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Gard recommends anti-piracy measures when bunkering at Callao Anchorage

Gard suggests equipment such as fenders, anchor chains, and hawse pipes should be physically blocked during STS/bunkering operations as they can provide a point of access for perpetrators.

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Maritime protection and indemnity (P&I) club Gard on Tuesday (4 July) published an alert on piracy and armed robbery reports received from Peru’s Callao Anchorage and recommends anti-piracy measures while in the port: 

On 29 September 2023, a vessel was boarded by thieves whilst at anchor in Callao, Peru. The perpetrators tied up the duty crew and shore watchmen on routine rounds and held them at knifepoint, before escaping with the ship’s stores, reports the IMB PRC.  

According to the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Center (IMB PRC), this incident is the thirteenth piracy and armed robbery report received from the Callao Anchorage so far in 2023, and the third in September alone. In comparison, 12 incidents were reported from Callao during the whole of 2022. The recent reports from this port also indicate that crew are frequently taken hostage, assaulted and threatened, making this location quite a high risk for crew.

Even if the IMB PRC incident records for Peru’s Callao Anchorage showed a welcome decline in 2022, this year’s worrying trend serves as a reminder to ship’s crew to keep a careful watch and anti-piracy measures in place while in this port.

Preventive measures

When alongside at port or anchorage, or during STS/bunkering operations, equipment such as fenders, anchor chains, and hawse pipes should be physically blocked as they can provide a point of access for perpetrators. Regular security rounds should be conducted, and particular attention paid to suspicious small boats passing close to the ship or loitering in the vicinity. Since the perpetrators often board ships during the hours of darkness, it may be useful to increase the deck watch at night and leave lights on. A well-lit ship is less vulnerable to attacks.

Remember that the Maritime Global Security website at http://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.com offers industry-issued best practices and guidance to mariners by geographic region. Additional advice is also available from Gard’s website “Piracy and armed robbery at sea”.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Tony Hogwood
Published: 9 October, 2023

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Alternative Fuels

Peninsula and University of Gibraltar collaborate on alternative bunker fuel training

Both will establish a joint study group tasked with developing educational and training content on alternative marine fuels looking specifically at transportation, storage and supply of these fuels.

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Peninsula and University of Gibraltar collaborate on alternative bunker fuel training

Peninsula and the University of Gibraltar on Wednesday (7 May) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see them partner to provide expert knowledge in the alternative marine fuel training and to develop a framework to improve knowledge on this topic.

Under the MoU, Peninsula and the University will establish a joint study group tasked with developing educational and training content on alternative marine fuels, looking specifically at the transportation, storage and supply of these fuels. The partnership will include subject matter experts from Peninsula delivering some guest lectures at the University.

The ongoing transition to alternative marine fuels has revealed a significant skills gap in shipping, with research suggesting that growing industry demand for alternative fuels far outpaces the pool of seafarers who are qualified to handle these fuels.

John A. Bassadone, Founder and CEO of Peninsula, said: “In line with the industry’s commitment to decarbonise, many of our customers are looking into alternative marine fuels such as LNG and biofuels for the first time, and skills gaps can be a barrier to adoption. Simply put, the demand on the seafarer community will increase and we want to be there to help customers close the skills gap.

“Our motivation for entering into partnership with the University of Gibraltar is to support our community, customers, and indeed the wider industry, amid the transition to cleaner fuels. The University has a reputation for producing cadets who are both technically capable and industry-ready and for upskilling current seafarers and we’re proud to continue contributing to this.

“By contributing to develop a robust framework for specialised training and education, we hope this initiative will make it easier for organisations to access resources and upskill their teams, so that we’re ready to meet IMO and the industry’s long term sustainability goals.”

Aaron Lopez, Head of Maritime Academy from the University of Gibraltar, added: “Seafarers are vitally important to the world economy – working behind the scenes, they are responsible for the movement of almost all the world’s goods.

“We need to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to do this important job, particularly as the fuel landscape continues to evolve.

“At the University of Gibraltar, we’re proud to be at the forefront of maritime education and training, preparing cadets to meet the demands of a changing industry. Through our partnership with Peninsula, we will gain valuable insight from a global leader in bunkering and together begin to address the skills gaps that come with the transition to cleaner fuels.”

 

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 9 May, 2025

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Incident

Debris in lube oil caused engine room fire onboard passenger vessel in 2023, says NTSB

NTSB investigators found that debris in an engine’s lube oil system led to a diesel engine failure and an engine room fire aboard “Ocean Navigator” docked in Portland, Maine.

