Health & Safety

Cat fines risk engine damage and operational delays

Posted on by News Hound

Recent bunker alerts have pointed to a growing presence of high-abrasive fuels containing cat fines in several regions, leading to further cat fines risk. The latest VPS Bunker Alerts confirm this upward trend, which is increasingly contributing to operational challenges and disputes within the shipping sector.

If not properly managed, cat fines can cause severe engine wear and, in extreme cases, lead to complete engine failure in a relatively short period of operation. Damage involving multiple cylinder liners and piston rings can be particularly costly and disruptive. Because vessels typically carry only one or two spare liners on board, extensive damage can quickly exceed onboard repair capacity. This often results in prolonged off-hire periods, as additional spare parts must be sourced and shipped in, with supply chain delays further extending repair timelines. Continue reading “Cat fines risk engine damage and operational delays”

Containership fires are pushing salvors to the limit

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Containership fires are pushing salvors to the limit. The fire broke out while the ship was alongside at Port of Los Angeles. Photo credit ISU
Containership fires are pushing salvors to the limit. The fire broke out while the ship was alongside at Port of Los Angeles. Photo credit ISU

The International Salvage Union’s long-standing concerns over containership fires have again been highlighted by recent incidents handled by Dutch salvage contractor SMIT, underlining the growing complexity of responding to fires aboard modern container vessels. US businessman Malcolm McLean introduced the intermodal shipping container 70 years ago, revolutionising transport of goods by eliminating the labour-intensive handling of cargo between modes of transport.

With containers, however, the contents are sealed and out of sight with only the paperwork indicating what is (or is not) inside the box.

Containers can carry everything from raw materials to manufactured products, including dangerous goods. When hazardous cargo is properly declared, it can be handled and segregated safely. However, industry concerns persist over misdeclared or undeclared dangerous goods, with some operators suspected of avoiding the higher costs associated with transporting hazardous cargo. Continue reading “Containership fires are pushing salvors to the limit”

EVs on roll-on and roll-off passenger ferries

Posted on by News Hound
EVs on roll-on and roll-off passenger ferries
EVs on roll-on and roll-off passenger ferries

CHIRP Maritime has issued guidance to support both operational and command-level decision-making by identifying EV-specific hazards, behaviours and uncertainties. According to CHIRP, Electric Vehicle (EV) fire risk is different, but not inherently higher. However, unfamiliarity with EV fire behaviour can significantly increase the consequences of an incident if these characteristics are not properly understood and anticipated.

EV incidents on RoPax ferries are low-frequency, high-consequence events. While incidents remain rare, limited operational experience and evolving evidence mean that risk understanding will continue to develop as EV carriage increases. A low probability of occurrence does not equate to low impact. Decision-making should therefore focus on consequence management, escalation potential, and time-dependent behaviour, rather than likelihood alone Continue reading “EVs on roll-on and roll-off passenger ferries”

Beware of improperly calibrated portable atmosphere testing instruments

Posted on by News Hound
The GX-9000 Portable Multi Gas Detector (shown here) is just one example
The GX-9000 Portable Multi Gas Detector (shown here) is just one example

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator has issued a warning for operators following rising USCG deficiencies linked to improperly calibrated portable atmosphere testing instruments.

RMI clarified that portable atmosphere testing instruments must be calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This can be done either on board the vessel or ashore, in line with IMO guidance and SOLAS requirements (International Maritime Organization Circular MSC.1/Circ.1561, compliance with the provision “suitable means shall be provided for the calibration of all such instruments” in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, Regulation XI-1/7). Calibration must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Continue reading “Beware of improperly calibrated portable atmosphere testing instruments”

Non-compliant wood packaging puts shipments at risk

Posted on by News Hound
Non-compliant wood packaging puts shipments at risk
Non-compliant wood packaging puts shipments at risk

The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has drawn attention to the often-overlooked risks that non-compliant wood packaging material (WPM) can pose to international cargo shipments. In a new guidance paper, IUMI examines the insurance implications of failing to comply with International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15), the international standard governing the use of wood packaging such as pallets, crates and dunnage in global trade. Continue reading “Non-compliant wood packaging puts shipments at risk”

USCG urges checks of the material condition of ageing fiberglass lifeboats

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USCG urges checks of the material condition of ageing fiberglass lifeboats
USCG urges checks of the material condition of ageing fiberglass lifeboats

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a safety alert to check the material condition of ageing fiberglass lifeboats and the need for thorough inspections of hook release systems and load-bearing components.

