It has been a busy 2nd Quarter this year for the Norbulk Group. With a group of our partners we concluded an agreement to take over the supervision of 15 chemical tankers, 13,000 -16,000 Dwt built 2008-2010.

These tankers were part of a German KG structure which unfortunately went into liquidation. The debt was subsequently sold to a private equity group who teamed up with Norbulk who now have responsibility for all commercial and technical functions.

The Glasgow office will be technically managing half of this chemical tanker fleet working closely with staff from Riga. The balance of tankers will remain with Hamburg based technical managers with the commercial functions of chartering, post fixtures and finance being controlled

via our new JV office in Den Hague, Holland which is called Alliance Tanker Management.

These chemical tankers are similar type to the Furuholmen, Morholmen and Kirkeholmen which have been with us since their build two years ago. Seven new tankers will have names ending in “holmen” and the other eight tankers will have names ending “Oak”. We are extremely pleased to welcome these ships and

their crews into our management and while the trade is largely worldwide, six of the 13,000 Dwt tankers will trade off Lome for the remainder of this year.

Norbulk is also pleased to be taking over technical management of four new bulk carriers of 63,000 Dwt which are currently

under construction in a Chinese Shipyard. This ship size is called “Ultramax” and the type “Crown 63”. These vessels will enter the UK tonnage tax system, fly the British flag and be registered in London. The commercial operators are Marine Capital

Limited and the M/V Cape Cross will be the first vessel to deliver in July, which we will be telling you more about in our next issue.

Finally, before the end of the 3rd Quarter we shall know the result of a vote on Scottish Independence. This will be the biggest and most important vote in our country’s recent history. Since 1707 there has been a union between Scotland and England, named The United Kingdom of Great Britain. In a simple “Yes” or “No” vote the Scottish people will decide whether to leave or remain part of the UK. Whatever the result our Glasgow office will remain the key centre for Norbulk’s ship management activities. We may well see a Scottish flag in future, but the red ensign or national flag of the United Kingdom will definitely keep flying.

We wish you all a cheerful summer and smooth sailing.

N o r b u l k s Q u a r t e r l y N e w s l e t t e r

NORBULK

Wavelength

A Time Of Growth At Norbulk Group

April - June 2014

N e w s l e t t e r

Department of the QuarterNobulk GlasGoW admiNistratioN departmeNtWhether it’s the helpful voice on the telephone or the friendly face that greets you, the first port of call for visitors and callers to the Nobulk Glasgow office is our administration department, expertly manned by kathrine donaldson and lisa Woodage.

Our Administration Department is vital for many reasons. They connect suppliers, clients and all external callers to the correct member of personnel required for each requirement. In addition to this, the day to day role of the department ranges from the management of incoming and outgoing mail to the processing and distribution of vessel inspection reports as well as control of documents to assist in ensuring our vessels are compliant with company procedures.

Many of the current staff started their Norbulk careers in Administration including Ship Managers, Buyers, and members of the QA Department.

The importance of this department cannot be underestimated as everything Norbulk does will, at some point, pass through the Administration Department, therefore it could be considered the Focal Point of Norbulk Shipping.

VGP Environmentally Acceptable LubricantsSince the 19th december 2013 all

commercial vessels wishing to enter us waters are required to use environmentally acceptable

lubricant (eal) in areas where there is an oil water interface. The change over from standard lube oil to eal must be achieved in the vessel’s first drydock after the 19th december to allow vessel to continue operating in us waters.

An environmentally acceptable lubricant is one that is biodegradable, minimally toxic and non bio accumulative. These types of oil pose an engineering problem as many are incompatible with the chemical composition of current seals so companies

are developing specially formulated seals to accompany the EAL’s.

Areas included in the term “oil water interfaces” include Controllable Pitch Propellers and Thrusters hydraulic fluid and lubrication from Stern Tubes, Thruster Bearings, Rudder Bearings and any other equipment subject to immersion.

While there are many different areas that are controlled by this regulation there is also a technical infeasibility clause that allows keeping the standard oil in the situation where the machinery does not currently have an approved EAL alternative that meet manufacturer’s specifications.

