Cargo Integrity Group calls for risk-based measures to prevent pest contamination

The international freight transport organisations of the Cargo Integrity Group are calling for urgent action from actors in global supply chains to reduce the risk of pest transference through international cargo movements. The five partners in the Cargo Integrity Group, known as CIG, recognise the vital importance of focusing on the threat of invasive pests to natural resources across the world, and of the urgency in crafting risk reduction measures that address the situation.

This call to action follows the intentions by pest control experts under the auspices of the International Plant Protection Convention Continue reading “Cargo Integrity Group calls for risk-based measures to prevent pest contamination”

Guidelines for fuel oil sampling and designated sampling points

Guidelines for fuel oil sampling and designated sampling points
Guidelines for fuel oil sampling and designated sampling points

During MEPC-75 meeting, that was held in November-2020, new amendments to MARPOL Annex VI were adopted through Resolution MEPC.324(75). These amendments will enter into force on 1 April 2022. It introduces new requirements for fuel oil sampling points and outline methods for sampling fuel oil to validate its sulphur content.

Essentially, there are three types of fuel oil samples as defined in the IMO guidelines:
-sample of the fuel delivered to the ship during the bunker operation, i.e. ‘MARPOL delivered sample’ (MEPC.182(59))
– sample of the fuel oil in use on a ship, i.e. ‘in-use sample’ (MEPC.1/Circ.864/Rev.1) Continue reading “Guidelines for fuel oil sampling and designated sampling points”

Autonomous ships and safety at sea white paper published

Autonomous ships and safety at sea white paper published
Autonomous ships and safety at sea white paper published

One Sea, the industry alliance that brings together leading exponents of autonomous ship technology, has published an autonomous ships and safety at sea white paper

The paper examines the safety advances achieved by and expected from autonomous ship technology, with the aim of driving the consultative process forward towards a revised set of maritime regulations. It considers today’s safety framework, cybersecurity, views from ship owners and operators, consequences for labour and insurance, and the classification implications for varying levels of autonomy, before offering a proposal for next steps by the industry.

Continue reading “Autonomous ships and safety at sea white paper published”

Consultation launched on fairer and simpler UK boat registration scheme

Boat owners who keep or use their vessels on Environment Agency (EA) waterways are being urged to have their say on newly proposed registration charges which will be introduced from 2022.

All boats kept or used on the non-tidal Thames, the Upper Medway or Anglian waterways (Rivers Great Ouse, Nene, Stour, Ancholme, Welland and Glen) must be registered with the Agency, with registration charges contributing to the operation of the waterways as well as the upkeep and management of the rivers, locks and facilities. As the second largest authority of navigable waterways in the country, the Continue reading “Consultation launched on fairer and simpler UK boat registration scheme”

Canada’s new vessel safety certificates and inspection standard

Transport Canada has published an overview of the new vessel safety certificates and inspection standard effective from 23 June 2021.
Transport Canada has published an overview of the new vessel safety certificates and inspection standard effective from 23 June 2021.

Transport Canada has published an overview of the new Vessel Safety Certificates Regulations and Canadian Vessel Plan Approval and Inspection Standard. These new regulations came into force on 23 June 2021, and the standard is now effective.

Applying to all Canadian vessels and any foreign vessels in Canadian waters, the regulations specify which vessels require certification and inspection. The standard (TP15456) outlines plan submissions and inspection standards for Canadian vessels requiring a vessel safety certificate.

The new Vessel Safety Certificates Regulations update and modernize old regulations and Canada’s inspection regime. The regulations Continue reading “Canada’s new vessel safety certificates and inspection standard”

UK government releases its decarbonising transport plan

Decarbonisation Transport plan published by UK government
Decarbonisation Transport plan published by UK government

As part of the mission to cut carbon dioxide (CO²) emissions to zero, the UK government has released its much anticipated decarbonising transport plan.

This plan sets out the government’s commitments and actions needed to decarbonise not only the maritme sector, but the entire transport system in the UK, plus details on the scale of additional reductions needed to deliver transport’s contribution to legally binding carbon budgets and achieve net zero by 2050.

It includes:
– The pathway to net zero transport in the UK
Continue reading “UK government releases its decarbonising transport plan”

Shipping: Does location matter anymore?

For centuries the great port cities analysed in the recent Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index report were built on the confluence of trade, people and ideas. Centred around ships and the presence of their owners, managers and charterers, maritime clusters steadily grew across Europe, Asia and the Americas. A combination of talent, time-zone, geography, expertise and government policies has helped locations such as Singapore, London and Shanghai thrive. Successful clusters combine the experience and size of established companies with the energy and drive of smaller and start-up firms. Collectively they have consistently delivered innovation, jobs and tax receipts.

