Tag: Libya

By London's marine insurance market There is no immediate prospect of Libya being removed from a list of areas deemed high risk by London's marine insurance market and underwriters will seek a stable period before looking at de-listing, a market official said on Monday.Libyan government tanks and snipers put up scattered resistance in Tripoli on Monday after rebels swept into the heart of the capital, cheered on by crowds hailing the end of Muammar Gaddafi's 42 years in power.The Joint War Committee (JWC), which groups syndicate members from the Lloyd's Market Association (LMA) and representatives from London's insurance company market, added Libya to a list of area it considered high risk for merchant vessels and prone to war, strikes, terrorism and related perils."There is no immediate prospect that Libya would be taken off the listed areas if hostilities were declared over," said LMA senior technical executive Neil Roberts."Every situation is different, but underwriters would certainly be looking for a stable period in the country before considering whether to de-list," he told Reuters.The London marine insurance market plays an influential role in the global marine insurance industry."It would be unrealistic to take it off in the short term and the situation ...

Gaddafi has faced international pressure and sanctions while he fights to hold power Many oil tankers in Libya's state-owned fleet remain anchored and unable to trade as cash flow issues continue to bite, a company managing some of their vessels said on Wednesday.Crude oil shipments from Libya, once Africa's third largest producer, have been at a virtual standstill for months as leader Muammar Gaddafi has faced international pressure and sanctions while he fights to hold power during a bloody uprising.While Libya's state-owned shipping firm General National Maritime Transport Company (GNMTC) is not targeted by sanctions, the tanker group is believed to be controlled by Gaddafi's son Hannibal, who is on a blacklist of individuals subject to travel bans and asset freezes."GNMTC is not on the list of designated individuals and entities; however Hannibal Gaddafi is, of course, on the list," said Laura Hamilton, an associate at law firm Norton Rose."The asset freeze not only applies to assets owned by the entities and individuals listed but also to assets held or controlled by them, hence the need for careful due diligence."GNTMC has 18 vessels in its international trading fleet, seven of which are managed by the company and a further three ...

Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Information Note The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulation 2011 (L.N. 114 of 2011) (the Regulation 2011) on 30 June 2011 which came into effect on the same date.The Regulation 2011 gives effect to the decisions of the Security Council of the United Nations in Resolutions 1970 and 1973 adopted on 26 February 2011 and 17 March 2011 respectively.The Regulation 2011, made under section 3 of the United Nations SanctionsOrdinance (Cap. 537), gives effect to sanctions against Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Libya) imposed by the Security Council of the United Nations in Resolutions 1970 and 1973To view more information ,click here.Source: Hong Kong Marine Department

It also amends the licensing process for the use of funds for humanitarian grounds HM Treasury have now issued an updated EU regulation 572/2011 that confirms that the six ports in Libya named below have been added to the sanctions list. It also amends the licensing processfor the use of funds for humanitarian grounds.Click on the link for the HM Treasury public notice relating to Regulation 572/2011 and here for the full regulation.HM Treasury has issued a circular outlining a number of changes to the EU sanctions regime as it applies to Libya. Please note:1. Listing of Libyan ports The EU published a Decision on 7 June 2011 that will affect trade with Libya as it sets out the EU's intention to designate six port authorities in Libya for an asset freeze. The asset freeze will take effect on the publication of an implementing Regulation. This is expected shortly. HMT will publish a notification when the asset freeze of the port authorities takes effect.The port authorities which will be subject to the asset freeze are:1. Port authority of Tripoli 2. Port authority of Al Khoms 3. Port authority of Brega 4. Port authority of Ras Lanuf 5. Port authority of ...

The Decision indicates a prohibition on making funds On 7 June 2011, the EU Council published a Council Decision indicating its intention to add six port authorities to its list of 'designated' persons or entities who will fall within the current sanctions in force against Libya.Freezing of assets of these six port authorities will begin once the Regulation implementing the Council Decision has been published. This is expected early next week.The six listed port authorities controlled by the Gaddafi regime are: Port authority of Tripoli Port authority of Al Khoms Port authority of Brega Port authority of Ras Lanuf Port authority of ZawiaPort authority of Zuwara The Decision indicates a prohibition on making funds, financial assets to economic resources, available to these port authorities directly or indirectly, e.g. payment of port fees. So anyone subject to EU jurisdiction will not be able to pay any dues to the authorities listed. What is not clear is whether the prohibition could be circumvented by, for example, making the payment to the port through a third party. The Regulation may clear up this ambiguity.There is a 'prior contracts' exemption for contracts concluded before the entry into force of the Decision until 15 July ...

The attacks are a reminder to all of the security situation in Libya On the night ofFriday 20 May NATO fighter aircraft destroyed eight of Gadaffi's warships in the ports of Tripoli, Al-Khums and Sirte.According to NATO spokesman Mike Bracken the attacks came after Gadaffi had apparently usedthe warships to launch attacks on civilians, includingmining of waters in Misrata disrupting the flow of humanitarian aid.The attacks are a reminder to all of the security situation in Libya, which continue to pose threats and challenges to shipowners operating in the area.Source: BIMCO

Conditions remain quiet and largely unchanged The main area of fighting between regime and opposition fighters continues to move - often at short notice. Heavy fighting continues around Ajdabiyah with the latest reports indicating that opposition forces are once again in control of the town.Air strikes are also continuing, but their effectiveness is limited in urban combat, where residential areas are being used by fighters on both sides.Meanwhile, conditions remain quiet and largely unchanged in both the capital and Benghazi.The route between Benghazi and Ajdabiyah is reportedly quiet at present, although it should not be considered secure. Personnel should exercise caution if travelling along the road.Source: GAC Hot Port News

Load the first tanker with crude Libyan rebels will this week load the first tanker with crude since an uprising against leader Muammar Gaddafi fully suspended exports from the North African country, Platts news agency reported.The agency said Liberian-registered tanker Equator was due to arrive in the rebel-held eastern Libyan port of Tobruk on Monday to load a cargo of Serir/Mesla blend crude oil.The agency quoted Wahid Bougaighis, head of the newly established oil company, as saying: "They are coming for sure because there was a contract signed already."He gave no other details. Reuters could not reach Bougaighis for comment.The rebel-led government has said it has concluded a deal with Qatar to market crude oil.The rebel movement has also said it is discussing plans to exempt its oil exports from sanctions and has also raised the issue with a U.N. envoy.Source: Reuters

Navigational Warning The following navigational warning (NAVWARN) was released by NATO on Friday and replaces 141/11 of Thursday. Please note that this navigational warning is currently in force, but maybe subject to change in the next few days, and Members are advised to check the status of NavWarnings on the NATO website at http://www.shipping.nato.int/NAVAREA III 147/11Eastern Mediterranean Sea North of Libya Territorial Waters NATO arms embargo operation in the vicinity of Libya territorial Waters.1. In accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 (26/02/2011) and 1973 (17/03/2011), NATO maritime forces are conducting arms embargo operations in the vicinity of Libya Territorial Waters.2. Those operations are conducted in the Mediterranean Sea and systematically enforced in the following Maritime Surveillance Area:- Northern border: the 35N parallel- Western border: Tunisian Territorial Waters (not included)- Eastern border: Egyptian Territorial Waters (not included)- Southern Border: Libyan Territorial Waters (not included)3. All Merchant vessels transiting in this area or inbound to Libya Territorial waters may be subject to hailing, queries or boarding from NATO naval and air units.* All Merchant vessels transiting through this Maritime Surveillance Area are requested, 24hrs prior their entering in this area, to contact the NATO SHIPPING CENTRE (United Kingdom, contact ...