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Structural and stowage issues of CTUs in Australian ports warning

Posted on by News Hound
Image caption: Collapsed container floor (Source: AMSA)

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a safety alert, which aims to raise awareness of structural and stowage issues for shipping containers and other CTUs in Australian ports. This is in response to an increase in improperly stowed CTUs and structural issues identified during inspection. Two recent incidents involved improperly packed CTUs which led to catastrophic structural failures. These incidents highlight the critical need for ship and container owners, shippers and packers to understand their regulatory obligations and put effective controls in place. Continue reading “Structural and stowage issues of CTUs in Australian ports warning”

Liberia: Management of Asbestos and PFOS

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The Liberia Maritime Authority has released a marine notice on how to deal with asbestos on board all ships that are in service, under repair/modification/conversion and alteration.

Guidance is also provided on the prohibition of the use or storage of extinguishing media containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) on new vessels and the requirement to remove PFOS on existing vessels. Notice SAF-018 Rev. 3/25 applies to all ships, including Mobile Offshore Units and High Speed Craft. The notice breaks down its guidance of management of asbestos containing materials on board ships certified under SOLAS into separate categories, including: Continue reading “Liberia: Management of Asbestos and PFOS”

Lack of green fuels questions engine retrofits says new study

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Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued an update to its Retrofit Research Programme, with the latest report focusing on the developments in Engine retrofits for alternative fuels.

While the maritime industry has seen positive developments, such as increased methanol fuel conversions and shipyard engine retrofits capabilities since 2023, the adoption of alternative fuels faces a significant hurdle. Continue reading “Lack of green fuels questions engine retrofits says new study”

Canadian transport investigation report into fire on board fishing vessel Elite Navigator

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The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has published the results into an investigation into the fire and sinking of fishing vessel Elite Navigator.

On 08 July 2024, the Elite Navigator, with the master and 6 crew members on board, departed Valleyfield, Newfoundland and Labrador, to fish turbot. By 17 July, the vessel had caught its quota. At approximately 1830,1 the master used a satellite messenger to notify the owner that they were on the way to port to land their catch and that their estimated arrival time was 1430 on 18 July. At approximately 1930, an alarm sounded in the wheelhouse. The master checked the alarm panel and determined that it was from a smoke detector in the engine room. The master looked at the video camera that monitored the engine room, but there was no smoke visible. The master then went to one of the engine room access hatches in the deckhouse and proceeded partway down a ladder into the engine room to check for smoke. Light smoke was now visible. Continue reading “Canadian transport investigation report into fire on board fishing vessel Elite Navigator”

MTF report highlights critical safety issues of transporting electric vehicles

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The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has published a report titled “Safe Carriage of Electric Vehicles” addressing the critical issue of transporting electric vehicles (EVs) on Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels.

Currently, there are no international regulations specifically dedicated to the safe carriage of electric vehicles. While some national and regional governmental organizations have issued their own guidelines, the IMO is still in the process of developing mandatory regulations for the transportation of new energy vehicles, including EVs, with a target completion year of 2027. Continue reading “MTF report highlights critical safety issues of transporting electric vehicles”

MPA Singapore releases guidance on bunker use of biofuel

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore) has published guidance on transporting biofuel blends by conventional bunker ships.

With effect from 7th March this year, Singapore-registered conventional bunker ships may transport blends of up to 30% by volume of biofuel (≤B30).

In a circular, the Authority highlighted the draft Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) interim guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels by conventional bunker ships agreed by 12th Session of the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 12). Continue reading “MPA Singapore releases guidance on bunker use of biofuel”

St Kitts & Nevis launches CIC on pilot ladder transfers

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St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry (SKAN) has announced a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on pilot ladder transfer and boarding arrangements.

The concentrated inspection campaign by St Kitts & Nevis on pilot ladder transfer and boarding arrangements will be held for three months, and will come into effect on 1st April 2025 until 30th June 2025. The purpose of this campaign is to ensure that vessels comply with relevant international regulations regarding pilot transfer and boarding arrangements, particularly those outlined in the SOLAS Convention. Continue reading “St Kitts & Nevis launches CIC on pilot ladder transfers”

IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE11)

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Maritime life-saving equipment and ship’s fire safety systems have been the focus of the eleventh session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment.

The Nautical Institute provided a summary of the meeting saying one topic under consideration related to dealing with electric vehicle (EV) fires in Ro-Ro passenger ships.

It was noted that EVs have a lower fire rate of just 25 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold, compared to 1,530 fires per 100,000 sold for petrol cars. Continue reading “IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE11)”

RSG 2025 guidelines published

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The Recreational Craft Sectoral Group (RSG) has unveiled its latest edition. The RSG 2025 guidelines introduce significant updates to assist manufacturers, Notified Bodies, and market surveillance authorities in adhering to Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational and personal watercraft. This latest edition emphasizes the integration of new harmonized ISO standards, reflecting advancements in technology and safety protocols within the marine industry.

Key updates in the RSG 2025 guidelines include revised criteria for compliance, particularly concerning the installation of lithium-ion batteries and the testing protocols for dual outboard engine vessels. These changes aim to enhance safety and environmental performance, ensuring that watercraft meet contemporary standards. Continue reading “RSG 2025 guidelines published”

Maritime Labour Convention inspections MGN 600 for coded vessels updated by MCA

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The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published MGN 600 (M) Amendment 3, which updates the inspection requirements for coded vessels under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

The updated guidance clarifies inspection procedures for vessels under 500GT, ensuring they meet the MLC’s core principles, including appropriate crew accommodation, fair working conditions, regulated rest hours, and comprehensive health and safety measures. These changes aim to align the standards for coded vessels more closely with international maritime regulations, strengthening compliance across the sector. Specifically there is an added annexe which provides an inspection report form. Continue reading “Maritime Labour Convention inspections MGN 600 for coded vessels updated by MCA”

NTSB reveals cargo on President Eisenhower lost due incorrect cargo weight data

Posted on by News Hound
​Containership President Eisenhower. Credit: Bar Pilot, marinetraffic.com
Containership President Eisenhower. Credit: Bar Pilot, marinetraffic.com

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has published a report after cargo was lost and damaged off containership President Eisenhower.

The input of incorrect container cargo weight data when developing the cargo loading plan led to the shipping containers falling off a cargo ship and others becoming damaged while the vessel was drifting off the coast of California.

On February 6 2024, the U.S.-flagged containership President Eisenhower lost 23 shipping containers overboard and another 10 were damaged as the vessel was drifting about 94 miles south of Oakland, California, while awaiting a berthing assignment. Continue reading “NTSB reveals cargo on President Eisenhower lost due incorrect cargo weight data”

NTSB investigation after incorrect valve starts fatal fire

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The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board have released the results of a report after the installation of an incorrect valve in a pipe to a diesel oil tank led to a fatal fire aboard a cargo vessel docked in LaPorte, Texas.

On January 8 2024, a fire broke out in the engine room aboard the cargo vessel Stride during bunkering, or fueling, operations while docked at the Barbours Cut Marine Terminal. The fire self-extinguished after crewmembers shut down all ventilation to the engine room. Two crewmembers died as a result of the fire, and one was seriously injured. Continue reading “NTSB investigation after incorrect valve starts fatal fire”

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