THE SHIP SUPPLIER ISSUE 83

You can keep up to date with the latest news on the ISSA website at www.shipsupply.org and send in your comments and views to the ISSA Secretariat either by phone on +44 (0)20 7626 6236; Fax +44 (0)20 7626 6234 or alternatively email secretariat@shipsupply.org

IForeword

write this Foreword having not long returned from what has to be regarded as one of the most successful ISSA Conventions of recent years. Not to take anything away from the excellent events we have had in the years preceding ISSA 64, but Busan in South Korea was memorable for a number of very good reasons.

Industry participation in the plenary was top notch with key industry decision makers like His Excellency Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) who gave a video welcome and Mark O’Neil, CEO of Columbia Shipmanagement who gave an illuminating speech about a future influenced by digitisation. George Vassiliades, Managing Director of GenPro also talked about buyers and suppliers working more closely together in a digitised world; while Capt Vijay Rangroo, Managing Director of MTM Ship Management, shared his vast experience of shipmanagement with the audience. Christian Ioannou, Managing Director of Marine Catering Training Consultancy (MCTC) gave an informative speech about the need for tighter procurement when it comes to the catering sector for fear of increasing the already large problem of food wastage.

So, for the 500 or so visitors to ISSA 64 they were also able to network effectively among the impressive exhibition area with its large array of exhibition stands. ISSA also used Convention to host its own business-to-business breakout session where high level buyers met suppliers to discuss business opportunities. The meetings were oversubscribed with all reporting back very favourably.

ISSA has also opened-up a new line of Membership and invited Columbia Shipmanagement to be the first Honorary member of the association. This is an important development as it underlines the commitment ISSA and its members have with customers and the industry at large. We hope we can tap into this knowledge our shipmanagement colleagues like Columbia have in the marketplace to strengthen the services ISSA will continue to deliver to its members.

I would like to thank, on behalf of the Executive Board and the Assembly, the excellent work carried out by our friends at the Korean Shipsuppliers and Services Association (KSSA) under the chairmanship of Young-Deuk Kim and at the Singapore Association of Shipsuppliers and Services (SASS) under the chairmanship of Danny Lien. With their help Busan, and ISSA 64, would not have been the success they were. The same vote of thanks goes to the valued sponsors of this year’s event, again without whose continued support, Convention would not thrive in the way it does.

Thank you all for your help and support. u

Saeed Al Malik ISSA President

Brazil

New President brings boost for Brazilian suppliers

The election of a new President nearly a year ago has transformed the fortunes of Brazil, according to Marcelo di Brito, Vice President, Brazilian Ship Suppliers Association.

“Since the beginning of the ongoing year, Brazil has had a long-awaited breath of fresh air,” he told The Ship Supplier Jair Bolsonaro came into power on 1st January 2019, succeeding Michel Temer, who had been President since 2011. The new President launched a new political party in November after leaving the right way Social Liberal Party (PSL), saying the new party – Alliance for Brazil (APB) – would fight corruption and advance Christian values.

“Our country waved goodbye to 24-year-long socialist governments and now our sole purpose us to get back on track and make up for all the lost time,” said Mr di Brito.

After just 11 months in charge, he said the unemployment rate was dropping and the privatisation of deficient stateowned companies and been implemented again. “The optimism and hope have landed right back on the lives of the immense majority of Brazilian people,” he said.

He added: “From our commercial point of view, things would not and could not be more different as a consequence of the significant devaluation of the R$ (Real). We have become much more competitive in the international market.”

He said the Brazilian business market which used to move around about $150 million yearly now has an expected growth of around 20% from 2020 onwards.

“We at ABFN – the Brazilian Ship Suppliers Association –are in the mood for celebration,” said Mr di Brito.

He said the Association currently relies on 35 affiliated companies and this number is destined to grow. Every day the Association is receiving more and more partnership requests from all over the national territory.

“Our Association sets the bar for excellence on supplying the products and providing the service to our customers through our associated companies,” explained Mr di Brito.

“With our professional reputation in mind, it is necessary that if a company desires to be instated as a new member of our Association, it is necessary for it to fulfil a list of criteria such as proving their financial good repute, their profit projections, service quality etcetera.”

ABFN was founded in January 1979 and reaches every single one of the ports and terminals around the whole of Brazil and coast. It is headquartered in Santos, São Paulo – the home of the largest port in South America.

“These are great times for Brazil and for the ship supply business and now our Association in general is thrilled to be such an important cog in this engine,” said Mr di Brito. u

We at ABFN – the Brazilian Ship Suppliers Association – are in the mood for celebration “ ”

Marcelo di Brito, Vice President, Brazilian Ship Suppliers Association.

Venezuela Economic crisis severely impacting Venezuelan suppliers

Ship suppliers in Venezuela are suffering with the continued deepening economic crisis in the country, according to the Venezuela Ship Suppliers Association (AVESUB).

The crisis has now been going on for five years and has generated hyperinflation, a humanitarian crisis and forced over four million people to leave Venezuela. Between 2013 and 2019, the Venezuelan economy shrank by more than half. With Venezuela’s gross domestic product plummeting even more than the United States during the Great Depression, many of its nearly 32 million inhabitants became unable to afford food,

and resource-starved hospitals did not have enough soap and antibiotics.

The Association explained that the downfall of the GDP in Venezuela this year saw it reduced by about 35%, and it has been declining for the last 10 years.

“Fresh and dry food, meats, poultry, canned food etcetera have suffered a tremendous shortage in production for domestic consumption of the population of 30 million people,” said a

spokesman. “It is becoming a great challenge for our suppliers’ companies to provide all the stores demanded by our customers, including deck and engine supplies which due to most of them being imported parts, materials and equipment, we are unable to cover their logistics needs.”

He added: “Moreover, with the sanctions that have been posted by certain countries, this has made the process much more difficult and slower to respond.”

Some Government officials and agents consider that ship supplies are a form of ‘smuggling/contraband’ due to the shortage in provisions for domestic consumption.

The hyperinflation process that Venezuela is enduring since October 2017 is beyond belief with over 1,500% in 2018 and

over 3,000% in 2019 placing Venezuela as having the highest inflation rate in the world. There is also great instability with the currency exchange rate due to Government control.

“It is only until recently that this exchange control system is disappearing gradually, but not totally,” said the spokesman. “Furthermore, the inexistence of financial or credit facilities have made it worse than ever.”

Government officials and some private economists anticipate that this unusual hyperinflation process will reach an end in the second half of 2020.

Prior to 2007, Puerto Cabello was the busiest port in Venezuela, with 300 ships calling each month. Now, just 40 ships call and they are mainly bulk carriers with grain and oil tankers. u

Fresh and dry food, meats, poultry, canned food etcetera have suffered a tremendous shortage in production for domestic consumption of the population of 30 million people “ ”

From the Buyer’s Desk

Sergey Popravko, Chief Operations Officer at PAO Sovcomflot

How important is it to build relationships with your suppliers and what are you looking for in your suppliers?

For Sovcomflot it is very important to build fair and transparent relationships with our suppliers. Nowadays digitalisation has brought tremendous opportunities for business relations and the optimisation of processes. However, we must be very careful while selecting a partner for a number of reasons, which include the long-term nature of cooperation, operational quality and sustainability. A supplier’s reputation and a thorough evaluation of the corporate compliance of a new supplier with ISO standards are key factors in establishing and building good relationships.

Do you stick with the same suppliers or are you always looking for potential new sources of products and services?

We always search for potential new sources, especially if it relates to physical service providers. At the same time, we have a number of reliable business partners that we work with for many years. However, it doesn`t mean that we stick with these same suppliers all the time. If a company maintains the highest quality standards in combination with competitive pricing, then the supplier could stay with us for years. Vessels’ feedback is also a vital instrument to motivate suppliers towards continuous improvement.

What are some of the issues you have with suppliers and how can they help you with these?

The main issue with suppliers is that sometimes they are chasing for one-sided profit, striving to improve their turnover, whilst forgetting the most important matters: technical support; business review evaluation; product availability and various key points important for the buyer. Commercially

oriented sales are not a good choice when looking to maintain mutually beneficial partnerships in such a technologically demanding industry as shipping. It is quality that we value the most - this foresees continuous support from the supplier’s side, based on the feedback received from the ship manager/ operator.

Is cost still a major factor in who you use or do you place higher importance on others such as quality and business relationships, and what do you look for when buying supplies?

