Salvage World Q4 2013 by Marine Salvage

DECEMBER 2014

INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION

New President for International Salvage Union The 59th Annual General Meeting of the International Salvage Union (ISU) was held in Hong Kong, 24 October 2013. At the conclusion of the meeting, Captain Leendert Muller became the new President of the ISU.

as we continue working on the issues we face, engaging with our stakeholders to make sure that this industry continues to provide a vital service to world shipping.” Mr Muller is joint managing director of Multraship Towage and Salvage based at Terneuzen on the river Scheldt in the Netherlands. The company operates a substantial fleet of modern tugs and heavy lifting equipment and conducts salvage, towage and offshore support services in Europe and the Black Sea.

Mr Muller, who has been a member of the ISU Executive Committee since 2008, and vice-President since 2011, succeeds Mr Andreas Tsavliris, who will continue as a member of the ISU Executive Committee. Mr Tsavliris said: “It has been a great honour to be the vice-President and then President of the ISU and to represent our Members as we have worked on the important issues facing our industry. I have tried to ensure, through numerous meetings, that the ISU is on a strong footing and has a good rapport with key industry players. Naturally we cannot agree on all matters but I believe that we have made progress through dialogue, understanding, good communications and open discussions. “I am delighted to be handing over to Leendert Muller who, like me, comes from a family with a long and proud tradition in towage and salvage. Leendert has much experience of the industry and has demonstrated great commitment to the ISU and to marine salvage and I am sure the leadership of our association will be in good hands.” Commenting on his appointment, Mr Muller said: “We all know Andreas’ great passion for the traditional salvage business and its heritage and history

and I should like to thank him for his hard work during his Presidency of ISU. Andreas has made the most of his deep understanding of the business to ensure that ISU has maintained a high profile and has been an effective trade association. "He has also introduced an ISU Annual Review and a Meritorious Service Award and enabled us to publish again the annual statistics for our industry. We look forward to continuing to benefit from his experience and contributions to the Executive Committee and the wider ISU.” “For my part it is a great honour to be the President of the ISU and I will do my best to represent our members’ interests

Mr Muller started his career at sea and became a captain of tugboats rising to be Principal Salvage Master and he has been involved in many well-known salvage and emergency response operations. Mr Muller then became Multraship’s Operations Director before becoming Managing Director in 2002. He is an Executive Committee member of the European Tug Owners’ Association (ETA) and a board member of the Royal Dutch Shipowners’ Association (KVNR). At the same meeting, which was hosted by ISU member, Hong Kong Salvage and Towage, Mr John A Witte, Jr. of Donjon Marine Co., Inc in the USA was confirmed as vice President of the International Salvage Union. ISU members and their partners also enjoyed a social programme including a gala dinner sponsored by China Rescue and Salvage.

Delegates attending the International Salvage Union Annual General Meeting at the Intercontinental Hotel, Hong Kong, October 2013. For more pictures see page 10.

MEMBERS' NEWS Titan

Tsavliris

Titan Salvage, along with parent company Crowley Maritime Corporations’ solutions group; project logistics and global freight management team have relocated to a shared, custom-designed office and warehouse facility in Houston.

Mahmood, US commercial manager, with a framed flag hand-crafted by the agency’s “flag ladies,” the group of women who have been embroidering the country’s official flags for more than 150 years.

Tsavliris Salvage Group has noted its great pleasure at the announcement of the induction of its founder, Alexander G Tsavliris, to the Greek Shipping Hall of Fame in November at the Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards.

Though its name and core business remains unchanged, Titan Salvage, has relocated its headquarters from Pompano, Florida to Houston as a result of the move.

“We were proud to have Samina accept this award on Titan's behalf, as she worked tirelessly to make this response effort run as smoothly as possible on multiple levels,” said Lindsay Malen, director of business development, Titan.

Today’s Tsavliris Salvage Group traces its origins to the early 1920s when Alexander G Tsavliris first arrived in Piraeus from Asia Minor as a refugee. He was among the first shipowners who supported the development of Piraeus as a maritime centre, he became a leading owner of dry cargo ships and is mostly remembered for putting Greece on the international map for salvage operations. He never forgot his own humble origins and, during his lifetime, hundreds of people benefited from his quiet generosity.

