Highlighting on the profound commitment and deep-rooted partnership with the Greek maritime community ClassNK one of the leading classification societies in shipping has proved its capability to deliver customized services tailored to the specific needs of Greek shipowners maintaining the highest standards of service excellence.

In this framework of the fruitful and effective cooperation Mr. Hiroaki Sakashita president & CEO of ClassNK welcomed the distinguished members of the Greek shipping community at Athens Marriott Hotel 15 days before the commencement of Posidonia 2024.

By leveraging expertise and embracing digital transformation ClassNK strive for a more transparent, environmentally friendly, and efficient future for the maritime sector. ClassNK is committed to adaptation and excellence engaging a number of projects and focused on decarbonization and the challenges of future fuels with industry front runners. These steps are part of our broader strategy to support the sustainable actions of the shipping sector and the entire society.

Images:

- Konstantinos Theofanis Markou general manager of ClassNK in Greece, Costas Delaportas President and CEO of DryDel Shipping and Mr. Hiroaki Sakashita president of & CEO of ClassNK
- The team of ClassNK’s senior executives
- Capt Nicos Liadis with his wife Maria Christina Ktistakis from Genimar Shipping, George Liadis technical manager of Genimar shipping with his wife Anna
- Theofilos Xenakoudis managing director of Marshall Islands ShipRegistry office in Piraeus with Theomar’s SHIPMANAGEMENT team Kostas Stamoulis, Ioannis Theodorou, Maria Theodorou, Lefteris Malandris, George Papaleventis
- Costas Delaportas, Diamantis Andriotis from Vafias group and Ioannis Dragnis managing director of Goldenport.
- Shingo (Steve) Ogawa country representative of Mitsubishi Corporation, George Thanopoulos CEO of Neda Maritime and Spyros Vlassopoulos manager of Ionic Shipping
- Costas Markakis from Dorian LPG and Nicholas Kosmatos CEO of Sealink Navigation.
- Capt Costas Liadis manager of Carras (Hellas) S.A., Capt Nicos Liadis, Capt Stamatis Atsidis, Lymperis Liadis senior executives of Carras Hellas and John Ioannidis.

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Ocean Technologies Group (OTG), the leading global provider of Human Capital Management solutions for the maritime industry, has signed an agreement with WISTA International, the global network for women in shipping. The partnership will provide WISTA members with a suite of OTG e-learning resources, empowering them to advance their maritime careers and contribute to a more diverse and inclusive industry.

The new agreement gives 200 WISTA Members access to the Ocean Learning Platform (OLP) and a comprehensive range of learning titles covering maritime regulatory, safety and risk-based courses for shoreside personnel.

Additionally, WISTA Members will have access to material on interpersonal and behavioural soft skill development, including communication, teamwork, and adaptability, equipping them with the tools to become stronger maritime leaders.

“As an industry, we recognise the critical importance of supporting women in maritime and promoting gender diversity and inclusion. said Raal Harris, Chief Creative Officer.

“This partnership with WISTA International represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts to address gender disparities in the maritime industry, we hope access to our content resources will help to spearhead a wave of female talent progressing in their chosen fields and encourage more women to choose shipping as a career,” he added.

Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International, underscored the transformative impact of this initiative: “Not only will the OLP provide our Members with the training they need to help develop their careers, but they will also be able to track their progress to gain insights into specific areas of improvement and the next steps to attain their own personal goals. It is all about making sure our Members feel empowered and in control of their own destinies.”

Image1: Elpi Petraki, President, WISTA International
Image2: Raal Harris, Chief Creative Officer, Ocean Technologies Group

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The Panama Maritime Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with which the vessels of the Panamanian Registry will have access to new incentives. 

The purpose of this Memorandum is to establish a collaboration framework between both parties for the development of the “Blue Pass “project, which pursues the creation of a platform that gathers the main actors of the maritime industry of the UAE, altogether with partners and interested parties to offer a series of privileges and facilities of first quality to the main shipping companies and shipowners visiting the ports and waters of the UAE, from all over the world.

The project also seeks to offer incentives and concessions to the yachts and recreational ships docking in the country´s regional waters and to enhance the integration and facilitate mutual services between the suppliers and the participant companies.

