*  PRESS RELEASE  *  PRESS RELEASE  *  PRESS RELEASE  *  PRESS RELEASE  *  PRESS RELEASE  *  PRESS RELEASE  * ICS & ISF Press Releases  2008     2007     2006     2005     2004     2003 11 June 2009- ICS and ISF comment on 'Hebei Spirit' Case   21 May 2009- ICS and ISF Meet in London 24 April 2009 - 'Hebei Spirit' 11 March 2009 - ILO Minimum Wage - Joint ISF and ITF Press Release Regarding the 9th Session of the Joint IMO/ILO Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Liability and Compensation Regarding Claims for Death, Personal Injury and Abandonment of Seafarers 16 February 2009 - ILO Minimum Wage  30 January 2009 - International Shipping Federation is 100! 15 January 2009 - Shipping Industry Welcomes Bail for Seafarers in Korea 12 December 2008 - Imprisonment of Seafarers in Korea: ICS/ISF Chairman/President Speaks Out 9 December 2008 - Industry Launches Best Practices Guidelines for Safe Transport of Containers by Sea 20 November 2008 - Round Table Chairmen’s meeting in Beijing on 9 November, 2008 24 October 2008 - Shipping Industry Welcomes MEPS’ Action On Pirate Attacks 29 September 2008 - Pirates In Somalia Threaten Lives Of Seafarers And The Security Of World Trade - Inadequate Response By Governments Is Unacceptable Says International Shipping Industry 17 September 2008 - Shipping World in Piracy Crisis Call to IMO and UN 22 July 2008 - Shipping World Protests at Unfair Detention of Seafarers in Korea 16 June 2008 - International Symposium on Safety and Protection of the Marine Environment in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore 30 May 2008 - ICS Chairman Addresses World's Transport Ministers 21 May 2008 - ICS and ISF Meet in Athens 20 May 2008 - ICS and ISF Welcome EU Support for Global Regulation of Shipping on European Maritime Day 15 May 2008 - ICS and ISF Publish Annual Review of International Shipping Developments in Advance of Athens AGMs 17 April 2008 - ICS Chairman:  Sulphur Deal Amongst IMO’s Finest Moments 9 April 2008 - Pilots and Shipowners Produce Safety Guidance on Boarding Ladders 4 April 2008 - ICS Welcomes Provisional IMO Agreement on Sulphur Content In Marine Fuel 5 February 2008 - New ICS Environment Code 1 February 2008 - Employers and Unions Unite to Back Fair Treatment for Seafarers Following Maritime Accidents 16 January 2008 - Following the Round Table Chairmen’s Meeting, in Athens On January 10th 2008 4 December 2007 - Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table 30 November 2007 - ICS Welcomes IMO Ballast Water Agreement 21 November 2007 - Shipping Industry Launches New Guidance on Environmental Compliance 5 November 2007 - ICS Launches Updated Bridge Procedures Guide 27 September 2007 - IMO World Maritime Day 2007 Round Table of international shipping associations marks the IMO World Maritime Day 2007 7 September 2007 - Finnish Shipowners’ Association 75th Anniversary: ICS/ISF Chairman/President Stresses Need for Competitive Shipping Industry and Commitment to High Environment Performance  19 July 2007 - Shipping industry announces interim initiative on ship recycling  17 July 2007 - ICS Frustration at IMO Inability to solve ballast water treatment dilemma 11 June 2007 - ICS and ISF Meet in Hong Kong 20 April 2007 - ICS Endorses Proposal for Sweeping IMO Study on Shps' Air Emissions 12 March 2007 - ICS Conveys Shipping Industry Concerns about Panama Canal Toll Hikes 20 February 2007 - ICS Launches Film On Internet To Promote Global Shipping Industry 6 February 2007 - ICS sets out shipping industry's approach to reducing air emissions 30 January 2007 - ICS and national shipowners' associations campaign for ratification of IMO Conventions 24 January 2007 - International Shipping Industry Supports UK Approach to Responding to Maritime Incidents 19 January 2007 - STW January 2007 12 December 2006 - ICS and ISF Comment on EU Maritime Policy Review 9 October 2006 -ISF Produces Definitive Guide for Ship Operators on New ILO Maritime Labour Convention 28 September 2006 - Shipping Industry Marks World Maritime Day with Support for IMO Model Audit Scheme, and Updated Shipping Facts Brochure 13 July 2006 - Tanker Industry Updates Fundamental Guidance on Best Practice 17 May 2006 - Secretary General of ICS and ISF 10 March 2006 - ICS and ISF Meet in Washington DC 30 March 2006 - Shipping Industry Commits to Improvement in Atmospheric Pollution Standards 23 February 2006 - ITF and ISF Hail Adoption of Seafarers' Labour Standards in New ILO "Superconvention" 14 February 2006 - Shipping Industry Issues Reminder on the Use of Oily Water Separators and Compliance with MARPOL 30 January 2006 - Industry Group Study on Incidents of Explosions on Chemical and Product Tankers I9 December 2005 - ICS Urges WTO Negotiators to Recognise Importance of Maintaining Efficient Maritime Services 2 December 2005 - Publication of the BIMCO/ISF Manpower 2005 Update 16 November 2005 - Shipping Industry Updates Flag State Performance Table on Eve of Adoption of IMO Member State Audit Scheme 14 October 2005 - ICS and ISF Express Satisfaction with Amended SUA Convention 13 October 2005 - Oil Pollution Liability – ICS Urges Governments To Reject Even ‘Limited’ CLC/Fund Revision 26 September 2005 - International Shipping - Carrier of World Trade  16 August 2005 - Shipowners Challenge Malacca Strait War Risk Zone 15 July 2005 - OCIMF and ICS Launch Revised Ship to Ship Transfer Guide 8 July 2005 - ICS Welcomes IMO Decision to Explore Electronic Ships' Documents 4 July 2005 - ICS Warns US Trading Ships About Non-Tank Vessel Response Plans 24 May 2005 - ICS and ISF Meet In Copenhagen 17 May 2005 - ICS and ISF Launch 2005 Annual Review in Conjunction with AGMs 16 February 2005 - BIMCO/ISF Manpower Update 2005 Under Way 2 February 2005 - ICS Highlights EU Threat to International Maritime Law and Reviews Continuing Security Problems 6 December 2004 - Shipping Industry Updates Flag State Performance Table 29 September 2004 - Shipping industry appeals to Colin Powell on seafarers’ shore leave 16 September 2004 - Shipping Industry Launches shippingfacts.com 14 July 2004 - Shipping Industry Unites  to Back Security and Seafarers’ Shore Leave 29 June 2004 - ICS Call for Rigour but Rationality on Eve of ISPS Code Deadline 12 May 2004 - ICS and ISF meet at Cambridge 9 March 2004 - The Continuing Plight of the 'Karachi Eight' 4 March 2004 - ICS Issues Stark Reminder to Ship Operators with ISPS Code Checklist 6 January 2004 - New Industry Guidance on Pirate Attacks to Help Ship Security Officers 24 November 2003 - Shipping Industry Launches Guidelines on Flag State Performance 7 November 2003 - ICS Launches Model Ship Security Plan 6 October 2003 - Shipowners, Shipbuilders and Classification Societies in Tripartite Dialogue "Towards a Quality and Rational Industry"  12 June 2003 - Maritime Security: Guidance for Ship Operators on the IMO International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code 14 May 2003 - ICS and ISF meet in Japan       11 June 2009 ICS AND ISF COMMENT ON 'HEBEI SPIRIT' CASE The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) are delighted that the master and chief officer of the 'Hebei Spirit' will finally be allowed to return home to their families following a decision by the Korean courts that they were innocent of the charge of vessel destruction during the oil spill in 2007, when a floating crane barge collided with their oil tanker.  However, ICS and ISF are disappointed that the charge of causing pollution was not overturned and the innocent verdict of the Court of First Instance reinstated.   More generally, ICS and ISF remain very concerned about the impact on serving officers of cases where seafarers have been imprisoned or detained for lengthy periods following maritime incidents, contrary to the principles in the MARPOL and Law of the Sea Conventions.  Seafarers deserve the security of uniformity and certainty as to how their conduct and actions will be determined by local courts, based on internationally agreed standards, so they know where they stand.  What is required is a change in the current political climate. At their recent Annual Meetings, ICS and ISF member national shipowners' associations agreed to consider how best to conduct a new campaign, and seek allies amongst governments, to achieve a change in current attitudes towards the unwarranted punishment of seafarers for unintentional pollution. (end)   21 May 2009 ICS AND ISF MEET IN LONDON The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) held their Annual Meetings in London, from 18-20 May, at the invitation of the UK Chamber of Shipping.  The representatives of national shipowners’ associations, from the membership of 40 countries, discussed a number of important issues of concern to this major global industry. The meetings coincided with the Centenary of ISF (the principal international maritime employers’ organisation for shipowners) which held its first meeting in London, in May 1909. REDUCING SHIPPING'S CO2 EMISSIONS ICS reiterated its commitment to helping governments at the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) deliver a package of proposals for reducing the global shipping industry’s CO2 emissions, for consideration by the UNFCCC climate change Conference in December 2009.  “We very much hope that UNFCCC will agree that the development and management of detailed measures for shipping should be directed by IMO.  As the industry’s global regulator, IMO has successfully delivered an agreement on reducing pollutant emissions such as sulphur from ships, an issue just as complicated as CO2 but on which an impressive global consensus has been achieved.” said ICS Chairman/ISF President Spyros M Polemis.   “There is agreement that the IMO package should include measures to improve fuel efficiency, such as the efficiency indexing of new ships and the use of Ship Efficiency Management Plans by all ships.” said Mr Polemis.  “ICS has also prepared a detailed analysis of the net environmental benefits and commercial implications of the various economic measures that have been proposed by governments as possible means of encouraging emission reductions.  This paper will be considered at the crucial meeting of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee in July.”   “Whatever is decided it must be applied globally, both for the sake of the environment and the efficiency of an industry that transports 90% of global trade.  Above all, it must not inadvertently divert the transportation of cargo from shipping to far less carbon efficient forms of transport, such as roads or aviation.”    PIRACY ICS/ISF national shipowners’ associations called on governments to extend existing political mandates for the naval protection against pirates provided to merchant shipping in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.  “Even if attacks by Somali pirates can be suppressed, current levels of military protection must be sustained or increased.  At the moment, despite the impressive efforts of navies, attacks are still increasing in frequency, with about 300 seafarers currently being held hostage. Governments need to recognise that protecting one the world’s most strategically vital sea lanes will be a serious ongoing commitment for the foreseeable future.” said Mr Polemis. The ICS/ISF meetings repeated their opposition to the use of armed private security guards being carried on merchant ships but discussed the possibility of having qualified military personnel on board in cases where a shipowner’s risk assessment may indicate such a requirement.  “Our position remains that, in our view, the use of firearms by civilians will escalate the threat to seafarers’ lives, which is our number one concern.” said Mr Polemis. At a dinner held at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich on 20 May, to celebrate the Centenary of ISF, Mr Polemis thanked the Chief of Staff of EU NAVFOR, Captain Richard Farrington, for the ‘commitment and courage’ of the various naval personnel protecting merchant shipping in this terrible piracy black spot. ROTTERDAM RULES ON TRANSPORT AND CARGO LIABILITY National shipowners’ associations endorsed an ICS campaign to encourage governments to ratify the new Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly last year.  It will be formally signed by governments at a ceremony in the Netherlands in September 2009, and will then be known as the ‘Rotterdam Rules’. Mr Polemis explained: “Our meetings concluded that, although far from perfect, the new cargo liability regime must be promoted by the industry in the interests of international uniformity and to avoid the risk of a proliferation of regional regulations.  Our national associations have agreed to encourage their governments to attend the signing ceremony in Rotterdam and sign the Convention in order to signal their intent to ratify as soon as possible” He added “It is very disappointing that the European Commission is proceeding with the development of a regional EU cargo liability regime that will undermine the Rotterdam Rules and global uniformity.  We have agreed that European ICS Members will encourage EU Member States to resist the Commission’s proposals and ratify the Rotterdam Rules as soon as possible.”  ELECTIONS The meetings elected Mr Masamichi Morooka (Japan) and Mr Trygve Seglem (Norway) as ICS Vice Chairmen for 2009/10, and Captain Dirk Fry (Cyprus) and Mr Carlos Salinas (Philippines) as ISF Vice Presidents. Mr Spyros Polemis (Greece), re-elected in 2008, remains in office as Chairman of ICS and President of ISF. The 2010 ICS/ISF AGMs will be hosted by the Singapore Shipping Association in April 2010. - end - Notes: ICS is the principal international trade association for shipowners, ISF is the principal international maritime employers’ organisation. The organisations represent all sectors and trades and about 80% of the world merchant fleet. More information on the above and other issues is available in the ICS and ISF Annual Review 2009, which has just been published. Information about the ISF Centenary can be found in ISF1909-2009 -  Representing Maritime Employers for 100 Years, a commemorative book published to coincide with the Annual Meetings.   24 April 2009 'HEBEI SPIRIT’ The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) are very pleased that the master and chief officer of the ‘Hebei Spirit’ have been spared further imprisonment following yesterday’s decision by the Korean Supreme Court that they are innocent of the charge of vessel destruction, based upon which imprisonment was imposed by the Daejeon District Court of Appeal.  We understand that pursuant to the Korean legal system requirements this aspect of the case will now be referred back to the Daejeon District Court to endorse the Supreme Court’s findings.  We hope that the lower court will decide the matter promptly, and that in the interim the seafarers will be able to return home to their families in India. However, we are disappointed that the Supreme Court did not reinstate the innocent verdict of the First Instance Court with regard to the charge of causing pollution.  We remain at a loss to understand how the two officers of the tanker, which was at anchor when it was struck by the crane barge, could be guilty of causing pollution but will reserve further comment on this aspect until we have seen the Supreme Court’s judgement. More generally, we remain deeply concerned about the impact on serving officers and potential recruits of this case, and other cases where seafarers have been imprisoned or detained for lengthy periods sometimes without charge following maritime incidents.  There seems to be an increasing tendency on the part of coastal States to impose criminal sanctions for accidental pollution when there has been no intentional or wilful misconduct.  This in contrary to the principles in the international Law of the Sea and MARPOL treaties, to which States have subscribed.  Seafarers are exposed to a variety of legal jurisdictions in the service of world trade, and have no control over where their ships will trade.  They deserve the security of uniformity and certainty as to how their conduct and actions will be determined by local courts, based on the internationally agreed standards, so they know where they stand. - end - BACK TO TOP   11 March 2009 Joint ISF and ITF Press Release Regarding the 9th Session of the Joint IMO/ILO Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Liability and Compensation Regarding Claims for Death, Personal Injury and Abandonment of Seafarers The International Shipping Federation (ISF) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached on principles for a mandatory solution to the matters of liability and compensation regarding claims for death, personal injury and abandonment of Seafarers at a specially convened Joint ILO/IMO meeting in Geneva between 2 – 6 March 2009. The proposal which is subject to approval of the IMO Legal Committee and ILO governing body is to amend the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 when it enters into force and to add text in regard of these two important issues.  A set of principles have been identified which will be transposed into finalized text at a later date.  Both parties believe that a historic agreement has been reached which should play a major role in transforming the industry into a profession of choice.  It is also hoped that this will encourage new entrants into the industry. - end – Note The International Shipping Federation (ISF) is the principal international trade association and employers' organisation for ship operators. ISF membership comprises national shipowners' associations in 45 countries representing the majority of the world's merchant shipping tonnage. For more details please see www.marisec.org.  The ITF represents 604 trade unions in 137 countries. For more details please see www.itf.org.uk BACK TO TOP 16 February 2009 ILO Minimum Wage Discussions 2009 The International Shipping Federation (ISF) in its capacity as Shipowner Group representative body at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Geneva participated last week in talks with the International Transport Federation for reviewing the figure of the ILO Minimum Wage for Able Seafarers. These talks had been scheduled following previous discussions in February 2006. The Shipowners group outlined that given the current global economic crisis they were extremely concerned about the consequences for the shipping industry in the near future. Therefore the industry was unable to agree upon any changes in the present level of the minimum wages at this point of time or in the short term, if circumstances remain poor. However Shipowners are willing to reconsider at any given time if the contours of the economic situation show any improvements. Both parties recognised the difficulties posed by the current economic situation and the need for safeguarding jobs for seafarers, but unfortunately failed to agree on a way forward in the near future. The Shipowner Group maintained that they are willing to reopen discussions as and when the global economic situation stabilizes or otherwise to meet again in February next year. The International Shipping Federation remain committed towards the principle of the ILO Minimum Wage for Able Seafarers as embedded in ILO Recommendation 109 and within the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.  In the meantime the figure of US $545 which came into effect on 31 December 2008 remains in place. - end – Note International Shipping Federation (ISF) The principal international employers’ organisation for shipowners, whose membership comprises national shipowner and employer associations, through which structure it can uniquely and legitimately claim to speak for a significant majority of employers in international shipping. The aim of ISF is to promote and represent the interests of shipowners and operators in matters pertaining to labour affairs, manning and training, and seafarers’ welfare, within the international shipping industry.  Its role of social partner at ILO gives it a specific platform to undertake these activities on behalf of the industry. The International Labour Organization (ILO) The tripartite UN agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of its member states in common action to promote decent work throughout the world. The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 An important new international labour Convention adopted by the International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in February 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland.  It sets out seafarers’ rights to decent conditions of work and helps to create conditions of fair competition for shipowners.  It is intended to be globally applicable, easily understandable, readily updatable and uniformly enforced. It has been designed to become a global legal instrument that, once it enters into force, will be the “fourth pillar” of the international regulatory regime for quality shipping, The Seafarers Wages, Hours of Work and the Manning of Ships Recommendation No 187 (1996) The mechanism for setting the minimum wage for able seafarers. The ILO minimum wage takes into consideration a formula which reflects changes in consumer prices and exchange rates against the US dollar in 49 maritime countries and areas.  Application of Recommendation No. 187 is not mandatory unless a government chooses to make it so through legislation. It is nevertheless used by shipowners and trade unions in setting wage scales. The mechanism is the only one in the ILO for setting the basic monthly wage for any industry. BACK TO TOP 30 January 2009 International Shipping Federation is 100! The International Shipping Federation (ISF) is celebrating its 100th anniversary throughout this year, having been established as the principal international employers’ organisation for shipowners in 1909! To launch its Centenary, ISF has produced a special brochure - highlighting the organisation’s achievements and identifying immediate priorities in the year ahead.  These include: the promotion and implementation of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, expected to enter into force in the next two years; the completion of the current International Maritime Organization (IMO) review of the STCW (seafarers’ training) Convention; as well as measures to increase the worldwide recruitment and training of the next generation of seafarers, in support of IMO’s ‘Go to Sea!’ campaign. At a special event at the ISF offices, in London today (30 January), to start off the celebrations, ISF President, Spyros M Polemis, remarked. "The membership of ISF today comprises national shipowners’ associations from over 30 countries, which represent all sectors and trades of the shipping industry and about 75% of the world merchant fleet.  The primary interests of ISF remain labour affairs and industrial relations, manpower and training, and seafarers’ welfare. Since the early 1920s, ISF has been proud to be the official ‘social partner’ of the International Labour Organization, where shipping enjoys the unique ILO ‘maritime machinery’ for developing international employment standards.  ISF co-ordinated the representation of maritime employers at the first special Maritime Labour Conference in 1920, and still continues in this role, similarly co-ordinating shipowner representation at the ground breaking ILO Maritime Labour Conference of 2006.           ISF was also amongst the very first industry organisations to gain consultative status with the International Maritime Organization in 1961.  In more recent years, ISF has also been very closely engaged with training standards, and has represented maritime employers at the major Diplomatic Conferences which adopted, and then radically revised, the IMO Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.  Indeed, next week, ISF will be back at IMO leading employers’ input into the latest review of the STCW Convention."  At the launch of the Centenary celebrations, ISF also gave an advance preview of a new international careers promotion film aimed at young people, and endorsed by IMO as part of its ‘Go to Sea!’ campaign.  The DVD film, which will be translated into several languages, will be distributed free of charge via ISF's member national shipowners' associations in the next few weeks. -end- BACK TO TOP 15 January 2009 Shipping Industry Welcomes Bail for Seafarers in Korea The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF), which lodged a letter of support for bail with the Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea at the end of last year, have greatly welcomed the Court's decision to grant bail, and release from prison, two merchant foreign ship's officers.  The crew members of the oil tanker ‘Hebei Spirit’ were sentenced to imprisonment, in December, by a lower court, for their alleged contribution to a major oil spill in late 2007. This legal decision has fuelled the shipping industry’s deep concern about the criminalization of seafarers who engage in the transportation of around 90% of world trade. While enjoying good co-operation from the Korean maritime administration and the Korea Shipowners’ Association, ICS and ISF fully appreciate the independence of the Korean judiciary from the government.  Based on the facts of the case, ICS and ISF are hopeful that the Supreme Court will now make the correct decision when it rules on the seafarers' appeal, in order that they are spared from further imprisonment and allowed to return to their families in India.  ICS/ISF also acknowledge that due process, under Korean law, is being followed, and that every effort is being made by the Korean authorities to adhere to the international principles enshrined in the IMO/ILO Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers in the Event of a Maritime Accident.  The decision to release the ship's officers from prison is fully consistent with these Guidelines, adopted in 2006, which ICS and ISF helped to negotiate with governments at IMO and ILO.     With the officers now released on bail, ICS and ISF look forward to a similarly positive outcome of the hearing of the appeal before the Supreme Court.  -end- Note   The ‘Hebei Spirit’ was at anchor when she was rammed by a barge that had broken free, and yet the officers from the anchored vessel have somehow now ended up in jail.  Whatever the legal arguments, the international shipping industry has found it hard to comprehend such an outcome and has been concerned about the disincentive it gives to follow a career at sea in the service of world trade.  