International News

Vessels bound for some European ports are diverting to remove fumigants from cargo holds

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Photo credit: Port of Rottedam
Photo credit: Port of Rotterdam

Vessels on route to some European ports are increasingly being requested by charterers to divert to an intermediate port to remove fumigants from the cargo holds prior to the final discharge port. According to North P&I Club, this mostly concerns vessels carrying Ukrainian and South American grains heading to the Dutch discharge ports of Rotterdam or Amsterdam.

Charterers are requesting vessels to divert to Cadiz for the reason that they wish to remove the fumigants to avoid delays due to strict requirements at the discharge port. Some European countries, such as the Netherlands, do indeed have strict requirements on fumigant Continue reading “Vessels bound for some European ports are diverting to remove fumigants from cargo holds”

Women seafarers experience onboard gender-based discrimination, harassment and bullying are key report findings

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An in-depth survey into the maritime industry has revealed shocking figures in gender-based discrimination against women, onboard harassment and bullying. The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA International), Anglo Eastern, International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) conducted a public online survey designed to examine how female seafarers perceived “discrimination” and how it manifested itself onboard based on their personal experiences. The complete findings from the survey and recommendations are published in The Diversity Handbook, being launched at the WISTA International conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on 26 October 2022. Continue reading “Women seafarers experience onboard gender-based discrimination, harassment and bullying are key report findings”

BP Energy Outlook 2022 published

Posted on by News Hound
BP Energy Outlook 2022 is available
BP Energy Outlook 2022 is available

Recently published the BP Energy Outlook 2022 explores the key uncertainties surrounding the energy transition and is focussed on three main scenarios: Accelerated, Net Zero and New Momentum. The Outlook sets out to identify aspects of the energy transition that are common across the main scenarios and provide a guide as to how the energy system may evolve over the next 30 years.

Some of the key points from the BP Energy Outlook 2022 are:

1 The carbon budget is running out: CO2 emissions have increased in every year since the Paris COP in 2015, except in 2020. Delaying Continue reading “BP Energy Outlook 2022 published”

Effective lube oil analysis crucial for vessels’ machinery systems

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The American Club has analysed the importance of regularly performing lube oil analysis for shipboard machinery, and has provided measures to prevent potential problems in a useful guidance document.

Oil analysis is important as it can help identify problems in the machinery such as abnormal wear, lube oil degradation, contamination of harmful agents, etc. all of which can lead to the potential failure of the machinery and its components. Failures can lead to a loss of propulsion and/or blackouts that can cause consequential incidents such as groundings, collisions, or damage to third party property. Periodic oil analysis can help maintain a proactive maintenance strategy, thus maintaining component life, mitigation of premature component failure and improved Mean Time Between Overhauls (MTBO). Continue reading “Effective lube oil analysis crucial for vessels’ machinery systems”

Reefer claims increase sharply over the pandemic is key report finding

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A new report by the Swedish Club, called “Container Claims – Refrigerated Containers,” has identified a peak in refrigerated (reefer) container claims during the pandemic as a result of disruptions in the supply chain, with a high number of reefer containers being delayed either in port or during transportation to and from port via road or rail.

Between 2021 and 2022 the Club saw an increase in reefer container claims of 270%, with 4.1% of all container vessels having a reefer claim in 2020 compared with 11.4% in 2021. Reefer containers are the main cause of all container claims with 30% of the Club’s total container claims being due to refrigerated cargo damage over the last five years. Continue reading “Reefer claims increase sharply over the pandemic is key report finding”

NTSB concludes high winds and lack of weather data contributed to the Seacor Power tragedy

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Ahead of the soon to be published full National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation report into the Seacor Power capsizing, the agency has issued a report abstract.

NTSB says it finds no fault in the captain’s decision to get underway, but acknowledged gaps in weather data made available to the crew. The NTSB has issued three safety recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard and reiterated a fourth one about the use of personal locator beacons following the agency’s investigation into last year’s fatal capsizing of the Seacor Power liftboat in Continue reading “NTSB concludes high winds and lack of weather data contributed to the Seacor Power tragedy”

Requirements for the use of scrubbers in Australia issued by AMSA

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The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published a marine notice to advise vessel owners, operators, masters and marine surveyors of Australia’s requirements for the use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS).

