News Hound

Electrification continues to bear risks for the shipping industry

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Capt Rahul Khanna, pictured, indicated insurers have seen large losses from lithium-ion batteries
Capt Rahul Khanna, pictured, indicated insurers have seen large losses from lithium-ion batteries

Electrification of the global economy continues to  bear risks for the shipping industry and supply chains, according to Allianz Commercial’s latest Safety and Shipping Review.

Electrification of the global economy is driving huge demand for lithium-ion batteries, from electric cars and e-bikes to industrial scale battery storage systems. The global battery market is forecast to reach US$322bn by 2030, more than double its value in 2024, driven by growing demand for electric vehicles and battery storage systems required to support the transition to renewable energy. Continue reading “Electrification continues to bear risks for the shipping industry”

An expert’s guide to lithium-ion battery fire prevention

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An expert’s guide to lithium-ion battery fire prevention
An expert’s guide to lithium-ion battery fire prevention

Mark shares some essential lithium-ion battery safety advice and guidance to give a better understanding of the risks associated with this technology. Giving his expert’s guide to lithium-ion battery fire prevention.

Lithium-ion battery powered devices don’t pose an increased risk if devices are maintained in good working condition and people follow some basic rules. From a fire service perspective, the vast majority of lithium-ion battery fires we’ve seen have been caused by human error.

Many of these simple rules that should be followed are almost all related to battery charging. Ensure that the charger you use to charge your particular device is the specific charger that’s recommended by the manufacturer. If you buy a quality product from a reputable retailer, you can be confident that the correct charger will be supplied with that product. However, if you buy a discount replacement charger online you need to be very aware where that product is coming from. Continue reading “An expert’s guide to lithium-ion battery fire prevention”

How to identify false readings of exhaust monitoring equipment

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How to identify false readings of exhaust monitoring equipment
How to identify false readings of exhaust monitoring equipment

An increasing number of vessels have encountered unexpected port state issues related to sulphur emissions limit exceedance caused by inaccurate readings. These false readings are of exhaust monitoring equipment. This technical news emphasizes the importance of calibration and maintenance routines, and of monitoring equipment performance. Continue reading “How to identify false readings of exhaust monitoring equipment”

Electronic inclinometers for new bulk carriers and container ships

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New regulations from January 2026 mandate electronic inclinometers on new bulk carriers and container ships
New regulations from January 2026 mandate electronic inclinometers on new bulk carriers and container ships

To enhance seafarer safety and prevent the loss and damage of bulk cargo due to strong movements at sea, the IMO is introducing amendments to SOLAS Chapter V. Through Resolution MSC.532(107), it has adopted a new requirement (SOLAS Reg. V/19.2.12) that mandates the carriage of electronic inclinometers for new container ships and bulk carriers of 3,000gt and above. This will enable the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) to determine, display and record the ship’s roll motion and provide critical information about operational stability. Continue reading “Electronic inclinometers for new bulk carriers and container ships”

One third of ballast water treatment systems fail PSC inspections

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One third of ballast water treatment systems fail PSC inspections
One third of ballast water treatment systems fail PSC inspections

Over one third of ballast water treatment systems fail PSC inspections despite 95% of systems having successfully passed commissioning tests.

Information submitted by Global TestNet to the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee MEPC82, which took place last year, revealed that 29% to 44% of operational systems are failing to remove invasive species in the >50µm range, with more than 100 organisms of this size routinely found in every 1m3 of treated water. Continue reading “One third of ballast water treatment systems fail PSC inspections”

New guidance on achieving stable lifting operations

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Ensuring the stability of lifting arrangements is of critical importance to mitigate the risk of damage
Ensuring the stability of lifting arrangements is of critical importance to mitigate the risk of damage

New guidance on achieving stable lifting operations has been developed by a sub-working group of the Heavy Lift Exchange Forum, a DNV-initiated round table for heavy-lift shipping companies. Members of the working group are from the companies BBC Chartering, BigLift Shipping, DNV, Heerema, Jumbo Maritime, SAL Engineering and United Heavy Lift.

What is best practice when it comes to cranes lifting loads onto, off and between ships in port or at sea? New guidance from an industry forum initiated by DNV dives into the key considerations and calculations to help ensure these hazardous operations are performed safely to reduce the risk of loss to life, property and the environment. Continue reading “New guidance on achieving stable lifting operations”

Meeting the requirements of the IMSBC Code

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Britannia P&I Club advises on the IMSBC code
Britannia P&I Club advises on the IMSBC code

Britannia P&I Club has issued information about what actions to take when loading different bulk cargoes to meet the requirements of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The shipper is responsible for providing the master (or their representative) with sufficient information in advance to allow safe preparation for loading, stowage, and carriage of the nominated cargo under the requirements of the IMSBC code. Continue reading “Meeting the requirements of the IMSBC Code”

Valve failures is the lead cause of ammonia-related maritime accidents

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EMSA has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents
EMSA has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in its newest series of reports regarding the safety of ammonia use in ships has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents. Among the alternative fuel options, anhydrous ammonia has drawn a lot of interest from the marine industry for its potential to become a long-term solution for decarbonisation. The comprehensive review of accidents however, highlighted on EMSA’s report “Safety of Ammonia for Use in Ships”, has underscored critical causes of these incidents that allow identifying recurring patterns and highlighting critical areas for preventive or corrective measures for application in the maritime sector. Continue reading “Valve failures is the lead cause of ammonia-related maritime accidents”

AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 published

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The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 is published and is available to read   
The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 is published and is available to read

The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 has been published by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. It outlines a number of key compliance activities that support welfare, safety and pollution prevention across domestic and foreign-flagged vessels.

According to the AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026, the authority outlines priority activities for the upcoming year, providing industry with a clear understanding of the regulatory focus and rationale. Continue reading “AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 published”

Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting

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Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting says US Coast Guard report
Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting says US Coast Guard report

The is a distressing case about a fatal accident that should never have happened. And as the investigation has revealed, a series of poor, inadequate and ineffective inspections and surveys that failed to discover serious rotten wood, would appear to be largely to blame.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has released a critical report on the demasting of a historic schooner, blaming the catastrophic incident on rotten wood that had gone unnoticed for years due to poor inspections.

About three years after the mainmast of the 144-year-old schooner Grace Bailey Continue reading “Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting”

ABS IMO III 11 summary brief

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ABS has provided an overview on the key issues at the ABS IMO III 11 summary brief.
ABS has provided an overview on the key issues at the ABS IMO III 11 summary brief.

The IMO Sub-Committee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments III held its 11th session in July 2025. Here is the ABS IMO III 11 in a summary brief.
The Sub-Committee has a key role in casualty analysis and issuing lessons learned from marine incidents. It receives and analyses port state control data and keeps under review the procedures for port state control. Guidelines for survey and certification including the survey guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) also come under the remit of this Sub-Committee. Continue reading “ABS IMO III 11 summary brief”

Incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags can lead to significant claims

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Handling of jumbo bags is the subject of a new video from London P&I Club
Handling of jumbo bags is the subject of a new video from London P&I Club

The London P&I Club has renewed its warning to shipowners, operators, and charterers over the risks linked to loading dry chemicals in Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs), and the incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags with the launch of a new video that provides loss prevention advice.

The alert follows several incidents involving cargo fires and damage—particularly on bulk carriers and general cargo ships, with many cases reported at Chinese ports. The Club warns that failure to strictly comply with all relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) Continue reading “Incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags can lead to significant claims”

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