Shipping

Sembcorp Marine and BV newbuild remote surveys trial is successful

Posted on by News Hound
Successful trials of newbuild remote surveys could lead to a new class procedure for the remote inspection of vessels under construction
Successful trials of newbuild remote surveys could lead to a new class procedure for the remote inspection of vessels under construction

Bureau Veritas (BV), Nokia and Sembcorp Marine, have successfully completed newbuild remote surveys that pave the way for establishing a new class procedure for the remote inspection of vessels under construction.

The new solution enables newbuild remote surveys to be performed at multiple locations with feedback transmitted to a single monitoring station. This optimizes the waiting time between surveys and increases operational efficiencies by providing connectivity between all stakeholders involved, while minimizing inspectors’ and workers’ exposure to onsite safety risks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continue reading “Sembcorp Marine and BV newbuild remote surveys trial is successful”

Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol guidance issued by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute

Posted on by News Hound
Procedures for safe bunkering of methanol are included in the new Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute
Procedures for safe bunkering of methanol are included in the new Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute

UK-based classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the Methanol Institute (MI) have released a Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol. The new guidance outlines the procedures required for the safe bunkering of methanol and incorporates dedicated checklists to assist shipowners/operators, ports, bunker suppliers and other stakeholders with safe storage and handling, it said.

LR notes methanol is already in use as a marine fuel on several vessel types. Compared with traditional heavy fuel oil options, its sulphur-free characteristics and lower GHG emissions than conventional fuel can support owners with efforts to meet IMO2020 regulations, it explained.

Continue reading “Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol guidance issued by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute”

Transport Malta draws attention to the dangers of sheathed steel wires

Posted on by News Hound
The dangers of sheathed steel wires onboard ships
The dangers of sheathed steel wires onboard ships

Following three incident investigations, Transport Malta has issued a safety notice to draw attention to the dangers of sheathed steel wires onboard ships. Their concern surrounds the restricted access to the wire rope for a thorough inspection and the possibility that corrosion might exist.

It is recommended that all concerned must check the condition of all lashings, lifting slings/strops and other loose gear as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions for the use, size and construction of the wire. This advice is in addition to a recent warning by Tokyo MoU, highlighting the dangers of sheathed steel wires on board ships.

The Transport Malta notice also highlights that all Flexible Steel Wire Ropes (FSWR) and Extra Flexible Steel Wire Ropes (EFSWR) should conform to the design requirements recognised by a relevant International Standard.

Companies should consider means to ensure that the inspection of lifting slings or the FPD encased in plastic sheathing and Continue reading “Transport Malta draws attention to the dangers of sheathed steel wires”

ABS updates Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures guide

Posted on by News Hound
ABS Guide: Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures
ABS Guide: Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures

ABS has released its updated Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures guide, which incorporates updated approaches for addressing fatigue including new S-N curves and guidance regarding fatigue strength based on fracture mechanics.

Fatigue assessment is a process where the fatigue demand on a structural element is established and compared to the predicted fatigue strength of that element. One way to categorize a fatigue assessment technique is to say that it is based on a direct calculation of fatigue damage or expected fatigue life. Three important methods of assessment are the Simplified Method, the Spectral Method and the Deterministic Method. Alternatively, an indirect fatigue assessment may be performed by the Simplified Method, based on limiting a predicted (probabilistically defined) stress range to be at or below Continue reading “ABS updates Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures guide”

Ignition of gas vapor onboard barge Alaganik the cause of fatal explosion reveals NTSB Report

Posted on by News Hound
Barge Alaganik: Photo courtesy of Alex Fefelov for The Cordova Times
Barge Alaganik: Photo courtesy of Alex Fefelov for The Cordova Times

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the explosion and subsequent sinking of barge Alaganik in the Canal Passage, off Alaska in July 2019, which resulted in one fatality. The investigation identified ignition of gasoline vapor from a fuel cargo tank as key cause of the accident.

On 7 July 7 2019 an explosion occurred on the barge Alaganik as it was moored port side to the end of the Delong Dock in Whittier, Alaska. The vessel was serving as a platform for pumping fish cargo ashore from fishing vessels and tenders that came alongside. It also provided diesel fuel and gasoline to the fishing vessels. No cargo operations were ongoing when the explosion occurred.

Despite the efforts of shore-based responders to fight the ensuing fire, the vessel eventually sank in 60–80 feet of water. The Continue reading “Ignition of gas vapor onboard barge Alaganik the cause of fatal explosion reveals NTSB Report”

RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties

Posted on by News Hound
RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties
RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties

RMI has published its Annual Report on the investigation of Marine Casualties, revealing that it received reports of 806 very serious marine casualties, marine incidents, and occurrences in 2019. Accidental falls, enclosed space incidents and collisions-groundings during pilotage were the main issues of concern last year.

Specifically, during 2019:
– 17 very serious casualties were reported to the Administrator. Two very serious casualties resulted in the constructive total loss of a ship, while 11 others resulted in the loss of one or more lives. Additionally, four occurred on yachts and resulted in their constructive total loss due to fire.
– Accidental falls were the leading cause of death during 2019, with seven lives lost. Four of these fatalities were the result of falls from height and three were falls overboard. Improper enclosed space entry also resulted in the loss of two seafarers
– There were 331 marine casualties.
– Serious injuries (resulting in incapacitation for 72 hours or more) were by far the most frequently occurring marine Continue reading “RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties”

Autonomous Barge Master gangway landing solution set to improve safety for offshore structures

Posted on by News Hound
Autonomous Barge Master gangway
Autonomous Barge Master gangway

A new autonomous landing solution for offshore structures, called the Barge Master gangway, is designed to significantly improves both safety and performance.

Through a combination of radar technology, cameras and sensors, Bosch Rexroth’s system automatically attaches the landing from the ship to the required site without the need for manual input. This means that the operation is consistent and reliable, regardless of weather and ocean conditions.

After the automated landing procedure, the Barge Master gangway is held safely in place through a combination of motion compensation and the ship’s dynamic positioning.

“There are a number of benefits to the autonomous landing system,” says Rene Coppens, Business Development Manager for Continue reading “Autonomous Barge Master gangway landing solution set to improve safety for offshore structures”

What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?

Posted on by News Hound
What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?
What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?

Shipping is the backbone of the global economy, responsible for about 90% of world trade. But it also accounts for almost 3% (and rising) of man-made carbon dioxide emissions. The industry’s regulator set a series of emission-cutting targets back in 2018 aimed at driving a transition away from high-polluting fossil fuels. If the more ambitious goals are to be hit, the world’s ships will need to start burning new, clean fuel by 2030; such as biofuels. The question is, which one?

1. What are the bio-bunker options for ships after 2030?
Ships burn about 5 million barrels of fossil fuel every day, pumping a constant stream of CO2 and other chemical nasties into the atmosphere. Yet figuring out the fuel of the future isn’t just about emissions. It’s got to have enough power to propel gigantic tankers around the globe, be storable and transportable, and, of course, not too costly. Here’s a list of the front- Continue reading “What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?”

Artificial intelligence based system detects misdeclared cargo

Posted on by News Hound
AI based system detects misdeclared cargo
AI based system detects misdeclared cargo

Dealing with misdeclared cargo and its consequences is one of the most challenging issues for the shipping industry at this current time. Known to be at the root of many major marine accidents, including fires causing loss of life and significant damage, shipping lines have been seeking to develop an approach to detect and reduce the risks of misdeclarations.

In July 2020, the National Cargo Bureau (NCB) reported that its recent inspection initiatives revealed an alarming number of containers included misdeclared dangerous cargoes. Citing the fact that on average a containership suffers a major fire every 60 days, the NCB reported that it conducted more than 32,000 dangerous dry and tank good inspections in the US in 2019, finding that more than six Continue reading “Artificial intelligence based system detects misdeclared cargo”

Why oh why oh why are deaths still occurring in enclosed spaces?

Posted on by News Hound

Yves Vandenborn, of the Standard Club, asks why enclosed space entry fatalities are still happening on a regular basis. This article is reprinted from the July/August edition of Maritime Risk International.

Despite the well-known risks and the numerous publications and articles available on the topic, enclosed space entry fatalities continue to account for a significant proportion of deaths at sea to date. More drastic measures are required if the industry wishes to turn this tide.

The most recent in a long list of such incidents is the death of a chief officer who entered a fumigated hold to inspect the cargo condition. In this case, detailed instructions for the fumigation of the cargo were given to the vessel clearly stating that the fumigant was potentially Continue reading “Why oh why oh why are deaths still occurring in enclosed spaces?”

Education paper on maritime accidents and how they can be prevented entered into Congressional Record

Posted on by News Hound

A recent education paper exploring maritime accidents and how they can have prevented if regulations are followed has been entered into the Congressional Record. The educational maritime paper, titled Spotlight on Safety: Why Accidents Are Often Not Accidental, discusses major marine accidents and tragedies.

The paper looks at causal effects behind calamities that could have been prevented if promulgated Maritime Regulations were followed.

“In the shipping economy, however, commercial pressures may lead to conflicts with the regulatory regime. It is therefore no surprise that failure to comply with the regulatory regime is a factor in many maritime casualties,” the paper reads.

Continue reading “Education paper on maritime accidents and how they can be prevented entered into Congressional Record”

Paris MoU Annual Report 2019 shows port state detention rate is down

Posted on by News Hound
Port state detention rates are down is key finding of the Paris MoU Annual Report 2019
Port state detention rates are down is key finding of the Paris MoU Annual Report 2019

The Paris MoU Annual Report 2019 has been published and is available for download at the end of this article. This report provides an overview of the activities of the Paris MoU in 2019 including the statistics. Some of the highlights of the report are set out below.

The Paris MoU Annual Report 2019 reveals that in the past three years 76 ships have been banned for multiple detentions, 6 ships were banned for “failing to call at an indicated repair yard” and one ship for jumping detention. In the same period, 13 ships were banned for a second time. In the period 2017 to 2019 the flags of Comoros, the Republic of Moldova, the United Republic of Tanzania and Togo have recorded the highest number of bannings.

Continue reading “Paris MoU Annual Report 2019 shows port state detention rate is down”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine