30th March 2024 – 5th April 2024
- LOCAL NEWS
No news reported.
- INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. Future marine fuels and technology - new website launched
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched a website with information on zero and near-zero marine fuels and technologies, including pricing information and the latest research. Access to latest information on zero and near-zero marine fuels and technologies, including pricing information and the latest research, can be found on futurefuels.imo.org.
The website has been developed by the Future Fuels and Technology Project (FFT Project), a partnership project between IMO and the Republic of Korea, supporting the development of new regulation within the possible IMO Net Zero Framework to achieve the targets contained in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.
The website includes sections on:
- Latest Information: current data on alternative fuels and supply, up-to-date indicative prices, information on the IMO Data Collection System (DCS).
- Future Insight: insights into the readiness, scalability and sustainability of new marine fuels and technologies, including fuel price forecasts, R&D and demonstration projects, as well as information on relevant initiatives in the shipping and energy industries.
- News and Events: a selection of global news, information resources (including reports and journal papers), and information on IMO events related to GHG emissions reduction in international shipping.
- Training and Cooperation: training materials and useful tools on alternative fuels, energy efficiency technologies and other GHG reduction measures.
Technological innovation and the global introduction and availability of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies, fuels and/or energy sources for international shipping are integral to achieving the overall level of ambition identified in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.
Relevant Article:
IMO 04/04 - Future marine fuels and technology - new website launched
2.Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen area
On the 31st March 2024, Bulgaria and Romania became partial Schengen members. As a result, the Schengen rules will apply in both Member States including on issuing Schengen visas and controls at the internal air and sea borders will be lifted.
Relevant Articles:
Europa Commission 30/03 - Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen area
Le Monde 30/03 - Romania and Bulgaria join EU Schengen zone
Al Jazeera 31/03 - Bulgaria and Romania partially join Europe's Schengen Area
3. UK strengthens shipping regulations to combat fraud and enhance safety
The UK Maritime Coastguard Agency issued a Press Release announcing the strengthening of shipping regulations to defend against fraud and enhance safety at sea. The measures will support enforcement in UK waters by adopting into national legislation certain special safety measures contained in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS), which was agreed in the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The new rules, which came into force on the 2nd April 2024, will apply to passenger and cargo ships on international voyages and are extended to some ships engaged solely on domestic voyages. Requirements include identification numbers for vessels as well as owners and operators, and for ships to have on board a complete history of its operation – known as a “continuous synopsis record”.
Oil tankers must also be surveyed in accordance with the latest relevant international code on oil tanker inspections agreed in the IMO. Ensuring IMO requirements are implemented into UK law makes them enforceable against ships operating in UK waters, strengthening fraud prevention and enhancing the safety and security of shipping.
Relevant Articles:
Govwire UK 02/04 - Regulation Updates Enforcement in UK Waters
Hellenic Shipping News 04/04 - Shipping regulation updates introduced to enhance safety at sea
Safety4Sea 04/04 - UK strengthens shipping regulations
4. US TREASURY REPORT
The US Treasury Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Relevant Article:
Attachment 1: US Treasury Report for week 30/3/2024 - 05/04/2024
5. PIRACY REPORT
The Piracy Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Related Article:
Attachment 2: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report, for the period between 06 March – 03 April 2024
Nothing important to report from ILO and Parliament of Representatives.