SHIPSERV Survey on Social Media Use in Shipping

Last August SHIPSERV launched its 3rd Internet and Social Media survey. SHIPSERV annual survey is a real barometer of digital use in the maritime industry with the aim of building an understanding of how trends in business-to-business e-commerce and social media are impacting the maritime sector. The survey aims to collect opinions both online and offline from purchasing managers and suppliers from the world’s leading shipowners, managers and suppliers. For this year’s survey questions have been added about social media usage and its development, as there has been a marked increase in the use of these platforms by shipping companies. This year’s survey can be found HERE.

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Marine Boilers Oil Contamination

In early October DNV released a technical newsletter focusing on the immediate and consequential impact of oil contamination on auxiliary boilers. This kind of leakage in coil flanges or broken gaskets in plate heat exchangers frequently occurs. If the problem is not observed in time, the boiler could be completely destroyed due to overheating of the furnace because of reduced water flow and minimised heat transfer/cooling of the boiler tubes.

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Filipino STCW compliance

Those who think that all’s well with the Philippines’ maritime education and training (MET) system cannot be more wrong. A letter from the European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA) to its members dated 1st October 2012 bolsters the view that the world’s top crew supplier is not yet over the hump.

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Study on the Psychological Impact of Piracy on Seafarers

In early October Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) released a study on the psychological impacts of piracy on seafarers. While incidents of piracy decline off the Horn of Africa, an inestimable number of seafarers continue to bear the psychological impact of captivity by pirates.

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Pirated MV Orna Released After 2 Years

Last week a cargo ship was freed after being held captive for nearly two years. The MV Orna, was hijacked 400 nautical miles northeast of the Seychelles in December 2010. The ransom for MV Orna was $600,000. Six hostages are still being held by the pirates on land.

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New Aframax Tanker Design by Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä Ship Design has developed a double hull, single screw crude oil tanker featuring a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) optimised hull to provide less resistance with higher propulsion efficiency. The minimum time at the terminals is ensured by the high loading/discharge rate. The CFD optimisation of the hull form has carefully considered the flow lines and pressure distribution along the hull, while the cylindrical bow accommodates a range of operational draughts even in rough weather conditions.

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Ship’s Deck Iron Rubble Crushes Shipbreakers in Pakistan

A few days ago three labourers were killed while working in the Gadani ship-breaking yard on the Balochistan coast. Several labourers were working in the ship-breaking yard, about 50 kilometres northwest of Karachi, when heavy iron rubble from a ship’s deck fell on them, killing three of them on the spot and injuring several others. The labourers were immediately shifted to Karachi.

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Corroded Fall Wire Causes Crew Fatality

Last issue of Maritime New Zealand makes reference to an accident involving lifeboats’ fall wire ropes highlighting the importance of proper maintenance of such equipment. A man drowned when a cable or fall wire supporting a lifeboat on a cruise ship failed, plunging him and another crewman into harbour waters.

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Prestige Oil Spill Trial Begins

10 years after the Prestige oil spill off the Spanish coast, four men, including the vessel’s Master, went on trial last week in a northern Spanish Court. The Prestige oil spill is claimed to have caused the worst oil slick in Spain’s history, as 50,000 tonnes of fuel oil was dumped into the sea.

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MPA Enhances Quality of Bunkering

During the opening ceremony of this year’s SIBCON in Singapore, Minister Lui announced the introduction of an information sheet on licensed bunker suppliers and an industry guide for the use of mass flow metering system. Minister Lui said that MPA will publish an information sheet on licensed bunker suppliers in the Port of Singapore in its efforts to allow shipowners to make more informed decisions in appointing bunker suppliers. Minister Lui also shared that MPA has developed an industry guide for the use of mass flow metering system.

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