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Toxic gas from rotting fish in confined space hospitalised four crewmembers aboard FV Antarctic Discovery

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F/V Antarctic Discovery. Credit: Australian Longline PTY Limited.
F/V Antarctic Discovery. Credit: Australian Longline PTY Limited.

Four crewmembers were hospitalised after decomposing fish offal was accidentally pumped into a machinery space on board FV Antarctic Discovery, according to the Transport Accident Investigation Commission of New Zealand (TAIC).

The investigation report identified four systemic safety issues involving machinery isolation, confined-space hazards, coordination between multiple organisations, and oversight of safety-critical modifications. Continue reading “Toxic gas from rotting fish in confined space hospitalised four crewmembers aboard FV Antarctic Discovery”

India introduces new requirements for transporting plastic pellets in containers

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India introduces new requirements for transporting plastic pellets in containers
India introduces new requirements for transporting plastic pellets in containers

Plastic pellet pollution remains a concern in shipping due to incidents of nurdle spillage. West P&I Club has highlighted a circular from India’s DGS, Circular No. 19 of 2026, which introduces specific requirements for transporting plastic pellets (nurdles) in freight containers. Nurdles are increasingly recognised as an environmental risk that warrants targeted control.

In the circular, DGS said recent incidents along the Indian coastline have highlighted serious concerns regarding marine pollution caused by the loss of freight containers carrying plastic pellets at sea. Continue reading “India introduces new requirements for transporting plastic pellets in containers”

LR Fuel Quality Report reveals operational challenges of ISO-compliant fuels

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LR Fuel Quality Report reveals operational challenges of ISO-compliant fuels
LR Fuel Quality Report reveals operational challenges of ISO-compliant fuels

Ship operators are facing a growing risk from fuels that appear compliant under routine ISO 8217 testing but still present operational risks once on board, according to Lloyd’s Register. In its latest Fuel Oil Bunker Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) LR Fuel Quality Report, covering the first half of 2026, off-specification fuels remain a persistent challenge.

However, some of the most disruptive cases now involve fuels that pass routine compliance testing but show poor stability or compatibility, or contain non-conventional blend components that are only identified through more detailed investigative analysis. Continue reading “LR Fuel Quality Report reveals operational challenges of ISO-compliant fuels”

WSC welcomes EU ETS revisions for maritime decarbonisation

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WSC welcomes EU ETS revisions for maritime decarbonisation
WSC welcomes EU ETS revisions for maritime decarbonisation

The World Shipping Council welcomes the European Commission’s practical EU ETS revisions to accelerate alternative maritime fuels and channel revenues back into shipping’s decarbonisation.

The proposed fuel mechanism announced for the maritime sector follows the policy logic already used in aviation. Helping close the price gap between conventional and alternative fuels can encourage uptake, support investment in production and position Europe as a leading alternative fuel bunkering hub. Continue reading “WSC welcomes EU ETS revisions for maritime decarbonisation”

DNV guidance on boiler tube plugging class requirements

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DNV had provided provides guidance on class acceptance criteria on boiler tube plugging repairs
DNV had provided provides guidance on class acceptance criteria on boiler tube plugging repairs

Boiler tubes play a critical role in both heat transfer and in maintaining the pressure integrity of marine boilers. When leaks occur, careful evaluation is required to prevent secondary damage.

And DNV has shared guidance on class acceptance criteria, including the assessment of repair feasibility and the follow-up of plug repairs on defective boiler tubes.

Boiler tubes are often exposed to high temperatures, corrosive environments and fluctuating operating conditions, making them susceptible to various forms of degradation. In case of leaks, plugging is often used as a rapid method to restore boiler integrity. Continue reading “DNV guidance on boiler tube plugging class requirements”

Matthew Flinders III lost steering in Bass Strait following mechanical fault

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Matthew Flinders III lost steering in Bass Strait following mechanical fault. Source: ATSB/Bass Strait Freight
Matthew Flinders III lost steering in Bass Strait following mechanical fault. Source: ATSB/Bass Strait Freight

A cargo ship’s crew were unable to the use of the backup control system after a mechanical fault left the ship without steering for more than eight hours. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said inadequate training on the system and unclear instructions in ship’s safety management system (SMS) contributed to the incident.

