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International Association Of Dry Cargo Shipowners News

22 May 2023

INTERCARGO Reaches Membership Milestone

Dr Kostas Gkonis courtesy of INTERCARGO

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has reached an historic membership milestone by now representing 32% of the global dry bulk fleet DWT.INTERCARGO now has within its global fleet more than 3,200 bulkers registered by more than 155 dry bulk owners/managers/operators, with its membership supplemented by 90 associate member companies supporting the sector.INTERCARGO’s members, who span 30 countries, predominantly operate bulk carriers in the international dry bulk trades…

10 Nov 2019

2020 Dominates Dry Bulker Challenges

In view of the 0.5% global sulfur limit regulation implementation on 1 January 2020, International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) pointed out that the global availability of safe compliant fuels remains a key question that is largely still unanswered – especially for ships in the dry bulk tramp trades.INTERCARGO’s Chairman Mr Dimitrios J. Fafalios said that INTERCARGO will continue efforts to highlight critical aspects of the 2020 sulfur limit regulation implementation.Areas of concern include de-bunkering non-compliant fuel in those cases when fuel has been taken in good faith as per BDN, only to learn that it is non…

13 Sep 2019

Top Industry Bodies Preps for Sulfur Target

Leaders of the major shipping industry trade associations - international shipping associations representing shipowners BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) and International Association of Independent Tanker Owners  (INTERTANKO) met in London yesterday (September 13) to consider the transformational issues affecting the sector.Top of the agenda were the preparations for the implementation of the 2020 Global Sulfur Limit. With less than four months to go until the introduction of the new limits on sulfur emissions from shipping, there is still significant uncertainty…

31 Jan 2019

INTERCARGO Advisory on Cargo Liquefaction Dangers

File Image: AdobeStock / Š  Leonid Eremeychuk

Cargo liquefaction continues to be a major risk for dry bulk shipping.INTERCARGO welcomes the latest amendment to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC 04-17) which entered into force on 1st January 2019 and includes important updates related to cargoes that may liquefy. Pertinent updates include: changes to section 4.5 of the Code which stipulates the shippers’ responsibility to ensure that the testing and sampling for Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) and moisture content is carried out at the correct intervals…

02 Nov 2018

Intercargo Asks IMO to Address Challenges of 2020

In addition to progress made on a number of important issues, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at its recent Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73) listened to the concerns raised by the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (Intercargo) and others and offered a constructive way forward to potentially address them.The association of shipowners, managers and operators of dry cargo vessels and represent better this shipping sector said that it is critical, especially for the tramp sector, to ensure an effective implementation process for the 2020 Sulphur Cap regulation."The MEPC agreed to consider at its next sessions…

03 Jun 2018

Marshall Islands to Address Shipping Safety Concerns

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has submitted a paper to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Intersessional Working Group (ISWG) on the consistent implementation of the 2020 global fuel oil sulphur standard under MARPOL Annex VI. The submission, which was co-sponsored by the Republic of Liberia, the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), and the World Shipping Council (WSC), is intended to assist the ISWG in developing guidelines on the implementation of regulation 14.1.3 of MARPOL Annex VI.

06 Mar 2018

Emission Regulation Welcome, But Should be Wise: INTERCARGO

On the implementation of the 0.5% sulphur cap for ships’ bunkers from 2020, International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) is promoting the consideration of transitional issues such as the availability and safety aspects of compliant fuels, and incidents of non-availability of low sulphur bunkers at certain ports. INTERCARGO encourages the effective implementation of the “2020 Sulphur Cap” regulation yet with a pragmatic approach. A reasonable and measured enforcement of the Regulation during an initial transitional period would thus be welcome instead. INTERCARGOraises its concerns about the practical - technical and operational - challenges faced by shipowners in achieving compliance from 01 Jan 2020, given the bunkers’ supply landscape and widespread uncertainty.

