Climate Change
Climate Change: a Challenge for IMO Too
September 24 2009 marks the 32nd celebration of World Maritime Day, the annual occasion when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) leads the world in highlighting a key issue for the Organization and the shipping industry. This year, the theme for World Maritime Day is Climate Change: a challenge for IMO too! In his World Maritime Day message to the international maritime community, IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos said that now was the time to make tough decisions to address climate change, and to act with total and undivided commitment. "At IMO, we are heavily and consistently engaged in the fight to protect and preserve our environment - both marine and atmospheric. Having, in 2008, achieved a breakthrough in our efforts to reduce air pollution from ships, we are now energetically pursuing the limitation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from shipping operations - indeed, when considering which theme to choose for this year's World Maritime Day, we unanimously opted for Climate change: a challenge for IMO too!, in recognition of the intense focus this topic is receiving within the Organization, especially this year," Mitropoulos said. "Our work on this hugely important subject stems from the genuine concerns for the environment of our Member States and the industry organizations that help us make balanced decisions in the pursuit of the Organization's objectives - not to mention those entrusted to us under the
IMO Opens the Door to Reduce Shipping Emissions
Member states of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) agreed on a Resolution on technology cooperation, which was delaying the implementation of standards to improve the energy efficiency of new ships. The resolution had been in discussion for two years and was hindering any progress on other measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The resolution meets the concerns of developing and developed nations by recognizing the principles of non-discrimination in the IMO and
U.K. Could Save $5.6 Billion by Linking Offshore Wind Farms: Report
Bloomberg reports that the U.K. could save as much as $5.6 billion by connecting offshore wind farms to each other, cutting down on construction and operating costs. As much as 15 percent of the cost could be knocked off the bill for building wind infrastructure, according to a report today from the Department of Energy and Climate Change and energy regulator Ofgem. The U.K. is seeking to have about 18 gigawatts of turbines at sea installed, up from 2 gigawatts at present
Arctic Policy Outlined by European Union
Knowledge, responsibility, engagement: the EU outlines its policy for the Arctic The European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have outlined the way forward for the EU's constructive engagement in the Arctic. The Arctic region is a vital component of the Earth's environment. Climate change in the Arctic is advancing dramatically, with change visible on a yearly basis
Arctic Risk Management Study Released by DNV & FNI
A new study about crucial risk management issues relating to Arctic operations is released by DNV and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI). The study concludes that, in order to safely develop Arctic resources, there is a need for improved technology, oil spill preparedness and close cooperation between the authorities, industry and society. DNV’s CEO, Dr Henrik O. Madsen, presented the study entitled ‘Energy and the environment – Arctic resource development
EU Global Emission Reduction Proposal: Another Viewpoint
Emissions monitoring systems manufacturer, Parker Procal, welcomes EU move to monitor, report & verify emissions. The EU announced recently that it will start measuring shipping emissions from 2013 as a first step towards delivering a global solution for cutting the sector's climate change impact. EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard and Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas made the announcement at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Australian Government Discusses Kimberley LNG Project
The Western Australian Government has clarified its stance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments in the Kimberley, saying they would be beneficial to the region, ABC reported. State Resources Minister Eric Ripper was commenting on a national media campaign challenging the developments by the Broome-based lobby group Cultural Heritage Environmental Advocacy for the Kimberley (CHEAK) this week. The group believes the Kimberley should be preserved as one of the world's last wilderness
Marine Highway Initiative Update
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved legislation to reduce global warming through greater transportation efficiencies and conservation initiatives. The major freight goods movement components of House Resolution (HR) 2701, the Transportation Energy Security and Climate Change Mitigation Act of 2007, will integrate the marine highway into our Nation’s overall intermodal transportation system.
