Sharron Robinson, a former U.S. mariner, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States in connection with a large-scale exam-fixing scheme for merchant mariner licensing. 

With the process of digitalization speeding up as we move through 2021, a new and exciting development occurred this week in Sweden with the first Adjunct Professor of Maritime Informatics being appointed at the Chalmers University of Technology. It is the first Professorship in Maritime Informatics, and it was awarded to Mikael Lind of the Research institutes of Sweden (RISE). Mikael is a regular contributor to The Maritime Executive, focusing on the digital shift and Maritime Informatics as an emerging discipline responding to global concerns. 

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport branch in Sharjah (AASTS) organised an awareness workshop for students, in cooperation with Sharjah Police. The workshop titled ‘Drugs between Reality and the Law,’ is in line with AASTS’ strategy to empower the next generation of young Emiratis in the maritime sector. It also supports the Academy’s efforts to consolidate its corporate social responsibility in association with its partners and other competent organisations.

Marking a significant step forward in seafarer welfare, a group of established maritime entities have joined forces to build a digital platform aimed at improving the emotional well-being of the world’s 1.7 million seafarers.

The Association of Caribbean States has has announced Master and Doctoral Programme on the Law of the Sea and Maritime Law scholarships offered by the Ankara University Research Centre of the Sea and Maritime Law and the Government of Turkey.

The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMMAAAI) and Orient Register of Shipping, Inc. (Orient Class) unites to further promote safety and enhance the development of classification rules in the domestic shipping industry.

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport branch in Sharjah (AASTS), a leading education institution in the field of maritime education, recently kickstarted their spring semester. While maintaining all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Academy has ensured that it continues to provide high-quality education by incorporating “Hybrid Learning”, which combines online studies along with in-person classes for practical lessons. Despite the pandemic, the Academy put in all efforts to provide its students with a safe environment.

Recognizing a need in the market following the implementation of Subchapter M, the Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau (TVIB) launched a drydock and internal structural examination certification course..

Wallem has signed an agreement with the Ocean Technologies Group to implement its recently launched OCEAN Learning Platform.

The American Bureau of Shipping is working with Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and the Ammonia Safety and Training Institute (ASTI) on a study of the potential for ammonia bunkering at the port of Singapore. The study will explore supply, bunkering, and safety challenges with the future marine fuel.