Maritime Safety News Archives - Page 7 of 257 - SHIP IP LTD

Survitec has launched a new Marine Evacuation System (MES) designed to the meet the emergency evacuation requirements of small to medium size passenger vessels, according to a press release.

Targeted at vessels with passenger capacities ranging from 300 to 1,500 persons, the new MES solution will be officially introduced to ship operators during the SMM Trade Fair before being rolled out for full market availability from early 2023.

The new MES solution builds on Survitec’s growing market share in the larger cruise ship market, the company said, where the company has installed some of the largest dry-shod MES systems on the most advanced cruise ships in the world.

“We were aware that there was demand for an extended service MES solution with high functionality to serve the ferry and small passenger cruise market. We went back to the drawing board and took a fresh look at how we could drive innovation to meet this need,” said Richard McCormick, AES and MES Product Manager, Survitec.

“The 30-month service interval this technology affords, brings convenience to the customer. This is because all of the complex logistics around servicing only have to be undertaken roughly every two and a half years. The cost savings for vessel owners are obvious,” added McCormick.

Using the fully enclosed, dry-shod helical (spiral) slide design of the company’s popular Marin Ark 2, the new MES solution ensures safe, rapid and intuitive descent for people of all ages and abilities. There is no restriction on the size of individual users, and crew can ascend the slide to assist passengers if necessary.

“The revolutionary helical slide technology from our Marin Ark 2 MES, trusted by major cruise operators for unrestricted, improved passenger experience and enhanced safety, is now available for ferries and small expedition-type passenger ships,” he added.

Fully enclosed single and double helical slide options are available in an asymmetric arrangement, the new MES solution comprises self-righting approved liferafts for 50, 100, 150 persons, with  SOLAS A, B and HSC emergency packs.

Survitec welcomes discussions with cruise and ferry operators on the new MES solution at SMM on Stand 428, in Hall B5, which takes place in Hamburg between the 6th and 9th of September 2022.

Source: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28163-survitec-launches-new-mes-for-small-ships.html

Lithium-ion batteries are having an increasingly important impact on maritime safety. This is evidenced by the occurrence of fires on ro-ro ships, vehicles and container ships. According to a new report from the maritime insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (Agcs), the fight against these accidents, especially at sea, is proving to be particularly difficult. The only way to deal with these dangers is to take preventive measures as he explains Rahul Khanna, Global Director of Maritime Risk Advisory at Agcs. “Companies – she says – must do their best to adopt, implement and apply solid preventive measures. Indeed, with the rise of the electric car, more and more vehicles containing lithium-ion batteries will be transported by sea in the future ”.

The report, “Lithium Ion Batteries: Fire Risks and Loss Prevention Measures in Shipping“, Highlights four main risks: fire (lithium-ion batteries containing electrolyte, a flammable liquid); explosion (resulting from the release of flammable vapors and gases in a confined space); thermal runaway (rapid self-heating which can cause an explosion); and the toxic gases these accidents can cause. to produce. The most common causes of disasters are the production of accumulators and batteries that do not comply with the standards, the overcharging of accumulators or overheating due to a short circuit. Deterioration of accumulators or batteries, particularly related to poor packaging, incorrect handling or slippage of a poorly protected charge, can also be the cause of a disaster.

“Batteries are not only a potential cause of fire when they are damaged, overloaded or subjected to high temperatures. They can also exacerbate other sources of fire at sea and cause hard-to-extinguish fires, which can reignite several days or weeks later.In most accidents that occur aboard a ship, thermal runaway can be a factor. significant fire, if the crew does not take immediate action, such as extinguishing the fire by using large amounts of water for an extended period of time. Furthermore, this operation can be extremely difficult, especially if early diagnosis is difficult, if there are not enough seafarers or if the firefighting capabilities are inadequate ”.

Electric vehicle loss prevention measures on vehicle carriers and container ships

To mitigate the fire risk related to lithium-ion batteries when transporting electric vehicles on ships and containers, Agcs experts presented several recommendations for businesses, particularly in two sectors: storage and transport.

First, the personnel must be trained in packing and handling procedures and the sailors must be trained in fire fighting with lithium-ion batteries. Where possible, it should be checked that the state of charge of the batteries is suitable for transport. Electric vehicles with low ground clearance should be labeled, as this feature can cause problems with charging and discharging. Finally, ensuring that all electric vehicles are properly secured helps prevent slippage during transport. Any arrangements that can help with early diagnosis along the way are also essential. Fire safety bullets, thermal scanners, gas detectors and heat / smoke detectors are especially needed, as well as video surveillance cameras.

