Great care should be taken when containers are loaded on vessels

container losses are the focus of a recent communiqué from the American Club
Container losses are the focus of a recent communiqué from the American Club

In a recent communiqué from the American Club, it focuses on container losses in general. This is a phenomenon that is much too common the Club says and needs addressing.

Containers are routinely being lost at sea from container ships, from barges, and from non-cellular vessels carrying containers. There are several causes including incorrect container weight declarations by shippers, improper weight distributions in the stow, cargo misdeclarations, inadequate packing of cargo inside the containers, inadequate stowage plans, and inadequate cargo securing. Continue reading “Great care should be taken when containers are loaded on vessels”

Water flood in cargo hold case study

There was a water flood into a cargo hold after crew washed the main deck
There was a water flood into a cargo hold after crew washed the main deck

According to the Swedish Club’s latest monthly safety scenario, water was flooding from the cargo hold, after the crew of a containership were washing down the main deck and cargo hatches. Here are the learnings.

It was morning and outside there was a light breeze and some drizzle. The crew of the container vessel was preparing to wash down the main deck and cargo hatches before arrival in port the same afternoon. They had the rare opportunity to do this as there were no containers on deck, only in the cargo hold. Continue reading “Water flood in cargo hold case study”

London P&I Club guidance regarding Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers and Dry Chemicals

The London Club published guidance regarding Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) and Dry Chemicals. The guide presents common hazards, as well as lessons learned for a safe operation onboard.

FIBCs have a body of a flexible woven material (typically polypropylene) and is intended to ship solid material in powder, flake or granular form. It is designed to be handled from the top by permanently attached lifting loops/ slings which can be lifted by cranes, hoists or forklifts. They are frequently used to ship foodstuffs, agricultural product chemicals such as fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals.

As the London Club has noted, Continue reading “London P&I Club guidance regarding Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers and Dry Chemicals”

Britannia P&I Club issues warning about risks of olive margine carriage

Britannia P&I Club Logo
Britannia P&I Club Logo

Britannia P&I Club has warned operators and the shipping industry to be vigilant when carrying olive margine. It wanrs about the risks of liquefaction. According to Britannia, it has become aware that the olive margine, sometimes described as “Vegetable Residues” or “Olive Mill Waste Water (OMWW), is being offered for loading at ports in North Africa.

Olive Margine is not listed as a cargo in the IMSBC Code Britannia has been informed by cargo experts that it is prone to liquefaction and can, therefore, threaten ship stability. It also added that Continue reading “Britannia P&I Club issues warning about risks of olive margine carriage”

Guidance published for hold cleaning of bulk vessels

The Swedish Club in association with CWA International has produced a practical guide to help operators with the hold cleaning of bulk vessels. According to the guide, the preparation and cleaning of a vessel’s cargo holds for the next intended cargo is a vital part of bulk carrier operations. Hold cleaning requires clear planning, preparation and efficient execution.

Failure to carry out the proper hold preparation prior to loading can lead to cargo claims relating to cargo contamination, overflowing bilges, as well as contractual claims relating to delay, failed surveys, loss of hire and further charterparty disputes. Continue reading “Guidance published for hold cleaning of bulk vessels”

Fire due to misdeclaration of container: Case study

The recently published Casebook by The Swedish Club’s highlights an incident when the Master of a ship noticed smoke coming from the forward part of the vessel. At the same time the fire detection system for cargo hold 2 sounded on the bridge. The Master described the smoke as being white at first and then greyish. The Chief Officer, however, described the smoke as being “dark grey, almost black”.

The ventilation fans for the cargo holds were stopped. The fans for cargo hold 2 were not operating at that time but natural ventilation was being provided for the holds as the covers for the vents were open. Crew members closed the covers of the vents for cargo hold 2 and no crew member entered the cargo hold. Continue reading “Fire due to misdeclaration of container: Case study”

Cargo lights ignited cargo onboard bulker: Case study

In a recently published casebook featuring four case studies, The Swedish Club has shared information about an incident where floodlights caused a cargo fire on a bulk carrier.