With this initiative, the ships of the Panamanian Registry will receive a series of benefits and facilities as priority in the entry and exit from the ports, change of crew, discounts in auxiliary services with all companies, shipyards and other businesses registered in the database of the Blue Pass program.  Likewise, the ships will have access to the shared database, with which they may contact directly with all the suppliers and their discounts for mutual benefit. 

The agreement was signed by Her Excellence Hessa Al Malek, Consultant for Maritime Transportation Affairs from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in cooperation with Captain Rami Omar Al Breiki, General Director of NeoNautica for Ship and Boats Trading LLC, with headquarters in Dubai, while the signature by the Panama Maritime Authority was delegated to Her Excellence Rebeca Pérez Cervantes, Ambassador of Panama in the United Arab Emirates.

This Memorandum of Understanding is enforceable since its signature and will have a validity of two years. It could be renovated with the mutual consent of both parties and the signature of a new memorandum of understanding. 

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Moore Greece has assisted the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) with their very first ESG Review. The ESG Review highlights how INTERCARGO’S recent activities relate to each of the pillars of ESG: Environmental, Social and Governance. Echoing INTERCARGO’s commitment to quality dry bulk shipping, the Review also suggests how ESG has become an increasingly important topic for all stakeholders in the dry bulk shipping community.

The Chairman of INTERCARGO, Dr Dimitrios J. Fafalios, expressed his “sincere gratitude to the dedicated professionals at Moore Greece for their effort and skill in preparing this ESG Review”. He concluded that “with the support of all members, INTERCARGO will successfully transition to a future where day-to-day operations of the dry bulk shipping sector are fully aligned with the principles of sustainable development”.

Costas Constantinou, Managing Partner at Moore Greece and Global Maritime Leader of the Moore Network, pointed out that “Moore Greece has been a trusted partner to the Greek shipping community for the past 60 years, proactively responding to needs of the industry for quality and transparency in reporting to their stakeholders. Moore Greece is excited to have been working alongside INTERCARGO and to have helped shape the INTERCARGO 2024 ESG Review”.

Pinelopi Kassani, Governance, Risk & Compliance Partner Moore Greece, highlighted that ‘INTERCARGO’s ESG Review is an important initiative for the dry bulk sector. INTERCARGO’s global outreach as demonstrated by its 250 members and 3.300 vessels, helps bring the ESG discussion of the sector forward by highlighting many of the sector’s common topics that relate to the environment, the society and corporate governance’.

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Celestyal has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) alongside AD Ports Group. The MOU, signed at Arabian Travel Market, will promote Abu Dhabi as a key destination among Celestyal’s guests and help further raise the cruise line’s profile in the region.

Celestyal has previously launched a seven-day ‘Desert Days’ itinerary for 2024, sailing roundtrip from Doha and calling at Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. The itinerary launches from November until March 2025, with a number of special sailings such as festive cruises and will feature for three seasons.

All voyages are on the 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey, which joined the line last year, although Celestyal have hinted that the recently purchased and refurbished 1,266, Celestyal Discovery may also be set to join the region for the winter season in the near future. Due to popularity, there is currently limited availability across all new departures.

Lee Haslett, Celestyal Chief Commercial Officer, said: “It’s a huge privilege to sign this agreement and we would like to thank DCT Abu Dhabi for all their support. Our ethos has always been to proudly partner and showcase our fabulous destinations, building strong connections with the regions we visit. Abu Dhabi is a truly unique destination, and we are eagerly anticipating showcasing everything it has to offer to our guests. The cruise industry continues to attract record passenger numbers and we are looking forward to a successful first season that highlights the very best of this special region”.

Celestyal’s vision is firmly rooted in creating unmissable experiences at sea and ashore, and they are committed to showcasing the best of the region to their guests. As part of their award-winning shore excursion offerings, they already offer nine Abu Dhabi excursions that will transport their guests to the heart of the emirate, including half day tours taking in the best of Abu Dhabi, food and culture explorations, theme park visits, VIP beach days, as well as the classic desert safaris and attractions.

