IIMS News

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”

UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2019 reveals a fall in maritime trade growth

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UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2019
UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2019

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has published the Review of Maritime Transport 2019 study, presenting in it a fall in maritime trade growth. The report highlights trade policy crosscurrents, geopolitics and sanctions, environmental worries, fuel economics and tensions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, all of which have contributed to slower growth in merchandise trade.

World maritime trade lost its momentum in 2018 due to increased uncertainty, rising tariff tensions between the US and China, as well as concerns regarding other trade policy and political crosscurrents. These relate to a no-deal Brexit, which sent waves through global markets, according to UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Continue reading “UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2019 reveals a fall in maritime trade growth”

UK Chamber of Shipping calls for more hybrid ferries

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UK Chamber of Shipping calls for more hybrid ferries
UK Chamber of Shipping calls for more hybrid ferries

Tackling climate change is the number one priority for the UK Chamber of Shipping and Chief Executive, Bob Sanguinetti, recently visited Wightlink in Portsmouth where he was shown their state-of-the-art hybrid ferry.

Victoria of Wight, which takes passengers all year round to the Isle of Wight, entered service in August 2018 and was the first hybrid ferry in England. The ship uses a hybrid energy system, which works much like a hybrid energy car, allowing her to run partly on electricity when required. At the time of launching the Victoria Continue reading “UK Chamber of Shipping calls for more hybrid ferries”

Keel failure and capsize of charter yacht Tyger of London MAIB report published

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Tyger of London keel matrix photo taken from the MAIB report
Tyger of London keel matrix photo taken from the MAIB report

At 0930 on 7 December 2017, the skippered charter yacht Tyger of London departed San Sebastian, La Gomera, bound for Marina San Miguel, Tenerife, with four paying passengers acting as crew on board.

At about 1700, 1 nautical mile south of Punta Rasca, the crew heard a loud bang. Tyger of London immediately heeled to starboard, capsized and inverted. The crew released their lifelines, fell from the cockpit into the water and their lifejackets automatically inflated. One crew member was briefly trapped below the yacht but managed to swim clear.

The skipper of another yacht, St Barbara V, which was 200m to the west, raised the alarm and rescued the crew from the water. Once landed in Tenerife, they were treated by Spanish emergency services before being released. There were no serious injuries. Continue reading “Keel failure and capsize of charter yacht Tyger of London MAIB report published”

Nanotechnology Marine Applications looks at a fix for corrosion and biofouling

Posted on by News Hound
The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is located in Braga, north Portugal.
The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is located in Braga, north Portugal.

Leading European scientists have released details of a study on the potential of ‘Nanotechnology Marine Applications’ as part of the two-year KETmaritime project.

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is the lead partner in the €1million initiative backed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Project coordinator Ana Vila said, “Humidity and salinity levels at sea cause around 30% of all vessel failures, repair needs and equipment malfunctions. Corrosion and biofouling are two major by-products impacting vessel materials, durability and performance.”

While traditional solutions including protective coatings and paints partially offset Continue reading “Nanotechnology Marine Applications looks at a fix for corrosion and biofouling”

IMO increased efforts to fight fake flag registries

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IMO HQ London
IMO HQ London

In response to a spike in fake flag registrations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is seeking to combat “rogue” national flag registries which are operating without the knowledge of governments they claim to represent, according to the insurer Standard Club.

In recent years, IMO has received reports that 73 vessels were unlawfully flying the flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 91 vessels were illegally registered under the flag of Fiji and 150 vessels were unlawfully registered under the flag of the Federated States of Micronesia. (Micronesian law doesn’t even allow international vessels to flag into its national registry.) The vessels involved are typically smaller, Continue reading “IMO increased efforts to fight fake flag registries”

Fishing vessel safety public declaration signed by nearly 50 States

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Fishing vessel safety public declaration
Fishing vessel safety public declaration

At a Ministerial Conference held in Torremolinos, Spain, 48 states signed a public declaration to indicate their determination to ratify the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety. This is a significant regime to create much-needed safety standards for fishing vessels.

During the Torremolinos Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (21-23 October), nearly 50 states signed the Torremolinos Declaration. By doing so they have publicly indicated their determination to make sure that the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety will enter into force by the tenth anniversary of its adoption, on Continue reading “Fishing vessel safety public declaration signed by nearly 50 States”

Safe Return to Port: Surveyor expertise produces guidance

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REG publish guidance Safe Return to Port
REG publish guidance Safe Return to Port

Guidance to help surveyors interpret rules governing Safe Return to Port has been published by the Red Ensign Group. It follows work done by individual members of the REG and its Technical Forum which has now signed off the guidance for publication.

Safe Return to Port requires passenger vessels which are 120 metres or longer or with three or more main vertical zones to be designed for improved survivability. The rules are designed to make sure cruise ships and large yachts can get back to Continue reading “Safe Return to Port: Surveyor expertise produces guidance”

BDO survey results: BDO show shipping must improve its risk management procedures

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Michael Simms, Partner, Shipping & Transport at BDO
Michael Simms, Partner, Shipping & Transport at BDO

Respondents to the BDO survey rated the extent to which enterprise and business risk management is contributing to the success of their organisation at an average 6.4 out of a possible maximum score of 10.0, compared to 5.9 in the 2018 survey. The BDO survey was launched in 2015 with a rating of 6.9.

Owners posted the highest score of all main respondents, followed by managers, but the ratings for charterers and brokers were significantly down on last year. Asia was ahead of Europe in terms of geographical sentiment, but both were behind the Middle East.

The cost and availability of finance was cited by 29% of respondents (up from 17% Continue reading “BDO survey results: BDO show shipping must improve its risk management procedures”

AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report

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AIBN report on tug FFS Achilles
AIBN report on tug FFS Achilles

Norway’s Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) has released its report into the tug FFS Achilles grounding and foundering off Farsund on 3 March 2017, suggesting that the presence of a lookout would have reduced the risk of the incident occurring.

The vessel ran aground at a speed of 8.4 knots and sank shortly thereafter due to damage to the bottom under the engine room. FFS Atlas arrived at the scene before the vessel sank and rescued its crew, who were in the life raft. Two out of the three crew members had suffered minor injuries and received medical attention.

The mechanical control system for the propeller units (Voith Schneider) on board Continue reading “AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report”

Liquid cargoes sampling guide issues by Skuld P&I Club

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A guide to sampling of liquid cargoes issues by Skuld P&I Club
A guide to sampling of liquid cargoes issues by Skuld P&I Club

Chemical cargoes, petroleum products, vegetable oils and other fats are often carried as bulk cargoes on board chemical and product tankers. Quality problems with these cargoes have been an issue since the dawn of this trade, and even with modern techniques these quality issues are likely to continue.

Liquid cargoes on tanker vessels may be exposed to influences such as temperature change, contact with air, light, pollutant, or other products. Other sources of contamination include failure in the production process and exposure to external substances from shore tanks and shore lines, as well as remnants of previous cargoes or wash water onboard the vessel. Continue reading “Liquid cargoes sampling guide issues by Skuld P&I Club”

Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate

Posted on by News Hound
Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators
Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators

Corrosion is a perennial concern for tank container owners and operators. The stainless steel construction is resistant to staining and corrosion, but may be vulnerable to pitting from certain cargoes or certain cleaning and maintenance operations. Visually minor pitting may conceal development of substantial or even catastrophic corrosion below the surface.

It may be expected that UN Class 8 dangerous cargoes (Corrosive Substances) are the predominant challenge where corrosion of UN portable tanks (tank containers) is concerned, although such commodities are not alone in presenting risk. In terms Continue reading “Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate”

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