International News

Yanmar underway with field demo testing for hydrogen fuel cell

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Yanmar underway with field demo testing for hydrogen fuel cell
Yanmar underway with field demo testing for hydrogen fuel cell

With marine environmental regulations tightening worldwide, in December 2020 the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry formulated its ‘Green Growth Strategy towards 2050 Carbon Neutrality’. The strategy highlights the development of energy and power sources that reduce the impact on the environment, including those for vessels powered by carbon-free fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. Looking towards the future of powertrain technology, Yanmar has developed a maritime fuel cell system that incorporates hydrogen fuel cell modules from Toyota’s MIRAI automobile. The system was installed into Yanmar’s EX38A FC pleasure boat for field testing. The boat Continue reading “Yanmar underway with field demo testing for hydrogen fuel cell”

Returned goods relief grace period post Brexit extended by six months

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Returned goods relief grace period post Brexit extended by six months
Returned goods relief grace period post Brexit extended by six months

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced a 6-month extension to the 1-year grace period previously put in place by the government for returned goods relief. The announcement follows representations from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and British Marine asking for a 3-year transition period. The organisations say the 1-year period of grace effective from 1 January 2021, in respect of the three-year condition for RGR, was not sufficient as many factors affect the repatriation of vessels, including travel restrictions, the Schengen area immigration restrictions, insurance restrictions and the length of sailing season.

The new announcement extends the grace period for RGR until 30 June 2022 for all goods including recreational craft, regardless of when Continue reading “Returned goods relief grace period post Brexit extended by six months”

Cruising Association: New survey suggests four out of five are set to quit long-term cruising in EU waters

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Cruising Association new report. Image credit: Gordon Knight/EIWS/CA
Cruising Association new report. Image credit: Gordon Knight/EIWS/CA

A survey carried out amongst Cruising Association (CA) members who keep their boats on the rivers and canals of Schengen countries has revealed that 80% of British owners are likely to sell their boats and give up cruising altogether, or move their base to a non-Schengen country.

Overall figures for coastal cruising boat owners are expected to be broadly similar although with more sailing out of Schengen waters to other cruising grounds.

The failure of the UK government to negotiate a fair deal with the EU means that UK citizens can now only visit Schengen countries for 90 Continue reading “Cruising Association: New survey suggests four out of five are set to quit long-term cruising in EU waters”

Flooding of towing vessel caused by a lack of monitoring

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Flooding of towing vessel caused by a lack of monitoring
Flooding of towing vessel caused by a lack of monitoring

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the flooding of the towing vessel ‘Alton St Amant’ while moored in the Harvey Canal in New Orleans. The incident resulted in an oil discharge into the water. The investigation identified lack of pre-inspection and monitoring procedures for water transfer as a key cause of the incident.

On May 17, 2020, about 0530 local time, a shipyard worker reported that the towing vessel Alton St Amant was partially submerged while moored at a shipyard in the Harvey Canal in New Orleans, Louisiana. There were no crew members or shipyard workers aboard the vessel. Approximately five gallons of diesel fuel were released into the water. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $1.5 million. No injuries were reported. Continue reading “Flooding of towing vessel caused by a lack of monitoring”

Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation

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Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation
Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation

As part of its recently launched casebook series giving safety lessons learned from maritime incidents, the Swedish Club describes a case of multiple explosions onboard a bulk carrier caused by cargo fumigation. A bulk carrier had loaded yellow corn in all cargo holds up to the hatch coamings. After the loading was complete fumigation technicians came onboard and fumigated the cargo with fumitoxin pellets. As per the cargo documentation, the fumigation pellets were required to be applied subsurface.

In this instance, the technicians poured the pellets from flasks while walking on the hatch coamings or hatch covers. This work took a little more than an hour and, afterwards, all the cargo hatches were closed and the vessel sailed. A couple of hours later, an explosion occurred Continue reading “Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation”

RYA licensing arrangement in Spanish waters after Brexit

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The Spanish flag being flown on a vessel at seaSince Brexit there have been a few individuals who have been working almost non-stop to find solutions and trying to prevent incorrect facts being reported in the news and on social media platforms. The last few days have seen some news articles published in Mallorca that have been fundamentally incorrect and inaccurate and many boat owners in the Balearics are receiving mixed and confusing messages over RYA licensing arrangement and what they can and cannot do.

