Tag: Mediterranean Sea

Last week, IMO (International Maritime Organization) organized a regional workshop (20-21 March) and meeting (22-23 March) in Kappara, Malta, to promote the development of coordinated action throughout the Mediterranean Sea region to prevent and control marine biological invasions via ships' ballast water.

Palau International Ship Registry (PISR) has issued a statement in response to ITF's claims that were published last week and placed Palau's registry flag amongst the four worst in the world.

Up to a thousand ships flagged to the Cook Islands, Palau, Sierra Leone, and Togo will be targeted for safety, maintenance and seafarer welfare inspections across the Mediterranean Sea in the coming eight weeks by an army of inspectors from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), seafarers’ unions and port authorities.

Hutchison Ports, global port operator, announced a significant investment in Egypt's major port, Ain Sokhna Port and B100, a new container terminal in the Port of Alexandria, earlier today.

International media reported on Tuesday that Spanish authorities detained the Maltese-flagged oil tanker Lagertha following discharge of hydrocarbons that caused a spill in the waters near the northeastern port city of Tarragona, as detected by aircraft sensors and satellite radar on Feb. 11. However, the next day, its Turkish manager denied these allegations, clarifying that the vessel did not cause any pollution.

A number of civil society organisations engaged in search and rescue (SAR) activities in the central Mediterranean Sea expressed concerns regarding the latest attempt by a European government to obstruct assistance to people in distress at sea. 

The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) held its 79th session from December 12 to 16, 2022.

During MEPC 79, IMO decided to designate the Mediterranean as a Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA), marking a significant step forward towards cleaner air in the whole region. 

IMO announced that a new initiative to support the prevention and control of marine biological invasions through ships' ballast water in the Mediterranean Sea has been initiated.  

NABU welcomed MEPC 78's decision to pursue the proposal for an emission control area for Sulphur oxides in the Mediterranean (MedSECA) and to adopt it during MEPC 79 in December 2022.