Salvage World Q1 2020

INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION

April 2020

ISU members’ vital contribution to environmental protection Members of the International Salvage Union (ISU) provided 214 services to vessels carrying 2,308,756 tonnes of potentially polluting cargo and fuel during operations in 2019 demonstrating the importance of ISU members’ role in protecting the marine environment.

The data come from the results of the ISU’s Annual Pollution Prevention Survey for operations in 2019 which show a decrease from 2018’s total of 3.2 million tonnes. The decrease is accounted for by the 2018 numbers having an unusually large amount of crude oil. One or two VLCC cases can have a significant impact on the overall numbers. Crude oil in 2019 was 400,000 tonnes, the equivalent in 2018 was 978,000 tonnes.

Cargoes of refined oil products also fell in 2019 to 278,046 compared with 324,988 in 2019. The number of containers involved in ISU members’ services in 2019 was also down to 25,799 TEU, the 2018 figure was 59,874 TEU. The number of containers in cases in 2019 equates to 386,985 tonnes (allowing a nominal 15 tonnes per TEU).

Bulk cargoes increased to 961,061 tonnes in 2019. 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 229,731 tonnes of non-hazardous dry bulk – mainly metal ores.

Bunker fuel, remains remarkably consistent at 115,811 tonnes compared with 111,796 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.

Commenting on the results of the survey, President of the ISU, Richard Janssen, said: “ISU members deliver services that save life and property but, as the results of this survey show so clearly, our members’ operations also protect the environment from great harm. The numbers, when compared with other years, also show the variability of our industry.

“We are always transparent with this survey – we know that not all of these potential pollutants were at risk of going into the sea. Some cases will have had limited danger but many others will have carried a real risk of substantial environmental damage.

“Attitudes to the natural world have changed dramatically in recent years and the environment is now at the centre of political and business decision making.

It is essential that there continues to be global provision of expert salvage services to respond to maritime emergencies and, in most cases, it is only the professional salvors - members of the ISU - who have the experience and equipment to make those interventions and prevent environmental catastrophes.” Cont P2

Members of the ISU respond to Coronavirus ISU members have confirmed that they will be “working hard to maintain full service to their clients” during the global Coronavirus outbreak, including providing emergency response services to casualty vessels. ISU noted the previous destinations of vessels and crew pose an additional challenge when assessing how best to respond to a vessel in distress.

ISU also said that travel restrictions could affect the way salvors would normally

deploy teams but the ISU’s members are spread strategically around the world and larger members have people and equipment in multiple locations and on vessels already at sea.

President of the ISU, Richard Janssen, said: “Salvors are nothing if not problem solvers and we have a track record of responding to incidents whatever the circumstances. Our priorities are to Action Press / Shutterstock and savePhoto: live, protect the environment save property and we will jointly work 1

towards a situation whereby service can be maintained to our shipowner clients during the current difficult times. We are all in competition, but we also work cooperatively together in the service of our clients on many jobs whilst respecting the safety of our teams.”

The ISU has 49 full members providing emergency response, wreck removal, environmental protection and other marine services around the world.

2019 ISU pollution prevention survey results continued All pollutant figures in tonnes

Of the 214 services provided by ISU members in 2019, variants of wreck removal contracts were used in 19 services; Lloyd’s Open Form – 28 services (in total, 29 LOFs were reported to Lloyd’s in 2019). Towage contracts accounted for 36 services; Japanese Form – 8 services; Fixed Price and Lump Sum – 12 services; Day Rate – 73 services and other contracts were used in 31 services. The Turkish Form was used in 7 services.

The survey was first conducted by ISU in 1994 and the methodology was updated in 2014 to include a wider range of potential pollutants including containers and hazardous and dirty bulk cargoes. It now recognises that coastal state authorities consider most cargoes to be potentially polluting.

Container trade has also increased dramatically and the capacity of containerships is now far greater than in 1994. Containers, with mixed and sometimes hazardous contents - and the

Results

2019 2018

Number of services

214 224

Bunker fuel

115,811 111,796

Crude oil

400,000 978,000

Refined oil products

278,046 324,988

Chemicals

70,944 127,885

Bulk polluting/hazardous

961,061 743,100

TEU (tonnes equivalent)

386,985 898,110 (25,799 TEU @ nominal 15 tonnes/TEU)

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

Other pollutants

95,909 29,349

Totals

2,308,756 33,213,228

danger they cause if left in the sea - are both a potential pollutant and hazard.

