News and Commentary

30 Jan 2017

Web Alert: EPA issues FAQ guidance regarding North American and Caribbean ECA compliance

In response to questions regarding Emissions Control Area (ECA) compliance issues, the US EPA has released the attached FAQ guidance. The FAQ’s address a range of topics including handling exhaust gas scrubber effluent, NOx Tier III for dual fuel engines, fittings of non-Tier III engines on vessels constructed on or after 1 Jan 2016, and additional information about the EPA and Annex VI requirements.

30 Jan 2017

Web Alert: EPA issues FAQ guidance regarding North American and Caribbean ECA compliance

In response to questions regarding Emissions Control Area (ECA) compliance issues, the US EPA has released the attached FAQ guidance. The FAQ’s address a range of topics including handling exhaust gas scrubber effluent, NOx Tier III for dual fuel engines, fittings of non-Tier III engines on vessels constructed on or after 1 Jan 2016, and additional information about the EPA and Annex VI requirements.

27 Jan 2017

Web Alert: Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks – update on Belgium and the Cayman Islands

The club refers to its recent circulars and web alerts (all of which can be found here), on the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (the Nairobi Convention) which came into force on 14 April 2015.

27 Jan 2017

Web Alert: Italy - New legislation on pilot liability

On 19 December 2016, a law was published in the Official Gazette introducing certain amendments in respect of liability for port pilots. The new regime became effective on 3 January 2017, amending relevant sections of the Italian Code of Navigation.

26 Jan 2017

Web Alert: Compliance with the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW ConventionWeb Alert: Compliance with the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention

1 January 2017 marked the end of the transitional period and the beginning of the full implementation of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers (STCW) 1978 (Manila Amendments).

26 Jan 2017

Web Alert: Final Rule on Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf—Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control (US)

The US Interior Department, through its Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, published the Final Rule on Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf – Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control (on 29 April 2016).

25 Jan 2017

Web Alert: NRC launches Global Response Services

National Response Corporation (NRC) has announced it will now provide oil spill emergency response coverage to tank and non-tank vessels on a global basis via their Global Response Services (GRS), effective as of 1 January 2017.

20 Jan 2017

Web Alert: International Group reinsurance 2017/18 placement – termination of 'fall-back' cover

Placement of the International Group General Excess of Loss (GXL) reinsurance and Collective Overspill contracts and the Hydra reinsurance programme for 2017 have been completed.

20 Jan 2017

20 January 2017, Standard Club Circular - Ballast Water Management Convention

Please read the attached circular

19 Jan 2017

Web Alert: UNHRC – The number of migrants entering Mediterranean by sea dropped in 2016

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) recently released a report showing that the total number of migrants who reached the Mediterranean by sea in 2016 fell by nearly two-thirds in comparison with 2015. According to the UNHRC, 364,000 migrants had reached Europe via a Mediterranean crossing during 2016 compared to 1,015,07 refugees who were estimated to have crossed the Mediterranean in 2015.

17 Jan 2017

Web Alert: Sulu-Celebes Sea - increase in pirate attacks & crew abductions

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre conducted a two day meeting of anti-piracy contact points and a workshop on piracy and armed robbery against ships involving participants from Africa, Asia and Europe in Singapore on 11 and 12 January 2017.

17 Jan 2017

Web Alert: U.S. takes steps to revoke sanctions against Sudan

On 13 January 2017, President Obama signed an Executive Order (E.O.) which will revoke sanctions against Sudan on 12 July 2017, if the Government of Sudan sustains positive actions it has taken over the last six months.

16 Jan 2017

Web Alert: New Guidelines on the use of drones for offshore operators

Following the growing use of drones by offshore operators, Oil and Gas UK has recently published the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations Management Standards and Guidelines (the guidelines).

12 Jan 2017

Web Alert: Australia, Recognition of foreign maritime liens? – revisited!

Further to the club’s web alert on the Australian Federal Court’s first instance decision in The Sam Hawk (2015)[1], we now provide an updated on the appeal judgement handed down decision by the Full Federal Court.

12 Jan 2017

Web Alert: Passenger Liability Regulations - Update regarding Class A vessels in domestic carriage

As of 31 December 2016, the application of the Regulation (EC) No 392/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the Liability of Carriers of Passengers by Sea in the Event of Accidents (the “PLR”) to Class A vessels will apply in certain countries.

12 Jan 2017

Web Alert: Update on Marine Pollution Fines in Turkey in 2017

Further to the Club’s web alert back in April 2016 on the Turkish pollution fine rates for 2016, Members are advised that as of the 1st of January 2017 the updated rates will enter into force for 2017.

12 Jan 2017

Web alert: OFAC updates its FAQ on US sanctions against Cuba and the '180-day rule'

As previously reported by the club in October 2016 the US Treasury Department of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) to create more economic opportunity for Cubans and Americans.

11 Jan 2017

Web Alert: International Maritime Bureau (IMB) publishes its 2016 annual report - crew kidnappings on the rise despite a decrease in piracy from 2015

The IMB has published its report on piracy and armed robbery for the 12 month period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016.

10 Jan 2017

Web Alert: IMSBC Code Amendments (HME Cargo Residues)

Effective 1 January 2017, the amendments 03-15 to IMSBC code has come into force.

10 Jan 2017

Web Alert: Marine surveyors and survey companies operating in Turkey

The Turkish Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication (Ministry) has recently enacted The Regulation of Surveying Services in Maritime Commerce (Regulation) that imposes an obligation on individuals and companies acting as marine surveyors to obtain an operating licence.