IIMS News

What caught my eye: April 2024

Posted on by CEO

Floating art gallery to sail around the Mediterranean

I am rarely surprised by the ingenuity of people these days when most things seem possible, but this idea struck me as being visionary and worthy of a mention. An original concept, Art Explora is billed as the world’s first museum boat, which plans to sail across the world’s oceans with a self-stated mission to bring visitors innovative artistic and cultural experiences. It is the inspiration of its entrepreneurial founder and patron Frédéric Jousset. Art Explora is a large catamaran that can host up to 2,000 gallery visitors on board each day free of charge. Continue reading “What caught my eye: April 2024”

Leading Maritime Cities Report 2024: Amid a sea of change, Singapore retains top spot

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Leading Maritime Cities Report 2024 published
Leading Maritime Cities Report 2024 published

Singapore has retained its title as the leading maritime city in the world, followed by Rotterdam and London, according to the 2024 Leading Maritime Cities Report 2024 from DNV and Menon Economics. The city-state, with its large owned and managed vessel fleets, strategic geographic advantages, pro-business policies and its position as a leader in the maritime energy transition, is expected to hold this position for the next five years, the analysis determines.

Compiled in cooperation between classification society DNV and Menon Economics, the Leading Maritime Cities Report 2024 Continue reading “Leading Maritime Cities Report 2024: Amid a sea of change, Singapore retains top spot”

China Maritime Safety Administration launches action plan to prevent equipment failure

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China Maritime Safety Administration launches action plan
China Maritime Safety Administration launches action plan

The China Maritime Safety Administration has issued a notice announcing a special safety inspection period to prevent the failure of ships’ mechanical and electrical equipment from 7 April 2024 until 31 October 2024. Lloyd’s Register issued an article to provide details about this period of extra scrutiny for ships entering Chinese ports and shipyards, advising foreign classification societies in China to enhance and improve:
– Survey, inspection and testing during new construction
– Survey of conversion, renewal or repair of mechanical and Continue reading “China Maritime Safety Administration launches action plan to prevent equipment failure”

UK MAIB Safety Digest 2024 published

Posted on by News Hound
UK MAIB Safety Digest 2024 published
UK MAIB Safety Digest 2024 published

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has published its the MAIB Safety Digest 2024 spring edition. It features a varied collection of lessons learned from recent marine accidents involving vessels from the merchant, fishing and recreational sectors.

MAIB Safety Digest 2024 draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. It contains information that has been determined up to the time of issue.

The information is published to inform the merchant and fishing industries, the recreational craft community and the public of the general circumstances surrounding marine accidents and to draw out the lessons to be learned. Continue reading “UK MAIB Safety Digest 2024 published”

NSIA report into Viking Sky investigation published

Posted on by News Hound
Viking Sky Investigation published.Photo credit: Photo: Eva Frisnes
Viking Sky Investigation published. Photo credit: Photo: Eva Frisnes

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) issued its accident report on the loss of propulsion and near-grounding of cruise ship Viking Sky on 23 March 2019.

During the afternoon of 23 March 2019, the cruise vessel Viking Sky experienced a blackout, causing loss of propulsion and steering, during a storm in the Hustadvika area of the Norwegian coast. The vessel is estimated to have come within a ship’s length of running aground with 1,374 persons on board, and the accident had the potential to develop into one of the worst disasters at sea in modern times. Continue reading “NSIA report into Viking Sky investigation published”

Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum issues guidance on vehicle carrier presentation and loading of vehicles

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The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum has published its first industry good practice guidelines
The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum has published its first industry good practice guidelines

The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum has published its first industry good practice guidelines entitled ‘Common Guidance on the loading and presentation of vehicles’. The guidance, and supporting checklist, are intended to reduce the risks associated with the shipment of unaccompanied vehicles, including electric and hybrid vehicles, and to promote the safety of terminal and vessel personnel and the protection of property including the vessel itself.

