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Electronic inclinometers for new bulk carriers and container ships

Posted on by News Hound
New regulations from January 2026 mandate electronic inclinometers on new bulk carriers and container ships
New regulations from January 2026 mandate electronic inclinometers on new bulk carriers and container ships

To enhance seafarer safety and prevent the loss and damage of bulk cargo due to strong movements at sea, the IMO is introducing amendments to SOLAS Chapter V. Through Resolution MSC.532(107), it has adopted a new requirement (SOLAS Reg. V/19.2.12) that mandates the carriage of electronic inclinometers for new container ships and bulk carriers of 3,000gt and above. This will enable the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) to determine, display and record the ship’s roll motion and provide critical information about operational stability. Continue reading “Electronic inclinometers for new bulk carriers and container ships”

Meeting the requirements of the IMSBC Code

Posted on by News Hound
Britannia P&I Club advises on the IMSBC code
Britannia P&I Club advises on the IMSBC code

Britannia P&I Club has issued information about what actions to take when loading different bulk cargoes to meet the requirements of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The shipper is responsible for providing the master (or their representative) with sufficient information in advance to allow safe preparation for loading, stowage, and carriage of the nominated cargo under the requirements of the IMSBC code. Continue reading “Meeting the requirements of the IMSBC Code”

Valve failures is the lead cause of ammonia-related maritime accidents

Posted on by News Hound
EMSA has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents
EMSA has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in its newest series of reports regarding the safety of ammonia use in ships has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents. Among the alternative fuel options, anhydrous ammonia has drawn a lot of interest from the marine industry for its potential to become a long-term solution for decarbonisation. The comprehensive review of accidents however, highlighted on EMSA’s report “Safety of Ammonia for Use in Ships”, has underscored critical causes of these incidents that allow identifying recurring patterns and highlighting critical areas for preventive or corrective measures for application in the maritime sector. Continue reading “Valve failures is the lead cause of ammonia-related maritime accidents”

AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 published

Posted on by News Hound
The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 is published and is available to read   
The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 is published and is available to read

The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 has been published by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. It outlines a number of key compliance activities that support welfare, safety and pollution prevention across domestic and foreign-flagged vessels.

According to the AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026, the authority outlines priority activities for the upcoming year, providing industry with a clear understanding of the regulatory focus and rationale. Continue reading “AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 published”

Rotten wood and poor inspection regime caused historic Maine schooner demasting

Posted on by News Hound
Poor inspection regime caused historic Maine schooner demasting says US Coast Guard report
Poor inspection regime caused historic Maine schooner demasting says US Coast Guard report

The is a distressing case about a fatal accident that should never have happened. And as the investigation has revealed, a series of poor, inadequate and ineffective inspections and surveys that failed to discover serious rotten wood, would appear to be largely to blame.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has released a critical report on the demasting of a historic schooner, blaming the catastrophic incident on rotten wood that had gone unnoticed for years due to poor inspections.

About three years after the mainmast of the 144-year-old schooner Grace Bailey Continue reading “Rotten wood and poor inspection regime caused historic Maine schooner demasting”

ABS IMO III 11 summary brief

Posted on by News Hound
ABS has provided an overview on the key issues at the IMO III 11th session.
ABS has provided an overview on the key issues at the IMO III 11th session.

The IMO Sub-Committee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments III held its 11th session in July 2025.
The Sub-Committee has a key role in casualty analysis and issuing lessons learned from marine incidents. It receives and analyses port state control data and keeps under review the procedures for port state control. Guidelines for survey and certification including the survey guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) also come under the remit of this Sub-Committee. Continue reading “ABS IMO III 11 summary brief”

Incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags can lead to significant claims

Posted on by News Hound
Handling of jumbo bags is the subject of a new video from London P&I Club
Handling of jumbo bags is the subject of a new video from London P&I Club

The London P&I Club has renewed its warning to shipowners, operators, and charterers over the risks linked to loading dry chemicals in Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs), and the handling of jumbo bags with the launch of a new video that provides loss prevention advice.

The alert follows several incidents involving cargo fires and damage—particularly on bulk carriers and general cargo ships, with many cases reported at Chinese ports. The Club warns that failure to strictly comply with all relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) Continue reading “Incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags can lead to significant claims”

PFOS banned in fire extinguishing media from January 2026

Posted on by News Hound
From January 2026 PFOS will be banned in fire extinguishing media
From January 2026 PFOS will be banned in fire extinguishing media

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued a regulatory update stating that, PFOS will be banned in fire extinguishing media from January 2026 – including firefighting foam. This applies to both fixed and portable systems and equipment.

In particular, the IMO developed amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the High Speed Craft (HSC) Codes (1994 and 2000) which were adopted in the following resolutions: Continue reading “PFOS banned in fire extinguishing media from January 2026”

Safety alert issues about green patina build-up on water mist nozzles

Posted on by News Hound
Warning over Green patina build up on water nozzles. Image credit: US Coast Guard
Warning over Green patina build up on water nozzles. Image credit: US Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a safety notice highlighting the risk of green patina build-up on high-pressure water mist nozzles, which can compromise the effectiveness of onboard firefighting systems. According to the notice, while witnessing routine testing of a fixed firefighting system during an annual exam aboard a foreign passenger vessel, the Coast Guard discovered multiple high-pressure water mist nozzles that were incapable of discharging water. Consequently, the firefighting system failed to activate in multiple accommodation spaces. Continue reading “Safety alert issues about green patina build-up on water mist nozzles”

Achilles Bulker rudder broke off near Tauranga nearly runs aground

Posted on by News Hound
Achilles Bulker pictured in 2022 near Nelson NZ. Credit: Steven Watkins
Achilles Bulker pictured in 2022 near Nelson NZ. Credit: Steven Watkins

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has published a report after bulk carrier Achilles Bulker lost its rudder in 2023.

What happened

On 24 July 2023, the fully loaded Achilles Bulker was under pilotage outbound from the Port of Tauranga. Shortly after clearing the harbour entrance, the ship’s heading began to swing to port and deviate from its intended track in the centre of the channel. As the bridge team took corrective action to return the ship to the centreline of the channel, the ship’s rudder broke off and the ship continued out of the Continue reading “Achilles Bulker rudder broke off near Tauranga nearly runs aground”

Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2025

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The key finding of the Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2025 reveals the number of ships lost in 2024 were at a record low.
The key finding of the Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2025 reveals the number of ships lost in 2024 were at a record low.

Given that 90% of international trade is transported across oceans, maritime safety is critical, and the shipping industry has made significant improvements in recent years. During the 1990s, the global fleet lost 200+ vessels a year. This total had halved by 10 years ago and is now down to a record low of 27 as of the end of 2024 is a key finding of the Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2025.

This compares with 35 a year earlier (vessels over 100 gross tonnage [GT]), down by around 20%, with a 75% decline in total losses over Continue reading “Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2025”

International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk update

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DNV updates International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk
DNV updates International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk

DNV has sent out a news update on amendments to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk, which have been adopted by IMO Resolution MSC.552(108).

The Grain Code amendments enter into force 1 January 2026 and will be applicable to newbuildings with keel laid on or after this date. For existing ships, the amended Grain Code can also be applied to improve loading flexibility and demonstrate compliance with the new requirements. It is expected that there will be an increased attention on this loading pattern by inspectors in the larger grain exporting ports from 2026. Continue reading “International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk update”

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