Preliminary ATSB investigation report suggests heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers

Heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers
Heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers

The 5,780 TEU APL England was rolling and pitching heavily in rough seas and high winds when it lost 50 containers overboard about 46 nautical miles south-east of Sydney on 24 May 2020, Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said in its preliminary investigation report. While investigation is ongoing, the initial findings suggest heavy corrosion in many of the ship fittings, including lashing eyes, lashing bridges and deck structures.

The APL England was travelling down the east coast of Australia, when the Bureau of Meteorology issued regular forecasts regarding a complex low pressure system developing off the south-east of the country, with gale force wind warnings. Continue reading “Preliminary ATSB investigation report suggests heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers”

AMSA report: Serious marine incidents increase in 2018-2019 in Australian waters

Serious marine incidents increase in 2018-2019 in Australian waters
Serious marine incidents increase in 2018-2019 in Australian waters

AMSA received a total of 12,349 marine incident reports in the period 2016 to 2019, according to the first marine incident annual report for regulated Australian and foreign flagged commercial vessels in Australian waters. The data suggests a significant upward trend in serious incidents between 2018 and 2019, demonstrating the need for a concerted effort on improving safety.

The 2019 annual report presents an analysis of marine incidents including fatalities reported to AMSA. The vast majority of incidents are of a technical nature (78.4%).

The increased reporting rate is a positive sign in terms of industry commitment to safety, and suggests that industry engagement initiatives are yielding results. Continue reading “AMSA report: Serious marine incidents increase in 2018-2019 in Australian waters”

Accelerated by disruption; shipping’s digital revolution in the pandemic era

Accelerated by disruption; shipping’s digital revolution in the pandemic era
Accelerated by disruption; shipping’s digital revolution in the pandemic era

Accelerated by disruption; shipping’s digital revolution in the pandemic era.

It has been a year of disruption for shipping. With COVID-19 altering supply chains and exerting unexpected pressures on our operations, the industry now finds itself at a turning point, caught between mitigating current challenges and thinking about how to build back better in the new normal we face.

In terms of the digital domain, there has been a significant acceleration over the past year in how various segments within shipping are using data and new technologies. Many are arguably seeing these innovative solutions as miraculously Continue reading “Accelerated by disruption; shipping’s digital revolution in the pandemic era”

Cause of Maersk Honam fire is inconclusive reveals report

Maersk Honam fire - cause is inconclusive
Maersk Honam fire – cause is inconclusive

The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) of Singapore has published its report on the fatal Maersk Honam fire which occurred in March 2018. The report concludes that the actual cause of the fire was not conclusive.

On 6 March 2018, during fine weather, the Singapore registered container ship Maersk Honam, which was carrying 7860 containers, while en route from Singapore to Suez Canal, experienced a severe fire that started from no.3 cargo hold when the ship was in the Arabian Sea, about 900 nautical miles west of the coast of India.

All the 27 crew responded to fight the fire by conducting boundary cooling and subsequent release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the cargo Continue reading “Cause of Maersk Honam fire is inconclusive reveals report”

NTSB accident report concludes that incomplete safety procedures led to barge explosion

NTSB: incomplete safety procedures led to barge explosion
NTSB: incomplete safety procedures led to barge explosion

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published Marine Accident Report 20-34 detailing the findings of its investigation involving the explosion of a barge at the Illinois Marine Towing Heritage Slip on the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal, Illinois on the 4 November 2019.

The barge explosion occurred when the IB1940 was being prepared for cleaning after its cargo of acetone had been unloaded. No injuries or pollution were reported in connection with the explosion. The barge, however, was declared a total constructive loss, valued at $1.75M. Continue reading “NTSB accident report concludes that incomplete safety procedures led to barge explosion”

IMSBC Code amendments come into force from 1 January 2021

IMSBC Code amendments come into force from 1 January 2021
IMSBC Code amendments come into force from 1 January 2021

As Amendment 05-19 of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code comes into force on 1 January 2021, here are some of the changes outlined in more detail. The IMSBC Code amendments happen every two years to reflect the changes in the nature and variety of solid bulk cargoes presented for shipment. In June 2019, IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted Resolution MSC.462 (101) specifying forthcoming IMSBC Code amendments (05-19).

