In an exclusive interview with SAFETY4SEA, Mr. Nick Brown, Communications Director at Bureau Veritas, invites industry to continue bridging the gender gap and supporting effective leadership by setting clear targets and avoiding micro-managing. Mr. Brown also notes that the recent IMO strategy for emissions reduction is currently the biggest challenge.
After the IMO Intersessional Working Group meeting last week concluded, IBIA said that it is positive that there is a significant support among IMO member States to ensure consistency in fuel oil testing and verification procedures. However, discussions on a number of agenda items were left with unresolved issues.
Shipowners’ investments are driven by their intent to respond in a cost-efficient way to the 2020 sulphur cap, argues Jeremy J Lowe, Global Program Manager – Marine at Hach UK Limited. Scrubbers represent a key solution, he notes, but a greater momentum is required if the full benefit is to be realised by the industry.
Stephanie Lavelle, Maritime Manager, Chelsea Technologies Group, shares her thoughts on the upcoming 2020 sulphur cap. Ms. Lavelle says that despite the fact the shipping industry players appear to have agreed to invest in new technologies and fuels to meet this regulation, the market still seems uncertain regarding the effectiveness of the sulphur cap.
ICS is encouraged by efforts made by IMO Member States to resolve some pressing practical challenges ahead of the 2020 sulphur cap global implementation. The announcement comes by ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe, after the IMO Intersessional Working Group meeting last week.
The Union of Greek Shipowners hailed the IMO Intersessional Working Group’s move to take into account several safety concerns linked to the transition to new low-sulphur fuels, especially blended fuels, ahead of the 0.5% global sulphur cap entering into force form 1 January 2020.
Taiwan based Yang Ming will probably choose to use low sulphur fuel oil in order to achieve compliance. The company does not exclude the possibility of using scrubbers or even LNG ultimately, however low sulphur fuel oil is currently the preferred way to go. The final decision is expected in the near future.
Low sulphur fuel oil has a higher content of catalytic fines (cat fines) when compared to high sulphur fuels. Margrete A. Nordahl, Claims Director, Master Mariner H&M at the Skuld P&I Club discussed best practice on preventing engine damage from catalytic fines in marine fuel oil.
As the shipping industry seeks to adopt cleaner practices in line with global environmental regulations, Dutch-based shipping company Spliethoff Group reiterated its commitment to cleaner shipping by investing in scrubbers for the 24th vessel of its fleet. 30 more vessels will follow, the company said.
The Environmental Ship Index rewards and incentivises shipowners with vessels that meet and exceed IMO emissions standards. ESI is now approaching the 7,000 vessel mark and plans an upgrade. Namely, it will upgrade its IT system, including the current database of registered vessels as well as the online portal itself.
