Philippines cracks down on forgery of sea certificates

The Philippines' Professional Regulatory Commission has made over 340 criminal charges against deck and engine officers allegedly carrying forged training certificates. The move is the latest attempt to purge what is believed to be hundreds, if not thousands, of false maritime and educational certificates among a significant number of Filipino seafarers who form part of the largest national provider of seafarers in the world.

Although the situation has been identified for some time, it appears to have worsened over the past two years, especially in the aftermath of the implementation of STCW 95, which has required seafarers to produce additional endorsements on their existing certification. Indeed, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) found it necessary to impose a ban on all certificates of competency issued in the Philippines because of the high number of false documents evident among the seafarers.

Ennore port project attracts eight companies

Eight companies have submitted 'expressions of interest' to set up and operate a multi-purpose berth-cum-container terminal at India's Ennore Port. The eight companies include Adani Port Infrastructure, APM terminals, Larsen & Toubro and PSA Corp.

The next stage will be a techno-feasibility study by consultants prior to an invitation of bids. Ennore Port Ltd (EPL) will now appoint consultants to prepare a techno-feasibility study and bids will be called once this process is completed. The successful bidder will develop the berth and operate it for a fixed period on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. EPL will ensure there is adequate rail/road connectivity, adequate water depth and other port infrastructure.

New secretary-general of IMO confirmed

The election of Efthimios Mitropoulos of Greece to the post of secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) was confirmed on November 27 when the Organisation's ruling Assembly agreed unanimously to accept the appointment. He will take up office at the end of the year on the retirement of William O'Neil of Canada.

In a wide-ranging acceptance speech to the Assembly, Mitropoulos spoke of the challenges that lie ahead for the Organisation. "While our prime duty will be to act proactively to ensure that accidents do not happen in the first place," he said, "our work should also be directed towards ensuring that once an accident has taken place, the system is there to minimise its impact on human lives, property and the environment."

He also emphasised the need for change within IMO, referring to the "winds of change" blowing through the maritime world and through the Organisation itself, and he pledged himself to understanding and interpreting the message borne by those winds.

He said: "I believe in the necessity of change, not as a proof of failure but as an indication that this is a vibrant Organisation, full of energy and determination to adjust to the changing winds while continuing to sail in search of even calmer seas and safer havens, always having enough water under our keel. And also because I believe that in a world that is constantly changing, it should be to our advantage to learn how to adapt and thus benefit from those changes."

A former seafarer, Hellenic Coast Guard officer and official in the Greek Maritime Administration, Mitropoulos also spoke of his pride in the shipping industry and its global importance today. "I will miss no opportunity to express the pride I feel for the industry we all serve and also to emphasise the major contribution shipping makes to world trade and economy."

O'Neil praises shipping security improvements

Speaking at last week's IMO Assembly in front of an impressive gathering of national delegations and non-governmental organisations, O'Neil, the outgoing secretary-general, paid tribute to general improvements in shipping industry safety.

Referring specifically to Intercargo's Annual Casualty Report, O'Neil remarked on the favourable trends in bulk carrier safety matters over the last decade. The work of IMO and others had been instrumental, he felt, in reducing the average number of bulk carrier losses, deadweight tonnage and, most importantly, lives lost over the last ten years.