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IMCA calls for Offshore Wind Competitiveness Programme

A week after launching the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA’s) newly updated Renewables Contracting Principles (IMCA LCIC 014) with the call for industry collaboration essential to address supply chain losses, IMCA’s CEO, Allen Leatt spoke on 7 February at the Offshore Wind Journal Conference in London with one of his recommendations being the formation of LOWIC:  Leading Offshore Wind Industry Competitiveness programme, saying: “IMCA is keen to contribute to this with others”. In a hard-hitting presentation ‘Wind Targets at Risk’, he looked at offshore wind CAPEX, the difficult economic situation being faced by OEMs and contractors and the fact that

Guidance on the provision, acceptance and handling of breathing gases for diving

A newly published document – ‘Guidance on the provision, acceptance and handling of breathing gases for diving’ IMCA D 075 – from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) aims to raise awareness of the issues that industry has faced when procuring breathing gases used for diving. As Bill Chilton, IMCA Technical Adviser – Diving, explained “Over the years there have been a number of incidents where divers have been injured or even killed during the course of their work after being supplied with incorrect breathing mixtures.  Following recent incidents of this nature IMCA was asked by industry to assist in

Global offshore wind energy targets at risk

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published an update to its contracting principles in the marine renewable energy industry. This major piece of work has been essential due to progressively poor market conditions created by unrealistic expectations of the capital costs and risks of developing offshore wind energy. The new publication IMCA Renewables Contracting Principles (IMCA LCIC 014) reviews in detail the contractual challenges faced by industry. IMCA’s CEO Allen Leatt explained the challenges: “Marine contracting in offshore renewables has become increasingly unsustainable, which in turn places the long-term sustainability of the offshore wind energy industry at risk. This

Guidance on protecting divers during underwater excavations

A newly published document – ‘Guidance on Underwater Excavation Works Involving Divers’ IMCA D 074 – from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) aims to raise awareness of the hazards associated with subsea excavation works and, in particular, the significant risks to divers who engage in such work. As Bill Chilton, IMCA Technical Adviser – Diving, explained “Over the years there have been many incidents where divers have been trapped, injured, or killed either by direct contact with excavation equipment or by collapses while working inside various types of excavations below seabed level. Recent accidents have highlighted the need for

IMCA’s Lifting & Rigging Seminar Report Available to all

The International Marine Contractors Association’s 12th Lifting and Rigging Seminar held in Amsterdam in October attracted over 120 from Europe, South Africa, and North and South America. It focused on the technical and operational challenges posed by increasingly heavier lifts in the offshore wind sector and provided the lifting sector with a new mantra – ‘Adopt, Adapt and Improve’. The mantra’s history and detailed information on the seminar content is now available to all. It includes concise summaries of all sessions and presentations along with relevant graphs, charts and, most importantly, some of the findings that emerged. The report was

New Member Appointed to IMCA Board

Hans Dieteren, Group Director for the Offshore Energy Division and member of the Executive Committee of Royal Boskalis Westminster BV, where he is responsible for the business portfolio Offshore Heavy Lifting, Subsea Cables, and Global Engineering, has been appointed a member of the board of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). He joins the current board: President & Chairman: Jonathan Tame, Subsea 7 Vice President & Vice Chairman: Luca Gentili, Saipem Pieter Heerema, Allseas Hugo Bouvy, DEME Offshore Andy Seymour, Fugro Kate Harvey, G+ Global Offshore Health and Safety Organisation Michel Hendriks, Heerema Marine Contractors Steve Sheppard, Helix Energy Solutions

NI and IMCA Launch a third module for DP CPD APP

The Nautical Institute (NI) and the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) continue to build on their Key Dynamic Positioning (DP) Personnel continuing professional development (CPD) app with the launch of a third module.  The newly launched Module 3 comprises individual lessons around the subjects of classification societies, Satellite based position reference systems, DP drills & exercises, DP station keeping event case studies, Introduction to different mission types, then delves into mission specific DP operations – diving support, DP shuttle tankers, cable lay / repair, service operations vessels (SOVs). Future modules will see all mission types explained considering Position Reference Systems

