April 2017
INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION
Appeal Abitrator defends LOF
The Lloyd’s Salvage Appeal Arbitrator, Jeremy Russell QC, has robustly defended the Lloyd’s Open Form salvage contract (LOF) and reminded the shipping and insurance industries of the need to ensure salvors are properly rewarded and encouraged to invest both equipment and experienced personnel. Speaking at the ISU’s annual Assocaite Members’ Day Conference, he said: “Investment in the salvage industry through Article 13 Awards is a form of insurance against [major marine] disasters. The maritime industry in my view ignores it at its peril.” Mr Russell made it clear that he does not accept that awards are too high or the systems is somehow “pro-salvor”. Arbitrators must, in law, make awards that “encourage” salvage operations and they must assess awards on the basis of the criteria set out in the Salvage Convention’s Article 13.1 – in particular, the skill and efforts of the salvors in
preventing or minimizing damage to the environment; the risk of liability and other risks run by the salvors or their equipment; the promptness of the services rendered; the availability and use of vessels or other equipment intended for salvage operations. At the same time, Mr Russell said he recognised that the Article 13 regime also made LOF unpopular with property interests and their insurers. But, he said that all parties to a LOF should reasonably expect that the award will include a measure of compensation for investment and idle time and an element of encouragement for the salvor. He also noted that salvors must use their “best endeavours” in a LOF which is not the case under commercial terms and that the salvor is carrying a high degree of commercial, liability and, in some cases, criminal risk which should attract a high reward. Mr Russell reminded the delegates of major casualties in the past which had led to the 1989 Salvage Convention. He said that the Convention was warmly welcomed and in 1990 a Salvage Working Group was set up. It reported in 1993 and virtually all relevant parties agreed with its recommendations: which included the idea that, when assessing awards, tribunals should ensure they give sufficient encouragement
to the dedicated, professional salvor. And that when contracting salvors, the shipping and insurance industries should give more weight to salvors who have a “major investment in salvage equipment and expertise, and have the capacity to deal with very large salvage incidents”. The recommendations also recognized that, at that time, commercial returns returns from salvage activities could not fund the needed levels of investment. Mr Russell also echo-ed one of the ISU’s key points regarding LOF – that it is a clear and simple contract, which allows for rapid intervention in an evolving casualty situation, without the need for negotiation and amendment. And that fact that it leads to few legal disputes demonstrates what a good contract it is. He also said he was “unsure” whether the cost of using LOF was too high, pointing to the fact that most cases were settled; sensible parties were costs conscious; there is a fixed cost arbitration process (FCAP). He asked why, if costs were too high, property interests “seem increasingly keen to add to the level of costs by bringing in casualty representatives in non-SCOPIC cases, whose involvement will only add to the paperwork, dispute resolution complexity and cost at all levels of the process?” On the other hand, he also said that salvage on commercial terms does not seem to lead to many disputes, the use of expensive senior barristers (Queen’s Counsel) was, compared to past practice, now common. Finally, he noted that the volume of documents in arbitrations had grown greatly. In concluding, Mr Russell said “I am sorry to say that, in my view, those in the industry who have walked away from LOF have very short memories”.
IMO Secretary General pays tribute to salvors IMO Secretary General, Kitack Lim, attended the ISU’s Associate Members’ Day Conference (see story P?). He thanked the ISU for inviting him to what he described as a “prestigious occasion.” Mr Lim told delegates that IMO is taking the lead on safety and the environment in
shipping but recognised the importance of the salvage industry. He said: “I want to express my appreciation to all delegates here. IMO recognises the importance of salvage operations: you are doing a lot to prevent accidents. But we are all human beings 1
and cannot avoid [some] accidents. It is challenging but we appreciate the important role of salvage operations and on behalf of the International Maritime Organisation I have the deepest appreciation of your work in safety and preventing damage to the environment in perilous operations.”
International Salvage Union presents its Meritorious Service Award to Italian Coast Guard The International Salvage Union today presented its Meritorious Service Award to the Italian Coast Guard in recognition of the extraordinary efforts of its men and women in handling the Mediterranean migrant crisis. The Award was presented to the Italian Coast Guard’s Head of Plans and Operations Department, Rear Admiral Nicola Carlone, by the President of the International Salvage Union, John Witte, and the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, Ki Tack Lim. The ceremony took place at the ISU’s annual Associate Members’ Day Conference in London in the presence of some 200 conference delegates. Speaking of the Award, ISU President, John Witte, said: “I am honoured to mark the great work done by the Italian Coast Guard over the past years and again this year in taking the lead in handling the huge numbers of migrants attempting to reach Europe across the Mediterranean Sea. ISU does not regularly make its Meritorious Service Award and, as the award citation says, the people of the Italian Coast Guard have demonstrated their commitment to saving life at sea; their efforts have gone beyond boundaries and have been undertaken regardless of circumstances and often at great personal risk. They have saved thousands of lives.” In the first 9 months of 2016 the Italian
IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim presents the ISU Meritorious Service Award to Italin Coastguard Rear Admiral Nicola Carlone
Coast Guard rescued 26,000 people at sea, including 6952 people on one single day in August. Italy has rescued more survivors in the last two years than in the previous 23 years combined. Rear Admiral Carlone said: "The entire Italian Coast Guard is truly grateful and honoured to receive this special award that acknowledges the utmost importance to save human lives at sea. The tireless endeavour and the dedication demonstrated by our personnel are part
of our mission and search and rescue operations have become part of a humanitarian response to an emergency we cannot ignore." The ISU Meritorious Service Award is not made annually and is not specifically for acts of bravery – although these can be considered. It is for exceptional conduct which may be in demonstrated in a single incident or over a long period. The Award may be given to an individual or a team.
