Comments for Bill Barratry’s Blog http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com An irreverent view of the shipping industry from Lloyd’s List Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:04:39 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on Slice of cake at Maersk that leaves a sour taste by Jayla Hunsinger http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2010/11/25/slice-of-cake-at-maersk-that-leaves-a-sour-taste/#comment-6295 Jayla Hunsinger Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:04:39 +0000 http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2010/11/25/slice-of-cake-at-maersk-that-leaves-a-sour-taste/#comment-6295 <strong>Jayla Hunsinger...</strong> Muchos Gracias for your blog article.Really thank you! Really Cool.... Jayla Hunsinger…

Muchos Gracias for your blog article.Really thank you! Really Cool….

]]> Comment on Channel ferry operators feel the pinch yet again by John Miele http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/03/23/channel-ferry-operators-feel-the-pinch-yet-again/#comment-3053 John Miele Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:48:37 +0000 http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/03/23/channel-ferry-operators-feel-the-pinch-yet-again/#comment-3053 A few years ago, I was working with a cross-channel ferry operator on a fuel efficiency project. Looking at the receipts, I remember being amazed that the revenues from the canteen, gift shop, duty free, and fruit machines were nearly equivalent to the paid fares. A few years ago, I was working with a cross-channel ferry operator on a fuel efficiency project. Looking at the receipts, I remember being amazed that the revenues from the canteen, gift shop, duty free, and fruit machines were nearly equivalent to the paid fares.

]]> Comment on Crying foul when there is a whiff of natural gas by John Miele http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/03/29/crying-foul-when-there-is-a-whiff-of-natural-gas/#comment-3052 John Miele Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:44:22 +0000 http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/03/29/crying-foul-when-there-is-a-whiff-of-natural-gas/#comment-3052 Just one addition: There is significant EU money being placed into the infrastructure for LNG bunkers, and even in developing countries like the Philippines, a number of new bunkers are on the drawing board or beginning construction. If the demand is there, the infrastructure will continue to develop. Just one addition: There is significant EU money being placed into the infrastructure for LNG bunkers, and even in developing countries like the Philippines, a number of new bunkers are on the drawing board or beginning construction. If the demand is there, the infrastructure will continue to develop.

]]> Comment on Installation overload may compromise ballast rules by don mitchel http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2010/12/17/installation-overload-may-compromise-ballast-rules/#comment-2850 don mitchel Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:38:58 +0000 http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2010/12/17/installation-overload-may-compromise-ballast-rules/#comment-2850 We are still without comprehensive ballast water policy, law,or regulation to address all the dangers of ballast water discharges. One can only pray this administration is more concerned about Japan's nuclear contaminated water in the Pacific arriving in ballast water, than were while watching ballast systems for tar balls going to Lake Pontchartrain. They were warned about both. The administration is obviously following an international approach through the Coast Guard plan relying on the IMO for direction and enforcement. This is obvious by the failure of this administration to coordinate the EPA and Homeland Security, with a Coast Guard plan, (which sadly only follows the IMO). Within a four year term in office under President Obama's administration despite previously passed legislation in the House 395-7, (killed by Senator Boxer, a political friend of the President) the EPA had to be sued, in order to even address, the need to create a standard. Environmentalist, still only achieved a promise from the EPA to draw up a standard, after the next presidential election, when there may be a new administration policy. This administration has effectively continued the delay created by the military under this commander and chief using the guise of more and more study. Regardless of IMO regulations, international law or treaties, each IMO foreign sea captain works for a different economic interest and performs under independent governance while controlling the ships functions to create profit for foreign economic interest. Currently we are protected by only foreign sea captains integrity and ability to perform costly, often dangerous, ineffective ocean flush’s. The Coast Guards historic known disinterest continues, illustrated by their failure to try and protect our country at a higher standard than the IMO an organization of foreign business interests. Sadly they have the only infrastructure to protect with testing and inspection. Standards that require mandatory technological hardware to clean ballast water from all substances are needed along with an infrastructure for enforcement, commanded by a leader who cares. We needed a President who will direct Congress to address the issue with legislation authorizing the Coast Guard to protect our citizens health from ballast water. A comprehensive plan of zero tolerance for all types of ballast pollution including the human pathogens and virus now being allowed dumped in our waters. (not a promise for after the next presidential election cycle) We are still without comprehensive ballast water policy, law,or regulation to address all the dangers of ballast water discharges.
One can only pray this administration is more concerned about Japan’s nuclear contaminated water in the Pacific arriving in ballast water, than were while watching ballast systems for tar balls going to Lake Pontchartrain. They were warned about both. The administration is obviously following an international approach through the Coast Guard plan relying on the IMO for direction and enforcement. This is obvious by the failure of this administration to coordinate the EPA and Homeland Security, with a Coast Guard plan, (which sadly only follows the IMO). Within a four year term in office under President Obama’s administration despite previously passed legislation in the House 395-7, (killed by Senator Boxer, a political friend of the President) the EPA had to be sued, in order to even address, the need to create a standard. Environmentalist, still only achieved a promise from the EPA to draw up a standard, after the next presidential election, when there may be a new administration policy. This administration has effectively continued the delay created by the military under this commander and chief using the guise of more and more study.
Regardless of IMO regulations, international law or treaties, each IMO foreign sea captain works for a different economic interest and performs under independent governance while controlling the ships functions to create profit for foreign economic interest. Currently we are protected by only foreign sea captains integrity and ability to perform costly, often dangerous, ineffective ocean flush’s. The Coast Guards historic known disinterest continues, illustrated by their failure to try and protect our country at a higher standard than the IMO an organization of foreign business interests. Sadly they have the only infrastructure to protect with testing and inspection. Standards that require mandatory technological hardware to clean ballast water from all substances are needed along with an infrastructure for enforcement, commanded by a leader who cares.
We needed a President who will direct Congress to address the issue with legislation authorizing the Coast Guard to protect our citizens health from ballast water. A comprehensive plan of zero tolerance for all types of ballast pollution including the human pathogens and virus now being allowed dumped in our waters. (not a promise for after the next presidential election cycle)

