V.Group Acquires Graig Ship Management
Marine and offshore vessel management and support services provider V.Group said it has acquired Graig Ship Management Ltd, part of Graig Shipping PLC, which has developed a reputation for new build supervision and ship management of dry bulk vessels. This reputation, which has its roots as part of Graig Shipping PLCâs 100 year history and is supported by a global maritime workforce, has grown steadily over the past 25 years. Graig Ship Management will continue to operate independently within the V.Group portfolio.
IMCA: Encouraging Responses to 'Competence' Questionnaire
The results of a questionnaire, developed by the International Marine Contractors Associationâs (IMCA) Competence & Training Core Committee, aimed at offshore personnel, revealed that 64% of the 276 offshore personnel from over 35 contractor members who responded used a competence scheme. âWe were highly encouraged, not only by answers to the questionnaire, but that so many people took part in it,â says Hugh Williams, Chief Executive of IMCA. âIt was possible for respondents to select more than one division from marineâŚ
IMCA Appoints New Chief Executive
Chris Charman is appointed Chief Executive of IMCA (International Marine Contractors Association) taking over from Hugh Williams who is retiring. Chris Charman is greatly looking forward to his new role: "IMCA will bring together so many of my professional skills and capabilities â my working life began in the Royal Navy as an officer where I gained invaluable marine experience," he explains. "I have worked with a number of trade associations and 'not-for-profit' organisations; and the vast majority of my working life has been devoted to risk management.
IMCA Appoints New Chief Executive
Chris Charman has been appointed as Chief Executive of IMCA (International Marine Contractors Association) taking over from Hugh Williams who is retiring. He will take up the position on 3 December 2012. IMCA is the international trade association for offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies with about 850 members in over 60 countries all around the world. It focuses on offshore construction and marine operations mainly in support of offshore oil & gas, but also marine renewable energy, dredging and telecommunications cable laying.
Graig Takes Delivery of First of Handysize Pair
Cardiff-based Graig Group has taken delivery of the 35,000 dwt handysize bulk carrier Graig Cardiff, the first of two Seahorse 35 class vessels building for Graig and partners at Jiangdong Shipyard, Wu Hu, China. The Graig Cardiff is entered into the Lauritzen Bulkers pool and is currently on her maiden voyage from Shanghai to Argentina. Her sister vessel, the Graig Rotterdam, is due for delivery later this year. Both vessels have been constructed under the supervision of Graig China Limited and will be managed by Graig's ship management divisions in Cardiff and Shanghai.
IMCA Publishes 2011 Safety Statisitics Summary
Every year the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) produces an annual report of safety statistics (covering fatalities and injuries) supplied by members. âSafety statistics are a useful insight into the performance of a company and industry sector in the areas of health, safety and environment,â explains Hugh Williams, Chief Executive of IMCA. We publish the figures to record the safety performance of IMCA contractor members each year and to enable them to benchmark their performance.
IMCA Produces Anti-Piracy Awareness DVD
Piracy is a threat to all sizes of vessels in some parts of the world. The more we know, the more we can minimise the risks and react to dangerous situations â or avoid them altogether. To this end the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has produced an Anti-Piracy & Hostage Situation Awareness DVD (IMCA SEL 028) in five languages on the one DVD (English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese) as guidance for personnel working on board vessels operating in high risk areas.
IMCAâs Marine Construction Contract Revised
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published a variety of guides, templates and discussion documents aimed at raising awareness on contracting issues (including liability and insurance), promoting discussion and providing tools that may be useful for its contractor members, their clients and sub-contractors. All are subject to revision to ensure usefulness to all stakeholders and that it just what has happened to a key document â âIMCA Marine Construction Contractâ, with revision to others relating to offshore survey and ROV work in the pipeline.
IMCA Publishes Pocket Safety Cards
âSafety Coachingâ and âWorkplace Fatigueâ are the two latest pocket safety cards in the series published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). âThese are card numbers 20 and 21 in the popular and effective series,â explains Hugh Williams, IMCAâs Chief Executive. âThe safety coaching card includes a list of key aspects of the role of a coach, encouraging people to stop and think and provide objective and honest feedback. As we say on the card âyou donât need to have âCoachâ in your job title to undertake coaching â particularly when it comes to safety.
CEO of IMCA to Stand Down
The Chief Executive of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), Hugh Williams, 59, has announced his intention to stand down at the end of 2012 after 10 years in post. IMCA is the international trade association for offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies with about 850 members in over 60 countries all around the world. It focuses on offshore construction and marine operations mainly in support of offshore oil & gas, but also marine renewable energy, dredging and telecommunications cable laying.
IMCA: Audits Improve Business Practices
Audits are fundamental to safe and efficient projects, whether they are audits (or assessments, appraisals, desk-top verifications, examinations, inspections, reviews, spot checks or surveys) of equipment, procedures, or the behaviour of individuals. Indeed, they are part of any safety management system (SMS). The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published an information note on Audits, with the aim of encouraging discussion about them, and to show how this process can provide an opportunity for âbusiness improvementâ.
Highly Successful IMCA Annual Seminar
USA hosted the nineteenth International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) annual seminar from 9-10 November, with its theme âThe future of marine and subsea operationsâ. This yearâs seminar attracted over 340 delegates, and was endorsed by IADC, OGP, MTS dynamic positioning committee, API, ADC International, OCIMF, and OOC. The two days saw a range of presentations, workshops, social events, an exhibition with stands from 19 different companies, and some strong views from speakers and delegates alike.
