International News

Transport Malta issues safety alert over fire hazard caused by Lithium-ion batteries

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Safety alert over fire hazard caused by Lithium-ion batteries
Safety alert over fire hazard caused by Lithium-ion batteries issued by Transport Malta

Transport Malta has issued guidance to Maltese-registered vessels regarding the potential fire hazards associated with Lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells and batteries. The Marine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU) has issued a safety alert after being notified of several fires on board yachts and cargo vessels associated with Li-ion batteries.

The statement highlights the ‘fierce intensity’ of Li-ion battery fires, and also the potential challenges to control and extinguish them with the use of conventional fire-extinguishing systems.

Owners and managers of Maltese-registered vessels Continue reading “Transport Malta issues safety alert over fire hazard caused by Lithium-ion batteries”

CHIRP FEEDBACK number 68 published

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CHIRP Feedback guideIn his introduction to the CHIRP edition number 68, Adam Parnell, Director (Maritime),writes – Sadly, this edition of FEEDBACK contains several reports involving loss of life. They remind us that we cannot relax our vigilance, even for a moment, because the consequences can be fatal. Every death or serious injury at sea has repercussions far beyond the ship itself, not least for the family and friends whose lives are also irrevocably affected.

There are a number of themes running through this edition, and many of them will be depressingly familiar to our regular readers. Continue reading “CHIRP FEEDBACK number 68 published”

The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II announced

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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Photo credit: Joel Rouse/Ministry of Defence
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Photo credit: Joel Rouse/Ministry of Defence

News was released in the UK at about 18.30 on 8 September 2022 that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has passed away peacefully at Her beloved Balmoral Estate in Scotland. A period of 10 days mourning is to be observed in the UK before Her state funeral.

As news reports emerged during the day that Her close family were headed to Balmoral at speed, it became clear the situation was not good.

On behalf of its members, staff and the wider marine surveying community, IIMS would like to pay its respects to Her Majesty and to send condolences particularly to Her eldest son, King Charles III, who accedes Her to the throne, Her children and the rest of the Royal Family at this difficult time.

The Queen’s reign was the longest of any British Monarch. She dedicated Her entire adult life to serving Her people in the most dignified and graceful manner, service which was to span more than 70 years.

God save The King.

Carnage at sea in August. What’s happened and why?

Posted on by CEO
Superyacht Hooligan pictured. Photo credit - Nomme Rescue Unit, Tallin
Superyacht Hooligan pictured. Photo credit – Nomme Rescue Unit, Tallin

We hear all the time about exciting breakthroughs in new technology and enhanced safety management systems designed to keep lives and assets safe at sea. We read in various reports that, in general, the number of serious incidents and accidents is falling year on year. So, what on earth went wrong in August? It was carnage at sea! If you can help me to make sense of it all, please do so! Continue reading “Carnage at sea in August. What’s happened and why?”

International Group of P&I Clubs publishes its first Sustainability report

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Sustainability report 2022The International Group of P&I Clubs has published its first Sustainability report, exploring how the Group’s role and current activities align with and support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals as well as helping to facilitate global trade.

Shipping underpins global trade in a world that is more connected than ever and our industry has a responsibility to make a positive contribution to sustainability objectives. The spotlight on the sustainability of the shipping industry and the increasing expectations of all of our stakeholders have only reinforced the importance of understanding our impact and our potential. Continue reading “International Group of P&I Clubs publishes its first Sustainability report”

Latest DNV Maritime Forecast to 2050 report published

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DNV maritime winnersDuring a press conference at SMM 2022, DNV unveiled its latest Maritime Forecast to 2050 report with a new focus on how to overcome the “ultimate hurdle” of fuel availability. This year’s publication considers the comprehensive production, distribution and bunkering infrastructures required to enable the maritime industry’s shift to carbon-neutral fuels.

The report also presents an updated outlook on regulations, drivers, future technologies, and costs for decarbonizing shipping. It models two different decarbonization pathways: Continue reading “Latest DNV Maritime Forecast to 2050 report published”

Hidden corrosion can cause dangerous failures

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Examples of hidden corrosionThe US Coast Guard (USCG) has shared lessons learned from a recent marine casualty that resulted in a severe injury to a crewmember onboard a cargo vessel. The incident brought to light a dangerous and potentially fatal situation involving hidden corrosion involving D-ring lifting points.

