In addition to customs authorities, Immigration authorities also carefully scrutinize crew documentation and if any discrepancies are found, may confiscate crew passports and summon the Master for questioning. The Marine Anti-Corruption Network MACN and the International Group of P&I Clubs have published a Guidance Document that provides an overview of the documents required by the authorities during the pre-port call, the inwards clearance and the outwards clearance processes. Our correspondent, Budd Senegal, explains the different agencies involved and what to expect when calling Dakar. Two different subdivisions of Senegalese Customs ...

Paying claims for ships involved in accidents or collisions with other vessels covered by sanctions-hit Russian insurer Ingosstrakh will prove difficult, UK ship insurer West said, in another sign of complications with Moscow’s oil trade. In June, Russia’s Ingosstrakh, which provides services to Russian oil exporters including ship insurance cover, was added to the UK’s list of Russian entities under sanctions in what the British government said was part of efforts to “ramp up economic pressure on Moscow”. West is among 12 clubs offering protection and indemnity insurance to ships, ...

FuelEU Maritime regulations aim to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of energy used by ships, encourage shore-side electricity and drive the take-up of renewable fuels of non-biological origin such as e-ammonia and e-methanol. With little published advice so far, BIMCO is currently working on a FuelEU clause for time charterparties, which is expected to be released in the second part of 2024. The challenge Preparing a single FuelEU clause for time charterparties that covers all eventualities will be challenging, because there are various methods for dealing with credits/penalties including banking, ...

The meeting reviewed the results of various inspection campaigns and planned future ones. Concentrated Inspection Campaigns target specific areas at a higher risk of non-compliance. This risk may be indicated by the number of deficiencies found, accidents, or the implementation of new convention requirements. CICs are carried out annually over a three-month period (September to November) and are conducted alongside regular inspections. The Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Fire Safety, conducted from September to November 2023, revealed satisfactory overall compliance but highlighted specific issues with fire door maintenance and fire ...

Iron ore intended for export has been stockpiled with very large stockpiles being exposed to the elements for many years. Using excavators, sampling of iron ore fine stockpiles in India is limited to 3-metre-deep pits only, hence fully representative sampling of static stockpiles for laboratory testing is not possible. Fully representative samples can only be obtained with a cargo being moved. Members are therefore advised to be cautious when fixed to load iron ore fines from Goa or other ports in the west of India. It is important that the ...

On 1 July, West promoted Katy Shearer to Chief Risk Officer and appointed her to the Management Board of Directors. This decision represents Shearer’s strong contributions to the business and the importance the Club places on the increasingly complex risk landscape across all sectors of the business. The shipping industry continues to face significant uncertainty and volatility, including increasing geopolitical risks and ongoing regulatory and compliance challenges which places more scrutiny on all Clubs, as well as the wider marine insurance sector. The West has therefore acted to prioritise its ...

The maritime industry has increasingly introduced internet-connected technologies and digital systems to improve commercial vessel and port facility operations such as those used for the movement of cargo and ship navigation. However, this digital interconnectedness has introduced cybersecurity risks, including the threat of ransomware attacks that can disrupt operations, unauthorized access to vessel controls and navigation systems, espionage in supply chain practices and behaviours, and theft of trade secrets. When cyber incidents are reported quickly, the authorities can use the information to provide both assistance and issue warnings, to prevent ...

Following the recent dissolution of the French National Assembly, the country is preparing for early legislative elections. The political climate is tense for shipping companies with the two leading political parties in the polls considering abolishing the French tonnage tax regime. By way of reminder, the French tonnage tax regime offers a favourable tax framework for shipping companies, meeting certain conditions. Instead of being taxed on their actual profits, companies elect to be taxed based on the net tonnage of their fleet. In other words, instead of paying a percentage ...

The meeting reviewed the results of various inspection campaigns and planned future ones. Concentrated Inspection Campaigns target specific areas at a higher risk of non-compliance. This risk may be indicated by the number of deficiencies found, accidents, or the implementation of new convention requirements. CICs are carried out annually over a three-month period (September to November) and are conducted alongside regular inspections. The Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Fire Safety, conducted from September to November 2023, revealed satisfactory overall compliance but highlighted specific issues with fire door maintenance and fire ...

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. It usually begins with flu-like symptoms but can develop into a potentially lethal complication called ‘severe dengue’. It is found mostly in urban and semi-urban areas and has long been associated only with tropical and sub-tropical climates. However, climate change and shifting temperatures are now expanding the habitat of the mosquitoes that carry the disease, allowing them to spread further north. And since there is no specific treatment for dengue, the best way to prevent it is to protect against mosquito ...

The recent announcement of Gard’s acquisition of the Codan Marine and Energy portfolio, is one example of how we are preparing for the future. With this move, we are not only establishing a new office and increasing our presence in Denmark; we are also making a significant advance in the renewable energy sector and increasing our Marine Hull portfolio. For our Members and clients, this is a positive development in several ways. Some of you are already involved in the renewable energy industry and will be able to benefit from ...

Introduction For the 2024 calendar year any shipping company having cargo or passenger ships of 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) or above calling a port located in the EEA (European Economic Area[1]) for commercial purposes must cover 40% of the total CO2 emissions reported for 2024 with EU emission allowances (“EUAs”) irrespective of the vessel’s flag or her owner’s nationality. One EUA covers the emission of one metric ton of CO2. The number of EUAs due must cover all CO2 emissions produced for the whole 2024 calendar year for the “fleet” ...

Members are referred back to the circular dated 25 January 2023 by which the International Group approved TradeGo User Agreement (2022.12.15) (‘the User Agreement’). The User Agreement remains approved for the purposes of Club cover. This notice confirms approval by the International Group of a second version of the User Agreement: TradeGo User Agreement (2024.06.12) (‘the Second User Agreement’). The most significant change is that in addition to the electronic bills of lading framework in the User Agreement, the Second User Agreement allows for interoperability, namely the transfer of electronic ...

This article summarises a Court of Appeal verdict coming out of the 5th Circuit involving a damages award of $222 million and the defendant’s subsequent successful challenge to this substantial award. Background: Jesse Henson was working at a coal fired power plant (owned by Westar Energy) in Kansas when a pressure relief valve failed, exposing him to a release of steam. This caused severe burns which ultimately resulted in his death. Following this his widow, Kelli Most, brought various claims against Team Industrial Services (Team) and Westar Energy, seeking remedies ...

On 15 May 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment in RTI Ltd v MUR Shipping BV [2024] UKSC 18, in which it overturned a decision of the Court of Appeal and unanimously found that a “reasonable endeavours” provision in a force majeure clause did not require a party to accept non-contractual performance, absent clear wording to that effect. Background In 2016, RTI Ltd (“RTI”), as charterers, entered into a contract of affreightment (“COA”) with MUR Shipping BV (“MUR”), as owners, for the shipment of monthly consignments of bauxite ...