Lloyd’s Register Releases Insight Report

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September 19, 2018

The Lloyd’s Register Foundation identified passenger ferry safety as a challenge in its insight report on global safety challenges in 2017. A panel led by Daryl Attwood, Foundation Senior Programme Manager, including international experts representing industry, academia and representative bodies was identified to explore the topic and assembled on 19th & 20th March 2018 at the Lloyd’s Register Foundation offices in London.

They sought to establish the countries where most fatalities are occurring, the predominant accident causes in these countries and the practical measures which would save most lives.

This Insight Report provides a better understanding of the global safety challenges in the passenger ferry industry. It takes a closer look at where accidents are occurring, why they happen and what steps can be taken to reduce the lives lost in this sector. It compares the differences between different regions identifying those most vulnerable, where overcrowded ferries without proposer safety equipment are common. In some instances crew training and basic seamanship practices are lacking.

The highest number of fatalities has occurred in the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
Globally, the causes of ferry accidents are related to economic status, value placed on life and social outlook of the operators and passengers in the countries where the incidents occurred.
And it recommends that:

A non-profit, ferry-operator funded organisation dedicated to improving ferry safety should be established.
The network of safety experts who contributed to the work should be supported and expanded.
Dr Daryl Attwood, the report’s author, said “We consulted with a wide range of safety professionals and researchers to inform our report. Much needs to be done to improve safety in this industry. The countries experiencing the most fatalities and needing the most help are in Asia, which is why the Foundation, with its existing network and future partners, will maximise impact by directing its initial attention there.”

Commenting on the Foundation’s latest initiative, Professor Richard Clegg, Foundation Chief Executive, said “Lack of sufficient safety in the passenger ferry industry was identified as one of our global safety challenges, and this report demonstrates how we are beginning to better understand some of the critical issues in this area and how the Foundation, in partnership with others, can identify areas that will lead to more lives being saved, especially in those areas of the globe that have a less developed safety culture. Our charitable mission directs all our activities as we seek to address those global safety challenges identified as significantly harmful to life and property.”

Source:seawanderer

First Of Its Type Mid Sized 45,000m3

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September 19, 2018

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The 45,000 m3 LNG vessel for Saga LNG shipping, built at China Merchants Heavy Industry, is getting more and more finalized. It has a patented LNG tank system named LNT A-BOX, developed by LNG New Technologies.

This new type A tank is offering cost effective design and easy fabrication enabling new yards to enter the LNG sector. The tank configuration gives an excellent volume utilization and providing an efficient hull form and ensures almost a closed flat deck area.

The vessel has a deadweight at design draught of 24 500 tonnes/ 29 500 tonnes at freeboard draught and is designed for low fuel consumption & high cargo capacity. It has a four stroke dual fuel engine and auxiliary engines able to use natural gas.

The vessel concept is named LNT 45 and was developed by FKAB together with LNT New Technologies. FKAB has been involved both in the project to design the LNG tanks and the Basic Design of the vessel. Through FKAB’s offices in Sweden and China, FKAB has delivered both Basic Design & Extended Basic Design to the shipyard.

This is the first vessel of its kind and will soon be ready for sea trial and delivery.

Source:seawanderer

USCG offloads over 6 tons of cocaine

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September 19, 2018

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The crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma offloaded approximately six tons of cocaine that were seized in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The drugs were seized from six suspected smuggling vessels interdicted by crews from Tahoma and two other USCG cutters between late July and August.

The drugs worth more than an estimated $170-million, with Tahoma being responsible for three interdictions, seizing an estimated 3,962 kilograms.

The US Coast Guard Cutter Tampa (WMEC-902) made two interdictions, seizing an estimated 1,855 kilograms., while the US Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC-906) made one interdiction, seizing an estimated 500 kilograms.

USCG increased US and allied presence in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Basin, which are known drug transit zones off of Central and South America, as part of its Western Hemisphere Strategy. During at-sea interdictions in international waters, a suspect vessel is detected and monitored by allied, military or law enforcement personnel coordinated by Joint Interagency Task Force-South based in Key West, Florida.

The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific is carried out under the authority of the 11th US Coast Guard District, headquartered in Alameda, California. The interdictions, including the actual boarding, are led and conducted by members of the US Coast Guard.

A number of US agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security cooperated in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The US Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement along with allied and international partner agencies play a role in counter-drug operations.

Source:seawanderer

Greenland supports ban of HFO

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September 19, 2018

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In a recent public announcement, Greenland’s government (Naalakkersuisut) noted that it supports an IMO ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil by Arctic shipping. Clean Arctic Alliance endorsed the move by Greenlandic politicians to support the banning of the world’s most polluting fuel.

