Cons.A.R. - Italian Shipowner's Research Consortium

NEWSLETTER - September 2008 ITA

NEWSLETTER - May 2008 ITA
NEWSLETTER - May 2008 ENG

NEWSLETTER - March 2008 ITA
NEWSLETTER - March 2008 ENG

NEWSLETTER - December 2007 ITA
NEWSLETTER - December 2007 ENG

Clipper Marine Services of Copenhagen, Denmark, has agreed a deal with KVH to install the TracPhone V7 mini-VSAT system aboard its fleet.
Over the coming months, 22 Clipper Tankers' vessels will be equipped with KVH's 60 cm antenna, to carry multiple voice service lines, broadband internet, e-mail, and data access.
"Prior to installing the TracPhone V7, we were using an F77 antenna and the Inmarsat Fleet service", says Michael Mark, vessel IT manager for Clipper Group.
"We chose to switch to mini-VSAT Broadband because it is a more affordable solution and also offers us more advantage for support and crew retention".
Clipper will continue to use inmarsat services in conjunction with the mini-VSAT, with use of the different systems to be managed by the Dualog software package.
Clipper's field installation programme for its office-based vessel IT employees was provided by Polaris Electronics, KVH's Danish distributor, after which the Clipper employees created their own installation guides, which the crew onboard will use to perform TracPhone V7 hardware instalaltions going forward.
The on-shore IT team will then follow each installation remotely, installing the Dualog software once the system is online.
"We are excited to field the mini-VSAT Broadband service on Clipper Tankers following an extensive and successful field testing programme. These vessels travel among ports worldwide, carrying a wide range of materials, and require dependable, affordable satellite communications in order to function at their best", said Svend Lykke Larsen, managing director of KVH Europe.
"The TracPhone V7 and mini-VSAT Broadband provide these services at such an affordable cost that Clipper is now able to use communications as a crew retention tool, a critical benefit in an increasingly competitive industry"
" Thanks to their choice to deploy Dualog software to integrate the mini-VSAT Broadband srevice with existing onboard systems, Clipper's satellite communications solution is not only more affordable than other options, it's more convenient and efficient as well."

Council of Foreign Affairs of 27 EU countries agreed to the Directive which improves the current regulations on pollution from ships and introduces even criminal sanctions, for discharges of harmful products into the sea.
Member States have a year to adjust to the new rules, which seek to enhance maritime security and enhance protection of the marine environment by large polluters such as ships. Under the new rules in fact, illegal dumping, however small, are considered crimes when committed intentionally, because of imprudence or gross negligence.
Persons responsible for this type of discharges at sea are therefore subject to sanctions, including criminal sanctions. And similar responsibilities are pursued in the case of legal persons.

Shippingonline

During the Italo-Spanish summit, held in La Maddalena, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Altero Matteoli, and his Spanish counterpart, Jose Blanco Lopez, signed an agreement to implement the Motorways of the Sea between the two countries. The agreement, according to a note, provides, inter alia, the establishment of a joint committee which will be tasked to select the various proposals for ferry services between Italy and Spain, through appropriate international competitions. It will also prepare a program to determine the funding arrangements of the links. The target by the two ministers is to ensure the transfer from land to sea transport of approximately 400,000 Tir in the next biennium.
Maritime routes covered are: Civitavecchia-Barcelona; Civitavecchia-Tarragona; Genoa-Algeciras; Genoa-Barcelona; Livorno-Barcelona; Livorno-Tarragona; Livorno-Valencia; Palermo-Valencia; Salerno-Tarragona; Salerno-Valencia; Marina di Carrara - Castellon de la Plana.
"This is a very good agreement - said Matteoli - which foreshadows the possibility of increasing the traffic of goods between Italy and Spain, while protecting the environment by cutting emissions of C02.

MF-DJ

Today, 30th July 2009, the new EU FP7 call concerning Transport (including Aeronautics) has been opened. The available budget for the call is € 93.790.000.
The program cover the following principal activities:
- Greening of surface transport;
- Sustainable urban mobility;
- Improvement of safety;
- Strengthening of competitiveness.