ISU NEWS SCOPIC There have been discussions between interested parties - including the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG) and ISU - on possible changes to SCOPIC.
Representative is fully understood by all those involved in SCOPIC cases. The Code of Conduct between ISU and the IG, as well as the SCRs’ Guidelines, are available at: http://www.marine-salvage. com/documents
The main subjects for discussion are the guarantees and the arrangements for termination of SCOPIC - particularly concerning the role of the relevant authorities in the ongoing provision of services. Agreement has not been reached and discussions are continuing.
Asian Marine Casualty Forum
ISU wants to ensure that SCOPIC and the role of the Special Casualty
ISU President, John Witte, General Manager, Mark Hoddinott and executive
ISU is supporting the second Asian Marine Casualty Forum in Singapore 27-28 April. The event is organised by ISU Assocaite Member, LOC, for all of the industry.
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committee members Peter Pietka and Leendert Muller are all speaking at the Forum. ISU is also a supporting organisation for the 10th International Chemical & Oil Pollution Conference & Exhibition being held in Singapore 25-28 April during Singapore Maritime Week. ISU AGM 2017 ISU members are invited to note that the 2017 ISU Annual General Meeting will be held in Singapore on Thursday 07 September with associated events during the same week.
ISU Annual Dinner at Trinity House, London ISU held its annual dinner for representatives of the salvage and wider shipping industry and supporting professions at Trinity House in London. President of the ISU, John Witte, welcomed guests including Secretary General of the International Maritime Organsiation, Kitack Lim, Italian Coastguard Rear Admiral Nicola Carlone and Lloyd’s Appeal Arbitrator, Jeremy Russel QC. Mr Witte noted the important historic role of Trinity House in supporting safe navigation and reminded guests that the primary duty of salvors is to save life – ahead of protecting the environment and saving property.
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Pictures: 1. L-R Kitack Lim, John Witte 2. L-R Elisa Giangrasso, Nicola Carlone, Corrado Neri
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3. L-R Alberto Camacho, Jori Nordström 4. L-R Andreas Tsavliris, Kitack Lim
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5. L-R Sam Kendall-Marsden, Matthew Moore, Andrew Bardot 6. L-R Nicholas Sloane, Kiran Khosla
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7. L-R Leendert Muller, Lars Lange, Eline Muller 8. L-R Joop Timmermans, Yoshiaki Nishibe
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9. L-R Edwin Amejana, Rodrigo Bella, James Herbert, May Bella 10. L-R Keith Martin, Aleka MandarakaSheppard, Bukhard Fischer, Ann Waite
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Associates’ and Affiliates’ News
ISU welcomes the following new associate members:
tool for those with an interest in marine insurance.
MARINSAL CONSULTANTS BV - an independent consultancy company focusing on providing professional advice on issues in the marine and marine insurance industry with a strong focus of working in the field of marine salvage and wreck removal.
The new portal contains IUMI’s extensive and highly valued bi-annual statistics which are available to download. It also has an integrated, searchable archive of the complete set of presentations given at the IUMI annual conference from 2010 onwards; as well as presentations and recordings from IUMI’s previous education webinars on topics such as cargo liquefaction, the Hanjin Shipping insolvency and challenges with insuring perishables.
Onafhankelijkheidsweg 57, 2332 ZP, Leiden, The Netherlands Tel: +31 6 11618392 Email: info@marinsal.nl Web address: www.marinsal.nl Contact: Arjan Herrebout Lomond Marine and Recovery Services Ltd - provides a number of marine services ranging from boat recovery and towing to easy start and salvage, covering Loch Lomond, Scotland. 10/3 Union Street, Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, G83 9AH Tel: + 44 (0) 1389 607980 Email: contact@lomondmarineservices. co.uk www.lomondmarineservices.co.uk
Position papers on topical issues such as fires on ro-ro passenger vehicle decks, and IUMI’s Political Forum current issues also feature as well as an extensive education database. Some areas are protected for IUMI members, professional partners and affiliates but password access can be made available to others, if required. The portal embraces the new IUMI corporate identity which has undergone a total overhaul and re-brand incorporating an updated logo, a modern colour palette and a completely refreshed “IUMI Eye” newsletter.
LOC Group
Nick Haslam (above), Group Director of Shipping Services for international marine and engineering consultancy LOC Group, has moved from Singapore to London to focus on growing the company’s shipping services in London and around the world. Mr Haslam joined LOC almost 20 years ago. He is a Class 1 Master Mariner with more than 20 years of sea going experience on bulk carriers, LPG, container vessels, reefers, salvage tugs and AHTS, including command. Mr Haslam is also a Special Casualty Representative and has been involved in numerous high profile salvage and wreck removal operations around the world and LOC’s London team provide a comprehensive range of marine services.
Shandong Nanhai Airbag Shandong Nanhai Airbag Engineering supplied 10 rubber pontoons with a total of 2400 tonnes buoyancy for work to raise the sunken ferry SEWOL. Off the Republic of Korea. The complex operation was delayed for nine months due to technical problems and challenging conditions. Two lifting barges were rigged to pull on 66 lifting wires, each connected to one side of a beam beneath the ferry’s hull. The wreck is to be moved by a semisubmersible ship to the port of Mokpo. The authorities plan to search the ship for the remains of nine people still missing person and the hull may be moved to shore for use as a permanent memorial. IUMI The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has launched a new interactive information portal - www. iumi.com - which is not only a fitting shop window for IUMI but also a serious
Briggs Marine Brigs Marine and Environmental Services reports that it was invlvoed in the response to the Transocean Winner incident in the north of Scotland. The salvage of the drilling platiofrm which had run aground after breaking a tow line was led by Smit Salvage. The threat of pollution came from some 280 tonnes of diesel on board the rig. Briggs sent a six man support team and later a dive team and two vessels the FORTH WARRIOR and FORTH DRUMMER were dispatched to assist (above right). The work undertaken by Briggs lasted for some 10 weeks and included pollution standby, seabed clean up, hull surveys 4
and installation of lift bags on the rig. Two further Briggs vessels the FORTH CONSTRUCTOR and the FORTH TROJAN joined the response. Jamie Campbell operations manager of Briggs Environmental Services said: “In a challenging situation like this where there is a high risk of environmental damage, it’s great to see the varying teams cooperating, communicating and supporting ach other.”
ISU Associate Members' Day Conference 2017
Jori Nordström
Nikolaos Pappas
member undertake for their clients.
John Witte
ISU President John Witte has re-stated the importance to world shipping of marine salvors who invest in equipment and build their capabilities to be able to serve shipowners and insurers when needed. Mr Witte was speaking as he opened the proceedings of the ISU’s annual Associate Members’ Day in London with a wide ranging programme and some 200 delegates. He said that underlying the discussions of the day would be the idea of what is fair in a contract: how to find the right balance so that all parties can feel satisfied and what is the appropriate way to share risk and reward in the major contracts that ISU
Mr Witte said: “We take it for granted that members of the ISU will be able successfully to complete the jobs required of them but that is because they invest in people and equipment and built up their expertise and experience in many cases over a very long period. And they are often supported by our Associate Members.” In 2016 ISU members provided 213 services to casualty vessels around the world. Elsewhere in the conference Captain Jori Nordström of the Finnish Lifeboat Instutite described a vessel “triage’ system based on medical methodology to assess the state of a casualty. Sylvia Tervoort from Smit Salvage considered the implications of salvage involving LNG-fuelled vessels. The possibility of a gas cloud or trapped gas could lead to very dangerous situations. Nikolaos Pappas from Five Oceans Salvage showed a well-made film about the operation to refloat the bulker BENITA
Sylvia Tervoort
off Mauritius and the Mauritian Minister of Transport, Alain Donat gave an authorities’ perspective on the operation. Risk based assessment of wreck tenders is a current issue in the salvage and wreck removal industries and a panel of Sam Kendall-Marsden from the Standard Club, ISU Executive Committee member, Resolve Marine’s Nick Sloane and Colin Baker from consultants TMC debated the merits of new systems. Wreck removal is a critical income stream for many ISU members but there remains uncertainty about new tendering methodologies and the fair placement of the risk associated with many variable not least the weather and the sea state. There was also a slot given to several ISU Associate Members to describe the way in which they support the slavage industry. The event concluded with a drinks reception.
Aras completes removal of FORTUNA S wreck The Moldovan-flagged general cargo ship FORTUNA S carrying carrying 2,650 tonnes of salt sank at the entrance of the Sulina Channel, near the southern breakwater in October 2014. ARAS Marine Co. was awarded the contract for the wreck removal and repair of breakwater by CertAsig Insurance & Reinsurance Ltd with London Offshore Consultants Limited. Aras Marine Co. carried out wreck removal operation, including removal of the sections of the ship that were spread over the seabed; cargo; loose debris; residual fuel and lubricants. The job was concluded at the end of 2016. The Sulina Channel is one of the major routes from Europe to the Black Sea.
John Witte
The Aras operation to remove of whole wreck used divers, a salvage team and the substantial floating crane ALPASLAN 5
II and took place in often challenging weather and marine conditions.
