Increased liquefaction risk in the Indonesian wet season is highlighted

Risk of increased liquefaction risk in the Indonesian wet season is highlighted
Risk of increased liquefaction risk in the Indonesian wet season is highlighted

INTERCARGO have issued a reminder on liquefaction during the wet season in Indonesia, which runs from October to April, warning that this year there has been unusually heavy rainfall in the region resulting in significant congestion at both loading and unloading ports in Asia.

The heavy rainfall increases the risk of Nickle Ore and other Group A cargoes (i.e. cargoes that may liquefy) being shipped with a Moisture Content (MC) above its Transportable Moisture Limit (TML). The transportation of Group A cargoes with a MC above its TML can lead to cargo failure (liquefaction/dynamic separation) with catastrophic results. In addition, the INTERCARGO Secretariat has released details of a case in Indonesia where nickel ore has been mis-declared as iron ore.

In view of this, the association reminds those trading in the area to be especially cautious when Continue reading “Increased liquefaction risk in the Indonesian wet season is highlighted”

Maritime UK has established a Taskforce to increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector

Maritime UK has established a Taskforce increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector
Maritime UK has established a Taskforce increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector

The Taskforce brings together leaders from across the maritime sector to identify practical steps to increase the number of women in maritime, and crucially within senior roles across its shipping, ports, marine and business services industries.

Achieving a balanced workforce at all levels in the maritime sector will undoubtedly improve culture, behaviour, outcomes, profitability and productivity.

During London International Shipping Week, then Maritime Minister Rt Hon John Hayes MP called for industry to address gender imbalance in the sector. Government are represented on the Taskforce.

The Taskforce will make a series of recommendations and utilise Continue reading “Maritime UK has established a Taskforce to increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector”

Bilge system back-flow causes significant cargo damage

Bilge system back-flow causes significant cargo damage
Bilge system back-flow causes significant cargo damage

Writing in the latest publication by UK P&I Club, Captain David Nichol cites a case history describing a cargo damage case involving a bulk carrier caused by insufficient maintenance of the bilge system valves and the crew’s wrong estimation of the ingress alarm system.

The incident
Prior to loading a full cargo of bulk minerals the cargo holds were cleaned and tested successfully for watertight integrity. In addition, the efficient operation of the cargo hold bilge pumping system and water ingress alarms was also verified. A few days after departure from the loading port, the water ingress alarm for no.2 cargo hold was activated. However, when the hold bilges were sounded by the crew, they appeared to be dry and it was therefore assumed that the ingress alarm system was defective. Daily hold bilge soundings continued to give no cause for concern. At the discharge port, wet cargo was revealed at Continue reading “Bilge system back-flow causes significant cargo damage”

Gard P&I Club warns about forthcoming Asian Gypsy Moth season

Gard P&I Club warns about forthcoming Asian Gypsy Moth season
Gard P&I Club warns about forthcoming Asian Gypsy Moth season

The Gard P&I Club has published an an alert drawing attention to the Asian Gypsy Moth, the destructive forest pest that is known to spread via ocean-going vessels in international trade. In the alert Gard has highlighted that Australia has heightened vessel surveillance for Asian Gypsy Moth and in New Zealand is introducing new requirements from 1 February 2018.

Therefore, vessels calling at certain ports in Asia Pacific between May and September should be inspected and certified free of Asian Gypsy Moth prior to departure. These inspections are undertaken to minimize the potential for regulatory action when arriving in a country where the pest is not native.

According to Gard, countries currently known to regulate and inspect arriving vessels for Asian Gypsy Moth are: Continue reading “Gard P&I Club warns about forthcoming Asian Gypsy Moth season”

British Ports Association has published a video to highlight their importance to the UK economy

British Ports Association has published a video to highlight their importance to the UK economy
British Ports Association has published a video to highlight their importance to the UK economy

The British Ports Association has launched a video highlighting the importance of ports to the UK’s economy. The film uses new economic impact study data produced for Maritime UK – an umbrella group promoting the industry – to highlight the value of the UK ports industry. The figures show that collectively the industry employs 101,000 people, handles almost 500 million tons of freight and contributes £7.5 billion ($7.9 billion) to the economy.

