Cargo friction or self-heating likely cause of fire onboard MV Filia T

Cargo friction or self-heating likely cause of the onboard container fire
Cargo friction or self-heating likely cause of the onboard container fire

Transport Malta has published an investigation report on the container fire onboard MV Filia T while en route to Singapore in November 2019. The report was unable to determine the exact cause of the fire. but has identified either friction or self-heating of the cargo as probable causes.

On 11 November 2019, Filia T was en route to Singapore. At around 0900, the bridge received a call from the chief officer, reporting that smoke was emanating from a container on deck. The master was immediately notified and emergency procedures for fire onboard were initiated as the container fire onboard MV Filia T was underway. Continue reading “Cargo friction or self-heating likely cause of fire onboard MV Filia T”

Korean Register completes first drone and crawler hull inspection survey

Korean Register logo
Korean Register completes first drone and crawler hull inspection survey

The Korean Register (KR) has successfully completed its first hull survey using both a drone and crawler (a type of drone capable of climbing up and down walls) without scaffolds. The remote inspection technology was used for the intermediate survey of the bulk carrier PAN GLOBAL and was completed with the assistance of POSSM Co, Korea’s largest ship management company and HST Technology, who provided the remote inspection technology on 10 November.

KR’s surveyors have been using remote inspection technology such as drones for surveys since 2017, the equipment allows the surveyor to inspect the vessel without requiring direct access. Since the launch of the service, KR has increased the range Continue reading “Korean Register completes first drone and crawler hull inspection survey”

World Shipping Council containers lost at sea 2020 report issued and shows a decrease

An improving picture is the finding from the World Shipping Council containers lost at sea 2020 report
An improving picture is the finding from the World Shipping Council containers lost at sea 2020 report

The World Shipping Council containers lost at sea 2020 report reveals that on average 1,382 containers are lost at sea every year, but there is a clear downward trend and in the 2017-2019 period 779 containers were lost every year.

With more than 5,000 container vessels in operation and about 789 million TEUs being handled in ports worldwide, the container trade, an extraordinary globalisation tool, accounts for nearly 18% of the total seaborne trade. On paper, having more containers crossing the oceans means a higher risk of incidents. But is that really the case?

Catastrophic events such as sinking or grounding of vessels account for half of the containers lost, but still the Continue reading “World Shipping Council containers lost at sea 2020 report issued and shows a decrease”

RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021

RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021
RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has published a reminder that all RMI flagged ships, (including yachts), subject to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, are required to integrate appropriate cyber risk management measures into their Safety Management Systems (SMS) by the first annual verification of the company’s Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021.

The ISM Code, supported by the IMO Resolution MSC.428(98), requires ship owners and managers to assess cyber risk and implement relevant measures across all functions of their safety management system. This resolution calls companies to Continue reading “RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021”

Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing

Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing
Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing

Despite the important steps that shipping has taken to address the problem of containerised cargo fires, Gard estimates that so far in 2020, there has been one fire involving containers every two weeks. Are Solum, Senior Claims Executive at Arendal, indicates there has been no shortage of smaller fires, near misses on-board and fires taking place in containers within terminal areas.

Statistics suggest that the frequency of containerised cargo fires occuring is not decreasing. By Gard’s count and on average there has been roughly one fire every two weeks so far in 2020. Continue reading “Frequency of containerised cargo fires shows no sign of decreasing”

Canadian Government publishes new Marine Navigation Safety Regulations to improve maritime safety

Canadian Government publishes new Marine Navigation Safety Regulations to improve maritime safety
Canadian Government publishes new Marine Navigation Safety Regulations to improve maritime safety

The Government of Canada has published new Marine Navigation Safety Regulations 2020, which now apply to commercial vessels of all sizes, including fishing vessels, workboats, water taxis and ferries.

The regulations represent a consolidation of nine existing sets of marine safety regulations into a single one that:
– provides clearer and more up to date language on required navigational safety equipment;
– requires vessel owners to have equipment to help reduce the risk of collisions that could cause pollution, like oil spills, and threaten endangered marine life, such as Continue reading “Canadian Government publishes new Marine Navigation Safety Regulations to improve maritime safety”

Preliminary ATSB investigation report suggests heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers

Heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers
Heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers

The 5,780 TEU APL England was rolling and pitching heavily in rough seas and high winds when it lost 50 containers overboard about 46 nautical miles south-east of Sydney on 24 May 2020, Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said in its preliminary investigation report. While investigation is ongoing, the initial findings suggest heavy corrosion in many of the ship fittings, including lashing eyes, lashing bridges and deck structures.

