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Dear Shiptalk Readers,
Welcome to this the May 2007 edition of the Shiptalk newsletter.
Please take your time to read what we have to say this month about issues affecting your everyday lives at sea and do let us know if you have an opinion or comments on any of this month's articles or other issues that you would like to air via Shiptalk.com.
Shiptalk.com……reading you loud and clear
SHIPTALKIMAGES.COM
ShiptalkIMAGES.com provides media companies with a helpful image resource for the design and development of online and print media projects for maritime based companies and organisations. Alternatively marine companies may be creating internal documents that would benefit from the use of good imagery, or publicists who need to bring their stories to life with relevant imagery.
We are sure we can provide you with the image you have been looking for so not why not drop us an image enquiry at enquiries@shiptalkimages.com and we will see what we can do for you.
FEATURED ARTICLE
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CrewManager.Net is a system for managing shipping personnel created and developed by MarIT Ltd continuously for the past ten years and has attained the high recognition of many worldwide customers. It is our pleasure to inform you that MarIT Ltd just offered on the market the latest version of this system. |
The most important advantages of the new version of the system are:
- on-line access from anyplace in the world – you will avoid problems with the synchronization of data
- wide possibilities of configuration – adapt the system to the needs of your own business
- a complex system of searching for seafarers – it allows searching according to age, skill, experience, required certificates, etc
- performance appraisals – you can be sure of the seafarers that you have
- scanner service – you can scan documents and make them accessible to other user
- the possibility of attaching files (such as Word and Excel documents or PDF) to the seafarer's data – you can easily arrange personnel records
- graphic visualization of the crew rotation (Gantt chart) – you can plan the change of the crew simply by drawing it on the screen
- payroll module – you can make all the calculations concerning the wages and holidays of seafarers
- pre-embarkation check – you can make sure that the seafarers have all the required documents
- travel planning – you can plan the seafarers travel down to the smallest detail
- fully configurable security system – users only have access to data which is intended for them
- ship version (on-board) – you can take advantage of the additional possibilities by working with CrewManager.Net on board the ship
- It is worth making mention of the manner in which CrewManager.Net approaches the matter of reporting. In differention to the competition which rather inclines to deliver a large amount of pre-defined reports,
- CrewManager.Net contains a mechanism which properly configured, can generate any report required by the customer. Additionally this mechanism can be used to fill in documents in Microsoft Word or
- Excel. Because of this such documents as eg. applications to offices, accounting schedules and statistical analyses can be generated automatically.
The installation demands only several steps and can be easily performed by an inexperienced person in less than 10 minutes. This is especially important particularly on ships, where qualified staff not is always available.
There also exists the possibility of ordering a dedicated computer which will have the entire software installed – in order to use such software you just need to plug in the computer.
Companies which want to receive a full solution from A to Z can request a dedicated analyst which will analyze your business needs and propose an initiation plan. Such a plan will contain installation details, possible configurations and required reports. For customers which currently use other software for managing personnel, there exists the possibility of transferring data to CrewManager.Net.
CrewManager.Net is sold on the basis of a subscription. This means that the customer does not need to incur the entire cost of purchase at once, but can spread it out over time. For this reason the risk which is carried by the customer is minimal – because at any moment the client can resign from the software and not lose all the invested money.
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SHIPTALK NEWS
The Forum is dead long live the Blog
Many of our avid readers have been predicting this fateful day for some time now. With so much to do and so little time in which to do it, our beloved forum was disappearing under the sheer weight of spam. As such we have had to make our sacrifice for the good of the maritime adventure and axe the forum.
The forum is dead long live the blog! Do not fear you can still have your say via our new blog (very 21 st century) upload is the new download and all that.
So when clicking in the Forum you will now find the blog unlike the auto spammers who will have to go off in search of some other poor unsuspecting forum.
We will keep the blog alive with contemporary and occasionally contentious issues and will look forward to receiving your thoughts and comments.
Ed/Chief blogger
ShiptalkDIRECTORY.com – Free listing offer EXTENDED!
At Shiptalk we are pleased to advise that we have decided to extend our free offer for another month.