]]> Comment on A rabbit on the highway needs to move fast by John Miele http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/03/15/a-rabbit-on-the-highway-needs-to-move-fast/#comment-2654 John Miele Thu, 17 Mar 2011 06:51:03 +0000 http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/03/15/a-rabbit-on-the-highway-needs-to-move-fast/#comment-2654 Craig: Interesting article, and one to which I'm going to link. As you know, STI is on the "front lines" of this market. I can tell you that we are starting to see some cracks in the owner reluctance to invest. The deadline is looming soon, and most of the big companies are starting to realize that whatever they do, they need to do something. As to the charters, we have one ship owner who was instructed by the charterer to find a scrubber...They determined in-house that scrubbing made the most financial sense, particularly in European operations. Our bid is in right now. So, there is some, I guess you could say "movement" in the market. However, the most critical issue is not one of savings over the long-term. It is pretty well understood how diferences in fuel type save money, and most scrubbing systems on the market adequately remove sulphur within the prescribed limits (ours and other mfrs). It is the initial capital investment that is the barrier. The thinking is short term... Months... rather than over the long haul. Shareholder pressure is the real impediment to investment, rather than technical skepticism. We struggle to find a solution, through subsidy, but even that is often not enough. Craig:

Interesting article, and one to which I’m going to link.

As you know, STI is on the “front lines” of this market. I can tell you that we are starting to see some cracks in the owner reluctance to invest. The deadline is looming soon, and most of the big companies are starting to realize that whatever they do, they need to do something.

As to the charters, we have one ship owner who was instructed by the charterer to find a scrubber…They determined in-house that scrubbing made the most financial sense, particularly in European operations. Our bid is in right now. So, there is some, I guess you could say “movement” in the market.

However, the most critical issue is not one of savings over the long-term. It is pretty well understood how diferences in fuel type save money, and most scrubbing systems on the market adequately remove sulphur within the prescribed limits (ours and other mfrs).

It is the initial capital investment that is the barrier. The thinking is short term… Months… rather than over the long haul. Shareholder pressure is the real impediment to investment, rather than technical skepticism. We struggle to find a solution, through subsidy, but even that is often not enough.

