News

This update is in response to the recent changes in Turkish environmental law and the significantly higher pollution fines that are now being imposed by the authorities. The intention of this update is to enhance Members’ awareness and provide some practical tips for reducing potential exposure to such fines.

On 4 September, the U.S. authorities took steps in the form of an Advisory to the Maritime Petroleum Shipping Community. This further demonstrates their intent to enforce the Iranian sanctions program aggressively including against non-U.S. persons.

Members should note that the wind down period ended on August 6 2019 and Executive Order 13871 is now in full effect. As a result, any transactions which involve any activities described in the Order are now subject to potential sanctions.

A floating dock (FD) is often seen as a viable option for the dry docking of smaller vessels which alleviates the necessity to utilise a fixed land-based graving dock. However it must be borne in mind that the risks involved with operating a floating dock are substantially more than those associated with a graving dock.

The Club would like to highlight to Members that with effect from 20 August 2019, under Regulation PM No. 7 of 2019, the Ministry of Transportation of The Republic of Indonesia has made it mandatory for vessels sailing in Indonesian waters to install and activate an Automatic Identification System (AIS).

On August 5, 2019, the US Administration escalated its Venezuela sanctions program, with the issue of Executive Order 13884 (the Order) and accompanying FAQs.

The Lord Chancellor last week announced a change in the discount rate following a review under the Civil Liability Act 2018. As of 5 August 2019, the discount rate will increase from -0.75% to -0.25%.

In response to the incidents that took place in the Gulf of Oman (GOO) last week, and the seizure of the Stena Impero in particular, the Club would like to draw Members attention to the following advise published by the BIMCO Maritime Security Committee.

As vessels and equipment on board become increasingly smarter, seafarers are required to learn additional skills for the ongoing operation and maintenance of this technology.

The final article in our cyber risks series, produced in collaboration with Secure State Cyber, focuses on the benefits of antivirus software, the importance of contingency plans in the event of a cyber-attack and what actions Members can take to ensure good security practice on board their vessels.

In this, the second FAQ article in the cyber risks series, Secure State Cyber highlight the responsibility of crewmembers in maintaining the security of IT systems on board, safeguarding personal devices and identifying which equipment is most vulnerable on board.

In collaboration with Secure State Cyber, the Club will be releasing a series of short FAQ articles identifying common cyber risks on board and what actions Members can take to ensure the security of their vessels. The first article focuses on passenger vessels and the cyber risks associated with on board Wi-Fi and passenger devices.

President Trump has issued Executive Order 13871 (the ‘Order’) of 8 May 2019 ‘Imposing Sanctions with Respect to the Iron, Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Sectors of Iran’.

Reducing Members’ exposure to claims is central to the function of the Club’s Loss Prevention department. The department is able to fulfil this mandate by proactively addressing areas of concern which are identified by the Club or within the industry.

As of 31 December 2018, compliance with the Passenger Liability Regulation (PLR) became compulsory for all Class B passenger ships carrying out domestic voyages in all EU and EEA member states.

Canada will become party to the Nairobi Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007 (“the convention”) effective 30 July 2019 (by way of agreement dated 1 May, 2019).

Further to our circular Venezuela — U.S. sanctions imposed on PdVSA, and based on recent developments and statements by the U.S. authorities, caution should be exercised in all dealings with PdVSA.

Further to the Club’s previous article on 1 February 2017, The Compulsory Insurance Scheme for Ships Carrying Passenger has now come into law with effect from 11 January 2019.

Over the past two years, the Club has seen eight damage to property claims allegedly caused by the snagging of fishing gear on subsea cables. Although the number of claims is reasonably low, due to the nature of the property suffering damage, the quantum of such claims is invariably high, sometimes reaching into millions of dollars. To raise awareness of such incidents the Club, in collaboration with Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW), has produced the following guidance which supplements our…

It has been brought to the Club’s attention that there have been an increased number of vessel detentions in the Eastern portion of the Singapore Strait, mainly in the waters around Bintan Island. These waters are often misconstrued as being the Outer Port Limit (OPL) of Singapore. The Club wishes to stress that these waters are in fact within the territorial waters of Indonesia.