ISU annual pollution prevention survey 2016 - results Members of the International Salvage Union (ISU) provided 213 services to vessels carrying more than 2.5 million tonnes of potentially polluting cargoes during operations in 2016. It is a major demonstration of the value of their work towards protecting the marine environment. President of the ISU, John Witte, said: “Members of the ISU are often the only agency available with the necessary resources and experience to intervene in a casualty situation. And there is no doubt that, yet again, in 2016 our members’ services have helped to protect the marine environment from potential damage. Improvements in shipping - vessel quality as well as crew training, improved aids to navigation and so on - have reduced the number of casualties but we are all aware that it only needs one major incident to cause an environmental disaster.”
and the capacity of boxships is now far greater than in 1994. We think it is right that our potential pollution survey should record containers, with their mixed and sometimes hazardous contents, as a potential pollutant and hazard.” Mr Witte also noted: “ISU is always careful to say that not all of the cargo shown in the survey was at imminent risk of being lost to the sea. But we think that even with a relatively simple rescue tow it is worth considering what might have happened if there was no commercial provision of salvage services.” The survey takes account of the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG
The data is from the results of the ISU’s 2016 Pollution Prevention Survey. The survey was re-based in 2014 to include a wider range of potential pollutants including containers and hazardous and dirty bulk cargoes. Mr Witte added: “ISU took the decision in 2014 to update the methodology of this survey which started in 1994. At that time the threat of pollution was considered to be largely from oil and refined products carried by VLCCs and other tankers. That threat still exists but today coastal state authorities consider most cargo to be potentially polluting. Container trade has also increased dramatically
Code), Intercargo guidance, P&I Club guidance; International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation publications and the International Solid Bulk Cargoes Code. The attitude of coastal state authorities has also been considered based on ISU members’ operational experience. In 2016 ISU members provided 213 services (185 in 2015). Variants of wreck removal contracts were used in 43 services; Lloyd’s Open Form – 26 services; towage contracts – 42 services; Japanese Form – 13 services; Fixed Price – 8 services; Day Rate – 54 services; other contracts – 20 services. In the period 1994 to end-2016, ISU members salved 24,800,899 tonnes of potential pollutants, an average of more than one million tonnes per year.
Results
2016 2015
Number of services
213 185
Bunker fuel
89,492
Crude oil
705,148 333,720
Refined oil products
544,742
332,696
Chemicals
109,864
35,744
Bulk polluting/hazardous
859,531
722,160
TEU (tonnes equivalent)
318,360
66,247
(21,941 TEU @ nominal 15 tonnes/TEU)
Other pollutants
56,762
65,282
Totals
2,683,899
1,885,864
All pollutant figures in tonnes.
Pollutants totals (tonnes) 2016
Percentage of pollutant type 2016 3%!
1000000!
12%!
2%!
800000!
26%!
32%!
600000!
4%!
400000!
200000!
0!
330,015
(21,224 TEU @ nominal 15 tonnes/TEU)
Bunkers! Bulk - polluting! Bunkers!
Oil crude!
Oil products!
Chemicals!
Bulk!
Containers!
Other!
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Bunkers Bulk polluting Oil --crude! Oil - crude Containers! Containers
20%!
Oil - products Other Oil - products! Chemicals Other!
Chemicals!
Members’ News Multraship Tsavliris Tsavliris Group celebrated their traditional New Year's "Pita Cutting" event in January. The occasion included the annual blessing and was attended by all the office staff, tug crew members and Tsavliris family members.
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (second from left) being welcomed on board Multraship’s ETV GUARDIAN by Captain Henk Helmendag (left) along with provincial governor Han Polman, and Henrik Stevens, (far right) principal of the college. (Photo: ANP)
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands reopened the renovated De Ruyter Maritime and Logistics College in Vlissingen, Holland in February. He then went aboard the emergency towing vessel GUARDIAN operated by Multraship, which works closely with the college. De Ruyter Maritime and Logistics College trains students as helmsmen and marine engineers. The renovation means they now have modern teaching facilities, including new radar and bridge simulators. His Majesty King Willem-Alexander performed the reopening ceremony by
moving a ship’s telegraph to ‘Full Speed Ahead’. Multraship vessels, berthed in front of the school, saluted the king with their ships’ horns and water-cannon fountains. De Ruyter College has worked with Multraship for decades. The company offers traineeships to students to allow them to gain the required practical experience. The King undertook a brief trip aboard the GUARDIAN taking the opportunity to speak with the crew and trainees working on board the ship. It has been hired by the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment for 10 years to provide emergency assistance to ships in trouble in the North Sea.
Group Ocean
navigation in ice. The engines develop produce 8,160 BHP powering two Zdrive omnidirectional propellers. "We are very proud of the ingenuity and expertise that our teams have developed at the shipyard located on Isle-aux-Coudres and in our workshops in Québec," said Jacques Tanguay.
He also spoke at the 16th International Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Clubs Conference in Athens and chaired the inaugural Capital Link Cyprus Shipping Forum in Limassol with more than 400 delagtes and the Mare Forum Greece 2017 (pictured above). Among presenters were George Stathakis, Greece's Environment and Energy minister. Elsewhere, Andreas Tsavliris gave his annual lecture at the City University London to over 130 master’s degree students. The presentation was on "Shipping Trade & Finance" and the topics discussed included the ordering of new buildings, buying and selling second hand vessels, chartering, insurance, banking, financing and currencies
Group Ocean has added a new harbour and escort tug to its fleet. OCEAN TAIGA has more than 100 tonnes bollard pull. She was designed by Robert Allen and built by Industries Océan Inc. and is the second ship of the TundRA series. The traditional blessing ceremony was held in the presence of the Archbishop of Québec and Primate of Canada, Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, President of Ocean, Gordon Bain; CEO of Ocean, Jacques Tanguay, and Ms Carmen Lacasse, the ship's godmother. The 36 metre tug is equipped with the latest technologies and can operate in the most extreme conditions. The hull is reinforced and certified 1A Super FS for
Tsavliris has also been well-represented at a number of industry events including the Naftemporiki Shipping Conference in Athens where George Tsavliris was a panelist discussing the competitiveness of European shipping and IMO regulations.
