In accordance with our annual tabletop exercise plan, our office carried out tabletop drill involving our charterer, agent, and other external parties with a Chemical/Product Tanker in our fleet on 22nd December 2020. This exercise was based on a simulated accident of Piracy attack followed by Military Intervention while navigating in laden condition from Singapore for Port Headland Australia with Gasoil cargo with 24 crew members.
Another exercise was carried involving our charterer, agent, and other external parties with a MR Product Tanker in our fleet on 25th December 2020 based on a simulated accident of Collision followed by Flooding in FPT while navigating in laden condition in Malacca straight toward Suez from Singapore with Gasoline cargo on board.
On these exercises, the participants, who were in office mustered in company Contingency Response Room at 3rd Floor but some staffs who were working remotely from home due to company’s regulation under the COVID-19 situation, also, as first trial, participated remotely from the home. Four (4) of top senior crewmember who are sea staffs also remotely participated in this exercise to enrich their experience.
FUYO CHRISMAS PARTY FOR SEAFARERES AND FAMILY was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of periodical FUYO CREW SAFETY SEMINAR at crew hometown, ONLINE SAFETY SEMINAR was held from Osaka, Japan with Myanmar Seafarers on 25th & 26th November 2020, Philippine Seafarers on 11th & 12th December 2020 and Ukrainian Seafarers on 17th & 18th December 2020 respectively, so that seafarers and shore staff of crewing agencies could attend seminars from the comforts of their homes across the globe.
At opening meeting, Executive Officer Yasuki Noami expressed gratitude to all participants of seafarers and shoreside member of crewing agencies for their contribution to safe operation with excellent relentless efforts, hard work, dedication and passion for shipping profession despite the growing difficulties around under COVID-19 pandemic such as longer periods spent aboard ships without being able to disembark, separation from families due to travel restrictions, fear of infection, strict precautions in force due to COVID-19, and prolonged waiting at home today for next boarding. “In view of four new vessels that will join into our fleet in 2021 also increasing number of management vessels as our vision, meeting customer expectation and satisfaction is the key which is often not so easy, but certainly not impossible”, he said. Hence, he emphasized that continuous training and skill enhancement is necessary for Seafarers as well as support by our shore staff to seafarers to work together as one team.
FUYO members in HSSEQ Group, Operation Group, Technical Group and Crewing Group shared over 2 days our review and learnings from our incidents, near miss and case studies with findings and special highlights on safety onboard with overview of past one year.
On this successful online seminar, we recognized that seafarers are aware of continuous effort to improve knowledge and efficiency within the company. We noted that crew participated in discussion and shared their comments and queries using “mike” and/or “chat”. We received good feedbacks of these online seminars that suggest that our online seminars were very successful.
In order to improve fuel saving and reduction of CO2 Emissions with Ultra Low Friction, Fuel Saving and Low VOC Anti-Fouling Paint “SEAFLO NEO SL Z” has been applied on hull and Biocide Fee Silicone Foul Release Coating “CMP BIOCLEAN R” has been applied on propeller of our fleet tanker “MT Nord Inspiration” in July 2020 and “MT Sunshine Express” in October 2020 during their periodic dry-docks.
In 2014, Chugoku Marine Paints was awarded the “2014 Japan Environment Minister's Award for Global Warming Prevention Activities” for environmental contribution of SEAFLO NEO technology. This new technology Eco-friendly hull paint has also been adopted to our New MR Tankers scheduled for delivery in 2021.
Fuyo fleet will have MT Rich Rainbow as new addition in the fleet in Mid-February 2021. Rich Rainbow is IMO type 2 and 3 MR tanker having 30,000 as Gross Tonnage. She will fly Panama flag and will be approved by Class NK.
Launching ceremony was attended by Fuyo staff at Onomichi shipyard, Japan on 31st August 2020.
Shore staff in Fuyo Kaiun continue work from work with adjustment of office attendance for employees working at Osaka office. This decision was taken since Japan government lifted emergency due to improvement in containing of COVID-19 situation. Since 29th June 2020, Fuyo Kaiun has asked office staff to increase office attendance to 3 days maximum in a week while taking mitigative action against the risk from the infection which includes staggering of working hours.
Japanese Government on 7th April 2020 declared a state of emergency over the novel coronavirus outbreak for the prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka and this state of emergency will be in effect until 6th May 2020.
Therefore, in consideration of this declaration and the outbreak in Japan, Fuyo Kaiun has voluntarily decided to adopt Work from Home policy as measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection and placing health and safety of shore staff as a top priority that, in principle, all of our shore staffs work remotely from home until our further notification to be determined based on the situation in Osaka in order to continue our ship management of our fleet uninterrupted under this current situation.
Even if shore staffs work from home, our company working hours would remain unchanged; Monday - Friday from 0900 JST to 1700 JST excepting for Saturday, Sunday and the National holidays. We would ensure full support to our customers, clients, charterers, financiers and ships in this difficult time.
Fuyo Kaiun conducted annual Winter Ski-trip between 07th Feb to 09th Feb 2020. This was attended by most of the employees. Family members of some of the employees also joined this trip. This year Takasu mountains in Gifu prefecture was selected for annual ski-trip. It takes around three-hours to drive from Osaka and journey is very scenic. All the members enjoyed this trip including the kids who could play in Kids snow park.
Annual Ski-trip is conducted every year and most of the members participate with high interest. In this trip, dinner get-togethers are arranged which give an opportunity to share ideas, light moments and allows all members to come close to each other and develop healthy relations. This trip is surely a way of team building and enhancing the spirit of collaboration.
Our office carried out simulation exercise of Ship Security issue of MR Product Tanker on December 16th 2019 and Machinery Failure of Bulk Carrier on December 18th 2019. These exercises are followed by Media simulation in newsroom of Fuyo web site that this exercise was conducted on December 16th 2019 based on an security accident simulation involving our MR Product Tanker and other external parties that, while her navigating toward to Japan from Houston, the vessel received the security information from Flag administration that a time bomb(s) has been installed in the vessel by a terrorism group while vessel was last moored at “Galena Park” terminal in Houston for scheduled terror on the certain day. And also, another exercise was also conducted on December 18th 2019 based on an accident simulation involving our Bulk Carrier and other external parties that, while her east bound maneuvering at the end of Singapore Straight, the vessel sustained the unexpected steering system failure.
22nd Fuyo Crew Safety Seminar was held at Barko International, Manila office on 19th & 20th December 2019 and 6th FUYO – BARKO CHRISMAS PARTY FOR PHILIPPINE SEAFARES AND FAMILY - 2019” was held on 21st December 2019 at AMOSUP Convention Hall in Manila Philippine. This event was attended by 143 participants including seafarers families, Barko International Inc. Chairman Captain Teodoro B. Quijano and President Ms. Lenore M.V.M. Quijano. From Fuyo office, participants were Executive Officer, Y. Noami, TSI C/Eng. SH. Lee & T. Kameda.
Y. Noami, Executive Officer of Fuyo briefly addressed all the participants. He shared his joy to have a strong relationship with Barko International for supplying Philippine seafarers to Fuyo fleet vessels since 1988. He also shared the company plan to expand ship owning business together with ship management of third-party vessels. He said, “Focus of our company is to work as a team to carry out safe operations at all times. We can take a cue from Japan Rugby team who played as ONE TEAM in recent Rugby Worldcup 2019. We can work all together as ONE TEAM to achieve our vision while respecting each other.”
JSM Crew Dinner Party was held on 15th November, 2019 at Yangon. JSM manning office in Yangon, Myanmar provides crew and officers to some of the managed vessels of Fuyo Kaiun. This party was attended by around 40 members which included crew and their family members. Captain S. Banjo (Executive Officer), Captain YeongMin, Oh (DPA) and T. Kameda (Chief Staff, Crewing Group) were part of this gathering from Fuyo Kaiun. Fuyo Safety seminar was also conducted at JSM Yangon office in the same week. Ten Myanmar crew were given Best Model Seaman award in this occasion. This party was hosted as an appreciation for both employees who contributes safe operation of our vessels thru your duty, and all family members who are very supportive throughout the time while their family crewmembers are on-duty all over the world.
Fuyo Kaiun had started hiring Myanmar crews/employees since 1999 thru JSM this year marked milestone of 20 long years since it started. On this ocassion, Captain S. Banjo appreciated the effort of all JSM crew and shore staff. He also announced that the company is expanding its fleet that includes MR tankers and bulk carriers and delivery of new vessels will start from 2021 onwards.
13th K-Line Safety Conference was held at Fukuyama, Japan on 28th Aug 2019. As a result of evaluation for our vessel’s safety operation and positive & proper corrective action against observations at K-Line Safety Inspection, Fuyo Kaiun was given “K-Line Ship Standard Quality 2018 Excellence Award”. Kawasaki Kisen has recently established the “Excellent Shipowner Award System” and has commended 7 shipowners who have had excellent ship inspection results in 2018 and have not caused any serious accidents. This award was received by Executive Officer of Fuyo Kaiun, Y. Noami who attended this conference.
The winners were Kawana Kaiun, Kyowa Sanshou, KN MARITIME, Taiyo Kaiun, Fukunaga Kaiun, Fuyo Kaiun and SANASIA SHIPPING. Kawasaki Kisen's Representative Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer Masao Asano said, “This is the first time we have tried the commendation system. I want you to be encouraged even a little."
This award will motivate the crew and Fuyo Kaiun ship management to keep up the safety and quality standards in our managed vessels.
Fuyo Kaiun added one more MR product tanker in oil fleet in March 2019. Built in 2010, this pre-owned vessel is called Nord Inspiration and has dwt of 47,987. This Panama registered vessel is being fully manned by Philippine officers and crew and is chartered to JX Ocean. This vessel is presently trading in CPP cargo trade.
