EDITOR’S LETTER Dear Colleague


Welcome to the March 2024 Report Magazine offering another eclectic mix of topical maritime articles, technical features, and industry reports for your learning and enjoyment.


As we emerge into Spring in the northern hemisphere, I am increasingly troubled by things. World geopolitics is gnawing at my mind. Yes, in an increasingly divided world, we are facing serious challenges, some of which are spilling over into the shipping and boating industries, which in turn will inevitably affect the role of the marine surveyor. I am concerned that geopolitics will divert our collective attention from other key objectives that urgently need addressing in the maritime industry. I am also worried about the lowering of standards that I see, and regulation that remains not fit for purpose or is simply unworkable.


Sticking with those serious maritime challenges, (setting aside the armed conflicts and tensions that surround us), one of the most pressing concerns would seem to be the situation with the Panama Canal, which is parlous. This presents a unique problem for world shipping. A series of events beyond our control have crippled this vital waterway. I understand there are no quick solutions either. It will take time and at what cost? The article


entitled ‘Saving the Panama Canal will take years and cost billions’ on page 92, whilst not directly related to the surveying profession, is worth reading.


Being a fossil fuel, and with all the current noise around climate change, I had wrongly assumed that the shipping of coal would be trending downwards. But in her article entitled ‘Coal cargoes: Avoiding explosion and self-heating’ Gitana Røyset from Arendal asserts that global coal consumption climbed to an all-time high in 2022 and is on track for a record-breaking 2024. Gitana shares some of the potential dangers and case studies associated with coal transportation.


I continue to be engrossed by the ongoing concerns surrounding the transportation of lithium-ion batteries and fires associated with it, which is an issue that remains a constant threat in our everyday lives too, as well as onboard boats, superyachts and ships. The team at Hill Dickinson has authored an authoritative article on this subject entitled ‘Transporting lithium-ion batteries: identifying and addressing the risks’ (see page 50). I sense that maritime regulators are slowly catching up in this area, but there is still work to do and no room for complacency.


‘Things a survey cannot find’ by Jean Levine and Jeff Grossman (page 66) is something that should resonate with all small craft marine surveyors. The


4 | ISSUE 107 | MAR 2024 | THE REPORT


authors reinforce the point that trying to uncover everything about a vessel being surveyed in just one day at the dock and a brief sea trial means there are things that cannot be surveyed. This edition’s opinion article comes from Gard P&I Club. They have published a vision for the future of marine insurance. As part of their vision in what is becoming an increasingly volatile world, they consider how marine insurance is likely to be impacted. See page 80.


I have taken the unusual step of resting the ‘A Day in the Life of ’ feature for this edition. Instead, I have chosen to publish an article about Iain Wilson. Following a career that spans four decades across seven countries, Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Chief Surveyor, Iain Wilson, has set a date to retire. He talks about his life as a surveyor and how the industry has changed during that time (page 127).


And finally, if you are a history buff and hanker after a little nostalgia, (as I do), I cannot recommend the article on page 120 highly enough. ‘The birth and history of motorboating’ by Richard Crowder charts the history of this activity way back to the late 1700s.


Survey well Mike Schwarz Chief Executive Officer


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