NL MARITIME NEWS

NL MARITIME NEWS

A NewsLink service for Dole Colombia International maritime news for seafarers

Friday, May 24, 2013 Headland SatNews

NATIONAL

Guidelines for bulk cargo loading launched

A pocket guide, along with a checklist for officers and agents who arrange cargoes for loading, has been launched by the UK P&I Club, Lloyd's Register and Intercargo. The guide outlines precautions to be taken before accepting bulk cargoes for shipment, sets out procedures for safe loading and carriage and spells out the primary hazards associated with different types of cargoes. In a statement, the UK P&I Club noted that when bulk cargoes shift, liquefy, catch fire or explode as a result of poor loading procedure, the consequences can be massive. Ships may capsize, lose stability or sustain severe structural damage. A quick checklist and handy information would help the officers and agents to lessen the risk of death and injury due to a poor loading procedure, it added. Meanwhile, the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has published a report "Port Levies and Sustainable Welfare for Seafarers", providing detailed information on establishing and operating a port levies scheme in all ports across the world. The report shows how levies are bringing a positive change in welfare organisations and their services for seafarers, at a time when funding for their welfare is under intense pressure. The Mission to Seafarers welcomed the report that outlines clear benefits in maintaining a high quality welfare service for seafarers supported by a port levy.

Ambrey Risk wins Maritime Coastguard Agency accreditation

Ambrey Risk, the UK-based world renowned maritime security specialist, on Wednesday announced that it had received the accreditation from the Maritime Coastguard Agency. Confirming the news, a senior Ambery official said that the accreditation would help them offer STCW95 courses in the coming days. According to him, STCW95 courses are the basic entry level training courses for mariners. The official told the local media in Hereford that Ambrey Risk is currently offering a wide range of security training solutions, such as maritime and land-based security courses, and thus lifting the global industry standards especially in design, delivery and professional development. The official told reporters that their new recruitment and training opportunities include enhanced maritime and land-based training, courses on security or risk mitigation management, security surveying, health and safety training, teaching qualifications and medical training courses.

SAFETY Gyro compass errors

Lack of understanding about the importance of checking errors of the ship's gyro compass has often been reported onboard vessels. To ensure smooth navigation, it is important for crewmembers to check the error of the ship's gyro compass. Compass errors should be taken regularly whilst on passage (at least once a watch) and the repeaters checked for alignment with the master compass prior to sailing. Moreover, bearings of celestial bodies should be taken and computed to determine the gyro error when out of sight of land and transit bearings can be taken when coasting or under pilotage.

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The company has more than 50 full-time staff, over 100 deployed personnel and 400 security personnel.

MARPOL amendments to make RO Code mandatory

The IMO MEPC, held at the IMO headquarters from May 13-17, 2013, adopted amendments to MARPOL Annexes I and II in order to make mandatory the Code for Recognised Organisations (ROs).

Navigators should be aware that the error can alter due to the ship's speed and should familiarise themselves with any 'speed correctors' fitted to the compass. The compass error should also be checked following any large alteration of course. It should also be noted that Port State Control inspectors also regard the compass error book as an important navigational record. Source: UK P&I Club

According to the IMO, the code will provide a consolidated text containing criteria against ROs, which may be authorised by flag States to carry out surveys and issue certificates on their behalf, are assessed and authorised/recognised and give guidance for subsequent monitoring of ROs by administrations. The MEPC also adopted amendments to Form A and Form B of Supplements to the IOPP Certificate and amendments to the Condition Assessment Scheme to make reference to the International Code on the enhanced programme of inspections during surveys of bulk carriers and oil tankers. Meanwhile, a new interactive display on Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA) has been installed at the IMO Headquarters. A PSSA is an area, which needs special protection. The IMO is taking all necessary actions to protect PSSA because of its significance for recognised ecological or socio-economic or scientific reasons, which may be vulnerable to damage by international maritime activities. Till now, the IMO has designated 14 PSSAs.

USCG alerts about inappropriate navigation lights

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has sounded alerts about inappropriate navigation lights. The USCG said that they discovered uninspected towing vessel industry is using inappropriate navigation lights "SEACHOICE Products LED Navigation Light", which fail to meet the international standards for use onboard any vessel. An online search for the product shows various outlets selling it. The package is carrying incorrect usage of the product. According to the USCG, the product that is presented as a "masthead light" or "navigation light" should not be used on any vessel in an effort to meet the navigation rules. Masthead lighting requires an arc of 225 degrees visibility and stern lighting requires an arc 135 degrees visibility, for a total range of 360 degrees visibility. Depending on the type of vessel there are also light, colour and range of visibility requirements. The SEACHOICE product SCP 03201 has an arc of 180 degrees visibility and is not applicable to any requirement. The USCG strongly recommends that owners and ship operators of any vessel, who have already installed the product called as a masthead, stern or other type of navigation light, to remove it and replace it with a proper light that meets the requirements for the vessel and application.

Port of LA, Long Beach to power docked ships with electricity

Authorities have announced that all 13 international cargo terminals at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach will power docked ships with electricity by this year-end. The move is expected to help slash air pollution at berth by 95%.
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The two ports and the California Air Resources Board are constantly working on clean air initiatives, which would besupported by the installation of infrastructure to supply shore power, popularly known as cold ironing or alternative marine power. The authorities claim that by January 1, 2014, half of all visits paid by container cargo, refrigerated cargo and cruise vessels must be powered by electricity.

