International News

Hong Kong Convention set to impact the shipping industry from 2025

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On 26 June 2023, Bangladesh and Liberia acceded to the Hong Kong Convention.
On 26 June 2023, Bangladesh and Liberia acceded to the Hong Kong Convention.

On 26 June 2023, Bangladesh and Liberia acceded to the Hong Kong Convention. This means the Convention will enter into force for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships on 26 June 2025, writes Stela Spiraj, Senior Engineer, Regulatory Affairs Department, ABS. And it could present opportunities and have profound effects for marine surveyors.

The goal of the Hong Kong Convention is to prevent significant risks to human health and the environment throughout a ship’s operating life and during ship recycling. Upon the Convention’s entry into force new and existing ships with a gross tonnage (GT) of 500 or more Continue reading “Hong Kong Convention set to impact the shipping industry from 2025”

Lithium-ion battery safety: A series of fires on recreational vessels have been linked to lithium-ion battery powered devices

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Lithium-ion battery safety is in the news following a spate of fires.
Lithium-ion battery safety is in the news following a spate of fires.

Lithium-ion battery safety is in the news again. Responding to this emerging safety issue for boat owners, Nautilus Marine Insurance has interviewed a panel of independent experts for an article within the latest issue of Nautilus Marine Magazine to share their technical advice.

Commenting on the lithium-ion battery safety initiative Lyndon Turner, CEO of Nautilus Marine Insurance and Publisher of Nautilus Marine Magazine, said that “Nautilus Marine Insurance sees the safety of boat owners as our number one priority. We recognise the desire of boat owners and those in the wider marine Continue reading “Lithium-ion battery safety: A series of fires on recreational vessels have been linked to lithium-ion battery powered devices”

2023 Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium published

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The third edition of the Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium, compiled and published by the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), covers the period between December 2022 and November 2023. It is available to download in pdf format or can be read online in eReader format.

Extending to 172 pages, Edition III builds on the success of the previous versions. The simple aim of the Compendium is to bring together a collection of incident and accident reports that have emerged over the year and to share the learnings. This is coupled with vital loss prevention information published by P&I Clubs and other parties. A calendar of some of the more eye-catching incidents completes the Compendium to highlight the continuing dangers of being at sea or on water, either for work or pleasure purposes.

Click to download the press release

IIMS President raises concerns about the growing tick box culture of marine survey reporting

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Tick box marine survey reporting is becoming far more common than it used to be. That is the view of Peter Broad, President of the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS). But are tick box marine survey reports fit for purpose, or are they lazy reporting?

Concerns about tick box surveys

IMO Maritime Safety Committee set to commence a thorough STCW review

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IMO Maritime Safety Committee set to commence a thorough STCW review
IMO Maritime Safety Committee set to commence a thorough STCW review

To align seafarer training, certification, and watchkeeping with evolving trends in the shipping industry and to tackle various challenges encountered by seafarers, the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has decided to initiate a thorough STCW review and update of the Convention and Code.

The STCW review will go through several phases, with a view to be completed and adopted by the autumn of 2027.

IMO has announced a roadmap for the comprehensive review that will start in February 2024. The Organization, as part of the 2010 Manila Amendments, Continue reading “IMO Maritime Safety Committee set to commence a thorough STCW review”

Fishing vessel FREYJA: Report released by BSU after fire in engine compartment

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fire in the engine compartment of fishing vessel FREYJA
Fire in the engine compartment of fishing vessel FREYJA

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published an accident report following a fire that broke out in the engine compartment of the German fishing vessel FREYJA on the evening of 17 September 2021.