If you have any questions about the new VGP and EAL’s please contact either your superintendent or rob.reid@norbulkshipping.com

What was your previous history before Norbulk?Before Norbulk I attended high school in Latvia and from there went on to study at the Latvian Maritime Academy. During this time I had cadetships on Bulkers and LPG Tankers. After I graduated I moved up to 3/O position and joined Norbulk in that role in July 2005 on the Oil Tankers. Since then I have progressed through the ranks at Norbulk sailing on the Oil/Chem Tanker fleet and the Prod/Tankers in West Africa where I was promoted to Captain. I then returned to sailing on the Oil/Chem Tankers before coming ashore and into my new position.

What do you like so far about working for Norbulk? One of the things I like about Norbulk is how friendly the people are. I have been

made to feel very welcome in my time spent in the office. The challenge of my new role also leads to dealing with some unusual situations and thinking on your toes.

What are your hobbies outside of the office? I like to keep fit. Jogging is one of my favourite pastimes, when the weather is nice of course. I also enjoy cooking and making something nice if I am in the correct mood for it.

What are your personal likes?I am an animal lover and like all kinds of cats and dogs. I also enjoy meeting new, interesting and polite people. Like most people I do not like impoliteness

mV raiNboW QuestCurrent Captain sergiy rasskaza. With Norbulk since april 2007.

Where are you situated at the moment?

In the Pacific Ocean, towards the Strait of Magellan, where we will have good opportunity to see uniquely beautiful places.

What is your favourite sailing area?

The Mediterranean Sea and Northern Atlantic Ocean are good, but favourites

are European waters as for Russian and Ukrainian crew members this area is always closer to home. This is same in Pacific Ocean for Filipino crew members.

What is your least favourite sailing area?

Generally areas where pirate attacks occur or where there is threat of attack, such as West Africa, Indian Ocean-East Africa, Southeast Asia – Indonesian coast. But on the whole there is no difference between favourite and least favourite sailing areas. Each place has its positives and negatives

What are crew activities outside of working hours?

We have a small gym onboard, but it is quite comfortable to use for sports. For some crew members reading is their relaxation but for the others watching movies on the big LED TV, karaoke, playing the guitar, playing darts, computer games etc. Most favourite crew activity outside of working hours however is communication with their families through e-mail, this makes us happy and gives us a feeling a home and also helps the morale of the crew.

What is the cook making on sundays?

Sundays is a special day for everyone who is on board. Every crew member can expect from our cook that he will make something tasty as usual.

We are happy we have very good cook and he tries to do a festive table every day. He prepares such dishes as roast meat, beef –“kaldereta”, pork -“embutido”, chicken -“adobo”, rissole, ragout, sponge-cakes, biscuits etc.

Our New Marine Superintendentpavels Gorelikovs Marine Superintendent

Joined: 7th April 2014

Department of the Quarter

The MV Rainbow Quest in the cold waters of St Lawrence, Canada

Vessel of the Quarter

QA Update

The Company is currently developing a software upgrade for the Vessel reporting program which will be called ims Vessel.

Testing of the new system is about to be started on the Great Eastern. After testing, we hope to be able to rollout the

new program to all vessels before the end of Quarter 3 2014. The new system will allow greater synchronization between the office and the vessel, making it easier to follow-up NCRs, incidents and defects. The vessel will also be able share scanned copies of its trading certificates with the office using the VRP.

Vessel Reporting Program

Once Vrp 7 has been implemented, we plan to move to an electronic safety management system (sms).

This will reduce the number of hard copy files on board. paper copies of the navigation and engine room procedures will be maintained for easy reference during contingencies.

Adopting an electronic SMS will give us greater flexibility to revise our procedures. It is important that our procedures safeguard the wellbeing of our staff by requiring everyone to work in the safest possible manner. Safety must always be our first priority.

We do not want to make changes to our procedures too often as it is important that everyone is familiar with the content.

Too many changes, too often make this difficult. However, switching over to an electronic platform gives us an ideal opportunity to review our existing procedures. These must be practical and fit for purpose. It is crucial that you have an input into the creation and maintenance of our procedures. Your feedback will ensure our procedures are practical to use, which is likely to encourage everyone to follow them.

