Features:

z Gib – a victim of its own success

z Hybrid gas tankers imminent
z BW technology close to approval
z Cleaning up the act
z Scrubbers favourite in Greece
z Ship efficiency debate starts
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 TANKEROperator
Vol 7 No 2
Tanker Operator
Contents
Magazine Ltd
Industry news
213 Marsh Wall
London E14 9FJ 06
UK
www.tankeroperator.com

PUBLISHER/EVENTS/
09 Benelux Report
„ Belgian and Dutch
SUBSCRIPTIONS incentives stimulate
Karl Jeffery
Tel: +44 (0)20 7510 4935 domestic flag growth
[email protected] „ Europort expo the biggest
ever
EDITOR
Ian Cochran
Gibraltar
Tel: +44 (0)20 7510 4933
[email protected]
21 „ Space is running out 38 Vapour Control - VOC
„ A European flag recovery systems soon to be
ADVERTISING SALES available
David Jeffries
„ Booming service sector
Only Media Ltd 41 Emissions - Scrubbers get
Tel: +44 (0)20 8674 9444 the nod
[email protected] 47 Ship Efficiency - there are no
easy answers
PRODUCTION
Vivian Chee
Conference Report
Tel: +44 (0)20 8995 5540
[email protected] 50 There are still many issues
SUBSCRIPTION
surrounding TMSA,
Singapore delegates were
6 months (4 issues)
142 /Eur110 /£
$ 75
26 Technology
told
1 year (8 issues) 26 Ship Description -Small
237/Eur185 /£125
$ hybrid gas carriers
2 years (16 issues) 28 Training - are simulators the
398/Eur310 /£210
$ answer?
Subscription hotline:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7510 4935 32 Ballast Water Management -
Fax: +44 (0)20 7510 2344 equipment undergoing type
Email: approval testing
[email protected] 35 Tank Cleaning - return of
Printed by FISCHER Poligrafia the single nozzle cleaner
ul. Dabró
wki 10
40-081 Katowice
Poland

Features:
z Gib –a victim of its own success
z Hybrid gas tankers imminent
z BW technology close to approval
z Cleaning up the act
z Scrubbers favourite in Greece
Front cover photo -In the next few weeks, Inmarsat
is to unveil details of its new broadband package
z Ship efficiency debate starts

$ 6 & 2 L O GI     

Need anchors and chains?

www.wortelboer.nl
November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 01
COMMENT

Just what is going on?

As we come to the end authorities intend to implement to act in isolation (unilaterally) that it made sense for these to be
of another year, instead this requirement retrospectively. and support the work being done co-ordinated to maximise their
of getting easier, the The group said that they were at the IMO. effectiveness.
shipping business seems very supportive of efforts to The outcome of the recent IMO The next meeting of the group
to be becoming more resolve this problem at the IMO Singapore Meeting on the will be in December 2007. We
complex. Assembly where it is being Malacca and Singapore Straits await with bated breath.
Today and over the next few suggested that prompt ratifications was discussed and in particular Apart from ballast water
months, there are and will be a should be encouraged, but a proposals for voluntary management, mentioned by the
multitude of things for a ship group, we currently have the
operator, manager and owner to
think about. Safety and the
environment are on everybody's
lips bringing with them the
“ The group urged the EU/EC
not to act in isolation (unilaterally)
emissions debate, recently boiled
down to a scrubber versus
distillate fuel (see page 41 of this
issue) argument, although there
seemingly unending plethora of are other proposals on the table.
rules, regulations and
and support the work being done The IMO is due to give its
at the IMO.
”
recommendations. judgement by the end of this year.
Towards the end of September Then there are coatings
the 'great and the good' concerns, both external and
represented by the chairmen of mechanism is being proposed to contributions to the Aids to internal and perhaps of most
the round table of international defer the date of implementation Navigation Fund were reviewed. immediate importance - where is
shipping associations (BIMCO, of the requirement for new Various ways in which the the desperately needed new
ICS, INTERCARGO and treatment equipment. shipping industry could provide officer intake going to come from
INTERTANKO) met in Tokyo A number of safety issues were support were discussed. to cope with the newbuilding
prior to the start of the tripartite discussed including the deliveries?
meeting on shipbuilding issues, Standardisation of Instruction Profile worries Training issues, lack of
which is another area for concern. Manuals; the Development of Industry profile, or lack of it, also drydock availability, fuel and
We thought it was worth Maintenance Friendly Ship came under the spotlight, The lubeoil, increased vetting
commenting on the discussions, Designs; the Design of 'Fit for group said that there was a need procedures and many other
in case somebody has forgotten Purpose' Ships; and the IMO to continue improving a positive concerns have all been raised at
just what was going on. In Member State Audit Scheme. profile for the shipping industry. various times during the year.
particular, the group focused on It was agreed that there should be If this was not enough, the
the revision of MARPOL Annex EU issues more emphasis placed on how beleaguered tanker owner is
VI and the progress of the With regard to the EU regulatory this could be achieved. In going through a phase of
Scientific Group on Air issues, the group discussed a particular the development and softening rates across the board,
Emissions. In addition, they number of issues, such as the the expansion of the Maritime some of which had reached below
expressed a desire to get more Green Paper on Ship Recycling, Industry Foundation was to be operating cost level. However, as
involved with the progress of Class Liability, the proposals for encouraged. At the same time it in the past, there was not an
Goal Based Standards and the an EU Maritime Policy (Borg was recognised that there were awful amount of sympathy
implementation of the Ballast Process) and the Ship Source many other initiatives being expressed for the poor old
TO
Water Convention. Pollution hearing before the proposed across the industry and shipowner.
On the ballast water issue, there European Court of Justice in
was concern was expressed (see Luxembourg. A number of these
page 32 of this issue for an
update) that IMO's MEPC56
meeting was unable to agree to
issues were in the final stages of
deliberation and it was agreed
that the industry needed to pay
TANKEROperator
suspend the date for
implementation of the requirement
close attention to the ensuing
legislative processes.
The Latest News is now available
for new treatment equipment.
Poblems have arisen because
There was detailed
consideration on the current
on TANKEROperator’s website at
the equipment necessary for the position of the Industry Working www.tankeroperator.com
treatment and measurement of Group on the EU Green Paper on
invasive species has not been Ship Recycling, with concerns and is updated weekly.
type-approved and is not yet raised that the EC seemed to be
available to shipowners. This will determined to impose EU Waste
lead to confusion when the Management Law on the
convention enters into force, as international shipping industry.
some Port State Control (PSC) The group urged the EU/EC not

02 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

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INDUSTRY - MARKETS

Growth in chemical
tanker cargoes seen
The reclassification of products and chemicals carried on board tankers from
1st January this year has led to a huge increase in trade in cargoes under
MARPOL Annex II, a leading consultant said.
ccording to Fred with about 29.5 mill tonnes of types were 19 mill tonnes in total, We are also seeing evolving

A Doll of Doll
Shipping
Consultancy
speaking at a recent conference,
the cargo carried in hulls under
seaborne trade forecast for this
year, Doll said. This compares
with just 13 mill tonnes shipped
in 2000. Soybean oils has grown
to a projected 10 mill tonnes from
while IMO type III tankers
amounted to 26 mill tonnes. The
totals included 7.9 mill tonnes of
stainless steel capacity.
The orderbook for these types
trading patterns, Doll said. Many
IMO class tankers are being
delivered from Asian shipyards
and need to reposition to Europe.
But, there are few cargoes
the new regime increased to 145 7 mill tonnes in 2000. amounted to 763 vessels of 20.8 moving in that direction.
mill tonnes, up from 55 mill The rapeseed (canola) oil trade mill dwt, some 46% of the However, there is growth in the
tonnes in 2005. The major decreased from 2 mill tonnes in existing fleet. The majority at Straits of Malacca/Europe palm
changes included vegetable oils 2000 to 1 mill tonnes in 2003 and 10.6 mill dwt were due for oil trade which has led to time
up to 50 mill tonnes, methanol to then grew to 2.1 mill tonnes in delivery from 2009 onward. Here, chartering by agribusinesses. For
18 mill tonnes and ethylene 2006 and 2007 on the back of the IMO II capacity seemed to be example, palm oil traders could
glycol rising to 8 mill tonnes. biofuels demand, while other favourite at 11.6 mill dwt, time charter a 38,000 dwt -
The forecast for the seaborne vegetable oil cargoes are forecast to followed by IMO III at 9.2 mill 51,000 dwt IMO III double hull
trade of vegetable oils, chemicals be around 17 mill tonnes this year, dwt. The stainless steel types tanker strait from the yard, the
and related cargoes this year is 164 up from 11 mill tonnes in 2000. were 2.7 mill dwt. vessel then ballasts to the
mill tonnes with organic cargoes The 23 mill tonnes growth Doll said that double hull IMO Malacca Straits to load palm oil
making up the highest rating at predicted in the seaborne trade of III were the key area of overlap for Europe, mainly for the major
48%, vegetable oils in second vegetable oils is led by palm oil among the chemical, edible oil, northern European ports, or the
place at 32%, with inorganic and which is forecast to grow by 16 and clean product trades. At Mediterranean, including Turkey
other cargoes totalling 10% each. mill tonnes. The soybean growth present, they represent around and the Black Sea. In both cases,
Under the new regime, forecast of 3 mill tonnes on the 28% of the handysize trading the vessel will often discharge at
vegetable oils now account for back of key trades utilising longer fleet and 44% of the orderbook. more than one port.
about 32% of all the chemical steaming distances and the He found that many IMO II and When looking ahead, several
tanker trades. Historically, the potential for transhipment. The IMO III vessels have been built for key factors have to be taken into
more traditional uses have fuelled growth in sunflower oil comes in owners who have little or no account. These include;
the strongest growth. These at 2 mill tonnes is backed by history of operating in the „ Around 60 vessels either
include food and oleochemicals increased Black Sea export trades chemicals and edible oil markets. converted, or earmarked for
growth, which is driven by a rising and the key small tanker trades. A coated IMO chemical class conversion, to double hull
population and income resulting in tanker can be an inexpensive vessel amounting to about 1.7 mill
related improvements to diet and Handysize to order new relative to product dwt of tonnage, averaging
consumer products consumption. Doll calculated that there were tankers, Doll claimed, due to; 30,000 dwt per vessel.
Recently, biofuels usage is also 2,527 handysize tankers in the 1) Many standard designs can be „ A large orderbook in both the
growing backed by strong 10,000-59,999 dwt range totalling upgraded at low cost. chemical and product carrier
governmental support and higher 78.8 mill dwt. In addition there 2) Standard one deepwell pump sectors.
petroleum prices. However, the were a further 1,153 tankers of 38 per tank with sump design „ The current clean tanker spot
higher vegetable oil costs are also mill dwt on order, which equates can meet stripping standards. market is averaging around
hurting the economics as more to 48% of the existing fleet. The 3) Smaller vessels, of say under $19,000 per day, compared
capacity comes on stream. Strong delivery profile of the orderbook 35,000 dwt, can meet IMO II with $27,000 per day last year.
demand is driving the high prices is 5.9 mill dwt this year, 11.9 mill class 3,000 cu m limits with a To sum up, Doll described the
which in turn could affect future dwt in 2008 and 20.2 mill dwt in standard tank configuration. fundamental changes that have
demand. 2009 onward. He warned that if the specialist already taken place in the vegoil
This year around 56 mill As for chemical tankers tanker rate differentials become market. These include - increasing
tonnes of vegetable oils are certificated to ship IMO 1, II or III too high against those of CPP freight rates and the switch to
forecast to be shipped, compared type cargoes, these totalled 1,553 tankers, more product tanker IMO II or double hull IMO III
with 33 mill tonnes in 2000. vessels of 45.4 mill dwt. Broken operators will be tempted to enter chemical tankers resulting in the
Palm oil still accounts for the down into capacities, IMO 1 types the relatively easy 'adjacent' vegoil trades becoming part of a
largest sector of vegetable oils totalled 0.4 mill tonnes , IMO II sectors, for example - easychems. broader tanker market. TO

04 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

Winner - Sea Trade, Finalist - Lloyd's List,
Dubai International Middle East and Indian
Maritime Awards, 2006 for Subcontinent Awards, 2006 for
“Outstanding Maritime Services” “Shipping Agent of the Year”
INDUSTRY - NEWS

BMT looks to the future US policy makers slammed

BMT SeaTech, a "The more hull resistance The energy community inefficient "hodge-podge"
subsidiary of the BMT encountered, the more power is in New York gathered in refineries in the US such as
Group, is ramping up its needed, the larger the emissions early October to hear Exxon Mobil's 1950's vintage
safety, security and and the carbon footprint," Lucio “Lou” Noto, the facility at Beaumont, Texas.
environmental services. he said. former ceo of Mobil Oil In talking about refinery
Part of this initiative has involved The consultancy is currently Corp prior to its 1999 spreads and potential patterns of
the appointment of Robert testing a new suite of software, merger with Exxon. trade, he offered: "You are much
Hellrand as marine safety and which will take data from many Among them were better off importing crude oil in
compliance group manager. One different sources on board TANKEROperator's big ships, from a very fungible
of the ideas is to change the simultaneously and collate it. One correspondent Barry market, and moving it to where
whole area of risk to a proactive of the advantages will be that an Parker. you are, and making the products
rather than a reactive regime. owner/operator/manager and the He kicked off with the problem in that you want." This was
This can be done by analysing officers on board will be able to the US oil business is that "we contrasted with the current
the risks that are evident on board see where they are able to save are not acting like buyers." situation "...of scurrying around
a vessel and their consequences. fuel during a voyage by analysing Noto, who remained with the the market, trying to find the right
One area is stress monitoring - the vessel's performance, such as merged entity until 2001, is now grades, which you import in more
BMT was one of the forerunners fuel consumption versus speed. If an active energy investor through expensive smaller ships. In the
in this area and has developed a the trials are successful, the his Midstream Capital Partners. process, you are exporting jobs
great deal of expertise down the software will be launched later The wide ranging talk, arranged and tax revenues"
years. The consultancy has found this year. by New York brokers Poten & Noto said that the US; "will
that over a long period, a lot of This is part of BMT SeaTech's Partners, jointly with Bloomberg, never be energy-independent,
data has been collected and is ongoing data collating process as presented views on issues that's an impossible dream" but
advising on how to make the best vessel operational issues touching varied aspects of added, "we don't act like
use of this data, both on board the connected to the environment are markets for crude, product and buyers...we don't have an onshore
vessel and ashore. expected to become more LNG vessels. port that can take a VLCC...at
Further analysis using the problematic, while the price of A major trend is an ongoing some point there will be a
stress monitoring software could fuels and lubes are also expected shift that may be in the offing- pipeline bottleneck." He went on
for instance enhance safety, to remain on the high side for the advent of a structural change to recount the ongoing difficulties
vessel maintenance and even for many years to come. in markets. Noto called them with a planned VLCC terminal in
design purposes by combining Hellrand saw the data collected "virtual pipelines"- really bilateral Long Beach, California as well as
stress monitoring with physical being useful in structural analysis, deals where a supplier and with an LNG facility in
inspections. such as investigations into receiver contract for a specific Massachusetts (spearheaded by
Hellrand said that BMT structural failures and in design crude stream, "...much like the Poten and Hess). "We've been
SeaTech was attempting to support. LNG model." One example cited knocking our heads for five
develop this area and open up an BMT SeaTech's hull stress was the Chinese investment in years...we still can't get it
industry debate on the subject. He monitoring software has now dedicated crude oil sources in done...".
said that there was a potential for been fitted on 150 installations, Central Asia. He added: "It's Throughout his talk, Noto
class societies to enhance their including around 50% on tankers, different from the way that the lambasted US policy-makers on
rules by analysing the data many of which are VLCCs. present market is working and it several points. Noting the huge
provided. Another software tool for the could introduce a certain amount subsidies to US farmers keeping
He gave an example of the safe operation of gas tankers is of instability into supply Brazilian material out of the US,
LNGC where the impact of PC Rembrandt. Initially patterns." At the present time, he called ethanol "a boondoggle".
dynamic loads were becoming a developed for the cruise ship Noto felt that current energy Paramount among criticisms has
problem with increasing sizes and sector, the software is currently prices reflected a high uncertainty been the failure of US leaders to
speeds. "Class needs to look at being used by the LNGC industry premium, having been also been implement a coherent energy
the rules and look at the data", and training academies boosted by commodity investors. policy, even under ex oilman
Hellrand said. "There is work to worldwide. Noto's virtual pipelines, with George W Bush. He chided the
be done." Hellrand said this marketing modern refineries optimised for a US government for not backing
BMT SeaTech is split into two effort was also in the wake of particular blend of crude, are not American companies in their
departments - vessel performance increasing gas tanker sizes where going to be connecting to the US contractual disputes with
and safety & compliance. close quarter manoeuvring anytime soon. Indeed, the lack of sovereign nations (Venezuela is
However, there will obviously be becomes a problem. By fresh refining capacity on US one example), and for continued
synergies and overlaps, especially simulating the manoeuvre, the on shores was a recurring theme in impediments on the refining issue
in the field of emissions control. board navigation team is better Noto's talk. He contrasted the where the last US investment
As for the environment, prepared for all eventualities and modern and environmentally occurred in the late 1970s -
Hellrand said that as an example, it could also be useful at the friendly refinery at Yanbu, which "From a policy standpoint...the
LNGCs were becoming more of a vessel and/or terminal design he built while at the helm of regulatory review process is
problem as they become larger. stage. TO Mobil Oil, with old and completely inane," he said. TO

06 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 INDUSTRY - NEWS

Braemar shows its strength

Shipping service group Following a review of the volumes will be required to
Braemar Shipping bunker business, the group ceased maintain current rates.
Services has announced activity in bunker trading in Rates in the LPG chartering
unaudited half-year September 2007, although these market have been strengthening
results for the six months results included the activity for since the beginning of the year due
ended 31st August 2007. the whole of the period. to increasing volumes being moved.
The highlights for the group Chief executive Alan Marsh Ethylene carried in LPG vessels
include; talking specifically about the from the Middle East to Southeast
„ Revenue £68.7mill (2006: tanker broking sector said that Asia for the production of plastics
£50.5 mill), a rise of 36%. Braemar’s deep-sea tanker has been particularly active.
„ Pre-tax profit £7.1 mill (2006: chartering desk increased the LNG chartering has increased
£4.1 mill), up 75% (up 42% if number of transactions concluded recently and voyage rates have
the impairment charge in 2006 though rates generally softened risen from the low levels seen at
is excluded). over the course of the half as the beginning of the year. The
Alan Marsh.
„ Basic EPS 23.66p (2006: newbuildings entered the market. winter months may create further
12.03p), up 97% (up 40% if The steady rise of crude oil the first quarter of the year as the demand and again improve
the impairment charge in 2006 prices since the beginning of the market came to terms with new trading conditions.
is excluded). year has adversely affected regulations, but since then rates Looking ahead, many of the
„ Increased interim dividend refining margins and in turn the have stabilised. Freight rates, delayed LNG facilities projects
declared 8p per share (2006: product trades and this combined particularly for the more are now under construction and
6.75p). with new tonnage coming on sophisticated vessels, were completion dates are becoming
„ Net cash £11.1 mill (31 stream has served to reduce the relatively strong and this is not more visible, which should
August 2006: £8.1 mill, product carrier rates. expected to change significantly absorb the newbuilding tonnage
February 2007: £14.6 mill). Activity levels in the over the forthcoming months, but delivering on schedule. Braemar
„ Falconer Bryan acquired and specialised chemical chartering the introduction of new tonnage is building a dedicated presence
performing well. market were quite variable during means that an increase in in LNG. TO

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 07

INDUSTRY - NEWS

MaK power US tanker series

Caterpillar Marine Power AHL Shipping Company, San assembly. configuration.
Systems has won an Antonio, Texas, following a In total, Caterpillar will deliver Gary Aucoin, MaK business
order to deliver the charter agreement with Shell nine MaK generating sets from its unit manager at Louisiana
generating sets for Trading (US) of Houston, to medium-speed engine facility in Machinery Company, the
prime movers to be transport crude oil, chemicals and Rostock, Germany. Specifications Caterpillar dealer for the US Gulf
fitted on board a trio of products within US domestic were finalised during a recent Coast, said: "We have placed this
US Jones Act 49,000 trades upon their delivery in customer visit to Caterpillar project as a key to our future
dwt tankers. 2009/2010. Motoren in Kiel. success. The tanker business is
Each propulsion unit will be These 188 m long, 32 m wide Shipment of the first set of new to Louisiana Machinery, and
diesel-electric utilising three MaK and 11 m loaded draught tankers engines is scheduled for August the experience gathered will open
12M32C generating sets connected are the first of this size to be built 2008, with the second and third up future opportunities. We are
to Siemens alternators. Each set in the US using modular set due in July 2009 and January committed to building a first-
will weigh about 120 tonnes and construction, involving, among 2010 respectively. There is also class MaK dealership, to
provide 5,760 kWe at 720 rev/min. others- Atlantic Marine Alabama an option to power three more complement the already
The tankers were ordered by - for hull construction and final tankers with the same engine successful Caterpillar dealership."

Berlian Laju Tanker on ratings watch

Standard & Poor's Earlier, BLT confirmed it was to are expected to reduce the crude oil, chemical and LPG
Ratings Services said it take over Chembulk Tankers in an company`s debt which will carriers, while Chembulk operates
has cut its ratings on $850 mill deal. Chembulk operates improve its operations," he said. a fleet of around 19 chemical
Indonesia-based PT in various countries with its head- BLT operates a large fleet of tankers, including newbuildings. TO
Berlian Laju Tanker to quarters in the Marshall Islands.
'B+' from 'BB-' and placed "The value of the acquisition
it on negative watch, reached $850 mill based upon
after the company said it
plans to buy chemical
calculations from Chembulk. The
fund for the purchase will be
EUROPORT 2007
tanker company taken from the company`s cash
Chembulk for $850 mill. fund and bank loans which had
TANKEROperator's Editor Ian
The acquisition will be primarily already been secured from several
funded by new debt, significantly foreign banks," BLT finance Cochran will be out and about and
increasing BLT's $856 mill debt as director Kevin Wong said when
at the end of September, S&P said confirming the acquisition. in and around Rotterdam’s Ahoy
according to Thomson Financial. He also said the company would
Centre during the forthcoming
The expected pro-forma credit seek $750 mill worth of loans from
measures are not in line with a 'BB- four foreign banks namely Fortis, Europort exhibition.
' rated entity, the ratings firm said. DNB (Denmark), ING (the
Also, although the acquisition Netherlands) and NIB (Norway). He can be contacted on cell
of Chembulk Tankers will provide Following the acquisition of
phone; +44 77 48144265.
new trading routes and customers, Chembulk, BLTA will be the third
increasing the company's presence largest shipping company in the Copies of the latest edition of
in Europe and the Americas, it will world in terms of the number of
not really take BLT's regional vessels and loading capacity, TANKEROperator will be available
concentration away from Asia, Wong claimed, adding that "total
on Stand No 1801 and at the
S&P said. loading capacity of the
The 'B+' rating takes into company`s tankers will reach distribution centres.
account improvements in BLT's 820,600 dwt and its international
business profile that arise from market share reached 10%."
the entry in new market segments He said that following the
and an improved fleet profile. acquisition the company hoped its
The watch placement will be net profit this year would rise
resolved after a detailed review of significantly from $70 mill to
the terms of the different funding $120 mill.
Features:
phases and their execution, To ease the debt burden, Wong z Gib – a victim of its own success
z Hybrid gas tankers imminent
z BW technology close to approval

including the company's intention to said that the company would sell z Cleaning up the act
z Scrubbers favourite in Greece
z Ship efficiency debate starts

partially reduce debt through a four of its tankers at an estimated

potential equity injection, S&P said. $480 mill. "The sales proceeds

08 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 INDUSTRY - BENELUX

Dutch tax concessions

stimulate growth
Similar to many areas in Europe, since the mid 1990s, the Dutch government has
targeted the maritime cluster as an area for growth.
ith the growth of deepsea fleet. However, several there are 11,800 maritime related treatment of profits, the

W Rotterdam and to
a lesser extent
Amsterdam as
major world ports, a huge service
industry has grown up in Holland.
companies now have operations
and management divisions in
Holland, including Stolt Nielsen,
Odfjell plus others.
This is mainly because most of
companies in Holland creating
Eur10.6 bill in added value.
They in turn support nearly
200,000 jobs.
The Dutch register has
participation exemption, the
absence of withholding taxes on
outgoing royalties and interest,
and the large number of bilateral
tax conventions that the
The Dutch were large shipowners their fleets call regularly at Dutch undergone something of a Netherlands concluded with other
until the advent of the high ports, so can easily be accessed resurgence, since the new countries.
European cost regime in the by the shore staff. Holland is also shipping policy came into effect Corporation tax on business
1960s and 1970s, which led to a the home to the Paris MOU Port in 1996. profits is 34.5% (29% on the first
move away to more State Control organisation and The revamped Dutch tax Eur22,689 of taxable profits). The
'accommodating' countries. much of Shell and Unilever, apart system has many features that profits must be determined
While the Netherlands retained from having one the world's make the Netherlands an according to sound business
its strength in coastal and inland largest ports. attractive location for businesses. practice and consistent
shipping, it lost most of its According to official statistics Important elements include the accounting methods. The

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- BEYOND COMPLIANCE -

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 09

INDUSTRY - BENELUX

government claimed that this

system allowed for a profit
determination that is best fitted to
a company's circumstances.
To prevent double taxation on
other sources (income from
labour, net wealth, inheritance
and gifts or on profits) in case the
“ The Dutch tax system is unusual
in that advance agreements can be
The Dutch tax system is participation exemption does not made with the tax inspector with
unusual in that advance apply, the Netherlands concluded
agreements can be made with the bilateral conventions for the regard to the determination
tax inspector with regard to the
determination of taxable profits.
The tax authorities are also
usually willing to issue advance
avoidance of double taxation with
some 60 countries.
The double taxation conventions
apply both to residents of the
of taxable profits.
Since then tax on profits from
”
and the ratings who are liable to
opinions on the application of Netherlands and to those countries shipping activities under Dutch Dutch wage tax.
Dutch tax law on other matters bound by the treaty. fiscal law now offers shipping The government gave an
than taxable profits. companies a choice between example, but said that the actual
For example, among them is Maritime tax climate either the regular system of figures depend on the specific
the question of the valuation of Until some years ago the taxation on the basis of actual circumstances of the personnel
assets to be transferred to the Netherlands was regarded as profits made, or a lump sum involved.
Netherlands. Business people being expensive in a world where taxation based on the net tonnage A seafarer resident in the
therefore know where they stand taxation for maritime activities of the ships operated by the Netherlands earns Eur45,378
even before commitments are was low, resulting in many shipping company, regardless of gross, over which about
made, the government said. shipping companies deciding to the actual profits made. The flag Eur15,882 PAYE tax would
One of the pillars of the Dutch set up their business elsewhere. under which the ships sail is also normally be due. The employer
Corporation Tax Act is the In order to reverse this trend, immaterial. However, once made, (shipowner) withholds this sum.
'participation exemption'. This and to make the Netherlands more the choice cannot be changed for The reduction to which he is
exemption was prompted by the attractive, competitive and a period of 10 years entitled in this instance is 40% of
desire to protect companies from profitable for shipping companies, If the regular system is chosen, Eur45,378 (Eur18,151).
double taxation in the event that a a number of important changes in the shipping company can make Since the reduction may not be
subsidiary channels its profits the fiscal laws were introduced on use of an accelerated depreciation greater than the tax assessment
back to the parent company. 1st January 1996. of 20% per year for sea-going itself, the actual reduction is
vessels. The condition is that Eur15,882. In other words, the
taxable profits from the shipowner is not liable for any
exploitation of sea-going vessels PAYE tax for this employee at all.
can compensate the accelerated The 'remaining' Eur2,269 of tax
depreciation. reduction can be used to lower
Established in 1991, Marine Software provide simple, On the question of seafarer the PAYE tax of other personnel
easy to use and learn software solutions tailored for wages, the tax concessions over liable within the same company
the worldwide maritime industry. and above the corporate tax option to Dutch wage tax and/or social
offered to the owners offer another security premiums.
bonus, which can yield
Assisting with most technical management
considerable savings to shipowners Labour costs
requirements, software modules include:
in wage costs irrespective of the As a result, the labour costs for
crew's nationality. seafarers resident in the
• DNV Type Approved Marine Planned Maintenance In order to apply for this tax Netherlands are reduced by about
• Stock Control concession the crew must be 30%. For seafarers that are only
• Purchasing signed up to a ship sailing under liable to Dutch social security
• Dry Dock 'Refit' Manager the Dutch flag and the shipowner premiums (thus not for wage tax),
• Safety Management must be obliged to withhold Dutch 10% of the fiscal income can be
• ISM Document Manager wage tax and/or social security deducted from the PAYE tax bill.
• Both 'Ship and 'Shore' premiums on the salaries paid to This applies to seafarers who are
the crew (PAYE). The advantages not domiciled in the Netherlands
modules available
offered by this concession do not and the applicable social security
affect the wages received by the treaty stipulates that Dutch social
For further details, please see our crew, and the entire benefits security premiums have to be paid.
website or contact us on: accrue to the company. The total deduction may not
Tel: +44 (0)1304 840009 It works like this - The exceed the total amount of wage
Fax: +44 (0)1304 840075 shipowner or employer still tax and/or social security
Email: [email protected] transfers the PAYE tax to the premiums that should be withheld
Dutch treasury, but this amount is by the shipowner for all his
www.marinesoftware.co.uk reduced by 40% of the fiscal employees (including shore staff)
income of the master, the officers in the Netherlands. TO

10 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

Profit through partnership
You don’t have to be British to enjoy the benefits
of the UK Flag

Quality Ships
Quality People
Quality Service
Quality Support

UK Ship Register – Matching our customers’ high quality standards

UK Ship Register
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 23 8032 9197

Fax: +44 (0) 23 8032 9447

email: [email protected]
www.ukshipregister.co.uk

Stand no. 2H42 in Hall 2

INDUSTRY - BENELUX

Belgians make a
come back
or example, 51% of the Along with its neighbour, the Netherlands, operations, including chartering.

F domestically-controlled
fleet now flies the
Belgian flag and
Antwerp Maritime Academy
expected a 20% increase in student
Belgium has seen something of an upsurge
in shipping, not least the domestic flag.
IMO member states fleets in shipowners are exempt from
Transpetrol controls five MR
product tankers, two panamax
tankers, three LR product tankers
and one aframax/LR2 tankers.
The newbuildings include another
intake by the end of this year. terms of gross tonnage, while the the employers' part of social two aframax/LR2 types for
Boosting the Belgian flag fleet Belgian-controlled fleet is in the security charges, as well as delivery 2009-2010 and two LPG
are the large tankers managed by top 20. from part of the employees' carriers for delivery in 2009.
Euronav, which include two of The Belgian administration social security charges. If
the four 442,000 dwt ULCCs - TI controls ship safety and working special conditions are met, Euronav
Asia and TI Europe. This pair, conditions for domestic seafarers. social social security charges The largest Belgian tanker owner
together with at least three A number of measures taken by of non-EU residents may be and manager is Euronav. As of the
modern VLCCs, also flying the the authorities within the paid in the country of origin. middle of this year, the company
Belgian flag, operate in the framework of the EU State Aid 3) For seafarers employed on owned 17 VLCCs/ ULCCs,
Tankers International pool, which Guidelines have enabled the flag board EU-registered vessels, including two part owned and two
is managed by Euronav. state to become more the shipowners are exempt under construction. Out of this
Currently, the Belgian maritime competitive, the registry claimed. from paying the withholding total, the 305,688 dwt Flandre
remained on long term charter to
Total. The rest were operating in
the Tankers International (TI) pool
on the voyage market.
By the end of this year, the
number of vessels in the TI pool
will number 46. Euronav has
chartered another nine VLCCs,
including the two 50% owned.
TI's Euronav partners include
Essar, OSG, Petronas, Reederei
"NORD" Klaus E Oldendorff,
Sanko and Shinyo.
As well as the large tankers,
Euronav also manages 14
suezmaxes, plus another four on
One of Euronav's Belgian flag ULCCs. order. Another two aframaxes are
bareboat chartered. Many of the
legislation is being revamped These include:- tax on professional income suezmaxes are ice class, some of
aimed at increasing Belgium and 1) Tax measures aimed at levied on seafarer wages, on which are operating to the
in particular Antwerp's attraction supporting local businesses. condition that the seafarers Quebec oil terminal on the St
as a maritime centre. Among the The laws passed in 2002 and concerned are Belgian tax Lawrence River all year round.
initiatives is a revision of the 2004 include a lumpsum profit payers. All the owned vessels are
Belgian seafarer labour setting already in place in Among the household names managed in-house from Antwerp,
agreements, which should be in several EU states (the so- with oil and gas transport Euronav's major shareholders
place by the end of this year. called tonnage tax). interests in Belgium are Anglo- (over 48%) are listed as Saverco
In 2008, the Belgian Register is Shipowners not willing to take Eastern, Euronav, Exmar and (the Saverys family) and Tanklog,
to be audited under the IMO advantage of this system will Transpetrol. The largest in terms whose assets were acquired
voluntary scheme. It is also be offered an attractive of ship numbers are Euronav and in 2005.
seeking election to Group B from alternative tax regime. Exmar. Anglo-Eastern and Exmar
its present position in Group C. 2) The social security of EU Transpetrol have representative Exmar's main expertise lies in the
The Belgian flag, totalling 4.1 seafaring residents comes offices in Belgium, the latter management and operation of gas
mill gt, is ranked in the top 30 of under Belgian law. However, looking after commercial carriers, including LNGs, LPGs,

12 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 INDUSTRY - BENELUX

and petrochemical carriers. discharge into a pipeline system,

Most of the focus has been on the first LNGRV, Excelsior, was
the LNGcs, where Exmar has delivered in January 2005,
successfully developed the followed by the Excellence in
regasification unit, or LNGRV. May 2005 and the Excelerate in
However, Exmar can trace its October 2006.
LNG history back almost 30 In conjunction with Excelerate
years since it agreed a long term Energy, Exmar has five more
charter of the 131,000 cu m LNGRVs on order each having a
Methania to Distrigas in 1978. larger capacity of 150,900 cu m.
Moving on the end of the 1990s, These will be named Explorer,
Exmar saw an opportunity to Express, Exquisite, Expedient and
invest further due to a foreseen Exemplar. Exmar pioneered the LNGRV
increase in demand and attractive As for LPG and petrochemicals,
newbuilding prices. Exmar said it concentrates on the 2008. Exmar Shipmanagement was
This resulted in a series of midsize sector with vessels In addition, Exmar has entered previously known as Tecto and
138,000 cu m LNGCs ordered at ranging from 22,000 cu m to into a joint venture agreement to through its previous affiliates, has
Daewoo. The first vessel, 40,000 cu m capacity. The order 10 fully-pressurised LPG expertise in gas carriers, tankers
Excalibur, was delivered in October company also owns VLGCs and carriers for delivery between and large bulk carriers, as well as
2002 and she was followed by the semi-refrigerated vessels. November 2008 and July 2009. containerships plus floating
Excel in September 2003. Similar to the LNGs, Exmar has In July of this year, Exmar storage and accommodation units.
Joining together with embarked upon a continuous announced it had taken over the Apart from its headquarters in
Excelerate Energy and using its newbuilding programme with two technical and crew management Antwerp, the company also has
Energy Bridge process to regasify more VLGCs due for delivery at of two 20,000 dwt chemical offices in Luxembourg, Germany,
LNG on board a vessel and the end of this year and in early carriers - Moyra and Valerie. India, Cyprus and Singapore. TO

Dutch growth
Through August and by The total gross tonnage and subsidiary of Hamburg-based A classic example of a
the end of September, deadweight on order for all Dutch Essberger group. traditional Dutch shipping
Netherlands controlled shipowners is over 2.4 mill and A newcomer to Dutch shipping, company which is still in
shipping companies 4.1 mill, or 77% and 43% of the Farmsum-based Management operation is the Anthony Veder
ordered another 23 existing fleet respectively. Facilities Group and its shipman- Group
vessels, on top of the About 85% of the agement subsidiary Marin Ship Veders’ Netherlands Antilles
390 inked in previously. newbuildings on order for Dutch Management, will take delivery subsidiary manages the gas ships,
Thus, as of 27 concerns will fly the Dutch flag, of five oil and chemical tankers. giving them the prefix 'Coral'
September 2007, a total while 5% will fly the Cypriot Two will be of 7,100 dwt each, after the Caribbean coral reefs.
of 413 ships were on flag, UK (3%) and Netherlands while the other three will be of Expansion of the gas tanker
order for Dutch account Antilles (2.2%). 17,000 dwt. The larger tankers fleet occurred during the 1970s
at yards worldwide. The remainder will be are in the final stages of being and 1980s, including the
Nearly 40% of the newbuildings registered in Vanuatu, United built at a Turkish shipyard. The introduction of the company's
for the Dutch are on order from Arab Emirates, Cayman Islands, tankers will fly the Dutch flag. first ethylene carrier in 1989. In
domestic yards (158 ships). Antigua & Barbuda, Panama, Boasting a fleet of 50 vessels 1994 it was back to the core
The total gross tonnage of the Marshall Islands, and Italy. including oil, chemical and multi- business with a full focus on gas
current Dutch fleet exceeds 3.1 Although tankers do not purpose vessels, mainly trading in shipping. Fleet expansion
mill and total deadweight is over feature highly, compared with northern Europe and the included five newbuilding gas
9.4 mill tonnes. There are nearly the heady days of Royal Dutch Mediterranean, the company tankers from China plus
170 shipping companies in the Shell, there are 42 tankers on recently said that its aim was to secondhand purchases.
Netherlands.The largest five are order and around 160 in service grow to 60 by 2012. In 1999, the Rotterdam-based
Wagenborg Shipping, Seatrade in the Dutch fleet. The group used to be just a group took delivery of the world's
Groningen, Vroon, Spliethoff and Among the companies owning shipmanagement and crewing first CO2 tanker and last year
Feederlines, who together control tankers flying the Dutch flag are office. It now consists of three ordered its first combined
323 ships. Brostrom, Broere, Clearwater, independent divisions, responsible LNG/LPG/Ethylene carrier.
Elsewhere, the wholly-owned Anthony Veder, Jo Tankers, for the entire management of the The multi-purpose 7,500 cu m
subsidiary of Norway's Stolt- Koole Tanktransport, Tarbit and group, including supporting capacity gas carrier will be built
Nielsen, Stolt-Nielsen Erik Thun. Despite managing its newbuilding, crew management, by Polish shipyard Remontowa
Transportation Group, is vessels from Rotterdam, Stolt and technical and financial and will enter a long term charter
Netherlands based and manages Nielsen has no vessels under the management. They are Marin Ship contract with Gasnor of Norway
nearly 60 vessels, which would Dutch flag except inland Management and Flagship when delivered during the fourth
give it third place. waterway barges. Broere is now a Management Company. quarter of 2008. TO

