Japan completes first ship-to-ship methanol bunkering at anchorage

Kohzan Maru VII (in the background) alongside Eika Maru (foreground). Credit: MOL
Kohzan Maru VII (in the background) alongside Eika Maru (foreground). Source: MOL

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines announced Japan’s first ship-to-ship bunkering of methanol vessel fuel at anchorage.

The company teamed up with the City of Yokohama, Kokuka Sangyo Co, Idemitsu Kosan Co, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company – collectively known as the “Five Parties” – to successfully complete the endeavour.

Methanol fuel was transferred from the Eika Maru to the Kohzan Maru VII in the Yokohama District of Keihin Port. The Eika Maru is a coastal methanol transport vessel operated by Kokuka Sangyo and the Kohzan Maru VII is a dual-fuel, ocean-going, methanol-transport vessel operated by MOL, and both are chartered by MGC. Continue reading “Japan completes first ship-to-ship methanol bunkering at anchorage”

The new Axopar Digital Product Passport

The new Axopar Digital Product Passport
The new Axopar Digital Product Passport

Axopar has announced its entry into the Aura Blockchain consortium with its new product – the Axopar Digital product Passport. This collaboration marks the arrival of the nautical sector in an ecosystem already active in luxury goods and watchmaking. The aim is to create a digital passport for each boat, designed to structure data over the entire lifespan of the craft.

The issue of traceability and reliability of information is becoming central to pleasure boating. Axopar is taking a step forward by joining the Aura Blockchain consortium, with the announced launch of a digital passport for its boats from spring 2026. An initiative that goes beyond customer relations to touch on broader industrial issues. Continue reading “The new Axopar Digital Product Passport”

Korean working group to develop safety management and marine discharge standards

Credit: Korean Register
Credit: Korean Register

The Korean Register is collaborating with the Korean government, five major Korean shipbuilders and the Korea Testing & Research Institute to launch a working group to develop safety management and marine discharge standards for ammonia effluent.

As the maritime industry accelerates its transition to zero-carbon fuels in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s 2050 net-zero target, ammonia-fueled ships are emerging as a promising next-generation solution. Continue reading “Korean working group to develop safety management and marine discharge standards”

Loss prevention guidance on bulk soya bean cargo

Caked areas are often hot and can contain visible mould (white growth at centre). Credit: Britannia P&I Club
Caked areas are often hot and can contain visible mould (white growth at centre). Source: Britannia P&I Club

Britannia P&I Club has collaborated with CWA Singapore, Food & Agricultural Commodities department, to provide loss prevention guidance on transporting bulk soya bean cargo within the maritime sector.

In recent decades, the demand for both soya bean oil and soya bean meal has grown rapidly, driven by an increase in livestock cultivation in Asia.

The largest producers and exporters of soya beans are Brazil, the United States, and Argentina. Continue reading “Loss prevention guidance on bulk soya bean cargo”

New 2026 RSG guidelines published

New 2026 RSG guidelines published
New 2026 RSG guidelines published

These Recreational Craft Sectoral Group (RSG) Guidelines, otherwise known as 2026 RSG guidelines, are primarily intended for use by the Notified Bodies, manufacturers of boats and equipment and Market Surveillance authorities and provide critical support in terms of compliance to the EU’s Recreational Craft Directive and the UK’s Recreational Craft Regulations essential requirements.

Given the scope of the RCD and the variety of different types of watercraft, PWC, and components, the RSG Guidelines make an assessment of the relevant harmonised standards which can be applied, identify where there are potential ‘gaps’ and provides support where no standards are available to ensure that compliance with the RCD essential requirements (which are mandatory) are met. Continue reading “New 2026 RSG guidelines published”

Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum Response Guidelines

The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum has published fire response guidelines
The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum has published fire response guidelines

As the global shift toward electric mobility transforms our cargo into high-energy puzzles, the car carriers of the maritime world face a complex new chemistry of risk. The maritime industry has always been defined by its ability to adapt to the cargo it carries, but the rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs) presents a fire-safety challenge that doesn’t play by the old rules. Whether it’s the stubborn heat of an internal combustion engine fire or the violent “thermal runaway” of a lithium-ion battery, the margins for error on RoRo and PCTC vessels are slimming. These Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum guidelines provide the essential scaffolding for vessel Continue reading “Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum Response Guidelines”

CIMAC and MBF second joint whitepaper “Environment for the Use of Batteries in Deep-Sea Shipping”

CIMAC and the Maritime Battery Forum have published the second paper “Environment for the Use of Batteries in Deep-Sea Shipping”.

