Container weighing FAQs now available

The World Shipping Council (WSC), the TT Club, the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA), and the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) today jointly released a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to address issues arising from the new regulations.

The amendments were adopted by IMO (International Maritime Organization) to enhance maritime safety and reduce the dangers to containerships, their crews, and all those involved in container transport throughout the supply chain. The FAQs have been developed by the industry coalition in response to numerous questions from shippers, carriers, forwarders, and terminal operators about the steps they must take to ensure successful implementation of the new regulations.

This initial FAQs document seeks to clarify how the SOLAS container weight verification requirements will function in various situations. It identifies commercial and operational arrangements that will have to be addressed, and it flags issues that must be dealt with by national governments.

The FAQs are based on actual questions from affected stakeholders, and they will be expanded as new issues emerge.

Stakeholders are invited to approach any of the collaborating organizations with additional questions that may come up.

Contact details of “subject-matter experts” from each of the organizations can be found at the end of the FAQs document.

The coalition says that container safety is a shared responsibility, and all parties have an interest in improving the safety of ships, the safety of cargo and the reduction of the risks to the lives of ships’ crews and others throughout the containerized supply chain.

Access the FAQs document HERE

Chinese liftboats to have Cat diesel electric propulsion

Identical diesel-electric systems, comprising four Cat Propulsion MTA-523 1500 kW azimuth thrusters driven by electric motors and soft starters as well as eight Cat C32 generator sets, will be delivered for each vessel.

“As a comprehensive power and propulsion solutions provider for the marine industry, we’re pleased to continue to integrate our full portfolio of offerings in our customers’ operations,” said Wang Xiaohua, Caterpillar Propulsion sales manager.  “China remains an area of strategic importance for us and this particular order is significant because it is the first time in China that we have supplied a full diesel-electric propulsion solution, including engines, propulsion systems and main switchboards.”

The two vessels, designed by Shanghai Bestway Marine Technology Development Company Ltd, are being built for Chinese owner Mekers Offshore Company Ltd and are due for delivery in summer 2016.

Over the course of 2016, Caterpillar will also supply all of the other components in the electric power system.

In addition to the main switchboard, Caterpillar will provide power management systems, central monitoring and alarm systems, transformers, uninterruptible power supplies and variable frequency drives.

MTA azimuth thrusters incorporate a number of key features to support effective vessel operation. They are hydro-dynamically optimized for good in-water performance. Available in both L-drive and Z-drive configurations, MTA azimuth thrusters can be supplied with controllable or fixed pitch propellers. Blade and hub materials are either bronze or stainless steel and the complete structure is designed to minimize the cost of through-life maintenance and to maximize the duration of in-service operation.

Built for reliability in harsh conditions, C32 generator sets have high efficiency and a minimized environmental footprint integrated into the design. The units can accept 100% load rate in one step and their integrated control system protects the power supply and offers scope for remote monitoring. Cat C32 generator sets are available in a power range from 830 ekW to 940 ekW.

PPG says new tank coating is a game changer

For shipyards and at installation, the system provides potential efficiency gains of as much as 20 percent compared to traditional three-layer coating systems. For shipowners, it provides the widest chemical resistance and the longest carriage time on the market of more than 3,400 cargoes, delivering maximum flexibility to the product tanker trades.

Building on more than 40 years of practical experience, PPG designed the new Phenguard Pro system as a premium tank coating solution for use on IMO II and III chemical/product tankers typically in the 30,000–60,000 dwt range.

Sijmen Visser, PPG global marketing manager, marine, says the new system is “truly a game changer for the product tanker market, offering shared benefits to both the shipyard and owner/operator by combining over 20 percent efficiency gains on application at newbuild and/or maintenance with trusted and proven performance for the owner. Based on our 40-plus-years track record on more than 1,500 vessels with this product technology, PPG has again delivered a top-quality product that also represents best value to all stakeholders in the IMO II/III product tanker segment.”

