Salvage World Q1 2019

April 2019

INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION

ISU members make major contribution to environmental protection Members of the ISU provided 224 services to vessels carrying 3,213,228 tonnes of potentially polluting cargo and fuel during operations in 2018 demonstrating the importance of salvors' role in protecting the marine environment.

There was a significant increase in 2018 in vessels carrying crude oil and refined oil products 1,302,988 tonnes – up from 933,198 tonnes in 2017.

The 2018 numbers also reveal a large increase in the number of containers involved in salvage cases, rising from 45,655 TEU in 2017 to 59,874 TEU in 2018.

Bulk cargoes declined to 743,100 tonnes in 2018. This category includes products such as coal, scrap steel, grains, soya and cement. A number of bulk cargoes are

not included as potential pollutants and ISU members also provided services to bulkers carrying 497,973 tonnes of nonhazardous dry bulk – mainly metal ores.

The data come from the results of the ISU’s 2018 Pollution Prevention Survey.

The survey was re-based in 2014 to include a wider range of potential pollutants including containers and hazardous and dirty bulk cargoes.

Bunker fuel, at 111,796 tonnes in 2018, was down from 135,995 tonnes the previous year.

A number of services noted within the total did not record the quantity of bunkers on the vessel or the cargo type.

Reacting to the results of the survey, President of the ISU, Charo Coll, said: “ISU wants to make sure that it promotes

Near miss for Norway passenger ship The cruise ship VIKING SKY suffered engine trouble close to the Norwegian coast in bad weather. She dropped anchor off the lee shore and was subject to considerable pitching and rolling in heavy seas.

The decision was made to evacuate the passengers by helicopters coordinated by the Norwegian authorities. The operation was visible from shore as passengers were winched one by one from the stricken ship.

Some power was subsequently restored and the vessel made it into port. There were no injuries, but the incident highlighted the great difficulty of a major cruise ship casualty in which the handling of significant numbers of passengers remains a real challenge particularly in bad weather and remote locations. It is a concern that the ISU has raised on many occasions.

Photo: Action Press / Shutterstock

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the full benefits that the salvage industry provides. Of course we aim to save life, to save property and mitigate loss but our members’ operations also protect the environment from great harm.

“We know that not all of these potential pollutants were at risk of going into the sea. Some cases will have been simple with limited peril but many others will have carried a real danger of substantial environmental damage.

"One major incident can cause an environmental catastrophe with huge financial and reputational consequences.

“It is essential that there continues to be global provision of professional salvage services to respond professionally to maritime emergencies and that needs appropriate compensation.” Cont. P2

2018 ISU pollution prevention survey results (continued) In the period 1994 to end-2018, ISU members have provided services to casualty vessels carrying 31,419,604 tonnes of potential pollutants, an average of more than one million tonnes per year.

Of the 224 services provided by ISU members in 2018, variants of wreck removal contracts were used in 26 services; Lloyd’s Open Form – 33 services (in total, Lloyd’s recorded 53 LOFs in 2018. That number includes LOFs performed by non-ISU members and there may be some under reporting in the ISU survey). Towage contracts accounted for 61 services; Japanese Form – 38 services; Fixed Price – 4 services; Day Rate – 33 services and other contracts were used in 29 services.

The survey was first conducted by ISU in 1994 and the methodology was updated in 2014. It now recognises that coastal state authorities consider most cargoes to be potentially polluting. Container trade has also increased dramatically and the

Results

2018 2017

Number of services

224

252

Bunker fuel

111,796

135,995

Crude oil

978,000

798,620

Refined oil products

324,988

134,488

Chemicals

127,885

168,784

Bulk polluting/hazardous

743,100

1,418,344

TEU (tonnes equivalent)

898,110

(59,874 TEU @ nominal 15 tonnes/TEU)

(45,655 TEU @ nominal 15 tonnes/TEU)

Other pollutants

29,349

64,421

Totals

3,213,228

3,405,477

capacity of containerships is now far greater than in 1994. Containers, with mixed and sometimes hazardous contents - and the danger they cause if left in the sea - are both a potential pollutant and hazard.

The survey takes account of the

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684,825

All pollutant figures in tonnes.

International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), Intercargo guidance, P&I Club guidance; International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation publications and the International Solid Bulk Cargoes Code.

