Issue 761 September 25th, 2020 |
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SUBSCRIBE click here | UNSUBSCRIBE click here Editor: Sandra Speares | Email: contactus@themaritimeadvocate.com The Maritime Advocate is free to readers and is entirely supported by advertisers and sponsors. A banner advertisement represents excellent value so please consider using us whenever you have a commercial message to place. Email us at contactus@themaritimeadvocate.com for details. Apologies for the technical difficulties with this issue, hopefully normal service has been resumed. IN THIS ISSUE Notices & Miscellany Readersâ responses to our articles are very welcome and, where suitable, will be reproduced:
1.World Maritime Day As the industry celebrates World Maritime Day, Captain Rajesh Unni, chief executive of Synergy Group gives his take on the current position for seafarers. âThe IMO has devoted this yearâs World Maritime Day to sustainability but, again, we have been failing to speak to power beyond the maritime echo chamber. 2.Duckboat tragedy or seafarer manslaughter? On Friday September 4, 2020, Chief Magistrate Judge David Rush of the Western District of Missouri issued a report and recommendation that all federal charges against the master of the duck boat that sank on Table Rock Lake Missouri in 2018 be dropped for lack of admiralty jurisdiction. The duck boat tragedy on July 19, 2018 resulted in the deaths of 17 people who were onboard the Stretch Duck 7 when it sank during a storm. Kenneth McKee was the master of the vessel during the incident and was charged in a 47-count Second Superseding Indictment alleging violations of the Seamanâs Manslaughter statute and the gross negligent operation of a vessel. In addition, Charles Baltzell (the operations supervisor and manager) and Curtis Lanham (the general manager of Ride the Ducks Branson) were charged with the same conduct on an aiding and abetting theory of liability. In the case, the defendants moved to dismiss the indictment on numerous grounds, including lack of admiralty jurisdiction, as the alleged crimes occurred on Table Rock Lake which is not ânavigableâ as a matter of law under binding Eighth Circuit precedent, and therefore the federal court lacked subject matter jurisdiction. Magistrate Judge Rush issued a 21 page report and recommendation which carefully analysed the Courtâs exercise of subject matter jurisdiction in the case and concluded that the charges against the defendants should be dismissed. In a two-part analysis, the Court found that there was general criminal subject matter jurisdiction over the charges because they are offenses against the laws of the United States. However, that is not the end of the inquiry and in order to proceed with the case to a jury, the prescriptive reach of the statute (and by extension the Courtâs jurisdiction to hear the case) is defined by whether the Court has admiralty jurisdiction. For any questions about the decision or to learn more about the criminalization of admiralty matters in the United States, please contact info@chaloslaw.com. 3. Avoiding contractual disputes following Covid-19 â Jonathan Lux comments For businesses that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, the focus must now be on rebuilding and regaining lost ground as trade and services resume. However, because of the widespread effect of lockdowns in many countries, resumption of activities is likely to be affected by numerous problems. Some businesses, including the shipping, shipbuilding and international trade sectors, are already used to the contractual difficulties that arise where multiple organisations rely on supply chains between each other. When one fails, it can impact the whole project. Managers in these areas are used to dealing with legal problems, but pushing ahead with litigation in the current climate without first looking for alternative ways of solving problems risks spreading difficulties even more widely. Businesses which are flexible and who look for innovative solutions will be best placed for survival and will help the other businesses on whom they rely. Looking at the bigger picture, by finding novel solutions and agreeing on new terms, businesses will be able to press ahead with regaining their commercial viability instead of having to focus on litigation. Where organisations are unable to come to an agreement with each other, mediation is the key to moving forward. A skilled mediator will be able to help the parties understand each otherâs point of view and will work with them to find the best possible solution for all involved. A further benefit of avoiding litigation is the preservation of valuable business relationships. If disputing parties end up in court, they are almost certain never to do business together again. This can be damaging, particularly if they are in a niche area where there are few alternatives. Unlike litigation, an unwanted result is not imposed on the parties. Rather, it is an agreement reached between them and which they both find acceptable. Whilst compromise is inevitable, looking at the bigger picture, once the difficulties have been resolved, businesses may realise that it is in their best interests to resume a relationship, albeit on new terms. In May 2020, the government published guidance on responsible contractual behaviour in the light of Covid-19. The document asks organisations to act responsibly and fairly in the national interest when performing and enforcing contracts in order to protect jobs and the economy. In particular, it is noted that a plethora of disputes can be destructive to business and markets, saying â⌠the Government would strongly encourage parties to seek to resolve any emerging contractual issues responsibly â through negotiation, mediation or other alternative or fast-track dispute resolution â before these escalate into formal intractable disputes.â While the document is not legally binding, there is a possibility that courts will look unfavourably on those who do not act within the spirit of the guidance. The government says that the behaviour of businesses at this time should be considered as part of the national response to the emergency. They believe that in the long term, responsible and fair behaviour will protect businesses, supply chains and opportunities in the economy. There are organisations out there which offer mediation, early resolution and other alternatives to litigation. For example, at Lux Mediation, we offer a range of different dispute resolution services, designed to deal with all types and stages of disputes. We are experienced in and understand the subtleties of online mediation. Our mediators have extensive credentials and experience in areas including maritime, international, EU and general commercial and civil law. Jonathan Lux mediation@lux-mediation.com
