Product Safety News

A new IMO resolution will see the phase-out of foam firefighting systems that use fluorinated foams containing perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid (PFOS) as the foam-producing component. The new rules come into effect under a rolling programme beginning in 2026, but Swedish maritime engineering specialist Scanunit believes that a proactive replacement strategy should be put into effect now.Foam firefighting systems on ships typically make use of a family of synthetic chemical compounds known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

By now, it is a well-known fact that the marine industry contributes significantly to the greenhouse gasses causing climate change—and the impact is predicted to rise as the demand for shipping by sea increases. Action is needed now, and the majority of ship operators are adopting or planning zero-emission solutions to accommodate upcoming emission reduction targets.A key zero-emission technology that will be a critical enabler for decarbonizing the marine industry—now and in the future—is hydrogen fuel cells.Today…

More than a half a billion dollars in recent, current or expected improvements at three Midwestern ports will strengthen these facilities and reinforce their important roles in the global freight network. The significant investments at Port KC, America’s Central Port, and Kaskaskia Regional Port District, along with new infrastructure funding recently secured, will spur an increase in barge services and deliver cost efficiencies that drive profitability for the industry. Port KC is located on the Missouri River.

AmendTec announced the official launch of the AmendTrack after an extensive development process with Applied Satellite Technology (AST) and approval by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.AmendTrack was developed to be a cost-effective and improved alternative to current systems, operating on Iridium Short Burst Data, effectively making use of the Iridium network but priced significantly lower. With competitive prices rising for connectivity and hardware…

From 2015 to present an estimated 250 incidents related to electric hoverboard fires have been recorded according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The same commission reports that 83,000 Toshiba laptop batteries were recalled in 2017 due to fire and safety concerns.In January 2017 a NYC garbage truck was the source of a neighborhood surprise when a Lithium ion battery exploded in the compactor of the truck. Luckily no one was injured.According to a study conducted by the National Fire Data Center branch of the U.S.

U.S. distributor of Toyota lift trucks and tow tractors Toyota Material Handling has announced the approval of a new lineup of lithium-ion batteries for use in its 3- and 4-wheel electric sit-down models.The  provider of material handling and industrial lift trucks and equipment, this introduction makes Toyota the first manufacturer in the industry to obtain UL-E and UL-EE certification for the combination of lift truck and lithium-ion batteries on a sit-down counterbalanced forklift.Toyota engineers worked directly with Underwriters Laboratory (UL) to test and certify the use of four new Navitas lithium-ion batteries in Toyota forklifts.

Moving from smart talk to practical solutions and learning from other industries will be the twin themes of an industry event scheduled for Vancouver in March. Technology will be an enabler, but the maritime industry will have to be prepared to change its model to be a candidate for a smarter digital future. Meeting the real enterprise challenges blocking shipping’s digital journey is the focus for the Transas Global Conference 2018, whose ‘Enterprise Change’ agenda brings together global business leaders…

The speaker line-up at the next annual Transas Global Conference confirms that the innovative digital solutions company is catching the mood at the cutting edge of vessel operations by suggesting that, properly harnessed, operations and technology can transform maritime safety as well as efficiency. “If vessels, shore authorities, ports, regulators and training facilities worldwide work together on technology on a common operating platform, there is the potential to achieve extraordinary gains in operating efficiencies, but also a step change in safety,” says Transas CEO Frank Coles.

Britain’s largest independent ship repairer and marine engineering services provider Burgess Marine has improved its service offering by obtaining third party accreditation to CE Mark structural steel and aluminium fabrications, and by signing a framework agreement with design firm Houlder. CE Marking has become mandatory for all construction products where the product is covered by a harmonised European standard (hEN). BS EN 1090 is one such harmonised standard which covers structural steel and aluminium fabrication. Since July 2014, products within the scope of this standard must be CE Marked. Companies producing structural steel or aluminium fabrications which are being sold in the UK or the wider European Economic Area are legally required to CE Mark the product.

This safety alert reminds vessel owners, operators, charterers, merchant mariners, passengers, and all others throughout the maritime domain of safety concerns associated with Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Smartphone. This alert includes phones recently replaced by manufacturer. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), as of last month there have been at least 92 reports of batteries overheating, including 26 reports of customer burns and 55 reports of property damage. The primary concern is the phone's Lithium-ion battery which stores significant energy. During normal use and charging, devices have overheated and ruptured.

ClassNK has appointed the Global Technology Assessment Center (GTAC) of TÜV Rheinland Japan as a certified laboratory at a ceremony held at GTAC in Yokohama. The appointment is in accordance with a worldwide partnership agreement signed in September 2015 that aims to see the two parties expand testing and certification services portfolio and better serve clients. ClassNK and TÜV Rheinland will share knowledge and experience to provide clients with more convenient equipment testing and certification services.

Further to Class News No. 11/2014, Standard Communications Pty Ltd. has issued a Product Safety Recall relating to its GME-brand emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs). The following GME EPIRB models, manufactured between January 2005 and February 2008, have been recalled: MT400, MT401 and MT403 beacons with serial numbers between 50101000 and 80250722. Owners and operators of vessels fitted with any GME-brand EPIRB should check the beacon’s model number and serial number. The serial number can be found on the left side of the beacon at the base of the identity panel.

Measurement Technology NW (MTNW) Launched its LCI-90i-IS Rugged Programmable Controller (RPC) has been awarded the globally recognized Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification. UL quality approval allows customers to use the industry leading RPC in hazardous applications without additional testing or approvals. MTNW offers versions of its flagship display for winch, pump, crane, tank and torque applications. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) tested the LCI-90i-IS to meet applicable U.S. and Canadian standards. UL is a worldwide leader in product safety and certification.

Carnival Cruise Lines has appointed four esteemed maritime and transportation industry experts – Rear Admiral Mark H. Buzby, Rear Admiral Joseph F. Campbell, Ray Valeika and Dr. John K. Lauber -- to the company's new Safety & Reliability Review Board. As part of Carnival's comprehensive fleetwide technical enhancement program, the review board was created to provide independent third-party perspective and to drive continuous improvement across the line's fleet. The core objectives of the board are to review Carnival Cruise Lines' current policies…

PITTSBURGH, PA — [July 22, 2011] — Chromalox, a leading manufacturer of electric heat and control products, today  announced that its self-regulating heating cables utilizing EEXe and EEXd enclosures have been awarded the Product Safety Certification by the Chief Controller of Explosives (CCoE), India. This means that these Chromalox products may now be specified with confidence in India without the need for case-by-case certification. It also assists U.S. and European manufacturers who might utilize these products in assemblies that are being sold in India and require CCoE certification. The CCoE certification applies to the Chromalox line of SRM/E (Self-regulating Medium Temperature), SRL (Self-regulating Low Temperature) and heating units utilizing CES.

Sinopacific said it believes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) means clinging to the business ethics which includes clinging to lawful business operation, advocating product safety, environmental protection, protection of employee benefits, integrity and responsibility to all stakeholders and etc. The enterprise provides more tax revenue and employment opportunities through legitimate business activities, which fully embodies the CSR, and thus to maximize the desire to contribute to the community. Sinopacific said it will do philanthropy activities while clinging to CSR and make philanthropy activities a kind of business, which provides a driving force for long-term sustainable development of enterprises, as well as promoting the enterprise development to a new level.