Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta: Oil and gas hub to be constructed in Malta

Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta: Oil and gas hub to be constructed in Malta
Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta: Oil and gas hub to be constructed in Malta

The Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta (MMH) is investing more than €20 million to turn Valletta into a hub for vessels from the maritime and oil and gas exploration sectors. Located in the far reaches of Valetta Harbour at Albert Town, the first investment of €8 million went towards the preparation of the site, with a large proportion dedicated to the dredging of the basin to a depth of 10.5 metres. This dredging successfully removed pollutants from the main dock and allowed the port to accommodate larger vessels from the offshore sectors, including supply and construction vessels as well as superyachts.

“Today, thanks to the collaborative work with Jan De Nul Group, Malta’s harbour can accommodate larger vessels Continue reading “Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta: Oil and gas hub to be constructed in Malta”

Safety warning about multiple cruise ship anchor failures

Anchor failures - Image courtesy of the Financial Times
Anchor failures – Image courtesy of the Financial Times

In early 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic forced the international cruise industry into an unprecedented operational pause, resulting in many cruise ships anchoring off the UK south coast for long periods of time. The MAIB has been made aware of several marine incidents of anchor failures since October 2020 where cruise ship anchors or anchor cables have failed, often while trying to ride out named winter storms. One cruise ship lost both its anchors within a week.

The strength of anchoring equipment is defned by ship Classifcation Rules and it is intended for temporary mooring of a ship within a harbour or sheltered area. In good holding ground, the anchoring equipment should be able to hold the ship to a maximum wind strength of 48 knots in fast water, but this reduces to a maximum of 21 knots wind strength in seas with a signifcant wave height of 2m. Continue reading “Safety warning about multiple cruise ship anchor failures”

New Hempel Campus and Head Office opened

New Hempel Campus and Head Office opened
New Hempel Campus and Head Office opened

World-leading coatings company Hempel has opened its new Campus, which features a newly constructed office building and a state-of-the art R&D facility. Hempel Campus is unique in its architectural approach and is the international headquarters for the Hempel Group.

“We are very excited to move into our Hempel Campus, which is a modern, international workplace and architecturally attractive. It is based on our vision of how we want to work together in teams and cross- functionally. Our new facilities reflect our culture and give us the perfect work environment enabling us to deliver on our ambitious strategy and growth targets,” explains Pernille Fritz Vilhelmsen, Hempel Chief People & Culture Officer.

The new R&D facility will be a hub for international scientists and contribute to accelerating and strengthening our development of Continue reading “New Hempel Campus and Head Office opened”

MCA consultation into Polar Code how open

MCA consultation into Polar Code how open
MCA consultation into Polar Code how open

MCA consultation on putting international rules (polar code) designed to protect polar regions and those that sail on them into UK law has now begun. The rules cover safety-related requirements for some of the toughest environments on earth including ship design, construction, and equipment as well as the protection of the unique eco-systems of the polar regions.

Known as the Polar Code, it is the international standard for shipping in those regions, has been developed by the International Maritime Organization with substantial input from the UK. Operators should already be working to it, but the UK wants to have it in law here as part Continue reading “MCA consultation into Polar Code how open”

Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation

Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation
Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation

As part of its recently launched casebook series giving safety lessons learned from maritime incidents, the Swedish Club describes a case of multiple explosions onboard a bulk carrier caused by cargo fumigation. A bulk carrier had loaded yellow corn in all cargo holds up to the hatch coamings. After the loading was complete fumigation technicians came onboard and fumigated the cargo with fumitoxin pellets. As per the cargo documentation, the fumigation pellets were required to be applied subsurface.

In this instance, the technicians poured the pellets from flasks while walking on the hatch coamings or hatch covers. This work took a little more than an hour and, afterwards, all the cargo hatches were closed and the vessel sailed. A couple of hours later, an explosion occurred Continue reading “Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation”

Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy

Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy
Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy

The IMO has introduced amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMBSC) code regulations concerning the carriage of bauxite, that came into force on 1 January 2021. If you are involved in the bauxite trade this article will assist you in your communication with shippers and authorising loading, understanding the classification of this type of cargo, and loss prevention.

Following the 2015 sinking of the “Bulk Jupiter”, a working group was set up to review the risk of bauxite liquefaction and make recommendations in respect of updating the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (“IMSBC”) Code regulations.

IMO Resolution MSC.462(101) introduced amendments (05-19) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The Continue reading “Bauxite: A cargo that may liquefy”

Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta

Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta
Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta

Transport Malta has published an investigation report into the cargo explosion onboard the container ship MV Croatia while underway in February 2020. The investigation established that flammable vapours had accumulated inside the container, which contained scrap metal and used car parts, resulting in an explosive atmosphere.

Whilst underway towards Singapore, a cargo explosion occurred in Croatia’s cargo hold no. 7. A fire party was immediately mustered by the master to assess the situation inside the cargo hold. An inspection of the area revealed that an explosion had occurred inside one of the containers stowed in the cargo hold, damaging five other containers and several ship fittings. The charterers were contacted, following which it was confirmed that no other explosion risks were foreseen. The cargo manifest revealed that the container carried scrap metal and Continue reading “Report published into cargo explosion by Transport Malta”

Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system

Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system
Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system

A Dutch inland vessel is going to be converted later this year to operate on a zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system. The project is viewed as a prototype for the development of a fleet of inland and shortsea vessels that will operate in the region and be available for charter.

The 360-foot inland vessel, Maas, is part of a project being undertaken by Future Proof Shipping, a Dutch company focused on the conversion to green energy. The Holland Shipyards Group’s yard in Hardinxveld will undertake the conversion starting in the third quarter of 2021 with the vessel expected to be back in service in December. Once back in service, the Maas will operate transporting shipping Continue reading “Dutch inland vessel to be converted and powered by zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion system”

P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage

P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage
P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage

Coal is an important, widely-used source of energy that is regularly moved as cargo by ship. However, failure to implement proper coal cargo carriage is associated with a number of hazards; it must be carried according to the relevant regulatory requirements.

According to the Britannia Club P&I Club, due to its origins as a carbonaceous sedimentary rock formed by geological processes applying pressure to the remains of plant material over time, coal comes in many different forms and the term covers a relatively wide range of cargoes. Therefore, its properties and the associated hazards also vary significantly depending on the specific form of coal being carried as cargo. However, all coal cargoes require certain Continue reading “P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage”

Electrocution fatality during maintenance onboard explained in Britannia’s BSafe campaign case study

Image courtesy of RMI - Electrocution fatality explained in Britannia's BSafe campaign
Image courtesy of RMI – Electrocution fatality explained in Britannia’s BSafe campaign

As part of its BSafe campaign, the Britannia P&I Club describes a fatality of an electrician from electrocution, while performing maintenance of the inert gas scrubber electrical system whilst onboard an oil tanker. The electrician had been working alone at the time. Before starting work in the morning on the day of the incident, the second engineer (2/E) held a Toolbox Talk to discuss the work planned for that day. The electrician mentioned he might work on the inert gas (IG) scrubber pump starter panel, but he did not specify the items to be completed, nor the timeframe for the work. No formal risk assessment, permit to work (PTW) or Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) procedure were completed, despite all being specifically required by the SMS.

Continue reading “Electrocution fatality during maintenance onboard explained in Britannia’s BSafe campaign case study”

UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims

UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims
UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims

The UK P&I Club has released the latest video in its online ‘Ask an Expert’ series, featuring Chris Ellyatt from CWA International on the increasing number of grain contamination claims and their causes. The Club continues to see a number of grain contamination claims and Chris Ellyatt explains it is often difficult to work out if these claims are due to the inherent contaminants at the load port, or if they are a result of improper hold cleaning by the ship staff.

Chris highlights the importance of diligent recordkeeping during cargo loading to ensure any untoward contaminants Continue reading “UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims”

Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide

Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide
Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide

Amid an alarming trend of containers lost overboard, the Swedish P&I Club has published a 32 page guide offering guidance on planning and loading the containers. According to the Club’s statistics, the main reason for containers being lost overboard is related to container vessels navigating in heavy weather, combined with crew failure to reduce speed and/or alter course to avoid it or alleviate its effect. The reasons can often be attributed to a series of multiple failures, rather than a single cause, but raising awareness of these issues to both ship and shore staff will serve to prevent accidents from happening.

The guide also notes that other common factors are
– Containers not being correctly stuffed or declared by the shipper;
Continue reading “Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide”

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