Shipowners and Charterers may be aware that as of 1 June 2016, a service tax on freight was imposed by the Indian Government for FOB cargoes on ships chartered by importers domiciled in India. This tax has, to date, been paid by the Indian importer. There was an express exemption for goods shipped by a party that was not domiciled in India i.e. goods shipped on a CFR basis.
News Alerts
We issue News and other Alerts to keep members posted about developments at the Club and other industry news. Please see our latest Alerts below.
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27 January 2017
20 January 2017
Shipowners should be aware that the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention 1978 was amended by the 2010 Manila Amendments, which contained new training requirements for seafarers. Between 1 July 2013 and 1 January 2017 (as appropriate), all seafarers were required to undertake additional training in compliance with the Manila Amendments and hold the requisite certification.
19 January 2017
Members will be aware that the US had been maintaining broad trade and financial sanctions on Sudanese goods, persons and entities including wide prohibitions on the assistance/facilitation that can be given by a US person/entity under their Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (SSR) and Executive Orders 13067 and 13412. However, on 17 January 2017, a new general licence came into effect which now authorises all transactions that were prohibited under the SSR and Executive Orders 13067 and 13412.
11 January 2017
Members will already be aware of the requirements of the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks that entered into force in April 2015 in various countries (click here to access the Club’s News Alert of 19 January 2015). The Convention will shortly come into force in Finland as of 27 January 2017 and in China as of 11 February 2017.
4 January 2017
Members will already be aware of the Regulations concerning the sulphur content of fuel to be used by vessels at certain times during berthing in specified Emission Control Areas (ECA), Shanghai, Ningbo–Zhoushan, Suzhou and Nantong, as outlined in the Club’s previous News Alerts (click here). As advised by the Correspondent, Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultant Service Limited, from 1 January 2017 onwards, the requirement to use fuel oil with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.
23 December 2016
Members will already be aware the growing threat of cyber fraud as outlined in the Club’s News Alert of 1 July 2015 (click here), which highlighted in particular the interception of genuine emails setting out bank account details and replacement with an email containing the fraudster's bank account.
2 December 2016
Members calling at Tianjin port in China should note that the Correspondent, Huatai Insurance Agency and Consultant Service Limited, Tianjin Branch, has issued a Circular on recent thefts of bunkers, stores and spare parts from vessels whilst at anchorage. The anchorage is about 20 nautical miles from the port entrance and thieves approach vessels in smaller boats, usually under cover of night and during winter time when high waves may limit radar/phone signal.
20 September 2016
Members calling at ports in Argentina should note that the Correspondent, Pandi Liquidadores SRL, has recently issued a Circular regarding the potentially onerous cost consequences of supernumeraries and other passengers not meeting immigration requirements for Argentina. Whilst crewmembers do not require visas, Owners are advised to take care that any supernumeraries or passengers on board are properly equipped with valid visas.
13 September 2016
Members will already be aware of the Zika prevention measures required by the Chinese Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (CIQ). These measures include the provision of a Mosquito Eradication Certificate (MEC) in circumstances where the vessel’s last port of call was in a Zika affected area.
29 July 2016
Members who call at ports in Brazil will be aware that issues can arise in relation to delays. Whilst the immediate concern of Owners/Charterers may be the demurrage accruing under the relevant charter, Members should note a potential problem arising in relation to crew overstaying the maximum 30 days from the first point of entry.