Topics

Ratifications of MLC convention

INSIGHT: Venezuela Sanctions

General information about Venezuela sanctions 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.

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.

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.

INSIGHT: Iran Sanctions

General information about Iran 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.

INSIGHT: North Korea Sanctions

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

Enclosed space entry

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

Skuld PEME programme

Skuld Pre Employment Medical Examination Programme (PEME)

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?

Ban on discharging wash water from open loop scrubbers in part of China ECAs as of 1 January 2019

The new MSA Notice (2018) 555 issued on 29 December 2018 bans discharging washing water from open loop scrubbers in part of China ECAs as of 1 January 2019.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Enforcement of UN, US and EU Sanctions

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Carriage of Divinylbenzene (DVB) in containers

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Notice of arbitration - sender beware

In two recent cases concerning service of notices of arbitration the outcomes were very different: in the former, the court found that service by email on a person in a company which was not even the respondent party was effective; by contrast, in the latter, the court found that service by email on an actual employee of the respondent party was not effective.

2020 Sulphur Bunker Cap – Charterers’ Concerns

Skuld Charterer January 2019.

South America: Soybeans

We are seeing a number of new cases regarding soybeans from South America and mainly with discharge in China.

Emission Control Areas in Chinese Territorial Waters

Please be advised that as per 1 January 2019 there will be new and quite substantial changes to the Chinese regulations regarding sulphur contents of fuel.

Qatar: Boycott by other nations

A boycott of Qatar has been implemented by several nations in the region, and the following is an update of the situation country by country provided by Gulf Agency Company (GAC).

Changing on-board bunkers safely

This article identifies some of the challenges on-board crew may face, and provides guidelines to reduce the risks of possible engine and fuel-equipment damage.

Bunker contamination: the importance of timely intervention

Skuld Charterer December 2018.

Depression and mental illness

It is important to recognize mental illness in crew members as early as possible, as it can severely impact both the safety and productivity of the ship as well as having potentially serious consequences for the individual concerned.

Iranian trade after 4 November 2018

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Food and fitness - a healthy and happy crew

Ship managers who facilitate for tasty, healthy and nutritious food onboard as well as physical activities will benefit from this.

IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap

Few will be unaware that the IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap will come into force on 1 January 2020. As of this date, the global sulphur limit under MARPOL Annex VI will be reduced from 3.5% to 0.5%.

Fender damage

Fenders have a simple remit: they should prevent the immovable object (the berth) from succumbing to the irresistible force (of the ship) without damage to either.

Training for the Master’s role - reflections and recommendations

With the challenges a Master of a vessel faces in modern times, it is important that they learn the tools and techniques during their years as junior officers so they are comfortable when taking command of a vessel.

Continuing warranty of seaworthiness

Circular issued by International Group clubs

New charterparty clause promoting the use of the Inter-Club Agreement

Circular issued by International Group clubs

Pre-loading survey of steel cargo

Claims involving steel cargoes are frequent and the result is substantial payments from the Club.

Bulk mineral cargo liquefaction - new edition

To assist our members, masters and their crew in identifying the hazards and safeguarding against bulk cargoes which may liquefy during carriage, we now launch a new edition of our pocket guide.

Keeping communications privileged – a recent decision

The Field October 2018.

USA: Potential fines for crew onshore

Failure of the master to detain crewmen onboard a vessel arriving in the United States until inspection may result in a monetary penalty.

BMP5 and Global Counter Piracy Guidance printed copies out now

Electronic copies were released in June 2018 and the printed copies are available for free.

Colombia: Drug smuggling at Colombian ports

Shipowners may become the innocent victims of creative drug smugglers and the following advice will assist in reducing the risk.