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Environment

EMSA drone starts shipping emissions surveillance operation in the Strait of Gibraltar

Emissions surveillance operations will reinforce recent IMO approval of the Mediterranean Sea as an emission control area, which is expected to come into force in 2025.

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The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) on Thursday (15 July) said its remotely piloted drone operating in the vicinity of the Strait of Gibraltar has started providing the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda the capacity to monitor sulphur and nitrogen emissions of passing ships.

The initiative builds on the experience gained during a similar operation which saw the aircraft’s special sniffer capabilities used for emissions monitoring.

While the Merchant Marine can use the measurements taken to check the passing ships’ pollutant compliance, the flights can also be directed to support the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency (SASEMAR) for search and rescue.

Spanish and international waters in the area around the Strait of Gibraltar are once again being monitored to check air pollution levels from emissions of nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide released by passing ships.

The pollutant data gathered actively supports the monitoring of compliance with existing regulations and in doing so can help to reduce the harmful effects on human health and the environment.

Emissions monitoring is one among several purposes for which the aircraft can be deployed within the area of operation; other complementary tasks include pollution detection, suppression of trafficking and smuggling operations, fisheries control, and vessel traffic management.

The Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) used is a Camcopter S100 unmanned helicopter which is operated by EMSA’s contractor, Nordic Unmanned.

The RPAS is equipped with an emissions sensor from the contractor Explicit. This analyses the gas samples taken as the RPAS flies through the exhaust plume of the ship’s funnel or stack. Calculations are then made to determine sulphur and nitrogen levels. Indications of non-compliance can trigger an inspection at the next port of call to determine whether an infringement has taken place.

This is the second emissions monitoring campaign to take place in the area, chosen for its proximity to busy shipping lanes, within the flight range of the aircraft, as well as for the expertise of the personnel monitoring maritime traffic in the area.

Emissions surveillance operations such as these will reinforce the recent approval of the Mediterranean Sea as an emission control area by the International Maritime Organization which is expected to come into force in 2025.

Related: EMSA and partner to start emissions monitoring campaign over Baltic Sea with drones
Related: EMSA drone used for monitoring sulphur emissions from ships along Gibraltar Strait
Related: Lithuania enlists EMSA’s remotely piloted aircraft to monitor bunker fuel sulphur content
Related: France trials sniffer drone to tighten emissions control in the Pas-de-Calais SECA zone
Related: Danish Maritime Authority trials drones to monitor sulphur emissions from ships
Related: RPAS drones to monitor ship emissions for compliance in Danish waters

 

Photo credit: European Maritime Safety Agency
Published: 20 July, 2022

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Legal

Four Dutch seafarers charged for alleged roles in causing Singapore oil spill

Four men on Netherlands-flagged dredger “Vox Maxima” were charged under Merchant Shipping Act 1995 on 6 November and will appear in court again on 4 December.

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Martin Klingsick / MarineTraffic

Singapore has brought charges against four crewmen who were working on Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima for their alleged role in causing the disastrous bunker spill into the republic’s sea, according to a report by The Straits Times on Wednesday (6 November).

Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour was hit by Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima at Pasir Panjang Terminal on 14 June, which resulted in an oil spill in Singapore waters.

The dredger reportedly lost engine and steering control before crashing Marine Honour.

The four men, all Dutch nationals, – Merijn Heidema, 25; Martin Hans Sinke, 48; Richard Ouwehand, 49; and Eric Peijpers, 55 – allegedly failed to ensure that emergency steering was carried out when emergency power was supplied to the vessel’s steering gear pumps, resulting in the allision. 

They were each charged under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 on 6 November. 

Heidema and Peijpers, who were responsible for the engineering watch, were accused of failing to ensure a sufficient reserve of power was available for Vox Maxima’s steering gear when the engine room was put in a standby condition.

Their cases have been adjourned to 4 December.

Manifold Times previously reported Vox Maxima was found to have serious deficiencies relating to fire safety and life-saving equipment aboard. 

A total of 13 deficiencies were flagged during the 15 June inspection of the dredger. Three out of the 13 warranted detention of the vessel which indicated serious deficiencies that required repairs before it could be permitted to leave the port. 

Related: Thirteen deficiencies flagged during inspection for dredger involved in Singapore oil spill
Related: Singapore oil spill: Minister refutes claim that contractor was slow in preventing further spillage
Related: MPA: Claims exceeding liability of “Marine Honour” owner will be made against international fund
Related: MPA: Owner of bunker tanker involved in Singapore oil spill is liable for pollution damage
Related: Malaysia to look into demands of Johor fisherman affected by oil spill from Singapore
Related: Singapore oil spill: Clean-up enters next phase of cleaning rock bunds
Related: MPA: Clean-up ops continue following oil spill in Singapore, affected beaches closed
Related: Singapore: Oil spill cleanup after allision between dredger “Vox Maxima” and bunker tanker “Marine Honour”

 

Photo credit: Martin Klingsick / MarineTraffic
Published: 7 November, 2024

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Biofuel

Chimbusco Pan Nation completes first B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Singapore

CPN supplied 1,000 metric tonnes of ISCC-EU Certified B24 marine biofuel for “YM WITNESS”, a containership of Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp on 16 October.

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Chimbusco Pan Nation completes first B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Singapore

Hong Kong-based marine fuel oil supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Wednesday (6 November) completed the supply of 1,000 metric tonnes of ISCC-EU Certified B24 marine biofuel for YM WITNESS, a containership of Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp on 16 October. 

“This also embarks on CPN’s new journey to arrange supplying marine biofuel in Singapore,” the firm said in a social media post. 

B24 marine biofuel is a blend of 24% B100 biodiesel and Marine Fuel Oil, which significantly reduces carbon emissions and lowers its carbon footprint. Such product aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and reduces environmental impact. 

“CPN is committed to be the frontrunner in the transition towards more sustainable marine fuel options. This biofuel delivery reinforces CPN’s commitment to realizing eco-friendly port energy solutions and global decarbonisation goals,” it added. 

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 7 November, 2024

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LNG Bunkering

Titan completes LNG bunkering operation in Port of Zeebrugge

Titan supplied newly built PCTC “Peony Leader” using bunkering vessel “Optimus”, marking the PCTC’s maiden LNG bunkering operation.

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Titan completes LNG bunkering operation in Port of Zeebrugge

LNG bunker fuel supplier Titan on Wednesday (6 November) said it has completed a LNG bunkering operation in the Port of Zeebrugge. 

Titan supplied the newly built Peony Leader Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) using Optimus – one of its LNG bunkering vessels (LBV).

“This was the maiden voyage for the Peony Leader, as well as the first time it bunkered LNG while in service. The Optimus’ crew closely supported throughout the process, providing guidance and information to the seafarers onboard the vehicle carrier,” it said in a social media post. 

“Our commercial team also visited CSP Zeebrugge to meet the new client, Chimbusco. With a greatly increasing number of PCTC newbuilds being LNG dual-fuelled, we look forward to many more successful LNG bunkering operations with Chimbusco and other shipowners in this segment.”

 

Photo credit: Titan
Published: 7 November, 2024

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