March 2014 INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION UK shipping minister praises salvage industry at ISU conference The UK Shipping Minister, Stephen Hammond MP, gave the keynote address at the International Salvage Union’s annual conference for its Associate Members. There was a full programme of speakers and panel discussions on topics related to the salvage industry particularly Arctic operations and container operations. Mr Hammond paid tribute to the salvage industry and said he recognised that specialist contractors provide the bulk of the marine casualty response capability and most of the technical expertise in emergency response. He went on ISU President Leendert Muller to describe the evolution of the UK’s (above) introduces the UK Shipping SOSREP system. He said that “salvage Minister, Stephen Hammond MP by committee” is ineffective and inefficient (left) at the ISU Associate Members' and that the SOSREP system allows for a day conference in London single voice to over-ride other interested parties if necessary. Mr Hammond told some 170 delegates that the UK and the European Union are for guidelines on Places of Refuge and President, Leendert Muller, said: “We are tackling the issue of Places of Refuge for added that the UK SOSREP had recently privileged to have had Mr Hammond as a casualty vessels – a matter on which the been in Qatar to discuss the issue with speaker at our event. The UK’s maritime ISU, along with the International Chamber regional representatives following the emergency response decision making of Shipping and the International Union case of the Stolt Valor, also in 2012. - through SOSREP - is admired around of Marine Insurance, is campaigning the world and we look forward to further - particularly following the case of the In concluding, Mr Hammond said that the MARITIME MASIE off Japan. success of righting the Costa Concordia developments in international attitudes to showed that the salvage industry is Places of Refuge.” He said that the case of the MSC “innovative and capable of meeting the FLAMINIA in 2012 showed the need most demanding challenges at sea.” ISU ISU Annual Pollution Prevention Survey - 2013 Results The International Salvage Union has of services performed by ISU members In 2013 the major change was a announced the results of its annual compared with the previous year. significant increase in the quantity of oil Pollution Prevention Survey for 2013. cargoes (crude and refined products) The total of all pollutants salved in 2013 salved, up 58% from 104,665 tonnes The total quantity of pollutants salved by was 718,602 tonnes compared with to 165,395 tonnes. However, this ISU members - nearly three quarters of 810,068 tonnes in 2012. It is a decrease category is highly variable and can be a million tonnes - was slightly less than of 11%. The average annual figure for dramatically affected by one or two large in 2012 although the overall picture is the 19 years for which data is available cargoes. Another notable increase was in consistent over the two years. The 2012 is a little below one million tonnes of chemicals salved – up 49% from 99,015 numbers included a small number of potential pollutants salved per year. It to 147,987 tonnes. Again, this category substantial coal cargoes under the “other” mirrors the trend of a decreasing number may be affected by a small number of category. In 2013 there were more, of casualties which chiefly reflects large casualties. but smaller and more varied, cargoes improvements to ship and operational salved in the “other” category. There safety over the past two decades. was a marginal increase in the number (Continued on page 3) 1 ISU NEWS Annual Dinner The President of the ISU, Leendert Muller hosted the ISU annual dinner at the prestigious Trinity House in the City of London in March on the eve of the annual ISU Associate Members’ day Conference. Guest of honour was Dorthe Lange, widow of Paul Lange, the Pictures: clockwiseabove, ISU from President above first recipient of the ISU Meritorious ISULeendert President Muller Leendert welcomes Muller guests. Service Award (see P 10). Other welcomesTop right: Asger guests. Lange, Asger Dorthe Lange, guests included speakers from DortheLange, Lange,Sandro SandroVuylsteke. Vuylsteke. the ISU Associate Members’ Day KeithRight: Hart, Keith Hugh Hart, Shaw,Hugh Shaw,Helle conference, past ISU Presidents, Hammer,Helle Hammer, Karen Karen Purnell. Purnell. members of ISU Executive Committee and dignitaries from the shipping industry. New Member interests and their primary role is to use million. The guarantee contains the usual best endeavours to assist in the salvage consideration of refraining from arresting ISU welcomes Global Diving & Salvage, of the vessel and property and in so doing the casualty vessel. However, that Inc. as a