Recent arbitration case stresses crucial need for precise party identification in charterparties, underlining importance of understanding signing parties' authority.
Landmark decision emphasizes carriers' obligation to uphold fundamental cargo delivery obligations when adopting new technology
The BWM Convention aimed at stopping the spread of potentially invasive aquatic species in ships' ballast water entered into force on 8 September 2017.
Discover guidelines for the efficient carriage of cargo in Non-Operating Reefers (NOR) to reduce repositioning costs
Situation in Yemen - Update
16/08/2017
The UK P&I Club have received the following update from local Yemeni correspondents.
Ships are alerted to expect an increased number of fishing boats when sailing in Chinese waters
11/08/2017
The UK P&I Club have received the following circular from correspondents Huatai, regarding potential collisions with fishing boats while sailing in Chinese waters as the fishing ban period in the region comes to an end.
On August 2, 2017, President Trump signed into law the "Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act". The Act imposes new and further sanctions on Iran, Russia and North Korea.
The UK Club has received the following update from correspondents, Omur Marine, regarding regulation of marine traffic in Turkish Straits.
Lessons Learnt: Stowaway Incident
02/08/2017
The vessel was scheduled to call at two West African ports for cargo operations. At the first port of call, all operations took place without any untoward incident. However, shortly after berthing alongside at the second port of call as preparations were underway to commence cargo discharge, the crew found two stowaways who had been hiding inside the deck crane pedestals.
Reference is made to Circulars 1/17 and 6/17 concerning developments with respect to IMO's International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and Sediments "The BWM Convention" as well as the status of the US Ballast Water Management (BWM) Regulations.
As from May 2018, it will be compulsory for vessels calling at ports in New Zealand to comply with the Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) for biofouling
The USCG Marine Safety Centre (MSC) has issued a Type Approval Certificate to Sunrui Marine Environment Engineering Co. Ltd for its Filtration/ Electrolysis ballast water treatment system. This brings the total number of systems approved by the USCG to date to four. Two further systems are currently under review.
U.S. Cuban Policy Update
20/06/2017
On June 16, 2017 President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum on Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba. In a speech on that date to Cuban-Americans in Miami, President Trump stated that he was immediately cancelling the Obama Administration's "one-sided deal with Cuba". The question is whether this new policy will impact international shipping.
Combined Maritime Forces
13/06/2017
On 12th June 2017, the Combined Maritime Forces issued a statement to the shipping industry on the recent attacks against merchant shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb. This statement serves as a reminder to mariners of the importance of following BMP4 and the benefits of registering with MSCHOA and UKMTO when sailing in the High Risk Area and Voluntary Reporting Area. A copy of the statement in full is below, but can also be found on the Combined Maritime Forces website here:
International Group Annual Review 2016-17
12/06/2017
Explore the International Group of P&I Clubs' Annual Review for 2016-17, highlighting key activities, regulatory challenges, and solutions for shipowners' liability insurance needs
: Dry cargo vessel
Lessons Learnt: Wet damage to cargo of maize
07/06/2017
Explore crucial lessons in cargo vessel safety improper hatch maintenance led to damaged maize cargo
The UK Club has received a number of updates from its correspondent network regarding the decision of a number of countries to cut diplomatic ties to Qatar.
Australia's Zero Tolerance for Asbestos - New ABF requirements for imports into Australia
26/05/2017
The UK Club has received the following update from its correspondents, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, regarding new requirements for imports in Australia.
The UK Club has received the attached update from Pandiman Philippines Inc. advising that martial law has been declared in Mindanao.