Note   ICS and ISF are the principal international trade association and employers’ federation for the global shipping industry, representing 80% percent of the world merchant fleet and with a membership of national shipowners’ associations in 40 countries. BACK TO TOP 12 December 2008 Imprisonment of Seafarers in Korea:  ICS/ISF Chairman/President Speaks Out London - The Chairman/President of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF), Mr Spyros M Polemis, has expressed serious concern about the imprisonment, by a Korean court this week, of two Indian merchant seafarers.  "The decision by the Korean Court to imprison the two officers of the HEBEI SPIRIT is very regrettable indeed, and it further adds to the concerns that the Shipping Industry has about the criminalisation of seafarers in general. The HEBEI SPIRIT was at anchor when she was rammed by a barge that had broken free of her moorings, and yet the officers from the anchored vessel have somehow now ended up in jail.  Whatever the legal arguments, the international shipping industry - for whom we speak - cannot comprehend such an outcome. Coupled with recent high profile attacks on ships by armed pirate gangs, who are true criminals, the decision to imprison these seafarers can only be a further disincentive to follow a career at sea in the service of world trade.   This incident highlights the need for the world's seafaring nations to stand up and take notice.  The world expects - in fact it takes for granted - that the Shipping Industry will provide a seamless, efficient and effective delivery of goods. Shipowners cannot therefore remain unresponsive to the imprisonment of two of their seafarers who provide this service worldwide.  Without our seafarers, and the ships they serve on, the world would literally come to a stop.  If all of the world's nations are to continue to expect the Shipping Industry to provide this service, then equally, and as a minimum, the seafarers expect to be treated fairly and with respect.   This incident also highlights the fact that, in the course of providing this important service, seafarers are exposed to the vagaries of different national laws, with some jurisdictions imposing criminal sanctions for oil pollution even when there is no intentional or wilful misconduct. There is a real need for uniformity based on the internationally agreed MARPOL standards so that seafarers know where they stand. All nations should be deeply concerned about the impact of this decision on recruitment to the Maritime profession at a time when there is a growing shortage of well-trained and qualified sea-going personnel. We stand together, united, with all seafarers in their efforts to free these two officers as soon as possible." -end- Note ICS and ISF are the international trade association and employers’ organisation for ship operators, with a membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 44 countries. MARPOL is the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.   BACK TO TOP   9 December 2008 Industry Launches Best Practices Guidelines for Safe Transport of Containers by Sea London - The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the World Shipping Council (WSC) have published 'Safe Transport of Containers by Sea, Guidelines on Industry Best Practices’, with a view to minimising the dangers to containerships, their crews, and all personnel involved with containers throughout the transport chain.   The new Guide has been developed by an expert international industry working group in response to recent incidents involving containerships, most notably the collapse of a stack of containers on board the ‘Annabella’ and issues arising from the loss of the ‘MSC Napoli’, as identified by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch and submitted for consideration by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) last year.  ICS Marine Director, Peter Hinchliffe , explained: “The primary responsibility for the safe transport of containers by sea rests with containership operators.  But there are many other parties in the transport chain concerned with the safe movement of containers.  There are those employed by shipping lines involved with the booking and assignment of cargoes, and the subsequent arrangements for stowage planning; and there are the freight forwarders, ports and terminal operators and - particularly important - the shippers, from whom the cargo originates.  All of these players have important responsibilities which are addressed by these new industry Guidelines.” Peter Hinchliffe added: “The safety record of the containership industry is impressive and has progressively improved during the last 20 years.  But when incidents still occur, the root cause normally involves a failure to comply with existing international rules, or else results from a failure to follow established procedures which this new Guide seeks to reiterate in a readily digestible form.” Particular emphasis is given by the new ICS/WSC Guidelines to the responsibilities of those involved with the correct packing, labelling and weighing of cargoes when they are stuffed into containers, and the accurate declaration of the goods by cargo interests.  The Guidelines also address the safe handling and stowage of containers when they are received by a port facility and are loaded on board a ship, the latter requiring complex planning, calculations, and the use of sophisticated computer systems.  The Guidelines also cover the maintenance and inspection of the containers themselves.  All of these activities have a direct bearing on the safety of ships and the reduction of the risks to the lives of ships’ crews and other personnel in the transport chain. Lars Kjaer, Senior Vice President of the World Shipping Council, remarked: “The new Guidelines provide a comprehensive and consolidated list of effective best practices in one place to provide a useful resource that should be of benefit to all concerned with the safe transport of containers.” He added: “It is particularly important for shippers to understand the extreme forces to which containerships are exposed at sea, and the extent to which risks are increased dramatically if a container is stuffed incorrectly.  It is vital for shippers to adhere to weight restrictions and to ensure that cargoes cannot shift within the container.  It is also important for them to provide accurate and timely documentation and to properly label dangerous cargo. These guidelines also recognise that container weight should be verified by marine terminal operators before vessel loading.  By knowing accurate container weight, vessel and cargo safety is greatly enhanced.” Notes  'Safe Transport of Containers by Sea, Guidelines on Industry Best Practices' is published by Marisec Publications (see www.marisec.org/pubs) and is available from maritime booksellers.  ICS is the principal international trade assocation concerned with the operational safety of ships in all sectors and trades. WSC represents the worlds’s leading container shipping lines. BACK TO TOP   20 November 2008 Round Table Chairmen’s meeting in Beijing on 9 November, 2008 In connection with a recent Shipping Industry meeting in Beijing the four Chairmen of the Round Table of international shipping associations (RT) which comprises BIMCO, ICS, Intercargo and INTERTANKO, met to discuss issues of common interest including piracy, the plight of the “Hebei Spirit” and practical measures to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions from ships. The state of lawlessness and recent escalation of piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden is of enormous concern to the international shipping industry. The RT supports and commends those States that have provided warships to operate in the Gulf of Aden . The presence of these ships is believed to have already had a mitigating effect against pirate attacks although recent events indicate that the warships are too few and too far apart.  There is a fundamental need for coordination in the use of Navy ships and airborne surveyance and support. The Round Table reaffirmed its opposition to the use of armed guards onboard merchant ships as it was likely to lead to an escalation in the level of violence associated with these attacks, and even more importantly, it would most likely put the crews in harms way. The RT Chairmen urged shipowners to stringently follow recommended passive defensive measures when transiting the area, to maintain contact with the naval authorities as well as reporting any attacks or suspicious activities to the International Maritime Bureau. The RT Chairmen expressed great dismay over the continuing detention of the two officers from the “Hebei Spirit” in Korea despite having been found innocent of all charges by the Korean Court in June 2008. At a recent session of the IMO Legal Committee, the RT had joined forces with the International Group of P&I Clubs and the International Transport Workers’ Federation to deliver a statement conveying the industry’s great concern at the continued detention of the two ship’s officers of the “Hebei Spirit”. The RT maintains that the detention appears to be contrary to the principles established in the joint IMO/ILO Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers in the Event of a Maritime Accident.  One  topical item covered was the industry’s response to the challenge of  Greenhouse Gases – GHG - in relation to shipping. The Chairmen noted that many shipowners had already undertaken measures to reduce GHG emissions but agreed that there were technical, operational as well as commercial issues that required further investigation. They reaffirmed that the associations will continue to be actively engaged in the GHG debate. The Chairmen reiterated their associations’ support in principle for the Energy Efficiency Design Index for new vessels being developed at IMO, and the RT would be engaged in further debate on its method of application and in the gathering of data to test the formula. The RT has also been active in putting forward at IMO the concept of a ‘Ship Efficiency Management Plan’, (SEMP), to promote best practice in reducing CO2 emissions from existing vessels.  A voluntary ‘Operational Index’, was an integral part of the SEMP and would provide the mechanism for shipping companies to work with the other stakeholders, such as charterers, shippers, ports and terminals, to monitor for continuous improvement in the energy efficiency of their ships. -end- Notes The Round Table of international shipping associations includes BIMCO, ICS (the International Chamber of Shipping), Intercargo (The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners) and INTERTANKO (The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners). These organisations represent all segments of the industry including the owners and managers of all types of ships. Round Table press contacts: BIMCO  Peter Grube pg@bimco.org   Tel : +45 44 36 6800 Intercargo  Rob Lomas rob.lomas@intercargo.org  Tel: +44 20 7977 7036 International Chamber of Shipping Simon Bennett simon.bennett@marisec.org  Tel: +44 20 7417 2857 INTERTANKO  Bill Box bill.box@intertanko.com  Tel: +44 20 7977 7023   BACK TO TOP 24 October 2008 Shipping Industry Welcomes MEPS’ Action On Pirate Attacks   The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents all sectors and trades of the world merchant fleet, has welcomed the Resolution adopted by the European Parliament (on Thursday 23 October – see Resolution, see EU press release) concerning pirate attacks against shipping in the Gulf of Aden, and the call from MEPS urging EU Member States to support further action by the UN Security Council and for effective co-ordination between EU naval forces and the military vessels of other nations in the region.  ICS Secretary General, Tony Mason remarked: “This is a very welcome effort by MEPS to pursue the need for greater clarity of the international legal basis for intervention by military naval forces, which is urgently needed to tackle the Somali pirates and restore security and order to one of the world’s most critical trade arteries.  But while ICS greatly appreciates the action of the European Parliament, there is also still a need to establish a legal mechanism to arrest, try and punish acts of piracy under proper due process.”   BACK TO TOP 29 September 2008 Pirates In Somalia Threaten Lives Of Seafarers And The Security Of World Trade - Inadequate Response By Governments Is Unacceptable Says International Shipping Industry   The international shipping industry (represented by BIMCO, ICS/ISF, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO and the International Transport Workers’ Federation) is dismayed by recent comments, attributed to leaders of the Coalition Task Force operating in the Gulf of Aden, that it is not the job of navy forces to protect merchant ships and their crews from increasingly frequent attacks from pirates operating out of Somalia.   The pirates are now attacking ships on a daily basis with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades, and currently holding over 200 seafarers hostage.  The pirates are operating with impunity, and governments stand idly by.   If civil aircraft were being hijacked on a daily basis, the response of governments would be very different.  Yet ships, which are the lifeblood of the global economy, are seemingly out of sight and out of mind.  This apparent indifference to the lives of merchant seafarers and the consequences for society at large is simply unacceptable. The shipping industry is utterly amazed that the world’s leading nations, with the naval resources at their disposal, are unable to maintain the security of one of the world’s most strategically important seaways, linking Europe to Asia via the Red Sea/Suez Canal.   Since 9/11, the international shipping industry has spent billions of dollars to comply with stringent new security requirements, agreed by the international community to address concerns about terrorism.  Yet when merchant ships – which carry 90% of world trade and keep the world economy moving - are subject to attack by violent pirates, the response of many governments is that it is not their problem and that ships should hire mercenaries to protect themselves.   The arming of merchant ships, as suggested by the Task Force, will almost certainly put the lives of ships’ crews in even greater danger and is likely to escalate the level of violence employed by the pirates.  It would also be illegal under the national law of many ships’ flag states and in many of the countries to which they are trading.      The industry understands that military resources are stretched and that the Coalition Task Force is doing what it can, consistent with current rules of engagement provided by participating governments. But the international shipping industry, in the strongest possible way, urges governments to commit the necessary navy vessels now, and to ensure they have the freedom to engage forcefully against any act of piracy in the Gulf of Aden.   Governments must issue clear rules of engagement to allow naval forces to intercept and take appropriate action against  these violent pirates, and the oceangoing ‘motherships’ from which the pirates are operating, as permitted by UN Security Council Resolution 1816, of 2 June 2008, and existing international law about the rights of States to repress criminal acts on the high seas.   Governments must also ensure that these pirates and armed robbers, who are terrorising the high seas, are brought to justice in a court of law and are not allowed to resume their piratical activities unimpeded because of governments’ unwillingness to take the necessary action. There should be no doubt that the situation is now so serious that major shipping companies, who are currently negotiating with charterers to avoid transiting the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea/Suez Canal all together, will decide to redirect their ships via the Cape of Good Hope.  This would add several weeks to the duration of many ships’ voyages and would have severe consequences for international trade, the maintenance of inventories and the price of fuel and raw materials.  This would also affect not just those countries to which cargoes are destined but all global seaborne trade, a consequence which, in the current economic climate, must surely be avoided.   A repeat of the crisis in the early 1970s, when the Suez Canal was closed and shipping was similarly diverted around the Cape of Good Hope, must be prevented at all cost, thus this call for urgent measures now  – today and not tomorrow!   It cannot escape notice that the supply of consumer goods – the majority of which are carried from Asia to Europe via this vital sea lane - could be also seriously affected.   The international shipping industry recognises that the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO), with whom it continues to liaise daily, has acknowledged the massive severity of the problem and has similarly implored the United Nations and the UN Security Council to ensure that appropriate action is taken.  But far greater urgency is required by governments and their navies, particularly those in the Coalition Task Force who are in the best position to restore security to this critical trade artery.   We need action, not words or rhetoric.  What is at stake are the lives of merchant seafarers and the security of world trade.    -end-   Notes: UN Security Council Resolution 1816, adopted on 2 June, permits States co-operating with Somalia 's Transitional Federal Government, for a period of six months, to enter the country's territorial waters and use "all necessary means" to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea, in a manner consistent with relevant provisions of international law.   The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Article 105, states ‘On the high seas, or in any other place outside the jurisdiction of any State, every State may seize a pirate ship or aircraft taken by piracy and under the control of pirates, and arrest the persons and seize the property on board’.   The rights of States to act against criminal acts at sea is reinforced by the IMO Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA Convention).   Since 9/11, shipping companies and their crews have had to comply with the IMO International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, adopted in 2002, and various new cargo security requirements within the context of the World Customs Organization ‘SAFE Framework’. The cost of compliance, aimed at protecting the international community from the risk of terrorism, amounts to billions of dollars.     Additional information about the most recent pirate attacks against ships off Somalia can be found at: www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php General information about the international shipping industry can be found at www.shippingfacts.com   For more details please contact:   BIMCO Peter Grube pg@bimco.org Tel : +45 44 36 6800    ICS/ISF (International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation) Simon Bennett simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel : +44 20 7417 8844    INTERCARGO Rob Lomas  rob.lomas@intercargo.org Tel : +44 20 7977 7030    INTERTANKO Bill Box bill.box@intertanko.com Tel : +44 20 7977 7010    ITF  Sam Dawson dawson_sam@itf.org.uk Tel: +44 20 7940 9260 BACK TO TOP 17 September 2008 Shipping World in Piracy Crisis Call to IMO and UN The shipping world today made a crisis call to the (London-based) United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations (in New York) requesting real and immediate action against brazen acts of piracy, kidnapping and armed robbery, carried out with increasing frequency against ships in the Gulf of Aden, by pirates based in Somalia. The Round Table of international shipping associations – BIMCO, Intercargo, International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation and INTERTANKO – joined global trade union federation the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) to request the IMO Secretary-General, Mr Efthimios Mitropoulos, to use his organisation’s influence to ensure UN backing for increased naval force in order to protect the lives of seafarers and passengers as well as ships and cargoes. The shipping industry’s plea is in response to a situation which it describes as in danger of spiralling completely and irretrievably out of control.  The solution, the industry stresses, is for more nations to commit naval vessels in the area and, crucially, for them to engage effectively, actively and forcefully against any act of piracy, and to intercept and bring to justice the criminals in order to re-establish safety and security to one the world’s most strategically important seaways.  Only interception and arrests, as permitted by UN Security Council Resolution 1816, will tackle the problem, with ships currently being attacked almost every day, often involving kidnapping and hostage taking, with pirates using automatic weapons including rocket propelled grenades. In particular the industry believes there is currently a lack of political will on the part of governments to give military forces the clear rules of engagement they need, notwithstanding the mandate provided by the UN Security Council in June. The organisations have advised the IMO Secretary-General that when attacks are being mounted over 200 nautical miles from the coast by heavily armed pirates using ocean going vessels, the standard advice being issued to ships – to avoid the area, keep alert and maintain speed – is rendered redundant. The shipping industry believes that the only effective action is for the naval forces to engage actively and forcefully, as they are better armed, trained and resourced than those committing acts of piracy.  The shipping industry does not underestimate the bravery or good intentions of those manning warships in the region, but the current patrolling and hands-off approach is clearly making no difference.  They argue that while the naval forces are indeed ready to tackle the piracy problem, they need a clear signal from governments, through unequivocal rules of engagement, to do so. The shipping organisations note that some major shipping companies are already refusing to transit the Gulf of Aden while many others are understandably considering similar steps, going on to warn that continued inaction against these violent acts could prompt shipowners to redirect their ships via the Cape of Good Hope, with severe consequences for international trade, including increased prices for delivered goods. For more details please contact: ITF  Sam Dawson  dawson_sam@itf.org.uk Tel: +44 20 7940 9260 BIMCO Peter Grube  pg@bimco.org Tel : +45 44 36 6800  International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation Simon Bennett  simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel : +44 20 7417 8844  INTERCARGO Rob Lomas   rob.lomas@intercargo.org Tel : +44 20 7977 7030  INTERTANKO Bill Box  bill.box@intertanko.com Tel : +44 20 7977 7010  Notes A crisis point has now been reached, with nearly 40 hijackings taking place in the Gulf of Aden so far this year, with 133 kidnapped seafarers still being held hostage and with pirate attacks on shipping happening not even weekly or daily, but sometimes up to three times within hours.  The International Maritime Bureau, the lead recording body for piracy, estimates that over 1,200 Somalis and at least six major groups are involved.   At this moment 10 ships are being held and the industry fears for the seafarers on board. Seafarers are civilians and are entitled to protection as they go about their lawful profession. The current situation is threatening their right to life. UN Security Council Resolution 1816, adopted on 2 June, permits States co-operating with Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, for a period of six months, to enter the country's territorial waters and use "all necessary means" to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea, in a manner consistent with relevant provisions of international law. Additional information about the most recent pirate attacks against ships off Somalia can be found at www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php BACK TO TOP   22 July 2008 Shipping World Protests at Unfair Detention of Seafarers in Korea Organisations from across the world’s shipping industry today issued a vigorous joint protest at the continuing unjust and unreasonable detention of two merchant ships’ officers from the tanker Hebei Spirit who were recently acquitted by a South Korean court as being innocent of all charges of violating the nation’s ocean pollution law, following last year’s oil spill when a floating crane collided with the Hebei Spirit. We - the Round Table of international shipping associations (BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Shipping Federation (ISF), INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG), and the Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association - wish to convey to the government and authorities of the Republic of Korea our surprise, disappointment and great concern at the news that Korea’s courts have determined to continue to detain the ship’s officers, despite their acquittal, for possibly as long a year pending further hearings. Such measures appear to be unjustified, unreasonable and in contravention of the men’s rights. We strongly believe that they should be permitted to leave the country. We remind those responsible for the continued detention of Captain Jasprit Chalwa and Chief Officer Syam Chetan, that the trial determined that another vessel which had been towing the floating crane which struck the anchored tanker was wholly responsible for the incident. Despite this finding they have continued to be detained, notwithstanding their own and their employers’ assurance that, should a further trial take place, they would attend it. The two officers have been detained in Korea since 7 December and we believe from recent experience in similar cases that such continued unjust detention may well affect the physical and mental health of the two men. This could be avoided by permitting them to return home now to their families until such time as they are needed to assist any further investigation in Korea. As an industry serving international society, we remain committed to protecting the environment and to the prompt and thorough investigation of accidents at sea. We are committed to bringing to justice those involved in intentional actions that may damage the marine environment. However, we cannot and will not support the criminalisation of seafarers, nor unjust, unreasonable and unfair treatment that is contrary to the principles agreed to worldwide in the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers in the Event of a Maritime Accident. We appeal to the Government of the Republic of Korea to take the necessary action to ensure that the seafarers are immediately permitted to return to their homes. Tuesday 22 July, 2008 David Cockroft General Secretary ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation)   Andrew Bardot Executive Officer IG (International Group of P&I Clubs)   Torben C. Skaanild            Secretary General BIMCO                             Tony Mason Secretary General ICS / ISF (International Chamber of Shipping / International Shipping Federation)   Roger Holt Secretary General INTERCARGO (International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners)   Dr Peter Swift Managing Director INTERTANKO (International Association of Independent Tanker Owners)   Arthur Bowring Managing Director Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association   Main press contact:   Pat Adamson, Chairman, MTI +44 20 7823 9444 Pat.adamson@mtinetwork.com   Other press contacts: International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Sam Dawson  dawson_sam@itf.org.uk  Tel: +44 20 7940 9260 Editor’s notes BIMCO is the world’s biggest private shipping organisation, with a global outreach and membership from all around the world. As an influential and important maritime service organisation, it offers practical and tangible services to its membership which includes more than 900 owners, 1,400 brokers and more than 100 P&I Clubs and other associates. Owner members represent more than 14,000 vessels totalling 525 million dwT, or some 65% of the total cargo capacity available worldwide. The Hong Kong Shipowners Association's (HKSOA) chief purpose is to promote and to protect the interests of the Hong Kong ship owners and ship managers as well as the increasing number of local professions and services upon whom they rely in the performance of their business. ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) comprises/represents national ship owner associations worldwide, and is an international trade association for the shipping industry, representing all sectors and trades. It is involved with issues of maritime affairs, shipping policy, legal and technical matters, including ship construction, operation, safety and management, and developing best practice in the industry. The IG (International Group of P&I Clubs) consists of thirteen principal underwriting member clubs which between them provide liability cover (protection and indemnity) for approximately 90% of the world’s ocean-going tonnage.  Each Group club is an independent, non-profit making mutual insurance association, providing cover for its ship owner and charterer members against third party liabilities relating to the use and operation of ships. Each club is controlled by its members through a board of directors or committee elected from the membership. Clubs cover a wide range of liabilities including personal injury to crew, passengers and others on board, cargo loss and damage, oil pollution, wreck removal and dock damage. Clubs also provide a wide range of services to their members on claims, legal issues and loss prevention, and often play a leading role in the management of casualties. INTERCARGO (International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners) has, since 1980, represented the interests of owners, operators and managers of dry cargo shipping and works closely with the other international associations to promote a safe, high quality, efficient and profitable industry. INTERTANKO (International Association of Independent Tanker Owners) has been the voice of the independent tanker owners since 1970, representing today around 80% of the independent tanker fleet. It is a professional, efficient and respected association representing an industry dedicated to delivering a reliable, safe, responsible and competitive service transporting the liquid energy and chemicals that keep the world economy turning. It is also  a forum where the tanker industry meets, as well as being a valuable source of information, opinions and guidance for its members and associate members. ISF (International Shipping Federation) is the principal international employers’ organisation for ship owners, whose membership comprises national ship owner and employer associations. The aim of ISF is to promote and represent the interests of ship owners and operators in matters pertaining to labour affairs, manning and training, and seafarers’ welfare, within the international shipping industry.  Its role of social partner at ILO (International Labour Organization, a United Nations Agency) gives it a specific platform to undertake these activities on behalf of the industry. ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) represents transport workers around the world and promotes their interests through global campaigning and solidarity. Hebei Spirit incident on 07.12.2007 Brief summary of position as submitted to the Korean Authorities by owners, managers and insurers. The Hebei Spirit, a 260,000 dwt, very large crude oil carrier, anchored at the location instructed by the Daesan Port on December 6, 2007 at 1918 hrs. The vessel displayed all the lights required by the collision regulations. At 0702 hrs on December 7, 2007 the Hebei Spirit was struck while still at anchor by a passing crane-carrying barge Samsung 1, which was under tow of tugs Samsung T No 5 and Samho T3. A further tug was in attendance at the stern of the crane barge. According to the local vessel traffic service records (VTS), at around 0635 hrs the tugs and barge had completely made it clear and past the Hebei Spirit, ahead of the tanker, passing from starboard to port side. There should have been no risk of any collision. At around 0651 hrs the tow line connecting Samsung T5 and the crane barge suddenly broke and the tugs lost control. As a result the crane barge began drifting back towards the Hebei Spirit due to effects of the strong winds, current and large windage of the crane. The crane- barge collided with the Hebei Spirit on her port side at around 0702 hrs, some 11 minutes later, causing punctures to the hull and release of cargo into the sea. 16 June 2008 International Symposium on Safety and Protection of the Marine Environment in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore The Nippon Foundation (NF) and the Round Table of international shipping associations (RTisa) (BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO & INTERTANKO) are pleased to announce a symposium in Kuala Lumpur on 24 November 2008 to discuss current positive developments in support of safety and protection of the marine environment in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The governments of Indonesia , Malaysia and Singapore (the Littoral States), having been consulted on the objectives of the event by the organisers, have welcomed the concept and have undertaken to assist with advice on the scope of the event and with speakers. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has also expressed support for the concept of the symposium, as a means to build further on various initiatives related to the Straits of Malacca and Singapore , such as the Littoral States' Co-operative Mechanism and the IMO's Marine Electronic Highway project. Amongst the straits used for international navigation (as defined by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)), the Straits of Malacca and Singapore rank as the busiest with transiting ships carrying around one third of the world’s oil supplies and half of world trade.  The pressures of maintaining safety and protecting the natural marine environment of the Littoral States of Indonesia , Malaysia and Singapore are enormous.  The NF and RTisa reaffirm that safety and environmental protection of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore must be assured to enjoy sustainable utilisation of the seas and sustainable development of the world economy.  Appreciation is expressed for the considerable effort of the Littoral States, including the establishment of the Aids to Navigation fund, at a meeting held in April 2008 in Malaysia . The RTisa particularly welcomes the generous NF contribution of an initial sum of US$M 1.351 to this fund representing the cost of the baseline survey on which the future maintenance programme will be based. The Nippon Foundation announced last year its decision to contribute to the Aids to Navigation Fund which was proposed last year by the Littoral States and the IMO. At the IMO meeting in Singapore in September 2007, the Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, Mr Yohei Sasakawa, agreed to contribute up to a third of the cost of the new fund for the first five years. The 24 November symposium will explain the significance of the Straits in terms of global trade and benefit to the global community and why the Straits should remain safe, secure and open to navigation.  It will outline measures already in progress under the Littoral States’ Co-operative Mechanism as well making proposals on possible new areas for study and corporate social responsibility impacts on user states and on all stakeholders in the industry. Subjects to be covered will include: ·The background, history and global significance of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore ·The legal background on safety and environmental protection in straits used for international navigation, in accordance with UNCLOS ·The development by the Littoral States of the Co-operative Mechanism ·The role of user states and of industry in support of the Co-operative Mechanism ·Future developments in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore ·Corporate social responsibility Speakers will include experts in the various subjects, drawn from governments, industry and academia. The symposium will be of value to all those with an interest in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore including shipowners and operators, all stakeholders in the carriage of cargo through  the Straits, and representatives of user state governments.  The NF and RTisa are convinced that the symposium will attract a wide range of industry stakeholders interested in voluntary cooperation within the Co-operative Mechanism.  The RTisa encourages members of its constituent bodies to attend. Further details of the symposium and reception, together with registration forms, will be made available shortly, but meanwhile all those with an interest in these important topics are invited to reserve the date in their diary. For more details, please contact: BIMCO   Peter Grube, Head of Sales, Marketing and PR pg@bimco.org Tel : +45 44 366800 International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Simon Bennett, Secretary simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel: +44 20 7417 2857 INTERCARGO  Rob Lomas, Manager, Corporate Affairs and External Communications  rob.lomas@intercargo.org Tel: +44 20 7977 7036 INTERTANKO   Bill Box, Communications and Public Relations Manager bill.box@intertanko.com Tel: +44 20 7977 7023 NIPPON FOUNDATION Mitsuyuki Unno, Chief Manager, Maritime Safety Team E-mail: m_unno@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jp EDITOR’S NOTES  follow on: Straits of Malacca and Singapore– facts and figures Round Table The Nippon Foundation IMO UNCLOS Littoral States Co-operative Mechanism EDITOR’S NOTES: Straits of Malacca and Singapore– facts and figures         Passing Ships (2004) Number of ships per year   (Number of ships per day)                                    93,755                      (257) (Lloyd's data >100GT)    Tonnage (per year)         2,764 million (Gross Tonnage)   Passing Cargo (2002) Volume of Crude Oil (per day) (IEA figures) 11 million barrels Source: LMIU and Nippon Foundation Malacca transits are made by ships carrying: - 20% of World Seaborne Trade - 30% of Global Seaborne Crude Oil -  55% of Global Shipping Capacity More than 94,000 ships pass through the Straits every year, amounting to almost 4 billion tonnes dwt. That is an average of 257 ships every day. In ten years from the mid 1994 this figure grew from 75,000 vessels (+25%) and from 2.5bn dwt (+60%). This figure can only grow year on year as a reflection of the continuous growth in world trade. Further facts and figures on the Malacca Straits may be taken from a presentation made by Japan ’s Maritime Bureau. This can be obtained by clicking here. Round Table The Round Table of international shipping associations (RT) is an informal grouping of: shipping industry associations whose mission is to work together to serve, represent and advance the international shipping industry, with a vision of .a responsible and respected international shipping industry meeting the expectations of its stakeholders. By acting in concert to avoid duplication on issues of consensus, the combined effort of the Round Table can exceed the sum of the individual efforts. RT members are: BIMCO, ICS/ISF (International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation), INTERCARGO (International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners), INTERTANKO (International Association of Independent Tanker Owners). The Nippon Foundation The Nippon Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation established in 1962. The Foundation’s overall objectives include assistance for humanitarian activities, both at home and abroad, and global maritime development. Its philanthropic ideals embrace social development and self-sufficiency, and it pursues these principles by working to improve public health and education, alleviate poverty, eliminate hunger and help the disabled.   IMO The International Maritime Organization is a specialised agency of the United Nations with 167 Member States and three Associate Members, and based in the United Kingdom with around 300 international staff. The IMO's main task has been to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and its remit today includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security, and the efficiency of shipping. The IMO's specialised committees and sub-committees are the focus for the technical work to update existing legislation or develop and adopt new regulations, with meetings attended by maritime experts from Member Governments, together with those from interested intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations.   UNCLOS The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international agreement governing all aspects of ocean space, such as delimitation, environmental control, marine scientific research, economic and commercial activities, transfer of technology and the settlement of disputes relating to ocean matters.. It was signed on December 10, 1982 after 14 years of negotiations to which more than 150 countries representing all regions of the world participated. The Convention entered into force on November 16, 1994. As of today the Convention is ratified by 155 States.   Littoral States The Republic of Indonesia , Malaysia , the Republic of Singapore   Co-operative Mechanism The Co-operative Mechanism was conceived by the three Littoral States following a number of IMO events on safety, security and environmental protection in the straits of Malacca and Singapore . It is an opportunity for mutual cooperation and for encouraging user state and industry support through discussion and various projects. Projects include but are not limited to replacement of aids to navigation damaged by the tsunami, a complete survey of aids to navigation and wreck surveys and wreck removal 30 May 2008 ICS Chairman Addresses World's Transport Ministers Yesterday (29 May), ICS Chairman, Spyros M Polemis, addressed a meeting of the world’s transport ministers in Leipzig, held under the auspices of the OECD International Transport Forum, on the theme of transport and climate change.  The ICS Chairman participated with senior representatives of other transport sectors.  He emphasised that although shipping fully accepted the need to reduce ships’ fuel consumption and its CO2 emissions, shipping was already by far the most carbon efficient form of commercial transport, and that the world’s total carbon emissions would actually be reduced by transporting more maritime cargo by sea.  The ICS Chairman also stressed the industry’s confidence in the ability of IMO to develop solutions for reducing ships’ CO2 emissions within a global framework. 21 May 2008 ICS and ISF Meet in Athens The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) held their Annual General Meeting in Athens, from 19-21 May, at the invitation of the Union of Greek Shipowners.  The representatives of national shipowners’ associations from 40 countries discussed a number of important issues: Reduction of Shipping's CO2 Emissions (and Support for MARPOL Annex VI ‘Part B’) The world's national shipowners' associations confirmed their commitment to work with the UN International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) in the delivery of practical solutions for reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of the 50,000 ships engaged in transporting around 90% of all global trade.  Significantly, the meetings confirmed their support for the rapid development of a new and separate section to Annex VI of the IMO MARPOL Convention – a so called ‘Part B’ to address carbon emissions – which would provide the fastest means of bringing a global maritime CO2 regime into force, but without delaying the introduction of new IMO rules on sulphur emissions which are expected to be adopted, again with full industry support, in October 2008.      ICS/ISF Chairman/President, Spyros M Polemis, explained: "The critical IMO meeting on Green House Gas emissions in Oslo, at the end of June, must make real progress on developing a global framework for ships, in order to present a coherent maritime package, with realistic and practical solutions, to the next major UN Climate Change Conference, in 2009, which will debate the post-Kyoto regime. Shipping is already the most carbon efficient form of transport, but the international industry will evaluate carefully all proposals put forward by governments at IMO and will submit its own ideas - for the moment we have ruled nothing out.  However, our current focus is on exploring both short term and longer term operational and technical solutions - to reduce our emissions still further - that might be applied to both existing ships and those built in the future.  Although alternative fuel sources and innovation must play their part, our meeting confirmed that the focus of the shipping industry's immediate attention should be means of reducing fuel consumption in continuation of our longstanding search for efficiency.  With bunker prices as high as they are today, this is also a matter of enlightened self-interest." Human Element and Seafarers' Training Standards The meeting discussed various human element issues including progress with regard to the ratification by governments of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention, and preparations for important ILO meetings in September that will develop Guidelines for governments on flag state and port state control procedures for the new Convention governing seafarer’s employment standards. The meeting also considered the manpower shortage and the current IMO review of the STCW Convention governing seafarers' training and certification standards. Mr Polemis commented: "In addition to updating these important STCW rules to take account of new operational developments, it is important that the review, to which ISF is contributing on behalf of maritime employers, also looks at means of ensuring that governments only issue certificates to seafarers who actually meet the standards of competence prescribed by IMO .  This is especially important in view of the global shortage of qualified and competent ship officers. The IMO review of STCW is vital for maritime safety.  However, at a time when the demand for shipping services means that high calibre seafarers, in the numbers required, are in short supply, it is a tragedy that many seafarers, particularly from developing countries, are in effect unemployable because their training does not yet meet the rigorous IMO standards introduced ten years ago." 100% Container Scanning The meetings discussed the unilateral United States’ requirement for 100% security scanning, by 2012, of each and every in-bound maritime container, to be conducted at the port of loading overseas. Mr Polemis remarked: "Industry and governments alike are extremely concerned about the practical implications of this US measure, and its serious potential to disrupt the flow of world trade.  Apart from the huge costs and logistics involved in scanning every box loaded on a ship, such a measure would almost inevitably exacerbate port congestion, which at several container terminals around the world is already near crisis point.  We recognise that security is a very serious priority, but this can be achieved far more effectively by the US continuing to support the “risk based” approach which has been adopted by the international community at the World Customs Organization. Communication with Governments The meetings also confirmed the importance of communication and dialogue between ICS, ISF, and their member national shipowners’ associations with governments on all issues that might impact on shipping, in order to influence the outcome of regulatory discussions at IMO, ILO and other bodies such as the European Commission.   Elections Mr Spyros M Polemis was re-elected for a further two year term as Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping and as President of the International Shipping Federation. The meetings also elected Mr Robert Ho (Hong Kong) and Mr Lars Vang Christensen (Denmark) as ICS Vice Chairmen, and Mr Luis Ocejo (Mexico) and Captain Dirk Fry (Cyprus) as ISF Vice Presidents. -end- Note: The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) are respectively the international trade association and the international employers’ organisation for the shipping industry.  Their membership comprises national shipowners’ associations from 40 countries, collectively representing over 75% of the world’s merchant tonnage. Additional information about the issues discussed at the meeting, including safety, liability and shipping policy issues, can be found in the ICS/ISF Annual Review 2008, published to coincide with the ICS/ISF AGMs. 20 May 2008 ICS and ISF Welcome EU Support for Global Regulation of Shipping on European Maritime Day Speaking on European Maritime Day (Tuesday 20 May), at a reception in Athens during the Annual General Meetings of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF), attended by representatives of the worlds' national shipowners' associations, ICS/ISF Chairman/President Mr Spyros M Polemis remarked:  "At the risk of tempting fate, relations between the international industry and the European Union institutions seem to have improved, when contrasted with the situation after the losses of the Erika and the Prestige".  He added "ICS and ISF have been especially pleased by the message conveyed by the EU Maritime Policy Review “Blue Paper”, published last autumn, to the effect that the European Commission’s preference is to give IMO a chance to develop global regulations to cover international shipping.  In particular, we are very pleased by what seems to be a greater willingness on the part of the European Commission to work for global solutions on air pollution, carbon emissions and ship recycling.  However, unfortunately the threat of regional action by the EU remains, especially on the environment, and IMO - with help from the international industry - will need to ensure it delivers global rules where required." Via its national shipowners’ association members, ICS and ISF have traditionally enjoyed good relations with the maritime administrations of EU Member States, just as they do with all administrations at IMO and ILO.  However, in co-operation with the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), ICS and ISF have worked hard to improve their contacts with the various Directorates-General of the European Commission that are relevant to shipping.  In co-operation with other industry bodies, ICS and ISF have also sought to develop an improved dialogue with members of the European Parliament through the establishment of the so called Intergroup on maritime affairs, which now meets regularly in the Parliament, in Brussels and in Strasbourg . - end - NOTES:  The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) are the principal international trade association and employers' organisation for ship operators. ICS/ISF membership comprises national shipowners' associations in 40 countries representing the majority of the world's merchant shipping tonnage. For more details, please see www.marisec.org. 15 May 2008 ICS and ISF Publish Annual Review of International Shipping Developments in Advance of Athens AGMs The world’s national shipowners’ associations which comprise the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) will be holding their Annual General Meetings in Athens from 19-21 May 2008, at the invitation of the Union of Greek Shipowners.  In advance of the meetings, ICS and ISF have published their comprehensive review of maritime regulatory developments – the ICS/ISF Annual Review 2008. In the introduction to the Review, ICS/ISF Chairman/President Spyros M Polemis remarks: “For the past 12 months most shipping markets have continued to remain strong, though often extremely volatile.  