gCaptain - Maritime & Offshore » imo

IMO: Philippines’ Maritime Development is a Priority

gCaptain Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:50:19 +0000

IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu has pledged IMO’s support for the Philippines in all facets of the country’s maritime development.

In wide-ranging talks in Manila with Philippines’ President Benigno S. Aquino III, as well as the country’s Secretaries for Foreign Affairs, Transport and Communication, and Labour and Employment, Mr Sekimizu expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the Government of the Philippines to provide a continuous supply of competent seafarers to the global shipping community. He also affirmed IMO’s commitment to provide the Philippines with assistance in all aspects of its maritime development, including the fields of education, training, and certification of seafarers under the STCW Convention.

The Secretary-General spoke of his vision of a wider approach to technical cooperation, which would be based directly on the identification, through detailed country profiles, of the individual maritime needs of each developing country. He further promised IMO’s support for the Philippines’ efforts to formulate a national maritime transport strategy, which would provide a springboard for the development of maritime clusters in the country, comprising seafaring, ship building and repair, and ship management.

Mr Sekimizu and the Secretary of Transport and Communication, Mr. Mar Roxas, agreed to establish an informal channel of communication between IMO and the Philippine Government, specifically to address any matters arising from the implementation of the STCW Convention and the 2010 Manila amendments, with a view to improving the mechanism for addressing certification issues.

Emphasizing IMO’s determination to improve counter-piracy measures off the coast of Somalia, the Secretary-General extended an invitation to the Philippines to send a delegation to the forthcoming Capacity-building Conference on Counter-Piracy, to be held at IMO on 15 May, followed by a High Level Segment on the opening day (16 May 2012) of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), to discuss the issue of arms on board ships.

Mr Sekimizu also met leaders of the Philippine maritime industry, whom he commended for their contribution, through the supply of 25 per cent of the world’s seafarers, to the economic growth of the Philippines and of Asia as a whole. Noting the significant role of national shipping within the Philippine archipelago, he encouraged the industry to take appropriate action to ensure the safety of domestic navigation. He also urged the industry as a whole to take steps, wherever possible, to raise public awareness of the maritime industry and its importance to the world economy.

At the conclusion of his visit, Mr Sekimizu said he had been encouraged by the steps being taken by the Philippine authorities to ratify a number of IMO instruments. He also felt reassured, throughout his meetings with government officials, by the determination of the Philippine Government to continue to ensure the compliance of its seafarers with the required standards of competence prescribed under the STCW Convention.

IMO Secretary-General Sekimizu visited the Philippines from 7 to 8 February 2012, in his first official mission to a Member State since he took office on 1 January 2012. This can be seen as a clear indication of the priority he places on seafarer-related matters, and as a recognition of the key role which seafarers play in the Philippines and the maritime community.

IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

Web site: www.imo.org

International Maritime Organization Expresses Condolences, Praises Italian Coast Guard Response

gCaptain Staff — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:32:09 +0000

Koji Sekimizu, IMO file photo

A senior United Nations official today called for a thorough investigation into the incident involving the Costa Concordia cruise ship that ran aground off the coast of Italy over the weekend.

“In the centenary year of the Titanic, we have once again been reminded of the risks involved in maritime activities,” Koji Sekimizu, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), said in a speech to the agency’s Sub-Committee on Stability, Load Lines and Fishing Vessel Safety.

Mr. Sekimizu expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident that occurred on Friday near Giglio Island.

I would like to urge the Flag State administration to carry out the casualty investigation covering all aspects of this accident and provide the findings to the IMO.

Six people reportedly died and at least 16 are missing after the Costa Concordia’s hull was torn open after it ran aground. A total of 4,200 passengers and crew were on board the vessel, according to media reports.

“Causes of this accident are still not yet established,” noted Mr. Sekimizu. “We must wait for the casualty investigation and should not pre-judge or speculate at this stage.

“I would like to urge the Flag State administration to carry out the casualty investigation covering all aspects of this accident and provide the findings to the IMO,” he added.

Mr. Sekimizu voiced his appreciation to the Italian Coast Guard for their rescue operations over the night of the accident, adding that the IMO must not take this accident lightly.

“We should seriously consider the lessons to be learnt and, if necessary, re-examine the regulations on the safety of large passenger ships in the light of the findings of the casualty investigation,” he stated.

The IMO, based in London, is the UN specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

New IMO Secretary-General Announces Positional Changes to IMO Secretariat

gCaptain Staff — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:56:37 +0000

Mr. Koji Sekimizu of Japan is the eighth Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization

In one of his first dealings as the new IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Koji Sekimizu of Japan, announced a number of changes in the structure of the IMO Secretariat in order to better address the various issues facing the global maritime industry.

“The biggest challenge I see in the coming years, in terms of management of the Organization, is how to improve the ‘delivery mechanism’ in the Secretariat to address the demanding issues we face, such as anti-piracy measures, the introduction of the mandatory Member State Audit Scheme and our ever-increasing workload,” said Mr. Sekimizu. “To address this will require effective human resource deployment and redeployment, the creation of new ways of handling our work and improvements to our working methods. It will also require close co-operation between the Secretariat and Member Governments.”

