How well do you know the different types of marine spills?

ITOPF Handbook 2025/6
ITOPF Handbook 2025/6

ITOPF has published the 2025/26 edition of its Handbook, providing information on the different types of pollutants encountered at sea and the challenges, impacts, and response options associated with each especially marine spills.

Marine spills can involve a wide variety of substances beyond oil, including vegetable oils, chemicals, bulk cargoes, and plastics, each behaving differently in the marine environment and posing distinct risks. In its latest Handbook, ITOPF outlines the main categories of pollutants, their effects, and the approaches typically taken to manage them. Continue reading “How well do you know the different types of marine spills?”

Lessons from three generations of marine surveyors

By Austin O’Keefe Local Lloyd’s Agent, Marine Surveyor and Cargo Claims Specialist
By Austin O’Keefe Local Lloyd’s Agent, Marine Surveyor and Cargo Claims Specialist

When I think about what ties my career to my father ’s and grandfather ’s careers before me, three generations of marine surveyors, one word comes to mind: integrity.

In this line of work, credibility is your currency. A surveyor’s report can carry weight equal to millions of dollars in insurance liability, and if you’re not willing to stand by what you’ve written, you have no business putting pen to paper. That’s not to say you can’t change your opinion upon receipt of further evidence; but in such instances the facts together with the surveyor’s revised position should be presented promptly otherwise, there could be consequences, i.e., loss of trust, loss of clientele, and in worse cases, professional liability. Continue reading “Lessons from three generations of marine surveyors”

Review of Maritime Transport 2025 Report published by UNCTAD

Rebeca Grynspan, UNCTAD secretary-general
Rebeca Grynspan, UNCTAD secretary-general

In her foreword to this year’s Review of Maritime Transport 2025 report, UNCTAD secretary-general writes as follows:

“Global maritime transport has entered uncharted waters.

Not since the closure of the Suez Canal in 1967 have we witnessed such sustained disruption to the arteries of global commerce. Ships that once transited the Red Sea in days now sail for weeks around the Cape of Good Hope. Freight rates that were relatively stable for years now swing wildly from month to month. Supply chains we thought were resilient have proven fragile. Continue reading “Review of Maritime Transport 2025 Report published by UNCTAD”

MCA: MGN 710 (M) safety management systems for small workboats and pilot boats

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published MGN 710 (M) safety management systems for small workboats and pilot boats.

Guidance on how owners and operators of small workboats and pilot boats can meet the Safety Management System (SMS) requirements of the recently launched Workboat Code Edition 3 is now available. Continue reading “MCA: MGN 710 (M) safety management systems for small workboats and pilot boats”

MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)

MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)
MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has update to fire safety MGN 681 (M) and storage of small electric powered craft on yachts.

MGN 681 (M) Amendment 1 includes clarification for the functionality of storage and charging cabinets or boxes where these are used as part of the solution for the carriage of li-ion batteries used on personal vehicles. Continue reading “MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)”

SYBAss announces new Executive Director

Robert van Tol takes charge as Executive Director of SYBAss
Robert van Tol takes charge as Executive Director of SYBAss

Robert van Tol will be the new executive director of SYBAss (Superyacht Builders’ Association) effective 1st of January 2026. Following his past 7 years successfully establishing and scaling up the Water Revolution Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to driving environmental progress within the yachting sector, he brings fresh energy and a modern perspective to SYBAss.

Building on SYBAss’s position in the current maritime world, Van Tol’s appointment Continue reading “SYBAss announces new Executive Director”

Updated IAMSAR manual to be carried onboard from January 2026

The IAMSAR Manual edition III must be carried onboard vessels from 1 January 2026
The IAMSAR Manual edition III must be carried onboard vessels from 1 January 2026

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has advised about upcoming amendments to the IAMSAR (International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue) Manual, which operators must have onboard their vessels in hard copy by 1 January 2026 to comply with SOLAS regulations.

According to LR, under SOLAS regulation V/21, all ships are required to carry an up-to-date copy of the IAMSAR Manual Volume III. As stated in MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.2, the IAMSAR Manual Volume III must always be available in hard Continue reading “Updated IAMSAR manual to be carried onboard from January 2026”

Key tips for transferring plastic pellets in containers

Carriage of plastic pellets in containers is the subject of new guidance from the Steamship Mutual P&I Club
Carriage of plastic pellets in containers is the subject of new guidance from the Steamship Mutual P&I Club

Steamship Mutual P&I Club has provided guidance on the risks associated with the carriage of plastic pellets in containers and provides practical measures to prevent spillage and protect the marine environment.

Understanding the risks of plastic pellets
According to the Club, in recent years, several high-profile incidents have occurred, such as the Trans Carrier in 2020 and the XPress Pearl in 2021, where containers have fallen overboard and resulted in the release of plastic pellets into seas and oceans with subsequent harm to the marine environment. Continue reading “Key tips for transferring plastic pellets in containers”

Post Construction Assessment papers trigger official policy review

Paper 2 on Post Construction Assessment by Tom Keeling attracts encouraging response
Paper 2 on Post Construction Assessment by Tom Keeling attracts encouraging response

Throughout 2025, work continued on Recreational Craft Directive (RCD), Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR) and Post Construction Assessment (PCA) research, with a newly drafted paper by Tom Keeling – known as PCA 2 – receiving an encouraging response from Graham Russell MBE, Chief Executive of OPSS (Office for Product Safety & Standards). The paper is due for wider release in early 2026.

Since the release of the PCA 1 paper in 2024, IIMS has remained engaged with Continue reading “Post Construction Assessment papers trigger official policy review”

NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires

NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires
NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires

Heavy weather and an improperly secured cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) units led to two fires on board the cargo vessel Genius Star XI – causing $3.8 million in damages, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

What happened

​On December 25, 2023, at 0830, while the cargo vessel Genius Star XI was transiting the North Pacific Ocean in heavy weather with a cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system units on board, a fire was discovered in a cargo hold. Continue reading “NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires”

ABS shares guidance on revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships

ABS shares guidance on revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships
ABS shares guidance on revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has provided an overview of IMO Resolution MSC 581 (110) – Revised Recommendations for Entering Enclosed Spaces Aboard Ships.

These new recommendations supersede and revoke Resolution A.1050(27), replacing them with updated safety measures, definitions, and procedural requirements aimed at reducing fatalities during enclosed space entry. Continue reading “ABS shares guidance on revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships”

Gard – Beware of backflush filter failures

Gard - Beware of backflush filter failures. Photo source: Gard
Gard – Beware of backflush filter failures. Photo source: Gard

P&I club Gard has warned that a serious source of engine damage can come as a result of automatic backflush filter failure.

Automatic backflush filters are designed to protect engines by keeping fuel and lubricating oil clean. The filters generally consist of one or more chambers with a set of candles of fine wire mesh that the oil flows through. Larger particles get stuck on the surface while smaller particles flow through the filters and back into circulation. Continue reading “Gard – Beware of backflush filter failures”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Show details Hide details
Performance & Marketing Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. This also helps us optimise our marketing campaigns. User data sent to Google Analytics may be used for ad personalization and measurement of our ad campaigns. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Show details Hide details