News

MAIB safety bulletin into safety issues on Red Sea liveaboard dive boats

Yacht - Image courtesy of Ali Aref, President of Dive Pro Liveaboard. Source: MAIB
Image courtesy of Ali Aref, President of Dive Pro Liveaboard. Source: MAIB

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is aware that 16 Red Sea liveaboard dive boats have been lost over the last 5 years. Seven of these losses happened in the last 21 months, and three of these resulted in numerous fatalities including UK nationals.

In line with the principles of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code, the UK has been registered as a substantially interested state in the Egyptian safety investigations into these accidents. Continue reading “MAIB safety bulletin into safety issues on Red Sea liveaboard dive boats”

BIMCO supports IGP&I’s new electronic bill of lading approval process

The International Group of P&I Clubs has introduced a new process for the approval of electronic bill of lading systems
The International Group of P&I Clubs has introduced a new process for the approval of electronic bill of lading systems

The first question on shipowners’ lips when asked to use electronic bills of lading should be “is the eBL platform approved by my P&I Club?” To make this “discovery” process easier, the International Group of P&I Clubs has introduced a new process for the approval of electronic bill of lading systems. This new process takes into account recent legislative developments that recognise electronic bills of lading as equivalent to their paper counterparts. System providers who seek IG approval and meet the necessary requirements will now be easily identifiable on the Group’s website. This streamlined approach is designed to benefit both members and system providers, making the approval process more efficient. Continue reading “BIMCO supports IGP&I’s new electronic bill of lading approval process”

Domestic Passenger Vessels: Information on risk assessment to support application for exemption from damage stability requirements

Domestic Passenger Vessels: Information on risk assessment to support application for exemption from damage stability requirements
Domestic Passenger Vessels: Information on risk assessment to support application for exemption from damage stability requirements

The UK Merchant Shipping (Safety Standards for Passenger Ships on Domestic Voyages) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022, introduces requirements for older vessels to meet new damage stability requirements. The vessels affected most by these new requirements are those vessels certified as Class V and operating on Tidal Category C waters.

It was recognised from feedback during the consultation that there was a need for the Government to provide some flexibility to operators who could demonstrate that the risks to their domestic passenger vessels were owing to their particular area of operation. For example, owning to a small volume of traffic operating in the area the risk of collision was reduced. Continue reading “Domestic Passenger Vessels: Information on risk assessment to support application for exemption from damage stability requirements”

Scrap metal fires and the IMSBC Code

Trash - Photo credit: Gard P&I club
Photo credit: Gard P&I Club

Gard P&I Club has highlighted the issue of serious scrap metal fires and questions if the IMSBC Code is adequately addressing the risks. According to Gard, most of its cases and those reported in accident investigations appear to concern scrap metal declared by shippers as Group C, which under the IMSBC Code is cargo which is neither liable to liquefy (Group A) nor to possess chemical hazards (Group B).

Images and accounts of scrap metal fires associated with such non-hazardous declarations paint a more concerning risk picture. Accident investigation reports speak of rapidly developing fires with intense heat and heavy smoke threatening harm to the crew, shore fire fighters as well as local residents. Continue reading “Scrap metal fires and the IMSBC Code”

IACS publishes new recommendation on onshore power supply systems

IACS Logo

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has released recommendation, Rec. 182 to support onshore power supply systems (OPS).
The new recommendation provides detailed guidance on integrating OPS systems into both newbuilds and retrofits, while addressing the technical and operational challenges associated with its implementation. Continue reading “IACS publishes new recommendation on onshore power supply systems”

Transport Malta: crewmember death after steam valve failure onboard Chemical Hunter

An able bodied seafarer (AB) on board Chemical Hunter was severely scalded by steam
An able bodied seafarer (AB) on board Chemical Hunter was severely scalded by steam

On 28 January 2024, an able bodied seafarer (AB) on board Chemical Hunter was severely scalded by steam. The accident happened during cargo tank washing and steaming operations. Chemical Hunter had just left the port of Altamira, Mexico when the accident occurred. The vessel returned to port where the injured crew member was transferred to a hospital. Despite the first aid given on board, and the more specialised treatment in hospital, the injured crew member succumbed to his injuries about two weeks after the accident.
The safety investigation determined that the failure mechanism of the steam inlet valve to the cargo tank cleaning water heater was most Continue reading “Transport Malta: crewmember death after steam valve failure onboard Chemical Hunter”

ABS: new offshore rules 2025

ABS announced major changes to its 2025 Survey After Construction of Offshore Rules that became effective 30 January this year.
ABS announced major changes to its 2025 Survey After Construction of Offshore Rules that became effective 30 January this year.

