Eleftherios (Lefteris) VALERGAKIS’ Post

In May 2024, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 708) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted new amendments to the SOLAS Convention, which require the mandatory reporting of containers lost at sea. The new amendments are expected to be effective from 7 January 2026. It is expected that the recent amendments to the SOLAS Convention will bring improvements in maritime safety and mitigate environmental risks via a centralised governmental platform. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/emFzk6rx For more information on our Logistics capabilities, speak to Matthew Gore, or visit: https://lnkd.in/eGd9CQqx #Logistics #SOLASConvention #InternationalMaritimeOrganisation #MaritimeSafety #LostAtSea

🌊🚢 **How Does IMO’s Ship Safety Treaty Make a Difference?** 🚢🌊 As we navigate the complexities of global trade and maritime operations, the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) ship safety treaty, particularly the SOLAS Convention, stands out as a cornerstone of maritime safety. Here’s how SOLAS makes a significant impact: 1. **Standardization of Safety Regulations:** SOLAS establishes a unified set of safety standards for all signatory countries, ensuring consistency across international waters. 2. **Enhanced Safety Measures:** The treaty mandates essential safety protocols, from lifeboat requirements to fire safety measures, significantly reducing the risk of maritime accidents. 3. **Protection of Lives at Sea:** By enforcing stringent regulations, SOLAS aims to safeguard the lives of crew members and passengers aboard merchant vessels. 4. **Emergency Preparedness:** Regular safety drills and emergency response plans are required, ensuring crews are well-prepared for potential emergencies. 5. **Environmental Protection:** While focused on safety, SOLAS also minimizes the risk of maritime accidents that could lead to environmental pollution. 6. **International Cooperation:** The treaty encourages collaboration among nations, fostering information sharing and collective efforts to enhance maritime safety globally. 7. **Continuous Improvement:** With its tacit acceptance procedure, SOLAS evolves with advancements in technology and changes in maritime practices, ensuring it remains relevant and effective. In an era where global shipping is vital for economies, the importance of SOLAS cannot be overstated. It not only protects lives but also promotes sustainable practices within the maritime industry. Let’s continue to support and advocate for robust maritime safety standards! 🌍⚓️ #MaritimeSafety #SOLAS #IMO #ShippingIndustry #GlobalTrade #SafetyFirst #SustainableShipping

Maritime World Days - 25 June 2024 Throughout history, people have understood that international regulations that are followed by many countries worldwide could improve marine safety so many treaties have been adopted since the 19th century. Various countries proposed for a permanent international body to be established to promote maritime safety more effectively but it was not until the UN was established that these hopes were realized. An international conference in Geneva in 1948 adopted a convention formally establishing the IMO, a specialized UN agency that develops and maintains a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping. The IMO’s original name was the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) but the name was changed in 1982 to IMO. The IMO focuses on areas such as safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping. World Maritime Day was first held on March 17, 1978 to mark the date of the IMO Convention’s entry into force in 1958. At that time, the organization had 21 member states. It now has about 167 member states and three associate members. This membership includes virtually all the nations of the world with an interest in maritime affairs, including those involved in the shipping industry and coastal states with an interest in protecting their maritime environment.

Insightful article illustrating IMO regulations that will come into effect in 2025. #shipping #marine #maritime #imo https://lnkd.in/dgYM_gcU

The theme also reflects IMO’s work to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment, whilst ensuring its regulatory development process safely anticipates the fast pace of technological change and innovation. Furthermore, 2024 marks 50 years since the adoption of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, the key IMO treaty regulating maritime safety.

1️⃣ year at the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union! Some of the highlights have been the conclusion of negotiations on key dossiers in the #Transport sector at the Council of the EU, including: ✅Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) Regulation ✅Intelligent Transport Systems Directive ✅Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (AFIR) Regulation and looking forward to continue working on: ✅Reaching the Vision Zero Objectives through Commission’s Road Safety Package ✅Decarbonising the transport sector throught the Greening Freight Package, specifically the Weights & Dimensions Directive and Combined Transport Directive ✅Enhancing and harmonising Passenger Rights across our Union

