The FDA granted marketing authorization to a Visby Medical at-home PCR test for three common sexually transmitted infections The Visby test yields results in about 30 minutes PCR is a mainstay in diagnostics, but whether a sample is collected at a clinic or at home, such tests require sending a sample to a lab and then waiting for results. A new FDA authorized over-the-counter test from Visby Medical essentially puts the lab in the user’s hand The FDA on Friday granted marketing authorization to the Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test a diagnostic for three sexually transmitted infections (STIs): chlamydia The FDA said the Visby product is the first diagnostic that can be purchased without a prescription and performed entirely at home to test for these three pathogens Home-based STI tests are already available but they’re test collection kits that still require users to mail samples to a lab for processing and analysis It’s a multi-step process conducted in a machine that amplifies DNA through a series of temperature-controlled cycles The entire process from start to finish can take hours but the turnaround time for a lab to report results can be one to three days Visby’s single-use test includes a collection kit and a powered testing device that communicates securely to a Visby mobile app Visby said the companion app guides users through the testing process and connection to additional healthcare options Test results are displayed in the app in about 30 minutes the Visby test yielded results comparable to traditional lab-based PCR machines The FDA said the at-home test correctly identified 98.8% of negative and 97.2% of positive Chlamydia trachomatis samples; 99.1% of negative and 100% of positive Neisseria gonorrhoea samples; and 98.5% of negative and 97.8% of positive Trichomonas vaginalis samples The FDA cautioned that like other diagnostic tests the main risk of the Visby product is the possibility of false positive and false negative results Authorization of the new Visby test was made through FDA’s De Novo premarket review pathway which is for new devices with low-to-moderate risk As the first authorized product of its type the Visby test now becomes the predicate device in a new regulatory classification tests of the same type and intended use will be reviewed under the FDA’s 510(k) pathway which will require them to show substantial equivalence to the Visby test In a prepared statement Visby Medical founder and CEO Adam de la Zerda said his company has built a manufacturing line to rapidly scale production of the company’s new product He added Visby plans to expand to OTC tests for other common indications “This is just the beginning of our journey into reshaping healthcare through at-home diagnostics,” de la Zerda said “We will soon announce several strategic and commercial partnerships.” The FDA decision for Visby’s STI test is the second notable De Novo authorization in the past year. Last August, NOWDiagnostics’ First To Know became the first at-home syphilis test to pass this regulatory bar This webinar will explore how a banking platform approach could be the resource for your company The layout of your phlebotomy station can significantly impact efficiency A well-thought-out setup ensures that every tool is within reach minimizing unnecessary movement and reducing patient wait times Finding the best analytics tools for health care revenue management can revolutionize operational processes Compare the leading software options to discover helpful team resources a leading innovator in medical diagnostics Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted De Novo authorization for the Visby Medical Women's Sexual Health Test for Over the Counter (OTC) use and Trichomoniasis—the three most common curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) The Visby Medical Women's Sexual Health Test represents a significant milestone as the first-ever PCR (polymerase chain reaction) diagnostic device approved by the FDA for OTC home use for any indication Unlike existing home-based STI tests that require mailing samples to a lab Visby's revolutionary technology provides results directly to users within 30 minutes which is recognized as the gold standard in diagnostic accuracy "This approval is not just a milestone for Visby Medical but marks a transformative moment in medical diagnostics," said Adam de la Zerda "We've achieved something incredible; our palm-sized single-use PCR test is simple to use and replaces a bulky reliable results directly into the hands of consumers fully automated manufacturing line ready to rapidly scale production in anticipation of growing consumer demand." Clinical studies involving over 2,000 lay users demonstrated that the Visby Medical Women's Sexual Health Test delivers accuracy comparable to traditional laboratory-based PCR machines enabling healthcare providers to confidently prescribe treatment based on its results An intuitive companion app guides users through the entire testing process test execution and interpretation of results while delivering a seamless connection to further care options "The clinical significance of bringing a rapid highly accurate PCR diagnostic test into the home environment cannot be overstated," said Gary Schoolnik "Extensive clinical studies validate that this test empowers women to quickly understand what steps to take next many patients infected with these STIs are non-symptomatic yet they can still suffer serious long-term health consequences Our test directly addresses this silent epidemic by enabling detection and treatment." Sexually transmitted infections remain widespread in the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates approximately 1.6 million new Chlamydia cases and more than 700,000 Gonorrhea cases reported annually Trichomoniasis also affects millions of people annually in the United States highlighting the urgent need for rapid and accurate diagnosis The granting of this De Novo marketing authorization positions Visby Medical for significant expansion into the at-home diagnostics market with plans underway to introduce additional OTC tests addressing respiratory infections "This is just the beginning of our journey into reshaping healthcare through at-home diagnostics," added Dr "We will soon announce several strategic and commercial partnerships." FDA's official announcement can be accessed here Visby Medical is revolutionizing infectious disease diagnosis by empowering both physicians and patients to accurately test for infections anywhere The company's proprietary technology platform delivers true PCR results in under 30 minutes through the world's first instrument-free single-use PCR tests that fit in the palm of your hand Visby Medical offers FDA-cleared tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) available both in point-of-care settings and now directly to consumers at home and respiratory infections (COVID-19 and flu) Visby Medical is actively expanding its platform with a wide range of future tests for the at-home and point-of-care markets For more information, visit www.visby.com. Follow Visby Medical on LinkedIn Media Contact - [email protected] Visby Medical™ announced today that it has received 510(k) clearance and was granted a CLIA waiver from the U.S a leading innovator in rapid PCR diagnostics has secured an additional $3.9 million from the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria .. Health Care & Hospitals Medical Equipment Medical Pharmaceuticals Infection Control Do not sell or share my personal information: which can be purchased without a prescription The clearances and associated waivers under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 allowed healthcare professionals to use the tests in healthcare settings the tests eliminate the need to send samples to labs and allow physicians to diagnose and treat the infections in a single patient visit Visby’s de novo authorization supports home use of the test director of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices at the FDA said in a statement that home testing “can be particularly important for sexual health tests for which patients may experience fear or anxiety possibly resulting in delayed diagnosis or treatment.” The FDA granted the authorization after Visby showed the test correctly identified almost all negative and positive samples from women with and without symptoms The test correctly identified 97.2% of positive Chlamydia trachomatis samples with the figures rising to 100% for the correct identification of positive Neisseria gonorrhoeae samples Visby’s authorization continues the expansion of the range of at-home sexual health tests that are available in the U.S The FDA authorized the first test for chlamydia and gonorrhea with at-home sample collection in 2023 and the first at-home syphilis test in 2024 More than 2.4 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia were diagnosed and reported in the U.S according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is estimated to be the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted infection globally and affects 2.6 million people in the U.S Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts Globus Medical and Thermo Fisher were among the companies to announce billion dollar deals this year while Medtronic and Boston Scientific called off acquisitions the DNA sequencing leader faced pressure to unwind its $8 billion acquisition of the cancer screening developer The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines Visby Medical has received De Novo authorization from the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Women’s Sexual Health Test for Over the Counter (OTC) use According to the company it is the first-ever PCR (polymerase chain reaction) diagnostic device approved by the FDA for OTC home use for any indication and Trichomoniasis – the three most common curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Unlike other home-based STI tests on the market that require mailing samples to a laboratory Visby’s technology provides results directly to users within 30 minutes using PCR technology widely recognized as the gold standard in diagnostic accuracy “This approval is not just a milestone for Visby Medical but marks a transformative moment in medical diagnostics,” said Adam de la Zerda “We’ve achieved something incredible; our palm-sized fully automated manufacturing line ready to rapidly scale production in anticipation of growing consumer demand.” The technology has undergone extensive clinical validation with studies involving over 2,000 lay users demonstrating that the Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test delivers accuracy comparable to traditional laboratory-based PCR machines This level of accuracy enables healthcare providers to confidently prescribe treatment based on test results The system includes an intuitive companion app that guides users through the entire testing process—from sample collection to test execution and result interpretation—while providing a seamless connection to further care options “The clinical significance of bringing a rapid highly accurate PCR diagnostic test into the home environment cannot be overstated,” said Gary Schoolnik “Extensive clinical studies validate that this test empowers women to quickly understand what steps to take next Our test directly addresses this silent epidemic by enabling detection and treatment.” and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" About Femtech Insider Advertise with us! Become a Member! Contact us Privacy Policy // Terms of Use Visby’s at-home test is the first to be authorised in the US for chlamydia The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised the first at-home PCR STI test for chlamydia Intended for use by women with or without symptoms Visby Medical’s diagnostic test can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription and performed at home Supplied with a vaginal swab and handheld PCR test device the single-use test is designed to communicate with Visby’s smartphone app to display test results within 30 minutes Reviewed under the FDA’s de novo premarket pathway the test’s authorisation was supported by a study of 2,000 users The data showed that the test correctly identified 98.8% of negative and 97.2% of positive chlamydia trachomatis samples 99.1% of negative and 100% of positive Neisseria gonorrhoeae samples and 98.5% of negative and 97.8% of positive Trichomonas vaginalis samples Last year, NOWDiagnostics’ First To Know became the first OTC test in the US to inform a user about a potential syphilis infection director of the office of in vitro diagnostic devices in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health said at-home STI tests can be especially beneficial in mitigating patients’ anxiety around getting tested Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis Lias commented: “Expanding access to tests for STIs is an important step towards earlier and increased diagnosis which can result in increased treatment and reduced spread of infection.” A report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 2.2 million cases of chlamydia and gonorrhoea were diagnosed and reported in the US in 2023. Meanwhile, trichomoniasis, the most prevalent nonviral STI worldwide, affects approximately 2.6 million individuals in the US Visby Medical chief medical officer Gary Schoolnick commented: “Many patients infected with these STIs are non-symptomatic Our test directly addresses this silent epidemic by enabling detection and treatment.” Visby CEO Adam de la Zerda said the FDA’s authorisation primed it for “significant expansion” into the at-home diagnostics market and revealed that the company plans to introduce additional OTC tests for respiratory infections the FDA revealed that the action creates a “new regulatory classification” the agency stated: “Subsequent devices of the same type with the same intended use may go through the FDA’s 510(k) premarket notification process whereby devices can obtain marketing authorisation by demonstrating substantial equivalence to a predicate device which may save a developer time and expense compared to other review pathways.” Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network Lloyd's List is part of Maritime Intelligence This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Maritime Insights & Intelligence Limited registered in England and Wales with company number 13831625 and address c/o Hackwood Secretaries Limited Lloyd’s List Intelligence is a trading name of Maritime Insights & Intelligence Limited Lloyd’s is the registered trademark of the Society Incorporated by the Lloyd’s Act 1871 by the name of Lloyd’s For high-quality copies or electronic reprints for distribution to colleagues or customers please call UK support at +44 (0)20 3377 3996 / APAC support at +65 6508 2430 Lawyer for marine insurers sets out considerations for carriers A subscription is required to continue reading this content Your username does not meet the requirements Sorry - public email accounts are not allowed An account with that username already exists Unfortunately we've not been able to process your registration Your question has been successfully sent to the email address below and we will get back as soon as possible This article has been sent to my@email.address The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test for use at home to test for chlamydia polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic test is intended for females with or without symptoms It consists of a collection kit (self-collected vaginal swab) and a powered testing device Test results are delivered in approximately 30 minutes; the Visby Medical App guides users through the testing process and helps interpret the results.  