How COVID-19 has driven a technology revolution in shipping

How COVID-19 has driven a technology revolution in shipping
How COVID-19 has driven a technology revolution in shipping

Last year, satcom specialist IEC Telecom highlighted that demand for digital technology had risen tenfold as maritime businesses embraced new ways of working during the coronavirus pandemic inspiring a technology revolution. But why has it taken a pandemic to change attitudes to technology?

2020 was the year where remote working became the norm. Lockdowns and restrictions forced many businesses to close offices and move their workforce to home working. Shipping companies sent shore-based teams to work from home where possible. However, this highlighted some huge technology gaps. Those that had the right online tools and access to the cloud already could access data and information from any location and continue work. Others though, still reliant on paper-based systems and outdated technology realized they couldn’t function effectively in this new remote world, and something needed to change.

For many this prompted investment in technology and moving their business into the cloud for the first time. A recent report from Lloyd’s Continue reading “How COVID-19 has driven a technology revolution in shipping”

Giant wind blades are largest non-container cargo loaded

Giant wind blades are largest non-container cargo loaded
Giant wind blades are largest non-container cargo loaded

The development of the wind turbine sector is creating new challenges for the shipping industry as giant wind blades and elements are shipped from their manufacturers to the staging points for their installation. APM Terminals Pecem, at the port of Pecem in northeast Brazil, recently handled the loading of three blades, which it reports became the largest non-containerized cargo operation in the world.

The shipment consisted of three giant wind blades, each of which measured approximately 238 feet in length. While these blades were only about two-thirds the length of the largest wind blades ever built, they were the largest in Brazil and needed to be shipped from the port of Pecem in the north to the state of Santa Catarina in the south where they will be installed as part of the growing wind energy sector Continue reading “Giant wind blades are largest non-container cargo loaded”

Flooding and sinking of trawler Ocean Quest report published

Flooding and sinking of trawler Ocean Quest report published
Flooding and sinking of trawler Ocean Quest report published

MAIB have published their report on the flooding and sinking of trawler Ocean Quest.

On 18 August 2019 and about 70 miles north-east of Fraserburgh, the UK registered trawler Ocean Quest, sank as a result of an engine room flood. The source of the flood has not been determined; however, it was almost certainly a result of shell plating or hull weld failure. The crew tackled the flood with fixed and portable pumps but were not able to get the situation under control. The alarm was raised as soon as the flood was discovered, the crew were well prepared for the abandonment and all were rescued safely by a coastguard helicopter.

Safety Issues
Flooding presents an immediate threat, and every effort must be made to pump out the floodwater. In this case, the crew followed their onboard routine for bilge pumping, which meant that sea suction valves were left partly open. This potentially restricted the bilge pumps’ Continue reading “Flooding and sinking of trawler Ocean Quest report published”

ITIC Claims Review edition 44 published

ITIC Claims Review edition 44 published
ITIC Claims Review edition 44 published

The ITIC Claims Review April 2021, edition 44, has been published and is available to download.

In his opening comments, the editor says, “It is now over a year since the first lockdown was imposed in the UK and we know that many of you all over the world have also been subject to restrictions, with many of us working from our homes during this time.

Whilst we are unable to travel to meet members and insurance brokers, we are continually looking for new ways to reach you and as a result we have launched a new podcast series called ITIC Insight. Episodes are hosted by members of the ITIC team, exploring a key topic with external guests or hosting an interview with a board member or insurance broker. More information about this series can be found on Continue reading “ITIC Claims Review edition 44 published”

Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta: Oil and gas hub to be constructed in Malta

Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta: Oil and gas hub to be constructed in Malta
Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta: Oil and gas hub to be constructed in Malta

The Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta (MMH) is investing more than €20 million to turn Valletta into a hub for vessels from the maritime and oil and gas exploration sectors. Located in the far reaches of Valetta Harbour at Albert Town, the first investment of €8 million went towards the preparation of the site, with a large proportion dedicated to the dredging of the basin to a depth of 10.5 metres. This dredging successfully removed pollutants from the main dock and allowed the port to accommodate larger vessels from the offshore sectors, including supply and construction vessels as well as superyachts.

“Today, thanks to the collaborative work with Jan De Nul Group, Malta’s harbour can accommodate larger vessels Continue reading “Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta: Oil and gas hub to be constructed in Malta”

Safety warning about multiple cruise ship anchor failures

Anchor failures - Image courtesy of the Financial Times
Anchor failures – Image courtesy of the Financial Times

In early 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic forced the international cruise industry into an unprecedented operational pause, resulting in many cruise ships anchoring off the UK south coast for long periods of time. The MAIB has been made aware of several marine incidents of anchor failures since October 2020 where cruise ship anchors or anchor cables have failed, often while trying to ride out named winter storms. One cruise ship lost both its anchors within a week.

