International News

UK support for the Cape Town Agreement is huge step forward for international fishing safety

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IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez receives MCA Director for Technical Maritime Services Fraser Heasley and MCA Fishing Vessel Safety Lead David Fenner, to confirm the UK’s accession to the Cape Town Agreement
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez receives MCA Director for Technical Maritime Services Fraser Heasley and MCA Fishing Vessel Safety Lead David Fenner, to confirm the UK’s accession to the Cape Town Agreement

Fishing is one of the world’s most dangerous industries, and the International Maritime Organization’s Cape Town Agreement (2012) aims to improve the safety of fishers on an international scale via the Cape Town Agreement.

The agreement sets out mandatory minimum safety standards for fishing vessels, more than 24m in length, and their crew, as well as the combating of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing. Coming into force next year, the Cape Town Agreement is expected to boost safety standards for tens of thousands of vessels worldwide, covering areas like survey and inspection, protection of crew, emergency procedures, and construction. Continue reading “UK support for the Cape Town Agreement is huge step forward for international fishing safety”

Sisters run virtual TCS London Marathon in support of Sailors’ Society

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Finishing in under six hours, IIMS member Catherine Linley ran the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay in support of Sailors’ Society – IIMS’ chosen charity.

Two women in running gear smiling and holding a TCS London Marathon MyWay banner on a sunny, grassy area with blue skies.
Catherine Linley and her sister, Hilary, ran the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay 2026.

Catherine first contacted the maritime charity to take part in the event on their behalf after hearing about it via IIMS. She went on to complete the event with her sister, Hilary, by running along the Linear Trail and the beaches of Adelaide in “glorious weather”.

Despite managing injuries in the lead up to the day, the sisters supported each other to the finish line where they were swept up by family members.

Catherine said she was proud of their effort but was acutely aware of the privilege wrapped around it. Continue reading “Sisters run virtual TCS London Marathon in support of Sailors’ Society”

Latest guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers

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Guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers has been published
Guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers has been published

In response to the growing risks associated with the maritime transport and shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries, the following guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers has been published. Lithium-ion cells are the core components of batteries and come in various forms, as they are widely used in portable electronics and electric vehicles because they can efficiently store and release energy through the movement of lithium ions between positive and negative electrodes. However, due to their chemical properties, lithium-ion cells and batteries are classified as dangerous goods and must be handled with care. Released against a backdrop of rising concern, the guidance comes as battery-related incidents at sea become both more frequent and more severe. Continue reading “Latest guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers”

NMA warns of serious crushing injuries in packaging machinery

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The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has received reports of serious crushing accidents involving fish packaging machines in factories on board vessels. Credit: Sjøfartsdirektoratet
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has received reports of serious crushing accidents involving fish packaging machines in factories on board vessels. Credit: Sjøfartsdirektoratet

The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has received reports of serious crushing accidents involving fish packaging machines in factories on board vessels.

An incident in which a person was caught in an automated palletising prompted the NMA to share an article highlighting the dangers involved. In the particular incident a vital safety barrier had been removed. Continue reading “NMA warns of serious crushing injuries in packaging machinery”

Degraded part cause of Interislander Kaitaki blackout incident

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Degraded part cause of Interislander Kaitaki blackout incident. Credit: KiwiRail Limited
Degraded part cause of Interislander Kaitaki blackout incident. Credit: KiwiRail Limited

A degraded rubber expansion joint failed putting 864 people on board passenger vessel Kaitaki at risk, according to New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC).

TAIC has released its final report three years after the Interislander ferry suffered a blackout and loss of propulsion while carrying out a scheduled service between from Picton to Wellington.

The incident on 28 January 2023 left the ship drifting in strong onshore conditions towards Sinclair Head on Wellington’s south coast. The master issued a Mayday. The ship avoided grounding after anchors held and power was restored. Continue reading “Degraded part cause of Interislander Kaitaki blackout incident”

Record number of inspections carried out by Tokyo MOU in 2025

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Record number of inspections carried out by Tokyo MOU in 2025
Record number of inspections carried out by Tokyo MOU in 2025

In 2025, the Tokyo MOU carried out 35,546 inspections – the highest number of inspections conducted in its history.

The Tokyo MOU PSC Annual Report 2025 added that “following last year, the detention rate continued the decreasing trend in 2025, however, it has not yet returned to the same level as the pre-pandemic period.”

In 2025, 35,546 inspections, involving 19,980 individual ships, were carried out on ships registered under 111 flags.

