International News

The leading, Tokyo based classification society, ClassNK, has released its annual report on Port State Control, which makes fascinating reading. The report aims to assist ship operators, management companies and surveyors in maintaining compliant operations by providing information about ships detained by Port State Control as well as deficiencies that were found on board from many port states in 2016.

Port State Control inspections ensure that vessels departing the port meet international standards and have proved to be highly effective in eliminating substandard ships that are in operation. They oversee not only the physical structures and components of a ship, but also examine operations related to safety management systems and labor conditions such as wages and hours of rest with regards to MLC, 2006. Over 100 port states have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) over the years and established a harmonized system for Port State Control to strengthen PSC-related activities, ensuring maritime safety, decent working and living conditions, and reducing maritime pollution.

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Content reprinted from the Associated Press

Nine people died and 28 were missing after a tourist ferry packed with about 170 passengers capsized on Sunday 25 June on a reservoir near Medellin, officials said.

A major rescue effort involving Colombia’s Air Force and firefighters from nearby cities searched for survivors at a reservoir in Guatape where the four-story boat, El Almirante, sank. As it went down, recreational boats and Jet Skis rushed to the scene to pull people from the ferry and deliver them safely to the shore, avoiding an even deadlier tragedy.

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued its accident report into the case of the Peter F Gellatly in New Jersey that caused an estimated $2.7 million of damage, which could have been mitigated had there been a safety management system in place. The tank barge Double Skin 501 collided with the International Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT) Bayonne Pier A whilst being pushed by the uninspected towing vessel. In addition, further damage was caused to an adjacent ship, the Isola Bianca. Furthermore, pipelines on the pier were damaged, resulting in the discharge of 630 gallons of fuel oil into the water.

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Swedish engine manufacturer Scania has launched its 13-litre DI13M IMO Tier III compliant marine engine.

The engine is capable of running entirely on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel resulting in emissions of carbon dioxide being reduced by up to 90%. Additionally, IMO Tier III requires emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) to be cut by more than 70%.

The DI13M range utilises selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to help achieve its low emissions. The technology is developed by Scania in-house and ensures minimum emissions of NOx. AdBlue, a urea-based solution, is injected into the exhaust system to convert toxic nitrogen oxides into water and harmless nitrogen gas.

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