The Hague Rules: 100 years old and still standing

The Hague Rules: 100 years old and still standing
The Hague Rules: 100 years old and still standing

Is simplicity a reason for the success of the Hague Rules? In this opinion piece, Mark Russell, Head of Cargo Claims in Gard, outlines the history – and looks to the future – in a world of competing cargo carriage regimes.

The Hague Rules came into being 100 years ago this year, becoming the first international convention governing the rights and obligations under bills of lading for the carriage of goods by sea. As the volume of internationally traded goods grew, the Hague Rules were born out of a need for uniformity in the allocation of risk between shipowners and cargo interests. Continue reading “The Hague Rules: 100 years old and still standing”

EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan

EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan
EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan. Source: Marindows Inc.

Tokyo Kisen Co., Ltd. and Marindows Inc. have officially launched Japan’s first pure battery-powered EV harbor tugboat development project.

The EV harbor tugboat will operate in the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki and aims to contribute to “zero GHG emissions from the ports” in accordance with the Carbon Neutral Port (CNP) policy.

In January 2023, Tokyo Kisen put into service TAIGA — Japan’s first series-hybrid electric-powered tugboat equipped with a large-capacity Continue reading “EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan”

Valve failures is the lead cause of ammonia-related maritime accidents

EMSA has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents
EMSA has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in its newest series of reports regarding the safety of ammonia use in ships has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents. Among the alternative fuel options, anhydrous ammonia has drawn a lot of interest from the marine industry for its potential to become a long-term solution for decarbonisation. The comprehensive review of accidents however, highlighted on EMSA’s report “Safety of Ammonia for Use in Ships”, has underscored critical causes of these incidents that allow identifying recurring patterns and highlighting critical areas for preventive or corrective measures for application in the maritime sector. Continue reading “Valve failures is the lead cause of ammonia-related maritime accidents”

AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 published

The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 is published and is available to read   
The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 is published and is available to read

The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 has been published by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. It outlines a number of key compliance activities that support welfare, safety and pollution prevention across domestic and foreign-flagged vessels.

According to the AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026, the authority outlines priority activities for the upcoming year, providing industry with a clear understanding of the regulatory focus and rationale. Continue reading “AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 published”

Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting

Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting says US Coast Guard report
Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting says US Coast Guard report

The is a distressing case about a fatal accident that should never have happened. And as the investigation has revealed, a series of poor, inadequate and ineffective inspections and surveys that failed to discover serious rotten wood, would appear to be largely to blame.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has released a critical report on the demasting of a historic schooner, blaming the catastrophic incident on rotten wood that had gone unnoticed for years due to poor inspections.

About three years after the mainmast of the 144-year-old schooner Grace Bailey Continue reading “Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting”

ABS IMO III 11 summary brief

ABS has provided an overview on the key issues at the ABS IMO III 11 summary brief.
ABS has provided an overview on the key issues at the ABS IMO III 11 summary brief.

The IMO Sub-Committee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments III held its 11th session in July 2025. Here is the ABS IMO III 11 in a summary brief.
The Sub-Committee has a key role in casualty analysis and issuing lessons learned from marine incidents. It receives and analyses port state control data and keeps under review the procedures for port state control. Guidelines for survey and certification including the survey guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) also come under the remit of this Sub-Committee. Continue reading “ABS IMO III 11 summary brief”

PFOS banned in fire extinguishing media from January 2026

From January 2026 PFOS will be banned in fire extinguishing media
From January 2026 PFOS will be banned in fire extinguishing media

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued a regulatory update stating that, PFOS will be banned in fire extinguishing media from January 2026 – including firefighting foam. This applies to both fixed and portable systems and equipment.

In particular, the IMO developed amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the High Speed Craft (HSC) Codes (1994 and 2000) which were adopted in the following resolutions: Continue reading “PFOS banned in fire extinguishing media from January 2026”

Achilles Bulker rudder broke off near Tauranga nearly runs aground

 Achilles Bulker pictured in 2022 near Nelson NZ. Credit: Steven Watkins
Achilles Bulker pictured in 2022 near Nelson NZ. Credit: Steven Watkins

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has published a report after bulk carrier Achilles Bulker lost its rudder in 2023.

What happened

On 24 July 2023, the fully loaded Achilles Bulker was under pilotage outbound from the Port of Tauranga. Shortly after clearing the harbour entrance, the ship’s heading began to swing to port and deviate from its intended track in the centre of the channel. As the bridge team took corrective action to return the ship to the centreline of the channel, the ship’s rudder broke off and the ship continued out of the Continue reading “Achilles Bulker rudder broke off near Tauranga nearly runs aground”

International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk update

DNV updates International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk
DNV updates International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk

DNV has sent out a news update on amendments to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk, which have been adopted by IMO Resolution MSC.552(108).

The Grain Code amendments enter into force 1 January 2026 and will be applicable to newbuildings with keel laid on or after this date. For existing ships, the amended Grain Code can also be applied to improve loading flexibility and demonstrate compliance with the new requirements. It is expected that there will be an increased attention on this loading pattern by inspectors in the larger grain exporting ports from 2026. Continue reading “International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk update”

India DGS: Marine Safety Investigation Report 2024 published

India DGS has published its 2024 Marine Safety Investigation Report
India’s DGS has published its 2024 Marine Safety Investigation Report

India’s Directorate General of Shipping Marine Safety Investigation Report 2024 has been published — which highlighted a 21.6% escalation in reported casualties compared to the previous year.

Last year, there was a total of 186 incidents with 78 marine casualties and 108 non-operational incidents. In 2023, there were 153 incidents with 74 casualties and 79 non-operational incidents. This showed a 21.6% increase in reported casualties in 2024 from 2023. Continue reading “India DGS: Marine Safety Investigation Report 2024 published”

West P&I Club on phased banning of scrubbers in North-East Atlantic waters

Historic phased banning of scrubbers in North-East Atlantic agreement
Historic phased banning of scrubbers in North-East Atlantic agreement

West P&I Club has highlighted the OSPAR Commission, composed of 15 governments and the European Union, which has agreed to a historic phased banning on scrubbers in the North-East Atlantic waters, marking the first regional regulation of its kind.

The decision was made at the OSPAR Ministerial Meeting in June 2025, with ministers expressing concerns about hazardous discharges from exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) on ships, Continue reading “West P&I Club on phased banning of scrubbers in North-East Atlantic waters”

BMA investigation of capsizing of Master Ru, four presumed dead

BMA investigation of capsizing of Master Ru, four presumed dead
BMA investigation of capsizing of Master Ru, four presumed dead

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has published a report into the investigation of  the capsizing of Master Ru, with four presumed dead and ro-pax vessel sank in The Bahamas in 2024.

On 11 July 2024, the Tanzania (Zanzibar) flagged passenger/ro-ro vessel, Master Ru, was carrying a cargo of bulk aggregate and construction equipment through the territorial seas of The Bahamas. After encountering a heavy squall, Continue reading “BMA investigation of capsizing of Master Ru, four presumed dead”

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