Loss Prevention Advice
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Safe ship-to-ship cargo transfers require careful planning, compatible vessels and continuous monitoring of operational risks, according to guidance highlighted by West P&I.
The safety considerations involved in ship-to-ship (STS) transfers involving bulk carriers. Drawing on INTERCARGO’s Ship to Ship Transfer Guidelines for Bulk Carriers, she highlights practical measures for reducing risks during cargo operations between vessels, barges, trans loaders and floating transfer facilities.
STS operations are commonly used where draft restrictions, limited port infrastructure or unsuitable berths prevent conventional cargo handling. However, operating two vessels alongside each other introduces additional risks associated with vessel movement, mooring arrangements, cargo equipment and environmental conditions.
According to MacCarthy, the planning process should begin with an assessment of the transfer location, including water depth, under-keel clearance, weather conditions, currents, vessel traffic and the availability of emergency assistance.
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A new report highlights the growing threat of Somali piracy to commercial shipping, as renewed hijackings and expanding mothership operations raise concerns over vessel and crew security.
The “Maritime disruption in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin 2025–26” report, authored by Dryad Global analyst Joshua Harrison, examines the factors driving the resurgence of piracy across the region. It identifies political instability in Somalia, constraints on international anti-piracy operations and reported cooperation between pirate groups and other regional armed actors as key contributors to the deteriorating security environment.
According to the findings, Somali piracy has been increasing since 2024, with activity accelerating further in 2026.
According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), 51 piracy and armed robbery incidents were recorded worldwide between January and September 2026, including 15 attributed to Somali piracy. Despite historically low global incident numbers, Somali pirates accounted for 94% of all crew members taken hostage during the period.
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Following a significant decline in incidents over the past ten months, an alert, warning of a recent increase in sea robbery incidents involving ships underway in the Singapore Strait, and raising concerns about the possibility of further attacks.
Three sea robbery incidents were reported aboard vessels transiting the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) on November 2, 4 and 10, 2026.
The incidents occurred at 2125 hrs, 2335 hrs and 0240 hrs, respectively, within a relatively small area, with the locations approximately 3.2 nautical miles apart.
Two incidents involved bulk carriers and one involved a tanker. One crew member sustained injuries, while no injuries were reported in the other two incidents. Engine spare parts were stolen from two vessels, while no losses were reported in the remaining case.
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Bulk carrier owners can choose from two compliant technologies to detect gas levels in the hold.
To establish the levels of gas present in a coal hold, crews on board bulk carriers commonly use one of two types of gas detector: catalytic bead detectors or infrared (IR) detectors.
Catalytic detectors are often chosen on dry cargo vessels because they are generally cheaper and simpler to use, while fully meeting mandatory carriage requirements. However, when carrying coal, catalytic detectors can give misleading readings if the oxygen level in the cargo hold falls too low.
During a voyage, crews carrying coal are required to monitor the atmosphere in the cargo spaces. The key gas readings usually recorded cover Oxygen (O2 – as a percentage), Carbon Monoxide (CO – as parts per million), and Methane (as a percentage of the LEL – lower explosive limit).