International News

Weather-restricted sea transports for heavy lift ships

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The growing tendency of increase in weight and size of project cargoes calls for advanced methods to facilitate the cargo transport overseas in a safe and efficient way. Normally, large and heavy project cargo stowed on a heavy lift ship is secured and lashed according to regulations laid down in Annex 13 of IMO’s CSS Code. Standard procedure is to calculate the forces acting on each cargo item by multiplying the mass of the cargo item with design accelerations tabulated in Annex 13. Those design accelerations represent maximum values that the cargo would go through during a winter crossing of the North Atlantic, where most severe sea conditions of all oceans are assumed. Consequently, the cargo and its lashing gear are loaded by the highest and steepest occurring waves of the most severe sea area and the worst season of the year.

Continue reading “Weather-restricted sea transports for heavy lift ships”

All electric passenger vessel Future of The Fjords scoops top award

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The highly innovative Future of the Fjords vessel has been recognised by winning the Ship of the Year 2018 Award
The highly innovative Future of the Fjords vessel has been recognised by winning the Ship of the Year 2018 Award

A revolutionary all electric passenger vessel operating in the Norwegian Fjords has won the Ship of the Year 2018 award at the SMM show.

Future of The Fjords was seen by awards organiser (Norwegian maritime magazine) Skipsrevyen, its readers and expert judging panel as marking a major leap forward in sustainable transport, both on the water and, potentially, on land.

The win represents something of a remarkable double victory. The owner of The Future of the Fjords together with the shipyard Brødrene Aa, has already won the title before back in 2016 with battery hybrid sister ship Vision of The Fjords.

Although both vessels share the same carbon fibre hull, Future of The Fjords was seen by awards organiser (Norwegian maritime Continue reading “All electric passenger vessel Future of The Fjords scoops top award”

Watch video footage as the recently launched Lonian superyacht by Feadship makes her way out to sea through the streets

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Dutch superyacht yard Feadship has released a video showing its newest project, the 87 metre superyacht Lonian, as she carefully manoeuvres and navigates her way through more than 15 bridges on her way out to sea, towering above the local buildings and surroundings.

The video captures onlookers watching as the Feadship yacht squeezes through narrow Dutch canals to enter the North Sea where she will undertake her sea trials.

It comes after the four deck-motor yacht was launched from her shed in July sporting her royal paint finish.

Continue reading “Watch video footage as the recently launched Lonian superyacht by Feadship makes her way out to sea through the streets”

USCG published towing vessel safety statistics for 2017

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Photo credit: USCG
Photo credit: USCG

The US Coast Guard, in partnership with the American Waterways Operators (AWO), has published the National Quality Steering Committee’s annual safety report containing towing industry data for calendar years 1994 to 2017. The report reveals that in 2017, there were six operational towing vessel crew fatalities.

The National Quality Steering Committee looks at three safety measures to track overall trends in towing vessel safety and environmental protection: Crew fatalities per 100,000 towing industry workers, gallons of oil spilled from tank barges per million gallons transported, and the number of towing vessel casualties (overall and by incident severity).

The report also includes summary statistics on crewmember injuries, which the National Quality Steering Committee began tracking in 2006, for calendar years 2006 to 2017.

Crew Fatalities
In 2017, there were six operational towing vessel crew fatalities. While 13 deaths were Continue reading “USCG published towing vessel safety statistics for 2017”

Dr Malini Shankar, Director General of Shipping of India, confirmed as the Chief Guest at the one day IIMS Mumbai Symposium

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Dr Malini Shankar will be the Chief Guest and will speak to delegates at the IIMS Mumbai Symposium
Dr Malini Shankar will be the Chief Guest and will speak to delegates at the IIMS Mumbai Symposium

IIMS is honoured to announce that Dr. Malini Shankar, Director General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, has consented to be the Chief Guest at the IIMS Symposium on Wednesday 10th October 2018. As well as being present at the event, Dr. Malini Shankar will herself give a short address to the assembled audience.

Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, will open the Symposium with a short speech, introducing and welcoming Dr. Malini Shankar to the event as he does so. The Symposium is being held at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel near Mumbai International Airport.

