Managing the garbage onboard is one of the most important operations as it can directly affect the environment as well as the health of the crew. Hence, it has become part of international regulations known as MARPOL Annex 5. Garbage management on ships is a system placed on board to organize and process all garbage…
A dangerous goods spillage is not a drill scenario — it is a shipboard emergency with regulatory, operational, and environmental consequences that begin the moment the spill is detected. The correct response depends on the IMDG class of the substance involved, and the correct reference document is not SOPEP. SOPEP covers oil pollution from machinery…
Moisture damage is one of the leading causes of cargo claims on bulk and break bulk vessels. Whether it comes from the cargo itself, from condensation on the ship’s structure, or from atmospheric humidity entering the hold, moisture affects different cargoes in fundamentally different ways — and the first thing a cargo officer needs to…
Chemical tankers split into IMO Type 1, 2, and 3 under the IBC Code — here’s how tank construction, coatings, and cargo segregation work aboard ship.
Did you know that more than 50% of cargo transported by sea falls under the hazardous goods category? Dangerous goods exist in liquid, solid, or gaseous forms. They all pose a danger in different ways and extents. Thus, the International Maritime Standards exist to facilitate safety in handling cargo. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), formed…
A reefer container is an ISO-standard refrigerated shipping unit that maintains a controlled internal temperature throughout a sea voyage, rail transit, or port dwell. This article covers reefer technical specifications, cargo type requirements, USDA and EU phytosanitary compliance, vessel power supply systems, pre-trip inspection procedure, and how temperature excursions translate into cargo claims. It is…
When speaking about the history of colonial empires or explorations that circumnavigate the globe, there are a few words that crop up more than most. A lot of these can be worked out by the audience, whether that be a reader or a person in a physical audience, but some still elude people. This is…
There are times when a ship needs to dock at a particular berth terminal. She will either load/discharge a cargo, take in provisions or do bunkering procedures. When at the port, there is also a risk for a vessel to catch fire or have an explosion and this is likely to happen on tanker vessels.…
A complete guide to ship prefixes — what MV, MT, SS, FV, and every other vessel designation means, plus why they still matter today.
AIS or Automatic Identification System is one of the newest bridge equipment used by merchant mariners. As long as it is turned on for vessels in the vicinity, ships would be able to automatically transmit and receive information from each other. The main data that are being transmitted and received are bearing, range and CPA.…