For example, our existing PPE matrix (NS 217) requires the use of hard hats while working in Machinery Spaces. Do you think this is practical? Is the likelihood of falling objects in the Engine Room sufficient to constitute the use of a hard hat at all times? Or does wearing a hard hat increase the risk of personnel suffering heat exhaustion? Are staff who work in the Engine Room on your vessel regularly wearing a hard hat? Or is it accepted that this requirement is excessive? We cannot have procedures that people consciously choose to ignore, as once this happens it becomes easier to disregard other procedures that they consider inconvenient or unnecessary. Our procedures are not intended to be optional; compliance is mandatory. Please discuss this with your colleagues. Ideas can be raised at the next Safety Committee Meeting which will be fed back to the office for consideration. All suggestions that can improve our system will be welcomed

Safety Management System

Sallija Meine familiarising with new procedures

A life at sea poses many different challenges to seafarers. long voyages, heavy workload and homesickness to name but a

few and here at Norbulk we try our best to find ways to combat the negative effects of a sea going career. personal emails for crew to contact their family and well equipped recreation areas to relax in during rest hours being only two of a large list.

However it is also very important that crew look after themselves on board by keeping the mind and body occupied. As they say: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

There are many ways in which to do this. Whether its individual exercise in the weight rooms or fitness training on the exercise bike and treadmill. Playing ping pong with crew mates or taking a brisk walk around the deck, it is vitally important to keep fit and active on board.

Just as important is the down time and recreational periods on the ship. Reading a book, watching television or even just having a conversation and getting to know others on board can relieve some of the stresses of the day.

A healthy diet on board is also vitally important to the happiness and health of a crew. No one wants to eat unhealthy and poor tasting food.

Good nutrition on board is something we take very seriously here at Norbulk and we try to ensure that all of our cooks provide healthy meals for the crew be that through victualling suppliers updates or through our very own Newsletter (as you will see soon).

A healthy diet, exercise and rest time are of great importance when on board and inevitably lead to a happy and healthy crew.

Healthy Body Healthy Mind

it’s not only on board where

keeping healthy and fit is

necessary. Norbulk office

employees are doing their bit too

and helping others along the way.

A huge congratulations to our Norbulk Glasgow Purchase Ledger Emma McAllister who took part in the Cancer Reasearch UK Race For Life. She completed the 5k run in 37 minutes and raised a fantastic £147 for the charity in the process.

Well done emma!!

Norbulk Staff: Keeping fit and helping others

Vessel Reporting Program

bosun igor antonov Currently serving on Wild Lotus

i was born in 1972 in Nikolaev, The City of shipbuilders. i graduated from the shipbuilding university in 1999 and worked at first as an engineer of electro-automatic mechanism.

I was first attracted to Norbulk for job prospects and security and joined in 2000 as an OS. I can still remember my first voyage on board the MV Horncap. For me at that time it was very difficult to understand the life of a seaman but I was lucky to serve with a very experienced Bosun who had worked at sea almost all of his life. He entrusted me important jobs

and allowed me to do these myself. He did not criticise, only explained the correct actions. That helped me to feel at home on the sea and made the life much easier.

I have been at Norbulk now for 14 years and have worked my way up to Bosun position and hope that I have the same positive influence on young, new seafarers just beginning their careers.

One of the positives of this job is seeing many places in the world. My favourites are United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, USA and New Zealand.

When I am at home I like to go on adventure holidays, play sports and look after my garden.

The Crew Interview

Here at Norbulk we look for the best ways to maintain and improve the knowledge of our seafarers.

Norwegian based company Seagull AS has an onboard library of CBT (Computer Based Training) modules is part of Norbulk

training program. Seagull AS is the leading provider of computer based training systems for seafarers worldwide and offers a comprehensive library of training and onboard courses for regulatory compliance and improved seafarer knowledge. Seagull is an invaluable

resource on board as it maintains the knowledge base of our seafarers at a high level.

Special Norbulk training matrix is created taking into account seafarers training needs and industry latest requirements for each vessels type. Training matrix compliance is important for crew career development and keeping our seafarers up to date with latest maritime industry regulations and changes. The set up of the online Seagull Training Administrator is also incredibly helpful in the Office as it allows the Personnel Department to monitor each vessels training activity and the progress of each seafarer individually

in order to ensure that all Seafarers from Captain to Messboy comply with the Company training matrix.

As per latest data Hassi Messaoud 2 is Norbulk training leader, leaving behind Great Eastern, Alcantara Carrier, Iver Progress, Rhourd Enouss, Iver Prosperity, Wild Peony, Alrar, Acadian, Crown Topaz and other vessels. Our special gratitude goes to the Anuket Jade who are working on busy bunkering trade, but showing good progress on crew training and are almost reaching our ten leaders.