As a loyal reader of Shiptalk.com and our monthly newsletter we would like to offer you / your company a free listing in our NEW! industry directory.
Simply register with ShiptalkDIRECTORY upload your company profile and enter the following coupon reference to obtain your free directory listing for a year worth US$250.
Free listing coupon code - STDIR0107
In return for your free listing all we ask is that you continue reading our news and provide a reciprocal link for your website to either www.shiptalk.com or www.shiptalkjobs.com or if you are feeling generous both.
Every month we will provide the company listing with the greatest number of hits during the preceding month with additional exposure through our monthly newsletter.
Why not give it a go?
SAFETY/WELFARE
There are certain accidents that touch almost everyone you meet – the talk in pubs, cafes and restaurants unites in shock, disbelief and a search for answers.
Driven by incessant and disturbing 24-hour rolling news images of a modern ship floating with her keel to the skies, even those who know nothing of the sea or it's perils are compelled to express thoughts on the matter.
The tragic loss of the anchor handler, “Bourbon Dolphin” managed to generate huge interest, across the industry and beyond. A fascination further magnified when the heartbreaking news emerged that the Norwegian Master and his son, who was visiting the ship, were both lost.
It is a family trait that many across shipping share, as so many youngsters have packed their bags and followed in their father's footsteps up the gangway. So for one family to lose it's present and it's future makes the disaster even more human, poignant and terrible.
For a bright, shiny, seemingly well founded vessel such as the ”Dolphin” to succumb to the sea in fine weather doing the work she was designed for has had many experts, both real and armchair, scratching their heads for answers.
The answers will no doubt emerge over time, but regardless of which direction the fingers eventually point we should for now just remember the dangers of the job. Nowadays we hear so many management speak watch words and techniques starting to take hold on ships – so many of them seeking to denigrate vessels and people to nothing more than simple extensions of the shore office, like some kind of remote workers in a satellite centre.
When a vessel is lost it brings the unique nature of ships and the realities of life and work onboard them into sharp focus. Whatever the developments in communications, and the sophisticated equipment onboard, ships are dangerous places, something that it is often all too easy to forget.
Don't Blame it on the Currents
The loss of the cruise ship, “Sea Diamond” was a true tragedy on a number of counts, and once again the skills, training and competence of seafarers has been called to question.
The Master was, not surprisingly, indicted on negligence charges after the vessel foundered on a volcanic reef off Santorini in the Aegean Sea . He along with five other crew members have been hit with blanket charges of causing a shipwreck through negligence, breaching international shipping safety regulations and polluting the environment.
In his defence he has seemingly blamed strong currents for the accident, according to Greek television reports.
Now, who is really to at fault here? Was it the Captain, so eager to impress the passengers with an up close and personal view of the islands, his watchkeepers for not, ahem, watching? Or perhaps the system of safety management that allowed for such arrogant, ignorant refusal to accept that there are certain places ships cannot, and should not go?
The Wheelhouses of today bristle with wonderful pieces of kit…all of which if they are turned on, and if someone consults them will tell you when your ship and the thousands of passengers are about to be dashed onto the rocks.
The facts that have so far emerged do cause concerns for the company's safety philosophy, but pieces of paper and statements of intent can only do so much – if the Master refuses to look at the charts, the echo sounder or his track over the ground then you are pretty much done for!
We are constantly told to avoid apportioning blame, but equally that cannot or should not blind our eyes to the evidence that sometimes people forget to do the basics – most get away with it, but when people are killed, the environment damaged and a ship is lost, perhaps it's not so much about blame, maybe just a real wake-up call.
SECURITY
The RN, the Ipod and the Revolutionary Guard
Mention the Royal Navy and it conjures certain images. From Lord Nelson and Trafalgar, through centuries of proud tradition, perhaps even to the suave and assured 007, Commander James Bond. However in light of the recent so-called Iranian Hostage crisis maybe this image needs reassessing.
What began as a simple boarding and checking exercise, led to the capture of 15 sailors and marines, war hysteria, a publicity coup for the "axis of evil", and ended with the Royal Navy having their noses rubbed in the dirt.
Let's go back to the start...the RN was bimbling around in disputed waters with seeming disregard for the fact that Iran was keeping a close eye on what they were up to. For all the checking of boats perhaps they should have looked a bit harder, then they may have seen the heavily armed gun-boats surging towards them.
Such was the blasé nature that you could pretty much watch every day life on “HMS Cornwall” on Sky News. Apparently Iranian intelligence officers told the 15 British captives they became suspicious about their activities after seeing an interview with one of them on British television! So much for loose lips sink ships...whoever decided to allow TV crews onboard really seems to have added the “moron” to the oxymoron of military intelligence.
Telling the world that you are running amok in disputed waters is one thing, but to then compound the error by not turning your vast monitoring resources on the Republican Guard is a plain daft. To then send boats out beyond the scope of your protection is just idiotic!
In the end it all turned out nice again, as the Iranians got bored with their playthings and released them. Not to be outdone by this generous sprinkling of liberty the MOD then granted the crew the freedom to talk to the press.
Some naturally took advantage of having the chance to put “their side of the story”, and the chance to put money into their bank account, and told tragic tales of lost Ipods, taunts of "Mr Bean", and the longing of a young mother to return to her child.
Quite why you may need an Ipod when you are part of a boarding party is a little puzzling? Perhaps the sailor misunderstood the “party” bit. Plus, to be fair, it probably all gets a boring on the days the Revolutionary Guard don't turn up. Sailors it seems are very much like the Boy Scouts…always prepared. Gun? Check. Lifejacket? Check. Mobile , Ipod, PSP, good book? Check, check, check, check!
It seems that in the wake of this utter farce the RN decided to cease the “stop-and-search” boardings until they were confident they had a system in place capable of properly managing all eventualities. Seems sensible...but do they really have to keep telling everyone what they are up to?
There have been a number of losers in this sorry mess, the reputations of the UK , the Royal Navy and a number of the individuals involved have been besmirched and it will take some time for their standing to be restored.
Mind you the loss of face isn't wholly one sided, as having seen the suits bestowed on the hostages, we don't think the whole saga has done much for the Iranian Tailors Guild. The tight and shiny look is like soooo Eighties.
LOST – Real Life Drama on the High Seas
One of Hollywood 's surprise successes last year was the movie, “Open Water 2: Adrift”.
The premise of the picture being that a weekend cruise on a luxurious party yacht goes horribly wrong for a group of old high-school friends as they forget to lower a ladder before they jump into the ocean for a swim. D'Oh!
The boat then proves impossible to climb into and so they are stuck in the water many miles from shore. Soon the exhaustion of keeping afloat and the struggle to get back on board begin to take a terrible toll. The happy reunion turns into a fight for survival…blah, blah, blah.
It seems a real life “Adrift” took place off Australia last month, as a yacht, the Kazz II, was found drifting off the North Queensland coast, the only thing missing being the people!!!!! Spooky!
An air and sea rescue operation was launched to retrace the yacht's voyage, and pinpoint the search area. Rescue crews were “puzzled by the mysterious disappearance”, and it sparked a media frenzy of speculation.
"The engine was running, there was a laptop set up on the table which was running, the radio was working... and there was food and utensils set on the table ready to eat," said Jon Hall, a spokesman for Queensland 's Emergency Management office. "It was a bit strange," he added.
It appears the consensus has it the crew were washed overboard in bad weather.
That seems credible until you look at the images of the abandoned vessel more closely. Firstly it would take a lot of bad weather and water on the deck to wash three overboard, especially as the vessel didn't seem that low in the water. It also seems that there were neatly folded clothes with sunglasses on the top of them near the transom. Seems very odd that people could be washed away but not their clothes.
In addition there was a fishing rod still on the deck, with the line in the water, but of most interest is the fact that the vessel had three fenders over the side. Strongly suggesting that another vessel had come alongside…
We smell a rat and another movie coming on!
GENERAL
What a Port State of Affairs
It seems the patience of senior staff at the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) over wages has finally snapped and they have voted to take strike action in protest at the latest pay deal on offer.