The survey takes account of the 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

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Owners’ Pollution Federation publications and the International Solid Bulk Cargoes Code.

In the period 1994 to end-2019, ISU members have provided services to casualty vessels carrying 33,728,360 tonnes of potential pollutants, an average of more than one million tonnes per year.

Tsavliris bulker operations Tsavliris reports two cases of immobilized bulkers at opposite sides of the world in the last period.

On 3 December 2019, the bulk carrier CHRIS GR, laden with 51,400 tonnes of yellow maize in bulk, was immobilised due to main engine problems about 20 miles east of Cape Bojeador, Philippines, while on passage from Santos, Brazil to Japan.

The area had been heavily affected by the Cyclone Kammuri causing storm force winds and heavy seas. Tsavliris was contracted to provide salvage assistance and on 4 December the tug SALVAGE CHAMPION was mobilised from Kaoshiung, Taiwan, arriving at the casualty the next day by which time she had drifted about 250 miles west from the initial position.

On 6 December the tow connection was established and towage commenced to Hong Kong in adverse weather conditions and it was decided to provide further support and the salvage tug SALVAGE WORKER was sent from Taiwan and joined the convoy on 9 December. On 12 December the convoy arrived safely at Hong Kong and the tow was delivered to four port tugs arranged by Tsavliris.

The tugs SALVAGE CHAMPION and SALVAGE WORKER were released and with the assistance of pilots and the four port tugs the convoy safely arrived and berthed the casualty at the nominated floating dock No. 3 at Yiu Lian Shipyard, Hong Kong, where the salvage services were completed successfully.

On 6 January 2020, the bulk carrier AEOLOS laden with about 19,274 tonnes of steel products (picture, right) was immobilised due to loss of steering capability 23 miles north-east of Monemvasia, Peloponnese, Greece. The vessel was on passage from Turkey to Argentina.

On the same day, Tsavliris was contracted to provide salvage assistance and mobilised salvage tugs from their stations in Piraeus. The salvage tug VERNICOS SIFNOS arrived at the casualty’s position and a tow connection was established in severe weather conditions - up to Force 9, gusting 10. On 7 January, towage commenced towards Neapolis Bay for shelter. Later that day, the salvage tug CH GEMITZOGLOU also established a tow connection and both tugs towed the vessel towards Neapolis Bay. A diving

team arrived at Neapolis for inspections.

On 9 January, the ALEXANDER 5 replaced the tug CH GEMITZOGLOU and towage continued towards Piraeus roads.

The next day, the convoy was instructed to drift off Hydra and an underwater inspection was carried out on the high seas by divers deployed by fast offshore diving boat. It was reported that the ship’s rudder was missing. The convoy arrived safely at Piraeus on 13 January. The following day, with assistance of further tugs, the casualty was towed for mooring at Kynossoura, Piraeus under pilotage and escorted by VERNICOS SIFNOS and the salvage services were completed.

Nippon raises sunken freighter The general cargo ship JIA DE sank in an anchorage in Tokyo Bay near Higashi-Ogishima in 30 metres of water in October 2019. It happened during Typhoon Hagibis which also caused interruption to the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Heavy oil spilled from the vessel and widely polluted the coast of Tokyo Bay and Nippon was contracted to deal with the vessel's oil and remove the wreck under a BIMCO Wreckstage 2010.

The vessel was fully loaded with 3,045 tonnes of scrap, listing about 45 degrees to starboard and sank with the starboard side buried under the seabed up to the upper deck. The bow buckled from the starboard side over the port side, torsioned about 10 degrees counterclockwise (viewing forward from aft) with her outer shell plates significantly bent and her hull strength significantly compromised.

The salvor’s divers had difficulties

working at the site due to the strong and cold winter monsoon winds and poor underwater visibility due to the muddy seabed. In addition, the wreck's position was in a sea area where vessel traffic was very congested, leading to considerable efforts to obtain permission for mooring support craft and sheelegs. And the site was adjacent to Haneda Airport which imposed height restrictions which limited the lifting capacity and choice of sheerlegs.

Despite the low seawater temperature, the salvors used hydraulic pumps to extract and collect bunkers from the vessel. The 3

hatch covers were removed and the cargo was collected in a 2,500-tonne box barge using an “orange peel” bucket. The seabed was excavated with clamshell buckets and air lifts and 32 securing points were rigged for lifting the freighter which was safely raised using a 3,000-tonne lifting capacity sheerleg.

After the lift, the salvors quickly adjusted the list by removing the remaining cargo, performed water-tightening and reinforcement of the buckled parts and then successfully refloated the vessel for towage to the demolition site.

Members’ News Ardent Market speculation continues about the status of Ardent which was subject to a buy out in Q3 2019 with finance provided

by Aurelius, an alternative direct lender, from its co-owners Svitzer, and Crowley Holdings Inc.,. Long standing Chief Executive, Peter Pietka, subsequently left the company to be replaced by Oliver Timofei and a revised strategy was announced. Contacted by Salvage World, Ardent declined to comment and Aurelius did not respond to requests for a statement.

Tsavliris The Tsavliris Group has published the story of its founder, Alexander G Tsavliris, and the history of the group. The book is authored by well-known maritime historian, George M Foustanos.The family has also been involved in another book, “Winning Shipping Strategies: Theory and Evidence from Leading Shipowners” co-authored by George Tsavliris and Professor Paul Emmanuelides and published by Kerkyra PublicationsEconomia Publishing. The book “develops a comprehensive framework of winning shipping strategies through the application of established Strategic Management theory to the analysis of the shipping

industry” using evidence from case studies from the Greek shipping community.

Separately, a special award was presented to Nicolas Tsavliris, Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Greek Branch, for his15 years Chairmanship of the Greek Branch since 2004 and his long-standing dedication to the Institute, being a Member for over 50 years. The ceremony took place during the 15th ICS Annual Forum, in cooperation with the British Embassy Athens, in December 2019 at the Eugenides Foundation.

McAfee comes to Resolve from the Bechtel Corporation. “We are excited to have A W on board contributing to our northwest expansion plans,” said Joseph E Farrell, III, Director of Business Development at Resolve. “His strong background in project management and administration strengthens Resolve’s commitment to this region.”

McAfee has been in the marine and civil industries since 1995 at first in diving developing the performance of sub-sea operations leading to improvements in underwater construction techniques.

McAfee gained his industry expertise supervising teams on large-scale projects for global engineering companies.

Resolve said McAfee’s immediate strategic plan for its Dutch Harbor base is to implement an improvement programme increasing operational efficiency and response capacity.

Resolve Marine Group Resolve Alaska, the northwest operating arm of the Resolve Marine Group, has appointed A W McAfee as its new Managing Director responsible for overseeing Resolve’s operational response and recovery activities.

A W McAfee, new Managing Director for Resolve Alaska.

Shipping unites to raise US $5 billion for R&D to cut emissions The global maritime transport industry has submitted a proposal to form a collaborative shipping R&D programme to help eliminate CO2 emissions from international shipping.

The proposal includes core funding from shipping companies across the world of about USD $5 billion over a 10-year period.

The organisations supporting the proposal are: BIMCO, Cruise Lines International Association, Intercargo, Interferry, International Chamber of Shipping, Intertanko, International Parcel Tankers Association, World Shipping Council.

International maritime transport carries around 90 percent of global trade and is currently responsible for approximately 2 percent of the world’s anthropogenic CO2 emissions and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is responsible for regulating the reduction of CO2 emissions by international shipping.

The industry-wide move to accelerate R&D is necessary to ensure the ambitious CO2 reduction targets agreed to by IMO Member States in 2018 are met. These include an absolute cut in the sector’s total greenhouse gas emissions of at least 50 percent by 2050, with full decarbonisation shortly after.

The 2050 target will require a carbon efficiency improvement of up to 90 percent, which is incompatible with a continued long-term use of fossil fuels by commercial shipping.