The safety alert addresses the importance of verifying the material condition of lifeboat fibreglass structures, metal components, and the hook release systems that secure lifeboats to ship davits. The Coast Guard is investigating a marine casualty in which a lifeboat suffered a fibreglass failure at the base of the hook release during launch, causing it to fall into the water and resulting in a total loss. This failure occurred despite regular, manufacturer-recommended inspections. Continue reading “USCG urges checks of the material condition of ageing fiberglass lifeboats”

Lifejackets set to become compulsory on small craft in New Zealand

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Lifejackets set to become compulsory on small craft in New Zealand
Lifejackets set to become compulsory on small craft in New Zealand

Parliament has passed the Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill. Everyone aboard a recreational vessel of six metres or under will need to wear a properly fitted lifejacket, or another approved personal flotation device, whenever the boat is moving as lifejackets set to become compulsory on all small craft. The rule becomes law 28 days after the Bill receives Royal Assent, the final formality before it takes effect.

Associate Transport Minister James Meager is behind the push, citing 17 deaths in recreational boating incidents last year, 12 of them people who weren’t wearing a lifejacket. He’s called the deaths preventable and the new rule a common-sense fix that’s been a long time coming. Continue reading “Lifejackets set to become compulsory on small craft in New Zealand”

India tightens loading rules for iron ore fines and Group A cargoes

Posted on by News Hound
India tightens loading rules for iron ore fines and Group A cargoes
India tightens loading rules for iron ore fines and Group A cargoes

Vessels heading to Indian ports to load iron ore fines and other Group A cargoes should note the revised procedure for loading, sailing clearance and surveys according to London P&I Club’s correspondent James Mackintosh & Co. Pvt. Ltd.

Following the very recent loss of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Ocean Winner, the Principal Officer, MMD Kolkata has, with immediate effect, imposed additional controls on the loading and sailing of vessels carrying iron ore fines, sand and other Group A (liquefiable) cargoes from ports under Kolkata Port jurisdiction, this would include Kolkata, Haldia, Budge Budge, Diamond Harbour, Paradip, Dhamra, Gopalpur and Port Blair. Continue reading “India tightens loading rules for iron ore fines and Group A cargoes”

Updated EU marine equipment directive requirements now in force

Posted on by News Hound
Credit: DNV
Credit: DNV

The 10th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1434 that amended the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) 2014/90/EU came into force on 31 August 2026.

And DNV has explained what this update means.

DNV’s essential points:

  • No new MED equipment was introduced, but the 10th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1434 updates requirements and test standards for a wide range of existing equipment.
  • Transition period: Marine equipment already compliant with national type-approval requirements before 23 September 2025 may continue to be placed on the market and installed on EU ships until 23 September 2028.
  • Manufacturers must ensure products comply with the updated regulation from 31 August 2026. Any Declarations of Conformity (DoC) issued after this date must reference the 10th Implementing Regulation, and some products may require new or additional testing before DNV can issue updated MED certificates.

Continue reading “Updated EU marine equipment directive requirements now in force”

AMSA issues updated GMDSS Handbook

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AMSA issues updated GMDSS Handbook
AMSA issues updated GMDSS Handbook

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued an updated edition of its Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Handbook, providing revised operational guidance for vessels operating within Australia’s maritime area of responsibility.

The new handbook has been substantially revised to focus on the practical information required for GMDSS operations in Australian waters, rather than serving as a textbook for GMDSS training courses. It replaces the previous, 11th edition published in January 2018. Continue reading “AMSA issues updated GMDSS Handbook”

Cargo fire initiative examines technology for earlier detection

Posted on by News Hound
Cargo fire initiative examines technology for earlier detection
Cargo fire initiative examines technology for earlier detection

Cargo fires and cargo loss remain major safety challenges for the maritime industry. Although vessel design, onboard safety systems and cargo-handling practices have improved, detecting a fire inside a container at an early stage remains difficult.

Fires can develop unnoticed within individual containers before conventional detection systems are able to identify them, potentially allowing an incident to escalate. The consequences can include loss of life, serious vessel damage, pollution, cargo losses and disruption to maritime trade. Continue reading “Cargo fire initiative examines technology for earlier detection”

Report into the Impacts of GNSS Interference on Maritime Safety published

Posted on by News Hound
Report into the Impacts of GNSS Interference on Maritime Safety published
Report into the Impacts of GNSS Interference on Maritime Safety published

The Impacts of GNSS Interference on Maritime Safety Report is a special report by the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) Maritime GNSS Interference Working Group revealing the impacts of GNSS Interference in the Maritime sector. Survey data was compiled from over 100 sector experts and 300 vessel Captains, supported by interviews with dozens of people involved in the operations and supply chain of vessels that regularly encounter GNSS interference.

GNSS interference refers to anything that disrupts a ship’s satellite-based positioning signals usually caused by: Jamming: blocking or overwhelming the satellite signals with noise so the receiver can’t get a position at all; or spoofing: feeding the receiver false satellite signals so it reports a wrong position that looks legitimate. Continue reading “Report into the Impacts of GNSS Interference on Maritime Safety published”

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