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In 2022 one of the most tragic and disastrous maritime safety incidents occurred. An offshore ship sank during a typhoon, leaving 27 people dead.
Now, you might ask how this happened; simply, it was because of the wind speeds of 144 kph and a wave height reaching up to 10 meters.
The offshore vessel broke into two after dragging her anchor in Yangjiang Anchorage. Out of 30 crew members, only three survived. It was an unfortunate incident.
Most people don't know that unfortunate incidents like this happen because of negligence or human error. Still, we can arguably say safety measures weren't followed in this particular case.
If there had been a good use of modern technological devices and applications, the incident could have prevented that accident.
This means that the safety of the ship, crew members, and cargo primarily depends on the safety measures implemented to avoid hazards.
In this guide, we'll look at what marine safety is about and also list some of the modern technological devices and applications that can be used for marine safety.
Let's get started.
In short, Marine Safety is creating and implementing protective measures to keep lives and properties safe from harm or hazards through proper regulatory, managerial, and technological mediums in waterborne transportation.
Safety in the maritime industry has always been a top priority. In the past, the focus was responding to accidents after they must have occurred.
However, after further studies, the need for a more proactive approach to addressing potential hazards has recently arisen.
Currently, the vision of the marine industry is to take safety measures to the next level by adopting modern technological devices and applications to enhance the effectiveness of safety measures.
And here comes the big question: "What are the modern technologies for Marine safety?" and "How are they used"? Well, let's take a good look at them below;
Different technologies are made to improve the safety measures for the crewmen, shipping vessels, and cargo.
Some of these technologies include;
A marine gas detector is an electronic device used by crew members while on a shipping vessel in transit.
It is usually attached to the personal protective equipment (PPE). It is used to check the gaseous components of a confined space to know if it is safe before entering.
In a vessel, some spaces are small or confined; such areas can be places where potentially toxic cargo and essential equipment to the ship are kept or operated.
For example, the engine room or room where chemicals being exported are kept. All of which can be damaging to health.
So, to prevent respiratory intoxication or possible damage to health, there is a need for a gas detector to know if the space is conducive enough for health before entering.
A digital device is very important as it provides a digital representation of a vessel.
It improves the safety and efficiency of the ship by deriving data from the physical and electrical condition of the vessel and presenting it in a digital format.
The reason why it's used might depend on the targeted outcome. For example, it can be used to analyze the structural condition of a vessel or to pinpoint the areas in the vessel that are faulty and need swift attention.
It also aims for zero cargo loss, zero loss of time, zero diminishing of ship efficiency, zero safety incidents, and zero CO2 emissions.
This is another technological application that is very important for maritime safety.
Route forecasting involves the use of advanced technology to discover if a particular journey route will be weather-friendly.
It does this by collecting oceanographic and meteorological data or data received from weather satellites and other forecasting techniques.
It is done to determine the condition of the wind, ocean current, wave frequency, wind, and tide in that proposed voyage route to know if it is safe to pass through.
When a ship (especially a cargo ship) journeys through a route to arrive at its destination or port, it's now in another phase, which might either be the offloading or piling up of goods on the ship.
A crane operator normally carries out this activity. So long as a human executes this function, there is always a possibility for a mistake, which can be unsafe and delay activities in the supply chain.
On the other hand, AI-enhanced crane operations use artificial intelligence technology to perform tasks on their own or controlled remotely.
Another feature it possesses is the object detection technology. This technology can detect objects or humans nearby to avoid potential hazards and delay the awesome supply chain.
AI system accesses large amounts of data concerning the ship's structure and provides predictive analysis about everything inside the ship by processing every information from available sources.
Through this, it can identify potential risks and suggest proactive measures for crew members that can remedy the problem.
Block technology, on the other hand, is an application that takes digital records of every cargo transaction and movement, making it easier to monitor and take responsibility for every activity in the supply chain.
The smart sensors are used specifically for cargo safety. They are normally placed around the ship, especially to monitor the condition of the cargo. They are also used to measure humidity, vibration of the ship, and temperature.
Used chiefly for perishable or fragile goods, its major function is to maintain a conducive environment for cargo during the voyage to avoid them from getting spoilt or damaged by pointing out issues when they arise.
Computer-aided design CAD is software used to digitally create 2D drawings and 3D models of real-world products before manufacturing.
You can share, review, simulate, and modify designs easily by using it. It's like a system that constructs the ship's skeleton before it is manufactured. This system can also be useful for maritime safety.
It can be optimized to achieve an accurate weight and balance of the ship, which aids in keeping crewmen and cargo safe afloat while on a voyage. It creates and modifies 3D models of the ship and its parts.
It also provides different materials, colors, textures, and loads to the vessel model in addition to calculations and tests that will affect the weight and balance of the vessel.
