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World’s first autonomous ship completes successful voyage in Japan

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The ferry in action - Photo credit: Nippon Foundation
Photo credit: Nippon Foundation

The demonstration test of what is claimed to be the world’s first fully autonomous ship navigation system was successfully carried out in January in Japan according to the Nippon Foundation.

The large ferry has autonomously navigated over a 149 mile (240 km) stretch of Japan’s Iyonda Sea at the speed of 26 knots (30 mph or 48 kph) and also performed the docking procedures at the end of its voyage.

The technology used in the demonstration was developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Nippon Foundation, and it was used Continue reading “World’s first autonomous ship completes successful voyage in Japan”

Problems verifying electronic statutory and class certificates

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Problems verifying electronic statutory and class certificates noted by Gard
Problems verifying electronic statutory and class certificates noted by Gard

Ships continue to experience instances of port state control interventions, and sometimes hefty fines, allegedly because the validity of their electronic statutory and class certificates cannot be verified during onboard inspections.

The practice of issuing signed paper certificates to document compliance with maritime rules and regulations may be nearing its end. Recognising that paper certificates are subject to loss or damage and can be impractical to send to globally-trading ships, most major flag administrations, and classification societies, now facilitate the use of electronic certificates. The process has also been formalized through IMO documents, such as the “Guidelines for the use of electronic certificates” (FAL.5/Circ.39) and the harmonised “Procedures for port state control”, and in accordance with the latter, port state control officers (PSCOs) are requested to note that: Continue reading “Problems verifying electronic statutory and class certificates”

Closing the Gap: A new report on GHG Strategy

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A slide from the closing the gap report
A slide from the closing the gap report

Shipping is a cornerstone of global trade and, as such, the GHG emissions created by shipping are significant and rising, accounting for almost 3% of global anthropogenic emissions (Faber et al. 2020a). Recent projections suggest that by 2050, shipping emissions will increase by between 90-130% of 2008 emissions by 2050 (ibid.). However, in April 2018, the IMO adopted the Initial GHG Strategy which set the ambition to reduce total annual GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2050, while pursuing effort towards phasing out GHG emissions this century as a matter of urgency, consistent with the Paris Agreement temperature goal. With emissions projected to rise and international targets having been set, the question becomes, how these targets can be met by shipping? Continue reading “Closing the Gap: A new report on GHG Strategy”

Announcing Roy McFarlane as Britain’s new Canal Laureate 2022

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Canal boat going down the riverTogether with the Poetry Society, the Canal & River Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Roy McFarlane as Britain’s new Canal Laureate 2022.

Poet Roy grew up in Birmingham and the Black Country, surrounded by canals. He says: “I lived, played and loved by canals and rivers and am looking forward to recapturing those stories; tales of diverse communities in urban settings who lived with canals in their backyard.”

Roy began his role as Canal Laureate 2022 in December 2021, following in the wake of poets Nancy Campbell (Canal Laureate 2018-9), 2021 Continue reading “Announcing Roy McFarlane as Britain’s new Canal Laureate 2022”

Maritime Safety Report 2012-2021

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Maritime Safety Report Maritime Safety Report: 2012-2021 released
Maritime Safety Report: 2012-2021 released

Shipping has seen a significant improvement in safety over the past decade as higher standards of ship construction and operation have cut the number of casualties, but emerging risks from new fuels and digital technologies must be mitigated to maintain progress, according to DNV.

It follows the release of a major new analysis, ‘Maritime Safety 2012-2021: a decade of progress’, from Lloyd’s List Intelligence and DNV that shows a marked decline in casualties, losses and detentions over the period.

Between 2012 and 2021, the tally of annual casualties declined 20% from 1922 to 1537 and losses resulting from casualties dropped 56% Continue reading “Maritime Safety Report 2012-2021”

UK Coastguard celebrates 200 years of service

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Modern day Coastguard at work
Modern day Coastguard at work

From its beginnings with coastal lookouts to today’s hi-tech national network of coordination centres, from small localised beginnings to international players – one thing has stayed the same for two centuries – Her Majesty’s Coastguard seeks to search, to rescue and to save.

Two hundred years of saving lives along the UK coast and at sea, as well as coordinating rescues for those in distress in international waters, is being marked this year as HM Coastguard celebrates its milestone anniversary.

