LNG-fueled vessels lead alternative-fueled newbuild market

LNG-fueled vessels lead alternative-fueled newbuild market
LNG-fueled vessels lead alternative-fueled newbuild market

The latest annual data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed that within the container segment, alternative fuels dominated, with the fuel mix by tonnage approximately 58 percent LNG, 36 percent conventional fuels, and 6 percent methanol.

A total of 275 orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in 2025, representing a year-on-year decrease of 47%. This mirrored a broader drop in the overall newbuild market, which fell to 2,403 orders, from 4,405 in 2024. Continue reading “LNG-fueled vessels lead alternative-fueled newbuild market”

Safe Carriage of Refrigerated Cargo in Containers

Steamship Mutual P&I Club has published guidance highlighting critical aspects and considerations for preventing losses associated with reefer cargo. Reefer cargo carriage otherwise known as refrigerated cargo in containers involves transporting perishable or temperature sensitive goods that require controlled temperature, humidity, and airflow to maintain quality during transit. Proper handling, monitoring, and documentation are essential to prevent losses and ensure cargo integrity, the guidance advises. Continue reading “Safe Carriage of Refrigerated Cargo in Containers”

West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes

West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes
West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes

West P&I Club has highlighted the issue surrounding wet weather loading Group A IMSBC cargoes.

The Club said it has recently seen several instances regarding loading bulk cargoes that are categorised as Group A cargoes under the IMSBC Code during precipitation.

Group A cargoes should never be loaded where it has been determined that the moisture content of the cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML). It is therefore understandable that some vessels opt to restrict the amount of moisture that the cargo is exposed to by avoiding loading during periods of precipitation. Continue reading “West P&I Club loss prevention information on wet weather loading Group A cargoes”

Key tips for transferring plastic pellets in containers

Carriage of plastic pellets in containers is the subject of new guidance from the Steamship Mutual P&I Club
Carriage of plastic pellets in containers is the subject of new guidance from the Steamship Mutual P&I Club

Steamship Mutual P&I Club has provided guidance on the risks associated with the carriage of plastic pellets in containers and provides practical measures to prevent spillage and protect the marine environment.

Understanding the risks of plastic pellets
According to the Club, in recent years, several high-profile incidents have occurred, such as the Trans Carrier in 2020 and the XPress Pearl in 2021, where containers have fallen overboard and resulted in the release of plastic pellets into seas and oceans with subsequent harm to the marine environment. Continue reading “Key tips for transferring plastic pellets in containers”

CINS issues guidance on shipping lithium-ion cells in containers

CINS issues guidance on shipping lithium-ion cells in containers
CINS issues guidance on shipping lithium-ion cells in containers

CINS – the Cargo Incident Network System – has published its CINS Lithium- ion Cells Guidelines. Published in conjunction with the International Group of P&I Clubs and the TT Club, the document has been produced by Members of the CINS Lithium-ion Cells Work Group and offers guidance on shipping lithium-ion cells.

Lithium-ion cells are primary elements of a battery and can exist in various forms. Commonly used in portable electronics and electric vehicles, their defining characteristic is the ability to accumulate, store and release electrical energy through the movement of lithium-ions between a positive and a negative electrode. Continue reading “CINS issues guidance on shipping lithium-ion cells in containers”

New guidelines to enhance efficiency of container stowage

New guidelines to enhance efficiency of container stowage
New guidelines to enhance efficiency of container stowage

ClassNK has released new guidelines for those involved in container shipping, aiming to enhance the efficiency of container stowage while ensuring safety measures such as preventing cargo collapse.

According to ClassNK, these guidelines apply the latest expertise in weather forecasting, ship motion, and digital twin technologies. The newly released guidelines enable safer and higher-capacity container shipping by optimizing stowage based on weather forecasts for short-term voyages and by taking advantage of the roll reduction effects of anti-rolling devices. Continue reading “New guidelines to enhance efficiency of container stowage”

Container ship fires on the rise again?

Container ship fires on the rise again?
Container ship fires on the rise again?

After a seemingly ‘benign’ period, we have seen several serious container ship fires lately, including a large one leading to tragic loss of life. Congested ports in Asia and increasing traffic of large container ships around Africa are also a cause for concern. Which begs the question: are container ship fires on the rise again?

Cargo-related fires on board container ships have long been a hot topic in the industry – and rightly so: In 2023, we saw on average one container cargo fire every 9 days, according to statistics from Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS). This is an increase compared with 2020, when the number was approximately one container fire every two weeks. Continue reading “Container ship fires on the rise again?”

Proper Towage of mixed cargoes on bulk carriers

Proper Towage of mixed cargoes on bulk carriers
Proper Towage of mixed cargoes on bulk carriers

The American P&I Club has raised concerns that have arisen regarding the loading of finished and unfinished steel products alongside break-bulk, containerized, and project cargoes in the same cargo hold of bulk carriers. Which has caused American P&I Club to create instructions on proper towage of mixed cargoes on bulk carriers.

Examples of break-bulk, containerized, and project cargoes include large, heavy, oversized items, machinery parts, crates, and heavy-duty wheeled items such as trucks, cranes, or pay loaders. Unlike vessels dedicated to carrying break-bulk, containerized, or project cargoes, bulk carriers are not fitted with suitable lashing and securing arrangements. Continue reading “Proper Towage of mixed cargoes on bulk carriers”

Guidance on the carriage of grain and seed cargoes

Guidance on the carriage of grain and seed cargoes
Guidance on the carriage of grain and seed cargoes

Fuel consumed on board a ship requires heating to pump it from its storage to its settling or service tanks. However, some cargoes are extremely heat sensitive and therefore heating of tanks adjacent to cargo holds should be done with caution. The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC) identifies the following as heated ship structures and offers guidance on the carriage of grain and seed cargoes:

  • steam pipes;
  • heating coils;
  • top or side walls  of heated fuel and  cargo tanks, and; bulkheads of  machinery spaces

Continue reading “Guidance on the carriage of grain and seed cargoes”

Safe carriage of charcoal in containers

Safe carriage of charcoal in containers
Safe carriage of charcoal in containers

The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) Charcoal Work Group has updated its “Guidelines for the Safe Carriage of Charcoal in Containers”, reflecting the updated IMDG Code requirements, Britannia P&I Club has highlighted.

The 2024 edition of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code included changes in the requirements applying to charcoal. This edition, incorporating Amendment 42-24, became voluntary from 1 January 2025 and will become mandatory from 1 January 2026. According to Britannia Club, charcoal as a cargo presents unique stowage and handling requirements and requires strict safety protocols. In addition to the fire hazard, misdeclaration is known to result in the carrier being unaware of the risks. Continue reading “Safe carriage of charcoal in containers”

Electronic inclinometers for new bulk carriers and container ships

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

 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”

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