2015 has seen increased reporting of maritime casualties in the Mediterranean, as vessels carrying refugees from North Africa and the Middle East get into difficulties. Michael Ritter explains.
The UK P&I Club has joined forces with leading marine cargo insurer Allianz AGCS Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) to publish new practical guidance for shipowners and operators on how to carry heavy-lift and project cargoes safely at sea. Recent incidents with such cargoes have led to significant ship and cargo losses as well as multi-million dollar claims for consequential project delays.
Project Cargo Matters - Chinese Translation
18/05/2015
The UK P&I Club has joined forces with leading marine cargo insurer Allianz AGCS Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) to publish new practical guidance for shipowners and operators on how to carry heavy-lift and project cargoes safely at sea. Recent incidents with such cargoes have led to significant ship and cargo losses as well as multi-million dollar claims for consequential project delays.
Chinese law requires owners of ships carrying oil or other hazardous cargo in bulk, or any vessel over 10,000gt, to have made a contract with a qualified clean up company prior to calling at any Chinese port. The requirement has been in force since 1st January 2012. Ministry of Transport published a Notice on 18th March 2015, abolishing the SPRO qualification approval process. The IG has been informed by its legal advisor in Beijing that the abolition of the approval process will take effect following the formal amendment of the regulation, which is currently awaiting the State Council's approval.
The first pocket checklist in the series is designed as an aide-mémoire to supplement owners' operational and maintenance procedures, and should be used in conjunction with other guides in this series. Conveniently organised by distinct ship area, the checklist identifies the top fifty most common causes of ship detention. The pocket checklist is particularly useful when incorporated into pre-arrival checks, to ensure consideration has been given to all areas a PSC inspector will be concerned with.
The Hong Kong Government Environmental Protection Department has implemented restrictions on burning fuel oil whilst berthed alongside within the port limits of Hong Kong.
Ukraine - Ballast Water Sampling
06/04/2015
Important update for vessels with segregated ballast tanks in Ukraine: Changes in the law mean ecological inspectors are no longer permitted to board or sample ballast water
The Chinese Supreme People's Court recently issued an important direction on the practice and procedure to be adopted by regional courts in ship arrests and judicial sale. The Judicial Interpretation for Ship Arrest and Judicial Sale of 28th February, 2015 (the "Interpretation") became immediately effective on 1st March.
BP v Transocean
02/03/2015
The Texas Supreme Court handed down its much anticipated judgment in the Deepwater Horizon case on 13 February 2015.
The Coast Guard's Final Rule on the Standards for Living Organisms in Ship's Ballast Water Discharged in U.S
In recent week's more than 2000 migrants were rescued form the Mediterranean Sea, and several hundred lost their lives
Escalating instability in Yemen
17/02/2015
Due to the escalating instability in Yemen and increasing unrest in the region, many countries have begun to withdraw diplomats and personnel from the Yemeni capital city of Sanaa.
BIMCO publish new virulent disease clauses
03/02/2015
Prompted by the issues raised within the shipping industry as a result of the recent Ebola outbreak, together with the issues raised by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ("SARS") outbreak some 10 years ago, BIMCO have now drafted a new set of generic clauses (for voyage and time charters) dealing with infectious or contagious diseases.
United States Charts New Course on Cuba
30/01/2015
In mid December 2014, US President Obama announced changes in the embargo in place against Cuba since 1963. The goals of the changes are to improve human rights conditions and democratic reforms in Cuba as well as fostering improved conditions for the Cuban people. Issues of mutual concern such as migration, counter narcotic, environmental protection and human trafficking will be discussed.
EPA publishes new ECA penalty policy
19/01/2015
Members will be aware from the Club's legal briefing on stricter air pollution regulations and subsequent updates that from 1st January 2015 vessels trading in designated areas would have to use fuel on-board with a sulphur content of no more than 0.10%.
Iran Sanctions: Ship To Ship Transfers
19/01/2015
The Club has been made aware of recent attempts to export crude oil from Iran in breach of sanctions. On several occasions, oil has been carried from Iran, to Kor Fakkan UAE, under documents falsely describing the cargo as having been loaded in Iraq. It has then been delivered by ship-to-ship transfer to vessels bound for countries that do not benefit from a waiver under applicable US Sanctions legislation.
Paris MOU Guidelines on Fuel Availability
23/12/2014
Explore the Paris MOU guidelines on fuel availability, providing insights into MARPOL Annex VI regulations, ensuring compliance with sulphur content requirements, and addressing challenges in low-temperature conditions.
This Industry Guidance shall give assistance to ship owners, operators and crew to prepare for the changes in fuel characteristics and compliance with the new sulphur limits for ships fuel used in in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA) as of January 1, 2015
The final phase-out date for all single-hull tank vessels and all single-hull tank vessels with double sides or double bottoms, 46 USC 3703A, to operate carrying oil in bulk in U.S. waters, including the Exclusive Economic Zone, is 1st January 2015.
Stay informed on the latest Iran sanctions update: EU extends relief until June 30, 2015