Port State Control News

Isle of Man Ship Registry’s QUALSHIP 21 Status Confirmed by USCG

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has retained its place within the United States Coast Guard’s QUALSHIP 21 program, designed to recognize foreign-flagged vessels that maintain the highest safety and quality standards.Isle of Man Ship Registry director Cameron Mitchell said continued inclusion in the scheme through to July 2021 was great news for the registry and its clients, representing further independent verification of the quality of the Manx fleet.Entry into the program is based on data gathered during Port State Control inspections in the United States.

ABS Unveils New Mobile App

Classification society ABS launched a new suite of fleet management and vessel compliance services powered by its smart functionality and advanced analytics which will also be available through a new mobile app.An enhancement to the ABS MyFreedom client portal, the new portal and digital tools are designed to simplify access to operational, technical and compliance fleet intelligence and all ABS Class services to manage fleet operating health and performance.New smart functionality launched today includes:The ABS Smart Scheduler…

Detention Rates Decline for Cyprus-flagged Vessels

The Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) has announced that based on the outcome of the US Government’s 2019 Annual Report on Port State Control, Cyprus is no longer part of the Targeted Flag List of the United States Coastguard (USCG) in relation to the safety performance of flag administrations.The three-year average detention ratio of Cyprus for the period 2017-2019 was 0.96% compared to an average USCG ratio of 1.08%. In 2019, the annual detention ratio of Cyprus ships was reduced to 0.55%…

LISCR Expands Network in Untied States

The Liberian Registry is expanding its network of Regional Compliance Offices, located in the major ports of the United States. These offices, led by experienced Regional Compliance Managers, are located in Houston, New Orleans, Seattle, Jacksonville, and Virginia/Mid-Atlantic. Each Compliance Manager provides 24/7 support for vessels entering their respective region.Liberia’s Fleet PSC Performance staff based at its headquarters in the US, in conjunction with the specially trained exclusive auditors and regional compliance managers…

2020 Dominates Dry Bulker Challenges

In view of the 0.5% global sulfur limit regulation implementation on 1 January 2020, International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) pointed out that the global availability of safe compliant fuels remains a key question that is largely still unanswered – especially for ships in the dry bulk tramp trades.INTERCARGO’s Chairman Mr Dimitrios J. Fafalios said that INTERCARGO will continue efforts to highlight critical aspects of the 2020 sulfur limit regulation implementation.Areas…

Maritime Risk Symposium, Nov. 12-15 at SUNY Maritime

The State University of New York Maritime College, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, National Academy of Sciences, academic institutions, industry partners, and federal, state and local agencies, will host the 10th Annual Maritime Risk Symposium (MRS 2019) Nov. 13-15, 2019, at New York Maritime College located in the Bronx, New York.MRS 2019 will bring together academics, government and commercial entities to discuss the threats, challenges and risks associated with the Marine Transportation System with a focus on current and future marine transportation challenges and threats.

BV Calls for Higher Ship Recycling Standards

Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore is encouraging the shipping industry to embrace higher standards in ship recycling and offering its guidance to help meet the challenge of compliance. BVS, with a network of trained experts world-wide, provides ship owners, ship managers and ship recycling facilities with a full scope of services to support compliance. This is both during the operational life of a vessel and through the end-of-life phase, in order to enable all parties…

Singapore, Panama Boost Maritime Partnership

Singapore and Panama have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their maritime relations.Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Health of the Republic of Singapore led the first high-level delegation from Singapore to Panama under the new government of Panama.Dr Lam met with several ministers of the government of Panama, as well as leaders of the business community. He was accompanied by Mrs Mary Seet-Cheng, Non-Resident Ambassador of Singapore to Panama…

AI & Machine Learning, Possible Force Multipliers for the Coast Guard

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): mention these two terms and the listener may instantly think of the ads displayed as you view your favorite online news site. This is one version of what AI/ML might be. Given the state of AI and ML research today, these advanced mathematical techniques represent something the U.S. Coast Guard should explore for mission application. To do this, common definitions need to be created, challenges understood, and practical use…

RCL Executive to Keynote Cayman WISTA AGM

Cayman’s Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association – WISTA Cayman Islands – has announced that Captain Patrik Dahlgren, Senior Vice President, Global Marine Operations at Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd will be the keynote speaker for the 2019 WISTA International AGM & Conference which is being hosted by WISTA Cayman from October 29, to November 1. Captain Dahlgren’s responsibilities span across six cruise brands with offices in Miami, London, Hamburg, Madrid and Shanghai.

Maritime Recordkeeping is Serious Business

In addition to fuel, modern ships also run on paper or their electronic equivalent. Vessels are required to keep written or electronic records of many things – and the list is growing.There is the traditional Ship’s Log, which records the vessel’s position, course, speed, weather, and unusual events to name a few. The Oil Record Book (ORB) has been around for a long time and tracks all movement of oil throughout the vessel, including its loading, consumption, and discharge (generally via the oily water separator and overboard discharge piping).

ICS: Counting Down to IMO 2020

With six months to go until the implementation of the 'Global Sulphur Cap' the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued updated guidance to help shipowners comply with new UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. Taking full effect on January 1, 2020 the legal framework will require merchant ships worldwide to use fuel with a sulphur content of less than 0.50 percent or use alternative mitigation technologies.The ICS guidance incorporates the latest IMO decisions addressing issues such as fuel oil non-availability reporting, fuel safety and fuel quality.

6 Months' Countdown to Global Sulfur Cap

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued updated guidance to help shipowners comply with new UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, with just six months to go until the implementation of the ‘Global Sulphur Cap’ICS said that taking full effect on 1 January 2020 the legal framework will require merchant ships worldwide to use fuel with a sulphur content of less than 0.50 percent or use alternative mitigation technologies.“These new regulations are good for human health and good for the environment.

ICS Launches Annual Review

In advance of its AGM in the Faroe Islands next week, the global trade association for shipowners, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), has launched its Annual Review 2019, providing in-depth insight into the most pressing issues confronting shipping, which moves about 90% of global trade.ICS Chairman, Esben Poulsson, explains:  “The immediate focus of ICS is the successful implementation of the UN IMO global sulphur cap, which will take complete effect on January 1. ICS…

ICS Launches Definitive Guidelines on MLC Convention

Responding to changing regulations the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has launched of the third edition of its essential Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labor Convention, the only fully up to date guide to the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) for all involved with the employment of seafarers.Focused on today’s MLC, the publication covers all amendments made to the Convention since it entered into force in 2013. It also contains practical advice, information and key learnings from industry bodies at the heart of the shipping community.Natalie Shaw…

PISR touts its Detention 'Clean Sheet'

Palau International Ship Registry (PISR) reports it has recorded a zero percentage detention record with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in the latest figures issued for 2016-2018 Port State Control examinations.The USCG targets flags for additional Port State Control examinations if their detention ratio scores are higher than the three-year rolling average detention record. In the latest figures, PISR recorded an  overall 0.00% detention record with zero detentions for safety playing a major part in this.In the two year period recorded…

V.Group: Proactive Approach to 2020 Needed

V.Group has urged shipowners and operators to take a proactive approach to 2020 compliance. With the global sulphur cap less than nine months away, V.Group is seeing growing numbers of shipowners and operators developing Ship Implementation Plans (SIPs) to mitigate risks and minimize disruption.It is predicted that most ships will burn ultra low sulphur fuel oils (ULSFOs) to comply with the suplhur cap legislation, switching from high sulphur fuel oil (HFO) to ULSFOs with a sulphur content at, or below, 0.50%, unless equipped with scrubbers.

ABS holds 157th Annual Meeting

The 157th Annual Meeting Hears How Safety Leadership is Driving Sustainability in Maritime. ABS held its 157th Annual Meeting on Tuesday, detailing the organization’s performance and future focus to its members. “In 2018, we delivered solid, top-tier performance. We maintained leading positions with owners and builders, held our 70-year-strong top position in the offshore market, and led the industry for safety, port state control, and the global orderbook to grow our classed fleet to 260MT,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J.