Crew safety and the vessel’s operation are the company’s priorities, meaning that the quality of all products we purchase is of higher importance than just the cost. However, we are always trying to have the best possible price for quality products, to meet our expectations as shipowners. Budget control and quality evaluation are the key ingredients of successful supply chain management.

How has procurement changed at Sovcomflot Maritime in recent times?

Over the last few years, we have made tremendous changes to our procurement activities. We have ended the era of a workplace overloaded with paper and have instead switched to a new electronic procurement platform. Besides this, digital processes enable us to control suppliers by implementing the Approved Vendors Data Governance System and helps us to avoid hacker attacks and “grey” company interventions. Consentaneously, we have improved our invoicing system and introduced a special platform for invoices registration and follow up. In August 2019, we centralised all our procurement team in one location. All these steps allow us to improve our purchasing team efficiency and performance. u

Cooperation agreement signed to promote Indian equipment suppliers

The Indian Register of Shipping and ShipParts.com have signed a cooperation agreement to develop mutually beneficial business opportunities across the Indian and international maritime industries.

Under the cooperation agreement signed during the Marintec 2019 trade show in Shanghai in early December, IRClass will certify the Indian equipment suppliers and manufacturers that use the ShipParts.com e-procurement platform and provide third party verification of products transacted on the site.

ShipParts.com will establish an ‘IRClass Pavilion’ on the platform to provide certified Indian suppliers with an established digital route to international maritime markets. It will also be authorised to introduce IRClass services to both China and international manufacturers looking to access the sub-continent’s maritime sector.

H V Ramesh, Sr. Principal Surveyor and Vice President, IRS, said: “The agreement we have signed with one of the maritime world’s leading e-commerce platforms marks a new chapter of cooperation that is underpinned by our common business values and digital growth aspirations.”

The Indian maritime sector has strong growth potential and the Government has taken several initiatives to boost the maritime industry.

Roy Yap, Chief Growth Officer (CGO), ShipParts.com said: “India has long been an integral part of the international maritime industry, providing the sector with shipbuilding and repair capacity, quality equipment and services, and professional seafarers and maritime executives. Poised for growth, ShipParts.com is pleased to provide another digital channel for Indian manufacturers and service providers to the world stage with IRClass certification and verification.”

Pictured, left to right, are: Bai Guoping, IRS Country Manager; H V Ramesh, Senior Principal Surveyor and VP, IRS; Roy Yap, CGO, ShipParts.com; and David Luan, CEO, ShipParts.com u

The agreement we have signed with one of the maritime world’s leading e-commerce platforms marks a new chapter of cooperation that is underpinned by our common business values and digital growth aspirations “ ”

H V Ramesh, Sr. Principal Surveyor and Vice President, IRS

New regulations see overhaul of lifejackets

By Felicity Landon

The latest SOLAS regulations are driving manufacturers to rework lifejacket designs. SOLAS requires lifejackets to be placed so that they are readily accessible and their position plainly indicated. When it comes to the mega cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers, compliance is obviously going to be a challenge – how can ‘accessibility’ be ensured at any point in the ship?

The response has been a dramatic increase in the number of lifejackets being carried, with some cruise ships taking up to four times as many as the minimum requirement. Lifejackets take up valuable space – hence the push to produce more compact designs.

Marine safety and survival specialist Survitec has upgraded lifejacket buoyancy to meet the demand from the passenger vessel market for greater performance. It has re-engineered its Premier lifejacket range, going beyond the regulatory requirement to deliver a minimum 150 Newton buoyance. The increase in buoyancy and comfort follows a growing trend across the cruise ship sector to increase lifejacket capacity onboard, says the company.

“Cruise ships typically carry substantially more lifejackets onboard than the mandatory requirement, with lifejackets and lockers now located in all cabins, public areas, staterooms,

assembly areas, and embarkation points,” said Mark Lutman, Survitec’s Global Technical Sales Manager, LSA. “While this additional capacity can take up more space, operators have been looking at ways of improving safety without detriment to lifejacket performance. Based on feedback from leading operators we have been able to increase buoyancy to a minimum 150 Newton without increasing the overall size of the lifejacket.”

Nigel Parkes, Design Manager, Survitec, said: “There are international standards (ISO 12402-3) that sets 150 Newton as the minimum buoyancy level for an adult lifejacket, which we believe is the minimum buoyancy for a lifejacket to be used offshore.

“Research indicates that the level of buoyancy has a direct correlation with a lifejacket’s self-righting capability. The amount and position of that buoyancy will also determine a correct floating position in water; for example, low buoyancy products may cause bobbing up and down in a vertical position taking the airways closer to the water surface. Lifejackets with 150 Newton buoyancy help ensure the wearer floats in a safer position high above the waves, improving the chances of survival and increasing visibility.”

To enable these enhancements to the Premier Compact

lifejacket, Survitec increased the buoyancy at the top of the lifejacket and shaped the foam around the buckle to allow for easier, more compact stacking and stowing.

Ten stowed adult jackets take up 0.182 cubic metres of space, compared to the 0.300 cubic metres area taken up by 10 original, 2010-designed Premier lifejackets. To give an idea of the space saving, Survitec says it was possible to ship a recent order of 19,865 Premier Compact lifejackets in seven shipping containers instead of nine. The adult version of the jacket has packed dimensions of 440 x 280 x 146mm and is sized to fit a chest girth of 1,750mm. Crew and child versions are also available.

“We are seeing a shift in lifejacket safety as part of the new era of large cruise ships,” said Mark Lutman. “In the past, operators have tended to conform to the mandatory requirement – but the sheer scale of the modern cruise ships means that it takes time to move from one place to another.”

This has resulted in operators ordering in excess of 15,000 lifejackets so that they can be strategically placed around the ship, he explained.

Marine lifesaving equipment and accessories producer EVAL, based in Athens, has launched ‘FERRY’, its new series of compact inflatable adult lifejackets designed for an emergency situation on passenger ships.

‘FERRY’ is manufactured according to the internationally harmonised standards ISO 12402 regulations, said EVAL marketing manager Andreas Soulidis.

“This new inflatable adult lifejacket is lightweight and stored in a compact, airtight, easy opening plastic bag, that make it easy to don and use. It can even be stored underneath

the passenger’s seat or compartment, offering quick access in emergency situations,” he said.

The new lifejacket was designed entirely by EVAL, in its specialised R&D department, taking into account market needs and developing the company’s SOLAS and CE inflatable lifejacket range, he added. The lifejacket is produced at EVAL’s factory in Greece, using the company’s equipment, experience and knowhow.

The ‘FERRY’ range is offered in two main buoyancy versions, of 120N and 160N, with micro manual or MK5 automatic UML inflator. The pack size is 39 x 24 x 5 cm and the lifejackets can be equipped with all EVAL SOLAS approved lifejacket lights.

We are seeing a shift in lifejacket safety as part of the new era of large cruise ships

Lutman, Survitec’s Global Technical Sales Manager, LSA

Founded in 1976, EVAL has its own manufacturing facilities of 5,500 square metres in Athens, and employs 70 people. It is a European manufacturer of MEDSOLAS and CE products, offering lifejackets, lifebuoys, lifejacket and lifebuoy lights and buoyancy aids. EVAL’s product range includes more than 6,000 codes of marine accessories, docking and anchoring, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, fishing and water sports equipment and it exports its products to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia and Canada. u

Mark

Lifeboat drill warnings

The shipping industry should consider the wider take-up of simulation/hydraulic testing methods to increase the safety of crew and minimise accidents during routine testing of Lifeboat Release and Retrieval Systems (LRRS), says Survitec. The company says the test considerably improves the overall of safety of personnel, better protects critical equipment from damage, reduces costs, and offers a testing method that is compliant with international regulations.

The safety of personnel during LRRS testing using established methods has on occasion fallen short, said Paul Watkins, Survitec’s Regulatory and Compliance Manager. “IACS (the International Association of Classification Societies) accepts hydraulic testing as a safer, more reliable method for lifeboat testing. This method should become a more widely adopted and approved test method,” he said.

Traditional LRRS testing methods require lifeboats, weighted with cast iron, water bags or sandbags, to be lowered to just above the water and then for the release gear to be operated manually – with considerable risks involved for personnel.

In September 2019, DNV GL issued a circular regarding the continued accidents that occur when lifesaving equipment is tested, urging owners and operators to learn the lessons from previous calamities. Crew members were becoming increasingly apprehensive during launching and recovery drills, said the classification society.

