Fishing vessel safety public declaration signed by nearly 50 States

Fishing vessel safety public declaration
Fishing vessel safety public declaration

At a Ministerial Conference held in Torremolinos, Spain, 48 states signed a public declaration to indicate their determination to ratify the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety. This is a significant regime to create much-needed safety standards for fishing vessels.

During the Torremolinos Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (21-23 October), nearly 50 states signed the Torremolinos Declaration. By doing so they have publicly indicated their determination to make sure that the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety will enter into force by the tenth anniversary of its adoption, on Continue reading “Fishing vessel safety public declaration signed by nearly 50 States”

BDO survey results: BDO show shipping must improve its risk management procedures

Michael Simms, Partner, Shipping & Transport at BDO
Michael Simms, Partner, Shipping & Transport at BDO

Respondents to the BDO survey rated the extent to which enterprise and business risk management is contributing to the success of their organisation at an average 6.4 out of a possible maximum score of 10.0, compared to 5.9 in the 2018 survey. The BDO survey was launched in 2015 with a rating of 6.9.

Owners posted the highest score of all main respondents, followed by managers, but the ratings for charterers and brokers were significantly down on last year. Asia was ahead of Europe in terms of geographical sentiment, but both were behind the Middle East.

The cost and availability of finance was cited by 29% of respondents (up from 17% Continue reading “BDO survey results: BDO show shipping must improve its risk management procedures”

AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report

AIBN report on tug FFS Achilles
AIBN report on tug FFS Achilles

Norway’s Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) has released its report into the tug FFS Achilles grounding and foundering off Farsund on 3 March 2017, suggesting that the presence of a lookout would have reduced the risk of the incident occurring.

The vessel ran aground at a speed of 8.4 knots and sank shortly thereafter due to damage to the bottom under the engine room. FFS Atlas arrived at the scene before the vessel sank and rescued its crew, who were in the life raft. Two out of the three crew members had suffered minor injuries and received medical attention.

The mechanical control system for the propeller units (Voith Schneider) on board Continue reading “AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report”

Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate

Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators
Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators

Corrosion is a perennial concern for tank container owners and operators. The stainless steel construction is resistant to staining and corrosion, but may be vulnerable to pitting from certain cargoes or certain cleaning and maintenance operations. Visually minor pitting may conceal development of substantial or even catastrophic corrosion below the surface.

It may be expected that UN Class 8 dangerous cargoes (Corrosive Substances) are the predominant challenge where corrosion of UN portable tanks (tank containers) is concerned, although such commodities are not alone in presenting risk. In terms Continue reading “Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate”

IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage

IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel
IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel

IBM has announced that it is joining an effort to build an autonomous research vessel for an historic transatlantic crossing. In honour of the fourth centennial of the famous voyage of settlers from England to the Americas, it will be named the Mayflower.

The five-ton, wing sail/solar/diesel powered Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) is designed to make 20 knots on its eastbound voyage. Over the course of the 12-day crossing, it will take water samples for research on ocean microplastics, and its sensors will return data on water temperature and nutrient levels. For navigation Continue reading “IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage”

Environmental Report for 2019 published by European Sea Ports Organisation

European Sea Ports Organisation publishes its annual Environmental Report
European Sea Ports Organisation publishes its annual Environmental Report

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has released its annual Environmental Report for 2019 indicating that air quality continues to be the top environmental priority of member ports.

The Environmental Report includes over 60 environmental performance benchmarks including figures on green services to shipping (shore-side electricity, LNG and environmentally differentiated port dues) as well as the top 10 environmental priorities of the European ports.

Air quality was followed by energy consumption as priority number two as it is seen Continue reading “Environmental Report for 2019 published by European Sea Ports Organisation”

IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires

IUMI speaks out about container ship fires
IUMI speaks out about container ship fires

The shipping industry has witnessed many fire incidents on container ships this year, some of which have resulted in fatalities and others in significant economic losses. At a recent conference, IUMI took the chance to alert and feedback on the situation and call the shipping industry to improve its onboard firefighting systems and seafarers’ training.