“Many of these diverse businesses have common customers with similar needs. By offering a full suite of company-wide services, Crowley will have a greater opportunity to grow while adding value for each of its unique clients,” said Todd Busch, Crowley’s senior vice president and general manager, technical services. The shared office and warehouse is located at 15894 Diplomatic Plaza Drive, Houston, Texas 77032. The businesses have the following new phone numbers: Titan Salvage, +1-832-850-4150 Solutions, +1-832-850-4100 Project logistics and global freight management, +1-832-850-4000. Separately, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has presented Titan Salvage with its Hurricane Sandy Award for exhibiting "unprecedented support” immediately following the storm that devastated much of the Northeastern coast of the US in late October 2012. The award was presented during the Business Alliance Awards ceremony at Fort Belvoir, VA. During the ceremony, Vice Admiral Mark D Harnitchek, director, DLA, presented TITAN’s Samina

After Hurricane Sandy subsided, Titan and its OPA 90 Marine Response Alliance partner, Marine Pollution Control (MPC), worked together to mobilize MPC’s highcapacity pumping systems. The equipment was deployed at the site of the World Trade Center memorial and museum in New York City where water was removed quickly, allowing tourism to commence prior to the Thanksgiving holiday rush, a critical time for the city’s economy.

On behalf of the late Alexander G Tsavliris, Tsavliris Salvage Group expressed their “immense gratitude to the Greek Shipping Community for the honour bestowed upon their founder for all time.”

“Titan was very proud to assist the City of New York and our government in their time of need,” said Malen. “It is wonderful to see what you can do with the strengths of your team, sister companies, partners and strategically placed equipment.” In addition to deploying pumping equipment at the site for the World Trade Center, Titan was also engaged in several other post-Sandy wreck removal and emergency response projects in some of the hardest hit areas along the US Northeastern coast. A number of vesels and barges were refloated by Titan and its partner, Inland Salvage, using the company’s roller bags.

Pictured left to right holding the framed flag representing the DLA Award: Truman Russo, operations manager, Titan; Samina Mahmood, US commercial manager, Titan; Kenny Hall, materials manager, Titan.

At the same awards ceremony, Alexander A Tsavliris, son of ISU executive committee member, Andreas A Tsavliris, presented the award sponsored by their company for “Seafarer of the Year”. In presenting the award he said: “Seafarers have always demonstrated exemplary courage and seamanship. They are the unsung heroes of shipping and the human face of shipping. Their resolve is tested daily and they make many sacrifices. For this and many more reasons we should show our seafarers

MEMBERS' NEWS

the respect that they deserve and thank them for their hard work.” The award for “Seafarer of the Year”, 2013 was shared between two Greek masters, Captain Dimitris Manolas, master of the bulker TETIEN TRADER, and Captain Pavlos Kountouris, master of the tanker EUROCHAMPION 2004, for rescuing four Irish sailors from the yacht WOLFHOUND in heavy seas off Bermuda earlier this year.

Brazil. Both Fairmount tugs were part of a fleet of five tugs contracted to hook-up the OSX3 to her anchors. Fairmount Marine was contracted by Boskalis Offshore for offshore support for the positioning of OSX3 during the hook-up operation which involved the installation of twelve anchor chains. OSX3 is a floating, production, storage and offloading unit, built in Singapore. The vessel is 370 meters long, 57 meters wide and has, when fully loaded, a draft of 31 meters. The total capacity of the OSX3 is up to 100,000 barrel of oil per day and a storage capacity of up to 1,300,000 barrels. The oil production is expected to start at the end of 2013.

Elsewhere, Fairmount Marine’s tug FAIRMOUNT SUMMIT has delivered the rig OCEAN VALIANT at Las Palmas, Canary Islands. The tug towed the rig from offshore Cameroon over a distance of almost 3,000 miles. The OCEAN VALIANT is a semisubmersible drilling rig owned by Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. After connecting to the tow bridle and before departure, FAIRMOUNT SUMMIT performed heading control to the rig while the rig was retrieving her remaining four anchors. FAIRMOUNT SUMMIT delivered the rig safely at Astican Shipyard and assisted in the berthing the rig.

The drilling rig OCEAN VALIANT seen from the stern of FAIRMOUNT SUMMIT

Pictured left to right: Efrosyni Kountouri (accepted the award on behalf of her brother, Captain Pavlos Kountouri); Alexander A Tsavliris; Captain Dimitris Manolas.

