International News

Iconic Shipping Forecast celebrates its 150th birthday

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The Shipping Forecast has provided uninterrupted service to the shipping world for 150 years
The Shipping Forecast has provided uninterrupted service to the shipping world for 150 years

Issued uninterrupted since 1867, the Shipping Forecast has become an iconic symbol recognised by people from all over the world. This most venerable of institutions celebrates 150 years of service. Yet still today, despite new pretenders on the block, it provides a vital role with information about impending warnings and sea area forecasts four times a day. What’s more, delightful names such as German Bight, Rockall, Lundy and Forties have become household names for many because of it.

The history of the Shipping Forecast
On the night of 25-26 October 1859 the British Isles were struck by a severe storm which subsequently became known as the Royal Charter Storm. The Royal Charter sank off Anglesey in a storm. Of 500 souls aboard only 29 survived. It was the largest loss at sea of the year and provoked a significant reaction about the need to try and predict storms to prevent ships from leaving port and heading into appalling weather conditions.

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Lessons learnt from bunker fuel contamination incident highlighted by UK P&I Club

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The UK P&I Club has issued guidance about a bunker fuel contamination incident which occurred onboard a general cargo ship during loading a bulk cargo. The Club has, provided details of what happened and highlights the important lessons learned.

This vessel was loading a bulk cargo in two of the vessel’s lower holds. During the loading operation, the vessel bunkered 500 MT of HFO into no.’s 2 port and starboard fuel oil side tanks. Shortly after the completion of bunkering operations, the Chief Engineer (C/E) noticed the level of no.2 port fuel oil tank was decreasing from observation of the remote gauging system.

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Biggest round the world Clipper Race is underway

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Photo credit: onEdition. Race Start for the 2017-18 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Albert Dock, Liverpool.
Photo credit: onEdition. Race Start for the 2017-18 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Albert Dock, Liverpool.

The biggest ever edition of the Clipper Race started from the River Mersey, Liverpool on 20 August in front of thousands of spectators. The day started with crew farewell ceremonies with family, friends and supporters looking on from the Albert Dock colonnades as each team had their moment on stage before all 247 crew members boarded their yachts, ready to leave land behind for approximately four weeks.

IIMS is proud to be the Certifying Authority responsible for coding the 12 strong Clipper Fleet. IIMS Certifying Authority examiners, Chris Moody and John Excell, were on hand in the days running up to the start of the race to ensure final inspections were in place before departure.

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ABS report reveals key insights into ballast water management systems

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Example of a ballast water management system
Example of a ballast water management system

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, has published a report providing insights into how industry is progressing with ballast water management systems. Based on input provided by owners and operators with ballast water management systems on board their vessels, the report covers a range of topics, including installation, commissioning and operations of ballast water management systems.

“It is important to share with all stakeholders the outcome of the ABS organized workshop on the issues and best practices with ballast water management systems,” says ABS Executive Vice President for Global Marine Dr. Kirsi Tikka. “When we hear directly from owners and operators, we are better able to understand the challenges in the operation of the systems, and for those systems which are operational, what practices are being followed.”

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The Quadriga set to become the world’s biggest sailing cargo ship

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As innovators look for ways to further reduce the carbon footprint and create greener vessels using renewable technology in the future, it has been announced that Quadriga, an innovative sustainable shipping project from Hamburg based Sailing Cargo, aims to become the world’s biggest sailing cargo ship. It seems as if time goes in a full circle as developers look to significantly harness wind power once again and match it with ships.

The project outlines a plan to build a 170 metre car carrier, capable of carrying between 1,700 and 2,000 cars, which will be equipped with four DynaRig masts and will operate on hybrid propulsion with sails and diesel-electric engines, and an optional battery system for peak loads. The vessel will be capable of sailing at 10-12 knots with the aim of reaching 14-16 knots in the next few years through combined expertise.

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Dangers of carrying nickel ore cargo from Indonesia and the Philippines highlighted

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Risks of carrying nickel ore cargo from Indonesia and the Philippines highlighted by West P&I Club
Risks of carrying nickel ore cargo from Indonesia and the Philippines highlighted by West P&I Club

The West of England P&I Club has highlighted the mandatory notification requirements surrounding the perils of carrying nickel ore cargo from both Indonesia and the Philippines, ensuring that the necessary related safety measures are in place to comply with the IMSBC Code requirements. The Club explains the implications and advises all operators to take the necessary measures to mitigate these risks where possible. The Club says this may necessitate the appointment of a local surveyor to assist the Master.