The Phenguard Pro system uses Phenguard phenolic epoxy product technology by PPG, a benchmark in the chemical-tanker market for more than 40 years.

PPG identified market demand in the IMO II/III product/chemical tanker segment for a two-layer phenolic epoxy system offering maximum cargo flexibility with improved efficiency at installation. The result is the Phenguard Pro system, engineered and launched for both newbuilding and refurbishment projects.

Mr. Visser says that the Phenguard Pro system achieves in two layers of 125 microns what other tank linings can only achieve in three. The coating system can be applied in temperatures as low as 5 C (41 F), he says, making it a year-round solution that helps reduce costs related to heating for winter application.

The Phenguard Pro system provides a smooth finish that is easy to clean, thus saving time and labor for cargo switching and tank cleaning. Mr. Visser says that shipowners will also benefit from well-documented guidance and procedures for cargoes requiring prewash, thus extending the coating life.

ABB solutions picked for Yamal LNG project icebreaker

Designed by Aker Arctic, the icebreaker will support LNG carriers’ operability in the approach channel to the Sabetta harbor and in the terminal at Sabetta. With a length of 89.5 m, draft of 6.5 m and 12 MW propulsion power, it has been designed to proceed at a speed of two knots in level ice 1.5 m thick and at four knots in 5 m thick brash ice in limited water depth.

ABB will provide the power, automation and turbocharging capabilities for the vessel, which will maximize fuel efficiency and maneuverability by including four Azipod thrusters, adapted for the tough ice conditions and ABB’s DC Grid system, to distribute energy effectively. The main engine will also be fitted with a Power2 800-M advanced two-stage turbocharging system, enabling the highest efficiency turbocharging performance.

Peter Terweisch, ABB Group Senior Vice President, Process Automation says, “ABB’s marine applications are at the forefront of the icebreaking market with our process automation technology now central to the world’s most advanced icebreaking vessel. We are very pleased to be able to deliver industry leading levels of efficiency and safety by providing so many ABB latest generation solutions on one vessel.”

The vessel’s ABB Onboard DC Grid systemhas many advantages. It provides space and weight savings whilst minimizing noise and vibration. A key advantages is that it allows diesel engines to run at variable speeds, rather than one fixed speed, is important when managing ice conditions. This flexibility can also cut fuel use and emissions.

Two pairs of Azipod thrusters will be fitted on the bow and stern of the ship, all of which will be adapted to the conditions. They will be equipped with powerful electric motors (3 MW each). Turning 360 degrees, they will allow the ship’s crew to maneuver the vessel to operate stern or bow first.

Aker Arctic’s Mika Hovilainen says “The harbor icebreaker is a totally new concept especially developed for heavy harbor ice conditions with extensive thick brash ice. Having four Azipod units helps to take operability, maneuverability and ice management capability to one step further. Along with ABB Marine and Ports, we continue to be at the cutting edge of icebreaking technology.”

The icebreaker’s ABB Integrated Power and Energy Management System and Marine Automation System bring together main elements of the ship’s performance, such as power generation and propulsion, into a centralized system allowing the operator to increase efficiency and safety.

The Power2 800-M two-stage turbocharging system on the icebreaker’s Wärtsilä 31 engine, will further enhance fuel efficiency and flexibility of operations. With a low pressure and high pressure stage, it provides higher air pressure ratios, up to 12 from 8 in the previous generation. Compared to a single-stage turbocharger operating at 65-70% efficiency, Power2 800-M goes beyond 75% efficiency, the only system currently available across the large engine industry with this capability.

The turbocharging system responds to the need for new marine engine technology to offer consistency of performance across conventional and newer marine fuel options. This application will demonstrate the advances in efficiency and power density now available for four-stroke engines operating across a wide range of load profiles and facing added demands of emissions legislation.

port icebreaker 700

TOTE Maritime Alaska names Michael Noone President

Mr. Noone joined TOTE Maritime Alaska as Chief Operating Officer in August 2013, bringing with him 28 years of experience in the shipping and logistics field. As COO, he has been responsible for creating strategic and operating plans for sales, pricing and operations.

