safe navigation

Finland releases instructions for winter navigation

The Finnish Transport Agency published instructions for winter navigation in collaboration with the industry, shipping companies, charterers, vessels, icebreakers, pilots and vessel traffic services.

Based on Finland’s maritime strategy 2014–2022, these instructions aim to ensure smooth, economically viable and internationally competitive Finnish foreign trade and domestic waterborne transport with short waiting times during the winter season.

During winter navigation ships are facing more risks...

https://safety4sea.com/finland-releases-instructions-for-winter-navigation/

SpaceX to launch satellites to track piracy activities

SpaceX will launch three satellites that will scan the world for radio signals of dark ships. The satellites belong to a startup called HawkEye 360 and aim to help monitor global activity in the oceans using geospatial information.

HawkEye 360 will have a trio of satellites and will be the first commercial operation to capture radio frequency feeds.

Hawkeye’s three satellites will have the ability to triangulate and pinpoint any given radio signal. As a result, the company aspires to have 10...

https://safety4sea.com/spacex-to-launch-satellites-to-track-piracy-activities/

Second maritime navigation support centre opens in Izmir

A new maritime traffic and navigation support centre was launched in Izmir, Turkey, aiming to allow local authorities to monitor maritime traffic in the area and therefore boost safety, security, and protection of the marine environment, in over 7000 kilometres of coastline around the Mediterranean basin​.

The centre, developed by Leonardo, was inaugurated in a ceremony held on 22 November, with attendees including the speaker of Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mr. Binali Yildirim, and the...

https://safety4sea.com/second-maritime-navigation-support-centre-opens-in-izmir/

EU project to improve ship safety in the Arctic

‘Safe maritime operations under extreme conditions: the Arctic’ (SEDNA) is a research project that is developing an innovative and integrated risk-based approach to safe Arctic navigation, ship design and operation. SEDNA has a global consortium, with 13 partners from 6 different countries, including China. It has already been launched since June 2017 and it is expected to be completed in May 2020.

The ice in the Arctic region retreats due to global warming. As a result, new maritime routes have...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-project-to-improve-ship-safety-in-the-arctic/

New maritime data to update nautical charts of Demerara River

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) handed over marine geospatial data to the Guyanese Government after a campaign of hydrographic surveying. The data, which was collected for four months between 2016 and 2017, will initially be used to update nautical charts of the Demerara River.

At first, the data will initially be used to update nautical charts of the Demerara River. This will help ships to reduce under-keel clearance and enhance cargo-carrying capacity, paving the way for increased import and...

https://safety4sea.com/new-maritime-data-to-update-nautical-charts-of-demerara-river/

IMO Sec-Gen supports STM Validation Project

During the STM Validation Project Final Conference at the IMO, in London, the IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim supported the STM. Specifically, Mr. Lim stated that STM goes hand in hand with IMO goals.

Kitack Lim expressed his full support for STM, encouraging the project to submit its results to IMO at the next possible committee meeting.

In addition, EU officials also stated that STM is very important for the EU strategy and that the 20 million euro invested in the project is a good investment.

M...

https://safety4sea.com/imo-sec-gen-supports-stm-validation-project/

Ten tips for proper lookout and safe navigation

In its latest edition of ‘The Navigator’, The Nautical Institute explores the importance for ship navigators of always keeping a good lookout by all available means, while maintaining focus and alertness. The most critical piece of equipment on the ship bridge is seafarers’ own eyes. Unfortunately this is not always the case, and when a lookout is not maintained, bad things can happen.

#10 tips for safe navigation

  1. Look out!: One of the most important functions of a Navigator is to keep a...

https://safety4sea.com/ten-tips-for-proper-lookout-and-safe-navigation/

India sees first container movement on inland waterways

Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, announced he is set to receive India’s first container cargo being transported on inland waterways. The newly constructed Multi-Modal Terminal is the first of the three Multi-Modal Terminals and two Inter-Modal Terminals being constructed on River Ganga at Varanasi, as part of the government’s aspiration to stretch the transportation of Ganga between Varanasi to Haldi allowing the navigation of large vessels.

Namely, the MMTs are being built as part...

https://safety4sea.com/india-sees-first-container-movement-on-inland-waterways/

How did the concept of AIS come up

cyber security in shipping industry

Innovations that lead to major developments require a process of collaboration and an exchange of ideas, and people willing to go the extra mile. Benny Pettersson is one of those people, who through his know-how and commitment, searched for solutions to benefit global shipping, and came up with the idea of the AIS; a vital tool for navigators on vessels globally.

Providing the backround of AIS and its creator, Tommy Gardebring notes that Benny Pettersson was raised in Klintehamn, Sweden, ans as...

https://safety4sea.com/how-did-the-concept-of-ais-come-up/

USCG allows tankers to operate certain automatic pilot systems

The US Coast Guard published a Final Rule in the Federal Register, allowing tankers with automatic pilot systems that meet certain international standards to operate using those systems in shipping safety fairways and traffic separation schemes. The rule will apply from December 5, 2018.

This rule removes the previous regulatory restriction and updates the technical requirements for automatic pilot systems.

Prohibiting the use of autopilots creates regulatory burdens for both industry and the...

https://safety4sea.com/uscg-allows-tankers-to-operate-certain-automatic-pilot-systems/

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