OUTLINE: The Group has revised its recommended pollution indemnity clause for charterparties. The revised clause has two amendments in respect of legal & defence costs and indemnity in the event of contributory fault. The clause was originally prompted by recent Australian legislation ( See our "Legal Briefing - Australia
OUTLINE: This circular refers to the earlier Circular 17/12 "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships"; A revised set of FAQs is attached to this circular taking account of the revised Detailed Rules although the further MSA Notice anticipated in circular 17/12 has not yet been published; If a new MSA Notice requires amendments of these attached FAQs a new set of FAQs will be issued in a future circular; The IG spill response contract issued with circular 17/12 has been revised further and is also attached to his circular.
Sub-marine fish farm installations are becoming more common in the waters off the Chinese coast. The large fishing nets in these farms are expensive and pose a significant risk to marine traffic in the area.
Members must notify the Club at the earliest opportunity if they intend to load nickel ore from Indonesian or Philippine ports, and may prejudice cover if they fail to do so; This circular details the information that needs to be advised to the Club; This information is being compiled to identify those areas, ports & shippers that present particular difficulties, e.g. inaccurate cargo declarations; It remains the Members responsibility to ensure full compliance with the IMSBC Code; Mandatory notification applies only to cargoes of Nickel Ore to be loaded in Indonesia and the Philippines, and not to any other bulk cargoes
The Managers have been made aware that legislation has been passed in Indonesia which purports to place a ban on the expert of minerals from Indonesian ports, unless the shipper has been granted a specific export permit. The cargoes which may be affected include nickel ore, bauxite and iron ore. Reports suggest that ships which are scheduled to load or are in the process of loading ore cargoes may be subject to delays where the exporters of the cargo do not possess the relevant permit.
Complying with China's pollution laws
12/01/2012
Updated information was posted this week on the Club website providing information and contact details on over 120 level one oil spill response contractors. Listings for filing agents and nine OSRO consortia are also available. All lists are published in English and Chinese. Since 1 January 2012 ships visiting China are required to contract with an approved oil spill response contractor. Advice and information on complying with the various regulations is collated and updated in the dedicated China pollution area of this website.
New Year changes
05/01/2012
Despite the extended Christmas and New Year break, the Knowledge & Developments section of our website provided new information through that period. In addition to the frequent news bulletins on implementation of spill response contractor arrangements in China, there have been loss prevention updates on US west coast air emission controls and our own circular on an SGM for incorporating rule changes into the 2012 Club Rules & Bye-Laws.
A number of local MSAs have now issued their local notices. Here is a brief summary with attachments for information.
Delay in China OSRO listing
10/11/2011
The issue of lists of all approved oil spill response contractors in Chinese ports by China's MSA, and due for publication this October, has been postponed,
Flooding in Bangkok area affects shipping
25/10/2011
Due to the ongoing threat of flooding in Thailand, shipments to and from the kingdom have been affected. Bulk rice and container shipping have been particularly subject to interruption and delay. Members requiring further information should contact the Club's local correspondent - Spica Services Bangkok
Saudi Aramco has introduced a new practice of sampling ballast water of hydrocarbon tankers that have had one of their last visits to Japan. This action is in line with Saudi Aramco...
Recommendations for ship operators regarding potential additional screening by US Coast Guard for vessels that have passed through waters near Honshu island.
The Club has published a checklist and guide to avoiding fires when carrying Indonesian coal cargoes in bulk. It is an 'aide memoire' for the guidance of shippers, shipowners, charterers, surveyors, ships' crews and other parties involved in the loading and carriage of cargoes of coal. Self-heating incidents involving coal cargoes loaded at Indonesian ports have become increasingly frequent in recent years. The problem appears to stem from the nature of these coals, possibly exacerbated by local handling loading.
PRC Marine Pollution Regulations released: The Club advises Members to refrain from entering agreements with clean-up contractors before "approved" list is provided.
Detailed rules for implementation of the recent legislation on marine pollution prevention and response have now been issued by China's maritime safety administration (MSA). The rules that require ship operators to engage an approved clean-up contractor will be enforced from 1 January 2012.
25th Annual UK Club Mountain Climb in Korea
20/05/2011
The 25th Annual UK Club Mountain Climb (UK MC) took place on Saturday 14th May at Keum Byeong Mountain, about 90 kilometres to the north-east of Seoul. This year's UKMC was a rather special occasion; the 25th Anniversary of the first official UK Club Mountain Climb held in 1986 and an annual event ever since. It also came at the end of a week in which the UK Club activities had been very much focused on Korea. Earlier in the week the Directors of the UK Club had meet in Seoul for a Board meeting followed by Reception for local members and shipping community.
Japan ports update - wet bulk
18/04/2011
This ports update bulletin is revised as and when new information on wet bulk terminals is received. Whilst the web page displays just those terminals where damage and or interruption has been reported, a spreadsheet listing the status of all terminals for which we have reports is attached to the bulletin. A Japan ports map listing contact numbers for all the major ports is also listed.
Flag state advice re Japan radiation issues
15/04/2011
As and when we are aware of advices published by flag state authorities we will link to them from this section of our website.
The MLIT publish a specialist web page entitled "