Latest news with #InternationalMaritimeOrganization
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Iran Ally Issues New Global Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Iranian-backed Houthi militant group in Yemen has warned of escalating attacks on global shipping by targeting all vessels operated by companies that engage in commercial activity in Israeli ports. Newsweek has reached out to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Houthi officials for comment. Why It Matters Following a pause linked to the earlier, now-collapsed Gaza ceasefire, the Houthis have renewed their attacks in July, sinking two ships in one week. They have targeted over 100 commercial vessels since 2023, pushing some major shipping firms to suspend routes through the Red Sea—including to Israel. The growing threat may prompt renewed Western military intervention. A screen grab captured from a video provided by the Houthi group media center shows an attack on the ship Magic Seas in the Red Sea on July 8, 2025. A screen grab captured from a video provided by the Houthi group media center shows an attack on the ship Magic Seas in the Red Sea on July 8, 2025. HouthiWhat To Know A Houthi military spokesperson said the move was part of a "naval blockade" against Israel that has escalated to a new phase, adding that vessels will be targeted over business ties regardless of their nationality or destination. On July 6, Houthi rebels sank the Greek-operated Magic Seas using drones, missiles and speedboats, The ship was transporting fertilizer and iron between China and Turkey, according to Reuters. A day later, they hit the Eternity C, heading to the port of Eilat and several crew members were killed. Other are missing and some are feared kidnapped. Disruption of the Red Sea trade route, which carries nearly 30 percent of global container traffic and vital oil exports, is threatening global supply chains, forcing shipping firms to reroute the long way around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope, raising freight costs and insurance rates. After a truce in May halted U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis, the group has launched attacks on Israel and warned global airlines against flying to Ben Gurion airport, which it has targeted several times. According to Fatima Abo Alasrar, an analyst with the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies, the recent ship attacks were "choreographed demonstrations of a new maritime order," which reflects the Houthis alignment with Iran's broader proxy strategy. "When the Iran-backed Houthi forces filmed themselves boarding the abandoned Magic Seas, planting synchronized explosives while chanting 'death to America, death to Israel, curse the Jews,' the propaganda value was calculated," wrote in an analysis for the Atlantic Council this month. A fragile ceasefire exists between Israel and Iran, which has previously said the Houthis were operating independently in response to U.S. and Israeli accusations of supporting militant groups in the region. What People Are Saying Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree on Telegram: "The Yemeni Armed Forces warn all companies to cease their dealings with Israeli enemy ports starting from the moment this statement is announced. Otherwise, their ships, regardless of their destination, will be targeted anywhere that can be reached or within the reach of our missiles and drones." S&P Global published on July 9: "The Iran-backed rebel group's latest attacks are the first in 2025 and among their worst, with initial industry reports suggesting two Greek dry bulk carriers have sunk and at least three seafarers killed." What Happens Next Israel vowed to disrupt the Houthis activities and is likely to continue attacks on areas they control in Yemen, particularly the port of Hodeidah.
