In this issue
1. Cold comfort
2. Seafarersâ rights
3. Interactive guidance
4. Methane carrier
5. IACS annual review
6. Achilles effect
7. Seafarer shortages
8. Waste management
9. Good ship handlers
10. Fuel converter
11. Cyber security
Notices & Miscellany
Readersâ responses to our articles are very welcome and, where suitable, will be reproduced. Write to: contactus@themaritimeadvocate.com
1. Cold Comfort
By Michael Grey
A brief examination of the price of South American fruit in the supermarket this week (the very antithesis of seasonality) brought to mind the sad voyage of the arrival in China of the ship which had been 23 days adrift in the Pacific in January, with a cargo of Chilean cherries. The consignee, who had been impatiently awaiting the shipment of 1300 containers of this delicious fruit for 28 days, when they finally arrived, declared that they were over-ripe and all were condemned, and reportedly destined for disposal as waste. Cargo surveyors and average adjusters will have a lot of overtime sorting out this entry in the damaged cargo book, although one might think that rather than dumping the lot, some enterprising person might have considered the possibilities for jam.
Perhaps the value added of a serious amount of cherry brandy, of such a proof that the meniscus in oneâs glass would be reversed, might be possible with patience. It was an average adjuster in Hong Kong who once told me that one manâs ruined cargo was another manâs fortune. Time-critical cargo has always caused furrowed brows among all those involved with every link in the logistics chain. When Heathrow airport came to a complete standstill a fortnight ago there was a person on the radio, amid the distress of all the human passengers with their frustrated flights, who managed to get in a plea for air cargo and hundreds of shipments which had found themselves diverted to airports all over the world. There was fruit and veg. with a shelf-life of a few hours cooking in aluminium air-cargo containers on runways all around the northern hemisphere, along with desperate shipments like organs for transplants.
The occasional lost item of luggage seemed small beer beside this stuff. In the early days of the chilled beef trade between Australia and the UK, this was a cargo which had everyone involved on their mettle. Hitherto it had been thought that such a voyage for this valuable cargo (well-established from Argentina) was just too long and beef had been only carried frozen. But such was the difference in price at the market that it was suggested, in the 1950s, that a fast ship, with the chilled cargo loaded in the final port, could do the job. And so it turned out, although there was little room for error, diversion, or delay, with chilled beef lockers, fitted out with hanging rails and with the cargo, handled with clinical cleanliness, resembling a medical procedure in the sweaty ports of North Queensland. Then it was flat out for home, the freezer engineers urging on their colleagues, knowing that a few days delay would require them to freeze the cargo down and reduce its value hugely. One of the legends of the âGreat Bitter Lakesâ fleetâ when all those ships were immured between 1967 and 1975, was the apple cargo aboard the Port Invercargill, which the revolving teams of engineers managed to keep in an edible form for more than seven years.
They were, it was said, much prized throughout the fleet, although the ship was subsequently sold after she was released. Refrigerating equipment could be quite sophisticated, hence the emergence of specialists to look after it. There was a wonderful tale some years ago about a reefer in which an entirely novel type of reefer plant had been installed when the ship was built. Sadly, this was the only one the manufacturers ever sold, but the shipâs freezer engineer managed to keep it running well, acquiring a mystique by virtue of his secret information, which only he knew. The ship changed hands several times, with the contract specifying that the reefer engineer, like an item of spares, went with the ship. This gave him enormous powers, which, as a markedly unpleasant alcoholic, he freely exercised. Eventually, after a bottle too many, he expired, and the ship, virtually useless without his grim ministrations, soon followed.
With containers and modern technology, the chief refrigeration officer has joined that list of forgotten ranks and ratings, such as pursers, boatswainâs mates and sparkies, once found on every set of crew articles. But somebody still must take responsibility for refrigerated cargo, even though it is in a container. There would have been faces as red as those cherries, one might surmise, after that lengthy Pacific crossing.
