Only two weeks after a reserve gate had been inserted into the southern lock of the Kiel Canal in Kiel-Holtenau, subsequent to the allision of container ship Akacia (IMO 9315020) with the Great Northern Lock on February 19th, multi-purpose carrier BF Timaru (IMO 9346421) could not stop in time when entering the lock after an…
New methodologies developed to address “human error” factor
With human error seen as the primary cause of 80% of maritime accidents, Dr Rabiul Islam, a researcher from the University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College, has developed new methodologies to address the issue. The tools developed include a monograph that were said to estimate accurately the likelihood of human error during routine maintenance. The…
MSC stops trading with sanctions-hit Russian entities
Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) said last week that it had stopped any new trade with Russian entities targeted by US sanctions, Reuters reports. The container group was responding to a statement by the US on April 6 that sanctions would be imposed against Russian entities and individuals – a reaction to Russia’s alleged meddling…
Lloyd’s Syndicate Results 2017 (14): StarStone Syndicate 1301
With the 2017 numbers for the Lloyd’s syndicates now in, IMN over the next few weeks will report on the marine numbers for those syndicates with a significant interest in this area. Starstone Syndicate 1301, whose ultimate parent company is Enstar, reported gross written premiums of 2017 £235.6m, up from £208.9m in 2016, with a…
Libya: Tanker owners and crew at risk when trading oil in Libya
Correspondents Shtewi Legal and Pandi Services in Tripoli have informed P&I Clubs of problems that shipowners might face while trading oil in Libya. The correspondents noted that, since the fall of the Gadaffi regime and the subsequent formation of a government recognized by the UN, certain factions had exploited the ensuing chaos, selling government oil…
New measures for prevention and control of ship pollution in Tianjin Port
Japan Club has informed members of new pollution measures in Tianjin Port. Hong Kong Reman Marine Services Co, a specialist in sludge disposal, tank cleaning and oil spill emergency response, has stated that new measures at Tianjin port on Prevention and Control of Ship Pollution had been promulgated on February 23rd under Order No.1 of…
UK Club updates members on Brazilian visa requirements for seafarers
Correspondent Proinde has updated UK P&I Club on Brazil’s new migration law, implemented in November 2017, and its impact on seafarers. The new Brazilian Migration Law, which was enacted in May 2017, replaced the Alien’s Statute, which harked back to the days of military rule. The new law eliminated criminal sanctions for immigration offences, it…
LNG tanker accused of Northern Sea Route violation
LNG tanker Boris Vilkitsky (IMO 9768368) has been accused of violating the Northern Sea Route (NSR) Navigational Safety Rules by entering the Kara Sea while suffering from serious deficiencies, which reduced the ship’s ice class and restricted sailing in ice conditions, reports Maritime Bulletin. The ship was said to have had inoperative stern thrusters and…
Shipowners’ Club reports “steady year”
Shipowners’ Club has said that, despite challenging market conditions to both the insurance and shipping sectors, it had achieved a “positive” result for year ending December 31st 2017. The Club reported a combined ratio of 99.1%, stability in Member and vessel numbers, a small uplift in gross tonnage to 25.48m and an overall surplus of…
Marine accident round-up : 20th April 2018
An initial investigation report on the allision of container ship Tolten (IMO 9612870) with container ship Hamburg Bay (IMO 9332872) has found a faulty gear and a delayed response as causes of the incident. Tolten, carrying transit-containers, collided with Hamburg Bay near the South Asia Port Terminal Limited (SAPT) berth on March 19th. At least…
