Recently, and in particular during the summer period, the Club has noticed a spike in stowaway cases, hence the below article serves as a refresher on what is already known as well as an update on the practical problems and implications for Owners that may arise in connection with the disembarkation and repatriation of stowaways.

Dee O' Leary explains how a prompt and efficient investigation by Tom Nork, a partner at Holman, Fenwick and Willan, saved a foreign shipowner from a potential million-dollar claim

The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore recently issued Port Marine Circular No.19 of 2022 which introduced a requirement for all non-vaccinated crew arriving in Singapore after 28th August to perform a pre-departure COVID test 2 days before arrival and hold valid travel insurance which covers them for all COVID risks. 

During the 110th session of the International Labour Conference, held from 27 May to 11 June 2022, the plenary session approved additional amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006)

The Club would like to draw Members' attention to the latest circular from OASIS P&I Services Ltd., a local correspondent in China

We have been working with over 200 members of our correspondents network to produce a comprehensive document that outlines challenges and changes for crew changes in ports

The UK Club’s local correspondents, Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultant Service Ltd, have issued a circular on the announcement of the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Customs on Effectively Implementing Remote Prevention and Control Measures of the COVID-19 for Vessels Engaged in International Voyages.

We have collated a range of industry best practice guidelines and relevant pages of organisations including the World Health Organization, International Labor Organization, and the International Maritime Organization.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to dominate the headlines around the world

We have received the following clarification from our local correspondents, Budd Group, regarding the situation with vaccines in Ghana.

World Health Organization (WHO) releases an implementation guide for the management of Covid-19 on board cargo ships and fishing vessels.

Covid-19 was declared as a global pandemic by the WHO on 11th March 2020 and continues to affect people around the world.

Cruise Line successfully sought injunctive relief from Florida's New COVID-19 Documentation Statute

The Club would like to draw Members' attention to the latest update dated 20.09.21 below from the Club's Legal Correspondents Cocks MacNish, Australia; previous updates from the correspondents on this subject may be accessed below this latest update.

The Club is pleased to issue the following guidance from our Club Correspondent Oasis P&I regarding their circular No_2107: Updates on Chinese Ports after Recent Regional Outbreaks of Covid-19 in China.

Following the restrictions on travel imposed since March 2020 to deal with the spread of Covid-19, ship owners and managers have hunted for alternative locations for crew changes on ships.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced that 47 individuals and 7 companies, including ocean-going vessel interests, were penalized between November 2020 and June 2021 for breaching safe management regulations, apparently related to the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020.​

This Guidance addresses legal, liability and insurance issues that could potentially arise for shipowners from or in connection with vaccinations of crew for coronavirus (COVID-19).

This publication answers some frequently asked questions (FAQ's) relating to P&I Club Cover and the vaccination of seafarers

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has recently published Coronavirus (COVID-19): Roadmap for Vaccination of International Seafarers setting out procedures for all stakeholders to facilitate crew inoculation during the pandemic.