INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION
December 2019
ISU survey results confirm strategic direction Professional market research shows that the International Salvage Union’s strategy is on track and stakeholders are positive about the organisation.
trustworthy and providing value for money.
The headline results of the survey, conducted in the early part of 2019, show that the “overall satisfaction” with ISU was 7.44 out of a maximum score of 10.
The survey was commissioned following work last year to “re-position” the industry - to no longer dwell on the past of “tugs on station” and the “pursuit of LOF above other considerations” and to face the realities of the current business environment.
The survey was international and had more than 100 respondents from among shipowners, P&I Clubs, ISU members and associates. Some property insurers participated but not as many as hoped for and ISU described that as a “missed opportunity.”
ISU is committed to promote the value of its members who enable world trade by providing services which save life, protect the environment, mitigate risk and reduce loss. ISU wants to position its members as part of the owners and underwriter’s “risk mitigation chain”.
The responses showed that ISU is considered credible and trustworthy; is thought to participate in appropriate forums and that it promotes the industry, has an international outlook and provides networking opportunities.
Commenting on the survey, ISU President, Richard Janssen said: “Our interpretation of the results suggests that we need to increase our interaction with owners and insurers about their present and upcoming challenges and how salvors can support them in that. We also must continue our drive to ensure high ethical and operational standards. But then again, it takes two to tango.”
For the overall perception of the professional salvage industry - as opposed to ISU - the highest scores were for the industry being competent, reliable and safe. There were some lower scores, though still not poor, for professional salvors being
Mr Janssen noted that good progress has been made the last six years which is reflected in the negotiated agreements
and improved working relationships with IUMI, IG and Lloyds. Part of the re-positioning of the industry is to recognise that many ISU members have chosen to diversify and offer other services in addition to their salvage work. But Mr Janssen said ISU will keep making the case for the “high standards and technical excellence of the professional salvor – the members of ISU.” He added: “I want to celebrate the investment that the professional salvors continue to make in updating and renewing stockpiles of equipment with a focus on future needs and especially the investment in our people: divers, naval architects, engineers, tug masters and salvage masters who are our lifeblood. "We train them and nurture them - and we pay them, even when work is short. All of this represents a huge and credible investment and a continued commitment to provide services professionally when and where they are needed. “Helping others to recognise and appreciate the importance of a properly funded salvage sector is the job of the ISU and our focus for the next year.”
Multraship, Smit and Atlantic Towing combine to lift fishing vessel ISU members Multraship Salvage, Smit Salvage and Atlantic Towing & Marine joined forces to lift the sunken fishing vessel DILLON OWEN at Ardglass, Northern Ireland. The vessel had grounded in late October after losing power while on its way into the port. The Coastguard and local lifeboat services had attempted to refloat vessel but bad weather hampered their efforts and the crew were all lifted off and the fishing boat suffered a list and was partially submerged.
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IMO Annual Bravery Awards Petty Officer Michael Kelly, a rescue swimmer with the United States Coast Guard, has received the 2019 International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea during this year's IMO Awards ceremony, which took place in November. Petty Officer Kelly was presented with the award in recognition of his bravery in rescuing four fishermen who abandoned a sinking ship 70 miles off the coast of Maine, USA. In November 2018, during heavy storms, Kelly’s rescue helicopter was sent to assist the sinking fishing vessels AARON and MELISSA II. Following the sighting of a life raft, Petty Officer Kelly was deployed into the water and swam to the raft. All four of the fishermen were suffering from hypothermia and the raft was in danger of capsizing due to 20-foot waves. Petty Officer Kelly proceeded to swim the survivors, one by one, to the helicopter’s rescue bucket at which point they were hoisted to safety. Due to the extreme weather conditions and the great feat of physical and mental endurance shown by Petty Officer Kelly, the IMO Council in July agreed with a panel of judges that his actions demonstrated exceptional bravery and determination. Speaking at the Awards, Petty Officer Kelly stated: "I would not be here if it was not for the amazing skills of my crew. Their precision and focus allowed me to act as a tiny cog in the large process of search and rescue that we are all so passionate about and train for daily. "There is nothing more precious than human life and we all strive to go home to the ones we love."
