ROs must inform of non-compliant equipment onboard a Maltese ship

Transport Malta requires recognised organisations to inform them where it is suspected MED equipment placed onboard a Maltese ship is not compliant
Transport Malta requires recognised organisations to inform them where it is suspected MED equipment placed onboard a Maltese ship is not compliant

Transport Malta has reiterated the need for compliance with the Directive 2014/90/EU on Marine Equipment (MED). The Directive requires recognised organisations to inform the Directorate in cases where it is suspected that MED equipment placed onboard a Maltese ship is not compliant with the applicable requirements.

Market surveillance also includes activities carried out in the course of the Directorate’s recognised organisations auditing and oversight programme with respect to compliance with the MED of equipment placed onboard.

Marine equipment is required to be evaluated after installation onboard a Maltese ship, both by carrying out documentary checks related Continue reading “ROs must inform of non-compliant equipment onboard a Maltese ship”

USCG: Work instruction from USCG for laid up inspected and/or examined vessels

The USCG Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance published Work Instruction CVC-WI-018(1), “Laid up Inspected/Examined Vessels”, outlining the process of laying up inspected/examined vessels (commercial) to provide greater consistency and continuity between Captain of the Port Zones.

The purpose of this work instruction (WI) is to establish guidance for Captains of the Port (COTP), Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), Marine Inspectors (MI) and Port State Control Officers (PSCO) placing a vessel into a laid up or inactive status, and returning those vessels back to service.

Entering laid up status
a. In accordance with 46 CFR § 2.01-3, if an owner or managing operator wants to enter a domestic Continue reading “USCG: Work instruction from USCG for laid up inspected and/or examined vessels”

IUMI: Global marine insurance results indicate a modest recovery but COVID-19 adds uncertainty for the future

IUMI has presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends
IUMI has presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends

The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends during its annual conference which this year is being held online. Marine underwriting premiums for 2019 were estimated to be USD 28.7 billion which represents a 0.9% reduction from 2018.

The USD 28.7 billion global income was split between these geographic regions: Europe 46.3%, Asia/Pacific 31.8%, Latin America 10.3%, North America 5.3%, Other 6.3%.

2019 saw Europe’s global share reduce slightly from 46.4% (2018) to 46.3% and Asia’s share increase modestly from 30.7% (2018) to 31.8%.

For global marine premium by line of business, cargo continued to represent the largest share with Continue reading “IUMI: Global marine insurance results indicate a modest recovery but COVID-19 adds uncertainty for the future”

Cargo collective publishes a Quick Guide to container packing and the CTU Code

Five international freight transport and cargo handling organisations have published a Quick Guide to the United Nations sponsored Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (the CTU Code), together with a checklist of actions and responsibilities for those involved. It is part of a range of activities to further the adoption and implementation of crucial safety practices by the Container Owners Association, the Global Shippers Forum, the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association, the TT Club and the World Shipping Council.

With several container fires aboard ships recently, some of them fatal, the organisations believe that adherence to the CTU Code by all Continue reading “Cargo collective publishes a Quick Guide to container packing and the CTU Code”

Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit

Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit
Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit

As there is more focus on the environmental impact and all forms of emissions in the shipping sector, the practice known as degassing is coming under scrutiny. In particular, the Netherlands looks set to ban degassing of ships in transit.

The concerns focus on the potential for the release of harmful gasses with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the process known in the industry as degassing. Environmentalists contend that the process creates health risks for crew, workers in the port, and surrounding communities. They believe it is hazardous to the environment and creates safety risks in the port.

After unloading a liquid cargo, and before they can take on new shipments, ships need to vent their Continue reading “Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit”

Delegation from Panama Maritime Authority investigates the Wakashio accident

The Panama Maritime Authority continues its investigation into the Wakashio accident. Photo courtesy of Mobilisation Nationale Wakashio
The Panama Maritime Authority continues its investigation into the Wakashio accident. Photo courtesy of Mobilisation Nationale Wakashio

The Panama Maritime Authority has given a report on the progress of the safety investigation into the Wakashio accident at the Mauritius Islands when the vessel Wakashio ran aground and subsequently broke up.

A delegation of experts in maritime accidents has arrived in Mauritius and is currently gathering information through face-to-face interviews with members of the ship’s crew.

