A selection of current maritime news – June 9 – Posted each Monday.
UN OCEANS CONFERENCE – What will UN Ocean Conference really mean? 50 countries have signed and ratified 2023 UN High Seas Treaty to protect marine life. 60 needed to implement. Ireland has signed, but yet to ratify. US has not sent high-ranking delegation to Ocean Conference. Taoiseach has said he wants Ireland to be ‘leading nation’ in global maritime policy and appears to indicate that government, which has disregarded marine sphere for many years, now appreciates that it and fishing industry are important to the country. Will there be more concentration on maritime matters?
MOVING SHIPPING TO NET ZERO – The Global shipping industry is preparing for net-zero transformation that will have sector-wide impact on supply chains, business models, ships, ports and maritime workforce, according to the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, the United Nations body for regulating international shipping. Arsenio Dominguez said shipping industry requires significant investment in technology and alternative fuels to achieve net-zero transformation and sector-wide change. He was speaking at the Blue Economy Finance Forum in Monaco. IMO approved new regulations for net-zero ship fuels and emissions in April, set for adoption in October.
ELECTRIC CAR FIRES – Morning Midas, bound from China to Mexico, was abandoned in mid-Pacific 300 miles southwest of Aleutian Islands after crew was unable to control fire aboard. Crew rescued uninjured by merchant ship. Managed by London-based Zodiac Maritime, it was reported carrying 3,048 vehicles, including 70 fully electric and 681 partial hybrid electric. Smoke poured from ship for several days. Electric vehicles re concern for shipping industry. There have been several reports of car fires aboardship. Photo US Coast Guard
SHIP BURSTS INTO FLAME OFF INDIA – India Coast Guard rescued crew from ship en route to Mumbai which erupted in flames, forcing abandonment off southern coast. Other crew missing. Search operation underway.. Photo India Coast Guard.
UK SHIPPING MYSTERY SOLVED – A 137-year shipping tragedy mystery has been solved in UK waters after diver and explorer Dom Robinson identified SS Nantes, off Plymouth, examining the wreck site and finding crockery. In November 1888, Nantes, owned by Cunard Steamship Company, collided with German sailing vessel, Theodor Ruger. 23 crew died. Location of wreck had been lost.
BRITTAS IS YOUNG NATIONAL MARITIME EXPLORER ——– Brittas Bay Mixed National School, Co. Wicklow, has won Marine Institute Explorers Ocean Champion Award for 2024-2025 for its STEAM project- ‘Why Keeping the Ocean Healthy Matters in Education.’ “Exceptional commitment to marine education and ocean stewardship,” says Institute. Photo MI
PINK SALMON WARNING – Inland Fisheries Ireland has asked anglers to report sightings of Pacific pink salmon in Irish rivers this summer. IFI says they “pose threat to native species.” Photo IFI