Among the changes, Mr. Sekimizu has transferred Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Andrew Winbow, from the Administrative Division to the Director of Maritime Safety Division. Meanwhile, Mr. Jo Espinoza-Ferrey from the Marine Environment Division has been tasked to head the Administrative Division as its Director, and consequentially promoted Mr. Stefan Micallef to the post of Director of the Marine Environment Division.

In dealing with the issue of piracy, Mr. Hartmut Hesse has been appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy Programmes, tasked with taking responsibility for the implementation of the Djibouti Code of Conduct and act as the IMO representative to conferences and meetings dealing with piracy issues. Mr. Hesse, who has been with the IMO for over 20 years, was formerly Senior Deputy Director of the Maritime Safety Division where he acted as liaison with other United Nations (UN) entities and relevant international organizations on counter terrorism issues, particularly the implementation of the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy and member of the UN Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), according to his LinkedIn profile.

Mr. Sekimizu has also reorganized the Sub-Division for Implementation and Coordination of the Maritime Safety Division into a Department for Member State Audit and Implementation Support in the Maritime Safety Division with Laurence Barchue appointed to head the new department.

Finally, the Secretary-General also decided to strengthen the functions dealing with internal audit and matters of ethics and appointed Mr. K-R. Min as the Senior Deputy Director in charge of the Internal Oversight and Ethics Office.

Further changes to the IMO Secretariat are as follows:

Assistant Secretary-General/Director, Maritime Safety Division, A. Winbow
Assistant Secretary-General/Director, Legal and External Relations Division, R. Balkin
Director, Conference Division, O. O’Neil
Director, Technical Cooperation Division, J. Zhu
Director, Administrative Division, J. Espinoza Ferrey
Director, Marine Environment Division, S. Micallef
Special Adviser on Environmental Protection Standards, D. Du
Head, Department of Member State Audit and Implementation Support, L. Barchue
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy Programmes, H. Hesse
Senior Deputy Director, Internal Oversight and Ethics Office, K-R. Min
Head, Executive Office of the Secretary-General, J. Thompson
Head, Policy and Planning Unit, J. Loldrup

IMO’s Work to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from International Shipping – Q&A

gCaptain Staff — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:20:28 +0000

IMO’s Karine Langlois speaks with Eivind Vagslid, the Deputy Director and Head of IMO’s Air pollution and Climate change section on IMO’s work to reduce the international shipping community’s greenhouse gas emissions…

KL: IMO will shortly be attending the Conference of Parties [COP17] for the UNFCCC in Durban, what message is the Organization taking to that meeting?

EV: The main message will be to encourage the parties to UNFCCC to continue to entrust the International Maritime Organization with the control of greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, and of course a central part of our message will be the successful outcome of MEPC62 this July when governments adopted amendments to Annex 6 to introduce mandatory energy efficiency measures for ships engaged in international trade.

KL: There seems to be concern that overall emissions from shipping may not fall even after the new IMO regulations take effect, but isn’t that a function of global demand for trade, and therefore outside the scope of any technical regulation?

EV: You’re absolutely right. Due to the continued demand for shipping services that again is a result of world trade, or increase in world trade, the technical and operational measures can act the best lead to the establishment of shipping emissions, but it will not lead to an overall total reduction. That is why IMO is continuing it’s work to control greenhouse gases with both to expand the technical measures to other ship types, and also working on a market-based measure to provide additional incentive for the shipping industry to invest in more fuel efficient ships, and to operate them even more fuel-efficiently than today.

KL: A recent study suggests that the volume of greenhouse gas emission reductions from international shipping resulting from applying the mandatory measures adopted by the IMO will be even greater than first envisaged. Can you expand on that?

EV: Yes, I’m happy to expand on that. Following the adoption in July, the IMO Secretariat commissioned a study to look into the detailed affects the adopted measures will actually produce, and it’s very promising that by 2020 we will see a reduction by 100 to 200 million tons, or between 10 and 17 percent reduction over business as usual. And if you go further down the line to 2030, the reduction will be between 200 and 400 million tons, or in percent, an 18 to 27% reduction over business as usual. If you go all the way down to 2050, we will see a reduction between 35 and 40% compared to business as usual. Meaning that a ship in 2050 will be twice as efficient as it is today due to the new regulations. The operational measures will have an immediate affect, while in the longer term, it will be the design index that will be the main driver of change.

KL: The recent amendments to MARPOL Annex 6 that you referred to earlier have established the first-ever mandatory regime for an industry sector, is IMO organizing workshops or training to assist with their implementation?

EV: Actually, we have already had the two first workshops. One took place in Singapore last week and as we speak, the second one is about to conclude in Durban, South Africa, so that is very fitting that we have one here and one in Durban. We have planned activities of about 20 workshops over the next two years to assist, in particular, developing countries to implement and enforce the new measures.

KL: Is IMO’s work connected with other UN organizations such as UNIP?

EV: Yes, definitely. IMO is part of the UN family, the UN system, and a lot of our work is very closely linked to the work of, in particular, UNEP, but also other UN agencies such as UNDP and of course our greenhouse gas work is closely linked to what happens in the global negotiations under UNFCCC.