ISU NEWS Annual dinner The ISU held its annual dinner for the shipping industry in March at the historic Trinity House in London. Trinity House is the headquarters of the institution which has responsibility for light houses and safe navigation in most of the UK’s waters. Guests included the Lloyd’s appeal arbitrator, Jeremy Russell, QC and the new UK Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Intervention and Salvage (SOSREP), Stephan Hennig (see pictures P 7).

ISU President, Charo Coll, welcomed the guests and reminded them that “emergency response and the prevention of disasters is at the heart of our existence. We must all defend the capability to provide effective and safe salvage services all around the world.

After all, we are partners with property owners and insurers trying to mitigate risk and minimise loss.” She added, “I hope that shipowners, property insurers and the P and I Clubs support us in that aim.”

Long service recognition

While she no longer works for ISU she is still involved in the London shipping market as a personal assistant.

Certificates of long service were created and one was presented to Ms Williams at the ISU’s Associate Members’ Day Conference by President Charo Coll who complimented Lisa for her long and dedicated service to the ISU. Both roles are now combined in the work of the ISU administration assistant, Ciara Mcgarry.

New Executive Committee members The ISU is governed by an Executive Committee made up of senior managers from its full member companies. ISU has noted the resignation from the Committee of its longest-serving member, Nippon Salvage’s Yoshiaki Nishibe, a hugely experienced salvor. ISU has welcomed two new Executive Committee members, Matthias Reinarz from Chile’s Ultratug and Nippon Salvage’s Sukekazu Shimonishi.

Two of the ISU’s longest standing staff have been presented with certificates to mark their years of dedicated service.

Frank Morris managed ISU finances for some 40 years and has retired. Lisa Williams has worked as an administrative assistant for ISU for more than 20 years.

New UK SOSREP

carrier incident in the Solent in 2015.

Stephan Hennig, a former Coastguard, has been appointed to the role of UK Secretary of State’s Representative (SOSREP) for Maritime Salvage & Intervention, which oversees the UK’s response to accidents at sea.

Mr Hennig originally joined the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) in 2005 working with the then Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in the Shetland Islands. After Mr Hennig became the MCA’s Counter-Pollution and Salvage Officer for Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2012, he served as a regional point of contact for a variety of groups and organisations, including ports, offshore operators, local authorities and environmental regulators.

The SOSREP is responsible for reducing the risk to safety and the environment arising from accidents at sea. Incidents which were overseen by previous SOSREPs include the TRANSOCEAN WINNER rig grounding off the Isle of Lewis in 2016 and the HOEGH OSAKA car

Annual General Meeting This ISU will hold its 2019 Annual General Meeting in central London on Thursday 19 September. There will be an Executive Committee meeting and opening reception on Wednesday 18 September and a gala dinner after the AGM. Further details will be circulated in the second quarter.

Roger Evans

ISU perception survey ISU has been conducting a survey of opinions and perceptions about the salvage industry and the ISU. In-depth interviews have been undertaken with stakeholders connected with the industry and a larger survey has been carried out targeting a wide range of respondents from the marine insurance, salvage and

Photo: MCA

legal communities. Preliminary results indicate that the ISU and the industry is generally well-regarded. Full analysis of the results will be undertaken in the coming weeks.

In 2017 he went on secondment to the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy working with the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning in Aberdeen. After that he was appointed Deputy to the SOSREP and took on the SOSREP role in May 2018 on an interim basis.

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ISU Secretary General, Roger Evans, has been elected as a Fellow of the Nautical Institute and was presented with his certificate by the NI’s chief executive, John Lloyd.

Mr Hennig said: “This is a role which lies at the heart of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s commitment to safety of life at sea and the environment through safer lives, safer ships, cleaner seas. I look forward to continuing the good work of previous SOSREPs in keeping that commitment.”

Brian Johnson, Chief Executive of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, said: “As we have seen from the serious incidents in UK waters over the last years, the SOSREP has a unique and critical role in rapidly and effectively marshalling the resources of all parties to achieve the best possible outcomes. I am delighted we have appointed Stephan as our new SOSREP. He brings a wealth of experience from his years in the MCA both from HM Coastguard and the Counter-Pollution branch and I’m sure the maritime world will benefit from his expertise and personal qualities.”

ISU Associate Members' Day Conference 2019 report ISU held its popular Associate Members’ Day Conference in central London in late March.

Some 200 delegates attended the event which was opened by the UK Minster for Maritime, Nusrat Ghani who described the role of the UK in world shipping and focussed on the place of women in the industry with her initiative, the Women in Maritime Taskforce.

