IIMS News

IACS updates safety requirements for ammonia-fuelled engines

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IACS updates safety requirements for ammonia-fuelled engines
IACS updates safety requirements for ammonia-fuelled engines

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”

LNG-fueled vessels lead alternative-fueled newbuild market

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LNG-fueled vessels lead alternative-fueled newbuild market
LNG-fueled vessels lead alternative-fueled newbuild market

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”

India DGS launches Safety Video Series

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India DGS launches Safety Video Series
India DGS launches Safety Video Series

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”

Canal & River Trust Vital Connector for Nature and People report published

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Canal & River Trust has published its Vital Connector for Nature and People report, in which it explores the wellbeing benefits of the UK canal network
Canal & River Trust has published its Vital Connector for Nature and People report, in which it explores the wellbeing benefits of the UK canal network

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”

Performance of extinguishing agents against lithium-ion battery fire

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Performance of extinguishing agents against lithium-ion battery fire
Performance of extinguishing agents against lithium-ion battery fire

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”

Investigation into fishing vessel Ben Thomas capsize and fatality

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FV Ben Thomas (image supplied by the vessel’s owner). Source: MCIB
FV Ben Thomas (image supplied by the vessel’s owner). Source: MCIB

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”

What caught my eye: February 2026

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Llangollen Canal breach

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”

CEO blog: January 2026

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The MITAGS campus will host the IIMS Baltimore Conference 2026 on 30-31 January
The MITAGS campus will host the IIMS Baltimore Conference 2026 on 30-31 January

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”

New documentation from the MCA

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New documentation from the MCA
New documentation from the MCA

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”

West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes

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West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes
West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes

West P&I Club has highlighted the issue surrounding wet weather loading Group A IMSBC cargoes.

The Club said it has recently seen several instances regarding loading bulk cargoes that are categorised as Group A cargoes under the IMSBC Code during precipitation.

Group A cargoes should never be loaded where it has been determined that the moisture content of the cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML). It is therefore understandable that some vessels opt to restrict the amount of moisture that the cargo is exposed to by avoiding loading during periods of precipitation. Continue reading “West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes”

New EU ETS rules take effect from January 2026

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New EU ETS rules take effect from January 2026
New EU ETS rules take effect from January 2026

This year marks a turning point for the EU Emissions Trading System. After a two-year phase-in, maritime transport will face full compliance under the EU ETS, alongside an expanded scope covering additional greenhouse gases and a tighter emissions cap.

These changes reinforce the EU’s climate ambition while significantly raising the stakes for affected sectors. Continue reading “New EU ETS rules take effect from January 2026”

Safety recall of flares issued due to spontaneous combustion

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Safety recall of flares issued due to spontaneous combustion
Safety recall of flares issued due to spontaneous combustion. Source: USCG

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has sent out a warning following a manufacturer recall of nearly 50,000 affected signal flares.

The USCG Office of Design and Engineering Standards was notified of a manufacturer recall of the Orion Skyblazer II Red XLT Aerial Signal (also called Orion XLT Skyblazer self-contained red meteor flare) due to three incidents of spontaneous combustion. There were no reported injuries. Continue reading “Safety recall of flares issued due to spontaneous combustion”

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