Following a lengthy legislative process, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers was finally signed into law in the Philippines on 23 September 2024. The Magna Carta aims to align domestic legislation with international conventions such as the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), to ensure that Filipino seafarers have protections and opportunities in line with global standards. The law was developed partly in response to the complex and often unjust nature of Filipino crew claims and the challenges ...

In the UK, distressed merchant vessel Ruby’s Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurer, West of England Insurance Services has initiated an assessment of the situation and is working with hull insurers to determine the extent of damage caused to the ship, a company spokesperson told ICIS. “We can confirm that the vessel is entered with West. At present the hull insurers are working with the shipowners to have the vessel repaired in a suitable location. Necessary checks are being carried out, and various options considered,” Erin Walton, assistant corporate director said ...

Following the attack on the Galaxy Leader on 19 November 2023, there have been further incidents in and around the southern Red Sea region, Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea. The first fatal attack took place on 6 March 2024 on True Confidence leading to the death of 3 seafarers. There has been an increased military presence in the Red Sea which has led to the interception of missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and there have also been retaliatory strikes against the Houthis by navies of the US ...

The UK P&I Club has appointed Kyle Lochridge as Senior Vice President, Americas. Kyle will report into Leanne O’Loughlin, UK P&I Club Regional Director, Americas, and UK P&I’s Chief Underwriting Officer, William Beveridge. Kyle will work closely with UK P&I Club’s management team to develop and progress the delivery of the UK P&I Club’s growth strategy for the Americas. This will involve deepening relationships with Members, Brokers and building market awareness of the Club’s capabilities, including its newly launched Safety & Risk Management offering, throughout the region’s maritime community. The ...

The Britannia Group’s Managers continue to strengthen its management team, with Helen Todd being promoted to Deputy Chief Underwriting Officer (DCUO) with effect from1 October 2024. Helen joined the Britannia Group in 2018 as Divisional Director with responsibility for overseeing underwriting in North America, Greece and Southern Europe. Her new role sees Helen working alongside the Britannia Group’s Chief Underwriting Officer, Simon Williams, managing the Club’s global membership. Helen brings with her over 20 years of experience in P&I underwriting, where she has been committed to building and maintaining long ...

In response to escalating security concerns in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, key maritime organisations have collaborated to issue updated safety protocols for vessels traversing these waters. The guidance was jointly developed by BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, and OCIMF. It provides detailed recommendations for ship operators and masters on enhancing security measures and responding to potential threats in the region. This initiative aims to bolster maritime security in a region known for its strategic importance and potential risks. The recommendations cover a wide range of scenarios, from ...

West is pleased to announce the appointment of Cai Xuanlun (“XL”) as the new CEO of its Hong Kong office effective December 2024. XL joined West’s Hong Kong office in 2013, having graduated from Shanghai Maritime University with a law degree and then spending several years practicing law in mainland China. He then earned an MA in Law at University of Bristol before joining the Club, handling both P&I and FD&D claims before transferring to the Underwriting Department in 2017. He was appointed Regional Head of Underwriting in 2022 and ...

West P&I has again been assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) by AM Best. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. AM Best commented upon West’s third consecutive year of improved underwriting results and the 94.5% combined ratio achieved in the year-ending 20 February 2024, stating that the improvement in results follow actions taken by management. AM Best commented further that the A- (Excellent) rating reflects West’s “very strong” balance sheet strength which is underpinned by ...

Gas exposure claims one life On 31 August, an accident occurred at IŞIKSAN ship recycling yard in İzmir, Aliağa during the dismantling operations of the Bideford Dolphin, a Bermuda-flagged floating oil platform formerly owned by Fred Olsen & Co. The incident took place onboard the offshore unit, leading to the exposure of multiple workers to gas. According to information gathered by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, four workers were directly affected by the gas exposure. Tragically, one of them, İbrahim Karakaya, lost his life. The other three workers were discharged from ...

Bulkers and combination carriers loading high-density bulk cargoes in Brazil must undergo a vetting regime following maritime authority standards. Correspondent Proinde brings us updates below: All bulk carriers and combined ore-oil or ore-bulk-oil (OBO) carriers aged 18 years or older from the keel laid, calling at Brazilian ports to load solid bulk commodities with specific weight equal to or greater than 1.78 t/m3, such as iron ore, bauxite, manganese and phosphate, are required to pass a condition survey. This survey is conducted by a classification society other than the one ...

Broker Marsh and Lloyd’s underwriter Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK) have set up business interruption insurance for ports to provide cover against growing trade disruption risks such as threats to shipping in the Red Sea, executives involved said. Ports across the globe are dealing with multiple issues that are disrupting flows of goods, including attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on commercial shipping as well as the risk of strikes at terminals in the United States. “Recent geopolitical turmoil has exposed a clear gap in the standard cover available to ports and other ...

Members will be aware of the numerous regulatory requirements that come with trading to the United States and US Territories. These include both federal and state-specific obligations. The Club has created a short guide as a tool to assist Members with their most frequently asked questions. US Regulation is complex and not every requirement is listed here. Many Members choose to use specialist companies within the US to assist with compliance. Please note that guidance is given below to pollution prevention and response, however, the reader seeking more detailed information ...

Charcoal is described in the IMDG Code as “Black material originating from organic sources. Particularly includes carbon blacks, of animal or vegetable origin other non-activated carbon materials and charcoal produced from materials such as bone, & bamboo, coconut shell, jute and wood.” Factors contributing to this risk include improper packaging, inadequate ventilation, and failure to adhere to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulation of Dangerous cargo as codified in the IMDG Code. The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) in conjunction with the International Group of P&I Clubs and the TT Club ...

Terminals sometimes require an owner to accept certain conditions before allowing the vessel to access or use their facilities, typically in the form of a “Conditions of Use” document, “Port Liability Agreement” or similar (COU). This is particularly common at LNG terminals. While it is normally the shipowner (or the Master on their behalf) who is required to sign the COU, it may also have an impact on the charterers and their P&I cover. The terms of these COUs are often onerous in nature. They may, for example, provide that ...

Void spaces Tanker men are usually familiar with the dangers of cargo tanks and other enclosed spaces; they are used to the problems of gas-freeing and checking for dangerous gases and lack of oxygen. They have the equipment and understand the need for entry procedures and entry permits. There may be less awareness of these problems among the crew on board dry cargo vessels, but still both ballast tanks and void spaces may be very dangerous to enter. The oxygen level of the air inside may be reduced, especially if ...