News archive

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires all commercial carriers transporting goods into Canada to have a valid carrier code in order to electronically transmit pre-arrival conveyance and cargo information.

Gard today announced, at its annual Summer Seminar, the launch of the latest publication in the “Gard Guidance” series – the Guidance on Maritime Claims and Insurance. This publication is written with the claims’ manager in mind and looks at the types of claims they might face, common issues that arise, which policies would respond, and management issues that they should bear in mind.

In the days leading up to Gard’s conference last week which aimed to raise awareness of the dangers associated with the operation of watertight doors, the leading European door manufacturers agreed to form an international Association to work on safety issues.

Gard today hosted a conference for a wide range of industry participants to raise awareness of the safety issues around watertight doors on board ships and offshore units, and to suggest improvements in design and maintenance that will reduce the risks.

The North American Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements, as defined under MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for prevention of air pollution from ships, are now in force in Canadian territorial waters.

On 7 June 2012 the USCG published a Final Rule amending the regulations for carbon dioxide (CO2) fire-extinguishing systems on several classes of commercial vessels. This Final Rule took effect on 9 July 2012.

Gard News 210 (May/July 2013) E-magazine and PDF are now available.

Gard today announced the highlights from its consolidated results for the year ending 20th February 2013. 

Since the publication of a Notice to Members in December 2012 concerning information required when offered a shipment of iron fines that may contain DRI (C), Gard has again been made aware of instances of cargoes being offered for shipment and shipped that do not have direct reduced iron (DRI) in their descriptions, but which in fact are blends containing a significant proportion of DRI (C) fines.

The United States and Canadian authorities have issued a joint bulletin advising on the risks associated with and actions required of vessels which have visited ports in areas regulated for Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) during specified high-risk periods.

Asian gypsy moth (AGM) is a serious insect pest that can be carried on superstructures of vessels and cargo. AGM populations are prevalent in some seaports in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea and Northern China (regulated areas). 

The number of hijackings of vessels, attacks and attempted boardings in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) remains high and continues to be of great concern to the maritime industry. During January and February 2013 the GoG in general and Nigeria in particular experienced a significant increase in the number of reported piracy attacks.

The United States Coast Guard included in its list of IMO reportable detentions, the detention of a foreign bulk carrier for using fuel oil exceeding the 1.0% sulphur limit content whilst operating within the North American Emission Control Area.

Gard announced today that it has introduced a property policy to cover damage to or loss of containers – on and off the ship – including cover for containers’ share of General Average contribution.  

A vessel covered by Gard was recently involved in a grounding incident while approaching the port of Alexandria, Egypt. Only a week after this incident, local correspondent El Hamamsy notified Gard of a second grounding, involving another vessel, in virtually the same location.

The United States continues to impose ever more stringent and complex economic sanctions on Iran, targeting Iran’s petroleum, petrochemical, and financial/banking sectors. In addition, new sanctions that go into effect 1 July 2013, will target Iran’s ports, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors.

Gard’s Members and clients have for some time reported a recurring oil pollution problem in the port of Pointe-Noire, Congo. As a result of this pollution, vessels visiting the port can have their hulls fouled, to a lesser or greater extent depending on the local conditions at the time of the visit, and it may be necessary to clean the hull prior to departure.