The fatal grounding of Costa Concordia cruise ship in the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in 32 deaths, 64 serious injuries, and a ship total loss. The casualty remains a classic example of how human error, lack of alertness and failure of compliance with procedures can lead to maritime disasters.

Although, it sounds difficult to happen, the danger of somebody fall off of the ship - while working on deck - is hidden almost in any procedure taking place on vessel’s open space area.

It is believed that steering systems don’t show any fundamental complexity and don’t easily fail, thus they are not properly maintained. However, in case of a steering gear failure, severe problems are about to follow.

Norwegian BWT company Optimarin announced that secured contacts with Wisby Tankers and Hoëgh Autoliners, to provide its USCG type-approved Optimarin Ballast System to five vessels.

Many of our waste products end up in the sea and then can move through the ocean, endangering marine life through entanglement, ingestion and intoxication. The Sea Change, a project funded from EU H2020, cited the top five sources of marine pollution and the implications they create for marine life.

A new report issued by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, warns that even if the world manages to keep global warming below the targeted 2°C threshold, some of the Arctic shifts, resulting from climate change, could be permanent. By 2030, the Arctic Ocean may be ice-free, pushing seas to more extreme heights.

Mooring and unmooring operations hide a number of risks for those who get involved, many times leading to a fatal accident or a collision; Thus, it is of a great importance when conducting any mooring operation to follow specific steps to ensure the safety of all those conducting the operation.

On October 27, the container ship Maersk Launceston collided with the Hellenic Navy minesweeper Kallisto off Piraeus. The minesweeper was damaged significanlty, while two crewmembers were injured. 

No matter where an accident occurs, the rescue of persons in distress at sea will be co-coordinated by a SAR organization and assist ships in distress, not only because of international treaties such as SOLAS and SAR Convention of 1979, but also due to moral obligation.

Already established measures have paved the way for a more environmental-friendly shipping. A key example is the IMO NOx Tier III limits. These limits apply to engines installed on or after 1 January 2016, that are operating in Emission Control Areas and establish a strict limit on their emissions.