News Hound, Author at The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)

OCIMF Annual Report 2025

Posted on July 2, 2025July 3, 2025 by News Hound

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has published its annual report for 2025, highlighting the launch of SIRE 2.0, which marked a significant step-change in how tanker inspections are conducted and reported.

On 2 September 2024 OCIMF introduced the highly anticipated SIRE 2.0, replacing VIQ7 as the leading tanker inspection tool, resulting in a robust inspection programme that enhances industry safety, efficiency, and environmental protection. Continue reading “OCIMF Annual Report 2025”

Paris MoU releases 2024 Annual Report

Posted on June 30, 2025July 3, 2025 by News Hound

The Paris MoU has published its 2024 Annual Report.

The detention rate for 2024 has seen an increase, reaching 4.03% compared to 3.81% in 2023. This rise marks a continuation of a consistently high detention percentage observed over several years, including 4.25% in 2022. The Paris MoU will closely monitor this trend in the coming years to assess its implications. Continue reading “Paris MoU releases 2024 Annual Report”

How to develop a safety culture

Posted on June 27, 2025August 15, 2025 by News Hound

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published a section in their Leading for Safety guidance, looking at why accidents happen, what really causes them and what can be done to develop a safety culture in an organisation.

Safety culture describes the way in which safety is managed within an organisation. It relates to the beliefs and attitudes, values, and perceptions that employees share regarding safety in the organisation. According to the MCA, to reduce the rate of incidents, we need a good understanding of: Continue reading “How to develop a safety culture”

Things surveyors cannot find

Posted on June 27, 2025August 15, 2025 by News Hound

Sunset over a harbor - Things a surveyor cannot find — Sunset over a harbor – Things a surveyor cannot find

The marine surveying industry has changed dramatically over the almost 50 years we’ve been boating. Back in the early days there were not any standards or certifying organizations for surveyors and still rules are adapting to thing surveyors cannot find. Those that had industry experience and connections just ‘hung out their shingle’. Some were very good and some were very bad! Continue reading “Things surveyors cannot find”

BMA investigation of capsizing of Master Ru, four presumed dead

Posted on June 26, 2025October 15, 2025 by News Hound

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has published a report into the investigation of the capsizing of Master Ru, with four presumed dead and ro-pax vessel sank in The Bahamas in 2024.

On 11 July 2024, the Tanzania (Zanzibar) flagged passenger/ro-ro vessel, Master Ru, was carrying a cargo of bulk aggregate and construction equipment through the territorial seas of The Bahamas. After encountering a heavy squall, Continue reading “BMA investigation of capsizing of Master Ru, four presumed dead”

Coal Cargoes: Avoiding Explosion and Self-Heating

Posted on June 26, 2025July 16, 2025 by News Hound

Coal is a fossil fuel with varying properties, depending on its source and handling before it is loaded aboard ship. Some coals can self- heat, and some emit methane – characteristics that can create fire and explosion risks to the crew, vessel and cargo making coal cargoes dangerous.

Røyset said that Gard had seen several cases involving problematic coal cargoes, particularly those originating in Indonesia. She said that her particular focus in this article was how to deal with a cargo Continue reading “Coal Cargoes: Avoiding Explosion and Self-Heating”

Transporting Li-ion batteries: identifying and addressing the risks

Posted on June 26, 2025August 15, 2025 by News Hound

The international transportation industry has been looking carefully at the hazards inherent in transporting lithium- ion (Li-ion) batteries and goods powered by them. As has been highlighted recently in the industry press, while Li-ion battery fires are not a common occurrence, their consequences can be devastating.

It has been reported by a major insurer in its 2023 Safety and Shipping Review that battery fires on vessels remain one of the biggest safety concerns Continue reading “Transporting Li-ion batteries: identifying and addressing the risks”

Investigation report after crewmember falls to death on Yuka D

Posted on June 25, 2025June 26, 2025 by News Hound

Transport Malta - Yuka D — Transport Malta – Yuka D

Transport Malta has released a report into a fatality on board bulk carrier Yuka D while it was at anchor off Paradip, India on 22 May 2024. The vessel Yuka D discharged a cargo of steel scrap at the port of Chittagong, Bangladesh, using its cargo cranes operated by shore personnel. Upon completion of unloading operations, the vessel proceeded in ballast to the port of Paradip, India, to load a new cargo of steel slabs. Yuka D arrived and anchored off Paradip on 20 May 2024. On the morning of 22 May 2024, while still at anchor awaiting Continue reading “Investigation report after crewmember falls to death on Yuka D”

TSB Canada releases Annual Report 2024-25

Posted on June 25, 2025October 15, 2025 by News Hound

TSB Canada releases Annual Report 2024-25, marking 35 years of advancing transportation safety.

Since its inception in 1990, the TSB has completed more than 2000 investigations, made more than 630 recommendations, and issued hundreds of safety communications. Over the years, more than 84% of the responses to the Board’s recommendations have been assessed as Fully Satisfactory, demonstrating the TSB’s concrete impact on the improvement of safety. Continue reading “TSB Canada releases Annual Report 2024-25”

Do you know when fire protection systems onboard should be inspected?

Posted on June 25, 2025August 15, 2025 by News Hound

All fire protection systems onboard and appliances should at all times be in good order and available for immediate use while a ship is in service. A helpful recent Marine Notice by the Palau Ship Registry highlights and gives guidance about the requirements of their inspection regime.

Fire protection systems need to be inspected weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually, as follows to ensure proper functioning. Continue reading “Do you know when fire protection systems onboard should be inspected?”

INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2025

Posted on June 24, 2025June 26, 2025 by News Hound

INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2025

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, INTERCARGO, publishes the Bulk Carrier Casualty report which shows encouraging progress in bulk carrier safety, with vessel losses and fatalities continuing to decline over the last decade. However, serious security threats in 2024 demand urgent international action to protect seafarers and uphold freedom of navigation.

Its recent publication identified the loss of 20 bulk carriers (≥10,000 dwt) between 2015 and 2024, Continue reading “INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2025”

German government authorises trial of remote-controlled inland vessel

Posted on June 24, 2025June 26, 2025 by News Hound

German government authorises trial of remote-controlled inland vessel

Shipping company HGK Shipping has been authorised to conduct the first remote-controlled inland waterway vessel on the German canal network for six months.

After the push barge combination consisting of “Niedersachsen 2” and “Hannover” had completed test operations on one part of the route without any problems at the beginning of May, Europe’s largest inland waterway shipping company has now been given the green light for Continue reading “German government authorises trial of remote-controlled inland vessel”

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