Issue 3 | Thursday, 27 April 2017
Best Stands
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TODAY
Organisers
Digital Revolution
Held in conjunction with
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Part of
Hybrid Communications
Recognised as
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The private independent shipowner wins the day
T
he second day of Sea Asia
2017 saw an impassioned
debate as to whether
“the best days of the private
independent shipowner are over”.
Transforming the conference
hall into a parliamentary debating
chamber six speakers - three for
the motion and three against –
put their case to the delegates,
or members of parliament. BW
Group and Singapore Maritime
Foundation
(SMF)
chairman
Andreas Sohmen-Pao presided as
Speaker of the House.
The debate played out with a level of passion
rarely seen at shipping conferences with core
themes of other people’s money, or OPM, and
scale running through the session.
Opening the speaking for the motion Michael
Parker, global head of shipping for Citigroup
,commented on what has been happening in
recent years said: “The few have destroyed the
many, and that’s why the private shipowner will
struggle to survive.”
Kenneth Hvid, president and CEO of Teekay
Corp, noted that the company had started out
as a private one in the 1970s but gone public in
1995. “Size and reputation matters,” he stated,
saying that a reason to be a public company is
that bankers say they are focused on serving
larger, public companies.
Mikael Skov from private equity-backed Hafnia
tankers said if you went to a bank wanting to buy
one or two ships, “it was not going happen”,
and owners needed scale and a plan.
It was Greek shipowner Flippos Lemos,
president of NS Lemos & Co, speaking against
the motion, who coined the OPM term, which
was then picked up by other speakers. “Shipping
is quite simply not an ideal fit for the broader
equity capital market. Other people’s money
serves to exacerbate short-term investment in
Sea Asia 2017 Today - Issue 3 | www.sea-asia.com
the industry,” he stated.
Also speaking against the
motion was Randy Chen, vice
chairman of Wan Hai Lines, a
niche privately-owned container
line. “Financial markets and
shipping are rarely aligned,” he
noted. This means that decisions
to buy are taken at the wrong time
in the cycle.
“The simple rationale is we
take the capex decision out of
institutional
money’s
hands.
That’s how you can ‘zig’ when
other people ‘zag’,” Chen stated.
Kenneth Koo, chairman and CEO of TCC
Group, (pictured) questioned if there ever had
been any best days in shipping except perhaps
in the 1950s in Asia, with any booms being very
short.
As for the so-called supercycle in the
noughties he asked: “Who were the victims?
Not us (family owners). I would say the banks
were the victims as they kept on lending.”
When it all came down to the vote at the end
of the debate, the independent private shipowner
turned out to be the clear winner in the eyes of
the members of the audience with some 73%
voting against the motion.
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Sea Asia 2017 Today - Issue 3 | www.sea-asia.com
Owners seek secondhand refinancing
but lenders show little interest
With less new ships being ordered given
severe oversupply in the shipping market
and vessel assets changing hands in light
of restructurings, owners are star ting to
seek refinancing for secondhand tonnage.
However, bankers have expressed little or
no interest in entering into deals for such
passed down assets.
At the Sea Asia 2017 conference session
on ship finance, cfo of Neptune Orient Lines
(NOL) Serge Corbel highlighted that the
industry would now be more concerned with
the refinancing of secondhand vessels and
the vessels acquired from the demise of
some shipowners.
“For container shipping, there is currently
not much stress on finding financing for
new tonnage, but rather the concern is the
refinancing of secondhand tonnages. The
landscape has also moved into something
new – where companies are looking to
banks for corporate financing rather than
specifically ship financing,” Corbel told
delegates at the
conference.
Tay Kim Joo,
director, debt capital
markets, DNB Bank,
confirmed Corbel’s
concerns as he
shared the reality
that banks, if given
a choice, prefer new
ships.
“Banks in general
have internal policies
on what age the
asset must be and that it should be debt free,
though it also depends on the asset type. But
to put it straight, until today all banks prefer
new ships,” Tay said.
Indeed, the number and size of financing
deals for new ships have declined, according
to some numbers shared by Tay. During the
first quar ter of 2017, there were 22 ship
financing transactions compared to 56 in
the year-ago period. The average transaction
size of the deals has also gotten smaller to
around $180m from around $256m over
the same comparative period. “The 22
transactions in the first quar ter is also the
lowest ever in the past 10 years. This tells us
that the market is very, very slow or close to
dead,” Tay said.