The minister also paid tribute to the salvors saying that they have “an essential role: without salvage, we couldn’t keep our shores clean and safe”.

The theme of women in the salvage industry was taken up in a presentation and discussion by Lindsay Malen-Habib of Resolve Marine Group and in a panel session by Ros Blazejczyk of Solis Marine

Consultants who both challenged gender stereotypes in the industry.

into containers by operatives when appropriate.

Cargo insurers Peter de Boissiere, RSA; Stephen Chapman, Ascot and Andrew Green, AON, formed a panel chaired

by HFW’s Tom Walters exploring cargo owners and insurers’ perspectives on the Lloyd’s Open Form contract.

Nicky Cariglia updated the conference on the work of ITOPF. And ISU associate members, John Owen of Bernicia and Golam Sawar of Prantik, outlined how their organisations support the salvage industry.

The topical subject of containership fires was addressed by Richard Janssen of Smit Salvage who described the aftermath of the MAERSK HONAM fire - the removal of vast amounts of hazardus ash and debris (see story P6) - and Resolve’s Nick Sloane who explored the possile use of fire breaks and fire barriers on ULCCs.

A panel of former ISU President, Donjon Marine’s John Witte, Ros Blazejczyk of Solis Marine, Craig English from Briggs and Oliver Timofei from Ardent considered developments in salvage training and technology.

Gert-Jan Langerak, from RelyOnNutec, is a hugely experienced firefighting expert and he described best practice in dealing with container fires – including the entry

Mr Witte noted that although the reduction in salvage jobs means it is difficult to gain full experience, valuable learning may still be had of the many individual tasks that make up salvage – such as rigging, heavy lift and pump placement.

Special Casualty Representatives' seminar ISU jointly hosted the biennial seminar for the cadre of Lloyd’s Special Casualty Representatives in London in March.

Below: L-R Ian Freeman, Steve Roberts, Kevin Clarke Right: Nick Haslam

The SCRs are appointed by the relevant P&I Club to represent all salved interests in Lloyd’s Open From (LOF) salvage cases in which the Special Compensation P and I Club (SCOPIC) clause has been incorporated and invoked.

The SCRs work cooperatively with the salvage master but do not direct operations. They monitor and assist where necessary and keep note of and report on the progress of the operation and the equipment used.

SCOPIC was introduced as an alternative to traditional Salvage Convention Article 14 Awards in 1999 and has been judged a success. Its primary objective is to ensure that salvage services are still provided to casualties where the chance of success or values are low witha risk of pollution and which might not otherwise be attractive to commercial salvors. Salvors receive payment based on agreed tariff rates for equipment used with the possibility of an “uplift”.

Lloyd’s Salvage Arbitration Branch

manager, Kevin Clarke, updated the seminar on the SCOPIC statistics, noting that since SCOPIC’s introduction there had been 1613 LOFs of which 525 had SCOPIC incorporated and 365 of those had SCOPIC invoked. There have been just nine arbitrations in SCOPIC cases.

The seminar went on to consider issues such as the impact of so-called side letters affecting LOF contracts, the ISU 5 Guarantee and voiding of security.

Nick Haslam, the chief spokesman of the SCRs, led a session addressing questions about the workings of the system including 4

such matters as agreeing to “pack rates” and agreeing prices for equipment not listed in the SCOPIC Appendix A. The idea of taking “trainee SCRs” on cases was also discussed. The afternoon was devoted to an open forum with Nick Haslam for the SCRs, Ben Harris for the P & I Clubs, Paul Cunningham representing property and ISU represented by Executive Committee member, Nick Sloane.

The panel considered the topics of the SCRs’ role in the termination of SCOPIC, the so called "LOF-lite” proposal and the make-up of the SCRs panel.

ISU Associate Members' Day Conference 2019 - pictures

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Pictures: 1. Charo Coll 2. Richard Janssen 3. Nusrat Ghani 4. L-R Abhay Damley, Nick Sloane, Lindsay Malen-Habib 5. L-R Stephan Hennig, Jack Beesley, Ian Freeman, Ben Harris 6. L-R Konstantin Bachevanis, Paris Mangriotis, Mike Allen, Nic White

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7. L-R Lars Lange, Dennis Brand 8. L-R Lucy Budd, Caitlin Kelly 9. L-R Mark Hoddinott, Gordon Amos 10. L-R Peter Pietka, Richard Gunn

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Smit Salvage deals with aftermath of MAERSK HONAM fire Smit has continued to support the owners of the MAERSK HONAM, removing the debris from holds 1 - 3 which consisted mostly of ash and scrap which was removed by specifically modified excavators.

Different waste streams were segragated in the hold, the debris was then put into open top containers

and lifted onto barges by two jackups.

The operation took place at Drydocks World Dubai. The operation was temporarily halted in November and December as the MAERSK HONAM went into drydock for removal of the bow section. In January the operation resumed and the aft section was transported to Korea for mating with

a new bow section.The debris was transported to a modified yard in Port Khalid, Sharjah, for safe storage.

The excavation phase of the contract was successfully completed and the operation will continue with the segregation, processing and final disposal of the debris.

bunkers and prevention of any marine pollution.

be cut to allow access to the various compartments containing hydrocarbons.

The sheerlegs Taklift 7 was sent to the site as an additional accommodation unit and to provide lee shelter - the casualty is lying in a position exposed to the prevailing NE monsoon. Diving inside the complex vessel was challenging. Holes had to

Operations were completed successfully and safely in about one month with some 450 tonnes of fuel recovered without a spill. Smit continues to be on site with a guard vessel and for caretaking services in anticipation of a wreck removal.

Elsewhere, in January, the pipe laying vessel STAR CENTURION was involved in a collision with a tanker North of Bintan Island in Indonesian waters.

The vessel sustained a breach in her hull and started listing due to severe water ingress. Smit and its long standing Indonesian partners Samudera Mbiantu Sesami were initially contracted under LOF. A tug from Keppel Smit Towage was quickly dispatched to the scene with a Salvage Master and small team on board.

Complying with Indonesian regulations, an Indonesian flagged AHTS was chartered from an ISU member and swiftly mobilised in the Smit yard in Singapore with a full salvage team and equipment.

The casualty had by then capsized fully and was resting with her port side on the seabed. The focus of the operation gradually shifted to the recovery of

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ISU Annual Dinner at Trinity House, London 1.

Pictures: 1. L-R Joop Timmermans, Charo Coll, Veronica Boluda Ceballos, Corrado Neri, Anna Maria Darmanin.

2. L-R Rob Wallis, Kimmo Lehto.

3. L-R Richard Janssen, Sukekazu Shimonishi.

4. L-R Golam Sarwar, Li Jianping, Julian Bray.

5. L-R Ian Freeman, Yoshiaki Nishibe.

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6. L-R Richard Gunn, Jeremy Russell QC. 7. L-R Mike Lacey, Matthias Reinarz, Eline Muller.

8. L-R John Witte, James Herbert.

9. L-R Kiran Khosla, Andreas Tsavliris, Leendert Muller.

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Members’ News Resolve Marine Group Resolve Marine has extended its use of the M/V LANA ROSE. The vessel is currently at its US Gulf port facility in Theodore, Alabama. The vessel was built as a Norwegian, North Sea ice class fishing trawler and later refitted as a seismographic research vessel. Resolve purchased the M/V LANA ROSE for hurricane response and humanitarian aid work but says it sees great potential for the vessel in the field of ocean conservation and research.

Spanopoulos Group

Smit Salvage/Boluda Smit Salvage’s parent, Royal Boskalis Westminster NV, and its co-shareholder Kotug International BV, has signed a letter of intent relating to the sale of Kotug Smit Towage to Boluda Group. Under the terms of the LOI, the total enterprise value of Kotug Smit Towage is valued at EUR 300 million. Boskalis said it expects to receive approximately EUR 90 million in cash for its 50% equity stake in the joint venture.

deal will see Boluda with 320 tugs in 95 ports worldwide.

The agreement is subject to due diligence and regulatory approval in the countries involved. The transaction is expected to conclude in the second half of 2019.

Spanopoulos’ New Hellenic Shipyards S.A. has completed the repair and maintenance project of HS LASKOS of the Hellenic Navy (below). The dry docking and repair works were assigned to Spanopoulos following a competitive tender. The Group said that the works were successfully completed within the time schedule.

The Kotug Smit Towage joint venture between Boskalis and Kotug was formed in 2016 covering 11 ports in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the UK. Since then the joint venture expanded into new ports.

The origins of Boluda go back to 1837 and their tug boat business was founded in 1920 in Valencia, Spain. Today, the familyowned company is the leading operator in the Spanish and French market with a fleet of over 250 vessels in 85 ports. The Tsavliris Salvage Tsavliris Salvage has been inducted into the Green Award Foundation at a Reception at the Yacht Club of Greece.

