The Standard Club (“the club”), the specialist marine and energy insurer, and Charles Taylor, the leading provider of services and technology solutions to the global insurance market, today announced their decision to work together to create a new operating model for the club. This decision follows a review last year, which took into account the club’s strategy, scale and evolving governance requirements. As a result, the club has decided to bring its core management operations ‘in house’. This change will enable the club to insource and manage its day-to-day operations, ...

This circular serves to advise members of the potential risk of vessel detention, civil and criminal penalties in the US in the event of non-compliance with recent COVID-19 regulations. The US Coast Guard has issued several Marine Safety Information Bulletins as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and vessels arriving to or travelling between any US port must follow reporting and infection control measures to maintain the safety of personnel aboard vessels as well as within the port. See USCG MSIB 02-20 (Change 4). The US Coast Guard considers any ...

In December 2019, the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) began a Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) program to reduce the emission of particulates from vessels. The program requires shipowners to enter ports at a speed of 12 knots for container ships and car-carriers, 10 knots for other ship types. The VSR area applies from approximately 20 nautical miles from a specific lighthouse in each port. VSR Program Sea Areas applies to the five major Korean seaports of Busan, Ulsan, Yeosu, Gwangyang and Incheon and compliant shipowners may have ...

The target of 50% of all bills of lading to be electronic within the next decade has been set by the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) in an announcement made last week. The international freight transport insurer, TT Club welcomes the commitment by the group of container shipping lines that together operate nearly 70% of the world’s capacity. The initiative is consistent with the increased trend towards digitisation across the industry to improve efficiency and reduce costs. However, the current pressures felt through the supply chain as a result of ...

Club confidently delivering on strategy to strengthen and diversify in face of challenging 2019-20 claims year. Two major casualties put a dent in North P&I Club’s underwriting figures for policy year ending 20 February 2020, but the period also saw the launch of new products as part of its continuing diversification, Member retention maintained at 99% and more tonnage insured than ever before. North’s 15th consecutive year of ‘A’ financial strength rating, supported by AAA capital, was also reconfirmed by leading independent analysts, S&P Global. Rising claims based on greater ...

The UK P&I Club, a leading provider of protection and indemnity insurance to the international shipping community, has published a guide for ship-owners to ensure compliance with the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) legislation. The guide addresses the technical aspects, important concepts, processes and requirements of the IHM, aiming to assist Members in ensuring compliance with the existing regulations and reduce the likelihood of reputational risks. Over the last decade international and regional ship recycling legislation has been adopted, some of which is already in force. The IMO Hong Kong ...

At the class committee meeting on 7 May 2020, the committee reviewed the policy and financial year accounts as well as the outcome of the recent renewal. More than 90% of the membership renewed their delay cover, with an overall increase of 5% on expiring rates achieved through a combination of premium uplift and adjustment of terms. Ten members did not renew. At the start of the 2019/20 year, the class insures approximately 1,800 ships, with about 500 of those purchasing the optional extension for delay arising out of cyber ...

The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore recognises the critical role that seafarers play in global seaborne trade, as well as the importance of crew change to safeguard the health and safety of seafarers. Following the tightening of border control measures in Singapore, crew change was allowed only under one of the below special circumstances: a) the crew has served his/her maximum time on board (and no further extension of the employment contract is granted by the flag State) b) compassionate grounds (eg death of family member) c) the ...

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 Guidance updates and expands earlier advisories concerning Iran, Syria and North Korea (“the DPRK”). The Guidance provides detail on the level of due diligence and other compliance related activities expected by the US Government of parties whose business activities run a risk of engaging in trades that may breach US sanctions. It applies specifically to the sanctions’ regimes surrounding ...

However, as stated in the Code of Safe Working Practices the permit to work does not by itself make the job safe but is only one aspect of a safe operation. This is an important consideration. Work can be executed safely only through the combined efforts of those involved in planning the job, authorizing it, supervising it and those who are performing the job. The personnel involved in performing the work activity are usually at the sharp end and most exposed to the hazards if something were to go wrong. ...

The club have received further queries in respect of the applicability of the Thailand Marine Department announcement no 45/2020 effective 22 March 2020 that required all seafarers coming into the country to be able to prove medical coverage of up to $100,000 in respect of COVID-19. This had led to requests for specific confirmation of entry letters to be issued by the club, and other IG clubs, to satisfy these requirements. The club can confirm a subsequent announcement no 53/2020 was issued effective 26 March 2020 and has superseded no ...

The UK P&I Club, a leading provider of P&I insurance and other services to the international shipping community, has launched an initiative with BlueMed, a specialist marine telemedicine company, to provide Members with round the clock access to doctors at sea during the Covid-19 pandemic. Recognising the extraordinary challenges crew at sea currently face, the UK Club has secured the services of BlueMed for Members on a “pay as you go” basis for non-emergency advice. Members and their crew will receive expert medical advice from UK doctors, familiar with onboard ...

The American Club and Eagle Ocean Marine (EOM) have produced a video entitled ‘Weathering the Storm’ which salutes the service of seafarers in these turbulent times as they seek to protect themselves in their vital work, at sea and in port, against the ravages of COVID-19. The video can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVTBZ0v1w4Q Joseph E.M. Hughes, Chairman & CEO Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., Managers for the American Club said: “As seafarers labor in their essential role of enabling global trade, they must now confront the perils of the present pandemic, ...

Members with ships trading in US waters, particularly in the Mississippi River, are recommended to refer to the USCG Marine Safety Alert 04-20 on the importance of accurate Automatic Identification System (AIS) broadcasts. As members may be aware, Regulation V/19 of the SOLAS convention sets out navigational equipment to be carried on-board ships, according to ship type. Under the regulation, ships fitted with AIS shall maintain this equipment in operation at all times and display accurate data in order to ensure safe navigation. It is also important to bear in ...

This article, which was written by Simon Tatham and David High of Maritime Law Firm, Tatham & Co., discusses the main practicalities of invoking clause 20 of the BARGEHIRE 2008 contract which is a force majeure clause. This might be because a shutdown in the field of operation means that it cannot be manned or loaded, that the cargo destined to be carried is very seriously delayed or simply that the charterers’ business is in such stress that there is no cash to pay ongoing hire. Clause 20 of BARGEHIRE ...