Martin Dorsman News

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced Tuesday that it will postpone increasing canal transit fees following calls from the shipping industry to reconsider the rate hikes amid a spate of global supply chain disruptions.The higher rates for the canal's transit reservation system were scheduled to take effect on Thursday but will now start on June 1, allowing the maritime industry more time to prepare for the adjusted booking fees, ACP said. The proposed changes represent a minimum cost increase per transit reservation of $20…

The European Community Shipowners’s Association (ECSA) has published its new strategic priorities for 2019-2024, in line with the new cycle of the EU institutions where the European Parliament has just started its mandate and the European Commission's College is being composed.Entitled "Sailing ahead - European shipping sets ambitious goals for its next chapter", the publication outlines ten priority areas which the European shipping industry will be focusing on."To be very clear, climate is the top priority for the whole shipping sector," commented ECSA Secretary General, Martin Dorsman."The industry is keen to work with its European and global partners to reach the goal set by the IMO to cut CO2 emissions by at least 50% by 2050.

Shipping directly employs over 640,000 workers at sea and on shore, and supports over 1.4 million workers through indirect and induced employment, said European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA).These professionals possess a wealth of maritime knowledge, skills and heritage unique in the world. If Europe is to retain its pre-eminence in global shipping, this know-how needs to be cherished and cultivated.The sector must therefore attract a sufficient number of quality new entrants and retain experienced seafarers, including women seafarers and other under-represented groups.“European shipping and the broader maritime sector are strategically important for the EU – in terms of its contributions to trade, geopolitical role and as an important source of employment.

Following the seizure of the oil tanker ‘Stena Impero’ on 19 July, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) and the Asian Shipowners' Association (ASA) jointly urge immediate action by the international community to stop the escalation of tensions and fully respect international law. All countries should ensure the safe passage of merchant vessels, by respecting the Freedom of Navigation enshrined in Article 87(1)a and…

The Maritime Day was established in 2008 by the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission as part of the European Union (EU) Maritime Policy to raise the awareness of the seas and their importance.This year, the annual event is being held over two days, 16-17 May, at the Lisbon Congress Centre in Portugal. The theme of the event is "blue entrepreneurship, innovation and investment to transform traditional maritime sectors and boost emerging technologies and value chains".Representing EU and Norwegian Shipowners, ECSA will be represented at the European Maritime Day 2019 by its Secretary-General Martin Dorsman.

The internet access for seafarers for personal use on board ships more widespread and available than previously imagined and the positive benefits associated with this access outweigh the feared safety concerns around the technology, said a survey.The responses to the survey carried out by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), with support from the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA), indicate that the provision of internet access to seafarers for personal use may have improved the mental health and well-being of seafarers (according to 60% of respondents) and the morale…

European shipowners call upon all parties to seize this opportunity to avoid a no-deal Brexit scenario following yesterday’s discussions in the UK parliament and the mandate given to the UK Prime Minister to re-discuss Brexit arrangements with her European colleagues.The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) said in a press note that without a deal the repercussions on the fluidity of trade between the EU and UK will be huge, to the detriment of shipowners, logistics partners, passengers and consumers.“We call upon EU and UK authorities to be constructive and do their utmost to ensure the Withdrawal Agreement can be agreed to by all sides.

The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) welcomes the Council’s decision to extent the mandate of the EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia until 31 March 2019.Operation Sophia is part of the EU's comprehensive approach to migration and aims to disrupt the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Southern Central Mediterranean and prevent the further loss of life at sea.The Operation Sophia has also been tasked with strengthening the Libyan Coastguard and Navy by training its personnel and monitoring the long-term efficiency of the training.‘Operation Sophia’s contribution to maritime security in the Central Mediterranean is very positive. The shipping industry highly supports the EU’s efforts in this region.’ said ECSA’s Secretary General Martin Dorsman.

Four trade associations representing the international liner shipping industry submitted comments to the European Commission supporting extension of the EU consortia block exemption regulation (BER) for an additional five years beyond its current 2020 expiration date.The papers were submitted in the public consultation being held by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) by the World Shipping Council (WSC), the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA). John Butler, President and CEO of the World Shipping Council, summarized the industry’s position this way: “The bottom line is that the BER has worked very well for almost 25 years.

European Commission adopted a new Decision amending Implementing Decision (EU) to update the European List of ship recycling facilities. The said decision has been published on Monday in the Official Journal of the EU.With the 4th version of the list, the European Commission and the Member States add 6 new facilities to the list. These include, for the first time, 3 facilities which are located outside the EU -2 in Turkey and 1 in the United States-. The European Shipowners are fully supporting the expansion of the EU list, and in particular the inclusion of compliant facilities worldwide. From 31st December 2018, the EU Ship Recycling…

The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA)  and the World Shipping Council (WSC) welcome the adoption of a General Approach on the proposal for a European Maritime Single Window environment by Transport Ministers.European co-legislators have been working intensively to reduce the administrative burden shipping faces. This burden stems from today’s unharmonised and inefficient reporting obligations and mechanisms within the EU."ECSA and WSC are pleased with the progress being made in both Council and European Parliament towards the establishment of a European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe)," said a press note from ECSA.Martin Dorsman…

The European Commission  said it will co-finance the project ‘Futureproof Skills for the Maritime transport sector (SkillSea)’.The project aims to develop strategies to identify and meet the future skills needs of the maritime sector and attract greater numbers of Europeans to work in maritime industries. The four-year project will begin in January 2019.SkillSea is being launched by a Europe-wide consortium established by the industry's recognised social partners, the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) and led by the Rotterdam-based STC Group.Martin Dorsman, Secretary…

The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) said that the European shipowners welcome the agreement reached on Brexit.“Our primary concern on the short term, the frictionless trade, seems to be taken care off. A no deal scenario was just not an option and a clear lose-lose situation for shipowners and clients at both sides,” said Martin Dorsman, Secretary-General of ECSA.ECSA hopes political leaders in the UK and EU will now take the necessary steps to translate the political agreement into reality.“We very much welcome the agreed transition period until end of 2020, optionally extended. However, business needs a stable and clear framework to operate and plan investments. Hence, full clarity on what rules and procedures will be in place after the transition period is key.

