“Bulk owners are overwhelmed by the number of regulations recently introduced,” says Arthur Bowring, Managing Director of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSA). “The general attitude is one of resignation rather than debate. Many smaller owners are swimming hard trying to keep their heads above water.”
Bowring emphasises how important it is to involve the industry when preparing for new regulations. "Many of the new regulations adopted recently are without technical guidance and some have very short entry into force timetables," he says. "We know the problems and a better system would be to include us and our practical experience in the decision process. We are not convinced that double side skin bulk carriers as such are the answer to our prayers for safer ships. Existing single side skins are safe if they are maintained properly and in accordance with IACS standards."
Few advantages
It is a fact that it is impossible to build ships where all risks are eliminated. Bulkers are workhorses that need to be robust, but should not be too complex. Bowring is afraid that IMO is trying to cure the many problems by over-designing future vessels; "By adding too much to present designs we might end up with very complex vessels that will be difficult to operate. It seems that each problem is being addressed individually, and individual solutions are being introduced, rather than looking at the issue as a whole.
"The decision on double side skin was taken after the formal safety assessment results were presented to IMO at the MSC 76. Unfortunately, the study compared double side skins with pre-98 single side skin. Many improvements have been made by IACS to single skin design since 1998, which have made single skin just as safe as double skin, including stronger side shell framing, stronger bulkheads and more robust hatch covers.
"On the other hand, the double skin design is a relatively new concept, and there are many structural and maintenance disadvantages compared to single skin, which include some structural issues as well as maintenance and damage control. We therefore believe that, when compared to today’s single skin ships, the safety advantages of double skin are relatively few, if they exist at all."
Compliance deadlines
Bowring is afraid the bulk market will drown in the new regulations particularly as the authorities seem to take it for granted that the industry will find new solutions to whatever is adopted. He says; "I find the situation impossible. I understand IMO member states wish to work to a very tight schedule, but our members are having a hard time to comply with all the new demands within the fixed deadlines. We hope that if there is evidence that owners are finding it difficult to comply within the time limits, some flexibility will be shown by the enforcing states, such as port and flag states.
IACS increases customer awareness
HKSA has been instrumental in pushing for the new IACS unified requirement URS25; Harmonised Notations and Corresponding Design Loading Condition for Bulk Carriers. Bowring is pleased with the fast reaction and solution by IACS to the problems identified.
"IACS has changed tremendously in the last two years, becoming more customer-focused and working with the owners to develop the new unified requirements. We are keen to encourage this new attitude and will continue to work closely with IACS into the future. Our Association firmly believes that IACS should continue to make the regulations meet policy goals set by IMO," concludes Bowring.