“Hydraulic testing ensures that minimal personnel need to be onboard the lifeboat during the overload test,” said Mr Watkins at Survitec. “It is also 100% safer.”

Survitec’s portable, calibrated LRRS Hydraulic test kit is set up so with hydraulic rams that are temporarily fitted to the release hooks; the pressure is gradually increased until the equivalent to 1.1 times the maximum load on the hooks.

Tests can be carried out on a quayside or yard location, or with the lifeboat suspended on the maintenance pendants in the davits if operational requirements dictate.

The Survitec LRRS test applies a load onto the davit and lifeboat release system that is equivalent to 10% over the required load. Once that load is applied, the release system

can be tested to make certain that it operates successfully under the severe load conditions. The system comprises interconnecting pipes, a calibrated hydraulic pump, hydraulic rams and appropriate instrumentation.

“The hydraulic test method is particularly useful when the vessel is in dry dock or if the weather conditions or other external factors make launching the lifeboat unsafe,” said Mr Watkins.

“The wider adoption of hydraulic testing can significantly improve the safety of crew taking part in lifesaving equipment test. The method not only safeguards personnel against injury, it can reduce the costs associated with accidents, including the costs of delaying a vessel that needs to repair damaged lifesaving equipment.” u

Viking wins Greek tender

Viking Life-Saving Equipment was recently declared the winning bidder in a tender covering three offshore high-speed ambulance boats that will support emergency services in the Aegean Sea.

Due for delivery in summer 2020, the ambulance boats will operate from remote islands in the Aegean. They will be built at the Viking Norsafe facility in Thiva, Greece, using the Viking Norsafe Munin S1200 design and equipped with twin stretchers, resuscitation devices and all necessary medical equipment to help perform rescue operations, medical evacuations and other emergency missions in harsh weather conditions. This is the first time that the Hellenic Coast Guard has incorporated ambulance boats into its fleet. u

Achieving more protection with fewer coats

By Davide Ippolito, Head of Marine Group Product Management, Hempel

Although a sweeping statement, it is not too bold to say that the challenges facing the shipping industry have rarely been greater. The operating environment across almost every shipping segment is growing gradually more complex and less predictable in the face of a rapidly evolving regulatory agenda and a global economy in flux. Of course, there are exceptions, but there is good reason for owners and operators – entire supply chains in fact – to make operational decisions and investments with caution.

Alongside this is the need to consider the longer-term issue of how maritime supply chains can further reduce their environmental footprints, while ensuring profitability and meeting the needs of consumers in the coming decades. With these pressures mounting, there are more than a few challenges facing shipo wners and operators.

That said, it is important to keep a level perspective. Changes can be managed, and challenges overcome by taking a pragmatic approach to improving operations. This includes investing in technologies that improve operational efficiencies and enhance flexibility on several fronts. This includes using next-generation hull coatings solutions that make every trading opportunity an option.

One solution is Hempaguard MaX, the latest innovation from global coatings manufacturer Hempel. This unique three-coat hull coating system delivers three vitally important operational benefits: reduced fuel requirements due to lower friction; protection across all marine environments, on all trades; and the option of sitting idle or slow steaming for months at a time.

These three benefits alone significantly widen the operational parameters available to the ship owner and operator, allowing them to respond to changing market needs while reducing fuel consumption and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

This is thanks to the unique synergy of three separate but

complementary coats that make up the Hempaguard MaX system: Hempaprime Immerse 900, Nexus II and Hempaguard X8. Comprising just three layers– as opposed to a standard five-coat solution – the coating can be applied quickly, saving up to two days in dry dock (and reducing the associated costs). It is due to the unique way in which these three layers work and interact that Hempaguard MaX provides an unparalleled level of protection in all waters.

To optimise fuel requirements, Hempaguard MaX reduces drag by delivering a smoother hull and a guaranteed maximum speed loss of 1.2% over five years (according to ISO 19030). This is owed to the low average hull roughness (AHR) level delivered by the whole coating system and improved fouling protection capabilities. At a time when marginal gains from operational savings are driving the competitive landscape, these savings are a business-critical measure.

Currently, many vessels are not adequately equipped to sail between very warm and very cold waters due to the limitations of their hull coating or are particularly prone to the build-up of biofouling when slow steaming – an operational measure which will likely be a key undertaking in the shipping industry’s efforts to reduce emissions in the coming years.

The superior antifouling performance properties of the Hempaguard MaX system make it possible for the vessel to sail with a very wide operational profile and sit completely idle for up to 120 consecutive days. It only needs to move short distances before it can sit idle for a further 120 days.

With markets become increasingly unpredictable, this ability to send vessels to any location, to take them out-of-action or opt to run them at a lower speed will create a significant competitive advantage. This flexibility and control will help owners and operators to manage change, to mitigate risk and to navigate the regulatory challenges ahead. u

Ports gaining green credentials

By Felicity Landon

January 1st, 2020: the date on which the IMO’s global sulphur cap finally entered force, mandating ships to use fuel with a maximum 0.5% sulphur content, or to install scrubbers. This has been the culmination of years of discussion over shipping’s responsibility to reduce emissions and, across the board, become a great deal greener.

Ports are also part of the picture. The focus, and pressure, has increased on ports, in recognition that the whole maritime sector needs to become more environmentally sound.

As IMO maritime ambassador Carleen Lyden-Walker said recently: “Ports and ships are inextricably linked – the greater the collaboration to meet common goals, the greater chance of success.”

Indeed, ports are not only ‘doing their bit’ in terms of their own operations, but they are also supporting and even incentivising their shipping ‘customers’ to step up their game.

The Port of London Authority was the first port in the UK to offer a discount for oceangoing vessels with lower emissions. Its ‘green tariff’ was introduced in 2017 and initially offered a 5% discount on port charges for ships with an ESI score of 30 or above. In 2019 the discount was upped to 10%. From the start of 2020, a two-tier system was introduced – offering a 20% discount for vessels with an ESI score of 50 or more.

The PLA also determinedly promotes and encourages the use of the River Thames as a ‘superhighway’ in order to take thousands of trucks off the capital’s roads. It is closing in on a target of 4m tonnes of freight per year carried by river;

that doesn’t include major infrastructure projects such as the Tideway tunnel being excavated underneath London, which is making maximum use of the river for transporting spoil out and pretty much everything in.

While the PLA’s green tariff applies to international shipping, there are plans for a similar discount scheme for intra-port traffic. In September 2019, the PLA organised a Greening Inland Shipping conference which focused on how new fuels and technologies can help to reduce emissions in this sector.

But for sheer perseverance, the story of Peruvian Wharf must take the prize. The PLA fought a 17-year planning and legal battle to prevent the wharf being developed for residential use. Finally, it was able to buy the site for £3m and bring it back into use, handling cargo again for the first time in 20 years. Peruvian, where Brett Aggregates is now the principal tenant, is one of 50 strategically placed wharfs protected by the Mayor of London’s ‘safeguarding’ policy for cargo handling.

This success was followed up by the purchase in 2019 of Royal Primrose Wharf, next door to Peruvian. “This is a really important step both for the river and the PLA,” said PLA Chief Executive Robin Mortimer. “With Peruvian and Royal Primrose secured, we have a cargo handling core on this stretch of the river, adjacent to other industrial uses, including the Tate & Lyle factory and Tarmac concrete batching plant. Clusters of users in strategic industrial land

like this are essential as we continue to make the most of the Thames to serve our growing mega city.

“Royal Primrose is ideally located to serve the ongoing development of London, which is increasingly focused on East London. Wharves like these are key to realising the green benefits of river transport. Moving bulk materials by water keeps lorries off our congested roads, is the most carbon efficient transport option, reducing emissions and climate change.”

In the northeast of Scotland, Orkney is also out in front on sustainability. Port operations are run by the marine services department of Orkney Islands Council. It emphasises that Scapa Flow, the world’s second largest natural harbour, has pristine waters – clean enough for merchant vessels to produce potable water in harbour – despite it being an oil port and the main North European site for ship-to-ship operations.

“

It has the world’s largest floating tidal turbine and has had the world’s most productive wave energy machine. A wide range of wind turbines are run by individual, council, community and commercial operators.

