New Year changes
05/01/2012
Despite the extended Christmas and New Year break, the Knowledge & Developments section of our website provided new information through that period. In addition to the frequent news bulletins on implementation of spill response contractor arrangements in China, there have been loss prevention updates on US west coast air emission controls and our own circular on an SGM for incorporating rule changes into the 2012 Club Rules & Bye-Laws.
Circular 16/11: Directive 2009/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the Insurance of Shipowners for Maritime Claims
In a recent decision in the Southern District of New York the court held that the rail carrier (BNSF) could not apply the ocean carriers' COGSA package limit of USD 500, with regard to an export shipment of goods that were damaged during inland rail transit before the goods arrived at the ship.
Flooding in Bangkok area affects shipping
25/10/2011
Due to the ongoing threat of flooding in Thailand, shipments to and from the kingdom have been affected. Bulk rice and container shipping have been particularly subject to interruption and delay. Members requiring further information should contact the Club's local correspondent - Spica Services Bangkok
Three per cent general increase for 2012
20/10/2011
At their Board meeting in Athens on 17th October, our Directors decided that premium rating should be increased by three percent for 2012. This decision was taken in response to continuing underlying claims inflation. Although the frequency of claims had reduced significantly in 2009, 2010 and 2011, the average cost per claim has continued to increase over this period.
Education and awareness
30/09/2011
Club events in London, Singapore and New Jersey this month have sought to bring insight and understanding to Members on a variety of professional and operational subjects. This week saw the 34th celebration of World Maritime Day taking the theme: "Piracy: orchestrating the response". The IMO aim to highlight the efforts made to meet the challenges of modern-day piracy to the wider public, as well as guiding operators toward best practice in prevention.
The Thomas Miller Americas Bodily Injury Team Round Table brought together our Members' executives, both here in the United States and abroad, who have a special focus on bodily injury issues.
NEWS - Brazil CIC
02/09/2011
An important revision to the 'Inter-Club Agreement' takes effect from the 1st September this year. Our Club, in common with the other Group clubs is issuing a circular to inform Members of this change.
Flag States & armed guards
11/08/2011
Co-operation in loss prevention
04/08/2011
The UK Club works in co-operation with a number of industry associations and organisations to develop and distribute advice and information on various liability and claims related topics. Our loss prevention section features a selection of resources from the Nautical Institute that inform and assist Members on avoiding maritime incidents and adopting best practices from the industry. These include the Alert! and MARS reports and the serialised chapters from their publication "Bulk Carrier Practice".
Full Report & Accounts published - 28th July
28/07/2011
The financial statements of the UK Club are now available on our website. These provide the full report of another operating surplus for the year just ended and a further significant increase in the Club's free reserves and capital which now stand at $478 million, the highest they have ever been. The Directors Report & Financial Statements can be downloaded as a pdf. Key topics such as underwriting, claims and reinsurance are also presented as individual web pages.
Luke Readman Retires
21/07/2011
Armed guards on Italian flagged ships
15/07/2011
Italy has finally ruled in favour of the lawfulness of employment of armed guards on board of Italian flagged vessels by Decree Law n.107. dated 12 July 2011.
On the 23rd June, the US Government issued a Joint Statement on Iran Sanctions which added the main provider of Iranian port services, Tidewater Middle East Co, to its Specially Designated Nationals ("SDN") list. The US government has included Tidewater Middle East on the basis that its ports have been used "to export arms or related materiel in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs)". This item was amended on 4th July to explain more specifically the Club's cover in relation to the port operator, rather than the geographic port .
Day of the Seafarer - a 'new media' success
30/06/2011
The UK Club was proud to have been one of the participants in the IMO's new media initiative in celebration of the Day of the Seafarer on the 25th June. Initial feedback from the IMO's New Media Officer, Karine Langlois showed an enthusiastic take up on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Safety at Sea awards 2011 (23rd June 2011)
23/06/2011
For the second year running our Club sponsored the Training award for the Safety at Sea awards. Our loss prevention Karl Lumbers presented the award at a ceremony on board the museum warship, HMS Belfast. The winner of the award was the organisation Seafish Industry for their damage control training for fishermen.
Day of the Seafarer 2011
16/06/2011
In 2010, IMO Member States agreed that the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole, should be marked annually with a 'Day of the Seafarer'.
Following the continuing success of its main Insight Course in London, a second course is to be held this year at the Athens Hilton Hotel on the 6th to the 7th December. "An insight into transport law and insurance" is a practical, extensive two-day course for the non-insurance specialist. Places on the course are limited and priority in applications will be given to Club Members.