A bulker had loaded sugar beet pellets in all three cargo holds with the operation taking 27 hours. When loading was completed the ventilation hatches and all other access points to the cargo holds were secured. In cargo hold 1 there were two metres of space between the cargo and the cargo hatch. In cargo holds 2 and 3 the cargo was almost up to the hatch coaming. Continue reading “Cargo lights ignited cargo onboard bulker: Case study”

IIMS 2022 Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium published

Following the surprise runaway success of the first edition of the Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium, published in January 2022 by the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), and subsequently downloaded many thousands of times, Edition II has been launched covering the period January to October 2022. It is now available to download and read in pdf or eReader formats.

Edition II builds on the success of the launch publication and extends to 160 pages. The simple aim is to highlight the dangers of working in the maritime industry, the ensuing accidents and some of the prevention measures available to mitigate disasters at sea. The publication blends a mix of incident and accident reports with essential loss prevention advice generated over the year. One significant new feature is a calendar, featuring some of the many accidents that have occurred during 2022, catalogued month by month. Continue reading “IIMS 2022 Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium published”

Containership strikes crane due to faulty propeller: A case study

Containership strikes crane due to faulty propeller: A case study
Faulty propeller causes containership to strikes crane

The Swedish Club has published its latest monthly safety scenario in which it describes how a faulty propeller caused a vessel to strike a quay and a crane. The container vessel had finished its cargo operation and the pilot had boarded. Two tugs werer standing by to assist the vessel during departure. It was a clear summer day with no strong winds or currents.

The two tugs pulled the vessel clear of the berth and the propeller pitch was then set to Stop (Zero). Both tugs were cast off. The pilot ordered dead slow ahead. However, when the Master set the propeller pitch control to dead slow ahead the main engine stopped. The Master called the engine control room to find out why the main engine had stopped and requested the main engine be restarted. Continue reading “Containership strikes crane due to faulty propeller: A case study”

Transport of lithium-ion batteries – a continuous threat

The publishing of a whitepaper by insurance providers TT Club along with its fellow Thomas Miller managed business, UK P&I Club, and technical and scientific consultancy, Brookes Bell, brings greater awareness of the dangers inherent in the transport of lithium-ion batteries, particularly by sea. The increased demand for ‘green power’ for a wide range of portable devices such as mobile phones, mobility aids and recreation, manufacturing and power storage, through to larger products, such as electric vehicles will undoubtedly result in the production and transport of these batteries rising exponentially in the coming years. Continue reading “Transport of lithium-ion batteries – a continuous threat”

Advice on the safe carriage of hazardous chemical cargoes from the Swedish P&I Club

Working in partnership with CWA International, the Swedish P&I Club has produced a guidance document to assist operators in the daily operation of their vessels relating specifically to the carriage of hazardous chemical cargoes.

A wide range of more than 5,000 chemical products and grades are carried on board chemical tankers. These chemical products often have a high minimum purity due to their intended end uses. The contamination of chemical cargoes can often affect the suitability for their intended end use, and this can play a significant role in the value of the cargo. As a result, special consideration should be given towards Continue reading “Advice on the safe carriage of hazardous chemical cargoes from the Swedish P&I Club”

Reducing container loss guidance published by Britannia P&I Club

Britannia P&I Club has published guidelines for containerships to deal with parametric roll motions. In the guidance, Britannia explains how ships can successfully identify parametric roll and what is triggering it.

Unfavourable combinations of rolling period, vessel speed, heading and wave conditions can trigger sudden and extremely rapid increases in roll motions, which might lead to excess loading on container securing devices and, in the worst cases, container stack collapses and container losses overboard. Continue reading “Reducing container loss guidance published by Britannia P&I Club”

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