The report also lists several measures that can contribute to the safe storage of lithium-ion batteries. Also in this case, Agcs experts recommend staff training in packaging and handling procedures. In addition, an emergency response plan for damaged or overheated batteries and a risk control plan should be established to manage the receipt, storage, shipping and monitoring of packaged lithium-ion batteries. Finally, the prevention of exposure of batteries to high temperatures and their separation from other combustible materials, as well as the rapid removal of damaged or defective lithium-ion batteries, must be addressed.

“To limit accidents related to the transport of lithium-ion batteries in the maritime sector, the actors in the supply chain must understand the risks, causes and problems associated with commercial transport,” he said. Randall Lund, Senior Marine Risk Consultant at Agcs and author of the report with Miguel Herrera and Justin Kersey, also their maritime risk consultants at Agcs – There are specific regulations and instructions regarding these batteries that aim to prevent most accidents. However, they can only be effective if they are disseminated and applied. Only through a concerted effort by all stakeholders in the supply chain can we hope to reduce the number of accidents. “

Source: https://news.italy-24.com/trends/63545/fire-caused-by-batteries-a-risk-that-should-not-be-underestimated.html

When SMM kicks off in early September, maritime professionals from all over the world are set to rejoice at the return of this long-awaited industry event – not only to get the complete overview of innovations, solutions and technologies – but also to enjoy this unique opportunity to reunite with the people at the heart of the industry.

According to VIKING SVP Benny Carlsen, “VIKING Life-Saving Equipment returns to SMM in Hamburg this year to further reinforce its position as the industry’s full scope partner for safety, whose recent investments have also anticipated changing supply and service needs across the world of maritime.”

In the period since SMM 2018, VIKING has fully integrated lifeboat OEM and service leader Norsafe, become a force to be reckoned with in marine fire services, launched next generation ranges of PPE and established the unique HydroPen™ system as the market’s leading container firefighting technology. But the company has also invested in digital asset management, further strengthened its service organization, grown its ‘VIKING Academy’ training services, and enhanced and digitalized its supply and service agreements.

“It feels like forever since the last SMM, but now we can’t wait to welcome all existing and potential customers, partners and industry peers to our stand, where visitors can experience our full scope maritime safety solution” – says Benny Carlsen. “Covid-19 surely accelerated digitalization, but there have been other major developments in safety equipment supply and servicing since we last gathered at SMM, and we’ve been responding to, and driving, change. Safety comes first, but to stay competitive in challenging markets, successful operators maintain performance while also finding ways to maximize efficiencies and reduce cost.”

Most of the owners of 20000+ vessels having safety compliance managed under a VIKING Shipowner Agreement have included the concept’s subscription-based approach to liferaft supply and servicing; increasingly, customers are adding lifeboat service, marine fire equipment service, PPE exchange, and LSA on Demand to their agreements, Carlsen says.

“More and more, the VIKING Shipowner Agreement is the favored framework for customers for ensuring onboard safety and compliance. It replaces complexity with flexibility and reduces administration and operational risk, streamlining and simplifying their equipment management.”

OEM competence and product innovation remain critical, Carlsen emphasizes, pointing to VIKING’s development of new lifeboats and ranges of PPE for service engineers, seafarers and air crews. Another eye-catching solution is the unique LifeCraft™ – the world’s first flag and type approved advanced evacuation and survival craft system, capable of replacing lifeboats on cruise ships. VIKING also arrives at SMM buoyed by the success of landmark orders to equip the entire fleets of some of the world’s largest container carriers with its HydroPen™ container firefighting system. Most recently, A.P. Moller – Maersk adopted the solution for its entire owned vessel fleet.

“In a way, HydroPen™ is an embodiment of what we’ve been achieving: it improves safety for the crew, the cargo and the ship, and helps the owner avoid fire related risks to crews and assets – along with significant related financial costs.”

However, operators also increasingly looked to VIKING to cover safety needs “as a service”, says Carlsen. SMM therefore offered a key opportunity to showcase its new capabilities in marine fire services (MFS), following its acquisition of the Drew Marine Fire Safety division in 2019.

VIKING has consolidated the business with its own MFS, invested in a firefighting foam laboratory, opened an MFS training center and reached distribution agreements with foam supplier Dr. Sthamer. “The MFS team is now supported by a network of 150+ port locations and served by VIKING’s dedicated workshops and authorized service providers,” Carlsen adds.

