Tag: Germany

SEEMP is applicable to new and existing ships of 400 gross tonnage and more The German Administration BG-Verkehr has issued the following Circular No 02/2012, which adresses the Ships Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), which is applicable to new and existing ships of 400 gross tonnage and more, and to be provided on-board according to the schedule which is reminded in the Circular.The Circular is intended to advise companies in developing a SEEMP and requests concerned companies to note the applicable IMO documents referenced in the Circular.For more information, click here.Source: BG-Verkehr

Germany May Loosen Shipping Laws Using private security firms to protect ships from Somali pirates has long been a legal gray area in Germany. Conceding that it doesn't have enough soldiers to do the job, the German government isconsidering a draft lawallowing shipowners to deploy private armed guards. But there's onecaveat:Security personnelwould be limited to using semi-automatic firearms.Shipping companies and Western governments have been struggling with the problem of piracy off the Horn of Africa for years. It's becoming increasingly clear that the only really effective solution involves having private security forces on board who are prepared to repel attacks with firearms if necessary -- as a recent viral Internet video of guards apparently shooting Somali pirates graphically illustrates.For ships flying the German flag, such operations are currently a legal gray area. The use of armed private security guards is neither clearly prohibited nor explicitly allowed. But that could soon change. The German Economics Ministry is currently working on draft legislation that would establish a certification process for security companies, allowing them to place guards on ships.According to the draft, which SPIEGEL ONLINE has seen, the German government considers the fight against piracy to be an "important task" that needs ...

The Malta-flagged cargo Kaie encountered a considerable calamity off Brunsbüttel The Malta-flagged cargo Kaie encountered a considerable calamity off Brunsbüttel. The 89 meter long, 4161 dwt freighter Kaie, while enroute Antwerp-Frederiksvaerk, attempted to anchor on the NW-anchorage and collided on January 3 with the 114 meter long, 4300 dwt Alteland which was underway from Ceuta to Sundsvall.The current of the incoming tide pushed the stern against the bow of the Alteland, breaching the hull. The anchor chain of the Alteland had to be cut off since it fouled the propeller of the Kaie.The Alteland berthed in Brunsbüttel for surveys by German Lloyd prior to being allowed to proceed to Kiel for repairs at Lindenau Yard. A hole of 30×30 centimeters, 2,5 meters above the waterline, has to be welded and the lost anchor has to be replaced. The ship berthed at Lindenau Yard. The Kaie remained caught in the port side anchor of the "Alteland" close to the Elbe ferry pt. The attempts to free the vessel were postponed due to poor weather and will be resumed today.Source: World Maritime News

But not to issue any permits for the use of weapons of war The Federal Government wants to make legally possible the use of armed private security teams on German ships but not to issue any permits for the use of weapons of war. That was resolved at an inter-ministerial meeting on Wednesday evening , Hans-Joachim Otto (FDP) , the Federal Government's coordinator for the maritime industry, said to this newspaper on Thursday .For this purpose, procedures were established for the certification of security firms and operational rules were put into place. At an international meeting in London next week, the government wants to try to resolve uniform rules and standards with other states. That is important primarily because most (90 per cent) of the security firms now operating on the seas come from foreign countries, especially from Great Britain.According to the parliamentary state secretary for economics, the experts have concluded that security teams do not need any heavy weapons for this. "The unanimous opinion in the Federal Government is that we can get along without weapons of war," Otto said. He added that this is not changed by the fact that as a rule pirates attack with rapid-fire rifles ...

The Group now has dedicated marine sales and overhaul facilities in 35 countries Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has opened a new Marine Service Centre in the Port of Hamburg, Germany.The investment marks the latest stage in the development of a global marine service network.This year, with Hamburg, four new or expanded Marine Service Centres have been opened in major world ports. The Group now has dedicated marine sales and overhaul facilities in 35 countries, providing round-the-clock support to customers worldwide.This new facility further increases the Rolls-Royce footprint in Germany, a strategic market, where the Group already employs around 3,200 people at two aerospace production facilities and a state-of-the-art mechanical testing facility. A joint venture with Daimler, to acquire the German diesel engines group Tognum, will also create further growth opportunities and broaden the product portfolio.Dr. Michael Haidinger, President, Rolls-Royce Deutschland said: "The new Rolls-Royce Marine Service Centre in Hamburg represents an important extension of our activities in the Marine business and also increases our overall presence in Germany, which is a strategically important market for us."Martin Hall, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President Europe - Services Marine, said: "Rolls-Royce has been investing to expand its global marine service network for ...

