The Liberian Administration has released guidance on how to comply with the recent focused trend of inspection of machinery spaces by various Port State Control (PSC) regimes to help with PSC firefighting.
There has been an increased focus on the proper operation of PSC firefighting equipment and cleanliness of machinery spaces. Specifically, the following items are consistently noted by Port State Control Officers: Continue reading “Guidance on PSC firefighting and clean machinery spaces”
The American Bureau of Shipping has published the January 2024 Edition of Guide for Performance Standards for Corrosion Protection.
Corrosion protection requirements are specified in SOLAS Chapter II-1/3-2 for protective coatings of dedicated seawater ballast tanks in all types of ships and protective coatings of double-side skin spaces of bulk carriers, and in SOLAS Chapter II-1/3-11 for protective coatings or corrosion resistance materials of cargo oil tanks of crude oil tankers.
SOLAS Chapter II-1/3-11 specifies additional corrosion protection requirements for the cargo oil tanks of crude oil tankers contracted on or after 1 January 2013. Continue reading “ABS publishes the January 2024 Edition of Guide for Performance Standards for Corrosion Protection”
Managers of the two vessels involved in a fatal crew transfer ladder accident off Brisbane, Australia, had not ensured personnel had a common and complete understanding of how the transfer would be conducted, an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation has concluded.
On 9 August 2021, crew were being transferred to and from the bulk carrier Formosabulk Clement via the launch boat PT Transporter in the Port of Brisbane anchorage, about five nautical miles off the coast.
The operation involved multiple visits from PT Transporter to transfer crew on and off the anchored bulk carrier. Continue reading “Fatal pilot ladder accident has enduring lessons is report finding”
A new initiative was rolled out and launched in September by Chubb. A new Lloyd’s of London consortium has been created (which Chubb will lead) that is designed to provide insurance coverage for risks associated with the transit and storage of lithium battery.
The consortium was created to address a lack of capacity in the marine cargo market for providing lithium battery transit and stock insurance. It provides a one-stop solution with limits up to $50 million for risk types associated with lithium batteries including transit, stock throughput, standalone stock and warehouse legal liability, and will include excess stock and part orders. Continue reading “Chubb launches Lloyd’s consortium to address lithium battery risk”
On Saturday 16th September 2023, I had the absolute pleasure to attend the one day conference at Hotel Agrabad, Chittagong, Bangladesh, as Guest of Honour, to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Marine Surveyors Association of Bangladesh (MSAB). An audience of more than 100 delegates from the marine surveying profession and wider local shipping industry had assembled to take part in the event. The conference was also broadcast live via Facebook. Continue reading “Marine Surveyors Association of Bangladesh celebrating thirty years”
Using an ambitious but feasible set of actions, a new report concludes that ammonia-powered vessels will not only be commercially viable but with an aggressive path and broad use of subsidies could be possible as early as 2026. The new analysis from the Global Maritime Forum is the second phase of a project focusing on a first-of-its-kind ammonia-powered gas carrier and reiterates the research’s strong support for ammonia saying they believe the cost gap between operating ships on zero-emission ammonia and conventional fuel could be closed before 2030. Continue reading “Ammonia powered vessels could be economical as early as 2026 concludes new report”
Four years after the fire aboard the Conception dive boat claimed 34 lives, the National Transportation Safety Board renewed its call for the US Coast Guard to require safety management systems (SMS) policy for passenger vessels.
The recommendation for the SMS policy, which the NTSB reissued following its investigation of 2 September 2019 into the fire aboard the Conception, remains open. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy sent a letter to the Coast Guard Commandant emphasizing the need to issue the regulations within 30 days. Continue reading “NTSB renews call for passenger vessels to need an SMS policy”
A commercial yacht manning advisory has been issued by the Maltese Merchant Shipping Directorate (MMSD) to remind all yacht owners about manning responsibilities.
Under Section 17 of the Malta Commercial Yacht Code (CYC), all yachts of 24m and above in length have to carry a valid Minimum Safe Manning Certificate, while yachts uner 24m must follow the minimum safe manning requirements as detailed in Section 17.
The Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (for yachts > 24m) and the Safe Manning Scales (for yachts < 24m) are applicable for all international and domestic voyages. As detailed in Section 17 of the CYC, the number of crew may be reduced when a yacht is not operational and is laid-up and/or wintering at berth. Continue reading “Maltese authorities issue commercial yacht manning advisory”
International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation handbook has been published.
The new edition of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) Handbook 2023/24 is a valuable source of information for professionals involved in oil, chemical and cargo spills from ships and features updated oil spill statistics amongst other things. Continue reading “International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Handbook 2023/24 published”
The Sub-Committee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments (III) 9th session took place 31 July to 04 August 2023 where, among other things, the draft amendments to the Procedures for Port State Control were finalised.Continue reading “Revised Port State Control procedures effective from January 2024”
The US Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis has published an investigation report about the capsizing of the liftboat Seacor Power in the Gulf of Mexico. The accident claimed the lives of 13 people.
On April 13, 2021, the liftboat made its way into the Gulf of Mexico from Port Fourchon destined for an offshore rig. On its journey, the boat encountered a severe storm and Seacor Power capsized. Just 6 of the 19 onboard the vessel owned by Seacor Marine were rescued. Among the dead was the boat’s captain, David Ledet. Continue reading “US Coast Guard issues final report on fatal liftboat capsizing”
The European Committee for drawing up Standards in the field of Inland Navigation (CESNI) has published a good practice guide on boosting cybersecurity awareness in inland navigation, focusing on ports. The good practice guide was developed in partnership with the European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP) and aims to be an accessible framework for all inland ports, regardless of their size or location in Europe. Here is an insight into the new publication and its key takeaways.
As the world continues to become more interconnected and more reliant on digital services, cybersecurity attacks are continually increasing. Several ports have been victims of cyberattacks in the past few years, Continue reading “Boosting cybersecurity awareness in inland navigation and especially for ports”
Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine