Environment – Page 6 – Professional Mariner

01 Mar

AWO urges Gov. Newsom to delay enforcing CARB rule

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEnvironment, Regulation, Tugboats and towing

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — In a Feb. 22 letter, Jennifer Carpenter, president and CEO of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), asked California Gov. Gavin Newsom to delay deadlines or enforcement of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) commercial harbor craft rule due to safety issues and lack of the EPA-required authorization. Carpenter pointed out that technical experts have not approved diesel…

29 Feb

U.S. launches $3 billion program to cut port pollution

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEnvironment, Ports

(WASHINGTON) — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday announced the launch of the $3 billion Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure to tackle the climate crisis and improve air quality at U.S. ports. The funding opportunities were created under the Inflation Reduction Act – the largest climate investment in history – and will advance environmental…

27 Feb

33 shippers hailed for slowing to reduce whale strikes

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEnvironment, shipping

(WASHINGTON) — Thirty-three shipping companies have received awards for reducing speeds last year in the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program. The voluntary incentive program ran May 1 through Dec. 15 to reduce fatal ship strikes to endangered whales, and to reduce air pollution, regional greenhouse gas emissions and underwater noise. Vessels from participating companies transited at 10 knots…

23 Feb

Understanding the IMO’s new guidance on biofouling

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsbiofouling, Environment, shipping

(ARENDAL, Norway) — The revised International Maritime Organization (IMO) Biofouling Guidelines came into force in 2023 and provide updated guidance on how to prevent the spread of marine invasive species. Here are the key recommendations. Marine invasive species infestations are a major threat to the world’s oceans and to the conservation of biodiversity. They can be triggered by marine hull…

23 Feb

Coast Guard program aims to protect Salish Sea whales

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEnvironment, shipping, U.S. Coast Guard

(SEATTLE) — U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound has introduced a four-year pilot program to mitigate adverse impacts of vessel traffic on endangered and threatened whales in the Salish Sea. The program will receive reports of whale sightings by mariners via the Puget Sound Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) and provide near real-time data about the location of whales to mariners…

30 Oct

Marine Research Hub honors innovation, sustainability at FLIBS

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsEnvironment

(FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.) — The Marine Research Hub, in collaboration with the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), announced the recipients of the first MRH Innovation & Sustainability Awards at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) 2023. This accolade celebrates companies and organizations within the marine industry that have demonstrated remarkable dedication and ingenuity in developing solutions to safeguard…

20 Jul

San Diego raises bar with new electric harbor cranes

Rich MillerMaritime NewsClimate change, Environment, Ports

(SAN DIEGO) — The Port of San Diego’s two new all-electric Gottwald Generation 6 mobile harbor cranes from Konecranes have been delivered to the port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT). The new cranes are the first of their kind in North America and will help the port improve public health and air quality, a significant milestone in bringing cleaner air…

19 Jul

Port of Tacoma’s new goal: Phase out GHGs by 2040

Rich MillerMaritime NewsEnvironment, Ports

(TACOMA, Wash.) — The Port of Tacoma Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to phase out greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the port’s direct control by 2040, accelerating the target from 2050. The commission addressed what are called Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gases, which represent direct emissions from port-owned and operated buildings and vehicles, and electricity purchased for port…

26 Jun

Day of the Seafarer highlights role in ocean protection

Rich MillerMaritime NewsEnvironment, IMO, Licensing and training

(LONDON) — The urgent need to protect the world's oceans and the habitats within them is, nowadays, well understood. So, too, is the need for a sustainable shipping industry to ensure the essential transportation of goods and commodities across the globe, and of passengers. Hundreds of thousands of seafarers bear witness every day to changes in the marine environment due…

15 Jun

IMO moves ahead on Polar Code, autonomous ships

Rich MillerMaritime NewsEnvironment, IMO, shipping

(LONDON) — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced on Tuesday that new requirements concerning safety of navigation and voyage planning for non-SOLAS ships operating in polar waters are expected to enter into force on Jan. 1, 2026. The announcement follows the adoption of a first set of amendments to the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code)…