The new tug will undertake harbour work as well as escort, towing services, rescue operations and assist with wreck removal. Gordon Bain said: "Ocean has built its reputation on its ability to exceed the expectations of its customers and anticipate their needs. The sustained growth we are enjoying, coupled with the quality of our products, accelerates our global ambitions. By maintaining this Quebec base that defines us, we are optimistic that a tug such as the OCEAN TAIGA can work around the globe.” 7
Tsavliris also participated in the International Propeller Club event commemorating the friendship of the United States of America and the Hellenic Republic. It took place on board the SS HELLAS LIBERTY - a Liberty Ship launched in 1943 which survived World War II. In 2008 she was transferred to Greece and after renovations was converted into a maritime museum. Liberty ships represent the history of the resurgence of the Greek merchant shipping fleet following the end of the Second World War. Tsavliris Group owned a substantial number of Liberty ships in the past.
Members’ News
Five Oceans Salvage
either onboard or lying on the seabed within 200 m of the wreck. The vessel, which was partly laden with some 1,000 tonnes of Olive Core/Pomace, overturned and sank with part of her forward hull and bulbous bow above the water. Wreck removal operations are scheduled to commence in April 2017. In its shipyards, Spanopoulos finalised the newbuilding of two tugs, CHRISTOS XXX and CHRISTOS XXXI. Both tugs have been designed and constructed in class, “in house”. The tugs are 27 m LOA and have three main engines providing 3600 BHP in total and with a 45 tonne bollard pull.
Following the successful salvage operation of MV BENITA in Mauritius in June 2016, Five Oceans Salvage was asked by the faculty of the University of Piraeus to give a presentation about the case as part of the spring cycle of the university’s seminars. The presentation in March was given by Five Oceans Salvage’ Managing Director, Nikolaos Pappas, to the undergraduate students of the Department of Maritime Studies. Five Oceans Salvage says it is committed to continue to support the University with further presentations, lectures and field trips. A film of the operation to refloat the BENITA can be seen at: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=hhh5SM4J6_U Spanopoulos
deployed a substantial spread of assets including four crane barges and two tugs. Global Diving and Salvage Global Diving and Salvage has appointed Bas Coppes as Director of Salvage and Wreck Removal. Mr Coppes will be based at Global’s Houston, Texas office and will focus on salvage and wreck removal operations worldwide. He has two decades of salvage and offshore experience having managed an extensive number of salvage, wreck removal, and offshore projects around the globe. “In my role as president of Mammoet Salvage Americas, I worked with Global extensively over the last ten years,” Bas Coppes said. “Global was, without a doubt, the key to success on the high profile salvage of the SSV JUPITER 1, ROBSON BIGHT, and USAT BRIGADIER GENERAL M G ZALINSKI.
The first of four crew boats - with a capacity of 150 personnel - for the Hellenic Navy, designed and built by Spanopoulos, has been delivered along with a substantial, self-propelled split hopper barge, MARIANNA XX. The group has also been awarded a contract to undertake piling and concreting as part of the Ain Sukhna/ Egypt Product Hub Asph Terminal. Spanopoulos said that the demanding timeframe of the project – to be completed in July 2017 - means it has
Spanopoulos Group has announced the expansion of its tug fleet with the addition of one AHT/OSV BHP 4800, 60TBP, one Azimuth Stern Drive AHT of BHP 4700, 47TBP and one Azimuth Stern Drive AHT/OSV BHP 4000, 48TBP. The three vessels will be delivered the second quarter of this year. Spanopoulos won the Hellenic Petroleum (HELPE) national tender for the third time toprovide 24/7 serivces. The contract has employed 10 tugs for eight years at HELPE facilities. The Group has also won the tender to remove the wreck of the MV GERASIMOS on a Wreckfixed contract. The vessel is at the Platygiali Port terminal, Astakos, Greece. The job will also include dealing with all items identified as pollutants, debris or structural components from the vessel, 8
"For me, this is the next step in uniting our extensive experience under one roof. I look forward to pushing the limits on smart solutions in the salvage industry on a global scale.” “I am very pleased to welcome Bas to Global,” said David DeVilbiss, Vice President of Casualty Response at Global. “He is well known in the industry and a natural fit for our can-do culture.” Ardent Below - Ardent-Subtech Joint Venture vessel seen towing the VERANO out of Cape Town for scrapping.
Tsavliris update
Lashing to secure ECOFAITH G O's broken prop shaft
In February, Tsavliris dispatched the salvage tug MICHELE FOSS - 7,270 BHP and 110 TBP - from Seattle, USA, to assist the bulker ECOFAITH G O 81,883 tonnes dwt and in ballast - on passage from China to Canada. The vessel was immobilised by shaft breakage causing water ingress into the engine room. It happened some 200 miles from Kodiak island, Alaska.