The strength of anchoring equipment is defned by ship Classifcation Rules and it is intended for temporary mooring of a ship within a harbour or sheltered area. In good holding ground, the anchoring equipment should be able to hold the ship to a maximum wind strength of 48 knots in fast water, but this reduces to a maximum of 21 knots wind strength in seas with a signifcant wave height of 2m. Continue reading “Safety warning about multiple cruise ship anchor failures”

Yanmar underway with field demo testing for hydrogen fuel cell

Yanmar underway with field demo testing for hydrogen fuel cell
Yanmar underway with field demo testing for hydrogen fuel cell

With marine environmental regulations tightening worldwide, in December 2020 the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry formulated its ‘Green Growth Strategy towards 2050 Carbon Neutrality’. The strategy highlights the development of energy and power sources that reduce the impact on the environment, including those for vessels powered by carbon-free fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. Looking towards the future of powertrain technology, Yanmar has developed a maritime fuel cell system that incorporates hydrogen fuel cell modules from Toyota’s MIRAI automobile. The system was installed into Yanmar’s EX38A FC pleasure boat for field testing. The boat Continue reading “Yanmar underway with field demo testing for hydrogen fuel cell”

Returned goods relief grace period post Brexit extended by six months

Returned goods relief grace period post Brexit extended by six months
Returned goods relief grace period post Brexit extended by six months

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced a 6-month extension to the 1-year grace period previously put in place by the government for returned goods relief. The announcement follows representations from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and British Marine asking for a 3-year transition period. The organisations say the 1-year period of grace effective from 1 January 2021, in respect of the three-year condition for RGR, was not sufficient as many factors affect the repatriation of vessels, including travel restrictions, the Schengen area immigration restrictions, insurance restrictions and the length of sailing season.

The new announcement extends the grace period for RGR until 30 June 2022 for all goods including recreational craft, regardless of when Continue reading “Returned goods relief grace period post Brexit extended by six months”

Cruising Association: New survey suggests four out of five are set to quit long-term cruising in EU waters

Cruising Association new report. Image credit: Gordon Knight/EIWS/CA
Cruising Association new report. Image credit: Gordon Knight/EIWS/CA

A survey carried out amongst Cruising Association (CA) members who keep their boats on the rivers and canals of Schengen countries has revealed that 80% of British owners are likely to sell their boats and give up cruising altogether, or move their base to a non-Schengen country.

Overall figures for coastal cruising boat owners are expected to be broadly similar although with more sailing out of Schengen waters to other cruising grounds.

The failure of the UK government to negotiate a fair deal with the EU means that UK citizens can now only visit Schengen countries for 90 Continue reading “Cruising Association: New survey suggests four out of five are set to quit long-term cruising in EU waters”

Flooding of towing vessel caused by a lack of monitoring

Flooding of towing vessel caused by a lack of monitoring
Flooding of towing vessel caused by a lack of monitoring

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the flooding of the towing vessel ‘Alton St Amant’ while moored in the Harvey Canal in New Orleans. The incident resulted in an oil discharge into the water. The investigation identified lack of pre-inspection and monitoring procedures for water transfer as a key cause of the incident.

On May 17, 2020, about 0530 local time, a shipyard worker reported that the towing vessel Alton St Amant was partially submerged while moored at a shipyard in the Harvey Canal in New Orleans, Louisiana. There were no crew members or shipyard workers aboard the vessel. Approximately five gallons of diesel fuel were released into the water. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $1.5 million. No injuries were reported. Continue reading “Flooding of towing vessel caused by a lack of monitoring”

Case study following explosions onboard after cargo fumigation

Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation
Swedish Club case study following multiple explosions onboard after cargo fumigation

As part of its recently launched casebook series giving safety lessons learned from maritime incidents, the Swedish Club describes a case of multiple explosions onboard a bulk carrier caused by cargo fumigation. A bulk carrier had loaded yellow corn in all cargo holds up to the hatch coamings. After the loading was complete fumigation technicians came onboard and fumigated the cargo with fumitoxin pellets. As per the cargo documentation, the fumigation pellets were required to be applied subsurface.

In this instance, the technicians poured the pellets from flasks while walking on the hatch coamings or hatch covers. This work took a little more than an hour and, afterwards, all the cargo hatches were closed and the vessel sailed. A couple of hours later, an explosion occurred Continue reading “Case study following explosions onboard after cargo fumigation”

RYA licensing arrangement in Spanish waters after Brexit

The Spanish flag being flown on a vessel at sea
The Spanish flag being flown on a vessel at sea

Since Brexit there have been a few individuals who have been working almost non-stop to find solutions and trying to prevent incorrect facts being reported in the news and on social media platforms. The last few days have seen some news articles published in Mallorca that have been fundamentally incorrect and inaccurate and many boat owners in the Balearics are receiving mixed and confusing messages over RYA licensing arrangement and what they can and cannot do.

These are the facts as confirmed by multiple legal opinions:
Why has the acceptance of RYA Licensing arrangement in Spain changed?
From the 1st of January 2021, as a result of Brexit, the Spanish ceased to accept all RYA and ICC [international Certificates of Competence] on any Spanish flagged vessels. This prevented anyone with RYA/ICC Certification from operating on a Spanish flagged vessel. Continue reading “RYA licensing arrangement in Spanish waters after Brexit”

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