International News

Joint industry initiative to tackle microbial corrosion issue

Posted on by News Hound
Image credit: DNV
Image credit: DNV

DNV has joined ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company and Microbial Insights, Inc in a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to develop the next generation of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) detection, monitoring and mitigation technology.

With global costs of corrosion estimated at USD 2.5 trillion, the project aims to significantly enhance detection and monitoring methods of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). MIC poses a significant problem in numerous industries, and taking early action to mitigate its effects can protect the environment and safe operations by reducing the risk of costly pipeline failures. Continue reading “Joint industry initiative to tackle microbial corrosion issue”

Momentum building for LNG fuelled vessels

Posted on by News Hound
Image: CMA CGM
Image: CMA CGM

The shipping industry is continuing its adoption of LNG fuelled propulsion as the current leader within the alternative fuel sector for new builds. According to the latest update from DNV in its Alternative Fuel Insight report, nine additional LNG fuelled vessels were ordered in July pushing the total orderbook above 500 vessels by 2028, which is approaching nearly two times the fleet of in-service LNG fuelled vessels.

DNV reports that there are currently 313 in-service vessels operating on LNG, mostly with dual-fuel engines. The number has grown rapidly over the last eight years compared for example to 2014 when there were just 50 LNG fuelled vessels in service. Continue reading “Momentum building for LNG fuelled vessels”

Pilot falls into water after ladder rope breaks, Swedish Club describes

Posted on by News Hound

In its monthly safety scenario bulletin, the Swedish Club describes an accident where a pilot had fallen into the water after one of the side ropes of the ladder broke, despite a recent monthly inspection.

It was a cold winter’s morning with calm winds and no swell. The vessel had departed port and was preparing for the pilot to disembark. The Chief Officer had told the bosun to prepare the ladder on the port side. The vessel had discharged all its cargo and was in ballast condition proceeding to the next port for loading. As the vessel had no cargo onboard the freeboard was about 7 meters. Continue reading “Pilot falls into water after ladder rope breaks, Swedish Club describes”

Historic ferry sinks

Posted on by News Hound
historic ferry Tourist II partially sank at a pier in Astoria, Oregon
Historic ferry Tourist II partially sank at a pier in Astoria, Oregon

The historic ferry Tourist II partially sank at a pier in Astoria, Oregon on Friday July 28. The vessel went down at her berth, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. A containment boom was deployed around the ferry to reduce the risk of pollution, and an oil spill response organization was contracted to provide cleanup services. No one was aboard at the time of the sinking.

The Tourist II has a long history in the Pacific Northwest. She was built in 1924 for a lucrative private ferry route between Astoria and Megler, Washington, near the mouth of the Columbia River. Continue reading “Historic ferry sinks”

Cargo screening tool for detection of dangerous goods adopted by PIL

Posted on by News Hound
PIL adopts cargo screening tool for detection of dangerous goods
PIL adopts cargo screening tool for detection of dangerous goods

Pacific International Lines (PIL) has adopted Hazcheck Detect, a smart cargo screening tool that detects misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods in containerised shipments.

Hazcheck Detect specifically screens cargo booking details for keywords and includes an industry library to enable suspicious bookings to be identified that may be misdeclared or undeclared dangerous goods and other compliance cargo.

Booking data is sent to Hazcheck Detect through an API, screening all information Continue reading “Cargo screening tool for detection of dangerous goods adopted by PIL”

Lithium-ion batteries – should we be concerned?

Posted on by CEO
Six stacks of battery modules in one of the battery rooms. Illustration: The battery contractor
Six stacks of battery modules in one of the battery rooms. Illustration: The battery contractor

An opinion article by Mike Schwarz, IIMS Chief Executive Officer.

I have written this short article following the publication of a report into a Lithium-ion battery fire onboard the ‘MS Brim’ which generated the investigation by the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority. The vessel in question is the ‘MS Brim’, a 2019-built all-electric excursion catamaran offering excursion tours in the Norwegian fjords. Although not a technical man, I am troubled by some of the report findings, and forgive me as I have cherry-picked the bits that concern me most from a lengthy report. Continue reading “Lithium-ion batteries – should we be concerned?”

