The Mariner's Blog

IMO has published Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to Minimize the Transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species (Ships' Biofouling), 2012 Edition. Read on to learn about the purpose of these guidelines and the biofouling they're meant to prevent.

IMO has just released a new publication: the Guide to Maritime Security and the ISPS Code, 2012. Read on to learn more about it.

IMO has just finalized the Code of Safe Practice for Ships carrying Timber Deck Cargoes, 2011 (2011 TDC Code), which replaces the previous edition published in 1991. Click through to learn about the changes.

IMO has just published the International Code for the Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTP Code), 2010 Edition, which replaces the previous edition published in 1998. Here's what's new...

IMO has just published the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), 2012 Edition, which replaces the previous edition published in 1996. Read on to learn what's changed.

IMO has just published Procedures for Port State Control, 2012 Edition, which replaces the previous edition published in 2000. Read on to learn what Port State Control is for, what has changed in this new edition, and when it will be available.

Charts produced by Norway's Kartverket (Norwegian for "Mapping Authority") are now available in the United States as print-on-demand charts as the result of an agreement between OceanGrafix and the Norwegian Hydrographic Service. The 100+ charts—which comprise a majority of the charts produced by NHS—are updated every two weeks using the same technology OceanGrafix developed to print US charts on demand. Keep reading for more about Norwegian chart coverage.

Customers looking to purchase NGA charts in region 8 (the South Pacific Islands) will find a considerably reduced selection of coverage available to be printed on demand. Region 8 is split into three sub-regions: 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3. Charts in subregion 8-1 (shown in green) are still available, but charts in subregions 8-2 and 8-3 (both in red) are no longer available for sale to the public.

A number of UKHO distributors met with UKHO representatives in Baltimore this week to prepare for the launch of Admiralty’s e-Navigator. The system integrates route planning, purchasing, and management of publications on board a vessel, and provides facilities for vessel superintendents to better manage their vessels. As of this week, it's the only option for provisioning licenses for ECDIS-compliant digital charts from the Admiralty. What does this mean for steamship lines? Read on to find out…

This August, the US and Canada will begin enforcing recent amendments to international regulations for air pollution from ships. Under the new standard, ships must minimize their emissions of certain pollutants when operating in a designated North American Emissions Control Area. Read on for background behind the regulations and how they will impact global shipping in the future.