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25 September 2023 - Year XXVII
Independent journal on economy and transport policy
02:18 GMT+2
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FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics



SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

The consequences of the Erika accident in December 1999 continued to dominate the agenda of the European Institutions and the industry. Six legislative initiatives relating to safety and the environment have been proposed by the Commission (widely referred to as the Erika I and Erika II packages). Progress within the EU legislative machinery has been mixed.

ERIKA I

Accelerated Phasing out of Single Hull Tankers

IMO Shows the Way

The Commission's proposal to accelerate, in the EU only, the schedule for the phasing out of single hull tankers as agreed internationally through Marpol proved the most controversial initiative. Industry argued that as a global business, international rather than regional rules were required and that IMO (International Maritime Organisation) was the proper place to consider any amendments to Marpol.

This view was over time accepted by Member States and the EU institutions, it clearly becoming incumbent upon the IMO to prove that it was capable of seizing the political initiative by proposing and adopting credible amendments to Marpol within a short timeframe. Happily, following a common approach pursued by EU Governments and considerable input from industry, agreement on an international regime, at least equivalent to that already applicable in the US, was finally reached in IMO in October 2000.

The outcome was acceptable to both EU Member States, and indeed the Commission, and the way is now clear for the EU Regulation to mirror that of IMO. The European Parliament supported an international solution and it is anticipated that they will endorse the text in the early autumn, enabling final adoption to subsequently take place. There is now every prospect that a regional approach will be avoided.

IMO was able in this highly politicised instance to counter the criticism sometimes heard that it is inherently too slow an organisation to be effective. By demonstrating that it had the political will to take swift, practical action IMO provided a timely reminder that it is, and should be, the key standard setting body for the maritime world.


Port State Control /Classification Societies

The proposal to tighten up and strengthen Directive 95/21 on the application of Port State Control (PSC) in the Community has been welcomed by the industry. The industry regards PSC as a vital weapon against sub-standard shipping and has actively supported measures to improve its effectiveness. In December 2000 Member States reached basic agreement on the text of the directive, the contents of which should make a significant contribution in this context. The strict provisions relating to Member State obligations to refuse access to ports based on previous detention records are perhaps of particular significance. The commitment of Member States in terms of providing the necessary staffing and financial resources over the long term is, however, vital to ensure rigorous compliance.

Similarly, the Commission's proposal to amend Directive 94/57 in order to tighten up the granting, suspending and withdrawal of recognition of Classification Societies has been broadly supported. In December, Member States reached a "common position" on the directive, the contents of which in the industry's view would meet the goals of the original proposal.

On the issue of classification societies more generally, the loss of Erika and other vessels has focussed attention on their shortcomings and the need for internal reforms to be made. A greater willingness to put the concept of transparency into practice through making information on ships publicly available is one of the key areas that is being discussed between the industry and IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) in order to restore confidence in a vital component of the maritime sector.


An Institutional Impasse

While the legislative progress in relation to both port state control and classification societies appeared to be proceeding smoothly up until the end of last year, 2001 has witnessed a debate between the European Parliament and EU Governments on detailed elements that threaten to de-rail the initiatives.

On PSC, the Parliament is seeking to introduce a provision that would require the fitting of voyage data recorders to all existing ships. ECSA shares the position of Member States who state that the issue is more appropriately addressed in the Commission's Erika 2 monitoring/reporting proposal, and in IMO. ECSA has urged Members of the Parliament not to insist on their approach in the pending Conciliation Procedure so that this positive measure can be finally adopted and applied without delay.

The issue causing the dispute in relation to the Classification Societies proposal has centred on the wish of the Parliament to set financial liability limitations on the Societies while the Council prefers to leave it to Member States to decide whether to set such limits. While not primarily an issue for shipowners, ECSA has urged that a compromise be found so as to avoid delays in the adoption and introduction of the proposal as a whole.



ERIKA II

Liability and Compensation

An international solution in prospect

As part of the package of proposals adopted in early December 2000, the Commission proposed the establishment of a European oil pollution damage compensation fund (COPE) to provide additional compensation up to a ceiling of Euro 1billion where the current ceiling under the existing rules is exceeded. It would be funded by the oil industry, no money being required until and unless a major spill threatened to break existing limits.

