30rd November 2024 – 6th December 2024
LOCAL NEWS
1. Naming Ceremony of Tactical Rafnar 40FT High speed craft donated to Cyprus National Guard
On Friday, December 6, 2024, Saint Nicholas Day, the patron saint of the Navy, a new high-speed craft was inducted into the Navy’s fleet.
The brand-new craft was donated by our member company Safebulkers Inc. and its CEO, Mr. Polys V. Hajioannou and was named «ΚΕΡΥΝΕΙΑ», after the Turkish-occupied city in the north part of Cyprus.
The celebration held at the Naval base of Mari, was attended by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Vassilis Palmas, the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Dr. Nikolas A. Ioannidis, the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Nicosia, Mr. Ioannis Papameletiou, the Ambassadors of France, Ms. Clélia Chevrier Kolačko and of Italy, Ms. Federica Ferrari Bravo, members of the House of Representatives, as well as delegations of executives.
Minister Palmas, expressed his gratitude and described the donation as a testament to Mr. Hajioannou’ s dedication to his country and its security. He said, “This contribution reflects a practical commitment to enhancing Cyprus’s safety at a time when effective crisis response is more crucial than ever”. In addition, “The ability to immediately mobilise and carry out missions in adverse conditions enhances the readiness and strategic capability of our forces”.
Mr. Hajioannou, on his part, expressed his gratitude for the great honour of holding the naming ceremony of the highly equipped craft at the celebrations of St. Nicholas Day, the patron saint of the Navy. In his address, Mr. Hajioannou noted: "I wish that this vessel, with its ability to sail in bad weather at high speeds, will fulfil its mission of searching and rescuing people in distress and safeguarding the maritime borders of our country, in the hope that at some point it can dock in the port of which it bears the name. The name given to this vessel signifies the efforts we must continue for the reunification of Cyprus".
Related Articles:
SigmaLive 6/12 - Ιδού το «ΚΕΡΥΝΕΙΑ» - Το νέο απόκτημα του Πολεμικού Ναυτικού
Speech of the Minister of Defence, Mr. Vassilis Pamas (Greek)
CyprusTimes 6/12 - ΥΠΑΜ: Στοχεύουμε στην προάσπιση των κυριαρχικών δικαιωμάτων της Κύπρου
Offsite 6/12 - Ανήμερα του Αγίου Νικολάου η Κύπρος παρουσιάζει το νέο σκάφος που απέκτησε
RIKnews 6/12 - Υπουργός Άμυνας: Η Κύπρος στοχεύει στην προάσπιση των κυριαρχικών της δικαιωμάτων
Cyprus Mail 6/12 - Cyprus bolsters defence, promotes regional cooperation, says minister
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
2. Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes adopted
The third meeting of the Joint ILO IMO Tripartite Working Group to identify and address seafarers’ issues and the human element, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland (26–28 November 2024), adopted Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes.
Following this adoption, the draft Guidelines will now be forwarded to the IMO Legal Committee at its next session (March 2025) for adoption, as well as to the ILO Governing Body. The rights of seafarers involved in investigations or detention have been the subject of discussions at the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for many decades.
The objective of these Guidelines is to ensure that the human rights and legitimate interests of seafarers involved in alleged crimes are recognized, that seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes are treated fairly by public authorities, and that investigation or detention is for no longer than necessary, in accordance with the laws of the port or coastal States.
The new Guidelines also:
- Set out the different responsibilities to treat seafarers fairly when detained on suspicion of committing crimes: for port and coastal states, flag states, shipowners and the state of which the seafarer is a national.
- Provide support towards seafarers, including access to consular services, legal assistance, and specify the importance of non-custodial measures during an investigation.
- Emphasise the enjoyment of fundamental human rights for seafarers, and the need to treat seafarers with respect and dignity at all times.
- Call for the strengthening of co-operation between flag states, the states of nationality of seafarers, the port state where the seafarers are investigated or detained, and also with ship owners and seafarers’ representatives.
- Agree that seafarers need to be made aware of the risks of incriminating themselves, and the options available should they end up in a situation where they are investigated or detained.
Related Articles:
Safety4Sea 04/12 - IMO, ILO issue guidelines on fair treatment of detained seafarers
3. UK ETS seeks to expand the scheme in the maritime industry
UK ETS Authority outlines intention to include the maritime sector in scheme to cut carbon emissions and support economic growth witth the proposed changes coming into effect from 2026. The UK ETS Authority is consulting on proposals to expand the scheme to include emissions from the maritime sector and recognise non-pipeline transport methods, such as shipping, road or rail, for moving captured carbon into geological storage.
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) Authority (UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for Northern Ireland) is seeking input on a number of proposals to expand the scheme to the maritime sector.
In particular, it seeks views on:
- the scope of the scheme (definition of a domestic voyage, thresholds for inclusion, the inclusion of methane and nitrous oxide emissions and exemptions from the scheme);
- details around how to adjust the UK ETS cap to include emissions from the maritime sector;
- participating in the scheme (regulatory regime and operator requirements, monitoring, reporting and verification, point of obligation and guidance);
- impacts of the scheme (decarbonisation impacts, potential distributional impacts and carbon leakage risk; equality considerations);
- potential future expansion of the UK ETS to additional maritime emissions, with a future review of the threshold and coverage of international routes.
Related Articles:
ChemistryWorld 05/12 - UK proposes expansion of Emissions Trading Scheme to maritime sector
Safety4Sea 02/12 - UK ETS seeks to expand the scheme in the maritime industry
UK Gov 28/11 - UK ETS scope expansion: maritime sector
4. EU envoys fail to agree 15th package of sanctions on Russia, diplomats say
According to EU Diplomats, on the Friday, 29th November 2024, Representatives of European Union countries failed to approve a 15th package of sanctions on Russia, which included an extension for the Czech Republic to import Russian oil-based products coming mainly through Slovakia.
Two member states blocked the passage over a disagreement about extending the time given to European companies disinvesting from Russia, however, EU members will come back to the package later.
The package also includes sanctions on tankers carrying Russian oil.
Related Article:
Reuters 06/12 - EU envoys fail to agree 15th package of sanctions on Russia, diplomats say
5. US TREASURY REPORT
The US Treasury Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Related Article:
Attachment 1: US Treasury Report for week 30/11/2024 – 06/12/2024
6. 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 06/11/2024 – 04/12/2024
Nothing important to report from the ILO and the House of Representatives.