Michael Grey is former editor of Lloydâs List
2. Seafarersâ rights
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted crucial new guidelines to protect seafarers from unfair treatment when detained in foreign jurisdictions in connection with alleged crimes committed at sea.
The guidelines, adopted by the Legal Committee during its meeting in London from 24 to 28 March, aim to protect seafarersâ rights and ensure they are treated with fairness and dignity, no matter where they are in the world.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated: âUnfortunately, incidents of unjust treatment of seafarers are on the rise, posing a significant challenge to the sustainability of shipping. These cases not only undermine seafarers’ morale but also discourage young talent from pursuing a career at sea.â
He said the guidelines âwill add a significant value in resolving the challenges faced by seafarers and ensure that seafarers are treated fairly.”
Key aspects of the guidelines relate to due process, protection from arbitrary detention, coercion or intimidation, and ensuring that wages, medical care and repatriation rights should remain intact during any legal proceedings. The guidelines aim to improve coordination among countries, including port States, flag States, coastal States, States of which the seafarer is a national, shipowners, as well as seafarers.
The text was developed and first adopted in December 2024 by a Joint Tripartite Working Group with the International Labour Organization (ILO), which includes representation from governments, shipowners and seafarers.
The Legal Committee called for urgent action to tackle the sharp rise in seafarer abandonment cases, where shipowners fail to repatriate crew, pay wages, or provide basic necessities.
According to the IMO/ILO joint database on abandonment of seafarers, 310 new cases were reported in 2024 – more than double the 142 cases recorded in 2023. The trend continues in 2025, with 63 cases already reported in the first two months. The Committee urged Member States to report abandonment cases occurring in their ports or involving their flagged vessels and nationals; and improve the accuracy of these reports.
Member States were urged to update national contact points for handling cases, implement existing Guidelines on how to deal with seafarer abandonment cases, and raise awareness among seafarers about financial security protections.
The Committee welcomed the ongoing work by the Task Force coordinated by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) to review and update the ILO/IMO Joint abandonment database. Member States are encouraged to work with the Task Force to improve the database further.
The Committee discussed the need to address substandard shipping, given the rise of unlawful operations which distort the global playing field, increase risks to safety, security and the environment.
The Committee approved the proposal to conduct a regulatory scoping exercise to review IMO conventions and other tools available to Member States, with the aim of developing actions to prevent unlawful operations, including substandard shipping.
A correspondence group will be set up to start working on this new output, following approval of its terms of reference by the IMO Council in July 2025.
Other key issues
The Legal Committee will also be working on three other outputs over the coming year, including:
Development of guidelines or best practices for the registration of ships for the benefit of safety, protection of the marine environment and the well-being of seafarers;
Suitability of IMO liability and compensation regimes with respect to alternative fuels;Â and
Measures to address maritime security threats.
3. Interactive guidance
The Industry Associations of BIMCO, ICS, IMCA, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO & OCIMF supported by over forty maritime stakeholders, have released a consolidated and enhanced publication Best Management Practices (BMP) for Maritime Security (MS).
As an interactive online publication, BMP Maritime Security consolidates previously published regional publications into a single, comprehensive publication with actionable insights and advice. It focuses on providing a threat and risk management process and, recognising the dynamic nature of regional security situations, provides signposts to direct users to the most up-to-date security intelligence and risk assessment information. BMP MS is now available to view on the industry website https://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org/.
Seafarers operating ships around the world encounter a range of maritime security threats, which often involve aggressive state and non-state actors. Although these threats vary across regions and in their severity, they can have a traumatic effect on seafarers who face unwarranted physical and mental harm. In some cases, being held as hostages and subjected to violence and ill-treatment for extended periods.
To counter the threat, existing BMP guidance has greatly improved the industryâs ability to understand, detect, and deter maritime security threats in recent years, but the advice needs to keep pace with the rapidly evolving threat environment. In BMP Maritime Security, users can navigate easily to different sections and link directly to external sources. Additionally, the publication includes various diagrams that provide valuable learning opportunities. The publication includes a significant section detailing global authorities and, importantly, appropriate contacts and tools for seafarer welfare support.
