The Baltic - Summer 2010

Page 1

the Baltic

the

JUNE 2010

What can be done about piracy? T h e O f f i c i a l M a g a z i ne o f t h e B a l t i c E x c h a n g e

JUNE 2010


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the

BALTIC The Baltic is the official magazine of the Baltic Exchange Tel: +44 (0) 20 7623 5501 E-mail: enquiries@balticexchange.com Website: www.balticexchange.com

Publisher

W H Robinson

editor

Lucy Budd The Baltic is published for the Baltic Exchange by Maritime Media (a division of Roxby Media Ltd) The Diary House, Rickett Street London SW6 1RU Tel: +44 (0) 20 7386 6100 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7381 8890 E-mail: inbox@mar-media.com The Baltic annual subscription rates £110 for UK, Europe or the world, sent airmail including P&P

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7386 6120 E-mail: lucy.budd@mar-media.com

SALES manager

David Scott E-mail: david.scott@mar-media.com

DESIGNER

Keith Clark ISSN 0967-0394 This publication is printed on PEFC certified paper. PEFC Council is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation which promotes sustainable forest management through independent third party forest certification.

The Baltic is published on behalf of the Baltic Exchange

the Baltic

and is supplied to members as part of their annual

the

membership package. However, the views expressed in The Baltic are not those of the Baltic Exchange, its directors, its officers or the publishers unless expressly stated to be such. The Baltic Exchange is the world’s premier and oldest international shipping market. Most of the world’s open market bulk cargo chartering is negotiated at some stage by Baltic members who represent leading international companies. Other activities include the world’s most important market for buying and selling ships, specialist freight by air and commodity dealing. The Baltic Exchange operates a

JUNE 2010

What can be done about piracy?

strict code of business ethics encapsulated in its motto ‘Our Word Our Bond’. The Baltic Exchange disclaims any responsibility for the advertisements contained in this magazine and has no legal responsibility to

T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F T H E B A LT I C E X C H A N G E

JUNE 2010

deal with them. The responsibility rests solely with the publisher.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

1



Contents Chairman’s statement 7 Mark Jackson Baltic briefing  7

8 Baltic enhances Greek services 9 Global Freight Derivatives Forum 10 Baltic cricket team to take on Lashings World XI 11 Baltic Irish Dinner

10

12 Baltic Chairman’s Cocktail Party 14 The view from above 15 Passing the Port 16 Sporting contacts

17

Logbook 17 Gallic eccentricities Industry News 20 People, places, plcs

23

Baltic comment 23 Michael Grey State of the market 26 Tankers

26

32 S&P 33 BIMCO 37 Offshore 39 Dry bulk 41 Towage & salvage

37

45 Shipmanagement, crewing and education theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

3


See more. POMAX lets you see more opportunities for profit in freight forwarding and other derivatives. It gives you all of the functionality of a “Big Bang” solution—but you’ll have it up and running in weeks, not years. Details at www.navita.com

First-tier functionality, right out of the box.


Contents Oxford Analytica 54 Iron ore exporters gain clout FFA   54

56 Looking forward Marine security 62 Policing the seas Environment

62

76 Achieving efficiency Shipbuilding and repair 90 Strike while the iron is hot Cargo focus 95 Breakbulk

76

Geographical focus 100 Canada Port Focus 104 Gothenburg   95

Legal news 108 Legally speaking Insurance 109 Insurance parlance

100

110 Insurance ITIC 112 Commercial profiles 124 Events

105

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

5


Reducing risk across the world’s freight routes

With over 80% of cleared dry FFA transactions and around 25% of cleared wet freight transactions, LCH.Clearnet is the world’s leading clearing house for freight. We’re also the only one with OTC default experience. Our OTC Freight service covers the most actively traded routes – twelve dry and eight wet – and is open to all brokers who are members of the Forward Freight Agreement Brokers Association. We also clear fertilizers, iron ore and emissions. Operators in all these marketplaces – the chartering companies, ship owners and trading companies – are increasingly keen to manage their risk through cleared trading opportunities. The stability and security of the LCH.Clearnet default fund makes clearing through us an attractive proposition. Find out more at www.lchclearnet.com

COMMODITIES | EQUITY & FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES | ENERGY | FIXED INCOME | FREIGHT | SECURITIES | INTEREST RATE SWAPS


Chairman’s message Mark Jackson

Chairman’s message T

he announcement that the Baltic Exchange is to set up a central screen – BaltEx – for dry freight derivative trading by the end of the year will have

taken few in the derivatives markets by surprise. The project was put in motion last year after the Oslo forum, where there was agreement from the FMIUG and the FFABA that a Baltic Exchange centered solution should be found. A submission for Multilateral Trading Facility status with the UK’s Financial Services Authority has been made, and we expect to have the screen up and running before the end of 2010. BaltEx will be run by a subsidiary company of the Baltic Tradewinds

Exchange – Baltic Exchange Derivatives Ltd. The background to this move has been both a change in the regulatory tone from financial regulators around the world in the wake of the 2008 financial market crash, and loud calls

Mark Jackson

from the users of freight derivatives for a system which allows trades to be entered anonymously

standard trades, but also continuing to develop

Sun Wei, our first Chinese speaking staff

and facilitates a simple straight through clearing

more sophisticated off-screen trades.

member, and Maria Tierris, who is our new

process to multiple clearers.

The Baltic Exchange Board is fully committed

representative in Athens.

Change is coming to the derivatives markets

to this project and we are convinced that this

Serving our members well also includes

and a Baltic Exchange solution ensures that the

is an important step for the Baltic to be taking

our role in binding together the social fabric of

shipping market retains control of this sector,

to enable the continuing evolution of the freight

the marketplace with get togethers such as

and that the style and characteristics of the

derivatives market. BaltEx is not designed to

the Chairman’s Cocktail Party (see page 11

successful freight derivatives market are retained

generate huge returns, but as a service for

for photos) and the Young Baltic Association

at a time of change. We are convinced that

members which will help develop the freight

evenings. The Baltic encourages the networking

if we fail to act now, change will be forced

derivatives marketplace.

provided by the various Baltic Exchange sports

Of course, many of the nearly 600 companies

clubs and gives financial support, services and

BaltEx will help improve liquidity in FFA

in Baltic Exchange membership currently have no

help in promoting events. The Cricket Club is

trading volumes by making it easier for existing

direct involvement in the paper markets and will

holding a big charity day, with a match against

traders to trade standardised contracts as well

not be directly affected by this announcement.

Lashings in July. And this year has seen a

as potentially opening up the market to other

We continue to provide our members both

Cycling Club founded and the re-emergence of

players who have to date stood on the sidelines.

in the UK and overseas with a wide range

the Go-Kart Club. In Singapore we have 5-a-side

The concept presents a unique opportunity for

of services. Our disputes resolution service

football league and are always looking to help

all freight derivatives stakeholders to benefit from

and advice for companies fixing vessels with

members develop contacts. I continue to believe

faster execution, a more efficient transmission to

new counterparties continues to be in strong

that the Baltic Exchange plays a crucial role at

clearing and the inclusion of market participants,

demand. Our market reports, indices and route

the heart of the shipping market place, bringing

large and small, as well as high supervisory

assessments are used across the physical as

together and defending competing interests as

and compliance standards. Our goal is to not

well as paper markets.

well as providing services to an international and

on the market.

disintermediate brokers. The FFA broker will

Building on the opening of a Singapore

continue to play a central role, both executing

office three years ago, we have now recruited

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

growing membership base.

7


Baltic briefing

Baltic enhances Greek services T

he

Baltic

Exchange

has

opened

a

representative office in Athens, headed by

qualified lawyer and former P&I club executive Maria Tierris. The Baltic has a growing number of Greece-based member companies in and around Athens and the new office will provide these members with local support as well as help increase the Baltic’s profile in the region. “I hope to help increase awareness of the benefits of membership to Greek shipping companies,” said Tierris. “The Baltic Exchange offers its members the security of doing business in an environment where counterparts have been

Maria Tierris

approved by other members of the Exchange.” Baltic Exchange chief executive Jeremy Penn said: “The Greek market has always been a

in Athens, we will be able to offer the Baltic’s

assistance with physical market commercial

knowledge and expertise locally.”

disputes. As well as its informal mediation

hugely important one to the Baltic Exchange and

The Baltic’s services include a huge range

service, the Baltic can also provide advice to

it is one which we hope to build on by expanding

of physical and derivative freight market

members unsure about a potential counterparty.

our services in Greece. By having a legally

information, including route assessments, fixture

qualified Greek national available to members

lists and forward curves. The Baltic also provides

Baltic appoints new head of marketing F

Check before fixing T

the Baltic Exchange. Responsible for growing

scheme, member companies are able to report

ormer BP and International Petroleum Exchange executive Jackie Bullimore has

been appointed as the head of marketing at

he Baltic has a successful record in dealing with defaulting counterparties through a

posting system. Under the long-established

the Baltic Exchange’s membership and revenue

market participants who contravene the Baltic

base and reinforcing the Baltic’s role at the heart

Code. All member companies are encouraged

of the freight derivatives market, she is based

to check with the Baltic Exchange before dealing

in London.

with a company with whom they have no

Baltic Exchange chief executive Jeremy Penn

previous experience.

said: “We are delighted that Jackie has joined

The Baltic mediates informally on behalf of

the team. She has many years of experience

members to help recover unpaid commissions,

in the oil markets, but will be focused on all

demurrage claims and unhonoured arbitration

aspects of the shipping markets. Her range of

awards. It also maintains a database of

experience and contacts will be of great benefit

companies with whom Baltic members have

to the Baltic Exchange.”

had difficulties in the past. This service covers

She replaces Janet Sykes who has joined

both physical market and freight derivative

Clarksons.

disputes. All this information is available to Baltic Exchange members.

E-mail: jbullimore@balticexchange.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7369 1637

A full listing can be found in the members-only Jackie Bullimore

8

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

area of www.balticexchange.com


Baltic briefing

Global Freight Derivatives Forum: Shanghai, 16 September T

New Baltic Exchange companies

he 2010 Baltic & FFABA Global Freight

and sees traders and brokers from across the

Derivatives

on

world meet to discuss the development of the

16 September in Westin Bund Centre, Shanghai.

industry. Recognising the importance of China

The half day forum will comprise of keynote

and the region to the continued growth and

speeches from leading market practitioners and

development of price risk management tools

The Baltic is delighted to welcome the

panel discussions considering topics such as

for the freight industry, we are delighted to be

following companies into membership

the interaction between the iron ore swaps and

holding our event here.”

Forum

will

be

held

FFA markets, the priorities for FFA market partic-

Sponsored by the Baltic Exchange and the

ipants globally and the development of the FFA

FFA Brokers Association, attendance at the

market in the Asia-Pacific region in particular.

event is free for Baltic Exchange members and

Baltic Exchange chief executive Jeremy Penn

invited guests.

said: “Whilst we have run numerous events in China before, this is the first time that our

See www.balticexchange.com/shanghai2010

Global Freight Derivatives Forum has been held

for programme and booking details.

in China. The event is a key one for the industry

Director appointments 2010 C

Cerrito 1186, Piso 7, Capital Federal, Argentina Tel: +54 11 5237 1000 E-mail: atlantic@atlantic-chart.com.ar

Century Chartering Ltd 6th Floor, Kanda-Takeo Building, 3-12-10, Kanda-Nishikicho, Japan Tel: +81 3 5280 7777 E-mail: century@ccljp.co.jp

Cleartrade Exchange Pte Ltd

olm Nolan of Agelef Shipping and Quentin

shareholder directors. Colm Nolan replaces

Soanes have been elected and re-elected

Michael McClure who steps down at the July

respectively to the Baltic Exchange board as

Atlantic Chartering SA

Annual General Meeting.

1 Robinson Road, #18-00 Aia Tower 048542 Singapore Tel: +65 6535 1944 E-mail: info@thecleartrade.com

EnBW Trading GmbH

Visit the Baltic at Posidonia T

he Baltic will be exhibiting at the Posidonia

Sadly departed The Baltic regrets to report the passing of the following Baltic Exchange members:

tradeshow this June and members and oth-

ers interested in meeting a representative should come and see us. We will be found within the Maritime London lounge at stand number 280. Visitors will be able to have a demonstration of the Baltic’s online services as well a comprehensive overview of the organisation. Also on the stand will be representatives

Darrach Waterkeyn

Durlacher Allee 93, D-76131 Karlsruhe Germany Tel: +43 721 63 17522 E-mail: freight@enbw.com

G-Ports (UK) Ltd 1st Floor, 2 Lanhydrock Villas Kenwyn Road, TR1 3SH Tel: +44 7970 595517 E-mail: info@g-ports.com

KAMCO

Buries Markes for many years, he retired from

ASEM Tower, 159-1 Samseong-dong Gangnam-gu, South Korea Tel: +82 2 2103 600

membership in 1994.

Navigator Shipbrokers Ltd

John Pinder

1A St Vincent Avenue, Remvera, Auckland New Zealand Tel: +64 9 522 9645 E-mail: navigator@navship.co.nz

Mr Waterkeyn was first elected to the Baltic Exchange

in

1968.

Having

represented

from Heidenreich Innovations, the company

Members will learn with deep regret of the death

which operates the Baltic99.com website, run

of John M Pinder on 25 January 2010. Mr Pinder

in conjunction with the Baltic. The service is

was first elected to the Baltic Exchange in 1978

designed to improve accuracy and efficiency

and represented Lykiardopulo & Co (Chartering)

when dry bulk shipowners complete and

Ltd until in 1992 he became a retired member.

distribute vessel questionnaires to charterers and

R R Rate

c/o Nordea Bank Norge Middelthuns gate 17, Oslo, Norway Tel: +47 22 48 50 00

Mr Rate was first elected to the Baltic Exchange

Standard Chartered Bank

in 1969. He represented both Fafalios and F T

1 Basinghall Avenue London EC2V 5DD Tel: +44 20 7885 8888

port terminals. The website allows for automatic completion by linking over 100 of the currently required questionnaires to a common database. In addition, the website allows the user to search the database for specific information about each vessel and to easily keep track of certificate dates.

Everard during his membership, retiring in 1982.

Bob Maddox

Nordea Bank Finland Plc

Mr Maddox was first elected to the Baltic

Trayport Ltd

Exchange in 1955, representing William Shyvers

4th Floor, Rose Court 2 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HS Tel: +44 20 7960 5500

for many years until he became a retired member in 1990.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

9


Baltic briefing

Baltic cricket team to take on Lashings World XI 11 brave Baltic Exchange cricketers will

He added: “The club even boasts its own

have the chance to take on the Harlem

Test cricketer Jack Richards who kept wicket for

Globetrotters of world cricket, the Lashings

England in the Ashes winning team of 1986/7,

World XI, in a charity Twenty20 match at the

and we remain hopeful of another Elvis Presley-

Honourable Artillery Club’s (HAC) ground in the

style comeback for the event!”

Three Peaks Challenge

The afternoon presents a unique opportunity

City of London on Friday 23 July. The Lashings team, which is celebrating

for over 300 of London’s shipbrokers, charterers,

West Indian legend Richie Richardson’s benefit

traders and owners to rub shoulders with

year, will have a distinctly Caribbean flavour. The

these cricketing celebrities before the match

team features the pace duo Curtly Ambrose

in the Prince Consort rooms of the HAC at a

and Courtney Walsh as well as Viv Richards,

champagne reception. This is followed by a

Gordon Greenidge and even the great Brian

three course luncheon, a charity auction and

Lara, who is currently considering a comeback to

Twenty20 match. The day is hosted by Test

county cricket with Surrey. Other regulars include

Match Special’s unmistakeable voice of cricket,

famous ex-England players such as Graeme

Henry Blofeld OBE.

Hick, Devon Malcom and Phil Defreitas, whilst

Supporters or potential players can follow

pace aces of the calibre of Jason Gillespie and

the club through the season on its Facebook

Mohammad Akram are sure to test the Baltic

homepage “Baltic Exchange Cricket Club”. Proceeds from the event will be going

men’s courage on the pitch.

A

t the end of June, teams from across the

However, according to Baltic team captain

to shipping charity The Sailor’s Society and

Jamie Freeland of AM Nomikos, the Baltic can

although more than 25 tables of 10 places each

of Jeremy Penn, Cris Eccleston and Willy Lyth

boast cricketers who play to a good standard. “We

have already been sold, should companies wish

from the Baltic, will be racing up the UK’s three

have leg-spinning batsman Sid Nair (Clarksons),

to take one of the few remaining tables or take

tallest mountains in a bid to raise funds for the

explosive batsman Fraser Larke (ICAP) and

individual tickets, they should contact:

Sailors’ Society. The challenge involves climbing

vice-captain Charlie Russell (Shearwater), whilst

shipping community, including one made up

up and down Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,344m),

classy new signings such as Henry Walpole (MC

Crispin Eccleston

Helvellyn in the English Lake District (950m) and

Shipping) and Graham Booth (Braemar) have

E-mail: cecclestone@balticexchange.com

Snowdon in Wales (1,085m) within 24 hours.

raised hopes that shipping’s premier cricket team

Tel: 020 7369 1654.

can give a good account of themselves on the

To contribute to the fundraising effort see

pitch and even pull off a shock result.”

www.justgiving.com/The-Baltic-Exchange

Marine Capital sets triathlon challenge M arine Capital has invited all members of the

The London Triathlon is the largest triathlon in

Baltic to compete in the London Triathlon

the world, with over 8,000 people participating

on 7-8 August in aid of Concern Worldwide,

every year.

organisation

Marine Capital has kindly offered to pay

dedicated to reducing suffering and ending

the registration fee for teams taking part, so

extreme poverty.

all money raised will go directly to Concern

an

international

humanitarian

Worldwide.

10

The winning team will receive the Concern

Cup sponsored by Marine Capital.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

For more information contact Oksana at Marine Capital on +44 (0)20 7898 9335.


Baltic briefing

Baltic Irish Dinner T

his year’s Irish dinner attracted the usual full

mistakenly kept calling the guest speaker Jimmy

integrated schools in Northern Ireland, was the

house of 500, with the guest speaker the

Nelson, joined Jimmy in singing with the band,

grateful recipient of a record £11,000 raised at

well known actor Jimmy Nesbitt, who produced

along with another famous Irish actor, Adrian

the event. David Beckett, Chairman for the past

a highly entertaining speech. The society’s stal-

Dunbar, who had come along for the craic. The

two years, will be succeeded in rotation by Brian

wart master of ceremonies, Kelly Wilson, who

Integrated Education Fund, which runs over 70

Nixon for the next two years.

Young Baltic Night O

ver 200 young Baltic members enjoyed a night at Pause Bar in London’s Leadenhall Street this May. Membership of the association

is open to all members of the Baltic under the age of 35. The association holds regular social gatherings throughout the year. For further details please contact Crispin Eccleston: Tel: +44 (0)20 7369 1654 E-mail: ceccleston@balticexchange.com

Philip Trish (EDF Man), Mike Ackerman (Baltic Exchange) and Mark Pauchet (MSI)

Tom Foulger (Poten) & Mark Mackay Lewis (Clarksons)

Charlie Oughton, Kirsty Marsh and Alex Lindsay (Lykiardopulo & Co)

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

11


Baltic briefing

Baltic Chairman’s Cocktail Party Over 500 Baltic members and guests enjoyed an evening of champagne and canapés at London’s Christchurch, Spitalfields in May. Hosted by the Baltic chairman, Mark Jackson, the evening was once again an enjoyable occasion, bringing the shipping market together under one roof.

The Lord Mayor of London, Nicholas Anstee, and Mark Jackson,

Meng Shen (SSY), Yuan Bo (Cosco), Ying Sun (Charterhouse

chairman of the Baltic Exchange

Shipbroking)

Jeremy Penn (Baltic Exchange), David Hughes and Barrie Wooderson (Baltic Exchange)

12

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Baltic briefing

Siri Sundal (Clarksons Securities), Simon Trowell (PacBasin), Francis Trowell and Mrs Trevor Marsh

Kamelia Koleva (Howe Robinson), Monir Ahmadi (Howe Robinson) and friends

Jim Davis (IMIF), Efthimios Mitropoulos (IMO)

Chris Reilly (BRS Futures), Leslie Dryvers (Louis Dreyfus Paris), Darren Rissetto (BRS Futures)

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

13


Baltic briefing

The view from above Baltic Air Charter Association chairman Dick Gilbert on aviation delays

T

he maritime community must have

easy to establish exactly how many flights

After a couple of days, our humble operations

looked on with bemused curios-

were cancelled as a result, but something in

office received a rare visit from Skyways’ boss

ity as the aviation industry periodically

the order of 15,000 per day is likely. On that

Eric Rylands, who instructed us to forget about

grounded itself during the ebbs and

basis, the volcano cancelled more flights, for a

our summer timetable, and operate as many

flows of volcanic clouds from Iceland recently.

much longer period, and inconvenienced more

flights as possible, using all aircraft and crews to

Although not my area of expertise, I suppose

passengers than 9/11 did.

their maximum until further notice.

that shipping has nothing comparable in its

There has never been a peacetime European

Fortunately, we operated our own coaches

history (other than wars perhaps) that has so

equivalent circumstance that has grounded so

and facilities in Beauvais, so we were able to

comprehensively halted trading for such an

many for so long, but it’s not entirely without

keep going even when Le Bourget airport closed

extended period.

precedent. On a much smaller scale I remember

down, and BEA finally had to throw in the towel,

For the airline business, there is a recent

a gradual strangulation of air services in 1968

abandoning one of their Vanguards in Paris.

precedent of course – the grounding of all flights

which affected my little corner of the aviation

They had been navigating across France using

in the USA following the terrorist activity in New

world.

road maps for some days, as the radio beacons

York on 11 September 2001. Immediately after

May 1968 in France saw the largest

had been switched off by militant engineers, and

that incident, 5,000 flights were stopped within

general strike ever to bring the economy of an

there was no alternative system (we were all

three hours (one every two seconds), affecting

industrialised nation to a complete halt. Starting

lucky that the weather remained fine and clear).

an estimated 1 million passengers. Around

with student protests, it resulted in a strike of

Skyways, as the last airline still flying, had the

30,000 flights a day take place in the United

11 million workers for more than two weeks,

satisfaction of bringing the BEA crew back to

States, so the consequences were dire.

and nearly collapsed the de Gaulle government.

London on one of our flights.

The ban started to be lifted very gradually the

Ironically, the protests forced a general election

Eventually, the Beauvais control tower staff

following day, and by 13 September a new set

in the June, which returned the Gaullist party

walked out, and we were stuck. There was a

of airport security rules was created, enabling

to office even stronger than it had been before!

proposal that I would be sent to Beauvais with a

flights to recommence. Using these procedures,

At the time, there were several ways to get

radio and a few basic bits of equipment, to act

most airports were back in operation by 14

from London to Paris. In descending order of

as a temporary controller. Just as I was about to

September, so the ‘total’ regional ban effectively

ticket price, they were: a BEA (predecessor

board the flight to set this up, a message arrived

lasted only around one day.

of British Airways) flight in a Vickers Vanguard

from France which said “Do not send Gilbert.

In contrast, the initial European shutdown

from Heathrow to Le Bourget; take the British

Trouble if he comes”. Workers had threatened to

was more protracted. The first hint of a problem

United Airways “Silver Arrow” service by train

block the runway if we went ahead with the plan,

came ‘out of the blue’ (as it were) on 14 April,

from Victoria, BAC One Eleven jet to Le Touquet

so our flights finally ground to a halt. I still have

with a total UK airspace ban being applied from

and train again to Paris Gare du Nord; fly

that signal, and the warning still applies.

noon on Thursday 15 April. Other European

with Skyways Coach-Air from Lympne in Kent

countries became affected one by one, as the

to Beauvais, using connecting coaches from

cloud spread.

London and on to Paris; use the Hovercraft from

UK test flights took place on 15 April (by

Ramsgate; or take a cross-Channel ferry.

the Met Office) and 18 April (by British Airways)

I worked for Skyways and, as the French

but the airspace remained closed. Flights were

strike started to bite, the first effect was closure

eventually allowed to recommence from the

of the ports, which shut down the ferry and

evening of 20th April, by which time the total ban

hovercraft routes and considerably increased

had been in force for five days. Because different parts of Europe (and never

our passenger loads. Next to close was the Silver Arrow because French trains stopped

all of it) were affected on different days, it isn’t

operating.

14

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

BACA represents the interests of commercial aviation companies, particularly in the aircharter industries and markets. Membership is around 135 companies, including airbrokers, charter airlines, airports, business aircraft operators, freight forwarders, consultants and others. See www.baca.org.uk for further details.


Baltic briefing

Passing the Port As port remains king, stunning still red wines and improving whites strive to be noticed in the marketplace. David Hughes offers an overview of Portuguese wines.

T

hey all came, bringing their vines, the

with Alentejo, the closest main

with many having that slight

Phoenicians, the Greeks and of course

region to the holiday rich resorts

spritz which is so refreshing

the Romans, who named their new

of Algarve. Here Arinto and

province Lusitania, what we now call

Antao Vaz produce dry yet aro-

Portugal, and from where much of the wine

matic whites with hints of nuts and

ever, a range of styles abound

produced was exported to the Roman Empire.

peaches (seek Fundacao Eugenio

and again you generally get what

de Almeida, Pera-Manca, Alente-

you pay for. Also, some more than

Portugal has hundreds of indigenous grape

when you’ve pulled the cork in the heat of summer. How-

varieties – many attributed to Henry the Navi-

jano 2007, expensive but excel-

fair sparklers are also coming out

gator, who bought back vines from his many

lent from good wine shops).

of the Alentejo.

The best advice with

Last and not least I must men-

Records show that wine was exported to

Portuguese wines really is

tion the fortified wines of Madeira,

England as early as the twelfth century, and a

to pay that extra £2-£3

which belie the perception of

treaty in 1353 allowed Portuguese craft to fish

per bottle – it should be

elderly well-to-do English people

in English coastal waters against favourable and

worth it.

drinking it with fruit cake on bone

nautical journeys.

china. I have enjoyed tasting quite

increased importing and consumption of Portu-

Red varieties are now

guese wine (remember, it was not done to toast

exploding, for as well as mak-

a few recently, the variance of

our monarch with the wine of his enemy!)

ing port way up north in the

styles of the four white grape varie-

Today, Portugal has, on the one hand the

searing heat of the slopes of the

ties: Sercial (dry and pale), Verdelho

established port houses, the testimony of his-

Douro Valley, where the grapes

(medium), Bual (medium-sweet) and

toric cooperation, where English names abound:

are still trodden by the pickers

Malmsey (Malvasia) the richest – all

Taylors, Croft, Graham, Cockburn etc; then there

and volunteers in ‘the old way’,

with their degrees of smoky, burnt sugar

those same grapes are producing red

Mateus and the thin, acidic wines called ‘Vinho

of wonderful complexity. The top variety of the

Verde’. Latterly, Portugal has made huge, suc-

region is the stunning Touriga Nacional, which

You can pop into your local Morrisons and try

cessful strides to improve the quality of its wines,

is blended with other excellent varieties Touriga

the fairly good Point West 2008 red and a fairly

which was consistently apparent at the Wines of

Franca, Tinta Barocca and Tinta Roriz (known

quaffable, horribly-named Pink Elephant rose

Portugal tasting I attended within a huge mar-

as Aragonez in the south and Tempranillo in

2009 (£5.00) and there’s the good-value Tagus

quee at Lords during mid April.

Spain). Try to find the excellent Douro wines from

Creek range (widely available).

Vinho Verde is a region where once more red was produced than white – both of question-

wines

aromas and sweetness as they age, some up

are the ubiquitous, but successful rose wine of

Quinta de la Rosa. Waitrose stock ‘Altano’ 2007 (£6.49), a good ‘foodie’.

to a minimum of 20 years in oak casks.

And if you’re Cliff Richard fans there are good white, red and rose offerings from his Adega do Cantor winery in the Algarve.

able quality. Today, the planting and pruning of

In the regions to the south, Dao (same varie-

higher quality vines such Alvarinho, Loueiro and

ties as the Duero), Barraida (also Baga variety)

Trajadura varieties (often blended) has moved

and Estremadura (soon to be changed to VR

David Hughes was a shipbroker from 1961 to

the white wines of the region right up the lad-

Lisboa) are producing excellent options. Alen-

1983 when he “moved from shipping to sip-

der. Look for two really good Vinho Verdes:

tejo’s main red varieties are Aragoez (‘Tempra-

ping” – opening a wine bar-restaurant in Old

Soalheiro, Primeiras Vinhas, 2008, lovely crisp

nillo’) and Trincadeira. Right now I am seeking

Spitalfields in 1984. After 25 years, the busi-

acidity with stone fruit and melon textured fla-

out Adega Cooperative de Portalegre’s won-

ness was sold, and he is now a wine consult-

vours (around £13-14 in good wine shops), and

derful Quinta da Cabaca 2006 (red) and their

ant. A retired member of the Baltic Exchange,

Quinta de Azevedo 2009 (£6.69 Waitrose), a

Conventual Reserva 2008 (white). If you come

he conducts corporate, company and private

‘patio aperitif’, spritzy, light and crisp with citrus

across them, snap them up – you won’t be dis-

wine tastings and is available for information

and minerals – both will blow the old stigma out

appointed. Waitrose have the delicious Tinto da

and the supply of wines.

of the window.

Anfora, Alentejano – great value at £7.29.

Other excellent white wines are grown

Rose wine, on the back of the still popular

throughout the regions down to the south,

Mateus Rose, is very much on the increase,

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

www.thewine-enthusiast.co.uk david@thewine-enthusiast.co.uk

15


Baltic briefing

Sporting contacts There are many sports clubs associated with the Exchange and in most cases they are open to both members and staff of member companies Baltic Association Football Club

Lawn Tennis Club

Sub-Aqua Club

Stephen Calafti

Nick Hubbard

Lorraine Burns

Anglo Greek Chartering, The Baltic Exchange

Galbraith’s Ltd

The Baltic Exchange

38 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BH

Bridgegate House

38 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BH

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7283 9621

124-126 Borough High Street,

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7369 1638

London SE1 1BL

E-mail: lburns@balticexchange.com

Cricket Club

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7378 6363

Young Baltic Association

Jamie Freeland AM Nomikos, 4th Floor

Sailing Association

Crispin Eccleston

40 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0EB

Simon Cox

The Baltic Exchange

Howe Robinson Shipbrokers

38 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BH

Golfing Society

77 Mansell Street, London E1 8AF

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7369 1654

Chris Cox, c/o Frank Symons Ltd

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7457 8421

E-mail: ceccleston@balticexchange.com

Devonshire House

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7488 3444

146 Bishopsgate, London EC2M Tel: +44 (0) 20 7377 5423 E-mail: info@balticgolf.co.uk

Key Baltic Exchange contacts Management

Government Broker

Marketing

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7283 9300

Pat Swayne

Jackie Bullimore

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7369 1622/1623

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7369 1668

Tel: +44 (0)20 7369 1637

VPN 171 2000

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7623 6644

E-mail: jbullimore@balticexchange.com

E-mail: enquiries@balticexchange.com

E-mail: pswayne@balticexchange.com

Chief Executive

Dispute Resolution

Willy Lyth

Jeremy Penn

Barrie Wooderson

Tel: +44 (0)20 7369 1625

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7369 1624

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7369 1674

E-mail: wlyth@balticexchange.com

E-mail: jpenn@balticexchange.com

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7623 6644

Freight Market Department

E-mail: bwooderson@balticexchange.com

The Baltic Exchange (Singapore)

PA to Chairman and Chief Executive

Communications

8 Eu Tong Sen Street

Jill Bradford

Bill Lines

#17-87 The Central

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7369 1621

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7369 1653

Singapore 059818

E-mail: jbradford@balticexchange.com

E-mail: blines@navigatepr.com

Tel: +65 6377 0654

Philip Williams

E-mail: pwilliams@balticexchange.com

Baltic Exchange Charitable Society

Membership Manager

Richard Butler

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7369 1633

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7283 6090

E-mail: jharrison@balticexchange.com

Jackie Harrison

E-mail: richard.butler@baltic-charities.co.uk

Events and Room Hire Head of Finance

Crispin Eccleston

Duncan Bain

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7369 1654

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7369 1627

E-mail: ceccleston@balticexchange.com

E-mail: dbain@balticexchange.com

16

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

Baltic website: www.balticexchange.com


Logbook

Gallic eccentricities The design of ships often betrays their country of origin, none more so than in the case of France. Although responsible for a number of real beauties, it has also spawned a host of oddities, says Ambrose Greenway

S

ociété des Transports Maritimes was

Alsace, were ordered from FCM La Seyne, all for

later given limited passenger accommodation

founded in Marseilles in 1865 by dis-

delivery in 1866, and they were unusual in being

and a few had long lives, Franche Comté

tinguished French civil engineer Paulin

four-masted auxiliary schooners of just over

serving its owners for 45 years before being

Talabot to exploit a 13-year contract

1,000 dwt with engines placed aft.

scrapped in Genoa.

to carry iron ore from the newly discovered mine

The Mokta mine turned out to be less

Following on from the ‘Talabots’, as they

at Mokta in Tunisia to the smelters of Southern

profitable than expected and a number of

were known, was a group of 40 even more

and Central France by means of his Paris-Lyon-

the class were diverted to carry materials for

unusual five-masted auxiliary schooners built for

Mediterranée railway. Nine identical iron ships,

the construction of the Suez Canal, returning

the French government on the US Pacific Coast

named after French regions beginning with

with cargos of Egyptian cotton. Some were

in 1918. France had been forced to order abroad

One of SGTM’s distinctive early ore carriers leaving Bone

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

17


Logbook to replace heavy WW1 losses but when all steel tonnage building in the USA was requisitioned for the US war effort, they had to resort to wooden construction. The resulting three-hold ships had a deadweight capacity of 3,500 tonnes and were driven by a pair of reciprocating steam engines driving twin screws. One was lost on its maiden voyage but the class as a whole was never successful and saw minimal service in Europe before being laid up. Most had gone by 1925 but Gerbeviller, one of only a few sold to private interests, lasted until the early 1930s after conversion to a sailing ship. Tentative airmail services began during WW1 and on Christmas Day 1918 Lignes Aeriennes Latécoère started a link between Toulouse and Barcelona, extending to Rabat and Casablanca the following year. By 1925 it had reached Dakar, where mail for South America was loaded onto one of six surplus sloops loaned from the French Navy for on-carriage to Natal in Brazil. Latécoère sold out in 1927 to a French-born Brazilian banker who renamed the company Aéropostale. The old naval units were replaced in 1930 by four newbuildings from yards in Bordeaux, Nantes and Sète. The 17-knot, 480grt Aéropostale I, II, III and IV performed the crossing in just over four days but were notorious rollers and II was

Souchez, one of 40 wooden auxiliary schooners built in the USA in 1918

lost with all hands in August 1932. The following year, the bankrupt Aéropostale was absorbed

their history after release is obscure, though the

Eridan. Though rather ugly in appearance,

into the newly formed Air France and the

former I was scrapped at Casamance in 1950

their perceived ‘modernity’ was certainly eye-

remaining ships were subsequently renamed Air

and III was later wrecked on the Ivory Coast.

catching and provided a much needed boost to

France I etc and broadened to improve stability.

In 1929, Messageries Maritimes broke with

the company, whose elderly tonnage was being

Taken up by the Navy in WW2, they later worked

tradition and fitted square mushroom-topped

overshadowed by its rival P & O. Two groups

from Dakar on allied anti-submarine patrols but

funnels to its new motor liner, the 9,927grt

of similar ships followed; the 17,000grt Felix

The diminutive Aéropostale III and its sisters initially carried South American airmails between Senegal and Brazil but later used the Cape Verde Islands to shorten the passage time

18

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Logbook

MV Felix Roussel (1930) was the second of Messageries Maritime’s quaintly named ‘Nautonaphtes’, an odd phrase coined by company president Georges Philippar

Roussel, Georges Philippar (lost by fire in the Gulf

the 25-knot, 29,253grt Pasteur to replace

personnel and troops to French Indo-China

of Aden in 1932) and Aramis and the 11,500grt

its 42,000grt flagship L’Atlantique, which

and later Algeria.

Jean Laborde and Marechal Joffre. A third ship,

had burned out in the English Channel in

In 1957 it was sold to Norddeutscher

President Doumer, entered service in 1935 with

January 1933. Its profile was unique with a

Lloyd and as Bremen was converted for North

a single oval funnel and those which survived

single huge funnel placed well forward, giving it

Atlantic service with new engines and a more

the war were altered to match, improving their

considerable presence despite a seeming lack of

modern funnel. Resold to Chandris Lines in

looks no end. Felix Roussel, which had become

balance. After transporting French gold reserves

1971, it was used for cruising as Regina Magna

Arosa Sun in 1955, lasted until 1974, spending

to Halifax, it went on to perform valuable

before becoming a Saudi accommodation ship

the final 14 years as an accommodation ship for

service as a wartime troopship under Cunard

in Jeddah in 1974 and finally foundered in

steel workers at Ijmuiden.

White Star management. It never entered its

1980 as Filipinas Saudi I whilst under tow

On the eve of WW2, Compagnie de

intended South American service and spent

to Taiwanese breakers.

Navigation Sud Atlantique took delivery of

the majority of its career carrying government

The unmistakeable Pasteur transiting the Suez Canal on a return voyage from Vietnam

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

19


People, places plcs

Industry news MOL

trading and broking personnel in both the physi-

MOL has announced that its president Akimitsu

cal and derivatives markets. More traditional

Ashida has now been appointed chairman of

chartering staff performing a scheduling rather

the board. Senior managing executive officer

than operating role, were receiving bonuses

Koichi Muto takes over as president. The new

within the 20% to 60% range, Mr Parry says.

appointments will be confirmed at a meeting

While the rumour-mill did rather exaggerate

of the board of directors following the annual

quite how many chartering millionaires were

general meeting of shareholders on June 22,

being created: “Bonuses of between 200%

2010.

and 400% were being received by top performers and senior managers in handson trading roles.”

HSH Nordbank

Matters

became

rather

grim-

Torsten Temp has been appointed to the

mer last year, when some 40% of

management board of HSH Nordbank, with

companies in the sector froze sala-

responsibility for Hamburg/Kiel.

ries,

He will be responsible for the Shipping,

with

13%

expected

to

do

so for 2010.

Transport and Energy market units. From 1989

However, hiring freezes have been

Torsten Temp worked for UniCredit, most

lifted in most cases and Spinnaker

recently as head of the global shipping unit.

says it notes an upturn in the maritime recruitment market since September last year, with reductions in the time it

Shipbroking salaries review

takes to make a placement pointing to

Shipbroking and chartering salaries paid to

returning employer confidence. Spinnaker is

freight traders this year for 2009 have been a

making three times as many broking, chartering

“picture of extremes” according to recruitment

and freight trading placements than it did last

attaining salaries

consultants Spinnaker.

year and the level of vacancies in the operations

of

segment has risen considerably, Mr Parry says.

£100,000 within the

While some companies have not paid

£70,000

to

bonuses to staff in freight trading roles, others

The tanker sector has notably picked up and

first five years, with bonuses over the same

have paid between 200% and 300%, par-

Spinnaker has made more placements in the

period moving from a modest 15-30% at the

ticularly in the dry market, says Spinnaker

first quarter of 2010, particularly in the product

outset to 100% plus for good performers after

chairman Phil Parry.

and chemical tanker markets, than in the previ-

five years.”

