Measuring methane gas levels in cargo holds

A shovel with coal in itThe West of England P&I Club has issued loss prevention bulletin to advise on measuring methane gas levels in cargo holds when uploading coal cargoes.

Some coal cargoes can produce methane (CH4). Since methane is a flammable gas, the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code requires vessels loaded with coal to monitor the concentration of methane inside the cargo holds via external sampling points. Portable gas detectors are carried for this purpose. However, in the Club’s recent experience it would appear that some crew members may not be aware that the readings for methane may be incorrect if the amount of oxygen inside the hold is low.

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World’s first marine wireless charging and mooring concept developed

3D visiualisation of the mooring dockAn agreement has been signed between Cavotec Group and Wärtsilä to jointly develop the world’s first combined induction charging and automatic mooring concept.

Cavotec provides automated mooring systems for various types of vessels, as well as shore power and reel systems. Wärtsilä has developed a wireless charging system based on inductive power transfer. By combining the strengths and expertise of the two companies, an integrated wireless charging/mooring concept will be developed for use in Wärtsilä’s ship designs.

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North P&I Club publishes loss prevention guide on bulk cargoes

North P&I Club has released a new loss prevention guide on bulk cargoes
North P&I Club has released a new loss prevention guide on bulk cargoes

The 175 million GT, ‘A’ rated North P&I Club has published a major new guide for the international shipping industry on how to reduce losses when carrying bulk cargoes by sea. The 280-page Bulk Cargoes: A Guide to Good Practice adds to North’s comprehensive portfolio of guidance provided about different cargo types and is the first to be made available in both print and e-book formats.

Bulk Cargoes explains the basic rules to be remembered on every occasion during loading, carriage and unloading of bulk cargoes. It describes where various regulations, recommendations and general guidance can be found, and discusses procedures, preparations and good seamanship practice for appropriate and safe carriage of cargoes in bulk. It also describes the problems and recommended procedures associated with particular types of bulk cargo and sets out the points to be remembered during passage planning and the voyage itself.

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Storm damaged City of Rotterdam heads to Tyneside for repairs

The storm damaged City of Rotterdam is now in Tyneside for repairs
The storm damaged City of Rotterdam is now in Tyneside for repairs

A&P Group has welcomed the City of Rotterdam, one of the biggest ships to be affected by Storm Desmond, to its Tyneside yard for repair.

The 5,000-tonne dwt Ro-Ro Cargo ship collided with another vessel on the Humber Estuary when Storm Desmond hit the north of England earlier this month.

A&P Group’s 100 strong Tyneside team will now undertake a 5-week programme of structural steel repairs before the City of Rotterdam returns to service at the end of January.

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Blue Amazon: Preparing the LNG ship of the future

A small yellow boat in the water
Photo credit BG Group

An innovative project to optimise LNG ship hull forms is set to reduce emissions and save significant amounts of fuel for LNG vessel operators.

On the shores of the Amazônia Azul – or Blue Amazon, the part of the Atlantic off the coast of Brazil – the LNG ship of the future is being designed. The shape of an LNG ship’s hull and cargo tanks are critical for the vessel to sail with minimal resistance through water. This is important as fuel use is the biggest cost for ship operators, and reducing fuel use significantly lowers emissions.

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Marshall Islands Registry to insist on accredited security companies

The Marshall Islands Registry has issued a directive on the use of accredited security companies only
The Marshall Islands Registry has issued a directive on the use of accredited security companies only

The Marshall Islands Registry has released a directive to companies with vessels under its flag, stating that with effect from 1 January 2016 companies shall engage only those Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) that are certified to the ISO PAS 28007:2012 standard by a UK Accreditation Service authorised (UKAS) certification body.

The Marshall Islands, the world’s third largest registry, has a fleet of more than 3,500 ships. It is the first flag to implement the new rules following a revised interim recommendation, as published in June’s Maritime Safety Committee circular MSC.1/Circ.1406/Rev.

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Gigantic containership Al Muraykh visits the UK setting a new world record

The MV Al Muraykh in London. Photo taken by Andrew McAlpine
The MV Al Muraykh in London. Photo taken by Andrew McAlpine

DP World London Gateway Port has welcomed one of the world’s largest container ships carrying a record 18,601 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units). The UASC owned Al Muraykh chose to call at DP World London Gateway to unload 3,800 containers.

The ship is one of the largest in the world measuring 400 metres in length. The containers are loaded 11 storeys high above deck and 23 containers across the ship. With thousands more stowed below deck, the ship can carry up to 18,800 containers. The ship left Malaysia’s Port Klang carrying the most ever shipping containers on board a vessel and arrived at DP World London Gateway Port as its first port of call in Europe.

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ClassNK releases amendments for steel ships survey and construction

Amendments for steel ships survey and construction have been released by ClassNK
Amendments for steel ships survey and construction have been released by ClassNK

ClassNK has released amendments to its rules and guidance for the survey and construction of steel ships, including structural strength requirements of container carriers.

In response to a large container ship casualty in June 2013, ClassNK established The Investigative Panel on Large Container Ship Safety, which comprised of shipbuilders, shipping companies, and people with relevant knowledge and experience, to investigate the possibility of casualty occurrence and the structural safety of large container carriers. The results from the investigation and ClassNK’s action plan were released in the Investigation Report on Structural Safety of Large Container Ships in September 2014.

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The effect of water moisture damage on containerised cargo

Mountains of containersWe have all heard stories of import cargo arriving with water or moisture damage and the Insured/Consignee complaining bitterly when their claim is denied, believing that they have paid a lot of money for insurance that is worthless. It is even more frustrating when we come across these claims with Insureds/Consignees that are regularly importing (or exporting) goods.

Insured peril
So when is water moisture damage on containerised cargo covered by Insurance? Firstly, let’s make a few assumptions to keep this simple: we will consider the cargo as being a Full Container Load (FCL) and that the Policy coverage is Institute Cargo Clauses (A) [ICC (A)], which is All Risks.

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UK P&I Club advises on the hazards of shipping coal from Indonesia

Shipping coal can be a hazardous and dangerous process
Shipping coal can be a hazardous and dangerous process

There are various hazards associated with the trade of shipping coal. UK P&I Club’s Loss Prevention Team highlights the risks involved, and advises on the relevant actions to take in order to reduce accidents.

Self-heating incidents involving coal cargoes loaded at Indonesian ports have become increasingly frequent in recent years. The problem appears to be primarily related to the nature of the coals, and may be exacerbated by the way they are handled prior to and during loading.

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Maritime & Coastguard Agency issues MLC Guidance

A ship at dockThe UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued a Marine Guidance Note providing stakeholders with guidance on the five titles of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and the regulations applying to UK ships.

The purpose of this Marine Guidance Notice is to explain the UK’s understanding of key terms used in the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC).The UK intends to implement it fully and without departing from the intention of those who drafted the Convention.

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Bunkering ship concept accepted by Bureau Veritas

Bunkering ship concept accepted by Bureau Veritas
Bunkering ship concept accepted by Bureau Veritas

GTT, the world leader in the design of membrane containment systems for the maritime transportation and storage of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), announces that it has received a second Approval in Principle (AIP) for its 4,000 m3 Bunkering Ship concept, using Mark III Flex Cargo Containment system and operating with a vapour pressure of up to 2 barg. Following one delivered by Lloyd’s Register, this new AIP was received from the classification society, Bureau Veritas, after several months of a joint research and innovation program.

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