News

IACS highlights the need of guidance for remote audits and surveys

IACS says it will actively participate in the forthcoming 8th session of the Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III 8), which will meet remotely from 25 to 29 July 2022, suggesting amendments to IMO resolutions to provide guidance on the use of remote audits and surveys.

Noting the work IACS Members undertake as Recognized Organizations of IMO Member States, verifying compliance of ships with IMO agreed requirements, and with a view to achieve clarity for all parties, IACS has submitted paper III 8/INF.19 and co-sponsored paper III 8/12/1. Continue reading “IACS highlights the need of guidance for remote audits and surveys”

Red Ensign Group Conference looks at challenges of maritime

From left to right: Katy Ware, Sir John Lorimer and Cameron Mitchell
From left to right: Katy Ware, Sir John Lorimer and Cameron Mitchell

Dealing with the challenges of maritime and coastal state responsibilities are coming under the spotlight at the annual Red Ensign Group Conference. Challenges of the sector include recovery of maritime following the pandemic, environmental and coastal concerns, as well as commercial competition.

The conference which oversees and upholds maritime safety standards across the thirteen British Shipping Registers is meeting in the Isle of Man to discuss best practice and to look at ways of improving the performance of the British Registers internationally. It is the first time the conference has met in person since the global pandemic took a hold in 2020. Continue reading “Red Ensign Group Conference looks at challenges of maritime”

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Consultation on updates to fire protection regulations

Plans to update UK law around rules governing the fire safety and protection of vessels are going out to public consultation as part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s commitment to ensuring seafarer safety.

The new regulations will implement updated international rules on fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction. This includes provision for improvements made to structural fire protection, escape from fire and operational requirements.

There are already stringent rules around protecting seafarers in the event of fire on board vessels and these amendments to the international regulations are in addition to those. Continue reading “Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Consultation on updates to fire protection regulations”

Singapore ranked number one shipping centre for ninth year running

Singapore has secured the top spot once again in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index Report. It is the ninth consecutive year that the report, published jointly by Chinese state news agency, Xinhua, and global maritime data provider, the Baltic Exchange, has ranked Singapore as the leading global maritime centre.

The city state scored 94.88 out of a possible 100 points, whilst second on the list was maritime professional services stronghold, London, with 83.04 points. Meanwhile, Shanghai, home to the world’s largest port, takes third place with 82.79 points. Continue reading “Singapore ranked number one shipping centre for ninth year running”

TT Club urges IMO Member States to increase container and cargo inspections and submit reports urgently

A group of firemen are in the background, while blue plastic debris from the blast is in the foreground Photo credit: AFP
The blast at Chittagong left dozens dead. Photo credit: AFP

Past reporting of inspections carried out has been sparse. In welcoming the IMO’s revised guidelines for inspections, the international freight transport insurer TT Club exhorts governments to report findings to IMO on 2021 inspections, as well as to increase the volume of inspections carried out. This would helpfully inform the international maritime regulator and support industry players who are striving to ensure safety and reduce dangerous incidents.

Revised Guidelines for the Implementation of the Inspection of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs) issued last month by the IMO are aimed at helping governments to implement a uniform and safe inspection programme. The IMO Circular (MSC.1/Circ.1649) seeks to broaden the inspections undertaken and Continue reading “TT Club urges IMO Member States to increase container and cargo inspections and submit reports urgently”

Keel failure results in capsize

keel failure results in capsize during an overnight offshore qualifier
keel failure results in capsize during an overnight offshore qualifier

The crew of the first Farr X2 have been rescued after the boat lost its keel on an overnight offshore qualifier. Nexba Racing, a new 30ft grand prix racer aimed at the short-handed market, was sailing in a 100nm qualifier off the coast of New South Wales, Australia in a light to moderate breeze and 1-2m seas when the keel attachment failed resulting in the boat capsizing. The two female crew were rescued after spending 15 hours drifting. The 9.2-metre boat is the latest project from Farr Yacht Design. She was built in Singapore by XSP and launched in May.