Mr. Noone received his bachelor’s degree from Wagner College and is certified by some of the nation’s top executive programs in Logistics, including the SMEAL College of Business Administration at Penn State University and the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University. He also earned certifications in Advance Management from INSEAD, in Strategic Planning and Implementation from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and is a past Steering Committee Member at the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).

Mr. Noone’s predecessor John Parrott, who has served as the company’s President since 2009, will join TOTE’s sister company, Foss Maritime as Chief Operating Officer, where he will be responsible for the oversight of Foss’s key operating divisions (see separate story).

“We thank John Parrott for his many contributions, accomplishments and leadership for TOTE Maritime Alaska,” said TOTE President & CEO Anthony Chiarello. “We wish him well in his new role at Foss and look forward to TOTE’s continued success under Mike’s capable leadership.”

Foss Maritime names John Parrott COO

Mr. Parrott comes to Foss from sister Saltchuk company, TOTE Maritime Alaska, where he has served as President for sixteen years. In his new role as Foss’ COO, Mr. Parrott will be responsible for overseeing key operating divisions, developing and delivering on strategic plans, and optimizing day-to-day operations through implementation of best practices throughout the organization.

“We are thrilled to have John join us in our corporate office after the first of the year,” said Paul Stevens, President and CEO of Foss Maritime. “John is a maritime industry veteran who is well known to us at Foss. We look forward to having his expertise and experience on board.”

After ten years sailing aboard a wide range of vessels in trade routes around the world, Mr. Parrott began at TOTE Maritime in 1992 as the Chief Mate of the SS Northern Lights. In 1994 he came ashore, and later became the General Manager for Sea Star Stevedore, which manages the loading, discharge and terminal operations for TOTE Maritime.

In 2002, he returned to TOTE Maritime as the Alaska General Manager, where he was soon promoted to Vice President/GM, then VP of Commercial before being named President of TOTE Maritime Alaska in 2009.

In 2011 he was named a member of the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council. He also sits on the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce board of directors and serves on the Seaman’s Services board of directors.

Born in Seattle, Mr. Parrott has a BS degree in Marine Transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; Kings Point, New York, and an MBA from Seattle University. He is a licensed master in the U.S. Merchant Marine and holds a commission in the United States Naval Reserve. Mr. Parrott, his wife and three children live in Tacoma.

Mr. Parrott  is being succeeded as President of TOTE Maritime Alaska by Michael Noone.

Alfa Laval to offer open training courses

 

“To ensure safety and optimal use – but also economy in maintenance and operation – it’s important that customers understand the equipment they work with and the many factors that impact its operation,” says Caroline Carlstedt, Training Manager, Alfa Laval Service.

Alfa Laval’s emphasis on training is evidenced, for example, byt the recently built Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre in Aalborg, Denmark, which comprises cutting-edge training facilities in addition to its 250 sq.m testing space.

Customer-focused courses are regularly conducted on Alfa Laval’s premises in Tumba, Sweden and worldwide in locations like the

Philippine capital of Manilla, where around 500 customers are trained each year.

Now Alfa Laval will also offer a range of open coursesl, allowing individual operators and small groups to participate together with industry peers.

Why open training courses?

“Training is in everyone’s interest, but not all shipowners and operators are in a position to fill a dedicated Alfa Laval course,” says Ms. Carlstedt. “Alfa Laval’s open training courses, which will primarily be held at our facilities in Tumba, Sweden, will make our specialist expertise more broadly available to the marine industry.”

“A customer-specific course has the benefit of being 100% focused on that customer’s unique challenges,” she says. “On the other hand, an open course means opportunities to exchange experience with industry peers in similar positions, facilitated by Alfa Laval experts who can provide deeper insights and lead the way to best practices for all present.”

