Shipowners look to IMO for next steps on CO2 file

Members of the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee agreed yesterday on a compromise position on the monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of CO2 emissions from maritime transport, […]

Increasing the attractiveness of maritime careers in Europe

In the last decade the shipping industry has on several occasions warned against an impending shortage of qualified labour on board EU-flagged ships. The relative attractiveness of the seafaring profession has steadily decreased […]

Bullying & harassment: the journey is not yet over

Far from being specific to the shipping sector, bullying and harassment are phenomena, the consequences of which can be exacerbated due to the very nature of the seafaring profession. Indeed, shipping is […]

EU sanctions on Iran partially suspended

EU Member States have decided to suspend for at least six months a number of EU sanctions applicable to Iran following an international agreement with Tehran on its nuclear programme, reached on 10 January. In 2012 EU […]

Major reshuffle in EU co-funding programmes

The EU until recently supported the integration of transport networks in what is called the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) through specialized TEN-T funding awarded for specific national or cross-border projects, including Motorways of the Sea […]

EU to spearhead international efforts to fight Somali piracy

On the 1st of January the European Union assumed the chairmanship of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), as part of  a one-year rotation system.

Shipping mobilises to alleviate plight of Philippines

Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in early November 2013, leaving behind it an unprecedented trail of destruction. The European shipping community mobilised immediately to provide Filippino seafarers […]

Commission adopts clean air package

On 18 December, the European Commission has adopted a clean air package for Europe, aiming at reducing the emissions of air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), methane (CH4) and […]

Warning to Member States failing to meet commitments

The European Commission has hinted at the possibility of taking measures, including possible infringement proceedings, against Member States that have failed to ratify international maritime conventions, such as the 2007 Nairobi Wreck Removal […]

EU Ministers adopt balanced approach on MRV

On 13 December, the second formal Environment Council under the Lithuanian Presidency took place in Brussels. EU environment ministers discussed the draft Regulation on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of CO2 emissions from maritime […]