Around 20,000 seafarers pass through DP World Southampton’s container terminal each year, many of whom go for months at a time without speaking to family members or even stepping off the vessel they’re sailing with. To provide sailors with a rest area while ashore, DP World Southampton has donated land at the end of its 207 berth to the Seafarers Centre enabling a drop-in centre to be installed.

The facility has been built in addition to the main Seafarers Centre in Queens Terrace in Southampton because a lot of crew members do not even have the time to visit the main centre or the city.

Equipped with computers, telephones, wi-fi, internet access and television, the drop-in centre is a small comfortable facility providing seafarers with the opportunity to contact their families, have a change of scenery or just relax away from their ships.

Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said: 

“While at sea, seafarers face all elements in what can be described as an unforgiving environment. With vessel stays in port being brief we are delighted to be able to provide an area for crew members to contact their family and relax off board while at the container terminal.”

The drop-in centre has been funded by The Merchant Navy Welfare Board, Ivitta and Centres for Seafarers. Centres for Seafarers is a registered charity and is an ecumenical collaboration between The Apostleship of the Sea, The Sailors Society and The Mission to Seafarers.

In her speech, Vachon cited several anniversaries in the marine industry that were celebrated in 2011 or will be celebrated during 2012: the 120th anniversary at the Port of Montreal of shipping company Hag-Lloyd, whose Canadian head office is in Montreal, the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Canadian Coast Guard, which ensures secure year-round navigation on the St. Lawrence, the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority whose mandate is to ensure the security of navigation in the obligatory pilotage zones between Les Escoumins and Montreal, the 30th anniversary of the launch of the St. Lawrence Coordinated Service, jointly run by the Hapag-Lloyd and OOCL shipping lines and that connects the Port of Montreal to the ports of Northern Europe, and the 25th anniversary of the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council. t-Laurent. “All these anniversaries show how deeply the marine industry, from Montreal to the mouth of the river, has been anchored in the community for many, many years… and is more vibrant than ever,” she stated.

Mark Brownrigg, Director General of the Chamber, said: “This substantial report covers the full spectrum of complex issues surrounding piracy. Shipping carries more than 80% of world trade and therefore any threat to ships and seafarers on major routes will have its own impact on the UK and global economy.

“This is why it’s essential that the current effective military presence in the Indian Ocean must be maintained and strengthened, even in the face of today’s economic pressures.”

The Chamber also responded to other key sections of the report:

UK role in counter piracy

“We strongly support the Committee’s emphasis on the UK continuing to play a leading role in the international response to piracy, including the provision of naval units in the area and the practical support which the UK gives to the EUNAVFOR initiative.”

Policy on armed guards

“We share the welcome given to the Prime Minister’s announcements in December decriminalising the carriage of private armed guards and announcing an international conference in the spring on security in Somalia, including the issue of piracy.

“With regard to armed guards, we welcome the emphasis placed on the need for clear and practical guidance on the use of force by private units and for a regulatory structure governing their deployment, including provision for proper training of operatives and guidance as to their use.  We also particularly welcome the recommendation that government and industry should together investigate further the potential for using military ‘vessel protection detachments’.”

Political challenges from piracy

“Above all, the Chamber considers it essential to keep a high public profile on this brutal issue which is so crucial for crews and ships crossing the Indian Ocean.  It is vital that all possible efforts are maintained to resolve the legal and political challenges that piracy throws up, both at sea and on land in Somalia itself. 

“These challenges – including the financial tracking of the ill-gotten gains from this criminal activity, ensuring that the actions of pirates meet with effective prosecution and sanctions, and working on capacity-building with the authorities in Somalia to encourage alternative lifestyles – remain and must be solved sooner rather than later.”

International conference on piracy

“Issues that affect the shipping industry always require co-operation between countries to find solutions. We are very much looking forward to the international conference announced recently by David Cameron and urge Government to continue to work with industry before, during and after this event. We hope that this will help find a lasting solution to the unacceptable scourge of piracy and its destabilizing effect on seafarers, the shipping industry and world trade.”

Part of James Fisher & Sons plc, Maritime Engineers offer a comprehensive range of professional and high quality marineconsultancy services from ship surveys to naval architecture and design. “This new office will enable us to provide additional services to the region and allow us to better service the needs of our clients in the South East Asian region,” commented Kent Stewart, Maritime Engineer’s Executive Director. “We are very excited about this expansion as it will also enable us to work closer with other James Fisher companies who also have offices in Singapore.” Maritime Engineers became part of the James Fisher group in December 2010 and brought marine engineering, ship surveying and naval architecture consultancy skills to the group. With the strategic goalto develop and expand the company and its services it can offer to the maritime industry, Maritime Engineer’s investment in the new Singapore office is part of this long term plan. “We very much hope that this will be the first of several new offices in keymaritime and offshore locations around the world which will also complement other companies within the James Fisher group” added Mr Stewart