The call contains some aspects which are referred, in particular, to the maritime transport sector. The main themes the next call focuses on are the following:
- Greening of transport, products and operations;
- Abatement of air emissions form shipping;
- Energy efficiency of ships;
- Inter-modal exchange;
- Enhancement of the safety in transport sector;
- Optimization of management and sources.

The deadline for the submission of the proposals is expected for the next 14th January 2010.

The next 7th September, from 9.00 to 17.00, in Rome at the Confitarma premises the "Cons.A.R. Maritime Research Day " will be held: the meeting is an opportunity given to the members and non-members of the Consortium to receive updates regarding the hottest issues concerning the shipping sector and also an opportunity to assess the topics of greatest interest to outline future strategies and research proposals within the next call of the European Community.
The meeting will include a morning session open to all in which we will discuss the following topics:
- Analysis of regulatory developments which impact on international shipping;
- Update on innovative and advanced solutions for the optimization of ship management: there will be highlighted in particular the achievements of the ongoing research projects involving Cons.A.R.;
- Cons.A.R. and training;
- General presentation of the next research call belonging to the European FP7 which will be published at the end of July.
The afternoon will instead open a second session exclusive for the members of the Consortium which will cover the following topics:
- Detailed analysis of the themes of the next call for European research: an overview on the shipping-related topics of greatest interest and, in particular, the adjustment to future regulations, the environmental problem, the efficiency optimization, intermodal coordination;
- Analysis of the priorities on the part of associates, creating interest groups for specific issues, outline of project proposals, assessment of the arrangements for participation of the members.

For more information and details please contact: consar@consar.net

The third edition of the "48 Ore del Mare", arranged by Confitarma (Italian Shipowner Association), will be held at Palazzo Colonna in Rome next 1-2 July 2009.
As usual, the event has the aim to stress the contribution of the shipping in the Italian economy. Therefore, in the presentations that will be discussed, several issues relevant to the shipping industry will be treated, as an overview above the relationship between the shipping and the environment and deepening about energy and innovation issues.
The program of the event can be downloaded directly from the Confitarma web site.

Recovery signals in Naples in the container sector: the volumes of traffic should no longer descrease as in the preceding months. But the crisis reaches where it was less expected. And to waver, now is the passengers business. Red alarm for the cruise sector: the Internet site of the Port Authority shows that "in the first quarter of 2009, the Parthenopean call totaled 42,378 passengers with a decrease of 21.7% compared to 47,631 the same period last year ".
Numbers that merciless sweep away the last illusions about the keeping of the cruise traffic, the holiday sector so far considered immune from the crisis. And the "fairy tale novels" about the keeping of the holiday on the sea industry, receives its final blow with the confirmation that comes from Naples Terminal, the company that operates the cruise traffic at the Maritime Station, if we consider the number of touch-ships - the company notes - the loss percentage is 23.50%. Of the 680 units planned for 2009, it will arrive, in fact, only 520. Thus, the Parthenopean stop that, last year, has exceeded one million and 200 thousand passengers, in all probability, will come under one million in 2009. And for 2010 the previsions are not better. The so consistent and, in some ways, unexpected fall should be, however, interpreted.
While, for example, Costa Cruises and Msc continue to keep filling their vessels through the super attractive prices charged and if the European market continues to grow on the consideration that an eight-day cruise is the most complete and cheap holiday, the music changes if compared to the American cruise companies and customers. "It's just the overseas market that has failed - Naples Terminal explains -. Embarking in Europe for a cruise trip involves air journey that affects a lot of money. So Carnival has cancelled 25 calls for about 50 thousand passengers. But 35 touches were also removed from the ship Athena (ex Italy Prima) for more than twenty thousand passengers while further defections came from the Spanish Iberocruseros ".
Erik Klingenberg, Neapolitan agent in the first row in the cruise sector, says: "I would not say that I had expected, but how could you think that in a very difficult economic time, cruising could stand? Certainly, in the general decay, have survived better, but inevitably fall too - Klingenberg continues -. The American market has suffered because, although the cruise will cost less, it is difficult to combine the airline ticket. There must also be said - Klingenberg concludes - that everyone hoped a resumption of market in mid-2009 but there wasn't that. The ships arrive, but fewer and with fewer passengers that, moreover, pay less than in previous years. And the forecast, unfortunately, do not even hope for 2010 ".
The programming is done with a year or two in advance and where, in 2008, this was done when the signals of the crisis were not so obvious, this year the crisis exists so that companies will be very cautious. "The cruise - Klingenberg concludes - is not a travel that you can remove or add at the last minute. For the resumption of cruise market, we will have to wait 2011".
Shippingonline

