As the maritime industry continues to prioritize the reduction of emissions, biofuels are gaining recognition as a crucial solution in the short and medium term
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) recently issued a Marine Notice to provide guidance to vessel owners, operators and masters of requirements for the use, the operation of, and steps to be taken in the event of malfunction to, Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) in Australian waters.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The ports of Chiba, Kashima, Onahama and Sendai have reported damage and interruption to a number of their terminals. Individual details on terminal damage and/or interruption as at 13th April 2011 are set out below.
Recommended pollution charterparty clauses were circulated to Members in 1990 in response to prospective oil pollution legislation in the United States of America and amended and consolidated in 1996 and 2008.
Recommended pollution charterparty clauses were circulated to Members in 1990 in response to prospective oil pollution legislation in the United States of America and amended and consolidated in 1996 and 2008.
This paper emphasises that differences between vessels and offshore facilities under OPA are necessary and that unlimited or unreasonable liability requirements for vessels under OPA should be opposed.
Gas carrier ships are not required to carry Blue Cards in compliance with the 1992 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC). International Group clubs have discontinued issuing Blue Cards for gas carriers, both LNG & LPG, with immediate effect. Exceptionally, some older LPG vessels which were constructed or adapted to carry persistent oil in bulk as cargo remain entitled to obtain Blue Cards.