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 13

EUROPORT PREVIEW

Complex shipbuilding
projects to be highlighted
at biennual exhibition
This year’s Europort Maritime will be devoting special attention to the expertise
available within the Dutch maritime sector.
he organisers said technologies, such as the use of approximately one-third of the Yet despite all of the

T that this year's

exhibition will be
responding to the
increasing tendency to choose
the most advantageous locations
composite building materials and
the employment of preventive
maintenance. In a broader
perspective, it will be spotlighting
Dutch expertise in the areas of
visitors will be coming from
outside the Netherlands. This is a
substantial growth compared to
the 2005 show, claimed the
organisers. By the beginning of
internationally oriented activities,
Europort Maritime will also
market the activities of
companies focusing on the Dutch
market - the Dutch Maritime
for shipbuilding and vessel equipment supply, engineering, this year, about 85% of the trade Cluster. Two years ago, for
outfitting. fleet management, repair and show had already been booked. example, the show attracted
One of the northern European maintenance. At the time of writing, 11 35,760 visitors. The majority
specialities is the handling of The last Europort Maritime international pavilions had came from the Netherlands.
complex shipbuilding projects, attracted visitors from 91 registered as exhibitors. In
such as specialist tankers. The different countries. This year, addition to a special Holland Maritime Health
trade fair will also devote extra more than 950 exhibitors from 35 Marine Equipment pavilion, there As well as the regular dredging
attention to new shipbuilding countries will be exhibiting and will be national exhibits from the and IBT meetings and
Netherlands, UK, Germany, conferences, for the first time
Spain, South Korea, China, there will be a Maritime Health
be in safe hands Denmark, Belgium, Romania and Conference, lasting two days.
www.barbadosmaritime.com
Turkey. During these two days medical
specialists, directors,
Seminars etc policymakers and suppliers of
WHY FLAG WITH BMSR?
This year's event will also medical solutions will debate
PARIS MOU. WHITE LIST.
involve seminars and workshops current and future issues during
PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO PRACTICAL PROBLEMS

OVER 300 FLAG INSPECTORS WORLDWIDE

addressing relevant topics. eight different sessions.
US COAST GUARD’S QUALSHIP 21 Examples are emissions' The conference will focus on
24/7 CONTACT AVAILABILITY
regulations, new liability major issues such as the
SHIP FRIENDLY TAX REGIME
regulations, government management of handling medical
subsidies and the use of claims, analysis of medical data
composite building materials. in port clinics, drugs & alcohol
Being held at the same time as testing, accidents and casualties,
Europort Maritime will be US Coast Guard regulations, crew
conferences and annual meetings health, infections and outbreaks
(including CEDA Dredging Days of disease, the role and scope of
and the First Annual Maritime telemedicine.
Health Conference) attended by Key speakers will include:
participants from throughout Tim Carter - department of
the world. transport IHO.
This year, the organisers will Arvind Sharma - managing
be offering overseas visitors a director, European operations,
substantial VIP programme that Eurasia.
will make it very easy and Natalie Shaw - secretary of
attractive for them to visit the International Shipping
trade fair. They can make use of a Federation.
hotel service, onsite transport, Rob Verbist - Mediport, Port
and VIP lounges and can Clinic Antwerp.
participate in social networking From the beginning of this year
Think about it.
Barbados High Commission, Ship Registry, 1 Great Russell Street, London. WC1B 3ND tel: +44 207 636 5739 fax: +44 207 636 5739 email: [email protected]
events. a digital newsletter containing

14 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 EUROPORT PREVIEW

Naturally for a show based in Rotterdam, Holland Marine Equipment will be taking a high profile.

technological developments, Huang Pingtao will talk about Europort Maritime. The winner of the Maritime
shipbuilding orders, shipowner the exceptional growth in orders Another feature is the Innovation Award 2007 will
and other information was sent out for Chinese shipyards giving Maritime Innovation Award, be revealed by the State
to 7,500 people every two weeks. western businesses greater which is a feature of the show. Secretary of the Ministry of
The digital bulletin, which opportunities. The nominations for this year's Transport, Public Works and
became an important part of Other similar opportunities award have been narrowed down Water - Tineke Huizinga -
Europort Maritime's exist as there are many Romanian to just four. The winner will during the Maritime Awards
communications approach, companies exhibiting in receive the award at a gala on 1st Gala on Thursday 1st of
marked the start of the marketing Rotterdam. Collaboration November. November 2007 in Rotterdam.
campaign aimed at the entire between Dutch companies and The lucky four finalists are:- This event will also feature
maritime sector. It runs run from Romanian shipyards has long „ Huisman-Itrec - subsea three other Dutch maritime
January to November. passed the stage of purely hull complex pipe laying systems. awards - Ship of the Year Award
building and has reached the „ Kranendock Production (KNVTS), the Timmers Award
Key speech equipment suppliers' sector. Systems - Welding robot (VNSI), and the HISWA
One of the key speeches will be This year, with respect to size, system in combination with Excellence Award.
given by Huang Pingtao, the Romanian contribution is the Rinas Weld. Europort Maritime was created
president of the Chinese society largest ever at an international „ Roden Staal - Deck rigger. by the joining of the Rotterdam
of Naval Architects and Marine maritime trade fair. A Romanian „ Silvestris - Glue and rivet Maritime and Europort trade
TO
Engineers (CSNAME). dignitary is also planning to visit connection technology. fairs.

••••

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 15

 EUROPORT PREVIEW

Exhibitors galore The following is a list of just a few of ALPHABRIDGE concept is

Alphatron/Japan Radio offered in several variants
The joint Alphatron /Japan Radio the exhibitors and some of the items ranging from the small
Co (JRC) stand will consist of that they will be showing. ALPHABRIDGE for a 15 m
180 sq m of navigation, pilot boat to a full INS system.
communication and A new full network based
instrumentation equipment. a separate transceiver and compact market. The range of products at multifunction version will also be
JRC is introducing various new controller that allows for a more the show is comprehensive and at show powered by Transas.
products at Europort 2007. These flexible installation approach in includes: Other companies exhibiting on
include the JMA-5200, a recently confined spaces. „ Integrated Marine PABX/PA/ the joint stand include Yokogawa
launched compact radar for small The JFE-380 and JFE-680 are Talk-back systems, and Consilium.
commercial vessels and types of IMO compliant colour ALPHACONNECT 48 and Yokogawa is introducing a new
workboats. echo sounders introduced by JRC 210. Developed and produced gyro compass CMZ 900 series to
Also on view will be the to take advantage of going in Denmark, at Alphatron's the European market. The CMZ
patented Constaview™, a digital paperless. With various screen own facilities they have been 900 B will also be available as
signal processing technology, display options it will be suited to installed on more than 180 ALPHABASICCOURSE
which gathers all information any number of operational vessels, since their Being in partnership with
received from the radar and fully criteria, with the capability to introduction. Alphatron Marine for many years,
processes this within a few record to internal memory for a „ ALPHALINE instrument line Consilium is presenting the latest
milliseconds before being period of 24 hours as well as the MF. Combining analogue and products ranging from voyage
displayed, generating a smooth possibility to connect the display digital presentation in one data recorders, doppler speed logs
image rotation. to an optional printer. instrument offered in several to the new exhaust gas
variants. measurement system.
„ ALPHASEAPILOT. A
wheelmark approved new De Wolf
range of autopilot/main De Wolf Products supplies safety
steering systems ranging from equipment for the commercial
a simple workboat version to a shipping industry. A selection of
full adaptive main steering SOLAS/GMDSS equipment will
system for larger vessels. be shown in at the booth
„ ALPHAMINICOURSE including;
gyrocompass system : „ Stearns immersion suits and
Claimed to be the smallest lifejackets.
maintenance free gyro „ Challenger inflatable
compass in the world lifejackets.
introduced in 2005. More than „ ACR 406 MHz EPIRBs and
250 units have thus far been personal EPIRBs as the
installed. AquaFix and the new
JRC has developed the GPS compass technology. „ ALPHABASICCOURSE. MicroFix.
New at Europort maritime is „ Zodiac life rafts, with the new
the advanced low cost extended period servicing
The GPS compass had its Another exhibit will be the gyrocompass. It is (EPS) versions.
origins as a direction sensing Fleet F33 satellite communication manufactured by Yokogawa, Recently, the Zodiac EPS rafts,
system. However, JRC has terminal, which incorporates the Japan and under OEM to with a service interval of 30
developed this technology with latest modern interfacing Alphatron Marine. It is larger months, have been approved by
other features integrated into the standards, such as LAN/Ethernet in size and still requires yearly the Dutch Shipping inspectorate
new JLR-20 and JLR-30 GPS and USB, upgradeable to new and maintenance and is suitable for use on Dutch flag vessels.
compasses enabling higher future Inmarsat FleetBroadband for medium and large sized A new Zodiac liferaft service
accuracy and stability. standards. vessels. station will be operational very
JRC has launched the JHS-770S „ ALPHALINE MFC. A new soon. This will complete the full
and JHS-780D series VHF, to Alphatron Marine line of instruments offering service facility for rescue boats,
replace the long running JHS-32 Being a close partner of JRC for full digital presentation on a immersion suits, lifejackets,
model. It comes with several new many years, Alphatron Marine is colour TFT screen, offered in EPIRBs, SARTs, GMDSS radios
features, is available as semi- offering an additional range of several variants. and gas detection equipment.
duplex or full duplex, and features own products to the European „ ALPHABRIDGE. The Information will be available

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 17

EUROPORT PREVIEW

about the extended range of ribs: Trading, Amarcon, Brevini Imtech's range of products and Lilley & Gillie are part of the
the rescue boats of Zodiac and Nederland, Cubic Marine, services include project and site Liverpool-based Charente Group.
Narwhal and the MilPro boats of Greenship, Johnson Controls management, interfaced and Veinland researches and
Zodiac and Avon. Systems & Service, Kelvin integrated ship bridges, develops software and in addition
Also, Typhoon dry working Hughes Nederland, Liebherr propulsion solutions, power manufactures and markets
suits and BW gas detection Maritime Benelux, Smits generation and distribution, alarm electronic hardware for the
equipment will be shown. Neuchatel Marine Department, and monitoring systems, local maritime and industrial markets.
Straaltechniek International, and area networks on board, The company offers various
Holland Marine BV Twentsche. navigation, communication and products such as serial converters,
Equipment (HME) entertainment equipment, air NMEA splitters and expanders,
Dutch trade association, Holland Imtech conditioning and climate control RGB distributors, touch screen
Marine Equipment (HME), is to Technical Service provider solutions, fire safety and sprinkler displays, loading computers and
organise a huge Dutch presence Imtech said that its Chinese solutions and integrated security so on.
during Europort. maritime order book is growing solutions.
The 215 member companies rapidly. Growth is up more than Radio Holland
are active in the fields of 50% compared to two years ago. PC Maritime Radio Holland's (RH)
maritime engineering and The Chinese order book currently PC Maritime's Navmaster ECDIS presentation will be focused on
contracting, fabrication of includes work on providing system will be featured at complete bridge systems. For
installations and components, the technological solutions for more Europort this year on the stand of once, there will not be separate
supply of maritime services and than 240 ships - projects worth a the German company, Veinland. standalone equipment on RH's
other functions. total of over Eur120 mill. Through collaboration with stand as all the equipment will be
Thanks to the overwhelming Imtech is one of the largest both Veinland and PC Maritime's built into four unique innovative
number of participants, the maritime technical services UK agent, Lilley & Gillie, bridges, which show the various
national pavilion will be split into providers in the world. In Navmaster received type approval possibilities offered for complete
two parts. The first will be set up addition to European and US from Germanischer Lloyd (GL) concepts of integrated technology
in the Scheldehal, covering 700 interests, the company is also earlier this year, this being in on board ships, for various
sq m of booth space, while the increasingly active elsewhere. addition to DNV approval, applications. All the concepts are
second will be in Hall 1C, It is strengthening its growing secured in 2006. tailor made and can be adjusted
covering 200 sq m. Chinese market from a number of At the time, Gerald Rynkowski, according to customer's
In order to maximise the size positions. On the one hand from managing director of Veinland, requirements and specific wishes.
for participating companies and maritime centres in the explained that GL type approval Radio Holland will show a
their guests, the lounge of the Netherlands, Germany and China, had removed a key barrier to complete deepsea IBS among
main pavilion will be situated on and on the other hand through marketing Navmaster in other types. In addition, RH will
an upper floor. participation in a Chinese joint Germany. launch its latest VSAT broadband
Hall 1 (Scheldehal) will consist venture, own production Veinland's marketing of service CONNECTOR by Radio
of Alfa Laval Benelux, Beele facilities, and a network of Radio Navmaster at Europort this year Holland at Europort and will also
Engineering, Bloksma Heat Holland Group - acquired last will be fully supported by Lilley focus on global service,
Exchangers, Machinefabriek year - service locations in China. & Gillie, whose technical sales specifically on the various
Borger, BOT Groningen, From a total of seven Chinese manager, Mike Howes, will be on managed services agreements,
Centraalstaal, Dagin Marine maritime locations, Imtech is the stand. Both PC Maritime and which an increasing number of
Technology, Draka Marine, working predominantly for
Eefting Engineering, eL-Tec western shipowners who have
elektrotechnologie, Hanwel ordered ships from Chinese
Environment and Energy, shipyards but want high-quality
Heatmaster, Hytop Hydraulics, maritime technology on board
Impas, Intertech, Johnson Pump, their vessels.
KST, Marine Service Noord, NR The order book includes
Koeling, N2Safety, Ned-Deck tankers. Imtech is active at
Marine, Netwave Systems, dozens of Chinese shipyards. For
Nijhuis Pompen, Progress example, it recently received an
Technique, Ridderinkhof, Roden order for technology to be
Staal,Rotor BV Elektro Motoren, installed on board four chemical
Ship's Equipment Centre tankers being built at the Chinese
Groningen, Statendam Steel shipyard Liaoning Hongguan.
Plates (SST Staalsnijtechniek), An Action Plan was recently
Techno Fysica, Van Lessen & drawn up in this context to enable
Punt - Cordobond, VDL Klima, broader market penetration in
Vuyk Engineering Groningen and China and gradual expansion of
Winteb VOF. the number of Chinese service
Hall 1C will include Absorbit locations. Radio Holland will also have a large presence in Europort.

18 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 EUROPORT PREVIEW

The company provides new

technological solutions, conducts
scientific researches into
developing on board systems,
simulation solutions and shore-
based applications, presented as
stand-alone or integrated systems.
At stand no. 312 Transas will
present what it claims are
innovative solutions in marine
electronics.

UK Hydrographic Office
(UKHO)
Two new electronic charting
services developed by the UK
SAM Electronics Ship Control Centre (SCC). Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
will be unveiled at Europort.
shipowners worldwide have New products include the first Other sensor exhibits comprise The first service the UKHO
signed up to. public showing of a low-cost SAM 4620 and 4630 navigation team will put in the spotlight is
Another feature is the fixed IMO-compliant, type approved S- echosounders for shallow and an improved updating method for
installation package Danelec VDR for retrofitting to deepwater operation with single electronic navigational charts
(S)VDR, for which RH is the commercial vessels - the SAM or dual-channel displays, a GPM (ENCs).
exclusive global dealer. The 4330; among its wide range of 500 module for combined The UKHO's ENC service is
presentation will be supported by options is a special float-free generator and auxiliary engine being improved to allow users to
the introduction of Radio protected data unit with an protection and from associate L-3 update their charts with the latest
Holland's new global website, extended memory capacity of 8 company, Amplidan, the S2200 data remotely - which means they
www.radiohollandgroup.com, due GB. Also featured is a new sound reception system for will have access to up-to-the-
to be launched in October. automated Fire Alarm panel- operation in totally enclosed minute chart information over the
The deepsea bridge system control facility. bridges. Internet at any time and won't
will contain the BlueLine Communication exhibits have to wait for the usual CD-
concept, designed by Imtech include an Inmarsat Fleet 77 Transas ROM update.
Marine & Offshore, which is a satcom terminal for high-speed At Europort Transas will present Alongside this, the UKHO will
fully automated, compact bridge ship-to-shore voice, fax and data its new improved generation of be demonstrating a new web
integration system. There are also communication, which on board systems Navi-Sailor service that gives shore-based
other (semi) conventional ways to additionally features a GMDSS 4000 series ECDIS, Navi-Radar personnel the ability to view up-
create a bridge, which will also capability, the DEBEG 3270. and Navi-Conning. to-date charts on-line. TO
be shown. Visitors can compare
the various possibilities.

SAM Electronics
SAM Electronics and its
Rotterdam-based Dutch
subsidiary, SAM Electronics
Nederland, will feature an
extensive range of advanced
automation, communications,
energy supply, navigation and
associated safety systems
designed for ships of all types
and sizes.
Key exhibits include a ship
control centre (SCC) functionally
integrating navigation,
communications, propulsion
control and alarm monitoring
functions using common
hardware with high-resolution
displays via standardised
flatscreen monitors. Transas will be showing its simulated systems.

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 19

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w w w. o w b u n k e r. c o m
 INDUSTRY - FOCUS ON GIBRALTAR

Rock plateaus as
space runs out
or the last few years, The Gibraltar Port Authority is in Certain volatile cargoes are not

F the main selling point

for Gibraltar has been
the supply of bunkers,
plus cruise ship calls. From 3,678
bunker calls reported in 2001, the
discussions to better manage shipping
in the Bay and expand the number
of bunker slots available.
allowed to be transferred using
the STS method in port limits and
single hull tankers are only
allowed in the Bay if in ballast.
Captain Brand said that if the
number of vessels anchoring for virtually ceased since the recent repairs, changing crew and/or eastern anchorage is opened up to
'bunkers only' calls shot up to a withdrawal of FAMM. picking up supplies, and keep the bunker calls, then STS operations
record 5,402 last year. In total, A problem exists in that with western anchorage inside the Bay would have to be regulated as it
these vessels took on 3.98 mill today's high demurrage rates, an for 'bunkers only' calls. At present would not be deemed as
tonnes of fuel. operator is loath to wait off port the eastern anchorage on the international waters. Each vessel
In total, 7,600 ships called at limits for a slot to become free. other side of the Rock does not would have to provide a
Gibraltar last year, which was On average a vessel will bunker come under the jurisdiction of the procedural plan for an STS
again a record. However, the for around six hours, depending port authority and is designated operation to take place. On the
problem is that the Port of on the size of the stem. 'off-limits'. western side the slots come under
Gibraltar is running out of space. Gibraltar Port Authority chief Bunkers are transferred from the auspices of the port authority
At present there are 14 designated executive and port captain tankers (bunker barges) of up to who will examine the plans and
bunker 'slots' in the Bay and three Captain Cliff Brand explained around 6,000 dwt to the vessels regulate them as needed.
floating storage tankers semi- that he was fully aware of the using the ship-to-ship (STS) Gibraltar has its own oil spill
permanently anchored. There are situation and was in talks with the transfer system while at anchor. response plans and equipment in
also facilities along the western government and other interested This is strictly controlled by the place as do most of the bunker
arm of the North Mole for parties to expand the number of port authority and accomplished suppliers. The administration is
smaller vessels to bunker. slots and to better manage under the guidelines issued by also a member of Southampton-
The 70,000 dwt plus storage shipping operations in the Bay. such organisations as OCIMF. based OSRL, which can provide
ships are supplied by product One plan involves opening up The port employs a full time backup in an emergency.
tankers of around 30,000-40,000 the eastern anchorage, currently bunkering superintendent and has The eastern anchorage is often
dwt on a regular basis. Alongside used as a waiting area and for laid down its own code of 'home' to several LNGCs and
deliveries to storage tanks have vessels undergoing voyage practice. other large tankers waiting to

An STS transfer in the western anchorage involving a product tanker and a storage vessel operated by Vemaoil (Queensway).

