The Republic of Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry has published a report on the Port State Control (PSC) Performance of the fleet of Cyprus.
In its fourth Report on Cyprus Fleet Port State Control Performance, the organisation includes the Statistical Data Analysis of Cyprus flagged Detained Ships worldwide for the last three consecutive years (2022-2024). Key findings from the report are as follows: Continue reading “Cyprus reports key PSC trends and deficiencies 2022-2024”
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a safety alert regarding the issue of defective heat detectors that were discovered during an engine room fire investigation.
The Coast Guard recently investigated an engine room fire on board an inspected towing vessel which led to the discovery of issues with the maintenance and installation of fire detection systems on board multiple towing vessels. During the investigation, several towing vessels were discovered to have defective heat detectors installed in their engine rooms. Continue reading “USCG issues alert for defective heat detectors”
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has released guidance on an update to International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk, which is set to take effect on 1 January 2026.
The IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted resolution MSC.552(108) at its 108th session in May 2024, which includes amendments to the Grain Code. Continue reading “New loading conditions for transporting grain in bulk”
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore) has published guidance on transporting biofuel blends by conventional bunker ships.
With effect from 7th March this year, Singapore-registered conventional bunker ships may transport blends of up to 30% by volume of biofuel (≤B30).
In a circular, the Authority highlighted the draft Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) interim guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels by conventional bunker ships agreed by 12th Session of the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 12). Continue reading “MPA Singapore releases guidance on bunker use of biofuel”
St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry (SKAN) has announced a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on pilot ladder transfer and boarding arrangements.
The concentrated inspection campaign by St Kitts & Nevis on pilot ladder transfer and boarding arrangements will be held for three months, and will come into effect on 1st April 2025 until 30th June 2025. The purpose of this campaign is to ensure that vessels comply with relevant international regulations regarding pilot transfer and boarding arrangements, particularly those outlined in the SOLAS Convention. Continue reading “St Kitts & Nevis launches CIC on pilot ladder transfers”
Dutch authorities are set to enforce ISO bunker sampling standard in Port of Rotterdam, according to the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA).
The Association has said the IBIA Secretariat has received information from the Port of Rotterdam that the Inspectorate for Environment and Transport in the Netherlands is planning for the Port of Rotterdam to strictly enforce the rules for fuel oil sampling (the MARPOL sample) on board the receiving vessel via drip sampling to conform with ISO 13739. Continue reading “Enforced ISO bunker sampling standard for Port of Rotterdam”
The 2024/2025 Shipping Industry Flag State Performance, published by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), indicates that flag administrations continue to demonstrate high levels of performance with respect to enforcement of global shipping regulations.
Using a wide range of objective performance indicators, the ICS Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table provides an analysis of the extent to which flag State administrations adhere to their responsibilities to follow global standards and regulations governing safety, environmental protection and the employment conditions of seafarers. Continue reading “Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table 2024/2025”
On November 27, 2024, approximately 100 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia, a bulk carrier shipping a type of coal called “Bailey High Vol Coking Coal” experienced consecutive explosions in the two forward cargo holds. While still under investigation, the explosions are likely a result of the accumulation of methane gas that created an explosive atmosphere and resulted in significant damage to the two associated cargo holds. It was soon discovered that the other five cargo holds also had highly elevated levels of methane that were Continue reading “USCG Safety Alert: The explosion hazards of shipping coal”
CMA CGM is revising its steering guidance across the fleet after ambiguous procedures contributed to one of its ships colliding with a navigational beacon in the Yarra River, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
Departing the Port of Melbourne on 25 May 2023 under the conduct of a harbour pilot, containership CMA CGM Puccini contacted the navigational beacon after swinging wide in a turn when its rudder began responding erratically to helm orders. The ship was slowed and returned towards the middle of the channel, before being stabilised with tug assistance and then conducted to nearby Webb Dock. While the ship sustained minor hull paint damage, the beacon was significantly damaged. Continue reading “ATSB says ambiguous procedures led to vessel steering failure”
The Liberia Maritime Authority has published marine advisory 04/2025 on the Voluntary replacement and recall of rocket parachute flares Kokusai Kakoh Co., Ltd / Type: KP-16.
Kokusai Kakoh Co., Ltd recalled the flare due to concerns regarding the specified altitude and burning time when fired.
The item in question:
• Product name/type: Kokusai Kakoh Co., Ltd. Rocket parachute flares Type: KP-16 ➢ Date of manufacture: From February 2021 to July 2024. The Liberian Maritime Authority recommends replacing these flares in accordance with information provided by the manufacturer, “Instructions (for outside of Japan)”. Continue reading “Liberian Registry issues notice on recall of rocket parachute flares”
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is aware that 16 Red Sea liveaboard dive boats have been lost over the last 5 years. Seven of these losses happened in the last 21 months, and three of these resulted in numerous fatalities including UK nationals.
In line with the principles of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code, the UK has been registered as a substantially interested state in the Egyptian safety investigations into these accidents. Continue reading “MAIB safety bulletin into safety issues on Red Sea liveaboard dive boats”
Gard P&I Club has highlighted the issue of serious scrap metal fires and questions if the IMSBC Code is adequately addressing the risks. According to Gard, most of its cases and those reported in accident investigations appear to concern scrap metal declared by shippers as Group C, which under the IMSBC Code is cargo which is neither liable to liquefy (Group A) nor to possess chemical hazards (Group B).
Images and accounts of scrap metal fires associated with such non-hazardous declarations paint a more concerning risk picture. Accident investigation reports speak of rapidly developing fires with intense heat and heavy smoke threatening harm to the crew, shore fire fighters as well as local residents. Continue reading “Scrap metal fires and the IMSBC Code”
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