STRIKER for permanent repairs. Also in February, Tsavliris sent the AHT MTS VIGILANT - 3,300 BHP and 48 tones bollard pull from Cartagena, Spain, to assist the container vessel EFENDI BABA 7,014 tones dwt and laden with 6,335 tonnes of steel products. The vessel was immobilised due to main engine trouble off Tenes, Algeria.
Tsavliris worked with subcontractors Resolve Marine and the agents Alaska Maritime Agencies who made the necessary arrangements for the casualty to be towed to Dutch Harbor for emergency attendance and underwater inspection before proceeding to China for permanent repairs. The Tsavliris salvage team, consisting of a senior salvage master/naval architect and a senior salvage engineer, was mobilised from Greece to Dutch Harbor. Prior to towing, the tail shaft was lashed and secured under the salvor’s direction to avoid turning or moving and to minimise the water ingress. The Tsavliris salvage team and the subcontractor’s salvage team were transported to the casualty on the tug RESOLVE PIONEER - stationed at Dutch Harbor - in order to inspect the casualty. The salvage team verified that the temporary repairs and lashings had been carried out properly; the shaft system was fixed in position and the water ingress was stable. Divers started plugging and
sealing the stern tube and measurements were taken for prefabrication of steel plates and stiffeners in order to secure the shafting system in place. On 14 March the ECOFAITH G O was shifted and moored alongside and temporary repairs to the shafting system commenced, while the divers continued with stern tube sealing. On 15 March, all temporary repairs were completed successfully. Ballasting of the vessel was carried out to check stern tube tightness. A towing bracket was fitted and reinforcement works undertaken and the vessel was delivered to her owners before being towed to China by the ALP 9
Due to adverse weather conditions and strong currents, the vessel drifted very close to the coast. The master lowered the port anchor to reduce the drift and avert grounding. The MTS VIGILANT arrived at the casualty’s position and made a connection before towing to Malaga under the instructions of the owners and monitored by the Algerian coast guard vessel No. 701-AL MUNJID. The convoy arrived safely at Malaga anchorage and the salvors arranged for the tow to be delivered to port tugs. The vessel berthed alongside with the assistance of port tugs and a pilot. The salvage services were successfully terminated and the AHT MTS VIGILANT was demobilised.
Ardent operations M/V STERNÖ before parbuckling
In late March Ardent salvage crews successfully used a parbuckling method to right and refloat the cargo vessel, M/V STERNÖ at Lilla Edet, Sweden The vessel was loaded with 1,400 tons of grain when it was in a collision and rested on a jetty structure with a 54-degree list. “We mobilized salvage craft and equipment and connected three strand jacks to bollards on the opposite side of the river to parbuckle the vessel,” said Johan Foks, Ardent Salvage Master. “There were a lot of elements that we had to battle. The icy weather and the traffic on an active ship channel were big considerations,” said Foks. “The parbuckle operation corrected the list to 11 degrees, and then we lightered the cargo for the refloating operation,” said Rob Rutten Ardent’s Naval Architect for the STERNÖ operation. “Once we pumped the water out of the engine room and holds, the vessel refloated and was stabilized at a four degree list. We manoeuvered the vessel through the locks and moored it for remaining cargo discharge. The vessel was at a two degree list once we were finished,” said Rutten.
agreement with Ardent for emergency towage off the north and north-western coasts of Scotland.
staff refloated the grounded HOEGH OSAKA in Southampton, a major salvage case handled by the MCA.
The Marnavi-owned 139 tonne bollard pull AHTS, IEVOLI BLACK is to deliver the service from station at Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. She relieved the former ETV HERAKLES.
“The MCA is seen as a standard bearer of governmental maritime safety agencies and we are excited to work together once again,” said Oliver Timofei, Ardent Director of Emergency Management.
The IEVOLI BLACK is capable of firefighting operations, anchor handling, towing, research and underwater services. Ardent previously contracted the vessel to serve under the Dutch Coastguard as ETV from 2010 to 2013.
Ardent currently provides emergency towage, salvage support or consultation to eight governmental agencies worldwide. In the past, Ardent provided Emergency Towage Training as part of similar agreements with governmental maritime agencies.
In January the new ETV begin training drills in its area of operations including liaison with the Coastguard SAR helicopter and winching exercises. Ardent has a long-standing relationship with the MCA. In January 2015, Ardent
UK Coastguard SAR Helicopter training with the new Ardent-operated UK ETV IEVOLI BLACK
The vessel was towed by the SVITZER BOB and SVITZER BONDEN from Lila Edet to Gothenberg, Sweden. Ardent at the same time refloated the MV SKAGERN with a separate team, 7.5km upstream from the M/V STERNÖ on the river Göta älv. UK ETV In late December 2016 the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) signed an 10
“The award of this contract caps a 2016 where Ardent has seen significant positive development, including successful completion of the merger, a strong HSEQ and operational track record”. said Peter Pietka, Ardent CEO.
ISU PHOTO COMPETITION 2016 WINNER
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ISU Photograph Competition 2016 1. WINNER - Five Oceans Salvage – Benita bunker removal by helicopter 2. Aras – Fortuna S wreck removal at sunset 3. Donjon – Hudson River tug recovery
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4. Ardent – 1000 tonne hydraulic grab 5. Raul Negro – Parana River operations 6. Scaldis – Rambiz in Flinterstar heavy lift 7. Five Oceans Salvage – Benita hard aground 8. China Rescue and Salvage – Dong Hai Jiu 118 tows burnt boxship
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Nippon Salvage operational roundup
The 1999-built chemical tanker SAGAN - 5,404 grt - was stranded on an isolated island in Japan on 11th February (above). Nippon Salvage was awarded the contract to remove the bunkers from the vessel which was aground on a rocky shore completely open to ocean and with the risk of substantial oil pollution. Nippon mobilized its brand new salvage barge to the site to conduct the operation which was safely completed on 10 March. Nippon Salvage said it has: “contributed to
prevent environmental disaster.� The 2005-built general cargo ship TONG DA - 2,994 grt - laden with snow-melting agent suffered a heavy list caused by the cargo shifting and eventually ran aground at on a Japanese beach on 26th January (below left). Nippon Salvage immediately dispatched a salvage team and anti-pollution vessels and undertook oil removal to prevent further pollution. After completion of the oil removal, Nippon Salvage successfully refloated the vessel by patching the fractures without using
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any sheerlegs and without cargo lightering or on-site piece-mealing. The ocean-going barge TENKO (100m x 38m x 7.5m) laden with gantry cranes ran aground off Sanchez Mira, Philippines in November 2016 (below right) and Nippon Salvage was awarded the contract to refloat the barge. Nippon Salvage conducted the operation with assistance of local partner, Malayan Towage & Salvage Corporation, and the barge was safely delivered to the owners at Subic Bay on 10th December.
SCR Forum
an active SCR and a Group Director of LOC Group. Steve Roberts (above left) from the International Group paid tribute to Mr Hart for his hard work and dedication in ensuring the success of the SCOPIC regime and his wise representation of the cadre of SCRs since 2010.
The biennial Forum for Special Casualty Representatives (SCRs) was held in London on 23 March. The event was jointly sponsored by the International Salvage Union and the International Group of P&I Clubs. The forum was chaired by Nick Haslam, newly installed as the SCR’s representatives to the SCOPIC committee (see box). Kevin Clarke from Lloyd’s Salvage Arbitration Branch set the scene with a statistical overview which noted the decreasing numbers of Lloyd’s Open Forms being signed in recent years and a corresponding decline in the number of SCOPIC cases. There has been a 55% fall in the annual number of LOFs since 2007. In that year there were 107 LOFs and SCOPIC was invoked 23 times and in 2016, there were 48 LOFs with SCOPIC invoked 11 times.
Keith Hart
Captain Hart told the Forum that SCOPIC works if “everyone sticks to the rules. Providing people behave with integrity they will maintain the trust of everyone involved : maintaining neutrality and integrity [of the SCRs] is the key.”
During the SCR Forum a tribute was paid to Captain Keith Hart (above right) who has handed over to Nick Haslam as the SCRs’ Representative to the SCOPIC Committee. Mr Haslam, is
Mr Hart was presented with a framed cargo plate taken from one of the containers on the MSC NAPOLI – a famous case in which he was closely involved.
Since the introduction of SCOIPIC in 199 there have been 1500 LOFs with SCOPIC incorporated in 479 cases and invoked in 337 cases – representing 22% of the LOFs signed. There have only been 9 arbitrations in SCOPIC cases. David Lawrence, Head of Lloyd’s Agency Department, explained the revised process for SCRs to join or stay on the panel - the requirement for SCRs to take out professional insurance; produce a medical certificate and re-apply every three years. He said it was not the intention to “weed out” the panel but to ensure there was continuing experience among SCRs.
SCRs' Forum Panel: left to right Matthew Moore, Ben Browne, Mark Hoddinott, Keith Hart, Nick Haslam
Tim Fuller of the International Group’s Salvage Committee agreed and said the new process was not being used as an opportunity to “cull” the panel but it was important to maintain credibility.
P&I Club gave a paper exploring current concerns with SCOPIC and noted in particular the process of moving from an “emergency response” phase of an operation to a longer term arrangement and the place of SCOIPIC in that chain and the role of the relevant authorities.
Matthew Moore form the North of England
During the panel discussion ISU General
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Manager, Mark Hoddinott, reminded the Forum that it is ISU policy to recommend that LOF is used un0amended and that the Code of Practice between the IG and the ISU states that there should be no negotiation on SCOPIC Appendix A tariff rates or on the SCOPIC remuneration “uplift”.
ISU Associate Members' Day March 2017 2.
