News and Commentary

21 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Nickel Ore - Philippines tightens supply / Indonesia relaxes ban

Members with ships loading nickel ore in the Philippines are recommended to ensure that the cargo to be shipped is legal and loading is not from any of the mines mentioned in the attached list.

17 Feb 2017

Web Alert: EU Parliament backs proposal to include shipping in CO2 reforms

The European Parliament has voted in favour of proposed reforms to including international shipping in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) from 2023.

17 Feb 2017

Web alert: The Information Fusion Centre (IFC) publishes guidance on Sulu Sea attacks

The IFC in Singapore has released a commentary on the recent spate of attacks in the Sulu Sea, in particular, the Sibutu Passage.

16 Feb 2017

16 February 2017, Standard Club Circular - Renewal 2017/18 policy year

Please read the attached circular

16 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Togo accedes to two IMO treaties covering unlawful acts at sea and anti-fouling

The IMO has announced that Togo has acceded to two treaties dealing with unlawful acts against the safety of maritime navigation, and the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships.

15 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Important update regarding the recoverability of costs under the ICA following the successful defence of a cargo claim

In the club’s previous web alert, we alerted members of a decision holding that the costs of successfully defending a cargo claim were not recoverable. While it was questioned by the club whether this was the true intention of the Inter-Club Agreement 1996 (“ICA”), it remained to be seen if this decision would be followed by other tribunals or the English courts.

15 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Changes In Aproach By The Italian Ministry Of Health To Reimbursements For Crew Medical Expenses Abroad

The club has been made aware of a number of occasions where Italian crew, employed aboard Italian flagged vessels, received medical care outside of Italy and the Italian Ministry of Health has then rejected, or only partially reimbursed the shipowner, for the medical costs incurred.

14 Feb 2017

Web Alert: China - Abolishment of the Sludge and Garbage Disposal Requirement

The club has been advised by the local correspondents in China that effective 13 December 2016, the Chinese Ministry of Transport has issued a notice confirming that the previous regulation requiring international ocean-going vessels to dispose sludge and garbage is no longer mandatory.

14 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Third party funding of disputes in Singapore

On 10 January 2017, Singapore passed an amendment to the Civil Law Act to implement a framework allowing for third party funding in international disputes, in particular international commercial arbitration. This puts Singapore on the same footing as other major arbitral seats worldwide.

10 Feb 2017

10 February 2017, War Risks Class Renewal Circular - 2017-18 policy year

Please read the attached circular

10 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Transgrain Shipping (Singapore) PTE Ltd v Yangtze Navigation (Hong Kong) Ltd

In a recent High Court case the court considered the proper construction of clause 8(d) of the Inter-club Agreement 1996 ('ICA').

10 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Ice campaign declared at Odessa port, Ukraine

Members are advised that due to ice conditions at Odessa port, Ukraine the Harbour Master has declared an ice campaign to ensure the safe navigation of ships with effect from January 18, 2017.

9 Feb 2017

Web Alert: New Singapore Mediation Act

Singapore has recently established a framework for international commercial mediation in its new Mediation Act 2016 (‘the Act’). The Act will apply to mediations conducted in whole or in part in Singapore or where the mediation agreement provides that Singapore law applies.

9 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Updated CINS Guidelines for the Carriage of Calcium Hypochlorite in Containers

​The International Group of P&I Clubs (IG clubs) and the shipping line members of the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) have relea​sed the attached update on the Guidelines for the carriage of Calcium Hypochlorite that were issued in May 2016.​ ​

9 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks to apply to Cayman Islands

The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks was extended to the territory of the Cayman Islands on 7 February 2017.

6 Feb 2017

Web Alert: OFAC updating List of Medical Devices Requiring Specific Authorization for export to Iran

The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is updating and clarifying the scope of medical devices that are not authorised for exportation or re-exportation to Iran under the US sanctions regime.

2 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Mekong River clearance plans underway

Thailand is supporting Chinese plans to make the Mekong River navigable for larger ships.

2 Feb 2017

Web Alert: Can owners enforce a receiver's LOI against the receivers?

Further to the web alert published on 21 August 2015, the club would like to remind members on the points that need to be taken into consideration when considering whether to accept a LOI.

1 Feb 2017

Web Alert: 2014 Indonesia & Singapore Sea Border Agreement Ratified by Indonesian Parliament

On 15 December 2016, Indonesia’s Parliament passed a bill ratifying the Treaty between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Singapore relating to the Delimitation of the Territorial Seas of the Two Countries in the Eastern Part of the Strait of Singapore (2014 Treaty) which was signed by the two southeast Asian states in 2014.

31 Jan 2017

Web Alert: New regulation in Fujairah for ill and injured crewmembers seeking treatment

The club’s Dubai correspondent, GAC, has reported a new regulation, which went into effect on 19 January 2017, for the port of Fujairah in regards to disembarking sick and injured crewmembers from ships.