Topics

COVID-19: force majeure, frustration and exclusion clauses

The landscape for charterers is likely to be difficult to negotiate in the present circumstances

INSIGHT: Bunker Convention 2001

General information about the Bunker Convention 2001 is provided in this section of the website.

INSIGHT: Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (Wreck Removal Convention) 2007

General information about the Wreck Removal Convention is provided in this section of the website.

Ratifications of MLC convention

INSIGHT: Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006

General information about MLC is provided in this section of the website.

Best Management Practices – Piracy and Armed Robbery - West Africa

The International Group, in partnership with shipping industry associations, have launched new maritime security guidance.

INSIGHT: Venezuela Sanctions

General information about Venezuela sanctions is provided in this section of the website.

Channel closures

Skuld Charterer March 2020. This eight issue of Skuld Charterer is looking at channel closures and the principal charterparty provisions that come into play in such cases.

Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships

Circular issued by International Group clubs

INSIGHT: Russia Sanctions

General information about Russia sanctions is provided in this section of the website.

INSIGHT: Chinese Oil Pollution Regulation

General information about the Chinese Oil Pollution Regulation is provided in this section of the website.

Turkey: Enforcement for excess bunker quantities

This is a reminder that correct bunker figures shall be available at any given time.

Case study: Manual handling causes back injury

A case study of an incident reported to the club shows the importance of correct manual handling.

Electronic (Paperless) Trading: Approval of CargoX

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Guidelines for the carriage of seed cake in containers

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Electronic navigation aids: The radar

Accidents at sea continue to occur where the primary cause is the failure to properly check/verify the operation of electronic navigational aids.

INSIGHT: Iran Sanctions

General information about Iran sanctions is provided in this section of the website.

Iran: US issues new sanctions against four sectors of the Iranian economy

On 10 January 2020 the US President issued a new Executive Order.

Electronic (Paperless) Trading: Electronic Shipping Solutions, Bolero International Ltd, E-Title Authority Pte Ltd, Global Share S.A. (edoxOnline platform) and WAVE (The WAVE Network)

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Turkey: Pollution fines and criminal proceedings 2020

Advice on new rates applicable from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020, including practical information.

Hull fouling clauses and prolonged stays

Skuld Charterer December 2019.

Onboard safety precaution on tank cleaning - "The Final Stretch" for IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap

Skuld would like to advice on the risk to the crew onboard who will be cleaning the tanks if the vessel will use compliant fuel.

UAE: Port of Fujairah - High Acid Number and possible contamination of fuel

A number of fuel oil samples from deliveries in Fujairah have been found to have an elevated Total Acid Number (TAN).

Enforceability of LOIs - a practical guide

Any party accepting a Letter of Indemnity (LOI) should be aware of the risks involved in order to make a fully informed decision.

INSIGHT: HNS Convention

General information about the HNS Convention is provided in this section of the website.

INSIGHT: Syria Sanctions

General information about Syria sanctions is provided in this section of the website.

Managing alien stowaways

A brief guide to US Ballast Water Regulations, the Vessel General Permit and the 2018 Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act.

Sampling of liquid cargoes

Quality problems with liquid cargoes have been an issue since the dawn of this trade, and even with modern techniques these quality issues are likely to continue.

A guide to US crew claims

The Field October 2019.

Sulphur 2020: Fuel specification guidelines

Skuld would like to inform its members that ISO has released new fuel specification guidelines for very low sulphur marine fuel oil.

New Zealand and Australia: Stink bug warning 2019-2020

Members with vessels trading to Australia and New Zealand should ensure that the crew onboard are aware and familiar with the BMSB seasonal management measures.

War risks - Charterers' perspective

Skuld Charterer September 2019.

US sanctions on the Government of Venezuela and Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA)

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Latest news on Iran sanctions

The United States administration continues to escalate sanctions targeting non-US persons involved in the shipping industry.

INSIGHT: Cuba Sanctions

General information about Cuba sanctions is provided in this section of the website.

Nickel ore liquefaction alert

Members and masters are advised to take extreme caution when loading nickel ore in the region of Indonesia and the Philippines.

Guidance on the United States Sanctions Compliance Programmes published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Venezuela Sanctions – increased scope

On 5 August 2019 the US administration significantly increased scope of sanctions against the Maduro regime in Venezuela.

Force Majeure - Court of Appeal clarification

Charterers cannot rely on a force majeure clause if they would have failed to provide the cargo in any event. The Court of Appeal reverses decision on damages but upholds reasoning on liability.

Tokyo and Paris MoU: Concentrated Inspection Campaign

A joint concentrated inspection campaign on emergency systems and procedures has been launched by Tokyo MOU and Paris MOU and will commence on 1 September 2019.

MARPOL annex VI - Sulphur Cap 2020 - Tank cleaning guidance

Fuel oil tanks should be cleaned on regular basis to remove build-up of sediments and sludge.

Strait of Hormuz - security guidance

Following the events on Friday 19 July in the Straits of Hormuz, BIMCO, the ICS, Intertanko and the OCIMF have drafted the following reporting guidance.

New US procedure for reporting non-availability of compliant fuel and the issuance of FONARs - MARPOL Annex VI - Sulphur Cap 2020

On 28 June 2019, the USCG published a new procedure for notification of non-availability of compliant fuel.

US Supreme Court ruling on punitive damages

The US Supreme Court ruling on 24 June 2019 in The Dutra Group v. Batterton will have an important impact on the damages which may be recoverable in US personal injury claims.

The 2020 Global Sulphur Cap

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Switch bills of lading

Some practical guidelines on how owners can minimise the risks connected with switching bills.

Anti-technicality notices: a charterers’ perspective

Skuld Charterer June 2019.

Ukraine: Revising ballast water regulations

The control of segregated ballast water in Ukrainian ports has been temporarily cancelled and ecological inspectors are for the time being not permitted to inspect vessels for the purpose of ecological control.

Electronic (Paperless) Trading

Circular issued by International Group clubs