The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued interim guidance aimed at protecting the health of seafarers working on cargo ships and fishing vessels amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This specific guidance (download here) addresses the unique situation of seafarers, who work in close contact environments and often embark on ships for extended periods of time, generally without a medical doctor on board. The document provides guidance to shipowners, seafarers, unions and associations and competent authorities. It includes advice on pre-boarding screening, hand hygiene, physical distancing and the use of masks, as well as recommendations on how to manage suspected COVID-19 cases on board. The importance of mental health services and psychological support for seafarers is also covered. The WHO also reminds Member States that they must ensure that seafarers in need of immediate medical care are given access to their medical facilities on shore. More information: IMO News
News
Many predictions were made in the run up to the imposition of the MARPOL 2020 sulphur cap, none of which was that the transition to Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) would be smooth sailing. In 2019, there were numerous discussions in the marine industry over how the transition to 0.5% fuels would pan out, with concerns about a wide variety of issues. Gard held a series of webinars in July 2020 to discussed the technical, compliance related, and legal challenges which owners, crew, and charterers faced when using very low sulphur fuel oil in the first six months of 2020. A number of important and pertinent questions were posed by the attendees during and after the webinars, touching upon technical, contractual, insurance and enforcement related areas. Read more: Gard
Albion Marine Solutions team is currently performing an onsite supervision and assisting one of our major clients with a Ballast Water Treatment retrofit in a Singapore shipyard. The project is going along smoothly, despite COVID-19 challenges and restrictions. The retrofit is moving forward and should be completed according to schedule.
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Getting to Zero Coalition announced plans for a new mapping of zero emission pilots and demonstration projects, revealing the scale and breadth of projects already underway in the maritime sector’s path to decarbonization. The impetus for the mapping came from discussions within the First Movers workstream of the Getting to Zero Coalition, where industry leaders noted the increased number of announcements of zero emission demonstration projects in maritime media. This comes as zero emission fuels and technologies for maritime shipping need to be commercially viable by 2030 to meet decarbonization targets in line with IMO. So far, the Getting to Zero Coalition, which set this goal in 2019, has done a mapping of various projects, showing that there are already numerous zero emission pilots and demonstration projects underway in shipping. More information here: Getting to Zero Coalition
The world may have paused but our professionals continue to deliver! Hats off to our new build construction superintendents and retrofit managers currently engaged in Greece, Italy, Singapore. Thanks to them, Albion Marine (Vancouver) usually buzzing with people is quietly approaching the weekend. Couldn’t complain a bit with our site supervision services in huge demand. Contact Albion Marine Solutions for your site supervision needs.
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