IMO Says China Fishing Vessel Safety Workshop Focuses On Treaty Ratification

Flag, coastal and port States uses ​Fisheries-related conventions as key tools to effectively monitor and control fishing vessels and minimise the risk of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, by enhancing transparency, traceability and governance.

In a national workshop in Shanghai, China organized between 29-30 July by the Shanghai Ocean University and the Bureau of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, with input from IMO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), The Pew Charitable Trusts and the IMO Number Scheme manager (IHS Markit) this remained the main focus.

China’s potential ratification and implementation of fisheries-related conventions, including IMO’s 2012 Cape Town Agreement (CTA), aimed at improving safety standards on fishing vessels, and the 1995 Standards on Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) were the topics discussed by the participants.

They also discussed the implementation of the FAO 2009 Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (PSMA).

The People’s Republic of China is yet to become a Party to the IMO fishing vessel safety and training treaties. However, China reported that considerable research has begun into ratification implications. With thousands of seagoing fishing vessels of 24 metres and above, China’s accession to the Cape Town Agreement would have considerable global impact. Mr. Han Xu, Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of Fisheries, said that the Chinese Government focuses on the safety of fishers and said, “There are difficulties in implementing these conventions due to the scale of our fleet, however we have a saying in China – there are more solutions than problems.”

IMO’s Brice Martin-Castex, said, “We are delighted to be here in Shanghai discussing these issues and hope that this workshop will pave the way for continued cooperation. The conventions and measures we are talking about work together, however the Cape Town Agreement is not yet in force. China can greatly contribute to its entry into force, as a founding State, which is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Several positive outcomes were concluded from the workshop. China pledged to attend the Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, organized by IMO and the Government of Spain, Torremolinos, Málaga, Spain (21-23 October 2019) and to provide the conference with information on measures to be taken for the entry into force of the Cape Town Agreement.

The IMO Number Scheme manager’s proposal was also welcomed by China to allow for phased allocation of the IMO Ship Identification numbers to Chinese fishing vessels of 12 metres in length and above. This will also be used for populating the FAO’s Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels. Currently the IMO Ship Identification Number Scheme is voluntary for fishing vessels.

To date, 11 States with a total of 1,413 vessels have ratified the Cape Town Agreement. The treaty will enter into force 12 months after at least 22 States, with an aggregate 3,600 fishing vessels of 24 m in length and over operating on the high seas have expressed their consent to be bound by it.

The Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and IUU Fishing (21-23 October) will be followed by the Joint FAO/ILO/IMO Working Group on IUU Fishing (23-25 October).

45 participants attended the workshop including the Bureau of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Ministry of Transport; Shanghai Ocean University; Dalian Maritime University; China Overseas Fisheries Association; China Classification Society; all China’s coastal provincial port authorities; IMO; FAO; The Pew Charitable Trusts and the IMO Number Scheme manager (IHS Markit).

Reference: imo.org

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AAL Plans To Move Forward With IMO Low Sulphur Regulation 2020

AAL clarifies its position and about the plans to move forward over the coming weeks and months in respect to the widespread discussion and reporting about the IMO 2020 ‘Sulphur Cap’ regulation, which will come into effect from January 1st 2020. The plans are made to fully prepare themselves and their customers for this important and long-awaited milestone in our sector’s history.

The new regulation has a purpose of reducing sulphur oxide (SOx) levels produced across the entire shipping industry, resulting in more sustainable air quality conditions for those environments in which is operated every day, particularly in coastal and port communities. AAL has served the multipurpose heavy lift sector for 25 years and we welcome the positive global impact it will have on our environment and the health of current and future generations.

Over the past year, AAL has been researching on the options available and decided that migration to the use of low sulphur fuel with a sulphur content of 0.5% or less and fully compliant with the IMO legislation will best meet the interests of our customers, trades and industries we service globally. This fuel comprises variants such as Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (LSFO), Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO) and Low Sulphur Marine Gasoil (LS-MGO), all currently more expensive than standard marine fuel. In this respect, not only will adoption of these fuels have profound implications for our planet, but also on the economics of our daily operations.

In the multipurpose shipping sector, it is very well known that one size does not fit all. Therefore, they will be implementing various calculation methodologies to fairly share the increased cost of low sulphur fuel usage with the customers in consideration of the wide variety of cargo and trades that it handles and manages worldwide. From September 1, 2019 these measures will come into effect, as it will start the arduous task of preparing our fleet for low sulphur fuel and begin bunkering same with the intent of being fully compliant with the IMO regulation by year’s end.

Reference: aalshipping.com

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YILPORT Holding Signs 49-Year Concession Agreement With PNAIS For Multipurpose Terminal

Yilport Holding and Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea (PNAIS), the managing institution of the Port of Taranto in Italy signs a concession agreement for the multipurpose terminal. On July 30, the deal was signed at Castello Aragonese in Taranto, Italy by Robert Yuksel Yildirim, Yilport Holding Chairman, and Sergio Prete, the President of Taranto Port Authority. The agreement appoints Yilport to undertake all operations at the multipurpose terminal of Taranto Port for 49 years.

This is the 22nd marine port in Yilport Holding’s portfolio, and its first terminal in Italy. The company is ranked 12th among international container terminal operators by Drewry, and now targets to be ranked among the top 10 by 2025.

Chairman Robert Yuksel Yildirim made the following remarks at the signing ceremony: “We have a strong presence in the Mediterranean. We are in Malta and operate seven ports between Spain and Portugal. Being able to enter Italy and work here in Taranto is like filling in the missing piece of a puzzle that we are building globally. The infrastructure was there but there was no one to take care of it. Our intention is to create another success story in Taranto. From today until the end of this year, we will be fixing cranes to ramp up business, visiting potential customers, and promote the container terminal. The project also aims to cooperate with local operators to improve cargo and ro-ro traffic.”

