The Club would like to draw to the attention of Members trading to Brazil a well written and comprehensive update on the cabotage trade in Brazil
New PRC Civil Code: impact on guarantees
19/10/2021
The new Civil Code of the People's Republic of China came into effect from 1st January, 2021, bringing in numerous changes to the rules governing civil disputes in China, those of particular relevance to Members are the changes to the rules relating to guarantees, which we consider in more detail below.
In accordance with the Maritime Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, Maritime Safety Administration of the PRC ("MSA") issued a notice on 27th August 2021 requiring vessels of foreign nationality that fall into the categories within to report to Chinese maritime administrations pre-entering the territorial sea of China.
In order to keep our Members posted with the development of the changes in those areas, the UK Club’s correspondents Huatai have kindly issued a circular to introduce the current situation of fishery farm claims and update the latest geographical extent of the major fishery farms in China.
China - Bulk Cargo Shortage at Loading Port
28/04/2021
Our local correspondents in China, Huatai Marine, have provided the following update on cases where a claim is made for shortage on the ground of short loading at the loading port, despite the shortage of discharged quantity not exceeding 0.5%.
China: Shanghai MSA issued a Safety Notice on inspection on propulsion and auxiliary machinery
19/04/2021
Following the collision in the deep water channel of Changjiangkou (CJK) area, Shanghai Maritime Administration (the "Shanghai MSA") has issued a Safety Notice to urge all ships to undertake thorough propulsion and auxiliary machinery detection prior to departure from the berth or arrival in the restricted waters.
UK Club Correspondent Huatai Marine have issued a new Circular outlining the stricter epidemic control on boarding personnel at the port of Guangzhou
Ice Condition in Northern Chinese Ports
11/01/2021
UK Club correspondents Oasis P&I have provided the following circular on sea ice conditions at Northern Chinese ports
Collision at sea within EEZ of PRC - Forum non conveniens - Whether Hong Kong proceedings should be stayed in favour of Shanghai Maritime Court.
Supreme Court of China published Judicial Interpretation on Crew Issues Arising During Trials
30/09/2020
To encourage consistency in court rulings on crew related issues, the Supreme Court of China published on 27 Sep 2020, its "Judicial Interpretation Regarding the Trial of Crew Members Related Cases" which comprises of 21 articles.
Covid-19 control measures at Chinese ports
09/09/2020
Recently, Chinese ports are strengthening epidemic prevention and control measures on vessels having changed crew overseas within 14 days, especially for Pilipino seafarers or vessels that have changed crew members in the Philippines.
The Club would like to draw Members’ attention to the latest Circular No. 2010 (Updated): Prohibited Areas for Military Exercise in Bohai, Yellow Sea, East Sea and South Sea of China from Late August to the End of September, 2020
A new revision to the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes (new Revision) becomes effective on 1st September 2020
On 29 March, China MSA issued their updated Guidance on the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Onboard. This is an update on Version 1.0 issued on 17 March. The UK Club's Correspondents, Messrs Huatai, have helpfully summarised the amendments in their Circular Ref No.: PNI [2020] 05. The main amendments are the introduction of guidance on crew change operations and precautionary measures to minimise an "overseas epidemic".
On 19 March 2013, MV "CMA CGM Florida" (CCF) collided with MV "Chou Shan" (CS) in the estuary of the Yangtze River, resulting in a serious rupture to the hull of CCF
Members are referred to Huatai Circular PNI1907 which sets out in some detail MSA China's implementation scheme for compliance with IMO Sulphur 2020.
The following table lists countries which have imposed bans on vessels fitted with open-loop SOx scrubbers calling at their ports, and on the discharge of washwater from these scrubber systems within their port waters.
The UK Club has received the following update from Oasis P&I Services Company Ltd., regarding breach of low-sulphur fuel requirements in ECA in China.
Navigation restrictions around the Miaodao Archipelago are published on ECDIS, and navigation warnings and notices are issued to mariners sailing in the region.
INTERTANKO have recently received reports from Members in relation to uncharted terminals in China ports. Hydrographic inaccuracies and the non-marking of existing terminals on charts pose serious navigational risks and prevent ship Masters from carrying out proper passage planning and risk assessment.