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Main aims
Asian Regional Panel
Hellenic Forum
Latin American Panel
North American Panel
- Providing a forum for the regional members, to facilitate better communication between themselves and with the Association; to promote the sharing of experiences; to enhance their understanding of, and their participation and involvement in, the activities of the Association, including the work of the Association’s other committees
- To promote the objectives, policies and strategies of the Association in the region, with respect to free competition, safety at sea and the protection of the environment
- To promote the activities, priorities and concerns of the regional members and of their tanker communities relative to the overall activities of INTERTANKO’s governing bodies and committees
- To address those tanker issues particular to a region and to its regional members
- To provide a conduit for regional members to provide input to INTERTANKO’s work programme and to examine and review issues that could be submitted to Council
- To act as a resource for the Association, providing feedback, information and advice for the other committees and for the Secretariat
- To promote interaction between the Association and the tanker industry in the region, and to cooperate with industry, governmental and environmental bodies in the region
- To examine and review regional legislative proposals and activities affecting the whole membership
- To screen applications from the region for INTERTANKO membership
- The regional panel chairman may also participate in the INTERTANKO Detention Review Board as appropriate if the member under review is from that region.
Asian Regional Panel
Chairman
Dr JH Lee, SK Shipping
Secretary and Regional Manager: Tim Wilkins
INTERTANKO maintained its strong commitment to Asia in 2007 as the region continued its expansion in global trade export and imports during 2007, with all the major ports registering significant throughput increases.
The Regional Manager participated in more than 20 conferences, workshops and seminars in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea,Malaysia and Singapore, where the subject matter ranged from officer training to market outlook and from navigational safety to environmental regulation.
The increasing number of maritime events during 2007, and the region’s high level of maritime activity, demonstrates Asia’s expanding maritime focus and the desire of its shipping industry leaders to step up their presence on the world stage. As it assists its members to add their voice to global maritime policymaking, INTERTANKO has continued to work closely with the region’s tanker owners on diverse matters from the interpretation of the amendments to MARPOL Annex II, to the implementation of European legislation on anti-fouling systems, providing a vehicle for its members to voice their views on the global policymaking stage.
A fundamental part of INTERTANKO’s liaison with its members in this region is its Asian Panel which gathered in February in Hong Kong and again in September in Tokyo. During the Tokyo meeting, INTERTANKO’s Chairman, Nick Fistes was also able to listen to Members’ views on policy issues currently under consideration by the Association’s Council and Executive Committee. It was also an opportunity for Fistes hear the regional issues under consideration by the Asian Panel.
One such matter which has dominated discussion during the last twelve months has been the proposals for safety and environmental protection put forward by the three littoral states of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore).
Further enhancing the navigational safety and environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore continues to be a priority for the littoral states. INTERTANKO’s members, both inside and outside the Asia-Pacific region, recognise the great improvements and further enhancements under consideration by the littoral states and so have welcomed the opportunity to support and participate in the recently-launched Cooperative Mechanism for enhancing safety and environmental protection in the Straits.
The principal element in INTERTANKO’s participation in the CooperativeMechanism has been its support for the establishment of a voluntary fund for the replacement and maintenance of aids to navigation in the Straits. Recognising however that this is but one aspect relating to the continued improvement of navigational safety, INTERTANKO’s members have begun work on adding further input to the CooperativeMechanism by the establishment of a Working Group on navigational safety in the Straits.
The Working Group aims to contribute, with its knowledge and expertise, to a set of practical and realistic recommendations on tanker operation and environmental protection in the Straits.With this work in hand the Working Group view the establishment of the Cooperative Mechanism as an opportunity to cooperate directly with the littoral states and other key user groups on this important issue.
Hellenic Forum
 Chairman Manolis Vordonis (up to 10.2007) |
 Chairman Costis Kertsikoff (from 10.2007) | |
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Secretary and Area Manager: Bill Box | ||
“Greek tanker shipping has had a leading position in the renewal of the world tanker fleet with investment in modern, technologicallyadvanced and environmentally friendly tankers, and has thus demostrated deep commitment to the people who will run them and who will carry our great shipping tradition onward into the future.” Costis Kertsikoff and Manolis Vordonis
The Hellenic Forum’s March meeting covered the revision process to MARPOL Annex VI (air emissions) and INTERTANKO’s IMO discussion paper presenting issues that merited further discussion including the possible use of distillate fuels and the effective establishment of a global SECA. It also considered Ukraine ballast water exchange fines/penalties and concerns over PSC corruption, and an update on the EU Ship Source Pollution Directive (SSPD), on the EU Third Maritime Safety Package, and on EU Competition Law.
The Forum looked at a summary of the latest structure of the oil and chemical tanker fleets and order books which highlighted elements likely to influence future developments; considered recent trends in reported tanker incidents and their causes; and discussed the development of IACS’ Early Warning System for the sharing of information between classification societies on structural, equipment and system failures to prevent re-occurrences.