“We are very thankful that the two crew were safely recovered and for the swift action of the Royal Australian Navy Destroyer Continue reading “Keel failure results in capsize”

West P&I has noticed an increase in fire incidents to containers containing charcoal and carbon

The West P&I Club has noted a number of recent container fire incidents related to containers which were declared as miscellaneous items but actually contained charcoal/carbon. This is a commodity liable to spontaneous combustion. These containers were below deck and when fires broke out there was considerable damage caused to the vessel and other cargo by the fire and the water used to extinguish the fire.

The vessels’ CO2 system assisted in putting the fires out. Fire experts have also advised that they are aware of numerous other fires in containers of charcoal tablets in recent months. Continue reading “West P&I has noticed an increase in fire incidents to containers containing charcoal and carbon”

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation annual report published

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation annual report published
The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation annual report published

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published its 67 page annual report and it doing so it has noted that the total number of notifications is significantly higher than in 2020.

There were 659 incidents reported in 2021 in comparison with 602 the previous year – an increase of almost 20%. The number of reports outside the statutory responsibility of the BSU is almost identical in terms of actual figures (249 in 2020 versus 247 today), but has fallen in percentage terms from 42% to 38%.

In particular, marine casualties according to the IMO Code have increased from 109 to 132, representing an increase of more than 20%. The number of incidents has also increased by almost 15% from 244 to 280. Continue reading “The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation annual report published”

Master unaware of bow thruster’s problems due to lack of mitigating measures reveals TSB report

Master unaware of bow thruster’s problems due to lack of mitigating measures reveals TSB report
Master unaware of bow thruster’s problems due to lack of mitigating measures reveals TSB report

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its investigation report on a March 2019 berthing incident involving the roll-on/roll-off ferry Apollo in Matane, Quebec.

On 16 March 2019, the crew was preparing the Apollo for the return trip from Godbout to Matane. In response to a request by the master, the chief engineer went to the starboard bridge wing console to look into replacing the button that was used to activate control of the bow thruster at that console. The plan was to replace the existing button in the next few days with one that would illuminate to indicate the operational status of the bow thruster. Continue reading “Master unaware of bow thruster’s problems due to lack of mitigating measures reveals TSB report”

Reflections and highlights from UK Maritime Safety Week

This year’s Maritime Safety Week commenced on 4 July. Over the course of the week, a series of blogs reiterating safety messages to the industry were published by the MAIB. A few of the highlights are published below.

Andrew Moll OBE
Opening Maritime Safety Week, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said:
“Today marks the start of Maritime Safety Week 2022, an important moment when the marine industry comes together to focus on how we can collectively continue to improve safety across the sector. As the MAIB has done in previous years, this week we plan to highlight a number of key areas of ongoing concern and reiterate the safety messages that the industry must note. Continue reading “Reflections and highlights from UK Maritime Safety Week”

UK Waterways Ombudsman annual report 2021-2022 published

The Waterways Ombudsman annual report detailed 63 enquiries, 51 of which were directly about the Canal & River Trust, one about the Avon Navigation Trust (which was not upheld) and the others about bodies not in jurisdiction.

“When considering the number of people who access the waterways for business, leisure or their home, complaint numbers are very low. The Trust invests a great deal of time and effort in providing a good customer service and its new customer relations system appears to be enhancing the customer experience,” said Sarah Daniel, current Ombudsman. Continue reading “UK Waterways Ombudsman annual report 2021-2022 published”

Swedish Club guidelines for bills of lading published

The Swedish Club has released a set of guidelines covering the most common issues with bills of lading. The guidelines have been written in response to requests from operators asking for further support in dealing with some of the practical and theoretical aspects of bills of lading.

Despite their seeming simplicity, a bill of lading is still a contract, and the reality is that whilst there is a lot of information available, it is not always easy to find. Part of the issue is that much of the available advice is found in legal textbooks, which may reach a restricted audience the Club said. Continue reading “Swedish Club guidelines for bills of lading published”

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