News Hound

Special campaign in China on illegal enclosed space entry

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Huatai Marine circular announces the start of a special campaign against illegal enclosed space entry onboard ships.
Huatai Marine circular announces the start of a special campaign against illegal enclosed space entry onboard ships.

P&I club Britannia has highlighted a Huatai Marine circular announcing the start of a special campaign against illegal enclosed space entry onboard ships.
The nine-month campaign, launched by the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA), began on 15 January and is intended to run until 14 October 2025. The campaign appears to target areas such as:
• The crew awareness of the dangers of enclosed spaces
• The identification and marking of enclosed spaces onboard
• The efficient and safe control of entry to enclosed spaces by permit Continue reading “Special campaign in China on illegal enclosed space entry”

IMCA publishes summary of safety incidents in 2024

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A review of all IMCA Safety Flashes 2024 have been published
A review of all IMCA Safety Flashes 2024 have been published

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has released a review of all the safety incidents and events reported last year.
The 24 Safety Flashes covered 88 individual incidents or events shared by IMCA members. A further 33 incidents or events from information already in the public domain, from different trade bodies and/or regulators, were shared as being of interest. It should be noted that Safety Flashes are intended to be read by IMCA’s members’ offshore crews, and by office-based safety professionals. Continue reading “IMCA publishes summary of safety incidents in 2024”

ITOPF oil tanker spill statistics 2024 report

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Oil tanker spill statisticsTen oil spills of more than seven tonnes were recorded from tanker incidents in 2024, the same number as in 2023 according to ITOPF oil tanker spill statistics.

This brings the decade average to 7.4 tanker spills per year, which is a dramatic reduction from the numbers reported in earlier decades but currently slightly higher than the average for the 2010s (6.3 spills per year).The total volume of oil lost to the environment from tanker spills in 2024 was approximately 10,000 tonnes.Most oil spills (>7 tonnes) recorded between 1970 and 2024 were caused by allisions/collisions and groundings.ITOPF maintains a database of oil spills from tank vessels, including combined carriers, FPSOs and barges. This contains Continue reading “ITOPF oil tanker spill statistics 2024 report”

DGS India investigation report into M T Patriot tanker explosion

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Figure 1: Main deck area of M T Patriot after the explosion. Source: DGS Mumbai, India
Figure 1: Main deck area of M T Patriot after the explosion. Source: DGS Mumbai, India

The Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai has issued a casualty circular into the death on board a tanker while undergoing repairs at berth.
The circular highlights an incident on Indian-registered tanker M T Patriot that resulted in the loss of one life and injuries to three shore-contracted personnel on board.
The casualties occurred due to an explosion inside the port-side Slop tank while cutting of nuts and bolts, using hot work, was being carried out on the Inert Gas line at the main deck.
The tanker was undergoing repairs that included renewal of sections of the Inert Gas (IG) pipeline on main deck at the Port of Chennai at repair berth since 30th October 2023 after taking the necessary permissions Continue reading “DGS India investigation report into M T Patriot tanker explosion”

MAIB investigation into death on board motor yacht Baton Rouge

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Image courtesy of Nigel Burgess Limited.
Image courtesy of Nigel Burgess Limited.

On the morning of 23 February 2024, the chief engineer on the Isle of Man registered motor yacht Baton Rouge was electrocuted while working on the engine room ventilation system. The chief engineer was replacing a damper actuator, which was situated in a ventilation overpressure duct compartment. The chief engineer’s heart could not be restarted, and he was pronounced dead later that morning.
The investigation found that the chief engineer commenced the actuator replacement without isolating the electric supply and without a permit to work for electrical maintenance in place. This was likely because he had rationalised the risk and wanted to avoid the limitations of restricting the vessel to emergency power. Continue reading “MAIB investigation into death on board motor yacht Baton Rouge”

IACS 2025 Blue Book is available to download

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The International Association of Classification Societies has issued the IACS 2025 Blue Book, further enhancing its technical support for the shipping industry through investments in technology, innovation, and research and development at both the classification and statutory levels.

The IACS 202 Blue Book is a comprehensive electronic library of technical resolutions adopted by IACS as part of its ongoing technical work. It serves as the Association’s primary reference, containing historical data and all previous revisions of IACS publications. Published and updated annually, the Blue Book demonstrates how IACS fulfils its mission to benefit international shipping. It includes: Continue reading “IACS 2025 Blue Book is available to download”

IACS releases new guidelines on safety standards for surveyors

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IACS has introduced new recommendations to enhance safety standards for surveyors.
IACS has introduced new recommendations to enhance safety standards for surveyors.

