Singapore ranked number one shipping centre for ninth year running

Singapore has secured the top spot once again in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index Report. It is the ninth consecutive year that the report, published jointly by Chinese state news agency, Xinhua, and global maritime data provider, the Baltic Exchange, has ranked Singapore as the leading global maritime centre.

The city state scored 94.88 out of a possible 100 points, whilst second on the list was maritime professional services stronghold, London, with 83.04 points. Meanwhile, Shanghai, home to the world’s largest port, takes third place with 82.79 points. Continue reading “Singapore ranked number one shipping centre for ninth year running”

Keel failure results in capsize

keel failure results in capsize during an overnight offshore qualifier
keel failure results in capsize during an overnight offshore qualifier

The crew of the first Farr X2 have been rescued after the boat lost its keel on an overnight offshore qualifier. Nexba Racing, a new 30ft grand prix racer aimed at the short-handed market, was sailing in a 100nm qualifier off the coast of New South Wales, Australia in a light to moderate breeze and 1-2m seas when the keel attachment failed, leading to a keel failure and resulting in the boat capsizing. The two female crew were rescued after spending 15 hours drifting. The 9.2-metre boat is the latest project from Farr Yacht Design. She was built in Singapore by XSP and launched in May.

“We are very thankful that the two crew were safely recovered and for the swift action of the Royal Australian Navy Destroyer Continue reading “Keel failure results in capsize”

The BSU annual report published

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation annual report published
The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation annual report published

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published its 67 page annual report and it doing so it has noted that the total number of notifications is significantly higher than in 2020.

There were 659 incidents reported in 2021 in comparison with 602 the previous year – an increase of almost 20%. The number of reports outside the statutory responsibility of the BSU is almost identical in terms of actual figures (249 in 2020 versus 247 today), but has fallen in percentage terms from 42% to 38%.

In particular, marine casualties according to the IMO Code have increased from 109 to 132, representing an increase of more than 20%. The number of incidents has also increased by almost 15% from 244 to 280. Continue reading “The BSU annual report published”

Bow thruster problems led to Apollo incident reveals TSB report

Master unaware of bow thruster’s problems due to lack of mitigating measures reveals TSB report
Master unaware of bow thruster’s problems due to lack of mitigating measures reveals TSB report

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its investigation report on a March 2019 berthing incident involving the roll-on/roll-off ferry Apollo in Matane, Quebec.

On 16 March 2019, the crew was preparing the Apollo for the return trip from Godbout to Matane. In response to a request by the master, the chief engineer went to the starboard bridge wing console to look into replacing the button that was used to activate control of the bow thruster at that console. The plan was to replace the existing button in the next few days with one that would illuminate to indicate the operational status of the bow thruster. Continue reading “Bow thruster problems led to Apollo incident reveals TSB report”

Swedish Club guidelines for bills of lading published

The Swedish Club has released a set of guidelines covering the most common issues with bills of lading. The Swedish Club guidelines have been written in response to requests from operators asking for further support in dealing with some of the practical and theoretical aspects of bills of lading.

Despite their seeming simplicity, a bill of lading is still a contract, and the reality is that whilst there is a lot of information available, it is not always easy to find. Part of the issue is that much of the available advice is found in legal textbooks, which may reach a restricted audience The Swedish Club said. Continue reading “Swedish Club guidelines for bills of lading published”

Improperly maintained fluids in well control equipment systems

Improperly maintained fluids in well control equipment systems
Improperly maintained fluids in well control equipment systems

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has informed the industry about several recent offshore incidences where fluids used in well control equipment systems have been improperly maintained.