Following the market crash in September

ous three quarters put together.

Presently, median to upper quartile salaries

2008 and the plunge in the Baltic Dry Index,

Graduate recruitment has also started to pick

for freight traders with 2-5 years experience

expectations were high for a “bloodletting” in

up in 2010 after a very quiet 2009. Salaries in the

range from €65-80,000 in mainland Europe, £55-

2009, according to Mr Parry. With the surge in

UK are closer to £25,000 than the higher end

65,000 in the UK, $120-150,000 in the US and

Chinese imports of iron ore and coal buoying

of the scale, Mr Parry says. This compares with

S$90-140,000 in Singapore. “By definition, the

the market however, the last year has seen a

starting salaries in the US of $40,000, with sala-

median to upper quartile only reflect one-quarter

two tier market open up between those who

ries in mainland Europe a bit lower at between

of people in the market,” explains Mr Parry.

called the market right in 2007/2008 and those

€24,000 to €28,000.

“There are of course many people earning more

During the high period freight trading staff

and less than these figures, but it is in this pay

Some of the biggest bonuses ever seen in

could quite commonly double their salaries

range, rather than above the upper quartile as

shipping were paid between 2005 and 2008.

within two to three years, Mr Parry says. “Very

it was in 2007-2008, where most recruitment is

100% bonuses were commonplace for freight

good freight trading and broking staff were

now taking place.

20

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

who did not.


People, places, plcs LCH Clearnet

UK tonnage tax warning

Citigroup

Jacques Aigrain has been appointed non-exec-

Moore Stephens has warned that companies

Citigroup, a US bank that already trades a

utive chairman of LCH Clearnet Group. Aigrain,

in the UK tonnage tax scheme should urgently

significant proportion of freight derivatives from

who took over on 6 April, replaces Chris Tupker,

review their financing arrangements following

its London dealing room, has announced that it

who has been chairman since July 2006 and

the decision by Her Majesty’s Revenue &

is set to develop its physical shipping operations

who announced his intention to step down in

Customs to withdraw, from December 2010, a

with the appointment of former shipbroker

September 2009.

concession on the application of transfer pricing

Alistair McLuskie, previously a director with

rules to loans made to UK companies under the

Simpson, Spence & Young.

Tupker said: “Jacques’ wealth of experience in the financial sector will be a great asset to

scheme.

Citigroup will be one of a number of major

the company and the markets it serves as LCH.

The UK transfer pricing rules apply to

banks which has expanded its operations into

Clearnet continues to work with its users to

transactions between a UK company and any

the physical shipping markets in recent years.

develop its leading position in clearing markets

other person under common control. They

Morgan Stanley owns a significant stake in

internationally.”

apply to transactions between UK companies,

Heidmar Inc., a Connecticut, London and

He continued: “My four years at LCH.

including transactions with UK tonnage tax

Singapore based tanker operator. J. Aron & Co.,

Clearnet have been both exciting and challeng-

companies. They also apply to transactions

Goldman Sachs’ commodities trading division,

ing. Last year’s capital restructuring was the final

across the tonnage tax ring-fence. When

began chartering vessels last year after it bought

step in a three-year programme to align owner-

tonnage tax was first introduced in 2000, it

Constellation Energy Group, whilst Barclays

ship and usership more closely, and the group is

was realised that the effect of applying the

Capital has a shipping division to support its

now positioned well for the future.”

transfer pricing rules to transactions involving UK

physical oil trading operations.

Aigrain was ceo of Swiss Re from 2006 to

tonnage tax companies could lead to a trap for

2009, a company which he joined in 2001 as

the unwary. For example, where a UK resident

head of financial services, New York. Prior to this

company had lent money to a UK tonnage tax

UK Chamber of Shipping

he spent 19 years with JP Morgan Chase, work-

company under common control, the application

Jan Kopernicki has been appointed president

ing in a number of senior roles in its New York,

of the transfer pricing rules meant that there was

of the UK Chamber of Shipping. Kopernicki

London and Paris offices.

taxable notional interest income for the lender.

is a member of the Shell Trading executive

The borrower would have notional taxable

committee and a director of Shell International

interest payable but, because of its tonnage

Trading and Shipping Company.

New chief executive for Maritime and Coastguard Agency

tax status, no tax relief was available, and a tax

Michael Parker, chairman of the UK holding

liability was therefore likely to arise. This applied

company for CMA CGM and its UK subsidiary

even where the lender was another UK tonnage

MacAndrews & Co Limited, was appointed vice-

The UK Department for Transport has announced

tax company, because the lending of money is

president.

the appointment of Sir Alan Massey as the new

not considered to be a tonnage tax activity.

In a keynote speech to mark the start of his

chief executive of the Maritime and Coastguard

Moore Stephens tax partner Sue Bill explains:

term of office, Kopernicki said that his main goal

Agency. He succeeds Peter Cardy who left his

“Following representations by industry at the time,

would be to increase government and industry

post as chief executive of the Agency in April.

HMRC agreed that, in most cases, the transfer

understanding of shipping’s importance to the

Massey’s appointment follows an open com-

pricing rules would not be applied in the case

UK economy.

petition. He joins the Agency following a long

of loans to UK tonnage tax companies. Now,

“Today, this nation is still pre-eminent in

naval career, spending the last two years as the

following recent developments, it recognises

maritime services – including shipping finance,

Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief of

that it doesn’t have the authority to agree to any

insurance, brokerage, law and shipping itself,”

the Naval Home Command, bringing with him

informal concessionary treatment for taxpayers.

he pointed out. “There is competition from other

extensive leadership experience and knowl-

It is therefore withdrawing or legislating against

centres, but London remains the final point of

edge of the maritime sector. Commenting on

all informal concessions, and has announced

reference in most maritime matters.

his appointment, Sir Alan said: “I am joining an

that the concessionary treatment previously

“I see the Chamber of Shipping playing a vital

organisation with a proud tradition and a hard-

granted will be withdrawn with effect from 9

role in helping to maintain that pre-eminence, by

won reputation for excellence. I look forward

December 2010. The result is a different trap

engaging on today’s issues. Especially, we must

very much to working with Agency staff, the vol-

for the unwary, unless HMRC reconsiders the

focus on ensuring that the tax regime and the

unteers in the Coastguard Rescue Service and

position, which seems highly unlikely.

employment regime support the needs of the

the many organisations with a maritime interest.”

“It is therefore important that all UK tonnage

industry and its workers.”

tax companies or groups review their financing

He also said that the Chambers’ ongoing

arrangements and identify any loans from UK

commitment to positive action on carbon

Marinvest/Hafnia

companies to UK tonnage tax companies where

– specifically a trading system that puts a

Swedish

group

the companies are under common control,

value on carbon – would be a top priority

Marinvest has established a new chartering

even where the lender is another UK tonnage

for 2010. Addressing the subject of ballast

company, Hafnia Management. Marinvest hopes

tax company. The group should eliminate such

water management and the practical issues

the company will become a major player in the

loans, and ensure that no further loans arise.

surrounding sulphur emissions, together with

30,000 dwt and refined product tanker and

Specific advice should be obtained, and any

the resulting economic realities for the short-sea

chemical tanker markets.

restructuring will need to be carried out by 9

and passenger sectors, would also be key areas

December 2010.”

of work.

shipping

and

investment

Hafnia Management, which is based in Copenhagen, is now seeking new partners to help it develop its presence in the sector.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

21



Baltic comment Michael Grey

The answer is blowing in the wind B

eauty, as they say, is in the eye of

ships or fishing boats, and these obstructions

the beholder and to some, a ser-

spudded into the sea bed in such colossal

ried array of wind turbines stretching

numbers. Sooner or later a big ship, disabled

across an otherwise empty sea, is

for some reason, will be blown into a wind farm,

poetry in motion, or would be, if they were all

with goodness knows what consequences.

revolving at once. If you are an enthusiast for

Indeed, it has nearly happened already.

‘sustainable’ energy (and who dares not to be

According to the latest Safety Digest from

in this judgemental age?) or indeed involved in

the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch,

this growing industry of planting them on the sea

a “large” containership, preparing to enter port,

bed, joy, it is, to be alive. In 10 years or so, there

became disabled in the vicinity of one of these

will be scarcely a sandbank around the coasts

installations, suffered a subsequent blackout

of the British Isles that is not tenanted by the

and as a result was unable to deploy its anchors,

towering turbine stalks embedded into the mud,

which had yet to be cleared and were in gear

some 8,000 of them churning out watts from the

on the windlass. It was the sort of series of

Dogger Bank to the English and Welsh Grounds.

disasters which will age a shipmaster a dozen

You might think that the sea is wide and

years, made infinitely more horrific by the wind

free, but a published chart of the German Bight,

Michael Grey

and tide which was carrying the ship towards the wind farm.

showing all the positions of wind farm arrays seems to leave very little room for shipping on

not whacking incoming flights of Brent geese out

It was less than a couple of cables from the

its lawful passage. And if you were one of the

of their migratory traffic lanes in flurries of blood

nearest obstruction when two tugs, providentially

fishermen of the Frisian Islands, beam-trawling

and feathers. But we won’t go into any of these

attending the turbine installation barge, managed

for the peerless plaice and succulent sole for

contentious areas.

to tow the ship clear. It is perhaps worth

My main concern comes from experience

considering that if the wind farm had been

as a professional mariner, and the ancient law

completed, and no tugs thus in attendance, the

We had the rush for oil and the dash for gas,

which tells us that if there is an obstruction,

destruction would surely have been spectacular.

but it is mostly all gone, it is filthy hydrocarbons

natural or man-made, placed in a vast area

And in the same issue of this useful publication

and severely disapproved of by the policy

of sea, sooner or later somebody will run into

came the tale of a fisherman, who, preoccupied

makers, who have ‘pledged’ to ensure that

it, with calamitous results. And there is no

with his catch on the afterdeck of his boat, came

some 20% of this kingdom’s power is produced

argument that many of these wind turbine arrays

within an ace of sliding under a jacked up barge

by sustainable means. And that of course means

are being placed disturbingly close to well-used

working on wind turbine foundations. He merely

wind farms, as far as the eye can see, and if

shipping routes.

thumped into it, reminding him forcibly of his

which the area is celebrated, you would look at this chart and silently sob into your schnapps.

traditional users of the sea don’t like it, they can

Shipping just better become more organised

responsibilities.

and professional, you might say. Fair enough,

In the first of these incidents, there was

It is not the place of this columnist to consider

but your wind farming activities, we might retort,

no negligence or notable human failure, just

the relative efficiencies of this form of electrical

are costing us money. Already, there are well-

a number of regrettable mechanical failures,

generation. We all know these things are useless

established routes where ships will have to divert

which, piled one on another, made that ship

when the wind doesn’t blow, and half the time

to give appropriate clearance to wind turbines.

absolutely helpless in a most vulnerable

the turbines are being re-engined because their

What are a few miles additional passage time

position. The proliferation of these offshore

bearings have seized up, because (I am told)

because of a new ‘dog leg’ around this electrical

obstructions, along with their undersea cables,

the lubricating oil cannot properly circulate in

obstruction? Not a lot, perhaps, if you are bound

makes such accidents almost inevitable. It is

a machine which revolves so slowly. We know

for distant oceans, but if my ships are are rattling

a serious consideration, if you are into marine

we must have numbers of power stations on

back and forth to the near continent every day, it

insurance, shipoperation and management and

stand-by, in case there is a prolonged high over

soon adds up to higher fuel costs.

the assessment of maritime risks. Just as long

take a running jump.

Heligoland and weeks of calm. We have read

But my main concern is that of safety, and

that the blades occasionally fly off, when they are

the inevitability of brutal conflict between large

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

as we understand what we are letting ourselves in for!

23


Corporate viewpoint Canopus Group

CANOPUS Group of Companies

C

aptain Pankaj K Mishra is Founder,

aspects of the shipping business. But bulk car-

Chairman & Chief Executive of the

riers remained my specific interest and whilst at

Canopus group of companies and

Adsteam I remained very hands-on in dry bulk

an expert on the Indian ports sector

ship operations and management.

and bulk shipping markets. In this interview, he try, explains his current business interests and

When did you decide to go into business on your own?

gives a valuable insight into the Indian maritime

It was in 2002 that I decided to create my own

market.

company, which I did with my younger brother

tells us a little about his experience in the indus-

who is a marine engineer and who had served

How did you get into the industry? Tell us a little of your experience in shipping

at sea for a number of years as chief engineer.

After initial training on TS Rajendra (formally TS

and port agency services to ships calling at

Dufferine) I began my shipping career as a cadet

I formed Canopus Shipping & Trading Pvt Ltd based in Mumbai to focus on delivering ship Captain Pankaj K Mishra

ports in India. Over the years we have grown the company and we now operate 10 branch

with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). I joined SCI as a cadet in 1981 and trained on

our industry and it was this experience that gave

offices throughout India. In addition, we have

general cargo, container, dry bulk, tankers and

me the insight and drive to form the companies

developed a network of 25 third-party agents

passenger ships. I qualified as a second mate

I run today.

that operate under our Standard Operating Procedures. This means that Canopus is able

and later sailed on various foreign flag vessels managed by companies such as Anglo Eastern,

When did you come ashore?

Univan, Nomadic Shipping, Varun Shipping,

On qualifying as a master, I immediately enrolled

commercial port in India. It also allows us to

Hede Navigation and Hamilton Maritime, mostly

for an extra master certificate of competen-

provide a global perspective whilst retaining

on handymax and panamax bulk carriers. During

cy. After I passed that examination, I joined

in-depth local knowledge and to deliver efficient

this period, I qualified as a ships’ master and

LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies

services at a reasonable cost.

was fortunate to visit many ports across the

in Mumbai and began teaching mariners. A

world and to experience many different cultures.

few years later, in the mid 1990s, I went back

Seafaring was different then; nowadays ships

to sea and then took a commercial position

How did the business develop?

spend less time in port and seafarers do not

with a container shipping company engaged

A logical extension to our agency business was

really get the opportunity to mingle with the

in feeder container services. I was later given

to provide shipbroking services. Canopus was

local people and experience what life is like in

the responsibility to set up a coastal container

already offering a limited broking service but

foreign parts.

feeder service on the Indian coast. The job was

I created Viking Shipmanagers in 2005 as a

I then spent a couple of years ashore before

challenging and I enjoyed it. I was then asked

dedicated dry bulk shipbroking operation. Viking

taking command of a 35,000 dwt dry bulk car-

to head-up the Indian shipping activities for

has offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta and

rier followed by command of a cargo ship that

Adsteam Marine that was, at that time, the larg-

employs six brokers. The company specialises

was tramping around the Indian subcontinent

est towing company in the world. This proved to

in dry bulk movements into and out of India. Our

and Far East. This was a wonderful experience

be a valuable experience as our activities ranged

main trades are coal, coke and iron ore, moving

for me, as my job was not only to command the

from shipmanagement, crewing, tramp agency,

in vessels ranging from handysize to capesize.

vessel but also to find employment for it. We

liner services, operation of a container freight

As specialists in this market, our brokers really

would spend two to three weeks in each port

station, dry bulk chartering, and P&I services.

understand the sector and are able to provide

discharging cargo and also fixing our next trip in

I acted as P&I correspondent for the Swedish

high quality services to our extensive customer

close coordination with the owners. I had lots of

Club and Skuld in India for about five years. This

base. India has a growing requirement to move

flexibility and it was a great learning experience.

role equipped me with commercial manage-

bulk commodities into and out of the country,

It also exposed me to the commercial side of

ment skills for all types of vessels and various

but our domestic fleet is not able to handle this

24

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

to deliver high-quality agency services at every


Corporate viewpoint Canopus Group global fleet for tonnage and we have established

And what does the future hold for you?

along with hinterland connectivity, rapid imple-

good relationships with non-Indian shipowners

We expect our overall business to grow by

mentation of the dedicated rail freight cor-

internationally.

100% by end of 2014 and we have a business

ridors, capacity expansion and establishment

plan in place to achieve that. This will be organic

of modern cargo handling facilities are the key

Why did you move to Singapore?

growth using internal resources.

issues for the sector. Realising the importance

We are also considering the possibility of

of multi-modal transport as a pre-requisite for

We established an office in Singapore to allow

international JVs and tie-ups to achieve growth

the smooth functioning of logistics, systems are

us to get closer to a number of shipowners who

on a different scale. We’ve recently introduced

being put in place for efficient transportation

are based here. This move has paid off well and

a superintendent or port captaincy role to the

from origin to destination.

there is a lot more work to do. As many quality

agency business, which allows well qualified

If we look at a broader perspective, various

shipowners have offices in Singapore it is a great

personnel to micro-manage all port calls to

projects under implementation are at different

location to have a liaison office, not only to pro-

reduce port costs for the shipowner and rapidly

stages of commissioning and for the actual

mote our range of services to potential owners

address any issues that might arise.

result to be realised, the projects need to reach

demand. Increasingly, we have to look to the

Development of extensive road networks

their final phase.

and charterers but also to listen closely to our

I see the freight management business

existing customers. Their feedback allows us to

expanding more organically. We have developed

The developments are undertaken alongside

take corrective measures and align our business

longstanding partnerships with our customers

the operational obligations imposed on them on

execution with theirs.

and our business will grow alongside theirs. As

a day-to-day basis. One needs to appreciate

they expand their operations so their need for

the fact that we are talking of ports that handle

ocean transport will increase and that will lead

90% of international trade by volume and 70%

to a growth in our business.

by value. For a country to reform from a labour

And what is your main business interest today?

intensive set-up to a capital-intensive model

We have created separate business entities to

And to our customers, we say, “Our com-

cater for different segments of our customers.

mitment to quality is your doorway to success.”

represents a huge transformation.

agement for cargo and ship interests who see

You are an acknowledged expert in the Indian ports and shipping sector, how do you see this sector developing?

to achieve that but the system does not per-

benefits in outsourcing their shipping require-

With all Indian major ports operating at 100%

development.

ments and consultancy-level involvement in

capacity and a CAGR of 7.7%, cargo traf-

Recognising the enormous outlay being

those areas. These services are provided under

fic is stated to touch 900 million tonnes by

invested in the sector and mindful of demand

different trade names and each business unit

2012-2013.

economics, I am confident that the Indian ports

Today’s Indian shipping industry is trying

Today our business comprises raw materials sourcing, shipbroking, port agency and other port related services (such as port captaincy and cargo superintendence), commercial man-

mit a total elimination of labour dependence. However, the addition of better technology is allowable and this is a major part of the overall

Even during the global recession, a 2.13%

and shipping sector is progressing towards a

The common denominator to all these com-

growth in cargo traffic was registered. Although

position where it can cater for a mature market.

panies is the raw material requirement for the

this was far less when compared to previous

steel and power industry.

years, any growth reflects the precedence of

has its own business head.

Many companies have little experience of

demand over supply. We are seeing the signs of

ocean transport or have little appetite to become

a progressive market here and despite the mac-

involved in this sector, and so retain us to take

ro-economic slowdown, the domestic economy

care of that activity for them. We invest a lot

is showing optimistic trends – but there are cer-

of time in getting to really understand our cli-

tain issues which need to be addressed.

ents’ current and future business so we can

The Indian shipping sector is presently in a

provide the best possible transport solution for

state of transformation and selective-intensive

them. Our involvement often begins with ship-

methods have been devised for a segmented

ping schedules that can determine a transport

focus. The Indian ports are evolving from state

requirement up to one or two years in the

monopolies to corporate entities.

future. Armed with this information and our own

The Port of Ennore pioneered the concept,

knowledge of the market, we can offer strategic

and the new generation ports are taking the

advice on the optimum periods to ship their car-

idea further. The Maritime Boards are shelter-

goes. We charter vessels on our own account

ing port development at state levels. With the

Pankaj K Mishra

– becoming the despondent owner – and use

National Maritime Policy at the centre and

CEO

these ships to service our clients’ needs. We

Maritime Boards at state level, inter-port com-

Canopus IVS Pte Ltd

do not operate spot market cargo. We also get

petition is being fostered, keeping the efficiency

8 Eu Sen Street, #17-85

involved and are able to advise on whether a

parameter focal.

The Central, Office Tower 2

client should consider purchasing a vessel and when would be the optimum time to do so.

The public-private partnership models are

For further information, please contact:

Singapore 059818

assisting the growth of minor ports in the coun-

Tel: +65 6222 7678

Our service is highly customer-focused and

try. The latest Port of Cuddalore is an example

Fax: +65 6222 6158

we enjoy the support of a number of well-known

of PPP in the minor port segment; 65% of the

Cell: +65 9088 3555

industry names.

future financing is said to be envisaged through

E-mail: b.mishra@canopus-group.com

the PPP route.

Website: www.canopus.co.in

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

25


State of the market Tankers

Weathering the storm The tanker market is displaying an unexpected resilience

T

he tanker market is an uncertain place

the beginning of the year. However, it remains

is making less of a mark on the market than

at the moment. Despite predictions of

considerably higher than it was in 2009,

was initially feared. According to Petropoulos:

high deliveries to come over the next

currently standing at 33% overall. “Outside

“There will be a lot of deliveries over the next

year, ordering has taken off again, as

the smaller sectors (where 90% non-delivery

two years, but the storage factor has played a

in many other sectors. “Prospects at the begin-

of product tankers of 10,000-30,000 and dwt

big role in absorbing tonnage, and this is likely

ning of the year looked fairly dire, but things

was recorded), products tankers 30,000-60,000

to continue. It is not always for financial reasons;

looked better as they went on,” says Dennis

dwt had the highest non-delivery rate of 38%,

sometimes it is cheaper for countries to store

Petropoulos, head of tankers at Braemar. Prices

and panamaxes 37%,” Tilley says. She expects

surplus oil than to stop production.” At 80 cents

appear to be on the rebound, and floating stor-

tanker non-delivery to remain a key feature of

to store one barrel for one month storage at

age is again removing tonnage from the market.

2010, with overall fleet growth well below initial

sea is a very economic proposition, rather than

However, many market analysts are unsure of

projections.

building expensive storage tanks. With the oil

Braemar, however, say that slippage across

market again in contango, storage is likely to

Erik Andersen of Platou Economic Research

all sectors is nowhere near as high as had been

increase further. Platou’s analysts estimate that

points out in the company’s monthly update

expected. “We are not seeing anywhere near

some 20 VLCCs are currently acting as floating

that charter performance has been looking up

the cancellation levels that were predicted last

storage, while another shipbroking source says

over the first quarter and continues to do so,

year,” says chief executive Alan Marsh. “The

that almost all of the Iranian VLCC fleet is

even in what is traditionally a quiet quarter for

ownership may well have changed, but the ship

currently used to store crude oil, rather than to

the market. “The simple comparison between

is still on the water.” Despite this, the tonnage

transport it.

the direction that the market will take overall.

the change in the fleet and the change in trade volumes is not telling the whole story. There are obviously a number of important additional factors,” he says. Amongst these factors he lists: • Build-up of crude stocks at sea • Accelerated phase-out of SH tankers in active trading • Productivity of DH tankers has dropped due to increased ballast legs. “The robust fleet growth after 2005 has obviously not been the dominating factor in freight rate formation,” he concludes, warning market players to “be prepared for the unexpected”.

Deliveries to increase? Clarkson Shipping’s Julia Tilley notes that tanker deliveries so far this year have shown considerable

slippage,

being

well

below

predicted levels – and below predicted average levels for 2010 as a whole. The percentage of non-deliveries has dropped sharply since

The worst appears to be over

26

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com



Product of the Year

Protection of the Marine and Atmospheric Environments

Product Differentiation Innovation Award

Golden Coat Award

The honours for HEMPASIL X3 continue to mount. The world’s most advanced fouling release system, HEMPASIL X3 has been recognised as a major fuel-saving and environmental breakthrough for the maritime industry. To date, it is the proud winner of four major industry awards.


State of the market Tankers Changing trading patterns Thina Saltvedt, a senior analyst at Nordea Bank, says that China is on the doorstep of increasing its oil consumption dramatically “very soon”, if the country follows the development path of other Asian countries. Analysts at Braemar point out that it is widely expected that China will equal the per capita oil consumption of Europe by 2015 – it is currently at about a third of this level. This will make it the world’s largest oil in developed economies will reduce slightly due to reduced industrial output – most of which will move East – and tighter government policy. Some changes in trade flows are already becoming apparent. Saltvedt says that since Christmas, China has for the first time been the biggest buyer of oil from Saudi Arabia. This is backed up by figures quoted by Andersen, who says that China’s crude imports from the middle

Photo credit: Stena Bulk

consumer. At the same time, oil consumption

Trade flows are shifting

east were up by 40% in the first two months of the year. By contrast, she says, volumes from

While it is unlikely to become a regular

Varandey terminal in the Kara Sea in northern

West Africa were down by 15% – although the

trading route for many years, the Northern

Russia to Japan, according to reports in Lloyd’s

position was reversed in March, when volumes

Passage across the arctic continues to interest

List. No exact date has been set for the voyage

from the Middle East fell 5%, and those from

owners and charterers looking to cut down

but it is likely to take place in late summer.

West Africa increased by 50%.

on route miles. In February this year, Russian

In the medium term, the Deepwater Horizon

In the long term, Saltvedt says, the opening

company Sovcomflot announced that one of

oil spill could trigger changes in tanker routing

of the enlarged Suez Canal in 2010 will cause

its 70,000 dwt arctic shuttle tankers will carry

and fleet usage in the US trades, says Dennis

further changes in world oil flows, as it will allow

out a trial voyage later this year carrying crude

Petropoulos.

Brazil to export more oil to China.

oil through the northern sea route from the

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

29



State of the market Tankers Pooling shake-up Some of the big tanker pools have seen major changes over the last quarter. Nordic American Tanker Shipping, for example, announced that it has decided to place all its vessels in the Gemini Suezmax cooperation, which also numbers the NAT vessels have been in two cooperative arrangements. Herbjorn Hansson, the company’s chairman and ceo, stated: “Our vessels will trade in the spot market as in the past […] Our objective is to place all our ships with Gemini, including the two 2010 built Suezmaxes scheduled to be delivered later this year.”

Photo credit: Stena Bulk

Frontline and Teekay among its members. So far,

Stena is renewing much of its pool tonnage

Stena updates fleet

Ultimately, Stena aims to extend the pool to

Angeliki

Frangou,

chairman

and

chief

Stena Bulk has been shaking up its chartering

25 new and ultramodern suezmax tankers with

executive officer of Navios Acquisition, said:

arrangements to replace older tonnage with

an average age of only 3 years.

“We are pleased to announce this transaction;

modern vessels. The Nordic Voyager (built

The venture appears to be poised for further

Navios Acquisition will be a platform for building

1997), the Nordic Jupiter (built 1998) and the

growth with several quality owners with new

a world-leading operator of modern, high-quality

Nordic Freedom will be returned to their owner,

suezmax tankers applying to become members,

product and chemical tankers. We are excited

Nordic American Tankers, at the end of their

Stena said.

about building another company in the shipping

charter this year. According to reports in Lloyd’s

sector and believe that the attractive market

List, this means that Stena will be replacing 11

dynamics make this an ideal opportunity for

older tankers with more modern tonnage this

Navios enters the market

leveraging our global network of relationships

year.

Navios disclosed in early April that it is entering

and world-class skills developed in building

In addition, Stena now has six suexmax

the tanker market. This is a large-scale entrance,

Navios Holdings into one of the pre-eminent dry

tankers on order at Samsung shipyard and five

with the company announcing that it had

bulk shipping companies.”

at DSME Shipbuilding in Korea. The vessels are

acquired 13 tankers for an aggregate price

In her statement, Frangou emphasised

due for delivery from 2011-2013, and will all join

of $457.7 million. The fleet consists of 11

Navios’ record in company building, and the

the Stena Sonangol pool. “Stena Bulk has been

product tankers and two chemical tankers, with

256% growth in its dry bulk fleet by dwt since

patient in viewing the markets these past couple

an option to purchase two additional product

2005. “We aim to replicate these achievements

of years, which has proven to be correct,” said

tankers.

in the tanker sector through Navios Acquisition,” she said.

Photo credit: Stena Bulk

Ulf G. Ryder, president & ceo of Stena Bulk.

Ice routes remain a possibility

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

31


State of the market S&P

Time to buy Ordering is on the up again – will prices follow?

A

lmost since the markets began their

Resale prices also rose sharply, with new,

scrap prices are still historically very strong,

precipitous fall, it was predicted that

five-year-old and 10 year-old VLCCs all gaining

although down from the $500 per tonne levels

experienced shipowners would be

between $12 and $12.5 million between the end

seen earlier in the year. While most SH VLCCs

going on a buying spree as soon

of March and end of April, according to Platou.

have now been removed from the fleet, there are

as it looked as if prices were about to bottom

While second-hand prices are not yet at a

still some aframaxes working. However, most

out. As markets have recovered, and to some

premium to newbuilding prices, as they were at

removals this year are likely to come from the dry

degree stablilised, the S&P and newbuilding

the height of the last boom, there are indications

bulk side, especially the ageing handymax fleet,

markets have picked up again rapidly. The China

that they could be heading that way.

while there are a ‘fair amount’ of containerships

Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry,

that are likely to be withdrawn from services,

for example, reported a 770% increase in orders

particularly if the sector continues to struggle,

over the same period last year.

Dry market remains calm

said Alan Marsh, ceo at Braemar.

On the dry side, orders for the first four months were 18.8 million dwt, again more than half of the

VLCC prices surge

33.6 million dwt ordered for the whole of 2009.

Flight to assets?

By the end of the first quarter, orders had been

The orders were concentrated in the capesize

While it is too early to draw firm conclusions,

placed for 6.3 million dwt of tanker tonnage,

and handysize sectors. Capesize resale prices,

one market source has seen a ‘distinct rise’ in

already over half of the total orders placed in

however, remained steady or fell slightly, while

the number of Greek owners enquiring about

2009, at 11.1 million dwt, according to Platou.

smaller vessels saw a slight rise in value.

tonnage since the Greek rescue deal was signed

This rise in ordering has been reflected in a

in early May. It seems possible that owners may

sharp rise in prices, particularly for VLCCs,

be keen to put more of their money in assets,

where prices are up $10 million from year end

Scrapping

he said, particularly if the rescue deal leads to

2009, again according to figures from Platou.

Braemar Seascope had what it described as

high inflation.

Prices are still considerably higher in Korea

an ‘exceptional’ year on the S&P front last

than in China, reflecting a greater confidence in

year, much of it coming from demolition work.

Korea’s ability.

At present, 2010 looks likely to follow suit, as

32

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


State of the market BIMCO update

Revision time Grant Hunter explains what’s behind the revision of one of BIMCO’s most successful and widely used niche documents – the SHIPMAN 98 standard shipmanagement agreement

I

n the 10 years since the ’98 edition was

Key objectives

Layout and format

published there have been many develop-

The key objectives in revising SHIPMAN were:

To aid and improve clarity and layout for ease

ments in the shipmanagement industry – most

• Updating the standard agreement to reflect

of reading, the agreement has been divided into

notably the coming into force of the ISM and

current

commercial

shipmanagement

five sections, with some clauses restructured

ISPS Codes. While SHIPMAN 98 touches upon

practice and any relevant changes in the law.

responsibilities under ISM, much more has

• Ensuring that the basic principles and

been learned about the interplay between the

structure of the existing agreement are

• Section 2 – Services

owners and the managers in respect of the

maintained.

• Section 3 – Obligations

code in the intervening years. In 2007, BIMCO’s

• Improving the clarity and layout of the

Documentary Committee felt that SHIPMAN

agreement.

could benefit from an overall review to reflect

• Harmonising,

and reworded. The sections are as follows: • Section 1 – Basis of the Agreement

• Section 4 – Insurance, Budgets, Income, Expenses and Fees

wherever

possible,

the

changes in shipmanagement practice and the

provisions of SHIPMAN and the two

implementation of new legislation.

CREWMAN agreements.

• Section 5 – Legal, General and Duration of Agreement. The two-column layout has been replaced

Given the importance of SHIPMAN to the

with a single column using a larger and easier

shipmanagement sector, BIMCO has undertaken

to read font size. The new design will also make

a sensitive revision of the agreement to ensure

Overall structure

the agreement easier to work with electronically,

that the fundamental principles of the form are

The original structure and nature of the

using BIMCO’s idea document editing system.

maintained. The fundamental principles that

agreement has generally been retained, whilst

SHIPMAN established when it was originally

provisions have been updated on the basis of

issued in 1988 and which have become in

developments since 1998. Parallel revisions of

Crew management services

many respects the “law” of shipmanagement

all three management agreements have been

The crew management services section of

are carefully preserved in the new edition but are

done in order to ensure consistency. The revised

SHIPMAN 2009 has perhaps undergone the

spelled out with greater clarity. The new edition

SHIPMAN can be used as a one-stop-shop

most noticeable changes to the agreement. The

of SHIPMAN 98 is code named SHIPMAN 2009.

in respect of most shipmanagement services,

main changes have been made to strengthen

When SHIPMAN was last revised in 1998,

including technical and crew management. Both

the crew management provisions consistent

the CREWMAN agreements were updated the

the ISM and ISPS Codes have been defined and,

with the CREWMAN A and B agreements.

year following the publication of SHIPMAN. This

in recognition of the importance of these codes

BIMCO recognises that some parties prefer

resulted in a few inconsistencies in the text of

in the industry, the definition of and reference

to use SHIPMAN even when the agreement

parallel provisions. To avoid this problem and

to the “company” is one of the cornerstones

is only for crew management purposes,

to ensure consistency across the whole suite

of the revised SHIPMAN. The company’s name

even though BIMCO recommends the use

of standard management agreements, BIMCO

is required to be stated in a box upon entering

of the specialist standard crew management

has revised SHIPMAN and CREWMAN A and B

into the agreement, unless the code does not

agreement, CREWMAN A (on an agency basis).

simultaneously, which has brought the benefit of

apply, in which case “not applicable” should

To assist in this and also to make SHIPMAN’s

a greater degree of harmonisation than before.

be entered. Any changes thereafter should be

crewing provisions more comprehensive when

notified in a timely manner.

it is used for crew management purposes together with other management services,

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

33


State of the market BIMCO update • Chris Hilton, Eversheds LLP, Newcastle (Subcommittee Chairman) • Tom Bang-Olsen, T. Klaveness Shipping AS, Oslo (Owner member) • Costas Maounis, Phoenix Energy Navigation, Athens (Owner member) • Matthias Müller, Bernard Schulte GmbH, Hamburg (Owner) • Andreas Andreaou, Columbia Shipmanagment, Limassol (Manager) • Craig Brown, V. Ships, London (Manager) • Stuart Munro, ITIC, London (Club)

External consultation BIMCO benefited throughout the revision of SHIPMAN and CREWMAN from broad consultation with a number of shipmanagement experts, not least the Commercial Committee of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, who provided constructive comments and suggestions from their shipmanager members.

Sample copies and explanatory notes As with all new BIMCO forms, SHIPMAN 2009 is available as an editable Word document using BIMCO’s widely used internet charterparty editing system, idea. This enables users to fill in the expandable boxes in Part I of the agreements with the variable information needed to complete the form. Additional clauses, if necessary, can also be added using idea – either from the builtin library of BIMCO standard clauses or from the users’ own uploaded library of clauses. Finalised documents can be e-mailed as a PDF file along with other attachments to chosen recipients. All documents created from templates on idea we have harmonised the crewing provisions

which need not be English. However, this is

can be ‘recycled’ for repeat or similar business

by streamlining the crewing provisions of

qualified by a requirement for crew to have a

to save time retyping information. For more

SHIPMAN 2009 with those of CREWMAN A

sufficient command of the English language to

information about idea, visit the BIMCO website

(Cost Plus Fee) 2009.

enable them to perform their duties safely, e.g.,

at www.bimco.org.

One of the areas in which SHIPMAN 98 was felt to no longer reflect current practice

those who are involved in ship to ship and/or ship to shore communications.

BIMCO has prepared a comprehensive clause by clause comparison between SHIPMAN 98

concerns the validity of medical certificates.

and SHIPMAN 2009. These explanatory notes

The previous three month validity requirement

show all of the changes made to SHIPMAN 98

has been replaced with a requirement that crew

Subcommittee

and explain why the changes have been made.

medical certificates should be valid at the time

The revision work on all three standard

The notes are available to download from the

the crew member joins the vessel and remain

management documents was done by a sub-

BIMCO website along with free sample copies of

valid for the period of service. In addition, the

committee of experts drawn from the industry,

the agreement. Similar notes and sample copies

revised agreement introduces an option for the

who spent two years working on the project.

are available for CREWMAN A (Cost Plus Fee)

parties to agree a higher medical standard than

The subcommittee consisted of representatives

2009 and CREWMAN B (Lump Sum) 2009.

that required by the flag state.

with previous experience from earlier revision

On the issue of working language on board

work on SHIPMAN and CREWMAN, as well

the vessel, SHIPMAN has been amended to

as representatives from shipowners and well-

emphasise that a command of the English

known shipmanagement companies. Club

Grant Hunter

language for every crew member is not a strict

expertise was provided by ITIC. The members

Chief Documentary

requirement. In the revised SHIPMAN there is a

of the subcommittee were:

Affairs Officer

common working language on board the vessel,

34

BIMCO

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com



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Offshore

Tilting at windmills Offshore installation is providing opportunities for heavylift operators

W

ith increasing demand for renew-

“Our vessels travel at 17 knots, have a much

able energy and with offshore

higher transit speed in and out of port, they can

wind identified as one way of

carry nine Transition Pieces (TPs) which is more

helping governments achieve

than regular jack-up barges, and as the wind

their targets for reducing emissions, the heavylift

farms go further out to sea in deeper waters,

players are showing more interest in this huge

speed becomes even more important,” he says. When the Jumbo Javelin installed the first

potential market. In the UK alone, offshore wind represents a

TP, off the UK’s south-east coast last year, this

considerable opportunity as the Crown Estate

was believed to be the first time that a TP had

announces the new concession holders of some

been transported and installed with only one

of the Round 3 wind farm sites. If all the proposed

DP2 vessel.

wind farms come to fruition, a staggering 33GW

Jumbo Javelin can carry a lot of material,

will be installed by 2020 and at the same time,

stay in position in the field and it has a very high

there is an acknowledged shortage of the very

loading capacity, he adds. “We can get a lot of

specialist installation vessels. And wind farms

material to the site very fast, which is important

are not only multiplying, they are also being

given the very tight weather windows involved.

placed further out to sea in more challenging

We can also relocate from one position to the

waters.

next relatively quickly, as the vessel does not need to reposition anchors or jack-up and down again.” Mr Boutkan adds that the Jumbo vessel

Call for investment

can operate in sea states comparable to jack-up

Recently, the shipyards and wind power

barges.

industries made a joint call for investments

The next big opportunity

The vessel can carry out critical lifts in a significant wave height of at least 1.5 metres.

in the ships needed to ensure offshore wind This will require 10 to 12 new heavylift vessels

Jumbo Javelin loads the TPs, which can be

The European Wind Energy Association

and other vessels for transporting foundations,

up to 300 tonnes each, in Flushing in the

(EWEA) and the Community of European

towers, nacelles and blading systems, he added.

Netherlands, and transports them to the offshore

Shipyards’ Association (CESA) urged the

Some shipowners and operators are ahead

location. The vessel then positions itself on DP

European Commission and the European

of the game and have already got offshore wind

next to the monopile and lifts the TP from its

Investment Bank (EIB) to support the building

farm experience under their belt, such as Jumbo

lower hold on to the monopile. After levelling the

of new ships.

