IMO Issues Interim Guidelines for Ammonia-Fuelled Ships’ Safety

  • MSC Approves Safety Guidelines for Ammonia-Fueled Vessels.
  • BIMCO Contributes to the Development of Ammonia Safety Guidelines.
  • New Interim Guidelines Aim to Ensure Safe Ammonia Use in Shipping.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has released MSC.1/Circ.1687, the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Ammonia as Fuel, marking increasing awareness of the potential of ammonia as a marine fuel to facilitate decarbonisation. The guidelines provide a structured, risk-based...

https://mfame.guru/imo-issues-interim-guidelines-for-ammonia-fuelled-ships-safety/

New Report Highlights SMS Procedures for Ammonia-fueled Ships

  • MTF released recommendations for Safety Management Systems (SMS) for ammonia-fueled ships.
  • The guidelines address mixed fuel use and safe changeover procedures.
  • Emphasizes crew competency and training for handling ammonia safely.

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released a report providing recommendations on how to develop and implement a Safety Management System (SMS) for ammonia-fuelled ships.

Ammonia as fuel

As explained in the report “Guidelines for developing and implementing a...

https://mfame.guru/new-report-highlights-sms-procedures-for-ammonia-fueled-ships/

Maritime Technologies Forum Releases Report on Safe Transport of EVs at Sea

  • New Report Highlights Fire Risks of EV Transport on Ships
  • Battery Management Systems Could Help Detect EV Fires Early, Says Report
  • Structural Fire Protection, Crew Training Key to Safe EV Shipping

As an increasing amount of EVs are transported across the world, there has been an increase in onboard EV fire concerns, emphasizing better detection, prevention, and response. At present, there are no international regulations directly controlling the safe transport of EVs at sea. Although a few...

https://mfame.guru/maritime-technologies-forum-releases-report-on-safe-transport-of-evs-at-sea/

Understanding Liquefaction and Dynamic Separation in Bulk Cargoes

  • Moisture in bulk cargo can reduce stability and lead to capsizing.
  • Shifting moisture in cargo can impair vessel stability.
  • Compliance and moisture checks are crucial for safety.

In the maritime industry, the safe transport of bulk cargoes is critical, especially with respect to moisture-related risks like liquefaction and dynamic separation, reports Britannia P&I.

Understanding the risks of cargo liquefaction

A report from INTERCARGO recently highlighted that cargo liquefaction is a leading...

https://mfame.guru/understanding-liquefaction-and-dynamic-separation-in-bulk-cargoes/

Preventing Hydraulic Oil Spills Onboard Ships: Risks and Best Practices

  • Hydraulic System Failures Can Lead to Costly Oil Spills and Fines.
  • Ship Design Can Help Eliminate Hydraulic Oil Spill Risks.
  • Identifying rust patches, abrasions, or weakened connections early can prevent failures.

Hydraulic oil leaks onboard ships pose multiple risks, including personal injury, operational disruptions, and environmental damage. Since hydraulic systems operate under high pressure, any breach in hoses or pipes can lead to oil spraying over a large area in a short time, reports...

https://mfame.guru/preventing-hydraulic-oil-spills-onboard-ships-risks-and-best-practices/

Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Maritime Authorities Strengthen Safety Collaboration

  • Over 70 delegates from the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions gathered on the Gold Coast from 24–28 February for a joint seminar on maritime safety.
  • Discussions focused on enhancing port State control (PSC) collaboration, ship inspection guidelines, and overall industry safety.
  • Tokyo MoU and Indian Ocean MoU secretaries emphasized a coordinated approach, including structured training on fishing vessel inspections.
  • AMSA’s Bruce Whitby stressed the need for internationally agreed regulations,...

https://mfame.guru/asia-pacific-and-indian-ocean-maritime-authorities-strengthen-safety-collaboration/

Onboard Blending, Commingling, Doping, and Dyeing of Liquid Bulk Cargoes

  • Blending and commingling fall outside Hague-Visby Rules, requiring legal safeguards.
  • The bill of lading must reflect actual cargo conditions and blending operations.
  • P&I Club consultation is recommended to mitigate risks and ensure coverage.

Ships often receive cargo interests’ requests to blend, commingle, dye, or dope liquid bulk cargoes. These operations have different purposes, such as satisfying market needs, regulatory compliance, or tailoring products for final users. But each operation...

https://mfame.guru/onboard-blending-commingling-doping-and-dyeing-of-liquid-bulk-cargoes/

Proper Trimming: Key to Safe Dry Bulk Loading

The February 2025 edition of Britannia P&I Club’s “Risk Watch” highlights the advantages of electronic record books under the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention. These digital systems offer clear benefits over traditional paper-based methods, including improved efficiency, accuracy, and ease of data retrieval. The article emphasizes that adopting electronic record books can streamline compliance with BWM requirements, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance overall operational...

https://mfame.guru/proper-trimming-key-to-safe-dry-bulk-loading/

IACS Introduces Safety Guidelines to Protect Surveyors at Work

  • IACS has published new safety guidelines (Rec. 184) to protect Class Surveyors from occupational hazards.
  • The guidelines focus on risk management, fitness for work, fatigue management, and standardized safety practices.
  • Key areas of concern include working at height, boat transfers, confined spaces, and extreme weather exposure.

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has introduced Rec. 184, a set of safety guidelines aimed at improving occupational health and safety...

https://mfame.guru/iacs-introduces-safety-guidelines-to-protect-surveyors-at-work/