AkzoNobel unveils new updates to Intertrac Vision coatings performance prediction tool

Intertrac Vision, its “big data” tool designed to provide accurate and transparent predictions on the fuel and CO2 savings
Intertrac Vision, its “big data” tool designed to provide accurate and transparent predictions on the fuel and CO2 savings

AkzoNobel’s International marine coatings brand has announced a series of updates to Intertrac Vision, its “big data” tool designed to provide accurate and transparent predictions on the fuel and CO2 savings potential of fouling control coatings.

The latest enhancements include CII rating prediction, EU ETS cost impact and detailed breakdowns of cost savings across multiple drydockings, all designed to further support data-driven decision making. Intertrac Vision analyzes insights from more than 200,000 drydocks and 10,000 vessel operators. Pairing this track record with machine learning modeling, the tool forecasts the contribution of coating performance for a vessel’s in-service period and evaluates the return on investment based on the specified vessel type and Continue reading “AkzoNobel unveils new updates to Intertrac Vision coatings performance prediction tool”

Managing the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires

A li-ion battery fire will sustain itself, meaning that rather than lasting minutes or hours, a fire can continue for days.
A li-ion battery fire will sustain itself, meaning that rather than lasting minutes or hours, a fire can continue for days.

The global energy transition has led to an acceleration of new and innovative technologies designed to support decarbonization efforts across the global supply chain. The maritime industry plays a fundamental part in this effort, not simply by addressing its own impact on global CO2 emissions, but also by facilitating the availability and transportation of new and innovative technologies that are designed to mitigate carbon emissions. Continue reading “Managing the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires”

Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change

Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change
Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change

Appalled that deaths in enclosed spaces continue to be all too frequent occurrences in the shipping industry, the Maritime Professional Council of the United Kingdom (MPC) has announced its support for fundamental changes to ship operation and design.

MPC member InterManager has been at the forefront of raising this issue where, it says, seemingly innocuous compartments, cargo holds and fuel tanks, vital for storage and operation on board any vessel, have become graveyards for far too many seafarers due to a lack of attention, regulation, and understanding. Continue reading “Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change”

Safety warning issued following man overboard from potting vessel Kingfisher with loss of one life

Image source: MAIBSafety warning issued following man overboard from potting vessel Kingfisher
Safety warning issued following man overboard from potting vessel Kingfisher. Image source: MAIB

On 12 July 2024, the crew of the potting vessel Kingfisher (DH110) were engaged in manually shooting a string of creels. A deckhand became entangled in a creel’s leg rope and was pulled overboard, where his personal flotation device (PFD) inflated on immersion. Using the hauling winch, Kingfisher’s crew retrieved the backrope and recovered the now submerged deckhand on board within seven minutes. Despite the efforts of the vessel’s crew, members of a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat, a paramedic from a His Majesty’s Coastguard rescue helicopter and crew members of an attending Continue reading “Safety warning issued following man overboard from potting vessel Kingfisher with loss of one life”

The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing

The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing
The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing

Is simplicity a reason for the success of the Hague Rules? In this opinion piece, Mark Russell, Head of Cargo Claims in Gard, outlines the history – and looks to the future – in a world of competing cargo carriage regimes.

The Hague Rules came into being 100 years ago this year, becoming the first international convention governing the rights and obligations under bills of lading for the carriage of goods by sea. As the volume of internationally traded goods grew, the Hague Rules were born out of a need for uniformity in the allocation of risk between shipowners and cargo interests. Continue reading “The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing”

First Saudi Red Sea Authority yachting regulations released

Saudi Red Sea Authority yachting regulations have been written and published for the first time by the authorities.

The new Saudi Red Sea Authority yachting regulations outline the necessary requirements and conditions for the use of yachts in Red Sea waters, as well as overseeing the issuance of tourism and leisure licenses and permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported. They outline the conditions and procedures for issuing technical licenses for leisure tourism, and the required criteria for yacht owners or authorized tourism maritime agents. Continue reading “First Saudi Red Sea Authority yachting regulations released”

P&I club Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier

Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier
Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier

P&I club Britannia has published an incident case study after two fumigation contractors died from asphyxiation on a bulk carrier.

The unexpected incident occurred onboard the vessel nearing the completion of loading corn cargo, which resulted in the death of one contractor. Before the incident, the cargo holds had been closed for six days, leading to depleted oxygen levels inside. This incident highlights the dangers of closed cargo holds, the lack of awareness about hazardous conditions, and the human tendency to help others in distress without considering personal safety. Continue reading “P&I club Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier”

Flooding and partial sinking of towing vessel Uncle Blue: Investigation report

The investigation report on the flooding and partial sinking of towing vessel Uncle Blue that took place on March 26, 2023.
The investigation report on the flooding and partial sinking of towing vessel Uncle Blue that took place on March 26, 2023.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the flooding and partial sinking of towing vessel Uncle Blue that took place on March 26, 2023.

The towing vessel Uncle Blue was towing one empty barge on the Lower Mississippi River in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, when the vessel began flooding. The six crewmembers aboard attempted to pump out the vessel but were unsuccessful, and they evacuated to the barge. A Good Samaritan Continue reading “Flooding and partial sinking of towing vessel Uncle Blue: Investigation report”

Updated guidance for MGN 436 (M+F) issued by the MCA on mitigating against the effects of shocks and impacts on small vessels

Updated guidance for MGN 436 (M+F) issued by the MCA
Updated guidance for MGN 436 (M+F) issued by the MCA

MGN 436 (M+F) Amendment 4 gives guidance for operators, managers, owners and builders of small vessels on mitigating the risk of injury from whole body vibration (WBV) on small vessels, and in particular severe and repeated shocks (RS) as a result of impacts.

There have been a number of incidents involving small craft, travelling at a wide range of speeds, receiving predominantly vertical shock impact when coming off a wave, resulting in injury to one or more persons on board. The effects of crossing seas and side-on waves can also cause injury. Incidents have occurred on inland waters and estuaries as well as at sea, Continue reading “Updated guidance for MGN 436 (M+F) issued by the MCA on mitigating against the effects of shocks and impacts on small vessels”

Maritime Battery Forum joint whitepaper published

Maritime Battery Forum has published a joint whitepaper
Maritime Battery Forum has published a joint whitepaper

CIMAC and the Maritime Battery Forum have published a joint white paper on the environmental impact of batteries in deep-sea shipping.

The paper demonstrates that there is still potential for battery usage within the industry to support decarbonization. While it is Continue reading “Maritime Battery Forum joint whitepaper published”

Essential guide to tanker ship coatings

tanker ships rely on specialized coatings for their onboard tanks to safeguard against corrosion and contamination.
tanker ships rely on specialized coatings for their onboard tanks to safeguard against corrosion and contamination.

According to Britannia P&I Club, who have produced this essential guide to tanker ship coatings, tanker ships rely on specialized coatings for their onboard tanks to safeguard against corrosion and contamination.

The Club has published a guidance tanker ship coatings which explores the different types of coatings, including stainless steel and pure epoxy, giving details of their properties, advantages, and limitations.

A reliable and effective tank coating prevents water and corrosive agents from coming into Continue reading “Essential guide to tanker ship coatings”

Preventing fatalities in enclosed spaces on vessels

The Republic of Liberia has issued guidance to prevent fatalities in enclosed spaces, and highlight the need to establish detailed safety requirements
The Republic of Liberia has issued guidance to prevent fatalities in enclosed spaces, and highlight the need to establish detailed safety requirements

The Republic of Liberia has issued guidance to prevent fatalities in enclosed spaces, and highlight the need to establish detailed safety requirements and recommendations for entering enclosed spaces onboard vessels where there may be an oxygen deficient, oxygen-enriched, flammable and/or toxic atmosphere and ensure proper training of all crew on this subject.

The Administration is in the process of finalizing its investigation into a recent Deck Trainee fatal incident on board a vessel related to Continue reading “Preventing fatalities in enclosed spaces on vessels”

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