Tag: Norway

ClassNK will perform surveys and issue certificates for Norwegian flagged vessels Japan-based classification society ClassNK on Tuesday received recognition for Recognised Organisation (RO) from the government of Norway.The new status grants ClassNK the authority to perform surveys and issue certificates for Norwegian flagged vessels.Noboru Ueda, chairman of ClassNK, said the agreement would "help to build even stronger ties between the two great maritime nations".The new agreement makes Norway the 103rd flag administration to delegate authority for surveys and statutory certificates to ClassNK.ClassNK has more than 190m gross tonnes on its register at the end of September this yearSource: Seatrade Asia

AISSat-1 satellite receives and forwards AIS messages from ships With payload developed by Kongsberg Seatex AS, Norway's AISSat-1 satellite was launched successfully from India last week.It has already begun transmitting AIS messages from space to earth via Kongsberg Satellite Services' ground station at Svalbard.AISSat-1 is an experimental satellite, equipped with a Kongsberg Seatex payload that receives and forwards AIS messages from ships. Using the technology in a fully developed system will improve safety at sea for vessels in Norwegian waters. It will make it easier to identify and coordinate vessels in search and rescue operations as well as assist and monitor the transport of dangerous goods and cargo in the high north.AISSat-1 is equipped with technology developed and built in cooperation between the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, Kongsberg Seatex, the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Space Centre. It is financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry. Kongsberg Satellite Services' ground station at Svalbard is used for communication.'The satellite is an example on how the long term focus on Norwegian expertise creates good, innovative high technology solutions, tailor made for Norwegian conditions', said Trond Giske, Minister of Trade and Industry.AISSat-1 was launched in an Indian PSLV rocket from ...

The new rules provide Norwegian owners with the guidance for armed guards Norway has released new regulations regarding their existing ship security laws. The new rules provide Norwegian owners with the guidance they will need to follow if they wish to employ armed security teams against piracy.The rule clarification will see owners required to get permission from a Norwegian police authority and the country's Maritime Directorate followed by documentation regarding the actual use of trained and vetted armed services with the Norwegian authorities.The regulation entered into force on 1 July 2011.The changes to the Norwegian Government Regulations can be accessed hereFor further details or questions members should make direct contact with theNorwegian Maritime DirectorateSource : Norwegian Maritime Directorate

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 ...

New regulations to be released Shipowners of Norway have welcomed a clarification from the country's government on the use of armed guards on their ships.New regulations are expected to be released tomorrow by the Norwegian government, after giving a briefing to the country's shipowners this week, that will strengthen and clarify certain aspects of the country's existing ship security laws . Norway developed its first rules on ship security in 2007 but they did not deal with the then unknown threat of piracy.The new rules will give owners of Norway-flagged vessels the procedures they will need to follow if they wish to employ armed security when transiting the Gulf of Aden or any other waters believed to be at risk from piracy.The rule clarification will see owners required to get a general framework permission from a Norwegian police authority and the country's maritime directorate and then to document the actual use of a properly trained and vetted armed services with the authorities.It is said that the government will develop a blacklist of companies that the country's flagged owners may not use.Alongside this new rule there will also be a further clarification on the types of arms that can be brought ...

Melting ice in the Arctic due to global warming has opened the region for exploration Norway said Wednesday it has begun preparations for oil and gas exploration in an uncharted section of the Barents Sea after solving a long-running demarcation row with Russia.'We will start charting the previously disputed area as soon as the demarcation treaty comes into effect,' Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said.The foreign ministers of both countries on Tuesday exchanged documents on the new delimitation agreement, earlier approved by the parliaments of both countries. The treaty enters into force July 7.Melting ice in the Arctic due to global warming has opened the region for exploration. The Barents Sea region is believed to host rich oil and gas reserves. There was also potential for new shipping routes.Norway and Russia last year agreed on the demarcation of the area off northern Norway. The talks opened in 1970.Stoltenberg said he envisaged closer cooperation with Russia, both between government agencies and businesses.The Norwegian government has reserved 29 million dollars for seismic tests of the seabed in the Norwegian section of the Barents Sea.The tests were necessary to assess the potential finds in the area, said Ole Borten Moe, minister of petroleum and ...

At Nor- Shipping 2011 May 24-27 The Norwegian and Japanese governments have signed a co-operation agreement on maritime technology at Nor-Shipping.Norwegian state secretary Rikke Lind and the Japanese transport minister Hideo Kubota signed the agreement in a special ceremony at the the week-long maritime technology exhibition in Oslo.The two countries have agreed to co-operate in technology areas such as LNG, offshore wind technology, ship recycling and environmental technologies.At the ceremony were representatives from Wilh. Wilhelmsen, Grieg Shipping, Statoil, the Norwegian Shipowners Association and the Norwegian research institute, Marintek. From Japan there were representatives from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Japan Marine Science and the Japanese National Maritime Research Institute.Source : Seatrade Asia

Further extend its global reach Classification society ABS announces the opening of an office in Stavanger, Norway to further extend its global reach and provide dedicated support to its growing Norwegian client base.Known for its leadership in offshore classification and technology, the societys Stavanger office will be staffed with a professional team of offshore engineers and surveyors focused on delivering premium class service to the region.The opening of this office is part of ABS ongoing commitment to deliver uncompromising service to our clients, says Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chief Executive Officer and President. Given the dynamic operating environment, our clients want us more integrated into their operational and safety program and to do that effectively, we need this local presence.For ABS it is an opportunity to better serve the industry and build upon our strong ties with the Norwegian Maritime Directorate (NMD).In 2009, the NMD extended its authorization to ABS to include mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) in its scope as a Recognized Organization (RO).Country Manager for Norway Egil Legland says he and his team look forward to building and expanding the relationships ABS has in Norway. Its not just the office ABS just released several new services and programs ...

Norwegian government aquitted in Rocknes case A district court verdict that ordered the Norwegian government to pay close to NOK 23 million in damages for having failed to mark the ground that the bulker Rocknes hit in January 2004 in the chart, has now been overturned by a higher instance.The original claim by the companies was for NOK 580 million. The Borgating lagmannsrett has now dismissed the claim in a verdict that states that although the ground was not marked in the chart, this had no significance for the sinking of the Rocknes when 18 seafarers lost their lives. According to the court, the accident was caused by a navigational error in poor visibility, strong currents and a low tide.The verdict might be appealed.Source: Norwegian News

MARPOL Annex I Oil Pollution The NMD has delegated to Bureau Veritas, for applicable types of BV classed ships engaged in STS operations, the approval of the STS operations Plans on behalf of the Administration, within the scope of the new Chapter 8 to MARPOL Annex I.Please refer to the text of Instructions to Class, regarding the approval of STS Operations Plans.Source: Norwegian Maritime Directorate (NMD)