• 2012 October 16 11:06

    GL North American Committee meets in Houston

    The introduction of sulphur limits in emissions control areas (ECA) off the coastal waters of the US and Canada and the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) will require significant adjustments from the entire maritime industry. Germanischer Lloyd’s (GL) North American Committee, which met at the Houstonian Hotel Delta in Houston, Texas recently, examined the implications of these and other current topics and challenges for the industry. The Committee, which celebrated its inauguration in 2010, is made up of representatives from Canadian and American ship owners and operators, ship yards, maritime consultants, and other industry stakeholders, alongside delegates from GL.

    Germanischer Lloyd’s Executive Vice President for the Americas, Uwe Bullwinkel, looked at the development of the GL Group both globally and in the Americans. The Group had broadened its focus in recent years and taken advantage of the integration of new business units to expand its range of services, he said. A programme of growth and targeted acquisitions had transformed the GL Group into a global service provider, especially in the offshore industry, where complementary competencies within the Group’s three business units – Maritime, Oil and Gas and Renewables – meant that contributions were made to projects on multiple fronts, with cable laying and installation, offshore wind farms and wind turbine installation vessels, being notable examples, Mr Bullwinkel noted.

    Mr Ryan Bishop, GL’s new Area Manager for North America, introduced the topics of the day and followed up with a detailed examination of the GL’s activities in the region. He looked at some of the focus points for GL in the area over 2013 and 2013, especially the use of LNG as a ship fuel, which was increasing of interest to ship owners in light of the ECA introduction, he said, and was an area where GL has considerable experience, having undertaken many projects over recent years, including research on bunkering technologies and port logistics, cost studies for container vessels, overseeing the first conversion of a vessel in service and approval in principle of new designs.

    The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) will bring sweeping changes to the maritime industry. Ratification by the Philippines earlier this year means that the MLC 2006 will enter into force in one year. More than 50,000 commercial vessels will be affected, as well as crewing agencies, ship owners and operators. Joe Cox, from the American Shipping Chamber of Commerce, looked at the impact of the Convention from an owner’s perspective. Sander Wielemaker, from GL, showed how careful planning, consulting with the right people, and a clear understanding and awareness of what the Convention requires, could help to avoid costly pitfalls, delays and speed compliance. The GL Group, offered training, consulting and certification, relating to the Convention, she said, and taking early action to avoid a logjam closer to the entry into force date while benefiting from improved recruitment opportunities, was in the interest of every ship owner and operator.

    The challenge of improving vessel efficiency heads the agenda of every ship owner and operator. With sailing speeds reduced across the board, fuel efficiency has become the biggest lever to increase cost competitiveness. Both regulatory agencies and the industry are developing mechanisms to improve efficiency and in 2013 the IMO’s EEDI and SEEMP regulations will enter into force, in an effort to spur innovation and reduce CO2 emissions.

    David Greening of Seaspan, one of the world’s largest independent containership companies, set out his firm’s response to the challenge of rising bunker prices and a tighter regulatory environment. Seaspan was investing in highly efficient designs for new vessels, while undertaking a system to improve operational energy use, including draft and trim optimization, and using vessel based monitoring to track KPIs, he said.

    In a multi-tier market that differentiates between vessels based on their efficiency, improved energy use can result in significantly improved employment opportunities and earnings. One under utilised area in shipping to realise such gains is the implementation of software systems. Kristinn Aspelund, of GL partner firm Marorka, examined some of the systems available to owners and operators to boost efficiency and cut fuel use. Many GL software products can be used to improve efficiency, such as the GL ShipManager system. The platform controls the technical and administrative processes between a fleet and onshore management. It simplifies operational planning processes; automates the administration of the ship and supports safety and quality processes. New advanced technical management systems, including GL HullManager and GL MachineryManager support and can be integrated into strategic fleet management, while new products such as GL EmissionManager, make use of already collected data to track emissions and facilitate environmental improvements and certification.

    Captain Jim Whitehead, Commander, USCG Sector Houston-Galveston, looked at enforcement of the new ECA regulations in the Americas. Adopted by the IMO at the 62nd MEPC, these areas will strictly limit the sulphur content of vessels operating in coastal waters. Capt. Whitehead noted there were some exceptions to the regulations but he exemption for testing of emissions reduction technology required approval from both the flag administration and the U.S. Government. Proper record keeping was essential he said with vessels using low sulfur fuel to comply with Annex VI required to retain bunker delivery notes and fuel samples. Josh Aslanian, GL, looked at how shipowners could prepare from operation in ECAs zones from the perspective of the classification society.

    The new US Coast Guard Sub-Chapter M relating to Towing Vessel Inspection proposes safety regulations governing the inspection, standards, and safety management systems of towing vessels. The proposal includes provisions covering: Specific electrical and machinery requirements for new and existing towing vessels, the use and approval of third-party auditors and surveyors, and procedures for obtaining Certificates of Inspection. Jennifer Carpenter, from American Waterways Operators, examined at the history and development of the regulation, gave the attendees a view of industry opinion on the new measure and the potential future effects on the industry of its implementation. Paul Gallagher, GL, focused on the inspection process, an overview of the regulations and the class requirements owners and operators would face.