The Panama Maritime Authority delegation has been able to gather evidence and confirm that on July 25 2020, while the vessel Wakashio was sailing en route to Brazil, its crew celebrated the birthday of one of the crew members; furthermore, the ship deviated from its approved navigation plan at the Continue reading “Delegation from Panama Maritime Authority investigates the Wakashio accident”

Best practice guidelines to reduce the risk of cargo liquefaction before and during loading published

Cargo liquefaction is a Master's worst nightmare, but new guidance from London P&I Club might help
Cargo liquefaction is a Master’s worst nightmare, but new guidance from London P&I Club might help

The London P&I Club has published a booklet to provide guidance about the risk of cargo liquefaction. It offers practical advice on the loading and the carriage of bulk cargoes which may liquefy and the risks associated with liquefaction, plus the precautions to be taken to minimize these risks.

Cargo liquefaction is described as the phenomenon that is triggered by an increase in water pressure that makes solid bulk cargoes (granular materials that are loaded directly into a ship’s hold) turn from a solid-state into a liquid state, causing a ship to tilt and potentially capsize. It can occur when cargo is loaded into the hold – this often involves a fall from significant heights, or when it is Continue reading “Best practice guidelines to reduce the risk of cargo liquefaction before and during loading published”

DMAIB report: Loss of rescue boat stresses importance of wire rope maintenance

The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board has published its investigation report on the accidental fall of a rescue boat from the oil products tanker TORM MAREN while off the coast of Guinea on 1st April 2020. The investigation established that the wire rope maintenance and condition was not recognised as being detrimental to the functioning of the rescue boat system.

On 1 April 2020 TORM MAREN was located approximately 115 nm off the coast of Guinea. While adrift, it was decided to conduct a rescue boat drill and thus the boat was lowered with three persons on board. After having sailed for approximately 1.5 hours the boat was brought alongside and attached to the rescue boat hook and hoisted to deck level.

As the crew was about to bring the rescue boat into the cradle, the boat fell into the sea, from a height Continue reading “DMAIB report: Loss of rescue boat stresses importance of wire rope maintenance”

Crucial safety flaw is key finding of investigation into Bourbon Rhode sinking and fatalities

The Bourbon Rhode investigation report has revealed a potentially serious safety flaw
The Bourbon Rhode investigation report has revealed a potentially serious safety flaw

An accident investigation report by the Luxembourg authorities into the sinking of the vessel Bourbon Rhode with the tragic loss of four people on 26 September 2019 in the Atlantic Ocean has revealed a serious safety flaw of significance. The Luxembourg authorities have released an urgent safety bulletin as a consequence.

The Bourbon Rhode, an anchor handling tug, sank on September 26 in the Atlantic Ocean during a transit voyage from Las Palmas to Guyana.

The Bourbon Rhode was equipped with a system called shark jaws, which is installed in the aft Z-Drive compartment to secure chains or Continue reading “Crucial safety flaw is key finding of investigation into Bourbon Rhode sinking and fatalities”

Missing gasket leads to cargo hold flooding

The Swedish Club in its monthly safety bulletin describes a case history about the cargo hold flooding which was attributed to a tank missing a gasket to the manhole. Also, the bilge sensor was broken and heavily corroded, although it had been inspected a couple of days previously and found at the time to be in good condition.

When the container vessel arrived in port, it was instructed to anchor and wait until its berth was available. While the vessel was waiting for the berth, the Chief Officer decided to carry out a routine ballast tank inspection. The second completed a Permit for entry into the Continue reading “Missing gasket leads to cargo hold flooding”

Life saving appliances service schedules should be maintained warns Survitec

Survitec says the service schedule of life saving appliances should be maintained

With an increasing number of vessels returning to service following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, Survitec is advising that ships’ life saving appliances are maintained according to their original service schedules in order to avoid delays.

Operators must have a valid safety certificate in place before their vessels can return to service after lockdown and while some flags have allowed three to five month extensions, there are concerns that there will be a backlog of equipment requiring service, which could render the vessel unable to return to service until certificates of compliance have been issued or extensions approved.

Survitec singles out the cruise and ferry segment, which is set to return to service in the fourth quarter, as posing a particular challenge Continue reading “Life saving appliances service schedules should be maintained warns Survitec”

With a spate of incidents and accidents what price human life at sea?

Of course, we have always known that the sea can be and is a treacherous place at times; but the past few weeks have seen a spate of distressing incidents and accidents, seemingly occurring on an almost daily frequency and resulting in the loss of life with substantial damage to vessels and cargoes around the world. Before I became involved in my role as CEO of IIMS, I was blissfully unaware of the sheer number of lives lost at sea, as indeed are most members of the general public. The reason for that is simply that most marine accidents, apart from the really major ones, never make the general news agendas. When I tell my friends and family about the tragedies that routinely happen at sea, they are disbelieving.

The personal distress I have felt having seen details of one incident after another dropping into my inbox has compelled me to write a blog Continue reading “With a spate of incidents and accidents what price human life at sea?”

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