In business growth terms, VIKING’s multi-brand lifeboat, rescue boat, launching and release gear maintenance, testing, retrofit and overhaul services was providing another relevant example. “We ensure quality and flexibility by controlling the entire service value chain including booking, administration, spares, execution, documentation, training and support,” he says.
Source: VIKING

In its post-accident investigation into the deadly Conception dive boat fire, the NTSB issued 11 recommendations for safety improvements aboard passenger vessels. Now, three years after the fire, NTSB says that not enough has been done to address its safety concerns – and it notes that the law requires the U.S. Coast Guard to act on its recommendations.

In the early hours of Sept. 2, 2019, the Conception caught fire while at anchor off Santa Cruz island. No roving fire watch had been posted, and 34 people who were asleep belowdecks were killed. The vessel burned to the waterline and sank.

Following the investigation, the NTSB issued seven recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard and two to small passenger vessel associations. The NTSB also repeated its decade-old recommendation for the Coast Guard to require all passenger vessels to have a safety management system – the same way that tugs and towboats have to have an SMS under Subchapter M. NTSB has looked into three other passenger-vessel accidents since 2005 in which it believes an SMS would have made a difference.

“Three years ago, I made a promise to the victims’ families that I would vigorously work to ensure the safety recommendations we issued would be implemented,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “While I am encouraged by the progress that has been made, more work needs to be done. NTSB will continue to push until these recommendations are fully implemented.”

Of the three industry groups with members operating small passenger vessels with overnight accommodations, only the Passenger Vessel Association has taken sufficient action to satisfy the NTSB recommendations, the agency said. Two others in the charterboat sector have not yet responded.

At the Coast Guard regulatory level, a new SMS requirement for small passenger vessels – which NTSB has recommended since 2005 – is now in motion. New Coast Guard regulations are being developed for six other NTSB recommendations as well, but none have yet reached the implementation stage, according to NTSB’s tracking.

The NTSB noted that Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020 requires that the Coast Guard carry out all of the NTSB recommendations issued or reiterated in connection with the Conception investigation.

“We appreciate Congress addressing these safety issues in legislation, and for the cooperation and partnership of the Coast Guard,” said Chair Homendy. “But this shouldn’t have taken an act of Congress to improve safety. Passenger vessel owners and operators should act now to ensure no one else loses a loved one in another tragedy on our waterways.”

With or without regulatory requirements, NTSB recommends that overnight passenger vessel operators:

• Install smoke detectors in all accommodation spaces and ensure they are interconnected.
• Ensure that the two emergency escape paths out of a berthing area do not lead to the same space, which can be blocked by a single hazard.
• Adhere to the terms of their vessel’s COI, including a requirement for a roving watchstander.
• Keep escape routes unobstructed.
• Implement a safety management system.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/ntsb-more-action-needed-on-lessons-learned-from-conception-fire

Thome Group has won the 2022 Outstanding Contribution to Safety @ Sea Award organised by the Singapore Maritime Ports Authority. The award was presented by Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on the 31st of August in the Peony Grand Ballroom at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.

Thome was recognised for a series of safety programmes and initiatives that it has developed to ensure that the company is disciplined and focused in keeping its commitment to safety.

These included the creation of a safety department which focuses on monitoring the implementation of health, safety and quality policies, ensuring the company follows a risk-based approach which includes conducting risk analyses and implementing regular safety campaigns focussing on specific themes.

One of these campaigns is called “Partners in Safety” which is designed to set up stronger links between Thome’s seafarers and their onshore colleagues with regards to safety related matters. The aim is to encourage the two sides to work more closely together with information sharing and support in a blame free culture.

Thome has also initiated a safety coach programme where specialist safety coaches sail with Thome’s fully managed vessels to promote and spread their knowledge on safety requirements, systems, and procedures among the ship’s staff.

Accepting the award on behalf of Thome, Capt. Mayuresh Jayade, Marine and Safety Manager of Thome Group, said, “Thome Group places great importance on safety matters and has developed several initiatives and projects to ensure that the company is disciplined and focused in keeping its commitment to safety. We are very honoured that the MPA has recognised that with this prestigious award.”

Olav Nortun, CEO of Thome Group added, “I am pleased to say that by implementing these various safety initiatives we have seen a reduction in injuries and incidents from our fleet, so this award rewards the hard work of our staff both onshore and at sea.”
Source: Thome Group

Given the difficulties involved in extinguishing battery fires at sea, companies’ primary focus should be on loss prevention, says marine insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty in its latest risk bulletin. Measures include adequate training for the crew, appropriate firefighting equipment, better early detection systems and hazard control and emergency plans.

