We have been advised that from the 1st September 2003 all ships sailing under the Argentinian flag, or any vessel which has loaded cargo in Argentina for discharge in Iran, will be forbidden entry into all Iranian ports.
Further to LP Bulletin 313 which advised that the Mumbai Port Trust intended to require all ships to submit a valid certificate of P&I cover prior to being granted access into Mumbai port, we have now been informed that following a meeting between the MPT and the correspondents of the P&I Clubs on the 29th July 2003, the Port Circular dated 8th July 2003 containing this order has been withdrawn with immediate effect.
We have been advised that the Chinese authorities may shortly start taking action to protect their home soya bean market.
We have been advised by one of our Members of a recent case in which a ship, whilst transiting the River Schelde, was inspected and found to fail the sulphur content limit required by the EC Air Pollution Act Directive 199/32.
We have been advised that from the 31st July 2003 all applications to enter Mumbai port must be accompanied by a valid certificate of P&I cover.
As of 1st July 2003 all ships constructed before 1st July 1998 must comply with regulation II-2/15.2.11 of SOLAS.
302 - 05/03 - Incorrect declaration of medicines in ship's first aid kits - Novorossiysk - Russia
30/04/2003
We have been advised recently that the Novorossiysk Customs have been initiating cases against shipowners for administrative violations for false declaration of medicines that contain narcotic, psychotropic or poisonous components, contained in the ship's first aid kit. Criminal cases have also been brought against ships' masters on the basis that they have signed the general customs declarations.
303 - 05/03 - Restrictions in discharge of water used to wash holds - Mississippi and Calcasieu Rivers - USA
We have been advised that from the 22nd July 2003 tough new rules to target high risk ships will be introduced by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Port State Control Members.
We would like to advise Members that as from 1st January 2004, the IMDG Code will become mandatory under international law as IMDG Code Amendment 31. At present the Code is advisory and only law if adopted as such by individual countries. Under this new mandatory measure, there are exceptions for certain sections that will remain recommendatory, with the amendment of SOLAS Chapter VII.
A number of Members have raised questions about the potential impact of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) on shipowners' liabilities, and about appropriate loss prevention measures.
We would like to advise Members that there has recently been an increase in the number of claims raised by Alexandria Port Authority, in particular El Dekeila port, for damage to fenders and quays. This increase has not only affected the number of claims, but also to the value. Alexandria Port Authority (APA) insists on immediate payment for its claims prior to departure of the vessel concerned.
We refer to LP Bulletins 274 12/02 and 285 02/03 that explained the requirements for ocean cargo manifest information to be received by the US government at least 24 hours prior to loading the cargo at the foreign port. Enforcement of the rule began on February 2nd 2003, with initial enforcement efforts focused only on the cargo description field. On April 4th 2003 the next phases for enforcement were announced that relate only to the 24-hour rule for inbound ocean shipments. Other modes will be subject to regulations under the Trade Act of 2002, which will be issued this autumn.
We have been advised that in the last few months there have been occasions, where, during pilotage duties on the Mississippi river transit, certain pilots have been using personal mobile telephones excessively. In one reported case, during a five hour pilotage, a pilot spent no less than four hours on his cellular phone, in spite of a large sign on the bridge front bulkhead stating that cellular phones might interfere with navigational instruments. During the same pilotage it was also noted that the helm orders were less than clear as the pilot just turned his head and mumbled the orders.
291 - 03/03 - Permitted Trade - Iraq
01/03/2003
Members will be aware that the United Nations imposed economic sanctions upon Iraq in 1990. A number of shipping publications have recently reported an increase in the amount of oil exported from Iraq in apparent compliance with exceptions to those sanctions. The Club has received a number of questions regarding the UN sanctions and in light of this take the opportunity of outlining some of the requirements that must be established to ensure lawful compliance.