While positioning a removable hatch cover on the vessel, three of the four D-ring securing straps failed, causing an uncontrolled snap-back of the lifting sling assembly that struck the crewmember in the head. The three fractured securing straps showed similar failures with a significant amount of corrosion beneath the paint and on the underside of the straps. It is likely that just one D-ring failed initially, which Continue reading “Hidden corrosion can cause dangerous failures”

Corroded pipe led to oil spill

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Corroded pipe caused oil spill - The Swedish ClubIn its latest safety bulletin The Swedish Club has highlighted and analysed an incident involving a corroded pipe that caused an oil spill.

The 15 year-old bulk carrier was in dry dock completing its third special survey. As usual there were also many other maintenance tasks being carried out at the same time, including the replacement of a section of a de-aeration pipe in the cargo hold. The Chief Officer had discovered during a cargo hold inspection a month earlier that the de-aeration pipe appeared to be corroded. This pipe led from the sea chest, passing through the cargo hold, then through a heavy fuel oil (HFO) tank and finally out through the vessel’s shell plate. Continue reading “Corroded pipe led to oil spill”

Repeated removal and reinstallation of furnace’s burner causes engine room fire

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Aftermath of the fire - Photo credit USCG
Photo credit USCG

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its accident report about an engine room fire on the Roger Blough during the dry bulk carrier’s winter layup at the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding facility at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

The Roger Blough had a fixed carbon dioxide (CO2) fire-extinguishing system to suppress fires in the engine room; the system was disconnected during winter layup due to the risk of an accidental discharge with workers in the space. Six portable B-II fire extinguishers and one semiportable CO2 fire extinguisher were also in the engine room. Continue reading “Repeated removal and reinstallation of furnace’s burner causes engine room fire”

Further action required following the Conception fire lessons

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Conception. Image credit SeaWayBoats
Conception. Image credit SeaWayBoats

Three years after the fire onboard the Conception dive boat in the US, more progress is needed on the safety recommendations the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued as a result of the investigation.

The Conception was anchored in Platts Harbor, off Santa Cruz Island, California, when it caught fire in the early morning of Sept. 2, 2019. The vessel burned to the waterline and sank less than 100 feet from shore. Tragically, the 34 people asleep below deck were trapped in the bunk room: 33 passengers and one crew member lost their lives. Continue reading “Further action required following the Conception fire lessons”

Lithium-ion batteries: Fire risks and loss prevention measures in shipping

Posted on by News Hound
Allianz have released a bulletin outlining fire risks and providing loss prevention measures while transporting lithium-ion batteries.
Allianz have released a bulletin outlining fire risks and providing loss prevention measures while transporting lithium-ion batteries.

Given the many difficulties in suppressing battery fires, particularly at sea, focusing on loss prevention measures is crucial, whether batteries are transported within EVs or as standalone cargo, according to a new risk bulletin published from marine insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS).

Captain Rahul Khanna, Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting at AGCS, said, “Shipping losses may have more than halved over the past decade but fires on board vessels remain among the biggest safety issues for the industry. The potential dangers that the transportation of lithium-ion batteries pose if they are not stored or handled correctly only add to these concerns, and we have already seen a number of incidents.” Continue reading “Lithium-ion batteries: Fire risks and loss prevention measures in shipping”

New policy for assessment and certification of novel vessels issued by AMSA

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New policy for assessment and certification of novel vessels issued by AMSA
New policy for assessment and certification of novel vessels issued by AMSA

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has set out a new policy statement for the assessment and certification of what it terms ‘novel’ vessels. If operators are planning to build or buy a vessel within one of the vessel types set out in the policy, they should contact AMSA for advice on whether it is considered novel and the best certification pathway for the vessel.

Vessel types AMSA consider to be ‘novel’:

– Submarines
– Passenger-carrying submersibles
– Dynamically supported vessels (including fully foil-born, and vessels that are partially foil supported)
– Wing-in-ground effect (WIG) vessels Continue reading “New policy for assessment and certification of novel vessels issued by AMSA”

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