IIMS News

Four key safety issues identified after fatal Conception fire in the final report

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Following months of complex and forensic investigation, the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) has published its official report on the fire onboard the small passenger vessel Conception in September 2019 off California, which killed 34 people. It has highlighted poor oversight by the company and USCG regulatory issues as key areas of concern which were revealed in a recent preliminary report. There is a long list of recommendations for the USCG to adhere to following this most harrowing accident.

About 0314 on 2 September 2019, the USCG received a distress call from the Conception, a 75-foot-long small passenger vessel, anchored in Platts Harbor on the north side of Santa Cruz Island, California, reporting fire. When Continue reading “Four key safety issues identified after fatal Conception fire in the final report”

World Shipping Council containers lost at sea 2020 report issued and shows a decrease

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An improving picture is the finding from the World Shipping Council containers lost at sea 2020 report
An improving picture is the finding from the World Shipping Council containers lost at sea 2020 report

With more than 5,000 container vessels in operation and about 789 million TEUs being handled in ports worldwide, the container trade, an extraordinary globalisation tool, accounts for nearly 18% of the total seaborne trade. On paper, having more containers crossing the oceans means a higher risk of incidents. But is that really the case?

The World Shipping Council containers lost at sea 2020 report reveals that on average 1,382 containers are lost at sea every year, but there is a clear downward trend and in the 2017-2019 period 779 containers were lost every year.

Catastrophic events such as sinking or grounding of vessels account for half of the containers lost, but still the Continue reading “World Shipping Council containers lost at sea 2020 report issued and shows a decrease”

IUMI 2020 analysis of the global marine insurance market has been published

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An insight into the marine insurance market is provided by the IUMI 2020 analysis of the global marine insurance market
An insight into the marine insurance market is provided by the IUMI 2020 analysis of the global marine insurance market

International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has released its IUMI 2020 analysis of the global marine insurance market – also known as IUMI Stats. The report presents a range of statistical data from a variety of sources, including IUMI’s own data, to provide an insight into the marine insurance market within the context of global trade and shipping.

IUMI’s Secretary General, Lars Lange explains:
“Working with a number of valued partners, our Facts and Figures Committee has produced this year’s statistical analysis which also includes insight and opinion. IUMI collects data on global marine premiums which we present alongside loss ratios, claims and other data. Whilst our data Continue reading “IUMI 2020 analysis of the global marine insurance market has been published”

RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021

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RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021
RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has published a reminder that all RMI flagged ships, (including yachts), subject to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, are required to integrate appropriate cyber risk management measures into their Safety Management Systems (SMS) by the first annual verification of the company’s Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021.

The ISM Code, supported by the IMO Resolution MSC.428(98), requires ship owners and managers to assess cyber risk and implement relevant measures across all functions of their safety management system. This resolution calls companies to Continue reading “RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021”

Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing

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Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing
Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing

Despite the important steps that shipping has taken to address the problem of containerised cargo fires, Gard estimates that so far in 2020, there has been one fire involving containers every two weeks. Are Solum, Senior Claims Executive at Arendal, indicates there has been no shortage of smaller fires, near misses on-board and fires taking place in containers within terminal areas.

Statistics suggest that the frequency of containerised cargo fires occuring is not decreasing. By Gard’s count and on average there has been roughly one fire every two weeks so far in 2020. Continue reading “Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing”

DNV GL hits 20,000 remote surveys as it opens its new Operational Centre in Hamburg

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DNV GL hits 20,000 remote surveys as it opens its new Operational Centre in Hamburg
DNV GL hits 20,000 remote surveys as it opens its new Operational Centre in Hamburg

A new state-of-the-art Operational Centre to support the delivery of remote services to maritime customers has been launched in Hamburg, Germany, by the world’s leading classification society, DNV GL – Maritime. The launch also marks the two-year anniversary of DNV GL’s fleet wide roll-out of remote surveys and the milestone of 20,000 remote surveys delivered. This is DNV GL’s second Operational Centre dedicated to the delivery of remote services; the first was launched in Oslo in 2019.

“The launch of this cutting-edge facility is a clear demonstration of our commitment to making our experts even more accessible to our customers, whenever they need them,” said Geir Dugstad, DNV GL – Maritime Director Ship Classification and Continue reading “DNV GL hits 20,000 remote surveys as it opens its new Operational Centre in Hamburg”

$200m for Brisbane marina to create super shipyard in superyacht building boom

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$200m for Brisbane marina to create super shipyard in superyacht building boom
$200m for Brisbane marina to create super shipyard in superyacht building boom

A proposed AUS $200 million redevelopment of Brisbane’s Rivergate Marina in Murarrie would make the shipyard the largest superyacht refit and maintenance hub in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the Brisbane Times, in a superyacht building boom.

