International Maritime Organization (IMO) News
Mersey Maritime, in collaboration with WISTA UK, successfully marked the first regional event for WISTA UK in 2024 with the conclusion of their ‘Diversity in Maritime’ networking evening held on 15th February 2024, at HMS Eaglet in Liverpool. Event features and contributions The gathering brought together industry leaders and professionals for a networking and knowledge-sharing session. As part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations, WISTA UK will continue to host various regional...
Major technological innovator, Yara Marine Technologies (YMT) has been acquired by Geneva-based Okapi Supply Trading Advisory SA (formerly Sarl) to expand its maritime solutions portfolio. With a shared commitment to advancing sustainable solutions for the maritime industry, this new relationship sets the stage for the green solutions provider to accelerate the reach and impact of its industry-renowned decarbonisation technologies, supported by Okapi’s resources and drive. Green technolo...
DNV has entered into a Joint Development Project (JDP) with Singapore-based shipping company SDTR Marine to cooperate on an Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) feasibility study for the latter’s 85,000 dwt Kamsarmax bulk carrier. Techno-economic analysis As part of the JDP, DNV, and SDTR Marine will collaborate on a techno-economic analysis of OCCS implementation aboard the bulk carriers. Utilising DNV's FuelPath, the study aims to evaluate the economic viability of different fuel...
The latest stats from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform found that a total of 298 ships with alternative fuel propulsion were ordered in 2023 – an 8% increase year on year. The year also saw methanol go mainstream, with a sharp increase in orders (138) putting it neck and neck with LNG (130). Additionally, 2023 marked a breakout year for ammonia, with 11 orders for vessels run on this fuel, and more in the pipeline. AFI platform Faced with increasing pressure to reduc...
Now in its ninth year, the Middle East Bunkering Convention (MEBC) returns to Dubai in February to offer expert comment and informed debate about the issues and challenges impacting the global marine fuel sector and, as always, to provide a sharp focus on the evolving Middle East bunker market. From the vantage point of early 2024, MEBC will consider the commercial outlook for the industry amid escalating geopolitical tensions and a tough and complicated sanctions landscape. Speakers at the con...
At the recent COP28 Shaping the Future of Shipping summit organised by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) in Dubai on 10 December with over 300 maritime industry CEOs, government ministers, and NGOs present, IAPH President and Hamburg Port Authority CEO Jens Meier called on ports to actively collaborate on knowledge sharing between themselves and the maritime community to accelerate decarbonisation. The summit was hosted under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastru...
Global resin-applications specialist - Bolidt has signed an exclusivity agreement with long-standing customer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, covering all of the French shipyard’s newbuild cruise vessels – in addition to several navy ships, and offshore projects – until 2027. The joint undertaking is the latest in a 32-year relationship that has so far seen Bolidt supply its decking systems to around 100 Chantiers de l’Atlantique-built vessels–primarily cruise sh...
ABS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Christopher J. Wiernicki expressed the thanks of a grateful industry to IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim at the official gala dinner to mark the transition to his successor, Arsenio Dominguez. Speaking to more than 250 assembled pioneers of the shipping industry at COP28, Wiernicki detailed Secretary General Lim’s 'glittering legacy of achievement' and honoured their shared commitment to safety. Greenhouse gas strategy One whose impact w...
Pacific International Lines (PIL) and DP World have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop green solutions to decarbonise global supply chains. The agreement pairs DP World, which handles around 10% of the world’s container trade, and PIL, a major Singapore-based shipping company. By leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise, the companies can help to accelerate progress towards their common target of net zero GHG emissions. Pacific International Lines...
Vale, working in partnership with Oldendorff Carriers, have just commenced their first biofuel voyage on a bulk vessel. The trial is taking place on an Oldendorff vessel performing a laden Vale voyage from Brazil to Asia, carrying a full cargo of iron ore. The Hinrich Oldendorff (209,113 deadweight built 2016) loaded the biofuel in Singapore on October 16th on the ballast voyage to Brazil. The vessel then loaded Vale’s iron ore this Tuesday, November 28th at Guaiba Island Terminal and wil...
The Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has elected the Members of its Council for the 2024-2025 biennium. The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the organisation. Between sessions of the Assembly, the Council performs the functions of the Assembly, except that of making recommendations to Governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention. The Assembly of IMO elects Members of its Council The As...
Raymarine is disrupting the commercial marine market with a cost-effective and easy-to-install, IMO-compliant solid-state X-band radar system – the Pathfinder Radar. Built on the brand’s proven and award-winning solid-state radar technology, Pathfinder is designed for CAT 2 and CAT 3 SOLAS vessels. Solid-state technology Available in CAT2 and CAT3 configurations, this revolutionary radar system is ideal for vessels up to 10,000 tons, including superyachts, megayachts, and OSV/deep...
The completion of the pilot Single Window for Facilitation of Trade (SWiFT) project has been marked with a ceremony to hand over a newly developed generic Maritime Single Window (MSW) platform to the Port of Lobito in Angola. Maritime Single Window platform The new Maritime Single Window digital system allows the electronic submission, through a single online portal, of all information required by various agencies to ensure efficient clearance of ships during port calls. The handover ce...
Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat business, has won the 2023 International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) Award for Innovation and Technology in Maritime Search and Rescue after a highly respected judging panel led by former IMRF Chair Michael Vlasto selected its entry from a shortlist of 10 individuals and organisations. Acknowledging “volunteer and professional search-and-rescue (SAR) personnel from around the world”, the prestigious award highlights “those who have shown excel...
METIS Cyberspace Technology has added new functionality to its cloud-based Total Emissions Management solution that allows ship owners and operators to make the best use of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). As well as supporting IMO’s Data Collection System metrics for a ship’s Average Efficiency Ratio and Carbon Intensity Indicator, and EU monitoring reporting and verification, the new capability means that METIS can help owners manage the complexities of carbon allowances. E...
