UK P&I Club advises on the need for ventilation when shipping grain cargoes

The need for ventilation when shipping grain cargoes is the subject of new advice from the UK P&I Club
The need for ventilation when shipping grain cargoes is the subject of new advice from the UK P&I Club

The UK P&I Club says that it has received a number of claims concerning damaged grain cargoes due to cargo sweat and provides the following advice and information on the benefits of ventilation. Cargo sweat can be caused primarily by either cargo heating up or from a vessel transiting from a warmer to cooler environment.

“If there is a temperature differential between the outside of the stow and the inside, moisture migration will result. Such moisture migration will also occur when one part of the bulk heats up for any particular reason, such as insect infestation, microbiological activity or proximity to a hot bulkhead. In all these circumstances, moisture will migrate from the warmer region to colder parts of the stow.” explains George Devereese of the Loss Prevention Department at UK P&I Club.

Continue reading “UK P&I Club advises on the need for ventilation when shipping grain cargoes”

Columbus Yachts unveils something new and exciting – a new full displacement 80m superyacht

Something new and exciting - an 80 metre superyacht from Columbus Yachts
Something new and exciting – an 80 metre superyacht from Columbus Yachts

Columbus Yachts has unveiled a new full displacement 80m superyacht, to be delivered to her owner in 2018. The large hexa-deck yacht will be the first in a range that will develop into even larger sizes.

Francesco Carbone, general manager at Columbus Yachts, claimed that Columbus has adopted a new approach to manufacturing the craft by “Working in parallel and not in series”.

The steel hull is currently under construction at the Palumbo Group’s Naples shipyard, and will be completed by the end of June 2017. The hull will be moved by barge from Naples to the sister facility in Ancona, where it will be joined to the pre-fabricated aluminium Continue reading “Columbus Yachts unveils something new and exciting – a new full displacement 80m superyacht”

New diesel injector set to change fuel systems and reduce emissions

The new RK Lab diesel injector is set to change the fuel system  landscape and reduce emissions
The new RK Lab diesel injector is set to change the fuel system landscape and reduce emissions

A new type of diesel injector developed by a Swiss company, RK Lab AG, is claimed to be about to change the face of diesel engine fuel systems and at the same time to reduce emissions.

Not only is this new injector claimed to increase the efficiency of diesel engines, but it is also claimed to greatly simplify the fuel system, removing the need for complex common rail fuel systems.

At the heart of this new fuel system is the self-pressurised RK Injector which utilises the pressure from the piston compression in the Continue reading “New diesel injector set to change fuel systems and reduce emissions”

BMA safety alert about wire gripe following a lifeboat incident

Wire Gripe Line
Wire Gripe Line

The Bahamas Maritime Authority issued a safety alert to inform about the sudden disengagement of a lifeboat during a ship inspection onboard a tanker following a wire gripe incident. The safety alert includes a description of the incident and lessons learnt to try and prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.

The incident

Whilst alongside the loading port, a Aframax tanker conducted a Port State Control (PSC) inspection during which the testing of the lifeboat engine and rudder was required. While swinging out the starboard lifeboat, the lifeboat disengaged from the aft fall hook without any warning. The lifeboat hook did not open, instead the master link pulled clear through the gate on the on-load release gear resulting in the lifeboat falling heavily. The aft end of the boat hit the fish plate on the main deck and slid over the side resulting in the boat hanging from the forward hook. No personnel were in the lifeboat and no injuries were sustained.

Continue reading “BMA safety alert about wire gripe following a lifeboat incident”

Port of Rotterdam set to build a bespoke centre for the offshore sector

Port of Rotterdam 3d visualisation
Port of Rotterdam 3d visualisation

The Port of Rotterdam is creating a new 70-hectare space for a specialist offshore centre for wind energy at sea, decommissioning oil and gas platforms and the oil and gas market.

Offshore Centre Maasvlakte 2 (OCMV2) will be located in Princess Alexiahaven against the seawall, near the berth of the heavy lift vessel Pioneering Spirit. The Port Authority will initially reclaim the first 30 hectares and install a heavy load deep sea quay, initially of 600 meters, with the necessary infrastructure. The plan is that the first businesses will become operational on OCMV2 in the course of 2019. The centre could potentially be extended by a further 40 hectares and 1,000 meters of quay wall.

Continue reading “Port of Rotterdam set to build a bespoke centre for the offshore sector”

More herrings than you can throw a fish at

Herring yacht
Herring yacht

Sometimes in my role as CEO, I find myself in the unlikeliest of places doing the strangest things. This was true just a couple of week ago and I am grateful to IIMS member, Jacek Goszczynski, who is based in Poland for inviting me to visit Szczecin to participate in the annual ‘Herring Gathering’. This event attracts over 2,000 people for an evening of celebration in the city of Szczecin in the north of the country. I found myself interacting with shipowners, hull insurance brokers, underwriters, educationalists and London P&I Club representatives. What a night and of course all in celebration of the humble herring – indeed I have never seen so many herrings in one place before, but I have acquired the taste.