The approval was based on a clinical study that included 2203 females aged 14 years and older Study participants followed the instructions of the test and collected a sample via vaginal swap that was then tested using the Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test Additional swabs were also taken for comparator testing Results showed Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test had a sensitivity of at least 95% (correctly identified 95.2% and 96.4% of positive Chlamydia trachomatis respectively) and a specificity of at least 98% (correctly identified 99% and 98.4% of negative Chlamydia trachomatis Accuracy was found to be comparable to traditional laboratory-based PCR machines lay users were able to successfully perform the test based on findings from human factors usability studies “The clinical significance of bringing a rapid highly accurate PCR diagnostic test into the home environment cannot be overstated,” said Gary Schoolnik “Extensive clinical studies validate that this test empowers women to quickly understand what steps to take next Our test directly addresses this silent epidemic by enabling detection and treatment.” This article originally appeared on MPR a trusted source of medical news and feature content for healthcare providers offers clinicians insight into the latest research to inform clinical practice and improve patient outcomes Copyright © 2025 Haymarket Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Haymarket Media’s Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Only subscribers can update their account from this page You’ve viewed {{metering-count}} of {{metering-total}} articles this month Don’t miss out on today’s top content on Renal & Urology News Register for free and gain unlimited access to: Please login or register first to view this content The Visby Class of stealth corvettes are used by the Swedish Navy for mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare operations The Visby class of stealth corvettes was built for the Swedish Navy by the Swedish company Kockums The first four Visby corvettes are for mine countermeasures (MCM) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) The last vessel is primarily for the attack and anti-surface warfare role A helicopter such as the AgustaWestland A109M selected by Sweden can land Saab secured a contract from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to undertake the product definition phase for mid-life upgrades (MLU) of the five Visby-class corvettes The product definition phase is aimed at making the ships operate beyond 2040 in addition to modifying their existing systems The contract also includes a product definition phase for the next-generation Visby Generation 2 corvettes The MLU began in 2023 with MBDA, a multinational developer and manufacturer of missiles, securing a contract from FMV to deliver the Common Anti-air Modular Missiles (CAMMs) for the five corvettes in November of the same year The installation process for the missile system is scheduled to begin at the end of 2025 and the first vessel is expected to be delivered a year later Construction of the first Visby-class corvettes began in 1996 at Kockums’ Kalrskrona yard was launched in June 2000 and was delivered to the FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) in June 2002 for fitting with weapons and combat systems was launched in June 2003 and delivered in April 2006 Harnosand (K33) was launched in December 2004 HMS Visby and Harnosand were officially delivered to the FMV in June 2006 launched in August 2005 and delivered in September 2006 were delivered to the Swedish Navy in December 2009 The Swedish Navy cancelled an option on a sixth vessel (Uddevalla K36) The Visby corvette incorporates Genuine Holistic Stealth – GHOST® technology which offers enhanced survivability and improved mission effectiveness The hull of the Visby is designed with large flat angled surfaces to minimise the optical and infrared signature above-water acoustic and hydroacoustic signature underwater electrical potential and magnetic signature radar cross section and actively emitted signals A stealth corvette of the YS 2000 design has a detection range of 13km in rough seas and 22km in calm seas without jamming the Visby would be detected at a range of 8km in rough sea and 11km in calm sea The hull material is a sandwich construction comprising a PVC core with carbon fibre and vinyl laminate The material provides high strength and rigidity The vessel’s CETRIS command, control and communications (C3) system consists of the Saab Systems 9LV mk3E combat management system, the MAST decision support aid and an integrated communications system The 9LV mk3 is based on open system architecture and uses the Windows NT operating system The SaabTech CEROS 200 radar and optronic fire control system is fully integrated into Visby’s combat management system The communications system has a high-capacity digital communications switch developed by Danish company Maersk Data Defence (formerly Infocom) along with Karlskrona which interconnects the voice and data communications channels The system provides internal communications or open conference lines and access to external communications with radio links and land-based networks The navigation system captures data input from the satellites of the log gyro and global positioning system (GPS) and calculates an intricately precise plot Visby vessels were not initially fitted with an air defence missile system The corvettes will now be equipped with MBDA’s Sea Ceptor naval air defence system which will be used to deploy the CAMM missiles The corvettes are equipped with eight Saab Bofors Dynamics RBS 15 mk2 anti-ship missiles The RBS 15 mk2 uses active Ku-band radar homing and has a range of more than 200km The missiles are installed below deck and are fired through special hatches to maintain the vessel’s stealth The missiles’ exhaust plumes are managed in separate canals Saab was awarded a contract by the Swedish Armed Forces to develop and produce the next-generation anti-ship missile system for the corvettes in March 2017. The RBS15 Gungnir next-generation anti-ship missile system combines the capabilities of the RBS15 with enhanced capabilities including improved combat range The Visby is equipped with a suite of ASW 127mm rocket-powered grenade launchers There are three fixed 400mm torpedo tubes for Saab Underwater Systems Tp 45 anti-submarine homing torpedoes Saab began the delivery of its lightweight torpedo for Swedish submarines and Visby corvettes The torpedo system had undergone final verification by FMV to meet its requirements before being commissioned with the Swedish Navy The delivery follows the orders placed by Sweden in 2016 The torpedo system was developed for the Baltic Sea environment with shallow water and complex topography and seabed where the emphasis is on locating and identifying submarines as well as navigation and communication by the torpedo The Visby is equipped with a Bofors 57mm 70 SAK mkIII general-purpose gun The gun has a fully automatic loading system containing 120 rounds of ready-to-fire ammunition The gun fires up to 220 rounds a minute to a maximum range of 17,000m The Visby carries Saab Bofors Underwater system ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) for mine hunting and the Atlas Elektronik Seafox ROV for mine disposal The minehunting ROVs are a development of the Double Eagle mkIII The Visby corvettes are fitted with the Hydra multi sonar suite from General Dynamics Canada (formerly Computing Devices Canada) which integrates data from a Hydroscience Technologies passive towed array sonar C-Tech CVDS-26 dual-frequency active Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) C-Tech CHMS-90 hull-mounted sonar and data from the ROVs Saab Microwave Systems (formerly Ericsson) Sea Giraffe AMB 3D C-band multi-role radar provides air and surface surveillance and tracking and target indication to weapon systems It features 3D agile multi-beam technology and can handle multiple threats up to 20,000m (65,000ft) at elevations up to 70° Electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities include ultra-low antenna sidelobes and both frequency and code agility The antenna has a rotation rate of 30rpm for surveillance and 60rpm for air defence There is also an I-band surface search and I/J-band fire control radar The CS-3701 tactical radar surveillance system (TRSS) from EDO Reconnaissance & Surveillance Systems provides electronic support measures (ESM) and radar warning receiver functions Visby class vessels are equipped with the MASS (multi-ammunition softkill) decoy system from Rheinmetall Waffe Munition (formerly Buck Neue Technologien) of Germany MASS can launch up to 32 omni-spectral projectiles in a time-staggered configuration against anti-ship missiles and guided projectiles The Visby is equipped with a combined diesel and gas turbine arrangement Four TF 50 A gas turbines from Honeywell and two MTU 16V 2000 N90 diesel motors are connected to two gearboxes which run two Kamewa waterjet propulsors The motors provide a maximum speed of 15kt for long duration and 35kt for short duration The ship has rudders and bow thrusters for harbour manoeuvring View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first-ever testing kit for sexually transmitted infections that can be taken at home without a prescription The kit is intended for use in female patients with or without symptoms It is single-use and includes a vaginal swab and a powered testing device that connects to the Visby Medical App Results are displayed on the app about 30 minutes after testing An FDA press release said the test was 97% to 100% accurate when identifying the presence or absence of the three STIs in women with or without symptoms The release advised that those who test positive should seek medical care and those who have symptoms recent exposure or other concerns should still contact their healthcare provider even if they get a negative result “Home tests can give people information about their health from the privacy of their home This can be particularly important for sexual health tests for which patients may experience fear or anxiety possibly resulting in delayed diagnosis or treatment,” Courtney Lias director of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health “Expanding access to tests for sexually transmitted infections is an important step toward earlier and increased diagnosis The approval of this test opens the pathway for more at-home STI testing in the future gonorrhea and trichomoniasis are three of the most prevalent STIs in the U.S According to the CDC's (STI) Surveillance Report 601,319 cases of gonorrhea were reported in the U.S making it the second most common STI in the country There were more than 1.6 million reported cases of chlamydia in the same year The second prototype trials of the Blue Visby software involving liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers have demonstrated that the solution can support various segments of the maritime industry and adapt to different scenarios while achieving substantial fuel and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings The Blue Visby Solution project (BVS) recently completed a series of prototype trials involving 16 LPG tankers under charter by Marubeni Corporation across 40 voyages during a period of three months a key parameter of the BVS/Marubeni PT involved monitoring the operational status of a total of some 919 vessels on a 24/7 basis to ensure that the vessels participating in the PT would not be overtaken by non-participating vessels Approximately 31 actionable recommendations for vessels to reduce speed were issued with projected fuel and GHG savings of about 29% This average figure was confirmed in the results from the vessels that followed the BVS recommendations These savings were delivered through speed reductions from an average speed of 13.6 knots The BVS/Marubeni PT follows on from the prototype trials that were completed in Q2 2024 involving Supramax bulkers under charter by Blue Visby Consortium member CBH Group which demonstrated fuel and GHG emissions savings of approximately 8-28% The BVS/CBH Group prototype trial was designed to test the BVS in the context of optimizing for the needs of a terminal stem the Blue Visby Solution project has progressed iteratively through studies The combined experience of two sets of prototype trials over a period of six months with the invaluable support of Blue Visby Consortium members CBH Group and Marubeni Corporation has demonstrated the feasibility of deploying the Blue Visby Solution in the two main operating environments in maritime trade: terminal stem and First Come First Served,” Haris Zografakis and Pekka Pakkanen we successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the technical system in challenging First Come First Served operational environments The groundbreaking work of our research team during the past year has enabled us to use a wide range of new data and optimisation constraints allowing us to solve some of the optimization challenges present in a competitive operational environment with a limited number of participating ships The experience and the outcome of this Prototype Trial demonstrate that the Blue Visby Solution can adapt to different operational needs and use cases supporting various segments of the industry,” Kimmo Laaksonen The Blue Visby Solution is an integrated system that notifies ships of the optimal date and time for arriving at their destination eradicating the industry practice of “Sail Fast the SFTW practice can be justified for various reasons but it is responsible for about 20% of shipping’s carbon footprint SFTW cannot be eradicated through the actions of individual ships or bilaterally as between an individual shipowner and an individual charterer It is “a systemic challenge that requires a systemic solution” and contracts to systemically optimize the ocean passage of participating ships and thereby reduce GHG emissions It does not interfere with the voyage planning or weather routing of individual ships and it does not interfere with berthing or port operations A crucial component of the multilateral nature of the Blue Visby Solution is a benefit-sharing mechanism which incentivizes participation and removes the obstacle of split incentives and with support from 40+ members of the Blue Visby Consortium which is co-ordinated by Helsinki-based software company NAPA Oy and London-based law firm Stephenson Harwood the project has progressed iteratively through several stages: from academic studies to proofs of concept to hindcast simulations in real operating conditions to virtual pilots with the use of digital twins and to be followed by more in 2025 with other consortium members and in other market segments Daily news and in-depth stories in your inbox Ingersoll Rand Engineering Project Solutions At Ingersoll Rand’s Engineering Project Solutions we have been managing and implementing engineered to-order air packages for complex technical requirements for over 60 years We provide specialized custom compressed air and gas compressors as well as nitrogen generation packages to international EPC contractors and engineering companies across a range of […] This multiplexed molecular device is the first handheld test to receive this designation after being granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in December 2022 The Visby Medical platform offers true PCR technology; PCR is the gold standard for testing Flu A provides accurate results in under 30 minutes at the point of care enabling clinicians to accurately diagnose and treat patients even in remote care facilities and other resource-limited healthcare settings where centralized laboratory services are less accessible rapid testing with the Visby Medical Respiratory Health Test will remain available to help physicians quickly diagnose and treat patients as they face upcoming respiratory seasons," said Dr and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University "Fast diagnosis of patients with respiratory symptoms ­­­­­­­— enabling selection of the most appropriate treatments — is increasingly important to the medical community." This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Additional BARDA-funded studies are ongoing to support the advanced development of features that would support an at-home respiratory test to further aid in patient care and management decisions Media Contact[email protected] Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted De Novo.. The test received emergency use