Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell

 

Photo courtesy of NOAA

Today’s story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is without editing.

World’s Largest Container Line is Rerouting its Fleet to Avoid Collisions with Endangered Blue Whales

By

Andy Corbley

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has taken a major step to help protect blue whales and other cetaceans living and feeding in the waters off the coast of Sri Lanka by altering shipping lanes to avoid their habitat.

A global leader in container shipping and logistics, MSC began in mid-2022 to voluntarily reroute its vessels passing by Sri Lanka on a new course that is approximately 15 nautical miles to the south, in line with the advice of scientists and other key actors in the maritime sector.

The decision was based on research surveys completed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), with the World Trade Institute (WTI), Biosphere Foundation, University of Ruhuna (Sri Lanka), and supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Westbound ship traffic is now limited to a latitude between 05 30N and 05 35N, and eastbound traffic is limited to a latitude between 05 24N and 05 29N in order to avoid designated cetacean habitats.

– Released.

Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean, between Asia and Europe, and the port of Colombo is a major transshipment hub for global trade.

The area off its southern coast is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and is also inhabited by large populations of whales, meaning that these animals may be at risk of colliding with ships.

Simulations have shown that moving the official shipping lane 15 nautical miles to the south could reduce the strike risk to blue whales by a whopping 95%. However, despite years of advocacy by scientists, the shipping industry, and NGOs, the boundaries of the official shipping line have not been reassigned to reduce the risk of ship strikes on cetaceans.

MSC is now taking measures to protect marine wildlife seriously, from adapting shipping service networks to keep away from designated whale breeding and feeding grounds to reducing vessel speed and rerouting ships to avoid reported marine wildlife populations.

“We believe that the commercial shipping sector has an important role to play in protecting cetaceans, specifically in helping to reduce the risk of ship collisions with whales,” said Stefania Lallai, Vice President – Sustainability at MSC.

“MSC is proud to rank at or near the top of whale safety shipping rankings. However, we are not at all complacent. We believe that raising awareness of these issues and encouraging collaboration between industry, scientific bodies, civil society, and governments is essential as we strive collectively to do more to minimize the risk of ship strikes.”

In Sri Lanka specifically, the liner shipping industry led by the World Shipping Council, of which MSC is a member, has advocated creating a new official marine traffic scheme that is fully separated from the blue whale feeding area.

It is hoped that this will soon become a reality, so all large-scale commercial marine traffic moves to the more southerly zone that MSC ships are now guided to follow. In the meantime, MSC urges all other ship operators to consider choosing a more southerly route past Sri Lanka to significantly reduce the possibility of whale strikes.

The good news here is that big business is beginning to take some stewardship of the planet. Today’s JohnKu talks about sharing the planet. I hope you have a terrific weekend.

Neighbors by John W. Howell © 2022

We often take care,

Of our neighbors when in need . . .

Why not animals?

Today I’m at Story Empire talking about lousy story endings. Here’s the LINK if you want to visit

98 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  1. Hear Hear! to MSC for doing the right thing, proactively.

    It’s the kind of compassion we need more of from companies that can but simply won’t. Here’s an example they can try on for size.

    Great going Boss.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. An inspiring story John. However I feel there is a lot more to it and some of it will be very slow to come. Having recently been broadsided by a deer at full speed it makes me wonder what happens when a 175 ton whale and a large cruise or container ship collide at speed. The laws of physics and mass are undeniable. Some how I doubt either side fares very well.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. The deer was spooked by something. It came running over a small hill running full speed and broadsided the rear driver’s side door. The impact physically moved the car sideways. I did not loose control of the car. It was a strange experience. I was doing 50ish on a state route and the deer was at full speed too. All I saw was a blur out of the corner of my eye. As for the ships most of them have the bulb nose with a sharp edge above the waterline. I know the steel is gonna win. However how much it wins might be more of a surprise than either of us expects. I think it is more than altruism that is causing them to change their route. Though they might not readily admit it. Running into 750 tons of blue whale at speed is still running in to 750 tons.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I’m not sure but I don’t think I would like to un into a deer or a whale and would do everything to avoid both. Maybe the company felt that would save a lot of money by not running into whales. (Makes sense to me)

          Like

  19. That’s great! MSC is a privately owned company and can make moves that shave a bit off profits without major stockholders raising hell. Maybe this will push other corporations to make some positive moves.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. This is fantastic. And here I thought MSC was only cruise lines. Good for them for stepping, or rather, sailing, forward with this initiative. Hopefully, other companies will follow suit. 15 nautical miles is not much considering how much it can help protect marine life. Well done, sir!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. I love that photo, John, and what wonderful news. I really do think it’s possible to live and conduct commerce while respecting nature and its creatures. Science can help us make accommodations, even small ones, that have a huge impact. Cheers to MSC for taking that step. Thanks for the smile and the Johnku.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. It’s a fab story, and we need more. I love animals, and do my little bit by being a veggie…. and signing petitions.
    As for those who haven’t thought about the animals, your JohnKu can fill in the blank for them.
    🎁 Is this an okay box for an ox? 🐂
    OHOH… 💋💋 the ox is gaining!

    Liked by 1 person

  36. At last! Wonderful news, dear John. Everybody must realize that all of us are the part of the same…Let’s hope they will do something good indeed. You know these big companies of today…😐😐😑

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.