Flag Administration News

Robert Allan Ltd. in conjunction with Indústria Naval Catarinense Ltda. (INC), has announced the development of a new pushboat design. The vessels will support Transpetro’s bunkering operations at terminals in Brazil and form part of a newbuild program for pushboats and barges serving the fuel logistics market.This project marks Robert Allan Ltd.’s first vessels designed for Transpetro, part of Brazilian Oil and Gas major, Petrobras. The program represents a step in Transpetro’s expansion into barge-based fuel transportation…

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) inspectors frequently find immersion suit defects caused by adhesivef ailures between the main zipper and the suit body. These failures, illustrated in the images, compromise watertight integrity and pose serious survival risks from water ingress. Contributing factors to the defects include improper maintenance (e.g., the use of non-approved petroleum based lubricants or scented powders), improper storage, and neglecting to conduct periodic pressure testing. Seam and closure deterioration may not always be detectable during routine visual inspections.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for the design of a 174,000m³ LNG carrier equipped with Wind Challenger, a wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). The AiP was formally awarded during a ceremony at Gastech 2025. While LNG carriers already operate with comparatively lower carbon emissions than conventional oil-fueled ships, the integration of the Wind Challenger demonstrates the potential to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by harnessing renewable wind energy.

Since coming into force, the IMO Polar Code has had a positive effect on maritime operations in polar waters, write Dan Oldford and Ed Moakler, ABS HETC, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.What is the Polar Code, When and Why did it come into force?Polar regions have many unique hazards compared to warmer waters around the world. Since the earliest explorers sought to explore the Arctic and Antarctic by ship, many vessels have been lost due to sea ice, cold air temperatures and ice accretion.Prior to the Polar Code coming into force there were no international regulations…

The Hong Kong Convention enters into force on June 26, 2025, and DNV reminds shipowners that all internationally trading vessels of 500 GT and above will need to have on board an International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials (ICIHM) at the latest by June 26, 2030.The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) requires the ICIHM earlier if the vessel is going to recycling.Not only vessels flying the flag of a state that has ratified the HKC…

UK-based bunker operator John H. Whitaker (Tankers) Limited secured chemical certification from Lloyd’s Register (LR) on behalf of the Isle of Man Flag Administration for its tanker Whitchampion to load, carry and blend Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME B100) onboard under IBC Code and MARPOL Annex II regulations.The certification allows Whitchampion to perform onboard blending of biofuels with petroleum distillates and residual fuel oils. The operation is authorized within UK coastal…

DNV has encountered instances where ships have been detained during Port State Control (PSC) inspections due to the arrangement of emergency escape trunks from machinery spaces even though the arrangements were approved by the flag state or their Recognized Organization.As a result, DNV has issued guidance explaining that on many ships, the protected emergency escape trunk does not, for various reasons, extend all the way down to the lowest deck level of the engine room.Common…

Greece-based mid-stream carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) service provider ECOLOG has teamed up with Finnish naval architecture and marine engineering firm Deltamarin to develop a LCO2 carrier designed for  tendering at shipyards worldwide.The new design is intra-EU, short range, low pressure and shallow draft.During the initial design, various solutions have been carefully studied in order to optimize the vessel for LCO2 transportation, including different configurations of the cargo containment and handling system…

Classification society ABS announced it has awarded ECOLOG, a mid-stream Carbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS) service provider, with an industry first ISM Document of Compliance for the operation of liquified CO2 carriers on behalf of the Bermuda flag administration.ABS audited ECOLOG to verify compliance with the International Safety Management Code.ECOLOG plans to build and own CO2 terminals and a carrier fleet to service the emerging CCUS sector, connecting hard to abate emitters with cost competitive sequestration sites and carbon utilization facilities.“Carbon capture…

Wärtsilä reports it has signed a long-term Guaranteed Asset Performance agreement with CSBC-DEME Wind Engineering Co Ltd (CDWE), a joint venture between CSBC Corporation and DEME Offshore. The agreement covers CDWE’s new 216 meters-long installation vessel, the Green Jade. Marco Kanaar, CEO of CDWE, owner of the Taiwan-designed and -built offshore heavy lift DP3 installation vessel Green Jade says: "High utilization of our Green Jade is of utmost importance to our business which is why we have selected the Wärtsilä thrusters and engines for its reputation for excellent quality and reliability.