Offshore and MPI Offshore. Brian Boutkan,

TP to its final position, the grouting procedure is

are

Jumbo Shipping project manager, says that

carried out.

needed for the predicted growth of offshore

as the offshore wind sector chooses locations

To give crew safe access from the Jumbo

wind, they stressed. “From 2020 we will see

further out to sea, Jumbo’s vessels can offer an

Javelin to the installed TP, the Ampelmann II

40,000 MWs per year built offshore,” said Eddie

even bigger advantage over traditional barges,

system was used. This is a ship-based, self-

O’Connor, founder and chief executive officer of

primarily because of their speed and loading

stabilising platform which actively compensates

Mainstream Renewables and EWEA Secretary.

capacity.

for vessel motions to make offshore access safe

expansion.

Investments

totalling

E2.4

billion

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

37


Offshore The

deck

arrangement

enables

nine

and easy. All the TPs can be stowed vertically

will supply enough power for around 750,000

in the hold of the vessel and transported to the

homes. Phase One of the wind farm is planned

complete sets of Vestas V90, three MW turbines

offshore location.

to be completed in 2012 and this will include 175

to be loaded. MPI Resolution was configured to

turbines with a combined capacity of 630MW.

carry and install 27 individual blades, nine one-

“There was some scepticism in the beginning

piece towers and nine nacelles.

but I think people will realise that our product is

MPI Adventure will be deployed for the

a very competitive way of installation. Speed is

installation of the foundations and turbines for

of the essence in this work and we have speed,”

the first phase of the London Array wind farm,

in the UK, has

Boutkan says.

which will be the world’s largest offshore wind

GustoMSC to provide the basic design

farm and which could be the world’s first 1GW

Package for two or more newbuild wind farm

offshore farm.

installation jack-up vessels.

There are many self-propelled jack-up barges being built and while these may be ideally suited

Meanwhile, Seajacks, of Great Yarmouth entered into a contract with

The jack-ups will

for the topsides, Boutkan believes DP vessels

The vessel is currently being built at

double the Seajacks fleet. The vessels will

offer a very good alternative for the foundations.

Cosco Nantong and will be delivered to start

incorporate a fully redundant DP2 propulsion

Using a DP positioned heavy lift vessel

construction in April next year. MPI Adventure

system, accommodation for 90 persons and

compared to the conventional method of moving

is actually a second-generation vessel based on

an 800 tonne leg encircling crane. Seajacks is

and installing TPs means that one vessel is used

the MPI Resolution but it has increased capacity

anticipating the delivery of the first newbuild in

for transporting a large load and then it can

in terms of transport, jacking and cargo.

the first quarter of 2012.

offer a fast transit to the installation site and the installation itself, he says.

MPI Resolution is already an experienced

Blair Ainslie, managing director of Seajacks,

hand at offshore wind farm work, having

says: “The new vessels will facilitate faster

“We are quite competitive in this market and

completed foundation operations for the Thanet

and more efficient installation of turbines and

we are looking at various projects, including

Offshore Wind Farm last year, after installing 84

foundations offshore and provide us with an

installing

TPs and J-tube assemblies.

excellent platform for expansion into other

foundations,

jackets

and

TPs.”

aspects of this growth industry.”

Currently, the Dutch firm, headquartered in

TPs and J-tubes were loaded at the Port

Rotterdam, has identified at least three possible

of Flushing from barges transporting the

One thing is clear: the push for green energy

wind farm projects.

components by river from the manufacturing

is not going to stop and offshore wind will

facility in Hoboken, Belgium.

play an increasingly significant role. Some

At its home port at the Tees Offshore Base,

pioneering heavylift operators have been brave

MPI

MPI Resolution was later transformed from

enough to make the necessary and substantial

MPI Offshore, another shipowner experienced in

foundation to wind turbine generator (WTG)

investments needed and these companies are

the fledgling offshore wind farm sector, received

duties. In December last year the vessel

now reaping the rewards. But others, spotting

good news recently when it secured a charter

departed for Dunkirk and the first loadout of the

the opportunity, are sure to follow.

for MPI Adventure before the vessel is even

generator components.

built. Sited in the Thames Estuary, the project

38

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


State of the market Dry bulk

Can lightning strike twice? China drove the dry bulk boom; can it be relied on to get the sector out of the slump?

I

China and India drive growth

ron ore continues to be the main driver for

In addition, Braemar said, seaborne oil and

the dry bulk sector, which has been showing

In his presentation of the company’s annual

dry bulk trades have been closely linked to world

gradual but consistent growth over the last

results, Braemar’s cfo James Kidwell pointed to

economic growth in terms of income, which the

quarter. According to Platou, increased iron

the IMF’s projected growth rate of around 8.5%

IMF is predicting to rise gradually over the next

ore shipments from Brazil were the main factor

for countries in developing Asia, with Chinese

few years. This would indicate growth in demand

behind higher freight rates for capesizes during

GDP growth expected to be above 10% for

for dry bulk trades of just under 4% for the next

April. Platou’s figures show a particularly strong

2010 and 2011. This creates a climate in which

few years.

rise in capesize rates during the last week of

there will continue to be a high demand for raw

However, whether this growth will be

the month.

materials in China. Asked what would happen

sufficient to absorb all the tonnage on order

if growth did not attain these levels, Kidwell

remains to be seen. Clarkson’s Martin Stopford

said: “Even if growth is 3%, we have not had

warned that the ordering cycle may take even

DnB urges caution

an economy like this ever. The scale of it is

longer to pass than has been predicted, saying

According to a report released by DnB NOR,

unprecedented.”

that: “Shipowner and shipbuilder investment

Chinese annual iron ore imports could peak at

Chinese growth is behind a rapid increase

cycles can, when combined, be capable of

1.3 billion tonnes – twice as high as last year –

in exports from India. “India exported over

producing upswings and down swings lasting as

by 2020. While this would create demand for an

100 million tonnes of iron ore last year. Long-

long as 35 years.”

additional 584 capesizes, more than absorbing

term, that figure is only going in one direction,”

the outstanding orderbook, the bank also urged

Kidwell said.

caution for lenders looking to return to the market: “It is too early to assume that the danger is over, there are still major risks associated with lending to the shipping-related businesses,” said ceo Rune Bjerke, writing on the Norwegian website E24. “Although we see that parts of the industry, such as dry bulk and tanker market is getting better, there are still many unresolved issues within the container shipping sector,” he said. Some major players in the market suspect the apparent recovery is not as stable as it seems. Keith Denholm, ceo of Pacific Carriers, for example, said in a speech to the Association of Shipbrokers and Agents in New York, that the there was a risk that it had created a ‘false floor’ due to fleet inefficiencies and port congestion driving up demand.

Braemar

market was currently in a ‘fragile state’, and that

Seaborne trade and GDP

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

39


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Towage & salvage

Saving the Shen Neng Both high-profile and more routine cases are keeping salvors busy

A

lthough there are fewer vessels at sea given the current economic dip, there does not seem to be any shortage of salvage jobs.

Danish group Svitzer is working on one of the

most high-profile salvage operations of recent times, following the grounding of a Chinese bulker on the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On April 3, the 230 metre Shen Neng 1 grounded 70km east off Queensland’s Great Keppel Island, allegedly some 12km off its intended course. A government investigation was immediately launched. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) stated: “The Shen Neng 1 lodged a sailing plan through AMSA’s Rescue Coordination

Centre

prior

to

departing

from Gladstone.” The ship indicated that it would be following a route within the designated shipping area, the safety authority stated. “While the sailing plan provided an indication of the intended passage of the ship, the ship has deviated from its sailing

The Shen Neng 1

plan, entered a prohibited area and run aground ship’s lower hull. Maritime Safety Queensland

Great Barrier Reef,” Svitzer spokesperson

“A competent and alert watch-keeping officer

general manager, Patrick Quirk, later said that

Matthew Watson told The Baltic magazine

should be able to navigate easily in this area,”

the main engine room had been breached,

from Gladstone.

the authority added. The master and chief officer

the main engine damaged and the rudder

were later arrested by the Australian police.

seriously damaged.

on Douglas Shoal.

A team of about 30 Svitzer personnel from Australia, Singapore and the Netherlands (home

The panamax bulk carrier had left the Port

Svitzer immediately mobilised two tugs,

of Svitzer Salvage) were working on the casualty,

of Gladstone carrying approximately 65,000

one from Gladstone – the 46mt bollard pull

both on location, and from onshore sites where

tonnes of coal and was bound for China. Around

Tom Tough – and the larger, 64mt bollard pull

equipment was assembled and transported

975 tonnes of heavy fuel oil was on board the

vessel, the Austral Salvor from Brisbane. As the

to the vessel. The salvage team included

vessel, which is owned by the Shenzhen Energy

Shen Neng 1 had been dragged 30m across

Drew Shannon, who led the Svitzer team that

Group, a subsidiary of COSCO.

the reef one of the tugs was used to help

moved the stranded Pasha Bulker which ran

stabilise the vessel.

aground in 2007 in storms off Newcastle,

Maritime Safety Queensland activated a national oil spill response plan when the master

“We are working extremely hard with

told the authority that there was a hole in the

Australian authorities to protect the iconic

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

New South Wales.

41


Towage & salvage Boskalis takeover goes ahead

Following the initial internal oil transfers that took place immediately after the grounding, the

One of the other majors in the industry,

Pacific Responder, a dedicated salvage and

Smit Internationale, has also found itself in

response vessel from north Queensland, arrived

the headlines but for different reasons, as the

in Gladstone with specialised boom equipment

Boskalis take-over finally goes ahead. On March

to protect the reef in the event of a spill during

27, the Dutch dredging group declared that

the external oil transfer.

its offer for Smit was unconditional, as 90% of

A large 50 metre bunker barge, the Larcom,

Smit’s shares were tendered.

with a capacity of up to 1,500 tonnes, was

In an historic press conference, representing

moored alongside to receive oil from the

Smit’s last one as a stand-alone firm, Smit chief

stricken vessel. Shen Neng 1 was eventually

executive officer Ben Vree stressed once again

refloated and was expected to be taken to the

that all four Smit divisions (Harbour Towage,

Port of Gladstone.

Terminals, Salvage, Transport & Heavylift) of the

The incident led to an immediate outcry

Rotterdam-based company would stay together

in Australia and by environmental groups

under the acquisition and that the Smit name

worldwide. The Australian Prime Minister Kevin

and logo would be retained.

Rudd flew over the site and vowed to bring

An extensive newbuild programme would

those accountable to justice.

also be honoured, he stressed, saying that

There were also calls for mandatory piloting

there would be “no cancellations”. This year

through the reef. WWF urged the government

alone, some 25 vessels will join the company

to make it compulsory that all large commercial

and this follows on from 34 last year. Seven are

vessels travelling within all parts of the

due to arrive in 2011 and Mr Vree told the Baltic

Great Barrier Reef should have qualified and

magazine that he did not exclude “building a few

experienced pilots on board.

more as prices are coming down at the yards”.

In response to this incident, Australia is

As well as the incident in Australia, Svitzer is

Smit would probably add the newbuilds into

seeking to extend the Great Barrier Reef vessel

currently busy across the globe. The company

Australia, Brazil and the Baltic and he expects

traffic system further south and to subject ships

is deploying its unique patented mobile dredger,

to see future growth in Taiwan and China.

to greater surveillance.

the Salamander, to dredge around a 7,455 gt

The company recently started a joint venture,

Ships sailing through the southern parts of

Bulgarian cargo vessel which is stranded high

Towmar Smit Baltic, and the group was awarded

the Reef will be tracked by satellite and required

on a beach in Italy. The Burgas grounded off

a five-year exclusive license for the Port of

to regularly report their movements.

the beach of Castellaneta, Taranto in a storm

Gladstone. Australia is a new market for the firm

in March.

and five newbuild, 70 tonne bollard pull tugs will

Over recent years, queues outside Australia’s coal ports have been a regular feature as

Hendrik Land, senior commercial manager,

they feed Asian demand. There are also fears

Svitzer Salvage, says although a relatively simple

Although Smit had not been unscathed

that traffic will only intensify as several new

piece of kit, the Salamander can work in areas

by the recession, Mr Vree says the firm has

LNG plants open. Unofficial reports say that

where normal bulldozers and dredgers cannot.

a strong balance sheet, that costs are under

sometimes vessels use the reef as a “rat run”,

“The mobile dredger can drive on to the beach

control and that there will be plenty of chances

taking short cuts to coal terminals.

and work in shallow water and surf.”

to grow further as it enters a new chapter in its

work at the port starting next year.

170-year history.

Minimizing the bunker spill was a priority

42

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com



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Shipmanagement, crewing and education update

Shipmanagement news InterManager presents at Brussels

Secretary general Guy Morel, who has

totally at odds with such responses in all other

pioneered the association’s KPI project, said:

professions, where an unintentional incident is

InterManager representatives met with top

“We welcomed this chance to explain thoroughly

treated as such and does not lead to criminal

European Union officials in Brussels in April to

how industry-wide performance monitoring will

sanctions. Seafarers continue to be penalised

discuss EU policy towards key issues in the

benefit shipmanagement and move us forward

for acts that have nothing to do with criminal

shipmanagement sector. Criminalisation, piracy,

to greater transparency and effectiveness. I am

negligence.

transparency and a lack of unity across member

delighted that the EU officials found our project

“InterManager would like to appeal to the

states towards maritime issues were some of the

interesting and effective and we look forward to

honourable delegates to raise this issue at home

subjects on the agenda.

gaining their support.”

and make the difference now – seafarers are not

InterManager secretary general Guy Morel

The criminalisation of seafarers in particular

and secretary general elect Captain Kuba

has been a major concern for InterManager,

guilty unless proven so,” Szymanski said.

Szymanski, Svein Sorlie, group senior vice

which spoke at the IMO in March about its

president at Wilh. Wilhelmsen, George Hoyt

concern

from Newslink and Harald Sleire, senior research

displayed towards seafarers during cases of

Japanese forum highlights need for seafarers

engineer at Marintek met with EU officials from

criminalisation.

By 2020, the maritime industry will need to

at

the

“discriminatory

attitude”

the Maritime Transport Directorate, including

“InterManager believes these practices have

recruit an additional 32,153 officers and 46,881

Dimitrios Theologitis, head of unit maritime

an extremely damaging and dangerous effect on

ratings above 2010 figures to meet growing

transport and ports policy, Jacques Michaux,

the shipping industry,” delegates to the MEPC

needs, according to a study carried out by the

Torsten Klimke, Josep Casanovas and Anne

meeting were told. InterManager also pointed

Nippon Foundation and the Japan International

Devouche.

out that the criminalisation of seafarers directly

Transport Institute (JITI).

Capt Szymanski said: “This was an important

contrasts with the STW subcommittee’s call to

The results of the ‘Study on the future global

opportunity for us to discuss the issues which

shipowners, managers and flag states to do

supply and demand for seafarers and possible

affect shipmanagers throughout the world. We

more to encourage young people to consider

measures to facilitate stakeholders to secure a

enjoyed an informative exchange of views on a

a career at sea and to work harder to retain

quantity of quality seafarers’ were presented in a

wide range of subjects.”

existing seafarers.

seminar at the IMO in mid-May by JITI President

In addition, the InterManager team gave

“To suppose that professional seafarers can

Makoto Washizu. “How”, he asked, “are we

a presentation on its pan-industry KPI (Key

be detained without trial is a disproportionate

going to secure the necessary number of young

Performance Indicators) project.

response not justified in maritime law and

people for the future security of the maritime industry?” The seminar, also discussed how a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach could be adopted to improve working conditions and boost the image of the seafaring profession. The study was carried out by a steering committee composed of academics and representatives from the maritime industry. The group found that while the recent global economic crisis had temporarily affected world cargo movement, projections for industry growth over the coming ten years were still high, and at current levels of recruitment, supply was unlikely to meet demand. Even where recruitment is higher, too many existing seafarers are seeking shore-based jobs early in their careers.

The InterManager delegation to the IMO

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

45


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Shipmanagement, crewing and education update seafaring by consulting students at 12 maritime

industry should seize the opportunity created

Web access key to crew rentention?

institutes in six countries. While respondents

by such new technologies to foster employee

Improved internet access at sea could help

seemed drawn to seafaring as a high-status

loyalty early on”, he stated.

boost crew retention levels by offering closer

The Committee investigated the image of

preferred within a company.

“The shipping

vocation and praised the wages and job

links with family, friends and trainers, acording

satisfaction, most felt pessimistic about the

to the North of England P&I Club. “Faster

at sea and difficulty with relationships and

ITF and Intermanager cooperate on manning

family life as reasons for planning to move

The International Transport Workers Federation

lonely,” says North’s head of loss prevention,

to land-based work in the future. Seminar

(ITF)

managers’

Tony Baker. “Improving the ability to get online

speaker Dr Björn Kjerfve, President of the World

association, InterManager, have signed a MOU

can have significant benefits for crew morale

Maritime University, further pointed out that

committing them to work together on areas such

and wellbeing – but it needs to be managed

piracy incidents are on the increase and that

as maritime safety, training, and preventing the

properly.”

200 seafarers are being held hostage at the

criminalisation of seafarers.

on-board lifestyle, and cited poor conditions

present time. Another area of concern is that too few women take jobs as seafarers, and 94% of

and

international

turnarounds in port and restricted shore leave mean life on board can become increasingly

ship

The Club says living conditions on board by

and the quality and cost of communication

InterManager secretary general Guy Morel and

with family are key issues of concern for people

ITF Seafarers’ Section secretary Jon Whitlow.

considering a seafaring career. According to

The

understanding

was

signed

all women who go to sea work on ferries

The MOU identifies a significant overlap in the

Baker: “Young seafarers now expect to have

and cruise ships, with only 6% in maritime

goals and objectives of the two organisations

similar internet connectivity when at sea as they

cargo transportation. Women are dissuaded

in the field of shipping’s human element. It also

do at home.”

by a lack of ‘family friendly’ policies, health and

recognises the potential benefits of greater

The Club also believes better web access will

safety concerns and a perceived lack of career

cooperation in areas such as: criminalisation and

aid seafarer training, which will in turn improve

progression, as they are often entrusted with

the fair treatment of seafarers; the promotion of

crew retention and reduce accidents. “Continual

fewer duties than male colleagues.

social communication on board ships; meeting

professional development programmes rely on

As an example of best practices the

the aspirations of young seafarers; promotion

a significant amount of onboard training and

industry should adopt, Maria Bottiglieri, from

of a safety culture on board ships; ensuring that

supervision, much of which could be done

the Giuseppe Bottiglieri Shipping Company,

manning agencies meet the requirements of

online,” says Baker.

pointed out that her company had started to

the Maritime Labour Convention; improving the

However, the Club points out there are

provide a free company nursery to attract and

image and reality of the industry; simplification

a number of technical issues that need to

accommodate more female seafarers. This was

of the documentation required to be carried

be overcome, not least potentially prohibitive

also recommended by Mr Washizu who pressed

by ships; crew/officer training, attraction and

data costs – though system development and

for “the introduction of a support system for

retention;

availability are continuing to make downloading

female seafarers, including financial support by

standards.

companies for babysitting arrangements”.

and

improving

accommodation

These findings led the Steering Committee

reflects our focus on the care for our seafarers

to propose several measures to stakeholders

and our belief that, with better liaison and

for securing a new generation of high-calibre

cooperation, we can minimise unnecessary

seafarers, based on attracting newcomers to

duplication of effort, improve efficiency and

the profession, providing increased education,

enhance our impact. We have already seen

training and support to those already going

what can be achieved when the industry

to sea, increasing female participation in

unites on issues such as criminalisation

the industry and strengthening information

and piracy, and we hope to build on

dissemination and national policy. Under these

those lessons.”

headings, stakeholders were urged to improve

Jon Whitlow added: “This is a

conditions both at sea and in maritime institutes

positive step towards developing

and to strengthen relationships between the

closer ties on matters of com-

two.

mon interest with international bod-

In a paper, Peter Cremers, CEO of Anglo-

ies representing shipowners and

Eastern Ship Management Services, said: “To

operators. We hope that searching

make our industry more attractive, the living

for common ground and improv-

conditions on board must be improved to be

ing communications and liaison will

in line with the expectations of the youngsters.

result in a more powerful united

The minimum requirements must be upgraded

voice on industry issues.”

so that the accommodation on board feels like a ‘home’ and not a posting to a remote location’.” He also pointed out that young seafarers

cheaper.

Guy Morel commented: “Today’s signing

The past two years have seen a number of occasions when organisations across the shipping industry have

– and prospective recruits – now used online

come together to speak out on issues such

social networks to discuss the working

as piracy and the unfair criminalisation of sea-

conditions provided by various companies, and

farers. The ITF has previously signed an MOU

even compared which routes and ships they

with Intertanko.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

47


With the world’s largest FSS fleet and the most extensive

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Shipmanagement, crewing and education update Legal issues are also critical, potentially resulting in ship detention and crew arrest if ships’ servers or personal computers are found to contain inappropriate material when calling at ports in certain jurisdictions. The Club recommends shipowners include suitably worded terms in contracts of employment to ensure the benefits of internet use at sea can be enjoyed by all while maintaining the rights of individuals and employers.

Liberia launches VOC management plan approval service By July 1, 2010, all tankers carrying crude oil will be required to implement and maintain on board an approved ship-specific VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Plan, in accordance with Regulation 15.6 of the revised MARPOL Annex VI. The VOC Management plan is required in order to obtain a MARPOL International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) certificate. VOC emissions are air pollutants which need to be controlled in the global effort to reduce the harmful effects of atmospheric pollution. VOCs from crude oil transports are a mixture of light-end components in crude oil, which can be emitted from oil and oil products during production, processing, loading, transport, unloading and storage. The lightest component, mainly methane, contributes to the greenhouse effect, while the heavier components, mainly propane and butane, contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. The purpose of the VOC Management Plan is to ensure that tankers prevent or minimise VOC emissions, as far as is possible. The Liberian Registry is offering a VOC Management Plan Review

Does your international medical insurer go this far?

and Approval Service to help tanker owners achieve compliance with impending IMO legislation governing air pollution. Captain David Pascoe, senior vice-president of (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, says: “Regulatory compliance is becoming an increasingly onerous task in the shipping industry, and responsible ship registers can take some of the burden off their clients in this respect by adopting a proactive approach to issues such as this.”

Bureau Veritas to audit manning agencies Bureau Veritas has moved ahead of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and set up a system to audit and certify manning agencies for seafarers. “Shipowners and managers need to be able to demonstrate they are working with properly run seafarer recruitment and manning

Evacuation to the nearest centre of medical expertise. Whether you’re in the gas or oil business. Wherever you are. You’re just a phone call away. Our 24/7 multilingual helpline is ready and waiting. To get you to the nearest medical centre. As soon as possible.

offices,” explains Claude Maillot, director, ships in service, Bureau Veritas. “When the Maritime Labour Convention comes into force it will be a requirement for organisations recruiting and placing seafarers to conform to the standards set down. We have had a Code for Approved Seafarer Manning Offices since 1998, and building on that experience and the requirements of the MLC 2006 we have now launched a new service for the assessment of Seafarer Recruitment and Placement Systems (Seafarer Manning Offices). It will enable the best manning agencies to demonstrate their readiness for the MLC implementation, and will help owners and managers to ensure they get the right crews.”

Bupa International Healthcare. Everywhere. +44 (0) 1273 322 091 www.bupa-intl.com

Bureau Veritas is working with owners and organisations to ensure that the Maritime Labour Convention can be implemented as smoothly as possible. It has already issued its first Statement of Compliance under the MLC to Danish shipowner Herning Shipping a.s.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com Bup_Rig_Oil_270x86_Col_TheBaltic_June10.indd 1

49 19/4/10 12:03:19


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Shipmanagement, crewing and education update

Education news Anglo-Eastern to expand Mumbai maritime academy

Cremers explained that he felt the emphasis

Professor Ella Ritchie, Pro Vice Chancellor

on training and cadets was becoming more of

for Teaching and Learning at Newcastle

As the long-term shortage of qualified officers

an industry trend as owners were realising that

University said, “The collaboration offers an

and crew becomes an increasing concern for

the shortage of quality officers would not be

exciting opportunity for both Newcastle and

the maritime community, Anglo-Eastern has

going away in the near future. Consequently, any

EIMA. For the university, it is a major step

taken a direct approach to the problem by

investment in this area should be seen as a long-

towards achieving our international expansion

launching its own maritime academy in Karjat,

term strategy. However, he urged shipowners to

strategy, attracting some of the best graduates

just outside Mumbai. In a company statement,

provide more places for cadets, offering that:

in the world, and further raising our reputation

Anglo-Eastern said that it had chosen Mumbai

“An ideal situation would be to have our own

as a world-class university. Locally, Newcastle

as the location for the school as India had been

training ship for 20+ cadets. Help us to get a

University’s long standing tradition of excellence

its first choice for crew supply since the early

training ship for 20 cadets, and we will manage

in the marine sector will boost and support

80s. Today, Anlgo-Eastern employs in excess of

it free of charge.”

the growing marine industry in UAE, helping to deliver some of the best graduates of the future.”

8,000 Indian seafarers, making up approximately 80% of its crewing requirements across a fleet back, and setting up this maritime academy,

EIMA and Newcastle collaborate

Marine academy for Plymouth

which will bring us cadets straight from high

Emirates International Maritime Academy (EIMA)

The UK government has given the go-ahead

school, is the first step,” said Peter Cremers,

is to collaborate Newcastle University in the

for the opening of Marine Academy Plymouth,

Anglo-Eastern’s group ceo.

UK to offer a programme of high quality and

a multi-million pound state funded academy

The academy took its first batch of 120

specialized maritime studies and education in

that will focus on marine eduation. The signing

students last year, enrolling them in a first-year

the UAE and the Middle East/North Africa region

signals the green light for more than £17 million

nautical science course. A graduate mechanical

at large.

worth of investment in the new school. The

of 315 vessels. “We now think it’s time to give

engineering course, a one-year curriculum

The first programme to be run under the

news has been welcomed by the University of

to convert mechanical engineers into marine

agreement will be an MSc in Marine Technology,

Plymouth, the academy’s lead sponsor and both

engineers, is set to commence with 40 students.

intended to give graduate professionals working

co-sponsors, Cornwall College and Plymouth

At present, all the students enrolled will be

in the marine industry skills in advance marine

City Council. The sponsors have set up the trust

offered employment in the Anglo-Eastern fleet.

technologies,

that will manage the new academy.

Future plans include the development of a

operations. The program is designed to be

Unlike maritime academies such as Warsash

second campus that will increase the potential

flexibly responding swiftly to the current and

and the above-mentioned maritime academy

number of students to 1,000, and allow the

developing challenges and demands of the

in Mumbai, the Plymouth academy is not a

company to open the campus to all students,

global maritime sector.

facility for training officers and cadets, but will

not only those exclusive to Anglo-Eastern.

management,

and

business

Captain Jaafar bin Sidin, Director of EIMA

offer a wide range of curriculum subjects, with

According to Peter Cremers, Anglo-Eastern

said: “We are proud and excited to welcome

specialisms in technology and science with a

aims to make the academy one of the leading

Newcastle University to the UAE and hope this

focus on the marine environment.

institutes for nautical education in India.

beginning will lead to a long term relationship

Marine Academy Plymouth (MAP) will open

However, he said, the academy still has a long

offering more programs at the undergraduate and

its doors on 1 September 2010, working out

way to go before that can happen. Anglo-

postgraduate levels to meet the requirements of

of the existing school buildings. Significant

Eastern has invested $8 million in the maritime

the industry and to match the expectations of

improvements and remodelling are being

academy, but is now looking for further funding

our students. In our endeavours to develop

planned for the school site at St Budeaux in

for expansion. “Our first batch of students

EIMA as a centre of excellence for maritime

readiness for the September opening and new

are close to graduating but we need help to

learning, Newcastle University was the ideal

buildings are planned for 2013.

complete the second campus,” said Cremers.

choice as their goals and our vision are closely

“The planning and designs have been done

matched. EIMA is fully committed to supporting

and we are now actively seeking the financial

regional capacity building in maritime education,

support of our owners. Our clients have been

applied research and development for maritime

very supportive insofar as having cadets on

professionals and experts to serve the needs

board our ships and we hope they will continue

and requirements of the maritime industries of

to do so, by supporting our Maritime Academy.”

the GCC countries and the region.”

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

51


When it matters most

Behind every test is a life Protecting the safety and wellbeing of seafarers and maritime workers is critical. Every crew member is responsible for ensuring that accidents at sea do not happen. Today’s maritime operators face some of their toughest challenges yet, including new international regulations for safeguarding health and welfare. With a worldwide client base, Concateno has more than 20 years’ experience providing the maritime industry with drug and alcohol testing programmes and hazardous chemical exposure monitoring.

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International sample collection service:

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24/7 collections

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Fully defensible chain of custody procedures

Self collection service for post incident testing

Programme management, support and advice

Benzene exposure biomonitoring

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CGP7433 Ed.001a


Corporate viewpoint Concateno

Concateno Steering a course to health and safety

O

ne of the main driving forces behind

The changing market of drugs

The deterrent

the testing of vessels for drugs and

The market for new drugs is also constantly

A drug and alcohol policy needs rules, education

alcohol was the spillage of oil from the

evolving; different geographical regions have very

and a threat to ensure that people take notice

Exxon Valdez off the coast off Alaska in

noticeable preferences for their taste in recreational

of the policy. The “threat” can be provided by

1989. A number of issues became apparent after

drugs, such an example would be the increase

the constant reminder of a random drug testing

this disaster, resulting in Exxon putting together a

in Ketamine abuse, especially in the UK and the

programme. It is important that offshore locations

Charterparty Clause so any tankers chartering their

Far East. But Ketamine abuse has associated

are not seen as a “safe” location out of the reach

oil must test for drugs and alcohol. This instigated

bladder dysfunctions such as shrunken bladder

of drug testing.

an industry-wide shake-up to eliminate preventable

and ulcerative cystitis, leading to high frequency

The need to have a fully comprehensive drug

accidents by introducing the simple and effective

and urgency of urination, bladder pain, matter

and alcohol testing service from a single supplier

safeguard of drug and alcohol testing.

passing through the urinary tract, kidney damage

with a global outreach and adhering to the highest

and bladder cancer.

industry standards is essential in the maritime

The dangers of abuse

New drugs will lead to new problems; this

industry.

The impairment effects of alcohol and drugs are

can impact on the crew’s health as much as the

The advantage of using a single provider

well documented and can put your vessel, crew

dangers of being “under the influence” whilst on

ensures for all maritime drug and alcohol testing

and your company’s reputation at risk. All shipping

duty.

the security of supply and a consistency of service, and will result in reduced administration costs

companies need to ensure that their officers and crew are fit for duty, and this includes both their

Alcohol versus drugs

for you. To achieve these benefits, your supplier

awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol

The signs of alcohol misuse are readily recognised.

must be an expert in global logistics such that

misuse and a process to help support and assist

In contrast, some effects of drugs, for example

sample collections can be carried out across an

compliance to shipping guidelines and regulations.

amphetamine’s apparently endless energy, can

international collection network in all major ports as

A drugs and alcohol policy that includes a test

initially appear beneficial, disguising the associated

well as in secondary ports. Collections need also to

programme does both – it helps raise awareness

elements of risk taking, depression and paranoia.

adhere to full chain of custody requirements so that

so that crew understand the seriousness of the issues and it also acts as a deterrent.

Regulations

Alcohol comes in bulky or fragile containers,

samples are handled correctly, are never mixed and

difficult to hide. Illicit drugs for personal consumption

never lost, and therefore legally defensible. It is also

are lightweight and inconspicuous.

the responsibility of the provider to know regulatory

We have social rules governing the use of

frameworks affecting maritime drug and alcohol

a

alcohol. Drugs such as cannabis (marijuana),

testing and to adjust procedures accordingly.

comprehensive drug and alcohol testing policy with

amphetamine and cocaine are “outlaws” – the

Finally, the laboratories in which analysis is carried

having to adhere to local legislation on drugs and

users make their own rules and consequently

out will need to have the highest standards of

alcohol, and ensuring compliance with regulatory

push the barriers of safety to satisfy their own

accreditation to ensure that the test results you

bodies, such as:

preferences.

receive are correct every time.

There

is

a

complexity

of

introducing

Drugs and alcohol usually get considered under

• ISM Code

These

attributes

are

embedded

into

• USCG

the Health and Safety banner but there is also

Concateno’s 20 years of maritime experience and

• ExxonMobil

a security risk. The desire for these products

have made us the world’s largest single supplier of

“All seafarers must be able to respond at any

can place the purchaser in circumstances where

drug and alcohol testing services to the industry.

time to an emergency situation.” (Oil Companies

they may unintentionally, deliberately or through

International Marine Forum Guidelines for the

blackmail give away information that the dealer

Concateno

control of drugs and alcohol onboard ship).

could sell on to interested parties. The complexity

Harbour Quay

Labour

of international drug trafficking and its links

100 Preston’s Road

Convention, which was adopted by the ILO in

with criminal activities could attach enormous

London, E14 9PH

February 2006, has been designed to ensure the

ramifications to the purchase of a small amount of

Tel: +44(0)20 7712 8000

highest standards of healthcare, safety and welfare

an illegal drug.

Fax: +44(0)20 7712 8001

In

addition,

the

new

Maritime

for seafarers. This will also be brought into force in the near future.

As part of an overall security strategy it makes sense to ensure that personnel are not the weak

E-mail: enquiries@concateno.com www.concateno.com

point in an organisation’s defences. An effective deterrent is required to convince them that the risks of even occasional drug use are not worth taking.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

53


Oxford Analytica

Iron ore exporters gain clout The outlook for the iron ore market remains strong, but pricing structures are changing dramatically

M

ajor mining companies have largely succeeded in their push for shortterm iron ore pricing, breaking with the four-decade-old tradition of

annual benchmark prices. Price control for traded iron ore has shifted to the three major mining-for-export companies after their significant consolidation of ownership. UK-Australian BHP

Billiton and Rio Tinto, and Brazilian Vale dominate the international iron ore market. Together, these three companies exported around 74% of the seaborne trade in 2009. Vale and BHP Billiton successfully pushed this year for the end of the four-decade-old annual pricing system in favour of quarterly price adjustments. Both mining companies reached landmark agreements with Japan’s Nippon Steel and South Korea’s POSCO steel on March 30. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto announced on April 8 that it is still negotiating, especially with China, the world’s largest importer of iron ore, to set prices on a quarterly basis. Rio Tinto has had a tense relationship with Beijing, after failed price negotiations and China’s arrest and conviction of four Rio Tinto employees.

China Beijing continues to oppose the shift to a quarterly pricing system, and has called for an international trade challenge to what it regards as monopolistic practices by the big three iron ore exporters. China accounts for about 65% of seaborne ore imports, followed by Japan with about 10% and all others with 25%. Last year, China overtook the United States in the number of vehicles sold, and China’s car sales in January of 2010 were more than double those of a year earlier.

54

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Oxford Analytica rate and is expected to continue to do so. In North America alone, the challengers include at least six juniors and start-ups. Pelletised iron ore, which accounts for about 17% of global iron ore trade, is the premium product. Many established and new iron ore producers in India, China, the former Soviet Union, Africa, North America, and even traditional producers Brazil and Australia, are challenging the market position and oligopolistic power of the three major iron ore companies. Nonetheless, they are still far behind: the ‘big three’ had high profits over the six-year price run-up prior to 2009. With larger work forces, the major companies have greater flexibility to adjust or absorb some reductions in staffing. In a demand rebound like this year’s, they are able to pressure for increased prices.

New capacity The supply of iron ore will continue to increase, Construction will continue to drive demand for steel

as capacity expansions are long-term in nature and financing is already in place, with

In 2009, iron ore prices fell drastically due

The concentration of producers in the iron ore

demand growing. Although it is not enough to

to the global recession. However, even with

industry is far greater than the concentration of

satisfy China’s needs, the country has added

benchmark price cuts of 28% for iron ore fines

global steelmakers. The six largest steelmakers

substantial capacity in recent years.

and 48% for pellets in the annual benchmark

in the world – ArcelorMittal, Baosteel, Nippon

In China, new iron ore mine capacity

negotiations, China pushed for even deeper

Steel, JFE Steel, Hebei Steel and POSCO –

expansions in 2008 totalled about 50 million

cuts, but could not reach an agreement.

together contributed less than 22% to the global

tonnes. They are estimated at about 35 million

1.2 billion tonnes of steel production in 2009.

tonnes in 2009. This year, the increase may be

Chinese steel mills ended up buying an estimated 60% of their ore in the spot market,

only 25 million tonnes, with year-end iron ore

which was cheaper initially, but rose far above

mining capacity at about 490 million tonnes

the annual benchmark price later in the year.

Diversification

The annual benchmark price was $74 per tonne,

Chinese buyers are seeking to increase the

Outside of China, iron ore mining capacity

but spot prices reached $135 dollars per tonne

number of sources of their iron ore supply, both

rose about 115 million tonnes in 2008, with

by the end of 2009.

globally and domestically, in order to diminish

the increase in 2009 estimated at about 81

their dependency on the ‘big three’ exporters.

million tonnes. In 2010, there may be another

(upgraded).

Demand from China will remain high in the

107 million tonne gain, bringing the total non-

Concentration

foreseeable future, leaving the steel industry

Chinese iron ore mining capacity to 1,590 million

The world’s iron ore industry has become very

in a weak bargaining position against major

tonnes.

concentrated in the last few years. In 2009:

suppliers. China has many small iron ore mines,

Despite its importance as the key global

• Vale had approximately 310 million tonnes

but they are not able to meet the country’s

importer, China is losing clout in the iron ore

booming demand.

market. Vale, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton will

of capacity;

Much of China’s iron ore deposits are low-

maintain their major influence over the world

grade hematite ores, which average 30%-35%

price for the foreseeable future. In the longer

tonnes.

iron content. Hematite ores tend to be hard

term, new mining entrants are likely to act as a

Hence, the ‘ big three’, which export almost

to upgrade, so they are often blended heavily

moderating influence on pricing.

all their output, produce 680 million tonnes of

with high-grade direct-shipping-ores of 60% or

iron ore out of a world total production for export

more iron to improve productivity for the blast

of 908 million tonnes.

furnaces. In China, high-grade ore must be

• Rio Tinto had around 220 million tonnes; • BHP Billiton had approximately 140 million

Vale, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are also

imported.

actively expanding their existing iron ore capacity. Taken together, they increased capacity by about 25 million tonnes in 2009 and plan to add

Global supply

another 100-125 million tonnes of capacity by

The rising Chinese demand for iron ore and

2012. Other companies together also have more

the country’s desire to break the oligopoly

Report by Oxford Analytica

than 125 million tonnes of new iron ore pellet

of the big three suppliers are driving forces

www.oxan.com

capacity proposed to be completed worldwide

for additional capacity: global iron ore mining

© 2010 Oxford Analytica

in the next three to four years.

capacity has been expanding at a 6% annual

E-mail: dgautrey@oxford-analytica.com

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

55


FFA

Looking forward A round-up of news from the derivatives sector

Baltic Exchange outlines dry FFA screen trading plans

the OTC FFA market to migrate to a greater level of automation and transparency in the least

Imarex has appointed Geir Olsen as the

The Baltic Exchange has applied for Multilateral

disruptive manner possible.”

group’s new chief executive officer, following Exchange

the resignation of Herman Michelet in March.

