According to the Washington Post, US intelligence officials have identified 15 cargo vessels around the world they believe to be available for use by Al Qaeda for transport of personnel, bombs, money or commodities, or actually owned by and generating profits for Al Qaeda.

These vessels are being tracked using satellites, surveillance planes and informants in ports around the world.

US intelligence has also set up large databases to track cargo, ships and seamen in a search for "anomalies" that could indicate terrorists on approaching ships.

The US government's attention to commercial shipping sharply increased after September 11 2001, with US Navy and Coast Guard intelligence now sorting through corporate papers of 120,000 ships and trying to ascertain ownership, the Washington Post says. It is also aiming to collate names of seafarers and their license numbers.

Data sharing agreements have been made with other countries' navies, port managers, shipping agents, crew manning supervisors and seafarers unions. "This industry is a shadowy underworld," a US government official is quoted as saying.

The US government recently caught an alleged mastermind of Al Qaeda's nautical strategy, who is now co-operating with US interrogators, according to the Washington Post. He has stated that he planned scuba attacks on US warships in Indonesia.

A shipping company called Nova, incorporated in Delaware and Romania with vessels flagged in the Pacific Island of Tonga, is under close suspicion. An investigation was launched with the help of Romanian intelligence.

In August last year, the captain of one of the vessels radioed maritime authorities in Italy that 15 men onboard, who the owner had forced him to take onboard in Morocco, were menacing the crew. US officials found thousands of dollars, false documents, maps of Italian cities and evidence tying them to Al Qaeda members in Europe.

OCIMF initiative.. ship operators rate themselves against OCIMF safety indices

http://www.ocimf.com

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) General Purposes Committee has embarked on a project to find a path through the different interpretations of the ISM code by shipping companies, and what constitutes "good practise."

The initiative is to design a self assessment system, whereby the shipping company tells the charterer what standard they believe themselves to be operating to, against performance indicators developed by OCIMF, referenced to a list of "best industry practises.

There should also be a step by step format for submitting the reports electronically.

Companies involved in the group include BP, ChevronTexaco, IMT, Shell, TotalFinaElf and Vela.

Stelios is CMA's 2003 Commodore

http://www.cmaconnect.com

Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of Stelmar Tankers, will be named "Commodore" at this year's Connecticut Maritime Association annual dinner in March.

"Mr. Haji-Ioannou has provided the international maritime community with enthusiastic leadership since he entered it. Mr. Haji-Ioannou and his family have long been involved in the shipping business and Stelios' brand of dynamic and visionary leadership epitomize the kind of forward thinking that deserves recognition," says the CMA.

Stelios most recently in the UK news defending his policy to put photographs on his website of customers of his easyCar UK car rental company, who have not returned the cars 15 days after they should have done. As a result of this shaming policy, the company currently has no rental cars outstanding.

Equasis users double in 12 months

http://www.equasis.org

Equasis, the free online database of port state control data for 66,000 vessels over 100 gross tons, reports that it currently has 6,687 active users in Nov 2002, double the number in Nov 2001, with a doubling of hit rate between January and November 2002.

The biggest users are charterers, insurers, brokers, shippers and banks. Countries using the system the most are the UK, US, Spain and France.

"The high numbers in November partly reflect the turmoil and heightened sense of anxiety resulting from the Prestige loss, though there was only a relatively small number of enquiries about the ship itself," comments Equasis.

Lloyds Register - Fairplay launches research department

http://www.lrfairplay.com

Lloyds Register-Fairplay has launched a new research department to provide market related consultancy services. It will undertake market analysis and forecasting in a wide range of maritime sectors, both on a consultancy basis and through regular subscriber services.

The department will be based in Gothenburg and managed by Christopher Pålsson, previously manager for strategic analysis and senior consultant at Gothenburg's Institute of Shipping Analysis, together with Niklas Bengtsson, previously project manager and analyst at MariTerm AB.

IUM and Eletson join MARCAS

http://www.marcas.org

Shipping companies IUM AS of Norway and Eletson Corporation of Piraeus, Greece, have joined maritime purchasing consortium Marcas.

This brings the total of committed vessels up to 400 vessels on some of the larger contracts, with total Marcas aggregated purchasing expected to exceed US$100 million in 2003.

ABS issues guide for ship security

http://www.eagle.org

Classification society ABS has issued a "guide for ship security", to help shipowners meet IMO shipping security standards under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS).

ABS now seeks accreditiation as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) by IMO.

