Five Golden Rules for Virus Protection Offshore
In the last year, the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the risks of working in what was already one of the most hostile environments on Earth. But, with the first anniversary of the outbreak not long in our collective rear-view mirrors, offshore workers in the North Sea are facing a twin threat: emerging new variants of the virus and increasing Covid-fatigue and complacency.The UK offshore industry has achieved an enviable safety record during the pandemic, due in large measure to the widespread testing of offshore workers before mobilization.
UK Plans Summit to Address Crew Change Crisis
The U.K. government announced Thursday it will host an international summit next month to address crew change challenges caused by the COVID-19 health crisis.Led by U.K. Maritime Minister Kelly Tolhurst, the virtual event will bring together UN, political and business leaders from across the globe to reflect on the impact of the pandemic on the global shipping industry, and what governments and industry must do to protect the welfare of crew workers around the world. Secretary…
Damen Offering Coronavirus Disinfection for Ships
Damen's global network of shipyards offer the full gamut of vessel repair, maintenance and conversion services required to help keep vessels operational, from harbor tugs to FPSOs. Seeking to extend its scope of work in a way that specifically meets current needs, the group has added a new service to the mix: coronavirus disinfection.Damen Shiprepair Harbour & Voyage (DSHV), the mobile ship repair squad of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, has created and launched a 24/7 COVID-19 disinfection service for ships.
Exmar Ship Management Opts for Luminultra
Belgium-headquartered EXMAR Ship Management has selected the LuminUltra Quench-Gone Aqueous (QGA) test kit to monitor the quality of the drinking water produced onboard the LPG FSO NKOSSA II.The decision follows the success of the QGA solution in analysing the quality of the water produced by reverse osmosis aboard accommodation barges operating offshore West Africa.Paul-Philippe Halleux, who is a Technical Superintendent from EXMAR Ship Management’s Offshore Services division, commented: “We cannot emphasise enough the importance of testing the quality of our drinking water on a regular basis. We produce drinking water through reverse…
China coal province to Cut pollution by 20 pct by 2020
One of China's top coal-producing provinces has vowed to slash its level of fine particle pollution by one-fifth by 2020, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday, citing the provincial government. China has adopted various measures from policing barbeques to halting industrial production in efforts to ease the yearly winter haze that hit the country earlier this month leaving cities veiled in foul-smelling smog. China's northern Shanxi province aims to increase the proportion of days per year with good air quality to 75.4 percent, the agency said. The move comes after concentrations of PM2.5, fine particulate matter, in a major northern Chinese city exceeded a World Health Organisation guideline by 100 times in December.
Declaration by Vessels Coming from Ebola-affected Countries
Following the World Health Organisation’s official declaration that Sierra Leone is now free of the Ebola virus transmission from 7 November, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has updated the required measures to prevent the introduction of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into Singapore. As advised in the Port Marine Circular No.13 of 2015 dated today (11 November), arriving vessels that have been to the Ebola affected countries (i.e. Guinea) in the past 21 days are required to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health Form to the National Environment Agency (Port Health Office). For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at [email protected]
PMA Among First to Use PurpleTrac
The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has become the first port state to use Pole Star’s PurpleTRAC sanctions compliance and risk management service as part of its wider port risk management strategy and as a precaution against the outbreak of Ebola. As part of the PMA’s risk management strategy, all ships intending to enter a Panamanian port are required to post arrival data via their agent into the PMA’s system. In an enhancement to that process, the PMA will use PurpleTRAC to…
North P&I Club Advises Inclusion of Ebola-Specific Clauses
The 180 million GT, ‘A' rated North P&I Club is advising shipowner Members to take great care to protect the health of their crew members when calling at ebola-affected ports in west Africa. In the latest issue of its loss prevention newsletter Signals, it also recommends that shipowners incorporate ebola-specific clauses in their charterparties. According to head of loss prevention Tony Baker, ‘Members trading or being requested to trade to an ebola-affected area must consider both the health and commercial risks very carefully. North recommends a series of control measures that shipowners calling at affected ports may implement, including preventing shore leave and unauthorised access to the vessel…
BHP Supports Ebola Response Efforts
In response to the widespread devastation caused by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities has donated US$400,000 to the Pooled World Health Organisation (WHO) Ebola Response fund. The contribution from BHP Billiton will provide immediate actions to support affected countries and will provide interventions in neighbouring at risk countries until December 2014. BHP Billiton has worked in West Africa for a number of years through its iron ore exploration assets. Business Director West Africa Iron Ore, Graham Reynolds, said: “The West Africa region is in desperate need of international assistance to contain Ebola. BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities is a charity established by BHP Billiton as part of its community investment program.
Preventive Measures at Panama Canal Against Ebola
The Panama Canal Authority, in coordination with the country's Ministry of Health (MINSA), is taking the following measures to prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and protect Canal workers and customers. The Maritime Sanitation Unit of MINSA is the authority responsible for investigating and authorizing the necessary clearance to board vessels with suspicious or reported EVD cases. * The Authority is continuously monitoring the last 10 ports of call for all vessels arriving at Canal waters and will immediately alert MINSA's Maritime Sanitation representatives of any vessels arriving in Canal waters whose previous 10 ports were from an Ebola affected country.
