Shipping

IMO issues advice regarding verification of gross mass of packed containers as deadline looms

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An MSC circular on Advice to Administrations, port State control authorities, companies, port terminals and masters regarding the SOLAS requirements for verified gross mass of packed containers has been agreed by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), following discussion on the pending entry into force of the requirements in SOLAS regulations VI/2.4 to VI/2/6 on the verification of the gross mass of packed containers on 1 July 2016.

Concerns were noted with regards to the application of the requirements to a container which was loaded before 1 July 2016 and then transhipped. The Committee, meeting for its 96th session (11-20 May), also noted delegations’ comments that, in the first few months after 1 July 2016, some leeway should be provided in order for any problems resulting from software updates, required for the electronic collection and transmittal of verified gross mass data, to be rectified without causing delays to containers being loaded.

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MED directive for domestic passenger ships and vessels consultation open

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Will these life jackets meet the MED Directive? The consultation is open
Will these life jackets meet the MED Directive? The consultation is open

Marine equipment of a safety, or anti-pollution nature (such as lifejackets, fire extinguishers, oily water separators and ships’ radios and radars) installed onboard UK vessels must meet performance and testing standards to ensure it functions as required. Equipment required according to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions is to be of an approved type and in the European Union (EU), this is achieved through Council Directive 96/98/EC2, otherwise known as the Marine Equipment Directive (MED).

Difficulties have been observed in implementing the MED Directive, particularly regarding protection of the EU market against non-compliant and fraudulent equipment and the communication of the applicable testing standards for equipment within the scope of the MED.

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Caterpillar Marine unveils new hybrid thruster in pursuit of efficiency

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Caterpillar Marine has announced delivery of its first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system in search of ever increasing efficiencies
Caterpillar Marine has announced delivery of its first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system in search of ever increasing efficiencies

Caterpillar Marine has unveiled a new hybrid thruster concept which it claims can offer dramatic cost. Caterpillar Marine has announced that the first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system will be delivered to an undisclosed shipyard in Singapore and will be commissioned this year.

This new propulsion setup is claimed to outperform a straight diesel mechanical drive system in all partial load conditions and offers improved fuel economy and substantial through-life savings for a variety of offshore support vessels. Caterpillar claims that for vessels spending long periods of time in standby or DP (dynamic positioning) service, the annual fuel savings by adopting this hybrid system could be as high as 35% calculated across the entire operating profile of the vessel.

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The importance of fire safety in engine rooms is highlighted

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DNV GL has been considering the aspects of fire safety in engine rooms with respect to both new-build and ships in service and offers the following advice. Insulation, screening and the routing of pipes cannot be easily addressed in the design and approval phase. As a result, DNV GL are keen to remind people, including surveyors that these aspects require adequate attention during the new-build construction phase.

Insulation and screening deteriorate during the vessel’s operational phase and require extra attention during the vessel’s in service phase. Often, deficiencies within these two aspects are easy to detect during a survey. However, missing insulation or screening is not always easy to identify, especially on relatively new ships. Therefore, it is important that all requirements are met when the vessel is delivered – making follow-up during the ship’s lifetime simpler.

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P&I Club issues guidance on the carriage of deck cargo

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Deck cargo bulletinThe Standard P&I Club has issued a special guidance bulletin on the carriage of deck cargo, as it is considered to be inherently risky because the cargo is exposed to greater dangers than goods carried under deck.

Deck cargo is exposed to the elements and is subject to sea, spray and wind, as well as the additional risk of being washed or falling overboard. Carrying cargo on deck without the agreement of the shipper may result in a breach of the contract of carriage. Prior to carrying goods on deck, the owner/carrier should be fully satisfied that it is safe to carry such goods on deck, there is a universal custom or statutory requirement to do so, or the shipper has consented to such a carriage. If not, by carrying goods on deck, the owner/carrier may be in breach of the contract of carriage and its P&I cover may be prejudiced. Contracts of carriage often contain a liberty clause, seemingly allowing the carrier to carry cargo on deck. Such clauses are often ineffective in protecting owners/carriers in cases where cargo is carried on deck without prior agreement and should be treated with caution.

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Marine surveyor gives testimony on El Faro Steam Plant inspection

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The US Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation into the loss of the El Faro continued with testimony from marine surveyors for the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), which provided classification and inspection services for the vessel.

Mark LaRose, a senior marine surveyor for ABS, performed a survey for the El Faro in June 2015, part of its continuous machinery survey program. Under the program, the ABS surveys 20 percent of the machinery on a ship every year for five years.

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Standard Club advises how to safely carry wood pulp

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The Standard P&I Club has issued an advisory note on the carriage of wood pulp.Wood pulp is a wood fibre which has been reduced chemically or mechanically to pulp. It is used in the manufacture of paper. The product has a high moisture content and can be susceptible to damage if not carried correctly. The carriage of wood pulp requires the vessel to comply with stringent requirements. These demand that all holds are in top condition; clean, dry, no loose paint and no rust.

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Jordan is the latest to ratify MLC 2006

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santaThe Government of Jordan deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Jordan’s decision to join up makes them the 73rd member State to have ratified this landmark Convention. Now over 80 per cent of the world gross tonnage of ships have signed up to MLC 2006.

Jordan, the first Middle East Arab country to have the ratified this landmark Convention, has a merchant fleet totalling 109,602 gross tonnage.The MLC, 2006 entered into force on 20 August 2013 for the first 30 member States that had registered their ratification by 20 August 2012. The Convention will enter into force for Jordan on 27 of April 2017, that is, one year after its ratification.

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Mystery of ghost tanker that drifts ashore minus crew

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The Panama flagged oil tanker Tamaya 1 has strangely drifted ashore on a beach near Robertsport on the northern Liberia coast on 4 May. There is no sign of its captain or crew.

According to MarineTraffic, the vessel’s last known position was recorded on 22 April 22 2016 as the ship was steaming southward at 0.7 knots towards Senegal after leaving the port of Dakar in Senegal.

Currently theories range from abandonment to piracy, although Tamaya 1’s last known position was well north of active Gulf of Guinea pirate groups who typically stick to the waters off Nigeria.

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European Community Shipowners’ Associations says Alang recycling processes have improved

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Ship recycling practices in Alang, India, are gradually improving according to the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). It says the European Commission should acknowledge this positive development under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. Adopting an overly restrictive approach will discourage first movers and further delay the entry into force of the IMO Hong Kong Convention.

These are the main messages that ECSA took home from a fact-finding visit held last week in Alang, India. The visit was organised in cooperation with the Indian government, Continue reading “European Community Shipowners’ Associations says Alang recycling processes have improved”

UK MCA issues Marine Guidance Notes MGN 547 and MGN 552

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The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued two new marine guidance notices in recent days.

MGN 547: Solid bulk cargoes – safe carriage of bauxite.
The purpose of this Marine Guidance Note is to advise the industry of the circular issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers, CCC.1/Circ.2, on safe carriage of bauxite and raise awareness of the possible dangers of liquefaction associated with carriage of bauxite.

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Bulletin issued on the maintenance of pilot ladders

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The maintenance of pilot ladders remains a concern says The Shipowners P&I Club
The maintenance of pilot ladders remains a concern says The Shipowners P&I Club

The Shipowners P&I Club has issued a safety bulletin concerning the maintenance of pilot ladders. They say that pilot ladders remain the most efficient way for pilots to board vessels and even though this is a simple process improper pilot boarding arrangements continue to give rise to claims. These can include serious injuries to pilots occasionally resulting in death.

Pilots are typically required to board ships at sea, sometimes with high freeboards in order to assist with the manoeuvring of the vessel. Pilot boarding arrangements generally consist of a rope ladder which is constructed to the overseeing authorities’ statutory requirements. In case of excessive freeboards, combination ladders (a combination of the ship’s gangway and the pilot ladder) are used.

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