Updates to IMCA’s eCMID and eMISW Inspection System

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) dedicated eCMID website at www.ecmid.com provides the marine and offshore industry with a wealth of information on what the eCMID and eMISW vessel inspection reports are, why they benefit the industry, how to use the database and inspection app, along with news on updates affecting the system. Over 1,500 vessels worldwide are currently covered by a live inspection report providing a safety management system health check for both operators and clients. The latest additions to the website embrace a new quality assurance process alongside updates to IMCA M 167 – Guidance on the IMCA

Hazards of using hold-back vessels during DP Ops

The International Marine Contractors (IMCA) has published guidance highlighting the hazards of using hold-back vessels during dynamic positioning (DP) operations. Richard Purser, IMCA Technical Adviser Marine explained why The Hazards of Using Hold-Back Vessels during DP Operations has been published: “IMCA realises that use of hold-back or push vessels is commonplace in certain parts of the industry, but we feel it is essential to stress the inherent risks of such activity. “Our newly published IMCA M 260 sets out the pitfalls of using towing and/or push vessels intended to provide additional propulsion force and/or security for DP vessels engaged in

IMCA’s Safety and Environmental Sustainability Awards

Nominations for two highly sought after International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) awards opened today [date]. The first, the IMCA Safety Award, re-enforces the message that safety lies at the heart of all that the association does for its members and the industries they serve. The second the IMCA Environmental Sustainability Award reflect the steps that IMCA members are taking on this front, using the IMCA Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability as their guide. The criteria for both awards and submission information available online. All entries should be submitted via email to [email protected] by 31 January 2023. The Awards will be presented

Feature your innovative solution at IMCA’s DP Conference

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is inviting companies with new technology or innovations applicable to the offshore energy  industry to apply to take part in their ever-popular Quickfire, Totally Technology Session at the IMCA DP Conference 2023 (Amsterdam, 9-10 May 2023).Companies interested in being considered for a 10-minute presentation ‘against the clock’ slot in the session should send their proposed presentation; an abstract explaining the new (or evolving) technology or innovation (150 words max); and any additional supporting video/photographs/charts to [email protected] by 23:59 hrs GMT on 28 February 2023. Entrants should be companies, not individuals, and should be IMCA

Focus on the ‘Energy Field of the Future’ at Joint Industry Event

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT), and The Hydrographic Society UK and Ireland (THS: UK&I) Scotland Branch are jointly holding their well-respected joint industry seminar on 10 November 2022 in Aberdeen, UK. This year the seminar has a highly topical theme – ‘The Energy Field of the Future’.As Stephen Peet, IMCA’s Technical Director explained: “The energy industry is currently experiencing a period of significant change, with ever increasing focus on sustainability, while marine and underwater technologies continue to advance.“With this scale of change ongoing, what does the field of the future look like, and

IMCA’s Lifting Guidance Now Co-Branded with G+

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) recently reviewed and updated Guidelines for Lifting Operations (IMCA LR 006) has been republished with new dual branding featuring G+, the global offshore wind health and safety organisation. This is the association’s first dual branded publication and ensures wider circulation, acceptance and use of this key document, in the offshore wind industry.Mark Ford, IMCA’s Marine & Quality Manager explained: “LR 006 has safe and efficient operations at its heart and thus attunes with G+ aims. We are delighted to be linked with them in this way, their branding on this important document demonstrates their

Countdown – IMCA’s Lifting & Rigging Seminar looms large!

In just over a week more than a hundred lifting and rigging experts from marine related contractors, suppliers, academia, associations and related industry bodies, will gather in Amsterdam for the 11th International Marine Contractors Lifting & Rigging Seminar with its theme ‘Lifting Technology and Lifting in Offshore Renewables’. This year’s line-up includes speakers from key stakeholders including Van Oord, Lloyd’s Register, Seaway 7, Boskalis, Cadeler, Sapura Energy, Heerema, Huisman, Siemens Gamesa, Remazel, Sequalize and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). “People are definitely looking forward to getting back to meeting face-to-face,” said IMCA’s Marine & Quality Manager, Mark Ford. “Our

Safety Front and Centre for IMCA in Taiwan

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has a packed safety-focused itinerary lined up for its forthcoming visit to Taiwan with a range of industry, government and IMCA events alongside client meetings and visits to training centres. IMCA, as a supporting organisation and member of GWEC, will play an active role in the Global Offshore Wind Summit Taiwan (GOWST) 2022 (Taipei, 17-18 October) when Iain Grainger, the association’s Head of Energy Transition, takes part in a session devoted to ‘Training, Manpower, Safety and Other Needs in Offshore Wind Markets in Taiwan’.   As Iain Grainger explained: “Safety is like a golden

IMCA schemes designed to improve DP safety

Two schemes run by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) – the IMCA DP Practitioner Accreditation Scheme and their Key DP Personnel Continuing Professional Development (CPD) App (run with The Nautical Institute) – have a vital role to play in addressing the pressing issue of dynamic positioning (DP) becoming less safe, with human factors widely seen as the overwhelming cause. IMCA Contact Graeme Reid Technical Adviser – Marine Contact Error: Contact form not found. “We shared the worrying fact about increased numbers of events and incidents due to human factors with delegates at our DP Conference earlier this year, it

IMCA’s DP Expertise sought from Houston to Singapore

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA’s) expertise is acknowledged and sought all over the world; and its guidance, safety flashes, and dynamic positioning (DP) event reporting is followed by a global audience. Technical Adviser – Marine, Richard Purser’s involvement with two DP conferences within the space of five weeks and some 10,000 miles apart, exemplifies the interest in IMCA’s expertise and what IMCA is able to share on this subject. IMCA Contact Richard Purser Technical Adviser – Marine Contact Error: Contact form not found. IMCA Contact Graeme Reid Technical Adviser – Marine Contact Error: Contact form not found. On 11

IMCA publishes DP system network storm guidance

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published ‘Guidelines for the Management of DP System Network Storms’ (IMCA M 259) to raise awareness of the risks presented by the use of data communication networks on dynamically positioned (DP) vessels, especially when used to connect otherwise redundant components of the DP control system, power system or thrusters. The general effects of so-called ‘network storms’ are to cause disruption of data communication over a network and/or degradation of network controller performance, although the exact symptoms may be unpredictable, inconsistent and may increase over time or appear instantaneously. As IMCA Technical Adviser –

Major revision of key IMCA diving system guidance

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has fully revised and updated the principal documents within its DESIGN (Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note) suite of documents which includes: IMCA D 018 Rev. 2 Code of practice for the initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of diving plant and equipment; IMCA D 024 Rev. 3 DESIGN for saturation (Bell) Diving Systems; IMCA D 063 DESIGN for Hyperbaric Rescue Unit (HRU) Life Support Packages (LSP) IMCA D 023 Rev. 2 DESIGN for Surface Orientated (Air) Diving Systems. IMCA Contact Bryan McGlinchy Diving Consultant Contact Error: Contact form not found. Together these

Full Programme for Lifting & Rigging Seminar now online

The full programme and biographical details of all the speakers at the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA’s) Lifting Technology and Lifting in Offshore Renewables Seminar, being held at the Novotel Hotel at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam on 27 October 2022, are online on the association’s website. This year’s line-up includes speakers from key stakeholders including Van Oord, Lloyd’s Register, Seaway 7, Boskalis, Cadeler,  Heerema, Huisman, Siemens Gamesa, Remazel, Sequalize and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). The eleventh seminar in the annual series is the subject of a podcast available below, it features a conversation between Mark Ford, Marine & Quality