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South Korea Contemplates Investment in Russian Far East Port

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The South Korean government is underwriting a feasibility study for a port expansion project at Slavyanka, a tiny Russian port 25 miles southwest of Vladivostok. Slavyanka is located adjacent to China's landlocked Jilin Province, and Russian development agencies have promoted its potential as a hub for cargoes departing northeastern China. It is also near to Russia's border with North Korea. 

The proposal is not new: in 2006, Russia, China, South Korea and Japan contemplated a joint shipping route that would connect Jilin Province to the Sea of Japan via the port of Zarubino, another small Russian seaside town located 20 miles southwest of Slavyanka. The plan aimed to cut one week off the transit time for cargoes from Jilin to Japan by eliminating a 620-mile rail trip to Dalian, the current port of departure for Jilin's products.

That plan did not ultimately materialize, but last year, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. signed an MOU with Russian firm Berkut for development of a similar project at Slavyanka, according to Yonhap. This week, South Korea's ministry of oceans and fisheries announced that it would carry out a year-long feasibility study into the development of Slavyanka's seaport in order to provide more information to South Korean companies. The ministry said that it was responding to private firms' expressions of interest in investing in the region. 

The project aligns with South Korean President Moon Jae-in's "New Northern Policy," which seeks joint infrastructure projects with Russia and North Korea. The most ambitious elements of this policy include a renewed push for the long-discussed railroad line from the South across North Korea, which would link up with the Trans-Siberian Railway's Baikal-Amur Mainline.

"If the South-North Korea summit and the North Korea-U.S. summit are held successfully, the [New Northern Policy] will become a realistic goal, not a dream," said Song Young-gil, the chairman of the new Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation, earlier this year. 

Source:maritime-executive

European Ports Set Top 10 Environmental Priorities

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The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has released its annual Environmental Report which includes member ports' top 10 environmental priorities for 2018.

Air quality has remained the top priority of the European ports since 2013. An increasing interest in relationships with local community, in position 4 of the list, demonstrates that air quality has been increasingly a concern for citizens of port cities and urban areas. 

Climate change made it in the Top 10 for the first time in 2017 and climbed to the position 7 in 2018. 80 percent of European ports take climate change in to consideration when they develop new infrastructure projects. Around 60 percent of ports are strengthening the climate resilience of existing infrastructure, and 40 percent have already dealt with operational challenges due to climate change. 

Marine litter-related priorities went also higher in the Top 10 list compared to last year. Waste was the most monitored issue, and it increased by 17 percent since 2013.

73 percent of the ports are certified under an environmental standard (ISO, EMAS, PERS), while 68 percent make their environmental report publicly available. On the development of alternative fuels infrastructure, 24 percent provide high voltage shore-side electricity for ships at berth and 30 percent have LNG refueling points. Another 24 percent are currently developing LNG infrastructure. 

However, energy tax on electricity has been a significant barrier to the uptake of shore-side electricity for ships, being often the reason why it does not make a strong business case.

The data for the report was obtained from the responses of 90 E.U. ports to the EcoPorts Self Diagnosis Method, a tool developed for identifying and monitoring environmental risk and establishing priorities for action and compliance. 

 

Source:maritime-executive

Crown ready to roll with 6GW Round 4

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The Crown Estate "intends to confirm" plans for a new offshore wind leasing round in UK waters that has the potential to support up to 6GW of new projects.

The seabed landlord said it is running a second phase of consultations for the now officially branded Round 4, after which it it will lock down the scheme.

“This could be launched in the early part of 2019, maintaining a pipeline of projects through to the late 2020s and beyond,” the leasing agency added.

A latest round of consultations with stakeholders, the market and for the first time a wider non-statutory group of stakeholders will include “updated” proposals for the lease round for site of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“The updated plans will include further details on the regions where The Crown Estate proposes to offer new seabed rights, which have been reviewed and refined with statutory stakeholders over the course of the summer, as well as further details on the proposed tender design.”

A market session will be held on 26 November with further details to follow while stakeholder engagement will run in parallel.

