The Maritime Education Podcast

The extraordinary session of the IMO's Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) session was convened on the 14th October to formally adopt the NZF as amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, which would introduce for large oceangoing ships a global fuel-intensity standard and a GHG emissions-pricing mechanism. However, member States were unable to reach consensus and therefore did not formally adopt the framework at this meeting...

Northern Arctic shipping route — often called the Northern Sea Route (NSR) or Northeast Passage — which connects the Far East (Asia) to Europe via the Arctic Ocean north of Russia is one of the most strategically significant emerging maritime corridors of the 21st century. The Northern Arctic Route represents one of the most significant shifts in global shipping geography since the opening of the Suez Canal. It offers substantial t...

The IMO Net-Zero Framework is a landmark step toward regulating and pricing maritime GHG emissions globally. It marries technical fuel intensity standards with financial penalties and incentives, with the aim of shifting the industry toward cleaner energy. But its eventual effectiveness hinges on how ambitious the final numerical targets are, how robust the verification and certification systems become, and how much financial suppo...

Heavy weather significantly disrupts maritime operations, increasing risks, costs, and delays for both ships and ports. Vessels face higher fuel consumption, mechanical strain, and potential hull or cargo damage, while ports often suspend pilotage and cargo handling due to unsafe conditions, leading to congestion and demurrage. These disruptions raise insurance claims, reduce schedule reliability, and inflate operational expenses. ...

In 1894 George Williams gave up his career working on windjammers to set up his own business. Aged 30 George acquired a small pinnace which was being sold by the Royal Navy. He rigged a sail and brought the vessel to Hythe on the banks of Southampton Water. He set to work and converted the boat into a small sailing barge which was able to carry up to twenty tons of cargo. It was not long before he was successful in acquiring his fi...

In the UK, Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) operate at different levels depending on navigational risk. Active VTS centres (e.g. London, Southampton, Humber) provide information, navigational assistance, and traffic organisation, with legally binding authority over vessel movements. Passive VTS are also official SOLAS-mandated services but limited to monitoring and information only, offering advice without issuing binding traffic dire...

Weather forecasting is the science of predicting atmospheric conditions based on real-time observations and mathematical models. Using data from satellites, radar, weather stations, and aircraft, modern forecast models simulate how the atmosphere will evolve. Short-term forecasts (1–3 days) are generally accurate, while longer-range predictions become less reliable due to the chaotic nature of weather systems. Although real-time da...

The trend in seafarer abandonment is clearly escalating. From an already catastrophic record in 2024, the situation continues to deteriorate in 2025—both in scale and severity. Key regions, flags of convenience, and weak enforcement remain persistent contributors to the crisis. 2024 marked a grim milestone, becoming the worst year on record for seafarer abandonment:

3,133 seafarers were abandoned onboard 312 vessels, an 87% increase...

Cowes Week stands unmatched in its scale among recreational sailing events—instantly recognisable by its hundreds of competing yachts, thousands of sailors, and tens of thousands of spectators.

Approaching its 200th anniversary this major sailing event takes place within the Solent every year. The organisation of such a large regatta requires early and detailed interaction with Harbour Authorities to ensure that it is run safely wit...

The journey of autonomous ships has been marked by decades of technological innovation, cautious regulation, and bold experimentation. From early remote-controlled submarines to intelligent, oceangoing cargo ships, the evolution of MASS continues to accelerate. The future of shipping will likely include a hybrid model—where human expertise and machine precision work in tandem to navigate the world's oceans.

During these early s...

The Hong Kong Convention (HKC) was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2009 to ensure that ships, when recycled at the end of their life, do not pose risks to human health, safety, or the environment. It was created in response to unsafe and polluting shipbreaking practices, especially in South Asia. After years of delay, the HKC met the conditions for entry into force on 26 June 2023 and became legally bind...

The Suez Canal is a 193-kilometre (120-mile) artificial waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea at Port Said in the north to the Red Sea at Suez in the south. Completed in 1869, it allows ships to transit between Europe and Asia without circumnavigating Africa via the Cape of Good Hope, reducing voyage times by approximately 8,000–10,000 kilometres (4,300–5,400 nautical miles).

The Canal is not just a man-made marvel—it ...

Containership fires pose significant dangers due to the complex nature of cargo stowage, the vast quantities of goods onboard, and the difficulty of accessing and extinguishing fires deep within container stacks. These fires often involve hazardous materials, such as chemicals, batteries, or flammable goods, which may be misdeclared or improperly stored, increasing the risk of rapid escalation. Once ignited, a fire can spread quick...

A bow thruster is a transversal propulsion device installed in the forward (bow) section of a ship, allowing it to move laterally (sideways) without forward motion. It is especially valuable for low-speed manoeuvres such as berthing, unberthing, or holding position in dynamic positioning (DP) systems. While it greatly aids ship handling, it comes with several limitations.

The bow thruster was first developed in the mid-20th century ...

When a pilot steps on board, two experts meet—each with a distinct role and vital knowledge. But how well that knowledge is shared can mean the difference between a smooth berthing and a costly incident. Whether you're a seasoned master mariner, an experienced pilot, or just starting your journey at sea, this blog unpacks the procedures, challenges, and real-world lessons behind effective communication on the bridge.

The MPX is...

The global shipping industry is responsible for transporting over 80% of world trade by volume, but it also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In response to environmental concerns, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced various measures to reduce the carbon footprint of ships. Among the most critical are the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the Energy Efficiency Existing Shi...

A ship’s propeller is a marvel of marine engineering — a seemingly simple rotating device that plays a vital role in moving massive vessels across oceans. At its core, a ship's propeller converts rotational power from the ship’s engine into thrust, propelling the vessel forward or backward through water. A ship’s propeller works by spinning its blades to accelerate water in one direction, thereby pushing the ship in the opposi...

In the world of global trade, few symbols capture the scale and efficiency of modern logistics like the containership. These vast floating warehouses are responsible for transporting 90% of the world’s goods, and over the past four decades, they have undergone a dramatic transformation in size and capacity. From the modest vessels of the 1980s to today’s ultra-large container ships (ULCS), the evolution of ship design has reshaped ...

On March 10, 2025, a significant maritime collision occurred in the North Sea, approximately 12 miles off the coast of East Yorkshire, England. The Portuguese-flagged container ship MV Solong collided with the US-flagged oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate, which was anchored at the time. The impact led to both vessels catching fire and resulted in the presumed death of one crew member from the Solong.

Whilst the incident is being invest...