Sulphur content of fuel oil within Chinese ECAs

ClassNK provides additional information with regard to the regulations on the sulphur content of fuel within Chinese Emissions Control Areas. From 1 April 2016, ships berthing at core ports within the Yangtze River Delta (Port of Shanghai, Port of Zhoushan, Port of Ningbo, Port of Suzhou including Zhangjiagang, Changshu and Taicang, and Port of Nantong) are required to use fuel oils whose sulphur content does not exceed 0.5% m/m.

Hard times await dockyards and classifications societies

Dockyard and classification societies are likely to encounter a bottleneck in 2020 as numerous ship owners have decided to complete their International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Renewal Survey due to uncertainties on Ballast Water Management Convention of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the UK Chamber of Shipping has said.

EU welcomes agreement to fight overfishing in Baltic Sea

The European Parliament and the Council have reached an agreement on a multi-annual plan for cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea at a trilogue meeting this week, following a European Commission proposal in 2014.

Chief Engineer MARPOL conviction overturned by Fifth Circuit Court Of Appeals

On March 14, 2016, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals entered an Opinion in United States of America v. Matthaios Fafalios, 15-30146, vacating the judgment of conviction against the chief engineer of the TRIDENT NAVIGATOR and remanding the matter to the District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana for entry of a judgment of acquittal in accordance with Fed. R. Crim. P. 29.

Skangas to acquire LNG bunkering facility

The Gasum subsidiary Skangas and the Lyse Group have signed an agreement concerning the sale of the Risavika LNG production plant. The Risavika production plant has an annual production capacity of 300,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and the volume of its tank is 30,000 cbm. The acquisition also includes the LNG marine bunkering facility.

CalMac aims for 2% GHG reduction

Scottish ferry operator, CalMac (Caledonian MacBrayne) is on track to meet its own target fo the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the CMAL fleet it leases.

Salvage and marine firefighting requirements for oil spill prevention

USCG's article provides a brief background of the Coast Guard’s role in vessel planning for salvage and marine firefighting response and current activity related to implementation of recent salvage and marine firefighting regulations.

China opens tsunami alert centre in South China Sea

China has set up a tsunami alert centre in the South China Sea in Beijing's latest effort to bolster its jurisdiction in the disputed waters.

USCG: Voluntary cyber review for LNG facilities

The US Coast Guard issued a notice advising stakeholders of its collaboration with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on voluntary cyber reviews for MTSA-regulated liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities.

USCG-approved tests of PureBallast on track for completion

Following the United States Coast Guard (USCG) decision not to accept the most probable number (MPN) method in assessing ballast water treatment systems, tests of Alfa Laval PureBallast are underway using the USCGA-approved 5 chloromethylfluorescein diacetate (CMFDA) staining method. With completion expected during Q2 of 2016, the tests will enable a new USCG type approval application after receiving the results.

Requirements for MARPOL Surveys for All Yachts

The Republic of the Marshall Islands issued notice to address the procedures and documentation requirements for RMI flagged yachts to obtain and maintain certification in accordance with the requirements of MARPOL Annexes I, IV, V, and VI.