Tag: BIMCO

Limitied number of VPR sent We understand from USCG that only a limited number of the expected updates regarding the Vessel Response Plan (VRP) amendments for the salvage and marine fire fighting requirements have been sent in, even though the deadline is 22 February 2011.The updates are regarding owners/operators of tanker vessels in meeting regulatory compliance for the Salvage and Marine Firefighting Regulations (SMFF) (33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 155 Subpart I) and the CAPS "Dispersant" Regulations (33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 155 Subpart D).VRP staff members can be contacted by calling the VRP Help desk line at +1 202 372-1000. USCG will also be monitoring the VRP E-mail folder [email protected]. In order to meet your obligation to have your vessel response plan updated and submitted to the Coast Guard by 22 February 2011, the Coast Guard requires receipt of your submission by16:00 Eastern Standard Time.Source: BIMCO

Important items on the agenda The governing body of the IMO Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquid and Gasses (BLG) is the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). BLG primarily deals with carriage requirements and properties of bulk chemicals and gasses as well as matters related to the NOx Technical Code under MARPOL Annex VI. The BLG further currently host two working groups respectively dealing withAir Emissionsand Ballast Water Management related issues.BIMCO will attend BLG 15 from 7-11 February 2011, where the following important items are on the agenda:Development of guidelines and other documents for uniform implementation of the 2004 BWM Convention;Development of international measures for minimising the transfer of invasive aquatic species through bio-fouling of ships;Review of relevant non-mandatory instruments as a consequence of the amended MARPOL Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code;Application of the requirements for the carriage of bio-fuels and bio-fuel blends.BIMCOis co-sponsoring one submission, primarily commenting on a submission from Norway/INTERTANKO thatattempts tosuggest means for ensuring that the fuel delivered to ships is of a constant quality. The danger with such proposed initiatives is that it could result in more monitoring of ships, as thereis no meansof implementing legislation applicable to ports or bunker suppliers. BIMCO, even though ...

Enquiries regarding environmentally hazardous substances The BIMCO Marine Department has received someenquiries regarding mineral concentrates and metal sulphide concentrates in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code.The enquiries centered onwhether these cargoes are considered environmentally hazardous substances(EHS)and thus should be IMO-classed 9(i.e. miscellaneous hazardous substances that are not classifed elswhere in the IMDG Code) and havingUN 3077 listing.Operators should take note thatenvironmentally hazardous substances are currently not covered in the IMSBC Code for bulk materials and this has been brought to the attention to the relevant committees in the International Maritime Organzation. It was agreedthereatthat this matter needed further investigation.Operators shouldalso note that notwithstanding the above, there may be stricter requirements at the port of loading/discharg regarding the declaration of mineral concentrates and metal sulphide concentrates in terms of them being EHS.For instance, please see the marinenotice issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority imposing additionalrequirementsto be implemented for these cargoes in respect of their properties that may meet the criteria as EHS under UN 3077.Therefore, it would be prudent for operators toalways check beforehand, the requirements at the port of loading/discharge when shipping the above-mentioned cargoes so as to ensure that the additional requirements, if anyimposed by these ...

Shortage of over 60,000 officers by 2015 "The gap between supply and demand for officers could reach as high as 11% by 2015, equivalent to a shortage of over 60,000 officers worldwide, causing severe problems for the industry as economic conditions improve.The latest BIMCO/International Shipping Federation Manpower 2010 update shows that supply and demand for ratings is more or less in balance. But it confirms widespread perceptions that there are still some shortages of officers, particularly for certain ranks and ship types, especially tankers and offshore support vessels.On a positive note it found that, despite the recent difficult trading conditions, training of new entrants has mostly been maintained or increased since the last survey in 2005."Source: Bimco/ISF

New technologies will raise pressure on the demand for qualified crew Radical changes to ships over the next decade will create additional demand for qualified crews at a time when the industry is facing an acute shortage. A recent BIMCO report forecast a worst-case scenario of a shortage of more than 60,000 officers by 2015 at a time when vessels are set to become increasingly sophisticated. The range of new technologies that are likely to be installed on ships could see increased demands for new crewing models to emerge, in which shipowners outsource maintenance and repair duties to specialists, thus reducing the need for engineers to be highly trained in all the technologies onboard.Source: BIMCO