authorisation from the FDA in December 2022 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance and a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waiver for Visby Medical’s polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect respiratory infections The point-of-care Visby Medical Respiratory Health Test is claimed to be the first handheld test that can identify and distinguish between influenzas A and B Visby Medical chief medical officer and Stanford University Medicine professor Dr Gary Schoolnik said: “This FDA decision ensures that accurate rapid testing with the Visby Medical Respiratory Health Test will remain available to help physicians quickly diagnose and treat patients as they face upcoming respiratory seasons “Fast diagnosis of patients with respiratory symptoms ­­­­­­­— enabling selection of the most appropriate treatments — is increasingly important to the medical community.” the test is tailored to improve patient care by enabling diagnoses at the point of care particularly in remote and resource-limited settings Visby’s platform provides “true” PCR technology which is said to be the gold standard for testing influenzas A and B this multiplexed molecular test received emergency use authorisation from the FDA The company’s project received support in whole or in part with funding from the Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response Ongoing BARDA-funded studies aim to expand the device’s capabilities potentially paving the way for an at-home respiratory test Visby Medical has focused on streamlining the diagnosis and treatment process for infectious conditions In 2021, the company received a $12.3m award from BARDA to expedite the development of its rapid a leading innovator in rapid PCR diagnostics has secured an additional $3.9 million from the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) to accelerate its fight against antibiotic resistance This funding builds on a $1.8 million grant awarded in December 2023 and propels Visby's development of groundbreaking diagnostic tools that pinpoint resistance-conferring mutations in infections starting with ciprofloxacin susceptibility The additional funding will advance Visby's pioneering work funded by CARB-X which has demonstrated its preliminary ability to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) from urine and vaginal swabs and distinguish ciprofloxacin-susceptible strains Visby will continue development toward integrating these capabilities into its Visby Medical Sexual Health Test The company is also developing a digital companion app and AI-driven tools to make result interpretation seamless while working on cost-cutting innovations for its platform Latest CARB-X grant propels Visby development of diagnostics to pinpoint resistant mutations in STIs Ciprofloxacin is a former frontline antibiotic that has been sidelined due to widespread resistance doctors could determine if this convenient inexpensive oral antibiotic is effective and reserve ceftriaxone—currently the only antibiotic that remains effective against resistant gonorrhea—for truly resistant cases "Antibiotic resistance is a critical concern across all of healthcare and especially in sexually transmitted infections for which numbers continue to rise," explained Gary Schoolnik which is a poster child for acquiring resistance unlocking the treatment potential of ciprofloxacin could mean the difference between extending the lifetime of ceftriaxone either for decades CARB-X funding for this research is supported by federal funds from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority; under agreement number 75A50122C00028 and by awards from Wellcome (WT224842) Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the UK Department of Health and Social Care as part of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views CARB-X or its funders Media Contact: [email protected] Venture Capital The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church and we’ve always been transparent about that The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope A deeper view that unites instead of divides Behind the news are values that drive people and nations Discover the values that drive the story The Christian Science Monitor's coverage of the war between Hamas and Israel We want to bridge divides to reach everyone Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads History is unavoidable on the Swedish island of Gotland celebrated a daunting sea voyage launched on that very day 200 years ago “Samma Ull” (“We Are All Made of the Same Wool”) is a choir drama about knitters who sailed across the Baltic Sea to Stockholm and how their courage and seaworthiness were tested Gotland was known for its abundant wool and talented craftswomen they sailed to Stockholm to sell their wares bringing home cash and supplies in time for Christmas Eva Sjöstrand wrote “Samma Ull” about them She first found their story on two pages of a commemorative 1924 book by Nils Lithberg What better way to tell a true holiday story than with singing – and knitting an island choir comes together to celebrate community she now sings the part of Briten Granquist Shall we sing about some old ladies going to Stockholm selling cardigans You can place everything in it”: the doughty Gotlandic community; knitters who made more money than their husbands; the spirit that sent them onto the Baltic in cold winds and scant daylight it’s a fantastic story because they survived Their boat was blown off course to Estonia and a fiancée they had mourned as lost sailed home to music by Jan Ekedahl – 35 singers carry us to Stockholm and back everyone leans dramatically to one side – or over the rail Two women singing the parts of Anna and Magdalena Norrby knit both ends of the same scarf “I say it in my songs: We exist for each other.” we are of the same wool – we are all the same.” So many hands knitting create a sense of calm Is it difficult for the actors to knit and sing at the same time “It calms you down when you’re waiting behind the curtains,” says Eva Flemming who by day works for a Swedish partnership with Tanzania Choir members have been preparing for “Samma Ull” for months you’re dancing down the street to your car,” says Bengt-Olaf Grahn “It gives as much energy as it takes.” She treasures “being warm together and the equality in these dark times.” She is a journalist with Swedish Radio “It’s a small island and everyone knows who you are but as a choir member it doesn’t matter what you do.” “Choir singing is the most peaceful thing you can do,” Ms You have to accept that people are different.” She has been a choir member since 1980 vice chair of the island’s choir association Professor Lithberg’s two-page account noted only a few passengers on the ship so I had to find characters to fill the boat,” who would have lived at that time she was no stranger to historical research And 34 years working at Swedish Radio gave her a reporter’s investigative chops She found likely passengers in small-town parish records played by actor Lena Bogegård – in 19th-century garb and headscarves two yoked on her shoulders and one in each hand Parish records noted a young woman named Maria who donated 24 shillings to the church in Ojä “I got a bride.” In “Samma Ull,” Maria misses her Nov 25 wedding date when The Three Brothers is becalmed in Estonia passengers ponder how to get the wind to blow Maria vows to offer her shillings at church Others pony up a silver coin for Visby Cathedral and a carved boat Sjöstrand also researched handwritten notes by historian Pehr Säve who interviewed Briten and another tröjkälling in 1860 An account of a grieving mother whose daughter arrived on Christmas Eve to say “I’m alive” became a scene When the choir drama was first coming together in 2019 “But we can’t afford having a good tenor sitting idle so the singer had to play another role.” Ms She searched for a family with a second son A first son wouldn’t go to sea; he needed to survive to inherit the farm She told the Olof of the 2019 cast that Peter was his other that’s good; he is my grandfather’s grandfather’s brother.” Deepen your worldview with Monitor Highlights Get political stories with respectful analysis There's a world of new ideas in every Books newsletter enrich yours with Culture & Learning weekly Follow humanity’s discoveries with Science & Nature stories in your inbox Gain a spiritual perspective from the stories in your inbox Want to understand the deeper impact of critical events Get the Monitor Stories you care about delivered to your inbox Thank you for signing up for a free Monitor Newsletter She found a distant relative of her own who was a seaman at the time The singers who now play Maria and Olof had seen the earlier version in 2019 on their first date The choir sings “Samma Ull,” walking forward to surround the audience members it seems like every singer is being hugged and it’s a community that also includes those who set out on the Baltic Sea with a lot of sweaters to sell Monitor journalism changes lives because we open that too-small box that most people think they live in We believe news can and should expand a sense of identity and possibility beyond narrow conventional expectations Our work isn't possible without your support Already a subscriber? Login Return to the free version of the site Return to the free version of the site Today's print edition Home Delivery a young Japanese animator named Hayao Miyazaki embarked on his first trip abroad — a journey that would leave an indelible mark on the world of animation His destination was Sweden: a land of pastoral beauty medieval cobblestone streets lined with postcard-perfect houses and a rich heritage of storytelling and cinema While Miyazaki’s goal was an in-person meeting with the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren to get approval for a Japanese animated adaptation of ”Pippi Longstocking,” Lindgren never followed through with the meeting Miyazaki turned his gaze to the architectural beauty of Stockholm he was captivated by the medieval town of Visby on Sweden's largest island Gotland.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); To reach Sweden from Japan in 1971 was no trivial endeavor but even the ferry ride from the Swedish mainland to Gotland was arduous Miyazaki spent only a few hours exploring Visby before needing to head back he was profoundly moved by the town’s pebbled alleys ancient walls and the harmonious blend of history and everyday life In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Fimbank Plc -v- KCH Shipping Co Ltd (Giant Ace) [2024] UKSC 38 which concerned a misdelivery of cargo claim the Supreme Court has affirmed a line of developing authority on an important issue for such claims – that the one-year time bar in the Hague Visby Rules (and the Hague Rules) applies to claims for misdelivery This decision is of broad relevance in the shipping trade as the Hague Visby Rules (and Hague Rules) are commonly contractually incorporated into bills of lading charterparties and other contracts of affreightment whether through standard form contracts or clauses or otherwise The Rules may also be compulsorily applicable Misdelivery is also a common claim in circumstances where financing is secured by cargo and such security is sought to be enforced The appellant was a bank (the Bank) which financed the purchase of coal cargo (the Cargo) by its customer The respondent was the demise charterer of the vessel that carried the Cargo (the Demise Charterer) The Demise Charterer was also the contractual carrier under the bills of lading issued for the Cargo The Bank claimed it took security by way of a pledge over the bills of lading issued for the Cargo When the Bank was unable to collect payment for the Cargo or for the financing it provided for the purchase of the Cargo it sought to claim against the Demise Charterer (who was the contractual carrier under the bills of lading) It alleged that the Demise Charterer misdelivered the Cargo The bills of lading were on the 1994 Congenbill form and incorporated the Hague Visby Rules The Bank commenced arbitration against the Demise Charterer more than one year after the Cargo was delivered or should have been delivered under Article III Rule 6 of the Hague Visby Rules it was provided that the carrier will be discharged from “all liability whatsoever in respect of the goods” unless suit is brought within one year of the delivery of the goods or the date when they should have been delivered (i.e suit brought after one year from this time would be time-barred) the Demise Charterer had argued that the one-year time bar did apply to the Bank’s claim for misdelivery The Court below had held in favour of the Demise Charterer The Court of Appeal also held in favour of the Demise Charterer The Bank sought permission to appeal to the Supreme Court provide that the contractual carrier under the bill of lading is subject to certain (minimum) responsibilities and liabilities and certain (maximum) rights and immunities set out in the Rules (maximum because it necessarily follows that the responsibilities and liabilities decrease which is prohibited by Article III Rule 8) Article III Rule 6 contains the time bar provision the carrier will be discharged from “all liability whatsoever in respect of the goods” unless suit is brought within one year of the delivery of the goods or the date when they should have been delivered (i.e suit brought after one year from this would be time-barred) The Bank argued that because the period of responsibility under the Hague Visby Rules was limited to the period between the commencement of loading and the completion of discharge the time bar equally relates and relates only to breaches of duty which occur during that period of responsibility The Bank also referred to the travaux préparatoires (a record of the deliberations of the drafters of the Hague Rules) and argued that the drafters intended to create a regime that applied to the period beginning with loading and ending with discharge The Demise Charterer disagreed and provided further reasons as to why the time bar would cover breaches outside the period of responsibility The Supreme Court first considered whether Article III Rule 6 of the Hague Rules (the predecessor to the Hague Visby Rules) would apply to claims for misdelivery It did so by extensively considering various sources/methods of interpretation being: (1) the ordinary meaning of the provision; (2) the context of the provision; (3) the object and purpose of the provision; (4) the travaux préparatoires relating to the provision; (5) the English authorities on the provision; (6) case law from other relevant jurisdictions on the provision The Supreme Court held that the Article III Rule 6 time bar in the Hague Rules did apply to breaches of duty by the contractual carrier which occurred after discharge but before or at the time of delivery it differed from the Court of Appeal on this issue The Supreme Court then held that the Hague Visby Rules time bar necessarily did apply to breaches of duty by the contractual carrier which occurred after discharge but before or at the time of delivery The Supreme Court also dismissed a subsidiary argument by the Bank that clause 2(c) of the Congenbill form of the bills of lading disapplied the provisions of the Hague Visby Rules (including the time bar in Article III Rule 6) to events occurring after discharge was completed This is a welcome decision that affirms the developing line of authority on the issue up to the Court of Appeal Although the case on appeal did not concern the Hague Rules the Supreme Court found that the position would be the same under those Rules as under the Hague Visby Rules who held that the Article III Rule 6 time bar in the Hague Rules did not apply to breaches of duty by the contractual carrier which occur after discharge but before or at the time of delivery The Supreme Court has made it clear that the position is the same under both sets of Rules This decision highlights the importance for claimants making claims for misdelivery to pay close attention to the time bars under the Hague Rules or Hague Visby Rules (if the Rules apply) Lance Tay AssociateSingapore