International News

Fires on vessels present serious dangers to passengers, crew, and firefighters. They can have significant environmental impact and can affect billion-dollar commerce in busy ports. Marine fires present unique hazards that are incredibly dangerous and challenging incidents for marine firefighters to respond to, including vessel instability, tight onboard spaces, and the need for specialized resources that are not typically available in many ports.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the non-partisan, fact-based arm of Congress, recently published a report highlighting the prevalence of these fires and the Coast Guard’s efforts address them. Continue reading “U.S. Coast Guard addressing marine firefighting challenges, but worrying gaps remain”

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”

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”

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”