David Loosley, BIMCO Secretary General & CEO, said: â2024 saw an unprecedented spike in attacks against merchant ships. Ships were attacked with weapons of war in the Black Sea and in the Southern Red Sea more than one hundred times, and four innocent seafarers lost their lives. Globally, 126 seafarers were held hostage during pirate attacks and armed robberies, and 12 seafarers were kidnapped. BMP MS will reduce risks and save lives. While we cannot control how the threats will develop in 2025 and beyond, we can make sure that we have the best tools available to help protect our seafarers and world trade.â
INTERTANKO managing director Tim Wilkins added: âAs seafarers navigate conflict and armed threats, it is our duty as shipowner representatives to provide them with the most up-to-date information and guidance to ensure their safety. The revised BMP and related threat overviews reflect the collaborative efforts of many of our members, drawing on the hard-earned experience of the maritime industry. INTERTANKO considers BMP as being a vital reference for every vessel.â
Best Management Practice (BMP) Maritime Security publication replaces previously published issues or supported guidance. The publication is available for download: https://www.ocimf.org/publications/information-papers/bmp-maritime-security
4. Methane carrier
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to the Marine Design and Research Institute of China (MARIC) for its new 155,000mÂł Ultra Large Ethane Carrier (ULEC) design.
The vessel, measuring approximately 274 meters in length and 42 meters in breadth, is designed as a single-propeller liquefied ethane carrier powered by a MAN ME-GIE ethane dual-fuel main engine, supporting worldwide ethane transportation. The design is compatible with both Type B cargo tanks and GTT Mark III membrane tanks, offering a lower boil-off rate (BOR), reduced unloading residue, and higher cargo capacity utilization. It is also capable of transporting ethylene, propylene, and LPG.
Optimized for fuel efficiency, the vessel features advanced hull lines, propellers, and rudders, along with energy-saving devices such as propeller cap fins, a pre-swirl duct, and a shaft generator. Additionally, MARICâs Smart Ship Solution is integrated, including a Smart Navigation System (SNS), an Energy Efficiency Management System (EEMS), and a Machinery Health Management System (MHMS), enhancing safety, operational efficiency and sustainability.
The vessel has been reviewed in accordance with BVâs classification rules and key notations. Leveraging its extensive experience in gas carrier classification, including Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs), BV will be able to conduct critical assessments such as structural strength evaluation, non-linear fatigue analysis, crack propagation studies, and leakage risk assessments.
Matthieu de Tugny, President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: “This AiP reflects our commitment to advancing innovative ship designs that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in gas transportation. We are pleased to support MARIC in this project, which demonstrates ongoing progress in the development of ultra-large ethane carriers.â
Zhu Jianzhang, Vice President of MARIC, said: âThis AiP underscores MARICâs commitment to developing next-generation gas carriers that combine efficiency, sustainability, and advanced technology. With BVâs expertise, we are confident this design will contribute to the future of safe and efficient ethane transportation.â
5. IACS annual review
The International Association of Classification Societies has published its 2024 Annual Review, which highlights the role played by IACS in supporting safety standards in global shipping.
In a year that marked the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the SOLAS Convention, safety was at the forefront of IACSâs work programme for 2024. This was exemplified by the new Safe Digital Transformation Panel, which began its important work to identify and mitigate any safety risks posed by shippingâs ongoing digital transformation.
Technical and digital advances featured heavily in IACSâs programme for 2024, including the significant challenge posed by new technologies and alternative fuels when it comes to the safety and reliability of engines and other onboard systems. IACSâs work in emerging fields was further highlighted by its work on remote surveys, which included the development of a new Unified Requirement to ensure uniform standards in the conduct of surveys undertaken without the presence of a surveyor.
The report also highlights a number of other areas of important work, including safety standards for gas carriers, improvements to the implementation of the Safe Return to Port (SRtP) scheme for passenger ships, and further guidance to support compliance with ballast water management system (BWMS) standards. 2024 also saw extensive consultation with industry and Flag States on the ongoing comprehensive review of the IACS Common Structural Rules, which will continue into 2025 and until their expected adoption in four yearsâ time.
