News

The Compliance note provides common red flags that can alert the international community on the use of third-party intermediaries or trans-shipment points to evade Russian and Belarussian related sanctions, and obscure the true identities of Russian end users.

The Club would like to highlight to our Members, the potential hazards associated with oily engine room bilges and the checks and steps that a ship’s crew should undertake to assist mitigate the associated possible issues.

The growth in the number of vessels operating in these renewables sectors is generating a new composition of claims, with new specific insurance requirements. The regulatory environment and the customers are distinct, and the contracts in use, whilst possessing some similarities, have novel and sometimes nascent formats and clauses. The Club is available to advise Members on these matters from the underwriting, claims and loss prevention sides, but in this latest article from our…

On 24 February 2023, the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US Department of State and the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on numerous additional individuals, entities and vessels that the US has determined are engaged in sanctions evasion.

On 25 February 2023 the EU adopted its 10th package of sanctions against Russia. The relevant EU Regulations and Council Decisions can be found here but of particular significance for members is Council Regulation (EU) 2023/427 which further amends Regulation (EU)…

On 5 February 2023 the Price Cap Scheme intended to curb the revenue Russia derives from its petroleum exports was expanded as planned to set price caps for petroleum products of Russian origin which fall under CN code 2710.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that for all Rule based entries subject to the limits of cover stipulated in the Rules of the Association, the cover provided under the War Risk Extension Clause for vessels transiting and/or calling within Russian waters including their coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles offshore, and certain European waters as defined below, is sub-limited to US$ 80 million any one event, each vessel.

“Shipowners’ Club is now the most boring Club to review, although this is for all the right reasons” read this year’s report from P&I insurance broker, Tysers. “High praise!” according to the Club CEO, Simon Swallow. “If boring means stability, continuity and ensuring peace of mind for our Membership, then we are all doing our jobs properly”.

The Club has seen a rapid growth in enquiries from Members operating in or planning to operate in the U.S. offshore wind sector. The regulatory requirements here are complex and fast evolving. The following guest article therefore looks at the U.S. wind offshore environment, its energy regulatory bodies and regulations, the process for permits and examines what types of vessels can work on offshore projects in U.S. territorial waters. The article is by Michael Wray – Partner at HFW. His…

The International Group of P&I Clubs and The Education Committee are pleased to announce the expansion of its annual scholarship programme to take part in the highly successful P&I Qualification programme.

In this series of articles, we will be inviting specialists and innovators to discuss new developments and new technologies. MASS, blockchain and decarbonisation are just some topics that will feature as we hear from experts in the field and explore where we are now, the pitfalls, the solutions and most importantly the future. In our first instalment, we invited Robert Merrylees, Policy Manager at the UK Chamber of Shipping, to share his views on the role evolving technology plays in…

Following the IG Circular issued on our website on 9 December 2022, the Club’s Legal Team has recorded this podcast to provide Members with a snapshot of the Price Cap on Russian oil that came into effect on 5 December 2022.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that for all Rules based entries with the Association, which include the War Risk Extension Clause, the liabilities covered under this clause will exclude all loss, damage, liability, cost or expense

Legislation and guidance giving effect to the Price Cap Scheme has recently been published by the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States and this circular describes the impact of the scheme on shipowners, charterers and cover for such trades by the International Group of P&I Clubs and its reinsurers.

The EU has published the following guidance and Q&A documents for Members’ reference.

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

The International Group is aware of an announcement by the maritime authorities in Turkey concerning proposed changes in requirements for laden oil tankers to evidence P&I cover while in Turkish waters. The Group is studying the proposals in order to prepare a response. Further information will be provided in due course.

On 7 October 2022 the EU updated the FAQs.

The EU adopted an eighth package of sanctions on 6 October 2022 in response to Russia’s continued military aggression against Ukraine.

This circular confirms approval by the International Group of updated versions of TradeLens’ RuleBook and Service Description.

The International Group of P&I Clubs (IGP&I) Correspondents Committee has published revised Guidelines for Correspondents.

On 19 September 2022 the EU further amended its FAQS clarifying the application of provisions relating to the carriage of certain cargoes from Russia, including coal and other solid fossil fuels as well as certain types of fertilizer.

The Shipowners Club, the leading mutual P&I insurer in the smaller and specialist vessel sector, has partnered with the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to develop a free mobile app – ISWAN for Seafarers.

On 10 August 2022 the European Union (EU) published updated FAQs clarifying the application of provisions relating to the carriage of certain cargoes from Russia, including coal and other solid fossil fuels as well as certain types of fertilizer. As this Circular sets out, these clarifications will have a significant impact on the carriage of these commodities by EU entities and the provision of insurance for carriage to any entity regardless of their domicile.

The International Group is a member of the Maritime Research Institute of the Netherlands (MARIN) Top Tier project. The project has been established to examine and assess the causes of container losses arising from at-sea incidents onboard various sizes of container ships.

The International Group’s Salvage Committee have launched a report which provides a review into Delays in the Contracting of Salvage services in Marine Casualties.

On 21 July 2022 the UK government imposed further trade restrictions against Russia under The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2022 which amend The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019) (“the Regulations”). The new restrictions include a ban on the import of Russian oil and coal into the UK and the export of key industrial goods to Russia. It also expands existing restrictions in relation to the provision of energy-related goods and services to…

On 21 July 2022 the European Union published a Maintenance and Alignment Package. The package included amendments to Regulation (EU) No. 833/2014 which amongst other things clarified the circumstances in which the exceptions contained in Article 5 (aa) (3) may apply.

The UK has introduced amendments to its Russia Regulations, which impose prohibitions and requirements in relation to trade sanctions measures.

On 5 July 2022, the UK government introduced a new tranche of economic, trade and transport sanctions on Belarus in response to Lukashenko’s support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions expand on the existing measures introduced against Russia to Belarus.

Further to the Club’s previous circular in March 2022, there have been further updates to Pollution fines in Turkey as declared by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation and published in the Official Gazette no. 31867, effective from 15 June 2022.

On the 3 June 2022 the EU published its 6^th package of sanctions against Russia.

Commencing positive and committed steps towards improving seafarer wellbeing on board, the Club has created its own bespoke “Medical Enhancement Scheme for Seafarers” (Medisea).

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

The broker survey results are in and they’re overwhelmingly positive. We are thrilled to report the resounding message that the Shipowners’ Club remains “a clear first choice” for smaller and specialist vessel P&I insurance.

The Club had previously notified Members of the change in ownership of E-TITLE electronic trading system and its underlying legal framework to R3. The agreement between R3 and E-TITLE has dissolved, and ownership of the legal framework has reverted back to E-Title Authority Pte Ltd. In accordance with this change, the trading name will also revert back from Corda eBL to e-Title™.

This article sets out some of the Frequently Asked Questions the Club has received regarding the IG Circular on The General Trade Licence dated 17 March 2022.

On 17 March 2022 the UK Government published a General Trade Licence in part to clarify earlier amendments to the UK Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations (the “Regulation”). Specifically, the licence addresses the issue as to whether it is lawful under the Regulation for insurers and reinsurers domiciled or operating from the United Kingdom to provide insurance for vessels calling at Russian ports or transiting Russian territorial waters.

At their meeting on the 19 May 2022 the Board considered the open policy years and in particular the 2019 policy year, which is now three years old.

On 8 April 2022 the EU adopted a fifth package of sanctions on Russia, comprising of several Regulations and Decisions:

Russia has announced retaliatory sanctions measures in response to the widespread sanctions issued by various governments, which Russia has so-called “unfriendly countries,” including the UK, EU member states and the USA.