The global demand for shipping services, boosted by seemingly relentless growth of  Asia , generally appears to be holding up, with a longer term expectation of continuing and dramatic expansion of shipping activity worldwide. However, the serious uncertainties surrounding the health of the US economy, questions about the availability and cost of shipping finance, and the huge amount of shipping tonnage due for delivery in the next few years, suggest that the extension of the recent bonanza enjoyed by so many shipowners cannot be taken for granted.” He added "The current economic climate may be expected to give renewed emphasis to keeping operating costs in check, not least the significantly increased price of bunker supplies and the high wages paid for quality crew, for whom the market is extremely tight." The ICS/ISF Annual Review discusses key maritime issues in 2008 including efforts to reduce shipping’s carbon emissions, the recent IMO deal to reduce the sulphur content of fuel, industry concerns about new US requirements for 100% scanning of all in bound containers, and IMO work on the updating of international rules governing seafarers training standards. The Review, which is intended to be concise but comprehensive, also covers technical and safety developments, legal and liability issues, labour affairs matters and shipping policy. Copies are being distributed free of charge by national shipowners’ associations.  -end- NOTE: The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the international trade association for the shipping industry representing all sectors of trades.  The International Shipping Federation (ISF) is the international employers’ organisation for shipowners.  Their membership comprises national shipowners’ associations from 40 countries representing over 75% of the world’s merchant tonnage. 17 April 2008 ICS Chairman: Sulphur Deal Amongst IMO’s Finest Moments Speaking at the DNV UK Maritime Forum today (Thursday 17 April), the Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, Mr Spyros M Polemis, spoke about the successful and decisive IMO agreement for reducing ships’ sulphur emissions achieved by IMO governments two weeks ago. He said that the agreement represented one of IMO’s ‘finest moments’, not only for the governments involved, who would be able to ensure the protection of the health of their citizens, but also for IMO’s system of international regulation, which was so important to the industry.  Assuming the deal is confirmed by the IMO nations in October, ICS earnestly hopes that this will be enough to satisfy the politicians – especially in North America and Europe - that there was no need for unilateral regulations at variance with the IMO regime.   Mr Polemis remarked “It has certainly confounded the sceptics who believed that IMO could not meet the challenge of delivering an agreed outcome to introduce more stringent standards for air emissions on an acceptable timescale.”  Commenting on the IMO’s proposal to progressively reduce sulphur emissions globally to the equivalent of 0.5% sulphur content in fuel by 2020, and in designated sensitive coastal areas to 0.1% sulphur content by 2015, Mr Polemis said:   “This should give the oil refiners the time they need to make the necessary investment decisions in order to ensure that the required quantities of low sulphur fuel will be readily available, at a reasonable cost.”  Mr Polemis said that ICS had been determined to ensure that the IMO regulatory solution was based on a proper scientific analysis of the net environmental benefits, and a full appreciation of the oil industry’s ability to deliver the new fuels required – something which was achieved by the work of the IMO Scientific Working Group in 2007 and which had made the recent IMO agreement possible.  He was especially pleased that the IMO agreement was consistent with the principles which ICS had advocated throughout the complex negotiations during the last 18 months: the need for goal based compliance options; the need to take account of the impact on other emissions; the need to stimulate technical innovation; and agreement on both short term and longer term goals.    Above all, said Mr Polemis, the agreement took the industry forward towards its goal of eliminating all forms of maritime pollution, globally.  -end- 9 April 2008 Pilots and Shipowners Produce Safety Guidance on Boarding Ladders The International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) has joined forces with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) to produce a new brochure aimed at shipping companies and seafarers, reminding them of the vital need to ensure that ladders used for pilot transfers are always rigged correctly. IMPA Secretary General, Nick Cutmore, explained: ‘Sadly, several pilots have lost their lives in recent years as a result of accidents while boarding or disembarking from ships, and many more have been seriously injured.  We are therefore very pleased by the support we have received from ICS and ISF, and other industry organisations, in helping to promote the message to seafarers and company management about the need to rig pilot ladders safely in accordance with SOLAS.’ ICS Marine Director, Peter Hinchliffe , added: ‘Pilots come aboard ship to assist seafarers during the most critical and demanding phases of a voyage, and its important that shipping companies and crews do everything possible to ensure their safety during transfer operations.  Two common causes of accidents are defects in the structure of the ladder treads or ropes, or a lack of a proper attachment between the ladder and the ship which the pilot is boarding.’  The new guidance is being distributed throughout the industry by the national shipowners’ and pilots’ associations that make up the memberships of ICS, ISF and IMPA.  The brochure is also supported by BIMCO, Intercargo, Intertanko, OCIMF, SIGTTO and the Nautical Institute.  An electronic copy of the brochure can be downloaded here.  -end- Notes: The International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA) is a professional, non-profit making body, primarily concerned with promoting professional standards of pilotage worldwide in the interests of pilots’ safety. To date, it has some 8,000 members in well over 40 countries.  IMPA seeks to achieve its principal objective, the promotion of professionally sound and safe pilotage. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) are the principal international trade association and employers’ organisation for the global shipping industry, with a membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 40 countries, representing about 75% of the world merchant fleet, in all sectors and trades. 4 April 2008 ICS Welcomes Provisional IMO Agreement on Sulphur Content In Marine Fuel Subject to consultation with its member national shipowners’ associations, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – which represents all sectors and trades of the merchant shipping industry – has broadly welcomed the provisional agreement reached by the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO), in London today (Friday), concerning more stringent standards for sulphur content in ships’ fuel. ICS Chairman, Spyros M Polemis commented:  “This is an impressive and decisive agreement by governments at IMO which should ensure that coastal states can protect the health of their citizens while providing shipowners with the regulatory certainty needed to operate their ships on a global basis.  The ambitious timetable proposed for the introduction of low sulphur fuels - which in some coastal areas will require the use of 0.1% sulphur fuels by 2015 - will mean an unprecedented adjustment for the shipping industry, and will probably result in significant additional fuel costs.  However, the oil refiners should hopefully have the time they need to make the necessary investment decisions in order to ensure the significantly increased availability of low sulphur fuels that will be required, at reasonable cost.”    Mr Polemis emphasised: “Assuming the deal is confirmed by IMO nations in October, we earnestly hope this will be enough to satisfy the politicians – especially in North America and Europe - that there is no need to develop unilateral regulations at variance  with  the IMO regime, which would result in operational chaos.   In view of the costs to industry, it will also be important for governments to take steps to ensure that short sea shipping does not become less competitive in comparison to other transport modes which are less environmentally friendly, particular in respect of carbon emissions.”  Mr Polemis added: “It is in the nature of compromises that not every party involved may be entirely happy with the outcome, but ICS is committed to encouraging the industry to meet its side of the bargain.   We are especially pleased that the IMO agreement is consistent with the principles which ICS has advocated throughout the complex negotiations during the last 18 months: the need for goal based compliance options, the need to take account of the impact on other emissions, the need to stimulate technical innovation, and agreement on both short term and longer term goals.    Above all, this agreement takes us forward towards our goal of eliminating all forms of maritime pollution, globally.” -end- Notes: The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for the shipping industry, with a membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 36 countries, representing about 70% of the world merchant fleet, in all sectors and trades. 5 February 2008 New ICS Environment Code The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has updated its Code of Practice on Shipping and the Environment.  The expanded 4th edition is intended to provide a concise but comprehensive summary of the environmental obligations of shipping companies as required by the latest international regulations, and a clear set of environmental standards by which companies should operate.  The Code also incorporates a recommended management framework to ensure compliance with the MARPOL Convention. ICS Secretary General, Tony Mason explained “The ICS Environment Code  also contains information about the current overall environmental performance of the industry.  As with previous editions, we hope this will prove a useful tool to help policy makers understand that shipping remains the most environmentally benign form of commercial transport.”   The new edition is available from maritime booksellers (or direct from Marisec Publications for UK £25, including worldwide airmail delivery - see www.marisec.org/pubs.) -end- 1 February 2008 Employers and Unions Unite to Back Fair Treatment for Seafarers Following Maritime Accidents   The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the International Shipping Federation (ISF) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have joined forces in a new initiative to help protect seafarers involved in maritime accidents. The three organisations, which represent maritime employers and trade unions worldwide, announced today in London that they have united to support and promote the IMO and ILO Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers In The Event Of A Maritime Accident. As part of the campaign the three organisations are distributing posters (supported by websites and leaflets) worldwide to show seafarers how the Guidelines can help protect them.  They are also encouraging their members -  national shipowners’ associations belonging to the ISF and ICS, and seafarers’ unions affiliated to the ITF - to approach their governments in order to promote the Guidelines and to monitor how effectively they are being implemented. ISF/ICS Secretary General, Tony Mason explained: “As responsible employers, we believe its is very important that the IMO/ILO Guidelines, which represent the internationally accepted minimum standard for the fair treatment of seafarers by investigating authorities, are indeed implemented in practice by governments.  Seafarers must be treated with dignity and respect, and given access to independent legal representation in situations where they may be interviewed or held following an accident at sea.” ITF General Secretary, David Cockroft, remarked: “The knee-jerk scapegoating of seafarers following accidents at sea is a growing concern to us all.  In recent years the response of too many national authorities has been to reach for the handcuffs first and find out what actually happened last. “Incidents like these prove how vital the Guidelines are. I’m proud to say that the ITF and ISF in their capacity as ILO ‘social partners’, with support from ICS and other industry organisations, helped to develop these Guidelines, which were the product of tripartite negotiations with governments prior to their agreement by IMO and ILO.”   Speaking at a press conference to launch the joint effort the two men displayed the Maritime Accidents. Seafarers – Be Aware! posters that the organisations are distributing for use on ships, in seafarers’ missions and in other locations around the world.  These can also be downloaded from either www.marisec.org/fairtreatment or www.itfglobal.org/fairtreatment, where the IMO/ILO Guidelines also appear in full.   Meanwhile the three organisations are sending the following letter to the Secretary-General of the IMO and the Director-General of the ILO:   To Mr E E Mitropoulos, IMO Secretary-General, and Mr Juan Somavia, ILO Director-General   1 February 2008 Dear Mr Mitropoulos and Mr Somavia, FAIR TREATMENT OF SEAFARERS FOLLOWING MARITIME ACCIDENTS We are writing with regard to a joint campaign being launched today by the International Shipping Federation (ISF), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) to promote the Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers in the Event of a Maritime Accident, adopted by IMO and ILO in 2006.  As you are both well aware, the treatment by national authorities of seafarers unfortunate enough to be involved in maritime casualties or pollution incidents is an extremely important issue for the shipping industry, especially in the light of recent high profile cases around the world, where masters and crews have been detained by investigating authorities, apparently without adherence to proper due legal process.  It was, of course, such incidents that led to the adoption by governments of the IMO/ILO Fair Treatment Guidelines, in order to address the key responsibilities of detaining States as well as those of the vessel’s flag State and the seafarers’ country of residence.  It is therefore very important that the IMO/ILO Guidelines, which represent the internationally accepted minimum standard for the treatment of seafarers by investigating authorities, are implemented by governments, and we are now actively promoting the IMO/ILO Guidelines throughout the industry.  As part of our global campaign we are distributing posters worldwide to show seafarers how the Guidelines can help protect them, and we are encouraging our members, who of course are national maritime employers’ associations and national seafarers’ unions, to approach governments to promote the Guidelines and monitor how effectively they are being implemented.  For information, a copy of the poster drawing attention to the Guidelines is enclosed. We are sure that IMO and ILO will welcome this campaign by the industry’s social partners and our objective of ensuring that these important IMO/ILO Guidelines are indeed implemented in practice. Yours faithfully Tony Mason                                                David Cockcroft Secretary General, ICS/ISF                            General Secretary, ITF -end- For more details please contact: ITF press officer Sam Dawson  Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk. Tel: +44 (0)20 7940 9260 ICS/ISF spokesperson Simon Bennett Email: simon.bennett@marisec.org.Tel: +44 (0)20 7417 8844 16 January 2008 Following the Round Table Chairmen’s Meeting, in Athens On January 10th 2008 At a meeting of the four Chairmen of the Round Table industry organizations (BIMCO, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, ICS), held in Athens last week, environmental issues constituted the most important topic on the agenda. The report on the outcome of IMO's Informal Cross Government/Industry Scientific Group of Experts, established to evaluate the effects of the different fuel options proposed under the revision of MARPOL Annex VI, and its findings were welcomed and it was felt that IMO, the Secretary-General and the Chairman and members of the Group deserve to be congratulated for the speed with which such an important task was accomplished and for the fact that the deliberations, fact findings and conclusions were reached so quickly. The Round Table associations now urge the IMO Members to continue, in the same spirit, their efforts to find appropriate and pragmatic solutions within the current year 2008 that will have a net benefit on the environment on a global basis.  After a lengthy discussion on the subject, it was concluded that new and more stringent regulations for air emissions covered by Marpol Annex VI should be adopted before the end of this year, providing defined and progressive improvements to the existing standards. The Shipping Industry stands alongside IMO and is in all respects ready to assist in this process. The IMO Members are also urged to intensify their efforts to implement existing legislation by, among other things, providing reception facilities worldwide. It is unacceptable that, so many years after the regulations came into force, there are still no adequate reception facilities in a large number of ports while ports having such facilities charge excessively for their use thus deterring ships from using them. Charging for reception facilities within the overall port charges, rather than based on individual usage, would be more transparent. The four Chairmen strongly believe that the provision of reception facilities will go a long way towards eliminating operational pollution. They are also of the firm belief that governments and the Industry should work together to strive for zero pollution of the environment, both in the air and at sea. -end- For more details please contact: BIMCO   Peter Grube pg@bimco.dk Tel : +45 44 36 6800 INTERCARGO  Rob Lomas rob.lomas@intercargo.org Tel: +44 20 7977 7036 International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation Simon Bennett simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel: +44 20 7417 2857 INTERTANKO   Bill Box bill.box@intertanko.com Tel: +44 20 7977 7023   4 December 2007 Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table The Round Table of international shipping associations (BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)/International Shipping Federation (ISF), Intercargo and Intertanko) have updated their annual ‘Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table’, using information in the public domain such as port state control inspection records, data on the ratification of IMO and ILO Conventions, and official reports about the use of non-IACS classification societies and quality standards with regard to seafarer competence standards.  The Table is intended to provide a general appreciation of a flag’s performance and whether further questions need to be asked by shipping companies when choosing to use particular flags. The following flags this year have 12 or more negative performance indicators: Albania , Bolivia , Cambodia , Congo , Costa Rica , Honduras , Kenya , Madagascar , Mongolia , North Korea , Sao Tome and Principe , Suriname , Syria and Thailand .  The Table can also be downloaded at www.marisec.org/flag-performance, as can the Shipping Industry Guidelines on Flag State Performance which should be read in conjunction with the Table. For more details please contact: BIMCO   Peter Grube pg@bimco.dk Tel : +45 44 36 6800 INTERCARGO  Rob Lomas rob.lomas@intercargo.org Tel: +44 20 7977 7036 International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation Simon Bennett simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel: +44 20 7417 2857 INTERTANKO   Bill Box bill.box@intertanko.com Tel: +44 20 7977 7023 -end- 30 November 2007 ICS Welcomes IMO Ballast Water Agreement The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has welcomed the agreement concluded at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly (which concluded in London this week) concerning a delay in the enforcement dates for new ships’ ballast water treatment equipment, necessitated by the 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention having not yet entered into force, and the lack of type-approved equipment.  ICS Marine Manager, David Tongue , who led ICS in the complex negotiations at IMO, remarked: “We are very pleased that the compromise proposal put forward by ICS, with helpful support from Intertanko and OCIMF, has been agreed by governments and that new ships constructed from 2009 will not be required to have the new equipment fitted until their second annual survey or end 2011, whichever is the sooner.”  IMO also agreed, as requested by ICS, that the Marine Environment Protection Committee should revisit the question of ships constructed in 2010. “A major obstacle to ratification by governments of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention has thus hopefully been removed, and ICS will continue its campaign to see that this important Convention enters into force as soon as possible.  In the meantime, ICS members will remain committed to performing deep water ballast exchange, whenever it is safe to do so, and co-operating with voluntary coastal state requirements.” ICS has been calling on governments to address the problems associated with the development of new ballast water treatment equipment since the 2004 IMO Conference which adopted a fixed date of 2009 for its mandatory use by certain ships constructed after this date, when it was unknown if the Convention would be in force by this time, or if the required type-approved technology would be available, which it is not.  “We are especially grateful to the IMO Secretary General who proposed a draft Assembly Resolution which provided the basis of the current agreement,” added Mr Tongue of ICS. More generally, ICS has greatly welcomed the significant statement to the Assembly by the IMO Secretary General that care should be taken when laying down dates in future conventions, the implementation of which may rely, in particular, on technologies which may not be available when needed, acknowledging an issue which has been consistently highlighted by ICS for several years. -end-   21 November 2007 Shipping Industry Launches New Guidance on Environmental Compliance The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) have published new ‘Shipping Industry Guidance on Environmental Compliance’ as a template for ensuring adherence to the IMO MARPOL Convention.  The Guidance  is also supported by BIMCO, Intercargo, Intertanko, OCIMF and SIGTTO.   The Shipping Industry Guidance is also intended to satisfy environmental compliance programmes introduced by governments, such as the United States Coast Guard ‘Environmental Crimes: Voluntary Disclosure Policy’.    The Shipping Industry Guidance sets out various elements to be reviewed in order that shipping company Boards of Directors can verify full environmental compliance throughout their operations.  This includes advice on instilling corporate and individual responsibility for compliance amongst both shore based management and seagoing staff; the need for training in the vital importance of environmental compliance - including consequences of MARPOL violations such as criminal penalties and imprisonment; and the importance of proper budgeting and investment in technical equipment, auditing and reporting systems. The development of the new industry Guidance has been prompted by disappointment at the number of prosecutions for MARPOL violations which continue to be brought against shipping companies, especially in the United States, and draws upon discussions with the US authorities.  The input of the Chamber of Shipping of America and the Liberian Shipowners’ Council, which are members of ICS and ISF, has been particularly helpful in drawing up the Guidance.  The industry recommends that the management of every shipping company should thoroughly review its Safety Management Systems, as required by the IMO International Safety Management (ISM) Code, to ensure that environmental compliance is fully addressed in every respect.  It is of the utmost importance that every Board of Directors is sure that, if requested, it can verify total environmental compliance throughout the company. The Guidance also stresses that a system should be in place whereby any suspected non-compliance with environmental requirements can be reported to management without fear of retaliation against employees.   In a welcome development, the United States Coast Guard has recently made public its ‘Environmental Crimes: Voluntary Disclosure Policy’ which permits the Coast Guard to waive any criminal proceedings if a company has a documented systematic program to prevent, detect and correct violations.  There are many close parallels between the Shipping Industry Guidance on Environmental Compliance and the USCG voluntary disclosure policy.  A company operating in accordance with the Shipping Industry Guidance should be confidant that this will provide protection against criminal proceedings for any violations that the company may detect.   The Shipping Industry Guidelines on Environmental Compliance are being distributed free of charge to companies worldwide by national shipowners’ associations and other supporting organisations, but can also be downloaded here. -end-   5 November 2007 ICS Launches Updated Bridge Procedures Guide The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published a fully updated edition of the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide, which is intended to reflect best navigational practice on ships today, in all sectors and trades.  It is strongly recommended that a copy of the Guide is carried on board every ship. “The increasing use of sophisticated navigational aids brings its own risks.” commented ICS Marine Adviser,  John Murray who, with expert advice from ICS’s member national shipowners’ associations, has co-ordinated the revision of the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide.  “The new ICS Guide therefore stresses the need for vigilance against undue reliance on new technology.” said Mr Murray. ”Experience continues to demonstrate that properly formulated procedures and the development of bridge team work are critical to maintaining a safe navigational watch.”   The ICS Guide embraces the latest internationally agreed standards and recommendations adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).  