INTERTANKO’s Director of Regulatory Affairs and the Americas, Joe Angelo, gave the Forum an overview of the current U.S. legal issues, an overview of ongoing U.S. environmental issues including air emissions, ballast water management, reception facilities, environmental crimes, and an overview of U.S. maritime security issues.
INTERTANKO has noted the concerns expressed by a number of its members about the safety of some terminals. Forum members were encouraged to make full use of the new Terminal Vetting Database which contains reports on tanker terminals world-wide.
At the Hellenic Forum’s October meeting, members were invited to re-examine the function of the Hellenic Committee and explore the benefits of merging it with our body of 12 Greek INTERTANKO Council members. After some discussion it was unanimously decided to disband the Hellenic Committee, and that more prominence should in future be given to Greece’s Council members, both as a source of expertise and as a resource for the Chairman and Vice Chairmen. The Forum Chairman thanks Committee members for their work and dedication.
Basil Goulandris, Dimitris Lyras, Panagiotis Paraskevakos, Spyros Polemis, John Skordias left Council for a variety of reasons. The Hellenic Forum elected Vassilis Bacolitsas, Dimitris Dragazis, Takis Koutris, John Platsidakis, Leonidas Polemis as new Council members to join Thanos Crassaris, Philip Embiricos, Costis Kertsikoff, Dimitris Korkodilos, KenMarshall, Angelos Spyrantis andManolis Vordonis. The Forum Chairman thanks retiring Council members for their input over the years.
The Hellenic Forum was invited to revisit the issue of expanding the Forum by inviting the representatives of members from neighbouring Mediterranean countries to join it as permanent, active and equally empowered members.Members from Cyprus, Turkey and Italy have for some time been invited to participate in Hellenic Forum meetings but, under the Terms of Reference, are not full members. The general feeling was that such a move would be a positive move that would strengthen the Forum.
Forum discussion focused on INTERTANKO’s strategy on air emissions, on statistics showing increasing tanker incidents after fifteen years of steady downward movement, on information sharing between classification societies and on suggestions for a confidential platform for information reporting.
A great number of INTERTANKO’s members believe that the availability and retention of experienced, competent crew is one of their greatest concerns for the present, let alone the future. The Forum considered training, experience and retention, and focused on cadets and on unfilled cadet berths.
The Forum expressed concerns over availability, loyalty, retention and motivation and is ready to participate in a constructive discussion about the human element.
Manolis Vordonis stepped down as Chairman having completed his two year term. Hellenic Forum members unanimously elected Costis Kertsikoff as their new Chairman by acclamation. The Forum also elected by acclamation as Vice Chairmen Dimitris Korkodilos (Andriaki Shipping) and Kostas Vlachos (Consolidated Marine Management).
INTERTANKO Chairman Nick Fistes and Costis Kertsikoff expressed their appreciation of Manolis Vordonis’ efforts and achievements during the past two years.
Latin America Panel
Chairman
Carlos Juan Madinabeitia
Secretary and Area Manager:
Joe Angelo
Members:
Carlos Juan Madinabeitia (Chairman), Tradewind Tankers SA
Capt Jose Luis Hernandez, PMI Comercio Internacional SA de CV
Carlos Lozano, Teekay Shipping
Elizio Araujo Neto, Petrobras Transporte SA-Transpetro
Jose Peraza, Heidenreich Marine Caracas CA
Gustavo Pereyra, Antares Naviera SA
Michael Schroder, Sociedad Naviera Ultragas
“The network of INTERTANKO and its Latin American members has been strengthened as panel meetings continue to provide a very good forum for regional members to exchange information. Participation is very active and growing. The Latin American panel is becoming an internationally recognised reference point for tanker owners and operators in the area and enables INTERTANKO to monitor and follow developments in this large region, so important to the tanker industry.” Carlos Juan Madinabeitia
Under the leadership of its new Chairman, Carlos JuanMadinabeitia of TradeWind Tankers, the Latin American panel held two very successful meetings in 2007 – one in February in Panama City, Panama and the other in October in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Participation in the Latin American panel is steadily growing as members, associate members and tanker-related interests in the Latin American region develop a better understanding of the benefits afforded by INTERTANKO and its regional panel meetings.
The Latin American Panel’s sixth meeting in Panama City, Panama was held in conjunction with the biennial Panama Maritime VIII Conference. The meeting was attended by members from Brazil, Chile, Panama and Venezuela, as well as senior representatives from the Panama Maritime Authority and the Panama Canal Authority. Issues discussed included:
- An overview of the main INTERTANKO issues
- Air emissions from ships
- Recycling of ships
- Expansion of the Panama Canal
- Update on the Panama Maritime Authority changes and projects
- Navigation through the Maracaibo Channel
- Venezuelan law change on tug boats
The highlight of the meeting was a half-day visit to the Panama Canal at the invitation of the Panama Canal Authority. This included going through the PedroMiguel Locks on the Panama Canal Authority training ship and an exclusive visit to the Panama Canal Vessel Traffic Center, which schedules and controls the movement of all ships through the Panama Canal.
The Panel’s seventh meeting was a two-day session held in Buenos Aires, Argentina where the panel discussed a number of important issues, including:
- Managing Director Dr Peter Swift’s presentation on an overview of INTERTANKO and the major issues in which INTERTANKO is involved.
- An excellent presentation by Cdr Luiz Zecchin of Prefectura Naval Argentina on an update of Port State Control activities in the Latin American region under the Vina del Mar Agreement.
- A status report by Capt Jan de Kok of AGEMAR on navigation through the Maracaibo Channel.
- An update by Carlos Juan Madinabeitia on developments within INTERTANKO’s Environmental Committee.
- An update on progress made at the IMO regarding the revision of MARPOL Annex VI on air pollution.
- A presentation by J.C. Ferreira of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on the latest requirements for the carriage of ethanol and vegetable oils.
- A status report on the development of the draft new Convention on Recycling of Ships and industry action in this area.
- An update of the current legal matters that INTERTANKO is either involved in or is following very closely.
- An overview of the new SOLAS requirements for long range identification and tracking (LRIT) of ships that will enter into force on 1 January 2008.
- An update on developments within INTERTANKO’s Human Element in Shipping Committee.
- A presentation on the IMO, how it works, its structure and organisation, major issues being addressed at the IMO, changes that have taken place at the IMO over the past 25 years and, most importantly, the role INTERTANKO plays at the IMO.
In addition, the Panel had an excellent open discussion based on “Blue Sky” thinking aimed at considering what changes are likely to take place over the next 5-10 years that will affect the tanker industry, and what INTERTANKO can do proactively to address these changes.
The Latin American panel is planning another two meetings in 2008 and looks forward to continued growth in panel membership.
North America Panel
Chairman
Richard du Moulin
Secretary and Area Manager: Joe Angelo
“I am pleased with the energetic, stimulating discussion at our North American Panel meetings, and particularly with the continuing participation of the U.S. Coast Guard on a regular basis. INTERTANKO and the North American Panel are very much alive and well – and I salute its former Chairman Steve Van Dyck whose efforts were very much behind the growth of our Association to represent some 80% of the world’s independent world tanker fleet.” Richard du Moulin
Under the excellent guidance of former INTERTANKO Chairman, Richard duMoulin, the North American Panel continues to bring to the forefront and discuss issues that are pertinent not only to those members and associate members in the North American region, but to all INTERTANKO members worldwide.
The North American panel held its 20th meeting in Stamford, Connecticut in conjunction with the Connecticut Maritime Association Shipping 2007 Conference. The main issues discussed at this meeting were reception facilities, air emissions from ships and the legal issues that INTERTANKO is involved with in the U.S.
LCDR Josh McTaggart of the U.S. Coast Guard updated the panel on efforts the U.S. Coast Guard is taking to ensure that there are adequate reception facilities in the U.S. He informed the panel about the regular facility inspections conducted by the Coast Guard, the real time on-line reception facility database (that can be located at http://cgmix.uscg.mil), Coast Guard investigations of reported inadequate reception facilities and its project on the validity of Certificates of Adequacy for reception facilities. The panel provided LCDR McTaggart with a number of suggestions that could further improve reception facilities in the U.S.
The Panel also had a very lively session when discussing ways to reduce air emissions from ships and the ongoing revision of MARPOL’s Annex VI, and carefully noted the latest legal developments in the Massachusetts and ballast water discharge lawsuits in which INTERTANKO has been involved, as well as the California Air Resouces Board lawsuit that INTERTANKO has been monitoring.
As has become the custom for the past three years, the fall meeting (its 21st) of the panel was held in Houston, Texas. The panel listened to and discussed a number of important and timely presentations including:
- Cdr Joe Paitl, Chief of the Prevention Department, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, providing an overview of prevention and inspection activities in the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Developments that have taken place with regard to Department of Justice prosecutions for pollution violations.
- Developments that have taken place in the INTERTANKO Vetting Committee.
- An update of the current legal matters that INTERTANKO is either involved in or is following very closely.
- An update on progress made at the IMO regarding the revision of MARPOL’s Annex VI on air emissions.
- An overview of the new SOLAS requirements for long range identification and tracking (LRIT) of ships that will enter into force on 1 January 2008.
In addition, Beverly Clarke, Vice President of Permuda (Atlantic), provided an update on activities that are taking place within the Houston Galveston Navigation Safety Committee; and Carleen Lyden-Kluss ofMorganMarketing and Communications informed the panel about the World Maritime Day observance being held under the auspices of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) and the establishment of the newly formed North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), for which she is the first Director General.