Topics

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: 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.

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

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.

INSIGHT: Venezuela Sanctions

General information about Venezuela sanctions 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?

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.