Overpressurization and rupture of cargo tank onboard Fairchem Filly report published

Overpressurization onboard Fairchem Filly report
Overpressurization onboard Fairchem Filly report

NTSB issued an investigation report on the overpressurization and rupture of a cargo tank on the cargo ship Fairchem Filly while at Houston Ship Channel, in May 2019. Investigators stressed that the vessel and terminal personnel involved were not following procedures related to cargo discharge and nitrogen-blanketing operations.

On 30 May 2019, about 0750 local time, the Marshall Islands-flagged chemical tanker Fairchem Filly, with a crew of 22, experienced an overpressurization of the number 3 port and starboard cargo tanks while discharging liquid hexene at Vopak Terminal in Deer Park, Texas.

The overpressurization resulted in damage to the number 3 port cargo tank and the tank top (deck). All cargo was contained on board the double-hulled vessel, with no pollution or injuries reported. Damage to Continue reading “Overpressurization and rupture of cargo tank onboard Fairchem Filly report published”

American Club issues guidance for loading steel products when a surveyor is prevented from attending

American Club issues guidance
American Club issues guidance

The American Club has published helpful guidance specifically when third party surveyors are prevented from attending vessels about to load finished steel products.

All systems and equipment should be checked to make sure they are operational. During the voyage to the load port, ballast tanks adjacent to cargo holds should be pressure tested prior to loading, but only if the holds are free of cargo and safety permitting in every respect.

Caution should be taken when washing down holds with brackish river water, which may include saltwater chlorides. A freshwater flush and drying should be performed before loading, and tarpaulins can be laid on the tank top and lower sides of cargo holds, used in addition to dunnage, to provide a physical barrier Continue reading “American Club issues guidance for loading steel products when a surveyor is prevented from attending”

North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes

The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists
The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists

The North P&I Club has published three different and helpful checklists about the care of nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes giving details of how to deal with these types of shipments.

North P&I Club Cargo Care Checklist for Nickel Ore

Prior to loading documentation received from shipper is needed.
Also, the Club advises that visual inspection should be conducted before it is loaded to ensure it is safe. Continue reading “North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes”

Through-bulkhead seal safety enhanced by non-welding advancement

Through-bulkhead
Through-bulkhead

A new solution for sealing metal pipes without welding is speeding up installation time and cutting costs in shipyards, while also enhancing the safety of the through-bulkhead seal.

Roxtec’s SPM seal holds pipes in place by use of a metal and rubber sandwich. No welding is required. A gasket of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber is held between two flanges of marine grade 316 stainless steel. The seal is slid over the end of the pipe, then the pipe is pushed into an oversized aperture on the bulkhead. Continue reading “Through-bulkhead seal safety enhanced by non-welding advancement”

3D-printed part delivery to Bulker in world first

First commercial delivery of 3D-printed scupper plugs
First commercial delivery of 3D-printed scupper plugs

Berge Mafadi, a 300,000 dwt bulk carrier operated by Berge Bulk, has received the world’s first commercial delivery of 3D-printed scupper plugs. Berge Bulk is one of several companies enrolled in a Wilhelmsen Ships Service early adopter program that gives customers access to on-demand additive manufacturing. Other customers for the program, launched in December 2019, include Carnival Maritime, Thome Ship Management, OSM Maritime Group, Executive Ship Management and Wilhelmsen Ship Management.

“We are very excited with this milestone — completing one of the first commercial Continue reading “3D-printed part delivery to Bulker in world first”

Hatch covers and ship holds guidance for safe operation and maintenance – booklet published

The London P&I Club has published an updated guide on the safe operation and maintenance of ship holds and hatch covers, highlighting some of the common associated causes of damage, loss and personal injury and providing recommendations on best practices and points to avoid.

According to the Club’s data, the cause of large cargo claims by value in dry bulk and general cargo vessels accounts for 33%.

As noted, ISM Code systems should include procedures for loading, unloading, ballasting, deballasting, securing manholes, blanking ballast lines, testing bilge Continue reading “Hatch covers and ship holds guidance for safe operation and maintenance – booklet published”

Is the cargo too wet to load?

