The Houston-headquartered Blue Sky Maritime Coalition (BSMC) has released a new report that provides a benchmark for CO2 emissions or carbon footprint from the major vessel sectors that make up domestic maritime transportation in North America. The coalition, a non-profit corporation, is a strategic alliance formed to accelerate the transition of North American waterborne transportation (NAWT) toward net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the study gives some insights into what’s needed to meet that goal. Continue reading “The size of North American maritime’s carbon footprint revealed”
Environment
Reclamation of underwater hull cleaning waste is essential to sustainability
Underwater hull cleaning may be a necessary and essential activity for many vessel owners, but it can result in substantial amounts of waste being produced. This is an obvious concern for companies anxious to enhance their ESG credibility.
Marine coatings manufacturer AkzoNobel says that recovering underwater hull cleaning waste material or reclamation is vital for the sustainable future of the industry.
“Reclaiming the waste generated from underwater hull cleaning operations provides assurance to vessel operators that materials generated from their operations are handled in a sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible manner, says AkzoNobel, Continue reading “Reclamation of underwater hull cleaning waste is essential to sustainability”
New rules on ship safety and pollution proposed by Hong Kong
Hong Kong plans to amend eight regulations under the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance, the Merchant Shipping (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Ordinance, and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance.
It intends to incorporate the latest requirements under three conventions of the United Nations’ IMO:
– the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code);
– the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships;
– the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti- Fouling Systems on Ships. Continue reading “New rules on ship safety and pollution proposed by Hong Kong”
UK Waterways Ombudsman annual report 2021-2022 published
The Waterways Ombudsman annual report detailed 63 enquiries, 51 of which were directly about the Canal & River Trust, one about the Avon Navigation Trust (which was not upheld) and the others about bodies not in jurisdiction.
“When considering the number of people who access the waterways for business, leisure or their home, complaint numbers are very low. The Trust invests a great deal of time and effort in providing a good customer service and its new customer relations system appears to be enhancing the customer experience,” said Sarah Daniel, current Ombudsman. Continue reading “UK Waterways Ombudsman annual report 2021-2022 published”
First flying electric ferry set to transform public transport
The world’s fastest electric ferry, the Candela P-12 Shuttle, is set to hit Stockholm’s waters next year, heralding a new era of transport. The innovative hydrofoiling electric ferry will reduce emissions and slash commuting times and the city believes it will make waterborne public transport more attractive than trains, buses and cars.
The marine technology company Candela released the first pictures of what will be the world’s fastest, longest-range and most energy efficient electric ship ever. The Candela P-12 Shuttle, as the innovative vessel is called, will be shuttling citizens between the sprawling Stockholm suburb of Ekerö and the city center in the coming year. Continue reading “First flying electric ferry set to transform public transport”
Sea Cargo Charter annual disclosure report 2022 published
The Sea Cargo Charter is a global framework for measuring and reporting how ship charterers’ activities align with society’s goals. This report marks the first time Signatories disclose the climate alignment of their activities, and the first disclosure of climate alignment using the Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator (EEOI) as a metric.
Signatories to the Sea Cargo Charter recognize that their role in the industry affords them opportunities to promote responsible environmental stewardship and drive change throughout the maritime Continue reading “Sea Cargo Charter annual disclosure report 2022 published”
DNV’s published a forecast and insight about the development and role of hydrogen in the energy transition
In his introduction to this report, Remi Eriksen, Group president and CEO of DNV, writes as follows:
Welcome to DNV’s first standalone forecast of hydrogen in the energy transition through to 2050. While there are ambitious statements about the prominent role that hydrogen could play in the energy transition, the amount of low-carbon and renewable hydrogen currently being produced is negligible.
That, of course, will change. But the key questions are, when and by how much? We find that hydrogen is likely to satisfy just 5% of global energy demand by 2050 — two thirds less than it should be in a net zero pathway. Clearly, much stronger policies are needed globally to push hydrogen to levels required to meet the Paris Agreement. Continue reading “DNV’s published a forecast and insight about the development and role of hydrogen in the energy transition”
EMSA: Tips for the safe carriage of alternative fuel vehicles
The main reasons behind the topic of alternative fuel vehicles becoming a serious safety concern are the enormous growth of the alternative fuel vehicles fleet, the potential fire risks of these vehicles and a high uncertainty on the associated fire characteristics, EMSA notes and issued in response a guide providing tips for the safe carriage of alternative fuel vehicles onboard ships.
In the guide, EMSA highlights that risk assessment should be conducted for each ship to ensure that risks arising from the carriage of the AFVs that might affect persons onboard, the environment, the safety of the ship are addressed. Continue reading “EMSA: Tips for the safe carriage of alternative fuel vehicles”
Proposal to ban sewage sludge dumping made to IMO
A proposal to ban the worldwide dumping of sewage sludge into the oceans has been made to the IMO by South Korea and Mexico. The proposal is being made some 50 years after the ’Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972’, known as the ‘London Convention’, was drawn up to protect the marine environment from human activities.
In 1996 it was updated to include a so-called ‘reverse list’, which listed certain wastes that could be dumped – and it included sewage sludge. This latest proposal seeks to remove sewage sludge from the list of waste considered acceptable to dump in the sea. Continue reading “Proposal to ban sewage sludge dumping made to IMO”
First UK e-marine hub for electric boats launches in Plymouth
The UK’s first ‘e-marine hub’ of shoreside charging facilities for electric vessels have been unveiled in Plymouth. The series of high-power DC electric charging stations have been switched on in prominent locations along the perimeter of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. This includes the world’s first 150kW charging facility at Mount Batten, the UK’s first 75kW site at MDL’s Queen Anne’s Battery and a 25kW installation at the Barbican landing stage.
Further installations are now being developed along the city’s waterfront, Continue reading “First UK e-marine hub for electric boats launches in Plymouth”
DW investigation reveals bilge pump dumping at sea is a bigger problem than most realise
The illegal dumping of oily wastewater into the ocean from ships, by using a bilge pump, is likely much more widespread than previously known and largely goes unpunished, according to an investigation from German media company DW. Despite oily waste dumping being prohibited globally under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), it continues to be shockingly common as vessels continue to pollute the world’s ocean with oil wastewater. Continue reading “DW investigation reveals bilge pump dumping at sea is a bigger problem than most realise”
Time to take charge of lithium battery moves
The market is exponentially increasing through consumer demand for a wide variety of rechargeable products from handheld devices to power tools and electric vehicles. Recently recorded incidents of container fires caused by, or suspected to involve lithium battery, as well as conflagrations of significant proportions on car carriers and ro-pax ships mean that safety concerns rightly continue to grow amongst the maritime community. In addition to which revised regulatory restrictions regarding the carriage by air of lithium batteries, which took effect from 1st April, may result in greater volumes being transported by surface modes. Continue reading “Time to take charge of lithium battery moves”