Gas carrier ships are not required to carry Blue Cards in compliance with the 1992 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC). International Group clubs have discontinued issuing Blue Cards for gas carriers, both LNG & LPG, with immediate effect. Exceptionally, some older LPG vessels which were constructed or adapted to carry persistent oil in bulk as cargo remain entitled to obtain Blue Cards.
Circular 5/10 (February 2010)
12/02/2010
Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships
The Resolution for consideration at the SGM on 19th January 2010 (ref
This is an update to the Association's circular numbered 12/09, issued in November 2009, regarding new Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships ("the Regulations") promulgated by the People's Republic of China State Council on 9th September 2009 and due to take effect from 1st March 2010.
EU states will bring the provisions of the Insurance Directive into law by 1st January 2012 at the latest. The Insurance Directive requires all ships greater than 300 gt to evidence insurance for maritime claims subject to LLMC 96 . Imminent changes to certificates of entry to comply with the Insurance Directive include incorporation of the registered shipowner's name and principal place of business
China's first comprehensive system of marine pollution regulations take effect from 1st March 2010. The Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) is the enforcing agency for the Regulations supervising and administering prevention and control of marine pollution by ship operations. Before entering Chinese ports, ships carrying polluting hazardous cargo and all other ships over 10,000 gross tons must pre-contract with approved pollution response companies. Compulsory insurance is required to meet Chinese Maritime Code or 1992 CLC and Bunkers Convention where applicable.
The Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea (Rotterdam Rules) was adopted in December 2008 by the UN General Assembly. It will significantly increase the liability of shipowners and maritime carriers in respect of the carriage of cargo.