The ‘Desert Days’ itinerary is available to book from €529pp for seven nights and includes €75pp shore excursion discount, full board, select drinks with meals, all port and service charges. All cruises are on sale now and include 50% deposits as part of the Spring campaign, bringing deposits down to as low as €125 per booking.

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 Baseblue has announced the appointment of the company’s new ESG Manager, the first role of its type within the organization, highlighting its commitment to improving ESG within the company and the bunkering industry. 
The creation of this role underlines Baseblue’s culture and mission to uphold the highest standards of governance and transparency, as well as building trust with stakeholders in helping the bunker industry achieve its decarbonization goals. 

As fuel providers, Baseblue is diversifying its product portfolio to include low carbon fuels and supporting its customers and clients in their green transition. The company is actively promoting the uptake of alternative fuels by offering competitive prices. Whether it's biofuels or floating wind energy sources, the team work to understand their client’s unique requirements and guide them towards the most suitable solutions.  

Baseblue is committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to develop their unique talents and capabilities. As part of Baseblue’s ongoing efforts, the company focuses on gender equality and has set ambitious targets to increase the representation of women across all levels of our organisation. Baseblue aims to address the specific challenges women might be facing within the shipping industry and explore the barriers and factors influencing women's participation in certain roles, by identifying and addressing any obstacles that may exist. 

In addition, supporting local communities is a key part of Baseblue’s commitment to social responsibility. The company actively engages in environmental initiatives participating in several events related to beach and seabed cleaning, tree planting, and supporting the construction of borehole water wells in Ghana to provide access to clean, safe water for the local community, along with other charitable activities.  
Recently, Baseblue made a substantial donation to the Blue Marine Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to restoring the health of the ocean. The contribution aimed to help the orgainsation achieve goals such as establishing marine protected areas, promoting sustainable fishing models, and supporting marine habitat restoration. 

Stella Fyfe will be taking on this role and leading the company’s ESG initiatives. Before joining Baseblue, she served as the European Projects Coordinator for Bunkernet, being actively involved in promoting LNG as an alternative fuel for the shipping industry through multiple funded projects. Throughout her 25 years of experience in the shipping industry, Stella developed the ability to navigate complex challenges in an ever-evolving industry by embracing change and innovation, along with a range of skills such as expertise in setting up management systems and ensuring compliance.

Commenting on the appointment, Lars Nielsen, CEO of Baseblue said: “At Baseblue, we have embraced ESG initiatives for many years and I am pleased that we are now formalising this with the appointment of Stella. It is crucial that we dedicate time and resource to our ESG strategy and initiatives, and I am glad to see this is an emerging trend across the industry. Impactful and authentic ESG practices are not just a part of Baseblue’s strategy but also a key driver of our success and impact in the industry.”
In addition to this appointment, Baseblue has appointed ESG ambassadors in each office who will report into Stella and play a crucial role in adapting and implementing policies tailored to the diverse regulations in different countries.

When discussing her motivation for the role, Stella said: “I am enjoying being part of this transitional time at Baseblue and in the shipping industry. As we look towards a greener era for the industry, it is so important to implement real change and make a positive impact where we can. As the ESG Manager at Baseblue, I'm motivated by driving positive change in the shipping industry.
“The multifaceted nature of the role - engaging with various departments and aspects of the group - is truly stimulating and resonates with my holistic approach to making a meaningful impact. At Baseblue, ESG is not just a policy but a fundamental part of our organisational DNA.” Baseblue places equal weight and priority on the three pillars - Environmental, Social, and Governance. 

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Posidonia 2024, the world's most prestigious shipping exhibition, is set to commence from June 3rd to 7th at the Athens Metropolitan Expo for a week packed with more than 65 thought-provoking and informative seminars and conferences where a strong line-up of prominent industry leaders and decision makers will cover a spectrum of critical topics shaping the future of shipping.

