Turkey issues new ballast water requirements

Turkey issues new ballast water requirements
Turkey issues new ballast water requirements

P&I club The American Club has issued an alert to inform members of new ballast water requirements in Turkey.

The club says Turkish authorities have recently issued a notice regarding their efforts to ensure that foreign flagged vessels have met the Regulation D-2 ballast water performance standard as required by the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) that went into force on 8 September this year. Continue reading “Turkey issues new ballast water requirements”

Preventing cargo damage through hatch cover maintenance

hatch cover maintenance can prevent cargo damage
hatch cover maintenance can prevent cargo damage

According to the American P&I Club, the ingress of seawater through leaking hatch covers remains one of the most significant causes of cargo damage aboard dry cargo vessels. Cargo damaged by water leaking through hatch covers can result in large claims and affect Members’ claims records. Most leakage problems occur because of poor maintenance. Hatch covers will leak if:
– compression surfaces are not aligned correctly due to worn bearing pads, locator and/or stoppers;
– gasket sections are damaged, missing, worn, over compressed or inserted in Continue reading “Preventing cargo damage through hatch cover maintenance”

Managing the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires

A li-ion battery fire will sustain itself, meaning that rather than lasting minutes or hours, a fire can continue for days.
A li-ion battery fire will sustain itself, meaning that rather than lasting minutes or hours, a fire can continue for days.

The global energy transition has led to an acceleration of new and innovative technologies designed to support decarbonization efforts across the global supply chain. The maritime industry plays a fundamental part in this effort, not simply by addressing its own impact on global CO2 emissions, but also by facilitating the availability and transportation of new and innovative technologies that are designed to mitigate carbon emissions. Continue reading “Managing the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires”

P&I club Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier

Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier
Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier

P&I club Britannia has published an incident case study after two fumigation contractors died from asphyxiation on a bulk carrier.

The unexpected incident occurred onboard the vessel nearing the completion of loading corn cargo, which resulted in the death of one contractor. Before the incident, the cargo holds had been closed for six days, leading to depleted oxygen levels inside. This incident highlights the dangers of closed cargo holds, the lack of awareness about hazardous conditions, and the human tendency to help others in distress without considering personal safety. Continue reading “P&I club Britannia shares lessons learned following asphyxiation on a bulk carrier”

Essential guide to tanker ship coatings

tanker ships rely on specialized coatings for their onboard tanks to safeguard against corrosion and contamination.
tanker ships rely on specialized coatings for their onboard tanks to safeguard against corrosion and contamination.

According to Britannia P&I Club, who have produced this essential guide to tanker ship coatings, tanker ships rely on specialized coatings for their onboard tanks to safeguard against corrosion and contamination.

The Club has published a guidance tanker ship coatings which explores the different types of coatings, including stainless steel and pure epoxy, giving details of their properties, advantages, and limitations.

A reliable and effective tank coating prevents water and corrosive agents from coming into Continue reading “Essential guide to tanker ship coatings”

Updated guidelines for steel cargo pre-load surveys

American P&I Club has updated guidelines for steel cargo pre-load surveys
American P&I Club has updated guidelines for steel cargo pre-load surveys

In Circular 23/14 entitled Steel Cargo Pre-Load Surveys: An Update, the American P&I Club has revised its extensive recommendations in regard to the conduct of precautionary surveys of certain steel cargoes to minimize the prospect of spurious steel cargo claims.

Over the period since the first Circular, Members have followed the recommendations it contained and made progress in minimizing and averting the risks, and consequent liabilities, associated with such cargoes. To further clarify what is required of Members regarding the handling of steel cargoes, it has been thought appropriate to revisit and update the Club’s advice to reaffirm best practice going forward. Continue reading “Updated guidelines for steel cargo pre-load surveys”

Key steps in preventing engine room fires

Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires
Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires

As most fires on board ships start in the engine room, Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires, based on observations made during condition surveys of vessels entered by the organisation’s personnel.