Financial Services Authority (FSA) for BaltEx,

announcement, Freight Market Information

According to Imarex, Michelet resigned as “a

a central screen-based trading solution for the

Users Group chairman Stefan Albertijn of Alfred

consequence of different views regarding the

dry Forward Freight Agreement (FFA) market,

C Toepfer International GmbH said:

management of the group and the execution of

Trading Facility (MTF) status with the UK’s

to be run by a new subsidiary, Baltic Exchange

Welcoming

“As

chairman

the

of

Baltic

New ceo for Imarex

the

Freight

Market

the group’s strategy”.

Derivatives Ltd. It is anticipated that BaltEx will

Information Users Group (Dry), I am very happy

Olsen, who has been Imarex’s chief financial

go live before the end of the year.

to see the Baltic Exchange has developed a

officer since 2009, has been acting as interim

Announcing the development at meetings

solution which fits nicely with the mandate

ceo since Michelet’s resignation. He will also

attended by freight derivative traders and brokers

the FMIUG formulated in 2009. The concept

continue to serve as chief financial officer.

at the Baltic Exchange, Baltic Exchange chief

presents a unique opportunity for all freight

The combination of the roles is a consequence

executive Jeremy Penn said: “BaltEx is being

derivatives stakeholders to benefit from faster

of Imarex’s decision to focus its strategy on

developed with the needs of both brokers and

execution, a more efficient transmission to

OTC and clearing as the main segments of its

principals in mind and is ultimately designed to

clearing and the inclusion of market participants,

business, while market analysis will be the third

help bring greater transparency, confidence and

large and small, as well as high supervisory and

operational unit. More resources will be allocated

liquidity to the dry FFA market. BaltEx will enable

compliance standards. In this respect BaltEx

directly to the individual business sectors.

both brokers and principals to enter their trades

shows that the Baltic Exchange is truly looking

Within Imarex’s OTC segment, Spectron has

anonymously and facilitate a simple straight

to maintain its pivotal role in the freight markets,

appointed Simon Davidson and Gordon Bennett

through clearing process. A Baltic Exchange led

working with all its members and defending their

as new managing directors with responsibility for

trading screen ensures that the shipping market

common interests.”

the Europe/Asia and the Americas operations

maintains control of, and ultimately benefits from,

Baltic Exchange chairman Mark Jackson

respectively.
They succeed Andrew Stephens

the introduction of a centralised trading facility

said: “The Baltic Exchange Board is fully

who has decided to step down after serving

used by a range of market participants. We are

committed to this project and we are convinced

as Spectron managing director since 2003.

determined to build a consensus of support from

that this is an important step for the Baltic to be

Stephens will be available as an advisor for the

the market for the trading platform.”

taking to enable the continuing evolution of the

Imarex Group going forward. Both Davidson and

freight derivatives market.”

Bennett have extensive market experience and

He added: “Unlike central screens already proposed by other parties, which seek to impose

A date for the launch of BaltEx has not yet

have been part of the Spectron management

an existing futures market trading system on

been finalised and the Baltic Exchange will be

since 2002. Their appointments ensure continuity

to the freight derivatives market, BaltEx will

building up staff numbers to roll-out BaltEx in the

and lay grounds for continued success for the

enable continued access to multiple clearers

coming months.

Spectron Group.

and has been designed not to disintermediate brokers. We believe that greater liquidity for

BaltEx is based on technology developed by Elysian Systems.

India-China FFA launched

easily traded standardised contracts will create

All dry FFA contracts are already settled

more opportunities for brokers to develop more

against the Baltic Exchange’s physical indexes,

On March 10, the Baltic Exchange commenced

sophisticated off-screen trades. They will of

which are compiled from a panel of independent

the trial of an implied iron ore Voyage Equivalent

course continue to execute standard trades, on

shipbrokers.

rate based on the S7 India-China supramax iron

screen where appropriate. Our goal is to enable

56

ore timecharter route.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


FFA and the dry FFA market. Therefore, it is a natural step for Clearport – now part of CME Group – to expand its offering in post trade freight clearing, says Stevens. It now offers wet FFAs cleared as forwards and priced on a Worldscale basis, reflecting the mainstream market practice. In addition, it has recently launched a slate of dry FFAs, which also clear as futures. It has to be recognised, though, that the FFA market is no longer a market in search of a clearing solution, but rather a market concerned about the quality and breadth of service on offer, says Stevens. In this regard, Clearport has introduced some important features that should be popular with existing market participants, as well as helping to develop the market further. As with all Clearport products, there is no screen to view, and no central marketplace offered. Deals are agreed between counterparties, usually through a broker, and only submitted to clearing once the trade is confirmed. Trade submission usually takes place through the CME Clearport website, although an API is also available for connection by broker screens such as Trayport. Submitted trades are checked automatically against risk limits, and the trade is confirmed or rejected immediately. Where enaThe first FFA trade on the supramax India-China timecharter route was completed

now that smaller clips are regularly traded in the

bled, Straight Through Processing means that

market in greater volume.

the trade can feed through directly into customer risk systems in a matter of seconds.

between principals Morgan Stanley and Cargill

“It is becoming obvious that people no

International SA Geneva on March 12, reports

longer rely purely on FFAs for trading and risk

On the dry freight side, the timecharter

FIS, which brokered the deal.

management, that they see options as useful for

average contracts have been listed with a ¼

Francesco Ronsisvalle and Joe Radmore

hedging and speculation. The market is getting

day contract size to allow for more flexibility

of Morgan Stanley said: “Morgan Stanley sees

to the size where you can’t just ignore it, you

for trade splitting and shaping across months.

considerable opportunity in the India-China

have to realistically look at getting involved,” said

Balance-of-month (‘balmo’) contracts have

routes for timecharter and spot business. This

FIS options broker James Schembri.

also been listed to facilitate a tailor-made risk

has the potential to be a very useful tool for

The increasing number of market participants

management solution. Additional contracts are

traders of iron ore, as well as freight and iron

has also meant that trading options has become

under development, with the aim of offering a

ore swaps.”

less expensive, with more participants trading

full range of products which will be of use to

John Banaszkiewicz, managing director of

half contracts or small days as a means of

all freight market participants. CME Group has

Freight Investor Services said: “This is a kick-

getting started. “Smaller clips make options

a reputation for offering innovative products

start for the S7 route and vindicates our belief

much more attractive to smaller shipowners who

on Clearport in response to the needs of the

that there is demand for this from our customers.

want to dip their toe in the pool. As a buyer of

market.

FIS has been pushing the importance of the

an option you can use simple techniques to give

Clearing an FFA does come at a cost,

individual Baltic routes for paper and iron ore

yourself the full upside on a successful trade

wherever clearing takes place, both in terms of

hedging and we think there’s a lot more liquidity

while also limiting your downside to the premium

clearing fees and in the costs for posting margin.

to come.”

you paid,” Schembri says.

The Clearport fee schedule reflects the fact that this is a competitive market, with discounted fees for members as well as for non members

Options trading to pick up, predicts FIS

CME Group expands central clearing services

that trade high volume.

FIS believes that higher volatility, increased

A number of new innovations are available

step is to set up a futures account with one of

volumes and the availability of clearing could

to the freight markets, designed to introduce

the Clearing Members. Once this is done, there’s

make 2010 the year that options gain significant

efficiency and flexibility to this key element of the

an online licence agreement to complete, risk

traction in the paper freight market. The use

global economy, says Richard Stevens, director

limits are assigned to accounts by clearing firms,

of options is potentially attractive because of

research and product development at CME

and customers can identify the brokers who are

the way that trading can be used to maximise

Group in London.

given permission to submit trades for clearing

upside potential while limiting exposure. The

Since 2005, there has been exponential

addition of clearing has removed counterparty

growth in both Clearport’s distribution (over

default risk, and their cost is more manageable

10,000 registered users) as well as in the wet

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

For those that aren’t on Clearport, the first

on their behalf.

57


Corporate viewpoint LCH.Clearnet Ltd

Real-time STP for Freight C

hange is advancing on the FFA market – the need for clearing is still as ever prevalent, with statistics indicat-

brokers to widen their distribution channels

Figure 1. Average PTC Clip Size

with a guarantee of real-time straight-through-

20

processing from the point of trade to clearing.

ing that in the first quarter of 2010,

16

Access to the credit filter application will be

98% of dry FFA trades were cleared, 84% of

12

available through a secure web-based interface

Jan-10

Oct-09

Jul-09

And there’s more … Apr-09

1). Historically such trends have translated into

O

Jan-09

clip size traded in those products (see Figure

4 Oct-08

lative interest and a decrease in the average

contact LCH.Clearnet for further information.

Jul-08

have become vanilla, resulting in greater specu-

that is configurable to the user’s needs. Please

8

Apr-08

Certain structures and elements of the market

Jan-08

which were cleared by LCH.Clearnet alone.

Average Clip Size (lots)

greater adoption of technology within the market

LCH.Clearnet’s next suite of enhancements will address the needs of clearing banks to integrate 3rd party back-office applications directly with

segment, not just in clearing but in transaction

Enhancing technology

our clearing platform. LCH.Clearnet are now

efficiency and back office reconciliation, through

In a move that is set to drive greater efficiency

investing in scoping work that will offer real-time

increased take-up of electronic trading and API-

in the OTC cleared FFA market, LCH.Clearnet

messaging capability and the opportunity for

based real-time messaging. These needs are

is launching a credit filter as an add-on to

clearing banks to experience further operational

becoming evident in the brokered FFA market

its existing clearing technology.

The credit

efficiency gains. In addition, LCH.Clearnet is

as more and more counterparts look to replicate

filter will expedite the clearing process by

making improvements to its clearing system

the efficiency gains seen on other in-house trad-

reducing operational effort for clearing banks

ECS, which will give clearing members and

ing desks – screen-based trading, lower round

using a credit risk management module that

brokers an enhanced GUI. This will greatly

trip costs, straight-through-processing and

allows predetermined credit limits to be set

improve the efficiency for users of the platform,

deeper liquidity through increased client flow.

on a counterparty basis. This will significantly

in dealing with cleared FFA trades.

Couple these elements with the current regula-

streamline the clearing process. Trades will be

tory pressure for greater trade transparency in

evaluated by the credit filter in real-time to check

Product and volume update

the OTC space, and electronic enhancements

the available credit lines of the counterpart, as

As well as technology enhancements, LCH.

become inevitable.

set by their Clearing Member; deals that meet

Clearnet has recently added the S7 timecharter

Brokers, clearing banks and clearing houses

the pre-approved credit limits can then flow

route (East Coast India – China) as well as

now face more pressure than ever to improve

directly into LCH.Clearnet’s clearing platform as

handysize options to its FFA product suite.

services and technology for market principals,

cleared transactions – removing a requirement

Looking forward, there are a number of new

and we are seeing glimpses of a new and

on clearing banks to confirm trades on a deal

markets, related to freight, which LCH.Clearnet

improved infrastructure in the OTC cleared FFA

by deal basis. Credit limits are updated in real-

is investigating with brokers, for planned launch

market at LCH.Clearnet. Screen trading is still

time based on the daily trading activity of the

in the coming months.

in its infancy but is being actively promoted by

counterpart, using LCH.Clearnet’s initial margin

the trading and brokerage community, which if

parameters as the basis for credit usage.

With reporting of trade data becoming increasingly important, LCH.Clearnet is now

successful will increase transaction flow through

In addition to the credit management

publishing daily, weekly and monthly cleared

wider distribution. This in turn will increase flow

capability that is on offer to clearing banks,

volume data on its website. In addition, open

through clearing houses and ultimately clearing

the credit filter also enables streamlining of

interest volumes are also being reported per

banks, but will heighten the requirements

trade entry for brokers that wish to capitalise

route, with weekly updates.

for greater trade processing efficiency borne

on the technology.

through improved systems and technology

to register their trades through the credit filter,

investment. LCH.Clearnet has taken its initial

reducing the time it takes for their trades to be

steps in a process to increase trading and

confirmed cleared. Furthermore, LCH.Clearnet

operational efficiency for clearing members and

is able to offer an open access API that will

brokers alike.

allow connection from any electronic trading

FFA Brokers will be able

platform. This significant advancement allows

58

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

Website: www.lchclearnet.com/freight


Corporate viewpoint AXSMarine

AXSMarine Work faster and more efficiently with information at your fingertips

A

s the global shipping industry strug-

manage more efficiently and make faster

In addition, AXSMarine has developed a state-

gles to come to terms with the rav-

decisions. All of AXSMarine’s products enable

of-the-art address book (AXSAddressbook) far

ages of the most severe economic

users to securely and selectively manage,

outweighing anything available from MS. They

downturn in its history, one thing has

share, receive and publicise data with affiliates

also deploy and develop MS plug-ins for various

become very clear: opportunities may exist but

or partners. Users decide which information

parts of the AXSMarine product suite.

being one step ahead of the competition is cru-

to share, and with whom, by simply clicking

cial if you are to win the deal. Time is definitely

easy-to-recognise

money in today’s fast moving shipping industry

employs state-of-the-art security to provide the

AXSDry

and being able to gather, assimilate and act on

highest integrity concerning the capture and

AXSDry is a complete set of online tools and

the right information at the right time can be

maintenance of data.

databases designed for the dry bulk shipping

symbols.

AXSMarine

All companies users’ privacy is guaranteed

industry. Hundreds of operators, brokers,

at all times. Permanent availability is ensured

charterers and financial institutions save time and

That is where AXSMarine comes in. Its

through rigorous redundancy and back-up

make better decisions by easily interacting with

services are designed to take advantage of what

routines. “In a complex and changing market,

data from the suite’s powerful assessment and

is now referred to as ‘Web 2.0’, the second

we have a simple vision: allow each of our clients

analysis tools. AXSDry enables its users to have

generation of internet-based communities which

to bring their own personalised order to a vast

a complete view of the dry bulk shipping market

aim to facilitate collaboration and information

array of data,” said AXS Marine’s ceo, Fabrice

— without having to sort through thousands of

sharing between users.

Demichel.

e-mails, or manage multiple programmes on their

crucial to ensuring success over failure, as well as a healthy profit margin.

With one click to connect to AXSMarine, users

computer desktops. AXSDry offers subscribers

decision-making

access a complete catalogue of online analytical

a wide variety of features, including Vessel

tools and databases for shipping industry

programmes such as voyage estimators, freight

Manager, Cargo Manager, Voyage Calculator,

professionals. AXSMarine’s online tools are

matrices, distance calculators, vessel position

FFA Manager, Fixtures, Distance Calculator,

secure, fast and easy to use, and the databases

or cargo order listings, commercial and sales

Freight Matrices, Port Library and MOPS (Marine

they source are always up to date. Because

advices, valuations, and market & statistical

Operations Performance System).

they are internet-based, they are available from

reports. These programmes can be tailored to

any computer, anywhere; there is nothing to

the individual user’s requirements.

AXSMarine produces a complete set of interactive,

internet-based

AXSDry’s

Vessel

Manager

featuring

AXSTracker facilitates the updating of incoming

download or install.

tonnage e-mails without having to read them

Indeed, according to Stephen Fletcher,

all. Also available in an MS Outlook plug-in is a

AXSMarine commercial director, having your

How does it work?

facility where the original e-mail can be saved

finger on the knowledge button is part and

AXSMarine has teams of product specialists

and retrieved from the vessel database. In

parcel of this desire for a seamless flow of

collecting raw data from reputable sources.

this way, a broker can transform thousands of

bespoke knowledge – data that are honed and

AXSMarine subscribers also add their own

positions into his own personal, searchable file.

shaped to meet the exact requirements of the

information – always privately, and sometimes

AXSDry’s MOPS was launched in January 2009.

client. AXSMarine’s ability to provide the right

to share with other members. AXSMarine’s

With it, vessel operators can enter voyages

tools and data that are totally dependable,

purpose-designed algorithms transform this

and issue access to their agents to their online

reliable and seamlessly updateable is core to

raw data into databases of searchable and

Statement of Facts manager, thus finalising the

its clients remaining one step ahead of their

sortable information. These databases, when

port expenses directly in their own database

competitors.

used and combined with their high-performance

saving re-keying of critical information.

With

AXSMarine,

shipping

industry

online tools such as vessel searches, voyage

AXS Dry Club members can now view

professionals can transform their massive

estimators,

calculators,

up-to-date chartering positions as part of

overload of raw data into useful, searchable

research and more, let users run their day-to-

their service for a small additional monthly

information. As a result, they can work faster,

day businesses more effectively.

subscription, while brokers are able to benefit

distance

tables,

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

59


Corporate viewpoint AXSMarine from additional marketing advantages by

AXSOffshore

promotion and provides dedicated user and

uploading their chartering position information to

Developed together with two high profile

technical support for customers across the

the AXS database. The new module has already

shipbrokers, AXSOffshore has taken AXSMarine

entire Asia-Pacific region. Since January 2009,

undergone extensive market-place testing over

further into the realms of a common platform

existing product enhancement responsibilities

the past six months and is proving beneficial to

that is database independent. Stephen Fletcher

have also been migrated to the Singapore office.

Club members.

explains: “In the offshore supply vessel industry

AXSMarine SA in Paris focuses on new product

According to Stephen Fletcher, the new

there are many different kinds of vessels which

development and technologies. AXSMarine

information will save clients many more hours

cannot simply be categorised like one does dry

added sales, support and technical staff during

of manpower.

bulk or tankers by size and dwt or, as container

the 4th quarter of 2008 and early 2009 forming

“This service can benefit everyone,” he

vessels are, by size and teu intake. There are

a cohesive team of 10 people, adding to its

explained. “We currently carry some 800 ship

many specialised vessels, and users need to be

team of 12 in Paris. “Singapore is quickly

positions a week, which represents up to 25%

able to manage a subjective view of the vessel’s

becoming a hub for all sectors of the shipping

of the spot market, and we are working diligently

category.”

industry,” says Stephen. It has also boosted its

over the next month to improve the quantity

presence in the European, Middle Eastern and

available,” he said.

African (EMEA) shipping markets by opening a

AXS-Alphaliner

new representative office in London. The new

AXS-Alphaliner is an enhanced version of

office, based at 60 Cannon Street in the heart

AXSAddressbook

Alphaliner, which joined forces with AXSMarine

of the City of London, is headed up by Hugo

Many shipbroking, chartering and operating

in 2005. AXSMarine’s powerful data sorting,

Rousse, who has relocated from AXSMarine’s

organisations are considering, or have already

processing and sharing technologies transform

Paris office.

migrated,

exchange

Alphaliner’s rich databases into true productivity

messaging platform. About 95% of required

tools. AXS-Alphaliner provides its subscribers

functionality, which has only been available in

with a unique picture of the liner industry,

industry-specific message system offerings, is

unparalleled in its accuracy. Members benefit

configurable off-the-shelf within MS Outlook.

from features such as Vessel Fixtures, Sales

to

an

MS

Outlook

& Orderbook, forward open Vessel Positions, and Vessel Descriptions, as well as daily news

Free Distance Table

updates, searchable news archives, a weekly

Bucking the market trend, AXSMarine is now

newsletter and a whole series of very detailed

providing the industry with a free distance table

market reports and statistics.

from its public website. Stephen Fletcher draws attention to the fact that there were a couple of ‘free’ alternatives available on the market

AXSTanker

which began charging last year. “Our distance

AXSTanker is a set of up-to-date knowledge

table has been integrated within our products

databases and high performance interactive

for more than five years and it has never been

tools designed for the specific needs of

our intention to charge for the service,” he

competitive tanker brokers. Several hundred

says. Over 6,000 individuals have subscribed

individual shipbrokers use the AXSTanker suite

to this free service since it was launched at the

to indicate the positions of some 8,000 ships,

beginning of June 2008.

update tonnage, prepare position lists, or consult the tanker register, port database and distance tables. The exclusive membership of tanker

For further information, please contact:

AXSS&P

brokerages votes to approve the admission

AXSMarine Headquarters

AXSS&P is the first AXSMarine product to

of any new applicant. The recent and much-

80 rue Taitbout

maintain the common platform theme, but this

lauded additions to AXSTanker are AXSTanker

75009 Paris FRANCE

time, without providing a sharing capability

and Gas Calculators, which are tools allowing

Tel: +33 1 53 43 05 70

between different clients. Encompassing all of

brokers and charterers to stop making all their

their standard search and database features and

calculations by hand or Excel.

AXSMarine Pte Ltd

many more, AXSS&P allows users to override

10A Trengganu Street

technical specifications, add their own vessels,

Singapore 058464

incorporate their own proposal templates, and

AXSMarine

importantly the system was designed with full

AXSMarine believes it needs to be where its

integration to MS Outlook, allowing users to add

customers are, which is why it has built up a

AXSMarine Limited (London)

e-mails and attachments directly to vessels in

strong presence in the core shipping and broking

60 Cannon Street

the database.

centres around the world. Established in London,

London, EC4N 6NP

Conversely, users may retrieve e-mails and

Paris, and Singapore, the company is setting its

Tel: +44 207 002 1089

attachments directly from the AXSS&P database

sights on the Americas in 2011. AXSMarine

– ultimately reducing the need to search and

has been present in Asia since it opened an

E-mail: commercial@axsmarine.com

search e-mail archives.

office in Singapore in early 2007. Incorporated

MSN Messenger: support@axsmarine.com

in 2008, AXSMarine Pte. Ltd. manages product

Yahoo! Messenger ID: axstanker

60

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

Tel: +65 6225 3115



Maritime security

Policing the seas A long-term solution to the piracy problem is a long way off, but assistance and training for crews and owners is becoming more widely available

T

he figures tell their own story. Last year, there were a total of 406 armed attacks against vessels around the world, according to figures from the

International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which monitors and reports on piracy and armed robbery against ships. Bulk carriers appear to be particularly vulnerable, perhaps because of their relatively slow speeds, with a total of 109 vessels coming under attack. Containerships, general cargo ships and tankers also proved popular targets, but pirates will strike at almost anything – up to and including the rather illconsidered choice of naval vessels, on occasion. Simon Fordham, a crisis management expert at Begbies Traynor, said in a lecture to Lloyd’s of London that the maritime industry was undoubtedly facing a piracy crisis, with no sign of resolution or impact reduction for some time to come In the first quarter of this year alone, 69 separate attacks were reported. Of these, 18 were carried out in Somalia, 12 in the Gulf of Aden, and three in the Red Sea, clearly showing that the East coast of Africa remains a hot spot for armed attacks on vessels, despite increased coverage from naval patrols in the area. The piracy problem in the area has become apparent over a very short period of time, with attacks in the Gulf of Aden alone increasing from 13 in 2007 to 116 last year. Earlier this year, it was widely reported that Islamist forces have been moving in on the Somali coastal towns used as a base for pirate operations. However, this may do little to reduce piracy, as commentators were suggesting that the move was motivated by a desire for a cut

Naval patrols reduce attacks – but they can’t be everywhere

62

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Maritime security of the lucrative ransom business. Control of the

forces and shipowners and operators alike is

Preventative measures

piracy business may change, but any reduction

being diminished by the inability to bring pirates

Some operators have been routing vessels

in attacks is likely to be short term only.

to justice and to prevent them from returning to

around the southern coast of Africa, rather

It is obviously not altogether impossible to

operation after capture and release, and by the

than face the Gulf of Aden and its approaches.

combat piracy. Five years ago, all the attention

recent extension of piratical activity far into the

Routing software now features an ‘anti-piracy’

was on the increased amount of attacks in

Indian Ocean.

option that avoids high-risk waters. However,

Indonesian and Malaysian waters, in particular

as the price of oil – and of bunker fuel – rises

the Straits of Malacca. While piracy remains

again, the risk/benefit ratio of the longer trip may

a problem there, attacks in Indonesia were

Industry petition

be changing once more, particularly considering

down to just 15 last year, compared to 79

Reflecting what Intertanko’s chairman Capt

that even with the current high risks of piracy,

five years ago, while attacks in the Malacca

Graham Westgarth recently called “a signifi-

the chances of an attack are still very small

Straits fell from 12 to two in the same period.

cant degree of frustration”, Intertanko is urging

compared with the total number of vessels

However, tactics used to reduce piracy in this

governments to step up their involvement and

transitting the area. Other vessels, such as

region – where attacks are mostly confined to

commit to the maintaining of international sea

those involved in the World Food Programme,

restricted waterways – may not be suitable for

lanes with concerted efforts to find real and

are operating to ports directly within the danger

the vast areas of the Indian ocean, where naval

workable solutions to enable them to fight piracy

zone. For ships that choose to, or have to,

anti-piracy patrols have been likened to ‘trying

more aggressively and effectively by:

operate in these waters, there are a range

to police the entirety of the USA with just one

• increasing naval and other appropriate mili-

of strategies that can be taken to mitigate

patrol car’. And the extent of the waters in which

tary support, and by adjusting their rules of

the risk of attack – or defend against it when

Somali-based pirates are operating seems to be

engagement for naval forces to allow naval

it comes.

ever-widening, with attacks now taking place in

forces to tackle piracy head-on (at present,

One possibility is the introduction of a

the Indian Ocean, 400 miles offshore and more.

many countries are only allowed to tackle

professional escort, either armed or unarmed.

A further problem is the lack of precedent on

pirates if an attack is actually in progess,

According

rather than imminent);

SecureWest International, which provides a

what to do with pirates when they have been

to

Clare

Williamson-Cary

at

captured. As Somalia is lacking the infrastructure

• ensuring effective powers are granted and

range of maritime security training and services,

to deal with them, in some cases, pirates have

are in place to arrest, detain and bring to

demand for SecureWest’s escort services has

been captured, only to be released again.

justice all those who operate on the high

increased significantly over the past two years.

According to a spokesman for Intertanko, the

seas outside the law.

This is not solely due to the well publicised

effectiveness of the measures taken by naval

events in the Gulf of Africa, she says. “All manner

Lower your risks on the high seas.

Talk to maritime security experts BGN Risk about your next transit to ensure your people, your cargo and vessels, and ultimately your profits, are protected at sea. Call industry leaders Liam Morrissey or Simon Fordham on +44 (0)207 398 3800 for: • Security Planning and Management • ISPS Code Compliance

Call for maritime security advice now on:

+44 (0)207 398 3800

• Anti-Piracy Operations • Crisis Management

Or visit our website: www.bgn-risk.com

www.bgn-risk.com

0310 BGN Risk Ad.indd 1

14/4/10 15:56:06

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

63


Maritime security

TRAINING & AUDITING

COUNTERMEASURES & RESOURCES

CONSULTANCY

INTELLIGENCE

Shore Based Management Training

Propeller Arresters™

Flag State and Industry Bodies

Command Team and Crew Training

Banners

Management Board

Confidential - Masters 2 Masters Intelligence Service (C-M2M)

Suez Crew Competence and Vessel Hardening Audit

Handbook, DVD, Bridge Cards, Risk Assessment

Fleet Audit

Ship Support Service

Legal and Insurance

Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre info@mmwc.org

64

+44 (0)845 26 99 801

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

www.mmwc.org


Maritime security of threats are becoming more visible to the end users of cargo as well as vessel operators, who often are already under pressure to be efficient and first to market in the current economic environment. As such, many shipowners and end users are working together to build a more comprehensive approach to ensure their cargo makes it securely from point A to point B.” The company expect the popularity of escort services to continue, she explains. This is primarily for two reasons: “For one, the area of operation for piracy is spreading as the pirates try to stay one step ahead of the international military response as well as ‘upstart’ pirates, who though not always as organised, are looking to get their share of the ransoms. Furthermore, there has been a notable broadening in the number and types of vessels with the need [for security teams]. Formerly, if you had a higher freeboard or could maintain a decent speed, piracy was often low on the list of concerns. But with the changing and ever-more sophisticated tactics of pirates, emboldened by the potential rewards on offer, all vessels run the risk of attacks.” In one such operation, SecureWest provided an escort vessel for a tug transitting the Gulf of Aden with a vessel in tow. Operating at just five knots, the convoy was well below the recommended speeds for vessels passing through the transit corridor, making it very vulnerable to potential attack. Both the vessel operator and the insurance company were keen to have robust security provision. Due to limited space on the tug, it was decided to use an escort vessel, rather than an onboard team. The escort vessel, carrying an armed security team and supported by rigid inflatable boats (RIBSs), would establish a 24-hour security picket screen around the ‘convoy’. In order for a screen of this type to be successful, it is vital that both master and crew of the vessel are confident with the concept and workings of a security screen. In this case, the leader of the security team made immediate contact with the master of the tug and gave a brief on maritime security measures, carried out a security risk assessment and discussed rules of engagement. An escort security plan was drawn up and agreed between both vessel masters, and anti-piracy briefs and training for the Master and crew were given. Training and drills including table top and practical exercises, took place throughout the voyage, so that each member of the crew was confident in their role during any type of incident. “It is important that all personnel understand the risks they may face and the mitigating measures to defend against it. Experience has also shown that crew understanding and involvement engenders a

Danger zone?

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

65


PROTECT

YOUR

ASSETS MANAGE

YOUR RISKS

www.bergenrisksolutions.com


Maritime security greater degree of assurance and confidence,”

Education

says. Piracy, however, is not just a concern for

says Clare Wiliamson-Cary.

Since the introduction of the ISPS code, it has

those traversing known flashpoints such as the

Regular security alerts to both vessels on

been obligatory for ships to have a security plan

Gulf of Aden. “Attacks need not involve hostage

incidents occurring in the region of the transit

in place, with a designated officer responsible

situations to cause severe disruption. Even petty

allowed the convoy to change the passage plan

for ship security. However, for those operating

theft can impose a financial burden on maritime

during the transit to avoid an area where there

in high-risk waters, additional training can be

operators in the form of business interruption

had been several sightings of suspected pirate

necessary, both for the security officer and for

and multiple insurance claims,” she warns.

mother-ship activity in the preceding two days.

the crew as a whole. “Maritime crews cannot

Education is as vital to minimize threats of this

be expected to know instinctively how to react

kind as it is to deal with the more dramatic and

in extreme conflict situations,” emphasise staff

highly publicized piracy issues.

Training is crucial

at MAST Security, which provides advice and

Posting guards on ships is a controversial

training both for crews and for professionals

measure, however, and one that not all security

looking to work in the maritime security field. The

experts support. Ben Jackson, head of security

company now offers a special course combining

at MIG Security, for example, says the company

the three day Ship Security Officer with one day

takes the view that regularly providing armed

of anti-piracy training.

escorts “would be an alarming escalation of

According to Clare Williamson-Cary, training

the situation that would put at risk the most

options in the field of anti-piracy include, but are

vulnerable vessels and crews attempting to earn

not limited to anti-piracy protocols for the vessel/

a living at trade at sea”.

crew, crisis management planning for shoreside

“Passive measures can be the only way

personnel, and the integration of technologies

forward if we are not to see huge escalation in

into the security structure. She emphasizes

casualties of the piracy situation in the Gulf of

the need to tailor the training to each individual

Aden,” warns MIG’s managing director Marcus

company: “Assessor skills are as critical in our

DiVincenzo. NAVFOR and other naval vessels

staff as the ability to deliver the course, because

already provide efficient and professional cover

often the shipping companies will know they

in the region. Instead, MIG advises owners to

need the training, but not always be aware

concentrate on providing crew with anti-piracy

where their biggest weaknesses may lie. Prior

training that will give crew the experience and

to the training, the trainer will assess the client’s

ability to read situations, avoid attack if possible,

goals and needs and make recommendations

and react correctly where an attack cannot be

to ensure the training is not only a good fit for

avoided. The answer to the piracy problem “is

them, but also is crafted in such a way as to

as much about thought as countermeasures,”

offer long term benefits to the company and not

Jackson says.

just a paper certificate to hang on the wall,” she

The industry steps in

ernments to do everything possible to protect

correct response all have their part to play in

Enough is enough! Governments must act now to fight piracy

protecting individual crews from pirate attack,

Almost every day seafarers are being kid-

ships at risk of attack by pirates by:

ultimately, it will take intervention at a much

napped and exposed to an increasing risk of

• dedicating significant resources and con-

higher level to make the seas safe around

injury or even death.

While technology, training, preparation and

the world. Against this background, a group

Every day seafarers transport the world’s

of organisations across the industry launched

goods through areas where the risk of pirate

the ‘enough is enough’ campaign in May this

attack is increasing.

year. The campaign, backed by an online petition, aims to persuade all governments to

Every day seafarers’ families are suffering worry and uncertainty.

commit the resources necessary to end the

Every day the chances of attracting people

increasing problem of Somalia-based piracy.

to jobs at sea – on which all our economies

The campaign backers hope to gather at least

rely – are shrinking.

half a million signatures to the petition, which

Every day shipping companies and their

will be presented to governments by IMO World

insurers have to pay for increasing anti-piracy

Maritime Day, September 23.

measures, extra fuel and ransoms – costs that

The

campaign

is

being

backed

by

Every day the risk of a major ecological

InterManager, International Group of P&I Clubs,

disaster due to an oil spill caused by piracy

Intertanko, ISF, ITF, IUMI and SIGTTO, as well

increases.

unions worldwide.

the thousands of seafarers and the hundreds of

certed efforts to find real solutions to the growing piracy problem; • taking immediate steps to secure the release and safe return of kidnapped seafarers to their families; • working within the international community to secure a stable and peaceful future for Somalia and its people.

are eventually passed on to the consumer.

BIMCO, ICS, IFSMA, IMEC, IPTA, Intercargo,

as national shipowners’ associations and trade

We, the undersigned, urgently call on gov-

Every day the chances of a recovery in the world economy are being jeopardised by this threat to world trade.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

67


@

For more information on these companies and to view this publication online using the latest Page-Turning technology, visit:

www.thebaltic.com

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visit our website:

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International Maritime Acquisition & Security 5th & 6th July 2010, Asia Pacific iMAs 2010 is a unique event addressing the growing need for sophisticated naval equipment in the realm of the global maritime community that is tailor-made for an international audience of high level government procurement and security personnel from the naval and maritime enforcement agencies.

Commodore Ranjit Rai, Indian Maritime Organization Vice President David Mugridge, Dalhousie University Maritime Security Consultant

Expand your knowledge on current programs of the Asia Pacific naval forces

Rear Admiral Douglas McAneny, US Pacific Fleet Commander Submarine Forces

Increase your understanding of Asian naval plans and acquisition strategies to prepare yourself for the future

Captain Andre Katerinc, South Africa Navy OPV Manager

Be at the forefront of new and innovative maritime surveillance technologies while hearing from our influential international counterparts on methods to augment cooperation & interoperability

Terence Trathen, Royal Australian Navy Combat Systems Interoperability Manager, Directorate of Naval Warfare Systems Pottengal Mukundan, International Maritime Bureau Director Captain Toni Fonokalafi, Tonga Defense Services Chief of Defense

ADVISORY PANEL

FIND YOUR REASONS TO ATTEND

Commodore (Retd.) R S Vasan, Indian Navy / Center for Asian Studies Head – Strategy & Security Lt. Commander Wade Gough, US Coast Guard Chief of Incident Management Division Ed Buclatin, US European Command Director of Public Affairs Dr. Pola Singh, Maritime Institute of Malaysia Director General Rear Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Phiippine Navy Flag Officer in Charge Captain Haji Mamu Bin Said Alee, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Director of Maritime Policy and International Relations Rear Admiral John F Sigler, Near South Asian Centre for Strategic Security Studies Director Stefan Alfredsson, Icelandic Maritime Administration Head of Maritime Security Dr. Eric Frecon, S. Rajaratnam Institute of International Studies Post Doctoral Fellow Joshua Ho, S. Rajaratnam Institute of International Studies Senior Fellow Lt. Colonel (Retd.) Joshua Ho, Republic of Singapore Navy / S. Rajaratnam Institute of International Studies Senior Fellow

Benchmark your performance against other regional port and custom authorities Professional line-up of experienced regional & international speakers to give an in-depth insight of the maritime outlook in the Asia-Pacific region Focus on key strategic topics that need action to be implemented to stimulate further security in the maritime sector of the Asia Pacific region Unique ‘by invitation only’ forum to exchange ideas between both authorities and service providers Unparalleled access to high profile authorities in both the government and private sectors of Maritime security, border Patrol, Coast Guards, Port Authorities and Naval Forces in the Asia Pacific. Unmatched networking opportunities with Defense Ministers, Naval officers, solution Providers, Decision Makers, industry Analysts and think tank experts

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For more information please contact: Natasha Jiandani tel.: +91 9844766782, e-mail: natasha.jiandani@fleminggulf.com


Corporate viewpoint MAST

MAST Maritime Asset Security and Training Ltd

M

company with a strong international

Comprehensive security support

Piracy concerns & commercial maritime security capability

presence and offices in Malta, UK,

Different vessels with distinct uses, whether

It has been estimated that in 2008/9 pirates

Djibouti, Oman and South Africa.

commercial or private, operate on a myriad of

gained in excess of $100 million through ransom.

AST is a leading maritime security

The company offers comprehensive advice

potential routes and require their own particular

Whilst it is true that the majority of the global

and cost effective security support across a

bespoke security solution. To meet such diverse

attacks on vessels are committed by Somali

wide spectrum of maritime operations, including

needs, MAST provides a comprehensive,

pirates, it is also clear that the problem is not

commercial shipping, oil and gas exploration

integrated security service for its clients within

isolated to the Gulf of Aden or Indian Ocean, and

and private yachts.

the maritime community.

is present in others areas of the globe, including

MAST also has a security design and

South East Asia, West Africa and parts of South

installation department and we are involved

Our key service areas include:

America. The trend is also that such attacks are

in numerous large newbuilds and yacht refit

• Commercial shipping security

moving further and further from the coast.

projects across Europe.

• Unexploded Ordnance Surveys / Disposal

MAST’s mission is to ensure that we provide

This presents a significant and continuing

• Yacht security

challenge to the shipping and international

appropriate support to allow our clients to

• Design and installation of security systems

community.

concentrate on their primary objectives. Our

• Intelligence support

support is delivered through our extensive

• Training

at sea and the changing political environment,

experience and determination to operate to the

• Hijack/Kidnap and Ransom (K&R) Response

more shipowners and charterers are being

highest operational and ethical standards.

Service • Insurance / research and support

70

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

In response to the increasing threat to assets

directed to provide for their own security. Private security companies provide part of the answer to


Corporate viewpoint MAST the problem, when used in conjunction with the

of piracy in the Indian Ocean, thus ensuring

The use of firearms

support offered by the International community

support throughout the region.

There are many valid arguments for and against

MAST is also a security advisor to Watkins

the carriage of firearms on ships and a number

Lloyds of London Insurance Syndicate, which

of key factors that must be addressed before

In view of the increasing number of piracy

is part of Munich Re, the world’s largest insurer.

a decision is taken, including the legalities and

attacks, clients need a security partner they can

Our consultants also have a track record

completely rely on. For over four years, MAST

of extricating ships and crews from arbitrary

MAST provides armed security where the

has been delivering a responsive, cost-effective

detentions and deadlocked situations in many of

law permits and if it is appropriate to the threat.

security service.

the most challenging places around the world.

and the various naval task forces operating in the region.

MAST is currently in support of in excess of

We have a dedicated response capability

40 shipping clients ranging from specialist tug

with on-scene advice and negotiation, dealing

and tow, dredging and towed array operations

with ransom delivery arrangements to assistance

to tanker and bulk carrier operations.

with the vessel’s recovery and crew repatriation.

rules of engagement.

