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”
P&I Clubs
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 these sensitive cargoes in order to ensure their proper carriage. 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”
Corrosion causes holes to ship’s hatch covers
In its most recent loss prevention series “Good Catch”, the American Club provides lessons learned from a vessel carrying containers that had several holes in its hatch covers due to corrosion.
A vessel carrying containers was found to have several holes in its hatch covers as a result of corrosion. When the vessel arrived, it was discovered that one cargo hold had 12-14 inches (30-35 cm) of water at the aft end of the hold. Sixteen containers had water ingress.
The cargo was not damaged in 4 of the containers, but in the other 12 containers, the cargo was declared a total loss. Several of those containers were loaded with consumer electronics. Continue reading “Corrosion causes holes to ship’s hatch covers”
West P&I Club advice on how to conduct a proper gas measurement of coal cargoes
When carrying coal cargoes, it is vital to obtain accurate gas measurements to determine the correct ventilation requirements. In a short video less than four minutes long, West P&I Club explains the correct way to undertake the gas measurement of coal cargoes.
According to West Club, coal may self-heat or emit significant amounts of methane, and occasionally, it may do both. Incorrect ventilation can also lead to cargo fire or cargo explosion, which makes it crucial to obtain accurate gas measurements to determine the correct ventilation requirements. While this may appear straight forward, West Club’s experience is that these measurements are often not taken correctly. Continue reading “West P&I Club advice on how to conduct a proper gas measurement of coal cargoes”
International Group of P&I Clubs publishes its first Sustainability report
The International Group of P&I Clubs has published its first Sustainability report, exploring how the Group’s role and current activities align with and support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals as well as helping to facilitate global trade.
Shipping underpins global trade in a world that is more connected than ever and our industry has a responsibility to make a positive contribution to sustainability objectives. The spotlight on the sustainability of the shipping industry and the increasing expectations of all of our stakeholders have only reinforced the importance of understanding our impact and our potential. Continue reading “International Group of P&I Clubs publishes its first Sustainability report”
Advice on safe operation when carrying mineral cargoes
This cargo advice has been prepared by The Swedish Club in collaboration with Burgoynes – David Robbins (UK), Darren Holling (Singapore) and Jim Mercurio (Dubai). The advice relates to cargo advice on carrying mineral cargoes, including sodium metabisulphite.
According to Swedish Club, a number of serious incidents have occurred in recent months involving mineral compounds (i.e. inorganic chemicals) in bags carried as general cargo. Continue reading “Advice on safe operation when carrying mineral cargoes”
Common problems associated with hatch covers
The Japan P&I Club has published an excellent 26 page guide about hatch covers which can be downloaded at the end of this article. The guide highlights a number of key issues that need to be observed to reduce exposure to ingress and wetting damage claims.
Hatch cover maintenance and operation requires a thorough understanding of basic principles together with type specific issues and requirements. Experience and claims show hatch cover problems still remain one of the predominant causes for claims and accidents on board vessels.
According to the Japan P&I Club, “whilst hatch cover claims are generally associated with wetting damage, Continue reading “Common problems associated with hatch covers”
Pilot falls into water after ladder rope breaks, Swedish Club describes
In its monthly safety scenario bulletin, the Swedish Club describes an accident where a pilot had fallen into the water after one of the side ropes of the ladder broke, despite a recent monthly inspection.
It was a cold winter’s morning with calm winds and no swell. The vessel had departed port and was preparing for the pilot to disembark. The Chief Officer had told the bosun to prepare the ladder on the port side. The vessel had discharged all its cargo and was in ballast condition proceeding to the next port for loading. As the vessel had no cargo onboard the freeboard was about 7 meters. Continue reading “Pilot falls into water after ladder rope breaks, Swedish Club describes”
TT Club urges IMO Member States to increase container and cargo inspections and submit reports urgently
Past reporting of inspections carried out has been sparse. In welcoming the IMO’s revised guidelines for inspections, the international freight transport insurer TT Club exhorts governments to report findings to IMO on 2021 inspections, as well as to increase the volume of inspections carried out. This would helpfully inform the international maritime regulator and support industry players who are striving to ensure safety and reduce dangerous incidents.
Revised Guidelines for the Implementation of the Inspection of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs) issued last month by the IMO are aimed at helping governments to implement a uniform and safe inspection programme. The IMO Circular (MSC.1/Circ.1649) seeks to broaden the inspections undertaken and Continue reading “TT Club urges IMO Member States to increase container and cargo inspections and submit reports urgently”
Swedish Club guidelines for bills of lading published
The Swedish Club has released a set of guidelines covering the most common issues with bills of lading. The guidelines have been written in response to requests from operators asking for further support in dealing with some of the practical and theoretical aspects of bills of lading.
Despite their seeming simplicity, a bill of lading is still a contract, and the reality is that whilst there is a lot of information available, it is not always easy to find. Part of the issue is that much of the available advice is found in legal textbooks, which may reach a restricted audience the Club said. Continue reading “Swedish Club guidelines for bills of lading published”
Quantum for claims due to fires onboard ships surpass US$ 4 million
Between 2016 and 2022, the quantum for claims notified to the Shipowners’ Club caused by fires on board vessels was over US$ 4 million. Fire poses a threat to all vessel types, regardless of their size or operation and has the potential to result in severe injuries or the unfortunate loss of life and significant damage to or loss of a vessel.
The Shipowners’ Club, on analysing these incidents, observed that most took place in the engine room or when performing hot work operations and were attributed to a lack of effective procedures and poor housekeeping. The increased use and carriage of lithium batteries on board vessels also presents new challenges Continue reading “Quantum for claims due to fires onboard ships surpass US$ 4 million”