With Posidonia known as the Home of Shipping, the “TradeWinds Shipowners Forum” once again is expected to attract much of the attention. This year the forum will delve into the roles of shipowners, charterers, financiers, and regulators in fostering a new paradigm against a backdrop of geopolitical turmoil, economic flux, and climate crisis considerations. Distinguished leaders such as Katerina Bodouroglou, Dr John Coustas, Angeliki Frangou, Evangelos Marinakis, Leon Patitsas, Charis Plakantonaki, Alexander Saverys, Mikael Skov, Dr Nikolas Tsakos, Harry Vafias, Chris Wiernicki and others will explore the push for cutting-edge technologies and eco-friendly fuels in relation to the need of shipping companies to maintain robust financial health. The forum will also enjoy an exclusive session featuring Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill Ocean Transportation.

Coinciding with World Environment Day, the “HELMEPA Conference” will delve into sustainability and climate issues impacting the industry. Top experts will discuss the impact of climate change on maritime operations, fostering awareness and strategies for sustainability. The conference will feature a high-level panel discussion -exclusively for shipowners- to explore the multifaceted impacts of climate change on global shipping, covering both operational challenges and financial implications fostering awareness and igniting actionable strategies for resilience and sustainability.

Sustainability will be the focus during the “Greener Shipping Summit 2024”. Under the theme “New Technologies and Education”, the day-long summit, organised by Newsfront/Naftiliaki and supported by MARTECMA (Marine Technical Managers Association), will host panel discussions focusing on managing the next generation of ships, education for the future of shipping and green shipping technology. Prominent figures including Dimitris Fafalios, Panos Kourkountis, David Taylor, Dimitris Fokas, Venetia Kallipolitou, Panos Zachariadis and others will contribute their insights on a wide range of topics spanning technology, jobs, energy transition, digitalisation, training and education onboard, Artificial Intelligence as threat and tool of marine education, energy-efficient new and second-hand vessels, carbon capture and many more.

The 9th Maritime Leaders’ Summit, organised by Capital Link, yet another high-profile event under the auspices of Posidonia, will be titled ‘Dashing Ahead - Leadership in Action’. This year’s Maritime Leaders’ Summit will provide invaluable insights into critical industry topics and highlight the sector's impact on the global economy. In partnership with ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), the summit anticipates a record turnout of industry leaders, including prominent Greek and international shipowners. Critical industry topics will be tabled about the sector's profound impact on the global economy and trade dynamics which underpin the thought leadership that shapes the discourse and direction of the industry.

And with the recent geopolitical upheavals in key shipping routes, supply chain disruptions, port bottlenecks and safety concerns, the “Marine Insurance Greece Conference” is expected to attract many delegates to Athens also the week before Posidonia, providing the platform where brokers, insurers and industry experts will discuss the latest trends and challenges in marine insurance affecting the region. The welcome party is sponsored by Polygreen S.A., a leading provider of environmentally sustainable solutions for the maritime industry.

Other key events include the “Challenges by Japan” seminar, which will focus on greenhouse gas reduction measures and alternative fuels towards decarbonization, organised by the Japan Ship Exporters' Association, and the 4^th Trading in U.S. Waters Seminar “Future Trends & Innovations in the Maritime Sector”, which will discuss the geopolitical developments impacting global shipping, and explore future trends and innovations in the maritime sector, including digitalisation and decarbonisation. The US Seminar is organised by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AmChamGR), the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), the U.S. Embassy in Athens with the support of the Int’l Propeller Club of the United States, Int’l Port of Piraeus, and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping - Maritime Hellas Shipping Cluster. Also, a “SHARK TANK: Competition of Innovative U.S. Maritime Technologies” will be held during the Posidonia week and the judge panel includes many prominent officials and industry leaders, including George J. Tsunis, U.S Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, George Pateras, President, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping & Deputy Chairman, Contships Management Inc., Costis Frangoulis, President, International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus & CEO, Franman, Panos Xenokostas, President & CEO, ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group & President, Hellenic Shipyards Association, Semiramis Paliou, CEO, Diana Shipping & Chairperson, HELMEPA & INTERMEPA, and others.

Another official participation will be the “4^th Korean-Hellenic Maritime Cooperation Forum”, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE). This event serves as a platform for esteemed experts and businesspeople from both Korea and Greece to engage in fruitful discussions regarding maritime and shipping policies and the latest advancements in eco-friendly shipping and shipbuilding technologies.