Some available CAD software tools are CorelCAD, ironCAD, CADTalk, OpenSCAD, LibreCAD, Onshape, etc.
Technology has proven its credibility in tackling safety issues in different industries, including the Marine industry.
Effective use of technologies like Digital Twin, Route Forecasting, Smart Sensors, and others can solve some of the persistent safety issues arising in the marine industry.
As the saying goes, "Safety doesn't happen by accident." This means that it takes calculated steps, which need to be taken to avoid further losses.
For more information, questions, or marine safety inquiries, kindly visit our contact page. We are always glad to be of service to you.
Buying a cargo ship, whether used or brand new, is pretty pricey, and no one buying would want to be a victim of their negligence no matter what.
Interestingly, over 50,000 to 60,000 cargo ships are in active service globally. Also, due to global inflation, companies in maritime trade are more likely to buy a used cargo ship over a few years old than newly made ships.
In a nutshell, this shows how desirable cargo ships are in the market nowadays. If you intend to buy one soon, consider the vessel's age and condition, cargo size, etc.
Why? These factors are checked to certify the purchase of the used cargo ship and avoid possible adverse effects arising from ignorance, including sudden breakdown, legal issues, etc.
In this guide, we’ll go through the most important factors to consider before buying a used cargo ship and the effects of ignoring these factors.
Now, let’s get started.
Before buying a used cargo ship, one must consider several factors to certify the complete purchase of a used cargo ship.
Here are some of the essential ones;
Before buying a used cargo ship, one of the most important things to do is check to see if the vessel has been involved in any legal issues or suspected involvement in illegal activities by previous owners.
It is also essential because this could give your business a bad reputation or get you into trouble.
Another factor to consider is ensuring you always find out how long the ship has been in use.
Be sure to carry out a full inspection of essential components of the ship, like the engine, hull, emergency switchboard, and others, to see if they are in good condition. Preferably, hire a professional to carry out a full inspection.
The primary function of a cargo ship, as the name implies, is to lift cargo, or goods as it is called, from one destination to another by sea.
So it is even more important to check the cargo capacity of the ship because it equips you with the knowledge of what kind of cargo it can carry and the capability to transport such cargo from the point of take off to the destination.
The ship's cargo capacity is as important as other factors. It is essential to check the weight, height, and kind of goods suitable to carry.
Safety is another crucial factor. Make sure the ship meets the required safety and environmental standards that are permissible generally.
The ship's construction should be done in a way that reflects the crew's and cargo's safety. It should also have a lower tendency of polluting the environment.
Every nation worldwide has laws regulating trade in the maritime industry, especially for the sale and purchase of used and new ships. These laws require documents that authenticate the sale of that ship.
Such documents may include a certificate of ownership, government-approved usage certificate, etc., so before you purchase a used cargo ship, ensure that the necessary documents are provided as required by the law and are certified by the government.
Ask for the ship's maintenance register. It helps you know if the vessel has been adequately maintained and gives you information on the time needed for overhauling or general servicing.
Having these records also helps you know if any major repairs have been made recently and whether any unresolved issues need attention.
Consider the cost of operation and other expenses involved, including fuel, crew, maintenance, ship licensing, and others.
Doing this puts you in a financially convenient situation because you can budget the amount needed to operate after buying it.
Having insurance for the ship is like keeping a first aid box by your side when playing a contact sport.
There is certainly a likelihood of damage occurring while operating the vessel, and insurance helps supplement that damage.
So, before buying a used cargo ship, consider acquiring insurance for the ship to cover any damage if it occurs.
Access to the records of former crew members who worked on the ship can help you understand how they operated it.
And if they are qualified enough to operate on your ship. So searching for new employees will be fine for you.
Do not make the error of not taking the cargo ship out for a trial on the sea before purchase.
You do it to discover if the vessel is in good condition and durable enough for cargo transportation services.
Neglecting these factors, as discussed before buying a used cargo ship, can have adverse effects, which can appear in the future when using the vessel.
Some of these effects include;
You may face legal issues if you fail to access the required legal documents to purchase the ship correctly.
In the course of operation, government regulatory agencies will eventually check the documents to discover if they are authentic and approved. And if they are not, then the ship will be confiscated. And no one would want to experience that.
By not considering the ship's age, condition, and maintenance records, you put the vessel in a position of quickly breaking down. And will affect the effectiveness of the operation needed for the ship.
When you fail to consider the maintenance records, locating and solving the fault becomes very complicated. Different issues arise as a result of ignoring these maintenance records.
It is because you need to acquire firsthand information on how to do it.
Ignoring these factors before purchasing a used cargo ship can make you fall victim to fraudsters.
