Topics

Venezuela Sanctions – increased scope

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

INSIGHT: Iran Sanctions

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

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.

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.

INSIGHT: Bunker Convention 2001

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

Ratifications of MLC convention

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.

INSIGHT: Cuba Sanctions

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

INSIGHT: Syria Sanctions

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

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

Ultrasonic testing and leaking hatch covers

Cargo damage due to water ingress through leaking hatch covers remain an important part of cargo claims.

Iran and Syria: AIS and sanctions

INSIGHT: North Korea Sanctions

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

Asian gypsy moth: Brief summary of the inspection procedures

The Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) is an exotic and highly destructive forest pest which is native to Far East countries such as Japan, Russia, China and Korea.

South Africa: Fishing and fresh fish products onboard

No fishing is permitted in South African waters without a permit and vessels must disclose whether they have fresh fish products on board.

Good anchoring practice

Good bridge management in anchoring operations is the key to achieving safe anchoring and avoiding accidents. Ship companies should set up procedures for these critical tasks and incorporate them into the safety management system.

Owners’ remedies - contractual rights vs reality

The chartering of ships comes with risks that the business counterparts do not honour their obligations to pay.

MARPOL ANNEX VI - Sulphur Cap 2020 - Demystifying the FONAR

Fuel Oil Non-Availability Report (FONAR) is primarily a discretionary tool for a Member State to lessen the breach of MARPOL Annex VI.

Bunker suppliers upset balanced BIMCO bunker terms

Sometimes the standard terms and conditions of the relevant bunker supplier can be slanted in favour of the bunker supplier.

Sanctions against Iran

The one year anniversary of the withdrawal of the US from the JCPOA on 8 May has been marked by a further significant escalation of US Sanctions against Iran.

Wood pellets and risk of fire

Hazards and ensuring safe carriage.

Skuld PEME programme

Skuld Pre Employment Medical Examination Programme (PEME)

Liabilities arising under the Turkish Straits clauses

The authorities have imposed new changes with effect from 1 September 2018 on the rules governing traffic in the Turkish Straits.

INSIGHT: Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006

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

Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006: IG FAQs amended April 2019

MLC: Issuance of Certificates under Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (as amended)

Maritime Labour Convention 2006 as amended: Financial security requirements

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Sanctions against Iran, Syria and North Korea: Sanctions information on skuld.com

Members are reminded that the INSIGHT pages provide comprehensive and up to date information, materials and articles on sanctions in countries which have an impact on shipping.

Case law update - the battle for jurisdiction

The Field March 2019.

Enclosed space entry

Failure to comply with company procedures regarding entry into enclosed spaces can be fatal.

DNV GL Sulphur Ship Implementation Plan

Skuld encourages all its members and assureds to conduct early planning regarding the Global Sulphur Cap 2020 limits.

Breaching International Navigating Limits

Breaching INL from a charterers’ perspective, both in terms of potential liability for damage to the vessel and in terms of potential cover issues.

Analysis of fuel samples

2018 saw a huge increase in bunker quality disputes, starting around March/April with bunkers stemmed in Houston and gradually spreading to different regions and countries.

Crew risks in the offshore environment

The Field February 2019.

Indonesia: Vessel detentions

There has been an increase of incidents where vessels anchored in the waters around the island of Bintan, in the Eastern portion of the Singapore Straits, have been detained.

The "PACIFIC VOYAGER" - Court of Appeal decision

A case concerning the circumstances in which an owner under a voyage charter is under an absolute obligation to proceed to the loadport by a certain date.

Manual handling: an ever-present risk

Despite continued industry awareness and guidance published on manual handling, numerous musculoskeletal injuries are reported to the Club every year.

Liability regimes in offshore contracts

The Field January 2019.

Turkey: Pollution fines and criminal proceedings

Fines are imposed on vessels for causing pollution in Turkish waters through discharge of petroleum products, dirty ballast, garbage and sewage.

INSIGHT: Russia Sanctions

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

Safer through self-reflection

The most valuable and often overlooked evaluation of an individual may be by themselves. How can seafarer’s self-reflection of own performance contribute to safety at sea?