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 21

INDUSTRY - FOCUS ON GIBRALTAR

which is high speed craft

connecting Algeciras with
Tangier and Ceuta.
Both port administrations hold
regular dialogues on navigational
matters. The problem was
highlighted by the recent collision
between the 46,362 dwt product
tanker Torm Gertrud and the
43,815 dwt bulker New Flame,
resulting in the latter's sinking
just off Europa Point.
This incident severely tested
Gibraltar's emergency response
plans. At the time of
TANKEROperator's visit, all the
fuel had been removed from the
half sunken bulk carrier, which
was being prepared for cutting
in two.
Following the recent general
election, which saw a return to
Between a Rock and a Hard Place! The New Flame sinking severely tested Gibraltar’s
emergency response capability. power of Chief Minister Peter
Caruana by a slim majority, a
load cargoes at Arzew, Egypt or Considering there are 70,000 Algeciras and La Linea, which new shipping and port
West Africa as it is deemed safer plus vessels passing within a few are fast building up their administrator was appointed -
to anchor off Gibraltar than off miles of Gibraltar services, such industries and infrastructures. Ernest Britto. He replaced long
the loading areas due to the lack as crew changes, repairs (both The recent opening of the first term incumbent Joe Holliday
of security in these waters. afloat and in dock) and supplies part of a new container terminal who was promoted to Deputy
Down the years, Gibraltar has are well catered for and there are at Tangier, just 35 miles away Chief Minister.
built up a reputation as a service around a dozen or so ships’ across the Strait, will again Last year's historic Cordoba
provider, both in shipping and agencies located in the Rock, increase the competition in the meeting between the UK, Spain
financial terms. Somewhat which offer all manner of service sector. and Gibraltar paved the way for
surprisingly, there are no outside services. There is also a At present, there is no joint greater co-operation and indeed
third party shipmanagement shiprepair centre operated by vessel traffic control system in Iberia has started a daily service
companies on the Rock, only a Cammell Laird (Gibraltar), which the Gibraltar and Algeciras Bay from the Rock to Madrid. This
few commercial management has three drydocks, one of which areas, which are very busy with could lead to a greater number of
concerns. Technical management can handle vessels of up to shipping arriving and departing flights between Spain and
teams are in place to look after panamax size. to and from the Mediterranean Gibraltar, which in turn would
the bunker tankers and their Keen competition has and the Atlantic areas, plus the boost the Rock's economy and
mother ships. developed from nearby local ferry traffic much of standing as a service centre. TO

Sandvik Marine Electronics

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E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.sandvikmarine.com
Gibraltar Tel: + 350 79003 Spain Tel: +34 956 099101
Fax: + 350 46419 Fax: +34 956 099102
• 24 hour service to navigation and communication equipment, engine control, fire alarms
• Authorized agents for most of the worlds leading manufacturers
• Shore based maintenance agreements
• Fleet management contracts for complete maintenance of electronic equipment
• Approved for RADIO/VDR / AIS / EPIRB surveys by ABS, BV, DNV, GL, LR, RINA
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22 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 INDUSTRY - FOCUS ON GIBRALTAR

European flag of choice

Gibraltar flag sets its stall out to attract quality shipping

he flag administration administration is a member of the types as these were often better need arise. Nation said he was not

T has gone from

strength to strength
during the past seven
years or so. Maritime
Administrator Tony Nation said
UK's Red Ensign Group and is
classed as a Category 1 registry at
the IMO.
Nation told TANKEROperator
that he was keen to expand the
managed than other types of
vessels. "You don't get bit players
in the tanker sector, but rather
owners and managers with
quality systems in place," he
in favour of on-line registration
and would rather know who he is
dealing with by meeting face to
face. Once the paperwork had
been completed then the records
he put this down to marketing the registry but in a controlled way. explained. are kept electronically, he
flag "by word of mouth". At the beginning of September, As if illustrating this point, a explained.
For example, by gaining such the number of vessels registered couple of gas tankers were Another advantage was that an
owners as the German tanker pair in Gibraltar stood at 245 of nearly expected to join the registry by owner could pick up the phone
Carl Buttner and Carl F Peters and 1.5 mill gt. the end of this year, while some and talk to the same person thus
also German feedership owners, At present the ratio of of the many chemical carriers creating a sort of 'rapport' with
plus Dutch concerns Unifleet and surveyors to vessels is one to 40, being built in Turkish yards were the registry, which gives
Lauranne Shipping and some which was one short of the target. being targeted. continuity of operation.
Scandinavian tonnage, the flag had However, Nation found that like He explained that one of the Nation has put the Gibraltar
seen other companies follow. other sectors of the maritime advantages of being located in flag administration forward for
The Gibraltar flag has been industry, recruiting experienced Gibraltar was that he could walk the IMO's voluntary audit scheme
dubbed by the administration as people proved to be very difficult into his office in five minutes as and expects to undergo an audit
the 'European flag of choice' as in today's market. the registry offers a 24/7 during the second half of next
anybody thinking of flying the Chemical and product tanker operation. An example is being year. A surveyor has been sent
flag automatically enters the EU owners and managers were high able to issue certificate from the office for additional
cabotage trades. The on Nation's list of favoured vessel exemptions quickly should the training to help with the audit. TO

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November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 23

INDUSTRY - FOCUS ON GIBRALTAR

Service sector to the fore

here are over a dozen Being strategically placed, the Rock's was purchased and flow meters

T ships' agency in
various guises located
on the Rock and
around eight bunker suppliers of
varying sizes. Of the agencies,
shipping industry is firmly geared to the
service side of the business, not least in
agency and bunkering.
were used on every stem.
The Jiskoot viscosity trim in-line
blender with a fully integrated
SCADA system was installed on
the Europa Supplier 1. It has been
two are international - Barwil that Barwil can offer more of a expansion, plus the oil refinery at designed to produce anything from
Unitor Ships Service and one-stop-shop service, customs La Linea and the anchorages. The IFO 30 cSt to IFO 470 cSt from a
Inchcape Shipping Services. clearance is handled internally as oil refinery handles both crude, wide range of base components
Barwil Unitor, now part of most of the supplies are trucked chemical, product and LPG and has a throughput of 100-800
Wilhelmsen Marine Services, has across the frontier. The border has carriers. cu m per hour.
been established on the Rock for a window of 08.30 to 20.00 due to The agency has an extensive Although there is increasing
17 years and has a large safety Spanish customs working network of service stations on the demand for low sulphur fuels
service centre at Algeciras. Barwil practices. The opening up of the Iberian Peninsular. For example, before entering the North Sea or
offers a full operation, including airport to more flights per day also its Portuguese interests have been Baltic SECAs, IFO 380 cSt is still
the provision of safety services and gives the agency an extra expanded to four stations thanks the norm. Gasoil can also be
the supply of chemical gases. opportunity for emergency items to the recent acquisition of supplied on demand.
Vessels can be supplied alongside and could enhance crew changes in Knutsen. Expansion is still Europa Venture is fully crewed
at both ports, in the Gibraltar repair the future. At present the crew are underway in Spain with another and Bunkers (Gibraltar) has a
yard, or at the anchorages by routed through London. branch opening in Las Palmas, 'Document of Compliance' to
launch. Vessels are normally For pre-ordered supplies and which offers a full service. Other operate the vessel. Like the other
supplied at the eastern anchorage spare parts, the agency will use bases were opened in Barcelona vessels in the anchorage, she can
and off Europa Point in designated the international warehouse and Tarragona this year. be moved at short notice in cases
off-limits areas, which is the distribution centre in Rotterdam, Griffin said that tankers tend to of emergency. The double hull
favoured spot for attending waiting where goods can be relayed by need a lot of everything, product tanker had been chartered
or passing large vessels, such as air via London, or trucked down including tank cleaning in from one of the company's
LNGCs and tankers. However, the to the Rock in two to two and a chemicals, cleaning agents, CO2 major shareholders.
agency also handles 90 plus vessels half days. A small stock is also bottles, fire extinguishers, while Greaves explained that they
per month arriving at the western housed in Barcelona, but the agency also offers follow up were looking to expand the
anchorage bunker slots. warehouse space is at a premium services for upgrading and bunker fleet in the near future.
The boat has a 10 tonne loadline in Gibraltar itself. For stevedoring issuing the relevant certificates. The prices quoted include
and by using this method of ship services, Barwil uses local bargeing and demand was
supply, or undergoing crew concern MH Bland. Bunkers increasing at the time of
changes, the vessel in question has For crew changes, a letter of The 'new kid on the block' in TANKEROperator's visit due to
little delay and deviation from the guarantee from Barwil is all that terms of bunker supply is supply problems at Suez and tight
main Gibraltar Strait separation is needed for Philippine and Bunkers (Gibraltar). This supply in Rotterdam. The bunker
zones. Regional operations Indian crew arriving at the operation started up about three tanker can easily supply vessels
manager Gavin Griffin explained airport. Griffin explained that or four months ago with a 78,000 with a high freeboard, such as
that by using off port limits a crew can be on board their dwt supply ship - Europa Venture LNGCs, Greaves claimed.
VLCC can be serviced when vessels in one to two hours from - and a 6,500 dwt bunker tanker- Pricing depended on the supply
passing just by slowing down landing at the airport. Europa Supplier 1. situation to a certain extent but it is
instead of having to manoeuvre in Barwil pools its resources in Bunkers (Gibraltar)'s Michael generally more expensive than
heavy traffic. A helicopter is also both Gibraltar and Algeciras. The Greaves said that the company Rotterdam, or Singapore as the
available for charter with a latter is growing considerably on prides itself in delivering quality product has to be delivered by sea to
payload of one tonne. the back of the huge container bunkers at the right quantity. He the storage vessel and then trans-
The tie-in with Unitor has meant terminal, which is undergoing explained that a Jiskoot blender ferred to the Europa Supplier 1. TO

Bunkers (Gibraltar) bunkering tanker Europa Supplier 1 and storage vessel Europa Venture.

24 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 1200

Outstanding abrasion resistance

solvent-free phenolic epoxy for use
at newbuilding or maintenance
• Excellent impact and abrasion resistance
• Solvent-free
• Good resistance to impressed current cathodic protection
• Applicable by heavy-duty single-feed, cold airless spray
equipment
• Designed for use on underwater hulls of ice-going vessels
(and any other structures requiring
outstanding abrasion resistance)
• Can be coated with tiecoats and
antifoulings or left uncoated

SigmaKalon Marine & Protective Coatings B.V.

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E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.sigmacoatings.com/marine

Sigma Coatings is a brand of the SigmaKalon Group

TECHNOLOGY - SHIP DESCRIPTION

Small flexible
multipurpose gas carriers
With all the hype surrounding the large LNGCs, it is easy to overlook the fact that not
everyone needs 130,000-250,000 cu m cargoes of natural gas.
ndeed, we have seen Speaking at the recent Global declarable by the end of this year. assigned to the project to

I
unit.
Knutsen introduce a small
coastal LNGC and Anthony
Veder order a larger coastal

A rather different approach has

LNG Shipping Symposium,
Skaugen's Haakan Werner
explained that one series will
have a capacity of around 10,000
cu m, while an upgraded design
All the vessels are being
constructed by Skaugen Marine
Construction (SMC) with the
smaller hulls being sub-
contracted to Wuzhou Shipyard at
transport gas from the plant to
receivers in the Nordic region.
IMSK will have a 40% share in
Nordic LNG while the other 60%
will be in the hands of Lyse and
been chosen by IM Skaugen has led to orders for gas carriers Taizhou, while the larger ones its partners. IMSK said it would
(IMSK), which is building a of around 12,000 cu m. Thus far, will be built by Ding Heng not only transport the gas, but
series of multigas type vessels, six of the smaller gas carriers Shipyard in Jiangsu Province. would also take an active part in
able to transport petrochemical have been ordered plus two of the The cargo plants will be the whole supply chain, including
gases, LPG (mainly ethylene) larger types. Options for two constructed by Jiangsu-based taking the role of seller to the
and/or natural gas. more 12,000 cu m vessels are Shenghui Gas & Chemical end user.
Systems, which is 50% owned by Skaugen claimed that the
IM Skaugen Marine Services environmental benefits in the area
Principal Particulars (IMSMS), itself a 100% would be considerable. A
subsidiary of IMSK. customer's shift from oil to gas
Loa 137.1 m
Skaugen created SMC in the would reduce CO2 emissions by
Lbp 127.2 m
autumn of last year to be totally 250,000 tonnes per year and
Beam 19.8 m
responsible for all aspects of the would also considerably reduce
Depth 11.5 m
newbuilding projects in China, NOx emissions.
Design draft 6.7 m
including the design and One of the main aims is to
Speed 16.5 kn
construction, procuring steel supply customers by sea on short
Consumption 27t/d (IFO 380 cSt)
work and major components plus haul trips in the Nordic region
Range 12,800 nm
most important, the key cargo who do not have access to a
handling equipment and related pipeline. The Eur120 mill plant
Capacity
Cargo 10,000 cu m
systems.
The first four multigas vessels
will be built at Risavika, near
Stavanger. The processing plant
Deadweight 10,600 t will be operated by Singco Pte, a will be manufactured by Linde. A
50:50 joint venture involving second phase, which would
IMSMS and transport leasing increase the production capacity
Propulsion
Main engine MaK 7M43C
concern GATX. This takes effect
from the first quarter of 2009
to 600,000 per year, is already
being planned. Shell will deliver
Output 7,200 kW @ 500 when the first vessel is due for about 200 mill cu m of natural
rev/min delivery. Once in service, all four gas per year from Karsto via
Auxiliaries 3 x 910 kWe will operate in the Norgas pool. Lyse's pipeline to the processing
Shaft generator 1,900 kWe In July, IMSK announced a tie plant.
up with Norwegian utility Skaugen claimed that more
concern Lyse Gass to create a ships and land-based storage
Cargo Systems small supply chain for the Nordic capacity can easily be added as the
Tanks 1 x 4,000 cu m markets - Nordic LNG. demand grows. Industrial users are
1 x 6,000 cu m A natural gas liquefying plant being targeted who do not have
Design pressure (IMO/USCG) 5.2/3.8 bar with an annual capacity of access to pipelines due to location
Min temperature -163 deg C 300,000 tonnes will be built by or size of operation. In the long
Max density 970 kg per cu m Lyse and its partner Celsius term the logistics could be tailored
Discharge rate 1,000 cu m per hour Invest, which is expected to come to a customer's requirements.
Reliquefaction plant SINTEF 20 t/d on stream in 2010. Turnkey distribution solutions
Gas combustion unit Saacke 20 t/d One of the newbuilding could also be offered, including
Nitrogen plant PSA type multigas vessels will initially be filling stations.

26 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 TECHNOLOGY - SHIP DESCRIPTION

The size of the storage needed grade changes in the cargo tanks.
will be driven by the size of the Each vessel will be able to ship
ships. The storage capacity two cooled and segregated grades
should be large enough to always simultaneously in two tanks. Each
be able to receive at least one full tank will be cylindrical stainless
cargo to minimise the logistics steel Type C cargo tanks of 4,000
cost. By comparison, an LNGC cu m and 6,000 cu m capacity
of 135,000 cu m capacity would respectively, while the
need storage capacity of 200,000- temperature range is from minus
300,000 cu m, while a 10,000 cu 163 deg C to ambient conditions.
m LNGC would only need 30,000 The maximum tank pressure will
cu m of storage capacity. be set at 5.2 bar gauge IMO
In financial terms, at a cost of setting.
$1,500 per cu m, a 30,000 cu m In addition, each vessel will be
storage plant supplied by 10,000 fitted with a 110 cu m capacity An artist's impression of the loading terminal near Stavanger.

cu m vessels would work out at deck tank for the carriage of

$45 mill, while a plant having LNG/LEG/LPG with a maximum kW at 500 rev/min. The prime crewing the multigas vessels,
two 140,000 cu m tanks supplied pressure of 18 bar gauge. The movers will be connected to a IMSK will use its normal crewing
by large LNGCs would cost reliquefaction plant will be able to controllable pitch propeller process and provide the necessary
$420 mill. handle boil-off from all three through a reduction gearbox. LNG specific training modules.
LNG can either be shipped cargoes, while LNG boil-off will They can also be used as power Being a leading ethylene marine
from an LNG plant, be be handled by a newly developed plants. The vessels will have a services company, IMSK has long
transhipped from a large mini LNG plant and LEG/LPG speed of 16.5 knots burning 27 experience in handling cryogenic
receiving terminal, or transferred will be liquefied in a newly tonnes per day of IFO 380 cSt. liquids. Ethylene is transported at
via the ship-to-ship transfer developed cascade plant. The Three auxiliaries of 910 kWe - 103 deg C and is considered a
method. vessels will also be fitted with a will also be fitted. A shaft more hazardous cargo than LNG.
Werner told TANKEROperator gas combustion unit (GCU) generator of 1,900 kWe in a "Having an operational safety
that there were many areas of the designed for burning all three types PTO/PTI mode will enhance the culture based on ethylene, gives
world that could benefit from gas of gas cargoes. 'take-me-home' capability of the us a good base for developing the
shipments by sea, which do not The mini liquefaction plant was vessels. A 800 kW bow thruster needed LNG skill," he said.
have access to pipelines. "There developed in co-operation will aid manoeuvrability as will a
are a number of mainland areas between IMSK and SINTEF, highly efficient spade rudder with Training
like Scandinavia where there are while the GCUs will be designed a flap. To ensure that IMSK has access
no possibilities for supplies via and manufactured by Saacke and IMSK explained that dual fuel to talented and competent
pipelines, but an abundance of will have a capacity of up to 20 operation is not an option as the seafarers, the company has set up
large industrial users that could tonnes per day. vessels have been designed for a joint venture in China with
benefit from the use of natural For berthing at large LNG multi-gas trades, including global Wuhan University of Technology.
gas," Werner explained. receiving terminals the vessels LNG operations. A catalytic The Wuhan University-
will be fitted with a dual exhaust gas converter will result Skaugen Training Centre (WSTC)
Gas carrier design manifold system, located at in the NOx emissions being was formed in March 1998 and is
The 10,000 cu m (10,600 dwt) different heights on board the below that of the MARPOL VI engaged in training seafarers in
multigas carriers will be of the vessels. The vessels will also be regulations. the handling and transport of
semi-pressurised type, which able to berth at traditional By keeping to a maximum dangerous cargoes, including
IMSK claimed gave it flexibility LEG/LPG terminals, as well as design draught of 6.7 m, the liquid petroleum gases, chemicals
to carry LNG, ethylene as well as smaller LNG terminals using the vessels can enter most harbours. and oil products, as well as vessel
LPG. The LNG will be carried at dual manifold system. Also a relatively high discharge maintenance. Equipped with
atmospheric pressure by using a As for the machinery, each rate of 1,000 cu m per hour mean advanced training facilities, first
liquefaction plant fitted on board. vessel will be fitted with a MaK that turnaround times will be kept class teaching staff and an ISO
The design is claimed to be medium speed, 4-stroke 7M43C to a minimum. 9001:2000 accreditation certified
geared for quick and efficient diesel engine developing 7,200 Werner explained that for by DNV, the centre is fast
becoming a premier seafarer
training establishment in China,
the company claimed.
WSTC provides competent
Chinese seafarers for both the
domestic and international markets
and has trained more than 16,000
students up to the end of last year
of which 3,000 are serving on
board international vessels. TO
An illustration of IMSK's multigas design concept.