As a result marine surveyors, and senior managers, including directors and deputy directors, will refuse to work overtime or provide any out of hours coverage.
They will also stop using their own vehicles (presumably bicycles, the poor dears) to travel to and from any surveying work.
The action is due to take place shortly and so there has never been a better time for substandard ships to come to port…so long as they arrive after 1700, or at weekends!
Pay negotiator John Ferrett said, “The below inflation award compounds existing frustration at the disparities in pay between MCA surveyors and comparable Department for Transport colleagues in the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) who are paid literally twice as much."
Weird that the MAIB should earn so much more, as the received wisdom is that prevention is better than cure. However this does sound a little like sour grapes from bickering children…boo hoo sir, sir, he gets more than me!!!!
There seems to be a long history of enmity between the two organisations…perhaps Southampton ain't big enough for the both of them. John Ferrett added: "Our members' patience with the repeated promises from the MCA board that there will be jam tomorrow' has finally worn out."
So there may be no jam, but there looks to be a sticky mess to sort out!
Did you know that the North American beaver has the densest fur of any animal? Oh you did, well done.
Ok smarty pants did you know that once a year, one lucky sailor arriving into Toronto gets to find out first hand? Thought not! Anyway the honour of donning an antique silk and beaver skin hat is afforded annually to the Master of the first ocean going ship to enter the port each Spring, once the winter ice has melted away.
Last month the privilege went to Captain Kompaniyets, of the vessel “Puffin”. "This is an honour," the Ukraine-born captain said at a celebratory party, as guests mingled and a steward served wine, cheese, fruit and finger food.
Harbour Master Angus Armstrong placed the hat on the head of Kompaniyets, who returned the favour with a ball cap inscribed with his ship's name. The Master then received further gifts, a briefcase and a cheque for $100.
The silk and beaver titfer was originally made in London for Captain John Hooper Meade, and was donated for the ceremony in 1861.
"We used to let the captains keep the hat for 24 hours, but then one poured beer into it," Armstrong said.
Not anymore they wouldn't – we imagine that finding a Master on the Bridge with a beer soaked beaver would really give port State inspector something to write about.
ENVIRONMENTAL
When the Poo hits the Prop – No Laughing Matter
We at Shiptalk love a laugh, so as you might expect April Fools Day is always a hoot in the office, clingfilm over the toilet seat, glue on the phones and biro refills removed, etc, etc, etc, etc oh and loads more besides...
This year April 1st brought news of what surely must be the biggest joke of all time ...yes, the European Union ‘Ship Source Pollution Directive' came into force.
Despite the ironic timing it's really not that funny, as the EU takes the gloves off, "We must get tough on illegal discharges and gross negligence must be fought at all cost: the threat of criminal penalties hanging over polluters' heads will help to protect our coasts. We cannot tolerate deliberate pollution or gross negligence by a minority of operators who tarnish the image of the shipping industry," said Jacques Barrot, Commission Vice-President in charge of transport.
This is really where the sewage hits the prop, especially in the cases of pollution caused by “serious negligence”. This, according to m'learned friends is an imprecise expression and there are real worries about how it would be interpreted by a Court after a high profile incident.
The inexorable march towards criminalisation of seafarers has caused rightful condemnation, however with this rule the buck does not stop on the Bridge or in the ECR. The Directive extends to any persons who cause or contribute to pollution, so charterers, classification societies, salvors and others may find themselves facing criminal proceedings, even though the pollution was caused accidentally.
The Directive is under challenge from a number of industry bodies, and INTERTANKO has petitioned the European Court of Justice to consider the legality of certain features of the Directive, particularly in relation to areas of potential conflict with MARPOL.
Such ill-conceived laws are folly of the most damaging kind. The Directive really is another nail in the coffin of a once great profession (perhaps even an industry)...and even those working ashore aren't safe!
It really is a very sad day when accidents are no longer deemed accidental, and when everyone is painted a criminal regardless of intent.
It was interesting to note the different approach the UK authorities used last month when the Firth of Forth was pumped full of filth. No police cars to take away the sewage plant manager, no witch hunt, just a stern telling off, the gentle promise of an investigation, and probably some derisory company fine.