To find out more about IMO’s work, find them online at www.IMO.org

The 27th International Maritime Organization Assembly [VIDEO]

gCaptain Staff — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:07:53 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

A wide range of resolutions, reflecting the broad canvas of the Organization’s work, was adopted by the 27th Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), when it met in London at the Organization’s Headquarters from 21 to 30 November 2011. They included a resolution urging Governments to continue their efforts to combat piracy and armed robbery against ships off the coast of Somalia and a resolution firmly establishing 25 June each year as the “Day of the Seafarer”.

The Assembly also adopted the high-level action and strategic plans for the Organization; the Organization’s budget for 2012 to 2013; and several updated codes and guidance documents.

Piracy and armed robbery against ships

The resolution on piracy and armed robbery against ships in waters off the coast of Somalia condemns and deplores all acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships, irrespective of where such acts have occurred or may occur; and expresses deep sympathy for the loss of seafarers, while in captivity, for their plight while held hostage in appalling conditions, often for long periods of time, and for their families.

Expanding on a similar resolution adopted by the previous IMO Assembly, the resolution notes the extensive efforts undertaken by IMO and others to address piracy, in particular during 2011, when the theme for World Maritime Day of “Piracy – Orchestrating the response” has underscored much of the Organization’s work. It appeals to all parties that may be able to assist to take action, within the provisions of international law, to ensure that all acts or attempted acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships are terminated forthwith and that any plans for committing such acts are also forthwith abandoned; and that any hijacked ships, seafarers serving on them and any other persons on board such ships are immediately and unconditionally released and that no harm is caused to them.

Among other things, the resolution strongly urges Governments that have not already done so to do everything in their power, promptly, to ensure that ships entitled to fly their flag comply with the preventive, evasive and defensive measures detailed in the best management practice guidance already promulgated through IMO.

It also urges Governments, taking into account the interim recommendations and guidance developed by the Organization, to decide, as a matter of national policy, whether ships entitled to fly their flag should be authorized to carry privately contracted armed security personnel and, if so, under what conditions. In addition, port and coastal States are strongly urged to promulgate their national policies on the embarkation, disembarkation and carriage of privately contracted armed security personnel and of firearms, ammunition and security-related equipment to be used by such personnel on board ships; and to make those policies and procedures known to the shipping industry, to the providers of privately contracted armed security personnel, and to all Member Governments.

The resolution also strongly urges Governments to encourage owners and operators of ships entitled to fly their flag to consider fully the provision of post-traumatic care for seafarers attacked or held hostage by pirates, and for their families and, in so doing, take into account recommendations and good practice guidance produced by the Organization, the shipping industry and welfare organizations; and to establish, as necessary and when requested, plans and procedures to keep substantially interested States informed, as appropriate, about the welfare of seafarers in captivity on ships entitled to fly their flag, measures being taken for the early release of such seafarers and the status of payment of their wages.

Strategic and High-level Action Plans

IMO’s High-level Action Plan for 2012-2013 sets out in detail the planned outputs for the biennium and links them to the six-year Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan identifies strategic directions and specific actions aimed at addressing current trends, developments and challenges, including:

Piracy and armed robbery against ships;
The impact of global shipping activities on the environment, including the need to contribute to international efforts to reduce atmospheric pollution and address climate change;
The need to eliminate sub-standard shipping;
The implementation of security measures while ensuring that the flow of seaborne trade continues to be smooth and efficient;
Identifying shipping activities and incidents that could have an adverse impact on the environment and developing corresponding preventive measures;
The need to place increased emphasis on the contribution of the human element to safer, more secure and environmentally friendly shipping;
The continuing challenge of safety of life at sea;
The implementation of effective measures to address the issues of migrants transported by sea, stowaways and the humanitarian aspects of piracy and armed robbery against ships;
Ensuring an equitable and sustainable means of funding for the integrated technical co-operation programme and to improve its delivery, efficiency and effectiveness; and
Ensuring that technological developments adopted are conducive, as applicable, to enhancing maritime safety, security, protection of the environment and facilitation of international maritime traffic, and take into account the need for their global application.

Budget

The Assembly adopted the Organization’s budget for the next biennium, agreeing to a total appropriation of £62,206,200, comprising an appropriation of £30,520,200 for 2012 and an appropriation of £31,686,000 for 2013.

Appointment of the Secretary-General

IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos

The Assembly endorsed the decision of the IMO Council in June to elect Mr. Koji Sekimizu (Japan) as IMO Secretary-General, to start a four-year term on 1 January 2012. The outgoing Secretary-General, Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos (Greece) ends his second four-year term on 31 December 2011.

The Assembly also adopted a resolution expressing deep appreciation for the work of Mr. Mitropoulos as Secretary-General and designating him Secretary-General Emeritus of IMO, with effect from 1 January 2012.

Day of the Seafarer

The Assembly adopted a resolution on the Day of the Seafarer, establishing 25 June of each year as the “Day of the Seafarer”, recognizing the invaluable contribution seafarers make to international trade and the world economy, often at great personal cost to themselves and their families. The resolution invites Governments, shipping organizations, companies, shipowners and all other parties concerned to promote and celebrate the Day in an appropriate and meaningful manner.

The Day of the Seafarer was first celebrated in 2011, following its establishment by a resolution adopted by the Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, held in Manila, Philippines, in June 2010, which adopted major revisions to the STCW Convention and Code.

The Day of the Seafarer has now been included in the annual list of United Nations Observances.