Keep up the good work

Seagull OBT

Ingredients (Serves 4 people)

Please adjust accordingly depending on crew compliment

• 1tbsp olive oil

• 1 onion, sliced

• ½ x 2.5kg basics potatoes, unpeeled and thinly sliced

• 2 garlic cloves, peeled & finely chopped

• 300g courgettes, thinly sliced

• 520g white fish fillets

• Zest & juice of 1 lemon

• 500ml vegetable stock (1 x stock cube)

• 2 tsp dried mixed herbs

Method 1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onions and potatoes for 10-15 minutes, until starting to brown. Add the garlic at the last minute.

2. Stir through the stock, season well, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Halfway through, top with the courgette slices.

3. Place the fish fillets on top of the courgettes. Sprinkle over the dried herbs, lemon zest and season to taste. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.

4. Serve immediately with the potatoes and squeeze over the lemon juice.

The Crew Interview Recipe Of The Quarter

AnnouncementsYou have already met Pavels and Mark but also joining us are: Nikolaos kaloumenos – Trainee Technical Superintendent

stuart Grainger – Ship Manager

lisa Woodage – Administration Assistant

Nicol muir – IT Assistant

James minshall – Purchaser

martin middleton – Ships Accountant

stephen singh – Ships Accountant

debbie sheffield – Ships Accountant

pauline Nolan - Accounts Junior

We have also have the pleasure to announce another New Arrival to the Norbulk Family. Ship Accountant Kimberley Gardner and her husband have welcomed baby Fraser to the world and we wish the whole family our best.

Despite the growth of the Norbulk family we were also very sad to say goodbye in April to Beth Packham(QA Administrator) and Ashley Rankin(Buyer), who we had the great pleasure to work with for almost 10 years and 7 years respectively. We would like to wish them all the best for the future.

Following on from last quarter’s shortbread recipe (which we hope you all tried and enjoyed), and in keeping with our healthy lifestyle theme of this quarter’s Newsletter here’s a tasty looking fish dish for your Cook to try.

Fish, Courgette and Potato Bake

due to the expansion which you have already read about, we have an opportunity to welcome some new arrivals to the Norbulk office.

Help us to continue to create and supply a great Norbulk Newsletterplease send any suggestions and stories which you would like to see in future issues to our team at: newsletter@norbulkshipping.com

All feedback is gratefully received

mark myles QA & ISM Manager Joined 14th April 2014

What was your previous history before Norbulk?

Before Norbulk I spent 4 years at V.Ships as Vetting Manager then laterally Marine Superintendent. This involved acting as CSO and DPA for a number of tankers and bulk carriers. Prior to that, I worked at Shell for a number of years both afloat and ashore. During this time I sailed predominantly on LNG carriers but I also spent time on VLCCs, DP shuttle tankers, Suezmax product tankers and LPG carriers. I also worked in the vetting department based in London for a year. This involved assessing SIRE reports and conducting Management Reviews in the offices of 3rd party ship management companies.

What do you like so far about working for Norbulk?

I’m pleased to be joining Norbulk as it enters an exciting period of expansion. This will present many challenges, particularly with the diverse range of tonnage in management. I’m looking forward to working together with staff on board and ashore to ensure our Safety Management System is effective and user friendly. This is a critically important tool for ensuring safe and efficient operations and I will ask for everyone’s input to make sure we capture best practice from across the fleet and consolidate our procedures as concisely as possible.

I’m also enjoying walking into the office each day. It is ideally located in the heart of Glasgow’s thriving Merchant City, surrounded by fantastic architecture and some lively bars and restaurants. My new

colleagues have been very welcoming since I started and I look forward to extending a similar welcome to our colleagues on board should they get the opportunity to visit Glasgow in the future.

What are your hobbies outside of the office?

I like to keep quite active outside of the office. I like cycling, running, and summiting hills as often as I can. I caught the running bug after completing my first marathon a couple of years ago. This was incredibly rewarding and I hope to tackle another one later this year. I also enjoy painting and reading. Although I’ve got a terrible habit of picking up a new book before I’ve finished the one I’ve been reading!

What are your personal likes?

Last month I took my 7 year old son, Leo, to his first Scottish Football Association Cup final. We joined over 28,000 expectant Dundee United fans at Parkhead to watch the mighty Terrors clash with a small provincial club called Saint Johnstone from the farming pastures of Scotland. It was a foregone conclusion, or so we thought…

What are your personal dislikes?

United were beaten two-nil in the final - we all trudged despondently home in the rain! After a modest haul of 4 victories from 18 cup finals, I should probably be used to the agony by now!

Our New QA Manager