Between wind and tide, Orkney produces 125% of its energy needs – and uses hydrogen production to store the excess. In a project called Surf N Turf, an electrolyser on Kirkwall Pier converts hydrogen produced in Orkney from wind/tide

Ports and ships are inextricably linked – the greater the collaboration to meet common goals, the greater chance of success

ambassador

”

Beaches and waters are tested on a continuous basis and the harbour procedures for ballast water are the most rigorous in the UK, to protect the numerous marine protected areas and the Natura site, a saline lagoon, at the Loch of Stenness.

Orkney is also a pioneer in renewable projects. Home of the European Marine Energy Centre, it has test sites for wave and tidal devices at both full scale and incubator levels.

back into electricity to provide shore power to internal ferries whilst berthed overnight. There is also a hydrogen vehicle refuelling station on the edge of the harbour.

Orkney is working with partners to develop Scotland’s first LNG bunkering hub, which is particularly important as it is the UK’s busiest cruise ship destination and 30% of cruise ships being built will be LNG fuelled.

Carleen Lyden, IMO maritime

Meanwhile, a 1.5 MW system under construction in Stromness will provide shore electricity to the Stromness to Scrabster roro ferry Hamnavoe while it is berthed overnight/ during the day – a project that will cut the equivalent of 860 diesel cars and eliminate noise.

The harbour has worked with Orkney College to develop courses for marine crew operating/using compressed gas (hydrogen) onboard passenger ferries.

Orkney Island Council is a member of the HYSEAS III (EU Horizon 2020) project which is carrying out detailed technical and commercial studies and trials for the design of a hydrogen powered ferry. If successful, the project will move on to the construction of a hydrogen ro-ro ferry for trials and use on the Kirkwall to Shapinsay service in the Orkney Islands.

Shifting to greener vessels and fuels to reduce or eliminate emissions “isn’t going to be a free choice for operators for very much longer – five to 10, perhaps,” PLA Chairman Christopher Rodrigues told delegates at the Greening Inland Shipping conference. “You need to think about it, and so do we. At the PLA we talk a lot about how do we create a green river? We have to show leadership.”

Anyone speaking out for improving air quality was hardly going to be shouted down, he said – but he added: “We are all going to have to confront change. I think the regulatory horizon is going to tighten in on us much more quickly than people might think.” u

Launch of innovative new healthcare platform

Global maritime medical operations and healthcare solutions provider VIKAND Solutions is set to launch what is said to be the first all-inclusive total healthcare solution platform for the shipping industry.

The company, based in Fort Lauderdale, US has become a Certified Inmarsat Application Provider to deliver the new platform. VIKAND HealthNet integrates all aspects of healthcare and medical operations for vessel owners and operators, utilising the latest satellite communication tools and medical technology, supported by an experienced maritime medical team. The technology is said to be easy to use and very affordable requiring limited bandwidth, making it broadly available to the commercial shipping and energy industry. Its partner, Inmarsat, is a world leader in global, mobile satellite communications.

VIKAND

HealthNet’s Total Healthcare Solution will cover all aspects of the vessel owners’ ongoing healthcare needs including urgent care, monthly house doctor calls, chronic disease management,

crew wellness, medical chest management, medical equipment technical support, a customised mental health programme and 24/7 medical emergency support hot-line.

It will launch in the first quarter of 2020 and will be an Inmarsat Certified Application providing the service over a Dedicated Bandwidth APN on Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress service, which is currently installed on over 7,500 vessels worldwide.

“By providing this application we will offer a unique opportunity to provide global seafarers all over the world with easy access to healthcare, focusing on early intervention, a key in healthcare not available onboard ships today. This will ensure a much safer and healthier environment onboard offering our seafarers an opportunity to leave the ship healthier than when they joined. Our shared vision for our partnership is to ensure a healthier environment onboard ships, early intervention when seafarers are not well and a rapid support system in the event of an emergency, utilising the communication strength of Inmarsat. This is a perfect combination of technology driving value,” said Peter Hult, CEO of VIKAND.

“We are delighted that VIKAND will become a Certified Application Provider for our Dedicated Bandwidth service over Fleet Xpress,” said Marco Cristoforo Camporeale, Head of Digital Solutions, Inmarsat. “This partnership will help save lives at sea by helping diagnose medical problems quicker and allowing companies to respond earlier in case of medical emergencies.” u

Confusion for some over new signage regulations

New regulations which stipulate the use of updated safety signage are occasionally being misinterpreted by some Port State Control officers.

This is the view of Maritime Progress, the UK-based company which supplies among its products life-saving signs, means of escape signs, fire-fighting equipment signs and emergency signs to a whole range of vessels across the maritime industry.

The IMO resolution A.116 (30) provides a number of new updated signs across life-saving, means of escape and emergency equipment signs which should be used on ships built after 1st January 2019 and by all existing vessels at their first major repair or refit.

However, Debbie Egan, Director at Maritime Progress, said: “Some of our customers are informing us that the Port State Control officers are asking them to update signs immediately.” She said it is interesting to make ship owners aware of this fact.

“Some of our customers are informing us that the Port State Control officers are asking them to update their signs even though there isn’t a requirement at this moment in time,” she said. “Though there isn’t anything wrong with that, they might not have to do it at this present time.”

Maritime Progress is a family-run business with over 20 years’ experience and a BS EN ISO 9001:2015 Quality assurance accredited company. All products are industry standard quality and legislatively correct adhering to marine standards and codes.

Business Development Manager Paul Fox is concerned that some people will order signage from the internet and may not necessarily be buying good quality – or even correct – signage.

“The way we differentiate ourselves is the fact that we have moved over into more of a UV market with the printing,” he said.

“UV is obviously the way forward in that the machines we use are very eco-friendly and there is also the advantage that

we can turn things around really quickly. It is not a case that we have to products and keep them on our shelves. We can turn signs around in the same day with the equipment we have.”

He added: “With the machinery coming out now, the quality is a lot better and it lasts longer especially with UV because if signs are out in the sunlight as well, especially on superyachts, then they don’t fade.”

Ms Egan said: “We brought Paul onboard because although maritime is well-known for photo luminescent signage and the vinyl, quite a percentage of our work is bespoke, and yet this is not really known.”

One specialised area in bespoke is superyachts. “Because everything is done in-house here, we have a good market,” she said.

Maritime Progress can print onto all forms of substrates from paper, vinyl, photo luminescent materials, rigid PVC, glass, wood, metal and much more.

Mr Fox added: “One of the reasons I came here and was excited to come here was the guys in production and the equipment they have. They are very technical and care about the work that goes out the door.”

Photoluminscent products are a key offering for the company and Ms Egan said this provided a safety aspect at a very economical value.

Maritime Progress’ photoluminescent material, manufactured by the company are certified by Lloyds Register to comply with the MED (Marine Equipment Directive) that covers fire resistance and glow properties (PSPA class B range) required for the component parts of LLL and wayfinding systems. The same material is used for all standard photoluminescent signage.

“When you talk about emergency signage and wayfinding, one of the aspects that is important with photoluminescent is

its ability to provide spatial awareness as opposed to not just illumination,” she explained.

“It is well-known that people who are in hazardous situations can panic and act with shock, so if you provide them with instruction and guidance this is going to reduce the risk and impact on their incidence. For example, if there’s a door you have to go through or a handle you have to find, by marking this with photoluminescent you can actually see it and act effectively. Similarly with smoke filled spaces photoluminescent will provide efficient spatial awareness which may not always be afforded by electric lighting.”

Another area Ms Egan wants to highlight is the emergency signage surrounding disabled people on ships.

“Where disabled people are concerned, signage tends to focus on getting passengers onto the vessels and facilitating their movement around the ship. However, the safe evacuation of disabled people should also be taken into consideration and here again dedicated emergency signage has its role.” u

“

When you talk about emergency signage and wayfinding, one of the aspects that is important with photoluminescent is its ability to provide spatial awareness as opposed to not just illumination

Debbie Egan, Director at Maritime Progress

”

Emergency Signage

ISSA 64 Busan:

one of the best yet

For some it might have been their first visit to South Korea, but it certainly won’t be their last as the beautiful port city of Busan proved why it is such a draw to visitors to this part of the world.

Reputed to be the home of the world’s largest department store, Busan is a heady mix of shipping and maritime activity, South Korean traditional culture and tourism. The beach front at Haeundae is also acknowledged as one of the finest in the country.

And so the scene was set for ISSA 64 and the near 500 visitors, delegates and exhibitors, not to mention the VIP guests and conference speakers, who settled in for what was to prove to be one of the best Conventions for many years.

