Shipping

Fitting bulldog grips incorrectly may cause cargo damage

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The single most predominant factor associated with the failure of cargo lashings is the incorrect application of bulldog grips. Tony Watson, Risk Assessor at UK P&I Club has issued some advice on the correct application of bulldog grips in order to minimise damage to cargo.

Bulldog grips are commonly used for the securing of project cargo, both under and below deck. They are also used on ships on mast stays and crane wires, although swaged connections are now more common. Failed lashings can result in significant damage to cargoes and can also pose significant risk to the wellbeing of crew members and the safety of the ship.

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What’s next for the Ecoship Project?

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Peace Boat’s Ecoship project is organising a special event at this year’s SMM exhibition to call for suppliers and to announce the latest developments in the project.

On September 7 from 10am, Peace Boat will lead a three-hour event at the IWSA Innovation Forum, located in the new A5 Hall, which is specialising in sustainable and alternative propulsion solutions.

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Liverpool set to become the Silicon Valley of the maritime world?

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Article reprinted from the Liverpool Echo and written by Liam Murphy

Hi-tech barges could be built at Merseyside’s Cammell Laird as part of plans to make the region “the Silicon Valley for the maritime sector”. The aim is to replace the thousands of lorry journeys expected to be generated when the massive new Liverpool2 port is fully opened with tidal and solar powered vessels. Plans are now being drawn up for the barges – which could even be automated – to transport freight containers from the new deepwater port further inland down the Manchester Ship Canal to Salford docks.

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Isle of Man Ship Registry issues new guidance on refrigeration gas storage

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Isle of Man Ship Registry has issued a Manx Shipping Notice (MSN) to provide guidance to all Isle of Man Registered vessels on the installation and maintenance of oxy-acetylene and refrigeration gas equipment. This MSN replaces Industry Circulars 14 and 20 which are withdrawn.

Gas cylinders containing refrigeration gas and nitrogen are normally sent to the ship full and returned to a service provider when empty. These gases are not corrosive and providing the bottle contains the original gas sent from the supplier (and gas has not been added to the bottle on board) the bottles can be periodically inspected and tested at intervals in accordance with the RID/ADR regulations. In most cases, for refrigeration gases and nitrogen this is at 10 yearly intervals.

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New design of coastal feeder ship wins Japan award

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Feeder ship with innovative new designA coastal container vessel featuring a novel, aerodynamic bow form has been voted ‘Best Small Cargo Ship’ at the Japanese Ship of the Year event hosted by the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE).

Deployed since delivery in December on the Japanese feeder network operated by Imoto Lines, the 548 teu Natori won the award on account of its energy-saving and safety features. The vessel is highly unusual in appearance, by virtue of a hemispherical-like prow, with integral, rounded forward bridge and superstructure, rendering a highly unusual appearance.

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Challenges ahead for the salvage industry, but from a position of strength says annual review

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The International Salvage Union’s 2015 Annual Review reports an industry facing future challenges from a position of strength with background progress on issues affecting both the salvage and shipping industries.

The review includes an abbreviated report on its accounts, an aspect beyond the scope of this article; of interest however are observations on the industry in general by: ISU president John Witte, general manager Mark Hoddinott and legal adviser Rob Wallis.

President John Witte speaks of operational and commercial challenges but with opportunities for good operators in what he describes as a ‘vibrant industry providing vital services: saving life; protecting the environment and saving property’. Headline figures include ISU members providing 212 salvage services and conducting 64 wreck removals in 2015 with gross revenue from all activity for ISU members standing at US$717m.

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Surveyors beware of how to avoid claims for ‘cooking’ soya beans

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The latest issue of North P&I Club’s loss prevention newsletter has advised operators to be extra vigilant during loading and transport of soya beans to ensure they do not get blamed for cargoes that start “cooking” at sea.

North’s loss prevention director Tony Baker says, “We have experienced a number of high value claims in China associated with damage to soya beans exported from South America. These claims tend to recur on an annual basis associated with the harvest cycle of soya beans. Similar claims can also occur with other grain cargoes.”

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Wärtsilä’s hybrid battery technology to be used on new Wightlink flagship ferry

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Impression of the new Wightlink flagship ferry
Impression of the new Wightlink flagship ferry

A ship under construction at Cemre shipyard for UK operator Wightlink will be the first ferry to employ Wärtsilä’s technology that uses batteries to manage engine load fluctuations.

The use of batteries in conjunction with four six-cylinder Wärtsilä 20 generating sets – controlled by a 690v main switchboard, an integrated automation system and a power management system also supplied by the Finnish company – is expected to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions while lowering noise levels.

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Lloyds Register defines levels autonomous ship design and operation

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Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce
Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce

With autonomous ships likely to enter service soon, LR has set out the ‘how’ of marine autonomous operations in a new ShipRight procedure guidance. The guidance describes autonomy levels (AL) ranging from ‘AL 1’ through to ‘AL 6’ denoting a fully autonomous ship with no access required during a mission.

The ‘AL’ system of levels provides clarity to designers, shipbuilders, equipment manufacturers, ship owners and operators, enabling accurate specification of the desired level of autonomy in design and operations and paves the Continue reading “Lloyds Register defines levels autonomous ship design and operation”

Danish ships to be issued with digital certificates

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Denmark is set to become an international frontrunner as ships flying the Danish flag are to be digitally certified. As one of the first countries in the world to make this move, Denmark has put an end to the 100 years old tradition of certifying ships by means of old-fashioned certificates on paper.

Until now, the certification has been carried out by printing, stamping and signing paper certificates and subsequently sending them around the world to be kept on board ships.Digital certification or electronic certification which is the term used internationally – will put an end to these cumbersome procedures, reduce administrative workloads and pave the way for further maritime digitalisation.

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AMSA prepares for container weight regulation changes

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From July 1, 2016, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will implement changes to regulations for container weight verifications in the shipping industry, requiring shippers to provide a verified gross mass (VGM) for containers. These changes reflect amendments to the International Safety of Life at Sea Convention, approved by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). To implement the new international requirements, AMSA has amended Marine Order 42 (Cargo, stowage and securing).

Under the changes, the shipper is required to provide a signed VGM to the terminal and the master of a vessel or their representative, in advance of a container being loaded. Providing a VGM for a container allows the master of a vessel to plan ship loading, so that the ship is stable, hull strength and stack weights are not exceeded and lashing arrangements are effective.

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Japan P&I Club warns of increasing ignition during petcoke loading in Venezuela

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japanPetcoke (petroleum coke) is a byproduct of the oil refinery coking process that produces low-cost fuel, often with a high sulphur content. Petcoke may also be known as green delayed coke, sponge coke, needle coke, delayed coke or raw coke-fuel grade. Petcoke is over 90 percent carbon and emits 5 to 10% more carbon dioxide (CO2) than coal on a per-unit of-energy basis when it is burned. As petcoke has a higher energy content, petcoke emits between 30 and 80 percent more CO2 than coal per unit of weight.

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