Marine News

New diesel injector set to change fuel systems and reduce emissions

Posted on by News Hound
The new RK Lab diesel injector is set to change the fuel system landscape and reduce emissions
The new RK Lab diesel injector is set to change the fuel system landscape and reduce emissions

A new type of diesel injector developed by a Swiss company, RK Lab AG, is claimed to be about to change the face of diesel engine fuel systems and at the same time to reduce emissions.

Not only is this new injector claimed to increase the efficiency of diesel engines, but it is also claimed to greatly simplify the fuel system, removing the need for complex common rail fuel systems.

At the heart of this new fuel system is the self-pressurised RK Injector which utilises the pressure from the piston compression in the Continue reading “New diesel injector set to change fuel systems and reduce emissions”

World’s first LPG-fueled ferry design using GE Gas Turbine completes HAZID meetings

Posted on by News Hound
GE’s compact and lightweight COGES system
GE’s compact and lightweight COGES system

GE’s Marine Solutions reports that the world’s first Liquid Propane Gas (LPG)-fueled ferry design to use GE’s Combined Gas turbine Electric and Steam (COGES) system has successfully completed Hazard Identification (HAZID) meetings. The consortium of Youngsung Global, DINTEC, Korea LPG Industry Association, GE’s Marine Solutions and Far East Ship Design & Engineering Co. (FESDEC) signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding in November 2016 to cooperate on this unique ferry design.

“Bureau Veritas, a world-leading classification society with a large and recognized expertise and experience in gas fueled ships, chaired the HAZID meetings. All consortium members were represented as well as SK Gas and E1 who are members of the Korea LPG Industry Association. These meetings took place over a three-day period in Busan and are a crucial tool used to identify hazards and safeguards at the early ship design stage,” said Brien Bolsinger, GE’s Vice President, Marine Operations, Cincinnati, Ohio. “Now with HAZID meetings Continue reading “World’s first LPG-fueled ferry design using GE Gas Turbine completes HAZID meetings”

BMA issues safety alert about wire gripe line of travel following disengagement of a lifeboat

Posted on by News Hound

The Bahamas Maritime Authority issued a safety alert to inform about the sudden disengagement of a lifeboat during a ship inspection onboard a tanker. The safety alert includes a description of the incident and lessons learnt to try and prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.

The incident
Whilst alongside the loading port, a Aframax tanker conducted a Port State Control (PSC) inspection during which the testing of the lifeboat engine and rudder was required. While swinging out the starboard lifeboat, the lifeboat disengaged from the aft fall hook without any warning. The lifeboat hook did not open, instead the master link pulled clear through the gate on the on-load release gear resulting in the lifeboat falling heavily. The aft end of the boat hit the fish plate on the main deck and slid over the side resulting in the boat hanging from the forward hook. No personnel were in the lifeboat and no injuries were sustained.

Continue reading “BMA issues safety alert about wire gripe line of travel following disengagement of a lifeboat”

Safety alert about the prevention of fuel spray fire published by USCG

Posted on by News Hound
Fuel spray fire can become an issue when an 'out of sight out of mind' attitude is adopted
Fuel spray fire can become an issue when an ‘out of sight out of mind’ attitude is adopted

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has released a safety alert to inform the industry about a fuel spray fire onboard a commercial vessel. These types of incidents, which involve fuel leaks contacting hot surfaces and igniting, happen with too much regularity and have been the subject for various marine safety organizations to consider for many years.

The incident in question
One recent marine casualty involved a 194 GRT inspected offshore supply vessel with an unmanned engine room. This engine room fire led to significant damage, operational down time of the vessel and lost company revenues. On this occasion no one was injured.

Continue reading “Safety alert about the prevention of fuel spray fire published by USCG”

Surveyors beware the perils of undertaking valuations

Posted on by News Hound
Surveyors need to be aware of the risks when undertaking valuations
Surveyors need to be aware of the risks when undertaking valuations

This short but cautionary article about undertaking valuations has been submitted for publication by IIMS member, Elliott Berry MIIMS.

As most of you will be aware, it’s standard practice to issue valuations either as standalone documents or as part of a survey report.

We have long been under the impression that if we as a surveyor issue a letter of opinion that we are protected from claims as a result of discrepancies or unseen circumstances. However, it would appear that this belief is misplaced and this will have far reaching consequences among the surveying profession. Continue reading “Surveyors beware the perils of undertaking valuations”

Port of Rotterdam set to build a bespoke centre for the offshore sector

Posted on by News Hound

The Port of Rotterdam is creating a new 70-hectare space for a specialist offshore centre for wind energy at sea, decommissioning oil and gas platforms and the oil and gas market.

Offshore Centre Maasvlakte 2 (OCMV2) will be located in Princess Alexiahaven against the seawall, near the berth of the heavy lift vessel Pioneering Spirit. The Port Authority will initially reclaim the first 30 hectares and install a heavy load deep sea quay, initially of 600 meters, with the necessary infrastructure. The plan is that the first businesses will become operational on OCMV2 in the course of 2019. The centre could potentially be extended by a further 40 hectares and 1,000 meters of quay wall.