The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum is a consortium of vessel operators, insurers and other industry experts, whose role is to promote safety on vessels designed to carry vehicles. The guidance is supported by industry bodies The International Group of P&I Clubs, The International Chamber of Shipping and the TT Club. Continue reading “Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum issues guidance on vehicle carrier presentation and loading of vehicles”

Replace harmful zinc anodes with aluminium as standard is the advice

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Photo credit: The Fitout Pontoon
Photo credit: The Fitout Pontoon

Zinc anodes are causing environmental damage is the message from the Clean Harbours Partnership (CHP), which is a UK-based organisation dedicated to raising awareness of harbour pollution. It has urged boaters, major boat manufacturers and other interested parties to replace or to recommend replacing zinc anodes with aluminium as standard to reduce and prevent further environmental damage. CHP has been studying the release of metals, particularly copper and zinc, by recreational vessels into the marine environment. CHP highlights that, in 2020, the Institute of Marine Sciences at Portsmouth University in the UK calculated that approximately 900 tonnes of zinc is released into UK coastal and inland waters by recreational vessels in an average year. Continue reading “Replace harmful zinc anodes with aluminium as standard is the advice”

EBI and the SeaCleaners publish a Guide to Responsible Boating

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EBI and the SeaCleaners publish a Guide to Responsible Boating
EBI and the SeaCleaners publish a Guide to Responsible Boating

Brussels-based European Boating Industry (EBI) and The SeaCleaners have jointly published a Guide to Responsible Boating which they say is a call to action for boaters worldwide to help combat plastic pollution in the oceans and waterways.

The Guide to Responsible Boating provides practical recommendations for boaters to minimise their environmental impact while enjoying their passion for water. From reducing plastic consumption to participating in waste collection efforts, they are encouraged to take an active role in preserving the oceans for future generations. Continue reading “EBI and the SeaCleaners publish a Guide to Responsible Boating”

Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo

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Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo
Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo

Hong Kong Merchant Shipping has issued an information note to draw lessons learned from a fatal accident which happened on board a Hong Kong registered general dry cargo ship during discharging a fumigated cargo of logs at Zhangzhou, China.

The incident
A Hong Kong registered general dry cargo ship berthed at the port of Zhangzhou, China to discharge the fumigated logs. In the morning of the day of the accident, a stevedore entered the spiral ladder space of the almost fully loaded No.1 cargo hold from the access entrance on the main deck to unhook the lifting slings of an excavator which was transported from No.2 cargo hold to the hold by the shore crane. Continue reading “Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo”

What caught my eye: March 2024

Posted on by CEO

Floating sauna in Oslo fjord rescues occupants of sinking Tesla

This is a remarkable story, one of my favourites for ages, which fortunately had a happy ending. What caught my eye specifically were the details of the good Samaritan vessel – a floating sauna – which came to the aid of a sinking Tesla. I must have led a sheltered life as I was completely unaware that such craft existed and that they are indeed popular in Norway and can be hired by the hour! And being a skipper of a floating sauna sounds like a very cool job – never getting cold on the job either! Continue reading “What caught my eye: March 2024”

IMPA Safety Campaign: Securing pilot ladders at intermediate length is vital

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IMPA Safety Campaign raises awareness of pilot transfer arrangements
IMPA Safety Campaign raises awareness of pilot transfer arrangements to be compliant

The latest International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) Safety Campaign raises awareness of the need for pilot transfer arrangements to be procured, inspected, maintained and rigged in compliance with SOLAS regulation V/23, taking complete account of the ISO 799 standards. IMPA highlights the need for securing pilot ladders at intermediate length and conduct mandatory training, inspection and maintenance.

The results of the 2023 IMPA Safety Campaign show that historical trends in non-compliance continue. The headline non-compliance rate remains over sixteen percent, and the main determinant of noncompliance remains pilot ladders. Pilot ladder observations are included in more than fifty percent of reports of non-compliant arrangements. Continue reading “IMPA Safety Campaign: Securing pilot ladders at intermediate length is vital”

Transforming Places and Enriching Lives Report by the Canal & River Trust

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Transforming Places and Enriching Lives Report by the Canal & River Trust
Transforming Places and Enriching Lives Report by the Canal & River Trust

The Canal & River Trust has published a report for partners, funders and supporters of the UK’s canal network showcasing the benefits delivered by the Trust and its canals. The Impact Report entitled Transforming Places and Enriching Lives, tells the stories of how canals make a positive impact on people’s lives and help contribute towards some of the most significant challenges facing society.

Building upon an earlier study that aggregates the social value and economic benefits of canals to society, the Transforming Places and Enriching Lives Report brings to life the stories and testimonies, partnerships and projects that sit behind the monetary values. In Continue reading “Transforming Places and Enriching Lives Report by the Canal & River Trust”

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