By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) - As the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) environmental work group gathers in London for its annual conference this week, delegates are being urged to consider new regulations to reduce ship speeds. The IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee’s (MPC) working group on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) will consider proposals … [Read more...]
Ship Strike Kills Humpback Whale Spotted Swimming in Thames
LONDON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - A humpback whale found dead in the River Thames just east of London had likely been struck by a ship, scientists who conducted an autopsy on the animal said on Thursday. The 8-meter long whale, a young female, was sighted swimming in the Thames on Monday, but was found lifeless in shallow water late on Tuesday under a major road bridge at … [Read more...]
Panama Canal Imposes Ship Speed Limit to Protect Whales
The Panama Canal has implemented a 10 knot speed limit aimed at protecting whales, dolphins and other large marine mammals against ship strikes. The speed limit will run from August 1 through November 30 to coincide with seasonal migration periods and in-line with International Maritime Organization's (IMO) annual recommendations on speed and maritime transit aimed at … [Read more...]
Over 80 Injured as High-Speed Hydrofoil Ferry Hits Whale in Japan
More than 80 passengers were reported injured, several seriously, after a hydrofoil ferry apparently struck a whale while underway in the Sea of Japan on Saturday. The high-speed hydrofoil, named Ginga, was underway from Niigata, Japan to Sado Island when the vessel struck what the ferry operator said appears to be “marine life”. The impact was strong enough to send … [Read more...]
Canadian Coast Guard Ship Hit with $6K Speeding Ticket in Gulf of St. Lawrence
The Canadian government has issued a $6,000 speeding ticket to a Canadian Coast Guard ship for travelling over the posted speed limit in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence. Since August 11, 2017, Transport Canada has been imposing a 10-knot speed limit for larger vessels operating in designated areas of the Gulf of St. Lawrence due to the increased presence of right whales in … [Read more...]