Because you need background information about purchasing a used ship, this can give fraudsters an upper hand during the negotiations.
The worst experience any cargo ship owner can face is the loss of lives and cargo. Ignoring the safety standards of a used cargo ship before purchase puts your crew members and cargo goods at risk of being lost at sea.
Ignoring factors like maintenance records and cost of operation is like shooting yourself in the toe.
You will need to spend more money on issues you would have addressed from the beginning if you had considered the expenses involved before making the final purchase.
Buying a used cargo ship can be very complicated with the rise in fraud and other problems attached to using it.
However, as discussed in this guide, taking into proper consideration factors like age and condition, maintenance records can drastically make your choices a lot better.
Ignoring these factors comes with consequences and effects, such as legal issues, unnecessary expenses, and other experiences you can not afford.
Please visit us via our contact page for further information, consultancy, services, or anything regarding cargo ships.
Let me guess: you have probably fallen victim to a deceptive ship vessel transaction or just don't want to be one in the near future; you're not alone on this.
In recent times, most people have been the victim of these crimes just by not doing their due diligence or by going for deals that are too good to be true, all in the name of getting the best offers.
However, this fraud can be avoided by observing signs like extremely low industry prices by the broker company, the company not having a physical address that can be verified, and so on.
In this guide, we will be walking you through who a sales and purchase broker is and the four signs you can use in identifying a deceptive one.
Let's get started.
A sales and purchase broker is a person or firm primarily responsible for overseeing the activities involving the sale of a shipping vessel from the seller to the buyer, after which a commission from the sale is due to the broker for successfully closing the deal.
Sales and purchase brokerage has turned out to be a very lucrative business. The global shipbroking market will be worth around USD 600 million by 2026.
Because of these benefits, many fraudsters disguised as sales and purchase brokers have invaded the business. And this has been a setback in the industry.
Here are the various and most important signs you should look for in a deceptive ship sales and purchase broker;
Every nation in the world has laws that guide the sale and purchase of ships.
The policies under these laws require that providing certain documents is mandatory to make the transaction legal.
When dealing with a broker who always wants to cut corners or give excuses in providing the necessary legal documents, this is a sign that you are most likely dealing with a fraudster.
So make sure that you research to find out the necessary legal documents that guide the purchase and sale of shipping vessels in your country before negotiations with any broker.
Most brokers or brokerage firms usually have a verifiable physical office, a website, or a social media address that you can reach out to for information, assistance, or even follow-up proceedings concerning ship vessel brokerage.
Should you come across a broker who possesses none of these addresses, you should be very careful because you are probably dealing with a fraudster.
Make sure you find out their address and check if they are registered and known by the government.
As the saying goes, "Good ain't cheap, cheap work ain't good." when these prices become way too low, it becomes too good to be true.
Interestingly, some scam brokers can be fond of doing this because of their desperation to make quick money.
They try as much as they can to bring the price tag down to a level that looks very attractive and shocking, all in a bid to defraud people.
In order not to fall victim to this scam, you must research the generally accepted price range before going ahead.
Most times, the broker may want to run through the inspection process of the ship, want you to pay as quickly as possible before or immediately after the inspection, and provide fake documents with ease and in a surprisingly short period.
If you realize the broker is always seeking to quicken the process by portraying any of these features, you should be cautious because you are likely dealing with a fraudster.
They do this to close the deal fast because of fear of being caught. If you feel negative about it, ensure the right thing is done by calling it off or cross-checking everything carefully by comparing it with the original.
So far, we've been able to establish that it is of utmost importance for every business to be able to identify deceptive ship sales and purchase brokers amidst the rise of fraud in recent times.
Not falling victim to these crimes can be made possible by carefully observing the signs discussed above, such as those unwilling to abide by the law and brokers without a single verifiable physical and online address.
Getting a trusted broker or brokerage company can sometimes be overwhelming and takes a lot of time; that's why we've got you covered.
Kindly reach out to us at the contact page for quality service and information on the sales and purchase of shipping vessels.
Have you in any way ever fallen victim to cargo theft"? Or do you intend to transport your cargo to another destination without getting into the hands of the bad guys? Then you are at the right place.
With Cargo theft on the rise in recent times, basic, very important actions such as strengthening your digital presence and doing the necessary security and safety checks can always help curb this fraud drastically.
In fact, according to CargoNet, there were 582 cargo theft incidents reported in the second quarter of 2023 in the United States and Canada combined. This is a 57% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
In this guide, we'll go through the various causes of Cargo theft and possible working solutions to stay clear of these criminals.
But before we go into what the causes of Cargo theft are, let's take a look at what Cargo theft is.
In simple words, Cargo theft is when criminals steal stuff that's being moved from one place to another, like in trucks or ships.