EMSA incident report The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has released its annual overview of marine casualties and incidents for 2018. The report notes that, with 3174 occurrences reported in 2018, the total number of occurrences recorded in the European Marine Casualty Information Platform database has grown to over 23000; this represents an average of 3239 marine casualties or incidents per year over the past five years. The number of serious casualties had previously been in steady decline since 2014, but 2018 figures show that the past year has seen a 15% increase in very serious casualties. Similarly, the number of serious casualties has increased by 3% on 2017. The number of ships lost in 2018 follows a similar trend with 12 more reported than last year. Between 2011-2018, 426 accidents resulted in a total of 696 lives lost. The general trend for lives lost has been one of substantial decline since 2015, but there was a slight increase in the number of fatalities between 2017-2018, though not above any levels for years prior to 2017. 941 injured persons were reported in 2018. This number has remained relatively steady in the last four years with an average of 989 per year. Again, crew represent the main category of persons injured at sea with 6062 during the 20112018 period. Fishing vessels remain the category of ship with the highest number of ships lost with almost 125 losses between 20112018. In 2018, the number of occurrences involving fishing vessels increased by 40%; however, this did not correspond to an increase either in lives lost, 11, or ships lost, 12. In 2018, 1508 cargo ships were involved in marine casualties or incidents that resulted in 36 fatalities and three ships lost. Notably, almost half of the casualties that occurred on board a passenger ship involved a roll-on roll-off vessel. In 2018, three service ships were lost, but the number of fatalities has fallen sharply since 2015 and the number of injuries has been in steady decline since 2013. In 2018, 167 ‘other ships’ have been 2
involved in a marine accident, mainly inland waterway passenger vessels, recreational motorboats and sailing boats. More than half of the casualties (54%) were related to navigation issues, such as contacts, grounding/stranding and collisions. Regarding occurrences to persons, 39% were attributed to slipping, stumbling and falling. The departure phase appeared to be the safest phase of a voyage and mid-water the most unsafe. It was noted that 78% of the casualties occurred in internal waters and territorial sea. Human action represented 66% of accident events. 65% of the contributing factors were related to shipboard operations and 25% to shore management.
Dangerous goods guidance The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) has published new safety guidance on the stowage of classified dangerous goods on board containerships in an effort to reduce the number of cargo incidents. The publication has been prepared by a work group comprising CINS shipping line members, representatives of classification societies and insurance organisations and has been developed in response to a number of serious fire incidents in recent years. The new safety guidance is the first in a series of safety initiatives undertaken by both ship operators and regulators to enhance safety on board containerships. The guidance can apply to all sizes of containerships and has been designed to complement existing Safety of Life at Sea regulations and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. CINS Chairman, Uffe Ernst-Frederiksen, commented: “Cargo-related incidents which result in fire and explosions are rooted in cargo problems. Subsequent investigations demonstrate a wide range of deficiencies relating to cargo presented for shipment. “This new best-practice guidance for dangerous goods stowage is intended to help improve fire safety in our industry.”
Members’ News Resolve Marine Group Resolve responded immediately to Hurricane Dorian with dedicated relief and recovery teams which were able to arrive rapidly in Freeport, Bahamas. While Dorian was still active, Resolve and its partners activated a vessel and hydrographic survey team which conducted a survey of Freeport Harbor in a vital effort to clear the harbour’s entrance for other relief and emergency response vessels. Resolve also deployed a drone and a helicopter aerial survey team to assess critical infrastructure needs and provide impact documentation to clients, partners and governmental agencies.
The resulting hydrographic and aerial surveys enabled the Port of Freeport quickly to reopen for emergency traffic once the hurricane had moved away. Resolve is continuing to operate throughout the Bahamas supporting relief efforts including deploying a barge transporting a water purifying plant to Freeport, which can produce more than 5,000 gallons of potable water daily. It reduces the reliance on water in plastic bottles and cuts down waste throughout the islands. Resolve’s humanitarian subsidiary, Mission Resolve, continues to provide humanitarian support offering relief agencies and aid workers much needed support services.
Boluda Boluda Towage, the towing division of Boluda Corporación Marítima, has concluded the acquisition of Dutch company Kotug Smit Towage (KST). It confirms Boluda’s position as the leading European operator in the towing sector, and expands the company’s international maritime safety management services in the main ports of northern European countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom and Germany. The company said the deal was part of its international expansion plan. The aquisition adds 67 tugs to its fleet now totalling more than 300 tugboats, operating in 90 ports in 15 countries in Europe, the west coast of Africa, America and the Indian Ocean. The 100% stock acquisition of KST is valued at 300 million euros and has received the necessary regulatory approvals in all countries. Elsewhere, one of Boluda’s South Ameriacn units, Pontemar, has commissioned SYM Naval shipyards of Barcelona to build two new tugs, expected to enter service in Buenos Aires in mid2020 (see artist's impression below).
Resolve Marine Group transporting water treatment equipment to the hurricane-affected Bahamas
Smit Salvage Smit held the second of it bi-annual Managing Marine Emergencies courses at its Papendrecht headquarters in November. It is the 54th course in 27 years.
