Thursday, November 7, 2013

  Singapore has taken a significant step forward in the development of the practical operational procedures and standards for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering operations.
Singapore Steps Forward in Development of LNG Bunkering Standards

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and its appointed consultant, Lloyd’s Register, have completed its study on the Technical Standards and Procedures for LNG bunkering in the Port of Singapore. The study consolidated information that needs to be addressed before LNG bunkering can take place into five key areas as follow:
  1.  LNG Bunkering Standards and Procedures within the Port’s limits
  2. Technical Requirements and Specifications for LNG bunker tankers and receiving vessels with regard to transfer system, fittings and safety equipment
  3. Safety Standards for LNG Bunkering operations
  4. Identification of Safety Exclusion Zones and Emergency Procedures
  5. Competency Standards for Personnel handling LNG bunkering
Following the completion of the study, MPA will be organising industry consultation sessions to share the results of the study with the maritime industry and seek their feedback. With the industry feedback, MPA will subsequently finalise the LNG bunkering standards for the Port of Singapore.
“There is an increasing need for the shipping industry to look at alternative sources of fuel and LNG is a promising option that we should consider. The completion of the study is an important milestone in the development of LNG bunkering in the Port of Singapore and we would like to share this significant progress with the industry” said Captain M Segar, MPA’s Assistant Chief Executive (Operations).
Singapore is recognised for its transparency and places a strong emphasis on the quality of bunkering services and safety standards. In 2012, the Port of Singapore recorded bunker sales volume of 42.7 million tonnes, retaining its position as the world’s top bunkering port. Singapore’s strong performance in bunker sales can be attributed to its strategic location at the crossroads of international trade and the industry structure that results in competitive bunker prices and assured quality and safety standards

MARITIME NEWS

The London P&I Club said that a recent analysis of collision cases has highlighted the effect which complacency on the bridge of the vessel can have on the incidence of casualties.

The club recently undertook a ‘root cause’ analysis of collision cases which concluded that the majority could be categorised as human error, with complacency often a significant contributing factor. In the latest issue of its StopLoss Bulletin, it cites the case of a bulk carrier which was approaching the end of a Traffic Separation Scheme. The ship was slowing to make an ETA at a pilot station in the adjacent Inshore Traffic Zone, and was soon to make a substantial alteration of course to starboard in accordance with its passage plan. At the same time, the vessel was being overtaken by a container ship. As a changeover of navigational watch was approaching, it became apparent to the Officer of the Watch (OOW) on the bulk carrier that the overtaking ship was not taking action to pass well clear in accordance with its obligations under Rule 13 of the Collision Regulations.

A VHF conversation took place in which the bulk carrier made its intentions known to the overtaking container ship, and an agreement was reached whereby the bulk carrier would make its alteration to starboard, and the overtaking ship would alter course to port and pass on the port side of the bulker. Shortly thereafter, the relieving officer arrived on the bridge of the bulk carrier and the watch handover process began. It was apparent that the OOW was confident that the plan was fully understood by both ships and expected the containership to pass on the port quarter. Unfortunately, he failed to monitor the situation, failed to alter course to starboard as agreed, and was taken by complete surprise in mid-conversation when the overtaking containership collided with the bulk carrier just forward of the bridge on the starboard side.
It was clear that, throughout the episode, the ships were in a developing close-quarters situation, and that good seamanship ought to have dictated that the OOW monitored the conduct of the overtaking ship very closely until it was finally past and clear, possibly delaying the watch-handover. The club says that misplaced complacency and over-confidence may have significantly contributed to the resulting collision claim.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

MARITIME NEWS

 Asia-to-Europe Rates More Than Double

      
 
Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, Mediterranean, week ending Nov. 1, 2013Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, Mediterranean, week ending Nov. 1, 2013
 
Spot container rates from Asia to European ports measured by the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index soared in the week ending Nov. 1. Both Mediterranean and northern European lanes saw rate increases of between $700 and $800 per 20-foot-equivalent unit, in response to a Nov. 1 general rate increase.
The success of this GRI was due in part to discipline by the carriers, which was not the case in the unsuccessful GRI of Sept.1, said Jean-Marie Lamay, Head of Commodity and Freight Solutions at HSH Nordbank. The initial success of this GRI was slightly higher than anticipated, but the market is expected to slide in November due to the fact that fundamentals have not changed enough to warrant rates at this level. It is encouraging to see the market can move up by so much so fast, which shows that the layer strategy of hedging by the carriers can work to balance out the decline of rates.
The spot rate from Shanghai to Mediterranean ports jumped 111.7 percent or $791 from the week before to $1,499 per TEU, up from $708, according to the latest SCFI data issued by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. This was a rebound from the recent 10-week slump in which rates fell by a composite $788 per TEU. The SCFI to the Mediterranean is now up 42.1 percent year-over-year and up 29.4 percent from Jan. 1.
Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, North Europe, week ending Nov. 1, 2013Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, North Europe, week ending Nov. 1, 2013
The spot rate from Shanghai to northern European ports for the week ending Nov. 1 climbed 112.4 percent or $753 from the week before, when it sat at $670 per TEU, reaching $1,423. The SCFI rate to northern Europe for the week ending Nov.1 is 4.6 percent below where it was at the same point in 2012, but 12.0 percent higher than at the beginning of 2013.
The Nov. 1 GRI on the Asia-Europe lanes was relatively successful thus far. OOCL, Hapag Lloyd, United Arab Shipping Co., Zim Integrated Shipping Services, Evergreen, CMA CGM, and ANL had all proposed increases of between $750 and $1,000 per TEU, while Maersk Line had set a minimum increase of $600 per TEU. 
 

