Containers

Artificial intelligence based system detects misdeclared cargo

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AI based system detects misdeclared cargo
AI based system detects misdeclared cargo

Dealing with misdeclared cargo and its consequences is one of the most challenging issues for the shipping industry at this current time. Known to be at the root of many major marine accidents, including fires causing loss of life and significant damage, shipping lines have been seeking to develop an approach to detect and reduce the risks of misdeclarations.

In July 2020, the National Cargo Bureau (NCB) reported that its recent inspection initiatives revealed an alarming number of containers included misdeclared dangerous cargoes. Citing the fact that on average a containership suffers a major fire every 60 days, the NCB reported that it conducted more than 32,000 dangerous dry and tank good inspections in the US in 2019, finding that more than six Continue reading “Artificial intelligence based system detects misdeclared cargo”

Insurers pinpoint the complex causation of container casualties

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A webinar organised by the Thomas Miller managed insurance mutuals, container freight specialist TT Club and protection & indemnity insurer, UK P&I Club, revealed the diverse range of factors important to safe container ship operations and the security of the container stacks they carry. ‘Container Casualties – the sum of the parts’ looked in detail at the complex range of moving parts involved in these operations and concluded that each must be considered individually and collectively in order to keep collapse of stow incidents to a minimum.

In chairing the session, UK P&I Club’s Loss Prevention Director, Stuart Edmonston set the scene, “Container loss Continue reading “Insurers pinpoint the complex causation of container casualties”

The importance of manifold and first foot samples at load ports

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importance of manifold and first foot samples
importance of manifold and first foot samples

Following the standard tanker practices of sampling when loading petroleum products could save owners millions of dollars in claims and save loss of time and ensuing losses for charterers and shipowners says P&I Club, Gard. When it comes to dealing with liquid cargo contamination claims, the majority of the losses could have been avoided if the vessel had followed basic tanker seamanship practice. Gard has previously highlighted the importance of manifold samples as the multimillion dollar samples for tankers. This alert focuses on the importance of the manifold and first foot samples, and the lessons learnt from cases arising in the Black Sea ports. A recent notification from Gard’s correspondents, Novorissiysk Insurance Company Nostra Ltd., highlighted several cases of flash point depression in gasoil Continue reading “The importance of manifold and first foot samples at load ports”

Targeted container ship inspection campaign launched by AMSA

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Due to a number of recent events AMSA is launching a targeted container ship inspection campaign
Due to a number of recent events AMSA is launching a targeted container ship inspection campaign

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is launching a focused container ship inspection campaign targeting cargo securing arrangements on container ships visiting Australian ports. This inspection campaign is being initiated in response to several serious incidents involving shipping containers lost overboard recently.

Incidents like the losses of 81 containers off Newcastle by the YM Efficiency in 2018, 50 containers off Wollongong by the APL England in May and three containers from the Navios Unite off Cape Leeuwin in June have caused significant environmental damage to Australia’s iconic marine and coastal environment have made this container ships inspection campaign necessary. These events affect the livelihoods Continue reading “Targeted container ship inspection campaign launched by AMSA”

Clean Cargo report shows reduction in CO2 emissions for container shipping

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Clean Cargo report shows reduction in CO2 emissions
Clean Cargo report shows reduction in CO2 emissions

According to a new report by Clean Cargo, carbon dioxide emissions from 17 of the world’s leading ocean container carriers, representing approximately 85 percent of global containerized shipping, continued to fall in 2019. Global industry averages for CO2 emissions per container per kilometer decreased by 5.6 percent and 2.5 percent for Dry and Reefer (refrigerated) indexes, respectively. The annual report indicates that container shipping continues to improve its fleet-wide environmental efficiency whilst ensuring the smooth functioning of global trade.

Continue reading “Clean Cargo report shows reduction in CO2 emissions for container shipping”

Loss of cargo containers overboard from container ship Ever Smart report published by MAIB

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Ever Smart: containers overboard
Ever Smart: containers overboard

MAIB have published their report on the container ship Ever Smart. On 30 October 2017, the UK registered container ship Ever Smart suffered a container stow collapse while on passage between Taipei, Taiwan and Los Angeles, USA resulting in containers overboard. The master had changed the ship’s passage plan to avoid severe weather caused by a developing depression east of Japan. The ship continued in heavy seas; rolling and pitching heavily with frequent bow flare slamming. Once the weather had abated, the crew discovered that the container stacks on the aft most bay had collapsed and toppled to port. Of the 151 containers in the stow, 42 containers overboard and 34 were damaged. Superficial damage was caused to the ship. Continue reading “Loss of cargo containers overboard from container ship Ever Smart report published by MAIB”

Golden Ray: Heavy crane set to lift and salvage capsized vessel

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Golden Ray Photo by U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer John D. Miller
Golden Ray Photo by U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer John D. Miller

The team working on the removal of the capsized car carrier Golden Ray is preparing for the final stage of the operation to remove the vessel that has been lying on its side in St. Simons Sound since September 2019.

