IIMS News

Study raises alarm on marine fiberglass pollution

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Study raises alarm on marine fiberglass pollution
Study raises alarm on marine fiberglass pollution

Simon Fraser University researchers have uncovered concerning fibreglass contamination in a key estuary on Vancouver Island, raising concerns about how an as-yet overlooked contaminant could affect aquatic birds, marine life and coastal communities that rely on shellfish and seafood.

A new SFU study found fibreglass particles buried in the sediment and biofilm layers of the Cowichan Estuary, a 400-hectare intertidal ecosystem used by the Cowichan Tribes First Nations for generations. The areas is an internationally designated important bird area and used for harvesting clams, geoducks, crabs, waterfowl, cod roe, urchins and salmon. Continue reading “Study raises alarm on marine fiberglass pollution”

A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats

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A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats
A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats

A new, peer-reviewed study conducted by University College London’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with RAD, a UK-based electric marine propulsion company, examined underwater radiated noise across a range of operating speeds, comparing electric and conventional boats. Their aim? To discover if electric boats really are quieter.

The study, titled ‘A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats’, is published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA). It was conducted by UCL’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with RAD, a UK-based electric marine propulsion company. Continue reading “A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats”

New DNV AI tool RuleAgent makes navigating maritime rules easier

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RuleAgent an AI-powered tool helps maritime professionals access DNV’s rules and standards faster and with greater clarity
RuleAgent an AI-powered tool helps maritime professionals access DNV’s rules and standards faster and with greater clarity

DNV has launched RuleAgent, an AI-powered tool that helps maritime professionals access DNV’s rules and standards faster and with greater clarity. Designed to reduce the time customers spend navigating regulatory material, it enables users to ask natural‑language questions and receive targeted results. Fully connected to DNV’s rules and standards database, this new tool provides complete traceability to DNV’s official sources.

Maritime regulations are continuously evolving. Navigating the more than 30,000 pages of DNV’s rules across multiple documents, chapters, and editions can be complex and time-consuming. By presenting content in real time, RuleAgent enables users to identify the relevant rule paragraphs quickly, reducing the time spent searching across multiple documents. Continue reading “New DNV AI tool RuleAgent makes navigating maritime rules easier”

Safety guidelines for wind-assisted ships issued by MTF

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Safety guidelines for wind-assisted ships issued by MTF
Safety guidelines for wind-assisted ships issued by MTF

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has published new safety guidelines to support the safe operation of wind-assisted ships, those using wind-assisted propulsion systems, as the shipping industry increasingly adopts technologies aimed at reducing fuel use and emissions.

The guidelines provide recommendations for developing and implementing safety management systems tailored to vessels equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), including rotor sails, suction sails and wing sails. Continue reading “Safety guidelines for wind-assisted ships issued by MTF”

Lithium-ion Battery Fires: What We Know So Far – edition 2 published

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Edition 2 of the lithium-ion battery fires: What we know so far guide has been published
Edition 2 of the lithium-ion battery fires: What we know so far guide has been published

In edition 2 of the “Lithium-ion Battery Fires: What We Know So Far”, the Maritime Professional Council of the UK (MPC) warns of the rising risks and dangers of lithium-ion battery fires to ships, boats and their crews.

The maritime industry faces increasing incidents and fires due to lithium-ion technology, particularly with the growing use of electric vehicles (EVs) and a myriad of devices powered by these batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density, making them efficient but also prone to catastrophic failures if mishandled. Continue reading “Lithium-ion Battery Fires: What We Know So Far – edition 2 published”

IACS 2025 Annual Review published

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IACS 2025 Annual Review published
IACS 2025 Annual Review published

The IACS 2025 Annual Review explores the work of IACS and its classification society Members during 2025 in leading the development of technical requirements and guidance to support global shipping.