MARITIME NEWS

Transas ECDIS and Chart Service for Hellenic Carriers                                              

Transas Hellas will supply ECDIS and Official Charts to Hellenic Carriers Corporation S.A. according to agreement recently signed between two companies.

Hellenic Carriers Corporation’s fleet will be equipped with the Transas Navi-Sailor 4000 ECDIS in premium configuration and Transas Admiralty Data Service (TADS) providing a comprehensive and official chart data service. All vessels will shift to paperless navigation immediately after installation is completed.

The first two new built vessels have been already commissioned and now sail on the Transas ECDIS. After the newbuilds program completion, Hellenic Carriers Corporation’s retrofit vessels will also shift to paperless navigation.

Capt. Nikos Athanasakos, Marine Manager at Hellenic Carriers Corporation, commented, “It is our management’s decision to invest in technology that will contribute to safety and efficiency of our fleet. We rest assured that with the excellent cooperation and support from Transas Hellas, our fleet will be ready to use ECDIS as prime mean of Navigation by the end of 2014”.

Hellenic Carriers Limited subsidiaries own and trade a fleet of dry bulk vessels transporting iron ore, coal, grain, steel products, cement, alumina, and other dry bulk cargoes worldwide. Subsidiaries of Hellenic Carriers currently own five dry bulk vessels, comprising one Panamax, one Supramax, one Handymax and two sister Kamsarmax vessels with an aggregate carrying capacity of 332,476 dwt.

OIL RECORD BOOK

AMENDMENTS TO THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE IOPP CERTIFICATE FORM A
(SHIPS OTHER THAN OIL TANKERS) AND FORM B (OIL TANKERS)

1 The existing Section 3 of the Supplement to the IOPP Certificate, Form A and Form B, is
replaced by the following:
“
3 Means for retention and disposal of oil residues (sludge) (regulation 12) and oily
bilge water holding tank(s)∗
3.1 The ship is provided with oil residue (sludge) tanks for retention of oil residues (sludge)
on board as follows:
Tank location
Tank identification
Frames (from)-(to) Lateral position
Volume (m3)
Total volume: …… m3
3.2 Means for the disposal of oil residues (sludge) retained in oil residue (sludge) tanks:
3.2.1 Incinerator for oil residues (sludge), maximum capacity kW or kcal/h (delete as
appropriate) ...................................................................................................................... 􀂆
3.2.2 Auxiliary boiler suitable for burning oil residues (sludge).................................. 􀂆
3.2.3 Other acceptable means, state which ................................................................... 􀂆
3.3 The ship is provided with holding tank(s) for the retention on board of oily bilge water as
follows:
Tank location
Tank identification
Frames (from)-(to) Lateral position
Volume (m3)
Total volume: …… m3
”
∗ Oily bilgewater holding tank(s) are not required by the Convention; if such tank(s) are provided they shall be
listed in Table 3.3.

2 The term “(double bottom requirements)” at the end of paragraph 5.8.2 of Form B is deleted.
3 Paragraphs 5.8.5 and 5.8.7 are replaced by the following:
“
5.8.5 The ship is not subject to regulation 20 (check which box(es) apply):
.1 The ship is less than 5,000 tonnes deadweight □
.2 The ship complies with regulation 20.1.2 □
.3 The ship complies with regulation 20.1.3 □”
“5.8.7 The ship is not subject to regulation 21 (check which box(es) apply):
.1 The ship is less than 600 tonnes deadweight □
.2 The ship complies with regulation 19 □
(Deadweight tonnes ≥ 5,000)
.3 The ship complies with regulation 21.1.2 □
.4 The ship complies with regulation 21.4.2 □
(600 ≤ Deadweight tonnes < 5,000)
.5 The ship does not carry “heavy grade oil” as defined □”
in regulation 21.2 of MARPOL Annex I
4 Delete paragraph 6.1.5.4 from the Supplement to the International Oil Pollution
Prevention Certificate, Form B.

