Tag: sustainability

In an attempt to reduce the vast amount of plastic in the oceans, the Dutch company RanMarine Technology built an aquadrone that sucks up garbage from the water. The drone is called the WasteShark, and it can remove up to 200 liters of trash in one trip, as well as alien/pest flora.

In line with its efforts to decrease environmental footprint from its operations, Hong Kong-based OOCL announced the expansion of its GHG reporting and verification scope, to include indirect emissions from business travel by air for employees of its Hong Kong office and for its two terminals, in US and Taiwan.  

As part of its efforts to secure a sustainable marine environment for the years to come, the Government of Canada announced a $26.6 million in funding from the Oceans Protection Plan for research to help better understand noise pressures on marine mammals.

Capt. Kinsey, who is one of the lead authors of the 'Safety & Shipping Review' by Allianz, notes that although there is a significant improvement in terms of maritime safety, there is still need to address the ‘culture of risk taking’ in the industry.

Last week, Canada introduced new rules for whale watching and approaching marine mammals, which will provide a minimum approach distance of 100 metres for most whales, dolphins and porpoises to legally protect these animals from human disturbances.

The short film, produced by the Port of Vancouver, gives an insight into one of the key sustainability projects that the port has initiated in a bid to protect the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales that inhabit the waters off British Columbia. 

During World Water Week from 26 to 31 of August, senior corporate representatives will bring industry perspectives and examples on addressing the linkages between land and sea and implementing Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 14. The World Ocean Council will be Chairing a Session focusing on “Water, ecosystems and human development”.

In an exclusive interview with SAFETY4SEA, Mr. Gavin Allwright, Secretary of the International Windship Association (IWSA), mentions that industry has realized wind propulsion is a realistic choice for a more sustainable future and refers to the existing wind assisted marine projects. Although the viability of these installations is starting to be proved, there are still barriers for the industry to overcome with perception being on top of these

Although it is hard to predict what next years will bring for shipping, discussions at this year’s IMO’s MEPC brought in the spotlight a unified effort towards a more sustainable industry. IMO MEPC 72, which took place during the first week of April 2018, agreed on a target to cut shipping’s overall CO2 by adopting an ‘initial strategy’ as a first step. 

The British Ports Association has published a sustainable development resolution, which aims to support the dual aims of a strong and healthy environment and a thriving economy. This resolution commits to sustainable development and is working constructively with industry, Government and environmental groups.