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UK Ship Register E-Zine – Flagging-Up
Welcome to the Eleventh edition of Flagging-Up; the UK Ship Register’s quarterly e-newsletter.
Issue # 11 – Winter 2010
Covered in this issue are:
- UK Fleet Statistics
- Clarkson Statistics: UK Fleet
- Carisbrooke Shipping
- Counter-Piracy Advice and Guidance
- Long Range Identification Tracking (LRIT)
- Specific over Reporting Case for Thrane & Thrane LRIT Equipment
- New Authorised Testing Application Service Providers (ATASPs)
- Civil Liability Certificates
- Continuous Synopsis Record Update
- Maritime Labour Convention Seminar
- UKSR at Marintec
- Safety Alerts - Technical
- Podcast on the UKSR website
- Newsletter Contacts
UK Fleet Statistics
During the last quarter 13 ships joined the UK Ship Register (UKSR) with a combined gross tonnage of 210,000 GT. Of these new registrations 10 were new builds, whilst the remainder transferred in from other flags.
These new registrations include 1 container ship; 1 general cargo ship; 3 supply ships; 1 vehicle carrier; 1 bulk carrier and 6 vessels of other types.
Companies registering ships with the UKSR in the last 3 months include Carisbrooke Shipping, Wilhelmsen Lines Car Carriers, Rio Tinto Shipping, Gulf Offshore and Serco Denholm Marine Services.
The average age of vessels flagging-in during the last quarter was 2 years whilst the average age of vessels leaving the register was 22.
As at the end of December 2009 the UK Ship Register stands at 1,553 ships with a gross tonnage of 17,464,490.
Clarkson Statistics: UK Fleet
According to Clarkson Research Services World Fleet Monitor for December 2009, the UK has the 11th largest fleet overall and the 4th largest European fleet in terms of GT.
At present the average age of the UK Fleet is 9.1 years. This figure is the current average age of the fleet weighted on a GT basis.
From 2008 to 2009 the UK Flag increased by 1.6m GT which represents an increase of 10.4%. Of the top 30 Flags in the world (in terms of GT) the UK had the 5th largest percentage increase of GT.
These statistics highlight the significant increase of GT on the UK Flag and demonstrate that the UK Ship Register is the flag of choice for quality shipowners.
Carisbrooke Shipping
In the last 12 months the UKSR increased by 1.6m GT. One company that has significantly contributed to this growth is Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd who registered seven new-build general cargo ships with the UK Flag.
They are a privately owned shipping company based in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight. The company has evolved over time into a worldwide shipping operation from relatively modest origins and is now one of the UKSR's largest customers. In total Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd now have 28 ships (all general cargo) on the UK Flag with a total of almost 157,500 GT and an average age of 2 years.
Carisbrooke have been modernising their fleet in recent years. Further complementing this modernisation, they have a new building order book which will add a further 10 units until the year 2010 from shipyards in Spain, China and Japan. As part of this modernisation of their fleet a further three new builds are due to be completed for UK registration early in 2010.
Various trades between North Europe-UK to the Mediterranean and Black Sea and vice-versa are serviced by Carisbrooke with a significant presence in the Americas, Caribs, West Africa and Far East. They carry multiple commodities but principally grain, fertilizers, coal and steels. The vessels operating share a multi-purpose open-hatch and box-shaped hold commonality enabling them to carry various types of cargoes including containers, palletised cargo, forest products and project cargoes such as pipes, wind mill blades and leisure yachts.
Martyn Turek, MCA Customer Service Manager for Carisbrooke Shipping said: “The expansion of the Carisbrooke fleet requires closer attention to both the implementation of its Safety Management System (SMS) as well as the recruitment of additional personnel. To accommodate the increase of their fleet the company structure has been revised to ensure that the monitoring and control of its vessels is maintained to a high standard. The results of ongoing statutory audits with Carisbrooke as well as inspections of its vessels indicate that the growth of the company is being well managed.” |
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Counter-Piracy Advice and Guidance
As you will be aware there have been two recent successful pirate attacks on UK flagged ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The notes below remind you of existing related guidance and Government policy.
