In December 2015, China's Ministry of Transport issued new rules governing the prevention and control of vessel-sourced pollution in inland waters.
On 7 March 2016, Belgium became the 48th country to ratify the Ballast Water Management Convention. The accession of Belgium brings the aggregate percentage of the world's merchant fleet tonnage to 34.82.
Iran Sanctions - "Fall-back" Reinsurance
09/03/2016
Stay informed on Iran sanctions and reinsurance updates
What's next for box weighting enforcement?
04/03/2016
4 months to go until the SOLAS convention, requiring as a condition of loading a packed container onto a ship for export, that the container has a verified gross mass enters into force. From 1st July 2016, the requirement will become mandatory and will apply globally.
Polar Code - Update
17/02/2016
IMO has adopted the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) which is expected to enter into force on the 1st January 2017. This marks an historic milestone in the protection of ships and both seafarers and passengers, in the harsh environment of the waters surrounding the two poles.
Air Emissions Update in China
15/02/2016
China MSA recently issued the Notice on Strengthening the Supervision and Management on Emission Control Areas for Vessels including the Guideline of Supervision and Management
Yangtze River Delta will take the lead in implementing the Emission Control Areas (ECAs) for vessels. The implementation will take place in two stages.
IMO: Criteria for entry into force of BWM Convention not yet reached - further ratifications needed
21/01/2016
Further to the UK P&I Club's recent update on the BWMC 2004, the IMO confirmed on the 18th January 2016 that forty-seven countries have now ratified the convention, substantially more than the 30 required, but their combined fleets comprise, at most, 34.56 per cent of global tonnage, the 35% global tonnage required for the Convention to enter into force has yet to be attained.
Given the global announcement of "Implementation Day" - that there will be a lifting of sanctions on Iran, the Club and IG are examining closely what this actually means in reality for Iran's oil, gas, shipping, petrochemicals, insurance and financial sectors, and importantly for those owners/operators wishing to engage business with Iran.
Swift, innovative action and a pragmatic salvage approach averted a potential maritime disaster involving liquefaction of nickel ore cargo
Philippine Crew Claims / Garnishment
06/01/2016
Philippine Crew Claims / Garnishment : Senior Claims Director Tony Nicholson at the Informa - CrewConnect Global: Asia Manning & Training Conference, in Manila.
BWMC 2004 - Outstanding regulatory and compliance issues continue to place ship owners in a dilemma
05/01/2016
Navigate the challenges of Ballast Water Management compliance with insights on IMO and US regulations
STS CARGO TRANSFERS & VEF
23/12/2015
Senior Claims Executives examine whether a vessel should apply their respective Vessel Experience Factor (VEF) in ship to ship transfer to avoid cargo claims.
Navigation Warning TTS Singapore Strait
17/12/2015
Members are advised of an incident, which occurred on Wednesday 16th December in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait.
New regulation on ship emission control areas of Pearl river delta, Yangtze river delta and Bohai sea waters was issued by Ministry of Transport of P.R.China.
Philippines - Angkla Seafarers' Protection Act (Anti-Ambulance Chasing Act) - Republic Act No. 10706
08/12/2015
The Angkla Seafarers' Protection Act, also known as the Anti-Ambulance Chasing Act, was signed into law in the Philippines in November 2015.
Amid the continuing migrant crisis in the Mediterranean and the media attention this story continues to receive, it is often easy to forget that the problem of stowaways is still a very real risk for shipowners. The UK Club has recently handled several concurrent cases, with a similar modus operandi, concerning stowaways from West Africa boarding ballasted ships bound for South America, Brazil in particular. Amanda Hastings discusses.
OPA 90: Increase in liability limits
25/11/2015
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established rigorous regulatory and liability controls to protect and clean up the marine environment from oil spills, including extensive provision to prevent the circumstances under which oil spills occur.
Following the investigation into the loss of a 10 year old bulk carrier (the most likely cause being liquefaction of cargo) The IMO subcommittee on the Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) have issued a circular warning of the dangers of carrying Bauxite.
Towage Guidance Note
18/10/2015
Towage, which is not part of ordinary or customary trading, requires planning. Owners need to consider the risks and understand the process required to maintain their P&I coverage.