Feedback from the first round was “positive”, the seabed landlord added.

The market backed the 6GW plan, the proposed developer-led leasing model and plans to share seabed data on sites.

Market participants also provided detailed feedback on a range of other subjects, including the scale and frequency of new leasing, spatial considerations, size and type of projects and timeline to tender. 

Senior development manager Jonny Boston said: “We’ve seen a really encouraging response to our proposals for new leasing, demonstrating continued confidence in the UK as a brilliant place to invest in offshore wind.”

“As we progress our proposed tender design, we’ll continue to work closely with the market and stakeholders to ensure that new rights provide an attractive and competitive offer, whilst ensuring we balance a range of interests on the seabed, helping deliver the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy mix.”

Source:renews

VolkerInfra joins Hornsea 2 crew

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UK outfit VolkerInfra has signed a multi-million-pound contract with Orsted to install onshore cables for the 1400MW Hornsea 2 offshore wind farm off the east coast of England.

The deal covers wires for the 39km onshore cable route for Hornsea 2, which runs from Horseshoe Point, east of Tetney, to the substation site in North Killingholme in Lincolnshire.

Hornsea 2 programme director Duncan Clark said: “The UK already leads the world in offshore wind capacity, and we are building the biggest offshore wind farms in the world here.“

Importantly, and especially following last week’s IPCC report, these projects will contribute significantly to reducing the UK’s carbon emissions, and they are also providing huge opportunities for UK businesses.

We want to see as many UK companies as possible involved, whether they are already supplying offshore wind or growing their business in new markets, so we’re delighted to award this multi million-pound contract to VolkerInfra, who we have worked with before on UK projects.

“We look forward to working with firms that offer first class operations in the UK to deliver this nationally significant infrastructure project on time and on budget.”

VolkerInfra technical development director Peter Cooke said: “We are delighted that Orsted has selected VolkerInfra as their partner of choice to deliver this highly strategic project.”

We now look forward to demonstrating our professionalism, expertise and exceeding their expectations of our delivery capabilities in this arena.

Orsted has previously signed contracts with other UK companies on the project, including Balfour Beatty for the onshore substation.

As part of its efforts to encourage UK suppliers to get involved in Hornsea 2, Orsted have organised a supply chain event on 14 November at Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham.

Source:renews

Tidewater and GulfMark file definitive proxy statement with SEC

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Tidewater and GulfMark Offshore have announced the filing of a joint definitive proxy statement and prospectus with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding their pending merger.

The two companies’ respective boards of directors continue to recommend shareholders vote in favour of proposals for the merger as presented in the proxy statement and prospectus.

Under the terms of the agreement, GulfMark shareholders will receive 1.1 shares of Tidewater common stock for each share of GulfMark common stock they hold, subject to Jones Act restrictions on share ownership by non-US citizens.

Following completion of the deal, GulfMark stockholders will beneficially own 27% of the combined company, or 26% on a fully diluted basis.

A special meeting of GulfMark shareholders has been scheduled for 15 November in New York to adopt the previously announced agreement and plan of merger. Tidewater will also hold a special meeting for sharheolders on 15 November to approve the issuance of Tidewater stock.

Pending approval by shareholders and other customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to be closed on or about 15 November 2018.

The combined entity will have an estimated market capitalisation of US$1.25Bn and a fleet of some 300 PSV and AHTS vessels.

Source:osjonline

Project Forward paves the way for meeting IMO’s reduction on CO2 emissions

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The Project Forward initiative led by Athens-Based Arista Shipping, with Wärtsilä as one of the participants, demonstrates that with LNG as fuel, an advanced hull design, and highly efficient propulsion machinery, it will be possible to meet the IMO’s target for a 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030, Wärtsilä said in its press release.

Model tests of the Project’s concept vessel indicate that the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) is well below the currently most stringent Phase III level. The EEDI reflects the CO2 emissions per transport work and is a measure of carbon intensity. EEDI Phase III is applicable to ships built after 2025 and signifies a 30 percent reduction from the 2008 reference level.

