News

The Swedish Club shares case study on leaking cargo hold hatch

The Swedish Club has shared a case study in which grain beneath a leaking cargo hold hatch was damaged after a vessel encountered severe weather conditions.

In late November, a geared bulk carrier was loading grain at a U.S. West Coast port, with Asia as the discharge destination. Prior to commencement of loading, the cargo holds were inspected and passed by a surveyor in accordance with current USDA/FDA standards. The vessel’s crew had also prepared the cargo holds and hatch covers in line with ISM requirements and industry guidelines, which included cleaning the hatch coaming channels and hose testing of the hatch covers. No signs of water ingress were detected during the pre-loading inspection. Continue reading “The Swedish Club shares case study on leaking cargo hold hatch”

UK-led maritime consortium reveals plan for nuclear-powered fleet

 Pictured: Left to right: Nick Tomkinson, GNSP; Simon Williams, Rolls Royce; Blair Jamieson, Babcock; Mark Tipping, Lloyd’s Register; Kirsti Massie, Stephenson Harwood; and Mike Salthouse, NorthStandard
Pictured: Left to right: Nick Tomkinson, GNSP; Simon Williams, Rolls Royce; Blair Jamieson, Babcock; Mark Tipping, Lloyd’s Register; Kirsti Massie, Stephenson Harwood; and Mike Salthouse, NorthStandard

The UK is taking a decisive step towards leading the global race to decarbonise shipping with the launch of the Maritime Nuclear Consortium and its plans for a nuclear-powered fleet.

Convened by Lloyd’s Register (LR), the group unites leading expertise from the nuclear, maritime, insurance and regulatory sectors to set the highest international standards for safe, secure and commercially viable nuclear-powered ships. Continue reading “UK-led maritime consortium reveals plan for nuclear-powered fleet”

Britannia P&I Club safe handling of heavy steel plates

Britannia P&I Club safe handling of heavy steel plates
Britannia P&I Club safe handling of heavy steel plates

Britannia P&I Club has highlighted a case in which a crewmember was seriously injured after steel plates crushed him and encourages the safe handling of heavy steel plates.

Three crewmembers were moving 10 pieces of steel plate around the steering gear room while the ship was underway. Each piece measured approximately 2.4m x 1.2m and 5mm thick, weighing around 110kg. Continue reading “Britannia P&I Club safe handling of heavy steel plates”

Hazards of small lithium-ion batteries on ships

Hazards of small lithium-ion batteries on ships
Hazards of small lithium-ion batteries on ships

The hazards posed by small lithium-ion batteries can be devastating, says P&I club NorthStandard.

From handheld radios, cell phones, and power banks to vapes and flashlights, lithium-ion batteries are everywhere onboard vessels.

Compact and powerful, they’re essential, but when mishandled, they can turn into ticking time bombs. Continue reading “Hazards of small lithium-ion batteries on ships”

Biofuel reduces black carbon emissions by 81% says Cleanship experts

Biofuel reduces black carbon emissions by 81% says Cleanship experts. Credit: Danish Technological Institute
Biofuel reduces black carbon emissions by 81% says Cleanship experts. Credit: Danish Technological Institute

New Danish data, collected during real-world sailing, documents significant climate benefits from biofuel for the shipping industry as biofuel reduces black carbon emissions.

Soot particles – also known as black carbon – are among the most harmful emissions from shipping, both for the climate, where they contribute to global warming and melting of Arctic ice, and for public health through poor air quality.

Now, experts from the CLEANSHIP project document that using biodiesel, specifically B100 FAME, during normal operation can reduce black carbon emissions by up to 81 percent compared to traditional marine gas oil (MGO). Continue reading “Biofuel reduces black carbon emissions by 81% says Cleanship experts”

Safety warning issued after deckhand killed by chain failure on Honeybourne III

Honeybourne III. Source: MAIB
Honeybourne III. Source: MAIB

Owners and operators of beam and scallop trawlers have been urged to inspect their vessels’ quick-release arrangements after a deckhand was fatally injured by chain failure on the Honeybourne III in 2023.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) added that any necessary changes should be made to the equipment or its operation to ensure the safety of crew working on deck. Continue reading “Safety warning issued after deckhand killed by chain failure on Honeybourne III”

IACS updates safety requirements for ammonia-fuelled engines

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

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

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

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

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

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”

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