The Dutch Safety Board has published an investigation report into the loss of containers from the MSC Zoe in 2019, sharing valuable lessons learned on the shipping routes that pass the Wadden Islands to the north of the Netherlands. The report stressed that minimizing the risks of container loss in the area requires an integrated approach by the container shipping sector, the IMO and the Dutch government.
On the night of 1 to 2 January 2019, the MSC ZOE with more than 8,000 containers onboard was travelling from Sines in Portugal to Bremerhaven in Germany. North of the Dutch Wadden Islands, the MSC ZOE found itself in severe weather. The ship lost 342 containers. The cargo comprised a wide range of items and packaging materials that on the subsequent days washed ashore on the coastline of the Wadden Islands. Continue reading “Dutch Safety Board report: Lessons learned after loss of containers from MSC Zoe”
The MAIB has published its Annual Report for last year with details about its activities and safety investigation work undertaken. In an extract from his Foreword, Capt Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Accidents at MAIB, said, “I am pleased to introduce MAIB’s annual report 2019. It was a busy and successful year for the Branch improving safety at sea by our sustained output of safety investigation reports, safety digests, safety bulletins, and wider industry engagement. The Branch raised 1222 reports of marine accidents and incidents and commenced 22 investigations in 2019, compared with 1227 reports and 23 investigations started in 2018. Tragically, 13 investigations involved loss of life.
The International Institute of Marine Surveying’s (IIMS) submission to the Australian Senate, raising members concerns as to the direction and delivery of AMSA’s services for domestic commercial vessels, has been widely agreed with and extensively quoted in the Rural and Regional Affairs committee’s recently published report entitled Performance of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
At the Annual General Meeting of the International Institute of Marine Surveying held at Murrills House, Portchester on 16th June 2020, Geoff Waddington took up the position of IIMS President., a position he will hold for the next two years. Geoff replaces Dubai based Capt Zarir Irani who has held the position since 2018.
Earlier this year, the International Group and 
On-Off hire condition bunker surveys are a requirement for the commercial trade of vessels in that vessels are hired from their Owners by Charterers who trade the cargo internationally. The survey of the vessel is undertaken either before the vessel is delivered into a Charter, or re-delivered from a Charter. The reports should include a detailed description of the vessel itself, the structural condition of the cargo spaces and main deck areas surrounding the various cargo compartments and hatches, the ship’s hatch covers, the cargo gear and space. Additionally, you will inspect and report on paint coating and cleanliness, the quantity of bunkers remaining on board, verification of the validity with respect to the vessel’s certification, portable equipment and securing materials, container securing equipment and so on.