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IMO increased efforts to fight fake flag registries

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IMO HQ London
IMO HQ London

In response to a spike in fake flag registrations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is seeking to combat “rogue” national flag registries which are operating without the knowledge of governments they claim to represent, according to the insurer Standard Club.

In recent years, IMO has received reports that 73 vessels were unlawfully flying the flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 91 vessels were illegally registered under the flag of Fiji and 150 vessels were unlawfully registered under the flag of the Federated States of Micronesia. (Micronesian law doesn’t even allow international vessels to flag into its national registry.) The vessels involved are typically smaller, Continue reading “IMO increased efforts to fight fake flag registries”

Fishing vessel safety public declaration signed by nearly 50 States

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Fishing vessel safety public declaration
Fishing vessel safety public declaration

At a Ministerial Conference held in Torremolinos, Spain, 48 states signed a public declaration to indicate their determination to ratify the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety. This is a significant regime to create much-needed safety standards for fishing vessels.

During the Torremolinos Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (21-23 October), nearly 50 states signed the Torremolinos Declaration. By doing so they have publicly indicated their determination to make sure that the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety will enter into force by the tenth anniversary of its adoption, on Continue reading “Fishing vessel safety public declaration signed by nearly 50 States”

Report on two recent IIMS India Branch events

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Capt. Mukesh Gautama presents a gift of appreciation to Tony Fernandez
Capt. Mukesh Gautama presents a gift of appreciation to Tony Fernandez

An IIMS Member Meet was held at Hotel VITS, Mumbai on 06th June 2019.

At the outset, the IIMS India Branch Committee thanked Tony Fernandez for readily accepting to deliver a session on mentoring and to act as mentor. He returned from abroad only the previous evening and in spite of jet lag and his health conditions, he came to the venue much earlier to deliver his speech. He also shared informative case study examples on General Average Claims during his speech.

The following attended the meeting:
Pervez Kaikobad – Regional Director, IIMS, India.
AWJ (Tony) Fernandez – Honorary Fellow Member and Mentor Speaker
Continue reading “Report on two recent IIMS India Branch events”

Safe Return to Port: Surveyor expertise produces guidance

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REG publish guidance Safe Return to Port
REG publish guidance Safe Return to Port

Guidance to help surveyors interpret rules governing Safe Return to Port has been published by the Red Ensign Group. It follows work done by individual members of the REG and its Technical Forum which has now signed off the guidance for publication.

Safe Return to Port requires passenger vessels which are 120 metres or longer or with three or more main vertical zones to be designed for improved survivability. The rules are designed to make sure cruise ships and large yachts can get back to Continue reading “Safe Return to Port: Surveyor expertise produces guidance”

BDO survey results: BDO show shipping must improve its risk management procedures

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Michael Simms, Partner, Shipping & Transport at BDO
Michael Simms, Partner, Shipping & Transport at BDO

Respondents to the BDO survey rated the extent to which enterprise and business risk management is contributing to the success of their organisation at an average 6.4 out of a possible maximum score of 10.0, compared to 5.9 in the 2018 survey. The BDO survey was launched in 2015 with a rating of 6.9.

Owners posted the highest score of all main respondents, followed by managers, but the ratings for charterers and brokers were significantly down on last year. Asia was ahead of Europe in terms of geographical sentiment, but both were behind the Middle East.

The cost and availability of finance was cited by 29% of respondents (up from 17% Continue reading “BDO survey results: BDO show shipping must improve its risk management procedures”

AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report

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AIBN report on tug FFS Achilles
AIBN report on tug FFS Achilles

Norway’s Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) has released its report into the tug FFS Achilles grounding and foundering off Farsund on 3 March 2017, suggesting that the presence of a lookout would have reduced the risk of the incident occurring.

The vessel ran aground at a speed of 8.4 knots and sank shortly thereafter due to damage to the bottom under the engine room. FFS Atlas arrived at the scene before the vessel sank and rescued its crew, who were in the life raft. Two out of the three crew members had suffered minor injuries and received medical attention.

