Tag: INTERTANKO

The document has received approval from Round Table members Industry has produced a set of guidelines aimed at giving guidance on the construction and use of citadels in waters affected by Somalia piracy. The document has received approval from Round Table members - INTERTANKO, BIMCO, ICS and INTERCARGO - as well as other industry associations. NATO, EUNAVFOR and the Combined Maritime Force (CMF) have also approved the document.A citadel as defined in BMP4 is "A designated pre-planned area purpose built into the ship where, in the event of imminent boarding by pirates, all crew will seek protection. A citadel is designed and constructed to resist a determined pirate trying to gain entry for a fixed period of time."Since January 2010, there have been 26 cases where pirates have actually boarded vessels, but have been unable to take control because the vessel's crew have all successfully sought refuge in a pre-planned citadel. However, there have also been five cases where citadels have been breached - these may be attributed to a number of factors including poor construction and location of the citadel. With the use of citadels increasing, the pirates have similarly gained experience in defeating a citadel - this includes ...

The purpose of the extension was to allow vessel operators additional time for evaluation INTERTANKO reported that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) had extended the deadline for filing extension requests for new vessels that are constructed on or after 1 January 2013 to install ballast water treatment systems. The extension is from 30 June 2011 to 30 September 2011.Following on from this, and after requests from Members, a standard letter template has been developed for Members to use in requesting exemption from the implementation of the requirements for new vessels constructed after 1 January 2013. AThe purpose of the extension was to allow vessel operators, who may be requesting an extension, additional time to evaluate several soon-to-be-issued scientific and regulatory documents and studies. These are summarised in a letter template (see below) and provide justification for granting an exemption for vessels constructed after January 1 2013 from these stringent discharge requirements.The main basis for this exemption request is the EPA's Science Advisory Board report which concludes that current ballast water treatment systems would have to be wholly changed to be able to meet the 1000x IMO discharge standards. Furthermore, the EPA study concludes that, even with ...

By INTERTANKO's Human Element in Shipping Committee Increasing numbers of ship owners are realising the importance of providing internet access to crews, with access on board ships now widely regarded as a key component in the attraction of new entrants to the profession. Such provision also helps with the retention of existing staff.INTERTANKO's Human Element in Shipping Committee (HEiSC), which is chaired by John Adams of Teekay, has created a best practice guide to assist Members who may be considering installing a shipboard internet system for crew use.Internet-equipped vessels are now commonplace in today's world of shipping thanks to continuously developing technology, which has made shipboard internet an affordable option for many companies.The feeling is that the modern generation of seafarer is accustomed to a world which is always connected, and where internet access and the use of social networking sites are a major part of everyday life. The prospect of not being able to readily communicate with the outside world has become highly unappealing to the vast majority of today's seafarers. For these reasons, if managed correctly, shipboard internet can have many benefits, both from a commercial and crew welfare perspective.This best practice guide is designed to provide practical ...

ICS, BIMCO, INTERTANKO and INTERCARGO demand a The global shipping industry (represented by the Round Table of international shipping associations) has called for the establishment of a United Nations force of armed military guards to tackle the piracy crisis in the Indian Ocean, which it says is spiralling out of control.In a hard hitting letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, INTERTANKO and INTERCARGO demand a "bold new strategy" to curb rising levels of piracy which have resulted in the Indian Ocean resembling "the wild west".The letter states: "It is now abundantly clear to shipping companies that the current situation, whereby control of the Indian Ocean has been ceded to pirates, requires a bold new strategy. To be candid, the current approach is not working."Regretting the increasing necessity for shipping companies to employ private armed guards to protect crew and ships, the letter continues: "It seems inevitable that lawlessness ashore in Somalia will continue to breed lawlessness at sea."The shipping industry organisations - which represent more than 90% of the world merchant fleet - say they fully support the UN's long-term measures on shore aimed at helping the Somali people but are concerned that ...

To encourage raising awareness of the dangers INTERTANKO has been advised from a verified source that, tragically, the industry continues to experience a number of incidents involving fatalities attributable to alcohol poisoning. The purpose of this Safety Alert is to highlight this disturbing trend and encourage raising awareness of the dangers associated with: the consumption of alcohol purchased from dubious sources; the unlawful production of illicit alcoholic liquors. Alcohol poisoning is a condition where the alcohol content in a person's blood increases to an extent where it hampers the normal functioning of the central nervous system. Acute alcohol poisoning is triggered by excessive consumption of alcohol in a short period of time. When this occurs the individual is in great danger unless medical treatment is administered in a timely fashion.There have also been a number of cases, where illegally produced alcohol such as methyl alcohol (methanol) has been secretly obtained from unreliable sources, resulting in death for those who have consumed the product. Methanol, like many other toxic alcohols, has a smell very similar to ethyl alcohol found in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and spirits. It is used as a solvent, as a glass cleaner, and also in ...