Meeting the IMO GHG reduction goals will require the deployment of new zerocarbon technologies and propulsion systems, such as green hydrogen and ammonia, fuel cells, batteries and synthetic fuels produced from renewable energy sources. These do not yet exist in a form or scale that can be applied to large commercial ships, especially those engaged in transoceanic voyages and 4

which are currently dependent on fossil fuels.

The shipping industry is proposing the establishment of an International Maritime Research and Development Board (IMRB), a non-governmental R&D organisation that would be overseen by IMO Member States.

The IMRB will be financed by shipping companies worldwide via a mandatory R&D contribution of US $2 per tonne of marine fuel purchased for consumption by shipping companies worldwide, which will generate about US $5 billion in core funding over a 10 year period.

In a proposal to IMO, the industry has set out details for governance and funding of the coordinated R&D programme, which can be put in place by 2023 via amendments to the existing IMO Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

Smit Salvage round up Smit reports that it has been active “across the globe” including a long distance tow of a disabled laden capsize bulker from Cape Town to China and two wreck removal operations in Singapore.

In Europe, Smit assisted shipowners and their underwriters with bunker removal from the grounded bulker CRDY BLUE off Sardinia and in France the Dutch salvors assisted with the PAMPERO, a gas carrier requiring salvage services on the inland water system of France.

Elsewhere, in late 2019, the chemical/ products tanker BLUE STAR (picture, right) suffered a blackout in severe weather in Ria de Ares, Galicia, Spain and grounded on the rocky shore.

After several attempts to refloat the ship with local tugs, the owners awarded Smit a LOF contract to salvage the ship and protect the environment.

Priority was given to removing bunker fuel and other pollutants. A transfer hose was rigged from the nearby cliff to the ship via a "zip-line". A helicopter lifted pumps and powerpacks onboard the casualty and within days trucks had delivered all pollutants from the cliff to a facility for further disposal.

The tug VEHINTIOCHO (90 tonne bollard pull) was connected to BLUE STAR to prevent it moving further ashore during high water.

The AHTs UNION PRINCESS (207 tbp) and BOKA PEGASUS (257 tbp), which are operated by Boskalis Offshore, were mobilised to site to assist with the refloating. Both tugs received dyneema floating tow lines to make the towing connection.

After receiving the grounding notification, Smit dispatched an initial inspection team from Singapore which, along with a salvage team from longstanding partner Malayan Towage and Salvage, carried out an assessment and dive survey.

The casualty was heavily aground, almost over its full length, and a number of ballast tanks were breached. Calculations by the naval architect showed that partial lightering of cargo was necessary to allow for a safe refloating operation.

Smit and Malayan Towage and Salvage offered their services together and while a contract was being negotiated, dedicated oil spill response measures were deployed on site. This was necessary due to the sensitive environment, the bunkers and cargo on board and the condition of the casualty.

With all breached tanks pressurised, the large tugs pulled the casualty free. After a short voyage the casualty was safely redelivered to her owners in El Ferrol.

The local community, authorities and underwriters were said to be “delighted”.

In December 2019, the chemical tanker CHEMITEC (picture, right) suffered main engine problems and subsequently grounded on a reef close to Bolinao, Pangasinan, in the Philippines. The vessel was laden with 15,000 tonnes of Paraxylene.

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A salvage plan was submitted and additional equipment and salvage personnel were mobilised to site from the Philippines as well as from Singapore.

The chemical tanker SICHEM NEW YORK was chartered to receive the lightered cargo. Shallow water depth surrounding the Chemitec meant the lightering tanker was anchored remotely by means of a “T-bone” type mooring connected to the casualty (see picture).

About 200 m of floating cargo hoses were used to transfer 7,300 tonnes of the cargo and, following a carefully calculated deballasting sequence, the CHEMITEC was successfully refloated with the help of three harbour tugs.

Underwater temporary repairs were completed, the cargo was backloaded and the CHEMITEC continued her voyage.

ISU News Associate Members’ Day and Annual Dinner 2020 The ISU was forced by the impact of Coronavirus restrictions to cancel the 2020 Associate Members’ Day Conference and Annual Dinner that were scheduled for the end of March.

ISU extends its grateful thanks to the speakers who had prepared diligently for the conference. It is expected that much of the material will still be used at future events.

For the same reason, the first quarter ISU Executive Committee meeting was conducted via conference call and all the important business of the meeting was successfully transacted.

Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) in wreck removal The ISU Salvage sub-Committee and Executive Committee have both been considering the use of QRA in wreck removal tendering, including reviewing ideas from members of the International Group of P&I Clubs. ISU executives will now engage further on the issue with the IG. ISU Secretary General, Roger

Evans, said: “The best way to use QRA in tendering and, indeed, in the execution of jobs is an important topic. There has been a prolonged period of discussion and exchanges of ideas and documents and ISU is ready for further discussions on this and also on revising the Code of Conduct for wreck removal that exists between the ISU and the IG.” Annual General Meeting The ISU secretariat continues to plan for the 2020 AGM due to be held in The Rotterdam Marriot Hotel, The Netherlands, on 17 September with a programme of associated events. There is uncertainty globally about the long term impact of travel restrictions but it is to be hoped that the situation will have stabilised by September to enable the AGM to proceed and provide an excellent forum for the salvage community to come together after a prolonged period of remote working.

certificate in 1983 and sailed for many years in dry cargo and tank vessels.

He was director of Cuban ISU member Empresa Antillana de Salvamento from 1999 - 2007 and was a loyal and regular attendee at ISU events.

Captain Bravo was involved in many salvage cases often working closely with other ISU members. He was highly qualified in many marine disciplines, had a naval engineering degree and was also a certified commercial diver. He developed salvage software which was successfully used in salvage operations in Cuba and also created other useful software to calculate the resistance of the tow in dynamic and static conditions.

Obituary

After leaving Antillana, he continued with his professional career and provided technical consultancy services to various salvage companies and in 2011 he was appointed as an SCR, the only one in Latin America at that time.

ISU notes the passing of Captain Angel Bravo Solis – always known as “Captain Bravo”. He was born in 1950 in Cuba and had extensive seagoing and salvage experience. He gained his Master's

Captain Bravo passed away in Havana, at the age of 69, after a long battle with kidney disease. He was described by an ISU member as “a wonderful man who will be greatly missed.”

New aircraft for UK Coastguard The UK has procured two new aircraft to increase the life-saving search and rescue capability of the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The planes are equipped with multiple sensors which can identify a person in the water up to 40 miles away and can drop emergency locator beacons, communications and first aid equipment to those in danger.

Specially trained pilots and crew will be on stand-by around-the-clock, ready to conduct searches around the UK coastline.

Operating from Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, the new aircraft will also support HM Coastguard’s counter pollution activities by spotting pollution in UK waters.

On average, the current fleet of search and rescue helicopters responds to seven taskings a day, with more than 1,600 people rescued around the UK last year.

Commercial & Programmes Director at the MCA Damien Oliver, said: “The Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s new aircraft will enhance HM Coastguard’s existing and future search and rescue capabilities.

“These Beechcraft King Air B200 aircraft are a welcome addition to the MCA’s fleet of helicopters and planes and boast state-of-the-art cameras and sensors. The aircraft will also provide further assistance 6

to other public bodies in the work that they do.”

The new aircraft will join HM Coastguard’s existing helicopter fleet which are stationed at 10 bases around the UK. It is envisaged that the aircraft will each complete approximately 1,000 hours of flying every year.

Resolve Marine refloats flooded drydock

situation, closing fuel vents, surveying stability and attaching rigging. The services were aided by Resolve’s nearby response assets – salvage vessel MAKUSHIN BAY; the MANITOWOC 4100, a 230-tonne crane barge, and a nineperson salvage team.

To lift the six tonne plane, Resolve prepared special rigging, contending with 2.5 metre waves. The plane was successfully raised and loaded onto a barge and transported to a nearby dock.

Also in Alaska, Resolve provided services to a fishing vessel with engine trouble approximately nine miles from Dutch Harbor.

Resolve Marine reports a busy period with a variety of services provided.

In the Bahamas, Resolve was contracted to refloat a large drydock that had suffered structural failure and flooding during the docking of a large cruise ship. Resolve’s engineering teams formulated a plan to safely refloat the drydock and remove the structure for scrap.

