Liaison Office News

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has announced the inauguration of a new ICS Representative Office in Shanghai.This strategic move follows the admission of the China Shipowners’ Association as a full ICS member in January 2023 and extends the presence of the ICS China Liaison Office which will continue to have a presence in the Hong Kong SAR.The new ICS office, within the offices of the China P&I Club, is located in the North Bund area of Hongkou District, Shanghai…

After 27 years’ service as Chief Executive Officer of Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. (SCB), the Managers of the American P&I Club, Joe Hughes will stand down from that role on August 1, 2022. Dorothea Ioannou, currently Deputy Chief Operating Officer of SCB, will succeed Hughes as CEO from that date, making history as the first woman to ascend to the top executive position of an International Group P&I club in the 167 year history of the marine mutuals.At the same time, Vince Solarino will step down as Chief Operating Officer of SCB, Inc.

The global trade association for shipowners and operators, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) opened its China Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Tuesday, 21 November, during a reception hosted by the Hong Kong Shipowners Association.Liu Xiaoming, the Deputy Minister of Transport from the People’s Republic of China, Huang Liuquan, the Deputy Director of Hong Kong, Macau Affairs Office of State Council of the People’s Republic of China, and Frank Chan, Secretary for Transport and Housing Bureau of Hong Kong SAR were present to help oversee proceedings.On 20 November 2019, Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief…

Piracy in Somalia is making a comeback and the Gulf of Guinea remains the world’s most active hotspot for crew kidnappings,  UK Chamber of Shipping said quoting latest data. The report said that during the first three months of 2017, armed pirates hijacked two vessels off the coast of Somalia, an area in which previously no merchant ship had been hijacked for five years. Four further incidents in the region were also attempted this past quarter, according to the latest report from the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC). Meanwhile, in the Gulf Guinea, armed robberies and kidnappings were as prolific as ever during the first quarter.

Around 300 people gathered in Tokyo on May 12 to attend a ship recycling seminar held by leading classification society ClassNK. In addition to ClassNK representatives, top industry experts from Asia and Europe discussed the current challenges of ship recycling and what the industry can do to support safe and environmentally sound recycling practices. Koichi Kato, Deputy Director-General for Engineering Affairs, Maritime Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), opened the seminar with a keynote address.

Three Chinese naval vessels with 800 sailors docked in Germany’s Hamburg harbor for the first time in history on Monday, Michael Setzer, the Commander of Hamburg’s Military Liaison Office, said. The dock landing ship, Chang Beishan, the frigate Yun Cheng and the supply ship Chao Hu were due to stay in the harbor until Saturday. Setzer expects the visit to foster mutual cultivation of friendly relations and international understanding. The Chinese delegation is expected to visit an officer school in Flensburg-Muerwik, a sergeant school in Ploen and a maritime safety training centre in Neustadt during the short stay. German navy says that the three ships took part in a mission several weeks ago against pirates in the Gulf of Aden, located between Yemen and Somalia.

Jamaica’s readiness for Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) in its maritime space will be boosted July 22-24, 2014 with the assistance of a subject matter expert from the U.S. Coast Guard, who will conduct a comprehensive training workshop for representatives with the relevant ministries, departments and agencies within the Government of Jamaica. The island is a key destination for cruise ships and a major air transportation hub. Therefore the country’s ability and readiness to respond to an incident which would entail a mass response within our shared maritime domain…

The U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain (MARLO) advises that on or about 1300 UTC yesterday (29 April) the Master of a motor vessel reported being approached by two skiffs in the Gulf of Aden, near position 12.03 North - 045.37 East. Reportedly, one of the skiffs had seven personnnel onboard when they closed within 2NM from the vessel. Crew from the vessel reported seeing some type of weapon from the personnel onboard the skiff. The armed security team on the vessel showed their weapons and the skiffs moved away in a southerly direction. Procedures IAW BMP4 were conducted. It is recommended vessels within the vicinity of this alert operate with a heightened level of security and report any suspicious activity to MSCHOA, UKMTO or MARLO.