Reducing administrative burdens

The Assembly also adopted a resolution on Periodic Review of Administrative Requirements in Mandatory IMO Instruments, which requests the Council to establish an Ad Hoc Steering Group for Reducing Administrative Requirements, with the aim of releasing resources from administrative tasks for Administrations and industry alike, thus contributing to the Organization’s goals of efficient regulation of safety and security of shipping and the prevention and control of pollution by ships.

Resolutions adopted

Altogether, 27 resolutions were adopted by the Assembly:

A.1033(27) Day of the Seafarer
A.1034(27) Appreciation of the services to the Organization of Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos
A.1035(27) Approval of the appointment of the Secretary-General
A.1036(27) Appointment of the external auditor
A.1037(27) Strategic Plan for the Organization (for the six-year period 2012 to 2017)
A.1038(27) High-level action plan of the Organization and priorities for the 2012-2013 biennium
A.1039(27) Results-based budget for the 2012-2013 biennium
A.1040(27) Presentation of accounts and audit reports
A.1041(27) Arrears of contributions
A.1042(27) Revision of the Organization’s financial regulations (effective 1 January 2012)
A.1043(27) Periodic review of administrative requirements in mandatory IMO instruments
A.1044(27) Piracy and armed robbery against ships in waters off the coast of Somalia
A.1045(27) Pilot transfer arrangements
A.1046(27) World-Wide Radionavigation System
A.1047(27) Principles of minimum safe manning
A.1048(27) Code of Safe Practice for Ships carrying Timber Deck Cargoes, 2011 (2011 TDC Code)
A.1049(27) International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (2011 ESP Code)
A.1050(27) Revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships
A.1051(27) IMO/WMO Worldwide met-ocean information and warning service guidance document
A.1052(27) Procedures for port State control, 2011
A.1053(27) Survey guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), 2011
A.1054(27) Code for the implementation of mandatory IMO instruments, 2011
A.1055(27) Issue of Bunkers Certificates to ships that are also required to hold a CLC Certificate
A.1056(27) Promotion as widely as possible of the application of the 2006 Guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident
A.1057(27) Issue of Wreck Removal Certificates to bareboat registered vessels
A.1058(27) Collation and preservation of evidence following an allegation of a serious crime having taken place on board a ship or following a report of a missing person from a ship, and pastoral and medical care of victims
A.1059(27) Relations with Non-Governmental Organizations

IMO Assembly background

The 27th session of the IMO Assembly was held at IMO Headquarters, London, from 21 to 30 November 2011 and was attended by some 1,200 delegates from IMO Member States, as well as observers from international organizations.

The Assembly is IMO’s highest governing body. All 170 Member States and three Associate Members are entitled to participate, as are intergovernmental organizations with which agreements of co operation have been concluded, and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO. The Assembly normally meets once every two years in regular session.

Liberia Re-Elected to IMO Council

gCaptain Staff — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:10:09 +0000

Liberia has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation for 2012-2013 for the first time since 1997. Liberia’s Commissioner for Maritime Affairs, Binyah Kesselly, says, “It is very gratifying to see Liberia returned to its rightful place at IMO. As a country, and as an integral part of the international shipping industry, Liberia has made enormous strides forward in recent years. It has also been a consistent and committed member of IMO, and a proactive supporter of initiatives to improve safety and seafarers’ welfare. It has earned the right to reclaim its place on the IMO Council.”

The Liberian-flag fleet currently comprises 3,750 ships aggregating more than 124m gross tons, easily making Liberia the second-largest ship registry in the world. It is also the fastest growing fleet, having more than doubled in size in the last ten years as the registry has pursued a policy of planned, controlled expansion involving quality shipowners and quality ships.

Liberia features on the White List of all Port State Control Memorandums of Understanding, worldwide. It is rated as a low-risk flag by the Paris MoU, and is included in the current US Coast Guard Qualship 21 programme.

Over the past six years, following the democratic election of Africa’s first female Head of State, Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia has overcome many of the economic and political problems which have blighted its past. Under the Presidency of Madame Johnson Sirleaf, who this year was awarded the Nobel Peace prize, the country has achieved quantum leaps in terms of political stability, economic growth and prosperity. Reforms have been introduced to help reduce corruption, increase transparency, and strengthen the rule of law, thereby making Liberia an attractive option for foreign investment.

Liberia is White-Listed by the OECD following its signature of the requisite number of Tax Information Exchange Agreements, and was recognised by the World Bank as one of the ten most improved business performers in 2010.

IMO Honors Korean Captain Seog for Exceptional Bravery at Sea [VIDEO]

gCaptain Staff — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:54:58 +0000

Captain Seog Hae-gyun poses with his medal after he received the 2011 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. London.

LONDON – (IMO) Captain Seog Hae-gyun of the Republic of Korea, Master of the chemical tanker Samho Jewelry, has been presented with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2011, for his decisive, brave and courageous actions to protect his ship and crew during a vicious pirate attack in the Indian Ocean, which left him with serious and long-lasting injuries.

Captain Seog, accompanied by his wife, was handed the award by IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, during a ceremony held on 21 November 2011 at IMO Headquarters in London.

