International News

MAIB makes urgent call for information on styrene monomer near misses or accidents

Posted on by News Hound
Fireball viewed from the Ulsan Bridge
Fireball viewed from the Ulsan Bridge

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released an interim report into the explosion and fire on board the chemical tanker Stolt Groenland, but before concluding its investigation, MAIB is calling for information regarding any accidents or near-misses involving the carriage of styrene monomer, including any actions subsequently taken.

The fire on Stolt Groenland occurred in Ulsan, South Korea, on September 28, 2019. The Cayman Islands registered vessel had sailed from Houston on August 17 carrying 20 different chemical cargoes in 37 of her 39 cargo tanks. At about 0600 on September 28, the Singapore registered chemical/product tanker Bow Dalian secured alongside Stolt Groenland’s port side. The purging of Bow Dalian’s cargo tanks Continue reading “MAIB makes urgent call for information on styrene monomer near misses or accidents”

Hell on Water: Container fires on ships are becoming increasingly common and dangerous

Posted on by News Hound
Fire engulfs the KMTC
Fire engulfs the KMTC

In the early hours of the morning on May 24, an explosion was heard and a fire identified on the South Korean-flagged, 1,585-TEU KMTC Hong Kong as she sat quayside in Laem Chabang, Thailand. The fire spread throughout containers understood to be carrying noxious substances.

From across the river, a video was recorded and uploaded to YouTube showing a thick column of smoke becoming a sequence of plumes as devastating explosions occurred – apparently the result of tank containers carrying paraffin. Soon locals were reporting a burning sensation on their skin and breathing difficulties. A few hours later, 37 had been admitted to the hospital, poisoned or with fire or chemical Continue reading “Hell on Water: Container fires on ships are becoming increasingly common and dangerous”

New IMO procedures for maintenance and inspection of lifeboats from January 2020

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The IMO is amending the requirements for carrying out the periodic servicing of life-saving appliances, and is also amending the requirements for authorisation of service suppliers/providers carrying out the periodic servicing.

IMO Resolution MSC.404(96) amends SOLAS Regulation III/20.11, which contains requirements for periodic servicing of launching appliances and release gear, to mandate the requirements included in Resolution MSC.402(96) ‘Requirements for Maintenance, Thorough Examination, Operational Testing, Overhaul and Repair of Lifeboats and Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances and Release Gear’.

Continue reading “New IMO procedures for maintenance and inspection of lifeboats from January 2020”

Sugar beet pulp prone to ignition when moistured and heaped reveals investigation report

Posted on by News Hound
Image courtesy of www.shipspotting.com
Image courtesy of www.shipspotting.com

The Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty issued an investigation report on vessel “Ventura”, to look for the causes that resulted to the vessel’s cargo tanks and cargo being burnt down, highlighting that sugar beep pulp is prone to ignition when moistured and heaped.

Specifically, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged multipurpose vessel called “Ventura” began its journey from Liepaja in Latvia heading to Casablanca in Morocco on December 18, 2015.

The vessel was transmitting about 4,811 mt of sugar beet pulp with no added molasses. The vessel sailed by the Kiel lighthouse at 11.00, and at 12.00 smoke was noted onboard the vessel and triggering the fire alarm.

Continue reading “Sugar beet pulp prone to ignition when moistured and heaped reveals investigation report”

Dyena provides vessel trials data for naval architects

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The global maritime data tracking and shock measurement specialist, Dyena, has launched a version of their monitoring system aimed at supporting Naval Architects who are involved in running vessel trials.

Dyena OFFSHORE Premium records detailed information on a vessel’s motion, position and performance, through various parameters including pitch, roll, yaw and accelerations in 3 axes. With sampling up to 1000 Hz, all data is recorded alongside GPS data to include SOG, COG, time and position. With upto 2 years memory capacity, the system provides high resolution data for development and long-term trials.

Continue reading “Dyena provides vessel trials data for naval architects”

Aaron & Melissa II: Clogged bilge system and poor weather led to sinking

Posted on by News Hound
Aaron & Melissa II
Aaron & Melissa II

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a Marine Accident Brief about flooding and sinking of the fishing vessel Aaron & Melissa II approximately 70 miles southeast of Portland, Maine, while transiting to fishing grounds during a storm with gale-force winds.

