The hazards posed by small lithium-ion batteries can be devastating, says P&I club NorthStandard.
From handheld radios, cell phones, and power banks to vapes and flashlights, lithium-ion batteries are everywhere onboard vessels.
Compact and powerful, they’re essential, but when mishandled, they can turn into ticking time bombs. Continue reading “Hazards of small lithium-ion batteries on ships”
New Danish data, collected during real-world sailing, documents significant climate benefits from biofuel for the shipping industry as biofuel reduces black carbon emissions.
Soot particles – also known as black carbon – are among the most harmful emissions from shipping, both for the climate, where they contribute to global warming and melting of Arctic ice, and for public health through poor air quality.
Now, experts from the CLEANSHIP project document that using biodiesel, specifically B100 FAME, during normal operation can reduce black carbon emissions by up to 81 percent compared to traditional marine gas oil (MGO). Continue reading “Biofuel reduces black carbon emissions by 81% says Cleanship experts”
Owners and operators of beam and scallop trawlers have been urged to inspect their vessels’ quick-release arrangements after a deckhand was fatally injured by chain failure on the Honeybourne III in 2023.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) added that any necessary changes should be made to the equipment or its operation to ensure the safety of crew working on deck. Continue reading “Safety warning issued after deckhand killed by chain failure on Honeybourne III”
The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has announced a landmark revision to its Unified Requirement UR M78, introducing comprehensive safety requirements for marine engines fuelled by ammonia.
The newly published Rev.4 of UR M78 expands its scope to include ammonia as an approved fuel for reciprocating internal combustion engines. This development reflects IACS’s commitment to enabling innovative propulsion technologies while maintaining the highest safety standards.
It will be uniformly applied by IACS Member Societies for engines with type approval applications dated on or after 1 July 2027. Continue reading “IACS updates safety requirements for ammonia-fuelled engines”
The latest annual data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed that within the container segment, alternative fuels dominated, with the fuel mix by tonnage approximately 58 percent LNG, 36 percent conventional fuels, and 6 percent methanol.
A total of 275 orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in 2025, representing a year-on-year decrease of 47%. This mirrored a broader drop in the overall newbuild market, which fell to 2,403 orders, from 4,405 in 2024. Continue reading “LNG-fueled vessels lead alternative-fueled newbuild market”
In a first of its kind, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has developed a comprehensive Safety Video Series to improve safety awareness across the maritime workforce.
The DGS has observed recurring safety lapses and incidents attributable to deficiencies in safety awareness by shipping companies, seafarers and trainees as evidenced by casualty investigations conducted by the Directorate. Continue reading “India DGS launches Safety Video Series”
The Vital Connector for Nature and People report has highlighted how the UK’s historic canal network — the nation’s longest and most connected corridor of freshwater habitat — is one of Britain’s most important yet under-recognised assets for nature recovery, public wellbeing and community connection.
The Vital Connector for Nature and People report, published by the Canal & River Trust and supported by environmental leaders including Dr Tony Juniper CBE, chair of Natural England, shows how canals can play a unique role in tackling three converging national challenges: biodiversity loss, declining connection with nature, and widening health and wellbeing inequalities. Continue reading “Canal & River Trust Vital Connector for Nature and People report published”
The marine salvage industry is a vital part of the shipping industry ecosystem, and the International Salvage Union (ISU) is the association that represents the world’s salvage contractors. The core purpose of the ISU is to be the “credible, trusted and unified global voice of its members who facilitate world trade by providing marine services which save life, protect the environment, mitigate risk and reduce loss.” And that statement truly does capture the essence of our association and the critical work of salvors.
The marine salvage industry is a vital part of the shipping industry ecosystem, and the International Salvage Union (ISU) is the association that represents the world’s salvage contractors. The core purpose of the ISU is to be the “credible, trusted and unified global voice of its members who facilitate world trade by providing marine services which save life, protect the environment, mitigate risk and reduce loss.” And that statement truly does capture the essence of our association. Continue reading “Does the maritime industry value the critical work of salvors?”
This study presents a systematic evaluation of extinguishing agents against lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), specifically examining thermal runaway propagation in small domestic system (8 kWh). Five distinct suppression methods were evaluated: water mist, encapsulator agent (water mist with proprietary encapsulator), carbonate agent (water mist with ammonium bicarbonate), mixed agent (containing boron compounds and surfactants), and liquid nitrogen.
Performed experiments revealed significant differences between suppression methods. Water mist and encapsulator agents demonstrated Continue reading “Performance of extinguishing agents against lithium-ion battery fire”
A crewmember died after the fishing vessel, Ben Thomas capsize and sank off the Irish coast.
A report into the incident, which took place two years ago, has been released by the Irish Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB), concluding the investigation.
What happened
On the 12 December 2023, at approximately 05.00 hours the fishing vessel Ben Thomas departed Port Oriel, Clogherhead, Co. Louth Continue reading “Investigation into fishing vessel Ben Thomas capsize and fatality”
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has identified a potential risk associated with slips, trips and falls (STF incidents) across the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) between May 2024 and April 2025. During this period, 22% of all injuries reported to BSEE were attributed to STFs, surpassing lifting-related injuries for the first time in recent years. These STF injuries were often severe, resulting in major injuries defined as three or more days away from work, restricted work, or job transfer.
In response to the rise in operator and contractor injuries BSEE initiated a Performance-Based Risk Inspection (PBRI). The inspection covered 19 assets, including production platforms and well operations, across the Gulf. These assets were operated by 17 unique operators. Continue reading “Rise in STF incidents prompts risk inspection”
Industry leaders are merging old school tradition and principles with modern innovation, developing designs that meet sometimes diverging industry demands – a clash between legacy and innovation.
The roots of naval architecture are steeped in tradition with knowledge passed down through generations. Scientific ship design in the 18th century introduced mathematical models used to inform hull design while the Industrial Revolution brought iron and steam, revolutionizing design, materials science and propulsion.
The 21st century ushered in the digital transformation alongside essential new tools in the naval architect’s arsenal. Advanced CAD technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven modelling are now used to optimize designs. From concept through a ship’s lifecycle, digital twins enable predictive maintenance and monitoring to model fuel consumption across voyage profiles. Continue reading “Legacy and Innovation”
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