Shipping Plan Would Reel International Emissions into EU Carbon Market
The European Union's carbon market could capture a large chunk of emissions from outside Europe if the bloc succeeds in including shipping in the scheme, according to the European Commission's first report on maritime CO2 emissions.Pollution from ships plying international waters typically escapes countries' domestic emissions-cutting targets, but the EU's executive has said the sector must contribute to its trillion-euro push to achieve a "climate neutral" economy by 2050.It wants to curb shipping's carbon footprint by adding it to the Europe-wide emissions trading system (ETS)âŚ
USCG Advises on Minimizing Novel Coronavirus at Sea
The Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy has published an update March 16, 2020 to MSIB: Novel Coronavirus â Update (Change 2)An outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) may affect mariners and maritime commerce. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019 (see https://go.usa.gov/xdfyG) and Cruise Ship Travel (see https://go.usa.gov/xdfVP).IllnessâŚ
European Shipowners Welcome EP TiSA Recommendations
European shipowners welcome the European Parliamentâs INTA Committee recommendations to the European Commission on the ongoing negotiations of the Trade in Services Agreement between some of the worldâs leading economies. In it MEPs acknowledge the crucial role shipping plays as the lynchpin of global trade and call for improved access to third-countries. MEPs also ask the parties to address and remove current restrictions on maritime transport services and to strive for reciprocity. EU companies are very often hindered in accessing certain market segments abroad, which in the EU, in contrast, are open to foreign companies. "We are very pleased with the references to shipping and to the need to liberalize foreign marketsâŚ
Norway Gift Ocean Survey Ship 'Noruega' to Portugal
Portugalâs new oceanographic survey vessel is to be donated by Norway and equipped by funding under the EEA Grants programme. The announcement was made recently by Portugal's Assunção Cristas, Minister for Agriculture, the Sea, the Environment and Land Planning. Speaking at the launch of the EEA Grants programme, Minister Cristas explained that this was a better solution than had originally been foreseen for replacing the current vessel the âNoruegaâ, that is coming to the end of its operational life. âAt this moment, Norway has a proposal on the table that means we get one of their vessels that is being replaced and that would prove excellent for Portugal and the programme funding would serve to equip the vessel,â said Cristas.
Tanker Companies Investigated for Possible Cartel Activities
The European Commission (EC) has stated that unannounced inspections were carried out at the premises of a number of operators of deep sea maritime tanker services in several European Economic Area (EEA) countries. EEA countries include the 15 European Union states, plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The purpose of the inspections was to ascertain whether there is evidence of a cartel agreement and related illegal practices.