In broad terms, the carriage of firearms on ships depends on several factors including: • The law of the country in which your ship is registered and flagged • International Law (Law of the High Seas)

MAST can provide onboard protection teams

Ship hijacks and arbitrary detentions present

who will sail with your ship or yacht in areas

a unique challenge to marine underwriters and

The inherent right of self defence exists as

of high risk. Our men are all British ex Royal

shipowners as no two hijacks are quite the

a principle in most jurisdictions and the use

Marines or of equivalent experience and once

same. There is always a complex web of

of force in these unique circumstances is an

on board will use their training and skills to train

different local and commercial interests at play.

extension of that principle.

your crew and increase the defences of the

Whilst never losing sight of the core issue

With careful research and clear operating

ship. Depending on the threat, insurer approval,

of crew welfare, MAST will firmly represent

procedures, including Rules of Engagement

peculiarities of jurisdiction and flag state, this

underwriters’ or shipowners’ interests during the

based on a proportionate and reasonable

dedicated team can provide armed protection

process of negotiation and subsequent claim.

response to the threat, it is arguable that the

during a passage.

With the general focus of shipowners being

• Territory the ship is entering.

carriage of firearms represents a pragmatic

Our subsidiary companies, MAST FZCO

the safe release and welfare of the crew, MAST

in Djibouti and MAST Salalah in Oman are

is acutely aware that underwriters have an

strategically located to enable a swift response.

added duty to ensure that claims are properly

of

We can arrange for the MAST transfer boat

scrutinised, particularly since this class of

governed by their charter on the use of force.

to rendezvous with your ship outside of Port

insurance involves specific issues of moral

www.bapsc.org.uk

Limits, thereby minimising any deviation and

hazard.

delay.

decision that can sometimes be justified. MAST are members of the British Association Private

The

Security

company

Companies

operates

to

and

are

exemplary

MAST‘s negotiation department is led by a

standards and is in full support of concerted

MAST has permission to operate from

former P&I Club Director and Somali specialist

efforts by the UK government and the BAPSC

Djibouti and Salalah with firearms, as well as

who have conducted 11 negotiations on behalf

to increase transparency and regulation of the

other countries surrounding the affected area

of shipowners.

industry.

Private Security: an effective partnership and appropriate response It is becoming increasingly clear that private security companies in partnership with the international coalition authorities and the shipping community can ameliorate the effect of the current scourge of piracy. Solving the problem of piracy, however, remains a political conundrum for which there does not appear to be any medium-term evidence of a solution.

For more information, please visit: www.mast-commercial.com

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

71


MIG y Securit

MIG Security have taken the skills learnt within the Royal Marines and placed them in the commercial shipping sector. We are thinking men and we feel you don’t need to hide behind the barrel of a gun. With a gun you have one option; with thought and experience you have safe secure passage. We use the principles of defence that have been used for the last 100 years within the British Forces:

MIG supply the complete solution from survey of the fleet and provision of the addition to the Ships Security Plan, through to the installation of the defence equipment and transit security management. The Security team will ensure the ship is made fully secure before entry into any dangerous areas, whilst also ensuring the ship’s Captain and crew are fully aware and happy with the operation throughout.

• • • • • •

The MIG security teams are made up of very experienced ex Royal Marines Commandos, used to operating in the areas in question.

Deception All round defence Mutual support Reserves Offensive spirit Depth

Team Leaders • 22 years’ experience within Royal Marines • Extensive commercial security experience • SSO qualification as a minimum • Complete EU NAVFOR understanding • Competent in report and brief writing • Medically trained

With our partners we supply the full complete solution. Our insurance partner will give a large discount with us on board and review your fleets insurance. Our K & R partner will be on standby for no retainer. We have packaged a deal that can’t be beaten, and with the use of our experienced trainers on board delivering the C.A.P.T. concept, your cost of security will go down as more of the crew are trained.

Security Team Member • More than eight years’ experience within Royal Marines • Commercial security experience • Fully Trained in Anti Piracy drills • Medically trained

For more information please contact us on: Tel: 01395 224586 0044 1395 224586 Website: www.migsecurity.com Info@migsecurity.com


Corporate viewpoint MIG Security Ltd

MIG Security Ltd F

ollowing many piracy attempts, some

an attack correctly, with what support they have

successful, and all very costly, the secu-

to do it. We teach and practice the principles

rity thought process needs to shift with

of defence, deception, all round defence and

respect to anti-piracy operations. The

mutual support etc. The offensive spirit goes

particular situation in the Gulf of Aden (GoA) has

along with the confidence that there is a simple

brought together two industries, namely the glo-

answer to the problem and it’s as much about

bal shipping industry and the security industry.

thought as it is countermeasures.”

These two may well make awkward bedfellows

Passive measures can be the only way

for a number of reasons but chiefly a difference

forward if we are not to see a huge escalation in casualties of the piracy situation in GoA. The

in the approach to piracy and pirates. Many security companies see the increasing

security measures advocated here are available

problem of piracy as the next goose to lay the

to all, relying on the will and diligence of a crew,

golden egg after the slowing of demand for

rather than how many guns the company can

their services in Iraq and Afghanistan. They talk

afford to buy.

of weapons and gunboats to escort a group

• Ben Jackson – 23 years spent within the British Royal Marines Commandos. Ben

of vessels, in much the same way, but far less efficiently, than the EU NAVFOR and others

crews attempting to earn a living from trade at

has carried out many transits through the

currently do. The people caught in the middle

sea,” says Ben Jackson, Head of Security at

areas mentioned and has foiled three pirate

of all of this are the crews of the ships making

MIG Security. “The pirates’ modus operandi at

attempts; this experience forms the basis of

their way through these dangerous waters. At

the moment is only to take control of the vessel

present, the aim of these pirates is to take a

and not harm the crew; if the rogue so-called

• Marcus Di-Vincenzo – 19 years’ service

Maritime Security Officers carry on

within the British Royal Marines Commandos,

down the weapons route, the

with service in Navy boarding parties across

ship and its crew hostage in order to extract a ransom from the shipping company that owns the vessel.

views of the pirates will swiftly change.”

Currently, the crews of seized

the concept of C.A.P.T.

the globe. MIG Security Ltd is a specialist security

ships are being well cared

MIG have developed a

company based in Devon that services a

for and it is in the interest

method which empowers

worldwide capability. Most of the operators

of the pirates to do this,

the Masters and crews to

employed within MIG are ex-Royal Marines,

but how would the situation

take responsibility for the

holding vast experience within the piracy arena,

defence of their ship and

differ if the wild card of

livelihood, which puts them

firearms is introduced? How

many

people

not

engaged in piracy might be killed or injured by ill-disciplined security officers? What

from service on board naval ships in the problem areas of the globe.

under no extra risk and makes a successful passage much more likely. Security of a tanker has to be put down to

Please forward enquiries to: Marcus Di-Vincenzo

kind of retribution could be expected on crews

knowledge and team effort; with armed guards

01395 224586 / 00447813 850478

of vessels successfully hijacked, if pirates are

on board, the options are very quickly narrowed

E-mail: Marcus@migsecurity.com

killed in the fire fight?

down to force instead of early detection, a

Website: www.migsecurity.com

“We take the view that this would be an

wiliness to resist and, lastly, an ability to defend.

Info@migsecurity.com

alarming escalation of the situation that would

“C.A.P.T. (Crew Anti Piracy Training) is a

put at risk the most vulnerable vessels and

new dynamic concept to the world of maritime security, which will give crews the experience and ability to read situations using all the resources at the team’s disposal,” advises Marcus Di-Vincenzo, MD of MIG Security. “It’s the inability and lack of these skills that causes incorrect decisions and offensive actions, putting the ship and all on board in danger. “The aim of C.A.P.T is to launch the crew into passage without any wasted time or expense, with the minimum of fuss, knowing what they have to do to avoid piracy attack, how to react to

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

73



Corporate viewpoint Securewest International

Is your security secure? E

very day billions of dollars worth of goods

of ‘Special Forces’ teams will pale if it becomes

details of vessel positions. But what about the

are shipped across the world’s ocean.

apparent such personnel have never set foot on

personnel who might be monitoring on their behalf

Threats to this supply chain have led to

a ship before! Security should not be regarded

and what vetting have they under gone? Our

an array of initiatives and legislation that

as a noun but instead a whole ship activity, and

own internal policy is simple. All candidates must

require vessel owners and port authorities to com-

security teams must have the experience to work

demonstrate an exemplary service record and

ply with a wide range of regulations: The Maritime

effectively with a ship’s Master and crew and

the company also completes enhanced criminal

Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and its interna-

instil confidence that will allow them to cooperate

records bureau checks for each candidate as

tional counterpart, the International Ship and Port

effectively in emergency situations.

further back-up.

facility Security Code (ISPS), the Transportation

Effective vessel security is about a range

We have also invested considerable time and

Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), and the

of measures to create layers of barrier against

effort to both seek and achieve official approval

list goes on.

potential threats. Vessel hardening and deterrents

from independent organisations such as the

The recent sustained pirate activity in the Gulf

– both lethal and non-lethal – a carefully crafted

MCA and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) to provide

of Aden (GoA) has rekindled the debate about

and tested security plan, anti-piracy training and

services such as security training and vessel alert

the role of private security firms in the maritime

drills for the crew, crisis management training for

monitoring for clients.

sector. The message being given is that while

key personnel, thorough route threat assessments

But such standards are far from universal.

Coalition Task Forces have a role to play in the

prior to a voyage and ongoing intelligence with

To a great extent, shipping companies have

defence against pirate attack, the commercial

24-hour vessel monitoring during a transit all

no yardstick or terms of reference by which

shipping sector must also make provision for its

have a important part to play. It is the provider

to measure security companies, something that

own security.

with sufficient depth and experience of service

cannot be satisfactory in a world where global

But, despite all that is potentially at stake,

provision that will be best placed to offer the most

prosperity is predicated on secure seas.

it seems remarkable that those entrusted with

appropriate solutions – if you only have riding

The time has surely come for leading maritime

security are not necessarily subject to the same

teams to sell, you are only going to recommend

regulatory bodies and , if necessary, governments

rigorous checks and balances that are placed on

riding teams!

to implement a uniform, international maritime

vessel owners and port operators. Nor is there

Choice of security personnel is therefore critical

security provider ‘gold standard’ to assist the

any accepted standard by which such provision

and at Securewest International we have frequently

maritime sector as they judge who might be

can be judged.

found that in security ‘hot spots’ around the globe

suitably competent to provide the services it needs

It is, perhaps, not surprising that a company

bribes are commonplace amongst local ‘security’

to achieve a secure working environment.

which has served the maritime community for

companies and these guards are often ‘bought’

over 22 years should express some concern at

or coerced into revealing vessel plans or allowing

Author – Clare Williamson-Cary, CEO Securewest

the number of inexperienced start-up companies

stowaways to access the vessel. For the sake of

International.

that have sprung up in the past couple of years.

the lives of all crew, it is vital that those involved in

All eager to cash in on the increased demand, new

providing maritime security are properly checked.

Securewest International has been specialising in

companies rapidly emerge, only for some to ‘jump

But it is not just on the domain of manned

ship’ (in at least one case, literally!) just as quickly,

guarding that focus should fall. There should be an

of expertise connected with the provision of onboard

and potential customers would do well to examine

internationally agreed set of standards and service

or in-port security officers, escort vessels for high

very carefully the claims of extensive experience

delivery that must be met by anyone offering

risk transits, vessel hardening consultancy and anti-

from newly incorporated companies.

maritime security services to vessels or maritime

piracy training, vessel tracking and SSAS monitoring

But longevity alone will not guarantee relevant

facilities. This should include a set standard for

through a 24/7/365 Maritime Assistance Centre, crisis

wisdom. Securewest International specialises

training, rules of engagement – including use of

management training and K&R, ISPS code related

in just maritime security and for good reason.

force – reporting procedures and standards of

regulatory compliance programmes and audits, and

The challenges of operations in the maritime

vetting of security officers and their administrative

DNV/MARAD/MCA/TRANSEC approved training.

environment are very different to those of land-

support.

maritime security for over 22 years, incorporating areas

based activities and an impressive track record in

Personnel vetting is particularly important.

Iraq does not necessarily translate into experience

Vessel owners have often expressed some

and capability on board ship. Military training

suspicion regarding tracking initiatives and

per se is no guarantee that personnel have the

information sharing websites because they are

For more information, visit:

necessary skills to operate at sea and boasts

concerned about who might be able to access

Website: www.securewest.com

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

75


Environment

Achieving efficiency Establishing an energy efficiency design index may take a while – but designs for energy efficient ships are increasingly popular

T

he reduction of emissions from ship-

EEDI shall be equal or less (eg more efficient)

efficiency index could actually make larger trans-

ping continues to be a hotly debated

than the required EEDI, and that the required

portation systems less efficient in operational

topic at IMO, but one where there

EEDI shall be drawn up based on EEDI baselines

terms and would make building certain types of

sometimes seems to be little progress.

and reduction rates yet to be agreed. However,

ships impossible.

While debate continues on the question of

there appears to be some way still to go

market-based instruments and an emissions

even to get agreement on the technical issues

trading scheme, the establishment of an energy

surrounding EEDI.

Building a better bulker

efficiency design index (EEDI) for ships is one

While there is still much work to be done on

of the measures which seems most likely to be

establishing the technical basis for an EEDI, a

No simple solution

number of shipowners and naval architects are

The IMO’s Maritime Environment Protection

According to a report commissioned by

coming up with innovative solutions to increase

Committee (MEPC) decided at its most recent

EMSA from Finnish maritime engineering firm

efficiency and reduce emissions ahead of the

meeting in March to set up a Working Group

Deltamarin, it is essential to identify the ship

requirements.

“to build on the significant progress that had

types where EEDI represents a comparable

Deltamarin itself has been working on

been made during the meeting on technical and

measure of efficiency when evaluating the

standardised bulker designs for handymax and

operational measures to increase the energy

applicability of the index.

supramax vessels that it says shows remarkable

implemented

efficiency of ships”. The Working Group will

Deltamarin believes that an EEDI would

fuel savings. “Barry Rogliano Salles suggested

report back to the Committee’s next session

mainly lead to power limitations for new ships.

in 2005 that we should design a standardised

This, in turn, would lead to standardising design

bulk carrier as the market was booming,” said

MEPC

speeds at a certain level depending on ship

Mikko Mattila, sales and marketing director at

agreed on the basic

type and size. This approach could be feasi-

Deltamain. The company decided to concentrate

(MEPC 61), in September 2010. In

the

event,

concept

that

a

ble for large ocean-going cargo ships

on smaller vessels as larger vessels such as

vessel’s

attained

which have uniform design criteria,

capesizes tend to be better designed and more

such as large tankers, bulk carriers,

energy efficient.

containerships and LNG carriers.

Ironically, the designs were finished in late

However, the system would be

2008, just as the market crashed, and ordering

too simplistic

fell to almost nothing. However, the designs are

for complex

now in the model testing phase, and results to

ships or ships

date may encourage owners to take a closer

in

look. Deltamarin claims that they show an

specialised envi-

“unheard of” daily fuel consumption that is “way

operating

includ-

ahead of the competition” – offering average

ing passenger ships

savings of 26% on fuel consumption, although

ronments,

ship-

it says that savings of up to 45% are possible.

ping in general. Limiting

One-third of the gain in this efficiency comes

the power or speed of

from changes to the hull geometry, but most

these kinds of vessels

of the propulsion efficiency increase comes

to make them com-

from changes in the rudder design. Changes

ply with an energy

have also been made to the propulsion of the

and

76

short-sea

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Environment … and a better containership While the Delta-B bulker is almost at the production stage, and Stena’s Airmax design is undergoing tests to establish if it will be a practical proposition, some ships are desgined never to be built – but are intended to stir up debate. DNV, for example, recently launched its new Quantum containership concept, which is designed to offer increased flexibility and greater efficiency. In line with the need for slow steaming that has been a feature of the container sector since the beginning of the shipping crisis, it has a design speed of 21 knots, but can operate efficiently at speeds between less than 10 knots and more than 22 knots. The ship is wider at deck level than at water level, giving a total capacity of 6,210 containers. The need for ballast water is minimised and LNG is introduced as part of the ship’s fuel. Several companies Stena’s test vessel aims to prove the cavitation concept

have been pushing LNG as a possibility for cleaner ship fuel, including Wartsila. However,

vessel, which has a larger propellor diameter

the air when a model is scaled up to full size.

Tor Svensen, president and chief operating

and operates at lower revs than a conventional

According to Stena, building a ship based on

officer of DNV, is quite clear that this is not a

bulker.

normal model tests of a 4 metre long model

design that is meant to go into operation.

In addition, the payload is well above what

would have been very risky.

“Even if it would be possible to realise the

is usual in ships of the same size today, while

Accordingly, Stena has taken the unusual

Quantum within three to five years, this is a

the draft is the industry standard. It is also more

step of building a 15 metre long model, to verify

concept ship designed to stir up a debate

stable in form than most bulk carriers, as it does

that the results achieved also applied on a larger

about shipping innovation. All the aspects of the

not have bulbous bows.

scale. Testing the air regulation system will also

concept design are unlikely to appear in a single

be an important part of a future project.

ship, but certain aspects will be taken further on

BRS is working with several owners, and bids are in from a number of yards, Deltamarin

The model consists of a steel box, containing

a case by case basis. I am convinced of this,” he

said. The design will scale to larger vessels, and

all the equipment, surrounded by a hull made of

said. He refers to the automotive industry, which

vessels of other types, Mattila said. In particular,

fibreglass reinforced plastic. The flat bottom has

has long traditions of introducing new concepts

it believes there is potential for adapting the

a cavity for an ‘air cushion’, which is almost as

as a lodestar for the future development of new

technology to containerships – when people

wide and half as long as the ship.

cars.

start buying them again.

… a better tanker

The air cavity is fed with air by fans and the

Mr Svensen adds: “We all know that the

air is controlled so that the bottom of the air

shipping industry is facing tough times. But now

cushion is in line with the bottom of the hull. Test

is the time for innovation and a focus on new

data is transmitted via a link to a tender boat.

solutions.”

Stena has been looking into the effects of an ‘air cushion’ under the hull to reduce the friction between the hull and the water. The concept involves reducing the ‘wet surface’, ie the part of the hull that is in contact with the water, thus slowing down the ship. This is achieved by means of a cavity filled with air in the bottom of the hull. This means that the water is in contact with air instead of steel plate, thus reducing friction. However, a number of phenomena complicate the picture, including internal wave formation in the cavity, which reduces the positive effect. A balance must also be struck between optimising the air pressure to achieve the greatest possible reduction in resistance and, at the same time, minimising air leakage. Tests in a conventional model basin have indicated energy savings of between 20-30%. However, while it is normal to scale up directly from the test basin model to the actual ship, there is no previous experience of the effect of

Stena’s Airmax from beneath

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

77


Corporate viewpoint Advanced Polymer Coatings

APC’s breakthrough tank coatings MarineLine® 784 for Chemical Carriers and Product Tankers, and new MarineLine® X for Oil Tankers and FPSOs

A

dvanced Polymer Coatings (APC), Avon,

ance coating MarineLine® 784, which is used to

Ohio, USA, is the manufacturer of the

line and protect the tanks of chemical carriers.

well-known and patented high-perform-

Since that time, more than 350 chemical tankers have utilised the MarineLine® 784

MarineLine® was first applied to a chemical

coating system to carry thousands of different

cargo ship in 1994, allowing

types of aggressive chemicals, including the full

the vessel to receive IMO

range of IMO chemicals. Many benefits separate

Class I designation. The

MarineLine® 784 from other types of coatings,

ship immediately started

and also from stainless steel tanks. These

carrying a wide range

benefits include ease of cleaning, assurance

of

cargoes,

of high cargo purity, and flexibility to carry

including methanol, acetic

many different types of cargoes. The market

chemical

acid, and caustics. The

for MarineLine® 784 continues to expand as

coating was based on

more shipowners and chemical producers in

polymer technology the

the industry realise the high performance and

company had pioneered

versatility of this protective coating for handling

for a number of space-age

hazardous cargoes.

applications.

Newly coated MarineLine® 784 chemical cargo tank

78

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Corporate viewpoint Advanced Polymer Coatings A key benefit is MarineLine® X’s inherent chemical resistance, as the coating is formulated with patented high performance polymers that cross-link together to form a hard, tightly knit structure. A key concern to oil tanker operators that have vessels such as a ULCC, VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax, Panamax, Seawaymax, and FPSO, is the acidified moisture (sulphuric acid) of wet inert gas systems that corrodes conventional tank coatings. MarineLine® X, however, is resistant to acidified moisture, providing a long lasting solution with better corrosion resistance. Unlike chemical tankers where the entire tank surface is coated, MarineLine® X is only coated on the tank top and deckhead areas of the oil tanker, where concerns of acidified moisture are Newly coated

MarineLine®

most prevalent.

784 chemical cargo tank

New MarineLine® X is provided with a semi-

A ‘green’ coating

product tanker carriers trading in clean petroleum

gloss, light blue colour. The coating is offered in

The MarineLine® 784 cargo tank lining system,

products (CPPs), vegetable and edible oils, wine,

five gallon (19 litres) and one gallon (four litres)

developed to protect maritime chemical tankers

biofuels, and any IBC Chapter 18 cargoes.

kits with catalyst.

A new breakthrough for the DPP market

For more information on the MarineLine® 784

business environments. The technology is based on a tightly knit, cross-linked organic-

Today, Advanced Polymer Coatings is making

contact:

inorganic polymer structure that creates a

a foray into the oil tanker market with a new

Advanced Polymer Coatings,

nearly impermeable barrier. The coating resists

coating, MarineLine® X. Donald J. Keehan,

Avon, Ohio 44011 USA

chemical attack from a wide range of aggressive

APC Chairman, explains: “Using our extensive

Tel: +01 440 937-6218

cargoes and assures product purity from port to

background in the marine tank coatings industry,

Website: www.adv-polymer.com

port, virtually eliminating tainted cargoes from

we studied the oil tanker markets for several

occurring, a problem at times with conventional

years, working to develop

coatings. This is a real plus for the environment.

the proper tank coating

In addition, the extremely smooth, hard,

system for their specific

slick surface of MarineLine® 784 makes

needs, which is different

tank cleaning an easy process. During port

than those of chemical

changeover, no extensive cleaning chemicals

tankers.

are needed to wash the tank walls, thus greatly

MarineLine® X – a coating

reducing the use of cleaning chemicals, requiring

that offers much better

less fuel consumption for cleaning equipment,

performance and versatility

and lowering emissions, all excellent green

for oil tanker operators

advantages. Faster cleaning also leads to prompt

than conventional phenol

turnaround, so chemical carriers can go back

epoxy linings which have

into service quickly, maximising the usage of the

limitations.”

and their cargoes, delivers on ‘green’ principles that have become so necessary in today’s

vessels, another ‘green’ concept.

The

result

and new MarineLine® X tank coating systems,

is

MarineLine® X offers

MarineLine® 784, which is sometimes

a number of key benefits

referred to as ‘liquid stainless steel’, is coated

for the shipowner and

directly onto the carbon steel substrate of the

operator.

ship’s tanks. This replaces the need to fabricate

comparisons for the tank

In

economic

tanks made of stainless steel which can be very

coating and the application

costly. It is estimated by APC that a carbon

costs,

steel tank coated with MarineLine® 784 cost

only requires a two-coat

less that one-sixth of the price for an equivalent

system, compared to three

tank fabricated in stainless steel, thus further

coatings for phenol epoxy.

preserving resources of the shipowner and

This eliminates extra days

shipyard, which are additional ‘green’ benefits.

for drying and extra spray

MarineLine ®

X

The MarineLine® 784 brand has had great

application costs, resulting

penetration in the chemical tanker market and

in savings and allowing the

is now the preferred tank lining for handling

owner to maximise return

aggressive chemical cargoes. MarineLine®

on investment in a shorter

784 also offers versatile, effective solutions for

period of time.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

79


Corporate viewpoint Hempel A.S.

The freedom to choose fuel-saving fouling release I

t’s now possible to take advantage of the fuel-

A new patented tie-coat from Hempel

saving benefits of Hempasil X3 – even if your

is set to change how the shipping industry

Knock two days off your drydock time

vessel is coated with a traditional antifouling.

views fouling release coatings. As the industry

For

Hempel’s new Hempasil Nexus X-Seal is the

increasingly looks to realise the fuel-saving

coatings, converting to Hempasil X3 can

fastest and cheapest way to upgrade your old

benefits of silicone coatings such as Hempasil

be a costly and time-consuming process.

antifouling system to the environmentally friendly,

X3, Nexus X-Seal gives shipowners the freedom

Due to the non-stick properties of silicone,

fuel-saving technology Hempasil X3, without full

to upgrade from conventional antifouling to

applying fouling release coatings on top of

blasting the hull.

fouling release – with fewer coats and without

antifouling means either fully blasting the

the extra cost of full blasting.

ship’s hull and building up the system from

80

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

ships

with

conventional

antifouling


Corporate viewpoint Hempel A.S. scratch, or using a two-coat system with an epoxy-type link coat and a tie-coat beneath the silicone. But that is about to change.

How to get Hempasil X3 for your fleet

Nexus X-Seal makes it possible to apply fouling release on top of an aged

Hempel now offers a complete range of products for applying Hempasil

antifouling coating without full blasting and with only one coat to seal the

X3 under different scenarios. What is the best option for your fleet?

old antifouling system and make a strong link to the X3 topcoat. Marie Bakholdt Andersen, group product manager in Hempel, explains: “We

For vessels that require full blasting

created this product specifically for customers who want to upgrade from

If your vessel’s hull has been recoated several times, a full blasting to

conventional antifouling to fouling release – and it’s a revolution compared

remove all the aged coatings would be a good investment. This means

to current industry standards. Shipowners can now benefit from a system

building a new epoxy system, followed by Hempel’s patented tie-coat

that uses only one tie-coat to seal the aged antifouling and tie the system

Hempasil Nexus and the Hempasil X3 topcoat. Although this solution

to the fouling release topcoat, instead of fully blasting the hull or using the

requires a relatively high initial investment, it results in a very smooth

two-layer tie-coat systems that have traditionally been used for these kinds

topcoat to ensure you get the highest fuel-saving potential – and with

of conversions.”

this solution you can also opt for Hempel’s fuel-saving guarantee.

This means that Nexus X-Seal can knock approximately two days off the the vessel’s owner up to US$400,000 in surface preparation, application

For vessels coated with Hempasil X3 or other fouling release topcoats

expenses, dock rent and vessel inactivity.*

Hempel recently launched Nexus X-Tend for recoating vessels with

vessel’s drydock time compared to a vessel undergoing full basting, saving

an existing fouling release topcoat. Nexus X-Tend is designed to be

New technology gives robust system

used in repair and touch-up areas and creates a strong link to all the

Nexus X-Seal forms a long-lasting bond between the antifouling coating

substrates in an old fouling release system. The fast repair procedure is

and the silicone topcoat, and it has undergone extensive testing to ensure

an inexpensive, simple and efficient way to extend the lifetime of your

that its properties and performance match the needs of shipowners. “Nexus

fouling release coating by five extra years.

X-Seal is an epoxy-polysiloxane tie-coat that can be used directly on top of old antifouling,” says Ulrik Bork, developing engineer at Hempel. “It is a

For vessels coated with antifouling

consequence of further development of Hempel’s patented Nexus tie-coat.

If you want to upgrade your vessel from antifouling to fouling release,

The modification provides excellent compatibility with physically drying

Nexus X-Seal is the cheapest and fastest solution. Nexus X-Seal

antifouling coatings and at the same time gives outstanding adhesion to

enables you to avoid full blasting, it requires only one tie-coat to seal

the Hempasil X3 topcoat.”

your old antifouling coating, and provides a strong link to the fouling release topcoat. This system has a lower initial investment than a full

More customers can now benefit from Hempasil X3

blast solution, but as the average hull roughness is higher, the fuelsaving potential must be expected to be lower.

“With Nexus X-Seal we have removed the cost and time barriers that previously stopped many shipping companies from converting to fouling release coatings,” says Marie. “Nexus X-Seal gives shipowners the freedom to choose the best fouling control product for their vessels – and I’m sure that even more companies will now opt for reduced fuel bills and lower CO2 emissions with Hempasil X3.” * Example of a container vessel with a 15,000 sqm hull and a daily hire rate of US$85,000.

If you’d like to know more about Hempasil X3, Nexus X-Seal, Nexus X-Tend or Hempel’s other fouling release solutions, please contact:

Marie Bakholdt Andersen

Torben Rasmussen

Group Product Manager

Group Product Manager

E-mail: mbaa@hempel.com

E-mail: tr@hempel.com

Tel: +45 4527 3033

Tel: +45 4527 3976

Tel: +45 5123 2593

Mobile: +45 4017 2585

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

81


Corporate viewpoint Hyde Marine

Hyde Marine Offering reliable, chemical-free ballast water management solution

H

yde Marine, the US manufacturer

Register. In May 2010, Hyde received a

of the IMO Type Approved Hyde

Type Approval PDA Certificate from ABS.

GUARDIAN®, a totally chemical-free

The Hyde GUARDIAN® treatment

ballast water management (BWM)

involves a two stage process of filtration

system, has called on the designers of the

and high intensity UV disinfection.

latest generation of vessels to include a Type

Seawater is processed through the

Approved BWM in their plans or at the very least,

filtration and UV stages during ballasting.

give careful thought to piping arrangements and

Water receives a second dose of

sufficient engine room space to allow retrofit-

UV energy during deballasting to

ting of treatment systems. According to Tom

assure compliance. UV disinfection

Mackey, former chairman and founder of Hyde

is widely used globally in water and

Marine, as many as 70,000 vessels will have to

wastewater treatment plants as well as

be fitted by 2016 to comply with the IMO’s bal-

the food industry. UV inactivates organisms

last water discharge requirements. Fewer than

by destroying their DNA, but without creating

200 vessels are thought to have purchased bal-

the harmful disinfection byproducts or discharge

last water management systems and it is feared

concerns as with chemical-based treatment. The

consumption

that in some cases owners will find themselves

Hyde UV system is carefully designed to ensure

consumables result in very low operational costs

paying high premiums for delivery before the

that an adequate UV dose is delivered to the

over the life of the ship. The low pressure drop

deadline.

organisms, even in low transmission conditions.

allows for use of existing ballast pumps and

and

exceptionally

low

“We believe that it will be a huge challenge to

An important part of the success of the

ensures minimum reduction of ballast flow rates.

retrofit some vessel types and that some owners

Hyde GUARDIAN® system lies in its patented

Although ultraviolet-based systems may have

may find it difficult to apply BWM technology if

stacked disk filtration technology, which removes

a higher initial cost than rival chemical-based

their engine rooms have complicated and tight

sediment and larger organisms prior to the UV

systems, there is little in the way of ongoing

fitting machinery and piping arrangements,”

stage. According to the company, this type of

maintenance costs. Costly and potentially

said Tom Mackey. However, he noted that Hyde

automatic back-flushing filtration system is much

dangerous chemicals are not needed to clean

Marine’s systems have a small footprint and can

more efficient and reliable than screen-based

the system and the ultraviolet lamps have 8,000

fit into relatively small spaces and, therefore, are

filters.

hours of life, and can therefore be expected to

suitable for most vessels.

“Passing through our disc filters is effectively

last up to 15 years.

Hyde Marine, which has received orders for

like passing through several concentric screen

“We believe that reliability of ballast water

more than 25 vessels, including from Flensburger

filters. We are able to remove the target

systems is the most important aspect that a

Schiffbau Gesellschaft to supply two 700m3/

organisms and return them to the sea. Many

shipowner should consider. If the ship can’t

hr Hyde GUARDIAN® systems for two new

of these more developed animals are resistant

discharge its ballast water, then it’s out of

Rettig Bore ro-ro vessels, was a pioneer in the

to disinfection technology, which any treatment

business. Our system is completely automatic

development of chemical-free BWM technology

system that does not include an effective pre-

and will integrate with the ship’s control systems,

and was one of the first systems to offer a

filtration stage may put shipowners at risk of

minimising any additional workload for the

practical, commercial solution. According to

non-compliance,” says Jim Mackey, Director of

vessel’s crew.”

Tom Mackey, the technology has already proven

sales for Hyde Marine. He adds: “A really unique

itself in seven years of continuous service on the

design feature is the extremely energetic back-

cruise vessel Coral Princess. The Coral Princess

wash process, which starts automatically when

28045 Ranney Parkway

was the first vessel accepted into the US Coast

pressure differential reaches 0.7 bar and cleans

Cleveland, Ohio 44145 USA

Guard’s STEP program and was used as the

the filters like new.” All wetted parts of the system

Tel: 440-871-8000

test platform for IMO testing. In April 2009 Hyde

are produced in polymeric materials, assuring an

Fax: 440-871-8104

received IMO Type Approval from the UK Flag

extremely long service life in seawater.

E-mail: sales@hydemarine.com

Administration and Type Approval from Lloyd’s

82

The GUARDIAN® system’s low energy

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

Hyde Marine, Inc.

Website: www.hydemarine.com


BRUNEL M A R I N E C OA T I N G S Y S T E M S

Discover the best kept secret in the Marine Coating Industry - visit

www.br unelmcs .com

Marrying the environment to the exacting needs of the marine industry Brunel Marine Coating Systems is responsible for developing revolutionary coating systems for the marine industry. The most environmentally friendly & durable High Performance Coatings available in the world today. Our coatings are in use on ships and marine structures around the world - often in the most challenging of environments.

• Non metallic, contains no biocides or solvents, applied by standard airless pump. • 100% solids, extremely hard and does not wear off - surface microtexture less that 10 microns. • Proven to reduce operating costs and carbon footprint - zero VOC! • Non porous and does not support marine growth. • Easily and economically cleaned, if needed, without affecting the coatings life or integrity. • DNV Certified compliant for deductions from Norwegian Shipowners Environmental fund.


Corporate viewpoint Brunel Marine Coating Systems

Marine coating’s best kept secret B

runel’s Enviromarine hull coatings have

Even then, the coating will not be a shipyard

Proof of its durability has come as vessels

now been around for more than a

item of repair. All such schemes have caveats

return to subsequent scheduled drydockings

decade and are continuing to break

of In Water Survey Provisos against premature

having retained the film thickness, hardness and

the mould. Enviromarine is the first and

failure; Brunel Enviromarine will satisfy such

smoothness, which have time and again been

caveats regarding the coating performance.

assessed as “Exactly the same” and “Perfect”.

only hull coating to have been approved and cer-

This was previously unheard of.

tified by DNV as eligible for a subsidy from The Shipowners’ Environmental Fund because of its

Enviromarine

As such, it is able to remain smooth and

Last year, one of the two largest ro-ro vessels

intact in the harshest of conditions and, because

Now, while the industry is desperately

trading in the North Sea was given a full

each of the two coats chemically cross-links to

searching for ways to extend dry-docking

application of Brunel Enviromarine. Logically,

homogenise with the other, it cannot delaminate.

intervals and others are striving to achieve a

Brunel do not expect this vessel to need coating

Because there is no solvent, there is no shrinkage

7.5-year docking interval, Brunel’s Enviromarine

again for a very long time, if at all. As a result,

during the natural curing process, so there is

has been considered and singled out as suitable

the owners have confirmed their decision to coat

adhesion over the whole of the jagged profile of

for a 10-year docking interval. A pilot scheme is

her sistership this summer. Brunel’s strategy

blasted steel that is never put under stress.

to be introduced soon to show the superiority

does not rely on failure of its coating for repeat

of the Enviromarine coating and extend the

business!

environmental credentials.

This complete lack of solvent is not only good for the environment and those working

The Enviromarine system has been selected

on and around the application, it eliminates

because of its proven durability. It is a 100%

the pores where microorganisms can nurture

This accolade, based on the company’s track

solids complex resin system which, because

marine growth and where growth, in turn, can

record of sustained performance of coatings on

there is absolutely no solvent within it or added

anchor. Instead, the coating cures naturally into

vessels already over 10 years, will allow an

to it, is completely non-porous, is around four

one, homogenous system, extremely hard and

owner to apply a full coating of Enviromarine at,

times harder than concrete and yet remains

with a natural microtexture measured as less

say, the vessel’s five-year Special Survey and not

more flexible and elastic than the underlying

than 10 microns, or just one-hundredth of a

dry-dock again until she is due for her 15-year

steel.

millimetre. The fact that the coating does not rely

7.5-year docking interval, already accepted by some, to a 10-year period.

on shedding biocides or paint into the marine

Special Survey and TMON requirements.

habitat to kill growth, using instead the normal motion of the ship and the difficulty growth has in attaching to a hard, smooth surface with no pores and no possibility to penetrate it, means that it retains this smoothness throughout its life. In fact, there is no particle in the system larger than five microns!

Hull cleaning World-leading

underwater

hull

cleaning

company, UMC, now have a worldwide network and have considered residual growth on Brunel Enviromarine to be so slight and so easy to remove, that they offer a considerable discount for the periodic cleaning of the coating. UMC cleaning is achieved without damaging Brunel Enviromarine, or shedding paint or toxins Largest ro-ro trading in the North Sea coated at Arno Dunkerque

84

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

into the sea. Properly treated in this way, a


Corporate viewpoint Brunel Marine Coating Systems Zero VOC Brunel point out that radical or even revolutionary progress of this kind cannot be achieved by accident. It is because of this that considerable investment is dedicated to research and development to improve ease of application and durability, among the other beneficial aspects of Enviromarine. For example, they are now very proud to say that they have fully eliminated all volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the harmful, pollutant and dangerous elements present in other coatings, and a microtexture now certified at less than 10 microns. Application of Enviromarine by conventional airless spray equipment

Cavitation vessel will comfortably continue to benefit both

by normally problematic humidity levels.

A further innovation has been the Cavicure system

operationally and financially for well over 10

The coating is also inert. It will not

for safe and durable repairs to steel damage as a

years, further minimising its ecological impact

contaminate surrounding vessels or steel work

result of cavitation. This happens most notably in

through avoidance of the need to blast off what

and does not require any special processes or

the areas around props, rudders and thrusters,

remaining toxic material may remain on a vessel

expensive encapsulation. The specific gravity of

where the pressure differentials of propulsion

once the bulk has been shed into the sea, let

1.42 means that overspray is not easily airborne.

turbulence create this phenomenon and rely

alone applying another VOC-loaded coating.

Furthermore, Brunel prices the Enviromarine

again on Brunel’s 100% solids technologies.

To quote David Shrieve, chairman and

system by the square metre. They feel it is

After preparation, the solvent-free complex resin,

co-founder of the Conservation Foundation:

important that the customer receives an invoice

Cavicure, at the appropriate viscosity, is applied

“Whoever we are, wherever we are, we all have

in the same amount as the original quotation,

with conventional tools to fill the damaged areas.

our environmental footprint. From what I have

with no nasty surprises or ‘extras’.

Because there is no solvent in this non-shrink

seen of Brunel’s Enviromarine, it certainly helps

resin, it may be applied as deeply as required

the marine industry to reduce its environmental

Future looks bright

and will still cure. A final coat of Enviromarine

footprint.”

Gibraltar based Brunel Marine Coating (Sales)

is then applied. The zero porosity, smooth

Ltd are currently experiencing a large number

and resilient finish repairs and protects against

Fuel efficiency – low emissions

of direct approaches from industry consultants

further cavitation. This system has been used

and agencies wishing to promote Brunel’s

extensively for major clients worldwide. Notably,

The effect of microtexture on the performance

products to shipowners in their local market.

three vessels had this system applied whilst

of a hull is well-documented, although most

Although there is no present intention to risk

actually afloat and the vessels sailed a matter of

manufacturers’ graphs only start at 100 microns

manufacture outside of its current, controlled

hours afterwards. The cavitation had become a

and Enviromarine has a microtexture of less than

UK location, Brunel are building a sales and

condition of class but, after inspection following

10 microns. Hull performance when coated with

marketing network to service the increasing

a full circumnavigation of the globe, the condition

an ultra-smooth, non-absorbent, impermeable,

interest brought about by these ground-breaking

was removed by class.

safe system, protects not only the marine

developments.

habitat, but also the air above it. The lower

Brunel also runs instructional visits to

emissions come quite simply as the result of

shipyards and is presently compiling a directory

burning less fuel.

of approved contractors for preparation and

Brunel sees this as a matter of increasing

application of the Enviromarine system.

importance, partly because of the global

For further information please visit: www.brunelmcs.com

instability of fuel markets, but also because of the forthcoming legislation requiring ships to burn cleaner, more expensive fuel. They also see it as essential that, in this industry, application and operation need to be practical and straightforward. Therefore, Enviromarine is applied with conventional, Graco-type spray equipment, standard globally and in just two coats. Because there are absolutely no solvents either within or added to the system, it cures naturally to its smooth finish, regardless of humidity (because there is no need for evaporation) and without any need for subsequent ‘conditioning’. Time being money, it is of great benefit that there are just two coats to apply in an operation which will not be interrupted

Paint inspector reflecting on the natural, mirror-like finish of Enviromarine

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

85


We are the experts: • • • •

Sale and Purchase Second Hand/Recycling Vessels Financing Surveying

• Green recycling - Surveying - Localisation/Analysis and inventory of hazardous material - Waste Management Scheme - Ship Recycling Plan - Selection of suitable and certified recycling yards - Supervision/Monitoring and Reporting of the ship recycling project More than 60 green recycling projects successfully completed

Pioneer of Green Recycling Projects Guarantee of Good Performance Worldwide Postal Address: Eckhardt Marine GMBH P.O. Box 101746 D-20012 Hamburg

Phone: +49 40 328 102-0 TELEFAX: +49 40 335 783 / +49 40 331 576 E-MAIL: sandp@eckhardt-marine.de

OFFICE: Eckhardt Marine GMBH 13 Ballindamm D-20095 Hamburg


Corporate viewpoint Eckhardt Marine GmbH

Responsible recycling N

o industry has been left untouched by

management

a growing pressure to demonstrate an

Eckhardt Marine’s commercial division enables

awareness and responsibility to the natu-

the company to hire and operate tugs if ships

ral environment. Many industrial sec-

have to be repositioned under tow or to

tors have been impacted deeply by “sustainable

commercially manage vessels for a period of

development” policies. The shipping industry is

time prior to demolition. This is usually achieved

no exception, where one of the main focuses has

through a sale and leaseback arrangement

been on ship recycling activities. These have suf-

with the previous owner or on Eckhardt’s own

fered from a considerable bad image and reputa-

account in the international freight market,

tion over the last decades, often being linked with

where the company has developed very close

low industrial standards, pollution and poor social

relationships with charterers that employ

safeguards for yard workers.

elderly ships.

NGOs,

state-bodies

and

international

and

crewing

requirements.

The core activities and services provided by

organisations are addressing this issue and are

Eckhardt include:

working on an international convention for ship

• Sourcing

recycling. But international law-making is a long-

“end-of-life”

vessels

through

owners, brokers and insurance companies.

term process and the sudden drop in freight

• Sale and purchase of “end-of-life” ships on

rates has made it very obvious that solutions are

a regular basis, and second-hand ships for

needed now.

further trading for selected clients.

Who better than a company that has more

• Managing the towage and last voyages of

than a century’s involvement in this activity to

vessels, with or without cargoes, to different

face up to the future of ship recycling by offering

recycling destinations.

its experience and knowledge to meet the

• Establishing ad-hoc or long-term joint

immediate demands of the shipping industry?

ventures in every country where ships can be broken up.

An industry pioneer

• Development and introduction of new

Eckhardt Marine enjoyed the professional

rigs) totalling 1,500 vessels for a light-weight

recycling standards to meet “green recycling

backing and dedication of the traditional German

displacement (actual steel weight) of more than

objectives”. This effort has already been

industry as a subsidiary of Klöckner, VIAG/

12.5 million metric tons during the last 15 years.

successfully implemented in China and for a number of shipbreaking yards in India.

Deutsche Bank and ThyssenKrupp before management buy-out initiated by Briac Beilvert

Global network for tailoredservices

and Guenther Werle.

being taken over by FIS Holding GmbH via a

• The sale and purchase of all types of European navy vessel which are destined

Head office operations in Hamburg include a

for recycling and which are handled under

Having its roots in 1901 – the date of

trading team to acquire and place ‘end-of-life’

a “special notification procedure”. Eckhardt

inception of its former parent company –

vessels, a post-fixture department to handle

also follows up and reports on the recycling

Eckhardt Marine GmbH has experienced all

the detailed transactions following the trade,

and decontamination process to the relevant

periods of the ship recycling industry and has

and an administration team. Vessels sales can

a presence in all ship recycling countries where

be concluded in as little as two hours, although

• Trading of scrap products (heavy melting

it has a current involvement in all aspects and

others might take up to three weeks. Once

scrap, shredded scrap, billets and such like)

functions of ship recycling projects. In the past,

the sale is completed, the selling owner will

the company operated ship recycling yards in

generally arrange for the vessel to be delivered

• Conducting a sourcing programme to

Germany, the USA and Spain before becoming

to the recycling yard although, if required,

secure additional tonnage by purchasing

the most successful and reliable trading house

Eckhardt will organise the repositioning voyage

older vessels and chartering them back, via

in demolition tonnage, handling all types and

through its shipmanagement division. This

bareboat charters, for periods of two or three

sizes of floating structures (merchant ships,

team has a deep knowledge of rapidly taking

years, whilst also securing the ultimate sale

navy ships, submarines, barges, pontoons, oil

over elderly ships, including their technical

to the recycling market.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

authorities.

to recycling clients.

87


Corporate viewpoint Eckhardt Marine GmbH Track record and strong relationships

conditions and a rational organisation of the

and analysis of the hazardous materials during

work.

the first boarding through to the dismantling of

Due to its unique background, Eckhardt

• Monitoring and advice to recycling yards

the ship’s last plate. Documented with pictures,

Marine GmbH is privileged to enjoy a network

for being compliant with ISO 30 000:2009

drawings, protocols of the work progress and

of long-standing direct relationships with

(Ship Recycling Management System) which

statements of compliance, this report gives

shipowners, selected brokers and recycling

is the new ISO standard for ship recycling

full details of the depollution and dismantling

yards. Continued good service, reliability and

facilities. This demonstrates how Eckhardt

process, quantities of waste removed and where

commitment to quality have enabled Eckhardt

Marine GmbH is fully compliant with the

and how they were ultimately disposed of.

Marine GmbH to offer a complete range of

Basel Convention and all existing technical

ship recycling services, from the processing of

guidelines (IMO, ILO etc). Early in this decade,

clients which include:

trading transactions to delivering environmental

the company became registered as a waste

• A guarantee for the complete and efficient

and engineering recycling solutions, in often

broker under the European Union notification

management of commercial and technical

complex legal and economic circumstances.

procedures and legislation for the control

green recycling processes in China and

Eckhardt Marine’s professionalism and

of trans-boundary movement of hazardous

reliability has allowed the company to foster

waste, including their disposal from both the

close relationships with a number of financial

disposing and receiving countries.

partners, including some of the major German

As

a

long-term

partner

to

This brings a range of benefits to Eckhardt’s

India. • Continuous monitoring of the dismantling and recycling processes as well as the

breaking

subsequent depollution and disposal work. • Best-practice

green

recycling

services

commercial banks. This enables it to secure

yards, Eckhardt has been able to convince

sufficient debt financing to purchase “end-

several yards to enter exclusive cooperative

in accordance with the most modern

of-life” vessels from those environmentally

joint ventures in China and India, where

international and domestic standards at a

responsible

with

the company’s technical procedures can

maintaining and enhancing their public image.

be implemented under its own monitoring

• Reliable client orientated services which

These include most of the world’s oil majors

systems. All yards working with Eckhardt under

reduce the client’s exposure to liability and

and publicly traded shipowning companies,

the green recycling procedures are certified

damage to their reputation and company

and more generally all shipowning companies

under ISO14001 (Environmental Management

image.

acknowledging accountability in the way their

System), OHSAS18001 (Occupational Health

Safe and responsible ship recycling is fast

vessels will be disposed of.

and Safety Management System), and many

moving up the corporate agenda for all shipping

also hold the ISO9001 Quality Management

companies. Eckhardt Marine has abundant

Still one step ahead: green recycling

System certificate.

knowledge, experience and competence to

Eckhardt Marine is in the process of

ensure that vessels are dismantled without

Eckhardt Marine has established a set of technical

practicing and implementing the new ISO30

causing undue harm to the environment and

procedures for the ecological and sound recycling

000 certification in cooperation with yards’

without endangering life. That should be the aim

of ships for owners that have a particular concern

management. These yards, specially selected

of everyone involved in the international ship-

for the disposal of their elderly ships, in compliance

by Eckhardt, differ from others as they:

operating sector.

with the Hong Kong International Convention for

• Are of new construction and functionality,

the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of

meeting the standards of the western world.

Ships, 2009. Although this legal framework has

• Have a lay-out and technical infrastructure

successfully. Eckhardt Marine GmbH has been

not entered into force since its adoption on 19th

for the segregation and optimum sequence

able to exploit its genuine knowledge and deep

May 2009, Eckhardt Marine GmbH has already

of green recycling procedural steps.

experience of the ship recycling industry and is

owners

concerned

adjusted the standard of its Green Recycling Scheme to comply with this convention. The technical procedures cover the following issues:

on board. • The analysis and examination of hazardous materials in accordance with MEPC (Maritime

green

recycling

a range of resources to meet social and quality standards to help preserve the environment. That is what sustainable development is

management system.

all about.

of the workforce. • Provide appropriate accommodation and healthcare facilities for personnel. • Employ specially trained staff for safety procedures and accident avoidance. • Maintain

an

excellent

reputation

for

dependability and efficiency.

Environmental Protection Committee of IMO)

Contact: Briac Beilvert / Guenther Werle

A recycling plan

Managing Directors

• An appropriate removal and collection of

Eckhardt Marine monitors ship recycling projects

Eckhardt Marine GmbH

each type of hazardous waste for proper

in a very similar way to the supervisory process

Ballindamm 13

disposal or neutralisation in dedicated

employed for the construction of new ships.

D-20095 Hamburg, Germany

landfills or facilities.

Regular reports are made by Eckhardt Marine

Tel: +49 403281020

• A dismantling plan of the ship structure,

to the vessel owner, detailing the steps involved

Fax: +49 40335783

ensuring the implementation of safe labour

in the dismantling process from the inventory

E-mail: sandp@eckhardt-marine.de

179 (59) adopted 17/07/2009.

88

projects

onward transportation in an advanced waste

code for the individual and collective safety

of the hazardous materials and substances

60

a prime example of a company bringing together

ships’ components made of hazardous

localisation, analysis and condition reporting

than

facilities for hazardous waste prior to

• Have strict adherence to a protective dress

these tasks encompasses identification,

Since 1999, Eckhardt Marine has handled more

• Have secure intermediate special storage

• A waste-management scheme for handling materials or substances. The scope of

competitive price.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


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Shipbuilding and repair

Strike while the iron is hot For cash-rich companies not threatened by overcapacity, this is the time to order, as yards begin to feel the pinch

I

f the shipping market feels threatened by the

established, but expensive, yards in Europe,

shipbuilding, with the market reaching a record

prospect of a boom in deliveries over the

well-known yards in the Far East and cheaper

height of 91.2 million dwt completed in 2008.

next few years, many shipbuilders are feeling

but newly-built facilities in the Far East, there will

Each of the peaks to date has been followed by

threatened by the prospect of owners being

be considerable competition for survival.

a considerable trough. However: “If we believe

unable to pay for ships on order. Overcapacity is

Chinese projections, we will have 40 years of

a problem for yards as much as it is for owners,

steady growth after we hit the bottom of the

with the rush to build facilities to keep up with

Overall market conditions

the flood of orders for ships leading to a number

Figures

of yards which may now stand empty. Between

that there have been four peaks in modern

from

Clarksons

Research

current market,” says Martin Landtman, ceo of show

Newbuilding and repair yards alike are having a difficult time

90

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

STX Finland. “It is clear that Korea and China have been motors for this growth.”


Shipbuilding and repair

Turku is concentrating on environmental work of 2009. “The first cancellations were the ‘easy’

have preferred a year to get settled into the job

future.

ones, where owners could afford to let things go.

first, “but prices at the moment are just too good

At the height of the shipbuilding boom, the

Now we are seeing owners in real difficulties,”

to be ignored”. The company has approached

Shipbuilders’ Association of Japan predicted

said Cargotec’s Olli Sotalo. Many of this first

nine yards around the world, although only six

that there would be a need for some 35 million

wave were bulker and container vessels. Some

responded with offers. Asian yards in particular

CGT per annum shipbuilding capacity. This has

20% of the company’s marine orderbook of E1.6

are offering a very good price, said Bockmann,

since been revised downwards to 26 million

billion is now under threat of cancellation, but

who declined to comment on whether he was

CGT per annum. Projected shipyard capacity

Sotalo believes that many of these threatened

under pressure to choose one of Finland’s

currently stands at 75 million CGT. Shipyards

cancellations will not materialise.

increasingly struggling yards for the work.

Predictions about demand versus capacity show

a

rather

more

pessimistic

bulker

However, pricing is not the only factor to be

points out, as this excessive capacity combines

cancellations in the early part of 2009, Cargotec

taken into consideration, particularly when it

with the imbalance of supply and demand on

was beginning to get orders for more bulker

comes to newbuildings, rather than repairs. For

the buyers side.

equipment, in particular as a result of orders

the two new vessels that Rettig will be building,

placed by Chinese owners, Sotalo said. In

says Bore, the company has decided on ‘proven

addition, some owners were benefiting from the

European yards’, rather than heading for China.

The cancellation question

slowdown, as orders were now being placed

Vessels will only be about 15% more expensive,

There have been plenty of discussions about

for complex vessels that were too expensive to

he says, and the company is willing to pay that

cancellations between yards and owners – but

build at the height of the boom. Offshore vessels

for the added security in terms of timely delivery.

few of them in public, Landtman says. As a

are one of the few areas where Sotalo sees

In addition, he says, Chinese yards tend not to

result, no-one is really sure of the true extent of

growth potential over the next few years.

be flexible over design, and the fuel efficiency

are not just facing one crisis, but two, Landtman

Despite

the

high

number

of

of existing designs is not that good – whereas

the situation facing shipyards worldwide.

Rettig is looking to increase fuel efficiency on the

One means of gauging the extent of cancellation is to look at figures given by major

Bargain hunting

suppliers to the shipyards, rather than to the

As a result of the competition for orders, yards

suppliers themselves. Engine manufacturer

have become very aggressive in pricing for both

Wartsila, for example, say they are facing a

shiprepair and shipbuilding. “Two years ago, you

cancellation risk of approximately E500 million

had to go where you found a space; today yards

Environmental options offer a future

this year. Last year that risk was estimated to

are forced to be much more competitive,” said

Likewise, Viking Line’s new ships will have to

be E800 million, although final figures showed

a spokesman for Rettig Shipping. His company

be 30% more efficient than today’s ships. This

total cancellations for the year at E410 million.

has changed yards at least once because the

improvement will come mostly from hull design,

Overall, Wartsila saw orders for ship engines

previous one got complacent over pricing for

says Bockmann, since the ships that are being

down by 80% in 2009, with the first half of the

drydocking, he implies.

replaced were probably designed in 1984 or

year being “exceptionally slow”. The company is

The return of lower prices is beginning to

having to “make reorganisations to cope,” said

attract owners back to ordering, according to

Atte Palomaki, VP corporate communications.

several commentators.

new ships by up to 20 tonnes per day.

85, and there have been huge advances in ship design since that time. Environmental regulations will be a big driver

While the market for merchant ships is down,

“Yard prices are absolutely great at the

of yard work over the next few years. Turku

“even here there is pick-up potential”, he

moment,” says Michael Bockmann, who took

Ship Repair Yard, for example, says that it is

emphasised.

over as MD of Finnish-based ferry company

concentrating on environmental work to attract

Cargotec, which provides handling systems

Viking Lines in mid-February. In fact, prices are

owners, including conversions and updating

for containerships, says it saw two waves of

so good that he launched into a newbuilding

equipment, although the yard’s strongest side is

cancellation last year – initially from the beginning

programme just 20 days after joining the

still annual fast dry docking. Wartsila reckon that

of the year until May, and then again at the end

company. If anything, Bockmann says, he would

more than 20,000 vessels will need to upgrade

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

91


Shipbuilding and repair their bilge and ballast water cleaning systems

shiprepair yards. Even at a yard which has one

within the next three years. They also estimate

of the largest dry docks in the Baltic, capable

that many vessels are in need of conversion

of taking tankers of up to Aframax size, “We

work to improve hull design and efficiency in

live from hand to mouth,” says Sundqvist. “We

order to minimise operating costs, particularly if

never know what we’ll be doing in five or six

an emissions trading scheme is introduced for

weeks time, and there are huge variations in the

the shipping industry.

workload. Some weeks we don’t have enough

Ship conversions, either to increase efficiency, or from a low-cost to a more profitable ship

work for one employee, and then, two weeks later, we’ll have 200 subcontractors in.”

type, are also likely to provide a good source of

Being located in the Baltic presents its own

income for repair yards, and, to a lesser extent,

problems for the Finnish yard in terms of the

to newbuilding yards.

location. “The wage load is three times higher than in Baltic countries, but our productivity is higher,” says Sundqvist. Perhaps as a result,

Repair yards feel pressure

75% of customers are Finnish.

Like the newbuild yards, repair yards have

Higher wage prices are compounded

been feeling the impact of the economic crisis.

by political issues elsewhere in the Baltic, in

At Turku Repair Yard, for example, a member

particular in Poland, he continues. “We think

of the BLRT Group, and one of the largest

the Polish government will continue to prop up

shiprepair yards in the Baltic, turnover last year

Polish yards that are even cheaper than those

was E60 million, compared with E80 million in

based in the Northern Baltic. We cannot work

2008. Managing director Hans Sundqvist thinks

out how they can do steel work for $2 per kilo

that this year will be even harder than 2009,

– we can’t even get materials for that price. For

with many customers feeling the effects of the

us, the cost would be $6-8 per kilo, while even

economic downturn more strongly than before.

other Baltic countries would offer $4-5 per kilo.”

For repair yards, there is an added element

Similar help is unlikely to be forthcoming for his

of uncertainty due to the unpredictability of

own business, even if EU regulations allowed

the work. Yard work tends to be cyclical,

it, he concludes. “The government might help

and February and the beginning of March in

newbuilding yards, but not repair yards, they’re

Hans Sundqvist

particular are traditionally not a good time for

too small.”

92

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com



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Cargo focus Breakbulk

Breakbulk shipping turns the corner After a difficult 2009, demand for breakbulk shipping services is on the up again. Moreover, this sector’s future prospects are being enhanced by a relatively restrained programme of investment in new tonnage

I

n many respects the breakbulk sector is one part of the global shipping industry that tends to slip under the radar, certainly compared to its more glamorous container shipping cousin.

However, companies transporting breakbulk goods – essentially non-bulk cargoes that are too big or otherwise unsuited for containerisation – have a critical role to play within the global economy. The Dutch consultancy Dynamar has just published a new report, Breakbulk: Operators Fleets, Markets*, which reviews the current state of this sector. In it the report’s author, Dirk Visser, observes that: “Overall the breakbulk industry has been riding the waves of globalisation quite successfully and carriers of breakbulk, project and heavy lift cargo have become as essential to the world economy as box ships. The developing world could not do without breakbulk ships and it should not be overlooked that it was breakbulk vessels carrying out-ofgauge machinery to key production centres that allowed the ‘China factor’ to actually take off.”

A healthy orderbook The Dynamar report also points out that the position of breakbulk shipping has been much enhanced by a sustained programme of investment in new ships. In Mr Visser’s view:

Gerhard Jannsen, Rickmer’s director marketing and sales

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

95


Cargo focus Breakbulk “Since 2000, breakbulk shipping has turned

Another

from being an ailing to a thriving part of the

investment

industry and an initial lack of newer, efficient

Bremerhaven-based Beluga Shipping, which

ships has been rectified in part by the arrival

has 31 vessels on order with a combined

Rickmers currently has nine Superflex Heavy

of new, very capable and productive units with

capacity of 515,000 dwt. These include its new

MPC vessels employed in the Round-the-

many more on order.”

19,100 - 20,000 dwt ‘P series’ ships, the first of

World Pearl String service, going eastbound,

which, the Beluga Houston, entered service in

with departures every fortnight. In addition, the

January this year.

company has expanded its cooperation with

Moreover, this investment has taken place in a more responsible and sustainable way than in

company

with

programme

a

substantial

underway

is

ports, especially in less developed regions where we are more likely to encounter draft, length or beam restrictions.”

some other segments of the shipping business.

Eastern Car Liner (ECL) and is now operating

Dynamar estimates that the newbuilding

four ECL vessels with breakbulk capacity on a

orderbook for breakbulk ships, including project

Flexibility is key

and heavy lift vessels, currently stands at around

Other fast expanding operators in the breakbulk

25% of the existing fleet in deadweight terms.

sector include Austral Asia Line and Rickmers,

However, Mr Visser points out: “If all breakbulk

both of which have 14 vessels on order.

ships older than 25 years were scrapped now

Rickmers’ new ships will be delivered in 2011

Bringing back the tweendecker

then the orderbook would only replace 70%

and 2012, and include four 24,000 dwt so-called

Last September, the US-based TBS group,

of the lost space. This is where the breakbulk

Mumbai-max vessels, designed to meet the

which operates a fleet of 25 multipurpose

sector differs from the container industry, where

constraints of the leading Indian gateway port

tweendeckers, took delivery of the Rockaway

the capacity of newbuildings exceeds that of 25

and which can lift up to 700 tonnes, and six

Belle, the first in a series of six multipurpose

year-plus vessels by 15 times!”

19,000 dwt vessels with a lift capacity up to 480

tweendecker newbuildings which the company

One of the leading carriers in the breakbulk

tonnes. The remaining four ships on order are

has ordered from China. The second vessel,

segment is BBC Chartering. The German

17,000 dwt multipurpose vessels that can lift a

Dakota Princess, was delivered in March and

operator is set to significantly increase its market

maximum of 300 tonnes.

two further vessels will be delivered in 2010, with

roundtrip in the Pacific on a monthly basis.

share over the next few years, having around 46

Gerhard Jannsen, Rickmer’s director market-

ships on order for delivery in 2010-12, totalling

ing and sales, adds: “Compared with our Pearl

Chief executive Joseph Royce says: “The

over 560,000 dwt. These are all multipurpose

String fleet, which consists of nine 30,000 dwt

timing is right for these new multipurpose,

ships of varying types, ranging in size from 3,500

vessels, these ships are obviously smaller. This

retractable tweendeckers, which are ideal for

dwt to 37,500 dwt.

gives us greater flexibility when calling at smaller

parcel and general cargoes. They are brand new

The new tweendecker, Rockaway Belle, delivered last year

96

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

another two due in 2011.


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Cargo focus Breakbulk

ships, with the latest technology, and will give us

multipurpose ships that the company has on

25% more floor space for general cargo.”

order in China. Each has a maximum lift capacity

There is a general consensus that the

He continues: “Around 75% of the multi-

of 640 tonnes and is specifically designed for the

financial crisis is easing and that many large

purpose tweendecker fleet is over 25 years

transportation of breakbulk and project cargoes.

scale projects that had been shelved are now

of age and in need of replacement. We feel

New Orleans-based Intermarine is investing

being reactivated. “There are indications that

demand for this type of ship is going to be

heavily in its multipurpose vessel fleet, contracting

postponed projects will be reactivated shortly

significant and we plan to buy more new ships

a series of eight newbuildings. The last of four

and the level of enquiries for cargo to be

of this type in future, as they are not readily

10,000 dwt E-Class vessels, the Industrial Echo,

moved within the next couple of months has

available on the second-hand market.”

entered service in early 2010, and these ships

been increasing,” says Mr Janssen. “The energy

feature dual 250 tonnes capacity cranes that

sector has been relatively resilient in the face of

can be combined to lift cargo units weighing up

the global economic crisis and our expectation

Upgrading the fleet

to 500 tonnes. Four further 12,000 dwt F-Class

is that the wind farm, nuclear power and fossil

Safmarine, part of the AP Moller group, has an

ships, each with two 400 tonnes cranes, will

energy sectors will generate an increase in the

extensive multipurpose vessel operation that

follow into Intermarine’s fleet in 2010 and 2011.

breakbulk volumes that need to be shipped.”

transports breakbulk goods on a global basis,

Other players with significant breakbulk ships

TBS’ Joseph Royce is similarly upbeat. He

but which is primarily centred on the West

on order include SE Shipping and Coscol.

says: “Our liner and parcels services began

African trades. Over the past year the company

The latter is considered by Dynamar to be the

their recovery during the fourth quarter of 2009

has rejuvenated its fleet of multipurpose vessels,

biggest ‘pure’ breakbulk operator, with a fleet of

and the first quarter of 2010 has continued that

taking delivery of several new vessels on

some 70 ships, totalling around 1.2 million dwt.

trend. We have seen a strong recovery in South

them to adopt protectionist trade policies.”

long-term charters, and this has resulted in

America, where Brazil and Peru particularly are

notable service improvements. As Greg Ulicki,

booming economies, and we see opportunities

Safmarine’s director of multipurpose services,

Recovery beckons

in Africa as well.” To meet these evolving

points out: “The injection of new tonnage tends

For all breakbulk operators, 2009 was a very

requirements TBS has initiated a new breakbulk

to result in improved schedule reliability, although

difficult year. As Joseph Royce reflects: “Looking

service from the US Gulf to South America and

this is subject to port conditions in West Africa.”

at 2009 the breakbulk segment suffered as much

is setting up a joint venture in South Africa to

Safmarine will be taking delivery of four new

as any within the dry cargo market. There was

target the requirements of the energy sector in

18,000 dwt multipurpose vessels in 2010/11,

a lot of uncertainty about financing and this led

the region.

and these will be the first vessels of this type

to projects being cancelled or postponed. Our

Intermarine is also strong in the breakbulk

that will be wholly owned and managed by

steel parcel services out of Brazil in particular

sector between the USA and South America.

Safmarine for more than a decade. Mr Ulicki

took a big hit.”

The strength of the latter market has recently

says: “Our investment in new, owned tonnage

Most carriers active in the breakbulk segment

persuaded the company to diversify, setting up

is proof or our commitment to the trade and the

are, however, generally optimistic that, while

a new service connecting Europe to the east

deployment of these ships will further enhance

2010 will be another tough year, market trends

coast of South America and another from North

our service and lower our environmental impact.”

are moving in their favour, particularly as a result

Asia to Brazil.

Another South Africa based breakbulk

of developments in South America, India and

specialist,

MACS

Shipping,

has

recently

China.

Breakbulk operators are still, however, suffering the knock-on effects of low container

According to a spokesman for BBC: “These

freight rates, which is encouraging some

three markets still have immense potential and

shippers to switch cargoes to the box option,

The Polish-Chinese joint venture Chipolbrok

are rapidly developing, driven by a high rate of

where this is possible. A recovery in this sector

is another breakbulk specialist that is upgrading

public and infrastructure investment. It is unlikely

is likely to be a prerequisite before breakbulk

its fleet and recently took delivery of the Adam

that they will reduce their development and

operators can fully restore financial health.

Asnyk, the first of a series of six 30,000 dwt

infrastructure investments, and we do not expect

purchased a new feeder vessel, the Black Rhino, to augment its West Africa service.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

99


Geographical focus Canada

Cause for optimism Global economic issues are continuing to impact on Canadian trade, a fact which is reflected in port performance statistics for 2009. There are, though, signs of recovery in some sectors, including grain exports

P

orts on Canada’s west and east coast experienced varying fortunes last year. However, there was an underlying theme of recovery at all facilities, especially on

the Pacific coast. Cargo moving through Canada’s main west coast gateway, Port Metro Vancouver, dropped 11% last year compared with 2008, to just under 102 million tonnes. However, the port authority reports significant growth in grain, specialty crops and petroleum products traffic, as well as a modest increase in loaded export container volume.

Key exports recover The upturn in key Canadian exports, such as grain, has given the port reason to believe that the worst of the crisis is now behind it. According to a statement from the port: “Volume decreases experienced during the first half of 2009 inched toward recovery in the third and fourth quarters, foreshadowing possible gains for 2010.” Demand from Asia, led by China and India, was a major factor behind the increase in volume for bulk cargo exports, with total grain shipments rising by 33% to set a throughput record of 18.1 million tonnes and wheat volumes surging by 38% on the back of strong demand from Latin American, South American and Middle Eastern markets. Coal exports finished the year down 6%, at 24.3 million tonnes, but continue to represent the port’s single biggest trade, accounting for nearly a quarter of Vancouver’s

100

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Geographical focus Canada throughput. Consistent growth in coal exports to

construct, increases Deltaport’s capacity by

in the second half 2009, following a weak first

South Korea and China throughout the year was

around 50% to 1.8 million TEU. Over the next

half, to push total traffic to 4.16 million tonnes.

complemented by the recovery of demand for

ten years, container traffic through Canada’s

This was, however, down 14.2% for the year

metallurgical coal by major steel producers, such

west coast is expected to double and the new

compared to 2008.

as Japan, in the second half of the year.

berth at Deltaport is part of a long-term plan to

During 2010 Prince Rupert port will remain

Vancouver’s forest product volumes dropped

strengthen Canada’s Pacific Gateway and ensure

focused on further increasing its container

21%, but this was mainly due to a sharp drop

Vancouver’s ability to accommodate the growth

volumes and intends to press on with the Phase

in domestic demand. Foreign forest product

in container trade, in particular with Pacific Rim

2 expansion of the Fairview Container Terminal.

volumes by contrast increased by 1%, again

economies like China.

The port authority also intends facilitating the

driven by strong demand from China. Forest

development of new export capacities for bulk

product exports moving to China via Vancouver in

commodities, including sulphur, potash and

West coast weathers storm

mineral concentrates, bulk liquids such as

Demand for containerised forest product

Also on Canada’s west coast, the Port of Prince

vegetable oils and petroleum products, and

exports helped boost Vancouver’s loaded

Rupert appears to have weathered the receding

import capacities such as in-bound project cargo

container exports, although overall the port’s

global economic storm better than Vancouver,

and automobiles.

container business contracted by around 14%

recording its highest volume throughput since

compared with 2008, to 2.15 million TEU. Loaded

1997 last year. The port handled 12.2 million

container traffic fell by 10% in the 12-month

tonnes of cargo in 2009, up around 15%

period, but with laden box movements in the first

compared with 2008 volumes.

fact increased by 38% in 2009.

East coast faces slower recovery

half of the year down 17% compared to equivalent

The increase in traffic in 2009 was not driven

In general terms, ports on Canada’s east coast

months in 2008, the port has justification for

by any one line of business, as throughput levels

have struggled with the recession to a greater

claiming that a recovery in its container trade

were up for most Prince Rupert facilities, including

extent than those on the west coast, reflecting

is well underway and should be reflected in

containers and bulk cargo. The Fairview Container

Pacific coast facilities’ closer ties with key Asian

significant growth during 2010.

Terminal handled 265,259 TEU, a 46% increase

markets. In this region there are signs of trade

To prepare for longer term container traffic

over 2008, while Prince Rupert Grain (PRG)

improvement, however. The Port of Montreal for

expansion, in January this year Global Container

terminal volumes jumped by more than 35% to

instance points to recent growth in certain types

Terminals and Port Metro Vancouver officially

just over 5 million tonnes, the terminal’s highest

of dry bulk cargo traffic, such as iron ore, as a

opened the new CAN$400 million third berth

throughput since 1993. Wheat shipments, the

potential harbinger of economic recovery.

at the Deltaport container terminal. Deltaport

core of PRG’s business, were up almost 56% to

Overall though Montreal experienced a 12%

is the largest container terminal in Canada,

4.6 million tonnes, offsetting decreases in volumes

drop in traffic to 24.5 million tonnes in 2009. Bulk

handling approximately 45% of the containerised

for barley, canola and grain pellets.

cargo experienced an 8.7% decline, although

cargo that moves through Canada’s west

Also on the bulk cargo side, the port’s Ridley

grain shipments recorded a 14.7% increase over

coast. The project, which took two years to

Terminals experienced a surge in coal volumes

the previous year. Montreal’s container trade took

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

101


Geographical focus Canada a significant hit, and dropped by over 15% to 1.25

Sept-Iles invests for the future

million TEU.

reclaim its title as second busiest port in Canada.

Several major investment projects for the port

Earlier this year the Port of Sept-Îles announced

Cargo volumes handled at the Port of Sept-

were announced last year, giving Sept-Iles cause

the signing of an agreement with the federal

Îles, one of Canada’s key bulk cargo gateways on

for optimism about the future. Construction of

government to develop the Pointe-Noire dock,

the east coast, dipped 12% in 2009, with the port

a new cruiseship terminal, additional facilities

to provide additional capacity for Consolidated

achieving a total volume of 19.8 million tonnes

at Pointe-Noire wharf optimisation project, the

Thompson Iron Mines. Work on this project is now

compared with the 22 million tonnes handled

La Relance terminal expansion project and

underway and should be completed by late 2010.

during the previous year. This slowdown was

the signing of a long-term agreement with

Around CAN$10 million will be invested to provide

caused, for the most part, by a reduced volume

Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines made 2009

greater berthing capacity at the dock and make

of iron ore shipments.

a record breaking year in terms of investment in

use of the land behind it to create a maritime

the port. “All signs point to 2010 being a year

transhipment centre for bulk cargo.

of significant growth, thanks to the $160 million

Algoma extends fleet

worth of infrastructure investment announced

Part of the Ontario-based Algoma Central

last year in collaboration with our partners,”

Corporation (ACC), Algoma Tankers, is

comments Carol Soucy, chairman of the port

expanding its fleet with the recent purchase of the product tanker Algoma Dartmouth for US$9 million. The vessel, which was already operated by Algoma Tankers under a long-

authority board. The launch of Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines’ storage and handling operations in the Port of Sept-Îles in the autumn of 2009 is

CSL prepares for next generation of self-unloaders The Montreal-based CSL group is designing a new generation of self-unloading bulk carriers that will incorporate the latest technology in vessel construction along with

particularly important, as shipments generated

proven gravity belt self-unloading systems.

by the new iron ore producer, which boasts an

According to CSL president, Paul Cozza:

fuel delivery and vessel bunkering services

annual production capacity of 8 million tonnes,

“Ideally by the end of the year we will have

within the Halifax Harbour.

should soon enable the Port of Sept-îles to

firm plans in place for a new generation

term bareboat charter arrangement, provides

The Algoma Tankers fleet now consists

of ocean-going vessels to modernise and

of seven vessels, including the new product

expand our fleet.”

tankers Algonova and AlgoCanada, which

The fleet renewal initiative is not limited

joined the fleet in late 2008 and early 2009.

to CSL, but also its partners in the CSL

This fleet is claimed to be the newest and

International

most technologically advanced product tanker

Algoma Central Corporation and Torvald

fleet operating within the Great Lakes and St

pool,

Oldendorff

Carriers,

Klaveness, who are also planning similar

Lawrence River system and on the Canadian

initiatives. “The investment from all of

east coast.

the members squarely demonstrates the

ACC has also recently reached an

continued support and focus on the long-

agreement with its domestic dry bulk joint

term health of the CSL International pool,”

venture, Seaway Marine Transport (SMT), to

says Mr Cozza.

timecharter three bulk carriers to them for a

CSL is generally upbeat about its

five-year term upon their arrival in Canada later

prospects for 2010, and sees positive

this year. These vessels, the Algoma Spirit, the

trends in a number of key markets. “The

Algoma Guardian and the Algoma Discovery

economy in the United States, the main

are currently owned by Algoma Shipping

market for the CSL International business,

Inc., a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary of the

is expected to improve throughout the year,

Corporation. They are all maximum seaway

albeit slowly. For the pool we think Latin

size bulkers and were built in 1986 and 1987.

America has a very exciting future and our

Algoma Corporation will provide operating

self-unloaders are perfectly positioned to

management and crewing services for the

meet growing infrastructure needs there. We

vessels, which are expected to be deployed

will be focusing this year on expanding our

by SMT, the largest operator of dry bulk

presence in the region.”

vessels on the Great Lakes – St Lawrence

CSL’s Canada Steamship Lines division

Waterway, primarily in the grain and iron ore

owns and operates a fleet of 19 Canadian

trades. ACC currently has five product tankers

flag vessels, including 11 self-unloaders

under construction at yards in China. When

and eight bulk carriers, which trade on

these are completed over the next two years

the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway

they will join an existing owned product tanker,

system. A newbuilding programme from

plus 18 other product tankers that are owned

1998-2004 rejuvenated the fleet, which was

or are under construction by third parties, in

supplemented in 2008 by the purchase of

the Hanseatic Tankers fleet.

four bulk carriers.

102

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


SLS 15128 Baltic Exchange ad half pgv1_New Business 10-04-20 10:39 A

Geographical focus Canada

Quebec diversifies Another east coast port, the Port of Québec, saw its cargo volumes decrease by 21% in 2009 when compared to 2008, to 21 million tonnes. This was the first throughput decline posted by Quebec since 2001 and is attributed mainly to reduced demand for bulk cargoes used in the construction and steel industry in the United States, including iron ore and metallurgical coke. Over the past few years the Port of Québec has sought to diversify its activities. “Even though the decrease is an important one, it would be even more significant without the diversification efforts made, mainly with regards to tonnages of nickel, alumina, raw sugar, kerosene and biofuels,” points out Ross Gaudreault, president and chief executive officer at the Quebec Port Authority. The Port of Halifax also experienced a downturn in total traffic, albeit by a more modest 6.2%. Halifax’ bulk cargo shipments proved relatively resilient, dropping only by 1.6%, to 6.52 million tonnes, although breakbulk cargo,

can become

including forest products, dropped by almost 36%. Container traffic moving through the Nova Scotia port fell by around 11% to 345,000 TEU. However, this masks a significant improvement in the second half of the year, when overall containerised cargo growth was 4.2% compared with the second half of 2008. In fact, Halifax’s container throughput in the second half of 2009 was almost 26% higher than in the first six months, an increase triggered by the addition of several new container lines. In January this year the Halifax Port Authority started work at the South End Container Terminal on a CAN$35 million infrastructure project. The project’s primary purpose is to allow the terminal to simultaneously berth and handle two large post-Panamax vessels and involves deepening the berth to a depth of 16 metres from 14.5 metres and extending the quay line. Halifax’s container throughput has declined steadily since reaching a peak of 550,000 TEU in 2005 and this investment is critical if the port is to revive its fortunes and stay competitive in this sector.

