Loss Prevention Advice
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A dangerous goods quick reference guide regarding corrosive substances, outlining do’s and don’ts on handling those Class 8 cargoes.
Class 8 dangerous goods include corrosive substances that chemically damage living tissue and metals. They can react violently, produce heat and gases when mixed with other substances or exposed to temperature deviations. Risks include property damage, cargo damage, injury, environmental harm, insurance invalidation, and potential criminal prosecution.
Examples:
Acids: Sulfuric acid, Hydrochloric acid, Oleum (fuming sulfuric acid), Nitric acid, Hydrofluoric acid.
Alkalis/Bases: Caustic potash (Potassium hydroxide), Caustic soda (Sodium hydroxide), Ammonia anhydrous, some drain cleaners, some bleaches.
Classification is influenced by chemistry (organic/inorganic) and state (liquid/solid).
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A dangerous goods quick reference guide regarding miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles, outlining do’s and don’ts on handling those Class 9 cargoes.
Class 9 is a catch-all category for dangerous goods that do not fit into other classes but still pose significant risks, including environmental hazards, marine pollutants, or substances requiring elevated temperature transport. Some may act as catalysts or accelerants for fire or explosion, requiring additional risk management.
Examples:
- Internal combustion engines
- Self-inflating life rafts
- Vehicles
- Asbestos
- Elevated temperature substances (e.g., Bitumen)
- Polymeric beads
- PCBs
- Lithium batteries
Dos and Don’ts
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The Russian-linked oil tanker Qendil, part of “shadow fleet,” ran aground off Bozcaada Island in the Turkish Aegean Sea on 4 January.
The tanker, sailing empty from Aliağa to Yalova, reportedly dragged anchor amid strong southerly winds and grounded on rocks near Polente Lighthouse, approximately 100 meters offshore. Turkish maritime authorities dispatched the tugboats Kurtarma‑10 and Kurtarma‑16 to assist, and crews are monitoring the vessel’s hull while preparing for salvage operations.
No casualties were reported, and there were no signs of oil pollution, as the tanker was in ballast at the time.
The incident follows a Ukrainian drone strike in mid-December 2025, which targeted the Qendil in international waters off Libya, damaging the vessel.
Turkish authorities have warned of challenges in the Aegean Sea and Dardanelles approaches, a key corridor for regional shipping.
Salvage teams are assessing the safest way to refloat the vessel, while maritime authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
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An investigation into a near-miss incident where the cargo vessel Kairit veered off course and approached the Danish coast while its chief officer fell asleep on the bridge.
The incident
On 12 October 2024, at 2200, the cargo vessel Kairit departed from Mukran, Germany, carrying 4,400 metric tonnes of wheat, bound for Immingham, UK. At departure, the master was on watch, later handing over to the chief officer at midnight. At 0505, Kairit entered the traffic separation scheme (TSS), a designated shipping lane to reduce collision risk, off Falsterbro, proceeding westbound at eight knots. The chief officer, seated on the bridge, fell asleep after sending an AB (Able Seaman) for a routine safety check.
At 0650, when the vessel was 1.5 nm off course, heading toward Stevns Klint, Denmark, the master arrived on the bridge, finding alarms ringing and the chief officer asleep. He promptly corrected the course and responded to the calls.
It was later discovered that the bridge navigational watchkeeping alarm system (BNWAS), a system that alerts the officer of the watch if inactive, was switched off.
Fatigue