International News

Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing – CSS Code – updated by Panama Maritime Authority

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The CSS Code provides an international standard to promote the safe stowage and securing of cargoes
The CSS Code provides an international standard to promote the safe stowage and securing of cargoes

Instructions from the Administration of Panama regarding IMO MSC.1/Circ. 1352/Rev.1 Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing – CSS Code Annex 14 – were announced in ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-1097 dated 28 December 2016. The Administration has updated MERCHANT MARINE CIRCULAR MMC-340, including their additional guidance on the application of relevant requirements to existing containerships, as attached.

This Technical Information supersedes the previous ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-1097 dated 28 December 2016.

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Beware the potential for malfunctioning limit switches on fast rescue craft says new report

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Marine Safety Forum app
Marine Safety Forum app

The Marine Safety Forum has issued a report about two separate reported incidents within the last month. Limit switches not operating as intended on two chartered vessels has caused damage and opened up the potential for serious injury.

The incidents
The first incident with limit switches occurred in early March to an Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel (ERRV). The vessel had been carrying out a period of close standby cover so had its port FRC lowered to the embarkation position ready for immediate deployment. Once the work parties had finished for the day, the vessel departed the 500m zone and commenced hoisting the FRC ready for sea-fastening. This davit operation was carried out by a trainee under the supervision of the Boatswain.

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ATSB issues report into propulsion failures on Norwegian Star

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The Norwegian Star at sea
The Norwegian Star at sea

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued the first part of its incident investigation report, regarding the loss of propulsion of the passenger cruise ship Norwegian Star on 10 February 2017 off Cape Liptrap, Victoria.

The incident
On 9 February 2017, the passenger cruise ship Norwegian Star, with 2113 passengers and 1017 crew on board, departed Melbourne, Australia, on a scheduled cruise to Dunedin, New Zealand. On departure, the starboard propulsion unit (Azipod ) was operational and the port Azipod was under repair. At about 0134 on 10 February, the vessel was about 18 nautical miles south-west of Cape Liptrap, Victoria, when the starboard Azipod failed. Propulsion power could not be restored and two tugs were deployed from Melbourne to tow Norwegian Star back to Melbourne. The vessel arrived back without further incident at about midnight on 11 February 2017.

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Ever increasing frequency of major vessel casualties reported by International Union of Marine Insurance

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IUMI logo
Increasing frequency of major vessel casualties is causing concerns for underwriters says the International Union of Marine Insurance

Statistics released at the International Union of Marine Insurance Annual Spring meeting in Hamburg have raised a series of issues that will continue to challenge marine underwriters for the foreseeable future.

The frequency of major vessel casualties rose again in 2016 for the second consecutive year reports the International Union of Marine Insurance. They had enjoyed a year-on-year decline until 2015 when they recorded a sharp upturn which was continued in 2016.

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Surveys by American P&I Club show numerous machinery deficiencies in 2016

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American P&I Club surveys revealed a number of deficiencies in 2016
American P&I Club surveys revealed a number of deficiencies in 2016

Personnel from the American P&I Club conducted 106 condition surveys during the 2016. They say that ninety one of the surveys resulted in deficiencies but only fifteen surveys resulted in no deficiencies noted at all. 46% of the surveys were conducted on dry cargo vessels, whilst tankers accounted for 35% of the surveys that were conducted.

American P&I Club reveals that tankers were found to have the most deficiencies per survey with just under 10 per survey. Dry cargo vessels (excluding container ships) were found to have just over 7 deficiencies per survey. Out of the 873 deficiencies noted, the most frequent individual category of deficiency found was related to the condition of machinery spaces. The most frequent deficiencies overall were related to the conditions and functions of cargo systems, particularly related to bulk carriers.

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NTSB issues investigation report about the towing vessel Spence which sank in 2015

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Photo taken by a Spence crew member and provided by the Coast Guard of the listing vessel
Photo taken by a Spence crew member and provided by the Coast Guard of the listing vessel

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded its investigation and has issued a full report about the incident on the towing vessel Spence, which caused it to list badly before finally sinking. The incident occurred on 14 December 2015 about 115 nm north of Cartagena, Colombia.

