Seventh Annual Shipping Industry Tripartite Meeting in Beijing
International trialogue between ship owners, shipbuilders and classification societies focuses on proactive steps to improve the design, construction and operability of ships to benefit the environment, the safety of ships and seafarers, and the quality of life at sea. Topics high on the agenda include practical measures to reduce Green House Gas emissions from shipping, Ship Recycling, Lifeboat safety and means of ensuring fit-for-purpose designs, equipment and manuals.
The seventh successive annual Tripartite Meeting, and eighth overall, took place 8-9 November 2008 in Beijing, China. The enduring aim of this series is to bring together senior representatives from the three main sectors involved in designing and building ships (ship owners, shipbuilders and classification societies) to discuss the issues and problems of the day, to propose proactive ways of moving forward and means to achieve new goals of excellence.
The shipbuilding sector was represented by senior executives from China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Europe. The ship owners were represented by the Chairmen and Chief Executives of all four members of the Round Table of international shipping associations (RTisa) and by the CEO of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF). The classification societies were represented by the Chairman and Permanent Secretary of IACS and by senior representatives of individual societies from Asia, Europe and the U.S.
Introducing the Tripartite discussions, critical features and challenges with regard to quality and safety were outlined by Oh Kong-gyun, Chairman of IACS; by Nicky Pappadakis, Chairman of INTERCARGO (on behalf of RTisa); and by ‘Dave’ Iwamoto, Chairman of CESS. Pappadakis spoke of the “mutual trust and spirit of cooperation which has transformed the Tripartite into a forum where our industry can openly and with confidence share professional experience.” “All three parties recognise the value of exchanging experience in the advancement of best practices through either or the shaping of appropriate legislation.”
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was the most demanding item on this year’s agenda. Spyros Polemis, Chairman of ICS and representing RTisa, emphasised that it is essential for the three parties to participate in these meetings and to continue to work together to improve the safety of global shipping and to protect the global environment. Discussions (which included a report on work carried out during the course of the previous year) focused on the potential for newbuilding regulations and in particular on the development of the formula for the Energy Efficiency Design Index, including verification procedures, and means of sharing information on the gains achievable from technological improvements and operational practices.
Lifeboat drills still occasion injuries and fatalities – something that the Tripartite also noted with deep concern. Although the IMO and the industry are working towards safe criteria for equipment design, the Tripartite agreed that the industry must urgently work together to find all of the possible solutions. It was identified that system design, system testing and approvals, documentation and standardisation of equipment are issues that demand immediate attention. The problem requires a new approach to the evacuation of people from casualty ships - an approach that looks beyond traditional solutions and draws experience from other industries.
Ship recycling was again discussed, and the Tripartite agreed to coordinate a joint effort for further development and preparation of a standard inventory of hazardous materials aiming at the submission of a joint paper to the Diplomatic Conference on Ship Recycling in May 2009. This will be coordinated by the ship owner associations. Equally importantly, the Tripartite will jointly work to conclude a standard model for the “Green Passport” for new ships.
Additionally the Tripartite agreed to consider the structure of the Ship Construction File, which is the information source for proper ship maintenance and repair work, and noted the need to apply appropriate safeguards for intellectual property rights.
At the Gala Dinner, hosted by the CANSI, CSNAME, CSA and CCS under the patronage of Li Kejun, President of CCS, Nicholas Fistes, Chairman of INTERTANKO, thanked the hosts on behalf of the guests, noting “the success of the meeting in providing a forum for the open exchange of information and best practices, for the discussion of current and emerging challenges, and for the establishment of a basis of trust that fosters a continuing networking among the three parties.”
• Environment and MARPOL.
This session, chaired by Spyros Polemis, looked at air emissions (GHG and also the practical consequences of MARPOL Annex VI), ship recycling (the draft new IMO Convention and its Inventory of Hazardous Materials), waste management (including the design and installations for efficient bilge water and hold wash water handling), ballast water management (the latest regulatory and technical developments) and finally developments in green ship design and technology.
The Shipping Industry presented a joint project “Ship Efficiency Management Plan – SEMP” and offered a discussion on historical development in ship efficiency. Finally, the Tripartite agreed to encourage all their members to assess the practical use the interim formula of the energy efficiency design index and to submit data to the IMO’s Intersessional Meeting on GHG reduction.
• Safety and SOLAS.
This session, chaired by Oh Kong-gyun, Chairman of IACS and representing Class Societies, covered IMO goal-based standards and looked at early experience with Common Structural Rules, including a Chinese shipbuilders’ perspective. The participants also discussed ship conversions - how SOLAS, MARPOL and Loadline requirements can be applied in a coherent manner. The meeting took note of the successful result of Tripartite joint activity on a Performance Standard for protective coatings of cargo tanks in crude oil carriers.
Oh reiterated the class societies’ commitment to the Tripartite forum; IACS will continue to provide unconditional technical support to the maritime community for the safety of ships and the protection of the marine environment, he said, adding that “the value of the Tripartite is not in listening but in contributing and it is our collective input that determines success of Tripartite.”
• General session.
This session, chaired by ‘Dave’ Iwamoto, undertook discussion on early warning systems, management resources in shipping/shipbuilding, emergency ship towing procedures, current problems in ship repair including the availability of facilities. The session also highlighted the need for more attention to be given to the importance of protecting the Intellectual Property Rights of builders, equipment suppliers and innovators at large, which should be balanced with the information needed for efficient maintenance and safety of ships as well as stimulate further improvements in the design, construction and operation of ships.
The standardisation and general quality improvement of operating manuals/databases was proposed by BIMCO President Philip Embiricos, who cited several examples to illustrate the risks involved with the inadequate content, formatting and presentation of such manuals. In this regard, the Tripartite supported the promotion of a greater use of the IACS Recommendation 71, Guide For The Development of Shipboard Technical Manuals, including its reference in shipbuilding contracts, as well as further review to help ensure its maximum effectiveness. Additionally, it was suggested that the Tripartite could develop an industry best practice reference guide.
With regard to availability of berths for trainees and improved accommodation standards, the Tripartite unanimously agreed that more such berths and higher standards should become a normal feature of all ship designs – these two matters were both considered fundamental in the quest to attract young people to a career at sea. Recruitment for the ship building industry was recognized to be an equally high priority and the Tripartite took note of the initiatives taken by Japanese Shipbuilders to attract the interest of the public at large.
Expressing the ship builders’ views, Iwamoto said that ‘these meetings have developed into a unique opportunity for the three parties to come together and discuss issues of common interest, moving forward on these issues with energy and open minds based on seeking value sharing among the stakeholders’.
• Abbreviations:
CANSI: China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry
CCS: China Classification Society
CESS: Committee for Expertise of Shipbuilding Specifics
CSA: China Shipowners’ Association
CSNAME: The Chinese Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
IACS: International Association of Classification Societies
ICS: International Chamber of Shipping
INTERCARGO: International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners
INTERTANKO: International Association of Independent Tanker Owners
OCIMF: Oil Companies International Marine Forum
RTisa: Round Table of international shipping associations (BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO)
Contact: Bill Box, Communications and Public Relations Manager, INTERTANKO
Phone: +44 20 7977 7023 / e-mail: [email protected]