Structural and stowage issues of CTUs in Australian ports

Image caption: Collapsed container floor (Source: AMSA)
Image caption: Collapsed container floor (Source: AMSA)

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a safety alert, which aims to raise awareness of structural and stowage issues for shipping containers and other CTUs in Australian ports. This is in response to an increase in improperly stowed CTUs and structural issues identified during inspection. Two recent incidents involved improperly packed CTUs which led to catastrophic structural failures. These incidents highlight the critical need for ship and container owners, shippers and packers to understand their regulatory obligations and put effective controls in place. Continue reading “Structural and stowage issues of CTUs in Australian ports”

Liberia: Management of Asbestos and PFOS

Republic of liberia maritime logoThe Liberia Maritime Authority has released a marine notice on how to deal with asbestos on board all ships that are in service, under repair/modification/conversion and alteration.

Guidance is also provided on the prohibition of the use or storage of extinguishing media containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) on new vessels and the requirement to remove PFOS on existing vessels. Notice SAF-018 Rev. 3/25 applies to all ships, including Mobile Offshore Units and High Speed Craft. The notice breaks down its guidance of management of asbestos containing materials on board ships certified under SOLAS into separate categories, including: Continue reading “Liberia: Management of Asbestos and PFOS”

Sri Lanka to implement regulatory framework for the boating industry

men in a meeting room The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has taken a significant step towards fostering the growth of Sri Lanka’s boat building and boating industry by taking initiatives to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework. This framework aims to enhance the sector’s potential, driving it forward with greater international competitiveness. To ensure effective understanding and collaboration, the EDB organized awareness creation sessions for both public and private sector stakeholders, to aware them on the recent gazette notification issued on the regulatory framework. Continue reading “Sri Lanka to implement regulatory framework for the boating industry”

Lack of green fuels questions engine retrofits says new study

LR's engine retrofit reportLloyd’s Register (LR) has issued an update to its Retrofit Research Programme, with the latest report focusing on the developments in Engine retrofits for alternative fuels.

While the maritime industry has seen positive developments, such as increased methanol fuel conversions and shipyard engine retrofits capabilities since 2023, the adoption of alternative fuels faces a significant hurdle. Continue reading “Lack of green fuels questions engine retrofits says new study”

What caught my eye: March 2025

Norway set to introduce zero-emission requirements for World Heritage fjords

This is the first of three stories I have chosen to highlight this month, all of which originate from Norway.

For some years, Norway has been at the forefront of driving the decarbonisation agenda and this can be seen in many of their groundbreaking products.

But in many ways perhaps this story is the most striking and boldest illustration so far. I learned that the Norwegian government has Continue reading “What caught my eye: March 2025”

New report data highlights dangers of maritime cyber threats

The lifecycle dilemmaOnly 1 in 6 shipowners fully understand what a cyber-secure vessel should look like upon delivery, highlighting a critical gap in the industry’s approach to maritime cybersecurity. The report, jointly published by Thetius, CyberOwl, a DNV company and HFW, explores key stakeholder challenges and approaches to managing cybersecurity and cyber threats across the lifecycle of a vessel.

The Lifecycle Dilemma: Navigating Cybersecurity Risks Across Designing, Constructing and Operating a Vessel delves into the shifting risks and disconnected approaches in cybersecurity across each stage from initial design Continue reading “New report data highlights dangers of maritime cyber threats”

Lessons learned after fire sinks shrimp cutter

Germany’s Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published the lessons learned following the fire and subsequent foundering of a shrimp cutter vessel.

The exact cause of the fire could not be determined after the shipwreck was salvaged because of the extensive damage done to the vessel in the incident. Continue reading “Lessons learned after fire sinks shrimp cutter”

Cyprus reports key PSC trends and deficiencies 2022-2024

The Republic of Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry has published a report on the Port State Control (PSC) Performance of the fleet of Cyprus.

In its fourth Report on Cyprus Fleet Port State Control Performance, the organisation includes the Statistical Data Analysis of Cyprus flagged Detained Ships worldwide for the last three consecutive years (2022-2024). Key findings from the report are as follows: Continue reading “Cyprus reports key PSC trends and deficiencies 2022-2024”

UK offshore wind targets at risk from UK Implementation of Industrial Personnel Regulations

IMCA LogoThe International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has expressed serious concerns over the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) proposed implementation of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Industrial Personnel Code which could impact UK offshore wind targets.

In its response to the MCA’s consultation on the Merchant Shipping (Safety Measures for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel and Special Personnel) Regulations 2025, IMCA warned that the changes could disrupt offshore operations, attract legal challenges, and make the UK a less attractive market for marine contractors. Continue reading “UK offshore wind targets at risk from UK Implementation of Industrial Personnel Regulations”

Canadian transport investigation report into fire on board fishing vessel Elite Navigator

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has published the results into an investigation into the fire and sinking of fishing vessel Elite Navigator.

On 08 July 2024, the Elite Navigator, with the master and 6 crew members on board, departed Valleyfield, Newfoundland and Labrador, to fish turbot. By 17 July, the vessel had caught its quota. At approximately 1830,1 the master used a satellite messenger to notify the owner that they were on the way to port to land their catch and that their estimated arrival time was 1430 on 18 July. At approximately 1930, an alarm sounded in the wheelhouse. The master checked the alarm panel and determined that it was from a smoke detector in the engine room. The master looked at the video camera that monitored the engine room, but there was no smoke visible. The master then went to one of the engine room access hatches in the deckhouse and proceeded partway down a ladder into the engine room to check for smoke. Light smoke was now visible. Continue reading “Canadian transport investigation report into fire on board fishing vessel Elite Navigator”

USCG issues alert for defective heat detectors

USCG logoThe U.S. Coast Guard has issued a safety alert regarding the issue of defective heat detectors that were discovered during an engine room fire investigation.

The Coast Guard recently investigated an engine room fire on board an inspected towing vessel which led to the discovery of issues with the maintenance and installation of fire detection systems on board multiple towing vessels. During the investigation, several towing vessels were discovered to have defective heat detectors installed in their engine rooms. Continue reading “USCG issues alert for defective heat detectors”

New loading conditions for transporting grain in bulk

ABS LogoThe American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has released guidance on an update to International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk, which is set to take effect on 1 January 2026.

The IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted resolution MSC.552(108) at its 108th session in May 2024, which includes amendments to the Grain Code. Continue reading “New loading conditions for transporting grain in bulk”

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