News Hound, Author at The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)

Achilles Bulker rudder broke off near Tauranga nearly runs aground

Posted on July 28, 2025July 29, 2025 by News Hound

Achilles Bulker pictured in 2022 near Nelson NZ. Credit: Steven Watkins

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has published a report after bulk carrier Achilles Bulker lost its rudder in 2023.

What happened

On 24 July 2023, the fully loaded Achilles Bulker was under pilotage outbound from the Port of Tauranga. Shortly after clearing the harbour entrance, the ship’s heading began to swing to port and deviate from its intended track in the centre of the channel. As the bridge team took corrective action to return the ship to the centreline of the channel, the ship’s rudder broke off and the ship continued out of the Continue reading “Achilles Bulker rudder broke off near Tauranga nearly runs aground”

Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2025

Posted on July 28, 2025July 29, 2025 by News Hound

Given that 90% of international trade is transported across oceans, maritime safety is critical, and the shipping industry has made significant improvements in recent years. During the 1990s, the global fleet lost 200+ vessels a year. This total had halved by 10 years ago and is now down to a record low of 27 as of the end of 2024 is a key finding of the Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2025.

This compares with 35 a year earlier (vessels over 100 gross tonnage [GT]), down by around 20%, with a 75% decline in total losses over Continue reading “Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2025”

International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk update

Posted on July 23, 2025July 24, 2025 by News Hound

DNV updates International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk

DNV has sent out a news update on amendments to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk, which have been adopted by IMO Resolution MSC.552(108).

The Grain Code amendments enter into force 1 January 2026 and will be applicable to newbuildings with keel laid on or after this date. For existing ships, the amended Grain Code can also be applied to improve loading flexibility and demonstrate compliance with the new requirements. It is expected that there will be an increased attention on this loading pattern by inspectors in the larger grain exporting ports from 2026. Continue reading “International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk update”

UKP&I guide to safe LNG bunkering practices

Posted on July 18, 2025July 18, 2025 by News Hound

UKP&I Club guide to safe LNG bunkering practices.

UKP&I Club has developed the UKP&I guide to Safe LNG Bunkering Practices (Second Edition) in collaboration with Brookes Bell.

The guide presents a practical resource for the safe and efficient bunkering of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the maritime industry.

In response to global decarbonisation efforts and the growing adoption of LNG as a fuel in transition, this guide explores the physical characteristics of LNG, associated hazards, and recommended best practices for its handling, storage, and transfer. Continue reading “UKP&I guide to safe LNG bunkering practices”

UK MAIB Annual Report 2024 published

Posted on July 17, 2025August 11, 2025 by News Hound

The UK MAIB 2024 annual report released

The UK MAIB has released its MAIB annual report 2024. Last year, the MAIB received 1,515 reports on marine casualties/incidents and started 15 investigations – 7 of which involved loss of life.

Overall, the MAIB recorded 1,631 reports of accidents to UK vessels worldwide or any vessels within UK coastal waters during 2024. A total of 1,753 vessels were involved. Continue reading “UK MAIB Annual Report 2024 published”

Isle of Man Ship Registry’s 2024 Casualty report

Posted on July 16, 2025July 16, 2025 by News Hound

The Isle of Man Ship Registry had released its 2024 Annual Summary Casualty Report

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has released its Isle of Man Ship Registry’s 2024 Casualty report. It contains an analysis of the data and trends identified from casualty reports submitted to the Ship Registry during 2024.

Over the course of last year, the Ship Registry said there were 53 Accidents, 34 incidents and 7 casualty reports. There was one fatality, 8 serious injuries and 22 minor injuries reported. Continue reading “Isle of Man Ship Registry’s 2024 Casualty report”

PSC CIC on ballast water management

Posted on July 16, 2025July 16, 2025 by News Hound

DNV has announced the 2025 PSC CIC on ballast water management

This year’s Port State Control Concentrated Inspection Campaign (PSC CIC) will focus on ballast water management, DNV has announced.

The CIC is set to take place from 1 September to 30 November 2025.

Every year, PSC regimes determine a specific focus area during regular inspections. For 2025, the Paris and Tokyo MoUs have agreed to run a CIC on the topic of ballast water management (BWM). It is expected that the majority of PSC MoUs will participate in this year’s CIC. Continue reading “PSC CIC on ballast water management”

Consequences of incidents involving Li-ion battery powered vessels

Posted on July 16, 2025 by News Hound

ITOPF has studied the potential damage and liabilities arising from a shipping incidents involving Li-ion battery powered vessels.

In its “Fate, Behaviour, Potential Damage & Liabilities Arising from a Shipping Incident Involving a Li-ion Battery Powered Vessel” report, at least half of existing vessels with Li-ion batteries utilise the technology as part of a hybrid system paired with a traditional combustion engine using conventional fuels (or possibly biofuels). Continue reading “Consequences of incidents involving Li-ion battery powered vessels”

The benefits and challenges of electric propulsion for recreational boats

Posted on July 16, 2025 by News Hound

Electric propulsion systems are making waves in the world of recreational boating. As technology evolves, these systems bring plenty of perks compared to traditional internal combustion engines. At the same time, they also come with their own set of challenges. Let’s dive into the benefits and hurdles of electric propulsion for recreational boats, giving boating enthusiasts and industry folks a clear picture of what’s on the horizon. Continue reading “The benefits and challenges of electric propulsion for recreational boats”

Corrosion in ballast water & cargo tanks

Posted on July 16, 2025August 12, 2025 by News Hound

DNV offers guidance on the matter of corrosion in ballast water & cargo tanks, highlighting that the actual corrosion rate may differ, with factors like temperature and coating condition playing significant roles in the deterioration process.

According to DNV, the actual corrosion rate in ballast and cargo tanks may differ from the assumptions in the rules and the embedded corrosion models. DNV survey data reveals a significant rise in corrosion findings in water ballast and cargo tanks in oil tankers and bulk carriers at the third renewal survey, with a peak at the fourth renewal. That means that for some vessels, Continue reading “Corrosion in ballast water & cargo tanks”

India DGS: Marine Safety Investigation Report 2024 published

Posted on July 16, 2025July 16, 2025 by News Hound

India DGS has published its 2024 Marine Safety Investigation Report — India’s DGS has published its 2024 Marine Safety Investigation Report

India’s Directorate General of Shipping Marine Safety Investigation Report 2024 has been published — which highlighted a 21.6% escalation in reported casualties compared to the previous year.

Last year, there was a total of 186 incidents with 78 marine casualties and 108 non-operational incidents. In 2023, there were 153 incidents with 74 casualties and 79 non-operational incidents. This showed a 21.6% increase in reported casualties in 2024 from 2023. Continue reading “India DGS: Marine Safety Investigation Report 2024 published”

What’s behind the latest spate of boat fires?

Posted on July 14, 2025 by News Hound

Marseille yacht fire. Image Credit: Tom Moreau/Marine Nationale

IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, has been alarmed at what seems to be a growing number of destructive yacht and boat fires incidents reaching his desk since the start of 2025. Mike has been motivated to write this article so he can set out and catalogue some of the higher profile fire incidents, as well as some of the less well publicised ones.

This is an expanded article following the introduction I wrote for the IIMS June News Bulletin on this subject. It may have passed you by, but there seems to have been a string of eye-catching large yacht and boat fires erupting around the world since the start of 2025 with devastating consequences. So, what is behind this surge in yacht and boat fires? Is there a common thread? Not sure yet, is the simple answer. Continue reading “What’s behind the latest spate of boat fires?”

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