This approach could not be more different to the treatment afford to seafarers. As all manner of toilet waste littered the beaches Thames Water spoke of, "excrement in a semi-solid state being washed up”. It seems the pungent aroma of Edinburgh 's bodily detritus is not the only thing that stinks!
We dread to see what next April Fools Day brings.
PEOPLE MATTERS
“Prozac” Management Keeps Officers Distinctly Average
In many ways the derision and lack of appreciation facing seafarers, particular senior officers, while regrettable seems sadly inevitable.
We live in the management system age, and by its very nature this “ISO-mentality” exists to lump all within a common denominator – a way of convincing yourself to do business with (or employ) those who otherwise you may not trust or be naturally drawn towards.
What we see on ships is that the management system approach acts like Prozac, it simply lops the peaks and troughs off the proficiency wave curve. The good and the bad vanish and instead everyone is average!
In this climate how can one demonstrate excellence? What chance to forge a career and to show excellence at your job?
The core aims of shipping are so fundamental that it is almost impossible to strive above them. It sounds simple; get the crew, ship and cargo to its destination on time, and in one piece…without messing the place up in the process.
So how can someone reach higher? Avoiding collisions is mandatory, as too is saving lives…the Master who gets his ship into port early would soon get a flea in the ear from the office work experience kid.
Despite the erosion of excellence, the finger pointing, the risk of persecution and incarceration there is perhaps still one shining light for those who manage not to kill, maim, pollute or spill coffee on the checklists, that is the Nautical Institute award for the “Shipmaster of the Year”.
Run in conjunction with Lloyd's List, this is seemingly a last ditch attempt to fly the flag for those who exceed the standards and expectations, and for whom professionalism is still something real and positive.
The NI awards have been given for lifelong professionalism and leadership, but are often awarded for acts of considerable seamanship and bravery. This year's award commemorated the work of the master and crew of the combination carrier, “Searose G” for their brilliant shiphandling and courageous recovery of nine seafarers from a liferaft in appalling conditions in a Mediterranean storm.
Despite the positives it was stressed by Nautical Institute Chief Executive, Philip Wake, that despite the large numbers of nominations received, very few came from owners and managers.
The employers, it seems, are turning their back on the idea of excellence, reward and recognition, and all this despite the fact that they are, according to Wake, “among the first to complain about the negative image of shipping”.
If only we worked in a profession that revelled in skill, quality and commitment – perhaps we wouldn't be facing shortages of seafarers into he future.
Appreciating someone costs nothing, but can be of so much value! So the message is simple, look for the best and reward them. It doesn't seem too much to ask.
CRUISE
The Rise and Fall of the Titanic Lovers
“When good loving goes bad”, that's probably how the US news anchors reported that two young “lovers” had fallen off a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico .
The two forlorn drunken lovers, one an Air Force Cadet, Ernesto Guzman, the other a 20 year-old student, Celeste Clarice Partee fell (literally) in love from about nine stories off a stateroom balcony onboard the “Grand Princess”.
Thankfully they both survived the plunge, and after treading water were lucky to eventually get picked up by the USCG hours later.
Slowly stories have emerged that it may be a case of Partee by name, Party by nature, as witnesses suggested that the couple may have been involved in what has been described by some observers as, “sexual horseplay”.
Ah it's the motion of the ocean don'tcha know!
The peeping toms, ahem, sorry “eye witnesses” actually took a photo of the couple, and according to their reports, Guzman and Partee, were re-enacting a scene from the movie Titanic when they fell from the railing into the Gulf.
One passenger reported noticing something going on three decks below her cabin. "It was Titanic in nature, but it certainly wasn't the Titanic scene," she quipped and added that the couple had been engaging in “hanky-panky moments before their tumble”.
The US website CruiseCritic surveyed its readers after the event, "Is it possible to accidentally fall overboard? They asked.
60% of the respondents stated that “yes” it is very easy to fall off a ship…with the caveat, ”if you're drunk and stupid”. If you add “horny” as well you really are headed for a tumble.