Open training courses will focus on key areas of concern for all shipowners and operators. The first, which will deal with separators, will be a three-day course aimed at equipment operators, technical crew and superintendents. This course will take place February 23-25, 2016.

By relating in-depth knowledge through the courses, and by teaching proper operational, maintenance and service procedures, Alfa Laval experts will help participants to optimize safety and ensure the correct handling that prevents unnecessary wear and stops.

“When customers have attended, they will understand their equipment and be familiar with the issues that affect its operation, which means they will be able use that equipment in the best possible way,” says Ms. Carlstedt. “That will contribute not only to lower maintenance costs, but also to lower operating costs. And when it comes time to refurbish, upgrade or replace the equipment, knowledgeable and competent personnel will be able to provide qualified feedback and support that will lead to a competitive long-term solution.”

ClassNK moves to spur marine industry use of Big Data

Rapid advances in the development of information and communication technologies now make it possible to collect large volumes of data on a diverse range of items related to ship operations. However, the approach to data capture is still very fragmented with similar data being sent to several vendors and analysis still being carried out almost entirely on a ship-by-ship basis.

To make larger gains, an effective platform capable of centralizing and managing such diverse data is essential. However, creating and maintaining this kind of platform is costly, time-consuming and unrealistic for many organizations.

Special care also needs to be given to the handling of data to ensure confidentiality of information; hence it is also necessary to establish a secure yet effective platform from an impartial perspective.

As an independent, non-profit organization with over a century of experience in ship classification, ClassNK has drawn on its extensive technical knowledge and expertise to develop Ship Data Center Co., Ltd.

The Data Center consists of a secured shipping operations database which will serve as an information hub to independently manage the utilization of big data in the maritime industry. Through the center’s integrated data, the industry can maximize the benefits of big data with a minimum cost and burden.Trials of the Data Center will commence on a container vessel in February 2016 in cooperation with a Japanese shipping company. Various information including data from the ship’s voyage data recorder and data logger will be gathered from the vessel.

Full operation of the Data Center is scheduled from April 2016.

ClassNK sees opportunities for future application of the Data Center as “infinite.”In addition to optimizing ship operations and improving condition-based monitoring of machinery, the Data Center could also be used to help the industry overcome current and emerging challenges.

For example, the entry into force of the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) regulation by the EU requires shipowners and operators to annually monitor, report and verify fuel consumption for vessels 5,000 gt or over which call at any EU port. Data collection will be required from January 1, 2018. The Data Center plans to offer shipowners and operators a secure and neutral database in which to store and manage these vast amounts of fuel consumption data.

ClassNK says that establishment of Ship Data Center Co., Ltd. reinforces its position as part of indispensable infrastructure of the industry and demonstrates its commitment to creating a safer, greener and more efficient global maritime industry.

Shell cuts steel for LNG bunker vessel

The steel cutting ceremony took place at the shipyard December 4, with representatives from Shell and the shipbuilder in attendance.The new LNG bunker vessel will be based at the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and will load from the new LNG break bulk terminal currently under construction by the Gas Access to Europe terminal. Once ready, it will deliver to LNG-fueled vessels in northwest Europe. The vessel is also seagoing and, therefore, able to bunker customers at other locations.

Shell says the vessel will be “pioneering in design.” It will have a capacity to carry 6,500 cu. m of LNG fuel and will be highly efficient and maneuverable. Featuring an innovative transfer system and sub cooler unit, it will be able to load from large or small terminals and able to bunker a wide variety of customer vessels.

Finland’s Containerships Ltd Oy will be the launch customer for the vessel’s services, after signing an LNG supply agreement with Shell on November 24.

As we reported earlier, Containerships Ltd Oy is to charter the two 1,400 TEU LNG fueled containerships currently being built for Nordic Hamburg Group at China’s Yangzhou Guoyu Shipyard .

The vessels will receive LNG fuel from Shell at the port of Rotterdam, after the LNG bunker vessel becomes operational in mid-2017.”This is a significant landmark in bringing this innovative LNG bunker vessel with cutting-edge technology to reality,” said Dr Grahaeme Henderson, Vice President of Shell Shipping & Maritime.