]]> Comment on Installation overload may compromise ballast rules by Don Mitchel http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2010/12/17/installation-overload-may-compromise-ballast-rules/#comment-2027 Don Mitchel Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:44:37 +0000 http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2010/12/17/installation-overload-may-compromise-ballast-rules/#comment-2027 Predictably, it looks as though NY is slowly trying to save face and back down on ballast water despite the money spent creating and defending these laws, illustrated by the 2012 date for compliance reportedly extended by a year and a half. Odd when I wrote to Governor Paterson in 2008 about H.R.2830 and how our state would be represented, a Mr. Tierney from the NY DEC wrote back to me by US mail, on the Governors behalf claiming how great this state ballast legislation would be in comparison to H.R.2830 which would have been well under way by now. I wrote Mr. Tierney back, expressing concern on how they planed on enforcing these State laws, but never received an answer. Senator Boxer subsequently killed legislation H.R.2830 for the whole country back in 2008, while the three top officials of this administration were all Senators. She allegedly believed it to weak for her states rights. Now California is backing down from her position as well as NY is backing down because the stricter laws can not be met??? "according to the shipping industry"? So now three years later all we have is a still purposed plan being concocted by the military, which so far appears as little more than following the international Maritime Organization lead of delay. Our politicians need to act mandating technology other than the ocean flushing, which only uses dilution as the solution for pollution. Flushing dose not address all problems associated by ballast discharges. Just using salinity alone dose not address ocean invasive's and other substances such as tar balls that can also be taken on during ocean flushing. Human health will continue being at risk and destruction of our waters will continue as shipping traffic continues to increase if our politicians do not start acting prudently. Predictably, it looks as though NY is slowly trying to save face and back down on ballast water despite the money spent creating and defending these laws, illustrated by the 2012 date for compliance reportedly extended by a year and a half. Odd when I wrote to Governor Paterson in 2008 about H.R.2830 and how our state would be represented, a Mr. Tierney from the NY DEC wrote back to me by US mail, on the Governors behalf claiming how great this state ballast legislation would be in comparison to H.R.2830 which would have been well under way by now. I wrote Mr. Tierney back, expressing concern on how they planed on enforcing these State laws, but never received an answer.
Senator Boxer subsequently killed legislation H.R.2830 for the whole country back in 2008, while the three top officials of this administration were all Senators. She allegedly believed it to weak for her states rights. Now California is backing down from her position as well as NY is backing down because the stricter laws can not be met??? “according to the shipping industry”? So now three years later all we have is a still purposed plan being concocted by the military, which so far appears as little more than following the international Maritime Organization lead of delay.
Our politicians need to act mandating technology other than the ocean flushing, which only uses dilution as the solution for pollution. Flushing dose not address all problems associated by ballast discharges. Just using salinity alone dose not address ocean invasive’s and other substances such as tar balls that can also be taken on during ocean flushing. Human health will continue being at risk and destruction of our waters will continue as shipping traffic continues to increase if our politicians do not start acting prudently.

]]> Comment on Censorship can’t beat the tweet, so why not join it? by Ryan Skinner http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/02/07/censorship-can%e2%80%99t-beat-the-tweet-so-why-not-join-it/#comment-2000 Ryan Skinner Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:42:27 +0000 http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/02/07/censorship-can%e2%80%99t-beat-the-tweet-so-why-not-join-it/#comment-2000 I can definitely say that Craig's twitter account of the e-Navigation conference (@shiptech) was extremely valuable for those interested in the subject. His short reports from the event were of great utility for those who couldn't be there, and generated a much greater amount of interest around this event. Everyone, including the company spokesperson who disparaged twitter, need to understand that any audience is now a media. Anything someone hears, they can blog about. Or tweet. Unless there are formal or understood rules against it, and these are made explicit, anything you say or write can be republished. And, if you're at an event, the chances are even greater. I can definitely say that Craig’s twitter account of the e-Navigation conference (@shiptech) was extremely valuable for those interested in the subject. His short reports from the event were of great utility for those who couldn’t be there, and generated a much greater amount of interest around this event.

Everyone, including the company spokesperson who disparaged twitter, need to understand that any audience is now a media. Anything someone hears, they can blog about. Or tweet. Unless there are formal or understood rules against it, and these are made explicit, anything you say or write can be republished. And, if you’re at an event, the chances are even greater.

