QEPD Dr. Esteban Fabián Barrera Flores

El blog Marinos Mercantes Mexicanos

Expresamos nuestro más sentido pesame a la Familia Barrera, por el fallecimiento de nuestro amigo.

Dr. Esteban Fabián Barrera Flores
(Q.E.P.D.)

Acaecido el día 28 de Marzo del 2010, en Puebla, haciéndolo extensivo a todos sus demás familiares, a quienes deseamos que el Todopoderoso les conceda fortaleza y resignación por tan irreparables pérdidas.

Tampico, Tamps., 29 de Marzo del 2010

Sinceramente

Ismael Mendoza Osuna, Raúl B. Rodríguez Luna y todos los marinos que cooperan con este blog.

Doctorado en Economía y Administración de Empresas.
Universidad Europea de Madrid CEES. (Madrid, España) 2001-2004

Maestría en Administración de Empresas
Universidad de las Américas Puebla. (Puebla, México) 1998-2006
Participación en el programa internacional de Negocios

Licenciatura en Piloto Naval.
Escuela Náutica Mercante de Tampico (Tamaulipas. México) 1991-1995

Escuela Nautica de Tampico Generación 1995

Pilotines: Esteban Fabían Barrera Flores, Alejandro Cruz Segura, Giovanni Alberto Escobar Vásquez, Agustín Hernánez Ortíz, Julio César Monroy Islas, Carlos Manuel Paniagua Hurtado, Santos Jaime Pérez Lerma, Sergio Alain Salmón Zavala, Fernando Toledo Zepeda, Edgar de Jesús Trejo García.

Aspirante de Máquinas: Javier Alonso Acevedo, Oswaldo Arrieta Regueira,Carlos Emilio Audelo Dionisio, Pedro Delgado Rico, Miguel Gabriel Gámes Rosete, Juan Gilberto García Sánchez, Daniel García Vargas, Erasto Gervacio Hernández, Alfredo González Córdova, Rodolfo González Woolrich, José Iván Hernández Núñez, Erick Rafael López Garrido, Miguel Antonio Maruri Ureña, Francisco Olivares Figueroa, Juan Enrique Portillo Ponce, Sergio Ruíz Ruíz, Rubén Cecilio Sosa Avila, Javier Zúñiga Monroy, José Manuel Zúñiga Vasconcelos.

DESCANSE EN PAZ ESTEBAN BARRERA.........UN MARINO MERCANTE BRILLANTE‏

Cap. Alt. María Marisa Abarca Hernández
Jefe del Departamento de Actualización y Posgrado
Rectoría, Cuernavaca #5, Col. Condesa
Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F
Tel. (01 55) 52416200 ext. 3030
mabarca@fidena.edu.mx
mabarca@fidena.gob.mx
Visita nuestra página web www.fidena.gob.mx

Empresa Importante en Cd del Carmen Solicita Jefe de Maquinas para Barco Flotel

Empresa Importante en Cd del Carmen Solicita Jefe de Maquinas para Barco Flotel

Requisitos:

Refrendo como Jefe de Maquinas
Experiencia comprobable como Jefe de Maquinas
2 cartas de recomendacion de empleos anteriores

Interesados Enviar CV a: geydi.dzib@demar.com.mx, giorgio.re@demar.com.mx, daniel.nuno@demar.com.mx

COMPAÑÍA SERVIMAR SOLICITA

PIDEN A SENADORES Y DIPUTADOS UN PUNTO DE ACUERDO PARA GRAVAR BUQUES EXTRANJEROS

ALIANZA DE MARINOS MERCANTES Y TRANSPORTISTAS CAMPESINOS DE MÉXICO
CNC

SECRETARIA DE PRENSA Y DIFUSIÓN
COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

México, D. F. a 31de marzo de 2010

PIDEN A SENADORES Y DIPUTADOS UN PUNTO DE ACUERDO PARA GRAVAR BUQUES EXTRANJEROS

• Más del 80 por ciento de barcos que navegan en aguas mexicanas son de banderas de otros países
• Marinos mercantes demandan a legisladores no permitir desaparezcan “Casas del Marino”
• Proporcionan servicios sin distinción de raza, genero, religión, opinión política u origen social, aseguran

Marinos mercantes y transportistas campesinos de la Confederación Nacional Campesina, pidieron a las Comisiones de Marina de la Cámara de Diputados y del Senado de la República presentar un Punto de Acuerdo conjunto para gravar a los buques extranjeros que atraquen en los puertos mexicanos y de esta manera poder tener un soporte financiero para que no desaparezcan las “Casas del Marino”.

El presidente del Frente Unido de Marinos Mercantes (FUMAC), Capitán Víctor Manuel Martínez Rodríguez, en reunión de trabajo con dirigentes de la Alianza de Marinos Mercantes y Transportistas Campesinos de México, afiliada a la CNC, que preside Salvador Rivera Castrellón, hizo un llamado a los legisladores Alejandro Gertz Manero y Sebastián Calderón Centeno, presidentes de las Comisiones de Marina de la Cámara de Diputados y del Senado de la República, respectivamente, para que por medio de una iniciativa de ley conjunta se discuta este beneficio para los albergues de los marinos mercantes, que por desgracia están desapareciendo poco a poco por la falta de apoyo de las autoridades competentes.

El dirigente de más de 2 mil marinos mercantes del país precisó que nuestro país con más de 11 mil kilómetros de costas tiene acceso a las más importantes rutas de comercio y de turismo mundiales, y que a través de 17 puertos se enlaza con más de 535 destinos en 141 países mediante rutas marítimas regulares, por donde transita la mayor parte de las exportaciones e importaciones de México, pero por desgracia “más del 80 por ciento son buques extranjeros”.