From 1 January 2025, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation will apply in full. EMSA has been supporting the implementation of FuelEU Maritime for many months now with technical expertise and the development and enhancement of the reporting platform, THETIS-MRV. Articles 8 and 9 of the Regulation, which laid out the requirements related to the submission of monitoring plans, have been in force from 31 August 2024. By that point, THETIS-MRV had already been adapted and updated with new developments to enable shipping companies to comply with their reporting obligations. Further THETIS-MRV deployments are scheduled in line with the requirements of the Regulation, including the submission of partial FuelEU emission reports in case of transfers of companies. Together with the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) at the European Commission, EMSA has also developed a wide range of resources to assist maritime stakeholders with the changes under the Regulation. A dedicated helpdesk has also been made available through the email address fitfor55(at)emsa.europa.eu and maritimesupportservices(at)emsa.europa.eu. Find out more about FuelEU Maritime in our information hub: https://lnkd.in/d28KcKQZ

Exploring the Interplay: ECSA and the European Union 🇪🇺⚓🤝 In the vast landscape of European integration and cooperation, the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) 🚢 and the European Union (EU) 🌍 stand out for their distinctive roles and contributions. While the ECSA champions the maritime sector, advocating for a competitive, safe, and environmentally sustainable European shipping industry 🍃, the EU casts a wider net, fostering collaboration across myriad sectors among its member states. 🔹 The ECSA, representing shipowners from EU member states plus Norway and Switzerland, serves as the vital voice of the shipping industry, engaging with EU institutions to shape policies that impact maritime trade 🌊, environmental standards 🌿, and shipping regulation 📜. 🔹 On the broader stage, the EU orchestrates policies that ensure the prosperity, stability, and security of its members, spanning areas from trade and transportation 🛣️ to environmental protection and social policy 🏛️. The synergy between these entities underscores the importance of sector-specific advocacy within the EU's extensive policy framework, ensuring that specialized industries like maritime shipping receive focused attention and tailored policy responses 🎯. For professionals in European affairs, maritime industry, policy advocacy, or international trade, understanding this dynamic is key to grasping the nuances of European collaboration and industry-specific advocacy 🌐. #ECSA #EuropeanUnion #MaritimeIndustry #PolicyAdvocacy #EuropeanIntegration

Maritime Experts Reject Calls to Place Kenya Maritime Authority Under Kenya Ports Authority Maritime experts have dismissed recent calls to place the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) under the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), describing the suggestions as misguided and uninformed. This debate surfaced after… #KMA #KPA >>> Read more

Suez Canal Authority and INTERCARGO Discuss Strategic Collaboration Amid Regional Tensions Shipping Arabia, July 04, 2024 — In a strategic move to bolster maritime collaboration, Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, held a video conference with Mr. Kostas Gkonis, Secretary General of INTERCARGO, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners. The discussion centered on enhancing cooperative efforts and addressing the ongoing challenges in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb region. The meeting included senior officials such as Mr. Dimitris Moniours, Vice Chairman of the Technical Committee at INTERCARGO, and Mr. Xian Yong, Director of Operations at INTERCARGO. Representing the Suez Canal Authority were Dr. Fathy Abdel Bari, Director of Planning, Research, and Studies, and Engineer Nashat Nasr El-Din, Director of Movements Department. Together, they explored ways to refine navigation policies and develop joint operational mechanisms that could lessen the regional crises’ impact on global trade flows. Admiral Rabie emphasized the Suez Canal Authority's proactive approach in maintaining open lines of communication with maritime stakeholders and coordinating with international maritime organizations. He detailed the adverse effects of the current regional tensions on global trade, including escalating shipping and fuel costs and significant delays in the delivery of goods. In response, the Authority has taken comprehensive measures, including the enhancement of maritime rescue operations, ship maintenance, and marine ambulance services, alongside ongoing development projects for the canal’s infrastructure and fleet. Mr. Kostas Gkonis affirmed INTERCARGO’s commitment to maritime safety, stressing the importance of safeguarding the wellbeing of marine crews, ships, and cargoes. He voiced his anticipation for continued collaboration with the Suez Canal Authority to keep the association’s members, encompassing over 3,000 ships, well-informed of the latest developments in the region and to provide necessary support to navigate the prevailing security challenges. Mr. Xian Yong praised the Suez Canal Authority’s efforts to mitigate the crisis’s impact, highlighting the importance of collective action to develop effective strategies during these turbulent times. Additionally, Mr. Dimitris Moniours noted INTERCARGO’s vigilant monitoring of the situation and its implications for international maritime navigation. INTERCARGO, which represents 157 members from 30 countries, works closely with international regulatory bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to develop and influence global maritime legislation, ensuring that the interests of the maritime community are well-represented and advanced at the international level. Source: Suez Canal Authority #SuezCanal #Maritime #IMO #INTERCARGO #Shipping