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Ottawa stalls while cruise ships dump toxic wastewater along West Coast
Cruise vessels are leaving billions of litres of wastewater in their wake despite longtime promises of action by the federal government. Most water pollution discharged by ships showcasing the beauty of the coast is pumped out by scrubbers — an exhaust-cleaning system that uses seawater to 'wash' sulphur dioxide, toxic metals and carcinogens from ship fumes, only to flush them into the ocean. The devices are widely used by the cruise industry and act as a loophole for shipping companies to continue burning cheaper, dirty, heavy fuel oils while still complying with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 2020 sulfur emissions standards , said Anna Barford, oceans campaigner for Canada. The federal government, which promised to examine the issue of scrubbers in marine conservation areas in early 2023, held a general two-month public consultation on the exhaust systems early this year. The Transport Canada public input process didn't include details about what, if any, scrubber restrictions are being considered, nor any timelines for action. Despite a host of Canadian and international marine conservation groups urging a ban on scrubbers in national waters, there's been no feedback or apparent movement by Ottawa to date, Barford said. While Ottawa drags its feet, the problem is intensifying: There was a 14-fold increase in the total number of ships employing scrubber technology in coastal waters between 2018 and 2022, according to the Canadian government's own data . All ships employing scrubbers — including cruise ships, cargo ships, tankers and more — dumped an estimated 88 million tonnes of acidic wastewater laced with toxic metals along the BC coast in 2022 alone. Among them, cruise ships were the worst offender, pumping out nearly half of scrubber wastewater despite only making up five per cent of the vessels using the systems, Barford noted. All vessels using scrubbers, including container ships and tankers, dumped 26,000 kilograms of different toxic metals in scrubber wastewater along the coast, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Nearly a third of that amount was discharged into critical habitat for endangered southern resident killer whales. The constant stream of heavy metals and other pollutants into the marine environment doesn't only imperil the survival of the 73 remaining orcas and the Chinook salmon that rely on them, but has serious implications for human health as well, said Stephanie Hewson, a staff lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law, which called for a ban on scrubbers . In addition to threatening the reproductive health of the whales and impairing shell formation in clams, oysters and crabs, the pollutants can impact marine life across large distances, potentially contaminating food sources like shellfish, she said. 'We're talking about ocean and ecosystem health, but we're also talking about the food we're eating,' Hewson said, adding numerous shipping lanes run near shellfish harvesting areas and aquaculture operations. Scrubbers transform air pollution into water pollution and simply swap one environmental problem for another, instead of simply mandating ships to use cleaner but more costly fuels, she said. 'I think our food sources are more important than fuel cost savings,' Hewson said. Research by the International Council on Clean Transportation for the federal government in 2020 found that in addition to water pollutants, ships using scrubbers emit higher levels of carbon pollution, harmful air particles and black carbon — which pose serious health risks and accelerate climate change by darkening snow and ice, causing it to melt faster, especially in the Arctic. The council has also urged the federal government to immediately stop allowing new scrubbers systems to be installed on vessels transiting national waters. It also called for an immediate ban on scrubber discharges into sensitive waters, such as marine-protected areas, coastal waters, the Arctic and internal waterways, including the Great Lakes. It also suggested Canada phase out all types of scrubber systems in all national waters within three years. The Canadian Shipping Federation declined an interview request by Canada's National Observer but did provide its views to Transport Canada on potential scrubber restrictions. The federation suggested any scrubber regulations should reflect international rules, take into account operational realities, and rather than regulating scrubbers, Canada should offer incentives that spur the development of net-zero fuels and technologies. Canada should continue its international work on scrubbers at the IMO to avoid a 'patchwork' of varying rules at ports and different regions that increases the complexity of shipping operations and the risk of violating scrubber regulations, the federation said. The federation acknowledged there's existing science on the harms of wastewater discharge to marine life and Canada's recent IMO submissions detailing air quality and human health concerns tied to scrubbers . However, some research 'paints a different picture,' the shipping group said, referencing an unspecified Transport Canada port study that suggested scrubber discharge impacts on water quality are minimal. Canada is contemplating scrubber discharge regulations in marine-protected areas, but rerouting vessels to avoid conservation sites may lengthen journeys, increasing carbon and particle pollution elsewhere, the federation said. Fuel-switching mid-journey could also increase safety risks such as engine failure, it said. Barford dismissed the assertion that science is still out on the harms associated with scrubber wastewater, noting there is plenty of peer-reviewed research on the subject. Hewson agreed, noting concern based on science is widespread worldwide . The ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert have prohibited scrubber discharges and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) unanimously supported a ban on scrubber discharge and the use of cleaner fuels by vessels in 2022. California has already enacted cleaner fuel rules and a ban on scrubber discharge in coastal waters, while Denmark, Sweden and Finland launched a phased ban this month that will see all scrubber systems eliminated by 2029. More than a dozen European nations have pledged to do the same in the Northeast Atlantic starting next year. The international rules set by the IMO should be considered the basement, not the ceiling, for scrubber rules, said Barford, who added that no international law prevents countries from protecting sensitive waters in their national jurisdiction. She also disputed that regulations would be unduly harmful to business. 