The speaker programme is being finalised now, but confirmed presenters so far include:
Continue reading “Dr Malini Shankar, Director General of Shipping of India, confirmed as the Chief Guest at the one day IIMS Mumbai Symposium”

Following the publication of the M/V Cheshire report, a recommendation is made that Ammonium Nitrate should not be treated as group C

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The decomposition progressed throughout the length of the vessel to such an extent that, after several days, the vessel’s Master took the decision to evacuate the crew.
The decomposition progressed throughout the length of the vessel to such an extent that, after several days, the vessel’s Master took the decision to evacuate the crew.

Following the investigation report of the 2012 built supramax bulk carrier M/V CHESHIRE which was issued by the Isle of Man Ship Registry, INTERCARGO urges IMO to reconsider how Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer should be designated in the IMSBC Code. Currently, the Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer is listed as a group C cargo, however, the accident showed that this cargo, or at least some of the ammonium nitrate based fertilizers shipped as this cargo, should treated differently under the IMSBC Code.

In August 2017, the 2012 built supramax bulk carrier M/V CHESHIRE, en route from Norway to Thailand, fully loaded with cargo declared by the shipper as being “Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer (Non-hazardous)” and not liable to self-sustaining decomposition, suffered cargo decomposition that led to rising temperatures in the cargo holds and the generation of toxic gases.

The decomposition progressed throughout the length of the vessel to such an extent that Continue reading “Following the publication of the M/V Cheshire report, a recommendation is made that Ammonium Nitrate should not be treated as group C”

IACS updates guidance on bulk cargo loading and discharging

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The process of planning and controlling cargo operations is addressed with special reference to the derivation of the loading and unloading plans and the requirements for ship/shore communication.
The process of planning and controlling cargo operations is addressed with special reference to the derivation of the loading and unloading plans and the requirements for ship/shore communication.

The shipping industry remains highly concerned about the possible damage and loss of bulk carriers carrying heavy cargoes. In July 2018, IACS revised ‘Recommendation 46’ referring to Bulk carriers loading and discharging to reduce the likelihood of over-stressing the hull structure in order to raise further awareness on the potential associated risks.

As explained, the loads that affect the ship’s structure are generally discussed with special reference to the structural strength limitations imposed by the ship’s Classification Society.

For instance, over-loading may induce greater stresses in the double bottom, transverse bulkheads, hatch coamings, hatch corners, main frames and associated brackets of individual cargo holds. In addition, overloading of the cargo hold in association with insufficient Continue reading “IACS updates guidance on bulk cargo loading and discharging”

Rudder compartment hull leak causes major capsizing of towing vessel says NTSB investigation

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NTSB determines that the probable cause of the capsizing and sinking of the Gracie Claire was the towing vessel’s decreased stability and freeboard due to undetected flooding through a hull leak in the rudder compartment, which made the vessel susceptible to the adverse effects of boarding water from the wake of a passing vessel.
NTSB determines that the probable cause of the capsizing and sinking of the Gracie Claire was the towing vessel’s decreased stability and freeboard due to undetected flooding through a hull leak in the rudder compartment, which made the vessel susceptible to the adverse effects of boarding water from the wake of a passing vessel.

The US NTSB issued an investigation report on the capsizing of the towing vessel ‘Gracie Claire’, while moored on the Lower Mississippi River in Venice, Louisiana. The report revealed that several factors affecting the stability of the vessel led to its capsizing.

The incident
On 23 August 2017, at 0756, Gracie Claire was moored in Tiger Pass near mile marker 10 on the Lower Mississippi River. While taking on fuel and water, the towboat began to slowly list to starboard. After the wake of a passing crewboat washed onto the Gracie Claire’s stern, the list increased. In a short period of time, water entered an open door to the engine room and flooded the space.

The towboat sank partially, its bow being held above the water by the lines connected to the dock. All three crewmembers escaped to the dock without injury. Approximately 1,100 gallons of diesel fuel were discharged into the waterway. Damage to the Gracie Claire was estimated at $565,000.

