Shipping

INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier Casualty report published

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INTERCARGO has published its Bulk Carrier Casualty report that analyses bulk carrier casualties over the period from 2008 to 2017
INTERCARGO has published its Bulk Carrier Casualty report that analyses bulk carrier casualties over the period from 2008 to 2017

INTERCARGO has published its Bulk Carrier Casualty report that analyses bulk carrier casualties over the period from 2008 to 2017. The report revealed that 53 bulk carriers over 10,000 dwt have been identified as total losses over that period with cargo shift and liquefaction remaining a great concern.

In 2017, the tragic losses of ‘Stellar Daisy’ carrying an iron ore cargo and ‘Emerald Star’ with a nickel ore cargo raised questions of structural integrity and safety condition of high density cargoes carried onboard. These two bulk carrier casualties caused the loss of 32 seafarers, the highest annual loss of lives since 2011.

As the report reveals, 9 casualties of suspected cargo failure consisted of 6 bulk carriers carrying nickel ore from Indonesia, 2 vessels with Continue reading “INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier Casualty report published”

Wet damage the most costly claim for bulk carriers says The Swedish Club

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Image Courtesy: Empros Lines
Image Courtesy: Empros Lines

The Swedish Club has published a report warning bulk carrier owners to pay extra attention to the basics. The Club has concluded that for bulk carrier operators, wet damage is the most costly claim type and the second most common claim that they experience.

The report is entitled Wet Damage on Bulk Carriers and has been prepared in cooperation with DNV GL, and MacGregor. It identifies heavy weather and leaking hatch covers as the most common and the most costly type of wet damage claim and the average cost for a wet damage cargo claim being almost $110,000.

Whilst weather routeing minimises the effects of Continue reading “Wet damage the most costly claim for bulk carriers says The Swedish Club”

London P&I Club reveals key causes of recent container loss claims

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Photo credit: London P&I Club
Photo credit: London P&I Club

A recent run of container loss claims by the London P&I Club has highlighted some of the common contributory factors that emerge as part of the investigation process. The Club noted that the subject of misdeclared container weights continues to be a problem. But with this particular run of claims it was the attending surveyor’s observations about cargo securing equipment that caught the eye.

In these cases, it became clear that several manual twist locks were not correctly locked at the time of the incident. The causes for this were considered to be two-fold – some twist locks were damaged (specifically with locking levers either bent or missing), or the units in service were a mixture of right and left-hand locking units, leading to confusion over the observed status of the twist lock.

Upon investigation, a number of container corner castings and container foundations showed no signs of having a locked twist lock forcibly removed during the collapse, the natural conclusion being Continue reading “London P&I Club reveals key causes of recent container loss claims”

DNV GL publishes its review of marine fuel alternatives

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Image courtesy of DNV GL
Image courtesy of DNV GL

Class society DNV GL has published an up-to-date assessment of the most promising alternative marine fuels available today. The study is timely, as the 2020 fuel sulfur cap is fast approaching and the IMO has just decided to aim for a 50 percent cut in shipping’s carbon emissions.

The paper examines the prospects for the full range of alternatives – LNG, LPG, methanol, biofuel, hydrogen, fuel cells, wind and battery technologies – and it compares them to the use of conventional fuel, both Continue reading “DNV GL publishes its review of marine fuel alternatives”

IMO adopts climate change strategy for shipping

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Nations met at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently
Nations met at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently

Nations meeting at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently have adopted an initial strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, setting out a vision to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping and phase them out, as soon as possible in this century.

The vision confirms IMO’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions from international shipping and, as a matter of urgency, to phasing them out as soon as possible.

Continue reading “IMO adopts climate change strategy for shipping”

Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts says the International Windship Association

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Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts
Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts

The International Windship Association, along with its 40-plus member companies and organisations is positioned to help the shipping industry meet urgent and ambitious carbon reduction targets to be set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at MEPC72.

There is a wide range of wind-assist and primary wind propulsion technology solutions that offer between 10-30% savings for retrofits, and up to 50% on smaller new built fully optimised vessels. Wind is a primary renewable energy that is free at point of use, abundant and exclusively available giving the vessel better commercial and operational autonomy.

Continue reading “Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts says the International Windship Association”

Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions

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Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions
Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions

A recent UK court decision has concluded that a cargo insurer was not liable for general average contributions as the owner had failed to exercise due diligence, which led to the breakdown of a vessel’s main engine.

The crude oil tanker, “Cape Bonny”, was sailing between Argentina and China when the number 1 main bearing failed catastrophically. The breakdown happened when the vessel was trying to avoid a tropical storm and towage assistance was needed. The shipowner declared general average and contributions were sought from the parties to the common maritime adventure, which naturally included cargo interests. The cargo’s contribution was assessed at about US$ 2.5 million.

General average is governed by the York-Antwerp Rules and is included into charterparties and bills of lading. However, parties to the maritime adventure are not liable to contribute if they can successfully prove a breach of contract.

A breach of contract is possible if the vessel was not fit to sail before and Continue reading “Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions”

Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen joint venture to launch an autonomous shipping only organisation entitled Massterly

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Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen joint venture to launch an autonomous shipping only organisation entitled Massterly
Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen joint venture to launch an autonomous shipping only organisation entitled Massterly

The inexorable race to develop autonomous ships has taken another step forward with the announcement of an autonomous shipping only joint venture between well known shipping major Wilhelmsen Group and technology company Kongsberg, entitled Massterly.

“Norway has taken a position at the forefront in developing autonomous ships,” said Thomas Wilhelmsen, Wilhelmsen group CEO.

“[Through] Massterly, we take the next step on this journey by establishing infrastructure and services to design and operate vessels, as well as advanced logistics solutions associated with maritime autonomous operations. Massterly will reduce costs at all levels.”

Continue reading “Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen joint venture to launch an autonomous shipping only organisation entitled Massterly”

Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050

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Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050
Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050

Global shipping should set a goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Norway’s government and shipowners’ association said on Thursday before talks by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London next week.

Norway’s fleet is worth about $45 billion, the fifth most valuable in the world behind Japan, Greece, China and the United States. Norway’s shipping includes offshore, gas, chemicals, car vessels, dry bulk, crude, crude products and containers.

The IMO, which says international shipping represents about 2.2 percent of world carbon dioxide emissions, will meet from April 9-13 to develop a strategy to combat climate change. Shipping was not included in the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Continue reading “Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050”

Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG

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Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG
Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG

The US Coast Guard has published a safety alert to inform operators and other interested parties of the role that the main propulsion lube oil system was found to have played in the El Faro incident. They have recommended that operators, especially ships’ engineers, review the operational procedures and limitations of vital propulsion machinery and verify compliance with SOLAS, Classification Societies and regulatory standards.

The El Faro sank along with its 33 crew onboard in October 2015, marking one of the worst maritime disasters in US history. The USCG official report on the sinking of the El Faro revealed that loss of propulsion during heavy weather was contributing to the sinking. The exact operational status of all vital El Faro engineering equipment prior to the casualty could not be determined, but bridge audio recordings indicate that the vessel lost lube oil pressure to the main propulsion turbine and reduction gear bearings, resulting in loss of propulsion.

Continue reading “Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG”

A plan for a digital twin to develop Blue Denmark is announced

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Digital Tvilling
Digital Tvilling

Danish Maritime Authority has prepared a report on “the digital twin”. A digital twin presents a ship digitally throughout its lifetime.

Imagine having access to every bit of information on a ship – from engine performance to hull integrity – available at a glance throughout the full lifetime of the vessel?

A digital twin is a ”digital presentation” of a vessel with associated processes and systems, based on continuous data collection. And these processes or systems are presented digitally. Rather than arranging for a physical test cycle, the processes can be followed easily and quickly.

Mogens Schrøder Bech, Senior Consultant of R&D at the Danish Maritime Authority:
“The potential of the digital twin is huge because it is possible to make a number of decisions on optimisation digitally rather than by means of physical tests. And this potential will increase along with the development of digital tools.

“This enables us Continue reading “A plan for a digital twin to develop Blue Denmark is announced”

ABS launches digital e-certificates

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ABS launches digital e-certificates
ABS launches digital e-certificates

ABS has announced the launch of e-Certificates. Continuously available, tamper-proof, independently verifiable and secure digital equivalents of traditional ABS paper certificates, e-Certificates are now available to ABS’ entire classed-fleet, subject to individual Flag Administrations’ authorisation. Traditional paper certificates are always still available.

“E-Certificates are the latest product from ABS’ FutureClassTM program. Defining the future of class focuses on the utilization of data and digital technology to deliver benefits for our clients,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO, Christopher J. Wiernicki. “ABS’ e-Certificates are a perfect example of how we strive to add value and operating efficiencies for our customers.”

Uniquely, ABS’ e-Certificate system allows a simultaneous, vessel-wide view of all applicable certificates, rather than requiring the user to look up each certificate individually.

Fully compliant with IMO Guidelines, ABS e-Certificates will reduce Continue reading “ABS launches digital e-certificates”

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