Señaló que nuestro país firmó un Tratado Internacional como miembro de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) y nuestra Constitución Política establece que “los tratados internacionales firmados por el Presidente de la República y aprobados por el Congreso de la Unión, son ley suprema en toda la nación y, por lo cual no se debe ignorar que existen las Casas del Marino y tienen que ofrecer su apoyo a quienes sirven y sirvieron con lealtad, patriotismo y honor a México a través de la Marina Mercante Nacional”, destacó.

Los puertos, agregó, son detonante de nuevas actividades económicas y generadores de oportunidades de negocio, inversión y empleos bien remunerados, por lo que deben ser también benefactores de los marinos mercantes mexicanos, en este caso, en el mantenimiento y operación de las “Casas del Marino”.

Mencionó que quienes se encuentran involucrados en la provisión de servicios de bienestar, conocen la importancia de esta labor, debido a que la gente de mar es esencial para el comercio marítimo y la salud económica de los puertos de los países que ellos visitan.

Dijo que se busca colaborar con el Gobierno de la República para dar respuesta al resto del mundo en el cumplimiento y aplicación del Convenio No. 163 y la Recomendación No. 173, sobre el bienestar de la gente de mar, aprobadas en Ginebra, Suiza el 8 de octubre de 1987 y aprobada por el Senado de la república el 12 de julio de 1990, publicado en el Diario Oficial de la Federación el 1º de agosto de 1990.

La misión de las Casa del marino, apuntó, es proporcionar servicios de bienestar en el puerto a toda la agente de mar, independientemente de su nacionalidad, raza, color, genero, religión, opinión política u origen social, prescindiendo de la bandera del buque donde se encuentren enrolados.

MARINA MERCANTE MEXICANA.- A MIS HERMANOS CON AMOR a los demás sin rencor pero a todos MI SUFRIR

OBVIEDADES DEL BEODO.-Antecedentes:
Todo Capitan, ante la existencia de huracán, reúne a su tripulación e interroga.

- Jefe de Máquinas, como estamos de combustible y agua potable, no te limites a estimar ni la cantidad ni la calidad, verifica, toma muestras e informa.

Mayordomo, para cuantos días, tenemos alimentos, igual, no estimes, verifica y cuantifica e informa.

Tripulantes todos, cualquiera que observe alguna anomalía. algún defecto ó desperfecto .-debe informarlo.

Superada esta etapa de información interna, pasamos a la externa, tamaño de la tormenta, ubicación geográfica velocidad y rumbo, para adecuar nuestra defensa, no a vencer el temporal, SINO A SALVARNOS DE EL SIN ENFRENTARLO usar la magnitud de su poderío en navegar dulcemente sincronizando sus violencias a nuestros andares y navegares.

SOY SEÑORES UN HUMILDE SERVIDOR DEL MAR Y SUS PODERES, TODA UNA ENORME LEYENDA DEL MAR, me decían mis tripulantes, azorados, admirados, estupefactos, BRUJO, BRUJO, por que mi buque navegaba enmedio en el centro del temporal, en la mayor armonía, sinccronizando nuestro rumbo al andar de las olas, siempres sesgasdas, nunca de frente ni tampoco al travéz. nuestra velocidad se ajustaba en cada instante en todo momento, a la velocidad de las olas a su tamaño y a su frecuencia, también se movían tanques de lastre y consumos,para mantener un delicado equilibrio del centro de gravedad, ni encabuzado ni sentado de más. ni tampoco escoradoMARINOS ENTIENDAN. yo siempre tuve el don de saber coordinar las violencias de la mar con las capacidades de mi buque y las de mis tripulantes.

TONCES SEÑORES COLEGAS, SUPERADA LA ETAPA DE LA INFORMACION.- Todo Capitán ASUME EL MANDO SE APODERA DE EL.- Y ORDENA.- TODOS LOS DEMAS SUBALTERNOS SE DEBEN LIMITAR A OBEDECER Y ACTUAR.- No caben peros ni peores opiniones. nadie debe opinar sino mas que obedecer a su capitán.-

AHORA SI ASENTADO LO ANTERIOR SE DEBE PODER ENTENDER MEJOR LO QUE DIGO.
Marinos mercantes mexicanos, yo quisiera estar orgulloso de ustedes los jovenes, Y MAS DE LAS JOVENES MUJERES SI PROTESTARAN, SI RECLAMARAN , SI EXIGIERAN , SI DEMANDARAN, NUESTRA MARINA MERCANTE MEXICANA

Tienen ustedes ,todos, un marino mercante de excepción, mi vida entera ,es trayectoria SE ME IGNORA PEOR PARA USTEDES.- Si como nuevos jovenes no son capaces de defender a su país, con su pan se lo coman YA DIJE Y DIJE BIEN TAMBIEN.- YO SOY UN ICONO UN HEROE DE USTEDES.AL IGNORARME SE PERVIERTEN YA VOLVI A DECIR UNA sola frase, marinos mercantes NOTIENEN MADRE NI NADA SI NO R ECLAMAN MARINA MERCANTE ya dije y dije bien bola de mequetrefes iugnorantes ,no merecen llamarse MARINOS MERCANTES MEXICANOS SIN SERLO.-

ENTONCES SEÑORES ESTAMOS EN LA ETAPA DEL MAS HORRENDO HURACAN, mis afanes y decires NO SON PARA QUE SE DISCUTAN NI SE OPINEN, USTEDES TODOS NADA MASS LES CABE OBEDECER Y ACTUAR COMO LO ORDENO.- NI MODO YA DIJE. no se atrevan a intentar criticarme ,soy demasiado grande para cada uno de ustedes DIGO.- HIP. BIEN BEODO.

riverosrotge33@hotmail.com

Prepara Lázaro Cárdenas 3 licitaciones pare este año

Fuente: Diario de Colima

La Administración Portuaria Integral de Lázaro Cárdenas alista tres licitaciones, una de ellas saldrá las próximas semanas y es para la segunda terminal de contenedores; mientras que la segunda será para una terminal especializada de regasificación, así lo informó el director del puerto, Rubén Medina, quien agregó que ambos proyectos sumarían una inversión cercana a los mil millones de dólares.

