The UK P&I Club successfully conducted two webinars on the 2nd of April and 6th May from its Singapore office. In view of the social distancing measures put into place by the industry, this was one of the ways the UK P&I Club has adapted to service its Members and ensure the safety of its Membership and entered tonnage. The webinars addressed the following topics:
Oasis P&I have issued the following update on the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus in China, advising on port operations and measures taken by the authorities to contain the spread of the outbreak.
In Part I of this article, the authors introduced the three new eBL providers whose blockchain based systems were recently approved by the International Group (IG), and provided an overview on how their systems work. Here in Part II, we take a look at the recent products and initiatives of Bolero and essDOCS, two of the first generation eBL providers. We also take a look at cyber risks again and at whether the paper BL, as a tool, is still fit for purpose in today’s international trade.
Further to the UK Club’s recent Legal Update on Electronic Bills of Lading (Part I & Part II), the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers are provided for Members’ additional guidance.
The International Group, in partnership with shipping industry associations, have launched new maritime security guidance. The Best Management Practices, West Africa is a new addition to the established BMP series and provides threat mitigation guidance on counter-piracy/armed robbery at sea.
The UK Club's network partners, the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), have issued the following advice for seafarers and shipping companies on coronavirus.
The Club’s local correspondents in Turkey have issued an important Circular advising that Turkish customs officers have been boarding vessels at random to check/ measure bunker quantities on board in order to verify declared bunker quantities in vessels’ pre-arrival documents. These checks are being carried out under Turkey’s Anti-Smuggling Code (Law numbered 5607). Under Article 3/1 of the Code, any individual found to have imported goods into Turkey in disregard of the customs procedures shall be punished by a prison term of between 1 to 5 years, in addition to a monetary fine of up to 10,000 days*. Please refer to the Circular for additional details.
Marpol Annex VI requires ships to reduce SOx emissions either by burning low sulphur fuel or by cleaning the exhaust gas. Exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), also known as “scrubbers”, have been fitted onboard many ships as an acceptable equivalent method of compliance under Marpol Annex VI. Many more ships are intending to have scrubbers fitted.
The recent worldwide outbreak of Covid-19 (coronavirus) has affected the availability of crew and opportunity for crew changes within the global fleet. Travel restrictions and additional screening have compounded the issue.
The Club would like to draws Members’ attention to the recent Advisoryissued by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) providing modifications and clarifications regarding the establishment of guarantees for transit reservation and transit itinerary creation fees. (3/20/20)
Members are reminded of the MSA’s Guidance on its Implementation Scheme of 2020 Global Marine Fuel Oil Sulphur Cap (“the Scheme”) announced on 23 October 2019.
Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultancy Service Ltd, the Club’s local correspondents in China, are continuing to monitor the situation closely so that we can keep Members closely updated on this developing situation.
Welcome to Thomas Miller Connect, our new digital portal specially designed to give Members and Brokers convenient and fast access to any of their entries with the UK P&I Club, UK Defence Club and TT Club. You can connect to one, two or all three Clubs from any device – whenever you want.
The Crisis Management Team (CMT) is ensuring Thomas Miller and its business is responding swiftly to a rapidly changing situation. Central to Thomas Miller’s Business Continuity arrangements is our ability to work remotely. Our Shanghai and Hong Kong offices have been able to work from home fully and effectively since the start of the outbreak in January, allowing normal business operations to continue. From Thursday 19th March all our UK and Mainland European offices, Hong Kong and Shanghai, and US based offices will be working remotely. We will of course maintain the same high levels of service our Members have come to expect from the UK Club.
