The Court of Appeal has unanimously overturned the High Court decision in The Eternal Bliss [2021] EWCA Civ 1712.

In December 2020, the Club provided the below update on the California ballast water discharge regulations reporting that the California State Lands Commission (CSLC) had issued a notice of Approval of Amendment to Articles of the California Code of Regulations, these amendments will become effective on 1 January 2022.

The regulations in Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) address air pollution from ships and include energy efficiency and fuel quality requirements designed to reduce harmful emissions from shipping.

Members are referred to Transport Canada’s Ship Safety Bulletin (SSB) 12/2021 which clarifies requirements for vessels under the Interim Order for the Protection of the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2021 which came into force on 1 June 2021.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted Resolution MSC.428(98) Maritime Cyber Risk Management in Safety Management Systems on 16 June, 2017.

The Philippines’ Supreme Court decides that a seafarer's heirs are entitled to death benefits.

On 11 September 2020, the IMO posted a Joint Statement by the United Nations Specialized Agencies calling on all Governments to immediately recognise seafarers as key workers and to take swift and effective action to eliminate obstacles to crew changes.

Jacqueline is a qualified barrister and solicitor handling FDD and P&I cases for many years. She is Legal Services Manager at Thomas Miller, editor of the Club’s legal publications and also a member of Thomas Miller’s Legal and Environmental Team. Jacqueline speaks Malay, French and Hokkien.

This article outlines some key information regarding Letters of Indemnity and addresses some frequently asked questions.

Guidelines to support the use of ERBs were adopted by the Committee.

The California Air Resources Board approved a new regulation designed to further reduce pollution from ocean-going vessels while docked at California’s busiest ports.

Following years of discussion and preparation, the German maritime law was amended in 2013.

Due to a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in China linked to vessels arriving at Chinese ports following crew changes, the local Customs Authority has introduced enhanced procedures for testing crew members for Covid-19 when vessels call at Chinese ports.

The Club’s correspondents in Australia, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, advise of an increase in fines for those polluting Australian waters.

During the last few weeks, U.S. authorities have increased their focus on international shipping in a recent escalation of sanctions.

These Guiding Opinions will be of assistance to all Members trading to or from China, or who are currently involved in litigation proceedings in China. 

The Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976 sets uniform rules relating to the limitation of liability for maritime claims.

Last week saw significant developments in the U.S. sanctions programs targeting Venezuela and Iran.

On 27th April 2020, the English High Court (Mr Justice Teare) gave guidance on the requirements imposed by International Group LOI wordings and the position of intermediate parties in an LOI chain, in circumstances where an LOI is given to enable cargo to be delivered without production of the original Bill of Lading.