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Enhance inspection protocols for air shutoff valves

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Lessons learnt from air shutoff valves incident shared by BSEE
Lessons learnt from air shutoff valves incident shared by BSEE

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) draws lessons learned from the investigation of a fire on an offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico involving a rental generator and air shutoff valves.

The incident stemmed from a malfunction in the engine’s air shutoff valves system. Initial investigation findings indicated that the oil fill cap was absent, and both exhaust gases and oil venting from the open fill neck were potential ignition sources. Continue reading “Enhance inspection protocols for air shutoff valves”

Electrification continues to bear risks for the shipping industry

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Capt Rahul Khanna, pictured, indicated insurers have seen large losses from lithium-ion batteries
Capt Rahul Khanna, pictured, indicated insurers have seen large losses from lithium-ion batteries

Electrification of the global economy continues to  bear risks for the shipping industry and supply chains, according to Allianz Commercial’s latest Safety and Shipping Review.

Electrification of the global economy is driving huge demand for lithium-ion batteries, from electric cars and e-bikes to industrial scale battery storage systems. The global battery market is forecast to reach US$322bn by 2030, more than double its value in 2024, driven by growing demand for electric vehicles and battery storage systems required to support the transition to renewable energy. Continue reading “Electrification continues to bear risks for the shipping industry”

Electronic inclinometers for new bulk carriers and container ships

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New regulations from January 2026 mandate electronic inclinometers on new bulk carriers and container ships
New regulations from January 2026 mandate electronic inclinometers on new bulk carriers and container ships

To enhance seafarer safety and prevent the loss and damage of bulk cargo due to strong movements at sea, the IMO is introducing amendments to SOLAS Chapter V. Through Resolution MSC.532(107), it has adopted a new requirement (SOLAS Reg. V/19.2.12) that mandates the carriage of electronic inclinometers for new container ships and bulk carriers of 3,000gt and above. This will enable the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) to determine, display and record the ship’s roll motion and provide critical information about operational stability. Continue reading “Electronic inclinometers for new bulk carriers and container ships”

Meeting the requirements of the IMSBC Code

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Britannia P&I Club advises on the IMSBC code
Britannia P&I Club advises on the IMSBC code

Britannia P&I Club has issued information about what actions to take when loading different bulk cargoes to meet the requirements of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The shipper is responsible for providing the master (or their representative) with sufficient information in advance to allow safe preparation for loading, stowage, and carriage of the nominated cargo under the requirements of the IMSBC code. Continue reading “Meeting the requirements of the IMSBC Code”

Valve failures is the lead cause of ammonia-related maritime accidents

Posted on by News Hound
EMSA has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents
EMSA has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in its newest series of reports regarding the safety of ammonia use in ships has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents. Among the alternative fuel options, anhydrous ammonia has drawn a lot of interest from the marine industry for its potential to become a long-term solution for decarbonisation. The comprehensive review of accidents however, highlighted on EMSA’s report “Safety of Ammonia for Use in Ships”, has underscored critical causes of these incidents that allow identifying recurring patterns and highlighting critical areas for preventive or corrective measures for application in the maritime sector. Continue reading “Valve failures is the lead cause of ammonia-related maritime accidents”

AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 published

Posted on by News Hound
The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 is published and is available to read   
The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 is published and is available to read

The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 has been published by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. It outlines a number of key compliance activities that support welfare, safety and pollution prevention across domestic and foreign-flagged vessels.

According to the AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026, the authority outlines priority activities for the upcoming year, providing industry with a clear understanding of the regulatory focus and rationale. Continue reading “AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 published”

Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting

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Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting says US Coast Guard report
Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting says US Coast Guard report

The is a distressing case about a fatal accident that should never have happened. And as the investigation has revealed, a series of poor, inadequate and ineffective inspections and surveys that failed to discover serious rotten wood, would appear to be largely to blame.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has released a critical report on the demasting of a historic schooner, blaming the catastrophic incident on rotten wood that had gone unnoticed for years due to poor inspections.

About three years after the mainmast of the 144-year-old schooner Grace Bailey Continue reading “Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting”

ABS IMO III 11 summary brief

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ABS has provided an overview on the key issues at the ABS IMO III 11 summary brief.
ABS has provided an overview on the key issues at the ABS IMO III 11 summary brief.

The IMO Sub-Committee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments III held its 11th session in July 2025. Here is the ABS IMO III 11 in a summary brief.
The Sub-Committee has a key role in casualty analysis and issuing lessons learned from marine incidents. It receives and analyses port state control data and keeps under review the procedures for port state control. Guidelines for survey and certification including the survey guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) also come under the remit of this Sub-Committee. Continue reading “ABS IMO III 11 summary brief”

Incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags can lead to significant claims

Posted on by News Hound
Handling of jumbo bags is the subject of a new video from London P&I Club
Handling of jumbo bags is the subject of a new video from London P&I Club

The London P&I Club has renewed its warning to shipowners, operators, and charterers over the risks linked to loading dry chemicals in Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs), and the incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags with the launch of a new video that provides loss prevention advice.

The alert follows several incidents involving cargo fires and damage—particularly on bulk carriers and general cargo ships, with many cases reported at Chinese ports. The Club warns that failure to strictly comply with all relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) Continue reading “Incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags can lead to significant claims”

PFOS banned in fire extinguishing media from January 2026

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From January 2026 PFOS will be banned in fire extinguishing media
From January 2026 PFOS will be banned in fire extinguishing media

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued a regulatory update stating that, PFOS will be banned in fire extinguishing media from January 2026 – including firefighting foam. This applies to both fixed and portable systems and equipment.

In particular, the IMO developed amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the High Speed Craft (HSC) Codes (1994 and 2000) which were adopted in the following resolutions: Continue reading “PFOS banned in fire extinguishing media from January 2026”

Safety alert issues about green patina build-up on water mist nozzles

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Warning over Green patina build up on water nozzles. Image credit: US Coast Guard
Warning over Green patina build up on water nozzles. Image credit: US Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a safety notice highlighting the risk of green patina build-up on high-pressure water mist nozzles, which can compromise the effectiveness of onboard firefighting systems. According to the notice, while witnessing routine testing of a fixed firefighting system during an annual exam aboard a foreign passenger vessel, the Coast Guard discovered multiple high-pressure water mist nozzles that were incapable of discharging water. Consequently, the firefighting system failed to activate in multiple accommodation spaces. Continue reading “Safety alert issues about green patina build-up on water mist nozzles”

Achilles Bulker rudder broke off near Tauranga nearly runs aground

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Achilles Bulker pictured in 2022 near Nelson NZ. Credit: Steven Watkins
Achilles Bulker pictured in 2022 near Nelson NZ. Credit: Steven Watkins

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has published a report after bulk carrier Achilles Bulker lost its rudder in 2023.

What happened

On 24 July 2023, the fully loaded Achilles Bulker was under pilotage outbound from the Port of Tauranga. Shortly after clearing the harbour entrance, the ship’s heading began to swing to port and deviate from its intended track in the centre of the channel. As the bridge team took corrective action to return the ship to the centreline of the channel, the ship’s rudder broke off and the ship continued out of the Continue reading “Achilles Bulker rudder broke off near Tauranga nearly runs aground”

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