The Green Award Foundation certifies shipping companies and ships that demonstrate excellent performance. All certified companies have to meet strict requirements covering safety, quality and environmental consciousness.

By joining the Green Award Scheme, Tsavliris Salvage has taken the voluntary initiative to offer a 10% reduction on standard tariff rates on its own equipment and personnel charges during salvage operations to other Green Award certified vessels worldwide. In this way, Tsavliris Salvage supports the further ‘greening’ of the maritime industry and will allow other Green Award certificate holders to

benefit from their investments in further improvement.

Mr Dimitrios Mattheou, Chairman of the Green Award Foundation, formally handed over the Green Award plaque to the Principals of Tsavliris Salvage, Nicolas, George and Andreas Tsavliris.

The Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (CYMEPA) was awarded the Gold Environmental Award 2019 during a Pancyprian ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Lefkosia, Cyprus.

George Tsavliris, CYMEPA President, received the "Gold Protector of the Environment" Award from the Honorable President of the Republic of Cyprus, His Excellency Mr Nicos Anastasiades.

Elsewhere in January, Andreas Tsavliris gave his annual lecture at the City University, London to over 130 master's degree students.

L to R Nicolas Tsavliris, Andreas Tsavliris, Dimitrios Mattheou (Chairman, Green Award Foundation), George Tsavliris, Jan Fransen (Executive Director, Green Award Foundation)

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The presentation was on "Shipping Trade & Finance" and emphasised the importance and necessity for a global commercial salvage industry.

First quarter casualty round up The containership APL VANCOUVER suffered a serious fire off Vietnam.

ISU member Ardent was contracted on a Lloyd’s Open Form to respond after initial action by the Vietnamese coastguard.

The 9,300 teu capacity ship was en-route from China to Singapore and there were no injuries reported. Ardent deployed tugs, specialist firefighting, pumping and transfer equipment and, after the successful firefighting operation, the vessel berthed at Singapore where work continued to discharge containers and deal with firefighting water.

had a fire. A passing UK Royal Navy frigate, HMS ARGYLL, responded and safely took off all the crew. The vessel subsequently sank in deep water and the French authorities are monitoring the situation with reports of some fuel oil coming to the surface. ISU member Ardent continues to support the owners and their insurers in follow up activities in the Bay of Biscay following initial mobilisation.

These are the latest in a string of containership fires including the 2018 MAERSK HONAM, and previously the MSC DANIELA and MSC FLAMINIA.

On the other side of the world, the Hapag Lloyd boxship, YANTIAN EXPRESS experienced a fire off the east coast of Canada while on passage from Halifax to Sri Lanka. ISU member Smit responded with firefighting experts from RelyOnNutec with a Donjon vessel also involved in extremely bad weather.

Another containership case was the MSC ZOE off the Netherlands in which some 300 containers were lost overboard in heavy weather. Ardent was tasked by the owners to identify and recover the boxes some of which were afloat, some sunken and some ashore. The operation continues.

In the Bay of Biscay, the combined RoRo containership GRANDE AMERICA also

In the Pacific, there are environmental concerns in the Solomon Islands where

bunkers from a grounded bulker have spilled into the sea.

The 73,592 dwt SOLOMON TRADER was pushed onto a reef in a tropical cyclone while loading bauxite nearby. The Australian authorities are assisting the Solomon Islands government and ISU member Resolve Marine is providing the salvage response.

In Hong Kong, an explosion on the product tanker AULAC FORTUNE led to the loss of two crew. It is thought that gas build up in the cargo tanks was the cause of the explosion which occurred during bunkering operations.

In the Kerch Strait separating the Sea of Azov form the Black Sea, 11 crew members lost their lives in a fire when two LPG tankers were involved in a ship-toship cargo transfer operation.

Reports suggested that one of the vessels was of considerable age and had a number of deficiencies at its most recent Port State Control inspection.

Tsavliris operations On 11 November 2018, the Suezmax Tanker ATINA - 159,500m dwt and laden with 135,500 tonnes of crude oil - was immobilised due to main engine trouble between Kos and Astypalaia islands in the Aegean Sea. Tsavliris Salvage was engaged to provide assistance and on the same day, the tugs PANTOKTATOR - 53 TBP - and PLATYTERA - 51 TBP - were dispatched from Piraeus. The tugs arrived at the casualty the next day and provided escort services towards OPL Limnos Island for a planned ship-to-ship transfer (STS) operation.

