Port Situation As Members will be aware, following the movement of Russian troops into Ukraine and into the Crimean region, there have been political demonstrations and violence in some limited areas. Most ports in Ukraine are reported to be functioning as normal but the local correspondent recommends that foreign crew members keep away from areas where any demonstrations are taking place, with the exception of the small port of Kherson where crew should refrain from coming ashore.
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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7 March 2014
5 March 2014
Members are reminded that the high risk season for the Asian Gypsy Moth (“AGM”) is now commencing. This is a serious pest of coniferous and deciduous trees to the extent that both Canadian and USA authorities have detailed regulations as to measures to prevent the entry of AGM on vessels calling at ports in Canada and USA.
18 February 2014
Members due to load cargoes of petroleum coke from Bayou Casotte terminal in Pascagoula, Mississippi, should note that the Club has been advised of various incidents in which access by surveyors/correspondents to attend vessels has been restricted and/or refused by the terminal without explanation in circumstances where issues have arisen due quality/quantity. No difficulties have been encountered with access to vessels at the Chevron refinery terminal.
13 February 2014
As Members will be aware from our News Alert of last week (click here), a power failure stopped operations at Richards Bay Coal Terminal (“RBCT”) from 31 January 2014. The Correspondent in Durban P&I Associates (Pty) Ltd, now reports that limited operations resumed at RBCT on Sunday 9 February 2014 and according to the RBCT website press release (click here) “operations are back up and running with full terminal capacity available”.
7 February 2014
Members who call at Hong Kong should note that the Hong Kong Legislative Council is due to vote in mid-2014 on whether to make the use of low-sulphur fuel compulsory. Low-sulphur fuel is likely to be defined as having a sulphur content of not more than 0.5%. Should the proposed legislation become law, the current timetable indicates that emissions of ocean going vessels will be subject to regulation in Hong Kong from an as yet unspecified date in 2015.
7 February 2014
As Members may already be aware from various press reports, a power failure has occurred in Richards Bay, apparently after electrical cables supplying power from uMhlatuze municipality failed last Friday 31 January. The power failure has stopped operations at Richards Bay Coal Terminal (“RBCT”), but it is expected that RBCT will be operational again by Sunday 9 February 2014.
29 January 2014
Members will be aware of the recent suspension of sanctions measures relating to certain trades with Iran for a six month period between 20 January 2014 and 20 July 2014 (click here for the News Alert of 21 January 2014 for further details). The International Group has been continuing to engage with the relevant US and EU regulators to clarify the intended operation of the suspension of sanctions in relation to the provision of insurance.
21 January 2014
Members will already be aware, from the Club’s previous News Alert dated 29 November 2013 (click here), of the Geneva Joint Plan of Action (JPoA) reached between the P5+1 nations and Iran to provide an easing of some sanctions in exchange for significant concessions by Iran in relation to its nuclear enrichment program.
9 January 2014
Members will already be aware of the Indonesian Regulation banning the export of unrefined mineral ores (“the Regulation” - click here for the News Alert of 3 May 2012 for further details).
8 January 2014
Members will already be aware of Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) in respect of the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships as outlined in the Club’s previous publications (click here). In order to aid Members in understanding and adhering to the amended Regulations, the International Group of P&I Clubs have now updated their “Frequently Asked Questions” (“FAQs”) in respect of the PRC’s Pollution Regulations.