Although digital and technological innovation has been a core focus of IACSâs work, the human element has remained at the heart of IACS safety agenda. As the report explores, IACS has continued to invest heavily in training and guidelines that support the role of people, including the risks posed to and by people in a shipâs lifecycle.
Robert Ashdown, IACS Secretary General, commented: â2024 was an extremely busy year for IACS, which saw us deliver a diverse work programme, with safety at the heart of all we do, whether that was through our strong presence at IMO, our close collaboration and engagement with industry partners, or our new and revised rules, recommendations and guidance. Through the collective efforts of our team and our members, IACS is playing a significant role upholding our purpose of safer, cleaner shipping.â
Roberto Cazzulo, Chair of the IACS Council, said: âAt a time of transformation for our industry, IACS has been at the forefront of setting the standards needed to keep vessels safe and to protect the environment, particularly when the world around us is being reshaped by digitalisation and decarbonisation. This pace of change also requires an agile, rapid response in order to address the technical and safety implications for shipping. Throughout 2024, IACS and our members proved their ability to deliver the expert guidance needed by our industry to help safeguard safety at sea.â
The report recognises IACSâs extensive programme of engagement and support for industry at a technical and strategic level with a wide range of regulatory authorities, representative bodies and other stakeholder groups, most notably at the IMO, where IACS works closely with the secretariat and member states to deliver on the shared safety vision of both organisations. In 2024, the collective contribution from IACS and its members resulted in 77 submissions to IMO, along with the co-sponsorship of a further 12 papers.
IACS also plays an important role as a convenor and partner with industry stakeholders through other initiatives, such as the Joint Industry Working Group (JIWG) on Safe Decarbonisation, which was established last year. Through regular technical meetings and workshops, the feedback and insight from these discussions has fed directly into IACSâs rules and recommendations.
Over 2024, IACS adopted 85 new or revised Resolutions and Recommendations for implementation by its members, and the Annual Review provides a full list of all these, as well as those withdrawn. It also includes the âClass Report 2024â, which contains data on the global IACS fleet, broken down by the twelve IACS members.
The 2024 Annual Review is available for download at the IACS website at https://iacs.org.uk/about-us/annual-review. Hard copies are also available on request from the IACS Permanent Secretariat at permsec@iacs.org.uk.
6. Achilles effect
Achilles, a global leader in supply chain risk management solutions, and Procureship, the worldâs leading e-procurement platform have agreed a long-term partnership to enhance the ESG capabilities of the shipping industryâs procurement processes.
The latest agreement will bring efficiencies to the supply chain assessment and purchasing process for Procureship members. Procureship provides streamlined purchasing for more than 100 fleet owners and operators, including BW LNG, Angelicoussis Group, Oldendorff Carriers, Starbulk Group, TB Marine and Technomar. By leveraging advanced analytics, machine learning tools, and a unique supplier recommendation engine, Procureship simplifies the procurement process between buyers and suppliers.
The Achilles Maritime Network provides a platform for shipowners and managers to collaborate, reduce risks, and enhance supply chain visibility while lowering costs and administrative burdens. Suppliers and contractors benefit from standardised processes and pre-qualification, fostering stronger relationships and business growth. The network supports transparency, sustainability, and responsible business practices in the maritime industry. Members of the Achilles Maritime Network include BW LNG and LPG, Odfjell, Seapeak and Seasourcing.
Through this agreement, users of the Procureship platform can access the Achilles service to improve visibility of their suppliersâ sustainability performance. Procureship will also offer its supplier network the opportunity to demonstrate their Achilles score and standout through a rigorous, independent assessment.
The Achilles Sustainability Score will be reflected in Procureshipâs supplier profiles and displayed in supplier search engine results. Additionally, buyers will be able to check the suppliersâ Achilles scores on the spot during the evaluation of quotations. This will allow maritime purchasers to easily source products from companies that align with their standards, providing greater transparency and confidence in their procurement decisions.