On 17 November the tug HERMES departed from Patras port to load STS equipment from Piraeus port and then continued to the casualty. The Tsavliris salvage team and riggers arrived at Limnos Island on 19 November. On the same day the convoy arrived at Limnos and dropped anchor south of Limnos ready for the STS operation to the tanker DONAT (above right). The operation was successfully completed on 26 November.

The following day ATINA, escorted by the tugs PLATYTERA and PANTOKRATOR,

commenced passage to Elefsis shipyard.

The convoy arrived at its destination on 29 November and the operation was successfully completed.

On 30 December 2018, the Chemical Tanker ATLANTIC VOYAGER - 12,807 dwt and in ballast - was immobilised about 85 miles west of Lamberts Bay, South Africa, due to engine trouble.

The vessel was drifting towards the open sea on the prevailing current.

Tsavliris Salvage was engaged to provide assistance and on 31 December the salvage tug SA AMANDLA - 185 TBP was mobilised from Durban to provide salvage assistance.

On New Year’s Day 2019 the current 9

direction changed, resulting in the vessel drifting towards the coast. To avoid grounding, and with the permission of the authorities, the port anchor was dropped some 12 miles from Kleinsee on the west coast of the Northern Cape province.

During the period at anchor significant dragging occurred.

On 3 January, the SA AMANDLA arrived at the casualty's position, established a tow connection and towage to Durban commenced. On 11 January, the convoy arrived safely at Durban and, with the assistance of a pilot and port tugs, the vessel was berthed at Dormac Shipyard for repairs and the salvage operation was successfully completed.

Varied challenges for Ardent in first quarter Ardent reports a busy start to 2019, undertaking over a dozen operations worldwide and with different operational challenges.

The fishing vessel NORTHGUIDER grounded at the remote Hinlopenstretet on Svalbard (right).

Ardent personnel joined a composite response team including Norwegian Coastal Administration and Norwegian Coastguard (Kystverket) staff together with representatives of the owners.

Extreme operating conditions were created by the remote location, the risk of cold exposure, permanent darkness and the serious threat of polar bears.

Following initial inspection and assessment, the combined team returned with further equipment and successfully removed the fuel oil to IBC containers, together with other pollutants including stores and paint.

It was agreed that a rapid re-floating was not possible and a period of planning followed before a combined team returned to the casualty to secure it for the winter period, including placing monitoring equipment, and to prepare for potential removal and towing later in the year.

Photo courtesy of Kystverket

Meanwhile in Asia, the product tanker SEA FRONTIER grounded off the southeastern coast of Malaysia, and Singapore Salvage Engineers Pte Ltd and Ardent responded on a Lloyd’s Open Form. A ship-to-ship transfer took place and the vessel was refloated and re-delivered to the owners.

In the Americas, the ST CLAIR, a Great Lakes bulker, caught fire alongside while in winter layup, near Toledo on Lake Erie. Initial response by the local fire brigade was supplemented by Ardent, together with fire-fighting, pumping and other equipment mobilised to the site. Ardent also, with additional tug

assistance, refloated the bulk carrier ANGLO ALEXANDRIA grounded in the Mississippi river.

A number of vessels also required emergency towage services including the OLGA MAERSK off Panama; the GRANDE CONGO off the east coast of the USA; the ASPHALT SPIRIT off Brisbane, Australia and the GRANDE ROMA where assistance was provided together with the MULTRATUG 17, off the south coast of the UK. Ardent also responded to the burning APL VANCOUVER and MSC ZOE which lost containers overboard and GRANDE AMERICA (see story P9).

Five Oceans Salvage operation in the Niger Delta In November 2018, the bulk carrier EFI THEO - 45,400 tonnes deadweight and partly laden with 16,000 tonnes of wheat - collided with another vessel while inbound in the Escravos River at Warri, Nigeria.

EFI THEO sustained severe hull damage in way of cargo hold No 3 that was flooded and subsequently she ran aground. Five Oceans Salvage signed a LOF with the owners on the same day and mobilized the tug SEINA II from Port Harcourt to connect and stand by the casualty. Over the following days, Five Oceans Salvage mobilized a salvage team of 26 persons from Greece to Lagos who boarded the chartered PSV TOPAZ RESOLVE that was used for their safe transportation and accommodation while at the casualty’s site.