The tugboats are custom-designed to cope with the challenges of operations in a river port requiring reduced length and draft to perform safely.
Ardent again in April and November 2020. Below, delegates from the Smit Managing Marine Emergencies course are given an tour of the Smit salvage equipment warehouse
Twenty two delegates from six continents and all parts of the shipping industry spent four days learning the essential skills and procedures necessary to be prepared for when a marine emergency occurs.
Peter Pietka has left Ardent and Oliver Timofei has been appointed chief executive officer. Mr Timofei has been in the salvage industry since 2005 with the then Wijsmuller Salvage and has worked in the company in its varies forms since then. Mr Timofei he has held different positions both in The Netherlands and internationally, most recently as vice president, emergency management. Jens Jaeger will be chief financial officer with expanded responsibilities.
The MME course is developed and updated over the years to share knowledge on salvage operations, contracting principles, marine insurance, legal matters and includes a virtual reality crisis exercise and media training. The course will run
Ardent said that Mr Timofei’s immediate focus is to “continue with the positive
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Members’ News continued momentum in contracts being executed globally whilst developing Ardent Global to be more customer centric and market responsive”. There will be a “more focused management structure” and there are plans to allow “Ardent to be a more agile organization, respond quicker to customer demands and maximise the opportunities which are available to us.” It follows a re-capitalisation of Ardent in October 2019. Ardent thanked Mr Pietka for his “continuous hard work and contribution to the business, specifically the ISU and building Ardent to the company it is today”. In the USA, Ardent’s Zach Malinoski was elected at the American Salvage Asoociation’s annual meeting as the organisation's secretary/treasurer. ASA is an affiliate member of the ISU.
Tsavliris The Tsavliris Cultural Foundation scholarship was awarded this year to Ms Eleni Karnaou (picture, right) university student of a family of four children, by the Permanent Secretary of the Shipping Deputy Ministry in Cyprus, Mr Costas Iacovou. The scholarship will fully cover the expenses of a Master's degree in "Shipping and Economics" at Cyprus University of Technology. Mr George Tsavliris, Honorary President of the Tsavliris Cultural Foundation, expressed his gratitude for the generosity of the scholarship sponsors: Fameline Holding Group, DNV-GL, Eurogate, Lemissoler, Umar-WSR Uniteam, Deepblue Insurance, EPSCO, Onetech και Τσιμεντοποιία Βασιλικού.
The Foundation’s general assembly also elected unanimously Mr Acis Montanios as its President. Mr Montanios is the Managing Partner of Montanios & Montanios LLC, Advocates & Legal Consultants, Cyprus. He read law in London and was called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple. In 1972 he joined as a trainee the family law firm founded by his late father Michael Montanios in 1951. Throughout his professional career he has specialized in all aspects of maritime and admiralty law.
ISU News
Journalists’ lunch
Executive Committee
ISU president, Richard Janssen, hosted a lunch for marine journalists. The popular event provided an opportunity to brief reporters about current issues and the activities of ISU (see picture below).
Peter Pietka has resigned from the ISU executive committee and has therefore also given up his position as ISU vice president. It follows management changes at Ardent (see Members’ News).
Mr Janssen reminded the attendees about the re-positioning of the industry and gave headline results from the ISU’s opinion survey.
Corrado Neri has resigned from the ISU executive committee due to a change of role within his firm, Italy’s Fratelli Neri.
He noted the generally very positive views that stakeholders have of the industry but committed to undertake more engagement with owners and insurers and to communicate strongly about the value that salvors add to the shipping industry.
ISU members who are suitably qualified are invited to contact the Secretary General if they wish to be considered as candidates for the Executive Committee.
Industry Statistics and Pollution Prevention Q1 2020 will see the launch of the twin-track process to collect the ISU’s annual pollution prevention numbers and the industry statistics which are the only published source of data about the performance of the international salvage industry and its business environment. Associate Members’ Day 2020
Nick Sloane of Resolve Marine Group has been proposed by the executive committee to the membership as ISU vice president and the process to confirm his position is underway.
The ISU’s annual conference for its associate members will be held in central London at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in the City of London on 25 March 2020. It will be preceded on 24 March by the ISU annual dinner. Full details and the programme which will include a range of speakers and subjects of interest to ISU associates - will be issued in the new year.
ISU funding levy
ISU AGM 2020
ISU members are reminded of their obligation to notify the Secretary General of emergency response or wreck removal operations they conduct over the value of US$ 100,000. These are subject to a levy to help fund the activities of the ISU.
International Salvage Union members are invited to note that the ISU Annual General Meeting 2020 will be held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on 17th September 2020 with a programme of events on other days in that week. Details will be circulated during Q2 2020.
