International Maritime Organization News

Shipping to Halve Carbon Footprint by 2050

The world's principal shipping organisation, representing around 80% of the world’s merchant tonnage, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)  remains confident that shipping will improve its carbon efficiency by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 2008, in line with the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This follows important decisions made by the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 74) which met in London this week…

Lim to Outline Future of Ocean Regs at Nor-Shipping

Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), will be taking the stage at Nor-Shipping 2019’s Ocean Leadership Conference on June 4, to talk about the future of maritime regulations. Lim will join an elite group of global thought leaders at the Thon Hotel Arena Lillestrøm, adding to a program designed to deliver insights on issues ranging from cyber security, to economic strategy, sustainable development, geopolitical forces, future energy demands, and much more.Nor-Shipping has refined its traditional opening conference this year to create a new format.

First Woman President for BIMCO

The world’s largest shipping association BIMCO has elected Şadan Kaptanoğlu, managing director of HI Kaptanoglu Shipping, as its new President.“It is a great privilege for me to chair the BIMCO Board of Directors in this crucial time of change for shipping. The environment and climate change are key public concerns and getting the shipping industry to embrace this reality - and delivering the solutions to meet the world’s environmental expectations – will be my priority,” Kaptanoğlu…

IMO 2020: Total Lubmarine 'Road Show' in NYC

On Thursday, May 9, 2019, Total Lubmarine brought its "Total Global Sulfur Cap Forum" to New York City, a meeting including of Total Lubmarine business and technical executives and shipowners.The event, held aboard the historic Aircraft Carrier Intrepid Museum, gathered a full-house of local shipowners, and New York was the sixth stop on an 11 city world 'road show' of the forum to deliver insight on the soon-to-be-implemented fuel rules from the International Maritime Organization (IMO)…

Hapag Lloyd: Calm Passage Despite Trade War

Hapag-Lloyd is optimistic about the year ahead, despite global trade tensions, the German container shipping company's chief executive said on Thursday after a first quarter earnings rise."Despite all the uncertainty, we see a somewhat stable development," Rolf Habben Jansen told Reuters, adding that trade wars have so far had a limited effect on Hapag Lloyd's business.U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that China had broken the terms of a trade deal, adding he would…

Study: EC Shipping Emissions Study Released

Shipping emissions: International measures needed to cut operational greenhouse gas emissions of existing fleet by 2030 – new studyThe international shipping sector needs to quickly adopt short-term policy measures to cut operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the existing fleet, according to a new study. The study concludes that only a subset of potential policy options, namely those that mandate changes in how the existing fleet is operated can achieve the significant effect required to meet the sector’s emission reduction objectives.

Diesel Traders See Shortage, but not yet

Gasoil traders expect the middle distillates market to stay well supplied until almost the end of 2019 before swinging into deficit with the introduction of new maritime fuel regulations.Calendar spreads for low-sulphur gasoil delivered to Europe's Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub are currently in contango through until October before shifting to backwardation from November onwards (https://tmsnrt.rs/2WgXabR).In futures markets, contango structures, where future contract prices are higher than front-month prices, are associated with expectations of adequate or rising inventories.

IMO 2020: Total Plans NY Event

As the IMO 2020 Global Sulfur Cap draws nearer, confusion among shipowners remains. To help inform, experts from Total Lubmarine and Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS) are embarked on a global conference tour, with the next event coming soon to New York City on board the USS Intrepid, which now serves as a museum and a coveted event space.Following a series of successful events in Europe during March, Total Lubmarine and Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS) will be visiting industry professionals in the U.S.

