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EU comply with the Insurance Directive – Insurance of Shipowners for Maritime Claims

Directive 2009/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 The West of England P&I Club issues Notice to its Members regarding Directive 2009/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the Insurance of Shipowners for Maritime Claims ("Insurance Directive") as follows:Operators have previously been advised that EU Member States are required to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the EU Insurance Directive before 1January 2012.The Insurance Directive requires shipowners of ships having a gross tonnage (gt) of 300 or greater to maintain insurance to cover maritime claims subject to limitation under the Protocol of 1996 to Amend the International Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC Protocol) and up to the relevant maximum limits laid down in it. The Directive requires that this cover is evidenced by a certificate or certificates of insurance when entering an EU port, or flying the flag of a Member State.'Insurance' is defined in the Directive itself as "insurance with or without deductibles, and comprises, for example, indemnity insurance of the type currently provided by members of the International Group of P& I Clubs, and ...

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Loss Prevention Bulletin regarding Asian Gypsy Moth

Published by the West of England P&I Club The West of England P&I Club has published a Loss PreventionBulletin regarding Asian Gypsy Moth as follows:This bulletin covers the risks associated with Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) infestation of vessels. It details: Regions where AGM is prevalent Locations aboard a vessel where AGM eggs may be laid AGM inspection and reporting requirements Instructions for sampling and dealing with AGM infestation Country specific AGM requirementsThe Asian Gypsy Moth is a highly destructive forest pest that feeds on both deciduous and coniferous trees. The ability of the female moth to travel up to 21 nautical miles, coupled with the voracious appetite of AGM larvae, can cause widespread defoliation leaving trees weakened and susceptible to disease and other pests.For more details, click hereSource: The West of England P&I Club

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Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code

Compliance with the amendments becomes mandatory on 1 January 2013 On 20 May 2011, the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO's) Maritime Safety Committee at its eighty-ninth session adopted Resolution MSC.(318)89 regarding amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. Contracting governments may apply the new requirements, in whole or in part, on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2012. Compliance with the amendments becomes mandatory on 1 January 2013.As a result of changes in world trade, new solid bulk cargoes with their own particular hazards are often introduced and presented for shipment. Similarly, some cargoes that were previously only shipped in very limited quantities and were not included in the IMSBC Code are now carried more extensively. At the same time, expert understanding of the properties and hazards associated with established solid bulk cargoes and the safest means of handling and carrying such cargoes is continually being advanced. Therefore to keep pace with developments the IMSBC Code will in future be updated bi-annually.Amendment 01-11, which is the first amendment to the IMSBC Code since it became mandatory, follows a review of numerous submissions to IMO by the sub-committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Bulk Cargoes and Containers (DSC). The principal ...

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Amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code

Compliance with the amendments becomes mandatory on 1 January 2012 On 21 May 2010, the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO's) Maritime Safety Committee at its eighty-seventh session adopted the amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code contained in Resolution MSC.294(87). Contracting governments have been able to apply the new requirements, in whole or in part, on a voluntary basis since 1 January 2011. Compliance with the amendments becomes mandatory on 1 January 2012.Of the many changes to the IMDG Code, those of particular interest include:A number of new entries for calcium hypochlorite (UNs 3485, 3486 and 3487, Class 5.1). This commodity has led to a number of severe fires on board vessels¹.A new entry for iodine (UN 3495, Classes 8 and 6.1).A new entry for nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries (UN 3496, Class 9). Several fires and explosions have originated in packages of nickel metal hydride batteries.A new limited quantities mark.An amendment to the marine pollutant mark.A new chapter 5.5 "Special Provisions" covering the "Special provisions applicable to fumigated cargo transport units (UN 3359)".The amendments to the Code (amendments 35-10) have been incorporated into the 2010 edition of the IMDG Code.Members are reminded to ensure that their vessels comply ...

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Egypt – Carriage of Armed Guards, Weapons and Ammunition through the Suez Canal

Vessels are now permitted to transit the Suez Canal with armed guards, The West of England P&I Club provides the following information regarding Carriage of Armed Guards, Weapons and Ammunition through the Suez Canal:In August 2011 the Egyptian Ministry of Defence announced a prohibition on the carriage of armed guards, weapons and ammunition on vessels transiting the Suez Canal. However, the requirements were not enforced at the time due to discussions with other Egyptian authorities regarding the possible negative impact of such regulations on the volume of shipping using the Suez Canal.The West of England P&I Club has been advised by Egyptian Marine Insurance Consultations and Services (EMICS), Alexandria that the regulations have since been amended. Vessels are now permitted to transit the Suez Canal with armed guards, weapons and ammunition on board, provided a letter endorsed by the vessel's flag state is submitted to the Suez Canal Authority prior to transit.The letter, which need not be in any particular format, must contain the following information:The quantity and type of weapons and ammunition on board,The number of armed guards on board,Details of the armed guards' employer, andConfirmation that the weapons will not be used while the vessel is in Egyptian ...