Fairmount Fairmount Marine’s tugs FAIRMOUNT GLACIER and FAIRMOUNT EXPEDITION have assisted in the installation of FPSO OSX3 in the Tubarão Martelo oilfield offshore Rio de Janeiro,

MOL Comfort Following the loss of the container vessel MOL COMFORT, ClassNK established a special Casualty Investigation Team to try to determine the cause of the casualty. Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) also established a Committee on Large Container Ship Safety to develop measures to ensure the safety of large container vessels. Based on the results of its own independent investigation as well as the input of the MLIT committee, the ClassNK Casualty Investigation Team has released preliminary findings and proposed safety measures resulting from the investigations. The presence of water-ingress in the

bottom of the vessel’s midship at the outset of the casualty means the fracture in the vessel’s hull is considered to have originated from the bottom part of the vessel. During the inspections of the sister vessels, buckling-type deformations measuring approximately 20mm in height were observed on the bottom shell plates in the vicinity of the centre line of the midship area. However, it remains unclear at this stage as to whether this type of deformation could have served as a trigger for the casualty. Reinforcement work to increase the hull strength of the sister vessels is already being carried out as a preventative safety measure. With cooperation from shipowners, structural investigations are also being carried out to determine whether similar deformations have occurred in large 3

container vessels with designs differing from those of the MOL COMFORT. Based on the preliminary findings, the ClassNK Casualty Investigation Team has proposed the following safety measures be carried out on large container ships in order to prevent the occurrence of similar casualties. • It is recommended that crew inspect the midship section to the extent possible in order to determine whether deformations have occurred on the bottom shell plates. At the request of shipowners, ClassNK will dispatch qualified surveyors to attend such inspections free of charge. • If consecutive deformations in the transverse direction are observed on the bottom shell plates an occasional survey is recommended. ClassNK will dispatch qualified surveyors upon request.

ISU NEWS Marine journalists’ lunch The ISU hosted some 20 marine journalists at its annual media lunch at the RAC Club in December. ISU President, Leendert Muller, briefed reporters on the importance of the salvage industry and current issues. Well-known shipping journalist Michael Grey thanked ISU on behalf of the guests and complimented ISU on its openness and communication.

Attendees at the ISU Media lunch. From left: Joop Timmermans, Cappy Bisso, Jack Gaston, Andreas Tsavliris, Adam Corbett, Liz Booth, Peter Pietka, Michael Grey.

Places of Refuge ISU is comitted to making progress on the issue of Places of Refuge. Leendert Muller told marine journalists: "As salvors, we often need to take a casualty vessel to a sheltered place where we can undertake repairs and cargo transfer: it may be a port but it doesn’t have to be. "It carries some risk of pollution to the nearby coastline if the condition of the vessel gets worse but that risk is even greater on the open sea or at a more dangerous coastal location."

SCOPIC Mr Muller added: "The problem is that too many states refuse to accept their obligations and refuse to grant a place of refuge. Our members have frequently had to battle the authorities to find a safe place to bring a casualty. "Last year, for example, the containership MSC Flaminia suffered a severe fire in the eastern Atlantic, salvors stabilised the situation but then had real difficulty bringing the vessel into a European port. Likewise the Stolt Valor, a chemical tanker that suffered a fire, was refused entry to numerous ports in the middle east. "The frustration is that there is already a helpful framework of international and regional regulations that effectively require states to offer a place of refuge to a casualty. "We know it is politically difficult to voluntarily allow a damaged ship into home waters but the alternative – as was seen with the Prestige – can be serous pollution over a much wider area. We have also formed an alliance with the International Chamber of Shipping ICS - representing shipowners and the International Union of Marine Insurance - IUMI - to tackle the issue. Our plans are still being developed, but we think this is a powerful group to lobby internationally and we look forward to trying to make progress in getting coastal states to recognise their obligations."

The SCR sifting group of the SCOPIC Committee has considered a number of applications to join the panel of SCRs. The following applicants were accepted: Drew Shannon and David Barlow, Australia. Camiel de Jongh, The Netherlands and Dennis Brand, Germany. There have been no resignations since the last meeting and the panel therefore has 45 SCRs. A revised, standard letter of application is being considered. The issue of the “cap” on equipment hire under SCOPIC remains a matter of concern to ISU which believes it is a disincentive to invest in equipment and is to be discussed further. A recent arbitration of a LOF 2011 case with SCOPIC invoked has held that the costs of repairs to a salvor’s own equipment during an operation were to be treated as “out of pocket” expenses and were not to be taken into consideration when determining the cap on equipment hire. Repairs to a salvor’s own equipment undertaken at their premises after de-mobilisation are to be treated as overheads and not “out of pocket” expenses. Under the new triennial review arrangements, the SCOPIC equipment rates increase has been agreed at 6.78%, effective from 01 January 2014, in line with US Consumer Prices Index. Since its introduction in 1999, SCOPIC has been incorporated into 32 per cent of Lloyd’s Open Form cases reported to Lloyd’s and invoked in 23 per cent of cases.