Gard P&I Club organised a conference in Arendal, Norway on 17-18 October 2019. The event attracted many shipping stakeholders, including IMO, flags states, shipowners and insurers. Their aim? To push for more discussions on preventing Continue reading “IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires”

Duckweed explosion puts UK waterways diversity under threat

Explosion in duckweed is threatening marine life
Explosion in duckweed is threatening marine life

Waterways maintenance company The Rothen Group has warned that the explosion in duckweed is threatening marine life and is calling for a sustainable solution.

Duckweed causes damage by preventing sunlight from hitting the water and reducing oxygen levels.

According to The Rothen Group, this has damaging consequences for the biodiversity of our waterways, and significantly impacts on their long-term health. To prevent the uncontrolled growth of this invasive species, those tasked with clearing weeds should turn to specialist marine equipment to combat the issue. Continue reading “Duckweed explosion puts UK waterways diversity under threat”

Hybrid SES: First hybrid powered Surface Effect Ship to be used for crew transfer

Hybrid SES
Hybrid SES

CWind has announced a long-term charter contract agreement with Ørsted, delivering by mid 2020, the world’s first hybrid powered Surface Effect Ship (SES) to Borssele 1 and 2 offshore wind farms. The agreement between the world’s leading windfarm operator Ørsted and CWind, part of the Global Marine Group, covers an initial three-year firm charter with options available for a further two years. The Hybrid SES crew transfer vessel will be operating from the Dutch port of Vlissingen, to Borssele 1 and 2, located 23km from the Dutch coast in the North Sea.

The development of the Hybrid SES for use as a crew transfer vessel is in response to an industry-wide push to develop and deploy innovative technologies that reduce Continue reading “Hybrid SES: First hybrid powered Surface Effect Ship to be used for crew transfer”

DNV GL: Performance of EALs triggers update to shaft alignment rules

DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules
DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules

Classification society DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules to differentiate between Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and mineral oils in stern tubes. The update, effective 1 July 2019, is based on the phase 1 findings from the joint development project (JDP) DNV GL has been running in cooperation with marine insurers The Swedish Club, Norwegian Hull Club, Gard and Skuld to test the potential influence of EALs on failures in stern tube bearings.

The JDP was prompted by an upsurge in stern tube bearing Continue reading “DNV GL: Performance of EALs triggers update to shaft alignment rules”

Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning about lithium-ion power following ferry fire and explosion

Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning after fire
Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning after fire

The Norwegian Maritime Authority has published an alert concerning a small fire that erupted in the battery room onboard the MF Ytterøyningen passenger ferry. The Norwegian Maritime Authority is warning shipowners, operators and other stakeholders and interested parties about the dangers associated with lithium-ion battery systems after a fire and subsequent gas explosion on board a diesel-electric ferry in Norway.

The small fire was reported October 10 in the battery room of the Norled passenger ferry MF Ytterøyningen. The ferry returned to harbour under its own power where passengers and crew were evacuated to land. Overnight, however, a serious gas explosion rocked the battery room causing significant damage.

Specifically, on October 10, a small fire erupted onboard the ferry. Norwegian broadcasting company NRK reported at the time that twelve Continue reading “Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning about lithium-ion power following ferry fire and explosion”

HPI-CEproof: the merging of two leading global marine compliance companies

HPI-CEproof: HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group
HPI-CEproof: HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group

Two leading organisations in the global marine compliance industry, HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group, have merged to create HPI-CEproof.

It’s been a milestone 12 months for EU Notified Body HPiVS, which completed accreditation with The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) in 2018 for HPi Verification Services (Ireland) Ltd to ISO 17065 so that it can continue to certify products to the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and the EU Pressure Equipment Directive. This has enabled HPiVS to provide continuity of service, irrespective of Britain’s future status in the EU.

Recreational Craft Directive specialist, CEproof, has enjoyed an equally successful period. Its core UK operation and 10 global offices have continued to develop its Continue reading “HPI-CEproof: the merging of two leading global marine compliance companies”

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