MARCH 2011
INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION
Associate Members’ Day 2011 The International Salvage Union held its popular annual conference for its associate and affiliated members in London in March. The event had attracted more than 120 registered delegates. President of the ISU, Todd Busch, opened the conference and welcomed the delegates. He also welcomed ISU’s new legal adviser, Rob Wallis, and thanked his predecessor, Archie Bishop, for his long service to the ISU. The President also reminded the conference that environmental salvage awards continue to be relevant. Mr Busch said: “We believe that we have strong arguments and that we have identified straightforward ways in which modifications could be made to the Salvage Convention to bring about change. We think that our case is persuasive and fair. But we know that not everyone agrees with our position and we know that any process of change will necessarily be a lengthy one.” The ISU’s professional advisers gave updates on their work including presentation of the ISU’s 2010 pollution prevention figures (see story page 5) and there was a programme of guest speakers. Grant Hunter, BIMCO’s chief documentary officer, briefed the conference on the work to develop its new standard contracts, Wreckstage, Wreckfixed and Wreckhire which is nearing completion. Lt Commander Glen Forbes RN (retd)
The salvage panel take questions. Left to right: Rob Wallis, John Halfweeg, Fokko Ringersma, Andreas Tsavliris, Todd Busch. of the Forbes Wallace consultancy updated delegates on the piracy threat, and considered the multinational response to the issue. And Jan Groot of PlatformBrokers.com outlined some of the issues about removing structures from the North Sea and noted where salvors might find business opportunities.
(VLCCs) - and noted their particular requirements in casualty situations.
Delegates learned about liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas cargoes from Captain David Cudbertson of Shell. He explained the highly technical construction of the gas carriers - the latest generation of which can be bigger than very large crude carriers
There was also an exhibition of the shortlisted entries for the inaugural ISU Photograph Competition and the winner was announced (see page 6). The conference concluded with a drinks reception for delegates and speakers.
Lesley Cripps of new ISU associate member, Chapman Freeborn, outlined capabilities and issues in the air freighting and chartering business and a panel of senior salvors and ISU advisers tackled questions put from the floor.
Special Casualty Representatives' Seminar The biennial seminar for Special Casualty Representatives (SCRs) was held in London the day after the ISU Associate Members’ Day. The meeting was jointly sponsored by the ISU and the International Group of P&I Clubs and was held on HQS Wellington which is moored on the river Thames. Attendees included many of the panel of Special Casualty Representatives (SCRs), ISU members and advisers and P&I Club representatives. The programme included updates on developments in respect of Lloyd's Form, SCOPIC and BIMCO wreck removal agreements as well as a presentation on the operation to remove the broken-backed tanker, ELLI, offshore Egypt. And there was an open forum to consider topical issues including the training of aspirant SCRs. 1
Nikolaos Pappas (left) and Lothar Friis