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%.
The UK P&I Club have received the following information from local correspondents, Pandi Liquidadores S.R.L., regarding new regulations for controlling Asian Gypsy Moth when arriving in Argentinian ports
"The issue of garnishment in the Philippines is an issue that the Council firmly believes is of detriment to the employment of Filipino seafarers,....."
OUTLINE: The Group has revised its recommended pollution indemnity clause for charterparties. The revised clause has two amendments in respect of legal & defence costs and indemnity in the event of contributory fault. The clause was originally prompted by recent Australian legislation ( See our "Legal Briefing - Australia
OUTLINE: This circular refers to the earlier Circular 17/12 "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships"; A revised set of FAQs is attached to this circular taking account of the revised Detailed Rules although the further MSA Notice anticipated in circular 17/12 has not yet been published; If a new MSA Notice requires amendments of these attached FAQs a new set of FAQs will be issued in a future circular; The IG spill response contract issued with circular 17/12 has been revised further and is also attached to his circular.
Members must notify the Club at the earliest opportunity if they intend to load nickel ore from Indonesian or Philippine ports, and may prejudice cover if they fail to do so; This circular details the information that needs to be advised to the Club; This information is being compiled to identify those areas, ports & shippers that present particular difficulties, e.g. inaccurate cargo declarations; It remains the Members responsibility to ensure full compliance with the IMSBC Code; Mandatory notification applies only to cargoes of Nickel Ore to be loaded in Indonesia and the Philippines, and not to any other bulk cargoes
The Managers have been made aware that legislation has been passed in Indonesia which purports to place a ban on the expert of minerals from Indonesian ports, unless the shipper has been granted a specific export permit. The cargoes which may be affected include nickel ore, bauxite and iron ore. Reports suggest that ships which are scheduled to load or are in the process of loading ore cargoes may be subject to delays where the exporters of the cargo do not possess the relevant permit.
Updated information was posted this week on the Club website providing information and contact details on over 120 level one oil spill response contractors. Listings for filing agents and nine OSRO consortia are also available. All lists are published in English and Chinese. Since 1 January 2012 ships visiting China are required to contract with an approved oil spill response contractor. Advice and information on complying with the various regulations is collated and updated in the dedicated China pollution area of this website.
The issue of lists of all approved oil spill response contractors in Chinese ports by China's MSA, and due for publication this October, has been postponed,
Recommendations for ship operators regarding potential additional screening by US Coast Guard for vessels that have passed through waters near Honshu island.
The Club has published a checklist and guide to avoiding fires when carrying Indonesian coal cargoes in bulk. It is an 'aide memoire' for the guidance of shippers, shipowners, charterers, surveyors, ships' crews and other parties involved in the loading and carriage of cargoes of coal. Self-heating incidents involving coal cargoes loaded at Indonesian ports have become increasingly frequent in recent years. The problem appears to stem from the nature of these coals, possibly exacerbated by local handling loading.
PRC Marine Pollution Regulations released: The Club advises Members to refrain from entering agreements with clean-up contractors before "approved" list is provided.
The World Health Organisation website provide a useful selection of pages on radiation risks arising from the Japan earthquake. In addition the WHO publishes regular situation reports regarding radiation exposure through air, drinking water and locally grown foodstuffs.
The ports of Chiba, Kashima, Onahama and Sendai have reported damage and interruption to a number of their terminals. Individual details on terminal damage and/or interruption as at 13th April 2011 are set out below.