Victoria yard retains leading role Victoria Shipyards Limited (VSL) is consolidating its position as one of North America’s foremost repair and newbuilding yards. In recent months, the company has secured a CAN$19.6 million contract to build a series of five lifeboats for the Canadian Coast Guard, for search and rescue operations around the country. These craft, designed as a first response rescue vessel in high seas, will enter service by March 2011. VSL has also recently completed work on a new catamaran type ferry for commuters within the Vancouver area. The TransLink Burrard Pacific Breeze entered service in December 2009 and can carry up to 400 passengers. In the ship repair sector, VSL is becoming one of the leading drydocking centres for the region’s cruise industry, and last year handled

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repair and refit work on three cruise liners, Golden Princess, Amsterdam and Millennium. The yard also completed a number of major upgrade projects for the Canadian Navy and Coast Guard, while other notable visitors to the yard’s docks included the container ship Alvsborg Bridge and the Norwegian survey vessel, Viking Vision. According to general manager Malcolm Barker: “Victoria Shipyards remains a leader in the ship repair and new vessel construction industry along the Pacific coast. This year the yard will build on the success of previous years’ work, with achievements in new vessel construction

New Business can include cargo that has a new origin, a new destination, or that was previously moving via a different mode of transportation. Or cargo that has not been previously shipped via the Seaway in the last 5 years in a volume larger than 10,000 tonnes.

projects for the Canadian Navy, Coast Guard and TransLink, while our established history of refit and repair works for various cruise lines, BC Ferries, commercial fishing fleets, container vessels and barges will ensure many years of prosperity for the company and its workforce.”

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theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

103


Port focus Gothenburg

Gothenburg gears up Space is available – the priority is to make sure the facilities are there to match

T

he port of Gothenburg, already one of

sectors, down 19% from 2008. Foreign trade in

Privatisation agenda

the major hub ports in the Baltic, aims

vehicles fell by 42% over 2009. This figure too

2010 sees the beginning of a major shake-up

to expand its operations. Gothenburg

shows a recovery over the course of the year –

in port management. The port was previously

is known for its strict environmental

first half figures were down by 58%.

state-owned and operated. Under the new

policies, and aims to continue to develop them,

“We noted an improvement during the

arrangements, operations will be split into four

in particular by expanding the amount of rail traf-

second half of the year. It was not a major

sections. The state-owned Port Operating

fic through the port and encouraging the use of

upturn, merely a hint of an increase. Although

Authority will continue to be in charge of overall

cold ironing. Splitting off port operations from the

volumes fell overall we have fared well compared

port operations, while operation of the ro-ro,

port authority is expected to encourage growth

with many competing ports,” said Magnus

container and car terminals has been split off.

and efficiency in the future, while opening up oil

Kårestedt, Port of Gothenburg chief executive.

Each of these sectors will be handled by an

“As over one-quarter of Sweden’s foreign

outside company. The terminal facilities are

trade passes through the Port of Gothenburg

leased from the Port Authority, which retains

we can see changes in the economy at an early

ownership. The three terminals were officially

stage and naturally we have been affected by

split off from the Port Authority on 1 February

Second-half recovery

the setbacks in the automotive industry. It is

this year. “The work with the new structure has

Like other ports in the region, Gothenburg

heartening for everyone that things are looking a

gone very well and we have already seen great

saw a considerable drop in traffic during 2009,

little brighter,” Kårestedt continued.

interest from operators around the world,” said

storage facilities will boost the port’s role as a crude oil transhipment hub.

with box traffic down by 5% overall in 2009

2010 is seen as the first stage of the

Chairman of the Board Sven Hulterström. No

from 2008. However, traffic was down 10% at

recovery. New investments from liner companies

final date has yet been set for transfer of the

the half-year mark, showing that there was a

and from the new operating companies will allow

three terminal companies to external operators.

considerable recovery in the second part of the

the port to expand capacity.

Source: Port of Göteborg

year. Ro-ro traffic was another of the hardest hit

Clean air is a priority

104

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Port focus Gothenburg Expanding oil capacity

Cold ironing

Liquid bulk is one of the most important sectors

Once

for the port, accounting for some 2,500 ship

innovations has been the introduction of high-

of

Gothenburg’s

most

successful

calls a year. While throughput in 2009 was down

voltage shoreside power for visiting ships in

7% on 2008, at 21.1 million tonnes, 2008 was

order to cut down on pollution from shoreside

a record year.

vessels. To ensure the energy provided is as

In 2009, Gothenburg began acting as a

‘green’ as possible, rather than just displacing

reloading hub for Russian crude oil. It is one

pollution from the vessels’ smoke stacks to

of the few ports in Scandinavia that can offer

an onshore power station, the port has also

a deep-water harbour for crude oil along with

installed two wind turbines. The first shoreside

transit storage for reloading onto larger tonnage.

power connections were installed in 2000.

Maintaining and expanding capacity is crucial

Currently, three quays at the port offer onshore

for success in this area and capacity has

power supply. Gothenburg has published a

recently expanded, as the port has recently

guide for ports intending to implement onshore

got permission to use one of four underground

power supply, and has won awards from the

caverns in the port for crude oil storage. The

EU and Lloyd’s List for its efforts to encourage

next step in the expansion of oil handling

crude and the product sectors. The port aims to

facilities will be to construct a process facility

make sufficient capacity available to secure its

with gas recycling, which should be completed

future in the area.

cold ironing. The Swedish government announced in mid-April that it will cut tax on cold ironing by

by the end of the year. The investment is carried

30%. “The announcement by the government

out jointly with storage company Scandinavian

is extremely positive. Apart from the fact that

Tank Storage AB, and is expected to cost in the

Rail throughput

customers who already use this technology will

region of SEK200 million.

Expanding the amount of cargo that either

have a considerably reduced cost, I believe the

Claes Jacobsson, president of Scandinavian

begins or continues its journey by rail is a major

decision will lead to further operators linking up.

Tank Storage, said: “We and our customer, a

part of the port’s environmental strategy. In

Onshore power supply will now become a more

major international operator on the oil market,

2009, the number of container journeys made by

financially attractive alternative,” said Kårestedt.

are extremely pleased that transport has

rail increased in absolute terms by 7% over 2008

commenced. The stock turnover depends on

to 366,500 TEU, even as the total container

environmental affairs at the port, said that those

the market, although we estimate a fourfold

throughput fell. Almost 50% of container

who already used ‘cold ironing’ had helped

turnover each year.”

throughput is transported by rail, thanks to

reduce emissions by around 5,000 tonnes per

tonnes

the development of a rail shuttle system in

year. She added: “Our aim is that as many as

of crude oil are handled each year at the

partnership with rail operators and shipping lines.

possible link up, so that the figure is at least

Tor Harbour. With the new facility now in

Facilities were further expanded in February this

30,000 tonnes per year.”

use, an increase of 20-60% is anticipated.

year with the completion of rebuilding work at

With three refineries close to the port, there is

the port’s two marshalling yards, where tracks

considerable potential for expansion in both the

were widened and extended.

At

present,

around

9

million

Åsa

Wilske,

who

is

responsible

for

Gothenburg

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

105


2010 PARTNER COUNTRY

PARTNER EVENT

In collaboration with the Maritime Council for the Oslofjord region See the Talks: http://www.youtube.com/ user/NHSTevents1

For more information regarding the Talks:

+44 207 842 2727

Agenda

info@nhstevents.com

www.nhstevents.com

Supported by

Sponsored by

The Oslo Shipping Talks comprise four sessions during the day, conducted largely in interview style, with a panel of chosen experts and industry leaders sharing insight and being asked to comment on a series of questions and propositions put forward by the session moderator.

The Mayor of Oslo will host a reception at 15.30 – 17.00h on May 31st for all delegates to the Oslo Shipping Talks and other VIP guests Opening Session 09.00h – 10.30h Setting the scene. 09.00h Trond Giske, Minister of Trade & Industry 09.20h Sturla Henriksen, Managing Director, Norges Rederiforbund 09.40h Henrik Madsen, President & CEO, DNV 10.00h Li Xiaopeng, Senior Executive Vice President, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) 10.30h Coffee / networking break

Session 3 13.30 – 15.00h Financing and building the order book. Is the balance of lending power shifting to the East and what are the implications for Norwegian ship owners and equipment suppliers? How is the role of Export Credit Agencies developing? How will the availability of bank loans and bonds affect the trading landscape for ship owners? Overview Dong Jianzhong, Managing Director, Welton Hazz Shipbrokers Discussion panelists Peter M. Anker, Managing Partner & CEO, RS Platou Harald Serck-Hanssen, Global Head of Shipping, Offshore and Logistics, DnB NOR Carl E. Steen, Head of Shipping, Oil Services & Intl Division, Nordea Bank Norge ASA Martin Stopford, Managing Director, Clarkson Research Studies Shicheng Yang, Chief Executive, COSCO UK Limited Grace Zheng, Partner, Yao Liang Law Office 15.00h Coffee / networking break Session 4 15.30h – 16.30h What are the commercial opportunities for shipowners and suppliers from high growth emerging economies and low growth advanced economies?

Session 2 11.00h – 12.30h To what extent does continued success depend on a vibrant and dynamic ship owner What’s it worth? Is the maritime cluster relevant beyond Norway, now and for centric community? Why are the service pillars; class, broking, finance,insurance, how long? legal and ship management so successful and where should companies invest for tomorrow. What is the value of the maritime cluster to Norway? Defining the cluster – examining Does shipbuilding and equipment supply in Norway really have a long term future? the constituent parts to demonstrate how far the cluster reaches in Norway’s GDP. What future can young Norwegians expect from the maritime sector? How are other clusters weathering the storm and looking forward? What can Discussion panelists governments do better? Are there common factors that have helped them succeed? Jan Morten Eskilt, CEO, The OSM Group Linked in to this is the question of where business is best served. What is important to Egil Holland, Director, Maritime Sector, Federation of Norwegian Industries owners – access to intellectual capital, closeness to clients, workable tax regime etc. Birgit M. Liodden, President, Youngship Overview Roy Reite, President, Offshore & Specialized Vessels, STX Europe Torger Reve, Wilh Wilhelmsen Chair in Strategy and Industrial Competitiveness, Felix H Tschudi, Chairman, Tschudi Shipping Company BI Norwegian School of Management Ole Wikborg, Director & Senior Underwriter, Norwegian Hull Club Discussion panelists 18.00h Dinner for all registered delegates at Helle Hammer, Managing Director, CEFOR kindly hosted by Winmar Sturla Henriksen, Managing Director, Norges Rederiforbund Henrik Madsen, President & CEO, DNV Ida Skard, Director General, Maritime Department, Norwegian Ministry of Trade & Industry Morits Skaugen, CEO, I.M. Skaugen SE 12.30h – 13.30 Delegate luncheon in the Mirror room kindly hosted by


Tradewinds Oslo Conference, 2009


Legal news

Legally speaking Sandra Speares looks at the issues surrounding the payment of ransoms

W

ith the spate of piracy attacks off

“Interestingly, the language reflects UN

the Somali coast showing no sign

resolution 1844, but these designated names

of let up, ransom payments are

have not been sanctioned in the same way

intended targets of the Executive Order, then it should have been more clearly stated.”

being paid on a regular basis to

under 1844.” He believes this suggests that the

ensure the crew and ship are released as swiftly

move is very much a US initiative and the rest

UK law clarified

as possible. The legality of such payments has

of the international community is not convinced

February’s judgment in the case of Masefield

depended on the fact that the pirates are not

that this is the right way to go. “It seeks to punish

AG v Amlin Corporate Member Ltd provided

linked to terrorist organisations, but are acting on

shipowners and offers no alternative for the safe

valuable guidance to the industry on the position

an opportunistic basis for personal profit alone.

resolution of a hijacking.”

regarding the payment of ransoms under English

A recent case in the English High Court has

law.

provided some reassurance to those involved

The case involved the hijacking of the

in ransom payments that they have the legal

Uncertainty persists

Bunga Melati Dua in August 2008 and while the

right to do so under English law. However, there

Dennis Bryant of Bryant’s Maritime Consulting,

main part of the judgment concerned whether

are indications that the US may be considering

says he finds the new order “highly confusing”.

the cargo was a loss under the 1906 Marine

taking action against those shipowners who pay

While he says piracy and armed robbery at sea

Insurance Act, the main point of interest as far as

ransoms to pirates, perhaps including banning

off the coast of Somalia are mentioned in the

the industry was concerned was the claimants’

them from US ports.

preamble of the order, “the real focus seems to

argument that ransom payments were contrary

be on individuals and entities that threaten the

to public policy.

Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and

US to ban ransom payments?

the African Union Mission in Somalia.

According to Holmans: “the court was ‘wholly unpersuaded’ that it would be right to

According to law firm Ince & Co, the US may

“The Office of Fair Assets Control issued

categorise the payment of ransom as contrary

use existing UN resolutions coupled with the US

a revision to its list of Specially Designated

to public policy. In the absence of parliamentary

Office of Foreign Assets Control to bring action

nationals

addressing

intervention, there was no clear and urgent

against those who pay ransoms. President

Al-Shabaab and its leadership. The Executive

reason for categorising the activity as contrary

Obama has recently signed a presidential order

Order does not mention whether the payment of

to public policy and the court should resist any

listing some of the names of those understood

ransom to pirates, Al-Shabaab, or anyone else

temptation to do so.”

to be investing in piracy, and a prohibition on

is prohibited. Certainly, the federal government

The judgment also emphasised that payment

paying funds to those named could affect

took no action when at least one US company

of ransoms was the only option. Holman Fenwick

ransom payments.

paid ransom to rebels/terrorists in Latin America.

Willan alone has been involved in more than 40

that

seems

to

be

vessel hijacks involving over 1,000 seafarers.

Industry and other sources have been closely

“The Executive Order does succeed in

watching US moves to have certain pirate

causing uncertainty within the international

This judgment, the firm believes should

leaders named as “designated” people under

maritime community. At the moment, there are

end speculation “usually from cargo interests”

this order. Holman Fenwick Willan partner James

no US citizens or US-registered vessels being

about the legality of ransom payments. “As the

Gosling, said he was “pretty worried” about

held hostage by Somali pirates. There are

Amlin case shows, public policy is one thing,

threats being made to ban the payment of

citizens and ships of allied nations being held

government policy is another,” Mr Gosling said.

ransoms as “What other option is there?” He is

hostage though. Could a zealous US Attorney

The non-payment of ransoms by governments is

concerned about the use of UN resolutions to

charge a foreign shipowner (or its insurer) with a

a “straightforward approach” he said.

impose a ban. However, the question remains as

US presence for paying a ransom to the pirates?

However, the threat of a ban remains as

to whether this would pass, given the sensitivity

It is now a possibility. While there might not be a

questions have been asked in the UK parliament

of states like Russia and China to the fact their

conviction, there could easily be a messy court

about the legality of payments and if the

seafarers are being held captive.

proceeding if such charges were brought.

consensus seems to be that they are illegal,

Stephen Askins of Ince & Co also expresses

“Assuming that Al-Shabaab, and their fellow-

concern that while the order affects US

travellers, are the real target here, inclusion of

“persons”, it might be extended to include

the mention of piracy in the Executive Order is

anyone with a business presence in the US.

unfortunately misleading. If piracy is one of the

108

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

restrictions on payment could be imposed.


Insurance news

Insurance parlance Piracy not ‘total loss’, says UK high court

T

he UK High Court has ruled that the

following payment of a ransom, showed that

hijacking by Somali pirates of a vessel,

the claimant had “lost only possession and not

NOM offers war risk policy in Nigeria

its crew and its cargo for ransom did

dominion over (or property in) their good”, he

NOM (UK) Ltd, part of the Nigerian-based BUA

not result in the cargo becoming an

said. It was clear that the shipowners had every

Group, is offering a 100% Lloyd’s backed war

actual total loss in terms of s.57 (1) of the Marine

hope of recovering the vessel crew and cargo,

risk insurance product to owners.

Insurance Act 1906 nor a constructive total loss

and therefore no abandonment had occurred.

NOM, who acts as a FOB buyer of

under s.60 (1) of the Act, report solicitors Walton

commodities from the large trading houses

and Morse.

on its own behalf, says insurance for the

ITIC pays piracy claim

West African trades is becoming increasingly

in the Gulf of Aden, laden with biodiesel owned

The International Transport Intermediaries Club

expensive, making trade more difficult. The

by the claimant, Masefield. About a month after

(ITIC) has paid out a claim in respect of a sum

company believes it has found a way to reduce

the capture of the vessel, while negotiations

of money stolen from the safe on board a ship

excessive insurance premiums for the region

for ransom and release were ongoing, the

managed by one of its members after the ship

by offering its own marine hull war risk policy

claimant tendered a notice of abandonment to

had been boarded by Somali pirates.

as an alternative to owner arranged war risk

The Bunga Melati Dua was seized by pirates

the insurers, which was rejected. The vessel was

In the latest issue of its Claims Review, ITIC

insurances for vessels trading to Nigeria. The

released some 10 days later, six weeks after its

reports that, after the pirates had boarded the

insurance is only offered to owners, not cargo

seizure. The vessel arrive in Rotterdam a month

ship, they opened fire on the accommodation

interests or charterers.

later, with no damage to the cargo.

block and entered the bridge. Once under the

It believes that it offers a “safe pair of hands”

Masefield claimed that the cargo became an

control of the pirates, the ship was forced to alter

to those owners interested in trading to Nigeria

actual total loss once the vessel was seized by

course for Somalia, where it was detained by the

or West Africa by taking on the war risk under

pirates, claiming that it had been “irretrievably

pirates for some months before being released.

its own policy.

deprived” of the cargo. The claimant argued

Before releasing the ship, the pirates stole

The risk is 100% covered at Lloyd’s through

that the court could not take into account the

a number of items from it, including a cash box

11 syndicates. A violent theft, piracy and barratry

prospects of recovering the vessel and cargoes

located in a safe kept in the master’s cabin. The

extension is available to be incorporated in

through a ransom payment, because a payment

cash box included the sum of $15,000 which

conjunction with the Institute War and Strikes

of this type was contrary to English public policy

had been placed on board by the ship manager.

Clauses.

(see p 114 for a fuller examination of this aspect

Because the manager had taken out ‘cash on

of the case).

board’ insurance, the stolen money was duly

Mr Justice Steel, however, noted that

reimbursed in full to the ship manager by ITIC.

there was an extremely high bar for showing

Under the terms of ITIC’s cash on board

irretrievable deprivation: “An assure is not

insurance, money can be covered when kept

irretrievably deprived of property if it is legally and

in a locked safe on the ship. ITIC also provides

physically possible to recover it (and even if such

a range of cover for managers and agents in

can only be achieved by disproportionate effort

respect of money carried temporarily in their

and expense).” The circumstances of the case,

care while in transit to a ship. The cover can be

the fact that the pirates immediately entered into

extended to money, including petty cash, kept

negotiation for the release of the vessel and that

in the manager’s office or at his home overnight.

previously seized vessels had been released

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

109


Insurance ITIC

Old questions resurface Andrew Jamieson of the International Transport Intermediaries Club looks at a couple of questions that refuse to go away

W

e live in difficult times, when

Extended charterparties

will look at the amounts they have been paying

everyone is trying to reduce their

The first chestnut relates to whether or not

as commission and consider whether this

costs. There are two old chest-

owners are obliged to pay commission on

expenditure could be avoided. The Baltic Code

nuts relating to the payment of

extended charterparties.

describes as “unacceptable” the “occasional

commission which have re-emerged in the current depressed economic climate.

It is perhaps inevitable that, when period

practice” of avoiding the payment of commission

business is due for renewal, some principals

due to brokers on direct continuations of time charters or contracts of affreightment. And, given this clear statement by the Baltic Exchange, it is disappointing that ITIC is regularly involved in pursuing principals who do try to avoid their obligations to brokers. Owners may question why, having fixed the ship for a given period and having paid the agreed commission, they should be bound to that broker for ever more. Obviously, brokers will believe that, for as long as the owners are enjoying the fruits of their labour, commission is payable. The Baltic Code cautions that, to avoid disputes, brokers should endeavour to have a clause inserted in the charterparty or contract of affreightment providing that they will receive commission on any hire or freight paid, but also on any continuation. There are some charterparty forms, most notably the NYPE, which expressly provide that brokers should receive commission “on hire earned and paid under this charter, and also upon any continuation or extension of this charter”. The lack of such a provision does not mean that brokers have no rights. Brokers are entitled to commission for bringing the parties into a contractual relationship. If nothing is said in the charterparty, a claim for commission during the extended charter period should succeed unless the extended business has become too remote from the brokers’ work.

If these ships renew their charters, is commission payable?

110

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

For the business to have become too remote


Insurance ITIC would require it to be a fundamentally different

The Worldscale issue

transaction. A revised hire rate does not make it

The second chestnut to have re-emerged

fundamentally different business.

recently relates to the issue of whether or not

It is a balancing act. Clearly, the more

commission is payable in the tanker markets

substantial the differences between the first

on fixed differential payments under Worldscale.

charter and the ongoing business, the less likely

Differential payments are designed to cover

it is that it will be seen to be connected to the

additional costs. Owners will of course feel that, if

initial broker’s efforts.

the purpose of a differential is to meet extra costs

The NYPE clause does not prevent all

actually incurred, then by paying commission

disputes. A frequently heard argument is that

one is creating a shortfall. Worldscale does

the clause refers to “this charter” and that the

not take a position on commission issues, and

renewed charter is wholly different because it

that includes what constitutes an appropriate

is contained in a different document. Often, the

brokerage commission and whether or not

owners or their representatives will refuse to

commissions should be paid on differentials,

produce a copy of the charterparty, claiming that

demurrage or other portions of the freight

it is confidential. The idea that brokers’ rights can

charges in any transaction.

be ended simply because the principals have

There do not appear to have been any

drawn up a new document doesn’t stand up to

decided cases on the point. The differentials

serious examination.

are, however, part of freight. Brokers are entitled

In essence, courts and tribunals will look at

to commission on freight. There are no obvious

the realities of the situation and will not allow

grounds upon which one can dissect the various

brokers to be unfairly denied commission on the

items that make up the freight. Therefore, it

basis of contrived differences.

appears that commission is payable on the total freight paid, however it is comprised.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

111


Commercial profiles

BBC Chartering B

BC Chartering is one of the world-lead-

The ‘new wave’ of vessels, soon to be

The strength of the fleet and the capability

ing companies in transportation of Non-

joining the BBC Chartering fleet, represent our

of our professionals are critical components

Containerised Goods. The availability of more

commitment to the future and to growth. This

in meeting the manufacturing and installation

than 120 vessels combined with 24 offices

series of new generation super heavy lift vessels,

deadlines that our customers and the industry

around the globe is guarantor for short reaction

some with a lifting capacity of up to 900 mts, will

demands.

time and tailor-made solutions.

be fully deployed by 2012.

Following the philosophy of Six Sigma

With the global office network, we can offer

BBC is also giving a strong commitment to

and combining it with the framework of ISO

local knowledge and understanding. Quality

its bulk customers by providing new bulk vessels

9001, BBC Chartering continuously balances

of service is our hallmark. Dedicated shipping

of the BBC Neptune type carrying deadweight of

all relevant key factors to realise maximum

professionals are handling all kinds of projects

37,300 tons. Furthermore, the BBC Bulk Division

customer satisfaction and efficiency.

– large or small – with consistency and care

– Headquartered in Leer, Germany – coordinates

from the initial booking, to stowing and lashing

and provides customised and high efficient

For further information you may visit BBC

analysis, preparation for loading, all the way to

solutions by utilising its 24 global offices.

Chartering´s web page:

the actual handling, stowing and securing.

BBC is also proud to play a leading role

Providing a fleet, ranging in size from 3,500

in the carriage and handling of wind turbine

dwt to 37,300 dwt and due to the shallow draft

power as it continues to grow in popularity

characteristics of each ship we can serve almost

and is embraced by governments and energy

any port and offshore operation. That is why

companies worldwide.

BBC is perfectly geared for every break bulk,

As one of the pioneers in transporting

heavy lift, project and bulk cargo requirement.

windmills, with the first shipment in 1998, BBC

Specialised in heavy lifts and project cargoes,

has been in this business since the start,

we have the commercial and technical resources

obtaining a tremendous amount of knowledge

and abilities necessary to handle complex

and expertise as a result.

www.bbc-chartering.com

transportation projects.

BI Norwegian Self-owned foundation

Accreditation and ranking

programmes. BI offers special study provision

BI Norwegian School of Management is a self-

BI obtained the status of ‘Specialized University

within insurance, commodity trading, banking

owned foundation whose purpose is to conduct

Institution’ in 2008, after NOKUT (the Norwegian

and finance, and shipping.

education and research at a high international

Agency for Quality Assurance in Education) gave its approval on 27th February 2009. BI

International activities

has been EQUIS accredited since 1999 as one

Collaboration agreements with 148 universities

of only 110 business schools in the world. We

and business schools in 40 countries around

Vision

are one of the 100 most recognised business

the world, and many exchange students. Special

Its professional strength and relevance makes

schools of a total of over 4,000 such colleges

MBA programme in China in collaboration with

BI Norwegian School of Management a leading

in the world (one of 35 in Europe) in the “Top

Fudan University School of Management. Chief

business college in Europe.

Business School Worldwide 2008” survey. We

owners of the ISM University of Economics

are amongst the 65 best suppliers of tailor-made

and Management in Lithuania with 2,000

Values

in-house programmes in the world and provide

students. Strategic collaboration with Nanyang

BI takes quality and independence as the

the 117th best MBA programme in the world

University of Technology in Singapore, ESCP/

basis for its optimum research, education

(2008) according to the Financial Times.

EAP European School of Management in Paris,

level

within

management,

administration,

economics and marketing.

and University of California - Berkeley.

and intermediation for students, the business community, the public sector and positive social

Education and research

development. We are an independent business

BI has one of Norway’s leading academic

school, which is future orientated, research

environments within the core areas of financial

based, business orientated, and international.

economics, strategic management, marketing,

We conduct our work with quality, integrity,

leadership and organisation, and innovation

relevance and the ability to adapt and change.

and entrepreneurship. We offer two bachelor

BI creates effective and highly professional

programmes, a range of Master of Science

training by coordinating its resources across the

programmes, Executive MBA programmes and

organisation. Our managers and employees are

five doctoral programmes, extensive continuing

Nydalsveien 37, 0484 Oslo

aware of ethical dilemmas and challenges, and

and further education, Internet studies, tailor-

Tel: +47 81 00 05 00

take personal responsibility for handling these.

made in-house programmes and management

E-mail: study@bi.no

112

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Commercial profiles

Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre LTD S

ince its launch, the Merchant Maritime

there are no gaps in your vessels’ security.

for the threat they face and an opportunity to strengthen any areas of vulnerability that the

Warfare Centre (MMWC) has been help-

MMWC’s innovative offerings are personified

ing seafarers empower themselves against the

by the development and launch of the MMWC

increasingly prevalent risk of piracy through a

Propeller Arresters™. By creating an on-water

MMWC goes further to assist your crew in

layered defence mechanism comprising of intel-

impenetrable security perimeter around a

a high risk transit by sharing the intelligence

ligence, physical countermeasures, training and

vessel, the MMWC Propeller Arresters™ are

gathered in their daily operations from the

onboard resources.

the first countermeasure of its kind to protect

multiple sources available to them. The MMWC

MMWC works relentlessly with maritime

vessels underway, regardless of vessel type,

Ship Support Service keeps masters abreast

and military organisations to reduce the threat

speed, cargo, flag state registration or weather

of the latest threat in their area whereas the

of piracy and enable shipping companies to

conditions. Not only capable of thwarting

Confidential

defend themselves without the use of arms in a

simultaneous attacks, the Propeller Arresters™

Service is a free two-way reporting facility that

practical, affordable and enduring way.

audit may highlight.

Master-2-Master

Intelligence

are designed to withstand multiple and prolonged

gives masters the opportunity to alert other

MMWC’s approach to reducing the threat of

periods of deployment. They are effective in any

masters in their area of suspicious pirate activity.

piracy has accumulated in an innovative portfolio

high risk area, when left unattended, and do not

of offerings advocating Best Management

interfere with your own vessel’s propulsion.

Practice (BMP). Since individual interpretation of

Due to a lack of evidential support for

BMP can leave some vessels more vulnerable

shipping companies adhering to BMP to share

than others, MMWC’s services strive to achieve

with internal and external stakeholders, MMWC

a minimum standard and consistent level of

launched the MMWC Crew Competence &

protection onboard. Ranging from affordable

Vessel Hardening audit in the Suez Canal. Acting

Contact details:

countermeasures, timely and in situ auditing

as a final check point for shore based teams, the

Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre

facilities, transit support and intelligence, training

audit not only provides the reporting exercise

Tel: +44 (0) 845 26 99 801

and invaluable bridge resources, MMWC has

that is needed, it also serves as a reminder

E-mail : sales@mmwc.org

a wealth of experience and services to ensure

to crew of the need to prepare themselves

Website : www.mmwc.org

Rickmers-Linie H

amburg-based Rickmers-Linie is one of

up to 640 tonnes. The main hatches are 32m in

East Coast. The four 11,000 dwt ships, built

the world’s leading specialists in the glo-

length to allow long loads to be accommodated

between 1995 and 1998, are equipped with

bal sea transportation of project and heavy lift

below deck. Adjustable tweendecks allow for

heavylift gear capable of lifting loads of up to 120

cargo. With more than 175 years to its name,

variations in cargo height. A dehumidifying

tonnes and also with RoRo ramps. Some regular

the company provides a world-wide network of

system controls the air in all holds, ensuring

loading ports within the westbound service

liner services for the transportation of breakbulk,

protection from condensation.

are Philadelphia, Charleston and Houston, with common discharge ports being Busan, Xingang,

project and individual heavy lift pieces. Rickmers

Furthermore, a regular liner service is offered

currently owns or long-term charters 13 special-

from Europe to the Middle East and the Indian

ist vessels and spot charters additional ton-

subcontinent. Since older vessels previously

As part of the larger Rickmers Group of

nage. The company’s newbuilding programme

operating in this service have been sold, sailings

companies, Rickmers-Linie can call upon

comprises 14 vessels which will be delivered

to ME and India are currently being performed by

considerable

from 2011.

charter vessels, until the company takes delivery

management of its fleet.

With the revolutionary Round-the-World Pearl

Qingdao, Shanghai and Yokohama.

in-house

expertise

for

the

of newbuildings earmarked for this service.

String Service, Rickmers-Linie has successfully

In 2009, Rickmers-Linie and Eastern Car

established new standards in terms of frequency,

Liner, Ltd. expanded their cooperation in

Rickmers-Linie GmbH & Cie. KG

flexibility and reliability in the breakbulk and

the Transpacific trade. The companies offer

Marketing & Sales

project industry, enabling customers to plan their

westbound departures from the US East

Neumuehlen 19

cargo flows more easily.

Coast to Northern China, Korea and Japan.

22763 Hamburg

The Pearl String Service is served by nine

The cooperation dates back to 2006, when

Germany

new identical 30,000 dwt purpose-built superflex

Rickmers started to deploy ECL’s vessels from

Phone: (+49) 40 389177 200

heavy multi-purpose container ships. These

the US to Asia. The newly concluded agreement

E-mail: marketing@rickmers.net

vessels are equipped with four large cranes, two

allows Rickmers-Linie to utilise ECL vessels now

of which can be twinned for a lifting capacity of

also eastbound from Asia to the US Gulf and

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

Contacts:

113


Commercial profiles

BGN Risk A

cross all aspects of maritime operations,

reducing incidents, insurance claims and the

learned. We can perform this service as part

BGN Risk provide risk-based control frame-

impact of crime.

of an insured or uninsured event. Our crisis management credentials are recognised by

works to protect your people, your cargo and vessels and, ultimately, your profits. Our integrat-

ISPS Code Compliance

specialist insurance syndicates. With offices in

ed and proportionate approach to risk manage-

BGN Risk consultants are well placed to assist

East and West Africa and the Far East we are

ment, prevention strategies and response tactics

organisations to achieve and maintain ISPS

poised to support clients with a cost-effective

provide a holistic and reliable security service to

Code compliance. This can be outsourced

preventative and reactive service.

your business. Our preventative services help

directly to us to manage on your behalf or we

Central to the management of BGN Risk

to control costs from the outset by improving

can train and validate key appointments in your

crisis services is our multilingual control centre,

your business processes and reducing the risk

organisation.

operating 24 hours a day and seven days a week, into which clients report incidents

of security issues affecting your operations. We also seek to add value through our efficient, reli-

Anti-Piracy Operations

and receive immediate advice while a crisis

able and cost-effective response services.

BGN Risk can deploy security escort teams

unfolds and from where response personnel are

onto vessels to safeguard them during high-risk

deployed to recover the situation.

Security Planning and Management

transits. We can advise your existing crew on

By helping our clients to focus their security

and hijack so that they are able to respond

operations we make their activities relevant to

appropriately to direct threats. In the event of a

the whole business and instil a proactive culture

hijacking, our negotiators will mobilise to recover

focused on deterring, detecting and displacing

the situation.

techniques to mitigate the risk of pirate attack

maritime security risks. A well-structured

Lead Contacts: Liam Morrissey, Simon

loss prevention and security department, if

Crisis Management

Fordham

aligned correctly within the business, results in

We provide an end-to-end solution, from the

Tel: +44 (0)207 398 3800

improved financial and operational performance,

initial liaison, negotiation, safe recovery of people

E-mail: enquiries@bgn-risk.com

becoming a self-sufficient profit centre by

and assets, post incident debriefing and lessons

Website: www.bgn-risk.com

BUPA International B

upa International has 38 years’ expertise

the oil and gas industry, for example, covering

road ambulance, and cover for sports injuries.

in caring for the insurance needs of expats

employees both offshore and onshore, as well as

Bupa International has also increased its cover

and their families around the globe. Covering

a maritime policy, designed for crew employees

for chronic diseases, such as diabetes and

over 800,000 people in 190 countries, Bupa

who live and work aboard yachts, super yachts

asthma, beyond diagnosis to include treatment,

International is the largest international expatri-

or ocean-going vessels.

including drugs and consultations. As chronic conditions become more common across the

ate health insurer in the world, supplying quality individual and group medical cover to people

Medical expertise

globe, the benefit this move provides customers

who are in their home country or living abroad.

Bupa International is also set apart by the medical

is significant from both a financial perspective

The company is part of the leading international

expertise it offers customers. Its emergency

and the peace of mind this extended cover

health and care group, Bupa.

medical team consists of highly-trained doctors

provides.

who are experts in high altitude diseases,

Expat understanding

tropical infections, patient evacuations and

Industry leader

Bupa International understands that expats want

home transportations. They also have extensive

In 2008, we were delighted to receive the Best

peace of mind about their health while abroad

experience of diagnosing and treating cancer,

International Private Medical Insurance Provider

– and a health insurer they can rely on to

heart disorders and musculoskeletal conditions.

award at the UK’s Health Insurance Awards, for

provide a high quality service and comprehensive

Bupa International’s medical team are available

the ninth time since 1999. Leading expatriate

coverage. That is why it has developed an

around the clock to customers, ensuring they

health insurer, Bupa International, has won a

unrivalled worldwide network of over 7,500

receive immediate and correct treatment, when

Queen’s Award for Enterprise for the third time,

participating hospitals and a 24-hour helpline,

the need arises.

having been a previous winner in 1999 and 2005.

team of experienced advisers. This is all backed

Adding value

For more information, please visit

up by direct settlement of bills where possible,

Flexibility is also Bupa’s hallmark, with customers

www.bupa-intl.com, or if you’re interested in

as well as a prompt turnaround of claims,

enjoying benefits such as primary care cover,

international health cover for you and your

with Bupa International processing over 15,000

maternity cover, home nursing, routine and

family, please call +44 (0) 1273 718 304. If

claims a week.

emergency dentistry, as well as hospital treatment

you’re interested in group cover please call

and accommodation, health checks, emergency

+44 (0) 1273 718 308

open 365 days a year, which is manned by a

Bupa International offers tailored products for

114

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Commercial profiles

H2OLiteSpeed

Superfast, unlimited maritime broadband: just add water

F

or many in the maritime market, VSAT has

60cm in diameter, compact hardware, and offers

solutions. Ideal for short sea commercial vessels,

become an attractive but complicated option.

download speeds of up to a massive 2Mbit/s

including ferries, fishing vessels, cargo carriers

Unlike traditional leased line services, evaluating

high speed internet access, low cost VoIP, data

operating at sea and on inland waterways,

VSAT can involve far more components, costs

transfer and web browsing. The package also

yachts and other leisure craft, H2OLiteSpeed

and companies, many of whom are not read-

benefits from partner H2OSatellite’s industry

allows crews, passengers or friends on‐board

ily recognisable, and this can mean those who

leading optimisation, e-mail and virus protection

the benefit of true high speed internet on

could make savings by fitting the technology

software and its 24/7-365 support guarantee.

demand and crystal clear high quality voice.

shy away from it. Recognising these types of

For customers, this is the ultimate European

H2OLiteSpeed is the ultimate maritime VSAT

concerns, a consortium was formed in 2009 to

broadband package, including installation, hard-

package, developed and delivered by experts

develop the H2OLiteSpeed solution. Bringing

ware, airtime, and one fixed monthly invoice for

and supported by a 24/7-365 commitment

together more than 20 years of maritime satel-

unlimited broadband starting as low as E198

wherever you are.

lite communications experience and Europe’s

per month for 512Kbp/s and E457 per month

leading satellite provider, the combination of

for 2Mbit/s, all backed by the reassurance that

SES ASTRA and H2OSatellite partnered with

they won’t face escalating costs and a nasty bill

cutting-edge in‐motion antennae manufacturer

at the end of the month.

KNS has resulted in a dedicated, superfast

Currently offering coverage throughout

maritime broadband package with the lowest

Northern European waters, the H2OLiteSpeed

For more information, please contact:

prices in Europe. Powered by ASTRA2Connect,

footprint will soon expand with the launch of the

Tel: +44 (0) 1925 818 918

Europe’s most successful broadband solution,

ASTRA 3B satellite to include the Mediterranean

Fax: +44 (0) 1925 814 192

the H2OLiteSpeed all-in-one package includes

sea, allowing more customers to make major

E-mail: info@h2osatellite.com

stabilised tracking antennae with dishes from

savings over alternative conventional maritime

Website: www.h2olitespeed.com

Indian Register of Shipping I

ndian Register of Shipping (IRS) is a classifica-

already combined its domain knowledge in

tion society dedicated to maritime safety and a

shipbuilding and the IT sector to bring out state-

clean marine environment.

of-the-art software, ‘SHIP_MATE’.

Established in 1975 to serve the Indian

Besides CAP & CAS, IRS also provides

maritime industry, its operations have since

Emergency Response Services, which are being

grown in scope and international reach. It

utilised by a number of ships.

Security Management System. IRS Industrial Services offers third party inspection, design evaluation, risk management and technical advisory services to various sectors, including the oil and gas sector. IRS strives to promote safety culture through its activities and interactions with all stakeholders

became an associate of the IACS in 1991 and

In keeping with the safety culture, IRS has

is recognised by the IUA, London under the

a well-structured training programme for its

Institute Classification Clause. Additionally, many

surveyors that meets IMO requirements and IACS

IRS actively participates in all the working

administrations have authorised IRS for statutory

quality standards. The seven-level programme

groups of IACS; and in IMO as part of Indian

surveys and audits under IMO Conventions and

offers customised training for the various levels

delegations.