We can't wait to see the politically correct advice in passenger cabins following this accident, “Dear Passenger, If you are intending on making love please ensure you take the correct precautions…a lifejacket and warm clothing”.
Kind of ruins the moment.
Tickets? Passport? Tuxedo? There are some basics your average cruise passenger just won't climb the gangway without…but one fruity cruiser was recently found with something rather more exciting hidden away deep in their luggage.
The contents of one particular suitcase caused rather a stir on the Carnival Cruise Lines' “Sensation” recently, as a bomb scare uncovered a saucy secret.
A caller contacted Carnivals' main headquarters stating that a bomb had been planted aboard the 2,052-passenger “Sensation “, and that it was primed to explode at 1700.
Carnival immediately notified the USCG and local authorities. Passengers and crew were evacuated from the ship, and when 1700 came and there was no explosion, a vessel-wide search was conducted by crew.
As the search continued the crew located a suitcase that was, “making an odd noise”. The suitcase was isolated and subjected to closer inspection by law enforcement agents. Upon opening the case they found, yes you guessed it, an “adult novelty item”.
We would love to have seen the offending item handed back to it's rightful owner in front of all the other passengers…”Excuse me Ma'am, is this your black mambo rib tickler?”
So the advice is clear if you must take such illicit downstairs pleasuring equipment on vacation please take the batteries out first!!! Bzzzzzzzzzzz
CAREERS
For a Few Dollars More
Just don't, according to V Ships, reward them with cash.
The matter of money, money, money seems to have been taxing the great minds of the Shipmanagement community of late (well, when doesn't it).
Bob Bishop, chief executive of ship manager V Ships lambasted other operators last month for poaching qualified officers, and for then (gasp) paying them more. What a nerve!
Bishop bashed operators who are paying officers too much and suggested that some officers will be, “earning more than the presidents and prime ministers of their countries.”
He was also worried that this meant that such cash rich highfliers therefore don't stick around on ships, “they don't need to stay at sea as long and can retire ashore and afford to buy a hotel, so they're lost to the industry forever.” He has a point, we hear you can't get near the Craps table in Monaco for old V Ships sea dogs.
In light of these pecuniary concerns it is V Ships' avowed goal is to double its seafarer base by 2010, by means of significant increases in recruitment centres and, rather sinisterly, by “other measures”. We dread to think…
In all honesty we wonder how long before some loyal Master or Chief will really be out earning the likes of poor old Bob? We respectfully suggest that by then they'll probably be at the helm of a spaceship delivering cargo from the moon dust mines.
We realise that such talk may be rather revolutionary, but can't we gain loyalty in this funny industry of ours and still reward adequately? Things like health care, adequate legal cover, free broadband in cabins, and good food, hey and how about some extra crew to lessen the administrative burdens, not to mention a little respect and recognition.
Nah, forget it, it sounds easier just to chuck money at ‘em…after all, once all these new builds come on stream and the freight rates drop we wouldn't want the poor shipmanagers to be stuck with ships full off expensive long-term commitments.
Anyway as the saying goes, let them go and if they come back they are yours to keep…until someone offers a few dollars more.
Cruise ships often have to brace themselves for the arrival of unruly passengers, but they seldom have to ready themselves for potentially drunken and violent crew.
The “MSC Orchestra” begins her maiden voyage this month, and among her thousand strong crew will be nine Samoans. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, it seems Samoans have seemingly acquired a reputation for drunkenness, violence and good old fashioned ill-discipline. Many a Samoan seafarer has, it seems, been banished home in disgrace after the odd drink, fight or indiscretion.
Despite the fears, the Samoan deputy PM has claimed that things are getting better, as only four Samoans were returned home for ill-discipline last year.
According to the head of Samoa Shipping Services, it seems that alcohol is the root of this evil. Too much, it seems, can cause even the most conscientious and chilled out Samoan seafarer to sleep in, become disobedient, or to go mental!
He did stress though that instances of drunken Samoans beating up fellow workers appeared to be a thing of the past.
As is often way some have seen that God may hold the answer, and in a prayer service held for the Samoan crew as they left for Europe, the pastor warned that the world and its evils “pulled at” them, “Do not be dragged into bad things” they were told. Ah, just what Mother Shiptalk used to say, and look what happened to us!