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 27

TECHNOLOGY - TRAINING

Shortage of seafarers:
simulation as a way of solving the problem
articipants in the training gains new meaning. It

P recent Transas'
The problem of the shortage of seafarers allows a rating to gain necessary
Simulation Users has already been discussed for number of competence, underpinning
Conference couldn't knowledge and skills to qualify as
avoid the issue either as the
years. Nevertheless, the urgency of the an officer in a relatively short
maritime industry is continuing to situation has not diminished. period of time. Simulator driven
sound an alarm. computer based training and
As Graham Wagstaff, Transas' only mount. In the short term the emergency operations). assessment enables training to be
technical simulation sales product task of 'filling the gap' can be At the same time, marine delivered even at sea.
support manager mentioned in his resolved by appealing to retired simulation systems provide real- Overall, to boost the numbers
speech, the study by the Baltic mariners to return to sea, to life operational training, extensive of qualified sailors, it is vital to
and International Maritime personnel from related industries, environmental effects, and set up a comprehensive
Council (BIMCO) and the to serving and former members of generate various system faults education, training, examination
International Shipping Federation the armed forces, or defence ensuring team procedural training and certification system. Transas
(ISF) confirmed that the current related industries facing a using visuals for greater realism. said that the company is ready to
moderate officer shortage will transition to civilian employment Simulation-based training's assist in this urgent matter.
become severe unless maritime who have transferable skills. In advantages are self-evident. Meanwhile, Transas has scored
training is increased and the long term, the industry has to However, there are some several successes recently, by
measures are taken to address undertake more serious measures, obstacles. Governments and way of installing simulators at
wastage rates. paying special attention to the shipping companies are not various academies worldwide.
Late last year, Gothenburg-
based Chalmers University of
Technology took delivery of a
large scale simulator, which it
said would be used to develop
and implement training standards,
using the aviation industry as a
model. It was due to be
commissioned during the middle
of this year.
Anders Rydlinger, managing
director of Transas Scandinavia,
said at the time of its unveiling,
"Traditionally, all maritime
training has been focused on
individual technical skills in
navigation and ship handling. It is
now recognised that this
knowledge must be
complemented by leadership and
management skills. Nowadays the
objective of most training courses
The shortage of officers could become critical by the middle of the next decade. is to encourage teamwork with
the aim of reducing the risk of
By 2015, the shortage of training of personnel. always willing to invest in the individual error incidents and
marine officers is likely to nearly When it comes to comparing expansion of training. There is no accidents."
treble to 27,000. On the other different types of education, clear guidance from regulators; The simulator itself was
hand, the number of ratings will training on board a real vessel moreover, the lack of suitable designed for use by external
rise to 167,000 in 10 years time (OJT) has its disadvantages, qualified instructors is critical. customers, for example, the
from the current figure of namely high costs, while These difficulties have to be training of the ship's bridge team,
135,000, according to a global theoretical courses do not provide overcome if the industry wants to pilots and tug masters, as well as
study. the ability to demonstrate avoid a serious crisis. for investigation, research, design
This puts a huge impetus on watchkeeping capabilities in Considering the estimated and master classes.
the industry and the pressure will reality (for example, standard and surplus of ratings, simulator It is able to emulate any ship

28 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

150mGT*
TECHNOLOGY - TRAINING

“ All of the (MITAG) simulators operate with the

Navi-Trainer Professional 4000 (NT-PRO 4000)
operated in almost any
combination for interactive
exercises.
MITAGS also has numerous
Transas simulation development
platform and share common technological tools, such as model wizard and
capabilities with an unrivalled level of flexibility.
type, including high speed Training and Certification for the following supplied by
” virtual shipyard, for the visual
database and hydrodynamic
modelling.
Transas USA has also supplied
vessels and tugs. The scope of Watch Keeping (STCW'95) Transas: Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy
supply includes both primary and convention. „ Two full mission shiphandling (MAMA), formerly Tidewater
secondary bridges plus a built-in In August, MITAGS opened a simulators. School of Navigation, with a full
decision support system, a simulation training centre at the „ Two bridge tug simulators. mission ship handling simulator.
desktop bridge station and an Linthicum, Maryland, US „ Six part-task simulators. The simulator, based on the
interface to the Gothenburg campus. „ One full mission vessel traffic Transas Navi-Trainer Professional
SSPA hydrodynamic ship models MITAGS has been offering services simulator (VTS). 4000 simulation software,
database. training programmes to seafarers All of the simulators operate with consists of a 225 deg horizontal
The system consists of two for over 30 years. Today, over the Navi-Trainer Professional field of view forward combined
ship bridges with a circular visual 100 courses are available. It 4000 (NT-PRO 4000) platform with three rear viewing channels.
field of view of 270 deg and 200 claims to be one of the few and share common technological The bridge equipment is
deg respectively. schools in the US that provides capabilities with an unrivalled convertible to enable ship
It can perform the following all of the STCW-95 training level of flexibility. handling training on large vessels,
tasks: courses that are necessary to The Transas full mission as well as tugs and offshore
„ Competency based courses for advance from ordinary seaman to shiphandling simulator is housed supply vessels. Transas was also
ship masters, officers and pilots. unlimited master. MITAGS also within a 360 deg curved projection contracted to supply all related
„ Human factors related courses. offers specialised expertise for a screen that measures 80 feet in PC hardware and the supply
„ Crisis management on board, wide range of research and diameter and 30 feet in height. It included control equipment such
as well as in the whole development projects within the includes a flexible bridge design as Z-Drive and Voith-Schneider
organisation. maritime industry. and a series of enhanced instructor propulsion controls seen on many
„ Accident and incident The opening included the capabilities. The dedicated tug tugs and offshore vessels. The
investigation. renewal, upgrade, and simulator utilises a 300 deg full mission simulator is an
„ Feasibility studies for port enhancement of the institute's horizontal field of view plus a 42 extension of the already existing
entry by particular ships. onsite simulation facilities, which deg vertical field of view. The six ARPA/radar and ECDIS class
„ Port and fairway design. were all carefully implemented part-task bridges, and a second room simulators.
„ Research projects. over a 12 month period. The smaller tug simulator, offer 120 In addition, MAMA is equipped
„ Final assessment of master implementation process itself deg of visuals and are located in with a Transas TGS 4100 GMDSS
class students. included extensive research in the the fully upgraded all weather simulator and is able to offer a full
It also includes the scopes of part following subject areas: navigation (AWN) trainer. A VTS range of USCG and STCW
task bridge simulator and a „ Available technologies. training suite and a 12 bridge approved maritime training
GMDSS radio simulator. „ Vendor support capabilities. ECDIS trainer, complete the courses from able seaman to
As a full mission ship bridge „ Overall quality. current navigational simulator master mariner. The installation of
simulator, the system meets the MITAGS' simulation training enhancements, which, along with the simulator completes an
requirements of the Standards of centre upgraded facility includes all of the simulator bridges, can be expansion programme. TO

30 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 TECHNOLOGY - TRAINING

OSG to offer US cadets sea time

Overseas Shipholding experience and training on board Maritime Administrator Sean "This agreement is important
Group (OSG) and the OSG vessels. Under Connaughton and Captain for OSG and the rest of the
Maritime Administration international and national Robert Johnston, senior vice maritime industry," said
have signed an requirements, maritime academy president and head of shipping Johnston. "The health of the
agreement that will cadets must serve at sea for an operations at OSG. In attendance entire marine transportation
provide training average of 300 days in order to were the superintendent of the industry depends on the
opportunities for obtain enough shipboard training US Merchant Marine Academy availability of trained and
American maritime for a merchant marine officer and the presidents of the State skilled merchant mariners."
academy cadets on license. This agreement will Maritime Academies of Vice Admiral John Craine,
board OSG's allow American cadets to serve California, Great Lakes, Maine, president of State University of
international flag on OSG's diverse commercial Massachusetts, New oYrk New oYrk Maritime College and
vessels. fleet of US and foreign and Texas. current chair of the state
The public-private partnership registered vessels in order to "It is impossible for aspiring academy presidents' council,
marks the first formal agreement obtain the necessary sea time mariners to obtain a merchant noted that the US state maritime
to make available on board training. marine officer license without academies are increasing
training billets in the The signing ceremony was sufficient sea service," said enrollment to meet the growing
international fleet for US held at the Maine Maritime Connaughton. "This agreement demand for skilled mariners, and
maritime academy cadets. Academy, one of the state will expand the opportunities for said, "We all need more ships
Under the terms of the academies covered by the American cadets to train on one available to carry cadets for
agreement, cadets from the US agreement, during the US of the world's largest and most training. OSG's agreement is
Merchant Marine Academy and Maritime Academy Presidents' modern commercial fleets. We welcome news, and we look
all six state maritime academies annual meeting. applaud OSG for taking this forward to more agreements
will be able to obtain work This agreement was signed by initiative." like this."
TO

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 31

TECHNOLOGY - BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT

Companies line up
for ballast water
approval testing
OptiMarin, the manufacturer of ballast water treatment systems is patiently waiting
for approval while fellow Norwegian supplier OceanSaver completes testing
of its C3 treatment unit at the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA),
writes Brian Warshaw.
eanwhile countries Standard D-2 that is based on the

M that have
demanded controls
on the quality of
ballast water discharges, and then
failed to sign the 2004 Ballast
use of ballast water treatment.
To obtain certification under
Standard D-2 requires biological
performance testing that is
approved by a national authority,
Water Management Convention to be undertaken at a land-based
and other environment measures, centre over four to six months,
have raised the wrath of the followed by a further six months
IMO's secretary general testing at sea. Additionally there
Efthimios Mitropoulos. is a procedure referred to as the
Some nations have already Active Substance Approval,
introduced controls of their own which certifies that the system
for ships visiting their territorial leaves no toxic residues that
Alfa Laval’s PureBallast system has received IMO recognition.
waters; but most are reliant upon could affect the environment.
the IMO Convention to protect Currently there is only one
their waters from alien species of independent third-party scale tests per year; but hopes to water, stealing a hydrogen atom.
bacteria, algae and zooplankton. accredited centre capable of double this during the coming The micro-organism or
Under the convention there are meeting the IMO testing years. From the summer of 2008, contaminant breaks down, and the
two methods of control, Standard requirements, and having it will have vacancies to carry out radical ceases and exits the
D-1, which imposes a regime of facilities to deliver a flow rate of full scale tests. purifier.
ballast water exchange, and water at 200 cu m per hour. The The first company to use the In July, the PureBallast system
BallastTech - Solbergstrand facility to obtain its became the first ballast water
NIVA laboratory land-based D-2 testing results treatment system to be given
is located within was Alfa Laval, for the formal recognition by the IMO.
the Solbergstrand PureBallast system. At the heart An immediate result was the
Marine Research of the PureBallast system is a announcement that German
Station, 20 km chemical-free advanced oxidation vessel manager ER Schiffahrt had
south of Oslo and process (AOT), which was ordered PureBallast systems for
performs developed in association with installation on its four
laboratory-scale, Wallenius Water. The Wallenius newbuildings to be delivered in
pilot-scale, full AOT™ is a titanium water 2009.
scale and on purifying system, and when an By mid-October, BallastTech -
board tests, under internal light source strikes the NIVA AS had completed eight of
the direction of water flowing and the surface of 10 tests needed for the land-based
Det Norske the titanium it produces free element of the OceanSaver®
Veritas as the radicals. During the lifespan of a system's certification programme,
certifying agency. radical, lasting only a few and it is anticipated that they
The laboratory millionths of a second, it impacts should all be completed before
can complete on the micro-organisms and other the end of October. Six months
Official testing of OptiMarin’s system was due three or four full organic contaminants in the of sea-based testing will then be
to start in November.

32 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 One tank Frank Mohn AS, located outside Bergen
in western Norway, is the leading supplier of
submerged cargo pumps to the world tanker market.

One pump More than 32.000 Framo submerged cargo pumps

are in service onboard some 2.200 tankers.

One supplier In 2006 alone 205 complete cargo pumping systems

were commissioned.

Framo Cargo Pumping System

reliable - wherever - whenever

Visit us at
Marintec China 2007

Ballast Pumps

Hydraulic piping Cargo Heaters

Control System Cargo Pumps

Hydraulic Power Bow thruster

Unit (HPU) motor

Hydraulics for
deck machinery

Please visit
our stand
1G71
27. - 30. Nov

Frank Mohn AS
P.O.Box 98 Slåtthaug - NO-5851 Bergen - Norway
tel. +47 55 999 000 - fax +47 55 999 380
[email protected]
www.framo.no
TECHNOLOGY - BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT

conducted on the unit, which will undertaken in collaboration with the sea without causing any tank via the outlet ports. The
be retro-fitted on Höegh the Norwegian Torvald Klaveness environmental damage. greater the ship's forward speed,
Autoliners' vehicle carrier Höegh Group. Ecochlor has been working the greater will be the volumetric
Trooper. The carrier was In the period between 2009 and with Atlantic Container Lines, flow of water through the main
previously used from April 2005 2016 it is anticipated that there and Matson Navigation, to obtain conduit or conduits, and
for earlier trials of the will be a substantial requirement shipboard testing. Tom Perlich, thereafter through the ballast tank
OceanSaver system, and has a to retro-fit treatment systems to president of Ecochlor told and the discharge port or ports
total of 15 ballast tanks to existing vessels, and according to TANKEROperator that testing on associated with each tank."
maintain with treated water, the company, its ballast system the conro Atlantic Compass was If the LoBE system is turned
having a total capacity of 7,124 has one of the smallest foot-prints being conducted by scientists into a fully engineered
cu m. among the systems that are being from the University of Rhode development, it will more than
OceanSaver treats the incoming developed, making it suitable for Island Graduate School of adequately fulfil Standard D-1 of
ballast water within a three-part the retro-fit market as well as for Oceanography. The test results the Ballast Water Convention,
process; mechanical filtration, newbuildings. showed the technology's ability to which stipulates seawater
nitrogen supersaturation, and meet D-2 as well as the standards exchange must take place at least
hydro-dynamic cavitation. The Second approval being considered in the US. 200 nautical miles offshore using
introduction of nitrogen depletes NEI Treatment System, has Perlich said, "We are at least three times the volume of
the dissolved oxygen in the water become the second company to considering proposals for land- the ballast tank. The LoBE
and renders dead all organisms achieve approval for its ballast based testing in Europe. A system could be managed to
with a breathing system, while water treatment system. The decision will be made within the operate continuously or at regular
the hydro-dynamic cavitation is Republic of Liberia issued a next four to six weeks. We are intervals to exchange ballast
effective in destroying bacteria. certificate on 11th October eager to complement our work
The key to the system, the confirming that model VOS-2500 with the United States Coast
hydro-dynamic cavitation unit, met the guidelines contained in Guard in the Shipboard
operates by increasing the IMO resolution MEPC 125 (53) Technology Evaluation Program
velocity of the ballast water flow for a treatment capacity rated up (STEP), by obtaining type
rate to the point where it reaches 2,500 cu m per hour. approval from an EU member
vapour point, and cavitation is The NEI Venturi Oxygen nation in 2008."
achieved, where the water shows Stripping™ system comprises a
a large growth in bubble venturi injector acting as a Vela initiative
Vela’s loop exchange ballast
formation followed by a violent pressure differential cavitation Vela International Marine is the system.
collapse. The created forces device that, as the ballast water tanker subsidiary of the Saudi
rupture cell membranes and passes through it, creates a Arabian Oil Company and a firm throughout the voyage.
destroy the organisms. vacuum to draw inert gas into the supporter of ballast water In 2004, Vela patented the
Although still waiting for its stream, forming a micro-fine exchange. It operates 19 VLCCs, Automatic Ballast Flow
official land-based testing to bubble emulsion. The emulsion and five product tankers, all of (AUBAFLOW) system, which
begin at the BallastTech - NIVA creates a rapid transfer of the which will have to adopt some had the same objective as the
centre, OptiMarin has announced dissolved oxygen in the water form of ballast water LoBE system; but employed a
that it has carried out several tests from the liquid phase to the management, and the company different layout of ballast tank
that successfully meet the D-2 gaseous phase, and has announced innovative piping. AUBAFLOW was, at the
standard set forward in the deoxygenation (hypoxia), takes concepts as to how this could be time, instrumental in influencing
Ballast Water Convention. effect within 10 seconds. The achieved. the IMO to form a working group
Official testing was scheduled to ballast water is lowered to a pH Earlier this year, Vela's latest to study seawater exchange.
begin at the start of November, to of 6.0, giving an added bonus of innovation received a US patent While the equipment
be followed immediately by sea reduced tank corrosion. for what it described as a Loop manufacturers and shipowners
trials, and the company expects to Chlorine dioxide is the medium Ballast Exchange (LoBE) system, have been playing an active role
have final approval around the chosen by Ecochlor for use in its claiming that it could achieve in bringing to fruition the Ballast
middle of 2008. ballast water treatment system. ballast water exchange without Water Management Convention,
The OptiMar Ballast System, This is a common bactericide, loss of speed and power to the at the end of September it has
which was trialed on seven ships fungicide and algaecide, chlorine vessel. The patent describes the been ratified by just 10 member
before the IMO Convention was dioxide, that is used extensively system thus: "As the ship moves states of the IMO with a
agreed, is based on the use of in Europe, and increasingly so in through the sea, the seawater is combined tonnage of 3.42%. For
filtration to remove the larger North America and Australia, for admitted through one or more the Convention to be brought into
elements and organisms, followed disinfecting drinking water. In inlet ports associated with a effect 30 countries must sign it,
by ultra-violet irradiation; Ecochlor's ballast water treatment selected ballast tank, and is and together represent at least
consequently it uses neither system the chlorine dioxide is distributed into the upper region 35% of the world's gross tonnage.
active substances nor chemicals. generated on board the vessel, of the ballast tank. An ejector is It is currently intended that the
A vessel for the on board sea tests used at low dosages, and after positioned at the bottom of each Convention will be phased in
has still to be selected, however, eliminating the aquatic invasive ballast tank to remove the from 2009, commencing with
it is known that the testing will be species, can be discharged into existing water from the ballast small newbuildings. TO

34 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 TECHNOLOGY - TANK CLEANING

Victor Marine
re-enters single nozzle
tank cleaning market
he VP Monomatic is a variable rate of nozzle descent.

T single nozzle
programmable tank
washing machine that
has been named after a previous
unit that Victor Marine (when
UK-based Victor Marine has added
a new tank cleaning machine to its range
of products, as well as a new distributor
for Singapore and Malaysia.
The VP Monomatic cleans on a
continuous cycle without need for
further adjustment, and iterates
the wash cycle time until it is
turned off.
known as Victor Pyrate) Duncan Marshall, Victor
manufactured. Designed for easy Marine's international sales
operation and maintenance, it has AISI 316L stainless steel, and tube lengths. manager, told TANKEROperator
been engineered using current will complement the twin nozzle Programmable by the operator, why they had reintroduced a
technology and modern materials. machines designated VP Minor the VP Monomatic can throw a single nozzle machine into their
The VP Monomatic will enable and VP Major. The single cleaning jet to a maximum range. He explained that
the company to re-enter the single nozzle machine is available with distance of 22 m, at an operating originally all tank cleaning
nozzle market. a range of deck flange sizes, a pressure between five and 12 kg machines had been twin nozzle
Suitable for tackling the most wide choice of inlet valves or per centimetre squared. It and were restricted to being
aggressive environments, the VP flanges to suit a variety of employs a wash pattern of from portable. "In the 1970s", he
Monomatic is constructed from connections, and various down 180 to zero deg elevation with a explained, "with the

[email protected] [email protected]
A schematic of the VP Monomatic tank cleaning machine.

