Brookes Bell News

Veer Corp. said the American Bureau of Shipping granted an Approval in Principle, seen as a key milestone on its mission to build its fleet of clean, wind-powered ocean-going container vessels. The naval architect team at Dykstra and the project management team at Brookes Bell lead the initiative.“Receiving this AIP from a recognized organization such as ABS sets Veer apart from other conceptual projects.” says Danielle Doggett, CEO at Veer. “We are making significant progress…

Brookes Bell said it has been contracted by Norwegian Cruise Line to deliver its software solution SRtP Onboard across its Breakaway Plus class of vessels. Brookes Bell was engaged directly by the Meyer Werft shipyard for these tasks whose close collaboration greatly enhanced the final output to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.The software was installed on the newly launched Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Norwegian Encore in December 2019 including the delivery of training to all crew involved.

Handling of steel boxes throughout the shipping, ports and logistics supply chain has historically grown exponentially, putting strains on a range of operational procedures and the physical hardware employed to handle the steel boxes, particularly onboard ships. A recent webinar organized by the Thomas Miller managed insurance mutuals, container freight specialist TT Club and protection & indemnity insurer, UK P&I Club, revealed the diverse range of factors important to safe container ship operations and the security of the container stacks they carry.

Brookes Bell has strengthened its marine casualty capability with the addition of two listed special casualty representatives (SCRs) boosting the total number of SCRs within the company to five.SCRs are highly specialist salvage and wreck removal consultants and, as such, number only around 50 globally. They are appointed by the Lloyd’s of London’s SCOPIC Committee for their exceptional level of expertise in the field of salvage and wreck removal.Joining the Brookes Bell team are William Leschaeve and Michael Riddell.Riddell is a senior master mariner, based in Brookes Bell’s Singapore office. Following an initial career at sea with Safmarine, he later served on ocean-going salvage tugs responsible for ocean towage and emergency response.

UK-based international provider of insurance services Thomas Miller has acquired international marine consultancy business Brookes Bell for an undisclosed sum. Brookes Bell is a marine technical and surveying consultancy with offices in Liverpool, London, Glasgow, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. It has served the marine and energy industries since 1903, providing specialist services in areas including emergency response, casualty investigation, salvage and wreck removal operations, scientific cargo expertise, forensic engineering and expert witness services. The firm also provides research and development of ship design support to enhance maritime safety and technology and employs a renowned group of marine engineers…

The final success of any fire or explosion investigation is dependent on the management of the incident. Fire and explosion incidents on board vessels have always presented challenging situations for the marine industry. However, with the industry as whole facing ever-increasing financial pressures, many of those who suffer from a fire or explosion are seeking out cost saving measures during investigations. As a result, local surveyors or inexperienced investigators are sometimes appointed in place of a more qualified and experienced expert.

The finalists of the 2017 Mersey Maritime Industry Awards (MMIAs) have been announced. The winners will be revealed at a prestigious black tie dinner that will have a Ministerial presence and promises to bring together the best of the maritime industry right across the Maritime, Logistics and Energy spectrum in the region. The MMIAs are organised by sector representative body Mersey Maritime and the Awards recognise the excellence and diversity that exists across all sectors of the maritime industry in the North West. Chris Shirling-Rooke, Chief Executive, Mersey Maritime, said: “The number and quality of entries for the 2017 MMIAs has risen for the third consecutive year, which will make for an exciting awards evening when the winners are announced on 9th March.

The 175 million GT, ‘A’ rated North P&I Club has published a major new guide for the international shipping industry on how to reduce losses when carrying bulk cargoes by sea. The 280-page Bulk Cargoes: A Guide to Good Practice adds to North’s comprehensive portfolio of guidance provided about different cargo types and is the first to be made available in both print and e-book formats. Bulk Cargoes explains the basic rules to be remembered on every occasion during loading, carriage and unloading of bulk cargoes. It describes where various regulations, recommendations and general guidance can be found, and discusses procedures, preparations and good seamanship practice for appropriate and safe carriage of cargoes in bulk.

A number of claims and disputes have arisen where cargoes of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) originating from the United States have been rejected by Chinese receivers. The cargoes were rejected on the basis of color. If the color of the DDGS is dark, the receiver may look to reject it. Incidents of this type were first reported in October 2015 but they continue to occur and it is apparent that a number of DDGS shipments have been affected. DDGS is used as animal feed and is a by-product of ethanol production.

In response to popular demand, Mersey Maritime has expanded the eligibility of its annual awards to include maritime companies and related organisations right across the Maritime, Logistics and Energy spectrum in the whole of the North West and the Isle of Man. Chris Shirling-Rooke, CEO of Mersey Maritime, said: “Last year’s inaugural event was so popular that we have been inundated with businesses wanting to get involved. Taking the time to enter one or more of our 10 award categories certainly pays off, as two non-finalists last year won lucrative contracts on the strength of their entries. “The judging panel is made up of leading industry figures from our main sponsors and all entries are evaluated, with the various merits of each debated by these eminent people.

