Shipowners reject proposals for ships to pay for EU ship recycling licences
If proposals to establish an EU ship recycling fund are taken forward, they will cause serious problems with the EU’s trading partners, including China, India, Japan, and the United States. The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – which represent over 80\% of world merchant tonnage – insist that the concept of the ship recycling license, developed by consultants for the European Commission, must be firmly rejected.
According to a proposal now being considered by the European Commission, the money that visiting ships would have to pay into a proposed EU Fund, including those flying the flag of non-EU nations, would only be returned at the end of the vessel’s working life, many years later, when it will probably have a different owner, and only on condition that the ship is recycled at a yard approved by the European Commission.
“As well as being unduly complex, widely impractical and very difficult for the EU to administer, the establishment of such a Fund will be an affront to the international community which has adopted the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling, whose standards have already been incorporated into a similar EU Regulation” said ECSA Secretary General, Patrick Verhoeven.
ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe added “Such a draconian unilateral measure, especially if applied to non-EU ships, is likely to be seen by EU trading partners as anti-competitive interference into the conduct of international shipping. There is a real danger that other nations would apply retaliatory measures.”
ECSA and ICS argue that the EU should concentrate its efforts on getting EU Member States to ratify the IMO Hong Kong Convention, and to recognise the efforts being made by recycling yards in Asia to gain certification in accordance with IMO standards. They insist these yards should be given a fair chance to be included in the EU list of approved recycling facilities that is being established under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation.
Meanwhile, ECSA and ICS are preparing a detailed commentary on the proposals for an EU fund, which they will be sharing with the European Commission, as well as EU Member States and the European Parliament.
ECSA and ICS assert that the shipping industry is committed to the implementation of the IMO Hong Kong Convention. ECSA and ICS (with other industry organisations) have also recently published comprehensive guidelines on "Transitional Measures" for shipowners selling ships for recycling, to ensure that end of life vessels are only recycled in accordance with agreed IMO standards, in advance of these coming into legal force worldwide.
SetelHellas and GasLog Ltd. sailing together towards Crew healthcare
Clearly, ground-breaking advancements like SetelHellas’ Maritime Telemedicine Solution (MTS) show how IoT can play a fundamental role in the crew healthcare future. We’ve gone from a world of disconnected, impersonal data to one where we can finally make the important connections that inform healthcare decisions to truly change seafarers’ lives.
Today, we are pleased to announce that GasLog Ltd, a growth-oriented international owner, operator and manager of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, after a thorough evaluation, has decided to equip its entire fleet (24 vessels) with the innovative and cutting edge SetelHellas’ MTS.
Capt. Bourekas Michael, Manager at GasLog Ltd., said: “We are delighted to have selected SetelHellas’ Maritime Telemedicine solution (MTS) which encompasses a set of high quality functions that are easy to use with minimal or no training. We view our crew’s health and safety as a top priority. Therefore by deploying SetelHellas’ MTS we provide them with onshore professional medical resources with the appropriate diagnosis and treatment skills. This will result in the finest patient treatment, in higher moral satisfaction and in making the crew feel safer on board the vessel”.
SetelHellas’ MTS is a holistic approach providing superior medical services and allowing the crew to have access on a 24/7 basis to a medical assistance, allowing many services currently available at a clinic or hospital to be delivered on board the vessel.
The solution won the Gold Award in the “Strategy, Innovation & Extroversion” Category at Business I.T. Excellence Awards (BITE) and all MedTech devices are certified for medical use according to all strict related standards.
Poseidon Med II ensures LNG bunkering operations in Patras Port
The workshop began with on-site survey of Patras Port area, discussing the feasible scenarios for LNG bunkering installations and potential appropriate sites within the port, setting the foundations for the technical studies development.
During the workshop, through the active contribution of 28 participants, a fuel calculation review of LNG fuel requirements for two currently operating types of Ro-Pax vessels on the Bari and Ancona routes was estimated. Additionally, significant issues on LNG supply chain were critically evaluated, taking into account the needs for natural gas for domestic and industrial use in Patras area. Possible site positions for the small-scale LNG installations were proposed by Stavros Antypas, Director of Holding & Development Department representing Patras Port, which were also discussed during the workshop.