The IMO has also announced that efforts should be made for a possible further reduction in CO2 emissions per transport work of up to 70 percent by 2050.

One commonly discussed way to reduce such emissions has been to limit the propulsion engine power, but this would require a significantly lower service speed, resulting in a serious impact on the chain of logistics.

Project Forward shows that this 70 percent reduction in CO2 emissions target can be met, even without lowering service speeds, through the use of carbon neutral fuels mixed with LNG. Such carbon neutral fuels can be transported, stored, and consumed in a similar way to that of fossil LNG.

“Through the advanced engine technology available today, LNG has a clearly superior well-to-wake emissions profile compared to liquid fuel. LNG appears not as a transition fuel, but the fuel of tomorrow and for many years to come,” says Antonis Trakakis, Technical Director at Arista.

The concept vessel’s hull form has been optimised in cooperation with Finnish ship designer Deltamarin and classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). “Deltamarin has a long history in energy-efficient ship designs where hull form development has always been one of the spearheads,” says Tommi Hietamäki, Project Engineer at Deltamarin.

“The efficient propulsion design concept for Project Forward is based on a novel arrangement featuring just two highly efficient Wärtsilä 31DF engines without auxiliary gensets. The project is totally in line with Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine vision that foresees an era of concept solutions delivering optimal efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability,” says Johnny Kackur, General Manager, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

“As a global leader in gas, ABS is collaborating with innovative companies and organisations to support the delivery of technologies that minimise the environmental impact of shipping,” says Elias Kariambas, ABS Regional Business Director, Greece. “The Project Forward vision to create an efficient, environmentally-protective, long-haul bulk carrier is perfectly consistent with the ABS mission, and we are proud to contribute to the joint effort.”

In addition to Arista Shipping, Deltamarin, ABS and Wärtsilä, the French LNG membrane containment system designer GTT is also involved in the project. The vessel is fitted with an LNG tank positioned midships.

Source:portnews

Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf adds three new certifications

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Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf (DSO) has added three new certifications to its existing accreditations. Based on its ongoing business of the repair, maintenance, inspection and dry-docking of inland and ocean-going vessels and other steel structures, DSO has been certified that it meets the standards required by ISO 9001:2015 (quality management system), ISO 14001: 2015 (environmental management system) and SCC** 2008/5.1 (safety, health and environmental management system), the company said in its press release.

“We are very pleased that the audit by Bureau Veritas has confirmed that we are operating to the highest standards in our quality, environmental and health & safety standards,” said Jeen van der Werf, commercial manager at DAMEN Shiprepair Oranjewerf. “A proven quality management system according to ISO standards, with evidence by means of certification, is important for many of our customers. Operators in the offshore sector and elsewhere value the confidence they get from knowing that independent inspections have validated the quality and operational standards of their industry partners.” 

DSO was already certified to the ISO 9001:2008 standard, which was gained in 2016. The yard then began the process that led to the most recent certifications.

The yard is located within Amsterdam harbour and is well known for the diversity of the projects it undertakes. These range from the latest offshore support and cargo vessels to fully-rigged ships and antique classic steam boats. Projects in 2018 have included the conversion of the general cargo vessel Lelie C into a cement carrier, a full maintenance programme for the 118-year old, 31-metre, steam vessel Christiaan Brunnings and a conversion project on the 96-metre barge Kreeft.

Source:damenshiprepair

 

There was no agreed plan before CMA CGM Centaurus heavily hit pier

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The UK MAIB issued an investigation report on the allision of the UK-registered container ship 'CMA CGM Centaurus' with the quay that resulted in collapse of a shore crane and subsequent injury of 10 persons. MAIB noted that many of the factors in this accident can be attributed to a focus on completing acts of pilotage as quickly as possible.

The incident

At 1137 on 4 May 2017, the 'CMA CGM Centaurus' made heavy contact with the quay and two shore cranes while under pilotage during its arrival at Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. The accident resulted in the collapse of a shore crane and 10 injuries, including one serious injury, to shore personnel.

