Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) announced that a naming ceremony was held today for the next-generation coal carrier ENERGIA AZALEA, which will serve Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (President & CEO: Mareshige Shimizu; Headquarters: Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture), at Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

(President: Kensuke Namura; Headquarters: Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi). As distinguished guests including Chugoku Electric Power Vice President & Senior Managing Executive Officer Shigeru Ashitani and his wife and MOL Executive Vice President and Executive Officer Toshiaki Tanaka and his wife looked on, the vessel received the name the ENERGIA AZALEA, the rope was cut, and the new vessel was successfully launched.

The name ENERGIA AZALEA is derived from the official city flower of Hamada-shi, Shimane Prefecture, home to Chugoku Electric Power’s Misumi Power Station, and company’s brand name, “ENERGIA.”

As a vessel built especially for Chugoku Electric Power, the ENERGIA AZALEA will transport coal from overseas to its power stations, along with the ENERGIA CENTAURUS already in service, to contribute to a sustainable and stable supply of electricity.

The ENERGIA AZALEA is the third in the “EeneX” series of next-generation coal carriers based on the Japanese shipbuilding industry’s accumulated know-how and technology in development and construction of coal carriers, along with MOL’s expertise in operating these vessels. Adoption of a double-hull structure eliminated the need to fill cargo holds with ballast water, reducing the risk of marine pollution and minimizing cargo contamination with salt and rust.

MOL offers the optimal “stress-free” transport service for customers and the environment, by achieving both safe and stable transport of an important energy resource for Japan.

Reference – MOL

Tankers, fishing vessels and bulk carriers were the three highest sectors for sending distress signals between 2018-2021, Inmarsat’s The Future of Maritime Safety Report 2022 reveals.

Among the findings from the Inmarsat data was an abrupt spike in GMDSS calls in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, according to the report, is likely to have been caused by “issues with crew change, rapid turnaround in ports and fatigue on board”.

Peter Broadhurst, Senior Vice President of Safety and Security, Inmarsat Maritime, said, “The Future of Maritime Safety Report provides insights into safety trends from GMDSS data gathered between 2018 and 2021 and reveals patterns at a local and global level. Better understanding these patterns can help us to take proactive steps to prevent such incidents going forward and help guide us to a safer future.

Adding context to the data analysis, the report features opinions from industry representatives and seafarers invited to share their views on the most pertinent maritime safety issues and the changes they would like to see implemented to address them.

Cyrus Moody, Deputy Director, International Maritime Bureau, addresses the value of communication and collaboration in tackling piracy.

“Protecting our seafaring workforce requires constant vigilance and a concerted effort from the international maritime community, working with agencies and governments around the world”, says Moody. “All too often, piracy is out of sight and out of mind.”

Other contributors include International Maritime Rescue Federation CEO, Theresa Crossley, who shares her views on the lessons shipping must take from the Covid-19 pandemic; and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Maritime Safety Watch Branch Chief, Christopher Janus, who emphasises the importance of embracing existing technology solutions to improve vessel safety.

Click here for your copy of The Future of Maritime Safety Report 2022.

PCG: Vice Admiral Rodolfo D Isorena PCG presided the turn-over ceremony of the Maritime Safety Services Command at Sangley Point, Cavite City. Commodore Elson E Hermogino PCG was designated as the new Commander of Maritime Safety Services Command (MSSC). Prior to his new assignment, Commodore Hermogino was the former Commander of Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL). The outgoing MSSC Commander, Commodore Gilbert S Rueras PCG retired yesterday, November 21, 2014 after completing 32 years of service in the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

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Just In Time (JIT) arrivals allow ships to optimise speed during their voyage to arrive in port when berth, fairway and nautical services are available. Containerships can reduce fuel consumption and resulting carbon dioxide emissions by 14% on a per voyage basis using JIT arrival, according to a new study, commissioned by the IMO-Norway GreenVoyage2050’s Global Industry Alliance to Support Low Carbon Shipping (Low Carbon GIA).  

Aiming to establish the main safety concerns currently facing the shipping industry, The Future of Maritime Safety Report 2022 examines data from Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) calls made to Inmarsat, the world leader in global mobile, satellite communications, from 2018 to 2021.

Among the key findings from the Inmarsat data was an abrupt spike in GMDSS calls in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, according to the report, is likely to have been caused by “issues with crew change, rapid turnaround in ports and fatigue on board”.

Peter Broadhurst, Senior Vice President of Safety and Security, Inmarsat Maritime, says: “The Future of Maritime Safety Report provides insights into safety trends from GMDSS data gathered between 2018 and 2021 and reveals patterns at a local and global level. Better understanding these patterns can help us to take proactive steps to prevent such incidents going forward and help guide us to a safer future.

“The Inmarsat GMDSS data shows the top three sectors with the highest distress calls as tankers, fishing vessels and bulk carriers, with the lowest incidents arising in passenger ships. This data should help us focus our attention and tackle known safety issues in these sectors.”

Adding context to the comprehensive data analysis, the report features expert opinions from industry representatives and seafarers invited to share their views on the most pertinent maritime safety issues and the changes they would like to see implemented to address them.