“In accordance with the Club’s bye-laws, Members are required to notify the Managers before agreeing to carry a nickel ore cargo to ensure that they are fully acquainted with the risks beforehand and so that any concerns regarding the contractual terms of carriage may be addressed. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Managers, Members are also required to appoint a surveyor at the load port to provide assistance to the Master. Failure to fulfil these requirements may prejudice cover.” The Club says in a statement.

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MV WERFTEN makes major investment in new Rostock shipbuilding hall

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Image courtesy of MV WERFTEN
Image courtesy of MV WERFTEN

At MV WERFTEN, construction work started on the new hall complex 11, which will house the new panel line and section line, as well as a line for section outfitting. With a volume of some €80 million, the new facility is one of the largest company investments in the region in the past decades.

The symbolic first cut of the spade, carried out by Genting Group’s Chairman and CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Minister for Economic Affairs Harry Glawe, Rostock’s senior mayor Roland Methling and MV WERFTEN Chief Operating Officer Holger Tepper, signalled the beginning of the construction of the new hall 11.

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Hull Treatment Carrier is a new coating process by Blohm+Voss

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Blohm+Voss set to roll out its new Hull Treatment Carrier process
Blohm+Voss set to roll out its new Hull Treatment Carrier process

Blohm+Voss is, exclusively, the first European shipyard to launch state-of-the-art technology for the coating of hulls developed by Hubert Palfinger Technologies (HPT). The new, cost-saving process, the Hull Treatment Carrier, sets new standards in quality and efficiency and makes a sustainable contribution to environmental and occupational safety. Hull Treatment Carrier is now available to Blohm+Voss customers for all repair and refit projects.

Removal with high-pressure water up to 3,000 bar, automated application up to 1,200 m. per hour per Hull Treatment Carrier, up to 30 percent less coating needed – Blohm+Voss, in cooperation with Palfinger, is setting the stage for new standards in the refit and repair sector by introducing to the market a new Hull Treatment Carrier system for surface treatment and colour application.

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The Standard Club P&I Club publishes a guide to enclosed space entry

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The Standard P&I Club says that investigation into enclosed space related casualties has shown that most are caused by poor training and knowledge of the correct entry procedures, or a total disregard for them. As a consequence, the Club has published a comprehensive guide to address all key issues and to help anyone to enter enclosed spaces safely. The Standard P&I Club guide highlights shortfalls in individual company procedures in equipment, training and onboard practices.

Firstly, Standard Club enlists incidents related to enclosed spaces which have been already reported to the Club, illustrating different ways in which a seafarer can put himself in danger in these areas onboard. Analysis of these incidents have helped the Club to address key factors that contribute to enclosed space incidents as follows:
• poor training
• failure to follow proper procedures for enclosed space entry
• failure to recognise the danger of an enclosed space
• tendency to trust physical senses and forego testing or checks
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DNV GL carries out its first offshore drone survey

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DNV GL surveyors have carried out the classification society’s first offshore drone survey on the semisubmersible vessel Safe Scandinavia in the North Sea. This 25,383 GT tender support vessel (TSV) is owned and operated by Prosafe, supporting Statoil’s drilling operations off the coast of Norway. Using camera-equipped drones, DNV GL’s drone pilots checked the TSV’s fairleads and their connection with the vessel’s two columns as part of the intermediate survey.

“Innovation is one of Prosafe’s core values. We are very pleased that we chose to try the drone survey, as it helped us optimize our survey requirements and allowed us to save significant amounts of time and money. Normally, this kind of operation would cause disruption to our client for several days. The drone survey took only a few hours and was just as effective,” says Ian Young, Chief Operating Officer at Prosafe.

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New global project to address bioinvasions via ships’ hulls

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A new global project to help protect marine ecosystems from the negative effects of invasive aquatic species has been given the go-ahead for preparation.

The GloFouling Partnerships project – a collaboration between the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – will address the transfer of aquatic species through biofouling, in other words, the build-up of aquatic organisms on a ship’s underwater hull and structures.

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America’s ‘Old Ironsides’ Constitution finally leaves drydock following restoration

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On July 23, after a painstaking two-year restoration at Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, USS Constitution was refloated at last. Since she entered dry dock in 2015, ship restorers from the Naval History and Heritage Command and teams of Navy sailors have worked side-by-side to bring “Old Ironsides” back to her former glory.

The restoration involved the replacement of 100 hull planks, along with caulking, rebuilding of the ship’s cutwater on the bow, and the preservation and repair of the ship’s rigging, upper masts and yards. Among other tasks, sailors assigned to Constitution helped the Navy’s ship restorers replace 2200 sheets of copper and the felt that is installed behind it. The copper is a defense against shipworms. “It’s an Continue reading “America’s ‘Old Ironsides’ Constitution finally leaves drydock following restoration”

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