CSA 2020 Applauds DFDS On Ten Years Of Successful Scrubber Operations

For the successful operation of scrubber for ten years now, the Danish Ferry Operator (DFDS) was applauded by the Clean Shipping Alliance (CSA) 2020. The scrubber operation along with the exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) onboard the 37,939gt RORO Ficaria Seaways has made an achievement for having more than 50,000 running hours in ten years.

One of the first ever Ro-Ro vessel that has an Alfa Laval PureSOx System in it, Ficaria Seaways operates in the European Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA), on the Gothenburg – Immingham route.

“The installation has prevented a substantial amount of sulphur emissions from entering the atmosphere,” said Poul Woodall, Director Environment and Sustainability, DFDS A/S.

Woodall also said that according to the data by the high sulphur HFO-burning Ficaria Seaways only 0.05% of SOx has been emitted in ten years. “Had the vessel been trading on compliant fuel during these ten years, then SOx emissions would have been almost 60 times higher,” he said.

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted the first major scientific review that confirmed about the eco-friendly performance of the vessel in 2012. It was concluded by the Agency that on an average, the scrubber system emitted half of the allowed SOx in the SFCA. The emission was equal to the content to suplur in the fuel i.e. 0.05% for the vessel.

150t less SOx was emitted by Ficaria Seaways during that period which less than if were to be operated in compliance with the 0.10% marine gasoline. According to the report of Danish EPA, the range of particulate matter (PM) was in the range 31-53% and on the other hand there was a 55% reduction in the mass.

“All in all, some very good statistics for those of us who are concerned about air quality and system performance,” said Woodall.

The internal measurements that are carried out by DFDS verified the performance of the scrubbers. It showed a less than 0.002% of downtime of the scrubber in the period of 12 months to the 1st of July 2019.

CSA 2020 Executive Director Ian Adams said: “We applaud DFDS, a member of the Alliance, for achieving this significant milestone. As one of the first commercial operators of marine scrubber systems, DFDS has shown that the technology is, without doubt, the safest, most effective way of reducing SOx emissions.”

After the first installation aboard Ficaria Seaways, the technology is now present in 28 vessels of DFDS along with more of ten EGCS operating ships that are on order. However, Woodall mentioned that other technologies will be given way by the scrubber technology. “To meet IMO’s ambitious target of 50% reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (compared to the base year of 2008) the industry must find an alternative to fossil fuel.

“However, until such alternatives are identified and developed for practical use, the current exhaust gas cleaning systems have proven themselves to be reliable, effective means of dramatically improving air emissions without impacting the marine environment, and will continue to exceed the international air quality requirements. In thousands of ships worldwide,” he said.

 

Reference: DFDS

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UN Review Of Maritime Transport 2019 – UNCTAD Projects 2.6% Growth

The momentum of the World Maritime trade has gone down in 2018 with the volume expanding at 2.7 percent which is lower than the average percentage of 3.0% and 4.1% in 2017.

According to the records of UNCTAD, it is estimated that the total volume will reach 11 billion tons which is an all time high. UNCTAD is expecting a growth of 2.6% in 2019 and an annual average growth rate of 3.4% for a period of 2019-2024.

However, the attainment of this estimation remains doubtful and challenging seeing the great uncertainty in the trade policy and the wide range of risks.

The world merchandize rate declined at an unexpected rate in 2018. The tariffs on trade between China and United States saw a great growth due to increasing trade tensions and proliferation of national trade restrictive measures in the two Nations.

Apart from the trade policy crosscurrents, geopolitics and sanctions, concerns about the environment, fuel economies and tensions relating to the Strait of Hormuz which is major maritime chokepoint were a part of the headlines.

The growth in the global economy and trade are a part of this trend. A reframing of the supply chain that favours of more regionalized trade flows, a constant rebalancing of the Chinese economy, a great part of technology and services in value chains and logistics, intensified and more frequent natural disasters and disruptions relating to climate and an increase in the sustainability agenda of the environment with a raised awareness about the impact of global warming.

A move to the new normal calls for a better understanding of the major issues at stake, better planning and flexible and policies about the future that can effectively anticipate change and bring in proper response measures that take into account the different nature of developing countries as a group and thier different local conditions and needs.

 

Reference: unctad

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IMO: Training Towards A Sustainable Blue Economy For Africa

By putting in the development of the maritime activity as a major part in the development of Africa, it will help in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals that is very important for IMO. The recent training activity by IMO aims to do the same.

As 38 out of 54 countries in Africa are coastal and more than 90% of the trade is carried out by sea, the future of Africa majorly depends on the health of oceans and a sustainable Blue Economy.