Contact Related insights Update on proposed US tariffs: ‘service fees’ on vessels calling at US ports 30 April 2025 Following the announcement on 21 February 2025 by the US Trade Representative (USTR) of proposals to impose substantial ‘service fees’ on ships and operators with Chinese connections Assessment of a salvage award: a review of Article 13 of the Salvage Convention 1989 and case law - Part 8 of 10 29 April 2025 we look at Articles 13 (e) and (f) of the Salvage Convention.. Assessment of a salvage award: a review of Article 13 of the Salvage Convention 1989 and case law - Part 7 of 10 22 April 2025 I looked at dangers under Article 13(d) of the Salvage Convention I will now look at Clause H of the LOF with regard to place of safety... The UK's Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy and MEPC 83: impacts on the marine cargo industry 17 April 2025 the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) – the Government’s expert adviser on climate change - released the Seventh Carbon Budget This statutory report publishes the estimated.. Assessment of a salvage award: a review of Article 13 of the Salvage Convention 1989 and case law - Part 6 of 10 15 April 2025 I looked at dangers as per Article 13(d) of the Salvage Convention.. Maritime arbitration and the UK’s new Arbitration Act 14 April 2025 The UK’s proposed new Arbitration Act received Royal Assent on 24 February 2025 While it requires implementing regulations before it comes into force it is expected that this will take place.. ShippingFrom dealing with everyday contracts to major incident emergency responses our shipping and offshore specialists can help With one of the largest maritime practices in the field commercial advice from experts you trust and who know the problems you face internationally We work across the whole of the maritime and offshore industries rigs and other offshore craft and installations Copyright © 2025 Hill Dickinson LLP     VAT number 108228335  This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Point-of-Care test significantly shortens time from ED arrival to test results treatment and discharge – significant improvements are seen in the use of antibiotics for the treatment of chlamydia and gonococcal infections in women  Nationwide increases in sexually transmitted diseases and antibiotic resistance create the need for a paradigm shift from traditional lab-based molecular testing  2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Visby Medical™ and the Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine announced findings from a study evaluating a new approach to management of the three most common non-viral sexually transmitted infections (STI) in women The study found that use of the Visby Medical Sexual Health Test a point-of-care (POC) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test shortened time from specimen collection to STI result to only 47 minutes per patient compared to an average of 25 hours for the standard of care (SOC) lab-processed molecular send-out tests The Visby Medical test also resulted in significantly higher rates of appropriate treatment and lower rates of over-treatment with antibiotics for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections compared to SOCi. Full data were presented on May 17 at the 2024 annual meeting of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) The Visby Medical Sexual Health Test is the only "instrument-free" POC test available in the U.S that provides PCR results in under 30 minutes the Visby Medical test received 510(k) clearance and was granted a CLIA waiver from the U.S Food and Drug Administration for its second-generation POC test An STI surveillance report published in 2024 by the U.S Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found more than 2.5 million cases in 2022ii the rate of inappropriate use of antibiotics to treat STIs has contributed to antimicrobial resistant strains of NG prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to release new guidance to improve diagnosis of STIs with special emphasis on reducing antimicrobial resistanceiii "The rise in STIs has created a crisis for the nation's hospital emergency departments because the conventional send out tests do not provide results fast enough to inform treatment decisions during the patient visit Rather than lose a potentially infected patient clinicians must decide whether to treat before they have definitive results which isn't ideal for anyone and contributes to antibiotic resistance," explained Gary Schoolnik "The dramatic improvements seen with the Visby Sexual Health test in testing time and in the use of antibiotics point the way toward a new best practice for STI testing Implementation of a new rapid point-of-care testing standard of care would greatly benefit our hospitals women who seek treatment for this condition." Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Emergency Department: Evaluation of a Point-of-care Test compared two approaches to testing female patients presenting to the Johns Hopkins Emergency Department in Baltimore MD with potential STIs during two separate four-month study periods in 2022 and 2023 SOC central laboratory testing with batched nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) (n=517 patients) the POC PCR Visby Medical Sexual Health Test (n=304 patients) were compared for rates of STIs identified median time-to-result intervals between the two phases and rates of appropriate treatment (including over and under treatment) based on CDC recommended guidelines For patients testing positive (4.8% for CT proportions of appropriate treatment were significantly higher among the POC group for CT (92.7% vs 75.1% p<0.001) and NG (87.1% vs 74.3% p<0.001) Proportions of over-treatment were significantly lower among the POC group for CT-negative (7.0% vs 25.2% p<0.001) and NG-negative (13.0% vs 25.5% p<0.001) patients No significant differences between the two testing groups were seen for TV Median time intervals were significantly lower for the POC group including time from specimen collection to STI results (47.0 minutes vs 25 hours p<0.001) time from ED arrival to STI results (5.7 hours vs 33.9 hours p<0.001) and time from ED arrival to discharge (9.1 hours vs 11.9 hours p<0.001)iv The study was conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University with support from Visby Medical About Visby Medical™Visby Medical is transforming the order of diagnosis and treatment for infectious diseases so clinicians can test The Company developed a proprietary technology platform that is the world's first instrument-free single-use PCR platform that fits in the palm of your hand and rapidly tests for serious infections Media Contact:Harry Wade[email protected]917-482-9057 Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections Publishing & Information Services Shipowners Company news Statutes and Rules AP Møller-Maersk A/S (the "Maersk Tangier") and decided by the French Supreme Court on 23 March 2022 illustrate the complexities and ongoing litigation surrounding this topic and their subsequent amendment through the Hague-Visby Rules provide a framework for carriers to limit their liability in cases of loss or damage to goods during marine transport which stipulates that a carrier's liability shall not exceed 100 pounds sterling per package or unit introducing limits based on weight and specifying the Special Drawing Right (SDR) as the unit of account present unique challenges in the application of liability limitation principles The Hague Rules did not originally contemplate bulk cargoes leading to significant litigation on whether these rules apply The prevailing view in most jurisdictions is that bulk cargoes do not qualify as packages or units for the purposes of liability limitation simply because bulk cargo is not a physical "package" or "unit." In England this position was affirmed by the Court of Appeal in the Aqasia decision dated February 2018 concerning a cargo of fish oil The Hague-Visby Rules make the application of the "unit" concept more straightforward as these provide an alternative limitation based on weight — 2 SDRs per kilogram — applicable to bulk cargoes Determining the weight of bulk cargo that has been lost or damaged can be contentious The interpretation of "gross weight" and the timing of the weight assessment (whether at shipment or discharge) are crucial factors in such cases Containerised cargoes represent a significant portion of modern shipping and the Hague-Visby Rules explicitly address the limitations applicable to this mode of carriage Rule 5(c) of the Hague-Visby Rules stipulates that when goods are consolidated in a container the number of packages or units enumerated in the bill of lading as packed in such a container shall be deemed the number of packages or units for limitation purposes The "Maersk Tangier" case provides insight into the courts' interpretation of liability provisions the English Court of Appeal ruled that individual tuna loins packed in a container qualified as "units" pursuant to the Hague-Visby Rules thereby allowing the application of the unit limitation Despite being consolidated within a single container each tuna loin was recognised as a distinct unit based on the bill of lading and the way the cargo was documented The French Supreme Court's decision in MMA Iard v CMA CGM addressed a similar issue in the context of the Hague Rules applying to containerised bulk cargo cargo interests argued that a container holding 56,000 corn cobs constituted 56,000 units under the Hague Rules ruling that these 56,000 corn cobs were not the “freight units" agreed between the parties The second court of appeal in charge of reviewing the case confirmed that the shippers had opted to stuff the cobs of corn inside the container as one “batch” thus making that batch the “unit” which was consistent with the information provided in the bill of lading The practical effect of the decision was that the carrier was able to limit its liability to 1 x 100 sterling pounds despite the number of cobs stuffed in the container as these were shipped in "one batch" The application of the package and unit limitation to containerised cargo is not yet uniform across jurisdictions the courts tend to adopt a more practical approach focusing on the actual number of units or packages shipped French courts seem more inclined to adopt a "virtual" approach allowing flexibility in the concept of a unit as long as it is properly documented Carriers will have to give careful consideration to the jurisdiction where a cargo claim is brought The principles of liability limitation under the Hague and Hague-Visby Rules are complex and subject to varying interpretations across jurisdictions and goods carried in containers each present unique challenges in their application Notable cases like "Maersk Tangier" and MMA Iard v CMA CGM illustrate these complexities and the importance of accurately defining units or packages in bills of lading these principles will undoubtedly remain a focal point of litigation and legal discourse Gard is here to help their Members with any questions about cargo claims or liability limitations They provide practical advice and solutions for all types of cargo issues .css-ql7t40{font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-anchor-font-family-default);line-height:1.5rem;color:var(--chakra-colors-anchor-gray-70);}LinkedIn offers a new approach to mitigating the inefficiencies of the sail fast A key discussion on the agenda for the forthcoming Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting (MEPC 82) is how to mitigate the inefficiencies of the sail fast a major focus within the Energy Efficiency of Ships item SFTW has long been a prevalent operational model in the maritime industry where ships rush to their destination at full speed only to wait at anchor for berth availability This practice results in unnecessary fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during both the voyage and waiting period undermining efforts to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint the Blue Visby Solution (BVS) has been proposed as an innovative approach to optimising ship speed effectively mitigating the harmful effects of SFTW The BVS is a digital platform that uses advanced algorithms and real-time data to co-ordinate the arrival of multiple ships at a single port allowing each ship to adjust its speed to avoid early arrival and the subsequent need to wait at anchor According to the report submitted by BIMCO (MEPC 82/INF.32) the Blue Visby Solution "helps ships avoid unnecessary time spent at anchor by adjusting sailing speeds to match berth availability," which reduces fuel consumption and emissions SFTW not only wastes fuel but also adds unnecessary strain to ship engines which are often pushed to maximum speeds to meet delivery deadlines "This outdated operational model increases fuel consumption during the voyage and leads to higher emissions while ships idle in port." the Blue Visby Solution presents an opportunity to align operational practices with the industry’s decarbonisation goals One of the unique aspects of the Blue Visby Solution is its ability to share the benefits of reduced emissions and fuel savings among all parties involved in a ship’s operation "The Blue Visby platform distributes the cost savings and emissions reductions between ship operators making it a win-win solution for all stakeholders." This multilateral cost-benefit sharing mechanism encourages collaboration across the shipping ecosystem which is key to ensuring widespread adoption of the technology The real-time data capabilities of the Blue Visby Solution are central to its effectiveness Ships are provided with continuous updates on berthing schedules allowing them to adjust their speed en route to the destination ships can optimise their fuel efficiency while reducing engine wear and tear more-efficient arrivals through real-time data and advanced algorithms eliminating the need for ships to sail at full speed unnecessarily." This solution is particularly relevant in congested ports By improving the co-ordination of arrivals the Blue Visby Solution can help alleviate congestion reducing both the environmental and financial costs of SFTW "The Blue Visby platform streamlines the arrival process helping to reduce congestion and improve overall supply chain efficiency." for the Blue Visby Solution to be fully effective The BIMCO report points out that without co-operation between shipowners the benefits of the platform will remain limited "The full potential of the Blue Visby Solution can only be realised through joint efforts across the industry requiring co-operation from all stakeholders in the shipping supply chain," the report states The Blue Visby Solution is expected to play a critical role in the future of shipping operations particularly as IMO works towards its 2026 review of energy efficiency regulations By addressing the root causes of inefficiencies like SFTW the platform offers a practical and impactful tool for reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency across the global shipping fleet According to the BIMCO report submitted to MEPC 82 "Adopting the Blue Visby Solution could mark a turning point in how shipping companies manage their operations aligning environmental sustainability with economic efficiency." Sign up for Riviera’s series of technical and operational webinars and conferences: The first prototype trials of the Blue Visby software have resulted in significant CO2 savings The first voyages took place in March and April 2024 with the bulk carriers M/V Gerdt Oldendorff and the M/V Begonia, which, under voyage charter to Blue Visby Consortium member CBH Group performed ballast voyages to CBH Group’s Kwinana Grain Terminal The prototype trials resulted in CO2 savings of 28.2% for M/V Gerdt Oldendorff and 12.9% for M/V Begonia measured against the vessels’ respective service speeds of 14 knots the trial resulted in CO2 savings of 7.9% measured against the vessel’s intended voyage speed of 12 knots was required to speed up to 14 knots to meet a laycan the potential CO2 savings would have been 28.2% This is achieved by analyzing several