The UK P&I Club Brazil correspondents, Proinde, have provided the attached guide on cargo clearance and delivery in Brazil.
Cold Treatment Failure Delays
21/04/2017
The Club has seen an increase in refrigerated cargo claims for fresh fruit from South America to the United States due to cold treatment failure. Cold treatment failure delays the arrival of the cargo to the US. Excessive delays in the transit time could result in the fruit becoming unmarketable or sold at a much lower price.
Top 25 causes of container claims
21/04/2017
This booklet has been designed as a ready use tabbed reference book to be used by Ship's crew and office-based operations staff as a training aid and assistance in the event of an incident. Following a review by the Club which identified the top 25 causes of claims in containers. The publication has been written in conjunction with TMC Marine Consultancy, a leading maritime consultancy with surveyors specialising in container stowage as well as Jensen Associates an independent expert consultancy and survey company, specialising in the international trade of perishable products.
The Clubs' Correspondents have issued advice on aspects of quality and conditions the vessel should pay attention to during loading of bulk agricultural products, as well as points to consider while arranging steel surveys in South Russian ports of the Black sea.
Risk Focus: Hatch Covers
10/04/2017
Are the ships' hatch covers weathertight? This seemingly simple but important question is what surveyors, whether acting on behalf of P&I clubs, shippers, charterers or courts have to answer on a regular basis.
Petar Modev, Senior Loss Prevention Executive at UK P&I Club, in conjunction with CWA International, advises on the safe carriage of soya beans.
In October 2016 the U.S. Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") announced further amendments to the Cuban Asset Control Regulations ("CACR"), which restrict the scope of the application of the "180 day rule," by permitting ships to carry a wider range of cargos to be imported to Cuba from third countries without their being subject to the '180 day rule'.
Revised Joint industry publication sets out Guidelines for the carriage of Calcium Hypochlorite
30/01/2017
The International Group and CINS have issued revised joint industry guidance on the carriage of Calcium Hypochlorite by sea (first publication in May 2016) that now takes account of the package limit of 100lb drums under US measurement as well as the previously stated package limit of 45kg net weight.
Port authorities may require evidence of insurance prior to the expiry of current documents. Ships without 2017 policy year documentation prior to 20th February may face trading delays.
The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF) latest press release is on the downward trend in oil spills from tankers.
China has ratified the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007 and the Convention will enter into force in China from 11 February 2017. The Chinese MSA published a notice on the application procedure for WRC Certificates.
China Ratifies the Wreck Removal Convention
12/01/2017
China has ratified the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007 and the Convention will enter into force in China from 11 February 2017.
Members are reminded that the IMSBC Code amendment 03-15 as incorporated in IMO resolution MSC.393(95) entered into force on 1st January 2017.
2017 Reinsurance rates announced
14/12/2016
The International Group today announced that it had concluded terms for 2017 in respect of the excess of loss reinsurance.
Circular 20/16: 2017 POLICY YEAR
13/12/2016
For the 2017 policy year, the Club retention will remain $10 million. The Group Pooling retention will remain unchanged at $80 million and continues to be insured by the Group captive, Hydra, and pre-funded by a premium contribution from each club. This premium is included in the reinsurance rates.
Risk Focus: Engine Room Fires
05/12/2016
The UK Club has teamed up with experts in forensic investigation, Burgoynes, to produce the latest Risk Focus on Engine Room Fires. Engine room fires are one of the most common fires on ships owing to the presence of a wide range of sources of fuel, sources of ignition and running machinery. An extended period of time on board a ship without a fire incident can lead to complacency and a failure to prioritise fire prevention measures and simulated fire incident practices.
On 2 December, the USCG issued the first USCG Ballast Water Management System Type Approval Certificate to Norwegian manufacturer, Optimarin AS, the attached ECM Maritime Services Client alert 24-2016 reports.
Members will recall that substantial increases in the liability limits set by the 1976 London Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC) as amended by the 1996 LLMC Protocol, were agreed by the IMO Legal Committee in 2012.
In Vinnlustodin HFVatryggingaffelag Islands HF vs Sea Tank Shipping AS [2016], the English Commercial Court was required to determine a preliminary "Limitation Issue"
Press Release: Hepatitis B - the number one reason for crew failing pre-employment medical tests
28/10/2016
Dr Balaji of Balaji Medical Centre, a clinic which is part of the UK P&I PEME programme, comments on the dangers of hepatitis B, the silent epidemic.