When the Samho Jewelry was boarded by pirates, in January 2011, the crew took cover in the designated citadel but the pirates broke in, detaining them on the bridge. Over two days, Captain Seog steered the ship on a zig-zag course, so that the pirates would not realize that the vessel was actually heading away from, instead of towards, Somali waters. He contaminated the fuel so the engines would not work normally, pretended the steering gear was malfunctioning and slowed the ship’s speed from 14 knots to six, to keep her out of Somali waters for as long as possible, thus maximizing the potential for units of the Republic of Korea Navy to attempt a rescue. However, the pirates became suspicious that some of Captain Seog’s actions were intended to outwit them and they brutally assaulted him, causing serious fractures to his legs and shoulders.

While all this was happening, the pirates ordered him to communicate information about the incident to his shipping company in English, via satellite. Captain Seog surreptitiously inserted information in Korean about the true situation – information that proved vital for the Navy of his country to plan, and execute, a rescue operation.

On 21 January, as the sun came up, the Republic of Korea Navy destroyer Choi Young launched a rescue operation, which they named “Dawn of the Gulf of Aden”. By 06.30 on that day, the attack team had gained full control of the bridge. During this time, Captain Seog, despite his injuries, managed to send out an urgent message via VHF, warning the boarding party that there were three pirates at the steering wheel.

The already-injured Captain Seog survived being shot four times, including twice in the abdomen, by pirates firing in revenge. Having received emergency treatment from the Special Assault Commando, he was transported by means of an inflatable craft and a helicopter to the Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Oman.

Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea naval forces involved in the assault continued operations on the ship, and all 21 crew members eventually were freed. In all, eight pirates were killed and five captured.

From the Omani hospital, Captain Seog was transferred to a hospital in the Republic of Korea, where he underwent major surgery. It was nearly a month before he recovered full consciousness.

Mr. Mitropoulos said that the fact that Captain Seog’s act of bravery has been judged as deserving the top honour had particular resonance this year, “when piracy has been at the epicentre of our activities, spurring and motivating us to orchestrate a credible response to its menace”.

“Captain Seog Hae-gyun was confronted not by the elements that nature can throw at men and ships, but an even more insidious danger: that of pirates threatening him, his crew and his ship. In response, he acted with quick thinking, courageously, decisively and with extreme bravery to protect all those whose lives depended on him and his decisions. His selfless reaction left him with severe injuries and nearly cost him his life,” Mr. Mitropoulos said.

The Award takes the form of a silver medal depicting, on one side, a search and rescue operation with a sinking ship in the background and a helicopter rescuing survivors from the sea in the foreground, with the IMO logo on the reverse side.

The crew from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres of Falmouth pose with their Certificate of Commendation. IMO 2011 Bravery at Sea Awards.

Special recognition to MRCCs Falmouth and Stavanger
During the ceremony, special Certificates of Commendation were awarded to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) Falmouth (United Kingdom) and Stavanger (Norway), for their contribution, on several occasions, to search and rescue operations unfolding in distant areas, far away from their respective countries’ search and rescue regions, over many years.

Certificates to highly commended nominees
In addition to the Award itself, certificates were also presented during the ceremony to the following “highly commended” nominees or their representatives:

Mr. Wang Hao, rescue swimmer of the B-7313 SAR helicopter aircrew, Bei Hai Search and Rescue Flying Service, Ministry of Transport, China, nominated by China, for keeping an injured fisherman alive by removing a cable that had been wrapped around the injured man’s neck during a hoisting operation in heavy seas, in January 2011.

Captain Cao Deguang, Master of the rescue vessel Bei Hai Jiu 111, Bei Hai Rescue Bureau, Ministry of Transport, China, nominated by China, for rescuing, in severe weather, in December 2010, all six crew members of the bauxite carrier, Li Zhou 8, which had had its hatch covers ripped off by high winds and was taking on water.

Mr. Guo Wenbiao, who has been responsible for saving many lives since setting up the first self-financing, volunteer life-saving station (called “Folk Relieving Station of the Sea Peace”) in Zhejiang Province, China, in 2008. He was nominated by China for attempting to rescue seven crew members of a fishing vessel, diving seven times and locating six bodies in the cabin, in May 2010, after professional divers had given up the search.

The crew of the container ship Charlotte Maersk, nominated by Denmark, for fighting and extinguishing an aggressive, fast-evolving fire aboard their ship, in July 2010. The fire erupted shortly after the ship left Port Klang, Malaysia. Huge flames leapt 50 metres in height and violent explosions ripped through containers, many of which were carrying dangerous goods. The Master and 21 crew members successfully fought the fire without professional help, putting their own lives at stake to stop the fire from spreading and thereby save their ship and cargo.

Third Petty Officer Jesús Damián Orta Sáenz and Corporal Edgar José Iturriaga Cariño, rescue swimmers of the Mexican Navy, based in Yukalpetén, Yucatán. They were nominated by Mexico, for rescuing seven persons from the grounded fishing vessel, Hulkin V, in June 2010. Their ocean patrol vessel could not, owing to its draught, approach the stranded ship, from which it remained at a distance of 600 metres, forcing the two rescuers to undertake a long and exhausting swim to and from the Hulkin V – an exercise, which they had to repeat several times in heavy seas, to bring back all the survivors.

