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In the fight against global terrorism, India is to carry out a feasibility study into biometric templates for seafarers' identity cards of similar form to the ID cards introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organisation for that industry.

Indian Shipping Ministry officials are strongly pressing for war risk premium withdrawal by the London insurance market for Indian ports.

Sea Views: Indian shipping sector urges tonnage tax

Intertanko and Bimco have made a joint, public statement expressing regret over the loss of the tanker Prestige and the environmental, social and economic consequences caused by the casualty.

Fairplay has rep-orted that Iran and Kuwait are discussing a possible joining of forces in negotiating with war risk underwriters in case of conflict in neighbouring Iraq.

Two more flags of convenience (FOCs) have been added to UAE's list that denies vessels of these administrations from entering UAE territorial waters unless they are classed by International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) full-member societies.

According to a fact sheet issued by the U.S. Department of State's Office of Counter-terrorism, the Oct-ober 6 terrorist attack off the coast of Yemen, on the French tanker Limburg has dealt a very serious blow to Yemen's shipping economy, from which it will be difficult to recover.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has approved a series of new measures on ballast water management for ships.

The Maritime Transport Committee (MTC) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has urged action is needed on substandard shipping that might include an international licensing system for classification societies.

Following the announcement by Opec that it has no plans to make up the shortfall caused by the suspension of exports by Iraq, tanker rates fell back last week to their lowest level for about 17 years.

Det Norske Veritas (DNV) has initiated a project to thoroughly analyse maritime security, with the aim of certifying the security of ships, ports and terminals, with particular emphasis on cruise liners and other passenger ships.

According to opinions within several leading classification societies and marine consultants, the predicted 'rush' from cargo ship operators, prior to the July 1 deadline for Phase 2 implementation of the ISM Code is now beginning to happen.