The NTSB report says that the list increased despite efforts by the crew to correct it. Consequently, the captain activated the vessel’s emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), and the crew climbed onto the barge that the Spence was towing. The towing vessel sank shortly thereafter. US Coast Guard District 7 received the EPIRB alert and directed the Coast Guard cutter Decisive to the scene. On arrival, the Decisive rescued the four crew members from the drifting barge. Three crew members sustained non-life threatening injuries.

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New vessel contract for the iconic Staten Island run

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Photo credit: Elliot Bay Design Group
Photo credit: Elliot Bay Design Group

One of the best known ferry routes in the USA, if not the world, the Staten Island run, is due to have three new ferries following the awarding of a contract to Florida based Eastern Shipbuilding.

The instantly recognisable bright orange Staten Island run passenger ferries carry 70,000 people a day between St George and Whitehall Street, with sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn, Governor’s Island and the Manhattan skyline. The free boarding at the conveniently located terminal near Wall Street makes the short route a major tourist attraction.

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Biofouling requirements to enter force in New Zealand

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New Zealand flag
New Zealand flag

The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has issued a notice announcing that all vessels arriving in New Zealand must have clean hulls from May 2018 as new biofouling regulations are set to become law. The Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) has been developed to provide guidance regarding compliance.

From May 2018, vessels must arrive in New Zealand with a clean hull. Vessels staying up to 20 days and only visiting designated ports (places of first arrival) will be allowed a slight amount of biofouling. Vessels staying longer and visiting other places will only be allowed a slime layer and goose barnacles.

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Unitisation of wind project cargo concept launched by DNV GL

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The unitisation of wind project cargo in the future looks bright thanks to a new concept by DNV GL
The unitisation of wind project cargo in the future looks bright thanks to a new concept by DNV GL

“Twisties” adopts industry standard 20-foot cargo container twist-lock centres, ensuring that wind project cargo can be transported on existing vessels arranged for containers and avoids the need to develop expensive new specialist transportation and installation vessels for next generation (10 MW+) offshore turbines.

DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, has launched a revolutionary new joint industry project (JIP) to develop a Recommended Practice intended to de-risk the adoption of “Twisties” and demonstrate the unitisation of wind project cargo. The innovative concept is called “Twisties” – a modular project-cargo transport frame system that is sea-fastened using container twist locks – and which gives the frames their name.

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Reducing the risk of liquefaction onboard

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The threat of liquefaction onboard remains as ominous as ever. This new guide will help.
The threat of liquefaction onboard remains as ominous as ever. This new guide will help.

London P&I Club has released a joint publication, in association with TMC Marine and Bureau Veritas. The aim of this excellent guide is to give operational guidance for vessels that carry cargoes which could be subject to liquefaction. The Club says that, although significant progress on the issue has been made so far, the liquefaction phenomenon continues to be as relevant today as it was years ago.

While the main requirements for the safe carriage of solid bulk cargoes are enshrined in the IMSBC Code, this booklet outlines the precautions operators should take before accepting cargoes for shipment and the procedures they should follow for the safe loading and carriage of the nominated cargo.

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Loss prevention briefing bulletin issued by North P&I Club

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North P&I's loss prevention briefing bulletin that offers free, helpful advice
North P&I’s loss prevention briefing bulletin that offers free, helpful advice

The North P&I Club has issued a loss prevention briefing bulletin, which details all the important and necessary actions and steps to take into consideration when conducting a proper and professional incident investigation. The Club reviews how to conduct an investigation; how to collect and preserve the evidence; how to examine data and how to look for and find probable causes and finally how to use data to identify trends.

In particular, it is noted that, fundamentally, the investigation should establish:
• who was involved
• what happened
• why did it happen

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A marine warranty surveyor should be engaged to reduce cargo shifting risk says London P&I Club

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London P&I Club is calling for a marine warranty surveyor to be engaged to reduce the risk of shifting deck cargoes
London P&I Club is calling for a marine warranty surveyor to be engaged to reduce the risk of shifting deck cargoes

Due to a recent increase in the incidence of deck cargoes shifting in heavy weather, the London P&I Club said it supports a recommendation to appoint a marine warranty surveyor to supervise high-risk marine construction and transportation project operations where appropriate.

“In the past year, LOC has seen many deck cargoes shifting in heavy weather,” Paul Walton, a director with international marine consultant LOC (Hong Kong), said.

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