IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 25/04

IMCA'S ANNUAL SEMINAR LOOKS AT HIGHLY TOPICAL ISSUES

The dangers of piracy and vessel security are amongst the topical issues to come under the spotlight at the forthcoming IMCA Annual Seminar. The annual event, staged by the International Marine Contractors Association, takes place 2-3 December in Singapore - the first time it has been held in the Asia-Pacific region.

Also for the first time, the IMCA Annual Seminar is being organised by all four IMCA divisions - Marine, Diving, Offshore Survey and Remote Systems & ROV, with a programme reflecting the diverse range of operations carried out within the marine contracting industry but with common interest reflected in every included theme.

IMCA has a global membership of some 260 companies in 35 countries and the seminar, with its overall theme 'Marine contracting - from deepwater construction vessels to diving operations' will bring together members and non-members and a wide range of interests and skills including engineers, managers, clients, offshore personnel, consultants and equipment manufacturers from around the world.

The keynote speakers at the opening session are Andy Bolton of Technip Oceania, Chairman of IMCA's Asia-Pacific Section, Steve Preston of Heerema Marine Contractors, the current IMCA President, Capt Abdul Halim Said, Shell EP Asia. Logistics Capability Co-ordinator, and Chris Austen of MUSC (Maritime and Underwater Security Consultants).

Marine contracting is an ever changing picture. Clients and contractor companies evolve due to market successes and mergers, whilst the technologies and geographies of projects today are very different from those of ten years ago. Construction vessels and their equipment continue to get more sophisticated with new efforts to improve safety and procedures - some of which have been pioneered by IMCA. In parallel, new legislation, contract wordings, political influence and pressures from those outside the industry, like banks and insurers, force further changes. This theme will be explored by the 4 keynote speakers to set the scene for the rest of the Seminar and provide some pointers for the interactive discussion sessions where important feedback will be achieved.

Andy Bolton will provide IMCA Asia Pacific input and welcome delegates to this first event staged by IMCA in the region. Steve Preston's paper will discuss the global project issues and where IMCA is providing guidance. Capt Abdul Halim Said will juxtapose the client's view of the same issues. Together, they will identify where clients and contractors have common concerns and objectives and where further work needs to be done to align the parties and move the industry forward.

Chris Austen of MUSC (Maritime and Underwater Security Consultants) will be answering the question: 'Has the ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) Code Enhanced the Security of the Maritime Industry?' His paper will explore how Piracy can threaten to upset all the improvements and balance just described. "Between January and September this year, there were 251 piracy cases reported to International Maritime Bureau the London-based shipping watchdog, according to a report issued last week by their Kuala Lumpur-based Piracy Watch Centre," explains IMCA Chief Executive, Hugh Williams.

The seminar then breaks into two parallel sessions - marine and diving - and, later in the day, workshops addressing highly relevant and topical marine and diving issues. On day two there are plenary sessions first thing in the morning and after lunch, with parallel sessions taking place again on marine and diving issues and workshops devoted to training and competence, contractors and clients working together for safe offshore operations and FMEA issues The full and regularly updated programme involving thirty speakers; and a choice of ten workshops can be seen at www.imca-int.com/events

A small exhibition including supplier members of IMCA is being held alongside the seminar. This provides an opportunity for delegates to learn more about the latest technological developments and the range of products and services on offer - exhibitors include C-Mar, Fugro Seastar, Kongsberg Maritime, Nautronix, Veripos and IMCA. Social and networking events play a key part in the annual IMCA seminar programme - there will be a 'welcome reception' on the evening of Wednesday 1 September; and a drinks reception and seminar dinner on 2 December.

Notes to Editors (common)

• IMCA is an international association with over 450 members in more than 50 countries, representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Americas Deepwater, Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa and Middle East & India regions, as well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
• IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document, safety recommendation, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes.
• Judith Patten is here to help you if you want any additional information on IMCA; would like to discuss a feature article; want to organise interviews with key members of the IMCA team, etc.