'Most of the vessels operating around the world have already switched to cleaner fuels and are seemingly doing business just fine,' she said. If the cruise industry and global shipping sector are looking to avoid the complexity associated with meeting varying scrubber bans, they could make the switch to cleaner fuels overnight, she said. 'Using scrubbers adds complexity,' Barford said. 'If simplicity is their goal, the easiest thing is just to put cleaner fuel in their tank.' Canada's statistics on scrubber discharge were only released after filed a complaint to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), an international forum where Canada, the US and Mexico address shared environmental concerns. The CEC secretariat has now recommended its council take the next step and establish a 'factual record' — an investigation into how Canada is enforcing pollution regulations under the federal Fisheries Act related to scrubber wastewater. The CEC complaint is in a holding pattern until the commission's council decides its next step, but now the federal government has 'no plausible deniability' about the harm scrubber waste water poses to ocean health and marine life, Barford said. 'We're thrilled with how the CEC process has gone so far,' she said. 'Canada's reply provides unequivocal evidence that they know that there's a problem, and it's impacting southern resident killer whales.' A summary of the public input on scrubbers will be released later this summer, and extensive consultations with the maritime industry, Indigenous groups and port authorities will begin in the fall, said Transport Canada in an email. The ministry didn't answer questions about when it would roll out scrubber rules for marine conservation areas. It also didn't clarify if it's considering any other regulations to protect coastal communities, important marine resources, or sensitive nearshore waters. Transport Canada Minister Chrystia Freeland declined an interview request with Canada's National Observer. Rochelle Baker / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada's National Observer Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. 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New Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Decarbonisation and digitalisation will redefine the nation's maritime industry
LETTERS: The Malaysia Maritime Week 2025 concluded successfully last week, marking a pivotal achievement in promoting national maritime agendas, encompassing sustainability, digital innovation and gender inclusivity within the industry. Currently, the maritime industry is experiencing a significant transformation, notably due to rising technology and growing demands for sustainability. The transformation necessitates that every industry player adapts, since it is no longer merely a matter of sustaining momentum, but rather of boosting performance. Currently, the Malaysian maritime industry is at a critical juncture, where two cutting-edge forces, decarbonisation and digitalisation are redefining the national maritime landscape. As global converge towards a more green and smart future, a critical debate persists, which should come first, decarbonisation or digitalisation? Decarbonisation denotes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, originating from maritime operations. This directly addresses the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) aim to attain net-zero emissions in maritime industry by or approximately 2050. On the other hand, digitalisation entails the implementation of digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and big data to improve operational efficiency, safety, and transparency within the maritime operations. Although both elements are vital to the industry's future, their prioritisation for implementation is frequently contested due to economic and regulatory challenges. Many assert that prioritising decarbonisation is crucial given the urgency of the climate agenda. Shipping activities account for around three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and without immediate action, this percentage may increase significantly as global trade expands. Moreover, regulatory pressure is mounting. The IMO has implemented a set of compulsory measures, including the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), compelling shipowners to utilize alternative fuels such as LNG, hydrogen, ammonia and methanol, retrofit vessels and so on. In this perspective, digitalization is auxiliary but not primary. Digitalisation is seen as the catalyst for decarbonisation. It serves merely as an instrument for quantifying and regulating emissions, rather than being the fundamental element of emission reduction. Digital technology can mitigate carbon emissions by enhancing energy efficiency and fostering green technology innovation. Viewing decarbonisation and digitisation as competing targets presents a misleading distinction. The maritime industry could benefit more from a simultaneous approach, driven by strategic phasing instead of favouring one option over another. In short, it needs the mutual dependency between digitisation and decarbonisation and all stakeholders i.e. governments, port authorities, and shipping companies must collaborate to expedite low-carbon solutions by enhancing technological capacity. By doing so, the industry can remain competitive, resilient, and sustainable amid ongoing global uncertainty. DR IZYAN MUNIRAH MOHD ZAIDEEN Senior lecturer Faculty of Maritime Studies
