Shipping

Guidance on the use of LPG installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure and other craft issued

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The Irish Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport issued a marine notice, providing guidance on the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure craft and other marine craft.

When handled incorrectly, the dangers associated with LPG systems include fire, explosion, burns and asphyxiation due to gas leakage from the system or accumulation of gas following flame failure in an appliance. Such incidents have caused loss of life and material damage.

The scope of recommendations includes:
Installation and Testing: To help prevent accidents with LPG systems, such systems should be installed at least in accordance with the Continue reading “Guidance on the use of LPG installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure and other craft issued”

Ecospeed hard coating stands up to polar research conditions

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Subsea Industries’ Ecospeed hull protection system will be applied to the hull of the 15,000 gt RRS Sir David Attenborough, the polar research ship under construction at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, Liverpool for British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

The decision to apply the Ecospeed hard coating to the hull of the new polar ship has been validated by the recent drydocking of sister vessel RRS Ernest Shackleton. The 80 m long vessel, coated with Ecospeed in 2009, drydocked last month at the Orskov shipyard, in Frederikshavn, Denmark, where the hull was found to be in “very good condition.”

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Iconic Shipping Forecast celebrates its 150th birthday

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The Shipping Forecast has provided uninterrupted service to the shipping world for 150 years
The Shipping Forecast has provided uninterrupted service to the shipping world for 150 years

Issued uninterrupted since 1867, the Shipping Forecast has become an iconic symbol recognised by people from all over the world. This most venerable of institutions celebrates 150 years of service. Yet still today, despite new pretenders on the block, it provides a vital role with information about impending warnings and sea area forecasts four times a day. What’s more, delightful names such as German Bight, Rockall, Lundy and Forties have become household names for many because of it.

The history of the Shipping Forecast
On the night of 25-26 October 1859 the British Isles were struck by a severe storm which subsequently became known as the Royal Charter Storm. The Royal Charter sank off Anglesey in a storm. Of 500 souls aboard only 29 survived. It was the largest loss at sea of the year and provoked a significant reaction about the need to try and predict storms to prevent ships from leaving port and heading into appalling weather conditions.

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Access to the updated IMO Dynamic Positioning guidelines made easy online

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It was in March 2015 that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to use the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) proposals as the basis for the review of the IMO Guidelines for vessels with dynamic positioning (DP) systems (MSC/Circ.645).

Now that IMO has published the update (MSC/Circ.1580), IMCA has consolidated the guidance into document 245 IMO which is quickly and easily accessible on the IMCA website, together with the original guidance contained in 113 IMO which can be found by clicking here – free for IMCA members but payable by non members. The guidelines for vessels with dynamic positioning systems (MSC/Circ.645) were approved by MSC 63 in May 1994 to provide the industry with an international standard for dynamic positioning systems on all types of vessels (see Guidelines for vessels with dynamic Continue reading “Access to the updated IMO Dynamic Positioning guidelines made easy online”

The process for reactivating vessels after a period of lay-up guidance issued

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The Shipowners’ Club has issued a guidance note, regarding the reactivation process for a vessel following a period of lay-up. In the guidance note, Shipowners recognises no matter if it be an offshore or any other type of support vessel, reactivation and bringing back into service requires careful management in assessing the risks following a period of lay-up.

As explained, the vessel reactivation specifications should be defined based upon the following elements:
– Lay-up Preservation Plan framework in place and Lay-up logbook records. Lay-up plan to be preferably approved by class.
– Last classification society survey report, docking report or any other survey report as applicable.
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Lessons learnt from bunker fuel contamination incident highlighted by UK P&I Club

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The UK P&I Club has issued guidance about a bunker fuel contamination incident which occurred onboard a general cargo ship during loading a bulk cargo. The Club has, provided details of what happened and highlights the important lessons learned.

This vessel was loading a bulk cargo in two of the vessel’s lower holds. During the loading operation, the vessel bunkered 500 MT of HFO into no.’s 2 port and starboard fuel oil side tanks. Shortly after the completion of bunkering operations, the Chief Engineer (C/E) noticed the level of no.2 port fuel oil tank was decreasing from observation of the remote gauging system.

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ABS report reveals key insights into ballast water management systems

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Example of a ballast water management system
Example of a ballast water management system

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, has published a report providing insights into how industry is progressing with ballast water management systems. Based on input provided by owners and operators with ballast water management systems on board their vessels, the report covers a range of topics, including installation, commissioning and operations of ballast water management systems.

