IMO agrees to ban perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid from firefighting systems on board ships

Perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid is to be banned under IMO regulations
Perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid is to be banned under IMO regulations

The IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) has finalized prohibition of perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid from fire-fighting systems on board ships.

This prohibition will protect the crew against exposure to dangerous substances that are used in fire-fighting systems and will minimize the negative consequences on the environment.

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) sub-committee on ship systems and equipment (SSE) met for the 8th session from 28 February to 4 March. It is important Continue reading “IMO agrees to ban perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid from firefighting systems on board ships”

Container loaded with discarded lithium batteries catches fire

Photo of the fire damage caused by the burnt discarded lithium batteries taken by the U.S. Coast Guard
Photo of the fire damage caused by the burnt discarded lithium batteries taken by the U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a safety alert and is warning about the hazards of transporting discarded lithium batteries after a container illegally loaded with them caught fire while en route to the Port of Virginia, where it was set to be loaded onto a ship.

Thankfully the container was not loaded on a ship at the time. Rather, the container was being transported on a chassis from Raleigh, North Carolina when the discarded lithium batteries caught fire on the highway on August 19, 2021, resulting in loss of the cargo and significant damage to the shipping container. Continue reading “Container loaded with discarded lithium batteries catches fire”

AMSA launches campaign to improve construction barge safety

Construction barge safety is the focus of a new campaign by AMSA. Photo credit: AMSA
Construction barge safety is the focus of a new campaign by AMSA. Photo credit: AMSA

AMSA has launched a new construction barge safety campaign focused on the importance of regularly reviewing risks as part of the safety management system to protect lives on these types of vessels.

All domestic commercial vessels are defined as workplaces in Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. This includes construction barges which must meet the risk assessment requirements of state and territory WHS regulations, as well as the risk assessment requirements under the National Law administered by AMSA.

“These barges undertake different and high-risk activities daily Continue reading “AMSA launches campaign to improve construction barge safety”

MAIB issues safety warning after discovery of blocked fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system pilot hoses

Picture for illustration purposes
Picture for illustration purposes

On 19 September 2021, a fire broke out in the auxiliary engine room on board the Finland registered roll-on/roll-off cargo ship Finnmaster while departing Hull. In an attempt to extinguish the fire, the ship’s crew activated the machinery space’s carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishing system, but only half of the system’s gas cylinders opened. The initial investigation identified that one of the CO2 system pilot hoses was blocked due to a manufacturing defect. Several coupling leaks were also found in the pilot lines.

Safety Issues

– The quality assurance processes of the pilot hose assembly supplier failed to identify that the hose couplings had not been fully bored through Continue reading “MAIB issues safety warning after discovery of blocked fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system pilot hoses”

Significant number of ships do not comply with basic navigation safety requirements is finding from the AMSA FIC

Vessel image for illustrative purposes only
Vessel image for illustrative purposes only

AMSA conducted a Safety of Navigation Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) over the period 1 August to the 8 September 2021 and, extremely concerning, they found that a significant number of ships failed to comply to basic navigation safety requirements.

The campaign focused specifically on:
– The level of compliance with the safety of navigation requirements of International Conventions;
– The familiarity of the master and officers with their processes for ensuring safety of navigation. Continue reading “Significant number of ships do not comply with basic navigation safety requirements is finding from the AMSA FIC”

Cargo claims from damage due to water originating from cargo hold bilge systems

Claims arising from cargo hold bilge systems are a concern for the American Club
Claims arising from cargo hold bilge systems are a concern for the American Club

The American Club has warned operators to be vigilant in light of a number of recent claims arising from damage caused by water originating from cargo hold bilge systems.

Specifically, the American Club says:

– Debris lodges in the non-return valves fitted in the hold bilge pumping systems, preventing them from operating as designed to ensure that water cannot flow back via the bilge line, into the hold bilge wells and thereafter into the cargo hold;
– Manually operated valves in the interconnected bilge, ballast and fire lines are left open following Continue reading “Cargo claims from damage due to water originating from cargo hold bilge systems”

Ban of cybutryne in anti-fouling coating systems effective from 1 January 2023

Image credit: IMO
Image credit: IMO

The International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention) currently prohibits the use of harmful Organotins in anti-fouling paints used on ships. The IMO has published amendments to the AFS Convention, which come into force on 1 January 2023.

These amendments introduce new requirements that ban the future installation of anti-fouling systems which contain a toxic substance Continue reading “Ban of cybutryne in anti-fouling coating systems effective from 1 January 2023”

Mooring buoy failure caused grounding causing damage of $4.5M reveals NTSB report

SM-3 mooring buoy: failed padeye (with three shackles) that separated from buoy (left), damaged top with padeye missing (center), and undamaged bottom padeye (right). (Source: Alaska Marine Surveyors and Northline Seafoods).
SM-3 mooring buoy: failed padeye (with three shackles) that separated from buoy (left), damaged top with padeye missing (center), and undamaged bottom padeye (right). (Source: Alaska Marine Surveyors and Northline Seafoods).

The fatigue failure of an unrated mooring buoy led to the grounding of a fishing tender during a storm near Bristol Bay, Alaska in 2020, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

On August 30, 2020, the fishing tender barge SM-3 broke free from its mooring buoy in a storm and went aground. No injuries were reported, but the vessel sustained $4.5 million in damage and left a three-mile-long debris field scattered along the waterfront. Continue reading “Mooring buoy failure caused grounding causing damage of $4.5M reveals NTSB report”

Coatings manufacturer Hempel launches new CO2 reduction targets

Photo credit: Hempel
Photo credit: Hempel

By focusing on sustainability, organic growth and strategic acquisitions, Hempel grew its revenue to €1.8 billion in 2021.

“Putting sustainability at the heart of how we do business is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. To win key customers, we must deliver solutions and develop partnerships that answer to their sustainability challenges”, said Lars Petersson, Group President & CEO of Hempel.

In February 2021, the company introduced Futureproof, a comprehensive framework and guide for embedding sustainability throughout the Hempel business. Futureproof lays out measurable Environmental, Social & Governance Continue reading “Coatings manufacturer Hempel launches new CO2 reduction targets”

How to properly stow and secure cargo containers guidance issued by AMSA

AMSA publishes stow and secure cargo containers guidance
AMSA publishes stow and secure cargo containers guidance

AMSA has recently published stow and secure cargo containers guidance. AMSA aims to remind operators of the importance of stowing and securing cargo containers, and the potential danger to container ships navigating near intense low-pressure systems that occur off the east coast of Australia.

East Coast Lows are intense low-pressure weather systems that occur off the east coast of Australia. These systems are also referred to as complex lows or Tasman lows. Strong southerly winds, Continue reading “How to properly stow and secure cargo containers guidance issued by AMSA”

ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper proposes a goal-based framework for future rules to enable autonomous vessel operations

Autonomous vessel operations proposal outlined in ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper
Autonomous vessel operations proposal outlined in ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper

The ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper is designed to support the industry’s increasing adoption of autonomous capabilities with a focus on safe implementation. It sets out 10 goals to create a framework for the design and operation of autonomous vessels and addresses key issues in implementation.

The ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper also includes an update on the outcome of the IMO’s Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Regulatory Scoping Exercise, an important step on the road toward the development of requirements governing autonomous operations.

“To allow operations of fully autonomous vessels, Continue reading “ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper proposes a goal-based framework for future rules to enable autonomous vessel operations”

Silent-Yachts rebrands as Silent-Group and is set to boost production

Silent-Yachts rebrands as Silent-Group and is set to boost production
Silent-Yachts rebrands as Silent-Group and is set to boost production

The electric catamaran builder Silent-Yachts has rebranded as Silent-Group and is boosting global production capacity to meet soaring demand, after forging a new partnership with VisionF Yachts. Last year the company sold a record 21 yachts, with 17 more in production this year.

“Our company has been growing at an incredible rate over the past couple of years,” a spokesman tells Superyacht Investor. “This growth was spurred by increasing demands of the market. As a result, it was a necessity for us to adapt our structures with a strong focus on the future.” Continue reading “Silent-Yachts rebrands as Silent-Group and is set to boost production”

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