Bauxite cargoes are subject to change with and the new criteria distinguishing a bauxite cargo that may liquefy (Group A) from one that will not (Group C). Continue reading “IMSBC Code amendments come into force from 1 January 2021”

Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination case study

Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination
Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination

The Swedish Club has described an incident of machinery failure onboard due to lubrication contamination in their system. An investigation showed that the engine had been operated on a high thermal load for a long time and the turbocharger’s efficiency had been affected by fouling, while the lubrication oil had been contaminated for some time.

The vessel concerned was at anchor, in ballast, awaiting further instructions. The weather deteriorated after seven days and the vessel’s anchor dragged. The anchor was heaved up and the vessel started to slow steam in the area. After about 24 hours, the differential pressure alarm of the main engine duplex lubrication oil filter sounded in the ECR. The crew found aluminium and other Continue reading “Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination case study”

Varkan Ege: COLREGs implementation called into question after vessels collide reveals MCIB investigation

MCIB report on 'Varkan Ege'
MCIB report on ‘Varkan Ege’

Ireland’s MCIB has published an investigation report on the collision between the tanker ‘Varkan Ege’ and the sailing vessel ‘Medi Mode’ in Irish waters during August 2019. The investigation attributed the incident to a mix of misunderstanding, inefficient lookout and poor knowledge of COLREGs.

On Saturday, 22 August 2019 at 10.45 hrs, the sailing vessel ‘Medi Mode’ departed from Arklow and was on route to Kilmore Quay. A decision was made to change the destination from Kilmore Quay to Howth as the weather had deteriorated, and due to an impending night arrival in Kilmore Quay.

At 17.45 hrs on 22 August, abeam of Rosslare, a course was set for the home port of Howth. The vessel Continue reading “Varkan Ege: COLREGs implementation called into question after vessels collide reveals MCIB investigation”

MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way

MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way
MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way

The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) have released information about their new proposed regulation for Bilge Water Alarms.

Consultation is due to begin on draft legislation that intends to reduce the risk of an accident arising as a result of water coming into a vessel without the crew knowing it is happening.

The new regulations would mean that all vessels greater than 24 metres in length but less than 500 gross tonnage would have to be fitted with bilge alarms.
Owners of vessels less than 500 gross tonnage would still have to formally assess the risks to crew Continue reading “MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way”

Baltic countries to look at new evidence on 1994 roll-on roll-off ferry Estonia sinking

Photo credit: REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo reuters_tickers
Photo credit: REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo reuters_tickers

The roll-on roll-off ferry Estonia, carrying 803 passengers and 186 crew, sank on a stormy Baltic Sea shortly after midnight on September 28, 1994. The official investigation in 1997 concluded that the bow shield had failed, damaging the bow ramp and flooding the car deck. However, Sweden said that a Discovery Network documentary about the disaster included new underwater video images from the wreck site showing damage on the starboard side of the wreck.

“Estonia, Finland and Sweden have agreed that verification of the new information presented in the documentary will be made,” the foreign ministers of the three countries said in a joint statement on Monday. Continue reading “Baltic countries to look at new evidence on 1994 roll-on roll-off ferry Estonia sinking”

Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray to Coast Guard investigation panel

Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray
Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray

In testimony Monday before a U.S. Coast Guard investigation panel, the pilot on the last voyage of the car carrier Golden Ray described the vessel’s final moments – an account never before released to the public.

Capt. Jonathan Tennant, an experienced pilot with the Brunswick Bar Pilots Association, brought the car carrier Golden Ray into port on September 7, 2019. The transit proceeded in a typical manner and she handled as normal, he testified.

In the early hours of September 8, he boarded the vessel to take her out again. Though she had conducted cargo operations, her draft remained the same, and the master told him that the vessel was Continue reading “Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray to Coast Guard investigation panel”

Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems shown to have lower climate impact than low-sulphur fuel

Wärtsilä points to the positive findings of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems on the environment
Wärtsilä points to the positive findings of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems on the environment

The technology group Wärtsilä, a leading provider of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems for the marine industry, refers its customers to a recent report from CE Delft, an independent research and consultancy organisation, regarding the climate impact of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems. The study compares the results to the use of low-sulphur marine fuels and is made from a well-to-wake perspective in order to achieve an accurate comparison.

The report concludes that the environmental impact of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems will be less than that of low-sulphur marine fuel. It notes that CO2 emissions associated with producing and installing an EGC system are small compared to those generated when operating Continue reading “Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems shown to have lower climate impact than low-sulphur fuel”

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