SPECIAL 149th AGM Team Piraeus: An exciting journey ahead Forward Thinking: The future of shipping - The Swedish Club
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No.2 | 2021 149th AGM SPECIAL Team Piraeus: An exciting journey ahead Forward Thinking: The future of shipping
Contents
Leader
Another virtual AGM ..............................................................................................................3
AGM2021
The Swedish Club’s 149th AGM ............................................................................................4
Are you brainfit? ......................................................................................................................8
Interview: Anders Hansen, Guest Speaker ..........................................................................12
P8
New Board members............................................................................................................13
Forward Thinking
Charting the course to automation......................................................................................14
Norway’s Green Shipping Programme ................................................................................19
Preparing for the extraordinary - the Alfa Lift ....................................................................22
Loss Prevention
P19
Safety scenario: Swept away by large wave ......................................................................26
P&I
Going home - repatriating seafarers with mental health issues ......................................28
Legal
Important clarification of COLREGS ....................................................................................32
Team Piraeus P28
An exciting journey ahead: Interview with Ludvig Nyhlén ..................................................34
Supporting the next generation: Interview with Hans Filipsson ........................................36
Club Information
Successful rollout for first MIC Online ................................................................................38
Notice board..........................................................................................................................41
Staff news ............................................................................................................................41
Quiz........................................................................................................................................42 P38
The views contained within this publication are those of the respective authors and are not necessarily those of The Swedish Club.
The Swedish Club Triton is published three times a year and distributed free of charge. The Swedish Club Triton is an editorially
triton
independent newsletter and opinions expressed by external contributors are not necessarily those of The Swedish Club. Articles
herein are not intended to provide legal advice and the Club does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or their
consequences. For further information regarding any issue raised herein, please contact our head office in Gothenburg.
No.2 | 2021
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LEADER
Another virtual AGM
This year, the Swedish Club’s Annual are proud to have produced a series of It is time for changing the guard in the
General Meeting - its 149th - was yet webinars covering key topics in claims Piraeus office. Having served as Area
again digital. Last year was the first time and loss prevention during the spring. Manager for eight years, Hans Filipsson
ever that the AGM was conducted by The annual Marine Insurance Course in has handed the reins to Ludvig Nyhlén,
virtual means, and we believed it would Gothenburg, normally run for a whole recently from the Gothenburg office.
be a one-off occasion. Little did we know week in May, this year delivered Ludvig has taken on the challenge of
that circumstances would continue to prerecorded lectures in conjunction with servicing members in the region with
prevent us holding a face to face event. digital live workshops. These events enthusiasm and commitment. I would
The meeting was broadcast in real-time attracted a large audience with a like to thank Hans for his dedication
and followed by many members and diversified outreach across countries and during these years and wish Ludvig good
business partners - substantially more shipping segments. luck in the years to come.
than last year.
Of course there is nothing like personal Many interesting topics and articles are
Preceding the corporate AGM, we contact, and we look forward to meeting featured in this edition of the Triton.
welcomed a guest speaker, Anders face to face at events in the future, whilst There are never two Tritons alike. I hope
Hansen, a respected medical practitioner, continuing our increasingly popular you enjoy the reading and please stay
author and TV host who explained how digital programme. safe.
we could be ‘brainfit’. With little effort, we
can develop our brain capability, memory Earlier this year the Club celebrated ten
and decision making. Physical activity on years of active underwriting from our
a regular basis is the trick. The activity office in Norway. The story began when
level required to achieve the objective is the Club made the decision to participate
no more than we can all easily fit into our in the ever-expanding offshore energy
day-to-day life. Worthwhile considering. industry, in which further continuity
underwriting was needed. Today, the
The Club is in constant motion, focus has widened to all Marine and P&I Lars Rhodin
responding to insurance needs, claims products backed up by the Club’s all-in- Managing Director
and providing loss prevention advice. We one service.
Triton 2 2021 \ 3
AGM2021 4 / Triton 2 2021
AGM2021
The Swedish Club’s
149th AGM
For the second time in its history the broadcast live to Club members from Introducing the keynote speaker Lars
Club’s AGM was run virtually from the Clarion Hotel Post, ably moderated Rhodin emphasised that The Swedish
Gothenburg, with members and by Åsa Lindell. Club is all about adding value. “We add
business partners joining the event value in the way we handle claims, in
remotely. This closes a chapter for The Opening the event Lennart shared his the way we support our members in
Swedish Club, as plans are already fixed wish that the Club would soon be able minimising claims, and in our role as
for the 2022 AGM, which will take place to resume business as usual at the industry advisor in insurance related
in Gothenburg and will be a celebration 2022 AGM: “Let’s hope that next year matters,” he said. “We aim to follow this
of the Club’s 150th Anniversary. life is back to normal and that we can approach and, as always, go beyond the
have the normal arrangements again,” AGM with a small programme which will
This year, the Club’s Chairman Lennart he said. “Next year’s AGM will be special still be entertaining, inspirational and
Simonsson; Secretary of the AGM Per for all of us, as we will be celebrating thought provoking.”
Settergren; and Managing Director Lars the fact that The Swedish Club will have
Rhodin were able to share the stage and been in business for 150 years.”