The Greenland government’s statement, says (in translation) that Naalakkersuisut has agreed to work for a ban on HFO in the Arctic, via IMO, targeting both navigation and transport of HFO in Arctic, and taking into consideration an analysis of the socio-economic, environmental and climate consequences for Greenland of a possible ban on sailing on HFO in the Arctic.

The analysis shows that a ban on sailing on HFO will be associated with a socioeconomic cost of approximately 8.1 million kroner [€1.085 million/ USD$1.268 million] annually. A very important reason for avoiding HFO in Arctic waters is that marine casualties, which lead to waste of HFO in the marine environment, can have major environmental and economic consequences. HFO is very difficult and partly impossible to collect at low sea temperatures. Therefore, in case of major spill of HFO, there is a high risk that the oil will remain in the water for a long time or on the coasts that the oil may endanger.

In April 2018, the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC72) agreed to move forward on developing of a Arctic ban on heavy fuel oil – which is already banned in Antarctic waters.

After Denmark was one of the countries to back the ban, making it the sixth Arctic nation to do so, Kåre Press-Kristensen, Senior Advisor to the Danish Ecological Council, a member of the Clean Arctic Alliance, had expressed his hope for further collaboration with Greenland in order to gather support for the ban.

MEPC72 directed one of its sub-committees (PPR6) – which will meet in early 2019 – to develop a ban on heavy fuel oil use and carriage for use by ships in the Arctic, “on the basis of an assessment of the impacts” and “on an appropriate timescale”.

Arctic summer sea ice is approximately half the extent it was in the 1970s and half the volume, while the region’s strongest sea ice has broken up twice this year, for the first time on record. The use of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic not only increases the risk of devastating oil spills, but it also generates higher emissions of black carbon, which exacerbate the melting of both sea and glacier ice.

Commenting on the Greenland government backing of the HFO ban, Clean Arctic Alliance Lead Advisor Sian Prior said:"With MEPC73 coming up next month in London, Greenland’s backing of a ban on the world’s dirtiest shipping fuel in the Arctic is a timely encouragement for IMO member state governments to strengthen their commitment to quickly end the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil in Arctic waters. The best thing IMO member states can now do for their domestic shipping industries is to send a clear signal for investment in alternatives to HFO. We’re also calling on shipping companies crossing the Arctic – such as Maersk and COSCO – to show industry leadership and move towards cleaner fuels, and to commit to decarbonised forms of propulsion in the future."

Source:seawanderer

NTSB investigation video on El Faro

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September 19, 2018

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This 15 minute video summarizes the NTSB investigation of one of the greatest marine disasters in US waters, the sinking of El Faro with the loss of all 33 mariners aboard, on 1 October 2015, due to the tropical storm Joaquin.

The short film examines the NTSB’s determination of the cause of the accident and discusses associated recommendations to improve marine safety. It also highlights the three missions undertaken to retrieve the voyage data recorder and document the wreckage at a depth of 15,000 feet beneath the ocean surface.

The particular case ended up to be one of the most challenging and intensive investigations the NTSB had ever undertaken. As the official reports by NTSB, as well as by USCG, have shown, the key cause of the accident was the Captain's failure to handle the ship against the storm and make appropriate use of weather data, as well as his late decision to muster the crew.

Source:seawanderer

Japan Conducts Submarine Drill

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September 19, 2018

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Japan has conducted its first peace-time submarine drill in the South China Sea.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force submarine Kuroshio, commanded by Captain Yasuteru Ueta, along with the helicopter carrier Kaga and two destroyers, Inazuma and Suzutsuki, conducted the drill last Thursday and then made a port call at Vietnam's Cam Ranh Bay earlier this week. It was the first call by a Japanese submarine at the strategically important port since World War II.

In response to the drill, China has urged countries outside the region to behave with caution and refrain from activities that undermine regional peace and stability. "The situation in the South China Sea has cooled down and is improving," said Geng Shuang, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, reports China Daily. "We urge countries outside the region to respect efforts of regional countries in peacefully solving the South China Sea issue through dialogue."

Relations between the two nations are generally seen as positive: Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next month.

The exercise came after the Royal Navy amphibious transport dock, HMS Albion, conducted a freedom of navigation patrol in waters near the Paracel Islands, claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, in the South China Sea in late August. This patrol prompted a protest from China.