The APL England was travelling down the east coast of Australia, when the Bureau of Meteorology issued regular forecasts regarding a complex low pressure system developing off the south-east of the country, with gale force wind warnings. Continue reading “Preliminary ATSB investigation report suggests heavy corrosion led to APL England loss of containers”

Accelerated by disruption; shipping’s digital revolution in the pandemic era

Accelerated by disruption; shipping’s digital revolution in the pandemic era
Accelerated by disruption; shipping’s digital revolution in the pandemic era

Accelerated by disruption; shipping’s digital revolution in the pandemic era.

It has been a year of disruption for shipping. With COVID-19 altering supply chains and exerting unexpected pressures on our operations, the industry now finds itself at a turning point, caught between mitigating current challenges and thinking about how to build back better in the new normal we face.

In terms of the digital domain, there has been a significant acceleration over the past year in how various segments within shipping are using data and new technologies. Many are arguably seeing these innovative solutions as miraculously Continue reading “Accelerated by disruption; shipping’s digital revolution in the pandemic era”

Cause of Maersk Honam fire is inconclusive reveals report

Maersk Honam fire - cause is inconclusive
Maersk Honam fire – cause is inconclusive

The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) of Singapore has published its report on the fatal Maersk Honam fire which occurred in March 2018. The report concludes that the actual cause of the fire was not conclusive.

On 6 March 2018, during fine weather, the Singapore registered container ship Maersk Honam, which was carrying 7860 containers, while en route from Singapore to Suez Canal, experienced a severe fire that started from no.3 cargo hold when the ship was in the Arabian Sea, about 900 nautical miles west of the coast of India.

All the 27 crew responded to fight the fire by conducting boundary cooling and subsequent release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the cargo Continue reading “Cause of Maersk Honam fire is inconclusive reveals report”

NTSB accident report concludes that incomplete safety procedures led to barge explosion

NTSB: incomplete safety procedures led to barge explosion
NTSB: incomplete safety procedures led to barge explosion

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published Marine Accident Report 20-34 detailing the findings of its investigation involving the explosion of a barge at the Illinois Marine Towing Heritage Slip on the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal, Illinois on the 4 November 2019.

The barge explosion occurred when the IB1940 was being prepared for cleaning after its cargo of acetone had been unloaded. No injuries or pollution were reported in connection with the explosion. The barge, however, was declared a total constructive loss, valued at $1.75M. Continue reading “NTSB accident report concludes that incomplete safety procedures led to barge explosion”

Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination case study

Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination
Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination

The Swedish Club has described an incident of machinery failure onboard due to lubrication contamination in their system. An investigation showed that the engine had been operated on a high thermal load for a long time and the turbocharger’s efficiency had been affected by fouling, while the lubrication oil had been contaminated for some time.

The vessel concerned was at anchor, in ballast, awaiting further instructions. The weather deteriorated after seven days and the vessel’s anchor dragged. The anchor was heaved up and the vessel started to slow steam in the area. After about 24 hours, the differential pressure alarm of the main engine duplex lubrication oil filter sounded in the ECR. The crew found aluminium and other Continue reading “Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination case study”

Varkan Ege: COLREGs implementation called into question after vessels collide reveals MCIB investigation

MCIB report on 'Varkan Ege'
MCIB report on ‘Varkan Ege’

Ireland’s MCIB has published an investigation report on the collision between the tanker ‘Varkan Ege’ and the sailing vessel ‘Medi Mode’ in Irish waters during August 2019. The investigation attributed the incident to a mix of misunderstanding, inefficient lookout and poor knowledge of COLREGs.

On Saturday, 22 August 2019 at 10.45 hrs, the sailing vessel ‘Medi Mode’ departed from Arklow and was on route to Kilmore Quay. A decision was made to change the destination from Kilmore Quay to Howth as the weather had deteriorated, and due to an impending night arrival in Kilmore Quay.

At 17.45 hrs on 22 August, abeam of Rosslare, a course was set for the home port of Howth. The vessel Continue reading “Varkan Ege: COLREGs implementation called into question after vessels collide reveals MCIB investigation”

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