Tag: Gard Club

Information provided by the Gard P&I Club The Gard P&I Club issues alert for Egypt/Suez Canal - new instructions regarding weapons and armed security guards onboard commercial vessels as follows:During August 2011, the Egyptian Authorities announced that commercial vessels in Egyptian territorial waters were not allowed to carry any weapons or armed security guards onboard as this was stated to be contrary to international maritime law.Consequences in case weapons were found onboard vessels when staying in Egyptian territorial waters whether that be along quays in ports, while anchoring in the inner or outer waiting areas or while transiting theSuez Canal, were reported to be serious. The master of the vessel and her crew members would be liable to legal penalties in accordance with Egyptian Law such as arrest of the vessel and her master, and any person onboard carrying weapons without permission.Gard's understanding is that the above described prohibition notice by the Egyptian Authorities on carrying weapons through the Suez Canal was originally introduced as a precautionary measure to prevent weapons being smuggled to/from Egypt during a period with somewhat unstable conditions in the country.It appears, however, that implementation of the said requirements have not been carried out in practice, ...

Gard P&I Club Alert The Gard P&I Club issues the following alert regarding Monsoon Flooding in Thailand affetcs Shipping:Gard's correspondent in Bangkok, Thai P&I Services International Ltd., has advised that due to the ongoing threat of flooding in Thailand, shipments to and from the kingdom have been affected.The export of rice is also expected to be severely affected. In addition to the authorities limiting vessel traffic in the Chao Praya River to ease wash damage to properties adjacent to the river, the majority of barges used to load rice cargoes have been unable to load cargoes as Ayutthaya Province, the origin of the cargo, has been severely flooded. Members expecting to load rice cargoes from Thailand should check cargo availability, to avoid delays.As of 25. October 2011, reports from shipping agents in Bangkok state that Bangkok Port has already stopped receiving discharged containers due to yard congestion. Container liners are therefore considering shifting incoming vessels to other private ports in Bangkok or Laem Chabang. In addition,due to flooding of numerous Container Terminals and ICD's, their ability to accept additional laden containers is also in doubt. Many ICD's have already resorted to stowing laden containers above empties, to avoid cargo damage ...

Incidents occurred in Venezuela The Gard P&I Club issues alert regarding robbery of vessels in ports of Venezuela as follows:The risk of armed robbery is still of concern for vessels anchoring in the areas surrounding Puerto La Cruz and Barcelona City off the north coast of Venezuela. Gard would like to take the opportunity to warn our Members and Clients about this problem and to repeat some of the advice provided by our local correspondent and authorities as to precautionary measures to be taken by vessels calling at ports in the relevant areas.The situationReported incidents involve intruders, usually approaching the vessel in small fishing boats, climbing aboard the vessels during the night while the vessel is at anchor. The intruders' intentions are to rob the vessel and its crewmembers of all valuables. During the robbery, crew members have been threatened, beaten and even attacked with knives and guns.According to Gard's correspondent in Venezuela, extra precautions should be taken when anchoring in the proximity of the Jose (Bahia de Barcelona) and Pertigalete terminals or close to the port of Guanta and the Guaraguaoterminal in the Bahia de Pozuelos.Our correspondent in Venezuela also states that a meeting was arranged not long ago ...

The Gard P&I Club issues Alert The Gard P&I Club issues Alert regarding IMSBC Code- Charterparty clause for solid bulk cargoes as follows:Introduction and backgroundReference is made to various circulars and articles published by the Association on the liquefaction of solid bulk cargoe.The Association has seen various charterparty clauses that attempt to weaken, avoid, and/or restrain owners from taking the necessary precautions with regard to cargoes that may liquefy, as set out in theIMSBC Code (which is mandatory under the provisions of SOLAS). With a view to preserving a Member's rights, protecting their interests and to assist in achieving contract certainty on this important safety matter, the International Group of P&I Clubs ("IG") has produced a standard charterparty clause.For more details, click here.Source: The Gard P&I Club

