Reported loss of containers overboard from Maersk Essen containership in the Pacific

Reported loss of containers overboard from Maersk Essen
Reported loss of containers overboard from Maersk Essen

News of yet another incident involving the loss of hundreds of containers overboard from a containership will surely raise yet more questions about why this is happening at seemingly regular intervals. The probable cause of the loss of around 750 containers from Maersk Essen in the North Pacific was heavy weather.

The incident happened on January 16. The Maersk Essen case is the third such occurrence recently reported in the Pacific as well as other high profile incidents elsewhere in the past six months. According to sources at WK Webster, it seems likely that some containers will have collapsed, or have been damaged in the affected stacks, but remain on board. These containers will need to be removed or repositioned. Continue reading “Reported loss of containers overboard from Maersk Essen containership in the Pacific”

New joint initiatives to develop the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells

Initiatives to develop the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells
Initiatives to develop the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells

Alfa Laval, DTU Energy, Haldor Topsoe, Svitzer and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping are entering into a joint project to accelerate the development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. Funded by a grant from Danish EUDP (Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program), the partners will pursue a high-efficiency solution with the scalability to support marine industry decarbonization.

The project, SOFC4Maritime, will target optimal utilization of future green fuels via application of SOFCs for power production on marine vessels. When based on fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen or bio-methane, SOFCs hold great promise as a replacement for today’s fossil fuels. Such alternatives are needed in the maritime industry, which must transition to greener power over just a few decades.

By electrochemically converting fuel into electricity, SOFCs can potentially produce power with higher efficiency than internal combustion engines running on the same fuel – without creating polluting emissions or particulates. Ammonia-based SOFCs are especially attractive, since ammonia can be produced in large scale using Continue reading “New joint initiatives to develop the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells”

New insights into MSC ZOE requiring further action to prevent future container loss

On the night of January 1st 2019, the large containership MSC Zoe sailed on a southerly route along the Dutch Wadden Islands during a northwesterly storm. The storm caused the ship to lose 345 containers, leading to large-scale pollution of the sea and Wadden Islands.

The Dutch Safety Board asked the Deltares research institute and the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) to assist in an investigation. The aim: to answer two central questions:
1) what could have caused the loss of containers above the Wadden Islands?
2) how can we prevent this in the future?

Continue reading “New insights into MSC ZOE requiring further action to prevent future container loss”

Cargo snagging during lifting operations safety alert issued

Cargo snagging during lifting operations safety alert issued
Cargo snagging during lifting operations safety alert issued

The Marine Safety Forum has issued a safety alert in which it describes a case of cargo snagging during lifting operations. The incident has highlighted the need for improvement in deck space management and planning.

A vessel was engaged in deck cargo operations at an offshore location. A number of lifts had been successfully discharged and backloaded which led to limited space on deck. The crane operator advised the next lift would be the 25ft basket on the starboard side which was duly connected to the crane hook. The vessel deck crew moved to a safe place and confirmed to the crane operator that he was clear to hoist.

As the crane operator began to lift the basket off the deck, the vessel bridge team noticed a corner of the basket had Continue reading “Cargo snagging during lifting operations safety alert issued”

DNV GL set for new name from 1 March

DNV GL, the assurance and risk management company, will change its name to DNV on 1 March 2021. The move comes after a comprehensive review of the company’s strategy as it positions itself for a world in which many of DNV’s markets are undergoing fundamental change.

The present name has been in place since the 2013 merger between DNV (Det Norske Veritas) and GL (Germanischer Lloyd). The name simplification is a natural consequence of a successfully completed merger and of having operated as a fully integrated company for several years now.

Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO, said, “We merged Continue reading “DNV GL set for new name from 1 March”

UK office established by IMCI to certify recreational boats to meet United Kingdom Conformity Assessment mark

United Kingdom Conformity Assessment mark is set to replace the European Union's CE certificates. from 2022
United Kingdom Conformity Assessment mark is set to replace the European Union’s CE certificates. from 2022

The United Kingdom Conformity Assessment mark will be required from 2022 when it replaces the European Union’s CE certificates. In readiness, Brussels based International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI) has founded IMCI (UK) and established offices in Liverpool to ensure that recreational boats placed on the British market meet the country’s post-Brexit technical, safety and environmental standards.

The European Union’s CE certificates remain valid in Britain until the end of 2021. But from 2022, CE-marked goods will be required to obtain a United Kingdom Conformity Assessment mark to enter the UK.