4. New innovation programme The UK Hydrographic Office has launched its new ADMIRALTY Marine Innovation Programme, the organisation has announced. Spearheaded by the UKHO’s Research, Design and Innovation team, it will give innovators and start-ups a chance to develop new solutions that solve some of the worldâs most pressing challenges when it comes to our oceans. The launch of this programme follows extensive research commissioned by the UK Hydrographic Office into the Blue Economy, which is estimated to be worth ÂŁ3.2 trillion by the year 2030. Marine geospatial data will play an essential role in supporting this growth by enabling the identification of new areas for tidal and wind energy generation, supporting safe navigation for larger autonomous ships, playing a vital role in mitigating the effects of climate change and more. Successful innovation programme participants will develop their own solutions for these areas, using ADMIRALTY data sets that range from seabed composition samples and bathymetric profiles of the seafloor, to tidal and navigational information. Entrants to some challenges will also work alongside leading experts in research, design and development at the UKHO, with winners receiving an opportunity to launch their products into some of the world’s fastest growing marine sectors. Unlocking Autonomous Navigation â identify, trial and prove how navigational data can be used to support the safe navigation of Marine Autonomous Surface Ships. Each selected participant will have access to ADMIRALTY data and expertise, with winners receiving prizes worth ÂŁ175,000 and an opportunity to launch their product in a sector estimated to be worth ÂŁ111bn by 2030. Applications for this challenge will close on 7th October 2020.
5. IUMI major claims database During this yearâs annual International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) conference, initial findings from IUMIâs major claims database were made available for the first time. Dave Matcham, Chief Executive, International Underwriting Association; and project leader and secretary to IUMIâs Facts & Figures Committee explains: âWe began this initiative by establishing and proving the concept three years ago. Since then we have recruited 22 national insurance associations who are all IUMI members and together we have made a significant investment in gathering reliable and consistent data on both hull and cargo losses. This year â our third year of development â we have received 6,800 records of major (greater than US$250,000) losses totalling US$10.2 billion. Because cargo underwriting tends to be more evenly spread geographically than hull, we have more robust data for that insurance line and we are now ready to make public our initial major cargo claims conclusions.â Sufficient information dating back to 2013 has now been collected on a range of metrics and from this, five specific data fields have been identified where the data is reliable enough to be published. âThis is a unique database that is beginning to give a meaningful global insight into major cargo claims. Information of this breadth cannot be found elsewhere and it will allow underwriters to benchmark their own activity against global performance to better inform future decisionsâ, said Matcham. IUMI will publish the initial cargo analysis in its annual Stats Report later this year. Meantime, more information can be found from http://www.iumi.com 6. Suspension of Hong Kong/US tax treaty On August 19, 2020, the US Department of State notified Hong Kong authorities of the suspension or termination of the shipping tax treaty between the US and Hong Kong, Watson, Farley & Willams writes. This step was mandated by Executive Order 13936, issued by President Trump on July 14, 2020, which ordered the State Department to send Hong Kong notice of intent to terminate the Shipping Tax Treaty. Termination of the Shipping Tax Treaty will affect Hong Kong and US taxpayers engaged in shipping. 7. OCIMF overhaul to identify high risk issues The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), has announced that it has overhauled its committee structure in order to focus its resources on identifying and mitigating issues of highest-risk to its members and to the marine industry as determined by its re-energised strategy. While its scope of operations and remit remains the same, OCIMFâs strategy places a renewed emphasis on the way it identifies, analyses and assesses the issues that have the biggest impact on the safety of lives, the natural environment and property. Using a risks and barriers (or bowtie) methodology, a newly established risk advisory function within the OCIMF Secretariat is now responsible for identifying those risks that are most likely to impact on the activities of OCIMF members. Rob Drysdale, managing director of OCIMF, explains: âAs a voluntary organisation, we depend upon the expertise and input of our member companies and partners in order to develop our best practice publications and inspection programmes, and to advocate these and global regulation successfully to the marine industry. We need to optimise this input by working in a more effective and efficient way by focusing our efforts on the issues OCIMF is best placed to address. âBy restructuring our committees to focus on fewer, but higher risk activities, and implementing new ways of working which will enable us to respond with greater agility in producing relevant best practice publications, programmes or advocacy, we believe OCIMF can deliver greater value for our members and the industry as a whole.