New shipping group targets environment

New shipping group targets environment A new organization aimed at promoting environmental awareness in the shipping industry plans an October launch.
   The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), based in Southport, Conn., said it is modeling itself after the 25-year-old Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA), and will hold a founding dinner at the World Maritime Day Observance in New York on Oct. 25.
   Last June an International Marine Environment Protection Association was formed by HELMEPA, and similar organizations were created in Australia, Cyprus and Turkey.
   The new group's aim is to “increase environmental awareness and motivation of the human element within shipping and land-based industries, which have a vested interest in the marine environment.”
   “Too often, the careful custodianship of the marine environment by shipping and related industries is overlooked,” said Clay Maitland, NAMEPA’s founding chairman and managing partner of International Registries Inc., which manages the Marshall Island’s ship registry, now the world’s fourth-largest. “NAMEPA affords these concerned corporate citizens a platform for furthering their commitment to husbanding critical natural resources through educating seafarers and the public. It is time for industry to take a leadership role in preserving the seas.”
   For more information about the organization, contact Carleen Lyden-Kluss at (203) 255 4686.