factors vessel performance and congestion at the destination the Blue Visby Solution provides the required information systems to support measurement of the model and the contractual architecture to allow for cost and benefit sharing “Decarbonisation is unattainable without energy efficiency and energy efficiency is impossible if ships continue to Sail Fast Then Wait The CBH Prototype Trials demonstrate that the Blue Visby Solution will be a central element of any successful decarbonisation strategy for all maritime stakeholders: shipowners terminals and ports,” Haris Zografakis and Pekka Pakkanen co-ordinators of the Blue Visby Consortium A number of alternative benchmarks were tested in this regard involving speed laycan dates and “Business As Usual” assumptions The parties also had a choice as to whether to calculate the financial value of fuel savings and of the prolongation of the ocean passage by using contract rates or market rates provided by the Baltic Exchanges (also a Blue Visby Consortium member) The parties reached a commercial agreement on the applicable benchmark for the purposes of the benefit-sharing mechanism The level of CO2 savings in the CBH Prototype Trials was consistent with studies that had been conducted previously: (a) during the pilot program in 2023 during which ten voyages produced an average of potential CO2 savings of 18.9%; and (b) in a series of hindcast simulations of 284 voyages in November 2021-August 2023 which had produced potential CO2 savings of 25.6% on average all components of the Blue Visby Solution were deployed and subjected to rigorous testing: software as well as the benefit-sharing mechanism (“Blue GA”) It was also demonstrated that the Blue Visby Solution does not interfere with weather routing voyage planning or the timing of berthing – all of which were left in the hands of the participants the robustness of the operational side of the Blue Visby Solution prevented disruption of the trial during a time when one of the vessels needed to deviate “The operational side of the Blue Visby Solution was rigorously tested in the CBH Prototype Trials both in its interaction with the software systems as well as with the vessels The robustness of our systems was proven when we had to deal with the operational complexities when one of the ships had to deviate We have also learned valuable lessons about the outlook of vessels’ crews and how they can provide support,” Risto-Juhani Kariranta the data collected during the CBH pilot program in 2023 and the CBH prototype trials in 2024 are consistent with earlier studies and hindcast simulations of 20,580 voyages worldwide of 3,651 Panamax vessels in 2022 which showed potential CO2 savings by applying the Blue Visby Solution in the order of 23.2% (median) The accumulating evidence demonstrates that the systemic optimization of the ocean passage can deliver substantial reductions in emissions in a way that is compatible with the commercial and contractual structure of bulk maritime trade as the Blue Visby Solution does not interfere with voyage planning or with cargo operations is compatible with any other measure for reducing emissions while its benefit-sharing mechanism removes the obstacle of split incentives and can create financial benefits for all participants The CBH prototype trials are part of a wider program across many geographical areas and market segments, involving more members of the Blue Visby Consortium: Marubeni, Port of Newcastle and Port Authority of New South Wales Prototype trials with a wider group of participants is expected to be conducted in the coming months as the R&D phase of the Blue Visby is completed and commercial deployment begins “We are very excited to see the results of the first Prototype Trials conducted with invaluable support from Consortium member All components of the Blue Visby Solution were tested: contracts While both the Virtual Pilot Program and the Prototype Trials will continue in the coming months we are on track for commercial deployment this year,” Christian Wounlund The Pioneers of Offshore Engineering GustoMSC part of NOV’s Marine and Construction business is recognized for providing advanced design & engineering consultancy for mobile offshore units and reliable equipment and technical knowledge into realistic & innovative ideas The performance of new and existing jack-ups Considering a weekend getaway in Sweden Whether you’re a Swedish resident seeking the perfect mini-vacation or a tourist in the country searching for one (or several!) off-the-beaten-track spots to add to your travel list The following small towns are ideal for quiet retreats with ample relaxation as well as exploration opportunities Each has its unique charm and offers plenty of cultural check out these best small towns in Sweden for a weekend retreat it's the largest town on the island of Gotland Visby is proud of its well-preserved rich history from the medieval walls surrounding it to the 15 Gothic and Romanesque churches plan your visit around Medieval Week (held in August) The town turns into a living history museum celebrating its golden age you can still meander through the town's charming cobblestone streets and enjoy the historic architecture and local cuisine where you'll find artifacts and exhibits that tell the island's story from its formation through the Viking Age to modern times We highly suggest booking your stay at Hotel Helgeand Wisby housed in a 13th-century medieval building that will take you back in time an old monk cellar turned restaurant/nightclub Art lovers of all kinds will fall in love with the coastal town of Ystad Wander through the picturesque half-timbered houses and pop into the various art museums and exhibits in town Ystad Art Museum is home to a wide array of contemporary works from local and national artists but plenty of smaller mom-and-pop galleries are worth a visit as well Cineteket Ystad Film & Experience Center is also a neat attraction Take a guided tour through this celebration of motion pictures and explore film scripts plan your visit in late July to attend the Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival; the event is a vibrant celebration of music When you've had your fill of museums and music pop into Söderberg & Sara Stenugnsbageri for a traditional pastry walk it off with a beach stroll or forest hike at the town's natural reserve before retiring to a room at Ystads Gamla Vattentorn a charming little town bustling with friendly locals eager to share their home's rich history The streets of this once-mining town are lined with well-preserved historic wooden houses that now house cute eateries Book a room at Lilla Hotellet i Nora in the center of town you can explore local attractions such as Nora Church and the Nora Museum just next door The church is a gorgeous example of 18th-century Baroque architecture and the museum expertly shows off the town's local crafts and mining history Grab a cinnamon roll at Café Värmlandsmo and hitch a ride to Lake Stora Borken perfect for relaxing with a book and a picnic head to Falkenberg on the country's west coast This gem of a town offers ample opportunities to kitesurf and enjoy stunning coastal views as you fully unwind on your weekend getaway Skrea Strand is a hot spot for all of the above this close-knit community has done a great job preserving and showcasing its cultural history Check out the Ekomuseum Nedre Ätradalen if you have a chance It's a collection of 80 historical sites that will take you back through time You'll also want to visit Falkenberg Castle and the connected museum Stop for a bite at Restaurang Gustaf Bratt for delicious food and views of the Ätran River before you settle in for a cozy stay at the historic Hotell Hamngatan 27 The small town of Mariefred is renowned for its idyllic architecture and serene lake setting You can admire the well-preserved town on foot History buffs will appreciate a trip to Gripsholm Castle you'll find a number of exhibits showcasing Swedish art and royal history Museum Eastern Södermanland Railway is another noteworthy attraction Book a seat on the famous "Cake Tour," which will take you to Taxinge Castle via steam train to try 60+ different kinds of cake If you're coming to Mariefred from Stockholm (which many do) a historic steamboat that has been running for over 100 years You can return to Stockholm that evening or enjoy a stay at the charming Svedängs Rum & Frukost Fjällbacka is a picturesque fishing village in southwestern Sweden perfect for nature enthusiasts and those looking to escape the hustle and bustle Book a room at Villa Evalotta and wander through the idyllic harbor popping into shops and quaint eateries as you go (make sure to try a shrimp sandwich at Snar Bar) Explore the hiking trails around Kungsklyftan Several routes are tailored to various skill levels all with remarkable views of the area's natural beauty We also highly recommend you hop on a sunset boat tour around the harbor and the archipelago beyond You can even go lobster fishing in the fall It's fun to note that this little town of less than 1000 has served as inspiration for several famous authors some of whose crime novels are set in Fjällbacka We would be remiss if we omitted Sigtuna from our list this little gem is considered Sweden's oldest town You can feel the history as you meander through the pedestrian-friendly streets lined with old wooden buildings you'll find artifacts from the Viking era and get a sneak peek into the town's significance during Sweden's medieval period Continue your deep dive into history with a visit to the ruins of the 11th-century Sigtuna Church and maybe even on a runestone walk There are 15 runestones scattered throughout town and just outside all unique artifacts of the town's multi-layered past Before you cozy into a romantic room at Sigtunastiftelsen you can't miss a trip to Augusta Janssons Karamellfabrik a historic sweets factory that's still up and running there you have it: our favorite small towns in Sweden that are perfect for a weekend getaway and experience some seriously charming nooks and crannies of det avlånga landet (the elongated country) photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com then wait" – which can be an expensive and wasteful way of travelling Some ships are making the bold move of slowing down to save money and emissions A giant containership traffic jam was swelling in the waters off California demand for goods had exploded as Covid-19 restrictions eased and the world began – slowly – to return to normal The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles couldn't cope with the sudden influx of vessels from Asia there were around 100 ships waiting to dock Some had been stuck in the queue for more than a month If vessels departing Asia knew their place in the queue they might be able to time their arrival to coincide with when a berth was actually ready for them – rather than steaming head-first into a traffic jam the ports started giving incoming ships a queue number Vessels began sailing roughly three or four knots slower on average across the Pacific Ocean easing the congestion problem – and incidentally saving around 460,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) of emissions an ocean and air freight analytics service "It was a particular situation," says Emily Stausbøll "It was looking increasingly stupid to have hundreds of ships waiting outside Los Angeles." What if the shipping industry could implement slower sailing like this more widely you can reduce the emissions by around 20%," says Grant Hunter But slowing down comes with logistical and economic challenges One maritime technology is now looking to solve these helping ships save fuel and money without delaying shipping times Many of today's ships still use a particularly dirty fossil fuel called heavy fuel oil (HFO) in their engines though some regions are introducing bans on their use (see factbox: Arctic fuel) There are efforts to transition to cleaner alternatives It means there's a rush on to find other ways of improving efficiencies right now Some say that slower sailing is part of the answer It was a presentation at an industry conference that first introduced Pia van Wyngaard to a concept called Blue Visby Solution a grain growers' cooperative in Australia listened intently as the speaker described how the system could help ships time their arrival to busy ports instead of racing there and having to wait at anchor for hours or even days before docking This behaviour is so widespread in shipping that it has earned a nickname: "sail fast If ship operators and cargo owners can be reassured that their ship will have immediate access to a place for loading or unloading upon arrival "I thought to myself that it was a great idea," recalls van Wyngaard It wasn't long before her company had partnered with Blue Visby Solution in an effort to set up a real-world trial of the system then wait" has become common largely because of the economic incentives it offers to big companies it helps shippers guarantee their ship will be in place when needed If the journey takes longer than expected and a coal exporter is left waiting for a late-arriving cargo vessel "They don't want to have to shut down production at a coal mine It's much cheaper to have ships waiting at anchor," he says The same principle applies to all kinds of cargo If a cargo ship misses its slot to unload at port and the components arrive late at the factory then cars don't get built on time and customers are left waiting That could have negative consequences for multiple businesses One of the dirtiest forms of shipping fossil fuel heavy fuel oil (HFO) is being banned in Arctic waters The International Maritime Organization's ban comes into force on 1 July 2024 but it will be several years before all ships in the area are prevented from using the fuel due to regulatory loopholes Burning HFO releases large quantities of pollutants including black carbon Read Matt McGrath's story for BBC News The smooth running of supply chains tends to dictate how a wide range of companies and systems function, especially in the transport sector. Avoiding delays is so desirable that the mantra of "sail fast, then wait" is actually specified in some of the legal agreements signed by ship operators And yet there are other ways of doing things "We aim to slow down the ships when there is congestion at the port," says Pekka Pakkanen executive vice president for shipping solutions at Napa one of the maritime industry firms behind Blue Visby Solution The system tracks shipping traffic in and out of a port in order to forecast the ideal arrival time and sailing speed Weather conditions that could affect the ships' movement are factored into these calculations The method is currently most applicable to bulk vessels which move large consignments of things like grain since these ships are especially prone to the "sail fast container ships tend to operate a bit like buses – sailing on predefined routes with ports of call set to a reasonably tight schedule says Pakkanen: "When things are working normally He and his colleagues have run computer simulations using data from thousands of bulk vessel voyages, to test whether slight reductions in speed really would cut emissions. The results have been promising but the team only performed a real-world trial for the first time in March and April 2024 when two grain ships chartered by CBH sailed under directions from the Blue Visby Solution system Based on comparisons with computer models of the ships sailing the same routes but at slightly faster speeds CO2 emissions from the real-world voyages were between 7.9% and 28.2% lower The exact number can be affected by the size and type of ship in question and the weather conditions encountered en route The calculation for emissions reductions also depended on how fast the digital versions of the vessels were set to sail in the simulation which ran concurrently to the real-world voyages "I think it's quite incredible and it shows the opportunities that are out there through efficient operating of vessels," says van Wyngaard a cost was incurred by prolonging the sailing slightly The only slight hiccup occurred when one of the masters on one of the trial voyages was "a little bit surprised" when orders to sail slower came through the master in question required instructions from another party in the trial (CBH denied that such a communication hiccup had happened.) Communication is key for getting this system to work as intended but overall he says the trial was a success "We've got to share these good news stories to demonstrate things can be done like this," says Hunter The concept of sailing slower is not new and there are other ways of implementing it But Pakkanen points out that the premise of Blue Visby Solution is to ensure the operational availability of ships If you were to simply put a speed limit on all vessels they would slow down – but that would also constrain the amount of cargo they could transport within a given time period Blue Visby Solution tries to be more precise by converting waiting time into sailing time so that the transportation process doesn't actually take longer overall The ship just sails at exactly the right speed to glide into port when a berth is ready There are challenges to ensuring wide adoption of this approach "There will always be somebody who would deviate and profit by going faster than the others," suggests Dagmar Nelissen senior researcher and manager of shipping at CE Delft an environmental consultancy in The Netherlands She notes that new regulatory pressures to reduce emissions might have a broader effect on the industry in terms of encouraging slower sailing principal analyst at the shipping data firm Lloyd's List Intelligence says ship operators will have to be convinced of the economic advantages of any voluntary scheme to reduce speeds That's how shipping works," she says The longer journeys also mean that there is less capacity available across the world's commercial shipping fleet since vessels are so busy getting to their destinations That pushes freight rates up – which in turn encourages ships to sail faster still These big economic forces have a giant impact on shipping It takes a lot of ingenuity to carve a way through and insist that efficiency should always be the priority For more Future stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook and X. 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But that's – literally – only half of the story. Shipping is an extremely efficient way to move bulk goods around the planet but it's responsible for around 3% of global man-made carbon emissions and the unique energy requirements of long-haul cargo ships make them extremely difficult to decarbonize But that's what makes the Blue Visby Solution so fascinating; you don't have to alter the ships at all most cargo ships follow an operational practice known as "sail fast they go as quickly as they can from port A to port B regardless of what the schedule's looking like at their destination until it's time for them to dock and load/unload their cargo The Blue Visby Solution requires considerable connectivity on a global scale – but where the rubber meets the road Pushing all that bulk through the water at a slower speed cuts down hugely on hydrodynamic drag so the engines burn considerably less fuel And the cargo delivery speed is totally unaffected; the ships still load and unload at exactly the same times How much of an efficiency gain are we talking here The Blue Visby team studied the movements of 3,651 Panamax vessels taking 20,580 trips in 2022 and estimated these timing tweaks could cut emissions by a median rate of 23.2% without affecting customer outcomes Others have run the numbers on broader samples; Ship Nerd News reports on a study from Blue Visby Consortium member NAPA which looked at 150,000 voyages from 13,000 cargo ships in 2019 The study found that 87% of voyages could reduce their speed and meet all their deadlines while reducing emissions by 16% but it would still be a colossal contribution the M/V Gerdt Oldendorff and the M/V Begonia deployed "all components of the Blue Visby Solution" including software The former recorded an estimated CO2 reduction of 28.2% against its standard SFTW speeds That's a considerably larger affect than you'd get out of some of these huge sail systems These initial results are incredibly promising, but eliminating SFTW thinking from the global shipping trade is no small task; according to Marine Log it's a practice that dates back to the age of sail long-term contracts between shipping companies dockworkers and all the many dependent services that plug into global logistics And herein lies another nugget of Blue Visby genius; the consortium has created a contractual architecture built around a multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism that allows ship owners charterers and cargo interests to share the costs (such as costs related to a longer ocean passage) and also the benefits (like fuel savings and any financial value attached to emissions reduction) It's an attempt to make the system a win-win-win situation and to incentivize participation by all parties The first sea trial also ran a test on this benefit-sharing system Apart from reducing fuel burn and emissions there are other benefits; avoiding extended waiting periods at anchor reduces hull fouling and the speed reduction at sea reduces underwater noise pollution as well as the risk of whale strike It certainly looks like a head-slappingly obvious win for most parties involved And it's a solution whose benefits will continue to accrue as other decarbonization technologies take hold; green fuels will likely be more expensive so sailing slower will save more money and open up additional useful range as and when clean cargo shipping gets up and running “Decarbonization is unattainable without energy efficiency and energy efficiency is impossible if ships continue to Sail Fast Then Wait," state Blue Visby Consortium co-ordinators Haris Zografakis and Pekka Pakkanen in a press release "The CBH Prototype Trials demonstrate that the Blue Visby Solution will be a central element of any successful decarbonization strategy for all maritime stakeholders: shipowners "We are very excited to see the results of the first Prototype Trials "All components of the Blue Visby Solution were tested: contracts we are on track for commercial deployment this year." Source: Blue Visby Slow steaming and managing voyage planning to maintain commercial contracts while reducing emissions is seen as one technique immediately available to the shipping industry to reduce harmful carbon emissions The Blue Visby platform reports it achieved significant reductions on its first prototype voyages on two in-service vessels over the last two months and will continue to move forward with trials The multilateral platform was developed over the past few years and has drawn support from more than 32 members from various parts of the industry including operators including Mitsui O.S.K. and others as well as BIMCO and other trade groups and Bureau Veritas are also among the participants.  The premise behind the platform is to eradicate the use of an operational approach they call “Sail Fast Then Wait.” The effort led by Norwegian software company NAPA and London-based law firm Stephenson Harwood says based on an analysis of 2019 figures the carbon footprint of the maritime industry could be reduced by about 15 percent or overall 45 million tonnes of CO2 across the tanker fleet and bulker fleets just by stopping the practice and allowing ships to reduce speed “Decarbonisation is unattainable without energy efficiency and energy efficiency is impossible if ships continue to Sail Fast Then Wait,” said Haris Zografakis and Pekka Pakkanen While it involves a systematic optimization of the ocean passage they argue it does not interfere with weather routing which remains in control of the ship and its operator to systematically optimize the ocean passage to reduce CO2 emissions Test voyages were undertaken in March and April a 61,100 dwt bulker both sailing ballast voyages for CB Group to its Kwinana Grain Terminal in Australia The Oldendorff vessel achieved a 28.2 percent reduction in CO2 emissions while the Begonia saved 12.9 percent of CO2 emissions for an average of 17.3 percent They noted that alternative benchmarks were tested involving speed They report that these prototype voyages further confirmed earlier efforts Simulations based on 284 voyages between November 2021 and August 2023 demonstrated a potential CO2 savings of 25.6 percent on an average voyage A pilot program in 2023 tested ten voyages producing an average potential CO2 savings of 18.9 percent “We are very excited to see the results of the first Prototype Trials,” said Christian Wounlund “All components of the Blue Visby Solution were tested: contracts we are on track for commercial deployment this year.” UK-based midstream LNG & bioLNG company Avenir LNG has conducted the first bioLNG delivery to Swedish ferry operator Destination Gotland For this operation, Avenir deployed Avenir Aspiration 7,500-cubic meters LNG bunkering and supply vessel The ISCC-certified bioLNG was produced in Europe and loaded into Avenir’s bunker vessel at the Port of Zeebrugge said: “We are committed to provide comfortable and reliable transport services for our customers between the Swedish mainland and Gotland The possibility to use bio-LNG ensures that we can provide our services in an even more sustainable way thereby reducing the impact on the environment and population.” commented: “As a leading supplier of small-scale LNG and owner of one of the largest global LNG bunker vessel fleets reliable and efficient fuels whilst minimizing the environmental impact for our customers Setting up new bio-LNG supply chains is at the core of our global growth strategy.” Destination Gotland and Avenir signed a multi-year contract for the supply of LNG to the dual-fuel RoPax ferries MS Gotland and MS Visby Avenir has conducted up to 20 ship-to-ship LNG bunker operations per month in the Swedish ports of Visby and Nynashamn Some positions at the developer's Berlin office are also at risk Toadman Interactive - an original and work-for-hire studio - has announced it is closing its offices in Stockholm Some positions at the Immortal Unchained developer's Berlin office are also at risk "Like many other game companies, we have gone through a tough period over the last 12 months, and, unfortunately, that means that we are shutting down our offices in Stockholm, Visby, and Oslo, as well as having some redundancies in our Berlin studio," the studio said in a statement posted to LinkedIn please reach out [...] and we would love to make introductions to our talented staff." As spotted by Game Developer the company - which supported the development of Helldivers 2 and Warhammer: End times - Vermintide - reported it employed 111 people at the end of June 2024 It's unclear just how many of those jobs have been affected by the cuts Earlier today, we reported that Until Dawn Remake developer, Ballistic Moon, has laid off at least 11 staff although the official number of developers affected has not been divulged No part of this website or its content may be reproduced without the copyright owner's permission GAMESINDUSTRY.BIZ is a registered trademark of Gamer Network Limited Viking Cinderella and Gabriella will make a total of five cruises from Helsinki to Visby next summer Cruise guests can easily experience the medieval town of Visby as well as other parts of the island of Gotland since they can take their car on board Visby was a big favourite for Viking Line last summer and there is also brisk demand for the 2025 summer season Tickets for Viking Line’s Visby cruises next summer will go on sale on December 17th with the company’s vessels setting course for the enchanting island of Gotland a total of five times in June and August The Visby cruises will depart from Helsinki’s Katajanokka harbour at 4 p.m. and the vessel will arrive in Visby the following morning Passengers will have the whole day to get acquainted with Visby and Gotland passengers can enjoy a delicious brunch and the other offerings on board in peace and quiet since the vessel will not leave on its return trip to Katajanokka until 1:45 p.m “Gotland is fairly unknown to many Finns since it has been surprisingly difficult to get there When we resumed our Visby cruises a few years ago adding it to our travel programme after a pause of nearly 30 years adults travelling with friends in a group have also been keen on trips to Visby and there are a large number of pre-bookings for next summer We also believe people will buy these cruises as Christmas presents If people want to travel on a given departure date and be sure to have a good cabin it’s best to book their trip as soon as possible,” says Jaakko Ahti who is Head of Special Cruises & Cruise Concepts at Viking Line Visby is one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Nordic region People can easily explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site in one day on foot or by bike The town and its surroundings can also be experienced on a 2.5 hour guided walk or on one of the half-day bus tours arranged by Viking Line “People can also take their car on Viking Line’s Visby cruises and drive ashore to discover the island’s wonderful nature and attractions You can experience many interesting things in one day.” Gotland’s highlights – you can do all this in one day The island of Fårö off the northeastern tip of Gotland was home to the Swedish director Ingmar Bergman It is a 10-minute ferry ride to the island you can also visit the island’s iconic rauks limestone monoliths shaped by wind and waves Lummelunda Cave is about a 20-minute car ride from Visby The cave is impressive by Nordic standards and is the most popular attraction on Gotland visitors can marvel at the largest limestone quarry in the Nordic region there are old quarries filled with water which are also wonderful places to swim Kneippbyn Summerland is the favourite destination for families with children since the marvellous Villa Villekulla home to Pippi Longstocking – familiar to children around the world from the books of Astrid Lindgren Next to Summerland is the waterpark Waterland It is about a 10-minute car ride to Kneippbyn from Visby is another of the island’s special attractions Viking Line’s summer 2025 cruises from Helsinki to Visby Top News,Greece Greece has approved an international tender for hydrocarbon exploration in four blocks in the Mediterranean Sea Top News,World Top News,Energy World,Word newsletter The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) participated in the 2025 edition of Sea Asia one of the premier maritime industry events in the Asia-Pacific… Leading mental health support provider MHSS is proud to confirm its commitment to diversity and inclusion with the appointment of two psychologists… Design & Development by P.KAN.DESIGNER Design & Development by P.KAN.DESIGNER The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve World Heritage partnerships for conservation Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development Our Partners Donate Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information A former Viking site on the island of Gotland Visby was the main centre of the Hanseatic League in the Baltic from the 12th to the 14th century Its 13th-century ramparts and more than 200 warehouses and wealthy merchants' dwellings from the same period make it the best-preserved fortified commercial city in northern Europe le principal centre de la Ligue hanséatique en mer Baltique ainsi que plus de 200 entrepôts et maisons de marchands de la même époque en font la ville fortifiée et commerciale la mieux préservée d'Europe du Nord تشكل هذه المدينة موقعاً قديماً للفايكينغ على جزيرة غوتلاند وقد كانت من القرن الثاني عشر الى القرن الرابع عشر المركز الرئيس للرابطة الهانزِية في بحر البلطيق اما أسوارها العائدة الى القرن الثالث عشر ومخازنها ومنازل تجارها المرتقية الى هذه المرحلة والتي يفوق عددها المئتين فتجعل منها المدينة المحصّنة التجارية الأشد حفظاً في اوروبا الشمالية 维斯比原为哥得兰岛上的海盗据点，12世纪至14世纪成为波罗的汉萨同盟城市的中心。维斯比拥有13世纪的堡垒以及同时期的200多座仓库以及大量贸易设施，这些使之成为北欧保存最完好的商业防御城市。 