The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act 2010, due to become US law very shortly, imposes substantial requirements on cruise ships carrying over 250 passengers on international voyages which embark or disembark passengers in any US port. They concern design and construction, medical facilities, passenger and crew information, training and measures to report and combat crime.
705 - 7/10 - Defective Lifebuoys - Worldwide
08/07/2010
The Association has been informed that the Swedish Transport Agency has found serious defects in the Altura series of lifebuoys produced by Veleria S Giorgio.
Nigel Brooks - 8 July 2010
07/07/2010
After serving more than 20 years with the firm, Nigel Brooks, Regional Director, will be leaving Thomas Miller.
The huge liabilities which can be incurred by ship owners when containers are lost overboard are frequently compounded by the problems of establishing the circumstances surrounding a particular incident and incomplete knowledge of the containers' contents.
Following a number of recent incidents, the Club would like to remind Members of the hazards and procedures to be considered when working on deck in heavy weather.
The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010 (CISADA) was signed by President Obama on 1 July 2010.
702 - 06/10 - Iron Ore Imports - China
24/06/2010
The Association would like to advise Members about the current situation regarding the import of iron ore into China.
The following information has just been received from the Club's legal correspondents in Durban:-
The State of New York, USA, has issued stringent requirements regarding ballast water discharge technology under the Vessel General Permit (VGP) system that are due to come into force in January 2012.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided an extensive website resource on avian flu. The website includes fact sheets on such aspects as the disease in humans, the role of migratory birds, countries affected by outbreaks in birds, assessment of possible cases, clinical features and countries with human cases in the current outbreak.
What is Avian flu ?
16/06/2010
Avian influenza is largely a disease of birds. Despite large outbreaks in poultry, only about 140 people have so far caught the disease.
The amendments, adopted through the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), regarding the sulphur content of any fuel used in the Baltic and North Sea Emission Control Areas
This paper gives the ICS position on the proposed amendments that changes to the insurance and liability related aspects of OPA 90 are unwarranted given that few incidents have exceeded its limits.
OPA 90's current limits for ships are realistic, adequate, allow for necessary increases, and incorporate well-tested, proactive spill response mechanisms
This paper emphasises that differences between vessels and offshore facilities under OPA are necessary and that unlimited or unreasonable liability requirements for vessels under OPA should be opposed.
In this paper the Department of Justice is advocating the revision of OPA 90 and it believes the current limits are inadequate. Although it presents its argument in the context of offshore drilling it does not exclude shipping from its scope.
Review of OPA 90: offshore drilling industry warrants different liability regime from that applicable to ship operators and comments on limitation & insurability.
This paper reviews the role of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and the National Pollution Funds Center. The liability limits and financial responsibility of the proposed May 12th legislative package are reviewed. The arrangements put in place by BP to meet the requirements of the OPA claims process are also reviewed.
More jurisdictions require maintaining vessel response plans