MIS-DECLARED DANGEROUS CARGO POSSIBLE CAUSE OF KMTC HONG KONG FIRE
Port Authority Director of Thailand, Kamolsak Phromprayoon, has reported that the fire onboard the ‘KMTC Hong Kong’ containership was due to mis-declared chemical cargoes of calcium hypochlorite and chlorinated paraffin wax.
Photo credit: Reuters
More than 130 people were transferred to hospital after an explosion and fire onboard the South Korean container ship ‘KMTC Hong Kong’ while berthed in Thailand’s eastern Laem Chabang port.
The port Authority inspected 35 containers at the centre of the blaze and more than half of them contained chemical products.
According to local media reports Mr Phromprayoon and his team discovered 18 boxes that contained chemical cargoes. In the meantime, those investigating the containers found that thirteen containers had cargoes of calcium hypochlorite and five had cargoes of chlorinated paraffin. The shippers had not declared the dangerous cargoes and on Saturday it was believed the cargoes were dolls.
ATTEMPTS TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT ON THE YACHTING INDUSTRY CAUSED BY TIER III REJECTED
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has rejected a proposal submitted by Turkey and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) that sought to mitigate the impact on the yachting industry caused by Tier III regulation.
Turkey and ICOMIA proposed an alternative standard for vessels currently covered under a delay provision which expires in 2021. Meeting this standard results in reduced guest cabin space as gas exhaust treatment systems have to be installed.
The consequence of this could render yachts just above the 24m threshold commercially unattractive, a segment that ICOMIA considers crucial for the marine industry.
Udo Kleinitz, secretary general of ICOMIA said that the council fought hard to advocate for the industry. “Having been involved with this file for the last 11 years, at this stage it is difficult to capture the impact this decision will have on vessel design, let alone our industry,” he said.
“We are most grateful to those IMO member states who supported our proposal and would like to mention in particular Turkey for co- sponsoring this document and the associated lobbying efforts, as well as Malta for their efforts on the European stage.
Despite ICOMIA’s significant efforts the proposal was rejected, meaning that the regulation will be implemented from 2021 for vessels below 500gt, with significant implications for the superyacht industry.
A description of Tier III During MEPC 71, the IMO adopted Resolution MEPC.286(71), amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, introducing two new NOx Emission Control Areas (ECAs). These two new NOx ECAs – the Baltic Sea and the North Sea – will be enforced for ships constructed (keel laying) on or after 1 January 2021, or existing ships which replace an engine with “non-identical” engines, or install an “additional” engine.
The Report • September 2019 • Issue 89 | 11
Marine News
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