The China Maritime Safety Administration (CMSA) has published a report on its investigation into the explosion and subsequent fire on the Taiwanese-owned container vessel YM Mobility at China’s Ningbo Port on 9 August 2024. An explosion occurred in a container loaded with dangerous goods on board near the ship’s bow. According to the shipper’s declaration, the container was a reefer used as a substitute for a dry container, without requiring power connection. The estimated economic loss resulting from in the incident was about CNY90 million (US$13 million). Continue reading “Investigators publish report on 2024 containership blast in China’s Ningbo Port”
International News
New Arbitration Act 2025: Key changes for maritime arbitrations
According to West P&I Club, the new UK Arbitration Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 24 February 2025 and will come into force most likely at some point later this year. The 2025 Act will not be a standalone Act but, rather, inserts amendments to the 1996 Act so as to enact the recommendations of the Law Commission codifying the common law position and eliminating ambiguity. As such, the 2025 Act will modernise arbitration in London to maintain its competitiveness as a seat for international arbitrations. Continue reading “New Arbitration Act 2025: Key changes for maritime arbitrations”
Lloyd’s Register summary report on MEPC 83
The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 83 session was held from 7-11 April 2025. The IMO MEPC is where the reduction of shipping’s impact on the marine environment is discussed. MEPC oversees the work of several sub-committees and influences subjects which cut-across the work of several committees, covering many key regulations.
And Lloyd’s Register has published a summary of the outcomes from the meeting. Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register summary report on MEPC 83”
Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum publishes guidance on fire response
The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum (VCSF) publishes its second industry good practice guidelines entitled ‘Fire Response – High Level Guidelines’. The VCSF recognises that responding to vehicle fires onboard PCCs, PCTCs, RoRo and Ro-Pax vessels is both dangerous and challenging. These guidelines have been designed to reduce the risk to the safety of crews, passengers, the environment, the vessel and the cargo. The guideline’s sole aim is to assist vessel operators and crews to be better prepared to meet the challenges presented by vehicle fires. Continue reading “Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum publishes guidance on fire response”
The “E-cars on Board – A Safe Passage” interferry brochure is a vital new resource
The “E-cars on Board – A Safe Passage” interferry brochure addresses common concerns regarding battery electric vehicle (BEV) safety on ro-pax ferries. It provides clear, concise information based on recent research, including findings from projects such as Lash Fire, in which Interferry actively participated.
Interferry members are advised to take a look at the brochure and make it accessible to their customers in a simple way – for more informed decision-making, clarity and safety. Note: You do not have to be an Interferry member to print and distribute this brochure. Continue reading “The “E-cars on Board – A Safe Passage” interferry brochure is a vital new resource”
Fires and collisions account for the largest losses according to Cefor
The Nordic Association of Marine Insurers (Cefor) has released its 2024 hull trends from the Nordic Marine Insurance Statistics (NoMIS), highlighting the rise of machinery damage in an ageing fleet, whilst fires and collisions account for the largest losses.
The Nordic Association of Marine Insurers (Cefor) has published its 2024 Ocean Hull and Coastal Hull reports, based on the Nordic Marine Insurance Statistics (NoMIS) database.
According to the data, machinery damage has showed a substantial increase in recent years, which should be seen in the context of an ageing fleet. Continue reading “Fires and collisions account for the largest losses according to Cefor”
TAIC publishes report into five fatalities after i-Catcher capsized
The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) after five people died when the i-Catcher, fishing vessel, capsized off the coast of Goose Bay on 10 September 2022.
What happened
The i-Catcher was an 8-metre (m) aluminium pontoon boat operated by Fish Kaikoura 2011 Limited (Fish Kaikoura) out of South Bay in Kaikōura, New Zealand. The vessel was primarily engaged for charter fishing, with occasional sightseeing Continue reading “TAIC publishes report into five fatalities after i-Catcher capsized”
BIMCO shares IMO interim guidelines for safety of ammonia-fuelled ships
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ammonia-Fuelled Ships (MSC.1/Circ.1687), marking a significant milestone in regulatory support for alternative fuels.
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) approved the guidelines at its 109th session in December 2024, following their development and finalisation by the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) at its 10th session in September 2024. BIMCO has actively participated in all aspects of the work contributing to these guidelines and to the development of future mandatory provisions. Continue reading “BIMCO shares IMO interim guidelines for safety of ammonia-fuelled ships”
Industry Associations issue consolidated BMP Maritime Security publication
BMP Maritime Security has been published by a series of industry Associations, including BIMCO, ICS, IMCA, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO & OCIMF supported by over forty maritime stakeholders. It is a consolidated and enhanced publication Best Management Practices (BMP) for Maritime Security (MS).
The BMP Maritime Security consolidates previously published regional publications into a single, comprehensive publication with actionable insights and advice. It focuses on providing a threat and risk management process and, recognising the dynamic nature of regional security situations, provides signposts to direct users to the most up-to-date security intelligence and risk assessment information. BMP MS is now available to view on the industry website here. Continue reading “Industry Associations issue consolidated BMP Maritime Security publication”
The opportunities and threats presented by report writing software
By Geoff Waddington, HonFIIMS and IIMS Immediate Past President, Mike Schwarz, IIMS Chief Executive Officer with contributions from Craig Norton, President, InspectX
IIMS and its Professional Assessment Committee remain concerned at the quality of reports that it sees, both in general terms, but in particular when assessing a candidate’s suitability for an upgrade.
The emergence of new surveyors into the industry, coupled with their desire (along with more experienced practitioners) to utilise the latest report writing software is creating a concerning trend. In writing this article we want to remind surveyors no matter what method they use to prepare their surveys of the importance of accuracy and giving sufficient meaningful and detailed, factual information to the client. That is and always will be the role of a marine surveyor. To further illustrate this point, the authors have used some verbatim comments taken from legal teams who have been asked to comment and give opinions on surveyors’ report in courts and for insurance companies when assessing claims and considering potential litigation. For obvious reasons, the sources of these comments are not revealed. Continue reading “The opportunities and threats presented by report writing software”
Lloyd’s Register unveils new maritime advisory services
New global team of 150 experts will help the sector navigate decarbonisation and digitalisation challenges. During Singapore Maritime Week, Lloyd’s Register (LR) unveiled its newly structured LR maritime advisory services, designed to help address escalating regulatory demands, rising decarbonisation costs, and the increasing influence of digitalisation.
The move sees LR consolidate its Technical Advisory and Business Advisory divisions into a single, integrated LR Advisory team—reflecting its broader transformation from a classification society to a maritime professional services organisation. Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register unveils new maritime advisory services”
New CCTV systems requirement for Indian-flagged vessels
The Indian Directorate General of Shipping has published a notice installing Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems on Indian-flagged vessels and foreign flag vessels visiting Indian ports.
Merchant Shipping Notice No 02 of 2025 sets out requirements that mandatory for Indian-flagged merchant vessels and foreign-flagged vessels trading in Indian Coasts under Specific Period License (SPL).
It is further recommended foreign-flagged vessels visiting Indian ports should be aware of this notice Continue reading “New CCTV systems requirement for Indian-flagged vessels”