âProcureship identified the need for an ESG module to complement our existing marketplace services and recognised the expertise we would gain through this partnership with Achilles,â said Grigoris Lamprou, Co-Founder and CEO of Procureship. âFor our clients, the ability to easily access information on supplier sustainability practices reinforces trust across the supply chain.â
âThe aim of Achilles is to ensure that procurement professionals within the shipping sector have a streamlined purchasing process that improves visibility, drives ESG metrics and increases process efficiency,â said Paul Stanley, CEO, Achilles. âIncluding supplier sustainability data within an e-commerce platform like Procureship, cements this strategy with a simplified, yet robust process.â
7. Seafarer shortages
A new report published by Lloyd’s Register Foundation highlights opportunities to make the number of seafarers more sustainable by investing in Africa’s emerging talent and supporting women in maritime roles.
Deep dive on seafarer sustainability: Supporting the opportunity for Africa and women to create a sustainable supply of seafarers for the future, was carried out by the World Maritime University. It highlights that investment in Africa and support for more women to play a significant part in maritime roles provide a viable option in a sustainable future for seafarers.
It is the first deep dive report in a series exploring the challenges faced by the global maritime sector as part of Lloydâs Register (LR) and Lloydâs Register Foundation’s Global Maritime Trends research programme, which aims to address major maritime challenges in the coming years. Launched in 2023 with the Global Maritime Trends 2050 Report, it includes ‘deep dive’ reports providing expert analysis on critical maritime issues. The first report on seafarer sustainability was released in London on Thursday, 27 March.
The report examines entry barriers for careers in maritime, many of which intersect for both women and those living on the African continent.
In some countries, the report outlines, women were banned from enrolling in nautical courses, while false beliefs have persisted through the decades that they would be less effective at sea, both for physical and emotional reasons.
Yet, the report highlights that reaching 25% women seafarers by 2050 could be possible by following several steps, which the report breaks down, ranging from awareness campaigns to encourage more girls into science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), to gender equality policies and targeted scholarships.
While the skills shortage in the industry is not a new issue, it has become an increasingly pressing one in recent years. Back in 2023, the Global Maritime Trends 2050 report described two possible scenarios to tackle it by having Africaâs young and talented demographic play a pivotal role, or by increasing the number of women seafarers to 25 percent of the total workforce in shipping.
To understand how that could work, a baseline of what training and education as well as the number of seafarers, was required to assess what needs to change to make that happen. The deep dive report concludes that based on the evidence, both are possible, and outlines a clear road map and tangible steps towards each of the targets, including awareness campaigns to get more girls into STEM, gender equality policies and targeted scholarships.
Professor Momoko Kitada, Head of Maritime Education and Training, World Maritime University, one of the reportâs authors, said: âDiversity has been a challenge across several skills shortage-ridden sectors, but few are experiencing it to the same extent as maritime.
âGiven the growing demands on the sector and other challenges ahead, including the switch to greener energies and sustainability, we felt it was essential to provide governments and industry stakeholders with a clear roadmap to meet maritimeâs ambitious workforce targets by tapping onto one key overlooked demographic â the rich talent pool found in Africa and the skills of women.
âThatâs where our Deep Dive report comes in, along with the clear roadmaps developed by experts, breaking down the necessary steps to achieve a diverse, sustainable workforce.â
The report also dives into entry barriers into the industry for people living in Africa. It found a combination of enrolment disparities for maritime education and training institutions across the continent, combined with low graduation rates (22% at Durban University of Technology, for example) mostly down to limited sea time, prevented potential seafarers from reaching their potential. To bridge the gap, several recommendations are included in the report â such as the funding and establishment of seafarer development programmes, as well as global partnerships.
Olivia Swift, Head of Maritime at Lloydâs Register Foundation, added: âClearly, there are vast and largely untapped numbers of female and African seafarers with much to offer the maritime economy.
