Shipping

The Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama has officially approved a proposal to modify the Panama Canal tolls structure, following a recommendation from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Board of Directors. The accepted proposal, which modifies the pricing structure for most Canal segments, will better facilitate the Canal’s goal of providing outstanding service and reliability to the global shipping and maritime community while allowing the ACP to safeguard the competitiveness of the waterway.

Today’s passage follows more than a year of informal consultations with representatives from various industry segments, an open call for comments, and a public hearing to solicit industry feedback on these changes.

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The potential liquefaction of bauxite cargoes has been the subject of a number industry bulletins in recent years. These concerns have been renewed following the recent sinking of the bulk carrier Bulk Jupiter, which was reportedly carrying 46,400 MT of bauxite loaded at Kuantan in Malaysia.

Writing in the April issue of the London P&I Club’s bulletin StopLoss, Dr Martin Jonas, Brookes Bell LLP, Liverpool, makes the following observations.

Similar to other unprocessed ores, such as iron ore fines and nickel ore, grades of bauxite that contain a high proportion of fines capable of retaining significant moisture are potentially at risk of liquefaction, resulting in cargo shift which may cause the capsizing of the carrying ship. Such Continue reading “Carriage of bauxite cargoes and liquefaction risks”

With key dates looming – 2016 NOx compliance and a 2018 review of fuel availability ahead of a global cap for SOx emissions, LR’s new guidelines and updated technical information supports operators’ investment decisions

This new emissions guidance addresses operational and in-service considerations reflecting further accumulated experience from working closely with clients, industry groups and regulators. As well as a focus on exhaust gas treatment (scrubbers) the guidance also examines the wider scope of options for SOx/NOx compliance beyond exhaust gas treatment.

Since an earlier version of this report was issued in 2012, early adopters of the technology, mainly passenger ship and ferry operators, have committed to fleet-wide scrubber implementation programmes. Early adopters gain valuable operational experience as well as a head start in both understanding the technology and realising any benefits.

Continue reading “New emissions complance guidance issued by Lloyd’s Register”

Communicating effectively on the bridge, between ships or to the shore is the topic under discussion in the eighth issue of The Navigator – the free publication from The Nautical Institute. The 12-page magazine, aimed at marine navigational officers at all stages in their career, is now being distributed to SOLAS vessels around the world. This issue puts communications under the spotlight in issue 8 of The Navigator

Editor of The Navigator, Emma Ward, said: “Miscommunication or the use of poor information is a leading cause of accidents at sea. In this issue of The Navigator, we aim to encourage readers to adopt effective communication techniques onboard ship. We also want to open a discussion about best practices across the industry.”

The new issue looks at the importance of different methods of communications at sea and examines the difference between data and information. There is an interview with a serving third officer and a brand new letters page offering insight into a number of maritime issues from members of the magazine’s readership.

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