Shipping experts identify realities of risk in ITIC panel debate

The need for proper training, sound risk management, and contractual expertise were among the issues identified as essential to commercial success in a panel debate following the annual board meeting of the International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) in Athens on 24 September.

The panel, moderated by ITIC’s underwriter for Greece, Robert Hodge, and comprising Tim Jones of Barry Rogliano Salles (BRS), Bob Bishop of V Ships, Bjorn Tonsberg of Wilhelmsen Ships Service and Paul Herring of Ince & Co, was asked to debate The Realities of Risk, and what kept them awake at night.

Tim Jones referred to a case where a junior broker reportedly concluded a fixture using social media. A dispute arose post-fixture on the terms of the agreement but, since the broker had left the company by the time the dispute arose, it was not possible to obtain the necessary information from the social media site. Jones emphasised that BRS’s policy is to only use company emails when negotiating fixtures.

Bob Bishop observed that it was relatively easy to monitor the performance of machinery and that problems could be predicted and fixed. Monitoring the performance of staff was harder, but an essential task in managing a service company. He added that training is essential within any company, to ensure that the younger generation has the knowledge to avoid the mistakes of the past.

Bjorn Tonsberg emphasised that risk management is a key factor, an important part of which is to carry out due diligence, in order to establish exactly who one is dealing with. Commenting that he was aware of ship agents offering to act for agency fees far lower than commercial rates, Tonsberg stressed that it was essential for owners to carry out due diligence on the agent, including whether or not that agent had professional indemnity insurance in the event of a loss.

Paul Herring noted that good contractual management, including the use of standard trading conditions, enabled businesses to sleep better at night, a sentiment with which all the panel were in agreement.

Following questions from the audience, attendees retired to a drinks reception on the balcony of the Hilton Athens as the sun set over the Acropolis.

ITIC is managed by Thomas Miller. More details about the club and the services it offers can be found on ITIC’s website at www.itic-insure.com



For more information:
Charlotte Kirk
ITIC
Tel. +44 (0)20 7338 0150
Fax. +44 (0)20 7338 0151
charlotte.kirk@thomasmiller.com

Moore Stephens welcomes UK tonnage tax training initiative

Moore Stephens welcomes UK tonnage tax training initiative

International accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens has welcomed an initiative by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) which it says will encourage the training of ratings.

The DfT is to pilot a change to the tonnage tax training commitment which will allow three ratings to be trained in place of one officer-cadet. It will gather evidence regarding this proposed change with a view to making it permanent. The intention is that the pilot scheme will start in October 2015, but this is subject to the DfT receiving regulatory clearance in time.

Under the existing rules, the commitment is to train one ‘UK cadet’ per year for every fifteen officer posts on the safe manning certificates for all vessels in the tonnage tax regime. In addition, companies must continue to train recruits for the previous two years, so that once a company has been in tonnage tax for three years it will be training three UK cadets for every fifteen officer posts. A ‘UK cadet’ must be (i) a national of an EEA state, or a British citizen from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, and (ii) ordinarily resident in the UK. In addition, under the current rules for ratings, companies must review annually the feasibility of adopting each of the ratings’ employment and development options agreed by the tripartite Ratings Task Force.

Moore Stephens tax partner Sue Bill says, “The DfT initiative is a positive development. It should ensure that the UK training commitment is more flexible, and encourage the training of ratings.”

Moore Stephens LLP is noted for a number of industry specialisations and is widely acknowledged as a leading shipping and insurance adviser. Moore Stephens LLP is a member firm of Moore Stephens International Limited, one of the world's leading accounting and consulting associations, with 667 offices of independent member firms in 105 countries, employing 27,081 people and generating revenues in 2013 of $2.7 billion. www.moorestephens.co.uk


For more information:
Sue Bill
Moore Stephens LLP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7334 9191
sue.bill@moorestephens.com

London P&I Club warns on need for ECDIS training

THE London P&I Club says the timetable for the mandatory implementation of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) is advancing and that owners must take account of the potential risks involved in replacing more traditional means of voyage planning and monitoring with advanced technology.