This paper examines the regulatory framework for battery use in deep-sea shipping, including requirements from flag states, classification societies, and industry standards. While the foundation is strong, gaps remain—especially around Continue reading “CIMAC and MBF second joint whitepaper “Environment for the Use of Batteries in Deep-Sea Shipping””

Japan emerges as an early adopter of advanced fire detection on RoRo vessels

Japan emerges as an early adopter of advanced fire detection on RoRo vessels
Japan emerges as an early adopter of advanced fire detection on RoRo vessels

Japan is emerging as an early adopter of advanced fire detection systems on RoRo vessels, according to inspection data from Idwal, the global vessel condition specialist.

While fire safety on RoRo vessels has come under increasing scrutiny, particularly as electric vehicles enter the cargo mix in greater numbers, Idwal’s inspections show that adoption of advanced fire detection technology across the global fleet remains uneven. Japanese owned and operated tonnage is increasingly standing out as an early mover, often installing more advanced detection systems ahead of regulatory requirements. Continue reading “Japan emerges as an early adopter of advanced fire detection on RoRo vessels”

IACS publishes new Unified Requirement on ammonia release mitigation systems

IACS publishes new Unified Requirement on ammonia release mitigation systems
IACS publishes new Unified Requirement on ammonia release mitigation systems

IACS, the International Association of Classification Societies, has released a new Unified Requirement (UR H2) establishing a comprehensive safety framework for ammonia release mitigation systems (ARMS) on ammonia-fuelled ships.

The UR provides harmonised requirements for the design, testing and certification of ARMS intended to manage ammonia releases during normal operations and foreseeable abnormal scenarios. Continue reading “IACS publishes new Unified Requirement on ammonia release mitigation systems”

Uncontrollable engine room flood sank trawler Opportune, says MAIB

 Image courtesy of Calum Gray (MarineTraffic.com)
Image courtesy of Calum Gray (MarineTraffic.com)

Stern trawler Opportune sank in 2024 due to “rapid and uncontrollable engine room flood” said the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) in a final report.

The skipper’s decision-making skills and the crew’s training meant all of Opportune’s eight crew were rescued uninjured from the vessel’s liferafts by coastguard helicopters. Unfortunately, the vessel was not recovered.

Alongside the investigation report, the MAIB released a safety flyer to the fishing industry highlighting that on average, over seven fishing vessels are lost every year due to flooding. It also urged fishing vessel owners to have a maintenance plan for their vessel’s seawater pipework to ensure that it is routinely inspected and, if necessary, tested. The saltwater environment is very corrosive, and hot dipped galvanised pipework has a limited life, so replacement should be expected over a 20-year vessel operational life. Continue reading “Uncontrollable engine room flood sank trawler Opportune, says MAIB”

Britannia P&I updates guidance notes for condition surveys

Britannia P&I has released updated guidance notes for condition surveys Forms on IG Ships.

Now available for both surveyors and masters, the revised documents have been developed to provide clearer direction on completing the International Group’s ship condition survey report forms, supporting more consistent reporting standards across the fleet. Continue reading “Britannia P&I updates guidance notes for condition surveys”

Bureau Veritas summary of IMO SDC 12

Bureau Veritas has shared a summary on the twelfth session of IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 12), which was held earlier this year.

SDC 12 agreed on:

– draft amendments to the 2011 ESP Code, with a view to approval in principle by MSC 111, formal approval by MSC 113 and adoption by MSC 114, as appropriate;
– draft guidelines on the use of Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) with a view to adoption by MSC 111, in conjunction with the adoption of the draft amendments to the 2011 ESP Code to allow the use of RIT in ESP Code surveys; Continue reading “Bureau Veritas summary of IMO SDC 12”

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