Skuld, yesterday announces a positive bottom-line result of USD 25 million for its 2020/21 financial year ending 20 February 2021 (equal to the 2019/20 result), and a total combined ratio of 108%. The result has been delivered with the benefit of a significant return on investments (9.8%), as well as a strong level of performance from all commercial marine insurance products, including hull. The underlying performance of the mutual portfolio remains a challenge which will continue to be addressed by the industry. The biggest material impact in relation to the ...

On 23 April 2021, US federal health regulators lifted a recommended pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson or Janssen (J&J) single-shot Covid-19 vaccine. The decision allows states in the US to resume administering the J&J… Man with blue safety helmet On 23 April 2021, US federal health regulators lifted a recommended pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson or Janssen (J&J) single-shot Covid-19 vaccine. The decision allows states in the US to resume administering the J&J vaccine. The J&J vaccine along with the Pfizer and ...

Our listed correspondent in Argentina, Pandi Liquidadores SRL, have provided us with an update on the historically low waters observed on the Parana River, which continues to remain critical. Due to the low levels, the Coast Guard have issued a new warning stressing the importance of complying with the daily maximum permissible sailing draft and the mandatory UKC of 0.6 meters that should be kept at all times. Masters are recommended to carry out the following measures: ·Discuss their navigational plan with the pilots before proceeding, as well as providing ...

Sophia Bullard, Crew Health Director at UK P&I Club, discusses haemorrhoids, its impact on crew and the effect on seafarer repatriation and claims: “Haemorrhoids, or piles, which are abnormally enlarged veins in the walls of the rectum and anus, have been identified as a cause of seafarer repatriation across various studies, and the UK Club continues to see claims as a result of this illness. “Internal haemorrhoids are situated on the bowel side of the sphincter muscle and appear only when straining to empty the bowels. External haemorrhoids are found ...

Today the High Court has issued an important judgment clarifying that ordinarily an owner is not liable to pay damages to a charterer if it collects freight due under its bills of lading even where no sums are due under a time charterparty. Background The case arose in the context of the total loss of the laden capesize Smart in August 2013 whilst entered with North following a grounding at Richards Bay in South Africa. Owners had issued bills of lading marked that freight was payable “as per charter party”. ...

Commercial carriers are not willing participants in the trafficking of drugs, but they may be exposed to various losses including fines if drugs are found on-board. The P&I cover for fines arising out of smuggling was changed at the start of the 2021 insurance policy year. It is important that Members are aware of the change, the increased exposure and how to deal with the challenges related to smuggling when operating ships. Where trafficked drugs come from and where they are going In its World Drug Report 2020 the United ...

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published the latest version of the industry-developed crew change protocols. The latest (third) edition incorporates the latest best practices as well as updates on issues related to vaccinations. After announcing prohibition of crew change for crew with recent travel history to India, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore has issued a new Port Marine circular (PMC 13 of 2021) announcing prohibition of crew change in Singapore for crew with recent travel history to Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka with effect from ...

Please read the below description of an incident. Keeping your company’s standards and vessel procedures in mind while reading to compare with the actions of the crew below. We will discuss the factors which led to the incident occurring and how to avoid it happening on our vessel. An ultra large container ship was on a voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong. At 2154 hrs the low fuel pressure warning alarm sounded and eighteen seconds later the fire alarm for the engine room activated. The Chief Engineer entered the engine ...

On 1 January 2020, a new limit on the sulphur content in the fuel oil used on board ships came into force. Known as ‘IMO 2020’, the rule limits the sulphur in the fuel oil used on board ships operating outside designated emission control areas to 0.50% – a significant reduction from the previous limit of 3.5%. The regulatory change was part of the increasingly strict air emission limits enforced through MARPOL Annex VI, and had been advertised to the shipping industry for a long time. Nevertheless, the new global ...

Britannia P&I has appointed Kate Kim as B Korea’s General Manager. She will take up her position on 1 May 2021 where her key focus will be to build and further strengthen relationships with Members and provide them with tailored, high quality services. Kate’s previous experience includes 16 years working with a leading insurance broker, where she dealt with a wide variety of marine insurance. She has extensive knowledge of P&I claims and will use this expertise at B Korea to further enhance the service provided to Britannia P&I’s Members. ...

Malaysian authorities recently reportedly conducted a special operation, “Jangkar Haram”, targeting ships that had anchored in waters off East Johor, without prior written permission from the Director General of the Malaysian Marine Department. Extent of Malaysian waters off East Johor In nearly all the cases Gard has handled, mariners had mistakenly understood their anchoring position to be outside Malaysian territorial waters. As our correspondent, Spica, reports in their recent circular these waters are sometimes referred to as Singapore OPL East, or sometimes even International waters. The Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 ...

The International Maritime Organization(IMO)has released and promoted the joint industry document, Industry Recommended Framework of Protocols for Ensuring Safe Ship Crew Changes and Travel During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic,encouraging both IMO Member States and all stakeholders to consider applying the protocols to the maximum extent possible. The protocols take account of issues relevant to the global rollout of vaccines and the critical part they will play in facilitating ships’ crew changes and the promotionof world trade. This framework of protocols sets out general measures and procedures that should, so far ...

The UK Defence Club, a leading provider of marine legal costs insurance and other services to the international shipping community, has launched The Green Transition, a comprehensive report outlining the practical and contractual challenges facing the shipping industry on its journey towards becoming carbon neutral. Broken down into distinct themes, the report surveys the current landscape and addresses what the IMO’s ambitious emission reduction targets, and other sustainable regulation, really mean for shipowners and operators. The various stages of regulatory change are mapped out in precise detail. For example, the ...

Following a collision in deep water fairway of Changjiangkou (CJK) off Shanghai in December 2020, Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) has issued a notice, urging ships to ensure that propulsion and auxiliary machinery are in good order prior to departure from the berth or arrival in the restricted waters. Consequently, Shanghai MSA launched a 3-month CIC on propulsion and auxiliary machinery, commencing from 15 March 2021 and ending on 15 June 2021. Main objectives of this CIC are to ensure that ships and shipping companies fulfil their non-delegable responsibility for ...

Gard’s correspondent in China, Huatai Insurance Agency and Consultant Service Ltd., recently published a circular warning of an increase in fishing traffic in the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the waters north of 12°N of South China Sea as the start of this year’s seasonal fishing ban is approaching. Huatai Circular PNI [2021] 05 of 22 April 2021 outlines the time periods for each location and includes key points from an advisory issued by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Areas. Worth noting is ...