Dozens of oil tankers used by Russia have stopped sailing under the Liberian and Marshall Islands flags in recent weeks after the United States ramped up sanctions enforcement on ships linked to those registries, according to shipping data and interviews with industry and government officials.The shift reflects the close relationship between the U.S. and the flag administration companies of Liberia and the Marshall Islands, which are headquartered not in their home countries, but in Virginia, just miles from Washington D.C. and within the jurisdiction of U.S.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) have awarded design approval to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for the development of the world’s first 22,000cbm multi-gas carrier as part of a joint development project for LCO2 carrier design and development. The vessel will be capable of carrying liquified carbon dioxide (LCO2), liquid petroleum gas (LPG), ammonia (NH3) and vinyl chloride…

The livestock carrier Nine Eagle suffered a major engine failure in the Port of Darwin, Australia, on May 15, while loaded with approximately 1,800 cattle.The Nine Eagle, built in 2006, is a converted general cargo ship currently flagged by Panama. The vessel was headed to Indonesia on charter for Perth-based company Livestock Shipping Services.The sourcing of parts to repair the engine is taking longer than anticipated, so the cattle were unloaded on May 21 and transported to a Pre-export Quarantine Facility where they will remain subject to biosecurity control until they can be exported.As well as animal welfare concerns, the ABC reports that the accumulation of manure onboard was a factor in the decision to unload the animals.

The US Coast Guard Inspections and Compliance Directorate has released Marine Safety Information Bulletin 04-23 to advise mariners that an increasing number of break-bulk and retrofitted bulk carriers are arriving in the U.S. carrying wind turbine parts stowed in a manner that substantially limits visibility from the navigation bridge.In many cases, the vessels have been temporarily exempted from compliance with SOLAS 1974 Chapter V, Regulation 22, by their flag administration…

Classifiction society ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AIP) for an ammonia-fueled ammonia gas carrier (AFAGC) that is currently under research and development of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Japan Engine Corporation, IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd.Ammonia is expected to be used as ship fuel for decarbonization since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. Meanwhile, adequate safety measures are imperative as it has been pointed out that ammonia is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials.

DNV signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hyundi Heavy Industries (HHI), AVIKUS and Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) to collaborate on autonomous ship technology developments.The Hyundai intelligent Navigation Assistant System (HiNAS 2.0) is an AI-based navigation solution that covers all steps for voyage from detection to situation analysis, planning and control. The system assists in safe navigation by displaying AR (augmented reality) images of detected ships and navigation information.

Ecochlor filed an application for the EcoOne Filterless and EcoOne Hybrid ballast water management systems (BWMS) with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for Type Approval. “This application is an amendment to Ecochlor’s existing BWMS Type Approval; it is our expectation that the EcoOne and EcoOne Hybrid will receive USCG type approval certification by the end of 2021,” said Steve Candito, CEO.“Receiving IMO Type Approval and filing the application for USCG Type Approval is a significant…

The common perception of intact stability has remained largely unchanged over the last few decades, where a vessel’s stability is evaluated using classical and static means: limits on righting arms, residual areas, and determining maximal VCG (or minimal GM) composite curves. These methods are familiar to most naval architects and are taught at a fundamental level in most naval architecture engineering programs.But repeated incidents of dynamic failure in recent decades brings question to the adequacy of classical static stability criteria to provide a complete understanding of…

Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has received authorization as a Recognized Organization from the U.S. flag administration, a recognition which delegates authority to IRClass to undertake statutory survey and certification services on US flag ships on behalf of the administration.IRClass has its presence in the US through its office in Houston for around a decade and aims to explore additional business opportunities in the region.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) said it has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for its Digital Health Management (DHM) System for a Type B gas containment tank, following a Joint Development Project (JDP) between the two parties launched in November 2019.The system, Hyundai Prismatic Independent IMO Type B Tank eXcellence (HiPIX), has been assessed by LR’s digital experts against LR’s ShipRight Procedure for Digital Compliance, resulting in HiPIX receiving Digital Twin Ready AiP.This approval sets HHI on the path to become a DHM provider to the maritime industry…

The world’s largest container tonnage provider has become the latest vessel owner to benefit from classification society DNV GL’s remote audit capabilities, as the impact of the global COVID-19 crisis continues to spur the increased use of remote survey services globally.Under a Hong Kong flag special authorization, DNV GL, together with representatives from Seaspan Corporation, carried out a remote Document of Compliance (DoC) audit of the company’s Safety Management System (SMS).According to DNV GL, the Hong Kong flag administration gave the classification society the go-ahead to perform the Seaspan DoC audit on behalf of Hong Kong flag after having become familiar with its process and capabilities from a series of remote audits completed in recent months.“With more than 18…

As remote surveys increasingly become business as usual, classification society ABS says it is now able to conduct nearly all annual surveys remotely on eligible vessels, after moving to further expand its remote offerings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Launching 10 additional remote survey options today, ABS says it now offers a total of 28 surveys and audits able to be delivered remotely.“The industry is telling us they want our services delivered remotely, particularly in the current challenging environment…

Intermarine UK struck an agreement with a Chinese manufacturer to make the Port of Portland one of the UK’s centers for scrubber installation.Intermarine President Slawomir Kalicki signed the agreement at Norshipping in Oslo with counterpart DB Wang deputy general manager of the Shandong Pure Ocean Technology based in Renhe Town in the Shandong province. The deal will see Intermarine act as an agent to Shandong and offer to install its scrubber systems to a wide variety of vessels to help them meet tough new environmental regulations.