The Master and crew of the general cargo ship Momentum Scan, nominated by the Netherlands, for their tireless and persistent efforts in rescuing 226 migrants, including women and children, from a 20-metre long wooden boat that was taking on water and sinking, in harsh weather and heavy seas, in the Adriatic Sea, in January 2011 – this, despite their having no previous search and rescue experience.

The crew of the Coast Guard rescue helicopter 6022, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, with special individual recognition to rescue swimmer AST2 Sara Faulkner, (nominated by the United States of America) for rescuing, at night, all three people from the yacht Arktur. The yacht had lost its engine and sail power off the Bahamas, in December 2010. Cohesive teamwork ensured the rescue was successful, despite large swells, which hampered the hoisting of survivors aboard the helicopter.

Chief Engineer Anthony Gervasio and Qualified Member of the Engineering Department (QMED) Louis Longlois, crewmembers of the offshore supply vessel Damon B. Bankston, nominated by the United States of America, for placing their own lives at risk while rescuing survivors from the Deepwater Horizon Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit, in the Gulf of Mexico, following a devastating explosion on the rig in April 2010. The Damon B. Bankston crew, who had been standing-by for a routine transfer, deployed the vessel’s fast rescue craft after hearing the explosion and Mr. Gervasio and Mr. Longlois directly saved 23 lives, locating people in the water amidst flames and debris raining down. They went on to assist in the rescue of another 92 people from the rig’s lifeboats.

Letters of Commendation
Furthermore, letters of commendation were sent to the following nominees:

Six Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Marine Enforcement Officers serving aboard the Australian Customs and Border Protection Vessel Triton, and 12 members of the Australian Defence Force serving on the patrol boat HMAS Pirie, nominated by Australia, for rescuing 41 survivors from a small wooden vessel which had smashed against rocks off Christmas Island, in December 2010, with an estimated 70 to 100 persons on board. The rescuers spent some ten hours picking up survivors and recovering bodies.

The crew of the helicopter UH-12 “N-7051”, call sign Albatroz 51, of the Brazilian Navy 5th Squad of Helicopters for General Use, nominated by Brazil, for rescuing all three survivors from a yacht that had gone adrift off the coast of Brazil, in February 2011. The three survivors had to be hoisted from the heavy seas and required the helicopter’s diver to go into the water himself, as the height of the yacht’s mast meant that rescue directly from the yacht’s deck was impossible.

The crew of the rescue tugboat Nan Hai Jiu 197, Nan Hai Rescue Bureau, Ministry of Transport, China, nominated by China, for saving four out of five persons aboard a small cargo ship that had sunk in severe weather, in January 2011. The crew decided to launch the tugboat’s small lifeboat, despite the heavy waves, as it would be faster than the tugboat itself. They searched for and rescued four survivors, who had been adrift in lifejackets in the cold sea.

The crew of the fishing boat Zhe Ping Yu 0158, nominated by China, for the rescue of three crew members from the stricken fishing vessel Cang Long Yu 022 during super-typhoon Fanapi, in September 2010. In severe weather they deftly manoeuvred their boat alongside the damaged vessel, before transferring the crew and then towing it to safety.

Italian Coast Guard 7th Naval Squadron, Lampedusa, Sicily, nominated by Italy for working day and night, seven days a week, to save the lives of thousands of people from boats and rafts adrift or sinking in the waters surrounding the island of Lampedusa. Most of those rescued were refugees or migrants and included pregnant women and others needing medical attention.

Captain Zaw Aung and the crew of the chemical tanker MTM Princess, nominated by Myanmar, for rescuing all four persons from the yacht Octagon, which had lost its steering and was taking on water. The rescue took place in darkness, bad weather and heavy seas, in the Atlantic Ocean, 300 miles north west of Spain, in June 2010.

Captain Jeffrey J. Federigan of the cargo ship Delmas Nacala, nominated by the Philippines, for out-manoeuvring, over a period of three hours, pirates in two skiffs, 600 miles off the coast of Seychelles, in March 2010. The pirates repeatedly attempted to reach the ship, firing at it with rocket-propelled grenades, but the Master performed zig-zag manoeuvres and successfully evaded boarding.

The crew of the patrol ship Taepyeongyang No.9, from the Coast Guard of the Republic of Korea, nominated by the Republic of Korea, for rescuing all three crew members and 12 passengers from a cargo-passenger ship, in high winds, heavy seas and snow, in December 2010. The ship had already started sinking when it made the distress call but capsized within minutes of the patrol vessel arriving. Seven people were thrown into the freezing water from which they were rescued, while the other eight people were recovered from the upturned ship.

The crew of the Coast Guard MH-60J helicopter CG 6007, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, nominated by the United States of America, for rescuing, at night, in blowing snow and sub-zero temperatures, all five crew members from a stranded fishing vessel, in Alaska, in February 2011. The survivors were hoisted to safety one by one, as the helicopter worked in dangerous conditions, avoiding swinging masts, rigging and a nearby cliff.

Bei Hai SAR Flying Service, China Rescue and Salvage Bureau, Ministry of Transport, China, nominated by the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), for hoisting to safety, under difficult conditions, all 25 persons clinging on to a damaged drilling platform, which was tilting at a 45 degree angle, in heavy seas and high winds, in September 2010.

