The coronavirus outbreak is causing concerns for the cruise industry, but this is of course not the first time the industry has been faced with a breakout of a viral infection onboard. Members may find our Victoria Brown's 2015 article, "People Claims - Norovirus on board" in which she discussed the Judge's decision in Nolan -v- TUI UK Ltd (2015), of particular interest.
We have put in place temporary flexible working arrangements for our staff to avoid the worst of the rush hour in compliance with the Japanese Government's recommendation for preventing spread of infection of Coronavirus.
Non-Compliant Fuel Carriage Ban
20/02/2020
From 1st March 2020, carriage ban on non-compliant fuel oil will enter into force. This means that ships can no longer carry non-compliant fuel on-board unless the same is carried as cargo. Any non-compliant fuel remaining on-board must be removed from the vessel's fuel tanks failing which there will be a de-facto non-compliance even if such fuel was not intended to be used for consumption. The Carriage Ban does not apply to vessels fitted with operational scrubbers.
The Club would like to draw Members' attention to recent increases in fines for ship-source pollution under Greek Environmental Law. These increases, which are substantial, have been introduced via Presidential Decrees 113/2019 and 108/2019 to bring Greek environmental legislation in line with EU Directives 2005/35 and 2009/123.
List of Correspondents 2020
18/02/2020
The 2020 List of Correspondents book is available to download as a PDF at the above link.
The Club would like to draw attention to a recent notice (safety alert 02-20) issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) on gas detection vulnerabilities on gas carriers.
South Korea - Coronavirus update
07/02/2020
The UK P&I Club have received the below advice from our local correspondents, HS Corporation, regarding the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak and the affect on the region.
Coronavirus 2020 Resources
05/02/2020
The UK Club's correspondents, C. Fernie & Co, advise that the Panama Canal Authority has introduced fresh water conservation strategies, effective 15.02.20
QCR Winter 2019: Whether time of the essence in contracts for the sale of goods. Whether seller’s rejection of buyer’s post-breach offer to purchase rejected goods reasonable in the context of mitigation
QCR Winter 2019: Package holiday - negligence - personal injury - sometimes accidents happen
30/01/2020
Kellett v RCL Cruises and Others High Ct (Barr J) [2019] IEHC 408
With the IMO 2020 fuel regulations, and alongside that the Emission Control Area (ECA) regulations, currently at the forefront of everyone's mind, the California Air Resources Board(CARB) has felt it necessary to issue a reminder, Marine Notice 2020-1, to vessel operators that the California Fuel Regulations remain fully in force, and must be complied with. These regulations, applicable within 24 nautical miles of California's shore, require the use of distillate fuels with maximum 0.1% sulphur content and do not allow for the use of exhaust gas scrubbers or non-distillate fuels to meet compliance standards.
ECM Client Alert 01-2020 - USCG: Implementation of MARPOL Annex VI - Revised Guidance CVC-WI-022
17/01/2020
The USCG's Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC) has issued an updated guidance outlining how it will enforce Marpol Annex VI requirements, including the IMO 2020 Sulphur cap, within the two US
The UK Club have received the following update from our local correspondents Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultant Service Ltd regarding guidelines for supervision and management of air pollutant emissions.
Herniated discs, strains, sprains, inflammation, stiffness and tenderness are just some of the back pain symptoms reported to the UK Club due to heavy lifting and day to day shipboard activities.
Turkey - 2020 tariffs for pollution fines
07/01/2020
Members are advised that Turkey has issued new tariffs for pollution fines in 2020. The new tariff rates below are for real persons, and are applicable from 01.01.20 to 31.12.20.
On 29 December 2019, Singapore implemented the Protocol of 1996 to Amend the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (the "1996 Protocol").
Singapore - Green Ship Programme extended
23/12/2019
The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a shipping circular announcing that the Green Ship Programme has been extended to 31 December 2024.
Sanctions: COSCO license update
20/12/2019
The UK P&I Club have received the following client alert from Freehill Hogan and Mahar, regarding a COSCO license update.
Sanctions: OFAC De-Lists Ventspils
20/12/2019
The UK P&I Club have received the following client alert from Freehill Hogan and Mahar, regarding the delisting of Ventspils by OFAC.