Posidonia 2024 delegates will also get updates on the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) at a seminar that will provide insights into the inclusion of the maritime sector in the EU ETS and its implications for shipowners. Macquarie Group, a global financial services provider, has been an active participant in the EU ETS for more than a decade and will host the event.

Nuclear Energy in Maritime, a presentation of Fission and Fusion is the title of the seminar organised by the Greek Branch of SNAME. It will explore if nuclear energy is a viable and possible option for ships. The panel will include the CEOs of Fliber (pioneer of Molten Salt Reactor Technology) and nT-tao (compact fusion power) as well as major shipowners, discussing if nuclear power is the way forward.

Crew management will be in the spotlight at the Crew Insights @ Posidonia 2024 conference, organised by Kyvernitis Leading Travel Companies. The event will focus specifically on the facets of managing crew needs and HR within the shipping industry and is designed to bring together thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss and exchange ideas that will chart the future of crew management. The conference will feature three targeted panel discussions over the course of an afternoon, each packed with insights from some of the most esteemed professionals in the industry.

Staying in Europe, the “POLAND – Thinking out of the box about the maritime industry”, organised by the Polish Embassy, will cover thematic blocks such as Polish seaports, renewable energy, shipbuilding and maritime logistics, showcasing the country’s role in the maritime industry. The seminar is organised in cooperation with the Polish Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure, Economic Development, and Technology.

Experts and market participants will convene to discuss the impact of geopolitics, changing trade dynamics, and energy transition on shipping markets at the “S&P Global Commodity Insights Forum”. They will focus on issues around the increased geopolitical tensions and their impact on commodity trade dynamics and freight markets.

During the three sessions of the “UES: The Ferry Experience” series of seminars, participants will focus on enhancing the passenger and operator experiences in ferry travel, featuring insights into seating design and operational considerations. UES, a leading provider of ferry seating solutions, will showcase its latest innovations and success stories.

With such a robust and diverse programme of knowledge-sharing events, Posidonia 2024 promises to be an unparalleled gathering of industry leaders, fostering dialogue and innovation to propel the shipping industry towards a sustainable and prosperous future for the global maritime community.

Posidonia 2024 is organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and the Union of Greek Shipowners and with the support of the Municipality of Piraeus and the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee.

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Esteemed President Dr. Vijay Kumar and Vice President Dr. Dimitris Kamsaris Celebrate Award at a Prestigious Ceremony 

In the plush surrounds of the Grande Bretagne hotel on April 19, 2024, American BC University honored Capt. Dimitris Matthaiou with an honorary doctorate. The award is a testament to Matthaiou's extensive achievements in the maritime sector and beyond. The ceremony featured a who's who of distinguished guests, including Dr. Vijay Kumar, the President of BC University Business and Theology and BCU UK Trust.

An Esteemed Gathering

Prominent figures from diverse realms including politics, academia, maritime, medicine, and the esteemed American-Greek organization, AHEPA, were in attendance to witness this prestigious event.

The ceremony's attendees included: American Senator Mr. Lou Raptakis, Mr. Pelagidis Theodoris, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Greece and former Minister of Finance, Mr. Jan Fransen, Executive Director of the Green Award Foundation, Mr. Hiotopoulos Ioannis, Senior Vice President & Regional Manager for Southeast Europe, Middle East, and Africa of DNV, Mr. Karapiperis Christos, Governor of AHEPA Greece.

A Moment of Gratitude and Reflection

During his heartfelt speech, Capt. Matthaiou expressed profound gratitude to American BC University and articulated his belief in selfless generosity and inspirational leadership. Leaders, according to Matthaiou, are those who lift others and inspire them to find their own growth and fulfillment path.

Capt. Dimitris Matthaiou, CEO of two shipping companies, Arcadia Shipmanagement and Aegean Bulk, Chairman of the Green Award Foundation, Founder and President of the St' Nicholas Business Club, Clinical Professor of the postgraduate program MSc in Shipping at the University of Piraeus, and also President of the Maritime Department of AHEPA, the Maritime Chapter HJ-45

Dr. Vijay Kumar's Role in the Ceremony

The conferment of the honorary doctorate by Dr. Vijay Kumar, alongside Dr. Dimitris Kamsaris, was a testament to the value American BC University places on professional excellence and contributions to the community.