According to Gard, there are a number of built-in safety features on board a vessel, designed to limit the risk of fire and the spread of it, and the officers and crew must have full knowledge of these and maintain their integrity. Thus, the Club advises the following: Continue reading “Key steps in preventing engine room fires”

Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum issues guidance on vehicle carrier presentation and loading of vehicles

The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum has published its first industry good practice guidelines
The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum has published its first industry good practice guidelines

The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum has published its first industry good practice guidelines entitled ‘Common Guidance on the loading and presentation of vehicles’. The guidance, and supporting checklist, are intended to reduce the risks associated with the shipment of unaccompanied vehicles, including electric and hybrid vehicles, and to promote the safety of terminal and vessel personnel and the protection of property including the vessel itself.

The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum is a consortium of vessel operators, insurers and other industry experts, whose role is to promote safety on vessels designed to carry vehicles. The guidance is supported by industry bodies The International Group of P&I Clubs, The International Chamber of Shipping and the TT Club. Continue reading “Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum issues guidance on vehicle carrier presentation and loading of vehicles”

Guidance on reducing the risk of collisions with fishing vessels

Reducing the risk of collisions with fishing vessels
Reducing the risk of collisions with fishing vessels

Close quarter situations with fishing vessels and/or their associated fishing gear remain common. This often results in loss of life, in addition to any damage to fishing gear or boats.

Although the COLREGS should technically apply to all vessels of all Member States, they are very often overlooked or ignored. On small vessels in some regions of the world, it is common to have an unqualified skipper and crew who know little about safe navigation. Remember, many of these fishermen are poor, ill-educated and desperate to make a living. Safety is often a secondary concern. Continue reading “Guidance on reducing the risk of collisions with fishing vessels”

Britannia Risk Watch publication tackles lithium-ion guidance

Britannia Risk Watch publication tackles lithium ion batteries
Britannia Risk Watch publication tackles lithium-ion guidance

In a recent edition of Britannia Risk Watch, published by the Britannia P&I Club, safely transporting Lithium-ion batteries in the shipping industry is just one of a number of important topics under the microscope.

Lithium-ion batteries have gained significant attention in recent years due to their pivotal role in the global shift towards sustainability, as well as their association with certain fire risks relating to thermal runaway, self-ignition, and the risk of an explosive and toxic atmosphere.

According to Jacob Damgaard, Divisional Director, Loss Prevention Singapore, the energy storage unit typically comprises a box or Continue reading “Britannia Risk Watch publication tackles lithium-ion guidance”

Liquid cargo contamination best practices

Gard shares guidance about liquid cargo contamination
Gard shares guidance about liquid cargo contamination

Gard personnel Satoru Yamashita, Senior Claims Executive, Tokyo, and Cheryl Acker, Senior Claims Executive, New York, present the following best practices in order to avoid liquid cargo contamination claims.

P&I Club, Gard, has handled a number of liquid cargo contamination claims arising from previous cargo residues. As a result of these cases and their experience Gard has issued some helpful advice and guidance to assist the industry to try and avoid future claims.

Liquid cargo contamination claims can be costly and Gard has seen cases arising when the last cargo onboard was coconut oil, palm oil, or other edible oils. Continue reading “Liquid cargo contamination best practices”

Draft survey practical guidance published by Britannia P&I Club

Draft survey practical guidance published by Britannia P&I Club
Draft survey practical guidance published by Britannia P&I Club

This essential practical guidance issued by Britannia P&I Club provides an overview of the key concepts and considerations involved in conducting a draft survey for ships.

Draft surveys play a crucial role in determining the quantity of cargo loaded onto a ship. While based on the simple principle of Archimedes’ law of floatation, the calculation process can be complex due to the ship’s shape, non-linear changes in draft due to hog and sag, and external weather conditions. Continue reading “Draft survey practical guidance published by Britannia P&I Club”

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