REGULATIONS Cefic and FEA, the European Aerosol Federation, have tabled a proposal at the meeting of the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel taking place in early November that the full text of the ICAO Technical Instructions should be made freely available on the internet. The submission notes that many other similar sets of regulations are already published free of charge - the UN Recommendations, ADR, ADN, 49 CFR and GHS - and that IMO's Maritime Safety Committee has asked the DSC Sub-committee to look into taking similar action on the IMDG Code. A total of 20 papers for the DGP meeting in The Hague have now been posted on the ICAO website at www.icao.int.
IMO's MEPC last week approved without reservation the draft text of the ship recycling convention, which is due to be adopted at a conference next year. The new convention will provide regulations for the design, construction, operation and preparation of ships so as to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling (or scrapping, as the practice is more generally known). Ships to be sent for recycling will be required to carry an inventory of hazardous materials, specific to each ship, while an appendix to the convention will provide a list of hazardous materials whose installation or use in ships is prohibited or restricted in shipyards, ship repair yards, and ships of parties to the future convention.
IMO's DSC Sub-committee has agreed new provisions for the carriage of direct reduced iron (DRI) for inclusion in the non-mandatory BC Code. The changes include a new, third category for by-product fines, which attract stringent conditions of carriage. DRI fines can generate hydrogen when in contact with seawater. There are plans to make the BC Code mandatory, along the lines of the IMDG Code, but the UK P&I Club warns that, even once this happens, there will be an allowance for carriers to use 'equivalent safety' procedures.
MPA Singapore this week issued three updated Port Marine Circulars of interest to the tanker sector. One (No 16 of 2008) lists procedures to be taken during cargo tank cleaning operations and the disposal of sludge and slops; a second (No 17 of 2008) provides for the notification of tank cleaning activities and the disposal of sludge and slops for tankers that arrive in Singapore in a clean condition; and a third (No 18 of 2008) gives guidelines for preventing pollution during bunkering operations. All three are available from the MPA website at www.mpa.gov.sg.
The proposed amendments to Annexes A and B of ADR to take effect on January 1, 2009 have been accepted without further change. The consolidated amendments appeared in three papers prepared by the WP15 secretariat: ECE/TRANS/WP.15/195, 195/Add.1 and 195/Corr.1. A formal proposal was lodged by Portugal on June 30 and, no objection having been received within three months, the changes were confirmed by a UN depositary notification on October 13.

REGULATIONS - REACH ECHA has issued an interim list of substances pre-registered under REACH as of October 1. The list of almost 38,000 substances is available on the ECHA website in searchable form at http://apps.echa.europa.eu. ECHA is required to publish a full list of pre-registered substances by January 1, 2009 but is putting this interim list out now so that downstream users can determine if substances they use are already pre-registered and, if not, give them time to remind manufacturers and importers to take advantage of the pre-registration phase.
ECHA has also set up a separate page on its website - http://echa.europa.eu - that will contain various data of use to those in scope of the REACH regulations. It already links to the interim list of pre-registered substances and the 'registry of intentions', which lists those substances that member states intend to put forward as candidates for 'substances of very high concern'. The page will also have the candidate list of substances of very high concern for authorisation and registration dossiers.
The ECHA Member State Committee agreed last week on the identification of 14 substances of very high concern (SHVCs) that may be subject to authorisation under REACH. Along with one other, they will be included on the candidate list due to be published on the ECHA website later this month. The 15 substances involved are: anthracene, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, dibutyl phthalate, cobalt dichloride, diarsenic pentaoxide, diarsenic trioxide, sodium dichromate, 5-tert-butyl-2,4,6-trinitro-m-xylene (musk xylene), bis(2-ethyl(hexyl)phthalate) (DEHP), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and all major diastereoisomers, alkanes C10-13 chloro (short chain chlorinated paraffins), bis(tributyltin)oxide, lead hydrogen arsenate, benzyl butyl phthalate and triethyl arsenate.
Changes to Annexes IV and V of REACH, which provide exemptions from the provisions, were adopted as proposed last week and have been published as Commission Regulation (EC) No 987/2008. The text of the regulation can be found at http://eur-lex.europa.eu.

SAFETY/SECURITY As from this week, all laden maritime containers arriving in the US must be sealed with a high security seal that meets the ISO standard ISO/PAS 17712. Prior to this, non-laden and non-standard containers, e.g. open-top and tank containers, were considered exempt from these requirements. The provisions apply equally to containers transiting the US for consignees in a third country. Carriers are obliged to transmit all seal numbers to US Customs Border Protection (CBP) 24 hours before cargo is laden aboard a vessel at a foreign port, via the Vessel Automated Manifest System (AMS).
3E Company has introduced a new version of its MSDS authoring system, MSDGen 6.0. It includes new features to help shippers comply with the requirements of REACH and the GHS. In addition, 3E says, the new version should help speed up the processes and enable users to work more efficiently.
The European Solvents Industry Group (ESIG) has produced a series of new tools aimed at "supporting, helping and guiding the solvents industry and downstream users in Europe". As well as illustrating the wide variety of uses for solvents, the tools give specific advice on solvent handling safety and include a 'solvents family' brochure, a 'do's and don't' poster and a 'safe handling of solvents' DVD. The materials can be downloaded from www.esig.org or ordered free of charge from the ESIG Secretariat (T: (+32 2) 676 7296; esig@cefic.be).

