on the incidence of fires. But already rates are falling from their unprecedented peaks, so good intentions may be forgotten.

“The FSA study on containership fires will have no shortage of topics as its work progresses.”

You have to hope that punitive sanctions on rogue shippers, better targeting of problematical cargo, along with greater vigilance might start to have an effect on the container fire statistics. The EMSA- BV consortium will address not just prevention, but fire detection, alarm systems, containment, and firefighting, and they will be including in their remit equipment suppliers, designers shipping companies and flag states that have experience to offer. In recent times, notably after the appalling Maersk Honam disaster, there were ideas proposed by salvors, for designers to consider the installation of fireproof barriers between deck stacks, at least around hazardous cargoes, but this has yet to be accepted by anyone. There still seems few practical solutions other than crews having to take fearsome risks pushing lances through the sides of burning boxes.

It is also worth noting the risks that ports are running with their need to keep large numbers of boxes safe while in their custody. There was a nasty reminder last year when a box being transshipped exploded shortly after it had been loaded on a feeder ship. The inquiry discovered that the box with its chemical contents had been “cooking” on the quay in the Gulf port for the best part of a fortnight, having been landed by the ocean carrier.

Source: https://www.bairdmaritime.com/ship-world/boxship-world/column-no-apparent-end-to-blazing-boxes-grey-power/

 

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

 


 

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


Holland America Line is bringing back its Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage in 2024 for the first time in more than ten years, according to a press release.

The 94-day sailing aboard the Volendam is scheduled to depart on January 3, 2024, sailing roundtrip from San Diego, California, as Holland America Line continues to add longer voyages departing from a North America homeport, according to the company.

“It’s been more than 10 years since we’ve offered this Grand Voyage itinerary, and we listened to our guests who requested that we bring it back. The San Diego departure makes it easy for our North American guests to explore this region and make it a memorable journey along the way,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer, Holland America Line.

Guests on this Australia expedition will experience the Great Barrier Reef, the wonders of Hawaii and the South Pacific, and the landscapes of New Zealand, all without air travel from the United States or Canada involved.

“Australia continues to be a sought-after cruising destination, and by offering it as a Grand Voyage we’re able to take our time and feature other beautiful locales like the islands of the South Pacific, New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef,” added Bodensteiner.

Highlights of the 2024 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage include 43 ports of call, four overnight stays in Fremantle (Perth), Sydney, Auckland, and Papeete, two days of scenic cruising in the Great Barrier Reef, explorations of the Ribbon Reef and Far North regions, a stop at Komodo Island, as well as cruising through the Torres Strait and Milford Sound.

The company also offers two shorter segments of the sailing: 58 days from San Diego to Sydney and 36 days from Sydney to San Diego.

Source: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28252-holland-america-line-brings-back-grand-australia-and-new-zealand-voyage.html

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


AAL Shipping (AAL), one of the world’s leading global breakbulk and project heavy lift operators, has been named ‘Best Shipping Line – Project Cargo’ at the 2022 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards held in Hong Kong on Wednesday 7 September.

The AFLAS Awards are a celebration of Asia’s freight, logistics and supply chain industry, and AAL beat off intense competition from the global sector’s leading carriers to win the award for a consecutive year. The award win follows a successful year for AAL in a project cargo market that has endured its share of ebbs and flows. Over the last 12 months, AAL has been optimising its service model to adapt to changing market conditions and resulting in a number of significant milestones such as trade lane expansion, record-breaking shipments, sustainable fleet expansion, and the strengthening of its presence and sailings regularity in core global markets including Asia.

AAL Kembla
The officers and crew of the 31,000dwt mega-size heavy lift vessel, AAL Kembla, with a cargo of wind blades and towers, ex-China.

Felix Schoeller, Commercial Director of AAL, commented: ‘We are honoured to have won this award. To lift your customer service to the highest level is a hard process, demanding commitment and investment across all aspects of the organisation. To maintain such reputable status for consecutive years truly reflects an outstanding achievement from all of AAL’s Asia-based offices, supported by our global operations. Noteworthy is that such performance has been delivered in the midst of challenging times for the Asia market, characterised by highs and lows for the local shipping sector and residual fall-out from the global COVID pandemic still being dealt with.’

Jack Zhou, AAL’s General Manager and Chief Representative in China, added: ‘AAL has been extensively involved in the Asian project cargo market for almost three decades and, as we’ve grown our local presence, Asia has similarly prospered. We have served many of the biggest names and most exciting industrial and infrastructure projects in the region. Such recognition of our hard work is warmly appreciated and we accept this award on behalf of the whole company.’

Source: https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/aal-triumphs-yet-again-in-2022-at-the-aflas-awards/

 

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

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