Despite all the fuss it seems that Samoans aren't the Kings of the wild frontier, no, it's the pesky Tuvaluans who are the real bad boys on the block. Last year a German-owned company had to sack 13 for alcohol abuse over a two year period.
The most serious incident apparently involved five drunken Tuvaluans trying to stab the officer of the watch who was forced to flee, leaving the bridge of the ship unmanned in mid-Atlantic.
Ah boys will be boys!
SEAGOING VACANCIES
Current Seagoing Vacancies
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SHORE BASED VACANCIES
Current Shore Based Vacancies With BP |
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WHAT'S ON WHERE?
4th Annual Dry Bulk Shipping Market Outlook
9th & 10th of May 2007
Le Meridien Piccadilly Hotel London
Lloyd's List Events are proud to invite you to the 4th Annual Dry Bulk Shipping Market Outlook Conference. The conference is now one of the most well respected events for the dry bulk shipping sector and 2007 once again sees the conference gather the world's most trusted shipping analysts & industry players to discuss the future for freights.
For full details visit www.lloydslistevents.com/bulkshipping07
Manning & Training Conference
Wednesday 23rd & Thursday 24th May 2007
The Hilton Imperial Hotel, Dubrovnik , Croatia
Lloyd's List events is pleased to announce further details of the 10th European Manning & Training Conference, which will be taking place in Croatia.
Through presentations by industry leaders, expert panel debates and a range of networking opportunities, this event will allow the users and providers of European seafarers to assess the factors affecting the supply, demand and training of officers and crew from this region.
This timely event will bring you up to date with some of the latest issues facing the manning and training industry, as well as offer delegates the opportunity to put their questions to the experts.
The full programme with comprehensive agenda and speaker details can be found at:
www.manningandtraining.com/LM1892
or call the booking hotline on: +44 (0) 20 7017 5511
Wednesday 23rd & Thursday 24th May 2007
The Hilton Imperial Hotel, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Lloyd’s List events is pleased to announce further details of the 10th European Manning & Training Conference, which will be taking place in Croatia.
Through presentations by industry leaders, expert panel debates and a range of networking opportunities, this event will allow the users and providers of European seafarers to assess the factors affecting the supply, demand and training of officers and crew from this region.
This timely event will bring you up to date with some of the latest issues facing the manning and training industry, as well as offer delegates the opportunity to put their questions to the experts.
The full programme with comprehensive agenda and speaker details can be found at:
www.manningandtraining.com/LM1892
or call the booking hotline on +44 (0) 20 7017 5511
ACI'S Maritime Risk Management
Place and dates: Central London 30-31 May 2007
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 368 1654
Website: www.acius.net/?cID=286
E-mail: mmulazzi@acius.net
Contact Name: Melanie Mulazzi
Onboard Risk Protocols to Deliver and Increase your Operational Profitability
ACI's Maritime Risk Management conference will address the most topical risk management and safety issues facing the maritime industry and examine how the industry is managing those risks to drive productivity and profitability.
The event will feature practical case-studies from your industry peers highlighting how these risks are being effectively managed to achieve lower costs, increase productivity and business continuity, thus achieving competitive advantage.
Leading risk management and safety executives such as Captain Panos Hatzikyriakos of OSG, Kuba Szymanski of Dorchester Atlantic Marine or again Graham Ross of Hanseatic Shipping Co and many more will be giving you an insight into the issues behind safety applications across the fleet. The speakers will highlight the key role that technologies and operational strategies play in enhancing security of your fleet.
Staying One Step Ahead of the Regulator
1st International Ship Management Summit
Wednesday June 13th, 2007 Thon Hotel Arena, Lillestrom , Norway
Held in conjunction with Ship Management International, the shipowning and third party shipmanagement sector's leading publication, the 1st International Ship Management Summit will discuss key issues affecting the regulation of today's shipping industry. .
Today's shipping industry is the most regulated it has ever been. Layer upon layer of multilateral and unilateral regulations have compounded shipowners' operating costs to the extent that the options offered by the third party ship manager have become more attractive.