Even before the excitement of the conference and the exhibition got underway, ISSA Executive Board members and their National Assembly colleagues, gathered to have their annual board meetings in the splendour of the Haeundae Grand Hotel. Two successful meetings that proved to be the perfect start to Convention week.

ISSA Convention

The hard work that had gone into putting together the ISSA 64 Trade Show and Exhibition was there for all to see – an impressive array of exhibition stands, all waiting for the crowds to arrive. A vote of thanks has to go to our own Senior Executive Vice President Abdul Hameed Hajah for the dedication he showed to the task of making it an impressive display. In particular, it was a great achivement due to strong support from the Korean government, with the Busan Port Authority, Busan Metropolitan City and the ship supply industry all cooperating with each other.

Convention is an important, and enjoyable, event to do business and network with contacts, new and old, as well as take advantage of the many engaging plenary sessions. In particular, it was a great achievement due to strong support from the Korean government, the Busan Port Authority, Busan Metropolitan City and the ship supply sector all cooperating with each other. This event could not have been a success without our sponsors and in particular, the generous contributions from our event sponsors Busan Port Authority and Busan Metropolitan City.

The ISSA B2B meeting with ship owners, the first of its kind in recent memory to be part of the programme, was also a resounding success. This was done on a first come first served basis with delegates able to book highly-sought after private appointments with shipowners based on a schedule.

It was a delight to welcome Douglas Inch once again as Convention Master of Ceremonies, ably assisted by a Korean

colleague who very expertly tripped between expert English and Korean to bring an element of lustre to the proceedings.

Following a moving and exciting Cultural Performance featuring traditional Korean dance it was straight into opening remarks by Young-Deuk Kim, President of Korean Shipsuppliers and Services Association. Mr Kim proved all week what an excellent host he and the KSSA have been and his gracious manner and welcoming comments were witnessed by all.

This was followed by a welcome remark by ISSA President Saeed Al Malik, who looked forward to the networking and discussion during the two days of conference debate. Mr Malik also thanked the VIP guests and invited speakers for coming to ISSA 64 and reflected on the importance of collaboration and cooperation between owners, managers and ship suppliers as the shipping industry looked ahead to an exciting future influenced by smart technology and even smarter thinking.

Danny Lien, President of the Singapore Association of Shipsuppliers and Services (SASS), also took a few minutes to welcome guests to what he accurately described as the beautiful port city of Busan before handing the stage over to Seong-Wan Byun, Busan’s Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs, to make some congratulatory remarks. It was then the turn of Young-Moo Kim, Vice-President of Korea Shipowners’ Association to address delegates, who listened warmly thanks to the excellent translating skills of the fellow MC.

ISSA is a strong supporter of the International Maritime Organization and attends many of its meetings as a hard-working Non -Governmental Organisation. So, it was a proud moment for ISSA and the delegates to watch and listen to video presentations not only by Seong-Hyeok Moon, Minister of Oceans & Fisheries but also by H.E. Kitack Li, IMO Secretary General, who took the time to talk about the important role ISSA plays as an NGO at the IMO.

Following Mr Lim is always a hard act but Joon-Soo Jon, Chair Professor of Korea Maritime University, did an excellent job delivering a keynote speech.

One of the highlights of the first day of Convention, which had as its theme the Future of Ship Suppliers & Services.

In The 4th Industrial Revolution, is the ringing of the ISSA Bell which was carried out with aplomb by the ISSA Senior Executive Vice President Mr Abdul Hameed Hajah, VIPs and the senior figures of ISSA, SASS and the KSSA. With that part of the formalities over with, it was then time for delegates to network and meet friends old and new as they visited the trade stands.

Session two of the morning session was on us before we knew it with the title the Asian Perspective whetting

delegates’ appetites. Jong-Kyun Woo, Professor of Tongmyong University, Korea, engaged the audience with an oversight of the Impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution on the Shipping, Port and Logistics Industries before handing over the microphone to Song Seng Wun, Director of CIMB Private Banking, who gave a scintillating paper on Global Trade Wars and its Impact on Global Economies & Shipping. In line with the Convention theme, Kyoung-Jun Lee, Professor of Kyung Hee University, Korea talked about the Status and Prospect of Artificial Intelligence Applications. It was then up to Poon King Wang, Director of Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, to discuss the Impact of 4IR on the Future of Talent, Jobs, and Cities.

A debate on the Korean Perspective was next on the cards with Do-Hyung Koo, General Manager of Busan Port Authority, talking at length about Supportive Measures for the Growth of Port-Related Industry in Busan Port. Ki-Tae KIM, Associate Professor of Youngsan University, Korea, then talked about Arctic Shipping and Ship Supply in Busan Port while Jae-Won Lee, Director of Busan Techno Park discussed the heady subject of Industrial Status and Development Plan for Ship Supply Business in Busan Port. Chan-Ho Kim, Director & Associate Research Fellow of Korea Maritime Institute then finished off Session II by talking about A Development Way of Ship-Supply Industry in the era of 4th Industrial Revolution.

The thrill of the afternoon was a high-level speech by Mark O’Neil, CEO of Columbia Shipmanagement, who discussed in detail about Enhancing and Capturing Value through Performance Optimisation in Vessel Operation and Supply. The role of digitalisation in the shipping industry is a hot topic at the moment and Mark explained why many of the world’s owners and managers were looking in detail at how digitalisation can improve the way they work, especially when it comes to procurement. Day one finished with another opportunity to network around the trade exhibition before the obligatory Cocktail Networking Reception.

Day two started a little more serenely with a Global Perspective session looking at the broader issue of Digitisation And a Smarter Future: AI And Robotics And Ship Supply. Moderated expertly by Danny Lien, President of the Singapore Association of Shipsuppliers & Services (SASS), we were first of all informed by four very strong keynote speeches by George Vassiliades, Managing Director of General Procurement Company Limited (GenPro), who talked about the important subject of The Optimization Puzzle: Architecting Efficiencies. He was then followed by Christian Ioannou, Founder and Managing Director of Marine Catering Training Consultancy (MCTC) Marine Ltd, who spoke about the importance food procurement and overcoming the issues of food waste onboard ship.

Addressing delegates on the heady subject of Maritime Catering – The Future, Christian prompted gasps from the audience when he announced that 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted globally each year, a figure that is equal to one third of all food produced for human consumption. Worrying statistics indeed.

This was the result of a number of issues such as overplanting by farmers in case of adverse weather and who will end up with a surplus if the conditions are favourable as well as instances of damaged produce or low yields in some lowincome countries due to limitations in harvesting technology. Produce is also lost in the way it is handled, transported, stored or processed after harvest.

Samuel Ng, Chief Operating Officer of IPO SG, then enlightened delegates on the important issue of Navigating your Organization in this Digital Era. A very strong panel session then followed featured a number of speaker heavyweights: Joon-Soo Jon, Chair Professor of Korea Maritime University; Capt. Vijay Rangroo, Managing Director of MTM Ship Management; Thomas Tan, a Partner at Haridass Ho & Partners; Tom Chen, Founder and President of Golden Harvest Shipping

Service Co., Ltd, and Song Seng Wun, Director of CIMB Private Banking. All debating the important issue of Trade Wars and their impact on the shipping industry.

Panel sessions represent great opportunities for debate and counter argument and this was the case with Session IV which looked at the whole issue of Ship Supply’s Digital Future: an Interactive Discussion with Experts on the Smart Future of Ship Supply and the Role of E-commerce. Moderated by Sean Moloney, MD of Elaborate Communications and ISSA Secretary, the high level panellists were Saeed Al Malik, President of ISSA; George Vassiliades, Managing Director of General Procurement Company Limited (GenPro); Capt. Vijay Rangroo, Managing Director of MTM Ship Management; and Christian Ioannou, Founder and Managing Director of Marine Catering Training Consultancy (MCTC) Marine Ltd.

Following a legal perspective from Thomas Tan, partner at Haridass Ho & Partners, it was then time for the traditional Questions from the Floor. Convention would never be the same without this session and it was good to see excellent participation from Columbia Shipmanagement and MTM Ship Management.

Following a final opportunity to network around the exhibition, it was then time for the Gala Dinner and the handing over of the ISSA Flag to next year’s Convention host, Australia. This event could not have been a success without our sponsors and in particular, the generous contributions from our event sponsors Busan Port Authority and Busan Metropolitan City. Roll on ISSA 65 in Sydney – if it is anything like this year’s Convention it will be one not to be missed! u

Select your agents wisely

By ISSA’s legal expert Bruce Hailey

“Commission Agents” are a common feature of the ship supply sector. Such agents are prevalent in Greece, but are also a feature of many other markets as well. The agent sits between the supplier and the owner/manager, to manage the supply process. Some owners, in particular in Greece, prefer not to deal directly with suppliers and therefore commission agents represent an important means of accessing the Greek market for many suppliers.

