- Australia sets to Look Into Possible Abandoned Ship and Crew
ExxonMobil, Eagle LNG Partners and Crowley have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of LNG as a marine fuel.
The companies said that the goal of the collaboration is to establish the storage and technical support necessary to provide “safe, reliable LNG delivery for vessel operators bunkering in North America.”
The three companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 27, 2017, and they will initially focus their efforts in Florida before expanding to other North American markets.
Under the terms of the deal, ExxonMobil will provide its technical support and expertise to help the parties carry out safe bunkering operations and sell LNG bunker fuel to vessel operators. Eagle LNG Partners will supply the LNG and will design, build and operate small-scale production and storage facilities as well as coordinate land-based LNG transportation. Crowley will provide bunker logistics and ensure safe and reliable operations.
“The Memorandum of Understanding is another major step forward in developing LNG as a marine fuel. It will leverage the specialist knowledge and expertise of ExxonMobil, Eagle LNG Partners and Crowley to the benefit of vessel operators bunkering in North America,” said Luca Volta, LNG Venture Manager at ExxonMobil.
“This agreement provides additional opportunities for vessel operators looking to adopt LNG as a marine fuel.”
The decision by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to introduce a global 0.50 percent sulfur cap on vessel emissions in 2020 will impact bunker fuel selection. The parties believe that the marine industry is heading for a multi-fuel future that will include low-sulphur options, with LNG an important part of that mix.
In the meantime, the Australian Government has been urged to intervene to identify the owner of 36-year-old supply ship MV Yarabah that has spent almost two months languishing at Port Welshpool, in the South Gippsland region of Victoria.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said the crew of the ship, who are Indian nationals, have allegedly been paid a flat rate of just AUD 120 per week while working in the port since the beginning of April.
The union is demanding action from the Federal Government to identify whether the vessel has been abandoned. The Government would also identify the owner and operator of the ship, the crew’s legal status, and how they have been paid such a low wage while operating in Australian waters.
“For nearly two months this vessel has been sitting at a regional Australian port, crewed by a group of Indian nationals who are reportedly being paid just a fraction of the minimum wage,” Dean Summers, ITF Australia coordinator, said, adding that the Government needs “to urgently intervene.
The issue highlighted the importance of an ongoing Senate examination into Flag of Convenience (FOC) shipping in Australian waters, according to the ITF.
In a submission to the inquiry, Border Force wrote that “organised crime syndicates or terrorist groups may seek to exploit” flag of convenience shipping arrangements due to a “lack of transparency of the identity of shipowners” and “insufficient flag state regulatory enforcement and adherence to standards”.
“Clearly, the system is failing, resulting in the Australian community and environment being put at risk by rogue shipping operators taking advantage of inadequate regulation and compliance,” Summers said.
World Maritime News