The U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain (MARLO) has advised that on or about 7 a.m. UTC on April 17, the Master of a motor vessel reported being approached within 150 meters on the port beam by five Yemeni type skiffs at 20.5 knots, position 12.24.00 N - 043.42.00 E, in the Bab El Mandeb (BAM). Procedures IAW BMP4 were conducted and one flare was fired as the skiffs moved toward the vessel, GAC said it its daily report. The alarm was sounded and fire hoses activated. The armed security team (AST) sighted a ladder on one of the skiffs but it moved away when the AST showed their weapons. A second flare was fired which resulted in the approach being aborted. On or about 8:50 a.m.

The U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain (MARLO) has advised that on or about 12:30 UTC on 14 April, the Master of an oil tanker reported being approached by a white-blue skiff in position 12.25.00 North - 043.43.00 East, in the Bab El Mandeb (BAM). Seven pirates were reportedly on the skiff armed with an RPG moved toward the oil tanker. Procedures IAW BMP4 were conducted including sounding the alarm and activating fire hoses. The armed security team (AST) noticed a ladder on the skiff and it moved away when the AST showed their weapons. Source IMB. According to GAC, it is recommended vessels within the vicinity of this alert operate with a heightened level of security and report any suspicious activity to MSCHOA, UKMTO or MARLO.

The U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain has advised that the Master of a merchant vessel reported being approached by a suspicious skiff north-east of Socotra Island, in position 13.14.20 N/056.34.10 E on or about 1530 UTC on Saturday (5 April).   The skiff closed within 2 NM of the vessel. Procedures IAW BMP4 were successfully conducted, and a coalition vessel in the area safely escorted the vessel until the skiff moved out of range.   It is recommended vessels in the vicinity operate with a heightened level of security and report any suspicious activity to MSCHOA, UKMTO or MARLO.   GAC

The U.S. Navy Liaison Office (MARLO) in Bahrain has issued an alert following an attack by two skiffs on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman, advises GAC. The attack is reported to have taken place on or about 280902Z FEB 2014 at the position 22:28N - 060:51.5E, GULF OF OMAN. The skiffs are reported to have each had 2-3 personnel onboard, some wearing masks. Ladders were sighted and the skiffs paralleled the vessel's course and speed. At the onset, the vessel executed procedures IAW BMP and Oman Coast Guard vessel on-scene approached the  skiffs.

A three-minute silence to mourn the 38 victims of the vessel collision off Lamma Island was observed throughout HK on 4, October. Except for emergency and immigration services, all government services were suspended during the period. All staff on duty observed the silence at their work places. Thirty-eight people, including five children, were killed after two ferries collided on Monday evening off Lamma Island. As at 10:00 a.m. Thursday local time, 16 injured people remained in hospital, with two being in critical or serious conditions, and the other 77 injured had been discharged. Flags at all the government buildings will be flown at half-mast for three days till Saturday…

Vessels report potential surveillance by unknown entities while in transit of the Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz & Arabian Gulf. In one recent case, a vessel was asked its crew complement and master's name, purportedly by a named vessel that was in fact operating elsewhere under the new name it has borne since 2011. ONI [the Office of Naval Intelligence] cannot assess at this time whether the queries originated ashore or from vessels within the Gulf, but none is known to have been made by the vessel to which it was attributed. Although these queries are not in themselves hostile, they are potential evidence of enhanced surveillance and could be a prelude to more specific interference; mariners are advised to be cautious about responding to them.

OW Bunker, a supplier and trader of marine fuel, announced on July 3, 2012 that it has opened a new representative office in Taiwan. OW Bunker's new office in Taipei will be managed by Mr. Victor Huang, who has over 16 years of experience across the shipping industry. He joins the group from his previous position with NYK Taiwan. Mr Huang, who holds degrees in both Maritime Transportation and Maritime Law, has been appointed as Liaison Officer and will work in coordination with OW Bunker's existing team based at the Group's regional sales centre in Singapore.

