International News

Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray to Coast Guard investigation panel

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Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray
Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray

In testimony Monday before a U.S. Coast Guard investigation panel, the pilot on the last voyage of the car carrier Golden Ray described the vessel’s final moments – an account never before released to the public.

Capt. Jonathan Tennant, an experienced pilot with the Brunswick Bar Pilots Association, brought the car carrier Golden Ray into port on September 7, 2019. The transit proceeded in a typical manner and she handled as normal, he testified.

In the early hours of September 8, he boarded the vessel to take her out again. Though she had conducted cargo operations, her draft remained the same, and the master told him that the vessel was Continue reading “Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray to Coast Guard investigation panel”

Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems shown to have lower climate impact than low-sulphur fuel

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Wärtsilä points to the positive findings of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems on the environment
Wärtsilä points to the positive findings of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems on the environment

The technology group Wärtsilä, a leading provider of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems for the marine industry, refers its customers to a recent report from CE Delft, an independent research and consultancy organisation, regarding the climate impact of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems. The study compares the results to the use of low-sulphur marine fuels and is made from a well-to-wake perspective in order to achieve an accurate comparison.

The report concludes that the environmental impact of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems will be less than that of low-sulphur marine fuel. It notes that CO2 emissions associated with producing and installing an EGC system are small compared to those generated when operating Continue reading “Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems shown to have lower climate impact than low-sulphur fuel”

ROs must inform of non-compliant equipment onboard a Maltese ship

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Transport Malta requires recognised organisations to inform them where it is suspected MED equipment placed onboard a Maltese ship is not compliant
Transport Malta requires recognised organisations to inform them where it is suspected MED equipment placed onboard a Maltese ship is not compliant

Transport Malta has reiterated the need for compliance with the Directive 2014/90/EU on Marine Equipment (MED). The Directive requires recognised organisations to inform the Directorate in cases where it is suspected that MED equipment placed onboard a Maltese ship is not compliant with the applicable requirements.

Market surveillance also includes activities carried out in the course of the Directorate’s recognised organisations auditing and oversight programme with respect to compliance with the MED of equipment placed onboard.

Marine equipment is required to be evaluated after installation onboard a Maltese ship, both by carrying out documentary checks related Continue reading “ROs must inform of non-compliant equipment onboard a Maltese ship”

USCG: Work instruction from USCG for laid up inspected and/or examined vessels

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The USCG Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance published Work Instruction CVC-WI-018(1), “Laid up Inspected/Examined Vessels”, outlining the process of laying up inspected/examined vessels (commercial) to provide greater consistency and continuity between Captain of the Port Zones.

The purpose of this work instruction (WI) is to establish guidance for Captains of the Port (COTP), Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), Marine Inspectors (MI) and Port State Control Officers (PSCO) placing a vessel into a laid up or inactive status, and returning those vessels back to service.

Entering laid up status
a. In accordance with 46 CFR § 2.01-3, if an owner or managing operator wants to enter a domestic Continue reading “USCG: Work instruction from USCG for laid up inspected and/or examined vessels”

IUMI: Global marine insurance results indicate a modest recovery but COVID-19 adds uncertainty for the future

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IUMI has presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends
IUMI has presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends

The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends during its annual conference which this year is being held online. Marine underwriting premiums for 2019 were estimated to be USD 28.7 billion which represents a 0.9% reduction from 2018.

The USD 28.7 billion global income was split between these geographic regions: Europe 46.3%, Asia/Pacific 31.8%, Latin America 10.3%, North America 5.3%, Other 6.3%.

2019 saw Europe’s global share reduce slightly from 46.4% (2018) to 46.3% and Asia’s share increase modestly from 30.7% (2018) to 31.8%.

For global marine premium by line of business, cargo continued to represent the largest share with Continue reading “IUMI: Global marine insurance results indicate a modest recovery but COVID-19 adds uncertainty for the future”

Cargo collective publishes a Quick Guide to container packing and the CTU Code

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Five international freight transport and cargo handling organisations have published a Quick Guide to the United Nations sponsored Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (the CTU Code), together with a checklist of actions and responsibilities for those involved. It is part of a range of activities to further the adoption and implementation of crucial safety practices by the Container Owners Association, the Global Shippers Forum, the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association, the TT Club and the World Shipping Council.

