Loss Prevention Advice
- Details
- News /
Group A cargoes are those which pose a risk from either liquefaction or dynamic separation. The IMSBC Code defines cargoes which may liquefy as:
“Cargoes which contain a certain proportion of fine particles and a certain amount of moisture. They may liquefy if shipped with a moisture content in excess of their transportable moisture limit.”
In such a cargo composed of fine particles and containing moisture, the spaces between the particles are filled with both air and water. Whilst at sea the cargo is subject to forces due to the vibration and motions of the vessel. These forces cause the particles to move closer together and reduce the size of the spaces (voids) between the particles, which is known as densification.
- Details
- News /
Recommendations to help ship operators prevent blackouts and ensure that crews are prepared to respond effectively should one occur.
As explained by Gard, a blackout occurs when a ship suffers loss of electrical power from its main switchboard, typically due to an electrical or mechanical failure in the ship’s power generation, distribution, or propulsion systems. All blackout situations are serious and potentially dangerous. In a best-case scenario, a standby generator will be brought online to restore the main source of electrical power within seconds. However, a sustained blackout with loss of propulsion and steering control can eventually lead to collision or grounding with loss of life, damage to the environment and even total loss of the vessel.
The risk of a serious casualty increases when a ship is operating close to shore, near other ships or infrastructure like offshore wind turbines and particularly under adverse weather conditions. The increasing complexity of the integration of operating systems on modern ships has also been shown to challenge crews’ capacity to understand how these systems work. This can have a significant impact on how long it takes to recover from a blackout and restore propulsion and steering, and hence the severity of a blackout.
- Details
- News /
A loss prevention bulletin addressing the issue of cargo contamination claims and highlights best practices on sampling procedures.
According to West, cargo contamination claims are a major risk for tanker operators, often resulting in expensive disputes. Properly taken, sealed, and stored samples are essential to prove cargo quality at the time of loading. As tanker cargoes are loaded through closed systems, pre-loading inspection is not possible. Samples are the shipowner’s main defence in off-spec claims as they provide critical evidence to identify when and where contamination occurred, reducing claim costs and response time.
- Details
- News /
In its latest weekly advisory has highlighted several critical developments impacting commercial shipping and maritime operations worldwide.
Despite a reported 60% increase in marine traffic, reaching 36–37 ships daily, the Red Sea remains a high-risk corridor. The U.S.-Houthi ceasefire and the Houthis stated focus on Israeli-linked vessels have not alleviated overall concerns.
Furthermore, many shipping companies continue to reroute around southern Africa, driven by persistent geopolitical instability and record-high war risk insurance premiums (still at 0.75–1% of hull values). Notably, attacks by the Houthis from late 2023 through 2024, as well as ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Yemen, underscore the region’s volatility.
The EU’s Aspides naval mission has prevented attacks since December 2024 however its limited capacity (just 2–3 escort ships) and delays of up to a week hamper broader maritime safety.