As a key component of electric vehicles (EVs) or electronic devices, the transport of highly inflammable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries is increasingly impacting shipping safety as demonstrated by a number of fires on vessels such as roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) car carriers and container ships. Given the many difficulties involved in suppressing battery fires, particularly at sea, focusing on loss prevention measures is crucial, whether batteries are transported within EVs or as standalone cargo, says Allianz.

‘Shipping losses may have more than halved over the past decade, but fires on board vessels remain among the biggest safety issues for the industry,’ explains Captain Rahul Khanna, Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). ‘The potential dangers that the transportation of Li-ion batteries pose if they are not stored or handled correctly only add to these concerns, and we have already seen a number of incidents. Companies should do all that they possibly can to implement, develop and follow robust loss prevention measures, given the growing popularity of EVs means many more vehicles with lithium-ion batteries will be transported by sea in future.’

Four main battery hazards

The risk bulletin “Lithium-ion batteries: Fire risks and loss prevention measures in shipping” highlights four main hazards:

• fire (Li-ion batteries contain electrolyte, an ignitable liquid);
• explosion (resulting from the release of ignitable vapor/gases in a confined space);
• thermal runaway (a rapid self-heating fire that can cause an explosion); and
• the toxic gases that these hazards can produce.

The most common causes of these hazards are substandard manufacturing of battery cells/devices, over-charging of the battery cells, over-temperature by short circuiting, and damaged battery cells or devices, which, among other causes, can result from poor packing and handling or cargo shift in rough seas if not adequately secured.

Moreover, ‘they can also aggravate other causes of fire at sea and are difficult to extinguish as they have the potential to reignite days or even weeks later,’ says Khanna. ‘In most shipboard incidents a thermal runaway event can be a significant possibility unless immediate action is taken by the crew, such as suppressing a fire with copious amounts of water over a long period of time. However, this can be extremely challenging due to factors such as early detection being difficult, a shortage of crew members on board, and if the vessel’s firefighting capabilities are inadequate.’

Loss prevention measures on car carriers

The primary focus must therefore be on loss prevention and in the report, AGCS experts highlight a number of recommendations for companies to consider, focusing on two areas in particular: storage and in transit.

Among others, recommendations to mitigate the fire risk that can potentially result from Li-ion batteries during the transportation of EVs on car carriers and within freight containers include:

• ensuring staff are trained to follow correct packing and handling procedures and that seafarers have had Li-ion battery firefighting training;
• checking the battery’s state of charge (SOC) is at the optimal level for transportation where possible;
• ensuring that EVs with low ground clearance are labelled as this can present loading/discharging challenges; and
• checking all EVs are properly secured to prevent any shifting during transportation.

In transit, anything that can aid early detection is critical, including watchkeeping/fire rounds and utilising thermal scanners, gas detectors, heat/smoke detectors, and CCTV cameras.

Loss prevention measures for stored batteries

The report also highlights a number of measures that can help ensure safe storage of Li-ion batteries in warehouses, noting that large-format batteries, such as those used in EVs, ignite more quickly in a warehouse fire than smaller batteries used in smartphones and laptops.

Among others, recommendations include

• training staff in appropriate packing and handling procedures;
• establishing an emergency response plan to tackle damaged/overheating batteries and a hazard control plan to manage receiving, storage, dispatch and supervision of packaged Li-ion batteries;
• preventing the exposure of batteries to high temperatures and ensuring separation from other combustible materials; and
• prompt removal of damaged or defective Li-ion batteries.

Captain Randall Lund, Senior Marine Risk Consultant at AGCS: ‘Regulations and guidance are specific in addressing these batteries to help prevent most incidents, but these can only be effective if they are communicated and enforced. Only through a concerted effort by stakeholders in the supply chain can we hope to reduce the rate of incidents.’

Fire/explosion is the third top cause of shipping losses

Recent incidents in which a battery fire was cited as a possible cause or contributing factor include the March 2022 fire and subsequent sinking of ro-ro carrier Felicity Ace. In the same month, the US Coast Guard issued a safety alert about the risk posed by Li-ion batteries following two separate container fires.

In June 2020 a fire on the car carrier Höegh Xiamen in Florida was attributed to a failure to properly disconnect and secure vehicle batteries. In January 2020, a fire on the container ship Cosco Pacific was attributed to the combustion of a Li-ion battery cargo, which was not properly declared.