Ship shore communications

New AIS installation timetable

http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=583&doc_id=2689

Following the IMO security conference, the timetable for fitting AIS (automatic identification systems) onboard vessels has changed. Passenger and tanker ships must have AIS installed not later than July 1 2003 (as per previous arrangement); all other ships of over 50,000 gross tonnage must have AIS installed by July 1 2004.

Vessels of between 300 and 50,000 gt must have AIS fitted by the first safety equipment survey after July 1 2004, or by 31 December 2004, whichever is earlier.

P&O Nedlloyd to use Xantic AMOS software on entire fleet

http://www.xantic.com

Maritime software and communications company Xantic has announced an agreement to provide its AMOS messaging service on all of P&O Nedlloyd container line's vessels.

P&O Nedlloyd was looking for a "more complete solution" to sending and receiving e-mail, Xantic says, and was looking for a proven e-mail product with the lowest operational costs. Other requirements were effective communication cost reporting, file transfer for third party ship management applications, a private mailbox for each seafarer and global support.

Xantic will provide software and e-mail, fax and data file communications packaged in the same deal. All communications will be routed through the AmosConnect managed hub, physically located within Xantic's Inmarsat land earth station in Burum, Netherlands.

The software was trialled over two months on P&O Nedlloyd Southampton and P&O Nedlloyd Kowloon and implemented on the whole fleet following this trial. "One of the primary reasons we chose to work with Xantic is the reduction in costs we will achieve with AmosConnect," commented Mr. Arno Brok from P&O Nedlloyd.

Transas and Satamatics tie up in Inmarsat D+ online ship tracking system

http://www.satamatics.co.uk

Transas Telematics has jointed up with Inmarsat D+ network provider Satamatics to offer an online ship tracking system.

Ships send regular position reports, which can be accessed over the web by customers. They can also request position reports from the ship. The ship tracking data can be displayed together with weather data, overlayed on Transas charts.

Tideland Signal AIS service agreement with Radio Holland

http://www.tidelandmaritime.com

Tideland Maritime Systems, a division of Tideland Signal, has signed a worldwide service agreement with Radio Holland Group.

Tideland Maritime Systems is a division of Tideland Signal specialising in AIS technology. Radio Holland will provide service and support to users of the AIS systems around the world.

USCG warns shipboard television antennas interfering with GPS

http://www.uscg.mil/d8/dpa/001-03.htm

The US Coast Guard has warned seafarers that "certain" marine television antennas can interfere with shipboard GPS systems, making data inaccurate or losing GPS signals altogether.

Antenna models identified as being possible problems include Tandy Electronics Models 5MS740, 5MS750, 5MS921, Radio Shack Corporation Model 15-1624 and Shakespeare Corporation SeaWatch Models 2040 (Code date 02A00), 2050 (Code date 03A00).

USCG suggests that if seafarers experience GPS signal outages or degradation, they should switch off power to the antenna and see if the GPS reading improves.

Restructuring at HITT

www.hitt.nl

Holland Institute of Traffic Technology (HITT), a manufacturer of air and vessel traffic systems, is undergoing a restructuring, which will include making changes to terms of employment to realise structural cost reductions.

It has also made moves to improve the company's risk profile by investing in businesses seen as more stable (including ICAN in Canada) than the current business, seen as highly volatile since it relies in winning big single contracts.

Kerry Pettit appointed Stratos head of sales maritime EMEA

http://www.stratosglobal.com

Kerry Pettit, previously head of maritime purchasing group MARCAS, is now appointed head of sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa with the maritime division of satellite communications company Stratos. He had previously been involved in the VSAT sales division of Stratos.

Mr Pettit comments that his objectives in his new position will be to increase business, and because the market is very tight this will probably involve trying to take business from Stratos' direct competitors, Xantic and Telenor.

Because margins are very tight prices cannot be reduced much further, so the competition will have to be based on quality.

"Our customers expect a much higher quality of service with fewer dropped calls than our competitors," he comments.

Mr Pettit promises to put his experience with MARCAS, and knowledge about how shipping companies make purchasing decisions, into good use at Stratos. "A lot more shipowners are looking for a better quality service," he says.

Wilh Wilhelmsen uses Log-Net software to manage logistics

http://www.ww-group.com

Shipping line Wilh. Wilhelmsen has decided to use LOG-NET software for logistics management, helping the company develop into a global transport and logistics company.

WW can more effectively offer total solutions to transport and manage goods all the way from producer to customer. In this value chain, our group will be both a maritime brand and a preferred business partner."

Software

RNLI saves GBP 80,000 with e-learning system

http://www.gossipmultimedia.com

The UK's Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has adopted an e-learning package for lifeboat crew members, teaching lifesaving skills including survival at sea, man overboard, effects of the cold, fire extinguishing, engine room fire and fire procedure.