Fire due to seawater entering the ventilation system reveals NSIA investigation

Posted on by News Hound
Fire damage to starboard battery room. Photo credit: Kripos
Fire damage to starboard battery room. Photo credit: Kripos

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) has published its report on the fire on board ‘MS Brim’ in the outer Oslofjord on 11 March 2021.

Immediately before the fire broke out, the battery system was disconnected as a result of a ground fault, which was indicated on the panel on the bridge. Ground faults had been a recurring problem since the vessel was new. The crew therefore perceived the alarm as ‘one of many’, and did not consider it to be serious. They had no possibility of identifying the point of origin of the ground fault alarm or ascertaining how serious it was. Continue reading “Fire due to seawater entering the ventilation system reveals NSIA investigation”

Smart hull monitoring software to be developed

Posted on by News Hound

ABS and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have signed a joint development project (JDP) to enhance hull safety with smart ship technology for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) using a hull sensor package that will allow for more informed and targeted hull surveys.

SHI’s Hull Stress Monitoring System (HSMS) will be developed in accordance with the ABS Smart Functions Guide. The system will be installed on a new build container ship scheduled for delivery in 2024. Continue reading “Smart hull monitoring software to be developed”

Container shipping customers and service suppliers call for immediate start to review of competition rules

Posted on by News Hound

European and international business organisations are urging the European Commission to start an immediate review of its competition regulations for container shipping.

Ten trade organisations, representing the owners and forwarders of cargo, port terminal operators and other parts of the supply chain dependent on container shipping, are demanding an immediate start to the review of European Union’s Consortia Block Exemption Regulation for the container shipping industry. Continue reading “Container shipping customers and service suppliers call for immediate start to review of competition rules”

The effects of Covid-19 on European shipping are revealed in a new report

Posted on by News Hound
A new report reveals the effect of Covid-19 on European shipping
A new report reveals the effect of Covid-19 on European shipping

Using data mainly from the Union Maritime Information and Exchange System (SafeSeaNet) and, in certain cases, combined with LRIT and MARINFO data, EMSA has been able to compile and publish a report providing figures on the impact of Covid-19 on European shipping traffic.

By analysing ship calls at EU ports it was found that the number declined by 10% in 2020 compared to 2019. When comparing 2021 with 2019, it was observed the number of ships calls at EU ports increased by 3%. The number of ship calls in June 2022 increased by 13% compared with the same month in 2019. The most significant decrease in the number of ship calls was detected for containerships, refrigerated cargo ships and vehicle carriers. Continue reading “The effects of Covid-19 on European shipping are revealed in a new report”

Fire, natural catastrophes and faulty workmanship top causes of insurance claims for business: Allianz

Posted on by News Hound

Over recent years, the insurance sector around the word has faced unprecedented times, not just in the area of marine surveying where loses and insurance claims remain high. This review from Allianz may, in part, explain just why surveyors’ PI insurance premiums around the world have jumped.

A fire at a busy warehouse leaves a company struggling to replace its buffer stock; a ransomware attack paralyzes a company’s IT systems; the use of industrial adhesives in manufacturing results in a costly product recall: every day companies Continue reading “Fire, natural catastrophes and faulty workmanship top causes of insurance claims for business: Allianz”

Coast Guard releases 2021 boating safety statistics

Posted on by News Hound

With the pandemic putting more people than ever on the water and consequent rise in boating accidents and fatalities, there’s some better news in the newly released 2021 U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety Statistics.

The latest Coast Guard report shows double-digit declines year-over-year across the board in the main boating safety indicators: Boating accidents dropped 15.7%, injuries decreased 17.2%, and fatalities dropped 14.2%. The 2021 fatality rate decreased to 5.5 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, a 15.4% reduction from 6.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. Continue reading “Coast Guard releases 2021 boating safety statistics”

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