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Year: 2013

From the President – December 2013

In the last 10 years, IMCA has evolved almost beyond recognition: in 2003 we had 215 members, now we have almost 960*. Research indicates that the collective annual turnover of the members is in excess of $150bn per year, and they directly employ almost 350,000 staff across the world. The fleet of specialist vessels operated by those members accounts for some 4% of the world’s shipping tonnage, and IMCA members deliver some of the most important elements of the global economy – not just oil and gas. In light of the evolution of our membership demographic (see diagrams at the

Making Waves #69 – December 2013

Making Waves 69 (PDF)Highlights from issue 69 of Making Waves Include:The report on IMCA’s record breaking Annual Seminar in SingaporeIMCA’s Vision and Strategy update from the President, Massimo FontolanThe findings from our commercial diver training surveyIMCA’s upcoming ROV Training seminarSpotlight On Paul Evans of Fugro

IMCA annual seminar is a record-breaking success

On 6-7 November, a record breaking 480 delegates from 31 countries attended the 2013 IMCA Annual Seminar – Addressing the challenges of new frontiers – at the Shangri-La hotel, Singapore. IMCA annual seminar 2013 – New Frontiers The event was a storming success with a wide range of presentations from those at the forefront of the industry, workshops, networking events and an exhibition with 33 exhibitors. Backing from 4 sponsors and 12 endorsing organisations ensured the quality of the programme was greater than ever before. There was a sense of anticipation as guests gathered on the evening prior to the

IMCA publishes peripheral survey sensors guidelines

The newly published ‘Guidelines for the management of peripheral survey sensors’ (IMCA S 021) has been developed under the direction of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Offshore Survey Division management committee. Since the 1970s technology has been developed and applied in the offshore surveying industry to provide better and improved accuracy, quality, reliability and resolution of data and results. The current use and application of the various core technologies and the developments in related peripheral devices require users to maintain an understanding of good practice. “The requirements for periodical calibrations and verification of offshore survey and navigation related sensors

Offshore renewables under the spotlight at IMCA's Hamburg-based Europe & Africa Section meeting

Offshore renewable energy will be very much on the agenda when the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) holds the first ever meeting of its long-established Europe & Africa Section in Germany. With speakers from Technip, the German Shipowners Association, German Shipbuilders, Workships Contractors, Seaway Heavy Lifting, Bluewater, RWE, Vattenfall, ER Offshore and Global Maritime the meeting on Thursday 28 November at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Hamburg is open to members and non-members alike. “IMCA established an offshore renewables workgroup in 2011 following growing concerns regarding safety in the offshore wind construction industry,” explains the association’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.

Offshore renewables under the spotlight at IMCA’s Hamburg-based Europe & Africa Section meeting

Offshore renewable energy will be very much on the agenda when the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) holds the first ever meeting of its long-established Europe & Africa Section in Germany. With speakers from Technip, the German Shipowners Association, German Shipbuilders, Workships Contractors, Seaway Heavy Lifting, Bluewater, RWE, Vattenfall, ER Offshore and Global Maritime the meeting on Thursday 28 November at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Hamburg is open to members and non-members alike. “IMCA established an offshore renewables workgroup in 2011 following growing concerns regarding safety in the offshore wind construction industry,” explains the association’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.

IMCA five year plan turns vision into action

Anticipating the future needs of members, and setting high level aspirations and goals for that future, while continuing to respond and to deliver to the current needs of the industry are vital for a proactive trade association such as the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) which represents the interests of around 950 members in more than 60 countries. “It is a salutary thought that investigations indicate the collective annual turnover of IMCA members is in excess of $150bn per year, and that they directly employ almost 350,000 staff across the planet,” explains IMCA’s Chief Executive, Chris Charman.”The fleet of specialist

Safe methods of working under the EWEA Offshore Conference spotlight

Effective sharing of marine construction experience, safe methods of working and recommended practice for offshore installation will lie at the heart of presentation by Alan MacLeay at EWEA Offshore 2013 in the ‘Synergies with other maritime technologies’ session on 20 November in the ‘Industrialising the supply chain’ track. The offshore wind energy industry does not exist in isolation, and learning from, and integrating, other maritime sector technologies and methodologies presents opportunities for mutual cooperation, and is a vital step to increasing safety levels. Alan MacLeay is currently the engineering director for renewables at Seaway Heavy Lifting and chairman of the

eCMID Update #8 – October 2013

In this issue: eCMID database statistics, guidance on annual inspections, forthcoming workshops and plans for the future – the next issue of the CMID and a possible mobile/tablet app.