With several container fires aboard ships recently, some of them fatal, the organisations believe that adherence to the CTU Code by all Continue reading “Cargo collective publishes a Quick Guide to container packing and the CTU Code”

UK Ship Register showcases new look as it launches online registration

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A new logo for the UK Ship Register is one of many new improvements following digitisation
A new logo for the UK Ship Register is one of many new improvements following digitisation

The UK Ship Register has released a new look Red Ensign alongside its complete online registration system.  The upgrade is part of the continued modernisation of its services to ship owners and operators worldwide and bolsters its international offer.

From this week customers will be invited to use the digital UKSR portal which offers self-serve capability for registering a new vessel and renewing registration. Owners will also be able to provisionally check a vessel’s name and request transcripts online. The launch follows months of development and testing, throughout which customers were consulted and helped to shape the tool, which will add real value to their operations.

Continue reading “UK Ship Register showcases new look as it launches online registration”

Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit

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Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit
Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit

As there is more focus on the environmental impact and all forms of emissions in the shipping sector, the practice known as degassing is coming under scrutiny. In particular, the Netherlands looks set to ban degassing of ships in transit.

The concerns focus on the potential for the release of harmful gasses with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the process known in the industry as degassing. Environmentalists contend that the process creates health risks for crew, workers in the port, and surrounding communities. They believe it is hazardous to the environment and creates safety risks in the port.

After unloading a liquid cargo, and before they can take on new shipments, ships need to vent their Continue reading “Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit”

Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly

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Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly
Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly

The members of European Boating Industry met for the second yearly General Assembly to discuss the latest industry developments after a turbulent first half of the year for the industry and chart the association’s future positioning. Representing Slovenia, SMIA joins as new full member and IMCI joins as sustaining member, growing European Boating Industry’s network across Europe.

Taking place virtually on 9 September, members of European Boating Industry discussed the future positioning of the association, providing support and a strong platform for its advocacy activities at EU level. Five new position papers were presented on international trade, VAT, Environment, Continue reading “Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly”

Delegation from Panama Maritime Authority investigates the Wakashio accident

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The Panama Maritime Authority continues its investigation into the Wakashio accident. Photo courtesy of Mobilisation Nationale Wakashio
The Panama Maritime Authority continues its investigation into the Wakashio accident. Photo courtesy of Mobilisation Nationale Wakashio

The Panama Maritime Authority has given a report on the progress of the safety investigation into the Wakashio accident at the Mauritius Islands when the vessel Wakashio ran aground and subsequently broke up.

A delegation of experts in maritime accidents has arrived in Mauritius and is currently gathering information through face-to-face interviews with members of the ship’s crew.

The Panama Maritime Authority delegation has been able to gather evidence and confirm that on July 25 2020, while the vessel Wakashio was sailing en route to Brazil, its crew celebrated the birthday of one of the crew members; furthermore, the ship deviated from its approved navigation plan at the Continue reading “Delegation from Panama Maritime Authority investigates the Wakashio accident”

Best practice guidelines to reduce the risk of cargo liquefaction before and during loading published

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Cargo liquefaction is a Master's worst nightmare, but new guidance from London P&I Club might help
Cargo liquefaction is a Master’s worst nightmare, but new guidance from London P&I Club might help

The London P&I Club has published a booklet to provide guidance about the risk of cargo liquefaction. It offers practical advice on the loading and the carriage of bulk cargoes which may liquefy and the risks associated with liquefaction, plus the precautions to be taken to minimize these risks.

Cargo liquefaction is described as the phenomenon that is triggered by an increase in water pressure that makes solid bulk cargoes (granular materials that are loaded directly into a ship’s hold) turn from a solid-state into a liquid state, causing a ship to tilt and potentially capsize. It can occur when cargo is loaded into the hold – this often involves a fall from significant heights, or when it is Continue reading “Best practice guidelines to reduce the risk of cargo liquefaction before and during loading published”

DMAIB report: Loss of rescue boat stresses importance of wire rope maintenance

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The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board has published its investigation report on the accidental fall of a rescue boat from the oil products tanker TORM MAREN while off the coast of Guinea on 1st April 2020. The investigation established that the wire rope maintenance and condition was not recognised as being detrimental to the functioning of the rescue boat system.

On 1 April 2020 TORM MAREN was located approximately 115 nm off the coast of Guinea. While adrift, it was decided to conduct a rescue boat drill and thus the boat was lowered with three persons on board. After having sailed for approximately 1.5 hours the boat was brought alongside and attached to the rescue boat hook and hoisted to deck level.

As the crew was about to bring the rescue boat into the cradle, the boat fell into the sea, from a height Continue reading “DMAIB report: Loss of rescue boat stresses importance of wire rope maintenance”

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