In a true agency situation, the agent passes on quotes and invoices issued by the supplier and the contractual relationship exists between the supplier and the owner. The agent is simply that, an agent representing the supplier in front of the customer and the identity of the supplier is wellknown to the owner.

There are some very good commission agents, however in our experience these good agents are significantly outnumbered by the bad, unprofessional and, sadly, outright dishonest. Both suppliers and owners should be very careful in the selection of agents with whom they work, ensuring they only work with those who have a proven track record for integrity.

Although the agent represents the supplier, if problems arise with the agent then the owner is likely to face administrative and legal issues alongside the supplier. The owner, as well as the supplier, also has an interest in ensuring that only honest agents are utilised in the supply chain.

Suppliers should satisfy themselves that the agent’s primary interest is to them, presenting only reliable owners and working to ensure the supplier’s interests are safeguarded. All too often we see agents who prioritise the portfolio of owners over the suppliers that they work with.

The supplier relies on the agent to pass on quotations in their fullest terms, making clear, for example, that credit terms are understood and discounts applicable only where timely payment is made. The ISSA Conditions should be referenced

in the quotes, and the identity of the supplier clearly stated by the agent. Invoices must be delivered promptly and followed up to ensure timely payment.

The common problems with “bad” agents are:

1. Aligning themselves more closely to the owner than the supplier, and therefore favouring the interests of the owner over the supplier. Not pressing for payment, nor insisting upon payment of interest and failing to disapply discounts as required.

2. Failing to vet owners carefully, or at all, and thus presenting business from disreputable owners who are unlikely to pay, promptly or at all;

3. Failing to identify the true customer (for example, dealing with a trader but representing to the supplier that the contract is direct with the owner);

4. Without authority, failing to identify the supplier, and switching the supplier’s quotations and invoices with their own, or asking suppliers to issue delivery notes on the agents headed paper

5. Collecting money from an owner and failing to pass it on promptly, or at all.

It is important to have clear agreement on commissions – what is payable and when? Consider incentivising the agents, maybe lower commissions for late payment. The limits of the agent’s responsibilities should be clearly agreed. Who will be responsible for managing any legal actions required to collect overdue accounts?

Agents can be vey beneficial to suppliers, provided that they are selected wisely and the relationships managed carefully. Suppliers should not simply accept every opportunity brought to them by an agent, and the supplier should undertake its own due diligence on the customers presented.

When you find a good agent, listen to them. Good agents know their market better than you, and if they recommend that your keep away from certain business then it is usually wise to take note. u

Learning the lessons of 2019

By Roger Symes, Director, Marine Debt Management

As a New Year starts it has been good to look back over debt collection cases handled for ISSA members during the past 12 months. These highlight four areas of increased concern, when compared to previous years.

Firstly, state-ownership of a shipping company is not a guarantee of timely payment. Several government owned shipping companies are now in serious financial trouble. There are many reasons for this, including lack of investment over many years, restrictions on state aid and the fact that such companies are no longer considered to be of strategic importance. Ship suppliers must evaluate the risk of granting credit terms to a state-owned company as they would any other customer.

Secondly, multi-national ship owning groups and diversified conglomerates which include a shipping division are shifting to managing cash at group level. They are centralising the collection of monies and the payment of suppliers. This means the company you deal with no longer has control over when its suppliers are paid. The accounts payable team is in a different office, perhaps in a different country and reports to a different manager. It is far removed from the shipmanagement team and its suppliers. If you suspect this is the reason for payment delays, ask your customer how to get priority for your invoices or for who to contact at group level.

Thirdly, private equity investors are increasing their involvement in the shipping industry, often acquiring companies at a discount from loss-making owners anxious to sell or compelled to do so by current lenders. Such investors see ships as assets to be traded, rather than as long-term investments. Their backers are attracted by the large cash sums flowing in and out of the shipping company’s bank accounts and the potential to better “manage” that money. Managers who are more interested in money management than ship management care little when ship suppliers are paid. If a customer changes ownership, it is time to revaluate the credit risk, even if you have been assured it is “business as usual”!

Finally, whilst consolidation continues to dominate, at the other end of the spectrum we are seeing more small third-party shipmanagement companies being established, often incorporated in one country but trading from another. Such companies are frequently the result of a manager or superintendent leaving a major ship management company and taking a single ship owning client with him. The desire to own one’s own business is understandable but being wholly reliant upon a single ship-owning client can be problematic. In seeking to grow, such ship management companies may take on clients other ship managers have declined, thereby compounding problems. Whenever a vessel changes management, a new credit risk assessment should be made, even if your personal contacts move with the vessel to the new management company.

As I discussed in the last issue of ‘ The Ship Supplier ’, 2020 will present additional challenges for the whole of the shipping industry. Ship suppliers will be put under increased pressure to cut prices further, without compromising on either quality or service. Whilst there is no way for ship suppliers to guarantee they will avoid bad debts, the best protection is to invest in knowing and understanding your customers better, be they longstanding clients or first-time buyers. u

ISSA and Ship Supply News

ISSA Assembly members re-elected

At the recent ISSA General Assembly, held prior to the 64th annual Convention in Busan, South Korea, three ISSA Assembly members were re-elected.

Jim Costalos, ISSA Representative for the Australian Ship Suppliers & Services Association; Alfredo Tosato ISSA Representative for the Itallian Shipsuppliers Assocciation, and John Davey ISSA Representative for the British Association of Ship Suppliers were all re-elected in a secret ballot at the Assembly Meeting on Thursday 7th November.

ISSA Executive Board members and National Assembly colleagues gathered to have their annual board meetings in the Haeundae Grand Hotel – two successful meetings which provided the perfect start to what was a very successful Convention. u

Alfredo Tosato

Jim Costalos

John Davey

New ISSA Members

R & J Trading

RJ Complex (1st Floor)

1 Lane No 6

Bushandhara, R/A, North Agrabad

Halishare

Chittagong

Bangladesh

Tel: + 880 31 252364/2525349

Fax: + 880 31 2523694

Email: info@rjtradingbd.com; supply@rjtradingbd.com

Website: www.rjtradingbd.com

Oceantra Ship Supply & Trading Int’l

Abedins, House No # 3, Road # 3 Lane # 5 , Chittagong

4100

Bangladesh

Tel: + 880 17 93001449

Fax: + 880 19 71555707

Email: inquiry@oceantraship.com

Website: www.oceantraship.com

Clever Ship Supply SAS

Carrera 71 No. 74 94

Barranquilla, Atlantico

080001

Colombia

Tel: +57 312 659 7161 / 300 500 0485

Fax: +57 035 3003372

Email: sales@clevershipsupply.com; manager@clevershipsupply.com

Website: www.clevershipsupply.com

ChartCo and Marine Press merge to create OneOcean

Global integrated digital navigation and voyage compliance provider ChartCo has merged with Canadian award-winning navigation solutions provider Marine Press. The move will result in the creation of a new company, OneOcean.

Martin Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of ChartCo, an ISSA member, announced the merger, saying: “Following the success of three recent acquisitions, we have been looking to further expand our business. We identified Marine Press as a like-minded partner that would complement our own business and expand the offerings to our growing international client base. Marine Press has created game-changing navigation software and award-winning products and services that will complement our own integrated digital navigation products to really create a huge step forward for both of our customer bases.”

He continued: “The new OneOcean business will reflect the collaboration, knowledge and expertise of both companies and build on our individual strengths of research and development, service and support and territorial reach. I believe clients of both companies will see an immediate and comprehensive benefit to the move, and I am really looking forward to working with Nicholas and his team as part of this merger.”

Nicholas Bourque, President of Marine Press, added: “This is a great opportunity for the Marine Press team and our clients, and I am looking forward to the creation of this new global company and the joining of our two businesses. OneOcean will have, by far, the largest R&D capability in the sector and will offer the most innovative solutions for maritime compliance and digital navigation. The technology roadmap that the combined group is working on is really exciting, building on ‘best in class’ solutions from both organisations, and will take ship management into a new digital era.”

