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NEW VENUE | NEW FORMAT | NEW IDEAS | NEW OPPORTUNITIES | NEW ERA

We use the timeframe of 2020 as a watershed moment for our industry, but what does it really portend?  In addition to the seismic shift of IMO’s Sulphur 2020, there will be other trends that will also require our attention:

Sulphur and Decarbonization- we are less than one year away from Sulphur 2020, and 4 years away from the IMO’s deadline to submit a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG).  The industry is in the process of deciding which option to choose for Sulphur 2020, with a great deal of polarization “to scrub or not to scrub”.  Given the narrowing window of opportunity, I hope most are ready to implement their decision, so we can move onto the more complex consideration of reducing GHGs.  Stay tuned!!

Ocean Sustainability – impacts on our oceans will continue to be in the headlights moving forward, from the issues surrounding ballast water, to bio fouling (we have spent the last 15 years looking at the critters on the inside of the ship, and now will be looking at the critters on the outside!) and aquatic noise.  Expect to hear more about these initiatives!

Cybersecurity- I just left a seminar in Athens which also covered cyber threats.  Frankly, I was stunned when one of the owners stated he didn’t see it as a threat “because it hasn’t happened yet in shipping”!!  With more and more elements of a ship becoming digitalized, the vulnerability grows!  While the IMO is requiring a cyber security management plan incorporated into a ship’s ISM Code by 2021, why wait???!

Digitalization- This same shipowner also stated that he didn’t believe digitalization was an important element in shipping operations!!  Now, this fellow probably grew up with a Nintendo and a PlayStation, so his denial of the impact and efficiencies of digitalization flummoxes me!  I don’t know whether to give him the Ostrich Award, or the Lemon!  I certainly don’t expect his company to thrive as his competitors adopt more technologies!!

Blockchain, blockchain, blockchain- I believe that blockchain technology will revolutionize the WAY in which shipping does business.  There are tremendous economic efficiencies to be derived, not to mention the security and immutability of information.  Whether for regulatory reporting, S&P, or chartering, blockchain is the next transformation to hit our industry.

So much to do—and so little time!!

Keep optimizing,

Carleen

• Interview with Anuj Chopra, Vice President- Americas of RightShip
• Trends
• Sulphur
• Scrubbers
• Blockchain
• Fuels
• GHG Economic Impacts
• SHIPPINGInsight Updates

Top 10 issues concerning the future of shipping

2019-01-15 – 2019 kicked off with the data collection on fuel oil consumption, alternative mechanisms to comply with the 2020 Sulphur cap, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, the IMSBC Code 2017 amendment as well as amendments designating North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs. With many more regulations and developments still yet to come, nations from all across the globe, ship operators and crew are going through a key period because of ten major issues that will have significant impact over the next ten years in the shipping industry. . . READ MORE

Norway issues fines for breaching sulphur regulations

2019-01-21 – The Norwegian Maritime Authority issued five fines for breaching sulphur regulations during 2018 in comparison with two in 2017. Except the five violation fines, NMA sent three additional notices for breach sulphur regulations, which are being processed for the time being. . . READ MORE

Fujairah latest to ban open-loop scrubbers

2019-01-23 – The port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, a major bunkering hub, has banned the use of open-loop scrubbers, following a growing numbers of ports around the globe. . . READ MORE

CSA 2020 advises not to single out scrubbers without scientific facts

2019-01-24 – The Clean Shipping Alliance (CSA) 2020 has called upon the global maritime industry not to single out scrubber wash waters when coastal states and port authorities adopt local regulations to lessen the impact of ship operations on their ports and harbours. Responding to reports that coastal states and ports are implementing rules that ‘restrict the discharge of wash waters’, CSA highlights that most ports and harbours already have discharge requirements which have been in place for years. . . READ MORE

MPA Singapore develops inter-operability framework for electronic trade documents

2019-01-23 – MPA Singapore has announced the development of an inter-operability framework for electronic trade documents for the maritime and trade industries, which is expected to boost Singapore’s standing as a global maritime hub. This was announced by Dr. Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health, on the sidelines of the Singapore Shipping Association’s (SSA) Annual Lunar New Year Cocktail Reception, along with another initiative, the Singapore War Risks Insurance Conditions (SWRIC) aimed at enhancing Singapore’s maritime insurance offerings. . . READ MORE

Port Authority of Bay of Algeciras joins Tradelens

2019-01-23 – The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) will cooperate with IBM on Tradelens, the digital platform based on blockchain that IBM and Maersk have developed. By the end of 2018, over 100 organizations and 20 port operators have joined Tradelens. . . READ MORE

Blockchain evolution must focus on problem solving

2019-01-25- Having been involved in the industry for over 18 years I have seen first-hand the problems that owners, operators and charterers face. Being involved in a software company I can also see that there are valid solutions available to us now in order to solve some of these problems. . . READ MORE

LNG Seen as Box Shipping’s Fuel of the Future, But is There a Cleaner Solution?

2019-01-24 – LNG delivers the best return on investment (ROI) for container shipping lines, according to a new study, commissioned by the collaborative industry foundation SEA\LNG. . . READ MORE

Understanding the Economic Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Policies on Shipping

2019-01-22 – The initial International Maritime Organization (IMO) strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships (“Strategy”) stipulates that any GHG reduction measure should be considered in the light of its impacts on States. This means that these impacts should be assessed and taken into account as appropriate before adoption of the measure. The Strategy further notes that the impact assessment procedure should be specified and agreed on as a matter of urgency as part of the follow-up actions and that disproportionately negative impacts should be assessed and addressed as appropriate. . . READ MORE