Ship News

Autonomous Barge Master gangway landing solution set to improve safety for offshore structures

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Autonomous Barge Master gangway
Autonomous Barge Master gangway

A new autonomous landing solution for offshore structures, called the Barge Master gangway, is designed to significantly improves both safety and performance.

Through a combination of radar technology, cameras and sensors, Bosch Rexroth’s system automatically attaches the landing from the ship to the required site without the need for manual input. This means that the operation is consistent and reliable, regardless of weather and ocean conditions.

After the automated landing procedure, the Barge Master gangway is held safely in place through a combination of motion compensation and the ship’s dynamic positioning.

“There are a number of benefits to the autonomous landing system,” says Rene Coppens, Business Development Manager for Continue reading “Autonomous Barge Master gangway landing solution set to improve safety for offshore structures”

What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?

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Biofuel containers - What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?
What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?

Shipping is the backbone of the global economy, responsible for about 90% of world trade. But it also accounts for almost 3% (and rising) of man-made carbon dioxide emissions. The industry’s regulator set a series of emission-cutting targets back in 2018 aimed at driving a transition away from high-polluting fossil fuels. If the more ambitious goals are to be hit, the world’s ships will need to start burning new, clean fuel by 2030; such as biofuels. The question is, which one?

1. What are the bio-bunker options for ships after 2030?

Ships burn about 5 million barrels of fossil fuel every day, pumping a constant stream of CO2 and other chemical nasties into the atmosphere. Yet figuring out the fuel of the future isn’t just about emissions. It’s got to have enough power to propel gigantic tankers around the globe, be storable and transportable, and, of course, not too costly. Here’s a list of the front- Continue reading “What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?”

Artificial intelligence based system detects misdeclared cargo

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Cargo containers being moved - AI based system detects misdeclared cargo
AI based system detects misdeclared cargo

Dealing with misdeclared cargo and its consequences is one of the most challenging issues for the shipping industry at this current time. Known to be at the root of many major marine accidents, including fires causing loss of life and significant damage, shipping lines have been seeking to develop an approach to detect and reduce the risks of misdeclarations.

In July 2020, the National Cargo Bureau (NCB) reported that its recent inspection initiatives revealed an alarming number of containers included misdeclared dangerous cargoes. Citing the fact that on average a containership suffers a major fire every 60 days, the NCB reported that it conducted more than 32,000 dangerous dry and tank good inspections in the US in 2019, finding that more than six Continue reading “Artificial intelligence based system detects misdeclared cargo”

MOL Prestige engine room fire caused by poor maintenance reveals accident report

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Effects of an engine room fire
Effects of an engine room fire

Maintenance related issues led to the engine room fire on board the container vessel MOL Prestige in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia (BC) in January 2018, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are revealed in its investigation report, now published.

On 31 January 2018, a fire broke out in the engine room of the 6,350 TEU MOL Prestige while the vessel, managed by Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) was at sea 146 nautical miles SSW of Haida Gwaii. There were 22 crew Continue reading “MOL Prestige engine room fire caused by poor maintenance reveals accident report”

Tony Goldsmith named as new Head of Marine & Trade by Hill Dickinson

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Tony Goldsmith pictured
Tony Goldsmith pictured

Tony Goldsmith has been appointed as Head of Marine and Trade at UK headquartered international law firm Hill Dickinson. Tony Goldsmith is a former seagoing master mariner who joined Hill Dickinson in 1993 and became founder and managing partner of the firm’s Singapore office when it opened in 2009. He will succeed the firm’s current Head of Marine, David Wareing, who is due to retire in the autumn having held the position since 2017.

“I am absolutely delighted to be taking over the helm from David, with the full support of the team,” said Goldsmith. “Our Marine Group has benefited hugely from David’s wise stewardship, helping to reinforce our position as an industry leader in the many sectors for which we are known. There are exciting and challenging times ahead as the world emerges from lockdown, and it is a privilege that I have been entrusted to take over the baton.”

Hill Dickinson chief executive Peter Jackson said: “Tony Goldsmith is hugely respected as a maritime law specialist, Continue reading “Tony Goldsmith named as new Head of Marine & Trade by Hill Dickinson”

The importance of manifold and first foot samples at load ports

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Person in a hazmat suit looking through a microscope - importance of manifold and first foot samples
importance of manifold and first foot samples

Following the standard tanker practices of sampling when loading petroleum products could save owners millions of dollars in claims and save loss of time and ensuing losses for charterers and shipowners says P&I Club, Gard. When it comes to dealing with liquid cargo contamination claims, the majority of the losses could have been avoided if the vessel had followed basic tanker seamanship practice. Gard has previously highlighted the importance of manifold samples as the multimillion dollar samples for tankers. This alert focuses on the importance of the manifold and first foot samples, and the lessons learnt from cases arising in the Black Sea ports. A recent notification from Gard’s correspondents, Novorissiysk Insurance Company Nostra Ltd., highlighted several cases of flash point depression in gasoil Continue reading “The importance of manifold and first foot samples at load ports”

Clean Cargo report shows reduction in CO2 emissions for container shipping

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Cargo ship being loaded up - Clean Cargo report shows reduction in CO2 emissions
Clean Cargo report shows reduction in CO2 emissions

According to a new report by Clean Cargo, carbon dioxide emissions from 17 of the world’s leading ocean container carriers, representing approximately 85 percent of global containerized shipping, continued to fall in 2019. Global industry averages for CO2 emissions per container per kilometer decreased by 5.6 percent and 2.5 percent for Dry and Reefer (refrigerated) indexes, respectively. The annual report indicates that container shipping continues to improve its fleet-wide environmental efficiency whilst ensuring the smooth functioning of global trade.

