Safety: When bulk cargoes liquefy.

Thursday 24 March 2011 at 11:16 am

Source www.cargosystems.net

Mike Compton tells a cautionary tale that highlights the risks related to transporting bulk cargoes that can liquefy.

One part of the shipping and ports industry that has hit the headlines recently as far as accidents are concerned is the solid bulk cargo trade and that has suffered a spate of losses of bulk carriers carrying cargoes that can liquefy.

There is a range of bulk cargoes that are known to have this property and they are placed in category "A" in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code).

Iron ore fines and nickel ore are two of them and the danger is that when liquefied, the cargo can move and can cause a ship to capsize. Sadly, this resulted in the latter part of 2010 in 44 deaths via three sinkings in 39 days and has lead to the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (Intercargo) describing it as "completely unacceptable".

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DISASTER! Do You Have A Contingency Plan In Place?

Monday 21 March 2011 at 12:20 pm Recent floods in Queensland, Victoria and Brazil, the Christchurch earthquake (and several others around the globe) and now the Japanese earthquake and resultant tsunami have had a devastating impact upon the local populations, but the ramifications extend far beyond the local region.

People are displaced, buildings and infrastructure are decimated, ports and airports are closed and the path to rebuilding lives and crucial infrastructure will be long and arduous. Production is severely hampered, markets are severely disrupted; life has changed. (more)

IF I HAD A MAGIC WAND

Monday 21 March 2011 at 12:06 pm ICHCA South Australia recently hosted a luncheon where the topic was the thought provoking : If I Had A Magic Wand. (more)

ICHCA International Sends Heartfelt Condolences to Japan

Tuesday 15 March 2011 at 2:40 pm ICHCA International sends its heartfelt condolences to the Japanese people following last Friday's earthquake and tsunami. (more)

Japanese Ports Assess Earthquake Damage

Tuesday 15 March 2011 at 2:31 pm Many Japanese ports have closed and vessel operations halted after the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit northern Japan on Friday, causing hundreds of deaths. (more)

Sydney Penalises Under-achievers

Tuesday 15 March 2011 at 2:15 pm Sydney has flicked the switch on a penalty system for underperforming stevedores and truckers, following a month-long trial. (more)

EU Launches Common Language Project for Ports

Tuesday 15 March 2011 at 2:09 pm A new European Information highway project aims to develop a 'middleware' system that will enable all parts of the supply chain to talk in the same language. (more)

We need a firm EU policy on the Rotterdam Rules

Wednesday 09 March 2011 at 12:03 pm

Source www.ifw-net.com Kay Pysden argues that EC policy appears to lack clarity and is sending out mixed messages.

Kay Pysden is Principal at Pysden Solicitors.

The EU transport policy document entitled Rotterdam Rules-European Parliament resolution on strategic goals and recommendations for the EU's maritime transport policy until 2018, item 11, as adopted on 23 March 2010, calls for EU countries to sign-up to the Rotterdam Rules (and Spain became the first to ratify on 19 January).

But this is not a mandatory requirement and is, therefore, non-binding and subject to consultation and views of member states.

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Libyan Ports stay closed as dockers flee violence

Tuesday 08 March 2011 at 2:23 pm

Source www.ift-net.com

Cargo is being diverted as lines won't risk crew safety.

Libya's major ports were staying closed this week after shipping lines said they were unwilling for their ships to call at the country amid concerns for the safety of the crew or the vessel becoming stuck as dock workers flee or join the nationwide protests.

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WORLD'S LARGEST SHIPS IN FELIXSTOWE

Monday 07 March 2011 at 2:56 pm "Two of the world's largest container ships have met for the first time at the Port of Felixstowe. The 15,500 TEU Eleonora Maersk, and the 14,000 TEU MSC Paloma, are both regular callers at the UK's largest container port, but usually on different days. This was the first time the two largest classes of container ships in the world have berthed at the port simultaneously.

To view a photograph of the two vessels, http://www.ichca.com/images/general/Eleonora&Paloma.JPG

Source: Press Release issued by Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd / 7 March 2011.

ICHCA'S INTERNATIONAL SAFETY PANEL IS GETTING READY FOR ITS 63rd MEETING

Thursday 03 March 2011 at 2:50 pm Following the successful 62nd meeting of the International Safety Panel (ISP) in Antwerp in January, at which topics discussed included: the misdeclaration of gross weight containers, a 'baseline' safety specification for quay cranes, consideration of the structural examination of cranes, including design life issues, the 63rd meeting will be held on 18 and 19 April 2011 in Malta (more)

ICHCA INTERNATIONAL'S 2012 BIENNIAL CONFERENCE MOVES UP A GEAR

Thursday 03 March 2011 at 2:33 pm The ICHCA International Biennial Conference will be held 08 to 11 May 2012 in Melbourne Victoria, Australia and boasts the theme of "Global Cargo Logistics - the 2020 Vision" (more)

SCAM: IMO FRAUD ALERT!

Thursday 03 March 2011 at 2:19 pm The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been made aware of various correspondence being circulated by email or taking the form of invoices issued by, or in association with, IMO and/or its officials. (more)

'DIRTY BOMB' Fears Over Radioactive Container

Thursday 03 March 2011 at 2:12 pm Experts try to work out how to deal with 'security and ecological disaster' at Genoa. (more)