Thousands of seafarers remain trapped at sea, on containerships and other cargo vessels, by coronavirus travel restrictions – a threat to supply chains, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has warned.

According to the Chamber, the number of seafarers in need of a crew change will reach 150,000 by 15 May.

This is a 50% increase since March, when the ICS first raised the issue with the UN, highlighting the impact government lockdowns and travel restrictions were having on an industry requiring some 100,000 crew changes every month.

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Posted on - 2020-05-13

The launch of the Yara Birkeland, among the most keenly aniticipated new ships to hit the water this year, is yet to be delayed.

Norwegian fertiliser firm Yara International, which ordered the pioneering 120 teu, battery powered autonomous vessel, has announced it is pausing development of the ship, citing the changed global outlook brought about the Covid-19 epidemic.

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Posted on - 2020-05-13

We are in the middle of a global health crisis that will have severe consequences for people around the world. What this pandemic has shown us in such a terrifying way is that we need to rebuild our economies, so they provide us with jobs and a society that is secure, resilient and safe. How can we minimize the harmful effects on the fight against climate change?

 We have built our economies – our societies – in a way that too often ignores science and our dependence on the natural world. COVID-19 has infused a renewed confidence in science and appreciation of how vulnerable our economies are at a global level.

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Posted on - 2020-05-13