Planning has been the name of the game recently at IIMS. We have a Large Yacht & Small Craft Super Training day coming up in November and the final finishing touches are being put to that. But more of that in the coming weeks. I am thrilled to announce that we have arranged a three day seminar in Singapore and I very much look forward to welcoming members, eCMID accredited vessel inspectors and anyone involved in the marine sector who would like to participate from 31 July to 2 August. We have a cracking couple of days lined up. For full details click here.

Continue reading “More herrings than you can throw a fish at”

Transport Malta: Investigation into explosion on-board MV Delfini

The Blue Lagoon yacht, MV Delfini
The Blue Lagoon yacht, MV Delfini

Transport Malta has issued an investigation report about an engine explosion on-board a passenger vessel, MV Delfini, which caused severe burn injuries to two people back in May 2016. The report sets out to determine the circumstances of the accident as a basis for making recommendations in order to prevent further and similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The incident

Two motor mechanics from the Company’s workshop were sent on board MV Delfini to investigate an engine problem reported by the vessel’s skipper and engine driver. Work was necessary on the port main engine to identify and eliminate the exhaust white smoke, which was being emitted by the engine under load conditions.

Continue reading “Transport Malta: Investigation into explosion on-board MV Delfini”

BMA issues a warnings about Alcares lifejacket light battery failure

Corroded and exploded battery
Corroded and exploded battery

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has issued a technical alert to bring to operators’ and inspectors’ attention that deficiencies have been found in lifejacket lights manufactured by Alcares in particular types Jack A1-Alk and Jack ARH-Alk, distributed by Datrex. A number of ships have reported issues relating to these defective lifejacket lights.

The notice highlights the following:
– Examination of the lights revealed that the batteries had leaked, resulting in contamination on the main board and resulting in the lights being considered unfit for further use.
Continue reading “BMA issues a warnings about Alcares lifejacket light battery failure”

The world’s first class approved 3D printed propeller WAAMpeller is on the horizon

The WAAMpeller propeller will be based on a Promarin design that is typically found on a Damen Stan Tug 1606
The WAAMpeller propeller will be based on a Promarin design that is typically found on a Damen Stan Tug 1606

Marking a major step forward in the application of 3D printing techniques in the maritime sector, Damen Shipyards Group has entered a cooperative consortium with RAMLAB, Promarin, Autodesk and Bureau Veritas. The goal of this group of forward-looking companies is to develop the world’s first class approved 3D printed ship’s propeller, to be called the WAAMpeller.

Damen’s involvement in the project began just over a year ago as a result of one of its in-house student research programmes. Continue reading “The world’s first class approved 3D printed propeller WAAMpeller is on the horizon”

UK P&I Club issues advice on cargo cold treatment failure

A collection of fruit
A collection of fruit

UK P&I Club says that it has seen an increase in refrigerated cargo claims for fresh fruit being shipped from South America to the United States due to cargo cold treatment failure. George Radu, Claims Executive at Thomas Miller Americas, comments on this increase and offers prevention solutions.

The process of cargo cold treatment is a more efficient way to exterminate fruit insects than fumigation, as it maintains a sufficient low temperature for a pre-determined period, in order to exterminate insects and larvae in perishable cargo. The period and temperature required are defined in protocols established by the relevant authorities of the importing countries.

Continue reading “UK P&I Club issues advice on cargo cold treatment failure”

Baltic Yachts announces the launch of the world’s largest carbon-fibre sloop

The world’s largest carbon-fibre sloop has been launched by Baltic Yachts
The world’s largest carbon-fibre sloop has been launched by Baltic Yachts

The Baltic Yachts 175 Pink Gin VI, the world’s largest carbon-fibre sloop, embarked on an unusual maiden voyage recently – by road. She was safely transported over a distance of 21km by a specialist low-loader from Baltic Yachts’ inland manufacturing site at Bosund to their waterfront yard in Jakobstad in preparation for final fit out and imminent launch next month.

The all carbon composite 160-ton, silver sloop might be impressively light for a yacht of her size, but she proved quite a challenge for the local road system. She travelled at an average speed of about 10km/hr during the journey during which roundabouts, a railroad crossing and other obstacles had to be negotiated. Baltic Yachts had permission to widen the road and temporarily removed traffic signs so that the unusual load could travel safely along her way.

Continue reading “Baltic Yachts announces the launch of the world’s largest carbon-fibre sloop”

Marshall Islands Registry issues advisory note following an explosion on a coal laden carrier

Photo not the vessel involved in the Marshall Islands Registry flagged incident
Photo not the vessel involved in the Marshall Islands Registry flagged incident

The Registry has issued an advisory note to alert the wider shipping community to the fact it is currently conducting a serious marine casualty investigation into the fatality of two seafarers, which occurred recently onboard a Marshall Islands Registry flagged vessel. Marshall Islands Registry has published its preliminary findings into the incident, which is still ongoing, so that it might help to identify potential risks and preventing similar incidents from taking place.

The vessel involved was a bulk carrier laden with coal. Marshall Islands Registry regrets that two seafarers died and two others were severely burned following the explosion and fire, which took place in the Bosun’s Store Room.

Continue reading “Marshall Islands Registry issues advisory note following an explosion on a coal laden carrier”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Show details
Performance & Marketing Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. This also helps us optimise our marketing campaigns. User data sent to Google Analytics may be used for ad personalization and measurement of our ad campaigns. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Show details