Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are an environmental issue experienced globally, affecting countries and industries. As one of the measures to decarbonise road transportation by reducing GHG emissions from automobiles, car manufacturers have been developing EVs that are powered by lithium-ion batteries (LiB) instead of conventional fuels, which has caused safety issues transporting EV’s. Continue reading “MTF’s report highlights critical safety issues of transporting EV’s”
Operating a maritime business is inherently risky. This is so for inland commerce, open ocean navigation, and everything in between. Not only are maritime professionals subject to the whims of Mother Nature, but much of the work itself is dynamic, involving massive vessels, heavy machinery, and hazardous materials. Accordingly, anyone engaged in the maritime industry – from deckhands, machinery operators, and engineers to captains, shoreside support staff, and corporate officers – must be ready to respond to a crisis at a moment’s notice. Because an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure, leaders of maritime businesses should expect that crises will occur and train their workforce for the inevitable, a systematic approach is needed to maritime risks. Continue reading “A systematic approach to maritime risks”
Some offshore wind turbine (OWT) support structures may fall short of required fatigue reliability of offshore wind turbine structures, according to a new Lloyd’s Register (LR) report.
The case study evaluated a North Atlantic offshore wind farm of 60–70 turbines (500–600 MW capacity). Offshore wind turbines are typically designed for 25 years of service, using a fatigue design factor of three—implying a minimum required Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register: Fatigue reliability of offshore wind turbine structures”
A recent INTERCARGO report highlighted cargo liquefaction as the greatest contributor to loss of life at sea in the preceding decade. Despite improved safety, cargo liquefaction incidents continued to occur. Although ship losses due to cargo liquefaction accounted for less than 20% of all vessel casualties during that period, they resulted in the loss of 70 lives, representing over 60% of the total fatalities. In other words, if cargo liquefaction occurs on a bulk carrier, it is more likely to result in loss of life than any other type of incident. It is important we have an understanding in liquefaction and dynamic separation in solid bulk cargoes. Continue reading “Understanding liquefaction and dynamic separation in solid bulk cargoes”
Gard saw five fires originating in the main and auxiliary engines in the first month of 2025 alone. Tragically, some of these engine room fires resulted in fatalities and serious injuries to seafarers. While it is too early to draw any conclusions about how the rest of the year will go, it may be helpful to review experiences from recent years. Although the main cause of these fires may not be identical, there are certain similarities in the underlying patterns of the fires. Every year fires on board ships lead to loss of lives and severe damage to the vessels themselves. Most fires on board ships originate in the engine room Continue reading “Engine room fires are still a major concern”
The IMO has introduced SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13 through Resolution MSC.532(107), setting new requirements for lifting appliances and anchor handling winches. These updates will take effect on 1 January 2026, ensuring enhanced safety and operational standards across the maritime industry. Class News, released by Lloyd’s Register, covers the requirements for lifting appliances, while a separate publication addressing anchor handling winches will follow. The SOLAS amendments are supplemented by the IMO MSC.1/Circ.1663 Guidelines for Lifting Appliances. Continue reading “New SOLAS requirements for Lifting Appliances”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) highlighted effective fire detector placement after Tarka II. A fishing vessel that caught fire last year near Tatoosh Island, Washington. “Installation of smoke and fire detectors in spaces that are typically uncrewed when underway, such as the engine room, allows for the earliest detection and notification of a fire, maximizing the time for operators to respond to the fire or take actions to abandon the vessel,” the marine investigation report said. Continue reading “NTSB highlights fire detector placement after Tarka II”
The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) 110th session, otherwise known as IMO MSC 110 summary, took place in June to discuss key maritime safety and security matters.
And Lloyd’s Register (LR) has provided a summary of the outcomes from the meeting.
Key issues that MSC is considering at the moment include the development of a safety regulatory framework supporting the reduction of GHG using alternative fuels and new technologies, and developing a Code for autonomous ships. Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register: IMO MSC 110 summary”
The IMPA Safety Campaign 2025 is an annual initiative dedicated to improving the safety of pilot transfer arrangements worldwide.
This year’s results reveal that observed non-compliance remains high, at 14%, based on over 5,000 reports received in May 2025. This underscores the ongoing need for strict compliance and shared responsibility among all parties involved. Continue reading “IMPA Safety Campaign 2025”
The marine surveying industry has changed dramatically over the almost 50 years we’ve been boating. Back in the early days there were not any standards or certifying organizations for surveyors and still rules are adapting to thing surveyors cannot find. Those that had industry experience and connections just ‘hung out their shingle’. Some were very good and some were very bad! Continue reading “Things surveyors cannot find”
Coal is a fossil fuel with varying properties, depending on its source and handling before it is loaded aboard ship. Some coals can self- heat, and some emit methane – characteristics that can create fire and explosion risks to the crew, vessel and cargo making coal cargoes dangerous.
Røyset said that Gard had seen several cases involving problematic coal cargoes, particularly those originating in Indonesia. She said that her particular focus in this article was how to deal with a cargo Continue reading “Coal Cargoes: Avoiding Explosion and Self-Heating”
All fire protection systems onboard and appliances should at all times be in good order and available for immediate use while a ship is in service. A helpful recent Marine Notice by the Palau Ship Registry highlights and gives guidance about the requirements of their inspection regime.
Fire protection systems need to be inspected weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually, as follows to ensure proper functioning. Continue reading “Do you know when fire protection systems onboard should be inspected?”
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