Get involved with Invasive Species Week

Do you know the three simple actions that can help reduce the spread of non-native invasive species? Check, Clean, Dry. Some non-native species are completely harmless but others, known as invasive or species, have the ability to cause damage to the environment, the economy and our health.

Invasive Species Week runs from 15 to 21 May 2023 and is an annual national event organised by the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) to raise awareness of the impacts of invasive non-native species. Providing advice and guidance on the simple things everyone can do to help prevent the spread as well as sharing stories on some of the fantastic work taking place across the UK, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man to protect the environment and reduce their impacts. Continue reading “Get involved with Invasive Species Week”

First Maersk methanol fuelled containership floated out in South Korea

Maersk continues the build toward the introduction of the world’s first methanol fuelled containership. The shipping company released a short video showing the float out of the vessel from the building dock in South Korea reporting that work remains on schedule for delivery this summer.

“The launching was successfully completed at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and the construction is continuing,” says Henrik Ekmann Head of Newbuilding & Retrofit at Maersk during the video. He notes that reaching this milestone has taken, “extensive product and design development from a large number of key suppliers and driven forward by our Procurement and Fleet Technology teams.” Continue reading “First Maersk methanol fuelled containership floated out in South Korea”

Holland Shipyards Group to develop autonomous 3D printed ferry

Photo credit: Holland Shipyards Group
Photo credit: Holland Shipyards Group

The Holland Shipyards Group has started work on building the largest ever 3D printed ferry as part of a new project sponsored by France to highlight innovations in sustainable and autonomous shipping. In December last year, Holland Shipyards Group, Sequana Développement and Roboat were designated as winners in a national call for autonomous passenger boat projects initiated by the French inland waterways authority, Voies Navigables de France.

The concept ferry proposed by the winning consortium will be 3D printed and with its dimensions of 9m by 3.90m, is the largest printed autonomous ferry ever. Continue reading “Holland Shipyards Group to develop autonomous 3D printed ferry”

Targets set for end-of-life boat recycling

A roadmap has been launched for the European boating industry aimed at increasing end-of-life boat recycling as a matter of urgency. The plan, launched by the European Boating Industry (EBI), is based on a three-year process involving all public and private stakeholders, with the boating industry committing to phasing out unsustainable recycling practices and targets set for the period up until 2030.

The ‘Roadmap on the implementation of the circular economy for end-of-life boats’ follows several dismantling and recycling schemes already set up in many European countries. Continue reading “Targets set for end-of-life boat recycling”

AMSA published its Compliance Strategy 2023/27

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published its Compliance Strategy 2023/27. It builds on the modern regulatory foundations laid out in its predecessor and sets out six key elements. It is a data-driven, risk-based and proportionate approach to compliance that minimises impact on industry while maximising safety and environmental outcomes.

On a practical level, the strategy is implemented through AMSA’s annual National Compliance Plans which detail specific inspection and education focus areas for a given 12-month period. AMSA Executive Director of Operations, Michael Drake, Continue reading “AMSA published its Compliance Strategy 2023/27”

IACS develops new wave data scatter diagram

New scatter diagram and wave spectra defining design environmental conditions will be used for wave load, fatigue, and seakeeping calculations. As part of IACS’ ongoing commitment to safe ships and clean seas, a long-term review of wave data has now concluded with the publication of a revised version (Rev.2) of IACS Recommendation No.34 which provides advice on sea states as well as wave spectrum, spreading, heading distribution and vessel speed.

Accurate Wave data remains of paramount importance as this data is used to represent the ocean environment, underpinning wave load prescription, which in turn, greatly impacts hull structural requirements. Continue reading “IACS develops new wave data scatter diagram”

New report values benefits of UK waterways

Uk waterways benefits valued in new report
UK waterways benefits valued in new report

The UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Waterways has published a headline report setting out the economic and social value of its 250-year-old waterway network.

Presenting the report to MPs, chief executive, Richard Parry, announced that the combined annual economic and social value of the waterways amounts to £6.1 billion. This includes £1.5 billion annual economic value from water-based tourism and jobs, and annual social value of £4.6 billion, which includes £1.1 billion cost saving to the NHS from active use of the waterways and the towpaths. Continue reading “New report values benefits of UK waterways”

BP Energy Outlook 2022 published

BP Energy Outlook 2022 is available
BP Energy Outlook 2022 is available

Recently published the BP Energy Outlook 2022 explores the key uncertainties surrounding the energy transition and is focussed on three main scenarios: Accelerated, Net Zero and New Momentum. The Outlook sets out to identify aspects of the energy transition that are common across the main scenarios and provide a guide as to how the energy system may evolve over the next 30 years.

Some of the key points from the BP Energy Outlook 2022 are:

1 The carbon budget is running out: CO2 emissions have increased in every year since the Paris COP in 2015, except in 2020. Delaying Continue reading “BP Energy Outlook 2022 published”

Requirements for the use of scrubbers in Australia issued by AMSA

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published a marine notice to advise vessel owners, operators, masters and marine surveyors of Australia’s requirements for the use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS).

The use of an EGCS is permitted in Australian waters as an option to comply with the low sulphur fuel requirements of MARPOL Annex VI, as set out in the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983, section 26FEGA, provided it is approved by the vessel’s flag State Administration, or a recognised organisation appointed by the flag State. The EGCS must also be operated in accordance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements, including the 2021 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (resolution MEPC.340(77)). Continue reading “Requirements for the use of scrubbers in Australia issued by AMSA”

Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating Report published

The GloFouling Partnerships, led by the IMO in collaboration with the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), World Sailing, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has published a new Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating Report.

The aim of the report is to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species which can adhere to hulls and other areas of recreational craft by addressing how to manage biofouling. The report provides an overview of invasive aquatic species which are believed to have been introduced to different areas of the world through recreational boating. Current regulations and guidance are presented, as well as an overview of anti-fouling paints. Continue reading “Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating Report published”

Disposal of marine pyrotechnics from the UK pleasure vessel sector to change

New arrangements for disposing of redundant marine pyrotechnics, known as flares, are being rolled out by the pleasure vessel industry in the UK. This will replace the voluntary and temporary scheme which His Majesty’s Coastguard has been providing since 2010 from 17 of its stations and the RNLI at its headquarters in Poole, Dorset. The new arrangements, supported by both British Marine and the Royal Yachting Association, will provide a website showing links to businesses offering disposal services across the United Kingdom.

On the 31 December 2022, the current HM Coastguard scheme will end and the Maritime and Coastguard Continue reading “Disposal of marine pyrotechnics from the UK pleasure vessel sector to change”

Global Maritime Issues Monitor reveals the coming impacts for shipping

Global Maritime Issues Monitor logo
Global Maritime Issues Monitor logo

The fifth annual Global Maritime Issues Monitor has revealed that senior maritime decision-makers believe the maritime industry will be most impacted by the decarbonization of shipping and new environmental regulations in the next decade. At the same time, geopolitical issues and skill shortages rise in prominence as an area of concern.

Following the war in Ukraine, geopolitical tension has become one of the top concerns in the industry. The industry’s preparedness to face these tensions, however, is still rated as high. Compared to last year’s results, the expected impact of changing trade patterns has likewise increased. Continue reading “Global Maritime Issues Monitor reveals the coming impacts for shipping”

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