Tag: Israel

A cargo ship drifted on a beach in southern Israel on Thursday, January 2, due to the heavy winds and stormy conditions that forced the vessel away from its anchor point near the port of Ashdod, Israel. The vessel called "Zelek Star" was transmitting cement and additional products from Greece to Israel when it swept away and drifted onto Oranim Beach. 

On Thursday, December 2, Cyprus, Greece and Israel inked an Intergovernmental Agreement for the construction of the EastMed natural gas pipeline, a 1,900 kilometer (1,180 mile) subsea pipeline to carry natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean’s rapidly developing gas industry to Europe, with Italy expressing its support for the project by sending a letter of support.

Compliance is a major concern in light of the new regulations concerning pollution from shipping; whatsoever, no central policing agency as well as several countries have not signed up to them yet. Reuters reports that refiners and shipping companies are expected to spend billions of dollars in the following years in order to ensure fuel and engine compliance. Yet, as enforcement of MARPOL Annex VI, set by the UN rests with individual countries and flag states, means that for some routes and regions, compliance may be inconsistent.

A new study on emissions in Israeli ports found that the air pollution created by ships at Haifa and Ashdod ports are extremely high and similar in scope to a large power plant running exclusively on diesel fuel oil. Most of these emissions are emitted during the hoteling stage of the vessel. 

IMO is providing support to eight female officials from developing countries to attend a Port Senior Management Programme which took place from 6 to 19 November at the Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) in Nahalal, Israel. The event in particular was delivered through IMO's gender and capacity-building programme, together with GIMI, as part of IMO's efforts to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Greece, Israel, Cyprus and the US agreed to boost cooperation in energy, as well as cyber and infrastructure security, Greek Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said, following a meeting among the ministers of the four countries in Athens, Wednesday. 

The Israeli Foreign Minister, Yisrael Katz, announced that Israel will join the US military coalition for maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. The aim of the coalition is to protect vessels sailing through the Strait and boost maritime safety.

Israel's Ministry of Energy published that twelve blocks received bids out of 10 that had been offered. The ones participating were Cairn, Soco, and Energean, with the Israeli firm being Ratio and Israel Opportunity.

Israel’s Oil Refineries have delivered its first cargo of compliant 0.5% sulphur content marine fuel, in line with IMO’s upcoming rules. Namely, the 197,000 barrel per day refinery loaded its first 30,000 tonne cargo of the low sulphur fuel. ORL now joins several other refiners that recently developed new marine fuels to comply with the new regulation.

Israeli media reported that dozens of calves died onboard a livestock transport ship which arrived in Israel, rising charges of animal cruelty from rights advocates. The ship was carrying 20,000 calves and lambs, and had arrived in Eilat on June 8. Footage posted last week by the Israel Against Live Shipments, shows animals lying on the floor dead.