INTERTANKO Key Messages

Sustainability of the industry

There is deep concern that the current tanker market rates are consistently below operating costs. This could threaten the sustainability, even the very survivability, of the oil transportation industry.

This situation, where tanker owners are not even covering their operating costs, cannot be sustained in the longer term. Standards must be maintained at the highest levels in order to operate in today’s demanding markets, but in continuing to do that, some operators may hit a financial wall.

Greenhouse gases (GHG)

Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements should apply equally to all new ships on the same applicable effective date. Compliance with EEDI should focus on improved hull design, propulsion efficiency and energy optimisation.

INTERTANKO believes that a market-based mechanism (MBM) is not justified at this time. If an MBM should be required, of the current MBM proposals, the GHG Fund seems to be the simplest and most transparent from a shipowner’s point of view.

Piracy

It is crucial that ship operators follow the guidance found within the Best Management Practices.

The three sets of BMPs are:

• Global Counter Piracy Guidance for Companies, Masters and Seafarers
• BMP 5 Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea
• BMP West Africa Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security off the Coast of West Africa including the Gulf of Guinea

Additionally, for Asia, ReCAAP supported by INTERTANKO:

• Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia

The most up to date guidance can be found at the joint industry security website:

https://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org/

Best Management Practices

It is crucial that ship operators follow the three main elements of BMP5 and BMP West Africa: register with the appropriate centre (MSC HoA or MDAT GoG); report to the appropriate centre (UKMTO or MDAT GoG); and employ the appropriate self-protection measures.

Armed guards

It is the responsibility of the international navies to ensure the right of free passage on the high seas including the use of vessel protection detachments (VPDs) on merchant ships.

INTERTANKO does not advocate the arming of ships’ crews.

The use of private armed guards or government armed security forces onboard merchant ships has to be a matter for each individual owner or manager to assess as part of their voyage risk assessment.

If armed guards are to be used, the Flag State should be consulted to determine the conditions for authorisation and the IMO guidelines for shipowners contained in MSC.1/Circ.1405 and for Flag States contained in MSC.1/Circ.1406 should be taken into account.

Citadels

The decision to deploy a citadel, or not, should take into account all known factors and be based on risk assessment.

If a citadel is to be employed, the industry guidance on the use of citadels should be taken into account. This guidance is available on the MSCHOA website.

INTERTANKO’s Council of Members elected Paolo d’Amico, Managing Director of d'Amico Societá di Navigazione SpA, as new Chairman of the Association on 7 November 2018 at the IMO Headquarters in London.

Mr d’Amico had been a member of Council since 1996 and Vice Chairman since 2012.

INTERTANKO Chairman Paolo d’Amico (centre) poses with his predecessors Dr. Nikolas Tsakos (right) and Graham Westgarth (left)

Following his appointment, d’Amico said he looked forward to leading INTERTANKO "as it continues to advance the interests of its Members in the various legislatorial arenas, not least as we move towards the next big ticket item in the shape of the 2020 Sulphur Cap.”

He added:

“I am honoured to take over the helm at a time when the Association’s role in today’s challenging environment is more prominent than ever. Commercial sustainability of the tanker industry will remain high on our agenda, as will a continued push for operational excellence and environmental protection.

“INTERTANKO and I will continue to work tirelessly in the technical, operational, regulatory and commercial arenas in which we practise; reiterating our shared goals of ‘leading the way and making a difference’."

Your INTERTANKO - welcome from the Managing Director

INTERTANKO has been the voice of independent tanker owners since 1970, championing an industry dedicated to support global energy networks by delivering safe, efficient and environmentally sound transport services.

Throughout its history, the Association has continuously adapted to the needs and demands of its Members, seeking to add value to their operations and act as a conduit for information exchange and the development of policy and best practice.

Much of the work continues to be focussed on addressing the significant regulatory challenges Owners are grappling with. From ballast water treatment to fuel oil sulphur levels and greenhouse gas related climate change, the number of critically important and highly complex environmental issues continues to grow.

Equally importantly, crucial performance, safety and human element-related work is being pushed forward to advance best practice for the tanker sector; and on the commercially focussed side, issues surrounding the legal, documentary and insurance aspects of Members’ operations are being addressed.

