APL takes delivery of new container ship

APL, a subsidiary of Singapore’s Neptune Orient Lines, has taken delivery of its second 14,000-TEU container vessel from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.

The ship, named the MOL Quality, first named the APL Advance, comes as the second of ten 14,000-TEU vessels and has been chartered to Mitsui OSK Lines.

The first vessel from the series that was delivered is the APL Temasek, while the 3rd 14,000-TEU vessel APL Raffles will be delivered later this year.

These newbuildings are part of a US$4 billion fleet renewal programme aimed at improving NOL’s slot cost. 

They are replacing older, less efficient ships that are either sold or returned to charter owners.

The 14,000-TEU series of ships feature several innovations that improve operational efficiency. For example, its S-type long-stroke main engine is equipped with electronic fuel injection, which is optimised to operate at various loads efficiently.

In addition, its specially designed bow and broader hull form improve operating efficiency at various speeds, especially for slow steaming. NOL estimates that with the new design, it is able to improve fuel efficiency by about 20% to 30% per TEU for a speed range of 15-18 knots, compared to previous designs.

By consuming less fuel, this new series of ships will also emit less carbon emissions. Its fuel efficiency, measured by the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), is certified to be 33% better than guidelines set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)

source: http://www.ufs.com.ph/apl-takes-delivery-of-new-container-ship

World’s Most Dangerous Oceans For Shipping Identified

A new study commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund for World Oceans Day, pinpoints the planet’s most dangerous oceans and describes how shipwrecks are likely to increase in the coming years because of expanding fleets and a warming climate.

South China Sea, Mediterranean and North Sea as the World's most dangerous waters for shipping. The report, by researchers at Southhampton Solent University in the UK and published by the environmental charity WWF, says that accidents are likely to rise with the expected growth in shipping, posing a danger to some of the world's most ecologically important areas.

Dr. Simon Walmsley, marine manager at WWF, said: "Unfortunately in the past we've seen that it is only after a major accident that safety and environment measures are reviewed. That needs to change if we want to maintain healthy seas."

Read more here:  http://www.ibtimes.com/worlds-most-dangerous-oceans-shipping-identified-1297745

Germans assure Binay on Seamen

Shipping Titans Assure Binay Of Support For Filipino Seafarers, EU Safety Audit

By Charissa M. Luci

Published: June 9, 2013

BERLIN, Germany — Some 50 German shipping titans have assured Vice President Jejomar C. Binay that they would keep their Filipino crew members as well as support the Philippine government’s efforts to pass the next European Union (EU) maritime safety audit in October.
The assurance was made at a meeting between aBinay and German maritime business executives and shipowners in the seaport capital city of Hamburg.
“Their support for us is overwhelmingly strong. They have expressed their all-out support,” Binay, Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Worker Concern, told the Manila Bulletin shortly after the launching of the “Smart City: The Next Generation” exhibit Friday night in Aedes am Pfefferberg Studio in this European capital city.
He said the supposed roundtable meeting turned into a big pro-Filipino seafarers’ forum following the all-out participation of a significant number of interesting shipowners and shipping executives.
Keynoting the “The Filipino Seafarer” Maritime Roundtable Conference last Wednesday, the Vice President sought the “able and gracious” assistance of the German business shipping executives to support the Philippines’ bid to get the nod of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) which keeps an eye on the audit and review of the country’s maritime administration.
Edgardo G. Lacson, director of the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. who is part of Binay’s delegation, said the German shipowners took note of the Vice President’s sojourn to Germany as an expression of Philippine government’s commitment to address the maritime audit issue.
“They are willing to help. Kasi, symbiotic naman ang relationship. They need us, our seafarers. They have the hardware, we have the software,” he said.
He said the German government’s stature in the EU bloc could spell a difference in the Philippines’ posture before the eyes of EMSA.
“Germany is powerful in the EU. Nakita naman nila ang sincerity ng Philippine government. That is why the Vice President is here in Germany,” Lacson said.
As the world’s third largest trading nation, Germany is in control of more than 40 percent of all container shipping. There are more or less 400 German shipping companies.
Binay assured the maritime business officials that the Philippine government is taking “very seriously” the findings of EMSA during its maritime audit conducted from April 15 to 19.
There are at least 360,000 Filipino seafarers sailing the seven seas, which is 25 percent of the entire global maritime workforce and 80,000 of them ply the seas on board E.U.-flagged ocean-going commercial vessels.
The German Shipowners’ Association (Verband Deutscher Reeder) has warned that tens of thousands Filipino seafarers risk losing their jobs in European Union (EU)-registered ships if the Philippine government fails to pass the EU maritime audit in October.
In a letter, the International Chamber of Shipping, the world’s principal shipping organization, representing 80 percent of the world’s merchant tonnage also called the attention of President Benigno S. Aquino III to address the EU’s concern over the country’s maritime industry’s failure to pass the audit last April.

First Triple-E Vessel Christened (South Korea)

Maersk Line's newest vessel, the first of the Triple-E series, was named on June 14 in a ceremony at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) shipyard in Okpo, South Korea. It bears the name of the late Maersk Mc-Kinny Moller, who passed away in April 2012 at the age of 98.

Maersk Line CEO, Soren Skou, began the ceremony by welcoming all the special guests and recounting the important tradition of naming ceremones in Maersk ever since the first event in 1906 welcomed Peter Maersk as the second vessel in the fleet.

"I name you Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller."

"As you sail the waters of the world, may your journeys be smooth and your tasks successful. May you bring happiness to your crew, may you be a safe haven for all who board you and may you bring pride and prosperity to all. I wish you Godspeed!"

  -Ane Maersk Mc-Kinney Uggla


Read more here:
http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/86663/first-triple-e-vessel-christened-south-korea/

MOL-Comforts-Accident

Type of ship
Containership (8000-TEU type)
Containers loaded
4,382 units (7,041 TEU)
Seafarers  26 (11 Russians, 1 Ukrainian, 14 Filipinos)

Flag  Bahamas
Built  2008

Read more at: http://www.vesselfinder.com/news/1222-UPDATE-on-MOL-Comforts-Accident-PHOTOS
Copyright © Vesselfinder



Koichi Muto, President of the Tokyo - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines reported that the container vessel MOL Comfort (ex APL Russia container ship) couldn't continue sailing under its own power because the vessel's hull suffered a serious crack amidships while sailing on the Indian Ocean. The container ship was fractured in 2 parts, fore and aft.At 7:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, 18th of June, 2013, the fore part of the hull is drifting around 13' 00" N 60' 40" E, and the aft part is about 19 nautical miles southwest from that point. At present, both parts of the container vessel MOL Comfort are laden with containers and drifting in an east-northeast direction. We are also arranging tug vessels to tow both parts of our container ship. Read more at: http://www.vesselfinder.com/news/1222-UPDATE-on-MOL-Comforts-Accident-PHOTOSCopyright © Vesselfinder

Read more at: http://www.vesselfinder.com/news/1222-UPDATE-on-MOL-Comforts-Accident-PHOTOS

DOLE ensures better benefits of seafarers

A new labor regulation of the labor department (DOLE) would provide seafarers onboard domestic vessels with better health and working conditions starting next month.

Based on Department Order No. 129,  seafarers are entitled to salaries not lower than the minimum wage rates, holiday pay and special day benefits.

They are also entitled to one rest day every week and additional pay if required to work on their days off.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the seafarers would also get overtime pay for work in excess of eight hours a day, night shift pay of 10 percent, five days incentive leave and 13th month pay.

She said these workers would be entitled to paid maternity and paternity leaves, and parental leaves of seven days for single parents, special leave of 60 days for those who underwent surgery and retirement pay upon reaching 60 years old.

The DOLE chief said the minimum rest hours for seafarers should not be less than 10 hours a day and they have the right to form a labor organization.

She said the new regulation is in compliance with the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006, which is set to be fully implemented this August.

The DOLE is also set to formulate guidelines for the implementation of occupational safety and health policy and programs for these workers.

Baldoz said compliance with the new regulations should start by the end of this month.

Source: http://www.ufs.com.ph/dole-ensures-better-benefits-of-seafarers

A new labor regulation of the labor department (DOLE) would provide seafarers onboard domestic vessels with better health and working conditions starting next month.
Based on Department Order No. 129,  seafarers are entitled to salaries not lower than the minimum wage rates, holiday pay and special day benefits.
They are also entitled to one rest day every week and additional pay if required to work on their days off.
DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the seafarers would also get overtime pay for work in excess of eight hours a day, night shift pay of 10 percent, five days incentive leave and 13th month pay.
She said these workers would be entitled to paid maternity and paternity leaves, and parental leaves of seven days for single parents, special leave of 60 days for those who underwent surgery and retirement pay upon reaching 60 years old.
The DOLE chief said the minimum rest hours for seafarers should not be less than 10 hours a day and they have the right to form a labor organization.

 She said the new regulation is in compliance with the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006, which is set to be fully implemaented this August.

