Managing during a crisis event is challenging for even the most experienced incident managers. Incidents that happen in and around a port environment can be especially difficult to manage, proving daunting even for first responders and other seasoned crisis management professionals. Port environments encompass both land and sea-based risks, handle and store dangerous chemicals and materials and involve the operation of large handling equipment and machinery. Recognizing the scope of the challenge, the Port of Virginia has for two consecutive years convened the National Port Partners Emergency Response Summit in ...

In today’s interconnected world, the threat landscape for businesses has evolved significantly. One of the most insidious and challenging risks to manage is the insider threat. This article delves into what insider threats are, their implications, common threats, and effective risk mitigation strategies. The integrity of supply chains is crucial for the smooth functioning of trade and commerce. However, organised criminal networks have increasingly infiltrated the supply chain, posing significant challenges for both businesses and law enforcement. Criminal organisations exploit weaknesses in supply chain processes, which they often learn by ...

The following amendments to the Rules for P&I and Defence cover for ships and other floating structures (“Rules for Ships”) and the Rules for P&I and Defence cover for mobile offshore units (“Rules for MOUs”) for both Assuranceforeningen Gard – gjensidig – and Gard P. & I. (Bermuda) Ltd. (collectively the “Associations” and individually the “Association”) have been endorsed by the Boards of Directors of the Associations and will enter into force at noon GMT on 20 February 2025. RULES FOR SHIPS – P&I ENTRIES Rule 1 – Interpretation – ...

The truth is in the numbers Few aspects of occupational safety onboard ships have received more attention than the importance of following proper procedures when entering enclosed spaces. Nevertheless, seafarers and shore personnel continue to die in enclosed spaces onboard ships, and InterManager’s safety statistics highlights a worrying development of such accidents. By January 2025, InterManager estimated that around 350 seafarers and third-party workers had died from asphyxiation in enclosed spaces onboard ships since 1996, with 43 accidents since 2022 accounting for 70 of these deaths. While these alarmingly high ...

This Notice confirms approval by the Group of the IQAX eBL interoperable addendum (version dated 6 December 2024) (‘the Interoperable Addendum’). The purpose of the Interoperable Addendum is to allow for inter-platform transfers of electronic bills of lading with other system providers (‘interoperability’). The Interoperable Addendum supplements the existing Group approved IQAX eBL terms and conditions. Users will be required to sign the Interoperable Addendum in order to transfer electronic bills of lading to another system. The Interoperable Addendum allows interoperability so long as: i) transfer is to an International ...

The FuelEU Maritime regulation, enforced January 1, 2025, aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a well-to-wake basis within EU and EEA waters. The regulation mandates compliance with GHG intensity limits and promotes the use of alternative fuels and technologies. GHG intensity, in the EU maritime sector, refers to energy consumed per unit of output. Therefore, reducing fuel consumption over a defined distance or changing to lower carbon fuel alternatives will reduce GHG emissions and reduce the compliance deficit. The compliance deficit is calculated as the target GHG intensity ...

Move strengthens West’s diversified product portfolio, while Nordic continues to operate as usual London, UK/Stockholm, Sweden – 09 January 2025 – West P&I Club announce the full acquisition of Nordic Marine Insurance (Nordic), a leading provider of fixed premium insurance for the marine industry, specialising in Delay Insurance, Primary Loss of Earnings, Hull and Machinery (H&M), Loss of Hire, Maritime Lien solutions and other specialist insurance products. West P&I initially acquired a significant stake in Nordic in 2020. The two organisations have worked closely together since then, with Nordic’s specialist ...

Crew members may not be experts in sulphur and carbon dioxide emissions monitoring systems and may struggle to correctly interpret measurement signals and analyser readings. In a recent article, DNV discusses the importance of calibration and maintenance routines, and how to identify false reading from the monitoring equipment. Report malfunctions False readings lasting more than one hour should be reported to the flag administration and the relevant port state administration. However, sometimes a malfunction may go undetected because the monitoring equipment does not register any increase in Sulphur Dioxide concentration. ...

Here’s a breakdown of how each major port is affected: Port of Maputo The Port of Maputo, one of the busiest in the region, has seen significant disruptions. Protests and violence have led to delays in cargo processing and vessel handling. The port has experienced delays for 24 vessels and cancellations for six vessels due to stock shortages at the quayside The unrest has also caused damage to port infrastructure, further hindering operations. Port of Beira The Port of Beira has also been affected by the political unrest. The violence ...

Situation update For more than a decade there has been a persistent issue of ships incurring fines at Argentina’s ports. The Argentine Customs Authorities are known for paying close attention to the details in each ship’s custom declarations and stores lists – and for imposing strict penalties for any discrepancies identified, as permitted under its Customs Code. In July 2023, our correspondent Sigvart G.J. Simonsen & Cia. S.R.L reported that claims related to custom fines were on the rise in Argentina. And now, in December 2024, the situation remains unchanged. ...

VPS provides a timely update on Biofuels testing and use. Biofuel is proving to be a popular choice to reduce CO2 emissions. As a “drop-in” fuel existing storage, transfer and delivery systems need no change. Engine operations do not appear to be impacted yet. Close monitoring of main and auxiliary engine operations, increased inspection frequency and close liaison with lubricating oil providers are all needed as biofuel consumption increases. Caution! As demand increases, there may be more quality concerns from unscrupulous suppliers. Testing and monitoring in accordance with your fuel ...

With the FuelEU regulation coming into force on 1st January, BIMCO has had the daunting task of swiftly converting a complicated regulation into a simple and balanced clause Owners and Charterers can easily understand and adopt. BIMCO’s long-awaited FuelEU clause has now been published. This is a helpful and welcome starting point for Owners and Charterers to agree how calculations and costs will be dealt with under their charterparties. However, as it does not cover everything in detail Owners and Charterers should be mindful of certain issues when incorporating this ...

GHG regulations and focus for PSC According to DNV, different PSC areas are currently scrutinizing the NOx Technical Files and the Record Book of Engine Parameters to ensure the records align with the on-board installations. This has resulted in several detainable deficiencies being issued during regular PSC inspections in recent months. PSC Officers may also check available spare parts to verify if their IMO IDs match the Technical Files, says DNV. Any non-compliance might trigger a more detailed PSC inspection. In case of doubt, PSC Officers might also request partial ...

AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) to The Japan Ship Owners’ Mutual Protection & Indemnity Association (Japan P&I or the Club) (Japan). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect Japan P&I’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The Club’s risk-adjusted capitalisation is assessed at the strongest level, as measured by ...

Key features Club retention maintained at USD 10 million Pool maintained at USD 100 million International Group’s captive, Hydra, utilised as part of the risk retention strategy Main General Excess of Loss has been renewed with unamended free and unlimited coverage for all risks except Malicious Cyber, Covid-19 and Pandemic Malicious Cyber, Covid-19 and Pandemic risks have expanded the benefit of free and unlimited cover for claims up to USD 650 million excess of USD 100 million, covering almost all Group Clubs’ certificated risks. In excess of USD 750 million, ...