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The risk of liquefaction from nickel ore cargo remains high

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Nickel ore liquefaction remains a key point of concern for shipowners and charterers, argues Janice Dao Yeung Yeung, Senior Claims Executive, Lawyer, Skuld P&I Club, who has provided a detailed analysis of the regulatory obligations surrounding the nickel ore cargo from the Philippines and Indonesia for masters, charterers, owners, shippers, as well as insurers.

Liquefaction risks of nickel ore cargoes from Indonesia and the Philippines have been a long-standing prominent issue which require constant vigilance and review by shipowners and charterers.

Since 2010, the liquefaction of nickel ore cargoes has caused the capsize of seven vessels. The recent capsize of MV Emerald Star in October 2017 once again demonstrated the importance of strict compliance with the IMSBC Code (2016 edition) and the other relevant international conventions. Continue reading “The risk of liquefaction from nickel ore cargo remains high”

Hidden benefits of a shipboard asbestos survey

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Shipboard asbestos survey
Shipboard asbestos survey

Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) surveys, when carried out correctly, can have a range of unexpected benefits for ship owners. A recent experience not only highlights the value to ship owners of having an approved inventory for their vessels, but also reaffirms the need to ensure that surveys are undertaken correctly.

Hazardous materials consultancy Lucion Marine was appointed to assist a major cruise line with work on a 2008-built cruise vessel. In this particular case a shipyard, on a pre-refit visit, claimed that an area where a new scrubber installation was planned contained asbestos in the bulkhead fire insulation. Continue reading “Hidden benefits of a shipboard asbestos survey”

The role of the marine surveyor – a P&I club’s perspective

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‘…The ship wherein Theseus {ref.2} and the youth of Athens returned had 30 oars, and was preserved by the Athenians down even to the time of Demetrius Phalereus for they took away the old planks as they decayed, putting in new and stronger timber in their place…’

per Plutarch in Life of Theseus {ref.3}

Like their predecessors of ancient times, the marine surveyors of today inspect and make recommendations in respect of the state of seaworthiness (or lack thereof) of a vessel. Unlike their predecessors, and unsurprisingly, their role has expanded. Continue reading “The role of the marine surveyor – a P&I club’s perspective”

MCA releases the outcome of the review of the standards relating to older domestic passenger vessels

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MCA release results of second public consultation
MCA release results of second public consultation

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carried out a second public consultation, which ran from 29 May 2019 to 10 July 2019, on proposals resulting from a review of the standards relating to older domestic passenger vessels, which are currently less stringent in some areas than those which are applied to newbuild vessels. Some proposals had been revised in the light of comments received during the first consultation, which ran from 6 November 2018 to 29 January 2019.

In some cases, there is a safety gap between the standards for new ships and those for older vessels. The review seeks to bring the standards applied to existing vessels into line, wherever possible, with those which apply to new vessels in key safetyareas.

These proposals are to narrow the gap by means of new Regulations which amend Continue reading “MCA releases the outcome of the review of the standards relating to older domestic passenger vessels”

ABYC and Transport Canada announce one set of marine safety standards throughout North America

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Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS) has published a policy on the acceptance of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards as an approved alternative method for small vessel compliance in Canada. The policy is effective as of October 30, 2019.

“Having one set of standards throughout North America is a huge benefit for engineering, manufacturing, and trade for the marine industry,” said Craig Scholten, ABYC Technical VP. “Being able to design, certify, and produce product to one standard will streamline and simplify everyone’s efforts.”

TCMSS will accept the equivalent standards published by ABYC with some Canadian modifications. The policy affects pleasure craft less Continue reading “ABYC and Transport Canada announce one set of marine safety standards throughout North America”

CTV shortage as offshore wind growth accelerates warns naval architect

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CTV shortage
CTV shortage

A naval architect has warned that as European offshore wind markets continue to expand with larger and more ambitious projects, there is a looming shortage of Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV).