Zhou Ling, general manager, shipping
leasing depar tment, CMB Financial Leasing,
said plainly that “we prefer modern tonnage
and secondhand vessels are a no-no for us.”
CMB Financial Leasing’s business model
has increasingly expanded its por tfolio of
international players, after it was first carved
out by the Chinese government to suppor t
Chinese shipbuilding activities.
The shift to welcoming international players
came due to changes in the market dynamics
where there is now a lack of sufficient funding
after the withdrawal of major European banks
from the ship financing scene.
“The leasing model is cer tainly here to plug
the gap. But going forward if the shipping
market recovers to the extent that owners
are able to again rely on traditional shipping
banks, then the leasing model may become
less attractive as we know the leasing model
is more expensive than the traditional debt
solution,” Zhou said.
“But for the time being we do see a need
for leasing solutions. The owners who come
to us typically look for more flexibility, higher
leverage and longer loan tenure,” she said.
Just two years ago, 100% of CMB Financial
Leasing’s transactions were all done for
Chinese domestic owners. Today, that
equation has changed to 60% international
and 40% domestic. New deals over the past
12 months seen at CMB Financial Leasing
saw around 90% of international players.
BW LPG, another shipowner on the Sea
Asia panel session, has not yet tapped into the
leasing model of financing as the shipowner
has still been able to secure suppor t from
traditional bank loans, according to the
company’s cfo Elaine Ong. “It [financial
leasing] is one area we are considering but
it comes at a price so we need to look at it
closely,” Ong said.
Ong said the company has maintained a
fairly good cash balance to brace itself for a
rather hard fall in 2016 when rates declined.
“We have not resor ted to alternative forms
of financing and continue to try to steer our
balance sheet to keep it at a healthy level,”
she said.
LNG will prove Korean yards’ redemption: Petropoulos
L
NG carriers will be the emerging story over
the next few years and the Korean yards will
be heavily involved in it, predicted Braemar
Asia president Denis Petropoulos at the Sea Asia
panel on market insights, which featured various
experts from different segments in shipping.
“Korean shipyards have got very high
expertise in shipbuilding, they’ve got a terrific
reputation and have invested in their future
and technology,” said Petropoulos. While he
conceded that the lack of orders going into the
next two years might put some pressure on their
financials, Petropoulos noted that the growth
in the LNG market in future would be to their
advantage.
“LNG is going to be a big sector and I think
Korean yards will be heavily involved in that,”
Petropoulos concluded.
Relating his experience from a recent visit
to one of the Korean yards, Panama Canal
Sea Asia 2017 Today - Issue 3 | www.sea-asia.com
Authority ceo Jorge Quijano added: “They are
concentrating on the more sophisticated type of
vessels.” These included ultra large container
ships and neo-panamax LNG carriers.
Quijano added that the Koreans are also going
into maintenance, refurbishing and retrofitting
of ships to help use up capacity during the
current slow times while also making use of
opportunities ahead of new regulations by
2020.
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Conference Programme
Day 3 | Thursday, 27 April 2017
0830 - 0930hrs
OFFSHORE MARINE BREAKFAST (By invitation only)
Presenting Sponsor
Sponsor
Session Moderator
Marcus Hand, Editor, Seatrade Maritime News
Speakers
Rupert Banks, Regional Claims Director, Charles Taylor Mutual Management (Asia) Pte Limited,
Managers of The Standard Club Asia Ltd
Capt Mike Meade, Chief Executive Officer, M3 Marine Group Pte Ltd
K. Murali Pany, Managing Partner, JTJB LLP
Bjoern Sprotte, Managing Director, Technical Management & Services, OSM Maritime Group
0930 - 1000hrs
Delegate Coffee
1000 - 1130hrs
OFFSHORE MARINE FORUM: Challenges and Opportunities
An international panel will revisit the highly regarded Sea Asia Offshore Marine Forum held during Singapore Maritime Week 2016, with some realistic evaluation of the energy markets and what lies ahead for the offshore marine sector.