“The project has now entered a level of maturity able to back-up general philosophy requirements with sound numerical approach while facilitating all participating parties’ consent”, highlighted Thanos Koliopulos, LR Global Special Projects Manager, who chaired the workshop.
A list of areas for further action and assessment was developed and this is to be further detailed by the project partners.
George Polychroniou, Project Manager of Poseidon Med II- Executive Director, Strategy, Development, Administration & IT, of Public Gas Corporation of Greece (DEPA) mentioned: “The development of LNG bunkering facilities at the Port of Patras, is considered as a key milestone towards the establishment of LNG as an alternative fuel for marine transport, in the Eastern Mediterranean and especially Greece. Further expansion of these facilities, to enable access to natural gas of households, commercial and industrial users in the city of Patras, and customers located in the region of Western Greece, constitutes an important viability and sustainability parameter for the full deployment of the project.”
Nikos Kontoes, President & Managing Director of Patras Port Authority, noted: “Patras Port Authority is an active partner of the European project Poseidon Med II, which explores possible LNG installations for bunkering and undertakes the relevant technical studies for the participating ports. For Patras Port, the establishment of an LNG unit for bunkering operations, expandable for industrial and domestic use, is of high priority.
The arrival of natural gas in Western Greece is a continuing demand expressed by political, scientific and industrial stakeholders of the area, as well as critical factor for boosting the economy. It offers societal and financial benefits, contributing to the protection of the environment of our urban area”, he added.
Similar technical workshops will take place to other ports of Poseidon Med II project, the following months.
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| Onsite evaluation of the Port of Patras |
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| Poseidon Med II technical workshop at Patras Port |
What is Poseidon Med II project?
Poseidon Med II project is a practical roadmap which aims to bring about the wide adoption of LNG as a safe, environmentally efficient and viable alternative fuel for shipping and help the East Mediterranean marine transportation propel towards a low-carbon future. The project, which is co-funded by the European Union, involves three countries Greece, Italy and Cyprus, six European ports (Piraeus, Patras, Limassol, Venice, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa) as well as the Revithoussa LNG terminal. The project brings together top experts from the marine, energy and financial sectors to design an integrated LNG value chain and establish a well-functioning and sustainable LNG market.
Cosco to invest extra 500 mln euros in Piraeus port
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As he said, Cosco's main priority is investing in the sector of cruise as it has already been in contact with large international cruise companies that are seeking to make the Piraeus port their base.
He also announced the upgrade and expansion of the port so that it can host the largest cruise ship with 4,000 passengers.
The aim of the company is to increase cruise tourists to 3 million. The budget of the investment amounts to 200 million euros. The second priority of Cosco is to upgrade the port infrastructure in the first container terminal.
Tsipras expressed his content over Cosco's investment plan and stressed that it is a milestone in the relations of both countries.
2015 Annual Report Paris MoU on PSC: “Safer entry of enclosed spaces”
The detention percentage has remained stable at 3.33\%. The number of deficiencies has decreased 10\% related to 2014. The number of inspections carried out was 17,858, slightly less than 2014 (18,430). Over a 3-year period of time, most cases of refusal of access involve ships which have been banned for multiple detentions (45). 5 ships have been banned a second time. A significant number (12) were banned for failing to call at an indicated repair yard. The remaining 3 cases involved ships which “jumped the detention”, by sailing without authorization. Over a 3 year period the flags of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Moldova, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Togo have recorded the highest number of bannings.
Looking at the Paris MoU “White, Grey and Black Lists” the overall situation regarding the quality of shipping seems to be stabilizing. Although individual flags have changed lists, the total amount of 43 flags on the “White list” is equal to 2014.
