Shipping coal can be a hazardous and dangerous process
There are various hazards associated with the trade of shipping coal. UK P&I Club’s Loss Prevention Team highlights the risks involved, and advises on the relevant actions to take in order to reduce accidents.
Self-heating incidents involving coal cargoes loaded at Indonesian ports have become increasingly frequent in recent years. The problem appears to be primarily related to the nature of the coals, and may be exacerbated by the way they are handled prior to and during loading.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued a Marine Guidance Note providing stakeholders with guidance on the five titles of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and the regulations applying to UK ships.
The purpose of this Marine Guidance Notice is to explain the UK’s understanding of key terms used in the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC).The UK intends to implement it fully and without departing from the intention of those who drafted the Convention.
GTT, the world leader in the design of membrane containment systems for the maritime transportation and storage of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), announces that it has received a second Approval in Principle (AIP) for its 4,000 m3 Bunkering Ship concept, using Mark III Flex Cargo Containment system and operating with a vapour pressure of up to 2 barg. Following one delivered by Lloyd’s Register, this new AIP was received from the classification society, Bureau Veritas, after several months of a joint research and innovation program.
Revolutionary new multigas carrier design launched by DeltaMarin and Brevik Technology
Deltamarin Ltd and Brevik Technology AS, a VARD affiliate, have joined forces by developing a novel multigas carrier design, which is expected to change the nature of the gas carrying industry. The concept combines in unprecedented way the successful design of Deltamarin’s B.Delta and the new-generation patented cylindrical gas tanks by Brevik Technology.
By combining the readily available and proven B.Delta design and separate cylindrical gas containment tanks, a cost-efficient and easy-to-build solution is now available to the gas carrier market. The design can be utilised for LNG, LPG, LEG and ethane carriers.
The latest research by Moore Stephens reveals shipping confidence levels are rising. Busan New Port, South Korea (Reuters)
Overall shipping confidence levels rose in the three months ended August 2015 to their highest level this year, according to Moore Stephen’s latest Shipping Confidence Survey. Respondents to the survey were concerned predominantly about low freight rates and overtonnaging, with continuing doubts also expressed about private equity funding. In August 2015, the average confidence level expressed by respondents in the markets in which they operate was 5.9 on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high). This compares to the 5.3 recorded in May 2015, which equalled the lowest figure recorded in the life of the survey, launched in May 2008 with a confidence rating of 6.8. All main categories of respondent recorded an increase in confidence this time, most notably charterers (up from 4.2 to 6.5) and owners (up from 5.1 to 5.8). The confidence of brokers, meanwhile, was up from 4.8 to 5.2, and that of managers from 6.1 to 6.4. Geographically, confidence was up in Asia from 4.9 to 5.8, in Europe from 5.3 to 5.9, and in North America from 6.0 to 6.3.
The Bulk Jupiter which sank carrying a caro of bauxite with the loss of 18 lives
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has taken action to warn ship Masters of the possible dangers of liquefaction associated with carriage of bauxite, following consideration of findings from the investigation into the loss of the 10-year-old Bahamas flag bulk carrier Bulk Jupiter, which was carrying 46,400 tonnes of bauxite when it sank rapidly with 18 fatalities in January 2015.
A circular approved by IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Containers and Cargoes (CCC), meeting this week at IMO Headquarters, warns ship Masters not to accept bauxite for carriage unless:
The new MOL energy saving windshield is clearly demonstrated in this photgraph
News has been announced by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd that the company has started demonstration tests on a new energy saving windshield for containerships, which has the potential to reduce wind resistance, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions. MOL jointly developed the device with MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.
The new energy saving windshield was installed on the bow of the MOL operated containership MOL MARVEL. A demonstration test of its effectiveness in reducing CO2 emissions is under way.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha have installed the first low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system for a two-stroke diesel engine, onboard a 34,000dwt bulk carrier built by The Hakodate Dock Co.
The exhaust gas recirculation system, which recirculates some of the low pressure exhaust gas from a turbocharger outlet back to the turbocharger inlet after scrubber treatment, was confirmed as meeting IMO Tier III NOx emissions in both factory and sea trials. It was originally developed under ClassNK’s Joint R&D for Industry programme.
DNV GL has released a new class notation for ship to ship gas bunkering
DNV GL has developed a new class notation for gas bunker vessels that ensures safe fuel transfer operations from one ship to another.
Until now, the development of standards guiding gas fuel transfer operations in ports has lagged behind, as the maritime industry focussed on developing standards for gas fuelled ships rather than bunkering arrangements. This notation addresses safety concerns in this field and covers gas bunker vessels design and additional requirements to support the development of gas fuelled shipping and bunker operations in ports. The rules are flexible and include a variety of gas fuels as well as the configuration of bunker transfer systems.
The results of an industry consultation the Maritime Growth Study are now available on GOV.UK
Shipping Minister Robert Goodwill welcomes milestone as a major report continues into Britain’s maritime industries. Reforms and ideas to drive the UK’s position as a leading maritime nation have been published. The work will be used by the chair of the Maritime Growth Study, Lord Mountevans, as he examines how Britain’s maritime industries can build on their multi-billion pound contribution to the economy.
The results of an industry consultation are now available on GOV.UK alongside an independent report into the international competitiveness of the UK maritime sector. A report commissioned by Maritime and Coastguard Agency has also been published. This report provides an industry perspective on the performance of the UK Ship Register and gives recommendations on how it can become more internationally competitive, subsequently boosting the number of ships flying the UK Flag.
Some 50% of crews working on offshore support vessels are willing to compromise safety rather than say ‘no’ to clients or senior management says a new report by Helm Operations
In a shocking study by Helm Operations, some 50% of crews working on offshore support vessels are willing to compromise safety rather than say ‘no’ to clients or senior management, while nearly 80% believe commercial pressures could influence the safety of their working practices. These findings and more come from a new report on workboat and OSV safety commissioned by operations and maintenance management software specialist Helm Operations.
The chilling findings, released to coincide with this week’s International Maritime Organization Maritime Safety Committee meeting, come from a new report on workboat and OSV safety commissioned by operations and maintenance management software specialist Helm Operations.
The new guidance note issued by Lloyd’s Register on large battery installations is freely available to download
LR’s experience with large battery installations is captured in a new guidance document aimed at facilitating a risk-based approach to battery use. The guidance describes the key hazards to consider when installing battery technology, and gives an overview of our non-prescriptive approach to approval. The guidance also covers battery chemistry and industry standards.
The guidance starts at the beginning of a battery system’s life cycle when the cells are being manufactured, and goes on to consider how an installation affects or is affected by a vessel’s power system, placement on board, ventilation, fire-fighting, electrical protection and maintenance. The guidance aims to help industry consider the hazards associated with large battery installations but is not specific to a particular cell chemistry.