Guidance
The best method of defending your ships from pirate attacks is contained in the “Best Management Practices” and the recent attacks provide a timely opportunity to remind you of the guidance and assistance available to ships transiting the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia.
The UK Government fully endorses the guidance and strongly recommends that ships implement it
Following the publication of MSC.1/Circ.1332, twelve industry organizations analysed the experience gained by those who implemented this February 2009 version of the Best Management Practices and have developed a revised version which amplifies and clarifies a number of issues set out in the original. MSC.1/Circ.1335, the revised version of Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Coast of Somalia, is available on the IMO website.
The Best Management Practices provides military contact details, and all ships transiting the region should register in advance with MSCHOA to obtain the latest information and report frequently to MTO Dubai. Contact details are given below:
SN.1/Circ.281 which contains information on the internationally recommended transit corridor (IRTC) for ships transiting the Gulf of Aden is also available on the IMO website.
UK firearms policy and Ship Security Plans
I would also like to remind you of the UK’s policy on firearms which is contained within MGN 298 - Measures to Counter Piracy, Armed Robbery and Other Acts of Violence against Merchant Shipping. This is available on the MCA website.
The MGN is being revised and the new wording on firearms policy as agreed by the National Maritime Security Committee is as follows:
“The UK Government strongly discourages the carriage and use of firearms onboard UK registered ships for the protection of personnel or for the protection of the ship and/or its cargo. The carriage of firearms may escalate an already dangerous situation, and any firearms on board may themselves become the target or purpose of an attack.
In the event that firearms are carried on board a UK registered ship, reference should be made to paragraphs 59-63 of MSC.1/Circ. 1334.”
In light of this policy, neither TRANSEC nor MCA will approve Ship Security Plans that contain arrangements for provision of private armed guards on ships.
If you wish to discuss this information in more detail please contact:
Jillian Spindura
Head of Maritime Security Policy
Tel: +44 (0)20 7944 5266
jillian.spindura@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Long Range Identification Tracking (LRIT)
As of the 1st January 2010 all vessels over 300GT engaged in international voyages are required to be LRIT compliant, in that the vessel should carry a valid Conformance Test Report (CTR) and report its position every six hours to the EU LRIT Data Center
In the event of LRIT equipment being switched off for a reason authorised by SOLAS V 19-1 or the relevant MSC Circulars, an email is to be sent to lrit@mcga.gov.uk quoting "SHIP NAME LRIT OFF/ON" in the subject line, and indicating the circumstances in brief with the IMO number, MMSI number and Call Sign in the email text. The MCA should be informed when the LRIT equipment is restarted.
For our records, we would be grateful if those with LRIT responsibilities for UK flagged ships could make themselves aware to ukshipregister@mcga.gov.uk should we need to contact you in the event of any problems.
Specific over Reporting Case for Thrane & Thrane LRIT Equipment
EMSA have issued a technical note referring to an upgrade requirement for Thrane & Thrane Inmarsat C terminals.
The technical note can be viewed here. For further information please contact your Approved Service Provider (ASP) or Thrane & Thrane.
New Authorised Testing Application Service Providers (ATASPs)
The UK are pleased to announce that 2 new Authorised Testing Application Service Providers (ATASPs) have been appointed today (22 October 2009) for Long Range Identification Tracking (LRIT) ship testing and the issue of Conformance Test Reports.
The contact details for the ATASPs are as follows:
Paul Read
Kilo Marine Electronics Ltd
13 Trowers Way
Holmethorpe Industrial Estate
Redhill
Surrey
RH1 2LH
Direct tel: 01737 372 676
Mobile: 07771 783 500
FAX: 01737 772 795
Email: pread@kilomarine.com
www.kilomarine.com
Gaëtan FABRITIUS
CLS Maritime Security
8-10 rue Hermès
Parc Technologique du Canal
31520 Ramonville St Agne
France
Phone: +33 (0)5.61.39.37.02
Fax: +33 (0)5.61.39.47.97
Email: gfabritius@cls.fr
www.cls.fr
www.lrit.fr
Marine Information Notice (MIN) 343 will be updated shortly.
