One of numerous possible ways to comply with the IMO’s strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships is to use biofuels or biofuel blends. Biofuels have very low sulphur levels and low CO2 emissions, as such they are a technically viable solution in meeting some of the current and future emission requirements. However, their NOx emissions might be higher than with fossil diesel oils and another immediate challenge is that the shipping sector still have limited knowledge on handling and applying biofuels as part of their ...

Pirates are kidnapping more seafarers off West Africa, IMB reports On 14 October 2020, the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) released figures showing a rise in piracy and armed robbery on the world’s seas in the first nine months of 2020, with a 40% increase in the number of kidnappings reported in the Gulf of Guinea, compared with the same period in 2019. Approximately 95% of the global kidnappings during the period occurred in the Gulf of Guinea, involving 80 crewmembers being kidnapped in 14 attacks off ...

Ship recycling activity, like any other industry, is dependent on supply and demand. Generally, ships reach their ‘end-of-life’ when their second-hand sale value for further trading drops below their recycling value. This may happen due to the ship’s condition deteriorating with increasing age which may necessitate uneconomical repairs, to the demand for ships being lower than the available supply or to specific regulatory requirements. On the demand side, the price of steel and the cost of ship-breaking are the most prominent factors. The cost of ship-breaking varies from country to ...

Analysis of the specialist insurer’s claims records for transport operators over the past three years shows temperature-controlled incidents ranking in third place. Almost 30% of these incidents involved a miscommunication of operational instructions on care of the cargo with a further 23% down to temperature setting errors. Reefer equipment failure or damage accounted for a quarter of the claims. Please see the attached infographic. TT continues in its attempts to minimise losses for both its Members and all those involved in the cool supply chain with publicly available guidance documents ...

Leading international shipping insurer North P&I Club has launched a new marine risk awareness solution, hosted on its market leading interactive MyGlobeView digital platform. Route Risk Advice, from North, offers users an innovative digital tool designed to evaluate and demonstrate the potential hazards of a voyage from port of origin to destination. The application joins a growing stable of MyGlobeView solutions, which includes the 2020 Safety4Sea Technology Award-winning Covid-19 Tracking Tool. MyGlobeView provides North members and correspondents with exclusive access to over 40 alerting and reporting features, including industry news, ...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a news release on 7 October 2020 stating that it has signed a proposed rule that will reduce the environmental impact of discharges, such as ballast water, that are incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels. When finalized, this new rule will streamline the current patchwork of federal, state, and local requirements that apply to the commercial vessel community and better protect marine waters while supporting commercial marine vessels. The EPA is seeking to establish national standards of performance for incidental discharges from ...

Sophia Bullard, Crew Health Director at UK P&I Club, discusses the importance of recognising the physical, psychological and behavioural signs induced by the Covid-19 pandemic onboard, and advises on techniques seafarers can use to cope in these difficult times: “As the pandemic continues many seafarers remain stranded at sea due to travel restrictions and border closings, unable to return home or be relieved by new crews. To the seafarers, who work endlessly and under strenuous conditions, facing the precarious challenges of the pandemic can be overwhelming. “This situation can trigger ...

At Steamship Mutual’s Board Meeting held virtually on 20 October 2020, the Directors reviewed the Club’s financial position and decided on the policy for the forthcoming renewal on 20 February 2021. During the Board Meeting the following developments were reported: The Club has been working closely with its Members in connection with Covid-19 issues – notably those which have affected crew. Covid-19 related liabilities are expected to increase claims this year but are not projected to have a significant impact in future years. After six months through the current policy ...

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has advised Nordea Bank Abp filial i Norge (“Nordea”), on a US$713m loan facility for Euronav NV, comprising a revolving credit facility of up to US$469m and a term loan of up to US$244m. The loan facility was signed on 11 September 2020 with the first drawdown on 15 October 2020. The first drawdown refinanced indebtedness in relation to nine VLCCs and three Suezmaxes and security included Belgian, Greek and French mortgages over these ships. The facility will also assist in financing part of the ...

In the current climate, ICS is working hard to support the shipping community and to provide guidance, recommendations and information for shipowners, seafarers and governments. To better serve the industry ICS is collecting information on the ability of ships to conduct crew changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shipping companies or masters are requested to complete an online form which is anonymous and takes only about a minute to complete for every successful or unsuccessful crew change. The form is available on the ICS website at the link provided on the ...

The International Group and its 13 constituent P&I Clubs, which are in turn mutually owned and governed by their shipowner and charterer members, have become extremely concerned about the detrimental effect upon the mental well-being of seafarers as a result of the prolongation of their contracts of employment due to the pandemic. It is fully appreciated that governments and port authorities have many pressing issues to contend with. However, the plight of seafarers should be high on everyone’s agenda. To the extent that the issue is not resolved, seafarers’ lives ...

West of England P&I Club, a leading insurance provider to the global maritime industry, has strengthened its offshore team with the appointment of Michael Stockwell as Offshore Underwriter. Michael Stockwell is a well-known figure in the salvage industry and joins West from his previous position as Director, Legal and Insurance, with Ardent Group. He brings extensive knowledge of the marine insurance sector, having also worked at the leading insurance broking house, Marsh. Stockwell’s appointment adds further technical expertise to West’s offshore team, as well as significant legal and commercial experience ...

As mentioned in the club’s previous news item on the Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) season (2020), there is an addition of Argentina in the list of countries that are known to regulate and inspect vessels for AGM. Members are advised that the Argentinean National Health and Agri-Food Quality Service (SENASA) has recently issued Resolution 764/2020 that will enter into force from January-2021, imposing specific measures related to infestations of certain breeds of the Gypsy Moth. The regulation applies to all ocean-going vessels which have departed from or stayed in areas ...

There has never been greater focus by sanctions authorities on the maritime sector, with increasing pressure on owners, operators and insurers to adopt ever more extensive due diligence and compliance checks in order to manage these changing and complex risks. The US continues to impose new sanctions, including sanctions with extra-territorial effect, and there has been aggressive enforcement against the maritime sector, with both Cosco Dalian and Eagle Shipping feeling the effects. In addition, designation of shipowners and vessels in connection with US sanctions against Venezuela created headaches not only ...

In this article, we look at the construction of an FSRU and therefore it’s operations and contractual arrangements as compared with traditional LNG tankers and how that affects P&I cover. What is an FSRU? Natural gas is extracted and transported by pipeline, or liquified by cooling and transported by sea on specially constructed LNG tanker vessels. The liquified gas then needs to be re-gasified for use at destination. This regasification can take place by discharging to an onshore terminal or, alternatively, offshore to a purpose-built vessel or converted LNG tanker ...