ECSA has recognised that there must be adequate compensation for victims of oil spills, the Erika accident showing that the level of compensation available under the existing international system should be raised further, notwithstanding the recently agreed 50% increase as from 2003. In this context ECSA has supported the creation of a third tier of compensation as proposed by the Commission, although has consistently advocated that it be established at the international level. As recognised by the Commission, the settlement of claims through the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF) has generally worked well over the years to the satisfaction of the claimants and the parties involved. It is consequently felt that it would be preferable to build on and improve the existing international system based on the same principles and working methods so that the exceptional cases can be adequately covered.

It is encouraging that the issue of an optional third tier compensation fund funded by the oil receivers is now very much on the agenda of the IOPC working group. EU Member States have agreed on a common approach to take in relation to establishing a global regime within the framework of IMO and it is anticipated that they will be playing a leading role in its realisation. It is to be welcomed that the Commission has also indicated a willingness to pursue an international rather than a regional route on the reasonable conditions that it should be created quickly and have a sufficiently high level of coverage.

Significant progress towards the creation of a global third tier compensation fund is being made and ECSA is optimistic that it can be established within a sufficiently short timeframe so as to meet the demands of the EU institutions. The industry will be playing its full part in contributing to this goal.


Monitoring and Reporting

Provisional agreement reached

The Commission's proposed Directive establishes a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system for maritime traffic. Its objective is to improve the existing instruments in place to try to avoid, better monitor and cope with accidents or pollution in the waters of the EU Member States. ECSA shares the goals of the proposal and endorses the role of the Community and Member States individually in ensuring that internationally agreed rules are properly enforced.

Two issues have proved controversial. Firstly, the proposal for the fitting of Voyage Data Recorders (VDR) to existing ships, a subject that is, and should be in ECSA's view, taken up in the IMO rather than in the EU context. Secondly, the concept introduced into the proposal of empowering shore authorities to prohibit ships from leaving port in bad weather raises significant questions relating to liability as well as undermining the traditional role of the Master as the person best placed to make a decision on whether or not to sail.

A particularly important and positive initiative contained in the paper where there is a clear EU dimension relates to the establishment of ports of refuge. The protracted plight of the product tanker "Castor" within the last year had demonstrated the urgency of creating a legal framework to accommodate ships in distress.

Of the Erika II proposals it is the monitoring/reporting measure that has received the most consideration and scrutiny within the Council, to the extent that there was provisional agreement (so called "common orientation") reached at the Transport Council in June. ECSA has welcomed the Council's decision to seek a solution to the fitting of VDRs to existing ships via IMO and there is every indication that a global regime will be reached within an acceptable timeframe, avoiding the prospect of a regional approach. On the issue of banning vessels from sailing in bad weather, while ECSA would have preferred the concept to be abandoned, a more flexible compromise approach has been adopted which leaves considerable discretion to Member States as to the line to follow.

Further discussions will now take place on the details within the Council and Parliament, with final adoption possible around the end of the year.


European Maritime Agency

The goals of strict and uniform enforcement of maritime safety and pollution prevention rules within the Community, aims fully shared by ECSA, have been difficult to achieve in practice due to the unprecedented amount of legislation in the last decade. The proposal to establish a maritime agency is largely aimed at addressing these shortcomings. While there have not been detailed discussions within the Council on the proposal, it is clear that there is the political will for such an Agency to be created.

Although a matter essentially for Governments, ECSA's main point is that the Agency should complement and not undermine the role of the flag state, and that there should be clear terms of reference to ensure that any potential clashes of competence between Member States and the Agency are avoided.
The proposal will feature heavily on the Belgian Presidency's agenda.