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Brazil – Amazon and Pará Rivers Ballast Water Regulations

Information provided by the West of Engalnd P&I Club The West of England P&I Club provides the following information at its website regarding Ballast Water Regulations in Brazil - Amazon and Pará Rivers:Since October 2005 it has been mandatory for all vessels planning to discharge ballast water in Brazilian ports and terminals to conduct a ballast water exchange whilst on passage. There is also an additional requirement for vessels proceeding to ports or terminals in the Amazon and Pará Rivers to conduct a second ballast water exchange at prescribed locations in order to reduce the salinity of the ballast water. Certain vessels are exempt, including warships, vessels with sealed ballast tanks not subject to discharge and ships whose design characteristics do not allow ballast exchange.However, the Club has been advised by Brazmar Marine Services Ltda than an increasing number of eligible vessels are failing to conduct the second ballast water exchange. Although such vessels may be treated leniently if proceeding to an area where the salinity of the water is already high, those calling at ports further up river where the water is less saline may be dealt with more rigorously.The Brazilian regulations require that a ballast water exchange takes ...

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Increase in the number of persons attempting to stowaway on vessels

Vessels calling at Turkish ports The West of England P&I Club has been advised by Kalimbassieris Maritime, Istanbul, of a significantincrease in the number of persons attempting to stowaway on vessels calling at Turkish ports.Turkey is the natural crossing point into Europe for refugees and economic migrants from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. However, due to the high level of security at Turkish border points, they often find that a land crossing into Europe is not possible. Therefore they may look for other ways to reach their intended destination.Due to thesignificant increase in the number of illegal immigrants attempting to cross into Europe, there has been a corresponding rise in stowaway attempts from Turkish ports, including Turkish Nationals. Given that security measures in some Turkish ports and terminals may not be as robust as at land border checkpoints, vessels should be particularly vigilant and ensure that all practicable steps are taken to prevent persons stowing away.Source: The West of England P&I Club

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Brazil – Withdrawal of the Restriction on the Transit of Filipino Seafarers through Brazilian Ports

Information provided by the West of England P&I Club Further to previous news articles regarding restrictions in Brazil on the movement of seafarers that do not possess a Seaman's Book issued by a country that has ratified either ILO Convention No.108 or 185, the requirements have now been partly relaxed.Santos correspondents Brazil P&I have advised that, according to reports, the General Co-ordination of the Immigration Affairs in Brasilia has revoked all restrictions on the movement of Filipino seafarers through Brazilian ports, even though the Philippines has ratified neither of the ILO Conventions.The result of this change is that Filipino seafarers may now join and sign off vessels, or proceed ashore using their Seaman's Book rather than a passport containing a Brazilian Visa. Although the concession is confined to Santos at the present time, other Brazilian ports are expected to follow in due course.It is important to note only Filipino seafarers benefit from this change. The restrictions on the movement of seafarers who possess Seaman's Books issued by countries that have not ratified the Conventions, and who do not possess a valid Brazilian Visa in their passport, remain in place for all other nationalities.Click here to see the countries that have ...

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Passage planning in confined waters and traffic separation schemes

Safety alert issued by West of England P&I Club The West of England P&I Club issues Safety Alert regarding Passage planning in confined waters and traffic separation schemes as follows:The Club has recently encountered a number of large claims where vessels have had to alter course during a close quarters situation, resulting in either a collision or a grounding.These incidents have taken place while navigating in high traffic areas where many vessels have been using very similar passage plans. When passage planning it is customary for the course to be laid off on paper charts or entered into the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), ensuring that the voyage will be the shortest and safest route possible between the port of departure and the port of destination.Any applicable mandatory naviga-tional requirements will also need to be incorporated.Navigators should be aware that in busy waters off headlands, shoal patches and within Traffic Separation Schemes, many vessels may be following similar tracks and altering course at waypoints plotted in very close proximity to one another.To view further information, click hereSource: The West of England P&I Club

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New Guidelines for the Carriage of Bulk Blends of Petroleum Oil and Bio-Fuels

By the West of England P&I Club The West of England P&I Club issues New Guidelines for the Carriage of Bulk Blends of Petroleum Oil and Bio-Fuels as follows:The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee has recently approved the "2011 Guidelines for the Carriage of Blends of Petroleum Oil and Bio-Fuels". The new guidelines, contained in the Annex to MEPC.1/Circ.761, are effective from 1 September 2011, when they will replace the existing interim guidelines.The carriage provisions are based on the volumetric composition of the bio-fuel blend; products containing 75% or more petroleum oil are to be carried in accordance with the requirements of MARPOL Annex I, products containing more than 1% but less than 75% petroleum oil are to be carried in accordance with the requirements of MARPOL Annex II and the conditions detailed in the guidelines. Products containing 1% or less petroleum oil are to be carried under the requirements of MARPOL Annex II.Physical blending of petroleum oil and bio-fuel resulting in a single product must only be carried out whilst the vessel is within port limits. Prior to any such operation it is important that detailed instructions of exactly how such blending is to take place are obtained from ...

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