Crane blocks that were built 2013 (or earlier) by Japanese manufacturer IHI require safety modifications prior to loading logs in NZ. This has been a requirement by New Zealand’s PSC authority “Maritime New Zealand” since 2013.
Please find latest publication on the Maritime NZ Website here.
Further guidance from IHI Corporation on how modifications on these blocks should be carried out can be found here.
The proposed safety measures are either additional bolts or additional plates that increase the structural strength of the block.
These reinforcements need to be done by an experienced welder (either en-route to load port or by shore workshop in NZ) and also require Class sign off before use.
Cargo blocks that were built after 2013 already have been reinforced by the maker (IHI) and don’t require further modifications.
Here are some image of cargo blocks onboard KN FUTURE modified with additional plates
