Tom Holmer News

Dry bulk ship owner and operator Oldendorff Carriers has become a member of the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI), a coalition of global shipping industry companies working toward a more environmentally sustainable maritime industry.Oldendorff joins other SSI members, including ABN-Amro, AkzoNobel, Bunge, China Navigation, IMC Shipping, Lloyd’s Register, Louis Dreyfus, Maersk, Priya Blue, Rightship and Wartsila, who are working together with NGOs Forum for the Future and WWF…

There's a new report out from the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) -- authorted by Lloyds Register (LR) and University Maritime Advisory Services (UMAS) -- that examines different fuel options and costs as increasingly the world's oceangoing fleet is pushed toward decarbonization. As a back drop, as Mariitme Reporter & Engineering News reports in its May 2018 edition with its cover feature interview with Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the International Mariitme Organization (IMO), the IMO mandate is to cut emissions 50% by 2050, as agreed in mid-April 2018, as compared to 2008 levels.

Global agricultural goods merchant Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has become a member of the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI), a pioneering coalition of companies from across the global shipping industry. LDC joins other SSI members who are working together to help create a more environmentally sustainable maritime industry by 2040. As a leading agribusiness company, LDC originates, processes, transports and merchandises a diversified product range around the world annually, helping to feed and clothe up to 500 million people. Sustainability is at the heart of LDC’s operations and the company has set ambitious targets for environmental improvements across every aspect of its operations. This includes engaging with shipyards and encouraging more fuel-efficient vessels.

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is hosting a Security Seminar in London on Thursday, November 10, which will focus on human factors in modern maritime security. Sponsored by Subsea 7 and Technip, the event is a continuation of IMCA's new series of mini-seminars – niche events tailored to tackle specific topics. “The day-long seminar at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington will provide an invaluable opportunity for all concerned to understand the impact of human factors on security in key areas of the offshore marine contracting industry – both in the oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors,” explained Richard Benzie, IMCA’s Technical Director. “It will cover both the global risk to people, and the internal cyber security threat.

The boards of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Program (MPHRP) have informed about the moving of the activities of the MPHRP into ISWAN. A transfer agreement was signed by both parties on August 3, 2015. ISWAN will now be responsible for all the activities of the highly respected MPHRP. The move to ISWAN will enable the program to develop under the auspices of a well-established international seafarers’ welfare organization that is registered as a charity. The program will continue to support the seafarers and their families who are affected by piracy. While piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia have significantly decreased, attacks are on the increase in South East Asia and continuing in the Gulf of Guinea.

The boards of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) are pleased to announce the moving of the activities of the MPHRP into ISWAN. A transfer agreement was signed by both parties on 3 August 2015. ISWAN will now be responsible for all the activities of the highly respected MPHRP. The move to ISWAN will enable the programme to develop under the auspices of a well-established international seafarers’ welfare organisation that is registered as a charity. The programme will continue to support the seafarers and their families who are affected by piracy.

The ITF Seafarers’ Trust will celebrate its 30th birthday with a conference in London tomorrow exploring how best to provide for the welfare needs of the world’s seafarers in the 21st century. The event will share the experiences of the welfare community, unions and shipping industry, and explore new ways of helping seafarers. “The Trust has 30 years of experience to draw on and a superb network of people we’ve worked with who are leaders in this field, and many of them will be here tomorrow,” said Tom Holmer, administrative officer of the Seafarers’ Trust. “Legislative, social and technical factors mean that seafarers’ needs are changing, and we have to be ready to change to meet them.