Marine Link
Friday, March 29, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation News

24 Nov 2021

Martecchini Named President of Webb Institute

Mark Martecchini (Photo: Webb Institute)

Webb Institute announced on Wednesday that Mark Martecchini will become the 16th president in the school's history, effective July 1, 2022. Selected by a Webb Board of Trustee search committee Martecchini will succeed R. Keith Michel who has served as Webb’s president for the past nine years.Board of Trustees chair Bruce S. Rosenblatt, said, “[Martecchini] is a visionary leader who is passionate about the mission of Webb Institute and is committed to building upon our 130-year history of excellence in engineering education.” During a 38-year career with Stolt-Nielsen…

19 Aug 2020

Wakashio Spill Highlights Importance of Adopting Latest International Legal Instruments

(Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies)

The ongoing oil pollution incident from the grounded 203,000 DWT bulk carrier MV Wakashio is threatening an ecological catastrophe around the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, endangering corals, fish and other marine life already under threat from climate change (IPCC 2018).In addition, it risks bringing devastating consequences for the economy, food security, health and tourism industry. Tourism in Mauritius - a popular destination for its pristine beaches - reportedly contributed about $1.6 billion to its economy during the last year…

06 Nov 2019

ITOPF Elects Erik Hånell as Chairman

Tanker owners’ group International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) selected Erik Hanell President & CEO of Stena Bulk, as its new Chairman.After eight years, former Euronav chief executive Paddy Rodgers has stepped down as ITOPF chairman.Rodgers noted that he had thoroughly enjoyed his tenure on the board and had valued the opportunity to contribute to ITOPF’s strategic direction and to the work of its highly regarded international team.The board voted unanimously to appoint Erik Hånell as its new Chairman, said a press release.Erik has served on ITOPF’s board for the last 7 years and is also on the board of Skuld P&I Club.ITOPF’s Managing Director…

04 Nov 2019

ITOPF Addresses Brazil Oil Pollution

The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) is currently on-site in north-east Brazil attending the recent oil spill that has contaminated approximately 2,500 km of coastline in nine states.The source of the pollution remains unknown, although the Brazilian government has recently reported that they suspect a tanker passing along its coast in late July as being the polluter."Our involvement was requested directly by IBAMA, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, on 16th September 2019, a couple of weeks after oil was first spotted washing up on shore," the not-for-profit marine ship pollution response advisers said.ITOPF is normally requested on-site by a shipowner or their insurer…

05 Feb 2019

Paddy Rodgers Departs Euronav

Patrick (Paddy) Rodgers, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Belgium's tanker shipping company Euronav, has decided to step down from his role during 2019 after 18 years of service.However,  he will remain in his position until a successor is appointed, said a press note from the tanker owner.Paddy Rodgers, CEO of Euronav said: “It has been a real honour and privilege to lead Euronav as CEO. The company has progressed from a family operation with 17 vessels to the largest crude tanker company in the world with 73 vessels, listed on both Euronext and NYSE.""Having now completed in full the Gener8 merger I wish to pursue other opportunities and believe it is an appropriate time to hand over the baton of leadership of a strong and best-in-class large crude tanker business.

16 Jul 2018

MV SSL Kolkata: Salvage Operations Continue

The salvage operations of the container vessel MV SSL Kolkata that had caught fire last month, is continuing in rough weather conditions with 2- 4 metre swells. The vessel is grounded at about 8 nautical miles off the ecologically sensitive Sundarbans since the 13th of last month when its cargo area had caught fire following an explosion. All 22 crew members were   rescued by the Indian Coast Guard. The Directorate General of Shipping and its allied office, Mercantile Marine Department, Kolkata, Govt. of West Bengal, the Indian Coast Guard and various authorities have been constantly monitoring the developments as the salvage efforts continue.

07 May 2018

Sanchi Disaster Probe Ends in Split Verdict

File photo of Sanchi burning (Credit: China Ministry of Transport)

A committee investigating a collision between an Iranian tanker and a Chinese freighter has come to diverging conclusions over the causes of the worst oil ship disaster in decades, Iran's state television reported on Saturday.The Panama-registered Sanchi, run by Iran's top oil shipping operator NITC, collided with the CF Crystal, registered in Hong Kong, off the coast of China near Shanghai and the mouth of the Yangtze River Delta on Jan. 6.The Sanchi sank on Jan. 14 after burning for several days.