It also includes helpful bridge and emergency checklists for use by ship’s masters and navigating officers. The new edition takes account of the increased use of modern electronic charting systems, and the introduction of equipment such as Automatic Identification Systems (AIS).  Guidance concerning pilotage has also been thoroughly updated, while advice about dynamic positioning has been included. The 4th edition of the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide including an accompanying CD with “search function” version is being sold for UK £60.  It is available from maritime booksellers or visit www.marisec.orgs/pubs. -end- ICS is the principal international trade association representing the international shipping industry at fora such as IMO.  Its membership comprises national shipowners’ associations from 36 nations representing all sectors and trades and around 75% of the world’s merchant tonnage.  The previous edition of the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide was published in 1998.  The first edition was published in 1977 and has since been acknowledged as the leading best practice guidance for use by navigational watchkeepers on ships.    27 September 2007 IMO World Maritime Day 2007 Round Table of international shipping associations marks the IMO World Maritime Day 2007 President of BIMCO Mr. Philip Embiricos today pledged the continuing commitment of the global shipping industry to working alongside the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in developing solutions to environmental challenges. Speaking for the Round Table of international shipping associations – BIMCO, ICS/ISF, Intercargo and INTERTANKO on board the HQS Wellington on the Thames in London , at an event marking the IMO’s World Maritime Day 2007, Mr Embiricos said that the industry was fully conscious of the need to make shipping even more sustainable. Even though shipping was the mode of commercial transport offering the smallest environmental footprint, the theme for the day – “IMO’s response to current environmental challenges" was an indication that more was expected of both regulators and the industry in making shipping greener still. Mr. Embiricos explained that the Round Table believed that, after many years progress in the reduction of oil pollution and others issues such as ballast water management and the elimination of TBT hull coatings, it was now necessary to complete the job of tackling atmospheric emissions - notably sulphur oxides (SOx) nitrous oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), greenhouse gas emissions and in particular CO2. The current important work in updating the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) will further limit atmospheric emissions. The Round Table organisations are closely involved with the IMO’s Scientific Group of experts, who are currently evaluating the implications of practical proposals for reducing harmful emissions from ships without negative impacts. Mr Embiricos said that “a balanced mix of technological advances and operational improvements will no doubt deliver what is needed” to tackle a range of environmental challenges facing shipping, but if world trade growth is to continue at a healthy rate, a balance between improving the environment and additional transport cost must be maintained. The shipping industry is also continuing to work with the IMO in devising practical and sound methods of ship recycling, and working to implement IMO Conventions that regulate water ballast management and the use of harmful anti-fouling coatings. Eventually, said Mr Embiricos, the Round Table believed that, the progress of this cumulative work would produce ships with minimal environmental footprints, self-contained and with virtually “zero discharges”.  Industry, technology and science working through the IMO, would, he said, succeed in these objectives. To mark the World Maritime Day, IMO and the Round Table organisations have produced a joint leaflet, telling the story of their combined efforts. It is available for download through the Shipping Facts website: www.shippingfacts.com. Notes for editors The Round Table of international shipping associations includes BIMCO, ICS (the International Chamber of Shipping), Intercargo (The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners) and INTERTANKO (The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners). These organisations represent all segments of the industry including the owners and managers of all types of ships. Round Table press contacts: BIMCO   Peter Grube pg@bimco.dk Tel : +45 44 36 6800 INTERCARGO  Rob Lomas rob.lomas@intercargo.org Tel: +44 20 7977 7036 International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation Simon Bennett simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel: +44 20 7417 2857 INTERTANKO   Bill Box bill.box@intertanko.com Tel: +44 20 7977 7023 -end- 7 September 2007 Finnish Shipowners’ Association 75th Anniversary:  ICS/ISF Chairman/President Stresses Need for Competitive Shipping Industry and Commitment to High Environment Performance  In Helsinki today (7 September 2007), Spyros M Polemis, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping and President of the International Shipping Federation, addressed leading members of the Finnish maritime community at seminar held in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the Finnish Shipowners’ Association.  “Our mantra is global regulation for a global industry” said Mr Polemis “with consistent and enforceable rules adopted by the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization.  But collectively we must also promote best practice within the industry with regard to safety, environmental performance and labour standards – in other words, we are committed to a continuous improvement with the ultimate goal of virtually zero accidents, zero fatalities and zero pollution by ships.”    Mr Polemis remarked that after a difficult period in the 1990s, the fortunes of Finnish shipping were starting to improve.  He noted that work was now being done with the Finnish government to consider modifying the tonnage tax regime and to undertake serious discussions about improving Finnish shipping’s competitiveness. He commented: “Finland is one of the few serious maritime nations which lacks an effective tonnage tax regime, the introduction of which has brought such dividends to the competitiveness and growth of ship registers in other countries.  “This is an excellent time for Finland to take advantage of the great prospects for shipping which is predicted to continue expanding, as it responds to the demand for its services generated by the increase in world trade - 90% of which is carried by ships.  In particular Finland is ideally placed to take advantage of the growth in Russian trade, and the opportunities both in the Baltic and the Arctic Seas.” Mr Polemis remarked that intercontinental trade, the bulk transport of raw materials, and the import/export of affordable food and manufactured goods would simply not be possible without maritime transport. “But how many people outside the shipping industry stop to consider just how safe, efficient and fantastically economic maritime transport really is?”  He explained that the typical cost to the consumer in the United States of transporting crude oil from the Middle East was less than one US cent per gallon of petrol, that the cost of transporting a tonne of iron ore from Australia to Europe by sea was about ten US dollars, while the cost of shipping a bottle of Finnish vodka to China was about 20 cents. Discussing how economies of scale and technological advances had allowed the costs of shipping to decrease dramatically Mr Polemis emphasised that as the requirement for shipping services grew it was important to reflect on the impact of shipping’s activities on the environment. He stressed that ICS/ISF and its members, including the Finnish Shipowners’ Association, had actively encouraged the earliest possible entry into force of MARPOL Annex VI (the new United Nations’ International Maritime Organization rules governing stricter air emission standards from ships) and the implementation of the new Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) in the Baltic, with its stricter local requirements for sulphur content in fuel.  He added that industry support for these rules on air emission controls was given in the full knowledge that as soon as the international regulations came into force they would immediately need to be subject to further review, and that additional, and more stringent, air emission standards for ships would need to be developed.  The latest IMO review of MARPOL Annex VI, expected to lead to updated global air emission rules in April 2008, is fully supported by the shipping industry.    -end- 19 July 2007 Shipping Industry Announces Interim Initiative on Ship Recycling The shipping industry today announced the launch of a series of important measures to promote the safe and environmentally sound recycling of end-of-life ships. Endorsed by members of the Industry Working Group on Ship Recycling (International Chamber of Shipping, BIMCO, International Association of Classification Societies, Intercargo, Intertanko, International Parcel Tankers Association, Oil Companies International Marine Forum) the document “Interim Measures” outlines five principles for shipowners to follow when selling ships for recycling.  A copy of these Interim Measures is attached and they can also be downloaded at www.marisec.org/recycling.  These principles, derived from the draft IMO Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, recommend actions which shipowners might feasibly take when selling vessels for demolition.  The measures are intended to contribute to improved recycling practices and to the development of the draft IMO Convention, and include the selection of ship recycling facilities, completion of an inventory of any hazardous materials on board and arrangements to ensure as far as possible that ships are ‘gas free’ throughout the recycling process. Detailed guidance material supporting these Interim Measures is also being developed for publication in due course and will be updated in light of industry experience and any changes to the text of the current draft Convention. Peter Hinchliffe (ICS), Chairman of the Industry Working Group on Ship Recycling, explained:  “Since the development of the Industry Code of Practice on Ship Recycling in the late nineties the shipping Industry has been committed to action on the issue of ship recycling, and we continue to support the development of the new IMO Convention.” “However, we also recognise that much work remains to be done through IMO, and that the Convention may well face a prolonged entry into force period following its eventual adoption. It is the belief of the shipping industry that all stakeholders in the recycling process should utilise that time to bring their practices up to an acceptable standard that will assist the implementation of the Convention.” Mr Hinchliffe added:  “We believe these measures are a significant step towards this end.  They identify what can, at present, be practically undertaken by shipowners who wish to sell their ships in accordance with the provisions of the draft Convention.  The key benefit of this initiative is that it will be continually updated as work on the recycling standards progresses at IMO and as we gain more experience as an industry.  It should also assist the development of the Convention by identifying what can be done both commercially and operationally.” He concluded: “Industry believes that action on the part of stakeholders and governments will be key to fulfilling the potential of the work currently being taken at IMO, and hopes that this initiative will serve to encourage similar and complementary activity throughout the recycling world." -end- 17 July 2007 ICS Frustration at IMO Inability to Solve Ballast Water Treatment Dilemma The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has expressed profound disappointment at the failure of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to agree to a delay to the introduction of new ships’ ballast water treatment equipment, at its meeting in London last week.  ICS Marine Director, Peter Hinchliffe explained: “ICS has been seeking a solution to an impossible dilemma confronting shipowners currently placing orders for many new ships, which under the terms of the 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention will be required to be fitted with special treatment equipment to eliminate nuisance aquatic species if constructed after 1 January 2009.   MEPC confirmed that once the Convention enters into force this date will apply regardless of the time when it actually comes into effect.   The problem, quite simply, is that there is still no equipment available that is officially proven to comply with the required IMO standards for treatment systems.” While the majority of governments were sympathetic to the recommendation of ICS that the date of application of Regulation D-2 should be delayed until adequate technology and equipment had been type-approved in accordance with IMO Guidelines, some governments which had already ratified the Convention decided to oppose an MEPC Resolution as the mechanism for achieving such a delay.  Without the required unanimity it was decided to postpone any decision until the next MEPC meeting in April 2008. “This will be too late to help shipowners and shipyards which already have building contracts for 2009.” said Peter Hinchliffe.  “ICS raised this issue at last year’s MEPC meeting, when it was then decided no decision could be taken for a year without further legal advice.  Now we have to wait almost another year.”  He added:  “The situation is all the more frustrating since, given the seriousness with which we take our environmental responsibilities, ICS has been actively encouraging governments to ratify the IMO Convention, as soon as possible, in order to bring it into force. “It is bizarre that while so many governments have proved unable to ratify a Convention which was meant to be so important, shipowners will be required to comply with a stringent complex new requirement which it is currently not possible to fulfil." -end-     11 June 2007 ICS and ISF Meet in Hong Kong The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) held their Annual General Meetings in Hong Kong , from 6-9 June, at the invitation of the Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association in the year of its 50th anniversary.   The representatives of national shipowners’ associations from 40 countries discussed a number of important regulatory issues:  Air Emissions and Revision of MARPOL Annex VI ICS/ISF members firmly welcomed the proposal by the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for a ‘Cross-government industry- scientific working group’ to evaluate the strategy to be adopted by IMO for further reducing ships’ air emissions.  ICS Chairman/ISF President, Spyros Polemis, explained:  “Our meetings agreed that national shipowners’ associations should strongly encourage their governments to support this helpful proposal at the important meeting of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee in July.  ‘We are very pleased that, at this stage at least, it appears to have been acknowledged that IMO should not opt for a simplistic solution without a proper analysis of the implications including, we hope, the parallel issue of CO2 emissions.  However, our meetings also recognised the urgency and political imperative of IMO adopting more stringent air emission standards as soon as possible no later than early 2008 – a point recently underlined by our discussions with the Environment Directorate of the European Commission.  We must discourage unilateral and regional action, and the IMO study must be conducted speedily to identify the best practical means for delivering maximum net environmental benefit.”      Mr. Polemis stressed:  “The long term goal of ICS and ISF members, once the technology needed is available, is near zero emissions with regard to air pollution from ships, greatly reduced CO2 emissions, and a neutral overall impact on the environment as a whole.  In the meantime, we are firmly committed to working with governments, through IMO, to deliver the best possible interim solutions.”   Limitation of Liability    The meetings confirmed the opposition of ICS/ISF to the draft EU Directive on the Civil Liability and Financial Securities of Shipowners, which would introduce more stringent rules for ships flagged in States not party to the 1996 Protocol to the IMO Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims Convention.  The draft Directive introduces ‘gross negligence’ as conduct barring limitation; and a requirement for all ships trading to Europe to furnish certificates of financial responsibility issued by EU Members States instead of P&I Clubs’ certificates of entry as required by IMO Guidelines.  Mr. Polemis remarked:  “It is very much hoped that EU Member States will continue their opposition to this ill-considered EU Directive which will dilute the ability of shipowners to limit their liability, in conflict with principles established by IMO, and which adopts the mistaken premise that unlimited liabilities will somehow make the industry safer and more responsible.  It would be wrong to confuse the concepts of liability with punishment, and to damage the tried and tested international system of compensation whereby claimants receive prompt payments without drawn out legal arguments.”   Piracy and Somalia   The meetings expressed their deep concern about the recent hijacking of the Danish flag ship “Danica White” and the kidnapping of its crew in international waters off the coast of Somalia. “Our meetings decided that I should urgently contact the IMO Secretary General about the unacceptable threat to shipping in the waters off Somalia.” said Mr. Polemis.  “We will be urging that he uses his influence to ensure that the problem of armed attacks remains high on the agenda of IMO.”   Elections   Mr. Spyros Polemis continues his current two year term as ICS/ISF Chairman/President in 2007/2008.   However, the meetings elected Mr. Michael Everard (United Kingdom) and Mr. Robert Ho (Hong Kong) as ICS Vice Chairmen, and Mr. Patrick Decavèle (France) and Mr. Luis Ocejo (Mexico) as ISF Vice Presidents.  Note:  The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) are respectively the international trade association and the international employers’ organisation for the shipping industry.  Their membership comprises national shipowners’ associations from 40 countries collectively representing over half the world’s merchant tonnage.  Additional information about the issues discussed can be found in the ICS/ISF Annual Review 2007, published to coincide with the ICS/ISF AGMs, which can be downloaded at www.marisec.org/annualreview.     -end-     20 April 2007 ICS Endorses Proposal for Sweeping IMO Study on Ships' Air Emissions The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents all sectors and trades of the shipping industry and about 70% of the world merchant fleet, greatly welcomes the proposal by the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish a ‘Cross-government industry-scientific working group’ to evaluate the strategy to be adopted by IMO for further reducing ship’s air emissions.   ICS will be urging all of its member national shipowners’ associations to encourage their governments to support this helpful proposal at the important meeting of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee in July.   At the conclusion of the IMO Sub Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases, at which the IMO Secretary General’s suggestion of a comprehensive study of the options for tackling air emissions was made, ICS Marine Director, Peter Hinchliffe (who led the ICS delegation to the meeting) remarked:  ‘We are very pleased that the need for a holistic approach on air emissions has been accepted and that, at this stage at least, IMO has not opted for a simplistic single  solution without a proper analysis of the implications, including the parallel issue of CO2 emissions.    The industry will look forward to contributing its knowledge and expertise to the exercise.   However, we do recognise the urgency, and the political imperative, of IMO adopting more stringent air emission standards through amendments to MARPOL Annex VI as quickly as possible, not least to discourage unilateral regulation, which greatly complicates maritime trade.  The IMO study must be conducted very speedily, and identify the most effective means of delivering maximum net environmental benefit.”  -end-       12 March 2007 ICS Conveys Shipping Industry Concerns about Panama Canal Toll Hikes The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) - with the support of BIMCO, Intercargo and Intertanko - has submitted formal comments to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) expressing the shipping industry’s serious concerns about the major toll increases proposed in connection with the planned expansion of the Panama Canal.  ICS Secretary General, Tony Mason (who will be representing the industry at a public hearing in Panama on 14 March) explained:  “ICS members have cautiously accepted the concept of sectoral pricing, and the introduction of charges per berth for larger passenger vessels.  However, we are very disappointed that our repeated request that increases in tolls should be equitable,transparent and spaced over a  sufficient amount of time appear, by and large, to have been ignored.”   The industry is firmly opposed to the quantum of the proposed toll increases.  “The official Expansion Proposals referred to projected increases in tolls of 3.5% per annum over a twenty year period” said Mr Mason.  “However, the actual proposals would lead to increases ranging from 26% to 34% over the first three years (equal to 8 to 10% per annum) with increases for container carrying vessels and larger passenger ships considerably in excess of 10% per annum.”  ICS argues that in any other industry, changes of this magnitude over such a short period of time would be regarded as being unacceptably large.  ICS also believes the proposed toll increases have too short an initial notice period and are spread over too short a time period for adequate long term planning or for effective absorption of additional costs.  “In particular” said Mr Mason “the three months notice for some sectors will cause significant problems.  Six months notice of the initial increases, and phasing in the increases over, say, six rather than three years, would be far more reasonable.” ICS also argues that the PCA’s proposals do not appear to represent a fair distribution of costs between current and future users.  “Canal users feel that increases in Canal dues should be matched by a tangible improvement in the service provided, and that they should not be expected to provide up-front financing for a major infrastructure project from which they may not individually derive any benefit.” said Mr Mason.    ICS has suggested that ACP explores further the extent to which external financing can be used to spread the costs over a larger period of time.  To avoid undermining industry confidence, and given previous ACP statements about the intention to double tolls over the next twenty years (which would equate to 3.5% per annum), ICS is seeking a commitment that the overall result of present and future increases will not exceed the expected annual average of 3.5%.   Click here to view the ICS submission to the ACP.       20 February 2007   ICS Launches Film on Internet to Promote Global Shipping Industry The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has launched a film on the internet – www.marisec.org/film - to help explain the shipping industry to non-expert policy makers and the public at large.   The eight minute film - International Shipping: Life Blood of World Trade – is intended to explain the importance of shipping to the health of the world economy, and to convey the message that shipping is safe, clean and comprehensively regulated.  The film also stresses the vital need for global regulation for a global industry.  In addition to being used with captive audiences of policy makers, the film can be used as a tool at exhibitions and in careers talks to young people.   The ICS film is also available as a high quality DVD which contains versions dubbed into French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese.  Copies of the DVD can be obtained free of charge via ICS member national associations.     ICS and its member national associations are encouraging shipping companies worldwide to include a link to www.marisec.org/film on their own internet websites in order to promote its listing on internet search engines and bring the short film to as wide an audience as possible.    -end- Notes:  The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for the shipping industry, with a membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 36 countries, representing about 70% of the world merchant fleet, in all sectors and trades.   6 February 2007 ICS sets out shipping industry's approach to reducing air emissions The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has submitted the latest industry proposals to IMO on the approach that might be taken during the current review of MARPOL Annex VI - which is expected to result in agreement to make considerable further reductions in ships’ air emissions, including sulphur dioxide.  The ICS paper builds on the conclusions of the last round of IMO technical discussions, held in Oslo in November, for consideration by the IMO Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (16-20 April).     ICS proposes a new goal-based approach to emissions reduction and calls for a holistic consideration of emission reduction measures.  It draws attention to the need to take account of the environmental justification for improvements proposed, and to consider fully the relationship between measures to reduce local air pollution, such as sulphur, and the subsequent implications for CO2/Green House Gas emissions.  ICS believes that there should be choice with regard to compliance measures.  In addition to reducing sulphur emissions, the ICS paper makes detailed suggestions about other aspects of the review including the reduction of emissions of nitrous oxides, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.   