Inspirational Words from the Honoree

Capt. Matthaiou's words echoed with the wisdom of a seasoned leader:

"Let us be bright lighthouses for entrepreneurship, maritime, social solidarity, and Greek heritage.»

He also reflected on some of the most significant achievements of his life, which have shaped his personality and led him to a successful career as a leader, and specifically mentioned:

'There are moments in our life that condense within the essence of human existence and the values of a whole person's journey. I am experiencing such a moment today, standing before you with the greatest honor and deepest gratitude, to receive this exceptional recognition, my conferment as an Honorary Doctorate by the esteemed American BC University.

My life's journey has taught me that true fulfillment comes from lifting others up and sharing the journey of discovery. Let us continue to sail together, transforming challenges into opportunities and dreams into realities. Let each of us be a bright lighthouse for entrepreneurship, maritime, social solidarity, and Greek heritage, bringing change, hope, and excellence to our world.'

Later on, in his so-inspired speech Mr. Mattheou added: 'Despite any difficulties and crises we face in our times, which seem to bend us momentarily, let us remember the line from our national poet, Dionysios Solomos, from his work 'The Free Besieged': 'Your strength is the sea and my will is the rock.' Let us draw willpower and mental strength from our values to perform our moral duty: to remain Human. Humans! With consciousness, responsibility, empathy, integrity, and principles. And let us remain Greeks! Greeks proud of our ancestry and roots, masters of ourselves and our homeland.

As a navigator of the oceans, businesses, and emotions, I am grateful for my personal Odyssey, constantly progressing towards a new Ithaca of happiness and fulfillment. Thank you for being part of my journey, and I wish you to be eternal travelers in people's hearts!”

An Ongoing Voyage

Comparing his life to an odyssey, Capt. Matthaiou expressed his hope for continuous progress towards greater success and fulfillment, extending his gratitude to all those who have been part of his journey.

Please find attached the full transcript of Capt. Dimitrios Mattheou's speech.

Experience the inspirational journey of Capt. Dimitris Matthaiou by watching the special video tribute here: https://youtu.be/G_T_7twbT58

About American BC University of Business and Theology

American BC University is renowned for recognizing and celebrating professionals who have made significant contributions to their fields. By honoring Capt. Matthaiou, the university continues its tradition of acknowledging exceptional accomplishments that resonate with the core values of leadership and service to the community.

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FuelEU Maritime sets requirements on the well-to-wake GHG intensity of energy used for ships trading in the EU/EEA from 1 January 2025. The first step is to prepare and submit a monitoring plan to an accredited verifier by 31 August 2024. This statutory news provides you with more details on what you need to prepare.

Summary of the FuelEU Maritime GHG intensity requirements

From 1 January 2025, for ships trading in or to/from the EU/EEA irrespective of flag, the annual average GHG intensity of energy used on board needs to be below a defined level. The GHG intensity is measured as GHG emissions per energy unit (gCO2e/MJ) and includes carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O).

In addition to emissions from energy use on board the ship, GHG emissions are calculated in a well-to-wake perspective, including emissions related to the extraction, cultivation, production and transport of fuel. The regulation includes provisions for crediting ships using wind-assisted propulsion.

The GHG intensity requirements are set as a percentage reduction relative to a 2020 reference value of 91.16 gCO2e/MJ. The percentage reduction requirement increases gradually every five years to 2050 – meaning, for example, that it stays at 2% from 2025 to end-2029.

Voyages, scope

The FuelEU Maritime GHG intensity requirements apply to 100% of energy used on voyages and port calls within the EU/ EEA, and 50% of energy used on voyages into or out of the EU/EEA. To avoid evasive behaviour, container ships stopping in transshipment ports outside the EU/EEA, but less than 300 nautical miles from an EU/EEA port, need to include 50% of the energy for the voyage to that port as well, rather than only the short leg from the transshipment port. The GHG intensity requirements apply to ships above 5,000 GT transporting cargo or passengers for commercial purposes. It does not apply to offshore ships. The scope could change as part of the scheduled review by the end of 2027. FuelEU Maritime also sets requirements on the use of shore power for container and passenger ships from 2030. More details on this part of the regulation can be found in the References.

