FuelTrust’s new report finds that in the past year, over 600 vessels were disabled through fuel problems, despite the fuel being ‘on-spec’, resulting in estimated global supply chain losses exceeding $5 billion. FuelTrust’s analysis found that between 2021 and 2022, more than 39% of global bunkers exhibited a fuel content delta of 2% or more compared to the amounts stated in their delivery paperwork. The primary issue identified was the introduction of water into the fuels during the journey from onshore storage tanks to the ship’s bunker tank. This problem typically involved an increase from 0.1% to above 0.25% water content, which, although below the regulated threshold, still resulted in average losses of $14,910 per affected delivery, FuelTrust highlights. Continue reading “Maritime fuel fraud results in approximately $5 billion in losses”
IIMS News
What caught my eye: July 2023
Ocean Race yachts attacked by orcas following spate of whale collisions
I must admit when reports of orcas attacking yachts off the coast of Spain started hitting the news headlines about 2 years ago, I and many others, found this strangely amusing, if a little far-fetched. I presumed the orcas were being playful and that this was an isolated incident or two that would soon pass.
But over time, this phenomenon has developed into something of an epidemic. It is a situation that is worrying many of those in the Continue reading “What caught my eye: July 2023”
Boosting cybersecurity awareness in inland navigation and especially for ports
The European Committee for drawing up Standards in the field of Inland Navigation (CESNI) has published a good practice guide on cybersecurity in inland navigation, focusing on ports. The good practice guide was developed in partnership with the European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP) and aims to be an accessible framework for all inland ports, regardless of their size or location in Europe. Here is an insight into the new publication and its key takeaways.
As the world continues to become more interconnected and more reliant on digital services, cybersecurity attacks are continually increasing. Several ports have been victims of cyberattacks in the past few years, Continue reading “Boosting cybersecurity awareness in inland navigation and especially for ports”
MAIB Annual Report 2022 published on UK vessels
UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) published its annual report for 2022, reporting that the branch received 1,263 reports of marine casualties and marine incidents involving UK vessels worldwide or other nations’ vessels in UK waters and commenced 16 investigations.
Merchant Vessels
The deaths of three stevedores on board the Isle of Man registered bulk carrier Berge Mawson in the middle of the year was a stark reminder that the industry still has much work to do to mitigate the hazards posed by noxious atmospheres. Continue reading “MAIB Annual Report 2022 published on UK vessels”
Report on the sinking of the cargo vessel Bjugnfjord
Cargo displacement of 1,900 tonnes of partially liquefied soil was, according to the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority’s (NSIA) assessment, the cause why the bulk carrier MS Bjugnfjord sank on its way out of the Kattegat. According to the NSIA investigation, it is in practice difficult to have an overview of the characteristics of different masses in these type of freight assignments.
NSIA recommends the Norwegian Maritime Authority to investigate the extent of the problem and take relevant measures to ensure that the provisions in the current regulations Continue reading “Report on the sinking of the cargo vessel Bjugnfjord”
Beware cargoes which may liquefy not listed in the IMSBC Code
Mark Russell, Vice President, Head of Cargo Claims, Gard P&I Club, presents cases involving cargoes that may liquefy but are not listed in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code as Group A cargoes and therefore are not declared as such.
Group A consists of cargoes which may liquefy if shipped with a moisture content in excess of their Transportable Moisture Limit (TML). In two of the instances the cargoes liquefied endangering the lives of the crew. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, although in one case the vessel sank posing risks to the environment. Continue reading “Beware cargoes which may liquefy not listed in the IMSBC Code”
Doubler plate failure likely cause of Grace Marie sinking
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued its investigation report about the flooding and subsequent sinking of fishing vessel Grace Marie on 8th July 2022.
On 8 July 2022, about 2200 local time, the fishing vessel Grace Marie was about 80 miles east of Gloucester, Massachusetts, transiting to fishing grounds, when the engine room began flooding. The seven strong crew was unable to pump out the water with the vessel’s bilge pumping system, and they abandoned into an inflatable liferaft. A nearby Good Samaritan vessel rescued the crew, and no injuries were reported. An oil sheen was observed the next day in the area where the vessel was last seen. The Grace Marie, valued at $650,000, was a total loss. Continue reading “Doubler plate failure likely cause of Grace Marie sinking”
Fire safety warning issued by RCR
River Canal Rescue (RCR) is calling upon boaters to be aware of the fire risks on their vessels, after finding more and more cases of poor electrical wiring, including under-sized wiring, overloaded circuits, and sub-standard connections and cable routing, which can rapidly turn into a loom meltdown or a fire.
Managing director Stephanie Horton says with BSS certification failing many boaters, RCR is having to report regularly on boats that are dangerous or at risk.
If you are leaving your vessel for a period of time, it’s important to isolate the batteries and disconnect your shore power if you have it. Continue reading “Fire safety warning issued by RCR”
London Club sees cargo damage claims from the carriage of dry chemicals in FIBCs
The London P&I Club has continued to see cargo damage claims arising from the carriage of dry chemicals in Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs), more commonly known as “jumbo bags”, which have been stowed in the same holds as breakbulk cargoes. FIBCs have a body of a flexible woven material (typically polypropylene) and is intended for shipping solid materials in powder, flake or granular form.
These claims are almost always on voyages in which handy sized bulk carriers load breakbulk cargoes in China. The stowage plan often appears to have been developed with only the discharge port rotation in mind. Continue reading “London Club sees cargo damage claims from the carriage of dry chemicals in FIBCs”
ClassNK Annual Port State Control report
Recently published, the annual Port State Control (PSC) report from ClassNK reveals that in 2022 a total of 1,214 detainable deficiencies were reported and 313 detentions were made. Issues around fire safety topped the list and worryingly show a big increase over the previous year.
The Annual Report summarises deficiencies identified during PSC inspections carried out in various countries around the world. This report is prepared with the objective of building awareness of the present state of PSC and thereby improving future onboard maintenance and inspections as well as Safety Management Systems. Continue reading “ClassNK Annual Port State Control report”
Safety Advisory Notice: Transportation of electric vehicles containing lithium batteries damaged by extreme weather events
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued this safety advisory notice to inform the public and raise awareness of the risks involved in the transportation of electric vehicles (EVs) powered by installed lithium batteries that may have been damaged due to submersion in waters during extreme weather events. When transported in commerce, EVs containing these damaged batteries may present particularly significant hazards to the public, including property damage, injury, and even death. Our intention with this notice is to prevent those things from happening. Continue reading “Safety Advisory Notice: Transportation of electric vehicles containing lithium batteries damaged by extreme weather events”
10th edition Shipping Law Review 2023 published by HFW
The aim of the tenth edition of this book is to provide those involved in handling shipping disputes with an overview of the key issues relevant to multiple jurisdictions. As with previous editions of The Shipping Law Review, we begin with cross-jurisdictional chapters looking at the latest developments in important areas for the shipping industry, including international trade sanctions, ocean logistics, offshore, piracy, shipbuilding, ports and terminals, marine insurance, environmental and regulatory issues, decommissioning and ship finance.
We have invited contributions on the law of leading maritime nations, including both major flag states and the countries in which most shipping companies are located. Continue reading “10th edition Shipping Law Review 2023 published by HFW”