According to BSEE, two identified fluid contamination issues include the following:
– Nickel leaching into demineralized water in well control equipment, fluid systems.
– Calcium soap build-up in some control fluid systems, potentially caused by mixing the liquid concentrate with a chemical Continue reading “Improperly maintained fluids in well control equipment systems”

Reported injuries due to stored energy in slings

Reported injuries due to stored energy in slings
Reported injuries due to stored energy in slings

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued advice and lessons learnt following injuries sustained by offshore crew working with stored energy in slings. By issuing this information, BSEE hopes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

There have been multiple instances across the Gulf of Mexico in which offshore personnel have sustained injuries to the face while working with slings. These incidents resulted from stored energy in the slings. Recent incidents include the following:
– December 2021: A contract roustabout slid a sling off a joint of drill pipe, which left a double loop in the sling. While unhooking the shackle Continue reading “Reported injuries due to stored energy in slings”

What’s new with SOLAS 2024?

DNV GL Logo
DNV GL Logo

A set of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the associated Codes enter into force on 1 January 2024. This statutory news from DNV highlights the changes that have been adopted for the 2024 update of SOLAS and its associated Codes.

The SOLAS Convention is regarded as the most important of all international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships. Amendments to the technical provisions generally follow a four-year cycle of entry into force. This news highlights Continue reading “What’s new with SOLAS 2024?”

World’s largest containership this week in Shanghai

The Worlds largest container ship
The Worlds largest container ship

A subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) is reported to have delivered the world’s largest containership in Shanghai. Named Ever Alot, the vessel has a carrying capacity of a massive 24,004 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), which gives her the unofficial world record-holder title. The vessel measures 400 meters long by 61.5 meters wide and a draft of 17 meters.

Ever Alot was delivered by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of CSSC, to a subsidiary of Taiwanese shipping company Evergreen Marine Corporation. Continue reading “World’s largest containership this week in Shanghai”

Another serious lifeboat accident illustrates continued risk in drills

serious lifeboat accident illustrates continued risk in drills
Serious lifeboat accident illustrates continued risk in drills

Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has released a report on yet another serious lifeboat-drill accident, illustrating the continuing hazards of this routine SOLAS safety exercise. A failure of a lifeboat launch system on a merchant vessel can result in a fall from height, ending in injuries or fatalities.

On December 1, 2020, the crew of the bulk carrier Blue Bosporus were carrying out a free-fall lifeboat drill at anchor in English Bay, British Columbia. After the four wire rope slings for lowering away the free-fall lifeboat were attached, the third mate and an AB went aboard the boat to conduct a test launch. Continue reading “Another serious lifeboat accident illustrates continued risk in drills”

USCG: Guidelines for transport of hazardous liquid on OSVs

Guidelines for transport of hazardous liquid substances on OSVs published by USCG
Guidelines for transport of hazardous liquid substances on OSVs published by USCG

The US Coast Guard Office of Design and Engineering Standards has released the Policy Letter “Implementation of IMO Resolution A.673(16), Guidelines for the Transport and Handling of Limited Amounts of Hazardous and Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk on Offshore Support Vessels, For New and Existing U.S. Offshore Supply Vessels.”

IMO resolutions MEPC.318(74) and MSC.460(101) adopted amendments to the IBC Code updating carriage requirements for a significant number of products. These amendments became effective on January 1, 2021 and affected several cargoes. On 16 May, 2022, 03-12 CH-1 was published, which includes a second enclosure with changes in carriage requirements for affected cargoes. Continue reading “USCG: Guidelines for transport of hazardous liquid on OSVs”

EMSA gives first factual analysis of maritime safety in the EU

EMSA Logo
EMSA Logo

The European maritime safety framework has evolved to become one of the most robust in the world. That’s according to the European Maritime Safety Report (EMSAFE), the first ever comprehensive overview of maritime safety in the European Union.

One of the key pillars of the EU safety framework is port state control, which results in over 14,000 vessel checks each year by inspectors in EU ports, complemented by legislative initiatives like the specific EU survey Continue reading “EMSA gives first factual analysis of maritime safety in the EU”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Show details
Performance & Marketing Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. This also helps us optimise our marketing campaigns. User data sent to Google Analytics may be used for ad personalization and measurement of our ad campaigns. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Show details