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Associates’ and Affiliates' News Waves Group assessment of remaining hydrocarbons. The precise location of the seven cargo tanks was quickly determined, so that the ROV’s neutron backscatter device could undertake the sampling regime accurately and without delay. The digital material supplied to the client was in an interactive 3D form that allowed effective communication and collaboration amongst all the stakeholders – even for non-specialists.
Waves’ recently developed 3D subsea data acquisition and visualisation skills were used on the project.
The way the results were presented allowed the client to ‘fly around’ the data and undertake their own basic analysis, providing a clear understanding of a complex situation. Additional data from previous survey work was also included to provide 4D information - in other words, change over time.
Waves conducted a high-resolution 3D survey of the wreck using a work class ROV spread from a DP vessel and then processed the data onboard in order to devise a precise sampling strategy for the
The data could also be viewed at 1:1 scale in Virtual Reality. Waves Group said it facilitated “onsite decision making and intervention strategies to a level not previously possible.”
Intercargo has published its Annual Review. It said that after a slow start in 2019, “optimism has built on the solid improvement seen in 2018 for the dry bulk sector.”
Intercargo said membership, although optional, is in practice a “must” for any quality dry bulk shipping company.
great job in building a solid client base across the industry.”
The bulker trade association said the recent past has seen geo-political and economic shifts, trade tensions, fragile growth in emerging markets and weaker GDP growth in developed economies. These factors are holding back the dry bulk market.
brand Marine Consultants reports a busy year working on a range of projects in emergency response, salvage and wreck removal. bMC personnel have operated in the Galapagos Islands, Sao Tome & Principe, Libya and India.
(Image courtesy of SALMO)
Waves Group was engaged earlier this year to undertake a detailed assessment of one of the UK’s Second World War legacy wrecks. This largely intact wreck presented a pollution risk as she was a tanker carrying significant quantities of heavy oil in seven cargo tanks when she sank. The wreck lies some distance offshore in deep water, with low visibility and strong
currents making conditions challenging on site.
Intercargo
brand Marine Consultants
Within the bMC Group, PANDI Services J. & K. Brons announced that Fabian Schweigel will join as a joint managing director early in 2020. bMC says it has been making efforts to ensure that the services of PANDI “continue at the highest level” when Rolf Jurgen Hermes retires in February 2020.
Intercargo added that positive momentum has been aided by moderate new building supply which has not over-saturated the market.
Currently, managing directors Dennis Brand and Ajay Prasad, are in Spain and India respectively working at the instruction of IG P&I Clubs and the associated vessel owners.
“The excellent leadership of Rolf-Jurgen will be missed by the whole PANDI team but we wish him all the very best in his well-deserved retirement,” commented joint managing director Florian Block. “At the same time, having Fabian Schweigel join us is an excellent development.”
In the Review, Intercargo noted that the association’s membership has nearly doubled over the last three years and now represents at least 25% of the global dry bulk fleet offering a Quality Badge widely recognised by the industry.
Dennis Brand commented: “It’s been a brilliant and busy year for bMC. The number of projects we have taken on has doubled on last year. In the brief moments that I have to reflect, I’ve realised that the bMC team are doing a
In addition, bMC Singapore has welcomed Navin Mehtani to the team. Navin is a former chief engineer with a track record in ship management companies.
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Ardent update In the second half of 2019, Ardent provided urgent assistance to the FPSO CIDADE DO RIO DE JANEIRO, offshore Brazil. A multi-disciplinary team mobilised from several Ardent locations including Brazil, the Netherlands and Singapore. The offshore team assisted the client in disconnecting the FPSO from its mooring and riser systems and for towage to port. The onshore staff worked with the client and authorities to meet their requirements, and the FPSO arrived safely at Jurong Aracruz Shipyard in Brazil in late November. Elsewhere, a salvage and fire-fighting team from Singapore and the Netherlands assessed the STOLT GROENLAND and made her safe for further repair activities following an explosion and fire that had severely damaged the ship while alongside in Ulsan, Republic of Korea. Ardent said that environmental protection had been “a focal point” of several of its cases this year. The GRANDE AMERICA sinking was recognized by an industry panel with the receipt of this year’s Environmental Protection Award at the Salvage and Wreck conference in London in December. In the Americas, services were rendered to the cruise ship XPEDITION grounded on the environmentally sensitive Galapagos Islands. With the passengers evacuated, the re-floated vessel was successfully towed to Curacao for assessment and return to service. Further south, work with its partners Servicios Maritimos continued in Argentina including the refloating of the bulkers CL RIZHAO, KMARIN KEANA and CRYSTALIA on the river Parana, near Rosario.