Cyrus Moody, Deputy Director, International Maritime Bureau, addresses the value of communication and collaboration in tackling piracy. “Protecting our seafaring workforce requires constant vigilance and a concerted effort from the international maritime community, working with agencies and governments around the world”, says Moody. “All too often, piracy is out of sight and out of mind.”

In the cruise sector, Rachel Arnold, Chief Officer, cruise sector, states that “the root cause of most safety issues is cost-cutting”, in discussing how to minimise risk to crew and passengers.

Other contributors include International Maritime Rescue Federation CEO, Theresa Crossley, who shares her views on the lessons shipping must take from the Covid-19 pandemic; and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Maritime Safety Watch Branch Chief, Christopher Janus, who emphasises the importance of embracing existing technology solutions to improve vessel safety.

On describing a newly created NGA Source Maritime Automated Processing System which uses autonomous natural language processing and basic machine learning, Janus says that “this kind of automated system could be considered more widely by our industry as we head towards implementing new S-124 navigation warnings for electronic charts and effectively processing even more information”.

Establishing a clear link between the global health crisis and a “drastic rise in distress calls in the last three years”, the report suggests that shipping “has not emerged from the pandemic unscathed”. It concludes with a call to action, imploring the industry to put “safety at the core of its operations” and use “every solution available to prevent incidents and save lives”.

The Future of Maritime Safety Report 2022 is available to read in full today, 07 June 2022, and can be accessed here.
Source: Inmarsat

More than 100 people, many of whom were elementary school students, were evacuated safely from the Spirit of Norfolk dining cruise on the Elizabeth River near Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday after a fire broke out near the stern of the vessel.

The incident prompted a response that involved commercial tugs and crews from the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and local fire departments. Thankfully no injuries were reported.

The fire was reported just after noon as the Spirit of Norfolk was located near Naval Station Norfolk.

Officials said there were 106 passengers on board, according to Captain David Dees, Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk’s commanding officer. There were also a number crew members. Among the passengers were 89 students, a spokesperson for the vessel’s operator said.

Smoke and flames could be seen from shore at the naval base.

The firefighting effort included two tugboats and firefighting crews from Naval Station Norfolk, U.S. Coast Guard and Norfolk Fire and Rescue. With the fire burning, Spirit of Norfolk was brought alongside Pier 4 at Naval Station Norfolk where firefighting efforts continued through at least late afternoon.

Reports indicate many of the passengers were evacuated to the Victory Rover cruise vessel. It wasn’t immediately clear how many passengers and crew were evacuated to the Victory Rover vice transferred to shore at the naval base.

Officials said the fire likely originated in the ship’s engine room.

Captain Jennifer Stockwell, Deputy Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Virginia, told a late afternoon press conference that the fire was still active.

Spirit of Norfolk is operated by City Experiences (City Cruises), part of Hornblower Group. The vessel has a capacity of 372. A spokesperson for City Cruises confirmed that the vessel was hosting a school group with 89 students on board.

“Today Spirit of Norfolk suffered an on board fire while servicing a school group of 89 students. Our on board crew acted swiftly and immediately notified first responders upon notice of the incident and brought all 106 passengers and crew safely ashore. On behalf of City Cruises, I would like to thank the local authorities, including the Norfolk Naval Station, the Coast Guard, and our local fire departments for working so quickly to ensure that all of our passengers and crew made it safely ashore.”

KUCHING: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency will organise the Raja Tenggiri fishing competition on June 18.

Sarawak MMEA deputy director of operations, Capt (M) Yousry Yaali said the main purpose of the competition was to create safety awareness, especially among those going out to sea.

“MMEA has officially taken over search and rescue operations or better known as SAR, together with other agencies such as the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), and to commemorate this, MMEA will organise a Maritime Safety Awareness Day every June 6.

“The fishing competition is one of the programmes organised together with the Sarawak Fishing Community Association, Department of Fisheries Sarawak (JPLS), Bomba, Marine Operations Force (PGM), Marine Department Malaysia (Jabatan Laut) dan Sarawak Coast Guard,” he said here today (June 8).

He added that on the day of the competition, all participants are required to use safety jackets, indirectly educating them, especially fishermen, to prioritise safety.

“A safety exhibition will also be held, including a demonstartion on how the Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) device works in the event of an emergency.”

First place is RM3,000 while second and third place winners get to walk away with RM1,500 and RM1,000 respectively.

For further details, the public can contact Sarawak Maritime Operations Room or Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Kuching at 082-432544 or 082-432006.

Maritime Safety Week 2022 is due to take place from 4 – 8 July, focusing on the sharing of knowledge and experience to promote marine safety.

In a letter to maritime operatives, Maritime Minister Robert Courts MP called for active engagement with the event, calling it critical to “our ambition of ensuring safety remains the first consideration in what is one of the most difficult and challenging environments to operate.”

Mr Courts also echoed calls from organisations such as Port Skills and Safety to cooperate and exchange information on safety issues.

“Everyone can make a genuine difference in their individual roles, but it is only by working in partnership that we can develop the framework which will support a step change in safety performance and ensure preventable accidents, and their tragic consequences, are eliminated.”

PSS encourages all members to take an active part in marking the week, including attending our Members Conference in London on Tuesday 5 July. Mr Courts has been invited to open the event and it promises to be an excellent forum for port operatives to network and engage with one another.

For more information and to register your attendance, contact info@portskillsandsafety.co.uk.