The announcement came just two days ahead of the London Conference on Somalia, which will bring together over 50 countries and international organisations to agree a programme of practical support for the lawless country including measures to tackle piracy and its root causes.

The Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecutions Intelligence Co-ordination Centre (RAPPICC), costing £550,000 to build, will co-ordinate and analyse intelligence to inform tactical law enforcement options, including the turning of intelligence into usable evidence for prosecutions in both the region and further afield.

Mr Hague also pledged a further £150,000 to support the United Nations Political Office for Somalia in creating a pilot maritime security co-ordination office in a stable region within Somalia to ensure greater counter-piracy activity on the ground.

He said: “Following intensive consultation with key international partners, I am delighted to announce a co-ordinated set of initiatives to disrupt pirate activity, and provide seafarers and the industry with improved tools to avoid and counter pirate attacks.

“The establishment of a new intelligence co-ordination centre will allow the international community to target the king-pins of piracy and ensure piracy does not pay. For too long, the international community has focused its efforts on the young, desperate men who are sent out to sea, without seeking to hold to account those who finance and enable huge pirate operations.”

Mr Hague added: “I am pleased that the UK is able to provide the first Director and £550,000 to fund the construction of the RAPPICC, which will be operational in time for the seasonal increase in pirate activity.”

The Seychelles and Dutch governments, as well as INTERPOL, have committed their support to the centre and Mr Hague hoped others would follow their lead.

He said of tomorrow’s (Thursday’s) conference: “We particularly want to see an end to pirates being captured and then released because there is nowhere to prosecute and imprison them,” added the Foreign Secretary.

“We hope that conference participants will agree a commitment to do more to increase judicial capacity in Somalia and the wider region.”

Swire Pacific Offshore Operations (Pte) Limited has ordered four IMT-997 Platform Supply Vessels to be built by Universal Shipbuilding Corporation in Japan and four sister vessels to be built at the EISA shipyard in Brazil. The 97 m LOA 5,000 dwt vessels will be classed with DP2 capability and have diesel-electric propulsion systems with azimuth propulsion units. The vessels will be delivered progressively from early 2014.

Craig Group’s Northstar Shipping has ordered two IMT-982 PSVs to be built at Balenciaga in Spain. The 83 m LOA vessels have diesel-electric propulsion systems offering greater fuel economy and efficiency. The vessels have an initial operating deadweight of 2,550 dwt, a useable deck area of 912 square metres and are powered by four MAK 9M20 1450 kW generator sets driving two Steerprop 1900 kWe Azimuths. The vessels are specially designed to operate at less than 5,000 tonnes displacement to work with older North Sea Structures where vessel size and weight restrictions apply and will be also classed with DP2 capability.

Neil Patterson, managing director of OSD-IMT, the UK arm of the OSD group, said: “The key elements of our IMT range of offshore support vessels are fuel efficiency and design for purpose. These leading offshore operators want vessels designed efficiently for specific tasks, and with these new designs we can tailor the hull, cargo systems, power and propulsion systems to the required operating profile. With offshore operators developing oil fields in deeper water and in more exposed environmental conditions, the requirements are for more efficient high capacity support vessels often with special requirements. OSD can design exactly what is needed, through the IMT range of OSV’s and with our extensive experience of diesel-electric systems and regulations such SPS Code, IBC Code and Probabilistic Damage, our designs can built anywhere in the world at the most competitive price.”

As regulations curbing atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gas emissions grow stricter amid stronger calls for a greener shipping industry, more attention is turning to the potential of natural gas as a cleaner alternative to liquid fuel oil.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is used widely on vessels designed to transport the commodity and has started to be introduced on other types of ships – around 30 vessels including Norwegian ferries and offshore support ships in the North Sea are now powered by LNG, and this number is expected to increase in the near future.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed the International Code of Safety for ships using gases or other low flash point fuels (IGF Code) to govern safety aspects of the application of natural gas for propulsion and auxiliary purposes and in the new ClassNK guidelines, requirements for the design of natural gas fuelled ships have been specified based on the current draft of the IGF Code.

The guidelines provide comprehensive information on key design features including bunkering, hull structure, fire safety, and explosion prevention measures.

“One of our most important missions as a classification society is to help ensure the safety of shipping as the industry looks to ways in which it can reduce its carbon footprint,” said ClassNK Chairman and President Noboru Ueda.

“These new guidelines have been compiled based on our vast array of technical expertise and experience. By releasing these guidelines today, we hope to provide practical guidance for shipyards, manufacturers, owners, managers and operators looking to prepare their fleets for a safer, greener future.”

“We value the strong business relationship we have built up with Unicom over a number of years. We are very pleased that their positive experience of that relationship has enabled us to develop our partnership further, and are looking forward to working closely with them in the future,” said Thomas Gunn, founder and Managing Director of Thomas Gunn Navigation Services.

