Sir Bu Nair Island, a Safe Haven for Rare Creatures
A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, THE ISLAND IS TESTAMENT TO SHARJAH’S CELEBRATION OF ITS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, 6 June 2022:
Around midnight on June 1, a hawksbill turtle landed on the Sir Bu Nair Island. It’s one of the many that began arriving three months ago to nest on the island, bringing the number of nests to more than 300 spread across 27 beaches. The hawksbill turtle lays between 90 to 110 eggs and quietly returns to the sea, leaving eggs to hatch in 50 to 70 days. Part of Sharjah, Sir Bu Nair is situated around 110 km north off the Emirate’s coast.
Declared a nature reserve by a government decree, the island is one of the most important breeding grounds for the endangered hawksbill turtle and features on the International Union for Conservation of Nature list.
The enchanting island, 13 sq km in size, is home to the sooty seagulls (Abu Sannin) and other terns who make thousands of nests in its red soil. Sharjah has strict laws in place to protect all living creatures on the island. Sir Bu Nair is rich in rare green sea turtles, deer, hedgehogs and reptiles. It has also recorded the discovery of the red coat fish.
Rich history
Sir Bu Nair Island has long been preserved in the region’s collective memory of historical events. The British established, during their presence in the region, the first railway in the Emirates, whose relics remain on one side of the beach under the sea.
The island is also known for the sweetness of its waters, which is also fabled to cure rare diseases.
Pottery vessels have been found on the island dating back to the Iron Age, i.e. about 3,500 years ago confirming the continuation of marine activity on the island during the past 35 centuries. There is a cemetery on the island that is known to contain the remains of a number of divers and miners, which represents an important stage in the history of the development of the people living on the banks of the Arabian Gulf.
Mars Island
The island is also known as Al-Jazirah Al-Hamra because of its red terrain and is often compared to the planet Mars. It’s rich in minerals, including sulfur and iron oxide. In the past, railways were used to transport minerals to ships for exporting abroad. Some mines survive to this day.
Known for its sandy beaches and its pristine waters, Sir Bu Nair and its surroundings are rich in coral and marine life, boasting more than 76 types of fish and 40 types of coral reefs.
Emirati poets have long described Sir Bu Nair as “the tear that fell in the waters of the Gulf.” The people of Sharjah have a strong affinity with the island thanks to their historical love of the sea and seafaring traditions. The island had been the seat of generations of pearldivers and fishermen.
International importance
The Sir Bu Nair reserve enjoys strategic global importance and is included in the International Convention on Wetlands because of its rich marine life. It’s included in the preliminary list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and an international agreement on the protection and management of sea turtles in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.
HH Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, attended the 22nd Sir Bu Nair Festival, held on June 3-4 to highlight the island's environmental and touristic importance and consolidate the Emirati relationship with their environment and heritage.
EVERY ACTION COUNTS: NAMEPA Celebrates World Ocean Day with Members Ecochlor and Fairfield Chemical Carriers
June 8th, 2022: The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) teamed up with corporate members, Ecochlor and Fairfield Chemical Carriers, to co-host a local community cleanup in honor of World Ocean Day in Norwalk, Connecticut. The City of Norwalk graciously provided cleanup materials for the maritime stewards who volunteered their time to Save Our Seas.
“Being a part of the NAMEPA efforts to support World Ocean Day was a tremendous experience. Cleaning our oceans is certainly not a small task, so being able to be a part of a global effort was rewarding both personally and professionally,” stated Pete Thompson, Vice President of Operations at Ecochlor.
With 71% of our planet comprised of water, the ever-increasing issue of marine pollution is a great concern to all life – and can only be successfully addressed by action at every level – from the individual up through global coordination. Volunteers from each organization had discussions on the importance of our waterways and why cleanup initiatives are so vital in the mission to Save Our Seas. With the support of over 30 volunteers, more than 107 pounds of marine debris was removed from the Norwalk River located in Norwalk, Connecticut. This is just one of the many actions NAMEPA corporate members are taking as maritime leaders to Save Our Seas.
“We are proud to continue our support of NAMEPA and show our sincere commitment to action and deed again this year by offering time, sweat and labor for a great cause,” stated Fairfield Chemical Carrier President, Todd Clough.
In 2008, the United Nations declared June 8th as World Ocean Day to recognize the vital human connection with the ocean and the value it provides to all life on Earth. It is also a day to raise awareness about the needs to protect the ocean and the responsibility each individual has on maintaining its health. The United Nations World Oceans Day 2022 theme is Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean. Hosted by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, this year’s hybrid event shed light on the communities, ideas, and solutions that protect and revitalize the ocean and everything it sustains. With the UN’s Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development from 2021-2030, these conversations are key in preserving and protecting the marine environment.