TANKER SHIPPING AP Møller-Mærsk has increased its shareholding in Broström to more than one-third after having acquired shares from the two major B-shareholders, Odin Funds and Case Asset Management. The offer was made through the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority by fully owned subsidiary Mærsk Product Tankers AB. The acceptance period ends on November 28. The combination of the two companies will form the world's largest product tanker operator with a combined owned and long-term chartered fleet of more than 130 vessels.
IM Skaugen has announced "satisfactory" third quarter results for 2008. Net pretax profit was reported at $21.5m compared to $21m for the third quarter 2007. Nine month earnings before tax were $46.7m compared to $34.8m. "The Middle East countries with exports continue to drive the increased tonne-miles and the resulting increased demand for gas carriers. Norgas is well-positioned in this market with our long term customer relations, state-of-the-art fleet and a good portfolio of suitable new built ships," says IM Skaugen.
Hamworthy Moss has won a major contract to supply 10 nitrogen generator systems for a series of 47,500 dwt chemical carriers being built for IRISL by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Korea. The 10 ships will be delivered between 2010 and 2012. A total value of more than $11m makes this one of the largest contracts ever signed by Hamworthy Moss. The nitrogen generators will deliver 3,750 Nm³/h nitrogen at a purity of 95% and are the biggest systems ever delivered by Hamworthy Moss.
Broström has sold its 1999-built product/chemical tanker Bro Jupiter, taking a profit of SKr 39m ($5.2m). The 14,350 dwt, IMO II vessel is due to be delivered to new owners this month. Brokers identify the buyer as Ultragas and the deal price as $21m.
Odfjell has signed a deal with MAN Diesel to rebuild the main engine aboard the 37,500 dwt chemical tanker Bow Cecil. The engine will be rebuilt from L60ME-C type to L60ME-B, a process which is expected to proceed in two stages. The first stage will take place during a scheduled docking in the ASRY shipyard in Bahrain this month with the second phase taking place when a suitable gap in the vessel's schedule can be found.
Classification society Bureau Veritas has relocated its Marine Division to a new office near Paris. The new address is Immeuble "Le 1828", 67/71 Boulevard du Château, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. The main switchboard number is (+33 1) 55 24 70 00.

LNG Recruitment is the LNG sector's biggest challenge, a survey of SIGGTO members has revealed. The survey, carried out by shipping recruiter Fastream, showed that 58% of respondents agreed that recruitment was a big challenge. Fastream managing director Mark Charman, said: "Vacancy levels in the shore-based LNG sector are at a record high and we forecast them to continue growing. Employers face competition for talent not only from direct competitors, but also banks and power companies who need people with specialist marine engineering know-how." Charman advised LNG shipping companies to change their attitude to recruitment strategies and to take a lead from other industries when seeking to hire top talent in a candidate short market.
Russian shipping group Sovcomflot has named its two latest LNG tankers Tangguh Batur and Tangguh Towuti. Both 145,700 m³ ships are to be used in the Tangguh LNG project, operated by BP. They were built at the Daewoo Shipyard for the consortium of Sovcomflot, NYK Line and Samudera Shipping Services. Over the next 20 years the ships will deliver gas to the Asia-Pacific region, mainly Korea and China.
TORP has withdrawn its plan to build an offshore LNG receiving terminal in Alabama. The proposed Bienville deepwater port was to use an open-loop vaporisation process, which was criticised by state governor Bob Riley for its potential environmental impact. Similar problems faced Freeport McMoran's proposal for the Main Pass Energy Hub project. It is not yet clear if TORP will re-submit a proposal using a closed-loop vaporisation process.
China's CNPC is in negotiations to buy into the Pars LNG project in Iran, local sources report. It is thought that CNPC is looking to take a 25% stake, which will result in Total's share falling to 25% with NIOC retaining a 50% holding.
BP has shelved plans to build an LNG receiving terminal on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River, citing the higher prices available for LNG in Asia. The company is to retain rights over the land and may reactivate the Crown Landing project if circumstances change.
Gulf LNG Energy yesterday held a groundbreaking ceremony at its LNG receiving terminal in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The 1.5 bcfd facility is due to come up to full capacity during 2011.
Flex LNG and Samsung HI have extended the option period for the possible fifth in a series of LNG production vessels. The four under construction will have a storage capacity of 170,000 m³ LNG and 40,000 m³ condensate. According to Flex LNG's latest financial report, the newbuildings are to cost around $212m each, excluding topside equipment and project management fees.
Reports suggest that proposals have been submitted to FERC for a third LNG receiving terminal in the lower Columbia River near Warrenton, Oregon. The Oregon LNG project, originally put forward by now defunct Calpine, will have a daily sendout capacity of 1.5 bcfd and will be designed to handle the largest Q-Max LNG tankers.