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has introduced new recommendations to enhance safety standards for surveyors.
The new guidelines, Rec. 184, recognise that surveyors continue to face significant occupational health and safety (OHS) risks at work.
There is growing recognition that some of the safety challenges that surveyors’ face would benefit from improved collaboration and sharing of experience to establish a more consistent approach.
Designed to creating safer working conditions for surveyors and all personnel engaged in maritime operations, these guidelines outline critical measures to mitigate risks and addresses key areas such as risk assessments and situational awareness, ensuring that they are equipped to handle the hazards they may encounter. Continue reading “IACS releases new guidelines on safety standards for surveyors”

IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee 11 summary

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Lloyd’s Register has provided a summary report on the recent IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee
Lloyd’s Register has provided a summary report on the recent IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee

Lloyd’s Register has provided a summary report on the recent IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee (SDC).
The SDC is where many technical and operational requirements related to ship design and construction (including tonnage, load line and stability) are discussed. SDC reports to the Maritime Safety Committee.

2011 ESP Code amendments relating to Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT):
Draft amendments have now been finalised to permit the use of RIT in support to surveyors undertaking a close-up survey of vessels to which the code applies. They are expected to be applicable from 1 January 2028. Continue reading “IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee 11 summary”

WSC: Shipping carriers move to prevent deadly charcoal fires

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The shipping industry is improving safety measures for transporting charcoal
The shipping industry is improving safety measures for transporting charcoal

The shipping industry is taking proactive steps to implement improved safety measures for transporting charcoal, ahead of mandatory IMO regulations in 2026, according to a press release from the World Shipping Council (WSC).

In response to a series of devastating fires caused by improperly handled charcoal, shippers should be ready to see carriers phase in new tighter regulations this year.

“We’ve seen too many preventable fires onboard vessels caused by improper handling of charcoal,” said Joe Kramek, WSC President and CEO. Continue reading “WSC: Shipping carriers move to prevent deadly charcoal fires”

Transport Malta investigation into boiler explosion death

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Source: Transport Malta
Source: Transport Malta Boiler explosion death investigation report has been published

Transport Malta has released an investigation report into the boiler explosion on board oil/chemical tanker Torc, resulting in the death of a crewmember.

The incident took place on 8 January 2024 as the Maltese-registered ship was traveling between Agioi Theodorai and Genoa.
On 03 January 2024, Torc departed Agioi Theodoroi, Greece, after discharging part of its cargo of Paraffin. The vessel was bound for Genoa, Italy with an expected date of arrival of 10 January 2024. Shortly after departing from Agioi Theodoroi, the engineers changed over the boiler fuel consumption to very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) for both boilers. However, the starboard boiler failed repeatedly to start. Continue reading “Transport Malta investigation into boiler explosion death”

New wreck removal certificates for Norwegian ships

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Håkon Kjøllmoen, fotokonkurransen for sjøfolk 2019. Source: NMA
Håkon Kjøllmoen, fotokonkurransen for sjøfolk 2019. Source: NMA

All Norwegian ships of 300 gross tonnage and above will soon have to have a Wreck Removal Certificate (WRC).

A Wreck Removal Certificate is a certificate for ships of 300 gross tonnage and above. It confirms that the ship has approved insurance or other security covering the costs of locating, marking and removing wrecks pursuant to the rules of the Nairobi Convention. It applies both for ships engaged on domestic and international voyages.

The Norwegian Maritime Authority is now processing applications and encourages those required to obtain a Wreck Removal Certificate to apply promptly, no later than 11 February. Continue reading “New wreck removal certificates for Norwegian ships”

DNV launches family of class notations on autonomous shipping

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DNV has launched a new family of class notations, Autonomous and Remotely Operated Ships (AROS)
DNV has launched a new family of class notations, Autonomous and Remotely Operated Ships (AROS)

DNV has launched a new family of class notations, Autonomous and Remotely Operated Ships (AROS), providing a framework for how autoremote vessels can achieve equivalent or higher safety compared to conventional vessels.

Autonomous shipping, ranging from remote control operation to fully unmanned vessels, marks a major advancement in the maritime industry. These solutions can deliver a wide range of benefits including improved safety, optimised logistics chains, improved cargo capacity due to reductions in crew, increased fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and reduced operational and maintenance costs. Continue reading “DNV launches family of class notations on autonomous shipping”

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