IMCA to Hold ROV Simulator Workshop
The modern remotely operated vehicle (ROV) simulator is a very sophisticated piece of equipment, extensively used for training personnel both offshore and onshore. Simulators are being used increasingly for other applications including project modelling, tooling interfacing and accident investigation. With these diverse and increasing uses in mind, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is holding a half day workshop with the theme âThe Diverse role of the ROV Simulatorâ during Oceanology International on Wednesday 14 March 2012 at the ExCeL Conference & Exhibition Centre, London. âThe workshopâs aim is to present and discuss current and future ROV simulation technology.
Lifeboat Hooks: New Design Requirements/Industry Guidance
In recent years there have been a number of accidents caused by the failure of on-load release hooks during lifeboat drills, which have resulted in seafarers being seriously injured and even killed. IMO has therefore been developing measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has been following the IMO discussions through the Industry Lifeboat Group (ILG), which is made up of a wide range of shipping industry organisations and is co-ordinated by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)âŚ
IMCA Publishes World-Wide Diving Personnel Statistics
Figures published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) reveal that globally there was a reduction in offshore diving work in 2010, compared with 2009, possibly due to the economic environment. A peak of close to 3,500 diving personnel was employed offshore world-wide by 43 IMCA members (i.e. those who responded to the call for data). This compares with a peak of 4000 from 35 reporting companies last year so the reduction does not stem from fewer reports received.
New Orleans: Right Venue at the Right Time for IMCA
Delegates from all over the world will be gathering in New Orleans in a matter of weeks for the 19th Annual Seminar of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). With its theme âThe Future of Marine & Subsea Operationsâ, the two day event gets off to a flying start on Wednesday 9 November with a powerful keynote address session involving five key players in the industry addressing the seminar theme â to be followed the next day by a BOEMRE keynote address. âWe are delighted to be welcoming IMCA President Andy Woolgar of Subsea 7âŚ
Guidance on the Use of Simulators Published by IMCA
A slim 18-page volume published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) marks a significant piece of work in the quest for increasing levels of competence within the marine contracting industry. âGuidance on the Use of Simulators (IMCA C 014 Rev. 1) is a fundamental piece of work, for it emphasises the increased importance placed by the industry on the use of simulators,â explains IMCAâs Chief Executive, Hugh Williams. âSimulation is proving its worth in the quest for the best way for individuals or teams to undertake a task efficiently and safely, and is thus often used for work lanning/mission planning purposes including engineering development, procedure development, technical assessments, research, and asset risk assessment.
IMCA Logbook: Aid to Offshore Crane Ops
Offshore crane operations can encompass lifts as heavy as 13,000 Tonnes; as challenging as stabbing a flare boom at a great height or lifting containers in a heavy sea; and as vital as lowering a 50m long Z shaped spool piece to the seabed or lifting a personnel basket. Whatever the task, safety and knowledge of a craneâs operational history is of paramount importance, which is why the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published the âCrane Logbook for Offshore Vesselsâ. âThis logbook is intended to assist vessel operators and Masters in keeping a useful record of the operational history of cranes on vessels, especially where automatic data recording is not available or is not sufficientâŚ
Bayliss Joins IMCA as Technical Advisor
A new Technical Adviser, Paul Bayliss, has joined the expanding London secretariat of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). He will help to manage the significant work programme of the Association supporting members towards safer and more efficient marine operations. These include offshore construction, dynamically positioned vessels, offshore diving, remotely systems and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and offshore positioning/surveying (hydrographic and condition survey). âWe are welcoming Paul at a particularly busy time,â explained IMCAâs Chief Executive, Hugh Williams. âOur membership is increasing dramatically, as is the associationâs work programme.
Chambers Added as Diving Technical Adviser for IMCA
An expanding work program has seen the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) appointed Kris Chambers to the secretariat team as a Diving Technical Adviser to work alongside fellow Adviser, Paul Evans and with Technical Director, Jane Bugler. âKris has been actively involved in the commercial diving industry , working in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, Gulf of Mexico and Mexico itself, West Africa and the Middle East,â explained IMCAâs Chief Executive, Hugh Williams. Kris Chambersâ working life began in 1985 the Royal Australian Air Force as a Maintenance Engineer (Airframe), he then moved to the Australian regular Army (RAEME) where he achieved the rank of Sergeant and was a helicopter flight engineer.
Graig Order Launches Generation of "Super Feeders"
The Cardiff-based Graig Group has ordered a series of up to 26 fuel-efficient new generation MARLIN 2000 Blue design container feeders to be built at the major Jin Hai shipyard complex in China. The first two vessels are scheduled for delivery in August and September 2013 with subsequent vessels to be delivered in pairs every two and half months. Discussions on charters for the vessels are advanced with a number of global liner companies. Hugh Williams, CEO, Graig, says, âThis series responds to the industryâs needs.
IMCA Moves to Larger Headquarters
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies, has moved to new and larger offices. Their new address is: IMCA - International Marine Contractors Association, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU, UK. Their telephone and fax numbers and email address remain unchanged - Tel: +44 (0) 20 7824 5520, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7824 5521; Email [email protected]. "Five years in Lower Belgrave Street have seen an expansion from eight to 17 members of staff, matching the growth in membership, which has enabled a significant expansion in the association's work programme," said IMCA's Chief Executive, Hugh Williams. "Our growth has been exceptional.
IMCA ROV Workshop
Oceanology International 2010, held in London last month, proved to be the ideal place for the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) to hold a dedicated workshop on remotely operated vehicle (ROV) umbilical and handling systems, the first being at IMCAâs Annual Seminar in November 2009 in Rio de Janeiro. âThe workshops have proved to be highly rewarding occasions, bringing together IMCA members from around the world including engineering managers; vessel operators; ROV contractors; ROV suppliers â including manufacturers and designers of handling systems and umbilicals; and the insurance world,â said Hugh Williams. Jim Mann of Fugro opened the session at the London eventâŚ