RESOLVE, Shanghai Shengmin Shipping Svcs Form Oil Spill Response JV
U.S.- based RESOLVE Marine Group and Shanghai- based Shanghai Shengmin Shipping Service Co., Ltd. Join Forces to Prevent Maritime Pollution
Shanghai, China, April 29, 2011 – Shanghai Shengmin Shipping Service Co., Ltd. and U.S.–based RESOLVE Marine Group, Inc. have announced the formation of an Oil Spill Response Organization joint venture, the Shanghai Resolve-Shengmin OSRO Company (SRSOC). SRSOC will provide Class 1 oil spill response organization services, enabling tank vessels and other ships calling at Chinese ports to comply with the new Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships, which are effective June 1, 2011.
At an April 29th ceremony forging the joint venture relationship in Shanghai, RESOLVE President Joseph Farrell, Jr. and General Manager of Shanghai Shengmin Shipping Service, Gu Yin Dong, will sign the joint venture agreement. Principals of the SRSOC joint venture are Joseph Farrell, Jr. and Captain Farhat Imam of RESOLVE , and Gu Yin Dong of Shanghai Shengmin Shipping Service Co. In anticipation of the impending new PRC regulations, both companies have assembled an extensive inventory of marine pollution response resources in Shanghai and have plans to expand and distribute resources and equipment in other China ports. The joint venture’s assets include ocean going spill response vessels, boom boats, skimmers, boom, pumps and other resources necessary for efficient oil spill response and recovery in China ports and coastal waters. The SRSOC joint venture’s service offerings include Oil Spill Response Management & Cleanup, and Hazardous Material Response Management & Cleanup.
In 2009, the PRC Marine Safety Agency announced its intention to require all tank and non-tank vessels transporting polluting or hazardous cargoes in bulk to conclude a pollution clean-up contract with an approved response company before entering a PRC port. The PRC Regulation on the Emergency Prevention and Handling of Marine Pollution is expected to be implemented and enforced June 1, 2011. The Regulation lists “approved” responders who can assist ship owners/operators in complying with the law. By executing a contract with SRSOC, vessel owners and operators will be able to comply and meet all requirements of the new law.
RESOLVE, a 30-year-old, worldwide leader in marine salvage and emergency response, provides salvage, firefighting, OPA90 emergency response, wreck removal and a wide range of marine services and maritime safety training. RESOLVE President Joe Farrell, Jr. stated, “This new regulation is an important and positive move for China. Through our joint venture, we will bring our experience in (U.S.) OPA90 Salvage and Marine Firefighting response to China’s maritime industry and work with the government and China’s maritime industry to advance this environmentally friendly initiative.” In response to the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, RESOLVE established itself as a leading primary resource provider of Salvage and Marine Firefighting services for tanker and non-tank vessels trading in U.S. waters.
Shanghai Shengmin Shipping Service Co., Ltd. has been safeguarding against sea pollution due to marine bunkering operations and supporting oil spill response operations for over ten years in Shanghai waters. The company has received numerous meritorious awards and recognitions for its significant contributions, from the local authorities. Mr. Gu Yin Dong, General Manager, stated, “The China government welcomes the joint venture and is confident that not only will it greatly enhance Shanghai’s oil spill response capabilities, it will make enormous contributions to the protection of the country’s fragile marine environment. The joint venture marks the dawn of a new era in East-West cooperation; one that is unique and complementary in nature, and one that will set new standards for oil spill response and marine environmental protection in China”.
Source: RESOLVE Marine Group, Inc.
