Following a number of incidents involving white powder deposits being found on food cargoes that have been transported in refrigerated containers, UK P&I Club has issues some advice. The presence of aluminium oxide/hydroxide, which appears as white powder deposits on food cargoes, can result in lost transportation revenues, customer rejections, insurance claims and even government mandated destruction of the food cargoes. George Radu, Claims Executive at UK P&I Club, comments on how this cargo loss can be prevented.
The leading fuel cell company PowerCell Sweden AB (publ) has received the first marine order for two PowerCell S3 prototype stacks, which Swiss Hydrogen will install on a ship powered by photovoltaics.
“The marine industry is a very interesting area, in which our capacity to deliver electricity without emissions is extremely important. This order comprises two PowerCell S3 prototypes. The order is of strategic importance, but has a limited effect on the result. We are responsible for the fuel cells and Swiss Hydrogen will manufacture the system and conduct adjustments to certify it for the marine environment. The advantage is that our fuel cell stacks are modular and in this way we can get in a few hundred horsepower where it is required in marine applications”, said Per Wassén, CEO, PowerCell Sweden AB.
Learning from failures and incidents is essential in a lean and cost effective organisation and is often a fundamental requirement in regulations. However, incidents should not be seen in isolation as the broader view and key industry learnings might get lost. DNV GL has investigated over 2000 incidents and failures globally, identifying trends among the data and invites the oil and gas industry to join and share experiences. To further strengthen DNV GL’s global lab capabilities for failure investigation, a new lab in Bergen is opening, including one of the world’s largest tensile testing machines.
As the oil and gas industry strives for cost effective execution in projects and operations while maintaining a high focus on safety and environmental footprint, innovative and smart solutions are needed more than ever. By extracting data and knowledge from all the detailed incident investigations performed over the years, solutions might be just around the corner.
Gard P&I Club reports an increase in heat related damage claims in soya bean cargoes loaded in South America
Gard P&I Club says that many claims relating to heat damage in soya bean cargoes loaded in South America, particularly Brazil and Uruguay, mostly for discharge in China have been reported this year. Due to the relatively high value of soya beans and the fairly large quantities shipped, the disputes have in some cases involved multi-million dollar claims. In a recently published loss prevention article, Gard P&I Club highlights the importance of inspections as important visible signs that fall under the phrase “apparent condition” can reveal at an early stage the problem and recommends guidelines to assist operations involved in the transportation of soya bean cargoes.
It is important to remember that there is an obligation in law, under the relevant cargo carriage liability regimes, to inspect the cargo’s apparent order and condition at loading, to enable the Master to ensure that the bill of lading is accurate in its description of these items. The same regimes obliges the Master and his crew to properly care for the cargo once loaded.
Automated Ships Ltd from the UK and Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build the world’s first unmanned and fully-automated vessel for offshore operations. In January 2017, Automated Ships Ltd will contract the ‘Hrönn’, which will be designed and built in Norway in co-operation with Kongsberg.
Sea trials will take place in Norway’s newly designated automated vessel test bed in the Trondheim fjord and will be conducted under the auspices of DNV GL and the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA). The Hrönn will ultimately be classed and flagged, respectively.
A Crowdfunder campaign for a world first autonomous research ship intended to journey across the Atlantic in 2020 as part of the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing has been launched at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom.
The campaign is part of a funding drive to raise £10 million for the Mayflower Autonomous Research Ship (MAS), which is being created by the University, MSubs, the ProMare, and Shuttleworth Design.
The UK P&I Club has commented on the risks associated with rice cargoes transportation and advises on the precautions that can be taken to minimise losses.
479 million tonnes of rice were produced in the 2013/14 season, with 38 million tonnes transported across borders, exported mainly by Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan. As global demand for staple foods has risen and the shipping industry has faced increasing pressure on freight rates, a large percentage of rice cargoes shipments are transported in bagged form aboard traditional bulk carriers, with smaller parcels carried more and more often as containerised cargo.
Lloyd’s Register, the UK P&I Club, and INTERCARGO have produced a pocket guide for ships’ officers and agents who arrange cargoes for loading. This pocket guide outlines the precautions to be taken before accepting solid bulk cargoes for shipment; sets out procedures for safe loading and carriage; details the primary hazards associated with different types of cargo; and underlines the importance of proper cargo declarations. A quick reference checklist and flowchart summarise the steps to be followed.
Painting of SUHAILI by Melbourne Smith. Published by Rudder Magazine in September 1974
Like the original Sunday Times event back in 1968/9, the 2018 Golden Globe Race is very simple. Depart Falmouth, England on June 16th 2018 and sail solo, non-stop around the world, via the five Great Capes and return to Falmouth. Entrants are limited to use the same type of yachts and equipment that were available to Robin Knox-Johnston in that first race. That means sailing without modern technology or benefit of satellite based navigation aids. Competitors must sail in production boats between 32ft and 36ft overall (9.75 – 10.97m) designed prior to 1988 and having a full-length keel with rudder attached to their trailing edge. These yachts will be heavily built, strong and steady, similar in concept to Robin’s 32ft vessel Suhaili.
In contrast to the current professional world of elite ocean racing, this edition travels back to a time known as the ‘Golden Age’ of solo sailing. Suhaili was a slow and steady 32ft double-ended ketch based on a William Atkins ERIC design. She is heavily built of teak and carried no computers, GPS, satellite phone nor water-maker, and Robin completed the challenge without the aid of modern day shore-based weather routing advice. He had only a wind-up chronometer and a barograph to face the world alone, and caught rainwater to survive, but was at one with the ocean, able to contemplate and absorb all that this epic voyage had to offer.
The Isle of Man Ship registry has announced a new consultation and a timescale for delivery of major changes to the structure of its operating models and fees. The proposed changes are expected to exceed current and predicted expectations for a modern, progressive registry operation.
The proposed changes will provide full delegation of statutory surveys and inspections to Classification Societies as well as providing a new programme of Flag State Inspections to satisfy international Flag State obligations to the International Maritime Organisation. The Registry will also simplify its fees to provide a more competitive and predictable fee structure.
Dick Welsh, Director of the Isle of Man Ship Registry, commented:
“This is a change we have been planning for some time. It is the game changing final step in the delegation to Recognised Organisations which will place the Isle of Man in a more competitive position whilst improving the service levels for which it is renowned.”
Transport Minister, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon addressed the UK Chamber’s inaugural UK Shipping Summit, where leaders from across industry gathered to examine and discuss key issues facing the sector in the years ahead. In his keynote address the Minister called on the shipping and maritime sector to play it’s role in shaping the discussions ahead in light of the decision to leave the European Union;
“As we leave the European Union we will forge a bold and positive new role for ourselves in the world. We must look to economic and industrial strategy, global trade and social reform to ensure Britain’s place in the world and a strong future for its citizens.
Avoiding claims from the transportation of steel cargo is the subject of a new guidance publication by The American P&I Club
The handling, stowage and transportation of steel cargo has been an ongoing focus of P&I loss prevention activity. The American P&I Club has published its latest publication: Transport Guidance for Steel Cargoes, which is a detailed guide (downloadable in pdf format below) running to some 100 pages with a view to offering a comprehensive overview of how to avoid claims arising from the carriage of these cargoes from a variety of related perspectives.
The frequency and costs of steel cargo related claims experienced by the American Club between 2000 and 2015 have been substantial. During this period, steel cargo claims have accounted for an astonishing US$ 15.4 million in financial losses to the Association.
