Tag: Mediterranean Sea

Key cruise ship companies operating in French waters joined forces to limit air pollution caused by their vessels. The measures agreed include use of shore power and low-polluting fuel when maneuvering in harbors, as well as other measures to reduce emissions.

As the Standard Club informs, the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) was adopted in order to reduce pollution and protect the marine environment in the Mediterranean Sea.

According to ITF, the so called 'the deadliest shipwreck in the Mediterranean so far this year' took place in late July, where up to 150 migrants and refugees are feared drowned in attempts of crossing the Mediterranean Sea into Europe after their boat capsized off Libya.

According to the Standard Club, because of the calmer, summer seas of the Mediterranean, conditions are more favourable for migrants to depart Libya in unseaworthy vessels, aspiring to reach Europe. Commercial vessels sailing through the waters around Libya, Tunisia and Malta are most likely to receive a distress call from these ships or be requested by the coast guard of any of those States to help.

Ocean Network Express (ONE) launches a new direct service line that will cover South East India, Mediterranean and North Europe, called 'The Indian Ocean Service 3'. The first sailing of the loop is now expected to start from October 26, 2019.

AIDA Cruises added Bremerhaven to its port calls, as AIDAcara made its maiden call in the city, on July 13. During the occasion, Captain Manuel Pannzek welcomed numerous guests from the city, port management and the tourist industry for the traditional plaque ceremony. 

Over 80 migrants are missing and presumed dead, while only three have survived, after a boat capsized and sank off the coast of Tunisia, in waters near the town of Zarzis. The three Malians who were rescued said that they had set out from Zuwara in Libya.

Morocco will launch new terminals at Tanger Med port on June 27, enabling it to pass the Mediterranean’s largest ports Algeciras and Valencia, as far as container capacity is concerned. This move will also lead to more investment and manufacturing to the country.

To address negative effects on human health and ecosystems of maritime activities, more than 80 participants from 19 Mediterranean coastal States and European Union, as well as the IMO and the United Nations Environment Programme, other governmental and non-governmental organizations, the industry and associations, met in Malta last week to discuss several technical issues and strategic issues.

Spanish authorities informed that they have captured hashish worth about 20 million euros ($22 million) from a container ship that allegedly was smuggling the drug from North Africa to the eastern Mediterranean. The seizure of the drugs and the arrest of the crew is a result of a six-months tracking by the authorities.