MEPC finalises NOx Code work Norway failed in its bid to persuade the IMOs Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 62) that more parameters should be included on Bunker Delivery Notes (BDN). With strong support from Intertanko, tried to revive a move that had already been rejected by the IMOs Bulk, Liquids and Gases Sub-committee and was widely seen as requiring pre-testing of bunkers.The UK and other countries proposed the move and MEPC chairman Andreas Chrysostomou said that MEPC had clearly said no to the proposal.Among several other emissions related measure approved, the MEPC adopted Guidelines for reception facilities under MARPOL Annex VI and Guidelines addressing additional aspects to the NOx Technical Code 2008 with regard to particular requirements related to marine diesel engines fitted with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems.The MEPC also approved, for future adoption, draft amendments to the NOx Technical Code 2008, relating to engines not pre-certified on a test bed and to NOx-reducing devices. It also agreed terms of reference for the review of the status of technological developments to implement the Tier III NOx emission standard.The MEPC agreed a work plan on addressing the impact in the Arctic of Black Carbon emissions from ships and instructed ...

Tanker professionals launch Virtual Arrival The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and Intertanko believe they can help cut 40% of CO₂ emissions in EU Maritime Transport by 2050 though a "sustainable emissions management framework".Key to the proposal is Virtual Arrival - a voyage management optimisation and vessel emission reduction tool developed together by the two industry bodies in collaboration with the European Union.Virtual Arrival is a process that involves making an agreement to reduce a vessel's speed on voyage to meet a revised arrival time when there is a known delay at the discharge port. Reducing the vessel's speed will have a direct impact on fuel consumption, reduce emissions from the ship, improve safety and environmental concerns connected to congestion in ports and get the right amount of cargo to the right port at the right time. This results in a reduction in emissions but not in the delivered cargo capacity.Before a vessel's departure from the load port, or while en route to the discharge port when a delay is identified at the discharge port, for example due to lack of receiving space, a mutual agreement is made between two (or more) parties to adapt the ship's arrival time ...

Sovereign armed guards are an option that should be made available to owners 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EL X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 INTERTANKO's Council (the Association's main governing body) reviewed last month the Association's ongoing committed work on the fight against Somali piracy.It was agreed by Council that government/sovereign armed guards are an option that should be made available to owners, and that the Association should provide a letter template for its Members to use to write to their flag state administrations, urging them to undertake the provision of sovereign armed guards, sometimes also known as Vessel Protection Detachments (VPDs), for use by their vessels as registered with those administrations.Council believes that tanker owners should be in a position to be able to look to their flag state administration for professionally trained government armed guards to provide the sovereign protection that is the right of their vessels and their crews which sail them.The template letter is in 'Word' format for ready use by Members as appropriate, and may be accessed hereSource : INTERTANKO

The Decision indicates a prohibition on making funds On 7 June 2011, the EU Council published a Council Decision indicating its intention to add six port authorities to its list of 'designated' persons or entities who will fall within the current sanctions in force against Libya.Freezing of assets of these six port authorities will begin once the Regulation implementing the Council Decision has been published. This is expected early next week.The six listed port authorities controlled by the Gaddafi regime are: Port authority of Tripoli Port authority of Al Khoms Port authority of Brega Port authority of Ras Lanuf Port authority of ZawiaPort authority of Zuwara The Decision indicates a prohibition on making funds, financial assets to economic resources, available to these port authorities directly or indirectly, e.g. payment of port fees. So anyone subject to EU jurisdiction will not be able to pay any dues to the authorities listed. What is not clear is whether the prohibition could be circumvented by, for example, making the payment to the port through a third party. The Regulation may clear up this ambiguity.There is a 'prior contracts' exemption for contracts concluded before the entry into force of the Decision until 15 July ...

A view to improvingcompliance of operators Operators are reminded that the Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) is now issuing a monthly compliance report relating to "Best Management Practices" to shipping industry associations and flag states, which lists vessels which have not complied with one or more of the three main requirements of BMP: registering with MSCHOA, reporting to UKMTO, having visible SPMs (Self Protection Measures) in place.As previously advised, INTERTANKO has now been contacting (confidentially) Members listed in these reports as not being fully compliant with BMP, with a view to improving Member compliance.INTERTANKO understands that there may be reasons why a particular vessel has not complied, such as the presence of armed guards onboard, but irrespective of this we are urging all our Members to ensure that their vessels comply with BMP at all times and in all circumstances, but specifically to verify compliance with the 3 main elements listed above.INTERTANKO continues to strongly urge all Members to support the military, by reviewing their security procedures, by ensuring that their ship masters are fully complying with BMP 3, by hardening their ships against piracy attack (deploying self-protection measures), by keeping the military advised at all times ...