COS Weekly Newsletter - Friday, 4 February 2022

COS Weekly Newsletter - Friday, 4 February 2022

‍COS Weekly Newsletter - Friday, 4 Feburary 2022


‍Local News

Robert Allan provides preview of Prince Rupert bunkering barges

Robert Allan Ltd. started construction of two new marine fuel barges at Damen Shipyards in Vietnam in late 2021. The two new barge designs will be the main marine assets in Wolverine Terminals’ new marine fuels service for the Port of Prince Rupert, commencing operations in 2023. The service will offer marine fuel of differing grades and types to commercial vessel traffic entering the Port of Prince Rupert. The two barges are unique designs specifically tailored for the site and intended operations. The 12,400 DWT, 142 metre x 30 metre rail/terminal barge design incorporates the loading and storage of multiple tank rail cars and in-hull storage of marine fuel, while the 4,800 DWT, 78 metre x 20 metre distribution barge is very similar in design to other marine fuel distribution barges operating in the Port of Vancouver. The design for both include double hull, cargo handling equipment, tank heating, spill prevention and recovery equipment, onboard and shore power availability at the operating facilities.

Oceana urges mandatory speed reductions in Cabot Strait

Oceana Canada has issued a report, Protecting Right Whales from Ship Strikes, that urges Transport Canada to mandate ships travelling in the Cabot Strait, between Newfoundland and Cape Breton – a key migratory route for right whales – to maintain a speed no higher than 10 knots to reduce the lethality for the whales when struck. According to Oceana Canada, research shows that mandatory, season-long speed restrictions to 10 knots or less could reduce the lethality of a collision by 86%. North Atlantic right whales are on the brink of extinction, with only around 330 left in the world and only 70 breeding-age females.

GCT announces leadership change

GCT Global Container Terminals Inc. (GCT) today announced that Doron Grosman, President and Chief Executive Officer, has tendered his resignation. The Board of Directors has accepted his resignation effective February 25, 2022. Since joining GCT in 2017, Mr. Grosman brought a strong focus to operational efficiencies and ESG across GCT, while increasing the effectiveness of GCT’s capital investment strategy & deployment. GCT business operations will not be affected by this change. To ensure a smooth transition, effective February 3, Eric Waltz and John Atkins assumed joint leadership of GCT, reporting directly to the GCT Board of Directors. GCT USA will continue to be led by John Atkins, and GCT Canada will continue to be led by Eric Waltz.

Port of Nanaimo issues notice of fee increases

The Nanaimo Port Authority is providing 60 days notice regarding an increase of 3% to wharfage, berthage and harbour dues effective April 1, 2022.  The amendments can be found in the Notice of 2022 Fee Document Changes.

‍Government 

Government of Canada to estabish Supply Chain Task Force

Following a National Supply Chain Summit hosted by the key members of Cabinet and joined by business and industry leaders and associations, the Ministers announced that over the coming weeks, this Summit will be followed by a series of regional and industry sessions to continue the dialogue.  The Summit was joined by business and industry leaders and associations to discuss the challenges facing Canada’s supply chain and to identify potential solutions to ensure that what Canadians need reaches their households as quickly as possible. To further advance this work, a new Supply Chain Task Force will be created. The Task Force will consult with industry experts to make recommendations regarding short and long-term actions pertaining to Canada’s supply chain. In addition, Transport Canada will make available an online portal for stakeholders and businesses to be able to provide opinions and suggestions.  Minister Alghabra also announced a new $50 million targeted call for proposals under the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) to immediately relieve supply chain congestion at Canadian ports, for example by increasing their storage capacity.

Changes proposed to shipborne dunnage program

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced in April 2021 that a new shipborne dunnage program would be implemented, as detailed in the risk management document RMD 20-02. The directive D-98-08 Entry requirements for wood packaging material into Canada has been revised to include the new shipborne dunnage program, as well as to reflect recent amendments made to the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15 Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade. The CFIA is seeking feedback on the revised directive from February 1st to April 1st 2022.  The Chamber will be convening a meeting with CFIA and stakeholders to review the program changes.

Measures to support safe cruise travel updated

Transport Canada has released an update to Ship Safety Bulletin 18/2021 to outline the latest measures implemented to support the resumption of safe cruise travel in Canada. As of November 1, 2021, cruise ships are permitted to operate in Canadian waters and operators must fully comply with public health requirements.  Requirements for a COVID-19 management plan include vaccination requirements for passengers and crew and a ship to shore checklist.

