BOW WAVE 232

Mayday Lawnmowing Edition

news and views on trade, insurance and risk

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(c)2004 WavyLine.com	Issue No 232 03 May 04
Published free of charge to Readers
Editor: Sam Ignarski
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In this issue:

1. Welcome
2. CTC Essay Prize
3. Saudi Insurance
4. Found at Sea by Mike Breslin
5. Books & Ships
6. And Finally...

1. Welcome

Astonishment all round as Lloyd's of London announces that marine lines of business have beaten all others (except energy) with a combined ratio for 2003 of 89.7%. Make that a large one barman.

New Readers this week include:

Erin McKevitt of SSA Marine
Timo Heering
Mike Bowles
Anthony O'Hare in Sydney
Joe Langjahr of the Marine Resources Group
Container Person Tony Newton
DVZ Correspondent (in London) Micheal Hollmann
Insurance Auditor Leslie-Ann Giovnilli
Bob Bennet and Chris Allen of CNA in London

News of Readers

A recent survey of Readers shows that Bow Wave is read by at least this many insurance brokers in the following houses:-

66--Marsh
48--AON
45--Willis
32--JLT Group
14--Miller Insurance
13--Heath Lambert
11--Houlder Group
11--Robert Fleming
11--PL Ferrari
10--Nacora
10--HSBC Brokers
08--MMS Brokers Malaysia
08--Benfield Group
07--Windsor
06--NMB
05--A Forbes
04--Prentis Donegan
04--Avalon
03--Junge Brokers Hamburg
03--Pandi Bremen
03--PIMSIC Portsmouth
03--Craven Group
03--Ropner
02--Tri-City Brokers San Francisco
02--Marine-Assekuranz Hamburg
02--Post& Co Rotterdam
02--The Two Chans Hong Kong
02--Stuart Alexander

Peter Glover has retired from CTC

contact him at:

peter-glover@tiscali.co.uk

Marine & Energy Insurance/Reinsurance brokers Frost & Partners - Tony Frost, David Terry & Garry Frost are moving to Craven & Partners Ltd creating a new company Frost & Co Insurance Services Ltd from 1st May 2004.

Readers Write:

From Chris Curran:-

After 18 years as a marine insurance broker at Seascope Insurance Services Limited I have joined Galatea Underwriting Agencies Limited to support the existing team, headed by Chris Childs and Victoria Hughes, with the underwriting of Marine Professional Indemnity, Freight Forwarders and other associated risks.

Chris.Curran@galatea.uk.com

From David Letteney:-

Re the item on Short Sea Shipping (Bow Wave Issue 231) the US Dept. of Transportation is trying to foster interest in short sea shipping and has sponsored two conferences on the subject. Two weeks ago I attended a conference sponsored by the Journal of Commerce which I found quite fascinating. I'm not sure the program is still on their web site but you can try here:-

http://www.joc.com/conferences/sss

DOT's interest, in part, is relieving potential congestion on coastal corridors such as Interstate 95 on the East Coast and Interstate 5 on the West Coast, both of which are subject to congestion in urban areas with promises of near-chaos within 10 to 15 years. Thus,a primary goal is to attract domestic long-haul trucking. There were also proposals for short-haul, high speed ferry services meant to skip around very congested highways, e.g., New York to Bridgeport, Connecticut or Fall River, Massachusetts. And, of course, there were presentations on the various barge services along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, almost exclusively for alternate port services for container traffic.

contact him at:-

dletteney@mindspring.com

Dr-Ing. Reinhard H. Wohlbier, who presides over the highly accomplished Powder/Bulk Portal says that the websites for the following companies are the most popular for visitors:-

Here are the thirty (30) leading eDirectory companies in terms of visitor numbers determined by a Statistics Program, since January 1, 2004. Visitor count started January 1, 2004; visitor numbers in parentheses refer to the position at March 28, 2004, for comparison purposes. It is important to know that some companies may have entered the eDirectory search engine system after January 1, 2004 and those companies have a certain disadvantage making the Top 30 list.

1. KOCH Transporttechnik, Germany 2568 (1909) http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/9456.htm "bulk-online Leader"

2. Geroldinger, Austria 2414 (1943)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/1639.htm "bulk-online Leader"

3. BIKON Technik, Germany 2375 (1968)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/6718.htm "bulk-online Leader"

4. WAMGROUP, Italy 2317 (1718)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/15425.htm "bulk-online Leader"

5. TBMA Europe, The Netherlands 2164 (1706)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/21492.htm

6. Poly Hi Solidur, USA 1750 (1394)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/33331.htm "bulk-online Leader"

7. Jansen & Heuning, The Netherlands 1705 (1298) http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/84177.htm "bulk-online Leader"

8. inBulk Technologies, U.K. 1673 (1245)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/201839.htm "bulk-online Leader"

9. K-Tron (Switzerland), Switzerland 1294 (992) http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/201995.htm "bulk-online Leader"

10. Spirotech Engineering, U.K. 1285 (981)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/112067.htm "bulk-online Leader"