Managing Director’s Report
Opening with the Oscar Wilde Our unsung heroes updated solvency statement within 24
quote, ’Experience is one thing you hours. This needed to contain our
can’t get for nothing’, Lars Rhodin Rhodin paid tribute to the seafarers and assessment on the likely exposure to the
spoke about the importance of shipping companies that kept the world Club of COVID-19 and a worst-case
moving during the pandemic. “They faced scenario. We demonstrated resilience and
experience, and that whether it
travel bans, restrictions, and quarantine we had a strong capital buffer, and of
requires effort, or costs money, it requirements” he said. “They have not been course our business development
will always be needed. regarded as essential workers. They have continued.”
stayed on board away from their families
Recognising a black swan just to keep the world moving. They are our At the end of the year the Club was happy
unsung heroes. to report a profit of 3 million USD. However
“Marine underwriters are trained to expect during the course of the year the
the unexpected, and there is a high degree Volatility, resilience and aggregated return in investments showed a
of statistical certainty that the unexpected business development swing of 50 million. “Now we’re talking
will actually happen,” he said. “But we don’t about volatility,” remarked Rhodin.
know exactly when and we don’t know for “In underwriting we had many pool claims
whom. The black swan is something and also retained claims. On the For 2020 the underwriting result, a
completely different. It's not known, and investment side we have now almost combined ratio of 123%, was the highest
therefore cannot be expected. The forgotten what happened in March,” he the Club has seen in 20 years. Lars
pandemic is not a black swan. It was explained. “At the end of the first quarter explained that both pool claims and
known but it was not expected. We know equity markets were in freefall, and at that retained claims made a significant
about pandemics, but we choose to forget point the Swedish regulator approached contribution. On the plus side however, the
them.” every insurer in Sweden demanding an Club’s free reserves are standing at an
Triton 2 2021 \ 5
AGM2021
all-time high level, with a return on the Club’s Pool claims - In 2020 the Golden Ray, Sanctions - The Club spends a great deal
own capital of 5% over five years. which capsized off the coast of Georgia, of time making sure that the Club and the
USA the previous year, became the fleet that it insures is on the right side of
Stability second largest P&I claim in history, sanctions, explained Lars. “We get
costing just short of 800 million USD.. messages every day highlighting vessels
At the end of the year the Club’s ratings “These costs are very much driven by entering areas which are considered high
were affirmed as A- with a stable outlook, where the casualty occurs, says Rhodin.” risk for sanctions, and it is a very
which was viewed as extremely positive complicated area for all of us.”
considering that ratings agencies are Loss of containers - “Within four months,
currently taking a negative view on the from November 2020 to February 2021, The International Group
industry due to underwriting and pool 3,000 containers were lost overboard. The
claims. The Club also continues to show a One Apus lost almost 2,000 containers – Hailing the International Group’s pooling,
strong combined ratio average in the how can that happen?” asked Lars Hydra and reinsurance systems, Lars
industry, in the seven years 2013 to 2019. Rhodin. “We have new ships, high Rhodin described the benefits of being
container stacks and we hear about part of the group, with a stronger voice,
Key issues in 2020 parametric rolling.” collaboration and sharing of data.
Green issues - Before the pandemic fully Fines - Rhodin raised the question as to “It’s a very robust organisation that can
broke, the sulphur cap was the hot topic. whether fines should be insurable. He stand the shock of the kind of major
“It was all about availability, quality and illustrated the point with the MSC claims we have seen,” he said. “But the
the price differential between low sulphur Gayenne, where in 2019 customs officers main issue is that the market premium
fuels and HSFOs,” said Lars. “From the discovered a record quantity of cocaine - isn’t really there to cover the sort of
point of view of claims, the issue had very 20 tonnes, and the operator was forced to exposure that we have seen for the last
little effect. However, the issues of climate post 50 million USD to obtain release. three years - a record level. You will see
and emissions remain very much alive.” corrections going forward.”
The Club
“We add value in the way we handle claims, in
the way we support our members in
“There are now more than 5,000 vessels
tracked through the Club’s Trade Enabling
minimising claims, and in our role as industry Loss Prevention (TELP) system,” said Lars
advisor in insurance related matters.”
Rhodin. “TELP now provides alerts on
claims hotspots and piracy hotspots, as
6 / Triton 2 2021
AGM2021
Combined Ratio Investment Results 2020
7 year averages, 2013-2019 Aggregated return USD million
140% 35
128% 128% 30.0
30
120% 115%
113% 25
109% 110% 110% 112%
106% 108%
98% 100% 101% 102% 20
100%
15
80% 10
USD M
5
60% 0 1.2
-5
40%
-10
20% -15
-20 -20.4
0% -25
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
The Swedish Club Market Average
Source: Arthur J Gallagher, Marine P&I Pre-Renewal Review 2020 and TSC’s accounts
“The pandemic is
not a black swan. It
was known but it
was not expected.
We know about
pandemics, but we
choose to forget
them.”
well as Bunker Alerts identifying potential
issues with fuel, and Correspondents
Advice giving up to date local information. Finally, Lars introduced Safire – a new long
“We are here to
serve the needs of
More than 50% of members are now term data project designed to support
enrolled, and I urge all members to take more efficient and informed decision
shipowners.”
advantage of the scheme which is unique making on the underwriting side and
to the Club and free to members.” analyse claims more effectively.
After discussing the Club’s commitment Outlook
to sustainability Rhodin then talked about seamless product range and unrivalled
the Club’s plans for Asia. “The Club is “There is no finish so love the journey,” casualty response. We thank you for the
expanding,” he said. “We are seeing a lot quoted Lars. “Going into our 150th year we opportunity to serve and look forward to
of growth in our Asian business have a robust planning process with shared meeting the challenges ahead together.”
generated through the Hong Kong office. strategic and operational priorities. But we
Now is the time to complement that must never forget why we are in business, Closing the meeting Club Chairman
office with one in Singapore. We are and that is the great importance of the Lennart Simonsson expressed the hope
currently seeking a licence from the Board. It reminds us of the ‘why’ – we are that circumstances would allow members
authorities and our expectation is to be here to serve the needs of shipowners. to be welcomed in person at the 150th
operational on 1 Jan 2022. Asia is a very AGM to be held in Gothenburg. “Looking
dynamic region and we want to be part of “We are a quality underwriter with a strong forward to seeing you face to face soon,”
that development.” capital position; stable performance; a he emphasised.
Triton 2 2021 \ 7
8 / Triton 2 2021
Are you
AGM2021
brainfit?