The use of an EGCS is permitted in Australian waters as an option to comply with the low sulphur fuel requirements of MARPOL Annex VI, as set out in the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983, section 26FEGA, provided it is approved by the vessel’s flag State Administration, or a recognised organisation appointed by the flag State. The EGCS must also be operated in accordance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements, including the 2021 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (resolution MEPC.340(77)). Continue reading “Requirements for the use of scrubbers in Australia issued by AMSA”

Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating Report published

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The GloFouling Partnerships, led by the IMO in collaboration with the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), World Sailing, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has published a new Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating Report.

The aim of the report is to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species which can adhere to hulls and other areas of recreational craft by addressing how to manage biofouling. The report provides an overview of invasive aquatic species which are believed to have been introduced to different areas of the world through recreational boating. Current regulations and guidance are presented, as well as an overview of anti-fouling paints. Continue reading “Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating Report published”

Closed main valve of cargo line resulted in serious injury

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Belgium’s Federal Bureau for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents (FEBIMA) has issued its report following a serious incident onboard the mts Central Park, when a mist of sulphuric acid came into contact with the AB. The seafarer suffered second degree burns on his back, on the back of his neck, on his arms and his face.

On May 31st, 2021, Central Park was on her way to the port of Antwerp to load a cargo of sulphuric acid, a corrosive product. Around 10:00 hours, a cargo operations meeting was held in the cargo control room. The meeting was organised by the Chief Officer and attended by all crew involved in cargo operations. Continue reading “Closed main valve of cargo line resulted in serious injury”

2012 Cape Town Agreement must be ratified as soon as possible

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Image credit: IMO
Image credit: IMO

The 11th October 2022 marked the 10th anniversary since the adoption of the 2012 Cape Town Agreement, the key international treaty applicable to large industrial fishing vessels aimed at providing safety standards. IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, has urged for it to be ratified by Member States.

Despite extensive efforts by IMO Member States, other UN agencies, observers and the IMO Secretariat, the Agreement is not yet in force. As a result, there are, as yet, no globally mandatory requirements for the design, construction and equipment of fishing vessels, including life-saving, fire protection and radio-communications equipment to be carried on board. Continue reading “2012 Cape Town Agreement must be ratified as soon as possible”

Insulation panels contaminated with oil caused fire

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Photo credit: FEBIMA
Photo credit: FEBIMA

Belgium’s Federal Bureau for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents (FEBIMA) has released its investigation report into the fire that broke out on board TSHD UILENSPIEGEL resulting in damage to the engine room.

On 26 January 2021,TSHD UILENSPIEGEL was moored at pier 0 at Lisnave shipyard, Setubal, Portugal. The vessel was afloat again after a period in dry dock where maintenance had been carried out, including an overhaul of the vessel’s main engines. The ship’s crew had been involved in the overhaul task, together with shipyard personnel and a service engineer from MAN, the manufacturer of the main engines. On the morning of 26 January, the running in of the main engines commenced. Continue reading “Insulation panels contaminated with oil caused fire”

Report analyzes role of ship fuel oil assessment and quantity verification

Posted on by News Hound
Report analyzes role of ship fuel oil assessment and quantity verification
Report analyzes role of ship fuel oil assessment and quantity verification

A new report from Thetius and Lloyd’s Register analyzes the role of ship fuel oil assessment and quantity verification during “uncertain times.”

Variations in bunker fuel quality have been a pressing issue for some time and lobbying for tighter bunker licensing and chain of custody schemes aimed at improving supply chain transparency have increased in recent years. But as operators and insurers are witnessing, the problem of off-spec and poor quality bunker fuel is at constant risk of resurgence. Changes to the geographic orientations of global bunker fuel markets are another influential factor.

According to the report, to meet growing local demand, Europe Continue reading “Report analyzes role of ship fuel oil assessment and quantity verification”

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