THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF SHIPPING has expressed its concern about a new policy reportedly to be brought in by Italy’s new coalition government, closing the country’s ports to migrants disembarking after being rescued by NGO vessels. We look into the new policy and its potential impact on migrants and merchant vessels alike.

We also investigate the drones being used to tackle shipping’s greatest inspection and repair challenges, find out more about the latest trend to create LNG vessels with unique systems that do not require ballast water systems, and speak to Sailcargo about its project to build a combustion-free cargo sailing vessel in Costa Rica.

Finally, we take a closer look at Global Fishing Watch’s satellite-driven transparency platform, which reveals the location and behaviours of commercial fishing fleets across the world, and learn more about an EU project to improve health on ships without a doctor.

Katie Woodward, editor