The Aaron & Melissa II sank about 0800 local time on November 14, 2018. All four crewmembers abandoned ship and entered an inflatable liferaft when attempts to dewater the vessel proved unsuccessful; they were later rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. Petty Officer Michael Kelly, a rescue swimmer with the U.S. Coast Continue reading “Aaron & Melissa II: Clogged bilge system and poor weather led to sinking”

CMA CGM launch alternative propulsion research initiative

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The Jacques Saade (image courtesy CMA CGM)
The Jacques Saade (image courtesy CMA CGM)

At the French Maritime Economy Conference in Montpellier, CMA CGM CEO Rodolphe Saadé stressed his firm’s commitment to LNG as a marine fuel but left the door open to new propulsion technology.

“With the choice of liquefied natural gas, the CMA CGM Group is a pioneer in the energy transition of the maritime industry. To meet the challenges ahead, we must go even further and work together: maritime, air and land carriers, logisticians, energy companies and motorists, in Europe and around the world,” Saadé said.

To illustrate its position, CMA CGM released a new promotional video on the Continue reading “CMA CGM launch alternative propulsion research initiative”

TAIC trawler fire report cited issues with structure and safety standards

Posted on by News Hound
TAIC trawler fire report
TAIC trawler fire report

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its report into the accommodation fire on board fishing trawler Dong Won 701 in April 2018, citing issues with the structure of the vessel and crew firefighting efforts.

The fire started in the vicinity of a rubbish bin next to the desk in the First Engineer’s cabin on the officers’ deck while the vessel was moored at the port of Timaru. The crew tried but couldn’t put out the fire. The fire eventually took eight days for Fire and Emergency NZ to extinguish, and destroyed the accommodation structure on the vessel. Continue reading “TAIC trawler fire report cited issues with structure and safety standards”

Towboat sinking blamed on ineffective hull maintenance says NTSB report

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Towboat Miss Roslyn
Towboat Miss Roslyn

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a Marine Accident Brief about the capsizing and sinking of the fleet towboat Miss Roslyn, citing the company’s lack of effective hull inspection and maintenance program.

On October 9, 2018, at 1630 local time, the Miss Roslyn was traveling downbound at mile 142 on the Lower Mississippi River near Reserve, Louisiana, when she began to flood and list to starboard. The three crewmembers abandoned the towboat onto a moored fleet barge and a Good Samaritan vessel. The Miss Roslyn capsized and sank on her starboard side. Continue reading “Towboat sinking blamed on ineffective hull maintenance says NTSB report”

Global marine insurance market 2019 analysis published by IUMI

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IUMI analysis of the global marine insurance market
IUMI analysis of the global marine insurance market

The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has released its 2019 statistical report, IUMI Stats, noting that while the market seems to have bottomed out in 2019, major losses are beginning to return.

There were nine major cargo vessel fires in 2019 which resulted in loss of life, injury and environmental damage. These fires had a strong economic impact, causing high costs to both the hull and cargo sectors. Recent statistics from the Nordic Association of Marine Insurers (Cefor) show that the larger vessels are most Continue reading “Global marine insurance market 2019 analysis published by IUMI”

Dangerous goods on containerships: New safety guidance for stowage

Posted on by News Hound
Container ship fires originating from dangerous goods
Container ship fires originating from dangerous goods

Containership fires are a growing concern. Fires, originating from dangerous goods in containers, whether wrongfully declared or not, occur with alarming frequency. Such fires endanger the lives of the crew, harm the environment and cause damage to cargo and property.

The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) has published a new safety guidance for the stowage of classified dangerous goods onboard containerships. The “Safety Considerations for Ship Operators Related to Risk-Based Stowage of Dangerous Continue reading “Dangerous goods on containerships: New safety guidance for stowage”

Container certification guide for safely securing cargoes published

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ABS issues guide for the certification of container securing systems
ABS issues guide for the certification of container securing systems

ABS has issued a guide for the certification of container securing systems advising that when special containers are used for unique cargoes that have reduced or increased load capacities, limitations should be considered when stowing them onboard ship and when determining permissible tier and container stack weights.

Surveyors are advised to undertake all surveys on container securing systems upon request, with adequate notification, of the owners or their representatives, and are to report to the Committee. Adding to this, if there is a need for further Continue reading “Container certification guide for safely securing cargoes published”

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