As Members may already be aware from various press reports, the Indonesian government has passed a law that bans the export of unrefined mineral ores, to take effect from 12 January 2014. Members may recall that Indonesia has previously tried to ban exports of unrefined ores, as reported in the Club's News Alert of 3 May 2012 (click here).
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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23 December 2013
18 December 2013
Members will already be aware of the fire at Copersucar Sugar Terminal in Santos a few months ago, as reported in the Club's News Alert of 24 October 2013 (click here). The Club has recently received reports that cargoes of distressed sugar are being offered for carriage to a refining company in the Middle East. A significant proportion of the distressed sugar is reported to be very wet, due to the fire fighting measures.
29 November 2013
Members will be aware of the recent Geneva Agreement between the P5+1 (the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China, facilitated by the European Union) and Iran, that has been widely reported in the international press. The Agreement is an interim one that will remain in force for the next six months.
26 November 2013
Members calling at South Korean ports after a call at Japanese ports should be aware of guidance that has recently been issued by the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The Correspondent in South Korea, Spark International, reports that guidance has been issued by the Port Management Division in order to protect the South Korean coast and waters from the spread of polluted water from sources close to the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.
24 October 2013
As Members may already be aware from various press reports, a fire has occurred at Terminal Acucareiro Copersucar (“TAC”) (Copersucar Sugar Terminal) in Santos, Brazil. Whilst a full assessment of the losses has yet to be made, the international press is reporting that the fire has destroyed approximately 180,000 tonnes of sugar and, based on current assessment, there is no expectation that TAC will be operational for at least six months.
1 October 2013
Members calling at Argentinean ports to load or discharge solid bulk cargoes may be aware of changes to the Argentinean Regulationsin relation to the measurement of such cargoes. The Correspondent in Buenos Aires, Pandi Liquidadores, reports that in June 2013 the Federal Administration of Public Revenue circulated a General Resolution giving the Customs Authorities the power to decide whether the weight or volume of bulk cargoes be determined by shore scales or draft survey (click here).
26 September 2013
Members will already be aware of recent regulations by the Grain Board of Iraq (“GBI”) that require outturn documents to be signed without reservation, as reported in the Club’s News Alert of 18 March 2013 (click here). The International Group of P&I Clubs (“IG”) is engaged in discussions to persuade the GBI to allow the Master or ship’s agent to sign documents that record the condition or quantity of cargo on a “without prejudice” and “for receipt only” basis.
28 August 2013
Members should note that the International Group's FAQs on Piracy have recently been updated. The main changes are to reflect the following developments since October 2011: The increased activity of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea. Although the FAQs were developed in response to the threat presented by pirates operating out of Somalia, many of the provisions are applicable to piracy risks in general. The issuance by the IMO of Interim Guidelines for Shipowners.
15 August 2013
Members will recall the Club's Circular of 27 February 2013 on Electronic (Paperless) Trading Solutions, which included information on P&I cover in respect of liabilities arising under Electronic Bills of Lading. The International Group have recently drafted FAQs providing additional information on this subject for Members giving consideration to the use of such trading systems, which is attached.
24 July 2013
As Members will be aware, following the Egyptian military’s overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi in early July 2013, tensions have been running high and there are regular reports of civil unrest in various parts of Egypt. It is understood generally that the military has been careful to protect the Suez Canal from being affected by any tensions or unrest in cities along the Canal to try to protect economic interests and ensure the safety of navigation in the Canal.