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1. (L-R) Alex McCooke, Alex Macinnes 2. (L-R) Martin Hall, Nik Pappas, Charo Coll 3. Kimmo Lehto 4. (L-R) Mark Loughlin, Arjan Van Aalst, Jason Bennett 5. (L-R) Neil Scott-Williams, Richard Janssen 6. (L-R) Michael Grey, Aline de Bievre 7. (L-R) Abhay Damley, Arthur Todd 8. (L-R) Gordon Lorenson, George Wittich 9. (L-R) Nick White, Mike Allen, Laurence McFadyen, Morgyn Davies
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International Monitor European Union The European Union has a competitive regime in place for fiscal and social measures as well as quality registers and a strong skills base. It supports the current status of the EU as an attractive location for shipping activities, according to a study commissioned by the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). To develop further growth in European shipping, the EU needs to adapt this framework into a comprehensive, globally oriented shipping policy that aims to improve the EU’s competitiveness as a location for international shipping. The study, by Monitor Deloitte, benchmarks the overall EU policy framework for shipping with policies of five international shipping centres. ECSA President, Niels Smedegaard (below), said: “The study demonstrates that successful shipping centres combine investment in an attractive business climate with investment in quality and skills.
“It is encouraging to see that the EU is in a good position and does not need a dramatic policy change. But global competition is fierce and we cannot take our position for granted. The study shows there are a number of policy gaps that should be addressed, firstly to maintain and then to enhance even further the competitive position of the EU.” International Chamber of Shipping The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its latest Flag State Performance Table which can be downloaded free of charge via the ICS website. See www.ics-shipping.org/docs/ flag-state-performance-table The ICS Table provides an annual overview of the performance of the world’s flag states against a number of criteria such as port state control records, ratification of international maritime Conventions and attendance at IMO meetings. The Table is mainly intended to encourage shipowners and operators to maintain an open dialogue with their flag administrations with respect to any improvements that might be necessary.
“This year’s ICS Table continues to highlight the sound performance of all of the world’s major flag administrations, regardless of whether they are open registers or so called ‘traditional’ maritime flags. But in response to feedback from IMO Member States, our member national shipowner associations have agreed to some further refinements in order to make the Table as objective and useful as possible.”
Ireland
An important development in the previous 12 months is that participation by maritime administrations in the IMO Member State Audit Scheme became mandatory in 2016. ICS therefore intends to add a new field to address this for inclusion in its next Annual Table in 2018.
Shipping confidence held steady in the three months to end-February 2017, according to the latest Shipping Confidence Survey from international accountant and shipping adviser, ISU Associate Member, Moore Stephens.
Fires on ro-ro/passenger vessels IUMI says that fires are decreasing across the shipping industry but warns of the potentially catastrophic consequences of a fire on a ro-ro/passenger vessel’s vehicle decks. IUMI points to the “alarming over-representation” of fires noted by insurers on these vessels and it has therefore issued a Position Paper on the issue. Analysis of fires on ro-ro/passenger vehicle decks indicates that the main fire risk is not passengers, drivers or stowaways. Failure of electrical equipment is by far the most common cause. The single most frequent source of fires are reefer units. Electrical equipment on board, vehicle cabs and vehicle engines have also been identified as the source of several of these casualties. To improve the inherent risk of carrying vehicles on ro-ro tonnage, specifically lorries, IUMI says the time has “perhaps now come for regulators, shippers and operators to address the way vehicles presented for carriage can be made safe.” Undeclared or mis-declared cargo is another fire hazard on board. IUMI has long been a supporter of improved screening and securing of cargo not only on these but also in other vessel segments. Another issue identified by IUMI is that once a fire has started on a vehicle deck, failure to deploy drencher systems has in some cases allowed fires to escalate. Quick response time and immediate action are also recognised as paramount in the Interferry Operation Best Practice Guidance relating to ro-ro deck fire safety that was issued in 2016.
The wreckage of an Irish Coast Guard helicopter which crashed into the Atlantic after hitting an island has been located. An ROV was deployed to investigate wreckage of the Sikorsky S92 and to try to find the bodies of the two crew still unaccounted for. Shipping confidence
In February 2017, the average confidence level expressed by respondents was 5.6 out of 10.0, unchanged from the previous survey in November 2016 and equal to the highest rating since August 2015. Respondents generally felt that competition was running at very high levels, while other familiar concerns included over-capacity of tonnage and geopolitical uncertainty. Most respondents saw 2017 as a year of retrenchment rather than improvement. Richard Greiner, Moore Stephens Partner, Shipping & Transport, says, “After three successive quarterly increases, shipping confidence has held steady. Shipping is vulnerable to changes in the political landscape, and a slew of elections in leading industrialised nations will render it particularly so this year. “Elsewhere, the issues facing the industry include an over-supply of ships and insufficient demolition. Freight markets are dragging along the bottom in many sectors, with net rate sentiment in the tanker market being particularly low. Add to this the expectation of higher ship finance costs, the mounting costs of regulation, the threat of cyber-crime and projected increases in operating costs and it is evident that shipping will not be a picnic for the foreseeable future".
Salvage World is produced by the International Salvage Union. For matters relating to the publication contact: James Herbert, ISU communications advisor. Tel: +44 1423 330 505 Email: admin@gemcomms.com For general enquiries contact: ISU, Holland House 1-4 Bury Street London EC3A 5AW Tel: +44 20 7220 6597 Email: ISU@marine-salvage.com
ICS Director of Policy & External Relations, Simon Bennett, said: 15