Probable cause
NTSB determines that the probable cause of the capsizing and sinking of the Gracie Claire was the Continue reading “Rudder compartment hull leak causes major capsizing of towing vessel says NTSB investigation”

MPA Singapore has issued advice on how to conduct effective marine incident reporting

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Once this is ensured, the owner, manager and shipmaster of the affected Singapore-registered ships should alert MPA of the incident immediately or at the latest, within 2 hours.
Once this is ensured, the owner, manager and shipmaster of the affected Singapore-registered ships should alert MPA of the incident immediately or at the latest, within 2 hours.

MPA Singapore issued a marine notice to inform operators of Singapore-registered ships on the procedure of reporting of any marine casualty, incident or security-related incident involving Singapore-registered ships.

To begin with, the following can be considered to-be-reported marine incidents:
– the death of, or serious injury to, a person;
– the loss of a person from a ship;
– the loss, presumed loss or abandonment of a ship;
– material damage to a ship;
– the stranding or disabling of a ship, or the involvement of a ship in a collision;
– material damage to marine infrastructure external to a ship, that could seriously endanger the safety of the ship, another ship or an individual; or
– severe damage to the environment, or the potential for severe damage to the environment, brought about by the damage of a ship or ships.

As noted, the general principle in any incident is that urgent steps on the ground, in accordance with ships’ and companies’ approved plans, must first be taken by Continue reading “MPA Singapore has issued advice on how to conduct effective marine incident reporting”

An explanation to the mystery of cargo ships that sink when their cargo liquefies

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Solid bulk cargoes are typically “two-phase” materials as they contain water between the solid particles.
Solid bulk cargoes are typically “two-phase” materials as they contain water between the solid particles.

Think of a dangerous cargo and toxic waste or explosives might come to mind. But granular cargoes such as crushed ore and mineral sands are responsible for the loss of numerous ships every year. On average, ten “solid bulk cargo” carriers have been lost at sea each year for the last decade.

Solid bulk cargoes – defined as granular materials loaded directly into a ship’s hold – can suddenly turn from a solid state into a liquid state, a process known as liquefaction. And this can be disastrous for any ship carrying them – and their crew.

In 2015, the 56,000-tonne bulk carrier Bulk Jupiter rapidly sunk around 300km south-west of Vietnam, with only one of its 19 crew surviving. This prompted warnings from the International Maritime Organisation about the possible liquefaction of the relatively new solid bulk cargo bauxite (an aluminium ore).

A lot is known about the physics of Continue reading “An explanation to the mystery of cargo ships that sink when their cargo liquefies”

Frequency of total hull losses at its lowest since 1996 reports Cefor

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The number and impact of major and total hull losses has remained low since 2016, a trend that has continued into the first half of 2018, according to figures by the Nordic Association of Marine Insurers (Cefor).

The overall claims frequency continues its positive trend and stabilizes at a relatively low level, and total loss frequency reached a minimum again in the first half of 2018, and continues thus the last year’s trend with some oscillation at low levels.

Insured values dropped on average 2.5% on 2018 renewals. The improvement compared to the previous years is especially due to some recovery in the supply/offshore segment in 2018, following a recovery in the bulk market in 2017. However, it should be noted that Continue reading “Frequency of total hull losses at its lowest since 1996 reports Cefor”

American Club publishes Safety Management Systems help guide

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The booklet is the fourth in a series of coming guides produced by The American Club, which deal with matters of safety, protection of the marine environment and maritime security.
The booklet is the fourth in a series of coming guides produced by The American Club, which deal with matters of safety, protection of the marine environment and maritime security.

The American Club has recently published a helpful new guide which focuses on Safety Management Systems. The aim is to assist both seafarers and shoreside personnel in understanding the basic principles of how to implement local and international safety management systems.

The booklet is the fourth in a series of coming guides produced by The American Club, which deal with matters of safety, protection of the marine environment and maritime security.

A safety management system – or SMS – is a proven and essential tool for achieving loss prevention success for both international shipping under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and U.S. inland waterway operators and on non-compulsory vessels under the U.S. Code of Federal Regulation Subchapter M, towing vessels safety management system option for compliance.

The new guide is expected to assist operators with Continue reading “American Club publishes Safety Management Systems help guide”

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