Five Oceans Salvage LOF services The bulker PANTAGRUEL - 180,000 dwt, built in 2004 and in ballast - was immobilised 200 nautical miles South Southwest of Hong Kong on 29 October. On 30 October the owners signed a LOF with Five Oceans.

November. The Salvors mobilized their tug MED FOS from her salvage station in Greece on speculation to assist. On 07 November, a LOF was signed with the owners. Despite an extensive search, no

The salvors, through their joint venture partners, Swire Pacific Offshore, mobilized the tugs TAIKOO and WHAMPOA from Hong Kong to assist the vessel. The casualty was redelivered on 01 November 2013 at the Yulian Shekou shipyard in China.

available tug was found anywhere in the Red Sea to assist. The tug MED FOS reached the casualty on 12 November and towed her to Suez for repairs, arriving on 17 November. The laden tanker MEGACORE PHILOMENA, immobilised off Jeddah.

The tanker MEGACORE PHILOMENA - 75,000 dwt, built in 2010 and laden with 58,300 tonnes of Naphtha was in transit from Jeddah to Japan, and was immobilised 70 miles off Jeddah on 05 4

Smit salvage roundup

salvage team commenced the flooding operation, which meant sequentially flooding the intact number 9 hold, the ballast tanks and the engine room. MV SMART breaks up and is scuttled (above right)

In August MV SMART, laden with 147,000 tonnes of coal, experienced difficulties while leaving the port of Richards Bay, South Africa and was drifting just beyond the Northern breakwater before grounding and breaking up due to the eight metre swell. SMIT Salvage together with Subtech were awarded a contract to remove all hydrocarbons and pollutants from the SMART and then refloat and scuttle the aft section of the casualty in an agreed position. After discharging approximately 2000 tonnes of oil to shore from the aft section, preparations for the refloating commenced. Cargo from number 8 and 9 holds had to be sufficiently discharged before an attempt to refloat the aft section

could commence. Some 10 000 tonnes of cargo was removed and a towing connection was made on the stern to the 180 tonne bollard pull ETV tug, SMIT AMANDLA. After 3 days of pulling, the aft section broke free from the seabed and was successfully refloated. Once the aft section was refloated, the salvage team confirmed the vessel’s water tight integrity and took the necessary steps to keep the vessel on an even keel and avoid her sinking unintentionally. After the vessel was confirmed safe to tow, the SMIT AMANDLA then towed the aft section 40 nautical miles off the coast of Richard’s Bay, to a position determined by the authorities. Preparations were made to flood the vessel to ensure a safe and controlled scuttling. When the SMIT AMANDLA arrived at the scuttling position, the

After a number of hours of pumping, the aft section began to trim forward. Once water flowed over the hatch coaming and into number 9 hold the vessel sank in a matter of minutes. Elsewhere, SMIT Salvage was involved in October with the grounded 85,000 dwt MARIOLINA DE CARLINI. The vessel was fully laden with iron ore and grounded on rocks during high tide just after leaving the Port of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Using SMIT’s sister company, SMIT Lamnalco’s assets and the 180 tonne bollard pull anchor handling Tug UNION SOVEREIGN, owned by SMIT Salvage’s parent company Boskalis, the casualty was refloated and towed to Cartagena, Spain for discharge of cargo and then escorted to Setubal, Portugal where she was safely delivered to her owners.

Prestige trial A Spanish court has acquitted three people blamed for the sinking of the PRESTIGE oil tanker in 2002, finding no one criminally responsible for one of Europe’s worst environmental disasters. The court ruled that neither the Captain of the oil tanker, the chief engineer, nor the Spanish maritime chief who ordered it out to sea were to blame for the substantial oil spill that ensued. The court ruled that a precise cause for the accident could not be established, so criminal responsibility could not be determined. "No one knows with certainty what could

be the cause of what happened, nor what should have been the appropriate response to the emergency situation created by the serious problem of the PRESTIGE,” Judge Juan Luis Pia of the Galicia high court said.

required to sail.The court also determined that the government made the right decision at the time when it ordered the vessel to be towed out to sea, despite the criticism that followed. The verdict followed an eight month trial.