National Observer
18-07-2025
- General
- National Observer
Ottawa stalls while cruise ships dump toxic wastewater along West Coast
Cruise vessels are leaving billions of litres of wastewater in their wake despite longtime promises of action by the federal government. Most water pollution discharged by ships showcasing the beauty of the coast is pumped out by scrubbers — an exhaust-cleaning system that uses seawater to 'wash' sulphur dioxide, toxic metals and carcinogens from ship fumes, only to flush them into the ocean. The devices are widely used by the cruise industry and act as a loophole for shipping companies to continue burning cheaper, dirty, heavy fuel oils while still complying with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 2020 sulfur emissions standards, said Anna Barford, oceans campaigner for Canada. The federal government, which promised to examine the issue of scrubbers in marine conservation areas in early 2023, held a general two-month public consultation on the exhaust systems early this year. The Transport Canada public input process didn't include details about what, if any, scrubber restrictions are being considered, nor any timelines for action. Despite a host of Canadian and international marine conservation groups urging a ban on scrubbers in national waters, there's been no feedback or apparent movement by Ottawa to date, Barford said. While Ottawa drags its feet, the problem is intensifying: There was a 14-fold increase in the total number of ships employing scrubber technology in coastal waters between 2018 and 2022, according to the Canadian government's own data. All ships employing scrubbers — including cruise ships, cargo ships, tankers and more — dumped an estimated 88 million tonnes of acidic wastewater laced with toxic metals along the BC coast in 2022 alone. Among them, cruise ships were the worst offender, pumping out nearly half of scrubber wastewater despite only making up five per cent of the vessels using the systems, Barford noted. While the cruise sector on Canada's west coast continues to swell, federal delays on scrubber regulations are putting endangered orcas — as well as ocean and human health — at risk. 'Our food sources are more important than fuel cost savings' All vessels using scrubbers, including container ships and tankers, dumped 26,000 kilograms of different toxic metals in scrubber wastewater along the coast, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Nearly a third of that amount was discharged into critical habitat for endangered southern resident killer whales. The constant stream of heavy metals and other pollutants into the marine environment doesn't only imperil the survival of the 73 remaining orcas and the Chinook salmon that rely on them, but has serious implications for human health as well, said Stephanie Hewson, a staff lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law, which called for a ban on scrubbers. In addition to threatening the reproductive health of the whales and impairing shell formation in clams, oysters and crabs, the pollutants can impact marine life across large distances, potentially contaminating food sources like shellfish, she said. 'We're talking about ocean and ecosystem health, but we're also talking about the food we're eating,' Hewson said, adding numerous shipping lanes run near shellfish harvesting areas and aquaculture operations. Scrubbers transform air pollution into water pollution and simply swap one environmental problem for another, instead of simply mandating ships to use cleaner but more costly fuels, she said. 'I think our food sources are more important than fuel cost savings,' Hewson said. Shipping sector wants international consistency Research by the International Council on Clean Transportation for the federal government in 2020 found that in addition to water pollutants, ships using scrubbers emit higher levels of carbon pollution, harmful air particles and black carbon — which pose serious health risks and accelerate climate change by darkening snow and ice, causing it to melt faster, especially in the Arctic. The council has also urged the federal government to immediately stop allowing new scrubbers systems to be installed on vessels transiting national waters. It also called for an immediate ban on scrubber discharges into sensitive waters, such as marine-protected areas, coastal waters, the Arctic and internal waterways, including the Great Lakes. It also suggested Canada phase out all types of scrubber systems in all national waters within three years. The Canadian Shipping Federation declined an interview request by Canada's National Observer but did provide its views to Transport Canada on potential scrubber restrictions. The federation suggested any scrubber regulations should reflect international rules, take into account operational realities, and rather than regulating scrubbers, Canada should offer incentives that spur the development of net-zero fuels and technologies. Canada should continue its international work on scrubbers at the IMO to avoid a 'patchwork' of varying rules at ports and different regions that increases the complexity of shipping operations and the risk of violating scrubber regulations, the federation said. The federation acknowledged there's existing science on the harms of wastewater discharge to marine life and Canada's recent IMO submissions detailing air quality and human health concerns tied to scrubbers. However, some research 'paints a different picture," the shipping group said, referencing an unspecified Transport Canada port study that suggested scrubber discharge impacts on water quality are minimal. Canada is contemplating scrubber discharge regulations in marine-protected areas, but rerouting