Sobre los nuevos proyectos del puerto, indicó que las bases para la licitación de la segunda terminal de contenedores, ya están listas, sólo estamos esperando un último filtro de revisión, puede ser en dos o tres semanas más, en el transcurso de abril que se publique la convocatoria.

Agregó que para esta terminal se prevé una inversión de 400 millones de dólares, la cual tendrá una capacidad anual de 2 millones de contenedores, con cuatro posiciones de atraque, grúas similares a la primera terminal, con 100 hectáreas de terreno.

Explicó que esta terminal sería idéntica a la actual terminal especializada de contenedores número uno, que opera Hutchison.

Una vez que se tenga la segunda terminal especializada de contenedores construida, el puerto michoacano será el que tenga la mayor infraestructura especializada en el país con capacidad para 4 millones de contenedores, afirmó.

Alrededor de 135 mdp serán destinados para la Isla de La Palma

Fuente: Quadratín

MORELIA, Mich., 29 de marzo de 2010.- Del total del presupuesto que el Congreso del estado etiquetó para la Secretaría de Desarrollo Económico, 200 millones de pesos serán destinados a proyectos estratégicos, básicamente la Isla de La Palma y la ciudad de Conocimiento, informó Isidoro Ruiz Argáiz.

De estos 200 millones de pesos, subrayó el titular de la Sedeco, alrededor de 135 millones es lo que se estaría invirtiendo en el proyecto de la Isla de La Palma.

En entrevista, señaló que atendiendo la instrucción del gobernador del estado y en atención a las sugerencias de los diputados locales, la Sedeco trabaja en coordinación con la Administración Portuaria Integral de Lázaro Cárdenas (Apilac) en la modificación del Plan Maestro del Parque Industrial Isla de La Palma con Recinto Fiscalizado Estratégico (RFE), a fin de que las reglas de operación sean lo más alineadas y se logre tener un proyecto sólido, firme y transparente.
El funcionario estatal destacó que en abril podría arrancarse la primera etapa del proyecto, la cual está desincorporada y no tiene problemas para realizar las inversiones que sean necesarias.
En este sentido, Isidoro Ruiz subrayó que lo que se busca es crear un parque industrial para la instalación de empresas que generen la mayor cantidad de valor agregado y de empleos en beneficio del estado.

Recursos a municipios afectados
En abril, se podría estar haciendo la entrega de recursos físicos a los micros, pequeños y medianos empresarios de los cinco municipios del oriente michoacano que fueron afectados por las lluvias, lo cual permitirá recuperar los empleos y la planta productiva, informó Isidoro Ruiz Argáiz, secretario de Desarrollo Económico.

Explicó que estos apoyos que ascienden a alrededor de 18 millones de pesos, se otorgarán mediante recursos del Fondo de Apoyo para la Micro, Pequeña y Mediana Empresa (Fondo Pyme) y de los programas de la Dirección de Empleo.

A través del Fondo de Apoyo para la Micro, Pequeña y Mediana Empresa (Fondo Pyme) se invertirán 13 millones de pesos, ello gracias a las gestiones ante los diferentes niveles de gobierno.

Según datos de la Dirección de Impulso a mipymes de Sedeco, se entregarán dos tipos de apoyos dependiendo de los requerimientos de los beneficiarios; para aquellos microempresarios que tuvieron afectaciones en sus negocios que contabilicen menos de 10 mil pesos se les otorgará un apoyo económico directo como capital de trabajo para el equipamiento de los negocios.
Mientras que para aquellos cuyas empresas registraron pérdidas mayores a 10 mil pesos se les ofrecerán créditos de hasta 350 mil pesos a tasa cero y además se les otorgarán seis meses de gracia y hasta cuatro años para pagar el financiamiento.

Por su parte, para el impulso de proyectos productivos y cursos de capacitación se esperan operar alrededor de 7 millones de pesos a través del Servicio Nacional de Empleo (SNE) Michoacán.
En lo que se refiere a Fomento al Autoempleo (FA) se entregarán 95 proyectos productivos que beneficiarán a igual número de negocios. Así mismo a través de Bécate, se realizarán cursos de capacitación en Angangueo, Aporo y Ocampo, donde 247 beneficiarios se capacitarán y obtendrán una beca. Los cursos que serán impartidos por especialistas van desde elaboración de blancos, artesanía en madera, panadería, carpintería, industrialización de frutas, hasta herrería, carpintería y cocina.

Estiman que en 4 meses operarán tramos del Puerto de Tampico

1 - Que se le quitaron al GUA desde diciembre del 2009

- Ottón Pérez Martínez, director general de Fomento y Administración Portuaria en la Coordinación General de Puertos y Marina Mercante indicó que con eso se busca reactivar el movimiento de carga que ha caído en los últimos años.

Fuente: Juanita del Ángel/EnLíneaDIRECTA

Tampico, Tamaulipas.-En Aproximadamente 4 meses se estima que estén operando en el puerto de Tampico los tramos que se le quitaron al Gremio Unido de Alijadores, para reactivar el movimiento de carga que ha caído en los últimos años, afirmó Ottón Pérez Martínez, director general de Fomento y Administración Portuaria en la Coordinación General de Puertos y Marina Mercante.

