International News

Maiden voyage for Germany’s first newbuild LNG powered seagoing vessel

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fassmerThe first ever newbuild liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled German seagoing vessel, which is powered by a complete Wärtsilä LNG propulsion solution, had its maiden voyage on December 11. The ship has been built at the Fr. Fassmer shipyard in Germany.

The passenger ferry, owned by Reederei Cassen Eils GmbH, will operate between Cuxhaven and the island of Helgoland. This route takes the vessel close to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wadden Sea National Park, an ecologically sensitive area in the south-eastern part of the North Sea. Because of the need to minimise exhaust gas emissions in this area, the ferry will operate primarily on LNG using two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF medium-speed dual-fuel engines.

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Investigation results of hatch cover fall published by UK MAIB

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UK MAIB has published its findings into the hatch cover incident involving the Norjan
UK MAIB has published its findings into the hatch cover incident involving the Norjan

UK Marine Accident Investigation Bureau (MAIB)  has issued a report on the investigation of a Chief Officer’s fall from a hatch cover on board the general cargo ship Norjan at Southampton, UK on June 18th, 2014.

At 1445 on 18 June 2014, the chief officer of the general cargo ship Norjan was injured when he fell 2.4m from the ship’s cargo hatch cover to the main deck. Norjan was berthed in Southampton and was loading a cargo of privately owned motor yachts. The cargo operation was organised by the specialised transportation company Peters and May Ltd, and was overseen by one of its loadmasters. The chief officer was acting as the ship’s cargo officer and was supervising the operation in consultation with the loadmaster.

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UK P&I Club advises on the hazards of shipping coal from Indonesia

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Shipping coal can be a hazardous and dangerous process
Shipping coal can be a hazardous and dangerous process

There are various hazards associated with the trade of shipping coal. UK P&I Club’s Loss Prevention Team highlights the risks involved, and advises on the relevant actions to take in order to reduce accidents.

Self-heating incidents involving coal cargoes loaded at Indonesian ports have become increasingly frequent in recent years. The problem appears to be primarily related to the nature of the coals, and may be exacerbated by the way they are handled prior to and during loading.

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Guidance on inspection planning for offshore structures launched

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The classification society DNV GL has launched a recommended practice to provide what it says is the first international guidance on in-service inspection planning for fatigue cracks in offshore structures.

The guidance will save operational costs by using a risk-based approach to identify “hot spots” requiring inspection, according to DNV GL – particularly important since low oil prices and a reduction in newbuilds have made the integrity of existing assets a high priority in the oil and gas industry.

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Mandatory amendments to IMDG Code effective from January 2016

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There are some mandatory amendments to IMDG Code that are implemented and effective from January 2016
There are some mandatory amendments to IMDG Code that are implemented and effective from January 2016

The West of England P&I Club has issued an article to remind of the amendments to the IMDG Code which will become mandatory on 1 January 2016.

In May 2014, IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted the amendments to the IMDG Code contained in Resolution MSC.372(93) Amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Contracting governments have been able to apply the new requirements, in part or in whole, on a voluntary basis since 1 January 2015. Compliance with these amendments will become mandatory on 1 January 2016. However, some existing provisions concerning labelling and warning marks may continue to be applied until 31 December 2016.

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Industry not ready for new SOLAS Container Weight requirements says survey

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A new survey reveals that the majority are not ready for the new SOLAS Container Weight regulations, due in July 2016
A new survey reveals that the majority are not ready for the new SOLAS Container Weight regulations, due in July 2016

As debate rages on about the roll out of new SOLAS Container Weight regulations that will impact upon the container sector in July 2016, a recent survey points to ignorance about the changes.

INTTRA announced the results of a customer survey whose 410 respondents overwhelmingly expressed concerns about the readiness of the ocean shipping industry and their own companies and customers for the implementation of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) verified gross mass (VGM) regulations. The new SOLAS Container Weight regulations stipulate that containers cannot be loaded onto ships until their weight has been verified and certified.