Under Yilport’s expertise Taranto Container Terminal will offer container operations. The terminal offers high-level productivity on 1 million square meters’ land area. There is an easy access to highway network, and 5 active rail platforms connect Port of Taranto directly to the national railway system. The terminal is also capable of serving up to Post-Panamax sized container vessels with -16.5 meters draft. Also the terminal will offer 160,000 square meters of CFS and Empty Container Services area, providing stuffing, stripping, inspection, M&R, PTI, sweeping, cleaning, and empty container inspection and conditioning.

Reference: yilport.com

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Mass Drowning Of Migrants In The Mediterranean Described As Deadliest Shipwreck This Year

The United Nations refugee agency describes “the deadliest shipwreck in the Mediterranean so far this year”, in which up to 150 migrants and refugees are feared drowned attempting to make the perilous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea into Europe after their boat capsized off Libya. It is reported that the vessel, which was possibly three boats lashed together, started to fill with water 90 minutes after setting out before the engine failed and the passengers began to drown. Libyan fishers in small boats took part in rescuing 134 survivors, who were returned to Libya by the coastguard.

Previously the European Union provided the withdrawal of coordinated search-and-rescue operations, rescue operations in such incidents, including the recovery of bodies, now depend on the Libyan coastguard and local fishers and volunteers.

Although there is a decrease by 17% in the number of people crossing the Mediterranean and arriving in Europe in the first three months of 2019 compared with the same period of 2018, there are concerns that a greater proportion are drowning and being lost at sea as the people traffickers are cramming more people into unseaworthy boats to make the crossing in unsafe conditions.

Reference: itfseafarers.org

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ITF Solicitudes About Safe Passage For Seafarers In The Gulf Of Oman

The International Bargaining Forum (IBF) is holding discussions on the safety of vessels transiting through the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz after the escalation of diplomatic tensions between Western countries and Iran, involving aggressive action against merchant shipping and Iran’s seizure of the British-flagged, Swedish-owned oil tanker Stena Impero and its 23 crew.

There are shared concerns across the shipping industry that seafarers have been caught up in a diplomatic situation affecting their right to a safe passage in these waters.

David Heindel, chair of the ITF Seafarers Section, said: “Such exposure of seafarers working on merchant vessels to life and safety risks is totally unacceptable. Our concerns for their welfare are equally shared by all constituents of the IBF.”

The IBF is looking for a diplomatic solution to the situation and urging governments for maximizing their efforts to have the Stena Impero crew freed and to assure safe passage of commercial vessels in the Straits of Hormuz.

Reference: itfseafarers.org

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Indian Naval Ship ‘Tarkash’ Arrives At Helsinki, Finland For Three Days Visit

On July 31, 2019 Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tarkash arrived at Helsinki, Finland for a three-day visit as part of Indian Navy’s overseas deployment to Africa, Europe and Russia. The Ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and is under the operational Command of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, which is based at Mumbai. During the visit Vice Admiral Mr. Ajit Kumar will lead the Indian Navy delegation. Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar met the Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, Mr. Tomi Sevander and will also call on Mr. Jukka Juusti, Permanent Secretary of Defence.

On August 1, 2019 the Ship will be open for visitors from 10:00-12:30 hrs at LHB Quay at Hernesaari Artholmen harbour, Hernematalankatu 6, Helsinki.

Dignitaries and government officials of Finland, diplomatic corps, Indian Community and friends of India are scheduled to visit INS Tarkash while it is docked in the port of Helsinki. For further enhancement of bilateral cooperation professional interactions are planned with the Finnish Navy and Coast Guard. Social engagements, sports event and sharing of best practices have been organised for the crew. They will also visit important landmarks in the City of Helsinki.

There is friendly and warm relations between Finland and India. Bilateral agenda and cooperation is diversifying. This year the visit of INS Tarkash is one of the highlights of events to celebrate 70 years of India-Finland diplomatic relations.

INS Tarkash is a ‘stealth’ frigate commissioned into the Indian Navy on 9 November 2012 and incorporates latest stealth features. Captain Sathish Vasudev commands INS Tarkash, weapons and sensors are carried and is manned by a crew of over 250, including 30 Officers, making it one of the most important platforms of the Indian Navy. Indian Navy Ships are regularly deployed as part of Indian Navy’s mission of building ‘bridges of friendship’ and strengthening international cooperation with friendly countries as well as to address maritime concerns. The ship’s visit to Finland comes amidst shared maritime interests and deepening bilateral ties.

Reference: indiannavy.nic.in

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Port Of Venice Invites European Ports To Develop Sustainable Cruising

In recent days, President of the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority, Pino Musolino, has sent an invitation letter to a few of the European ports like Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, Barcelona inviting his colleagues to meet in Venice for discussion of the economic and environmental impact of the cruise industry and to draw up guidelines for a new sustainable approach to maritime tourism. The above mentioned ports have already accepted and other replies are expected in the coming days. Soon a date will be set for a seminar to be held in the Venice area on the issues.

“I have written to all European cities that have a similar experience of cruise ship tourism as Venice and who have to balance economic development with environmental sustainability, boosting employment levels while establishing a healthy relationship with the area,” says President Musolino. “I believe that it would be useful to combine our strengths and ideas to establish guidelines for the European cruise industry of the future, and also to convey to shipyards the need to build ships that are compatible with our infrastructure and the environment, finally creating ‘European class cruises’. For this,” Musolino concludes, “we plan to organise a seminar-meeting in Venice shortly to discuss possible organisational, technological and operational solutions in an open and frank manner in order to preserve such an important industry for our economies, and at the same time to protect the fragility of our historic cities and their natural environment”.

Reference: port.venice.it

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