The next June 15 at the Palazzo San Giorgio in Genoa, a meeting on "Policy, research and innovation towards new goals, horizons and opportunities" organized by the Maritime Association for Research and Innovation will be held. The initiative calls for the promotion of research and innovation in support of activities involving industry, universities, research centres, other organizations, public institutions and companies belonging to spearhead areas at the strategic sectors such as transport, energy and the environment.
Moreover, the appointment focuses to the transport logistics and the development of logistics platforms on which performance is the growth of port traffics and consequently the economic development of surrounding areas. The meeting will be attended, among other actors, by a representative of the Cabinet of European Commissioner for Transport, Antonio Tajani, the mayor of Genoa, Marta Vincenzi, the chairman of the Port of Genoa, Luigi Merlo.
There will be presentations by representatives of businesses, research and institutions sectors, including representatives of Confindustria, the Port Authority of Levante, Grandi Navi Veloci, Selex, CETENA, Bocconi University and European Intermodal Association.
Corrieredeitrasporti.it

In its ruling of 25 September 2008 the European Court of Justice ruled that Italy had failed to properly implement the European Directive 2000/59/EC of 27.11.2000. The purpose of the Directive is to reduce discharges at sea of wastes from ships and cargo residues from ships using EU ports.

At present (May 2009) many Italian ports do not have a plan for the collection and management of waste from ships.

One of the main provisions of the Directive covers the preparation, approval and implementation of plans for the collection and management of waste generated by ships in each port.

REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS
The Directive imposes the obligation of notification from the ship. For this reason, CONS.A.R. prepared the Garbage/Waste Notification Forms meeting the requirements of legislation, intended to ships approaching the EU ports.

For further information and to order the Forms


PORT PLANS FOR RAISING AND MANAGEMENT
In order to be prepared for the adjustment of the Directive, CONS.AR has prepared a study for the preparation of plans port required by the Directive, in light of potential supply of services to the Authorities prepared for the fulfilment.

Please note the availability of CONS.AR to provide this service to the Authority if it intends to rapidly deploy.

Stress and fatigue on ships are among the major causes of accidents at sea, which in recent years have tended to increase. From studies about fatigue onboard the vessels was found, among other things, that the current rules, both national and international, for the safety of crews, are not sufficient, or at least, according to the IMO (International Maritime Organization), which deals with the safety on ships, are not applied as necessary.
The fatigue of the crews, as well as being a potential hazard to maritime and hence passengers, is also often the cause of pollution due directly from these accidents. As long as the employee will be considered a simple piece of the system, stress and fatigue will remain as a sword of Damocles constantly hanging over the head of the crews and passengers and on the coasts which will continue to be defaced by these incidents. The policy of reducing the crew adopted for years by owners all around the world, coupled to acceleration of trade, has led to a continuous stress on crews, which in the end, together with fatigue, went to affect up to become one of the first causes of maritime accidents.
And that is why today the seafarers constantly push towards a radical solution to this problem. Unfortunately, the law of the market did not allow until now, the application of rules to help stopping this situation. Lately, with regard to the armament of ships, mariners of SdM have again urged the Government to seriously consider their proposal of a proper variation of the crew lists (tables showing the minimum number of staff to a ship should have). In Italy since 1999 there is a law, 271/99, issued to reduce working time on board ships, where the article 11, concerning these working hours, was amended by Legislative Decree 108 of 2005 and which has not yet seen the full implementation.
The structure of the maritime work makes it impossible to separate the hours worked by the number of crew members of ships: the lack of one of these leads as a result an increase of work and therefore of stress and fatigue on the whole or a part of the remaining staff.
Agoravox.it

