Cargo tank cleaning and preparation onboard tankers: Best practices and guidelines

A man cleaning the inside of a cargo tank - Cargo tank cleaning and preparation onboard tankers: Best practices and guidelines. Image credit: West P&I Club
A man cleaning the inside of a cargo tank – Cargo tank cleaning and preparation onboard tankers: Best practices and guidelines. Image credit: West P&I Club

West P&I Club has issued a loss prevention bulletin in which they describe best practices and give guidelines on cargo tank cleaning and preparation onboard tankers. the Club highlights that product and chemical tankers carry a variety of commodities, often necessitating frequent tank cleaning to prevent a cross-subsequent, off-spec claim. Detailed planning of the tank cleaning is crucial, and the ship’s crew must be informed of the schedule. The extent of cleaning required depends on the properties of the previous cargo, the tank coating, the next cargo’s preloading specifications and the shipper’s requirements. Continue reading “Cargo tank cleaning and preparation onboard tankers: Best practices and guidelines”

A systematic approach to maritime risks

Billowing smoke clouds - A systematic approach to maritime risks
Billowing smoke clouds – A systematic approach to maritime risks

Operating a maritime business is inherently risky. This is so for inland commerce, open ocean navigation, and everything in between. Not only are maritime professionals subject to the whims of Mother Nature, but much of the work itself is dynamic, involving massive vessels, heavy machinery, and hazardous materials. Accordingly, anyone engaged in the maritime industry – from deckhands, machinery operators, and engineers to captains, shoreside support staff, and corporate officers – must be ready to respond to a crisis at a moment’s notice. Because an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure, leaders of maritime businesses should expect that crises will occur and train their workforce for the inevitable, a systematic approach is needed to maritime risks. Continue reading “A systematic approach to maritime risks”

Understanding liquefaction and dynamic separation in solid bulk cargoes

Understanding liquefaction and dynamic separation in solid bulk cargoes
Understanding liquefaction and dynamic separation in solid bulk cargoes

A recent INTERCARGO report highlighted cargo liquefaction as the greatest contributor to loss of life at sea in the preceding decade. Despite improved safety, cargo liquefaction incidents continued to occur. Although ship losses due to cargo liquefaction accounted for less than 20% of all vessel casualties during that period, they resulted in the loss of 70 lives, representing over 60% of the total fatalities. In other words, if cargo liquefaction occurs on a bulk carrier, it is more likely to result in loss of life than any other type of incident. It is important we have an understanding in liquefaction and dynamic separation in solid bulk cargoes. Continue reading “Understanding liquefaction and dynamic separation in solid bulk cargoes”

Engine room fires are still a major concern

Thermal image of main engine max temperature
Thermal image of main engine max temperature

Gard saw five fires originating in the main and auxiliary engines in the first month of 2025 alone. Tragically, some of these engine room fires resulted in fatalities and serious injuries to seafarers. While it is too early to draw any conclusions about how the rest of the year will go, it may be helpful to review experiences from recent years. Although the main cause of these fires may not be identical, there are certain similarities in the underlying patterns of the fires. Continue reading “Engine room fires are still a major concern”

How to develop a safety culture

safety hazard pipes
safety hazard pipes

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published a section in their Leading for Safety guidance, looking at why accidents happen, what really causes them and what can be done to create a safety culture in an organisation.

Safety culture describes the way in which safety is managed within an organisation. It relates to the beliefs and attitudes, values, and perceptions that employees share regarding safety in the organisation. According to the MCA, to reduce the rate of incidents, we need a good understanding of: Continue reading “How to develop a safety culture”

Things surveyors cannot find

Sunset over a harbor - Things a surveyor cannot find
Sunset over a harbor – Things a surveyor cannot find

The marine surveying industry has changed dramatically over the almost 50 years we’ve been boating. Back in the early days there were not any standards or certifying organizations for surveyors. Those that had industry experience and connections just ‘hung out their shingle’. Some were very good and some were very bad! Continue reading “Things surveyors cannot find”

Coal Cargoes: Avoiding Explosion and Self-Heating

Coal cargoes
Coal cargoes

Coal is a fossil fuel with varying properties, depending on its source and handling before it is loaded aboard ship. Some coals can self- heat, and some emit methane – characteristics that can create fire and explosion risks to the crew, vessel and cargo making coal cargoes dangerous. Continue reading “Coal Cargoes: Avoiding Explosion and Self-Heating”

Transporting Li-ion batteries: identifying and addressing the risks

Lithium ion (Li-on) battries
Lithium ion (Li-on) battries

The international transportation industry has been looking carefully at the hazards inherent in transporting lithium- ion (Li-ion) batteries and goods powered by them. As has been highlighted recently in the industry press, while Li-ion battery fires are not a common occurrence, their consequences can be devastating. Continue reading “Transporting Li-ion batteries: identifying and addressing the risks”

Do you know when fire protection systems onboard should be inspected?

Fire protection systems
Fire protection systems

All fire protection systems and appliances should at all times be in good order and available for immediate use while a ship is in service. A helpful recent Marine Notice by the Palau Ship Registry highlights and gives guidance about the requirements of their inspection regime.

Fire protection systems need to be inspected weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually, as follows to ensure proper functioning. Continue reading “Do you know when fire protection systems onboard should be inspected?”

Ballast operation and maintenance practice

Ship de-ballasting
Ship de-ballasting

Britannia P&I Club has seen several pollution incidents involving the accidental transfer of cargo into an adjacent ballast water tank. The main causes are pitting or corrosion of cargo tanks which results in cargo being flushed out during ballast water operations. These incidents have highlighted the importance of crew awareness of ballast principles and best practices. In this guidance Britannia Club explores best ballast operation and how to maintain ballast tanks to prevent such claims. Continue reading “Ballast operation and maintenance practice”

The Challenges of Transporting Reefer Containers

A pack of reefer containers
A pack of reefer containers

Reefer containers is a complex piece of engineering and has, over the years, become more reliable, and can be trusted to transport perishable goods vast distances, with little or no impact on quality.

It is easy to forget therefore, that the vessel crew still has an important part to play in ensuring that these fragile cargoes are delivered safely, and that the actions of those on board can make a significant difference to the claims experienced by an operator. Continue reading “The Challenges of Transporting Reefer Containers”

Report comment tips for yacht and small craft marine surveyors

Yacht on the sea
Yacht on the sea

IIMS is often asked by members how much depth and detail they should give when preparing their reports and what should have been inspected and reported on. Remember, you will have carried out a forensic inspection when surveying the vessel, so it is important that your final written report accurately and factually reflects what you have seen. And always write your report in the past tense. The advice below is aimed towards yacht and small craft marine surveyors

So, here is a helpful guide for yacht and small craft marine surveyors with some suggested useful phrases to include in your reports. Continue reading “Report comment tips for yacht and small craft marine surveyors”

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