Mr. Zhou Guoxiong, boatswain of the rescue vessel Dong Hai Jiu 113, Donghai Rescue Bureau, Ministry of Transport, China, nominated by the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), for his personal involvement in saving six of the 17 people who had been lost overboard when their cargo ship sank, in December 2010, in darkness and rough seas. At one point Mr. Zhou Guoxiong jumped into the cold water to help a survivor who was too weak to grab the rescue rope himself.

IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea
The IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea was established by IMO to provide international recognition to those who, at the risk of losing their own life, perform acts of exceptional bravery in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment – and, by so doing, help to raise the profile of shipping and enhance its image.

A total of 38 nominations from 14 Member States and one non-governmental organization in consultative status with IMO were received and considered by an Assessment Panel consisting of experts nominated by various international non-governmental organizations. A Panel of Judges then met, under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the IMO Council, with the participation of the Chairmen of IMO’s Maritime Safety, Marine Environment Protection, Legal, Technical Co operation, and Facilitation Committees.
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Photos of the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2011 ceremony

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Web site: www.imo.org

The Impact of IMO’s New Energy Efficiency Measures and the EEDI [STUDY]

gCaptain Staff — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:57:18 +0000

New Study Shows Significant Reduction in CO2 Emissions From Ships Implementing New IMO Measures

An IMO-commissioned study into the impact of mandatory energy efficiency measures for international shipping shows that implementation of the measures will lead to significant reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships, specifically reductions of carbon dioxide (CO2), resulting from enhanced fuel efficiency.

The study found that, by 2020, an average of 151.5 million tonnes of annual CO2 reductions are estimated from the introduction of the measures, a figure that by 2030, will increase to an average of 330 million tonnes annually. CO2 reduction measures will result in a significant reduction in fuel consumption, leading to a significant saving in fuel costs to the shipping industry

The study, Assessment of IMO mandated energy efficiency measures for international shipping, was launched on Monday, November 14th ahead of the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be held in Durban, South Africa, from November 28th to December 9th.

IMO will report to that Conference on the breakthrough adoption, in July 2011 at IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), of mandatory technical and operational measures to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping. Amendments to the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships, add a new chapter on Regulations on energy efficiency for ships. The regulations will apply to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above and are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2013.

This new chapter makes mandatory the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), for new ships, which, in essence, requires new ships to be designed to be more energy efficient (and thereby release less greenhouse gases). The regulations are non-prescriptive: as long as the required energy-efficiency level is attained, ship designers and builders are free to use the most cost-efficient solution or solutions for each particular ship.

The new regulations also make mandatory a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships. This is a plan which sets out, for an individual ship, how energy savings can be made. There are a variety of options to improve efficiency – speed optimization, weather routeing and hull maintenance, for example – and the best package of measures for a ship to improve efficiency differs to a great extent depending upon ship type, cargo, route and other factors. The new regulations make such a ship-specific plan mandatory thereby encouraging the shipping industry to review its practices in a systematic way to find the best balance.

Amongst the key findings, the report (undertaken by Lloyd’s Register (LR) in partnership with Det Norske Veritas (DNV)) found that:

By 2020, an average of 151.5 million tonnes of annual CO2 reductions are estimated from the introduction of the EEDI for new ships and the SEEMP for all ships in operation, a figure that by 2030, will increase to an average of 330 million tonnes annually.
Compared with Business as Usual (BAU), the average annual reductions in CO2 emissions and fuel consumed are estimated between 13% and 23% by 2020 and 2030 respectively.
CO2 reduction measures will result in a significant reduction in fuel consumption, leading to a significant saving in fuel costs to the shipping industry, although these savings require deeper investments in more efficient ships and more sophisticated technologies, as well as new practices.
Significant reduction of CO2 emissions from ships due to EEDI and SEEMP regulations is foreseen to 2050 with emission reduction due to SEEMP likely to be realised more rapidly than that for EEDI, as the effect of EEDI will occur only as and when older, less efficient, tonnage is replaced by new, more efficient tonnage.
The estimated reductions in CO2 emissions, for combined EEDI and SEEMP, from the world fleet translate into a significant annual fuel cost saving of about US$50 billion in 2020 and about US$200 billion by 2030; using fuel price increase scenarios that take into account the switch to low-sulphur fuel in 2020.
Mandatory application of EEDI will drive more energy-efficient ship design and realise the CO2 emission reduction potential associated with technical innovation and the use of lower or no carbon fuels.
The mandatory use of SEEMP based on current IMO regulations will provide a procedural framework for shipping companies to recognise the importance of the operational energy- saving activities. It will significantly boost the level of awareness and, if implemented properly, will lead to a positive cultural change.
Investigations show that ship hydrodynamic and main engine optimisation will bring about energy-saving opportunities of up to around 10% with no significant additional cost of shipbuilding.

The IMO regulations represent the first-ever mandatory energy efficiency measures for an international transport sector and their adoption followed several years of work on the matter. Work is now progressing on market-based measures, with intensive work to review a number of different proposals, submitted by Governments and observer organizations.

Further work will be carried out on market-based measures in 2012. Such measures would place a price on greenhouse gas emissions, thereby providing both an economic incentive for the maritime industry to invest in more fuel-efficient ships and technologies and to operate ships in a more energy-efficient manner and a mechanism to offset growing ship emissions in other sectors. In addition, these measures can generate funds that could be used, for example, for projects to mitigate climate change in developing countries.