The campaign commences on 1 September and will last for 3 months The Gard P&I Club issues Circular alert regarding Port State Control - Tokyo & Paris MOU's: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Structural Safety and Load Lines as follows:IntroductionIn their press release of 21 July 2011, Paris and Tokyo MoUs announced that they will be running a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) focusing on compliance with structural safety and the Load Line Convention.According to the Paris and Tokyo MoUs, deficiencies related to structural safety and load lines account for 15% of the total number of deficiencies found in their regions over the last 8 years.The campaign commences on 1 September and will last for 3 months, ending 30 November 2011.Campaign Focus AreasDuring the campaign, Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will check the applicable documentation as well as the physical conditions of vessels.In the middle of August, a questionnaire was released further detailing the items to be covered by the PSCOs during this CIC. The questionnaire can be found via links on official web pages of both the Paris MoU and the Tokyo MoU.The questionnaire is divided into two parts:Part 1 shall be completed prior to a physical inspection onboard and ...

Circular No.6/2011 issued by the Gard P&I Club The Gard P&I Club issues Circular No.6/2011 regarding Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships as follows:We refer Members to previous circulars on the Regulations of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships ("the Regulations"), and the postponement of the requirement that owners/operators of (a) any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or (b) any other vessel above 10,000 gt enter into a pollution clean up contract with a Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) approved pollution response company before the vessel enters a PRC port.Members were previously informed that the MSA Notice issued on 20 May 2011 stated that the lists of level 2, 3 and 4 contractors would be issued by the MSA by 31 August 2011 and the list of level 1 contractors issued during the course of the year1.The International Group has maintained contact with the MSA and now understands that the lists of all approved contractors will be issued in October 2011. The requirement to contract with an approved clean up contractor will still be enforced in all ...

Released by the Gard P&I Club The Gard P&I Club has recently been notified by Members and Clients that the Brazilian National Sanitation Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) appears to enforce local health regulations applicable to ships arriving in Brazilian ports more rigorously.This has been confirmed by our local correspondent in Rio de Janeiro, particularly as concerns documentary evidence of compliance with RDC 72 Articles 60/61 on the control of air conditioning systems and Articles 79/80 on the control of synanthropic fauna specimens harmful to health.Lack of compliance and/or documentary evidence acceptable to theauthorities may result in fines and/or delay of the vessel in port.For more information, click here.Source: The Gard P&I Club

Loss Prevention Circular No. 10-11 The Gard P&I Club issues circular regarding Draft surveys in Egyptian ports - Loss Prevention Circular No. 10-11Lately there has been an increase in the number of solid bulk shortage claims in Egypt although draft surveys have been carried out and signed by the master. Gard has been informed that one reason for an increase in such claims may be final draft survey reports distorting the facts, combined with dishonest practices in obtaining and using the masters signature and stamp.The purpose of this Circular is to increase awareness and recommend steps that the master can take to minimise the risk of claims in such circumstances.For more details, click here.Source: The Gard P&I Club

In May 2010, Gard addressed the carriage of Distillers Dried Grain focusing on the risks involved The Gard P&I Club issues Circular regarding the loading of Dried Grain with Soluble (DDGS) in US ports as follows:In May 2010, Gard addressed the carriage of Distillers Dried Grain (DDG and DDGS),1 focusing on the regulations and the risks involved.Gard has received further requests for advice related to the shipment of Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS) from the United States one of the main exporters following charterers/shippers provision of a letter of authorisation issued by the USCG.This letter purports to authorise the carriage of DDGS as non-hazardous (Group C) cargo pursuant to section 1.3 of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code).For more information, click here.Source: The Gard P&I Club

Structural damage incidents as a result of overpressure in iquid cargo tanks have been increased Gard P&I Club issued Loss Prevention Circular No.08-11 regarding clearing of shore pipelines following cargo operations at terminals.Over the years, Gard has seen some extensive structural damage incidents as a result of overpressure in the liquid cargo tanks during loading operations. Such damages result in time consuming and costly repairs and unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the frequency of such incidents has increased, despite ship procedures addressing the risks involved.In Gards experience such incidents often occur during the loading operation phase when shore pipelines are being cleared, either by line blowing or by pigging1. In one such incident, failure to maintain close communication with the terminal and a lack of ship personnels attention to and awareness of the hazards related to an unattended open manifold valve during shore pipeline clearing operations seem to be the main causes.After the completion of loading of one tank and initial clearing of the line, the terminal requested the re-opening of the manifold valve for further blowing of the cargo line. The line was then left open and the ship reportedly did not receive any further information from the terminal. Some ...