Latest news with #InternationalConventionforthePreventionofPollutionfromShips
Economic Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Parliament passes Indian Ports Bill 2025: Sonowal says India targets Singapore, Europe-style integrated planning
Synopsis The Parliament has approved the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, aiming to elevate India's maritime operations to global standards. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted that the bill will bring discipline to port operations, aligning with international best practices and environmental standards. ANI "Sets up Maritime State Development Council to boost cooperative federalism for holistic port development": Sarbananda Sonowal The Parliament passed Indian Ports Bill, 2025 Monday, backing the centre's pitch for establishing global standards for maritime operations in the country. Moving for passage of the bill, Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said port operations will become more disciplined after the provisions of this bill are adopted.'This bill is meticulously designed to align with the best global practices, mirroring the integrated planning models of Singapore and the robust environmental standards of the European Union,' Sonowal said while adding there is a continuous need to develop India's ports to accelerate growth of the economy. The Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) will be established as a recommendatory body empowered to advise the Central and State Governments. Sonowal said this will ensure a robust consultative framework between the states and the publication of port tariffs is being mandated. 'This would promote greater transparency, competitiveness and a fair operating environment,' Sonowal added. The bill introduces State-level Dispute Resolution Committees to provide a fast, efficient, and transparent mechanism for resolving port-related disputes. It also enforces adherence to global conventions like the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. Penalties and fines have been updated and decriminalised where appropriate, the minister said while noting that non-criminal contraventions and corresponding penalties can now be imposed by the conservator of the Port.'By modernizing our legal framework, we are not just playing catch-up, we are laying the foundation for India to become a global maritime leader by 2047, in line with our vision of a Viksit Bharat," Sonowal added.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
RS passes Indian Ports Bill 2025: Sonowal says India targets Singapore, Europe-style integrated planning
The Rajya Sabha passed Indian Ports Bill, 2025 Monday, backing the centre's pitch of establishing global standards for maritime operations in the country. Moving for passage of the bill, Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said port operations will become more disciplined after the provisions of this bill are adopted. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency 'This bill is meticulously designed to align with the best global practices, mirroring the integrated planning models of Singapore and the robust environmental standards of the European Union,' Sonowal said while adding there is a continuous need to develop India's ports to accelerate growth of the economy. The Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) will be established as a recommendatory body empowered to advise the Central and State Governments. Sonowal said this will ensure a robust consultative framework between the states and the centre. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo Electronic publication of port tariffs is being mandated. 'This would promote greater transparency, competitiveness and a fair operating environment,' Sonowal added. The bill introduces State-level Dispute Resolution Committees to provide a fast, efficient, and transparent mechanism for resolving port-related disputes. It also enforces adherence to global conventions like the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. Live Events Penalties and fines have been updated and decriminalised where appropriate, the minister said while noting that non-criminal contraventions and corresponding penalties can now be imposed by the conservator of the Port. 'By modernizing our legal framework, we are not just playing catch-up, we are laying the foundation for India to become a global maritime leader by 2047, in line with our vision of a Viksit Bharat ," Sonowal added.
CairoScene
13-07-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Saudi Red Sea Authority Introduces New Rules for Safer Cruise Trips
The new framework outlines clear roles for cruise operators, ports, and shipping agents, streamlines licensing, and mandates international safety and environmental standards. The Saudi Red Sea Authority announced the launch of the Kingdom's first national framework for cruise ship operations, aiming to strengthen Red Sea tourism while prioritising environmental protection and marine sustainability. The new framework outlines clear roles for cruise operators, ports, and shipping agents, streamlines licensing, and mandates international safety and environmental standards. The guidelines also set service quality benchmarks for the full tourist journey, both onshore and onboard. Cruise ships will be required to implement strict waste management protocols and maintain zero sea-discharge policies, in line with agreements such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Ship sinking off Kerala coast triggers oil spills concerns: All you need to know