The Chief Executive of The British Ports Association, Richard Ballantyne, said: Continue reading “British Ports Association has published a video to highlight their importance to the UK economy”

British Marine research suggests boating sector growth for the sixth consecutive year

British Marine research suggests boating sector growth for the sixth consecutive year
British Marine research suggests boating sector growth for the sixth consecutive year

The UK’s leisure marine industry has achieved its sixth consecutive year of growth, according to research conducted by British Marine.

Industry revenues increased by 3.4% in 2017 – rising to £3.12bn – their highest level since the financial crisis of 2007/08. The sector directly contributed over £1.3bn to the UK economy between March 2016 – April 2017, while supporting over 33,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the UK’s manufacturing and service industries.

And while UK productivity remains sluggish compared to Continue reading “British Marine research suggests boating sector growth for the sixth consecutive year”

Lerwick port expansion officially opened

The biggest expansion yet to service port users at Lerwick Harbour, Shetland Islands, UK was officially opened in mid July.

The £16.5 million quay was named Mair’s Pier by Shetland MSP Tavish Scott when he unveiled a new sign before invited guests, including port users, stakeholders and others.

Mr Scott said: “Lerwick Port Authority has, through the decades, invested in Shetland’s future. New quays, facilities and deeper, sheltered water reflect the needs of larger vessels, the ever-changing oil and gas industry and the importance of seafood to Shetland and the wider Scottish and UK economy.

Continue reading “Lerwick port expansion officially opened”

Alpeco delivers high speed refuelling solution for Jurong port

Alpeco, based in the UK, has designed, built and installed two jetty-based high speed dispensing units for refuelling a range of boats including small leisure craft, for Singapore-based CNC Petroleum.

The dispensers refuel vessels with diesel at flow rates of 100 LPM or 500 LPM and were installed on a jetty at Penjuru Terminal, Jurong Port.

Each dispenser is equipped with a single three inch liquid control flow metre and VEGA T electronic register which controls and measures Continue reading “Alpeco delivers high speed refuelling solution for Jurong port”

Shoreham Port unveils 20 year development plan

Shoreham Port looks forward to the next 20 years
Shoreham Port looks forward to the next 20 years

It’s been a busy start to 2017 at Shoreham Port with imports and exports flowing steadily through, new recruits joining the team and a number of development projects under way.

Recently, long-term plans at the Port have been in the spotlight. A framework for development for the Port over the next 20 years is set out in the Port’s Masterplan and in December the Masterplan underwent a ‘light touch review’ to bring the plans right up to date.

The Masterplan includes details of how Shoreham Port plans to meet its objectives as an ‘Eco-Port’ and improve the sustainability of all Continue reading “Shoreham Port unveils 20 year development plan”

Aberdeen Harbour expansion project approval announced

Commencement of a £350 million project to expand facilities at Aberdeen Harbour, which was recently granted planning consent in the form of Marine Licenses and a Harbour Revision Order by the Scottish Government, has been sanctioned by Aberdeen Harbour Board.

“We are delighted that, after six years of detailed planning and extensive consultation with our many stakeholders and the regulatory authorities, we are now in a position to approve commencement of construction”, stated Colin Parker, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Harbour Board.

Following a detailed engagement process, Aberdeen Harbour Board, in partnership with Dragados UK, a main contractor, will develop facilities over the next three years that will represent a step change in the marine support capabilities in Scotland. These will transform the port’s ability to accommodate the trend for larger vessels we are witnessing across a whole range of industries.

Continue reading “Aberdeen Harbour expansion project approval announced”

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

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.

Continue reading “Liverpool set to become the Silicon Valley of the maritime world?”

New policy to boost port development in India

The Maharashtra government is set to announce a new maritime policy for the development of the sector. The cabinet is likely to approve the policy on January 27, said people familiar with the development.

The draft policy was submitted to the government some time ago and it has been drafted by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with inputs from various stakeholders and experts.

A senior MMB officer confirmed to The Hindu that the policy is awaiting Cabinet approval, but declined to share details. Senior government officials said it would be announced by the Chief Minister.

Continue reading “New policy to boost port development in India”

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