They grab electronics, medicine, food, clothes, or machines. They can do this differently, like taking control of a truck and scaring the driver, breaking into warehouses, or pretending to be a real delivery person.
No doubt, this kind of theft is a big problem because it hurts businesses, customers, and the economy.
Companies lose money, delivery schedules get messed up, and everyone has to spend more money on security and insurance. Plus, it can be really dangerous for truck drivers and other people involved.
Knowing what cargo theft is helps us figure out how to stop it and protect our stuff when it's on the move.
According to CargoNet, the total value of stolen shipments in this period was over $44 million, with an average shipment value per event of $260,70.
In most cases of cargo thefts, the root causes are human-induced. And they may only occur when these errors exist.
We know that the care and safety of cargo or commodities transported is the responsibility of those who make up the supply chain.
If there is any error, they take the blame and are to sort the expenses from the loss because of the original agreement.
When such errors occur, it makes the cargo more vulnerable. This vulnerability allows these criminals to execute their criminal intentions.
Below are some of the some of these errors;
When the security personnel or apparatus are not consistently oriented and retrained, it leaves them flat-footed and confused on how to quickly respond to any other new tactics of attack by these criminals to carry out their evil intent.
Errors like this are responded to by armed robbery, cargo hijacking & container misplacement.
Employing a driver who is unprofessional and inexperienced makes it easier for cargo theft to occur because of his inability to identify when such situations are about to take place.
In most cases, they always like how to improvise and are not able to understand and stay on course with the set safe routes during transportation.
It is an error most cargo thieves look out for, especially the freshers. They are always searching for areas in the containment facility or equipment of the cargo that are loose or unnoticed by the owners so they can exploit it for their evil benefit.
Due to the change in the mode of business transactions from physical meetings and negotiations to a more digital medium, most cargo theft criminals access vulnerable websites of cargo owners or cargo transport companies.
They do this by infiltrating their database through various forms of Cyber attacks to either divert the transportation of the cargo to their base or keep it in a position where it can easily be hijacked or robbed by electronically manipulating the transportation route.
Allowing the logistics vehicle to go without carefully checking the vehicle is very dangerous.
Sometimes, vehicles may have unnoticed issues, and collaborators of cargo thieves may be amongst the employees working in that establishment (to rob it on the way).
They can purposely cause a fault in the vehicle that could lead it to stop along the route.
Some persons in the supply chain make this error, and if by any chance someone outside the supply chain with criminal intentions gets such vital information, the chances for an act of cargo theft becomes more likely to occur.
Having highlighted some of these human-induced root causes, we also understand that no human is beyond error, and as time goes on, we identify the mistakes and learn from them.
Here are the ways Cargo theft can be controlled;
Don't be careless about the security of your online presence. In 2023, there were over 4.5 billion online data breaches globally. It goes to show how important it is to secure your online presence.
To achieve this, you must employ the best website builders with in-depth knowledge of website security and professional social media managers.
The movement of your cargo is equally as important as paying for it. Hiring the right hands in the transport of your cargo should be paramount.
Hiring well-trained, professional, and experienced cargo drivers is very important because they are attentive to instructions, well-conversed with safe and unsafe transport routes, and can improvise if they find themselves in complicated situations.
It is an area that you should not undermine in any way. To give your cargo the necessary security it needs, you must make sure that the security personnel hired are professional and well-trained.
Ensure that they are with weapons and the right communication tools, tracking devices, and surveillance cameras.
For better effectiveness, contract a professional cargo security outfit, Port agencies, or government security agencies.
With strict supervision, monitor the internal activities of your employees and go through their records to know if there is anything incriminating.
Also, ensure that cargo transport vehicles have passed safety checks before sending them out for any job.
Acquiring modern standard containers and strong locks can help prevent cargo buglers from breaking through the container.
Collaborating and creating strong relationships with trade agencies, law enforcement, and port agencies puts you in situations where you can quickly get information on the trends concerning cargo theft, safer transport routes, and assistance for recovery should you fall into such a situation.
Using advanced technological tracking devices/applications such as GPS and RFID tags can help you monitor the movement of the cargo vehicle and the placement of the cargo.
Always make sure to keep the destination or transport route of your cargo private from the persons involved in the supply chain.
In a nutshell, drastic situations demand drastic measures. If you intend to transport your cargo, you should adopt these measures or visit our contact page for assistance and further information regarding the subject matter.
Like other problems affecting cargo transportation, cargo theft is a problem that has been there for years.
Still, simple measures like ensuring proper security and safety checks, hiring professional Cargo vehicle drivers, and more would go a long way in curbing this act.
And although so many have been victims of this circumstance in the same vein, solutions have been recommended. So, take the bull by the horns and protect your businesses.