MARITIME NEWSTuesday, March 18, 2014

International maritime news for seafarers

EU adopts strategy on the Gulf of GuineaThe European Union on Monday drew a blueprint to support Gulf of Guinea countries to address the many challenges of maritime insecurity and organized crime.

Endorsed by EU foreign ministers, the Strategy on the Gulf of Guinea is a comprehensive and long-standing approach of the 28-member bloc to support West and Central African countries' efforts to overcome poverty and attain lasting stability and prosperity, Xinhua reported.

The EU said piracy, armed robbery at sea, organized crime and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Gulf of Guinea region pose serious challenges to human security, human rights, economic activity and trade both at sea and on land.

The strategy also recognizes the need to protect both the populations in the Gulf of Guinea region and European citizens from the threats that emanate from the region.

The strategy is scheduled to be presented to the EU-Africa Summit in April.

Meanwhile, the International Maritime Bureau has also expressed concern on the Gulf of Guinea becoming a piracy hotspot. The organisation said that the number of piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea has increased, that is why it is essential for West Africa's coastal states to work together to improve security.

"Unlike Somalia, there is no failed state in the Gulf of Guinea," the IMB said.

"All the states are functioning entities. These states need to be determined and take action to wipe out piracy."

SAFETYUKHO warns of counterfeit productsThe United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has issued a warning over the dangers posed to the safety of vessels, crews and cargoes by counterfeit nautical charts and publications. The UKHO has now produced a simple guide to help identify genuine Admiralty products. Counterfeit documents do not satisfy the carriage requirements of SOLAS. Their carriage may also fail to satisfy (and may be

contrary to) the laws of Flag State Authorities and Port State Control, as well as increasing the safety risk for vessels, crews and cargoes. Furthermore, carriage of counterfeit documents is against the law of all countries that have signed the Berne Convention on copyright.

UKHO guide is easy to use and helps inspectors to distinguish official Admiralty charts and publications from counterfeit versions. Official Admiralty charts bear the Admiralty 'Flying A' watermark within the paper and also carries a 'thumb label' strip on the reverse, showing Admiralty logo, chart number, geographical area, barcode and date.

Suspect charts and publications can also be identified by comparing them against official Admiralty versions, where variations may be spotted in the look, feel and weight of the product, the colour tone and strength of the ink, the folds on charts and the height and binding quality of publications.

Source : UKHO

Crew safe as two ships collide off JapanEight Myanmarese crew of a South Korean-registered container ship escaped unhurt when their vessel collided with a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship at the mouth of Tokyo Bay early on Tuesday, AFP reported.

The crewmembers, who along with six South Korean personnel, were on a 7,406-tonne container vessel when the ship collided with a Panamanian-flagged 12,630-tonne general cargo ship in the Urawa waterway at about 3:10am, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) said.

The Panamanian vessel was carrying steel coils when it sank after the collision as one Chinese crew member was killed and eight others were missing, the JCG said.

Of the 20 Chinese crew aboard the general cargo ship, "twelve have been rescued, but one of them was later confirmed to be dead," said a coastguard official, adding that eight others were still missing. "We are continuing to search for the eight others still missing" he added.

Cyprus probes suspected buyers in Libya oil ship caseAn investigation is underway to find out the details regarding an oil tanker that had loaded crude at a rebel-held port in Libya. The US Navy Seals have taken control of the tanker while the supposed buyers have already been questioned by the authorities.

Police in the coastal city of Larnaca questioned three suspected buyers on Saturday on suspicion of negotiating to buy crude from the tanker.

Reports said that two Israelis and a Senegalese national have been interrogated in Cyprus but no arrests were made as the local court did not issue an arrest warrant since it was not determined if the three suspects committed the offence while in Cyprus.

The three suspected buyers have already flown to Tel Aviv, reports added.

Local media said the three flew in to Larnaca on a private jet late Friday, hired a boat from the marina and went out to the tanker to negotiate with the crew.

Police monitored their movements and the boat was intercepted once they were back in Cyprus waters, AFP reported.

PH now in possession of draft EMSA audit reportThe Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is now in possession of a copy of the draft report of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audit.

The last stages of the audit took place in October 2013 and a copy was received by Marina Administrator Maximo Mejia Jr. last February 5, PNA reported.

Mejia declined to comment on what the findings are, citing confidentiality clauses, but said that only minor deficiencies have been found and these have no bearing on the Philippines' ability to supply seafarers to European Union-flagged ships of which 80,000 Filipinos are currently serving.

The Marina chair added that they are now co-ordinating with other stakeholders to rectify the minor deficiencies.

Mejia earlier expressed confidence that the Philippines will successfully hurdle last October's EMSA audit and stressed that the country did more than its share to comply with the regulations set by the European body.

Mejia said that harmonisation is now in place with the different agencies tasked to monitor maritime training and education in the country.

Another development that is expected to help the country in getting EMSA approval is the passage of a law that gives sole authority to Marina to handle all the concerns of local seafarers.

This starts from their education to their training, ensuring better efficiency among local seafarers.

Turkey's naval task force sets sail for AfricaTurkey's naval task force set sail for Africa on Monday in a bid to complete a historic 102-day long journey to the continent from the Golcuk naval base in the Marmara Sea.

