Shipping

ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper proposes a goal-based framework for future rules to enable autonomous vessel operations

Posted on by News Hound
Autonomous vessel operations proposal outlined in ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper
Autonomous vessel operations proposal outlined in ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper

The ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper is designed to support the industry’s increasing adoption of autonomous capabilities with a focus on safe implementation. It sets out 10 goals to create a framework for the design and operation of autonomous vessels and addresses key issues in implementation.

The ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper also includes an update on the outcome of the IMO’s Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Regulatory Scoping Exercise, an important step on the road toward the development of requirements governing autonomous operations.

“To allow operations of fully autonomous vessels, Continue reading “ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper proposes a goal-based framework for future rules to enable autonomous vessel operations”

IIMS March 2022 News Bulletin published

Posted on by News Hound

It has been a busy news month, both in terms of Institute news but also as far as marine-related news is concerned. This bulletin has some information of importance to the marine surveying profession.

Highlights of the monthly news bulletin include:
– Obituary: Jeffrey Casciani-Wood 1930-2022
– Time to bring your CPD points up to date for last year
– Rosie Webb appointed as Office & Web Administrator at IIMS Head Office
– IIMS Canada Branch AGM and Seminar 12th March Continue reading “IIMS March 2022 News Bulletin published”

Unfortunate events led to oil spill on deck

Posted on by News Hound
Britannia PandI club has been recently made aware of an oil spill on deck
Britannia P&I club has been recently made aware of an oil spill on deck

Britannia P&I Club recently became aware of an incident where a number of unfortunate events, including the fall of the vessel’s spare main engine cylinder liner, led to an oil spill on deck.

A ballasted crude oil tanker arrived at its load port early in the morning and contacted the local Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) who instructed the vessel to drift ten nautical miles off the coast to await berthing. The vessel’s main engine was kept on ten minutes’ notice and used to occasionally reposition the ship while drifting. The following night the wind picked up with reported gusts of up to 60 knots and the master decided to use the main engine to counter the heavy rolling. Continue reading “Unfortunate events led to oil spill on deck”

Tackling the issue of underwater noise

Posted on by News Hound
Korean Register issues guidance to help the marine industry tackle underwater noise from ships.
Korean Register issues guidance to help the marine industry tackle underwater radiated noise from ships.

The Korean Register (KR) has issued new class notation and guidance to help the marine industry tackle noise from ships.

“Several countries and ports have already introduced regulations relating to underwater radiated noise and some ports, such as the Port of Vancouver, are offering discounts on port user fees for vessels that meet the standards,” said a KR official.

”If our customers’ vessels have obtained KR’s class notation for underwater radiated noise, they will also be able to benefit from these advantages while reducing their impact on the maritime environment.” Continue reading “Tackling the issue of underwater noise”

Engine fault due to effect of low-sulphur fuel on injection control unit says report

Posted on by News Hound
Coking debris found in the cavity on the fuel oil side of the servo piston. Photo credit: TAIC
Coking debris found in the cavity on the fuel oil side of the servo piston due to low-sulphur fuel Photo credit: TAIC

A Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) report reveals that the Singapore-flagged ship Funing had been unable to generate full power because a fuel injector control unit (ICU) had suffered fuel leakage and become clogged with coking debris from the use of low-viscosity low-sulphur fuel.

On 5 July 2020, the log carrier Funing finished loading its cargo at the Port of Tauranga and began preparations for departure. At about 2200 the officer of the watch contacted the engineers and informed them that departure was planned for midnight. When the main engine was tested in the astern direction, the main engine fault log indicated there was a fuel injection quantity piston failure. The engineering team attempted to rectify the fault but were unable to before the vessel departed its berth at about 0018, when the fault reoccurred again Continue reading “Engine fault due to effect of low-sulphur fuel on injection control unit says report”

Public consultation of Australia’s Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety legislation open until 30 March 2022

Posted on by News Hound

The Independent Review of Australia’s Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Legislation and associated Costs and Charging Arrangements has commenced. Information about the review, including terms of reference and reviewer information can be viewed here.

The review will be conducted in two phases, with the first to focus on the National Law framework (Phase 1) and the second to consider national system delivery costs and future funding options (Phase 2).

