Tag: Gard Club

According to IMO, exhaust gas scrubbers are a compliant method to reduce vessels' sulphur emissions and ensuring compliance with MARPOL Annex VI. Yet, some coastal states and ports have implemented local regulations with stricter measures that either restrict or prohibit the discharge of washwater from open loop scrubbers or prohibit the use of scrubbers, according to Gard.

Gard issued a statement alerting about the incidence of fraudulent bills of lading, adding that the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is a believer of prompt dissemination of relevant information is key to successful prevention and control. 

In order to protect ships from piracy attacks at Douala anchorage, Cameroon decided to supply armed guards, free of charge, that will stay on board a vessel for the duration of its stay at the anchorage. The new arrangement will limit the administrative delays that arise when completing an application for government armed guards on board.

While scrubbers are an attractive means of compliance with the IMO's 2020 sulphur cap, equivalent to low-sulphur fuels, a recent surge in bans of open loop scrubbers in major ports worldwide seems to open new discussions, creating misconceptions surrounding the true environmental impact of these systems.

The Turkish Straits, consisting of the Istanbul and Çanakkale Straits and the Marmara Sea, linking the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, are considered one of the most strategically significant waterways of the world. However, because of the busy traffic with a considerable number of tankers carrying dangerous cargo in the Turkish Straits there are always considerable concerns for the safety of the public and the environment.

The 2019/20 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season has arrived, as Gard Club informs, and ships arriving in New Zealand and Australia from countries with established stink bug populations must prepare for increased surveillance and inspection. Last season, New Zealand turned away four contaminated vessels from its waters.

According to an assessment by Norwegian authorities, its maritime and oil and gas sectors have recently been victims of cyber campaigns specifically targeting companies in the US, Europe and the Middle East. For this reason, Norway advises companies to be prepared for continuous activity in the short to medium term.

Enclosed space rescue drills often lead to injuries and fatal incidents, either it's because of lack of safety measures or lack of oxygen. Gard supports that preparedness comes with regular training and practice during the drills and recommends that time based goals should be set during enclosed space entry drills so that the crew understands the associated risks.

As Gard Club informs, open manholes and displaced gratings can lead to significant dangers to crewmembers on offshore installations, as two recent incidents showcase, reported by the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

Gard advises all vessels operating in the Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf region to be highly alerted, operate with a heightened level of security and follow relevant guidance, as the tension in the area keep increasing.