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) announced major changes to its 2025 Survey After Construction of Offshore Rules that became effective 30 January this year.
The new Offshore Rules 2025 consolidated and replaced the MOU, FPI and OI Rules and incorporated mandatory requirements from Facilities Rules.
Survey requirements for Offshore Units can be found in these parts of the OR:
• Part 7A Mobile Offshore Units – Surveys (old MOU Part 7)
• Part 7B Site Specific Units – Ship Type and Other Floating Installations – Surveys (old FPI Part 7) Continue reading “ABS: new offshore rules 2025”

Danish Shipping adopts biofouling management policy

Danish Shipping has adopted a new policy on biofouling management where it recommends that its members follow IMO guidelines
Danish Shipping has adopted a new policy on biofouling management where it recommends that its members follow IMO guidelines

Danish Shipping has adopted a new policy on biofouling management, where it recommends that its members follow IMO guidelines, which are currently not mandatory.
So-called biofouling on the hulls of ships is not only a potential threat to vulnerable marine ecosystems, but it also causes increased fuel consumption, when there are things stuck to the hull (due to the increased friction).
Proper biofouling management reduces fouling, bio-security risks and fuel consumption. Danish Shipping recommends its members follow IMO guidelines and keep records of their adherence to the guidelines. Continue reading “Danish Shipping adopts biofouling management policy”

Bureau Veritas guidance on IACS CIC on emergency power supply testing

Bureau Veritas says that IACS has decided to launch its own CIC
Bureau Veritas says that IACS has decided to launch its own CIC

IACS has decided to launch its own CIC to record results of testing of emergency power supply on individual ships, according to Bureau Veritas.
With the release of a Bulletin on the subject, the Tokyo MoU has informed ship operators, shipmasters, classification societies, maritime administrations, their officers, investigators and technical advisors of the potential risk of testing of automatic start of emergency source of electrical power and connection to the emergency switchboard (SOLAS Ch. II-1 Regulation 42 / 43) using simulated Continue reading “Bureau Veritas guidance on IACS CIC on emergency power supply testing”

Ocean Business 2025 announces cutting-edge technology Training and Demonstration programme

Ocean Business 2025 Training & Demonstration Programme
Ocean Business 2025 Training & Demonstration Programme

With Ocean Business 2025 less than three months away, details can now be revealed about the Training and Demonstration programme, one of the main attractions of the global technology and science exhibition for marine industries
The three-day show, which runs from April 8-10 at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, UK, is open to all visitors for free.
This year’s Training and Demonstration programme, featuring the most exciting developments in the ocean sector, is bigger than ever, with 180-plus hours of new technologies demonstrated in the dockside waters, onboard vessels and in the classroom. Continue reading “Ocean Business 2025 announces cutting-edge technology Training and Demonstration programme”

Liberia Maritime Authority advice on ships using low-flashpoint fuels

Liberia Maritime Authority has published guidance on compliance with the requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuel
Liberia Maritime Authority has published guidance on compliance with the requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuel

The Liberia Maritime Authority has published guidance on compliance with the requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuel.
Marine notice SAF-017 Rev. 1/25 applies to ships using low-flashpoint fuels:
• for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 January 2017;
• in the absence of a building contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 2017; or
• the delivery of which is on or after 1 January 2021.
It also applies to a ship, irrespective of the date of construction, which converts to using low-flashpoint fuels on or after 1 January 2017, or to a ship using low-flashpoint fuels, which, on or after 1 January 2017, undertakes to use low-flashpoint fuels different from those which it was originally approved to use before 1 January 2017. Continue reading “Liberia Maritime Authority advice on ships using low-flashpoint fuels”

Special campaign in China on illegal enclosed space entry

Huatai Marine circular announces the start of a special campaign against illegal enclosed space entry onboard ships.
Huatai Marine circular announces the start of a special campaign against illegal enclosed space entry onboard ships.

P&I club Britannia has highlighted a Huatai Marine circular announcing the start of a special campaign against illegal enclosed space entry onboard ships.
The nine-month campaign, launched by the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA), began on 15 January and is intended to run until 14 October 2025. The campaign appears to target areas such as:
• The crew awareness of the dangers of enclosed spaces
• The identification and marking of enclosed spaces onboard
• The efficient and safe control of entry to enclosed spaces by permit Continue reading “Special campaign in China on illegal enclosed space entry”

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