Insulation panels contaminated with oil caused fire

Site of the fire - Photo credit: FEBIMA
Site of the fire – Photo credit: FEBIMA

Belgium’s Federal Bureau for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents (FEBIMA) has released its investigation report into the fire that broke out on board TSHD UILENSPIEGEL resulting in damage to the engine room caused by contaminated insulation panels.

On 26 January 2021,TSHD UILENSPIEGEL was moored at pier 0 at Lisnave shipyard, Setubal, Portugal. The vessel was afloat again after a period in dry dock where maintenance had been carried out, including an overhaul of the vessel’s main engines. The ship’s crew had been involved in the overhaul task, together with shipyard personnel and a service engineer from MAN, the manufacturer of the main engines. On the morning of 26 January, the running in of the main engines commenced. Continue reading “Insulation panels contaminated with oil caused fire”

Report analyzes role of ship fuel oil assessment and quantity verification

Report analyzes role of ship fuel oil assessment and quantity verification
Report analyzes role of ship fuel oil assessment and quantity verification

A new report from Thetius and Lloyd’s Register analyzes the role of ship fuel oil assessment and quantity verification during “uncertain times.”

Variations in bunker fuel quality have been a pressing issue for some time and lobbying for tighter bunker licensing and chain of custody schemes aimed at improving supply chain transparency have increased in recent years. But as operators and insurers are witnessing, the problem of off-spec and poor quality bunker fuel is at constant risk of resurgence. Changes to the geographic orientations of global bunker fuel markets are another influential factor.

According to the report, to meet growing local demand, Europe Continue reading “Report analyzes role of ship fuel oil assessment and quantity verification”

Safer Seas Digest 2021 published by NTSB

Safter Seas Digest 2021The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its 96 page Safer Seas Digest 2021, highlighting the most important lessons learned from 31 maritime tragedies that took place over the course of last year including capsizings, contact, collisions, fires, flooding and groundings.

Among the key investigations included in the report are the sinking of Scandies Rose, where five lives were lost, and the capsizing of Golden Ray, one of the most expensive marine accidents in history.

In brief, some of the key lessons learned from the Safety Digest are: Continue reading “Safer Seas Digest 2021 published by NTSB”

Dutch ship fatal accident caused by wood rot says investigation

three deaths caused by wood rot says investigation
three deaths caused by wood rot says investigation

An investigation into the fatal accident onboard the Amicitia where its mast broke and killed three people has revealed wood rot as the cause. The Dutch Safety Branch report revealed that there was no maintenance plan for the mast in question. The mast certificate issued in 2012, which was valid until 2018, caused the captain to think that this safety critical part of the ship met all safety requirements.

”In order to guarantee the safety of passengers, the historic ships sector must professionalise. With the commercial growth of the past decades, a backlog has been built up in knowledge and expertise about the safe maintenance of these special ships,” said the report. Continue reading “Dutch ship fatal accident caused by wood rot says investigation”

BSU report into cargo hold ladder death on Seoul Express

BSU report into death of a crew member who fell from a cargo hold ladder on Seoul Express
BSU report into death of a crew member who fell from a cargo hold ladder on Seoul Express

On 27 March 2021, the Seoul Express was approximately 52 nm off the coast of Mexico en route from Manzanillo to Long Beach in the United States. The ship was engaged in regular service between various ports in the Mediterranean, Central America and the west coast of North America.

At the end of his morning watch, the later deceased first watchman of the 4-8 watch (deployed at sea as a lookout, referred to below as ‘watchman’) began the usual inspection of the temperatures of the loaded fish meal containers at 0700 on the instructions of the chief mate, who was in charge of the navigational watch. This involved checking 11 containers in Bays 9 10, 29 and 31 during the voyage in question. Continue reading “BSU report into cargo hold ladder death on Seoul Express”

Excessive container and cargo weight putting stress on containerships

Excessive container and cargo weight putting stress on containerships
Excessive container and cargo weight putting stress on containerships

According to Peter Peltenburg, CEO of Dutch-based Cargo Care Solutions, the weight of extra containers and cargo is placing massive amounts of stress on ships’ hatch covers and lashing gear. Containership owners are placing more emphasis on the repair and maintenance of their hatch covers and container lashing equipment as the full loading caused by trong market conditions impacts the condition of their ships.

