Page 4 - INTERCARGO - Annual Report Report 2022 - 2023

ANNUAL REVIEW

Message from the

Chairman

The past year has certainly been a year of no- ambitious aims and objectives and we con-
table highs and lows across the shipping in- gratulate them on their hard work against a
dustry, with the dry bulk sector being no ex- backdrop of a steady increase in port state
Dimitrios J. Fafalios ception. control detention rates in all regions.
Chairman
A major talking point of the past 12 months, Our other notable annual publication is the
as has been the case for some time now, Bulk Carrier Casualty Report, which shows
is the journey to decarbonization and that despite improvements being made in
INTERCARGO welcomed the revised green- safety, liquefaction remains the greatest con-
house gas (GHG) strategy from IMO Mem- tributor to seafarer losses in dry bulk shipping.
ber States in July (MEPC80).
The message is clear – we cannot and we
We have been calling for faster acceleration should not be complacent and we must all
of green technologies and fuels for a long do more to increase safety at sea and protect
time, and so we fully support the IMO’s goal our seafarers and vessels. INTERCARGO, as
of reaching Net-Zero GHG emissions by or the voice of the dry bulk shipping sector, will
around 2050. However, we wish to stress that continue to help lead the response to these
ship owners cannot be liable for this alone events.
and we all need to share responsibility to ef-
On a less positive note, INTERCARGO re-
fectively reach this goal.
mains concerned over the safe transit of
Whilst on matters of the environment, ships exporting various agricultural and other
INTERCARGO was also pleased to welcome dry bulk products, since the cessation of the
the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention Black Sea Grain Initiative in July, which pro-
which will now enter into force in June 2025. It vided a safe corridor for vessels leaving three
marks a significant step in the industry’s drive Ukrainian ports in a bid to prevent a global
for safer and more sustainable ship recycling. food crisis.
On a positive note, INTERCARGO has We wish to stress that members should use
reached new historic highs in its membership all resources available to ensure safety of
and now represents one third of the glob- navigation for their vessels and crews as
INTERCARGO al dry bulk fleet (in dwt) . We are very proud INTERCARGO continues to support all ef-
of this achievement and are delighted that so
forts by the IMO and other international initia-
many new members have seen the benefits tives to find a solution, so that we can protect
the global supply chain and food security.
of joining our association, which strives to ad-
has reached new dress the key issues being faced in the dry The shipping industry as a whole is amazing-
bulk sector.
shown itself to be very responsive to geopo-
It was also both reassuring and pleasing to ly resilient and the dry bulk/tramp sector has
historic highs in its note that INTERCARGO members have con- litical developments. At INTERCARGO, we
tinued to surpass industry average perfor-
will continue to work hard to tackle any chal-
mance in deficiencies and detentions as lenges which come our way, to create a safer
shown in our annual Benchmarking Report.
and cleaner environment for those transport-
membership It is a clear indication that our members are ing our cargoes around the globe.
making great efforts to help us to achieve our

September 2023
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