Safety

Costa Rica: Police in riot gear use tear gas on protesters at terminal entrance

A photo of the Costa Rican national protests taken on Sept. 12, 2018.

A photo of the Costa Rican national protests taken on Sept. 12, 2018.

Excerpts from an article ironically named ‘Breakthrough hope in Costa Rica strike’:

The government and public sector workers in Costa Rica have agreed to enter into talks to bring to an end an indefinite strike that is now in its second week.

The unions, which are protesting against government tax reform plans, released a statement indicating their willingness to negotiate with the mediation of the Catholic church but without...

http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2018/09/costa-rica-police-in-riot-gear-use-tear-gas-on-protesters-at-terminal-entrance/

US court judges freight forwarder and chemical maker responsible for MSC Flaminia deaths

MSC Flaminia disaster 2012

From the Handy Shipping Guide:

Early on the morning of 14 July 2012 the ship’s alarms sounded and a cloud of smoke rose from one of the holds. When the fire-fighting team rushed toward it and flooded the hold with CO2 the explosion occurred.

In the second hearing of a potentially three phase case the US District Court for the Southern District of New York has reached a verdict appointing responsibility for the deaths, injuries and damage caused when the MSC Flaminia was struck by an explosion....

http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2018/09/us-court-judges-freight-forwarder-and-chemical-maker-responsible-for-msc-flaminia-deaths/

Port of Tacoma pauses operations due to nearby fire, air quality concerns

Update: The Port of Tacoma has announced: “With air quality returning to healthy levels, service at all terminals in Tacoma are expected to be up and running by 1 p.m.”

Excerpts from a KING 5 article titled ‘Stay indoors: Air quality warning issued as Tacoma scrap fire burns’:

An overnight fire at Simon Metals scrap yard in Tacoma weakened the surround air quality Monday morning, forcing the Port of Tacoma to put operations on hold.

The fire began around 2 a.m. and by 10 a.m. air quality around...

http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2018/09/port-of-tacoma-pauses-operations-due-to-nearby-fire-air-quality-concerns/

International outcry as young docker dies after incident at Ports of Auckland, New Zealand

Our profound condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Laboom Midnight Dyer, who was killed on the docks this week at age 23.

From the American Journal of Transportation:

The ITF Dockers’ Section is in shock after a young New Zealand docker died Sept. 5 after his straddle crane overturned at Ports of Auckland at 3:45am on August 27th.

The ITF family passes on its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the worker, and joins with the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) in...

http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2018/09/international-outcry-as-young-docker-dies-after-incident-at-ports-of-auckland-new-zealand/

As a member of a DC-based appeals court, Trump’s Supreme Court nominee assailed pro-worker rulings

From Mother Jones:

“Everything we know about Justice Kavanaugh’s record leads us to believe he would operate under a pro-corporation agenda over workers’ rights, over civil rights, and more,” said Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), on an August press call. Advocates from AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and AFSCME have echoed calls by the Alliance for Justice and other...

http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2018/09/as-a-member-of-a-dc-based-appeals-court-trumps-supreme-court-nominee-assailed-pro-worker-rulings/

Yamal LNG Carrier Boris Vilkitsky In Gross Violation of Safety Rules on NSR


The LNG carrier Boris Vilkitsky, a new ice-class vessel transporting natural gas from Russia’s Yamal LNG project, disregarded a number of safety rules on an Arctic voyage to the Port of Sabetta. The vessel, operated by a Dynagas LNG Partners, a joint venture by Dynagas, Sinotrans, and China LNG Shipping, entered the Northern Sea Route (NSR) despite the inoperability of its stern thrusters and port steering column.

This malfunction, which occurred at least 10 days prior, limited the vessel’s...

http://www.highnorthnews.com/yamal-lng-carrier-boris-vilkitsky-in-gross-violation-of-safety-rules-on-nsr/

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