Fortnightly maritime news for the industry and PortXL community
In 2020s, shipping finance set to be conditional on sustainability
The industry is facing a period of intense regulatory change, and recent IMO measures have received significant criticism. In November, environmental organisations suggested new draft measures agreed by IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) could allow emissions from the global fleet to continue to rise over the next 10 years. MEPC draft measures include an Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) to address technical aspects of vessel decarbonisation as well as a new operational carbon intensity indicator (CII).
Europe maps route to zero-emission vessels by 2030
Under new goals set by Brussels, by 2030 zero-emission marine vessels will be market-ready with ports in a position to supply the requisite new fuel, and carbon pricing in place to ensure there is a strong uptake of these new vessels. The commission anticipates 30m zero-emission cars to be on the continent’s roads by 2030 and for zero-emission large aircraft to be commercially viable five years later. The strategy paper also suggested that Europe might end its tax exemption for bunker fuels and aviation fuel as early as next year.
Pillars of Hydrogen Progress: Technology – Big results for SMEs
Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are being supported by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), to help the development of cutting-edge fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. The European Hydrogen Roadmap has enabled the acceleration of technological development to the point where real-world fuel cell hydrogen solutions are on the verge of wide-scale distribution.
Hamburg Port Authority urges industry to focus on cybersecurity
The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) has urged the port industry to concentrate on cybersecurity as it looks to meet the challenges of the post-COVID-19 pandemic world at the annual meeting of International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH). COVID-19 has accelerated the global digitalization trend and drives further investment in the modernization of port information technology infrastructures in order to remain competitive in the new reality.
Port of Los Angeles and IBM to build maritime cyber resilience centre
The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved an agreement with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) to design and operate a Port Cyber Resilience Center (CRC) at the Port of Los Angeles. Focused on detecting and protecting against malicious cyber incidents potentially impacting cargo flow, this first-of-its-kind system is also expected to greatly improve the quality, quantity and speed of cyber information sharing within the Port community. Port Executive Director Gene Seroka said, “As our Port increasingly relies on data integration to guide its cargo operations and processes, detection and protection against cyber incidents is critical.”
Plastics at sea tracking initiative launches
Eyesea, a not-for-profit organisation, uses technology and the support of seafarers, shipowners, managers and maritime professionals to collect and process oceanic pollution data. The data is used to build detailed maps and charts available free of charge to governments, clean-up groups, researchers, local authorities and a range of other stakeholders, enabling them to take targeted clean-up action and make evidence-based policy decisions.
Covid-19 sees vessel operating costs rise at their fastest pace in over a decade
Vessel operating costs have risen at their fastest pace in over a decade this year, on higher insurance cover premiums and Covid-19 related expenses, according to new research carried in shipping consultancy Drewry’s Ship Operating Costs Annual Review and Forecast 2020/21 report.