“With the current strong market conditions, shipowners cannot afford to incur any downtime of their vessels due to a lack of maintenance. And it is the same when it comes to vessel damage impacting on the vessel’s cargo carrying capacity. If you lose any capacity then vessel Continue reading “Excessive container and cargo weight putting stress on containerships”

Electrical failure leading to loss of steering on bulk carrier

Damages of an electrical fire - Background image: J Claverie
Background image: J Claverie

An electrical failure caused a bulk carrier to lose steering and crash into a barge near New Orleans last year, resulting in an estimated $6 million in damages, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report reveals.

The bulk carrier Jalma Topic was transiting upriver on the Lower Mississippi River on July 12, 2021, when it lost steering and struck a stationary barge that was being used for office space. No injuries were reported.

During the voyage, the rudder became stuck at port 10 degrees. According to the report, when the pilot noticed the rudder was not responding he took immediate Continue reading “Electrical failure leading to loss of steering on bulk carrier”

ATSB issues report into fire onboard the BBC Rhonetal

Fire support vessels hosing down the shipThe Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has published safety recommendations to the managers and parent company of the cargo ship BBC Rhonetal, following an investigation into a fire in the hold of the vessel at Port Hedland, Western Australia in March 2021.

1 Origin of the fire

Shortly before smoke was observed rising from the lower hold, the bosun had been cutting fastenings with a plasma torch in an area on the tween deck which was located above a vibrating screen assembly stowed in the lower hold. Continue reading “ATSB issues report into fire onboard the BBC Rhonetal”

Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and qualification set for major relaunch

Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and qualification set for major relaunch
Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and qualification set for major relaunch

The past couple of years have presented challenges for the resilient global superyacht industry, not least for those whose role it is to inspect and report on the complex coatings systems. The pandemic and other factors beyond the Registered Marine Coatings Inspector (RMCI) team’s control brought the successful programme to a temporary halt. But recent news from RMCI states that the marine coatings inspector is due for a relaunch.

Continue reading “Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and qualification set for major relaunch”

Hull and machinery underwriters have significant challenges ahead

Hull and machinery underwriters have significant challenges ahead
Hull and machinery underwriters have significant challenges ahead

Speaking recently at the IUMI (International Union of Marine Insurance) conference from Chicago, Rama Chandran, chairperson on the Ocean Hull Committee, expressed concern over the long-term sustainability of the hull and machinery insurance sector.

He said: “Whilst it is encouraging to see the 2021 premium base growing from the previous year we face deteriorating loss ratios, albeit from a low 2020 base. Premium base has only recently begun to creep upwards following a sustained decline since 2012. The increase of 4.1% is lower than the 6% seen last year and the reducing quantum is a worrying trend. This is likely due to increased market capacity, particularly from London and Latin America which is a surprise for many.” Continue reading “Hull and machinery underwriters have significant challenges ahead”

Global Maritime Issues Monitor reveals the coming impacts for shipping

Global Maritime Issues Monitor logo
Global Maritime Issues Monitor logo

The fifth annual Global Maritime Issues Monitor has revealed that senior maritime decision-makers believe the maritime industry will be most impacted by the decarbonization of shipping and new environmental regulations in the next decade. At the same time, geopolitical issues and skill shortages rise in prominence as an area of concern.

Following the war in Ukraine, geopolitical tension has become one of the top concerns in the industry. The industry’s preparedness to face these tensions, however, is still rated as high. Compared to last year’s results, the expected impact of changing trade patterns has likewise increased. Continue reading “Global Maritime Issues Monitor reveals the coming impacts for shipping”

ICHCA guidance on safe lifting of ISO containers

Containers tacked ontop of each otherThe International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) has published a safety brifing document to offer advice into some of the safety principles associated with safe lifting of ISO containers and tanks using hooks and wires.

According to ICHCA, any lifting operation of this type should be undertaken by competent persons in compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks and is the responsibility of the duty holder for safe lifting.

The use of gantry cranes and spreaders is the optimal and preferred method Continue reading “ICHCA guidance on safe lifting of ISO containers”

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