Al ser entrevistado a su llegada al Aeropuerto de Tampico, el funcionario dijo que este es uno de los proyectos en los que se está trabajando en esta región, pues es algo que tienen pendiente.
“Se tienen proyectos importantes en Lázaro Cárdenas y en Guaymas, Veracruz, y en Tampico también tenemos proyectos, estamos pensando trabajar con los tramos que dejó el Gremio Unido de Alijadores para atraer carga nueva y reactivar ese rubro que tanto ha venido cayendo en los últimos años, justamente venimos a ver eso, para que en un termino de 3 ó 4 meses estén trabajando empresas en esos tramos que van a traer cargas y van a atender barcos en el puerto con mayor fluidez, mayor productividad”.

Pérez Martínez, quien estuvo presidió la primera sesión de Consejo de Administración de este año, tanto del puerto de este municipio como la de Altamira, manifestó que este año se tiene un panorama económico mejor para todas las terminales portuarias del país.

Señaló que en los puertos del país se tiene una mejor perspectiva en movimiento de carga este 2010, con un 10 por ciento arriba en comparación con enero y febrero del año pasado y están trabajando muy bien.

Crecimiento del Puerto de Tuxpan durante el primer bimestre del año

Fuente: Webpicking

Pese el entorno económico que prevalece en la actualidad, el puerto de Tuxpan durante el primer bimestre del año en curso presenta una dinámica de crecimiento.

La Administración Portuaria Integral de Tuxpan S.A. de C.V. (API de Tuxpan), dio a conocer las tendencias del primer bimestre del presente año, en cuanto a la operación de carga total se refiere, según datos registrados por esta Entidad, el comparativo del primer bimestre 2009 Vs. 2010 ha acumulado un movimiento de carga del orden de 1.49 millones de toneladas en lo que va del presente periodo, contra 1.32 millones de toneladas del año pasado; lo cual refleja un crecimiento del 12%.

Por tipo de carga se identifican las siguientes variaciones:

•Petróleo y sus derivados presenta un incremento del 15%
•En el Gas Licuado de petróleo el crecimiento fue del 20%
•El granel mineral se favoreció en un 31%
•Los fluidos varían positivamente un 10%
•Por último, la carga general muestra un incremento por demás considerable del 402%

La API de Tuxpan, conciente de las exigencias del entorno mundial y buscando mantener una tasa de crecimiento constante, trabaja día a día para favorecer servicios portuarios eficientes, seguros e integrados a las cadenas logísticas y de valor, con el respaldo de una comunidad portuaria comprometida en el desarrollo del país, que en todo momento se desempeña en armonía y respeto con el medio ambiente; prueba de ello se refleja de manera alentadora en los resultados anteriormente mencionados.

Fuente: API TUXPAN

Finaliza con éxito la VI Reunión de la CIP y la XI Reunión de la CECIP de la OEA

Fuente: Webpicking

“La experiencia ha sido sumamente enriquecedora para todas las naciones que desean fortalecer el sector portuario y compartir experiencias con delegados de naciones desarrolladas en estos temas, lo que nos permitirá trazar nuevas estrategias hacia una industria globalizada, que de como resultado una economía más prospera para los países de la región, señaló el Administrador de la Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP), Roberto Linares.

Linares, anfitrión del Congreso, expresó su agradecimiento a los organizadores, expositores, delegados y prensa asistentes por hacer de éste “El evento marítimo del año”, superando todas las expectativas.

Autoridades de los 32 países que componen la Comisión Interamericana de Puertos (CIP) de la Organización de Estados Americanos estuvieron reunidas en Panamá, para celebrar la VI Reunión de la CIP y la Décimo Primera Reunión del Comité Ejecutivo de la CIP (CECIP) de la OEA.

Igualmente, el Viceministro de Comercio, Ricardo Quijano, expresó durante la clausura de este Foro, que la actividad portuaria es un negocio que tiene mucho futuro, ya que aquellos puertos que estén mejor preparados para cuando termine la recesión, tendrán mayor éxito y su desarrollo beneficiará a los países que hayan adecuado sus instalaciones para recibir los buques de mayor calado; la ampliación del Canal de Panamá, es un proyecto de alta envergadura que necesitará de toda la logística, competitividad y eficiencia, que nos permita ofrecer un servicio de excelencia a la industria marítima mundial”.

Este importante evento hemisférico que sirve de foro permanente de los Estados miembros de la Organización para el fortalecimiento de la cooperación en el área del desarrollo del sector portuario, fue organizado por la Autoridad Marítima de Panamá con la participación del sector privado.

Finalmente, vale la pena destacar que Panamá a través de la Autoridad Marítima de Panamá, ente rector de las políticas marítimas del país se ha distinguido por ser la sede de este importante Foro Permanente de la OEA y como nación que le da la cara al mar, reiteramos nuestro compromiso de fortalecer la cultura marítima, promoviendo la formación de los jóvenes estudiantes, a través de planes y programas que incluyen la creación de un bachillerato marítimo en los diferentes planteles educativos del país.
31/03/10

Fuente: AMP

IMO adopts proposal for emission control area

Source: US EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) today officially accepted the proposal to designate waters off the North American coasts as an Emission Control Area (ECA) – a move that will result in cleaner air for millions of Americans. Large ships that operate in ECAs must use dramatically cleaner fuel and technology, leading to major air quality and public health benefits that extend hundreds of miles inland. The ECA was proposed in March 2009 and the IMO adopted it in the fastest possible timetable.

“This is a change that will benefit millions of people and set in motion new innovations for the shipping industry. We’re gratified by the IMO’s decision to help keep our air clean and our communities healthy,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “The sulfur, particulate emissions and other harmful pollutants from large ships reach from our ports to communities hundreds of miles inland -- bringing with them health, environmental and economic burdens. Cleaning up our shipping lanes will be a boon to communities across North America.”

The large commercial ships that visit the nation’s ports, such as oil tankers, cruise ships and container ships, currently use fuel with very high sulfur content which, when burned, emits harmful levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide that can travel hundreds of miles inland, causing severe respiratory symptoms in children and adults. These ships, most flying the flags of other countries, make more than 57,000 calls at more than 100 U.S. ports annually. More than 30 of these ports are in metropolitan areas that fail to meet federal air quality standards. In total, nearly 127 million people currently live in areas that fail to meet U.S. air quality standards.

Enforcing the stringent ECA standards will reduce sulfur content in fuel by 98 percent - slashing particulate matter emissions by 85 percent, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 80 percent. To achieve these reductions, tougher sulfur standards will phase in starting in 2012, ultimately reaching no more than 1,000 parts per million by 2015. Also, new ships must use advanced emission control technologies beginning in 2016 which will help reduce NOx emissions.

As a result of the cleaner air, nearly five million people will experience relief from acute respiratory symptoms in 2020 and as many as 14,000 lives will be saved each year.

Canada and France join the U.S. in this North American ECA, implementing a coordinated geographic emissions control program. In developing the U.S. proposal, EPA joined with federal partners at the Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, State, Transportation, and Commerce, among others. This is the first ECA adopted under amendments to an IMO treaty in 2008 that strengthened and expanded both the ECA emissions standards and the approval criteria.

The North American ECA is a key part of a comprehensive EPA program to address harmful emissions from large ships. Other elements include voluntary partnerships under EPA’s Clean Ports USA program and implementation of a Clean Air Act rulemaking that EPA finalized last December.

IMO OKs Clean Fuel Rule For Ships Within 200 Miles Of U.S. Coast

Source: Cunningham report

The International Maritime Organization, which met in London last week, approved an emission control area for the U.S. and Canada that will require all ships within 200 nautical miles of the coast to use low-sulfur fuel. It was hailed as a victory for both the maritime industry and environmentalists.

The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association - which has promoted approval of the international standard for several years while fighting state attempts to dictate environmental standards for ships engaged in international trade - said that the IMO's decision will result in cleaner air for people and a level playing field for the industry.

"The IMO's decision is also important because it sets a standard that must be implemented by all vessels, regardless of what flag they fly, that come within 200 nautical miles of the U.S. and Canada, including the Hawaiian Islands - and hopefully ends the trend where a patchwork of different standards was emerging as a result of states, districts and even cities considering their own standards."

- The Cunningham Report

New UN expert group to study ship emissions

Source:Euractiv

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) last week agreed to establish an expert group to prepare a feasibility study on market-based instruments to cut greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

A meeting of the UN agency's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) said the new group will study the feasibility of options like bunker fuels and emissions trading before preparing an impact assessment.

In addition, the committee decided to postpone finalising mandatory fuel-efficiency standards for ships, concluding that more work remains to be done.

It said it had drafted plans for an Energy Efficiency Design Index for new ships to ensure that new vessel designs are environmentally friendly, as well as for a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan for all ships in operation. But it referred further work on outstanding issues, including ship size, target dates and reduction rate, to a working group that will report back in September.

The IMO has been trying to portray itself as a credible partner in international efforts to curb global warming amid criticism that it has been slow to act in controlling greenhouse gas emissions.

"Global issues demand global solutions," said IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos at the close of last week's meeting, arguing that the world should take heed of lessons learned in last year's UN climate talks in Copenhagen to avoid repeating them in further negotiations set to take place in Cancún at the end of the year.

The shipping world should work "not in a fragmented manner, but as responsible members of a community that has a role to play in this effort," Mitropoulos added.

Bunker fuel levies were on the table at the Copenhagen climate talks in December, but any reference to them was left out of the Copenhagen Accord agreed at the close of the conference.

A major stumbling block on setting global emissions targets for international maritime as well as aviation emissions was how to reconcile the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which governs the climate negotiations, with that of the equal treatment of ships under the IMO.

These are in direct opposition with one another, as the UNFCCC requires rich countries to bear a higher burden while the maritime sector considers that the cross-border nature of its activities would require any bunker fuel taxes to be imposed evenly across the globe to prevent distortion of competitiveness.

The EU appears isolated in its calls for targets. The US rejected any mention of bunkers at Copenhagen in order not to introduce the common but differentiated responsibilities principle to bunker discussions. Developing countries headed by China, India and Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, argued in advance that debates on market-based measures should be put on hold until a new climate agreement is struck.

The EU has said that it will act on its own if neither the IMO nor international climate negotiations succeed in curbing emissions from ships. It has already decided to add aviation to its emissions trading scheme from 2012.

"We have made clear that if the IMO cannot sort out things, if the UNFCCC cannot sort out things, by the end of next year, we will come up with proposals," said Jos Delbeke, director-general of the European Commission's new climate action department, last week.

The EU is actively looking at cap-and-trade as an option, he added.

Shipping confidence hits fifteen-month high

Source: Motorship

Overall confidence levels in the shipping industry have risen to their highest levels for fifteen months, according to the latest Shipping Confidence survey by Moore Stephens.

The survey revealed that owners, managers and charterers were all more confident of making a major investment over the next twelve months, while there was a noticeable rise in the numbers of respondents expecting to see an increase in freight rates in the tanker and container ship sectors.

