Bills of Lading: Where Title Really Transfers in Oil Trades
A bill of lading is receipt, contract, and title all at once. Where ownership really transfers in an oil trade, and why Letters of Indemnity carry real risk.
Journal
SIRE 2.0: What Changed in Tanker Vetting, and How to Prepare
For thirty years a tanker faced the same fixed checklist. SIRE 2.0 builds a unique inspection for every vessel, in real time, and puts the crew on trial too.
The Firefighting Foam Ban: What AFFF Phase-Out Means at Sea
PFOS foam is banned from ships from 2026, and the EU rule bites harder still. Why swapping AFFF for fluorine-free foam is not a simple refill.
Lifeboat Release Hooks: Why They Still Fail Inspections
The 2019 SOLAS deadline forced a fleet-wide swap of lifeboat on-load release hooks. Years on, they still trigger detentions. What inspectors check, and why.
Tokyo MOU Detentions: The Deficiencies That Detain Ships
Port State Control detentions in the Asia-Pacific are not random. The same Tokyo MOU deficiency categories detain ships year after year, and knowing them is the difference between a three-hour inspection and a three-day detention.
The IMO FSS Code: A Practical Compliance Guide for Shipowners
The IMO Fire Safety Systems Code is the detailed technical rulebook that turns SOLAS Chapter II-2 fire protection obligations into specific performance, installation, testing, and maintenance requirements that surveyors, class societies, and flag states can verify. For shipowners, understanding what the Code requires in practice, and where compliance most commonly breaks down, is essential for survey readiness, PSC performance, and crew safety.