UK Hydrographic Office Appoints Peter Sparkes as Chief Executive
work to improve the collection, standardization and sharing of marine geospatial data through international collaboration.Sparkes served in a wide variety of appointments in the Royal Navy, both at sea on operations and ashore. Notably, he commanded the frigate HMS Cumberland on counterpiracy patrol off Somalia and the U.K.’s Ice Patrol Ship, HMS Protector, in Antarctica. In addition to this, he commanded the 46 units (aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, mine-hunters, patrol vessels, and the maritime explosive ordinance disposal teams) of the Portsmouth Flotilla.Ashore, Sparkes has served in
UKHO Appoints Rear Admiral Sparkes
that help UK Overseas Territories to create safe and sustainable blue economies.Sparkes joins the UKHO as a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy. He has served previously in a wide variety of appointments, both at sea and ashore. Notably, he commanded the frigate HMS CUMBERLAND on counter-piracy patrol off Somalia and the UK’s Ice Patrol Ship, HMS PROTECTOR, in Antarctica. In addition to this, he commanded the 44 units (aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, mine-hunters, patrol vessels, and the maritime explosive ordnance disposal teams) of the Portsmouth Flotilla.Ashore, Peter Sparkes has served
Empowering Maritime Women in East and Southern Africa
associations is key, as it provides a platform for women to discuss gender issues and help each other climb the professional ladder. At the end of the conference, WOMESA launched its latest local chapter in the Seychelles, joining others in Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, and the United Republic of Tanzania. The conference also adopted a resolution, setting out WOMESA's obligations and responsibilities to achieving the SDGs and related targets, to ensure that the purpose of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is realized
Djibouti Breaks Ground on Massive FTZ
above its weight. It hosts large U.S. and French naval bases; China is also building a naval base. Djibouti also handles roughly 95 percent of the inbound trade for neighbouring Ethiopia, population 99 million. "(Djibouti) aims to become a gateway not only to Ethiopia but to South Sudan, Somalia and the Great Lakes region," Aboubaker Omar Hadi, chairman of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority, told Reuters. "This new free zone will be the country's first employment reservoir, with more than 15,000 direct and indirect jobs created." China's largest
ICS Chairman: Use Training to Direct the Future of Shipping
has been reduced, but not eliminated. However, until the United Nations takes a direct role in this situation it is difficult to see how the appalling death toll can be reduced,” he said. On another front, he highlighted a recent piracy attack on a merchant ship off Somalia, the first for several years, and gave a warning that the threat has not been eradicated and that self-protective measures must be continued in order to avoid the terrible consequences should there be another hijack. Mr Poulsson also highlighted the need for shipowners, maritime administrations
From Refugee to Hapag-Lloyd Trainee
Imad had an opportunity to complete a traineeship in the company. The “Hapag-Lloyd Helps” project was launched in early 2015. Since then, company employees have been using a wide range of activities to assist some 7,000 refugees who have come to Germany from Syria, Iraq, Eritrea and Somalia. Among these activities have been German language instruction, the World Café, donation drives, sports and evenings spent preparing shared meals. “After Imad told me that he is a cook, I had the idea to having Hapag-Lloyd employees cook together with refugees” said Sakib
Kenyan Port Workers Strike Over Higher Health Costs
they will have to pay for state-run health insurance. Cargo ships remained unattended as workers gathered and held discussions in groups at the port, the biggest in the region, which handles imports such as fuel for Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. "The operations section is among those affected but senior officials at the port are currently meeting, and will communicate later," Sylvan Mghanga, an official from the corporate communications department at the port, told Reuters. Abubakar Mohamed Abdullahi, deputy
High Seas Becoming Less Secure
, MAST’s senior ship and yacht contingency response negotiator, Peter Astbury, said: “They are sullen seas and they are becoming less secure for the people who sail them.” He added: “Although the Indian Ocean is relatively quiet at the moment, the overall political direction of Somalia is far from settled. Things could change very quickly and with very little notice. The prevalence of piracy, cargo theft and crew kidnaps in the Gulf of Guinea is well reported and it seems to be re-emerging east of Malacca.” Astbury said that in the Mediterranean, few people realised the
Watson Named VP of Meridian Global Consulting
, based in Washington, DC, and will continue to be based in the Nation’s Capital. MWatson’s experience includes serving as a flag State security officer for one of the world’s largest ship registries; service as a delegate to the United Nations Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia; and as president of a Private Maritime Security Company. He is Vice President and Governor of the Maritime Security Council, serves as the maritime representative to the National Council of ISACs (Information Sharing & Analysis Centers) and is a participant in the National Maritime Intelligence
