24 MAR 2024 The eighty-first session of the Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization concluded on Friday after a week of meetings in London with what at best was being called a “step forward” or “progress toward the goals” for reducing shipping’s carbon emissions. While the …
Read More »HOUTHI ATTACKS IN THE RED SEA ARE LIKELY TO PERSIST: THEY’RE POPULAR
23 MAR 2024 Since mid-November 2023 the shipping route through the Red Sea has been disrupted by a series of attacks on vessels by Yemen’s Houthi movement, recently designated as a terrorist organisation by the US government. The Houthis have presented their attacks as retaliation for Israel’s military assault in …
Read More »IRAN THREATENS TANKERS AS PANAMA DENIES REGISTERING IRANIAN-OWNED VESSELS
22 MAR 2024 Iran is renewing its threats against tankers and retaliation for actions by the United States to “interfere” with the transportation of Iranian oil. The latest statements came in response to the U.S.’s move in February to seize another shipment of 500,000 barrels of Iranian fuel oil valued …
Read More »MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN SEAFARERS
21 MAR 2024 Mental health issues in seafarers have always been a concern, but the impact of COVID-19 heightened these issues even more and brought the issue into the open. Crew members faced a multitude of additional stressors while at sea during COVID, including concerns about family at home (especially …
Read More »SUSPECTED PIRATES APPROACH BULKER AS EU AGAIN WARNS OF INCREASED DANGERS
20 MAR 2024 An unidentified Liberian-flagged bulker reported it was approached by suspected pirates but was able to fend off an attack today in the Gulf of Aden hundreds of miles east of Somalia. The approach comes as EUNAVFOR and the Maritime Security Center for the Horn of Africa continue …
Read More »FDA APPROVES WEGOVY FOR HEART CONDITIONS IN GAME-CHANGING MOVE
18 MAR 2024 The US Food and Drug Administration has given the green light for a popular anti-obesity drug to be used to prevent serious heart conditions for the first time, in a move likely to expand insurance coverage. Wegovy, produced by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, was approved “to …
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