“Ocean Guardian” to facilitate MSC Cruises to efficiently navigate global environmental and regulatory complexities
Total Marine Solutions, a global leader in environmental compliance technology, and MSC Cruises, announced a global collaboration following successful software trials of ‘Ocean Guardian’. Ocean Guardian is an innovative and rigorous yet easy-to-use tool for cruise lines and ship operators to immediately access with certainty the latest environmental regulations.
By the end of July 2018, all MSC Cruises ships will be equipped with Ocean Guardian.
While the most widely applied environmental regulations are specified in the International Convention for Prevention from Pollution from Ships and its Annexes (MARPOL), many countries across the globe apply their own rules in waters within their jurisdiction. These local regulations are modified frequently, making it difficult for ship operators to stay abreast with the most up-to-date rules and guidance.
While MSC Cruises’ policy prescribes to always follow the most stringent local or international regulations, Ocean Guardian simplifies the process and assures clarity regarding the applicability of international, national, or regional environmental regulations.
Alexandra Anagnostis-Irons, President of Total Marine Solutions, said: “MSC Cruises has been a collaborative partner in developing this technology during sea trials. Therefore, we are especially excited to deploy Ocean Guardian’s state-of-the-art technology on all MSC Cruises’ ships.”
Bud Darr, Executive Vice President for Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, MSC Group said: “As maritime regulations continue to become more complex, and as part of a much broader approach to meet our own environmental objectives, MSC Cruises along with the entire cruise industry continually invests in technology to better manage our environmental footprint. Compliance and knowledge are critical aspects of this and Ocean Guardian will be instrumental to accurately navigate the complex web of environmental regulations at sea.”
Total Marine Solutions, together with Brenock, a leader in cutting-edge software solutions in the maritime industry created Ocean Guardian. The technology and software are fully integrated with the ship’s Global Positioning System (GPS) to accurately determine its position.
The database that supports this technology is updated by experienced marine professionals on an ongoing basis, and verified and vetted by a third-party, independent top-notch maritime law firm to provide accurate information. As a result, the continuous reviewing of the various handbooks, guides and environmental matrices to determine which regulations apply, is no longer required.
On the MSC Cruises ships, the Ocean Guardian technology is located on the Navigation Bridge, in the Engine Control Room of the ship and in the MSC Maritime Support Centre in London, where it is monitored 24/7. The software produces a sound when certain perimeters are within range, alerting deck officers on duty.
MSC Cruises and Total Marine Solutions conducted successful trials with Ocean Guardian on MSC Divina, while at sea in the Caribbean and will be deploying the technology across its entire fleet. Fleet-wide deployment is scheduled to be completed by 31 July 2018.
(MSC Cruises, Total Marine Solutions)