Keynote Speaker
Jarand Rystad, Managing Partner, Rystad Energy
Session Moderator
Geir Sjurseth, Managing Director, Global Head Offshore Finance, DVB Bank SE
Speakers
Michael Chia, Managing Director, Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited
Matthew Tremblay, Corporate Vice President Global Marine, ABS
Coco Vroon, Managing Director, Vroon B.V.
1200 - 1430hrs
Delegate Lunch
1430 - 1600hrs
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES: The Way Forward
Examination of the challenges for ship operators in the complex environment that faces the industry, with the emphasis on finding solutions.
Session Moderator
Capt Michael P. Elwert, Group Chief Executive Officer, Elektrans Group
Speakers
Angus Frew, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, BIMCO
Peter Hinchliffe, Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping
Hideaki Saito, Director, Regulations and Standards Group, Japan Ship Technology Research Association (JSTRA) and Vice Chairman, Marine Environment Protection Committee, International Maritime Organization
Tim Wilkins, Environment Director, Regional Manager Asia-Pacific, INTERTANKO
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Sea Asia 2017 Today - Issue 3 | www.sea-asia.com
Seminar Theatre Timetable
Sponsor
Thursday, 27 April 2017 (Basement 2)
1300 - 1345hrs
The Information Fusion Centre
Presented by Information Fusion Centre
Thursday, 27 April 2017 (Level 1)
1100 - 1245hrs
Living with ECDIS Seminar
Presented by United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
1400 - 1445hrs
Shipping Markets, Regulation and Equipment Demand
Presented by Marcus Hand, Editor, Seatrade Maritime News
1500 - 1545hrs
How offshore/marine companies can leverage additive
manufacturing technologies for competitive advantage
Presented by 3D Matters Pte Ltd
Download the Sea Asia mobile app today
and stand a chance to redeem a gift pack* on-site!
Sea Asia 2017 Today - Issue 3 | www.sea-asia.com
Page 5
Best Stand Awards
Best Country Pavilion Award (International)
Panama
Best Country Pavilion Award (Regional)
Japan
Best Overall Stand Award
Sembcorp Marine Ltd
Best Product Demonstration Award
Pyrotek
Best Use of Space Award
Inmarsat Global Ltd
Best Experiential Award
Alphatron Marine Systems Pte Ltd
Best Large Stand Award (More than 30sqm)
Mwani Qatar - Qatar Ports Management Company
Best Small Stand Award (12 - 18sqm)
Pio-Ship Design & System Integrate Pte Ltd
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Sea Asia 2017 Today - Issue 3 | www.sea-asia.com
Singapore tops maritime
capitals of the world ranking
Singapore has clinched the top spot in
Menon’s Leading Maritime Capitals of the
World Report (Menon Report) for 2017, and the
country is projected to remain well positioned
for the industry up to 2022 and beyond.
This is the third edition of the maritime report
where Singapore was also ranked first in 2015
and 2012.
The latest Menon Report, developed by
Norwegian consultancy firm Menon Economics,
was launched at Singapore Maritime Week
2017, with the results announced at Sea Asia
conference held on Wednesday.
Singapore was ranked number one in three
categories – Shipping, Ports and
Logistics, and Attractiveness and
Competitiveness.
The republic also scored good
results in the remaining two
categories – second place in
Maritime Technology and fourth
place in Finance and Law.
The cities behind Singapore’s
number one position are Hamburg
in second spot, Oslo in third, and
Shanghai and London taking fourth
and fifth spots respectively.
The Menon Report is a widelyaccepted study of the world’s leading maritime
capitals, looking at 24 objective indicators and
garnering survey responses from more than
250 industry experts across the world.
Andrew Tan, chief executive of Maritime
and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), said:
“We are deeply honoured yet humbled by this
recognition from the international maritime
industry. This will spur us to work harder to
make Maritime Singapore the global maritime
hub of choice. We are truly grateful to all our
partners and stakeholders for walking with us
every step of the way.”
Choice of vessels’ hull coating crucial
to efficient operations: Hempel
T
he choice of marine
coating on a vessel’s hull
is a critical consideration
for operators in view of the
impact on fuel consumption
and associated carbon dioxide
(CO2) emissions, according
to Hempel.
The coatings manufacturer
pointed out that a clean and
smooth hull reduces friction
between the ship and the sea,
making the movement of the
ship through the water more
streamlined and efficient,
thereby reaping fuel savings
and reducing emissions as well.
