Antigua - MLC 2006 compliance resources
29/04/2012
Regulations and advisories in relation to Antigua's ratification of MLC 2006 and implementation through its national maritime legislation.
Regulations and advisories on United Kingdom's ratification of MLC 2006 and its implementation through national maritime legislation.
The EU Council has now agreed a Regulation to implement enhanced sanctions against Iran, including a ban on transport of Iranian crude, petroleum products and petro-chemical products, as was expected in the light of the EU Decision of 23 January. There is now an exception to the insurance ban, for third party and environmental insurance, although only up until 1 July for crude oil and petroleum products and only until 1 May for petro-chemical products. It is not clear whether the position will be reviewed again before those dates.
Financial sanctions & cover
23/02/2012
Members who can trade lawfully with sanctioned countries need to be aware that financial sanctions may restrict the Club's ability to protect them in the event of a P&I incident. The Club has issued
On 23rd January the EU Council published a Decision which prohibits the import, purchase or transport of crude oil, as well as petroleum and petrochemical products from Iran. It also prohibits the provision of insurance relating to their transport.
Update and Overview of Syria Sanctions
02/02/2012
Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 provides a comprehensive regulation overview of the various goods, services and activities in respect of Syria which are currently subject to sanctions. Issued on 18 January 2012, a PDF of the regulation is attached here. An outline of the key items and activities where compliance with EU sanctions is required is set out in the section "Update on sanctioned goods, services and activities as at 18th January 2012" below.
Immediate access to 2012 documentation
26/01/2012
Members who have renewed their entries for 2012 should be receiving PDF copies of their documentation by email, either directly or via their brokers. The documents contained in that PDF attachment should be printed on a colour printer and treated as original documents. Please note that we will not be issuing hard copies of these documents. If Members' staff need to access documentation urgently and have not received the PDF copy, direct and immediate downloads from the website can be obtained by the following procedure.
2012 Reinsurance rates announced
13/01/2012
The International Group reinsurance sub-committee announced today that it had concluded terms for 2012 in respect of the excess of loss reinsurance and the oil pollution surcharge for US voyages. The Club will formally publish its customary circulars in due course, however, Members may wish to be aware of the proposed rates for the 2012 policy year.
A number of local MSAs have now issued their local notices. Here is a brief summary with attachments for information.
The UK Treasury has now confirmed that it considers that insurers/reinsurers in the EU are prohibited from providing cover in relation to shipments of crude oil or petroleum products, even where the transportation ban does not apply (because the ships and persons involved are unconnected with the EU).
EU Council Regulation - (EU) No 878/2011 entered into force on 2 September, with new measures to target the importation, financing, transport, insurance and reinsurance of crude oil or petroleum products originating from Syria. The Regulation takes the form of an amendment to an earlier regulation (442/2011) in which the scope of applicability is defined as shown below.
Increased liabilities under OSRO contracts
01/09/2011
Last week the Club published circular 10/11 in respect of the increased liabilities that Members may potentially incur under the amended contract terms of one of the US based oil spill response organisations (OSRO). We strongly recommend all Members who might be affected to refer to this circular and check their vessel response plan arrangements.
We are grateful to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA) for their permission in reproducing the following table of flag state rules in respect of private armed guards
Report & Accounts 2011
28/07/2011
Armed guards - 21 July 2011
21/07/2011
Despite recent media suggestions, there is no formal white list of 'approved' marine security companies maintained by UK Club. However, there are numerous contracts between our Members and such companies that have been approved, in many cases after amendments suggested by us. Approval of a contract does not mean that we have vetted or approved the company in a wider sense - we haven't.
Sanctions targets
13/07/2011
The last eighteen months has seen numerous new sanctions regimes introduced by the EU, UN and the U.S. Amongst the shipping community, there has naturally been a heavy focus on Iranian and Libyan sanctions. It is important to understand, however, that there are now a whole host of countries facing sanctions from the EU, UN and U.S.
Stowaways: a perennial problem
07/07/2011
The recent tragedy in the Red Sea where nearly 200 migrants from the Sudan drowned whilst sailing for Saudi Arabia is a reminder of the scale of international human migration. Many such migrants attempt to smuggle themselves on board international merchant ships in search of a better and safer life abroad.
South African Review - June 2011
30/06/2011
Welcome to the first edition of our joint UK P&I and UK Defence Club review for our South African Members. In this review, one of our correspondents gives an overview of stowaway problems, with specific reference to local South African issues. The question of armed guards on-board ship as a counter to piracy is also reviewed on page 7. Whilst not prohibited by P&I cover per se, some difficult issues arise from the implementation of armed guards in respect of firearms regulations.
UK Club Anti-bribery policy
30/06/2011
As a mutual insurer for ship operators we set great store by fairness between Members and probity when dealing on their behalf. In support of our commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards of business practice we hold a 'zero-tolerance' stance towards bribery. Bribery is illegal and as such has no place in our organisation. This policy also applies to all third parties who act on behalf of the UK Club.
UKDC End of Year Review 2011
27/05/2011
Total number of ships entered: 3,493