Tips to transporting rare, valuable and high value cargo

Risk Watch focuses on transporting rare cargo
Risk Watch focuses on transporting rare cargo

P&I club Britannia has published tips on transporting rare, valuable and high value cargo. As the Club says, transporting rare, valuable and high value cargo demands more than just standard shipping procedures; it requires a heightened level of vigilance and specialised strategies to ensure the safe delivery of these valuable goods.

RARE AND VALUABLE CARGO
The Club’s cargo rule (19.17.8.5) addresses the transport of rare and valuable cargo. This rule states that there will be no recovery for the loss of or damage to the following items, Continue reading “Tips to transporting rare, valuable and high value cargo”

Isle of Man advisory on enclosed space entry and CO2 hazards issued

Advisory on enclosed space entry and CO2 hazards issued
Advisory on enclosed space entry and CO2 hazards issued

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has published Technical Advisory Notice 005-24 regarding enclosed space entry, gas detection, and CO2 hazards. The advisory primarily targets dry cargo operators, as they experience the highest incidence of enclosed space accidents. It emphasizes the need to assess hazards from cargoes before loading, particularly those that emit CO2, such as organic cargoes like coal. A recent incident resulted in the deaths of three stevedores, highlighting the risks of oxygen depletion and CO2 toxicity from organic materials.

This advisory serves as a supplement to previous Technical Advisory Notices (007-19 and 008-19), which also addressed issues related to enclosed space safety. Continue reading “Isle of Man advisory on enclosed space entry and CO2 hazards issued”

Transport Canada launches national trial for remote vessel inspections

Ship Safety Bulletin No. 23/2024 regarding the launch of a national trial for remote remote vessel inspections
Ship Safety Bulletin No. 23/2024 regarding the launch of a national trial for remote vessel inspections

Transport Canada has issued Ship Safety Bulletin No. 23/2024 regarding the launch of a national trial for remote vessel inspections of grain and concentrates in bulk.

This trial will run from September 2024 to September 2025 and is part of Transport Canada’s broader efforts to modernize the marine inspection process. The primary goal is to determine whether remote inspections can be as effective as physical, in-person inspections in ensuring compliance with the Cargo, Fumigation, and Tackle Regulations (CFTR), which are key to safeguarding maritime safety. Continue reading “Transport Canada launches national trial for remote vessel inspections”

IMO CCC 10 key outcomes

IMO CCC 10 key outcomes
IMO CCC 10 key outcomes

The sub-committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (IMO CCC) met in September to review or update relevant codes including the IMSBC, IMDG, IGF and IGC Codes.
This sub-committee is where all matters related to the carriage of packaged dangerous goods, solid bulk cargoes, bulk gas cargoes, containers, and zero and low carbon fuels are discussed. Lloyd’s Register has published the following summary of the meeting:

Continue reading “IMO CCC 10 key outcomes”

CINS releases Comprehensive Guidelines for Carriage of Charcoal in Containers

The carriage of charcoal in containers poses significant fire risks due to the potential for self-heating and spontaneous ignition.
The carriage of charcoal in containers poses significant fire risks due to the potential for self-heating and spontaneous ignition.

The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) explains that charcoal is a widely used material for various purposes, including cooking, heating, and industrial processes and it is often transported in shipping containers. The carriage of charcoal in containers poses significant fire risks due to the potential for self-heating and spontaneous ignition.

Charcoal is described in the IMDG Code as “Black material originating from organic sources. Particularly includes carbon blacks, of animal or vegetable origin other non-activated carbon materials and Continue reading “CINS releases Comprehensive Guidelines for Carriage of Charcoal in Containers”

IMO amendments to the ESP Code: Certification by hull inspection firms

amendments to the ESP Code: Certification by hull inspection firms
Amendments to the ESP Code: Certification by hull inspection firms

The International Maritime Organization has issued resolution MSC.553(108) with amendments to the 2011 ESP Code: Certification by hull inspection firms. The amendments will come into force on January 1, 2026.

These changes specifically focus on the approval and certification processes for firms that conduct thickness measurements of hull structures. Hull thickness measurements are essential for determining the structural integrity of ships and ensuring their safe operation. The amendments apply to different types of bulk carriers and oil tankers, and aim to ensure that the firms responsible for these Continue reading “IMO amendments to the ESP Code: Certification by hull inspection firms”

Preventing cargo damage through hatch cover maintenance

hatch cover maintenance can prevent cargo damage
hatch cover maintenance can prevent cargo damage

According to the American P&I Club, the ingress of seawater through leaking hatch covers remains one of the most significant causes of cargo damage aboard dry cargo vessels. Cargo damaged by water leaking through hatch covers can result in large claims and affect Members’ claims records. Most leakage problems occur because of poor maintenance. Hatch covers will leak if:
– compression surfaces are not aligned correctly due to worn bearing pads, locator and/or stoppers;
– gasket sections are damaged, missing, worn, over compressed or inserted in Continue reading “Preventing cargo damage through hatch cover maintenance”

Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change

Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change
Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change

Appalled that deaths in enclosed spaces continue to be all too frequent occurrences in the shipping industry, the Maritime Professional Council of the United Kingdom (MPC) has announced its support for fundamental changes to ship operation and design.

MPC member InterManager has been at the forefront of raising this issue where, it says, seemingly innocuous compartments, cargo holds and fuel tanks, vital for storage and operation on board any vessel, have become graveyards for far too many seafarers due to a lack of attention, regulation, and understanding. Continue reading “Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change”

P&I club Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier

Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier
Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier

P&I club Britannia has published an incident case study after two fumigation contractors died from asphyxiation on a bulk carrier.

The unexpected incident occurred onboard the vessel nearing the completion of loading corn cargo, which resulted in the death of one contractor. Before the incident, the cargo holds had been closed for six days, leading to depleted oxygen levels inside. This incident highlights the dangers of closed cargo holds, the lack of awareness about hazardous conditions, and the human tendency to help others in distress without considering personal safety. Continue reading “P&I club Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier”

Transport Malta investigation into fatality on oil tanker Seaprincess

Photo of oil tanker Seaprincess at port
Photo by Thenamaris Ships Management Inc. Taken from Transport Malta Marine Safety Investigation Report on Seaprincess.

The Malta Transport Marine Safety Investigation Unit has released a report into a fatality on board oil tanker Seaprincess. The Maltese-registered ship entered TK Tuzla Shipyard, Türkiye, for its planned dry-docking on 29 July 2023.  At the time of arrival in the dry-dock, all cargo and slop tanks had been washed, cleaned and dried, and declared gas free.  The compartments were tested on a daily basis and while they had been declared to be gas free, they were only suitable for entry provided a personal gas monitor was worn.  Moreover, the compartments’ environment was declared unsafe for hot work.

Continue reading “Transport Malta investigation into fatality on oil tanker Seaprincess”

IACS adopts two new unified requirements on preventing the loss of seaborne containers

IACS has adopted two new Unified Requirements, UR C6 and UR C7, to enhance the cargo securing arrangements of container ships.
IACS has adopted two new Unified Requirements, UR C6 and UR C7, to enhance the cargo securing arrangements of container ships.

In response to the increasing concerns over the number of containers lost at sea in recent years, IACS has adopted two new Unified Requirements, UR C6 and UR C7, to enhance the cargo securing arrangements of container ships.

Container ships play a vital role in global trade, facilitating the transportation of goods across vast distances. However, the safe transport of this cargo type poses unique challenges, particularly with regards to stowage and securing of containers on onboard vessels. By Continue reading “IACS adopts two new unified requirements on preventing the loss of seaborne containers”

Heavy cargo items require extra attention

Siemens Schottel azimuth thrusters. Photo credit: Wikipedia
Siemens Schottel azimuth thrusters. Photo credit: Wikipedia

The Nautical Institute has composed a case study on an incident where a multi-purpose cargo vessel was transporting six azimuth thrusters in its hold. Each thruster weighing 60 tonnes. Stowage calculations based on the voyage instructions and stowage plan were made by an officer and checked by the Master before loading. The results were sent to the office for approval.

According to the calculations, each thruster would require 10 lashings. To be on the safe side, the Master and crew decided to use 12 or Continue reading “Heavy cargo items require extra attention”

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