With the tough business environment in global
shipping, Hempel understands that operators are
seeking sustainable solutions
to meet efficiency needs. At the
Sea Asia 2017 this week, Hempel
[B2-R09] is and is showcasing
its innovative fouling-defence
coating, Hempaguard.
Launched in 2013, Hempaguard
delivers a significant 6% fuel
saving compared to best-inclass antifoulings over the entire
service interval, and has shown
outstanding resistance to fouling including during idle periods of up
to 120 days.
Hempaguard uses an advanced
combination of hydrogel-silicone
,and an efficient fouling-preventing biocide in
a single coat, releasing 95% less biocide than
traditional antifoulings, giving higher efficiency and
Sea Asia 2017 Today - Issue 3 | www.sea-asia.com
The Menon Report noted that Singapore
was able to maintain its reputation as a world
leading maritime hub due to the width of the
city-state’s maritime industry.
In the sectors of Shipping, and Ports and
Logistics, the littoral state emerged first due to
its strategic geographic location as well as its
position as an important centre for commercial
management and the world’s second-largest
port, the report mentioned.
Singapore
ranked
top
in
overall
Attractiveness and Competitiveness due to
the ease of doing business and customs
procedures. According to the report, seven in
10 experts regarded Singapore as one of the
three most attractive cities in the world for
relocating their headquarters, and also identified
it as one of the Maritime Capitals most prepared
and ready to adopt digitalisation.
At the Sea Asia conference presentation, Erik
Jakobsen, partner and chairman of the board,
Menon Economics, said: “We believe that
the most important element (for Singapore’s
success) is the long-term consistent political
strategy... and the strong co-operation between
the government and the industry.”
Additionally, in making predictions about the
world’s leading maritime capitals five years
ahead, the majority of industry experts surveyed
shared the view that Singapore will remain the
most important city, with many believing that
the country has strong capabilities to handle
digital transformation in the maritime and
shipping industry.
better environmental performance.
Significantly,
Hempaguard
retains
its
effectiveness when switching between slow and
normal steaming, giving fleet operators unrivalled
flexibility over their fleet utilisation, providing
competitive advantage in a difficult market.
Hempel cited that international tanker owner
Euronav has been applying Hempel silicone
coatings since 2007 and was keen to try this
new technology. An application of Hempaguard
was applied to the VLCC Famenne, which mainly
trades in warm waters that are prone to aggressive
fouling.
Inspections at 23 months and 45 months
confirmed that Hempaguard continued to deliver
a clean and smooth hull. These positive results
have encouraged Euronav to switch a number of
its vessels to Hempaguard.
“Hempel’s R&D efforts continuously focus
on bringing top coating solutions to the marine
industry, ensuring the company offers products
and services that contribute to optimising a
vessel’s performance and minimising operational
costs across its life cycle,” Hempel stated.
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No stopping the digital revolution in shipping
B
ig changes are coming in shipping, and they
are being driven by technological advances
as well as changes in the mindset as the
centre of gravity of shipping moves to Asia.
Speakers on the Sea Asia panel on The Fourth
Industrial Revolution all agreed that the digital
revolution will play a major role in the future of
shipping as the industry responds to market
demands.
Inmarsat senior vp for safety and security
Peter Broadhurst conceded that while the old
European-dominated model of shipping had
been very conservative in the adoption of new
technology, this is changing
as more Asian ship owners
rise to prominence. “There
are lots of people trying to
fuel that innovation… there
is a better world for shipping
out there but it will mean
change and that means
the more conservative
attitudes have to fall away,”
Broadhurst said.
“Shipping is going to
face
a big change, and it
Oskar Levander
will be disruptive,’ said
Rolls-Royce Marine vp for
innovation, engineering and technology Oskar
Levander.
He noted that while it might be threatening for
some, it would open up a lot of opportunities
and all this would be driven by digitalisation.
“It will change the way we operate the ships,
manage them and the hardware and the business
mindsets,” Levander said.
“The way we operate ships will be more
about integrating the ships into the total logistics
chain,” he said, adding that ships cannot be
treated as individual units out at sea anymore
but must be seen as part of a bigger process as
Cobham targets smaller owners
with new lightweight antenna
Cobham is introducing a new superlight 60 cm antenna for high throughput
broadband for all types of vessels.
