Loss Prevention Advice
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A circular providing an overview of the updated compliance guidelines and discharge control requirements for water pollutants from ships operating in Chinese coastal waters, offering practical guidance.
As explained, the suggestions are intended to provide general compliance references for the industry. Specific operations must be comprehensively determined by referencing to ship types, pollutant characteristics, and real-time regulatory requirements, etc. When necessary, the local MSA should be consulted to confirm operation compliance. Huatai Marine’s guidance includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Wash Water from Open‑Loop Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems
Discharge of wash water from open‑loop exhaust gas‑cleaning systems is prohibited within the Domestic Emission Control Areas for Atmospheric Pollution from Ships (DECAs).
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An incident where a cross-channel ro-ro ferry lost control during departure in severe weather, ultimately grounding after a series of misjudgements.
Incident overview
Background of ship and voyage details
The 30,635 gt ro-ro, built in 1991, is registered under the United Kingdom (UK) flag, and has an overall length of 179.7m. This ro-ro was employed as a cross-channel ferry, making several return journeys per day between Dover, UK and Calais, France carrying a mixture of passengers with cars and freight.
The ship was powered by four main engines, driving two shafts fitted with controllable pitch propellers. To assist in manoeuvring, two bow thrusters were fitted, and steering was augmented with high lift rudders.
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An advisory on the safe navigation of seafarers through the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.
The Persian Gulf is a crucial channel for the transit of goods, however, it is currently grappling with geopolitical tensions, as well as significant maritime security threats, which have been disrupting commercial shipping operations in the region.
In the advisory, West has emphasized the importance of vigilance and staying well-informed for those navigating or transiting these areas, in order to protect both crew safety and operational continuity.
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- News /
An incident where a cross-channel ro-ro ferry lost control during departure in severe weather, ultimately grounding after a series of misjudgements.
Incident overview
Background of ship and voyage details
The 30,635 gt ro-ro, built in 1991, is registered under the United Kingdom (UK) flag, and has an overall length of 179.7m. This ro-ro was employed as a cross-channel ferry, making several return journeys per day between Dover, UK and Calais, France carrying a mixture of passengers with cars and freight.
The ship was powered by four main engines, driving two shafts fitted with controllable pitch propellers. To assist in manoeuvring, two bow thrusters were fitted, and steering was augmented with high lift rudders.
As the ship traded exclusively in the North Sea Sulphur Emission Control Area, the fuel used on board was ultra-low sulphur fuel oil (ULSFO), having previously used marine gas oil (MGO) until around six months before the incident. Since the change of fuel type, there had been an increased frequency of problems noted with main engine reliability, including difficulty in starting and clutching in, engines alarming on overload more frequently, and reduced power output.
Summary of the incident
On the day of the incident, the ro-ro ferry was making a routine crossing from Dover to Calais. A storm was causing severe weather conditions in the Dover-Calais Strait, with gale force winds reaching 30–40 knots, creating difficult manoeuvring conditions.