EU

Three projects drive alternative fuels uptake in Eastern Mediterranean

Three European Commission co-funded initiatives: Poseidon Med II, CYnergy and Elemed, are leading the uptake of alternative fuels in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Poseidon Med II

Poseidon Med II aims to promote LNG as a safe, environmentally efficient and viable alternative fuel for shipping and help the East Mediterranean marine transportation propel towards a low carbon future.

The project involves three countries: Greece, Italy and Cyprus, six European ports (Piraeus, Patras, Lemesos,...

https://safety4sea.com/three-projects-drive-alternative-fuels-uptake-in-eastern-mediterranean/

EU funded program funds new sail system for autonomous boats

Marine-i, an EU funded program created to advance marine innovation in Cornwall, has made a grant award to the Falmouth-based company, Kiote. This company has created a new concept in sail technology that can propel an autonomous vessel.

Kiote created a sail system that can propel an autonomous vessel while also providing stability in rough seas. The system could be automatically controlled and offer zero-fuel, long-range, high-speed propulsion.

This system aims to address the fact that...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-funded-program-funds-new-sail-system-for-autonomous-boats/

EU approves Denmark’s tonnage tax scheme extension

The European Commission has approved the extension of the current Danish tonnage tax scheme to additional types of vessels. This aims to encourage ship registration in Europe and contribute to the global competitiveness of the sector without distorting competition.

Denmark will also change its existing scheme to make sure that it applies only to genuine maritime shipping activities by limiting revenues from non-core activities to an acceptable level.

Commissioner Margrethe Vestager stated:

Denmark’...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-approves-denmarks-tonnage-tax-scheme-extension/

EU proposes measure to protect deep-sea species in North-East Atlantic

The European Commission (EC) has proposed Total Allowable Catches (TAC) for a number of species for 2019 and 2020, in order to restore deep-sea fish stocks in the North-East Atlantic. These new measures will enable stocks to rebuild to sustainable levels.

EC’s proposal is based on precautionary scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), and considers the obligation for fishermen to bring to land all catches as of 1st January 2019.

The proposal reduces...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-proposes-measure-to-protect-deep-sea-species-in-north-east-atlantic/

EU funds project for LNG retrofit on five ferries

The European Union has approved Baleària’s project, after the company submitted it to the call of funds CEF (Connecting Europe Facility). This project aims to retrofit five ferries of Baleària so that they can run on LNG.

The European Commission granted to the Baleària € 11,797,424 for the retrofit of the ships, which will be carried out from the end of 2018 until 2021.

The European Union highlighted that the project addresses ‘the objectives of Regulation 1315/2013 regarding efficiency,...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-funds-project-for-lng-retrofit-on-five-ferries/

Watch: A look into the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

The video, published by the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), focuses on one of the objectives of the Strategy – Save the Sea, aiming to address threats to marine biodiversity and food web structures, such as eutrophication, invasive species and hazardous substances.

The EUSBSR, approved by the European Council in 2009 following a communication from the European Commission, is the first Macro-regional Strategy in Europe. The Strategy is divided into three objectives,...

https://safety4sea.com/watch-a-look-into-the-eu-strategy-for-the-baltic-sea-region/

EU grants €21.4 million for Tallinn-Helsinki maritime link upgrade

The EU has approved a EUR 21.4 million funding for infrastructure upgrade at the Estonian port of Tallinn and Finnish port of Helsinki, together with the City of Helsinki and the passenger ship operators Tallink, Viking Line and Eckerö Line. The funding was secured under the 2017 CEF Transport Blending Call for proposals and the total cost of the planned investments is EUR 71.2 million.

Tallinn-Helsinki line is one of the busiest international passenger-lines in the world, serving nearly nine...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-grants-e21-4-million-for-tallinn-helsinki-maritime-link-upgrade/

Brexit implications for maritime security

The Irish Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport published a notice regarding European Commission’s Brexit Preparedness Notices, including one on the impact on maritime security.

Ahead of Brexit and the uncertainties that come with it, especially regarding the content of a possible withdrawal agreement, Ireland reminded operators of maritime transport services are reminded of the legal repercussions, which need to be considered when the UK leaves the EU.

Namely, as of the withdrawal date on...

https://safety4sea.com/brexit-implications-for-maritime-security/

Contract awarded for the Świnoujście-Szczecin widening

Dutch dredging contractor Van Oord and Dredging International, a DEME Group subsidiary, have been awarded a major contract for the modernization of the Świnoujście – Szczecin fairway in Poland. The contract covers the deepening and widening of the fairway along a section of approximately 62 km.

The investment by the Maritime Office in Szczecin is intended to improve access to the Szczecin seaport and increase the port capacity to handle a growing volume of cargo.

The project is a design and build...

https://safety4sea.com/contract-awarded-for-the-swinoujscie-szczecin-widening/

EU funds €3.5 billion to three offshore wind farms in Belgium

The European Commission has decided that the Belgian plans to support three offshore wind farm projects are complying with EU State aid rules. The measure will improve EU energy and climate goals without distorting competition in the Single Market.

For this reason, the Commission approved under EU State aid rules Belgium’s support of a maximum of €3.5 billion to the Mermaid (235 Megawatt), Seastar (252 Megawatt) and Northwester2 (219 Megawatt) offshore wind farms, located in the Belgian...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-funds-e3-5-billion-to-three-offshore-wind-farms-in-belgium/

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