âWhat has been less clear, is how the potential of women and African seafarers can be realised on a large scale, which is what this report focuses on answering. Researchers at the World Maritime University have obtained and collated data, unseen elsewhere, on African Maritime Education and Training enrolment and graduation, good practice, and on subsequent employment, as well as data and good practice relating to the employment of women seafarers, globally. Their analysis allows policy makers and other stakeholders to understand the current state of play, and where to focus efforts to improve it.â
To download the report, go to https://www.global-maritime-trends.org
8. Waste management
Evac Group, a global leader in sustainability technologies and solutions, has launched Dehydro, an innovative onboard waste management system designed to meet the specific needs of smaller vessels.
Evacâs Dehydro system brings advanced waste management treatments to smaller vessels by using dehydration technology. Traditional onboard waste systems typically require high volumes of wet waste to be cost-effective, which makes them impractical for smaller vessels. The Dehydro system makes onboard waste treatment viable for smaller ships, reducing the need for overboard discharge or costly offloading to land-based facilities. This significantly reduces waste volume, helping vessels meet increasingly stringent environmental standards and delivering a cost-effective solution.
Evacâs Dehydro system reduces wet waste volume by approximately 80% through its dehydration process, transforming wet waste into a sterile, dry powder. This eliminates the need for additional treatment and simplifies offloading, making waste management easier and more cost-effective through its compact design, which is suited to vessels producing between 50 and 1,000 kg of wet waste per day. This includes small merchant vessels, OSVs, ferries and passenger vessels, and large yachts.
Many smaller vessels rely on outdated, unsustainable waste disposal options, requiring them to either discharge waste into the sea where permitted or transport it to land-based facilities, both of which have significant environmental and financial costs.
The launch of Dehydro also comes at a time of stricter regulations on waste disposal to protect marine ecosystems, underlining the need for more innovative waste management solutions for smaller vessels that are more likely to operate closer to shore, where the environmental consequences of non-compliant waste discharge can be extremely serious.
Björn Ullbro, CEO of Evac Group commented, âDirect discharge of untreated waste poses a serious threat to aquatic life by depleting oxygen levels. Most onboard waste treatment systems require high volumes to be cost-effective, leaving smaller vessels without viable options. With increasing regulatory pressures, owners are calling for more innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenge of onboard waste treatment and storage. Dehydro answers that call, with advanced dehydration technology to operators of smaller vessels.
“The launch of this product marks a key moment for Evac. Traditionally, innovation in our industry meant developing a great product and then bringing it to market. This time, we reversed that. We started with the customerâs operational reality and identified the best solutions on the market. Complementing in-house innovation with strong partnerships is a clear example of how weâre delivering on our ambition to offer the industryâs most comprehensive water and waste management portfolio.”
Dehydro is a significant step toward helping smaller vessels meet evolving environmental standards, including compliance with MARPOL Annex IV and Annex V regulations, which govern sewage and garbage discharge, including food waste, from ships, as well as EU waste management rules on port reception facilities, and other local and national regulations. There are also a growing number of Special Areas under MARPOL, which are subject to higher levels of protection from pollution risks, placing more stringent obligations on vessels in these locations.
9. Good ship handlers
Good shiphandlers can become great shiphandlers and a new book from The Nautical Institute explains how.
The phrase âthe Beautiful Gameâ is synonymous with football, but for twin brothers Captain Grant H Livingstone and Captain George H Livingstone the words perfectly capture life at sea. Both authors have spent decades working as pilots, mastering the art of shiphandling, for which technical expertise meets instinct, experience and split-second decision making.
As with elite sport stars and world-class musicians, who combine dedication to practice and honing skills with an instinct for their craft, the brothers have learned how professional mariners endorse the science of shiphandling but also talk about its âfeelâ. Knowing the fundamentals is certainly a crucial element in successful shiphandling, but so, too, is the ability to manage emotions, rise above the panic and maintain focus, even with distractions all around.
