The principal role of maritime forces is war fighting. This includes searching for, surveillance of, and combat engagement with the adversary’s battle fleet. The aim is to control the sea lines of communications including the chokepoints or deny their use by the enemy in order to achieve the enduring national interests: territorial integrity and political independence. Maritime forces initiate naval…
IMO has issued a new warning that bauxite may become unstable when carried in bulk on a ship, potentially causing the vessel to capsize. Bauxite is one of the world’s major sources of aluminum with around 100 million tons (MT) transported annually by sea. In 2015, a bulk carrier sank while transporting bauxite, with the loss of 18 seafarers. Research…
A new report published by the Danish Maritime Authority has called for changes in international maritime regulation to prepare for the introduction of autonomous ships. “It is important that Denmark and Danish companies are at the forefront of technology and digitalization. The development of autonomous ships is fast-moving and we must be at its forefront,” said Danish Minister for Industry,…
Regulations surrounding potable water on ships. In August 2013, the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) started to enforce their regulations (MLC 2006), aimed at maintaining high quality drinking water onboard ships, to protect crew from waterborne health risks. Ship owners, managers, shipyards and crew manning agencies must all understand how the regulations titled, ‘Food and Catering: Provision of Food and Fresh…
The seaworthiness of a vessel is one of the most important considerations for any maritime operator. Whether you are responsible for a small passenger ship or bulk carrier, compliance laws are getting stricter to ensure that crew members and passengers are kept safe and marine pollution levels are kept to a minimum. Penalties can be serious, but if a ship…
When it comes to fishing vessel safety, the mission is clear, says Sandra Allnutt of the International Maritime Organization (IMO): enhance safety to save lives. “We want to reduce loss of life in one of the most dangerous professions in the world, and we want to enhance safety on board fishing vessels,” said Ms Allnutt, Head of Maritime Technology in…
The Korean Register (KR), an International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) member, has announced that it is now conducting ship inspection services using Drones, responding to the industry-wide trend to use more unmanned technology. The new service, which has been successfully trialed and now launched, follows extensive collaboration and research conducted with the University of Gyeongnam Geochang. The Drone inspection…
Last month, PRS successfully passed with flying colors (with only 1 minor observation) the strict assessment and certification audit of ABS QE to the latest 2015 version of ISO9001 of PRS’ Integrated Management System. The first and leading Filipino classification society has again trailblazed in establishing an Integrated Management System compliant to ISO 9001:2015 (quality management standard), ISO 18001 (OHSAS…
Compliance with the strict marine regulations and codes can be time consuming and expensive for any operator. In an industry with such alarming historical safety statistics, it’s imperative that we embrace innovation to eradicate onboard risks. Regulations are constantly being amended and introduced to make shipping safer so we are going to look at the Top 3 Innovations Improving Marine…
PRS Technical Services Inc. leads the way in assisting Filipino shipowners and operators in complying with MARINA MC 08-2015 entitled “Rules and Regulations on Subdivision and Damage Stability Requirements for Philippine-Registered Domestic Ships”. This MC outlines the requirements under Resolution MSC.216(82), adopting the regulations on subdivision and damage stability in SOLAS Chapter 11-1 which are based on the probabilistic concept…
Korean Register (KR) – an International Association Classification Society (IACS) member classification society – has launched the industry’s first Survey & Audit Preparation Guide which will allow shipowners to check exactly what items need to be prepared for their next vessel survey audit, before submitting an application. KR has used its extensive data resources and IT technology expertise to develop…
The nation and its maritime community join the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in commemorating its founding anniversary in October. Originally created as a civilian bureau in 1901 by the United States, the organization assumed its military character in 1967 by virtue of Republic Act 5173. It used to be one of the Philippine Navy’s major units until its separation in…
The Philippine Register of Shipping (PRS), the country’s first and largest classification society, has embarked on a rebranding while expanding its services to support its aim of safer shipping and increase its client base in the growing domestic fleet. Engr. William Hernandez, president of Philippine Register of Shipping (PRS), says the service expansion is to meet the demand from the…
Transas has introduced a new Survival Craft Simulator (SCS) to prepare crew for the multitude of possible scenarios that can occur during lifeboat drills, aiming to address one of the most notorious sources of accidents in shipping without exposing personnel to physical danger. Effective survival craft training is essential to prepare crew for a disaster at sea but practical lifeboat…
With the August deadline looming for ship owners to have Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) installed on their vessels, this two-part article takes a brief look at why ECDIS was brought in, the key regulations behind it, the latest trends in ECDIS technology and what the future might hold for ECDIS innovation. Part I. Regulations behind ECDIS Born…
Philippine Register of Shipping, Inc. (PRS) is the first and leading Filipino Classification Society established since 1989. PRS is driven by the most competent technical professionals from the Philippine maritime industry and is backed by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Inc. (SONAME). Rebrands. PRS responds to the changing maritime landscape and rebranded its corporate image last May…
The Korean Register (KR), an IACS member classification society, has announced that Mr. Lee Jeong-kie has been elected as its new Chairman and CEO. Mr Lee was elected at the extraordinary meeting of KR’s general assembly that oversees the running of KR and comprises 86 voting members. He assumes the role of Chairman and CEO, following the death of Mr….
Introduction Living in today’s “uncertainties of boom or bust economies, global climate change, rapid urbanization, technological advancement, and continuing war on poverty or terrorism present a lot of risk necessitating people to prevent the occurrence or mitigate its impact.” However, when there is extreme danger ahead, we must prepare to accept reality and respond accordingly. This has been explained as…
The 109th Maritime Breakfast Forum (MBF 109) was hosted by the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) and held at the CPA in Cebu City on 11 February 2016. Commo. Carlos L. Agustin (Ret), President of the Maritime League, called the forum to order at 1:00pm. He announced that instead of only one presentation from the CPA, there will be two other…
The goal of the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association’s (WFSA) has been to identify and disseminate approaches, primarily technology-based, to reduce ferry fatalities. They focus on technology because it is often an impetus for social change. The 1st Ferry Safety and Technology Conference 2015 hosted by WFSA sponsored its annual vessel design competition, commissioned student research, convened a technology-based conference, and…
Every year, about 300 whales feeding near the southern coast of Sri Lanka are hit more than a thousand times by large carriers up to 300 meters long. About 50 of these collisions are likely to be lethal for the rare Pygmy Blue Whales indigenous to Sri Lanka waters. Next year could likely be the “Year of No Return” of…
My involvement in the Spratlys, South China Sea and West Philippine Sea issue goes back a long way. As a junior officer, fresh from the Naval Academy, I was part of a secret mission sometime in 1971. I transported troops,weapons, equipment and supplies to the islands we occupied in Freedomland, now called the Kalayaan Island Group.
Somali pirates launched a wave of attacks on shipping over the Christmas and New Year period, with the hijack of five ships and attempts on others. Hijacked ships included: The Algerian-owned and flagged Blida was captured 150 nautical miles off Oman on 1 January. The 27 crew include Algerian, Filipino and Ukrainian seafarers. The Mozambican-flagged fishing vessel Vega 5 with…