“I am delighted to be working with STX on this project and Shell is proud to be leading in the development of LNG fuel in shipping.””The supply agreement between Shell and Containerships is another example of the marine LNG fuel supply chain coming together,” says Lauran Wetemans, Shell’s General Manager Downstream LNG. “Working together with customers like Containerships is critical to encourage the use of LNG as a fuel in the marine sector, and we’re committed to helping make the transition to LNG.”

LNG bunker vessel

ShellLNGBunkervessel

 

CMA CGM to acquire NOL in $2.4 billion deal

The deal is subject to approval by antitrust authorities.

CMA CGM will make Singapore its Asian regional headquarters and will continue operations under the historic APL branding/ 

Rodolphe Saadé, Vice-Chairman of CMA CGM, said: “This transaction will represent a significant milestone in the development of CMA CGM. Leveraging the complementary strengths of both companies, CMA CGM will further reinforce its position as a leader in global shipping with combined revenue of $22 billion and 563 vessels. By bringing together the know-how of both teams, the enlarged group will be even better positioned to provide premium services to its customers across all markets. At a time when the shipping industry is facing strong headwinds, scale is more critical than ever to capitalize on synergies and capture growth opportunities wherever they arise. I firmly believe CMA CGM will enable NOL to address the industry’s new challenges. We recognize the strategic importance of Singapore as a key hub for the maritime industry and we are committed to reinforcing its regional leadership.”

Ng Yat Chung, CEO of NOL, said: “The combined market presence delivered by the transaction would achieve the scale needed to enhance competitiveness for NOL’s operations and offer a clear and sustainable long term direction for the combined entity. The transaction would enable NOL to grow as part of a larger entity with the resources of the world’s third largest container shipping line.”

Tan Chong Lee, Head Portfolio Management at Temasek, said: “We are supportive of this transaction as it presents NOL with an opportunity to join a leading player with an extensive global presence and solid operational track record. The combination of NOL and CMA CGM will create a leading shipping company that delivers reliable and efficient service to its customers. Their complementary strengths will yield mutually beneficial results. We also note and welcome the commitment of CMA CGM to enhance Singapore’s position as a key maritime hub and grow Singapore’s container throughput volumes.”

Created in 1978 by Jacques Saadé, CMA CGM is the world’s third largest container shipping firm, with 469 vessels and a global market share of 8.8%. In 2014, the Group handled over 12 million TEUs and generated $16.74 billion in revenues. A founding member of the Ocean Three Alliance with UASC and CSCL, CMA CGM is present across 160 countries, with 22,000 employees in 655 offices, and has a fleet capacity of 1,781 thousand TEUs.

NOL is a leading shipping company operating under the American President Lines (APL) brand. In 2014, the company’s revenues reached $7.04 billion. Currently, NOL has more than 7,400 employees in 180 offices across more than 80 countries and operates 94 vessels, representing 618 thousand TEUs in fleet capacity.
The acquisition will see CMA CGM emerge with a capacity of 2,399 thousand TEUs and combined fleet of 563 vessels, a market share of approximately 11.5% (vs 8.8% for CMA CGM and 2.7% for NOL) and a combined turnover of $22 billion.

CMA CGM has a leading position on the Asia-Europe, Asia-Mediterranean, Africa and Latin America routes, whilst APL is strong along the Transpacific, Intra-Asia and Indian subcontinent shipping routes. The enlarged entity will strengthen its position on strategic shipping routes, especially in key markets such as United States, Intra-Asia and Japan, and will boast a balanced trade portfolio. Following the transaction, the combined group would hold market shares from 7% to 19% on the routes on which it operates.

CMA CGM says it is looking forward to welcoming APL into CMA CGM’s world and intends to retain and develop the APL brand. With a historic presence in the U.S., APL will add to CMA CGM’s operations in this region.

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