Containers

CINS releases Comprehensive Guidelines for Carriage of Charcoal in Containers

Posted on by News Hound
The carriage of charcoal in containers poses significant fire risks due to the potential for self-heating and spontaneous ignition.
The carriage of charcoal in containers poses significant fire risks due to the potential for self-heating and spontaneous ignition.

The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) explains that charcoal is a widely used material for various purposes, including cooking, heating, and industrial processes and it is often transported in shipping containers. The carriage of charcoal in containers poses significant fire risks due to the potential for self-heating and spontaneous ignition.

Charcoal is described in the IMDG Code as “Black material originating from organic sources. Particularly includes carbon blacks, of animal or vegetable origin other non-activated carbon materials and Continue reading “CINS releases Comprehensive Guidelines for Carriage of Charcoal in Containers”

Hazards when transporting biological liquid cargo

Posted on by News Hound
NMA has issued an update following explosion
NMA has issued an update for transporting biological liquid cargo following explosion

The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has issued an update for transporting biological liquid cargo following explosion after hot work was carried out near a vent from a tank containing fish silage.

Fish silage is fresh fish residue and formic acid. The acid conserves the residue and delays the process of decomposition. When organic material decomposes in environments where there is little air, hazardous gases may form. Continue reading “Hazards when transporting biological liquid cargo”

The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing

Posted on by News Hound
The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing
The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing

Is simplicity a reason for the success of the Hague Rules? In this opinion piece, Mark Russell, Head of Cargo Claims in Gard, outlines the history – and looks to the future – in a world of competing cargo carriage regimes.

The Hague Rules came into being 100 years ago this year, becoming the first international convention governing the rights and obligations under bills of lading for the carriage of goods by sea. As the volume of internationally traded goods grew, the Hague Rules were born out of a need for uniformity in the allocation of risk between shipowners and cargo interests. Continue reading “The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing”

Preventing fatalities in enclosed spaces on vessels

Posted on by News Hound
The Republic of Liberia has issued guidance to prevent fatalities in enclosed spaces, and highlight the need to establish detailed safety requirements
The Republic of Liberia has issued guidance to prevent fatalities in enclosed spaces, and highlight the need to establish detailed safety requirements

The Republic of Liberia has issued guidance to prevent fatalities in enclosed spaces, and highlight the need to establish detailed safety requirements and recommendations for entering enclosed spaces onboard vessels where there may be an oxygen deficient, oxygen-enriched, flammable and/or toxic atmosphere and ensure proper training of all crew on this subject.

The Administration is in the process of finalizing its investigation into a recent Deck Trainee fatal incident on board a vessel related to Continue reading “Preventing fatalities in enclosed spaces on vessels”

Updated guidelines for steel cargo pre-load surveys

Posted on by News Hound
American P&I Club has updated guidelines for steel cargo pre-load surveys
American P&I Club has updated guidelines for steel cargo pre-load surveys

In Circular 23/14 entitled Steel Cargo Pre-Load Surveys: An Update, the American P&I Club has revised its extensive recommendations in regard to the conduct of precautionary surveys of certain steel cargoes to minimize the prospect of spurious steel cargo claims.

Over the period since the first Circular, Members have followed the recommendations it contained and made progress in minimizing and averting the risks, and consequent liabilities, associated with such cargoes. To further clarify what is required of Members regarding the handling of steel cargoes, it has been thought appropriate to revisit and update the Club’s advice to reaffirm best practice going forward. Continue reading “Updated guidelines for steel cargo pre-load surveys”

IACS adopts two new unified requirements on preventing the loss of seaborne containers

Posted on by News Hound
IACS has adopted two new Unified Requirements, UR C6 and UR C7, to enhance the cargo securing arrangements of container ships.
IACS has adopted two new Unified Requirements, UR C6 and UR C7, to enhance the cargo securing arrangements of container ships.

In response to the increasing concerns over the number of containers lost at sea in recent years, IACS has adopted two new Unified Requirements, UR C6 and UR C7, to enhance the cargo securing arrangements of container ships.

