Loss Prevention Advice
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The Liberia Maritime Authority has issued a notice to inform on the security situation in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea.
On multiple occasions missiles from drones have been launched and ships have been demanded to turn around and proceed to Yemen. Threats to vessels include anti-ship missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, water-borne improvised explosive devices, and drones. Mines have been deployed near the coast of Yemen, and on rare occasions mines have detached from their tether and have drifted into traffic lanes. There have also been reports of unmanned undersea vehicles, though no vessel has been attacked by these devices.
The greatest threat is in the vicinity of the Yemeni, Red Sea coastline. However, there have been attacks as far as 100 nautical miles from the coast. All owners, operators, and crews should remain cognizant of the threats in the area and understand the risk of transiting this area.
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The carriage of liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) is emerging as a specialised trade with legal, technical and operational implications presenting unfamiliar risks. Unlike many liquefied gas cargoes, LCO₂ is not yet governed by mature operational conventions or a widely adopted regulatory framework, according to the Britannia Club.
Although carbon dioxide is chemically inert and non-flammable, LCO₂ poses several operational safety risks. Furthermore, while LCO₂ is not classified as a pollutant under MARPOL, large-scale releases may pose localised environmental and health hazards. CO₂ is heavier than air and can displace oxygen in confined or low-lying spaces, presenting a significant asphyxiation risk for personnel.
Shipowners and operators are encouraged to:
- Clearly define and integrate emergency response protocols into the Safety Management System (SMS)
- Engage with classification societies and flag administrations to align safety measures with prevailing standards and best practices
- Consider engaging external experts to provide training and raise preparedness among crew and technical teams where there is uncertainty or limited familiarity with LCO2-specific hazards
Cargo composition and managing impurity
Unlike food-grade CO₂, industrially captured CO₂ is more variable in quality, and may add challenges to the conditioning process before loading. Impurities such as water, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen oxides can lead to corrosion, pressure variability and solid formation, impacting the safety and efficiency of transport.
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A Guide to Safe LNG Bunkering Practices’ (Second Edition), developed in collaboration with Brookes Bell, presenting a practical resource for the safe and efficient bunkering of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the maritime industry.
According to UK P&I Club, in response to global decarbonisation efforts and the growing adoption of LNG as a fuel in transition, this guide explores the physical characteristics of LNG, associated hazards, and recommended best practices for its handling, storage and transfer.
Furthermore, it covers key technical aspects including containment systems, pre-bunkering preparations, operational protocols, emergency response planning, and crew training aligned with the IGF Code.
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Eight men have been jailed for their roles in attempting to smuggle 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, worth more than €157 million (£135 million) aboard the bulk carrier MV Matthew.
Six of the men were caught on board the bulk carrier MV Matthew, where the drugs were found off the Irish coast in September 2023, while the other two attempted to transfer the illicit load onto a second vessel in the Irish Sea.
Together, they have received a combined sentence of 129 years, with individual terms ranging from 13 and a half to 20 years.
This seizure marked the largest cocaine haul in Irish history and resulted from a joint operation involving the Garda (Irish police), customs, and the Irish Defence Forces.
As reported, a judge highlighted a significant aggravating factor in the case, the attempted importation was linked to a cartel with international reach and unlimited resources, underscoring the gravity of the crime.