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to ERMA FIRST for its amine absorption-based Carbon Capture and storage (CCS) system. Absorption technology ERMA FIRST’s CCS system uses absorption technology to mix CO2 (carbon dioxide) flue gases with a proprietary amine solvent, which is then heated to produce a chemical reaction that reverses the absorption and separates the CO2 from the solvent. The CO2 from this process is then liquified and stored under cry...
Global maritime leaders sailed full steam ahead into London in their thousands to attend the biennial London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23), which took place from 11th September to 15th September, 2023. More than 70 countries were represented by the 30,000 delegates, while a large number of overseas trade delegations met with UK Government officials as London and the UK underlined their importance in the global supply chain. London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) At the s...
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Port of Rotterdam Authority (PoR) and 20 partners in the Green & Digital Shipping Corridor are working to reduce 20% to 30% of emissions from international shipping by 2030. This was agreed at the third Green Corridor workshop, held this week in Rotterdam. Green & Digital Shipping Corridor The Green & Digital Shipping Corridor was established in August 2022 to bring together partners across the supply chain to realise zero and...
Reducing the cost of electrolysers and rapid adoption of onboard carbon capture technology is going to be critical if shipping is to reach its net zero carbon emissions target. That was the message for the industry from an inspirational discussion at London International Shipping Week between renowned maritime industry economist - Dr. Martin Stopford and Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO. The pair held a wide-ranging discussion at the Capital Link Forum, exploring key hurdles and...
In July 2023, at MEPC 80, the IMO adopted the '2023 Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships'. This strategy targets the adoption of near-zero GHG fuels by 2030. A pivotal factor in this transition is choosing the right coating for fuel tanks — it ensures longevity and maintains the tank's optimal condition. Shipping companies invest a significant amount of consideration into the choice of coating systems for their vessel's fuel tank interiors. A failure in this coating can h...
Faced with tough competition for greener fuels from other sectors, new 2030 maritime emission targets hang in the balance. According to the latest edition of DNV‘s Maritime Forecast to 2050, the shipping industry will find it challenging to secure enough supply of carbon-neutral fuels. The report emphasises the need to consider all alternative approaches to reducing emissions and to take action now to secure future success. Carbon emission reductions Maritime sector needs to access a st...
The Seafarers Hospital Society will convene a panel of key industry stakeholders for a wide ranging discussion on potential intersections between decarbonisation, crewing strategies and seafarer welfare. The Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS) will host a virtual panel discussion on the opportunity for synergy between decarbonisation and crew welfare improvements en route to Net Zero at London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23). The panel will take place on Monday, September 11, 3.00 &ndash...
ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Liquefied Hydrogen (LH2) Carriers (Edition 2.0)', which cover essential details to examine the safety of liquefied hydrogen carriers to spur related technological developments. To construct a supply chain for hydrogen, which is expected to be a clean energy source in a decarbonised society, the development of liquefied hydrogen carriers that enable large-scale and efficient transportation is progressing actively. ClassNK’s R&D outcome IMO has wor...
Tokyo-based classification society, ClassNK has released the latest ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’, which has been published for contributing to the advancement of technology and society through the outcome of R&D and technical activities. ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’ The latest issue - ‘ClassNK Technical Journal No.7 2023 (I)’ focuses on efforts toward the safe operation of progressively larger container ships. It provides an overview of structural rules ap...
MAN Energy Solutions has announced that it will begin developing retrofit solutions for medium-speed marine engines as part of a research association including WTZ Roßlau gGmbh and TU-Darmstadt. The three-year research project, ‘CliNeR-ECo’, is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) with initial work having already commenced at the beginning of 2023. CliNeR-ECo aims to develop concepts for diverse, medium-speed, marine engines tha...
Shipowners face an ultimatum in 2023, upgrade their Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) technology to comply with new laws or scrap their vessels. CII data from 2022 must have been calculated and reported to the Data Collection System (DCS) verifier and sent by March 21, 2024, and 30% of ships simply don’t have the technology onboard to do it. New carbon targets The move comes as the International Marine Organization (IMO) in July announced new carbon targets, which include a 20% red...
The UK government announced a series of steps for the coming years to expand its Emission Trading Scheme, including for the first time bringing domestic shipping into the program. Experts highlight that it is another example of individual countries taking steps to reduce emissions in the lack of international agreements for industries, such as shipping that reach beyond domestic borders. The announcement that shipping will be required to participate in the program starting in 2026 comes as the...
The 175 member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have unanimously agreed on an ambition to reach net-zero GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from international shipping close to 2050. The previous strategy aimed for a 50% reduction in emissions by 2050. However, the new one is far more ambitious. The IMO is now targeting at least a 20% reduction by 2030 and 70% by 2040, compared to 2008 emission levels. The new strategy also includes striving for even higher reductions than th...
The Port of Rotterdam Authority welcomes the ambition of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to be climate-neutral by 2050. The Port of Rotterdam Authority views the new agreements set out by the 175 IMO Member States as an important foundation for climate-proofing the shipping sector. Reduction of GHG emissions The Port of Rotterdam Authority is hereby responding to the amendment of the ‘Greenhouse Gas (GHG) strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships’, which the...
MAN Energy Solutions has announced the successful first running of a test engine on ammonia at its Research Centre Copenhagen (RCC). The company reports that the successful combustion was performed on a MAN B&W two-stroke 4T50ME-X type and produced positive results with particularly promising data regarding pilot-oil amount and combustion stability. First ammonia engine test completed Gunnar Stiesch, the Chief Technical Officer, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “This marks a major milest...
