Intertanko News

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has advised that it is in the process of instituting a new port security measure. USCG categorically denies the rumors that vessels flying specific countries' flags and their crews are being totally banned from entering U.S. ports. The USCG is currently working on a change to their notice of arrival regulations that will increase the advance notice requirements to 96 hours (currently 72 hours). While the USCG expect that regulation changes will be published within the next two weeks, members are encouraged to submit the required crew and passenger list to USCG as soon as possible after the vessel departs its last port to facilitate clearance into its US destination port.

Next week at the IMO in London a Diplomatic Conference will be held to finalize the details of the Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems. In particular the phasing out of tin based (TBT) anti-fouling systems will be finalized with a system put in place to assess future anti-fouling systems. INTERTANKO, together with the other main industry representatives ICS, Intercargo, SIGTTO, OCIMF and Bimco have submitted a paper to the Conference focusing on those issues which concern the industry and which still need to be resolved. One of the greatest concerns is the possibility of having to remove all trace of a TBT based coating after 2008 and so requiring the complete blasting of the hull.

U.S. crude oil imports January to June 2001 were above the 2000 level in each month. However, crude oil imports during 3rd quarter were below the 2000-year level for each month. Crude oil imports in August 2001 were about 1.0 mbd below the August 2000 level and the September 2001 level was 0.3 mbd below that of September 2000. Crude oil imports Jan-Sept. 2001 were record high, 0.10 mbd above the Jan-Sep. 2000 level. The highest U.S crude oil imports ever - 9.484 mbd - were recorded in August 2000. U.S. product imports declined dramatically from 3.33 mbd in January 2001 to 2.12 mbd in August, increasing slightly to 2.24 mbd in September 2001. Products imports Jan-Sept. 2001 were also record high, 0.21 mbd above the Jan-Sep. 2000 level. (Source: INTERTANKO News)

On the whole there will only be small downward changes in the 2002 Worldscale Flat rates compared to those for 2001. and a fairly stable US Dollar. Most changes will be in the -2% to 0% range with only a few marginal increases. The worldwide average price for bunker fuel (380 cst) in the period 1st October 2000 to 30th September 2001 is $143.25, and this is the assumption upon which the 2002 WS Flat rates are based, compared with USD 149.75 for the 2001 Schedule. The Worldscale Schedule for 2002 will be issued mid-December and will take effect on 1st January 2002. A notice indicating some of the changes will be issued mid-November.

INTERTANKO's Managing Director, Peter Swift participated as a speaker and panelist in the 4th International "Substandard Shipping - Solution Through Partnership" seminar held this week in St. Petersburg. The seminar, sponsored by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, had as its theme "Implementation - Key Factor of Maritime Safety and Pollution Prevention". Organisations represented included the IMO, the EC, international shipowner associations and insurers, regional and international maritime registrations, shipowners and academics. Throughout the two days of meetings much attention was paid to thefailure of many states to ratify and/or implement Marpol and other key legislation…

In line with the EU co-decision procedures both EU Member States (Council) and the European Parliament have to agree on proposed rules before final adoption. Last week the proposals of the Erika I package passed their last hurdle, and are now only subject to formal rubberstamping before entry into force in early 2003. After successfully bringing the phase-out of single-hull tankers to resolution in the IMO, the concept of separate rules in European waters was abandoned by the EU. The current EU Regulation will fully reflect the changes to the MARPOL 13G adopted earlier this year. The revised EU directive on port state control will be considerably sharpened.

INTERTANKO’s work in the IMO and its regional representational programs in Asia, the EU and in the US were reviewed in a session chaired by INTERTANKO’s Deputy Managing Director, Svein Ringbakken. Talking on INTERTANKO’s work in the IMO, INTERTANKO’s Technical Director, Dragos Rauta, pointed to member involvement as one of the key factors necessary to be effective in the IMO. He said that inter-industry communication and also communications with governments on a regular basis between IMO meetings were essential. INTERTANKO spends in excess of 3000 man hours on IMO-related work, excluding member involvement attending and preparing for 18 different IMO meetings on a yearly basis. Watching developments and being ahead of them was his key message.

The session, entitled Marine Insurance – the impact of September 11, was chaired by Luke Readman from the UK P&I Club. The team of speakers comprised John Fawcett-Ellis, INTERTANKO, together with Hedley French and John Garthwaite from Jardine Lloyd Thompson Risk Solutions. John Fawcett-Ellis began the session with a presentation on the insurance related activities of INTERTANKO and in particular post September 11. An overview was given of the work of the Insurance Committee. It was emphasized that the committee members were actively engaged in insurance matters on a day-to-day basis. This knowledge of the insurance markets meant that they spoke the same language as those engaged in the insurance industry…

The recent edition of INTERTANKO News says that following two years of work on the issue of enhanced environmental and safety conditions in ship recycling yards, the shipping industry this week launched the first edition of the 'Industry Code of Practice on Ship Recycling'. Developed jointly by INTERTANKO, ICS, OCIMF, INTERCARGO, ITOPF,ITF and BIMCO together with observers from ECSA and IACS, the Code is heralded as a major step in responding to the concerns about safety and environmental practices in some of the world's ship recycling facilities. conditions in many of the developing countries' recycling yards. Stressing the importance of involving all the stakeholders in the ship recycling industry and not just the ship owners…

U.S. PORTS: Security measures have been imposed at ports around the United States. Masters should therefore be prepared for a more extensive security control of their vessel prior to calling at US ports. PANAMA CANAL: The Panama Canal Authority (PCA) has advised that security has been intensified but the transits remain unchanged. SUEZ CANAL: The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) confirmed on 12 September that Suez Canal movements are normal. Sources: Worms Services, Paris; C. Fernie & Co., S.A., Cristobal (Source: INTERTANKO News)

The terrible tragedy that occurred on 11 September will live long in everyone's memory. The implications will be far reaching and at this stage it is not known what reprisals will result. With so many losing their lives the implications on vessels calling at US ports seems rather trivial in comparison. Nevertheless merchant shipping was affected. The LOOP terminal was closed for a while and entry to certain ports was restricted or delayed. The Association will keep in close contact with the US Coast Guard and advise our members of any additional security or other procedures implemented in the wake of the terrorist attacks. The world's insurance markets are bound to be severely affected by the massive claims that will be made on insurance and re-insurance policies.