Learning is made through interactive video simulations combined with audio, with understanding tested using multiple-choice questions. Clever tricks are used to make the content as engaging as possible, such as having a timer on the fire in the engine room scenario which shows the student how long they have to resolve the problem before burning to death.

RNLI claims that it will save GBP 80,000 in the first year of using the system over traditional teaching methods, which involve sending trainers to lifeboat stations around the UK and Republic of Ireland and sending crewmembers to RNLI headquarters for training days.

The tool is currently supplied on CD, but RNLI will consider supplying it over the internet once more lifeboat stations and homes have broadband internet access.

Drew Marine's safety data CD-ROM now in 17 languages

http://www.ashland.com

Marine supplier Drew Marine has released an updated version of its safety data sheet CD-ROM, now in 17 languages, English (US version), English (GB version), Danish, Dutch, French, Finnish, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish.

The CD-ROM has product data sheets and material safety data sheets for chemicals, welding and refrigeration products, fire safety and rescue products, coating products and sealing products. The data is presented in pdf format.

"Our objective is to allow free and easy access to important safety information in as many languages as possible, and in a PDF format universally accessible for viewing or printing," says Drew.

Golar LNG installs Ulysses Task Assistant

http://www.ulysses-systems.com

London shipping company Golar LNG, which owns and operates 6 LNG vessels, has decided to install the Ulysses Systems Task Assistant software suite for planned maintenance, purchasing, crewing, quality and safety management.

Golar installed the system following a review of its information management and safety procedures, which highlighted the need for an integrated ship and software application.

"We were looking for a system that would ensure maximum safety at sea and environmental protection whilst maintaining and improving operational efficiency - we considered Task Assistant to satisfy these requirements," says Graham Griffiths, General Manager Fleet, Golar LNG Ltd.

"Competent local support in the UK and no need for costly training programmes were also key factors in the decision-making process."

The Task Assistant software provides all information necessary to perform a specific task, ensuring that all tasks are completed safely and that the right information is instantly to hand.

450 orders through ShipyardXchange this year

http://www.shipyardxchange.com

Shipyard e-procurement portal ShipyardXchange reports that the system generated 450 orders during 2003, from 2000 requests for quotes. There are currently 16 shipyards and 250 suppliers actively using the system.

Several shipyards are also considering using in connection with their sales, enabling suppliers to specify how much certain items will cost before the shipyard has even won the business to build the ship.

Norwegian shipyard Langsten AS claims that using the system has helped it win business, through its improved sourcing. It has also driven the company to improve internal routines and led it to use different suppliers. Langsten is currently using the system for all relevant purchases.

BIMCO writes charter party clauses to help comply with US security regulations

http://www.bimco.dk

BIMCO has written standard clauses which can be included in voyage and time charter parties to help comply with US security requirements.

The first clause handles situations where charterers have signed the US Customs Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT) agreement, but owners have not. It enables owners to help charterers comply with their obligations under the agreement.

The other two clauses, one for voyage chartering and the other for time chartering, are to establish who covers liability for time lost and expenses occurred through US security requirements, such as costs of posting security guards onboard vessels at US ports and time lost obtaining entry and exit clearances.

Although shipowners normally pay for port related requirements, Bimco believes that these items are cargo related and so should be paid for by the charterer.

The clause stipulates that notice of readiness can be tendered even when the vessel has not been cleared by authorities, in an attempt to protect owners against arguments that the vessel is not legally ready although she is ready for all other purposes.

The time charter party clause simply proposes that all costs and expenses arising out of security measures will be for the charterers account.

Napa opens in China

http://www.napa.fi

Ship design software company Napa has opened a sales and support office in Shanghai, China. The company is aiming to expand in China, Japan and South Korea, due to the large amount of shipbuilding there.

Shipboard electronics

Automatic check of gas level on shipboard fire extinguishers by Link Instruments

http://www.linkinst.com

UK company Link Instruments has launched an ultrasonic tool for checking the level of liquid gas in shipboard fire extinguisher systems.

"Ships crew have been looking for a device to simplify the checking of extinguisher levels for many years," says the company.

C-MAP SENC format type approved by DNV

http://www.c-map.no

Electronic charts company C-MAP Norway is certified the first distributor to be able to distribute official electronic navigation charts (ENCs) in its own proprietary chart format, System ENC (SENC).

The certification was made by Det Norske Veritas, on the basis of processes and quality procedures followed by C-MAP. It covers charts in Norwegian and Swedish waters, obtained through ENC co-ordination centre Primar Stavanger.

