News Alerts

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The Club has been informed of a recent attack by armed individuals against 4 ships in the anchorage at Umm Qasr, Iraq.  It is understood that the local fishing fleet (which usually consists of approximately 75-100 dhows and is often in/around the anchorage) was used as cover by a dhow disguised as a fishing boat to transport a number of armed individuals (15 in total) to each of the four targeted merchant ships. Once aboard, threats were made by the armed individuals against crew members in order to try to obtain money and other valuables. Further, the Club has also been informed of recent attacks by armed individuals against 2 ships at Mongla Port, Bangladesh.

Whilst the Iraqi Police have reportedly apprehended all the individuals involved at Umm Qasr, Iraq, those responsible for the attacks at Mongla Port, Bangladesh remain at large.

With the potential threat of such attacks in ports/anchorages, Members are reminded of the need for their crews to remain vigilant at all times and particularly in Iraq and Bangladesh. The Club would remind Members of the Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) set up by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The main aim of the PRC is to raise awareness within the shipping industry of the areas of high risk associated with piratical attacks or specific ports and anchorages associated with armed robberies on board ships. Ships can obtain a live update on reported affected areas/ports and/or in the event of an attack can report the incident to the PRC to assist the promulgation of information to other ships and thus help prevent further attacks. A link to the PRC page of the IMB website can be found here.

The industry developed Best Management Practice (BMP) guidelines for reducing the risk of capture by Somalian pirates has recently been updated and the new guidelines (Edition 3) as attached.  These guidelines are clearer than the previous version in a number of respects, but the main difference includes acknowledgement of their applicability to the Indian Ocean.  They also offer some guidance to crew in circumstances where pirates have achieved strategic control of a ship.

Along with other industry bodies, the IG firmly recommend that Members pay close attention to the BMP when preparing a ship for transit through an area where the risk of attack by pirates exists.  There are two reasons for doing so:

1.                  Capture Avoidance

2.                  Reducing exposure to claims

Capture Avoidance

The BMP contains advice which can reduce the risk of seizure.  The Naval Authorities support the view that effective implementation of the BMP materially reduces that risk.

Reducing exposure

If despite best efforts, a ship is captured, claims may arise from:

Crew – for loss of personal effects, for physical injury and in certain cases, trauma.

Cargo –            

a) Loss, depreciation or delay

b) Contested contributions to any ransom payment or associated expenses (through GA)

Charterers – off-hire

A Member’s ability to resist any of the above claims will substantially turn on their ability to demonstrate that they took reasonable precautions to prepare the vessel at the commencement of the voyage for the risk of attack by pirates.  Members that can demonstrate an effective implementation of BMP will be better placed to prove seaworthiness.

The Correspondent in Durban, P&I Associates (Pty) Ltd, has advised The London P&I Club of continuing strike action at all commercial ports in South Africa. The strike involves a dispute between Transnet, the operator of all South African ports (the government being the majority shareholder), and Unions over wage increases. The largest impact is at the Port of Durban which is currently at a virtual standstill. The Correspondent reports specifically on the allocation of resources within the Port of Durban as follows:

1) Marine Services – Limited berthing and sailing using skeleton staff causing delay to vessels, including vessels entering for bunkers and vessels using non Transnet operated berths.

2) Container Terminals - Operating with a skeleton staff.

3) General Cargo Berths – Staff are not working at Transnet berths. Leasehold berths are operating despite alleged intimidation.

4) Car Terminal – Staff have so far worked 1 vessel at a time.

The strike has caused a severe back log of operations and as of today (18 May 2010) approximately 30 vessels are anchored off Durban.