The International Salvage Union published today its annual statistics for 2017:

•- Gross revenue for ISU members - US$ 456 million

•- Revenues up 20% on 2016

•- Number of LOF cases is up but LOF revenue and average LOF income down

• - SCOPIC revenue at an all time low

•- Wreck removal income - US$ 264 million, 58% of total income

•

Tthe industry has recovered slightly

The industry continues to be active, continues to invest and continues to

mitigate loss for ship owners and insurers.

The statistics show that the industry has recovered slightly from the low point of 2016

but revenues are not approaching the levels of 2013, 2014 and 2015 when annual

income was more than US$ 700 million.

The total number of "dry" salvage services (emergency response as opposed to

wreck removal) in 2017 was 251. In 2016 there were 306 operations – but that was

the highest number for nearly 20 years.

The statistics provide the only published measure of the state of the marine salvage

industry. The statistics are collected confidentially from all ISU members, aggregated

and analysed by a third party. They do not include the revenues of non-ISU

members. The statistics are for income received in the relevant year but that can

include revenue from services provided in previous years. The statistics are for gross

revenues from which all of the salvors' costs must be met.

Revenue from Lloyd's Open Form (LOF) cases in 2017 was US$ 54 million which is

the lowest since 1999 and continues the downward trend of LOF. Revenue from

SCOPIC was US$ 20 million – down from some US$ 60 million the previous year

and the lowest annual SCOPIC revenue since SCOPIC was introduced in 1999.

The number of LOF cases that realised revenue in 2017 for ISU members was 46 -

an increase on the 34 cases in 2016. However, with the increase in cases and

decrease in LOF revenues it means the average revenue from each LOF case,

including SCOPIC revenue, has fallen and was US$ 1.6 million, down from US$ 3.9

million the previous year.

The total of LOF salved values was nearly US$ 1 billion and the average LOF salved

value was US$ 21 million. It means that the average income (excluding SCOPIC

payments) for each LOF case - both settlements and arbitrators' awards - was 5.6%

of the salved value, the lowest on record.

Revenue from LOF cases represented 31% of all "dry" salvage revenue and LOF

cases accounted for 18% of all "dry" salvage cases in 2017. Ten years ago, LOF

revenue represented more than 70% of "dry" salvage income and 34% of cases.

Both numbers confirm the continuing decline in the financial significance of LOF over

the past few years.

At the same time, revenue in 2017 from operations conducted under contracts other

than LOF was US$ 119 million – up from US$ 75 million the previous year. Average

revenue from non-LOF contracts was therefore US$ 580,000 per case. It reflects the

continuing trend for commercial contracts to be used in place of LOF.

Wreck removal income has grown during the past decade and remains an important

source of income for members of the ISU. In 2017, 120 operations produced income

of US$ 264 million – 58% of total income. It is an increase from US$ 172 million in

2016.

Commenting of the statistics, ISU President, Ms Charo Coll, said: "The 2017 ISU

statistics again show the variability of our industry. Yes, the total revenue of US$ 456

million was an increase on the previous year but that is still far from the US$ 717 of

two years ago - more than 30% down.

"Nevertheless the industry continues to be active, continues to invest and continues

to be effective in helping to mitigate loss for ship owners and insurers but, at the

same time, ISU members are also experiencing financial hardship.

"The forces of competition may be making salvors undertake cases for lower returns

and there may be pressure from owners and insurers to drive down costs. LOF

revenue is much reduced and a contributing factor could be the increased use of

"side agreements". It is ISU's understanding that these are used to reduce LOF

awards and settlements.

"It is vital for world trade that there is a well resourced and capable marine salvage

industry available to save life, protect the environment and save property and we

encourage the shipping industry to support its professional salvage providers."