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Enclosed Space Entry Joint Workshop meets for the fourth time

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man in an enclose spaceThe fourth Enclosed Space Entry Joint Industry Workshop took place at OCIMF’s London office in late March, where a working group drawn from maritime organisations gathered to identify measures to reduce or eliminate deaths in enclosed spaces onboard vessels.

In the previous three meetings, the cross-industry working group’s review of prior enclosed space incidents identified operational, commercial, technical and training related issues as recurring contributing factors. This review also included an analysis of incidents to understand the relationship between vessel type, incident location onboard and the rank or role of the victims. Continue reading “Enclosed Space Entry Joint Workshop meets for the fourth time”

Understanding hull fouling with Britannia P&I Club

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Britannia P&I Club logoBritannia P&I Club has published loss prevention guidance on the consequences that need to be considered regarding hull fouling.

Hull fouling refers to a condition when marine organisms such as barnacles, algae, and mussels attach themselves to a ship’s underwater hull surface area. When operating in tropical or seasonal tropical waters the higher temperatures and sunlight provide ideal conditions for the rapid growth of marine organisms, particularly when the ship is stationary at anchorage for a longer period. Furthermore, during seasonal tropical periods, ocean currents transport nutrients from deeper waters to the surface in coastal areas, promoting the growth of photosynthetic organisms. Continue reading “Understanding hull fouling with Britannia P&I Club”

NTSB report on Ocean Navigator engine failure

Posted on by News Hound
Ocean Navigator docked in Portland, Maine on Oct. 19 2023, after the fire. (Source: NTSB)
Ocean Navigator docked in Portland, Maine on Oct. 19 2023, after the fire. (Source: NTSB)

Debris in an engine’s lube oil system led to a diesel engine failure and an engine room fire aboard a passenger vessel docked in Portland, Maine, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said. The passenger vessel Ocean Navigator was moored at the Ocean Gateway Terminal on Oct. 18, 2023, when the no. 2 auxiliary diesel generator engine suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure that seriously injured one crewmember and resulted in an engine-room fire. Crewmembers secured ventilation to the engine room, and the fire self-extinguished. Continue reading “NTSB report on Ocean Navigator engine failure”

Brookes Bell: Why Are There So Many Soya Bean Claims?

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In 2023, the global soya bean market (also known as soybeans and soyabeans) was valued at over USD 200.37 billion, and it is projected to grow to USD $259 billion by 2032.The shipping industry plays a significant role in supporting this global industry, but behind these impressive figures lies a perilously narrow window for safe ocean transport. Despite being loaded in sound condition and carried by well-maintained vessels on unexceptional voyages, soya beans continue to arrive in a deteriorated condition far too often. Claims related to spoilage frequently run into millions of dollars, exposing shipowners, operators, and marine insurers to significant financial risk. Continue reading “Brookes Bell: Why Are There So Many Soya Bean Claims?”

Streamlining PSC inspections through AI-powered approach

Posted on by News Hound
A ship sailing at sunset - PSC inspections
A ship sailing at sunset

Port State Control (PSC) inspections are a fact of life in the maritime world — and they’re getting tougher. With rising detention rates, unpredictable inspection criteria, and mounting pressure on crew performance, preparing for a PSC visit can feel like navigating a minefield, says Kaiko Systems.

In 2024 alone, over 73,000 PSC inspections were conducted globally, with a growing detention rate now over 3%. For vessel operators, a failed inspection can mean costly detentions, delayed cargo, reputational damage, and a hit to operational performance. Continue reading “Streamlining PSC inspections through AI-powered approach”

Investigators publish report on 2024 YM Mobility blast in China’s Ningbo Port

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The YM Mobility fireThe China Maritime Safety Administration (CMSA) has published a report on its investigation into the explosion and subsequent fire on the Taiwanese-owned container vessel YM Mobility blast in China’s Ningbo Port on 9 August 2024. An explosion occurred in a container loaded with dangerous goods on board near the ship’s bow. According to the shipper’s declaration, the container was a reefer used as a substitute for a dry container, without requiring power connection. The estimated economic loss resulting from in the incident was about CNY90 million (US$13 million). Continue reading “Investigators publish report on 2024 YM Mobility blast in China’s Ningbo Port”

Norwegian Government introduces zero-emission requirements

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Norwegian Maritime Authority on world heritage fjordsThe Norwegian Government introduces zero-emission requirements in the World Heritage fjords. In a circular the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) confirmed the changes will be effective from 1 January 2026 for passenger ships of less than 10,000 gross tonnage and from 1 January 2032 for passenger ships of 10,000 gross tonnage and upwards. Continue reading “Norwegian Government introduces zero-emission requirements”

New Arbitration Act 2025: Key changes for maritime arbitrations

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The front of a shipAccording to West P&I Club, the new UK Arbitration Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 24 February 2025 and will come into force most likely at some point later this year. The 2025 Act will not be a standalone Act but, rather, inserts amendments to the 1996 Act so as to enact the recommendations of the Law Commission codifying the common law position and eliminating ambiguity. As such, the 2025 Act will modernise arbitration in London to maintain its competitiveness as a seat for international arbitrations. Continue reading “New Arbitration Act 2025: Key changes for maritime arbitrations”

Lloyd’s Register summary report on MEPC 83

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The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 83 session was held from 7-11 April 2025. The IMO MEPC is where the reduction of shipping’s impact on the marine environment is discussed. MEPC oversees the work of several sub-committees and influences subjects which cut-across the work of several committees, covering many key regulations.

And Lloyd’s Register has published a summary of the outcomes from the meeting. Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register summary report on MEPC 83”

Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum publishes guidance on fire response

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Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum 'Fire Response - High Level Guidelines' The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum (VCSF) publishes its second industry good practice guidelines entitled ‘Fire Response – High Level Guidelines’. The VCSF recognises that responding to vehicle fires onboard PCCs, PCTCs, RoRo and Ro-Pax vessels is both dangerous and challenging. These guidelines have been designed to reduce the risk to the safety of crews, passengers, the environment, the vessel and the cargo. The guideline’s sole aim is to assist vessel operators and crews to be better prepared to meet the challenges presented by vehicle fires. Continue reading “Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum publishes guidance on fire response”

Safety alert issued following explosion and fire aboard liftboat

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Aftermath of the explosion and fireThe Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued a safety alert regarding an incident where an explosion and fire aboard a liftboat injured workers. ΒSEE has recently investigated an explosion and subsequent fire that occurred on a liftboat during well cleanup and testing operations. Two contract workers suffered second-degree burns.

This event underscores a multitude of critical shortcomings in procedural controls, equipment readiness, and emergency response during offshore oil and gas operations. The explosion was caused by a gas accumulation on the liftboat deck during the draining of fluids from a Continue reading “Safety alert issued following explosion and fire aboard liftboat”

NTSB recommends improving preparedness of land-based firefighters to vessel fires

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Firefighters dosing the ship in waterThe US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that land-based firefighters be better prepared for marine vessel firefighting following a fatal fire on the Con-Ro vessel Grande Costa D’Avorio in Newark, New Jersey, on 5 July 2023. The ship was docked at Port Newark when a vehicle used by shoreside workers to push used vehicles onto the vessel caught fire on an interior garage deck.

The ship’s captain ordered use of the vessel’s CO2 extinguishing system, Continue reading “NTSB recommends improving preparedness of land-based firefighters to vessel fires”

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