Delegates from 31 countries heading to Singapore for IMCA annual seminar

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Annual Seminar with its theme ‘Addressing the Challenges of new Frontiers’ being held in Singapore next week (6-7 November) has attracted a record-breaking number of delegates from 31 countries. “We have an extremely strong programme and are delighted by the international reaction which has seen a record number of delegates – over 440 and still climbing – from more countries than ever before,” says IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”The proceedings will get under way on Wednesday 6 November when Massimo Fontolan of Saipem and the current IMCA President; Mrs Josephine Teo, Republic of Singapore,

Spotlight on Carl Annessa

In the ‘Spotlight’ section of the September issue of our newsletter, Making Waves, we interviewed Carl Annessa, a current member of the IMCA Marine Division Committee and the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc. Here is the excellent interview in its entirety, in which Carl discusses his role at Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc., the future of our industry, the regulation of it, and the people who make it ‘go’. Please tell us about your company and what it does Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. is a leading provider of marine transportation services to exploration and

Jane Bugler speaking at NUI Diving Seminar

Jane Bugler, Technical Director of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is to speak on ‘Learning from diving statistics and incident reporting – an IMCA perspective’ in the ‘Global Picture of Diving’ opening session at the Bergen International Diving Seminar 2013 being held in Bergen, Norway on 20-21 November. The seminar is organised by NUI AS in co-operation with Statoil, ExxonMobil and Gassco and is the only event of its kind in Norway. Held since 1988 it attracts delegates from all parts of the diving industry, research communities and relevant authorities from home and overseas. “Incident reporting is a key

Discussion: Risk culture – fact or myth

“Risk Culture – fact or myth?” When: 11 November 2013 – 6.30 p.m. Where: The Box, LSE 5th Floor, LSE Tower 3 Clements Inn Strand London WC2A 2AZ Who: Professor Michael Power of the London School of Economics & Richard Anderson of Crowe Horwath Global Risk Consulting Building on our series of talks and dinners, we thought that you might be interested this time in a discussion about”Risk Culture”. This phrase is popping up everywhere, and as the pundits say it is widely recognised that problems with organisational culture played a major role in the financial crisis which crystallised in

ROV mobilisation revision

From award of a contract to the first in-water test of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) there are a significant number of issues that need to be addressed by both the onshore and offshore ROV teams. Each mobilisation is unique and needs to be planned in a comprehensive and structured manner. To assist in this process ‘ROV Mobilisation’ (IMCA R 009 Rev 1) published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) considers many of these issues in a checklist format. Each ROV operator has its own management system to cover their internal requirements and the IMCA document is intended to

IMCA annual seminar – all components in place

With its theme ‘Addressing the Challenges of New Frontiers’ the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Annual Seminar returns to Singapore after nine years with a programme that features keynote addresses, including one from a Senior Minister from the Republic of Singapore government; presentations, workshops and discussion. Offshore and onshore management and operational personnel from contractors, equipment suppliers, consultants, oil companies and regulators involved in marine construction and offshore operations will gather at the Shangri-La Hotel on 6 and 7 November for two highly relevant conference days, for which delegates from all over the world are currently registering. The proceedings will

IMCA annual seminar: Maritime Cluster Fund

The Maritime Part Authority (MPA) Singapore has approved an application from IMCA to be included in the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF) for a training grant for the IMCA Annual Seminar 2013 in Singapore on 6-7 November. The IMCA 2013 annual seminar has been approved as an MPA short course and eligible candidates can apply for a 70% grant towards their seminar fees, which would be reimbursed after the seminar takes place. To be eligible for the grant you must fit the following criteria: Participants must be Singaporean Citizens or Permanent Residents Participants must be employees of business entities / organisations

From the President – October 2013

As the industry moves inexorably forward and looks further into the future, evolution is of course inevitable. In addition to working in new geographies and topographies, there are also changes to regulation, legislation and the environment, including the political one. These issues combine to make our contracting activities increasingly difficult; ever more complex, challenging and risk laden. This requires us all to deliver to high standards, and places an emphasis on the need for sustainable and viable contractors in all segments of the market. Whilst the business is high profile and often high value, that profile is not always recognised,

Making Waves #68 – October 2013

Making Waves 68 (PDF)Highlights from issue 68 of Making Waves Include:Another successful Competence SeminarThe MLC coming into forceIMCA’s safety statistics reportThe revision to IMCA’s guidance on the use of simulatorsSpotlight On Carl Annessa

IMCA publishes Code of Practice for the use of High Pressure Jetting Equipment by Divers

Underwater high pressure water jetting equipment is used by fully submerged divers for cleaning, or cutting, purposes. Effective and safe operation of this equipment, and of its associated surface support equipment, is covered in the latest publication from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) – ‘Code of Practice for the use of High Pressure Jetting Equipment by Divers’. “The code of practices is also intended to apply to diver controlled jetting operations on, or near, the surface where there can be a risk, though contract with the water jet stream or flying debris, of traumatic injury to others working in

IMCA publishes guidance on the use of simulators

Simulators are used increasingly in the marine contracting industry, in particular for training and competence purposes, but also for work planning/mission planning purposes including engineering development, procedure development, technical assessments, research and asset risk assessment. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published a revision to ‘Guidance on the use of simulators‘ (IMCA C 014 Rev 3). “This document, originally published in 2010 and updated in August 2011 and then again in June 2012, and now once more in 2013 – proof of the increasing use of simulators in our industry – provides guidance on the use of simulators in

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