European Association News

Advances and developments in heavy lift transportation are allowing shipyards to rethink how, and where, they build and maintain vessels. Utilizing this technology can help a yard expand its order book and improve its bottom line. The use of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) in shipyards enables a facility to expand its operations in numerous ways, including new building, maintenance and repair or storage. These projects can range from straightforward to complex transport engineering assignments.

Press release- A month after celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Marseille-based Port Community System operator MGI has been welcomed as the newest member of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA). MGI (Marseille Gyptis International) becomes IPCSA's 28th member and the association's second member based in France. “Nearly 30 ports in France and overseas have implemented the Cargo Community System AP+, MGI‟s and SOGET‟s flagship product since 2005 – including Mauritius, Benin, Togo and New Caledonia. Coinciding with its 30th anniversary in December 2015, MGI launched Ci5 (Cargo intelligence 5), its new flagship software solution designed to succeed and build on AP+.

The new draft ‘Polar Code’ of safety and environmental rules, issued on 24, January 2014, fails to address the looming danger of having non ice-strengthened and poorly prepared ships in supposedly ‘ice-free’ polar waters, environmental organisations have warned. The final draft, drawn up by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), governs ships operating in Arctic and Antarctic waters. Increased shipping activity poses significant new threats to the polar environment and wildlife through oil spills, black carbon deposition, sewage discharges and the introduction of invasive species.

Dana Gas PJSC, a publicly-listed natural gas company in the Middle East, has announced the appointment of Patrick Allman-Ward as the new Group CEO for the company with effect from September 1, 2013. The company, which is listed on the Abu Dhabi Exchange (ADX) and recently announced the successful refinancing of its $1 billion sukuk, conducted an extensive executive search process after the retirement last year of its CEO, Ahmed Al-Arbeed, who remains a Member of the Board. The incoming CEO Dr.

Two years after its official launch, the European Port Community Systems Association (ECPSA) will host a conference focusing on the simplification of port processes and trade facilitation. What are the key strands of European Union policy relating to port processes? How are they viewed from the differing perspectives of the European Commission and the shipping and ports community? And what is needed next to drive forward trade facilitation within and beyond Europe? These thorny topics will be tackled in presentations by a series of speakers and in panel discussions at the conference…

The European association for shipbuilding and marine equipment, SEA Europe, has appointed Mr Douwe Cunningham as the Secretary General at the occasion of their official launch party. Mr Cunningham the former Deputy Secretary succeeds with immediate effect Dr Reinhard Lüken who had announced his departure in May taking up the position as Managing Director of VSM, the German shipbuilding and ocean industries association. Mr Cunningham in his inaugural speech said of the association “2012 has given the maritime technology industry a united voice.

iCargo, the pan-European cargo and logistics project part funded by the EU, has formally launched its three and a half year framework program. The project, formally titled “Intelligent Cargo in Efficient and Sustainable Global Logistics Operations” includes research, development, demonstration and dissemination elements designed to improve the performance of real-world logistics. Building on the success of the previous Freightwise and e-Freight frameworks, iCargo will develop an affordable…

One voice for the European Shipbuilding and Maritime Engineering and Manufacturing Industry. The European shipbuilders and the maritime engineering and manufacturing companies share common interests, concerns and policy objectives. They serve global, highly competitive markets with the highest technology requirements. Under the given conditions, European enterprises succeed based on know-how, innovation, productivity, quality, service and full customer satisfaction. This is only possible with a well-trained and highly motivated workforce and with framework conditions allowing global competition on a level playing field. Close, effective and trustful cooperation along the maritime value chain is the key to excellent products and mutual benefits.