9 minute read
How COVID-19 is affecting shipbuilding
COVID-19
HOW CORONAVIRUS IS AFFECTING SHIPBUILDING
THE CORONAVIRUS HAS CAUSED MAYHEM AROUND THE WORLD AND IT HAS BEEN NO DIFFERENT FOR THE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY, WITH SHIPYARDS SUSPENDING OR ADAPTING ACTIVITIES AND TRADE FAIRS POSTPONED OR EVEN CANCELLED. A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19.
At the start of 2020, the shipbuilding industry seemed healthier than it had in years and the outlook was positive. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The world screeched to a halt. Shipbuilding companies and suppliers around the world had to adapt their working schedules and practices in line with the restrictions put in place by their government. Shipyard Fincantieri in hard-hit Italy had to completely suspend activities from 12 March 2020. The company announced in a statement: “Following the coronavirus emergency and in order to apply the measures that the Italian Government has gradually determined, Fincantieri has promptly carried out a series of actions aimed at preventing and countering the chance of infections in its shipyards. In line with this, Fincantieri considers its key priorities the protection of its personnel and subcontractors, as well as meeting the current needs of our country. For this reason, the company decided to suspend production activities at the Italian sites of Fincantieri.” The initial lockdown in Italy was supposed to end on March 26 but was extended, although restrictions eased a little mid-April.
Social distancing at work Shipbuilding companies with yards or production companies in China were the first to close down, including those operated by shipbuilder Damen. The four Chinese yards are however now fully operational again. Operations in the Netherlands have continued with minimal interruptions. Both Damen and Amels have taken steps to implement social distancing at work, while production shifts have also been introduced to reduce contact to a minimum. Managing Director Rose Damen emphasised that the yards remain open for business. “During these times, we retain our focus on the projects we are currently working on for our clients, while simultaneously working hard to minimise the impact and spread of the virus,” she stated. Dutch shipyard Niestern Sander has also taken steps for a safe continuation of business. It followed the Dutch government’s advice and the guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Environment (RIVM). In a statement, the company clarifies it >>
Synergy Group crew are briefed on coronavirus preparations before arrival at the port.
Tanker vessel Ternvag approaching the Port of Gothenburg Energy Port. The port’s practices regarding vessel calls have been adjusted to avoid the effects of the virus.
Photo courtesy of Fincantieri.
The North-Italian shipyard Monfalcone was one of four Fincantieri yards that had to suspend activities following the coronavirus lockdown.
Photo courtesy of Synergy Group.
Synergy’s seafarers are fully trained on coronavirus avoidance measures.
“has minimised the number of people per room to ensure a distance of at least 1.5m from each other. We have instructed our shipbuilding and ship repair crews not to board ships and accommodations if this is not strictly necessary, and we have set up one-way traffic as much as possible on routes, entrances, and exits of ships and in halls. Office staff has been facilitated as much as possible to work from home.”
Remote assistance The COVID-19 crisis is motivating companies to find creative solutions. Technology specialist ABB has increased the availability of technical service teams to offer remote assistance to vessels where on-site visits are not an option. Key to this approach is an integrated global network of centres and services that can take care of the full scope of ABB systems onboard vessels from afar. ABB experts monitor onboard systems, coordinate equipment diagnostics, and offer maintenance services 24/7 from eight ABB Ability Collaborative Operations Centres around the globe. Furthermore, responding to customer requests, ABB has introduced a basic level solution that enables secure access to onboard systems from ashore and enhanced digital support for crews. “We are taking all possible steps to help our customers through this challenging period. Providing 24/7 care to ships sailing around the w orld with onboard and remote services is an integral part of our ‘Electric. Digital. Connected.’ approach”, explained Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB Marine & Ports. “We are committed to assisting vessels globally, whilst putting the health and wellbeing of our employees, customers and partners first.”
Recertifications The corona crisis also has consequences for people needing to get recertified. With many countries in lockdown and strict travel restrictions in place, most face-to-face seafarer training has been suspended. Some flag administrations have responded by granting automatic three-month extensions to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Certificates that seafarers must update every five years. Viking Safety Academy has designed a unique training setup so that seafarers can undergo training for a full certificate renewal, even while the crisis persists. Viking Safety Academy has worked with Estonia’s Reval Safety Training to offer STCW refresher training on an e-learning basis for Estonian seafarers. The training set-up includes Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, Fast Rescue Boats, and Advanced Fire Fighting. “Seafarers can now use e-learning to train and renew certificates during these extraordinary times and maintain proof of competence,” says Camilla Runge Nissen, Viking Safety Academy Product Manager, Training. “They can secure a longer, sixmonth extension and can make good use of the time for getting ahead in the compliance process.”
ABB has increased remote support for ships to help customers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Photo courtesy of ABB.
