News

Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation

Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation
Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation

As part of its recently launched casebook series giving safety lessons learned from maritime incidents, the Swedish Club describes a case of multiple explosions onboard a bulk carrier caused by cargo fumigation. A bulk carrier had loaded yellow corn in all cargo holds up to the hatch coamings. After the loading was complete fumigation technicians came onboard and fumigated the cargo with fumitoxin pellets. As per the cargo documentation, the fumigation pellets were required to be applied subsurface.

In this instance, the technicians poured the pellets from flasks while walking on the hatch coamings or hatch covers. This work took a little more than an hour and, afterwards, all the cargo hatches were closed and the vessel sailed. A couple of hours later, an explosion occurred Continue reading “Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation”

RYA licensing arrangement in Spanish waters after Brexit

The Spanish flag being flown on a vessel at seaSince Brexit there have been a few individuals who have been working almost non-stop to find solutions and trying to prevent incorrect facts being reported in the news and on social media platforms. The last few days have seen some news articles published in Mallorca that have been fundamentally incorrect and inaccurate and many boat owners in the Balearics are receiving mixed and confusing messages over RYA licensing arrangement and what they can and cannot do.

These are the facts as confirmed by multiple legal opinions:
Why has the acceptance of RYA Licensing arrangement in Spain changed?
From the 1st of January 2021, as a result of Brexit, the Spanish ceased to accept all RYA and ICC [international Certificates of Competence] on any Spanish flagged vessels. This prevented anyone with RYA/ICC Certification from operating on a Spanish flagged vessel. Continue reading “RYA licensing arrangement in Spanish waters after Brexit”

Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy

Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy
Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy

The IMO has introduced amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMBSC) code regulations concerning the carriage of bauxite, that came into force on 1 January 2021. If you are involved in the bauxite trade this article will assist you in your communication with shippers and authorising loading, understanding the classification of this type of cargo, and loss prevention.

Following the 2015 sinking of the “Bulk Jupiter”, a working group was set up to review the risk of bauxite liquefaction and make recommendations in respect of updating the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (“IMSBC”) Code regulations.

IMO Resolution MSC.462(101) introduced amendments (05-19) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The Continue reading “Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy”

Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta

Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta
Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta

Transport Malta has published an investigation report into the cargo explosion onboard the container ship MV Croatia while underway in February 2020. The investigation established that flammable vapours had accumulated inside the container, which contained scrap metal and used car parts, resulting in an explosive atmosphere.

Whilst underway towards Singapore, a cargo explosion occurred in Croatia’s cargo hold no. 7. A fire party was immediately mustered by the master to assess the situation inside the cargo hold. An inspection of the area revealed that an explosion had occurred inside one of the containers stowed in the cargo hold, damaging five other containers and several ship fittings. The charterers were contacted, following which it was confirmed that no other explosion risks were foreseen. The cargo manifest revealed that the container carried scrap metal and Continue reading “Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta”

2021 Container Shipping Report published by Alix Partners

The 2021 Container Shipping Report by Alix Partners asks if carriers will take this chance to break the cycle
The 2021 Container Shipping Report by Alix Partners asks if carriers will take this chance to break the cycle

Global consulting firm, Alix Partners, has published the 2021 Container Shipping Report. For at least three decades, the container shipping industry has been locked in a recurring boom and bust loop. During times of strong macroeconomic growth, shipping rates would soar and container ship operators would reinvest their profits in new, ever-larger vessels. Then the economy would slide into a downturn, demand would plunge, rates would tumble, and operators would find themselves burdened with heavy debt and idle vessels. As overcapacity kept a tight lid on rates, leverage would expand, revenues would fall, and ship operators would tumble into bankruptcy or stay out of court, thanks only to amend and extend agreements with Continue reading “2021 Container Shipping Report published by Alix Partners”

Potential new costs of trading second-hand vessels between the UK and EU highlighted

The deck of a yachtBritish Marine and the RYA have now received further information from both the EU Commission and the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on the trade of pre-owned CE marked second-hand vessels between the UK and EU following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Both the UK and EU have confirmed that any trade between second-hand vessels between the UK and EU will be required to meet the obligations set out in either the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) in the EU or the Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR) in the UK when placed on either market after the 1 January 2021.

Continue reading “Potential new costs of trading second-hand vessels between the UK and EU highlighted”

Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system

Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system
Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system

A Dutch inland vessel is going to be converted later this year to operate on a zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system. The project is viewed as a prototype for the development of a fleet of inland and shortsea vessels that will operate in the region and be available for charter.

