MTF report highlights critical safety issues of transporting electric vehicles

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Compliance with SOLAS

One of the fire safety objectives of SOLAS chapter II-2 is to “provide adequate and readily accessible means of escape for passengers and crew”. Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register on engine room means of escape arrangements”

Structural failure of drain lines in fuel oil tanks

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

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”

Norway reports increase in commercial vessel incidents

The Norwegian Maritime Authority has reported an increase in the number of commercial vessel incidents in the past year. A total of 1,154 incidents were registered on commercial vessels in 2024. Half of these were accidents and the other half were near misses. This represents an increase of about six percent in incidents compared to 2023, according to Vegar Berntsen, Section Manager, Risk Management and Analysis, Norwegian Maritime Directorate. According to Berntsen, smaller vessels are primarily the ones that sink, with the majority being fishing vessels.

 

Additionally, four cargo ships have also sunk. Continue reading “Norway reports increase in commercial vessel incidents”

Key considerations for safety inspections of ships

Safety inspections of ships are a crucial and mandatory part of maritime operations, ensuring compliance with international regulations and safeguarding crew, cargo, vessels and the environment. Understanding how the process of safety inspections of ships is undertaken and maintaining readiness is essential to avoid deficiencies and ensure smooth operations. A well-prepared master plays a vital role in ensuring successful safety inspections. Masters should conduct regular self-inspections to identify and rectify potential deficiencies, maintain an updated checklist covering all inspection areas, and train crew members on emergency procedures and regulatory Continue reading “Key considerations for safety inspections of ships”

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