13 Jan 2015

Intercargo Calls for Bulk Carrier Safety

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (Intercargo) issued a statement which again reminds stakeholders of the continued dangers associated with the carriage of bulk cargoes that may have a potential for liquefaction. The recent capsize and sinking of the Bahamas flag Bulk Jupiter in the opening days of January, with the loss of 18 of its 19 crew, may again prove to be yet another casualty statistic in the long list of bulk carrier losses caused by cargo liquefaction. The ship had reportedly loaded a cargo of Bauxite at Kuantan, Malaysia. In any such incident, our first thoughts will always be with the families of the crew members that have lost their lives and Intercargo welcomes a swift and thorough investigation into this tragic incident…

08 Nov 2013

Doyle Talks LNG, Exports, Panama Canal with Japanese Officials

From left: Kazuhiro Yokoi (Chubu Electric Power Company), David Tubman (FMC), Yoshiro Taguchi (Japanese Embassy), Hidehiro Muramatsu (Japan Oil, Gas, and Metals National Corp.), William Doyle (FMC Commissioner), Takashi Horie (Mitsubishi), and Nobukazu Nagai (Japan International Transport Institute, USA).

Earlier this week, Commissioner William P. Doyle met with Japanese public and private sector officials to discuss U.S. natural gas, exports, and the Panama Canal. Japan is the world's largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The country has relied on imported natural gas for decades as part of its energy portfolio. However, the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, disabled the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Subsequently Japan has increased its level of reliance on LNG imports. The U.S. may become an important LNG supply source for Japan in the coming years.

09 Oct 2013

Panama Canal Expansion: Future Toll Structure Discussed

Photo courtesy of ACP

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator Jorge L. Quijano has met with the Union of Greek Shipowners, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) and the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) to discuss the waterway's toll structure when the expanded Canal opens to commercial transits. The Expansion Program will build a new lane of traffic along the waterway through the construction of a new set of locks, which will allow the transit of vessels with more tonnage capacity. Currently, the Expansion Program is 64.6% complete.

25 Sep 2013

Intercargo Publishes 2012-13 Bulk Carrier Report

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (Intercargo) has  launched Benchmarking Bulk Carriers 2012-13, the latest edition of our annual publication. Now in its seventh year of publication, this edition contains statistical information and analysis relating to the world bulk carrier fleet, including an analysis of casualties during 2012 and Negative Performance Indicators such as collisions, groundings etc. This year’s report also highlights the tailing-off of fleet growth. For the first time, this edition also includes a copy of the Intercargo ‘terminal-problem reporting form’; The form, which invites Intercargo members and non-members alike to share their experiences of ports globally…

11 Jun 2013

Intercargo Calls for Improved Reporting Following Ship Casualties

During the forthcoming IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 92 to be held June 12-21, 2013) Intercargo, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners will present its Bulk Carrier Casualty Report and will call for member States to fully investigate ship losses and very serious casualties, and to make accident investigation reports available in the public domain, to ensure that the largest possible audience can learn from the findings. Objectivity, subjugating legal restrictions in deference to safety, adopting IMO principles and making casualty investigation reports available in a timely fashion should also be key objectives. As…

18 Apr 2013

Panama Canal, Vehicle Carriers Discuss Expansion Program

Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator Jorge L. Quijano

As part of the permanent dialogue with the shipping industry, a Panama Canal Authority (ACP) delegation headed by Administrator Jorge L. Quijano visited South Korea to hold discussions with the vehicle carrier market segment and obtain feedback on the future toll structure being developed by the ACP that will go in effect upon completion of the Canal Expansion Program. Canal officials met with the Korea Shipowners’ Association, Hanjin Shipping and STX Pan Ocean, Ltd. The delegation also met with several vehicle and heavy equipment companies.

21 Feb 2013

Ore Carrier Loss: Intercargo Press for Investigation

MV Harita Bauxite, a Handymax bulk carrier sank recently off Cape Bolinao with the loss of 14 of the 24 crew. According to the Philippine's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council a distress rocket signal was sighted by the MV Jin Cheng on 18, February, 2013 in the vicinity of Cape Bolinao, Bolinao, Pangasinan. Ten crew members were subsequently rescued by Jin Cheng and later taken to shore by helicopter. Reportedly the Harita Bauxite had sunk following (unspecified) engine trouble. The Panama-registered, 1983-built handymax ship which was reportedly carrying a cargo of nickel ore from Obi, Indonesia to China, sank on the evening of 17 February after suffering engine failure, possibly during poor weather.