Compliance process

Responsible shipping company

The requirements apply to the shipping company, which is the shipowner or any other organization or person, such as the manager or the bareboat charterer, who has assumed responsibility for the operation of the ship, including duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code. As opposed to EU ETS, the responsible company under FuelEU Maritime must be the ISM company and cannot be retained by the registered owner unless the owner is also the ISM company. This implies that the responsible company for a ship may not be the same for EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime. Each responsible company will need to be registered with an administering state, which is the same as the Administering Authority for EU ETS compliance.

In the event of a change of company, the shipping company has the responsibility – on 31 December in any given year – for compliance for the whole calendar year. However, previous companies are required to report and verify energy use and emissions as soon as possible after the changeover.

Pooling of compliance

FuelEU Maritime includes the option to attain compliance across a fleet of ships, even if they belong to different companies. This means that each individual ship does not need to achieve the required GHG intensity but can rely on other ships to achieve a combined level of GHG intensity below the requirement.

Banking and borrowing of compliance surplus

If a ship has an average GHG intensity below the requirement, the surplus emission amount (compliance surplus) can be banked for use in the subsequent compliance period. Similarly, a ship can borrow advance compliance surplus from a subsequent period, limited to 2% and only for two consecutive periods, and with a 10% penalty on the borrowed compliance surplus for the subsequent period.

Penalties

Ships that have a higher GHG intensity than the requirement must pay a penalty corresponding to its compliance deficit, measured as the difference between the required and actual GHG intensity, multiplied by the energy use. The penalty is progressively increased if the ship has a compliance deficit for two or more consecutive reporting periods. The compliance deficit is calculated into energy based on the actual GHG intensity of the ship, applying a penalty of €2,400 per tonne VLFSO energy equivalent, or about €58.50 per GJ of non-compliant energy use. Hence, the penalties can be significant.

Reporting and verification

The energy use and emissions will be reported and verified through a scheme which is separate from the existing EU Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system. However, elements from the MRV regulation can be reused for the purpose of the FuelEU Maritime regulation.

By 31 August 2024, the FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plan needs to be submitted to a verifier (such as DNV), describing the method for monitoring and reporting of the data required under this regulation. This plan comes in addition to the current MRV Monitoring Plan, but part of this can be reused.

Vessels trading in the EU/EEA countries shall have the approved FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plan on board before

1 January 2025.

How to start FuelEU Maritime preparations

The deadline of 31 August is approaching fast, and early preparation is strongly recommended!

Step 1: Prepare your FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plan, with complementing documentation.

DNV will make the FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plan online form available to our customers in mid-May 2024 (DNV customers will be notified by email). DNV’s existing EU MRV customers will be able to base this plan on their verified MRV plans.

Step 2: Copy the plan to other vessels in your fleet.

You will also be able to copy all the sections of the FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plan between the vessels in your fleet, like the MRV Monitoring Plan online form but in an extended way.

Step 3: Submit the plans to DNV for verification after EU documents are published.

Submitting the Monitoring Plans to DNV for verification will not be possible before the official EU documents have been published, scheduled for the end of Q2 2024. This would leave July and August for submission of the Monitoring Plans to the verifier. DNV will notify its customers when the submission can be performed.

Other useful information about the preparation of FuelEU Maritime:

Requirements for providing new documents relating to the FuelEU Monitoring Plan verification highly depends on the ship type:

• • For passenger/container vessels, some documentation related to onshore power supply equipment will be required.
• • If your vessels do have any other equipment like fuel cells, zero-emissions technology or wind-assisted propulsion installed on board, documentation to confirm that would also be required before plan verification. The companies shall also specify the established total electrical power demand of the ship at berth. By default, this would be based on the main engine (ME) power, but it can also be taken from the ship’s electrical load balance/study. These documents would also have to be provided by non-DNVclassed vessels if the non-default option is chosen. The Continuous Synopsis Record and Safety Management Certificate of the vessel might also be required to confirm the

company in charge of the vessel. Companies must also complement the control system and data gap procedures to include the additional data to be monitored and reported for the purpose of the FuelEU Maritime regulation.