To inspire other seafarers to view their profession as âthe Beautiful Gameâ, Grant and George have gathered insights from experienced mariners, asking them: âWhat were the most challenging elements to learn theoretically?â and âWhat were the most challenging elements to execute practically?â. The result is a book that draws together a range of real-life scenarios and how they were handled, examining both successes and failures so that todayâs mariners can learn from past events. It will propel them to the successes and help them to avoid the failures.
Shiphandling, the Beautiful Game has been written to explain what differentiates a good shiphandler from a great one. The authors consider common challenges and how best to deal with the emotions that can affect the outcomes, sharing examples of how to master those emotions and avert disaster. The book explores the many ways the human brain assimilates experience and develops motor skills and cognitive deduction, turning shiphandling into an art form that can be enjoyed rather than a challenge to be endured.
Whether you are a young cadet or a seasoned mariner, The Nautical Instituteâs newest release, Shiphandling, the Beautiful Game, offers valuable lessons on mastering the craft, managing high-pressure situations and achieving excellence in the wheelhouse. Head of Information and Publications, Steven Gosling, comments: âToday more than ever, the mariner needs to be a competent and confident shiphandler, being in control at all times of the ship and themselves. What better than a lifetime of experience from two experts in the field to help you understand and master the art, the science and the mindset of successful shiphandling?â
10. Fuel converter
Baltic Exchange has launched the maritime industryâs first-ever free Fuel Equivalence Converter, a reliable, easy-to-use digital calculator that helps owners, traders, brokers and charterers to navigate the complexity of the physical properties of the wide variety of marine fuels that are currently available on the market.
The Fuel Equivalence Converter is the latest resource provided by Baltic Exchange to help shipping players understand the cost and commercial implications of greener fuel options following the launch of its FuelEU Maritime Calculator in December 2024, which was then expanded to include biofuels in March 2025.
The converter enables users to compare the mass, volume and energy content of various traditional bunker and green fuel options in order to better understand how their bunker supplies would be impacted to achieve an equivalent energy level. This type of data is critical for owners and operators looking to reduce their compliance costs or run their vessels on cleaner alternatives.
âWith a number of standard and alternative fuels available on the market, finding the conversion rates and energy ratios of all of the options in one place is incredibly difficult. As the range of potential fuel alternatives increase, this converter enables owners, charterers, traders and more to understand the physical properties and energy content by volume of each fuel type,â said Martin Crawford-Brunt, Emissions Lead at Baltic Exchange.
âFinding viable fuel options for our specific trades and ship types requires informed, data-led decisions that are grounded in reality. Just as we have done with our other emissions-related calculators and resources, Baltic Exchange is helping the industry to cut through this complexity.â he added.
The fuel consumption of the Baltic standard ship is expressed in terms of metric tonnes per day of marine fuel oil. The Fuel Equivalence Convertor can be used to quickly find the volume or mass of an alternative fuel to provide a similar amount of energy.
At present, the converter includes VLSFO, HFO, LFSO Crude, LFSO Blend, ULFSO, MDO & MGO, LNG, Ammonia and Methanol. It also includes various unit types, including metric tonnes (mt), cubic metres (cbm) and MMBtu, enabling shipping players to understand how different fuel options will impact their vesselâs bunker fuel storage and management systems.
For example, the fuel consumption for a 300,000 dwt Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) at an eco-speed of 11 knots and in laden condition is 39.8 mt of VLSFO. Baltic Exchangeâs Fuel Equivalence Converter shows that this vessel would require 38.4 mt of MGO or 33.4 mt of LNG in order to achieve the same energy levels. Similarly, the converter shows that the same vessel would require 82.4 mt of methanol or 88.2 mt of ammonia to achieve the same level of output.
âUnderstanding the potential impact on operations of the many alternative fuel options is crucial given the shipping industry must navigate the growing number of emissions regulations coming into force, successfully. By simplifying the process and providing this converter to the industry free of charge, alongside our other calculators, Baltic Exchange is doing its part to support decision makers with their decarbonisation journey,â Crawford-Brunt noted.