Police officers of the coastal countries on board naval vessels in the Gulf of Aden to combat piracy and processes in countries that carry out the arrest of pirates. This is the proposal made by the United Nations during the G8 summit Internal Affairs-Justice in Rome. A proposal that match that advanced by Italy.
Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the Unodc (United nations office on drugs and crime), said: "We recommend to bring on board military vehicles operating in the Indian Ocean police officers of coastal countries, not of Somalia because it is unable to do so, but of Kenya, Djibouti, Eritrea, Tanzania, Yemen and so on, so that, arrested under the jurisdiction of these countries, the pirates can then be immediately brought to the ground and processed through the local law. " That, for the top UN official, "the criterion is more logical that we are sponsoring as United Nations." Costa added that this must be "accompanied by a strengthening of the judicial systems of those countries."
The ONU idea then match with the Italian one. "The Italian proposal is focused on this and other issues - said Costa - and we believe it is important." Other countries, however, Costa continued, "have emphasized the usefulness of a strong patrol, but of course the debate is ongoing." Costa explained that during the Summit of Ministers of Justice and the Internal Affairs of the G8 countries they are discussing, with regard to the theme of piracy, also about "the possible placement of police officers on board commercial vessels." It is a debate, he added, recalling the Eighties and Nineties debates about the placing on board vehicles of police, although now the debate has moved on the sea.
"There are differing opinions -he said - and I realize that even the private sector especially the shipping companies, is not necessarily favourable." One of the problems which are more difficult, about the struggle with the international piracy, it seems, therefore, to be that on the legal framework in which to arrest and possible processes of pirates. Costa has already explained that in the last two months there have been, "arrests of pirates then landed overboard because no one knew how to handle them, this happened in October last year and also a couple of weeks ago." Some people, he said, has exported those arrested through costly air transport operations.

The cruise industry in Europe continues to grow: in 2008 it led to a direct expenditure of 14.2 billion euros (+10%) of which 4.3 billion in Italy (+9%). The figure was published yesterday by the European Cruise Council (ECC), during the second day of the "Maritime Day" in Rome. The growth has been primarily sustained by passengers who embarked in the ports of Europe, which last year were 4.7 million (+10%). The leadership was once again the Italian ports, with 1.7 million passengers boarding. In total, the cruise passengers in transit in Europe were 21.7 million (+14%): the destination was Italy, with a market share of 23%, followed by Greece (20%).

And certainly if 2008 was a year remarkable for the cruise industry, making predictions for 2009 is almost impossible. "We can have, perhaps, in July an accurate idea", the Managing director of the Msc Crociere, Pier Francesco Vago, said. "With the start of the crisis the habits of consumers have changed. This year those who choose to spend a vacation on a cruise does or several months in advance, or a few days before the departure. Over the years this phenomenon was virtually unknown. The consequence is that today, at the end of May, we can not say how many people are on board our ships in the summer months". The feeling is that the customer has not betrayed the expectations of the companies. "A Cruise is always convenient", stressed Vago. "Going on a ship is sure to spend a reasonable sum of money without nasty surprises. And you have the opportunity to visit different places without moving from your room. These aspects, in times of crisis, are carefully assessed by tourists".

The problems, however, remain. Infrastructure and culture of a land, for example, which are not always up to the quality of the cruise-product. But we are witnessing a change in philosophy. Gianni Onorato, CEO of Costa Cruises, has cited the examples of Savona, where local police officers have attended courses to improve the relationship with the cruisers and understand their needs and Ancona, where "through an initiative of Chamber of Commerce tourists who board a ship can stay one night free in the city". Costa Cruises is confirmed, moreover, one of the most active in the sector: in 2008, the historic Genoese company, which now belongs to the group