On a scale of 1 to 10, the average confidence level expressed by respondents in the markets in which they operate was 5.9, compared to 5.7 in the previous survey in November 2009, which itself equalled the highest recorded level for twelve months. The overall confidence level achieved in the first Moore Stephens survey in May 2008, meanwhile, was 6.8.

Ship managers expressed the most significant increase in confidence over the latest three-month period, up from 5.8 to 6.2, the highest score recorded by any category of respondent since May 2008. Confidence was also up during the period among owners (from 5.7 to 5.9) and charterers (5.6 to 5.8), while brokers were the only category in which confidence dropped, from 5.7 to 5.5. Geographically speaking, confidence was up in the four main regions covered by the survey, Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. Europe is the only region which has reported increased confidence in each of the last five surveys, during which time it has risen from 5.2 to 5.8.

A number of responses to the survey exhibited continued confidence in shipping’s ability to bounce back in line with the traditionally cyclical nature of the markets, pointing to significant growth trends in emerging Asian, Indian and African markets as a springboard for recovery elsewhere, principally in Europe and North America. But many respondents still exhibited a high level of concern about the state of shipping and the economy in general. One noted, “There are too many ships trading, too many ships delivering, and too many owners stumbling blind into delicate markets, upsetting the fragile status quo that had previously existed”. Another emphasised, “The situation is very unsure. There is too much tonnage and too little finance”. One respondent, meanwhile, predicted a slump in the appetite for pure shipowning, pointing out, “More and more vessels will be put out for third party management.”

Expectations on the part of respondents of making a major investment or significant development over the next twelve months were up overall to their highest level since May 2008, at 5.3 out of a possible maximum of 10.0. Managers recorded the highest level of expectation, their score rising from 5.0 to 5.7, while charterers and owners also reported increased expectations. The increase was evident across all four main geographic regions, but was most pronounced in Asia, where it rose from 5.0 to 5.6.

Despite this, one respondent said, “The low rates in the market are putting a lot of pressure on owners, some of whom are trying to cancel new tonnage. There are also other casualties involving shipping companies (i.e. Chapter 11 or liquidation). Neither have the banks yet disclosed the full extent of the losses under their shipping portfolios”. There was also concern on the part of some respondents that it will be the smaller companies that suffer most as a recovery gets under way. One noted, “The next eighteen months will be the time for people with money. The shipping world will look very different after that. Huge companies will merge, and smaller companies will disappear, making it impossible for newcomers to get started.”

For the fifth survey in succession, respondents identified demand trends (27% overall) as the single most important factor likely to affect their business performance over the coming year, although it was noticeable that both managers and charterers considered it of less importance than at the time of the previous survey. In their view, competition had assumed increasing importance over the latest three-month period. And it was once again competition (18%) and the cost and availability of finance (17%) which figured as the two other most significant factors likely to affect the performance of respondents overall. Tonnage supply and operating cost continue to assume increasing importance in the thinking of respondents over the life of the survey to date.

Owners, charterers, managers and brokers all expected finance costs to rise over the next twelve months, the overall figure for all respondents in this regard rising five percentage points from 48% to 53%. While the overall expectation was at its highest level since October 2008, there was a difference of opinion geographically, with more respondents in Europe (50% from 44%) and North America (69% from 58%) expecting an increase in costs compared to last time, while such expectations decreased in Asia (55% from 58%) and Latin America (36% from 50%).

So far as the markets are concerned, there was a noticeable turnaround in opinion, with a rise in the number of respondents who believed that rates in the tanker and container ship sectors were likely to be higher in twelve months’ time, in the latter case by almost 20 percentage points, while the overall expectation of improved rates in the dry bulk trades remained unchanged. Despite the increased level of optimism, there was still a high level of concern about the current state of the markets. “Newbuildings being delivered this year or next are still being fixed at lower rates than have been reported in 2009,” said one respondent.

In the tanker market, the number of respondents overall who expected rates to go up rose from 42% to 46% this time, with the most significant shift in opinion being expressed by charterers, where there was a 37 percentage point rise (to 59%) in the number of respondents who thought rates would increase over the coming year – this following a 13 percentage point fall in the previous survey on the August 2009 figures. Expectations of higher rates, on a more modest scale, were also expressed by both owners and managers.

In the dry bulk market, meanwhile, expectation of rate increases was pegged at 38% overall. Charterers were alone in anticipating that rates would increase significantly, rising by 9 percentage points to 42%. A number of respondents felt that the bulk sector was overbuilt far beyond demand. One quoted unofficial figures suggesting that between 30 and 50% of bulker newbuilding orders had been cancelled and suggested that, if that was the case, and given continued demand from China for tonnage, the market would be strong and healthy.

It was in the container ship sector, however, that the biggest changes were to be found. There was a 19 percentage point increase overall to 45% in the number of respondents expecting rate increases over the next twelve months. All categories of respondent were agreed on this point. In the case of charterers and owners, the increases compared to the previous survey were 22 and 21 percentage points respectively at 45% and 46%, and, in the case of brokers, no less than 26 percentage points at 48%.

Moore Stephens shipping partner, Richard Greiner, says, “The increase in confidence in shipping markets worldwide is excellent news for everybody in the maritime sector. The hope is that the industry can build on this and start to put the past eighteen months behind it. When more people are starting to think about making new investments, as this survey suggests, that is a sure sign that things are beginning to improve. And there is reason to believe that those companies which have viable expansion plans will find that the banks and others will be willing to listen.

“Of course serious concerns persist about the business climate for the international shipping industry. Being optimistic about rate increases is not the same thing as rates actually going up, but it is a start. Confidence breeds more confidence, which in turn can breed success.”