In the latest issue of its StopLoss Bulletin, the club notes, “Ineffective use of any electronic navigational aid can lead to marine accidents. A causative factor in a number of recent grounding accidents is the incorrect operation of ECDIS. It is essential that the navigator is not only effectively trained in the proper use of ECDIS, but also understands the limitations of the equipment and its primary role as a decision-support system.”

The club adds, “The statutory requirements for ECDIS training are covered in the STCW Convention, the ISM Code and SOLAS Chapter 5. The IMO ECDIS Model Course 1.27 should provide the navigator with the required level of understanding, competence and confidence for application in all aspects of navigation. However, with a vast array of ECDIS manufacturers, there is a challenge for the navigator to reach an acceptable degree of competence in a specific onboard system.

“Familiarisation with type-specific ECDIS, whether provided by the manufacturer, the manufacturer’s agent or a trainer, has been identified as a priority for training. The additional challenge is to ensure that the quality of both generic and familiarisation training is sufficient to reduce the risks associated with this transition to new technology, whilst satisfying the scrutiny of external parties, such as Port State Control, where the focus will be on demonstrating operational competence on the ship’s ECDIS equipment.” www.londonpandi.com

RINA obtains Kazakhstan recognition

INTERNATIONAL classification society RINA has been officially recognised as a competent and authorised authority to carry out classification and statutory services for ships registered under the Kazakhstan flag.

The authorisation was formalised in a recently signed agreement between the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan and RINA Services SpA, the parent company of the Genoa-headquartered RINA Group.

Under the terms of this agreement, RINA is authorised to classify and survey Kazakhstan-registered ships, to confirm their conformity to the requirements of international and national conventions and agreements, and to issue corresponding certification.

The agreement also extends to cover the training of Kazakhstan Administration personnel, who will be able to apply to participate in RINA training courses, workshops, conferences and other similar events.

RINA is one of the oldest classification societies and certification companies in the world. Established in Genoa in 1861 to serve the marine industry, today it spans the globe as a multinational and multi-faceted company, sharing its knowledge and experience through a wide range of services which help industries and the community to improve their businesses and quality of life. RINA’s services cover the environment, energy, transportation, logistics, safety, quality and social responsibility. www.rina.org

For more information:
Claudia Filippone
Head of Media Relations RINA
+39 010 5385643
cfp@rina.org

Giulia Faravelli
Media Relations
+39 010 5385505
giulia.faravelli@rina.org

IBIA team expands in Singapore

IBIA team expands in Singapore

THE International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has appointed Kwok Fook Sing as the new full-time regional manager of its Asia branch in Singapore.

Kwok Fook Sing will be responsible for increasing technical support to members, both regionally and globally, as well as developing the IBIA training courses and the Asia membership.

Fook Sing has over twenty years’ experience in the maritime industry. Before joining IBIA, he was employed as Marine Engineering Manager at Wavelink Maritime Institute Pte Ltd, where he developed, implemented and managed the IBIA Bunker Surveyor Course as well as other courses for the Maritime Port Authority, Singapore.

This experience will now be used to manage the IBIA training course portfolio and to help IBIA offer technical advice and support to its members.

Fook Sing says, “Bunkering plays a vital role in the maritime industry. It has evolved into a specialised business, managed by suitably qualified and experienced people. I am passionate about training, and I am looking forward to using my experience, both as a seagoing marine engineer and in the shore-based sector, to improve still further the training and competence levels throughout IBIA”.

Ian Adams, chief executive of IBIA, says, “Over the last two years IBIA has experienced a big increase in its membership, and we have to ensure that our staffing levels are sufficient to meet the members’ expectations. I am very confident that we have found the right person in Kwok Fook Sing to help develop our Singapore branch and to increase the level of technical skills available to our members globally, and particularly in the Far East and Australasia.”

Note to editors
Founded in 1993, IBIA is the trade association of the global bunker industry. Its membership is drawn from bunker buyers, traders, brokers, suppliers and service companies worldwide. IBIA is dedicated to promoting quality and professionalism in international bunkering, and is engaged in a series of long-term initiatives designed to raise standards in the industry. http://www.ibia.net


For more information:
Ian Adams
IBIA
+44 (0) 2380 226 555
ian.adams@ibia.net