Over the course of several months, the drydock was carefully cut into two sections which were successfully refloated using its crane barge RMG 400, deck barge RMG

302 and the RESOLVE COMMANDER. Elsewhere, in Alaska, in water temperatures averaging 4 C and air temperatures averaging -6 C, Resolve removed a downed King Air aircraft from Unalaska Bay, Alaska. Resolve said the project “exemplifies its expertise in planning innovative solutions for unique challenges.” The aircraft had submerged in water 20 metres deep after an emergency ditching.

Two Resolve divers spent over an hour in the icy waters assessing the plane’s

The team was able to immediately mobilise the tug MAKUSHIN BAY to the drifting fishing vessel as it headed into shallow water and a likely grounding. The MAKUSHIN BAY’s proximity enabled the team quickly to reach the fishing vessel and connect for a tow back to Dutch Harbor in heavy seas.

Resolve was also contracted to assist with the refloating, redelivery and repairs to the NANA PROVIDER barge which grounded while passing through the Discovery Passage off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. Resolve dispatched a salvage team to the Campbell River area and the NANA PROVIDER was refloated and the towing vessel POLAR KING, accompanied

by Resolve’s salvage crew, moved the barge to safer water and then transfered it to a berth in Duncay Bay.

STELLAR BANNER operations ongoing

Operations on the giant bulk carrier STELLAR BANNER continue off Brazil.

The services are being provided by Smit in cooperation with Ardent.

The bulker grounded and took on a severe list in late February about 60 miles off the coast of the state of Maranhão. The

vessel was outbound for China laden with 275,000 tonnes of iron ore.

The 20 crew members were evacuated from the vessel and there were no reported injuries to the crew.

Removing bunker fuel began in March and is the first part of what will be a lengthy 7

and complex operation. The Brazilian navy reported that there were no traces of oil and the vessel is stable.

Several vessels are at the site providing support to the salvage operation and standing by to contain pollution and leaks from the vessel.

Associates’ and Affiliates' News Intercargo

European maritime logistics sector. ETA said that, at most, the Commission should extend the CBER for one year during which a proper review is conducted. If not, the Commission must let the CBER expire in April 2020.

Global Diving

INTERCARGO is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2020 and has produced a 40-year anniversary special publication which will be distributed to its members during 2020. Non-members may order it online at https://www.naftikachronika.gr/ intercargo-the-first-40-years/

Global's divers recently performed cleaning, wrapping, and installation of a cathodic protection system on the under-dock piling of 3 piers at the historic Fishermen's Terminal in Seattle.

Elsewhere, Global noted the Olmsted Locks and Dam construction project on the busy Ohio River which has been one of the largest infrastructure projects in the US. Global provided dive support on the project for ten years which included some 21,000 dives. The Locks and Dam officially opened in 2019, marking a major milestone in Global's history.

Waves Group

As a result of the evaluation, the Commission is considering extending the Consortia BER by another four years.

But ETA has said there are “significant shortcomings” in the evaluation process and, along with other freight and port organisations, the association suggests it is not admissible for the European Commission to simply extend the CBER for another four years.

ETA said that in those four years, the current CBER regime could cause “serious and irreparable harm” to the

Waves Group has extensive experience in the decommissioning of large offshore platforms and has worked on a number of high-profile decommissioning projects within the North Sea. ABR Company ABR Company has, with great regret, been forced by the Covid-19 crisis to cancel ITS 2020 Singapore which had been scheduled for 29 June - 3 July. It still expects to publish the book of conference papers.

Edward Liu, legal director with Hill Dickinson Hong Kong, has been appointed as a member of the region’s Advisory Committee on Promotion of Arbitration.

European Tug owners’ Association

A year ago, the European Commission invited all interested parties to comment on a proposal to prolong the existing block exemption (“Consortia BER”) from the application of Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

This existing block exemption will expire on 25 April 2020.

Waves will be involved in the project from the initial review of the original construction information all the way through to the completion of the structure’s disposal.

Waves Group will also act as Client Representative once a decommissioning contractor is appointed.

Hill Dickinson

The book chronicles the evolution of the organisation which is the trade association for dry bulk cargo shipping. It highlights policy matters, the history of bulk carrier design, commercial challenges and other issues such as the development of a safer bulker industry and the role of Intercargo as the voice of the industry.