“It is important to share with all stakeholders the outcome of the ABS organized workshop on the issues and best practices with ballast water management systems,” says ABS Executive Vice President for Global Marine Dr. Kirsi Tikka. “When we hear directly from owners and operators, we are better able to understand the challenges in the operation of the systems, and for those systems which are operational, what practices are being followed.”

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The Quadriga set to become the world’s biggest sailing cargo ship

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As innovators look for ways to further reduce the carbon footprint and create greener vessels using renewable technology in the future, it has been announced that Quadriga, an innovative sustainable shipping project from Hamburg based Sailing Cargo, aims to become the world’s biggest sailing cargo ship. It seems as if time goes in a full circle as developers look to significantly harness wind power once again and match it with ships.

The project outlines a plan to build a 170 metre car carrier, capable of carrying between 1,700 and 2,000 cars, which will be equipped with four DynaRig masts and will operate on hybrid propulsion with sails and diesel-electric engines, and an optional battery system for peak loads. The vessel will be capable of sailing at 10-12 knots with the aim of reaching 14-16 knots in the next few years through combined expertise.

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Dangers of carrying nickel ore cargo from Indonesia and the Philippines highlighted

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Risks of carrying nickel ore cargo from Indonesia and the Philippines highlighted by West P&I Club
Risks of carrying nickel ore cargo from Indonesia and the Philippines highlighted by West P&I Club

The West of England P&I Club has highlighted the mandatory notification requirements surrounding the perils of carrying nickel ore cargo from both Indonesia and the Philippines, ensuring that the necessary related safety measures are in place to comply with the IMSBC Code requirements. The Club explains the implications and advises all operators to take the necessary measures to mitigate these risks where possible. The Club says this may necessitate the appointment of a local surveyor to assist the Master.

“In accordance with the Club’s bye-laws, Members are required to notify the Managers before agreeing to carry a nickel ore cargo to ensure that they are fully acquainted with the risks beforehand and so that any concerns regarding the contractual terms of carriage may be addressed. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Managers, Members are also required to appoint a surveyor at the load port to provide assistance to the Master. Failure to fulfil these requirements may prejudice cover.” The Club says in a statement.

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MV WERFTEN makes major investment in new Rostock shipbuilding hall

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Image courtesy of MV WERFTEN
Image courtesy of MV WERFTEN

At MV WERFTEN, construction work started on the new hall complex 11, which will house the new panel line and section line, as well as a line for section outfitting. With a volume of some €80 million, the new facility is one of the largest company investments in the region in the past decades.

The symbolic first cut of the spade, carried out by Genting Group’s Chairman and CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Minister for Economic Affairs Harry Glawe, Rostock’s senior mayor Roland Methling and MV WERFTEN Chief Operating Officer Holger Tepper, signalled the beginning of the construction of the new hall 11.

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Hull Treatment Carrier is a new coating process by Blohm+Voss

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Blohm+Voss set to roll out its new Hull Treatment Carrier process
Blohm+Voss set to roll out its new Hull Treatment Carrier process

Blohm+Voss is, exclusively, the first European shipyard to launch state-of-the-art technology for the coating of hulls developed by Hubert Palfinger Technologies (HPT). The new, cost-saving process, the Hull Treatment Carrier, sets new standards in quality and efficiency and makes a sustainable contribution to environmental and occupational safety. Hull Treatment Carrier is now available to Blohm+Voss customers for all repair and refit projects.

Removal with high-pressure water up to 3,000 bar, automated application up to 1,200 m. per hour per Hull Treatment Carrier, up to 30 percent less coating needed – Blohm+Voss, in cooperation with Palfinger, is setting the stage for new standards in the refit and repair sector by introducing to the market a new Hull Treatment Carrier system for surface treatment and colour application.

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The Standard Club P&I Club publishes a guide to enclosed space entry

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The Standard P&I Club says that investigation into enclosed space related casualties has shown that most are caused by poor training and knowledge of the correct entry procedures, or a total disregard for them. As a consequence, the Club has published a comprehensive guide to address all key issues and to help anyone to enter enclosed spaces safely. The Standard P&I Club guide highlights shortfalls in individual company procedures in equipment, training and onboard practices.

Firstly, Standard Club enlists incidents related to enclosed spaces which have been already reported to the Club, illustrating different ways in which a seafarer can put himself in danger in these areas onboard. Analysis of these incidents have helped the Club to address key factors that contribute to enclosed space incidents as follows:
• poor training
• failure to follow proper procedures for enclosed space entry
• failure to recognise the danger of an enclosed space
• tendency to trust physical senses and forego testing or checks
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