Recent research conducted by the 2018 SAFETY4SEA Technology Award winner, Inmarsat, finds maritime industry more amenable to adopting analytic, management and operational tools applied through IoT than many commentators have supposed. But how IoT-based solutions can offer the industry a way of solving problems in response to rising future challenges?

Mr. Kyriacos Gregoriou, Marine Surveyor, DMS Cyprus, highlighted hot debated issues concerning the 2020 Global 0.5% sulphur cap challenge. He began his presentation with an overview of the SOx regulations examining later what the global limit actually means for ships and how these can meet low Sulphur emissions standards.

ABB Marine & Ports is about to launch a new cyber security laboratory following the stricter maritime cyber security rules which enter into force on January 1, 2021.

As the IMO's 2021 to the IBC Code (MEPC.318(74) and MSC.460(101)) are entering into force on 1st January, offshore supply vessels that intend to carry NLS on international voyages after that date will be required to meet the carriage requirements listed in the OSV Chemical Code or approved equivalents, USCG advised through a new information bulletin (MSIB 24-20). 

Russian technology company Kronshtadt Technologies has signes agreements to equip several domestic cargo and passenger ships with autonomous navigation systems.

CMA CGM's containership, CMA CGM Mumbai, crashed into a dock at JNPT in India. The incident took place on Saturday, October 13, while the ship was trying to berth at the port. According to international sources, a problem in the steering system led to the collision. The ship and the dock sustained minor damages.

​A mandatory requirement for national governments to introduce electronic information exchange between ships and ports comes into effect from 8 April 2019, as the IMO's Facilitation Committee meets for its 43rd session, on 8-12 April. The aim is to make cross-border trade simpler and the logistics chain more efficient.

In response to the situation with regard to COVID-19, the members States of the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU have decided to postpone the CIC for 2020. This year, the CIC would have been focused on stability (in general).

During the first day of the Marine Insurance London conference, International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) urged that the fires onboard containerships continue to be a major issue.

This time, our special column, in association with The North of England P&I Club, sheds focus on the IMDG Code asking industry experts whether its implementation has been effective in preventing container fire incidents so far.