Motorways of the sea should be relaunched at the European level through the establishment of common rules, routes and synergies. This is the wish expressed by the Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Altero Matteoli, on the sidelines of the Second European Day of the Sea.
"As Italian government - said the minister - we are pushing very much for this project. Where they are, the MoS work very well. In all bilateral meetings that I had, I talked about this issue and in this frame can be pushed further. I spoke with President Barroso agreeing that it is an issue that is dear not only to Italy but also to Europe. In the EU Council of Ministers the question was addressed because Europe must play its role. "
Until now, the minister continued, "every country has worked on his own or together with another. Now instead an integrated policy is needed, a concerted effort cooperate even with other countries of the Mediterranean and North Africa. Motorways of the sea - he added - create jobs, safeguard the environment and relieve congestion on the roads. "
During his speech, the Minister stressed that the European Maritime Day "may be the time to extend the reflection on the future of the Mediterranean and integration processes that involve other areas outside the current borders of the EU, making the office of development of the Mediterranean and, most importantly, the experiences of countries that, in recent years, have recorded high growth rates of gross domestic product, higher than those that have occurred in European countries".
According to the minister, "the sea, played in a system, is the grid on which to draw in practice, all the processes of liberalization and harmonization. It is the grid on which the theory will be measured in the most severe substance".

The second edition of the "Maritime Day" is taking place since yesterday in Rome, at Palazzo Spada. In addition to the main conference in Rome, about forty events are scheduled in other EU Member States: workshops, "open days" in ports and initiatives for environmental protection.
The European Commission, in cooperation with the Italian Government, arranged a meeting that brings together interested parties in order to investigate issues such as the promotion of synergies between countries and resolve potential conflicts between sectors related to marine policies: local governments , representatives of the business sector, policy makers and journalists from across the EU, who will discuss about policies and practices, such as integrated maritime governance, emerging technologies, maritime spatial planning, energy production, surveillance systems of the seas, the reform of the common fisheries policy, sustainable coastal tourism and more.
There is expected the participation of the Italian Council President Silvio Berlusconi, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Altero Matteoli, Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini, together with representatives of the Czech presidency of the European Union, the president of Ce Barroso and Vice-Chairman of Parliament Rodi Kratsa-European Tsagaropoulou. The European Commission will be represented by the European Commissioner responsible for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Joe Borg, the vice-president responsible for businesses and industry, Günter Verheugen and the Vice-President responsible for Transport, Antonio Tajani.
The industrial and maritime sectors at the moment is central to economic policy that aims to deal with growth and sustainable employment.

In the Statistics section of our web-site you can find the updated statistics about the world fleet and casualties issued by IUMI (International Union of Marine Insurance). Data used are drawn from Lloyd's Maritime Intelligence Unit, Lloyds' List and Clarkson.
Data contained in the statistics are updated to the 31st December 2008.

We inform you that new information about the national and european researches where Cons.A.R. is involved in are now available here

A progress meeting for the ECOMOS project was held at CNR offices in Genoa. The project is aimed to the definition of an integrated system for the abatement of the pollutant gaseous emissions of ships, in particular for ships operating in the Motorways of the Sea sector.
The meeting is the completion of the first phase of the work which was focused on the definition of the state of art in regards with the existing plants onboard ships of the reference category, the specification of the main characteristics of pollutant emissions and the environmental regulatory aspects.
In particular, in the first six months two considerable results were achieved:
- a survey conducted within the MoS ship-owner's circuit allowed the realization of a statistic study about the main characteristics of ships of the considered category: operative profiles, types of fuels used, technical characteristics of plants installed onboard.
- a study about the physical-chemical characteristics of the pollutants produced in the marine motors combustion, the main formation mechanism and the effects on the health and environment.
Partners who attended the meeting were the following: Cons.A.R.; CNR with its ISSIA and ISMAR departments; University of Genoa with DIMSET and DIME departments; CETENA and University of Trieste (INCA).