TGNS will supply the Unicom fleet with both Russian Hydrographic Office and UK Hydrographic Office charts and publications, in both digital and paper format, customised to the operating requirements and the vessel specific requirements of Unicom. Serving the mariner in the SOLAS regulated market for over 30 years Thomas Gunn is the world’s largest supplier of digital navigation solutions and paper charts.

Unicom is a member of the Sovcomflot Group, acting as an independent ship management company providing services such as full management, technical management, crew management, commercial management, full operation management including disbursement and freight and hire calculations, marine insurances & claims handling and project and newbuilding supervision.

The start of the EC’s review of the EU State Aid Guidelines to Maritime Transport was announced on 14 February 2012. These guidelines cover European tonnage tax regimes as well as other state aid to the maritime sector. The EC has published a detailed and very comprehensive questionnaire regarding these state aid guidelines, inviting responses from citizens, organisations and public authorities.

The EC says the objective of the consultation is to invite member states, other institutions and stakeholders to provide information on industry developments, feedback on the application of the 2004 Community Guidelines on State Aid to Maritime Transport (due for review within seven years of their date of application) and their effects, as well as any comments and proposals regarding state aid for maritime transport. The Commission will analyse the outcome of the consultation before deciding to what extent changes to the current rules are necessary and, if appropriate, come forward with a proposal for revised guidelines. At this stage, the Commission has not taken a position concerning a possible modification of the existing guidelines.

Moore Stephens tax partner Sue Bill, said: “We hope the EC will bear in mind the importance of stability to European tonnage tax regimes. This is particularly important given the current difficult economic climate, and the fact that EU tonnage tax regimes are competing with other jurisdictions, such as Singapore, which offer very attractive tax breaks to the shipping sector. It will be important for all interested parties in the EU to ensure that they are involved as much as possible in the consultation process.”

In a separate development, shipowners in the UK tonnage tax regime were recently encouraged by positive remarks made at the UK Chamber of Shipping’s recent annual dinner by Shipping Minister Mike Penning, who said the UK government had no intention of touching the UK tonnage tax regime.

Sue Bill added: “The minister’s remarks referred to HMRC’s reinterpretation of the rules relating to the requirement that strategic and commercial management of the ships is located in the UK. HMRC has published revised, interim guidance which broadly reinstates HMRC’s pre-2009 position. Further consultation with the shipping industry has been promised, although no additional information has been provided regarding the scope and timing of the consultation.

“The minister’s comments are a very encouraging development, but it is not yet the end of the story. It is important that the consultation goes ahead, so that final guidance can be issued, in order to give further reassurance to the shipping industry. The government should take the opportunity to simplify and improve the regime. In addition, HMRC needs to act in a reasonable and consistent manner with regard to all matters relating to the UK tonnage tax regime, not just the strategic and commercial management test.

“As the UK government is required to act within the EU guidelines, the outcome of the EC review will also be important.”

For the first time, the 2010 amendments make it mandatory for trainee engine ratings to provide evidence of structured onboard training, and the revised ISF book – the second in a series of newly updated training record books – contains structured onboard training tasks formulated around the competence standards stipulated by STCW 2010, including those adopted by the IMO for the new grade of Able Seafarer Engine.

Most Flag States are, in due course, expected to require many existing engine ratings to be certificated as Able Seafarer Engine as part of their minimum safe manning requirements and, as the principal international employers’ organisation for ship operators, representing national shipowners’ associations from 30 countries and about 80% of the world merchant fleet, the ISF wishes to ensure rating trainees make best use of their seagoing service.

ISF Secretary General Peter Hinchliffe explained: “The competence of marine engineers, whether ratings or officers, is critical to safety and environmental protection. The updated ISF book enables trainees and their companies to monitor, record and evaluate their onboard training in a structured manner in accordance with the new STCW Convention requirements.”

A review of existing passenger ship safety legislation originally put in place after the Estonia disaster, will now include elements such as ship stability after an accident, evacuation procedures as well as language spoken onboard – factors that rose to prominence following the capsizing of the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy in mid-January.

The European Commission Vice President also intends to convene a stakeholder conference in April 2012 to discuss the best way forward and will use the findings of the official investigation into the capsizing as important information in deciding the way ahead.

In the area of piracy, Brussels is considering moves to make mandatory the use of Best Management Practices (BMP4) for European ships travelling in pirate waters. Fotis Karamitsos, Director for Logistics, Maritime and Land Transport in the EU Commission (DG MOVE), told SMI: “Consideration will also be given to developing better ship design and looking at ways to better deter piracy.”