Over the following weeks the salvors made cargo hold No 3 watertight by

constructing on site a steel patch and fitting it on the side of the casualty and then pumping out all the water. On 19 December, with the assistance of a second chartered tug, GEDANDE, the 10

casualty was successfully refloated.

The services were terminated on 22 December 2018 when the vessel was redelivered alongside at a berth in Warri port, Nigeria.

Associates’ and Affiliates’ News Waves Group DEEPWATER HORIZON, BALTIC ACE, SEWOL and MSC RENA among many others.

Waves Group said the addition of this capability is a “significant step for us in enabling clients to visualise the condition of vessels and assets and better understand the impacts and the risks involved.”

Mark Lawrence and Stuart Leather, formerly of Advanced Underwater Surveys (ADUS) and then ADUSDeepOcean, have joined Waves Group, which said the two bring extensive experience and capabilities

in high resolution 3-D surveys and data acquisition.

ADUS pioneered the use of highresolution 3-D and point-cloud imagery in salvage and wreck removal projects, including the COSTA CONCORDIA,

Intercargo Intercargo said it welcomes the latest amendment to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC 04-17) which entered into force on 01 January 2019 and includes important updates related to cargoes that may liquefy. Moisture related cargo failure mechanisms, widely known as liquefaction, continue to be a major concern for dry bulk shipping.

Intercargo’s annually produced Casualty Report highlights the loss of life associated with liquefaction. The report for the years 2008-2017 showed that 101 lives and nine bulk carriers were probably lost due to cargo failure. It compares with a total of 202 lives lost in all 53 casualties.

The Group added that the new capability combined with its engineering and practical experience means that “clients will benefit from the rapid evaluation of condition, monitoring of changes over time and improved management of project risks to increase the certainty of a positive outcome.”

Further, the visual presentation of the vessel also assists in communicating with stakeholders such as local authorities, who may not understand the technical aspects of the project.

Hill Dickinson season. It is paramount that the shippers and the local authorities fulfil their obligations as required by the IMSBC Code.”

Hill Dickinson has announced a string of appointments. Master Mariner, Kevin Austin, will join from Norton Rose and is well known in the London hull market.

Intercargo has also published its 2017– 2018 Benchmarking Report which shows that Intercargo-entered ships continue to significantly outperform the industry averages in respect of both detentions and deficiencies per inspection. The report may be ordered from info@ intercargo.org

He will join Hill Dickinson as a Legal Director in London, following a rearrangement of the firm’s mariner team, which sees Joe Quain return from Singapore as a Consultant in London. Ian MacLean is moving to join the team in Singapore.

The nine bulk carrier losses comprised six vessels loaded with nickel ore from Indonesia, two vessels with laterite iron ore from India and one with bauxite from Malaysia.

Beth Bradley joins the Hill Dickinson London office from Clyde & Co as a Partner. Sung Hwan Choi (known as SD Choi) joins from Norton Rose as a Partner in Hill Dickinson’s Singapore office.

IUMI IUMI has launched a hull insurance tutorial programme for intermediate level hull underwriters and other marine professionals. Topics include: Ships 101; Collision Liability; General Average and Salvage; Exclusions and Claims. Visit https://iumishop.mycoracle.com/

There was no reported loss of life or loss of ship attributed to liquefaction in 2018, but Intercargo said it urges all stakeholders to “remain vigilant as cargo liquefaction continues to pose a major threat to the life of seafarers.

"Ship operators need to be especially cautious when loading during a wet 11

ISU PHOTO COMPETITION 2018 1

WINNER

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ISU Photograph Competition 2018 1. China Rescue and Salvage - SANCHI firefighting

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2. Boluda - tall ship

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3. Multraship / Ardent / Wagenborg - seals in the Pentland Firth 4. Resolve Marine Group - Alaskan fishing boat.

5. Tsavliris - Corinth Canal.

6. Smit Salvage - South Sea casualty 7. Five Oceans Salvage - casualty in Nigeria 8. Tug Malta - water arch.

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International Monitor Dangerous goods Industry Guidelines for the carriage of Divinylbenzene (DVB) in containers have been jointly published by CINS (the Cargo Incident Notification System), the International Group of P&I Clubs and the TT Club.

DVB is a chemical that is prone to polymerization (a form of self-reaction) and, when shipped in bulk, DVB polymerization can cause heat and flammable gas to be generated. The stowage of containers carrying DVB aboard vessels can therefore present a risk of explosion and fire if they are not properly presented for carriage.

