New approval procedues published for in-water cleaning companies
The International Chamber of Shipping and BIMCO have published an approval procedure for in-water cleaning companies, aiming to set minimum requirements for approval of cleaning companies for various types of operations.
The Approval procedure for in-water cleaning companies is one of two separate documents that outline performance-based requirements for in-water cleaning of ship’s hull, propeller and niche areas with the capture of the materials that are removed during the process:
First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof
Oxfordshire-based company, HPi-CEproof has issued the Princess X95 with the first ever UKCA RCR certificate of conformity, following the new UK Recreational Craft Regulations which came into force on 1st January this year. HPi-CEproof is currently the only Approved Body empowered to issue ‘UKCA mark’ certificates, enabling compliance with the post-Brexit UK Recreational Craft Regulations.
Celebrating the significance of its appointment, HPi-CEproof auctioned the rights for a boatbuilder to be assessed for RCR certificate number one. Proceeds were split equally between the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) and British Divers Marine Life Rescue. No fees were charged for the assessment.
How USCG plan to enforce MARPOL Annex VI Regulation
The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has published a policy letter to outline how the US Coast Guard will enforce MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 13.5.1.2.1, the Tier III NOx limits, for certain engines installed on recreational vessels above 24 meters in length and less than 500 gross tonnage. The USCG will defer enforcement on the operation of engines on large recreational vessels subject to the prohibition.
Latest flag state performance table published by ICS
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published the latest flag state performance table (2020/2021) which finds that many of the largest flag states, including the Marshall Islands, Hong Kong (China), Singapore as well as the Bahamas and Cyprus, continue to perform to an exceptionally high standard, with traditional flags and open registers performing equally well.
ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten, says: “The flag state performance table clearly indicates that distinctions between ‘traditional’ flags and open registers are no longer meaningful. Alongside several European registers, and flags such as Japan, we have seen many open registers amongst the very top performers”. Continue reading “2020/1 flag state performance table published by International Chamber of Shipping”
New quality standard DryBMS to be launched for the dry bulk sector
RightShip and INTERCARGO have announced the launch of an important new quality standard for the dry bulk sector, DryBMS. The standard will be governed by a new NGO to be established later this year and will support the improvement of safety in the dry bulk segment.
Both organisations have strongly and consistently advocated the need for significant improvements to dry bulk safety standards. In August 2020 both organisations combined their expertise to create a single framework for the whole industry. Supported by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and BIMCO, DryBMS now exists as a simple set of best practices and key performance indicators and raises the bar on safety, environmental and operational excellence.
Reported loss of containers overboard from Maersk Essen
News of yet another incident involving the loss of hundreds of containers overboard from a containership will surely raise yet more questions about why this is happening at seemingly regular intervals. The probable cause of the loss of around 750 containers from Maersk Essen in the North Pacific was heavy weather.
The incident happened on January 16. The Maersk Essen case is the third such occurrence recently reported in the Pacific as well as other high profile incidents elsewhere in the past six months. According to sources at WK Webster, it seems likely that some containers will have collapsed, or have been damaged in the affected stacks, but remain on board. These containers will need to be removed or repositioned. Continue reading “Reported loss of containers overboard from Maersk Essen containership in the Pacific”
Initiatives to develop the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells
Alfa Laval, DTU Energy, Haldor Topsoe, Svitzer and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping are entering into a joint project to accelerate the development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. Funded by a grant from Danish EUDP (Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program), the partners will pursue a high-efficiency solution with the scalability to support marine industry decarbonization.
The project, SOFC4Maritime, will target optimal utilization of future green fuels via application of SOFCs for power production on marine vessels. When based on fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen or bio-methane, SOFCs hold great promise as a replacement for today’s fossil fuels. Such alternatives are needed in the maritime industry, which must transition to greener power over just a few decades.
By electrochemically converting fuel into electricity, SOFCs can potentially produce power with higher efficiency than internal combustion engines running on the same fuel – without creating polluting emissions or particulates. Ammonia-based SOFCs are especially attractive, since ammonia can be produced in large scale using Continue reading “New joint initiatives to develop the decarbonization potential of solid oxide fuel cells”
Cargo snagging during lifting operations safety alert issued
The Marine Safety Forum has issued a safety alert in which it describes a case of cargo snagging during lifting operations. The incident has highlighted the need for improvement in deck space management and planning.
A vessel was engaged in deck cargo operations at an offshore location. A number of lifts had been successfully discharged and backloaded which led to limited space on deck. The crane operator advised the next lift would be the 25ft basket on the starboard side which was duly connected to the crane hook. The vessel deck crew moved to a safe place and confirmed to the crane operator that he was clear to hoist.
Limiting liquefaction – Photo credit: London P&I Club
Although the IMO provides the official regulations and guidance notes on cargo liquefaction, P&I Clubs such as The London P&I Club offer complementary advice to ship’s masters to raise awareness of the issue and to suggest practical steps to reduce the danger.
IMO has identified 75 bulk cargoes that have the potential to liquefy under certain conditions – these are known as Group A cargoes. If the Moisture Content (MC) of a Group A cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) then vibration and the motion of the vessel might cause that cargo to behave as a liquid rather than a solid when it is being transported in the hold. When in liquified form, and in a heavy sea, the cargo can easily flow from one side of the hold to the other. This affects the vessel’s stability and can lead to a vessel capsizing. Therefore it is vital that the crew are fully aware of this issue and are able to spot warning signs as early as possible.
Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB
MAIB has released a report on the fatal accident on board the trawler Sunbeam. On 14 August 2018, a second engineer on board was asphyxiated and died in one of the vessel’s refrigerated saltwater tanks. The report found that entering Sunbeam‘s tanks without safety precautions had become ‘normalised’ by the crew and had been done ‘without consequence’ over a period of many years.
Sunbeam was in Fraserburgh getting ready for a refit and the refrigerated saltwater tanks had been emptied of water in preparation for cleaning. Entry into the tanks, which were enclosed spaces, was routine business for the crew, both when operating the tanks at sea and during maintenance in harbour.
The second engineer was found collapsed inside a refrigerated saltwater tank. The available evidence, says MAIB, strongly indicates that he’d entered the tank to sweep away residual water. When he was found, three of his crew mates went into the Continue reading “Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB”
Cargo fumigation remains a challenging operation onboard. An investigation by the Bahamas Maritime Authority found that the crew had been exposed to the fumigant gas – which had been used to treat a cargo of corn – after positive pressure in the accommodation was lost when the ventilation system was stopped by a large wave flooding the galley and store through the ventilation trunking.
Due to the fumigant gas leak, one seafarer died and three others had to be evacuated from their ship after exposure to hydrogen phosphide gas, it has prompted calls for a radical overhaul of the rules governing fumigated cargoes.
EU delayes Inventory of Hazardous Materials obligations until the 30 June 2021
Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) is a document package that shows the quantities and locations of hazardous materials onboard a vessel. Once on board the IHM should be updated when changes occur on board until the end of life of the vessel.
The European Union (EU) has given some support on the obligations under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation to have the IHM on board by the 31st December 2020. This is due to the multiple challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The European Commission (EC) has suggested to EU member states to apply a harmonised approach for six months after the entry 31st December 2020 into application of the IHM-related obligations for existing EU flagged ships and non-EU flagged ships calling at EU ports or anchorages. On this basis Members will have up until 30th June 2021. Continue reading “EU delayes Inventory of Hazardous Materials obligations until the 30 June 2021”