Бывшее поселение викингов на острове Готланд Висбю являлся основным центром Ганзейского союза на Балтике в XII-XIV вв и более чем 200 складов и жилых домов богатых торговцев того же периода делают Висбю наиболее сохранившимся укрепленным торговым городом в Северной Европе esta ciudad se edificó en el emplazamiento de un antiguo poblamiento vikingo y llegó a ser el centro principal de la Liga Hanseática en el Mar Báltico Sus murallas del siglo XIII y las más de 200 bodegas y mansiones de mercaderes de esa misma época hacen de Visby la mejor conservada de las ciudades comerciales fortificadas del norte de Europa The Hanseatic Town of Visby is a unique example of a northern European medieval walled trading town with a preserved and notably complete townscape and assemblage of high-quality historic structures Together these elements graphically illustrate the form and function of this type of significant human settlement about 100 km east of the mainland in the Baltic Sea was formed on a shore with a natural harbour Gotlandic merchants utilized it as a strategic point in trade within the Baltic Sea They allied for the protection of their trading posts which developed into a federation or Hansa By the 12th century Visby had come to dominate this trade and all the commercial routes of the Baltic were channelled through the town German merchants began to expand their sphere of interest into the Baltic Sea and settled in Visby It became the only trading place on the island with the privilege of trading with German towns and hence the main centre of the Hanseatic League Visby changed from a seasonal trading place into an impressive metropolis enclosed by a strong defensive wall and increasingly divorced from its rural hinterland The wall imposed new restrictions on the Gotlandic traders creating tensions that led to civil war in 1288 Russian and Danish traders built stone warehouses in parallel rows from the harbour and the community expanded with guild houses Visby began to lose its leading position in the Hanseatic League due to plague around 1350 and invasion by the Danish army under King Valdemar Atterdag in 1361 Warfare and piracy in the 15th century and changed trading routes bypassing Visby severely affected trade on Gotland and the economy of Visby deteriorated when it was stormed by an army from Lübeck and the northern parts were partially burnt In the 18th century Visby experienced a revival of trade and industry Many warehouses were refurbished as housing and new buildings were added both on the ruins of earlier ones and on vegetable plots The 19th century saw the construction of schools and a prison and the growth of a small shopping area on one of the main streets The town began to expand beyond the medieval wall The ‘inhabited historic town’ includes the walled town and its immediate surroundings constituting an area of 105 ha The urban fabric and overall townscape of Visby are its most important qualities extends 3.4 km and is surrounded by dry moats and open spaces that together form a defensive network Some of the limestone used as building material was quarried from here Roads into the town through gates to the north The medieval street plan survives both above and below ground Urban archaeology gives evidence to widespread building structures streets paved with large limestone slabs and a sophisticated water and sewage system The remains of over 200 warehouses and merchants’ dwellings are predominantly in Romanesque style Medieval Visby had more churches than any other town in Sweden: 15 within the walls and two outside These buildings reflect several building phases with Romanesque and Gothic features and they served various functions – parish Many fell into decay after they were abandoned during the Reformation in the 1530s Only St Mary’s Cathedral survives and is still in ecclesiastical use A large amount of small vernacular wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries featuring horizontal plank construction used since the Viking period remain intact They are found mainly in the eastern parts of the town and on the site of the former Visborg Castle Criterion (iv): The Hanseatic Town of Visby is an outstanding example of a North European medieval walled town which reflects with remarkable completeness its essentially late 13th-century form and function as one of the most important trading towns of the Hanseatic League between 1161 and 1360 This is reflected in the well-preserved town wall Criterion (v): Visby is a characteristic example of a traditional human settlement that has evolved over time through continuous adaptation to the medieval form and function The inhabited historic town has prevailed under the influence of socio-economic and cultural change This has resulted in a townscape in which the medieval walled trading town has been retained with distinctive layers over time until the present day Functional continuity is reflected in its structure as a county The property includes the walled medieval town and the surrounding dry moats and open spaces A significant proportion of the attributes are in good condition The town wall has been subject to partial collapses over the years The collapse of a section of the wall in 2012 led to a successful restoration and new knowledge about its state of conservation The increasing use of the church ruins for events and activities requires the development of impact assessment and guidelines incremental change through alterations that disregard conservation principles results in a cumulative negative impact on heritage values The visual integrity of the walled town and historic skyline is vulnerable as the town expands and develops The functional continuity and structure of the town is vulnerable to the loss of functional diversity and traditional building skills Certain key attributes are located outside of the property the ruins of St George and Solberga monastery limestone quarries and entry roads into the medieval town Visby is the best preserved North European walled town and example of a fortified commercial centre It is the most complete of the early Hanseatic towns displayed in its urban fabric and overall townscape The irregular street pattern and entry roads run from the cliff to the harbour some with origins in the Viking era settlement From its heyday as a Hanseatic trading centre the limestone warehouses have maintained their dominance along three main streets parallel to the shoreline The authenticity of the medieval building elements is demonstrated in shape and size Subsequent layers of development have conformed to the medieval scale and town layout The Gotlandic traditional lime production and use for stone plaster and mortars have remained intact and play a crucial role in conservation and craftsmanship and its high level of authenticity is exceptional The well-preserved dry moats and open spaces surrounding the walled town form a fringe belt that accentuates and distinguishes the compact medieval town Three parallel trenches in the northern parts of the wall are particularly distinctive Twentieth-century urban planning took a Garden City approach to development beyond the wall preserving considerable areas of open space with lower densities and strict control over building heights While the medieval churches fell into decay the ruins are iconic carriers of architectural and historical significances that have remained more or less intact since the 19th century While Visby lost its function as a commercial metropolis during the 14th century its urban continuity is still reflected in a living town with retail The relocation of public authorities beyond the walled town has transformed its spirit of place as a vibrant office-based core into a largely seasonal residential area Gotland and Visby are an attractive holiday destination and economically strong property owners are both an asset and a threat to the preservation of this environment The property ownership is mixed with public and private owners The church ruins are owned and managed by the State while St Mary’s Cathedral is owned by the parish The town wall and its towers are primarily owned by the local authority and have traditionally been managed by the state A small number of landmark buildings remain in local authority ownership although several have been sold due to privatization processes The majority of the domestic houses and commercial properties are in private ownership The statutory ‘detailed plan’ for the walled town of Visby together with the associated building code regulates preservation of the built environment and new development within the walls under the Planning and Building Act 257 building monuments are designated by the state under the Cultural Heritage Act which also protects the archaeological remains of the entire property The property is recognized by the state as an ‘area of national interest’ under the Environmental Code the municipal council approved a statutory detailed conservation plan for the whole World Heritage property This plan includes regulations concerning preservation It also includes statutory building guidance Management of the property rests with several organizations Gotland Municipality is the coordinating organization carrying the overall responsibility through the City/Regional Council A World Heritage Studio brings together different functions and departments within the municipality concerning conservation and development The state manages the town wall and the church ruins The County Administrative Board is responsible for implementing the Cultural Heritage Act and has a supervisory role in conservation on behalf of the state The World Heritage Advisory Council consists of a steering committee of three key organizations; Gotland Municipality the County Administrative Board and Gotland Museum as well as other stakeholders such as representatives of residents A World Heritage Forum is held annually to facilitate public engagement and dialogue on specific issues The management plan from 2003 is under review Its objectives are integrated with the Development Plan for Visby 2025 Management of the town wall is presently being reconsidered Negotiations are underway between the Swedish National Heritage Board having traditionally been responsible for its maintenance Successful future management of the town wall requires both long-term funding and a clear agreement between the authorities A buffer zone needs to be demarcated to address development pressure in the vicinity of the property The building of a new harbour for larger cruise ships requires a sustainable tourism framework gentrification and increased tourism threaten the functional diversity and social balance of the town A strategy for risk management needs to be developed The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) granted marketing authorisation to Visby Medical for the Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test This is the first diagnostic test for chlamydia gonorrhea and trichomoniasis that can be purchased without a prescription and performed entirely at home The test is intended for females with or without symptoms and delivers results in approximately 30 minutes possibly resulting in delayed diagnosis or treatment,” said Courtney Lias According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Surveillance Report more than 2.2 million cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea were diagnosed and reported in the U.S it is estimated that trichomoniasis is the most prevalent nonviral STI worldwide affecting approximately 2.6 million people in the U.S. according to the CDC’s treatment guidelines all three infections can be treated with antibiotics can cause serious health complications for patients The Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test is a single use that includes a collection kit (self-collected vaginal swab) and a powered testing device which communicates securely to the Visby Medical App which displays results when the test is complete the Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test correctly identified 98.8% of negative and 97.2% of positive Chlamydia trachomatis samples 99.1% of negative and 100% of positive Neisseria gonorrhoeae samples and 98.5% of negative and 97.8% of positive Trichomonas vaginalis samples Individuals with positive results for any of the three infections should seek medical care recent exposure to an STI or other concerns despite a negative result should contact their health care provider for additional testing the risks associated with this test are mainly the possibility of false positive and false negative test results False negative test results can result in delays to effective treatment and spread of infection to other persons False positive results could lead to unnecessary treatment and/or a delay in receiving a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment “The FDA reviewed this test under the FDA’s De Novo premarket review pathway a regulatory pathway for low- to moderate-risk devices of a new type the FDA is establishing special controls that define the requirements related to labeling and performance testing provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness for tests of this type This action creates a new regulatory classification which means that subsequent devices of the same type with the same intended use may go through FDA’s 510(k) premarket notification process whereby devices can obtain marketing authorization by demonstrating substantial equivalence to a predicate device which may save a developer time and expense compared to other review pathways,” USFDA stated This announcement follows last year’s authorization of the first at-home syphilis test as well as the authorization of the first diagnostic test for chlamydia and gonorrhea with at-home sample collection in 2023 which was the first FDA-authorized test with at-home sample collection for any sexually transmitted infection other than HIV TCS reduces variable pay for senior employees for third quarter New policy ties payout to office attendance Annual salary increments delayed due to global economic uncertainty but company to invest in employee training and onboard 42,000 trainees in FY25 Almedalsveckan (Almedalen Week) is an annual political event held in Visby stakeholders and the public gather for speeches SEI will contribute its research expertise to more than fifteen seminars and dialogues all open to the public and some live-streamed These events are organized in close collaboration with Swedish and international stakeholders Ylva Rylander / ylva.rylander@sei.org will engage in two high-level sessions and two dialogues on Sweden’s climate policy geopolitics and future research funding as well as industry transition will lend her expertise at three external seminars on climate policy Ylva Rylander and Maria Sköld will contribute to multiple dialogues on Sami rights the industry transition and other topics during the week Sweden needs to demonstrate climate leadership both domestically and within the EU The session will explore methods to create acceptance for an ambitious climate policy and ensure a fair climate transition especially in the context of raising fuel prices which could affect resource-poor groups SEI’s research highlights which social groups are most affected by the transition potentially through distributive policy instruments is essential to accelerate the pace of the climate transition Live webcast | More info (in Swedish) Sweden’s ambitious plan for a fossil-free society by 2045 necessitates significant societal changes including in mobility systems and behaviors This session will discuss who the most vulnerable groups are in the transition to a sustainable and fossil-free transport system More info (in Swedish) Hydropower is a crucial renewable energy source for Sweden’s climate goals but the regulation of rivers has submerged large Sami areas leading to forced displacements and negatively affecting the Sami culture and lifestyle More info (in Swedish) part of an event hosted by the Indian Ambassador to Sweden will explore how Sweden and India are collaborating to accelerate the green transition in heavy industries such as cement and steel Organizers: Engaging India/Uppsala University Live webcast (in English) This session will explore how development cooperation and research are becoming increasingly