Panama implements new Precheck for vessels joining its registry

The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has implemented an additional safeguard called Precheck, a screening process that aims to ensure only compliant vessels join the Panama Ship Registry. The Precheck process involves a thorough risk assessment of various aspects related to the vessel, its owner, operator, and/or charterer before applying for the entry into the Panama Ship Registry to ensure that the vessel meets the international standards regarding safety, environmental protection, crew welfare, and to promote cooperation and best practices in the maritime industry.

According to the PMA, a key benefit of Precheck is its ability to prevent “flag-hopping”, a practice where vessels jump from one registry to another to avoid compliance, evade sanctions, or engage in illicit activities. Continue reading “Panama implements new Precheck for vessels joining its registry”

Inventory of Hazardous Materials

Run aground ship
Run aground ship – Inventory of Hazardous Materials

The updated Hong Kong Convention will enter into force on 26 June 2025. It will require new ships and existing ships of 500 GT and above – no later than 5 years after the entry into force of the Convention, or before going for recycling, if this is earlier – to have onboard a valid International Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) certificate.

The Hong Kong Convention was first adopted in 2009 to address, in a legally binding instrument, the environmental, occupational health and safety risks related to ship recycling, taking into account the particular characteristics of maritime transport and the need to secure the smooth withdrawal of ships that have reached the end of their operating lives. Continue reading “Inventory of Hazardous Materials”

Updated Port Marine Safety Code extends reach to UK Marinas

Department of Transport - Updated Port Marine Safety Code extends reach to UK Marinas
Department of Transport – Updated Port Marine Safety Code extends reach to UK Marinas

In a significant move to strengthen maritime safety across the UK, the Department for Transport has issued an updated version of the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) with clear expectations that marinas and other non-statutory marine facilities bring their safety practices in line with the national framework.

Originally introduced in 2000, the PMSC has long applied to statutory harbour authorities. However, the latest revision now explicitly includes all marine facilities, including privately operated marinas, piers, jetties, and terminals, even when located outside of traditional harbour jurisdictions. Continue reading “Updated Port Marine Safety Code extends reach to UK Marinas”

BSU report into Endurance collision with pier

BSU investigation Endurance collision report published
BSU investigation Endurance collision report published

The German Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has released its report into the collision with a pier/dry dock by the car carrier Endurance due to broken lines in Bremerhaven on 13 March 2021.

What happened?

The car carrier Endurance was moored starboard side in Bremerhaven’s Verbindungshafen connecting port on 13 March 2021. Continue reading “BSU report into Endurance collision with pier”

Bills of Lading: Basic concepts and issues

Introduction

A bills of lading is a contractual document issued by the carrier by sea of goods which such carrier takes possession of and transports. Generally, a bill of lading would contain details about the transported goods such as the type, quantity, weight, value, and date of shipment of such goods. From a definitional perspective, it is difficult to give a precise definition of a bill of lading, but it could certainly be said to possess the following essential attributes:

(i)It serves as a transport receipt which the carrier gives to the seller for transporting his goods;

(ii)It serves as evidence of contract between the carrier and the exporter; and

(iii)It serves as a document of title for the importer or the buyer.

From the above, it is evident that there are the following parties primarily involved: Continue reading “Bills of Lading: Basic concepts and issues”

Norwegian Gov introduces zero-emission requirement

Norwegian Maritime Authority on world heritage fjordsThe Norwegian Government has decided to introduce zero-emission requirements in the World Heritage fjords. In a circular the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) confirmed the changes will be effective from 1 January 2026 for passenger ships of less than 10,000 gross tonnage and from 1 January 2032 for passenger ships of 10,000 gross tonnage and upwards. Continue reading “Norwegian Gov introduces zero-emission requirement”

EU assesses potential inclusion of small ships under EU MRV

Ship HornsThe European Commission has published a report assessing the potential inclusion of small ships between 400 and 5000 gross tonnage under the scope of the EU regulation for the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of maritime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The analysis identifies that over 5300 smaller vessels, which are emitting around 11 million tonnes of CO2 every year, are currently not covered by the legislation.

“Including these ships could increase the amount of emissions covered by the legislation by around 9%, while expanding the number of regulated ships by around 42%,” the Commission stated. Continue reading “EU assesses potential inclusion of small ships under EU MRV”

Sri Lanka to implement regulatory framework for the boating industry

men in a meeting room The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) has taken a significant step towards fostering the growth of Sri Lanka’s boat building and boating industry by taking initiatives to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework. This framework aims to enhance the sector’s potential, driving it forward with greater international competitiveness. To ensure effective understanding and collaboration, the EDB organized awareness creation sessions for both public and private sector stakeholders, to aware them on the recent gazette notification issued on the regulatory framework. Continue reading “Sri Lanka to implement regulatory framework for the boating industry”

New report data highlights dangers of maritime cyber threats

The lifecycle dilemmaOnly 1 in 6 shipowners fully understand what a cyber-secure vessel should look like upon delivery, highlighting a critical gap in the industry’s approach to maritime cybersecurity. The report, jointly published by Thetius, CyberOwl, a DNV company and HFW, explores key stakeholder challenges and approaches to managing cybersecurity and cyber threats across the lifecycle of a vessel.

The Lifecycle Dilemma: Navigating Cybersecurity Risks Across Designing, Constructing and Operating a Vessel delves into the shifting risks and disconnected approaches in cybersecurity across each stage from initial design Continue reading “New report data highlights dangers of maritime cyber threats”

USCG issues alert for defective heat detectors

USCG logoThe U.S. Coast Guard has issued a safety alert regarding the issue of defective heat detectors that were discovered during an engine room fire investigation.

The Coast Guard recently investigated an engine room fire on board an inspected towing vessel which led to the discovery of issues with the maintenance and installation of fire detection systems on board multiple towing vessels. During the investigation, several towing vessels were discovered to have defective heat detectors installed in their engine rooms. Continue reading “USCG issues alert for defective heat detectors”

New loading conditions for transporting grain in bulk

ABS LogoThe American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has released guidance on an update to International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk, which is set to take effect on 1 January 2026.

The IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted resolution MSC.552(108) at its 108th session in May 2024, which includes amendments to the Grain Code. Continue reading “New loading conditions for transporting grain in bulk”

Enforced ISO bunker sampling standard for Port of Rotterdam

Dutch authorities are set to enforce ISO bunker sampling standard in Port of Rotterdam, according to the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA).

The Association has said the IBIA Secretariat has received information from the Port of Rotterdam that the Inspectorate for Environment and Transport in the Netherlands is planning for the Port of Rotterdam to strictly enforce the rules for fuel oil sampling (the MARPOL sample) on board the receiving vessel via drip sampling to conform with ISO 13739. Continue reading “Enforced ISO bunker sampling standard for Port of Rotterdam”

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