The Inter-Club Agreement, otherwise known as the ICA, first came into force on 20th February 1970
While no changes are anticipated in the US enforced Emission Control Areas (ECAs) on or after 1 January, 2020, US regions outside the ECAs will need to ensure compliance with the IMO's 2020 global 0.5% sulphur cap from 1 January, 2020.
US: Recent Sanction Developments
13/12/2019
The UK P&I Club have received the following update from Freehill, Hogan and Mahar LLP, regarding recent sanction developments.
A major strength of the International Group remains its pooling arrangements and the General Excess of Loss and Collective Overspill Programme (GXL programme), which provides shipowners with un-paralleled levels of cover. All shipowners will be aware of the hardening reinsurance market and upward pressure on premiums. Despite this, the longevity and relative stability of the GXL programme has enabled the Group to achieve renewal for 2020/21 on expiring rates for shipowners. Of additional benefit, the US$2 billion excess of US$100 million placed in the commercial market has been confirmed for two years. This will help provide a degree of reinsurance pricing stability for the next two years whilst maintaining flexibility to fund claims within the Pool.
Contracts in Indonesia - Update
12/12/2019
The Club would like to issue the following update regarding Contracts in Indonesia.
The Government of Iceland have issued a news release stating that, effective 1 January 2020, the permissible sulphur content of marine fuels used in the territorial sea and internal waters of Iceland will be lowered from 3.5% to 0.1%.
IMO - Preparations intensify as 1 January 2020 global cut in sulphur in ship's fuel oil looms
28/11/2019
As 1 January 2020 approaches, the IMO has issued a Press Briefing dated 25.11.2019 in which it reports on some of the views and indications which came out of a roundtable industry meeting which it hosted at its London Headquarters on 18 November.
US Emission Control Areas (ECA), USCG Guidelines for Compliance & Enforcement dated 07.11.2019
Members are referred to ECM Maritime Services LLC's Client Alert 21-2019 for details of ACP's updated fuel requirements for vessels anchoring, transiting through and docking at terminals in Panama Canal waters. These requirements will apply from 1 January 2020, in compliance with IMO 2020.
Members are referred to Huatai Circular PNI1907 which sets out in some detail MSA China's implementation scheme for compliance with IMO Sulphur 2020.
Members were recently notified of a new Shore Leave Policy announced by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office in New York to restrict shore leave to crew members in the New York/ Newark port area. The new policy was to have come into effect on 01.11.19.
India bans single use plastic on ships
04/11/2019
The Indian Directorate General of Shipping issued Order No.05 of 2019 on 16th October 2019. This order prohibits the use of single use plastic items on board. The requirements apply to all Indian and foreign flagged ships while in Indian territorial waters.
UPDATE: This policy has now been revoked. Please see the latest Club update.
Sulphur 2020 PSC inspections
28/10/2019
The new IMO global sulphur cap requirements enter force on 1st January 2020 and a robust and consistent approach to compliance is expected by all Port State Control (PSC) regimes.
The UK P&I Club has received the following update from Freehill Hogan and Mahar regarding an established winddown period for COSCO.
The International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 ("the HNS Convention") was adopted in May 1996. It is modelled on CLC 1992 but intended to cover damages caused by spillage of hazardous and noxious substances during maritime transportation.
The UK Club have received the following update from Freehill Hogan and Mahar, regarding the United States decision to lift sanctions on Turkey.
China MSA announces their Implementation Plan of 2020 Global Marine Fuel Oil Sulphur Limits
23/10/2019
In order to effectively implement the IMO's global regulations on the limits of the sulphur content of marine fuel oil, China MSA announced the Implementation Plan of 2020 Global Marine Fuel Oil Sulphur Limits (hereinafter referred to as "The Plan") on 23 October 2019.
The ICC Incoterms rules define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers for the delivery of goods under sales contracts, and determine how costs and risks are allocated between the parties.The ICC published Incoterms 2020 ("the rules") on 10 September and the terms will come into force on 1 January 2020.
The UK Club have received the following client alert from law firm Ersoy Bilgehan Lawyers and Consultants, regarding significant amendments to the Turkish Ports Regulation.