“As NAMEPA continues to celebrate its 15th Anniversary, we look to spotlight action at every level, inspired by individuals, reverberating through communities, innovatively led by corporations, and ultimately guided by the United Nations,” stated NAMEPA Education and Outreach Director Molly Dushay. “We all have a role to play in achieving our global goal of ensuring our waterways are protected and preserved for generations to come.”
Through partnerships, Ecochlor and Fairfield Chemical Carriers continue to support NAMEPA’s mission to educate, advocate, and activate the maritime community. Ecochlor is continuing to celebrate how Every Action Counts with a corporate Lunch N’ Learn event in their corporate offices while Fairfield Chemical Carriers continues to grow their commitment to maritime protection in this, their second World Ocean Day of action.
“Working with the NAMEPA team to set up our first beach clean-up was a wonderful experience from start to finish. They ramped-up excitement for the day with the Ecochlor volunteers by sending us environmental information, set-up the site and brought all the clean-up materials for us to use. As a maritime company, not only was it impactful for our employees, but at the end of the day there was concrete evidence of everything we collected from the Norwalk oceanfront,” says Kathie Clark, Director of Communications.
Join NAMEPA as we celebrate how actions at every level are steps to Save Our Seas!
Learn more by visiting www.namepa.net/take-action
The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at: www.namepa.net
Ecochlor’s mission is to end the wide-spread environmental damage to our coastal ecosystems that is caused by invasive aquatic species carried in the ballast tanks of ships. In addition, our collaborations with innovative maritime business solutions providers are intended to deliver enhanced economic performance by providing environmentally sound products and services to the maritime industry. The beneficial impact of our mission for the environment is limitless. Visit www.ecochlor.com to learn more.
Fairfield Chemical Carriers is committed to being the chemical tanker operator of choice in its selected markets; to providing its customers with top quality and reliable service – creative, proactive, and always client focused; to maintaining the highest standards for safety and efficiency in the operation of its fleet; and, above, all, to conducting all its activities professionally, ethically and in a socially responsible manner. For more information, go to www.fairfieldchemical.com
ShipNext Wins SHIPPINGInsight Innovation Award for AI Digital Shipping Marketplace and Transportation Platform
Award Presented at the Posidonia SHIPPINGInsight SHARK TANK event
Athens, Greece – June 9, 2022 – The prestigious SHIPPINGInsight Innovation Award was brought to Posidonia in Athens, Greece for the first time last week and was presented on Thursday, June 9 to SHIPNEXT for their innovative AI digital shipping marketplace and transportation platform transforming a $2 trillion market, at the conclusion of SHIPPINGInsight's first international SHARK TANK. The award, previously presented annually at the SHIPPINGInsight Conference, will be presented semi-annually in 2022 – at Posidonia and again in October, to honor two solution providers for the successful development and implementation of an innovative initiative that advances the state of the art in ship and fleet optimization goals. The winner is chosen by the “Sharks” through their “investment” in the various technologies (“chum”) presented in the SHARK TANK.
“Ever since the shift of shipping communication and negotiations from telex and fax to email, the shipping market was to the greater extent driven by daily flows of millions of emails and messages. Both for communication purposes as well as data collection. At Shipnext, we patented the process of scraping useful data from emails and messages and connecting it with other shipping data on a shipping platform for freight-matching and freight-search. Thus, creating a digital replica of the shipping market.” says Alexander Varvarenko, CEO of Shipnext. “The shift of the shipping markets from record lows to record highs, and the importance of supply-chain management in today's changing world, gives Shipnext an excellent opportunity and timing to gain popularity. Since December 2021, the number of Shipnext users has increased by over 300%. This great award received at Posidonia is symbolic and gives us optimistic expectations ahead of us!”
“SHIPPINGInsight is proud to attract innovative products and services to its SHARK TANK every year from around the world,” stated Carleen Lyden Walker, Chief Evolution Officer for the company. “It is exciting to be able to recognize tomorrow’s solutions today through our SHIPPINGInsight Innovation Award. Many of our contestants go on to be picked up by investors and maritime interests, but only one is recognized with our award.”
The award winner received a glass trophy as well as framed certificates.
About ShipNext
SHIPNEXT is a Digital Shipping Marketplace and Transportation Platform transforming a $2 trillion market. SHIPNEXT patented the process of combining email and data processing with the concept of using a shipping platform for instant cargo-to-ship and ship-to-cargo matching, dynamic freight search, data analytics, chartering and trading, digitalisation of work-flows. We are the only platform up to date that offers a full A-to-Z process and covers all types of trades regardless of the size, type, form and destination of cargo, including dry-bulk, breakbulk, wet-bulk, containerized, heavy and oversized cargo. Also SHIPNEXT patented the process of optimisation of freight search, delivery planning and optimisation of transportation, by way of using algorithms and Artificial intelligence for data processing and shipping email processing, data-processing on Cargo, Fleet, Ports, Shipping Routes, in real-time with the help of a Digital Shipping Platform.
