Japanese government considers shipbuilding merger

Japan is currently exploring the possibilities to integrate 15 major shipyards in the country under a so-called All Japan Shipbuilding merger plan, following similar steps by neighbouring shipbuilding rival countries China and South Korea, local financial newswire Nikkei is reporting.

The merger plan comes after Japan’s two largest shipbuilders – Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United (JMU) – declared in December they would form an alliance and enter into a capital tie-up.

Continue reading “Japanese government considers shipbuilding merger”

Nordstar: Exposure to lethal gas levels contributed to fisherman’s death says AIBN report

AIBN report on Nordstar
AIBN report on Nordstar

The Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) has published an accident report on the matter of a crew member who died on board the factory trawler Nordstar relating to the with preparations for cleaning a silage tank.

The factory trawler Nordstar was on its way to Ålesund after fishing in international waters west of the Reykjanes Ridge. The vessel was to be made ready for fishing for another type of fish (from redfish to white fish) during the voyage, and the crew had finished cleaning the factory on the morning of 10 June 2018.

Later in the morning, the skipper instructed the factory supervisor to prepare the silage tanks for cleaning. This meant flushing the tanks by filling them with seawater and emptying them several times, before lowering a fan (not explosion proof) into the tank to blow in fresh air and lead air out of the tank via the attached plastic hose. According to the skipper, he had given instructions that the fan was to be lowered Continue reading “Nordstar: Exposure to lethal gas levels contributed to fisherman’s death says AIBN report”

Exceptional measures for exceptional times says MCA’s head of maritime safety standards

Exceptional measures for exceptional times says MCA's head of maritime safety standards
Exceptional measures for exceptional times says MCA’s head of maritime safety standards

The MCA’s head of maritime safety standards says that exceptional times need exceptional measures. Katy Ware, who is also the UK’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization says that the industry should be assured that the MCA will do all it can to help during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Survey and inspection activity of ships is currently suspended, however the MCA has put in place a number of measures to make sure that shipping of freight and other vital lifelines will continue. And it has offered guidance and advice to seafarers and shipowners at a time of uncertainty to help.

Continue reading “Exceptional measures for exceptional times says MCA’s head of maritime safety standards”

Waterborne transport declaration made by EU Transport Ministers

Waterborne transport declaration made by EU Transport Ministers
Waterborne transport declaration made by EU Transport Ministers

EU transport ministers held a meeting in Croatia and adopted a declaration on guidelines for the development of EU maritime policy, calling for an emissions trading scheme to cover ships from all countries with a target of achieving a carbon-neutral and zero pollution waterborne transport sector.

The European Community Shipowners’ Associations has expressed its support, saying, “The declaration clearly shows that the ministers place a huge importance on the competitiveness of the European shipping sector, in view of the vital and strategic role it plays in the EU economy, global trade and the common market.” Continue reading “Waterborne transport declaration made by EU Transport Ministers”

MV Leopold LD: Total loss of power while underway linked to poor crew familiarization says Transport Malta report

Transport Malta has published its investigation report on the total loss of power of the bulk carrier MV Leopold LD following the failure of the auxiliary engines and the emergency generator while underway in March 2019. The investigation identified lack of crew familiarization with the correct operation of the compensation damping tank.

MV Leopold LD was en route from the port of Saldanha Bay, South Africa, to Hamburg, Germany, carrying iron ore. On 14 March 2019, the only running Continue reading “MV Leopold LD: Total loss of power while underway linked to poor crew familiarization says Transport Malta report”

IMO agrees amendments and changes to SOLAS guidelines on ship systems and equipment

International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has held the 7th session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), held from 2 – 6 March 2020. ICOMIA has released a report from the meeting and the main items of interest to the superyacht and leisure marine industry are as follows:

On board lifting appliances and winches (OLAW)
During this session, minor modifications were made to the SOLAS amendments in order to align with the draft guidelines which were agreed to at this session. The guidelines address the testing, operation and maintenance of lifting equipment and are broadly in line with the guidance contained in the Code of Safe Working Continue reading “IMO agrees amendments and changes to SOLAS guidelines on ship systems and equipment”

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore complete first drone survey

Bureau Veritas has completed its first survey by drone
Bureau Veritas has completed its first survey by drone

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore has completed its first survey by drone, carried out in the holds of a bulk carrier in an Italian port. The scope was an intermediate survey on a bulk carrier and consisted of close-up inspections and ultrasonic thickness measurements (UTM) conducted by the drone in two cargo hold spaces. The required prior agreement from the flag authority was confirmed – all the more necessary as the ship is subject to the IMO Code for the Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP).

Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) were reflected in BV’s rules in 2019. The drone operator involved in this survey is certified by Bureau Veritas for both RIT and UTM.

Continue reading “Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore complete first drone survey”

North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes

The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists
The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists

The North P&I Club has published three different and helpful checklists about the care of nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes giving details of how to deal with these types of shipments.

North P&I Club Cargo Care Checklist for Nickel Ore

Prior to loading documentation received from shipper is needed.
Also, the Club advises that visual inspection should be conducted before it is loaded to ensure it is safe. Continue reading “North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes”

3D-printed part delivery to Bulker in world first

First commercial delivery of 3D-printed scupper plugs
First commercial delivery of 3D-printed scupper plugs

Berge Mafadi, a 300,000 dwt bulk carrier operated by Berge Bulk, has received the world’s first commercial delivery of 3D-printed scupper plugs. Berge Bulk is one of several companies enrolled in a Wilhelmsen Ships Service early adopter program that gives customers access to on-demand additive manufacturing. Other customers for the program, launched in December 2019, include Carnival Maritime, Thome Ship Management, OSM Maritime Group, Executive Ship Management and Wilhelmsen Ship Management.

“We are very excited with this milestone — completing one of the first commercial Continue reading “3D-printed part delivery to Bulker in world first”

Hatch covers and ship holds guidance for safe operation and maintenance – booklet published

The London P&I Club has published an updated guide on the safe operation and maintenance of ship holds and hatch covers, highlighting some of the common associated causes of damage, loss and personal injury and providing recommendations on best practices and points to avoid.

According to the Club’s data, the cause of large cargo claims by value in dry bulk and general cargo vessels accounts for 33%.

As noted, ISM Code systems should include procedures for loading, unloading, ballasting, deballasting, securing manholes, blanking ballast lines, testing bilge Continue reading “Hatch covers and ship holds guidance for safe operation and maintenance – booklet published”

Lubrication oil filter was mounted poorly resulting in engine failure

Lubrication oil filter
Lubrication oil filter

Transport Malta’s MSIU has released an investigation report on the main engine failure of the oil/chemical tanker ‘MV Guroni’ while underway in January 2019. According to the report, the lubrication oil filter of the main engine had been improperly mounted, which eventually led to severe damages to the components of the main engine and a complete failure of the main engine.

On 08 January 2019, at 0742, while the vessel was navigating through Skagerrak, an oil mist detector alarm was observed in the engine-room, followed by a Continue reading “Lubrication oil filter was mounted poorly resulting in engine failure”

Is the cargo too wet to load?

Wet Cargo
Wet Cargo

Do we know enough about the cargo we carry, ask Gard P&I Club. It may be impossible for crew to estimate the particle size but they can look out for signs of high moisture content.

Appendix 3, Art 2 of the IMSBC Code states “many fine particle cargoes, if possessing a sufficiently high moisture content are liable to flow”. There are two main concerns here for seafarers relating to liquefaction. Firstly, the fine particle size of the cargoes and secondly, the high moisture content, i.e. the moisture content is higher than the cargo’s transportable moisture limit (TML).

Continue reading “Is the cargo too wet to load?”

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