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Captain Ian Finley, a respected maritime professional with decades of experience, was honored with the prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2023. Recognized for his contributions to maritime legislation and international cooperation, Captain Finley’s dedication to advancing maritime goals was commended by the IMO Secretary-General. His acceptance speech highlighted the importance of collaboration.
Mumbai recently hosted the ISWAN seminar 2024 at the Maritime Training Institute, bringing together maritime stakeholders to address pressing issues affecting seafarers and their families. With various discussions spanning family support, fraudulent crew agents, and decarbonization impacts, the seminar emphasized industry collaboration to improve welfare initiatives and support seafarers’ well-being.
The Northern Lights JV has received the first of four CO2 transport ships, the Northern Pioneer, from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC). This vessel is designed to transport liquefied CO2 from Europe to the Northern Lights terminal in Norway. It marks a significant milestone as the first company to offer commercial CO2 transport and storage services.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has introduced the “Harit Sagar” Green Port Guidelines to reduce carbon intensity in major ports. The guidelines offer incentives for sustainability, such as discounts on berth fees for eco-friendly ships. State Pollution Control Boards monitor environmental compliance.
The historic Bali Jatra festival, celebrating Odisha’s maritime legacy, made its debut in the UK at Townley Grammar School, Bexley. Hosted by the Odisha Society of United Kingdom (OSUK), the event attracted over 500 attendees, including dignitaries, cultural figures, and community leaders from both the UK and India.
The Cruise Bharat Mission launched by the central government aims to boost cruise tourism in India, targeting one million passengers and 400,000 jobs by 2029. The mission includes financial incentives, relaxing cabotage laws, and establishing a special fund. Three phases will focus on developing new cruise terminals, marinas, and destinations.
India is gearing up to strengthen its presence in the global merchant shipping sector by hosting the first-ever Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue in New Delhi. With representatives from over 60 countries expected to participate, the conference aims to showcase India’s growing role in international maritime affairs and trade.
A recent report from UNIDIR suggests the need for a dedicated UN body on maritime security. Current structures lack the mandate to address global maritime issues effectively. The report proposes a new mechanism to coordinate efforts. Dr. Bueger emphasizes the importance of structured initiatives to enhance maritime security and ensure global stability.
Captain Daniel Joseph of the Directorate General of Shipping in India highlighted the Sagar Mein Samman initiative at the MaritimeSheEO Conference in Mumbai. This initiative focuses on the welfare and protection of women seafarers, with guidelines established in 2019 and gender sensitivity training for cadets in 2023.
Seatrium and ITE in Singapore have launched a Digital Learning Lab focusing on practical skills in energy and engineering, digital advancements, and problem-solving. The curriculum includes courses on Digital Yard Technology and AI applications. The partnership aims to provide learning opportunities, internships, and certifications for students, with a commitment to support low-income families.
NYK Line and MTI have collaborated to develop a patent-pending technology for monitoring the transportation of reduced iron on bulk carriers. The technology utilizes IoT to gather real-time environmental data from cargo holds, helping minimize risks like overheating and explosions. This proactive approach aims to enhance safety and efficiency in seaborne transportation.
Denmark has taken a significant step towards protecting its marine environment by introducing a bill to ban the discharge of scrubber water into its territorial waters. The decision, effective July 1, 2025, aims to reduce harmful substances in the marine ecosystem and aligns with efforts by other countries to promote sustainable shipping practices.
Danish maritime digitalization company Danelec and e-navigation software supplier NAVTOR have partnered to enhance maritime operations digitalization. By integrating Danelec’s data collection infrastructure with NAVTOR’s Digital Logbook solution, the collaboration aims to streamline data collection and automated record-keeping, improving operational efficiency and data accuracy in the maritime industry.
The latest Seafarer Happiness Index Report from the Mission to Seafarers shows an increase in satisfaction among seafarers, but also highlights the need for more practical training to address challenges at sea. While progress has been made, concerns remain about work-life balance, fatigue, and the relevance of current training programs.
Odisha’s maritime heritage is a vibrant reality that has left an indelible mark on the state’s cultural landscape. Sailors from the ancient kingdom of Kalinga, present-day Odisha, traversed vast oceans with ships laden with spices, textiles, and cultural treasures. Odisha, where rituals and festivals like Kartika Purnima, Boita Bandana Utsav, and Bali Yatra pay tribute to Odisha’s seafaring past.