]]> Comment on It is time to give shipping the X Factor treatment by Ryan Skinner http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/01/24/it-is-time-to-give-shipping-the-x-factor-treatment/#comment-1815 Ryan Skinner Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:57:59 +0000 http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/01/24/it-is-time-to-give-shipping-the-x-factor-treatment/#comment-1815 I'd like to see shipping executives appear on WipeOut! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLLDD4B-vgc It would do nothing for shipping's reputation (in fact, it might seriously harm it) but it would be fantastically popular within the industry itself... I’d like to see shipping executives appear on WipeOut!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLLDD4B-vgc

It would do nothing for shipping’s reputation (in fact, it might seriously harm it) but it would be fantastically popular within the industry itself…

]]> Comment on No silver bullet in BAE anti-piracy laser by Dr Ivica Tijardovic http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/01/17/no-silver-bullet-in-bae-anti-piracy-laser/#comment-1730 Dr Ivica Tijardovic Thu, 20 Jan 2011 07:42:30 +0000 http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2011/01/17/no-silver-bullet-in-bae-anti-piracy-laser/#comment-1730 I still believe that solution for piracy is on shore and not at sea. If international community through UN sends troops in Somalia to support Somalia's fragile transitional federal government peace may be established. Once that is done it is time to rebuild and stabilize the economy of the country. At present situation the navy vessels in Indian Ocean cannot always prevent piracy attacks. They are of great help but there should be much more ships like Mistral or Hyuga helicopter ships to protect and cover such huge area where the pirates make business. Even HMS Arc Royal could help international community in fight against pirates. It is absurd to read in 21st century the stories where pirates attack even cruise ships. Let me remind you what happened in April of 2009 when Somali pirates approached Italian cruise ship MSC Melody. The captain of the ship doused the vessel’s lights and tried to outrun the pirates. Undeterred, the pirates managed to fix a grappling ladder to cruise ship and began to board. At that moment they were hit by a stream of saltwater, directed by crewmen who had remained hidden as the pirates approached the darkened ship. Once the security guards of MSC Melody opened fire with pistols, the pirates retreated and abandoned the cruise ship. Those who think that a safe room (citadel) is solution for piracy are very wrong because the pirates will start using the explosives. More and more ship owners have begun to use the armed professional guards on their ships, but there is a big question of liability for ship operators, ship owners and crew members, especially in cases for example when guards open fire on a small craft engaged in nonthreatening activities. To solve piracy problem of countries like Somalia we just need political will. Time is not anymore our friend and piracy will not go away by itself. I still believe that solution for piracy is on shore and not at sea. If international community through UN sends troops in Somalia to support Somalia’s fragile transitional federal government peace may be established. Once that is done it is time to rebuild and stabilize the economy of the country.
At present situation the navy vessels in Indian Ocean cannot always prevent piracy attacks. They are of great help but there should be much more ships like Mistral or Hyuga helicopter ships to protect and cover such huge area where the pirates make business. Even HMS Arc Royal could help international community in fight against pirates.
It is absurd to read in 21st century the stories where pirates attack even cruise ships. Let me remind you what happened in April of 2009 when Somali pirates approached Italian cruise ship MSC Melody. The captain of the ship doused the vessel’s lights and tried to outrun the pirates. Undeterred, the pirates managed to fix a grappling ladder to cruise ship and began to board. At that moment they were hit by a stream of saltwater, directed by crewmen who had remained hidden as the pirates approached the darkened ship. Once the security guards of MSC Melody opened fire with pistols, the pirates retreated and abandoned the cruise ship.
Those who think that a safe room (citadel) is solution for piracy are very wrong because the pirates will start using the explosives.
More and more ship owners have begun to use the armed professional guards on their ships, but there is a big question of liability for ship operators, ship owners and crew members, especially in cases for example when guards open fire on a small craft engaged in nonthreatening activities.
To solve piracy problem of countries like Somalia we just need political will. Time is not anymore our friend and piracy will not go away by itself.