The casualty broke up after six days adrift and spilled more than 60,000 tonnes of oil which caused pollution on more than 1,800 miles of beach across northern Spain, Portugal and France.

ISU campaigns on the issue of unfair criminalisation of seafarers and voiced its concern during the PRESTIGE affair. It has also noted other cases like the TASMAN SPIRIT when salvors were detained without trial. ISU is also campaigning on Places of Refuge, and says it is disappointed with the lack of progress on the matter.

The judge blamed the disaster on a structural fault of the ship due to “deficient maintenance and upkeep checks” but pointed out that it had the documents 5

Tsavliris operations On 08 August, Tsavliris dispatched the salvage tug UNICORN to assist the bulk carrier CARMEN SILVA - 25,739 dwt and laden with about 23,300 tons of steel and general products - which was disabled due to main engine problems about 150 miles South East of Sur, Oman.

tonnes dwt and laden with some 6,200 tonnes of Indian Soybean Meal Hipro in bulk – which was disabled and drifting off Salalah. AL WAFI safely towed the casualty to Duqm outer anchorage, where the vessel was delivered to port tugs arranged by Tsavliris. The same day the vessel was redelivered to her owners at Duqm shipyard berth, Oman.

The UNICORN arrived at the casualty's position on Sunday 11th August and, after congestion was reported at the intended destination, Fujairah, the casualty was towed to Muscat, Oman for repairs. The convoy arrived about 100 miles off Muscat on 17 August and waited for approval from the harbour master to proceed into Omani territorial waters.

Also in October, Tsavliris dispatched the salvage tug ASTERIX from Aarhus, Denmark, to the immobilsed bulker AGHIA MARINA - 28,522 tonnes dwt, in ballast - south east of Skagen, Denmark. ASTERIX, assisted by the tug HUNTER for passage through narrows in the Great Belt, redelivered the casualty at Wismar.

Assisted by the tug AL TOWFAN, the convoy proceeded to Muscat anchorage on 20 August. Following successful repairs and sea trials the service was terminated on Sunday 06 October.

Above: SILA under tow

Elsewhere, in September, Tsavliris dispatched the salvage tug URANUS, from Las Palmas, to assist the general cargo vessel HAGEN - 16,825 tonnes dwt and laden with about 14,500 tonnes of Peruvian steam dried fishmeal in bulk – which was immobilised due to machinery problems about 700 nautical miles Southwest of Azores Island.

The convoy arrived safely off Cascais where the URANUS delivered the vessel to two port tugs contracted by Tsavliris and the HAGEN was safely towed to Lisbon.

URANUS arrived at the casualty's

location and in adverse weather conditions the towline was connected and towage commenced.

In October Tsavliris dispatched the tug AL WAFI from Muscat to the assistance of general cargo vessel SILA - 7,608

Finally, Tsavliris is currently providing salvage services to the bulk carrier ACHILLEAS - 35,458 tonnes dwt and laden with 26,250 tonnes of Argentine extracted Hipro soya bean meal in bulk - which was disabled following an engine room fire about 350 naultical miles South Southwest of Las Palmas. The casualty is currently being towed to an eastern Mediterranean destination – the operation is ongoing.

ISU Meritorious Service Award The International Salvage Union’s Award for Meritorious Service has been made posthumously to Paul Lange of SKULD, an Associate Member of the ISU. Mr Lange was a senior Vice President at SKULD and head of its risk management department before his death from cancer. It is the first time the Award has been made. In making the Award, the ISU Executive Committee noted Mr Lange’s long experience of dealing with marine casualties and, in particular, his efforts over the years to promote a proactive and cooperative approach to casualty handling and his work to ensure meaningful dialogue between P&I Clubs, marine salvors and other parties responding to casualties.

Mr Lange demonstrably promoted a spirit of cooperation which has led to improvements in casualty handling to the benefit of all parties. The ISU Executive Committee also took into consideration Mr Lange’s commitment to attend ISU events, and other industry fora, where he worked to maintain good relationships and to improve understanding in what can be contentious matters. ISU also noted Mr Lange’s contribution, with others, of the chapter on insurance in its Casualty Management Guidelines, published jointly with the Nautical Institute. Mr Lange was very knowledgeable about salvage and casualty response but he was always eager to learn more in order to improve processes and, 6

again, to promote cooperation rather than confrontation. ISU President, Leendert Muller added: “Paul Lange was very well known in the salvage industry. He was wellrespected, very personable and much liked. He was a breath of fresh air and a worthy recipient of this Award.” Mr Lange was nominated for the award by SKULD’s Sandro Vuylsteke before he passed away. In making the Award, the ISU Executive Committee and membership extended their condolences and deep sympathy to Mr Lange’s family at their sad loss.

ASSOCIATES' NEWS Shipowners’ P&I Shipowners’ P&I Club has announced its half year financial results (2013/14) and has said it will keep next year’s premium rise to a level similar to the last renewal’s 5% increase. The Club’s Chief Executive Charles Hume said: “We appreciate that any increase is unwelcome and we recognise that it is necessary to achieve a balance between ensuring the long-term financial security of the Club and recognising the financial challenges faced by many Members in the current economic climate. "As Members and brokers will be aware, our track record of general increases is the most competitive in the market and we intend to keep it that way.” The Club said claims are also heading upwards both in frequency and value, net of reinsurance. There was particular volatility in the second quarter with the impact from claims within the USD 1 to 5 million band having the most effect. Moore Stephens Vessel operating costs are expected to rise by more than three per cent in both 2013 and 2014 according to a new survey by international accountant and shipping consultant Moore Stephens. The survey is based on responses from key players in the international shipping industry, predominantly shipowners and managers in Europe and Asia. Those responses revealed that vessel operating costs are expected to rise by 3.0 per cent in 2013, and by 3.2 per cent in 2014, with crew wages and P&I insurance the cost categories likely to increase most significantly. Bargemaster Bargemaster has reported that it has signed a contract with Niestern Sander and has received a Letter Of Award from Boskalis Offshore. The heave-compensated lifting specialist also notes significant interest in its new product, the T40, which is capable of compensating a knuckle boom crane with a capacity of 15mT. Niestern Sander bv has signed a contract for the employment of the Barge Master T40 on its new “Walk-to-Work” vessel. The vessel, including the Barge Master, will be ready in the first half of 2015. Dutch gas producer, NAM, will use the vessel

to service and maintain gas production platforms in the North Sea. Barge Master's Letter Of Award from Boskalis International is for the employment of the Barge Master T700 during phase 3 of the Malampaya gas project in the Philippines. The Barge Master system will be used during the second half of 2014 for the installation of a permanent bridge between a newly installed depletion compression platform and an existing shallow water gas production platform. Hill Dickenson Hill Dickenson has announced the enhancement of its Asian practice with the opening of a new office in Hong Kong to work in partnership with its wellestablished Singapore team. The new office will operate in association with Laracy & Co led by experienced litigator and arbitrator, Damien Laracy, and will see Master Mariner and longstanding partner, Mike Mallin from the London City office, leading the new venture for Hill Dickinson. Hill Dickinson now offers three mariner partners working in the Asia region. Intercargo Intercargo has launched Benchmarking Bulk Carriers 2012-13, the latest edition of its annual publication, now in its seventh year of publication. It contains statistical information and analysis relating to the world bulk carrier fleet, including an analysis of casualties during 2012 and Negative Performance Indicators such as collisions and groundings. This year’s Report also highlights the slowing down of fleet growth. For the first time, this edition also includes a copy of the Intercargo ‘terminal-problem reporting form’; The form, which invites Intercargo members and non-members alike to share their experiences of ports globally, has been designed and produced with the specific intention of helping Intercargo build an accurate picture of problems experienced by masters of bulk carriers during port calls. Rob Lomas, Intercargo Secretary General said:. “This year’s report reveals that the number of ships lost during 2012 significantly decreased when compared with 2011 and, even though no loss of life was recorded in the three ship casualties 7

during 2012, the number of other serious incidents involving bulk carriers remains unacceptably high with 12 seafarers killed during the year. This highlights the continued importance for flag states to conduct proper casualty investigations – the subject of an Intercargo paper to IMO, which, together with the formation of an Intercargo casualty correspondence group, establishes a platform for further dialogue on safety issues”. The ABR Company Ltd The ABR Company Ltd is moving. From 02 January 2014 the publisher of International Tug & OSV magazine, and organiser of the ITS and Tugnology Conventions, will be operating from new offices in Trowbridge, the county town of Wiltshire, in the UK. The new postal address is: ABR House, Prospect Place, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8QA. The company telephone number, fax number, email addresses and website will remain exactly the same as before. ITS 2014 will take place in Hamburg from 16-20 June and will feature numerous salvage-themed papers, including Current Challenges In The Salvage Industry And The Response Of Marine Salvors, from Leendert Muller, President, ISU; LOF In 2014 from Simon Tatham, partner, TugAdvise; SCOPIC And The SCR – Where Now? from John Noble, managing director, Noble Marine Services, UK and Captain Keith Hart, managing director, Hart Marine Consultants Ltd, UK; and Some Solutions To The Rising Costs Of Wreck Removal from David Pockett, consultant, London Offshore Consultants Group, Brazil. The registration brochure is now available online at www.tugandosv.com as well as in the current issue of International Tug & OSV magazine. An Early Bird registration discount is available for those booking before Friday 31 January. Exhibition stands can also be booked online, but the organisers say that space is selling very quickly, and suggests that any company wishing to have a stand should get in touch without delay.