âAs always, we look forward to feedback from the industry to understand more about how we can improve our tools and resources to make them more effective for real-world users,â he added.
Click here to find out more about Baltic Exchangeâs comprehensive emissions resources.
11. Cyber security
The UKâs new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is a game-changer for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and a necessary step in strengthening national cyber resilience. With the 2024 NHS cyber attacks exposing critical vulnerabilities, bringing MSPs into the scope of regulation is long overdue.
The Bill also has significant implications for insurers, as enhanced cyber security measures could reduce risk exposure, influencing cyber insurance uptake, underwriting standards, and premium stability.
Matthew Geyman, Managing Director of Intersys commented: “This move aligns the UK with global efforts like the EUâs NIS2 Directive and the USâs CIRCIA, ensuring that MSPs – who have unparalleled access to client systems – meet higher security standards. Weâve seen first-hand the gaps in cyber preparedness, and this Bill is a positive step towards a stronger UK cyber readiness baseline. However, with ÂŁ100K-a-day fines at stake, organisations must act now. The biggest priority isnât just compliance – its resilience. Businesses should be focusing on continuous risk assessment, security monitoring, and enhanced staff training. Cyber Security as a Service will become essential.â
For the insurance sector, the Bill represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Rising cyber threats have driven premium increases and stricter underwriting standards, yet uptake of cyber cover remains low. By compelling organisations to enhance cyber security controls and reporting, this legislation could reduce risk exposure, providing insurers with greater confidence in underwriting cyber and business interruption (BI) policies.
Notices & Miscellany
SeaTrain Technology, a pioneer in sustainable maritime solutions, has announced the appointment of Carleen Lyden Walker as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Lyden Walker brings over four decades of maritime industry expertise, underscoring SeaTrainâs commitment to revolutionizing global shipping through innovation and environmental stewardship.
Her career encompasses significant roles such as Co-Founder and CEO of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), CEO of Morgan Marketing & Communications, and Chief Evolution Officer (CEO) of SHIPPINGInsight. Her dedication to marine environmental protection and sustainable shipping practices has been recognized globally, including her appointment as a Goodwill Maritime Ambassador by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2015.
In her new role at SeaTrain Technology, she will spearhead the companyâs mission to introduce its groundbreaking remote-controlled modular submersible glider technology to the world. This innovative technology aims to transform ocean freight transportation by offering unparalleled efficiency, profitability, reliability, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, it has extensive applications to the energy and defense industries.
Expressing her enthusiasm about joining SeaTrain, she stated, âI am honored to lead SeaTrain Technology at this pivotal moment in maritime history. SeaTrainâs innovative approach aligns perfectly with my lifelong commitment to advancing sustainable practices in the shipping industry. I look forward to working with the talented team at SeaTrain to bring this transformative technology to the domestic and global markets.â
Randy Durst, Founder and Chairman of SeaTrain Technology, commented, âWe are delighted to welcome Carleen as our CEO. Her extensive experience and visionary leadership in the maritime sector are invaluable assets as we embark on this journey to redefine maritime shipbuilding and transportationâ.
SeaTrain Technology, established in 2023 and headquartered in Boynton Beach, Florida, is on a mission to revolutionize the shipping, energy, and defense sectors through its patented submersible glider technology.
Please notify the Editor of your appointments, promotions, new office openings and other important happenings: contactus@themaritimeadvocate.com
And finally,
(With thanks to Paul Dixon)
Sam and Max were psychologists, and the best of friends. Sam’s practice was based upon the theories of Sigmund Freud, but Max relied more upon the theories of Carl Jung.
One wintry night, as they were walking home from the community college where they had just given a lecture, Sam slipped on the ice and did a swan dive onto the pavement.
Dazed, he looked up to see his friend regarding him thoughtfully. “Well, what is it?” he snapped.
Max extended his hand and said, “Sorry, but it’s just that this is the first time I’ve actually SEEN a Freudian slip.”
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