Documents lodged with Brisbane City Council show the 8.4-hectare shipyard and marina could be refurbished to include three massive sheds to house superyachts while they are repaired or refitted.

The application lodged by Rivergate Marina would be completed in several stages, with a code assessable application for the sheds and a AUS $35 million ship lift in Continue reading “$200m for Brisbane marina to create super shipyard in superyacht building boom”

Canadian Government publishes new Marine Navigation Safety Regulations to improve maritime safety

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Canadian Government publishes new Marine Navigation Safety Regulations to improve maritime safety
Canadian Government publishes new Marine Navigation Safety Regulations to improve maritime safety

The Government of Canada has published new Marine Navigation Safety Regulations 2020, which now apply to commercial vessels of all sizes, including fishing vessels, workboats, water taxis and ferries.

The regulations represent a consolidation of nine existing sets of marine safety regulations into a single one that:
– provides clearer and more up to date language on required navigational safety equipment;
– requires vessel owners to have equipment to help reduce the risk of collisions that could cause pollution, like oil spills, and threaten endangered marine life, such as Continue reading “Canadian Government publishes new Marine Navigation Safety Regulations to improve maritime safety”

Preliminary ATSB investigation report suggests heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers

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Heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers
Heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers

The 5,780 TEU APL England was rolling and pitching heavily in rough seas and high winds when it lost 50 containers overboard about 46 nautical miles south-east of Sydney on 24 May 2020, Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said in its preliminary investigation report. While investigation is ongoing, the initial findings suggest heavy corrosion in many of the ship fittings, including lashing eyes, lashing bridges and deck structures.

The APL England was travelling down the east coast of Australia, when the Bureau of Meteorology issued regular forecasts regarding a complex low pressure system developing off the south-east of the country, with gale force wind warnings. Continue reading “Preliminary ATSB investigation report suggests heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers”

Superyacht Life Foundation takes on the negative press surrounding the upscale yachting sector

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Superyacht Life Foundation looks to set the record straight. Photo credit: Jeff Brown, Breed Media
Superyacht Life Foundation looks to set the record straight. Photo credit: Jeff Brown, Breed Media

What happens when there are editorial gaps in a newspaper? According to Mark de Jong, Marketing Manager for Superyacht Life Foundation, newspapers fill them in with ‘salacious stories’.

Mark is referring to the superyacht industry which hasn’t had an easy time growing up while represented by Bond villains and super-rich owners whose wealth makes them a natural target. De Jong believes the hereditary animosity about the superyacht industry has come from its tendency to be highly secretive. When you consider the products, the owners and the money involved, you can understand why. But, de Jong says, the secrecy has been taken to the extreme and that’s why the foundation has been set up, to counter the negativity and to shine a spotlight on the positives that the industry abounds with – like craftsmanship.

Continue reading “Superyacht Life Foundation takes on the negative press surrounding the upscale yachting sector”

IIMS releases Marine Surveying International Fest III 2020 speaker details

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It’s official – Marine Surveying International Fest III 2020, the ultimate marine surveying online training event, is coming to a screen near you soon! If you are not familiar with the Fest format, now in its third year, it is an annual online only event hosted live by IIMS from Portchester, UK and broadcasting through Zoom with both days starting at 06.00 (London UK time). If you cannot or choose not to join live, there is an option to purchase the entire day’s content in video format to watch at your leisure. The event is open to IIMS members but also to non-members too – all are welcome to join.

Continue reading “IIMS releases Marine Surveying International Fest III 2020 speaker details”

IMO webinars put fishing vessel safety high on agenda

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Fishing vessel safety is the subject of a series of IMO regional webinars
Fishing vessel safety is the subject of a series of IMO regional webinars

One year after the well-attended Torremolinos Conference, IMO is launching a series of regional webinars in a renewed push to encourage ratification of a key treaty to bring in global enforceable standards for fishing vessel safety.

The webinars, launching in Latin America and the Caribbean in November, will bring together key stakeholders involved in fishing from across governments and highlight the benefits of the Cape Town Agreement, which was adopted by IMO in 2012. The Agreement, once in force, will bring in mandatory international safety requirements for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over, including provisions addressing stability and associated seaworthiness, machinery and electrical installations, life-saving appliances, communications equipment and fire protection, as well as fishing vessel construction.

Continue reading “IMO webinars put fishing vessel safety high on agenda”

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