â 8. US Court â borrowed servant rule Dennis Bryant has brought to our attention an unpublished decision in the US Courts. The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that the right to compensation or benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workersâ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is the exclusive remedy to an employee who is injured by the negligence or wrong of any other person in the same employ and is applicable in borrowed servant situations. Skipper v A&M Dockside Repair, No. 20-30278, (5th Cir., September 16, 2020) http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/unpub/20/20-30278.0.pdf 9. Low sulphur transition â a Gard view Many predictions were made in the run up to the imposition of the MARPOL 2020 sulphur cap, none of which was that the transition to Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) would be smooth sailing. From Gardâs experience, the transition has been smoother than many predicted but not without challenges. 10. KR issues worldâs first cyber security class notation to HHI The Korean Register has presented Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) with the worldâs first Cyber Security (CS Ready) class notation for a very large liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier. The presentation took place at KRâs Headquarters in Busan on 18 September. This is the first time the KR cyber security notation has been awarded to a very large LPG carrier, the notation is issued to newbuilding ships that have successfully passed 49 inspection items in a total of 12 categories, including risk and asset management, cyber incident response and recovery. HHI and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering have built a cyber security network encompassing the main systems, conducting risk assessment and vulnerability diagnosis for cyber security threats and KR has carried out and completed cyber security inspections across the network. As part of the comprehensive technological testing, KR conducted its first MITRE ATT&CK based penetration test to verify the safety of the cyber security system. 11. DNV GL forecast to 2050 DNV GL has released the fourth edition of its Maritime Forecast to 2050 which aims to enhance the ability of shipping stakeholders, especially shipowners, to navigate the technological, regulatory and market uncertainties in the industry, and set shipping on a pathway to decarbonisation. It is based on a library of 30 scenarios which project future fleet composition, energy use, fuel mix, and CO2 emissions to 2050. Sixteen different fuel types and 10 fuel technology systems are modelled in the report. âThe grand challenge of our time is finding a pathway towards decarbonisation,â said Knut Ărbeck-Nilssen, chief executive of DNV GL â Maritime. âReducing GHG emissions is rapidly becoming the defining decision-making factor for the future of the shipping industry. The pressure to act decisively is mounting. Perfect is the enemy of good, and so we mustnât wait for an ideal solution to arrive and risk making no progress at all. Using a wide range of scenarios involving different fuel types and technologies, and varying degrees of regulatory pressure, our new report helps to map a way forward, offering shipowners clear insights on how to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.â The Maritime Forecast identifies the choice of fuel as the essential factor in decarbonizing shipping. The industry is at the beginning of a transition phase, with many potential options emerging alongside conventional fuels. This increasingly diverse fuel environment means that engine and fuel choice now represent potential risks that could lead to a stranded asset. Factoring in the impacts of availability, prices and policy, on different fuels, makes the choice even more complex. A surprising result from the model is the relative limited uptake of hydrogen as a ship fuel, as a result of both the estimated price of the fuel and the investment costs for the engine and fuel systems. Hydrogen, however, plays an integral role as a building block in the production of several carbon-neutral fuels such as e-ammonia, blue ammonia and e-methanol, all of which gain significant uptake under the decarbonization pathways. It may also find niche applications in some vessel types, such as ferries and cruise vessels, as well as in specific regions where investments have been made into local production and distribution. The Maritime Forecast to 2050 is part of a suite of Energy Transition Outlook (ETO) reports produced by DNV GL. The ETO has designed, expanded and refined a model of the worldâs energy system encompassing demand and supply of energy globally, and the use and exchange of energy between and within ten world regions. You can download the full Maritime Forecast to 2050 here. 12. Van Ameyde launch one brand and network Van Ameydeâs four marine companies have integrated their activities in one network of marine surveyors, consultants and claims handlers. Operating as one brand, the network provides its services to all the parties in the marine industry from offices in all the major ports, from Scandinavia, the Baltic States and Russia, via the Benelux and the United Kingdom to South Africa and the entire APAC region. Van Ameyde Marine, Van Ameyde McAuslands, Van Ameyde Krogius and Van Ameyde Seasia recently launched their new website ameydemarine.com, corporate identity and their brand-new âSurveyor Appâ. This app enables clients all over the world to appoint the right expert for the right job. Events and appointments Jens Martin Jensen takes on CEO role at Athenian Holdings Shipping industry name Jens Martin Jensen has taken up the post of chief executive at Kyriakou family-controlled tanker owner Athenian Holdings. Peril at Sea and Salvage: A Guide for Masters, Sixth Edition For further information please visit Witherbys. Please notify the Editor of your appointments, promotions, new office openings and other important happenings: contactus@themaritimeadvocate.com
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