In the latest series of 'Ask an Expert' Ansuman Ghosh spoke with Sven Lataire of SGS about the specific purposes, methods, challenges, advantages and disadvantages, and future trends of gas sampling.
An international one day seminar on oil pollution response was held in Rio de Janeiro on 31 August 2017, jointly sponsored by the UK Club, Petrobras/Transpetro and ITOPF, and was held at the Transpetro Academy.
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.
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.
Lloyd's Register, UK P&I Club, and Intercargo have released an update to the popular International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code pocket guide, designed for ships' officers and agents who arrange cargoes for loading.
In a public statement of 8th November, the US Coast Guard Sector Anchorage announced increased enforcement of tank vessel response plan (VRP) requirements including monetary penalties for operators in violation of those federal regulations.
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.
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.
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.
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
The EU's formal Regulation implementing the enhanced sanctions against Iran proposed in January this year has now been issued. The position of shipowners in respect of the ban on transport of Iranian crude, petroleum products and petro-chemical products is largely unchanged from the EU Decision of 23 January. However, the position of insurers and reinsurers has been relaxed somewhat in response to strong lobbying from the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG) over the past two months.