Submissions for Phase 1 of the review are now being sought and a Consultation Aid has been published. To make a submission, please go Continue reading “Public consultation of Australia’s Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety legislation open until 30 March 2022”

Annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table published by the International Chamber of Shipping

Posted on by News Hound
Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table 2021/2022 released by ICS
Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table 2021/2022 released by ICS

The annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table 2021/2022, from the International Chamber of Shipping, has identified reporting on seafarer wellbeing as a “casualty of the pandemic,” following its publication.

The Table is intended to encourage shipowners to maintain a dialogue with their Flag states, and help facilitate necessary improvements in the interests of safety, the environment and decent working conditions, among other issues. The Flag State of a merchant ship is the jurisdiction under whose laws the ship is registered or licensed and is deemed the nationality of the vessel.

This year’s Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table highlights a drop in levels of reporting on the status of national ILO labour Continue reading “Annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table published by the International Chamber of Shipping”

ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report Q4 2021

Posted on by News Hound

The focus of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is to provide classification services to promote the common safety, environmental and regulatory interests of its members and clients, including builders, owners, operators and surveyors of ships. Since its inception in 1862, ABS has been a global leader in marine safety. With more than 2,000 technical professionals positioned around the world, the ABS team has the experience, knowledge, and professional judgment to assist vessel owners and operators.

The ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report (PSC) provides information with photos of deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the 4th Quarter of 2021. This report is being made available to assist Continue reading “ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report Q4 2021”

Using remote survey techniques to augment shipyard surveys being examined

Posted on by News Hound

A pioneering joint development project (JDP) between ABS and Nakilat – Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. (N-KOM) will examine how techniques developed by ABS for its industry-leading program of remote survey of vessels in service can be applied to surveys and inspections in the shipyard.

Remote inspection technologies will be applied to six Class surveys for this trial, to test how they can then be used to verify the required survey or inspection by ABS Surveyors to optimize scheduling and minimize downtime for both the shipyard, vessels and ABS.

The JDP will examine how remote techniques can be carried out on rudder clearance inspection; stern tube weardown inspection; rudder Continue reading “Using remote survey techniques to augment shipyard surveys being examined”

The purpose and limitations of silver nitrate testing

Posted on by News Hound
Silver nitrate testing should be seen only as a means of establishing the presence of chlorides
Silver nitrate testing should be seen only as a means of establishing the presence of chlorides. Image for illustrative purposes only.

Silver nitrate testing is carried out to detect the type of halide ion in a given solution. Steel products such as coils of rolled steel sheet, billets, tubes and steel plate are routinely presented for shipment at sea. The hot rolled steel products can at times be transported to outside shore storage and transit sheds without the provision of a covering or protection from the elements.

Steel products can be high value cargo that is susceptible to contamination from chlorides which are corrosive. Contamination from chlorides can occur at any stage of the transportation and storage process following production. Unfortunately, it is generally only during sea transportation that claims will be brought forward for alleged “seawater wetting” as it is an easy allegation that the contamination has Continue reading “The purpose and limitations of silver nitrate testing”

Corrosion of tank containers’ inner surface now the main cause of claims says TT Club

Posted on by News Hound
The main cause of claims is from corrosion of tank containers’ inner surface
The main cause of claims is from corrosion of tank containers’ inner surface

TT Club’s analysis of 2020 claims points to an increase in impact related incidents, with corrosion of tank containers’ inner surface and contamination caused by cargoes previously carried as significant other causes of loss.

The analysis makes clear that the effects of increased volumes of tank containers used to trade chemicals and other liquids on the primary east-west trades have altered, to a degree, the risk profile of damage to such units. While in previous years there has been a consistent dominance of contamination as the major source of losses for tank container operators, the current figures show impact incidents as the foremost causation. Continue reading “Corrosion of tank containers’ inner surface now the main cause of claims says TT Club”

Major changes in the ABS Marine Vessel Rules announced from January 2022

Posted on by News Hound
The ABS 2022 Marine Vessel Rules have changed in January 2022, in some cases significantly
The ABS 2022 Marine Vessel Rules have changed in January 2022, in some cases significantly

In an open communication to the maritime industry, Adam W. Moilanen, Vice President/Chief Surveyor with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), has written to advise of the raft of major changes in the ABS 2022 Marine Vessel Rules, Material and Welding, High Speed Craft, Mobile Offshore Units (MOU), Facility on Offshore Installations (FAC) and Single Point Moorings (SPM) that became effective on 1 January 1 2022.

In brief, the changes to the ABS 2022 Marine Vessel Rules are: Continue reading “Major changes in the ABS Marine Vessel Rules announced from January 2022”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine