Pollution

90% of table salt include microplastics, study finds

A new study examined sea, rock, and lake salt sold around the world and found microplastics in 90% of the table salt. Namely, out of 39 salt brands tested, 36 included microplastics.

Researchers in South Korea and Greenpeace East Asia conducted the study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, used previous salt studies, to look at the spread of microplastics in table salt and how they correlate with where plastic pollution is found in the environment.

They found that human...

https://safety4sea.com/90-of-table-salt-include-microplastics-study-finds/

MethaShip Project: Renewable Methanol is ‘fuel with a future’

Much of the bunkering and transport infrastructure for Methanol already exists and can be extended further by adjustments to existing tanks and vessels

Cross-industry research finds key advantages for use of methanol in medium speed marine engines for passenger shipping

Papenburg and Brussels, 22 October 2018. The Methanol Institute has welcomed the findings of the MethaShip research project which has concluded that renewable Methanol offers a long term solution for the industry’s ambitious...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/22/173898/

Diesel spilled in fuel transfer operations off Texas

An estimated 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled into the water, during fuel transfer operations of a dredge at the Houston Ship Channel, near Buffalo Bayou, on Wednesday morning, the US Coast Guard informed.

The US Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a report from the captain of the dredge ‘Susan Crosby’ that during a fuel transfer the vessel’s tank overflowed and released an estimated 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel, just north of City Dock 45.

The source of the spill...

https://safety4sea.com/diesel-spilled-in-fuel-transfer-operations-off-texas/

Oil washed at French Riviera after ferry and container ship collision

After the collision of the ferry ‘Ulysse’ with the container ship ‘CSL Virginia’ oil had spilled along the Corsica, in France’s Riviera. Now, reports mention that thick oil has been washed up along the beaches, which volunteers try to get rid of with shovels and sacks.

The clean-up operation is occurring on beaches in Saint-Tropez and Ramatuelle. This is not the first time that Riviera is hit, as last year it faced forest fires, and now oil pollution, Roland Bruno, mayor of Ramatuelle, said.

Accor...

https://safety4sea.com/oil-washed-at-french-riviera-after-ferry-and-container-ship-collision/

ESPO publishes Environmental Report 2018 – Top 10 Environmental Priorities

Isabelle Ryckbost

18 October 2018 – ESPO presented yesterday its annual Environmental Report for 2018 at the GreenPort Congress in Valencia. The ESPO Environmental Report includes environmental performance benchmark indicators as well as the Top 10 Environmental Priorities of the European ports for 2018.

Air quality has remained the top priority of the European ports since 2013. The increased interest in the relationship with local community in position 4 of the list is relevant as air quality...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/18/espo-publishes-environmental-report-2018-top-10-environmental-priorities/

Tackling maritime emissions – IMO rolls out ship and port toolkits

To reduce emissions across the maritime sector, national authorities need to first quantify those emissions and then develop a strategy to reduce them. A new set of free-of-charge toolkits to assess and address emissions from ships and ports is now available from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the global regulatory body for shipping.

The Ship Emissions Toolkit and Port Emissions Toolkit have been developed under the GEF-UNDP-IMO Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/18/tackling-maritime-emissions-imo-rolls-out-ship-and-port-toolkits/

Diesel spill reported after vessel grounding in Louisiana

An estimated 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the marine environment, after the 145-foot offshore supply vessel ‘Candy Store’ ran aground north of Monkey Island, near Cameron, Louisiana, late Sunday night.

The US Coast Guard (USCG) personnel conducted an on-scene investigation and oversaw oil recovery operations after the incident which caused an the spill due to damage to one of the vessel’s diesel tanks.

USCG Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles and Louisiana Department of Environmental...

https://safety4sea.com/diesel-spill-reported-after-vessel-grounding-in-louisiana/

The Ocean Cleanup arrives at Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Shortly after the Dutch foundation The Ocean Cleanup announced that its System is appropriate to conduct a cleanup operation in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the team has now arrived at the scene aboard the ‘Maersk Launcher’ to tackle the world’s largest accumulation of ocean plastics.

Happening now: We have arrived at the deployment location in the heart of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and the crew is putting the system into its designated U-shape. The operation is going smoothly. More...

https://safety4sea.com/the-ocean-cleanup-arrives-at-great-pacific-garbage-patch/

1,000 gallons of fuel spilled off Louisiana after OSV runs aground

After the offshore supply vessel Candy Store ran aground north of Monkey Island, near Cameron, Louisiana, on October 14, it is estimated that 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the marine environment due to damage to one of the vessel’s diesel tanks.

USCG conducted an investigation and monitored oil recovery operations after the 145-foot offshore supply vessel Candy Store ran aground.

As an estimated  1,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the marine environment, USCG completed shore...

https://safety4sea.com/1000-gallons-of-fuel-spilled-off-louisiana-after-osv-runs-aground/

Falling BDI@1,554 creates uneasiness; wets upwards and stable…

John Faraclas

The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) lost 24 points earlier on today raising eyebrows. Geopolitics continue to be dodgy… John Faraclas’ daily briefing:

The Capes’ BCI fall of 58 points brought the respective index down at 2,106 points; once again: CAUTION!

The  Panamaxes’ BPI managed to clinch three points and now stands at 1,796; not nice…

The Supras’ BSI lost another four points (like yesterday) and now reads 1,192…

Once again the Handies’ BHSI  on the up. Two points plus are two points plus...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/17/falling-bdi1554-creates-uneasiness-wets-upwards-and-stable/

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