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Kitack Lim confirmed as new Secretary General by IMO Assembly

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Kitack Lim is confirmed as the next Secretary General of IMO
Kitack Lim is confirmed as the next Secretary General of IMO

The IMO Assembly has unanimously endorsed the appointment of Mr. Kitack Lim (Republic of Korea) as the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with effect from 1 January 2016, for an initial term of four years.

Mr. Lim was president of Busan Port Authority (until end July 2015). He served as the Republic of Korea’s Deputy Permanent Representative to IMO from 2006 to 2009 and was Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation (FSI) from 2002 to 2004.

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The world’s first smart ship is underway

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The world's first smart ship is coming to a port near you soon. (PRNewsFoto/China State Shipbuilding Corp.)
The world’s first smart ship is coming to a port near you soon. (PRNewsFoto/China State Shipbuilding Corp.)

The world’s first smart ship has been revealed at the Smart Ship Development Forum & Smart Ship Demo “i-Dolphin” Release Meeting sponsored by CSSC on December 1st in Shanghai, China.

The 38,800 dwt smart ship project is the first civilian program of CSSC Innovation, planed and led by Shanghai Ship Design and Research Institute with participation from CSSC Systems Engineering Research Institute, CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, CSSC Power Research Institute and Hudong Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd.

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A successful IIMS UAE Branch Conference 2015

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Delegates at the IIMS UAE Branch Conference pose for a group photo
Delegates at the IIMS UAE Branch Conference pose for a group photo

The 4th Biennial UAE Branch Conference entitled: “Marine loss, prevention and warranty”, (kindly sponsored by DGS Marine Group), was hailed a great success by all those who attended. Held at the stunning waterfront Jumeriah Beach Hotel conference venue and facility on 24/25 November, the quality and standard of presentations was very high indeed. As a consequence, the feedback forms showed a most positive response and high approval rating.

Branch Chairman, Uday Moorthi, was generous in his praise for those who gave their time to ensure the success of the event. He particularly singled out the Branch Committee for their diligence and duty.

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IIMS reaches out to Nigerian surveyors

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Prince Bambo in earnest conversation with Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO
Prince Bambo in earnest conversation with Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO

IIMS Chief Executive, Mike Schwarz, accepted an invitation that had been given to him by IIMS Nigerian members at the London Conference in September to present the inaugural Annual Public Lecture in Lagos. The lecture, given on behalf of the Centre for Marine Surveyors Nigeria, took place on Friday 27 November at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The Centre for Marine Surveyors Nigeria was borne out of the need to sanitise the profession and to provide a platform for self regulation about those who are practising surveyors. In 2011, a group of interested parties in the marine surveying business came together to form the Centre. The mission of the Centre is ‘Commitment to enhancing knowledge while providing and expanding opportunities for growth and also regulation of professional marine surveying standards and practices’.

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Scotland chosen as the location for the first floating wind farm

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Statoil has announced that it will build the world’s first floating wind farm called The Hywind pilot park offshore Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

The Norwegian operator in gas, oil and new energy, Statoil, will install a 30-MW wind turbine farm on floating structures at Buchan Deep, 25km offshore Peterhead, harnessing Scottish wind resources to provide renewable energy to the mainland.

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Significant new mega ship facility opens at the Port of Felixstowe

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Clemence Cheng and Dr Therese Coffey MP celebrate the opening of the new mega ship facility at the Port of Felixstowe
Clemence Cheng and Dr Therese Coffey MP celebrate the opening of the new mega ship facility at the Port of Felixstowe

The Berth 9 Extension at the Port of Felixstowe, the Port of Britain, has been opened by Dr Therese Coffey MP, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons.

The 190-metre extension increases the port’s capability to work two of the world’s largest containerships simultaneously. More than eighty ships of 18,000+TEU have already been handled at the port in 2015, confirming Felixstowe’s position as the port-of-choice for mega-ships in the UK.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Coffey said:

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