Health & Safety

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”

USCG issues alert for defective heat detectors

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The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a safety alert regarding the issue of defective heat detectors that were discovered during an engine room fire investigation.

The Coast Guard recently investigated an engine room fire on board an inspected towing vessel which led to the discovery of issues with the maintenance and installation of fire detection systems on board multiple towing vessels. During the investigation, several towing vessels were discovered to have defective heat detectors installed in their engine rooms. Continue reading “USCG issues alert for defective heat detectors”

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”

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)”

Smart Container Alliance launched to evolve the container industry

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The Smart Container Alliance has been officially launched to drive the adoption of smart container technology.

This initiative unites industry leaders to enhance cargo traceability, fortify maritime trade, and support global enforcement agencies in combating criminal networks. With geopolitical instability and climate disruptions posing risks to global trade, shipping companies must prioritize security and efficiency. The Alliance aims to advance industry standards, advocate for policy change, and foster collaboration among technology providers, shipowners, customs authorities, and international regulatory bodies like the EU and World Customs Organization (WCO).

“Smart Cargo and Container Telematics are the foundation for the 21st Century Supply Chain with revolutionary new solutions for our society, authorities, governments, and businesses to structurally reduce illicit trade, cargo contamination, cargo waste, theft, and supply chain carbon footprint while simultaneously enhancing product authentication, on-time delivery commitments, asset productivity, and cargo integrity and quality”, said Charles Vincent, CEO ARVIEM. Continue reading “Smart Container Alliance launched to evolve the container industry”

Upcoming deadline for new EU regulation on firefighting suits

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Shipowners and operators of EU vessels must take steps to ensure that all new firefighting suits on board comply with changes to European regulations which enter into force from June 2025, according to urgent advice from VIKING Life-Saving Equipment.

The life-saving equipment solutions provider recommends fleet managers undertake a full risk assessment of their firefighting suits to verify compliance with requirements applying under MED regulations (EU) 2024/1975. These are in addition to provisions in effect since August 2024 – that all new firefighting suits must be tested to EN469:2020 standards. Continue reading “Upcoming deadline for new EU regulation on firefighting suits”

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”

NTSB investigation into fire on fishing vessel Three Girls

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Fire aboard Fishing Vessel Three Girls

The failure of a component on the hydraulic system for on-deck fishing equipment likely led to a fire aboard a fishing vessel in the Gulf of Maine, according to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. On August 11 last year, the fishing vessel Three Girls was fishing in the Gulf of Maine when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room.

The five crewmembers and a National Marine Fisheries Service observer abandoned the burning vessel and were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. No injuries or pollution were reported. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $1.3 million. Continue reading “NTSB investigation into fire on fishing vessel Three Girls”

Lloyd’s Register on engine room means of escape arrangements

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Lloyd’s Register has highlighted Port State Control inspections in Asia, which have been raising deficiencies against ships where the escape trunk does not proceed all the way to the lowest level of the engine room. Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register on engine room means of escape arrangements”

Structural failure of drain lines in fuel oil tanks

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West P&I Club has issued an alert following a pollution incident regarding the issue of structural failure of drain lines passing through fuel oil tanks. The incident occurred during bunkering operations which resulted in a significant oil spill.

While receiving bunkers, fuel oil escaped through an undetected crack in a deck scupper drain lines causing a failure that penetrated through a fuel oil tank. The structural failure was only discovered after oil began leaking from the vessel’s side when the fuel level reached Continue reading “Structural failure of drain lines in fuel oil tanks”

USCG Safety Alert: Understanding the explosion hazards of shipping coal

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On November 27, 2024, approximately 100 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia, a bulk carrier shipping a type of coal called “Bailey High Vol Coking Coal” experienced consecutive explosions in the two forward cargo holds. While still under investigation, the explosions are likely a result of the accumulation of methane gas that created an explosive atmosphere and resulted in significant damage to the two associated cargo holds. It was soon discovered that the other five cargo holds also had highly elevated levels of methane that were Continue reading “USCG Safety Alert: Understanding the explosion hazards of shipping coal”

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