Sea Views: UAE tipped to join IMO 'white list'

According to opinions within several leading classification societies and marine consultants, the predicted 'rush' from cargo ship operators, prior to the July 1 deadline for Phase 2 implementation of the ISM Code is now beginning to happen.

A source within Bureau Veritas confirmed a rise in business but explained that any such surge was likely to cause a sharp increase in workload that would be reflected in increased delays for societies to certify companies and their ships - all at a time when the companies will be in default of the required implementation date.

The situation would also become complicated on July 31st, due to the end of the 6-month period of 'grace' recommended by the International Maritime Organisation regarding Port State Control (PSC) action against non-compliance of the STCW 95 regulations. No such relaxation is expected for phase 2 ISM which means that, within the space of one month, two major mandatory instruments will be being enforced by zealous PSC inspectors.

The likely rise in detentions is, therefore, predicted to be significant. The number of companies on target to meet the deadline also appears to be a function of the flag, and sources in several 'quality' open-registries are indicating that a high success percentage will be achieved. For example, Vanuatu and Marshall Islands are both predicted to have relatively few, if any, defaulters.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) went one step further, last week, by stating optimistically that it expects that all ships under the Singapore flag affected by the implementation of Phase 2 of the ISM Code, will be in compliance by July 1st.

Indications from the less reputable flags is worrying. Those that allow sub-standard tonnage to operate will, undoubtedly, be those that have the majority of vessels that will be in breach of the Code.

The UAE is tipped to join the so-called 'white list' which is the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO's) list of parties that are deemed to be giving full and complete effect to the provisions of the revised 1978 Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers as amended in 1995 (STCW 95).

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the IMO is currently meeting in London and Secretary General, William O'Neill, is due to submit his report on those countries whose evaluations have been completed since the last update of the 'white list' in November 2001.

Local vessel gets LR first for 'green' paint: A supply/utility vessel, MV Basith, owned and operated by Abu Dhabi-based Gulf Services Office (GSO) has become the first to be awarded an interim certificate of compliance by Lloyd's Register (LR) under the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, which was adopted by the IMO on October 5, 2001.

Since the convention has yet to be ratified (achieved 12 months after 25 countries with 25 per cent of the world's tonnage have agreed to it) interim certification is all that is issued to demonstrate that a particular ship is in compliance with this convention that prohibits the use of harmful organotin anti-fouling systems.

Application of this substance will be banned from January 1st 2003 and all ships must have approved systems on their hulls by January 1st 2008.

Conferences reduce surcharges: On the back of reduced insurance premiums, three major conferences have lowered their war risk surcharges, all with effect from May 14. For ships serving Jeddah, the Jeddah Service Group (JSG) has lowered its surcharge from $41 to $18 per TEU while the Europe-Middle-East Rate Agreement (Emera) has reduced its war risk surcharge for vessels calling at Middle East/Gulf ports from $22 to $17 per TEU.

Similarly, the India Pakistan Bangladesh Ceylon Conference (IPBCC) members have lowered their surcharge for vessels serving Pakistan from $33 to $28 per TEU.

However, for cargo transhipped via Sri Lanka, the surcharge will remain unchanged at $10 per TEU.

JSG members are CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk Sealand, NSCSA, NYK, P&ON and UASC. EMERA members comprise AWS (Ellerman), CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk Sealand, Norasia, P&ON, Safmarine and UASC. And IPBCC member lines are AWS (Ellerman), Bangladesh Shipping Corp, CMA CGM, Contship, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, K Line, MISC, Maersk Sealand, Pakistan National Shipping, P&ON, Rickmers, Safmarine, SCI, UASC, Yang Ming and Zim.

Frank Kennedy is a marine consultant based in Dubai.