International News

Risks of using non SOLAS or non-pyrotechnic distress flares highlighted in new MCA MIN

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The UK MCA has released a marine notice, MIN 542, which highlights the specific risks of using non SOLAS or non-pyrotechnic distress flares, for example Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS).

To be effective, distress signals need to be internationally recognised. Not all EVDS provide a distress signal listed in COLREGS Annex IV (such as SOS), and the MCA knows of no EVDS device which is compliant with the SOLAS technical performance standards for distress flares. Consequently, the international carriage requirements do not recognise EVDS and the UK national carriage requirements have not been amended to formally recognise them either.

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AkzoNobel’s Interline 9001 cargo tank coating wins ICIS Innovation Awards

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Interline 9001 cargo tank coating has won two awards for AkzoNobel
Interline 9001 cargo tank coating has won two awards for AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel has scooped two prestigious honours at the recent ICIS Innovation Awards for the Interline 9001 ultra-performance cargo tank coating supplied through its International brand.

As well as being awarded with the overall Innovation Award, Interline 9001 also received the Best Product Innovation Award from ICIS, the trusted information provider for the global chemical and energy industries.

The awards recognize the impact the new coating has had on the chemical tanker industry, specifically how it tackles the issue of Continue reading “AkzoNobel’s Interline 9001 cargo tank coating wins ICIS Innovation Awards”

Shipping sector not ready for IMO 2020 sulphur limit regulations reveals survey

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Some 70% of shipping companies surveyed say they do not believe the industry is ready for IMO’s 2020 deadline, when a global limit of 0.5% sulphur will be imposed on marine fuel for vessels trading internationally. That was the headline finding of a new survey conducted by CE Delft on behalf of Exxonmobil.

The survey suggests that only 500 ships have been equipped with scrubbers. There has been something of a backlash against scrubber technology, most notably from Maersk and Klaveness, who have said they see the technology as being expensive and immature.

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DNV GL commences roll out of electronic certification

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Image credit: DNV GL
Image credit: DNV GL

In a significant move and historic first for the ship classification industry, DNV GL has commenced the roll out of IMO compliant electronic class and statutory certificates across its entire fleet. The widespread use of electronic certificates will result in significant efficiency gains for ship owners, charterers, regulators and crew, cutting down administrative burdens, processing time and document handling costs.

For the past few years, DNV GL has been working on pilot projects with several owners and flag administrations, to test and gain acceptance for the use of electronic certificates. This has resulted in more than 45 flag state administrations already having granted DNV Continue reading “DNV GL commences roll out of electronic certification”

Batteries set to replace generator on offshore vessel Viking Princess

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Offshore supply vessel Viking Princess
Offshore supply vessel Viking Princess

A hybrid energy system has been installed on board Viking Princess making it the first offshore supply vessel where batteries have reduced the number of generators on board. Viking Princess completed sea trials and the system was handed over to Eidesvik Offshore on October 9, 2017.

She provides supplies to oil rigs in the North Sea and Barents Sea. The five-year old vessel runs on LNG-powered Wärtsilä engines. Depending on the ongoing task and weather conditions, the engine load varies between 90 percent and 20 percent.

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New guide on how to carry charcoal and carbon cargoes in containers safely published

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The International Group of P&I Clubs together with The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) has published a new guide with advise on the safe carriage of charcoal and carbon in containers.

According to data, the local production of wood charcoal and carbon for domestic and export markets is about 53 million tonnes per year. These cargoes need to comply with the IMDG Code compliance and the aim of the guide is to highlight additional precautions to enhance their safe carriage.

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MAIB releases MGN 564 to replace MGN 458 describing how marine casualties and marine incidents should be reported

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On 20th March 2017, the MAIB opened a consultation to stakeholders to gather views on a new Marine Guidance Note (MGN) to replace MGN 458. The MGN provides guidance on the legal obligation to report marine casualties and marine incidents to the MAIB, as contained in The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2012. It describes the process and the information required for reporting.

The draft new MGN was divided into sections, designed for quick reference, being:
– A brief introduction
– Who Must Report
Continue reading “MAIB releases MGN 564 to replace MGN 458 describing how marine casualties and marine incidents should be reported”

New automated mooring technology now operational for tankers

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Cavotec’s EX-certified MoorMaster automated mooring units have supported the first ever transfer of LNG from a ship to a floating LNG platform. MoorMaster is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines. Remote-controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside or pontoons, moor and release vessels within 30 seconds.

Gas Natural Fenosa and Connect LNG successfully conducted a commercial LNG delivery with a Universal Transfer System in Norway on October 7. The system was fitted with two MoorMaster units – the first EX- and DNV GL-certified automated mooring systems ever built. Continue reading “New automated mooring technology now operational for tankers”

Poor maintenance led to steering failure and grounding of the Bow Singapore

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The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its investigation report into the grounding of the tanker Bow Singapore in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, in August 2016, highlighting both procedural and maintenance issues as contributing to the accident.

On August 19, 2016, a Port Phillip Sea Pilot boarded the vessel. The pilot was to conduct the ship through The Rip and the South Channel to an anchorage in the northern part of Port Phillip.

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Bureau Veritas joins drones project for inspecting steel structures in enclosed spaces

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Photo credit: Marine Technical Limits
Photo credit: Marine Technical Limits

Bureau Veritas has joined RECOMMS, a joint investment project, that is aiming to develop drones with the capability to inspect steel structures in enclosed spaces. The joint investment project’s primary objectives are to develop a steady, stable and reliable drone capable of following programmable flight paths, either pre-determined by 3D imagery software or flown by a pilot, using 3D simulator ship specific training programmes developed in unison with the drone design. This will lead to the development of a complete and marketable inspection drone when delivered with the required software package.

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Raising the bar in Vessel Assurance through IMCA eCMID accreditation

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Stephen Birt, Chairman of the IMCA Marine eCMID Committee, has written this short article.

Those of you in the Offshore maritime industry are no doubt very familiar with the International Marine Contractor’s Association (IMCA) Common Marine Inspection Document (eCMID), or perhaps the smaller vessel equivalent Marine Inspection for Small Workboats (eMISW). In this article I use eCMID to include eMISW.

However, not everyone is aware of the recent upgrades to the system and database that have seen the most recent version (revision 10) released in July 2016, incorporating extra and refined supplements for various vessel types (including DP vessel and Heavy Lift Continue reading “Raising the bar in Vessel Assurance through IMCA eCMID accreditation”

Final report into the loss of EL FARO is published by USCG

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The US Coast Guard has published the SS EL FARO Marine Board of Investigation report, which includes a detailed account of the accident along with the MBI’s conclusions on contributing factors and recommendations. The loss of the US flagged cargo vessel EL FARO, along with its 33 member crew, ranks as one of the worst maritime disasters in US history, and resulted in the highest death toll from a US commercial vessel sinking in almost 40 years.

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