A set of new rules on prevention and control of vessel-sourced pollution to inland waters (Rules on Administration of the Prevention and Control of Pollution Caused by Vessels to Inland Water Environment 2015) was issued by the Ministry of Transport of P.R.China ("MOT") in December 2015. The new Rules will repeal its 2005 predecessor when they come into force on 1 May 2016.
The International Chamber of Shipping reports that there are currently around 1.2 million seafarers actively serving on vessels in the world merchant fleet. Given the financial exposure that crew claims pose for Members; Amanda Hastings, Claims Executive for the People Claims team looks at one element of crew illness claims - work-related disease. Looking at the key contractual provisions for work-related illness under the Philippines Overseas Employment Agency Standard Employment Contract (POEA SEC), the challenges posed by contracts which fall silent on definitions of work-related illness and advice to Members on mitigating liability in these types of claim.
