IIMS News

West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes

Posted on by News Hound
West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes
West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes

West P&I Club has highlighted the issue surrounding wet weather loading Group A IMSBC cargoes.

The Club said it has recently seen several instances regarding loading bulk cargoes that are categorised as Group A cargoes under the IMSBC Code during precipitation.

Group A cargoes should never be loaded where it has been determined that the moisture content of the cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML). It is therefore understandable that some vessels opt to restrict the amount of moisture that the cargo is exposed to by avoiding loading during periods of precipitation. Continue reading “West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes”

New EU ETS rules take effect from January 2026

Posted on by News Hound
New EU ETS rules take effect from January 2026
New EU ETS rules take effect from January 2026

This year marks a turning point for the EU Emissions Trading System. After a two-year phase-in, maritime transport will face full compliance under the EU ETS, alongside an expanded scope covering additional greenhouse gases and a tighter emissions cap.

These changes reinforce the EU’s climate ambition while significantly raising the stakes for affected sectors. Continue reading “New EU ETS rules take effect from January 2026”

Safety recall of flares issued due to spontaneous combustion

Posted on by News Hound
Safety recall of flares issued due to spontaneous combustion
Safety recall of flares issued due to spontaneous combustion. Source: USCG

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has sent out a warning following a manufacturer recall of nearly 50,000 affected signal flares.

The USCG Office of Design and Engineering Standards was notified of a manufacturer recall of the Orion Skyblazer II Red XLT Aerial Signal (also called Orion XLT Skyblazer self-contained red meteor flare) due to three incidents of spontaneous combustion. There were no reported injuries. Continue reading “Safety recall of flares issued due to spontaneous combustion”

MCA: MGN 710 (M) safety management systems for small workboats and pilot boats

Posted on by News Hound

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published MGN 710 (M) safety management systems for small workboats and pilot boats.

Guidance on how owners and operators of small workboats and pilot boats can meet the Safety Management System (SMS) requirements of the recently launched Workboat Code Edition 3 is now available. Continue reading “MCA: MGN 710 (M) safety management systems for small workboats and pilot boats”

MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)

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MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)
MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has update to fire safety MGN 681 (M) and storage of small electric powered craft on yachts.

MGN 681 (M) Amendment 1 includes clarification for the functionality of storage and charging cabinets or boxes where these are used as part of the solution for the carriage of li-ion batteries used on personal vehicles. Continue reading “MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)”

SYBAss announces new Executive Director

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Robert van Tol takes charge as Executive Director of SYBAss
Robert van Tol takes charge as Executive Director of SYBAss

Robert van Tol will be the new executive director of SYBAss (Superyacht Builders’ Association) effective 1st of January 2026. Following his past 7 years successfully establishing and scaling up the Water Revolution Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to driving environmental progress within the yachting sector, he brings fresh energy and a modern perspective to SYBAss.

Building on SYBAss’s position in the current maritime world, Van Tol’s appointment Continue reading “SYBAss announces new Executive Director”

Updated IAMSAR manual to be carried onboard from January 2026

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The IAMSAR Manual edition III must be carried onboard vessels from 1 January 2026
The IAMSAR Manual edition III must be carried onboard vessels from 1 January 2026

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has advised about upcoming amendments to the IAMSAR (International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue) Manual, which operators must have onboard their vessels in hard copy by 1 January 2026 to comply with SOLAS regulations.

According to LR, under SOLAS regulation V/21, all ships are required to carry an up-to-date copy of the IAMSAR Manual Volume III. As stated in MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.2, the IAMSAR Manual Volume III must always be available in hard Continue reading “Updated IAMSAR manual to be carried onboard from January 2026”

Key tips for transferring plastic pellets in containers

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Carriage of plastic pellets in containers is the subject of new guidance from the Steamship Mutual P&I Club
Carriage of plastic pellets in containers is the subject of new guidance from the Steamship Mutual P&I Club

Steamship Mutual P&I Club has provided guidance on the risks associated with the carriage of plastic pellets in containers and provides practical measures to prevent spillage and protect the marine environment.

Understanding the risks of plastic pellets
According to the Club, in recent years, several high-profile incidents have occurred, such as the Trans Carrier in 2020 and the XPress Pearl in 2021, where containers have fallen overboard and resulted in the release of plastic pellets into seas and oceans with subsequent harm to the marine environment. Continue reading “Key tips for transferring plastic pellets in containers”

Post Construction Assessment papers trigger official policy review

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Paper 2 on Post Construction Assessment by Tom Keeling attracts encouraging response
Paper 2 on Post Construction Assessment by Tom Keeling attracts encouraging response

Throughout 2025, work continued on Recreational Craft Directive (RCD), Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR) and Post Construction Assessment (PCA) research, with a newly drafted paper by Tom Keeling – known as PCA 2 – receiving an encouraging response from Graham Russell MBE, Chief Executive of OPSS (Office for Product Safety & Standards). The paper is due for wider release in early 2026.

Since the release of the PCA 1 paper in 2024, IIMS has remained engaged with Continue reading “Post Construction Assessment papers trigger official policy review”

NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires

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NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires
NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires

Heavy weather and an improperly secured cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) units led to two fires on board the cargo vessel Genius Star XI – causing $3.8 million in damages, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

What happened

​On December 25, 2023, at 0830, while the cargo vessel Genius Star XI was transiting the North Pacific Ocean in heavy weather with a cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system units on board, a fire was discovered in a cargo hold. Continue reading “NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires”

What caught my eye: January 2026

Posted on by CEO

The Francis Scott Key Bridge Baltimore accident: Now we know the cause

You don’t need me to remind you of the catastrophic incident in March 2024, which resulted in the MV Dali totally destroying the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, killing six highway workers in the process. It really is one of the most spectacular and tragic maritime accidents in recent times, witnessed around the world by millions. We have covered the story in more detail elsewhere in this news bulletin, Continue reading “What caught my eye: January 2026”

ABS shares guidance on revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships

Posted on by News Hound
ABS shares guidance on revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships
ABS shares guidance on revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has provided an overview of IMO Resolution MSC 581 (110) – Revised Recommendations for Entering Enclosed Spaces Aboard Ships.

These new recommendations supersede and revoke Resolution A.1050(27), replacing them with updated safety measures, definitions, and procedural requirements aimed at reducing fatalities during enclosed space entry. Continue reading “ABS shares guidance on revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships”

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