The report identifies many areas of progress, including IACS’s ongoing role in supporting industry decarbonisation objectives and the IMO’s efforts to balance its environmental ambitions with safety. Through it’s Safe Decarbonisation Panel, IACS is supporting progress in respect of a number of alternative fuels, whilst remaining neutral on any preferred option. This includes the development of Resolutions on the safe use of alternative fuels which underpin IMO regulations, or the classification rules of each IACS Member. Continue reading “IACS 2025 Annual Review published”

Transport Malta publishes report into explosion aboard container ship CMA CGM Shanghai

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Transport Malta publishes report into explosion onboard container ship CMA CGM Shanghai
Transport Malta publishes report into explosion onboard container ship CMA CGM Shanghai

Transport Malta has released a simplified final report into a starting air explosion during berthing operations aboard CMA CGM Shanghai in Singapore.

What happened

CMA CGM Shanghai arrived just outside its designated discharge port of Singapore in the early hours of 15 March 2025, completing an 11-day voyage from Karachi, Pakistan.

The vessel was expected to remain outside port limits for approximately 50 minutes. During this time, the crew prepared the pilot ladder and completed arrangements for the pilot, who boarded the vessel at 0612 local time. Continue reading “Transport Malta publishes report into explosion aboard container ship CMA CGM Shanghai”

Tokyo MOU shares preliminary results of CIC on Ballast Water Management

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The Tokyo MOU has released the preliminary results of a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) it held which focused on aspects of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM) 2004.

The campaign was carried out from 1 September 2025 to 30 November 2025, jointly with the Paris MoU.

Over the course of the CIC period, involving all types of ships, a total of 9,244 inspections were carried out. Of these inspections, 6,930 (74.96%) inspections were performed using the CIC questionnaire and a ship was subjected to only one CIC inspection during the campaign period. During the period, 184 ships where CIC was carried out were detained in total (2.66% detention rate). Of which, 30 detentions were the result of inspections with CIC questionnaires, which were detained as a direct result of the CIC concerning deficiencies, reflecting a CIC topic related detention rate of 0.43%. Continue reading “Tokyo MOU shares preliminary results of CIC on Ballast Water Management”

IMPA warns of risks of deregulation in maritime pilotage

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The International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) has sent out a warning of the consequences of deregulation and competition in maritime pilotage.

Maritime pilotage is a public, not commercial, service that exists for safety of navigation — protecting people, the environment and trade. IMPA said some jurisdictions are tempted by the idea that deregulation and competition deliver a better service at a lower cost. This is a mistake, and the evidence agrees. Continue reading “IMPA warns of risks of deregulation in maritime pilotage”

Seafarer died after being struck by steel plate says Marshall Islands

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Seafarer died after being struck by steel plate says Marshall Islands
Seafarer died after being struck by steel plate says Marshall Islands

An Able Seaman died instantly after steel plates fell and struck him while on board Shaman Wisdom, said a safety investigation report by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator.

What happened

On 5 June 2024, at 0800, the Bosun on board Shaman Wisdom instructed the ASD1 and ASD2 to select a suitable steel plate in the Forecastle Store to construct a step for one of the deck stairs. Both the ASD1 and ASD2 were wearing the standard PPE to work on deck, including a safety helmet, coveralls, and safety shoes. Continue reading “Seafarer died after being struck by steel plate says Marshall Islands”

New ISO standard for in-water hull cleaning published

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New ISO standard for in-water hull cleaning published
New ISO standard for in-water hull cleaning published

A new standard on in-water cleaning of vessel hulls has been launched.

Preventing and removing biofouling on hulls of ships limits the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species (IAS). This in turn threatens coastal environments by disrupting ecological systems, which can also negatively affect fisheries, aquaculture and tourism. Biofouling is also estimated to increase a ship’s fuel consumption by on average 9 % – this added fuel consumption costs the shipping industry billions of USD. Therefore, improving biofouling management across the global shipping fleet will have considerable benefits, both from an environmental and economic standpoint. Continue reading “New ISO standard for in-water hull cleaning published”

IMO Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) 12 summary report

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IMO Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) 12 summary report
IMO Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) 12 summary report

The Nautical Institute has shared a summary on the 12th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ship Systems and Equipment Sub-Committee.

The sub-committee deals with a wide range of technical and operational matters related to systems and equipment on all types of ships, vessels, craft and mobile units covered by IMO instruments.

The Institute said the meeting opened with a statement by the Secretary General regarding the IMO’s launch of a new website to counter disinformation regarding shipping in the Middle East region – this welcome development is reported separately on our website. Continue reading “IMO Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) 12 summary report”

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