COS Weekly Newsletter - 23 August 2019
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COS Weekly Newsletter |
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BC judge rules Nathan E. Stewart fines should go to Heiltsuk Nation BC Ferries supports thermal imaging whale research project BC Shipping News releases final issue Port of Nanaimo get new Harbour Master Local lawyers appointed to top positions in maritime law organizations CN 19-17 - Guidelines updates for Post-Arrival Manual Amendments Projects to improve VFPA’s resilience to climate change New Canada–U.S. Preclearance Agreement comes into force China proceeds with tariffs on US imports US Lawsuit seeks to establish whale protection zone Port of Kalama opposes new transit fees MSC Jewel clean ship rewarded in Long Beach Industry Guidance for 0.5% sulphur marine fuel Abandoned Tamim Aldar crews have all left vessel after 34-month ordeal Norway Approves Funding for Floating Wind Farm Aug. 23 – Mari Couva and Mari Kokako |
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Our new logo is here!
The Chamber of Shipping has a new logo! Branding ourselves with new colours, look, and feel is just one of the many ways that we are looking to the future and embracing the changing times that we are experiencing today. There are more changes to come so keep an eye out!
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BC judge rules Nathan E. Stewart fines should go to Heiltsuk Nation
A BC judge has ruled that the combined fines of $2.7 million issued under the Fisheries Act, $200,000 under the Migratory Birds Convention Act and $5,000 under the Pilotage Act be put into an environmental damage fund administered to benefit the Heiltsuk Nation. The incident spilled 110,000 litres of diesel and 2,200 litres of lubricants into the water. Kirby Offshore Operating admitted full responsibility for the spill and paid almost $6 million in compensation to the Canadian Coast Guard ($1.94 million), provincial government ($410,000) and the Heiltsuk Nation ($3.6 million). The sentencing hearing following the guilty plea was held on July 16, 2019, in Bella Bella.
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BC Ferries supports thermal imaging whale research project
BC Ferries is supporting a one-year research project at Galiano Island with the installation of thermal imaging cameras at their Sturdies Bay terminal. The project funded primarily by Fisheries and Oceans will help determine if automated thermal imaging technology, when used in combination with visual and acoustic detection, can be a reliable and effective way to detect whales. If the pilot is successful, the system could be used to alert ships to the presence of marine mammals in narrow waterways in the Salish Sea, and identify high-risk areas so mariners can make real-time decisions to slow down or use avoidance tactics when whales are present.
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BC Shipping News releases final issue
After nine impactful years, Jane McIvor has announced that the September edition of the BC Shipping News will be its last. Jane, President and Editor of the magazine together with her team of writers and assistants, have been instrumental in elevating the profile of the commercial marine industry in Canada. While losing this publication will certainly create a void in the industry, we are grateful for the years of knowledge and insights that they have shared, and we wish all those involved the best in their future endeavours. All back issues will continue to be available at https://issuu.com/janemci.
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Port of Nanaimo get new Harbour Master
Captain Satinder Singh has just been appointed the Vice-President, Marine Operations and Harbour Master for the Port of Nanaimo. He brings 21 years of experience to the position and will be responsible for the safety and security within the Port’s jurisdiction. He has previously worked for the Department of National Defense at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, as the Auxiliary Fleet Manager with Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch, and as the Detachment Superintendent with the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental Test Range. Capt. Singh holds a Master in Maritime Management (MMM), Bachelor in Maritime Studies (BMS), and Diploma in Nautical Sciences, Certificate of Competency as a Master Mariner (MM) with Transport Canada. He also holds the Enforcement Officer Designation from Transport Canada under the Canada Marine Act.
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Local lawyers appointed to top positions in maritime law organizations
Two Vancouver-based Norton Rose Fulbright lawyers have been appointed to high-level positions within prominent Canadian maritime law organizations.
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Government
CN 19-17 - Guidelines updates for Post-Arrival Manual Amendments
Canada Border Services Agency is advising that effective immediately, post-arrival amendments on primary cargos (all modes), house bills or conveyance transmissions; or, if a cargo and/or conveyance arrival message were sent in error prior to the actual arrival, warehouse operators, carriers, freight forwarders and/or their services providers will be required to present a completed Form BSF673 in duplicate to the local CBSA commercial office. The Guidelines for the Use of BSF673 – House Bill, Cargo and Conveyance Manual Correction Request Form – Post Arrival – All Modes have been updated to reflect how and where the form is to be presented.
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Projects to improve VFPA’s resilience to climate change
The Government of Canada is investing more than $300,000 in two projects at the Port of Vancouver to strengthen its transportation system and better prepare for climate change and extreme weather events in the Port of Vancouver and including the Fraser River.
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New Canada–U.S. Preclearance Agreement comes into force
Canada and the US have brought into force the Agreement on Land, Rail, Marine, and Air Transport Preclearance between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America. The agreement seeks to facilitate opportunities for enhanced travel and trade between the two countries by enabling Canada and the US to expand preclearance for travellers at land, rail and marine facilities in both countries, as well as at additional airports. Cargo pre-clearance pilots have started at the land border and both countries are proceeding cautiously down this path.
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US News
China proceeds with tariffs on US imports
China has announced that it will impose additional tariffs on $75 billion of American goods including soybeans, automobiles and oil, in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s latest planned levies on Chinese imports. Some of the countermeasures will take effect starting Sept. 1, while the rest will come into effect from Dec. 15. This mirrors the timetable the US has laid out for 10% tariffs on nearly $300 billion of Chinese shipments.
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US Lawsuit seeks to establish whale protection zone
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance is suing NOAA Fisheries, saying the agency has failed to act on a petition it filed in 2016. The petition sought to bar vessels from a 26- to 31-square-kilometre area west of San Juan Island where the whales feed from April through September each year. NOAA Fisheries claims that it supports the already-existing voluntary "no-go" zone, announced by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, that extends 400 metres off the west coast of San Juan Island.
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Port of Kalama opposes new transit fees
Port of Kalama Commissioners have sent a letter to the Port of Astoria approved a letter opposing a new fee that was implemented in March which charges any trade vessel 250 feet or longer a $300 fee, whether it docks there or continues upriver. The Port of Astoria has received similar letters from the Port of Longview and other nearby ports are reportedly considering issues letters as well. The Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Association said late last month it is prepared to sue the port because it believes the fee conflicts with the commerce clause of the US Constitution. Revenue from the fee is intended to fund the operation and maintenance of a wharf that provides an emergency berth to distressed vessels - a service many feel the port is not required to offer.
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MSC Jewel clean ship rewarded in Long Beach
The port of Long Beach has welcomed the cleanest containership to travel to the US - the 14,436-TEU MSC Jewel, at Total Terminals International's Pier T facility. The vessel owned by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is powered by tier III diesel engines, which are 75 per cent cleaner than the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) tier II standard. In addition to its clean engine, all MSC vessels are shore-power equipped, enabling them to connect to the landside electrical grid to reduce emissions when berthed. The carrier will receive US$6,000 from the port of Long Beach's Green Ship Incentive Programme.
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International News
Industry Guidance for 0.5% sulphur marine fuel
Joint Industry Guidance on the supply and use of 0.50% – sulphur marine fuel has just been developed and released by a group experts in an effort to provide guidance for stakeholders across the marine fuels and shipping industries, from fuel blenders and suppliers to end users. The publication is designed It presents the specific safety and operational issues relating to the supply and use of max. 0.50%-sulphur fuels, an overview of fuel quality principles, and the controls that should be put in place to ensure that safety issues are identified, prevented and/or mitigated. It addresses issues such as fuel compatibility, fuel stability, and fuel handling and storage, and contains a comprehensive review of existing operational factors that can affect safety.
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Abandoned Tamim Aldar crews have all left vessel after 34-month ordeal
After 34-months abandoned on board the UAE-flagged general cargo vessel Tamim Aldar, the entire crew has now been brought to shore. The ship was abandoned off Ras al Kaimah by owner Elite Way Marine Services with no fuel, food, potable water, or power available. Last week the remaining crew got into a lifeboat and attempted to seek refuge on shore, but were promptly returned to the vessel, which was subsequently towed into position approximately 13 km off the UAE until their rescue earlier this week. The four final crew members to leave the vessel are currently in Dubai, awaiting their unpaid wages. They are very unlikely to receive what they are owed in the full amount – the 39 other seafarers who have already been repatriated have received portions ranging from 40–75% of their wages.
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Norway Approves Funding for Floating Wind Farm
The Norwegian government has approved Enova, a government-run entity, for up to NOK 2.3 billion (US$256 million) in funding to develop the world’s first floating offshore wind farm to power offshore oil and gas installations in the northern North Sea. The offshore wind farm will consist of 11 floating wind turbines with a total capacity of 88 MW, enough to meet around 35% of the annual electricity needed of the five existing oil and gas platforms at the Gullfaks and Snorre fields. During periods of high winds, the percentage could even be much higher.
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Upcoming Events
VTF 4th Annual Nite at the RacesFrom: 2019-10-18 18:00:00At: Elements Casino at Fraser Downs Racetrack |
COS Vancouver Island Committee MeetingFrom: 2019-10-22 11:00:00At: Vancouver Island Conference Centre |
ICS Dry bulk and Commodities ConferenceFrom: 2019-11-14 08:30:00At: Vancouver Convention Centre West |
Ship of the Week
Aug. 23 – Mari Couva and Mari Kokako
Waterfront Shipping Company Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Methanex Corporation, and Marinvest/Skagerack Invest (Marinvest) have welcomed two new innovative, clean-burning vessels, M/T Mari Couva and M/T Mari Kokako, to the Waterfront Shipping fleet.
These 49,000 dwt vessels are built with the second generation of MAN B&W ME-LGIM two stroke dual-fuel engines that can run on both methanol and conventional marine fuels. The vessels join the seven existing methanol-fuelled vessels chartered by Waterfront Shipping that have received accolades from the marine industry for their use of methanol as an alternative fuel. These existing vessels have surpassed more than 50,000 operating hours running on methanol in compliance with IMO 2020 emissions regulations. The two new vessels – together with an additional two vessels that will be delivered to Waterfront Shipping by year-end – are also able to meet IMO Tier III emissions standards without the need for exhaust gas after treatment.