ICS Secretary General, Tony Mason , explained: “The industry consensus, following extensive debate within our Committees, is that IMO should focus on the environmental outcome required, but should encourage different ways of achieving the agreed emission reduction goals.   Technical innovation certainly needs to be stimulated but, where regulation requires technical solutions, we should ensure that proven and robust technology does in fact already exist.   Above all, any new regulations should be aimed at delivering an overall net environmental benefit.  We do not wish to solve one problem by creating another. Methods for reducing sulphur emissions should not inadvertently lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, for example by generating additional CO2 from oil refineries.   ‘It might be the case that CO2 emissions from shipping, as opposed to shore based refineries, would not be increased by switching to distillate, but the responsible and honest approach is to suggest to the regulators that they consider the wider implications of their decisions and that the issues of sulphur and CO2 are linked.” Mr. Mason added: “In principle, despite the considerable economic costs, we have no objection to a switch to distillate fuel for those shipowners who see this as the most practical solution but, depending on who pays the bills, it is far less attractive to some shipping sectors than others, and there are also big questions about the ability of the oil industry to deliver the quantities needed if the whole world fleet was required to burn distillate everywhere.   The environmental impact of using low sulphur fuels far from land in the middle of the ocean also needs careful examination.  The firm consensus amongst our members is that other compliance options, such as the extension of Sulphur Emission Control Areas, and abatement and exhaust scrubbing technology, should also be fully explored, before we settle for one single solution, the implications of which have not been properly evaluated.” Whilst ICS fully appreciates the political impetus to the debate, the agreed Terms of Reference for the current round of IMO discussions are to focus on the technical and objective scientific arguments relevant to a variety solutions. A copy of the ICS submission to IMO is attached. -end- Notes: The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for the shipping industry, with a membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 36 countries, representing about 70% of the world merchant fleet, in all sectors and trades.   30 January 2007  ICS and national shipowners' associations campaign for ratification of IMO Conventions The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and its worldwide membership of national shipowners’ associations are initiating a campaign to promote the important need for governments to ratify and implement Conventions adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).  Over the next couple of weeks, ICS member national shipowners’ associations will be writing to and seeking meetings with ministers responsible for maritime affairs, in order to reiterate that shipping is an inherently international industry, which depends upon a global regulatory framework to operate efficiently. ICS Secretary General, Tony Mason, explained: ‘It is vital that regulations governing matters such as safety, environmental protection and liability are common to all ships in international trade and that the same rules apply at both ends of the voyage.  The alternative would be a web of conflicting national regulations, resulting in market distortions and administrative confusion that would compromise the efficiency of world trade.   ‘It is very important that governments appreciate the problems created for the smooth operation of a global maritime regulatory regime by any failure and delay with regard to the ratification and implementation of  international instruments to which governments have agreed at IMO meetings, including Diplomatic Conferences.’   Tony Mason added: ‘The failure of new Conventions to enter into force, or become widely ratified, also gives encouragement to unwelcome calls for unilateral or regional regulation.' ICS has identified the following IMO Conventions which it believes it is important for all governments to ratify as a matter of urgent priority: Ballast Water Management, Anti Fouling Systems, Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, HNS Liability, Bunker Spill Liability, and MARPOL Annex VI (air pollution). Notes: The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for ship operators, representing all sectors and trades of the industry at IMO.  Its membership comprises national shipowners’ associations. ICS has identified the following IMO Conventions which it believes it is important for governments to ratify as a matter of urgent priority: International Convention on Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water (BWM), 2004  ICS is concerned that, in the absence of entry into force of a global regime, there is the reality of proliferating national and local regulations at variance with the IMO Convention, and a danger of chaos as shipowners struggle to comply with conflicting requirements at different ends of a voyage.  Now that IMO has adopted most of the relevant Guidelines concerning the implementation of the Convention there is no longer any reason for ratification to be delayed.      International Convention on Control of Harmful Anti Fouling Systems on Ships (AFS), 2001 Because of the fixed implementation date (2003) included in the Convention, the majority of shipowners have ceased to apply TBT paints which damage the marine environment and the manufacture of non-compliant paint is greatly reduced.  However, so long as the Convention is not in force, a small minority of shipowners may continue, quite legally, to use or else defer the removal of paints that are prohibited by the Convention.       Protocol of 1996 to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC), 1976 The LLMC Protocol entered into force in 2004 and increases significantly the liability limits for a number of maritime claims.  The increased levels of compensation for claimants and the international community’s continued endorsement of the concept of limitation of liability are supported by ICS, which is promoting the widespread ratification of this important instrument.  ICS is therefore particularly keen to promote ratification of the LLMC 1996 Protocol as an alternative to the proposed EU Directive - the draft Directive on Civil Liability and Financial Securities of Shipowners – which would depart from principles agreed at the international level. International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS), 1996 The HNS Convention is modelled on the highly successful international oil pollution liability and compensation regime and would establish an international liability and compensation regime for HNS damage, the cost of which would be shared between shipowners and HNS cargo receivers.  ICS urges its widespread ratification and implementation, which has been hampered by problems connected with the cargo-funded “second tier”.  Failure to enter into force is giving encouragement to regional action and has been cited in a number of European Commission proposals post ‘Erika’ and ‘Prestige’, affecting both non-EU and EU ship operators, most recently the proposed Directive on Civil Liability and Financial Securities of Shipowners to which ICS is opposed.  Unless or until the HNS Convention enters into force, an existing EU Directive on Environmental Liability for Preventing and Remedying Environmental Damage will apply to HNS incidents in the waters of EU Member States from 30 April 2007.    International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 The Bunkers Convention will establish an international liability regime for damage caused by spills of oil carried as fuel, and provide for the prompt and adequate compensation of claimants.  ICS is supportive of the uniformity and certainty which the widespread ratification of the Convention would ensure.  As with the HNS Convention, the failure of this Convention to enter into force is giving encouragement to regional action, in Europe in particular.  Unless or until the Bunkers Convention enters into force, the EU Directive on Environmental Liability for Preventing and Remedying Environmental Damage will apply to bunker spills in the waters of EU Member States from 30 April 2007. MARPOL Protocol of 1997 (MARPOL Annex VI – Prevention of Atmospheric Pollution by Ships) Although MARPOL Annex VI entered into force in 2005, the relatively low number of ratifications (37 States) could lead to problems when the current review of MARPOL Annex VI is finalised, and governments will be required to adopt amendments to the Protocol concerning more stringent standards.  In the meantime, non-parties to Annex VI are less likely to comply with existing requirements such as the need to ensure the provision of bunker delivery notes confirming that fuel quality meets IMO requirements.   -end- 24 January 2007  International Shipping Industry Supports UK Approach to Responding to Maritime Incidents The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has praised the UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency’s handling of the incident involving the MSC Napoli (beached off the coast of Devon, UK) and the UK government’s approach to the designation of ‘places of refuge’ for use by ships in distress, in conformity with Guidelines agreed by the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO). ICS has also reiterated the support it has consistently given to the designation of an independent authority by governments to co-ordinate the immediate response to such maritime casualties. ICS Secretary General, Tony Mason explained: ‘Although it is still too early to confirm that a serious pollution disaster has been averted, ICS believes that the damage to the environment would certainly have been far greater if the decisive action of the UK authorities in beaching the ship, and the subsequent action to mitigate the pollution, had not been taken.  It is also important to remember that there has been no loss of seafarers’ lives.’ Tony Mason elaborated: ‘When a ship has suffered an incident, the best way of preventing damage or pollution from the ship’s progressive deterioration is to transfer its cargo and bunkers and to repair the casualty.  Such an operation is best carried out in a place of refuge.   However, such decisions are made in difficult circumstances and, while mitigating what would be even more serious situations, they may introduce, to say the least, some obvious political sensitivities.  ‘ICS has fully supported the application of the Guidelines adopted by IMO.   But we have also consistently commended the UK model of a government representative (or SOSREP – ‘Secretary of State’s Representative’) who is independent from political interference so that incidents can be dealt with in the overall best interests of safety, preventing their escalation into even more significant disasters.  In the absence of such a system, those in charge may be reluctant to take the immediate decisions that are necessary in such difficult situations.’  The European Commission (in its proposed Directive on Vessel Traffic Monitoring) has proposed that the ‘SOSREP’ concept, developed by the UK , should be followed by other EU States.  To date, however, despite industry support, this proposal, which is consistent with the IMO Guidelines, has regrettably not yet been supported by the EU Council of Transport Ministers. -end- Notes:   The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for the shipping industry, with a membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 36 countries, representing about 70% of the world merchant fleet. Additional information about the international shipping industry, it safety and environmental performance and its contribution to the operation of the world economy – 90% of world trade is transported by sea – visit: www.shippingfacts.com   19 January 2007  STW JANUARY 2007 ISF is looking forward to playing an active role in this year’s STW meeting taking place at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London from 22 to 26 January 2007. ISF recognises the need for a review of the STCW Convention as it has not been in operation for over 10 years. As such, ISF have suggested a number of areas that might merit attention in the context of the review including: A review of the existing requirements so as to account for any recent or future changes in equipment, technology, terminology and management; Clarification of revalidation requirements; An assessment of quality standards (Regulation I/8) and the approval of training institutes and courses (Regulation I/6) to try and determine whether any modifications can be made to try and establish greater confidence in the validity of seafarer’s certificates regardless of their place of issue. ISF will also listen with interest, to the debate on fatigue and a potential review of safe manning levels. Seafarer safety is of paramount importance to our members and we wish to ensure that a holistic approach is taken with regard to the issue of fatigue. Whilst we believe it is essential to ensure that adequate and accurate records are kept of working hours and that standards are properly enforced, we also feel that more could be done to improve the health of seafarers. ISF believe that this could be better achieved by assessing food standards onboard, along with the amount and quality of sleep achieved by seafarers and the provision of quiet areas in order to try and maintain a good level of health and wellbeing of watchkeepers. We do not believe that a simple increase in manning scales will alleviate what is a multi-faceted problem. It is also anticipated that discussions will take place on the levels of alcohol allowed onboard ships. ISF feel that this issue should be left to the discretion of national administrations as opposed to international legislation. -end- 12 December 2006 ICS and ISF Comment on EU Maritime Policy Review The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) have submitted detailed and comprehensive comments to the European Commission on its wide-ranging EU Maritime Policy Review – as outlined by its ‘Green Paper’ published in June , which could have significant implications for shipping globally. ICS and ISF have acknowledged the high profile which the Commission Review accords to the importance of the shipping industry, and to possible means of further improving the competitiveness of European shipping in accordance with the EU’s ‘Lisbon Agenda’ strategy.  However, ICS and ISF raise particular concerns about proposals to increase EU co-ordination of Member States’ positions adopted at IMO and ILO, due to the impact this may have on the quality of technical decision making.  They argue that such moves at IMO might actually be detrimental to the influence which EU maritime administrations currently enjoy in this important multilateral institution. ICS and ISF also express concerns about the Commission’s proposals to seek changes to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  ICS/ISF argue that the EU should think very carefully before proposing an adjustment of flag states’ rights within the EEZ when other coastal states could use any such new entitlement to override ‘freedom of navigation’ for less benign motives, with potentially serious consequences for maritime trade in some of the world’s major strategic waterways.  ICS and ISF also sound a note of caution about the proposed ‘Common European Maritime Space’, especially the Green Paper’s comment that ‘this would have implications for cabotage within international trade negotiations’.  ICS and ISF stress it will be very important for the EU to demonstrate that the development of such a concept will not be used as a means of limiting market access to intra-EU trades (which are currently classified as international voyages) from fair competition from non-European ship operators.  With regard to the environment, ICS and ISF suggest that the Green Paper gives insufficient emphasis to the very sound environmental performance of shipping in comparison to other commercial transport modes and the extent to which shipping is part of the solution, rather the problem, with regard to concerns about global warming.   The ICS/ISF submission can be downloaded here. The European Commission’s consultation exercise on the Green Paper is scheduled to be completed by June, with firm proposals expected from the Commission later in 2007. -end- Notes  ICS is the principal international trade association for the shipping industry, and ISF is the leading international employer’s organisation for shipowners.  ICS and ISF represent all sectors and trades, and about 70% of the world’s merchant tonnage.  ICS and ISF membership comprises national shipowners’ associations from some 40 countries, including members of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), with whom ICS and ISF work closely on a day-to-day basis.    9 October 2006 ISF Produces Definitive Guide for Ship Operators on New ILO Maritime Labour Convention The International Shipping Federation (ISF) has produced a comprehensive guide to the obligations that ship operators must anticipate to ensure compliance with the new ILO Maritime Labour Convention (ILO MLC).   The new ISF Secretary General, Tony Mason (who succeeded Chris Horrocks last week) explained: “ISF, the international employers’ organisation for shipowners, was responsible for negotiating the new ILO ‘super convention’ on behalf of employers in Geneva earlier this year.  After that success, we are pleased to have been able to finalise such comprehensive guidance for ship operators.  “It is very important that employers become acquainted with their new responsibilities as soon as possible, so that they are prepared when the new ILO Convention enters into force and can avoid misunderstandings with Port State Control authorities.   Although the majority of employers should have no major difficulties with the new requirements, which for the most part are consistent with the existing ISF Guidelines on Good Employment Practice, it will be especially important for them to be aware of the new Flag State certification procedures which the ILO Convention introduces, and the need to maintain a Document of Maritime Labour Compliance.” Mr Mason added: “ISF is campaigning, together with our trade union partners, for the new Convention to be ratified as soon as possible so that there is a worldwide regime which provides clear and consistent employment standards, for the benefit of both shipowners and seafarers.  Publication of this new ISF Guide demonstrates to all parties involved our continuing commitment to this important process.” ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 – A Guide of the Shipping Industry (80 pages) is now available from Marisec Publications and leading maritime booksellers around the world.  -end- 28 September 2006 Shipping Industry Marks World Maritime Day with Support for IMO Model Audit Scheme, and Updated Shipping Facts Brochure On the occasion of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) World Maritime Day, the Round Table of international shipping associations (BIMCO, INTERCARGO, INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF SHIPPING/INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING FEDERATION and INTERTANKO) have used the opportunity to call on governments around the world to participate in the new IMO Voluntary Member State Audit Scheme.   Speaking at a special event in London today on board HQS Wellington on the River Thames, representatives of the leading international shipowner organisations explained that the IMO Scheme, which is directly relevant to this year’s IMO theme of “technical co-operation”, could prove to be the most significant regulatory milestone of the decade.     For the first time, maritime administrations will shortly be subject to external audit of how effectively they implement and enforce IMO safety and pollution prevention regulations.  The auditors will act under the auspices of IMO, using specially trained experts nominated by other IMO Member States.   Crucially, the results of the audits should allow resources from IMO’s Technical Co-operation Programme to be better targeted at maritime administrations not fulfilling their obligations.     It will no doubt take time for the IMO audits to be conducted and for the actions that follow to bear fruit.  However, the development is significant, not only because all flag states can learn from their peer group, but more particularly because most of the small number of sub-standard ships that still trade are concentrated in just a few poorly performing flag states.        The Round Table organisations have been strong supporters of the development of the IMO Scheme, and have been impressed by the pragmatic way in which governments have addressed understandable concerns about sovereignty.  In practice, however, it will be vital for any responsible maritime administration to submit to an audit as soon as possible in order to maintain its reputation and to satisfy its shipping industry clients.      The Round Table associations have also used the occasion of IMO World Maritime Day to update their well received brochure ‘International Shipping - Carrier of World Trade’.     The brochure contains some basic facts about the international shipping industry, its importance to the world economy and its impressive safety record and environmental performance.  It also reiterates the critical need for global regulation for a global industry.    -end- Notes   A copy of the new Round Table brochure can be downloaded from (the Homepage News area of) www.shippingfacts.com which has recently been redesigned and updated. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations agency with responsibility for the regulation of maritime safety, security, and the protection of the marine environment.  Information about IMO and World Maritime Day can be found at www.imo.org   The IMO Voluntary Member State Audit Scheme (and the accompanying IMO Code on the Implementation of Mandatory Instruments against which IMO Member States will be audited) was adopted by the IMO Assembly in December 2005.  The first audits are expected to commence later this year.   The Round Table of international shipping associations includes BIMCO, ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) /ISF (International Shipping Federation), INTERCARGO (International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners) and INTERTANKO (International Association of Independent Tanker Owners). These organisations together represent all segments of the industry including the owners and managers of all types of ships.    For more details please contact: BIMCO - Peter Grube , pg@bimco.dk Tel : +45 44 36 6800;  Fax : +45 44 36 6868 www.bimco.dk ICS/ISF - Simon Bennett, simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel: +44 20 7417 8844; Fax: +44 20 7417 8877 www.marisec.org INTERCARGO - Rob Lomas, rob.lomas@intercargo.org Tel: +44 20 7977 7036; Fax: +44 20 7977 7031 www.intercargo.org INTERTANKO – Bill Box, bill.box@intertanko.com Tel: +44 20 7977 7023; Fax: +44 20 7977 7011 www.intertanko.com 13 July 2006 Tanker Industry Updates Fundamental Guidance on Best Practice The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) have published a new and fully revised edition of the International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals - or ISGOTT as it is widely known to those working at the sharp end of tanker and terminal operations.   Since its first publication in 1978, ISGOTT has been recognised as the principal industry reference work on the safe operation of oil tankers and terminals, and it is referred to in many IMO regulations and recommendations.  ICS, OCIMF and IAPH are confident that the new edition will contribute to the further improvement of the tanker industry’s excellent safety record, and will bring it closer to the goal of zero accidents to which the whole industry aspires. OCIMF Director, Paul Markides, explained:  ‘This new edition of ISGOTT takes account of a number of significant developments, and makes full use of experience gained as a result of the increasing use of double hull ships that now make up the majority of the world tanker fleet.   We have encompassed the relevance of the ISM and ISPS Codes to tanker and terminal operations. New research on static electricity, and the latest thinking on matters such as the toxic effects of cargoes have also been incorporated.’  ICS Secretary General, Chris Horrocks, remarked: ‘In the years since IMO adopted the SOLAS and MARPOL Conventions, the safety and environmental performance of the global tanker industry has improved enormously.  But such improvements cannot be brought about by regulation alone, and are in fact testimony to the good practices constantly refined by industry, and the dedication to safety of the people it employs.   This commitment to continuous improvement, a concept embraced by the ISM Code, is demonstrated by the industry’s efforts to ensure that ISGOTT remains up to date.’ Managing Director IAPH Europe, Fer van de Laar, added: ‘Adherence to the guidance contained in ISGOTT forms a part of what we now call a ‘safety culture’.  With a true safety culture, however, everyone involved in tanker and terminal operations must continuously think about safety, and new ways of improving it, as a matter of course.  All ‘accidents’ are ultimately preventable, and normally only occur as a result of unsafe actions or a failure to follow correct procedures.’ The new, 5th edition of ISGOTT (which is accompanied by a CD version of the text) is published by Witherby and Co, London (www.witherbys.co.uk) ISGOTT flyer -end- Contacts: John Murray, ICS john.murray@marisec.org  John Vercoe, OCIMF john.vercoe@ocimf.com  Fer van de Laar, IAPH fvdlaar@msr-r.nl  Notes: The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for the shipping industry, with a membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 36 countries, representing about 70% of the world merchant fleet. The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) is an association of oil companies having an interest in the shipment and terminalling of crude oil products and the promotion of safety and the prevention of pollution.  