Get moving – it will make you smarter! Psychiatrist, author and
motivational speaker Anders Hansen had a simple message when
addressing the Club’s AGM: Physical activity not only makes us feel better,
but it improves our cognitive functions. It even seems to improve our
intelligence.
“This is not something I made up myself 45 minutes. The other half carried out Happiness Pill’ which explains in detail how
but the result of numerous studies, many stretching exercises for the same amount exercise can benefit the brain. “We all know
involving MRI scans,” he said. “The science of time. MRI scans after a year showed we feel better if we exercise,” he said.
has shown how extremely important it is that the ‘stretching’ group’s hippocampus “There are a number of neurotransmitters
for the brain that we move.” had shrunk by an average 1.4%. The that affect our mood, the most important
walking/moving group’s hippocampus had being serotonin, which connects to the
The problem with memory actually grown an average of 2%. feeling of harmony and inner strength –
having too little is connected to anxiety and
We even have the chance to improve our “You might think ‘I don’t care about this obsessiveness; norepinephrine, which
memory. “The hippocampus works as the stuff - it doesn’t affect how I function’. But it keeps us alert; and dopamine, which
GPS of the brain and is extremely actually does,” explained Hansen. motivates us to do things.
important for memory. It reaches peak size
when you are 25 to 30 and thereafter it The average growth was 2% – the Antidepressant drugs increase the level of
starts to shrink, by about 1% a year. That hippocampus grew by 1% in some these neurotransmitters in the brain, he
contributes to the fact that memory is individuals in the walking group but by 3% said. “But If I go for a run, I also increase
unfortunately reduced as we get older.” in others. This 3% group also improved the level of these neurotransmitters in the
their memory the most – and they were the brain – all three. And that, together with
Form new brain cells ones who had improved their endorphins, creates this feeling of
cardiovascular fitness the greatest. wellbeing.”
It has been known for years that shrinkage
of the hippocampus can be increased – by “So, if you are in your 50s, can you run your In short, exercise can have the same effect
alcohol or drug use, for example, but to way back to your 25-year-old as antidepressant drugs when it comes to
slow down shrinkage was thought to be hippocampus? The answer is that no one mild depression, said Hansen. “I have a lot
impossible. Not any more. Researchers knows,” says Hansen. “We do not know if of patients who ask what actually works
found that laboratory mice that ran on a this continues for ever – I don’t think it will, apart from medicine. I always say that
wheel actually formed new brain cells in it is very unrealistically biologically psychotherapy works, cognitive
the hippocampus and improved their speaking. It probably levels off at some behavioural therapy (CBT) works, and
memory, when compared to mice who point.” exercise works. I don’t want to downplay
lazed about. these drugs –they can be vital. But there is
Exercise and feel better an alternative. It is not just either/or – a
They then carried out the same test on 100 combination is often best.”
humans. Half carried out exercise that Hansen has written books about how the
raised their pulse, three times a week, for brain functions, including ‘The Real
Triton 2 2021 \ 9
AGM2021
Dealing with stress In other words, regular exercise teaches the Hardwired to eat
body not to react too strongly to stress,
And there is more: Hansen explained the regardless of the cause, he said. There is a catch (there always is!).
mechanics of stress and the way in which We are lazy by nature, we like
cortisol is released, making your heart beat He threw out some more impressive facts eating and we should not feel
stronger and faster, mobilising energy for and figures. Children aged ten were given a guilty about that, he said. That’s
fight or flight. maths test to do under pressure, in a study because calories were really hard to
which also involved activity trackers. The come by for our ancestors, with starvation a
“When our ancestors were facing a lion, more steps the child took, the better they huge threat. We are hardwired to eat when
they had to make a decision: 'Fight or run' – could handle the stress. “Some did not food is there and to save our energy. Every
there was no time to produce an Excel increase cortisol levels at all – and these weight loss is interpreted by the body as
sheet with pros and cons, otherwise they were the ones that did the most steps.” threatened starvation, making us want to
would probably be out of the gene pool. eat more.
Now we don’t face these immediate life- Mazimising your IQ potential
threatening situations, but we experience “Eating every calorie you can find has
the same stress – often for months or Pre-military service tests of 18-year-old worked well for most of our history – but
years. That seems to be dangerous to males in Sweden showed that the that’s a terrible idea in MacDonald’s!”
some people, and it is no coincidence that individuals with better cardiovascular
long-term stress causes depression.” fitness also had a higher IQ – even when
comparing identical twins.
The answer again: exercise. “What
happens if I go for a run or a swim? The Disappointingly, that does not mean
cortisol levels in my bloodstream will everyone can run until they become
increase. But when I have finished, then the Einstein, said Hansen. “But everyone is born
cortisol levels drop and fall to a lower level with an IQ potential and you push yourself
than before exercise. Then, when I get down from that potential if you sit down too
stressed for other reasons, I do not much. You could do better.”
respond with such a high increase in
cortisol if I am in good shape.”
“Everyone is born
with an IQ potential
and you push
yourself down from
that potential if you
sit down too much.
You could do better.”
10 / Triton 2 2021AGM2021
Evolved for exercise “But please do something. Move in
some way. It is about having a body and
In fact, he said, the benefits of exercise brain that functions as well as possible.
have always been known. Hippocrates Ideally you should try to raise your pulse
said ‘Walking is Man’s best medicine’ but three times a week, 45 minutes every
the advance of modern medicine has time. It doesn’t have to be going to the
pushed that knowledge into the gym or running a marathon. It might be
background. walking or taking your bike to work,
taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
“We humans have used our smart We are evolved for exercise and we will
brains to build exercise out of our lives. function and feel better if we just do that
But we have lost something important little bit more.”
along the way.”
Forget the marathons, the sporty
lifestyles, the health magazines, he said.
“Ideally you should try to raise
your pulse three times a
week, 45 minutes every time.
It doesn’t have to be going to
the gym or running a
marathon. It might be walking
or taking your bike to work,
taking the stairs instead of
the elevator.”
