Learning From Ro-Ro Ferry Accidents
Over a seven-year period more than 3,000 casualties involving ro-ro vessels were reported by accident investigation bodies into EMCIP (European Marine Casualty Information Platform).
Drawing lessons from this data is the objective of EMSA’s latest safety analysis which focuses specifically on the investigations involving ro-ro vessels. As many as 439 safety recommendations were made following the investigated accidents, one fifth of which were fire related.
Eamonn O’Reilly was unanimously re-elected as Chairman following a vote of ESPO’s General Assembly in Brussels. E. O’Reilly has been chairing the organisation during the last two years.
The General Assembly also re-elected Annaleena Mäkilä and elected Zeno d’Agostino as Vice-Chairs. Ms Mäkilä is currently Managing Director of the Finnish ports Association and has been Vice Chair since 2014. Mr d’Agostino is President of Assoporti, the Italian Association of Ports and President of the Port Network Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea. Z. d’Agostino replaces Bernard Mazuel (UPF-France) who has been Vice Chair for the last four years.
Irish Shipping Volumes Increased By +6% In Q3 2018
The latest IMDO iShip Index recorded an increase of +6% in shipping and port activity in the Republic of Ireland in Q3. The Index reached 1,037 points, the fourth consecutive quarter in which it has exceeded the baseline of 1,000 points. This continues the trend of steady growth in the ports and shipping sector since 2009.
With lorries as the only exception, the Bornholmlinjen in all areas has increased traffic in October compared to Danske Ferger in October 2017
Some criticism the new ferry operator was heard on the island of Bornholm. The main complaint was about cancellations of crossings and the information.
Although not intended as a response to the criticism, Bornholmslinjen said that the company transported more to and from the island than its predecessor in the same month of last year.
High-speed ferry service Rønne – Ystad (EXPRESS 1)
+16.5% departures with 240 departures. 254 were planned but 14 had to be cancelled because of the weather conditions.
+11.4% passenger cars
+10.8% passengers
-35.1% trucks
Remark: there was an important increase of freight on the conventional route between Rønne and Køge, on ro-pax HAMMERSHUS.
Almost two weeks after Cretan Lines Cargo’s ro-ro NEARHOS was stuck on the island of Nea Kameni (Santorini), the vessel was freed. She was towed to a shipyard for repairs.
Thomas P. Illes, Shipping & Cruise/Ferry Analyst, was so kind to share some pictures he took last week during a cruise in the Med. The first photo was taken in Ajaccio. The dramatic sky is obvious. It was the period when so much damage was created along the Italian Coast.
The photos below were taken in Olbia.
FINLANDIA SEAWAYS is finally back in service after her engine room fire. She is currently operating on the Cuxhaven – Immingham route.
