Understanding hull fouling with Britannia P&I Club

Britannia P&I Club logoBritannia P&I Club has published loss prevention guidance on the consequences that need to be considered regarding hull fouling.

Hull fouling refers to a condition when marine organisms such as barnacles, algae, and mussels attach themselves to a ship’s underwater hull surface area. When operating in tropical or seasonal tropical waters the higher temperatures and sunlight provide ideal conditions for the rapid growth of marine organisms, particularly when the ship is stationary at anchorage for a longer period. Furthermore, during seasonal tropical periods, ocean currents transport nutrients from deeper waters to the surface in coastal areas, promoting the growth of photosynthetic organisms. Continue reading “Understanding hull fouling with Britannia P&I Club”

Brookes Bell: Why Are There So Many Soya Bean Claims?

In 2023, the global soya bean market (also known as soybeans and soyabeans) was valued at over USD 200.37 billion, and it is projected to grow to USD $259 billion by 2032.The shipping industry plays a significant role in supporting this global industry, but behind these impressive figures lies a perilously narrow window for safe ocean transport. Despite being loaded in sound condition and carried by well-maintained vessels on unexceptional voyages, soya beans continue to arrive in a deteriorated condition far too often. Claims related to spoilage frequently run into millions of dollars, exposing shipowners, operators, and marine insurers to significant financial risk. Continue reading “Brookes Bell: Why Are There So Many Soya Bean Claims?”

Streamlining PSC inspections through AI-powered approach

A ship in port for PSC inspectionPort State Control (PSC) inspections are a fact of life in the maritime world — and they’re getting tougher. With rising detention rates, unpredictable inspection criteria, and mounting pressure on crew performance, preparing for a PSC visit can feel like navigating a minefield, says Kaiko Systems.

In 2024 alone, over 73,000 PSC inspections were conducted globally, with a growing detention rate now over 3%. For vessel operators, a failed inspection can mean costly detentions, delayed cargo, reputational damage, and a hit to operational performance. Continue reading “Streamlining PSC inspections through AI-powered approach”

New Arbitration Act 2025: Key changes for maritime arbitrations

The front of a shipAccording to West P&I Club, the new UK Arbitration Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 24 February 2025 and will come into force most likely at some point later this year. The 2025 Act will not be a standalone Act but, rather, inserts amendments to the 1996 Act so as to enact the recommendations of the Law Commission codifying the common law position and eliminating ambiguity. As such, the 2025 Act will modernise arbitration in London to maintain its competitiveness as a seat for international arbitrations. Continue reading “New Arbitration Act 2025: Key changes for maritime arbitrations”

Lloyd’s Register summary report on MEPC 83

The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 83 session was held from 7-11 April 2025. The IMO MEPC is where the reduction of shipping’s impact on the marine environment is discussed. MEPC oversees the work of several sub-committees and influences subjects which cut-across the work of several committees, covering many key regulations.

And Lloyd’s Register has published a summary of the outcomes from the meeting. Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register summary report on MEPC 83”

Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum publishes guidance on fire response

Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum 'Fire Response - High Level Guidelines' The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum (VCSF) publishes its second industry good practice guidelines entitled ‘Fire Response – High Level Guidelines’. The VCSF recognises that responding to vehicle fires onboard PCCs, PCTCs, RoRo and Ro-Pax vessels is both dangerous and challenging. These guidelines have been designed to reduce the risk to the safety of crews, passengers, the environment, the vessel and the cargo. The guideline’s sole aim is to assist vessel operators and crews to be better prepared to meet the challenges presented by vehicle fires. Continue reading “Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum publishes guidance on fire response”

BIMCO shares guidelines for ammonia-fuelled ships

The BIMCO Logo - guidelines for Amonia-fuelled Ships
BIMCO’s guidelines for Amonia-fuelled Ships

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ammonia-Fuelled Ships (MSC.1/Circ.1687), marking a significant milestone in regulatory support for alternative fuels.

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) approved the guidelines at its 109th session in December 2024, following their development and finalisation by the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) at its 10th session in September 2024. BIMCO has actively participated in all aspects of the work contributing to these guidelines and to the development of future mandatory provisions. Continue reading “BIMCO shares guidelines for ammonia-fuelled ships”

BMP Maritime Security consolidates industry associates

BMP Maritime SecurityBMP Maritime Security has been published by a series of industry Associations, including BIMCO, ICS, IMCA, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO & OCIMF supported by over forty maritime stakeholders. It is a consolidated and enhanced publication Best Management Practices (BMP) for Maritime Security (MS).

The BMP Maritime Security consolidates previously published regional publications into a single, comprehensive publication with actionable insights and advice. It focuses on providing a threat and risk management process and, recognising the dynamic nature of regional security situations, provides signposts to direct users to the most up-to-date security intelligence and risk assessment information. BMP MS is now available to view on the industry website here. Continue reading “BMP Maritime Security consolidates industry associates”

How to improve grain cargo shortage claims?

by Kenji Koike, MIIMSGrain

There are many kinds of dry bulk cargoes traded worldwide, but the main cargoes are iron ore, coal and grains.

The method of determining the trading quantity for these trades is a ship draft survey or a shore scale, and which one to adopt depends on the contract between the shipper and the consignee, but in practice it is generally determined by the type of cargo. Usually, a draft survey is used for iron ore and coal, and a shore scale is used for grains.

In this report, we would like to pick up shortage claims about grain cargo that are occurring frequently around the world and propose improvement measures. Continue reading “How to improve grain cargo shortage claims?”

Lithium-Ion Batteries in Marine applications

By Ian Bartle Ian is the Managing Director of Nobel Fire Systems Ltd. He has over 30 years’ experience in the fire industry from technical sales through to senior management. He has developed significant experience in a wide range of disciplines from detailed fire equipment and systems design to product fire testing and certification across the full spectrum of fire suppression systems including lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-Ion Battery

The increase in Lithium-Ion batteries (LIB) technology is affecting every walk of life as we become surrounded by a myriad of differing formats and chemistries. With the millions of batteries already in circulation and the ever-increasing demand, incidents involving lithium-ion batteries are inevitably, becoming more common place. There is currently a thirst for knowledge around battery technology which means as incidents occur, they are very much thrust into the spotlight. We should however get some perspective around these incidents, acknowledging the quantity of them is still relatively small, and look to rationalise the reasons behind them. Continue reading “Lithium-Ion Batteries in Marine applications”

Lloyd’s Register unveils new maritime advisory services

Lloyd's Register logoNew global team of 150 experts will help the sector navigate decarbonisation and digitalisation challenges. During Singapore Maritime Week, Lloyd’s Register (LR) unveiled its newly structured LR maritime advisory services, designed to help address escalating regulatory demands, rising decarbonisation costs, and the increasing influence of digitalisation.

The move sees LR consolidate its Technical Advisory and Business Advisory divisions into a single, integrated LR Advisory team—reflecting its broader transformation from a classification society to a maritime professional services organisation. Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register unveils new maritime advisory services”

MAIB investigation into fatalities on board Berge Mawson

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published a report into the deaths of three stevedores in a cargo hold access space on board the bulk carrier Berge Mawson. The incident took place at Bunyu Island anchorage, Indonesia on 27 June 2022.

What happened?

On 27 June 2022, three unconscious stevedores were recovered from a cargo hold access space on board the Isle of Man registered bulk carrier Berge Mawson at Bunyu Island Anchorage, Indonesia. Despite prompt medical attention by ship and port staff, the three men died. Continue reading “MAIB investigation into fatalities on board Berge Mawson”

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