Shipboard Management News

How many times have you heard someone say, “Oh, that person is a born leader; I could never do what they do as I am not a born leader”? That train of thought has recently come under increased scrutiny and debate as the U.S. Merchant Marine enters the 21st century. As part of this focus, the International Maritime Association (IMO) updated the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) with the 2010 Manilla Amendments.

Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services and Intellian, a global leader in satellite communication antenna systems, have announced a significant deal with EUKOR Car Carriers. The deal will enable EUKOR, one of the world’s largest shipping companies specialising in the transportation of cars and other rolling cargo, to take advantage of the latest technology offered by Intellian and Inmarsat’s new high-speed broadband Global Xpress (GX) network. EUKOR has selected Intellian’s latest GX100 terminals to equip its 27 vessels with regional connectivity powered by GX in the Indian Ocean Region. Once all three GX satellites are live and operational EUKOR will be able to harness the Fleet Xpress service on a global basis.

The Maritime Labor Convention of 2006 (MLC 2006) is now in force – although not here in the United States. How much different is what happens on MLC compliant ships from what transpires on U.S.-based, domestic workboats? The Maritime Labor Convention of 2006 (MLC 2006) came into effect on August 20, 2013. Globally, the new rule impacts many aspects of how seafarers are treated, working conditions and a myriad of less well defined requirements that leave some operators scratching their heads to figure out. The United States has not ratified the Code and probably never will. That doesn’t mean that we don’t have work and rest rules under U.S. law, as well. We do. Regulation 2.3 of the new MLC Code also delineates hours of rest and work for mariners.

Offshore energy is a unique animal. I say that because, increasingly, the vessels that provide offshore service are becoming the mainstream of our bluewater merchant marine. Smaller than their containership or tanker cousins – although getting bigger every day – these vessels pack surprising amounts of innovation and technology into every precious inch of their uniquely shaped hulls. As shipyards and operators alike discover that they can build to this scale in a way that competes with foreign yards, the U.S. flag fleet slowly becomes more modern and visible. Along with that comes the realization that this sector has special needs, responsibilities and rules; all of which impacts our ability to produce energy.

SISCO's A-PASS® 6 Wireless Mobile Life Safety & Security Access Control System to be installed on 'Royal Princess'. The Royal Princess is the first of two 1082 ft, 141,000-ton prototypes joining the next generation of the Princess fleet in June 2013. The A-PASS® 6 system is comprised of multiple software modules and mobile wireless hand held readers that handle critical tasks relating to passenger and crew safety, security and accountability. According to the manufacturer, passenger boarding and de-boarding is fast, accurate and secure with the A-PASS® 6 Mobile Guard Station module.

ClassNK, IHI Marine United (IHIMU), Diesel United (DU) and IBM Japan have announced they will jointly develop a ship maintenance management system to help reduce ship lifecycle cost. The jointly developed system, which will make use of the latest condition monitoring sensor technology and data analysis systems, will be offered by ClassNK as a cloud-based service to shipowners, managers and operators from June 2013. As ships face dramatically changing ocean conditions, appropriate maintenance and condition monitoring of on-board machinery is essential to ensuring smooth operations. With bunker prices near historic highs, shipowners are increasingly turning their attention to maintenance management schemes utilizing on-board sensors data and diagnostic analysis tools to prevent malfunctions…

The Secretary of the Navy announced March 26 that Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Bridge is the winner of the fiscal year 2008 SECNAV Environmental Quality Award in the small ship category. Bridge is one of MSC’s four fast combat support ships that replenish Navy ships at sea with fuel, ammunition, food and other cargo. The 754 ft ship, which has a crew of 170 civil service mariners and currently operates out of San Diego, was cited for the crew’s work in preventing pollution, ensuring readiness in responding to environmental issues, conserving resources and complying with environmental regulations. Bridge advanced to the Secretary of the Navy competition after it was named as one of the Chief of Naval Operations quality small ship award winners in February.

ABS Nautical Systems (ABS NS) has taken the traditional purchasing relationship and automated it to provide shipowners and operators with a more efficient way of obtaining competitive bids and more responsive service with its eProcurement product, an extension of its Purchasing & Inventory software module. Nova Scotia-based Secunda Marine Services Limited (Secunda) is the latest operator to implement ABS NS eProcurement as part of its overall fleet management strategy. The SafeNet eProcurement solution simplifies the placing of Requests for Quotation (RFQs) via email to multiple sources. Savings flow from the automatic population of a client’s SafeNet database with vendor RFQs, eliminating the need for the re-keying of prices and delivery times.

According to Miami Today, Miami is poised to become the next destination for those who sail - and those who follow – super yachts, the size of small cruise ships and staffed by up to 50-person crews. In 2002, the last year tracked, super yacht owners contributed about $576 million to the economies of Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties, including $34.6 million generated in business taxes. In March, the second annual International Super Yacht symposium will convene at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The two-day symposium March 15-16 is being held in conjunction with the 22nd annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention, which is expected to draw nearly 10,000 attendees and more than 900 exhibiting companies from more than 100 countries March 13-16.

Samsung Heavy Industries Co. is scheduled to deliver by year's end, the largest size LNG carrier of GTT Mark-III membrane type and is scheduled to deliver two more vessels within 2000. Supreme, a 138,000 cu. m. LNG Carrier has been designed and constructed with the regulation of ABS and KR classification societies and the membrane cargo containment system developed by GTT (Gaz Transport & Technigaz) in France. The cargo tanks are protected by a complete double side/bottom, cofferdam between each tanks and trunk at topside. For the hull and cargo containment system of cargo tank, Dynamic Load Analysis and extended fatigue analysis have been carried out to ensure the vessel's high reliability and long lifetime.