Triton 2 2021 \ 11AGM2021
Connecting
brain
& body
Interview with AGM keynote speaker Anders Hansen.
Born in Stockholm in 1974, Hansen He doesn’t like the ‘just do it’ slogan – even
“We are a
biological
studied economics before switching to though he runs and likes to play football
species; we
medicine. He started writing for a and tennis, he knows it isn’t that easy.
newspaper in order to finance his way
No more excuses
evolved under
through medical school and found he
enjoyed presenting science to people in a
conditions that
way they could understand. He trained as “I am a very good negotiator when it
a psychiatrist and after many discussions comes to negotiating my way out of
are very different
with a colleague about the effect of exercise, he says. “ I am an expert in
exercise, wrote his first book, ‘Prescription finding excuses – my leg, my ankle, my
to the ones we
for Health’. knee, it’s raining. I do run – I don’t like it, but
I do it anyway. I have periods when I feel
live in today. ”
“The book did well in Sweden and had very down and then I realise that I haven’t been
positive feedback,” he says. “I then decided running for two weeks. But if I make it
to write about the effects of exercise just social, I don’t skip it. You don’t want to be
on the brain.” the person who always makes the call to
cancel. That is a tactic I would Positive emotions
‘The Real Happiness Pill’ was published recommend.”
five years ago, and Hansen followed up His next book will focus on emotions and
with a radio programme and TV series It is most important to find an activity that how they are constructed, and what we
about the topic. He describes himself as a you can and want to do, he says, and he is can do about depression and anxiety. “We
‘science communicator’, apart from his job also dismissive of the ‘elite’ element in need a deeper understanding of how we
as a psychiatrist – he spends half of his sport. “It is putting many people off. We evolved. We have forgotten about our
time in clinical work. make it into crazy stuff like a 40-year-old biology. We are a biological species; we
man doing the Ironman.” evolved under conditions that are very
Exercise and not competition different to the ones we live in today. There
Surely most of us know by now that are certain things that send signals to the
Hansen is passionate about the benefits of exercise is important for health and brain that it is safe, and then we feel good.
moving, but wants to move away from reducing physical illness – but, he says,
fixation on sportiness, performance and that knowledge doesn’t necessarily “We have divided the brain and body too
competition. motivate us. It can feel too remote. much in our thinking, when they are closely
“However, the cognitive effects are here connected, he warns. “Our experience of
“You have to build exercise into your life – and now – that is what it is important to wellbeing is created in an organ – the
walk to work, cycle to work, walk up the emphasise. Exercise can deliver a signals from our brain and body are very
stairs,” he says. “I know how hard it is – substantial creativity boost – if that could closely integrated and extremely important
and it should be hard, because we are lazy be shown for a medicine, it would be on for our emotions, but that is something we
by nature. That is not a flaw in us, it is a everybody’s shelves by now.” have forgotten about.”
feature in us.”
12 / Triton 2 2021The Club welcomes
AGM2021
two new Board members
Interview with Yu Tao
Deputy Managing Director, Chief Legal Adviser and Board
Secretary of COSCO Shipping Lines
regulatory framework and risk relationship with the Club,” said Ms Yu.
monitoring are my priorities,” she says. “Since then, many more ships have been
entered with the Club for P&I insurance
What led her into the shipping industry? from COSCO Shipping Lines, including
“The maritime industry has a long the former COSCO Container Lines and
history and the shipping network has China Shipping Container Lines. A
made global destinations closer,” she number of companies in the COSCO
says. “I was deeply aware that the Shipping Group have also had a
development of the shipping industry business relationship with the Club for a
A senior economist, Ms Yu studied was the key to our national policy of considerable period of time.”
international transportation for her opening-up at that time, and so I chose
degree and holds an MBA from Peking this career with no hesitation. Ms Yu says she was very pleased to be
University. She joined the COSCO group asked to join the board of The Swedish
in 2004 and served as Deputy General “I love the vision of shipping – making Club. “COSCO has worked closely with
Manager of COSCO Logistics and then the flow of goods smooth and global, the Club for many years and values the
Deputy Managing Director of COSCO just like the slogan of COSCO Shipping relationship it has built up with such a
Container Lines before being appointed Lines – ‘We Deliver Value’.” friendly and professional organisation.
to her current roles. We do feel very much part of The
COSCO Container Lines first entered two Swedish Club family,” she says.
“As Deputy Managing Director, Board vessels with The Swedish Club for P&I
Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel, the cover in 1994. “That was the start of our
The Swedish Club has also appointed Andrew Hampson, Chief Executive Officer, Tufton
Investment Management Limited, to the Board, and we will feature an in depth inter-
view with Andrew in the next issue of Triton.
Andrew Hampson finance house, where he primarily
focused on providing debt related
Chief Executive Officer, Tufton advisory and arranging services to a
Investment Management Limited variety of worldwide shipping companies
and debt providers.
Andrew Hampson initially joined Tufton Andrew began his career with Bank of
in 2001 to assist in the development of America in 1978, where he graduated
its corporate finance business and through the bank’s internal MBA level
subsequently to build up Tufton’s lending program. In addition to his role
position as a dedicated fund manager in as Chief Executive Officer, Andrew is a
the shipping asset space. Before joining member of the investment and advisory
the company he worked at Theisen committees for various of Tufton’s asset
Securities, a private maritime corporate backed funds.
Triton 2 2021 \ 13FORWARD THINKING
“There is a great deal happening in Norway on the green
agenda today. Its unique geography and concentration of
forward thinking organisations make it a hub for innovative
and cutting edge developments in the maritime sector. We
take this opportunity to give you a roundup of the latest
Charting
initiatives from our members and business colleagues in
the region.”
