Fishing vessel safety public declaration signed by nearly 50 States

Fishing vessel safety public declaration
Fishing vessel safety public declaration

At a Ministerial Conference held in Torremolinos, Spain, 48 states signed a public declaration to indicate their determination to ratify the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety. This is a significant regime to create much-needed safety standards for fishing vessels.

During the Torremolinos Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (21-23 October), nearly 50 states signed the Torremolinos Declaration. By doing so they have publicly indicated their determination to make sure that the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety will enter into force by the tenth anniversary of its adoption, on Continue reading “Fishing vessel safety public declaration signed by nearly 50 States”

Safe Return to Port: Surveyor expertise produces guidance

REG publish guidance Safe Return to Port
REG publish guidance Safe Return to Port

Guidance to help surveyors interpret rules governing Safe Return to Port has been published by the Red Ensign Group. It follows work done by individual members of the REG and its Technical Forum which has now signed off the guidance for publication.

Safe Return to Port requires passenger vessels which are 120 metres or longer or with three or more main vertical zones to be designed for improved survivability. The rules are designed to make sure cruise ships and large yachts can get back to Continue reading “Safe Return to Port: Surveyor expertise produces guidance”

BDO survey results: BDO show shipping must improve its risk management procedures

Michael Simms, Partner, Shipping & Transport at BDO
Michael Simms, Partner, Shipping & Transport at BDO

Respondents to the BDO survey rated the extent to which enterprise and business risk management is contributing to the success of their organisation at an average 6.4 out of a possible maximum score of 10.0, compared to 5.9 in the 2018 survey. The BDO survey was launched in 2015 with a rating of 6.9.

Owners posted the highest score of all main respondents, followed by managers, but the ratings for charterers and brokers were significantly down on last year. Asia was ahead of Europe in terms of geographical sentiment, but both were behind the Middle East.

The cost and availability of finance was cited by 29% of respondents (up from 17% Continue reading “BDO survey results: BDO show shipping must improve its risk management procedures”

AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report

AIBN report on tug FFS Achilles
AIBN report on tug FFS Achilles

Norway’s Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) has released its report into the tug FFS Achilles grounding and foundering off Farsund on 3 March 2017, suggesting that the presence of a lookout would have reduced the risk of the incident occurring.

The vessel ran aground at a speed of 8.4 knots and sank shortly thereafter due to damage to the bottom under the engine room. FFS Atlas arrived at the scene before the vessel sank and rescued its crew, who were in the life raft. Two out of the three crew members had suffered minor injuries and received medical attention.

The mechanical control system for the propeller units (Voith Schneider) on board Continue reading “AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report”

Liquid cargoes sampling guide issues by Skuld P&I Club

A guide to sampling of liquid cargoes issues by Skuld P&I Club
A guide to sampling of liquid cargoes issues by Skuld P&I Club

Chemical cargoes, petroleum products, vegetable oils and other fats are often carried as bulk cargoes on board chemical and product tankers. Quality problems with these cargoes have been an issue since the dawn of this trade, and even with modern techniques these quality issues are likely to continue.

Liquid cargoes on tanker vessels may be exposed to influences such as temperature change, contact with air, light, pollutant, or other products. Other sources of contamination include failure in the production process and exposure to external substances from shore tanks and shore lines, as well as remnants of previous cargoes or wash water onboard the vessel. Continue reading “Liquid cargoes sampling guide issues by Skuld P&I Club”

Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate

Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators
Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators

Corrosion is a perennial concern for tank container owners and operators. The stainless steel construction is resistant to staining and corrosion, but may be vulnerable to pitting from certain cargoes or certain cleaning and maintenance operations. Visually minor pitting may conceal development of substantial or even catastrophic corrosion below the surface.

It may be expected that UN Class 8 dangerous cargoes (Corrosive Substances) are the predominant challenge where corrosion of UN portable tanks (tank containers) is concerned, although such commodities are not alone in presenting risk. In terms Continue reading “Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate”

IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage

IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel
IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel

IBM has announced that it is joining an effort to build an autonomous research vessel for an historic transatlantic crossing. In honour of the fourth centennial of the famous voyage of settlers from England to the Americas, it will be named the Mayflower.

The five-ton, wing sail/solar/diesel powered Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) is designed to make 20 knots on its eastbound voyage. Over the course of the 12-day crossing, it will take water samples for research on ocean microplastics, and its sensors will return data on water temperature and nutrient levels. For navigation Continue reading “IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage”

Gard P&I Club highlights issues with scrubber corrosion

Gard P&I Club gives advise to shipowners
Gard P&I Club gives advise to shipowners

In new guidance for shipowners, marine insurer Gard advises its members that the installation of scrubber units must be carefully monitored in order to minimize the risk of premature corrosion and potential piping failure. Additional potential casualties from improper workmanship include the possibility of sparking a fire within the unit during shipyard hot work and the failure of poorly-executed shipyard welds during operation. With these factors in mind, Gard advises shipowners to monitor and evaluate their shipyard’s work to ensure a proper Continue reading “Gard P&I Club highlights issues with scrubber corrosion”

LNG shipbuilding boom time ahead. But are we ready for it?

LNG shipbuilding around the corner
LNG shipbuilding around the corner

It has been nearly a decade since the last mega LNG newbuilding program in South Korea was completed. Building forty-five LNG carriers for Qatargas at three major Korean shipyards – Hyundai, Samsung, and Daewoo — had been challenging on many fronts. Several new technologies and systems had to be qualified at the design stage, during plan approval, construction and shop trials and verified during commissioning, gas trials, and sea trials. Anomalies and deficiencies, if left undiscovered, cause rework, costly delays and considerable technical problems after delivery. Fortunately, with a handful of very experienced engineers involved in the QG project from concept to commissioning, it was a job well done in the end, to the Continue reading “LNG shipbuilding boom time ahead. But are we ready for it?”

Safer boating week kicks off in New Zealand after a tragic winter

Safer Boating Week
Safer Boating Week

New Zealand’s annual Safer Boating Week has started in the shadow of a record number of recreational boating deaths during the winter months.

Already, this year 18 people have died in recreational boating accidents, compared to just four in the whole of last year and 12 of this year’s fatalities have been since the end of March.

Leading up to Labour Weekend, the Safer Boating Forum wants to make sure boaties heed the “prep, check, know message” as they start getting ready for Continue reading “Safer boating week kicks off in New Zealand after a tragic winter”

New Australian Mariner’s Handbook now available online

Australian Mariner's Handbook 5th edition now available online
Australian Mariner’s Handbook 5th edition now available online

The Hydrographic Office has published the new Australian Mariner’s Handbook 5th edition for Australian Waters and it is now available online.

Previously known as the Seafarer’s Handbook for Australian Waters, edition five contains a new chapter on interpreting the accuracy of depth information in Electronic Navigational Charts.

The handbook is an official nautical publication, which should be carried on all international and domestic commercial vessels.

It contains important instructions to aid planning and navigation in Australian waters, and information on marine protected areas, pilot Continue reading “New Australian Mariner’s Handbook now available online”

IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires

IUMI speaks out about container ship fires
IUMI speaks out about container ship fires

The shipping industry has witnessed many fire incidents on container ships this year, some of which have resulted in fatalities and others in significant economic losses. At a recent conference, IUMI took the chance to alert and feedback on the situation and call the shipping industry to improve its onboard firefighting systems and seafarers’ training.

Gard P&I Club organised a conference in Arendal, Norway on 17-18 October 2019. The event attracted many shipping stakeholders, including IMO, flags states, shipowners and insurers. Their aim? To push for more discussions on preventing Continue reading “IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires”

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