Safety inspections of ships are a crucial and mandatory part of maritime operations, ensuring compliance with international regulations and safeguarding crew, cargo, vessels and the environment. Understanding how the process of safety inspections of ships is undertaken and maintaining readiness is essential to avoid deficiencies and ensure smooth operations. A well-prepared master plays a vital role in ensuring successful safety inspections. Masters should conduct regular self-inspections to identify and rectify potential deficiencies, maintain an updated checklist covering all inspection areas, and train crew members on emergency procedures and regulatory Continue reading “Key considerations for safety inspections of ships”
Ship News
ABS Port State Control 2024 Q4 Report
ABS has released its latest Quarterly Port State Control (PSC) Report which provides information about deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the last quarter of 2024.
There were 465 total detained vessels in the fourth quarter per Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU and USCG. Of those detained, only 22 vessels were ABS classed vessels. For period 1 October to 31 December 2024, the top categories for Port State Control (PSC) detentions on ABS vessels in the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tokyo MoU and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) database are as follows: Continue reading “ABS Port State Control 2024 Q4 Report”
MAIB safety bulletin into safety issues on Red Sea liveaboard dive boats
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is aware that 16 Red Sea liveaboard dive boats have been lost over the last 5 years. Seven of these losses happened in the last 21 months, and three of these resulted in numerous fatalities including UK nationals.
In line with the principles of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code, the UK has been registered as a substantially interested state in the Egyptian safety investigations into these accidents. Continue reading “MAIB safety bulletin into safety issues on Red Sea liveaboard dive boats”
BIMCO supports IGP&I’s new electronic bill of lading approval process
The first question on shipowners’ lips when asked to use electronic bills of lading should be “is the eBL platform approved by my P&I Club?” To make this “discovery” process easier, the International Group of P&I Clubs has introduced a new process for the approval of electronic bill of lading systems. This new process takes into account recent legislative developments that recognise electronic bills of lading as equivalent to their paper counterparts. System providers who seek IG approval and meet the necessary requirements will now be easily identifiable on the Group’s website. This streamlined approach is designed to benefit both members and system providers, making the approval process more efficient. Continue reading “BIMCO supports IGP&I’s new electronic bill of lading approval process”
New wreck removal certificates for Norwegian ships
All Norwegian ships of 300 gross tonnage and above will soon have to have a Wreck Removal Certificate (WRC).
A Wreck Removal Certificate is a certificate for ships of 300 gross tonnage and above. It confirms that the ship has approved insurance or other security covering the costs of locating, marking and removing wrecks pursuant to the rules of the Nairobi Convention. It applies both for ships engaged on domestic and international voyages.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority is now processing applications and encourages those required to obtain a Wreck Removal Certificate to apply promptly, no later than 11 February. Continue reading “New wreck removal certificates for Norwegian ships”
Counterfeit pilot ladders lead to USCG warning
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a safety alert after discovering counterfeit pilot ladders during a Port State Control examination at the Port of Baltimore. The identification plate on the ladder contained several errors, including referencing ISO 779-1 instead of the correct standard, ISO 799-1, and lacking the ISO 799-1 designation type.
Additionally, while the serial number on the ladder matched the accompanying certificate, the number of steps and the length of the ladder did not align with the specifications listed on the certificate. The plate and certificate indicated that the ladder was produced by Continue reading “Counterfeit pilot ladders lead to USCG warning”
UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2024 – Navigating maritime chokepoints
UNCTAD has released its latest Review of Maritime Transport 2024, which aims to foster the transparency of maritime markets and analysing relevant developments.
This year’s report discusses the multifaceted challenges facing maritime transport today. It provides insights into current trends and the outlook for maritime transport and trade. It discusses how maritime trade is being upended by disruptions including in maritime chokepoints. It examines the implications for the shipping fleet which delivers international trade and is at the front line of vessel rerouting. It analyses the implications of soaring shipping rates on consumer prices, and how this particularly affects the GDP of SIDS and LDCs. Continue reading “UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2024 – Navigating maritime chokepoints”
Liberia: New checklist for safety inspections of Liberian ships
Liberia Maritime Authority has published a marine notice with an update to safety inspections of Liberian ships.
The update now includes an annex with a separate form for additional checklist to be used for passenger ships only. The notice was published 30 September and supersedes Marine Notice INS-001, dated 05/24.
The checklist for passenger ships contains 14 parts with questions focusing on: Continue reading “Liberia: New checklist for safety inspections of Liberian ships”
IMO amendments to the ESP Code: Certification by hull inspection firms
The International Maritime Organization has issued resolution MSC.553(108) with amendments to the 2011 ESP Code: Certification by hull inspection firms. The amendments will come into force on January 1, 2026.
These changes specifically focus on the approval and certification processes for firms that conduct thickness measurements of hull structures. Hull thickness measurements are essential for determining the structural integrity of ships and ensuring their safe operation. The amendments apply to different types of bulk carriers and oil tankers, and aim to ensure that the firms responsible for these Continue reading “IMO amendments to the ESP Code: Certification by hull inspection firms”
Essential guide to tanker ship coatings
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”
Grounding of Bulk Carrier John J Boland in Michigan Due to Inadequate Clearance Guidance says NTSB
Inadequate operating company guidance on underkeel clearance led to the April 2023 grounding of a bulk carrier in Lake Huron, the National Transportation Safety Board reports.
The John J Boland grounded twice as it was completing final loading in Port Dolomite, Michigan on 21 April 2023. The crew discovered flooding and damage to the hull after it was underway. The vessel sustained over $775,000 in damage. Continue reading “Grounding of Bulk Carrier John J Boland in Michigan Due to Inadequate Clearance Guidance says NTSB”
Loss of propulsion of ro-ro cargo vessel Mazarine
Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit has published an investigation report into the loss of propulsion and subsequent grounding of the Maltese-registered ro-ro cargo vessel Mazarine, on Wolf Rock off Land’s End, UK on 10 July 2023.
At about 1040, the Maltese-registered, ro-ro cargo vessel, Mazarine ran aground on Wolf Rock, UK. The vessel sustained structural damage to the underwater section of the hull. In addition to the hull perforations, several deformations were observed, mostly on the port Continue reading “Loss of propulsion of ro-ro cargo vessel Mazarine”