Tore Forsmo,
Area Manager, Team Norway
the course
to automation
Interview with An-Magritt Tinlund Ryste, Product Director Next Generation Shipping, Kongsberg
Maritime and Øystein Engelhardtsen, Group Leader Ship Autonomy, DNV
14 / Triton 2 2021STRAP
Discussions about autonomous vessels frequently seem to take an in congested areas with houses, schools,
‘all or nothing’ approach. Are we really poised for an abrupt change etc., while the ocean was just next door to
their production site so they made the
from fully crewed vessels one day to something like the Mary decision to make more use of it.
Celeste crossing the oceans the next? Hardly. The advance of
autonomy, and the potential for unmanned vessels, is an incredibly The 79.5 metre, 120 TEU YARA Birkeland,
dynamic area but it is also a story of steady progress – evolution due start operation with reduced crew,
and on schedule to be unmanned by the
rather than revolution. end of 2024, will be the world’s first fully
electric and autonomous container ship.
It will sail within 12 nautical miles of the
Norway is leading the way in developing At that point, Sea Launch, the remotely coast, between three ports in southern
the technology around autonomous operated platform for launching rockets Norway.
vessels and/or unmanned vessels. This into space, provided a testbed for
effort is supported by close collaboration Kongsberg’s remote control technology – Kongsberg is responsible for development
with government, the maritime authority, pairing this with advancements in the and delivery of the enabling technologies
the coastal administration and class military sector contributed to great strides for the vessel, including the sensors and
societies says naval architect An-Magritt for civilian application, says Ryste. integration required for remote and
Tinlund Ryste. As Director of Next autonomous ship operations, as well as the
Generation Shipping in Kongsberg “However, since 2017 we have seen a real electric drive, battery and propulsion
Maritime, she heads up the company’s shift in the remote control and autonomous control systems.
autonomy initiative focusing on vessels area, with much more interest in the
subject to class and statutory potential for commercial vessels, and that Electric barges
requirements. side has been racing ahead. We are using a
lot of our knowledge, confidence and Kongsberg Maritime is also working with
A gradual evolution proven systems involving coastal cargo Norwegian grocery distributor ASKO,
barges and vessels, towage and unmanned developing two unmanned electric barges
Kongsberg’s ‘journey’ in this regard began surface vessels for patrolling, surveillance to cross Oslo Fjord, carrying electric
as far back as the 1960s and 70s with a and maintenance in wind farms, for grocery supply trucks between a
gradual automation of onboard systems. example.” warehouse on one side and a distribution
She points out: “It is not like the industry is site on the other. The vessels will be
going straight from completely manual and Logistics as the driver equipped with the technology required for
very conventional to full automation. zero emission and unmanned operations
However, in terms of remote operations Kongsberg is focusing on autonomous by Kongsberg Maritime, while Massterly
and unmanned vessels, this work started in shipping through Massterly, a joint venture will ensure ship management and safe
the middle of the 1990s, when we were with Wilhelmsen. Ryste says much of the operations from its shore-based Remote
piggybacking on previous experience with drive for autonomous technology isn’t Operations Centre. The vessels will operate
dynamic positioning and satellite coming from ‘traditional’ shipowners. “In with a reduced crew at first, before moving
communication, bringing that together with the maritime sector, some of the first towards unmanned voyages.
remote operations.” movers in remote and autonomous were
more the companies that had a desire to “ASKO has sites on either side of the fjord
reduce the CO2 footprint of their logistics and relies quite heavily on the Oslo Fjord
chains.” tunnel. However, the tunnel is often closed
at night and disrupts their logistics, so they
The YARA Birkeland were looking at alternatives to the very long
road diversion,” says Ryste.
Fertiliser company YARA is a prime
example. They recognised that they had “Neither YARA nor ASKO were traditionally
many lorries using small roads in Norway involved in maritime at all; in both cases, it
“Much of the drive for
autonomous technology isn’t
coming from ‘traditional’
shipowners.”
Triton 2 2021 \ 15FORWARD THINKING
was ‘why not transfer the goods from road “Gradually we have seen more focus on
to water and have more control of the this topic and that is not detached from
logistics chain?” what is happening elsewhere in the
industry. It is very much related to the
A holistic approach general trends towards digitalisation,
connectivity and decarbonisation. It is also
DNV, the Norwegian classification society, related to developments within safety
started specific research into ship assurance, such as remote inspections and
autonomy and remote control nearly ten run time assurance.”
years ago. "As a class society, it is not
DNV's role to develop the technology in Engelhardtsen describes autonomous
these systems. Instead, we focus on what shipping as very multidisciplinary, with a
will be required for such systems to particular issue being the human-machine
operate safely and how this can be verified interaction. "Although certain vessels are
and documented. intended to be operated fully unmanned,
some human involvement will be required
"DNV started looking at the technologies for all of these systems, and there will be a
required for such operations and their combination of operators and systems that
potential impact on risk and safety, and we have to work together, either from a control
quickly realised that assuring safety for centre ashore or on board the vessel. The
such systems is a complex task as it can challenges related to this should not be
affect safety barriers on many different underestimated."
ship functions," says senior researcher
Øystein Engelhardtsen, based in Oslo. Regulations
The ReVolt concept ship Regulations play an important role in this
because they determine whether you are
DNV has developed the ReVolt concept able to operate or not, he says. "Operating
ship, which although never intended for an unmanned vessel within one country's
production, demonstrates to the industry national waters is more feasible in the
what is possible if you take things to the short term than crossing a range of
extreme. At the time it was introduced international waters. At that point you need
autonomous and unmanned shipping was regulations to be developed and ratified at
not high on the agenda, and so it gained a IMO level and this is expected to take many Øystein Engelhardtsen, Group Leader
great deal of attention. years to complete." Ship Autonomy, DNV
16 / Triton 2 2021FORWARD THINKING
“International regulations, data connectivity
and the question of commercial viability
remain big challenges in the journey to
autonomous/unmanned vessels.”