Page 8
Cobham sees the antenna as ideal for
intra-Asian carriers and operators of
smaller vessels to be able to capitalise on
the benefits unlimited VSAT enables.
The new antenna is constructed from
lightweight materials and is compatible
with all Ku-band satellites.
“From the outset, the SAILOR 600
VSAT Ku was engineered to maximise
performance on the smallest form factor.
All vessels, including smaller tonnage,
such as shor tsea shipping and fishing
vessels, can now exploit the benefits of a
new breed of high-throughput satellites,”
said Christian Kock, senior sales director,
global maritime at Cobham Satcom.
The antenna features an automatic
roaming capability that allows vessels to
stay online when sailing between different
they become integrated into the bigger logistics
supply chain. “We need to think of optimising the
ship in this way rather than just cutting costs,”
he said, predicting that cargo owners will step in
and take more control.
While PSA International group technology head
Oh Bee Lock pointed out how the port operator
is tooling up to meet the needs of a hyperconnected world with its new port systems, he
did concede that not all ship operators will be as
keen to be involved. “There are different people
with different views about how technology will
infiltrate this space but only time will tell,” Oh
said.
Meanwhile addressing the issue that is always
at the back of many minds when talking about
greater use of technology, Microsoft Asia chief
cybersecurity adviser Michael Montoya said
contrary to popular concern, automation can
actually help improve cybersecurity. “People
cause most of our issues in operations,” he said,
pointing out that about 80% of problems in typical
operations centres are caused by human error.
Taking an example from data centres, Montoya
said that as more processes are automated, not
only are errors reduced but efficiency also has
gone up with each person being able to handle
much more work at a higher accuracy level.
coverage areas, and is able to connect to
both traditional wide beam satellites and new
smaller spot beams used by constellation
satellites.
The new antenna can also be natively
configured for dual-antenna installations,
eliminating a requirement for a separate
dedicated switchover box and the additional
complexity and cost this entails. “This is
par ticularly impor tant for ships which have
structures that could block the direct lineof-sight of one antenna to a satellite, which
will result in link degradation and intermittent
connection,” explained Jens Ewerling,
director, maritime broadband for Cobham.
The switch-over to the second antenna
takes less than a second.
The antenna is also fitted with shock and
vibration sensors, from which data can also
be retrieved for remote diagnostics and
analysis. “Together this information allows
service providers to monitor and pro-actively
maintain the antenna to ensure uninterrupted
connectivity on board as well as ensure that
service level agreements (SLAs) are met,”
added Ewerling.
Sea Asia 2017 Today - Issue 3 | www.sea-asia.com
WHY BVI FOR
SHIPPING?
The BVI is committed at all levels to the development of our maritime
industry in full compliance with international standards. Today, more than
3000 internationally-owned ships are registered by VISR.
The BVI is the Yachting Mecca of the Caribbean, equipped
with modern state-of-the-art facilities, berths,
accommodation, supplies and services.
VISR is a member of the Red Ensign Group. Ships ying
the Flag are entitled to British Diplomatic/Consular
support and Royal Navy Protection.
Competitive registration and annual maintenance fees.
VISR is specialised in Yacht registration and our
Certificates are recognised worldwide.
Full corporate, legal, telecommunications and courier
services are readily available in the BVI.
VISR’s prompt, courteous and efficient service is
supported by a fully computerised Fleet Management
System and Database.
Registered ownership is permitted to citizens of, and
companies registered in BVI, UK and all
British Territories.Likewise, those of the EU,
CARICOM and OECS are eligible for registration
as Owners of BVI Ships.
Sea Asia 2017 Today - Issue 3 | www.sea-asia.com
Page 9
KNL Networks working towards a hybrid communications future
T
he name KNL Networks is a relatively new
one in the maritime communications sphere
having launched around nine months ago.
In a crowded market place the Finnish company
is offering something different relying on terrestrial
based communications to provide connectivity
to shipping. The idea of using shortwave radio
may sound old-fashioned, but it has been used
to develop what KNL ceo and founder Toni Linden
sees as part of a hybrid communications future.
“We took only the physics of shortwave
radio and built a totally new kind of digital radio
system utilising the latest software. Basically
what that allows us to do is to provide truly
global communications that are very reliable and
secure,” Linden told Sea Asia Today.
