In recent years, many nations have begun to identify and address climate risks associated with rising GHG emissions. Since energy use is a significant contributor to GHG emissions, climate policies that target these emissions are likely to play a significant role in the world’s energy future by directly and indirectly affecting people’s energy choices.
In the early hours of 18 January 2014 a 75,000-ton tanker, the MT Kerala, vanished off the coast of Angola. A sophisticated pirate gang hijacked the Greek-owned vessel, disabling its identifications system and communication equipment, and painting over its identifying markers.
Port of Rosario, Argentina’s largest port for exporting grain might remain blocked for almost a week due to the grounding of a Bulk Carrier in the main channel of Parana River. The Cyprus flagged MV Paraskevi remains grounded there since last Tuesday 11 March.
The IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment held its 1st session from Monday 10 through Friday 14 March 2014 under the chairmanship of Dr S Ota (JAPAN) and his Vice-Chair, Mr K Hunter (UK) both were subsequently re-elected for 2015.
Last Friday a cargo ship and a barge have collided in Houston channel. Currently the USCG is investigating the cause of the collision between the cargo ship Genius Star VII and a barge loaded with 840,000 gallons of fuel oil in the Houston Ship Channel.
In the IMO, the countries have just agreed on training requirements for seafarers on board ships in Arctic regions. Thus, the IMO still follows the plan for finalizing the Polar Code which is to enhance safety of navigation in polar regions.
According to a report from Norton Rose Fulbright, shipping is the most negative response to high-capacity or high-speed assets, with almost 30 per cent of the participants of the Survey conducted by Norton Rose Fulbright, seeing these as creating overcapacity – much higher than aviation and rail (11 and six per cent). While some feel they will open up new opportunities, 22 per cent express doubt over their sustainability.
Shipping losses continued their downward trend with 94 losses reported worldwide in 2013, coming in below 100 for only the second time in 12 years, according to Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE’s (AGCS) second annual Safety and Shipping Review 2014, which analyzes reported shipping losses of over 100 gross tons.
The shipping industry should adopt a unified international standard to judge and regulate security services provided by private contractors, says leading maritime security company GoAGT.
Ships operating in the polar environments are exposed to a number of unique risks. Poor weather conditions and the relative lack of good charts, communication systems and other navigational aids pose challenges for mariners.
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Officer of the Watch 