Maritime Vessels Directory

The Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area (ECA) for sulphur oxides enters into effect on 1 May.This will make the Mediterranean Sea the fifth ECA for sulphur oxides in the world.In the Mediterranean Sea, it means ships will have to use marine fuel with lower sulphur content, down from 0.5% (a global requirement) to a maximum of 0.1%.Sulphur oxide emissions lead to sea and land acidification and contribute to fine dust, which is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.Sulphur oxide emissions in the EU have decreased by approximately 70% since 2014, primarily due to the establishment of an ECA in Northern Europe.

Deep-sea mining firm The Metals Co asked the Trump administration on Tuesday to approve its plans to mine the international seabed, making it the first such company to seek the government's permission to operate outside U.S. territorial waters.Last week President Donald Trump signed an order aiming to jumpstart mining in both domestic and international waters in an attempt to boost U.S. access to critical minerals and reduce China's market control.The move ratchets up tension between Washington and the United Nations-backed International Seabed Authority, which has been crafting mining standards for more than a decade, while China objected to the order as a violation of international law.

The Unified Command, consisting of the US Coast Guard, Spectrum OpCo (Operator), and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office (LOSCO), continue to respond an oil and natural gas release in coastal Louisiana.This spill occurred on April 26 in a marsh environment near the Garden Island Bay Production Facility company's well in Plaquemines Parish, southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana.The Unified Command has more than 150 responders supporting response efforts. This includes the deployment of six MARCO skimmers, four drum skimmers and a variety of recovery storage equipment.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding christened and launched the first of two large car ferries ordered by Shinnihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd. and Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT). The ceremony took place at the Enoura Plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The new ferry will serve on a shipping route between the city of Otaru in Hokkaido and Maizuru in Kyoto Prefecture.At the ceremony Shinnihonkai Ferry President Yasuo Iritani christened the new ferry KEYAKI" the Japanese word for a species of native Zelkova trees. The ceremonial rope cut was performed by soprano Ayako Tanaka.

The US Coast Guard Station Sand Key and partner agency crews responded to a vessel collision involving the Clearwater Ferry and a recreational boat on Sunday evening off Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge in Florida.  There were reportedly 45 people on the ferry and six people on the recreational vessel.  One ferry passenger was reported deceased, and 12 people were transported to local hospitals for care.  The recreational boat did not stay at the crash scene.Coast Guard investigative officers are working to determine the cause of the collision and verify the details leading up to the incident.