A Liberian-flagged cargo ship carrying 640 containers onboard, including 13 hazardous cargoes, capsized and sank in the sea off the coast of Kerala on Sunday (May 25). All crew members were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and a Navy ship, but the incident has raised fears of an oil spill. The Coast Guard said the ship Saksham, equipped with pollution response equipment, has been positioned to respond to any oil spill scenario. How did the ship capsize? According to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the MSC ELSA 3 vessel capsized rapidly in the early hours of Sunday 'due to flooding in one of the holds'. A hold is a section below deck where the cargo is stored. 'The vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 containing hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium carbide. Additionally, the ship had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil in its tanks,' the ICG said in a post on X. 'ICG aircraft with advanced oil spill mapping technology are undertaking an assessment of the situation. Presently, no oil spill has been reported,' it added. The vessel departed for Kochi from Vizhinjam port on Friday, PTI reported. Natural disasters, human error, or equipment failure can trigger accidents involving oil tankers or ships. When oil spills into water, it rapidly spreads. Due to its lighter density, it forms a layer over water, obstructing sunlight and disrupting photosynthesis in marine plants and phytoplankton – organisms crucial for oxygen production. Marine animals also consume phytoplankton, which form the base of multiple food chains. Marine animals face immediate dangers from toxic exposure. With oil coating the feathers of birds, they may lose their insulation abilities, leading to hypothermia and drowning. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that fish and invertebrates may also endure challenges with reproduction and growth. The environmental consequences are influenced by factors such as the type of oil, the volume of the spill, weather conditions, and proximity to sensitive ecosystems. In more severe cases, the impact can be felt for decades. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is among the largest accidental oil spills in history. Starting April 20, 2010, over 4 million barrels of oil flowed over 87 days into the Gulf of Mexico, killing thousands of wildlife creatures. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) governs oil spills. It evolved from several older agreements and led to a protocol issued in 1978 following several oil spill disasters in the 1970s. India is also a signatory. The MARPOL Convention has six annexes, covering prevention of pollution from ships by Oil, Noxious liquid substances, Dangerous goods in packaged form, Sewage, Garbage and Air pollution from ships. It is enforced with the help of domestic legislation, such as the Merchant Shipping Act in India, which has provisions on civil liability and pollution prevention certificates. Indian ships and ships in Indian waters are mandated to follow these regulations. Ports also maintain oil spill contingency plans to handle local cases, while the Indian Coast Guard is the nodal agency. Some methods are skimming, in situ burning and releasing chemical dispersants. Skimming involves removing oil from the sea surface before it can reach sensitive areas along the coastline. In situ burning means burning a particular patch of oil after it has concentrated in an area. Releasing chemical dispersants helps break down oil into smaller droplets, making it easier for microbes to consume and further break it down into less harmful compounds. However, despite technological advancements, cleaning up oil spills is challenging. Oil spreads quickly, and rough seas and strong currents complicate cleanup efforts. Oils vary in properties, with some sinking or emulsifying with water and making separation tough. Methods like chemical dispersants can harm marine life, and manual cleanup is labour-intensive and often ineffective in remote areas. What should the local population do now? The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has cautioned the general public against touching any cargo containers or oil that may wash ashore. They have also urged people to immediately inform the police if they spot any containers or oil on the shore. Additionally, they said oil films could appear along parts of the coast. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, on Sunday said, 'Based on hypothetical simulations, the spilled oil pollutant can reach the coastal stretch of Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Arattupuzha and Karunagappally within 36-48 hours of release. These coastal zones are at risk of contamination and should be given prompt attention to minimise potential environmental impact.'
Zawya
14-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Global majors reach historic deal on cutting shipping emissions
After years of intense negotiations, many of the world's largest shipping nations have reached a landmark deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping, setting mandatory fuel standards and introducing an industry-wide carbon pricing mechanism. The framework – agreed during the UN International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee – aims for net-zero emissions from the sector by 2050 and will be formally adopted in October before coming into force in 2027. They will apply to large ocean-going vessels over 5,000 gross tonnage, which collectively account for 85% of carbon dioxide emissions from the marine shipping fleet. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez hailed the breakthrough after a 10-year deadlock, emphasising the collaborative spirit that led to the deal. "The approval of draft amendments to Marpol Annex VI mandating the IMO net-zero framework represents another significant step in our collective efforts to combat climate change, to modernize shipping and demonstrates that IMO delivers on its commitments," he stated. Marpol Annex VI refers to provisions in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, specifically addressing air pollution. It already includes mandatory energy efficiency requirements for ships and has 108 Parties covering roughly 97% of the world's merchant shipping fleet by tonnage. The framework introduces a dual approach: a global fuel standard that will progressively lower the annual greenhouse gas fuel intensity of marine fuels, and a greenhouse gas pricing mechanism requiring high-emitting ships to pay for their excess pollution, said experts. Under the new system, ships that exceed emissions limits will need to acquire remedial units to offset their excess pollution, they stated. Meanwhile, vessels operating with zero or near-zero emissions will be eligible for financial rewards, creating a market-driven push toward cleaner maritime transport, they added.- TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