Fleet commander Veysel Kosele said at a press conference that the "Barbaros" task force will head for Cape of the Good Hope in southern Africa and will make port visits in 27 countries. It will be the first Turkish naval tour to the African continent since1866, PNA reported.

The task force consists of four frigates that will take part in 16 different missions. The frigates will join the "Obangame-Express" exercise led by the United States, conduct firing exercises in South Africa, and join anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.

Kosele said that a total of 781 soldiers will take part in the Africa mission, adding that the visit mirrors Turkish foreign policy of opening to the African countries.

"The navy will rally African countries to support Turkish foreign policy and develop Turkey's relations and cooperation with African countries."

SHIPPINGSlow demand for long-range product tankersThe January-February period has shown a generally low demand as far as large clean product tankers are concerned based on the latest report by shipbroker Gibson.

Gibson said that while "the first half of March returns have improved slightly on steady levels of activity to around USD11,000 per day, ample spot tonnage availability has kept rates in check and prevented further gains."

The shipbroker noted that in LR2 trading in the Middle East-Japan, "TCE earnings in the first two months of the year were unable to cover fully fixed operating expenses."

Despite this, the upcoming winter season is expected to lead to better US exports, helping the tankers recover, Gibson added.

SECURITYHMAS Melbourne returns homeHMAS Melbourne and its crew received a warm welcome after finishing its Middle East mission that saw the aircraft carrier assist in campaigns against illegal drugs overseas.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO, CSC, RAN were among those present upon the arrival of HMAS Melbourne. The vessel was part of a mission that seized USD1 billion worth of illegal drugs.

"The crew deserve acknowledgement for their dedication during this deployment. The boarding party and embarked S70B-2 Seahawk helicopter crew were particularly busy and were outstanding in their performance," HMAS Melbourne Commanding Officer Commander Brian Schlegel RAN said.

INCIDENTSGreece: 7 migrants die in boat sinking, 8 rescued

Authorities in Greece said Tuesday they had recovered the bodies of seven immigrants who drowned overnight when a boat sank in the eastern Aegean Sea after travelling illegally from nearby Turkey, The Associated Press reported.

The Merchant Marine Ministry said eight other people were rescued near the island of Lesvos. Two of the dead were found in the water off the coast of the island, while the other five were recovered from their semi-sunken boat.

Authorities were still searching for two more migrants believed missing from the boat. Three coast guard vessels, a helicopter and private boats were involved in the search.

The migrants' nationalities were not immediately known.

The ministry said the boat sank in good weather about 2.4kms off Lesvos, which is very close to the Turkish coast. The alarm was raised by a small Turkish boat that picked up two survivors in the dark.

Greece is a major transit point for illegal immigration from Asia and Africa into the European Union. Many make the journey to Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast in small boats that are often overloaded and unseaworthy.

In January, 12 immigrants drowned when a boat overturned near the eastern Greek island of Farmakonissi.

MARITIME INSTITUTIONToba National College of Maritime TechnologyEstablished in 1881, the Toba National College of Maritime Technology is the oldest continuously-operated nautical school in Japan.

The Toba National College of Maritime Technology is also one of only five maritime colleges in Japan.

The college was established to bring up proficient technical experts who are able to perform their roles effiently and with autonomy.

Its campus is located the centre of the Ise-Shima National Park. The park-like grounds face a calm inlet of Ikenoura. Behind the campus rises Mt. Asama (555 metres above the sea) with a toll road named Ise-Shima Sky Line.

The campus is easily accessible.

Most of the programmes in Toba College are conducted in Japanese.

The programmes are typically four and a half years long with an additional one and half years of practical training at sea.

The college conducts following maritime programmes: Nautical program for Deck Officers and Captains and Marine Engineering programs for Engineering Officers.

There are also advanced Programmes for marine systems, information technology and mechatronics.

After their academic courses, students of Maritime Technology Department spend one-year of practical training as apprentices aboard large training ships owned by the Institute for Sea Training of Independent Administrative Institution.

These apprentices will undergo training in long distance navigation.

As professional merchant marine officers, they are inevitably responsible for all lives on board, the vessels, and the safe and economical conveyance of valuable cargo to its destination.

Toba is one of the country's sightseeing spots. Plenty of holidaymakers visit the area throughout the year.

SHIPPING DATABALTIC EXCHANGE

Market snapshot: (March 17)Dry Index BDI 1481 +4Capesize Index BCI 2691 +14Panamax Index BPI 1116 +3Supramax Index BSI 1191 +8Handysize Index BHSI 671 (unchanged)

EXCHANGE RATES

New York (Mon Cls) Fgn Currency USD in Fgn in USD CurrencyBritain (Pound) 1.6636 0.6011Canada (Dollar) 0.9047 1.1053China (Yuan) 0.1618 6.1809Euro 1.3921 0.7184India (Rupee) 0.0164 61.0650Indonesia (Rupiah) 0.000088 11340.00Japan (Yen) 0.009830 101.7300Norway (Krone) 0.1681 5.9490Philippines (Peso) 0.0224 44.7000Poland (Zloty) 0.3293 3.0400Russia (Ruble) 0.0275 36.3117Singapore (Dollar) 0.7907 1.2646Ukraine (Hryvnia) 0.1041 9.6055