Tag: speed reduction

According to the Canadian Government, the Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, issued a statement based on unfortunate deaths of many North Atlantic right whales in Canadian waters; Because of this, he implemented a precautionary speed restriction of 10 knots, for vessels of 20 metres and more, that sail in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in the two designated shipping lanes north and south of Anticosti Island. 

The US Coast Guard released Findings of Concern on 'High Speed Craft Operations Manuals,' regarding an incident where a high speed catamaran passenger ferry allided with a rock jetty at over 30 knots, injuring 15 passengers.

On 10 May 2019, the Government of Canada issued an Interim Order announcing a suite of new measures to be implemented this summer to protect the endangered Southern Resident killer whales from vessel disturbance.

Canada announced the lifting of navigation restrictions in certain zones previously identified in Interim Order no.3 Respecting Flooded Areas, due to improved navigational safety conditions and following consultations with local authorities and law enforcement.

Transport Canada has implemented new seasonal speed restriction zones that ships must follow in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence. Canada has put these zones in place to reduce the risk of fatal strikes to North Atlantic right whales by transiting vessels. Vessels must proceed at a speed of not more than 10 knots over the ground in the speed restriction zones.

The climate school strike movement is now worldwide, bringing about 1.5 million children and young people to the streets, protesting for their governments to take action and address climate change. Now, the movement has turned its focus at the shipping industry. Until now, climate school strikes have taken place in 2,000 cities across the world. Among these countries are the ones that have attempted to block climate action at IMO.

A study led by CE Delft and UMAS, funded by the European Commission, analyzes potential short-term measures listed in the International Maritime Organization’s initial strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships. According to the report, both speed limits and operational efficiency standards will require most ships to decrease their speed if the 2030 CO2-intensity ambition is to be met.

Marc Garneau, the Canadian Minister of Transport, issued a new Interim Order expanding areas in which navigation is not allowed in certain areas of flooding in order to protect the safety of people and vessels, and help first responders do their jobs in flooding conditions. The public is also called to stay off all flooded waterways in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick to ensure navigational safety, and prevent damage to infrastructure and the environment.

More than 100 shipping companies have publicly supported mandatory speed limits for shipping, in order to reduce GHG emissions in an open letter to member states of IMO. Among others the signatories include Tsakos Shipping and Trading, Navios Maritime Holdings, and Dynagas, Euronav and Louis Dreyfus.

As the 2020 sulphur cap is getting closer and closer, the UK Chamber of Shipping takes a look at a proposal to reduce emissions, which is speed reduction. The Chamber comments that this idea is not new to the IMO, but until now it has not been accepted, as it would directly impact worldwide trade. These proposals may have a positive intention, but they do not match the risk leaving gaps in the IMO’s decarbonisation plan, the Chamber says.