Source: International Maritime Organization

Piracy The Focus of Today’s World Maritime Day Celebration

Mike Schuler — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:12:11 +0000

Pictured: Pirates off the coast of Somalia. Photo via IMO

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) marked its annual World Maritime Day celebration today with a collective call-to-action to the United Nations, world governments, military forces and even shipowners and crews reminding them that they all play an integral role in helping rid the world of modern-day piracy on the high seas, especially off the coast of Somalia and Indian Ocean.

“Piracy: an orchestrated response”, actually, is the theme of this years World Maritime Day, now in its 34th year. Suitable, considering so far this year a total of 346 attacks have been reported worldwide and Somali pirates currently hold 277 hostages according to figures released by the International Maritime Bureau.

“During 2010 alone, 4,185 seafarers were attacked by pirates using firearms – even rocket propelled grenades, 1,090 were taken hostage, and 516 were used as human shields. No fewer than 488 were reported suffering significant psychological or physical abuse,” said International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos after announcing this years theme in August.

In Mr. Mitropoulos’ World Maritime Day message, he stated: “To alleviate this unacceptable situation, no effort should be spared. Shipping companies must ensure that their ships rigorously apply the IMO guidance and industry-developed Best Management Practices in their entirety, so that, when venturing into the western Indian Ocean region, they comply with all the recommended measures: no ship is invulnerable, in particular those with relatively low freeboards and slow steaming speeds.”

He continued: “And Governments need to back up their oft-stated concern over the situation by deploying military and other resources commensurate, in numbers and technology, with the scale of the problem and with a realistic chance of dealing with it effectively.”

Despite a decrease in the percentage of successful attacks, piracy is still a real and growing problem. A recent number of hijackings and attacks off West Africa, including the Gulf of Guinea, and off the coast of Southeast Africa in the Mozambique Channel, are a testament to the growing issue. Furthermore, the use of violence against hostage seafarers is on the rise, with 15 killed so far in 2011.

Concluding his World Maritime Day message, Mr. Mitropoulos said: “More needs to be done, including the capture, prosecution and punishment of all those involved in piracy; the tracing of ransom money; and the confiscation of proceeds of crime derived from hijacked ships, if the ultimate goal of consigning piracy to the realms of history is to be achieved. We hope that our choice of the theme for 2011 will provide an appropriate rallying point around which all those who can make a difference can focus their efforts.

“In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with those seafarers, who, at present, are in the hands of pirates. May they all be released unharmed and returned to their families soon.”

Italy will be hosting the 2011 IMO World Maritime Day Parallel Event with celebrations in Rome on October 13 and 14, 2011.

So what is an IMO Number anyway?

John Konrad — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:17:35 +0000

Photo By Derek K. Miller

Wikipedia tells us “The IMO number is made of the three letters ‘IMO’followed by the seven-digit number assigned to all ships by IHS Fairplay when constructed. This is a unique seven digit number that is assigned to propelled, sea-going merchant ships of 100 GT and above. It serves to identify ships and is not changed when the ship’s owner, country of registry or name changes.” This number makes tracking ships, via AIS and other means, over long periods of time practical.

While most mariners can tell you the significance of a ship’s IMO number, few know how the number is chosen. One of the mathematicians over at teppovuori.fi thinks he’s figured it out:

IMO Numbers are made up of the letters IMO and seven decimal digits (Six information digits followed by a seventh check digit concatenated into a seven digit number)

The six information digits to be checked are weighted from left to right by 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.

Products are added up.

The sum is divided by 10. The remainder is the check digit.

Example: IMO 9074729 (Pacific Frontier, Hong Kong)
	 9  0  7  4  7  2  9
	 7  6  5  4  3  2
	63  0 35 16 21  4  = 139 -> 9
The method could also be described by saying that the weighting factors are 7..2 from left to right, and the check digit is the digit that you need to subtract from the sum to make it evenly divisible by 10. Note: This was updated by a gCaptain reader

If anyone is a mathematician or cryptologist and can verify this please leave a comment below.

So what is an IMO Number anyway? The IMO says:

As a result of the attack on the USS Cole, the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and the suicide bombing of the oil tanker Limburg, the IMO held a Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security in December 2002. At the conference, it adopted a number of measures aimed at enhancing the security of ships and port facilities. In addition to the creation of the well-known ISPS Code, the conference also included a modification to SOLAS Regulation XI-1/3 to require ships’ identification numbers to be permanently marked in a visible place either on the ship’s hull or superstructure.

The IMO Ship Identification Number is a unique seven-digit number assigned to propelled, seagoing vessels of 100 gross tons and above. The number is assigned by Lloyd’s Register – Fairplay Ltd. on behalf of the IMO. It consists of the three letters IMO followed by seven numbers.

It is important to note that this number is separate and different from your official number. The official number is an internal control number issued by your yacht’s flag administration and cannot be used to replace the IMO number.

gCaptain’s Short Answer: A vessel’s “IMO Number” is the single best way to track and locate history on a ship since each number is unique and is the only identification that remains with a vessel from shipyard to scrapyard.

Links:

Official IMO Issuance Page
Look-Up Vessel Information by IMO Number (Registration required)
USCG Vessel Information by IMO (Hull) Number