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Lithium-ion batteries: Fire risks and loss prevention measures in shipping

Allianz have released a bulletin outlining fire risks and providing loss prevention measures while transporting lithium-ion batteries.
Allianz have released a bulletin outlining fire risks and providing loss prevention measures while transporting lithium-ion batteries.

Given the many difficulties in suppressing battery fires, particularly at sea, focusing on loss prevention measures is crucial, whether batteries are transported within EVs or as standalone cargo, according to a new risk bulletin published from marine insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS).

Captain Rahul Khanna, Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting at AGCS, said, “Shipping losses may have more than halved over the past decade but fires on board vessels remain among the biggest safety issues for the industry. The potential dangers that the transportation of lithium-ion batteries pose if they are not stored or handled correctly only add to these concerns, and we have already seen a number of incidents.” Continue reading “Lithium-ion batteries: Fire risks and loss prevention measures in shipping”

New policy for assessment and certification of novel vessels issued by AMSA

New policy for assessment and certification of novel vessels issued by AMSA
New policy for assessment and certification of novel vessels issued by AMSA

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has set out a new policy statement for the assessment and certification of what it terms ‘novel’ vessels. If operators are planning to build or buy a vessel within one of the vessel types set out in the policy, they should contact AMSA for advice on whether it is considered novel and the best certification pathway for the vessel.

Vessel types AMSA consider to be ‘novel’:

– Submarines
– Passenger-carrying submersibles
– Dynamically supported vessels (including fully foil-born, and vessels that are partially foil supported)
– Wing-in-ground effect (WIG) vessels Continue reading “New policy for assessment and certification of novel vessels issued by AMSA”

Advice on safe operation when carrying mineral cargoes

The Swedish Club - Cargo AdviceThis cargo advice has been prepared by The Swedish Club in collaboration with Burgoynes – David Robbins (UK), Darren Holling (Singapore) and Jim Mercurio (Dubai). The advice relates to cargo advice on carrying mineral cargoes, including sodium metabisulphite.

According to Swedish Club, a number of serious incidents have occurred in recent months involving mineral compounds (i.e. inorganic chemicals) in bags carried as general cargo. Continue reading “Advice on safe operation when carrying mineral cargoes”

AMSA to increase focus on planned maintenance as part of PSC inspections

AMSA to increase focus on planned maintenance as part of PSC inspections
AMSA to increase focus on planned maintenance as part of PSC inspections

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is highlighting to vessel operators the importance of planned maintenance in ensuring safe operation of ships, and says it will increase its focus on planned maintenance during Port State Control (PSC) inspections.

Recent incidents have demonstrated the potentially serious consequences of a lack of effective maintenance of main engines and power generation systems that can pose serious risks to the safe and pollution-free operation of vessels. Continue reading “AMSA to increase focus on planned maintenance as part of PSC inspections”

Marine surveyor jailed over bunker theft scheme

Image used for illustrative purposes only. Image credit: Port of Zeebrugge
Image used for illustrative purposes only. Image credit: Port of Zeebrugge

An Indian marine surveyor has been jailed for three months for his role in a long-running bunker theft ring in Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub. The jailed marine surveyor is Kumunan Rethana Kumaran, 40, was one of 12 surveyors charged with taking bribes from former Shell Bukom employees who ran an illegal scheme to siphon off fuel oil from Shell’s physical bunker operations in Singapore. Continue reading “Marine surveyor jailed over bunker theft scheme”

Marine Casualty Investigation Board call for applications for appointment as an Expert Marine Consultant

MCIB Expert marine consultant applicationThe Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) of Ireland invites applications from an expert marine consultant to enhance the technical skills within the MCIB Secretariat, support investigations and investigators, and provide technical advice to the Board as required. Continue reading “Marine Casualty Investigation Board call for applications for appointment as an Expert Marine Consultant”

MCA consultation on requirements for fixed aerosol fire extinguishing systems in small vessel machinery spaces

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a public consultation seeking views and opinions for MGN 657 (M+F) Requirements for Aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in Small Vessel Machinery
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a public consultation seeking views and opinions for MGN 657 (M+F) Requirements for Aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in Small Vessel Machinery

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a public consultation seeking views and opinions for MGN 657 (M+F) Requirements for Aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in Small Vessel Machinery. The draft MGN publishes the test requirements for future approvals of these systems and requires that tests are witnessed by an Approved Body appointed by the MCA. Continue reading “MCA consultation on requirements for fixed aerosol fire extinguishing systems in small vessel machinery spaces”

CO2 system non-operational after servicing

Marine Safety Forum logoThe Marine Safety Forum (MSF) has issued a safety alert and shared some lessons resulting from an incident where the safety pins of the fixed CO2 system flexible hoses had not been removed and were still in place, leaving it non-operational. An MSF member vessel had undergone a firefighting equipment survey. All equipment was fully inspected and any faults or discrepancies were rectified. The fixed CO2 system flexible hoses were renewed as the system had reached its 10 years of service life. Continue reading “CO2 system non-operational after servicing”

EU report published on how the Recreational Craft Directive could evole

EU report published on how the Recreational Craft Directive could evole
EU report published on how the Recreational Craft Directive could evole

A second report has been published on how the Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU should be updated going forward.
In this much-awaited report, the European Commission has assessed the technological and economic feasibility of further reducing exhaust emissions produced by recreational craft and their fuel systems.

It also evaluates the appropriateness of the current watercraft design categories in light of different weather conditions and the impact of this categorisation on manufacturers and end-users.

Exhaust emissions Continue reading “EU report published on how the Recreational Craft Directive could evole”

Marine professionals converge at Dubai event and AGM

Marine professionals converge at Dubai event and AGM
Marine professionals converge at Dubai event and AGM

On June 28, Advanced Watertek and the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) UAE branch jointly hosted an event at the Dubai International Seafarers Centre, in association with the UAE chapter of The Company of Master Mariners India (CMMI).

The evening, which also doubled up as the Annual General Meeting for IIMS, saw fleet managers, technical superintendents, marine surveyors, oilfield operators, chief engineers, and captains from leading marine and offshore companies in the UAE attend and enjoy the knowledge sharing and networking sessions.

Informative presentations were shared by Unni krishnan Nair Continue reading “Marine professionals converge at Dubai event and AGM”

First glass fibre composites recycling centre in the UK set to open

First glass fibre composites recycling centre in the UK set to open
First glass fibre composites recycling centre in the UK set to open

The National Composites Centre is aiming to create the UK’s first glass fibre composites recycling and re-use facility of its kind. The organisation is supporting a new consortium that has been formed to address the growing challenge of decarbonisation and recycling of composite materials in the marine industry and beyond.

The Blue Composites Project is made up of the UK’s leading marine and maritime companies, composites specialists, academic institutions and local government organisations, led by Blue Parameters, a Guernsey based marine consultancy. Continue reading “First glass fibre composites recycling centre in the UK set to open”

Despite decreasing marine casualties the Irish authorities remain cautious

Irish authorities remain cautious despite decreasing marine casualties
Irish authorities remain cautious despite decreasing marine casualties

Marine casualties and fatalities in Irish waters have reduced in the past ten years, but investigators warn this could change if voluntary codes of conduct are ignored. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) reports that fatalities have been on a downward trend to zero in 2021 from a high of 13 in 2012. However, this may not remain the case as the number of serious incidents involving kayakers and canoeists continues to rise.

In 2020 the MCIB urged water sports clubs to ensure that all codes of practice, guidelines and recommendations were followed.  Continue reading “Despite decreasing marine casualties the Irish authorities remain cautious”

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