European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA)  welcomes the good progress that has been made at last week’s meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) on some key environmental issues.Major developments were the adoption of the ban from 1 March 2020 on carriage of non-compliant fuel and the compromise reached on collecting data from the world fleet on fuel oil non-availability and quality without any delay in the implementation of the 2020 sulphur rules.A fixed implementation date is retained, which is important in order to give governments the possibility to ensure a level playing field, while at the same time the safety concerns are being addressed.

The European Union and Singapore signed three agreements to take their political, trade, and investment relations to a new level as the landmark trade deal aims to remove import duties and taxes and improve market access for services providers, investors and firms.“European shipowners welcome the fact that the EU and Singapore show their commitment to free, fair and rules-based trade at a time that protectionism is on the rise”, said European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA)’s Secretary General Martin Dorsman, “The EU-Singapore FTA text contains the liberalisation principles of international maritime transport services.”“Shipping needs global trade to exist and global trade cannot exist without an efficient shipping industry.

The Transport Committee of the European Parliament adopted earlier this week the final report on the Port Reception Facilities and gave a mandate to the Rapporteur Ms Gesine Meissner to start negotiations with the Council and the EU Commission to finalise the text of the new directive.The European Community of Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) supports the polluter pays principle in return for the safe and environmentally sound management of the ship generated waste. Ships will be allowed to deliver all garbage when paying a fixed waste fee, without port-specific limitations towards the volumes delivered.“This will guarantee that ports keep investing in the needed infrastructure, additional capacity and technological developments” says Martin Dorsman, ECSA’s Secretary-General.

European Shipowners and Maritime Technology Industry call for decisive actions against unfair trade practices and in favour of global playing field.The European Shipyards and Maritime Equipment Association SEA Europe and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) welcome the recent statement of EU Trade Commission Cecilia Malmström against unfair trade practices in the Far East.The trade associations representing respectively European shipbuilding and maritime equipment and European shipowners now call upon the European Commission and the EU Member States to take concrete and decisive actions against such practices and in favour of a true global level playing field for the European industry.Market-oriented conditions…

The European Shipping industry welcomes the European Commission’s current inspections of ship recycling facilities in order to enlarge the list of approved facilities that will ensure safe and environmentally sound ship recycling.When non EU facilities such as Indian facilities are found to be compliant with the requirements, they should be included in the EU list, as it will facilitate and encourage further positive developments taking place in South Asia and worldwide.By 31st December 2018 all ships flying a European flag have to be recycled in a facility which is included in the European list. “A lot has been written lately on whether…

Monday 25th June marked the IMO Day of the Seafarer, which this year has a particular focus on seafarer well-being. In response, members of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations; UK Chamber of Shipping and the Royal Dutch Shipowners Association have each launched webpages signposting seafarers to mental health charities, chaplain services and support networks. The move follows a study of more than 1000 seafarers by Yale University and the Sailor’s Society, where 26 per cent of seafarers said they had felt “down, depressed or hopeless”. In May 2018, the UK Chamber of Shipping and seafarer’s trade unions launched detailed guidance for shipping companies on how to proactively support their seafarer’s mental health.

European Transport Workers Federation, (ETF) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) have discussed possible solutions to increase women’s participation in the shipping industry in Europe. Currently only 2% of the seafaring workforce available for the EU fleet consist of women, whilst gender equality is being put at the heart of the EU’s fundamental values for sustainable and inclusive growth. Discussions focused on maritime training and career development for women, as well as the recruitment and retention of women in the shipping industry. Alongside representatives of both the ETF and the ECSA, participants came from a wide range of stakeholders such as the European Commission (Platform for Change)…

The European Union (EU) and Japan signed the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement during the 25th EU-Japan summit in Tokyo. The European Shipowners welcome the signing of a highly ambitious trade agreement between two of the world's largest economies.“At a time that unilateralism and protectionism are rising, the EU and Japan are sending a strong message in support of free, fair and rules-based trade”, said European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA)' Secretary General Martin Dorsman.The agreement with Japan will remove the vast majority of customs duties that cost EU companies exporting to Japan EUR 1 billion a year and will…

The recently published proposal for a new Directive on Port Reception Facilities is welcomed by European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA), as it addresses major issues with the current system in place. The new proposal will help in ensuring there are adequate port reception facilities available, require an advance waste notification from ships as well as a waste delivery receipt for reception facilities, and facilitate monitoring and enforcement through existing systems for electronic reporting and the exchange of information. It also suggests a reasonable, transparent and functional fee system forming an incentive to shipowners to deliver waste ashore. “We believe that the procedures in ports should be as efficient as possible, to keep costs at acceptable levels.

The European shipowners together with MEP Wim Van de Camp yesterday organised a seminar in the European Parliament to discuss the International Maritime Organization (IMO) initial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategy for shipping. The initial strategy was adopted in the 72nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO in April this year, said a release from  European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA). Van de Camp opened the well-attended event and said: “Today I have invited you here to discuss the efforts of the international shipping industry to reduce its GHG emissions. It’s important that the Transport committee pays attention to the international shipping sector’s goals”.