Tsavliris operations In May, the bulk carrier ACHILLES II laden with about 63,000 tonnes of wheat was immobilised due to main engine breakdown about 75 miles SE of SW Pass Buoy in the Mississippi River in Louisiana, USA while enroute to Egypt. Tsavliris Salvage was engaged to provide salvage assistance and the AHT CROSBY ENTERPRISE was mobilised from Port Fourchon, Louisiana to the casualty. The tow was connected and the vessel was towed to Freeport, Bahamas. A few days later Tsavliris mobilised the AHT ALP Defender - 305 tonnes bollard pull - from Jamaica to tow the laden casualty from Freeport to Cadiz, Spain for repairs. Towage commenced on 29 May and the
Nippon Salvage deep water bunker removal In May 2019 Nippon Salvage Co extracted residual bunkers from the wrecked EASTERN AMBER - 4433 gross tonnes - which sank at a depth of 120m in the East China Sea south of Jeju Island in April 2015.
There was towage activity as well including the safe tow of the disabled general cargo ship SKY VITA into Lisbon, with Ardent’s partner tug SVITZER SINES. West of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, the Ardent operated ETV, IEVOLI BLACK of Marnavi, was tasked by the UK Maritime and Coastgurad Agency to give towage assistance to the disabled and drifting WILSON CORINTH. The ship was safely delivered alongside in Kirkwall, Orkneys.
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convoy arrived safely at its destination on 18 June, completing the operation successfully. In September, the bulk carrier NAVIOS CHRISTINE B - 58,058 tones dwt, but in ballast - was immobilised due to propeller damage south of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Tsavliris mobilised the AHT LANPAN 33 122 tonnes bollard pull - and the casualty was towed to Singapore to successfully complete the operation. In October the drilling ship YAN - 37,697 tonnes dwt - was handled outbound from Akaport Platygiali Astakos, Greece, by three Tsavliris tugs, the HERMES, PROTEAS and HERMES I.
Nippon used the newly adopted 300m saturation dive system after it was set up on the DP operated multi-purpose work barge KAISHIN. Nippon reported that the sinking position was open ocean where the sea conditions are very severe. Despite difficult conditions, the salvors eventually succeeded in extracting the bunker fuel from four tanks as planned.
Resolve - SOLOMON TRADER refloat
IUMI statistics
In February 2019, Resolve Marine Group was contracted to safely remove the SOLOMON TRADER which grounded on coral reefs in Kanagava Bay, Renell Islands, part of the Solomon Islands.
The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has released its 2019 statistical report – IUMI Stats. It is the second in a series of annual reports launched by IUMI last year.
The bulk carrier, loaded with over 10,000 tonnes of bauxite and an estimated 100 tonnes of fuel oil, ran aground on the environmentally sensitive UNESCO world heritage site known for its pristine beaches and endemic marine life. The SOLOMON TRADER salvage was further complicated when Cyclone Orma passed over the islands two-weeks after the initial grounding, causing fuel oil to leak. Due to the remote location, harsh weather, and limited local resources, Resolve’s teams mobilised strategic assets from the USA, Australia and Singapore with coordination teams located in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and Brisbane, Australia. The vessel was seriously compromised with the engine room and cargo holds fully flooded through tears in the hull up to four metres long. It presented a logistical,
engineering and environmental challenge that required careful coordination as engineers, working with the Solomon Islands government, prepared plans to lighter cargo and fuel, refloat the vessel, and conduct a thorough oil spill clean-up. While salvors worked on the stranded vessel, oil response crews deployed nearly 12,000 feet of oil boom along with sausage boom and absorbent pads. These were supplemented by OSRV carrying out skimming operations on the Tigoa and Onegoa beaches. Local people assisted, collecting waste and helping with manual beach clean-up removing oily sands, debris, and buried oil. More than 400 oil-coated wooden logs were cleaned, milled, and reused as wastewater and fuel oil were disposed of in an environmentally appropriate way. Resolve successfully refloated the vessel and carried out the necessary repairs enabling her safe movement to deeper water for towage to Singapore.
