Chemical Substances News

The volume of total cargo throughput in the port of Rotterdam was 0.8% higher in the first half of the year (233.5 million tonnes) than in the same period in 2021 (231.6 million tonnes). In many segments, the war in Ukraine led to significant changes. For example, imports of both LNG and coal rose very sharply as an alternative to reduced European imports of Russian gas by pipeline. The throughput of crude oil increased, with oil products falling off. Throughput of iron ore, agricultural…

Saft’s Seanergy Marine Battery System offers a different way forward in the quest for reduced emissions in marine propulsion. Discovering new means to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiencies are top-of-mind for all companies in today’s day and age. The Paris Climate Deal, initiated nearly a year ago, is just one example of the world coming together to combat global warming. In the marine industry, operating with clean propulsion is a crucial goal for all parties involved, from navies, designers and shipyards to original equipment manufacturers (OEMS) and battery suppliers.

For domestic and international shippers, now is the time to satisfy GHS freight label compliance. The “Globally Harmonized System” (GHS) was established by the United Nations to create a unified system for identifying and communicating hazardous chemicals. In the U.S., OSHA set a June 2015 deadline for chemical manufacturers to use GHS compliant labels, followed by a December 2015 deadline for distributors, and June 2016 deadline for end users. Despite the harsh environments, extreme temperatures and rugged handling that freight is subjected to when shipped by land…

Classification society ClassNK has released its 2015 Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships. The 2015 edition’s amendments, made between March 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014, reflect the latest R&D findings, feedback from damage investigations, changes made to international regulations, as well as industry requests and include requirements related to Guidance for Temperature Gradient ESSO Tests and Double Tension Tests, Structure of Bilge Keels, Dangerous Chemical Substances, Strength Calculations for Gears, and Black-out Tests in Special Surveys. Tthe updated Rules and Guidance will be available to download free of charge from early May for ClassNK “MyPage” users.

Classification society ClassNK has announced the release of the latest versions of its Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships. These versions include all amendments dated May 30, 2014. The amendments made to the Rules and Guidance this time cover requirements related to “Dangerous Chemical Substances”, which were revised in order to reflect recent changes made to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code). Both printed and CD-ROM versions of the 2014 edition of the Rules and Guidance are available for purchase online, and the PDF version…

The global market for BWT systems is predicted to grow to over $34 billion through 2020 in response to IMO and USCG-based ballast water discharge regulations (Frost and Sullivan, 2012). BWT systems are now manufactured by dozens of companies around the world, including traditional suppliers of marine equipment, suppliers of municipal water and wastewater treatment equipment, and shipbuilders. As of November 2013, 35 BWT systems have received IMO-type approval from foreign administrations, and 28 of these have been accepted into the AMS program by the USCG.

Russia is the second-most important trading partner for the Port of Hamburg in terms of seaborne container handling. With a total volume of approx. 675,000 standard containers (TEU) handled between Hamburg and the Russian ports, the volume of container traffic was up by a further 13.3 per cent in 2012, consolidating the lead in foreign trade with Europe and overseas via Hamburg. This positive trend is also attributable to Russia’s decision to join the WTO, resulting in associated simplifications in commercial law as well as the dismantling of trade barriers.

The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board (DMAIB) reports on the fire that occured on board in early 2012. On 9 January 2012, a fire broke out in the ship’s hospital of the AHTS vessel Maersk Champion that was engaged in tanker lifting/heading control off the Brazilian coast. The cause of the fire was self ignition by a chemical reaction between chlorine-containing granules and other chemical substances in a plastic box with medicine and chemical residues located in the ship's hospital.

Within the EU the Port of Hamburg is one of India’s most important commercial partners in seaborne foreign trade. In November the Hamburg Joint Representative Office in Mumbai was officially opened. This is designed to strengthen economic, but also cultural and academic links between the two countries. Supported by Port of Hamburg Marketing, the Hamburg Senate and the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and already functioning since the beginning of this year, the Representative Office is regarded as the contact point for representatives of the worlds of politics, commerce and culture from Hamburg and India. Thanks to the exchange of information and various events…

Lukoil group companies will be the first new customers to use ESS’s upgraded and much improved eSDS Solution for compliance with REACH/GHS requirements. Electronic Shipping Solutions, the leading shipping eDocs provider, is pleased to announce that several members of the LITASCO Group have signed up to use its electronic Safety Data Sheet (eSDS) Solution. LITASCO will take advantage of the recently released upgrade to the eSDS Solution, featuring an improved user interface and eSDS sending process, further reducing the workload on users to meet REACH /GHS requirements.

The signature of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covers the framework for co-operation between the three organizations in establishing a network of chemical experts called “Marine ICE" or "MAR-ICE network," which aims to strengthen information transfer on chemical substances involved in marine pollution emergencies in EU waters. The purpose of this network is to provide, upon request, the Member States of the European Union and the coastal states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) with remote product specific information on chemicals involved in marine pollution, by contacting experts in chemical companies who are familiar with the substance(s) involved.

The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to obtain and exercise an administrative warrant to inspect ships containing regulated chemical substances. In the instant case, the owner of an obsolete US Navy ship announced plans to have the ship towed to a foreign port for renovation and conversion. The EPA learned that the ship probably had polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) on board in quantities subject to regulation and might well be scrapped rather than renovated. The agency sought permission from the owner to inspect the ship, but was denied. It then sought an administrative warrant from the local federal district court.