The mechanical control system for the propeller units (Voith Schneider) on board Continue reading “AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report”

Heritage report for 2017-19 published by Canal & River Trust

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Heritage report for 2017-19
Heritage report for 2017-19

The Trust formally checks for changes in condition, defects or hazards along each stretch of canal at least once every two months. These inspections show that incidents affecting waterways heritage stood at 626 in 2017/18 and 635 in 2018/19, down from 800 recorded incidents in 2016/17. The most common cause of damage was vandalism (42% and 41% in 2017/18 and 2018/19, with half involving graffiti).

Less frequent, but significant, are incidents of damage caused by impact from vehicles or boats. In 2017/18 40% of all such incidents were caused by boats, reducing to 19% in 2018/19. Vehicle collisions typically damage canal bridges, and in 2017/18 there were 63 reported incidents, rising to 85 incidents in 2018/19. Continue reading “Heritage report for 2017-19 published by Canal & River Trust”

Liquid cargoes sampling guide issues by Skuld P&I Club

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A guide to sampling of liquid cargoes issues by Skuld P&I Club
A guide to sampling of liquid cargoes issues by Skuld P&I Club

Chemical cargoes, petroleum products, vegetable oils and other fats are often carried as bulk cargoes on board chemical and product tankers. Quality problems with these cargoes have been an issue since the dawn of this trade, and even with modern techniques these quality issues are likely to continue.

Liquid cargoes on tanker vessels may be exposed to influences such as temperature change, contact with air, light, pollutant, or other products. Other sources of contamination include failure in the production process and exposure to external substances from shore tanks and shore lines, as well as remnants of previous cargoes or wash water onboard the vessel. Continue reading “Liquid cargoes sampling guide issues by Skuld P&I Club”

Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate

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Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators
Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators

Corrosion is a perennial concern for tank container owners and operators. The stainless steel construction is resistant to staining and corrosion, but may be vulnerable to pitting from certain cargoes or certain cleaning and maintenance operations. Visually minor pitting may conceal development of substantial or even catastrophic corrosion below the surface.

It may be expected that UN Class 8 dangerous cargoes (Corrosive Substances) are the predominant challenge where corrosion of UN portable tanks (tank containers) is concerned, although such commodities are not alone in presenting risk. In terms Continue reading “Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate”

IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage

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IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel
IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel

IBM has announced that it is joining an effort to build an autonomous research vessel for an historic transatlantic crossing. In honour of the fourth centennial of the famous voyage of settlers from England to the Americas, it will be named the Mayflower.

The five-ton, wing sail/solar/diesel powered Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) is designed to make 20 knots on its eastbound voyage. Over the course of the 12-day crossing, it will take water samples for research on ocean microplastics, and its sensors will return data on water temperature and nutrient levels. For navigation Continue reading “IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage”

Environmental Report for 2019 published by European Sea Ports Organisation

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European Sea Ports Organisation publishes its annual Environmental Report
European Sea Ports Organisation publishes its annual Environmental Report

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has released its annual Environmental Report for 2019 indicating that air quality continues to be the top environmental priority of member ports.

The Environmental Report includes over 60 environmental performance benchmarks including figures on green services to shipping (shore-side electricity, LNG and environmentally differentiated port dues) as well as the top 10 environmental priorities of the European ports.

Air quality was followed by energy consumption as priority number two as it is seen Continue reading “Environmental Report for 2019 published by European Sea Ports Organisation”

Gard P&I Club highlights issues with scrubber corrosion and piping failures

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Gard P&I Club gives advise to shipowners
Gard P&I Club gives advise to shipowners

In new guidance for shipowners, marine insurer Gard advises its members that the installation of scrubber units must be carefully monitored in order to minimize the risk of premature corrosion and potential piping failure. Additional potential casualties from improper workmanship include the possibility of sparking a fire within the unit during shipyard hot work and the failure of poorly-executed shipyard welds during operation. With these factors in mind, Gard advises shipowners to monitor and evaluate their shipyard’s work to ensure a proper Continue reading “Gard P&I Club highlights issues with scrubber corrosion and piping failures”

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