US 

Senate version of Ocean Shipping Reform Act introduced

Senators Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and John Thune, R-S.D., introduced the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (S. 3580) this week in response to the House version (H.R. 4996) passed by a wide bipartisan vote (364–60) in December. The Senate bill seeks to prohibit ocean carriers from unreasonably declining opportunities for US exports, promote transparency, authorize the Federal Maritime Commission to self-initiate investigations of ocean common carrier's business practices and apply appropriate enforcement measures, and shift the burden of proof regarding the reasonableness of detention or demurrage charges to the ocean carrier.

LA-LB short-haud truckers attempt to unionize

A unique union drive is underway at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The organizing effort involves about 250 short-haul truck drivers who move goods from the ports to nearby rail yards and warehouses. The drivers, who work for XPO Logistics, argue the company has long misclassified them as self-employed contractors to deny them better pay and benefits, which they say would come with employee status. Under federal law, only employees can unionize, not independent contractors. The drivers are hoping a union election will force a resolution on the question of employment classification. Officials with the Teamsters Union filed paperwork asking the federal National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold an election for the drivers on forming a union.

International

Green Shipping Corridor initiated between Shanghai and Los Angeles

The City of Shanghai, the City of Los Angeles, and their respective ports and C40 Cities have initiated the Green Shipping Corridor partnership. Participating partners include A.P. Moller – Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping Lines, Shanghai International Ports Group, the Aspen Institute’s Shipping Decarbonisation Initiative, facilitators of Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels and the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre – Asia. This partnership will work to decarbonize goods movement between the busiest ports in the United States and China and establish a “Green Shipping Corridor Implementation Plan” by the end of 2022.  Goals include the phasing in of low, ultra-low, and zero-carbon fuelled ships through the 2020s, development of best management practices to help reduce emissions and improve efficiency for all ships using this international trade corridor, and reducing supply chain emissions from port operations, improving air quality in the ports of Shanghai and Los Angeles and adjacent communities.

Events

‍

Feb 9 - Quarterly Pilotage Meeting @ 1000
Feb 10 - Vancouver Maritime Centre for Climate Round Table @ 0900
Feb 21 - BC Family Day - Office Closed
Feb 22 - ABCMI BC Ferries Opportunities Forum

Feb 23 - WMCC PACMAR/NANS Committee

Feb 25 - COS Liner Committee Meeting

Mar 3 - VMAA Board Meeting

Mar 8/9 - Regional Canadian Marine Advisory Council Meetings

 

Ship of the Week

‍M/V Nukumi departed on her maiden voyage on January 31, 2022, at 06:00, local time in China. The cutting-edge vessel with a deadweight of 26,000 metric tonnes will be the first diesel-electric laker and the first single point loader to operate in Canada.

 

Sailing from Jiangyin, China to Halifax, Canada, M/V Nukumi’s voyage is expected to take six weeks. The distinctive, purpose-designed vessel was created to service Windsor Salt’s need to deliver de-icing salt from its Mines Seleine salt mine on the Magdalen Islands to stockpiles in Montreal, Quebec City, and other destinations within the provinces of Quebec and Newfoundland. Windsor Salt’s consistent and timely delivery of de-icing salt helps keep roadways safe during the winter season across Eastern Canada.

 

Windsor Salt and CSL worked together to bring several innovations to enhance sustainability and reduce the environmental footprint of the new ship including:

  • Diesel-electric tier 3 engines and a unique hull design that will contribute to cutting CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency;
  • A ballast water treatment system that is expected to reduce the transfer of invasive species;
  • Quieter machinery that will reduce vessel noise to protect the area’s North Atlantic right whales and other marine mammals.
  • Compared to the previous vessel servicing the same salt routes, the new ship is expected to emit approximately 25% less greenhouse gas emissions and 80% fewer harmful air pollutants.

 

The new ship also features several innovations to enhance efficiency and safety including

  • A fixed, single point of loading system with a single hopper into which the salt is loaded, combined with a cargo handling system that eliminates the need for the vessel to shift during loading, which will improve the efficiency of cargo operations and the safety of ship and shore personnel.
  • A modern hull design and state-of-the-art propulsion system to enhance the maneuverability of the vessel and increase the safety of navigation in the shallow Magdalen Island channel.

‍‍info@shippingmatters.ca
www.shippingmatters.ca
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