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Safety guidelines for wind-assisted ships issued by MTF

Safety guidelines for wind-assisted ships issued by MTF
Safety guidelines for wind-assisted ships issued by MTF

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has published new safety guidelines to support the safe operation of wind-assisted ships, those using wind-assisted propulsion systems, as the shipping industry increasingly adopts technologies aimed at reducing fuel use and emissions.

The guidelines provide recommendations for developing and implementing safety management systems tailored to vessels equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), including rotor sails, suction sails and wing sails. Continue reading “Safety guidelines for wind-assisted ships issued by MTF”

Lithium-ion Battery Fires: What We Know So Far – edition 2 published

Edition 2 of the lithium-ion battery fires: What we know so far guide has been published
Edition 2 of the lithium-ion battery fires: What we know so far guide has been published

In edition 2 of the “Lithium-ion Battery Fires: What We Know So Far”, the Maritime Professional Council of the UK (MPC) warns of the rising risks and dangers of lithium-ion battery fires to ships, boats and their crews.

The maritime industry faces increasing incidents and fires due to lithium-ion technology, particularly with the growing use of electric vehicles (EVs) and a myriad of devices powered by these batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density, making them efficient but also prone to catastrophic failures if mishandled. Continue reading “Lithium-ion Battery Fires: What We Know So Far – edition 2 published”

IACS 2025 Annual Review published

IACS 2025 Annual Review published
IACS 2025 Annual Review published

The IACS 2025 Annual Review explores the work of IACS and its classification society Members during 2025 in leading the development of technical requirements and guidance to support global shipping.

The report identifies many areas of progress, including IACS’s ongoing role in supporting industry decarbonisation objectives and the IMO’s efforts to balance its environmental ambitions with safety. Through it’s Safe Decarbonisation Panel, IACS is supporting progress in respect of a number of alternative fuels, whilst remaining neutral on any preferred option. This includes the development of Resolutions on the safe use of alternative fuels which underpin IMO regulations, or the classification rules of each IACS Member. Continue reading “IACS 2025 Annual Review published”

Transport Malta publishes report into explosion aboard container ship CMA CGM Shanghai

Transport Malta publishes report into explosion onboard container ship CMA CGM Shanghai
Transport Malta publishes report into explosion onboard container ship CMA CGM Shanghai

Transport Malta has released a simplified final report into a starting air explosion during berthing operations aboard CMA CGM Shanghai in Singapore.

What happened

CMA CGM Shanghai arrived just outside its designated discharge port of Singapore in the early hours of 15 March 2025, completing an 11-day voyage from Karachi, Pakistan.

The vessel was expected to remain outside port limits for approximately 50 minutes. During this time, the crew prepared the pilot ladder and completed arrangements for the pilot, who boarded the vessel at 0612 local time. Continue reading “Transport Malta publishes report into explosion aboard container ship CMA CGM Shanghai”

Tokyo MOU shares preliminary results of CIC on Ballast Water Management

The Tokyo MOU has released the preliminary results of a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) it held which focused on aspects of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM) 2004.

The campaign was carried out from 1 September 2025 to 30 November 2025, jointly with the Paris MoU.

Over the course of the CIC period, involving all types of ships, a total of 9,244 inspections were carried out. Of these inspections, 6,930 (74.96%) inspections were performed using the CIC questionnaire and a ship was subjected to only one CIC inspection during the campaign period. During the period, 184 ships where CIC was carried out were detained in total (2.66% detention rate). Of which, 30 detentions were the result of inspections with CIC questionnaires, which were detained as a direct result of the CIC concerning deficiencies, reflecting a CIC topic related detention rate of 0.43%. Continue reading “Tokyo MOU shares preliminary results of CIC on Ballast Water Management”

IMPA warns of risks of deregulation in maritime pilotage

The International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) has sent out a warning of the consequences of deregulation and competition in maritime pilotage.

Maritime pilotage is a public, not commercial, service that exists for safety of navigation — protecting people, the environment and trade. IMPA said some jurisdictions are tempted by the idea that deregulation and competition deliver a better service at a lower cost. This is a mistake, and the evidence agrees. Continue reading “IMPA warns of risks of deregulation in maritime pilotage”

Seafarer died after being struck by steel plate says Marshall Islands

Seafarer died after being struck by steel plate says Marshall Islands
Seafarer died after being struck by steel plate says Marshall Islands

An Able Seaman died instantly after steel plates fell and struck him while on board Shaman Wisdom, said a safety investigation report by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator.