vessels to avoid conservation sites may lengthen journeys, increasing carbon and particle pollution elsewhere, the federation said. Fuel-switching mid-journey could also increase safety risks such as engine failure, it said. Global concerns over ocean pollution Barford dismissed the assertion that science is still out on the harms associated with scrubber wastewater, noting there is plenty of peer-reviewed research on the subject. Hewson agreed, noting concern based on science is widespread worldwide. The ports of Vancouver and Prince George have prohibited scrubber discharges and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) unanimously supported a ban on scrubber discharge and the use of cleaner fuels by vessels in 2022. California has already enacted cleaner fuel rules and a ban on scrubber discharge in coastal waters, while Denmark, Sweden and Finland launched a phased ban this month that will see all scrubber systems eliminated by 2029. More than a dozen European nations have pledged to do the same in the Northeast Atlantic starting next year. The international rules set by the IMO should be considered the basement, not the ceiling, for scrubber rules, said Barford, who added that no international law prevents countries from protecting sensitive waters in their national jurisdiction. She also disputed that regulations would be unduly harmful to business. 'Most of the vessels operating around the world have already switched to cleaner fuels and are seemingly doing business just fine,' she said. If the cruise industry and global shipping sector are looking to avoid the complexity associated with meeting varying scrubber bans, they could make the switch to cleaner fuels overnight, she said. 'Using scrubbers adds complexity,' Barford said. 'If simplicity is their goal, the easiest thing is just to put cleaner fuel in their tank.' Canada's statistics on scrubber discharge were only released after filed a complaint to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), an international forum where Canada, the US and Mexico address shared environmental concerns. The CEC secretariat has now recommended its council take the next step and establish a 'factual record' — an investigation into how Canada is enforcing pollution regulations under the federal Fisheries Act related to scrubber wastewater. The CEC complaint is in a holding pattern until the commission's council decides its next step, but now the federal government has 'no plausible deniability' about the harm scrubber waste water poses to ocean health and marine life, Barford said. 'We're thrilled with how the CEC process has gone so far,' she said. 'Canada's reply provides unequivocal evidence that they know that there's a problem, and it's impacting southern resident killer whales.' A summary of the public input on scrubbers will be released later this summer, and extensive consultations with the maritime industry, Indigenous groups and port authorities will begin in the fall, said Transport Canada in an email. The ministry didn't answer questions about when it would roll out scrubber rules for marine conservation areas. It also didn't clarify if it's considering any other regulations to protect coastal communities, important marine resources, or sensitive nearshore waters. Canada's National Observer.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ClassNK introduces fleet cost simulation service on decarbonisation
Japanese ship classification society ClassNK has introduced a new service named ClassNK Fleet Cost Simulation, as part of its initiative to assist the maritime sector in transitioning to decarbonised fuels. This service aims to provide clients with cost estimations related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction regulations, including the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) mid-term measures, the EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS), and FuelEU Maritime. It is intended to streamline the workload associated with cost estimation and documentation, allowing clients to access reliable cost data for their business planning needs. The service features the ClassNK Fleet Cost Calculator, a tool designed to project future cost variations resulting from fuel conversion. Available in Excel format, the ClassNK Fleet Cost Calculator addresses three key environmental regulations: IMO GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI), EU-ETS, and FuelEU Maritime. The tool is designed for flexibility, enabling users to customise various assumptions, including ship prices, fuel prices, vessel replacement timing, fuel efficiency improvements, and GHG emission factors. The simulation service also includes a Cost Estimation Report that presents a comprehensive overview of the total cost outlook for an entire fleet, utilising graphs and tables to convey the information effectively. The Cost Estimation Report, provided in PowerPoint format, summarises cost projections up to 2050 based on actual fuel consumption data. This report incorporates various cost factors impacting business operations, such as shipbuilding, fuel, and regulatory compliance, and is formatted for immediate use in internal presentations and management reporting. An advanced version of the report is also available upon request, which simulates and analyses the timing and effects of fuel conversion for cost optimisation. ClassNK has committed to further supporting clients in their decarbonisation efforts through ongoing enhancements to the ClassNK Transition Support Service. Updates to the service are planned to be implemented before the IMO GFI (Greenhouse Gas Fuel Intensity), coming into effect on 31 December 2027. In April this year, ClassNK granted approval in principle (AiP) for a retrofitted Kamsarmax bulk carrier's design, transitioning from conventional fuel to a methanol dual-fuel configuration. "ClassNK introduces fleet cost simulation service on decarbonisation" was originally created and published by Ship Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