Annex 3
AMENDMENTS TO THE OIL RECORD BOOK PARTS I AND II
1 Sections (A) to (H) of the Oil Record Book Part I are replaced by the following:
“(A) Ballasting or cleaning of oil fuel tanks
1 Identity of tank(s) ballasted.
2 Whether cleaned since they last contained oil and, if not, type of oil previously carried.
3 Cleaning process:
.1 position of ship and time at the start and completion of cleaning;
.2 identify tank(s) in which one or another method has been employed (rinsing through,
steaming, cleaning with chemicals; type and quantity of chemicals used, in m3);
.3 identity of tank(s) into which cleaning water was transferred and the quantity in m3.
4 Ballasting:
.1 position of ship and time at start and end of ballasting;
.2 quantity of ballast if tanks are not cleaned, in m3.
(B) Discharge of dirty ballast or cleaning water from oil fuel tanks referred to under
Section (A)
5 Identity of tank(s).
6 Position of ship at start of discharge.
7 Position of ship on completion of discharge.
8 Ship’s speed(s) during discharge.
9 Method of discharge:
.1 through 15 ppm equipment;
.2 to reception facilities.
10 Quantity discharged, in m3.
(C) Collection, transfer and disposal of oil residues (sludge)
11 Collection of oil residues (sludge).
Quantities of oil residues (sludge) retained on board. The quantity should be recorded
weekly1: (this means that the quantity must be recorded once a week even if the voyage
lasts more than one week):
.1 identity of tank(s)
.2 capacity of tank(s) ................................................................................... m3
.3 total quantity of retention ........................................................................ m3
.4 quantity of residue collected by manual operation ................................. m3
(Operator initiated manual collections where oil residue (sludge) is transferred
into the oil residue (sludge) holding tank(s).)
1 Only those tanks listed in item 3.1 of Forms A and B of the Supplement to the IOPP Certificate used for oil
residues (sludge).

12 Methods of transfer or disposal of oil residues (sludge).
State quantity of oil residues transferred or disposed of, the tank(s) emptied and the
quantity of contents retained in m3:
.1 to reception facilities (identify port)2;
.2 to another (other) tank(s) (indicate tank(s) and the total content of tank(s));
.3 incinerated (indicate total time of operation);
.4 other method (state which).
(D) Non-automatic starting of discharge overboard, transfer or disposal otherwise of
bilge water which has accumulated in machinery spaces
13 Quantity discharged, transferred or disposed of, in m3.3
14 Time of discharge, transfer or disposal (start and stop).
15 Method of discharge, transfer, or disposal:
.1 through 15 ppm equipment (state position at start and end);
.2 to reception facilities (identify port)2;
.3 to slop tank or holding tank or other tank(s) (indicate tank(s); state quantity
retained in tank(s), in m3).
(E) Automatic starting of discharge overboard, transfer or disposal otherwise of bilge
water which has accumulated in machinery spaces
16 Time and position of ship at which the system has been put into automatic mode of
operation for discharge overboard, through 15 ppm equipment.
17 Time when the system has been put into automatic mode of operation for transfer of bilge
water to holding tank (identify tank).
18 Time when the system has been put into manual operation.
(F) Condition of the oil filtering equipment
19 Time of system failure4.
20 Time when system has been made operational.
21 Reasons for failure.
(G) Accidental or other exceptional discharges of oil
22 Time of occurrence.
23 Place or position of ship at time of occurrence.
24 Approximate quantity and type of oil.
25 Circumstances of discharge or escape, the reasons therefor and general remarks.
2 The ship’s master should obtain from the operator of the reception facilities, which includes barges and tank
trucks, a receipt or certificate detailing the quantity of tank washings, dirty ballast, residues or oily mixtures
transferred, together with the time and date of the transfer. This receipt or certificate, if attached to the
Oil Record Book Part I, may aid the master of the ship in proving that the ship was not involved in an alleged
pollution incident. The receipt or certificate should be kept together with the Oil Record Book Part I.
3 In case of discharge or disposal of bilge water from holding tank(s), state identity and capacity of holding
tank(s) and quantity retained in holding tank.
4 The condition of the oil filtering equipment covers also the alarm and automatic stopping devices, if applicable.

(H) Bunkering of fuel or bulk lubricating oil
26 Bunkering:
.1 Place of bunkering.
.2 Time of bunkering.
.3 Type and quantity of fuel oil and identity of tank(s) (state quantity added,
in tonnes and total content of tank(s)).
.4 Type and quantity of lubricating oil and identity of tank(s) (state quantity added,
in tonnes and total content of tank(s)).”
2 Section (J) of the Oil Record Book Part II is replaced by the following:
“(J) Collection, transfer and disposal of residues and oily mixtures not otherwise dealt with
55 Identity of tanks.
56 Quantity transferred or disposed of from each tank. (State the quantity retained, in m3.)
57 Method of transfer or disposal:
.1 disposal to reception facilities (identify port and quantity involved);
.2 mixed with cargo (state quantity);
.3 transferred to or from (an)other tank(s) including transfer from machinery space
oil residue (sludge) and oily bilge water tanks (identify tank(s); state quantity
transferred and total quantity in tank(s), in m3); and
.4 other method (state which); state quantity disposed of in m3.”
***