What happened

On 23 July 2025 at 2345, Matthew Flinders III was in transit between Bridport and Lady Barron, Tasmania, when a rudder angle feedback failure in its autopilot system caused a loss of steering. The failure caused both rudders to lock in the hard to port position and caused an uncontrolled turn to port. In response the ship’s master reduced engine power and alerted the engineer. Continue reading “Matthew Flinders III lost steering in Bass Strait following mechanical fault”

Commercial fishing remains key safety issue says TSB annual report

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Commercial fishing remains safety key safety issue says TSB annual report
Commercial fishing remains safety key safety issue says TSB annual report

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) received 990 reports of marine transportation occurrences in 2025, including six fatalities, as recorded in the TSB annual report.

The total of 257 marine transportation accidents represents an increase from the 213 accidents in 2024 but is 4% below the 10-year average of 267. In 2025, 85% were shipping accidents, slightly more than 83% on average over the previous 10 years. The remaining 15% of accidents in 2025 were aboard ship (when a person is seriously or fatally injured), just below the 10-year annual average of 17%. Continue reading “Commercial fishing remains key safety issue says TSB annual report”

Manual rescue boat davits raise PSC compliance concerns

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Manual rescue boat davits raise PSC compliance concerns
Manual rescue boat davits raise PSC compliance concerns

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued guidance for cargo ships equipped with rescue boat launching appliances that rely entirely on manual operation without stored mechanical power.

The guidance follows the adoption of IMO Resolution MSC.459(101), which introduced an exemption applicable only to rescue boats installed on or after 1 January 2024. The exemption does not apply to systems installed before that date, meaning existing arrangements remain subject to previous requirements. Continue reading “Manual rescue boat davits raise PSC compliance concerns”

Lloyd’s Register campaign targets ageing feeder fleet

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Lloyd's Register campaign targets ageing feeder fleet
Lloyd’s Register campaign targets ageing feeder fleet

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has launched a new campaign, which will bring together LR’s classification, advisory and digital expertise to support operators as they assess fleet renewal.

The campaign, ‘Powering the next generation of feeder vessels’, is in response to growing pressure in the feeder sector, where ageing vessels, tighter regulation and rising operating costs are forcing owners to make tougher fleet renewal decisions.

Feeder vessels, critical to regional and short-sea container trades, are now under strain from ageing assets, stricter emissions rules, rising fuel costs and shifting trade patterns, forcing owners to reassess long-term fleet strategies. Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register campaign targets ageing feeder fleet”

MTF releases new safety guidance for the growing methanol-fueled fleet

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MTF releases new safety guidance for the growing methanol-fueled fleet
MTF releases new safety guidance for the growing methanol-fueled fleet

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released new guidelines aimed at helping shipping companies develop new Safety Management Systems (SMS) and strengthen existing ones for vessels operating on methanol fuel, as the methanol-fueled fleet continues to grow.

The guidance comes as the maritime industry steps up its decarbonisation efforts and methanol gains traction as one of the most viable low-carbon marine fuels. Its ability to remain liquid at ambient temperatures, compatibility with existing fuel infrastructure and growing adoption across the sector have positioned methanol as a leading alternative fuel for the near term. Continue reading “MTF releases new safety guidance for the growing methanol-fueled fleet”

Crewmember crushed by equipment on scallop dredger Jacoba

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Jacoba. Source: MAIB
Jacoba. Source: MAIB

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its final report on an incident that left a deckhand seriously injured while working on scallop dredger Jacoba.

The MAIB also published a safety flyer with safety lessons and considerations to the fishing industry.

What happened

On 10 May 2025, a deckhand on the UK registered fishing vessel Jacoba was seriously injured while the vessel was dredging for scallops in the English Channel. Continue reading “Crewmember crushed by equipment on scallop dredger Jacoba”

ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2025-2026 published

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The ICS Maritime Barometer report 2025–2026 features insights from a record number of industry leaders,
The ICS Maritime Barometer report 2025–2026 features insights from a record number of industry leaders,

The ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2025-2026 features insights from a record number of industry leaders, offering a comprehensive overview of how this resilient sector is evolving to maintain world trade in an increasingly complex and uncertain environment. A clear theme runs throughout the findings: geopolitical instability continues to act as an underlying force shaping both the risks faced by the industry and the conditions under which it is transitioning. Continue reading “ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2025-2026 published”

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