POSH Terasea Offshore 2013 - operational digest In February 2013 the MT ARTISTRY was adrift south of the Nicobar Islands. The 10,000 dwt vessel was towed by the 6,600 BHP/92 tonne bollard pull SALVALIANT into Singapore. The convoy made an average speed of 7.7 knots.

DONG-A LETO towed by SALVISCOUNT and loading salvage equipment (below)

In March the MV THAMESBORG was towed from a location 80 miles west of Sumatra, Indonesia, by the 6,600 BHP/92 tonne bollard pull SALVIGOUR and delivered safely at Singapore. The 21,350 dwt multi-purpose vessel was laden and she was towed to safety at an average speed of 7.5 knots. In August, the 5,000 dwt MT SARA-1 lost propulsion in the waters of South Kalimantan and engaged the 4,040 BHP/60 tonne bollard pull SALVAREE for towage services. The SARA-1 and her crew were towed into Singapore where the tanker was delivered to her vessel managers. Also in August, the 179,000 dwt bulker, DONG-A LETO was towed from offshore Dampier to Singapore by the 13,500 BHP/162 tonne bollard pull SALVISCOUNT which had been offshore Jakarta and reached the bulker in three days. The laden DONG-A LETO was towed at a draft of 18.9 metres and was delivered safely for repairs at Singapore and the voyage of over 1,250 nautical miles was achieved at an average towing speed of 6.1 knots.

New tugs for Resolve Marine RESOLVE Marine Group has announced the acquisition of a 152 tonne bollard pull tug, RESOLVE MONARCH and the 135 tonne bollard pull tug, RESOLVE EARL from JP Knight (Lowestoft) Ltd. Previously named the ANGLIAN MONARCH and the ANGLIAN EARL, the vessels have served as Emergency Twoing Vessels (ETVs) on contract to the UK government, and have been involved in many high-profile casualties.

Fukada salvage parbuckles cargo ship The Cambodian flagged general cargo vessel, MV FAVOUR SAILING - 1,479 grt and built in 1984 - sank at Shiomi berth in Senboku Port, Osaka Prefecture, Japan on 30 April 2013. The casualty had capsized and rotated through 90 degrees to her port side and was lying on the seabed at the berth with her starboard hull about 2 meters above the surface. At the time of sinking, the casualty was laden with a total of 920 tonnes of mixed metal scrap in bulk which had been loaded at Senboku, Japan, bound for Haimen, Zhejian, China. A contract between the owners and Fukada Salvage was agreed in July 2013 for the removal of the wreck and cargo. After removing the cargo, the wreck was parbukled on 13 October and refloated by pressurizing her tanks and using the Fukada sheerleg Musashi with a lifting capacity of 3,700 tonnes (see right).

Salvage and Wreck Conference ISU Members were out in force at the Salvage and Wreck Conference held in London 11-12 December. ISU President, Leendert Muller, opened the Conference with a speech outlining the current state of the salvage industry and future issues (see far right). Resolve Marine’s John Curley and Joe Farrell jr updated the audience with a presentation on their work to reduce the wreck of the Rena off New Zealand to below wave height. The talk was illustrated with dramatic video footage of helicopter operations removing metal cut from the wreck. A panel chaired by ISU communications adviser, James Herbert and including ISU General Manager, Mark Hoddinott; Mammoet Salvage’s Fokko Ringersma, Titan Salvage’s Jason Bennett, Peter Townsend from Swiss Re and Michael Kelleher, West of England P&I Club (see above right) addressed the issue of the rising cost of wreck removal. 9

