Day: 22 November 2016

The sixth Meeting of the Parties to ACCOBAMS opened this Tuesday, November 22, 2016 in the presence of HSH the Sovereign Prince, the Minister of State and many leading personalities. It will run until November 25.
November 24 will mark the 20th anniversary of ACCOBAMS, the intergovernmental agreement to mitigate the threats to marine mammals, in particular by improving the state of knowledge of these animals and by implementing appropriate conservation measures.
In his speech Prince Albert underlined that “ACCOBAMS, the true ambassador for the protection of the oceans and the conservation of migratory species, has been able to serve as an example over 20 years in other areas of the world such as the Red Sea, the African coasts, the Pacific and the Caribbean.”
Since the creation of ACCOBAMS, member states have adopted numerous resolutions covering a wide range of topics relevant to the conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the adjacent Atlantic area. The Permanent Secretariat has set up various forms of scientific cooperation aimed at acquiring a better knowledge of cetaceans and their environment and has developed collaborations with other international organisations.
HE Mr Serge Telle, Minister of State, HE Mr. Xavier Sticker, President of the Agreement, and Ms Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Executive Secretary also signed the amendment to the Headquarters Agreement for the Permanent Secretariat based in Monaco.
 

Monaco’s Tourism and Convention Bureau (DTC) celebrated another successful year on Monday at the Meridien Beach Plaza at the annual meeting of its overseas offices.
The Director of Tourism and Congress, Guillaume Rose, presented the 2016 assessment of tourism in the Principality and the objectives for the coming year. During the evening, a film was shown highlighting the activities and promotions of the DTC in various parts of the world, which was met with great enthusiasm.
Serge Telle, Minister of State, Jean Castellini, Minister of Finance and Economy, and all DTC’s partners were in attendance. The presentation ended with a discovery of Monaco in virtual reality as well as a parade featuring hotel partners and the new collection of designer Elizabeth Wessel.

The Department of Maritime Affairs (DAM) was alerted early on Tuesday morning by the professional fisherman of Monaco of the presence of tree trunks floating in the sea off Portier.
The anti-pollution vessel Vitamar found that there was a considerable amount of floating debris, covering an area of 300 metres by 30 metres. This information was forwarded to the regional operational centre for surveillance and rescue and the decision was taken to close the ports of Monaco to avoid damage to ships.
Thanks to the help of the Monaco Fire Department, the Maritime Police, the Port Operations Company (SEPM) and DAM, anti-pollution dams were quickly installed to protect the Hercule and Fontvieille ports.
Mariners were notified of the closures and the work underway.

Following an address on Monday, November 21, by Mrs Renate Winter, International Judge and Vice-President of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, donations collected during the months of October and November were handed over to three associations working in their defence of the Rights of the Child.
Monaco’s Mission Enfance, which provides assistance to children in distress in the world with the main objective of education; Casa do Menor, which helps the young people of the favelas of Brazil, especially favouring their professional placement; and the AKILAH Institute for Women, which works in East Africa to empower girls by providing them with access to education, were each handed cheques for €8,000.
In addition, financial support of an equivalent amount was sent to the Consul of Monaco in Madagascar to ensure the schooling of 45 Malagasy students.
 

Monaco-based Scorpio Bulkers has entered into time charter-out agreements for two Ultramax vessels and one Kamsarmax vessel. The SBI Leo, an Ultramar vessel, has been chartered for a minimum of five months, maximum seven months, at the rate of $9,000 (€8,500). The SBI Cakewalk, a Kansarmax type, has been chartered out for a minimum of five months, maximum eight months, also at the rate of $9,000 (€8,500). SBI Achilles, an Ultramax, has been chartered for a minimum of six months, maximum eight months, at the rate of $11,000 (€10,300).
Scorpio Bulkers Inc. currently owns 41 vessels, consisting of 15 Kamsarmax vessels and 26 Ultramax vessels. The company also time charters-in two dry bulk vessels, consisting of one Panamax and one Kamsarmax vessel, and has contracted for seven dry bulk vessels consisting of five Kamsarmax vessels and two Ultramax vessels, from shipyards in China.
The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as SALT.