On 2 December, the USCG issued the first USCG Ballast Water Management System Type Approval Certificate to Norwegian manufacturer, Optimarin AS, the attached ECM Maritime Services Client alert 24-2016 reports.
Members will recall that substantial increases in the liability limits set by the 1976 London Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC) as amended by the 1996 LLMC Protocol, were agreed by the IMO Legal Committee in 2012.
In Vinnlustodin HFVatryggingaffelag Islands HF vs Sea Tank Shipping AS [2016], the English Commercial Court was required to determine a preliminary "Limitation Issue"
Press Release: Hepatitis B - the number one reason for crew failing pre-employment medical tests
28/10/2016
Dr Balaji of Balaji Medical Centre, a clinic which is part of the UK P&I PEME programme, comments on the dangers of hepatitis B, the silent epidemic.
AP Companies presentation
27/10/2016
Earlier today the PEME team met with our Russian healthcare providers, AP Companies of Moscow to discuss and review the first year of PEME approval.
Risk Focus: Paint
27/10/2016
The UK Club has teamed up with coating consultants Safinah to produce the latest Risk Focus publication on paint.
On 4th October, 2016, the US Coast Guard issued a notice on its Coast Guard Maritime Commons Blog in which it provided a recap of a presentation delivered by Lt. Cmdr. Jason Kling, of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center, at the 2016 BWMTech Conference in Miami 26th-28th September.
The Club has been recently advised of frequent rain in Surigao, Philippines and unsafe, wet nickel ore cargo being presented for loading.
In 2016, the SOLAS convention on enclosed space entry was amended requiring all ships to carry portable atmosphere testing equipment on board. The regulation aimed at protecting seafarers who need to enter enclosed spaces entered into force on 1st July 2016.
The Club would like to alert Members with ships entering Canadian waters that Transport Canada have issued a bulletin stating that marine safety inspectors have begun verifying compliance with the 0.1% sulphur content requirements for marine fuel used on vessels, subject to the North American Emission Control Area (NAECA) of the MARPOL Convention.
Tackling Cargo Liquefaction
11/08/2016
Claims Executive Christopher Karageorgis looks at the dangers of cargo liquefaction and the steps Members can take to mitigate the risk.
Thomas Miller Hellas' resident Risk Assessor David Nichol looks at the safe carriage of dangerous goods in containers.
The Association has been recently advised of an incident involving self-ignition of charcoals in a container shipped from Namibia.
US Coast Guard: Nontank Vessel Response Plans - Frequently Asked Questions - December 2nd 2013
05/12/2013
The US Coast Guard has published a booklet of FAQs titled "Nontank Vessel Response Plans (NTVRP) - Frequently Asked Questions - December 02, 2013". The FAQs are attached here in PDF format. They can also be viewed in the "
OUTLINE: This circular refers to Circular 18/13 United States Vessel Response Plans. Copies of the appropriate MSRC and NRC contracts are attached as PDFs to the website version of this circular. US Coast Guard has issued a set of FAQs on Non Tank Vessel Response Plans (NTVRP).
In a public statement of 8th November, the US Coast Guard Sector Anchorage announced increased enforcement of tank vessel response plan (VRP) requirements including monetary penalties for operators in violation of those federal regulations.
Owners of non-tank vessels calling at US ports will be required to submit their Vessel Response Plan (VRP) by 30th January 2014. This new requirement is being reviewed by the International Group and a more detailed circular will be issued in due course.
Advisory on Final Rule relating to Nontank Vessel Response Plan requirements confirms 30 January 2014 VRP submission date.
The UK P&I Club has revised and reissued the four booklets in its 'Book it Right and Pack it Tight' series. First produced eight years ago, these practical straightforward, well-illustrated, cross-referenced guides have been updated to embrace changes brought in by amendments to the Code.
The UK Club is hosting a specialist forum on the oil and shipping markets for Members, their brokers and other business leaders in Geneva on the 18th June.