The merger of these global leaders will provide extensive R&D opportunities towards the development of digital maritime solutions. OneOcean’s continued investment in

innovation will drive the maritime sector forward, with the overall aim of reinforcing safer, cleaner and more efficient working practices throughout the shipping industry.

During the coming months, the two companies will transition to a single OneOcean business operation. Until then, existing sales and service operations of both ChartCo and Marine Press will continue, and customer operations will remain unchanged.

OneOcean will be the largest single digital solutions company in the maritime industry, serving almost 20,000 vessels and a variety of shore-based stakeholders.

Pictured are Nicholas Bourque, President of Marine Press (left) and Martin Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of ChartCo (right). u

Nippon Paint Marine reports business expansion across coatings portfolio Market News

The total number of vessels applying Nippon Paint Marine hull coatings at drydock increased by 9% this year compared to the company’s 2018 figures.

In the 12-month period to June 2019, the marine coatings supplier, a division of Japan’s Nippon Paint, registered increased applications across all ship sectors, with growth in supply of underwater coatings to gas tankers, in particular, rising more than other types of vessels.

The number of gas carriers applying Nippon Paint Marine products jumped significantly by more than 30% during the period, followed by a 15% increase in the number of passenger vessels and cruise ships using the company’s coatings. Bulk carrier and general cargo ship applications increased by 7% and 4%, respectively.

Studying the detailed statistics of the products’ applications revealed that the company’s unique selfindicating epoxy coating NOA10M was the coating most frequently applied during the period. In fact, numerous Nippon Paint Marine’s dry-docking applications used the selfindicating coating during 2019.

Significant growth was also seen with the class-leading fuel saving coating A-LF-Sea and the company’s standard anti-fouling Ecoloflex, both of which saw an application increase of 15%. The number of ships using Nippon’s high-end copper silyl-acrylate anti-fouling Ecoloflex HyB, meanwhile, increased steadily.

Niko Yamanoue, Deputy Managing Director, Nippon Paint Marine (Europe) GMBH, said: “While we need to determine whether the increase correlates directly to an increase in the number of ships that drydocked this year, there has been substantial market interest in the self-indicating capability of the NOA10M product.

“The success of this product in ensuring applicators easily achieve correct paint film thickness, while reducing time and maintenance costs, has clearly had an impact.”

Yamanoue furthered that Nippon Paint Marine secured a higher number of gas carrier and passenger ship projects compared to the 2017 to 2018 period, which resulted in “a rise in up-take of our advanced low friction coatings”.

The imminent introduction of regulations to curb ship sulphur emissions has also resulted in an increase in orders for specialist coatings.

John Drew, Director, Nippon Paint Marine (Europe) GMBH, said: “There has certainly been a marked increase in orders to supply our NOA PC700 coating to shipyards retrofitting exhaust gas cleaning systems.

“Ship owners are specifying the system to safeguard scrubber wastewater discharge outlets against corrosion, and we anticipate further orders as the regulation takes effect,” he said. u

Ship operators can save money and increase quality

Ship operators can save thousands of dollars each year by streamlining their galley operations to optimise costs and reduce wastage.

Cyprus-headquartered catering management specialist MCTC advises that by reassessing galley costs and making simple strategic moves towards forward planning can make a big difference to vessel operating costs, which according to international accountant and shipping adviser BDO will see increases of 2.5% for 2019 and 2.7% for 2020.

“Ship owners and ship managers could be saving thousands of dollars each year in the galley. I’d estimate that we can save each vessel approximately $1,500 to $2,000 each year,” said MCTC’s Managing Director, Christian Ioannou.

Standardisation and streamlining are pivotal to cutting costs and reducing food waste. Industry surveys indicate that the world as a whole wastes some $2.6 trillion every year

– and shipping is not exempt from this wastage. In addition, port waste reception facility costs are increasing – making it essential on environmental and financial grounds to minimise food wastage at sea. MCTC specialises in providing a range of catering solutions, including weekly menus from its culinary training consultants which take into account the nationality and food preferences of the crew - thereby improving seafarer happiness as well as reducing costs.

Mr Ioannou revealed: “There’s a misinterpretation in ship owning companies that setting a budget for food will save money but it’s important to also include standardised catering methods too which maximise the efficient use of ship stores. MCTC looks at the bigger picture to develop standardised processes which streamline practises. It allows for more methodical procedures, effective catering and delegation of crews’ time.”

MCTC provides a full Catering Management System which covers the vessels entire catering needs. The structures allow for cost optimisation for shipowners and managers through an effective and efficient system. MCTC also provide bi-weekly topics from its in-house nutritionists, food technologists and chef consultants, with tasty weekly menus to keep crew satisfied.

The system works well, Mr Ioannou explained. “Our job is to save ship operators money while promoting healthy nutritious food for seafarers. We don’t cut corners but save money through our specialised programmes.”

On top of this, MCTC offers its Catering Management services hand in hand with its unique Catering Competency Development Program, conducts onboard training and performs briefings and on shore trainings at its establishments in The Philippines.

The company is working to improve global marine catering by providing

practical trade tests and evaluations of its Chief Cooks either in the office or via crew conference calls. MCTC also carries out Health & Nutrition Workshops and holds onboard cooking competitions – which add an element of fun to the serious process of keeping a crew well fed. u

MacGregor secures complete piggyback hatch cover order from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has secured an order to provide a complete set of remote operated piggy-back hatch covers with hydraulic lifting and an internal traction electric drive system to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS).

MacGregor`s scope of supply includes design & key components, steel material, fabrication and delivery of the hatch covers to FBS. The order is booked into Cargotec’s fourth quarter 2019 order intake, with a planned delivery of the solution during the fourth quarter of 2020.

“We are very pleased that FBS has trusted our knowledge and expertise to provide the complete hatch cover solution for their new building project,” said Magnus Sjöberg, Senior Vice President, Merchant Solutions Division, MacGregor.

MacGregor is a leader in intelligent maritime cargo and load handling with a strong portfolio of MacGregor, Hatlapa, NMF, Porsgrunn, Pusnes, Rapp, Triplex and TTS products, services and solutions, all designed to perform with the sea. u

WesCom Signal and Rescue goes green

WesCom is proud to announce the launch of its green initiative – WesCom’s Environmental Impact Charter – highlighting the need for companies to operate in more environmentally responsible ways.

WesCom has partnered with Bianca Jayne-Carr, founder of The Final Straw Solent – a community motivated to shedding light and taking action on the damaging impacts of plastic pollution – to consult and guide the company. Bianca has worked with over 250 companies to date, driving businesses to be more environmentally aware and help sustain the world for the future.

WesCom aims to lessen its environmental impact by:

• Reducing waste

• Using more environmentally-friendly components in products, whilst maintaining quality

• Increasing use of clean energy

• Cutting out the use of single-use plastics

• Lowering carbon footprint

• And more

Bianca comments, “We are really excited to be working with WesCom on its Environmental Impact Charter. As a non-profit, Community Interest Company, we are passionate about working with local businesses to help them minimise their environmental impact and futureproof our local seas and wider oceans. We have some great plans in the pipeline and look forward to sharing these.”

Chris Feibusch, Director of Global Marketing and Communications, adds, “Our Environmental Impact

Charter is a pledge to review all our practices to reduce our environmental impact. We are taking responsibility for reducing waste by revising practices throughout our sites, in the factory and all the way through to the products themselves and even extending to the partners with whom we work as business.

“There are things we can do immediately and things that take time. We can reduce our carbon footprint and singleuse plastics. Clean energy can be used. We can re-engineer products to reduce their environmental impact and many other things besides. Basically, every single member of staff can do their bit.”

The Environmental Impact Charter was unveiled at WesCom’s annual Distributor Dinner in the Netherlands in November, but the process will be an on-going culture change.

The WesCom Group already has green products in its defence product range. For instance, WesCom Defence’s ManPADS simulator is totally self-consuming once fired and leaves no debris in the atmosphere or on the ground. The company also has a disposal facility in Spain where plastic parts are recycled and only the pyrotechnic compounds are incinerated, which is then filtered through a sophisticated scrubbersystem to minimise the impact on the environment. The by-products of the incineration process can even be used to help fertilise farmers’ fields.

The Environmental Impact Charter also sees WesCom encouraging its distributors to review their own practices. Environmentally-friendly supply and distribution factors may also influence WesCom Signal and Rescue’s hiring practices in future. u

Jotun and COSCO Shipping International Hong Kong renew joint venture agreement

Jotun and COSCO Shipping International Hong Kong have reinforced their commitment to one another with the renewal of their long-standing joint venture (JV) agreement.