COMMERCE 'Shipping crisis may worsen through 2014'

HSH Nordbank AG, the Hamburg-based world's largest shipping lender, has said in its latest report that the ongoing crisis in the maritime industry might worsen through 2014. Addressing a press conference in the German city, HSH CEO Constantin von Oesterreich said that the arrival of new generation container vessels is the main reason behind the prediction. According to him, HSH has stopped providing loans to its shipping clients, as they struggled to repay their debt. While admitting that the slump in demand, over-capacity of vessels and low freight rates worsened the scenario, von Oesterreich expressed hope that the sector would recover in 2015. He also said that HSH, which holds EUR 27 billion of shipping loans in its portfolio, is fully prepared for a worstcase scenario. Meanwhile, HSH spokesperson Rune Hoffmann said that the company's net income fell 41% to EUR 73 million in the first quarter of 2013. According to him, HSH earned a profit of EUR 261 million during the same period last year.

Latvia leads in establishment of 'new silk route': US general

Latvia is the leader in the development of a "new silk route", which could be put to use after the conclusion of the mission in Afghanistan, US General William Fraser III, Commander of the US Transportation Command, said in an interview with LETA. During the talks, the US commander also lauded Latvia's contribution to the Northern Distribution Network. The US Defence Logistics Agency transported 13,620 tonnes of cargo via Latvia to Afghanistan from April 2012 to April 2013. Latvia and the US continued this co-operation to deliver a part of the equipment back to the US. Since June 2012, when the US began transporting its equipment back from Afghanistan, 6,356 tonnes have been brought back, pointed out Fraser. The US expects the turning point in June, when the 100,000th container will be transported via Riga.

TECHNOLOGY Equasis app goes live

Equasis, an EU project aimed at reducing substandard shipping, has established a comprehensive database of all sea-going merchant ships over 100 Gross Tonnage (GT) along with the companies which operate and own the ships. The free-of-charge database is now available on smartphones and tablets. More than 45 different data-providers, from both public sector and the maritime industry, helped Equasis in their data collection.

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Just visit http://mobile.equasis.org on your mobile phone or download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play and carry the database with you wherever you go.

Polytunnel helps museum salvage WWll Airplane

A team of restoration experts is currently salvaging a unique WWII aircraft from the bottom of the English Channel. Using cutting edge restoration techniques within a purpose-built polytunnel from First Tunnels, the team hopes to have the rare Dornier 17 ready for exhibition within two years at the RAF Museum, which is behind the ambitious project to raise the aircraft and end its watery exile. The Dornier 17 was central to the German war effort in its role as a Luftwaffe bomber used against the allies in the Battle of Britain, a press release said. Now, the only surviving example of this iconic aircraft is being salvaged from beneath 50ft of water at Goodwin Sands off the coast of Kent. However, raising the aircraft is only the start of the long road to restoration. A team of specialists has devised a conservation programme for the Dornier 17 that involves the use of chemicals engineered to stop corrosion in its tracks.

SHIPPING DATA
BALTIC EXCHANGE
Market snapshot: 1100 GMT Dry Index Capesize Index Panamax Index Supramax Index Handysize Index BDI BCI BPI BSI BHSI 828 1339 863 855 551 -1 +6 -17 +2 -1

EXCHANGE RATES
New York (Thu Cls) Fgn Currency in USD Britain (Pound) Canada (Dollar) China (Yuan) Euro India (Rupee) 1.5104 0.9702 0.1630 1.2932 0.0179 USD in Fgn Currency 0.6621 1.0307 6.1351 0.7733 55.7150 9774.00 101.9100

Indonesia (Rupiah) 0.000102 Japan (Yen) 0.009813

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Norway (Krone) Philippines (Peso) Poland (Zloty) Russia (Ruble) Singapore (Dollar)

0.1716 0.0240 0.3078 0.0318 0.7917

5.8278 41.7300 3.2500 31.4025 1.2632

GALLEY Radishes
Radishes are extremely low in calories and naturally fat-free. They are good source of fiber, vitamin C, folate, potassium, magnesium, copper, calcium, manganese and B vitamins. Radishes are especially beneficial for liver and gallbladder functions. It purifies blood also.

Marinated radishes with pomegranate molasses

Ingredients: 1 large bunch radishes; 1 orange (juiced); 1tsp honey; a dash chilli oil; 3tbsp pumpkin seeds; pomegranate molasses; a handful of small leaves mint. Method: Slice the radishes as finely as possible. Take a bowl and add orange juice, honey and chilli oil. Soak radishes into it and toss. Take a serving platter and spread out radishes in a single layer. In a frying pan, dry fry the pumpkin seeds until just browned, then scatter them over the radishes on platter. Drizzle on a little pomegranate molasses and sprinkle on the mint leaves.

New potatoes with radishes and cured ham

Ingredients: 600g baby new potatoes; 1 bay leaf; 2tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 1-2tsp sherry vinegar; 150g bag radishes (trimmed); 6 wafer-thin slices of the best cured ham. Method: Take a large pan and boil potatoes with the bay leaf and plenty of salt. Drain the potatoes, discarding the bay leaf, then dress in the olive oil and a splash of Sherry vinegar to taste. Split the radishes in half from head to toe, season with a little salt, toss with the warm new potatoes. Take a serving platter and carefully arrange with the ham slices.

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