The U.K. and Australia have agreed to strengthen military cooperation, and the new British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to be deployed to the Pacific in 2020. She will sail side by side with Australian navy ships. Australia is yet to conduct a freedom of navigation operation in the region, but earlier this month the ABC News reported that China's top military envoy to Australia said it was up to Australia to decide whether to challenge China's claim to the South China Sea, saying freedom of navigation for aircraft and ships has never been a problem in the South China Sea. Earlier this month a Chinese warship was invited to Australia for the first time to take part in the war games Exercise Kakadu.

Source: seawanderer

Wärtsilä wins order for world’s first ships running on LPG

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September 18, 2018

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The system is controlled by an integrated automation system in combination with the Wärtsilä’s remote process analytics software. This system visualises data from the bridge navigation and communication controls, the engine room, and the cargo control centre.

This aims to ensure high energy efficiency with lower carbon emissions, providing a positive Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for the vessels.

Wärtsilä will also deliver an anti-pollution shaft sealing system, in order to prevent oil leaking into the sea.

The Wärtsilä equipment is expected to be delivered during mid-2019, and the vessels are planned to be delivered during the end 2020.

Source:safety4sea

Hong Kong port volumes fall for 7th straight month in August to 1.6m teu

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September 18, 2018

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Throughput at the Port of Hong Kong fell again in August for the seventh month in a row to 1.64m teu, 4.3% lower than the 1.72m teu moved in the previous corresponding period.

For the year-to-date, the cumulative slowdown in pace is starting to drag, with overall throughput down 4.3% compared to the first eight months of 2017, with volume of 13.16m teu.

The main Kwai Tsing terminals saw fall 3.1% in August to 1.29m teu from 1.34m teu in August 2017, which was also a slower pace of decline than the preceding month, when throughput fell 8.1% in July.

The non-Kwai Tsing terminals saw a slightly steeper fall of 5.7% to 355,000 teu. A relatively high base in the high season third quarter months in 2017 will mean these midstream operators will likely continue to see drops in volume unless they pick up the pace. With the inclement weather seen in September, this seems unlikely. For the year-to-date, non-Kwai Tsing throughput fell 4.9% to 2.82m teu.

Source:seatrade-maritime

EU beacon sheds light on Nordic marine energy expertise

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September 18, 2018

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The growing success of Nordic marine energy companies – backed with the EU support – has been highlighted at the recently held event.

The event, organized by Ocean Energy Europe, and Ocean Energy Sweden, provided a platform for Nordic technology developers to discuss opportunities and challenges of the marine energy sector together with European Commission officials.

The expert panels, which have consisted of world-leading technology developers showcased marine energy successes to-date through ocean deployment, with discussions on how the EU and its Member States are helping, and what challenges lay ahead.

With strong support from the EU, Nordic technology developers are at the forefront in ocean energy development, while testing and demonstration programs undertaken at Europe’s world leading infrastructures continue to generate learning, innovation and leverage further investments, according to the organizers.

Further deployments in real sea conditions are now key to moving the sector forward, so we can generate operational data, improve knowledge of device behaviour and improve logistics and processes.

”As deployment increases, both manufacturing and installation processes are standardized and industrialized, unfolding the paths to cost reductions,” the event organizers said.

Swedish developer Minesto was one of the companies which participated at the event, with its CFO Fredrik Ahlström present on a panel debate which focused on the route to market for new technologies like Minesto’s marine energy converter Deep Green.

Commenting on the event, Ahlström said: “It was a great opportunity to give the European Commissioning an update on Minesto’s operations and plans for market penetration. We had productive discussions regarding how the EU can support Minesto and other technology developers in deploying more devices and thereby reducing the cost of energy produced.”

Ukraine’s new assault landing boat showcased in Kyiv

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September 18, 2018

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According to NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov, the craft is in no way inferior to other boats of the same type produced in other countries.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov, took part in the ceremony of launching the assault landing boat Centaur, an UNIAN correspondent reports. "I'd like to sincerely thank our manufacturers, our professionals producing products that are in no way inferior to the world's analogues. She is not inferior to NATO boats of the same class. This is a powerful weapon. She is able to cruies at 40 knots, carry up to 36 Marines and, importantly, she has a sufficiently powerful armament system – both missile weapons and gun turrets have a stabilization system that allows hitting the target without slowing the pace. This is a completely Ukrainian product – starting from blueprints to the completed boat," the NSDC secretary stressed.

"I am convinced that the front line lies not only in the east. It passes through every enterprise of the defense industry, through the heart of every patriot. This front is strengthening, and every day we increase our potential, every day we advance toward our common victory, to the liberation of our native land," he said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, on May 23, during the celebrations on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Marine Corps that took place in Mykolayiv, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced that there was an intensive build-up of the combat potential of the Marine Corps of Ukraine and soon two modern Centaur boats would be handed over to the Navy.