Sweden is leading this year’s list, followed by the United Kingdom and France. This year Portugal and Spain have moved from the “Grey List” to the “White List”. India and Switzerland moved from the “White List” to the “Grey List”. Saint Kitts and Nevis moved from the “Grey List” to the “Black List”. In 2015 there are 11 flags on the “Black List”, with the United Republic of Tanzania having the worst performance for the third year in a row.
Recognized Organizations (ROs) are delegated by flag States to carry out statutory surveys on their behalf. For this very reason, it is important to monitor their performance. The best performing RO over the period 2013-2015 was DNV GL, followed by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)*.
International Register of Shipping is bottom of the list in 2015, in terms of poor performance, followed by Universal Shipping Bureau Inc and Bulgarian Register of Shipping. For several years a joint submission with the Tokyo MoU to IMO has addressed the correlation between flags and ROs working on their behalf. The results are published in the Annual Report as well. Useful information for the industry that would like to stay clear of the risk of sub standard shipping.
After an increase of the total number of inspections in 2014, the number has slightly decreased. Since 2011 (the start of the NIR) the average detention percentage had slightly increased annually until 2013 (3.78\%), after which a significant decrease has been recorded for 2014 (3.32\%). In 2015 the detention percentage remained stable at 3.33\%. Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Greece and the United Kingdom contributed most to the overall inspection efforts in terms of percentage, together over 51\%. High Risk Ships have been operating mostly in the southern part of the region, while Low Risk Ships have been calling in the north-western part of the region.
With 1,166 inspections and 131 detentions the ships flying a “black listed flag“ score a detention rate of 11.23\%, which is similar to 2014 and 2013. For ships flying a “grey listed flag” the detention rate is 8.58\%, which is significantly higher than 2014 (6.27\%). For ships flying a “white listed flag” the detention rate is 2.50\% which is at the same level as 2014.
The 5 most frequently recorded deficiencies in 2015 were “ISM” (4.3\%, #1797), “fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions” (2.5\%, #1044), “nautical publications” (2.5\%, #1016), “charts” (2.4\%, #996) and “oil record book” (1.6\%, #645).
Source: ParisMOU
Vale Sells Giant Ships to China-Led Group for $269 Million
The Rio de Janeiro-based company will sell the vessels to a consortium led by a unit of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd, Vale said in a statement. The vessels, to be delivered in August, have a capacity of 400,000 metric tons.
Vale is also negotiating the sale of other vessels as it seeks to raise as much as $5 billion from non-core assets this year.
TradeWinds Shipowners Forum
PHOTOS / PRESS COVERAGE
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We would like to offer special thanks to the Forum Sponsors – GTT, Pictet, ABS, VesselsValue, Capital Product Partners, The American Club, WIRANA, The Baltic Exchange, Winterthur Gas & Diesel, Nautisk, IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry, Dubai Maritime City Authority, Cass Technava and Vancouver International Maritime Centre - for their generous support of the event.
European Maritime Social Partners visit Captain Mangouras
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The Social Partners visited Captain Mangouras on the eve of the Day of the Seafarer (25 June 2016) to express their support following his conviction and refuse to accept that seafarers should be subject to such treatment.
“Captain Mangouras has paid an unacceptably heavy price for his professionalism, bravery and devotion to duty as a ship’s Master. It is a price he should never have had to pay. His unjust treatment, which began when his vessel, the mv Prestige encountered difficulties in severe weather, is still continuing nearly fourteen year since the events”, said ECSA’s Social Dialogue Committee’s chairman Tim Springett from UK Chamber of shipping. “We insist on ensuring fair treatment of seafarers following a maritime accident and stand firmly against the criminalisation of seafarers”, he concluded.
Captain Mangouras’ situation demonstrates that there is a strong case for the implementation and observance of the joint ILO/IMO Guidelines for Fair Treatment of Seafarers following a Maritime Accident. This would finally remove what has become a significant obstacle to the recruitment of the future generations of seafarers.
Glencore Ships Biggest Ever U.K. Grain Cargo as Pound Tumbles
The U.K. grain unit of Glencore Plc is loading 70,000 metric tons of feed wheat at the Port of Immingham in northeast England, it said in a statement Thursday. Trade Prosperity, the vessel carrying the cargo, is due to sail to Vietnam in early July.
It’s rare for large shipments at this time of year because supply is usually tight before harvesting starts in July, said James Maw, managing director at Glencore Grain U.K. But British wheat used to feed livestock has become more competitive globally against high-priced corn -- especially as the pound slid in the run up to the U.K.’s vote on leaving the European Union -- and last season’s bumper crop has left plenty of grain still available to ship.
“U.K. feed wheat is still maintaining a competitive edge in the world feed-grain market,” Maw said by phone. “Sterling has helped, and U.K. wheat is competitively priced vis-a-vis corn.”
Weaker Pound
The pound’s decline this year has been a boon to the country’s grain sellers. Wheat exports this season through April reached the highest since 2012 and the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board expects barley shipments to climb to a 19-year high. The currency dropped even more following the June 23 vote to exit the EU, touching a two-year low versus the euro and a three-decade low against the dollar.
Feed wheat futures on ICE Futures Europe in London climbed 7.6 percent in the two days following the Brexit vote amid speculation that grain exports would increase. Futures for November delivery traded at 120.75 pounds ($160) a ton on Thursday, below the comparable corn contract on Euronext in Paris, which traded at the equivalent of 139.70 pounds a ton.
Most of the U.K.’s grain exports go to EU markets, but some cargoes recently went to Asia, North Africa and even North America. Frontier Agriculture said earlier this month it planned to ship 55,000 tons of grain to Indonesia, and cooperative Openfield said in May that it was shipping a 61,000 tons of wheat to the U.S.
Through April, U.K. wheat exports totaled 2.2 million tons, 29 percent more than during the same period a year earlier, the most recent customs data for the 2015-16 marketing season show. The new crop year starts Friday.
www.bloomberg.com
1st Young Executives Shipping Forum at POSIDONIA 2016
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The YES Forum conceptualized and initiated by Ms Danae Bezantakou, Managing Director of NAVIGATOR SHIPPING CONSULTANTS and Ms Katerina Stathopoulou, Executive Director of Investments & Finance was one of the key events of this year’s exhibition. Organized by OpenMind Group and “The Canvas” think tank, with EQnomics being the coordinator, the conference gathered more than 1,300 delegates among which were 300 shipping company executives, students from 60 Greek and foreign Universities, and cadets from the Maritime Academies of Aspropirgos, Hydra island, Macedonia and Crete.
On that occasion, the organizers stressed the importance to establish a unique platform where the next shipping generation meets and discusses directly with those who are currently the Greek shipping top executives and decision makers.
The official opening of the YES Forum was made by Mr. Pafsanias Papageorgiou, General Secretary for Lifelong Learning and Youth at the Ministry of Education, who stressed the role of the State in promoting the Shipping industry to the younger generation and provide it with essential training in the various related fields.
Keynote speaker of the YES Forum was Ms Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport. The Commissioner, who participated for the first time in a Forum organised in Greece, urged the young generation to chase their dreams, focus on their goals and not be afraid of entrepreneurship. Above all, she underlined the need to appreciate the unique value of the shipping industry and be a part of its further development.
Other panel discussions included topics such as internships opportunities, the need for new and innovative management styles, as well as the role that human resources play in shipping. The parameters which make the Greek shipping industry a leader and how this leading position can be maintained in the future were addressed by all panelists. Moreover, the importance of academic studies for a successful career path, as well the role of chartering brokers and the difficulties faced by women in shipping, were also debated.
Mr. Theodore Dritsas, Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, the Rector of the Piraeus University as well as the Rector of the Aegean University were also present among many other decision-makers from the shipping industry, Ambassadors, and representatives from major shipping Associations and media specialists.
Concluding this very successful first YES Forum, Ms. Danae Bezantakou stressed the importance to continue the gathering of next generation of shipping executives with the current key decision makers, a win-win networking activity that has to be renewed next year, in June 2017.
View the conference video HERE
See photos of the conference HERE
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