According to Shangdong province authorities the containership Guangyangxingang sank off the Chinese coast last Monday, due to bad weather and strong winds. One of the crew members has been rescued by a helicopter.
Container Ship Capsizes Northeast of Longkou in Shandong Province East China
March 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
PSA Norway Safety Order to Statoil over Heimdal Leak
March 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
During early February the Norway Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) issued an order to Statoil following an investigation of the hydrocarbon leak incident on the Heimdal field. The hydrocarbon leak occurred in connection with testing of two emergency shutdown valves on the HMP1 drilling, production and living quarters platform on the Heimdal field on 26 May 2012.
Bulk Carrier Runs Aground and Breaks in Half – Investigation Report
March 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
At about 0510 (UTC) on 16 March 2011, Oliva, a Maltese registered bulk carrier ran aground on the north-west coast of Nightingale Island in the Tristan Da Cunha Group. Oliva was on a loaded passage from Santos, Brazil to China. The vessel sustained severe bottom damage to almost all of her water ballast tanks that resulted in the vessel developing a 12º list to port.
Russia Draws up Business Plan to Revive the Northern Sea Route
March 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Northern Sea Route (NSR) gradually becomes an important transport corridor: latest navigation season set a new record in the number of vessels. The Russian energy giant Gazprom successfully completed world’s first LNG supply via the route. What are the economic reasons behind this ambitious project?
Damage to Steering Gear
March 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
A vessel had reported steering failure at sea and was boarded by port state control upon arrival. The steering gear was inspected without any findings and the vessel was allowed to proceed. The class was not informed. Whilst sailing half ahead on a river, the rudder suddenly blocked in a position nearly hard to starboard. The vessel touched the riverbank and stopped. All parts of the steering gear (machinery and bridge) were inspected by the crew and found in order. The captain and the pilot decided to continue the voyage, however, the problem reoccurred and the vessel ran aground again!
Company Pleads Guilty to Breaches of the ISM Code
March 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
On the 19 June 2012, a Port State Control Inspector from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) boarded a Panama registered vessel at Portland. During his inspection the Inspector noted that access was being made into the vessel’s ballast tanks without proper procedures being in place. The Master was issued with a Prohibition Notice requiring entries be made in the correct manner in accordance with the Code of Safe Working Practices.
500 Bcf Gas Resource Offshore Tallaganda in Western Australia
March 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
On late January Tap Oil Limited announced its gross volumetric recoverable gas resource estimate for the WA-351-P portion of the Tallaganda structure. Tap’s studies indicate approximately 500 Bcf (Billion Cubic Feet) of gas in the WA-351-P portion of the Tallaganda structure
Facilitation Payments During PSC Inspections
March 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
At the Tokyo MoU’s Port State Control Committee meeting held in Singapore during late January, INTERTANKO put over the growing concern from Members that facilitation payments are becoming more commonplace during ship inspections.
Officer of the Watch 