The twin-hull heavy lift vessel VB-10,000 arrived at the Port of Fernandina in Florida on July 3 for final modifications and function checks before heading to St. Simons Sound. The lift vessel is currently scheduled to arrive at the wreck site by mid-July.

The 255-foot tall gantries of the VB-10,000 made an impressive sight at the docks in Florida. The configuration of the rigging beams underneath the top of the gantries will be modified to prepare for the lifting on the Golden Ray.

Continue reading “Golden Ray: Heavy crane set to lift and salvage capsized vessel”

New white paper by National Cargo Bureau calls for a new approach to address container fires

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National Cargo Bureau white paper calls for urgent action to prevent serious container incidents
National Cargo Bureau white paper calls for urgent action to prevent serious container incidents

A white paper published by the National Cargo Bureau calls for urgent reform to stem the increasing number of container related incidents caused by poorly stowed, undeclared or misdeclared dangerous cargoes. This follows a recent inspection initiative that revealed an alarming number of containers with misdeclared dangerous cargoes that represent a serious safety risk.

Consequently, the National Cargo Bureau, the US inspection body for Dangerous Goods regulations, is calling for industry to adopt a comprehensive, holistic and coordinated approach to address this worrying trend. The inspection initiative also showed that 55% of containers were non-compliant with 43% failing to secure dangerous goods correctly within the container itself. Approximately 6.5% of Continue reading “New white paper by National Cargo Bureau calls for a new approach to address container fires”

Dutch Safety Board report: Lessons learned after loss of containers from MSC Zoe

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The Dutch Safety Board has published an investigation report into the loss of containers from the MSC Zoe in 2019, sharing valuable lessons learned on the shipping routes that pass the Wadden Islands to the north of the Netherlands. The report stressed that minimizing the risks of container loss in the area requires an integrated approach by the container shipping sector, the IMO and the Dutch government.

On the night of 1 to 2 January 2019, the MSC ZOE with more than 8,000 containers onboard was travelling from Sines in Portugal to Bremerhaven in Germany. North of the Dutch Wadden Islands, the MSC ZOE found itself in severe weather. The ship lost 342 containers. The cargo comprised a wide range of items and packaging materials that on the subsequent days washed ashore on the coastline of the Wadden Islands. Continue reading “Dutch Safety Board report: Lessons learned after loss of containers from MSC Zoe”

TAIC investigation report released into crew fatally struck while securing logs

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TAIC investigation report released
TAIC investigation report released

New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Committee (TAIC) has published an investigation report on the crew fatality during cargo-securing operations onboard the bulk log carrier Coresky OL, while at Eastland Port, Gisborne, in April 2019.

At approximately 2130 on 2 April 2019, the bulk carrier Coresky OL completed loading logs in Eastland Port, Gisborne. Shortly afterwards the crew commenced securing the logs that were stowed on deck.

At 2341 the chief officer, boatswain and two able-bodied seamen had just completed securing the logs stowed on top of number one hatch and were commencing to lash the logs stowed on top of number two hatch. It was dark but the deck was well lit by both the ship and shore floodlights. Continue reading “TAIC investigation report released into crew fatally struck while securing logs”

Seed cake carriage in containers – updated guideline published

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Earlier this year, the International Group and CINS, the Cargo Incident Notification System, jointly published guidelines for the carriage of seed cake in containers. An updated version has been released containing some minor changes to the text including an updated description and some clarification of details following queries received from container ship operators.

The carriage of these cargoes continues to cause confusion and the potential for mis-declaration remains high with the consequent risk of fire on board container ships. Seed cake is the term used for pulp, cake, Continue reading “Seed cake carriage in containers – updated guideline published”

RINA (Classification society) performs statutory and class marine surveys remotely

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RINA performs statutory and class surveys remotely
RINA performs statutory and class surveys remotely

RINA has successfully carried out what it claims is the world’s first statutory and associated class intermediate surveys using remote technologies on the bulk carrier Cielo di Gaspesie, owned by the d’Amico Group. On completion, the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), who attended the survey remotely, authorized RINA to certify the Cielo di Gaspesie.

The survey included an inspection of the hull and machinery. The ship is subject to the enhanced programme of inspections set by the international ESP Code; close-up surveys of ballast tanks and cargo Continue reading “RINA (Classification society) performs statutory and class marine surveys remotely”

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