What happened

On 5 June 2024, at 0800, the Bosun on board Shaman Wisdom instructed the ASD1 and ASD2 to select a suitable steel plate in the Forecastle Store to construct a step for one of the deck stairs. Both the ASD1 and ASD2 were wearing the standard PPE to work on deck, including a safety helmet, coveralls, and safety shoes. Continue reading “Seafarer died after being struck by steel plate says Marshall Islands”

New ISO standard for in-water hull cleaning published

New ISO standard for in-water hull cleaning published
New ISO standard for in-water hull cleaning published

A new standard on in-water cleaning of vessel hulls has been launched.

Preventing and removing biofouling on hulls of ships limits the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species (IAS). This in turn threatens coastal environments by disrupting ecological systems, which can also negatively affect fisheries, aquaculture and tourism. Biofouling is also estimated to increase a ship’s fuel consumption by on average 9 % – this added fuel consumption costs the shipping industry billions of USD. Therefore, improving biofouling management across the global shipping fleet will have considerable benefits, both from an environmental and economic standpoint. Continue reading “New ISO standard for in-water hull cleaning published”

IMO Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) 12 summary report

IMO Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) 12 summary report
IMO Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) 12 summary report

The Nautical Institute has shared a summary on the 12th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ship Systems and Equipment Sub-Committee.

The sub-committee deals with a wide range of technical and operational matters related to systems and equipment on all types of ships, vessels, craft and mobile units covered by IMO instruments.

The Institute said the meeting opened with a statement by the Secretary General regarding the IMO’s launch of a new website to counter disinformation regarding shipping in the Middle East region – this welcome development is reported separately on our website. Continue reading “IMO Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) 12 summary report”

Passenger died following fall on cruise ship Spirit of Destiny received ‘suboptimal treatment’

Passenger died after cruise ship Spirit of Destiny gave ‘suboptimal treatment’
Passenger died after cruise ship Spirit of Destiny gave ‘suboptimal treatment’

A passenger died following a fall while 100 others were injured after cruise ship Spirit of Destiny hit heavy weather in its voyage, according to an accident investigation report by UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

What happened

Shortly after 1230 on 4 November 2023, the passenger vessel Spirit of Discovery lost propulsion in heavy weather while crossing the Bay of Biscay. This led to the vessel moving violently while the crew restarted the vessel’s propulsion. The propulsion issues, storm force conditions and vessel motion continued until the vessel was able to resume its passage the following morning. Over 100 passengers were injured during this period. Eight of the seriously injured passengers were taken directly to hospital on arrival at Portsmouth, England. One of these passengers, Trevor Gilks, later died from his injuries. Continue reading “Passenger died following fall on cruise ship Spirit of Destiny received ‘suboptimal treatment’”

LR survey warns fatigue, inconsistent leadership and reluctance to speak are driving yacht safety risk

LR survey warns fatigue, inconsistent leadership and reluctance to speak are driving yacht safety risk
LR survey warns fatigue, inconsistent leadership and reluctance to speak are driving yacht safety risk

Inconsistent leadership and variable safety priorities, along with indications that formal procedures are not always followed, are creating avoidable yacht safety risks.

Additionally, current levels of crew engagement mean that opportunities to recognise and respond to both perceived and emerging risks are not being fully realised onboard.

These are findings from Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Yacht Safety Culture and Wellbeing Survey, which gathered input from crew and shore-based professionals working across a broad range of yacht sizes (all over 24 metres) and operating models. Continue reading “LR survey warns fatigue, inconsistent leadership and reluctance to speak are driving yacht safety risk”

Liberia Maritime Authority reinforces mandatory engine room fire prevention requirements

Liberia Maritime Authority reinforces mandatory engine room fire prevention requirements
Liberia Maritime Authority reinforces mandatory engine room fire prevention requirements

The Liberia Maritime Authority has sent out a marine advisory to reinforce the mandatory compliance requirements that govern engine room fire prevention, fire protection readiness, and safe machinery-space operations on Liberian-flagged vessels.

The authority added recent engine room fire incidents indicated that non-compliance with established regulations, marine notices, and safety requirements remained a significant causal factor. Continue reading “Liberia Maritime Authority reinforces mandatory engine room fire prevention requirements”

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