This inclusive, green and clean approach to tackle the resources of maritime is important for the new training course that is being developed in Kenya with support by IMO.

At the International Peace Support Training Centre, a pilot session for the senior government officials of Kenya on the ‘Strategic Maritime Security and Blue Economy Course’ was held. An IMO run module is included in the course which deals with the development of Blue Economy policy by which the participants are learning to explain the present situation, dynamics and the role played by the policy decision makers in the development and implementation of Blue Economy Policies.

 

The participants were challenged to give answers to multiple questions in the event like Is the biggest challenge is the failure to appreciate the value of the maritime sector? Is it fair to say that many African countries do not have a strong maritime culture? If so, how do we change that?

The module highlights the need for all the government agencies, military and civilian to support a national and regional effort instead of operating departmentally. The Participants were also asked to pay attention to the present and future role of women in the maritime community, with IMO’s Women in Maritime Programme mantra: “training, visibility, recognition” underpinning discussions.

It is expected that the course will be brought out to a wider audience once it is complete.

Reference: imo

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DNV GL And MPA Singapore Ink Expanded Maritime R&D MoU To Promote Decarbonization

For the promotion of decarbonisation and for the digital transformation of the shipping industry, the Memorandum of Understanding has been expanded by Singapore’s Maritime Port Authority (MPA) and DNV GL.

The MoU was signed recently by Ms Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive, MPA, and Remi Eriksen, Group President & CEO, DNV GL in Singapore. They have been working together since 2014 for bringing in innovation in the maritime industry.

The three-year MoU covers many trends that are coming up in the maritime industry like new maritime business and operation models that use additive manufacturing for ship spares, digital ledger technologies for port and shipping processes, low and zero carbon ship fuels, maritime battery and battery-hybrid applications, autonomous and remote-controlled ships, and shore-based operation and control centres.

“The operating environment ahead for the maritime industry will be defined by three trends – digitalisation, disruption and decarbonisation. The unprecedented pace of change we face today can impact maritime trade flows, transform business models and impact our collective commitment to sustainability. These demands present the global maritime community with opportunities to come together and cooperate,” commented Ms Quah Ley Hoon.

“Decarbonisation and digitalisation are two important trends shaping the maritime industry. This agreement highlights the emphasis that MPA Singapore and DNV GL place on technological innovation and by working together we will unlock the potential of low and zero carbon shipping, autonomous vessels, and smart port ecosystems,” said Remi Eriksen.

A report about the six months long study that was conducted by DNV GL in partnership with MPA, the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster was also shown in the signing event. It showed that by using additive manufacturing for the printing of marine supply parts, the logistics and inventory costs can be reduced; service quality can be improved and could bring out the role played by

Singapore as an innovative and competitive hub port.

“AM Potential Matrix” has been developed by DNV GL along with the members of the SSA, including ship owners, operators, and ship management companies. This shows the 100 most common marine parts in Singapore which thereby shows the economic viability, technical feasibility and regulatory requirements of using AM technology for each part. MPA and DNV GL will use the study and will work with the other partners of the industry to print, test and install selected marine parts.

Reference: dnvgl

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ITF And Saudi Arabia Join Hands To Support Seafarers

In order to support the seafarers that are calling in on all the ports of Saudi Arabia, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have joined hands.

On 21 October 2019, the IMO Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Essam M. Alammari, met with Steve Trowsdale, ITF Inspectorate Coordinator, and Mohamed Arrachedi, ITF Arab World Network Coordinator, at ITF House.

In the meeting various issues were discussed which included the present requests to support seafarers in Saudi ports, better collaboration between the ITF and the Saudi maritime authorities and the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.

Positive outcomes have already been seen by the working of the joint force with the success in the repatriation of 5 seafarers along with their wages from the vessel MKN 205 in Damman port.

Reference: itfseafarers

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Norway To Tighten Rules For Sewage Discharges Along The Coast

Aiming to reduce the discharge of sewage along the Norwegian coast, a new regulation has been put out on the right ring. They are aiming to roll out the new rules by March 1, 2020.

“The proposal will involve a monthly reduction of sewage emissions. On behalf of the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate has prepared a proposal for new regulations for the discharge of sewage, which has now been sent out on the right. The purpose is to prevent the discharge of sewage and contribute to less sewage discharge along the Norwegian coast, especially in inland waters with less electricity and less water exchange.

The potential for sewage discharges is great, and the proposal will entail a monthly reduction of sewage emissions and help to protect the environment and health”, says Bjørn E. Pedersen, Department Director of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate.