Civil Liability Certificates
We would advise customers wishing to renew their Civil Liability Certificates (CLC’s) for the year 20/02/2010 - 20/02/2011 to submit their applications by January 29th, if possible. Due to the volume of applications we expect to receive we are unable to guarantee applications received after this date will be completed in time for the February 20th insurance start date, although applications for UK flagged vessels will still be given priority.
The Civil Liability Certificates Branch can now accept applications via e-mail, using our new application form MSF 3241, available from the UKSR website. At this time, only certain P&I clubs are approved for electronic applications, please see the application form for full details. Any other applications should use the most recent version of MSF 3233, also available from our website.
Please also note our revised courier fee, which we suggest using if the delivery address is outside the UK or neighbouring countries.
Application forms, contact details and guidance notes are available here.
Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) Update
The MCA has identified issues with its UK issued Continuous Synopsis Records (CSR) and the findings are in Annex A.
To ensure the CSR onboard your vessels is correct, you are requested to review the latest CSR document on your UK registered ships to ensure it agrees with other documentation held onboard and addresses the issues identified in Annex A.
If a new CSR document is required, the original CSR Form 2 should be sent to the ship and a copy sent to:
Registry of Shipping and Seamen
Anchor Court
Ocean Way
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
United Kingdom
Tel:+44 (0)29 2044 8800
Fax:+44 (0)29 2044 8820
Email:commercial_registry@mcga.gov.uk
The purpose of the CSR is to maintain a permanent record of a ship’s operational and organisational details, therefore, the new CSR document will contain the revised information and, if necessary, make appropriate comments in the remarks box regarding previous CSRs.
Maritime Labour Convention Seminar
The seminar to discuss the Maritime Labour Convention Seminar was held at the Chamber of Shipping in London on 9 – 10 November 2009.
The aim of the seminar was to clearly set out what it means to those in the industry affected by the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and what they need to do to ensure compliance with the new legislation.
The keynote address was given by Paul Clark MP. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Shipping and amongst the speakers was Ms Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, who is the Director of Labour Standards at the International Labour Office in Geneva.
Information regarding the following subjects can be found at the link below:
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UKSR at Marintec
A UKSR representative attended the Marintec China Exhibition in Shanghai in order to promote the UK Flag and build on the relationships already established from previous visits in 2007 and 2008. The event was held between 1 and 4 December 2009 at the New International Expo Centre in Shanghai. For the past 28 years, Marintec China has played a role in bringing international industry players together in one location to share the latest technology news and valuable experiences at the exhibition, various technical seminars and other events. The scale of the show has grown increasingly larger, as well as the scope of products on display.
During the week the UKSR held several company meetings with Shanghai based shipping companies in order to discuss the benefits of registering ships with the UK and to demonstrate that it is not onerous to build ships to the UK Flag. These meetings were also useful for information sharing and strengthening customer relationships in order to show that the UKSR are a viable alternative for Chinese ship owners who trade ships into Europe.
Marintec China has become the definitive maritime conference and exhibition in Asia and attendance at the show proved a success with numerous new contacts in China established during the week which the UKSR will look to build on in the future as part of our ongoing development of relations with the Chinese shipping industry.
Safety Alerts - Technical
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) is committed to a process of continuous improvement with respect to the safety of life at sea. Increasingly, the importance of prevention of accidents and mitigation of risks is being seen as being preferable to a process of reaction to incidents as they occur.
The pages available at the link below are intended to disseminate safety information to interested parties in order to help ensure that accidents which may result in injury or loss of life are prevented.
It is to be noted that the information contained in these pages is for information only. When dealing with specific issues and items of equipment, due account is to be taken of the relevant statutory and classification society requirements.
Other available professional industry guidance, along with information provided by manufacturers is also to be given due consideration.
UKSR Podcast Now Available
The UKSR podcast is now available from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency website and can be found here.
Newsletter Contacts
If you would like to amend your contact details or add or remove any colleagues from the newsletter distribution list then please email Daniel Tong.