As COVID-19 vaccines emerge, the importance of allowing travel and vaccinating maritime workers, who are viewed as “essential” in certain (but not all) cases, has come to the fore. The...

By Barry Parker, Correspondent “You have to start somewhere.” While nobody used this phrase specifically, the IMO, in its just concluded virtual session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, officially...

By Barry Parker, gCaptain Correspondent After considerable anticipation, the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed on draft amendments to the MARPOL Convention which...

By Barry Parker – Repatriation of seafarers has been one of the most vexing issues facing the maritime industry throughout 2020, as Covid-19 has ravaged the world. Port States, however...

By Barry Parker – Over the past year, “sustainability” has ratcheted upward to the top of the shipping industry’s radar. The activity will be ramping up now as the International...