The 360-foot inland vessel, Maas, is part of a project being undertaken by Future Proof Shipping, a Dutch company focused on the conversion to green energy. The Holland Shipyards Group’s yard in Hardinxveld will undertake the conversion starting in the third quarter of 2021 with the vessel expected to be back in service in December. Once back in service, the Maas will operate transporting shipping Continue reading “Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system”

P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage

P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage
P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage

Coal is an important, widely-used source of energy that is regularly moved as cargo by ship. However, failure to implement proper coal cargo carriage is associated with a number of hazards; it must be carried according to the relevant regulatory requirements.

According to the Britannia Club P&I Club, due to its origins as a carbonaceous sedimentary rock formed by geological processes applying pressure to the remains of plant material over time, coal comes in many different forms and the term covers a relatively wide range of cargoes. Therefore, its properties and the associated hazards also vary significantly depending on the specific form of coal being carried as cargo. However, all coal cargoes require certain Continue reading “P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage”

Electrocution fatality during maintenance onboard explained in Britannia’s BSafe campaign case study

Image courtesy of RMI - Electrocution fatality explained in Britannia's BSafe campaign
Image courtesy of RMI – Electrocution fatality explained in Britannia’s BSafe campaign

As part of its BSafe campaign, the Britannia P&I Club describes a fatality of an electrician from electrocution, while performing maintenance of the inert gas scrubber electrical system whilst onboard an oil tanker. The electrician had been working alone at the time. Before starting work in the morning on the day of the incident, the second engineer (2/E) held a Toolbox Talk to discuss the work planned for that day. The electrician mentioned he might work on the inert gas (IG) scrubber pump starter panel, but he did not specify the items to be completed, nor the timeframe for the work. No formal risk assessment, permit to work (PTW) or Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) procedure were completed, despite all being specifically required by the SMS.

Continue reading “Electrocution fatality during maintenance onboard explained in Britannia’s BSafe campaign case study”

HM Treasury confirms decision to maintain recreational boaters’ entitlement to use red diesel beyond April 2022

HM Treasury confirms decision to maintain recreational boaters’ entitlement to use red diesel beyond April 2022
HM Treasury confirms decision to maintain recreational boaters’ entitlement to use red diesel beyond April 2022

The lobbying campaign, mounted by The Cruising Association, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and British Marine which the three supported in various ways, has argued successfully that having two colours of diesel including red diesel would cause fuel supply problems and impact on safe sailing in the UK.

The decision allows for easy refuelling in England, Wales and Scotland and will avoid the logistical and environmental difficulty for the fuel supply industry of changing to white diesel, they say. Now pleasure craft in Great Britain will be able to use red diesel and pay fuel suppliers the difference between the red diesel rate and the white diesel rate, on the proportion intended for propulsion use.

For heating purposes, a vessel with a separate tank will still be able to use red diesel at the lower duty rate. The percentage relief scheme for heating use, for a craft with one tank, is to be announced. Continue reading “HM Treasury confirms decision to maintain recreational boaters’ entitlement to use red diesel beyond April 2022”

UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims

UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims
UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims

The UK P&I Club has released the latest video in its online ‘Ask an Expert’ series, featuring Chris Ellyatt from CWA International on the increasing number of grain contamination claims and their causes. The Club continues to see a number of grain contamination claims and Chris Ellyatt explains it is often difficult to work out if these claims are due to the inherent contaminants at the load port, or if they are a result of improper hold cleaning by the ship staff.

Chris highlights the importance of diligent recordkeeping during cargo loading to ensure any untoward contaminants Continue reading “UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims”

Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide

Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide
Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide

Amid an alarming trend of containers lost overboard, the Swedish P&I Club has published a 32 page guide offering guidance on planning and loading the containers. According to the Club’s statistics, the main reason for containers being lost overboard is related to container vessels navigating in heavy weather, combined with crew failure to reduce speed and/or alter course to avoid it or alleviate its effect. The reasons can often be attributed to a series of multiple failures, rather than a single cause, but raising awareness of these issues to both ship and shore staff will serve to prevent accidents from happening.

The guide also notes that other common factors are

– Containers not being correctly stuffed or declared by the shipper;
Continue reading “Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Show details
Performance & Marketing Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. This also helps us optimise our marketing campaigns. User data sent to Google Analytics may be used for ad personalization and measurement of our ad campaigns. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Show details