Findings

  • The accident occurred because the ship was unable to attain a sufficiently high rate of turn into a basin in preparation for berthing. The pilot was unaware of the ship’s speed, and the ship’s bridge team were uncertain of the maximum speed required to complete the turn safely.
  • There was no agreed plan for the intended manoeuvre, and therefore no shared mental model between the bridge team and the pilot. Consequently, the pilot was operating in isolation without the support of the bridge team, allowing the pilot’s decision-making to become a single system point of failure.
  • The pilot’s performance was focused on efficiency, which influenced his decision to turn the ship into the basin without ensuring that the manoeuvre was conducted at a sufficiently slow speed to enable its safe completion.

Safety issues

  • The master/pilot exchange carried out on CMA CGM Centaurus lacked structure and detail. There was little further detail as the approach proceeded. By not actively engaging with the bridge team, the pilot effectively signaled that he did not need their assistance. The bridge team and the pilot did not have a shared mental model for the intended manoeuvre.
  • By not requiring its newly recruited pilots to undertake BRM-P training, Jebel Ali port authority missed the opportunity to both emphasise its commitment to the effective integration of its pilots with bridge teams, and ensure its pilots were trained/refreshed in the principles of BRM. Despite extensive industry guidance, there continues to be a reluctance by masters and pilots to work together in accordance with the principles of BRM.
  • Many of the factors in this accident can be attributed to a focus on completing acts of pilotage as quickly as possible. The priorities set at senior management level have a significant impact on the safety culture of a port, and there is a need to recognise that time-pressure, in the quest for terminal efficiency or financial reward, can have a negative effect.

Recommendations

 

After the investigation, the UK MAIB advised:

  • DP World UAE region to review and improve its management of pilotage and berthing operations in respect of large container ship movements within the port of Jebel Ali.
  • The International Chamber of Shipping, the International Maritime Pilots’ Association and the International Harbour Masters’ Association to promote the benefits of adhering to effective bridge resource management procedures during acts of pilotage and to endorse the Bridge Resource Management training for pilots course as an effective means of achieving this.

Source:safety4sea

New LNG terminal to be built at Port of Rostock

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Novatek and Fluxys signed a Land Lease Agreement with the Rostock Port for constructing a mid-scale LNG transshipment terminal based in the port of Rostock in Germany.

According to the joint venture, the two companies will design, construct, finance, own and operate a mid-scale LNG transshipment terminal, which will have a capacity of about 300 thousand tons per annum in the port of Rostock.

The LNG Terminal will accommodate LNG carriers from the Cryogas-Vysotsk liquefaction facility that Novatek is constructing in the port of Vysotsk near the Saint-Petersburg area, while more LNG deliveries to the consumer market will be made using trucks.

The LNG Terminal will also have an option of bunkering and loading of bunkering vessels.

Leonid Mikhelson, Novatek’s Chairman of the Management Board, noted that this terminal will enable the establishment of an effective marketing channels on different markets.

The LNG Terminal will also allow Novatek to market LNG as a marine fuel and motor fuel instead of diesel and fuel oil that will contribute to reduce emissions.

Source:safety4sea

IMO trains Myanmar officials in creating maritime transport policy

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Myanmar officials are being trained on how to develop a National Maritime Transport Policy (NMPT), in Yangon, Myanmar, from 17 to 19 of October. IMO promotes this concept as a good governance practice to guide planning, decision making and legislation in the maritime sector.

Participants from various ministries, departments, agencies and other stakeholders whose activities affect the maritime sector are receiving training on establishing such policies, focusing on the need for an integrated and coordinated approach.

The workshop is the latest in a series under IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme, which, in cooperation with the World Maritime University (WMU), is helping countries to plan, develop and adopt their National Maritime Transport Policies.

NMPT is the establishment of more concrete guidelines and principles aiming to help a nation achieve its national maritime vision. These guidelines can regard a variety of sectors, including pollution prevention, safety rules, competition guidelines and more.Check the video below, which explains how NMPT works

Source:safety4sea

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