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Debris in lube oil caused engine room fire onboard passenger vessel, says NTSB

Debris in an engine’s lube oil system led to a diesel engine failure and an engine room fire aboard a passenger vessel docked in Portland, Maine, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday (22 April).

The passenger vessel Ocean Navigator was moored at the Ocean Gateway Terminal on 18 October 2023, when the no. 2 auxiliary diesel generator engine suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure that seriously injured one crew member and resulted in an engine-room fire. Crewm embers secured ventilation to the engine room, and the fire self-extinguished. None of the 128 passengers onboard were injured, and no pollution was reported. Damage to the vessel was estimated at USD 2.4 million. 

After the fire, third-party technicians disassembled all components from the no. 2 auxiliary engine and found the crankshaft, several main bearings, connecting rod bearings and the no. 14 fuel injector were damaged. An additional inspection found abnormal wear on the connecting rod bearings and main bearings, which showed signs of cavitation erosion bearing damage, as well as damage from debris, which had been introduced at some point into the lube oil system.

NTSB investigators found the engine failure was caused by debris in the engine’s lube oil system—possibly due to the crew exceeding manufacturer-recommended intervals for changing the lube oil and oil filter elements—which caused catastrophic mechanical damage to the engine and a subsequent fire from the ignition of atomise lube oil released through the engine’s ruptured crankcase.

The crew had last changed the entire quantity of lube oil for the no. 2 auxiliary engine in September 2022—about 13 months before the engine failure—but the engine had operated more than 5,000 hours with this lube oil in the engine, five times longer than the manufacturer’s recommendation. Additionally, since the last change of the lube oil filter elements in May 2023, the engine had run over 3,000 hours. 

The engine manufacturer’s recommendation is to replace filter elements at every oil change or after the filter elements had been used for 1,000 hours.

“Manufacturers provide maintenance recommendations and intervals (schedules) to ensure equipment operates safely, optimally, and reliably throughout its service life,” the report said. 

“By regularly reviewing equipment manufacturer manuals and guidance, operators can ensure conformance with recommended maintenance plans and mitigate the risk of equipment malfunction or failure.” 

NTSB also found the crew’s quick action to secure engine room ventilation and engine fuel sources prevented the fire from spreading.

“Engine rooms contain multiple fuel sources as well as mechanical ventilation, making the spaces especially vulnerable to rapidly spreading fires,” the report said. 

“After an engine room fire ignites, it is imperative to remove the sources of available fuel and ventilation to the fire to prevent it from spreading. Vessel crews should familiarise themselves and train frequently on machinery, fuel oil, lube oil, and ventilation shutoff systems to quickly act to contain and suppress engine room fires before they can spread to other spaces.”

Note: Marine Investigation Report 25-13​ is available online.​

 

Photo credit: National Transportation Safety Board
Published: 24 April, 2025

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Incident

Armed group boards Marshall Islands-bulk carrier transiting in Singapore Strait

Bulker was boarded by four individuals armed with knives while transiting eastbound through Philip Channel, 9.5 nautical miles northeast of Great Karimun, Indonesia, according to Ambrey Analytics.

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A Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier was boarded by four individuals while transiting eastbound through the Philip Channel in the Singapore Strait, 9.5 nautical miles northeast of Great Karimun, Indonesia on Wednesday (23 April).

The individuals were reportedly armed with knives, according to Ambrey Analytics, the digital intelligence arm of the Ambrey risk management group. 

At the time of the incident, the vessel was underway at 10.6 knots with an estimated freeboard of 6.7 metres. The carrier was observed continuing on its original planned route.

Ambrey Analytics said crews transiting the Singapore Strait with freeboards lower than 10m are advised they are at heightened risk. 

“Crews should lock down access to the accommodation block and ship’s stores. It is recommended to carry out partnered deck patrols. Do not confront criminals,” it added.

Just two days before, a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker was boarded by an armed gang while transiting eastbound in the Philip Channel, 4.5 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Terung, Indonesia. 

The three individuals were reportedly armed with knives. At the time of the incident, the vessel was underway at 10.3 knots with an estimated freeboard of 6.3 metres. 

Related: Panama-flagged tanker heading to Johor boarded by armed gang off Indonesia

 

Photo credit: Ambrey Analytics
Published: 23 April, 2025

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