This explains why the first major An-Magritt Tinlund Ryste agrees. Ryste. “You could rely on the smart vessel
demonstrators of unmanned vessels will “International regulations, data connectivity being able to handle any kind of situation –
be in national waters, he says. “We still and the question of commercial viability but what if something should go wrong
expect to see examples of autonomous remain big challenges in the journey to mid-Atlantic? You need continuous
and remotely operated systems in autonomous/unmanned vessels. connectivity to have continuous control,
international waters that can operate and that can be costly. However, we expect
within current regulations; where you still “You can prove that the technology is to see many more actors and tremendous
have crew present, but they may be capable and carry out a demonstration of developments in the next ten years to
assisted in or relieved of some of their that, but the international regulatory provide satellites and communications,
tasks. This can be seen as a landscape is not really ready to cope until and prices will drop.”
continuation of a trend that has been we have regulations that are internationally
going on for centuries, where technology ratified,” she says. “So at present we are The Bastø 6
has taken over more and more functions relying on agreements and approvals
on board.” within national waters, with individual flag DNV’s SIMAROS project (Safe
states and classification societies. Implementation of Autonomous and
Having said that, much of the current focus Technically it is easier for an unmanned Remotely Operated functions on Ships) is
of DNV's research is related to vessel to cross the open ocean than aiming to develop tools, methods, rules and
implementing automated functions to navigate in busy harbour waters – but the regulations to ensure a safe autonomous
support navigators in their work – for regulatory issues mean it is not currently ferry crossing.
example, to detect dangers – rather than possible.
cutting crew numbers. The same The developed system has been
technologies that would be considered for Connectivity implemented and demonstrated on the
unmanned vessels can be useful also on Bastø Fosen ferry Bastø 6, operating on the
fully manned vessels, he says. “The cost of connectivity links is also an Horten-Moss service. Combining various
issue when crossing the ocean,” explains inputs, including camera, radar and AIS, the
Triton 2 2021 \ 17FORWARD THINKING
case throughout history. “Where you can
reduce the complexity, for example one
vessel carrying one specific cargo from
one port to another in a very limited area,
that is where we expect it can be possible
to operate unmanned.”
Race to market
Ryste says she has seen a great shift
during the four years that her work has
been focused on remote control and
automation. “It started with one or two
projects. Now we see projects in every
maritime company, a lot of government
funding going into this in different regions
and multiple projects. There is a race to get
to the market with these kinds of solutions,”
she says.
“Ultimately, it isn’t so much about testing
the building blocks but about making it
More automation
commercially available and profitable for
ship forms its own situational awareness, operators to take into daily operations. But
on board will
presented to navigators on the bridge. The overall, I don’t foresee that we will have a
relieve the
solution automates the AI rationalisation, massive amount of unmanned vessels. It
and response to, radar and camera will be a more automated approach,
stresses and
capabilities for positioning and collision leading to a reduced crew, better rotation
avoidance, including in reduced visibility for crew, more focus on safe navigation
strains on crew
conditions. The ferry is using new optical and support going in and out of critical
and reduce
sensors for situational awareness areas, and more shore-based assistance
developed from Kongsberg Maritime’s than we have had before. More automation
accidents.”
advanced systems, while continuing to on board will relieve the stresses and
carry a full complement of crew. strains on crew and reduce accidents.”
Other developments being progressed by A more integrated future
Kongsberg/Massterly include the attention has increased to using the
Seashuttle project with Samskip, which is technology to support regular manned What would she predict for 20 years’
aiming to bring to market emissions-free, operations. We are starting to see a lot of hence? “I think environmental requirements
autonomous container ships that also the benefits that can bring, such as will drive new vessel designs and new
operate at a profit. avoiding collisions with the pier, increasing types of vessels. We will be building a lot
safety and allowing for more optimised more smartness into vessels. Some
Inadequate safety framework operations,” adds Engelhardtsen. segments will be more automated than
others.”
The systems required to enable Automated but not unmanned
autonomous functionality of vessels are Autonomy is not really the ‘end goal’, she
much more complex than we have DNV envisages autonomous functions that insists – just the means to achieve
traditionally seen on ships, says can operate independently but require something else.
Engelhardtsen. “It is the opinion of DNV humans on board to monitor and intervene
that the industry lacks tools and processes if necessary. “Automation of navigational, “We will start looking at vessels in another
for safety assurance that are fully capable cargo handling and engineering functions light, not just as workhorses but as an
of capturing the complexity in these could deliver a lot of small improvements integrated part of a much larger logistical
systems meaning that new tools and that together make a significant impact. chain. There will be more collaboration and
processes must be developed to test and Ship autonomy and remote control is much sharing of data. We will start optimising in
assure these systems.” more than just unmanned ships, and the a much broader scope than we do today.
major industry impact is likely to be related We will take a holistic view, perhaps with
Trickledown effect to manned ships in the years to come.” ‘highways’ on the water and smaller
vessels going into port. And everything will
While much recent industry focus has been Unmanned vessels will happen, he says, be a lot more connected.”
on fully unmanned ships, “we have the but it will be a gradual rollout, with a steady
impression that the focus has shifted – decrease of crew on board as has been the
18 / Triton 2 2021Norway’s
FORWARD THINKING
Green
Shipping
Programme
Interview with Anders in close cooperation with the business
sector. It will be vital to build on this
Mikkelsen, Regional constructive cooperation to speed up the
Business Development pace of change in the maritime sector in
Manager, DNV and the period up to 2030.”