Wet Cargo
Wet Cargo

Do we know enough about the cargo we carry, ask Gard P&I Club. It may be impossible for crew to estimate the particle size but they can look out for signs of high moisture content.

Appendix 3, Art 2 of the IMSBC Code states “many fine particle cargoes, if possessing a sufficiently high moisture content are liable to flow”. There are two main concerns here for seafarers relating to liquefaction. Firstly, the fine particle size of the cargoes and secondly, the high moisture content, i.e. the moisture content is higher than the cargo’s transportable moisture limit (TML).

Continue reading “Is the cargo too wet to load?”

Yantian Express fire likely caused by coconut charcoal official report identifies

Yantian Express - Photo credit: Smit Nicobar
Yantian Express – Photo credit: Smit Nicobar

The Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published its investigation report about the causes of the fire in the area of the deck cargo on board the container ship Yantian Express, identifying coconut charcoal as the likely cause of the fire.

It was during the early morning hours of 3 January 2019 that fire broke out in the deck cargo in the area of cargo hold 2 on board the German flagged container ship Yantian Express. The ship was in the North Atlantic, due to reach Halifax, Canadathe following day. Continue reading “Yantian Express fire likely caused by coconut charcoal official report identifies”

Fixed gas detection systems discrepancies on liquefied gas carriers

USCG advice about common discrepancies with fixed gas detection systems
USCG advice about common discrepancies with fixed gas detection systems

The US Coast Guard has issued advice about common discrepancies associated with fixed gas detection systems onboard liquefied gas carriers specifically, which are a critical safety measure on liquefied gas carriers.

The International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) requires the activation of alarms at specified vapor concentrations.

During inspection on three separate LNG carriers in Boston, Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) discovered issues with the fixed flammable gas detection system Continue reading “Fixed gas detection systems discrepancies on liquefied gas carriers”

‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide produced by UK P&I Club and TT Club

‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide collaboration
‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide collaboration

At the start of 2020, the latest version of the IMDG Code, Amendment 39-18, came into force. The UK P&I Club has collaborated with TT Club to produce and publish ‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide – a collaboration 108 page set of guidelines. It offers an insight for all involved and responsible for preparing unitized consignments for carriage at sea.

The ‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide is designed to support shippers, forwarders, shipping line booking personnel and those who pack dangerous goods into cargo transport units, helping them understand the technical aspects of the Continue reading “‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide produced by UK P&I Club and TT Club”

Misdeclared cargo needs urgent action says Digital freight forwarder iContainers

Fire caused by dangerous misdeclared cargo
Fire caused by dangerous misdeclared cargo

On the back of a spate of incidents in which has been the source on fires onboard container vessels, the digital freight forwarder iContainers highlighted that the shipping industry needs to pay attention to increasing misdeclared cargo.

Over the past two years there has been a noticeable, sharp increase in the number of container fires directly resulting from shippers’ dangerous misdeclared cargo.

Klaus Lysdal, vice president of operations at iContainers, has identified this is a vital Continue reading “Misdeclared cargo needs urgent action says Digital freight forwarder iContainers”

Container ship Washington loss of 137 containers: MAIB investigation report published

Container ship
Container ship

At 0127 on 20 January 2018, the UK flagged container ship CMA CGM G. Washington unexpectedly rolled 20° to starboard, paused for several seconds then rolled 20° to port. The ship was experiencing heavy seas in the North Pacific Ocean while on passage from Xiamen, China to Los Angeles, USA. As the sun rose later that morning, it was discovered that container bays 18, 54 and 58 had collapsed; 137 containers were lost overboard and a further 85 were damaged.

The MAIB investigation concluded that the collapse of all three bays probably occurred during the 20° rolls. The amplitude of the rolls exceeded the container  ship’s estimated roll limits and was almost certainly the consequence of parametric Continue reading “Container ship Washington loss of 137 containers: MAIB investigation report published”

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