The Association would like to inform its Members of efforts being made by the Ministry of Transport in Algeria to ease congestion in the nation's ports.
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.
Garnishment
22/09/2009
This is the third and final in a series of Bulletins that are being published with the aim of providing Members with an understanding of a number of things.
656 - 9/09 - Fines - Brazil
17/09/2009
The Association would like to remind its Members of problems encountered in Brazil with large unsubstantiated fines being imposed on vessels.
Over 20 States in the EU have now brought the European Directive on Environmental Liability (ELD) into law. Under the ELD shipowners are strictly liable for the costs of preventative and remedial actions for the environmental damage arising from the transport of dangerous or 'polluting' goods, if such costs are outside the scope of application of a relevant liabilty convention. Differing liability and compensation regimes of the ELD and relevant international conventions are explained. The three levels of remediation required under the ELD are also explained.
This circular explains the impact of the 3rd EU Maritime Safety Package on Members whose ships enter EU waters, including: A requirement to carry P&I certificates on board which may be enforced by Port State Control. The extension of the 2002 Protocol to the Athens Convention to domestic sea-going and inland waterways voyages. The establishment of an independent authority in individual EU states to respond to ships in distress with powers to board ships and direct them to designated places of refuge.
648 - 7/09 - Lifeboat Launching - Worldwide
23/07/2009
The Association would like to inform its Members of a recent circular released by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) concerning lifeboat launching arrangements. The IMO has moved to clarify SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.3 following some confusion over whether crew are required to be onboard lifeboats during launching; this bulletin presents a summary of the information.
Douala's Harbour Master in charge of maritime immigration has just informed the Club's correspondent in Douala that in an ever-increasing number of cases, ship's agents are taking it upon themselves to organise the disembarkation at sea of Cameroonian stowaways (or stowaways who embarked in the Cameroon) without following the official procedures.