crucial in understanding and managing today’s rapidly changing geopolitical landscape Discussion will focus on how Sweden should reorganize aid and collaborations in this evolving context Live webcast (in Swedish) | More info (in Swedish) What alternative ways can contribute to changed behavior without bans and reprisals becoming our new standard Can internal and external change help us create concrete initiatives towards a more sustainable lifestyle and if so More info (in Swedish) is threatened both by climate change and by growing demands for energy and minerals in the name of the green transition How can new forms of exploitation be avoided More info (in Swedish) Fossil-free electricity and the materials necessary for electrification are key to European security and a sustainable future for future generations But how do we build resilience in the north “Norra Scen – arena för grön omställning” More info (in Swedish) An increased infrastructure in Swedish seas raises new questions about vulnerability Live stream | More info (in Swedish) The term “climate neutral food chain” is widely used How do we handle the tricky goal conflicts that arise when the industry’s conditions meet the ambitions of politics More info (in Swedish) The government emphasizes the importance of civil society Contributions to public education are decreasing Peace organizations have had their funding withdrawn The government is investigating a nationalization of civil society’s responsibility for aid What will be the advantages and disadvantages SEI Team Leader: Development Policy and Finance More info (in Swedish) That we are affected by global warming is a fact But what will life in Sweden and in the world look like on a new warmer planet What will be the consequences of global warming geopolitics and not least people’s physical and mental health More info (in Swedish) A large part of democracy consists of tax-financed activities initiatives and reforms that should give us a better society But to paraphrase one of the country’s most powerful industrialists: What the ### do we get for the money SEI Research Director and Chair of the Swedish Climate Policy Council More info (in Swedish) We have climate goals that must be reached by 2030 and how can politics at national and municipal level legislation and incentives remove obstacles to achieving and scaling up climate-neutral construction More info (in Swedish) The conservation of the Amazon rainforest is of vital importance for the entire world and a major theme for Swedish development cooperation in the region But how can such protection accommodate local demands for development and what are the possibilities for Sweden to make an actual difference SEI Communications and Impact Officer for Trase More info (in English) Get the latest updates and invitations to your inbox with SEI’s global newsletter As the volume of internationally traded goods grew the Hague Rules were born out of a need for uniformity in the allocation of risk between shipowners and cargo interests The allocation of risk between carrier and cargo interests has ebbed and flowed over the centuries The Romans considered the carrier should shoulder the risk as they were the ones best placed to protect the goods from harm the perils were numerous for sailing ships – navigation became standard exceptions to a sea carrier’s liability As shipowners became more powerful and influential in international trade they set about applying wider exclusions to liability in bill of lading terms As the influence of cargo interests in America grew so did a dislike for how courts upheld bill of lading exclusions under freedom of contract principles a forerunner to the Hague Rules in seeking to achieve a more balanced risk allocation US legislation was not going to stop foreign shipowners and courts from deciding different outcomes the risk landscape had also started to improve through the transition from sail to steam and shipping regulation The first Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) was adopted in 1914 following the Titanic disaster in April 1912 As other nations adopted their own versions of the Harter Act a non-governmental international organisation whose purpose remains the unification of maritime law was influential in the work culminating in 26 states signing the Hague Rules in Brussels on 25 August 1924 the rules were a compromise between shipowning nations and those more representative of cargo interests The fundamentals included obligations on carriers which they could not contract out of such as seaworthiness and duties of care in relation to the goods carriers would benefit from certain exceptions to liability and rights and protections in respect of dangerous goods shipped onboard the evidential value of the bill of lading as a receipt was affirmed giving buyers essential confidence in the description of the goods in the bill and against which payment was made the Hague Rules were slightly revised by the Hague-Visby Rules in 1968 The relatively low package limit was increased and a 1979 protocol amended the package limit currency to units of account in the form of Special Drawing Rights the fundamentals of the Hague-Visby Rules are more or less the same as the Hague Rules As world trade increased, cargo interests and developing nations not party to the drafting of the Hague Rules gained greater influence. Calls for change were heard at the United Nations. Its trade body, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), was established in 1966 and the Hamburg Rules came into being in 1978 These rules did away with the carrier’s listed exceptions to liability creating a presumption of fault on the carrier and extending the Hague Rules tackle-to-tackle responsibility to the places of receipt and delivery at ports They also featured express provision for delayed delivery an increased package limit and a two-year time bar the Hamburg Rules failed to achieve the same uptake as the Hague/Hague-Visby Rules which had stood for much uniformity for over 50 years UNCITRAL also wanted to establish a multi-modal convention more aligned with land-oriented liability regimes and more fit for the digital future A 1980 multi-modal transport convention providing a single liability system failed to gain traction so the patchwork of regimes still needed to be tackled Leading nations and industry organisations came together and their impressive work culminated in 2008 The Rotterdam Rules are described as a “maritime plus” approach where liability for damage that can be localized to a particular leg of non-sea transport will be determined by the relevant inland convention such as the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road Where damage cannot be localized the Rotterdam Rules take precedence the Rotterdam Rules increased inflation-eroded package limits again but largely retained the carrier liability exceptions The carrier’s seaworthiness obligation was extended and the contractual carrier was also made responsible for acts and omissions of sub-contracting carriers When acting as “maritime performing parties” these sub-contractors were made jointly and severally liable together with the contractual carrier Other new concepts included the ability to partly contract out of the Rotterdam Rules for volume contracts covering the carriage of goods in a series of shipments over a period of time Ratifying states could also opt out of new compulsory jurisdictional provisions that would otherwise limit the effectiveness of contractual jurisdictional clauses There were high hopes for the Rotterdam Rules with 19 nations signing up that number is still less than 30 and less than a handful have gone on to ratify the Rotterdam Rules well short of the 20 ratifications (which include denouncing other regimes) needed for their entry into force today most states continue to apply one of the other existing regimes Around 30 nations still apply the Hamburg Rules and three times as many apply a version of the Hague or Hague-Visby Rules The US Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA) is broadly similar to the Hague Rules with some differences in relation to application (inbound as well as outbound shipments) and a variation on package limitation which remains relatively favourable to carriers such as Australia and Germany have amended the Hague-Visby Rules to create hybrid versions which are more favourable to cargo interests have not signed up to any rules and instead apply a cargo-friendly commercial code How individual nations interpret and apply the same convention also differs Hague/Hague-Visby Rule principles also provide the basis for P&I cargo liability cover and cargo insurance premiums reflect what can typically be recovered from a carrier The recovery landscape has certainly changed over the last 100 years and it has become more difficult for shipowners to distance themselves from the acts of and on their ships to avoid cargo liability Advances in regulation (notably the ISM Code) industry standards (such as bridge procedures) and technology (eg data recorders) have resulted in swathes of evidence for lawyers and experts to pour over in the pursuit of fault When things do go wrong there is much more transparency especially for serious casualties through safety body reports All this has helped parties and practitioners to keep trade flowing and to resolve most disputes and claims amicably Many disputes today arise from insufficient attention to clarity of contract The shipper’s description of the goods in the bill and the applicable package limits that result is one example With relatively far fewer incidents of cargo damage/loss the allocation of risk is maybe less prominent in contract negotiations than it was in the past Freight rates and other performance parameters dominate discussions though for customers concerned with the risk of cargo damage/loss some liner operators provide extended liability products this will guarantee compensation for many cargo damage/loss scenarios Whilst this takes a carrier outside mutual P&I cover fixed bolt-on covers have long been available for distinct risks and the Hague/Hague-Visby Rules do not prevent a carrier from negotiating more beneficial terms for cargo interests Where P&I clubs have drawn the line is in attempts to contractually apply whole conventions that have yet to enter into force The pursuit of more harmony across commercial maritime carriage contracts remains admirable When the Rotterdam Rules came into being the P&I clubs and their shipowner members stood ready to live with them (when entering into force) for the good of uniformity notwithstanding the additional liability burden Whilst shipowners are better connected with their ships than ever before a digital and greener age also brings new risks Lost or false GPS signals increase navigation risks Coastal waters are increasingly crowded with a combination of both traditional and renewable offshore activities There are more extreme weather events and a heightened risk of latent defects on more sophisticated vessels increasingly operating with riskier green fuels Shipowners face challenges crewing their vessels in a society facing generational shifts and struggles with mental health The CMI is committed to reviving earlier enthusiasm for the Rotterdam Rules and has set up a committee to urge wider ratification There are certainly aspects to commend a modern regime that addresses gaps in the Hague/Hague-Visby Rules and the Rotterdam Rules also does a useful job in tidying up some contentious issues in older regimes the muted response from nations in the time elapsed continues to cast doubt that the Rotterdam Rules offers a viable way forward At 90 articles (versus 16 for Hague/Hague-Visby Rules) the Rotterdam Rules are long and detailed Its new concepts involve more diverse interest groups who need to be persuaded that the Rotterdam Rules would work for them Influential ports in the USA have their doubts though it is argued detractors should better focus on the benefits for trade given most voyages are accident free Cited here are the non-liability provisions that the Rotterdam Rules attempt to unify Absent the Rotterdam Rules coming into force it seems likely that UNCITRAL will want to pick this up again there is a real danger in an increasingly protectionist world that we end up with an even greater patchwork of regimes That is after all what the Hague Rules were designed to avoid and the Rotterdam Rules themselves halted efforts to revise US COGSA How long will the heavily trade-oriented US continue to apply a1936 COGSA the voices of shipowners and carriers need to be heard They do not enjoy a level playing field with cargo interests in many developing economies where some local systems unfairly find ways to make a carrier liable for paper shortages and pre-shipment issues Would a new cargo liability regime help to achieve a more balanced risk allocation in such places the simplicity of the Hague/Hague-Visby Rules and the industry’s familiarity with them the above-mentioned English decisions are examples of the judiciary seeking to apply the rules in ways that reflect both the times and the bargain struck between the parties maybe the Rotterdam Rules should go back to drawing board aiming for a greater degree of simplicity it may continue to be a hard sell to governments facing unprecedented challenges on matters seen as more important SAN JOSE, Calif., June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Visby Medical™ today announced that it expanded its over-subscribed Series E financing round to include an additional $35 million for a total of over $135 million raised in the round The additional investment was led by Lightrock who joined existing Series E investors including John Doerr Blue Water Life Science Advisors and J Ventures The additional investment will be used to enable Visby Medical to scale production capacity further expand the product menu to include advanced respiratory health tests and deliver the power of PCR diagnostics to consumers at-home we are revolutionizing patient care by developing diagnostics that healthcare providers can use to test for any infection at anytime anywhere," said Visby Medical Founder and CEO Adam de la Zerda "Especially during these times of market slowdown our investors have shown significant confidence in Visby's innovative technology and mission This funding will enable us to further our goal to provide the world's first instrument-free handheld PCR platform to accurately and rapidly test for a variety of serious infections to anyone who needs it." Visby's patented gold standard PCR diagnostic technology is being developed in multiple therapeutic areas and is aimed to address a critical and growing global need: to combat the significant rise in infectious diseases The FDA-cleared Visby Medical Sexual Health Click Test is already being used in U.S such as Urgent Care and women's health clinics chlamydia and trichomonas via self-collected vaginal swabs and deliver results in less than 30 minutes eliminating the need for presumptive treatment "Visby Medical have produced a diagnostics tool capable of transforming patient care enabling accurate results over the course of patients' visit The innovation behind this versatile product has the potential to decentralise lab testing producing major benefits for communities around the world and opening up access to affordable healthcare results Lightrock invests in businesses using scalable technologies to deliver real and significant impacts and Visby aligns perfectly with that vision." The Company's proprietary technology development program culminated in the world's first instrument-free Originally developed for sexually transmitted infections CLIA-waived Sexual Health Click Test for women returns accurate results within 28 minutes The Visby Medical technology is also helping to fight the global pandemic via the Visby Medical COVID-19 Test and its robust pipeline includes tests for other infectious diseases Visby Medical is accelerating the delivery of fast and accurate palm-sized PCR diagnostics to the point of care Media Contact: [email protected] Investor Contact:Mark IbisonChief Financial Officer, Visby Medical[email protected]