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NTSB alerts land-based firefighters to risks of vessel fires

Posted on by News Hound
A fire boat directing water onto the Grande Costa D’Avorio at a port
A fire boat directing water onto the Grande Costa D’Avorio. Source: NTSB

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a safety alert urging greater awareness and training for land-based firefighters who may be called to fight fires aboard vessels in local ports.

The safety alert follows several NTSB investigations into deaths and injuries to firefighters.

The NTSB found land-based firefighters often lack the necessary training and familiarity with vessel layouts and fire protection systems to effectively fight in-port vessel fires. They also may be unaware of how to use the structural fire protection built into most commercial vessels.

Continue reading “NTSB alerts land-based firefighters to risks of vessel fires”

Hong Kong SAR lessons learned on enclosed space death

Posted on by News Hound
The Marine Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) logo
The Hong Kong SAR has published a report into an enclosed space death on cargo vessel Seren

The Marine Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) has shown the results of an investigation into a death in an enclosed space on cargo ship Seren last year.

Continue reading “Hong Kong SAR lessons learned on enclosed space death”

Emerging battery technologies in the maritime industry volume 2

Posted on by News Hound
Top half of blue cover art of the ABS Emerging Battery Technologies in the Maritime Industry Volume 2
ABS has released a publication on the latest advancements in battery technology trends.

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has published ‘Emerging battery technologies in the maritime industry Volume 2’.

Understanding the latest advancements in battery technology trends is essential as the industry works to meet regulatory requirements.

The publication addresses the limitations and advancements surrounding next-generation batteries, including: Continue reading “Emerging battery technologies in the maritime industry volume 2”

NTSB report says lithium-ion battery bank cause of yacht fire

Posted on by News Hound
A picture of a grey 25-metre yacht in the water with a marina and apartment blocks in the background.
​​The Flagship before the fire. Source: Flagship Marine LLC

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has said in a report that inoperable battery management systems was the probable cause of a fire on yacht Flagship last year.

What Happened

​On April 28, 2024, at 1031 local time, a fire started on board the uncrewed yacht Flagship while it was docked at an enclosed bay of a shipyard on the Miami River in Miami, Florida. Shoreside firefighters moved the vessel to a nearby sea wall, where they extinguished the fire. The vessel eventually sank at the sea wall. There were no injuries, and no pollution was reported. The Flagship was declared a total loss, valued at $5 million.

Continue reading “NTSB report says lithium-ion battery bank cause of yacht fire”

IUMI analysis shows marine insurance sector as stable

Posted on by News Hound

IUMI logoThe International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends – showing steady growth in premium income.

The global marine insurance premium base for 2024 was reported as USD 39.92 billion, representing a 1.5% increase on the previous year.

Continue reading “IUMI analysis shows marine insurance sector as stable”

Lloyd’s Register’s new wind propulsion and ergonomics rules

Posted on by News Hound
Lloyd’s Register has introduced new technical notations that formalise standards for wind propulsion systems and ergonomic design.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has introduced new rules that formalise standards for wind propulsion systems and ergonomic design.

The new technical notations have been designed to support the maritime industry’s transition to cleaner propulsion technologies and improved onboard safety.

The changes, which will be consolidated into the Rules from 1 January 2026, establish classification requirements for wind-assisted propulsion systems and ergonomic designs.

Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register’s new wind propulsion and ergonomics rules”

DNV white paper on design, safety, and regulatory considerations for CO2 fleet

Posted on by News Hound
DNV logo
DNV has published a white paper into the critical elements in the design, construction, and operation of CO2 carriers.

DNV has released a white paper providing insights into the critical elements in the design, construction, and operation of CO2 carrier fleet.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) markets are developing quickly and this needs to be mirrored by growth in the CO2 carrier fleet, which can provide flexible transport of CO2 over longer distances and facilitate its transportation to final storage.

DNV’s recent Energy Transition Outlook (ETO) estimated that 210 million tonnes per annum of CO2 will be captured by 2030 and 1.3 gigatonnes per annum by 2050, equating to about 6% of global emissions.

Continue reading “DNV white paper on design, safety, and regulatory considerations for CO2 fleet”

World Shipping Council reinstates cargo inspection deficiency data

Posted on by News Hound
World Shipping Council logo
The World Shipping Council (WSC) has revived cargo inspection deficiency data.

The World Shipping Council (WSC) has released a new report summarising deficiencies found in government cargo inspection programmes, reviving a vital data series that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) discontinued last year.

The 2024 report shows that 11.39% of inspected cargo shipments were found to have deficiencies, up slightly from the IMO’s final 2023 figure of 11%. These include mis-declared and undeclared dangerous goods, incorrect documentation, and improper packing – all of which can lead to serious safety incidents, including ship fires.

Continue reading “World Shipping Council reinstates cargo inspection deficiency data”

TSB Canada report shows detector false alarm contributed to Heemskerkgracht grounding

Posted on by News Hound
TSB Canada report shows detector false alarm contributed to Heemskerkgracht grounding. The Heemskerkgracht. Source: TSB
TSB Canada report shows detector false alarm contributed to Heemskerkgracht grounding. The Heemskerkgracht. Source: TSB

Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report into the 2024 grounding of the general cargo vessel Heemskerkgracht in the South Shore Canal of the St. Lawrence Seaway off Kahnawake, Quebec.

What happened

On August 22, 2024, the general cargo vessel Heemskerkgracht ran aground after the main engine shut down due to the activation of a false alarm on the oil mist detector (OMD). The vessel was anchored while awaiting assistance and was later refloated and towed to the Port of Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Quebec. There were no injuries or pollution reported. The vessel sustained minor damage to its hull. Continue reading “TSB Canada report shows detector false alarm contributed to Heemskerkgracht grounding”

Fires dominate 2025 major claims, says Cefor

Posted on by News Hound
Fires dominate 2025 major claims, says Cefor
Fires dominate 2025 major claims, says Cefor

Cefor, the Nordic Association of Marine Insurers, has released the 2025 mid-year hull report with the latest fleet and casualty trends, plus a special focus on fires as fires dominate 2025 major claims.

In the report, fires represented the four costliest losses by end of June. It added 2025 is the third consecutive year with claims above USD 50 million, after a benign period 2015-2022 with only an occasional claim exceeding $30 million USD. Fires had significant impact in the first half year of 2025. Four out of seven claims above $10 million USD were fires and the costliest claims. Continue reading “Fires dominate 2025 major claims, says Cefor”

RMI Maritime Administrator report reveals reason for fatal fall on bulk carrier Asteris

Posted on by News Hound
RMI Maritime Administrator report reveals reason for fatal fall on Asteris
RMI Maritime Administrator report reveals reason for fatal fall on bulk carrier Asteris

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has concluded an investigation after a sailor fell and died on board bulk carrier Asteris.

What happened

On 17 April 2024, the Republic of the Marshall Islands-registered Asteris, a geared, five-hatch, bulk carrier, managed by Seamax Marine Inc., was underway in the South China Sea on a ballast voyage. Work being done on board during the day included washing the cargo holds. The hatch covers for all five cargo holds had been partially open since that morning to ventilate the cargo holds.

At approximately 1700, the ASD2 and OS2 were tasked with starting to wash Cargo Hold No. 4 before stopping work for the day at 1800. It was planned for the ASD2, who was wearing a safety belt with a single lifeline, to work inside the cargo hold while the OS2 remained on deck next to the booby hatch to tend the hose and control the flow of water by opening and closing the fire hydrant to which the hose was connected. Continue reading “RMI Maritime Administrator report reveals reason for fatal fall on bulk carrier Asteris”

IUMI best practice for safely transporting EVs

Posted on by News Hound
IUMI best practice and recommendations for safely transporting EVs
IUMI best practice and recommendations for safely transporting EVs

IUMI has released an update to its best practice and recommendations for safely transporting EVs.
In 2023, IUMI published a set of best practice and recommendations for the safe carriage of electric vehicles. This was part of its ongoing support of loss prevention guidance to the global marine insurance and shipping sectors.
In September 2025, IUMI issued an updated version titled “Risk mitigation for the safe ocean and short-sea carriage of electric vehicles”. Continue reading “IUMI best practice for safely transporting EVs”

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