Continue reading “Port of Rotterdam set to build a bespoke centre for the offshore sector”

More herrings than you can throw a fish at

Posted on by CEO

Sometimes in my role as CEO, I find myself in the unlikeliest of places doing the strangest things. This was true just a couple of week ago and I am grateful to IIMS member, Jacek Goszczynski, who is based in Poland for inviting me to visit Szczecin to participate in the annual ‘Herring Gathering’. This event attracts over 2,000 people for an evening of celebration in the city of Szczecin in the north of the country. I found myself interacting with shipowners, hull insurance brokers, underwriters, educationalists and London P&I Club representatives. What a night and of course all in celebration of the humble herring – indeed I have never seen so many herrings in one place before, but I have acquired the taste.

Planning has been the name of the game recently at IIMS. We have a Large Yacht & Small Craft Super Training day coming up in November and the final finishing touches are being put to that. But more of that in the coming weeks. I am thrilled to announce that we have arranged a three day seminar in Singapore and I very much look forward to welcoming members, eCMID accredited vessel inspectors and anyone involved in the marine sector who would like to participate from 31 July to 2 August. We have a cracking couple of days lined up. For full details click here.

Continue reading “More herrings than you can throw a fish at”

Transport Malta publishes its investigation report into an engine explosion on-board a passenger vessel

Posted on by News Hound

Transport Malta has issued an investigation report about an engine explosion on-board a passenger vessel, which caused severe burn injuries to two people back in May 2016. The report sets out to determine the circumstances of the accident as a basis for making recommendations in order to prevent further and similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The incident
Two motor mechanics from the Company’s workshop were sent on board MV Delfini to investigate an engine problem reported by the vessel’s skipper and engine driver. Work was necessary on the port main engine to identify and eliminate the exhaust white smoke, which was being emitted by the engine under load conditions.

Continue reading “Transport Malta publishes its investigation report into an engine explosion on-board a passenger vessel”

ITIC launches new surveyors’ indemnity wording

Posted on by News Hound
Surveyors’ indemnity wording is the subject of work undertaken by ITIC
Surveyors’ indemnity wording is the subject of work undertaken by ITIC

The International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) in association with the Admiralty Solicitors Group (ASG) has launched a new surveyors’ indemnity wording, designed to address the imbalance between the owners’ and the marine surveyors’ responsibilities, typically encountered under existing indemnity agreements.

It is normal practice for a master to ask surveyors to sign waiver and indemnity of a vessel before the latter are given approval to board; so surveyors must waive all rights to make a future claim against the owner and the vessel in respect of any personal injury, or loss of, or damage to their equipment which they suffer, even if it is caused by the fault of the owner.

Continue reading “ITIC launches new surveyors’ indemnity wording”

Bahamas Maritime Authority issues a warnings about Alcares lifejacket light battery failure

Posted on by News Hound

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has issued a technical alert to bring to operators’ and inspectors’ attention that deficiencies have been found in lifejacket lights manufactured by Alcares in particular types Jack A1-Alk and Jack ARH-Alk, distributed by Datrex. A number of ships have reported issues relating to these defective lifejacket lights.

The notice highlights the following:
– Examination of the lights revealed that the batteries had leaked, resulting in contamination on the main board and resulting in the lights being considered unfit for further use.
Continue reading “Bahamas Maritime Authority issues a warnings about Alcares lifejacket light battery failure”

The world’s first class approved 3D printed propeller WAAMpeller is on the horizon

Posted on by News Hound
The WAAMpeller propeller will be based on a Promarin design that is typically found on a Damen Stan Tug 1606
The WAAMpeller propeller will be based on a Promarin design that is typically found on a Damen Stan Tug 1606

Marking a major step forward in the application of 3D printing techniques in the maritime sector, Damen Shipyards Group has entered a cooperative consortium with RAMLAB, Promarin, Autodesk and Bureau Veritas. The goal of this group of forward-looking companies is to develop the world’s first class approved 3D printed ship’s propeller, to be called the WAAMpeller.

Damen’s involvement in the project began just over a year ago as a result of one of its in-house student research programmes. Continue reading “The world’s first class approved 3D printed propeller WAAMpeller is on the horizon”

UK P&I Club issues advice on cargo cold treatment failures

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UK P&I Club says that it has seen an increase in refrigerated cargo claims for fresh fruit being shipped from South America to the United States due to cold treatment failure. George Radu, Claims Executive at Thomas Miller Americas, comments on this increase and offers prevention solutions.

The process of cargo cold treatment is a more efficient way to exterminate fruit insects than fumigation, as it maintains a sufficient low temperature for a pre-determined period, in order to exterminate insects and larvae in perishable cargo. The period and temperature required are defined in protocols established by the relevant authorities of the importing countries.

Continue reading “UK P&I Club issues advice on cargo cold treatment failures”

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