ETA has participated in the consultation on the proposed prolongation of the Consortia Block Exemption Regulation for liner shipping consortia in Europe.

interest of safety to mariners.

Waves Group has been appointed as the Client Representative and technical consultant to Trinity House, the main UK lighthouse authority, for the decommissioning of the Royal Sovereign Lighthouse.

The lighthouse is situated some 10 nautical miles off the UK’s south coast.

It had been an important light, protecting vessels from running aground on the Royal Sovereign Shoal, as well guiding ships up the English Channel.

The introduction of the Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme has lessened its importance as vessels at risk from striking the shoal are kept further into the English Channel.

Completed in 1971, the lighthouse design and construction represented groundbreaking civil engineering technology. It has now reached the end of its 50-year design life and Trinity House has decided to decommission the lighthouse in the 8

The Committee was set up by the secretary for justice to promote Hong Kong as a leading centre for international arbitration services in the Asia-Pacific region. It comprises representatives from the Department of Justice and the legal, arbitration and relevant sectors in Hong Kong.

Mr Liu said: “I’m pleased to be appointed as a member of the Committee and to advise and assist the DOJ in respect of the promotion of arbitration in Hong Kong.

International arbitration is fast becoming the favoured method of resolving highvalue, cross-border disputes, particularly when dealing with issues in challenging jurisdictions."

GOLDEN RAY - preparatory environmental protection work T&T Salvage was awarded the contract to conduct wreck removal operations associated with the GOLDEN RAY car carrier off Georgia in the USA and preparatory operations are well underway.

Installation of piles to form the environmental protection barrier around the wreck.

Work is being conducted under the direction of a “Unified Command” for what is known as the St Simons Sound Incident Response and is comprised of the US Coast Guard as the federal on scene coordinator, the Georgia Department of Natural Resource as the state on scene coordinator and Gallagher Marine Services as the incident commander for the responsible party.

They are also working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District.

The intention is to dismantle the vessel in situ and preliminary work is underway to install the environmental protection barrier.

This consists of 36 large diameter, high-density polyethylene floating pipes installed between piles that will support the environmental protection barrier surrounding the GOLDEN RAY. The pipe, which is foam filled, will float on the water surface between steel buoys constrained by the structural framing at each pile group.

The pipe barrier will secure and protect a floating offshore oil boom that will be installed outside the pipe and will completely surround the wreck site.

Picture courtesy: Tyler Drapeau

Additionally, rock has been imported to shore up the bow and stern areas which were subject to scouring of the seabed increasing the risk of the vessel breaking up.

Containers have also been sunk in key locations to reduce the effect of tidal flow and currents on the operation.

Chris Graff of Gallagher Marine Systems, incident commander for the responsible party, commented: “We’d like to thank the initial response contractor, DonJonSMIT, for their hard work and commitment throughout this project. This is one of

the most complicated marine casualty responses in US history. DonJon-SMIT’s commitment to safety, along with hundreds of other responders, resulted in no injuries despite all the emergent hazards they faced.”

Coast Guard Commander, Matt Baer, federal on scene coordinator for the incident said: “While we cannot operate without risk, the UC remains focused on mitigating the overall risk to the environment while ensuring the safe removal of the ship.”

IUMI to work on Environmental, Social and Governance issues The International Union of Marine Insurance has added environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues to its policy agenda.

The results of IUMI’s membership survey on ESG matters shows a desire by its members to expand IUMI’s role as an “educator and facilitator for ESG issues”.

Over 90% of the respondents said that they are already doing a moderate amount or even a lot of work on sustainability. 65% view ESG topics on IUMI’s agenda to be “very important or extremely important” and would like us to spend more time and

effort on such issues.

IUMI says it therefore has a mandate to include ESG issues on its agenda and that, following discussions of its Executive Committee and the Technical Committee chairs who are in broad agreement, sustainability related topics will be addressed.

However, IUMI said: “Any work done and any issues addressed need to be based on a tangible approach with concrete outcomes.”

Four priorities have been identified: 9

Arctic sailings, autonomous/unmanned transport; fuel quality and new fuel types; ship recycling and IUMI’s Executive Committee has decided to apply for the role of supporting institution of the UN Environment Programme's Principles for Sustainable Insurance.