Once the seafarers have completed the e-learning course, whether onboard or at home, they are given a provisional STCW certificate extension. Should conditions allow, seafarers can visit a Reval Safety Training centre during the six-month period for classroom/practical training and secure a five-year Certificate of Proficiency or complete the training once the crisis passes. While the STCW certificates extension based on e-learning is as of yet only available to Estonian residents, the course could easily be extended to other flag states, says Ms Nissen. “All elements of the temporary package have been approved by the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), we are already talking to other flag states and we can quickly roll this out.”
Trade fairs postponed Whilst many activities can be performed remotely or from home, the same cannot be said for trade fairs. The many events scheduled for the first half of 2020 have had
to either change their dates or cancel their 2020 editions altogether. International shipping exhibition Posidonia was originally scheduled for the start of June, but organisers have postponed the event to 26 - 30 October 2020 at the Athens Metropolitan Expo, together with all related Posidonia sports events and conferences. In a statement, organisers explained that the decision was made because of “the uncertainty currently surrounding our original dates, the international character of Posidonia, and the pressure our exhibitors and visitors are under in actioning now their travel and logistical arrangements as well as the shipment of their exhibits. We have taken this step in consultation with Posidonia’s Supporting Organisations who have confirmed their agreement and support for the October dates.”
Bigger and better next year Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo in Amsterdam initially announced it would be
postponing its event from June to the last weekend of October. Organisers only afterwards realised that they had inadvertently picked the same weekend as Posidonia. “Neither our Greek friends nor us could have possibly known that we had chosen the same alternative dates within hours of each other”, stated Managing Director Graham Johnson. “Event Directors Oliver Taylor, Michael Blackhurst, and I have since spent a great deal of time deciding what is the best solution, not just for Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo, but for the industry as a whole. We are aware that thanks to COVID-19 and the rescheduling of shows, the industry now faces the prospect of attending almost a year’s worth of shows in just three months between September and the end of November.” As a result, the organisers decided to cancel this year’s event, but promised it would return “on 22 - 24 June next year, bigger and better than ever”. >>
Many trade events scheduled for the first half of 2020, including Posidonia, have been postponed until later in the year or even until 2021.
Photo courtesy of Posidonia.
IMO SecretaryGeneral Kitack Lim.
Photo courtesy of IMO.
Rescheduled or cancelled Seawork International and the Marine and Coastal Civil Engineering Expo (M&CCE Expo), due to be held from 9 - 11 June, have also been postponed. At the time of going to print, no new dates had been announced. Both the Autonomous Ship Technology Symposium 2020 and Europort Romania have been cancelled for 2020. The symposium will return next year from 22 - 24 June 2021, while Europort Romania has been rescheduled for 18-20 May 2021. Europort Exhibition Manager Raymond Siliakus stated that the organisation had closely monitored the developments prior to taking the decision to postpone. “It is still hard to predict how the COVID-19 virus will develop over the next months and how soon life and business can turn to recovery. Based on the current information and after careful consultation, we have therefore decided to reschedule Europort Romania to 18-20 May 2021.”
In this together The International Maritime Organisation is keeping a close eye on developments worldwide. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim commented that the spread of the coronavirus has placed the entire world in an unprecedented situation. “In these difficult times, the ability for shipping services and seafarers to deliver vital goods, including medical supplies and foodstuffs,
will be central to responding to, and eventually overcoming, this pandemic. He added, “It is, therefore, crucially important that the flow of commerce by sea should not be unnecessarily disrupted. At the same time, the safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment must also remain paramount.” Mr Lim urged a practical and pragmatic approach to issues like crew changeovers, resupply, repairs, survey, and certification and licensing of seafarers. Together with the World Health Organisation, IMO has been developing and issuing practical advice and guidance on a variety of technical and operational matters related to the coronavirus. Visit www.imo.org for the most up-to-date information. “I will personally be initiating a series of meetings and consultations with leaders from shipping, ports, and other key-related sectors, so that we can all better understand the issues being faced and develop sensible, practical and unified solutions”, concludes Mr Lim. “I have spoken many times of our ‘voyage together’. Never has the spirit of these words been more important than it is now.”
8IFOZPVþSFPOCPBSEBTIJQUSBWFMMJOHUIF4FWFO4FBT UIFSFþTPOFUIJOHZPVMJLFUPQVUZPVSUSVTUJOXIFOJUDPNFT UPTBGFUZ.BEFJO(FSNBOZ'PSUIFDPOTUSVDUJPOPGUIF4FSFOBEFPGUIF4FBT UIF.FZFS8FSGUTIJQZBSEDIPTFUIF XPSMEMFBEFSJONFUBMQSFTTDPOOFDUJOHTZTUFNTXJUI犔STUDMBTTRVBMJUZ7JFHB0WFSLNPG1SP犔QSFTTDPQQFS QJQJOHTZTUFN DPNCJOFEXJUI4FBQSFTTQSFTT犔UUJOHTNBEFGSPN$V/J'F FOTVSFUIBUBMMTVQQMJFTXPSLQFSGFDUMZ FWFOJOUIFDIPQQJFTUPGXBUFST 7JFHB$POOFDUFEJORVBMJUZ
