It was announced in mid-August that Maersk Supply Service will in the coming months provide marine support to The Ocean Cleanup, the Dutch non-profit organization that is developing advanced technologies to rid the oceans of plastics, and install their first clean up system in the North Pacific. This introduction will mark the start of the World’s first large-scale initiative for collection of floating plastic debris in the ocean.

ABPmer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Associated British Ports Holdings Limited, reported on 13 August with regard to Langstone Harbour Board it had been appointed to provide an independent Designated Person (DP*) service and associated annual Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC**) audit.

Port of Long Beach and Long Beach City College (LBCC) leaders officially launched an innovative new programme on 8 August to provide opportunities to local students seeking the employment skills they need to join the goods movement workforce.

On 7 August the Unifeeder Group, the largest pan-European feeder and shortsea operator, announced from Aarhus, Denmark, the signing of agreed acquisition by DP World.

At the end of July IMO reported that Mauritius had become the 15th  signatory* to the Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct – the instrument developed and adopted by countries in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.  That Code has been a key factor in repressing piracy and armed robbery against ships operating in the region.

IMO reported on 27 July that it had held a recent workshop to promote secure shipping in Asia. 

Private Sector Leadership in Climate-Proof Ports for Small Island Developing States, to give it its full title, is an official event organized by the World Ocean Council (WOC) during the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco in September. This WOC event will tackle the need and opportunity for business action to improve the resilience of ports and coastal infrastructure in islands.

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Nusrat Ghani commented: ‘It is an honour to name Afif, Hapag-Lloyd’s latest container ship, as it will have a vital role in the growth of the UK economy by moving our exports and imports.’

Captain Gray had a 20 year career at sea and traded on various vessels including RO-RO, container, bulk and LPG tankers. On coming ashore he was a Vessel Traffic Manager at Mackay/Haypoint and Reefcentre.  He joined Fremantle Ports in July 2006 as Deputy Harbour and was appointed Harbour Master in September 2008.  Captain Gray was previously the Federal Master for the Company of Master Mariners Australia and was later awarded Life Membership.
 
On his appointment Captain Gray said,