Global marine insurance premiums totalled $US 28.9 billion in 2018 - a 1% increase on the previous figures. According to IUMI, the numbers suggest that, in general, the marine insurance markets appear to have “bottomed-out”, with many markets reporting changing underwriting conditions. However it said the prospect of any real market improvement to 2019 results remains “uncertain”. By line of business globally, the hull market represented 24 % of total premium income; transport /cargo was 57%; marine liability (other than IG P&I) was 7% and offshore/ energy 12%. Geographically, Europe accounted for 46% of income; Asia/Pacific 31%; Latin America 10%; North America 6% and other regions 6%. IUMI noted there are many uncertainties which have an impact on global trade including national policies, geopolitical tensions and the oil price which makes the future of marine insurance market improvement equally uncertain. IUMI further reported that the return of major losses and the increasing accumulation of risk, both onboard ships and ashore, is impacting various lines of business. A steadying of the oil price is encouraging offshore reactivation but this is bringing its own challenges. IUMI said fires on containerships are a growing concern for hull and cargo underwriters. Philip Graham, Chair of IUMI’s Facts & Figures Committee explains: “Understanding the changing market in which we operate is vital if we, as underwriters, are to continue to deliver high levels of service to our clients. We include statistics from our partners as well as our own data and marry these with analysis and opinion. Taken together, we believe IUMI Stats presents a comprehensive, yet easily digestible, insight into our market.” The full report is available to download from IUMI’s website: https://iumi.com/statistics
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Salvage and Wreck Conference, London, 2019 ISU President, Richard Janssen, gave the opening address at the major Salvage and Wreck Conference in London in December. Mr Janssen focussed his remarks on the outcome of the ISU’s professionally conducted market opinion survey (see story Page 1). The results were encouraging and confirmed that ISU was pursuing the right strategy in its “re-positioning” of the salvage industry. “These are strong results which suggest the ISU is preforming well and is well regarded. But of course, we must guard against complacency and there is always more that can be done to improve, “ said Mr Janssen. The ISU President went on to say that ISU needs to increase its representation and engagement with key stakeholders in the wider shipping industry and in particular with owners and the insurance sector and wider society given the importance of environmental issues.
Mr Janssen said: “Zero tolerance of large marine spills has been established for some time but we have yet to see the reaction to a major incident in this era of Extinction Rebellion. The adverse public reaction to the next big spill will, I believe, be huge. And I do not think that our industry has been a strong enough advocate for the great environmental benefit provided by the salvors.” Elsewhere at the conference, Southampton Solent University academic, Nicola PryceRoberts, gave a presentation in which she said that, using standard business analysis, she could confidently state that the salvage industry was in the “decline phase” of a typical business sector trajectory, but this did not apply to all providers. Reacting to Ms Pryce-Robert’s views, George Tsavliris, principal of the Tsavliris Salvage Group, said that the “decline” was “only the end of the beginning”. He added that salvors salvors should “not panic” but should demonstrate the qualities of “patience, perseverance and passion and endure the long term to survive”.
Richard Janssen, ISU President
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Interviewed on stage, President of the International Union of Marine Insurance, Richard Turner of RSA said that insurers and salvors have a “lot in common” and their “interests are aligned” although there was also “healthy tension”. He noted that in past decades there had been several “game changers” in marine insurance. It included catastrophic loss of large bulkers, shipyard fires and now containership fires were the “number one” concern. Delegates were also updated by Richard Gunn on the changes that will be incorporated into the new edition of Lloyd’s Open Form (LOF), to be known as LOF 2020. A panel of experts, including ISU President, Richard Janssen, and Executive Committee member, Leendert Muller, addressed major containership casualties and as part of the salvage awards, former ISU general manager, Mark Hoddinott, was presented with a lifetime achievement award. Below left, Richard Janssen, ISU President. Below right, (L-R) Mark Hoddinott, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. Jeroen Mooij of Ardent receiving the Rising Star Award on behalf of colleague Pieter van den Sanden. Oliver Timofei of Ardent receiving the Environmental Protection and Salvage Award.
Smit round up The general cargo vessel RHODANUS - 2950 tonnes dwt - ran aground on the southern part of Corsica, France. The casualty, laden with hot coiled steel rolls, ended up on a rocky beach in the Bonifacio Nature Reserve. The authorities were concerned about pollution and damage assessments revealed water ingress in the fore peak tank but the ship’s pump managed to maintain the level. Divers from the French Navy later patched and sealed two cracks. Smit’s long-time partner Les Abeilles (Bourbon) of France provided their AHTS JASON which was quickly mobilised to site. Some 40 tonnes of diesel oil was pumped ashore before the refloating operation. The French authorities approved the salvage
VIKING SKY report The cruise liner VIKING SKY came within a ship’s length of grounding off the Norwegian coast, having passed over, or in immediate proximity to, 10 metre rocky shoals, before propulsion was re-established in March 2019, according to the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board interim report into the incident. On 23 March 2019 VIKING SKY, owned by Viking Ocean Cruises with technical management provided by Wilhelmsen Ship Management, was sailing in the Hustadvika area of the Norwegian Coast on the last of six “Northern Lights cruises”. In the early morning, 18 lubricating oil low level and low volume alarms were registered by the operational diesel generators. Each alarm was accepted and cleared within a few seconds. Weather conditions in the area were strong gale to storm force winds coming from the southwest and a wave height over deep water of 9-10 metres.