Quality Management International, Inc. Recently Approved by USCG for Training PFSOs

Source: Newswire today

QMII adds Port Facility Security Officer to its USCG approved Maritime Security Officer course for Company, Vessel and Port Facility Security Officers (CSO/VSO/PFSO).


QMII’s Maritime Security Officer course has been approved by the United States Coast Guard as meeting the requirements for training Port Facility Security Officers in addition to Company and Vessel Security Officers. These officers are entrusted with the safety and security of our shipping companies, the individual ships, and the ports at which the ships call. Proper training of these men and women is vital to the safety of our fleet, the cargo of the ships, and the cities where they dock. QMII offers this 3 day course for training Company Security Officers (CS0), Vessel Security Officers (VSO) and Port Facility Security Officers (PFSO). This course satisfies the requirements for mariners seeking VSO, CSO, and PFSO endorsements.

This Maritime Security Officer (MSO) course, uses real life examples and situations to reinforce the learning points. Hands on workshops are designed to offer practical experience and preparation for maritime duties. This intensive course teaches valuable skills for mariners, managers, and auditors. It is offered in conjunction with a 2-day International Safety Management (ISM) Auditor Course, which means that in one week, individuals seeking to advance their careers will be able to fulfill all requirements, avoiding the problems associated with scheduling multiple courses in various locations.

QMII has offered the Maritime Security Officer class for the past year. During that time, 100% of student respondents reported favorably on the quality of the instruction and materials as well as satisfaction with the overall learning experience. Students also noted the value of the course to the advancement of their careers. All students indicated that they would recommend this class to their peers.

For further information or to register for this course, contact Lisa Parsley at QMII, AWorldofQuality.com/.

Safety of seafarers should be top priority: Governor

Source: Ptinews

Mumbai, Mar 31 (PTI) Expressing serious concern over the growing incidents of armed robbery and hostage taking by pirates off the Coast of Somalia, Maharashtra governor K Sankaranarayanan today said the safety of Indian seafarers must receive top priority.

The Governor hoped that the international community would step in and take decisive action to end piracy and hijacking vessels for ransom.

He was speaking at the inauguration of Merchant Navy week at Raj Bhavan.

Sankaranarayanan expressed satisfaction that India produces the best of seafarers in the world and contributes 6.5 per cent of the total seafarers of the world, who are manning Indian and foreign vessels with distinction, a Raj Bhavan release said.

The Merchant Navy week is to create public awareness of the shipping industry which accounts for more than 90 per cent of international trade by volume.

Source: Market watch

Tokyo, Mar 31, 2010 (JCN Newswire via COMTEX) -- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has reached a basic agreement with BW Offshore Limited, one of the world's leading FPSO (floating production, storage and offloading) contractors, to collaborate in the marketing of FPSO for liquefied natural gas (LNG). The two companies plan to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The collaboration of the two companies aims to improve the position from which to propose LNG-FPSO to potential customers throughout the world by combining their expertise - MHI's knowhow, garnered through the experience of constructing numerous LNG carriers and offshore structures, and BW Offshore's significant experience with FPSO projects. Through the effective sharing of roles, the two companies will accelerate its marketing activities and are well positioned to execute their first LNG-FPSO project.

The agreement outlines the joint development of design and joint marketing activities, mainly targeting LNG-FPSO projects, with around two million tons per annum (MTPA) production capacity. Specifically, MHI will take charge of the vessel's hull and LNG storage tank portion and BW Offshore among others will be responsible for the pretreatment and liquefaction facilities and production and mooring solutions. By combining the strengths of the two companies, an LNG-FPSO that scrupulously responds to customer needs becomes possible to propose as a package. For LNG storage tanks, MHI will propose MOSS type spherical tanks, in which the company has proven experience through the delivery of numerous LNG carriers and whose reliability and economical efficiency have already been confirmed.

The origin of BW Offshore goes back to the early 1980s, when it started business as a department of Bergesen d.y., a world leading shipping company. The company was the first to operate a LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)-FPSO with the unit "Berge Sisar" in Angola, receiving first gas in 1982. BW Offshore's main shareholder is BW Group, one of the world's leading maritime groups in the tanker, gas and offshore segments. BW Offshore has completed 14 FPSO projects and delivered more than 50 turrets and offshore terminals to date.

While demand for LNG is increasingly being appreciated as an energy source that emits less carbon dioxide (CO2), one of greenhouse-effect gases, compared with other fossil fuels, its production and development is moving to offshore gas fields, either large scale or small and medium "stranded" fields, which have been discovered, but remain untapped. As a result, LNG-FPSO, which can eliminate long pipeline and offers facility moving capability, is drawing much attention. At present, gas development projects using LNG-FPSO are either planned or being discussed on offshore sites in many countries, including Australia, Indonesia and Brazil.

In tandem with the aforementioned plans, submission of proposals and bidding by shipbuilding and plant engineering companies with strong LNG production facilities have become brisk. Spurred by the collaboration agreement with BW Offshore, MHI will further strengthen its LNG-FPSO marketing activities, leveraging the expertise of the two companies.

About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TSE: 7011, 'MHI'), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading heavy machinery manufacturers. MHI's diverse lineup of products and services encompasses shipbuilding, power plants, chemical plants, environmental equipment, steel structures, industrial and general machinery, aircraft, space rocketry and air-conditioning systems. For more information, please visit the MHI website at www.mhi.co.jp.

New international treaty to help clean Houston air

Source: Bizjournals

A key amendment to the Marpol Convention recently adopted in London means cleaner air for Houston and its surrounding areas.

Short for “marine pollution,” Marpol is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships.

