IMO Ship-Port Interface Guide
A new Ship-Port Interface Guide in pdf format focusing on eight practical measures which can support GHG emission reduction at the ship-port interface was released by IMO on 26 March.
The document can be found here:
Romania’s border in the Black Sea
On 7 April the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) reported that multipurpose coastguard support via a remotely piloted surveillance system (RPAS) services had been provided at the request of the Romanian Border Police.
(See illustrations here from EMSA / Romanian authorities ©)
EMSA and shore power
It is noted from the latest European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) Newsletter issued at the beginning of April that on 26 March, EMSA hosted an online workshop on shore-side electricity for port authorities and administrations.
Multiple cruise ship anchor failures
The Covid-19 enforced operational pause saw many cruise vessels anchored off the UK’s south coast.
During this period there were several anchor losses associated with the inclement weather over the autumn and winter and the use of the anchoring equipment beyond its intended design parameters.
Grounded container vessel Ever Given successfully refloated
Boskalis announced from Papendrecht, The Netherlands, on 29 March the successful salvage operation of the grounded 20,000 TEU container vessel Ever Given in the Suez Canal. With a length of 400 metres and a width of nearly 60 metres this giant ship had been wedged in this vital shipping route since 23 March blocking all shipping traffic ever since.
Europe’s Ports call for more onshore power
Onshore Power Supply (OPS) is part of a contribution to greening the shipping sector. It is an important tool for reducing CO2 emissions and air pollution at berth and in ports.
Greening of the shipping sector is a priority and ports want help to facilitate this process. Many ports in Europe are therefore stepping up their efforts to deploy more OPS and want (and need) to invest in OPS where it makes most sense.
Taking port projects on board
Over recent months, European ports have been playing a critical role in the supply and distribution of essential goods and in keeping the economy running. As gateways to the world, being at the crossroads of supply chains, hubs of energy, industry and blue economy, ports can be unique engines of sustainable growth and recovery. To continue to play their role, Europe’s ports must remain resilient and fit for the future.
mv Ever Given incident
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has issued a statement about the incident involving the mv Ever Given, which ran aground in the Suez Canal on 23 March 2021.
The IMO has been closely monitoring the incident involving Ever Given.
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said:
UN organizations issue joint call for seafarers and aircrew to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination
On 26 March the heads of five UN organizations called for maritime and air transport workers to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination, given their key role in supporting global trade and mobility, which is essential for a sustainable socio-economic recovery.
The ITF Seafarers’ Survey for March 2021
The ITF Seafarers’ Survey for March 2021 was launched on 22 March and is now ready to be taken by national and international seafarers (on ships and at home) across the world:
Latest News & Events
A new Ship-Port Interface Guide in pdf format focusing on eight practical measures which can support GHG emission reduction at the ship-port interface was released by IMO on 26 March.
The document can be found here:
Ship-Port Interface Guide.pdf (imo.org)
Developed by the Global Industry Alliance to Support Low Carbon Shipping (Low Carbon GIA) under the IMO-Norway GreenVoyage2050 Project, the Guide aims to support the maritime industry in achieving IMO’s emission reduction goals and contribute to greener shipping.
The eight practical measures presented in the Guide are:
1. Facilitate immobilisation in ports.
2. Facilitate hull and propeller cleaning in ports.
3. Facilitate simultaneous operations (simops) in ports.
4. Optimize port stay by pre-clearance.
5. Improve planning of ships calling at multiple berths in one port.
6. Improve ship/berth compatibility through improved Port Master Data.
7. Enable ship deadweight optimisation through improved Port Master Data.
8. Optimise speed between ports.
On 7 April the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) reported that multipurpose coastguard support via a remotely piloted surveillance system (RPAS) services had been provided at the request of the Romanian Border Police.
(See illustrations here from EMSA / Romanian authorities ©)
The RPAS system will support a number of authorities in Black Sea waters including the Romanian Naval Authority and National Agency for Fishing and Aquaculture.
It is understood that the mid-sized RPAS craft can stay in the air for up to seven hours and has a range of up to 200km. It is equipped with a camera capable of day and night operations, a sea surface scanner, a distress beacon detector and a sensor that can detect vessel positions. It can be used for a range of activities, including border control, monitoring naval traffic, search and rescue, and environmental protection. Data from the RPAS can be recorded and transferred to the EMSA RPAS data centre in real time, and then made immediately available to national authorities.
