Shipping Leaders Debated Economic Impact
The impact of the current financial crisis topped the agenda at the inaugural Seoul International Maritime and Shipbuilding conference held during the week of Nov. 3. Organized by the Korean Register of Shipping and attended by around 150 leading industry representatives from the owning, building and classification sectors, this event was a forum to debate the current issues facing the industry. Conference keynoter, Lee Jae-Gyoon, vice minister at the ministry of land, transport and maritime affairs, admitted that the current economic downturn had hit harder than forecast but that Korea was well prepared to weather the storm. Mr. Lee…
Stowaway Focal Point set up at the IMO
The IMO has established a Stowaway Focal Point within the IMO's Maritime Safety Division as a result of the INTERCARGO/INTERTANKO submission to the IMO Facilitation Committee. The Focal Point is linked to the Head of Facilitation Section. At the March meeting of the IMO Facilitation Committee, FAL 34, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO presented a joint paper, with verbal support at the meeting from ICS, inviting consideration of a proposal to create an IMO "Stowaway Focal Point" (SFP). Subject to certain provisos, FAL 34 agreed in principle that an SFP should be put in place for a one year trial period to offer assistance in facilitating diplomatic…
FMC Acts On Mississippi Towage Arrangements
The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) welcomes the news that the U.S Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has agreed it has jurisdiction in the matter of Exclusive Towage Contracts issues in the lower Mississippi River. Accordingly, the FMC has issued a "show cause" order to the principal bulk terminals with such contracts. "This show-cause order requires the marine terminal operators to demonstrate why they believe they have not violated Shipping Act regulations - particularly those concerning anti-competitive practices. Currently, dry cargo ship operators on the Mississippi are forced by terminal operators to sign contracts with towage companies nominated by the terminal operators.