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 35

TECHNOLOGY - TANK CLEANING

introduction of Crude Oil

Washing (COW), more systems
were permanently fixed in the
tanks. This allowed washing to
“ Single nozzle machines have the advantage of
be carried out during discharge being adjustable, which means they can carry out
and helped to prevent pollution
of the oceans by reducing the sector cleaning, typically bottom tank washing only;
amount of water washing
needed on VLCCs." but in previous years they have been unreliable
The introduction of single
nozzle machines created a debate, and more labour intensive than
which is still relevant today.
Should tankers be using single
the twin nozzle machines.
nozzle or twin nozzles? Marshall
said that in many cases it came
down to a user's individual
preference and experience. Duncan Marshall, international sales manager,
”
"Single nozzle machines have
Victor Marine
the advantage of being adjustable,
which means they can carry out
sector cleaning, typically bottom will stock equipment and spare product carriers worldwide are record of the performance.
tank washing only; but in parts, offering repair and being equipped with this Typical details are the name of
previous years they have been maintenance service from its machine. the vessel, port of call, tank
unreliable and more labour workshop. Sales director Björn Lundgren details, product, wash
intensive than the twin nozzle Originally known as Victor said that performance, reliability, programme, start and run times,
machines. Twin nozzle machines Pyrate, Victor Marine changed its easy operation, and safety and alarm conditions.
have generally proved to be name in 2005 when it features were driving sales. More Another company that makes
reliable, and are simpler to use incorporated Hodge Separators. than 35,000 machines had been tank cleaning machines,
and maintain. Although they can It is now an autonomous division delivered or currently were being Polarmarine, has recently become
also perform a bottom wash, the within the Samuel Hodge Group assembled for the major part of the Kockumation Group,
process incorporates a broad of companies. shipyards, and installed on almost joining with fellow Swedish
wash round the tank, which in If the experience of Victor 1,000 vessels. The machine companies Texon Automation,
some instances can be a Marine proves as successful as includes a patented magnetic and Kockum Sonics.
disadvantage", he said. that of Scanjet Marine, the transmission allowing exchange Polarmarine was established
VP Marine Equipment has decision to reintroduce a single of the drive unit without exposing in Sweden in 1978 and was
recently been appointed by Victor nozzle tank cleaning machine will the tank to the outside instrumental in providing the
Marine as its distributor in have been a wise one. atmosphere. tanker industry with the first
Singapore. Ernest Mah, who will Scanjet Marine, the specialist In common with all its models fixed installation, programmable
manage the agency, will also be Swedish manufacturer that of deck-mounted tank cleaning single nozzle tank cleaning
responsible for the Malaysian services the marine industry, has machines, Scanjet can integrate machine. The company has a
market, covering the full range of found that in recent years, since the SC 30T with its WashTrac™ production facility in the
tank cleaning machines, gas introducing its SC 30T single tank cleaning monitoring system. Philippines, which has
freeing fans and ancillaries, and nozzle tank cleaning machine, WashTrac provides the operator undoubtedly helped it to gain a
the Hodge Separator product approximately 60% of all with instant information on the significant sales foothold in
range. VP Marine Equipment newbuilding chemical and status of the machines and a Japanese shipyards such as

TANK CLEANING
We assist Tanker Operators with:
x Chemical Tank Cleaning during cargo changeover from DPP to various CPP, removal of MTBE
residues, Inert Gas Soot, Dye Discolouration, CBFS to Molasses or Veg. Oil etc.
x Preparation and assessment of the required tank cleaning
x Tank Cleaning Advice and Recommended Tank Cleaning Procedure
x Delivery of well known Marine Tank Cleaning Chemicals from stocks world wide
x Delivery of chemical injection and special spraying equipment
x Supervision during the cleaning At Sea by experienced Supervisors

NAVADAN · Nørre Torv 14 · P.O.Box 35 · DK-3060 Espergaerde · Denmark · www.navadan.com

Tel. +45-4917 0357 · Fax +45-4917 0657 · E-mail: [email protected]

36 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 TECHNOLOGY - TANK CLEANING

Sumitomo Heavy Industries,

Onomichi Dockyard, and IHI
Navadan strengthens its grip
Corp. To further strengthen surveys; safety inspections; and procedures.
On two occasions Polarmarine its tanker servicing assistance in preparing a vessel „ Delivery of tank cleaning
has won the Samsung-Q Silver market, Danish concern for regulatory inspections chemicals from worldwide
Mark, which is awarded by the Navadan has taken over worldwide. stocks.
South Korean shipbuilder all the activities of Navadan claimed that since „ Delivery of complete units
Samsung, for the excellent quality Croatian-based Credere the takeover, it commands the of chemical injection and
performance of its equipment. Marine Service. strongest specialised team in the special spraying equipment.
Swedish owned Laurin Maritime, The deal includes all Credere's world able to provide these „ Delivery of Navadan wall
an established operator with 12 staff, including supervisors, services. wash test kits.
oil and chemical tankers, has marine superintendents and Among the services Navadan „ Supervision during cleaning
recently exchanged its existing surveyors. offers to tanker operators are - at sea by experienced
cleaning machines to Polar Jet. Navadan said that Credere's „ chemical tank cleaning supervisors.
The tanker operator trades mainly international experience, „ Cleaning during changeover Navadan also offers a wide
from the US Gulf to the eastern especially in chemical tanker from DPP cargoes to various range of chemicals, and pump
seaboards of North and South trades, as well as with DPP and CPP cargoes. and spraying equipment in
America, and transatlantic to CPP cargoes, dovetails neatly „ Removal of MTBE residues. various forms. The equipment
Europe. with its own expertise. „ Removal of inert gas soot. includes -
Notwithstanding that some The enlarged concern can „ Removal of dye „ Navastill D-40 T Set
manufacturers are finding a niche now offer tank cleaning services discolouration. „ Navadan pump & spray
market for their machines, it is on all types of tankers; vessel „ Cleaning from carbon black equipment
innovative and competitive inspection and surveys; marine feedstock to molasses or „ Navadan Versatile pump
industry that allows the shipyards superintendent services; vegoils, etc. equipment
and owners to enjoy a wide chemical and product carrier „ Tank cleaning advice and „ Navapole
choice. TO assessment; sale and purchase recommended tank cleaning „ Navagun TO

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 37

TECHNOLOGY - VAPOUR CONTROL

Steady progress to
recover VOC vapour
Throughout 2007, construction has continued on two volatile organic compounds (VOC)
recovery systems at major land-based crude oil loading terminals, writes Brian Warshaw.
ew new orders have volume of vapour being handled that it is on schedule for equipment, which, because of the

F been placed, although

contractors say that the
signs for 2008 are
positive. Meanwhile at sea, BP
Shipping has been conducting
however, four sets of dual carbon
bed vessels have been installed,
taking an area of 40 m x 38 m,
and rising to a height of 15 m.
Vapour, drawn from the crude
commissioning during February
2008.
The same carbon bed
adsorption technology is being
installed at the ConocoPhilips
associated costs, leads to the
discussion on what technology is
most appropriate to use.
"The technology to use,
whether is vapour recovery
extensive mechanical and oil being loaded, is fed into an marine export terminal at Seal (VRU) or vapour destruction
efficiency trials with a shipboard adsorption vessel, and as it enters Sands in Middlesbrough, UK. (VCU), depends on many factors.
VOC recovery system, while the carbon bed, the methane and The plant is being constructed by These include product value,
proposed changes in the pure air pass through the filter Costain Oil, Gas & Process of investment, and operational costs,
Norwegian tax system may and are discharged to atmosphere, Manchester, with the VRU balanced against return on
encourage greater investment in while the hydrocarbons are supplied by John Zink. investment. The decision is very
this type of environmental adsorbed on the surface. At the With a vapour capacity of much project dependant." Kool
equipment. point where the carbon bed 20,000 cu m per hour, a little over said. He also said that he believed
At StatoilHydro's Mongstad becomes saturated with half the flowrate of the Mongstad John Zink was the only company
terminal near Bergen, hydrocarbons, the vapour is installation, the John Zink VRU that had both technologies in its
construction of the VOC vapour diverted into the parallel vessel comprises two sets of dual carbon product portfolio. In 2005, John
recovery plant is in the final and the first vessel is regenerated, bed adsorption filters. The VRU Zink supplied a 19,000 normal
stages of installation by Aker using a process of reducing the has been mechanically completed metres cubed per hour vapour
Kvaerner. The system's capacity pressure in the vessel. The freed and is currently at the combustion unit (VCU) to Botas,
to recover vapour at 36,000 cu m hydrocarbon vapour is recovered commissioning stage. for its Ceyhan terminal in Turkey.
per hour will be needed to service as a liquid by an absorption Maaten Kool, John Zink's sales Explaining why Botas had
the 450 crude oil tankers that are process, and returned to the crude and application manager for the opted for a VCU, Kool said,
loaded each year, some tankers oil storage facility. The first European vapour control group, "This is a crude oil loading
being as large as 450,000 dwt. vessel is again ready for re-use told TANKEROperator that, "We application, and due to relatively
The vapour recovery unit and placed on standby. see an increase in marine loading low value of recovered crude, the
(VRU) designed and supplied by Compared to other European vapour control requests as return on investment from a VRU
Aker Kvaerner Cool Sorption of marine VRUs, Mongstad will be emissions regulations are would be less attractive than if it
Denmark employs conventional capable of handling the largest tightening. With ship loading was a gasoline application. The
carbon bed adsorption volume of vapour, and Tomm activities we also see a significant capital cost of this VCU
technology. Due to the high Lund of Cool Sorption confirmed increase in size or capacity of installation was probably some
S
GE
GAU

MMC pioneered solid state portable tank gauging equipment back in 1972.
Over the years our corporate commitment has been to develop and improve
RTA B L E T A N K

the standards set by industries needs and remain as number 1 in the world.
For our full product range visit our web site: www.mmcintl.com or contact:
FOR PO

MMC (EUROPE) Ltd

RLD

Tel: +44(0) 1670 738111 Fax: +44(0) 1670 738789

O

e mail: [email protected]
EW
TH

MMC INTERNATIONAL CORP

IN
.1

Tel: +1 516 239 7339 Fax: +1 516 371 3134

NO

e mail: [email protected]
MMC (ASIA) Ltd
KEEPING YOU IN CONTROL WORLDWIDE Tel: +81(0) 78 251 1033 Fax: +81(0) 78 252 0265
e mail: [email protected]

38 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 TECHNOLOGY - VAPOUR CONTROL

second refined petroleum

products VRU to Porto Petroli at
Genoa to further extend the
existing system supplied.
At sea, BP Shipping continues
to test a VOC recovery system
manufactured by Norway's
Venturie. The Venturie cargo
system operates in conjunction
with a higher vent pressure that is
maintained within the safe
working rating of the cargo tank.
The unit reduces the creation of
VOC vapour during loading, and
reabsorps vapours discharged by
the loaded vessel during the
voyage. Vapour is taken back
into the cargo, passing through an
absorption unit in which the gases
are commingled with crude or
product oil pumped from one of
the vessel's tanks.
Mongstad’s vapour recovery plant. Source: Aker Kvaerner Cool Sorption
The demand for this type of on
40% less than a comparable methane content actually helps investment and operating costs, board VOC system has taken on
VRU. Long-term it would also the destruction process in a VCU and acts negatively on the return greater significance as Norway
require less maintenance. as it increases the heating value on investment. Also, he said, the has announced a change to the
"Another possible reason," he and reduces supplemental firing extra power consumption is not tax regime for shipping
said, "is that any activated carbon needs. an environmental free ride; it is companies in fiscal year 2008.
recovery technology is not able to Although many national and also a burden on the environment. Finance minister, Kristin
remove the methane, and can local authorities still consider "A VCU will, under certain Halvorsen, in announcing the
only eliminate some 50% of the vapour recovery to be the best conditions, require additional fuel changes, said that the proposals
ethane from the vapour as it available technology, Kool gas for supplemental firing; but would bring the tax system into
passes through the carbon beds." believes that combustion is a the power consumption is only line with those available in the
He explained that this is the serious alternative where this was some 5% of that required by a European Union. Under the
reason why methane is excluded not practical or feasible for VRU, and requires less plot present regime, company profits
from the current EU VOC technical or economic reasons. space, investment and are taxed only upon withdrawal
emission limits. In the case of Using a VRU the act of lowering maintenance," he concluded. of profits or exit from the
non-stabilised crude oil that has emission levels from 35 grams or John Zink has supplied a VCU scheme. As part of the phasing
high methane content, this could even 10 grams down to 150 for Sabtank in Saudi Arabia, and out of the present regime, two
be a concern, especially with milligrams per cu m vent has a was earlier this year awarded a thirds of the deferred taxes will
respect to environment/health and serious impact on power VCU order for the Ras Laffan have to be paid over a period of
odours in populated areas. consumption, roughly doubling it. terminal operated by Qatargas. 10 years. The shipping companies
Conversely, having a high This affects both capital During September, it shipped a will be allowed to use the

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 39

TECHNOLOGY - VAPOUR CONTROL

remaining one third of the tax return to the ship being lightered
obligations for environmental is not sufficient to remove
investments. emissions. The higher the
Despite objections from pressure, the lower the vapour
shipping interests, who claim that growth. This is the prime
it will require the industry to pay instrument to cut emissions, on
back NOK20 bill (Eur2.615 bill) top of the vapour return itself,
over 10 years, owners will be unless a vapour recovering
allowed to retain around process is installed.'
NOK6.67 bill provided it is spent An advocate of automated
on environmental improvements. control to maintain ship tanks at
It is this money that could the highest safe pressure to
reasonably be used to equip their minimise evaporation, Haagensen
tankers with VOC recovery believed that if the pressure is
systems. Venturie claimed that kept steady, then vapour build-up
the cost can be recovered in 10 to can be reduced by 20%-50%. He
12 months with crude oil valued said that in-transit pressure
at $60 per barrel. venting on the lightering and sea-
In addition to Venturie, ship VCU at Botas, Ceyhan. Source: John Zink going tankers can be removed
board VOC recovery systems are altogether with the installation of
available from Cool Sorption, standards. Dr Sven Haagensen, other parts of the transport vapour control equipment.
APL and from Hamworthy Gas principal engineer with Venturie, chain. Taking the lightering and transit
Systems, all three being told TANKEROperator that with In addition to key safety issues together, he said that the cost of
Norwegian companies. knowledge of how vapours are such as static electricity, the equipment would be
Since March 2007, Venturie generated, vapour-balancing eliminating the risk of sparks recovered within five to 10
has been working with Skaugen operations could be made more during hose connection and months.
PetroTrans Marine Services environmentally friendly with disconnection, and gas sampling The workgroup instigated by
(SPT), and latterly with Mariflex small changes, and a little extra strategies, the participating SPT, Mariflex and Venturie is
of the Netherlands, to establish equipment. Major oil companies companies will look at managing continuing its investigation, and
and develop harmonised have also joined the working and monitoring vapour flow. would welcome other companies
lightering and vapour balancing group to ensure harmony with Haagensen said that '…vapour who want to join in the study. TO

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40 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 TECHNOLOGY - EMISSIONS

Scrubbers in the lead

The IMO Scientific Group on air emissions is currently looking into
the various solutions put forward to reduce the shipboard emissions.
his group held a decisions. "Does more LSFO

T second meeting at the

end of September
and will issue a
report by the end of this year.
Following this, new rules on air
result in a bad environment?
What does it mean for the
refineries?" he wanted to know.
He agreed that retrofitting
would be a nightmare as among
emissions are expected to be other considerations, it is very
adopted in April of next year - in difficult to book a drydock today.
effect a revision of MARPOL "We are trying to get extensions
Annex VI. for special surveys", he
In advance of this, explained.
TANKEROperator went on a Hatzigrigoris explained that the
fact finding mission to Athens problem with the cost of fuel oil,
with senior representatives of especially if switching to
Krystallon to hear the views of distillates, was that it is
some of the leading Greek incorporated into the Worldscale
tanker owners on the charter rates annually and any
particular question of distillates major change would obviously
versus scrubbers for emissions affect these calculations.
control. Kristen Navigation manages a
large fleet of VLCCs, suezmaxes
Joint venture and aframaxes, which includes
Krystallon is a joint venture seven VLCCs on bareboat charter
company between BP and to ChevronTexaco. The company
Kittiwake and is managed by also has a large orderbook
Krystallon’s md Chris Leigh-Jones.
Chris Leigh-Jones, who is encompassing the three tanker
also head of Kittiwake. Leigh-Jones said. Kristen Navigation types it already manages. None of
The company is currently In alphabetical order, Kristen Navigation's managing the vessels are ice class, but most
exploring the possibility of reproduced below are the views director Stavros Hatzigrigoris of the trading fleet and all the
setting up a scrubber of some of the Greek tanker said that he would have to see a newbuildings will be able to carry
manufacturing plant in Greece, majors. study before making any at least three different types of fuel.

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[email protected] www.kaminis.com

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 41

TECHNOLOGY - EMISSIONS

and was about to fit the Beach, Metrostar is thinking

equipment on a fourth. about fitting small scrubbers to
Two of the new VLCCs are the generators. "We need to have
fitted with Wartsila RT-Flex something simple. Three different
common rail engines with fuels and two types of luboil is a
automation systems supplied by nightmare," Pavlidis said. "The
Kongsberg. In general, Pavlidis software also needs to be
said that the engine manufactures customised."
were loath to change a sensitive Metrostar has been running a
engine. pilot project with MariNox
One of the problems identified system for the past six months
in fitting scrubbers is the space whereby the vessels' main
needed in the stack, which needs engines and auxiliaries are
planning at the design stage. This monitored by head office through
is one of the main reasons for the Inmarsat Fleet
opting to fit scrubbers at the communications system.
newbuilding stage and not to In 2002, Metrostar sold 16
retrofit. For example, there is suezmaxes to General Maritime
normally a maximum width of 3- (GenMar) and has since
Manolis Papamichael
5 m in the funnel of a VLCC. The continued to rebuild the fleet.
payback time of fitting such
Marinter of years ago. Options are in place equipment is also important,
Marinter Navigation's Manolis for more vessels of the same type. Pavlidis said.
Papamichael thought that Papamichael said that the Pavlidis also said that one of
scrubbers were the best solution company had identified a demand the fuel tanks on Metrostar's
as distillate fuel would prove too for smaller chemical VLCC Crudestar was being
expensive. He also agreed that the tankers/bunkering vessels in the divided to take 1,500 tonnes of
fitting of such equipment was Mediterranean area, primarily due LSFO and 3,500 of high sulphur
best undertaken at the to the EU single hull ban. fuel oil (HSFO) under ABS rules
newbuilding stage. at the next drydocking schedule
He pointed out that Greece was Metrostar in a project costing $1 mill. He
importing fuel oil as the refineries Metrostar technical director explained that when in service, on
were not producing enough due Theodoros Pavlidis also agreed average it takes a VLCC 96 hours
to economic reasons. The that there was a need to try to to change from HSFO to LSFO
monthly fuel demand in Greek find a solution. For NOx and 70 hours for undertake the
ports was running at 1.5 - 1.8 mill monitoring, Metrostar had already reverse process.
tonnes, while local refineries installed Martek's MariNox As gas oil or diesel oil is
Theodoros Pavlidis
were only producing 50,000- system on board three VLCCs needed while alongside at Long
60,000 tonnes. At present there
was a premium of $50 per tonne
for LSFO in Greece.
For larger companies he
thought that there was the
possibility of SOx offsetting by
trading half their vessels on
HSFO and the other half with
LSFO. The biggest problem is the
one of space to carry the different
grades of bunkers, especially for
smaller vessels.
Speaking of the impending
IMO discussions, he said; "We
need flexibility to use distillates,
LSFO and scrubbers."
Marinter has embarked on a
newbuilding project involving up
to six 3,500 dwt - 11,000 dwt
coated chemical tankers in
Chinese yards having sold its
fleet of product tankers a couple Metrostar’s VLCC Crudestar is to have her fuel tanks divided to take both LSFO and HSFO.

42 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 TECHNOLOGY - EMISSIONS

Today, the company manages emissions controls, such as the

four modern VLCCs bought use of distillates in the main
secondhand from Samco, engines.
Embiricos and two from "We plan to start (scrubber)
Gulf Marine, the latter pair being trials on a small Vemaoil bunker
only five months old. The other tanker," Terzis said.
two are around five years of age. Kittiwake’s representatives led
In addition, Metrostar has by Leigh-Jones explained that a
embarked upon a newbuilding 2.2 MW powered scrubber
project, involving two VLCCs at system would cost in the region
Hyundai for 2010 delivery and of almost Eur1 mill. When
seven suezmaxes at Hyundai retrofitted to a secondhand vessel,
Samho for delivery from 2009 the cost would be higher. About
through 2011. The company has 10% of the main engine's power
also recently invested in a series would be needed to operate the
of handysize bulkers. scrubbers, he said.
They also said that all Greek
Queensway coastal vessels, including the
In common with all the tanker huge ferry fleet, had finally to
owners interviewed, Queensway switch to low sulphur fuel
Navigation, manager of the (LSFO) by 1st October, following Vassilios Terzis
Vemaoil fleet, thought that several date extensions.
scrubbers have a future for Queensway operates around these vessels will not be able to company's philosophy was to
reducing SOx emissions. half a dozen bunker tankers based recover their costs when fitting "build things up step by step,"
"Refineries don't know what to at Gibraltar, which comes under emissions abatement equipment, Terzis explained.
do with the sulphur extracted, EU legislation. "We have to solve so through the Union of Leigh-Jones claimed that
also we have to investigate the the problems for local vessels in Mediterranean Tanker Owners, of scrubber maintenance would be
increase in air pollution by the the Mediterranean, look for which Terzis is vice chairman, easy and the residue would be in
refineries' process to produce the solutions we can accommodate," ways of obtaining EU subsidies the order of 20 kilos per tonne,
low sulphur product," managing Terzis said. to reduce emissions were being producing anything from 1-3
director Vassilios Terzis said. It is estimated that there are discussed. tonnes per month, depending on
He thought that scrubbers had a 450 local tankers operating in the In total, Queensway manages the size of the installation. This
good future for shipping as they Mediterranean and emissions two aframaxes, of which one is can be recycled to burn, or
would save money in the long control is a particular problem on used for storage, one panamax transferred into the slop tank, he
term over other forms of smaller vessels. The owners of and seven bunker tankers. The explained.

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profiled giving their views on
current legislation,
recommendations and trends,
COMMERCIAL TANKER
etc. These will include chief
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executives from all sectors of
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A STRONG FOCUS
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November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 43

TECHNOLOGY - EMISSIONS

recently invested in drybulk scrubbers were also being used

carrier newbuildings. on the boilers. He said that the
Leigh-Jones added that the use of urea will be banned in the
question of wash water treatment future.
plants was to be discussed by the In 2003, Tsakos introduced a
IMO's bulk, liquid and gas (BLG) class EP notation. However,
sub-committee in Berlin this Soulis said that proper crew
November. If a standard is training was the best protection
recommended to the MEPC then for the environment.
it will more than likely get Soulis thought that in five
passed, Leigh-Jones thought. years time, there could be many
LSFO areas, but the refineries
Tsakos would be unable to cope with the
Tsakos new projects manager extra LSFO needed. In Brazil, for
Panagiotis Soulis said regarding example, Petrobras was already
emissions control, "We need to calling for fuel of less than 1%
design separate piping, dedicated sulphur content.
tanks for luboils, push for "We are conservative and need
Dean Tseretopoulos. redundancy, for example the fitting the best technology, which is
of two boilers. As the equipment is practical, easy to maintain,
Thenamaris "An owner would have already ordered by the shipyard, understand and is reliable. Today
Dean Tseretopoulos, Thenamaris' absolutely no chance in trying to you have to take the equipment off we have to rely on techno-
technical manager agreed that the convince a shipyard to disrupt the shelf and sign contracts on a economical decisions", he
fitting of scrubbers was only their already very high and very basic design", he said. explained.
possible at the newbuilding stage, profitable production and delivery One example of a need to Tsakos manages around 54
otherwise problems would exist schedules, in order to install some slightly change a design was the tankers with another 22 on order.
with finding space in an already intricate emissions treatment unit, fitting of different manifold Since the company started taking
small and congested if it is not supported by some systems for vessels calling at delivery of newbuildings in 1997,
accommodation block. "They form of IMO or at least Primorsk. The suezmaxes 48 vessels have been delivered
would not be strong enough for legislative requirements. generally load up to 130,000 and an extra six 53,000 dwt
retrofits, and of course there Similarly, refineries have no tonnes in the area due to Baltic product tankers added when the
would be the problems of motivation to disrupt their draught restrictions. Tsakos has assets of Western Petroleum were
auxiliaries and boilers, which convenient existing system of an approved dripping plant on all purchased.
could be emitting as much as the allowing the ships to burn their of its manifolds and the dedicated The range of vessels managed
main engine manoeuvring at full by-products that they would bunker tanks were also analysed. covers virtually the whole spectrum
speed", he explained. rather forget about," Soulis explained that when a from VLCCs to ice class MR
"The EU or IMO needs to look Tseretopoulos stated. tanker is on long term charter for types, plus one LNGC, which
at the case of boilers. On engines, Chris Leigh-Jones also added example, the luboils will have to Soulis said was a learning curve for
the luboil will need adjusting and that there needed to be proper be switched to a BN 40 type if the company before it embarked on
cylinders will need honing. regulations in place. "We should regularly using LSFO. Inert gas ordering a series of large gas
Reception facilities for wash all speak with the same voice," he
water will also be a problem. said. Thenamaris thought it
Maybe we can run the main needed to be a class requirement.
engines pilot to pilot then use Tseretopoulos explained that
diesel while entering port, as a Thenamaris started to prepare for
first stage in buying more time" LSFO in the late 1990s by fitting
he suggested. extra holding and settling tanks,
The refineries would need huge plus the extra heating equipment
investment and increase de- needed. The company manages
sulphurisation would cause some Ice Class 1B tankers, which
greater air pollution. Thenamaris often operate in the Baltic and
thought that the IMO made a during their special surveys,
brave decision to delay its bulkheads will have to be fitted in
findings until it has all the facts. the holding tanks, enabling the
Tseretopoulos explained; "We vessels to reasonably trade in the
need shipowners, refineries, class enlarged SECA areas.
societies, authorities and Thenamaris manages a mixed
especially shipyards to get tanker fleet and has a further two
together and agree on a common panamaxes and two suezmax
strategy. tankers building in China and has Panagiotis Soulis

44 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 TECHNOLOGY - EMISSIONS

tankers, which will probably come conjecture on whether using mandatory. The Californians have „ Scrubbing unit - one for each
in the future. Tsakos also manages distillates will meet compliance already given a glimpse of what engine or a combined unit
an extensive containership and for all three of the emissions could be around the corner for with gas path separation for
drybulk carrier fleet. detailed in the ruling (SOx, NOx anyone currently not operating in auxiliary engines.
and PM), although a recent US Californian waters. „ Wash water treatment system -
Krystallon - the Federal court case overruled the Krystallon asserted that it if a normally one treatment system
economic case Californian's stance, the situation distillate or distillate-type goal- is capable of handling all wash
Many ship operators who have to is still far from clear. based solution is put forward by water flow from main engine
comply with existing and up- Certainly the Californians have IMO or other legislative bodies, and auxiliary engine. The
coming emissions and fuel pointed to the fact that premature then scrubbing will be a far wash water treatment plant
legislation, are having to evaluate death and high levels of asthma cheaper option - as versus removes oil and particulates
the full range of options for in coastal areas is directly distillate, scrubbing enables the from the wash water for safe
compliance. In the current Baltic attributable to PM emissions from operator to use HSFO and gives a disposal as oil sludge
SECA operators currently have ships. PM emission reduction has much cleaner emissions signature. (typically 100 tonne fuel
two options: either buy 1.5% therefore become very high Scrubbing versus distillate is consumption creates 200 kg of
LSFO, or continue to use HSFO profile in the US, which will much much cheaper and more oily sludge).
and fit abatement technology to likely press the IMO to include it importantly, is much better for „ Continuous monitoring of
achieve the same level, that is by the next round of legislation. global health, Krystallon claimed. exhaust gases utilising latest
1.5% or better. Krystallon claimed that one Cascade laser technology. This
According to Krystallon, the thing that operators can be sure of Technical case technology provides in stack
considerations that were needed that if there is even the remotest Krystallon's approach to pollution gas measurement for CO2,
to be taken into account are: chance that legislation moves to abatement technology is designed SO2, NO and NO2. Utilising
1) How often is my vessel in the distillate type goal based to achieve compliance with all the CO2:SO2 ratio in
controlled area? solutions, scrubbers will be an current global legislation - be it accordance with IMO Sea
2) What is the current and future absolute 'no-brainer' solution if IMO, European or US. Fitting Water Scrubbing guidelines
price difference (future distillate is the only other seawater scrubbers will also establishes compliance in
differentials as quoted in alternative. In most instances, future-proof vessels from the next SECAs of equivalence or
forward curves offered by oil payback for scrubbers versus a rounds of legislation with regard below of 1.5% sulphur fuel. In
companies and banks) distillate alternative is less than to SOx emission reduction and fact with virtually 100%
between HSFO and LSFO? six months. The current also PM emissions, the company scrubbing efficiency it is rare
3) If I invest in scrubbers, what is differential from HSFO to claimed. The following high to detect more than 5- 10 ppm
the payback period? Will it fit distillate is around $350 per standards and levels of reliability SO2 after the scrubber when
my board's investment criteria tonne, which for most operators will apply: using 3.5% sulphur fuel.
of three years or less? would mean millions of dollars of „ 100% sulphur removal. „ Continuous monitoring of
4) What is my view on where additional fuel costs if this was „ 3.5% fuel sulphur equivalent wash water discharge -
future price differences will be their only alternative. of 0.1% fuel sulphur emissions utilising pH and oil content
for both distillates and LFSO For newbuilding applications, as the base case. measurement, (the latter to
over HSFO? most operators are already at the „ Over 80% particulate removal levels of ppb) the continuous
5) With more legislation around stage of believing that fitting from the exhaust gas. compliance with in port wash
the corner, do I start future- scrubbers is cost effective. The „ Full instrumentation to water criteria can be
proofing my vessels now so additional cost of the installation monitor both scrubbing demonstrated.
that I am not faced with a for a retrofit application can make efficiency and water discharge „ Data recording and
hasty compliance need when the decision border-line versus the quality. transmission - the Krystallon
legislation is effected later? current alternative of buying LSFO. „ Provides compliance with data recording system
Currently, both IMO and the EU However, this can vary current SECAs and addresses complies with data integrity,
have effected sulphur emission dramatically on the fuel usage pending legislative changes. fraud and tamper evident
legislation, which can be adhered and utilisation of the vessel - so „ Meets EU requirements for requirement for Port State
to by using LSFO, or by fitting Krystallon recommends that 0.1% sulphur fuel for all inspection of vessel position
scrubbers. It is being widely operators should send the details berthed vessels in EU waters and emissions for any point in
anticipated that future legislation of what fuel usage is applicable from 1st January 2010. time for up to at least three
from 2010, will try to tackle both to any vessels considered for „ Exceeds existing and expected years previously.
particulate matter (PM) and NOx scrubbing, along with the amount environmental criteria for air „ Pumps including variable
emissions. of time it will spend in a and water discharge quality. speed control - all system
Compliance for these emissions controlled area, to the company „ Performs all of the above, pumps and controls and all
may be achievable by using for analysis. reliably over a 25-year life sensing and system protection.
LSFO, including distillates, but Another factor that Krystallon cycle. „ Glass reinforced epoxy pipe
on the other hand, it may not be. reminds operators to take into To achieve this, the Krystallon work - all pipe work is
The current Californian Auxiliary consideration is how they are Seawater Scrubber maximises the supplied to comply with the
engine rule enforced on 1st going to handle the elimination of use of the following key system environmental requirements of
January 2007 is already causing PM once this becomes components: a sea water scrubbing system. TO

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 45

TECHNOLOGY - EMISSIONS

INTERTANKO’s
stance on the
environment
Oil tankers are environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient and effective in terms of
minimising greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, claims INTERTANKO.
ne litre of fuel on a of approximately 20 times that of November the North Sea and of previous years or with other

O modern VLCC
moves one tonne of
cargo more than
2,800 km; this is more than twice
as far as 20 years ago. The
CO2 and the tanker fleet has
voluntarily developed means to
reduce these emissions to a small
fraction of what they were.
Tanker owners are however not
English Channel, where
maximum sulphur levels are set
at one third of the global level,
the sulphur level of the fuels used
by ships is frequently below the
transportation modes. The group
of experts is responsible for
making any comparisons with
other models as part of the
process of validation for its final
average carbon footprint (in terms complacent and are committed to maximum permissible level. report.
of CO2 per tonne/km) of each of 'continuous improvement' in all Since 2000 all new engines INTERTANKO said it will not
the world's oil tankers is less than fields right across the industry. installed on ships also produce comment on the contents of its
a 10th of that of a heavy truck New technologies are being significantly lower NOx report, the ongoing work of the
and less than 100th of that of an tested for application in both emissions. IMO group of experts nor on
aircraft. existing and new ships, including This Convention is currently speculation about the total or mix
Over recent years tanker ways of achieving further being revised with a target of emissions from shipping.
owners have invested an average efficiency gains and reducing completion date of 2008. Regrettably, despite
of nearly $32 bill per year in new harmful engine exhaust and GHG INTERTANKO has submitted understandings with regard to the
ships and today over 75% of the emissions. a specific proposal to the IMO, confidentiality of the work of the
internationally traded fleet is Air Emissions which would require the use of IMO group, a third party has
double hulled. With this increased Air emissions from ships are cleaner fuel (distillate) on a released INTERTANKO's input
protection for the oil cargo, as regulated by the IMO. MARPOL global basis. Other (shorter and and subsequently various press
well as the ship's fuel tanks, Annex VI was adopted in 1997. longer term) proposals under articles and comments have
accidental oil spills this decade This Convention covers the review include the application of appeared out of context and in
have been at record low levels - emissions of oxides of sulphur abatement technologies and/or the advance of the publication of the
33% of the previous decade and (SOx) and nitrogen (NOx) as expansion of SECAs. IMO report in December.
10% of the 1970s - at a time well CFCs and VOCs, and In order to fast-track the
when oil transported has more makes provisions for regional revision of Annex VI, the IMO World trade growth
than doubled since the mid- control zones for sulphur has endorsed a proposal by its World trade and ship numbers
1980s. emissions. secretary-general and has have naturally seen a steady
Engines are more efficient and As early as 2000 the IMO commissioned a comprehensive increase over recent years, but in
other measures, such as produced a study on GHG study, by an informal cross- parallel there have been
segregated ballast water, the emissions and is currently government/industry Group of economies of scale (with larger,
application of new tin-free paints, working on an update to give a experts, to evaluate the effects of more efficient ships) and on a per
optimal weather routing and the better foundation for future the various proposals for unit basis emissions both of
recovery of otherwise wasted heat decisions. Additional measures to revisions and establish the facts. harmful substances (pollutants)
from the engine and auxiliaries, regulate GHG emissions are One of several inputs was a and GHGs from ships have been
have resulted in significant gains under review and will be debated report by INTERTANKO, which reduced, allowing shipping still
in energy efficiency and more fully in the first half of included a model for estimating justifiably to assert that it is the
reductions in environmental 2008. the global usage of marine fuels most environmentally-friendly
impact. Sulphur levels in most fuels by ships subject to Annex VI and the most energy-efficient
A particular issue for the tanker used today by ships average just regulations and their associated transport mode.
industry has been the control of 60% of the maximum permissible emissions, together with an Shipping is therefore a part of
cargo vapours (volatile organic level in the IMO regulations. explanatory note of the the solution to the challenges of
compounds - VOCs) during Within Sulphur Emission Control underlying assumptions in the air emissions and global warming
loading and on passage. VOCs Areas (SECAs), currently model. This report makes no which face the world today, rather
have a global warming potential covering the Baltic Sea and from comparison with either estimates than being the problem. TO

46 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 TECHNOLOGY - SHIP EFFICIENCY

Ship efficiency -
no easy answer
Today ship efficiency and the environment seem to be commanding shipping’s
‘great and the good’ attention more than any other subject. A two-day
conference recently took place in Hamburg where speakers representing
most sectors of the shipping industry aired their views on the subject.
hip efficiency international rules called for a

“S is a question of
perspective",
this was one of
the conclusions drawn at the
conference organised by the
continuous optimisation of ship
design and operation. Efficient
power generation, alternative
marine fuels and modern
construction would help to reduce
German Society for Maritime emissions substantially.
Technology on "How to make The conference was subdivided
ships more efficient?" in three themes covering ship
More than 150 participants operations, ship design, future
from all over the world attended fuels and efficient power.
the first international conference
on ship efficiency in Hamburg. Eco-friendliness
Increasing fuel prices and strong It was Peter Nielsen from
environmental concerns were the Wallenius Marine who pointed
key elements of this meeting of out what was relevant for a
naval architects, ships engineers, shipbuilder and shipowner in
shipowners, shipbuilders, respect of eco-friendliness.
maritime institutions, suppliers, Objectives like increased
classification societies, financial capacity, reduced fuel
analysts and academics. consumption, increased safety as
Presentations were given on well as improved working
how commercial seagoing ships conditions and minimised
could be designed, equipped and environmental impact were the
operated to burn less fuel. GL's predominant aspects, when
Dr Hermann Klein, president of planning a new vessel.
the German Society for Maritime Wallenius' experience of GL’s Dr Hermann Klein is also the president of the German Society
Technology pointed out in his operating vessels on low sulphur for Marine Technology.

introduction: "Shipping is the fuel from 1998 to 2001 was very

most eco-friendly means of promising. Savings were optimise the fleet contained the However, at the end of last year,
transport. The public image, generated from less maintenance installation of pre-swirl stators, Wallenius installed a methanol
though, is somewhat different. and cleaning on board, fewer looking at the trim, which has a pilot system.
Rising fuel prices, increasing spare parts and reduced cylinder large impact of the required The role of port to improve
emissions and the continuous lack oil consumption - apart from propulsive power, as well as an ship efficiency was highlighted
of well-trained staff hit the news substantial cuts in SO2 emissions. improvement of the propeller- by Wolfgang Hurtienne, Hamburg
on a daily basis. As engineers, it However, in the end it was too rudder interaction. Wallenius is Port Authority director. He
is not only our task to set this costly and undermined it's also currently analysing waste suggested streamlining the flow
record straight, but to convince: competitiveness. heat recovery systems by of information to improve ship
by developing intelligent and The company has since decided installing either steam or power calls. Delays due to late departure
efficient solutions, by making to cut its fuel consumption and turbines or a combination of both. at previous ports, tidal
shipping both profitable and CO2 emissions by 10% within Whether the fuel cell will be an restrictions, weather conditions or
environmentally compatible." five years from this year. answer to the energy demand on technical problems, as well as
Rising oil prices and stricter Nielsen's account of measures to board will be seen in future. occupied berths could be resolved