STORAGE TERMINALS Sempra Energy and Valero Energy Corp have signed a memorandum of understanding relating to a new marine petroleum and storage terminal at Port Arthur, Texas. Sempra will be responsible for the design, engineering and construction while Valero will become a major user and conduct joint marketing efforts to potential third-party customers. The companies anticipate a final agreement to proceed in early 2009 and the commissioning of the facility during 2011.
TANK CONTAINERS Stolt Tank Containers has completed its previously announced acquisition of the tank container operations of Taby Group, following the approval of German regulatory authorities. STC operates the world's largest fleet of stainless steel ISO tank containers, with nearly 26,000 currently in service, including many specialised units for aggressive or high-purity products, compressed gases and cryogenic cargoes, and manages more than 80 fleets of tank containers on behalf of its customers.
OPW Engineered Systems has launched an updated version of its Kamvalok Dry-Disconnect Coupler for chemical transfer operations. The updated Kamvalok features stainless steel locking arms and a stainless steel locking handle, which the company says work to secure both the 'opened' and 'closed' positions to prevent accidental release or uncoupling.

CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION Germany's Talke Logistic Services has commenced operations at its first Turkish facility in Istanbul. The company will now use the Istanbul site as a base "for expanding its offerings in Turkey and accelerating development of the south-eastern European market. The emergence of domestic activities in Turkey was the next logical step to our strategic development in the field of tanker transport," says Herbert M Stomm, transport director of liquids for Talke Logistic Services. "The Turkish transport market is booming, so the demand for safety and quality-oriented services is currently very high."
Azelis has been named by Johnson Matthey Catalysts as its distributor for its Vertec range of titanate catalysts and its new zirconium catalysts in the Benelux countries, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the CEE. The move complements existing distribution agreements between the two companies in France, Italy and the UK. "We have developed significant knowledge of these products, which are used primarily in coatings, inks and synthesis (polymerisation) applications. We will apply this experience to provide excellent technical support to customers in these new markets," says Tanguy de Caritat, Azelis's international marketing manager, chemical industries.
IMCD Portugal has acquired Aditil, a Matosinhos-based distributor of speciality chemicals that has been active on the Portuguese market for more than 25 years. Aditil's activities will now be coordinated with the Portuguese operations of IMCD, creating what IMCD describes as a strong platform for further growth. "We are delighted to have Aditil team up with our already successful Iberian organisation," says José Alcover, IMCD's managing director in Iberia. "We see great opportunities [for] cross-fertilising the knowledge of the two organisations, creating additional added value for our customers and suppliers."
DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIR Monarch Aircraft Engineering Ltd (MAEL), the technical arm of Monarch Airline, has selected Kuehne + Nagel (K+N) as its new partner for the movement of spare parts and aircraft equipment worldwide. Under the agreement, K+N will provide MAEL with air transport and courier services, including dangerous goods by air, domestic deliveries and collections, urgent and critical door-to-door and aircraft on ground (AOG) services. "We firmly believe that by working in partnership with Kuehne + Nagel, we will be able to provide an even more reliable service to our customers at a significantly reduced cost," says David Websdale, MAEL's head of logistics.

INDUSTRIAL PACKAGING PackCare has officially launched its new ContainerCare service that enables customers to rent their IBCs rather than having to purchase them. Under the scheme, PackCare provides new and re-manufactured containers direct to a company, which fills them with product and then distributes them to its customers. PackCare then collects the empty containers from anywhere in the UK and Ireland and returns them to its Leeds facility for reconditioning and testing. "Our aim is to ensure the lowest possible environmental impact, combined with the lowest costs for compliance," says PackCare chief executive Bob Taylor.
US-based Material Transfer and Storage (MTS) has unveiled a new Class I, Division II, Group D explosion-proof FIBC filler. Featuring 316L stainless steel product contact surfaces, a Power-Lift fill head height adjustment system, a stainless steel loading deck, a bag 'present' sensor and a fully integrated bag inflation package, the new system also incorporates a dust-tight inflatable spout seal, wash down duty weigh modules and a digital weight indicator to ensure precise and dust-free filling.
PEOPLE Lance Kitzelman has been promoted to the position of CASE specialties marketing director for Brenntag North America. During the past year, Kitzelman has performed the duties of marketing manager and regional sales representative with Brenntag North America subsidiary Brenntag Specialties. Prior to joining Brenntag, he was director of sales for Univar's Mozel Chemical division. Kitzelman has worked in the coatings industry for the past 12 years in various technical sales and sales management roles.

 

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