Applicable rules

The requirement for emissions in the Norwegian Waters is less stringent than those in the international regulations in MARPOL Annex IV that says that the limit for the emission of sewage is at 12 nautical miles. Moreover, according to MARPOL Annex IV all the ships that is to be covered by the regulations must be equipped with the sewage treatment plants, grinding / disinfecting plants and / or collection tanks. The boundary for painted and disinfected sewers is at three nautical miles.

The rules of the MARPOL Appendix IV in Norway only apply to the ships in foreign trade on the lines from Lindesnes to the border of Sweden. However, the new one proposes that the emission requirement in MARPOL be applied to the ships in bothe the international and national shipping all over Norway.

Stricter requirements

The proposal aims at ships that have international certificates, irrespective of year of construction and for passenger ships with “small coastal speed” or less, or “coastal fishing or less” with gross tonnage of 400 or more, and which is certified for more than 100 passengers.

The proposal is will also be applicable for the new ships that are being built and are of more than 400 gross tonnes, having the contact date after March 1, 2020. Those that are for more than 15 people and will function in the “small coastal” or “coastal fishing” shipping area.

The ships that operate at a speed which makes it difficult for maintaining the geographical boundary should have sewage treatment plants or paint and disinfectants. Or else they must have a sewage collection tanks on board that can be delivered for emptying. The current emission limits are to be followed by the ships that are not covered under the new boundary.

Reference: sdir

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Australian Cruise Sector’s Economic Impact Rises To $5.2 Billion – CLIA

An increase of 11.2% has been shown by the Australian cruise industry in its total value to the national economy. This means that in the financial year 2018-19 it has contributed $5.2 billion in direct and indirect output.

The annual Economic Impact Assessment that is commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Australian Cruise Association (ACA) released the figures. It also showed that the cruise tourism has been continuously having a major impact on the economy.

According to the assessment compilation by AEC Group, the cruise industry has provided with 18,135 full time jobs which is 6.6% more than that of the previous year.

It also pointed out the 1,240 cruise ship visits bringing 3.8 million passengers and crew visit days. This resulted in the direct expenditure by passengers, crew and cruise lines being $2.5 billion.

“Total cruise passenger spending in 2018-19 increased 17.4% on the previous year to reach almost $1.4 billion,” Mr Katz said. “Cruise passengers now spend an average of $387 each for every day they’re on shore in Australia, which provides enormous benefits to businesses like hotels, restaurants, tour operators and retailers.”

ACA CEO Jill Abel also highlighted that 47 different ports were visited y ships around Australia in the last financial year that brought tourism to some of the most remote coastal communities of the country.

“The economic impact of cruising is not only enormous and growing, it’s also reaching locations that might otherwise be difficult for visitors to access,” Ms Abel said. “The diverse range of ports Australia offers around its coast is attracting more and more cruise lines, while also spreading the economic benefit of cruise tourism to the furthest corners of the continent.”

Other key highlights from the report include:

The accommodation sector was the biggest beneficiary from cruise passengers, receiving $450 million or 33.3% of their combined spend.

The food and beverage sector accounted for almost $274 million or 20.3% of passenger spend, followed by transport ($196 million, 14.5%), retail ($159 million, 11.7%), shore excursions ($133 million, 9.8%) and entertainment ($59 million, 4.4%).

At the start or end of a cruise, international visitors spent the most per day on shore, averaging $569 each, compared to domestic travellers who spent $436 per day.

In a transit port, international visitors each spent an average of $211 per day on shore, while domestic travellers spent $174 per day.

Cruise ship crew members each spent an average of $173 per day while in port, making a combined expenditure of $35 million in 2018-19.

Cruise lines contributed direct expenditure of almost $1.1 billion – an increase of 4.6% on the previous year – spent on items including fuel, food and beverage supplies, port charges and fees, and administration.

NSW received the greatest share of direct expenditure from the cruise industry, receiving $1.55 billion including $1.54 billion in the key gateway port of Sydney.

Among other states, Queensland received direct expenditure of $490 million, followed by Victoria ($168 million), Western Australia ($109 million), South Australia ($67 million), Tasmania ($49 million) and the Northern Territory ($31 million).

Mr Katz said the cruise industry had defied current berthing constraints in Sydney to achieve a high rate of growth in its national economic contribution.

“A lack of available berthing space in Sydney has made it difficult for the cruise industry to increase its capacity in Australia, but this has been countered by significant increases in the amount of spending by cruise passengers,” Mr Katz said. “In the future we look forward to achieving a solution to Sydney’s infrastructure constraints, while at the same time benefitting from investment in other ports such as Brisbane, Cairns, Broome and Eden which are improving their ability to welcome cruise ships.”

Reference: cruising.org.au

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