The fire on board the fishing vessel FREYJA resulted in the destruction of most of the boat. The fire-induced foundering of the vessel made it impossible to identify usable evidence of the cause of the fire or the exact starting point of its development during the investigation of the wrecked parts. The statements of the crew merely permit the conclusion that the fire broke out inside the engine compartment. Continue reading “Fishing vessel FREYJA: Report released by BSU after fire in engine compartment”

Ensuring safe access to Australian domestic commercial vessels

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AMSA has published a safety alert to raise awareness of the risks involved with getting on and off Australian domestic commercial vessels
AMSA has published a safety alert to raise awareness of the risks involved with getting on and off Australian domestic commercial vessels

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published a safety alert to raise awareness of the risks involved with getting on and off Australian domestic commercial vessels. Accessing a vessel while at berth is a routine activity and is sometimes taken for granted. The requirement for safe access can be overlooked, particularly where there are limited berthing options, or a vessel is only berthed for a short period. Failing to provide safe access can result in serious risk to people. This is heightened by bad weather or extreme tidal variations. Under the Australian National Law, the owner and master are responsible to ensure the safety of people boarding a domestic commercial vessel. Continue reading “Ensuring safe access to Australian domestic commercial vessels”

Battery electric vehicles carriage risk guidance published by AMSA

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new guidance on the risks associated with the carriage of battery electric vehicles
new guidance on the risks associated with the carriage of battery electric vehicles

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued the Guidance on Risks Associated with the Carriage of Battery Electric Vehicles. The safety alert provides guidance to operators of domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) on risks associated with the carriage of battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) on roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ferries, and how best to deal with these risks.

As per Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements) you must conduct a risk assessment for your vessel to ensure that risks arising from the carriage of BEVs are addressed. Consideration must be given to the hazards arising from transporting BEVs Continue reading “Battery electric vehicles carriage risk guidance published by AMSA”

Safer Seas Digest 2022 published by the NTSB

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its Safer Seas Digest 2022. In the digest, NTSB highlights the most important lessons learned from 29 maritime tragedies that took place in 2022. Safer Seas Digest 2022 details the lessons learned from these maritime tragedies involving capsizings, contact, collisions, fires, flooding and groundings.

Among the investigations, two of the casualties described, the Emmy Rose and the SEACOR Power, led to the loss of human life. The NTSB investigations into these tragedies once again revealed the critical importance of personal locator beacons (PLBs) for seafarers. Continue reading “Safer Seas Digest 2022 published by the NTSB”

Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents

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Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents
Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents

Joint Hull Committee to issue a new clause covering the use of electronically driven equipment rated at above 100Wh. In recent years there has been a growing number of marine incidents involving lithium battery fires, resulting in the total losses of yachts, superyachts and other craft.

The Joint Hull Committee, founded in 1910, is the oldest Joint Committee. It comprises underwriting representatives from both the Lloyd’s and International Underwriting Association (IUA) company markets. It represents the interests of those who write marine hull business in the London market and it works through a number of sub-committees, principally Navigating Limits and Risk Assessment. Continue reading “Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents”

EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023 annual overview

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EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023
EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023

The EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023 annual overview has been published. The report presents statistics on marine casualties and incidents that cover the period from 1st of January 2014 to 31st of December 2022, reported by EU Member States.

According to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), 2022 was a positive year considering the reduction or stabilisation of most of the accident indicators, such as the number of occurrences, ships lost, fatalities or injuries. In 2022, there were 2,510 marine casualties and incidents reported, a decrease of 182 from 2021 and 84 from 2020. Continue reading “EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023 annual overview”

Bulk cargoes casebook by The Swedish Club

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Bulk Cargoes Casebook published by the Swedish Club
Bulk Cargoes Casebook published by the Swedish Club

As part of its commitment to improving safety at sea, The Swedish Club widely shares its claims experiences to help the and shipping community to understand the factors that can lead to common incidents and to learn from the decisions that were made on board at the time and to understand the lessons learned.

In this valuable edition, dedicated to bulk cargoes, The Swedish Club presents 17 cases in brief.

They are:
1.1 Charcoal: Incorrect declaration caused charcoal fire Continue reading “Bulk cargoes casebook by The Swedish Club”

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