These are the facts as confirmed by multiple legal opinions:
Why has the acceptance of RYA Licensing arrangement in Spain changed?
From the 1st of January 2021, as a result of Brexit, the Spanish ceased to accept all RYA and ICC [international Certificates of Competence] on any Spanish flagged vessels. This prevented anyone with RYA/ICC Certification from operating on a Spanish flagged vessel. Continue reading “RYA licensing arrangement in Spanish waters after Brexit”

Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy

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Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy
Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy

The IMO has introduced amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMBSC) code regulations concerning the carriage of bauxite, that came into force on 1 January 2021. If you are involved in the bauxite trade this article will assist you in your communication with shippers and authorising loading, understanding the classification of this type of cargo, and loss prevention.

Following the 2015 sinking of the “Bulk Jupiter”, a working group was set up to review the risk of bauxite liquefaction and make recommendations in respect of updating the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (“IMSBC”) Code regulations.

IMO Resolution MSC.462(101) introduced amendments (05-19) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The Continue reading “Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy”

Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta

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Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta
Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta

Transport Malta has published an investigation report into the cargo explosion onboard the container ship MV Croatia while underway in February 2020. The investigation established that flammable vapours had accumulated inside the container, which contained scrap metal and used car parts, resulting in an explosive atmosphere.

Whilst underway towards Singapore, a cargo explosion occurred in Croatia’s cargo hold no. 7. A fire party was immediately mustered by the master to assess the situation inside the cargo hold. An inspection of the area revealed that an explosion had occurred inside one of the containers stowed in the cargo hold, damaging five other containers and several ship fittings. The charterers were contacted, following which it was confirmed that no other explosion risks were foreseen. The cargo manifest revealed that the container carried scrap metal and Continue reading “Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta”

2021 Container Shipping Report published by Alix Partners

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The 2021 Container Shipping Report by Alix Partners asks if carriers will take this chance to break the cycle
The 2021 Container Shipping Report by Alix Partners asks if carriers will take this chance to break the cycle

Global consulting firm, Alix Partners, has published the 2021 Container Shipping Report. For at least three decades, the container shipping industry has been locked in a recurring boom and bust loop. During times of strong macroeconomic growth, shipping rates would soar and container ship operators would reinvest their profits in new, ever-larger vessels. Then the economy would slide into a downturn, demand would plunge, rates would tumble, and operators would find themselves burdened with heavy debt and idle vessels. As overcapacity kept a tight lid on rates, leverage would expand, revenues would fall, and ship operators would tumble into bankruptcy or stay out of court, thanks only to amend and extend agreements with Continue reading “2021 Container Shipping Report published by Alix Partners”

Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system

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Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system
Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system

A Dutch inland vessel is going to be converted later this year to operate on a zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system. The project is viewed as a prototype for the development of a fleet of inland and shortsea vessels that will operate in the region and be available for charter.

The 360-foot inland vessel, Maas, is part of a project being undertaken by Future Proof Shipping, a Dutch company focused on the conversion to green energy. The Holland Shipyards Group’s yard in Hardinxveld will undertake the conversion starting in the third quarter of 2021 with the vessel expected to be back in service in December. Once back in service, the Maas will operate transporting shipping Continue reading “Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system”

Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide

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Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide
Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide

Amid an alarming trend of containers lost overboard, the Swedish P&I Club has published a 32 page guide offering guidance on planning and loading the containers. According to the Club’s statistics, the main reason for containers being lost overboard is related to container vessels navigating in heavy weather, combined with crew failure to reduce speed and/or alter course to avoid it or alleviate its effect. The reasons can often be attributed to a series of multiple failures, rather than a single cause, but raising awareness of these issues to both ship and shore staff will serve to prevent accidents from happening.

The guide also notes that other common factors are

– Containers not being correctly stuffed or declared by the shipper;
Continue reading “Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide”

Overtightening of locating bolts led to engine failure and grounding

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Overtightening of locating bolts led to engine failure and grounding
Overtightening of locating bolts led to engine failure and grounding

The Swedish P&I Club has described in its Monthly Safety Scenario the case of a bulk carrier grounding caused by engine failure. Soon after departing port, a main engine slowdown alarm was triggered due to a loss of cooling water in the main engine. The Master ordered half head, but there was no response from the engine.

The bulk carrier in question loaded a cargo of soya beans in a North American port prior to travelling to Asia. When loading was completed, the vessel anchored to wait for a favourable tide. At midnight, the vessel departed and headed through the fairway. A pilot was onboard and a pilot briefing had been carried out with the Master. Continue reading “Overtightening of locating bolts led to engine failure and grounding”

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