AGCS analysis of over 240,000 marine insurance industry claims over the past five years (with a value of EUR 9.2 billion), shows that fire/explosion (from all causes) is the most expensive cause of loss, accounting for eighteen per cent of the value of all claims.

The number of fires (from all causes) on board large vessels has increased significantly in recent years. Across all vessel types, fire/explosion was the second top cause of the 54 total losses reported in 2021 (8), second only to foundered (12). Over the past decade fire/explosion ranks as the third top cause of loss overall, accounting for 120 out of 892 reported total losses, behind foundered (465) and wrecked/stranded (164).

Ro-ro and car carriers more at risk

Ro-ro and car carriers can be more exposed to fire and stability issues than other vessels. To facilitate carriage of automobiles, the internal spaces are not divided into separate sections like other cargo ships. The lack of internal bulkheads can have an adverse impact on fire safety and a small fire on one vehicle or battery can grow out of control very quickly. Vehicles are not easily accessible once loading has been completed. The large volume of air inside the open cargo decks provides a ready supply of oxygen in case of fire.

Source: https://swzmaritime.nl/news/2022/09/02/prevention-measures-crucial-to-tackling-risk-of-battery-fires-in-shipping/

ICHCA International, the global cargo handling association, launched the 2022 TT Club Innovation in Safety Award today inviting entrants to submit details of their innovations by 11 November 2022. The Award, which is open to an individual, team or company involved in cargo logistics, has seen the prestige associated with winning or being highly commended, grow year-on-year. Past winners have ranged from individual entrepreneurs and specialist suppliers to employee teams in major industry businesses. Entrants are required to show that a product, idea, solution, process, scheme or other innovation has resulted in a demonstrable improvement in safety.

Details of how to submit entries and of the judging criteria can be found here.

Both ICHCA and TT Club have a fundamental commitment to risk reduction throughout the entire freight supply chain. Promoting safety advice and good practices is paramount to the philosophy of the two organisations and the Award reflects this commitment. As such, the Award and the consequent profiling of the innovations put forward by its enthusiastic entrants, is central to the two organisations’ efforts to support continuous improvement in safety. They will continue to provide opportunities to showcase winners and other entrants, organising Safety Villages at industry forums and other live or virtual events. The range of the safety information and guidance documents these two organisations produce, from white papers to webinars and from advisories to checklists, can be found on their individual websites.

TT’s Risk Management Director Peregrine Storrs-Fox has been a supporter of the Award since its inception in 2016, “In TT’s role as a specialist provider of insurance products and risk management services to the supply chain industry, we have always emphasised the critical nature of loss prevention. Encouraging safety awareness and advising on effective risk mitigation is core to the Club’s business ethos,” he says.

“TT is therefore proud to have worked closely with ICHCA for a number of years, both in presenting this Award and urging all parties from the IMO and national governments to transport companies, intermediaries and cargo packers, storage facilities and handlers to adopt and constantly improve good practice systems and procedures. We look forward to celebrating the wealth of safety innovation that will once more be attracted by this Award.”

In past years, submissions to the Award programme have ranged in focus from bulk cargo handling to securing containers and their cargoes; from safety reporting and education to the correct handling of dangerous materials; from environmental monitoring to fire detection and suppression. The 2021 Award went to VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S for its HydroPen system designed to fight onboard container fires. HydroPen has recently secured a major contract to supply the entire Maersk fleet, gaining traction to deliver global ship safety.

Those highly commended in this latest Award included PSA International for its video analytics solution to prevent in-terminal collisions and Cargotec’s innovation to inspect containers from below, effectively and safely identifying any damage and ensuring they are free of any invasive pests.

Richard Steele, ICHCA’s CEO comments, “A massive benefit of the Award is that we make the innovative work carried out by the organisations that enter, available to others. Working together with our partner TT, we strive to achieve this through publishing a Digest of all the entries and helping the innovators to disseminate their knowledge through webinars and Safety Villages at industry exhibitions.”

“At ICHCA we believe that safety is the partner of efficiency, not its opposite. A well-run safety-conscious organisation is an efficient and sustainable organisation. Accidents cost lives, money and reputation. We challenge ourselves and our industry to move safely forward. We are proud of the innovation our industry has achieved and we wish to celebrate those achievements into the future.”

The Award ceremony will take place in February 2023 where the winners will be announced, those shortlisted will present their entries and innovation will be celebrated once more.
Sources: TT Club, ICHCA International