OTHER ISSUES

Ship Emissions

The lack of availability within some areas of the EU of marine diesel fuel with a sulphur content of less the 0.2% as required by the 1999 Directive on the sulphur content in liquid fuels, and the prohibitive price where it is available, has been a cause of concern. Uncertainty on whether ships coming from outside the EU can continue to use existing bunkers when trading within the EU where the sulphur content was above the 0.2% is another issue which has caused practical difficulties in relation to implementation of the directive. Problems in interpretation have also been experienced in relation to whether halons can continue to be used on all cargo ships under the "critical uses" criteria contained in the Regulation on Ozone Depleting substances. Representations have been made to the Commission.

Such issues should be seen in the context of an anticipated consultation paper to be produced next year by the Commission's Environment Directorate setting out some possibilities and options as to how to address maritime emissions in the EU. Following contacts with the Commission, ECSA will be making a contribution to the debate in what is likely to become an increasingly important area of its activities. It should be taken into account in this context that shipping is by far the most environment friendly transport mode.


Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers

In June Transport Ministers reached a common position on the directive for the loading and unloading of bulk carriers in Community ports, the basic aim being to implement the IMO BLU Code by establishing clear lines of communication and procedures between ship and shore. ECSA has welcomed the initiative.


New Ship Recycling Code

In August an industry Code of Practice on Ship Recycling was published which sets out the measures that shipowners should be prepared to take prior to disposing of redundant ships. It incorporates the Inventory of Potentially Hazardous Materials on Board agreed earlier this year and which has been approved by IMO. The Code, produced by ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) in cooperation with other industry bodies, including ECSA, is a concerted response to the concerns that have been raised about the working and environmental conditions in some of the world's ship recycling facilities, most of which are located in developing countries.


Equasis

The European Quality Information System - Equasis - in operation since May last year is developing steadily, with improvements being made on an ongoing basis. It is hoped that it will become over time the prime worldwide source of ship related information. ECSA, together with other industry bodies, actively participates in the Editorial Board. Key aims must be to ensure that the system is fair and objective in its approach and that errors and inaccuracies in the database are quickly rectified.


Galileo

While the past year has seen some misgivings expressed about the long term private/public funding of the Galileo satellite navigational system in particular, the Council has indicated its intention to proceed to the development phase of the project. The management structure, costs, demand for services, potential revenue flows and how they will be achieved are currently the subject of ongoing detailed consideration. ECSA is a member of the Maritime Advisory Forum that will be stressing the needs of users as the project develops in order to ensure that it offers an efficient navigational regime both in operational and cost terms.



»  I N D E X  «


›››File
FROM THE HOME PAGE
In view of the entry into force of the new EU environmental rules for shipping, shipping companies communicate to customers the foreseeable entity of the superoils
Genoa
The impact on the costs of shipping expeditions seems rather uncertain
Interferry, Marebonus should be adopted across Europe
Interferry, Marebonus should be adopted across Europe
Brussels / Rome
Mathieu : We ask for a pan-European ecobonus system for short sea shipping. Bordoni : RAM relaunches its role in digitalization and innovation of portuality and logistics
De Rosa (SMET) : The ZES tax credit is excluded from strategic production sectors including transport
Salerno
Launch new rules to increase the competitiveness of the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry
Tortola
An autonomous governing board will be set up
MSC confirms Fincantieri orders for two new cruise ships for Explora Journeys
MSC confirms Fincantieri orders for two new cruise ships for Explora Journeys
Geneva / Trieste
They will be delivered in 2027 and 2028
Presented the design of the new waterfront of the port of Piombino
Plunge
The overall cost of the speeches is more than 30 million euros.
ESPO, inserting ports of transhipment close to the EU in the EU scope ETS represents only a partial solution to the problem of the loss of competitiveness of European ports
Brussels
D' Agostino : The shipping companies are preparing, where possible, to exit the EU ETS
Africa Global Logistics (MSC group) obtains the management of the container port of Malindi
Africa Global Logistics (MSC group) obtains the management of the container port of Malindi
Zanzibar
It is the main container port of Tanzania
In 2022, CO2 emissions from ships in Europe returned to pre-pandemic levels.
In 2022, CO2 emissions from ships in Europe returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Brussels
New record of 135.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide also determined by the 6% increase in the number of ships approx in EU ports
Vopak cedes three terminals for chemical products in the port of Rotterdam at Infracapital
Rotterdam
Transaction of the value of 407 million euros
Giampieri (Assoports) : We have explained to the EU Commission why the ETS poses at risk the competitiveness of Italian ports
Rome
It must be ensured that everyone is playing the game on the same level.
Hapag-Lloyd will establish its own terminalistics division
Hamburg
Hapag-Lloyd Terminal Holding will be based in Rotterdam
German FRS gives up Spanish company FRS Iberia to Danish DFDS
German FRS gives up Spanish company FRS Iberia to Danish DFDS
Flensburg / Copenhagen
The fleet of eight ships and the 750 employees are passing through the Copenhagen Group.
In 2022 the market for insurance of goods grew, but the future is uncertain
In 2022 the market for insurance of goods grew, but the future is uncertain
Edinburgh
Therrien (IUMI) : All regions have registered an increase with the exception of Asia
TX Logistik records a strong growth in demand for rail transport
Troisdorf
Expected this year in total up to 850 trains
Le Aziende informano
C. Steinweg - GMT S.r.l., il vostro partner logistico nella regione del Mediterraneo
L'azienda ha sede a Genova come ufficio regionale del gruppo Steinweg per il Mediterraneo centrale, la Costa Adriatica e il Nord Africa ed è l'operatore leader nella logistica dei metalli in Italia
Anek Lines increases revenue and reduces losses
Anek Lines increases revenue and reduces losses
The Canea
Significant traffic growth of passengers and cars transported by fleet
Continues the relevant drop in container traffic in the port of Barcelona
Barcelona
In August, a total of 284mila teu (-15.4%) was handled.
German shipowners do not see good eye that MSC becomes a shareholder of HHLA
Hamburg
Kröger (VDR) : We hope this decision will have been taken on the basis of objective and transparent criteria
Assiterminal, well the majority and opposition amendments on the concessionaire canons and the contribution to ART
Genoa
Ferrari : We obviously continue to call for the opening of a technical table for the review of ISTAT indexes
In the second quarter of 2023, freight traffic in the ports of Campania decreased by -3.2%
Naples
In Naples, -3.7%, in Salerno, -3.7%
Habben Jansen (Hapag-Lloyd) : We will not present a counteroffer for HHLA, but we could reduce the eventful volumes in Hamburg
Habben Jansen (Hapag-Lloyd) : We will not present a counteroffer for HHLA, but we could reduce the eventful volumes in Hamburg
Hamburg
CEO of the company thrives a transfer of part of the traffic to Wilhelmshaven
Turkish shipyard Med Marine delivers a new tugboat to the Vernicos Scafi
Istanbul
It is the first means of new construction of the fleet of the Greek-Italian joint venture
Kenya Ports Authority privatizes benches at ports of Lamu and Mombasa
Mombasa
Launched an international competition that also includes a special economic zone
Last month, freight traffic in the port of Taranto increased by 6.9% percent.
Taranto
In the first eight months of 2023, a decline of -4.0%
New paints to contain the propagation of fires on ships and construction sites
Palermo
