BIMCO Conference to tackle maritime cyber security

The BIMCO Conference in Hamburg will tackle maritime cyber security
The BIMCO Conference in Hamburg will tackle maritime cyber security

BIMCO, the world’s largest shipping association, will focus on maritime cyber security and how to handle a maritime casualty crisis at its next annual conference in Hamburg on November 18 2015.

Angus Frew, Secretary General of BIMCO, said:

“Hamburg is one of the shipping capitals of the world and home to many BIMCO members – which is why we have chosen it for our annual conference this year.

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Obituary Capt Paul Townsend FIIMS

Capt Paul Townsend FIIMS who has sadly passed away
Capt Paul Townsend FIIMS who has sadly passed away

News has reached the IIMS head office of the sad death of Capt Paul Townsend, who passed away after a long illness fought with courage and fortitude. He died on 28 August 2015 at a hospice on the Isle of Wight, UK. He was 76 years old.

Paul was a Fellow of the Institute and an active member of the IIMS Management Board. Until recent months, he was a regular contributor to that forum. He also regularly attended Certifying Authority training days. He joined IIMS in 2002 and was made a Fellow in 2010.

Paul joined the Merchant Navy as a Cadet with Clan Line, studying at Warsash Maritime College, Hampshire, UK and obtained his Master’s Certificate in 1969.

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Lloyd’s Register to class world’s largest heavy lift crane vessel

Lloyd's Register is set to class world’s largest heavy lift crane vessel for Heerma
Lloyd’s Register is set to class world’s largest heavy lift crane vessel for Heerma

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has won a contract to class the world’s largest heavy lift crane vessel (NSCV) for the Netherlands-based Heerema Group. The semi-submersible vessel will be constructed at the newly opened Sembcorp ‘Mega yard’ in Singapore.

The dual-fuel LNG and MGO vessel is due to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2018 and will be a key asset in the offshore market and a leading player in the installation and decommissioning of offshore facilities. It follows another significant Heerema project, the delivery of the LR-classed Aegir deepwater construction vessel (DCV) in 2013 (see article in the January 2014 Horizons).

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MCA small commercial vessel code of practice – yellow and blue codes

MCA small commercial vessel code of practice - yellow and blue codes first draft review underway
MCA small commercial vessel code of practice – yellow and blue codes first draft review underway

The British Marine Technical team, working with the RYA, has completed the first drafting of the review of the SCV technical specifications as laid down in MGN 280, the Code of Practice for the construction, machinery, stability, operation, manning and examination of small commercial vessels less than 24m load line length that carry 12 or fewer passengers.

This draft can be found on the British Marine website for those companies or individuals who wish to read through and provide feedback on the proposed text. The cut-off date for comments is 5 October 2015. All comments will be compiled and a Working Group of interested parties will then be asked to take part in a one or two day meetings at Marine House at the end of October, prior to the first draft being submitted to the MCA for discussion.

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New class notation for ship to ship gas bunkering released by DNV GL

DNV GL has released a new class notation for ship to ship gas bunkering
DNV GL has released a new class notation for ship to ship gas bunkering

DNV GL has developed a new class notation for gas bunker vessels that ensures safe fuel transfer operations from one ship to another.

Until now, the development of standards guiding gas fuel transfer operations in ports has lagged behind, as the maritime industry focussed on developing standards for gas fuelled ships rather than bunkering arrangements. This notation addresses safety concerns in this field and covers gas bunker vessels design and additional requirements to support the development of gas fuelled shipping and bunker operations in ports. The rules are flexible and include a variety of gas fuels as well as the configuration of bunker transfer systems.

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The procedures for tonnage surveys

IIMS has published its procedures on who may do tonnage surveys and what is required
IIMS has published its procedures on who may do tonnage surveys and what is required

There has been a steady increase in interest from IIMS members wishing to undertake tonnage surveys. If this is an area of business you with to operate in, please read this to understand who may and who may not undertake such work.

The IIMS’ authority to undertake tonnage surveys on vessels up to 24 metres and only up to 24 metres is through the Certifying Authority contract with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The Institute is required to demonstrate to the MCA how it authorises and controls tonnage surveys. To do this we have created a category of ‘tonnage only’ Certifying Authority surveyor, not authorised to do MCA coding work, but ok’d for tonnage.

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What a summer it has been

The front cover of one of the first four new books to be published by IIMS
The front cover of one of the first four new books to be published by IIMS

It has been a while since I posted on my blog due to pressure in other areas. And although summer in the UK is not quite over and done with, what a summer it has been (and no I am not referring to the indifferent British weather than has made it one to forget).

Of course my colleagues and I are now heavily involved and focused on the build up to the IIMS London Conference 2015, dinner and AGM, our showpiece annual event. Numbers for both Conference and dinner are looking excellent and I am looking forward to what will be a full on two days – the culmination of many months planning. There is an excellent mix of speakers who will, I am confident, inspire and engage the delegates. Anyone who has ever put together such an event will know the sheer amount of work that goes in to the organising side of it. So I thank my colleagues at head office who have done a great job. Look forward to seeing those of you who are coming.

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Tianjin explosion highlights growth of accumulation risks

Photo credit: Associated Press
Photo credit: Associated Press

The recent catastrophe at the port of Tianjin in China resulted in the loss of at least 100 lives and many more people are still missing. It is far too early to speculate on the cause but the explosions left extensive physical damage as well as the appalling loss of life.

Accumulation risks – when a single event causes an exceptionally large group of related losses – such as this, are continuing to grow.

IUMI President, Dieter Berg says: “This extremely sad and regrettable incident demonstrates the persistent growth of accumulation of Continue reading “Tianjin explosion highlights growth of accumulation risks”

DNV.GL ECO Retrofit service set to make bulbous bow optimizations future proof

ECO Retrofit service by DNV.GL set to make bulbous bow optimizations future proof
ECO Retrofit service by DNV.GL set to make bulbous bow optimizations future proof

Many shipowners and operators are turning to bulbous bow retrofits to increase their vessels’ energy efficiency. DNV GL has developed a new tool as part of the ECO Retrofit service to support the industry in tailoring retrofit projects to the future needs of their fleet. While the service identifies new bow shapes based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations, the new tool explores the effect of alternative operational options. Overall, this approach can customers help save five to ten per cent on their annual fuel bill.

The biggest issue in many retrofit projects is the definition of the individual operational profile. In the past two years the ECO Retrofit service has already helped to upgrade some 200 vessels. Aside from analysing their fleet’s past performance, shipowners and operators Continue reading “DNV.GL ECO Retrofit service set to make bulbous bow optimizations future proof”

Jensen Maritime to develop two new LNG bunker barge concepts

Jensen Maritime is planning the development of two new LNG bunker barge concepts
Jensen Maritime is planning the development of two new LNG bunker barge concepts

Crowley Maritime Corp. subsidiary, Jensen Maritime has announced the development of two new, liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge concepts that can be fully customised to meet a customer’s unique needs.

The first concept involves outfitting an existing barge with an above-deck LNG tank. The concept can be further modified to accommodate more than one type of product, if a customer has a need for multiple liquid transfers. Advantages of this design include a fast turnaround and a reduced need to invest in specialised assets if a customer has short-term LNG requirements.

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IIMS UAE Branch Conference Dubai

The Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai will host the 4th Biennial IIMS UAE Branch Conference in November 2015
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai will host the 4th Biennial IIMS UAE Branch Conference in November 2015

It is time to reserve your place at the 4th Biennial IIMS UAE Branch Conference 2015.

The conference, taking place in Dubai on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 November 2015, is entitled: “Marine loss, prevention and warranty”. The venue for the conference is the stunning Jumeirah Beach Hotel along the Arabian Gulf shoreline.

The organisers would like to extend their thanks to the Conference title sponsors DGS Marine Group.

Confirmed speakers include:

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UK leisure boat production on the rise

iims palma 50British Marine is pleased to announce a 4.3% increase in the production of UK leisure boats in 2014. This is in spite of challenging trading conditions in the Eurozone and other key foreign markets showing that both at home and away, British build is still in high demand.

The figures come from new research by British Marine, in collaboration with Phil Draper & Associates, reporting that UK manufacturers built 10,120 boats in 2014.

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