Europe's Seas Under Threat
Many of Europeâs marine species, habitats and ecosystems have been under threat for decades. As maritime economic activities are predicted to increase in coming years, a new briefing from the European Environment Agency (EEA) argues that the cumulative impact of human activity should be better managed to avoid irreversible damage to ecosystems. Many European industries have growing cumulative impacts on the sea, including transport, fishing, offshore energy and tourism. âMarine messagesâ highlights the vulnerable nature of Europeâs marine ecosystemsâŠ
Offshore Wind Rules Set New Standard
Lloydâs Register releases new Rules, Class Notation and Guidance Notes for âWind Turbine Installation and Maintenance Vessels and Liftboatsâ to reflect industry best practice and new novel designs. The new Rules form part of the wider Mobile Offshore Unit Rule set 2013 launched by Lloydâs Register in June, and is for vessels engaged in installation and/or maintenance activities relating to offshore wind turbines. It covers a number of unit types as well as liftboats, whose primary function is to provide support services to offshore wind turbine installations or other types of offshore installation. Vessels which comply with the requirements of the new Rules will be eligible for a new classification notation (MainWIND).
EU - Safer Ship Dismantling
The European Commission today presented an EU strategy to make the dismantling of old ships safer for workers and the environment. Every year between 200 and 600 large merchant ships are taken apart for their valuable scrap metal. Many ships taken out of service in Europe end up being dismantled on beaches in South Asia. A lack of environmental protection and safety measures results in high accident rates, health risks and extensive pollution of wide stretches of the coast. The proposed strategy on better ship dismantling includes actions to help implement key elements of an international Convention on safe ship recycling, due to be concluded in May 2009.
