Typhoon Hagibis is approaching wide areas from western to northern Japan in the upcoming weekend. The Japan Club highlights that shipowners and vessels should be extra cautious of the weather conditions, and should ensure the safety of their crew and their vessels.
In response to reports of high population levels of Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) in some countries regulated for AGM, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian food Inspection Agency (CFIA) jointly remind ship operators of requirements for entering US and Canada safely.
Japan P&I Club has obtained recent navigation warnings of the China Waters issued by China MSA. The navigation warnings regard well exploration, optical fiber cables installation and geological exploration of Bohai Strait Sea-Crossing Passage Project.
The Japan P&I Club published the results on the condition surveys that were carried out during the 2018 policy year. The aim of the survey is to maintain the standard of vessel’s management and seaworthiness above a certain level. For 2019, the Club informed that the most common defects are related to: Hatch covers; Engine room machinery; and Oil spill prevention.
Japan P&I published a loss prevention bulletin on marine weather and the ship handling in rough seas. Navigating in rough weather conditions deserves extra attention from ship operators; Waves caused by winds and swell from several directions results to vessels experiencing a number of oscillations.
Asian gypsy moth is a serious pest that can be carried on ships and cargo. AGMs exist mainly in some seaport areas in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea, and Northern China. If introduced to North America, AGM would significantly affect forestry and agriculture, the natural environment, the commerce that relies on those plant resources, and market access.
The Japan P&I Club obtained navigation warnings of the China Waters issued by China MSA. The warnings will take place because of maintenance operation of channels of Yangtze Estuary, well exploration operation, 3d seismic data acquisition project, and survey on the submarine cable from Zhenhai and Dapengshan Island.
The US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that it has discovered Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) egg masses on three vessels arriving from Japan during July and August 2018. The two of them were vehicle transport ships entering into Baltimore and the other one was inspected at Houston.
Accidents involving ships at anchor usually occur when the anchor drags and the vessel drifts without holding power, leading to collisions, groundings or strandings. In a recent Loss prevention guide, the Japan P&I Club shared key countermeasures for preventing an anchor dragging in stormy weather.
As the stowaway activity in the South African port of Durban has seen a recent increase, the Japan P&I Club recommended that operators should employ the services of private security guards during the vessel’s port stay at the port and that the crew should remain vigilant at all times.