Messina Group has taken delivery of its second full container ship
Genoa
Has a transport capacity of 4,600 teu
Approda in Genoa the first container ship of the FIM service of HMM
Genoa
Scalo to container terminal of PSA Italy
SAILING LIST
Visual Sailing List
Departure ports
Arrival ports by:
- alphabetical order
- country
- geographical areas
First meeting of the technical table on security of work in the port
Rome
Among the proposals, insert some port job profiles between the "usurante/gravest" job categories
Hapag-Lloyd will equip all of its internet connection ships through the Starlink satellite network
Hamburg
Success of tests started in May
In the June-August period, FedEx Group revenues fell by -6.7% percent.
Memphis
Net profit marked a growth of 23.2%
Cooperation of ICHCA and PEMA to improve the safety of handling goods
London
Spearport, necessary to minimize red tape in ports
Genoa
Botta : paper documents are an absurdity in the age of digitalization
Germany's Rhenus acquires the two terminals of the Rietlanden Terminals in the port of Amsterdam
Germany's Rhenus acquires the two terminals of the Rietlanden Terminals in the port of Amsterdam
Singapore / Holzwickede
Dutch company will be ceded in two stages by Singaporean JERA Global Markets
In August the port of Algeciras handled 424mila containers (+ 1.5%)
Algeciras
In the first eight months of 2023, the total was 3.16 million teu (-0.4%)
Conference on the Promotion of Health in the Port Workers of the Straits
Messina
It will be held on October 2 in Messina
Ukrzaliznytsia-RCG Agreement for the development of intermodal transport between Ukraine and Austria
Kiev
In short, the testing of the transport of semi-trailers on the Kiev-Budapest line will begin.
In the first half of 2023 the revenues of the Chinese terminalist group CMPort decreased by -10.8%
Hong Kong
Container traffic grew by 0.3%
Union Pilots has strongly criticized the procedure for renewing the piloting tariffs
Taranto
Bellomo : well the updating of the fares of local practical
At the MITO terminal of the port of Cagliari the first container ship coming out of a Ukrainian port
Genoa
Landed 2,114 containers
The Cool Logistics Global event will be held for the first time in Italy
Genoa
The event is scheduled from 10 to October 12 next in Genoa
In the first quarter of this year, the traffic of goods in Greek ports has returned to growth
Athens
However, the total was lower than pre-pandemic levels.
Last month, shipping containers handled by the port of Valencia fell by -11.7% percent.
Valencia
In the first eight months of this year, the decline was -10.6% percent.
In August, container traffic in Hong Kong port fell by -9.4% percent.
Hong Kong
Decline of -15.1% in the first eight months of 2023
Last month, container traffic in the port of Los Angeles returned to growth.
Los Angeles
In the first eight months of 2023, a decline of -21.0% percent was marked
PORTS
Italian Ports:
Ancona Genoa Ravenna
Augusta Gioia Tauro Salerno
Bari La Spezia Savona
Brindisi Leghorn Taranto
Cagliari Naples Trapani
Carrara Palermo Trieste
Civitavecchia Piombino Venice
Italian Interports: list World Ports: map
DATABASE
ShipownersShipbuilding and Shiprepairing Yards
ForwardersShip Suppliers
Shipping AgentsTruckers
MEETINGS
Conference on the Promotion of Health in the Port Workers of the Straits
Messina
It will be held on October 2 in Messina
The Cool Logistics Global event will be held for the first time in Italy
Genoa
The event is scheduled from 10 to October 12 next in Genoa
››› Meetings File
PRESS REVIEW
España demanda una revisión instantánea de los puertos vecinos de transbordo
(El Mercantil)
Shipping minister resigns in aftermath of ferry passenger's death
(Kathimerini)
››› Press Review File
FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics
Relazione del presidente Daniele Rossi
Napoli, 30 settembre 2020
››› File
Last month freight traffic in the port of Singapore grew by 1.7% percent
Singapore
The containers were over 3.3 million (+ 2.0%)
On October 2 in Lugano, the sixth edition of "A Sea of Switzerland" will be held in Lugano.
Lugano
The conference will be articulated in three sessions
In August, freight traffic in Russian ports grew by 5% percent
St. Petersburg
Increase in dry goods. Decline of liquid bulk bulk
New agency of Negro families, Clavarino and Schenone to provide services to the construction of the new Genoa Dam
In August, container traffic in the port of Long Beach decreased by -15.4%
Long Beach
In the first eight months of 2023, the decline was -24.4%
New freight train service Verona-Wuppertal of Rail Cargo Group
Vienna
Made three weekly rotations
Cargill yields 25% percent of the KSK grain terminal of the port of Novorossiysk
Vladivostok
The share will be acquired by Russia's Delo
Stranded a drug trade in the port of Salerno
Naples
Detected 104 pans of cocaine and the deposit to which they were intended
Ferrante (MIT) : amendments to the European Directive 2023/959 to avoid distortions that penalise Italian transhipment ports
Rome
It would allow Gioia Tauro to be placed on the same list in which ports such as Tangeri Med and Port Said are included.
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