The new regulation also requires the vessel owners or the shipping companies to establish a safe and health committee and provide adequate medical services for crewmembers.
The seafarers, Baldoz said, are also entitled to benefits provided by the Social Security System, PHilHealth, Employees Compensation and State Insurance and Pag-Ibig.
The DOLE is also set to formulate guidelines for the implementation of occupational safety and health policy and programs for these workers.
Baldoz said compliance with the new regulations should start by the end of this month.
- See more at: http://www.ufs.com.ph/dole-ensures-better-benefits-of-seafarers#sthash.aRO0pbaw.dpuf

A new labor regulation of the labor department (DOLE) would provide seafarers onboard domestic vessels with better health and working conditions starting next month.
Based on Department Order No. 129,  seafarers are entitled to salaries not lower than the minimum wage rates, holiday pay and special day benefits.
They are also entitled to one rest day every week and additional pay if required to work on their days off.
DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the seafarers would also get overtime pay for work in excess of eight hours a day, night shift pay of 10 percent, five days incentive leave and 13th month pay.
She said these workers would be entitled to paid maternity and paternity leaves, and parental leaves of seven days for single parents, special leave of 60 days for those who underwent surgery and retirement pay upon reaching 60 years old.
The DOLE chief said the minimum rest hours for seafarers should not be less than 10 hours a day and they have the right to form a labor organization.

 She said the new regulation is in compliance with the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006, which is set to be fully implemaented this August.

The new regulation also requires the vessel owners or the shipping companies to establish a safe and health committee and provide adequate medical services for crewmembers.
The seafarers, Baldoz said, are also entitled to benefits provided by the Social Security System, PHilHealth, Employees Compensation and State Insurance and Pag-Ibig.
The DOLE is also set to formulate guidelines for the implementation of occupational safety and health policy and programs for these workers.
Baldoz said compliance with the new regulations should start by the end of this month.
- See more at: http://www.ufs.com.ph/dole-ensures-better-benefits-of-seafarers#sthash.aRO0pbaw.dpuf

A new labor regulation of the labor department (DOLE) would provide seafarers onboard domestic vessels with better health and working conditions starting next month.
Based on Department Order No. 129,  seafarers are entitled to salaries not lower than the minimum wage rates, holiday pay and special day benefits.
They are also entitled to one rest day every week and additional pay if required to work on their days off.
DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the seafarers would also get overtime pay for work in excess of eight hours a day, night shift pay of 10 percent, five days incentive leave and 13th month pay.
She said these workers would be entitled to paid maternity and paternity leaves, and parental leaves of seven days for single parents, special leave of 60 days for those who underwent surgery and retirement pay upon reaching 60 years old.
The DOLE chief said the minimum rest hours for seafarers should not be less than 10 hours a day and they have the right to form a labor organization.

 She said the new regulation is in compliance with the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006, which is set to be fully implemaented this August.

The new regulation also requires the vessel owners or the shipping companies to establish a safe and health committee and provide adequate medical services for crewmembers.
The seafarers, Baldoz said, are also entitled to benefits provided by the Social Security System, PHilHealth, Employees Compensation and State Insurance and Pag-Ibig.
The DOLE is also set to formulate guidelines for the implementation of occupational safety and health policy and programs for these workers.
Baldoz said compliance with the new regulations should start by the end of this month.
- See more at: http://www.ufs.com.ph/dole-ensures-better-benefits-of-seafarers#sthash.aRO0pbaw.dpuf

A new labor regulation of the labor department (DOLE) would provide seafarers onboard domestic vessels with better health and working conditions starting next month.
Based on Department Order No. 129,  seafarers are entitled to salaries not lower than the minimum wage rates, holiday pay and special day benefits.
They are also entitled to one rest day every week and additional pay if required to work on their days off.
DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the seafarers would also get overtime pay for work in excess of eight hours a day, night shift pay of 10 percent, five days incentive leave and 13th month pay.
She said these workers would be entitled to paid maternity and paternity leaves, and parental leaves of seven days for single parents, special leave of 60 days for those who underwent surgery and retirement pay upon reaching 60 years old.
The DOLE chief said the minimum rest hours for seafarers should not be less than 10 hours a day and they have the right to form a labor organization.

 She said the new regulation is in compliance with the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006, which is set to be fully implemaented this August.

The new regulation also requires the vessel owners or the shipping companies to establish a safe and health committee and provide adequate medical services for crewmembers.
The seafarers, Baldoz said, are also entitled to benefits provided by the Social Security System, PHilHealth, Employees Compensation and State Insurance and Pag-Ibig.
The DOLE is also set to formulate guidelines for the implementation of occupational safety and health policy and programs for these workers.
Baldoz said compliance with the new regulations should start by the end of this month.
- See more at: http://www.ufs.com.ph/dole-ensures-better-benefits-of-seafarers#sthash.aRO0pbaw.dpuf

Did Costa Cruises Assist an Alleged Rapist Escape Justice?