Chartwell Marine said that expedient investment in new builds will be required to tackle a shortage of 22m – 24m offshore wind crew transfer vessels, especially as build slots at yards are limited. Many of these existing vessels, commonly used for UK CTV operations, have reached retirement or require a refit following over 10 Continue reading “CTV shortage as offshore wind growth accelerates warns naval architect”

Salvage companies make contribution to the marine environment and the shipping industry

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Salvage companies faces numerous challenges. Image courtesy of Tsavliris Salvage Group
Salvage companies faces numerous challenges. Image courtesy of Tsavliris Salvage Group

The salvage industry faces numerous challenges nowadays. Salvage cases tend to be more complicated technically and expensive. This is, in large measure, due to the increased size of vessels, increased values of their cargo and external influences such as demanding requirements from governmental organisations and the shore-based authorities. There are fewer cases for salvage companies and yet society’s expectations about protection of the environment have increased.

It is clear that salvage Salvage companies have much to contemplate. However, salvors are problem solvers, they will continue to stand ready to assist casualties all around the world. Salvors will always respond to a casualty no matter the Continue reading “Salvage companies make contribution to the marine environment and the shipping industry”

Gard conference promotes the value of industry collaboration on container ship fires

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Speakers at the Gard Conference on container fires
Speakers at the Gard Conference on container fires

Container ship fires are a growing concern. Fires, originating from dangerous goods in containers, whether wrongfully declared or not, occur with alarming frequency. During the Gard conference it was revealed that Gard’s cargo claims team determined that on average there has been a fire onboard a container ship weekly during the first half of 2019 and this does not include “near misses”. Obviously, such fires endanger the lives of the crew – a burning ship mid-ocean is a very dangerous place and being tasked to tackle such a fire exponentially adds to the risk.

The Increasing TEU volumes, carried on-board ever larger container ships increase Continue reading “Gard conference promotes the value of industry collaboration on container ship fires”

The hidden risks of destructive biological corrosion

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An example of biological corrosion
An example of biological corrosion

The IVR Association has published an information document explaining the hidden risks of biological corrosion and providing additional information on how to avoid bacteria that damages ship bilges. The technical leaflet Biological Corrosion focuses on a number of cases where the issue of leaking engine rooms seems to be more and more common as a result of this type of corrosion.

In recent years, an increasing number of cases of leaking engine rooms, caused by very local perforations of the ship’s plating have been noted. This happened despite the recent class renewal in which bottom inspection and thickness measurements showed that the plating was sound. In these cases, investigation reveals that the water ingress is by very local corrosion perforations. Continue reading “The hidden risks of destructive biological corrosion”

CO2 systems safe working case study

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David Patterson, North P&I Club, the author of a case study on safe working with CO2 systems
David Patterson, North P&I Club, the author of a case study on safe working with CO2 systems

North P&I Club has published a study following a recent incident that resulted with the loss of ten people onboard a vessel, highlighting the dangers when the operation of fixed CO2 systems is not fully understood.

The incident occurred whilst the vessel was in dry dock. A junior officer was tasked with getting details of the fixed systems CO2 bottles in the vessel’s CO2 room. While the junior officer was in the CO2 room, he discovered a leak from one of the cylinders. In an attempt to stem the leak, a pressure increasing valve was mistakenly opened, which increased the pressure in the system and resulted in the release of all the cylinders in that bank.

The system had a final distribution valve to the engine room which was initially Continue reading “CO2 systems safe working case study”

Liftboat overturns due to inadequate information about seafloor composition reveals report

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Liftboat, Ram XVIII, overturned in the Gulf of Mexico
Liftboat, Ram XVIII, overturned in the Gulf of Mexico

The US National Transportation Safety Board published its report on the liftboat Ram XVIII, that overturned in the Gulf of Mexico, on November 18. Due to the incident, three personnel suffered minor injuries, while about 1,000 gallons of hydraulic oil were released. The vessel was declared a constructive total loss at an estimated $1,140,000.

The Ram XVIII started from Houma, Louisiana, on Friday, November 16, after taking on a Fugro Chance surveyor and survey equipment, to service the WD-68-U platform. The vessel was carrying 190 tons cargo, and the voyage lasted 2.5 hours. Continue reading “Liftboat overturns due to inadequate information about seafloor composition reveals report”

Micro ROVs enablers for Marine Surveyors

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An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operates independently from the ship and has no connecting cables while ROVs are connected to an operator on the surface host ship by a load-carrying umbilical cable which provides communication and control.

A Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) is a tethered underwater mobile device. ROVs are unoccupied, highly maneuverable, and operated by a Continue reading “Micro ROVs enablers for Marine Surveyors”

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