Dominic Tasker has been hired as a new naval architect at Silverstream Technologies, a developer of air lubrication technology for the shipping industry. Silverstream said the move is in line with its strategy for infrastructure expansion following the company’s first commercial installation of the Silverstream System with Norwegian Cruise Lines, and the development of a significant pipeline of further orders. Tasker joins Silverstream Technologies from global maritime consultancy Brookes Bell…

The London P&I Club has issued a list of recommendations to owners contemplating the carriage of bauxite cargoes in the wake of renewed concerns about the dangers of cargo mis-declaration and potential liquefaction. In the latest issue of the club’s StopLoss Bulletin, Dr Martin Jonas, of international marine consultant and surveyor Brookes Bell, notes that grades of bauxite containing a high proportion of fines capable of retaining significant moisture are potentially at risk of liquefaction, resulting in cargo shift which may cause the capsizing of the carrying ship.

With only 7 days to go to the big Singapore charity row, Row Around Singapore Island (RASI) the intrepid volunteer rowers from the maritime community of Singapore have been undertaking their final practice weekend at the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. The original concept for this ground-breaking non-stop endurance challenge was conceived and organised by three friends Iain Anderson of RPC, Lewis Hart of Willis and Ian Teare of Norton Rose Fulbright. It will take around 24 hours and the rowing teams will face busy seaways, strong currents and choppy offshore waters as they tackle the 140 km distance around Singapore. They will be…

A group of 40 enthusiasts from the maritime and insurance community in Singapore have come together, to undertake a 24 hour endurance sea challenge, all in aid of the global maritime welfare charity, The Mission to Seafarers. Mission Row Around Singapore Island (RASI), will see two teams in ocean-going rowing boats attempt the 140km journey, taking on the seas and shipping lanes (not to mention two live military firing ranges) to complete a non-stop circumnavigation of the island of Singapore. The event itself will be held during the 50th anniversary year of Singapore’s independence and will also coincide with Singapore Maritime Week occurring between 19 to 25 April 2015.

Glasgow-based marine safety consultancy, Safety at Sea Limited, has completed its first port project, for the Melones Oil Terminal, (MOT) in Panama. MOT is a 2.1million barrel capacity tank farm facility due to open before the end of 2012 on the Islas Melones, a greenfield development around eight nautical miles from the Pacific end of the Panama Canal. Safety at Sea provided a Marine Safety Assessment covering marine procedures and operational limits around the newly constructed terminal.

Brookes Bell Group - the marine, scientific and technical consultants and surveyors – has laid out a new strategy that will enhance its existing wide-ranging expertise with recent acquisitions and ventures that have significantly broadened its capabilities. Within the last 12 months, the UK-based group has formed an important alliance with AMS Shanghai Ltd. establishing Brookes Bell Shanghai, set up Brookes Bell Hong Kong, acquired Bunker Claims International and merged with Naval Architecture specialists, Safety at Sea Ltd., based in Glasgow.

Marine scientific and technical consultant and surveyor Brookes Bell LLP has merged with and naval architecture and marine engineering company Safety at Sea Ltd. The deal sees Glasgow-based Safety at Sea become part of the Brookes Bell Group, which has two offices in London, as well as offices in Liverpool, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Under the terms of the agreement, five directors of Safety at Sea have become partners of Brookes Bell, joining the existing eighteen partners. Managing partner of the Brookes Bell Group, Colin Kershaw, said: "This union is a major step forward for both Brookes Bell and Safety at Sea. Managing director of Safety at Sea…

The ‘A’ rated, 75 million GT North of England P&I club has updated its comprehensive guide to stowage and securing of non-bulk cargo items. Co-authored by Charles Bliault of international marine consultancy Brookes Bell, the 2nd edition of Cargo Stowage and Securing: A Guide to Good Practice* is set to play a significant role in helping shipowners reduce the rising tide high-value cargo claims.The new 112-page edition substantially updates and extends the original edition published in 2003, particularly with regard to stowage of containers. Other types of cargo covered in detail in the guide include break-bulk, steel, project cargo, ro-ro items and timber.

The 'A' rated 65 million GT North of England P&I club has published a new guide for its members and the wider shipping industry on how to avoid problems and disputes arising from incorrect usage of natural and mechanical hold-ventilation systems on cargo ships. According to North of England's risk-management manager Tony Baker, “Even experienced mariners are sometimes uncertain of when to ventilate cargo spaces, and the situation is often further confused by the demands of charterers and shippers. Entitled Cargo Ventilation - A Guide to Good Practice, the new 48-page A5 illustrated guide is aimed at masters, ships' officers and others associated with the carriage of dry cargoes.