On March 26, the International Maritime Organization — the United Nations agency that regulates shipping — created an Emissions Control Area, or ECA, within 200 miles of coastlines which requires large ships coming into ports to have cleaner-burning fuel.

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan and Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia supported the measure and submitted a video to the IMO urging its passing. The City of Houston, Harris County and the Port of Houston Authority included resolutions of support with the video.

“A lot of the air pollution in our area comes from foreign ships because they burn cheap, dirty fuel,” Ryan said. “Harris County is probably the biggest beneficiary of this change because of the kind of air pollution issues we have and the amount of foreign tonnage the Port of Houston handles.”

Added Garcia: “As the commissioner representing the region that includes the Port of Houston, I think it only makes sense that we would want to join the international community in taking steps to reduce the emissions of major shippers as they do business on and near our port and channel.”

The first benchmark is 2012, when the amount of sulfur in fuel must be reduced to less than 10,000 parts per million, almost a third of the now-standard 27,000 ppm. By 2015, that number drops to 1,000 ppm in ECAs. Both measures are expected to drop sulfur oxide emissions by more than 85 percent.

Enforcement in the United States falls to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Canada's International Maritime Industry Applauds New Measures to Reduce Air Emissions from Ships

Source: Newswire

MONTREAL, March 31 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's international shipping industry is pleased with the progress made last week at the International Maritime Organisation (the U.N. agency that regulates shipping). We welcome the decision to adopt a North American Emission Control Area (or ECA) to help reduce air emissions from ships. The ECA will improve air quality along North American coastlines by subjecting ships to strict environmental standards that will significantly reduce emissions of sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. Ships will meet these standards by using cleaner fuels and / or implementing treatment technologies such as scrubbers. The ECA, which was a proposal introduced by Canada, the United States and France in July 2009, will come into effect in 2012. This development illustrates how quickly the IMO can implement legislation, on a global basis, and represents an important step forward in the maritime industry's ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.

The Shipping Federation of Canada and the International Ship-Owners Alliance also welcome Canada's ratification of three annexes of the MARPOL Convention (the main international convention dealing with the prevention of pollution from ships), which will enable Canada to further enforce international standards related to sewage, garbage, and air emissions from ships. Given the essential role that international conventions play in providing shipping with a consistent global regulatory framework in which to operate, the industry strongly supports both this development and the future ratification of other outstanding conventions.

The Shipping Federation of Canada, which was incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1903, is the pre-eminent voice of shipowners, operators and agents involved in Canada's world trade. Its key activities include protecting and promoting the interests of the ocean shipping industry; providing operational support to member companies; disseminating information to members, governments and the general public; and developing and delivering industry educational programs. The overall objective of all the Federation's activities is to ensure a safe, efficient, competitive, environmentally-responsible and quality-oriented marine transportation system.

The International Ship-Owners Alliance of Canada (ISAC) represents local and international merchant shipowners, managers and operators of ships who collectively control a fleet of over 500 ocean-going vessels. ISAC is a staunch supporter of the IMO and is affiliated with its global partner BIMCO (The Baltic and International Maritime Council) as well as the ICS (International Chamber of Shipping), INTERTANKO (The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners), INTERCARGO (The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners) and other international shipping associations.

For further information: Michael H. Broad, President, The Shipping Federation of Canada, (514) 849-2325; Kaity Arsoniadis-Stein LLB,LLM, President & Secretary-General, International Ship-Owners Alliance of Canada, (604) 808-5253

Advertisement Bright future for Cyprus shipping

Source: Cyprus Mail

THE EU’S approval of Cyprus’ tonnage tax for shipping companies will bring stability and certainty to the sector, maritime authorities said yesterday.

Last week, the Commission approved the tonnage taxation system operated in Cyprus and has given the green light for the system to remain in force until 2019 with the option of a further ten years until 2029.

“The new measures will enhance further Cyprus shipping and our national economy at a moment when international shipping is seriously affected by the persisting serious international economic crisis,” said Minister of Communications and Works Erato Kozakou-Markoulli, at a news conference yesterday.

“The basic benefit is certainty and stability,” said Serghios Serghiou, the Director of the Department of Merchant Shipping.

The shipping sector contributes 5 per cent to GDP and involves not only the flag but maritime support services including legal, accountancy and logistics firms.

Amongst EU countries Cyprus has the third largest shipping industry - behind Greece and Malta - and it is the tenth largest globally. There are over 1,000 vessels flying the Cyprus flag said Kozakou-Markoulli.

“This agreement provides a climate of stability to the field and this provides an opportunity for Cyprus to increase its percentage of the world shipping market,” said Michalis Phillipou, Director-General of the Cyprus Shipping Union of the EU approval.

Thomas Kazakos, Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, noted that, while it would be logical to expect an expansion of the shipping industry as a result of the EU decision, it was too soon to say how international players would react .

But what was virtually certain now was that the companies in Cyprus who were currently involved in the sector would be sure to remain, he said.

“To be here in Cyprus they need it to be competitive. Cyprus is not the cheapest, and it is not our aim to be the cheapest, but to have the most competitive overall package,” he said.

Under the tonnage scheme which Cyprus operates, shipping companies can opt for a tax calculated on the net tonnage of their fleet, instead of being taxed on the actual profits of their maritime activities.

Cyprus-registered vessels also benefit from Cyprus’s inclusion on the White Lists of Paris and Tokyo, two international agreements which result in ships being subjected to fewer supervisory checks at foreign ports.

The EU approval involves a number of legislative changes to the finer details governing how the shipping sector is administrated in Cyprus, which are to be “enacted in the coming weeks”.

“This approval constitutes perhaps the most important success for Cyprus Shipping since the formation of the Republic of Cyprus,” said Kazakos.