But why haven't the views of the practitioners been taken into account by the regulators as they lay down the rules which govern shipping's future?
This one-day Summit and Round Table Question Time will pit shipmanager with ship owner and shipping industry regulator in the search for answers to questions like:
"What drives the regulator to regulate in the way he does?"
"What does the in-house manager and third party manager need to do to make its voice heard?"
"How can owners and managers work more closely together to ensure their role as influential stakeholder in today's shipping industry is guaranteed?"
For more information or your free copy of the conference brochure CLICK HERE or email conference@elabor8.co.uk. Alternatively you can telephone our conference team on
+44 (0) 1296 682051
Place and dates: 27th & 28th June 2007 , London , UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 368 1654
Website: www.acius.net/?cID=289
E-mail: mmulazzi@acius.net
Contact Name: Melanie Mulazzi
ACI's premier LNG Shipping Finance conference will address the latest trends within the LNG and LPG shipping market, with a particular focus on the most efficient and cost-effective financing methods. Discover how ship owners raise capital, build a business plan and the key challenges in securing financing. The agenda will also consider the current and future risks and opportunities, for both the buyers and sellers of LNG and LPG.
The expert panel of speakers comprises leading financial and investment management executives from global ship owning companies and includes Harry Vafias, CEO of StealthGas, Jean-Charles Papeians, General Counsel of Suez Global LNG, Mohd Ghannam, MD of Qatar Gas Transport Company or again Pedro Solana, Director of Finance and Accounting, Teekay LNG amongst many others.
They will be giving an insight into the key issues behind cutting-edge financing deals across the LNG and LPG shipping market, through key industry case study and best practice presentations.
COMPANY NEWS
Bibby Line Launches £2.3 Million Bicentenary Programme
Liverpool based Bibby Line Ltd in January launched a special programme of events to celebrate their Bicentenary Year. The business will spend £2.3 million on engaging employees through an exciting year long series of events designed to benefit local communities, including a generous £ for £ matching scheme on all funds raised for charity.
Bibby Line Ltd was founded in 1807 by John Bibby and is the oldest family owned deep sea shipping business in the world. The business has evolved during the last 200 years to become Bibby Line Group, encompassing over 4,000 employees across five divisions around the globe.
Bibby International Services (BIS) as part of the Group focuses on providing crew management solutions to the marine industry. With offices in the Isle of Man , India and the Philippines the BIS Group is able to provide global manning solutions and currently has a number of career opportunities on various types of vessels.
Charitable and community support has long been at the heart of the Bibby businesses. The Bicentenary programme has been created to help employees celebrate this very special year and to engage with and benefit local communities and charities. Bibby Line Group employees aim to raise at least £200,000 for charities of their choice during 2007. All funds raised by employees will be matched £ for £ by the business.
Sir Michael Bibby, Bibby Line Group Managing Director comments “We are absolutely thrilled to be celebrating our 200th Birthday and it is very important to us that we share our achievement with our employees and the communities in which we operate. I am confident that lots of our employees will get behind the Bicentenary Programme and that we can really make a difference throughout the course of the year.”
For further information please contact:
Jayne Moore
Bicentenary Programme Manager
Tel: 0151 794 1966
E-mail: bicentenary@bibbyline.co.uk
Website: www.bibbylinegroup.co.uk
Viking Marine Travel – announces new Sales Executive
Following on from the recent success of the marine travel department, Viking Marine Travel are happy to announce that Tony Bishop has recently joined the team. Tony, whose role is Sales Executive – Marine Travel, will be responsible for developing new business within the ship and super yacht maritime environment, and will work closely with existing clients to ensure all travel related matter are to their satisfaction.
Tony joins Viking with a wealth of experience in the marine travel business. This has been gained while working in a sales capacity with various airlines and operationally with some of the largest marine travel agencies in the UK .
He has worked on behalf of many large shipping/ cruise companies and ship managers, where valuable experience was gained to give an in-depth knowledge of marine travel needs which also benefits all of our clients.
To contact Tony, please email him at tonyb@vikingrecruitment.com or call 01304 240881
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