In 2019 the international liner shipping industry transported 226 million containers around the world with a cargo value of more than US$4tn. Many of these were carried on ships’ decks but – due to container stack collapses – not all arrived safely. Despite various advances in standards and procedures, such collapses are still happening, putting vessels, their crews and the environment in danger. These incidents can often result in significant financial losses to the container industry and their marine insurers, sometimes with hefty fines for clean-up costs. According to the ...

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are increasingly considered by businesses in the context of identifying both risks and opportunities for growth. In some sectors, there is also interest in ESG positions as a means of differentiating between suppliers and service providers. Inevitably, as the world enters 2021, businesses will be looking back at the experiences through 2020 and reviewing systems and processes. Contingencies and resilience have in the last year proved fundamental to survival. However, the need to invest in the development of employees, particularly the next generation of ...

In January 2015, the vessel BULK JUPITER, carrying bauxite, sank off Vietnam taking the lives of 18 seafarers. At that time, bauxite was classified under the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code as a Group C cargo – a cargo which is neither liable to liquefy (Group A) nor to possess chemical hazards (Group B). Following the tragedy, the IMO formed the Global Bauxite Working Group (GBWG) to conduct research into the behaviour and characteristics of seaborne traded bauxite and to inform the IMO as to the safe shipping ...

Reference is made to the recently reported event of a limpet mine having been found attached to the hull of a tanker engaged in a ship-to-ship transfer operation in the Arabian Gulf. Thankfully, the mine was discovered in time to avoid any injuries or damage to the vessel. As a result of this incident, a joint industry group has released further maritime security related guidance, Industry Update Following Incident in the Persian Gulf, recommending that vessel operators should consider sending the following guidance to vessels operating in the Arabian Gulf, ...

INTERTANKO has recently updated its recommendatory guidance, Crew Welfare Management and Mental Wellness. The advice and recommendations it contains have been developed for the consideration of shore-side staff when providing practical guidance to leadership teams on how to manage crew that may be experiencing stress as a result of prolonged onboard service. The guidance is aimed at non-healthcare professionals. However, in circumstances where any doubt should exist in any case involving crew general welfare and mental wellness, professional assistance should always be sought. The guidance considers three key areas: Understanding ...

We refer to Member Circular No. 15/2020 regarding the amendments to the Rules for 2021. To harmonize standard terms of cover for fixed premium P&I entries with the governing reinsurance arrangement,1 it was necessary to include, inter alia, the Coronavirus Exclusion Clause (LMA 5395) and the Cyber Endorsement (LMA 5403) in the Rules for Mobile Offshore Units (MOUs); the Additional Covers -Terms and Condition; and in the individual Certificates of Entry for Charterers’ P&I risks2 with effect for the 2021 policy year commencing on 20 February 2021. However, to meet ...

Cyber security is also a risk to the maritime industry. There are several examples over the past few years where important IT-systems have been attacked and which has caused safety risks and costly consequences in our industry. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted Resolution MSC.428(98) aimed to address cyber risks in the maritime industry. The resolution addresses cyber risks as a part of safety management systems within the ISM Code. DOC (Document of Compliance) holders will have to assess the risk and implement the required risk mitigating measures to the ...

Against the backdrop of recent container loss incidents, Britannia P&I Club’s Loss Prevention team is hosting a very timely webinar entitled: Container Stowage – does it all stack up? at 0800 GMT on Thursday 28 January 2021. The webinar will examine the key issues relating to the stowage and securing of containers. This will include the factors that appear to be contributing to container stack collapses and the steps that can be taken to prevent these losses as well as future industry developments. Aimed at ship managers and their crews, ...

Insurers are set to raise the cost of providing cover for merchant ships through the Red Sea after a series of incidents that have hit vessels around Saudi Arabian waters, industry sources said. The possibility of more attacks on commercial shipping carrying oil and commodities through these waterways is growing after the outgoing U.S. administration’s move to designate Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organisation. “We are seeing increased rates for vessels making port calls in the Red Sea due to concerns over risk of attack by militia ...

In view of the ongoing crew change crisis, due to restrictions imposed by Covid-19 the IMO Secretary-General wishes to draw the attention of Member States to the matter of designation of these professionals as key workers. In its latest circular IMO urges Member States and relevant national authorities to designate seafarers as ʺkey workersʺ providing an essential service, in order to facilitate safe and unhindered movement for embarking or disembarking a vessel. 49 member states and associate members have notified the IMO that they have designated seafarers as key workers. ...

From 11pm on 31 December 2020, EU sanctions ceased to apply in the UK. The UK’s sanctions framework is now regulated principally by the Sanctions and Anti-Monetary Laundering Act 2018 (the ‘Sanctions Act’). Under the Sanctions Act, UK ministers can make regulations to implement UN sanctions and/or to impose sanctions for various defined purposes, such as the protection of international peace and security and the furtherance of the UK government’s foreign policy objectives. Has anything changed? Various statutory instruments have already been created under the Sanctions Act, many of which ...

Leading insurtech, Concirrus, has today announced an expansion of its commercial offering into Asia with the appointment of Mike Davies, former Asia Pacific Marine Leader at AXA XL and Oliver Miloschewsky, both of whom bring over 40 years combined experience of working in the global marine insurance market. Concirrus CEO, Andrew Yeoman says: “As the Asia market continues to increase its share of the global marine business, it’s a natural stage of growth for Concirrus to continue to establish a sales presence in the region. We’re excited to have both ...

Our listed correspondent in Argentina, Pandi Liquidadores SRL, has alerted us that last week the Argentinian Coast Guard commenced administrative enquiries against various vessels for breaching speed limits, mainly in the Rosario port area of the Parana River where the speed limit is currently 9 knots. Please find attached our correspondents Circular 36/2020 related to the speed limits in the Parana River. In all cases and taking into account the Coast Guard’s current regulations (see circular 018-20 also attached), letters of undertaking had to be issued to avoid the vessels’ ...

The Alang Shipbreaking Yard in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat is often seen a mirror of the global economy. When the economy is robust and ships sail, the yard sees a slump in business. In the last 50 days, three luxury liners have queued up to be broken. Why is there such a queue? The cruise liner sector, which usually attracts foreign tourists, has come to a standstill. “The Covid-19 outbreak on cruise vessel Diamond Princess docked in Japan in February 2020 caused a global scare with regard to cruise tourism,” ...

The following amendments to the Rules for P&I and Defence cover for ships and other floating structures (“Rules for Ships”) and the Rules for P&I and Defence cover for mobile offshore units (“Rules for MOUs”) for both Assuranceforeningen Gard – gjensidig – and Gard P.& I. (Bermuda) Ltd. (collectively the “Associations” and individually the “Association”) have been endorsed by the Boards of Directors of the Associations and will enter into force at noon GMT on 20 February 2021. RULES FOR SHIPS – P&I ENTRIES New premium policy – introduction of ...