International News

German government authorises trial of remote-controlled inland vessel

Posted on by News Hound
German government authorises trial of remote-controlled inland vessel
German government authorises trial of remote-controlled inland vessel

Shipping company HGK Shipping has been authorised to conduct the first remote-controlled inland waterway vessel on the German canal network for six months.

After the push barge combination consisting of “Niedersachsen 2” and “Hannover” had completed test operations on one part of the route without any problems at the beginning of May, Europe’s largest inland waterway shipping company has now been given the green light for Continue reading “German government authorises trial of remote-controlled inland vessel”

Guidance on vetting bunker suppliers

Posted on by News Hound
P&I Club, Steamship Mutual, issues guidance on vetting bunker supplies
P&I Club, Steamship Mutual, issues guidance on vetting bunker supplies

Steamship Mutual Club has issued an alert about vetting bunker supplies, which offers valuable guidance about managing and reducing the risks associated with purchasing marine fuel amid the growing complexity of the issue due to different Emission Control Area (ECA) regulations.

While considerable time and resources are dedicated to addressing fuel related Continue reading “Guidance on vetting bunker suppliers”

Panama implements new Precheck for vessels joining its registry

Posted on by News Hound

The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has implemented an additional safeguard called Precheck, a screening process that aims to ensure only compliant vessels join the Panama Ship Registry. The Precheck process involves a thorough risk assessment of various aspects related to the vessel, its owner, operator, and/or charterer before applying for the entry into the Panama Ship Registry to ensure that the vessel meets the international standards regarding safety, environmental protection, crew welfare, and to promote cooperation and best practices in the maritime industry.

According to the PMA, a key benefit of Precheck is its ability to prevent “flag-hopping”, a practice where vessels jump from one registry to another to avoid compliance, evade sanctions, or engage in illicit activities. Continue reading “Panama implements new Precheck for vessels joining its registry”

Consultation on changes to requirements for through hull openings following flooding incident

Posted on by News Hound
Cayman Islands Registry issue safety alert
Cayman Islands Registry issue safety alert

The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR), on behalf of the Red Ensign Group (REG), has released an urgent safety flyer to the yachting industry following a serious flooding incident caused by the hull openings involving a commercially operated 375 GT motor yacht during a routine personal watercraft (PWC) recovery.

The incident occurred during calm sea conditions but escalated rapidly when the vessel, engaged in water sports operations, was struck by a series of large, unexpected waves. At the time, the transom and port side shell doors were open, and the yacht had developed a port list due to lifting operations. The sudden water ingress overwhelmed the bilge system, disabled the hydraulics, and rendered the shell doors inoperable, ultimately forcing the vessel’s Master to beach the yacht to prevent capsize. No injuries or environmental damage occurred thanks to decisive onboard actions. Continue reading “Consultation on changes to requirements for through hull openings following flooding incident”

Tokyo MOU Annual Report 2024 published

Posted on by News Hound
Tokyo MOU 2024 annual report published
Tokyo MOU 2024 annual report published

The Tokyo MOU has released its Annual Report 2024, which conducted 32,054 inspections, which is four times the number of inspections undertaken three decades ago.

The Tokyo MOU noted that the detention rate has decreased 0.6 percentage points in 2024, continuous attention and emphasis needs to be paid as the level of detentions is still higher than that of the pre-pandemic period and almost the same level as that of ten years before. Furthermore, in 2024, the number of under-performing ships are nearly double that of the previous year, which indicates the condition of ships in the region is becoming worse. An analysis Continue reading “Tokyo MOU Annual Report 2024 published”

Investigators publish report on 2024 YM Mobility blast in China’s Ningbo Port

Posted on by News Hound

The YM Mobility fireThe China Maritime Safety Administration (CMSA) has published a report on its investigation into the explosion and subsequent fire on the Taiwanese-owned container vessel YM Mobility blast in China’s Ningbo Port on 9 August 2024. An explosion occurred in a container loaded with dangerous goods on board near the ship’s bow. According to the shipper’s declaration, the container was a reefer used as a substitute for a dry container, without requiring power connection. The estimated economic loss resulting from in the incident was about CNY90 million (US$13 million). Continue reading “Investigators publish report on 2024 YM Mobility blast in China’s Ningbo Port”

