International News

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has released the 2024 edition of its IACS Blue Book.

The IACS Blue Book is an electronic library of all technical resolutions adopted by IACS as a result of its technical work and remains the core reference work for the Association containing, as it does, all previous revisions of IACS publications and historical data. It is updated and published once a year. The publication contains:
– IACS Unified Requirements which IACS members incorporate into their Rules. Continue reading “IACS Blue Book edition 2024 released”

To align seafarer training, certification, and watchkeeping with evolving trends in the shipping industry and to tackle various challenges encountered by seafarers, the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has decided to initiate a thorough STCW review and update of the Convention and Code.

The STCW review will go through several phases, with a view to be completed and adopted by the autumn of 2027.

IMO has announced a roadmap for the comprehensive review that will start in February 2024. The Organization, as part of the 2010 Manila Amendments, Continue reading “IMO Maritime Safety Committee set to commence a thorough STCW review”

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published an accident report following a fire that broke out in the engine compartment of the German fishing vessel FREYJA on the evening of 17 September 2021.

The fire on board the fishing vessel FREYJA resulted in the destruction of most of the boat. The fire-induced foundering of the vessel made it impossible to identify usable evidence of the cause of the fire or the exact starting point of its development during the investigation of the wrecked parts. The statements of the crew merely permit the conclusion that the fire broke out inside the engine compartment. Continue reading “Fishing vessel FREYJA: Report released by BSU after fire in engine compartment”

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published a safety alert to raise awareness of the risks involved with getting on and off Australian domestic commercial vessels. Accessing a vessel while at berth is a routine activity and is sometimes taken for granted. The requirement for safe access can be overlooked, particularly where there are limited berthing options, or a vessel is only berthed for a short period. Failing to provide safe access can result in serious risk to people. This is heightened by bad weather or extreme tidal variations. Under the Australian National Law, the owner and master are responsible to ensure the safety of people boarding a domestic commercial vessel. Continue reading “Ensuring safe access to Australian domestic commercial vessels”