LAST WORD

NEWS, VIEWS AND MORE FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE

AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT AMMONIA

DNV has been selected to lead an ammonia bunkering safety study by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation in Singapore. The pioneering study aims to define a robust set of safety and operational guidelines that will establish the basis for ammonia bunkering trials at two local sites.

DNV will team up with Singapore’s leading infrastructure developer Surbana Jurong and the Singapore Maritime Academy. DNV’s work will comprise ammonia demand forecasting, bunkering site recommendations, the development of conceptual designs of bunkering modes like truck to ship or ship to ship, HAZID/HAZOP/QRA studies, as well as drafting of technical and operational guidelines.

While ammonia is said to be one of the most promising fuels to decarbonise shipping, DNV research shows that a number of safety gaps hold the potential to disrupt the speed and success of the transition. “The safe handling of ammonia is one such gap which urgently needs to be closed, given the threat it poses to seafarers and ships unless properly managed,” says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, chief executive of DNV Maritime.

LET’S TALK ABOUT LITHIUM

While certain risks relating to the characteristics of lithium have been well-known for decades, the recent exponential (and persistent) growth in its use, together with scientific advances have resulted in it presenting an “emerging risk” to the transport and logistics industry. The latest edition of TT Talk provides some opening comments on a topic that is causing concern in terms of safety and emergency response, and consequent regulatory strain.

TT Club’s analysis of claims points to an increase in impact-related incidents, with corrosion of tank containers’ inner surface and contamination caused by cargoes previously carried as significant other causes of loss. For details on both topics, visit: ttclub.com

REAPING REWARDS

The Insurance Development Forum (IDF), a publicprivate partnership led by the insurance industry and supported by the UN, World Bank and other international organisations, has announced a trilateral partnership with MapAction and Start Network to accelerate anticipatory action and disaster risk reduction in eight climate-vulnerable countries.

The initiative represents IDF’s commitment to the Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP). IDF is committed to contribute to REAP’s aim to make 1bn people safer from disaster by 2025 and this initiative with MapAction and Start Network is part of that effort. The organisations supporting and funding the IDF Anticipatory Action and Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative include Aon, AXA, AXIS Capital, Milliman, Willis Towers Watson, Swiss Re Foundation and the Zurich Insurance Group.

EAGLE’S ENVIRONMENTAL FIRST

AET has named its newest vessel, which is also one of the world’s first dual-fuel and among the most environmentally friendly VLCCs in the market. It is the first of two dual-fuel VLCCs built for long-term charter to Chartering and Shipping Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies.

The 300,000dwt tanker, Eagle Valence, was unveiled at a virtual naming ceremony held at the Samsung Heavy Industries Shipyard in Geoje, South Korea.

SIGN UP TO A BIG ADVENTURE

The Mission to Seafarers has launched Adventure Race Japan, taking place in May 2023. All sponsors and participants of this exciting challenge event will support the Mission’s Emerging Port Strategy 2022-26, a five-year plan to develop existing operations in Asia specifically, but also globally.

Adventure Race Japan will take place on the Izu Peninsula, Japan, a place of outstanding natural beauty and a designated UNESCO Global Geopark. Companies are invited to enter teams of three to take on this endurance challenge, which includes trail running and water-based activities.

Participants will benefit from team building with colleagues, networking with both Japanese and international industry partners during the challenge and at the gala dinners, as well as raising money to help seafarers.

Designed to suit both those who are relatively new to adventure races and to those hardened athletes who are raring for a new challenge, there will be two race options, the “Green Dragon Race” and the “Black Dragon Race”, offering the option to walk or run the trails on the first two days of the challenge.

Companies will be asked to pay a registration fee of US$6,000 per team of three, which will cover the cost of running the event. For more information on Mission to Seafarer’s Adventure Race Japan, and to sign up, visit: missiontoseafarers.org