plan and JASON was positioned at the casualty’s stern and the onboard SMIT-Les Abeilles salvage team rigged the towage connection. To achieve maximum trim, water ballast tanks in the aft of the casualty were filled. The casualty was pulled free from the rocks with a slowly increasing force. Further stabilisation work was carried out when the casualty was anchored in the Golfe de Sant’ Amanza and the vessel was then towed to the port of Fos sur Mer where the owners took re-delivery. In Singapore, Smit received a call from the tanker HOYU which was on fire and needed immediate assistance. The crew had already abandoned the vessel and there was no information about the nature of the fire and the condition of the casualty which was last reported east of Singapore close to the Horsburgh Lighthouse.
owners jointly with Nippon Salvage and were quickly contracted under a LOF. The salvors dispatched two of their in-house owned fifi tugs along with a specialized salvage team. The first asset was on site within an hour of the notification of the casualty and commenced firefighting. The second tug and salvage team followed a few hours later. The fire was brought under control the same day and was confined to the accommodation block. The following day the salvage team was able to board the vessel and extinguished the remaining hotspots, after which the fire was reported out. Smit said part of its success is the ability to work with partners sometimes over decades and that these two cases demonstrate its close cooperation with Nippon Salvage and Les Abeilles.
SMIT Salvage offered services to the
pressure and sump levels caused three of the diesel generators to shut down causing a complete blackout and loss of propulsion. Mayday was called at 1400 and the crew dropped both anchors but these did not hold and the vessel continued to drift astern towards shore at a rate of 6-7 knots. On receipt of the mayday, Southern Norway Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) launched a major rescue operation and started scrambling resources, including helicopters, on a large scale. The emergency diesel generator came online 30 seconds after the blackout and powered the emergency switchboard. The engineers were then able to transfer some lube oil to the sump tanks of the three operational diesel generators. By 1434, both the port and starboard propulsion engines were successfully restarted and VIKING SKY was able to maintain slow speed ahead. The first helicopter arrived at approximately 1500 and the evacuation of passengers began and continued until the next morning.
Between 1330 and 1400 low lube oil 9
The first tug arrived at 1640 but adverse weather conditions meant that a towline could not be secured until 0630 the following morning. At approximately 0915 the master decided that the vessel was out of danger and that it was safe to stop the evacuation of the passengers. 479 of the ship’s 915 passengers had been taken off. The initial findings of the investigation are that the lubricating oil sump tanks of all the diesel generators were maintained at 28% - 40% capacity. The manufacturer of the generators, recommends that the generators should be maintained at 68% - 75% capacity. Additionally, it was found that the diesel generators shut down as a result of the loss of lubricating oil suction due to low sump tank levels, combined with pitching and rolling. The report recommends that engine lubricating oil tank levels should be maintained in accordance with engine manufacturer’s instructions and topped up in the event of poor weather being forecast.
Norwegian frigate salvaged One of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s top frigates has been successfully salvaged by BOA following a collision with an oil tanker in Hjeltefjorden, on the west coast of Norway. The collision between the frigate, HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD, and the tanker, SOLA TS, occurred in November 2018 and left the frigate substantially damaged on the starboard side. Eight people sustained minor injuries and 137 were evacuated from the warship. The frigate was grounded on the western shore of the fjord and was secured with steel wires. The Norwegian Royal Navy contacted BOA to develop a salvage plan and conduct a salvage operation. The CEO of BOA, Helge Kvalvik, explained that the salvage plan comprised four main steps: “The first step was to secure HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD to shore, to avoid further sinking. Step two was to remove fuel onboard and at the same time prepare the frigate for lifting by placing and securing lifting chains around the hull. The third step was the actual lifting, dewatering and loading onboard BOABARGE 33 and the final step involved the transport and redelivery to the owners.” BOA was supported at the different stages of the salvage plan by additional contracted partners. SubseaPartner was contracted
for fuel removal and subsea works. IMC Diving AS and Hjorteseth Shipping AS supported lifting and securing operations and Semco Maritime AS and Kranringen AS were contracted for the facilities and services required at Hanøytangen dry dock. BOA also contracted the two heavy lift vessels RAMBIZ (3300 tonnes capacity) and GULLIVER (4000 tonne capacity), which are owned and operated by ISU member Scaldis, for the lift. Despite a series of delays caused by dangerous weather conditions, in early 2019 the frigate was successfully lifted off the bottom and righted to zero trim and zero list. The frigate was then moved to the Hanøytangen dry dock so that the
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remaining operations could take place in a safe and sheltered environment. Following the final salvage operations, HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD was loaded on to BOABARGE 33 and then both the barge and ship were towed by the BOA BALDER to the Norwegian Navy Base at Haakonsvern and redelivered to her owners on 3 March 2019. Commenting on the scope and challenge of the salvage operation, Helge Kvalvik said: “An operation like this has never previously been executed. It has been complex and challenging, but we managed to do what we promised. We are pleased to see HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD given back to her owner.”