Germany plans to lobby other EU countries to allow armed guards Germany plans to lobby other European Union countries to allow the deployment of private armed guards on their merchant ships in high-risk areas as a piracy crisis escalates, ministry officials said.But analysts said the initiative was likely to face legal and practical difficulties.Somali piracy is costing the world economy billions of dollars a year, and international navies are stretched to combat the menace in the Indian Ocean due to the vast distances involved. In desperation, more shipping companies are considering deploying private armed guards on their vessels.The German government is looking into changing the country's weapons laws to allow security personnel to bear firearms on ships in high-risk areas. It could also certify those private security companies that could be used on merchant vessels, a government official said."Our goal is to develop a coordinated approach to be presented at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting in September, and EU governments are the main partners to bring on board," said Jan Gerd Becker-Schwering with the German economy ministry. "To go this alone would not be beneficial."The European Union said allowing private armed guards on merchant vessels was a decision to ...

Germany may soon authorize shipping companies to hire private armed guards The German government is considering a change to gun laws so that private security companies can protect German ships from pirates. So far this year 21 vessels have been hijacked near the Horn of Africa.Germany may soon authorize shipping companies to hire private armed guards to defend vessels from Somali pirates. Ships sailing near the Horn of Africa are at high risk of attack from pirates, who often hijack ships for ransom.Currently one third of German ships are estimated to be sailing in the western Indian Ocean with guards on board, but the practice is only semi-legal. If a pirate were to be killed in self-defense, the guard can be punished under German laws.The idea of deploying naval escorts for ships has been sidelined by the government, as it would be unaffordable. Failing to gain naval support, shipping companies have been angry at a policy stalemate lasting years. The pirates are frequently armed with a automatic weapons and bazookas, and often target German ships carrying chemicals and oil.World consensusBerlin officials said on Wednesday that there was a shift in opinion in favor of allowing armed guards to defend ships.On ...

German shipyards have turned out two big motor yachts, German shipyards have turned out two big motor yachts, demonstrating that the lucrative private sector, along with passenger and specialist offshore vessels, is helping keep troubled German shipbuilding alive.Tom Todd writes: The 84m long and 14m wide Valerie went on trials in the Baltic this week after leaving the Lürssen Groups Kröger Werft in Schacht-Audorf. Floated out in March, the four-deck newbuild, which has a steel hull and aluminium superstructures and a heli-pad in the bow, was expected to be handed over to her unidentified owners this summer.She was earlier known under the project name Firebird. Reports said she was powered by twin Caterpillar Diesels, but technical details of the ship have not been released.Fellow yacht building and conversion specialist Nobiskrug in Rendsburg on the Kiel Canal has also delivered a big yacht. Revealing more than Lürssen about its newbuild the shipyard said the 74m Sapphire was built to exterior and interior designs by Newcruise Yacht Projects & Design.She was completely custom-made with innovative features including multi-functional spaces, extensive exterior LED lighting, an enormous sun deck, large raised sunbathing platforms and an outside cinema. Her circular aft main deck can be ...

MARPOL Annex I Oil Pollution The German Administration has issued the following circular : informing that the revised Annex I of MARPOL 73/78 resolution MEPC.187(59) will enter into force on 1st January 2011, and giving the opinion of the German Flag State concerning the change of entries in oil record books: The entries under C.11 shall be made as previously on a weekly basis. This applies also to the new entry under C.11.4, even if no manual operation has been carried out in that period of time. Furthermore, Oil Record Books in the older format can be used after 31. December 2010 until their completion, provided that they have been updated manually to comply with the new format in accordance with MEPC.187(59).You may view the Circular here.Source: German Administration