The Club is pleased to inform Members of changes to the Marine Legal Costs Cover Policy for 2019. The changes will take effect for all policies incepting as from 20 February 2019.

On January 27^th 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) lifted sanctions imposed on En+ Group plc (“En+”), UC Rusal plc (“Rusal”), and JSC EuroSibEnergo (“ESE”).

With the development of technology on board vessels it is becoming increasingly important for Members to be able to identify and respond, by way of procedures and appropriate actions, to cyber risk.

Entry into enclosed spaces is a critical operation which, if not carried out diligently, can seriously jeopardise the safety of the personnel entering the enclosed space.

It is no secret that the Shipowners’ Club is the leading provider of insurance solutions for smaller and specialist vessels. Currently the Club has over 33,000 vessels entered worldwide.

Members are urged to exercise caution when trading to Libya, due to an increased risk of vessel seizure and crew arrests. The situation is volatile.

In our Half Year Report, it was noted that the Club had delivered a Combined Ratio of 106.4%, representing an underwriting deficit of US$ 6.17 million. This represented a deficit marginally higher than budget, with claims in the year at a higher level than 2016 and 2017 and development of those years being slightly worse than anticipated.

In 2011, following the outbreak of civil war in Libya and subsequent human rights violations, the UN and the EU imposed sanctions on Libya.

The Environment Protection Department of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region recently issued a press release which stated that their Legislative Council has approved the Air Pollution Control (Fuel for Vessels) Regulation (Cap. 311AB) (“the Regulation”) thereby applying a 0.5% sulphur limit for ships visiting their ports from 1 January 2019. This effective date precedes the implementation of the IMO’s Global Sulphur Cap 2020 by one year.

Drones can carry out a wide range of commercial and leisure functions, but their primary advantages are just like any other mode of air transport, they provide height, speed and reach.

The Managers are aware that, from time to time, Members have been offered contractual terms with counterparties that require the shipowner to provide a continuing warranty of seaworthiness for the entire duration of the voyage.

Reference is made to circular issued in May 2016 referring Members to the Inter-Club New York Produce Exchange Agreement 1996 (the “ICA”), as amended in September 2011, that provides a mechanism whereby liability for cargo claims arising under the New York Produce Exchange Form (NYPE) or Asbatime…

In an attempt to maintain the principles established under the JCPOA framework, to facilitate the continuation of trade activities between European businesses and Iran, and to counteract the extraterritorial effect of U.S. secondary sanctions, the European Union has replaced the annex to Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96, otherwise known as the Blocking Regulation.

Managing stress and sleeping well at sea is an integral part of positive health and wellbeing on board. In partnership with ISWAN, the Club has produced this information booklet as part of their series of Good Mental Health Guides for seafarers.

In accordance with the Solvency II regulations the Club has produced its Solvency & Financial Condition Report (SFCR) as at 31 December 2017.

The Shipowners’ Club recently had the great pleasure of holding a day seminar on the topic of Autonomous Ships & the City. The full day event, which was held in conjunction with Maritime London, aimed to identify and examine the increasing autonomy of vessels.

The decision by President Trump announced on 8th May, 2018 to cease the US participation in the JCPOA and to begin re-imposing US nuclear-related sanctions which were lifted to implement the JCPOA, is likely to have significant ramifications for maritime trade with Iran and the insurance of such trade.

From 20 March 2017, the discount rate applied when calculating compensation for future losses in personal injury claims reduced from the 2.5% rate set in 2001 to -0.75%.

You will be aware of the decision by President Trump, announced on 8 May, to withdraw the United States (U.S.) from its participation in the JCPOA

On 6 April 2018, a number of Russian entities and individuals were placed on the United States Specially Designated Nationals List (‘SDN List’).

In partnership with International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), the Club is pleased to present the latest addition to the Good Mental Health Guides series: ‘Managing stress with relaxation techniques’.