It was really a dream come true when I was
invited onboard first Pakistani double hull tanker M.T.
QUETTA built in 2003 with a summer dead weight of 107215
MT, generally termed as AFRAMAX TANKER. Pakistan has
tankers, but either single hull or with segregated
ballast tanks, all under CAS and phasing out
schedule.
On the first sight of this beauty I
could not restrain myself appreciating the good decision
of the management to enter the double hull tanker fleet
before existing tankers are phased out. I did find the
vessel excellently maintained and managed by
professionals of Pakistan Merchant Marine, inferior to
none. I was particularly impressed by the good knowledge
of Chief Engineer, Master and other staff of the
vessel.
My attachment to new regulation of double
hull tanker and phasing out of single hull tankers goes
back to 2003, when I represented as expert to draft new
regulations on tankers in Maritime environmental
protection committee of International Maritime
Organisation based at London. I can't forget the night
oil burned by most professional team to adopt the
definitions proposed by EU and also incorporating Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 of USA.
We, at IMO agreed,
bearing in mind sad incidents of Exxon valadez, Erika,
prestige and also Tasman Spirit that carriage of most
polluting types of heavy grades of oil need amendments
to Anex I of Marpol 73/78 Convention to which Pakistan
is signatory by ratification. The EU block insisted that
heavy fuel oil carriage by single hull tankers be
restricted by April 2005 near EU coast.
It was
also agreed that, any coastal state may deny the right
of entry to single hull tankers but due to our
insistence, not to impose EU, restrictions and time be
allowed to developing countries to phase out, we were
accommodated to some extent.
The MEPC agreed to
speed up gradual phasing out of single hull tankers
notwithstanding a number of limited exemptions, single
hull tankers will not be allowed operation beyond 2010.
We agreed to enhanced inspection of single hull tankers
from the age of 15 years to detect structural
weaknesses.
I recall that in freezing winter of
December 2003, the final decision to amend Annex I of
Marpol conventions 73/78 was taken during the 50th
session of MEPC on 4th December 2003 at IMO London and
approved by the Assembly. The EU bloc was the driving
force to enforce double hull measures and stringent
safety measures as per SOLAS to entire world
fleet.
The IMO through the marine pollution
convention, made double hull tankers mandatory by
regulation 13 F. The US OPA'90 became mandatory to
world-wide fleet. It was also agreed that all new
tankers will meet IMO type 2 hull as per IBCC. While
debating, the MEPC also took note of defects in double
hull tankers.
I was pleased to see that our first
Pakistani Tanker QUETTA complies to Solas requirement of
ballast tank coatings as envisaged. Double hull tankers
have been seen as the safest alternative to single hull
tonnage. It was interesting to see that our M.T. Quetta
complies with stringent requirements of SOLAS for
tankers and is fitted with inert gas systems as inert
gas system is mandatory to tankers of 20000 tons DWT and
above.
The new tanker is complying with equipment
duplication as per SOLAS which makes steering gears of
tankers to be duplicated. I was impressed to see the
vessel equipped with navigational equipments also
duplicated and maintained excellently.
The tanker
was also fitted with mandatory towing arrangements and
also complying with MARPOL 73/78 requirements of
reducing the consequences of accidents ie stability
/sub-division etc. I did see the protective location of
segregated ballast tanks, thus reducing the spill after
accident.
The world, unlike us, is very conscious
of pollution and NGOs like Green Peace, in addition to
Port State Control, keep a strict eye. IMO is the
international clearing house and is the keeper of a body
of International treaties aimed at safety, security and
pollution.
I remained involved at IMO in framing
safety, security ISPS code and environmental regulations
along with members having specialised skill in different
faculties of Maritime and environmental sciences, thus
everyday was education and flow of knowledge.
I
must honestly admit that in spite of framing rules and
standards for world-wide shipping, it was my first
experience in life physically boarding a double hull
tanker and that too of my own country flying Pakistan
Flag. It could be anybody's guess how proud I felt that
Pakistan has entered into advanced field of double hull
tankers.
I am quite sure that this vessel is just
the beginning and now falling freight/market will affect
the price of double hull tankers, which may have cost 70
mill USD plus to our public sector Pak Flag. The prices
will come down.
I must admit that physically
inspecting the state of art ship M.T. Quetta fitted with
latest technology of B&W main engines and
navigations equipment was education to a person who was
part of framing rules at IMO for double hull tankers.
Heraclitus remarked that "learning is only a means to an
end, which is understanding and understanding is the
ultimate value in education."
The world-wide
recession is taking its toll and I would suggest that
our only ship-owning company to take advantage of
falling prices by replacing outdated vessels with new
tonnage.
I, congratulate the entire nation and
particularly maritime fraternity of Pakistan on
induction of State of Art vessel and mariners must visit
to see for themselves the latest technology. It sends
shivers to me if I am asked to command this beauty after
quitting sea about 35 years, as technology has changed
so dramatically that Anachronistic or Plebeians, will
get shock of their life.
TAIL PIECE There
is no denying that education is an essential preparation
for life and work in advanced economy and maritime
faculties too. Modern economics requires skilled and
motivated workers, who can only profit from the
opportunities, they afford, if they are equipped to
respond to their demands.
The public sector
management must turn the recessionary trends, in
shipping to opportunity, as it is blessed with
leadership which inspires the team and commands the
respect and does not demand. The present economic and
financial TRS has eye positioned at US and EU.
We
are facing lull before the storm and it may take 3/6
months to reach us, thus we may promptly act by inducing
strict financial discipline, ban on foreign tours,
reducing cost of repairs and maintenance, restraining
unions and making counter demands to work 10 hours and
asking all service providers to reduce their invoices by
10% so that there is no liquidity crunch and time has
proved that conservative organisations can weather any
storms.
I have seen the demise of private sector
enterprises in my lifetime. The entire maritime
fraternity in Pakistan must assist the only Pak Flag
bearer public sector company by volunteering to offer
solutions to the management, instead of being
critical.
The future generation may not forgive
Alan Green Span who is responsible for this debacle and
his theory that " Profit for private sector and losses
for socialisation and tax payers:. I have always
subscribed to Keynes, Galbraith and Adam Smith who were
balanced and emphasised the need of strong regulatory
regime along with public and private sector
participation. The right of common and poor be
preserved. Gordon Brown has done it and now confused
Bush is following.
I have made independent
assessment based on my regular interaction with IMO and
regional players who all agree to subscribe to stringent
international accounting standards and professionally
managed regulatory regime. While sighting the six
monthly accounts of public sector ship-owning it gives
satisfaction, however nobody knows the future, thus
leadership must act by inducing austerity measures to
keep the organisation afloat and growing.
Executive Committee Meeting of
Master Mariner Society of
Pakistan will be held at 17.30
Hrs. at Room No 18, Old Ralli
Brothers Building, Talpur Road,
Karachi.
Annual
Dinner
2010:
Master Mariners society of
Pakistan is holding it's Annual
Dinner 2011
TO HONOUROUR SENIOR
Members in recognition of their valuable
services to Pakistan Merchant Navy and to
promote professional competence to Maritime
Fraternity.