Rotterdam Port Hails North Sea Agreement

The Port of Rotterdam Authority considers it vital that the North Sea Consultation works towards a North Sea Agreement in the coming six months. This consultation is investigating where on the North Sea the challenges regarding food, energy and nature can be combined and where choices will need to be made.The Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) is initiator of this consultation. The consultation concluded on 23 April, after which an in-depth meeting will be held with the representatives on 8 May.“The North Sea is not only our front yard…

V.Group: Proactive Approach to 2020 Needed

V.Group has urged shipowners and operators to take a proactive approach to 2020 compliance. With the global sulphur cap less than nine months away, V.Group is seeing growing numbers of shipowners and operators developing Ship Implementation Plans (SIPs) to mitigate risks and minimize disruption.It is predicted that most ships will burn ultra low sulphur fuel oils (ULSFOs) to comply with the suplhur cap legislation, switching from high sulphur fuel oil (HFO) to ULSFOs with a sulphur content at, or below, 0.50%, unless equipped with scrubbers.

HMM to Enhance Global On-site Management

The new head of South Korean flag carrier Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) Jae-hoon Bae is on a charm-offensive trip to Europe to cement the shipping line's relations with global majors.HMM said Bae, who became HMM's president and chief executive last month, will meet this week with executives at A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S and Mediterranean Shipping Co.First of all, Bae plans to visit the European headquarter of HMM, located in London, to encourage its employees and make sales strategies based on the character of each region after gathering the various opinions from the site.Furthermore…

NIMASA Makes IMO Representative Director

The Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the promotion of the Nigerian Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Dikko Bala, to Director. Also elevated to the position of Director in the Agency was the Deputy Director, Maritime Labor Services, Mrs. Rita Uruakpa.Other beneficiaries of the promotion exercise were Mr Kazir Musa, who was promoted to Deputy Director, and 18 officers, who were elevated to Assistant Directors.

Abadan Ports Exports Up 56% in 2018

Abadan, Arvandankar and Choabdeh ports experienced an increase of 56% in 2018, says Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO).Abadan ports and maritime management announced that the export of goods from the three ports of Abadan in the past year has shown a  growing trend.According to the information system, the exports from these ports increased by 39.471 tons in the same period last year which shows a growth of 56.3% in exports, it said.Agricultural products, meat and meat products…

BMA Appoints Hutchinson as MD, CEO

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) announces the appointment of Captain Dwain E. Hutchinson as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Captain Hutchinson succeeds Commodore Davy F. Rolle, who stepped down as Director last year.Captain Hutchinson is a proud Bahamian from Nassau, New Providence island, where he completed his tertiary education before commencing his maritime studies in Scotland at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies. Qualified with a UK Master Mariner (Unlimited) STCW Certificate of Competency…

IMO Event Inspires Maritime Women

“Use your power to empower”. “Say what you’re thinking”. “Listen to the ‘yes’ voice in your head”. “Return every phone call every day”. “Believe in yourself”.This was the advice given by a wide variety of inspiring maritime women sharing their experiences of entering, working and leading in the maritime world at a special on "Women, ports and facilitation" at International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters, London (10 April).The speakers presented on, and answered questions about, their work and the future for women in the field – identifying a series of key issues and recommendations.

Malaysia Ratifies FAL Convention

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaty enhancing communication between ships and ports to help shipments move more quickly, more easily and more efficiently has been ratified by Malaysia.According to the UN body, this brings the number of contracting States to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) to 123.Captain Haji Samad, Alternate Permanent Representative of Malaysia to IMO, met IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim at IMO Headquarters…

Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 Approved by USCG

Alfa Laval PureBallast 3, the third generation of manufacturer Alfa Laval’s ballast water treatment technology, has received an updated type approval from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 was awarded an updated certificate from the USCG on April 4, granting the system type approval with zero-day holding time in all water salinities. PureBallast 3 owners in U.S. waters now have the option of discharging ballast water just 2.5 hours after taking it on. The holding time of 2.5 hours…