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports on the case of a Filipino crew member who alleges that her supervisor raped her while she was working on board the MV Costa Classica last year.

The victim worked as a security guard on the cruise ship. She alleges that she was summoned to the security office on the cruise ship where she observed two security officers drinking alcohol. The men who made the indecent advances and the alleged sexual abuse are of Indian nationality: Joseph Chacko (Chief Security Officer) and Anoop Palatty (Assistant Security Officer). 

A trial involving the Costa case is scheduled to begin in Genoa, Italy on June 8th. 

Costa has some explaining to do, like why didn't the company apprehend the security officer? 

Why did the cruise permit him to leave the ship and fly back to India?

Read more here:

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/

Kenya: Somali Pirates Jailed for Five Years

Nine Somali pirates were yesterday sentenced to five years by a Mombasa court for hijacking a civilian ship from Spain in 2010. The court upheld that the prosecution through its witnesses that included several United States marine soldiers. The nine were represented by lawyer Jared Magolo.
Magolo appealed to the court to be lenient with his client. "The accused are first offenders. They have made a resolution to be law abiding citizens in Somalia. There is no need for sentencing as they have been rehabilitated," said Magolo.
The accused complained they had TB and asked the court to release them on account poor health. "The accused have been in prison for three years in a foreign country. Three them have asthma," said the defense.
In his submission Magolo said his clients were innocent fishermen captured by US naval forces. Senior principle magistrate Richard Odenyo who jailed the five said that the ship captain who testified via video link in Warsaw corroborated other evidence that the accused were armed.
The judge directed they be deported upon serving their sentence. The nine are accused of attacking the Magella Star on September 9 in 2010 along the gulf of Eden.

Source: The Star

RoRo vessel sinks off Masbate; one reported dead

A roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) passenger vessel, Mv Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, sank off Masbate early dawn Friday after developing engine trouble.

Coast Guard personnel have rescued 34 passengers with at least 22 still missing. The survivors were taken to a Masbate hospital.

One lady passenger was reported as the casualty so far.

The vessel was also carrying two passenger buses and two trucks when it sank, three hours after leaving a Masbate town port.

There were 22 crew members and 40 passengers on the ship’s manifest.

Masbate health officers said 15 were taken to Masbate health centers while 19 were still being attended to at the port as of press time.

Mv Our Lady of Rosary, sister ship of the ill-fated vessel and Coast Guard ships helped in the still on-going rescue operations.

Coast Guard’s BRP Pampanga was also being deployed to assist in the search and rescue effort.

source:

http://www.ufs.com.ph/passenger-vessel-sinks-off-masbate-one-reported-dead

A roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) passenger vessel, Mv Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, sank off Masbate early dawn Friday after developing engine trouble.
Coast Guard personnel have rescued 34 passengers with at least 22 still missing. The survivors were taken to a Masbate hospital.
One lady passenger was reported as the casualty so far.
The vessel was also carrying two passenger buses and two trucks when it sank, three hours after leaving a Masbate town port.
There were 22 crew members and 40 passengers on the ship’s manifest.
Masbate health officers said 15 were taken to Masbate health centers while 19 were still being attended to at the port as of press time.
Mv Our Lady of Rosary, sister ship of the ill-fated vessel and Coast Guard ships helped in the still on-going rescue operations.
Coast Guard’s BRP Pampanga was also being deployed to assist in the search and rescue effort.
- See more at: http://www.ufs.com.ph/passenger-vessel-sinks-off-masbate-one-reported-dead#sthash.bGMfMBi9.dpuf

A roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) passenger vessel, Mv Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, sank off Masbate early dawn Friday after developing engine trouble.
Coast Guard personnel have rescued 34 passengers with at least 22 still missing. The survivors were taken to a Masbate hospital.
One lady passenger was reported as the casualty so far.
The vessel was also carrying two passenger buses and two trucks when it sank, three hours after leaving a Masbate town port.
There were 22 crew members and 40 passengers on the ship’s manifest.
Masbate health officers said 15 were taken to Masbate health centers while 19 were still being attended to at the port as of press time.
Mv Our Lady of Rosary, sister ship of the ill-fated vessel and Coast Guard ships helped in the still on-going rescue operations.
Coast Guard’s BRP Pampanga was also being deployed to assist in the search and rescue effort.
- See more at: http://www.ufs.com.ph/passenger-vessel-sinks-off-masbate-one-reported-dead#sthash.bGMfMBi9.dpuf