INTERTANKO, through its many specialised Committees, Panels and events, is in the enviable position of being able to engender real peer-to-peer dialogue and develop proposed solutions that have been assisting Owners and other stakeholders to better manage their parts of our industry.

Without your input and active engagement this would not be possible.

Katharina Stanzel
INTERTANKO Managing Director

Forum Provider

INTERTANKO organises a wide range of events and opportunities for engagement and exchange throughout the year.

The Annual Tanker Event, where the latest issues affecting the industry are debated by tanker owners and leading decision makers, is widely regarded as the key industry gathering for high-level networking and dialogue.

Seminars and workshops provide Members with further opportunities for peer-to-peer exchange. Given the dynamic nature of the tanker shipping industry and the pressures of working realities, every effort is made to ensure that the right issues are discussed by the right people, at the right time and in a convenient place.

The Association also holds twice-yearly meetings for its five Regional Panels in Asia, Europe, North as well as Latin America and the Mediterranean region. These Panels provide the wider Membership with the opportunity to get updated on key issues, discuss items from a regional perspective and contribute to the development fof the Association's policies on issues that are on the Agenda for the Council, the Association’s elected policy-setting body.

Subject matter experts from Member and Associate Member companies participate in specialist working Committees and Sub-Committees to discuss and formulate policies and best practices which help shape the tanker industry. Supported by designated members of the Secretariat, these Committees support all the work that is carried out by the Association and which is put forward before the Council for development of policy.

Advisor

A crucial role for the Association is to leverage the formidable experience and expertise of Members and Associate Members in the diverse specific areas of tanker ownership and operations.

INTERTANKO can be distinguished from other Associations through its experienced Secretariat staff and their professional networks, which gives it an unrivalled resource of specialist tanker knowledge, connections and relationships and keeps it ahead of the changes and challenges that are continuously being introduced by regulators and other stakeholders.

INTERTANKO Members and Associate Members rely on expert advice from the Association on anything from international regulations to charterparty questions, operational issues to best practice guidance.

Where necessary, the Secretariat channel requests for assistance to the specialists outside the Association to obtain the best informed views and advice. Members and Associate Members also have access to direct expert opinion from experienced lawyers, mariners, naval architects, marine engineers, economists and other specialists who are working with, or known to, INTERTANKO.

INTERTANKO offers:

• guidance on regulations and their application to new and existing ships
• advice on implementing best industry practice, from cadet recruitment to environmental benchmarking or piracy protection
• advice on cargo-related matters
• assistance with observations from ship inspections
• assistance when ships encounter problems with terminal operators or port authorities generating delays
• assistance when ships are detained by ports state control authorities - minimising the effect of a detention or assisting in proving the case for removal of the detention.

Added-value, proprietary information and benchmarking tools are available exclusively to Members to support their day-to-day operations and requirements.

INTERTANKO commissions specific research and analysis to support issues of concern to Members for use at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with national authorities or other organisations.

Free workshops and seminars on issues of interest to Members are also an integral part of the Association’s information services and these are organised throughout the year in shipping hubs around the world.

INTERTANKO Publications have long established their value in the shipping community and are held in high esteem throughout the industry.

Members and Associate Members are entitled to a 50% discount off the price of all INTERTANKO titles.

Champion

INTERTANKO and its Secretariat strive to build and maintain strong working relationships with legislators and other key stakeholders, with the trust and respect that this requires.

The primary aim is to ensure that Members’ concerns are heard, supported by business and operational logic and acted upon during the development of regulations for all aspects of tanker design, construction, operation and decommissioning of ships and equipment.

The Association’s aim is to ensure fair outcomes for all parties, based on common sense and on what is workable in practice.

INTERTANKO’s advocacy is founded on the values and high quality reputation of its Members. The Association is committed to finding practical working solutions that ensure maximum safety and efficiency for the tanker industry for day-to-day operational challenges,

Specialists within the Secretariat manage a wide-ranging work programme of strategic issues in order to support Members’ performance with focus on five main areas: Safety, Human Elelment, Environment, Operations and Sustainability.