Long Beach Forecast Modest Growth

A slowing domestic economy will likely lead to a moderate uptick in container imports through 2019, following a robust year that was marked by record-high cargo growth amid a trade dispute with China, said Port of Long Beach.North American imports are projected to grow a modest 1.8 percent in 2019, demonstrating a significant slowdown from the 6.1 percent increase reported for U.S. imports last year, said Melissa Peralta, senior economist and forecaster for TTX, a railcar pooling company based in Chicago.Retailers are expected to pump the brakes on imports during the first half of 2019…

Yang Ming Reports $219mln Loss for 2018

Taiwanese global shipping and logistics services company Yang Ming Marine Transportation Corp. it had a net loss of $218.5 million in 2018, with operating results significantly impacted by higher fuel prices.According to a stock exchange annoucement from the ocean shipping company based in Keelung, its consolidated revenues of 2018 totaled NTD 141.83 billion (USD 4.70 billion), up 8.21 % compared with NTD 131.08 billion (USD 4.35 billion) in revenue from previous year.Volumes in 2018 increased to 5…

CMA CGM Boxship Refuels with Bio-Fuel

Previously announced IKEA, CMA CGM, GoodShipping Program and Port of Rotterdam pilot celebrates milestone moment in industry-first partnership.IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, CMA CGM, the GoodShipping Program and the Port of Rotterdam announced the successful refueling on Saturday, March 23 of the CMA CGM White Shark with sustainable marine bio-fuel oil.The test, which represents a major step for the decarbonization of ocean freight, saw the companies work together in a first-of-its-kind partnership for the shipping industry.

Hydrogen Fuel for Zero Emission Cruise Ships

General Electric’s (GE) Power Conversion business and Nedstack, Dutch fuel cell manufacturer, have entered into a partnership to develop hydrogen fuel cell systems for powering zero-emission cruise vessels.The two companies envisage using this technology on passenger ships, replacing traditional diesel engines with fuel cells, and heavy fuel oil (HFO) with hydrogen."This partnership brings together GE’s recognized expertise in cruise electrical power and propulsion solutions plus system integration capability…

Euronav planning LSFO STS at Malta

Euronav has chartered a tanker to bring a 30,000 tonne cargo of low-sulphur fuel oil from northwest Europe to Malta, where its megatanker, Oceania, has been parked offshore since Jan.

Former SKANReg Leader to Retire

Nigel Smith, inaugural International Registrar of the London-headquartered St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry (SKANReg), is retiring in May after 47 years in the shipping industry. Smith, 62, is a former seagoing engineer officer, technical superintendent, shipyard agent and marine consultant. He has also served on various bodies of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, which includes being a member of the ruling Council since 2005. In the late 1990’s…

Prioritizing Consistent, Reliable Ballast Compliance

As the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) deadline for compliance approaches, the market is visibly gearing up to address the snowballing demand across the board.Ballast water treatment system (BWTS) manufacturers are sizing up the competition as ship owners weigh up their immediate needs, against a sustainable future for their vessels. With the conversation reaching a crescendo, now more than ever it is vital that manufacturers are transparent about their provisions and focus on how best to meet the needs of the customer.

Partnership to Test Sustainable Marine Bio-Fuel Oil

IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, CMA CGM, the GoodShipping Program and the Port of Rotterdam have announced they will cooperate in a first of its kind partnership to test and scale the use of sustainable marine bio-fuel oil. The test will commence with a landmark bunkering of the marine bio-fuel oil on a CMA CGM container vessel on March 19th, representing a major step towards the decarbonization of ocean freight.The test is being facilitated by the GoodShipping Program, a sustainable initiative dedicated to decarbonizing ocean freight…

IMO Calls For Empower Women in Maritime

On International Women’s day 2019 (8 March), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has put the spotlight on women in the maritime sector.This year, IMO’s World Maritime Day theme was "Empowering Women in the Maritime Community", giving particular resonance to this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations, the UN Body said.The global 2019 theme for International Women’s Day - Think equal, build smart, innovate for change - focuses on innovative ways in which gender equality and the empowerment of women can be advanced…