The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) is a worldwide association of port authorities encompassing 87 countries. All three bodies enjoy consultative status with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).  17 May 2006 Secretary General of ICS and ISF Tony Mason has today been appointed Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF).  He will succeed the long-standing incumbent, Chris Horrocks, on the latter’s retirement from the position later this year. Making the announcement, newly-elected ICS/ISF Chairman, Spyros M. Polemis said: “We are very pleased to have found a person of Tony Mason’s experience, intellect and knowledge of the industry to fill this important role.  ICS and ISF have an essential task in representing the views of an industry whose achievements are too little recognised and understood, and Tony Mason will lead a dedicated team carrying forward the important work of the two bodies.”  Tony Mason is expected to join the organisations in July as Secretary General Designate, working alongside Chris Horrocks for three months to ensure a smooth handover.  A summary of Tony Mason’s C.V. is below. TONY MASON CURRICULUM VITAE Tony Mason has worked in the liner shipping industry for over 30 years, starting with Overseas Containers Limited (OCL) in 1973 and then working for its successor companies, P&O Containers and P&O Nedlloyd.  Until recently he was Director, Corporate Strategy for P&O Nedlloyd, and additionally was responsible for Investor Relations during the period when the company was publicly quoted.   His early experience covered all aspects of the liner business and included three years spent working for the company in Asia .  He was a Director of P&O Containers Ltd from 1991 to 1996, managing the company’s business between Europe and Australia/New Zealand and Africa , as well as the container management division and the company’s container terminal portfolio.  On the formation of P&O Nedlloyd in 1996, he was appointed Director, Europe based North/South trades and held that position until 2000. He has had extensive experience of working on behalf of the industry, having been a director both of the European Liner Affairs Association and the World Shipping Council. Aged 54, Tony Mason is British.  He graduated from University College Oxford, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. -end- For further information please contact: Simon Bennett simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel : +44 20 7417 2857   10 May 2006 ICS and ISF Meet in Washington DC The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) held their Annual General Meetings in WashingtonDC from 7-9 May 2006.   The meetings elected Mr. Spyros Polemis ( Greece ) as the new ICS Chairman and ISF President in succession to Mr. Rolf Westfal-Larsen ( Norway ) following his eight years of service at the helm of the two principal international shipowners’ organisations. The representatives of national shipowners’ associations from 40 countries discussed a number of important regulatory issues including:    MANNING LEVELS AND FATIGUE The meeting confirmed the position to be adopted by the industry at the forthcoming meeting of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee on the question of the possible link between manning levels, fatigue and the potential for maritime accidents.  It is clear that a large number of governments now appear to believe that the increased workload on board ship is giving rise to serious fatigue on the part of critical personnel, and that it may be playing a part in a number of maritime casualties.   The industry has to consider how these concerns can be addressed, and recognises that the current IMO guidelines on safe manning levels may at some point need to be reviewed, but it is clear to ICS and ISF members that IMO also needs to look at related issues before this exercise gets fully underway, not least consideration of the proper enforcement of existing work hour rules and watchkeeping requirements.  ICS/ISF support inclusion of fatigue as a priority item on IMO’s work programme, but it will be important for IMO to think carefully about whether another review of its safe manning guidelines is necessarily the most productive way to proceed.   COMPLIANCE WITH MARPOL The meetings considered issues relating to infringements of the IMO MARPOL Convention, in particular the by-passing of oily water separators, enjoying the benefit of discussion with Mr. Gregory Linsin, Special Litigation Counsel, Environmental Crimes Section at the U.S. Department of Justice.  The members of ICS and ISF fully support criminal prosecution for deliberate violations of pollution regulations, and fully accept that compliance with MARPOL and other international requirements is a senior management responsibility.  But there is also a need to recognise the broader issues that need addressing, including technical shortcomings traditionally associated with the use of oily water separators, and the lack of reception facilities that exist in some ports.  LIABILITY ISSUES   The meetings discussed the growing political trend towards punishing all pollution incidents, even when accidental, and reaffirmed the industry’s opposition to the proposed EU Directive on Civil Liability and the Financial Security of Shipowners.   In addition to the proposal for creating a mandate for the EU to negotiate unwelcome changes to the IMO Convention on Liability for Maritime Cargo Claims (LLMC) – with the possible ultimate goal of removing shipowners’ right to limit liability – ICS and ISF remain seriously concerned by many other aspects of the proposals.  Although the industry supports many other elements of the so called Third EU Maritime Safety Package, ICS and ISF will continue to strongly oppose this Directive.  The meetings also confirmed support for Canadian interests seeking to change recent measures in Canada ’s Migratory Birds Act, in order to restore the presumption of innocence in pollution cases.   ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION The meetings discussed the position of the industry being taken at IMO with regard to the review of Annex VI to further reduce atmospheric pollution from ships. Shipping is responsible for around 5% of global economic activity and faced, with predictions about the growth in demand for its services, the world community is understandably keen to ensure that shipping plays its part in combating pollution. The industry is committed to further reductions in emissions of sulphur, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter, and fully supports the need to review Annex VI now that it has finally entered into force.  The meeting agreed that it was essential for the industry to be proactive and centrally engaged in these important discussions at IMO , now that they have begun in earnest.  It is unfortunate that the IMO discussions have already been pre-empted by unhelpful regional and local requirements in the EU and California .  Shipping is a uniquely global industry requiring global regulation, and ICS and ISF members underlined the vital need for maritime regulations to be developed at IMO, and their firm opposition to regional and unilateral initiatives that are damaging to the efficiency of the shipping industry, the health of the world economy, and, most crucially, the protection of the environment which is a global problem.  ILO MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION The meetings welcomed the adoption, in February, of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, in which ISF played a key role as the representative of maritime employers. The Convention should provide the global level ‘playing field’ of sound employment standards desired by shipping companies, seafarers, and governments.   However, much now needs to be done to ensure that this important new Convention is ratified worldwide.  The success of the ILO “Super Convention” will only be judged by the extent to which governments live up to their word and implement the new requirements as soon as possible, and national shipowners’ associations made a firm commitment to the promotion of the new Convention amongst their governments.   ELECTIONS As well as electing Mr. Spyros Polemis as the new ICS/ISF Chairman/President, the meetings elected Mr. Charles Kurz II (United States) and Mr. Michael Everard (United Kingdom) as ICS Vice Chairmen, and Mr. Patrick Decavele (France) and Mr. Luis Ocejo (Mexico) as ISF Vice Presidents. Additional information about the issues discussed can be found in the ICS/ISF Annual Review 2006, published to coincide with the ICS/ISF AGMs, which can be downloaded at www.marisec.org/annualreview.    -end- For further information please contact: Simon Bennett simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel : +44 20 7417 2857   30 March 2006 Shipping Industry Commits to Improvement in Atmospheric Pollution Standards In an important submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the global shipping industry has conveyed its strong commitment to the revision of atmospheric pollution standards contained in Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).  The submission has been made by the Round Table of international shipping associations (BIMCO, Intercargo, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Intertanko) and the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL). The industry has expressed support, in principle, for the consideration of proposals by Norway to address the sulphur content of marine fuel used globally and in Sulphur Emission Control Areas. The industry keeps an open mind to discuss possible additional measures to introduce more stringent global controls on Nitrogen Oxide emissions by ships and on the need to address emissions of particulate matter.  However, the industry’s overall support for entertaining these proposals is conditional upon IMO adhering to certain principles as it begins the complex task of bringing about further improvements to shipping’s environmental performance, following the entry into force of MARPOL Annex VI, in May 2005. The shipping industry has actively encouraged the early ratification by governments of MARPOL Annex VI, in the full knowledge that it would be re-opened for amendment due to the improving air pollution record of shore based transport and the perception, correct or otherwise, that shipping is falling behind.   The IMO review could have a major impact on safety of operations, fuel costs, engine design, and even the long term commercial viability of many ships. The industry has therefore stated that as IMO review progresses, any new requirements must be justified through scientific study of environmental need and operational safety procedures.  In co-operation with oil suppliers, IMO must also satisfy itself that any new fuels required will be available globally, and that any solutions adopted use technology that has actually been developed, tested and proven to be reliable to an extent that ship crews are not left with unsafe new technologies. The industry does not want to see a repetition of the situation that emerged with controls on ballast water where regulations have been adopted for political reasons before the new methods required by the rules are actually proven.  Where the environmental need is justified, and despite the potential economic costs, the industry is willing to consider proposals that could require existing ships to make modifications to their propulsion systems.  However, shipowners will need a clear long term framework for change that takes full account of the current life expectancy of ships.  If there are significant limitations to what can be realistically achieved then ‘grandfathering’ arrangements may need to be sought in some areas. Click here to view the industry submission to IMO. -end- For further information please contact: BIMCO Peter Grube pg@bimco.dk Tel : +45 44 36 6800   ICS Simon Bennett simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel : +44 20 7417 2857   INTERCARGO Rob Lomas  rob.lomas@intercargo.org Tel : +44 20 7977 7030   INTERTANKO Bill Box bill.box@intertanko.com Tel : +44 20 7977 7010   ICCL Christine Fischer  cfischer@iccl.org Tel:  +1 703 522 8463 NOTES: The IMO Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases will discuss the review of MARPOL Annex VI, and the shipping industry submission, between 3-7 April 2006.   23 February 2006 ITF and ISF Hail Adoption of Seafarers' Labour Standards in New ILO "Superconvention" The ITF for the world’s seafarers and the ISF for shipowners today hailed the adoption by the International Labour Conference in Geneva of a consolidated maritime labour convention. The ‘Superconvention’ or ‘Seafarers’ Bill of Rights’ was adopted moments ago by an overwhelming vote of 314 votes for, none against, with just four abstentions, at the closing session of a conference which brought together more than 1000 government, shipowner and seafarer representatives from over 100 countries for the past three weeks in Geneva.  It is the culmination of five years of intensive work to produce a single international social instrument which will be accepted as the ‘fourth pillar’ of the international regulatory system for the global maritime industry, along with the safety (SOLAS), training (STCW), and pollution (MARPOL) conventions of the International maritime Organization (IMO). International Transport Workers’ Federation General Secretary David Cockroft described its adoption as “A historic result for the ILO, showing that what has long been a global industry needs global regulation which will be enforced in practice at sea and in the world’s ports”. Chris Horrocks, Secretary General of the International Shipping Federation, said “This landmark decision is just the beginning. Now we have to ensure that every government ratifies this Convention as soon as possible and applies it in full." -end- The International Shipping Federation (ISF) is the international employers' organisation for ship operators. Membership comprises national shipowners' associations in 34 countries representing the majority of the world's merchant shipping tonnage. For more details please see www.marisec.org The ITF represents 604 trade unions in 137 countries. For more details please see www.itf.org.uk For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson, direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260. E-mail: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk  or ISF press officer Simon Bennett, direct line: +44 (0)20 7417 2857. E-mail: simon.bennett@marisec.org INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING FEDERATION – ISF: International Shipping Federation, 12 Carthusian Street , London EC1M 6EZ Tel: +44(0) 20 7417 8877. Email: isf@marisec.org Web-page: www.marisec.org International Transport Workers’ Federation – ITF: HEAD OFFICE, ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road , London SE1 1DR,Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733, Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7357 7871, Email: mail@itf.org.uk Web-page: www.itfglobal.org   14 February 2006 Shipping Industry Issues Reminder on the Use of Oily Water Separators and Compliance with MARPOL The international shipping industry (represented by BIMCO, Intercargo, International Chamber of Shipping, International Shipping Federation, Intertanko and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum) has produced some basic guidance for management and crews, concerning the use of oily water separators, which emphasises the vital importance of strict adherence to International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements.   Peter Hinchliffe, from the International Chamber of Shipping, explained: “The shipping industry is committed to a zero-tolerance approach to any non-compliance with the IMO MARPOL Convention. The purpose of our leaflet is to highlight some of the issues surrounding the proper use of oily water separators, and to remind company management and shipboard personnel how they can act to prevent MARPOL infringements.” The guidance advises that every effort must be made to ensure that no-one engages in any illegal conduct in the mistaken belief that it will benefit their employer.  “Every seafarer must be made fully aware of the severe legal consequences, both for the company and the seafarers themselves, of even minor non-compliance with environmental rules” said Peter Hinchliffe. “But it is ship operators who have ultimate responsibility for establishing a compliance culture within their companies.”  The new industry guidance emphasises the need for everyone to understand that even the most minor violations of MARPOL will, quite rightly, be detected by the authorities. In addition to large fines – equivalent to literally millions of dollars – both company management and seafarers can be liable to criminal prosecution and imprisonment for any deliberate violation of MARPOL or falsification of records.  The industry bodies behind the new leaflet recommend that the guidance is carefully analysed by shipping company management as a check on their compliance process. An electronic version of the industry leaflet, which is being distributed globally by international and national shipowners’ organisations,  is available at  www.marisec.org/ows -end- 30 January 2006 Industry Group Study on Incidents of Explosions on Chemical and Product Tankers The Inter-industry Group (“IIG”), (comprising CEFIC, IACS, IAPH, ICS, INTERTANKO, IPTA and OCIMF), which was invited by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee to report the results of its work on investigating a number of explosions on smaller chemical and products tankers, has recently submitted its conclusions and recommendations to MSC 81, scheduled for May 2006.  Data provided to the IIG by the owners/operators of the vessels involved was of variable quantity and quality, although the group felt that some value was derived from all the data received. Despite MSC’s invitation to the relevant Flag Administrations to provide further information from their casualty investigations, little new information was provided to the IIG. But while the limited availability of casualty investigation reports hindered the work of the IIG, the data received from various sources was sufficient to enable a number of conclusions to be reached.  Analysis Incident analysis revealed inter alia that the majority of incidents involved ships under 20,000 dwt while tank cleaning, venting or gas freeing at sea. It did not identify as a cause for the fires and explosions any technical or operational factors not previously recognised. The failure by personnel to follow established cargo operation guidelines and procedures, at both shipboard and at management level, was the primary cause of these incidents. While manning levels appear not to be a material factor, questions were raised in some cases regarding crew competence and training. Specifically, establishing and maintaining tank atmospheres has been shown to be problematic and has been a contributory factor in many of these incidents. The provision of inert gas to product tankers under 20,000 dwt and chemical tankers, is technically feasible. However a number of safety, operational, environmental and other implications have been identified in association with such provision.  The report on the analysis of these incidents is being submitted as an Information paper in continuation of the IIG’s report to MSC.  Industry measures The industry has established a ‘Human Factors’ task group to enhance efforts to identify and address factors influencing procedural compliance on board tankers. As an early initiative the IIG has identified the ICS publication “Safety in Chemical Tankers” as one vehicle for producing general guidance and this is being updated to promote best industry guidelines and practices. This task group will also seek to raise awareness of the causes, dangers and potential consequences of static electricity. Prior to the formation of the IIG the co-authors of ISGOTT, (IAPH, ICS and OCIMF) had begun a review of the guide. This review has been completed and amendments to the text include enhanced guidance with regard to safe cargo operations.  Recommendations Although the prime cause of the incidents was a failure to follow procedures and a number of the incidents occurred during periods when a vessel was incorrectly assumed to be gas-free, the IIG nevertheless recommends that, as an additional safety measure, the IMO Committee gives consideration to amending SOLAS to provide for the application of inert gas to new oil tankers of less than 20,000 DWT and to new chemical tankers.  If the IMO member states wish to consider the application of inert gas to existing ships, the IIG would suggest that this should be based on the principles of Resolution A.900 (21) including a formal safety assessment (FSA) study. The industry partners in the IIG have also confirmed their commitment to participate fully in any such studies. In considering the above, the IIG would recommend that the IMO takes note of the complexity inherent in operational procedures on chemical tankers. Further, the IIG recommends that international safety standards be developed in relation to the design and operation of in-tank pumps. IACS has expressed its willingness to develop a Unified Requirement on this subject, which has the support of industry.  -end- For any further information on the work of the Inter-industry group please refer to: Paul Markides (Chairman of the IIG Steering Committee), Director, OCIMF, who may refer you to other group members as appropriate –  paul.markides@ocimf.com  tel. +44 20 7654 1210 9 December 2005 ICS Urges WTO Negotiators to Recognise Importance of Maintaining Efficient Maritime Services Next week (13-18 December) the World Trade Organization (WTO) is holding a high level ministerial conference, in Hong Kong, to advance the Doha Development Agenda negotiations sufficiently to conclude the round in 2006.  The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has prepared a leaflet to outline the importance of the maritime services negotiations, which has been distributed to national WTO negotiators by ICS’s global membership of national shipowners’ associations  ICS Secretary, Simon Bennett explained: ‘The Conference itself is not expected to make huge progress, not least due to difficulties on agriculture.  But the maritime services negotiations are almost certain to continue next year, and it is important that the negotiators understand the importance of codifying, and building on, existing best practices in the shipping industry, which is already very liberalised.’ He added ‘It is vital that the WTO appreciates the importance to global trade of an efficient international shipping industry, and that shipping does not become the subject of horse trading for concessions on other issues. We believe this is unlikely, and we are pleased by the stance being taken by many major trading nations, especially the so called ‘Friends of Maritime’ Group.  But there must be no hint of permitting a return to unacceptable measures, such as widespread cargo reservation for national operators, or discrimination against visiting ships when charging for port services.’    -end- The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for ship operators in all sectors and trades, with a membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 36 countries representing more than two thirds of world tonnage.  2 December 2005 Publication of the BIMCO/ISF Manpower 2005 Update The fourth BIMCO/ISF Manpower Update was published today (2 December 2005).  The report is the result of over a year’s work by BIMCO, ISF and the Institute of Employment Research at Warwick University , collecting data from maritime administrations and shipping companies to build up a comprehensive picture of the global situation regarding the availability of seafarers for the world’s merchant fleet. The worldwide supply of seafarers is estimated at: 466,000 officers 721,000 ratings  Worldwide demand is estimated at: 476,000 officers 586,000 ratings  The Update thus reveals a continuing shortage of qualified officers, of around 10,000 or 2% of the total workforce, and a significant surplus of ratings.  Key issues arising from the report include:  ·   The continuing supply shift from OECD to the Far East, South-East Asia and Eastern Europe . ·    An increasing overall demand for seafarers, with particular pressure on certain grades and ship types. ·    Ageing OECD senior officers and a lack of replacements from elsewhere. ·    The need to increase training and recruitment and to reduce wastage. In summary, BIMCO and ISF conclude: “there is a modest shortage of officers worldwide and a continuing surplus of ratings.  While the shortfall of officers is smaller than forecast in 2000, certain sectors of the industry have experienced severe shortages, and the continuing growth of the world fleet, combined with work pressures on crews, indicate that demand for qualified seafarers will continue to increase over the next decade.  This demand will only be met if the increase in levels of recruitment and training is maintained and if wastage rates are reduced. Further information is found in the Manpower 2005 Update Summary.   Click here to download the order form for the main report. -end-   Contacts:   BIMCO - Niels Bjorn Mortensen, nbm@bimco.dk  Tel : +45 44 36 6800 Fax : +45 44 36 6868 www.bimco.dk   ISF -  Richard Guy, richard.guy@marisec.org  Tel: +44 20 7417 8844; Fax: +44 20 7417 8877 www.marisec.org 16 November 2005 Shipping Industry Updates Flag State Performance Table on Eve of Adoption of IMO Member State Audit Scheme The Round Table of international shipping associations (BIMCO, INTERCARGO, INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF SHIPPING/INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING FEDERATION and INTERTANKO) have updated their Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table. The updated table summarises factual information available in the public domain as at 30 June 2005, and is intended to help shipping companies assess the performance, and thus the credibility, of the hundred or so major flag state administrations. The latest table revises that produced in 2004, and should be read in conjunction with the Round Table’s Shipping Industry Guidelines on Flag State Performance. Both can be downloaded at www.marisec.org/flag-performance The Round Table believes that shipping companies may wish to consider carefully whether the use of flags that have a large number of negative performance indicators is in the interest of either the company or the industry at large. On the basis of the data used in the 2005 update, the following flags have 12 or more negative performance indicators: Albania, Bolivia, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mongolia, Sao Tome & Principe, Suriname and Syrian Arab Republic (Georgia, Indonesia and Kenya being new additions to this list). Following the entry into force of MARPOL Annex VI (atmospheric pollution), a disappointingly large number of flags have acquired an additional "black blob" on the Round Table’s list of potential performance indicators, due to failure to ratify this Annex.  