International Monitor Greece The Greek authorities have issued tender documents inviting bids for the complete removal of the wreck of the SEA DIAMOND from the waters off Thira Island. If follows assessment that the wreck is an ongoing environmental hazard with leaking of hydrocarbons and other impacts on the marine environment from deterioration of the wreck The tender closes on 20 January 2020 with bids to be opened the following day. The authorities have stated a sum of Euros 350,000,000 plus VAT at 24% for the complete works. Sulphur cap All parts of the shipping industry are waiting with heightened interest for the introduction of reduced sulphur fuels in 2020. As well as the economics and logistics of the worldwide introduction of different fuels, is the important issue of safety.
some 1,000 vessels’ engines were allegedly damaged after taking on contaminated fuel. All fuel oil for combustion purposes on a ship must meet required fuel oil quality standards, as set out in IMO MARPOL Annex VI (regulation 18.3). For example, the fuel oil must not include any added substance or chemical waste that jeopardizes the safety of ships or adversely affects the performance of the machinery. Polar operations Maritime trade between Arctic destinations and the rest of the world is expected to expand and an increasing number of ships are now undertaking voyages in polar waters. Technical developments in ship design and equipment continue to facilitate more and more ship operations in remote polar areas, despite challenging and unpredictable sea and weather conditions.
Engine manufacturers and flag states have published information for owners to try to mitigate the risks. The issue is being judged against a mass bunker contamination case from 2018 in which
The purpose of the new Guidelines is to provide the means for shipping companies and Masters to develop a comprehensive PWOM for the needs of their individual ships. Topics addressed include: identifying hazards; understanding operational limitations; updating procedures; upgrading equipment and systems; understanding relevant legislation and ensuring that the results of assessments are fully addressed in the PWOM. Available free of charge, the ICS/OCIMF Guidelines can be downloaded from the ICS and OCIMF websites and the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum (ASBPIF) web portal.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority continues the process to clean-up containers lost overboard from the YM EFFICIENCY with a tender for salvage operations. In December AMSA reported that the tender process was ongoing.
Speaking at December’s Salvage and Wreck Conference, George Tsavliris, principal of the Tsavliris Salvage Group said: “All hell’s going to break loose with ships going aground because of a lack of control due to engine breakdown.”
Separately, hull and machinery underwriters are braced for a rise in machinery claims if the introduction of untested but compliant low sulphur fuel causes damage to ships’ engines.
In extreme conditions, and especially in ice, the way in which a ship is operated is critical for safety and environmental protection.
Australia
The introduction of new fuels could see the possibility that marine salvors - the members of the ISU - will be called into action if a spate of immobilisations due to engine damage occurs.
The International Maritime Organisation has said that issues related to new blends of fuel oil, if not managed appropriately, could lead to compatibility and stability issues. IMO has issued guidance on best practice for fuel oil suppliers. It is intended to assist fuel oil purchasers and users in assuring the quality of fuel oil delivered to and used on board ships, with respect to both compliance with the MARPOL requirements and the safe and efficient operation of the ship.
help shipping companies to develop an appropriate PWOM.
Once a salvage operator has been contracted, AMSA said it will hold information sessions with local communities to consult on how the operation will be conducted. It is anticipated that the salvage operation will start early 2020. The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), adopted by the International Maritime Organization, requires shipping companies intending to operate in polar waters to develop a Polar Water Operational Manual (PWOM) in order for their ships to be issued with a Polar Ship Certificate. New joint guidelines from the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) aim to support shipping companies by providing advice on how to develop a PWOM that best suits their needs. Appendix II of the IMO Polar Code already provides a model PWOM. ICS and OCIMF have recognised that additional guidance is necessary to 11
AMSA said it intends to pursue the recovery of all costs associated with the clean-up from Yang Ming and their insurers.
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Salvage World is produced by the International Salvage Union. For general enquiries contact: ISU, Holland House 1-4 Bury Street London EC3A 5AW Tel: +44 20 7220 6597 Email: ISU@marine-salvage.com