Legal updates from Hai Tong & Partners
04/05/2020
The Club would like to remind Members that commercial vessels calling at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will, in addition to complying with the U.S. federal government's enforcement of MARPOL Annex VI and the California Air Resources Board's enforcement of its low-sulphur and shore power connection (At-Berth) regulations, also have to ensure compliance with the rules of the South Coast Air Quality Management District ("AQMD").
IACS position on surveys
22/04/2020
IACS is committed to supporting the maritime industry through the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID19 pandemic.
Further to their recent Circular Ref No: PNI [2020] 05 bringing to our attention China MSA's version 2.0 of their "Guidance on the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 on board", the Club's Correspondents, Messrs Huatai Marine, have now issued a new Circular Ref No: PNI [2020] 06 providing Members with the latest update on crew changes in Chinese ports.
New Lessons Learnt Video: Mooring Injury
16/04/2020
The animated video depicts a mooring accident that occurred when a bulk carrier was discharging cargo alongside a mineral terminal. While repositioning the vessel astern the terminal, using only mooring lines and with the engine on stand-by, the master became concerned the vessel was developing excessive sternway.
The USCG in its Marine Safety Information Bulletin (IMSB) dated 9 April 2020, notes that disruptions to supply chains and workforce availability in the current COVID-19 pandemic can lead to delays in the installation and the commissioning of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS). The Coast Guard is, therefore, adjusting its extension policy under the US Ballast Water Management Regulations for vessels which may be impacted by the pandemic, with BWTS compliance dates before 1 April 2021. In instances where the pandemic has made it impractical to perform necessary or scheduled work on a vessel;
On 29 March, China MSA issued their updated Guidance on the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Onboard. This is an update on Version 1.0 issued on 17 March. The UK Club's Correspondents, Messrs Huatai, have helpfully summarised the amendments in their Circular Ref No.: PNI [2020] 05. The main amendments are the introduction of guidance on crew change operations and precautionary measures to minimise an "overseas epidemic".
Cyber Scams on the Rise!
10/04/2020
Michael Carroll and David Thompson of Signum Services, the in-house investigative arm of UK P&I Club issues this reminder to colleagues, Members and their staff to be extra vigilant, alert and cautious during this Covid-19 period when confinement orders in place in many countries are requiring staff to work from home from their personal laptops and computers.
Unique discount for UK Club Members
09/04/2020
Our Crew Health team are pleased to announce a unique, discounted rate for all UK Club Members to access a superb wellness package thanks to our newest partners, Tapiit Ltd.
When is a peril a piracy? Was there an attack on the vessel? Were there persons acting maliciously? Was there an act of vandalism? What there a "sabotage" of the vessel?
Failure to pass title in goods - Allocation of risks - Defence of common mistake - Status of a warehouse receipt - Bailment of goods - Limitation provisions in warehouse's terms and conditions - Estoppel
Whether master presented by Shipper's with clean BL to sign was provided with warranty that cargo shipped in good order and condition - Consideration of Article III rules 3 and 5 of the Hague Rules.
Catering standards on Cargo Ships
09/04/2020
UK Club Risk Assessor, Captain Markus Westphal, takes a hard look at catering standards on-board cargo ships and provides useful advice on what crew members can do to keep themselves and their crewmates safe from illness, such as food poisoning.
Lessons Learnt: Bunker Spill
08/04/2020
At the time of the incident the subject vessel was alongside loading bulk cargo. At the same time heavy fuel oil was being loaded from a bunker barge. Weather conditions were good but it was very cold (-20 C°) and there was thick ice and snow on deck.
Parana River: Draft Restrictions
08/04/2020
The UK Club has received the following circular from correspondents, Pandi Liquiadores SRL, regarding draft restrictions in the Parana River.
International Group online COVID-19 tracker
07/04/2020
The International Group has today launched a new publicly accessible online digital tool to assist shipowners, charterers, operators and other parties in the maritime sector track country and port specific advice around the world, detailing the measures being put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These are uncertain times as the COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for the industry and society at large.
The UK P&I Club successfully conducted two webinars on the 2nd of April and 6th May from its Singapore office. In view of the social distancing measures put into place by the industry, this was one of the ways the UK P&I Club has adapted to service its Members and ensure the safety of its Membership and entered tonnage. The webinars addressed the following topics:
Oasis P&I: Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
03/04/2020
Oasis P&I have issued the following update on the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus in China, advising on port operations and measures taken by the authorities to contain the spread of the outbreak.
In Part I of this article, the authors introduced the three new eBL providers whose blockchain based systems were recently approved by the International Group (IG), and provided an overview on how their systems work