First US shale gas cargo shipped to Europe

The INEOS Intrepid, the world’s largest LNG multi gas carrier, today left the Marcus Hook terminal near Philadelphia bound for Rafnes in Norway carrying 27,500m3 of US shale gas ethane.This is the first time that US shale gas has ever been shipped to Europe.

Digital platform certified by Verifavia

Verifavia has fully certified maritime information and communication technology (ICT) solutions provider SetelHellas’ SeeMBox-V MRV Solution against the EU MRV regulation requirements.

SSI holds forum to facilitate change in ship recycling

The Sustainable Shipping Initiative is holding its second roundtable with key industry stakeholders to discuss the challenges and barriers to achieving sustainable ship recycling, and how they can be overcome. Improving the health, safety and environmental standards associated with ship recycling is a key SSI work stream, and an important element of the SSI’s recently launched Roadmap, which charts the key milestones which must be met to create a sustainable shipping industry by 2040.

Low bunker prices to support tanker earnings

Lower oil prices performed wonders for the tanker market in 2015. Tonnage demand surged and oil trade expanded because of high consumption demand and increased stocking activity. Tonnage supply was also kept in check as the contango in oil prices engaged many large tankers as floating storage because onshore storage tanks were full.

Landmark ship retrofit expected 25% fuel savings

Carbon War Room (CWR) announced that a collaboration between Hammonia Reederei, a Hamburg-based shipowner, and New Orleans-based charterer Intermarine, has enabled the retrofit of three sister vessels with multiple efficiency technologies. Under expected operating conditions, each vessel is anticipated to see 25 percent fuel savings, to be shared between Hammonia and Intermarine.

Fiji ratifies BWM and other treaties

Fiji acceded to six IMO treaties, including important conventions covering ballast water management and the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships. This brings the number of States party to the Ballast Water Management Convention to 49, with the aggregate remaining at 34.82% of the world’s merchant fleet tonnage (based on global tonnage data as at end-February 2016). Now only 0.18% of the world tonnage is required.

Port Canaveral joins Green Marine programme

The Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) has joined the Green Marine environmental certification program, a North American initiative committed to advancing environmental excellence in maritime transportation. This marks a major milestone as the Canaveral Port Authority is the 100thparticipant to join Green Marine.

Killing three birds with one stone in the Arctic

The use of heavy fuel oil by shipping in the Arctic could have disastrous consequences. Banning this fuel would protect the region’s rich wildlife, improve human health and benefit the climate, writes Sue Libenson.

Change in California Shipping Lanes to reduce Whale Strikes

An excellent example of how industry and regulatory bodies can work with environmental activists to provide good results for the benefit of all, writes Sarah Nowak.