Bulk carriers entered in the UK Club have the lowest number of Port State Control deficiencies when inspected according to the latest edition of "Benchmarking Bulk Carriers" published by Intercargo.
Owners of non-tank vessels calling at US ports will be required to submit their Vessel Response Plan (VRP) by 30th January 2014. This new requirement is being reviewed by the International Group and a more detailed circular will be issued in due course.
Advisory on Final Rule relating to Nontank Vessel Response Plan requirements confirms 30 January 2014 VRP submission date.
The UK P&I Club has revised and reissued the four booklets in its 'Book it Right and Pack it Tight' series. First produced eight years ago, these practical straightforward, well-illustrated, cross-referenced guides have been updated to embrace changes brought in by amendments to the Code.
The UK Club is hosting a specialist forum on the oil and shipping markets for Members, their brokers and other business leaders in Geneva on the 18th June.
When bulk cargoes shift, liquefy, catch fire or explode as a consequence of poor loading procedures, the consequences can be massive.
OUTLINE: This circular refers to the earlier Circular 17/12 "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships"; A revised set of FAQs is attached to this circular taking account of the revised Detailed Rules although the further MSA Notice anticipated in circular 17/12 has not yet been published; If a new MSA Notice requires amendments of these attached FAQs a new set of FAQs will be issued in a future circular; The IG spill response contract issued with circular 17/12 has been revised further and is also attached to his circular.
Gas Matters - LP News Supplement
02/11/2012
A focus on some of the issues surrounding gas tanker fleets in the P&I world
Impact of Iran LNG sanctions
26/10/2012
The European Union Council's decision to prohibit the transport of natural gas from Iran extends to the insurance of such transport. It is likely to have an immediate impact on Members whether or not subject to EU jurisdictions. When the decision takes effect, the Club will not provide cover to any Member in respect of carriage of natural gas originated in Iran.
EU sanctions on Iran extend to natural gas
23/10/2012
On the 16th October an EU Council decision declared a prohibition on the transport of natural gas to Iran. The ban extends the insurance and reinsurance of such transport so will have impact on Members whether or not subject to the EU jurisdictions. When the Decision takes effect, the Club will be prohibited from providing cover to any Member in respect of carriage of natural gas originated in Iran.
New European Union Measures against Iran - Council Regulation 267/2012 dated 23 March 2012 - Frequently Asked Questions - Updated on 14th August 2012.
The Club has become aware of a string of cases of poorly secured dangerous goods, more specifically, Sulphur being exported from St. Petersburg, Russia. This has led to two other related shipments being stopped and inspected in two separate European ports.
This Circular amends Circular ref. 1/12 regarding application of 50 per cent rebate of the US tanker voyage additional premium. The 50 per cent reduction on premium rates for voyages involving loading or lightering of persistent oil cargo in the US will not be restricted to LOOP and the four designated areas described in Circular ref 1/12. The reduction will continue to be applied to other lightering areas approved by the US Coast Guard on the same basis as prior to Circular 1/12
Members must notify the Club at the earliest opportunity if they intend to load nickel ore from Indonesian or Philippine ports, and may prejudice cover if they fail to do so; This circular details the information that needs to be advised to the Club; This information is being compiled to identify those areas, ports & shippers that present particular difficulties, e.g. inaccurate cargo declarations; It remains the Members responsibility to ensure full compliance with the IMSBC Code; Mandatory notification applies only to cargoes of Nickel Ore to be loaded in Indonesia and the Philippines, and not to any other bulk cargoes
The Managers have been made aware that legislation has been passed in Indonesia which purports to place a ban on the expert of minerals from Indonesian ports, unless the shipper has been granted a specific export permit. The cargoes which may be affected include nickel ore, bauxite and iron ore. Reports suggest that ships which are scheduled to load or are in the process of loading ore cargoes may be subject to delays where the exporters of the cargo do not possess the relevant permit.
Updated FAQs have been issued by the International Group following discussions with the UK Treasury
The Club has become aware that several containers imported to the United States have been placed on hold at their discharge ports due to unacceptable levels of radiation. The radiation is caused by scrap metal containing Cobalt-60 which could have inadvertently been incorporated into the product during manufacturing. The containers placed on hold were booked as bath products and originated in China and India.
The attached FAQs issued by the International Group of P&I Clubs address the the legal Status of EU Council Regulation 267/2012; the effect of the "grace periods"; and the impact on the cover provided by clubs