Maritime Directory

Ukraine

Ukraine

U.S.S.R.

Houston, TX, United States

The Houston Pilots comprise 81 pilots, including two deputy pilots that are still in training. In selecting candidates to become deputy pilots, the Houston Pilots accept only experienced working mariners that have already been qualified and licensed by the Federal Government as First Class Pilots for Galveston Bar and the Houston Ship Channel and then trains them for three years before recommending them to the Pilot commissioners and the Governor for a full commission. The Houston Ship Channel is known as the most difficult pilotage in the world because of the very long and very narrow channel and the heavy load of traffic that it carries. The Houston Pilots, from the beginning, now, and in the future are totally committed to the safety on the Houston Ship Channel and service to the shipping industry. The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 6,600 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and sixth largest in the world. The Port Authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange.

Monaco, Monaco

Based in Monaco and Marseilles (France) for over 30 years, the Office Maritime Monégasque strives its best to offer you a comprehensive panel of services to better meet your needs: · Port agency services · Custom brokerage · Logistics & Warehousing in Monaco and Marseille · International transportation · Ship chandler · Technical assistance of hotel & catering equipment · Technical maritime support · Shore excursions Thanks to our strong network of international partners, our team guarantees the highest quality of service, acting rapidly and rigorously, to fulfil your needs and respect your priorities.

Noumea, -, New Caledonia

Sofrana New Caledonia is a shipping agency and stevedoring company located on the Port of Noumea in New Caledonia.

Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom

SPR is a subsidiary of Piston Rings UK Ltd. and offers the most comprehensive range of piston rings for marine and industrial applications. Chrome plated, copper plated or plain cast iron - whatever rings you need SPR can supply them. SPR is unique in being able to supply such a wide range of piston rings. We ensure that our rigorous quality standards are met at all stages of production and delivery. We have the flexibility to meet the ever changing needs of our worldwide customer base. Our dedication to continuous improvement and development of our product range results in a ring which offers reliability and performance in the most arduous operating conditions. A Better Service : SPR fully appreciates that the longer an engine remains inactive during overhaul or repair, the greater the impact on revenue. Rapid sourcing of quality spares reduces expensive down time. Same day despatch of stock items from SPR's extensive warehouse on orders received before 15.00 hrs (GMT) is standard. After this time, despatch will normally take place within 24 hours. For replacement rings, engineers continually rely on SPR to deliver - wherever they are in the world.

London, United Kingdom

Formation IFSMA was formed in 1974 by Eight European Shipmasters' Associations to unite the World's serving Shipmasters into a single professional co-ordinated body. It is not a trade union. It is a non-profit making, apolitical organisation dedicated solely to the interest of the serving shipmaster. Over 8000 Shipmasters from more than 40 Countries are affiliated to IFSMA either through their National Associations (36) or as Individual Members (55). Purpose IFSMA is a Federation established to uphold International Standards of Professional Competence for Seafarers commensurate with the need to ensure Safe Operational Practices, Preservation from Human Injury, Protection of the Marine Environment and Safety of Life and Property at Sea. IMO Status IFSMA was Granted Consultative Status at IMO in 1975. This Consultative Status enables the Federation to represent the views and protect the interests of the serving Shipmasters unfettered and unfiltered either by National Governments or by Labour Organizations. To enable IFSMA to function effectively at IMO, it is represented in the Four Main Committees (MSC-MEPC-LEG-FAL) by the General Secretary and a team of former Shipmasters who also attend the Nine Sub-Committees (BLG - COMSAR - DE - DSC - FP - FSI - NAV - SLF - STW). When needed serving Shipmasters provide additional expertise in the various Working and Drafting Groups. IMO Involvement Top of Page IFSMA provided a Consultant to assist in the Comprehensive Review and Revision of the 1978 STCW Convention, and actively participated in the Joint ICAO/IMO Group of Experts on the Harmonization of Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue. IFSMA also sat on the Steering Committee on Ro-Ro Ferry Safety which supervised the work of the Panel of Experts and made recommendations to MSC 65. This was without cost to IMO and was, for some two years an additional commitment to our normal work of representing Shipmasters' views on this International Platform. IMO Missions Top of Page IFSMA has now provided TWO MARITIME SPECIALISTS, each forming part of an IMO NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAMMING TEAM within the framework of IMO's Integrated Technical Co-Operation Programme (ITCP). The first Mission was to Bulgaria (Black Sea) in December 1995 and the second Mission was to Ukraine and Georgia (CIS/Eastern Europe) in January/February 1996. IMO Studies Top of Page IFSMA prepared papers on the safety of double-hull tankers for both IMO and the USCG when discussions on this subject were at their peak in 1991. It submitted with IMPA a Joint Paper on Bridge Information Display to NAV38 and, with the Government of the Bahamas, it amended Towing Guidelines which had been proposed earlier in 1992 by Germany. In 1993 IFSMA devised a Bulk Carrier Ship-Shore Checklist for MSC62 and submitted a BESMA Paper on Quality Management in Seafarers' Training to STW25. IMO Papers Top of Page In 1994 IFSMA submitted 12 separate Papers on various aspects of Loading and Unloading Bulk Cargoes for the attention of BC33. These produced four MSC Circulars. At the end of 1995 IFSMA, Co-Sponsored by ICS and ICFTU, submitted a paper on Black Sea Search and Rescue to COMSAR 1 while a second paper on amendments to the IMOSAR and MERSAR Manuals was submitted jointly by ICS and IFSMA. A comprehensive ACOMM Technical Paper on Modifications to the Freeboard and Stability Rules of medium sized ships will be submitted to IMO in the Spring of 1996 for discussion at SLF 40 in September this year. IMO and IFSMA Objectives Top of Page IFSMA is a strong supporter of IMO in its quest for safer shipping and cleaner oceans. It is the desire of The Federation to assist IMO in achieving a truly global implementation and rigorous enforcement of its International Treaties so that there is no need for any Country to resort to Regulatory Measures on either a National or a Regional basis. IFSMA has much approved of the Secretary-General's initiative to speed up Entry into Force and Amendment procedures, and continues to fully support his initiatives for a thorough and comprehensive review of Bulk Carrier Safety and Ro-Ro Ferry Safety in all their aspects. Policy Top of Page IFSMA has long held the firm belief that Shipowners and Ship Management Companies should hold a Safety Management Document of Compliance issued by the Flag State Administration before being permitted to operate ships, that increased scrapping of antiquated and sub-standard ships should be speeded up, and that world wide regional Port State Control is now top priority. In particular there should be a total ban, effective world wide, on the re-registration of ships for commercial trading once they have been sold for scrap and demolition. Shipmasters Defined Top of Page IFSMA defines Shipmasters as those who are in possession of an Internationally recognised Certificate of Competency, issued by the Government of an established Maritime Nation who are serving or have previously served, in Command of Seagoing Ships whether or not engaged upon International or Domestic Trade. Shipmaster's Status in IFSMA Top of Page Once a man has risen to the rank of Shipmaster he is forever entitled to belong to IFSMA and there is no requirement in our Statutes for the periodic revalidation of his Certificate of Competency (as there is in the STCW Convention). But if he were to lose his licence due to negligence, incompetence, or misconduct then he would no longer qualify for membership of the Federation. Other Organisations Top of Page Trade Unions, National Associations, Professional Institutes and Learned Societies are all equally welcome as Shipmasters Organizations in affiliation with IFSMA and there is no distinction made between them. 21st March 1996