Ship News

New joint initiatives to develop the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells

Posted on by News Hound
Initiatives to develop the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells
Initiatives to develop the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells

Alfa Laval, DTU Energy, Haldor Topsoe, Svitzer and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping are entering into a joint project to accelerate the development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. Funded by a grant from Danish EUDP (Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program), the partners will pursue a high-efficiency solution with the scalability to support marine industry decarbonization.

The project, SOFC4Maritime, will target optimal utilization of future green fuels via application of SOFCs for power production on marine vessels. When based on fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen or bio-methane, SOFCs hold great promise as a replacement for today’s fossil fuels. Such alternatives are needed in the maritime industry, which must transition to greener power over just a few decades.

By electrochemically converting fuel into electricity, SOFCs can potentially produce power with higher efficiency than internal combustion engines running on the same fuel – without creating polluting emissions or particulates. Ammonia-based SOFCs are especially attractive, since ammonia can be produced in large scale using Continue reading “New joint initiatives to develop the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells”

Cargo snagging during lifting operations safety alert issued

Posted on by News Hound
Cargo snagging during lifting operations safety alert issued
Cargo snagging during lifting operations safety alert issued

The Marine Safety Forum has issued a safety alert in which it describes a case of cargo snagging during lifting operations. The incident has highlighted the need for improvement in deck space management and planning.

A vessel was engaged in deck cargo operations at an offshore location. A number of lifts had been successfully discharged and backloaded which led to limited space on deck. The crane operator advised the next lift would be the 25ft basket on the starboard side which was duly connected to the crane hook. The vessel deck crew moved to a safe place and confirmed to the crane operator that he was clear to hoist.

As the crane operator began to lift the basket off the deck, the vessel bridge team noticed a corner of the basket had Continue reading “Cargo snagging during lifting operations safety alert issued”

Limiting liquefaction

Posted on by News Hound
Limiting liquefaction - Photo credit: London P&I Club
Limiting liquefaction – Photo credit: London P&I Club

Although the IMO provides the official regulations and guidance notes on cargo liquefaction, P&I Clubs such as The London P&I Club offer complementary advice to ship’s masters to raise awareness of the issue and to suggest practical steps to reduce the danger.

IMO has identified 75 bulk cargoes that have the potential to liquefy under certain conditions – these are known as Group A cargoes. If the Moisture Content (MC) of a Group A cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) then vibration and the motion of the vessel might cause that cargo to behave as a liquid rather than a solid when it is being transported in the hold. When in liquified form, and in a heavy sea, the cargo can easily flow from one side of the hold to the other. This affects the vessel’s stability and can lead to a vessel capsizing. Therefore it is vital that the crew are fully aware of this issue and are able to spot warning signs as early as possible.

Continue reading “Limiting liquefaction”

Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB

Posted on by Rosie Burton
Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB
Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB

MAIB has released a report on the fatal accident on board the trawler Sunbeam. On 14 August 2018, a second engineer on board was asphyxiated and died in one of the vessel’s refrigerated saltwater tanks. The report found that entering Sunbeam‘s tanks without safety precautions had become ‘normalised’ by the crew and had been done ‘without consequence’ over a period of many years.

Sunbeam was in Fraserburgh getting ready for a refit and the refrigerated saltwater tanks had been emptied of water in preparation for cleaning. Entry into the tanks, which were enclosed spaces, was routine business for the crew, both when operating the tanks at sea and during maintenance in harbour.

The second engineer was found collapsed inside a refrigerated saltwater tank. The available evidence, says MAIB, strongly indicates that he’d entered the tank to sweep away residual water. When he was found, three of his crew mates went into the Continue reading “Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB”

Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality

Posted on by News Hound
Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality
Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality

Cargo fumigation remains a challenging operation onboard. An investigation by the Bahamas Maritime Authority found that the crew had been exposed to the fumigant gas – which had been used to treat a cargo of corn – after positive pressure in the accommodation was lost when the ventilation system was stopped by a large wave flooding the galley and store through the ventilation trunking.

Due to the fumigant gas leak, one seafarer died and three others had to be evacuated from their ship after exposure to hydrogen phosphide gas, it has prompted calls for a radical overhaul of the rules governing fumigated cargoes.

In addition to the checks after the accident it was found that the door between the hydraulic room and cargo hold was mounted incorrectly Continue reading “Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality”

EU delayes Inventory of Hazardous Materials obligations until the 30 June 2021

Posted on by News Hound
EU delayes Inventory of Hazardous Materials obligations until the 30 June 2021
EU delayes Inventory of Hazardous Materials obligations until the 30 June 2021

Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) is a document package that shows the quantities and locations of hazardous materials onboard a vessel. Once on board the IHM should be updated when changes occur on board until the end of life of the vessel.