A series of polymerization incidents arising from the carriage of DVB by sea, led IMO in 2018 to approve changes to the way that polymerizing substances, such as DVB, are carried by means of amendments to the IMDG Code. These changes are contained in amendment 39-18 of the IMDG Code, which will be mandatory from 1 January 2020, but may be applied on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2019.

To ensure the safe carriage of DVB in containers before 1 January 2020 when the amended IMDG Code requirements come into force mandatorily, these joint industry guidelines highlight the practices set out in the IMDG Code amendments and recommend that these are followed now, on a voluntary basis.

The Guidelines can be downloaded from the CINS website - http://www.cinsnet. com/industry-guidelines-for-carriage-ofdvb-in-containers-published/ UK The authorities in the UK have confirmed a previously-unreported near miss between a Royal Navy submarine and a ferry. The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said a close approach between the ferry STENA SUPERFAST VII and an un-named nuclear-powered submarine occurred in November 2018. The submarine was operating at periscope depth.

“We have carried out a preliminary assessment of the evidence in this case and the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has decided to open a safety investigation," said MAIB. “The investigation is being conducted with the full co-operation of the Royal Navy.

A report will be published when our investigation has concluded.”

The Royal Navy confirmed that there had been a "sighting" of one of its submarines between Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Stranraer, Scotland on November 6. Ferry operator Stena confirmed that the SUPERFAST VII came close to a submerged submarine during a scheduled crossing between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If the near miss had resulted in contact, it would have been the fifth accident involving a UK submarine since 2010.

HMS AMBUSH, one of Britain's newest attack submarines, was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel off Gibraltar in 2016; HMS TALENT struck ice while shadowing a Russian vessel in 2015; an un-named Royal Navy sub caught the nets of a British fishing vessel in 2015 and HMS ASTUTE grounded off the Isle of Skye in 2010.

Sulphur cap The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has reviewed progress in persuading the IMO to take measures to address expected implementation problems for the sulphur cap set to come in from 01 January 2020.

It includes outstanding safety and fuel compatibility issues associated with the use of new 0.5% sulphur blends and continuing uncertainty over the availability of compliant fuels in every port worldwide, a particular challenge for tramp trades.

The ICS Board concluded that it will be vital for the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee to complete this work at its meeting in May 2019, as shipowners begin ordering compliant fuels.

“The 2020 global sulphur cap will be the regulatory game changer of the decade with profound implications for the economics of shipping” believes Chairman of the ICS, Esben Poulsson.

“But there are even more profound changes to come. We are rapidly moving into a multi-fuel future to be followed we hope, in the 2030s, by the arrival of commercially viable zero CO2 fuels suitable for global application.

“While fuel suppliers must play their part in providing sufficient quantities of safe and compliant low sulphur fuels, shipowners must urgently prepare their 13

ship specific implementation plans for 2020,” said Mr Poulsson. “This should be carried out using the IMO template adopted at the industry’s request and the detailed advice prepared by ICS which we have just updated to take account of other recent IMO decisions. This will be vital to reduce the possibility of teething problems or in the event of initial Port State Control difficulties due to factors beyond the shipowner’s control.”

Security and piracy The geographic boundaries of the ‘High Risk Area’ for piracy in the Indian Ocean have been reduced, with new advice issued to merchant ship operators.

The High Risk Area reflects the area where the threat from piracy exists, whilst recognising the ongoing containment of pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean.

The industry group of shipping and oil industry organisations, BIMCO, ICS, Intercargo, Intertanko and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) responsible for setting the High Risk Area emphasised that a serious threat remains despite the reduction to the area’s geographic boundaries and that correct reporting, vigilance and adherence to 5th edition of the best management practice (BMP5) remains crucial.

The reduction to the High Risk Area takes full account of recent shipping industry experience, pirate intent and capability and follows extensive consultation with nations, collations and military naval forces, including Combined Maritime Forces, EUNAVFOR and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which continue to provide vital advice and protection to shipping.

Salvage World is produced by the International Salvage Union. For matters relating to the publication contact: James Herbert, ISU communications advisor.

Tel: +44 1423 330 505 Email: admin@gemcomms.com For general enquiries contact: ISU, Holland House 1-4 Bury Street London EC3A 5AW Tel: +44 20 7220 6597 Email: ISU@marine-salvage.com