The association says this “cements its readiness to raise awareness amongst its membership of relevant sustainability issues with a tangible impact on marine insurers.”

International Monitor Red Sea The US Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (DOT MARAD) has warned that mines have been reported in coastal waters between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting alongside the Yemeni government in a war against Yemen’s Houthi rebels since 2015.

The US authorities have warned that vessels should exercise caution when transiting this region. The mines are believed to have drifted north from Yemen following a seasonal change of current flow.

Media reports say local fisherman were killed by sea mine explosions in the southern Red Sea near Yemen in February.

The coalition said a total of 137 mines in the south of the Red Sea and Bab-elMandeb strait have been discovered and destroyed.

developing common standards and promoting environmental best practices.”

The COA membership has continued to grow in recent years and now represents over 85 percent of the world’s container fleet.

Sister organisation, ITCO, the International Tank Container Organisation, has published its 8th Annual Tank Container Fleet Survey. This year’s survey estimates that by 2020 the global tank container fleet had reached 652,350 units worldwide, compared to the figure of 604,700 at the start of 2019, a year-onyear growth of 7.88%.

And CINS, the Cargo Incident Notification System, has elected Captain Y S Hwang of Evergreen Marine Corp. as its new Chairman and Uffe Ernst-Frederiksen of Maersk Line as its Deputy Chairman.

Age discrimination

COVID-19 has forced changes to the BBC’s UK Marine Weather Service – including the Shipping Forecast.

COA/Container Tanks/CINS The Board of Directors of the Container Owners' Association has elected Uffe Ernst-Frederiksen, Head of Cargo Management, AP Moller-Maersk, to the position of COA Chairman. He takes over from Brian Darnowski, Senior Vice-President – Operations, Triton International Ltd, who has completed his 3-year term of office.

The COA Board has also elected Paul Johnescu, Vice-President, Facilities & Equipment Engineering, Matson Navigation Company, as the Organisation’s Vice-Chairman.

“The container shipping industry continues to face challenging times for the foreseeable future,” said Mr ErnstFrederiksen, “but I am looking forward to working with the COA Board and our Members to provide tangible membership benefits, with the focus on promoting safe working practices, improving efficiency,

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has issued a safety alert to raise awareness on the risks posed by dangerous marine fauna.

Sharks and crocodiles present a wellknown danger but Australian waters also contain a range of dangerous fauna that secrete toxins, inject venom, release or contain poison, harbour dangerous bacteria, give electric shocks or just have sharp teeth. Some can become aggressive once disturbed.

AMSA said: “An unwanted encounter with any of these dangerous fauna can happen without warning, so it is essential that you, your crew and passengers are prepared.”

It warned of numerous types of harmful jellyfish, collectively known as marine stingers. A sting from any of these can be painful, but the sting of the irukandji or the box jellyfish can be lethal.

There are also at least 32 species of sea snakes inhabiting Australian waters and a serious bite can cause total paralysis and death. Immediate medical assistance is critical.

UK

During the week, there will be three broadcasts: one at 0533, one at midday and one at 0048. All three will be on FM and LW. At the weekend, it will be 0533, 1800 and 0048, again on FM and LW.

Australia

The ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) recognises the issue of age discrimination and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released new Guidelines for Shipowners to Avoid Age Discrimination On Board Ships, which is available free of charge from the ICS website.

“Age discrimination is a form of unfair treatment and the age gap between employees in the workplace can now be as much as 50 years,” explains Natalie Shaw, Director of Employment Affairs at the ICS. “We are seeing a changing global workforce that is continuing to work longer, yet there are still many stereotypes associated with age that can play out on board ship. This can affect not only older employees, but also the young who can suffer from age-related stereotypes at the other end of the spectrum."

The ICS Guidelines address different types of age discrimination, whether direct or indirect, and show how this can be avoided with respect to recruitment, training, pay and promotion, as well as redundancy and retirement.

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Venomous, poisonous or spiny fish and the blue-ringed octopus can all be dangerous. Blue-ringed octopi are very small and inhabit tide pools and shallow reefs. The bite of the blue-ringed octopus carries enough venom to kill 26 adult humans within minutes.

AMSA advised vessel operators to control the risk and take preventative measures and incorporate the risk from fauna into safety management systems.

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