But has the successful shift to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic ruptured the maritime business cluster concept Continue reading “Shipping: Does location matter anymore?”

Australia imposes container fumigation rules for Khapra beetle

With effect from 12 July 2021, the Australian authorities have introduced new fumigation requirements for containers coming from a total of 40 high-risk countries, in a bid to tackle Khapra beetle infestation. The Khapra Beetle has been identified by Australia as a major biosecurity risk. It feeds on grains and other dry foodstuffs, causing damage to the production while also infesting goods with larval skins and hairs that are difficult to remove.

According to data provided by the North P&I Club, containers from 40 designated countries, as listed by the Department for Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE), must undergo treatment to prevent the migration of this invasive species – using methyl bromide, heat Continue reading “Australia imposes container fumigation rules for Khapra beetle”

Cargo tank explosion and fire on chemical tanker Stolt Groenland report published

Cargo tank explosion and fire on chemical tanker Stolt Groenland report published
Cargo tank explosion and fire on chemical tanker Stolt Groenland report published

On 28 September 2019, a cargo tank containing styrene monomer on board the MAIC (Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands) registered chemical tanker Stolt Groenland ruptured due to runaway polymerisation. The catastrophic rupture released a large quantity of vapour to the atmosphere, and it subsequently ignited. Fire-fighting efforts by the emergency services took over six hours and involved more than 700 personnel and 117 units of fire trucks, pumps and fire tugs.

The rupture of the styrene monomer tank resulted from a runaway polymerisation that was initiated by elevated temperatures caused by heat transfer from other chemical cargoes. The elevated temperatures caused the inhibitor, added to prevent the chemical’s polymerisation during the voyage, to deplete more rapidly than expected. Athough the styrene monomer had not been stowed directly adjacent to heated Continue reading “Cargo tank explosion and fire on chemical tanker Stolt Groenland report published”

Three individuals to face criminal charges over 2018 Stretch Duck 7 boat sinking at Table Rock Lake

U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison announces the 17-count indictment of Kenneth Scott McKee
U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison announces the 17-count indictment of Kenneth Scott McKee

The captain of a World War II era duck boat and two other employees at Ride the Ducks Branson have been hit with criminal charges in relation to the sinking of the Stretch Duck 7 on Missouri’s Table Rock Lake in 2018, resulting in the death of 17 people. The Missouri attorney general’s office announced a total of 63 charges against Scott McKee, the boat’s Captain, and Operations Supervisor Charles Baltzell and General Manager Curtis Lanham.

According to a probable cause statement, the Stretch Duck 7 was under the command of McKee when it entered Table Rock Lake on July 19, 2018 during a severe thunderstorm warning and later encountered severe weather and rough winds, causing the boat to take on water and sink. Seventeen people died in the accident, including 16 passengers and one crew member. Continue reading “Three individuals to face criminal charges over 2018 Stretch Duck 7 boat sinking at Table Rock Lake”

Guidelines for the shipment of vegetable and edible oil cargoes

Edible oil cargoes are one of the most common types to be involved in cargo claims
Edible oil cargoes are one of the most common types to be involved in cargo claims

The Swedish Club has published guidelines for the shipment of vegetable and edible oil cargoes in an attempt to assist operators in the of their vessels. According to the Club, vegetable and edible oil is one of the most common types of cargo involved in cargo claims.

Edible oil cargoes are commonly shipped under FOFSA contracts. Not only does FOSFA provide guidance regarding contracts covering goods being shipped, but also offers advice regarding cargo tank inspections and assessing tank suitability for carriage of products shipped under FOSFA contracts.

These are covered in the FOSFA ‘Combined Masters certificate’ and FOSFA ‘Certificate of compliance, cleanliness and suitability of vessel’s Continue reading “Guidelines for the shipment of vegetable and edible oil cargoes”

Checking for failed wire rope terminations safety alert issued

Safety alert urges surveyors to inspect and check wire rope terminations
Safety alert urges surveyors to inspect and check wire rope terminations

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has published a safety alert to addresses the importance of verifying the condition and manufacturing of wire rope terminations that are used in various systems that utilize wire rope in a load-handling capacity (e.g., lifesaving appliances, cranes, lifting slings). The Coast Guard is currently investigating a casualty involving a failed wire rope termination that resulted in extensive damage to equipment.

The Coast Guard has observed that improperly applied swaged fittings could result in unintentional damage to the wire rope, resulting in failure of the termination. Improper swaging procedure includes failures within a quality management system in which materials are improperly selected and do not match the specifications of the original equipment manufacturer.

Continue reading “Checking for failed wire rope terminations safety alert issued”

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