Each user of the system also acts as a base
station providing a global mesh network. Linden
says the range of each base station is such
that the company only required a handful users
to have full global coverage, which it has had
for some time. With each user acting as a base
station when in port or close to the shore, the
KVH offers flexible marine satellite plan
In the current fluid
ship transaction market
owners are being offered
a very practical solution
to the issue of bringing
satellite communications
systems onboard that are
easily transferred and at a
Vivian Quenet
competitive price.
Leading provider of inmotion satellite TV and communications
systems KVH Industries has launched
AgilePlans, what it dubs an all-inclusive
Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) offering for
the maritime industry. AgilePlans provides
the onboard hardware as well as includes
installation cost and is based on monthly
subscriptions with no long-term commitment
period so subscribers can end a subscription
at any time without penalty.
For a single monthly fee, AgilePlans
by KVH brings an advanced satellite
communications solution onboard
without costly capital expenditure
or
long-term
commitment.
The
subscription fee is as low as $499 a
month for a complete package including
hardware, connectivity, installation
at selected ports, entertainment and
training content, and global support.
The plan is designed to enable customers to
adjust quickly to changing market conditions
and support fleet expansion or contraction as
needed, KVH said.
Therefore an owner need not worry if a ship
is sold soon after subscribing to the system.
The plan can simply be terminated or left to
the new owner to deal with, and meanwhile
the company can still benefit from an onboard
satellite communications system that is
addition of new users does not mean greater
competition for bandwidth as new users also add
bandwidth to the network.
Currently KNL is offering two services,
one-based on shortwave radio for global
communication of business critical data using
limited bandwidth, and a global broadband
offering for near shore and in port.
In 2018 the company is planning to roll out an
LTE type of connectivity that covers 80% of main
shipping routes.
“What we are doing now is working more and
more towards hybrid communications because
we believe this is where the future is,” Linden
said.
Just last week KNL partnered with Jason
Electronics [B2-H01] as a distributor in Singapore.
designed to deliver everything a fleet needs
for better communications and improved
operational efficiency at sea.
“Connectivity as a Service makes real
sense, bringing simplicity, accessibility,
and scalability without the need for up front
capex, so the AgilePlans service from KVH is
groundbreaking in that respect. But this isn’t
just about cutting costs, it’s about delivering
value, which makes the inclusion of crew
content and eLearning in the KVH offering
really significant,” said KD Adamson, futurist
and founder of Futurenautics Group.
The AgilePlans service complements
existing purchase and lease options offered
by KVH, so users switching to the plan will
be given various options if they are already
on other plans offered by KVH, said coo Brent
Bruun.
“This has been welcomed by ship owners
and is a way of future proofing the system,”
added KVH Asia-Pacific sales vp Vivian
Quenet.
Teignbridge partners ETI to develop fuel efficient propulsion system
T
eignbridge Propellers International Limited
[B2-E19] is partnering with the Energy
Technologies Institute (ETI) to develop a high
efficiency propulsion system for ships with an aim
to reduce fuel consumption.
The two-year project aims to develop a
commercially viable system that can be retrofitted
to a variety of vessel types.
“Unlike other forms of transport it is difficult
to replace fossil fuels in marine vessels with low
carbon alternatives so increasing fuel efficiency
Page 10
will become progressively more important if
emissions and costs are to be reduced for the
shipping industry,” said Deborah Stubbs, ETI’s
high efficiency propulsion system project manager.
“This project will develop a commercially viable
product suitable for a wide range of vessel types
and capable of being retrofitted to ensure it is
attractive to shipowners and operators,” Stubbs
said.
“It is one of a number of demonstration projects
the ETI is running which, when used in combination,
could reduce fuel consumption by up to 30% and
cut the carbon emissions from shipping in a cost
effective manner,” she added.
David Duncan, chairman of Teignbridge,
commented: “The project will be helped by the
use of the dedicated research test vessel presently
under construction for Teignbridge Propellers.”
The research test vessel, which is a floating
laboratory, is capable of testing a range of
propellers from slow speed with high bollard pull
to high speed in excess of 40 knots.
Sea Asia 2017 Today - Issue 3 | www.sea-asia.com
Headline ABS develops industry-leading
guidance for container lashing
T
he increasing size of containerships, higher
container stacks, flexible bridges and
increased stack weights have together made
the task of securing containers safely an evermore complex endeavour for operators and crews.
