The Industry is generally associating the 1st January 2020 deadline with a global reduction in sulphur content in marine fuel down to 0.5% in accordance with the IMO directive. It must be remembered however, that stronger requirements apply in many designated areas, some of which already have restrictions in force.

Continuing our series on maritime organisations and charities, we today feature one that many seafarers will readily identify with. In a world where five billion people have no access to safe and affordable surgery when they need it, Mercy Ships deploy hospital ships to deliver vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need.

Image © Mercy Ships

Industry veteran Manish Singh joins leading maritime knowledge services group as CEO, with Roger Ringstad assuming role of Executive Chairman.

The discharge of wash water from a scrubber into the river Elbe and in the Port of Hamburg is strictly prohibited. Disposal of closed-loop wash water and solid scrubber waste must be done at the port reception facilities in Hamburg on payment of a handling fee.

In November we have released titles on how to reduce food waste and the Martek Lifeforce defibrillator. We have also rewritten the title on Ship general safety. 

This annual award was established by IMO to provide international recognition for those who, at the risk of losing their own life, perform acts of exceptional bravery in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment. Such acts of bravery may also involve extraordinary seamanship skills in very difficult conditions or any other display of outstanding courage.

Image ©: IMO

Hamburg-based crewing service Danica, which provides mainly officers from Eastern Europe through its network of manning agencies in Ukraine and Russia, has recently released the findings from a Seafarers’ Employment Condition Survey conducted during 2019.

The 31st session of the IMO General Assembly has opened in London, running from the 25th November until 4th December. This is the Organization’s highest governing body and meets every two years. It is responsible for approving the Organization's work programme and budget for the next two years and for electing the 40-Member Council, as well as considering substantive issues coming from the Organization's Council and five Committees.

Image©: IMO

"IMO 2020" requirements for ships to cut sulphur oxide emissions enter into effect in just over one month's time. This will significantly reduce air pollution from ships with positive benefits for human health and the environment.

Cyber security is now widely recognised as a significant threat to maritime trade. A new project, involving a leading shipping company, the Norwegian government and an industry-leading IT company, seeks to advance research and development into new management systems to counter this threat.