News in brief December 2009
Confiscated passports returned, Charting shipping nations, Stricter control of ships, The Nordic Navigator Congress celebrates, IMO Year of the Seafarer, VLCC hijacked, Recycling certification.
Confiscated passports returned
After ”Full City” ran aground in Norway this summer, the passports
of two of the Chinese crew were confiscated awaiting the trial which is due to
take place in January next year. After several hearings, the Supreme Court
finally decided that the passports were to be returned to the seamen and they
have now finally been allowed to return home to their families.
Charting shipping nations
A research institute has received an assignment from the Norwegian Maritime
Officers Association (NMOA) and others to chart international regulations and
national schemes governing the adjustment of wages and working conditions for
seafarers.
“We wish to obtain a survey of customs and practice in comparable
shipping countries”, says Captain Hans Sande in NMOA.
Stricter control of ships
The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority is now strengthening and
coordinating its efforts concerning transport of hazardous waste to and from
Norwegian ports. The background for the tightening up of supervision is the
explosion that occurred on the west coast of Norway some time ago.
The Nordic Navigator Congress celebrates its centenary
The Nordic Navigator Associations cooperate through the Nordic Navigator
Congress which holds meetings twice yearly. Next year the congress will be
celebrating its centenary and this occasion will be commemorated in Stockholm,
Sweden, on 24 February, at a seminar and banquet.
Year of the Seafarer
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has declared 2010 as the year of
the Seafarer. ITF Maritime Safety Committee has established an ad hoc
committee. This committee met in Dania Beach, Florida and recommends to the ITF
Seafarer’s Section and the Secretariat:
1) Enjoin all maritime affiliates to begin January 1, 2010, a year long
campaign at the local, national and international level to educate their local
public officials, their lawmaking bodies and their public to the integral part
Seafarer’s play in world trade, the training and skill required to sail
the ships and the personal dedication required to pursue a career at sea.
2) Enjoin industry organizations to provide advice and support.
3) Explore and provide support for effective use of the media to assist
the affiliates in their education process.
4) Provide guidance to the affiliates on best practices to approach
officials at the local and national level to achieve maximum effect with key
decision makers.
5) Appoint a project manager with a dedicated budget to further these
recommendations.
VLCC hijacked
On 29 November a Greek-controlled crude oil tanker (VLCC) was hijacked by
pirates in position 03 03N 061 30E (well East of Socrota). The position is
another confirmation of the pirates’ mobility and capability to
operate
All vessels navigating in the Indian Ocean are advised to consider keeping East
of 60E when routing North/South and to consider routing east of 60E and South
of 10S when proceeding to and from ports in South Africa, Tanzania and
Kenya.
Vessels are also advised not to approach closer than 100 miles from the
position stated in this report and to maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting
suspiciously.
While navigating in the region vessels are urged to maintain strict 24 hour
anti-piracy visual and radar watches, to actively implement recommended
anti-piracy measures and regularly report position/course/speed to UKMTO.
Merchant vessels are requested to report any suspicious activity to UKMTO Dubai
(+97 1505523215 –ukmto@eim.ae)
or IMB PRC (+60 320310014 –imbkl@icc-ccs.org/ piracy@icc-ccs.org).
ISO standard to increase confidence in ship recycling certification
An (ISO) International Organization for Standardization standard for bodies
providing audit and certification of ship recycling management systems, will
increase the safety of workers and environmental protection by facilitating
independent recognition of good practice.
ISO 30003:2009, Ships and marine technology – Ship recycling management
systems – Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of
ship recycling management, aims to instill confidence that the certification
process has been carried out in a competent, consistent and reliable manner.
The document will facilitate the recognition of accredited certification bodies
and the acceptance of their certifications on an international basis.
Read more on www.iso.org
NEWS IN BRIEF is a fresh offer from the Norwegian Maritime Officers’ Association. This monthly newsletter will give a summary of the most recent activities in our association and news of interest to English speaking members and seafarers on Norwegian ships. NEWS IN BRIEF will be distributed by e-mail as well as posted on our website www.sjooff.no. To subscribe, please e-mail oslo@sjooff.no