The kick-off meeting for the EU funded Flagship B3 sub-project "Nautical Operation & Bridge Decision Support" was held in Hamburg at SAM Electronics Gmbh offices.
The main scope of the sub-project is to conceive possible technological instruments which could bring a substantial aid to the navigation, through the merging and the implementation of some instruments (Radar, ECDIS, AIS, etc.) used actually onboard ships.
the aim is to give to the officers on the watch some devices which could give more precise information in an integrated way with a sight to navigational security aspects.
The attendants to the meeting were the representatives of the partners involved in the sub-project: Cons.A.R.; SAM Electronics; Kongsberg Maritime AS; BMT and Minoan

A wide original survey, conducted among an extended sample of European seafarers, focus on the current item of the introduction of new technologies on board of ships, on the importance, criticality and opportunities that this topic has in various aspects of the modern maritime transport: safety, efficiency, training, shortage of crew. The work had been performed by Cons.A.R. (coordinator) together with main European experts.

The work, completed in March 2008, was performed in reference to the Flagship project. You can download the summary of the analysis report. For deeper and further information, you can contact us at the e-mail address consar@consar.net .

Statistical report about the maritime casualties during the years 1999-2003.
Based on official IMO data, Cons.A.R. has elaborated a statistical analysis of the casualties (serious and very serious) occurred in the reference period.

The analysis, shown in graphical format, concern about:
• Casualties occurred to each type of ship during each year of the reference period
• Casualties occurred in the whole reference period for all ship types
• Main casualties for each ship type for the whole period.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

The results contained in the following report were obtained by analysing the Flagship's questionnaires received from the whole sample of Italian seafarers who participated to the study.

In order to make the consultation easier, in the report there are graphics explaining the results obtained using one of the following:
- Average sample;
- Percentage.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

On October 4th, 2007 the Directorial Decree n.1279/Ric. of General Direction for the Coordination and Development of Research (Department for the University, High Artistical and Musical Formation, and for Scientific and Technological Research) has been approved. The above-mentioned decree will fund 3 Basical Research Projects linked with the strategical programmes of PNR.
Ecomos is included among the three approved projects.
ECOMOS - Ecological Compatibility of ships trading the Motorways Of the Sea (RBIP06CEM4)
Participants: CNR, Cetena (Centro per gli studi di Tecnica Navale SpA), Cons.A.R, UNI Genova, Cons.Interuniversitario Nazionale "La chimica per l'ambiente"

The results in the report below were obtained from an analysis of responses to the Flagship questionnaire provided by a sample of 12 ship masters of a primary Italian Ship Company.
To make the consultation easier, it was decided to use the explanatory graphs showing the results by the use of the two methods:

• Average value;
• Percentage value.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

Deadline for submission of proposals: 7th May 2008
Indicative topics include, but are not limited to:

* New ship propulsion systems.
* Green corridors.
* Environment-friendly and efficient industrial processes.
* Preventative and emergency interventions to protect marine, coastal and land environments. ·
* Efficient interfaces between transport modes.
* Improved services in terminals.
* Continental shipping.
* New mobility concepts for passengers ensuring accessibility for all. ·
* The competitive ship.
* Integration of marine and maritime sciences in waterborne transport in support of the European Research Area.

DOWNLOAD THE CALL

A forum has been created in our website to discuss about the following topics:
- Management matters;
- Staff training matters;
- Lacks & Priorities;
- Signalling of Problems, Ideas & Solutions;
- Research Proposals;
- Environmental & Pollution prevention topics.

JOIN OUR FORUM

THE SURVEY AND THE QUESTIONNAIRE
The technology is increasing on board of ships. To improve safety, reduce costs and maximize the efficiency, technology has been introduced in all areas of seamen life. The study is designed to evaluate in detail the level of technological knowledge of seafarers and their resistance to the introduction of innovative forms of I.C.T. in the work processes.
The study consists of a survey conducted on a sample of about 3000 people responding to various parameters (ship type, company size, type of travel, role on board, etc.).


The questionnaire concerns about the following areas:
• General literacy and resistance to the introduction of new technologies;
• Views regarding some on board technologies;
• Personal and ship's information;
• Perception of technological level on board and personal training;
• Internet and e-mail utilization.

SURVEY RESULTS
The results in the report below were obtained from an analysis of responses to the Flagship questionnaire provided by a sample of 12 ship masters of a primary Italian Ship Company.
To make the consultation easier, it was decided to use the explanatory graphs showing the results by the use of the two methods:

• Average value;
• Percentage value.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT