The German BSU has shared lessons learned following two ships collided on a canal after loss of steering.
What happened?
Two ships were due to pass each other on a narrow channel. Shortly before the encounter, a malfunction occurred in the steering system of one of the ships. This malfunction caused the rudder to veer sharply to port. Switching to emergency steering was unable to correct this rudder position. Continue reading “BSU lessons learned after loss of steering caused ships to collide”
New insights from DNV’s Maritime Forecast to 2050 show that shipping’s energy transition is entering a new phase.
According to DNV, With the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF) approved but pending adoption in October, and the number of alternative-fuel-capable vessels in operation set to almost double by 2028, shipowners are shifting from preparation to action.
By 2030, the alternative-fuelled fleet will be able to burn up to 50 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of low-greenhouse gas (GHG) fuels annually, double the estimated volume needed to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 emissions target.
Yet today, actual consumption of low-GHG fuels remains at just 1 Mtoe. Continue reading “DNV Maritime Forecast to 2050 on the future of shipping and alternative fuels”
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”
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”
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”
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”
The 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 (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 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”
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”
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”
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”
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