Strict anti-pollution laws in Algeria saw an entered vessel fined for spilling small amounts of paint into the harbour.
The United Stated Customs and Border Patrol have tightened their scrutiny of the Advanced Passenger Information System. Members should be aware of potential fines emanating for inaccurate or untimely submissions.
EU sanctions on Iran extend to natural gas
23/10/2012
On the 16th October an EU Council decision declared a prohibition on the transport of natural gas to Iran. The ban extends the insurance and reinsurance of such transport so will have impact on Members whether or not subject to the EU jurisdictions. When the Decision takes effect, the Club will be prohibited from providing cover to any Member in respect of carriage of natural gas originated in Iran.
Explore the need for a new form in the LNG chartering market
Drug enforcement activity in the United States targeting the trafficking of drugs entering the United States of America via merchant vessels continues to impact the Club in the guise of fines levied against unsuspecting ships.
Minimum seafarer age under Panama MLC 2006
18/10/2012
Marine Circular 254 and the accompanying provisional "Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance Part 1" (DMLC 1) set out proposed standards in respect of seafarer working conditions under MLC 2006 legislation. Among the requirements it refers to the minimum age for seafarers as 18 which may impact members with trainees or cadets on Panamanian flagged vessels.
Regulations and advisories in relation to Panama's ratification of MLC 2006 and implementation through its national maritime legislation.
Thomas Miller chairman, Hugo Wynn-Williams presented FESCO with a panoramic picture of Vladivostok to mark the anniversary of their membership
TB 39 - Escape from engine rooms
11/10/2012
Engine rooms by their very design are hazard areas for all sorts of reasons to the unwary or
Compliance resources for MLC 2006
11/10/2012
Flag authorities of the MLC 2006 ratifying states are now issuing bulletins and circulars on implementation into national laws and procedures for compliance.
Circular 12/12: Annual General Meeting
09/10/2012
Circular 13/12: NRC and MSRC - Addenda Concerning Use of Dispersants to Contracts for Tank Vessels
05/10/2012
US oil spill response organisations' (OSROs) standard service agreements often include an addendum that does not comply with Group guidelines. Members agreeing to such an addendum may incur liabilities that are outside Club cover. National Response Corporation (NRC) is the latest OSRO to adopt such a non-compliant addendum to its service agreements. Group guidelines on VRP service agreements and the addendum are published in Club
Failures & Blackouts
04/10/2012
The UK P&I Club's latest Risk Focus bulletin highlights the issue of sudden loss of power, a problem highlighted by incidents during and after the switching to lower sulphur fuels that are now mandated in certain coastal regions. In the bulletin, the Club highlights causes of sudden loss of power and proposes mitigating procedures that ships' crew should adopt.
Risk Focus: Loss of Power
03/10/2012
Increasing numbers of main engine failure related incidents and accidents following blackouts have led to a data collection exercise by the UK Club's risk assessors and a detailed analysis of more than 700 claims which has given cause for concern. A significant number of these claims for third party property damage, many of which were enormously expensive and in some cases amounted to millions of dollars could be attributed, directly or indirectly, to main engine failures or electrical blackouts.
The UK P&I Club's latest Risk Focus bulletin highlights the issue of sudden loss of power, a problem highlighted by incidents during and after the switching to lower sulphur fuels that are now mandated in certain coastal regions. In the bulletin, the Club highlights causes of sudden loss of power and proposes mitigating procedures that ships' crew should adopt.
The Club has been made aware of a case concerning an entered vessel which was detained for breaching the SECA regulations despite the bunker fuel being supplied in the same port as the vessel was detained.