C-MAP will convert the ENCs to its own CM93/3 format, and then distribute the charts together with its own non-official CM93/3 charts. This means that its existing customer base, which uses its non-official charts in CM93 format, can use the non-official and official charts together on the same system.

There are very strong commercial implications to this development. If C-MAP is distributing charts in a format which it owns, then the company can control how the charts are used and the size of its margin in the cost of the chart.

Canadian and Danish Navy purchase Offshore Systems electronic chart systems

http://www.osl.com

Electronic chart company Offshore Systems has announced orders totalling $850,000 from the Canadian and Royal Danish navies for its electronic charting systems.

Northrop Grumman supplies electronics for Brittany Ferries newbuild

http://www.northropgrumman.com

Sperry Marine, the marine electronics division of Northrop Grumman, has won a contract to supply bridge electronics for a luxury passenger / vehicle ferry being built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany for Brittany Ferries.

It will supply an integrated bridge system, electronic chart display and information system, gyro, speed logs, echo sounder, autopilot, radars with flat panel displays and a GMDSS, along with engineering, installation, commissioning, spares, technical support and crew training.

Autronica purchases Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems fire and safety monitoring division

www.autronicafire.com

Autronica Fire and Security has taken over the fire and safety division of Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems. The division has annual sales of GBP 7.4m and was acquired for just under GBP 5m.

The two companies previously had a very close relationship, with Kongsberg selling Autronica's AutroSafe fire alarm system alongside its own AutroMaster management system.

Leica MX-Marine appoints sales and marketing manager

http://www.mx-marine.com

MX-Marine, the renamed maritime electronics division of Leica, has appointed Erling Mogensen as sales and marketing manager, based in Denmark. He was previously involved in sales and marketing and product support for Raytheon, Furuno and KVH.

"Guide to Electronic charts" published in Netherlands

http://www.gitc.nl/bookstr.htm

Netherlands publishing house Geomatics Information and Trading Centre (GITC) has published a print Guide To Electronic Charts, priced at Euros 55.

Authors include Horst Hecht, director of nautical hydrography at BSH; Bernhard Berking, professor of navigation at ISSUS; Gert Büttgenbach, director of SevenCs, Mathias Jonas, responsible for type approval of navigation systems at BSH, and Lee Alexander, professor of electronic charting at the US University of Ner Hampshire.

Topics covered include chart databases, updating, data availability, ECDIS voyage planning, integration with GPS, radar, AIS, liability, legal and economic aspects.

Container shipping

Sun, EXE, Manugistics and Intermec join Smart and Secure Tradelanes Initiative

http://www.savi.com

Sun, EXE, Manugistics and Intermec, four providers of hardware and software security technologies, have joined the US container Smart and Secure Tradelanes Initiative.

Already over 100 "smart and secure" shipping containers have been shipped between Asia and the US, monitored end to end in real time using the US Department of Defence's Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) network. The containers were equipped with RFID electronic bolt seals.

EXE and Manugistics develop supply chain software; Intermec develops data collection and automatic identification systems; and SUN develops the software platform and servers.

LOG-NET forms educational group on automated US customs filing

http://www.log-net.com

US shipping line software company LOG-NET has formed an organisation called SHIELD (Shippers for International Electronic Logistics Data), with the purpose of educating shippers about how to supply automated data to US Customs and promoting best practises.

The first meeting was held in Red Bank, New Jersey, on Dec 4 2002 with attendees including Logistics Transportation Distribution, Danzas AEI, P&O Nedlloyd, Polo Ralph Lauren, MOL Lines, Avon Products, FMI International, Kesco Shipping, The Children's Place, Yang Ming Lines, Exel Logistics, Jones Apparel Group, Nine West and NYK Lines.

Descartes develops automated customs manifest service

http://www.descartes.com

Maritime supply chain software company Descartes is developing an automated manifest service, which enables shippers to submit ocean manifests under the US Customs Service Container Security Initiative requiring manifests to be submitted 24 hours before the vessel leaves the port.

The software is being developed and tested with US Customs Service. There are various different software options:

i) software to help submit the cargo manifest in CAMIR or ANSI X12 formats

ii) a translation service enabling manifests to be converted to different formats

iii) a web form system for companies to type in manifest data and submit it

Pricing is based on set up charges, a fee for message transmission and a usage-based fee.

PSA Logistics launches smart container software

http://www.psalogistics.com

PSA Logistics, a subsidiary of Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) Corporation, has launched an online suite of container software, as part of the Smart and Secure Tradelanes initiative.

The software can be used to monitor the location of containers tracked using the scheme.

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