Fuyo Kaiun conducted annual Winter Ski-trip between 09th Feb to 11th Feb 2019. This was attended by most of the employees. Family members of some of the employees also joined this trip. This time Ski Jam Katsuyama in Fukui prefecture was selected for annual ski-trip. Fukui is around three-hours drive from Osaka and journey is very scenic. All the members enjoyed this trip including the kids who also got a chance to visit world famous Dinosaur museum in Fukui city.
Annual Ski-trip is conducted every year and most of the members participate with high interest. In this trip, dinner get-togethers are arranged which give an opportunity to share ideas, light moments and allows all members to come close to each other and develop healthy relations. This trip is surely a way of team building and enhancing the spirit of collaboration.
Fuyo Kaiun held “the 15th FUYO Crew Safety Seminar” at Barko International Manila office on 6th – 7th December 2018 and “the 5th FUYO – BARKO Christmas Party” was held on 8th December 2018 at AMOSUP Convention Hall in Manila Philippine. Fuyo Kaiun General Manager S. Banjo, HSSEQ Group Leader Capt. Y C Im, Crewing Group Chief Staff T. Kameda & Operation Group Y. Kitajo, our crewing agency “Barko International Inc” Chairman Capt. Teodoro B. Quijano & President Ms. Lenore M.V.M Quijano and 164 participants including seafarers families attended this party. General Manager S. Banjo proposed a toast to the participants after greeting that “We anticipate that the Product Carrier market will rise toward 2020 mainly due to a recovery in demand for petroleum products on the back of declining crude oil prices, though the tanker market is currently sluggish on account of oversupply and weak demand. In anticipation of an improvement in the Product Carrier market toward 2020, the company is enlarging its fleet soon. Our management has a clear vision for next 5 years to expand our fleet to around 100 vessels including owning, management and financing. Hoping for your continuous cooperation”
The JOINT SHIP/SHORE EXERCISE is held biannually on every year so as to evaluate and familiarize company’s emergency response system for serious marine accidents.
The exercise was conducted on December 11th 2018 based on an accident simulation involving our managing Chemical Tanker and other external parties.
The primary participants are company shore staffs including Top Management and DPA (Designated Person Ashore), M/T Chemway Arrow (38,000DWT) as exercise chemical tanker, the vessel’s Charterer, Local agent, P & I and Hull-Underwriter also Panama flag, Local port authorities, Salvage company, ClassNK & ETAS and Repair facility.
Under exercise base scenario, the chemical tanker with full loaded condition was planned to drop anchor in outer anchorage Xiamen China where the port is famous engaging with high current tide at channel approximately 5 knots in average. While she was in anchoring operation, the Master dropped anchor at out of designated anchor position which was appointed by Xiamen port control due to failure of the vessel’s speed control. Afterward, the Master received VHF call from the Port control that the vessel position is too close to the shallow depth area. Hence, the Master decided to heave up the anchor to move the anchor position. However, once the anchor left from the sea ground, the high current tide took over from ahead and she ran aground by stern. Subsequently, the engine room was getting flood due to damage of a hole on the steel plate at starboard side near bottom keel plate by size approximately 10 centimeters squares. Upon receiving at emergency call of the accident from the Master, the contingency response room was organized inside the company.
Fuyo Kaiun held the 20th FUYO Crew Safety Training at JSM International Yangon office on 15th – 16th November 2018 and Best model seaman awards were presented to ten seafarers during the ceremony of FUYO Pool Myanmar Seafarers.
The 9th FUYO Crew Year End Party was held on 16th November 2018 at Inyalake Hotel in Yangon Myanmar. Fuyo Kaiun General Manager Y.Noami, HSSEQ Group Leader Capt.YC Im, Crewing Group Chief Staff T. Kameda and JSM International Busan Korea Deputy General Manager Mr. JH. Hyun attended the party together with 10 awards recipients and 62 other seafarers and family members.
General Manager Y. Noami expressed appreciation to the seafarers for good performance for achieving FUYO MOTTO : 5 ZERO and their families for supporting them during their onboard service. Thanks giving speech was given by third officer Mr. Htet Lynn who was one of the award recipients. He expressed “I gained support from FUYO, honed my skills, achieved my goal and increased my knowledge”
Fuyo Kaiun is pleased to announce that one of our fleet vessels MV Rich Future has been selected as one of the BEST 10 VESSELS among 373 vessels by our charterers K-Line in a safety survey conducted in 2016. We believe that it is the result of proactive safety activities with artisan spirit by all the crew on board.
The performance of our chemical tanker “CABO NEGRO II” has remarkably improved in 2016 as highlighted in Safety Annul Inspection by Waterfront. This vessel has ranked within TOP 10 with very high standards among 23 very competitive vessels.
Fuyo Kaiun added a new Bulk Carrier in the fleet on 26th July 2017. Vessel is a newly delivered Kamsarmax Bulk Carrier from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding in Japan. This Panama registered vessel is being fully manned by Philippine officers and crew and is chartered to K-Line. Naming and delivery ceremony was attended by Fuyo staff and many esteemed guests from shipping fraternity at Tsuneishi shipyard in Fukuyama.