Codes.

and the different roles that a surveyor would

With the sustained growth of the economy in

Presently, IRS has about 1,500 ships,

assume. IRS has introduced computer-based

the region, and the availability of young technical

including oil tankers, bulk carriers, LNG carriers

training modules for Initial General Training and

manpower, IRS is indeed optimistic about its

and chemical tankers, totalling about 10 million

Annual Survey to supplement its classroom and

growing influence in the maritime sector.

GT under its class and is fast expanding.

on-the-job training.

IRS services comprise a complete suite of

Apart from marine services, IRS also provides

solutions, which cover the entire lifecycle of

management system certification and industrial

the ship. These range from ship classification,

inspection sectors.

in the global maritime industry.

Indian Register of Shipping

technical advisory services and statutory

IR Quality Systems (IRQS) is accredited to

certification to IT solutions. A dedicated

provide certification for quality and environment

Powai, Mumbai 400 072, India

research team enables IRS to match its technical

management systems and TS 16949. IRQS

Tel: +91 22 3051 9400

proficiencies to world-class standards. This

also certifies companies under the Occupational

Fax: +91 22 2570 3611

strong R&D base provides IRS the technological

Health and Safety Management System, Food

E-mail: ho@irclass.org

advantage that it seeks to exploit. IRS has

Safety Management System and Information

Website: www.irclass.org

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

52 A, Adi Shankaracharya Road,

115


Commercial profiles

COMPASSng by DREAMTECH F

ounded in 1999, DREAMTECH develops

software exclusively for the shipping industry. COMPASSng is an easy-to-use application designed with the continuing help of shipbrokers and other shipping professionals and explicitly created to enhance the productivity of shipping companies worldwide. The core of COMPASSng is a messaging software platform which allows you to search through massive quantities of messages (e-mail,

• Management of newbuildings and contract • Detailed records of purchase inquiries and and

automated

matching

of

commercial advices with active purchase inquiries and vice versa • Send vessel particulars via e-mail, as stored in database, with a single-click • Record and search inspectable vessels in wide ranges of areas

fax, telex, text messages) in very little time. Furthermore, COMPASSng helps you create and

• Electronic filing of Sale & Purchase deals and

manage circular lists to distribute information to

projects, together with associated messages,

hundreds of people at the touch of a button,

notes and attachments.

using the fully integrated Address Book and Activity Planner.

COMPASSng features two specialised, fully integrated modules for shipbrokers: COMPASSng Sale & Purchase module Provides advanced functionality to streamline the job of Sale & Purchase Brokers: • User-friendly update of commercial advising information on a single screen • Detailed records of vessel particulars and commercial history

save

and

load

past

voyage

• Integrated utility for laytime calculation • Fixture book allows users to file all fixtures with

broker inquiries • Manual

• Create,

calculations for dry and tanker brokers

resales

COMPASSng Chartering module

comprehensive electronic filing capabilities • Quick Find for vessel positions. More advanced features of COMPASSng software include: • Full integration with instant messaging software, such as Yahoo! and MSN • Integration with PABX (ie dial phone numbers by pressing a button on COMPASSng Address Book) • Global access to the vessels database through mobile devices • Robust, scaleable and resilient software

Provides advanced functionality to facilitate the

architecture

job of Chartering Brokers:

performance and business continuity

• User-friendly vessel position update. Vessel position can be entered from the messaging screen

that

ensures

improved

• Auto-archiving capability for old messages Currently, DREAMTECH has clients in Europe, the USA and Asia.

• Quick update of Voyages, Time-Charters Trips, Period Fixtures and COAs • Advanced matching between open vessel positions vessels with cargoes • Send vessel charter descriptions and Chartering Requirements by e-mail with a

For more information please visit

single-click

www.dreamtech-software.com

LCH.Clearnet The world’s leading independent clearing house

O

ur experience as a clearing house goes

The benefits to trading parties are clear:

By

constantly

evaluating

counterparty,

• Significantly reduced counterparty risk.

market, legal and liquidity risk, we ensure that

more asset classes than anyone else globally,

• Increased trading opportunities.

margin cover is set at appropriate levels.

both exchange traded and over the counter

• Ability to net-off long and short positions,

back over a century, and today we clear

Driving all our risk management activities is a

(OTC).

leading to:

dedicated team of over 50 risk managers, who

• Uniquely, we have over 10 years’ experience

• Reduced costs of trading.

share a wealth of experience and a convincing

• Enhanced liquidity.

record of successfully managed defaults – both

of clearing OTC.

exchange-traded and OTC.

• We have a track-record of five defaults only clearing house to have managed an

Risk management is at the heart of what we do

OTC default.

We have an unequalled reputation for reducing

successfully managed, and in fact we’re the

• Our standards of risk management are second to none.

risk across a wide span of markets globally. We’re committed to setting and maintaining

• Our technologies are very, very intelligent.

the very highest standards, across all our

• And we’re independent – so ‘conflict of

services and all the asset classes we clear.

interest’ issues don’t arise.

Our robust risk management framework affords exceptional levels of protection to

Isabella Kurek-Smith

Why use a clearing house?

clearing members, as demonstrated by our

Director, Head of Energy & Freight Markets

A clearing house acts as a go-between when

successful handling of the Lehman Brothers

LCH.Clearnet

two parties trade. As guarantor of the trade, the

default well within the margin held, and without

Tel: +44 20 7426 7460

clearing house bears any monetary risk involved.

loss to any other members.

E-mail: Isabella.kurek-smith@lchclearnet.com

116

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Commercial profiles

GFI Freight G

FI Freight provides brokerage service for

Trading technology

more than 150 clients worldwide from dedi-

GFI has been a pioneer in hybrid broking, offering

cated derivatives desks in London, New York,

electronic trading supported by experienced

Shanghai, Singapore, and Cape Town, thereby

voice brokers who provide market colour, insight

• Estimation capability for the expected FFA

providing round the clock coverage for both

and anonymity in a way that is simply not

settlement rates for the current month and

shipping companies, as well as banks.

possible through electronic trading alone.

• Period analysis functionality to compare route data for months, quarters, half years and calendar years;

historical average rate calculations; • Timecharter calculator to determine daily

The synergies between GFI’s wet and dry FFA

GFI has for many years seen the importance

and physical freight desks and other commodity

of applying technology to inter-dealer broking.

markets in which GFI operates (for example coal

This covers the whole life-cycle of a trade, from

• Daily summary of market closing prices for

and iron ore) enables GFI to provide tailored

pre-trade analytics through electronic trading

both physical and FFA markets, including

hedging strategies by looking at the total risk

to confirmation and post-trade straight through

across a wide range of markets.

processing.

• FFA options calculator to perform price

(to this rapidly growing market) by combining

Analytics, data, research & technicals

• Manage freight exposure;

longstanding relationships within the shipping

GFI is a market leader in providing pricing

• Hedge against freight costs;

market alongside with GFI’s global strengths in

and risk management tools. It draws on GFI

• Determine availability of timecharter routes.

commodity derivative broking.

FENICS® knowledge and experience gained

GFI’s commitment and support to the

from over 20 years of intuitive price discovery

industry remains absolute and as such GFI is

Benefits of partnering with GFI Freight

software to currency derivative markets.

proud to Chair both the dry and wet FFABA

• GFI Group is a leading intermediary with an

and related analytical tools for both wet and dry

unmatched presence in global derivatives

FFAs through a web-based resource FENICS®

and cash markets.

Freight, which is designed to give commodity

GFI Freight provides access to market prices

• Our focus on a client based formula allows

producers, time charterers, shipowners and

for greater depth of understanding of the

financial institutions an in-depth understanding

‘cross fertilisation’ across vessel types,

of market movements and potential trading

options delta and gamma hedging.

opportunities by facilitating price discovery,

• Partnership with two leading firms, ACM

daily physical market commentary; discovery and sensitivity analysis;

GFI Freight, together with ACM Shipping and McQuilling Brokerage, provide unrivalled access

profit opportunity;

• Evaluate trends across FFA contracts;

institutions.

trends and route analysis.

Shipping, one of the world’s leading tanker specialist in marine transportation of crude

Key benefits of Data, Research and Technicals

and petroleum products.

• Charting of historical trends in volatility/

brokers, and McQuilling Brokerage, a

• Synergies between GFI Freight and other commodity markets in which GFI operates. • Continued investment and development of

spreads; • Route analysis functionality to compare and chart route history;

Wet Freight (FFAs): futures@acmshipping.co.uk Dry Freight (FFAs): dryfreight@GFIgroup.co.uk Dry Freight: drycargo@GFIgroup.co.uk www.GFIgroup.com/freight

trading and analytical technology.

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

117


Commercial profiles

Copenhagen Business School Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics (The Blue MBA)

T

he program aims to give participants up-to-

modules will deal with leadership issues and

date insight into shipping economics and

personal development.

“In shipping today, organisations must focus on managing through economic cycles, innovation,

For the final integrating strategy project,

finding new markets, understanding sustainability,

topics should be chosen for their strategic

and the best research and development. A practical

purpose

giving

approach to these challenges is the strength of the

shipping, integrating commercial, technological

participating companies a valuable and practical

Blue MBA, where participating executives gain a

and financial aspects as well as maritime law

analysis. The project serves two purposes: for

wealth of extra international experience from tutors,

and supply-chain management, and leadership

the candidate, the aim is to integrate topics

advisors and fellow students.”

challenges. In this way, graduates of the

covered in the program by using real world data

Prof Peter Lorange, member of the Blue

program develop a complete understanding of

on a problem related to the candidate’s own

MBA advisory board and professor of strategy

the challenges in this sector.

modern management theories and their application in the maritime sector. The program adopts an holistic view of

and

integrating

function,

company. For the candidate’s company, the aim

in the Blue MBA program, president of Lorange

The program takes students to a top

is to have a strategic issue thoroughly analysed,

Institute of Business in Zurich and Immediate Past

international level in business administration,

with proposed solutions and implementation

President of IMD, Switzerland

reflecting the needs of the industry in a world

plans.

where globalisation, enhanced competition,

Start of the next class: 26 September 2011

“The Blue MBA provides great insight into

market understanding, strategic planning, and

(with an optional pre-MBA program 21-23

essential aspects of the shipping and logistics

the speed of technological change place ever-

September).

industry; it gives the overview of the industry and it

increasing demands on executive management

dives deeply into fundamentals like the key drivers,

skills.

opportunities and risks for the various players in the

The program consists of eight one-week

industry. With world-class teaching staff and senior

modules plus a final integrating strategy project

participants from most parts of the industry, it is a

(thesis). The eight modules are delivered on

dynamic learning experience with a good coupling

a regular basis, spread over the duration of

between theory and practice.”

the program, supported by a virtual platform,

For further details please see:

where individual/group assignments and group

Website: www.shippingmba.com

Maritime Technology, AP Møller Maersk (Class

discussions enhance the learning process. All

E-mail: ir.mbs@cbs.dk.

of 2009)

Bo Cerup-Simonsen, Vice-President; Maersk

Curaçao Towage Company W

ith a fleet of powerful tugs, the Curacao

that our clients receive the most effective and

with state-of-the art fire fighting, salvage, and

Towage Company provides superior tow-

professional service.

telecommunications equipment.

age and salvage services in the Caribbean,

As experts in the towage and salvage field,

We pride ourselves on the proven strength

Central America and the northern coastal

our employees are involved in every stage of

and ability of our tugs, the engines and the

regions of South America.

client service, offering continual functional and

machinery, which we have used effectively since

technical support.

1985.

Our services include ocean towage, harbour and coastal services, barge and dredger

Our experienced employees have degrees

The Curacao Towage Company has the

transportation, fire fighting assistance, port

from Dutch nautical schools and constantly

expertise to turn strength into power; the power

and terminal towage, crew management and

keep up to date on the latest technological

to tow thousands of vessels a year. We have

training, and technical maintenance, all based on

developments. Our close relationship with the

the ability to provide a range of professional,

the Lloyd’s Register Quality Standards.

Dutch Marine Division makes its expertise,

reliable and efficient services, not only in the

support and guidance readily available.

bustling Curacao harbour, but also throughout

Our mission statement is: “Through expertise, strength becomes power” and our vision is

Our

extensive

skills

encompass

all

the Caribbean, Central America and the northern coastal regions of South America.

to position Curacao Towage as a strong and

aspects of implementation and operation,

reliable towage Company, serving both the

including business requirements definition and

Our exceptional team members, who all

domestic and international sectors.

development of functional specifications for

possess nautical, technical and management

client approval. Additionally, we offer continual

skills, as well as extensive maritime knowledge,

online client support and contact.

make the Curacao Towage a strong and reliable

We aim to exceed the expectations of every client by offering outstanding customer service, increased flexibility, and greater value, thus

Our powerful tugboats are available 24 hours

optimising system functionality and improving

a day, able to provide immediate assistance

operational efficiency.

company.

under any circumstances. Our ASD tugs can pull

For more information, please contact:

Our company is distinguished by its functional

at a 360º angle, making them exceptional guides

Tel: +599 9 461 1055

and technical expertise combined with hands-

for all kinds of ships manoeuvring in difficult

Fax: +599 9 461 2055

on, experienced employees, thereby ensuring

conditions. Our tugboats are all equipped

Website: www.ktktugs.com

118

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Commercial profiles

AXSMarine arnessing the ‘bespoke’ power of the

H

professionals

as

Real-Time Position Lists, Tanker Registry,

internet to enable clients to refine, collate

Vessel Manager, Voyage Calculator, Cargo

Distance Tables, and our high-performance

and extract the precise information needed

Manager, Fixtures, Port Library, Distance

Voyage Calculator.

to be ahead of the game is what has driven

Table, Indices, and MS Outlook plug-ins, all

leading global software provider AXSMarine

drawing upon comprehensive and always up-to-

AXSOffshore

to develop some of the finest proprietary

date databases.

AXSOffshore is a fast and easy-to-use platform.

includes

modules

such

chartering software and database packages

Users enter their own private data realtime

available for the global shipowning, broking and

AXS-Alphaliner

in virtually all fields. Data entry plug-ins are

chartering sectors.

AXS-Alphaliner combines the world-renowned

available with MS Outlook. Access Vessel

Speed and efficiency is crucial when it comes

databases and information of Alphaliner with the

Technical Databases & Commercial Histories,

to data assimilation, but as important is knowing

equally lauded data treating and data sorting

Data-migration,

that the data you receive exactly fits your

technologies of AXSMarine. Users benefit from

Commercial Advice, Working Us, Market

requirements, when you need it.

Sales,

Valuation,

Enquiry,

Daily News, Weekly Newsletter, Market Reports,

Summary, Commitments, User-defined similar

That is where AXSMarine comes in. Its

Vessel Orderbook, Sales & Deliveries, Fixtures,

vessels and Positions and Fixtures.

services are designed to take advantage of what

Owner/Operator Details, Vessel Deployment,

is now referred to as ‘Web 2.0’, the second

Services & Rotations, and Top 100.

AXSAddressbook

generation of internet-based communities which

AXSMarine now provides the required expertise

aim to facilitate collaboration and information

AXSS&P

to shipping companies and shipbrokers to

sharing between users.

AXSS&P (Sale & Purchase) is a fast and easy-to-

correctly configure MS Outlook/Exchange with

use platform. Users enter their own private data

the correct common folder functionality and filing

decision-making

realtime in virtually all fields. Data entry plug-ins

needs previously only made available in bespoke

tools and databases for shipping industry

are available with MS Outlook. Access Vessel

messaging systems. It has developed a state-of-

professionals. Its online tools are secure, fast

Technical Databases & Commercial Histories,

the-art address book far outweighing anything

and easy to use, and the databases they

Data-migration,

available from MS.

source are always up to date. Because they

Commercial Advice, Working Us, Market

are internet-based, they are available from

Summary, Commitments and User-defined

any computer, anywhere; there is nothing to

similar vessels.

AXSMarine produces a complete set of interactive,

internet-based

Sales,

Valuation,

Enquiry,

download or install.

AXSTanker

E-mail: commercial@axsmarine.com

AXSDry

In this exclusive service offering reserved for

MSN Messenger: support@axsmarine.com

Our complete offer for dry bulk shipping

tanker brokers only, members benefits from

Yahoo! Messenger ID: axstanker

Heidenreich Innovations Safe and precise stowage of chemicals on tankers Can we load this cargo?

System

Our applications have been built on over

System

(MASS), integrated with MCIS, provides the

40 years of experience in the liquid chemical

(MCIS) is a database containing details on

most complete solution for stowage planning.

trade and this gives us a unique insight into the

over 10,000 chemical cargoes. MCIS is

With more than 10 policy checks, MASS ensures

requirements of tanker operators, charterers and

continuously updated with new regulatory and

the easiest and safest stowage for your vessels.

technical management.

safety information and is essential for ship

The policy checks included in MASS are:

Milbros

Chemical

Information

Milbros

Automated

Stowage

operators today. • Tank capacity • MCIS contains data on over 10,000 chemicals;

• Certificate of Fitness

• Chemical information updated daily;

• Heating adjacent

• Stand-alone version onboard your vessels;

• Tank coating suitability

• Network version available in office;

• Comminglability (local/related tanks)

• Complete integration with your operational

• Cargo stowage history (FOSFA) / (NIOP)

systems, your office and fleet systems are

• Cargo stowage history (inhibitor)

updated in minutes;

• Max heating temperature

• “Private Notes” lets you enter remarks on

• Heating medium

www.milbros.com

specification, cleaning, cargo handling and

Tel: +1 203 413 2030

chartering information.

E-mail: support@milbros.com

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

119


Commercial profiles

Fairmount Marine BV F

airmount’s main activities are long-distance ocean towage, salvage and heavy-lift trans-

portation. In order to meet the highest quality standards imposed by our worldwide clientele – an absolute requirement when it comes to the towage and installation of the largest and most valuable floating units in the world such as F(P) SOs, gravity base structures, semi-submersible and jack-up rigs – Fairmount Marine operates five long-distance towing vessels with anchorhandling capacities of no less than 205 tonnes bollard pull and an average age of less than two years. In addition to these five supertugs, we operate – together with our Japanese partner

in remote areas or areas where no large dry-

transportation, Fairmount Marine has positioned

Fukada Salvage & Marine Works Co., Ltd – a

dock is available.

itself in the premier league.

fleet of multipurpose offshore support vessels

Fairmount’s staff of professionals both onshore

and semi-submersible barges. Amongst them is

and offshore is entirely dedicated to providing

the biggest semi-submersible barge in the world,

Fairmount’s

the 50,000 dwt giant Gavea Lifter. These barges

solutions for demanding towage and transportation

are perfectly suited for the transport of jack-up

assignments, worldwide. Fairmount’s quality

rigs, modules, topsides and any other (general)

management system and safety, health and

heavy and oversized cargoes. Furthermore, in

environment protection measurements are second

addition to providing a means of transport, they

to none and form an integrated, vital part of all

tel: +31 10 240 2500

have proven to be a perfect platform for dry-

operations. Building on the legacy of Holland as

E-mail: sales@fairmount.nl

docking of semi-sub rigs, drillships and vessels

the cradle of ocean towage and special marine

Website: www.fairmount.nl

clients

risk-free,

It is our goal and our duty to surpass clients’ expectations, every day.

high-standard

A small fleet doing big things! H

artel Shipping and Chartering was founded

September 2010 and June 2011. These vessels

in December 1990 by John Brobbel and

will be placed in our regular service to the Black

Worldwide traders, expected May/ August 2010

Sea.

mv Rhoon

mpp/tween, 1 ho/ha 7,000 dwcc geared

mv Brielle

mpp/tween, 1 ho/ha 7,000 dwcc geared

Associates. The company was started with the support of major trading companies involved in

With our experience of handling project

shipments of ferro alloys and non-ferrous met-

cargoes we took the opportunity to enter

als. In the pursuing years, increasing demand

worldwide trade. To facilitate this, we have

Nowadays we enjoy the support of many

for trading tonnage between Europe and the

taken on two geared (2x80mt) 7,950 dwt mpp

recognised European forwarding companies and

Black Sea gave Hartel, in 1996, the opportunity

tweendeckers ice1A on long-term timecharter.

exporters. We are a small company doing big

to take their first 1,500 mt vessel on long-term

These newbuildings have a unique concept, with

things, with dedication.

timecharter.

an unobstructed hold of 83.7 metres; we expect

Thereafter, Hartel developed their regular

delivery from the shipyard in September 2010.

service from Baltic/Continent to Mediterranean/ Black Sea. Throughout this time, Hartel has

HARTEL

Our fleet;

become more involved in project and heavy cargoes, ie generators, transformers, crane

Baltic/Continent – Med/Black Sea

parts, and large deck cargoes, including motor

mv Oostvoorne

sid coaster, 1 ho/ha 2,500 dwcc

yachts.

mv Westvoorne

sid coaster, 1 ho/ha 2,500 dwcc

Please contact our motivated team to take

mv Rockanje

sid coaster, 1 ho/ha 2,500 dwcc

extra care of your precious cargo:

mv Annette

sid coaster, 3 ho/ha 4,000 dwcc

Hartel Shipping & Chartering BV

The name of Hartel is well known within our trading area and we have a reputation for reliability and punctuality. Since 2005, we

Goudhoekweg 14

have also had our own tonnage, mv Brielle

Expected September 2010/June 2011

3233 AM Oostvoorne

and mv Rhoon, (2,300 mt dwt). The mv Brielle

mv Geervliet

tween, 1 ho/ha 3,000 dwcc

Netherlands

has recently been sold and a new fleet of four

mv Heenvliet

tween, 1 ho/ha 3,000 dwcc

Tel: +31 181 486 222

3,500 dwcc tween/box ice1A vessels have

mv Hoogvliet

tween, 1 ho/ha 3,000 dwcc

Fax:+31 181 486 152

been ordered and will be delivered between

mv Haringvliet

tween, 1 ho/ha 3,000 dwcc

E-mail: mail@hartel.nl

120

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com


Commercial profiles

Grieg Star Shipping G

rieg Star Shipping AS (Star) is in charge of

New trades are evaluated and added as the

contracts and tramping. The flexible ships carry

the worldwide marketing and operation of

fleet grows. The most recent addition is a service

a variety of cargoes such as coal, coke, alumina,

the Grieg Group’s fleet of advanced open hatch

from Chile to the Mediterranean, with forest

fertilizers, ores etc.

vessels, as well as a fleet of conventional bulk

products and project cargoes.

carriers.

Both divisions enjoy the support of skilled

Star has designed and built cargo handling

operations managers and port captains located

Based in Bergen, Norway and with 16 offices

equipment ranging from pulp frames capable of

both in the headquarters and in the branch

in strategic locations in Asia, Australia, USA,

loading 56 tonnes in one lift, to vacuum clamps

offices. This allows for quick and accurate

Canada and Europe, Star’s open hatch division

for paper rolls with capacity up to 35 tonnes.

solutions to the often-complicated stowage.

run the specialised ships in regularly scheduled

These, as well as grabs and other special

They also frequently attend to the load and

break bulk parcel trades. Export trades, based

cargo handling gear, are serviced in their own

discharge to ensure safe and efficient operations.

on North American forest products, aluminum

workshops in Vancouver and Rotterdam.

In addition to the advanced ships and cargo

subsidiary

handling equipment, Star provides IT solutions

and south Europe, is a substantial part of their

Atlanticargo AB uses available space on the

enabling shippers, forwarders and agents

business.

regularly scheduled open hatch vessels to move

to handle everything from documentation to

project cargoes worldwide.

customs papers.

and other break bulk cargoes to Asia, north

The design features of the open hatch ships

The

Gothenburg-based

(removable tween decks, gantry cranes up

The Grieg group has just taken delivery of

to 68 mt, rain protection over unobstructed

two new state-of-the-art open hatch vessels,

holds, cell guides) allow for fast and safe

and two more will be delivered during the spring

handling of project cargoes, pipes, wind mills,

of 2010.

metals, newsprint, containers and bulk cargoes.

The Conventional Division of Star operates

Shippers welcomed these features when Star

a modern fleet of about 20 geared and grab-

built up their successful trades from Asia and

supplied conventional ships ranging from 25,000

All Star offices welcome your freight inquiries.

Europe back to both coasts of North America.

to 55,000 dwt trade worldwide, combining

Website: www.griegstar.com

Combi Lift K/S C

ombi Lift’s main activities are worldwide ocean

Mission: Combi Lift’s mission is to put

transportation of heavylift and project cargoes,

customers and clients first, through meeting

and today Combi Lift is one of the world leaders

and exceeding their expectations. We do this

within this segment. The current fleet consists of 14

by providing tailor-made heavylift transportation

heavylift carriers, including four semi-submersible

solutions which are characterised by being safe,

dock vessels with the ability to load and discharge

innovative and reliable. Our mission also extends

cargoes by means of lifting, rolling or floating the

to our employees and our fleet, both aspects of

same. In addition to the existing fleet, Combi Lift

our business in which we will continue to invest

currently has a newbuilding programme for two

substantially.

heavylift vessels which will be delivered during

Vision: Our vision is to position Combi Lift as a

2010. The main philosophy of Combi Lift is to combine the best expertise allowing us to lift the various

QHSEP Policy: On 5 September 2007 K/S

leading company in heavylift ocean transportation

projects with the highest standards and quality.

Combi Lift and Combi Lift (Germany) GmbH

and logistics, setting the highest standards through

were the first companies worldwide, within

sound business ethics, inspirational leadership and

Chartering and operation: The chartering

their segment, to obtain DNV certifications

integrated QHSEP best practices.

and operation departments are situated in Korsoer;

for fully implementing all three Management

the two departments comprise a team of skilled

System Standards, both ashore and on board

personnel. Combi Lift is able to provide customers

their vessels. In addition to the certification,

with a service that suits their requirements.

Combi Lift updated the OHSAS 18001 standard

Contact details:

certification from the 1999 standard to the new

Anders Poulsen C.O.O.

Engineering: The engineering & technical

2007 standard. Once again, Combi Lift is the first

Combi Lift K/S

management is run by Combi Lift (Germany)

heavylift carrier in the world to obtain this updated

Batterivej 7-11

GmbH in Bremen. Working with an experienced

standard. Combi Lift views the ISO certifications

4220 Korsoer

staff of master mariners, naval architects

as a key to upholding and maintaining good

Denmark

and welding experts, Combi Lift is able to

business practices. The company’s QHSEP

Tel: +45 5816 2030

provide tailor-made solutions that suit individual

policy ensures continuous improvement in

Fax: +45 5816 2025

customers’ demands and expectations.

its Quality, Health, Safety, Environment and

E-mail: mail@combi-lift.eu

Pollution Prevention management activities.

Website: www.combi-lift.eu

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

121


Commercial profiles

MMHE Highlights M

alaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering’s

April and August respectively. The conversion

structures like semi-submersibles and SPARs.

(MMHE) performance is driven by three

of the FPSO Ruby II was undertaken, the

Modular structures for FPSO topsides can also

core businesses: engineering and construction,

company’s first full engineering, procurement,

be built completely in the workshop, with its

marine repair, and marine conversion. It has

construction and commissioning (EPCC) FPSO

available height and floor space.

grown to become an integrated engineering,

project. MMHE was responsible for the EPCC of

procurement and construction contractor for

the conversion works on the facility.

The West Finger Pier comprises of a jetty and material handling quay (MHQ). The jetty is

high tonnage offshore oil and gas structures.

Currently, MMHE is currently busy with the

specifically designed to take berthings of up to

MMHE is capable of undertaking repair services

Construction of the Gumusut Kakap Floating

390,00 dwt of VLCC for repair, and conversion

on a complete range of vessels such as LNG

Production Unit (FPU) – a deepwater semi-

works of FPSO. The MHQ can accommodate

carriers and VLCCs, as well as various types

submersible facility. This is MMHE’s second

material delivery barges of up to5,000 dwt.

of floaters and a one-stop centre for FPSO and

deepwater project, following the successful

MMHE offers clients a one-stop solution in

FSO conversion.

completion and delivery in September 2006 of

areas such as LNG carrier repair, VLCC/tanker

2009 was another busy year with successful

the Kikeh DTU Truss Spar. Other engineering

repairs, FPSO/FSO conversion and various kinds

completion and delivery of significant projects to

and construction projects include Tangga Barat

of floaters, as well as deep-water development

local and international clients. The marine repair

Central Processing Platform, Kinabalu Gas

facilities for the oil and gas sector.

business remained resourceful, undertaking

Processing Platform B, and the BP Angola

major repair works in for LNG and LPG carriers,

Turret, to name just a few.

PLO 3

ULCC, VLCC, and chemical and product

MMHE has recently completed added new

tankers. Last year MMHE adeptly repaired 68

facilities, to its operations, namely a new cutting

81700 Pasir Gudang

vessels from worldwide orders that came from

and assembly workshop and West Finger Pier,

Johor

repeat business and new clients.

to further support its activities in the marine and

Malaysia

Amongst the projects delivered were the

heavy engineering arena. The new workshop

Tel: +607 268 2111

eight-legged B11K-A substructure and the

is designed to cater for fabrication of 1,200

Fax: +607 251 3997

B11K-A topsides to Sarawak Shell Berhad, in

mt blocks, especially for bigger deep-water

E-mail: marketing@mmhe.com.my

Jalan Pekeliling

Concateno

When it matters most

D

rug and alcohol use can create tough

Concateno in numbers

of care testing, and are always in pursuit of faster

challenges, impacting on communities, the

• 10 million tests conducted each year

and more sensitive tests.

workplace, families and individuals. Every day our customers take on these challenges – often making difficult decisions that will affect the health and well-being of those in their care.

• 8,500 customers from across all industries, healthcare and government bodies • 600 sample collection officers – a global network, from Adelaide to Aberdeen

Concateno has three UKAS accredited laboratories, each dedicated to the analysis of a specific sample type – oral fluid (Abingdon, Oxfordshire), urine (Canary Wharf, London), and

• 130 countries in which we have customers

hair (Cardiff, Wales). These laboratories can also

timely and accurate information that they need

• 75 police forces rely on our services

handle other sample types such as blood, if

to make these important decisions.

• Three world-class accredited laboratories.

required.

Concateno provides customers with clear,

We do this by getting closer to the people we

No other company can provide Concateno’s

Concateno maintains the highest levels of

support, understanding their work and shaping

combination of skills, services, testing products

internationally recognised accreditation and

our services around their requirements.

and international reach. We have dedicated

quality standards in the industry. We have

divisions specialising in the following areas:

quality accreditations for laboratory analysis,

and testing capabilities – spanning laboratory,

• Child Protection

office management, customer service systems

point of care tests and all sample types – means

• Clinical Diagnostics

and laboratory products, which are audited and

that we have both the ability and the flexibility

• Employee Services

monitored independently.

to create a solution that is right for each client.

• Criminal Justice

An unparalleled breadth of advisory services

Concateno strongest

and

brings most

together experienced

Europe’s testing

• Healthcare • Maritime.

To find out more, contact us:

organisations and over 60 years of collected

Concateno takes a pioneering role in pushing

expertise. We have a vision of how organisations

forward the science and technology of drug

Harbour Quay, 100 Preston’s Road,

needing drug and alcohol testing should be best

and alcohol testing. We are developing tests

London, UK, E14 9PH

served; through unbiased, scientifically driven

to detect newly emerging drugs of abuse,

Tel: +44(0)20 7712 8000

and informed drug testing, delivered to the

improving the performance of our laboratory

E-mail: maritime@concateno.com

highest standards.

instruments, extending the capabilities of point

Website: www.concateno.com

122

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

Concateno


Commercial profiles

JSC Sovfracht J

SC Sovfracht was formed in 1929 and during the Soviet period was the only governmental

Sovfracht is the general worldwide agent for the Russian Navy.

JSC “Sovfracht”

body in the USSR associated with chartering

At present, Sovfarcht has 25 affiliated

of the whole Soviet fleet and all types of cargo,

transport companies and regional representative

both export and import.

offices to render a full range of shipping and

Sovfracht is the oldest and one of the most experienced chartering companies in Russia. The company is a member of BIMCO and the Baltic Exchange. The company’s fields of activity include: • Dry cargo chartering • Handysize and handymax, coasters and river-sea ships

For more information, please contact: “Marine House”

logistic services in Russia, C.I.S. and the Western world. The company owns and efficiently operates

127994 Moscow, Rakhmanovsky per. 4, bld.1

railroad wagons, river-sea ships, port complexes,

Tel: +7 (495) 258 2741

container terminals and lorries.

Fax: +7 (495) 258 2854

Sovfracht also, together with the Russian Navy

fleet,

participates

in

Russian

and

E-mail: stepanyan@sovfracht.ru Website: www.sovfracht.ru

international projects in oil and gas research

• Project and heavy-lift cargos

in the Russian Far East areas Sakhalin and

Shipping Department

• Shipmanagement

Kamchatka.

Tel: +7 (495) 258 2864, 721 1941

• Agency • Sale and purchase

Additionally, Sovfracht is one of the top 10 transport companies in Russia.

Fax: +7 (495) 258 2876 E-mail: shipping@sovfracht.ru

The company constantly develops strategies and tactics to meet market challenges. It has ambitious goals for the future, and all the opportunities and capabilities to reach them.

IMSA Ltd IMSA Ltd is a high end specialist maritime

hardening, training, mentoring and security to

who have also had extensive experience in

security company with three areas of business:

ships operating in piracy-prone areas. Our belief

commercial maritime security. Their combined

consultancy, operations and training.

is that this can normally be achieved without

experience is second to none, and coupled

Although IMSA’s people, without exception,

resorting to arming our people. When there is

with their breadth of technical knowledge

have many years of maritime security experience

no alternative but to arm, however, we provide

and contacts within the international shipping

as individuals, the company cut its teeth

not only people with a lifetime experience of

industry, IMSA is able to offer unparalleled

providing consultancy advice for ports in the

weapons at sea, but also requalify them on

advice, training and security provision that is

run-up to ISPS Code vesting day in 2004. The

ranges as part of mobilisation, certificating them

widely regarded as industry best practice.

advice took the form of security audits and

accordingly for clients’ peace of mind. IMSA has

IMSA is based in Poole, and whilst it has

surveys of existing infrastructure and practices,

also put much thought into the difficult question

the necessary critical mass to tackle projects of

assistance with writing port facility plans and

of responsibility when weapons have to be used

almost any scale, is still small enough to be able

implementation of new procedures to ensure

in anger on board a civilian manned ship. The

to react personally and swiftly to a client’s needs.

compliance with the new Code. This advice

company’s solution has resulted in an innovative

was given to port authorities and governments,

approach to Rules for the Use of Force, which

and the underlying added benefit was the

goes a long way to removing the headache of

improvement in efficiency that accompanied

“Who’s in charge?”

IMSA Ltd

improved security procedures. Subsequently,

IMSA’s training department teaches ISPS

the company has provided security consultancy

Code accredited Ship, Company and Port

Fleetsbridge, Poole, Dorset,

on a range of projects from newbuild LNG

Facility Officer Security Courses.

United Kingdom BH17 0HL.

Marine Skills Centre, Fleets Corner,

production plants to specialised offshore

Major security providers frequently boast

operations in high risk areas, to the provision of

a maritime capability they simply do not have.

Fax: +44(0)1202 606521.

interdiction craft to protect afloat assets.

IMSA’s Associates are former Royal Marines or

SKYPE: IMSALTD

Royal Navy people with maritime backgrounds,

E-mail: info@imsaltd.com

IMSA’s people provide survey, preparation,

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

Tel: +44(0) 1202 696677 (24 hrs)

123


Events

What’s on where A round-up of conferences, exhibitions and events in the shipping world

June 1

Oslo

July 1-2

Singapore

September 24-25

Mumbai

Tradewinds: Oslo Shipping Forum

Advanced Freight Modelling and

India Shipping Summit

Designed and produdced for shipping ceos

Trading

A forum to address the most topical issues

from listed and private shipping companies,

Trading strategies for FFA players

affecting India’s shipping industry

brokers, key investors in shipping, bankers and

www.balticexchange.com/training

www.indiashippingsummit.com

entrepreneurs August 24-27

www.nhstevents.com June 2-3

Oslo

Stavanger

September 28-29

Offshore Nothern Seas

Marine Money Asia

A look at the political, ecoonomic and

www.marinemoney.com

Introduction to Shipping

technological issues surrounding the

A course for those who have recently started

international oil and gas industry

October 05

their profession in the shipping industry, those

www.ons.no

Greek Shipping Summit

Singapore

Athens

www.greekshippingsummit.com

who have a general interest in the industry or those who have worked within shipping for a

September 7-10

short period of time

SMM

October 17-19

www.bi.no/introshipping

The ‘must attend’ event in the shipbuilding

Coaltrans World Coal Conference

calendar

Europe’s leading coal industry gathering

June 7-11

Athens

Hamburg Amsterdam

www.hamburg-messe.de November 1-2

Posidonia The top marketplace for shipbuilders, suppliers

September 12-24

of ships’ equipment and shipping-related

Anatomy of Shipping

Management

services

For those needing the big picture, whether

Managing freight, bunker, interest and

www.posidonia-events.com

through changing roles, entering the industry for

counterparty risk

the first time or as a refresher

www.balticexchange.com/training

June 22-24

New York

Cambridge

www.seatrade-global.com November 3-4

Marine Money September 16

www.marinemoney.com/forums June 28-29

Singapore

Freight Derivatives and Shipping Risk

London

Freight Derivatives and Shipping Risk

Rio de Janeiro

London

Advanced Freight Modelling and

Latin America Ship & Offshore Finance

Trading

Forum

Trading strategies for FFA players

www.marinemoney.com

www.balticexchange.com/training

Management Managing freight, bunker, interest and

September 16

counterparty risk

Baltic Exchange/FFABA Global Freight

Seatrade Middle East Maritime

www.balticexchange.com/training

Derivatives Forum

Including Middle East Money & Ships

The freight derivatives industry’s key gathering

www.seatrade-middleeast.com

June 29-30

Dublin

Shanghai

October 26-28

Dubai

www.balticexchange.com/shanghai2010

3rd European Shortsea Congress

November 22-25

Two days of top-level discussion and

Practical Dry Cargo Chartering

networking

4 day hands on training course run by the Baltic

www.navigateconferences.com

Exchange and Cambridge Academy www.balticexchange.com/training

124

theBaltic June 2010 www.thebaltic.com

London


At IRCLASS,

At IRCLASS,

classification is not just about

classification is not just about

compliance with the rules.

compliance with the rules.

It is our partnership with you to ensure

It is our partnership with you to ensure

your ship’sconstruction construction quality, your ship’s quality, operational safety operational safety and your business efficiency. and your business efficiency. At we combine combineexperience, experience,expertise expertise and understanding At IRCLASS IRCLASS we and understanding with technology, and a professional team technology,worldwide worldwideoperations operations and a professional team to to achieve justjust this. achieve this.

VISIT US AT THE INDIA PAVILION, STAND 274

Discover More With Discover More With

IACS ASSOCIATE & RECOGNIZED BY IUA, LONDON

IACS ASSOCIATE & RECOGNIZED BY IUA, LONDON

52-A, A.S.Marg, Mumbai 400072, INDIA, +91-22-30519400, Fax: +91-22-25703611, Email: ho@irclass.org

52-A, A.S.Marg, Mumbai 400072, INDIA, +91-22-30519400, Fax: +91-22-25703611, Email: ho@irclass.org


Dedicated to safer cleaner seas

www.classnk.or.jp


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