A number of new flags, including some traditional maritime countries, have also appeared on the United States Coast Guard port state control target list for the first time, also resulting in some additional ‘black blobs’. Meanwhile, the Round Table has reiterated its strong support for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme, whereby flag states will be subject, on a voluntary basis, to external audit by experts from other IMO Members under the auspices of IMO.  The Scheme is due to be adopted by the biennial meeting of the IMO Assembly which meets next week (21 November to 2 December). Using criteria that will be based on an accompanying IMO Code on the Implementation of Mandatory Instruments, the Round Table hopes that the results of the audits will be used to identify areas for improvement, which in the case of developing countries might be targeted for IMO technical assistance programmes. Although the industry would welcome the eventual emergence of a mandatory scheme, in practice a voluntary scheme should also prove effective: any responsible flag state should feel obliged to participate, not least because this is likely to be a factor in port state control targeting. The updated industry Flag State Performance Table is intended to complement the IMO Scheme. -end- The Round Table of international shipping associations includes BIMCO, ICS (the International Chamber of Shipping), INTERCARGO (The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners) and INTERTANKO (The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners). These organisations together represent all segments of the industry including the owners and managers of all types of ships. For more details please contact BIMCO - Peter Grube, pg@bimco.dk Tel : +45 44 36 6800 Fax : +45 44 36 6868 www.bimco.dk   ICS/ISF - Simon Bennett , simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel: +44 20 7417 8844; Fax: +44 20 7417 8877 www.marisec.org   INTERCARGO - Rob Lomas, rob.lomas@intercargo.org Tel: +44 20 7977 7036; Fax: +44 20 7977 7031 www.intercargo.org   INTERTANKO – Bill Box, bill.box@intertanko.com Tel: +44 20 7977 7023; Fax: +44 20 7977 7011 www.intertanko.com 14 October 2005 ICS and ISF Express Satisfaction with Amended SUA Convention The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) – which have represented the shipping industry throughout two years of discussions at IMO - have expressed broad satisfaction with the final text of the revised SUA Convention (1988 Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Navigation) following its adoption by an IMO Diplomatic Conference today.  A spokesperson said “Prompted by the terrorist attacks of September 2001, we recognise the continuing desire to address maritime security issues, including the need for arrangements to deal with the possible boarding of ships at sea suspected of transporting weapons of mass destruction.  We are therefore very pleased that governments, not least the United States, have recognised the concerns raised by industry and trade unions about the need to safeguard companies’ and seafarers’ rights.  A number of our concerns were satisfactorily addressed during the extensive preparatory discussions at IMO, and we are glad that governments have decided not to reopen these sensitive issues.” -end- Notes The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) are the principal international trade association and employers' organisation for ship operators, in all sectors and trades, with membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 41 countries  representing more than two thirds of the world merchant fleet.     13 October 2005 Oil Pollution Liability - ICS Urges Governments to Reject Even "Limited" CLC/Fund Revision Next week (the week of 17 October) the Assembly of the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Fund will be asked to make a final decision on whether to revise the Civil Liability (CLC) and Fund Conventions. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) remains firmly opposed to revision, given the danger of disturbing an existing regime that has so successfully delivered prompt compensation payments to oil spill claimants worldwide. The consistent view of ICS, Intertanko and the International Group of P&I Clubs has been that the existing regime works well and that the two principal concerns of those favouring revision– sharing of costs between the shipping and oil industries, and identifying and isolating sub-standard tankers in an insurance context – can be effectively addressed outside the Conventions. The P&I Clubs have offered a contractually binding voluntary agreement under which states that have ratified the Supplementary Fund would be offered either STOPIA (an increase in the small ship limit under CLC, already introduced earlier this year), or alternatively TOPIA (a 50:50 sharing between the shipping and oil industry of any claims falling under the Supplementary Fund). The Clubs’ proposals to address the sharing issue by means of a voluntary binding agreement could be introduced immediately and thereby dispense with the need for a lengthy revision and ratification process.  Formal revision of the Conventions by way of amending Protocols would result in fragmentation of the global oil pollution compensation regime, with different states being parties to different “editions” of the Conventions, which would be to the detriment of claimants as well as the industry.   An IOPC Fund Working Group meeting earlier this year, coincidentally composed of much the same governments who will attend the IOPC Fund Assembly, was almost evenly divided on the question of revision, suggesting that unless there is a substantial change of heart there will not be the necessary majority to initiate revision.   It is therefore particularly important that governments opposed to opening up the Conventions are not seduced by a new paper recently submitted to the Assembly which suggests a limited revision focusing on so called ‘house keeping’ issues. While the proposal is superficially seductive, on careful reading it is clear that the intention of those behind it, including Canada and the UK, is to keep open the fundamental issue of whether the Conventions should be revised to address the sharing of the costs of compensation between the shipping and oil industries, and also the possibility of revising the Conventions to address sub-standard transportation of oil (i.e. to introduce an element of punishment). ICS believes the proposal should not change the position of non-revisionist governments and should be rejected by them.  Under the guise of a proposal for “limited revision”, the paper is simply seeking to buy time for a more extensive revision of the Conventions.   Governments are urged to agree that the revision process should be postponed in reliance on the proposals made by the International Group of P&I Clubs on behalf of the shipping industry to address the sharing issue (i.e. STOPIA or TOPIA).  This would enable claims experience to develop, which it is hoped would demonstrate in 5 to 10 years’ time that no further substantive change is justified. -end- The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for ship operators in all sectors and trades, with a membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 36 countries representing more than two thirds of world tonnage.  26 September 2005 International Shipping - Carrier Of World Trade Without shipping, international trade in the raw materials, energy products and affordable manufactured goods and food that help sustain our civilisation would be virtually impossible and the world would grind to a halt -  half of us would starve, the other half would freeze! Thursday 29 September is World Maritime Day. The theme this year is ‘International Shipping – carrier of world trade.’  To coincide with the theme chosen by the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Round Table of international shipping associations (BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO) has produced a special leaflet which highlights the fact that 90% of world trade is carried by sea. It also emphasises that efficiency is paramount and that, in order to operate efficiently, the shipping industry depends on a global maritime regulatory framework.   The international shipping industry wishes to assist those seeking information about its activities.  This initiative is aimed at policy makers worldwide, whose decisions may have an impact on the efficient operation of shipping, and who are interested in seeking further information about this important industry. It is also aimed at increasing awareness about the international maritime industry among all those who are not part of it but whose lives are affected by it.  It is hoped that this simple leaflet (available on www.shippingfacts.com ) will foster a greater interest in the transport of goods by sea, and encourage a better understanding of the importance of this vital industry. The leaflet also provides basic information about the cost effectiveness of maritime transport, as well as data about the industry’s safety record and environmental performance.  www.shippingfacts.com  -end- Round Table press contacts: BIMCO   Peter Grube pg@bimco.dk Tel : +45 44 36 6800 INTERCARGO  Rob Lomas rob.lomas@intercargo.org Tel: +44 20 7977 7036 International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation Simon Bennett simon.bennett@marisec.org Tel: +44 20 7417 2857 INTERTANKO   Bill Box bill.box@intertanko.com Tel: +44 20 7977 7023   16 August 2005 Shipowners Challenge Malacca Strait War Risk Zone The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Intertanko hosted a briefing today (16 August) to give industry and government interests the opportunity to meet with the London insurance market Joint War Committee (JWC) and its consultants, Aegis Defence Services Ltd.  This followed the furore surrounding the announcement by the JWC of a new method for determining its Hull War, Strikes, Terrorism and Related Perils Listed Areas.  As a result of the JWC’s decision to include the Malacca Strait and certain areas of the southern Philippines in the Listed Areas, Asian shipowners and governments were particularly well represented. The JWC opened the briefing by explaining why current trends had required it to approach risk assessment from a different perspective by employing the services of risk assessment experts.  The result of this was the appointment of Aegis which in turn, following their expert advice, had seen the removal of several previously listed areas and the insertion of others including the Malacca Strait. Aegis explained that the ports, places and coasts included on the list had been assessed by them to exceed an enhanced risk benchmark that they had established.  Aegis had developed a threat assessment system which was updated regularly on a daily basis which they said enabled them to more accurately and specifically assess risk.  The list was proactive rather than reactive looking principally to the future and to past trends only where relevant.  Regular quarterly reviews would determine whether any additions or deletions were appropriate. During the question and answer session that followed, shipowner and government representatives questioned the methodology employed by Aegis.  It was suggested that in relation to the Malacca Strait , Aegis might have confused threat assessment with vulnerability assessment.  Although the Strait was vulnerable, there had not been a single terrorist attack in the last 13 years.  A blanket categorisation of so vast an area which included the Strait was unjustified because most incidents were confined to slow, small coastal vessels. Aegis responded by saying that despite the apparent reduction of incidents there were also unreported robberies.  Although there was an increased sophistication, including faster and more military-type craft and weapons, which had led Aegis to view the Strait as an area of higher risk they acknowledged there had been no terrorist attacks.  Extensive measures were being taken by the littoral States including aerial patrols and increased radar coverage but Aegis pointed out that this could only be effective if the three governments closely co-operated in applying the measures.  The position of the Malacca Strait would be kept under close review. JWC gave the clear message that it was incumbent on individual owners to negotiate appropriately with their underwriters. Shipowners and governments urged the JWC to consult more widely, to review their position, and, during this time, to refrain from imposing additional premiums in the Malacca Strait . -end- ICS: Linda Howlett  Tel: + 44 20 7417 8844   ics@marisec.org   www.marisec.org Intertanko: Bill Box:  Tel: 44 20 7977 7071 bill.box@intertanko.com   www.intertanko.com    15 July 2005 OCIMF and ICS Launch Revised Ship to Ship Transfer Guide   The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have launched a new edition of their Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum).   The Guide represents the latest industry standard for the management and control of these complex but increasingly routine procedures. OCIMF and ICS recommend that a copy of the revised Guide, which replaces and supersedes the third edition, is carried on board every tanker involved in the transfer of crude oil and petroleum products between ocean going ships.  But the guidance is also addressed to marine superintendents and others responsible for planning STS transfer operations.  Although intended primarily for operations taking place at sea it is also relevant to operations inshore or within harbour limits.   The launch of the Guide has been timed to coincide with the meeting of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee, which will be discussing STS operations.   OCIMF Director, Paul Markides explained:   “STS operations are certainly becoming more frequent, and we understand the environmental concerns raised by governments at IMO.  To help their discussions we hope to make them aware of recommended industry best practice, as set out in the latest ICS/OCIMF Guide.  “We can support the principle of regulations covering certain aspects of the ship to ship transfer of oil cargoes, including fuel transfer operations, provided such measures are fully evaluated and justified.  But well managed STS operations, conducted in conformity with industry guidance, present no greater risk than in-port transfers.”   ICS Secretary General, Chris Horrocks added:   “As co-authors of the new STS Guide we are obviously keen to encourage self regulation by the industry which is in the best position to provide the kind of detailed advice that is required for these sorts of operations.”   Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum) is published by Witherby and Company for UK £50 (plus postage) but is available from other maritime book sellers. -end-   Notes   OCIMF represents all the world’s major oil companies on marine safety and technical matters. The OCIMF mission is to be the foremost authority on the safe and environmentally responsible operation of oil tankers and terminals, promoting continuous improvement in standards of design and operation. ICS is the principal international trade association for ship operators, in all sectors and trades, with membership comprising 36 national shipowners’ associations representing more than two thirds of the world merchant fleet.     8 July 2005 ICS Welcomes IMO Decision to Explore Electronic Ships' Documents The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has welcomed the decision by the IMO Facilitation Committee – which met last week (4-8 July) -  to explore the idea of that validation and examination of the many certificates and documents that must be carried on board ship could be better achieved through on- line access to electronic databases. This decision was in response to a written submission to IMO made by ICS on behalf of the global industry. ICS Trade and Operations Adviser, Brian Parkinson, explained “In addition to crew certification, IMO has identified over 60 certificates and documents that must be carried on board ship, and the question which the industry has been asking IMO is why, in the age of electronic databases, it is still necessary for original paper copies of all these documents to be carried on board.   We are therefore very pleased that the IMO (trade) Facilitation Committee has agreed to explore the possibility that some of these documents could be held on electronic databases which inspectors would be able to verify in advance of the ship’s arrival in the knowledge that the data was accurate and up to date.  As well as reducing the paperwork burden on ships’ personnel, which in view of concerns about fatigue will have advantages for safety, such a system would also bring benefits to administrations in their efforts to eliminate sub-standard ship operators and ensure maritime security – it is easier to tamper with a paper document than a distant database”. ICS believes that a system whereby port state control inspectors could check ship’s certificates and documents by simply entering the ship’s IMO number in a database would simplify the control procedure substantially and, by accessing only official databases, would enhance the data’s accuracy. “We recognise that taking this idea forward will be very complicated and could take many years to complete.” said Mr Parkinson. “Indeed to move away from paper certificates on board, some IMO Conventions might have to be amended.  However, the decision by the IMO to start considering how access to information about ship’s documents might be improved through the use of modern technology is an important first step.” Mr Parkinson, who will retiring from ICS at the end of the July after many years representing ICS at discussions on trade facilitation, remarked: “I think this decision confirms that claims about the ‘death of trade facilitation’ are premature.  With strong ICS support, IMO rethought its plans last year to cut back on the work of its Facilitation Committee, and we have been pleased to continue contributing to discussions on removing maritime red tape.” -end- Notes The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for ship operators, with membership comprising 36 national shipowners’ associations representing more than two thirds of the world merchant fleet.  For more details please see www.marisec.org 4 July 2005 ICS Warns US Trading Ships About Non-Tank Vessel Response Plans The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued a reminder to non-tanker operators trading to the United States of the important need to submit Non-Tank Vessel Response Plans (NVRPs) to the United States Coast Guard before 9 July. The preparation and submission of such plans, addressing the mitigation of potential oil spills, is necessary to comply with new US requirements that extend procedures already applicable to tankers under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. ICS Secretary, Simon Bennett, explained: "Although the US Coast Guard has indicated that it does not intend to enforce the Non Tank Vessel Response Plan requirements immediately due to legislative hold ups, ship operators are still strongly advised to submit their plans at least a month before the 9 August implementation date. In the unfortunate event of a ship being involved in a spill after 9 August, if it has failed to submit a plan a month in advance – the time stipulated by the Coast Guard for processing – this could have serious implications for the owner’s financial liability." ICS has produced some general guidance to assist ship operators in their preparations for compliance, which takes account of advice from the USCG and which is available via ICS member national shipowners associations. -end- Notes The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for ship operators, with membership comprising 36 national shipowners’ associations representing more than two thirds of the world merchant fleet. For more details please see www.marisec.org 24 May 2005 ICS and ISF Meet In Copenhagen The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) held their Annual General Meetings from 22-24 May, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting, bringing together the representatives of the 41 national shipowners’ associations that comprise ICS and ISF, discussed a range of regulatory issues, but devoted particular attention to the role of the European Union on international maritime affairs; IACS and the development of Common Structural Rules; and progress at the International Labour Organization (ILO) towards the adoption of a new Consolidated Maritime Labour Standards Convention. The influence of Europe ICS and ISF confirmed the global shipping industry’s strong support for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the continuing and vital need for global regulation, and considered the threat to this presented by the growing influence of the European Union. ICS Chairman/ISF President, Rolf Westfal-Larsen, explained "In one sense, the European Union can be seen as a positive force for maritime safety and pollution prevention, giving urgency to the implementation and enforcement of IMO Conventions and helping to improve the performance of its Member States. "But we are very concerned about the ambitions of the European Commission to speak at IMO on behalf of 25 nations, and to reduce the scope for independent action by national experts who are currently free to debate the details of new rules on the basis of their technical merits. We fear that the growing co-ordination of positions in Brussels will increase the politicisation of debates at IMO, and reduce the quality of decision making. Brussels does not seem to realise that both the industry and society at large would be the losers as a result. European activity affects all ICS members, not least those in Asia. Although the main focus of our work will always be IMO, we agreed that we must also be active in our relations with the various EU institutions on behalf of the global industry." Mr. Westfal-Larsen added "If we can improve the quality of the dialogue with European politicians and policy makers, and thus the quality of the decision making process, everyone will benefit." IACS and Common Structural Rules The meeting took note of the continuing discussions in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) on Common Structural Rules for tankers and bulk carriers. "ICS has strongly supported the development of Common Structural Rules," Mr. Westfal–Larsen said. "We have been calling for stronger ships and welcome the energy that the Classification Societies have put into the exercise. Coming together to agree a common approach cannot have been easy, and we know that even now there are tensions within IACS on how the tanker and bulk carrier rules will be harmonised." "The details of CSRs are important to the industry. But so is the cohesion of IACS. Indeed in the light of our discussions I would say that preserving a united IACS today is the top priority, and we believe nothing should be allowed to threaten this." ILO Super Convention National associations reviewed progress being made at the International Labour Organization (ILO) towards the development of a Consolidated Maritime Labour Standards Convention that will combine the 60 existing ILO maritime conventions and recommendations into a single, simpler instrument. "Our objective is that this new Convention will not only provide a solid basis for a common international understanding on sound employment world-wide, but it should also be attractive for governments to ratify and enforce," said Mr Westfal-Larsen. He added: "The final tripartite negotiations, in which ISF will continue to co-ordinate the employers’ group, will be challenging. Our meeting was very conscious of the need to produce a convention that will not be seen simply as the result of a deal between employers and unions. We must ensure that governments will feel that they ‘own’ the new Convention. The new ILO Convention is due to be finalised in Geneva in February 2006. Canadian criminal sanctions for accidents In addition to discussing the implications of the EU Directive on Criminal Sanctions for Ship Source Pollution which, in conflict with the MARPOL Convention, could criminalise companies and seafarers involved with genuine accidents, the meetings expressed their great disappointment at the decision last week by the Canadian Senate to adopt similar legislation in conflict with Canada’s international treaty obligations – the so called Bill C–15. Mr Westfal-Larsen explained: "The Canadian Senate’s decision removes the presumption of innocence of those involved in accidents and undermines the principle of international agreement. We are therefore considering our options as to whether the decision can be contested." Elections Mr. Rolf Westfal-Larsen (Norway) was re-elected as ICS Chairman and ISF President. Mr. Spyros M. Polemis (Greece) and Mr. Charles Kurz II (United States) were elected as ICS Vice Chairmen and Mr. Nicolas Saverys (Belgium) and Mr. Sabyasachi Hajara (India) were elected as ISF Vice Presidents. -end- Notes The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for ship operators, with membership comprising 36 national shipowners’ associations representing more than two thirds of the world merchant fleet. The International Shipping Federation (ISF) is the international employers' organisation for ship operators. Membership comprises national shipowners' associations in 34 countries representing the majority of the world's merchant shipping tonnage. For more details please see www.marisec.org