In a press briefing dated 21 December 2020, the Secretary-General of the IMO spoke out against “no crew change” clauses in charterparties.

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.

Members are often asked to accept letters of indemnity (LOIs) from their shippers or charterers in return for the delivery of cargo without presentation of original bills of lading, the delivery of cargo at a port other than that named in the bill of lading (or both) and in various other circumstances.

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.

On 5 August, 2020, the Supreme Court of India handed down its judgement in the case of The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Cochin Port Trust v M/S Arebee Star Maritime Agencies Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. 

The Club would like to draw Members’ attention to the latest Circular No. 2010 (Updated): Prohibited Areas for Military Exercise in Bohai, Yellow Sea, East Sea and South Sea of China from Late August to the End of September, 2020

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.

New NBIC Ballast Water Management Reporting Form

The Supreme Court considers the POEA-SEC and rules that a seafarer’s heirs are entitled to death benefits for work related illness even if death occurs after the term of his employment contract.

The English Commercial Court has ruled in favour of the defendant charterers in a demurrage dispute that examined the choice of route and care for cargo.

The UK hosted an international maritime virtual summit on 9 July on the impact of COVID-19 on crew changes, attended by 15 countries.

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.