26 Jan 2018

How Sanchi's Spill Could Spread

The worst tanker oil spill in decades is unfolding across hundreds of miles of the East China Sea after an Iranian oil tanker carrying more than 100,000 tonnes of toxic oil collided with a freighter and exploded, killing all 32 crew onboard. The ship burned, spewing its cargo, for more than a week before sinking in the waters between China, Japan and South Korea. The Panama-registered Sanchi was carrying the equivalent of nearly 1 million barrels of ultra-light crude, plus its own fuel, to South Korea. According to the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation, the collision led to the worst tanker spill in 35 years. Authorities have had trouble pinning down how big the spill is, as it changes by the day amid strong ocean currents.

24 Jan 2018

ITOPF: Two Large Tanker Oil Spills in 2017

The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), which maintains a database of oil spills from tank vessels,  recorded two large spills (>700 tonnes) and four medium spills (7-700 tonnes) for 2017. The first large spill occurred in June when a tanker sank in the Indian Ocean with over 5000 tonnes of oil on board. The second incident involved a tanker which sank off the coast of Greece in September spilling about 700 tonnes of oil. Of the four medium sized spills two were recorded in January 2017 in South Asia and Southeast Asia; both resulted from collisions and involved the release of bunker fuel. A third spill was reported in East Asia in August. This also involved bunker fuel and resulted from a vessel grounding in bad weather.

21 Apr 2017

Norway First to Ratify Hazardous Cargo Treaty

Dilek Ayhan, State Secretary in the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, hands over the instrument of ratification of the 2010 HNS Protocol to Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO. (Photo: IMO)

Norway has become the first country to become a contracting state to a key compensation treaty covering the transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by ship. The International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 2010 (2010 HNS Convention), when in force, will provide a regime of liability and compensation for damage caused by HNS cargoes transported by sea, complementing existing regimes already in force for the transport of oil as cargo…

17 Jan 2017

Successful Cooperation for Safe Sea Transport of Oil

The story of how that incident served as a catalyst for positive change is told in a new exhibition which was launched on Monday (16 January) at the headquarters of the IMO, the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. A series of panels chart the collaborative work which has resulted today in a comprehensive regulatory framework, a demonstrably improved shipping industry, good systems of preparedness and response and adequate compensation for those affected by spills. Demand for oil remains strong and shipping remains the most effective means of meeting that demand.

17 Jan 2017

IMO Exhibition on Safe Sea Oil Transport

The 50 years since the grounding of the tanker Torrey Canyon in 1967 have seen dramatic and sustained reduction in major oil spills from ships, thanks to cooperation between Governments and industry. The story of how that incident served as a catalyst for positive change is told in a new exhibition which was launched on Monday (16 January) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. A series of panels chart the collaborative work which has resulted today in a comprehensive regulatory framework…

05 Jan 2017

Update on Collision of Container Vessels Wan Hai 301, APL Denver

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) continues to coordinate the containment and clean-up efforts of the oil spillage in Singapore’s waters following the collision of container vessels Wan Hai 301 and APL Denver. As of 5 January 2016, a total of 17 vessels and 222 personnel have been deployed. Progress of the clean-up is being made along the western coastlines of Pulau Ubin (OBS Jetty) and Nenas Channel. Some patches of oil were spotted off CAFHI Jetty and also along the shorelines of Pasir Ris Beach, Changi Point Ferry Terminal, Changi Sailing Club and Changi Beach in the early hours of the morning. Contractors were deployed to clean up the affected shorelines.

04 Jan 2017

Boxship Collision Causes Oil Spill on Singapore-Malaysia border

Nearly 300 tonnes of oil spilled into the narrow strait separating Singapore and Malaysia after a collision between two container vessels, the Singapore Marine Port Authority (MPA) said on Wednesday. There were no reports of injuries and 12 anti-pollution craft had been sent to clean up the mid-sized oil spill, the MPA said in a statement. "Traffic in the East Johor Straits and Singapore's port operations remains unaffected", it said, adding that the spill had been contained off the western side of Singapore's Pulau Ubin island. The spill was caused by damage to the fuel tank of the container vessel APL Denver after a collsion with the WAN HAI 301 off Pasir Gudang Port in Johor, Malaysia late on Tuesday.