ISU AGM 2013 Hong Kong photographs 1

8 1. L-R Neil Scott-Williams, Charo Coll Mario Mizzi 2. L-R Maria Paz Fernandez del Rio, Alberto Camacho 3. L-R Fokko Ringersma, Milena Tsavliris, Joop Timmermans 4. L-R Shoko Kamimori, AndrĂŠe Quillivic, Christian Quillivic

5. L-R Eline Muller, Charo Coll 6. L-R Joe Farrell Jr. Todd Busch, Coreen Busch, Neil Scott-Williams 7. Celine Wetzel, Philip Harmstorf 8. Joan Main, David Main 9. Tim Huxley

International Monitor The Philippines Large parts of the central Philippines were devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. Some of the strongest winds ever were recorded. The Typhoon affected millions of Filipinos with widespread disruption and severe damage. Shipping has been badly affected and salvors are among those involved in the response. One of the concerns was for Filipino seafarers, who represent over 20% of the world's seafarers, to be able to contact their families and loved ones back home. Maritime charities like the Mission to Seafarers and Sailors Society have responded by providing free phone cards, sims, and wifi to Filipino seafarers who visit their centres all over the world. The Seafarers' Emergency Fund has also provided funds for seafarer centres around the world to facilitate free phone calls and wifi for Filipino seafarers to call back home. Other organisations responding include the International Shipping Federation/ International Chamber of Shipping (ISF/ ICS), the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA). The initiatives being implemented include: • The ITF affiliate Filipino union AMOSUP using their training ship, the Felix Oca, to transport humanitarian supplies provided by Norweigan shipowners and others to the affected areas • KVH's Headland Media using their daily news bulletin, Newslink, to provide information on the typhoon and aftermath to their 100,000 Filipino seafarer readers on board 10,000 ships all over the world. Climate change The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw was told by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) that reducing CO2 emissions is an economic 'no brainer' for the global shipping industry. Further efforts by industry to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions from ships which carry about 90% of global trade is, according to ICS, “already a matter of enlightened self interest.” ICS pointed out to the conference that

fuel is the shipping industry's largest variable operating cost. In the last 5 years alone, fuel prices have increased by about 300% and are expected to increase by a further 50% -100% due to the imminent switch to low sulphur fuel, soon to be required for most ships by separate International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules. "The fuel costs for a typical ship carrying iron ore are already about US$3 million a year. For the latest generation of mega containerships they could be as much $30 million a year" said ICS Director External Relations, Simon Bennett. "The high cost of fuel means that market forces are already providing shipowners with every incentive they need to continue improving their fuel efficiency and reduce their CO2 emissions. Otherwise shipping companies will simply not survive." With the full support of the shipping industry, the worldwide entry into force in January 2013 of amendments to the IMO MARPOL Convention makes shipping the first industrial sector to have a binding global regime in place to reduce CO2 emissions. "In addition to the new IMO regulations to improve the efficiency of new ship designs, the mandatory application of Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans is now giving additional impetus to fuel efficiency measures that are already being taken by much of the industry." said Mr Bennett. Denmark Seafarers feel they spend too much time on tasks they consider to be an administrative burden according to the findings of a study by the Danish Maritime Authority, supported by InterManager, the international trade association for ship and crew managers. A comprehensive survey of international seafarers revealed that a third of all nationalities are annoyed or frustrated by administrative burdens in the maritime sector. These burdens stem from what the seafarers consider to be unnecessary repetition of tasks and demands for too much paperwork and documentation to be handled. The study also concludes that there is a “significant potential to re-allocate time to more fruitful tasks” to increase efficiency 11

and quality. The study, which surveyed almost 2,000 anonymous seafarers from 59 different nationalities, asked 55 questions to understand the characteristics and perceptions of administrative burden and the different types of work-related activities perceived as administrative burdens among seafarers. The survey concentrated on seven main areas of work: preparation of and participation in Port State Control, Flag State Control or Class inspections; vetting inspections; handling of International Vessel and Port Facility Security requirements; planning and executing exercises and drills; using and maintaining internal management systems; completion of journals; and the completion of port and pre-arrival documents. At least 50% of those responding – and sometimes as many as 79% – felt the tasks were repeated too often and required too much documentation and paperwork. The report concluded that “a lot of paperwork and documentation that is being produced on the job contributes little value to the work of the seafarers”. InterManager Secretary General, Captain Kuba Szymanski, said: “InterManager members and their crews were happy to take part in this important survey. "The amount of time seafarers report they are spending on administrative tasks is eye-opening and we welcome the report’s suggestion for further investigation into how these requirements can be better complied with to enable smarter working.”

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