Continue reading “Clean Cargo report shows reduction in CO2 emissions for container shipping”

Loss of cargo containers overboard Ever Smart report published

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Containers about to fall off the Ever Smart - Ever Smart: containers overboard
Ever Smart: containers overboard

MAIB have published their report on the container ship Ever Smart. On 30 October 2017, the UK registered container ship Ever Smart suffered a container stow collapse while on passage between Taipei, Taiwan and Los Angeles, USA resulting in containers overboard. The master had changed the ship’s passage plan to avoid severe weather caused by a developing depression east of Japan. The ship continued in heavy seas; rolling and pitching heavily with frequent bow flare slamming. Once the weather had abated, the crew discovered that the container stacks on the aft most bay had collapsed and toppled to port. Of the 151 containers in the stow, 42 containers overboard and 34 were damaged. Superficial damage was caused to the ship. Continue reading “Loss of cargo containers overboard Ever Smart report published”

Scrubbers Coatings as important as quality material of scrubber components to prevent corrosion

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A man on a crane scrubbing the underside of a ship
Coatings for scrubbers

Corrosion has emerged as the arch-enemy of the exhaust gas cleaning systems as the uptake of the technology rose with the entrance into force of the IMO 2020 sulphur cap.

Like with any new technology, scrubber maintenance and operation has been a learning curve for ship owners and operators, especially in the context of preventing failures of the technology and reducing downtime.

“Corrosion mainly happens on the overboard pipes, the last piece from GRE piping and connection to shell plating of the hull, especially near the connections and welding seams, and the area on the external hull around the overboard pipe outlet,” said Manuel Hof, Sales & Production Executive, NACE Coating Inspector Level 2 at Subsea Industries.

“These areas will need to be protected against acid-containing water (highly corrosive sulphuric acid) coming from the exhaust gas cleaning system. Continue reading “Scrubbers Coatings as important as quality material of scrubber components to prevent corrosion”

Golden Ray: Heavy crane set to lift and salvage capsized vessel

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Picture of the Golden Ray - Golden Ray Photo by U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer John D. Miller
Golden Ray Photo by U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer John D. Miller

The team working on the removal of the capsized car carrier Golden Ray is preparing for the final stage of the operation to remove the vessel that has been lying on its side in St. Simons Sound since September 2019.

The twin-hull heavy lift vessel VB-10,000 arrived at the Port of Fernandina in Florida on July 3 for final modifications and function checks before heading to St. Simons Sound. The lift vessel is currently scheduled to arrive at the wreck site by mid-July.

The 255-foot tall gantries of the VB-10,000 made an impressive sight at the docks in Florida. The configuration of the rigging beams underneath the top of the gantries will be modified to prepare for the lifting on the Golden Ray.

Continue reading “Golden Ray: Heavy crane set to lift and salvage capsized vessel”

Dutch Safety Board report: Lessons learned after loss of containers from MSC Zoe

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debris washed up on a beach
debris washed up on a beach

The Dutch Safety Board has published an investigation report into the loss of containers from the MSC Zoe in 2019, sharing valuable lessons learned on the shipping routes that pass the Wadden Islands to the north of the Netherlands. The report stressed that minimizing the risks of container loss in the area requires an integrated approach by the container shipping sector, the IMO and the Dutch government.

On the night of 1 to 2 January 2019, the MSC ZOE with more than 8,000 containers onboard was travelling from Sines in Portugal to Bremerhaven in Germany. North of the Dutch Wadden Islands, the MSC ZOE found itself in severe weather. The ship lost 342 containers. The cargo comprised a wide range of items and packaging materials that on the subsequent days washed ashore on the coastline of the Wadden Islands. Continue reading “Dutch Safety Board report: Lessons learned after loss of containers from MSC Zoe”

NTSB investigation identifies lack of a towing safety

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NTSB has published an investigation report into an incident with crane barge
NTSB has published an investigation report into an incident with crane barge

NTSB has published an investigation report into an incident when a crane barge U1510, pushed by the towing vessel Goose Creek, made contact with overhead powerlines on the Elizabeth River in June 2019. The report has highlighted poor company oversight and the lack of a towing safety management system.

At 1134 local time on June 20, 2019, the crane barge U1510 (with three persons onboard), being pushed by the towing vessel Goose Creek (with three crew members onboard), struck three overhead power transmission lines while transiting to Precon Marine on the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake, Virginia.

There was neither pollution nor injuries. Damage to the powerlines and crane barge was estimated at $226,204. Continue reading “NTSB investigation identifies lack of a towing safety”

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