28 Nov 2016

2nd Asian Marine Casualty Forum Launched

Following the success of the inaugural Asian Marine Casualty Forum (AMCF) in 2015 and by popular demand, the bi-annual industry forum aimed at addressing the current crises in maritime casualty management, is back for the second time running and officially launched in Singapore today. The much welcomed not-for–profit event with its“arranged by the industry for the industry” feature remains and already, sponsorship response has been well beyond expectations. LOC Group (LOC), the leading international maritime consultancy group, will once again be hosting the forum, a cornerstone event of the forthcoming Singapore Maritime Week (22-28 April 2017) – which gathers the international maritime community in Singapore for a week-long of conferences…

09 Feb 2016

States Urged to Ratify Compensation Regime for Hazardous and Noxious Cargoes

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), together with the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) and the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), is urging its Member States to ratify and implement a key compensation treaty covering the transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by ship. The International Convention on Liability and compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious substances by Sea, 2010 (2010 HNS Convention), when in force, will provide a regime of liability and compensation for damage caused by HNS cargoes transported by sea, complementing existing regimes already in force for the transport of oil as cargo…

10 Dec 2015

Paddy Rodgers Named CMA 2016 Commodore

Award to be presented March 23, 2016 at the conclusion of the CMA’s Shipping 2016 Annual Conference and Exposition. Mr. Paddy Rodgers, CEO of Euronav NV has been named as the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) Commodore for the year 2016. Rodgers follows a long succession of influential maritime industry leaders as Commodore. The 2016 Commodore Award will be presented on March 23, 2016 at the Gala Dinner marking the conclusion of the annual Connecticut Maritime Association conference and trade exposition, at the Hilton Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut, USA. The Award is given each year to a person in the international maritime industry who has contributed to the growth and development of the industry.

24 Nov 2015

Thordon Wins Environmental Award

Thordon Bearings’ George Morrison was presented with the Tanker Shipping & Trade Environmental Award for the COMPAC system (Photo: Thordon Bearings)

COMPAC, Thordon Bearings’ seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing system, won the Tanker Shipping & Trade Environment Award following a verdict that the system allows shipowners to cost-effectively comply with stringent marine pollution rules. Dr. Karen Purnell, the Managing Director of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), who sat on the award judging panel alongside representatives from INTERTANKO, IACS, UK MCA and Scorpio Tankers, said, “It is a…

13 Jan 2015

Tanker Oil Spills Notches New 5-year Low

A new five-year low in oil spills from tank­ers reported by the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), as the average for 2010-2014 falls to 1.8 large spills per year. During the year, ITOPF recorded 1 large spill of bitumen (over 3,000 MT) from a tanker in the South China Sea, and 4 medium spills of various oil types, totaling 5 spills of 7 tonnes and over. Interestingly, a number of tanker incidents reported in the media in 2014 involved fire and explosion, where potentially significant quantities of cargoes and bunker fuel burned. The cargoes involved included condensate, diesels and fuel oils. "For the last two and a half decades the average number of incidents involving oil spills from tankers has progressively halved…

18 Aug 2014

Offspring Launches Oiltech Surge Protector

Photo: Offspring International

Mooring and offloading systems supplier, Offspring International, has announced a rapid response, surge protection system for terminal loading hoses. Called Oiltech Surge Protector, the hose monitoring system offers a smarter and more sensitive way of detecting hose overpressure during tanker loading. If a pressure surge is detected, pumping operations are automatically shutdown. According to the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (2013), the highest incidence of tanker related oil spills is during loading operations.

09 Sep 2020

Rena Grounding Response Reviewed

(Credit: Maritime New Zealand)

Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) welcomed the release of the independent review of its response to the grounding of the Rena, and the announcement of $2 million of government funding to help improve New Zealand’s maritime response capability.The report, by independent reviewer Simon Murdoch, was released today by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee.MNZ Director Keith Manch said the organization was already implementing a number of the review recommendations and the funding package would help MNZ develop a wider strategic and operational response to maritime incidents.In the review report…

05 Nov 2013

NAMEPA Host Shipping Industry Awards Dinner

IMO Sec-Gen Sekimizu & SUNY Students: Photo courtesy of NAMEPA

Shipping luminaries gathered recently in New York to discuss issues and recognize achievements at the 2013 North American World Maritime Day and NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) Marine Environment Protection Awards Dinner. “NAMEPA was honored to host this annual event, and gratified by the interest and participation at the highest levels of shipping in our industry” stated NAMEPA Chairman Clay Maitland. Topics covered in the day’s conference included promoting a safety culture and environmental stewardship…

06 Sep 2013

Norwegian Shipowners’ Association Seeks Nominations for Heyerdahl Award

The semiannual Thor Heyerdahl International Maritime Environmental Award was launched in 1999 by Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002) and the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association to recognizes candidates from the shipping industry that have made an outstanding contribution for the environment. To qualify for the award, candidates must have demonstrated exceptional technical innovation and environmental work in correspondence with Thor Heyerdahl’s spirit for the conservation of the marine environment. Emphasis will be placed on measures that combine environmental benefits with improved profitability. Individuals from academia, science, research institutes, governments, NGOs, media and the shipping industry are encouraged to nominate.