Good morning. In this week’s edition: Safety Violation Kills Second Officer On Bulk Carrier While Mooring At Chile’s Puerto Ventanas; Coastal Shipping Bill 2024: Indian vessels to operate licence-free in domestic waters, A Speed Limit on 3% of the Ocean Would Protect Whales

MARITIME HEADLINE

Safety Violation Kills Second Officer On Bulk Carrier While Mooring At Chile’s Puerto Ventanas

On August 26, 2021, tragedy struck in Puerto Ventanas, Chile, when a recoiling mooring line killed a vessel’s second officer during berthing operations.

The Incident:

The vessel was manoeuvring astern using its engine—a clear violation of port protocols that ban engine use while moored. During the manoeuver, a mooring line became trapped between the ship and a fender. When released, the line recoiled violently, striking the second officer, who succumbed to his injuries despite immediate medical assistance.

Investigation Findings:

• Engine Use Violation: Manoeuvring with engine power while moored contravened port guidelines.

• Crew Briefing Gaps: The crew was not adequately briefed on mooring line recoil risks.

• Poor Master/Pilot Exchange: Pre-berthing discussions failed to address critical hazards.

• Danger Zone Access: The second officer entered a high-risk area to check the mooring line.

• Communication Issues: Overcrowded radio channels hindered safe coordination during berthing.

MESSAGE FOR YOU

WORLD MARITIME

-🚨On November 20, 2024, Greek workers held a 24-hour strike protesting rising living costs, halting transport, ferries, and cargo operations. Thousands marched in Athens, demanding higher wages and relief from inflation, which has cut purchasing power by 8% since 2019. Unions criticized the government’s efforts as insufficient, despite recent wage hikes, and called for urgent action to address soaring costs.

-🛟The Malta-flagged cargo ship Ruby, carrying 20,000 tons of ammonium nitrate—seven times the amount in the 2020 Beirut explosion—has sparked controversy after allegedly dumping contaminated cargo into the North Sea before returning to Great Yarmouth, UK. Environmentalists and officials criticized the government’s decision to allow its re-entry, citing safety risks and ecological concerns. The Ruby, denied entry by multiple countries after an August grounding, has faced scrutiny over its explosive cargo and alleged non-compliance with safety standards.

-🔥A global study has identified areas where shipping poses the highest risk to whales, revealing that regulating marine traffic in just 2.6% of the ocean could significantly reduce fatal strikes. High-risk zones include India’s southwest coast, the Strait of Gibraltar, and California. Researchers found 92% of whale habitats overlap with shipping routes, yet few have mandatory protections like speed limits. Protecting 0.6% of the ocean could safeguard multi-species hotspots. While voluntary speed reduction programs show limited success, mandatory measures, such as a 10-knot speed limit, could help protect whales in key shipping corridors.

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INDIAN MARITIME

-🎯 The Union Cabinet approved the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, eliminating licensing requirements for Indian-flagged vessels in coastal waters to boost domestic shipping. Foreign vessels will still need licenses and meet staffing requirements, potentially employing more Indian seafarers. The bill modernizes regulations, replacing Part 14 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, and enabling coastal vessels to use inland waterways. Industry leaders welcome the move but seek additional reforms, including reversing 2018 orders favoring foreign ships, which have hindered the domestic market. The government aims to enhance service reliability, competition, and freight rates for Indian shipping.

-♟️India’s engineering goods exports surged 38.53% year-on-year in October 2024, reaching $11.19 billion—the highest this fiscal, driven by strong growth in aircraft, ships, and machinery exports, according to EEPC India. Cumulative exports for April-October rose 8.27% to $66.59 billion, with engineering contributing 28.72% of October’s merchandise exports. The US remained the top market, with a 16% rise to $1.61 billion, while exports to the UAE soared 137% to $825.2 million. Positive trends were also seen in key markets like Germany, the UK, and China. EEPC highlighted lower inflation and interest rates as factors for future growth but flagged geopolitical risks as challenges.

AFFILIATES

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