Chalotte Bjørn, Head The Green Shipping
of Communications Programme
North Europe, DNV,
Maritime Among the initiatives, the Green Shipping
Programme is a private-public partnership
There are no quick fixes when it comes to zero-
that was established in 2015 on the
initiative of DNV GL, since renamed DNV.
emission vessels – but innovative projects can
certainly advance at speed when all sides work The Action Plan states: ‘The vision for the
programme is to establish the world’s most
together. That very much sums up Norway’s position efficient and environmentally friendly
in the development of zero-emission vessels. coastal shipping fleet. The programme’s
studies and pilot projects are helping to
identify and develop zero- and low-
“Norway is leading the way in this area. It is class rules on everything from LNG to emission solutions that can be put into
a complete shipping cluster with investors, batteries and hybrid technologies, and it practice rapidly.’
funding mechanisms and policymakers – has been the lead on a number of green
and that make this possible,” says Anders shipping projects in partnership with The Green Shipping Programme is divided
Mikkelsen, Regional Business Development others. into four phases. The potential for battery
Manager for maritime in North Europe at and gas-based maritime transport in
DNV. “You also need to have rules and Action Plan for Green Shipping Norway was assessed in the first phase,
guidance in place regarding the application starting 2015, and business cases were
of these new technologies, and DNV has The Norwegian government set out its developed in phase two, starting in 2016.
been at the forefront of that.” commitments in a comprehensive Action
Plan for Green Shipping published in 2019. The third phase, which started in 2018, is
The classification society has been Within this, it stated: “The Government’s focusing on eliminating barriers to zero-
working closely with industry to establish green shipping policy has been developed and low-emission solutions in shipping,
Triton 2 2021 \ 19FORWARD THINKING
“The Green Shipping Programme is and the development of detailed
very special to Norway – in six to seven
implementation plans. In the fourth phase,
up to 2030, stakeholders will seek to scale up
years it has generated tremendous
the solutions that have been developed
through pilot projects.
innovation and commercial capabilities Mikkelsen says DNV is involved in a number
in shipping in Norway, and it is also of zero-emission pilot projects linked to the
exporting great ideas.”
Green Shipping Programme, and is also
taking the lead in other joint industry projects
that are outside the programme.
“The Green Shipping Programme is very
special to Norway – in six to seven years it
has generated tremendous innovation and
commercial capabilities in shipping in
Norway, and it is also exporting great ideas.”
The programme is all about running pilot
projects focusing on the ‘green shift’ and
decarbonisation, he says. Initially it has
mainly looked at coastal shipping, but now it
is also expanding to the deep sea sector.
“It is a really fascinating programme,
involving shipping companies, designers,
manufacturers, shipyards, operators and
landside infrastructure. And it is an integral
part of what we do.”
Pilot projects
Among the pilot projects there is huge variety
– and there are numerous partners. For
example, in the Logistics 2030 pilot project,
which seeks to reduce truck transport by
developing a sea-based logistics structure
between Norway and Europe, the pilot owner
is the grocery group ASKO, and the
participants have been Flowchange,
Seatrans, DFDS, Grieg Star, Hydro, Norwegian
Ports, the ports of Stavanger, Oslo and
Bergen, the Norwegian Ministry of Climate
and Environment, the city councils of Oslo
and Flora, the University of South-Eastern
Norway, SINTEF, Menon, the Norwegian
Coastal Administration, the Norwegian
Maritime Authority, Enova and DNV.
Other projects have been built around the
shipment of aggregates and grain in
electrically powered bulk carriers, the transfer
of cargo from road to sea, hydrogen as a
ship fuel, and sea drones – to name just a
few.
The hydrogen alternative
Mikkelsen says that where tenders going out
for ferry services in Norway used to specify
‘low emission’ ferries, now the government is
20 / Triton 2 2021FORWARD THINKING
pushing for zero-emission. “The Safety Fuel flexibility is very important for
government is pushing suppliers and shipowners, he adds. “They don’t want to
shipping companies to come up with There is, of course a big safety aspect in all have all their eggs in one basket – then find
carbon neutral alternative fuel solutions. of this. To some extent, there are safety the price of their chosen fuel is too high, or
Hydrogen ferries are what we are talking requirements in place today that could be it’s not available.”
about now – and they are coming.” too constricting because they are based on
20-year-old technology, he points out. Catching up
As he points out, zero-emission ferries are “Certain requirements actually mean you
a really big deal for a country like Norway, are not able to make use of all your new While DNV can change its class rules,
where there are about 300 ferry legs that technology and fuels – which means you which are updated every six months, as a
are an integral part of the national road are forced to burn more and emit more, classification society it is not, of course,
network and administration. “Norwegian because of the current safety rules. There able to change actual regulations. “There
fjords are very long and driving around is a balance to be found, and that has not are a lot of statutory requirements and
them can take up to 10 hours – hence necessarily been discussed yet.” legislation that shipping companies must
there are a lot of ferry crossings. We have adhere to – some of them are probably ripe
been working closely with the road Chalotte Bjørn, DNV’s Head of for updating, but that is not in our hands.
administration on how to set up tender Communications North Europe stresses: However, the work we undertake with IACS
processes, how to understand the “Safety is at the core of everything we do, and the Maritime Technologies Forum
technology choices, and how these and we are very close to the industry in (MTF) helps shape and influence global
changes will affect operations.” developing rules. For example, we have our regulation drafted at the IMO."
ammonia-ready notation which was
However while he sees hydrogen as an launched in July. We will have rules in place Equally, ports need to catch up in terms of
ideal fuel for shortsea and coastal for all these new fuels to make sure the providing onshore power or new fuels. A
operations, “I don’t see that easily on safety aspect is covered.” ship using hydrogen, for example, will need
deepsea vessels. to make regular port calls where it can be
Fuel flexibility confident of a supplier, because the
Alternative fuels onboard tanks will be relatively small.