11. Geometrica, Inc., USA 1151 (856)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/28799.htm "bulk-online Leader"

12. DMN-Westinghouse, The Netherlands 1146 (854) http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/21116.htm
13. RBL - REI, France 1090 (858)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/5617.htm "bulk-online Leader"

14. TEMCOR, USA 975 (786)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/35195.htm "bulk-online Leader"

15. Techint Technologies, Italy 971 (762)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/15240.htm
16. Conservatek, USA 907 (679)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/109442.htm "bulk-online Leader"

17. NILOS Hans Ziller, Germany 893 (704)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/10274.htm
18. Voest-Alpine, Austria 857 (688)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/1792.htm
19. STAG AG, Switzerland 856 (645)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/20749.htm
20. ROXON OY / Sandvik, Finland 841 (697 )
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/5162.htm
21. Sicon Roulunds, Sweden 755 (535)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/201609.htm "bulk-online Leader"

22. MAN TAKRAF, Germany 728 (573)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/9878.htm
23. Transfer Bulk Systems, Canada 720 (559)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/200229.htm
24. BMH Marine, Sweden 687 (539)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/201396.htm
25. Cleveland Vibrator, USA 665 (517)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/35345.htm
26. Alstom Power, USA 580 (461)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/23791.htm
27. LANEX a.s., Czech Republic 578 (454)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/86520.htm "bulk-online Leader"

28. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber, USA 573 (301) http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/28973.htm
29. Monitor Technologies, USA 563 (442)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/31932.htm "bulk-online Leader"

30. BS-Vertriebsbuero, Germany 529 (-)
http://www.bulk-online.com/Co/86939.htm "bulk-online Leader"

contact him at:-

wohlbier@bulk-online.com

Greetings from the Mayday Bank Holiday Weekend in Britain which is supposed to be a celebration of labour but which these days is most often a celebration of lawns and their cutting.

Enjoy.

2. CTC Essay Prize

The CTC Essay Prize has been launched for 2004. Competitors have been aksed to answer one of these questions:-

1.The use or abuse of the corporate veil in shipping: is legislation needed to unveil it and, if so, for what reasons?

2. Limitation of Liability: Is it needed any more and, if so, for what reasons?

3. There are a number of Private International Conventions not yet in force. Which of them most deserves to be in force and why?

The first prize will be Charles Taylor Consulting Shares to the value of £1500, The second prize will be Shares to the value of £500.

The competition is open to anybody interested in shipping or trade.

One of the above topics must be chosen and essays must be between 4000 and 7000 words in the English Language.

Marking will be on the basis of originality, clarity, critical analysis and contribution to knowledge.

The examiners will be an independent panel headed by The President of the London Shipping law Centre (LSLC) (Lord Mustill) or the Vice-President (Lord Justice Clarke).

Winning entries may be published on the websites of CTC and LSLC.

The closing date for entries is 16th August 2004 and prize winners will be announced at the Cadwallader Lecture on 6th October 2004.

Application forms and further details can be obtained from the CTC Website at:-

http://www.CharlesTaylorConsulting.com

3. Saudi Insurance

Andreas Haberbeck writes from Jeddah:-

The first Saudi Arabian legislation regulating insurance came into effect on 23rd April 2004, when the long awaited Implementing Rules of the Control of Cooperative Insurance Companies Regulation of 1st August 2003 were published by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), which now is the regulator of the Saudi insurance sector. The Regulation restricts insurance activities in the Kingdom to Saudi-registered companies which are incorporated by Royal Decree as public joint stock companies, with a minimum paid-up capital of US$26.66 million for primary insurers, and US$53.33 million for reinsurers. The legislation also governs insurance brokers, insurance agents, insurance consultants, surveyors, loss adjusters and actuaries, all of whom must now apply to SAMA for a licence to carry on business in Saudi Arabia. The high capitalization requirements for setting up an insurance company under the new regulatory framework, coupled with fairly strict licensing conditions, are bound to see a large-scale exodus of insurers from the Saudi Arabian market. There are likely to be left around a dozen well-structured insurance carriers. What used to be a free-for-all has become one of the most tightly regulated insurance markets in the region.

Contact him at:-

haberbeck@saudilegal.com

4. Found at Sea by Mike Breslin

Mike Breslin is a producer of commercial videos with a background in advertising who has written a novel set in the container industry and the Pacific Ocean. His hero Kevin McCall is in the great tradition of castaways and is able to survive being blown overboard by clinging to a fortuitous forty footer which is also full of goods and other useful contents. It would be a pity to rehearse the narrative for readers, since the march of events in the South Pacific and the progress of the hero's reemergence into the full enjoyment of life is the essence of the story.

The book carries the sub title "A Novel of Sea Adventure, Romance and Philosophy" which is a fair summation of this yarn. Certainly the observation of life on board a modern container ship in port and at sea is sharp and something of a rarity in the annals of fiction. Mike has already launched another instalment in his writing career called Mystery of the Fjord Tide. The appetite for adventures set in the maritime world is of course large and on this form Mike Breslin is set to win many new friends.

Found at Sea by Mike Breslin (2003), Publish America, Baltimore ISBN: 1-59286-927-0

http://www.publishamerica.com

5. Books & Ships

Maria Dixon of the Panamanian Consulate in London has passed on word of these unusual books for children written by Robert (Bob) Holtzman with the following titles:
:
Boats & Ships: Your Field Guide
Boats and Ships of New England
Boats and Ships of the Gulf Coast
Boats and Ships of Rhode Island

The Books combine photos, text (for ages 5-10) and line drawings suitable for coloring, with callouts to teach nautical terminology, and brief specifications listings. Many vessel types are repeated between the various editions;

The photos have mostly been provided by ship- and boat-builders and vessel operators, including K-Line, Moran, Bollinger, APL, NASSCO, Seaborn, Memco Barge, Manitowoc, Crowley,and the USCG.

"These books will help children appreciate the importance of maritime activities such as commercial transportation, recreation and fisheries."
Bruce Marti, PhD
Professor of Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island

For more details go to:

http://www.moonmountainpub.com

6. And Finally...

Many thanks to Keith Pritchard for this one....

The Sight of Snow--A diary

It's starting to snow.The first of the season and the first we've seen for years the wife and I took out our hot toddies and sat on the porch watching the fluffy soft flakes drift gently down clinging to the trees and covering the ground. It's so beautiful and peaceful.

DEC 24th
We awoke to a lovely blanket of crystal white glistening snow covering as far as the eye could see. What a fantastic sight, every tree and bush covered with a beautiful white mantle. I shovelled snow for the first time ever and loved it.I did both our driveway and the pavement.Later that day a snowplough came along and accidentally covered up our driveway with compacted snow from the street.The driver smiled and waved. I waved back and shovelled it away again. The children next door built a snowman with coal for eyes and a carrot for a nose and had a snowball fight, a couple just missed me and hit the car so I threw a couple back and joined in their fun.

DEC 26th
It snowed an additional 5 inches last night and the temperature dropped around minus 8 degrees. Several branches on our trees and bushes snapped due to the weight of the snow. I shovelled our driveway again and shortly afterwards the snowplough came by and did his trick again. Much of the snow is now a brownish-grey.

JAN 1st
Warmed up enough during the day to create some slush which soon became ice when the temperature dropped again. Bought snow tyres for both our cars.Fell on me arse in the driveway. Went to a physio but nothing was broken.

JAN 5th
Still cold.Sold the wife's car and bought her a 4x4 to get her to work.She slid into a wall and did considerable damage to the right wing.Had another 8 inches of white shite last night. Both vehicles are covered in salt and iced up slush, that blasted snowplough came by twice today. Where's that bloody shovel?!

JAN 9th
More snow.Not a tree or bush on our property that hasn't been damaged. Power was off most of the night.Tried to keep from freezing to death with candles and a paraffin heater which tipped over and nearly torched the house. I managed to put the flames out but suffered 2nd degree burns on my hands.Lost all my eye brows and eyelashes. I hit a deer on the way to casualty and the car was written off.

JAN 13th
That terrible white shite just keeps on coming down. Have to put on every article of clothing just to go to the post box. The little monsters next door ambushed me with snowballs on the way back, I'll shove that carrot somewhere it'll take a good surgeon hours to find If I ever catch the idiot that drives the snowplough I'll chew open his chest and rip out his heart with my teeth.I think the he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shovelling and then he accelerates down the street like Michael Schumacher and buries the driveway again.

JAN 17th
16 more sodding inches of snow ice and sleet and god knows what other white stuff fell last night.I am in court in 3 months time for assaulting the snowplough driver with an ice-pick. Can't move my toes, I'm passing icicles and haven't seen the sun for 5 weeks. It's Minus 20 and there's more snow forecast.

FORGET THIS, I'M MOVING BACK HOME TO IRELAND AND TO THE RAIN.

PS from Jeff Blum

11 People on a Rope

Eleven people were hanging on a rope under a helicopter, ten men and one woman. The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one has to leave, because otherwise they are all going to fall. They were not able to name that person, until the woman made a very touching speech.

She said that she will voluntarily let go of the rope, because as a woman she is used to giving up everything for her husband and kids, or for men in general, and was used to always making sacrifices with little in return. As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping their hands......

PPS from Fraser Hunt

A professor is sent away to live with a simple tribe. He spends several years with them, teaching them Reading, Writing, Math, and Science. One day the youngest and prettiest wife of the tribe's chief gives birth to a white child. The members of the tribe are shocked, and the chief pulls the professor aside and says, "Look here! You're the only white man we've ever seen and my youngest wife has given birth to a white child. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what happened!" The professor replies, "No, Chief. You're mistaken. What you have here is a natural occurrence....what we in the civilized world call an albino! Look at that field over there. All of the sheep are white except for one. Nature does this on occasion." The chief is silent for a moment, then says: "Tell you what. You don't say anything more about the sheep and I won't say anything more about the baby."

BOW WAVE is published each week to around 9700 Readers in the transport,insurance,shipping and finance industries.

Thanks for reading BOW WAVE