Maritime Fatigue: Just another band aid?

On 24 January, the IMO issued updated guidelines on fatigue. This is just another in a long series of band aids that attempt to cover over the problem without providing a solution. Fatigue is a long-standing weakness in the maritime industry. It is recognized as a major or contributing causal factor in the majority of maritime casualties. As is well-known, fatigue is caused by a lack of sleep and relaxation. These, in turn, are the result of too few people being tasked with too much work. Guidance on how to recognize and manage fatigue is meaningless.

BMA Appoints Hutchinson as MD, CEO

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) announces the appointment of Captain Dwain E. Hutchinson as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Captain Hutchinson succeeds Commodore Davy F. Rolle, who stepped down as Director last year.Captain Hutchinson is a proud Bahamian from Nassau, New Providence island, where he completed his tertiary education before commencing his maritime studies in Scotland at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies. Qualified with a UK Master Mariner (Unlimited) STCW Certificate of Competency…

Former SKANReg Leader to Retire

Nigel Smith, inaugural International Registrar of the London-headquartered St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry (SKANReg), is retiring in May after 47 years in the shipping industry. Smith, 62, is a former seagoing engineer officer, technical superintendent, shipyard agent and marine consultant. He has also served on various bodies of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, which includes being a member of the ruling Council since 2005. In the late 1990’s…

Guidance on Reducing On-Board Systemic Failures

Bureau Veritas and TMC Marine, a Bureau Veritas Group Company since 2016, and the London P&I Club have produced their latest guidance in their series on loss prevention issues. The new publication focuses on systemic failures on board ships in response to a global trend of increases in system deficiencies related to the requirements of the International Safety Management (ISM) code. Systemic failures and deficiencies may lead to ship detention by port state control, to pollution, or, at worst, to injuries and fatalities.

Wilhelmsen, Hitachi Deliver XRF Analyzers

Signing a supply agreement with Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science (Hitachi High-Tech), Wilhelmsen will supply Hitachi High-Tech’s industry-leading handheld XRF analyzers to the maritime market, enabling vessel crews to accurately and efficiently test the sulphur content of their fuel, on the spot.With the International Maritime Organization’s 0.50% global sulphur cap on marine fuels set to come into force on January 1, 2020 and discussions on enforcement strategies and potential penalties for non-compliance gathering pace…

US Shutdown Impacts Shipping: North P&I Club

US Coast Guard and other federal agencies are operating at a reduced capacity following US government shutdown, said North of England Protecting and Indemnity Association (North P&I Club).Since 21 December 2018, the US Government has been in shutdown following the failure of Congress to agree federal funding. With no end in sight, it is the longest shutdown in US history, it said."We have not received any indications as yet that the shutdown is causing significant disruption to shipping," said a statement from North P&I Club.

World's Largest Cruise Ship Makes U.S. Debut at Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral welcomed the world’s largest cruise ship before dawn Thursday as Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas made its historic first North American port of call.The massive cruise vessel arrived at the Port’s Cruise Terminal 1 from Malaga, Spain with nearly 5,500 cruise guests and 2,200 international crew members.“We’re proud of the confidence our partners at Royal Caribbean have in us. Although this ship will be home-ported in Miami, our cruise partner trusted the capabilities of this port for its first U.S. port of call,” said Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray.

Bulk Sector Prospects Perking Up

The bulk sector is navigating its way out of the doldrums but market correction has come at a price, delegates attending Bulk Terminals 2018 learned last week.Speaking in Hamburg at the annual conference of the Association of Bulk Terminal Operators, Frachtcontor Director Frank Grone said that while the bulk segment is slowly but steadily working its way out of the doldrums with a positive cash flow, he reminded delegates that 60mdwt was scrapped in 2015 and 2016 at “ridiculous prices”…