    Source: http://www.gl-group.com/


2024 March 28

11:24 Fincantieri signs contract for the supply of two PPAs to Indonesia
10:42 Maersk transported more than 660,000 TEU using clean fuel in 2023
10:23 Documentation delays push industry costs to $3bn
09:48 PONANT and FARWIND Energy partner to develop green hydrogen refueling solutions

2024 March 27

18:22 Bureau Veritas awards world’s first prototype certification for SolarDuck’s floating offshore solar solution
17:58 The recently converted Allseas's shallow water pipelay barge starts preparations for its first commercial project
17:38 The Port of Rotterdam calls on the European Commission and Parliament to focus on actively promoting green energy
15:23 SEFE to become sole shareholder of WIGA
14:53 Ocean Installer secures yet another SLM contract with Equinor
14:23 Cadeler signs offshore wind turbine installation contract for the vessel Wind Scylla
13:42 Carnival Cruise Line orders 5th Excel-class cruise ship
13:11 Maersk and MSC overcharging cargo owners for EU ETS, says T&E
12:52 The Port Authority of Valencia launches the ZAL project in the Port of Valencia
12:11 Clarkson Port Services and Peak Group collaborate to deliver Port Agency services across the North Sea
11:42 Wan Hai Lines holds ship naming ceremony for new vessels
11:24 Consolidated shipping lines EBIT loss was $1.44 billion in Q4 2023: Sea-Intelligence
10:49 Seaspan Shipyards receives long-term contracts for the pre-construction work of the the Canadian Coast Guard's first six multi-mission vessels
10:14 Woodside completes sale of 10% scarborough interest

2024 March 26

18:02 COSCO Shipping Lines introduces new Americas service
17:30 Davie awarded first contract for design of icebreaker fleet under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy
17:04 Sanctions complicate Arctic LNG ship sales, Hanwha Ocean says - Bloomberg
16:57 Terntank places an order for 1+1 additional wind/ methanol-ready hybrid tanker
16:28 BW LNG completes acquisition of two TFDE vessels from Stena Bulk
15:50 Hanwha Ocean develops VR-based special vehicle simulator
15:20 TotalEnergies and SINOPEC join forces to produce sustainable jet fuel at a SINOPEC's refinery
14:52 Wärtsilä Lifecycle Agreement to guarantee operational reliability of new wind farm installation vessel
14:23 Hudong-Zhonghua launches two LNG carriers
13:51 Cargo ship hits Baltimore’s Key Bridge
13:12 Final sanctioned tanker with Russian Sokol oil to reach China port - Reuters
12:42 Adani Ports acquires 95% of Odisha's Gopalpur Port from SP Group for $162 million
12:21 IHI and Yara Clean Ammonia agree to jointly assess clean ammonia business collaboration
11:41 Yara Clean Ammonia and Azane granted safety permit to build world's first low emission ammonia bunkering terminal
11:16 Wartsila and Royal Caribbean Group celebrate 15 years of collaboration on digital transformation
10:46 A global carbon tax on shipping is coming, says ABS Chairman and CEO
10:21 Eni, Fincantieri and RINA establish partnership for maritime transport decarbonization

2024 March 25

18:07 The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore continues to investigate reports of oil spills off the port of Tuas
17:31 “K” Line, NIPPON HAKUYO and OPT Gate sign an agreement for a new fire detection system for car carriers
17:07 Greek merchant fleet recorded slight decline in January 2024
16:47 Hanwha Ocean Plans to develop green technology and naval ships
16:25 U-Ming Singapore and ITOCHU sign milestone MoU for the joint development of ammonia dual-fuel and de-carbonized vessels
15:34 Svitzer targets methanol-fuelled MAN 175DF-M engine for tug application
15:04 Wallenius Wilhelmsen signs contracts for four 9,300 CEU vessels with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard
14:40 Taiwan International Port to upgrade terminal facility at Kaohsiung
13:59 Сruise ship Carnival Freedom catches fire near Bahamas
12:59 Hanwha Ocean wins 2.4 tln-won order for 8 LNG ships
11:16 Inland Ports meet in Paris to talk about the innovation potential of inland ports
10:50 IMO agrees possible outline for maritime “net-zero framework”
10:24 Hapag-Lloyd to continue to avoid the Red Sea route
09:58 QatarEnergy enters time charter agreements with Nakilat for the operation of 25 LNG vessels

2024 March 24

16:18 Inchgreen Marine Park upgraded as part of £11m investment
15:14 A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Solent Rail Terminal Rail was held at the Port of Southampton
14:08 ESNA and Strategic Marine join forces to offer Surface Effect Ship (“SES”) Crew Transfer Vessels (“CTV”) to the market
13:07 First LNG powered vessel calls at HIP
12:49 Inter-array cable installation completed at Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm
11:32 Equinor ASA posts net income at USD 11.9 billion in 2023
09:25 Edda Wind announces the sale of Edda Passat

2024 March 23

17:19 Maersk opens new warehouse facility in Tijuana, Mexico for cross-border capabilities
14:01 Bollinger Shipyard marks keel laying ceremony for 10th Navajo-class T-ATS
13:55 MEYER WERFT and Disney Cruise Line celebrate keel laying
12:19 HSL completes repair work on DEME's dredger TSHD Bonny River
10:53 Turkish shipbuilder delivers RAscal 1500 ASD tug to French port

2024 March 22

18:07 Lloyd's Register releases a report on the operational and safety issues of the use of ammonia as a marine fuel
17:17 RINA supports Mongolia's to develop a roadmap for long-term strategy according to Paris Agreement
16:47 MOL Coastal Shipping to start concept study on large coastal ammonia carrier
16:23 MAN 51/60DF engine passes 10 mln operational hours milestone
15:56 TotalEnergies restarts gas production at the Tyra offshore hub after a major redevelopment
13:43 HHLA container throughput decreases year-on-year by 7.5 percent to 5,917 TEU in 2023
13:24 Largest shipping lines saw sharp decline in revenues in 2023
12:54 AD Ports Group acquires majority stake in Tbilisi Dry Port
12:24 ClassNK certifies the world’s first onboard CCS installation on EVERGREEN’s Neopanamax container vessel