International Report – Page 4 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

Global Piracy and Armed Robbery Incidents at Lowest Level in Decades: IMB

During the first half of 2022, the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB) received the lowest number of reported incidents for the first half of any year since 1994, which the IMB is calling a testament to its pivotal role in raising awareness to make waters safer. IMB’s latest global piracy report, which was released July 12, details 58 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships – the lowest total since 1994 – down from 68 incidents during the same period last year. In the first six months of 2022, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Center reported 55 vessels…

Nigeria, Shipping Industry Launch Strategy to Curb Gulf of Guinea Maritime Piracy

A coalition of global shipping stakeholders and the Government of Nigeria and have launched a new strategy to end piracy, armed robbery and kidnapping in the Gulf of Guinea, the International Chamber of Shipping announced July 11. The newly launched strategy was developed by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, Intertanko, Intercargo, Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), and representatives of the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA, together making up the Nigerian Industry Working Group (NIWG). The strategy, according to the ICS, establishes a mechanism to periodically assess the effectiveness of country-piracy initiatives and commitments in the Gulf. “Targeted at…

New Director Chosen for IMO International Maritime Law Institute

Professor Norman A. Martínez Gutiérrez has been appointed to succeed Professor David Attard as the new Director of the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), based in Malta, the International Maritime Organization revealed July 7. Attard has been IMLI Director for the past 30 years. The announcement was made by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim during IMLI’s Graduation ceremony on July 1. It is expected that Professor Martínez will take the reins of the Institute on Aug. 1. The IMO International Maritime Law Institute was established in 1988, under the auspices of IMO. The Institute’s mission is to enhance capacity-building in…

ICHCA Welcomes Mediterranean Shipping to Board of Directors

ICHCA International, an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide, in June named Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) as its newest board member. ICHCA stands for International Cargo Handling Coordination Association. The organization is based in London. Dirk Van de Velde, MSC’s chief Environmental, Health, Safety and Quality Management (EHSQ) officer is taking a board position at ICHCA. “The added knowledge and experience that the number one container shipping line brings will be a tremendous asset in carrying out ICHCA’s primary mission of maintaining and improving safety in all aspects of…

UWL and Swire Shipping Announce Seattle-to-Vietnam Express Export Ocean Service

Singapore-based Swire Shipping and UWL, a Cleveland-based non-vessel operating common carrier, have introduced a new dedicated, express ocean export service from Seattle, Washington to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, offering a 21-day transit time. The announcement was made in mid-June by UWL President Duncan Wright as he spoke at the 34th annual meeting of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) in Tacoma, Wash. “The recent ocean disruption and 100-day-long transit times are literally wiping out U.S. food exporter livelihood; many of these businesses simply cannot withstand the consistent lost sales, rotting food, and cancelled orders,” Wright said. “Our new service provides much…

MSC Cruises Publishes Sustainability Report

On June 8, World Oceans Day, MSC Cruises, the cruise division of global shipper MSC Group, published its 2021 Sustainability Report, which states that while the past year has been marked by the challenges brought by the pandemic, the Geneva-based cruise line made progress in its sustainability practices. MSC’s Sustainability Action Plan, developed with the active engagement of employees and external partners, establishes six key workstreams across the business: transitioning to net-zero emissions, scrutinizing resource use and waste, supporting our people, investing in sustainable tourism, building greener terminals, and procuring sustainably. Actions within the plan are accompanied by goals, with…

CMA CGM Launches ACSA 5 Route Connecting Asia with Mexico, Guatemala, Chile

French maritime shipping company CMA CGM in early June announced the launch of its ACSA 5 route connecting Asia with Mexico, Guatemala and Chile starting later in the month. The service is specially designed for refrigerated transport of perishables and fresh fruits toward Asia. “ACSA 5 will be complementing the three ACSA services already offered by CMA CGM, with competitive and short transit times, a strategic asset for our customers, especially producers of perishable goods and fresh fruits,” the shipper said in its announcement. “With this unique offer, CMA CGM pursues its ambition to strengthen its service to South America.”…

Glosten Selected to Design New Saudi Arabian Marine Research Vessel

Seattle-based naval architecture firm Glosten revealed June 8 that it has been selected to design a new marine research vessel for King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The vessel would be in keeping with KAUST’s mission to provide world-class marine research and support Saudi Arabia’s goals to study and protect marine environments. The state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessel would replace KAUST’s existing vessel, Thuwal. The new research vessel, according to KAUST, would bring advanced research capabilities for work in both shallow reef and deepwater environments, a reconfigurable deck for multipurpose jobs and equipment, and weather hardy traits for managing…

Schottel Launches East Asia Subsidiary, Names General Manager

German propulsion and steering systems manufacturer Schottel has opened an East Asia subsidiary near Busan, South Korea. “In addition to the growing market in South Korea, business development of the German propulsion expert will now also be intensified in Japan,” the company said in a statement. Business operations at the location were launched in April. In addition, the company announced that Seongki Han has been appointed general manager of Schottel East Asia. “He brings to his new role extensive experience and expertise in the area of ship propulsion, based on a broad educational background as well as on 20 years…

Crewmember Killed in Containership Fire Off the Philippines

One person was killed during a containership fire off the coast of the Philippines in mid-April after a pipe exploded on board, according to media reports and the Philippine Coast Guard. The M/V General Romulo, which had 20 crew members onboard, experienced the fire on April 17. “Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Talisay received information that M/V General Romulo, a container ship and domestic vessel, was caught on fire while anchored at the vicinity waters off Talisay City,” the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement. “Immediately, personnel of CGSS Talisay and Talisay City Bantay Dagat responded to the incident and…