Ensuring safe passage for a steel coil cargo

Steel coils come in many sizes and weights, and can be arranged in various ways regarding the placement of the locking coil, the number of tiers, and the dunnage.
Steel coils come in many sizes and weights, and can be arranged in various ways regarding the placement of the locking coil, the number of tiers, and the dunnage.

Often cargo planners who are preparing the stowage of steel coils in the cargo hold of a general dry cargo ship or bulk carrier, do not have the necessary cargo type specific information required to help them decide the permissible cargo load, thus preventing damage to the ship’s structure.

As Jan Rüde, Ship Type Expert MPV, DNV GL explains, according to SOLAS Chapter VI, Reg. 5, every ship must have an approved cargo securing manual.

Nonetheless, the majority of these manuals do not include detailed information about the carriage of steel coils or the only contain only particular types of steel coil. Continue reading “Ensuring safe passage for a steel coil cargo”

Shipowners Club warns of the dangers following a spate of enclosed space incidents

Between September and November 2018, there were 8 reported fatalities related to enclosed spaces.
Between September and November 2018, there were 8 reported fatalities related to enclosed spaces.

Although the industry continuously reminds the industry of the dangers of entering enclosed spaces, this remains the hidden enemy for crews. Between September and November 2018, there were 8 reported fatalities related to enclosed spaces. With this ongoing issue in mind the Shipowners Club has published a sample risk assessment addressing the various hazards associated with entering enclosed spaces.

In a span of just 18 months, the Club alone has experienced 15 related claims due to falls, asphyxiation, explosive burns and six fatalities. These alarming statistics have prompted the Club to produce a sample risk assessment on enclosed space entry as part of its ongoing campaign.

The guidance addresses the various hazards associated with an enclosed space entry operation, enclosed space entry requirements and Continue reading “Shipowners Club warns of the dangers following a spate of enclosed space incidents”

Beware the dangers of aluminium dross

If the product meets the Class 4.3 criteria, it should be declared as UN 3170, noting the application of Special Provision 244 regarding ventilation and protection against water ingress throughout the intended journey.
If the product meets the Class 4.3 criteria, it should be declared as UN 3170, noting the application of Special Provision 244 regarding ventilation and protection against water ingress throughout the intended journey.

The UK P&I Club and the TT Club have published advice following an incident involving a consignment of aluminium pellets (or dross) that was found at the port of loading with the doors and sides of the container blown out. The terminal arranged to test the samples, as there was no evidence that the unit had been dropped during handling.

The test results indicated that aluminium dross is highly susceptible to a reaction with chlorides when moisture is present. The commodity produces gases when exposed to moisture and the build-up of gasses was considered the most likely cause of the container exploding.

The container was damaged beyond repair and it is understood that some lines and ports are refusing this cargo commodity.

According to the UK Club, at the time the material is tested, before filling the container and subsequent shipping, the moisture level is such that the reaction with the commodity does not generate Continue reading “Beware the dangers of aluminium dross”

Guidelines for safe carriage of divinylbenzene in containers are published

According to the guidelines, the transport of DVB without any temperature control generally relies on the DVB being at a low enough temperature when shipped.
According to the guidelines, the transport of DVB without any temperature control generally relies on the DVB being at a low enough temperature when shipped.

The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS), the International Group of P&I Clubs and the TT Club have published industry guidelines for the carriage of Divinylbenzene (DVB) in containers.

DVB is a chemical prone to polymerization (a form of self-reaction). When shipped in bulk, DVB polymerization can lead heat and flammable gas to be generated. Thus, the stowage of containers carrying DVB aboard vessels can present a risk of explosion and fire, if they are not properly presented for carriage.

As a series of polymerization incidents took place from the carriage of DVB by sea in 2018 the IMO approved changes to the way that polymerizing substances, like DVB, are carried, by amending the IMDG Code. These changes are included in amendment 39-18 of the IMDG Code, which will be mandatory from 1 January 2020, but may be applied voluntarily from 1 January 2019.

To ensure the safe carriage of DVB in containers before 1 January 2020, these guidelines Continue reading “Guidelines for safe carriage of divinylbenzene in containers are published”

Malta MSIU report confirms damaged valves in BWTS lead to engine room flooding

The MSIU were notified of the accident on 26 December 2017
The MSIU were notified of the accident on 26 December 2017

Transport Malta’s MSIU has published its investigation report into a serious incident concerning the Maltese-registered capsize bulk carrier ‘Capri’ that arrived at Dampier anchorage, Australia on 22 December 2017. The ballast system’s valves were damaged, causing approximately 1,100 tonnes of seawater flooding the engine room.

The Incident
Capri, a bulk carrier, was scheduled to load 164,000 tonnes of iron ore for China. On December 24, while the vessel was anchored, it deballasted ballast nos 1 and 4 aiming to Continue reading “Malta MSIU report confirms damaged valves in BWTS lead to engine room flooding”

Several IMO amendments have entered into force from 1st January 2019

The data collection system is one of the measures taken which will support the implementation of IMO’s Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, adopted in 2018.
The data collection system is one of the measures taken which will support the implementation of IMO’s Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, adopted in 2018.

As of 1st January 2019, amendments to the bunker delivery note have entered into force, relating to the supply of marine fuel oil to ships, which have fitted alternative mechanisms to comply with the IMO’s 2020 sulphur cap. Other amendments that have come into force this year include the IMSBC Code 2017 amendment and the amendments to designate North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs, while the data collection on fuel oil consumption has also commenced.

Bunker delivery note

Bunker delivery note amendments enter into force only a year before the limit for sulphur in fuel oil will be reduced to 0.50% m/m outside emission control areas (ECAs), from 3.5% currently. In ECAs, the limit will remain at 0.10% m/m.

The amendments to Appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI are intended to address situations where the fuel oil supplied does not meet low sulphur requirements, but has been supplied to Continue reading “Several IMO amendments have entered into force from 1st January 2019”

Crush incident report on SMN Explorer

The accident was the result of procedural inadequacies and a lapse of supervision.
The accident was the result of procedural inadequacies and a lapse of supervision.

A crewman from the Liberian registered general cargo vessel, SMN Explorer, died when he was crushed by a falling hatch cover. The crewman was part of a working party stowing cargo slings used for the discharge of the ship’s cargo. The accident occurred when the crewman climbed up the inside of the open hatch cover after its locking pins had been removed.

The accident was the result of procedural inadequacies and a lapse of supervision. The investigation identified that the vessel’s safety management system was immature and the safety culture on board the vessel was weak. Risk assessments had not been conducted for routine tasks and a safe system of work had not been developed for opening and closing the forecastle (fo’c’s’le) stowage space hatch cover.

Safety issues

– the crewman walked under, and climbed up an unsecured hatch cover;
– the accident occurred because the Continue reading “Crush incident report on SMN Explorer”

AMSA has revoked its certificate for an unstable livestock carrier

AMSA expects the vessel will be subject to a detailed examination by the operator and classification society.
AMSA expects the vessel will be subject to a detailed examination by the operator and classification society.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has revoked the Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock (ACCL) for the Panamanian flagged livestock carrier, MV Jawan, because the vessel’s approved stability data cannot be relied upon when the vessel is loaded.

The Jawan was (again) scheduled to depart from Portland on a journey from Australia to Pakistan on Monday after the vessel’s classification society Bureau Veritas, on behalf of the flag state, provided their assessment of the ship’s stability.

However, when moved from berth, the ship demonstrated a motion that suggested the ship lacked stability. The master of the vessel requested the vessel Continue reading “AMSA has revoked its certificate for an unstable livestock carrier”

Lack of communication led to serious main engine problems is key finding

Ship Engine - Photo credit: Swedish P&I Club
Ship Engine – Photo credit: Swedish P&I Club

The Swedish P&I Club has published a case study following serious damage caused to a ship’s main engine. As a consequence of poor communication water contaminated the lubrication oil causing severe damage to the engine.

Engineers on a bulk carrier were conducting scheduled maintenance on one of the ballast pumps. They had closed all the isolating valves to the ballast pump and put up notices about the job in the engine room and engine control room, but not on the bridge. They didn’t finish the job on the first day, so continued the next day.

The next day the Master asked an officer to print out the alarm list for the ballast water management system, prior to arriving at the next port as a port state inspection would take place. To get the list the officer had to start the ballast water management system, which he did.

The bilge high level alarm was activated in the engine room. An oiler checked the bilges and could see Continue reading “Lack of communication led to serious main engine problems is key finding”

Renault eyes wind powered ships to cut supply chain carbon

Neoline's plans to develop industrial-scale wind-powered freight services have led to the design of a commercial demo
Neoline’s plans to develop industrial-scale wind-powered freight services have led to the design of a commercial demo

Major French vehicle manufacturer, Groupe Renault, has signed a three year agreement with Neoline, a start up that says it aims to become the first modern shipowner to fully embrace energy efficiency by relying on wind power as its primary energy source. Nearly 60% of Renault’s parts and vehicles are transported by sea.

“Groupe Renault’s objective is to reduce the environmental impact of each vehicle throughout its entire life cycle, from parts transportation up to delivery and end-of-life processing,” says Jean-Philippe Hermine, Vice President, Strategic Environmental Planning Groupe Renault. “In the context of our strategy to explore new sustainable mobility solutions and to continue along the road to reducing our carbon footprint, the solution designed by Neoline, which combines energy efficiency and operational relevance, has truly captured our attention”.

Jean Zanuttini, CEO of Neoline, declared: Continue reading “Renault eyes wind powered ships to cut supply chain carbon”

The impact of IMSBC Code changes on coal cargoes

The classification of coal has been amended so that it will be treated as both Group A and B, unless otherwise tested.
The classification of coal has been amended so that it will be treated as both Group A and B, unless otherwise tested.

On 1 January 2019 amendments to the IMSBC Code will apply. In an article to Gard Club, Penelope Cooke of Brookes Bell LLP, explains the impact of these changes on vessels carrying coal cargoes.

The amendments to the IMSBC Code regard the criteria under which coal cargoes are considered Group A, namely liable to liquefy, in addition to Group B chemical hazards which apply to all coal cargoes. Thus, coal cargoes may need the same TML and moisture certification as other Group A cargoes, such as concentrates, nickel ore and iron ore fines.

Continue reading “The impact of IMSBC Code changes on coal cargoes”

MCA releases a notice on the transport of marine pollutants

The IMO has adopted the amendment 39-18 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
The IMO has adopted the amendment 39-18 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code

The UK MCA has released a Merchant Shipping Notice regarding the transport of dangerous goods and marine pollutants in packaged form by sea on ships within UK waters and on UK ships.

The IMO has adopted the amendment 39-18 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. It will enter into force globally on 1 January 2019, with a twelve month “transitional period” until 31 December 2019.

From 1 January 2019, until 31 December 2019 dangerous goods and marine pollutants in packaged form shall be Continue reading “MCA releases a notice on the transport of marine pollutants”

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