Where’s the response to Nickel Ore casualties?
For many years, cargo experts, underwriters, trade associations and the IMO have warned of the dangers posed by certain mineral cargoes. In little more than a month, three bulk carriers and their crews have been lost. Continue reading
Thank You USCG
At the start of this month and much to my pleasant surprise, I received a wonderful honour from the United States Coast Guard in the form of the Distinguished Public Service Award. Continue reading
Mr Sadler’s modest proposal
Shipping, in its fragmented aspects, often resembles certain districts in the western Balkans.
So the news that our friend Richard Sadler, chief executive of Lloyd’s Register, has proposed a coalition of major shipping organisations is balm for the persistent frustration that many of us feel, when we blame everyone else for not getting things fixed.
I fully support his idea.
Since my endorsement of any new idea has, I hear, been considered by some persons to be tantamount to the seal of doom, let’s examine Richard’s suggestion while there’s still time.
Richard would like to see a coalition of interests emerge, that will among other things define shipping’s role in international commerce.
I believe that he is right. While one must surely respect the separate status of the various national… Continue reading
LIVE FROM POSIDONIA: A class birthday party
On Friday night, to mark its 250th anniversary, Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, whichjustifiably calls itself “the world’s first classification society”, threw a gala evening fiesta at Athens’ Astir Palace hotel, and invited the great and the good of the Greek shipocracy, led by the indispensible Capt. Tsakos, as well as government. officials still willing to appear at such events within the eurozone, to join the shoreside celebration. Continue reading
Risk Management 101
Dr. Quenton R. Dokken, Executive Director of the Gulf of Mexico Foundation, which now celebrates its twentieth anniversary, demonstrates what the petroleum industry can do when it heeds the “better angels of its nature”. Continue reading
A blog from Washington
I have been in Washington, DC for the past few days, watching the legal and political reaction to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I would say that the clearest lesson to be drawn from the reaction of the U. S. government is that techniques for the extraction of oil at great oceanic depth are more advanced than those for the prevention of leaks or blowouts, as well as response and remediation afterward.
Closely associated with this lesson is a growing awareness that risk exists. It must be managed; and most important, it must be planned for, and be adequately funded. The Gulf of Mexico blowout demonstrates how costly failure can be.
For the future, hydrocarbon extraction… Continue reading
Volcanic eruptions may create a role for boxships
You will have seen my recent brief announcement on www.claymaitland.com welcoming Dr. Hans Payer as a distinguished member of our blog team. He joins Michael Grey, Neville Smith, and Mark Warner who produces our website. They are extremely capable and I am very proud of them.
Hans Payer is also a consultant and adviser to myself, and I believe his appointment is a hugely topical and timely one for reasons that I will explain below.
Because of this, I would like to add a few more details about his career:
Hans is Austrian-born, and holds a Master of Science degree in naval architecture from the University of Vienna, and both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees… Continue reading
Dangers of technology addiction for seafarers
I recently wrote about the tug in Alaska that ran into Bligh Reef, Prince William Sound, while its master played a video game. Continue reading
Deepwater Horizon sinking
The massive explosion that engulfed and sank the Drill Rig DEEPWATER HORIZON will have an even more massive political impact. Continue reading
What impact will speculative orders have on ship safety?
As I wing my way to Anchorage, I am inspired to write another brief comment. It’s about the future of vessel quality, safety and the great outpouring of new ships, from, in large part, Asian yards. Continue reading
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