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”
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”
For my first two stories this month, I turned to the UK inland waterways, always a source of inspiration. The first story is shocking as you are about to find out.
Just before the Christmas holidays, a severe breach occurred on the Llangollen Canal near New Mills Lift Bridge, Whitchurch, with devastating consequences for several boaters. Footage of this extraordinary event shot around the UK news channels as it made the headlines. Continue reading “What caught my eye: February 2026”
A belated welcome to 2026 and a Happy New Year to you and your family. In a turbulent world, may it be a good and prosperous one for you.
IIMS celebrates its 35th anniversary later this year. That’s something to be proud of, and as an Institute we have come a long way in a little over a third of a century. I was curious to research and discover what a 35th wedding anniversary is known as. To my surprise and delight, I discovered it is referred to as a coral anniversary! The nautical connotations made it seem very appropriate indeed. Continue reading “CEO blog: January 2026”
There is a slew of new and revised documentation released by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) covering the period of December 2025 to January 2026.
Published on 12 December 2025
MSN 1908 (M+F) Amendment 2 – The merchant shipping (control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments) regulation 2022. This MSN provides the technical requirements of the obligations contained in the merchant shipping (control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments) regulations 2022 (SI 2022/737). Continue reading “New documentation from the MCA”
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