March 2013
INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION
Record numbers at ISU Associate Members' Day A record 150 delegates from the shipping and salvage industry and their associated professions attended the ISU’s annual Associate Members’ Day in central London in late March. President of the ISU, Andreas Tsavliris, opened proceedings by welcoming guests and introducing the theme for the day: major wreck removal. He was followed by keynote speaker, Quentin Soanes, Chairman of the Baltic Exchange, who updated delegates on the outlook for the economics of the shipping industry noting chiefly that the prospects for recovery in cargo were good but that overcapacity caused by vessels ordered in more prosperous times remained a problem. Mr Soanes also suggested that the industry should expect the size of ships now to plateau for the next few years. Michael Kelleher, representing the International Group of P&I Clubs, outlined the findings of its analysis of the rising cost of wreck removal. The role of the authorities; the location of a wreck; the way its bunker fuel is treated and the contractual arrangements are all important drivers of costs, he said. He also praised the innovation and capability of the contractors – largely members of the ISU – and suggested the Clubs could “open the door” to discussions aimed at helping contractors with the cost of bidding for substantial wreck removal projects. Toby Stone, General Manager of the Marine Environment Division of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority,
ISU President, Andreas Tsavliris (above). Chairman, the Baltic Exchange, Quentin Soanes (top right). Toby Stone, Australian Maritime Safety Authority
outlined his country’s salvage and wreck arrangements and gave a perspective on the pressures faced by the authorities in handling casualty and wreck removal cases. The programme also saw ISU members describe some of their operations as well as new technological developments in the industry and the commercial dimension of wreck removal. Continuing concern about the issue of places of refuge was also addressed. A new approach to the conference, using a professional “facilitator” to compere the
proceedings, ensured lively discussion after each presentation and the day was rounded off with a panel session addressing some of the issues arising. Summing up, Andreas Tsavliris said: “Removing any wreck is a significant undertaking but removing the largest wrecks from difficult sites is a huge and expensive undertaking and ISU shares others’ concerns with rising costs. ISU is determined that its Associate members should benefit from their association with us and this conference gives an excellent opportunity to engage with them and update them on key salvage issues.”
Biennial Special Casualty Representatives' seminar The ISU and the International Group of P&I Clubs have jointly hosted the biennial meeting of the cadre of Special Casualty Representatives. The seminar took place aboard HQS Wellington, the livery hall of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners. The meeting was open to ISU members and, for the first time, Associate members as well as the SCRs, property and liability insurers.
Commenting on the meeting, Captain Keith Hart, the SCRs’ representative on the SCOPIC committee said: “It was a well-supported event with good participation and attendance from the International Group and the SCRs. It was an excellent opportunity for SCRs to interact with those who appoint them.” The seminar heard a presentation from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority on salvage arrangements in that country and Nick White of London 1
Offshore Consultants, but speaking in a personal capacity, explored different interpretations of the role of the SCR and rhetorically asked whether “SCOPIC was going off the rails?” The presentations were followed by an open forum and panel discussion. Attendees were also briefed on the recent SCOPIC committee meeting, changes to the SCR panel and suggestions to improve the applications of aspirant SCRs.