In 2007, the largest proportion of the global
container fleet could be found among vessels able
to carry 2,900 teu of or less. Vessels within the
panamax category and smaller comprised nearly
90% of the fleet. The trend since then has been
for consistent increases with workhorse vessels
on the main Asia-Europe trade that are now often
within the 17-20,000 teu segment.
These larger containerships, featuring higher
stacks with increased weights have introduced new
complexities in securing containers. In response,
leading classification society ABS [B2-E01] has
released the enhanced ABS Guide for Certification
of Container Securing Systems (Lashing Guide)
and new companion software, ABS C-LASH™.
ABS worked with global owners, designers and
shipyards to develop and deliver the industry’s
most comprehensive guidance and software,
bringing safety and efficiency to a new level.
Central to the Lashing Guide is a newly developed
nonlinear lashing analysis procedure that represents
a significant improvement over traditional formulas
for container securing. Coupled with new easy-touse software that simplifies analyses of container
lashing arrangements, the resources are a game
changer for safety and operational performance in
the containership sector.
“The innovative methodology used in the
container lashing analysis is unique to ABS,” says
ABS executive vice president for global marine
Kirsi Tikka. “By applying a smarter approach
to lashing systems, owners and operators can
make better decisions on container loads and
find new efficiencies in their current onboard
arrangements.”
Used with the ABS C-LASH software, the
Guide helps users evaluate mixed, external and
internal lashings at multiple tiers and multiple
lashing points, twist-lock gaps in both vertical
and horizontal directions and the effect of lashing
bridge flexibility. The advanced ability to account
for these variables allows owners and operators
to make smarter and more informed decisions on
cargo distribution and lashing arrangements.
The ABS C-LASH software solution provides
a user-friendly experience with a computational
engine that solves 26 interrelated nonlinear
equations. ABS C-LASH was developed and
refined over two years in close cooperation with
owners, shipyards and lashing system designers.
For more than 50 years, ABS has been a trusted
technical adviser for the containership sector. From
the very first containership in operation to today’s
most advanced ships, no other class society
has a comparable track record for aiding the
containership sector in identifying and leveraging
new concepts to improve operations, protect the
environment and enhance safety.
Contributed by Matthew Tremblay, ABS vice
president of containership
Nautisk extends FlatFee
service to include digital
publications
Digital maritime navigation provider
Nautisk [B2-F21] has enhanced its FlatFee
service, following on from its initial release
in 2016, with the inclusion of digital
publications and Flag State Regulations.
Nautisk FlatFee is a tailor-made solution
that simplifies budgetary planning for
electronic navigational charts (ENCs) and
digital publications with the introduction of
a fixed pricing structure.
FlatFee’s single invoice per vessel set up
enables customers to benefit from a fixed
price for ENCs (AVCs or Primar), according
to Nautisk.
Users would be able to download charts
and permits, export to ECDIS, and sail
without needing to check that licenc es are
up to date or pay for ENCs on a per voyage
basis. Users can also choose flexible
voyage options with the option of a primary
zone, additional zones or worldwide licence.
“Nautisk FlatFee is available in a number
of accessible bundles (Paper Bundle,
Digital Bundle, Navi Bundle, NaviTab,
NaviLite Bundle), all of which have been put
together to meet the demands of users with
differing fleet requirements and budgets,”
Nautisk stated.
Meanwhile, Nautisk is working with
Misje Rederi to provide NaviTab to its entire
fleet. Nautisk claimed that NaviTab is the
industry’s first digital publications library,
with hundreds of maritime publications
provided on a single handheld tablet,
accessible both online and offline.
standard-club.com
The Standard for Service and Security
The Standard Club Asia Ltd is incorporated in Singapore and provides
P&I, Defence and War risks insurance to shipowners and ship operators
in the Asia Pacific region.
@StandardPandI
The Standard P&I Club
This Advert is published on behalf of The Standard Club Asia Ltd by the managers: Charles Taylor Mutual Management (Asia) Pte. Limited
140 Cecil Street, #16-00 PIL Building, Singapore 069540 Telephone: +65 6506 2896 Emergency telephone: +65 6506 2896
Email: [email protected] Website: www.standard-club.com
The Standard Club Asia Ltd is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
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