Container ships play a vital role in global trade, facilitating the transportation of goods across vast distances. However, the safe transport of this cargo type poses unique challenges, particularly with regards to stowage and securing of containers on onboard vessels. By Continue reading “IACS adopts two new unified requirements on preventing the loss of seaborne containers”

Key steps in preventing engine room fires

Posted on by News Hound
Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires
Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires

As most fires on board ships start in the engine room, Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires, based on observations made during condition surveys of vessels entered by the organisation’s personnel.

According to Gard, there are a number of built-in safety features on board a vessel, designed to limit the risk of fire and the spread of it, and the officers and crew must have full knowledge of these and maintain their integrity. Thus, the Club advises the following: Continue reading “Key steps in preventing engine room fires”

New Zealand Ship Noise Specification delayed but a Noise Label Score is required

Posted on by News Hound
All container vessels visiting a New Zealand port will be required to provide a Noise Label Score
All container vessels visiting a New Zealand port will be required to provide a Noise Label Score

All container vessels visiting a New Zealand port will be required to provide a Noise Label Score according to the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), following the NEPTUNES protocol, or confirm that a reactive silencer is fitted to one of ancillary engines used while at berth. If either of these requirements is not met, then from 1 June 2024 the vessel will be refused entry to any New Zealand port.

During late May, New Zealand’s ports announced that the NZ Ship Noise Specification won’t Continue reading “New Zealand Ship Noise Specification delayed but a Noise Label Score is required”

BIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells

Posted on by News Hound
Credit: BIMCOBIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells
PHOTO CREDIT: BIMCO 

According to BIMCO, recent events at the port of Ishinomaki, Japan, involved two workers found unconscious during cargo operations aboard a bulker ship transporting palm kernel shells. While the incident is under investigation by the Japanese Coast Guard to determine any connection between the cargo and the workers’ condition, it underscores the importance of understanding the hazards associated with transporting palm kernel shells. Continue reading “BIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells”

Contact of containership Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge: Preliminary report

Posted on by News Hound
Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after the containership Dali collided with it
Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after the containership Dali collided with it

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary investigation report on the accident where the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed following a collision with the container ship MV Dali.

The Dali was propelled by a single, slow-speed, 55,626-hp (41,480-kW) diesel engine manufactured by Hyundai MAN B&W. The engine was directly connected to a single, right-turning propeller. To run the main engine, one of the vessel’s four diesel generators must be operating and supplying the vessel with electrical power. The emergency generator alone Continue reading “Contact of containership Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge: Preliminary report”

Coal cargoes: Safety protocols for managing methane emission risks

Posted on by News Hound
Safety protocols for managing methane emission risks in coal cargoes
Safety protocols for managing methane emission risks in coal cargoes

According to Gitana Røyset, Claims Executive, Arendal, global coal consumption climbed to an all-time high in 2022 and is on track for a record-breaking 2023 and 2024.

This article refers to the safety measures needed to reduce the risk of fire and explosion when dealing with coal cargoes.

Gard highlights that coal is a fossil fuel with varying properties, depending on its source and handling before it is loaded aboard ship. Some coals can self-heat, and some emit methane – characteristics that can create fire and explosion risks to the crew, vessel and cargo. Gard has had several cases involving problematic coal cargoes, particularly those originating in Indonesia. Continue reading “Coal cargoes: Safety protocols for managing methane emission risks”

Addressing the surge in engine room fires on container ships

Posted on by News Hound
statistics show that between 2019 and 2021, there was a sharp increase in engine room fires on container ships.
statistics show that between 2019 and 2021, there was a sharp increase in engine room fires on container ships.

According to DNV, statistics show that between 2019 and 2021, there was a sharp increase in engine room fires on container ships. Preliminary data gathered from public sources indicate that this trend applies to the global fleet – and that for 2022 to 2023, the number of engine room fires remains at the same level as in 2021.

The increase in engine room fires on container ships cannot be seen separately from the increasing number of findings related to dirty engine rooms, missing insulation and screening of oil piping being reported by class surveyors. This is also reflected in the number of PSC detentions related to these issues. Continue reading “Addressing the surge in engine room fires on container ships”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine