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Key steps in preventing engine room fires

Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires
Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires

As most fires on board ships start in the engine room, Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires, based on observations made during condition surveys of vessels entered by the organisation’s personnel.

According to Gard, there are a number of built-in safety features on board a vessel, designed to limit the risk of fire and the spread of it, and the officers and crew must have full knowledge of these and maintain their integrity. Thus, the Club advises the following: Continue reading “Key steps in preventing engine room fires”

New Zealand Ship Noise Specification delayed but a Noise Label Score is required

All container vessels visiting a New Zealand port will be required to provide a Noise Label Score
All container vessels visiting a New Zealand port will be required to provide a Noise Label Score

All container vessels visiting a New Zealand port will be required to provide a Noise Label Score according to the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), following the NEPTUNES protocol, or confirm that a reactive silencer is fitted to one of ancillary engines used while at berth. If either of these requirements is not met, then from 1 June 2024 the vessel will be refused entry to any New Zealand port.

During late May, New Zealand’s ports announced that the NZ Ship Noise Specification won’t Continue reading “New Zealand Ship Noise Specification delayed but a Noise Label Score is required”

BIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells

Credit: BIMCOBIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells
PHOTO CREDIT: BIMCO 

According to BIMCO, recent events at the port of Ishinomaki, Japan, involved two workers found unconscious during cargo operations aboard a bulker ship transporting palm kernel shells. While the incident is under investigation by the Japanese Coast Guard to determine any connection between the cargo and the workers’ condition, it underscores the importance of understanding the hazards associated with transporting palm kernel shells. Continue reading “BIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells”

Safety and Shipping Review 2024: Record low for fleet loses

Safety and Shipping Review for 2024 has been published PHOTO CREDIT: ALLIANZ COMMERCIAL
Safety and Shipping Review for 2024 has been published PHOTO CREDIT: ALLIANZ COMMERCIAL

Allianz Commercial’s Safety and Shipping Review for 2024 has been published, which finds that the sector will have its work cut out to maintain this status quo in future.

According to Allianz, the fact that shipping is increasingly subject to growing volatility and uncertainties from war and geopolitical events, the consequences of climate change, as well as ongoing risks resulting from the trend for larger vessels, means the industry will have to face significant challenges. Captain Rahul Khanna, Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting, Allianz Commercial said: “The speed and extent of the way the industry’s risk profile is changing is unprecedented Continue reading “Safety and Shipping Review 2024: Record low for fleet loses”

Paris MoU 2023 CIC on Fire Safety

Paris MoU 2023 CIC on Fire Safety
Paris MoU 2023 CIC on Fire Safety

The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MoU) on Port State Control (PSC) carried out a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Fire Safety in collaboration with the Tokyo MOU from 1 September to 30 November 2023.

During the CIC, member Authorities focused on compliance with areas specified by the CIC during PSC inspections.

A CIC questionnaire was devised and approved by the Paris MoU Port State Control Committee. The intention of the questionnaire was to provide a supplementary series of questions to the regular inspection process to specifically address areas where there are reoccurring deficiencies with respect to fire safety. Continue reading “Paris MoU 2023 CIC on Fire Safety”

Contact of containership Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge: Preliminary report

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after the containership Dali collided with it
Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after the containership Dali collided with it

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary investigation report on the accident where the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed following a collision with the container ship MV Dali.

The Dali was propelled by a single, slow-speed, 55,626-hp (41,480-kW) diesel engine manufactured by Hyundai MAN B&W. The engine was directly connected to a single, right-turning propeller. To run the main engine, one of the vessel’s four diesel generators must be operating and supplying the vessel with electrical power. The emergency generator alone Continue reading “Contact of containership Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge: Preliminary report”

The Francis Scott Key Bridge ‘Black Swan Event’ and its effect on the insurance markets

Photo credit: US Coastguard/Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles
Photo credit: US Coastguard/Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles

Learning from this tragedy could prove an invaluable lesson in risk mitigation with complex maritime operations, writes John Butler. In the early morning of 26 March 2024 the container ship Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore forcing its dramatic collapse which was captured and circulated on television and social media across the world. This is a textbook example of a Black Swan Event, an unexpected incident that has disproportionately created a social and economic impact on a local area. This incident also shines a light on the offshore industry, maritime insurance, and the importance of Marine Warranty Surveyors. Continue reading “The Francis Scott Key Bridge ‘Black Swan Event’ and its effect on the insurance markets”

ABS issues technical and operational advisory for methanol bunkering

technical and operational advisory for methanol bunkering issued by ABS
Technical and operational advisory for methanol bunkering issued by ABS

The maritime industry faces several substantive challenges driven by increasingly stricter gaseous air emission legislation and increased efforts by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. The adoption of low-flashpoint fuels and gases which can be produced from renewable and sustainable sources, such as methanol, is expected to become one of the means to meet those challenges.

Accordingly, owners, operators, designers and shipyards around the world are considering Continue reading “ABS issues technical and operational advisory for methanol bunkering”

IACS Annual Review 2023 published

IACS Annual Review 2023 published
IACS Annual Review 2023 published

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), the membership organisation for the world’s leading classification societies, has published its IACS Annual Review 2023. The review includes a broad range of articles highlighting IACS’ work in 2023, with a strong emphasis on the significant advancements made in alternative fuels. This includes the development of a new Unified Requirement on the release of ammonia from ammonia fuelled vessels, and the newly established Safe Digital Transformation Panel that focuses on the safety implications of increasingly digitised ships, together with IACS’ engagement with the industry on existing and emerging technical challenges. Continue reading “IACS Annual Review 2023 published”

MAIB Report: Powerboat Awesome accident resulting in two fatalities

MAIB Report: Powerboat Awesome accident resulting in two fatalities
MAIB Report: Powerboat Awesome accident resulting in two fatalities

The MAIB has issued a report on its investigation of the powerboat Awesome accident near Little Thatch Island, British Virgin Islands on 2 October 2022, where the loss of control resulted in two fatalities.

On 2 October 2022, the mono-hulled offshore powerboat Awesome was returning to its home port when it unexpectedly veered to starboard, then rolled violently to port, ejecting 10 occupants. Awesome ended up in a vertical position, with its bow in the air, briefly staying afloat before it started to sink by the stern. Two of the occupants did not survive the accident. Continue reading “MAIB Report: Powerboat Awesome accident resulting in two fatalities”

UK Office for Product Safety and Standards issues product recall alert for Honda Marine Outboards

Honda Marine Outboard products present a risk of injuries as it has been identified that the actuator link rod may break
Honda Marine Outboard products present a risk of injuries as it has been identified that the actuator link rod may break

The affected Honda Marine Outboard products present a risk of injuries as it has been identified that the actuator link rod may break during use due to a lack of durability. This can then result in a loss of shift operation, leading to a potential loss of control of the vessel. The product does not meet the requirements of the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017. Due to this, the product has been recalled from end users. Continue reading “UK Office for Product Safety and Standards issues product recall alert for Honda Marine Outboards”

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

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”

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