The Red Ensign Group has released an update for its revised Red Ensign Group (REG) Yacht Code. The revised code, which came into force this July, marked the first major update since 2019 after extensive consultation in the industry. This Code of Practice outlines the essential safety standards and pollution prevention measures tailored to various yacht sizes and types. Now the REG has published further Continue reading “Red Ensign Group (REG) Yacht Code update”
Lloyd’s Register has announced upcoming restrictions regarding the discharge of garbage, oil, and oily mixtures within the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Special Areas.
These new restrictions will come into effect from 1 January 2025.
This is the result of the following IMO Resolutions:
Resolution MEPC.381(80) – Establishes the discharge requirements of regulations 15.3, 15.5 and 34.3 to 34.5 of MARPOL Annex I in respect to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Special Areas in accordance with Regulation 38.8.1 of MARPOL Annex I.
Resolution MEPC.382(80) – Establishes the discharge requirements of Regulation 6 of MARPOL Annex V in respect to the Red Sea Special Area in accordance Continue reading “New MARPOL discharge regulations within Red Sea and Gulf of Aden”
The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has published a comprehensive best practice guide for the safe use of flexitanks for the transport of liquid cargoes. According to IUMI, the guide’s objective is to provide underwriters, brokers and their clients with practical guidance to ensure cargoes transported by flexitanks arrive intact at their chosen destination. The paper outlines a range of potential risks including poor stowage, incorrect installation, overloading, material deficiencies, transport issues and others.
Flexible tanks – or flexitanks – are poly film bladders that are filled with a liquid cargo (such as dairy products, wine, fruit juice or non-dangerous oils) and then placed into a standard ISO container for transportation. Continue reading “IUMI issues guidance on mitigating the risks of flexitanks”
The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has published amendments to the Classification Notes: Requirements for NDT Service Suppliers
Revisions have been made to both sections of the document including:
Section 1: General – Amendments are made to provide better clarity in the scope. Definitions for terms such as ‘ANDT’, ‘AUT’, ‘ET’, ‘VT’, etc. have also been introduced while definitions for few other terms such as ‘NDT’, ‘NDT service suppliers’ have been amended. Finally, the list of references has been updated. Continue reading “IRClass releases updates to NDT service suppliers”
Two IMO resolutions relating to the Ballast Water Management Convention are coming into effect that change the format of the Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB) and introduce new requirements for the use of electronic BWRBs:
• IMO – Resolution MEPC.369(80) – Amendments to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004, Amendments to Appendix II (Form of Ballast Water Record Book). Applies from 1 February 2025.• IMO – Resolution MEPC.383(81) – Amendments to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register announces new requirements for Ballast Water Record Book”
Transport Malta has released a report on the death of a crew member on the deck of the MV Drawsko while rigging a portable cargo hold light in Turkey.
On 8 September 2023, MV Drawsko was loading a cargo of grain, at the port of Iskenderun, Türkiye. During that night, the duty ordinary seafarer was tasked with rigging up portable lights in cargo hold no. 1. Several minutes later, however, the duty officer found the ordinary seafarer lying unconscious on deck, clutching a portable light. Attempts to revive the ordinary seafarer, by the crew members as well as paramedics, were unsuccessful. Continue reading “Transport Malta: crew member dies while rigging portable cargo hold light”
Transport Canada has issued Ship Safety Bulletin No. 23/2024 regarding the launch of a national trial for remote vessel inspections of grain and concentrates in bulk.
This trial will run from September 2024 to September 2025 and is part of Transport Canada’s broader efforts to modernize the marine inspection process. The primary goal is to determine whether remote inspections can be as effective as physical, in-person inspections in ensuring compliance with the Cargo, Fumigation, and Tackle Regulations (CFTR), which are key to safeguarding maritime safety. Continue reading “Transport Canada launches national trial for remote vessel inspections”
Leading global classification societies Lloyd’s Register (LR), RINA, DNV, Bureau Veritas (BV) and ABS, announce the establishment of the Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium (YSEC) at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024.
The new consortium is committed to driving forward the safety and environmental performance of yachts, promoting and advising on achieving the best practices in the industry.
The yacht sector has a considerable need for a unified consortium Continue reading “Classification societies join forces to form YSEC: Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium”
The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) is joining the global community in celebrating World Maritime Day 2024 – Navigating the future: Safety first!
This year’s theme recognises that safety remains paramount in such a changing environment, whether it pertains to seafarers handling new green fuels, safeguarding passengers in the latest cruise ships, regulating AI-managed autonomous ships or ensuring cybersecurity in a digital world.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued resolution MSC.559(108) amending the requirements for the maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul, and repair of lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances, and release gear.
The amendments aim to keep safety protocols current, particularly concerning ventilation systems for totally enclosed lifeboats. This is in response to advancements in safety practices and lessons learned from past incidents.
The resolution recalls previous decisions, notably Resolution MSC.402(96), which set forth the initial requirements for the maintenance and examination of lifesaving equipment. Continue reading “IMO issues amendments to lifeboat maintenance and inspection requirements”
The sub-committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (IMO CCC) met in September to review or update relevant codes including the IMSBC, IMDG, IGF and IGC Codes.
This sub-committee is where all matters related to the carriage of packaged dangerous goods, solid bulk cargoes, bulk gas cargoes, containers, and zero and low carbon fuels are discussed. Lloyd’s Register has published the following summary of the meeting:
The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) explains that charcoal is a widely used material for various purposes, including cooking, heating, and industrial processes and it is often transported in shipping containers. The carriage of charcoal in containers poses significant fire risks due to the potential for self-heating and spontaneous ignition.
Charcoal is described in the IMDG Code as “Black material originating from organic sources. Particularly includes carbon blacks, of animal or vegetable origin other non-activated carbon materials and Continue reading “CINS releases Comprehensive Guidelines for Carriage of Charcoal in Containers”
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