by Przemysław Myszka

I hope you're all feeling sparky this autumn - and that sincerely comes from somebody for whom September and October proved to be quite challenging health-wise. On that note, anybody caring about sea shipping probably feels the same - hopes for the industry to find itself in fine fettle as the years to come will surely prove to be nothing but demanding. We don't even have to speak about decades to come with all those IMO targets. The EU Emission Trading System is already here, while the FuelEU Maritime Regulation is banging on the industry's hatch. We recently had the opportunity to partake in a conference organised by one of the biggest players in the business of moving goods and people by sea - and boy, these Southerners do not beat around the bush when sharing their thoughts about regional regulations aimed at greening shipping! But what was interesting, too, were the things hidden in between words. For more on that, check our Radicalism and/vs realism coverage in the Events section.

Rest assured, this edition has your back when it comes to FuelEU Maritime, with a particular focus on the pooling option this Regulation brings forth. Several other reads center on different approaches to sustainability. We write about key elements of success (in Wärtsilä's view) in bringing those sought-after sustainable fuels onto the market; safety issues around bunkering liquefied hydrogen; carbon insetting; eliminating methane slip; as well as what's the secret ingredient in cooking, um, sorry, designing low-carbon vessels. In line with the Safety news by TT Club, there's also a read on challenging the current norms of maritime safety. Speaking of TT, this time, they got to the topic of maintaining the stability and continuity of the global grain supply.

Alike Sustainability, the Technology column is rich with more than fine reads on overcoming obstacles in AI-based container damage detections; building a scalable, high-quality, reliable, and collaborative automated future; fuelling the transition to new fuels and greener fleets with data (if you think this article is also concerned with FuelEU Maritime, then you're totally right!); embracing digital transformation in asset performance management (because the more you know, the more sustainable you can sail); and developing a smart forecast model for container depots (because who likes congestion and delays?!). On the land side, another Tech piece explains how multi-agent orchestration software can transform warehouse operations.

Last but absolutely not least, the autumn of 2024 brought about another chance to head north 'on board' a new BTJ Trip. Check Ready to rock to hear the latest from the Port of Jakobstad-Pietarsaari and its (impressive industrial) surroundings.

Alright, with warm & cozy blankets on laps and steaming tea mugs in hands, have nothing but the greatest read!

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