Carrier Safety

IMO Secretary General William O'Neil Addresses Bulk Carrier Safety

IMO Secretary, General William O'Neil, has highlighted the need for widespread and concerted efforts to improve bulk carrier safety. Speaking at the opening of the 45th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE) O'Neil said, "Bulk Carrier Safety has been a priority on our agenda for over ten years now and, while certain improvements have been introduced, the work has not been finalized, as we are regrettably reminded from time to time by the continuing loss of bulkers." He added, "I would therefore encourage, once again, all parties concerned - Governments, industry and technical organizations - to work in unison, not in an isolated manner, to bring the issue to a positive conclusion as soon as possible." Among other items on a busy agenda, the Sub-Committee has been requested by the Maritime Safety Committee to work on a number of tasks related to bulk carrier safety that emerged from the recommendations of the re-opened formal investigation into the loss of the m.v. Derbyshire. Specifically, the Sub-Committee will be looking at alternative means of sealing up anchor chain pipes to prevent water entry and whether access to chain lockers should be by bolted manholes and not doors. It will also be considering a recommendation that the installation of a level monitoring system in the spaces forward of the collision bulkhead be made mandatory on all capsize bulk carriers and the need for an independent pumping system for such spaces.

Pattofatto Honored With Award

The International Maritime Prize for 2001 will be awarded posthumously to Dr. Giuliano Pattofatto, former technical director of the Italian classification society Registro Italiano Navale. William A. O'Neil, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, will present the prize to Dr. Pattofatto's widow Nella and their two sons Leone and Riccardo during a special ceremony today on December 4 at IMO's London Headquarters. Dr Pattofatto

Unique Bulk Carrier Launched

The Graig Group has launched a unique double-hull handysize bulk carrier design with an eight-ship order in Vietnam. Graig has contracted four Graig Carl Bro-designed Diamond 34 bulkers, with four options, to be built at Vinahsin's Pha Rung shipyard. Delivery dates begin in mid 2007. The Diamond 34 is a new design 34,000 dwt handysize geared five hatch double hull bulk carrier which builds on the success of Graig's Diamond 53 double

IMO Secretary-General Highlights Safety Record at MSC

IMO Secretary-General William O’Neil has highlighted the shipping industry’s continued success in achieving improvements to its safety and environmental record as he addressed delegates at the opening of the 77th session of the Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in London today. Mr O’Neil spoke of shipping as “an industry to be proud of”, and added that no opportunity to emphasize this should be missed. Shipping, he added, “is in a much better state

Graig Group Secures Orders For Bulk Carriers

Cardiff-based Graig Group has secured seven firm orders for its modern double-hull ultra handymax Diamond 53 bulk carrier. Graig has ordered two Diamond 53's from Shanghai's New Century yard, Athens-based Thenamaris has taken two Graig orders from the same yard, and Scandinavian interests have confirmed, through Graig, three orders at Shanghai's Chengxi yard. First deliveries will begin in January 2005. A total of nine options have been granted by the two shipyards.

ABS President Comments on Bulk Carrier Safety

At the Seatrade International Maritime Convention in London, ABS President and CEO, Robert Somerville commented on Bulk Carrier Safety.It was in the tumultuous period when the tanker industry was still trying to adjust to OPA90, to the mandate for double hulls, to the uncertainties of COFRs and all the rest of the restrictions that were being placed on their operations.It was also a time when there had been a casualty, with a small amount of pollution, involving a bulk carrier

Bureau Veritas Shows Growth

Bureau Veritas has improved financial results for the 2002-2003 financial year. Strong growth in both revenues and profits confirm BV's absolute leadership in this sector. Turnover, at EUR 1.145bn, was up 13 per cent on 2001. Consolidated operating profits grew by 22 per cent to EUR 121m. Group post-tax profits surged by almost 45 per cent to EUR 86m, while total equity is now almost 250 per cent greater than it was five years ago, thus emphasising the extent to which the

AWO To Enhance Chem Transport Safety

In another step to enhance the safety of transportation of chemicals by water, the American Waterways Operators (AWO) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) recently finalized their joint "Barge Assessment Complement." The Complement is a tool designed to help chemical companies assess the safety and quality performance of barge carriers transporting chemicals. The Complement is completely voluntary and has been distributed to all AWO liquid carrier members for use as a safety assessment

ODC Completes Type Product Carriers

Onomichi dockyard Co., Ltd. (ODC) completed construction of two 47,000 DWT type product carriers, Amazon and San Jacinto, for OMI Corporation in January and March 2002, respectively. The carriers are the 30th and 31st carriers of the 47,000DWT series built since the first in 1995. The company will build ten more product carriers, which are now one of the best sellers among standardized vessels built by the company.

Opinion: ABS President Discusses Bulk Carrier Safety

ABS President and CEO, Robert Somerville recently discussed Bulk Carrier Safety at a conference in London. His speech, in part, follows. It was in the tumultuous period when the tanker industry was still trying to adjust to OPA90, to the mandate for double hulls, to the uncertainties of COFRs and all the rest of the restrictions that were being placed on their operations. It was also a time when there had been a casualty, with a small amount of pollution, involving a bulk carrier.