Circular 9/01: War Risks P&I Cover
02/09/2001
We have been advised, that as of 14th September 2001, a number of ports in the US have restrictions. Mariners are advised to check with the local USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) and/or agent well in advance of arrival/departure, as the restrictions may change without notice. Vessels may not enter a security or safety zone without USCG permission.
The following bulletin supersedes Bulletin 208 issued 14th September. We have been advised, that as of 15th September 2001, a number of ports in the US have restrictions. Mariners are advised to check with the local USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) well in advance of arrival/departure, as the restrictions may change without notice. Vessels may not enter a security or safety zone without USCG permission. Delays can be expected at container terminals due to heightened security precautions.
Latest Information Websites - USA
For over ten years it has been an industry practice in some US ports for longshoremen to use motorised vehicles for the purpose of dragging ships' mooring lines to shoreside bollards during the berthing operation. In such cases one end of the mooring line is on the ship's winch while the other is made fast to a tagline which is attached to the front of a quayside motorised vehicle. This practice was adopted in order to prevent back injuries to longshoremen while hauling heavy mooring lines.
A pilots' strike has been declared at St Petersburg by the Maritime Pilot Corporation and took effect from 7th August. This has been caused by a long term dispute between the Pilot Corporation and the State authorities and there is currently no indication of when the strike is likely to end. Some vessels have already been delayed. Any members who have vessels calling at St Petersburg are recommended to instruct their local agents:
With effect from 1st July 2001, ships considered to be especially friendly to the environment calling at the port of Hamburg will receive a rebate on harbour dues of 6% or 12%. The Harbour and Environment Authorities intend that this will induce shipowners to make ships cleaner and more environmentally friendly. The ships to be rewarded will be those which can demonstrate a high standard in the areas of waste gas pollution or ship painting or have environmental certification eg ISO 14001. All decisions will be based on existing certification systems or easily verifiable environmental care measures. The project is to be valid initially for a five year period and will be financed by the environmental authorities.
The Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping convention (STCW 95) comes into full effect next year with effect from February 2002 and requires flag states to accept direct responsibility for seafarers serving on their ships.
We have recently been advised that the DINA GEMINI has recently run aground in the channel leading into the port of Sepetiba in Brazil and become stuck fast in the mud.