He said the use of armed guards would also be discussed and said a conference would be convened in the Spring where the military would be consulted to discuss and address the growing concern of piracy.

The purpose of the Industry Best Management Practices (BMP) is to assist ships to avoid, deter or delay piracy attacks in the high risk area. Experience and data collected by Naval/Military forces.The potential consequences of not following BMP are severe. There have been instances of pirates subjecting their hostages to violence and other ill treatment. The average length of a hijacking of vessel and her crew is over seven months.

Mr Karamitsos said: “Piracy issues are high on the agenda and exchanges of information with EU NAVFOR has helped to convince ship owners and ships’ masters to take advantage of the measures in place to safeguard their transit through the Gulf of Aden.

“The European Maritime Safety Agency supports the operation with EU NAVFOR with the provision of long range tracking data for ships. We would like to invite all ship operators to apply the best management practices to prevent piracy and we are reflecting on the need to make this mandatory for ships sailing in these pirate zones,” he confirmed.

Following the industry’s announcement on January 27th of a Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review, in response to the Costa Concordia incident, the new drill policy has been introduced as part of the industry’s efforts to review and improve safety measures.

Initiated by the Cruise Lines International Association, European Cruise Council, and the Passenger Shipping Association, with the support of their member cruise lines, the policy is effective immediately and exceeds existing legal requirements which, in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), specify that a muster of passengers must occur within 24 hours of embarkation.

If latecomers arrive after the muster has been completed, these passengers will be provided with individual or group safety briefings in line with SOLAS. The Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review includes a comprehensive assessment of the critical human factors and operational aspects of maritime safety.

As best practices are identified, they will be shared among cruise industry association members and any appropriate recommendations will be shared with the International Maritime Organization, European Union and other governmental authorities as appropriate.

The industry’s efforts are consistent with the framework and spirit of the International Safety Management Code. Recommendations resulting from the Review will be made on an ongoing basis.

A copy of the new muster policy can be viewed at http://www.cruising.org/regulatory/cruise-industry-policies

SMI first revealed plans for the course last October and the university will be taking on new students this September in the hope of helping the international shipping industry tackle threats such as piracy and terrorism at sea.

The MSc will also deal with new issues affecting environmental and energy security, and aims to equip graduates, security personnel, serving and former members of the armed services with the professional skills they need to succeed in senior management roles in this growing professional sector.

The university’s Greenwich Maritime Institute (GMI) has teamed up with its School of Engineering and Natural Resources Institute (NRI), with Marine Insurance and Maritime Crime Consultant, and with the Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI), to develop the course which will be based at the university campus in the historic setting of the Old Royal Naval College.

Students can study full-time for one year or part-time over two years and the course is expected to attract interest from people currently working or seeking employment in senior roles in the armed services, the private maritime and shipping sector, private security firms, government bodies and law enforcement agencies.

Professor Chris Bellamy, Director of GMI, said: “The whole planet depends on safe, secure shipping. By volume, up to 90% of international trade is carried by sea. Yet our oceans, which cover 70% of the planet, can be dangerous places and there are increasing threats to this multi-trillion pound business.

“The maritime industry needs educated people with the informed vision to deal with these threats and opportunities. This course can help to provide the professional development which is so vitally needed.”

Researchers used the two days following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 to carry out a unique experiment when shipping traffic ground to a halt in the Bay of Fundy, Canada.

Leading the study was Rosalind Rolland, a researcher at New England Aquarium in Boston, who had originally set out to collect whale faeces to study the health and reproduction of the endangered North Atlantic right whales, but realised years later the hormone data could be combined with data on noise levels from shipping to draw conclusions about how the whales are affected by noise.

Just as humans use eyesight, whales use sound as their primary sense and their singing enables them to do everything they need to survive including sourcing food, navigation and finding a mate. But the frequencies they use very often overlap with those generated by ships, disrupting their ability to communicate.

During the two-day experiment noise levels from shipping fell by half and there was a “highly significant” decrease in stress hormones – measured against readings taken in September during the following four years.

The International Maritime Organization and the EU are both investigating how to reduce marine noise.

Of the findings, IMO spokeswoman Natasha Brown, said: “The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO, when it meets for its 63rd session, will review a number of submissions relating to noise from commercial shipping and its adverse impact on marine life.

“The MEPC has previously agreed on a need to develop non-binding, technical guidelines and consider solutions to reduce the incidental introduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping, so the issue is very much on the IMO’s agenda and governments are welcome to submit relevant information and/or report to MEPC.”

The MEPC, which will meet at IMO Headquarters in London from 27th February to 2nd March, will consider documents on development of an international standard for measuring underwater noise radiated from ships; information on the propeller as the main source for generated underwater noise; and information on shipping noise research and marine biodiversity with a special focus on whales and dolphins.