Environment

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) or scrubbers.

The use of an EGCS or scrubbers 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”

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”

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”

A second report has been published on how the Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU should be updated going forward.
In this much-awaited report, the European Commission has assessed the technological and economic feasibility of further reducing exhaust emissions produced by recreational craft and their fuel systems.

It also evaluates the appropriateness of the current watercraft design categories in light of different weather conditions and the impact of this categorisation on manufacturers and end-users.

Exhaust emissions Continue reading “EU report published on how the Recreational Craft Directive could evolve”

UK P&I Club has said bunker fuel analysis indicates more cases of contaminated bunker fuel in the Rotterdam and Amsterdam areas (ARA), suggesting that the problem persists.

During July, Veritas petroleum services (VPS) issued a bunker alert regarding the same issue. VPS reported that they had investigated samples of very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) taken in the ARA region following reports that vessels using these fuels were experiencing operational problems, such as excessive wear of fuel pump plungers, barrels and injectors. Continue reading “Bunker fuel contamination cases are on the increase”