News

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced the next phase of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan. With the new investment of $2 billion over nine years, announced in Budget 2022, Canada will establish 15 new measures to expand ocean protection initiatives to more regions and better proactively combat emerging threats to marine safety while continuing or expanding 39 existing initiatives. This new funding is in addition to the $1.5 billion initially announced in 2016 and brings the total invested in support of the plan to $3.5 billion.

The renewed and expanded plan will help make further progress to:

• Enhance the protection and restoration of vulnerable marine ecosystems and wildlife;
• Improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of Canada’s marine supply chains and mitigate their impacts on the environment, including by advancing research on marine pollution, ecosystems, and wildlife;
• Better manage marine traffic navigation off our coasts and marine incidents of all types; and
• Advance partnerships and training opportunities for Indigenous and coastal communities to incorporate their expertise and experiences in various aspects of marine safety and ecosystem protection

Albion Marine Solutions supplied a wide range of valves for the new Kootenay Lake Electric Ferry, which is currently under construction and will begin operations in 2023. All Valves supplied by Albion Marine were LR approved and come in a wide range of designs, materials, sizes, and pressure classes fully compliant with ANSI, API, and NACE standards.

The new vessel will be configured as a hybrid diesel-electric with all the systems, equipment and components for electric propulsion. The ferry will contribute to improved safety, reliability and efficiency of the Kootenay Lake Ferry service. Other related work planned includes upgrades to Balfour and Kootenay Bay terminals, and minor dredging has been completed in the West Arm. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

MEPC 78 noted the updated International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC) recommended procedures and guidelines concerning the determination and verification of EEDI. 

The updates include:

• The resistance test.
• Propulsion/bollard pull test.
• Performance prediction method for unequally loaded multiple propeller vessels.
• Preparation and conduct of speed trials.
• Calculation of Weather Factor for Decrease of Ship Speed in Waves

The following topics were deferred until MEPC 79:

• Draft amendments to the 2018 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the Attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships (resolution MEPC.308(73) as amended) to clarify the cubic capacity correction factor for LNG carriers.
• Amendments to Shaft Power Limitation concept for EEDI.
• Introduction of EEDI Phase 4.
• EEDI application dates for passenger ships with non-conventional propulsion.
• Proposed amendments to the revised 2018 Guidelines on calculating the attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships to add a CF conversion factor for ethane.
• EEDI reduction beyond Phase 2 – consideration for large tankers / other technical issues affecting the evolution of EEDI

This year's Day of the Seafarer theme, "Your voyage - then and now, share your journey," invites seafarers worldwide to share images and information about what truly resonates with them, whether a positive experience or challenging circumstances.

The maritime world is rapidly changing. Ships are becoming more environmentally friendly with increased digitization and diverse crews. As the industry's lifeblood, Seafarers are at the forefront of this evolution, implementing new regulations, learning new skills, and adopting safer, more efficient working practices. As the world's merchant fleet travels the oceans, the onboard crews continue their professional journey. 

Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the IMO, stated: "Every seafarer's journey is unique. Nonetheless, many of the challenges and opportunities are shared. On this Day of the Seafarer, we can look forward. Seafarers' voyages are changing due to new technologies and equipment, increased use of alternative fuels, and increased responsibilities for a greener and more sustainable future for the industry and the marine environment."