The FuelEU Monitoring Plan online form will therefore also contain the outline of the overall control system creator. This new requirement, coming from both the FuelEU Maritime regulation and the revised MRV regulation, states that companies need to describe their data flow processes from the emissions measurement to data compilation. Furthermore, they need to describe the potential impact and probability of incidents which may happen at each step and define the control activities mitigating the risk such incidents might have.

DNV requests that the above information be provided in a practical, digital format to support MRV Emission Report verification and FuelEU Maritime report verification. Implementing regulations covering the FuelEU Monitoring Plan verification activities strictly requires this information to be provided before the start of the assessment of the plan.

Recommendations

• • After the release of the FuelEU Maritime Monitoring Plan online form in mid-May, DNV recommends that shipowners begin preparing their plans. This draft plan can then be copied for other vessels in their fleet. Submitting these plans to DNV for verification can only be performed after the official EU documents have been published, scheduled for the end of Q2 2024.
• • DNV also recommends that customers join our Ask the Expert webinar, which will take place on 14 May 2024, where we will discuss FuelEU Maritime and present how to stay in compliance using DNV’s digital tools (separate invitation will be sent our customers).
• • Review commercial contracts to define how compliance is managed and compensated in the maritime value chain.

References

• • DNV’s FuelEU Maritime topic page
• • The FuelEU Maritime regulations

ELNAVI Newsletter  
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Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) introduces a new educational programme for future seafarers. BSM Smart Academy is a collaboration with selected maritime universities worldwide with the goal of closing the gap between academic knowledge and practical training

The shortage of skilled labour in the maritime sector, in particular at sea, poses a significant challenge for the industry. In the coming years, the global merchant fleet will face a shortage of thousands of officers. As a ship manager, BSM takes a proactive approach to meet this challenge and gain highly skilled seafarers with the newly formed initiative Smart Academy.

Specifically, the BSM Smart Academy provides for nautical, technical and electrical undergraduates from participating maritime universities to take part in the programme as designated BSM cadets following the completion of their first year. This means that they not only receive an academic education but also practical knowledge close to current industry requirements. “We enhance the education of future seafarers by engaging with them at an earlier stage,” says Eva Rodriguez, Director HR Marine of BSM.

Realistic and transparent training environment

Through the collaboration with the universities, cadets will undergo comprehensive training in a controlled and realistic work environment onshore and onboard. The training is aligned with BSM standards, ensuring a higher level of skill, and in particular, developing behavioural competencies before embarking onboard the multiculturally manned vessels. In addition, students will be specifically trained for the increasingly digitalised maritime work environment to prepare for future leadership roles both at sea and on shore. This approach ensures that when they embark on their cadetship, they are fully prepared and ready to navigate the challenges ahead with confidence and competence.

“We have found that course contents and standards of educational institutions are often varying. This initiative closes the gap between educators and employers by sharing knowledge, experience and skill needs between the industry and the educational sector”, says the HR Marine Director.   

“Seafarer education is costly. No education is even more costly.”

BSM actively invests in crew education, training and development to help reduce the crewing shortage over time and maintain the industry’s safety standards and requirements. The BSM Smart Academy programme is another component in BSM's intensive recruitment and retention commitment. It supplements the existing postgraduate Cadet Programme, the internal fleet transition programme and the proactive recruitment approach. Eva Rodriguez emphasises, “Seafarer education is costly. However, no education is even more costly.”

At the start of the initiative, BSM will collaborate with selected maritime universities worldwide. The cooperation partners are located in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa, with another potential partner based in South America. In the first year, up to 100 students are to be recruited for the Smart Academy programme. The aim is to gradually expand the global partner network to open up new seafarer source markets.

Image 1: Cadet training in the bridge simulator at BSM's Maritime Training Centre in Cyprus ©BSM
Image 2: Eva Rodriguez, Director HR Marine of BSM ©BSM

ELNAVI Newsletter  
More Information: ELNAVI,
19, Aristidou str., Piraeus 185 31,
Tel.: +30 210 45.22.100, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.