The sub-committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (IMO CCC) met in September to review or update relevant codes including the IMSBC, IMDG, IGF and IGC Codes.
This sub-committee is where all matters related to the carriage of packaged dangerous goods, solid bulk cargoes, bulk gas cargoes, containers, and zero and low carbon fuels are discussed. Lloyd’s Register has published the following summary of the meeting:
The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) explains that charcoal is a widely used material for various purposes, including cooking, heating, and industrial processes and it is often transported in shipping containers. The carriage of charcoal in containers poses significant fire risks due to the potential for self-heating and spontaneous ignition.
Charcoal is described in the IMDG Code as “Black material originating from organic sources. Particularly includes carbon blacks, of animal or vegetable origin other non-activated carbon materials and Continue reading “CINS releases Comprehensive Guidelines for Carriage of Charcoal in Containers”
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has issued an update for transporting biological liquid cargo following explosion after hot work was carried out near a vent from a tank containing fish silage.
Fish silage is fresh fish residue and formic acid. The acid conserves the residue and delays the process of decomposition. When organic material decomposes in environments where there is little air, hazardous gases may form. Continue reading “Hazards when transporting biological liquid cargo”
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has released a report after an officer had to have his leg amputated following a crush injury. On 16 August 2022, the second officer of the UK registered survey and supply vessel Kommandor Orca sustained crush injuries to his lower left leg while operating one of the rail-mounted deck cranes. His leg became caught in the crane’s rack and pinion traversing mechanism when he moved the crane aft for a lifting operation. A helicopter transferred the second officer to hospital, where his leg required amputation below the knee. Continue reading “MAIB report: Officer’s leg amputated after crane incident”
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released investigation report M22P0259 into the capsizing and subsequent sinking of the passenger vessel Island Bay in Carpenter Bay, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia (BC).
On September 10, 2022, the Island Bay was proceeding towards sheltered waters within Carpenter Bay to avoid heavy weather when a combination of forces from wind, waves, and the tide caused the vessel to heel Continue reading “TSB releases investigation report into capsizing and sinking of passenger vessel Island Bay”
Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s Heritage and Education Centre (HEC) is seeking donations of archival material and artefacts from businesses and the public to enhance its already extensive maritime history collection. This request follows the completion of a major project to digitise and catalogue the centre’s extensive Ship Plan and Survey Report Collection.
This collection, which spans from the 1830s to the 1970s, includes over 1.15 million records related to the design, construction, and maintenance of ships classified by Lloyd’s Register, which is a leading provider of compliance and classification services to the marine and offshore industries. Continue reading “Global charity requests material for historic maritime collection”
The International Maritime Organization has issued resolution MSC.553(108) with amendments to the 2011 ESP Code: Certification by hull inspection firms. The amendments will come into force on January 1, 2026.
These changes specifically focus on the approval and certification processes for firms that conduct thickness measurements of hull structures. Hull thickness measurements are essential for determining the structural integrity of ships and ensuring their safe operation. The amendments apply to different types of bulk carriers and oil tankers, and aim to ensure that the firms responsible for these Continue reading “IMO amendments to the ESP Code: Certification by hull inspection firms”
The International Maritime Organization has issued resolutions MSC.549(108) and MSC.550(108), which amend the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.
Resolution MSC.549(108) amends SOLAS Chapter II-1, with the changes set to take effect on January 1, 2028. This resolution introduces a new section to Regulation 3-4 that addresses emergency towing arrangements for ships other than tankers. Specifically, ships of 20,000 gross tonnage or more, built on or after January 1, 2028, must have emergency towing arrangements. These arrangements need to be capable of quick deployment even without main power and should easily connect to a towing ship. They must also be strong enough to handle adverse weather conditions, with their design and testing approved by the relevant authorities according to IMO guidelines. Continue reading “SOLAS updates announced by IMO: New amendments on emergency towing, fire safety, and container reporting”
Britannia P&I Club has issued loss prevention guidance to the maritime industry about tugboat girting. Girting is a situation whereby a tug is towed broadside by a towline and is unable to manoeuvre out of this position. Deck-edge immersion then occurs, quickly followed by flooding and capsizing, unless the towline is released in good time. This can happen very quickly and does not allow the tug crew enough time to abandon the tug before it capsizes.
Training: The vessel’s crew must be properly trained in the causes and possibility of tugboat girting. Avoiding excessive loads and ensuring proper weight distribution can minimise the risk of overturning. Continue reading “Key steps to avoid tugboat girting”
According to the American P&I Club, the ingress of seawater through leaking hatch covers remains one of the most significant causes of cargo damage aboard dry cargo vessels. Cargo damaged by water leaking through hatch covers can result in large claims and affect Members’ claims records. Most leakage problems occur because of poor maintenance. Hatch covers will leak if:
– compression surfaces are not aligned correctly due to worn bearing pads, locator and/or stoppers;
– gasket sections are damaged, missing, worn, over compressed or inserted in Continue reading “Preventing cargo damage through hatch cover maintenance”
Lithium-ion batteries are becoming ever more popular as fuel cells in electric vehicles. But what about the shipping industry?
In recent years, smaller vessels have started using lithium-ion batteries alongside traditional fuels but also as the vessel’s sole propulsion technology. Could possibly larger ocean-going vessels follow suit?
Lithium-ion batteries can be considered inert when functioning normally and do not pose the same risk of pollution as fuel oils in traditional combustion engines, however, this can change if the batteries degrade during a voyage. Continue reading “Potential damages and liabilities arising from shipping incident involving a Li-ion battery powered vessel”
Poor posture, inadequate seating and a host of other factors can lead to life-changing injuries on RIBs as small craft passenger safety is pulled sharply into focus by recent events in the small craft sector. If the sector’s reputation is to survive accidents like Seadogz, owners and operators need to start owning best practice, controlling the risks and demonstrating that their trips are safe, says MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch). Continue reading “MAIB: Small craft passenger safety must be more prevalent”
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