Salvage World Q3 2014

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OCTOBER 2014

INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION

ISU builds relations with insurers The Annual General Meeting of the International Salvage Union (ISU) was held in Hamburg, Germany, 02 October 2014. It was attended by more than 75 delegates from ISU member companies and hosted by ISU member Bugsier-, Reederei- und Bergungs- GmbH & Co. KG.

Lars Lange, Secretary General of IUMI (left) addresses delegates at the ISU AGM (below)

The meeting conducted the formal business of the ISU and considered a range of issues currently facing the salvage industry including improving relationships with key parts of the wider shipping and insurance industries. President of ISU, Leendert Muller, Managing Director of Dutch salvage and towage company, Multraship, said: “It is excellent to see so many of our members here in Hamburg and to be able to discuss with them the matters which concern them and to consider the best response from the salvage industry. ISU is proud of its role as the sole voice of the global salvage business.” Guest speaker at the event was Lars Lange, Secretary General of IUMI. He said: “The property insurance industry knows the vital role salvors play and we welcome ISU’s efforts to develop its relations with us and our members. Of course salvors must prioritise the saving of life and the protection of the environment but after that it is property - the ship and its cargo - which benefits

from the services provided by the salvors. To have a strong and effective international salvage industry can only be of benefit to our members and we look forward to building on the momentum we have generated in our refreshed relationships.” ISU members considered a number of issues like the use of the Lloyd’s Open Form Salvage contract; Places of Refuge and the categorisation of potential pollutants. Mr Muller added: “One of the things which we have committed to do is to continue to build our relationship with the property insurers and others in the insurance industry. It has therefore

been a privilege to hear from the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) at our meeting. I look forward to continuing our work with IUMI – improving understanding, building trust and campaigning together on issues like Places of Refuge.” ISU statistics show the gross income earned by the salvage industry is some US$ 500 million per annum (including wreck removal income). Substantial amounts of this income are paid out to their own subcontractors. This compares with gross annual marine insurance premiums (including the offshore sector) of some US$ 34 billion.

UK radioactive waste casualty In October, the MV PARIDA suffered a funnel fire off the north east coast of Scotland while on passage from the Dounreay nuclear power station that is being decommissioned. The cargo aboard was a quantity of radioactive waste encased in concrete. The fire was extinguished and there was no significant damage to the engines or cargo. For a time the vessel was drifting and 52 personnel were evacuated from the Beatrice oil platform by the coastguard search and rescue helicopter based in the Shetland Isles and a Royal

Air Force rescue helicopter. The UK ETV was dispatched from Orkney but a commercial tow was agreed by the owners with Swire Pacific Offshore’s PACIFIC CHAMPION and the PARIDA was brought to port in the Cromarty Firth where a UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyor was due to inspect the vessel to advise on its fitness to proceed. One ETV was retained to cover Scottish waters until 2015, following UK government cost cuts which saw the others withdrawn.

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PACIFIC CHAMPION attended nuclear waste casualty vessel


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Salvage World Q3 2014 by Marine Salvage - Issuu