Continue reading “UK office established by IMCI to certify recreational boats to meet United Kingdom Conformity Assessment mark”

Simpson Spence Young publishes its 2021 Outlook Report

After a highly volatile 2020, leading shipbroker Simpson Spence Young (SSY) looks at the next 12 months and highlights areas of particular interest in their 2021 Outlook Report. The report looks at various drivers of the shipping markets, including how the developing emissions regulations may affect commercial fleets and shipping investments.

Contributions come from a range of senior research and broking experts and cover dry bulk, tanker and gas freight markets; shipping investments, CO2 emissions, FFAs, metals and energy derivatives. Together, they give a taste of what to look out for in 2021. Continue reading “Simpson Spence Young publishes its 2021 Outlook Report”

Polar Yacht Guide published by World Sailing and the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation

Polar Yacht Guide is a joint collaboration between World Sailing and the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation
Polar Yacht Guide is a joint collaboration between World Sailing and the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation

The Polar Yacht Guide, designed to support the navigation and voyage planning for all polar waters, encourages safe and environmentally friendly navigation by pleasure yachts not engaged in trade, of less than or equal to 300 GT, in Arctic and Antarctic polar waters.

The Polar Yacht Guide sets out to offer advice and guidance unique to pleasure yachts and works in parallel with the Polar Code, published by the International Maritime Organisation for SOLAS ships.

The Polar Yacht Guide is presented in three parts:
PART A – Safety of navigation and voyage planning for Arctic and Antarctic polar waters Continue reading “Polar Yacht Guide published by World Sailing and the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation”

ICOMIA publishes Ceramic Coating Yacht Industry Guideline

ICOMIA publishes new industry guidelines
ICOMIA publishes new industry guidelines

ICOMIA has produced a Ceramic Coating Yacht Industry Guideline as a result of their work with leading manufacturers, paint manufacturers, independent inspectors, supervisors and surveyors. The aim is to provide objective industry guidance on ceramic use on large yachts.

The yacht market has identified the need for an industry guidance document detailing key areas of information and considerations when using ceramic coatings or treatments on large yachts.

Continue reading “ICOMIA publishes Ceramic Coating Yacht Industry Guideline”

ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment

ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment
ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment

Class NK, the leading Japanese classification society, has published its Guideline for Survey and Facilities/Equipment of LNG Bunkering Ships, which outlines the additional safety requirements of liquefied gas carriers that supply LNG fuel at sea.

There are currently no established international conventions for the facilities/equipment of ships that transfer LNG to other ships at sea, and additional safety equipment has been considered individually. Based on the examinations conducted so far, ClassNK has developed the guideline which compiles the requirements for additional equipment for the safe transfer of LNG, a cryogenic substance, between ships, and surveys.

Continue reading “ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment”

Limiting liquefaction

Limiting liquefaction - Photo credit: London P&I Club
Limiting liquefaction – Photo credit: London P&I Club

Although the IMO provides the official regulations and guidance notes on cargo liquefaction, P&I Clubs such as The London P&I Club offer complementary advice to ship’s masters to raise awareness of the issue and to suggest practical steps to reduce the danger.

IMO has identified 75 bulk cargoes that have the potential to liquefy under certain conditions – these are known as Group A cargoes. If the Moisture Content (MC) of a Group A cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) then vibration and the motion of the vessel might cause that cargo to behave as a liquid rather than a solid when it is being transported in the hold. When in liquified form, and in a heavy sea, the cargo can easily flow from one side of the hold to the other. This affects the vessel’s stability and can lead to a vessel capsizing. Therefore it is vital that the crew are fully aware of this issue and are able to spot warning signs as early as possible.

Continue reading “Limiting liquefaction”

IACS adopts new governance model

The IACS Council has agreed at its 82nd Council Meeting (C82) to adopt a range of far reaching measures to prepare it to meet the long-term challenges faced by many associations in a time of rapid technological development, constant regulatory evolution and changing market dynamics. IACS new governance model include the move to an elected Council Chair in post for two years, an elected General Policy Group (GPG) Chair to join the IACS Secretariat in London, a move to simple-majority voting for the majority of decisions and an enhanced Chair’s Office to facilitate faster decision making.

A fast-moving maritime landscape requires the constant development of responses and solutions which, to be effective, entails a consistency of effort often over several years. To identify evolving issues quickly and then resolve and implement the appropriate responses over a longer period, IACS new governance model has adopted a package of measures to do just that; speeding up reaction times by simplifying the voting requirements and having issues pre-considered by the Chair’s office, whilst ensuring the focus on delivery can be sustained by an elected Chair in post for a two-year term (renewable). In parallel, having a GPG Chair elected for a three-year term and located in London, together with a supporting team, brings these highly expert, technical specialists closer to IACS’ key stakeholders including the IMO and other industry associations. Continue reading “IACS adopts new governance model”

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