]]> Comment on Installation overload may compromise ballast rules by don mitchel http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2010/12/17/installation-overload-may-compromise-ballast-rules/#comment-1572 don mitchel Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:28:07 +0000 http://barratry.blogs.lloydslist.com/2010/12/17/installation-overload-may-compromise-ballast-rules/#comment-1572 Despite NY governor spending large amounts of money to create ballast water laws, as the states Attorney General, I am willing to bet he will cave in favor of WHATEVER plan the Coast Guard comes up with. Interesting Senator Boxer of California kills ballast water legislation passed in the house 395-7, back in 2008 that would have protected the whole country equally over her wish for California to be able to enact stronger laws. Now articles are saying California is backing down on its current ballast water laws for being to strict. NY laws will be next to go, making President Obamas week military plan look attractive. Senator Boxers position in 2008 killing ballast water legislation, to allegedly preserve her states rights to stronger laws, (despite president Obama’s reported rhetoric voicing support for legislation) was as the sponsor of the bill, former Rep Oberstar suggested “BS” and now it is being proven by California’s latest action. Now after all the wasted money this administration created leaving the states to create useless laws, the Presidents delayed Coast Guard plan will provide a weakened standard with a longer time line and President Obama and the Coast Guard WILL BE PRAISED for creating protection, when THE REALITY will be, that the killing of the legislation, the house voted for in 2008 and the delayed weakened plan will favor the foreign shipping industry more than the American environment and human health. Nor will a weak military plan, be of any help to create quick protection, which would level the playing field for American manufacturing cost by ending the free pass given to foreign ships delivering foreign manufactured goods. It really is not funny how our politicians waste our money to posture their political stature. Odd Paterson, governor of NY, ask by President Obama to step aside created strong ballast water laws- GONE!, Strickland strong advocate for ballast protection- GONE!, Oberstar creator of national ballast legislation h.r.2830- GONE! Granholm strong advocate for national ballast water regulation mentioned for Obama positions,- GONE- PASSED OVER! Governor Schwarzenegger strong environmental advocate for ballast water, GONE!- coinciding with a newly created weakening of California’s ballast water laws. Senator Boxer the killer of national ballast water laws RETAINED!, with large show of support from President Obama during elections. It should be obvious to those who have tried to achieve strong protection for all American waters from foreign shipping pollution, that once a new weak purposal from the Coast Guard is official, it will kill the topic, and foreign shipping will have prevailed allowing continued destruction, unabated by the prospect of future stronger protection. Despite NY governor spending large amounts of money to create ballast water laws, as the states Attorney General, I am willing to bet he will cave in favor of WHATEVER plan the Coast Guard comes up with.
Interesting Senator Boxer of California kills ballast water legislation passed in the house 395-7, back in 2008 that would have protected the whole country equally over her wish for California to be able to enact stronger laws. Now articles are saying California is backing down on its current ballast water laws for being to strict. NY laws will be next to go, making President Obamas week military plan look attractive. Senator Boxers position in 2008 killing ballast water legislation, to allegedly preserve her states rights to stronger laws, (despite president Obama’s reported rhetoric voicing support for legislation) was as the sponsor of the bill, former Rep Oberstar suggested “BS” and now it is being proven by California’s latest action.
Now after all the wasted money this administration created leaving the states to create useless laws, the Presidents delayed Coast Guard plan will provide a weakened standard with a longer time line and President Obama and the Coast Guard WILL BE PRAISED for creating protection, when THE REALITY will be, that the killing of the legislation, the house voted for in 2008 and the delayed weakened plan will favor the foreign shipping industry more than the American environment and human health. Nor will a weak military plan, be of any help to create quick protection, which would level the playing field for American manufacturing cost by ending the free pass given to foreign ships delivering foreign manufactured goods.
It really is not funny how our politicians waste our money to posture their political stature. Odd Paterson, governor of NY, ask by President Obama to step aside created strong ballast water laws- GONE!, Strickland strong advocate for ballast protection- GONE!, Oberstar creator of national ballast legislation h.r.2830- GONE! Granholm strong advocate for national ballast water regulation mentioned for Obama positions,- GONE- PASSED OVER! Governor Schwarzenegger strong environmental advocate for ballast water, GONE!- coinciding with a newly created weakening of California’s ballast water laws. Senator Boxer the killer of national ballast water laws RETAINED!, with large show of support from President Obama during elections.
It should be obvious to those who have tried to achieve strong protection for all American waters from foreign shipping pollution, that once a new weak purposal from the Coast Guard is official, it will kill the topic, and foreign shipping will have prevailed allowing continued destruction, unabated by the prospect of future stronger protection.

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