Out of those inspections, there were 23,230 inspections where ships were found with deficiencies. Continue reading “Record number of inspections carried out by Tokyo MOU in 2025”

Sailors’ Society highlights ‘first digital seafarer generation’ in latest Cadet Report

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Sailors’ Society highlights ‘first digital seafarer generation’ in latest Cadet Report
Sailors’ Society highlights ‘first digital seafarer generation’ in latest Cadet Report

Sailors’ Society has published its latest Cadet Report – ‘the first digital seafarer generation.’

Sponsored by Inmarsat Maritime (a Viasat company), the report captures the voices of cadets, ratings and trainees from 30 countries.

Drawing on insights gathered from more than 9,000 Gen Z seafarers who attended the maritime charity’s global 2025 Wellness at Sea Conferences, this unique data offers the maritime industry an unparalleled look into the experiences, pressures and aspirations of its future workforce. Continue reading “Sailors’ Society highlights ‘first digital seafarer generation’ in latest Cadet Report”

Crane wire failure caused $3.8M in damage to offshore vessels, says NTSB

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Crane wire failure caused $3.8M in damage to offshore vessels, says NTSB
Crane wire failure caused $3.8M in damage to offshore vessels, says NTSB

Internal corrosion of a crane wire caused US$3.8 million in damage to offshore construction vessel Island Venture and offshore supply vessel C Enforcer at Port Fourchon, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

What happened

On April 3, 2025, about 2145 local time, the offshore construction vessel Island Venture’s crane was being used to lift a wire reel from the back deck of the offshore supply vessel C Enforcer in Bayou Lafourche, Port Fourchon, Louisiana, when the crane’s hoisting wire parted, causing the reel to drop onto the C Enforcer’s main deck. Continue reading “Crane wire failure caused $3.8M in damage to offshore vessels, says NTSB”

Short circuit caused jet boat canyon wall crash in New Zealand

Posted on by News Hound
Image credit: Discovery 2 before the fitting of roll bar. Credit: Skippers Canyon Jet Limited, anonymised by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.
Image credit: Discovery 2 before the fitting of roll bar. Credit: Skippers Canyon Jet Limited, anonymised by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released a report into an incident where several passengers were injured after a jet boat crashed into a canyon wall last year.

What happened

On 25 February 2025, commercial jet boat Discovery 2 was operating in Skippers Canyon, on the Shotover River, with 11 passengers on board.

Shortly after commencing the return leg of the journey, and as the boat completed a right-hand turn, its engine suddenly cut out. The driver immediately reset the ignition, but the engine would not start, so the boat had no propulsion and no thrust to provide steering control. Continue reading “Short circuit caused jet boat canyon wall crash in New Zealand”

ITIC warning to marine surveyors following US$30,000 off-spec grain cargo dispute

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ITIC warning to marine surveyors following US$30,000 off-spec grain cargo dispute
ITIC warning to marine surveyors following US$30,000 off-spec grain cargo dispute

A US$30,000 off-spec grain cargo dispute claim directed at the wrong surveyor has prompted International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) to warn marine surveyors of the liability exposure they face when the scope of their instructions is not precisely recorded.

A marine surveyor was appointed by the seller of a grain cargo to conduct a joint survey at the load port. The buyer accepted the cargo and subsequently sold it on. At the discharge port, the ultimate buyer and consignee alleged the grain was off-spec due to the presence of ambrosia seed and other impurities. Continue reading “ITIC warning to marine surveyors following US$30,000 off-spec grain cargo dispute”

Warning sent out on counterfeit GMDSS batteries

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Warning sent out on counterfeit GMDSS batteries
Warning sent out on counterfeit GMDSS batteries

The Norwegian Maritime Authority has sent out a warning following a significant increase in the marketing, sale and installation of counterfeit batteries for Jotron GMDSS products in recent years.

Affected products include Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), radar and AIS-SART devices, as well as handheld GMDSS emergency VHF radios. Continue reading “Warning sent out on counterfeit GMDSS batteries”

O-ring failure caused $5.5M engine room fire on bulk carrier, says NTSB

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Left photo is of lower module of the oil fittings block showing overlap between the lower and upper module fuel ports. Right photo is the upper module of oil fittings block and fuel flow meter showing the pinched O-ring as indicated.
Source: Lemissoler Shipmanagement

A failed O-ring seal on a bulk carrier’s composite boiler unit led caused a fire costing more than $5 million dollars in damage, said an investigation report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

On January 4, 2025, at about 2323, bulk cargo vessel Lem Verbena was docked at the Alabama State Docks on the Mobile River in Mobile, Alabama, with 19 crewmembers on board when a fire started in the engine room. Continue reading “O-ring failure caused $5.5M engine room fire on bulk carrier, says NTSB”

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