New Arbitration Act 2025: Key changes for maritime arbitrations

Posted on by News Hound

The front of a shipAccording to West P&I Club, the new UK Arbitration Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 24 February 2025 and will come into force most likely at some point later this year. The 2025 Act will not be a standalone Act but, rather, inserts amendments to the 1996 Act so as to enact the recommendations of the Law Commission codifying the common law position and eliminating ambiguity. As such, the 2025 Act will modernise arbitration in London to maintain its competitiveness as a seat for international arbitrations. Continue reading “New Arbitration Act 2025: Key changes for maritime arbitrations”

Lloyd’s Register summary report on MEPC 83

Posted on by News Hound

The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 83 session was held from 7-11 April 2025. The IMO MEPC is where the reduction of shipping’s impact on the marine environment is discussed. MEPC oversees the work of several sub-committees and influences subjects which cut-across the work of several committees, covering many key regulations.

And Lloyd’s Register has published a summary of the outcomes from the meeting. Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register summary report on MEPC 83”

Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum publishes guidance on fire response

Posted on by News Hound

Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum 'Fire Response - High Level Guidelines' The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum (VCSF) publishes its second industry good practice guidelines entitled ‘Fire Response – High Level Guidelines’. The VCSF recognises that responding to vehicle fires onboard PCCs, PCTCs, RoRo and Ro-Pax vessels is both dangerous and challenging. These guidelines have been designed to reduce the risk to the safety of crews, passengers, the environment, the vessel and the cargo. The guideline’s sole aim is to assist vessel operators and crews to be better prepared to meet the challenges presented by vehicle fires. Continue reading “Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum publishes guidance on fire response”

The “E-cars on Board – A Safe Passage” interferry brochure is a vital new resource

Posted on by Alex Ockenden

The Interferry e-brochureThe “E-cars on Board – A Safe Passage” interferry brochure addresses common concerns regarding battery electric vehicle (BEV) safety on ro-pax ferries. It provides clear, concise information based on recent research, including findings from projects such as Lash Fire, in which Interferry actively participated.

Interferry members are advised to take a look at the brochure and make it accessible to their customers in a simple way – for more informed decision-making, clarity and safety. Note: You do not have to be an Interferry member to print and distribute this brochure. Continue reading “The “E-cars on Board – A Safe Passage” interferry brochure is a vital new resource”

Fires and collisions account for the largest losses according to Cefor

Posted on by News Hound

Cefor logoThe Nordic Association of Marine Insurers (Cefor) has released its 2024 hull trends from the Nordic Marine Insurance Statistics (NoMIS), highlighting the rise of machinery damage in an ageing fleet, whilst fires and collisions account for the largest losses.

The Nordic Association of Marine Insurers (Cefor) has published its 2024 Ocean Hull and Coastal Hull reports, based on the Nordic Marine Insurance Statistics (NoMIS) database.

According to the data, machinery damage has showed a substantial increase in recent years, which should be seen in the context of an ageing fleet. Continue reading “Fires and collisions account for the largest losses according to Cefor”

TAIC publishes report into five fatalities after i-Catcher capsized

Posted on by News Hound
Fishing vessel
Source: TAIC

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) after five people died when the i-Catcher, fishing vessel, capsized off the coast of Goose Bay on 10 September 2022.

What happened

The i-Catcher was an 8-metre (m) aluminium pontoon boat operated by Fish Kaikoura 2011 Limited (Fish Kaikoura) out of South Bay in Kaikōura, New Zealand. The vessel was primarily engaged for charter fishing, with occasional sightseeing Continue reading “TAIC publishes report into five fatalities after i-Catcher capsized”

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