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AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report

AIBN report on tug FFS Achilles
AIBN report on tug FFS Achilles

Norway’s Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) has released its report into the tug FFS Achilles grounding and foundering off Farsund on 3 March 2017, suggesting that the presence of a lookout would have reduced the risk of the incident occurring.

The vessel ran aground at a speed of 8.4 knots and sank shortly thereafter due to damage to the bottom under the engine room. FFS Atlas arrived at the scene before the vessel sank and rescued its crew, who were in the life raft. Two out of the three crew members had suffered minor injuries and received medical attention.

The mechanical control system for the propeller units (Voith Schneider) on board Continue reading “AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report”

Liquid cargoes sampling guide issues by Skuld P&I Club

A guide to sampling of liquid cargoes issues by Skuld P&I Club
A guide to sampling of liquid cargoes issues by Skuld P&I Club

Chemical cargoes, petroleum products, vegetable oils and other fats are often carried as bulk cargoes on board chemical and product tankers. Quality problems with these cargoes have been an issue since the dawn of this trade, and even with modern techniques these quality issues are likely to continue.

Liquid cargoes on tanker vessels may be exposed to influences such as temperature change, contact with air, light, pollutant, or other products. Other sources of contamination include failure in the production process and exposure to external substances from shore tanks and shore lines, as well as remnants of previous cargoes or wash water onboard the vessel. Continue reading “Liquid cargoes sampling guide issues by Skuld P&I Club”

Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate

Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators
Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators

Corrosion is a perennial concern for tank container owners and operators. The stainless steel construction is resistant to staining and corrosion, but may be vulnerable to pitting from certain cargoes or certain cleaning and maintenance operations. Visually minor pitting may conceal development of substantial or even catastrophic corrosion below the surface.

It may be expected that UN Class 8 dangerous cargoes (Corrosive Substances) are the predominant challenge where corrosion of UN portable tanks (tank containers) is concerned, although such commodities are not alone in presenting risk. In terms Continue reading “Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate”

IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage

IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel
IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel

IBM has announced that it is joining an effort to build an autonomous research vessel for an historic transatlantic crossing. In honour of the fourth centennial of the famous voyage of settlers from England to the Americas, it will be named the Mayflower.

The five-ton, wing sail/solar/diesel powered Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) is designed to make 20 knots on its eastbound voyage. Over the course of the 12-day crossing, it will take water samples for research on ocean microplastics, and its sensors will return data on water temperature and nutrient levels. For navigation Continue reading “IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage”

Gard P&I Club highlights issues with scrubber corrosion

Gard P&I Club gives advise to shipowners
Gard P&I Club gives advise to shipowners

In new guidance for shipowners, marine insurer Gard advises its members that the installation of scrubber units must be carefully monitored in order to minimize the risk of premature corrosion and potential piping failure. Additional potential casualties from improper workmanship include the possibility of sparking a fire within the unit during shipyard hot work and the failure of poorly-executed shipyard welds during operation. With these factors in mind, Gard advises shipowners to monitor and evaluate their shipyard’s work to ensure a proper Continue reading “Gard P&I Club highlights issues with scrubber corrosion”

LNG shipbuilding boom time ahead. But are we ready for it?

LNG shipbuilding around the corner
LNG shipbuilding around the corner

It has been nearly a decade since the last mega LNG newbuilding program in South Korea was completed. Building forty-five LNG carriers for Qatargas at three major Korean shipyards – Hyundai, Samsung, and Daewoo — had been challenging on many fronts. Several new technologies and systems had to be qualified at the design stage, during plan approval, construction and shop trials and verified during commissioning, gas trials, and sea trials. Anomalies and deficiencies, if left undiscovered, cause rework, costly delays and considerable technical problems after delivery. Fortunately, with a handful of very experienced engineers involved in the QG project from concept to commissioning, it was a job well done in the end, to the Continue reading “LNG shipbuilding boom time ahead. But are we ready for it?”

Safer boating week kicks off in New Zealand after a tragic winter

Safer Boating Week
Safer Boating Week

New Zealand’s annual Safer Boating Week has started in the shadow of a record number of recreational boating deaths during the winter months.

Already, this year 18 people have died in recreational boating accidents, compared to just four in the whole of last year and 12 of this year’s fatalities have been since the end of March.

Leading up to Labour Weekend, the Safer Boating Forum wants to make sure boaties heed the “prep, check, know message” as they start getting ready for Continue reading “Safer boating week kicks off in New Zealand after a tragic winter”

New Australian Mariner’s Handbook now available online

Australian Mariner's Handbook 5th edition now available online
Australian Mariner’s Handbook 5th edition now available online

The Hydrographic Office has published the new Australian Mariner’s Handbook 5th edition for Australian Waters and it is now available online.

Previously known as the Seafarer’s Handbook for Australian Waters, edition five contains a new chapter on interpreting the accuracy of depth information in Electronic Navigational Charts.

The handbook is an official nautical publication, which should be carried on all international and domestic commercial vessels.

It contains important instructions to aid planning and navigation in Australian waters, and information on marine protected areas, pilot Continue reading “New Australian Mariner’s Handbook now available online”

IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires

IUMI speaks out about container ship fires
IUMI speaks out about container ship fires

The shipping industry has witnessed many fire incidents on container ships this year, some of which have resulted in fatalities and others in significant economic losses. At a recent conference, IUMI took the chance to alert and feedback on the situation and call the shipping industry to improve its onboard firefighting systems and seafarers’ training.

Gard P&I Club organised a conference in Arendal, Norway on 17-18 October 2019. The event attracted many shipping stakeholders, including IMO, flags states, shipowners and insurers. Their aim? To push for more discussions on preventing Continue reading “IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires”

2020 sulphur cap: Authorities plan to discuss enforcement

2020 sulphur cap
2020 sulphur cap

The 2020 sulphur cap is a significant challenge for the shipping industry. A cooperation between the Danish Maritime Authority and the World Maritime University will bring administrations together to share knowledge on sulphur enforcement in key regions.

On 1 January 2020, the new global sulphur limit will enter into force. The sulphur content of ship fuel must not exceed 0.5 percent after this date. To ensure the full environmental effect of the new regulation, it is essential that the new rules are enforced effectively by all national administrations. Enforcement is also key to Continue reading “2020 sulphur cap: Authorities plan to discuss enforcement”

First hybrid SES to be used for crew transfer

Hybrid SES
Hybrid SES

CWind has announced a long-term charter contract agreement with Ørsted, delivering by mid 2020, the world’s first hybrid powered Surface Effect Ship (SES) to Borssele 1 and 2 offshore wind farms. The agreement between the world’s leading windfarm operator Ørsted and CWind, part of the Global Marine Group, covers an initial three-year firm charter with options available for a further two years. The Hybrid SES crew transfer vessel will be operating from the Dutch port of Vlissingen, to Borssele 1 and 2, located 23km from the Dutch coast in the North Sea.

The development of the Hybrid SES for use as a crew transfer vessel is in response to an industry-wide push to develop and deploy innovative technologies that reduce Continue reading “First hybrid SES to be used for crew transfer”

Performance of EALs triggers update to shaft alignment rules

DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules
DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules

Classification society DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules to differentiate between Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and mineral oils in stern tubes. The update, effective 1 July 2019, is based on the phase 1 findings from the joint development project (JDP) DNV GL has been running in cooperation with marine insurers The Swedish Club, Norwegian Hull Club, Gard and Skuld to test the potential influence of EALs on failures in stern tube bearings.

The JDP was prompted by an upsurge in stern tube bearing Continue reading “Performance of EALs triggers update to shaft alignment rules”

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