Loss Prevention Advice
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An incident where a cross-channel ro-ro ferry lost control during departure in severe weather, ultimately grounding after a series of misjudgements.
Incident overview
Background of ship and voyage details
The 30,635 gt ro-ro, built in 1991, is registered under the United Kingdom (UK) flag, and has an overall length of 179.7m. This ro-ro was employed as a cross-channel ferry, making several return journeys per day between Dover, UK and Calais, France carrying a mixture of passengers with cars and freight.
The ship was powered by four main engines, driving two shafts fitted with controllable pitch propellers. To assist in manoeuvring, two bow thrusters were fitted, and steering was augmented with high lift rudders.
As the ship traded exclusively in the North Sea Sulphur Emission Control Area, the fuel used on board was ultra-low sulphur fuel oil (ULSFO), having previously used marine gas oil (MGO) until around six months before the incident. Since the change of fuel type, there had been an increased frequency of problems noted with main engine reliability, including difficulty in starting and clutching in, engines alarming on overload more frequently, and reduced power output.
Summary of the incident
On the day of the incident, the ro-ro ferry was making a routine crossing from Dover to Calais. A storm was causing severe weather conditions in the Dover-Calais Strait, with gale force winds reaching 30–40 knots, creating difficult manoeuvring conditions.
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Below you will find ARC’s weekly report dated 25 June 2025, covering the period of 19 to 25 June 2025, where no incidents were reported:
- 0 maritime security incidents in West Africa in the last 7 days
- 0 maritime security incidents in the Indian Ocean/Middle East in the last 7 days.
Full advisory at the following link.
https://britanniapandi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ARC-Weekly-Report-25.06.25.pdf
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Seafarer Wellbeing Week (23–27 June 2025) spotlights the vital role of seafarers in keeping global trade afloat, while calling attention to the unique physical, mental, and social challenges they face.
Anchored in the International Day of the Seafarer on 25 June — an annual observance established by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and United Nations (UN) — the week underscores because healthy, motivated crews are essential not only for their own safety and morale, but for the integrity of maritime operations and global supply chains.
Full advisory at the following link.
https://north-standard.com/insights-and-resources/resources/articles/seafarer-wellbeing-week-2025
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As the shipping industry transitions to low- and zero-carbon fuels, the operational and environmental challenges associated with these alternatives are becoming more apparent.
To better understand the spill response considerations for alternative marine fuels, we sat down with the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation ITOPF, a leading authority in marine pollution response and industry preparedness, to discuss spill behaviour, associated risks and response strategies of these new alternative fuels to assist shipowners as they navigate this transition.
Full advisory at the following link.