The European Union (EU) has given some support on the obligations under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation to have the IHM on board by the 31st December 2020. This is due to the multiple challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The European Commission (EC) has suggested to EU member states to apply a harmonised approach for six months after the entry 31st December 2020 into application of the IHM-related obligations for existing EU flagged ships and non-EU flagged ships calling at EU ports or anchorages. On this basis Members will have up until 30th June 2021. Continue reading “EU delayes Inventory of Hazardous Materials obligations until the 30 June 2021”

Dangerous Goods containers among 1,900 lost and damaged containers from ONE Apus

Posted on by News Hound
Dangerous Goods containers among 1,900 lost and damaged containers from ONE Apus
Dangerous Goods containers among 1,900 lost and damaged containers from ONE Apus

On the 1st December 2020, the Japanese flagged containership, ‘ONE APUS’ lost a number of containers, some of which are believed to be Dangerous Goods containers, as a result of severe weather conditions on the night of Monday 30th November 2020 at 2315LT approximately 1600NM North West of Hawaii, USA.

“Chidori Ship Holding LLC as owners and NYK Shipmanagement Pte Ltd as managers of the container vessel ONE Apus confirmed that the ship is proceeding to the port of Kobe, Japan with an ETA of December 8, after encountering severe weather on Monday, November Continue reading “Dangerous Goods containers among 1,900 lost and damaged containers from ONE Apus”

World Health Organisation offers free Covid-19 management courses

Posted on by News Hound
World Health Organisation offers free Covid-19 management courses
World Health Organisation offers free Covid-19 management courses

The World Health Organisation has developed two (free access) e-learning courses. The first, Promoting Public Health Measures in Response to Covid-19 on Cargo Ships and Fishing Vessels, will enable learners to describe the public health measures that may protect seafarers throughout their journey to the vessel, on the vessel, and on the way home. It also looks at preventing and managing an outbreak of Covid-19 disease on board a cargo ship or fishing vessel.

This course is primarily for seafarers, shipowners, unions and associations, and competent authorities for health and transport and can be accessed online.

The second WHO course, Operational Considerations for Managing Covid-19 Cases and Outbreaks on Board Ships, will help learners to Continue reading “World Health Organisation offers free Covid-19 management courses”

Funding campaign launched to save the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK

Posted on by News Hound
Funding campaign launched to save the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK
Funding campaign launched to save the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK

The Scottish Maritime Museum has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for vital repairs to, what it believes, is the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK.

Built by John Fullerton & Co. at Paisley, the 1872 cargo coaster MV Kyles is a rare survivor from the 19th century, a transformational period on the River Clyde when shipyards embraced the possibilities of steam power to become important to shipbuilding.

Kyles, which is moored on Irvine Harbourside at the Scottish Maritime Museum’s main site, reaches its 150th birthday in 2022. But a hard working life, being adapted for different roles across the UK by 24 different owners, has taken a huge toll. Essential repairs are now needed if this historic vessel is to remain part of Scotland’s living maritime heritage. Continue reading “Funding campaign launched to save the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK”

Korean Register completes first drone and crawler hull inspection survey

Posted on by News Hound
Korean Register completes first drone and crawler hull inspection survey
Korean Register completes first drone and crawler hull inspection survey

The Korean Register (KR) has successfully completed its first hull survey using both a drone and crawler (a type of drone capable of climbing up and down walls) without scaffolds. The remote inspection technology was used for the intermediate survey of the bulk carrier PAN GLOBAL and was completed with the assistance of POSSM Co, Korea’s largest ship management company and HST Technology, who provided the remote inspection technology on 10 November.

KR’s surveyors have been using remote inspection technology such as drones for surveys since 2017, the equipment allows the surveyor to inspect the vessel without requiring direct access. Since the launch of the service, KR has increased the range Continue reading “Korean Register completes first drone and crawler hull inspection survey”

RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021

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RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021
RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has published a reminder that all RMI flagged ships, (including yachts), subject to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, are required to integrate appropriate cyber risk management measures into their Safety Management Systems (SMS) by the first annual verification of the company’s Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021.

The ISM Code, supported by the IMO Resolution MSC.428(98), requires ship owners and managers to assess cyber risk and implement relevant measures across all functions of their safety management system. This resolution calls companies to Continue reading “RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021”

Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing

Posted on by News Hound
Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing
Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing

Despite the important steps that shipping has taken to address the problem of containerised cargo fires, Gard estimates that so far in 2020, there has been one fire involving containers every two weeks. Are Solum, Senior Claims Executive at Arendal, indicates there has been no shortage of smaller fires, near misses on-board and fires taking place in containers within terminal areas.

Statistics suggest that the frequency of containerised cargo fires occuring is not decreasing. By Gard’s count and on average there has been roughly one fire every two weeks so far in 2020. Continue reading “Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing”

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