full member to prevent and/or minimise damage to the prevents the right to arrest if additional environment. security is required and therefore an Contact: David DeVilbiss, Vice president amended wording has been drafted. Marine Casualty and Emergency For late payment under LOF, in Clause 9 The provision of additional security by Response Services of the LSSA Clauses, there is a Currency the ship owner has been agreed by the Correction Clause to give effect to any 3840 w Marginal way SW International Group in principal but the change in the relevant rates of exchange Seattle, WA 98106, USA wording of the first draft will need further which may have occurred between date amendment. +1 206–730-9356 mobile of termination of the services and date +1 206-932-9036 fax on which the award or appeal award is Annual General Meeting made. SCOPIC/SCR matters The ISU General Meeting 2014 will Any currency can be agreed under be held in Hamburg at the Fairmont The SCR sifting group met on 17 March LOF. ISU is seeking a similar Currency Vier Jahreszeiten Hotel, on Thursday and approved the appointment of Abhay Collection Clause for SCOPIC payments 02 October. Details of booking Damley, Rosalind Spink and John L - which, since its inception in 1999, have arrangements will be circulated to ISU David as SCRs. Okki Grapow and Lars always been in US$ - to bring it into line members in the coming period. Landalius have resigned as SCRs. with LOF. Discussions are continuing on this point. IMO Bravery Award In addition to the guidelines written at the time SCOPIC came into being, there Where salvors use their own equipment ISU members are invited to submit have been a number of Digests issued under SCOPIC, there is a tariff rate for entries for the 2014 IMO Award for giving further guidance to SCRs. These such equipment in Appendix A and there Exceptional Bravery at Sea award. Digests have now been summarised is a cap on those expenses. However, if All submissions must be returned to into a new single document although the they are hired in from a party who is not ISU General Manager at isu@marine- original guidelines remain unaltered. The an ISU member and the hire is greater salvage.com by 14 April 2014. draft of the summary document will be than the tariff rates, that cost will be Submissions should give a description agreed by relevant parties by the end of allowed in full and is not capped. of the circumstances and events relating April 2014 and then approved by Lloyds. This is a concern to ISU given that it to the nomination. They should, as SCR Letters of Appointment have not may result in ISU salvors not maintaining appropriate, include such factors as: always been provided to and signed substantial equipment stocks and hiring location; prevailing weather conditions; by SCRs and so a revised Letter of them in from a non-ISU member when skill displayed; leadership demonstrated; Appointment has been drafted which required. This issue continues to be determination to conduct the rescue can be either issued at the time of discussed with the International Group. operation; exceptional courage appointment of the SCR or when he first demonstrated; degree of risk (to human goes on board the casualty. The intention Finally, the ISU 5 Guarantee is the new lives and/or the marine environment) is to clarify the role and duties of the SCR SCOPIC remuneration guarantee initially involved; any other information supporting in particular that they represent all salved provided for salvors in the sum of US$3 the nomination. 2 ISU Annual Pollution Prevention Survey - 2013 Results (Continued from page 1) The quantity 2013 2012 % variation of “other” cargoes salved went down by 40% from 501,348 tonnes in 2012 to Number of services 190 188 +1.1% 299,074 in 2013. This category included Oil cargo salved 165,395 104,665 -58% coal in bulk in 2012 for the first time and there were two large coal cargoes Bunker fuel salved 106,146 105,058 +1% included in that year’s numbers. The Chemicals salved 147,987 99,015 +49% 2013 “other” quantity represents a greater number of smaller and more Other pollutants 299,074 501,348 -40% varied “other” cargoes. Totals 718,602 810,068 -11% There were 190 services carried out by ISU members. The Japanese contract All figures in tonnes was the most widely used with 54 services, many of which were relatively environmental disaster, 700,000 tonnes reminds us how variable our industry small cases involving fishing vessels. of oil was released into the Gulf of can be. A small number of large cargoes Mexico in 2010 from the Macondo Well. can cause significant differences year on The Lloyd’s Open Form salvage contract year. But everyone connected with the accounted for 44 services compared “We are always careful to say that not shipping industry should be aware that with 52 in the previous year.