Lloyd's Register Joins Swan's Antarctic Expedition
A four-man team from Lloyd's Register will set sail today from Ushuaia, Argentina, as part of an international expedition to the Antarctic, lead by the renowned polar explorer and environmentalist Robert Swan, OBE. The team of technical experts and eco-entrepreneurs will form part of the International Antarctic Expedition 2012, led by Swan, who has dedicated his life to the preservation of the Antarctic by promoting recycling
Marine Power Generation Market Report Published
'Wave & Tidal Energy Analysis to 2030 for US, Canada, the UK, Portugal, Australia and Republic of Korea (South Korea)' report issued. This excerpt from the market report promulgated by ReportsnReports.com focuses on the UK sector: Governments are embracing marine power as they attempt to combat climate change & an increasing dependence on fossil fuel and the UK has huge potential for marine power and is considered the most attractive destination to develop marine projects in
Arctic Summers Possibly Ice-free Within Twenty Years
"It’s not a question of 'if' there will be nearly ice-free summers, but 'when,' say two NOAA scientists. James Overland of NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory and Muyin Wang of the NOAA Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Ocean at the University of
U.K. Mariner Platform Contract for Odfjell Drilling
Statoil has awarded the contract for drilling services on the Mariner platform on the U.K. continental shelf to U.K.-based Odfjell Drilling. Odfjell Drilling will perform drilling services, maintenance of the drilling facility and drill pipe logistics for the Mariner field development
Europe's Atlantic Action Plan Unveiled
The European Commission has adopted an Action Plan to revitalise the marine & maritime economy in the Atlantic Ocean Area. The Action Plan aims to show how the EU's Atlantic Member States, their regions and the Commission can help create sustainable growth in coastal regions and drive forward
DNV Sees 27% Annual Revenue Increase
DNV said its continued focus on safety and service quality and the ability to provide leading-edge technology advice and solutions contributed to its market and financial performance in 2012. The company reported that revenues increased by 27% compared to 2011
IMO Begins Updating Ship GHG Information
International experts are meeting at IMO Headquarters with the aim of providing current & reliable ship Green House Gas emission information. This information would be used by IMO , through its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), to base its work on further measures to reduce GHG
Energy Minister Recognizes ROVOP
The UK Secretary of State for energy and climate change has hailed subsea services company ROVOP as ‘a leading specialist in its field’ and one which is ensuring that the country remains at the global vanguard of the energy industry
'Shipping & Climate' Change: Upcoming IMarEST Lecture
‘Shipping and Climate Change: how Science can aid an industry that emits more CO2 than the UK’ is second in the ‘Sea Changes Lecture Series’. The series, organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) in association with University
EU Supports 'Blue Growth': Sustainable Management of Sea & Coasts
The European Commission launch a proposal to improve the planning of maritime activities at sea and the management of coastal areas. The proposal – which takes the form of a draft directive – aims to establish a common European framework for maritime spatial planning and integrated
Enormous Plastic Bags In Unique Ocean Research
To study the effects of ocean acidification, ten huge plastic containers called mesocosms are in place in the Gullmar Fjord in Sweden. The project is unique: mesocosms of this size have never been used for such a long period of time. The experiment is part of a worldwide research project
Sustainable Ocean Summit 2013
The Sustainable Ocean Summit 2013 (SOS 2013), organized by the World Ocean Council (WOC), is an international ocean business community gathering dedicated to industry leadership and collaboration in developing solutions to ocean sustainability challenges. Washington D.C. - April 22-24, 2013
Seattle First U.S. W.Coast Port to Join Green Marine
Port of Seattle has signed-on as a participant in Green Marine, the largest voluntary environmental program for the maritime industry in North America. Port of Seattle state that it is the first U.S. port outside of the Great Lakes region to join Green Marine.
Arctic Integrated Management & Planning Advocated
A US interagency working group calls for an integrated management strategy for the rapidly changing Arctic. The recently issued report of the inter-agency working group, chaired by Interior Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes, highlights the need for a coordinated approach that uses the best
Holdren to Report on Obama Administration Science and Technology Policy
On May 8, 2013, Dr. John P. Holdren will be the keynote speaker in the President’s Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted by Stevens Institute of Technology President Nariman Farvardin. Holdren is Assistant to the President for Science and Technology
Liquid Robotics Launches Wave Glider SV3
Liquid Robotics announced the introduction of the Wave Glider SV3, a hybrid wave and solar propelled unmanned ocean robot. The Wave Glider SV3 incorporates the latest advancements in energy harvesting technology, providing the ability to utilize both wave and solar energy for forward
Sea-Level-Rise Forecasts Major Climate Impact to Pacific Islands
Dynamic modeling of sea-level rise, which takes storm wind and wave action into account, paints a much graver picture for some low-lying Pacific islands under climate-change scenarios than the passive computer modeling used in earlier research, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey report.