Maritime news . Week 40
Total lack of safety culture laid bare in Wakashio disaster
Mauritius has finally published the long-suppressed Court of Investigation report into the 2020 grounding of the Wakashio. The findings are damning — exposing what investigators call a “total lack of safety culture on board the Wakashio,” a disaster born from distraction, negligence, and systemic oversight failures.
The newcastlemax veered just five nautical miles off Mauritius as officers sought a mobile signal. The report notes: “The chief officer was preoccupied with his mobile phone and did not notice the course deviation.” Even when the master returned to the bridge, “no corrective action was taken despite the ship closing dangerously with the shoreline.”
The great LNG scam: the IMO’s climate credibility is on the line
Experts warn that LNG is far from a “clean transition fuel” — it’s actually making things worse. Methane emissions from LNG-powered ships have soared by 180% since 2016, threatening to derail the IMO’s climate goals.
Despite industry claims, leaks occur at every stage of the fuel’s lifecycle, making it incompatible with true decarbonization. Analysts urge the IMO to drop the LNG narrative and focus on genuinely green alternatives like hydrogen and ammonia.
Maritime Technologies Forum Issues Safety Guidelines For Methanol Dual-Fuel Ship Inspections
The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) released a comprehensive report providing guidelines for the safe inspection of methanol dual-fuel ships. The project was led by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) with the participation of various MTF members.
As the maritime industry accelerates its transition to alternative fuels under increasingly stringent IMO emission regulations, methanol as fuel has emerged as a particularly attractive option, as documented by the increasing number of orders. However, methanol’s unique properties—including its flammability, toxicity, and corrosivity—present distinct challenges for ship inspectors.
China Completes Largest Arctic Expedition With Historic First Manned Dive Beneath Ice
China has successfully concluded its 15th Arctic scientific expedition, the largest and most comprehensive polar mission the country has undertaken so far, with the icebreaker Xue Long 2 returning to its homeport in Shanghai on September 26. The Ministry of Natural Resources described the mission as a milestone in China’s Arctic exploration.
The summer expedition spanned two months and involved four vessels: Xue Long 2, Ji Di, Shen Hai Yi Hao, and Tan Suo San Hao. An additional ship, Zhongshandaxue Ji Di, operated by Sun Yat-sen University, also visited the Arctic.