The JV, first signed in 2005, secures the future of Jotun COSCO Marine Coatings (JCMC), a 50-50 owned entity that holds a clear market leading position as China’s number one marine coatings supplier.

The signing of the joint venture took place at a special ceremony held at COSCO Shipping’s headquarters in Shanghai. A high profile gathering of business and political leaders witnessed the signing, including Mr Xu Lirong, Chairman of COSCO Shipping Group; Torbjorn Roe Isaken, the Norwegian Minister of Trade, Industry and Fisheries; the top management teams from COSCO SHIPPING Group and Jotun, and further attendees from the Norwegian Government and embassy.

Jotun, headquartered in Norway, has a long history in China and since opening for business in 2005, JCMC has grown market share from 17% to 36% with a 50% share in the newbuilding segment. u

VIKING acquires fire safety division of Drew Marine

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, the global safety solutions and service provider, has announced its acquisition of Drew Marine’s Fire Safety and Rescue (FSR) division.

“Welcoming onboard one of the top three marine fire service providers in the world, the acquisition is in alignment with VIKING’s long-running strategy to be the world’s leading one-stop solutions and service provider, and a trusted safety partner for the marine and offshore industry,” said VIKING CEO, Henrik Uhd Christensen.

This deal follows last year’s major acquisition of Norsafe, which saw VIKING achieve its status as a high-quality lifeboat, rescue boat and davit OEM, while boosting the company’s profile as a multi-brand lifeboat service provider.

Along the same lines, Drew Marine’s Fire Safety and Rescue division brings further strength to VIKING’s portfolio and boosts its industry leading profile as an end-to-end supplier

of full-scope maritime safety solutions. More specifically, the acquisition is a significant boost to VIKING’s marine fire service capability base and global market presence within this field.

At the moment, Drew Marine FSR provides services in more than 150 ports across 45 countries. The division offers a complete range of FSR services, specialising in solutions for fixed-firefighting foam, fixed-extinguishing and dry-powder systems – along with calibration solutions for gas detection, medical oxygen, and dry-docking services. All these capabilities and not least the experience and know-how of the large team of Drew Marine FSR technicians, will transfer to the global VIKING MFS setup.

Following the acquisition, the Drew Marine FSR headquarters in Rotterdam will take on a new role as VIKING’s new global MFS competency centre. This will be supported by a strong and ever-growing network of MFS servicing stations worldwide. u

For once, cyber safety at sea could be free

In Maritime, the threat to IT is growing daily and it is extremely important to raise the awareness of exactly what can happen when using your IT devices both on board your vessel and in the office. Modern ships and seafarers are prime targets for cyberattacks. Bridge systems such as GPS, ECDIS, radar and autopilot systems can be compromised by outsiders posing a significant safety risk. Also control systems for ballast water, vessel stability, engines and propulsion can all be targeted by increasingly sophisticated cyber criminals.

The maritime industry is not yet fully prepared. It may be surprising to hear but 90% of seafarers have never had any cyber security training, 39% of ships have experienced a cyberattack in the last 12 months and 95% of breaches in the maritime environment are caused by human errors

Training employees in Cyber-Security Awareness Skills is not only beneficial to operations and to the staff, but also for business continuity. Other organisations may be hesitant to do work with you if your credibility has been damaged by a data or security breach. Therefore, a small investment in ongoing training can prove enormously valuable in the long run.

Awareness Training is becoming mandatory within the industry. The third edition of the Tanker Management Self-Assessment highlights Cyber Security in the Vessel inspection questionnaire (VIQ7) from the Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE). IMO’s

Maritime Safety Committee have inserted Maritime Regulation MSC 428 (98) Cyber Risk Management into the list of ISM Code requirements. This will become effective in January 2021.

ADPL offer a training course which aims to overcome the dangers. By completing this course, all personnel will be able to further understand the principles and actions they must adhere to and help allay the dangers and fears within the sector, ensuring they remain cybersafe@sea. The course, available on line, has been developed in accordance with BIMCO, IMO, ICS and IACS guidelines and has been approved by the Institute of Maritime Engineers, Science and Technology and the University of Sunderland, UK.

This course value-adds to the people aspect of cyber security posture at sea. This comes directly useful on the back of impending IMO ISM Code requirements. It also assists sea faring with operation readiness on the awareness of cyber safety at sea. In Singapore, for students who are eligible for both MCF and Skill Future funding, the course and certification could come just free for them when both grants are approved to cover the entire course fee collectively.

Beyond training, e-mail contact@athenadynamics.com for specialized solutions for maritime cyber security or visit www.athenadynamics.com u

Advertorial: BH Global

Mr Ken Soh, CEO of Athena Dynamics Pte Ltd, shares the importance of cybersecurity for both on board vessels and in the office.

Beats go on Play

Walk this way

Sony has unveiled a limited edition Walkman to mark the device’s 40th anniversary. At first glance, it looks identical to the gadget that was big hit with m usic lovers in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but underneath the cover is a nifty 3.6-inch display.

The device is able to hold thousands of songs and has an impressive 26-hour battery life.

Sony 40th Anniversary Walkman

£400 sony.co.uk

The Beats Solo Pro, the new headphones from Apple’s Beats by Dr. Dre, are their first on-ear, noise-cancelling headphones. They come with some advanced tech features which include folding open to power them on and a new HI Chip for hands-free Siri activation and instant pairing with Apple devices.

The headphones offer up to 22 hours of ANC playback and a fast change of just 10 minutes gives three hours of play when the battery is low.

Beats Solo Pro Headphones

£269.95 apple.com

Coldplay

This is the eighth studio album by the British rock band and is presented in two halves – Sunrise and Sunset.

Singles Orphans and Arabesque were released as the double album’s lead singles and the band revealed the track listing via classified ads in the hometown newspapers of the band – in Flintshire, Exeter, Southampton and Fife.

The album cover also features a century-old photograph of lead guitarist Johnny Buckland’s great grandfather’s band.

Everyday Life Atlantic Records

The Who

Legendary rockers The Who have announced their first album in 13 years featuring 11 tracks said to tackle such subjects as the Grenfell Tower fire, musical theft and spirituality.

The album comprises all new songs, apart from two, and the album’s lead track, Ball and Chain, is a re-recording of a Pete Townshend solo song called Guantanamo, released on his album

Truancy: The Very Best of Pete Townshend from 2015.

Singer Roger Daltrey says it is the best album they have produced since Quadrophenia in 1973. Who

Polydor Records

After Hours

Pollock painting

There is still time to see the largest ever painting by US artist Jackson Pollock, in an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

The piece is presented as part of the Mural: Jackson Pollock|Katharina Grosse exhibition, an unprecedented pairing of the Pollock painting and a new site-related work by German artist Grosse.

Commissioned by art patron and gallerist Peggy Guggenheim and later donated to the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art, Pollock’s Mural stretches nearly 20ft wide by 8ft high. It is displayed alongside Grosse’s Unititled (2019), a freehanging painting 48ft wide by 16ft high which bursts with sweeps of kaleidoscopic colour.

Mural: Jackson Pollock|Katharina Grosse

Showing now until 23rd February, 2020 www.mfa.org

Steaks are high

Situated just a stone’s throw from New York’s Empire State Building, Royal 35 Steakhouse’s menu has at the core a classic collection of USDA prime beef which is dry-aged in the restaurant’s in-house aging box. Along with a fantastic array of steaks and chops there is a great array of appetisers including jumbo shrimps and Maine lobster, along with a wide range of seafood entrée dishes accompanied by mouth-watering mac and cheese and mashed potatoes served as sides. royal35steakhouse.com

Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything

For years, we’ve been told that being more healthy and productive is a matter of willpower: that we should follow the latest fad and make constant changes to our lifestyles.

But whether in our diets, fitness plans or jobs, radical overhauls never work. Instead we should start with quick wins — and embed new, tiny habits into our everyday routines. The world expert on this is Silicon Valley legend BJ Fogg, pioneering research psychologist and founder of the iconic Behaviour Design Lab at Stanford.

In the hugely anticipated Tiny Habits, BJ Fogg shows us how to change our lives for the better, one tiny habit at a time. Based on 20 years’ research and his experience coaching over 40,000 people, it cracks the code of habit formation. Focus on what is easy to change, not what is hard; focus on what you want to do, not what you should do.