About SHIPPINGInsight
Originally established in 2012, SHIPPINGInsight continues year-over-year growth. Focusing on fleet optimization and innovation, the event provides a forum for shipowners and solution providers to exchange ideas and discuss challenges in facing the transformation of the industry. Since its inception, SHIPPINGInsight has been attended by over 7000 registered delegates from 42 countries, with over 850 shipowners and hundreds of speakers. At our most recent in-person conference, SHIPPINGInsight welcomed more than 280 delegates from 19 countries, including 71 shipping company executives. For more information, please visit www.shippinginsight.com.
Tototheo Maritime expands presence in North Europe
The well-known maritime technology provider, Tototheo Maritime, has recently inaugurated its new office in Bremen, Germany. Headquartered in Cyprus, Tototheo Maritime has been offering state of the art technology solutions and services to the maritime industry for over fourty years, through its owned offices in Limassol and Piraeus, as well as through their partner offices in other regions.
How have they kept ahead of the curve in such a demanding sector?
“We strongly believe in building long lasting and trusted relations with our partners and our customers”, said Socrates Theodosiou, co-CEO of Tototheo. “Our portfolio of services has evolved over the years, and we have had the vision to take us forward through the pandemic and many other challenges faced. We have grown stronger and ever more convinced that the future of shipping lies in collaboration and synergies with valued partners”, he added.
Joining the Bremen office as Head of Sales for Germany, Teodor Jelev, has over 10 years’ experience in the maritime industry. “Our goal at Tototheo is to stay close to our partners and our customers, supporting them in their operations so we can grow together. The German maritime industry is characterized by its innovative, technology-focused and sustainability-conscious approach to conducting business. Tototheo being an organization with a clear vision of technology within shipping, we are ready to support our customers with specifying their needs and help them implement solutions that will enable them to grow more efficiently and sustainably”, noted Mr. Jelev.
Tototheo is a leading provider of connectivity solutions, including L-band, Ku-band and Ka-band for a number of well known satellite operators. What really sets the organisation apart is their deep understanding of technology and how it can be applied in shipping to be relevant at the time of implementation but also scalable for the rapidly growing future needs.
A major provider of communications, navigation and general bridge equipment, Tototheo offers a turnkey solution when it comes to new installations, retrofits, annual maintenance contracts and vessel IT support, allowing customers to reduce administration and focus on key aspects of their business.
Building on its long history and extensive knowledge of the maritime industry, Tototheo is a prime provider of complete digitalization solutions, including onboard IT network and equipment, cyber security infrastructure, advanced IoT solutions, regulatory compliance and reporting services, virtual tours and 3D visualisations, CCTV solutions and efficiency and optimization solutions.
Report Provides Recommendations on Calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
HOUSTON- June 23, 2022 - The Blue Sky Maritime Coalition (BSMC) has released a new report today which recommends methodologies for calculating Scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from marine vessels.
“Consistent calculations and transparent methodologies for measuring and tracking CO2 emissions are key components for reaching the maritime industry’s decarbonization goals. This report was developed to help establish a common approach to managing data and identifying relevant comparison criteria for various emissions calculation methodologies,” said David Cummins, BSMC President and CEO.
Developed by the Measurements and Operational Efficiency Workstream, the report defines the various calculation methodologies and details the current maturity of each. The workstream concluded that consistency is critical to accurately understanding emissions from this sector, and it recommends a standardized approach for estimating both absolute and relative (i.e., intensity) Scope 1 emissions. Further, the group considered the various existing resources for emission factors, life-cycle analysis, and reporting requirements to ensure its recommendations align with current reference material. As the coalition continues to monitor emissions estimation and reporting developments, it will update this report to provide an evergreen resource for marine vessel GHG emissions.
“Measuring and monitoring are two very important components of getting to a net-zero future. It is critical that industry continue to collaborate on these approaches and this report is another step in that direction,” continued Cummins.
To read more, download a copy of the report by clicking here. For more information contact communications@bluesky-maritime.org.
About Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
Blue Sky Maritime Coalition (the Coalition) a non-profit corporation, is a strategic alliance formed to accelerate the transition of waterborne transportation in Canada and the United States toward net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Coalition brings together industry, community, government, academic leadership and other stakeholders across the waterborne transportation value chain to action projects that remove barriers to accelerating development, encourage innovation, and promote policies in support of zero emissions. Learn more at www.bluesky-maritime.org