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 47

TECHNOLOGY - SHIP EFFICIENCY

usually defined as design

draught in calm waters only.
"From the operators point of
view it can be much more
advantageous to optimise the
vessel's hull form for the actual
environmental conditions and the
individual operating profile
expected for the newbuildings,"
he said.
Further down the line the role
of the rudder came under
investigation by Dirk Lehmann
from Becker Marine Systems. He
gave an overview of future
developments in rudder design
and claimed that efficiency can
be gained through sophisticated
rudder systems. An efficient
rudder system could save up to
8% fuel if it had a slim and low
drag profile, a high lift at small
rudder angles, and tuned against
More than 150 people attended the 1st International Conference on Ship Efficiency the ship's propeller.

by a better information chain another topic highlighting the Knudsen whose presentation dealt Future fuels
involving the shipowner agent, diversity of ship efficiency. By with exhaust gas for power The second day covered future
terminals, line operator, harbour offering optimised voyage generation. He proved that fuels and efficient power. It was
masters office, tug assistance and planning, taking into account significant increases in efficiency Professor Rulfs' job to insist that
pilots. An automated electronic weather forecasts and updates, were possible while the reliability the future of ship propulsion will
exchange of information within shore based routing advice can of diesel engines remained be the diesel engine due to its
all parties involved could be a contribute to minimising fuel unchanged. Given the high order higher efficiency compared to
solution for less efficient ship call consumption. volume at shipyards, he said that steam or gas turbines.
procedures. Dr Pierre Sames, responsible there was reluctance to introduce However, the success story of
for strategic research at thermo efficiency systems. heavy fuel oil will probably come
Hull resistance Germanischer Lloyd (GL) put Thermo efficiency systems had to to an end due to the gaseous
International Paint's John new safety regulations into be considered at an early stage of byproducts, such as nitrogen
Willsher said that the reduction of perspective and answered the a new building project. Knudsen oxide (NOx) and sulphur oxide
resistance and its impact on fuel question of how they could be had no doubt, that 2-stroke diesel (SOx) released into the
consumption depends on the applied more economically. He engines will have a great future atmosphere by vessels in addition
roughness of the ship's hull. pointed out that the new coating due to their already high to carbon dioxide (CO2) and
Slime, weed, and shell fouling performance standard, ballast efficiency ratio of up 50%. particulate matter. Even today,
contributed up to 40% of drag. water management, fuel tank 'Efficient hull forms' was the problems with heavy fuel oil
The effect of micro roughness protection, SECA requirements topic of Uwe Hollenbach's paper. cause interruptions in ship
can be measured in terms of and ship recycling underlined the He concentrated on the necessity schedules thus undermining
additional fuel requirements. If necessity to reduce the risks or to of optimal main dimensions, efficiency. He listed catalyst
the vessel could not increase minimise the environmental optimised hull forms, best wake fines, lack of stability and
power, it would slow down. Foul impact of shipping. Rule field, propeller - rudder compatibility, the ignition quality
release systems could contribute compliance required new interaction, and the optimisation and contaminations with waste
to further efficiency in cases of documentation and procedures to for service conditions. All of products as major sources of
low hull roughness, good keep data updated. Classification these elements must be analysed engine malfunctions. He
resistance to mechanical damage societies could help ship at the design stage. He called for forecasted a further deterioration
and if they were able to prevent operators transform these new realistic estimates in respect to in fuel quality, and higher
attachments of fouling. While rules into competitive advantages power consumption. Actual contamination with burnable
tests have shown that these for their clients. loading conditions and expected waste products.
coatings lowered hull roughness environmental conditions such as Charterers tend to purchase the
even more than biocidal anti- Efficiency wind, sea state, roll motions, cheapest fuel, which has to be
foulings, application required Commenting on how complex drift and temperature had to be processed by cost-oriented fuel
qualified and competent staff. thermo efficiency systems were taken into account rather than system designs. The increasing
Ship routing services was was MAN Diesel's Thomas contract conditions. These are incompatibility of different fuel

48 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 TECHNOLOGY - SHIP EFFICIENCY

batches added to significant 'How to match environmental hence less emissions. INTERTANKO's initiative for a
adjustment problems in engine and economical challenges' was switch from burning residual
management. Stricter the title of Frank Oberhokamp's Legislation concerns fuel to marine diesel oil as the
environmental standards on presentation. Diesel-electric It was Timothy Gunner, most effective way of reducing
sulphur contents require different propulsion concepts have a technical consultant for air pollution from vessels. It
types of fuel in specific water number of advantages compared INTERTANKO, who explained would immediately trigger real
regions. Engine inspection and to diesel mechanical the influence of environmental and global reductions in
maintenance routines would also configurations, such as improved legislation on the efficiency of atmospheric pollution such as
have to be adjusted to mitigate life cycle costs due to reduced ship operation. He said that SOx and NOx emissions.
any adverse impact on the engine fuel consumption and international regulations should Owners would either pay a
that comes from consuming these maintenance. They offer the meet long term goals. They higher price for cleaner fuel,
different types of fuels. A holistic possibility of optimising the should be achievable and often recoverable through
approach would help ship loading of prime movers and consistent to allow for planning freight rate adjustments, or they
operators plan and co-ordinate the cause less propulsion noise and and to allow for operational would pay for the fitting,
demands of environmental vibrations. practicalities. He insisted that running, maintenance of fuel
regulations with other operational Heinrich Schmid from international regulations should purification and emission
concerns to bring about smooth, Wärtsilä Switzerland pointed maintain a level playing field for abatement systems, whose cost
safe and cost-effective vessel out that efficient propulsion for all ships worldwide. would not be recoverable. In
operations. seagoing vessels depended on a Regional regulations should be addition, the latter option would
By focusing on overall costs large number of influences such avoided as they created many require the disposal of liquid
and longterm benefits it would as hull geometry, engine design operational and planning and solid wastes generated by
make sense to spend more on and technology, and propulsor difficulties and uncertainties. He those systems, as well as
better fuel quality to reduce design and technology. He questioned some of the currently associated liabilities.
emissions and to cut down on proposed to reduce emissions by discussed conventions, such as Summing up the conference Dr
vessel maintenance and repair waste heat recovery. About 50% the ballast water regulations or oil Hermann Klein called for such a
costs. The net gains from of the fuel input energy is pollution regulations. There were meeting every second year to
implementing an eco-friendly currently not being put to inadequate reception facilities for monitor the progress made in
strategy could exceed the productive use. Recovering oil slops in many ports. improving ship efficiency and
apparent savings from using part of the wasted energy reducing the environmental
cheaper, 'borderline' fuels, provided the vessel with Distillates implications of shipping even
he warned. lower fuel consumption and In the discussion he recalled further. TO

F-GAS explained
Pressured to cut costs product group manager Hans- the feasibility of new rules for the issue of fluorinated greenhouse
and increase quality, Joachim Koblischke. maritime industry and, on the gases.
shipping has squeezed Koblischke is currently a other, we help inform the market Said Peter Horrocks of the EC's
its knowledge bases into member of an advisory board that of new and upcoming rules," team working on F-GAS: "As
increasingly narrow is looking at further regulation explained Koblischke. regards policy elsewhere there are
segments. The related to refrigerants and their "With respect to the F-GAS many restrictions on the use of
introduction of a new EU use in industry. regulation, its main sphere of refillable containers for ozone-
regulation on fluorinated The F-GAS regulations came influence is within the EU. At the depleting substances (bans for
greenhouse gases (F- into effect this July, but Barwil same time, global operators need instance) and this is also the case
GAS) illustrates some of Unitor was aware of the changes to be aware that the non-refillable for the EC. Other countries do not
these changes. as early as last summer. One of (disposable) refrigerant cylinders have regulatory controls on F-
A ban on disposable refrigerant the company's procurement will soon not be available in any Gases and in most instances
cylinders in the EU is the perfect managers working in Rotterdam EU ports. At the very least, it non-refillable containers can still
example of one of the multitude and closely co-operating with the would require them to change be used."
of changes that demand attention EU notified Koblischke, who their procurement routines," Despite Horrocks' assurances
to ensure compliance. analysed the impact for customers said Koblischke. that extensive efforts were made
"I recently held presentations and put together a campaign to F-GAS is, like the EU's to communicate the impact of F-
on refrigerants at our customer notify and advise them of the emissions trading scheme, a GAS to the business community,
seminars in Germany. I heard that change, and to offer a solution. European response to the carbon- not everyone got the message. At
several shipowners came "It's a case of knowledge reducing and global-warming least one environmental manager
specifically because they wanted transfer. We're close to the source promises made under the Kyoto for a major shipowner expressed
to hear about refrigerants and because we're co-operating with Protocol. The EU, however, is the interest in information about F-
regulations related to them," said the rule-making bodies. On one only authority so far to have GAS, as he had heard of it, but
Barwil Unitor Ships Service hand, we advise these groups on acted decisively on the particular not its consequences. TO

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 49

CONFERENCE REPORT

TANKEROperator’s
Singapore TMSA
conference
Commitment or compliance, lack of consistency in oil major treatment,
and confusing wording - some of the issues which arose in TANKEROperator’s
TMSA conference held during Digital Ship Singapore in September.

anker company safety Terry Luke, from Chevron's Singapore, said that "TMSA is

T managers and oil

majors both agree that
you should not try to
comply with TMSA.
"Oil majors are looking for
Singapore marine department,
said that the company is
benchmarking tanker companies
against other companies, not
against their TMSA scores.
aimed at distinguishing between
people who embrace the ISM
code in its true spirit, and those
who do not."
"We feel TMSA has introduced
commitment, not just Anglo Eastern's quality and a new concept," he said. "It is a
compliance," said Captain Dinesh safety manager Captain standard framework for consistent
Pradhan, marine manager, Teekay Janardhanan said, "I don't believe assessment of operators. And oil
Singapore. "You have to show TMSA is a compliance tool, it is majors are providing free
them the commitment is there." a guidance tool. It should be a management consultancy."
"TMSA is a guide, a standard, motivation tool, not a standard. "It's a continuous process. It's
a tool and most importantly an We believe TMSA is about not something you allocate to a
opportunity. You can better your commitment not compliance." safety manager," said Mittal.
organisation. If we have the "There's a big difference "TMSA is a beacon," he said.
attitude, we have no choice – we between completing a task and "Industry expectations are clearly
have to do it, then we are just accomplishing it," said Epic laid out."
making trouble for ourselves." Shipping's risk, safety, security
manager Captain Sanjay Mittal. Bad idea
While everybody agrees that Capt B Kartik.

TMSA attitude trying to manage your company

Patrick Slesinger, chief to reach a specific score is a bad "It's a best practise guide
information officer and director idea, you also need to bear in for tanker operation. OCIMF is
of Wallem Group, said that you mind that your score will our customer, and it tells you
can potentially tell a great deal probably be taken into account what your customers'
about the safety and quality when your vessel is being requirements are."
mentality of a tanker operator considered for charter. "It is a huge opportunity," said
from its attitude to TMSA. Sometimes this has been made Mittal, "You can present your
If the company complains quite explicit. "A few months management's approach to
about TMSA and the work ago, a customer asked us if we targeting safety and
involved, and treats it as a 'tick could be at level 3.5 so he could environmental excellence to your
the box' exercise, that could give a ship to us," said Mittal. business partners."
indicate that their company does A principal benefit of TMSA is Good tanker companies should
the minimum to comply, he said. that it gives high quality tanker find that their vessels get
But if the company likes operators an opportunity to prove chartered preferentially over
TMSA, that tells you that they to their customers what they can mediocre tanker companies,
genuinely want to operate the do and how good they are. which should lead to higher
safest quality operation that they "Teekay looks at TMSA as an business returns.
can, he said. opportunity to prove to your "The advantages of TMSA
Capt B Kartik, marine manager customer your performance is could include better management
and designated person ashore backed by a quality management fees, better money for seafarers,
Patrick Slesinger.
(DPA) with World Tankers system," said Pradhan. better quality of life at sea, better

50 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

 CONFERENCE REPORT

the interpretation could vary "Oil majors say, they want government about it."
depending on the individual," he seafarers with experience, "It’s all driven by governmental
said. because experience translates into bodies, and required either to
"Management of change is very safety," said Kartik. address an incident or the
much in an infancy stage," he "What people neglect is time in changing needs of the
said. "After three years we’re still other ranks. There has to be a environment we operate in, “ said
not sure if we’re doing the right formula where 50% to 60% of Teekay’s Pradhan.
thing." time in other ranks is considered. "It's the natural process of
"It has its ups and downs," said For example, for a master, 50% to things," said Mittal. "Everything
Pradhan. "But instead of trying to 60% cent of his time as a chief gets upgraded."
put it down, we should try and officer should count." Dimitris Lyras, conference
move on." One delegate said that his chairman, noted that it was not
Mittal said that he had reliable company had had a brand new sensible to introduce a new
information that TMSA was not ship rejected by an oil major procedure for seafarers to follow,
written by a seafarer. "TMSA was because the crew did not have without coming up with one
a take off from the International enough "years in rank". which they no longer have to do,
Marine Transportation business Another delegate said that his because seafarers do not have
Captain Sanjay Mittal. review," he said. company had done a free time.
Chevron believes that TMSA is comprehensive risk assessment of Slesinger noted that TMSA
quality and motivated seafarers, too prescriptive but some people the crew complement it was does not have to mean more
fewer accidents, fewer off hires, complain that it is not proposing to put on board, shown work, if you do it as you go
enhanced operational efficiency, prescriptive enough, said Luke. the risk assessment to an oil along, rather than as a discrete
competitive advantage," said "It's not a numbers game, we major which had then accepted it. task.
Kartik. "This is something the agree to it not being so Epic's Mittal said that "oil "The example I use is, if we
ISM code could not get." prescriptive," he said. majors do take into account were making cigarettes, we could
"The new TMSA will come out seafarers' experience in other count cigarettes when we make
Standards in June next year, with the major ranks." them, or count them every month
Many speakers complained about change to bring in barges," in the stockroom," he said. "If it's
a lack of consistency between revealed Luke. The new version Is it more work? the latter, then its extra work.
different oil majors. also has wording improvements, One speaker raised the issue Gathering data and reporting
"Each oil major perceives it he said. about why the tanker industry is statistics should be a bi-product
differently, and you have to know perpetually given more systems of a process rather than a process
the specific requirements of Time in rank and none of the older ones get in itself."
different oil majors," said Mittal. There was a discussion about oil taken away.
But you can ask the oil majors major 'time in rank' demands, "There's many additions to the Seafarer retention
what they are specifically looking asking for ships to be crewed by rules," he said. "Nothing is Anglo Eastern's Janardhanan said
for, and most will be happy to seafarers who have served a leaking off. There has to be some that his company is doing very
share it with you, he said. "Be certain number of years. decree from some central well on seafarer retention,
guided by what individual oil
majors want to see for different
elements."
"We have been through a lot of
fleet audits," said Janardhanan.
"Oil major audits have different
needs and varied interpretation."
"Some of them say, I want you
to do it this way, whilst others
say, you could do it better."

Clarity
There were plenty of comments
about the wording of TMSA, and
whether there is enough clarity
about what tanker companies are
expected to do.
"Is TMSA well written to help
tanker operators improve their
system?" said Janardhanan.
"It’s a bit like the SOLAS and
MARPOL in a few areas where
The Singapore audience listens to the issues surrounding TMSA.

November/December 2007 z TANKEROperator 51

CONFERENCE REPORT

claiming a 90% annual seafarer One concern Janardhanan had rely on the modern electronics
retention rate. was of pilotage standards in and all. We have to move ahead,"
Anglo Eastern has grown its certain ports around the world, he said.
Singapore tanker fleet by 69.7% and the little power the shipping
since 2006, he said, so it has a lot company has to do anything Measured
of need for more seafarers. about it. Kartik said he welcomed a
"Altogether, the industry will "With more requirements and measure designed to improve
require 80,000 trained seafarers compliance to work rest hours on standards of shipping, but which
over 2006-2008," he said. board the vessel is still a big did not revolve around
"In the booming job market it issue. We are running ships with punishment.
is becoming increasingly difficult 16-18 people, which we used to "The threat of punishment
to train seafarers to company man with 30-35,” he said. "Has should not be the only drivers for
standards and retain them." the industry thought about having improvement," he said.
Janardhanan had several other a relook at the minimum manning However smaller tanker
comments about TMSA. certificate?" companies will struggle with
TMSA, he said. "For an operator
Bonuses with six or seven ships, it's hard
Viswanathan Shridar.
The first time Teekay looked at for him to commit the resources
TMSA, "We complied with 211 to benefit from this free
KPIs out of 241 KPIs," said consultancy. There has to be a running a trial of ECDIS (official
Pradhan. certain critical mass." electronic chart) equipment,
"We are a big company and we "TMSA looks at the most choosing suppliers, doing initial
have a large fleet. We could fundamental aspects," he said. navigation audits, and training.
compare ourselves to a franchise Plenty of things are required to "At Epic Shipping we have two
like McDonalds. You go to any make TMSA work, including full time fleet training managers,
McDonalds anywhere in the better co-operation and with a very broad training
world and you get the same knowledge sharing between ship agenda," he said. "They go on
quality product,” he said. “We and shore (such as officers board the ships, identify training
deliver the same quality of holding seminars in the shipping needs in the first three days then
service all across the globe.” company office); good reporting it is one to one training."
At Teekay a ship has to be and feedback systems, more ship
ready for inspections all the time, visits from shore staff. Software
Capt Janardhanan. he said. "Today everybody is used "One advantage has been the Viswanathan Shridhar, fleet
to all these inspections, we've introduction of KPIs," he said. manager with V Ships, talked
learned to cope with it." Luke asked World Tankers if about his company's in-house
"Near miss investigation is one Pradhan said that there is no they saw any increase in business safety management software
of the major challenges. You ask point in complaining about the because of TMSA. "Actually ShipSure.
anybody how many near misses way TMSA encourages tanker yes," Kartik replied. "Everything is integrated into
you want, you'll get that many companies to modernise. Mittal joked that TMSA is a one module," he said. "It's a good
near misses," he said. "If you say "We have to move to the journey from "tanker managers' tool for everyone to see the ships
"I need eight near misses per modern day and age, we have to silent aversion" to "Timebound performance."
month," people will give you methodical structured approach." The software runs on the ship
eight. Near miss reports have to TMSA helps management and on shore. "Data is entered on
come naturally." focus on leading indicators the vessel, it goes to the
Guidelines are usually reactive, (which indicate how well a management office," he said.
he noted. "ISPS was brought in, company is being managed), such "It's integrated with purchasing
in such a rush and hurry, all it as recruitment quality, and budgeting system. It also
was, was a bunch of papers. You maintenance, navigation safety, integrates with the crewing."
put security tags all over the emergency preparedness. The system has information
place. But has it made the ships "I would rather focus my about all the certificates. "The
any safer? energy on the leading indicators colour changes to red when it
"In remote parts of the world so I can manage the lagging ones needs renewing."
when a vessel is attacked by better," he said. The software compares the
pirates – pressing the security He explained how the actual budget with the
button does not necessarily ensure company had set about one expenditure budget," he said.
that the ship would be safe. Yes TMSA task, fitting electronic For training, V Ships sends a
the code has brought about more chart systems on ships. staff member on board for 25
transparency and most incidents It put together a schedule days. "He teaches people on the
get reported, so additional running from March 2008 to ship how to key in the
Dinesh Pradhan.
precautions could be taken." November 2008, including information," he said. TO

52 TANKEROperator z November/December 2007

Zero pollution

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