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Global Maritime Issues Monitor reveals the coming impacts for shipping

Global Maritime Issues Monitor logo
Global Maritime Issues Monitor logo

The fifth annual Global Maritime Issues Monitor has revealed that senior maritime decision-makers believe the maritime industry will be most impacted by the decarbonization of shipping and new environmental regulations in the next decade. At the same time, geopolitical issues and skill shortages rise in prominence as an area of concern.

Following the war in Ukraine, geopolitical tension has become one of the top concerns in the industry. The industry’s preparedness to face these tensions, however, is still rated as high. Compared to last year’s results, the expected impact of changing trade patterns has likewise increased. Continue reading “Global Maritime Issues Monitor reveals the coming impacts for shipping”

ICHCA guidance on safe lifting of ISO containers and tanks using hooks and wires issued

Containers tacked ontop of each otherThe International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) has published a safety brifing document to offer advice into some of the safety principles associated with safe lifting of ISO containers and tanks using hooks and wires.

According to ICHCA, any lifting operation of this type should be undertaken by competent persons in compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks and is the responsibility of the duty holder.

The use of gantry cranes and spreaders is the optimal and preferred method Continue reading “ICHCA guidance on safe lifting of ISO containers and tanks using hooks and wires issued”

West P&I Club advice on how to conduct a proper gas measurement of coal cargoes

Screenshot of the Gas measurement of coal cargoes video

When carrying coal cargoes, it is vital to obtain accurate gas measurements to determine the correct ventilation requirements. In a short video less than four minutes long, West P&I Club explains the correct way to undertake the gas measurement of coal cargoes.

According to West Club, coal may self-heat or emit significant amounts of methane, and occasionally, it may do both. Incorrect ventilation can also lead to cargo fire or cargo explosion, which makes it crucial to obtain accurate gas measurements to determine the correct ventilation requirements. While this may appear straight forward, West Club’s experience is that these measurements are often not taken correctly. Continue reading “West P&I Club advice on how to conduct a proper gas measurement of coal cargoes”

Sinking of Emmy Rose brings fresh calls for mandatory personal locator beacons

The fishing vesselThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is reiterating calls for personal locator beacons to become mandatory following its investigation the publication of its report into the 2020 sinking of the F/V Emmy Rose that claimed the lives of four crew members off Cape Cod.

The NTSB said the fishing vessel Emmy Rose likely capsized in 2020 after seawater collected on the aft deck and flooded into the vessel through deck hatches that were not watertight. NTSB investigators also found that two freeing ports, designed to drain water, were closed. Continue reading “Sinking of Emmy Rose brings fresh calls for mandatory personal locator beacons”

Electrical repairs should be done by suitable qualified individuals

Electrical repairs should be done by suitable qualified individuals
Electrical repairs should be done by suitable qualified individuals

In its most recent series regarding lessons learned from accidents, the American Club has described an incident where an engineer was shocked by electricity.

The engineer on a towing vessel was making a routine round in the engine room. He checked the level of fuel in the day tank and saw that he needed to transfer fuel from a storage tank into the day tank. He regularly did this approximately every 2 days depending on the vessel’s speed and the number of barges in the tow. He checked the day tank level and lined up the valves to transfer the fuel. As he flipped the switch to turn on the fuel transfer pump, he received an electrical shock to his hand. Continue reading “Electrical repairs should be done by suitable qualified individuals”

Safe pilot transfer arrangements vital for safe operations is key message in AMSA marine notice

A fraying rope ladderAMSA has published a marine notice to remind shipowners, operators, masters, crews, recognised organisations, marine pilots and pilotage providers of the obligation to provide safe pilot transfer arrangements. AMSA has noted with concern that since November 2017 several pilots’ lives have been placed at risk in six separate incidents where ropes have parted, or securing point have failed. In addition, AMSA regularly receives reports and complaints about non-compliant pilot transfer arrangements.

Shipowners, operators, masters and crews are reminded that pilot transfer arrangements, including pilot ladders, must comply with Marine Order 21 (Safety and emergency arrangements) 2016 (MO21). Continue reading “Safe pilot transfer arrangements vital for safe operations is key message in AMSA marine notice”

Onboard carbon capture explored by ABS in new publication

ABS Insights into onboard carbon captureEmerging onboard carbon capture (OCC) technology is explored in a new publication from ABS in its latest support for the maritime energy transition. Launched at the global trade fair for Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology (SMM), Insights into Onboard Carbon Capture examines the various methods of OCC as well as carbon handling and storage and downstream considerations, as well as regulatory issues.

“Although there has been increased interest from the industry, the technology and its associated value chains have a long way to mature, and there are many factors to consider such as onboard power supply, Continue reading “Onboard carbon capture explored by ABS in new publication”

West of England P&I Club launch new video aimed at engine room fire safety

A snapshot from the video on engine room fire safety
A snapshot from the video on engine room fire safety

A new video has been added to the West of England P&I Club’s LEARN THE ROPES video series, which deals with engine room fire safety to highlight the potential sources that can result in the development of a fire in the engine room and critical factors that the vessel’s crew and superintendent should pay constant attention to for their prevention.

Fires on ships present extreme danger. Engine room fires are challenging to combat due to the confined space and an abundance of fire triangle elements: heat, fuel and air. Continue reading “West of England P&I Club launch new video aimed at engine room fire safety”

Transport Malta issues safety alert over fire hazard caused by Lithium-ion batteries

Safety alert over fire hazard caused by Lithium-ion batteries
Safety alert over fire hazard caused by Lithium-ion batteries issued by Transport Malta

Transport Malta has issued guidance to Maltese-registered vessels regarding the potential fire hazards associated with Lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells and batteries. The Marine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU) has issued a safety alert after being notified of several fires on board yachts and cargo vessels associated with Li-ion batteries.

The statement highlights the ‘fierce intensity’ of Li-ion battery fires, and also the potential challenges to control and extinguish them with the use of conventional fire-extinguishing systems.

Owners and managers of Maltese-registered vessels Continue reading “Transport Malta issues safety alert over fire hazard caused by Lithium-ion batteries”

Fishing vessel fire investigation highlights importance of PLBs

Blue Dragon fire investigation report released by the NTSB
Blue Dragon fire investigation report released by the NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its investigation report for its investigation into the fire aboard the fishing vessel Blue Dragon on the November 10, 2021. No injuries or fatalities were reported, but the fire resulted in more than $500,000 in damages to the vessel.

The Blue Dragon was underway in the North Pacific Ocean conducting longline fishing operations when the vessel caught fire. The six crewmembers and a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) observer unsuccessfully attempted to fight the fire and were forced to abandon ship to be rescued by a Good Samaritan vessel. The Blue Dragon was later towed to San Pedro, California. Continue reading “Fishing vessel fire investigation highlights importance of PLBs”

CHIRP FEEDBACK number 68 published

CHIRP Feedback guideIn his introduction to the CHIRP edition number 68, Adam Parnell, Director (Maritime),writes – Sadly, this edition of FEEDBACK contains several reports involving loss of life. They remind us that we cannot relax our vigilance, even for a moment, because the consequences can be fatal. Every death or serious injury at sea has repercussions far beyond the ship itself, not least for the family and friends whose lives are also irrevocably affected.

There are a number of themes running through this edition, and many of them will be depressingly familiar to our regular readers. Continue reading “CHIRP FEEDBACK number 68 published”

MPC Summary Report on Kind Leadership

MPC Summary Report on kind leadershipThe Maritime Professional Council of the UK (MPC) has published a summary report on Kind Leadership. This research was carried out for and on behalf of the MPC, triggered by the recent treatment of seafarers highlighted by the media, and the need to promote the professional standards required of leaders, both at sea, and ashore. The aim of this report is to stimulate industry debate and commitment on how training is transformed to focus on leadership skills and the ethos of same, rather than on today’s mostly technical focused training. The report has been compiled and authored by Steve Cameron CMR, and Capt. John Wright. Continue reading “MPC Summary Report on Kind Leadership”

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