It was on 15 January 1822, that HM Coastguard was formally brought into existence and has been working to keep people safe at the coast Continue reading “UK Coastguard celebrates 200 years of service”

Leading Maritime Cities report 2022 by DNV and Menon published

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The leading maritime cities of the world 2022 - guideThe 2022 edition of the Leading Maritime Cities (LMC) report was launched at an event hosted by the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF).

There have been many dramatic developments since the last edition of the LMC report was published in 2019. For one, we are still living with the pandemic. Two years of fluctuating restrictions have caused severe trade and travel upsets. Extreme weather events have made us all more acutely aware of the climate crisis, another major driver of change. Shipowners, charterers, cargo owners and lenders are gearing up for a decarbonized future, with rapid adoption of zero-carbon fuels expected over the next decade. Ongoing digitalization, including Continue reading “Leading Maritime Cities report 2022 by DNV and Menon published”

Over 5,000 lost Royal Navy vessels are now searchable on a database

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Royal Navy Logo The British Royal Navy has been around since the 16th century and over that time has lost its fair share of warships to accidents and enemy fire. In fact the full list of lost Royal Navy vessels is over 5,000. Working with the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust, it has compiled a full list of the thousands of vessels it has lost over the centuries and has released the searchable database to the public for use in further research.

The new Royal Navy Loss List covers about 5,100 warships and fleet auxiliaries lost in Britain’s naval service since 1512. It is limited to the Royal Navy’s own vessels – not Royal Air Force, Army, Coastguard and merchant vessels which may have had Royal Navy crewmembers. It excludes ships captured by the enemy, lost in the service of other navies or converted to merchant vessels after their naval service.

Created by the Trust in 2011, the list was originally intended to help legal and conservation experts protect Royal Navy wrecks around the globe. Its Continue reading “Over 5,000 lost Royal Navy vessels are now searchable on a database”

IIMS subsidiary, the Marine Surveying Acamadey Ltd, acquires the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers

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DIAGS LogoThe International Institute of Marine Surveying has announced that the Marine Surveying Academy Ltd (MSA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of IIMS, has acquired the now liquidated Institution of Diagnostic Engineers with immediate effect, to include the intellectual property, brand name and organisation’s assets.

The Institution of Diagnostic Engineers (affectionately known worldwide as DIAGS) was founded in April 1981 by the late Dr. Ralph Collacott and notched up its fortieth year in 2021.

In recognition of the special knowledge and skills needed for the diagnosis of deterioration of plant and machinery and the development of Continue reading “IIMS subsidiary, the Marine Surveying Acamadey Ltd, acquires the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers”

The advice is keep batteries of any kind away from metal objects

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Destroyed lifejackets from an overheated batteryIn the January Safety Flashes document published by IMCA, a case has been summarised following the explosion of a lithium battery that burnt and damaged the ship’s lifejackets.

During a routine inspection on a vessel in cold lay-up, the lifejackets stored underneath a sitting bench in the wheelhouse were found burned and melted. No one was harmed in the incident.

A Lithium battery (3.6v) had exploded in one of the self-igniting lights. As the bench was in a properly closed position, without any gaps, Continue reading “The advice is keep batteries of any kind away from metal objects”

New guidance published to help reduce pilot transfer fatalities

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The ICS along with the MPA published the guide “Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements” on pilot transfer fatalities
The ICS along with the MPA published the guide “Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements” on pilot transfer fatalities

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) along with the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) published the guide “Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements”, updating maritime pilot transfer safety procedures amid industry concerns about poorly rigged ladders causing severe injuries or fatalities.

Seafarers should always check the condition of the ladder before it is rigged and ensure it is secured to the ship. While this is done, seafarers should always take care of their own safety, wearing all appropriate PPE. If seafarers are uncertain about any of the Continue reading “New guidance published to help reduce pilot transfer fatalities”

MCA consultation of new guidance for persons with reduced mobility on small passenger vessels

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MCA Logo - A consultation has opened for meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility
A consultation has opened for meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility

On 5 January 2022 the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) published a consultation on an amendment to update MGN 306(M) Designing and Operating Smaller Passenger Vessels: Meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility. The reason for looking to publish an amended version of the MGN is to update it in certain areas due to changes in legislation, documentation, practice and to obtain the views of interested parties. Continue reading “MCA consultation of new guidance for persons with reduced mobility on small passenger vessels”

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