Mikkelsen explains: “You can build vessels
“Of course you already have LNG, LPG and to our guidelines on ammonia as a fuel. “It is all about numbers,” says Mikkelsen.
methanol for deepsea, and these are really These first orders are being placed now – “There is so much happening, including
good transition fuels to zero. Further ahead, probably the vessels will go into service in research into fusion as well as ammonia.
we are more likely going to see ammonia, two years’ time. At that point they will be Once we have understood the bigger
and potentially other green fuels that will ‘ammonia ready’, which means they will picture around biofuels and what land
come after 2030. Hydrogen isn’t a quick fix convert a few years later when prices are areas can be used for these, then more
to solve it all – it is heavy and requires way low enough and the supply chain is built to biofuels will come.
too much storage, so a deepsea vessel manage that fuel.”
might end up carrying more hydrogen than “I am very optimistic. We have seen a
“The government is
cargo. But overall, I am sure we will see a significant push over the past two years,
broad mix of fuels, including different types and a belief from the shipping company
pushing suppliers
of biofuels.” side. Where two or three years ago people
were more shaking their heads and saying
and shipping
Different ship segments and trades will these were impossible ambitions, today
require different solutions – that’s logical. they see that this will happen; they are
companies to come
But also, he says, shipowners may have asking, how will be manage this, and they
good connections to specific customers are setting ambitions and targets.
up with carbon
which will influence their access to
particular fuels. “If you have a trade that “In Norway, the funding structure is drawing
neutral alternative
can easily get access to a particular fuel at money in from the shipping industry and
a fair price, that is a good option.” putting it back – for example, money from
fuel solutions.
the NOX tax goes back into innovative tech
Shipowners need to do their research, says solutions. There are a lot of really well
Mikkelsen. “We have a lot of interesting
Hydrogen ferries are working mechanisms on the funding side
what we are talking
conversations with them. Their risk here, and the industry is benefiting.”
appetites are not the same. Some will sit
about now – and
and watch before taking a decision. Others
are making a few bets now. Some are
they are coming.”
looking at fuel cells – others are not
because they feel that the technology is too
complicated.”
Triton 2 2021 \ 21Preparing
FORWARD THINKING
for the
Not so long ago, 80% of Oslo-based
OHT’s business was serving the oil & gas
sector. Now the company is committed
to exiting that market altogether by 2026,
extraordinary-
with the exception of decommissioning.
The focus is entirely on offshore wind
developments, and OHT has invested an
extraordinary 500 million USD in support
of its work.
the Alfa Lift
Demonstrating commitment
The symbol of OHT’s new direction is big
– very big indeed. Next year, the
company will take delivery of the unique
Alfa Lift, a heavy lift crane installation
vessel now under construction at the
China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI)
yard in Jiangsu. With a deck the size of
one-and-a-half football fields (10,000
In the drive for decarbonisation, the world is
square metres plus) and a crane with
3,000 tonnes capacity, the Ulstein design
shifting from offshore oil & gas to renewables. A
vessel is being built specifically in
response to the increasing demand for
company that perfectly reflects that transition is efficient transport and installation
Club member OHT.
solutions in the rapidly growing offshore
wind market.
Interview with Tom
Jebsen, Chief
Financial Officer,
OHT Management AS
22 / Triton 2 2021FORWARD THINKING
OHT has also signed a contract with
CMHI for the construction of the first
of two next-generation self-propelled
jack-up turbine installation vessels,
being built specifically to install
future-generation offshore wind
turbines and giant monopiles, but
with significantly reduced
environmental footprint. This first unit
is due to arrive in 2023.
A change of direction
“Traditionally OHT has been a heavy lift
company – for example, lifting
enormous oil rigs,” says CFO Tom
Jebsen. “We consider the number of
vessels within the heavy lift segment to
be only 30 to 35, and we have five of
them. A few years ago, we saw that
there was going to be enormous
development of offshore wind. Some
98% of the world’s offshore wind is
bottom-fixed – floating wind is now
being developed, but we believe it is
still ten or 15 years away before it will
be very competitive.
“A few years ago, we saw that
there was going to be enormous
development of offshore wind.”
Triton 2 2021 \ 23FORWARD THINKING
“The unique Alfa Lift will be
capacity crane will pick each one up and
delivered in 2022. The Swedish
lower it to the seabed; each piece will be
driven into the seabed by a 750-tonne
Club will be one of the main
hydraulic hammer provided by the German
specialist Menck.
insurers of that unit.”
Keeping the fleet busy
OHT is confident that its five older open
deck semi-submersible heavy
transportation vessels, named Hawk,
“So we focused on the fact that with our The two vessels together represent an Osprey, Albatross, Falcon and Eagle, will be
technology in handling huge weights, investment of 500 million USD. OHT was kept busy in the renewables business.
combined with dynamic positioning (DP) listed in order to raise the finance required. “Traditionally they have been transporting
systems, we could create an ‘animal’ that “It was very important to get the Dogger oil rigs. But we are now seeing offshore
would be much more productive than the Bank contract,” says Jebsen. Initially it was wind developing from very small fields
jack-ups that have typically handled with Equinor and SSE; then a third player, where all the products or components were
foundation installation. That was in 2015; in Eni, took a share. manufactured fairly close by, to really large
2016 we developed the unique Alfa Lift, fields where you can industrialise the
which will be delivered in 2022. The “We start in July-August next year. process – which we have already done,”
Swedish Club will be one of the main Installation of the foundations will take 18 says Jebsen. “Last year we picked up 48
insurers of that unit. to 24 months, depending on the weather. foundations on six voyages from the
The marshalling port for the foundations Middle East, around the Cape of Good
Straight to work will be outside Rotterdam – the reason is Hope up to Scotland.”
that these foundations are huge steel piles,
OHT already has a contract lined up – the with diameters of 8-10 metres and 80 to What next?
Alfa Lift will be put to work installing 190 100 metres long.”
foundations on the Dogger Bank. The The question is, what will follow the Alfa
smaller jack-up arriving in 2023 will take The Alfa Lift can accommodate at least 10 Lift? Probably something bigger, longer and
care of ‘above water’ installation work – the of these at a time, lying across the deck in with a larger crane, says Jebsen. But it will
tower, blades and turbine. purpose-designed cradles. The 3,000-tonne not be built speculatively, he says – OHT
24 / Triton 2 2021You can also read