20 Feb 2013

Intercargo Calls for Swift Casualty Investigation

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (Intercargo) has called for an early casualty investigation following the tragic loss of the bulk carrier Harita Bauxite. The Panama-registered, 1983-built handymax ship which was reportedly carrying a cargo of nickel ore from Obi, Indonesia to China, sank on the evening of 17 February after suffering engine failure, possibly during poor weather. Although ten crew were rescued by a passing ship, 14 crew remain unaccounted for. Secretary General of Intercargo, Rob Lomas said “at this early stage, we cannot speculate about the cause of this sad incident” but, he continued “the sudden…

08 Feb 2013

ACP Administrator Meets Members

Administrator Jorge L. Quijano

As part of the ongoing conversations with the shipping industry, a Panama Canal Authority (ACP) delegation headed by Administrator Jorge L. Quijano met with the International Association Of Independent Tanker Owners (Intertanko) and the International Association Of Dry Cargo Shipowners (Intercargo) in London. This meeting is part of the permanent dialogue that the Panama Canal holds to reaffirm its relationship with customers and get feedback on their needs in anticipation of the opening of the Third Set of Locks.

17 Jan 2013

IMO Bodies Urge Continued Anti-piracy Measures

IMO and shipping industry bodies urge continued application of anti-piracy measures despite decrease in pirate attacks. The International Maritime Organization, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO), the International Parcel Tankers Association (IPTA), and the International Shipping Federation (ISF), welcome the recent decrease in the number of attempted and successful attacks against ships by Somalia-based pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean.

04 Jan 2012

Another Hazardous Cargo, Another Ship Sinking

On Christmas day, the bulk carrier VINALINES QUEEN, carrying a cargo of nickel ore from Morowali, Indonesia to China, went missing. The ship and its crew of 22 must now be considered lost. Although it is certainly too soon to ascribe a known cause of sinking, it is probably fair to say, as an American judge did many years ago: “Sometimes circumstantial evidence can be very convincing, just as when you find a trout floating in the milk”. There continues to be a crying need for greater information, understanding and enforcement of regulations – as well as testing – of cargoes that may liquefy.

29 Dec 2009

World Maritime Day 2010: Year of the Seafarer

A message from E.E. The International Maritime Organization has decided to dedicate next year to you by choosing, as the theme for World Maritime Day, "2010: Year of the Seafarer". Our intention is to pay tribute to you, the world's 1.5 million seafarers - men and women from all over the globe - for the unique, and all too often over-looked, contribution you make to the wellbeing of all of us. We will do so with deep appreciation, in recognition of the extraordinary service you render every day of your professional life, frequently under dangerous circumstances, in delivering, to the more than 6.5 billion people of the world, the wheat that makes our daily bread…

07 Jul 2009

Polemis Elected to Stevens Board of Trustees

Spyros M. Polemis, an international business leader who has spent more than 45 years in the shipping industry, has been elected to serve on the Stevens Institute of Technology Board of Trustees. Mr. Polemis was named to the board during its spring meeting, May 20-21, 2009. Polemis is a Class of 1961 graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology, where he served as president of Pi Lambda Phi and belonged to the Interfraternity Council and the Yacht Club. Polemis' family has roots in shipping that date back several centuries. He is chairman and managing director of Seacrest Shipping Co.

21 Nov 2008

Round Table Meeting in Beijing

In connection with a recent Shipping Industry meeting in Beijing the four Chairmen of the Round Table of international shipping associations (RT) which comprises BIMCO, ICS, Intercargo and Intertanko, met to discuss issues of common interest including piracy, the plight of the “Hebei Spirit” officers and practical measures to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions from ships. The state of lawlessness and recent escalation of piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden is of enormous concern to the international shipping industry. The RT supports and commends those States that have provided warships to operate in the Gulf of Aden. The presence of these…

13 Jun 2001

FMC Acts On Mississippi Towage Arrangements

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) welcomes the news that the U.S Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has agreed it has jurisdiction in the matter of Exclusive Towage Contracts issues in the lower Mississippi River. Accordingly, the FMC has issued a "show cause" order to the principal bulk terminals with such contracts. "This show-cause order requires the marine terminal operators to demonstrate why they believe they have not violated Shipping Act regulations - particularly those concerning anti-competitive practices. Currently, dry cargo ship operators on the Mississippi are forced by terminal operators to sign contracts with towage companies nominated by the terminal operators.