Essential advice on how to avoid claims arising from the transportation of steel cargo

Avoiding claims from the transportation of steel cargo is the subject of a new guidance publication by The American P&I Club
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.

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ClassNK issues amendment of rules for ship windows

The Control Window of a ship
The Control Window of a ship

ClassNK has investigated behaviour of waves acting on windows located considerably above the freeboard deck of ships where the navigation bridges are located forward of the midship, such as onboard Ro-Ro cargo ships. Based on the investigation results, ClassNK has issued amendment of rules for ship windows.

It has been found out that there is possibility waves can hit the windows located considerably above the freeboard deck due to waves rolling over the foredeck and running up along the front walls, even though the wave height may not be so high that the wave directly reaches the windows. In fact, cases have been confirmed in which navigation bridge windows seem to have been damaged by the aforementioned phenomenon.

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McMurdo launches the first four frequency EPIRB

mcmurdo
mcmurdo

McMurdo has launched a new family of EPIRBs that aim to accelerate the search and rescue process by combining multiple frequencies into a single EPIRB product.

Apparently, the McMurdo SmartFind and Kannad SafePro EPIRBs will be the world’s first distress beacons that can support each of the four frequencies used in the search and rescue process – 406MHz and 121.5MHz for beacon transmission, GNSS for location positioning, and AIS for localised connectivity.

This multiple-frequency capability should help ensure faster detection, superior positioning accuracy, greater signal reliability and, ultimately, accelerated rescue of people or vessels in distress.

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What can be done about the contamination of GMO crop cargo

container with cargo
container with cargo

The West P&I Club has reproduced an article written by Dr. Tim Moss and Dr. Daniel Sheard of Brookes Bell entitled “Contamination with GMO crop cargo – What can be done?”. The article discusses the science behind GMO crops, along with the ramifications of being found to have GMO contaminated cargo onboard. It also looks at the practical measures that can be taken to prevent a cargo becoming contaminated and to prevent the spoilage of a cargo that has been rejected due to GMO contamination.

Problems for the carrier may arise due to traces of GMO crops being found in a subsequent cargo due to ineffective cargo hold cleaning, and the cargo is rejected at the discharge port, or where a cargo found to contain GMO remains onboard the vessel for an extended period before it is possible for it to be discharged, and the condition of the cargo begins to deteriorate.

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Winners of the IIMS Silver Jubilee Awards for Excellence announced

Sir Alan Massey, MCA CEO, (right), is thanked by IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, for presenting the IIMS Silver Jubilee Awards
Sir Alan Massey, MCA CEO, (right), is thanked by IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, for presenting the IIMS Silver Jubilee Awards

Following a search lasting six months to discover and recognise excellence in marine surveying, the IIMS Silver Jubilee Awards for Excellence were announced on 31 August 2016 at Regent’s University in central London as part of the Institute’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

Presentations of the crystal trophies were made by Sir Alan Massey during a splendid luncheon and ceremony. Sir Alan, who is Chief Executive Officer of the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, also addressed around 100 delegates at the end of the ceremony when he gave a short key note speech.

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Fitting bulldog grips incorrectly may cause cargo damage

Two men securing a container
Two men securing a container

The single most predominant factor associated with the failure of cargo lashings is the incorrect application of bulldog grips. Tony Watson, Risk Assessor at UK P&I Club has issued some advice on the correct application of bulldog grips in order to minimise damage to cargo.

Bulldog grips are commonly used for the securing of project cargo, both under and below deck. They are also used on ships on mast stays and crane wires, although swaged connections are now more common. Failed lashings can result in significant damage to cargoes and can also pose significant risk to the wellbeing of crew members and the safety of the ship.

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Pods versus water lubricated props – greater comparative studies required says Thordon Bearings

Giant Ship Propellors
Giant Ship Propellors

Thordon Bearings has called on the marine industry to investigate the characteristics of both conventional seawater-lubricated propeller shaft systems and podded propulsion arrangements in order to provide shipowners with a better understanding of the two very different propulsion configurations.

In a recently published White Paper, the Canadian manufacturer of the COMPAC seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing system believes there is a great opportunity for independent comparative data so that cruiseship operators, in particular, can make more informed procurement decisions.

Highlighting the development of both systems, the 24 page paper asks if the water-lubricated propeller shaft is more efficient than podded propulsion, encouraging readers to assess a number of different factors before selecting their optimum propulsion solution.

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Liverpool set to become the Silicon Valley of the maritime world?

Dockyard
Dockyard

Article reprinted from the Liverpool Echo and written by Liam Murphy

Hi-tech barges could be built at Merseyside’s Cammell Laird as part of plans to make the region “the Silicon Valley for the maritime sector”. The aim is to replace the thousands of lorry journeys expected to be generated when the massive new Liverpool2 port is fully opened with tidal and solar powered vessels. Plans are now being drawn up for the barges – which could even be automated – to transport freight containers from the new deepwater port further inland down the Manchester Ship Canal to Salford docks.

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Isle of Man Ship Registry issues new guidance on refrigeration gas storage

Gas Cannisters
Gas Cannisters

Isle of Man Ship Registry has issued a Manx Shipping Notice (MSN) to provide guidance to all Isle of Man Registered vessels on the installation and maintenance of oxy-acetylene and refrigeration gas equipment. This MSN replaces Industry Circulars 14 and 20 which are withdrawn.

Gas cylinders containing refrigeration gas and nitrogen are normally sent to the ship full and returned to a service provider when empty. These gases are not corrosive and providing the bottle contains the original gas sent from the supplier (and gas has not been added to the bottle on board) the bottles can be periodically inspected and tested at intervals in accordance with the RID/ADR regulations. In most cases, for refrigeration gases and nitrogen this is at 10 yearly intervals.

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New design of coastal feeder ship wins Japan award

Feeder ship with innovative new design
Feeder ship with innovative new design

A coastal feeder vessel featuring a novel, aerodynamic bow form has been voted ‘Best Small Cargo Ship’ at the Japanese Ship of the Year event hosted by the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE).

Deployed since delivery in December on the Japanese feeder network operated by Imoto Lines, the 548 teu Natori won the award on account of its energy-saving and safety features. The vessel is highly unusual in appearance, by virtue of a hemispherical-like prow, with integral, rounded forward bridge and superstructure, rendering a highly unusual appearance.

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AMSA notifies changes in its certification and accreditation services from 2017

AMSA
AMSA

AMSA has issued new edition of its publication ‘ Working Boats’ including information regarding changes in its certification and accreditation services.

Currently, even though AMSA is responsible for regulating domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) across Australia, the way you get your services — such as certificates and vessel IDs, undertaking surveys and the fees associated with these services — is not the same around the country. Those services are currently delivered by each state and territory, which sets its own procedures and fees for these services.

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Surveyors beware of how to avoid claims for ‘cooking’ soya beans

Soya beans
Soya beans

The latest issue of North P&I Club’s loss prevention newsletter has advised operators to be extra vigilant during loading and transport of soya beans to ensure they do not get blamed for cargoes that start “cooking” at sea.

North’s loss prevention director Tony Baker says, “We have experienced a number of high value claims in China associated with damage to soya beans exported from South America. These claims tend to recur on an annual basis associated with the harvest cycle of soya beans. Similar claims can also occur with other grain cargoes.”

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