1791- Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton authorized an allowance of 9 cents for every ration that Revenue officers did not draw. 1922- Congress authorized officers of the Customs and of the Coast Guard to board and examine vessels, reaffirming authority to seize and secure vessels for security of the revenue under act of March 2, 1799. 1938-A hurricane hit the northeast coast, wreaking havoc among the lighthouses and the light keepers there. First assistant keeper Walter B. Eberle of the Whale Rock light was killed when his lighthouse was swept into the sea. The wife of head keeper Arthur A. Small was killed when she was swept away from the Palmer Island Light Station.

1791- Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton authorized an allowance of 9 cents for every ration that Revenue officers did not draw. 1922- Congress authorized officers of the Customs and of the Coast Guard to board and examine vessels, reaffirming authority to seize and secure vessels for security of the revenue under act of March 2, 1799. 1938-A hurricane hit the northeast coast, wreaking havoc among the lighthouses and the light keepers there. First assistant keeper Walter B. Eberle of the Whale Rock light was killed when his lighthouse was swept into the sea. The wife of head keeper Arthur A. Small was killed when she was swept away from the Palmer Island Light Station.

The FBI's involvement in the maritime domain is a result of existing US Law, Executive Orders, Presidential Decision Directives (PDD) 39, 62, & 63, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 5 to include a few. Specifically, the FBI has a lead role for operational and investigative response to a terrorist threat or incident, as well as coordinating the activities of other members of the law enforcement community to detect, prevent, pre-empt, and disrupt terrorist attacks against the United States. However, the task is monumental and the FBI’s maritime experience is limited. The FBI is currently focusing on developing liaison relationships within the commercial cruise and cargo lines…

The U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) issued an Advisory stating that an exclusion zone has been established in Iraqi waters within 2,000 meters of the Khawr al Amaya and al Basrah offshore oil terminals. In addition, the right of innocent passage has been temporarily suspended in the same waters. Only oil tankers and support vessels authorized by terminal operators or coalition maritime security forces are allowed to enter the exclusion zones. Vessels attempting to enter the exclusion zones without authorization may be subject to defensive measures, including use of deadly force. Warning zones have also been established extending 3,000 meters from the outer edge of the two oil terminals. MARLO Advisory 06-04 (HK Law).

The U.S. Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) in Bahrain issued an Advisory stating that the coalition leadership in Iraq is in the process of establishing procedures for detention and possible confiscation of ships, and for legal action against the participants, involved in smuggling oil from Iraq. Only oil legally purchased from the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) is authorized for export. Any ship transporting illegal Iraqi oil is subject to seizure and detention by coalition naval forces. The vessel may be subject to forfeiture in accordance with Iraqi law. Legal action may also be taken against ship owners, operators, and others involved in the smuggling. MARLO Advisory Bulletin 24-03 Source: HK Law

The South Korean Navy's 1,300-ton submarine Lee Eokgi is participating in a multinational naval exercise designed to promote cooperation and interoperability in the submarine rescue arena in Asian waters, Navy officials said. The Pacific Reach 2007, held in the waters off the HMAS Stirling Naval base in Western Australia from Nov. 26 to Dec. 7, brings nine Asia-Pacific naval forces together to improve submarine rescue capabilities and make them familiar with each other's submarine rescue equipment. The drill is also aimed at developing new submarine rescue techniques. Other participating nations are the United States, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, China and Malaysia.

Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea Boatswain's Mate Clarence Johnson (far left) and Medical Services Officer Paul Manning (third from right) helped rescue 10 Iraqi mariners (pictured) from the sinking coastal tanker MV Nadi February 22 in the Central Arabian Gulf. Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea rescued 10 Iraqi citizens from a sinking 250-ft. coastal tanker in the Central Arabian Gulf Friday, February 22. The Bahrain…

Wärtsilä's added to its presence in South Korea with the inauguration of its new service center and office in Eomgung, Busan, on Dec. By opening these premises, Wärtsilä will be able to centralize its business units in Korea, as Services, Ship Power, Power Plants and Industrial Operations, together with finance and administration, will eventually relocate to the new office. The new facility, located close to the new port in Busan, covers an area of 39,370 sq ft and will be fully operational by July 2009, by which time all workshop equipment will be in place.