Global Industry Alliance for marine biosafety IMO reports new member joining
Early in September the IMO Media service reported that Hapag-Lloyd AG was the latest entity to join the Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety, an initiative launched in June 2020 by the IMO GloFouling Partnerships project. Here the initiative works to promote collaboration with the private sector to address two of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: invasive species and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Joint UN agencies’ statement
Late Friday (11 September) the IMO issued a Joint Statement with other UN entities to urge action on the crew change crisis
In the agreed document all Governments were called upon to immediately recognize seafarers as keyworkers, and to address the humanitarian crisis faced by the shipping sector.
Maritime Security and the impact of the global pandemic IMO virtual meeting
IMO reported earlier this month that 46 participants from 18 countries* took part in a virtual meeting on 26 August to discuss the implementation of the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC)** amid the global pandemic.
This meeting also assessed progress made at the operational level of the DCoC, and the development of its governance framework.
IMO: Talking repatriation and international cooperation during the pandemic
Successful seafarer repatriation procedures have been highlighted as part of an in-depth webinar run by the Embassy of Indonesia in London on 26 August. The event, which gathered representatives from governments and international organizations, provided a platform for countries to learn from effective measures and to discuss ways forward.
UK independent report into risks to shipping published Future provision of Emergency Towing Vessels
An independent review of the risks to shipping within the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was published on 2 September by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
This report was initiated from a recommendation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch to assess the risk to and from shipping in the Dover Strait, following their report into a shipping incident in November 2016.
Port of Long Beach news Essential workers power new record
July marked the busiest month in the 109-year history of the Port of Long Beach as terminal operators and dockworkers moved 753,081 cargo container units, topping a record set two years ago.
Trade increased 21.1% in July compared to the same month in 2019. The previous single-month record of 752,188 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs), set in June 2018, was surpassed by nearly 900 TEUs.
New protocols offer effective tools to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 onboard ships
On 26 August the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), along with the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) and the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), issued new protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 cases on board.
British experts help Mauritius protect coral reefs from oil spill
On 20 August the UK Department for International Development reported that it had sent three ecology experts and one marine legal expert to Mauritius to support the next phase of the country’s response to the devastating oil spill from mv Wakashio near environmentally protected coral reefs.
BIMCO and ICS prepare for new Seafarer Workforce Report
It was jointly reported on 17 August that with the future of crewing high on the agenda, BIMCO and ICS are preparing for the launch of the latest Seafarer Workforce Report (previously known as the Manpower Report). This is the industry standard resource for ship operators, agencies and governments seeking the market intelligence they need to develop crewing and training strategies fit for the future.
Latest News & Events
Early in September the IMO Media service reported that Hapag-Lloyd AG was the latest entity to join the Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety, an initiative launched in June 2020 by the IMO GloFouling Partnerships project. Here the initiative works to promote collaboration with the private sector to address two of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: invasive species and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
At this time the new member of the GIA joins forces with an expanding group of leading private sector champions representing a wide range of maritime industries affected by biofouling, including shipping, aquaculture, offshore oil and gas and ocean renewable energies.
There is a useful introductory article on the Alliance to be found here: www.glofouling.imo.org/post/new-member-joins-the-global-industry-alliance-for-marine-biosafety
Biofouling is the build-up of aquatic organisms, such as algae or small animals, on marine surfaces that can lead to the introduction of potentially invasive species to new environments, where they may threaten native species and cause irreversible damage to biodiversity. Additionally, biofouling increases the drag of ships, forcing them to burn more fuel to maintain speed.
Late Friday (11 September) the IMO issued a Joint Statement with other UN entities to urge action on the crew change crisis
In the agreed document all Governments were called upon to immediately recognize seafarers as keyworkers, and to address the humanitarian crisis faced by the shipping sector.
The Statement was issued above the signatures of several UN agencies including IMO, ILO, UNCTAD, FAO and ICAO to urge all UN Member States to take action to urgently resolve the crew change crisis to avert a humanitarian disaster that will also affect the safety of shipping, the protection of the marine environment, the continuation of efficient trade and the recovery of the world economy.
The Joint Statement can be download here:
