and finally

TERMINAL TALES

going green theme

As all parts of the maritime industry seek to grapple with the issue of improving their green performance, “New technologies for greener shipping” has been chosen as the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) World Maritime theme for 2022, with the aim of supporting the maritime sector’s move into a sustainable future, while making sure that nobody falls by the wayside.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said recently: "IMO actively supports a greener transition of the shipping sector into a sustainable future and showcases maritime innovation, research and development, and the demonstration and deployment of new technologies. In order to achieve these objectives, partnerships are key, as they allow all parties involved to share and distribute information on best practices and to access resources and general knowhow in support of the transition of the maritime sector into a greener and more sustainable future".

clean incentives

Those who bring the greenest ships into the Port of Long Beach, California, can now earn what the port says are the most generous sustainable vessel financial incentives.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners recently approved changes centred around incorporating the international Environmental Ship Index (ESI) into the Port’s Green Ship Incentive Program, which began in 2012. A voluntary system, the ESI identifies seagoing ships exceeding the current emission standards of the International Maritime Organization.

The Green Ship Incentive Program has helped improve air quality, encouraging shipping lines to send their newest, cleanest ocean-going vessels to the Port of Long Beach. More than $1.7m in incentives was paid to participants in 2020.

Sing for seafarers

Law firm Ince has released its global virtual choir’s recording of Rod Stewart’s famed single Sailing to raise funds for four of the world’s leading maritime charities: The Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Sailors’ Society and the Seafarers’ Charity.

The members of the international choir have joined from all four corners of the world, aiming to give voice to the unsung heroes of the pandemic and raise awareness of their situation and their crucial role in the global supply chain.

Ince says it is keen to raise as much awareness and money for seafarers as possible, with the net proceeds for the single split equally among the four charities. It can be purchased from all main media platforms and you can also donate and support all four charities through the company’s Virgin Money Giving page, uk.virginmoneygiving.com

book of experience

Those who are interested in hearing about the complex ports environment should take a look at Captain Bill Chalmers’ new book on the industry: A Guide to Port and Terminal Management. A veteran of both the shipping and port sectors, Chalmers' book covers the role of ports, ships and their cargoes, specialist terminals and equipment, and the challenges ports have to face to keep up with new developments in ship design. The book is published by Brown Son & Ferguson and details can be found at skipper.co.uk

blowing bubbles

Silverstream Technologies is trying something a bit different in its quest for cleaner shipping: bubbles. In a first for any VLOC, it has installed air lubrication technology on a Vale-chartered ore carrier. The system creates a carpet of microbubbles between the hull and the water and Silversteam says this can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by between 5% and 10%, according to the ship in question.