News

The International Group of P&I Clubs is delighted to announce the establishment of a fellowship for the academic year 2021-2022 for a student pursuing Master of Laws (LL.M.) studies in International Maritime Law at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) based in Malta.

Members are referred to the Club’s previous Circular from 11 June 2011 which can be viewed here for easy reference.

Last month further sanctions were introduced against Belarus after previous action taken by the EU, US and the UK in response to the detention of journalist Roman Protasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega, following the unlawful diversion of Ryanair flight FR4978 in May 2021.

The Club is delighted to be taking part in London International Shipping Week 2021, 13-17 September.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in June 2021 and agreed amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI that will require,as applicable, vessels to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

This document has been produced by the thirteen P&I Clubs which are members of the International Group of P&I Clubs in order to answer a number of questions that are frequently asked about P&I Club cover relating to the vaccination of seafarers.

This circular confirms approval by the International Group of an updated version of essDOCS’s electronic trading system.

At their meeting in Luxembourg on the 3 June 2021 the Board considered the open policy years and in particular the 2018 policy year, which is now three years old.

The Club would like to inform Members that the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) recently launched ‘Operation Jangkar Haram’, pursuing vessels which are anchored illegally in the eastern waters of Johor as reported by our correspondents Spica Services Malaysia.

This circular informs Members of the approval by the International Group of P&I Clubs (the Group) of the TradeLens eBL system.

A large majority of the claims handled by the Club involve crew illness or injury, with this in mind, the Club seeks to inform Members that understanding the basis of a Shipowners’ liability and how international conventions may apply is of vital importance to them in their operations.

When I spoke to the Club CEO, Simon Swallow, last week we reflected on the strange year we’ve all been through and I congratulated him and all of the Club’s staff for the way in which they had adapted and shown remarkable dedication in the new working environment forced upon them.

This Circular provides information on the recent designation by the Government of the United States of Venezuela’s Maritime Authority (Instituto Nacional de los Espacios Acuaticos – “INEA”).

The fines for causing pollution in Turkey have rien once again by 9.11%. This is in accordance with the declaration by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation in Turkey, which was published in the Official Gazette dated 24 December 2020, numbered 31318. With effect from 1 January 2021.

The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published by The Mission to Seafarers, reveals that small investments can make a tangible difference to the lives of seafarers.The survey, with the support of the Shipowners’ Club and Wallem Group, reports on the experiences of seafarers between October and December 2020.

Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of substances which otherwise are prohibited by law. It is a fact that considerable proportion of drug trafficking occurs by sea because of favourable circumstances for transportation. In 2020, there has been a rise in the number of reported incidents involving drug seizures on board ships calling in South American ports and on ships bound for United States (U.S.) or European…

In November 2020 the Club issued a circular concerning efforts by the United States to enhance sanctions targeting the construction of the Nord Stream 2 (NS2) and Turkstream 2 (TS2) pipelines, and those who provide vessels and services in connection with either project.

Members are informed that the International Group (IG) Clubs have considered the potential impact on cover for pollution risks of this new legislation.

At the 2020 half year stage, the Club reported a Combined Ratio of 102.2%, with an underwriting deficit of US$ 2.2m. Whilst this represented a deficit in line with expectations, this result is against the turbulent backdrop of COVID-19. As a result of the pandemic, the Club has experienced a lower incidence of claims, which in most cases was due to reduced vessel operations. This reduction however, was offset by some sizeable claims as a result of COVID-19 outbreaks on board vessels.

This Circular concerns efforts by the United States to enhance the sanction provisions targeting the construction of the NS2 and TurkStream pipeline projects and those who provide vessels and services in connection with either project. The recent efforts are mainly focused on two pieces of legislation – the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act (PEESA).

The International Group and its 13 constituent P&I Clubs, which are in turn mutually owned and governed by their shipowner and charterer Members, have become extremely concerned about the detrimental effect upon the mental well-being of seafarers as a result of the prolongation of their contracts of employment due to the pandemic.

Members are advised that new fines will be applicable in California from 1 January 2021 for ship sourced oil pollution damage in Californian State waters.

Bunkering is one of the most common operations carried out on board, regardless of the vessel type or size. Despite it being a routine operation, disputes may arise, such as those regarding the quantity or quality of bunkers and in some cases the legality, if careful planning is not implemented. The consequences of such situations can vary from machinery breakdowns, to Port State Control (PSC) detentions, to delays, arrests and significant financial and reputational losses. As the shipping…

A new revision to the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes (new Revision), which becomes effective on 1^st September 2020,  imposes joint and several liability on both the carrier and importer for the return and disposal of the solid waste where the solid waste is prohibited and/or proper license has not been obtained, and significantly increases the fines that can be imposed for violations.

One of the key elements of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the accurate record keeping of movements and/or discharges of shipboard substances and materials that are considered hazardous to the environment.

The shipping market continues to experience a prolonged period of downturn, especially in the offshore sector. We have seen owners and operators often being compelled to lay up tonnage.

At their meeting of the 21 May 2020 the Board considered the open policy years and in particular the 2017 policy year, which is now three years old.

On 14 May 2020 the US issued a Global Maritime Advisory (Guidance) aimed at a range of industry sectors including marine insurers such as P&I clubs and shipowners and charterers.

The International Group of P&I Clubs, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO and InterManager (the international industry organisations) draw Members’ attention to the series of recent ship detentions and crew arrests in Mexico and, in the case of the UBC Savannah, the lengthy and continuing detention in custody of the ship’s Master without any formal charges against him, following the discovery of illegal narcotics on board.

In line with their legal and regulatory obligations, all Clubs in the International Group maintain sophisticated sanctions compliance programmes and procedures. The rules and procedures developed by Clubs to manage sanctions risks take account of the guidance provided by bodies such as the UN Security Council (UNSCR), the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), the US State Department and the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Through its system of circulars and news…

This circular is an update on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) sanctions enforcement circular that we published in 2019. It has been updated following the recently published 2019/2020 UN Panel of Experts of North Korea Sanctions Report.

The Shipowners’ Club, the leading mutual P&I insurer in the smaller and specialist vessel sector, has reported results for the year ended 31 December 2019.